Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) -
AKRON: The Zips (1-2) cruised to a 66-6 win over Morgan State of the FCS to pick up the first win of the Terry Bowden era at the school. Akron's 66 points and 753 yards of total offense was its most since Sept. 20, 2003, versus Howard (65 points, 692 yards). The Zips also finished with a program-best 43 first downs, also in that contest against Howard. UA set a school record for completions as well with 44. Akron also set the program and Mid-American Conference mark for passing yards with 565 and posted the third-most offensive yards in league history with 753. Akron's 59 pass attempts tied the UA school mark. Dalton Williams passed Charlie Frye's single-game record with 37 completions which turned into 446 yards and three scores. Jawon Chisholm (129 yards) had his fifth-career 100-yard game on the ground. The Zips will look to carry their momentum into their next competition as they head to Rocky Top to take on Tennessee this week.
BALL STATE: The Cardinals (2-1) managed to drive down the field in just 49 seconds to set up Steven Schott for a game-winning 42-yard field goal as time expired to lift them to a thrilling 41-39 victory over the previously unbeaten Indiana Hoosiers. It was the third straight win for BSU over its instate rival. Keith Wenning produced three touchdown passes, while Jahwan Edwards gained 78 yards and a score on 21 carries. Travis Freeman anchored the defensive unit with a team-best 10 tackles. The Cardinals managed to pull off the victory despite being outgained in total offense by 118 yards. Ball State faces its third straight BCS opponent this weekend when it hosts the South Florida Bulls.
BOWLING GREEN: The Falcons (1-2, 0-1) were unable to overcome an early 17-0 deficit and eventually lost, 27-15, in their MAC opener at Toledo. Anthon Samuel gained 112 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries to surpass the 1,000- yard mark for his career. Matt Schilz passed for 216 yards, but threw an interception and was sacked twice in the loss. Ryan Burbrink had a career-high 71 receiving yards, Dwayne Woods recorded a season-best 10 tackles, and Chris Jones had two sacks. Jones now has 19 career sacks, which ranks fifth all-time in BGSU history. The Falcons fly into ACC territory this week to battle the Virginia Tech Hokies.
BUFFALO: The Bulls (1-1) had an off week after picking up their first win of the season by defeating Morgan State. Buffalo opens up its MAC season on Wednesday when it will host Kent State.
CENTRAL MICHIGAN: Following their 41-7 loss to Michigan State, the Chippewas (1-1) had the week off to prepare for another Big Ten opponent. CMU goes on the road to take on the Iowa Hawkeyes on Saturday.
EASTERN MICHIGAN: The Eagles (0-3) held their own for a quarter and a half before Purdue pulled away in a 54-16 decision last Saturday. EMU built some momentum in the second quarter when Pudge Cotton returned an interception 28 yards for a score and Dylan Mulder connected on a 23-yard field goal. However, the Boilermakers scored 34 unanswered points to create space on the scoreboard. Alex Gillett struggled under center, completing 9-of-15 attempts for 66 yards with three interceptions. Tyler Benz passed for 78 yards and rushed for his first career touchdown in relief work. Freshman wideout Dustin Creel had three catches for 49 yards. Purdue gained 576 yards to EMU's 313 yards of total offense in the contest. The Eagles will try again to defeat a Big Ten opponent this weekend when they travel to East Lansing to take on the Michigan State Spartans.
KENT STATE: The Golden Flashes (1-1) had a bye week after losing, 47-14, to Kentucky on Sept. 8. They begin the MAC season on Wednesday when they travel to upstate New York to face the Buffalo Bulls.
MASSACHUSETTS: The Minutemen (0-3) continued to struggle with the jump to the FBS level and fell, 63-13, to Denard Robinson and the Michigan Wolverines. UMass failed to score an offensive touchdown as Christian Birt's 32-yard interception return for a score was the only time the team managed to cross the goal line. Brendon Levengood added a pair of field goals while Mike Wegzyn paced the offense by completing 14-of-29 passes for 141 yards. Alan Williams had a career-high six receptions for 38 yards and Deion Walker had four catches for a team-best 63 yards. Tom Brandt had a career-high eight tackles including 5 solo, one for a loss and one tackle for loss. Michigan outgained UMass in total yards of offense, 585-259, in the lopsided affair. The Minutemen will play their first-ever game as a member of the MAC this weekend when they battle the Miami-Ohio RedHawks in Oxford.
