Mid-American Conference Football Weekly Release September 10, 2018

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 • Week 3 schedule features the start of league play with two cru- WEST DIVISION W L Pct. Stk H A W L Pct. Stk H A cial games. Eastern Michigan (2-0) travels to Buffalo (2-0) in a Eastern Michigan 0 0 .000 - 0-0 0-0 2 0 1.000 W2 1-0 1-0 contest of two undefeated teams at 6:00 pm ET on ESPN+. Also Toledo 0 0 .000 - 0-0 0-0 1 0 1.000 W1 1-0 0-0 a key West Division contest features Central Michigan (0-2) at Ball State 0 0 .000 - 0-0 0-0 1 1 .500 L1 1-0 0-1 Northern Illinois (0-2) at 3:30 pm ET on ESPN+ as both programs Central Michigan 0 0 .000 - 0-0 0-0 0 2 .000 L2 0-1 0-1 are searching for their first win of the 2018 campaign. Northern Illinois 0 0 .000 - 0-0 0-0 0 2 .000 L2 0-1 0-1 Western Michigan 0 0 .000 - 0-0 0-0 0 2 .000 L2 0-1 0-1 • Last week MAC program’s went 4-6 in 10 contests. The MAC picked up its first two FBS wins as Eastern Michigan won 20-19 Conference Overall at Purdue on the games final play, while Buffalo topped Temple EAST DIVISION W L Pct. Stk H A W L Pct. Stk H A 36-29 at Lincoln Financial Field. Buffalo 0 0 .000 - 0-0 0-0 2 0 1.000 W2 1-0 1-0 Ohio 0 0 .000 - 0-0 0-0 1 0 1.000 W1 1-0 0-0 • MAC programs will face non-conference opponents this Sat- Akron 0 0 .000 - 0-0 0-0 1 0 1.000 W1 1-0 0-0 urday, September 15 from the Big Ten (, Minnesota, Kent State 0 0 .000 - 0-0 0-0 1 1 .500 W1 1-0 0-1 Northwestern, Penn State) and the ACC (Miami (Fla.), Virginia). Bowling Green 0 0 .000 - 0-0 0-0 0 2 .000 L2 0-1 0-1 The MAC will also face two FCS opponents -- Delaware State Miami 0 0 .000 - 0-0 0-0 0 2 .000 L2 0-2 0-0 and Eastern Kentucky. • The Toledo Rockets will host No. 21-ranked Miami Hurricanes EASTERN MICHIGAN NETS SECOND STRAIGHT BIG TEN VICTORY at the Glass Bowl on Saturday, Sept. 15 at Noon ET. This highly Eastern Michigan freshman kicker Chad Ryland drilled a 24-yard field goal as anticipated game will feature a capacity crowd and the game was time expired for a 20-19 win at Purdue on Sept. 8. The win was Eastern Michi- selected for ESPN2. Last year, Miami prevailed with a 52-30 win gan’s second-ever victory over an ‘Autonomous Conference’ opponent. With the over Toledo at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla. victory at Purdue, Eastern Michigan has beaten a Big Ten Conference opponent in back-to-back seasons as last year’s win came in a 16-13 victory at Rutgers. This Week’s MAC Schedule Saturday, September 15 The last time Eastern Michigan won on the final play of regulation, Eastern Michi- Ball State at Indiana, Noon ET (Big Ten Network) gan Athletics and MAC Hall of Famer Charlie Batch found Ontario Pryor for a Kent State at Penn State, Noon ET (FS1) 16-yard as the clock hit zero as the Eagles defeated Toledo, 40-37, Miami (Fla.) at Toledo, Noon ET (ESPN2) Nov. 19, 1994. In addition, Ryland’s kick was Eastern Michigan’s first walk-off Ohio at Virginia, 3:00 pm ET (ACC Network Extra) field goal in more than 40 years. That year, the Eagles used a 38-yard field goal Central Michigan at NIU, 3:30 pm ET/2:30 pm CT (ESPN+) from Ken Dudal to top Central Michigan, 30-27, on Nov. 6, 1976, as the victory Miami at Minnesota, 3:30 pm ET (Big Ten Network) was the program’s first-ever Mid-American Conference win. Eastern Kentucky at Bowling Green, 4:00 pm ET (ESPN3) Eastern Michigan at Buffalo, 6:00 pm ET (ESPN+) MAC VS. BIG TEN OPPONENTS Delaware State at Western Michigan, 7:00 pm ET (ESPN+) This week the MAC will face four more Big Ten opponents -- Indiana, Minnesota, Akron at Northwestern, 7:30 pm ET (Big Ten Network) Northwestern and Penn State. With Eastern Michigan’s 20-19 win at Purdue on Saturday, September 22 Sept. 8, 2018, the MAC has won a regular season game vs. Big Ten opponents in Akron at Iowa State, Noon ET (FSN) each of the last 13 consecutive seasons (2006-2018), the longest streak in MAC Buffalo at Rutgers, Noon ET (Big Ten Network) history. In 2017, the MAC had two road wins at Big Ten opponents as NIU de- Kent State at Ole Miss, Noon ET (SEC Network) feated Nebraska, 21-17, on Sept. 16, 2017 and Eastern Michigan defeated Rutgers, Nevada at Toledo, Noon ET (CBS Sports Network) 16-13, on Sept. 9, 2017. Ohio at Cincinnati, Noon ET (ESPNews or ESPNU) Western Michigan at Georgia State, 2:00 pm ET (ESPN+) During this 13-year stretch, MAC teams have defeated 12 different Big Ten pro- Maine at Central Michigan, 3:00 pm ET (ESPN+) grams—Illinois (3); Indiana (5); Iowa (3); Maryland (1); Michigan (1); Michigan *Miami at Bowling Green, 3:00 pm ET (ESPN+) State (1); Minnesota (2); Nebraska (1); Northwestern (2); Penn State (1); Purdue Western Kentucky at Ball State, 3:00 pm ET (ESPN3) (6) and Rutgers (1) for a total of 27 wins during this stretch. MAC programs NIU at Florida State, 3:30 pm ET (ESPN/ESPN2 or ESPNU) Miami (13), Bowling Green (8), Toledo (6), Central Michigan (6) and Northern Eastern Michigan at San Diego State, 10:30 pm ET Illinois (6) have the most wins vs. Big Ten opponents. (CBS Sports Network) Last Week’s MAC Games OHIO’S THIRD LONGEST ACTIVE FBS HEAD COACH Eastern Michigan 20, Purdue 19 Ohio head football coach Frank Solich is entering his 14th season at the helm of No. 21 Michigan 49, Western Michigan 3 the Ohio Bobcat football program and currently ranks third all-time among MAC Kansas 31, Central Michigan 7 head coaches with 98 career wins. Solich also ranks tied for third among active No. 8 Notre Dame 24, Ball State 16 FBS head coaches as the longest tenured current head coaches. Buffalo 36, Temple 29 Kent State 54, Howard 14 Only Kirk Ferentz of Iowa (1999-2018 -- 20th season), Gary Patterson of TCU Akron 41, Morgan State 7 (2000-18 -- 18th season) and Kyle Whittington of Utah (2004-18 -- 14th season) Maryland 45, Bowling Green 14 have held their current head coaching positions longer than Solich. Ohio is also the Utah 17, NIU 6 only FBS football program in the country that has kept its head coach, offensive Cincinnati 21, Miami 0 (at Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio) coordinator (Tim Albin) and defensive coordinator (Jimmy Burrow) in place for Bye: Ohio; Toledo the past 14 seasons. Ohio will travel to Virginia on Sept. 15 at 3:00 pm ET. Mid-American Conference Football SEPTEMBER 10, 2018

MAC Players of the Week Other Top Performers (WEEK TWO) OFFENSE East Division • Bowling Green WR Quintin Morris had a career day in a 45-14 loss to Maryland. Morris posted a five catches for 85 yards and one Tyree Jackson, Offensive Player of the Week touchdown, all career-highs. The touchdown went for 29 yards, ty- Buffalo, Junior, ing another career high (longest career reception), and gave Bowling Green a 14-7 lead heading into halftime. Morris has eight catches Buffalo junior quarterback Tyree Jackson (Norton Shores, Mich.) finished 26-of-45 for 275 yards and for 120 yards through the first two games of the season. three , including the game-winning score with less than a minute to play to lead Buffa- • Northern Illinois WR Jajuan Wesley was a bright spot in the lo to a 36-29 win over Temple at Lincoln Financial Huskie offense as he caught a career high eight passes for 73 yards Field on Saturday. Jackson opened the scoring with to account for almost two-thirds of NIU’s passing yards in a 17-6 a 33-yard touchdown pass to Charlie Jones late in loss to Utah. Wesley’s previous career best was four catches. He the first quarter to give the Bulls a 6-0 lead. also now leads NIU in receiving with 12 catches on the season in just two games, already surpassing his season total from a year ago Cameron Lewis, Defensive Player of the Week; when he totaled 10 catches on the season. Buffalo, Senior, Defensive Back • Kent State RB Justin Rankin rushed for a career-high 147 yards Buffalo senior defensive back Cameron Lewis and a touchdown on just 12 carries in Kent State’s 54-14 victory (Detroit, Mich.) had four tackles and two key in- over Howard. Rankin also had two catches for 22 yards and a kick terceptions in Buffalo’s 36-29 win over Temple at Lincoln Financial Field on Saturday. His first inter- return for 17 yards, giving him 186 all-purpose yards. Rankin led ception came in the end zone to thwart a Temple the way in the Flashes’ 355-yard rushing effort, the most by a Kent scoring threat. Later, with the Bulls trailing 14-12 State team since 2012, as the Flashes reached 50 points in a game in the third quarter, Lewis made his second inter- for the first time since 2008. ception at the Owls’ 26-yard line. • Akron RB Van Edwards racked up 109 yards, marking the second Nick Gasser, Special Teams Player of Week; 100-yard rushing performance of his career, to lead the Zips in a Akron, Senior, Kicker/Punter 41-7 win over Morgan State in their home opener. He had 17 carries and two touchdowns on the day. Edwards had two receptions for 22 Akron senior kicker and punter Nick Gasser (Lib- yards and finished the game with a team-best 131 all-purpose yards. erty Township, Ohio) converted two field goals and four extra points for a total of 10 points in a 41-7 win over Morgan State. His field goals were from 24 yards and 30 yards. He also had one punt DEFENSE for 47 yards which landed within the 20. • Ball State LB Ray Wilborn tallied eight tackles, one pass defensed and an in a 24-16 loss at No. 8-ranked Notre Dame. His interception in the fourth quarter thwarted a potential Notre Dame scoring drive. Wilborn was part of a defensive effort that tallied three and four sacks at No. 8 Notre Dame. He West Division was one of eight players to record a tackle for loss. • Eastern Michigan LB Kyle Rachwal had a team-best 11 tackles Tyler Wiegers, Offensive Player of the Week and added a forced in the first quarter that forced Purdue to Eastern Michigan, Graduate, Quarterback settle for a field goal in the red zone. Eastern Michigan’s defensive Eastern Michigan graduate transfer Tyler Wieg- effort highlighted the day as the Eagles held the Boilermakers to ers (Lake Orion, Mich.) was 20-28 passing for 312 just 17 points, forced three three-and-outs, and only allowed two yards and one touchdown in leading the Eagles to a touchdowns. Eastern’s defense also totaled four forced , the 20-19 win at Purdue on Sept. 8. His 312-yard per- most since forcing four at Northern Illinois, Oct. 26, 2017. formance at Purdue was the most for any Eastern Michigan quarterback since Brogan Roback’s 328- • Kent State LB Matt Bahr led with a career-high 11 tackles in yard performance in the Bahamas Bowl, Dec. 23, a 54-14 victory over Howard. Bahr made a pair of fourth down 2016. Wiegers’ 75-yard touchdown pass to Mathew plays, including a forced fumble on a fourth-and-goal during the Sexton was the longest toss since 2016. second quarter. Bahr also had a career-high eight solo tackles along Sutton Smith, Defensive Player of the Week with a half tackle for loss, a pass breakup and a quarterback hurry. Northern Illinois, Junior, Defensive End • Akron LB Ulysees Gilbert III led with six tackles in a 41-7 win Northern Illinois junior defensive end Sutton Smith over Morgan State. The defense held the Bears to 192 yards of total (St. Charles, Mo.) was an unstoppable force for the offense with two interceptions, two forced fumbles, one sack, and Huskies defense in a 17-6 loss to Utah as he led with one fumble recovery. eight tackles, six solo, and made 4.5 tackles for loss- es totaling 17 yards to go with two sacks. Smith was SPECIAL TEAMS disruptive the entire game, with focus on him also allowing the defensive ends opposite him to make • Northern Illinois P Matt Ference punted eight times for a 46.0- three sacks and six tackles for loss. yard average, dropping four punts inside the 20-yard line in a 17-6 loss to Utah. Ference also excelled at directional punting, keeping Chad Ryland, Special Teams Player of Week; the ball at the sidelines to limit returns. He had a long punt of 57 Eastern Michigan, Freshman, Kicker yards on the day and now ranks fifth nationally in punting average and is first in the MAC. Eastern Michigan freshman kicker Chad Ryland (Lebanon, Pa.) drilled a 24-yard field goal as time • Ball State K Morgan Hagee equaled a career-high with three field expired for a 20-19 win at Purdue on Sept. 8. For goals in a 24-16 loss at No. 8-ranked Notre Dame. Hagee’s 49- the game, Ryland added two field goals and pair of yard field goal with 1:30 left in the fourth quarter was a career long PATs to his collegiate resume. The win was Eastern Hagee moved up to No. 6 on Ball State’s all-time scoring list with Michigan’s second-ever victory over an ‘Autono- mous Conference’ opponent. 230 career points. Mid-American Conference Football SEPTEMBER 10, 2018

