Mid-American Conference Football Weekly Release August 27, 2019

Football Contact: Ken Mather, Associate Commissioner for Media & Public Relations ([email protected]) Mid-American Conference, 24 Public Square, 15th Floor, Cleveland, Ohio 44113, 216-566-4622, GetSomeMACtion.com

Become a fan of the Mid-American Conference on Facebook (GetSomeMACtion). Follow the MAC On Twitter @MACSports, Snapchat (MACSports) and Instagram (MACSports) MAC Standings MAC Storylines Conference Overall • MAC football continues its 73rd season of competition and will WEST DIVISION W L Pct. Stk H A W L Pct. Stk H A hold its 23rd championship game in 2019. This year’s Marathon Ball State 0 0 .000 - 0-0 0-0 0 0 .000 - 0-0 0-0 MAC Football Championship game will be Saturday, Dec. 7 at Central Michigan 0 0 .000 - 0-0 0-0 0 0 .000 - 0-0 0-0 Noon ET on ESPN or ESPN2 at Ford Field in Detroit. Northern Eastern Michigan 0 0 .000 - 0-0 0-0 0 0 .000 - 0-0 0-0 Illinois is the defending MAC Champion as the Huskies defeated Northern Illinois 0 0 .000 - 0-0 0-0 0 0 .000 - 0-0 0-0 Buffalo, 30-29, last November. Toledo 0 0 .000 - 0-0 0-0 0 0 .000 - 0-0 0-0 Western Michigan 0 0 .000 - 0-0 0-0 0 0 .000 - 0-0 0-0 • The 2019 football season will bring the transition of four new Conference Overall head coaches into the Conference. Tom Arth (Akron), Scot EAST DIVISION W L Pct. Stk H A W L Pct. Stk H A Loeffler (Bowling Green), Jim McElwain (Central Michigan) Akron 0 0 .000 - 0-0 0-0 0 0 .000 - 0-0 0-0 and Thomas Hammock (Northern Illinois) were all named head Bowling Green 0 0 .000 - 0-0 0-0 0 0 .000 - 0-0 0-0 coaches of their respective programs following the end of the Buffalo 0 0 .000 - 0-0 0-0 0 0 .000 - 0-0 0-0 2018 campaign. Kent State 0 0 .000 - 0-0 0-0 0 0 .000 - 0-0 0-0 Miami 0 0 .000 - 0-0 0-0 0 0 .000 - 0-0 0-0 • The MAC will open the season by hosting seven games and Ohio 0 0 .000 - 0-0 0-0 0 0 .000 - 0-0 0-0 playing on the road in five others. Buffalo opens the season on Thursday, Aug. 29 by hosting Robert Morris (ESPN+), while Bowling Green hosts Morgan State (ESPN3), Central Michigan MAC CELEBRATES COLLEGE FOOTBALL’S 150TH ANNIVERSARY welcomes Albany (ESPN3) and Kent State travels to Arizona State The Mid-American Conference will join our FBS brethren in celebrating 150 (Pac-12 Network). MAC programs will play eight games on Sat- years of college football this 2019 season and the MAC has created a specific urday, Aug. 31, highlighted by Ball State hosting Indiana at Lucas celebration plan to utilize the 150th anniversary date of November 6, 2019 as the Oil Stadium in Indianapolis at Noon ET (CBS Sports Network). MAC will be the only Conference playing a live game on this date. Our MAC specific 150th Anniversary celebration will run in addition to the national 150th • MAC programs will face opponents from the Big Ten (Illinois, platform for all FBS programs. Indiana and Iowa), Pac-12 (Arizona State), SEC (Kentucky) and Sun Belt Conference (Coastal Carolina) in Week One. The MAC A 10-person ‘MAC-150 Celebration’ committee, led by Central Michigan Director will also face six FCS opponents. of Athletics, Michael Alford, was created in the Spring of 2018 and the MAC’s collaborative plan for the 2019 season focuses on inclusion of all 12 MAC football This Week’s MAC Schedule programs, engagement of our fan base, opportunity for engagement with our part- Thursday, August 29 ners with the primary goal of telling our lengthy and celebrated MAC football story. Albany at Central Michigan, 7:00 pm ET (ESPN3) Morgan State at Bowling Green, 7:00 pm ET (ESPN3) On Wednesday, November 6th the MAC will be the only FBS conference playing Robert Morris at Buffalo, 7:00 pm ET (ESPN+) a live college football game on the 150th anniversary as the Miami RedHawks Kent State at Arizona State, 10:00 pm ET (Pac-12 Networks) travel to face the Ohio Bobcats at Peden Stadium in Athens, Ohio on ESPN2. Saturday, August 31 Akron at Illinois, Noon ET (Big Ten Network) Indiana at Ball State, Noon ET (CBS Sports Network) (at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Ind.) Toledo at Kentucky, Noon ET (SEC Network) Rhode Island at Ohio, 2:00 pm ET (ESPN+) Eastern Michigan at Coastal Carolina, 3:30 pm ET (ESPN+) Illinois State at NIU, 7:00 pm ET/6:00 pm CT (ESPN+) ® Monmouth at Western Michigan, 7:00 pm ET (ESPN3) Miami at Iowa, 7:30 pm ET (FS1) MAC TO FACE TOP RANKED NON-CONFERENCE OPPONENTS The first 2019 Associated Press Top 25 Poll was released on Aug. 19th and the Next Week’s MAC Schedule MAC will face 10 of the top 25 ranked teams this season in the country during Saturday, September 7 non-conference play (AP ranking): Ohio at Pitt, 11:00 am ET (ACC Network) Bowling Green at Kansas State, Noon ET (FOX Sports Net) No. 5 Miami at Ohio State on Sat., Sept. 21 (time TBA) Kennesaw at Kent State, Noon ET (ESPN3) No. 9 Bowling Green at Notre Dame on Sat., Oct. 5 at 3:30 pm ET (NBC) NIU at Utah, 1:00 pm ET/Noon CT (Pac-12 Networks) No. 14 NIU at Utah on Sat., Sept. 7 at 1:00 pm ET/Noon CT (Pac-12 Network) UAB at Akron, Noon ET (CBS Sports Network) No. 15 Buffalo at Penn State on Sat., Sept. 7 at 7:30 pm ET (FOX) Fordham at Ball State, 2:00 pm ET (ESPN3) No. 16 Kent State at Auburn on Sat., Sept. 14 at 7:00 pm ET (ESPN2/ESPNU) Tennessee Tech at Miami, 2:30 pm ET (ESPN+) No. 18 Western Michigan at Michigan St. on Sat., Sept. 7 at 7:30 pm ET (BTN) Central Michigan at Wisconsin, 3:30 pm ET (Big Ten Network) No. 19 Central Michigan at Wisconsin on Sat., Sept. 7 at 3:30 pm ET (BTN) Eastern Michigan at Kentucky, 7:30 pm ET No. 19 Kent State at Wisconsin on Sat., Oct. 5 (TBA) (ESPN/ESPN2/ESPNU) (ESPNU or SEC Network Alternate) No. 20 Miami at Iowa on Sat., Aug. 31 at 7:30 pm ET (FS1) Buffalo at Penn State, 7:30 pm ET (FOX) No. 22 Western Michigan at Syracuse on Sat., Sept. 21 (time TBA) Western Michigan at Michigan State, 7:30 pm ET No. 24 NIU at Nebraska on Sat., Sept. 14 at 8:00 pm ET/7:00 pm CT (FS1) (Big Ten Network) Bye: Toledo Mid-American Conference Football AUGUST 27, 2019

MAC VS. BIG TEN OPPONENTS MAC 2018 SEASON RECAP This opening week the MAC will face three Big Ten opponents -- Il- • Northern Illinois won the 2018 Marathon MAC Football Cham- linois, Indiana and Iowa. The MAC has won a regular season game vs. pionship Game with a thrilling 30-29 win over Buffalo on Nov. Big Ten opponents in each of the last 13 consecutive seasons (2006- 30. The win was NIU’s first championship since 2014 and the fifth 2018), the longest streak in MAC history. Last year the MAC had three championship in program history (2018, 2014, 2012, 2011, 1983). wins at Big Ten opponents as Buffalo (42-13 win at Rutgers on Sept. The Huskies have been a model of consistency in winning as NIU 22, 2018), Akron (39-34 win at Northwestern on Sept. 15, 2018) and has won the MAC West Division seven times in the last nine years Eastern Michigan (20-19 win at Purdue on Sept. 8, 2018) contributed and the Huskies have been bowl eligible in 10 of the last 11 years. toward extending the streak. • Six MAC programs received bowl invitations in the 2018 bowl During this 13-year stretch, MAC teams have defeated 12 different season -- Northern Illinois (8-6), Buffalo (10-4), Ohio (9-4), Toledo Big Ten programs—Illinois (3); Indiana (5); Iowa (3); Maryland (7-6), Western Michigan (7-6) and Eastern Michigan (7-6). The (1); Michigan (1); Michigan State (1); Minnesota (2); Nebraska (1); MAC record for bowl invitations in a single-season is seven in both Northwestern (3); Penn State (1); Purdue (6) and Rutgers (2) for a total the 2012 and 2015 bowl seasons. Miami (6-6) was one of four FBS of 29 wins during this stretch. teams to not receive a bowl invitation. Miami (13), Bowling Green (8), Toledo (6), Central Michigan (6) and • Northern Illinois (Cheribundi Boca Raton Bowl), Buffalo (Dollar Northern Illinois (6) have the most wins vs. Big Ten opponents. General Bowl), Ohio (DXL Frisco Bowl), Toledo (Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl), Western Michigan (Famous Idaho Potato Bowl) SOLICH THIRD LONGEST ACTIVE FBS HEAD COACH and Eastern Michigan (Raycom Media Camellia Bowl) represented Ohio head football coach Frank Solich is entering his 15th season at the MAC during the 2018 bowl season. the helm of the Ohio Bobcat football program and currently ranks tied for third among active FBS head coaches as the longest tenured FBS • This marked the 11th time in MAC history to have five or more current head coaches. programs receive a bowl invitation (2004, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018) in a single-season. Only Kirk Ferentz of Iowa (1999-2019 -- 21st season), Gary Patterson of TCU (2000-19 -- 19th season) and Kyle Whittington of Utah (2004- • In the previous eight bowl seasons, the MAC has a record of 13- 19 -- 15th season) join Solich in this list. Solich and Whittingham are 33 in 46 bowl games – 2018 (1-5); 2017 (1-4); 2016 (0-6); 2015 tied for third, however Whittingham (12/9/04) was hired eight days (3-4); 2014 (2-3); 2013 (0-5); 2012 (2-5); 2011 (4-1) as all 12 MAC earlier than Solich (12/17/04). Solich and his Bobcats open the season programs have appeared in a bowl game during this span (2011-18). on Saturday, Aug. 31 at 2:00 pm ET as they host Rhode Island at Peden Stadium on ESPN+. • Buffalo (10-4, 7-1 MAC) won the MAC East Division for the first time since 2008. Buffalo’s 10 wins were the most since moving to OHIO’S SOLICH THIRD ON MAC CAREER WINS LIST FBS and joining the MAC in 1999. Buffalo was also bowl eligible Ohio head coach Frank Solich and his Bobcats finished 2018 with for the second consecutive year. The Bulls made their third overall an 9-4 overall record and a second-place finish in the East Division, bowl appearance in program history. including a 27-0 shutout victory over San Diego State in the DXL Frisco Bowl on Dec. 19, 2018, for the first-ever MAC shutout in a • Over the last three seasons, the MAC had six different programs bowl game in league history. Solich continues to rise up the MAC participate in the Marathon MAC Football Championship Game. In career head coaching win list with 106 wins, which ranks third most 2016 Western Michigan defeated Ohio, 29-23, while 2017 witnessed in MAC history. Solich needs five wins to become the all-time win- Toledo with a 45-28 win over Akron and last year NIU defeated ningest coach in MAC history. Buffalo, 30-29.

