UC fans rush the field in Cincinnati, Ohio (Photo by Cincinnati Athletics)
Cincinnati, Dayton, Miami, Toledo, and Ohio all win big in Week 8!
#7 Ohio State 6-1 (4-0 in the Big Ten)
Ohio State has a bye this week and will return to action on the road next week. They’ll be in SoCal visiting the USC Trojans.
Cincinnati 5-2 (2-2 in the Big 12)
UC got their biggest win of the Scott Satterfield Era with their 37-24 victory over previously unbeaten #4 Texas Tech. Bearcat quarterback JC French had four touchdown passes for Cincinnati, but it was the running game and the defense that really beat up Texas Tech. Tech only got their first offensive touchdown with less than two minutes to go in the game. No rest for the victorious as the Bearcats welcome another unbeaten team to the Queen City and Nippert Stadium next week. The Utah Utes will come to Cincinnati, Ohio.
Miami (Ohio) 5-3 (3-1 in the MAC)
The RedHawks would be propelled to victory over Central Michigan on the road behind a big game from Maleek Huggins. The Miami wide receiver had seven catches for 122 yards as Miami would score with 1:41 to go in the fourth quarter and take a 28-27 lead. The one-point lead would hold up for the win, and Miami would return to Oxford with a 3-1 record in the MAC. They’ll have Halloween off before November’s Mid-week MACtion begins on Tuesday, November 3rd at home in Ohio against Buffalo.
Ohio 6-2 (4-0 in the MAC)
Nick Poulos led Ohio to a 24-20 win over the Eastern Michigan Eagles. Poulos overcame a fumble to have a good game for the Bobcats. He was 19 of 29 for 266 yards and a touchdown. He also had 22 yards and another touchdown on the ground. It was special teams that put Ohio over the top against EMU. After the Eagles scored to take a 20-17 lead in the fourth quarter, Darren Jones-Hamilton would return the kickoff 100 yards for the deciding touchdown in the 24-20 win. Ohio has Halloween off before joining the rest of the conference in weeknight games in November. Their first is on November 3rd at Akron.
Bowling Green 2-6 (2-2 in the MAC)
BGSU had a rough game on the road at Buffalo. Bowling Green fell to Buffalo, 31-24, giving them their sixth loss of the season. There’s not much good to say about being 2-6. If we’re trying to see the glass half full for Bowling Green, their last four games have given them two wins and two losses. The losses were both decided by one possession. In their first four games, Eddie George’s Falcons averaged 8.3 points per game. In these previous four, they’ve averaged 29.3. So, BGSU has progressed on offense by three touchdowns. Bowling Green will be back in action this week on Saturday at Western Michigan.
Toledo 6-2 (3-1 in the MAC)
The Rockets got a big win in a MAC shootout against Western Michigan. It was a back-and-forth battle between the Broncos and the Rockets, but thanks to an explosive offense, Toledo would win. Quarterback John Alan Richter would have 391 passing yards and four total touchdowns as Toledo won 45-38. Up next for UT is a bye on Halloween, and then the beginning of November’s Mid-week MACtion at Sacramento State on Wednesday, November 4th.
Akron 1-7 (0-4 in the MAC)
Akron fell to Kent State to ensure a losing season for the Zips. It wasn’t the fault of Jordan Gant and Kyan Mason. Gant had 28 carries for 162 yards and two touchdowns. Mason would have seven catches for 122 yards. But, that was about all that went right for Akron today. Kent State’s offense would get online against Akron. Akron’s next game will be on Tuesday, November 3rd against Ohio at home.
Kent State 3-5 (2-2 in the MAC)
The Golden Flashes had their best offensive game of the season when they defeated Akron, 35-20. Quarterback Dru DeShields had 294 yards and four touchdowns passing. DeShields also added 28 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Receiver Wayne Harris had a big game for DeShields and Kent State, too. Harris had nine catches for 156 yards and three touchdowns. Kent State will head out west to play at Sacramento State on this Friday.
Dayton 6-1 (3-1 in the Pioneer League)
The Flyers defeated the Dons, 37-32, in a high-scoring game at home in Dayton. UD would be particularly helped by their star wide receiver Gavin Lochow. Special teams were great for the Flyers, too, as wide receiver LeRoy Lewis IV would return a touchdown 97 yards for a score. Quarterback Bryce Schondelmyer had a good game, too, going 26 of 38 for 259 yards and two touchdowns. More Lochow later. The Flyers are on the road next week at Stetson. Dayton should have no trouble with Stetson, who is 1-7 overall and 0-4 in the Pioneer League.
#4 Youngstown State 6-2 (4-1 in the Missouri Valley Conference)
YSU has the week off. They’ll return to play against North Dakota next week at home.
Bill Willis Award Player of the Week
Cole Tabb for UC had 16 carries for 173 yards a touchdown run and a touchdown reception. This season, Tabb has 65 carries for 621 yards and nine touchdowns. He also has 14 catches for 139 yards and two touchdowns in the receiving game.
Dayton’s Gavin Lochow was sensational for the Flyers, too. Lochow had 10 catches for 83 yards and two touchdowns, including the game winner below. He also had one carry for a 56-yard touchdown. Lochow has 48 catches for 354 yards and five touchdowns. He’s also a big threat in the rushing attack with 23 carries for 191 yards and four touchdowns.
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.
