MID-AMERICAN CONFERENCE FOOTBALL | Saturday’s games

Northern Illinois 24, Central Michigan 16

DEKALB, ILL.

Marcus Childers threw for three touchdowns, and a late interception by Northern Illinois preserved the Huskies’ win over Central Michigan in a Mid-American Conference opener. With CMU at the Huskies’ 15-yard line, Vinny Labus intercepted Tommy Lazzaro’s pass that bounced off the hands of Cameron Cole with 20 seconds left. Childers threw a 14-yard touchdown pass to Spencer Tears to put the Huskies (1-2) ahead 7-3 with 4:03 before halftime. Lazzaro finished with 128 yards passing and 55 rushing.

Virginia 45, Ohio 31

NASHVILLE, TENN.

Jordan Ellis rushed for three touchdowns as part of a 38-point first half for Virginia as the Cavaliers beat Ohio in a game played at Vanderbilt Stadium due to Hurricane Florence. Virginia scored three unanswered touchdowns, getting two scores from Ellis. Ohio’s defense forced a fumble by Perkins on a strip sack by Chukwudi Chukwu that teammate Eric Popp recovered at the Virginia 29-yard line.

Bowling Green 42, Eastern Kentucky 35

BOWLING GREEN

Jarret Doege threw four touchdown passes and Bowling Green beat Eastern Kentucky. Trailing 35-34 late in the fourth quarter, Deric Phouthavong made a diving, one-handed catch with one foot in-bounds for an 18-yard gain that led to Doege’s 7-yard scoring throw to Quintin Morris three plays later. Doege had 258 yards passing. Andrew Clair ran for 90 yards and a score. Daryl McCleskey ran for 168 yards and three touchdowns on 19 carries the Colonels (1-2).

Buffalo 35, Eastern Michigan 28

BUFFALO, N.Y.

Buffalo quarterback Tyree Jackson completed 21 of 26 passes for 325 yards and three scores. Buffalo never trailed, but Mike Glass’ 1-yard run cut the lead to 35-28 with 42 seconds remaining. Glass threw for 284 yards on 17 of 27 passing. Emmanuel Reed led the Bulls with 68 yards on 15 carries and Kevin Marks finished with 60 yards rushing and two scores on 14 attempts.

Western Michigan 68, Delaware State 0

KALAMAZOO, MICH.

Western Michigan blew out Delaware State to earn its first win of the season. Jon Wassink completed 23 of 30 passes for 286 yards and two touchdowns for the Broncos. Hornets quarterback Jack McDaniels was held to 3 of 9 passing for six yards. Levante Bellamy carried the ball seven times for 83 yards, including a 40-yard touchdown run in the first to put the Broncos up 7-0. Jamauri Bogan ran for two scores and Prince Walker ran for one.

Associated Press