Solich has been the model for consistency in coaching in the MAC. • In 2018, the MAC had eight FBS wins, including three wins over Solich arrived in Athens in 2005 and is entering his 15th season run- Big Ten opponents (Northwestern, Purdue and Rutgers). ning the Bobcats program. Solich and the Bobcats have garnered a bowl appearance in nine of the last 10 seasons and 10 of his 14 • In MAC crossover games in 2018, the East and West Divisions seasons at Ohio. Solich has a 106-75 career coaching record at Ohio. tied 9-9 in 18 games. Over the previous 11 years (2008-2018), the MAC West has had the upper hand in crossover regular season Most MAC Head Coaching Wins, Career games against the MAC East, winning the head-to-head regular 1. 110, Herb Deromedi, Central Michigan, 1978-93 season series in nine of the last 11 years. The West holds a 129-69 2. 108, Bill Hess, Ohio, 1958-77 (.652%) regular season record in crossover games over the East 3. 106, Frank Solich, Ohio, 2005-present during that span. 4. 79, Bob Pruett, Marshall, 1997-03 5. 77, Doyt Perry, Bowling Green, 1955-64 MAC 2018 BOWL RESULTS • Raycom Media Camellia Bowl (Montgomery, Ala.) Georgia KENT STATE’S LEWIS IS YOUNGEST FBS HEAD COACH Southern 23, Eastern Michigan 21 For the second consecutive year, Kent State’s Sean Lewis, 33, is the • Cheribundi Boca Raton Bowl (Boca Raton, Fla.) UAB 37, NIU 13 youngest head coach in NCAA Division I (FBS). Lewis is entering • DXL Frisco Bowl (Frisco, Texas) Ohio 27, San Diego State 0 his second year at the helm of the Golden Flashes with a 2-10 record • Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl (Nassau, Bahamas) FIU 35, as head coach. Also on this list are both NIU head coach Thomas Toledo 32 Hammock and Akron’s Tom Arth at age 38. Ironically, Ohio’s Frank • Famous Idaho Potato Bowl (Boise, Ida.) BYU 49, Western Michi- Solich has the most life experience among active FBS head coaches gan 18 at the age of 74 (9-8-44). • Dollar General Bowl (Mobile, Ala.) Troy 42, Buffalo 32 Coach, School, Age (Date of Birth) Sean Lewis, Kent State 33 (4-11-86) Jake Spavital, Texas State 34 (5-1-85) Will Healy, Charlotte 34 (1-16-85) Walt Bell, UMass 35 (6-7-84) Lincoln Riley, Oklahoma 35 (9-5-83) The MAC has partnered with collegepressbox.com to continue Eliah Drinkwitz, App State 36 (4-12-83) media services and provide access to information on the confer- Mike Norvell, Memphis 37 (10-11-81) ence and our membership including rosters, bios, game notes, Thomas Hammock, NIU 38 (7-7-81) depth charts, stats, quotes, flipcards, media schedules and more. Tom Arth, Akron 38 (5-11-81) Mid-American Conference Football AUGUST 27, 2019

MAC WITH FOUR NEW HEAD COACHES FOR 2019 MAC PROGRAMS IN BOWL GAMES The MAC welcome’s four new coaches for the 2019 season. In the last eight bowl seasons, every MAC football program has received a bowl invitation. Leading the way are Northern Illinois, Tom Arth-Akron: Arth was named the 28th head coach at Akron and Ohio and Toledo with bowl invitations in seven of the last eight just the sixth head coach since moving up to Division I in 1987. Arth bowl seasons. takes the reins at Akron after two seasons at Tennessee-Chattanooga. In four seasons at John Carroll University, his alma mater, Arth 2011-18 MAC Programs and Years Invited to Bowl Games owned a 40-8 overall record while guiding the Blue Streaks to three Northern Illinois (7): 2011; 2012; 2013; 2014; 2015; 2017; 2018 postseason appearances, highlighted by road victories over two No. Ohio (7): 2011; 2012; 2013; 2015; 2016; 2017; 2018 1 ranked opponents in Mount Union and Wisconsin-Whitewater. Toledo (7): 2011; 2012; 2014; 2015; 2016; 2017; 2018 Central Michigan (5): 2012; 2014; 2015; 2016; 2017 Arth was the 2016 Ohio Athletic Conference Coach of the Year and Western Michigan (5): 2011; 2014; 2015; 2016; 2018 guided John Carroll to the NCAA Division III Playoffs in three of his Bowling Green (4): 2012; 2013; 2014; 2015 four years. The program finished in the top 25 every season including Akron (2): 2015; 2017 top-five finishes in 2016 (No. 3) and 2014 (No. 5). John Carroll won Ball State (2): 2012; 2013 the league’s automatic bid for the first time in school history in 2016, Buffalo (2): 2013; 2018 breaking Mount Union’s run of 24 consecutive OAC titles, as they Eastern Michigan (2): 2016; 2018 finished ranked No. 3 in the country with a 12-2 record. Kent State (1): 2012 Miami (1): 2016 Arth graduated from John Carroll in 2003 and was a two-time All- former: Temple (1): 2011 American quarterback where he set 18 school records. As a senior in 2002, he guided JCU to a 12-2 record, and East region championship, Year; MAC Programs Invited to Bowl Games and a berth in to the NCAA Division III national semifinals for the 2011: Northern Illinois; Ohio; Toledo; Western Michigan; Temple first time in program history. Arth spent three seasons (2003-05) as a 2012: Northern Illinois; Kent State; Ohio; Bowling Green; Ball backup quarterback to Peyton Manning with the Indianapolis Colts. State; Central Michigan; Toledo 2013: Northern Illinois; Bowling Green; Ball State; Ohio; Buffalo Thomas Hammock-NIU: Hammock, a former Huskie player and 2014: Northern Illinois; Bowling Green; Toledo; Central Michigan; assistant coach, returns to DeKalb as the 23rd head coach in the his- Western Michigan tory of the NIU football program. Hammock joins NIU after spending 2015: Bowling Green; Northern Illinois; Toledo; Western Michigan; the last five seasons as an assistant coach with the Baltimore Ravens Central Michigan; Ohio; Akron and is the first African-American head coach in NIU football history. 2016: Western Michigan, Ohio, Toledo, Eastern Michigan, Central Michigan, Miami Hammock began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Wis- 2017: Toledo, Akron, Ohio, Central Michigan; Northern Illinois. consin, followed by two seasons as an assistant at NIU under Huskie 2018: Northern Illinois, Buffalo, Ohio, Toledo, Western Michigan, Hall of Famer Joe Novak (2005-06). Hammock then served stints Eastern Michigan as an assistant coach at Minnesota and Wisconsin before joining the Baltimore Ravens organization for the 2014 season. In five seasons as MAC NON-CONFERENCE WINS the running backs coach he helped Baltimore’s rushing attack finish Last season the MAC finished the regular season with eight FBS in the top 11 in the NFL three times, including last season when the non-conference wins over Purdue, Northwestern and Rutgers from Ravens had the second-best rushing offense in the NFL (152.6 ypg). the Big Ten Conference; Temple (American Athletic Conference); Nevada (Mountain West); Georgia State (Sun Belt Conference) As a player, Hammock gained 2,432 rushing yards in his NIU career and independent BYU and UMass. (1999-2002), which still ranks 13th all-time in Huskie history. He was a two-time CoSIDA Academic All-American (2000, ‘01) and a In 2017, the MAC concluded its non-conference regular season two-time First Team All-MAC honoree (2000, ‘01). schedule with 14 FBS wins, which tied for second most for the MAC since 2000. The most non-conference regular season wins Scot Loeffler-Bowling Green: Loeffler was named the 20th head by the MAC in a single year is 16 FBS wins in 2012, while the 14 coach of the Bowling Green program and joines the Falcons after FBS wins during the 2017 season matched the total from 2008. serving as Deputy Head Coach and Offensive Coordinator at Bos- In 2017, the MAC had four ‘Autonomous Conference’ wins over ton College. His coaching career includes stops at Michigan State, Nebraska and Rutgers (Big Ten) and Kansas twice (Big 12). Michigan, Central Michigan, Florida, Temple, Auburn, Virginia Tech, Boston College and one year with the Detroit Lions. ROURKE CONTINUES TO LEAD OHIO OFFENSE Ohio quarterback Nathan Rourke had another impressive season Loeffler has coached seven quarterbacks who went on to play in the under center in leading the Ohio Bobcats to a 9-4 overall record, NFL – Tom Brady, Tim Tebow, Brian Griese, Chad Henne, Drew Hen- including a second-place finish in the MAC East Division. Rourke son, John Navarre and Logan Thomas. Loeffler’s teams have played led the Bobcats to the first-ever MAC shutout in a bowl game with in 15 bowl games in the past 16 seasons he has been a college coach. a commanding 27-0 win over San Diego State in the DXL Frisco Loeffler has familiarity with the MAC as he was Central Michigan’s Bowl to finish the 2018 season on a high note. Last year, Rourke quarterbacks coach from 2000-01. He was a graduate assistant and continued his dual threat role within the Bobcat offense with 860 student assistant at Michigan and was part of the undefeated national yards rushing and led the MAC with 15 rushing touchdowns on the championship season in 1997. A native of Barberton, Ohio, he played ground, while passing for 2,434 yards and 23 touchdowns on 164- quarterback at Michigan from 1993-96. 274 passing (59.9%) for 187.2 yards passing per game. Jim McElwain-Central Michigan: McElwain was named the 29th Rourke continued to spark the Ohio offensive engine as last year head coach at Central Michigan and brings nearly 30 years of college Ohio’s offense led the MAC in rushing offense with 258.3 yards per coaching experience to Mt. Pleasant. McElwain was named the 2015 game, total offense with 466.8 yards per game and pass efficiency SEC Coach of the Year as he led Florida to 19 wins and back-to-back with a 154.2 rating, and also ranked second in the MAC in scoring SEC East titles during his first two seasons, and he became the first with 40.1 points per game. Rourke’s 38 total touchdowns last season, head coach in the SEC to reach the SEC Championship Game in his 23 passing and 15 rushing, was tied for 16th best in a single-season first two seasons as head coach. McElwain led Colorado State to a in MAC history and he already has 36 career rushing touchdowns, 10-2 record in 2014 and was named Mountain West Coach of the Year. which ranks tied for 22nd best in MAC history. Rourke is also ac- curate in the passing game as his 18-20 passing (90.0%) performance A native of Montana, he played quarterback in the early 1980s at East- in a 27-26 win over Kent State is tied for 10th best single-game pass ern Washington and got his coaching start at that school as a graduate completion percentage in league history. assistant and later working with quarterbacks and wide receivers. Mid-American Conference Football AUGUST 27, 2019