MAC BOWL NOTES AND 2017 SEASON MAC WITH ONE NEW HEAD COACH FOR 2018 Kent State named Sean Lewis as head coach on Dec. 21, 2017 to • Toledo won the 2017 Marathon MAC Football Championship replace Paul Haynes, who was Kent State’s head coach for five Game with a 45-28 win over Akron on Dec. 2, 2017. The win was seasons (2013-17). Toledo’s first championship since 2004 and the 11th football title in program history. The Rockets have been a model of consistency Kent State: Sean Lewis: Kent State named Sean Lewis to lead in winning as Toledo has won at least nine games in six of the last the Golden Flashes on Dec. 21, 2017. Lewis became the 22nd seven years, and the 2017 record of 11-3 is the ninth time in Toledo head football coach at Kent State after serving as the co-offensive history to win at least 10 games in a season. coordinator and coach at Syracuse. His background stretches from his four-year playing career at Wisconsin under Barry • Five MAC programs received bowl invitations in the 2017 bowl Alvarez, to winning the 2015 Marathon MAC Championship as the season -- Toledo (11-3), Akron (7-7), Ohio (9-4), Central Michigan co-offensive coordinator at Bowling Green. (8-5) and Northern Illinois (8-5). The MAC record for bowl invita- tions in a single-season is seven in both the 2012 and 2015 bowl Lewis’ ascension has led him to become the youngest Football Bowl seasons. Subdivision (FBS) head coach in the nation at the age of 31. That distinction was previously held by Oklahoma’s Lincoln Riley at • Toledo (Dollar General Bowl), Akron (Cheribundi Tart Cherry age 34. Lewis has spent his last six seasons alongside head coach Boca Raton Bowl), Ohio (Bahamas Bowl), Central Michigan (Fa- Dino Babers at Syracuse (2016-17), Bowling Green (2014-15) and mous Idaho Potato Bowl) and Northern Illinois (Quick Lane Bowl) Eastern Illinois (2012-13). represented the MAC in the 2017 bowl season. Lewis’ coaching career began as the offensive coordinator for his • This marked the 10th time in MAC history to have five or more alma mater Richards High School in Illinois. He transitioned to the programs receive a bowl invitation (2004, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, college level in 2010 as tight ends coach at Division II University of 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017) in a single-season. Nebraska Omaha. He made his first MAC stop in 2011 as a gradu- ate assistant for the University of Akron. Lewis earned a bachelor’s • In the previous seven bowl seasons, the MAC has a record of 12- degree from Wisconsin in agricultural sciences in 2007. 28 in 40 bowl games – 2017 (1-4); 2016 (0-6); 2015 (3-4); 2014 (2-3); 2013 (0-5); 2012 (2-5); 2011 (4-1) as all 12 MAC programs MAC PROGRAMS IN BOWL GAMES have appeared in a bowl game during this span (2011-17). In the last six bowl seasons, every MAC football program has received a bowl invitation. Leading the way are Toledo, Ohio and • Akron (7-7, 6-2) won the MAC East Division for the first time Northern Illinois with bowl invitations in six of the last seven bowl since 2005. Akron secured its third MAC East Division title as the seasons. Zips were bowl eligible for the second time in the last three years, also a school record. 2011-17 MAC Programs and Years Invited to Bowl Games Northern Illinois (6): 2011; 2012; 2013; 2014; 2015; 2017 • Over the last three seasons, the MAC has witnessed six different Ohio (6): 2011; 2012; 2013; 2015; 2016; 2017 programs participate in the Marathon MAC Football Champion- Toledo (6): 2011; 2012; 2014; 2015; 2016; 2017 ship Game. In 2015 Bowling Green defeated NIU, 34-14, while Central Michigan (5): 2012; 2014; 2015; 2016; 2017 2016 witnessed Western Michigan with a 29-23 win over Ohio and Bowling Green (4): 2012; 2013; 2014; 2015 Toledo defeated Akron, 45-28 in the 2017 Marathon MAC Foot- Western Michigan (4): 2011; 2014; 2015; 2016 ball Championship Game. Akron (2): 2015; 2017 Ball State (2): 2012; 2013 • In 2017 the MAC had 11 FBS wins, including four wins over Buffalo (1): 2013 Autonomous Conferences with two wins vs. Big Ten opponents Kent State (1): 2012 (Nebraska, Rutgers) and two wins over Big 12 opponents (both Eastern Michigan (1): 2016 wins over Kansas). Miami (1): 2016 former: Temple (1): 2011

MAC 2017 BOWL RESULTS Year; MAC Programs Invited to Bowl Games • Cheribundi Tart Bowl Boca Raton Bowl (Boca Raton, Fla.) Florida 2011: Northern Illinois; Ohio; Toledo; Western Michigan; Temple Atlantic 50, Akron 3 2012: Northern Illinois; Kent State; Ohio; Bowling Green; Ball • Famous Idaho Potato Bowl (Boise, Ida.) Wyoming 37, Central State; Central Michigan; Toledo Michigan 14 2013: Northern Illinois; Bowling Green; Ball State; Ohio; Buffalo • Bahamas Bowl (Nassau) Ohio 41, UAB 6 2014: Northern Illinois; Bowling Green; Toledo; Central Michigan; • Dollar General Bowl (Mobile, Ala.) Appalachian State 34, Toledo 0 Western Michigan • Quick Lane Bowl (Detroit, Mich.) Duke 36, Northern Illinois 14 2015: Bowling Green; Northern Illinois; Toledo; Western Michigan; Central Michigan; Ohio; Akron 2016: Western Michigan, Ohio, Toledo, Eastern Michigan, Central MAC NON-CONFERENCE WINS Michigan, Miami Entering Week Three of , the MAC has two FBS 2017: Toledo, Akron, Ohio, Central Michigan; Northern Illinois. wins with victories over Purdue from the Big Ten Conference and Temple from the American Athletic Conference. The MAC concluded its non-conference regular season schedule last season with 11 FBS wins. The MAC record is 16 FBS wins in 2012, while the Conference posted 14 FBS wins in both the 2016 and 2008 seasons. The MAC has partnered with collegepressbox.com to continue In 2017, the MAC also has four ‘Autonomous Conference’ wins media services and provide access to information on the confer- over Nebraska and Rutgers (Big Ten) and Kansas twice (Big 12). ence and our membership including rosters, bios, game notes, Among peer Conferences during the 2017 regular season, the depth charts, stats, quotes, flipcards, media schedules and more. MAC posted a 1-1 record against the American Athletic, Mountain West and Sun Belt Conferences, along with a record 3-4 vs. Con- ference USA. Mid-American Conference Football SEPTEMBER 10, 2018

MAC COLLABORATIVE REPLAY SYSTEM 2017 MAC ALL-AMERICANS The 2018 football season is the first time the MAC is using a confer- The MAC was represented in 2017 with All-American honors. ence-wide collaborative replay system. In conjunction with the Big Ten, all MAC stadiums will have two (2) monitors on the sideline The Associated Press: to assist with replay of game action during reviews, similar to the • Second-Team All-American: Northern Illinois DE Sutton Smith NFL. The MAC experimented with sideline monitors the past two USA Today: seasons during select games at the University of Akron and Central • First-Team All-American: Northern Illinois DE Sutton Smith Michigan University. The monitor allows the referee to view video Sports Illustrated: while in conversation with the replay official. The decision is still • Second-Team All-American: Northern Illinois DE Sutton Smith made by the replay official in the booth. The Big Ten and MAC are CBS Sports: the only FBS conferences utilizing this program. • Second-Team All-American: Northern Illinois DE Sutton Smith Walter Camp Football Foundation: MAC MEDIA/TV TIMEOUT CLOCK • First-Team All-American: Northern Illinois DE Sutton Smith This marks the second season for the MAC with a Media/TV Time- • Second-Team All-American: Western Michigan OT Chukwuma out clock. The MAC is the first FBS Conference to mandate this Okorafor league-wide with a Media/TV Timeout clock visible in each stadium The Sporting News: to assist with pace of play. The Media/TV Timeout Clock enhances • Second-Team All-American: Northern Illinois DE Sutton Smith the in-game experience for fans while also providing the institutions Football Writers Association of America (FWAA): a true stoppage time -- from beginning of the television commercial • First-Team All-American: Northern Illinois DE Sutton Smith break to returning to play. Following the success of this pilot program, • First-Team All-American: Western Michigan OT Chukwuma other FBS conferences have followed suit in 2018, including the Big Okorafor Ten. The 2017 season saw the MAC’s average game time reduced to Coaches Association (AFCA): 3:20, shaving nearly five minutes from the previous season • Second-Team All-American: Northern Illinois DE Sutton Smith MAC WIDE RECEIVERS CONTINUE TO SHINE NIU’S SUTTON SMITH CONSENSUS ALL-AMERICAN The depth of the MAC at the wide receiver position continues to Northern Illinois defensive end Sutton Smith was a 2017 Consensus blossom with plenty of playmakers at this skill position. In 2017, All-American, as determined by the NCAA. Smith became the ninth Toledo’s Diontae Johnson; Buffalo’s Anthony Johnson and Miami’s MAC player earn Consensus All-American status. James Gardner all had breakout seasons. To be selected as a Consensus All-American, a player must be named Buffalo’s Anthony Johnson was the top target by both Tyree Jackson to the first team of at least two of the five selected All-America and Drew Anderson last season for the Bulls. Buffalo finished with teams, announced over the last week by the American Football a 6-6 overall record, 4-4 in the MAC, and Johnson opened plenty of Coaches Association (AFCA), Associated Press, Football Writers eyes within the MAC and the entire country. Johnson led the MAC Association of America (FWAA), The Sporting News and Walter with 1,356 yards receiving (17.8 avg.) and 14 touchdowns, while Camp Foundation. Second team selections are used to break ties. his 76 catches ranked second in the league. Johnson collected four Players who earned the honor were listed on the most first team touchdown receptions in a win at Ball State on Nov. 16, 2017, which All-America teams, competing against players at that position only. tied for third most in MAC single-game history. Johnson’s 14 touch- downs ranks tied for 11th best in MAC single-season history and his Smith is actually one of five defensive linemen on the 2017 Consen- 1,356 yards receiving is 19th most in MAC single-season history. sus All-America team as he and Maurice Hurst of Michigan tied for the final spot. The St. Charles, Mo. native was named a first team Toledo’s Diontae Johnson as a sophomore last season became Logan All- American by Walter Camp and the FWAA, and was a second Woodside’s top target after the season ending injury to Cody Thomp- team selection on the AP, AFCA and Sporting News teams. son. Johnson led the Rockets with 74 receptions for 1,278 yards (17.3 avg.) and 13 touchdowns. Johnson ranked second in the MAC Smith is the fourth NIU player – joining Jordan Lynch, Jimmie Ward with his 1,278 yards and 13 touchdowns, while his 74 catches ranked and Shuwan Lurry – to garner first team All-America recognition third in the league. Johnson’s 13 touchdowns is tied for 17th most in the last five seasons, surpassing the total number of Huskie All- in a single-season in MAC history, while his 1,278 yards receiving Americans in the school’s FBS history. ranks tied for 22nd most in MAC history. Smith is the most decorated defensive player in NIU football history Miami’s James Gardner led the RedHawks last season with his 47 and in addition to the five All-America teams mentioned above, was receptions for 927 yards (19.7 avg.) and 11 touchdowns. Gardner selected to six more All-America teams by media organizations. had perhaps his finest game of the year on the road at No. 22 ranked Notre Dame on Sept. 30, 2017 with five catches for 115 yards and Smith was the 2017 MAC Defensive Player of the Year was also a two touchdowns. Gardner’s 11 receiving touchdowns ranked third in finalist for the Ted Hendricks Award as the nation’s best defensive the MAC and are tied for 29th most in single-season in MAC history. end. He finished the season and led the MAC with 29.5 tackles for loss and 16 sacks. He was 2.5 tackles for loss shy of the NCAA single MAC Among Sack & TFL Leaders In The Nation Last Season season record of 32, set by Western Michigan’s Jason Babin in 2003. In 2017, the MAC witnessed four different defensive players rank among the leaders in college football in sacks and tackles for loss MAC Consensus All-Americans – NIU’s Sutton Smith, Ball State’s Anthony Winbush, Central Michi- 1971 Mel Long, Toledo, DT gan’s Joe Ostman and Eastern Michigan’s Maxx Crosby. Winbush 1995 Brad Maynard, Ball State, P and Ostman are currently in NFL camps, while Smith and Crosby 1996 Brad Maynard, Ball State, P enter the 2018 campaign as redshirt juniors. 1997 , Marshall, WR 2000 Dwight Smith, Akron, DB The MAC had four of the top six defensive players in total sacks 2010 , Toledo, KR/AP last season as Smith’s 16 led the nation, while Ostman’s 14 sacks 2012 Dri Archer, Kent State, KR/AP ranked second, Winbush’s 11.5 ranked fourth and Crosby’s 11 sacks 2016 Corey Davis, Western Michigan, WR ranked tied for sixth most in the country. All four also ranked among 2017 Sutton Smith, Northern Illinois, DE the nation’s best in tackles for loss as Smith’s 29.5 tackles for loss led the nation, Ostman’s 20.5 tackles for loss ranked seventh, while Winbush and Crosby each had 16.5 tackles for loss. Smith led the nation and the MAC with 16 sacks and 29.5 tackles for loss on his way to consensus All-American status last season. Smith’s 16 sacks tied for second most in a single-season in MAC history. Mid-American Conference Football SEPTEMBER 10, 2018

