11-03-2005, 12:31 PM
Wins becoming tougher for competitors in conference
By Kyle Nagel
Dayton Daily News
<a href='http://www.daytondailynews.com/sports/content/sports/daily/1103macnotes.html' target='_blank'>http://www.daytondailynews.com/sports/cont...03macnotes.html</a>
The Central Michigan University football team hadn't won against Toledo in 10 tries entering Saturday's game against the Rockets. And victory No. 1 didn't come easy.
The Chippewas watched a potential touchdown pass to Toledo's Nick Moore bounce off his fingertips in the back of the end zone on the game's last play to win 21-17 and tie Toledo for the lead in the Mid-American Conference's West Division at 4-1. It was just one of several upsets in the MAC on Saturday, one of the most eventful days in the conference in recent memory.
"We can't look ahead, we can't even look past Tuesday's practice," said Central Michigan's coach Brian Kelly. "We are so close to being the bottom team in this league, that's how close it is. That's the parity that's on this side. It's a lot easier as a football coach to keep your guys focused."
Also on Saturday, Akron entered Bowling Green's Doyt Perry Stadium and topped the East Division-leading Falcons 24-14. It was BG's second straight loss playing without star quarterback Omar Jacobs, who separated his non-throwing shoulder in the first quarter against Western Michigan on Oct. 22.
"You hopes it means a lot," said Akron coach J.D. Brookhart. "We've been inconsistent, we've been immature, but hopefully we're back on track like we need to be. They're very resilient, they're 19-year-old kids and they get over things pretty quick."
And although it didn't affect first place in either division, Ball State's 31-17 win against Northern Illinois might have been the most surprising of all. It was just BSU's second win of the season, as the Cardinals held NIU to its first scoreless opening half since 2002.
"I think it was a game that our kids went out and played hard and played tough to win," said Ball State coach Brady Hoke. "It means an awful lot. We were getting kind of tired of losing, and we thought we really embarrassed ourselves (the week before) against Ohio U, especially with our effort. So that makes this win all the more important."
East is a beast
Four teams — Miami, Akron, Bowling Green and Ohio — enter this weekend tied for first in the MAC's East Division, at 3-2 in the conference. The other two teams in the division, Kent State and Buffalo, are both 0-5.
"Well, we're tied with about everybody else it seems like," Ohio coach Frank Solich said. "We feel good about the fact that we are tied for first, that's obviously where everybody wants to be, at the top. But, there's no sense jumping up and down, we're going to move on to the next game."
Quick hits
• Toledo quarterback Bruce Gradkowski threw for 262 yards against Central Michigan to become the MAC's ninth player to reach 8,000 passing yards (8,225).
• Ohio defensive back Dion Byrum intercepted his fifth pass of the season on Saturday, tying him for most nationally.
• Buffalo (0-8, 0-5) has lost nine straight games stretching back to last season.
By Kyle Nagel
Dayton Daily News
<a href='http://www.daytondailynews.com/sports/content/sports/daily/1103macnotes.html' target='_blank'>http://www.daytondailynews.com/sports/cont...03macnotes.html</a>
The Central Michigan University football team hadn't won against Toledo in 10 tries entering Saturday's game against the Rockets. And victory No. 1 didn't come easy.
The Chippewas watched a potential touchdown pass to Toledo's Nick Moore bounce off his fingertips in the back of the end zone on the game's last play to win 21-17 and tie Toledo for the lead in the Mid-American Conference's West Division at 4-1. It was just one of several upsets in the MAC on Saturday, one of the most eventful days in the conference in recent memory.
"We can't look ahead, we can't even look past Tuesday's practice," said Central Michigan's coach Brian Kelly. "We are so close to being the bottom team in this league, that's how close it is. That's the parity that's on this side. It's a lot easier as a football coach to keep your guys focused."
Also on Saturday, Akron entered Bowling Green's Doyt Perry Stadium and topped the East Division-leading Falcons 24-14. It was BG's second straight loss playing without star quarterback Omar Jacobs, who separated his non-throwing shoulder in the first quarter against Western Michigan on Oct. 22.
"You hopes it means a lot," said Akron coach J.D. Brookhart. "We've been inconsistent, we've been immature, but hopefully we're back on track like we need to be. They're very resilient, they're 19-year-old kids and they get over things pretty quick."
And although it didn't affect first place in either division, Ball State's 31-17 win against Northern Illinois might have been the most surprising of all. It was just BSU's second win of the season, as the Cardinals held NIU to its first scoreless opening half since 2002.
"I think it was a game that our kids went out and played hard and played tough to win," said Ball State coach Brady Hoke. "It means an awful lot. We were getting kind of tired of losing, and we thought we really embarrassed ourselves (the week before) against Ohio U, especially with our effort. So that makes this win all the more important."
East is a beast
Four teams — Miami, Akron, Bowling Green and Ohio — enter this weekend tied for first in the MAC's East Division, at 3-2 in the conference. The other two teams in the division, Kent State and Buffalo, are both 0-5.
"Well, we're tied with about everybody else it seems like," Ohio coach Frank Solich said. "We feel good about the fact that we are tied for first, that's obviously where everybody wants to be, at the top. But, there's no sense jumping up and down, we're going to move on to the next game."
Quick hits
• Toledo quarterback Bruce Gradkowski threw for 262 yards against Central Michigan to become the MAC's ninth player to reach 8,000 passing yards (8,225).
• Ohio defensive back Dion Byrum intercepted his fifth pass of the season on Saturday, tying him for most nationally.
• Buffalo (0-8, 0-5) has lost nine straight games stretching back to last season.