MAC VS BIG TEN OPPONENTS YOUNG MAC RUNNING BACKS IMPACTING OFFENSES With Buffalo’s 42-13 win at Rutgers on Sept. 22, 2018, Akron’s A steady influx of young running backs had a dramatic impact 39-34 win at Northwestern on Sept. 15, 2018 and Eastern Michi- during the 2018 season and should only continue its trend during gan’s 20-19 win at Purdue on Sept. 8, 2018, the MAC extended the 2019 campaign. Last season as freshman running backs, Buf- its streak of a regular season win vs. Big Ten opponents in each of falo’s Jaret Patterson and Toledo’s Bryant Koback led their teams the last 13 consecutive seasons (2006-2018), the longest streak in in rushing, while NIU sophomore running back Tre Harbison and MAC history. Bowling Green sophomore Andrew Clair also led their teams in rushing. All four are returning this 2019 campaign and will be During this 13-year stretch, MAC teams have defeated 12 differ- joined by Western Michigan’s LeVante Bellamy in aiming for the ent Big Ten teams—Illinois (3); Indiana (5); Iowa (3); Maryland league’s rushing title in 2019. (1); Michigan (1); Michigan State (1); Minnesota (2); Nebraska (1); Northwestern (3); Penn State (1), Purdue (6) and Rutgers (2) Patterson was named All-MAC Second Team and was named for a total of 29 wins during this span of time. MAC Freshman of the Year as he led Buffalo and ranked fourth in the MAC with 1,013 yards rushing (5.5 avg.) and ranked second in 2006: Ohio beat Illinois the MAC with 14 rushing touchdowns last season. Buffalo’s rush- 2007: BGSU beat Minnesota; WMU defeated Iowa ing offense ranked fourth in the MAC with an average of 189.1 2008: WMU beat Illinois; CMU beat Indiana; Toledo beat Michi- yards rushing per game. gan; Ball State beat Indiana 2009: NIU beat Purdue; Central Michigan beat Michigan State Koback led the Rockets and ranked fifth in the MAC with 917 2010: Toledo beat Purdue; NIU beat Minnesota yards rushing and tied for second with 14 rushing touchdowns. 2011: Ball State beat Indiana Koback averaged 70.5 yards rushing per game as he helped Toledo 2012: Ohio beat Penn St.; Ball State beat Indiana; CMU beat Iowa to a 7-6 overall record and an invitation to the Makers Wanted 2013: NIU beat Purdue; NIU beat Iowa Bahamas Bowl. 2014: BGSU beat Indiana; NIU beat NW; CMU beat Purdue 2015: BGSU beat Maryland and Purdue Harbison was named All-MAC Second Team last season as he 2016: WMU beat Northwestern and Illinois paced the Huskie rushing attack with 1,034 yards rushing, which 2017: NIU beat Nebraska; Eastern Michigan beat Rutgers ranked third in the MAC, and added five rushing touchdowns. Har- 2018: EMU beat Purdue; Akron beat Northwestern; Buffalo beat bison carried the load down the stretch as NIU claimed the Mara- Rutgers thon MAC Football Championship and earned an invitation to the Cheribundi Boca Raton Bowl. OHIO’S ZERVOS ONE OF MAC’S MOST ACCURATE Ohio senior Louie Zervos has been a key figure in the success of Clair was named All-MAC Third Team last season as he led Bowl- the Ohio Bobcats during the last three seasons. Zervos has con- ing Green with 702 yards rushing (5.2 avg.) and five rushing touch- verted 57-70 career field goal attempts for an 81.4% percentage downs. Clair averaged 63.8 yards rushing per game. with ranks fifth best in MAC history. Last season, Zervos convert- ed 13-17 field goals and was perfect on all 68 PATs as he ranked Bellamy was named All-MAC First Team as he led the Broncos second in the MAC in scoring with 107 total points. and ranked second in the MAC with 1,228 yards (6.0 avg.) and six touchdowns as he averaged 94.5 yards rushing per game in 2018. Zervos, a native of Tarpon Springs, Fla., has 335 career points, Bellamy and the Broncos rushing attack ranked third in the MAC which ranks 13th best in MAC scoring history and his 57 career with an average of 199.5 yards rushing per game as Western Mich- field goals is tied for 11th best in league history. Zervos already igan received an invite to the 2018 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. holds the MAC record with 29 field goals made set during his freshman season in 2016 when he connected on 29-of-35 field MAC 2019 BOWL PARTNERS goal attempts for 122 total points. Zervos is aiming to top Toledo’s • College Football Playoff Host Bowl (Goodyear Cotton Bowl Jameson Vest, who last year netted 109 points for a career total of Classic) 446 career points, which ranks second all-time in scoring in MAC • Mobile Alabama Bowl (Mobile, Ala.; vs. Sun Belt) history and ranks first among MAC kickers in career scoring. • Cheribundi Boca Raton Bowl (Boca Raton, Fla.; vs. American Athletic Conference or Conference USA) KENT STATE’S EDELMAN NAMED SUPER BOWL MVP • Camellia Bowl (Montgomery, Ala.; vs. Sun Belt) Former Kent State quarterback Julian Edelman was named Super • Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl (Nassau, Bahamas; vs. C-USA) Bowl MVP as part of the winning New England Patriots in a 13-3 • Famous Idaho Potato Bowl (Boise, Ida.; vs. Mountain West) win over the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LIII on Feb. 3, • Secondary to Quick Lane Bowl (Detroit, Mich.) 2019 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Edelman finished with • Secondary to ESPN owned and operated bowl games a game high 10 receptions for 141 yards. MAC PARTNERS WITH ESPN EVENTS WITH FOUR Edelman, a nine-year NFL veteran with the Patriots, won his third ANNUAL BOWL GAMES DURING 2020-25 BOWL CYCLE Super Bowl as a member of the New England Patriots and became The MAC will participate in four ESPN Events bowl games dur- the first former MAC student athlete to be named NFL Super Bowl ing the next cycle from 2020-25. The MAC will anchor two bowl MVP. He also became only the seventh wide receiver in NFL his- games with the Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl in Nassau, Baha- tory to be named Super Bowl MVP. mas and the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl in Boise, Idaho for each of the next six seasons (2020-25). This will increase the MAC guar- The victory came over the Los Angeles Rams, who are led by head anteed bowl games to six beginning with the 2020 bowl season. coach Sean McVay, who played wide receiver for the Miami Red- Hawks from 2004-07, earning the team’s Scholar Athlete Award in During the next bowl cycle, the MAC will also participate in a 2007. Prior to joining the Rams, McVay was the offensive coordi- minimum of two (2) additional bowl games annually among the nator for the Washington Redskins from 2014-16. following games: Cheribundi Boca Raton Bowl (Boca Raton, Fla.), Camellia Bowl (Montgomery, Ala.), Cure Bowl (Orlando, NIU WINS 2018 MARATHON MAC CHAMPIONSHIP Fla.), Tropical Smoothie Cafe Frisco Bowl (Frisco, Texas), Myrtle Trailing by as many as 19 points late in the third quarter, Northern Beach Bowl (Myrtle Beach, S.C.) and the New Mexico Bowl (Al- Illinois rallied to win the Marathon MAC Football Championship buquerque, N.M.). game over Buffalo, 30-29. NIU took its first lead of the game with 1:09 to play as the Huskies captured their fourth MAC title in eight All the bowl games will be televised nationally on ESPN networks seasons. NIU scored the final 20 points of the game, culminating and will feature opponents from the American Athletic Confer- in a 35-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Marcus Childers to ence, Mountain West Conference, Conference USA and the Sun wide receiver D.J. Brown as the Huskies completed the comeback. Belt Conference.

MAC HISTORY IN TOP 25 RANKINGS NATIONAL POLLS Western Michigan ended the 2016 Marathon MAC Football Championship Game with a 13-0 record and an invitation to the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic. Entering the bowl season, Western Michigan was ranked No. 12 (AP), No. 14 (Amway/USA Today Coaches Poll) and No. 15 in the College Football Playoff Ranking. Western Michigan’s No. 12 (AP) ranking on Dec. 4, 2016 was the highest ranking since Ball State was ranked No. 12 (AP) after finishing the 2012 season (Nov. 30) with a 12-0 record. Western Michigan finished the season with a 13-1 overall record and ranked No. 15 in the AP Top 25 Poll. Mid-American Conference Football AUGUST 27, 2019

MAC 2019 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE HIGHLIGHTS WINS OVER NON-CONFERENCE FBS OPPONENTS The 2019 football schedule will feature 14 nationally televised In 2018 the MAC earned eight non-conference FBS wins. The games during the last month of the regular season on ESPN2, ES- MAC set the Conference single-season record with 16 wins over PNU, ESPN+, ESPN3 and CBS Sports Network as the Conference FBS opponents during the 2012 season, and also posted 14 wins in race unfolds in both the East and West divisions. both the 2008 and 2016 seasons. The regular season will conclude with the 23rd Marathon MAC Regular Season Wins vs. non-conference FBS opponents: Football Championship game on Saturday, Dec. 7 at Noon ET Year: Wins; FBS Opponents Defeated: (ESPN or ESPN2) from Ford Field in Detroit. This will mark the 2018: 8; Purdue, Northwestern, Rutgers, Temple, Nevada, BYU, 16th Marathon MAC Football Championship game at Ford Field. UMass, Georgia State. 2017: 11; Nebraska, Rutgers, Kansas (2); Charlotte, UAB; Ne- For the 12th year in a row, league schools will face a formidable vada; Tulsa; Idaho; Florida Atlantic; UMass. non-conference slate of opponents from the following Football 2016: 14; Northwestern, Arkansas State, Georgia State, Oklahoma Bowl Subdivision conferences – ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-12, State, Kansas, Illinois, Fresno State, UNLV, Marshall, Charlotte, SEC, Notre Dame and BYU. In addition, the Conference will also Army, Florida Atlantic, Georgia Southern, Wyoming. face opponents from the American Athletic Conference, Confer- 2015: 12; Arkansas; Maryland; Iowa State; Purdue; FAU; Mar- ence USA, Mountain West Conference, Sun Belt Conference and shall; Wyoming; UNLV; Idaho; Arkansas State; Louisiana; FIU Independents Liberty, New Mexico State and UMass. 2014: 8; Purdue; Northwestern; Indiana; Idaho (2); UNLV, Pitt; Army A total of 10 non-conference games will feature a Big Ten oppo- 2013: 10; Iowa; Purdue; Virginia; UConn; Tulsa; Marshall; Army; nent (Illinois (2); Indiana; Iowa; Michigan State; Nebraska; Ohio North Texas; Idaho; Navy State; Penn State; Wisconsin (2)). The MAC will face foes from 2012: 16; Penn State; Wyoming; Idaho; New Mexico St.; Army the ACC (4—Miami (Fla.), North Carolina State, Pitt, Syracuse), (4); UConn; Marshall; Indiana; Iowa; South Florida; Kansas; Cin- SEC (4—Auburn, Kentucky (2), Vanderbilt), Pac-12 (2-Arizona cinnati; Rutgers State, Utah), Big 12 (1—Kansas State); and Independent Notre 2011: 10; Indiana; Army (4); UConn; Idaho; New Mexico State; Dame, BYU, Liberty, New Mexico State and UMass. Marshall; Maryland 2010: 7; Minnesota; Purdue; Marshall; Colorado State; UConn; The MAC will also face opponents from the American Athletic Army; Louisiana-Lafayette Conference (2— Cincinnati, Temple), Mountain West (1—Colo- 2009: 9; Michigan State; Purdue; Colorado; Florida International; rado State), Conference USA (4—Florida Atlantic, La. Tech, Mar- Troy; UTEP; North Texas; Army; Navy shall, UAB) and Sun Belt Conference (4—Coastal Carolina, Geor- 2008: 14; Navy; Indiana (2); Western Kentucky; Michigan; Idaho; gia State, Louisiana-Lafayette, Troy). This season the MAC will Illinois; Syracuse; Army (3); Pittsburgh; Wyoming; UTEP host 10 games against FBS non-conference opponents. 2007: 10; Navy; Army (2); Idaho; Iowa State (2); Iowa; Minne- sota; Syracuse; La-Lafayette NINE MAC STUDENTS PICKED IN 2019 NFL DRAFT 2006: 11; Temple (5); Kansas; Virginia; North Carolina State; The MAC had nine draft selections in the 2019 NFL Draft. Central North Texas; FIU; Illinois Michigan DB Sean Bunting was selected by Tampa Bay in the sec- 2005: 9; Army; Louisiana-Lafayette; Temple (4); Pittsburgh; Mid- ond round, 39th overall, while NIU OT Max Scharping was picked dle Tennessee State; Cincinnati by Houston in the second round, 55th overall. The nine MAC 2004: 3; Temple (2); Kentucky players selected were the most since the 2017 NFL Draft when 11 2003: 9; Kansas State; Northwestern; Colorado State; Cincinnati; MAC players were selected. The MAC modern record for number Purdue; Maryland; Alabama; Iowa State; Pittsburgh of selections in an NFL Draft is 11 draft selections from both the 2002: 10; Rutgers; Troy; North Carolina; Cincinnati; UConn; Mis- 2017 and 2005 NFL Draft. souri; Kansas; Wyoming; Wake Forest; UNLV 2001: 11; UConn (2); Army; Cincinnati; Missouri; Temple (2); In recent years the MAC had students selected among the top five Minnesota; Northwestern; South Florida; Navy overall in the NFL Draft. In the last seven years (2013-19), three 2000: 9; Central Florida (2); Vanderbilt; Minnesota; UConn (2); MAC players were selected in the top five in the NFL Drafts. Navy; Penn State; Iowa In the 2017 NFL Draft, Western Michigan wide receiver Corey Davis was selected as the fifth overall selection in the first round MAC HEAD COACHES IN HIGH DEMAND by the Tennessee Titans. Davis’ selection was the highest ever for Football programs continue to take notice of MAC head coaches. Western Michigan and tied the second-highest in MAC history. There are 10 former head coaches from the MAC in a current FBS head coaching position–and three of the last five National Champi- In 2014, Buffalo Bulls linebacker Khalil Mack was the fifth overall ons are former MAC head football coaches – 2015 and 2017 Ala- selection by the Oakland Raiders in the 2014 NFL Draft. Mack’s baman’s Nick Saban (Toledo) and 2014 Ohio State’s Urban Meyer selection was the highest ever for the Buffalo program and the sec- (Bowling Green). ond-highest ever selection for a MAC student-athlete. For the 2019 season, 22 of the 131 FBS coaches (16.8%) will be In 2013, Central Michigan offensive tackle Eric Fisher became the either current or former MAC head coaches. The 22 current first MAC football player to be selected as the overall No. 1 selec- FBS coaches include the current 12 MAC head football coaches tion in the NFL Draft. Kansas City selected Fisher as No.1 choice and 10 former MAC head football coaches. in the 2013 NFL Draft. The previous highest player drafted from the MAC was Marshall quarterback Byron Leftwich, who was se- ACC – Steve Addazio-Boston College (Temple), Dave Doeren- lected No. 7 overall by Jacksonville in the 2003 NFL Draft. NC State (Northern Illinois), Dave Clawson-Wake Forest (Bowl- ing Green), Dino Babers-Syracuse (Bowling Green). MAC Students Selected In 2019 NFL Draft: (9) American - Rod Carey - Temple (Northern Illinois). 2nd (39) DB Sean Bunting (Central Michigan) by Tampa Bay Big Ten – P.J. Fleck-Minnesota (Western Michigan). 2nd (55) OT Max Scharping (Northern Illinois) by Houston Big 12 – Matt Campbell-Iowa State (Toledo). 3rd (66) WR Diontae Johnson (Toledo) by Pittsburgh Ind. – Brian Kelly-Notre Dame (Central Michigan). 4th (106) DE Maxx Crosby (Eastern Michigan) by Oakland SEC-Nick Saban-Alabama (Toledo). 6th (175) DE Sutton Smith (Northern Illinois) by Pittsburgh Sun Belt – Doug Martin-New Mexico State (Kent State). 6th (185) DB Ka’dar Hollman (Toledo) by Green Bay 6th (195) DB Xavier Crawford (Central Michigan) by Houston 6th (207) LB Ulysees Gilbert (Akron) by Pittsburgh 6th (208) WR Scott Miller (Bowling Green) by Tampa Bay Mid-American Conference Football AUGUST 27, 2019

