UPCOMING SCHEDULE
Saturday, September 23
Tulsa at NIU 12:00 pm ET (CBSSN)
*Western Michigan at Toledo 1:30 pm ET (ESPN+)
Georgia Southern at Ball State 2:00 pm ET (ESPN+)
*Ohio at Bowling Green 3:30 pm ET (ESPN+)
Delaware State at Miami 3:30 pm ET (ESPN+)
Central Michigan at South Alabama 5:00 pm ET (TBD)
Eastern Michigan at Jacksonville State 5:00 pm ET (TBD)
Akron at Indiana 7:30 pm ET (Big Ten Network)
Buffalo at Louisiana 7:30 pm ET (ESPN+)
Kent State at Fresno State 10:30 pm ET (CBS Sports Network)
2 MINUTE DRILL
- For the second-straight week, six MAC squads posted victories last weekend: Ohio over Iowa State, Miami over Cincinnati (OT), Kent State over Central Connecticut State, Eastern Michigan over UMass, Toledo over San Jose State and Ball State over Indiana State.
- Ohio posted a 10-7 win over Big 12 opponent Iowa State for its first Power Five win since 2017 and its eighth-straight home victory since the dedication of Frank Solich Field. Kurtis Rourke finished with 135 passing yards and a touchdown, while Bryce Houston led the Bobcat defense with a career-high tying 15 tackles to earn MAC East Division Co-Defensive Player of the Week honors.
- Miami also knocked off a Big 12 opponent as the RedHawks downed Cincinnati in overtime. Joe Wilkins Jr.’s eight-yard touchdown catch in OT and Yahsyn McKee’s game-sealing interception helped Miami claim the Victory Bell for the first time since 2005 and its first-ever overtime win. Brett Gabbert threw for 237 yards and three touchdowns to lead the RedHawks’ offense and earn MAC West Divison Offensive Player of the Week honors.
- Kenni Burns posted his first win as head coach at Kent State with a dominant 38-10 victory over Central Connecticut State. The Golden Flashes scored the game’s first 38 points and were paced by a career day for running back Gavin Garcia. The sophomore racked up 125 yards and two touchdowns, leading a rushing attack that rolled up nearly 300 yards on Saturday.
- A clutch five-play, 77-yard drive, highlighted by a 50-yard touchdown reception from Austin Smith to Hamze El-Zayat with just over a minute remaining helped Eastern Michigan post its second win of the season, defeating UMass, 19-17, at home.
MAC NOTES
- Six MAC Squads Post Week 3 Wins For the second-straight week, six MAC teams posted victories last weekend:
- Ohio 10, Iowa State 7
- Miami 31, Cincinnati 24 (OT)
- Kent State 38, Central Connecticut State 10
- Eastern Michigan 19, UMass 17
- Toledo 21, San Jose State 17
- Ball State 45, Indiana State 7
- Bobcats, RedHawks Fly The Flag Over Big 12 Opponents
Ohio knocked off Big 12 foe Iowa State by a final score of 10-7 before Miami picked up a 31-24 overtime win in dramatic fashion over Cincinnati for the MAC’s second and third Fly the Flag victory of the 2023 season. In addition to the three Fly the Flag victories, the MAC has posted seven wins against FBS opponents in 2023: - Northern Illinois 27, Boston College 24 (Sept. 2)
- Ohio 17, Florida Atlantic 10 (Sept. 9)
- Miami 41, UMass 28 (Sept. 9)
- Ohio 10, Iowa State 7 (Sept. 16)
- Eastern Michigan 19, UMass 17 (Sept. 16)
- Toledo 21, San Jose State 17 (Sept. 16)
- Miami 31, Cincinnati 24, OT (Sept. 16)
The MAC has now defeated seven FBS opponents in the same season 22 times since 2000 and is currently on a 18-year streak with at least seven victories against FBS foes (minus 2022 due to COVID).
- 2023: 7
- 2022: 7
- 2021: 9
- 2020: (N/A due to COVID)
- 2019: 7
- 2018: 7
- 2017: 11
- 2016: 14
- 2015: 12
- 2014: 8
- 2013: 10
- 2012: 16
- 2011: 10
- 2010: 7
- 2009: 9
- 2008: 14
- 2007: 10
- 2006: 11
- 2005: 9
- 2004: 3
- 2003: 9
- 2002: 10
- 2001: 11
- 2000: 9
- Burns Earns First Win at Helm of Kent State Program Head coach Kenni Burns posted his first win as head coach at Kent State with a dominant 38-10 victory over Central Connecticut State. The Golden Flashes scored the game’s first 38 points and were paced by a career day for running back Gavin Garcia. The sophomore racked up 125 yards and two touchdowns, leading a rushing attack that rolled up nearly 300 yards on Saturday.
- Evans Moves Up EMU Record Books
Samson Evans posted a 2-yard run on EMU’s opening drive of the 2023 season to record the 30th touchdown of his career, leaving him one shy of tying Gary Patton, who found pay dirt 31 times from 1984-87. The Crystal Lake, Ill., native scored his 27th career rushing touchdown against Central Michigan (Nov. 25, 2022) to move into first place in Eastern Michigan program history in the category during a 2022 season which saw him rush for 100+ yards in four contests, a career-best mark. - Hiliare Keeps Catch Streak Alive
Bowling Green wide receiver Odieu Hiliare caught two passes for 37 yards in the Falcons’ Week 3 matchup against nationally-ranked Michigan.
