Hustle Belt: All Posts by Jonathan SnoverMAC Football, MAC Basketball, MAC Recruiting, MAC Baseball and all of the other #MACtion hijinks in between - hustlebeltblog@gmail.comhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/50387/hustle-fav.png2017-11-26T15:29:42-05:00https://www.hustlebelt.com/authors/jonathan-snover/rss2017-11-26T15:29:42-05:002017-11-26T15:29:42-05:002017-18 MAC Basketball Recap: Bowling Green Drops Heartbreaker in Tournament Finale
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<figcaption>BGSU Marketing and Communications</figcaption>
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<p>Rodrick Caldwell’s 25 points not enough in loss to Abilene Christian</p> <p id="qGn62s">The <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-basketball/teams/bowling-green-falcons">Bowling Green Falcons</a> closed out their Creek Classic tournament trip against the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-basketball/teams/abilene-christian-wildcats">Abilene Christian Wildcats</a>. Although Rodrick Caldwell was able to drop 25 points and grab six boards, the Falcons ultimately lost the game, 88-83. </p>
<p id="pOFY2R">Both squads hit the paint early in the game as there was not even a three point attempt until the 14:29 mark of the first half. After the Falcons held a 2 point lead with 19:04 left, they did not lead again the rest of the first half. BGSU shot just 39% to begin while the Wildcats shot 53%, so it was only natural that Abilene Christian held a ten point lead at the half.</p>
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<p id="9xCWsl"><strong>Second Half</strong></p>
<p id="ONIGNI">It wasn’t necessarily the fact the BGSU didn’t shoot well on Sunday, it was the points they were giving up. The Falcons gave up 11 points in the first four minutes of the second half. That quickly changed, however, when they went on a quick 10-2 run to make it a game again at the under-12 minute timeout. Not long after that, Bowling Green took the lead for the first time since the first minute of the game. The rest of the second half was about as back and forth as it gets. In the last eight minutes, the Wildcats outlasted BGSU, 23-17. </p>
<p id="ePjKNa"><span>Dylan Frye</span> added 14 for the Falcons on 6 of 12 shooting, but was 0 of 4 from beyond the arch. </p>
<p id="jccxH5">4 Wildcats scored in double figures, led by center Jalone Friday’s 20 points. He also added 9 rebounds and 3 blocks.</p>
<p id="IbsjOq">The Falcons return to action on Wednesday, November 29, 2017, when they host San Jose State at 7 p.m. </p>
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https://www.hustlebelt.com/2017/11/26/16702174/2017-18-mac-basketball-recap-bowling-green-abilene-christian-november-2017Jonathan Snover2017-11-11T21:47:03-05:002017-11-11T21:47:03-05:002017-18 MAC Basketball Recap: Rockets Fly Past Hawks in Fast Start
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<p>Jaelan Sanford racks up a career high in Rockets’ opener</p> <p id="NjB9ed">The <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-basketball/teams/toledo-rockets">Toledo Rockets</a> men’s basketball squad hosted the Atlantic 10’s Saint Joseph’s Hawks Saturday night. Led by junior guard Jaelan Sanford’s career high 31 points and eight assists and <span>Nate Navigato</span>’s 22 points, the Rockets knocked off the Hawks by a score of 98-87. </p>
<p id="qM91eF">In the season opener, Toledo came out of the gates fast which created multiple easy layups and three pointers in transition. The Hawks, however, went just 2-for-9 from the field before the first media timeout. Toledo scored first early in the game, and they didn’t look back from there. The Rockets did not trail to the Hawks in the match-up.</p>
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<p id="GNT2Qi"><strong>Second Half</strong></p>
<p id="wAo96F">After taking a nine point lead to the locker rooms at the intermission, Toledo jumped quickly in the second half to extend their lead to 16 before the first media timeout of the second half. By the time that timeout came to be, the Hawks had already been charged with four fouls as a team. For a Toledo team that likes to get out and run the floor, the 42 total fouls called forced them to begin to use the clock and make the extra pass. The Hawks brought the game to within three points by the third media timeout, but Toledo went on a three minute 13-2 run that put the nail in the Hawks’ coffin.</p>
