School and conference records were broken during an exciting fourth week of Mid-American Conference football.
The Temple Owls swooped into College Park, Md. with ample opportunities to beat the Maryland Terrapins. Before Saturday, Temple had never defeated an Atlantic Coast Conference team. But that did not deter coach Steve Addazio.
“We’re kind of a lunch-pail team,” he said. “We’re going to come every day, pack our lunch and get ready to work.”
Led by junior running back Bernard Pierce, the Owls (3-1) dismantled their ACC foe, 38-7. Pierce rushed for 149 yards and tied the MAC single-game record for touchdowns with five.
Northern Illinois (2-2) fans witnessed history Saturday as quarterback Chandler Harnish picked apart Cal Poly’s defense on the way to a 47-30 Huskie victory. Northern Illinois jumped off to a quick 34-7 lead, scoring on all six of their first half possessions.
Harnish passed for 187 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 118 yards and two more scores. His four-touchdown performance brought his touchdown total to 67, breaking Northern Illinois’ previous record of 65, which was set by College Football Hall of Famer George Bork.
Ball State improved its record to 3-1 with a 48-21 win against Army. Coach Pete Lembo attributed much of his team’s success to his players’ mentality on the practice field.
“You have to practice. You have to practice hard. You have to compete in practice,” he said.
The Cardinal defense did not allow Army any passing yards. The Black Knights went 0-for-4 with one interception. But the Black Knights found much success moving the ball on the ground, as they rushed for 402 yards. Cardinal quarterback Keith Wenning went 24-for-30 with 324 yards and three touchdowns, before being replaced in the third quarter.
Unlike most games, the decision between Toledo (1-3) and Syracuse was not settled when the game ended. The teams traded the lead throughout the game until the Orange scored the go-ahead touchdown with nearly two minutes remaining. Syracuse kicker Ross Krautman booted the extra point attempt, which appeared to slide just inside the left upright, though referees were not certain. Upon review, Toledo fans and referees raised their hands to the sky, but for differing reasons. Krautman’s kick missed wide, but even video replay did not correct the on-field ruling.
The Rockets, fueled by the injustice, drove down the field with two minutes left and tied the game with a field goal. In overtime, Syracuse made a clutch interception and then kicked a field goal for the win.
Toledo athletic director Mike O’ Brien contacted the MAC commissioner about a possible reverse of the game’s controversial outcome. Big East officials admitted their referees missed the call but had not changed the score as of Monday afternoon.
According to NCAA rules, the outcome of a game cannot be changed after it has been ruled officially completed.
Bowling Green beat Miami in Oxford 37-23. It was the third straight loss for last year’s MAC champions.
mm938910@ohiou.edu