MAC CELEBRATES COLLEGE FOOTBALL’S 150TH MAC TO FACE BIG TEN AS PRIMARY BOWL PARTER IN ANNIVERSARY THIS 2019 SEASON QUICK LANE BOWL IN 2020 The MAC will join our FBS brethren in celebrating 150 years of This past June, the Mid-American Conference, the Big Ten Con- college football this 2019 season and the MAC has created a spe- ference and the Detroit Lions announced a six-year agreement cific celebration plan to utilize the 150th anniversary date of No- (2020-2025) as primary partners of the Quick Lane Bowl played vember 6, 2019 as the MAC will be the only Conference playing a annually at Ford Field. Beginning in 2020, the MAC will return as live game on this date. a primary bowl partner of the annual bowl game played in Detroit. Since the start of the Quick Lane Bowl in 2014, MAC programs A 10-person ‘MAC-150 Celebration’ committee, led by Central have been featured in two of the first five Quick Lane Bowls – Michigan Director of Athletics, Michael Alford, was created in the Central Michigan in 2015 and Northern Illinois in 2017. Spring of 2018 and our collaborative plan this season focuses on inclusion of all 12 MAC programs, engagement of our fan base, The MAC has a long association with Detroit and Ford Field as opportunity for engagement with our partners with the primary the MAC has held its Marathon MAC Football Championship goal of telling our lengthy and celebrated MAC football story. Game as a neutral site championship event at Ford Field since 2004. Also, the MAC played the first-ever college football game at • On Wednesday, November 6th the MAC will be the only FBS Ford Field as Toledo faced Boston College in the 2002 Motor City conference playing a live college football game on the 150th an- Bowl. Previously the MAC was a primary bowl partner with the niversary as the Miami RedHawks travel to face the Ohio Bobcats Detroit-based Motor City Bowl (1997-2008) and the Little Caesars at Peden Stadium in Athens, Ohio on ESPN2.The MAC is working Pizza Bowl (2009-2013). with ESPN to utilize our ESPN2 game production to have former MAC coaches and students participate in the broadcast to highlight MAC COMMISSIONER DR. JON STEINBRECHER our legendary college football history and the continued impact of ELECTED VICE CHAIR NCAA DI COUNCIL our coaches and students on the game of football today. Mid-American Conference commissioner Dr. Jon A. Steinbrecher has been elected vice chair of the NCAA Division I Council. In his • The MAC will participate in the National College Football 150 role as vice chair, Steinbrecher will serve as a key member of the uniform patch program for the entire 2019 season. The patches will Division I Council Coordination Committee, which conducts the be one color (silver metallic), 3.5 x 1.7 inches and will be placed business of the full Council between regular meetings. In the ab- on the right, front chest of the jersey above the MAC logo. sence of the Council chair, Steinbrecher is responsible for leading both full Council and Council Coordination Committee meetings • Each week during the 2019 season the MAC will highlight one and teleconferences. He will also support the Council chair and MAC football program where we will highlight each institution handle any other responsibilities as requested by the Council chair and the relevant data gathered during the spring/summer to high- or full Council. light teams, games, moments, coaches, student-athletes via MAC social media accounts and video content. The Council is comprised of representatives from all 32 Division • Week 1 (Aug. 26th) Ball State University I conferences and serves as the primary policy-making body for • Week 2 (Sept. 2nd) University of Akron Division I and is responsible for the day-to-day decision making • Week 3 (Sept. 9th) Bowling Green State University for the Division. Steinbrecher becomes the first commissioner to • Week 4 (Sept. 16th) Eastern Michigan University serve in a Council leadership position. • Week 5 (Sept. 23rd) University of Toledo • Week 6 (Sept. 30th) University at Buffalo Steinbrecher is entering his 11th season as MAC Commissioner • Week 7 (Oct. 7th) Western Michigan University and is the only Division I Commissioner to have served at all three • Week 8 (Oct. 14th) Ohio University NCAA Division I Subdivisions (FBS, FCS, DI). Steinbrecher has • Week 9 (Oct. 21st) Kent State University recently orchestrated the development of a MAC Mental Health, • Week 10 (Oct. 28th) Central Michigan University Diversity & Inclusion and Academic Consortium programs. • Week 11 (Nov. 4th) CFB150th Anniversary – Nov. 6, 2019 • Week 12 (Nov. 11th) Northern Illinois University Steinbrecher previously served on the NCAA Football Over- • Week 13 (Nov. 18th) Miami University sight Committee and the NCAA Football Competition Commit- tee. Steinbrecher currently serves on the NCAA Transfer Working MAC SIGNS CONTRACT AS PRIMARY PARTNER WITH Group. Steinbrecher was also appointed to USA Football’s Devel- THE NOVA HOME LOANS ARIZONA BOWL IN 2020-25 opmental Model Council this past February. The MAC announced on July 23, 2019 a primary bowl partnership with the NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl for a six-year period STEINBRECHER NAMED TO USA FOOTBALL’S beginning with the 2020-25 cycle. The annual bowl game from DEVELOPMENT MODEL COUNCIL Arizona Stadium on the campus of the University of Arizona in USA Football, the national governing body for football and a Tucson will be televised nationally on CBS Sports Network. member of the U.S. Olympic Committee, announced last February the formation of its Football Development Model Council to guide The NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl partnership will increase the formation of the first national application of a long-term athlete the MAC’s primary bowl partnerships to a guaranteed six games development model for the sport. during the next bowl cycle beginning in 2020. The MAC will face a member of the Mountain West Conference. Created in 2015, the USA Football announced its 20-person council, which includes NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl annually donates 100 percent MAC Commissioner, Dr. Jon A. Steinbrecher as one of two colle- of its net proceeds to charitable organizations. giate administrators, as the council is led by Dr. Brian Hainline, the NCA’s Chief Medical Officer. The council is comprised of leaders MAC ASSISTS WITH THE CREATION OF THE MYRTLE across sports science, athletic development, youth, high school and BEACH BOWL TO BEGIN IN 2020 BOWL SEASON college football. The MAC announced last November the creation of a newly cre- ated bowl game in Myrtle Beach, S.C. for a six-year period (2020- Aligned with the U.S. Olympic Committee’s American Develop- 2025), which will be owned and operated by ESPN. The Myrtle ment Model, the Football Development Model (FDM) centers on Beach Bowl will be televised nationally on ESPN networks and physical literacy and developmentally appropriate skill instruction. will be played at Brooks Stadium, an open-air stadium opened The FDM serves as a framework for how football is presented, in 2003 which seats nearly 21,000 fans on the campus of Coastal practiced and coached from youth through adulthood, spanning Carolina University. The creation of the Myrtle Beach Bowl is an varying game types and options. agreement with ESPN Events and the MAC, Conference USA and the Sun Belt Conference, with each participating in the bowl game four times during the six-year span. Mid-American Conference Football AUGUST 27, 2019

MAC MEDIA 2019 FOOTBALL PRESEASON POLL ESPN+ TO FEATURE MAC EVENTS IN 2019 Earlier this summer members of the media selected Ohio and To- ESPN+ is the premium multi-sport, direct-to-consumer video ser- ledo to win the East and West Divisions respectfully in the 2019 vice from The Walt Disney Company’s Direct-to-Consumer and MAC Football Media Preseason Poll. Ohio was selected to win the International (DTCI) segment in conjunction with ESPN. It offers 2019 Marathon MAC Football Championship Game. fans thousands of additional live events, on-demand content and original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital In the East Division, Ohio was selected first with a league-best and networks. unanimous 144 total points. Following the Bobcats, the Miami RedHawks finished second with 107 points, while defending MAC Fans subscribe to ESPN+ for just $4.99 a month (or $49.99 per East Champion Buffalo Bulls finished third with 100 points. Kent year) through the ESPN App or ESPN.com. The ESPN App also State finished fourth with 62 points, followed by Akron and Bowl- provides fans separate access to all of ESPN’s “TV Everywhere” ing Green. streaming of its linear television networks (ESPN, ESPN2, ES- PNU, etc.) and ESPN3 – to fans with a pay TV subscription. In the West Division, Toledo was selected first in the Division with ESPN+ and ESPN’s authenticated streaming is also available on 127 total points. Following the Rockets, Western Michigan fin- ESPN.com. ished second with 112 points, while defending MAC Champion NIU was third with 103 points. Eastern Michigan ranked fourth MAC fans who have any questions about the new ESPN App or with 83 points, followed by Ball State and Central Michigan. ESPN+, may contact ESPN customer care: 2019 MAC MEDIA Football Preseason Poll • Online: support.espn.com MAC East Division • Phone: 1-888-549-ESPN Team (First Place Votes) Points • ESPN App: Live Chat Feature 1. Ohio (24) 144 • ESPN Customer Support Available: 9am-1am ET, 7 days a week 2. Miami 107 3. Buffalo 100 4. Kent State 62 MAC & CBS SPORTS SIGN CONTRACT EXTENSION 5. Akron 54 The MAC announced July 23, 2019 a multi-year extension with 6. Bowling Green 37 CBS Sports to televise MAC football and basketball games through the 2022-23 season on CBS Sports Network. The deal, which is MAC West Division a four-year extension from the original deal signed in the 2015-16 Team (First Place Votes) Points season, continues through a sublicense agreement with ESPN. 1. Toledo (15) 127 2. Western Michigan (5) 112 CBS Sports Network will air a maximum of 12 football and 12 3. Northern Illinois (3) 103 men’s basketball games annually, along with televising the MAC 4. Eastern Michigan 83 Men’s Basketball Tournament Semifinals and the MAC Women’s 5. Ball State 43 Basketball Tournament Championship from Rocket Mortgage 6. Central Michigan (1) 36 Fieldhouse in Cleveland, Ohio. MAC FOOTBALL COACHES 2019 PRESEASON POLL CBS Sports Network, the 24-hour home of CBS Sports, is widely MAC Head Football Coaches have provided their own 2019 Pre- available through all major cable, satellite and telco distributors as season Poll and based upon voting by all 12 head coaches Ohio well as via OTT streaming service providers YouTube TV, fuboTV, and Toledo have been selected to win the East and West Divisions PlayStation Vue, DirecTV and Hulu. Additionally, a live CBS respectfully this upcoming 2019 season. Sports Network steam is available through CBSSports.com and the CBS Sports App by authenticating with select providers. In the East Division, Ohio was the unanimous winner as the Bob- cats gathered all first-place votes for a total of 72 total points. Second-place was separated by only one point as Buffalo finished MAC PART OF COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF ERA second with 50 points, followed by Miami in third with 49 points. The 2019 college football season enters the sixth year of the current Kent State finished fourth followed by Akron and Bowling Green. four-team playoff era with the College Football Playoff. The two College Football Playoff Semifinals will be played in bowl games In the West Division, a margin of 10 points separated the top three this year (Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl; PlayStation Fiesta Bowl) on Dec. programs in this extremely competitive division. Toledo was se- 28 and the College Football Playoff National Championship will lected in first-place with 59 total points, followed by second-place be played in New Orleans (Mercedes-Benz Superdome) on Jan. 13. Western Michigan with 56 points and third-place Northern Illinois with 49 points. Eastern Michigan finished fourth with 42 points The two Semifinals and four other New Year’s Six games AllState followed by Ball State and Central Michigan. Sugar Bowl (Jan. 1), Rose Bowl presented by Northwestern Mutual (Jan. 1), Capital One Orange Bowl (Dec. 30) and the Goodyear 2019 MAC HEAD COACHES Football Preseason Poll Cotton Bowl Classic (Dec. 28) highlight the annual bowl season MAC East Division calendar. The Semifinal games will rotate among these six differ- Team (First Place Votes) Points ent bowls. All MAC programs will join every FBS team in college 1. Ohio (12) 72 football with equal access to the playoff based upon its performance. 2. Buffalo 50 No team will qualify automatically. 3. Miami 49 4. Kent State 37 The College Football Playoff Selection Committee will choose four 5. Akron 25 teams for the playoffs based on body of work, strength of schedule, 6. Bowling Green 19 head-to-head results, comparison of results against common op- ponents, championships won and other factors. MAC West Division Team (First Place Votes) Points The highest ranked program by the Selection Committee from either 1. Toledo (4) 59 the MAC, American Athletic, Conference USA, Mountain West or 2. Western Michigan (4) 56 Sun Belt Conferences will play annually in one of the New Year’s 3. Northern Illinois (2) 49 Six games. 4. Eastern Michigan 42 5. Ball State (1) 26 6. Central Michigan (1) 20 Mid-American Conference Football AUGUST 27, 2019