MIAMI-OHIO: The RedHawks (1-2) held a 9-8 lead over Boise State on the blue turf, but they could not hang on to the advantage and lost, 39-12, to the now ranked Broncos. Zac Dysert paced Miami (1-2) by completing 20-of-27 passes for 176 yards. The RedHawks rushing game averaged just 2.1 yards per game as Jamire Westbrook and Spencer Treadwell were contained by the Broncos' defense. David Frazier led Miami's receivers with 63 yards on three catches while Andy Cruse complied 42 yards and a touchdown on six receptions. Pat Hinkel made some big plays defensively, as he recovered a fumble and intercepted Joe Southwick in the end zone. Miami managed just nine first downs while the Broncos achieved 33. The RedHawks will look to bounce back this weekend when they open up their MAC season with a home game against Massachusetts.
NORTHERN ILLINOIS: It was not easy for them, but the Huskies (2-1) rallied for their second win in a row as they took down Army, 41-40, in a thriller at Michie Stadium. Jordan Lynch threw for 342 yards and four touchdowns and also rushed for 125 yards and a score on 13 carries to lift NIU to the triumph. Martel Moore grabbed seven passes for 134 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winner. Tyrone Clark recorded 17 tackles and three tackles for loss, Jimmie Ward had 11 stops, and Jamal Bass made 10 tackles in the contest. NIU gave up 486 rushing yards to Army's powerful rushing attack. The Huskies converted 8-of-9 third downs to keep drives alive. They will look to win their third consecutive game this weekend when they host the Kansas Jayhawks for their final game before beginning league play.
OHIO UNIVERSITY: The Bobcats (3-0) defeated the Marshall Thundering Herd, 27-24, in a thrilling Battle for the Bell to remain the only unbeaten team in the conference and extend the program's winning streak to four games dating back to last season. Ohio had not defeated MU in back-to-back seasons since 1979 and 1980. Jelani Woseley came up with a clutch interception to seal the victory. Tyler Tettleton completed 20-of-35 passes for 200 yards and three scores. Beau Blankenship contributed 102 yards on 30 carries on the ground while Ryan Clark and Tyler Furtrell each recorded a receiving touchdown. Matt Weller drilled a 38-yard field goal which gave Ohio the lead with just 97 seconds left. Ian Wells had a strong performance on the other side of the ball with four tackles, a sack, a forced fumble, and two pass break ups. Despite the Ohio victory, Marshall held a 491-399 advantage in the total offensive yardage battle. The Bobcats look to stay undefeated when they welcome the Norfolk State Spartans of the FCS to Athens on Saturday.
TOLEDO: The Rockets (2-1, 1-0) rode a strong performance by QB Terrance Owens to a 27-15 victory over Bowling Green in the Battle of I-75 for their third straight win over the Falcons. Owens completed 20-of-28 passes for 303 yards in the contest, while Alonzo Russell reeled in a career-high six passes for 152 yards. David Fluellen gained 81 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. Toledo held a 452-351 edge in total yards and converted 7-of-14 third downs. Hank Keighley caused a critical fumble on a fourth down play late in the fourth quarter to clinch the victory. The Rockets will host Coastal Carolina at the Glass Bowl this weekend before returning to conference play.
WESTERN MICHIGAN: The Broncos (1-2) came up just short as they lost, 28-23, to the Minnesota Golden Gophers at TCF Bank Stadium on Saturday. WMU hung around with its Big Ten opponent due to a stellar performance from Dareyon Chance, who gained a career-best 144 yards and a touchdown on 29 carries. Chance gained the most rushing yards in a game by a Bronco since Brandon West had 166 against Eastern Michigan on Nov. 1, 2008. Jaime Wilson continues to thrive at the collegiate level, with his second straight 100-yard receiving game and third straight game with a touchdown to open his career. Alex Carder completed 24-of-44 passes for 209 yards with a touchdown and an interception in the losing effort. Justin Currie anchored the defense with a team-best nine tackles and a fumble recovery. WMU returns home to face Connecticut this weekend.
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