SATURDAY’S MID-AMERICAN CONFERENCE FOOTBALL GAMES

No. 15 Tennessee 28, Ohio 19

KNOXVILLE, TENN.

Joshua Dobbs threw a pair of 20-yard touchdown passes to Josh Malone and ran for a third score as No. 15 Tennessee overcame injuries and a suspension to hold off pesky Ohio. Tennessee (3-0) played without four starters — three were injured and defensive back Malik Foreman was suspended for team rules violations. Ohio, a 27-point underdog, was within 21-19 when Dobbs and Malone connected again with 11:07 left in the game. Ohio (1-2) wouldn’t threaten again. Malone has caught four of Dobbs’ six touchdown passes this season. Ohio’s Louie Zervos was 4 of 4 on field-goal attempts and Sebastian Smith caught nine passes for 156 yards. The Bobcats were seeking their second straight win over a Power Five opponent after winning 37-21 at Kansas last week.

Akron 65, Marshall 38

HUNTINGTON, W.VA.

Thomas Woodson threw two of his four touchdown passes in the second quarter and Akron rolled to a victory over Marshall. The Zips (2-1) also returned a fumble and a blocked punt for touchdowns in the 34-point second quarter that produced a 41-21 halftime lead. Marshall (1-1) led 21-7 after one quarter on the strength of three touchdown passes by Chase Litton. Litton finished 32 of 57 for 413 yards and four touchdowns but had three interceptions, the last one returned 31-yards for a touchdown by DeMarcus Lloyd to close the scoring.

Toledo 52, Fresno State 17

TOLEDO

Logan Woodside hit three different receivers for touchdowns, throwing for four scores and 239 yards overall to lead Toledo to a victory over Fresno State. Toledo opened the scoring when Woodside passed to Cody Thompson, who finished with 102 yards receiving, at Fresno State’s 20. Thompson skirted two tacklers and got into the corner of the end zone with 9:45 left in the first quarter.

Ball State 41, Eastern Kentucky 14

MUNCIE, IND.

Riley Neal threw for two touchdowns, ran for another and Ball State held Eastern Kentucky to 3 yards rushing. The Cardinals (2-1) rolled to a 27-0 halftime lead with Neal throwing a 3-yard touchdown pass to Devin Reece, a 5-yarder to Damon Hazelton Jr. and running 12 yards for another score while Morgan Hagee kicked field goals of 41 and 32 yards.

Central Michigan 44, UNLV 21

MOUNT PLEASANT, MICH.

Cooper Rush threw six touchdown passes and Central Michigan pulled away in the second half to beat UNLV. The Chippewas (3-0) are off to their best start since 2002, and showed no signs of a letdown after stunning 22nd-ranked Oklahoma State last week. The Chippewas travel to face ACC-member Virginia with a shot a starting 4-0 for the first time since 1985.

San Diego State 42, Northern Illinois 28

DEKALB, ILL.

Donnel Pumphrey ran for three touchdowns and Christian Chapman threw for three more as San Diego State won its 13th consecutive game. Pumphrey — who finished with 220 yards rushing — ran for a 46-yard score on the first play of the Aztecs’ second possession. Chapman followed that with three touchdown throws to give San Diego State (3-0) a 28-7 lead at halftime. After the break, Ryan Graham threw a pair of touchdowns for the Huskies (0-3) to close the gap to 28-21 with 7:46 left in the third.

Associated Press