OHIO’S SOLICH THIRD ON MAC CAREER WINS LIST FBS HEAD COACHES LEADING THEIR ALMA MATER Ohio head coach Frank Solich and his Bobcats finished 2017 with The MAC has three of the 22 FBS head coaches that are leading a 9-4 overall record and a second-place finish in the East Division. their alma mater’s football programs this 2018 season. Ohio won its opener with a 38-32 victory over Howard. Solich continues to rise up the MAC career head coaching win list with Western Michigan second-year head coach Tim Lester posted a 6-6 98 wins, which ranks third most in MAC history. overall record during his first season in Kalamazoo. Lester joined Western Michigan after serving as quarterbacks coach at Purdue. Solich has been the model for consistency in coaching in the MAC. Lester was a four-year starter at quarterback at Western Michigan Solich arrived in Athens, Ohio in 2005 and now is in his 14th sea- from 1996-99, leading the Broncos to a Marathon MAC Football son running the Bobcats program. Solich and the Ohio Bobcats Championship game appearance his senior season. have garnered a bowl appearance in eight of the last nine seasons and nine of his 13 seasons at Ohio. Solich has a 98-71 career Central Michigan fourth-year head coach John Bonamego was coaching record at Ohio. named the program’s 28th head coach on Feb. 9, 2015. Bonamego led the Chippewas to an 8-5 overall record last season, and has Most MAC Head Coaching Wins, Career compiled a 21-18 overall record at Central Michigan. Bonamego 1. 110, Herb Deromedi, Central Michigan, 1978-93 was a wide receiver/quarterback as a walk-on who earned varsity 2. 108, Bill Hess, Ohio, 1958-77 letters in 1985-86 and twice earned the Iron Man Award as the 3. 98, Frank Solich, Ohio, 2005-present defensive scout team player of the year. He brings 27 years of 4. 79, Bob Pruett, Marshall, 1997-03 coaching experience, with 16 years in the NFL. MAC VS BIG TEN OPPONENTS Ball State third-year head coach led the Cardinals to Eastern Michigan’s 20-19 win at Purdue on Sept. 8, 2018 extended a 2-10 record last year and returns to Muncie where he played the MAC’s streak of a regular season win vs. Big Ten opponents quarterback for four seasons (1990-93) and was the 1993 MAC in each of the last 13 consecutive seasons (2006-2018), the longest Offensive Player of the Year. Neu has 15 years of coaching experi- streak in MAC history. ence with stops in the , Division I FBS football and the arena leagues. Neu served two seasons as the quar- During this 13-year stretch, MAC teams have defeated 12 differ- terback coach for the (2014-15). ent Big Ten teams—Illinois (3); Indiana (5); Iowa (3); Maryland (1); Michigan (1); Michigan State (1); Minnesota (2); Nebraska FBS Head Coaches Leading Their Alma Mater (1); Northwestern (2); Penn State (1), Purdue (6) and Rutgers (1) Troy Calhoun, Air Force; Bryan Harsin, Boise State; Mike Neu, for a total of 27 wins during this span of time. Ball State; John Bonamego, Central Michigan; Tim Lester, Western Michigan; Jim Harbaugh, Michigan; Pat Fitzgerald, In 2017, the MAC had two wins vs. Big Ten opponents -- NIU’s Northwestern; Mike Gundy, Oklahoma State; David Shaw, Stan- 21-17 win at Nebraska on Sept. 16, 2017 and Eastern Michigan’s ford; Kliff Kingsbury, Texas Tech; Matt Wells, Utah State; Scott 16-13 win at Rutgers on Sept. 9, 2017. Frost, Nebraska; Mate Luke, Ole Miss; Jonathan Smith, Oregon State; Paul Chryst, Wisconsin; Bary Odom, Missouri; Mark Richt, 2006: Ohio beat Illinois Miami; Nick Rolovich, Hawaii; Scott Satterfield, App State; Kalani 2007: BGSU beat Minnesota; WMU defeated Iowa Sitake, BYU; Kirby Smart, Georgia; Jeff Tedford, Fresno State. 2008: WMU beat Illinois; CMU beat Indiana; Toledo beat Michi- gan; Ball State beat Indiana OHIO’S ZERVOS ONE OF MAC’S MOST ACCURATE 2009: NIU beat Purdue; Central Michigan beat Michigan State Ohio junior placekicker Louie Zervos has been a key figure in the 2010: Toledo beat Purdue; NIU beat Minnesota success of the Ohio Bobcats during the last two seasons. Zervos 2011: Ball State beat Indiana in two seasons had converted 44-of-53 field goal attempts for an 2012: Ohio beat Penn St.; Ball State beat Indiana; CMU beat Iowa 83.0% percentage which ranks second best in MAC history. 2013: NIU beat Purdue; NIU beat Iowa 2014: BGSU beat Indiana; NIU beat NW; CMU beat Purdue In 2017, Zervos converted 15-of-18 field goal attempts and totaled 2015: BGSU beat Maryland and Purdue 106 total points. Zervos already holds the MAC record with 29 2016: WMU beat Northwestern and Illinois field goals made set during his freshman year in 2016 when he con- 2017: NIU beat Nebraska; Eastern Michigan beat Rutgers nected on 29-of-35 field goal attempts for 122 total points. 2018: EMU beat Purdue MAC 2018 BOWL PARTNERS TOLEDO WINS 2017 MARATHON MAC CHAMPIONSHIP 2018 Bowl Season: Toledo capped an historic season with a resounding 45-28 victory • Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl/PlayStation Fiesta Bowl (College Foot- over Akron at Ford Field in Detroit on Dec. 2, 2017 to claim their ball Playoff Host Bowls) 11th MAC Championship and first since 2004. In the 100th an- • Dollar General Bowl (Mobile, Ala.; vs. Sun Belt) niversary season of their founding as a football program, and the • Famous Idaho Potato Bowl (Boise, Ida.; vs. Mountain West) two-year anniversary of the hiring of as head coach, • Raycom Media Camellia Bowl (Montgomery, Ala.; vs. Sun Belt) the Rockets dominated the game from start to finish, scoring three • Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl (Nassau, Bahamas; vs. Confer- times in the second quarter to take a 28-0 lead into the locker room ence USA) at halftime. Toledo outgained the Zips, 561-396, holding them to • Frisco Bowl (Frisco, Texas; vs. American Athletic Conference) just 98 yards of total offense in the first half. The 561 yards of to- • Secondary to Cheribundi Tart Cherry Boca Raton Bowl (Boca tal offense are the third-most by a team in a MAC Championship Raton, Fla.) Game. • Secondary to Quick Lane Bowl (Detroit, Mich.) • Secondary to ESPN owned and operated bowl games Toledo quarterback , who threw for 307 yards and four touchdowns, was named the Offensive Player of the Game. 2019 Bowl Season: Receiver Diontae Johnson led the receiving corps with nine recep- • College Football Playoff Host Bowls tions for 118 yards and two scores, followed by Jon’Vea Johnson • Dollar General Bowl (Mobile, Ala.; vs. Sun Belt) (six receptions, 103 yards, and a touchdown). • Famous Idaho Potato Bowl (Boise, Ida.; vs. Mountain West) • Raycom Media Camellia Bowl (Montgomery, Ala.; vs. Sun Belt) Running back Terry Swanson piled up 180 yards and two TDs. On • Cheribundi Tart Cherry Boca Raton Bowl (Boca Raton, Fla.; vs. the other side of the ball, defensive end Zach Quinn led the Rock- American Athletic Conference) ets with 10 tackles, defensive end Olasunkanmi Adeniyi added • Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl (vs. Conference USA) three tackles for loss and a forced fumble, and Trevon • Secondary to Quick Lane Bowl (Detroit, Mich.) Mathis came up with an interception and a key pass breakup. • Secondary to ESPN owned and operated bowl games

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 SEPTEMBER 10, 2018

MAC 2018 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE HIGHLIGHTS WINS OVER NON-CONFERENCE FBS OPPONENTS The 2018 football schedule will feature 16 nationally televised In 2017 the MAC earned 11 non-conference FBS wins. The MAC games during late October and November on ESPN2, ESPNU, set the Conference single-season record with 16 wins over FBS ESPN+, ESPN3 and CBS Sports Network as the conference race opponents during the 2012 season, and also posted 14 wins in both unfolds in both the East and West divisions. the 2008 and 2016 seasons. The regular season will conclude with the 22nd Marathon MAC Regular Season Wins vs. non-conference FBS opponents: Football Championship game on Friday, Nov. 30 at 7:00 pm ET Year: Wins; FBS Opponents Defeated: (ESPN2) in Detroit. This will mark the 15th Marathon MAC Foot- 2018: 2: Purdue, Temple ball Championship game at Ford Field, home of the Detroit Lions, 2017: 11; Nebraska, Rutgers, Kansas (2); Charlotte, UAB; Ne- Super Bowl XL, and 2009 NCAA Men’s Final Four. vada; Tulsa; Idaho; Florida Atlantic; UMass. 2016: 14; Northwestern, Arkansas State, Georgia State, Oklahoma For the 11th year in a row, league schools will face a formidable State, Kansas, Illinois, Fresno State, UNLV, Marshall, Charlotte, non-conference slate of opponents from the following Football Army, Florida Atlantic, Georgia Southern, Wyoming. Bowl Subdivision conferences – ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-12, 2015: 12; Arkansas; Maryland; Iowa State; Purdue; FAU; Mar- SEC, Notre Dame and BYU. In addition, the Conference will also shall; Wyoming; UNLV; Idaho; Arkansas State; Louisiana; FIU face opponents from the American Athletic Conference, Confer- 2014: 8; Purdue; Northwestern; Indiana; Idaho (2); UNLV, Pitt; ence USA, Mountain West Conference, Sun Belt Conference and Army Independents Army and UMass. 2013: 10; Iowa; Purdue; Virginia; UConn; Tulsa; Marshall; Army; North Texas; Idaho; Navy MAC programs will face five non-conference foes that finished in 2012: 16; Penn State; Wyoming; Idaho; New Mexico St.; Army the final AP Top 25 poll: Penn State (9), Notre Dame (11), Miami- (4); UConn; Marshall; Indiana; Iowa; South Florida; Kansas; Cin- Fla. (13), Michigan State (15) and Northwestern (17). cinnati; Rutgers 2011: 10; Indiana; Army (4); UConn; Idaho; New Mexico State; A total of 12 non-conference games will feature a Big Ten oppo- Marshall; Maryland nent (Illinois; Indiana; Iowa; Maryland; Michigan; Michigan State; 2010: 7; Minnesota; Purdue; Marshall; Colorado State; UConn; Minnesota; Nebraska; Northwestern; Penn State; Purdue; Rutgers). Army; Louisiana-Lafayette The MAC will face foes from the ACC (5—Florida State, Georgia 2009: 9; Michigan State; Purdue; Colorado; Florida International; Tech, Miami (Fla.), Syracuse, Virginia), SEC (2—Kentucky, Ole Troy; UTEP; North Texas; Army; Navy Miss), Pac-12 (2-Oregon, Utah), Big 12 (2—Iowa State; Kansas); 2008: 14; Navy; Indiana (2); Western Kentucky; Michigan; Idaho; and Independent Notre Dame, BYU, Army (3 games) and UMass. Illinois; Syracuse; Army (3); Pittsburgh; Wyoming; UTEP 2007: 10; Navy; Army (2); Idaho; Iowa State (2); Iowa; Minne- The MAC will also face opponents from the American Ath- sota; Syracuse; La-Lafayette letic Conference (3— Cincinnati (2), Temple), Mountain West 2006: 11; Temple (5); Kansas; Virginia; North Carolina State; (3—Fresno State, Nevada, San Diego State), Conference USA North Texas; FIU; Illinois (2—Marshall, Western Kentucky) and Sun Belt Conference (1— 2005: 9; Army; Louisiana-Lafayette; Temple (4); Pittsburgh; Mid- Georgia State). The MAC will host 10 games against FBS non- dle Tennessee State; Cincinnati conference opponents. 2004: 3; Temple (2); Kentucky 2003: 9; Kansas State; Northwestern; Colorado State; Cincinnati; MAC WITH SIX STUDENTS PICKED IN 2017 NFL DRAFT Purdue; Maryland; Alabama; Iowa State; Pittsburgh The MAC had six draft selections in the 2018 NFL Draft. Western 2002: 10; Rutgers; Troy; North Carolina; Cincinnati; UConn; Mis- Michigan OT Chukwuma Okorafor was the highest player selected souri; Kansas; Wyoming; Wake Forest; UNLV as the Pittsburgh Steelers made him a third-round selection, 92nd 2001: 11; UConn (2); Army; Cincinnati; Missouri; Temple (2); overall. Also from the Broncos, DB Sam Beal was selected by the Minnesota; Northwestern; South Florida; Navy New York Giants during the July NFL Supplemental Draft. 2000: 9; Central Florida (2); Vanderbilt; Minnesota; UConn (2); Navy; Penn State; Iowa In recent years the MAC had students selected among the top five overall in the NFL Draft. In the last six years (2013-18), the MAC MAC HEAD COACHES IN HIGH DEMAND has had three players selected in the top five in the NFL Drafts. Football programs continue to take notice of MAC head coaches. There are 11 former head coaches from the MAC in a current FBS In the 2017 NFL Draft, Western Michigan wide receiver Corey head coaching position–including three of the last four National Davis was selected as the fifth overall selection in the first round Champion’s with 2017 and 2015 Alabama’s (Toledo) by the . Davis’ selection was the highest ever for and 2014 Ohio State’s Urban Meyer (Bowling Green), and nearly Western Michigan and tied the second-highest in MAC history. one-third of the ACC (four total). In 2014, Buffalo Bulls linebacker was the fifth overall For the 2018 season, 23 of the 131 FBS coaches (17.6%) will be selection by the Oakland Raiders in the 2014 NFL Draft. Mack’s either current or former MAC head coaches. The 23 current selection was the highest ever for the Buffalo program and the sec- FBS coaches include the current 12 MAC head football coaches ond-highest ever selection for a MAC student-athlete. and 12 former MAC head football coaches. In 2013, Central Michigan offensive tackle Eric Fisher became the ACC – Steve Addazio-Boston College (Temple), Dave Doeren- first MAC football player to be selected as the overall No. 1 selec- NC State (Northern Illinois), Dave Clawson-Wake Forest (Bowl- tion in the NFL Draft. The selected Fisher as ing Green), Dino Babers-Syracuse (Bowling Green). No.1 choice in the 2013 NFL Draft. The previous highest player Big Ten – Urban Meyer-Ohio State (Bowling Green), P.J. Fleck- drafted from the MAC was Marshall quarterback , Minnesota (Western Michigan). who was selected No. 7 overall by Jacksonville in 2003. Big 12 – Matt Campbell-Iowa State (Toledo). Ind. – Brian Kelly-Notre Dame (Central Michigan), Mark Whip- MAC Students Selected In 2018 NFL Draft ple (UMass). 3rd (92) OL Chukwuma Okorafor (Western Mich.) by Pittsburgh SEC-Nick Saban-Alabama (Toledo). 5th (157) TE Tyler Conklin (Central Michigan) by Minnesota Sun Belt – Doug Martin-New Mexico State (Kent State). 5th (170) DB/KR Darius Phillips (Western Mich.) by Cincinnati 7th (227) LB Quentin Poling (Ohio) by Miami 7th (249) QB Logan Woodside (Toledo) by Cincinnati MAC Students Selected In 2018 NFL Supplemental Draft 3rd DB Sam Beal (Western Michigan) by the New York Giants Mid-American Conference Football SEPTEMBER 10, 2018