Albany (0-0, 0-0; Colonial Athletic) at Central Michigan (0-0, 0-0; MAC) Thursday, August 29, 2019 • 7:00 pm ET • Mt. Pleasant, Mich. • Kelly Shorts Stadium (30,255) ESPN3 Series: First Meeting Head Coach: Greg Gattuso Career: 121–64 (18th year) at Albany: 24–32 (6th year) The four receivers combined for 13 TDs a season ago, while Holmes Media Contact: Pete Iorizzo, 518-442-3359, [email protected] was recognized by the CAA as a Preseason All-Conference Honorable Mention...The Great Danes return a wealth experience on the offensive Notes: Albany finished last season with a 3-8 overall record, 1-7 in the line, starting with center, where Niko Culnan started every game in Colonial Athletic Association...RB Karl Mofor, a junior, has been a stal- 2018...Also back are Griffin Clancy, Sean Kennedy and Micah Roys- wart in the Great Danes’ backfield since his freshman debut...Mofor ran ter, all of whom have starting experience...In 2018, LB Levi Metheny for 596 yards and four TDs in 2018 and also hauled in a pair of touch- emerged as one of the anchors of the defense, leading the Great Danes downs last season... Albany’s top four receivers return from last season with 92 tackles, including 9.5 for a loss. — Dev Holmes, Juwan Green, Jerah Reeves and Donovan McDonald... Head Coach: Jim McElwain Defense: (top returnees listed) Career: 44-28 (7th year) at Central Michigan: 0-0 (1st year) Tackles: DB Devonni Reed (97 tackles) Football Contact: Rob Wyman, 989-774-3041, [email protected] Sacks: LB Michael Oliver (31 tackles, 2.0 tfl, 1.0 sack) Int.: DB Da’Quaun Jamison (41 tackles, 1 INT) Offense: (top returnees listed) Rush: RB Jonathan Ward (76 att., 212 rushing yds., 1 TD) Notes: Chippewas return 13 starters (8 off./ 4 def./1 spec.) and 38 letter- Pass: QB Tommy Lazzaro (68-141 passing, 711 yards, 5 TDs winners from last year’s team that went 1-11, 0-8 in the MAC...Senior Rec.: WR Cameron Cole (19 rec., 185 yards) transfer QB Quinten Dormady from Houston is expected to start, and has experience after spending two years at Tennessee...Three offensiv line starters return Steve Eipper, Nick Follmer and Jamezz Kimbrough. Morgan State (0-0, 0-0; MEAC) at Bowling Green (0-0, 0-0; MAC) Thursday, August 29, 2019 • 7:00 pm ET • Bowling Green, Ohio • Doyt L. Perry Stadium (24,000) ESPN3 Series: Bowling Green leads 1-0 Head Coach: Tyrone Wheatley Career: 0-0 (1st year) at Morgan State: 0-0 (1st year) Morgan State senior LB Rico Kennedy finished the season with 61 tack- Contact: Leonard Haynes, 443-885-3831, [email protected] les, 33 solo, and led the team with 10 tackles for loss...Kennedy, who was also named to the league’s own All-MEAC team as chosen by the Notes: Morgan State finished 4-7 overall, including 3-4 in the MEAC conference’s head coaches, also had 4.5 sacks and seven QB hurries... last season...Tyrone Wheatley was named head coach on Feb. 21, 2019... LB Ian McBorrough was last year’s All-MEAC First Team selection Wheatley comes to Morgan State after serving the last two seasons un- and led the Bears on defense as one of the league’s premier pass rushers der head coach Doug Marrone, as the running backs coach for the NFL’s as he ranked No. 3 in the league with 6.0 sacks and ranked 15th with 9.0 Jacksonville Jaguars...Wheatley also worked with Marrone at Syracuse tackles for loss, and completed the season with 79 tackles. from 2010-12, and then with the NFL’s Buffalo Bills from 2013-14. Head Coach: Scot Loeffler Defense: (top returnees listed) Career: 0-0 (1st year) at Bowling Green: 0-0 (1st year) Tackles: DB Jerry McBride (106 tackles, 1.5 tfl) Football Contact: Jason Knavel, 419-372-7075, [email protected] Sacks: DL Demonte Haigler (14 tackles, 4.0 tfl, 3.0 sacks) Int.: NA Offense: (top returnees listed) Rush: RB Andrew Clair (135 att., 702 rushing yds., 5 TDs) Notes: Falcons return 16 starters (7 off./5 def./4 sp.) and 36 letterwin- Pass: QB Grant Loy (7-12 passing, 180 yards, 2 TDs) ners from last year’s team that finished 3-9 overall, 2-6 in the MAC... Rec.: WR Quinten Morris (42 rec., 516 yds., 7 TDs) RB Andrew Clair is climbing the charts in the BGSU record book as he enters the 2019 season with 1,427 career rushing yards, 27th most in school history...Clair has seven career 100-yard rushing games ranks 12th in program history. Robert Morris (0-0, 0-0; Northeast) at Buffalo (0-0, 0-0; MAC) Thursday, August 29, 2019 • 7:00 pm ET • Buffalo, N.Y. • UB Stadium (29,013) ESPN+ Series: First Meeting Head Coach: Bernard Clark Career: 2-9 (2nd year) at Robert Morris: 2-9 (2nd year) Among FCS tight ends, Gonzalez finished third in the nation with an Contact: Jim Duzyk, 412-397-4914, [email protected] average of 16.1 yards per reception...Gonzalez was named to the 2018 Associated Press FCS All-America Second Team...Gonzalez is just the Notes: Robert Morris went 2-9 overall last season, 0-6 in the North- fourth student-athlete in program history to earn AP All-American ac- east Conference...TE Matthew Gonzalez last season paced the receiving colades, joining an impressive list of who’s who in program annals... corps by finishing with 40 receptions for 642 yards and 12 touchdowns... Gonzalez joined inaugural RB Tim Hall (1995) and OL Corey Konycki In addition to establishing a school single-season record for touchdown (2010) and TE Shadrae King (2010) that was the first in NEC history to catches, Gonzalez led the NEC and ranked 10th in FCS. earn the automatic bid to the NCAA FCS Playoffs.

Head Coach: Lance Leipold Defense: (top returnees listed) Career: 132-33 (13th year) at Buffalo: 23-27 (5th year) Tackles: LB James Patterson (77 tackles, 9.0 tfl, 1.0 sack) Football Contact: Jon Fuller, 716-645-6762, [email protected] Sacks: DT Chibueze Onwuka (17 tackles, 5.0 tfl, 2.0 sacks) Int.: DB Aapri Washington (20 tackles, 2 INT) Offense: (top returnees listed) Rush: RB Jaret Patterson (183 att., 1,013 yds., 14 TDs) Notes: Buffalo returns 14 starters (6 off./ 6 def./ 2 sp.) and 47 letterwin- Pass: QB Matt Myers ners from last year that finished 10-4 overall, 7-1 in the MAC...Bulls Rec.: WR Antonio Nunn (12 rec., 146 yds., 1 TD) suffered a 42-32 loss to Troy in the Dollar General Bowl...RB Jaret Pat- terson last year was the MAC Freshman of the Year as he rushed for 1,013 yards and 14 touchdowns and became the first freshman running back in school history to rush for 1,000 yards in a season. Mid-American Conference Football AUGUST 27, 2019

Kent State (0-0, 0-0; MAC) at Arizona State (0-0, 0-0; Pac-12) Thursday, August 29, 2019 • 10:00 pm ET • Tempe, Ariz. • Sun Devil Stadium (55,000) Pac-12 Network Series: First Meeting Head Coach: Sean Lewis Defense: (top returnees listed) Career: 2-10 (2nd year) at Kent State: 2-10 (2nd year) Tackles: LB Matt Bahr (91 tackles, 7.5 tfl, 3.0 sacks) Contact: Taylor Czajikowski, 330-672-3084, [email protected] Sacks: DL Nick Faulkner (36 tackles, 5.0 tfl, 1.0 sack) Int.: DB Jamal Parker (83 tackles, 2 INT) Offense: (top returnees listed) Rush: RB Jo-El Shaw (138 att., 657 rushing yds; 7 TDs) Notes: Kent State returns 14 starters (8 off./ 6 def./ 3 spec.) and 45 let- Pass: QB Woody Barrett (229-390 passing, 2,339 yards, 11 TDs) terwinners from last year’s squad that finished 2-10 overall, 1-7 in the Rec.: RB Mike Carrigan (45 rec., 597 yds., 5 TDs) MAC...QB Woody Barrett started all 12 games last season and threw for 2,239 yards on 229-390 passing (58.7%) and 11 touchdowns, while adding 503 yards rushing and seven scores. Head Coach: Herm Edwards NFL Career: 54-74 (8 years in NFL w/ Kansas City/NY Jets) S Aashari Crosswell led the team in interceptions with four (t-4th among at Arizona State: 7-6 (2nd year) FBS freshmen) while recording 127 yards in interception returns – the Contact: Mark Brand, 480-965-6592, [email protected] latter good for the seventh-most nationally and the most for a freshman in the country...Crosswell had a team-high 9 pass breakups this season – Notes: Sun Devils finished 7-6 overall last year, including 5-4 in the more than any Sun Devil recorded last season and tied for fourth among Pac-12 South... RB Eno Benjamin broke Arizona State’s single-season freshmen in the FBS this season...LB Darien Butler’s 70 tackles were school record with 1,642 yards last season, passing the previous record the fourth most by a true freshman nationally regardless of conference. of 1,565 yards held by Woody Green in 1972.

