MAC News and Notes: 9/18/12

Akron:
Now that is what football coach Terry Bowden had in mind for the University of Akron offense.
The historic performance won’t soon be forgotten by those who attended Saturday’s 66-6 drubbing of Morgan State.
The Zips tied or set eight school or conference records in the win, courtesy of a relentless offense that scored at will and could have had more were it not for two turnovers — a fumble and an interception — in the red zone.
http://www.ohio.com/news/top-stories/ua-football-correct-quarterback-propels-zips-offense-1.335430

Ball State:
Two days after his game winning kick, questions about Steven Schott still come flooding to coach Pete Lembo.
In his weekly teleconference through the Mid-American Conference, Lembo recapped the win over Indiana but said the focus is now on Big East opponent South Florida.
Saturday’s game against the Bulls is the return of a home-and-home series between the two schools. Last season’s game was a 37-7 loss for Ball State, and Lembo said his team faces another tough challenge this week.
“[South Florida] looks a whole lot like Clemson on film,” Lembo said. “They’re strong and fast, and pack a lot of punch.”
http://www.bsudailynews.com/football-ball-state-kicker-wins-award-team-ready-to-move-on-to-south-florida-1.2764718#.UFiZ8I1lR9s

Bowling Green:
BOWLING GREEN — The Bowling Green State University football team has suffered a limited number of injuries in its first three games this season.
But an injury Saturday in the Falcons' 27-15 loss at Toledo adds concern to one of the thinner positions on the team's roster.
Junior nose tackle Jairus Campbell suffered a foot injury in that contest and will not play Saturday when BG faces Virginia Tech.
"It's not good for us, because Jairus is having a great year," Falcons coach Dave Clawson said. "He's a great kid that's worked very hard and he's overcome injuries in the past.
http://www.toledoblade.com/BGSU/2012/09/18/Campbell-s-foot-injury-leaves-BG-thin-on-line.html

Buffalo:
When Lou Tepper watches Jake Stockman on the football field it makes him feel like he's in college again. Tepper, the University at Buffalo defensive coordinator, knows all about players like Stockman. He sat behind one at Rutgers and at first it drove him crazy.
"Honestly, he reminds me of a kid who played in front of me when I was a sophomore," Tepper said of Stockman. "And I couldn't understand it. I went to the coach and I said, 'Coach, I don't understand why I'm not playing ahead of him. I'm faster. I'm stronger. I know what I'm doing.'
"And he said, 'You're right, Tep. You're right on all those. The reason he's playing in front of you is he makes the other 10 guys better. You don't.'
"It was a great lesson."
http://www.buffalonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120916/SPORTS/120919213/1004

Central Michigan:
MOUNT PLEASANT - The Central Michigan football team held the Michigan State offense in check throughout much of the first quarter, but the Spartans pulled away beginning in the second period to claim a 41-7 over the Chippewas in front of a Kelly/Shorts Stadium-record 35,127 fans Saturday afternoon.
“I think that early in the game we had chances to keep the game closer,” CMU head coach Dan Enos said. “What they did is they capitalized on their opportunities and we were unable to do that.
“Obviously the game didn’t go the way we wanted, and obviously I think they are a very good football team.”
http://www.cmuchippewas.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=46371&SPID=4199&DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=205682029&DB_OEM_ID=10500

Eastern Michigan:
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- The Eastern Michigan University football team makes the short 70 mile trip to East Lansing, Mich. Saturday, Sept. 22, for a non-conference affair against Michigan State University. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. at Spartan Stadium.
The Eagles are 0-3 (0-1 Mid-American Conference) following a 54-16 loss on the road to Purdue University, Sept. 15. Meanwhile, the nationally-ranked Spartans (2-1, 0-0 Big Ten Conference)  are looking to rebound following a 20-3 setback at home to No. 20 Notre Dame.
The contest will be televised by the Big Ten Network with Matt Devlin providing the play-by-play, Glen Mason serving as the analyst and Rebecca Haarlow roaming the sidelines. WEMU (89.1 FM) will provide audio coverage of the game with Chad Bush and Herman Moore calling the action on the field.
http://www.emueagles.com/news/2012/9/17/FB_0917125724.aspx?path=football

Kent State:
Just like ordinary fans, Kent State’s football players spent much of their Saturday kicking back and watching football.
The Golden Flashes (1-1) were idle on Saturday, a rare occurrence for college football teams in mid-September, as they continued to prepare for Wednesday’s Mid-American Conference opener at Buffalo (1-1).
The midweek game forced some changes in scheduling throughout the week. After practicing Wednesday through Friday, head coach Darrell Hazell gave his Flashes Saturday off.
Junior safety Luke Wollet believes the Flashes are making the most of a strange situation while preparing to face the Bulls.
“This is my third year here and it’s our first Wednesday game, so it’s different. It’s something none of us have been through,” said Wollet following Friday’s practice, which was moved indoors due to rainy weather. “But it’s given us a couple extra days to prepare and get healthy, things that are pretty important.”
http://www.recordpub.com/news/sports_article/5216069?page=0