MAC MEDIA 2018 FOOTBALL PRESEASON POLL ESPN+ TO FEATURE MAC EVENTS IN 2018 Earlier this summer members of the media selected Ohio and ESPN+ is the premium multi-sport, direct-to-consumer video ser- Northern Illinois to win the East and West Divisions respectfully in vice from The Walt Disney Company’s Direct-to-Consumer and the 2018 MAC Football Media Preseason Poll. Ohio was selected International (DTCI) segment in conjunction with ESPN. It offers to win the 2018 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 networks. 140 total points. Following the Bobcats, the Buffalo Bulls finished second with 112 points, while the Miami RedHawks finished third Fans subscribe to ESPN+ for just $4.99 a month (or $49.99 per with 95 points. Defending MAC East Champion Akron Zips fin- year) through the ESPN App or ESPN.com. The ESPN App also ished fourth with 74 points, followed by Bowling Green and Kent provides fans separate access to all of ESPN’s “TV Everywhere” State. streaming of its linear television networks (ESPN, ESPN2, ES- PNU, etc.) and ESPN3 – to fans with a pay TV subscription. In the West Division, Northern Illinois was selected first in the ESPN+ and ESPN’s authenticated streaming is also available on Division with 133 total points. Following the Huskies, defend- ESPN.com. ing West Champion Toledo finished second with 125 points, while the Western Michigan Broncos were third with 87 points. East- MAC fans who have any questions about the new ESPN App or ern Michigan ranked fourth with 67 points, followed by Central ESPN+, may contact ESPN customer care: Michigan and Ball State. • Online: support.espn.com 2018 MAC MEDIA Football Preseason Poll • Phone: 1-888-549-ESPN MAC East Division • ESPN App: Live Chat Feature Team (First Place Votes) Points • ESPN Customer Support Available: 9am-1am ET, 7 days a week 1. Ohio (21) 140 2. Buffalo (1) 112 FORMER MAC ALUM RANDY MOSS INDUCTED INTO 3. Miami (2) 95 PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME 4. Akron 74 Joining the list of MAC alum heading to the Pro Football Hall 5. Bowling Green 58 of Fame in Canton, Ohio, former Marshall wide receiver Randy 6. Kent State 25 Moss will increase this number to three, as Moss will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a member of the 2018 Hall MAC West Division of Fame Class. Moss, who was named MAC Offensive Player of Team (First Place Votes) Points the Year in 1997, posted 78 catches for 1,709 yards and 28 touch- 1. Northern Illinois (15) 133 downs with Marshall in 1996 and added 96 receptions for 1,820 2. Toledo (7) 125 yards and 26 touchdowns in 1997. 3. Western Michigan (1) 87 4. Eastern Michigan 67 Moss was selected in the first round, 21st overall, of the 1998 NFL 5. Central Michigan (1) 58 Draft by the Minnesota Vikings. Moss spent 14 seasons in the NFL 6. Ball State 34 with Minnesota, Oakland, New England, Tennessee and San Fran- cisco and amassed 982 career receptions for 15,292 yards and 156 MAC FOOTBALL COACHES PRESEASON POLL touchdowns and was selected to five Pro Bowls. Moss becomes MAC Head Football Coaches have provided their own 2018 Pre- the third former MAC football standout to be selected to the Pro season Poll and based upon voting by all 12 head coaches Ohio Football Hall of Fame. and NIU have been selected to win the East and West Divisions re- spectfully, with Ohio winning the Marathon MAC Football Cham- Moss joins Jason Taylor of Akron and former Kent State lineback- pionship Game. er Jack Lambert of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Moss was a member of the Marshall Thundering Herd, who competed in the MAC before In the East Division, a margin of 11 points separated first-place and departing after the 2004 season. second-place. Ohio was selected first with 70 total points followed by second-place Buffalo with 59 points. Miami was selected third MAC PART OF NEW COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF ERA followed by Akron, Bowling Green and Kent State. The 2018 college football season enters the fifth year of the current four-team playoff era with the College Football Playoff. The two In the West Division, the margin was also only one point as North- College Football Playoff Semifinals will be played in bowl games ern Illinois was selected in first-place with 61 points followed by this year (Capital One Orange Bowl; Goodyear Cotton Bowl Clas- second-place Toledo with 60 points. Western Michigan was picked sic) and the College Football Playoff National Championship will third followed by Eastern Michigan, Central Michigan and Ball be played in the Bay Area (Levi Stadium) on Jan. 7. State. The two Semifinals and four other premier bowl games AllState 2018 MAC HEAD COACHES Football Preseason Poll Sugar Bowl (Jan. 1), Rose Bowl presented by Northwestern Mutual MAC East Division (Jan. 1), PlayStation Fiesta Bowl (Jan. 1) and the Chick-fil-A Peach Team (First Place Votes) Points Bowl (Dec. 29) highlight the annual bowl season calendar. The 1. Ohio (10) 70 Semifinal games will rotate among these six different bowls. All 2. Buffalo (2) 59 MAC programs will join every FBS team in college football with 3. Miami 42 equal access to the playoff based upon its performance. No team 4. Akron 36 will qualify automatically. 5. Bowling Green 29 6. Kent State 16 The College Football Playoff Selection Committee will choose four teams for the playoffs based on body of work, strength of schedule, MAC West Division head-to-head results, comparison of results against common op- Team (First Place Votes) Points ponents, championships won and other factors. 1. Northern Illinois (5) 61 2. Toledo (3) 60 The highest ranked program by the Selection Committee from either 3. Western Michigan (1) 45 the MAC, American Athletic, Conference USA, Mountain West 4. Eastern Michigan (1) 35 or Sun Belt Conferences will play annually in one of the premier 5. Central Michigan (1) 33 bowl games. 6. Ball State (1) 18 Mid-American Conference Football SEPTEMBER 10, 2018

MAC Week Two Quick Recaps: MAC Week Two Quick Recaps: Eastern Michigan 20, Purdue 19 -- Eastern Michigan freshman Buffalo 36, Temple 29 -- Buffalo wide receiver Anthony Johnson kicker Chad Ryland drilled a 24-yard field goal as time expired took a pass over the middle from Tyree Jackson, fought through to give the Eastern Michigan a 20-19 win over Purdue on Satur- defenders and willed his way into the endzone for a 29-yard touch- day, Sept. 8, at Ross-Ade Stadium. With the win, Eastern Michigan down with 59 seconds left to lift the University at Buffalo football secured its second victory over a ‘Autonomous Conference’ op- team to a 36-29 win over Temple at Lincoln Financial Field on ponent in program history. The win moved the Eagles to 2-0 on Saturday. A resilient Buffalo team, now 2-0 on the season, had an the season, and is just the third time they have won back-to-back answer for every Temple threat. With the Bulls leading by eight, games to open the season in the past 20 years. Eastern Michigan Temple was able to score and get the two-point conversion to tie quarterback Tyler Wiegers was 20-28 passing for 312 yards and the game, 22-22, early in the fourth quarter. one touchdown to lead the Eagles. The Bulls immediately responded by driving 58 yards on eight Eastern Michigan’s defensive effort highlighted the day as the plays and Jackson’s 5-yard touchdown pass to Antonio Nunn put Eagles held the Boilermakers to just 17 points, forced three three- UB back on top, 29-22, with 7:43 left in the game. Temple an- and-outs, and only allowed two touchdowns. Eastern’s defense swered right back with a 75-yard drive of its own to again tie the also totaled four forced fumbles, tying for fourth-most in a single game at 29 with 4:53 remaining. The Bulls’ game-winning drive game in program history and the most since forcing four at North- was a thing of beauty. Buffalo surgically sliced through the Temple ern Illinois, Oct. 26, 2017. defense and drove 81 yards on 10 plays for the final score. On three separate occasions, the Bulls were able to convert third-and-longs The Eagles were led by senior Kyle Rachwal’s game-high 11 tack- to keep the drive alive. Even the game-winning touchdown was on les, including a tackle-for-loss and one of the Eagles’ four forced a third down and 10. The Bulls sealed the win when, on the Owls’ fumbles. Senior Ikie Calderon marked up the stat sheet with seven final drive, Chuck Harris sacked Temple quarterback Frank Nutile tackles, one forced fumble, and a fumble recovery which thwarted and forced a fumble that Chibueze Onwuka was able to recover. a Purdue drive in the second half. Junior Maxx Crosby made his 2018 season debut with three tackles, one sack, and a forced fum- Utah 17, NIU 6 -- NIU had the ball with a chance to drive for a ble. With his third-quarter sack, Crosby moved into ninth all-time game-winning score late in the fourth quarter, but an interception in the Eastern record books for most career tackles-for-loss (23.5), for a touchdown ended NIU’s comeback attempt as Utah escaped passing Kevin Harrison (2001-04). Huskie Stadium with a 17-6 victory on Saturday night. The game was dominated by the two defenses as the Huskies and Utes com- No. 21 Michigan 49, Western Michigan 3 -- Western Michigan bined for just 582 yards of total offense. fell at No. 21 Michigan, 49-3, at the Wolverine’s home-opener in front of 110,814 fans at Michigan Stadium on Saturday afternoon. With Utah leading 7-3 early in the fourth quarter, redshirt freshman Junior running back LeVante Bellamy led all Broncos (0-2) with Jordan Cole forced and recovered a fumble to give the Huskies the 65 yards on 11 carries. Graduate transfer cornerback Juwan Dow- ball at midfield. NIU would drive inside the Utah 10 before senior els and junior linebacker Alex Grace each had six tackles to lead Andrew Gantz connected on a 27-yard field goal to cut the Utah the defense. Grace had three tackles for loss and a sack. lead to 7-6. Kansas 31, Central Michigan 7 -- Central Michigan struggled Maryland 45, Bowling Green 14 -- Bowling Green led their 2018 to find consistent production and turned the ball over six times on home debut at halftime but ultimately fell to Maryland, 45-14, on a Saturday in dropping its home opener, 31-7, to Kansas in front of rainy Saturday evening at Doyt L. Perry Stadium. Bowling Green 18,127 at Kelly/Shorts Stadium. The Chippewas sputtered in the quarterback Jarret Doege opened the scoring with a three-yard first half, gaining just one first down before the break. They moved touchdown pass to Scott Miller with 33 seconds left in the first it more effectively in the final two quarters, but were forced to play quarter. After the Terrapins tied the contest late in the second quar- catchup after falling into a 21-0 hole. ter, Doege capped a five-play, 67-yard drive with a 29-yard pass to Quinton Morris for a 14-7 lead. Maryland narrowed the gap with a Kent State 54, Howard 14 -- Kent State was flat out dominant field goal on the final play of the half, then scored 35 unanswered in a 54-14 victory over Howard University Saturday in its 2018 points after halftime. home opener at Dix Stadium. Behind six rushing touchdowns, the Golden Flashes out-gained the Bison on the ground 355-65. Akron 41, Morgan State 7 -- Akron recorded its first win of the season defeating Morgan State 41-7 at InfoCision Stadium-Sum- Coming out strong in the home crowd’s first look at the new Flash- ma Field on Saturday. The Zips’ offense exploded for five touch- FAST offense, quarterback Woody Barrett marched Kent State downs, three in the air and two on the ground, while the defense down the field for a touchdown in their first series after a three and limited the Bears to 192 yards of total offense with two intercep- out by Howard. The drive only took a 1:38 as the Flashes went 67 tions, two forced fumbles, one sack, and one fumble recovery. Ak- yards, punctuated by a Barrett three-yard rushing touchdown ron’s offense was paced by sophomore quarterback Kato Nelson and running back Van Edwards. Nelson connected on 16-of-26 No. 8 Notre Dame 24, Ball State 16 -- It wasn’t exactly the start pass attempts for 232 yards and three touchdowns, including a 35- the Ball State football team was looking for on the road against the yard strike to wide receiver Kwadarrius Smith. Edwards finished No. 8 team in the country. Notre Dame’s five-play, 74-yard drive in the game with 109 yards rushing and two touchdowns. less than two minutes was like an early jab to the nose. Cincinnati 21, Miami 0 -- The 123rd ‘Battle for the Victory Bell’ But the Cardinals took it and fought back with a series of body saw Miami and Cincinnati battle through a rainy evening at Paul blows, driving 85 yards in 19 plays. While the drive resulted only Brown Stadium. The RedHawk defense held the Bearcats to 233 in a field goal, it seemed to show this game wouldn’t be as one- total yards, but they were unable to crack the end zone in a 21-0 sided as the pre-game projections or the opening Notre Dame drive setback on Saturday night. Miami drops to 0-2 on the season. suggested. Both teams traded punts on their first possessions and a Miami And, as things turned out, it was a one-possession game. Ball State three-and-out then set up Cincinnati (2-0) with a short field, which created havoc for the Notre Dame offense throughout the day, it took 62 yards for an eventual two-yard touchdown rush by Mi- picking off quarterback Brandon Wimbush three times. The Cardi- chael Warren II to go up 7-0 with 5:33 left in the first quarter. The nals controlled the clock and held their own in their first-ever trip RedHawks utilized a personal foul and a couple first downs to get to Notre Dame Stadium despite coming up on the short end, 24-16. into Cincinnati territory on the following possession, but a fourth down try fell short at the Bearcats’ 29 as the ball went back to Cincinnati on downs. Mid-American Conference Football SEPTEMBER 10, 2018

