It sounds crazy, but we’re already a quarter way through the regular season! Well, all MAC programs besides Miami (OH) and Northern Illinois are, as both components of the Mallory Cup rivalry took Week 3 byes. The rest of the 10 MAC teams were in action in a Week 3 which featured the first conference matchup of the year — a thriller between Buffalo and Kent State.
In the nine non-conference matchups, the MAC finished 3-6. Two of those wins were against FCS competition and the other was Bowling Green’s
double-digit victory over Liberty — the MAC’s marquee win of the week. Three of the non-conference losses were to ranked Big Ten opponents, so there was some stiff competition to go against Saturday.
Without further ado, here are this week’s MAC musings; in other words, fleeting thoughts during every MAC game:
Michigan 63, Central Michigan 3
- This was the second 60-point loss for the MAC this year. It’s hard to find uplifting stats in any 60-point loss. Michigan out-gained Central Michigan 625-142 and the Chippewas registered just 60 passing yards on 20 attempts in their worst loss since 2019 (a 61-0 defeat at Wisconsin).
- As a runner, quarterback Angel Flores accounted for more than half of Central Michigan’s total yardage. He accounted for 76 rushing yards (of the 142 total) and utilized that mobility to guide the Chippewas’ 81-yard field goal drive. That was one positive and only committing one penalty was the other.
- Biff Poggi in a head coaching role, albeit temporary, was fun to see again, although he didn’t wear his signature cut-off sleeves on Michigan’s sidelines. In a world where many coaches deliver similar answers in press conferences, Poggi is always an interesting listen. His quotes about Bryce Underwood included, “He might actually be Batman. We need to do a DNA test on him because he could be Batman.” and “I have a Labrador retriever that could coach that guy.”
Buffalo 31, Kent State 28
- What a game for the 2025 MAC opener. This was Saturday MACtion at its finest. 890 yards of offense and two lead changes in the final three minutes. Seven of eight touchdowns spanned over 20 yards and the other was on a critical fourth down. Perfection.
- I’m curious how Kent State fans react to this game. On one hand, it felt like a massive win for the program. Kent State played its best game since the Sean Lewis and traded shot for shot with a quality Buffalo team. On the other hand, it’s always difficult to swallow a loss when you’re ahead with under 90 seconds remaining. Still, the Golden Flashes should be firmly out of the 130s in the rankings after that performance.
- Kent State found itself a quarterback in Dru DeShields. DeShields, who missed all of last year with an injury, started his first game after splitting reps with CJ Montes in the first two weeks. His playmaking kept Kent State in this contest, throwing for 279 yards and two touchdowns on 22-of-32 while rushing for 37 yards and a touchdown. He’s a true dual-threat just like Dustin Crum was, and his poise and fearlessness will be a huge boost to the Golden Flashes. The fact he erased a 10-point second half deficit showed a lot about him and this Kent State team as a whole.
- Buffalo badly needed a game like that from Ta’Quan Roberson. The seventh-year senior quarterback proved the extent of his passing ability, firing for a career-high 318 passing yards and three touchdowns. We already knew about Roberson’s skills as a runner, but watching him lead Buffalo to victory with his arm was satisfying. That was a beautiful delivery to Victor Snow for the game-winning 22-yard touchdown, and his rapport with Nik McMillan and Chance Morrow showed up all afternoon.
- Cade Wolford takes the term “deep threat” to an extreme. He has only seven receptions through three games, but those seven catches racked up 223 yards and four touchdowns. Wolford averages 31.9 yards per reception and scores more often than not. The redshirt freshman is first in the FBS in receiving average among players with five receptions and checks in at fifth in the MAC in receiving yards.
- Buffalo’s linebacker factory expands. They had James Patterson, Shaun Dolac, and Red Murdock in recent years and now Mitchell Gonser looks like an All-MAC talent. Gonser was already developed by the time he arrived as a First Team All-Ivy League selection at Harvard. He posted 11 tackles, three tackles for loss, and a sack en route to MAC Defensive Player of the Week honors.
Ball State 34, New Hampshire (FCS) 29
- A win is a win, and this one had to feel good for Ball State. The Cardinals only scored three points in the first two weeks at Purdue and Auburn, but they returned home to get the first victory of the Mike Uremovich era.
