Cincinnati gets the Victory Bell over Miami of Ohio (Photo by UC Athletics)
Dayton, Toledo, Ohio State, and Cincinnati have awesome games!
Ohio State 2-1 (0-0 in the Big Ten)
OSU did what they were supposed to this week and pummeled a MAC team to try and get back on track. They still had some of the problems that reared their ugly heads at Texas. Their offensive line struggles, and their defense struggles to rush the passer. But it’s tough to be too critical of a game they won 59-3. There’s no more time for tune-ups, though; Big Ten play starts with Illinois next week in Columbus.
Cincinnati 3-0 (0-0 in the Big 12)
It looked like UC would eat an upset and warm up Scott Satterfield’s seat when they trailed 28-7 at halftime against rival Miami of Ohio. Quarterback JC French IV and Cole Tabb led the comeback for the Bearcats. Tabb had six carries for 78 yards with two rushing touchdowns and had four catches for 43 yards and a touchdown as UC stays undefeated! The Bearcats open up Big 12 play at home at Nippert Stadium against the 3-0 Kansas State Wildcats this week.
Miami (Ohio) 1-2 (0-0 in the MAC)
Miami was feeling Ohio State’s pain from last week. After taking the first half decisively, it looked like Miami would make the Battle for the Victory Bell draw even at 61-61-7. Their 28-7, three-touchdown lead (all of Ohio just shuddered) in the second half should have been enough to pull off the upset and get home with a big win. But it wasn’t meant to be. Very much like their Buckeye brethren, the RedHawks were outscored 28-3 in the second half and snatched a heartbreaking defeat from the jaws of victory. Also like OSU, Miami should bounce back and be strong in their contention for their conference championship.
Ohio 1-2 (0-0 in the MAC)
Ohio found themselves in a deep early hole against South Alabama. They’d battle back a few times, but it would just continue to be too much on the road in Mobile. Ohio would fall, 41-36. They’ll wrap up non-conference play this week at home against Stonehill. They’ll then begin MAC play against Kent State up in northeast Ohio.
Bowling Green 0-3 (0-0 in the MAC)
The horrific start to the season continued in Ames, Iowa, for Bowling Green. After an early 7-7 tie in the first quarter, everything went to pot for BGSU. That was all she wrote for the Falcons. They’d only gain 186 total yards and would be outscored 48-0 after the early first-quarter tie. Eddie George and his squad will be back at home to host another former Buckeye, Brian Hartline, and South Florida this Saturday.
Toledo 2-1 (0-0 in the MAC)
UT had quite the barn burner against Temple. The Owls had an early 10-7 lead over Toledo and just kept staying one step ahead of the Rockets and would respond to every threat from UT. Temple would answer every Toledo score with one of their own, building a 42-28 lead late in the fourth quarter. But Toledo refused to quit. They cut the lead to 42-35 with 1:04 left in the game and then made a rare onside kick recovery. Toledo scored on two plays in nine seconds to tie the game. The Rockets forced overtime, got the ball first, and scored to take a 49-42 lead.
That’s when Temple panicked a little. The Owls managed to score a touchdown and, instead of continuing to play a full game, decided they’d put it all on one play. They went for the two-point conversion and the win, failed, and ensured their defeat. Toledo, behind quarterback John Alan Richter, completed the comeback and won 49-48 in overtime. The Rockets have another big Group of Six game in the Glass Bowl this week against San Diego State.
Akron 1-2 (0-0 in the MAC)
There wasn’t much positive for Akron in their 41-7 loss at Minnesota. The best thing that happened for the Zips may have been something that didn’t happen. That being that they threw 39 passes against Minnesota but didn’t throw any interceptions. When beaten by 34 you have to take whatever small victories you can get. Next, they’ll have a big non-conference game as Joe Moorehead and the Zips take on Dan Mullen and UNLV this Saturday.
Kent State 1-2 (0-0 in the MAC)
There’s not much you can do when you’re Kent State and playing the Buckeyes in Columbus; you just hope to get some good reps in and get out healthy with your payday. The Golden Flashes did just that. Now they’ll have to face the other MAC team mauled by Ohio State this year, Ball State. The good news is the Cardinals are coming to northeast Ohio to play at Dix Stadium.
Dayton 3-0 (0-0 in the Pioneer League)
The Flyboys are off to a fantastic start to the 2026 season! They went on the road on Saturday to battle Eastern Kentucky of the United Athletic Conference. It was gritty and close at the end, but Dayton hung on to the 17-14 lead for their third win of the season. 110 yards and a touchdown on the ground by Luke Hansen and eight catches for 87 yards and the touchdown reception below by Michael Mussari helped the Flyers earn an important win!
Youngstown State 2-2 (0-1 in the Missouri Valley Conference)
It was a big road trip for YSU and a top-ten matchup against South Dakota State. It was a chance to make a statement for the Penguins, but it didn’t pan out. SDSU held Youngstown State to only 57 rushing yards and defeated YSU 27-20. They’ll play their second straight game against a team from South Dakota, but this time at home in Ohio. They’ll host South Dakota, who gave Boise State all they could handle on Saturday night.
Bill Willis Award Players of the Week
John Alan Richter of Toledo and JC French IV of Cincinnati are the players of the week. Richter was 36 of 51 for 429 yards and four touchdowns passing the ball in Toledo’s 49-48 overtime comeback victory over Temple. JC French IV was 31 of 43 for 309 yards with two touchdowns, and 39 rushing yards and another touchdown in UC’s 35-31 victory over Miami.
Writer’s Note: The FBS rankings are from The College Football Power Rankings at TheForkball.com. The FCS rankings are from the FCS STATS Poll.
