MAC attack: Ohio, Miami post big conference wins

10/7/2018
BY BRIAN BUCKEY
BLADE SPORTS WRITER

With a full slate of Mid-American Conference games on the schedule Saturday, there was plenty of intrigue within the conference. Here are three takeaways from Saturday’s action: 

1. Ohio escapes in conference opener: The Bobcats struggled at Kent State, but the preseason MAC favorites outscored the Golden Flashes 13-3 in the final quarter to come away with a 27-26 road win. Bobcats quarterback Nathan Rourke scored on an 8-yard run with 1 minute, 28 seconds left in the game to send Ohio home with its first conference win.

2. Miami gets statement win: The RedHawks crushed Akron in a 41-17 on the road to improve to 2-1 in the league. Akron, the East Division champ last season, fell to 0-1. Miami quarterback Gus Ragland threw for 214 yards and a touchdown, and the Redhawks intercepted Akron quarterback Kato Nelson three times.

3. Western edges Eastern: The Broncos held serve at home for their second league win of the season. LeVante Bellamy, Jamauri Bogan, and Jon Wassink had rushing touchdowns, and Wassink passed for 235 yards and a score. Eastern Michigan suffered another close loss and is 0-3, while Western (2-0) keeps the pressure on Nothern Illinois (3-0) in the West.