Week three of Mid-American Conference (MAC) is in the books. here is the full breakdown of the results that happened this past weekend.

Akron

The Akron Zips’ (0-3, 0-0) week three outing displayed the team finally putting points on the board, and in the best way possible, in a dog-fight against the UAB Blazers (2-1, 0-0), 31-28.

The offensive side of the ball for the Zips had its bright spots, mainly with both senior quarterback Ben Finley and sophomore wide receiver Israel Polk combining for 381 yards of offense and four touchdowns in the three-point loss.

With the hard-fought battle, head coach Joe Moorhead and the Zips hope this is a sign of things to come to change the season around once MAC play begins.

Ball State

They say ‘third time is the charm’, and that was the case for the Ball State Cardinals with their first win of the year coming in week three against an FCS opponent in the New Hampshire Wildcats, 39-24.

Head coach Jeff Uremovich’s squad knows that the celebration won’t last forever, as the Cardinals will hit the ground running on Monday for another road matchup, this time traveling northeast to face the UConn Huskies (1-2, 0-0)

Bowling Green

Head coach Eddie George and the Bowling Green Falcons (2-1, 0-0) stormed into week three to do something that has not been done at Doyt L. Perry Stadium in three seasons, winning their yearly homecoming game. 

Against a talented Liberty Flames (1-2, 0-0) squad from the Conference-USA (C-USA) that was projected as five and a half favorites to win, the Falcons would fly in and silence the oddsmakers with a dominating win against the Flames, 23-13. Especially from the defensive side of the ball, where the Falcons forced three fumbles out of Liberty.

“They came out with the intent to establish the tone,” George said. “It was really great to see them step up, especially after last week, where they got exposed and humbled a bit.”

It was also another great week for junior kicker Jackson Kleather, as he would go on to score 11 points while going three-for-three on field goals with makes of 48 and 50 yards.

Buffalo

The first in-conference game of the season came a little earlier than normal, as the Buffalo Bulls (2-1, 1-0) traveled southwest to Kent, Ohio, to square off against the Kent State Golden Flashes (1-2, 0-1).

While Buffalo would come away with the victory, it didn’t come without its fair share of challenges from the Flashes’ side, as a close battle was the theme of the game, with the Bulls pulling away, 31-28.

For the Bulls, it was a day of offensive brilliance led by senior quarterback Ta’Quan Roberson, who led the way with 20 of 48 passing attempts, 318 yards, and three touchdowns.

The defensive side of the ball was also in the Bulls’ favor, with senior linebacker Mitchell Gonser recording 11 tackles, three tackles for loss, and a sack against the Kent State offense.

Roberson would earn MAC Offensive Player of the Week honors, while Gosner would win Defensive Player of the Week honors as well.

Central Michigan

Back-to-back tough weeks were the unfortunate agenda for the Central Michigan Chippewas (1-2, 0-0) as they traveled down south to Ann Arbor, Michigan, to face the No. 21-ranked Michigan Wolverines (2-1, 0-0) of the Big Ten.

Needless to say, the Chippewas would lose to the Wolverines in an absolute trouncing, 63-3.

As the search for answers continues, the Chippewas will return home to prepare for week four to try to earn their second win of the young season.

Eastern Michigan 

One of many Southeast Conference (SEC) opponents this weekend, the Eastern Michigan Eagles (0-3, 0-0) traveled south to Lexington, Kentucky, to face the Kentucky Wildcats (2-1, 0-1).

Throughout the majority of the game, it was non-stop dominance from Kentucky throughout all four quarters, while the Eagles managed to put up a decent fight towards the end, the damage had already been done with the Wildcats winning, 48-23.

Kent State

On the opposite end of the Bulls, the Kent State Golden Flashes (1-2, 0-0) managed to display a valiant effort against a team that they have not beaten since Nov 26, 2022. Despite the effort, the Flashes had numerous opportunities to close out the game, but fell short in the process.

The main standout from this game for Kent State was sophomore quarterback Dru DeShields, who had a solid display of his own, recording 22 of 32 passing, 279 yards, and two touchdowns in the three-point defeat.

While still being below .500 to start the year, this Kent State team has already shown leaps and bounds of progression compared to years past.

Massachusetts

The Massachusetts Minutemen (0-3, 0-0) were not the only team that had to square off against a Big Ten opponent, this instance being the Iowa Hawkeyes (2-1, 0-0).

In the 47-7 defeat against the Yellow and Black, UMass would manage an offensive score early in the second quarter from senior receiver Grant Jordan.

The difficult challenges for the Minutemen will look to continue as they will once again be on the road, heading southeast to Columbia, Missouri, to face the No.23 Mizzou Tigers (3-0, 0-0) for week four.

Miami OH

The Miami Redhawks (0-2, 0-0) would have a much-needed break for week three after the first two weeks did not go head coach Chuck Martin’s way, which will give Miami the much-needed time to prepare for their first home event of the season against the visiting UNLV Rebels (3-0, 2-0)

The first time, both programs will face each other.

Northern Illinois

Just like the Redhawks, The Huskies of Northern Illinois (1-1, 0-0) were not in action this past weekend as their off week would give them a chance to recuperate and prepare for action in week four as they will head south to Starkville, Mississippi to take on the Mississippi State Bulldogs (3-0, 0-0) of the Southeast Conference (SEC).

Ohio

While the scoreboard does have the Ohio Bobcats (1-2, 0-0) losing to the No. 1-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes, 37-9, that’s not to say that this is a result that should be overlooked.

Throughout nearly the first half, the Bobcats’ defense would only hold the Buckeyes to two field goals. Even the offense had its moments of brilliance, which included a 67-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Parker Navarro to junior receiver Chase Hendricks early in the third quarter.

If Ohio can put up some fight towards what is considered to be the best team in the nation, then the sky is the limit for the Brian Smith-led squad once in-conference play begins.

Toledo

While many had projected the Toledo Rockets (2-1, 0-0) as the overwhelming favorites over the Morgan State Bears (0-3, 0-0), no one could’ve predicted the absolute trouncing that was the Rockets defeating the Bears, 60-0. 

Senior quarterback for the Rockets, Tucker Gleason, led the way with yet another consistent performance, recording 13 of 17 passing attempts, 174 yards and one touchdown on the day.

Aside from the aforementioned Ohio Bobcats, the Rockets continue to prove each week they are worthy of having a seat at the contention for a trip to Detroit, Michigan, later on this year..

Western Michigan

As if the hits couldn’t keep on coming, the Western Michigan Broncos (0-3, 0-0) suffered their first shutout of the year on the road against the No. 9-ranked Illinois Fighting Illini (3-0, 0-0), 38-0.

Head coach Lance Taylor and the Broncos will look to move on from this crushing defeat and return home for their first in-conference game of the season against the red-hot Toledo Rockets (2-1, 0-0).

Western Michigan has not started a season 0-4 since 2013.