Around the MAC: Toledo upsets No. 21 Cincinnati

The Mid-American Conference had its seventh win over a Bowl Championship Series team Saturday night when Toledo upset No. 21 Cincinnati. The Rockets have won seven-straight games since losing to Arizona in overtime the first week of the season.

Ohio stayed undefeated by default, enjoying a bye week. There were only four conference games this week, with three teams playing non-conference opponents. The MAC went 2-1 in those games, with EMU beating Army.

Bowling Green 24, Massachusetts 0

The Falcons defense dominated Massachusetts with four interceptions, limiting them to 118 total yards and 33 passing yards on 34 attempts. UMass was 1-for-16 on third downs, and one of its interceptions was taken back by BGSU for a touchdown.

Northern Illinois 37, Akron 7

Junior quarterback Jordan Lynch had more than 350 total yards in the NIU landslide victory. He has rushed for more than 100 yards and thrown for more than 200 yards in five games this year. Akron hasn’t won a conference matchup since 2010 against Buffalo.

Eastern Michigan 48, Army 38

Army brought in the nation’s top-rushing offense, but EMU’s Tyler Benz threw for five touchdowns to hold off the Black Knights. EMU sophomore running back Bronson Hill carried the Eagles offense with 185 yards and a touchdown. He also caught three passes for 67 yards and a touchdown.

Toledo 29, No. 21 Cincinnati 23

In another MAC win over a Bowl Championship Series school this season, Toledo knocked off the Big East’s Cincinnati. The Rockets used an interception returned for a touchdown and a 91-yard kick return to the end zone to build their lead. Toledo rushed for 229 yards — 161 coming from junior running back David Fluellen.

Pittsburgh 20, Buffalo 6

The Big East won its other game against the MAC this week in windy, rainy conditions in Buffalo. The Bulls outgained Pittsburgh in total offense but couldn’t convert the yardage into points, and the Panthers ended a two-game skid. A Pittsburgh interception at the end of the first quarter led to its first touchdown, stretching the Panther lead to 13-0 at the beginning of the second quarter.

Kent State 41, Western Michigan 24

Kent State outscored the Broncos 24-0 in the last 16 minutes of the game to come back and beat WMU. The Broncos fell to 1-3 in the MAC – its only win coming to winless UMass. WMU plays MAC undefeated NIU next week before coming to Mount Pleasant Nov. 3. WMU quarterback Tyler Van Tubbergen threw for 333 yards and a touchdown but also three interceptions.