Ball State (1-1, 0-0; MAC) at Indiana (2-0, 0-0; Big Ten) Saturday, September 15, 2018 • Noon ET • Bloomington, Ind. • Memorial Stadium (49,225) Big Ten Network Series: Indiana leads 5-3 Head Coach: Mike Neu Defense: Career: 7-19 (3rd year) at Ball State: 7-19 (3rd year) Tackles: LB Jacob White (13 tackles, 3.5 tfl, 1.0 sack) Contact: Mike Clark, 765-285-8904, [email protected] Sacks: LB Jacob White (13 tackles, 3.5 tfl, 1.0 sack) Int.: DB Ray Wilborn (10 tackles, 1 INT) Offense: Rush: RB James Gilbert (33 att., 172 yards rushing, 1 TD) Notes: Ball State lost 24-16 at No. 8 ranked Notre Dame on Sept. 8... Pass: QB Riley Neal (46-80 passing, 439 yds., 3 TDs) Ball State defense had 10 tackles for loss, four sacks and three intercep- Rec.: WR Justin Hall (11 rec., 109 yds., 0 TDs) tions...Cardinals ran 97 plays, the fourth most in school history...QB Riley Neal was 23-50 passing for 180 yards and one touchdown...Ball State added 169 yards rushing. Head Coach: Tom Allen Defense: Career: 7-8 (2nd year) at Indiana: 7-8 (2nd year) Tackles: LB Dameon Willis (12 tackles, 1.0 tfl) Contact: Jeff Keag, 812-855-6209, [email protected] Sacks: DL Jerome Johnson (5 tackles, 1.0 sack) Int.: DB Jonathan Crawford (10 tackles, 1 INT) Offense: Rush: RB Stevie Scott (51 att., 274 yards rushing, 1 TD) Notes: Indiana won 20-16 over Virginia on Sept. 8...Indiana has won Pass: QB Peyton Ramsey (36-49 passing, 306 yds., 5 TDs) 13 of its last 14 regular season non-conference games, including five Rec.: WR Donavan Hale (8 rec., 116 yds., 3 TDs) straight overall, nine of the last 10 at home and five consecutive on the road...QB Peyton Ramsey was 16-22 passing for 150 yards and 2 TDs, his fifth career multi-touchdown game of his career. Kent State (1-1, 0-0; MAC) at Penn State (2-0, 0-0; Big Ten) Saturday, September 15, 2018 • Noon ET • University Park, Pa. • Beaver Stadium (107,282) FS1 Series: Penn State leads 5-0 Head Coach: Sean Lewis Defense: Career: 1-1 (1st year) at Kent State: 1-1 (1st year) Tackles: LB Matt Bahr (18 tackles, 1.5 tfl) Football Contact: Aaron Chimenti, 330-672-8468, [email protected] Sacks: DE Theo Eboigbe (7 tackles, 2.0 tfl, 2.0 sacks) Int.: DB Jamal Parker (15 tackles, 1 INT) Offense: Rush: RB Justin Rankin (27 att., 199 rushing yds; 1 TD) Notes: Kent State won 54-14 over Howard on Sept. 8...Kent State Pass: QB Woody Barrett (41-68 passing, 426 yards, 3 TDs) scored 50 points for the first time since 2008 (at Miami) and the first Rec.: WR Mike Carrigan (10 rec., 59 yds., 1 TD) time over 50 at home since 2004....RB Joel Shaw had a TD on his first career carry, added three total touchdowns and rushed for 100 yards in his first career game. Head Coach: James Franklin Defense: Career: 62-32 (8th year) at Penn State: 38-17 (5th year) Tackles: LB Jan Johnson (16 tackles, 0.5 tfl) Contact: Kris Petersen, 814-865-2497, [email protected] Sacks: LB Cam Brown (8 tackles, 2.0 tfl, 1.0 sack) Int.: DB Amani Oruwariye (10 tackles, 2 INT) Offense: Rush: RB Miles Sanders (35 att., 209 yards, 2 TDs) Notes: Penn State won 51-6 at Pitt on Sept. 8...Penn State has won Pass: QB Trace McSorley (34-65 passing, 374 yards, 3 TDs) 19-straight games against unranked teams, which is the fourth-longest Rec.: WR KJ Hamler (6 rec., 107 yards, 2 TDs) active streak nationally (Alabama, Wisconsin, USC)...Penn State has scored 20 or more points in 25 consecutive games, which is tied for the second-longest streak in Big Ten history (Michigan State, 2013-15)... Penn State has scored 30 or more points 20 times in the last 22 games. Miami (Fla.) (1-1, 0-0; ACC) at Toledo (1-0, 0-0; MAC) Saturday, September 15, 2018 • Noon ET • Toledo, Ohio • Glass Bowl (26,038) ESPN2 Series: Miami (Fla.) leads 2-0 Head Coach: Mark Richt Defense: Career: 165-59 (18th year) at Miami (Fla.): 20-8 (3rd year) Tackles: DB Jaquan Johnson (15 tackles) Contact: Carter Toole, 305-284-3245, [email protected] Sacks: DL Gerald Willis III (9 tackles, 4.0 tfl, 1.0 sack) Int.: DB Jhavonte Dean (4 tackles, 1 INT) Offense: Rush: RB DeeJay Dallas (13 att., 86 rushing yds., 0 TDs) Notes: Miami (Fla.) won 77-0 over Savannah State on Sept. 8...Miami Pass: QB Malik Rosier (23-47 passing, 390 yds., 3 TDs) set a program record for the largest margin of victory and tied for the Rec.: WR Jeff Thomas (6 rec., 199 yds., 1 TD) most points scored in a single-game...Nine different Hurricanes com- bined to score 11 touchdowns...Marked the first defensive shutout since the 2015 season (vs. Bethune-Cookman). Head Coach: Jason Candle Defense: Career: 22-7 (3rd year) at Toledo: 22-7 (3rd year) Tackles: DE Jamal Hines (7 tackles, 2.5 tfl, 2.0 sacks) Contact: Paul Helgren, 419-530-4918, [email protected] Sacks: DE Jamal Hines (7 tackles, 2.5 tfl, 2.0 sacks) Int.: DB Tycen Anderson (5 tackles, 1 INT) Offense: Rush: RB Shakif Seymour (6 att., 25 yds., 2 TDs) Notes: Toledo won 66-3 over VMI on Sept. 1 and had a bye on Sept. Pass: QB Michael Guadagni (11-16 passing, 265 yds., 3 TDs) 8...Toledo’s 63-point margin of victory is its largest since 1951, when Rec.: WR Diontae Johnson (2 rec., 60 yds., 1 TD) Toledo defeated Davis & Elkins 88-0, and the third-largest margin of victory in program history.Rockets return 14 starters (6 off./6 def./2 sp.) and 53 letterwinners from last year’s 11-3 squad, 7-1 in the MAC... Rockets won the MAC Championship for the first time since 2004. Mid-American Conference Football SEPTEMBER 10, 2018

Ohio (1-0, 0-0; MAC) at Virginia (1-1; 0-0; ACC) Saturday, September 15, 2018 • 3:00 pm ET • Charlottsville, Va. • Scott/Harrison Field (61,500) ACC Network Extra Series: Virginia leads 1-0 Head Coach: Frank Solich Defense: Career: 156-90 (20th year) at Ohio: 98-71 (14th year) Tackles: LB Evan Croutch (9 tackles, 1.5 tfl, 1 INT) Contact: Mike Ashcraft, 740-593-1299, [email protected] Sacks: DL Cole Baker (5 tackles, 0.5 tfl, 1.0 sack) Int.: LB Evan Croutch (9 tackles, 1.5 tfl, 1 INT) Offense: Rush: RB AJ Ouellette (17 att., 59 yards, 0 TDs) Notes: Ohio won 38-32 over Howard on Sept. 1 and had a bye on Sept. Pass: QB Quinten Maxwell (17-25 passing, 233 yds., 2 TDs) 8...Ohio returns 15 starters (8 off./4 def./3 sp.) and 49 letterwinners from Rec.: WR Papi White (8 rec., 154 yds., 1 TD) last year’s team that went 9-4 overall, including 6-2 in the MAC...Posted a 41-6 win over UAB in the 2017 Bahamas Bowl...Under Solich, Bob- cats have been bowl eligible in each of the last nine consective years. Head Coach: Bronco Mendenhall Defense: Career: 108-61 (14th year) at Virginia: 9-18 (3rd year) Tackles: LB Malcolm Cook (14 tackles) Contact: Vincent Briedis, 434-982-5533, [email protected] Sacks: DB Bryce Hall (10 tackles, 1.0 tfl, 1.0 sack) Int.: DB Brenton Nelson (4 tackles, 1 INT) Offense: Rush: QB Bryce Perkins (38 att., 231 yards rushing, 2 TDs) Notes: Virginia lost 20-16 at Indiana on Sept. 8...QB Bryce Perkins had Pass: QB Bryce Perkins (25-48 passing, 291 yds., 4 TDs) a career-long 47-yard rush and finished with 123 rushing yards, becom- Rec.: WR Olamide Zaccheaus (11 rec., 116 yds., 2 TDs) ing the first Cavalier quarterback to rush for 100+ yards multiple times in the same season since Bill Dudley in 1941...WR Olamide Zaccheaus’ one-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter extended his streak to 31 games with at least one reception. Central Michigan (0-2, 0-0; MAC) at Northern Illinois (0-2, 0-0; MAC) Saturday, September 15, 2018 • 3:30 pm ET • DeKalb, Ill. • Brigham Field at Huskie Stadium (23,595) ESPN+ Series: Central Michigan leads 29-23-1 Head Coach: John Bonamego Defense: Career: 21-20 (4th year) at Central Michigan: 21-20 (4th year) Tackles: DB Devonni Reed (23 tackles) Football Contact: Rob Wyman, 989-774-3041, [email protected] Sacks: LB Michael Oliver (4 tackles, 1.0 tfl, 1.0 sack) Int.: DB Xavier Crawford (2 tackles, 1 INT) Offense: Rush: RB Jonathan Ward (21 att., 65 rushing yds., 0 TDs) Notes: Central Michigan lost 31-7 to Kansas on Sept. 8...Chippewas Pass: QB (35-59 passing, 314 yds., 1 TD) turned the ball over six times and finished with 280 yards of total of- Rec.: WR Cameron Cole (7 rec., 91 yds., 0 TDs) fense, with 103 yards rushing...QB Tony Poljan was 18-32 passing for 177 yards with 4 interceptions...S Devonni Reed led with 9 tackles.

