Sorsby led UC to a win over ISU in Cincinnati, Ohio (Photo by UC Athletics)
Ohio’s power conference teams are red hot offensively. The Buckeyes won by 39, and the Bearcats put up 38 in their upset of a previously undefeated and highly ranked team. There was plenty of MACtion around Ohio this week, too!
#1 Ohio State 5-0 (2-0 in the Big Ten)
The #1 Buckeyes are the only team ranked in the preseason top four to not crash and burn yet this season. Their defense was dominant again, and their offense was high-powered. Ohio State did allow a score in the first quarter for the first time in the 2025 season. They responded with 42 unanswered points and gave Minnesota a 42-3 beatdown behind Julian Sayin, Carnell Tate, and Jeremiah Smith.
#25 Cincinnati 4-1 (2-0 in the Big 12)
The Bearcats did it! UC upset undefeated and #5 ranked Iowa State! The Cats jumped out to a huge 31-7 lead early. Iowa State would cut it to 31-15 at halftime, and 31-22 going into the fourth quarter. Brendan Sorsby had 214 passing yards and two touchdowns, with 64 rushing yards and another touchdown. Running back Evan Pryor had 10 carries for 111 yards and two touchdowns. Cincinnati will welcome Central Florida to Ohio next week.
Miami (Ohio) 2-3 (1-0 in the MAC)
The RedHawks got MAC play off to a good start with a win over Northern Illinois. NIU led 14-0 after the first quarter, but it was all Miami after that; they’d scored 25 unanswered points. They did so behind a tough effort from quarterback Dequan Finn. Finn was 14 of 26 for 170 yards and a touchdown passing the ball. Finn was also the RedHawks leading rusher, gaining 90 of the team’s 197 rushing yards on 21 carries. Miami won 25-14 and will play at Akron next week.
Ohio 3-3 (1-1 in the MAC)
The Bobcats squandered a 14-0 halftime lead over Ball State. BSU would outscore Ohio 20-0 in the second half, beating the Bobcats for the first time since 2012. A deciding factor in a close game like this was the Bobcats giving Ball State 90 yards on eight penalties. Ohio will have next week off before hosting Northern Illinois.
Bowling Green 2-3 (0-1 in the MAC)
Eddie George and the Falcons had a bye this week as they prepare for their first rivalry game in this new era of BGSU football. The Falcons will play Toledo next week in the Battle of I-75. Bowling Green will have the advantage of the game being played in their stadium.
Toledo 3-2 (1-1 in the MAC)
The schedulers at Toledo, Bowling Green, and in the MAC want this to be a good game. That has to be partly why both of these teams have a week off before they play each other in one of the conference’s biggest rivalry games.
Akron 2-4 (1-1 in the MAC)
The Zips got their first FBS and MAC win of the season with their 28-22 victory over Central Michigan. Akron did it behind a great offensive day from quarterback Ben Finley, running back Jordan Gant, and wide receiver Kyan Mason. Finley was 18 of 29 for 252 yards and three passing touchdowns. Jordan Gant had 32 carries for 176 yards rushing and had three receptions for 28 yards and a touchdown, eclipsing 200 total yards. Mason had five catches for 125 yards and a touchdown. The Zips had their best game of the year and will try to build on it when they host the Miami (OH) RedHawks next week.
Kent State 1-4 (0-1 in the MAC)
There’s not much good to say about getting rocked 44-0 by Oklahoma and their backup quarterback for your fourth straight loss of the season. Fortunately, the non-conference schedule is over, and the Golden Flashes will try to get their first conference win against UMass next week.
Dayton 4-1 (2-0 in the Pioneer League)
The Flyers let a 28-0 halftime lead evaporate by the end of the third quarter. Going into the final quarter, it looked like Dayton was going to blow a four-touchdown lead. However, the Flyers’ defense finally buckled down, holding Morehead State scoreless in the fourth quarter, and allowed UD to take a 35-28 lead for the win. Dayton will try to win their second road game in a row when it plays at Valparaiso next week.
Youngstown State 3-2 (0-1 in the Missouri Valley Conference)
The Penguins welcomed #2 South Dakota State to Stambaugh Stadium Saturday night. The #24 Youngstown State team was ready to compete against the Jackrabbits. Star quarterback Beau Brungard had a big game. He was 29 of 44 for 275 yards and three passing touchdowns. He also had 22 carries for 130 yards and a touchdown rushing the ball. Alas, it wasn’t enough as the YSU defense had no answer for SDSU’s rushing attack led by Julius Loughridge. He would finish the game with 25 carries for 176 yards and four touchdowns, and SDSU would win 35-30. Next week, the Penguins play at North Dakota.
Bill Willis Award Player of the Week
I had it down to YSU’s Beau Brungard, Ohio State’s Carnell Tate, and Cincinnati’s Brendan Sorsby. I went with Sorsby because this was probably the biggest win the Bearcats have had since 2021, when they made the College Football Playoff. Sorsby had 214 passing yards and two touchdowns, with 64 rushing yards and another touchdown. He led UC to a 38-30 victory over then #5 Iowa State, giving the Cyclones their first loss of 2025.
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.