Akron (0-0, 0-0; MAC) at Illinois (0-0, 0-0; Big Ten) Saturday, August 31, 2019 • Noon ET • Champaign, Ill. • Memorial Stadium (69,249) Big Ten Network Series: Illinois leads 1-0 Head Coach: Tom Arth Defense: (top returnees listed) Career: 49-21 (7th year) at Akron: 0-0 (1st year) Tackles: LB John Lako (126 tackles, 10.0 tfl, 1.0 sack) Contact: Cathy Bongiovi, 330-972-6106, [email protected] Sacks: DL Josh Ward (33 tackles, 7.0 tfl, 5.0 sacks) Int.: DB Alvin Davis (75 tackles, 4 INT) Offense: (top returnees listed) Rush: QB Kato Nelson (131 att., 303 rushing yds., 1 TD) Notes: Akron returns 10 starters (7 off./3 def./3 sp.) and 57 letterwinners Pass: QB Kato Nelson (178-342 passing, 2,329 yards, 15 TDs) from last year’s squad that finished 4-8 overall, 2-6 in MAC...DB Alvin Rec.: WR Andre Williams (46 rec., 649 yds., 6 TDs) Davis led the MAC with four interceptions last year and was named All-MAC First Team selection...Davis set the MAC single-game record with two interceptions returned for a touchdown at Northwestern. Head Coach: Lovie Smith NFL Career: 92-90 (11 years in NFL w/ Chicago/Tampa Bay) Peters graduated from Michigan in three years and transferred to Illi- at Illinois: 9-27 (4th year) nois this summer with two years of eligibility remaining...Peters played Contact: Kent Brown, 217-244-6533, [email protected] 10 games with four starts at Michigan, passing for 680 yards and four touchdowns as he completed 58 of 110 passes (53 percent) in his first Notes: Fighting Illini finished 4-8 overall last year, including 2-7 in the two collegiate seasons, including a career-high 20 completions for 186 Big Ten...Smith named Brandon Peters, a graduate transfer from Michi- yards in the Outback Bowl against South Carolina to finish his redshirt gan, as the starting quarterback on Aug. 20...Peters is a former four-star freshman season in 2017...The Illini averaged 243.0 rushing yards per recruit and the No. 3 pro style quarterback in the nation coming out of game in 2018, good for 12th-best in FBS, 2nd-best in the Big Ten and high school according to 247Sports. fifth on the Illinois season rushing average list. Indiana (0-0, 0-0; Big Ten) at Ball State (0-0, 0-0; MAC) Saturday, August 31, 2019 • Noon ET • Indianapolis, Ind. • Lucas Oil Stadium (67,000) CBS Sports Network Series: Indiana leads 6-3 Head Coach: Tom Allen Career: 10-15 (3rd year) at Indiana: 10-15 (3rd year) Scott finished 14th overall in program history with 1,137 yards last sea- Football Contact: Jeff Keag, 812-855-6209, [email protected] son...Scott set the school true freshman records in yardage, attempts (228), touchdowns (10) and 100-yard games (6)...Amongst true fresh- Indiana finished last season with a 5-7 overall record, including 2-7 in men running backs nationally, Scott ranked second in yardage, 100-yard the Big Ten Conference for sixth place in the East Division...The Hoo- games and attempts, and third in rushing TDs and averaged 101.9 all- siers return 20 starters (9 off./ 9 def./ 2 spec.) from last year’s squad, purpose yards per game, 94.8 rushing yards per game and 5.0 yards per including nine on offense and nine on defense and two specialists...RB carry to go along with 16 receptions for 86 yards and one score...OL Stevie Scott became the 13th Hoosier to reach 1,000 yards in a single Coy Cronk has 36 career starts at left tackle. season. Head Coach: Mike Neu Defense: (top returnees listed) Career: 10-26 (4th year) at Ball State: 10-26 (4th year) Tackles: DB Bryce Cosby (93 tackles, 1.5 tfl) Contact: Mike Clark, 765-285-8904, [email protected] Sacks: LB Christian Albright (67 tackles, 8.0 tfl, 5.5 sacks) Int.: DB Ray Wilborn (83 tackles, 10.5 tfl, 2 INT) Offense: (top returnees listed) Rush: RB Maleek Dunner (66 att., 305 yards rushing, 4 TDs) Notes: Cardinals return 20 starters (8 off./9 def./3 spec.) and 55 letter- Pass: QB Drew Plitt (85-131 passing, 1,008 yds., 6 TDs) winners from last year’s team that went 4-8 overall, 3-5 in the MAC... Rec.: WR Riley Miller (61 rec., 878 yds., 7 TDs) QB Drew Plitt started the final three games last year and has the luxury of five starting offensive linemen returning to anchor the offense – Dan- ny Pinter, Andrew Poenitsch, Zac Ricketts, Kaleb Slaven and Curtis Blackwell...WR Riley Miller led with 878 yards and seven touchdowns. Mid-American Conference Football AUGUST 27, 2019

Toledo (0-0, 0-0; MAC) at Kentucky (0-0, 0-0; SEC) Saturday, August 31, 2019 • Noon ET • Lexington, Ky. • Kroger Field (61,000) SEC Network Series: First Meeting Head Coach: Jason Candle Defense: (top returnees listed) Career: 28-13 (4th year) at Toledo: 28-13 (4th year) Tackles: DB Khalil Robinson (69 tackles, 1 INT) Contact: Paul Helgren, 419-530-4918, [email protected] Sacks: DL Jamal Hines (49 tackles, 9.0 tfl, 4.0 sacks) Int.: DB Justin Clark (35 tackles, 1 INT) Offense: (top returnees listed) Rush: RB Bryant Koback (153 att., 917 yds., 14 TDs) Notes: Rockets return 14 starters (7 off./5 def./2 sp.) and 50 letterwin- Pass: QB Mitchell Guadagni (69-120 passing, 1,053 yards, 13 TDs) ners from last year’s team that went 7-6, 5-3 in the MAC...Suffered a Rec.: WR Desmond Phillips (27 rec., 220 yds.) 35-32 loss to FIU in the Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl...RB Bryant Koback and RB Shakif Seymour in a backfield rotation -- Koback led with 917 yards, 14 TDs, while Seymour added 565 yards, five scores. Head Coach: Mark Stoops Career: 36–39 (7th year) at Kentucky: 36–39 (7th year) win at Louisville that is the largest margin of victory in the Governor’s Football Contact: Susan Lax, 859-257-3838, [email protected] Cup series; and the season was topped by a 27-24 win over No. 12 Penn State in the VRBO Citrus Bowl....Kentucky returns 42 letterwinners and Notes: Kentucky finished 2018 with a 10-3 record, it’s best season in 41 10 starters (4 off./ 4 def./ 2 spec.) from last year’s team... QB Terry years and only the third 10-win season in school history...Kentucky’s Wilson completed 67.2 percent of his passes for 1,889 yards and 11 5-3 SEC record also was the team’s first winning league mark since touchdowns last year and also compiled 547 net rushing yards and four 1977 and finished second in the SEC Eastern Division...Highlights of TDs...Last season, Kentucky ranked sixth nationally in scoring defense, 2018 included ending a 31-game losing streak vs. Florida with a 27-16 allowing just 16.8 points per game. win in The Swamp; a miraculous comeback win at Missouri; a 56-10 Rhode Island (0-0, 0-0; Colonial Athletic) at Ohio (0-0, 0-0; MAC) Saturday, August 31, 2018 • 2:00 pm ET • Athens, Ohio • Peden Stadium (24,000) ESPN+ Series: First Meeting Head Coach: Jim Fleming Career: 34–44 (8th year) at Rhode Island: 13–43 (6th year) Murphy has played in 32 games over the last three seasons and has Contact: Shane Donaldson, 401-874-2409, [email protected] started 25 straight games, the team’s longest active streak...PR Ahmere Dorsey had an impact in his first season with Rhode Island last year as Notes: Rhode Island finished last season with a 6-5 overall record... he earned second team all-conference honors after he ranked second in WR Aaron Parker Parker was a first-team all-conference selection last the league in punt return average at (11.1 avg)...Dorsey had a 69-yard season leading all CAA players in receiving yards (955), receiving yards punt return for a touchdown in the win over Albany – and his 234 punt per game (88.4) and touchdown catches (10) during the regular season... return yards were the fourth highest single-season total in program his- LT Kyle Murphy is a 2018 CAA Football First Team All-Conference tory. selection. Head Coach: Frank Solich Defense: (top returnees listed) Career: 164-94 (20th year) at Ohio: 106-75 (14th year) Tackles: S Javon Hagan (78 tackles, 1.5 tfl) Contact: Mike Ashcraft, 740-593-1299, [email protected] Sacks: DE Amos Ogun-Semore (34 tackles, 3.0 tfl, 2.0 sacks) Int.: LB Jared Dorsa (59 tackles, 2 INT) Offense: (top returnees listed) Rush: QB Nathan Rourke (134 att., 860 yards, 15 TDs) Notes: Ohio returns 14 starters (4 off./7 def./3 sp.) and 43 letterwinners Pass: QB Nathan Rourke (164-274 passing, 2,434 yds., 23 TDs) from last year’s team that finished 9-4 overall, 6-2 in the MAC...Posted Rec.: WR Cameron Odom (30 rec., 418 yds., 2 TDs) a 27-0 win over San Diego State in the 2018 DXL Frisco Bowl, the first- ever shutout by a MAC program in a bowl game....Under Solich, Ohio has been bowl eligible in each of the last 10 consective years. Eastern Michigan (0-0, 0-0; MAC) at Coastal Carolina (0-0, 0-0; Sun Belt) Saturday, August 31, 2019 • 3:30 pm ET • Conway, S.C. • Brooks Stadium (20,000) ESPN+ Series: First Meeting Head Coach: Chris Creighton Defense: (top returnees listed) Career: 161-86 (23rd year) at Eastern Michigan: 23-40 (6th year) Tackles: DB Vince Calhoun (84 tackles, 2.0 tfl) Football Contact: Greg Steiner, 734-487-0317, [email protected] Sacks: DL CJ Hunt (18 tackles, 2.0 tfl, 2.0 sacks) Int.: DB Kevin McGill (38 tackles, 3 INT) Offense: (top returnees listed) Rush: RB Shaq Vann (135 att., 590 yds., 5 TDs) Notes: Eastern Michigan returns 13 starters (6 off./ 4 def./ 3 sp.) and 45 Pass: QB Mike Glass III (72-117 passing, 1,024 yards, 9 TDs) letterwinners from last year’s squad that finished 7-6, 5-3 in the MAC... Rec.: WR Arthur Jackson (46 rec., 592 yds., 5 TDs) Easgles suffered a 23-21 loss to Georgia Southern in the Camellia Bowl...Creighton has led Eagles to non-conference wins over Big Ten opponents in each of the last two consecutive seasons (Purdue, Rutgers). Head Coach: Jamey Chadwell Career: 63–44 (10th year) at Coastal Carolina: 3-9 (2nd year) With the Chants’ offense in their third season under former offensive Football Contact: Kevin Davis, 843-349-2822, [email protected] coordinator and new head coach Jamey Chadwell, Coastal will look to build on an offense that ranked first in the conference in fourth-down Notes: Coastal Carolina finished last season 5-7 overall, including 2-6 conversion percentage (68.8) and in time of possession (32:47) in in the Sun Belt...Chants return 49 letterwinners and 19 starters (8 off./ 2018...The Chants also ranked second in the Sun Belt in third-down 7 def./ 4 spec.) from last year’s squad...Coastal Carolina lost just four conversion percentage (42.2), third in passing efficiency (148.99) and starters from last season’s offense that averaged 379.3 yards per game... fourth in both rushing offense (198.7 ypg) and first downs (248) a year ago...Led by eight returning starters, including four offensive linemen up front, Coastal returns 52.3 percent of its total offense in 2019. Mid-American Conference Football AUGUST 27, 2019

Illinois State (0-0, 0-0; Missouri Valley) at Northern Illinois (0-0, 0-0; MAC) Saturday, August 31, 2019 • 7:00 pm ET/6:00 pm CT • DeKalb, Ill. • Brigham Field at Huskie Stadium (23,595) ESPN+ Series: NIU leads 25-22-9 Head Coach: Brock Spack Career: 74–45 (11th year) at Illinois State: 74–45 (11th year) This includes RB James Robinson and DB Luther Kirk (1st Team), OL Contact: Mike Williams, 309-438-7748, [email protected] Drew Himmelman and DB Devin Taylor (2nd Team) and special teams standouts K/P JT Bohlken, KR Christian Uphoff and LS Paul Monaco Notes: Illinois State finished last season with a 6-5 overall record... (Honorable Mention)...The Redbird defense also ranked in the top 20 Illinois State secured a winning campaign in 2018 for the ninth time in nationally in key categories including scoring defense (No. 10 - 20.0 the last 10 seasons under head coach Brock Spack, who began his tenure ppg) and total defense (No. 13 - 309.8 ypg)...RB James Robinson re- in 2009...The Redbirds return 39 letterwinners and 16 starters from last turns as one of the best running backs in FCS, after ranking in the top year’s squad, including seven players named to All-MVFC teams. 25 nationally in yards per carry (6.3), rushing yards (1,290), rushing touchdowns (12) and rushing yards per game (117.3) in 2018. Head Coach: Thomas Hammock Defense: (top returnees listed) Career: 0-0 (1st year) at NIU: 0-0 (1st year) Tackles: LB Antonio Jones-Davis (130 tackles, 14.5 tfl, 4.0 sacks) Football Contact: Donna Turner, 815-753-9513, [email protected] Sacks: LB Kyle Pugh (106 tackles, 5.0 tfl, 1.5 sacks) Int.: DB Mykelti Williams (75 tackles, 3.5 tfl, 2 INT) Offense: (top returnees listed) Rush: RB Tre Harbison (206 att., 1,034 yards., 5 TDs) Notes: NIU returns 16 starters (7 off./7 def./2 sp.) and 52 letterwinners Pass: QB Marcus Childers (234-397 passing, 2,175 yds., 15 TDs) from last year’s team that finished 8-6, 6-2 in the MAC...NIU suffered Rec.: WR Spencer Tears (40 rec., 422 yds., 4 TDs) a 37-13 loss to UAB in the Cheribundi Boca Raton Bowl...NIU returns their top four tackles from last year: LB Antonio Jones-Davis (130), LB Kyle Pugh (106), S Mykelti Williams (75), DB Lance Deveaux (67). Monmouth (0-0, 0-0; Big South) at Western Michigan (0-0, 0-0; MAC) Saturday, August 31, 2019 • 7:00 pm ET • Kalamazoo, Mich. • Waldo Stadium (30,200) ESPN3 Series: First Meeting Head Coach: Kevin Callahan Career: 152–121 (27th year) at Monmouth: 152–121 (27th year) Callahan’s 26 years as a head coach is the seventh most among active Contact: Greg Viscomi, 732-571-4447, [email protected] coaches..Fifth-year senior quarterback Kenji Bahar was named Big South Conference Preseason Offensive Player of the Year...Bahar has Notes: Last season Monmouth finished 8-3 overall, including 4-1 in the started 34 games for the Blue & White and was a Second Team All- Big South Conference...Coach Callahan returns 50 letterwinners and 13 Big South selection a season ago...Last year, Bahar set the Monmouth starters (6 off./ 7 def.) from last year’s squad...Entering his 27th season, record for passing yards in a season while leading the Big South in pass- Callahan’s 152 wins is 8th among active coaches at the FCS level...Cal- ing yards, efficiency, yards per game, yards per completion and passing lahan is one of three FCS coaches with 150+ wins all at one institution. touchdowns.

