MAC roundup \ Saturday’s games

Cincinnati 17, Akron 15

AKRON — Jake Rogers kicked a 48-yard field goal with 7:45 left and Cincinnati held on for the win in a Mid-American Conference game. Akron had one final drive to attempt to pull out the win, but an intentional grounding penalty pushed the Zips back and Cincinnati Brad Jones intercepted UA’s pass. The Bearcats got two first downs and was able to run out the clock for the win. UC starting quarterback Tony Pike completed 23-of-34 passes for 320 yards and two scores prior to leaving the game with an injury. Mardy Gilyard finished with seven receptions for 146 yards and both TDs, while Dominick Goodman had 91 receiving yards on six catches. For the Zips, Chris Jacquemain was 26-of-40 for 254 yards with a TD and an interception. Deryn Bowser was his top target, hauling in 10 passes for 72 yards, including his first TD in a UA uniform.

Ball St. 41, Kent St. 20

MUNCIE, Ind. — MiQuale Lewis ran for 116 yards and three touchdowns, and Ball State won its first game since top receiver Dante Love suffered a spinal injury. Love was injured in a collision with Indiana cornerback Chris Adkins during Ball State’s 42-20 win the previous Saturday, and the receiver is not expected to play football again. Ball State players wore red T-shirts with Love’s number 86 on the front during warmups, and had stickers with the number on the back of their helmets. A “We Love Dante” sign was draped over the fence just past the north end zone. The team also wants to honor Love by earning its first Mid-American Conference title since 1996 and reaching a second straight bowl game for the first time in history. The Cardinals (5-0, 2-0 MAC) took a step toward that goal by matching their best start since 1988. Nate Davis passed for 265 yards and a touchdown and Briggs Orsbon caught 10 passes for 112 yards for Ball State.

Northern Illinois 37, Eastern Michigan 0

YPSILANTI, Mich. — Me’Co Brown rushed for a career-high 111 yards and a touchdown and Northern Illinois held Eastern Michigan to 259 offensive yards. The Huskies (2-2, 1-1 Mid-American) got a 26-yard scoring run from Brown on their second possession and never looked back. The true freshman, Northern Illinois’ leader in all-purpose and rushing yards, left the game early in the fourth quarter with an apparent ankle injury.

Western Michigan 7, Temple 3

PHILADELPHIA — Western Michigan got a 30-yard touchdown pass from Tim Hiller and then relied on its defense to hold on. Hiller completed 26 of 42 passes for 252 yards, including a scoring pass to Juan Nunez with 2:16 remaining in the third quarter, as the Broncos (4-1, 2-0 Mid-American Conference) won their fourth straight game after losing their opener at Nebraska.

Ohio 51, VMI 31

ATHENS, Ohio — Boo Jackson threw two touchdown passes in a high-scoring first half to lead Ohio. The Bobcats (1-4) piled up 535 yards in total offense, and the two teams combined for almost 400 yards in offense in just the first quarter. Jackson’s second TD pass — a 22-yarder to LaVon Brazill just before the half — was the seventh lead change and put Ohio ahead to stay, 31-24.

Cent. Michigan 27, Buffalo 25

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. — Ontario Sneed ran for his second touchdown of the game with 2:58 left and Central Michigan held off Buffalo.

Bowling Green 45, Wyoming 16

LARAMIE, Wyo. — Tyler Sheehan passed for two touchdowns and ran for another in leading Bowling Green.

Associated Press