Around the MAC

The Mid-American Conference football schedule kicked it into high gear last week with six conference games on the schedule. No. 16 Northern Illinois survived a scare from Ohio, Bowling Green rolled over Western Michigan, and Miami, Ball State and Western Michigan all came out victorious.

Ohio Stands Up to Huskies

The Bobcats gave Northern Illinois all they could handle, but it wasn't meant to be. The Huskies didn't quite leave the field with their tails between their legs but the game may have left them wondering. The lesson learned is that even a one-win football team can go toe-to-toe with the heavyweights and put together a fighting chance.

"Right now, I think we have a bit of a target on our backs, no question. We have to understand that," stated Northern Illinois head coach Joe Novak in a press release.

It took overtime for Northern Illinois to defeat Ohio 30-23.

The Huskies lost their top receiver, Dan Sheldon early in the game. He is likely done for the year with a dislocated elbow. Replacement P.J. Fleck stepped in to lead Northern Illinois with an enormous 14 catches for 234 receiving yards and the game-tying touchdown pass from quarterback Josh Haldi with less than two minutes remaining. Haldi ran for the winning score in overtime.

"I can't say enough about this guy sitting right here," Novak stated referring to Fleck in a press release. "I think Josh and P.J. ... were drawing some of those plays up in the sand."

Haldi completed 26 of his 46 attempts for 310 yards with one touchdown rushing and two passing.

Northern Illinois took a 16-13 lead early in the second half when Haldi found Fleck along the sideline for a 42-yard gain to the six. The Huskies scored on the next play when Haldi faked a throw to his left and hit tight end Brad Cieslak for a touchdown.

Northern Illinois kicker Steve Azar chipped in with field goals of 38, 47 and 29 yards in the victory.

Bowling Green Rolls Past Central Michigan

P.J. Pope rushed for 88 yards and scored on a pair of one-yard touchdowns to lead the Falcons to the their first conference victory of the season, 23-3.

Shaun Suisham kicked three field goals to help Bowling Green pull away. The Falcons drove 69 yards capped off by Pope's score to lead off the game.

A Suisham field goal of 28-yards made it 10-0 just before half.

Central Michigan countered with a 12-play, 53-yard drive ending in Chippewa kicker Mike Gruzwalski's 33-yard field goal. Gruzwalski missed kicks from 32 and 23 yards. Suisham missed two attempts also, but converted two kicks.

Pope finished the day with six catches for 48 yards with teammate Cole Magner adding 66 yards on his six catches.

Around the MAC

Miami (Ohio) continued to look good as they handed the Akron Zips a 45-20 defeat. Ben Roethlisberger lead the way for the RedHawks with two touchdown passes and 369 yards. Receivers Ryan Busing and Martin Nance each went over 100 yards. Quarterback Talmadge Hillas had two touchdown passes and kicker Brian Jackson kicked two field goals as Ball State dropped Kent State 34-17. Western Michigan defeated Eastern Michigan 31-3. Quarterback Chad Munson passed for 282 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Broncos to the victory.