<p id="7DdI84">Jaelan Stanford finished the game with 31 points and 8 assists. He was a remarkable 11 for 16 from the floor and 4-6 from beyond the arch. Nate Navigato added 22 and was 5 of 10 from beyond the arch.</p>
<p id="094D7S"><span>Shavar Newkirk</span> led the Hawks with 21.</p>
<p id="ruh3BY">Toledo returns to action when they host Ohio Northern on Tuesday, November 14, 2017, at 7 p.m.</p>
https://www.hustlebelt.com/2017/11/11/16638730/2017-18-mac-basketball-toledo-saint-josephs-novemberJonathan Snover2017-10-19T14:50:54-04:002017-10-19T14:50:54-04:002017 MAC Football Preview: Kent State at Ohio
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<img alt="NCAA Football: Ohio at Purdue" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/jJw5TCLaJ0cLKz0ul7GdH-VR75U=/0x0:5472x3648/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/57222209/usa_today_10266311.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Flashes will look to strike at Peden Stadium Saturday</p> <p id="ODTLw8">Kent State has not had a winning record in conference play since 2012 when they went 8-0. They’re next challenge in this year’s attempt to conquer that feat will be in Athens when they take on Ohio at Peden Stadium on Saturday, October 21, 2017. Ohio will come in off a 48-30 win at Bowling Green while Kent State scraped by Miami, 17-14.</p>
<p id="CgmuvZ"> </p>
<p id="0bFrYU">One could argue that Kent State (2-5, 1-2 MAC) has played a fairly tough schedule as they’ve had to travel to Louisville, Clemson, Marshall, and Northern Illinois. The Golden Flashes lost those games by a combined score of 143-22, and their offense has just not found their rhythm. Against an Ohio team that’s given up 1,088 yards in their three conference games for an average of 363, Kent State will look to get their offense going.</p>
<p id="gVXFFZ"> </p>
<p id="gExCSf">Ohio (5-2, 2-1 MAC) will come into the matchup off a 48-30 win over Bowling Green on the road, a game that Bowling Green was able to keep close until allowing Ohio 21 points in the fourth quarter. Their losses have come at the hands of Purdue and Central Michigan, but the Bobcats did not go down without a fight in those ones. In the win over the Falcons, Ohio gained 440 total yards of offense, but 335 of those came on the ground. Against a Kent State defense that’s given up 548 rush yards on the ground in their three conference games, look for the Bobcats to keep pounding the ball on Saturday.</p>
<p id="l5SlPD"> </p>
<p id="W0GhMC"><strong>Players to Watch</strong></p>
<p id="A6AiH3"> </p>
<p id="VytPt7"><span>Nathan Rourke</span>, Ohio- Rourke is coming off a week in which he earned himself the MAC East Player of the Week award after rushing for 143 yards and three touchdowns on eight attempts. Rourke earned the recognition despite throwing 15 incompletions and two interceptions, but he’s a prime example of how the run game can be just as vital to a quarterback’s game as the pass game. Kent State gave up 161 yards on 34 attempts in their win over Miami last week, but this shouldn’t stop Rourke from having another standout game.</p>
<p id="ghQZSn"> </p>
<p id="YnXKOv"><span>Mandela Lawrence-Burke</span>, Kent State- Although he did not start his first college game on defense until Kent State beat Howard earlier this year, the sophomore Safety out of Steubenville, Ohio, has earned his minutes over the last couple weeks. Lawrence-Burke got his feet wet against Northern Illinois when he made seven total tackles with one tackle for loss for eight yards. In the win over Miami, he recorded six solo tackles and was in on 11 total plays. He’s destined to keep this up, so keep an eye on the Golden Flashes secondary for number 28.</p>
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<p id="cX5Pp1"><strong>Game Information</strong></p>
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<p id="kzA3Rb"><strong>Where: </strong>Peden Stadium, Athens, Ohio.</p>
