A wild finish in Ypsilanti as the Eagles (2-3, 0-2 MAC) had a chance to knock off Northern Illinois (2-3, 2-0) for the first time since 2007, but missed two key field goals and watched the Huskies score a touchdown in the third overtime to win yet again.
EMU took advantage of a Marcus Childers interception to start as the got a field goal and then on their next drive ended in a Tyler Wiegers 34-yard touchdown to Line Latu.
Then it was the Huskies turn as they got a field goal to wrap up the first and benefited from an Eagles' turnover to set up a Marcus Jones 2-yard touchdown. NIU capped the scoring in the first half with a field goal as time expired to take a 13-10 lead.
The punters were very active in the second half as EMU had the only two scoring opportunities. After being limited to 95 total yards through three quarters, the Eagles drove down the field, but a costly holding penalty forced them into a 45-yard field goal attempt that Chad Ryland sent wide left. Ryland would redeem himself with just three seconds left as he knocked through a 28-yard attempt to send the game to overtime.
In OT it took EMU just two plays to score as Shaq Vann ran in from 14 yards out. The Huskies needed five plays to answer as Childers connected with Ty Harmston for an 11-yard score. NIU looked like they were going to get a score again in the second overtime, but Tre Harbison fumbled and EMU recovered. The Eagles just needing a field goal, watched as Ryland missed wide right to send the game into a third OT.
In that third OT, EMU was stifled and settled for a field goal to go up 23-20. The Eastern defense held NIU at the one yard line, but on a third and goal, Harbison plowed across the goaline to give the Huskies the victory.
NIU will travel to Ball State (2-3, 1-0) while Eastern will head to Kalamazoo for the the first round of the Michigan MAC trophy with Western Michigan (3-2, 1-0).
Riley Neal threw for 402 yards, four touchdowns and ran for another as the Cardinals (2-3, 1-0 MAC) waxed the Golden Flashes (1-4, 0-1).
Neal's favorite target was Riley Miller who had 11 catches for 208 yards and a score. Justin Rankin had 19 carries for 75 yards and two scores in the the loss.
Ball State will host Northern Illinois (2-3, 2-0) while Kent State will host Ohio (2-2) who has not played a MAC game yet.
Jon Wassink threw five touchdowns and Gus Ragland had three of his own as the two quarterbacks led their teams in a shootout that saw Western Michigan (3-2, 1-0 MAC) edge Miami (1-4, 1-1) as the Redhawks missed a game-winning field goal.
Maurice Thomas started things right away when he returned the opening kickoff 99 yards to put the Redhawks on the board. WMU responded with a 10-yard touchdown pass by Wassink. Miami tacked on a field goal, Wassink threw another TD to Jayden Reed, and Miami responded with a Ragland 17-yard touchdown to Dominique Robinson. The scoring finally stopped when the Broncos were stopped on the 2-yard line.
The remainder of the Broncos first half ended with a missed field goal and two fumbles. The Redhawks meanwhile added another field goal and another Ragland touchdown pass to make it 27-14 at the half.
After punting on their first drive of the second half, WMU couldn't be stopped as Wassink and Reed hooked up for the third time to get within six. That was pushed back to double digits as Jordan Rigg scored on a two-yard run, but Samuel Sloman missed a key extra point to only go up 33-21. Wassink found a new target in Drake Harris for a touchdown, but the Broncos also missed their extra point to end the third quarter.
After Miami was forced to punt, the Wassink to Reed connection found its way to the endzone for a fourth time to give the Broncos the lead. Ragland responded with his second touchdown pass to Robinson, but the Redhawks would leave points on the board again, as they missed a two-point conversion. Tired of throwing for touchdowns, Wassink used his legs to pick up a fourth and ten and then on the next play, ran it in for the final two yards. A failed two-point conversion made it a 40-39 game.
Miami converted a third and 21 to keep their hopes alive, but with 27 seconds left, Sloman was unable to connect on a 50-yard field goal.
The Broncos host EMU (2-3, 0-2) while Miami travels to Akron (2-1) for the Zips MAC opener.
The Rockets (2-2) trailed 28-13 going into halftime and then watched Fresno State (3-1) drop 21 in the third quarter to blast Toledo out west.
Jon'Vea Johnson had two touchdown receptions in the fourth quarter and six catches overall for 112 yards to lead the way for the Rockets. Mitchell Guadagni was limited to just 59 yards passing and 55 yards rushing.
Toledo will open MAC play at home in the I-75 rivalry with Bowling Green (1-4, 0-1 MAC).
Buffalo (4-1) was grounded by the keep away offense of Army (3-2) who added the Bulls to the undefeated teams they have knocked off.
The Bulls watched as the Black Knights held the ball for over 37 minutes and Buffalo was unable to make good use of the time they had the ball. nThey were 2 for 11 on third down and had just 255 total yards of offense.
Tyree Jackson looked like he could get the Bulls going when he threw a 53-yard touchdown pass to K.J. Osborn on the first drive of the game. Army rattled off 21 straight points, including a blocked field goal returned for a TD, before Kevin Marks scored from 1-yard out for the Bulls other score. Once again the Black Knights responded with 21 more points.
Buffalo returns to MAC play at Central Michigan (1-4, 0-1 MAC) next.
The Bobcats (2-2) fell behind 21-7 to UMass (2-4), but scored 38 points in the second and third quarters to blow out the Minutemen.
Nathan Rourke shook off an early pick-six to throw three touchdowns and run for 189 yards and another score. Maleek Irons had a big day on the ground for the Bobcats as he carried the ball 13 times for 140 yards and two scores.
The Bobcats open MAC play next against Kent St (1-4, 0-1 MAC)
Central Michigan (1-4) held Michigan State (3-1) scoreless through the first quarter, but the Spartans outscored the Chippewa's 31-0 in the second and third quarters to avoid the upset.
Tommy Lazzaro had a passing touchdown, but threw two interceptions. He also led CMU in rushing with 32 yards.
The Chippewa's return to MAC play at home against Buffalo (4-1, 1-0 MAC) next.
The Falcons (1-4) were privy-ed to the best fight song in college football quite a bit as Georgia Tech (2-3) rambling wrecked their way to eight rushing touchdowns.
Jarrett Doege threw for 305 yards and a touchdown, but also threw two picks in the loss.
The Falcons now head to Toledo (2-2) for the Battle of I-75.
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