Head Coach: Tim Lester Defense: (top returnees listed) Career: 53-35 (9th year) at Western Michigan: 13-12 (3rd year) Tackles: LB Drake Spears (86 tackles, 9.5 tfl) Contact: Sarah Fetters, 269-387-4123, [email protected] Sacks: DL Ralph Holley (29 tackles, 9.5 tfl, 8.0 sacks) Int.: DB Justin Tranquill (82 tackles, 1 INT) Offense: (top returnees listed) Rush: RB LeVante Bellamy (205 att., 1,228 yards, 6 TDs) Notes: Western Michigan returns 17 starters (6 off./9 def./2 spec.) Pass: QB Jon Wassink (141-245 passing, 1,994 yards, 16 TDs) and 34 letterwinners from last year’s team that finished 7-6, 5-3 in the Rec.: WR D’Wayne Eskridge (38 rec., 776 yards, 3 TDs) MAC...Broncos suffered a 49-18 loss to BYU in the Famous Idaho Po- tato Bowl...QB Jon Wassink started nine games last year and threw for 1,994 yards and 16 touchdowns before ending the year with an injury. Miami (0-0, 0-0; MAC) at Iowa (0-0, 0-0; Big Ten) Saturday, August 31, 2019 • 7:30 pm ET • Iowa City, Iowa • Kinnick Stadium (70,397) FS1 Series: Iowa leads 4-0 Head Coach: Chuck Martin Defense: (top returnees listed) Career: 96-46 (12th year) at Miami: 22-39 (6th year) Tackles: DL Doug Costin (52 tackles, 10.5 tfl, 7.0 sacks) Football Contact: Dave Meyer, 513-529-4329, [email protected] Sacks: DL Ben Kimpler (37 tackles, 4.0 tfl, 1.0 sack) Int.: DB Zedrick Raymond (37 tackles, 1 INT) Offense: (top returnees listed) Rush: RB Maurice Thomas (61 att., 233 yds., 1 TD) Notes: Miami returns 12 starters (5 off./4 def./3 spec.) and 41 letterwin- Pass: NA ners from last year’s team that went 6-6 overall, 6-2 in the MAC...Mi- Rec.: WR Jack Sorenson (53 rec., 742 yds., 2 TDs) ami returns three starting offensive linemen – center Danny Godlevske, right guard Jarrett La Rubbio and right tackle Tommy Doyle...WR Jack Sorenson had 53 receptions for 742 yards and two touchdowns in 2018. Head Coach: Kirk Ferentz Career: 164–122 (24th year) at Iowa: 152–101 (21st year) Iowa QB Nate Stanley started all 13 games at quarterback last season Contact: Steven Roe, 319-335-9411, [email protected] and ompleted 235-396 attempts for 2,852 yards and 26 touchdowns, with 10 interceptions...Stanley ranked second in the Big Ten and 22nd Notes: Last season Iowa finished 9-4 overall, including 5-4 in Big Ten, nationally in touchdown passes (26), ranked fifth in the Big Ten in pass and a 27-22 win over Mississippi State in the 2019 Outback Bowl... efficiency (136.5), passing yards (2,852) and yards per attempt (7.2) and Iowa returns 12 starters from last year’s team (6 offense, 4 defense, 2 also ranks fourth in career touchdown passes with 52...His 52 touch- specialists) and 42 lettermen...Head coach Kirk Ferentz is in his 21st down passes in two seasons rank as the best in school history over a year as head football coach at Iowa and holds a 152- 101 record, includ- two-year period and he ranks ninth in career passing yards (5,351) and ing 91-72 in conference games, while his 23-year record as a college total offense (5,240). head coach is 164-122. Mid-American Conference Football AUGUST 27, 2019

2019 Akron Zips Date Opponent Time Television Series/Results Sat., Aug. 31 at Illinois Noon ET Big Ten Network Illinois leads 1-0 Sat., Sept. 7 UAB Noon ET CBS Sports Network First Meeting Sat., Sept. 14 *at Central Michigan 3:00 pm ET ESPN+ CMU leads 16-10-1 Sat., Sept. 21 Troy TBA TBA Troy leads 1-0 Sat., Sept. 28 at UMass TBA TBA Akron leads 3-1 Sat., Oct. 12 *Kent State 3:30 pm ET TBA Akron leads 35-24-2 Sat., Oct. 19 *Buffalo TBA TBA Bufflo leads 11-7 Sat., Oct. 26 *at NIU 3:30 pm ET TBA NIU leads 10-5 Sat., Nov. 2 *at Bowling Green TBA TBA BGSU leads 17-8 Tue., Nov. 12 *Eastern Michigan 7:30 pm ET or 8:00 pm ET ESPN2/ESPNU Akron leads 19-13 Wed., Nov. 20 *at Miami 7:30 pm ET ESPN2/ESPNU Miami leads 18-9-1 Tue., Nov. 26 *Ohio 7:00 pm ET ESPNU/ESPN+ Ohio leads 21-13-1 *Mid-American Conference game 2019 Ball State Cardinals Date Opponent Time Television Series/Results Sat., Aug. 31 Indiana (at Lucas Oil Stadium) Noon ET CBS Sports Network Indiana leads 6-3 Sat., Sept. 7 Fordham 2:00 pm ET ESPN3 First Meeting Sat., Sept. 14 Florida Atlantic 2:00 pm ET ESPN+ BSU leads 1-0 Sat., Sept. 21 at North Carolina State TBA TBA First Meeting Sat., Oct. 5 *at NIU TBA TBA NIU leads 24-20-2 Sat., Oct. 12 *at Eastern Michigan 2:00 pm ET TBA BSU leads 34-24-1 Sat., Oct. 19 *Toledo 2:00 pm ET TBA Toledo leads 24-19-1 Sat., Oct. 26 *Ohio TBA TBA BSU leads 15-10 Tue., Nov. 5 *at Western Michigan 7:00 pm ET or 8:00 pm ET ESPN2/ESPNU/CBSSN WMU leads 25-20 Sat., Nov. 16 *Central Michigan TBA CBS Sports Network Series tied 25-25-1 Sat., Nov. 23 *at Kent State TBA TBA BSU leads 21-7 Fri., Nov. 29 *Miami TBA TBA Miami leads 19-12-1 *Mid-American Conference game 2019 Bowling Green Falcons Date Opponent Time Television Series/Results Thur., Aug. 29 Morgan State 7:00 pm ET ESPN3 BGSU leads 1-0 Sat., Sept. 7 at Kansas State Noon ET Fox Sports Net Kansas State leads 1-0 Sat., Sept. 14 Louisiana Tech 5:00 pm ET ESPN+ La Tech leads 2-0 Sat., Sept. 21 *at Kent State 3:30 pm ET TBA BGSU leads 60-20-6 Sat., Oct. 5 at Notre Dame 3:30 pm ET NBC First Meeting Sat., Oct. 12 *Toledo TBA TBA Toledo leads 40-39-4 Sat., Oct. 19 *Central Michigan TBA TBA BGSU leads 22-19 Sat., Oct. 26 *at Western Michigan Noon ET TBA BGSU leads 32-19-3 Sat., Nov. 2 *Akron TBA TBA BGSU leads 17-8 Wed., Nov. 13 *at Miami 8:00 pm ET ESPN2/ESPNU Miami leads 44-24-5 Tue., Nov. 19 *Ohio 7:30 pm ET ESPN2/ESPNU BGSU leads 40-28-2 Fri., Nov. 29 *at Buffalo TBA TBA BGSU leads 11-5 *Mid-American Conference game 2019 Buffalo Bulls Date Opponent Time Television Series/Results Thur., Aug. 29 Robert Morris 7:00 pm ET ESPN+ First Meeting Sat., Sept. 7 at Penn State 7:30 pm ET FOX Penn State leads 2-1 Sat., Sept. 14 at Liberty 6:00 pm ET ESPN+ Liberty leads 1-0 Sat., Sept. 21 Temple TBA TBA Buffalo leads 13-4 Sat., Sept. 28 *at Miami TBA TBA Miami leads 14-7 Sat., Oct. 5 *Ohio 3:30 pm ET TBA Ohio leads 15-10 Sat., Oct. 19 *at Akron TBA TBA Akron leads 11-7 Sat., Oct. 26 *Central Michigan TBA TBA CMU leads 7-2 Sat., Nov. 2 *at Eastern Michigan TBA TBA EMU leads 6-2 Thur., Nov. 14 *at Kent State 7:00 pm ET CBS Sports Network Buffalo leads 13-11 Wed., Nov. 20 *Toledo 7:30 pm ET ESPN2/ESPNU Toledo leads 7-3 Fri., Nov. 29 *Bowling Green TBA TBA BGSU leads 11-5 *Mid-American Conference game 2019 Central Michigan Chippewas Date Opponent Time Television Series/Results Thur., Aug. 29 Albany 7:00 pm ET ESPN3 First Meeting Sat., Sept. 7 at Wisconsin 3:30 pm ET Big Ten Network First Meeting Sat., Sept. 14 *Akron 3:00 pm ET ESPN+ CMU leads 16-10-1 Sat., Sept. 21 at Miami (Fla.) TBA TBA First Meeting Sat., Sept. 28 *at Western Michigan TBA TBA WMU leads 49-39-2 Sat., Oct. 5 *Eastern Michigan TBA TBA CMU leads 60-30-6 Sat., Oct. 12 New Mexico State 3:00 pm ET TBA First Meeting Sat., Oct. 19 *at Bowling Green TBA TBA BGSU leads 23-18 Sat., Oct. 26 *at Buffalo TBA TBA CMU leads 7-2 Sat., Nov. 2 *NIU TBA TBA CMU leads 29-24-1 Sat., Nov. 16 *at Ball State TBA CBS Sports Network Series tied 25-25-1 Fri., Nov. 29 *Toledo TBA TBA Toledo leads 26-18-3 *Mid-American Conference game 2019 Eastern Michigan Eagles Date Opponent Time Television Series/Results Sat., Aug. 31 at Coastal Carolina 3:30 pm ET ESPN+ First Meeting Sat., Sept. 7 at Kentucky 7:30 pm ET ESPNU/SEC Network Kentucky leads 1-0 Sat., Sept. 14 at Illinois Noon ET Big Ten Network First Meeting Sat., Sept. 21 Central Connecticut State 3:00 pm ET TBA First Meeting Sat., Oct. 5 *at Central Michigan TBA TBA CMUU leads 60-30-6 Sat., Oct. 12 *Ball State 2:00 pm ET TBA BSU leads 34-24-2 Sat., Oct. 19 *Western Michigan TBA TBA WMU leads 34-18-2 Sat., Oct. 26 *at Toledo TBA TBA Toledo leads 34-12 Sat., Nov. 2 *Buffalo TBA TBA EMU leads 6-2 Tue., Nov. 12 *at Akron 7:30 pm ET or 8:00 pm ET ESPN2/ESPNU Akron leads 19-13 Tue., Nov. 19 *at NIU 7:30 pm ET ESPN2/ESPNU NIU leads 33-14-2 Fri., Nov. 29 *Kent State TBA TBA Kent State leads 17-14 *Mid-American Conference game Mid-American Conference Football AUGUST 27, 2019

