MAC roundup: Temple maintains East lead; NIU, Toledo still tied in West
Staff Reporter Matt Firsht recaps the weekend's Mid-American Conference football games.
Northern Illinois 28, Western Michigan 21 NIU (7-2, 5-0 MAC) extended its winning streak to six games with a 28-21 win Saturday against Western Michigan in Kalamazoo. It was a back and forth battle, but quarterback Chandler Harnish threw a 21-yard completion to Willie Clark with four minutes left, giving the Huskies a 28-21 lead and the win. The Huskies beat WMU (3-5, 2-2 MAC) in all offensive categories. Broncos quarterback Alex Carder recorded three touchdowns and 360 yards, but threw two touchdowns.
Temple 30, Akron 0 Temple had no trouble with winless Akron (0-9, 0-5 MAC), handing the Zips a 30-0 beatdown as they remain the only team in the MAC without a win. The Owls held Akron’s running game to just 20 yards total and quarterback Patrick Nicely to 134 yards. Temple (7-2, 4-1 MAC) remains tied for first place in the MAC East as a result of Saturday’s win. Quarterback Mike Gerardi and running backs Rod Streeter and Bernard Pierce each scored a touchdown, proving to be more than enough offense for the win.
Ohio 38, Louisiana-Lafayette 31 Trailing 17-10 early in the third quarter, Ohio (6-3, 4-1 MAC) began its comeback. Quarterback Boo Jackson threw a three-year touchdown to Jordan Thompson to tie the game and added three more to edge the Ragin’ Cajuns. Jackson finished the game with 323 total yards and four touchdowns. Louisiana-Lafayette (2-6, 2-3 Sun Belt) lost its fourth consecutive game. Quarterback Brad McGuire and running back Aaron Spikes each scored two touchdowns, accounting for much of Lafayette’s offense.
Miami (OH) 21, Buffalo 9 Miami (5-4, 4-1 MAC) moved into a three-way tie for first place in the MAC East with a 21-9 win at Buffalo. RedHawks quarterback Zac Dysert had 231 yards and two touchdowns through the air, while running back Thomas Merriweather added a touchdown. Buffalo (2-6, 1-3 MAC) lost its third consecutive game as quarterback Alex Zordich struggled through the air, scoring UB’s only touchdown on a 12-yard run.
Kent State 33, Ball State 14 Ball State (2-7, 1-4 MAC) lost its fourth consecutive Saturday against Kent State Saturday in Kent, Ohio. The Cardinals turned the ball over four times, two of which resulted in Kent State touchdowns. Quarterback Keith Wenning threw three interceptions. Kent State (4-4, 3-2 MAC) now has won back-to-back games, bringing their record back to .500 after getting off to a 1-3 start to the season. Wide receiver Sam Kirkland’s 24-yard completion to Tim Erjavec for a touchdown with nine minutes remaining in the fourth quarter was all the insurance the Golden Flashes needed.
Toledo 42, Eastern Michigan 7 Losing starting quarterback Austin Dantin was no problem for Toledo (6-3, 5-0 MAC), as backup Terrance Owens had a superb day, throwing four touchdowns with 234 yards. The Rockets remain tied with NIU for first place in the MAC West Division. Eastern Michigan (1-8, 1-4 MAC) could not find an answer for Toledo as EMU quarterback Alex Gillet had his worst game of the season, throwing two interceptions and scoring no touchdowns. Running back Corey Welch scored EMU’s only touchdown.