<p id="6XksyY"><strong>When: </strong>Saturday, October 21, 2017, at 2:00 p.m. EST.</p>
<p id="1LEiZV"><strong>How to Follow Along: </strong>ESPN3, @OhioFootball and @KentStFootball on Twitter.</p>
https://www.hustlebelt.com/2017/10/19/16502034/kent-state-at-ohio-october-21-2017Jonathan Snover2017-10-12T15:26:59-04:002017-10-12T15:26:59-04:002017 MAC Football Preview: Akron at Western Michigan
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<img alt="NCAA Football: Iowa State at Akron" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Mn0bqNwms9n6HimQyO1vCswtC9Y=/0x0:3355x2237/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/57120531/usa_today_10302819.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>David Dermer-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Akron will look to Zip around Waldo Stadium on Saturday</p> <p id="Qg2hGi">After playing one of the wackiest games in football history in week six on the road, Western Michigan will return to Kalamazoo when they host Akron on Saturday, October 14, 2017, at 3:30 p.m. Western Michigan (4-2, 2-0 MAC) is coming off a wild 71-68 victory at Buffalo, and Akron (3-3, 2-0 MAC) will roll in off a 31-3 victory over Ball State.</p>
<p id="pFLR5V">Western Michigan came off one of their best seasons in school history with a couple rough patches, but they’re off to a hot start in conference play. They scheduled non-conference games with a matchups on the road against USC and Michigan State. They’re 4-0 since those two games, and they’ll look to stay hot on Saturday. Although they’re 4-2, the Broncos had an extremely close call last week at Buffalo in a game that went to seven overtimes. Western Michigan will look to perform better this week.</p>
<p id="sEyNZU">Akron is still looking for their second winning season since 2006, and their trail to that feat has already gone through Arkansas Pine-Bluff, Bowling Green, and Ball State. They’ve won those games by a combined 88 points, and none of those games where single digit differences. The Zips have shown their offense can provide the points, and, when squaring off with a Western Michigan team that has allowed 2,411 total yards of offense over six games for an average of 402 yards, this Zips have a shot.</p>
<p id="6QSu8W"><strong>Players to Watch</strong></p>
<p id="72QErC"><span>Ulysees Gilbert III</span>, Akron- The junior linebacker from Ocala, Florida is legit. In the last three weeks against Troy, Ball State and Bowling Green, Gilbert has made a total of 31 tackles with 17 of those being solo hits. Two and a half of those were tackles for loss for a total of 18 yards. Gilbert’s someone to watch this week in Akron’s secondary.</p>
<p id="WEFFzu"><span>Jarvion Franklin</span>, WMU- <span>Franklin</span>’s racked up 332 yards on 62 attempts for an average of 6 per carry on the rushing attack in the last three weeks. Against an Akron team that’s given up 1,165 yards on 219 attempts for an average of five yards per carry, Franklin should be able to get his carries this week.</p>
<p id="Q2YbEv"><strong>Game Information</strong></p>
<p id="x6j6Ak">Where: Waldo Stadium in Kalamazoo, Michigan.</p>
<p id="y78XCU">When: 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 14, 2017.</p>
<p id="xrqT4Q">How to Watch: CBS Sports Network.</p>
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https://www.hustlebelt.com/2017/10/12/16464870/akron-zips-western-michigan-broncos-preview-midamerican-conferenceJonathan Snover2017-09-28T13:00:04-04:002017-09-28T13:00:04-04:00Week 5 Football Preview: Buffalo Bulls at Kent State Golden Flashes
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<img alt="Buffalo v Western Michigan" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/PqyQg6vuIFquN83l-tWVR7Q2gZo=/0x0:4228x2819/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/56893719/624449504.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The Flashes will look to defend their home turf against a raging Bulls squad.</p> <p id="tD0x1c">Kent State has not won a game against an FBS opponent since they scraped by Central Michigan on October 29<sup>th</sup> of last season. Their next attempt to end that six-game streak will come on Saturday when they host the Buffalo Bulls in their first conference matchup of the season. One of their three wins in 2016 came on the road at Buffalo.</p>