Head Coach: Rod Carey Defense: Career: 44-25 (6th year) at NIU: 44-25 (6th year) Tackles: LB Kyle Pugh (9 tackles) Football Contact: Donna Turner, 815-753-9513, [email protected] Sacks: DE Sutton Smith (5 tackles, 1.0 tfl, 1.0 sack) Int.: DB Albert Smalls (1 tackle, 1 INT) Offense: Rush: RB Jordan Nettles (13 att., 74 rushing yds., 0 TDs) Notes: NIU lost 17-6 to Utah on Sept. 8...DE Sutton Smith had 2 sacks Pass: QB Marcus Childers (14-25 passing, 105 yds., 1 TD) and 4.5 tackles for loss to up his career totals to 18 sacks and 37 tackles Rec.: WR D.J. Brown (5 rec., 38 yds., 0 TD) for loss and has moved up to seventh all-time at NIU in sacks...NIU’s six points were its fewest since the 2010 International Bowl in Toronto, Canada (January 2, 2010) when the Huskies fell to South Florida, 27-3. Miami (0-2, 0-0; MAC) at Minnesota (2-0, 0-0; Big Ten) Saturday, September 15, 2018 • 3:30 pm ET • Minneapolis, Minn. • TCF Bank Stadium (50,805) Big Ten Network Series: Minnesota leads 3-0 Head Coach: Chuck Martin Defense: Career: 90-42 (11th year) at Miami: 16-35 (5th year) Tackles: LB Junior McMullen (19 tackles, 1.0 tfl) Football Contact: Dave Meyer, 513-529-4329, [email protected] Sacks: LB Brad Koenig (14 tackles, 2.5 tfl, 1.0 sack) Int.: NA Offense: Rush: RB Kenny Young (10 att., 44 yds., 0 TD) Notes: Miami lost 21-0 to Cincinnati on Sept. 8...QB Gus Ragland was Pass: QB Gus Ragland (47-87 passing, 496 yds., 3 TDs) 22-41 passing for 139 yards...WR James Gardner led with 7 catches for Rec.: WR James Gardner (11 rec., 142 yds., 0 TDs) 80 yards...Defense held Cincinnati to 233 yarsd of total offense...Miami returns 19 starters (8 off./8 def./3 spec.) and 47 letterwinners from last year’s team that went 5-7 overall, 4-4 in the MAC. Head Coach: P.J. Fleck Defense: Career: 37-29 (6th year) at Minnesota: 7-7 (2nd year) Tackles: LB Blake Cashman (18 tackles, 5.5 tfl, 1.0 sack) Football Contact: Paul Rovnak, 612-625-9379, [email protected] Sacks: LB Blake Cashman (18 tackles, 5.5 tfl, 1.0 sack) Int.: DB Thomas Barber (8 tackles, 1 INT) Offense: Rush: RB Rodney Smith (25 att., 154 rushing yds; 0 TD) Notes: Minnesota won 21-14 over Fresno State on Sept. 8...QB Zack Pass: QB Zack Annexstad (32-59 passing, 395 yards, 2 TDs) Annexstad was 16-26 passes for 175 yards...Minnesota rushed for 132 Rec.: WR Tyler Johnson (11 rec., 150 yds., 2 TDs) yards, led by RB Bryce Williams with 25 carries for 87 yards...WR led with 5 receptions for 78 yards. Mid-American Conference Football SEPTEMBER 10, 2018

Eastern Kentucky (1-1, 0-0; Ohio Valley) at Bowling Green (0-2, 0-0; MAC) Saturday, September 15, 2018 • 4:00 pm ET • Bowling Green, Ohio • Doyt L. Perry Stadium (24,000) ESPN3 Series: Eastern Kentucky leads 3-1 Head Coach: Mark Elder Defense: Career: 8-16 (3rd year) at Eastern Kentucky 8-16 (3rd year) Tackles: DB Ben Bascom (14 tackles, 2.5 tfl) Contact: Kevin Britton, 859-622-2006; [email protected] Sacks: DL Aaron Patrick (10 tackles, 2.5 tfl, 2.5 sacks) Int.: DB Josh Hayes (7 tackles, 1 INT) Offense: Rush: RB Daryl McCleskey (19 att., 143 rushing yds., 0 TDs) Notes: Eastern Kentucky lost 32-16 at Marshall on Sept. 8...Eastern Pass: QB Dakota Allen (14-24 passing, 131 yards, 1 TD) Kentucky special teams recovered two punts and one kickoff, and Rec.: WR Jackson Beerman (4 rec., 49 yds., 1 TD) blocked one PAT and one punt...QB Dakota Allen was 5-10 passing for 38 yards...RB Alphonso Howard led with 13 carries for 64 yards...East- ern Kentucky rushed for 139 total yards. Head Coach: Mike Jinks Defense: Career: 6-20 (3rd year) at Bowling Green: 6-20 (3rd year) Tackles: LB Brandon Harris (18 tackles, 1.0 tfl) Football Contact: Jason Knavel, 419-372-7075, [email protected] Sacks: DL Roland Walder (10 tackles, 1.0 tfl, 1.0 sack) Int.: DB Marcus Milton (4 tackles, 1 INT) Offense: Rush: RB Andrew Clair (41 att., 157 rushing yds., 0 TDs) Notes: Falcons lost 45-14 to Maryland on Sept. 8...QB Jarret Doege Pass: QB Jarret Doege (39-65 passing, 396 yards, 5 TDs) was 17-27 passing (.630%) for 143 yards and 2 TDs...WR Scott Miller Rec.: WR Scott Miller (16 rec., 177 yds., 3 TDs) caught three passes for 11 yards and one score...Miller has touchdown receptions in both games and in four of his last five overall...WR Quin- tin Morris led with a career high 5 receptions for 85 yards and one score. Eastern Michigan (2-0, 0-0; MAC) at Buffalo (2-0, 0-0; MAC) Saturday, September 15, 2018 • 6:00 pm ET • Buffalo, N.Y. • UB Stadium (29,013) ESPN+ Series: Eastern Michigan leads 6-1 Head Coach: Defense: Career: 156-80 (22nd year) at Eastern Michigan: 17-34 (5th year) Tackles: LB Kyle Rachwal (14 tackles, 2.0 tfl, 1 INT) Football Contact: Greg Steiner, 734-487-0317, [email protected] Sacks: DE Maxx Crosby (3 tackles, 1.5 tfl, 1.0 sack) Int.: LB Kyle Rachwal (14 tackles, 2.0 tfl, 1 INT) Offense: Rush: RB Ian Eriksen (20 att., 67 yds., 0 TDs) Notes: Eastern Michigan won 20-19 at Purdue on Sept. 8...QB Tyler Pass: QB Tyler Wiegers (38-49 passing, 550 yds., 3 TDs) Wiegers was 20-28 passing for 312 yards and a 75-yard TD pass...WR Rec.: WR Blake Banham (14 rec., 202 yds., 1 TD) Blake Banham led with 6 receptions for 99 yards...Defense forced four fumbles...LB Kyle Rachwal led with 11 tackles...DE Maxx Crosby had 3 tackles, one sack and one forced fumble. Head Coach: Lance Leipold Defense: Career: 124-29 (11th year) at Buffalo: 15-23 (4th year) Tackles: LB Khalil Hodge (18 tackles, 2.0 tfl) Football Contact: Jon Fuller, 716-645-6762, [email protected] Sacks: DE Chuck Harris (8 tackles, 1.5 tfl, 1.0 sack) Int.: DB Cameron Lewis (6 tackles, 0.5 tfl, 2 INT) Offense: Rush: RB Kevin Marks (31 att., 159 yds., 2 TDs) Notes: Buffalo won 36-29 at Temple on Sept. 8...QB Tyree Jackson was Pass: QB Tyree Jackson (43-72 passing, 464 yards, 9 TDs) 26-45 passing for 275 yards and 3 TDs, including two fourth-quarter Rec.: WR Anthony Johnson (10 rec., 133 yds., 2 TDs) TDs...RB Kevin Marks rushed for 138 yards and 2 TDs on 25 carries... DB Cameron Lewis had 2 intercepitons, the most by a Buffalo defen- sive player since the 2015 season. Delaware State (0-2, 0-0; MEAC) at Western Michigan (0-2, 0-0; MAC) Saturday, September 15, 2018 • 7:00 pm ET • Kalamazoo, Mich. • Waldo Stadium (30,200) ESPN+ Series: First Meeting Head Coach: Rod Milstead Defense: Career: 0-2 (1st year) at Delaware State: 0-2 (1st year) Tackles: DB David Bowman (16 tackles, 0.5 tfl) Football Contact: Dennis Jones, 302-857-6068, [email protected] Sacks: NA Int.: NA Offense: Rush: RB Brycen Alleyne (23 att., 102 rushing yds., 1 TD) Notes: Delaware State lost 45-14 to St. Francis (Pa.) on Sept. 8...QB Pass: QB Jack McDaniels (12-25 passing, 95 yds., 0 TDs) Keenan Black was 10-22 passing for 75 yards...RB Mike Waters led Rec.: WR Kwannah Kollie (7 rec., 80 yds., 0 TDs) with 28 carries for 107 yards...WR Kwannah Kollie had 5 receptions for 33 yards...Delaware State totaled only 248 net yards of offense.

Head Coach: Tim Lester Defense: Career: 46-31 (8th year) at Western Michigan: 6-8 (2nd year) Tackles: LB Alex Grace (19 tackles, 4.0 tfl, 1.0 sack) Contact: Kristin Keirns, 269-387-4123, [email protected] Sacks: DL Ali Fayad (6 tackles, 1.0 tfl, 2.0 sacks) Int.: NA Offense: Rush: RB LeVante Bellamy (22 att., 185 yards, 2 TDs) Notes: Western Michigan lost 49-3 at Michigan on Sept. 8...RB LeVante Pass: QB Jon Wassink (35-70 passing, 464 yards, 3 TDs) Bellamy led with 11 carries and 65 yards rushing...LB Alex Grace led Rec.: WR D’Wayne Eskridge (10 rec., 260 yards, 2 TDs) with 6 tackles, 3 tackles for loss and one sack...DB Juwan Dowels added 6 tackles. Mid-American Conference Football SEPTEMBER 10, 2018

Akron (1-0, 0-0; MAC) at Northwestern (1-1, 1-0; Big Ten) Saturday, September 15, 2018 • 7:30 pm ET • Evanston, Ill. • Ryan Field (47,129) Big Ten Network Series: First Meeting Head Coach: Terry Bowden Defense: Career: 172-106-2 (25th year) at Akron: 32-44 (7th year) Tackles: LB Ulysees Gilbert (6 tackles) Contact: Cathy Bongiovi, 330-972-6106, [email protected] Sacks: LB Josh Ward (2 tackles, 1.0 tfl, 1.0 sack) Int.: DB Alvin Davis (3 tackles, 1 INT) Offense: Rush: RB Van Edwards (17 att., 109 rushing yds., 2 TDs) Notes: Akron won 41-7 over Morgan State on Sept. 8...RB Van Edwards Pass: QB Kato Nelson (16-26 passing, 232 yards, 3 TDs) led with 109 yards on 17 carries and two TDs, marking the second 100- Rec.: WR Jonah Morris (4 rec., 94 yds., 1 TD) yard rushing performance of his career...WR Jonah Morris led with 4 receptions for 94 yards and one score in his collegiate debut...QB Kato Nelson was 16-26 pasing for 232 yards and 3 TDs. Head Coach: Pat Fitzgerald Defense: Career: 88-66 (13th year) at Northwestern: 88-66 (13th year) Tackles: LB Blake Gallagher (21 tackles, 2.0 tfl) Contact: Paul Kennedy, 847-467-2028, [email protected] Sacks: DL Jordan Thompson (8 tackles, 3.5 tfl, 2.0 sacks) Int.: DB Montre Hartage (7 tackles, 1 INT) Offense: Rush: RB Jeremy Larkin (50 att., 264 yds., 3 TDs) Notes: Northwestern lost 21-7 to Duke on Sept. 8...WR Flynn Nagel Pass: QB Clayton Thorson (38-64 passing, 370 yds., 0 TDs) finished with career highs of 12 catches and 133 receiving yards...RB Rec.: WR Flynn Nagel (17 rec., 191 yds., 0 TDs) Jeremy Larkin finished with a career-high­ 176 all-purpose­ yards (121 rushing/55 receiving)...LB Blake Gallagher finished with a career high 13 tackles, including nine solo stops and two tackles for loss.

