Editor’s note: Some teams listed are ranked in the AP Top-25. The rankings are not reflective as they had not been updated before press time.
The opening weekend of the season proved mostly solid for the Mid-American Conference. Collectively, the MAC posted a 7-5 record at the end of Week 1. A few teams had opportunities to knock off Power 5 schools, but ultimately didn’t finish the game.
For the remainder of the nonconference schedule, The Post will break down the rest of the conference’s weekly output by division.
Here are the rankings for week one:
East Division
1. Ohio (1-0, 0-0 MAC)
In its season opener, Ohio defeated Rhode Island 41-20 behind quarterback Nathan Rourke’s efficient day.
The senior went 16-for-22 and totaled 188 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran for 75 yards on 10 carries and a touchdown. Junior running back De’Montre Tuggle had a solid debut for Ohio with three carries for 65 yards and two touchdowns, one of which was 55-yard touchdown.
Ohio’s defense struggled with penalties in the first half, but it still deserves credit for the win. Head coach Frank Solich said in his press conference Monday that Rhode Island was a much better team than people gave them credit for, and it showed. The Rams were able to string together solid drives — they just didn’t finish them.
2. Buffalo (1-0, 0-0 MAC)
The Bulls started off their 2019 season at home and defeated FCS school Robert Morris 38-10.
Buffalo had key departures this offseason, most noticeably at quarterback in Tyree Jackson. Jackson was last season’s MAC MVP and offensive player of the year due in part to his 3,131 passing yards, 28 passing touchdowns. In place of Jackson was redshirt freshman Matt Myers. Myers went 5-for-10 and accrued 69 yards and two touchdowns in his first collegiate start.
3. Miami (0-1, 0-0 MAC)
Even though Miami lost its season opener, it deserves the No. 3 spot for a few reasons.
The RedHawks lost 38-14 on the road to No. 20 Iowa. They were only down by 10-7 at halftime, and they will likely only become better as the season progresses.
Miami will play against another Big Ten school in its nonconference schedule when it travels to No. 5 Ohio State on Sept. 21.
True freshman Brett Gabbert started at quarterback for Miami and went 17-of-27 for 186 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. Gabbert is the first true freshman to start at quarterback for Miami and could be a bigger threat once conference play begins.
4. Bowling Green (1-0, 0-0 MAC)
First-year head coach Scot Loeffer started his Bowling Green tenure with ease. The Falcons defeated FCS school Morgan State 46-3.
Loeffer’s experience at Boston College flourished in week one. Transfer quarterback Darius Wade went 22-for-32 for 253 yards and three touchdowns in his Bowling Green debut. In total, the offense put up 620 yards – last season, Bowling Green averaged 355.2 yards per game.
5. Kent State (0-1, 0-0 MAC)
Kent’s journey out west to Arizona State didn’t go exactly as it would have like. The Golden Flashes lost 30-7 to the Sun Devils.
The score isn’t entirely reflective of the game played. Kent State only allowed three touchdowns and forced five punts. It also sacked Arizona State quarterback Jayden Daniels five times.
The Golden Flashes’ nonconference schedule after the Sun Devils consists of more Power 5 schools as they will play at No. 16 Auburn and No. 19 Wisconsin.
6. Akron (0-1, 0-0 MAC)
The Zips lone bright spot in their 42-3 loss at Illinois occurred in the first quarter when kicker Jerry Fitschen made a 42-yard field goal.
From there, Akron had trouble both stopping and advancing on the Fighting Illini as they held the Zips to just 192 total yards. Illinois totaled 401 total yards.
Akron quarterback Kato Nelson threw an interception and was sacked five times.
West Division
1. Ball State (0-1, 0-0 MAC)
The Cardinals played in a back-and-forth game against in-state rival Indiana for most of Week 1. The Hoosiers won behind 11 fourth quarter points in Lucas Oil Stadium in a tight 34-24 final.
Ball State quarterback Drew Plitt completed over 60% of his passes for 298 yards and two touchdowns.
A 10-point loss to a Power 5 school isn’t bad, and with one more on the schedule – a road trip to North Carolina State on Sept. 21 – the Cardinals have opportunities to head into the MAC season strong.
2. Toledo (0-1, 0-0 MAC)
Much like the No. 1 team in The Post’s power rankings, Toledo had an opportunity to knock off a Power 5 team.
The Rockets lost 38-24 to Kentucky in a game where they were mostly one or two possessions behind the Wildcats.
Dual-threat quarterback Mitchell Guadagni accounted for 195 of Toledo’s 347 total yards.
3. Western Michigan (1-0, 0-0 MAC)
If the Broncos can replicate performances such as the one they had Saturday, they have as good of a shot as anyone in the MAC West to make it to Detroit for the MAC Championship.
In its 48-13 win over FCS school Monmouth, Western Michigan quarterback Jon Wassink went 20-for-25, 368 yards and five touchdowns in his first game back after missing the last three games of the season a year ago.
4. Central Michigan (1-0, 0-0 MAC)
Jim McElwain started off his Chippewas head coaching career with a 38-21 victory over FCS school Albany to start the 2019 year.
Running back Jonathan Ward had a solid week one performance for Central Michigan. The senior running back had 158 yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries.
McElwain passed his first test, but faces a much tougher one as his team will travel to No. 19 Wisconsin on Saturday.
5. Northern Illinois (1-0, 0-0 MAC)
First-year head coach Thomas Hammock returned to his alma mater this past offseason looking to pick up where Rod Carey left on, and so far, the Huskies are OK.
In its 24-10 win over Illinois State, Northern Illinois wasn’t overly flashy. It failed to reach 100 rushing yards, but quarterback Ross Bowers was impressive and went 20-for-33 for 299 yards and two touchdowns.
6. Eastern Michigan (1-0, 0-0 MAC)
For a program that’s faced difficult seasons over the last couple of years, Eastern Michigan started off solid in a 30-23 win at Coastal Carolina.
The Eagles overcame a 13-7 halftime deficit and outscored Coastal Carolina 23-10 in the second half behind Mike Glass’ two touchdown passes. Eastern Michigan is on the road again this week as it takes on Kentucky this Saturday, and then Illinois on Sept. 14.