- This was the game to get Ball State’s passing offense working and it didn’t happen. The Cardinals are third-to-last in the FBS with 88 passing yards per game. But they really didn’t need it since Qua Ashley, Kiael Kelly, and the rushing attack posted 308 yards and three touchdowns.
- Defensive concerns still persist for the Cardinals which yielded 391 yards and couldn’t get off the field. New Hampshire converted third downs quite regularly and consumed over 38 minutes of clock on offense — and they skipped a possession in the first quarter because they scored on a blocked punt.
Toledo 60, Morgan State (FCS) 0
- Not much to see here. Toledo did exactly what was expected. It wasn’t even the Rockets’ largest margin of victory since 2023 — just two years ago, they beat FCS Texas Southern by 68.
- This isn’t necessarily a take originating from this game, but John Alan Richter is probably the MAC’s best backup quarterback. I was really impressed by his performance vs. Buffalo last year, and he could start for a good chunk of the FBS. Tucker Gleason was similarly a quality backup to Dequan Finn. Toledo never needs to worry about quarterback depth.
- Toledo scored 43 of its 60 points in the second quarter, which is a program record for a quarter (previous-high was 34 in 1951). Morgan State was subject to five three-and-outs and a quick fumble in six drives, while Toledo countered with six rapid touchdowns (one with a two-point conversion).
Bowling Green 23, Liberty 13
- Last week the MAC standard for a student section was Ohio. This week it was Bowling Green. Doyt-Perry Stadium was packed for the Falcons’ homecoming game against Liberty, especially in the student section. Bowling Green has done a great job marketing the program, whether it’s through first-year head coach Eddie George, a national celebrity in Pudge the Cat, or Finn Hogan who does a great job on social media. The crowd Bowling Green manufactured certainly played a role in the Falcons’ victory.
- Bowling Green’s defense had its fingerprints all over this one. Eddie George’s son Eriq shined from the defensive end spot with two of the Falcons’ four sacks. Bowling Green’s defense lit up the stat sheet with two interceptions while limiting Liberty to 4-of-12 on third down and 1-of-3 on fourth down.
- The offense is still a work in progress as Bowling Green has just five offensive touchdowns through three games. One pressing issue that was highly noticeable against Liberty was pre-snap penalties. Bowling Green amassed 13 flags for 105 yards and many of those were false starts and illegal formations, which are highly correctable.
Kentucky 48, Eastern Michigan 23
- One very impressive streak this column frequently references comes to an end. From 2016-24, Eastern Michigan never finished below .500 once in non-conference play. Think of how many MAC champions finish 1-3 in non-conference play, for comparison. The Eagles earned many signatures wins over that 9-year span, ranging from three Big Ten victories to Arizona State to a CUSA champion Jacksonville State. But they’re now 0-3, and that Week 2 loss to FCS Long Island was concerning.
- Kentucky is the MAC’s quietest arch nemesis. The Wildcats secured their 19th consecutive victory over the MAC dating back to 2006. Ohio’s 2004 win over Kentucky is the MAC’s last triumph over the Big Blue. Next up? Toledo and Ball State both head to Lexington in 2027.
- Eastern Michigan’s second quarter offense was very impressive. The Eagles strung together three separate scoring drives and didn’t even need a takeaway or a short field to get 13 points in the frame. The big three of QB Noah Kim, RB Dontae McMillan, and WR Terry Lockett Jr. all had their moments — 330 passing yards for Kim, 83 rushing yards on a 6.4 average for McMillan, and 90 receiving yards and a touchdown for Lockett. All this offensive talent asks the question, how did Eastern Michigan lose to Long Island?
- Eastern Michigan still ranks last in run defense, although it improved its per game allotment by only surrendering 253 yards and four touchdowns to a run-oriented Kentucky offense.
Ohio State 37, Ohio 9
- I wish we could have watched Parker Navarro play this entire game. He suffered a wrist injury in the late first quarter, on his second series, when Ohio State just established a 3-0 lead. As soon as he returned after halftime, he launched a perfectly-placed deep ball to his No. 1 target Chase Hendricks and Hendricks scored a 67-yard touchdown to slice Ohio’s deficit to 13-9. Yes, Ohio then allowed 24 unanswered to finish with Navarro back in the game, but perhaps the Bobcats could have moved the ball better in the second quarter if their star quarterback was available. They only attained 17 yards that quarter — a missed opportunity considering the Bobcat defense kept the game close while Navarro was in the locker room.