SEVENTY-SEVEN (71) FORMER MAC STUDENTS ON NFL ROSTERS

NFL Team Yr. MAC School Indianapolis (1) Pittsburgh (8) Arizona (1) DE Tarell Basham 2 Ohio LB Keion Adams-PS 2 Western Michigan LB Gabe Martin-IR 2 Bowling Green DE Ola Adeniyi-IR R Toledo Jacksonville (2) WR Antonio Brown 9 Central Michigan Baltimore (1) LB Blair Brown 2 Ohio RB Jarvion Franklin-PS R Western Michigan WR 4 Ball State DB Barry Church 9 Toledo FB Roosevelt Nix 4 Kent State OL Chukwuma Okorafor R Western Michigan Carolina (1) Kansas City (4) QB 15 Miami (Ohio) OL Taylor Moton 2 Western Michigan OL Eric Fisher 6 Central Michigan DL L.T. Walton 4 Central Michigan RB Kareem Hunt 2 Toledo Chicago (1) OL Ryan Hunter-PS R Bowling Green San Francisco (2) LB Khalil Mack 5 Buffalo OL Andrew Wylie 1 Eastern Michigan OT Joe Staley 12 Central Michigan DB Jimmie Ward 5 Northern Illinois Cincinnati (2) Los Angeles Chargers (3) DB Darius Phillips R Western Michigan DB Jahleel Addae 6 Central Michigan Seattle (2) TE Mason Schreck 2 Buffalo LB Jatavis Brown 3 Akron WR Brandon Marshall 13 Central Florida TE Antonio Gates 16 Kent State OL -PS R Toledo Cleveland (2) DB T.J. Carrie 5 Ohio Miami (2) Tampa Bay (3) LB Justin Currie-IR 2 Western Michigan LB Quentin Poling-PS R Ohio WR Sergio Bailey-IR R Eastern Michigan OL Josh Sitton 11 Central Florida DL Demone Harris-PS R Buffalo Dallas (3) DL Pat O’Connor-PS 1 Eastern Michigan S Kavon Frazier 3 Central Michigan Minnesota (3) LB -Lillard 4 Akron WR Chad Beebe-PS R Northern Illinois Tennessee (7) QB Cooper Rush 2 Central Michigan TE Tyler Conklin R Central Michigan WR Corey Davis 2 Western Michigan OT Storm Norton-PS 1 Toledo RB David Fluellen 2 Toledo Denver (1) P 11 Toledo K Brandon McManus 5 Temple New England (1) OL Josh Kline 6 Kent State WR Julian Edelman 10 Kent State WR 3 UMass Detroit (6) LB Robert Spillane-PS R Western Michigan LB Nick Bellore 8 Central Michigan New Orleans (1) QB Logan Woodside-PS R Toledo WR Kenny Golladay 2 Northern Illinois WR Tommylee Lewis 3 Northern Illinois OL T.J. Lang 10 Eastern Michigan PS - Practice Squad; IR - Injured-Reserve List DB Rolan Milligan-PS 1 Toledo N.Y. Giants (4) (As of NFL Rosters on Sept. 6, 2018) K Matt Prater 12 Central Florida DB Sam Beal-IR R Western Michigan Currently there are 71 former MAC students on TE Michael Roberts 2 Toledo OL John Greco 11 Toledo rosters across the National Football League. WR Alonzo Russell-PS 1 Toledo Green Bay (4) DT Kristjan Sokoli-IR 2 Buffalo In the 2017 NFL Draft, Western Michigan WR RB Darius Jackson 3 Eastern Michigan Corey Davis was selected as the fifth overall selec- RB Joel Bouagnon-PS 1 Northern Illinois N.Y. Jets (1) tion in the first round by Tennessee. Davis marks DB Quinten Rollins-IR 4 Miami (Ohio) OL Brian Winters 6 Kent State DL Muhammad Wilkerson 8 Temple the third time in the last five years to have a MAC Oakland (2) student selected in the top five overall of the first Houston (1) DB Rashaan Melvin 6 Northern Illinois round. OL Greg Mancz 3 Toledo LB Tahir Whitehead 7 Temple Buffalo LB Khalil Mack was the fifth overall selec- Philadelphia (2) tion by Oakland in the 2014 NFL Draft. Central OL Brandon Brooks 7 Miami (Ohio) Michigan OT Eric Fisher became the first MAC DL Joe Ostman-PS R Central Michigan football player to be selected as the overall No. 1 selection in the NFL Draft. Kansas City selected Fisher as No.1 choice in the 2013 NFL Draft. Mid-American Conference Football SEPTEMBER 10, 2018

2018 Akron Zips (1-0, 0-0) Date Opponent Time Television Series/Results Sat., Sept. 1 at Nebraska 8:00 pm ET FOX Cancelled due to weather Sat., Sept. 8 Morgan State 3:30 pm ET ESPN+ W, 41-7 Sat., Sept. 15 at Northwestern 7:30 pm ET Big Ten Network First Meeting Sat., Sept. 22 at Iowa State Noon ET FSN Iowa State leads 1-0 Sat., Oct. 6 * Miami 3:30 pm ET ESPN+ Miami leads 17-9-1 Sat., Oct. 13 *at Buffalo TBA TBA Buffalo leads 10-7 Sat., Oct. 20 *at Kent State TBA TBA Akron leads 34-24-2 Sat., Oct. 27 *Central Michigan TBA TBA CMU leads 16-9-1 Thur., Nov. 1 *NIU 7:00 pm ET ESPNU/CBS Sports Network NIU leads 9-5 Sat., Nov. 10 *at Eastern Michigan TBA TBA Akron leads 19-12 Sat., Nov. 17 *Bowling Green TBA TBA BGSU leads 16-8 Fri., Nov. 23 *at Ohio TBA TBA Ohio leads 20-13-1 *Mid-American Conference game 2018 (1-1, 0-0) Date Opponent Time Television Series/Results Thur., Aug. 30 Central Connecticut State 7:00 pm ET ESPN+ W, 42-6 Sat., Sept. 8 at Notre Dame 3:30 pm ET NBC L, 16-24 Sat., Sept. 15 at Indiana Noon ET Big Ten Network Indiana leads 5-3 Sat., Sept. 22 Western Kentucky 3:00 pm ET ESPN3 Series tied 2-2 Sat., Sept. 29 *Kent State TBA TBA BSU leads 20-7 Sat., Oct. 6 *NIU TBA TBA NIU leads 23-20-2 Sat., Oct. 13 *at Central Michigan TBA TBA CMU leads 25-24-1 Sat., Oct. 20 *Eastern Michigan 3:00 pm ET ESPN+ BSU leads 34-23-1 Thur., Oct. 25 *at Ohio 7:00 pm ET ESPN2/CBS Sports Network BSU leads 15-9 Wed., Oct. 31 *at Toledo 7:30 pm ET ESPN2 Toledo leads 23-19-1 Tue., Nov. 13 *Western Michigan 6:00 pm ET ESPN2 WMU leads 25-19 Tue., Nov. 20 *at Miami 7:00 pm ET ESPNU/ESPN+ Miami leads 18-12-1 *Mid-American Conference game 2018 Bowling Green Falcons (0-2, 0-0) Date Opponent Time Television Series/Results Sat., Sept. 1 at Oregon 8:00 pm ET Pac-12 Network L, 24-58 Sat., Sept. 8 Maryland 6:00 pm ET ESPN+ L, 14-45 Sat., Sept. 15 Eastern Kentucky 4:00 pm ET ESPN3 EKU leads 3-1 Sat., Sept. 22 *Miami 3:00 pm ET ESPN+ Miami leads 43-24-5 Sat., Sept. 29 at Georgia Tech TBA TBA First Meeting Sat., Oct. 6 *at Toledo 3:30 pm ET ESPN+ Series tied 39-39-4 Sat., Oct. 13 *Western Michigan 3:00 pm ET ESPN+ BGSU leads 32-18-3 Sat., Oct. 20 *at Ohio 2:00 pm ET ESPN3 BGSU leads 40-27-2 Tue., Oct. 30 *Kent State 8:00 pm ET ESPN2/ESPNU BGSU leads 60-19-6 Sat., Nov. 10 *at Central Michigan TBA TBA BGSU leads 21-19 Sat., Nov. 17 *at Akron TBA TBA BGSU leads 16-8 Fri., Nov. 23 *Buffalo TBA TBA BGSU leads 11-4 *Mid-American Conference game 2018 Buffalo Bulls (2-0, 0-0) Date Opponent Time Television Series/Results Sat., Sept. 1 Delaware State 6:00 pm ET ESPN3 W, 48-10 Sat., Sept. 8 at Temple 3:30 pm ET ESPN3 W, 36-29 Sat., Sept. 15 *Eastern Michigan 6:00 pm ET ESPN+ EMU leads 6-1 Sat., Sept. 22 at Rutgers Noon ET Big Ten Network Rutgers leads 5-1 Sat., Sept. 29 Army TBA TBA Series tied 3-3 Sat., Oct. 6 *at Central Michigan TBA TBA CMU leads 7-1 Sat., Oct. 13 *Akron TBA TBA Akron leads 11-6 Sat., Oct. 20 *at Toledo TBA TBA Toledo leads 7-2 Tue., Oct. 30 *Miami 8:00 pm ET ESPN2/ESPNU Miami leads 14-6 Tue., Nov. 6 *Kent State 7:30 pm ET ESPNU Buffalo leads 12-11 Wed., Nov. 14 *at Ohio 7:00 pm ET/8:00 pm ET ESPN2/ESPNU Ohio leads 14-10 Fri., Nov. 23 *at Bowling Green TBA TBA BGSU leads 11-4 *Mid-American Conference game 2018 Central Michigan Chippewas (0-2, 0-0) Date Opponent Time Television Series/Results Sat., Sept. 1 at Kentucky 3:30 pm ET ESPNU L, 20-35 Sat., Sept. 8 Kansas 3:00 pm ET ESPN+ L, 7-31 Sat., Sept. 15 *at NIU 3:30 pm ET ESPN+ CMU leads 29-23-1 Sat., Sept. 22 Maine 3:00 pm ET ESPN+ First Meeting Sat., Sept. 29 at Michigan State TBA TBA MSU leads 7-3 Sat., Oct. 6 *Buffalo TBA TBA CMU leads 7-1 Sat., Oct. 13 *Ball State TBA TBA CMU leads 25-24-1 Sat., Oct. 20 *Western Michigan 3:00 pm ET ESPN+ WMU leads 48-39-2 Sat., Oct. 27 *at Akron TBA TBA CMU leads 16-9-1 Sat., Nov. 3 *at Eastern Michigan TBA TBA CMU leads 60-29-6 Sat., Nov. 10 *Bowling Green TBA TBA BGSU leads 22-18 Fri., Nov. 23 *at Toledo TBA TBA Toledo leads 25-18-3 *Mid-American Conference game 2018 Eastern Michigan Eagles (2-0, 0-0) Date Opponent Time Television Series/Results Fri., Aug. 31 Monmouth 6:30 pm ET ESPN+ W, 51-17 Sat., Sept. 8 at Purdue Noon ET Big Ten Network W, 20-19 Sat., Sept. 15 *at Buffalo 6:00 pm ET ESPN+ EMU leads 6-1 Sat., Sept. 22 at San Diego State 10:30 pm ET CBS Sports Network First Meeting Sat., Sept. 29 *NIU 6:00 pm ET ESPN+ NIU leads 32-14-2 Sat., Oct. 6 *at Western Michigan Noon ET TBA WMU leads 33-18-2 Sat., Oct. 13 *Toledo TBA TBA Toledo leads 34-11 Sat., Oct. 20 *at Ball State 3:00 pm ET ESPN+ BSU leads 34-23-2 Sat., Oct. 27 Army TBA TBA Army leads 7-1 Sat., Nov. 3 *Central Michigan TBA TBA CMU leads 60-29-6 Sat., Nov. 10 *Akron TBA TBA Akron leads 19-12 Fri., Nov. 23 *at Kent State TBA TBA Kent State leads 17-13 *Mid-American Conference game Mid-American Conference Football SEPTEMBER 10, 2018

