Around the MAC: Toledo slips out of Top-25, Kent State slides in at No. 25
Toledo only lasted a week in the Associated Press poll before losing to Ball State Tuesday and dropping out of it. Taking its place at No. 25 is Kent State, which remains undefeated in league play with a win over Miami (Ohio) Saturday.
Massachusetts won its first game as a Mid-American Conference team, beating Akron Saturday as well.
Next week will be crucial to decide who will play in the MAC Championship game Nov. 30 in Detroit. Toledo plays at Northern Illinois Wednesday, which will decide the leader of the East Division, while Kent State is at Bowling Green Saturday for the lead in the West Division.
Ball State 34, Toledo 27
Toledo’s eight-game winning streak was snapped at home by a Ball State fourth-quarter comeback Tuesday. The Rockets (8-2, 5-1 MAC) lost in spite of intercepting three passes and having running back David Fluellen rush for 200 yards and a touchdown. Quarterback Keith Wenning, who threw the three picks, also had three touchdown passes and 280 yards. Ball State improves to 7-3, 4-2 in MAC play.
Massachusetts 22, Akron 14
The Minutemen (1-9, 1-5 MAC) won their first conference game since joining the MAC thanks to their defense, which forced five Akron turnovers. Four interceptions and a fumble recovery helped limit the Zips scoring and put UMass’s offense in positions to score. Quarterback Mike Wegzyn scored both UMass touchdowns, one rushing and one passing. Akron slips to 1-10, including 0-7 in conference play.
Kent State 48, Miami (Ohio) 32
Kent State running backs Dri Archer and Trayion Durham dominated the game Saturday. The duo combined to score the first four touchdowns of the game, putting the Golden Flashes up 28-0 in the first half. Both running backs finished with more than 150 yards. Miami quarterback Zac Dysert threw for 455 yards and four touchdowns in the loss. Kent State improves to 9-1 (6-0 MAC), while Miami slips to 4-6, including 3-3 in conference play.
Buffalo 29, Western Michigan 24
Broncos senior starting quarterback Alex Carder’s return from injury didn’t go as planned with four interceptions in a loss to three-win Buffalo. Carder did throw three touchdowns while collecting 275 passing yards and 52 rushing yards. Cortney Lester caught three interceptions for the Bulls (3-7, 2-4 MAC). WMU slips to 4-7 overall, including 2-5 in conference play.
Bowling Green 26, Ohio 14
Anthon Samuel rushed for 181 yards and two touchdowns as BGSU (7-3, 5-1 MAC) won its sixth-straight game Wednesday. The Falcons defense, ranked ninth nationally, also held previously ranked Ohio (8-2, 4-2 MAC) to 14 points.