<p id="wsqwR7">Kent State (1-3, 0-0 MAC) will ride into Dix Stadium on Saturday off a 42-3 loss at Louisville in week four. The Flashes scored a total of 44 points over the course of their four game non-conference schedule with the team’s lone win coming against FCS opponent Howard. They’ve also been tested by defending national champions Clemson; a matchup that ended in a 56-3 loss.</p>
<p id="n8PxBp">On the other side of the ball, the Buffalo Bulls (2-2, 0-0 MAC) will storm into Dix Stadium looking to get revenge on the Flashes after they fell 44-20 last year at home. The Bulls’ non-conference schedule was highlighted by matchups on the road at P.J. Fleck’s Minnesota squad and at Army West Point, both of those being close losses. Their wins came against bottom tier Conference USA opponent Florida Atlantic and FCS opponent Colgate. </p>
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<h2 id="FKlZiz"><strong>Players to Watch</strong></h2>
<p id="uzODPj"><strong>Derek Adams, P, Kent State</strong></p>
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<cite>Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports</cite>
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<p id="ZIGoe5">Yes, I’ve mentioned him before as a player to watch. And, yes, he’s a punter. The fact of the matter with Kent State is that has stood out this year for the Flashes. Adams has punted a lot and he has been good at it, averaging 45.4 yards per punt on 30 punts, including an astounding 511 yards against Clemson. </p>
<p id="CqhYC3">Buffalo is an opponent that the Kent State offense should get going against, but it’s nice to know that there’s someone behind the long snap that can pin an average Bulls offense deep in their own zone, especially with the Bulls so banged up.</p>
<p id="CwE5hJ"><strong>Emmanuel Reed, RB, Buffalo</strong> </p>
<p id="NqV3xv">The Bulls have given the ball to Reed 48 times in the last two games, and he’s picked up 227 yards. Against a Kent State defense that has given up 353 rush yards on 50 attempts the last two weeks, Reed should get his touches. The Bulls have shifted over to a run-first offense in recent weeks, keeping to the ground about two of every three plays (115 rushes to 43 passes over the last two games,) so suddenly Reed, previously a third-stringer, will have plenty of chances to show his worth. </p>
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<h2 id="zBTjZ5"><strong>Game Info</strong></h2>
<p id="GrCPk6"><strong>Where:</strong> Dix Stadium in Kent, Ohio.</p>
<p id="mg3Wal"><strong>When:</strong> 3:30 p.m. EST on Sat., Sept. 30, 2017.</p>
<p id="zon6P3"><strong>TV/Streaming:</strong> ESPN3, WatchESPN and the ESPN App. Check with your local cable provider for more information.</p>
<p id="92wLQe"><strong>Weather (as of publication):</strong> At kickoff, it is expected to be 65 degrees and partly cloudy, with winds at around 11 MPH. Cahnce of rain about 10 percent, per the <a href="https://weather.com/weather/today/l/41.15,-81.36?par=google">Weather Channel. </a></p>
https://www.hustlebelt.com/2017/9/28/16378484/buffalo-bulls-kent-state-golden-flashes-football-preview-2017Jonathan Snover2017-09-15T17:00:04-04:002017-09-15T17:00:04-04:002017 Week 3 Preview: Akron Zips vs. Iowa State Cyclones
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<img alt="Iowa v Iowa State" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/k7FF43jEhLEkumZaUfbLZ7CvND4=/0x0:3600x2400/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/56701407/844989384.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The Zips will host a Power 5 team at InfoCision Stadium this weekend. What should you look forward to?</p> <p id="vssQH8">In their last five attempts, the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/teams/akron-zips">Akron Zips</a> have not been able to top a Power 5 squad. Their next attempt to end that streak will come when the Iowa State Cyclones march into InfoCision Stadium on Saturday. </p>