- I loved the amount of times the 2010 Rufus the Bobcat attack on Brutus Buckeye mentioned was referenced throughout the week. It’s one of those insane stories that makes college football the fun, weird sport that it is. Glad this matchup happened again.
- After producing just one takeaway the first two weeks, Ohio’s defense intercepted Julian Sayin twice Saturday. The Buckeyes surged with a touchdown barrage to finish, but the Bobcats — which limited West Virginia to 10 points last week — held the No. 1 team in the country to 13 points on five first half possessions. That bodes well for MAC play.
Iowa 47, UMass 7
- This already feels like a nightmare season for UMass. The Minutemen had a CVS receipt of injuries including starting quarterback Brandon Rose, top wide receiver T.Y. Harding, and a slew of other starters. Facing Iowa fresh off a gut-wrenching loss to FCS Bryant (which finished 2-10 last year) was never going to look pretty.
- UMass averaged fewer than one yard per rushing attempt, burdened by five sacks and 11 tackles for loss. The Minutemen also passed for only 93 yards on 22 attempts. The only scoring drive stemmed from a block punt, setting UMass up 21 yards from the end zone.
- Iowa scored its most points since Oct. 1, 2021 when it crushed Maryland 51-17. But that game was more defensive driven, as Iowa won the turnover battle 7-0. The turnover battle vs. UMass was 0-0. This was the best Iowa’s offense had looked against anybody in years, attaining 435 yards without much resistance.
Illinois 38, Western Michigan 0
- Western Michigan tried the two-QB system for the third-straight game. Brady Jones started for the third time, but just like Week 2, Broc Lowry checked in and received the majority of the reps. For a season stat comparison, Jones is 16-of-35 with 122 passing yards, zero touchdowns, and one interception. Lowry is 20-of-36 with 244 passing yards, one touchdown, and zero interceptions. From the rushing department, Lowry has the edge with 125 yards and two touchdowns. Conference play starts next week. We’ll see if Western Michigan settles on one or keeps rotating until victory is reached.
- Perhaps the biggest argument against the two-QB system right now is that Western Michigan scored zero offensive points against both Michigan State and Illinois. It’s a two-way street though. Establishing rhythm is important, but at the same time, Lance Taylor needs live on-field reps to evaluate both quarterbacks going forward.
- Western Michigan’s defense is quite good. It shut out Michigan State’s offense in the second half in Week 1, made North Texas look average in Week 2 (the Mean Green just dropped 59 on Washington State), and limited No. 9 Illinois to 10 points at halftime. There’s strong talent throughout the unit from Nadame Tucker to Tate Hallock. They’re going to look sharp against most MAC opponents.
UAB 31, Akron 28
- Well that was quite a way for Akron to break its season scoring drought. Points were certainly expected considering UAB allowed 42 to FCS Alabama State and 38 to Navy, and Akron produced an excellent offensive start. After losing its first two matchups 78-0, the Zips produced 17 first quarter points with 166 yards. Although watching Nebraska stifle Cincinnati in Week 1 and Wyoming handle Utah’s offense for a half Saturday, it is clear Akron was pitted against quality defenses.
- This was about as wild of a stat as imaginable. UAB’s Solomon Beebe returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown, and then on the first snap from scrimmage, Ben Finley launched a deep ball to Israel Polk for a 75-yard score. There aren’t many games that are 7-7 by the 14:38 mark of the first quarter. You knew we were in for a show at that point.
- Sacks allowed is one statistic/trend that’s severely burdened Akron during this rough stretch for the program. They are currently tied for 132nd in sacks allowed per game at 3.7 after surrendering five to UAB — including a key one that stalled a potential tying or go-ahead drive. Here are the Zips’ recent FBS ranks in fewest sacks allowed: 97th (of 134) in 2024, 127th (of 133) in 2023, 130th (of 131) in 2022, 130th (of 130) in 2021, 125th (of 127) in 2020, 130th (of 130) in 2019.
