The final Mid-American Conference teams got their first taste of conference play, and two MAC West schools picked up wins against East Division teams.
Toledo 36, Temple 13
One week after the Rockets were robbed of a road victory against Syracuse, they made sure to take care of business in Philadelphia against the Temple Owls.
Toledo also has lost games against then-No. 15 Ohio State and No. 4 Boise State.
“I think we’ve learned in those three defeats that we had prior to the Temple game that we can be a good football team if we take care of what we can take care of,” said Toledo coach Tim Beckman.
The Owls suffered a huge blow when Toledo wide receiver Eric Page connected with Dwight Macon on a pass play to give the Rockets a 22-13 lead.
Temple fumbled twice and threw a pair of interceptions.
This week, Temple players will endure a rough week of practice in preparation for the Ball State Cardinals. Addazio is hoping to create an angrier and hungrier team come Saturday.
“There aren’t going to be any ‘Kumbayas’ this week, I can tell you that much right now,” said coach Steve Addazio.
Eastern Michigan 31, Akron 23
Despite taking 28 carries for 164 rushing yards and three touchdowns, Eastern Michigan running back Dominique White was not the game changer in the Eagles’ victory — that label belonged to Mother Nature.
On a windy day in Rynearson Stadium, both teams had trouble kicking the ball, and they recorded 110 more rushing yards than passing yards. Eagles quarterback Alex Gillett was not immune to the weather conditions and was limited to 94 passing yards.
Looking beyond the loss, Akron coach Rob Ianello was happy with his team’s shutdown pass defense.
“I was really proud of how we competed, and I was really proud of how we played,” he said.
The Eagles lead the MAC in rushing offense, but coach Ron English has defense on the mind with a game against Toledo approaching.
“When you play an offense like Toledo’s, you can’t be discouraged by them moving the ball. They’re going to do it,” he said.
Next week, Akron will host Florida International, a team Ianello said was expected to win the Sun Belt Conference.
Central Michigan 48, Northern Illinois 41
It was a wild fourth quarter finish between the Huskies and the Chippewas. Twice the Huskies recovered an onside kick, but the effort was not enough. Central Michigan maintained the lead throughout the game and registered double digits in three of the four quarters.
Chippewas coach Dan Enos said the key for his team was its ability to convert on third down and execute big plays. One came from freshman wide receiver Courtney Williams, who caught his only pass for a 79-yard touchdown.
Northern Illinois coach Bill Cubit hopes the Huskies can get back on the winning track next Saturday against Kent State.
“We practice in our stadium every day, so it’s very familiar for our guys,” he said. “(Home field) does give you quite an advantage. You’re not on a bus for seven hours and staying in an unfamiliar place.”
mm938910@ohiou.edu