Massachusetts:
Despite a lopsided result in losing at national power Michigan, 63-13, new UMass coach Charley Molnar maintains a glass half-full approach as the Minutemen prepare to enter Mid-American Conference play this week when they visit Miami of Ohio.
“I think (the players) see good things coming down the road,” said the ever-optimistic Molnar. “They know we’ve made improvements. They’re better with their fundamentals. They’re better with their assignments. They’re better with all aspects.”
http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/college/football/view/20220917umass_molnar_accentuates_positives/srvc=sports&position=also

Miami OH:
BOISE, Idaho - A defensive effort led by senior linebacker Pat Hinkel kept Miami in the game through 30 minutes, but Boise State pulled away in the second half for a 39-12 victory Saturday in front of 34,178 fans at Bronco Stadium, the second largest crowd in BSU history.
The RedHawks (1-2) trailed just 15-9 at half thanks in part to Hinkel, who intercepted a Joe Southwick pass in the endzone midway through the first quarter and recovered a fumble that led to a 2-yard TD pass from Spencer Treadwell to Andy Cruse with 4:39 left in the second.
http://www.muredhawks.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=26100&ATCLID=205686311

Northern Ilinois:
Don’t let the numbers fool you.
Sure, in its one-point loss last week, Army ran for 486 yards against the Northern Illinois defense, but the Black Knights also attempted 86 rushing plays and asked quarterback Trent Steelman to throw just three times.
That’s often the result of the triple-option attack for which Army is known, and season after season the Knights’ run-first-and-run-often philosophy severely skews the defensive numbers of their opponents.
When Kansas University’s football team travels to DeKalb, Ill., Saturday for its Week 4 match-up with NIU, the Jayhawks will be playing one of the worst teams in college football against the run. But that’s on paper. Take away the Huskies’ Week 3 match-up with Army, and you’re looking at a team closer to the middle of the pack in rush defense.
http://www2.kusports.com/news/2012/sep/18/change-pace-after-army-niu-shifts-gears-ku/?football

Ohio:
ATHENS, Ohio - Junior quarterback Tyler Tettleton and senior kicker Matt Weller each received Mid-American Conference East Division Player of the Week honors on Monday after both played a key role in the Bobcats' come-from-behind win over Marshall this past Saturday.
Tettleton (Norman, Okla.) earned his fourth career MAC East Offensive Player of the Week honor after he went 20-of-35 through the air for 200 yards, completing passes to nine different receivers. He also passed for three touchdowns and did not throw an interception as he improved to 13-4 as a starter.
The Oklahoma native has now thrown three or more touchdowns in five games throughout his career. Dating back to last season, Tettleton has not thrown an interception in his last 129 attempts.
Weller picked up his seventh career MAC East Special Teams Player of the Week award after he connected on a pair of field goals, including the game winner from 38-yards out as Ohio improved to 3-0 on the year.
He was also a perfect 3-for-3 on extra points. On kickoffs, Weller averaged 59.8 yards per kick and posted a pair of touchbacks.
http://www.ohiobobcats.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/091712aaf.html

Toledo:
His mind wandering on a day off from practice, Cheatham Norrils was thinking about speed.
Specifically on how the pace of a football game has intensified at every level he has played at — elementary to junior high, junior high to high school, high school to college.
"Everything is faster," Norrils said. "You have to adjust quick."
After a frenetic pace engulfed the University of Toledo secondary in the first two weeks of the season, a group headlined Saturday by Norrils experienced a measure of calmness in a win over Bowling Green. Norrils, a sophomore from St. John's Jesuit, produced the best game of his fledgling career, intercepting a pass and posting a personal-best seven tackles. He claimed Monday he could have played better — "there's always room to improve" — although no shortcomings of his were apparent in a 27-15 rivalry win. In a performance that brought him the honor of Mid-American Conference West division defensive player of the week, Norrils broke up a would-be first-down catch and made a stop on third down in the flat.
http://www.toledoblade.com/UT/2012/09/18/UT-defense-leaning-on-Norrils.html

Western Michigan:
KALAMAZOO – The injury list grew a little bigger for Western Michigan University after a 28-23 defeat at Minnesota on Saturday.
WMU coach Bill Cubit said wide receiver Justin Collins suffered a hamstring injury, tight end Matt Cutler suffered a stinger and safety/linebacker Trevor Ishmael suffered a shoulder injury.
Cubit did not rule those three players out for Saturday’s home game against Connecticut, but he did rule out defensive end Chris Prom, who went down against Illinois with a knee injury, and receiver Eric Monette, who suffered an ankle injury against Eastern Illinois.
http://www.mlive.com/broncos/index.ssf/2012/09/wmu_football_players_justin_co.html