2019 Kent State Golden Flashes Date Opponent Time Television Series/Results Thur., Aug. 29 at Arizona State 10:00 pm ET Pac-12 Network First Meeting Sat., Sept. 7 Kennesaw State Noon ET ESPN3 First Meeting Sat., Sept. 14 at Auburn 7:00 pm ET ESPN2 or ESPNU First Meeting Sat., Sept. 21 *Bowling Green 3:30 pm ET TBA BGSU leads 60-20-6 Sat., Oct. 5 at Wisconsin TBA ESPN, ESPN2 or ESPNU First Meeting Sat., Oct. 12 *at Akron 3:30 pm ET TBA Akron leads 35-24-2 Sat., Oct. 19 *at Ohio TBA TBA Ohio leads 44-25-2 Sat., Oct. 26 *Miami TBA TBA Miami leads 49-17 Tue., Nov. 5 *at Toledo 7:00 pm ET or 8:00 pm ET ESPN2/CBS Sports Network Toledo leads 26-21 Thur., Nov. 14 *Buffalo 7:00 pm ET CBS Sports Network Buffalo leads 13-11 Sat., Nov. 23 *Ball State TBA TBA BSU leads 21-7 Fri., Nov. 29 *at Eastern Michigan TBA TBA KSU leads 17-14 *Mid-American Conference game 2019 Miami RedHawks Date Opponent Time Television Series/Results Sat., Aug. 31 at Iowa 7:30 pm ET FS1 Iowa leads 4-0 Sat., Sept. 7 Tennessee Tech 2:30 pm ET ESPN+ Miami leads 1-0 Sat., Sept. 14 at Cincinnati Noon ET ESPNU Miami leads 59-57-7 Sat., Sept. 21 at Ohio State TBA TBA Ohio State leads 5-0 Sat., Sept. 28 *Buffalo TBA TBA Miami leads 14-7 Sat., Oct. 12 *at Western Michigan TBA TBA Miami leads 37-22-1 Sat., Oct. 19 *NIU 2:30 pm ET TBA Series tied 9-9 Sat., Oct. 26 *at Kent State TBA TBA Miami leads 49-17 Wed., Nov. 6 *at Ohio 7:30 pm ET or 8:00 pm ET ESPN2 Miami leads 53-40-2 Wed., Nov. 13 *Bowling Green 8:00 pm ET ESPN2/ESPNU Miami leads 44-24-5 Wed., Nov. 20 *Akron 7:30 pm ET ESPN2/ESPNU Miami leads 18-9-1 Fri., Nov. 29 *at Ball State TBA TBA Miami leads 19-11-1 *Mid-American Conference game 2019 Northern Illinois Huskies Date Opponent Time Television Series/Results Sat., Aug. 31 Illinois State 7:00 pm ET/6:00 pm CT ESPN+ NIU leads 25-22-9 Sat., Sept. 7 at Utah 1:00 pm ET/Noon CT Pac-12 Networks Utah leads 1-0 Sat., Sept. 14 at Nebraska 8:00 pm ET/7:00 pm CT FS1 Nebraska leads 2-1 Sat., Sept. 28 at Vanderbilt TBA TBA Vanderbilt leads 3-0 Sat., Oct. 5 *Ball State TBA TBA NIU leads 24-20-2 Sat., Oct. 12 *at Ohio 3:30 pm ET/2:30 pm CT TBA NIU leads 12-10 Sat., Oct. 19 *at Miami 2:30 pm ET/1:30 pm CT TBA Series tied 9-9 Sat., Oct. 26 *Akron 3:30 pm ET/2:30 pm ET TBA NIU leads 10-5 Sat., Nov. 2 *at Central Michigan TBA TBA CMU leads 29-24-1 Wed., Nov. 13 *at Toledo 8:00 pm ET/7:00 pm CT ESPN2/ESPNU Toledo leads 31-15 Tue., Nov. 19 *Eastern Michigan 7:30 pm ET/6:30 pm CT ESPN2/ESPNU NIU leads 33-14-2 Tue., Nov. 26 *Western Michigan 7:00 pm ET/6:00 pm CT ESPNU/ESPN+ WMU leads 25-19 *Mid-American Conference game 2019 Ohio Bobcats Date Opponent Time Television Series/Results Sat., Aug. 31 Rhode Island 2:00 pm ET ESPN+ First Meeting Sat., Sept. 7 at Pitt 11:00 am ET ACC Network Pitt leads 5-2 Sat., Sept. 14 at Marshall 6:30 pm ET Facebook Ohio leads 33-20-6 Sat., Sept. 21 Louisiana-Lafayette TBA TBA Ohio leads 2-0 Sat., Oct. 5 *at Buffalo 3:30 pm ET TBA Ohio leads 14-11 Sat., Oct. 12 *NIU 3:30 pm ET TBA NIU leads 12-10 Sat., Oct. 19 *Kent State TBA TBA Ohio leads 44-25-2 Sat., Oct. 26 *at Ball State TBA TBA BSU leads 15-10 Wed., Nov. 6 *Miami 7:30 pm ET or 8:00 pm ET ESPN2 Miami leads 53-40-2 Tue., Nov. 12 *Western Michigan 7:30 pm ET or 8:00 pm ET ESPN2/ESPNU WMU leads 33-29-1 Tue., Nov. 19 *at Bowling Green 7:30 pm ET ESPN2/ESPNU BGSU leads 40-28 Tue., Nov. 26 *at Akron 7:00 pm ET ESPNU/ESPN+ Ohio leads 20-14-1 *Mid-American Conference game 2019 Toledo Rockets Date Opponent Time Television Series/Results Sat., Aug. 31 at Kentucky Noon ET SEC Network First Meeting Sat., Sept. 14 Murray State 7:00 pm ET ESPN3 First Meeting Sat., Sept. 21 at Colorado State TBA ESPN Networks Series tied 1-1 Sat., Sept. 28 BYU TBA TBA BYU leads 1-0 Sat., Oct. 5 *Western Michigan 3:30 pm ET TBA Toledo leads 42-30 Sat., Oct. 12 *at Bowling Green TBA TBA Toledo leads 40-39-4 Sat., Oct. 19 *at Ball State 2:00 pm ET TBA Toledo leads 24-19-1 Sat., Oct. 26 *Eastern Michigan TBA TBA Toledo leads 34-12 Tue., Nov. 5 *Kent State 7:00 pm ET or 8:00 pm ET ESPN2/CBS Sports Network Toledo leads 26-21 Wed, Nov. 13 *NIU 8:00 pm ET ESPN2/ESPNU Toledo leads 31-15 Wed., Nov. 20 *at Buffalo 7:30 pm ET ESPN2/ESPNU Toledo leads 7-4 Fri., Nov. 29 *at Central Michigan TBA TBA Toledo leads 26-18-3 *Mid-American Conference game 2019 Western Michigan Broncos Date Opponent Time Television Series/Results Sat., Aug. 31 Monmouth 7:00 pm ET ESPN3 First Meeting Sat., Sept. 7 at Michigan State 7:30 pm ET Big Ten Network Michigan St. leads 13-2 Sat., Sept. 14 Georgia State 7:00 pm ET ESPN+ WMU leads 1-0 Sat., Sept. 21 at Syracuse TBA TBA Syracuse leads 1-0 Sat., Sept. 28 *Central Michigan TBA TBA WMU leads 49-38-2 Sat., Oct. 5 *at Toledo 3:30 pm ET TBA Toledo leads 44-30 Sat., Oct. 12 *Miami TBA TBA Miami leads 37-22-1 Sat., Oct. 19 *at Eastern Michigan TBA TBA WMU leads 34-17-2 Sat., Oct. 26 *Bowling Green Noon ET TBA BGSU leads 32-19-3 Tue., Nov. 5 *Ball State 7:00 pm ET or 8:00 pm ET ESPN2/CBS Sports Network WMU leads 25-20 Tue., Nov. 12 *at Ohio 7:30 pm ET or 8:00 pm ET ESPN2/ESPNU WMU leads 33-29-1 Tue., Nov. 26 *at NIU 7:00 pm ET ESPNU/ESPN+ WMU leads 25-18 *Mid-American Conference game Mid-American Conference Football AUGUST 27, 2019

2019 Non-Conference Opponents MAC Students on 2019 Preseason Watch Lists WALTER CAMP AWARD (Best College Football Player) ACC (4) QB Nathan Rourke (Ohio) Miami (Central Michigan) North Carolina State (Ball State) MAXWELL AWARD (Outstanding College Football Player) Pitt (Ohio) RB LeVante Bellamy (Western Michigan) Syracuse (Western Michigan) RB Jaret Patterson (Buffalo) QB Nathan Rourke (Ohio) American Athletic (2) Cincinnati (Miami) CHUCK BEDNARIK AWARD (Defensive Player of the Year) Temple (Buffalo) DT Doug Costin (Miami) LB Antonio Jones-Davis (Northern Illinois) DB Kevin McGill (Eastern Michigan) Big Ten (10) Illinois (2) (Akron, Eastern Michigan) BILETNIKOFF AWARD (Top Wide Receiver) Indiana (Ball State) D’Wayne Eskridge (Western Michigan) Iowa (Miami) Riley Miller (Ball State) Michigan State (Western Michigan) Nebraska (NIU) BRONKO NAGURSKI AWARD (Defensive Player of the Year) Ohio State (Miami) S Javon Hagan (Ohio) Penn State (Buffalo) LB Antonio Jones-Davis (Northern Illinois) Wisconsin (2) (Central Michigan, Kent State) DB Kevin McGill (Eastern Michigan) EARL CAMPBELL TYLER ROSE AWARD (Top Offensive Player) Big 12 (1) WR Quintin Morris (Bowling Green) Kansas State (Bowling Green) LOU GROZA AWARD (Outstanding Kicker) Conference USA (4) JRyan Tice (Central Michigan) Florida Atlantic (Ball State) Louie Zervos (Ohio) La. Tech (Bowling Green) Marshall (Ohio) TED HENDRICKS AWARD (Top Defensive End) UAB (Akron) Ali Fayad (Western Michigan) Jamal Hines (Toledo) Mountain West (1) PAUL HORNUNG AWARD (Most Versatile Player) Colorado State (Toledo) KR/DB Jamal Parker (Kent State) RB LeVante Bellamy (Western Michigan) Pac 12 (2) Arizona State (Kent State) MANNING AWARD (Best Quarterback) Utah (NIU) Nathan Rourke (Ohio) SEC (4) JOHN MACKEY AWARD (Best Tight End) Auburn (Kent State) Andrew Homer (Miami) Thomas Odukoya (Eastern Michigan) Kentucky (2) (Eastern Michigan, Toledo) Giovanni Ricci (Western Michigan) Vanderbilt (NIU) DAVEY O’BRIEN AWARD (Top Quarterback) Sun Belt (4) QB Nathan Rourke (Ohio) Coastal Carolina (Eastern Michigan) Georgia State (Western Michigan) OUTLAND AWARD (Top Interior Lineman) Louisiana-Lafayette (Ohio) DT Doug Costin (Miami) Troy (Akron) C Bryce Harris (Toledo) C Luke Juriga (Western Michigan) Independent (5) RIMINGTON TROPHY (Most Outstanding Center) BYU (Toledo) Andrew Poenitsch (Ball State); Jack Kramer (Bowling Green); Notre Dame (Bowling Green) Steve Eipper (Central Michigan); Nate Warnock (Kent State); UMass (Akron) Danny Godlevske (Miami); Steven Hayes (Ohio); Bryce Harris (Toledo); Liberty (Buffalo) Luke Juriga (Western Michigan) New Mexico State (Central Michigan) JIM THORPE AWARD (Best Defensive Back) FCS Opponents (I-AA) Alvin Davis (Akron) Big South (2) Vince Calhoun (Eastern Michigan) Kennesaw State (Kent State) Kevin McGill (Eastern Michigan) Javon Hagan (Ohio) Monmouth (Western Michigan) Jamal Hudson (Ohio) Colonial Athletic (2) JOHNNY UNITAS GOLDEN ARM AWARD (Top Quarterback) Albany (Central Michigan) Woody Barrett (Kent State) Rhode Island (Ohio) Marcus Childers (Northern Illinois) Mitchell Guadagni (Toledo) MEAC (1) Kato Nelson (Akron) Morgan State (Bowling Green) Nathan Rourke (Ohio) Missouri Valley (1) DOAK WALKER AWARD (Top Running Back) LeVante Bellamy (Western Michigan) Illinois State (NIU) Andrew Clair (Bowling Green) Bryant Koback (Toledo) Northeast (1) Tre Harbison (Northern Illinois) Central Connecticut St. (Eastern Michigan) Jaret Patterson (Buffalo) Robert Morris (Buffalo) Breck Turner (Eastern Michigan) Ohio Valley (2) WUERFFEL TROPHY (Best Community Service) Murray State (Toledo) LS Gabe Skrobot (Bowling Green) Tennessee Tech (Miami) LB Matt Otwinowski (Buffalo) DB Brody Hoying (Eastern Michigan) LB Matt Bahr (Kent State) Patriot (1) WR Jack Sorenson (Miami) Fordham (Ball State) C Bryce Harris (Toledo) QB Jon Wassink (Western Michigan)