Western Michigan University 42, Ball State University 38
Broncos quarterback Zach Terrell found receiver Daniel Braverman for a 12-yard touchdown with 1:25 left in the game to lead WMU to its first conference victory of the season. Running back Jarvion Franklin rushed for 161 yards and three touchdowns for WMU (3-3, 1-1 MAC). Ball State quarterback Jack Milas completed 26-of-42 passes for 326 yards and four touchdowns for the Cardinals (1-5, 0-2 MAC) while receiver Jordan Williams caught 11 passes for 179 yards and two touchdowns in the defeat. WMU will travel to Bowling Green next week while Ball State travels to Central Michigan.
Central Michigan University 34, Northern Illinois University 17
CMU running back Thomas Rawls gained 270 yards on 40 carries and scored two touchdowns to lead the Chippewas to a 17-point win over NIU. CMU (4-3, 2-1 MAC) had a 21-7 lead at halftime and the lead remained at double digits through the rest of the second half. Quarterback Drew Hare threw for 231 yards with two touchdowns and an INT for NIU (4-2, 1-1 MAC). The Chippewas will host Ball State next week while the Huskies play host to Miami University-Ohio
Bowling Green State University 31, Ohio University 13
The Falcons remain undefeated in MAC play. Running back Travis Greene scored two touchdowns - one rushing and one receiving - to lead Bowling Green (5-2, 3-0 MAC) to the win. Quarterback JD Sprague threw for 325 yards for Ohio (3-4, 1-2 MAC), but it wasn’t enough for the Bobcats. Bowling Green will host Western Michigan next week while Ohio welcomes in Akron University.
Scores Around the Rest of the MAC:
Akron 29 – Miami (OH) 19
Iowa State University 37, University of Toledo 30
Massachusetts 40 – Kent State 17
Looking ahead to Week Eight:
Western Michigan (3-3, 1-1 MAC) at Bowling Green (5-2, 3-0 MAC)
Both teams enter Saturday’s game boasting strong offensive units and look to showcase them. Defense, on the other hand, has not been a strong suit for either team, so an offensive shootout is to be expected. Bowling Green is ranked number 30 in the nation scoring 36 points per game, but the Falcons are also yielding an average of 38 points per game on defense. The Broncos are scoring 34 points per game, but are also giving up 30. Bowling Green is at the top of the MAC West standings and are looking to remain unbeaten in conference play while Western Michigan is looking to make a move in the MAC East division standings with a win.
Pick: Bowling Green 51 – Western Michigan 31
Akron (4-2, 2-0 MAC) at Ohio University (3-4, 1-2 MAC)
The Bobcats of Ohio University have struggled to put together some offense early on this season, only scoring 23 points combined in the previous two games, and will now face one of the nation’s toughest defenses in Akron. Akron is ranked in the top 10 for scoring defense, only giving up 17 points per game. The Zips are looking to continue to climb the standings in the MAC West while Ohio is also looking to make a statement in the division.
Pick: Akron 28 – Ohio 20
Ball State (1-5, 0-2 MAC) at Central Michigan (4-3, 2-1 MAC)
Central Michigan has followed up its three-game winning streak with a two-game winning streak, including an impressive 34-17 over Northern Illinois last week. The Chippewas look to continue their winning ways as they host the struggling Cardinals of Ball State. The Cardinals are on a five-game losing and their road ahead is even tougher, traveling to Central Michigan on Saturday followed by playing Akron and Northern Illinois.
Pick: Central Michigan 41 – Ball State 17