2018 Kent State Golden Flashes (1-1, 0-0) Date Opponent Time Television Series/Results Sat., Sept. 1 at Illinois 12:00 pm ET Big Ten Network L, 24-31 Sat., Sept. 8 Howard 3:30 pm ET ESPN+ W, 54-14 Sat., Sept. 15 at Penn State Noon ET FS1 Penn State leads 5-0 Sat., Sept. 22 at Ole Miss Noon ET SEC Network First Meeting Sat., Sept. 29 *at Ball State TBA TBA BSU leads 20-7 Sat., Oct. 6 *Ohio 3:30 pm ET ESPN+ Ohio leads 43-25-2 Sat., Oct. 13 *at Miami TBA TBA Miami leads 48-17 Sat., Oct. 20 *Akron TBA TBA Akron leads 34-24-2 Tue., Oct. 30 *at Bowling Green 8:00 pm ET ESPN2/ESPNU BGSU leads 60-19-6 Tue., Nov. 6 *at Buffalo 7:30 pm ET ESPNU Buffalo leads 12-11 Thur., Nov. 15 *Toledo 6:00 pm ET CBS Sports Network Toledo leads 25-21 Fri., Nov. 23 *Eastern Michigan TBA TBA KSU leads 17-13 *Mid-American Conference game 2018 Miami RedHawks (0-2, 0-0) Date Opponent Time Television Series/Results Sat., Sept. 1 Marshall 3:30 pm ET ESPN+ L, 28-35 Sat., Sept. 8 Cincinnati (at Paul Brown Stadium) 8:00 pm ET Raycom/ESPN3 L, 0-21 Sat., Sept. 15 at Minnesota 3:30 pm ET Big Ten Network Minnesota leads 3-0 Sat., Sept. 22 *at Bowling Green 3:00 pm ET ESPN+ Miami leads 43-24-5 Sat., Sept. 29 *Western Michigan 3:30 pm ET TBA Miami leads 37-21-1 Sat., Oct. 6 *at Akron 3:30 pm ET ESPN+ Miami leads 17-9-1 Sat., Oct. 13 *Kent State TBA TBA Miami leads 48-17 Sat., Oct. 20 at Army Noon ET TBA Miami leads 3-2 Tue., Oct. 30 *at Buffalo 8:00 pm ET ESPN2/ESPNU Miami leads 14-6 Wed., Nov. 7 *Ohio 7:00 pm ET/8:00 pm ET ESPN2/ESPNU Miami leads 52-40-2 Wed., Nov. 14 *at NIU 7:00 pm ET/8:00 pm ET ESPN2/ESPNU NIU leads 9-7 Tue., Nov. 20 *Ball State 7:00 pm ET ESPNU/ESPN+ Miami leads 18-11-1 *Mid-American Conference game 2018 Northern Illinois Huskies (0-2, 0-0) Date Opponent Time Television Series/Results Sat., Sept. 1 at Iowa 3:30 pm ET/2:30 pm CT Big Ten Network L, 7-33 Sat., Sept. 8 Utah 7:30 pm ET/6:30 pm CT ESPNews L, 6-17 Sat., Sept. 15 *Central Michigan 3:30 pm ET/2:30 pm CT ESPN+ CMU leads 29-23-1 Sat., Sept. 22 at Florida State 3:30 pm ET/2:30 pm CT ESPN/ESPN2 or ESPNU FSU leads 1-0 Sat., Sept. 29 *at Eastern Michigan 6:00 pm ET/5:00 pm CT ESPN+ NIU leads 32-14-2 Sat., Oct. 6 *at Ball State TBA TBA NIU leads 23-20-2 Sat., Oct. 13 *Ohio 3:30 pm ET/2:30 pm CT ESPN Networks NIU leads 11-10 Sat., Oct. 27 at BYU TBA TBA First Meeting Thur., Nov. 1 *at Akron 7:00 pm ET/6:00 pm CT ESPNU/CBS Sports Network NIU leads 9-5 Wed., Nov. 7 *Toledo TBA ESPN2/ESPNU Toledo leads 31-14 Wed., Nov. 14 *Miami TBA ESPN2/ESPNU NIU leads 9-8 Tue., Nov. 20 *at Western Michigan 7:00 pm ET/6:00 pm CT ESPNU/ESPN+ WMU leads 24-19 *Mid-American Conference game 2018 Ohio Bobcats (1-0, 0-0) Date Opponent Time Television Series/Results Sat., Sept. 1 Howard 2:00 pm ET ESPN+ W, 38-32 Sat., Sept. 15 at Virginia 3:00 pm ET ACC Network Extra Virginia leads 1-0 Sat., Sept. 22 at Cincinnati Noon ET ESPNU or ESPNews Series tied 23-23-4 Sat., Sept. 29 UMass TBA TBA Ohio leads 3-0 Sat., Oct. 6 *at Kent State 3:30 pm ET ESPN+ Ohio leads 43-25-2 Sat., Oct. 13 *at NIU 3:30 pm ET ESPN Networks NIU leads 11-10 Sat., Oct. 20 *Bowling Green 2:00 pm ET ESPN3 BGSU leads 40-27 Thur., Oct. 25 *Ball State 7:00 pm ET ESPN2/CBS Sports Network BSU leads 15-9 Thur., Nov. 1 *at Western Michigan 7:00 pm ET ESPNU/CBS Sports Network WMU leads 33-28-1 Wed., Nov. 7 *at Miami 7:00 pm ET/8:00 pm ET ESPN2/ESPNU Miami leads 52-40-2 Wed., Nov. 14 *Buffalo 7:00 pm ET/8:00 pm ET ESPN2/ESPNU Ohio leads 13-11 Fri., Nov. 23 *Akron TBA TBA Ohio leads 19-14-1 *Mid-American Conference game 2018 Toledo Rockets (1-0, 0-0) Date Opponent Time Television Series/Results Sat., Sept. 1 VMI 7:00 pm ET ESPN3 W, 66-3 Sat., Sept. 15 Miami (Fla.) Noon ET ESPN2 Miami (Fla.) leads 2-0 Sat., Sept. 22 Nevada Noon ET CBS Sports Network Toledo leads 4-0 Sat., Sept. 29 at Fresno State TBA ESPN Networks Fresno State leads 2-1 Sat., Oct. 6 *Bowling Green 3:30 pm ET ESPN+ Series tied 39-39-4 Sat., Oct. 13 *at Eastern Michigan TBA TBA Toledo leads 34-11 Sat., Oct. 20 *Buffalo TBA TBA Toledo leads 7-3 Thur., Oct. 25 *at Western Michigan 7:00 pm ET ESPN2/CBS Sports Network Toledo leads 41-30 Wed., Oct. 31 *Ball State 7:30 pm ET ESPN2 Toledo leads 23-19-1 Wed, Nov. 7 *at NIU 7:00 pm ET/8:00 pm ET ESPN2/ESPNU Toledo leads 31-14 Thur., Nov. 15 *at Kent State 6:00 pm ET CBS Sports Network Toledo leads 25-21 Fri., Nov. 23 *Central Michigan TBA TBA Toledo leads 25-18-3 *Mid-American Conference game 2018 Western Michigan Broncos (0-2, 0-0) Date Opponent Time Television Series/Results Fri., Aug. 31 Syracuse 6:00 pm ET CBS Sports Network L, 42-55 Sat., Sept. 8 at Michigan Noon ET FS1 L, 3-49 Sat., Sept. 15 Delaware State 7:00 pm ET ESPN+ First Meeting Sat., Sept. 22 at Georgia State 2:00 pm ET ESPN+ First Meeting Sat., Sept. 29 *at Miami 3:30 pm ET TBA Miami leads 37-21-1 Sat., Oct. 6 *Eastern Michigan Noon ET TBA WMU leads 33-17-2 Sat., Oct. 13 *at Bowling Green 3:00 pm ET ESPN+ BGSU leads 32-18-3 Sat., Oct. 20 *at Central Michigan 3:00 pm ET ESPN+ WMU leads 48-38-2 Thur., Oct. 25 *Toldo 7:00 pm ET ESPN2/CBS Sports Network Toledo leads 43-30 Thur., Nov. 1 *Ohio 7:00 pm ET ESPNU/CBS Sports Network WMU leads 33-28-1 Tue., Nov. 13 *at Ball State 6:00 pm ET ESPN2 WMU leads 25-19 Tue., Nov. 20 *NIU TBA TBA WMU leads 24-18 *Mid-American Conference game Mid-American Conference Football SEPTEMBER 10, 2018

2018 Non-Conference Opponents MAC Students on 2018 Preseason Watch Lists WALTER CAMP AWARD (Best College Football Player) ACC (5): (0-1) WR Diontae Johnson (Toledo) Florida State (NIU) Georgia Tech (Bowling Green) MAXWELL AWARD (Outstanding College Football Player) Miami (Toledo) RB James Gilbert (Ball State) Syracuse (Western Michigan): L, 42-55 WR Anthony Johnson (Buffalo) WR James Gardner (Miami) Virginia (Ohio) QB Nathan Rourke (Ohio) American Athletic (3): (1-1) CHUCK BEDNARIK AWARD (Defensive Player of the Year) Cincinnati (Miami; Ohio): L, 0-21; LB Ulysees Gilbert III (Akron) Temple (Buffalo): W, 36-29 LB Khalil Hodge (Buffalo) DE Maxx Crosby (Eastern Michigan) LB Sutton Smith (Northern Illinois) Big Ten (12): (1-4) Illinois (Kent State): L, 24-31 BILETNIKOFF AWARD (Top Wide Receiver) Indiana (Ball State) James Gardner (Miami); Justin Hall (Ball State); Iowa (NIU): L, 7-33 Anthony Johnson (Buffalo); Diontae Johnson (Toledo); Maryland (Bowling Green): L, 14-45 Scott Miller (Bowling Green); Kwadarrius Smith (Akron); Michigan (Western Michigan): L, 3-49 Cody Thompson (Toledo) Michigan State (Central Michigan) BRONKO NAGURSKI AWARD (Defensive Player of the Year) Minnesota (Miami) DE Maxx Crosby (Eastern Michigan) Nebraska (Akron): Cancelled LB Ulysees Gilbert III (Akron) Northwestern (Akron) LB Khalil Hodge (Buffalo) Penn State (Kent State) DE Sutton Smith (Northern Illinois) Purdue (Eastern Michigan): W, 20-19 DICK BUTKUS AWARD (Best Linebacker) Rutgers (Buffalo) Khalil Hodge (Buffalo) Big 12 (2): (0-1) EARL CAMPBELL TYLER ROSE AWARD (Top Offensive Player) Iowa State (Akron) QB Jarret Doege (Bowling Green) Kansas (Central Michigan): L, 7-31 LOU GROZA AWARD (Outstanding Kicker) Jameson Vest (Toledo) Conference USA (2): (0-1) Louie Zervos (Ohio) Marshall (Miami): L, 28-35 Western Kentucky (Ball State) TED HENDRICKS AWARD (Top Defensive End) Maxx Crosby (Eastern Michigan) Mountain West (3) Sutton Smith (Northern Illinois) Fresno State (Toledo) PAUL HORNUNG AWARD (Most Versatile Player) Nevada (Toledo) RB Andrew Clair (Bowling Green) San Diego State (Eastern Michigan) RB Malik Dunner (Ball State) WR Diontae Johnson (Toledo) Pac-12 (2): (0-2) Oregon (Bowling Green): L, 24-58 MANNING AWARD (Best Quarterback) Utah (NIU): L, 6-17 Nathan Rourke (Ohio) Gus Ragland (Miami) SEC (2): (0-1) JOHN MACKEY AWARD (Best Tight End) Kentucky (Central Michigan): L, 20-35 Nate Becker (Miami) Ole Miss (Kent State) Nolan Givan (Ball State) Tyler Mabry (Buffalo) Sun Belt (1) Giovanni Ricci (Western Michigan). Georgia State (Western Michigan) DAVEY O’BRIEN AWARD (Top Quarterback) Tyree Jackson (Buffalo) Independent (6): (0-1) QB Nathan Rourke (Ohio) Army (3) (Buffalo; Eastern Michigan; Miami) BYU (NIU) OUTLAND AWARD (Top Interior Lineman) Notre Dame (Ball State): L, 16-24 OG Luke Juriga (Western Michigan); C John Keenoy (Western Michigan); UMass (Ohio) OG Jimmy Leatiota (Eastern Michigan); OT Joe Lowery (Ohio); OT Max Scharping (NIU) (Most Outstanding Center) FCS Opponents (I-AA) Andrew Poenitsch (Ball State); James O’Hagan (Buffalo); Dakota Tallman (Eastern Michigan); Danny Godlevske (Miami); Big South (1): (1-0) Luke Shively (Northern Illinois); John Keenoy (Western Michigan) Monmouth (Eastern Michigan): W, 51-17 RAY GUY AWARD (Best College Punter) Derek Adams (Kent State) Colonial Athletic (1) Maine (Central Michigan) JIM THORPE AWARD (Best Defensive Back) S Kyron Brown (Akron) MEAC (5): (4-0) S Javon Hagan (Ohio) Delaware State (Buffalo; Western Michigan): W, 48-10 JOHNNY UNITAS GOLDEN ARM AWARD (Top Quarterback) Howard (Ohio; Kent State): W, 38-32; W, 54-14 Tyree Jackson (Buffalo) Morgan State (Akron): W, 41-7 Gus Ragland (Miami) Northeast (1): (1-0) DOAK WALKER AWARD (Top Running Back) Central Connecticut (Ball State): W, 42-6 LeVante Bellamy (Western Michigan); Jamauri Bogan (Western Michigan); Andrew Clair (Bowling Green); Ian Eriksen (Eastern Michigan); Ohio Valley (1) Emmanuel Reed (Buffalo); Kenny Young (Miami) Eastern Kentucky (Bowling Green) (Best Community Service) QB Riley Neal (Ball State); DL Mitch Stanitzek (Central Michigan); Southern (1): (1-0) OL Jeremy Hickey (Eastern Michigan); LB Matt Bahr (Kent State); VMI (Toledo): W, 66-3 WR James Gardner (Miami); OL Max Scharping (NIU); WR Cody Thompson (Toledo); RB Jamauri Bogan (Western Michigan); DB Justin Tranquill (Western Michigan)