<p id="jX7IiC">The Cyclones enter the matchup at 1-1, and they’re coming off a 44-41 loss in overtime to in-state rival Iowa.</p>
<p id="xOabkP">The Zips (1-1, 0-0 MAC) are riding in hot after earning their first victory by way of a 52-3 win over Arkansas Pine-Bluff. Akron earned a total of 464 yards on offense, bringing their season total up to 550. </p>
<p id="6dmxgY">The offense will look to go to work against a Cyclone team that has given up 875 yards in their two games. Additionally, they should look to go through the air as 592 of those have come off the Cyclones’ opponent’s pass game.</p>
<p id="UE1tMl">On the other side of the ball, Iowa State (1-1, 0-0 Big 12) will roll into Akron coming off a disheartening 44-41 loss in El Associo (!) to rival Iowa in overtime. </p>
<p id="KnUd63">The Cyclones gained 467 yards of offense with 347 of those coming threw the air, and 120 coming by way of the run game. The Zips have given up 767 total yards of offense throughout their two matchups, so the Cyclones should look to unload on Saturday.</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="D2TiaA">
<h2 id="Wt5pSC">Players to Watch</h2>
<p id="r2pSHi"><span><strong>Warren Ball</strong></span><strong>, Akron</strong></p>
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<img alt="NCAA Football: Akron at Penn State" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/gUBIFStR-GL2IKvFoY2a4FRB7ZM=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/9257241/usa_today_10254131.jpg">
<cite>Matthew O'Haren-USA TODAY Sports</cite>
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<p id="htMLDX">The Zips kept the ball on the ground for 44 of their 70 plays, and they gave it to <span>Ball</span> 20 times in the win over Arkansas Pine-Bluff in week 2. He earned a total of 154 yards with three touchdowns, too. The Cyclones have held their opponents to a mere 283 yards, but it’s easy to be convinced that Ball will get a good amount of touches.</p>
<p id="rABtXT"><span><strong>Jacob Park</strong></span><strong>, Iowa State</strong></p>
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<img alt="NCAA Football: West Virginia at Iowa State" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/0a4OZKzP51r311oc-s6wNtQiDYg=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/9257251/usa_today_9706668.jpg">
<cite>Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports</cite>
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<p id="WfOviZ"><span>Park</span>’s the man that starts under center for the Cyclones this season, succeeding <span>Joel Lanning</span>, who went under a <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.desmoinesregister.com%2Fstory%2Fsports%2Fcollege%2Fiowa-state%2Ffootball%2F2017%2F08%2F30%2Fjoel-lanning-iowa-state-football-quarterback-linebacker-leader%2F616093001%2F&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hustlebelt.com%2F2017%2F9%2F15%2F16316578%2F2017-week-3-preview-akron-zips-vs-iowa-state-cyclones" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">transition from quarterback to linebacker this offseason</a>. </p>
<p id="92q2kZ">He’ll be coming off a week where he passed for 347 yards on 25 completions against a legitimate Big Ten division contender in Iowa and has a bevy of receiving targets to throw to as well, with Alan Lazard, <span>Hakeem Butler</span> and <span>Deshaunte Jones</span> that could make the Cyclones a threat to the Akron pass defense. </p>
<p id="TPXofC">Park has an incredible power arm and with Matt Campbell’s up-tempo vertical offense, it could prove to make it a tough day for an Akron team that has given up 519 passing yards over the past two games. Park has the potential to look sharp for the Cyclones (as long as you ignore the horrific helmet hair).</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="fhy6eV">
<h2 id="5ylqD2">Game notes</h2>
<p id="p2H97h"><strong>Where and when:</strong> Saturday, Sept, 16 at 12 p.m. at InfoCision Stadium in Akron, Ohio. </p>
<p id="Drdl58"><strong>Weather (as of publication):</strong> 78 degrees at kickoff, partly cloudy, winds at 4 MPH. Humidity, 58 percent. </p>
<p id="OaGRZ7"><strong>TV/Streaming:</strong> CBS Sports Network (check you local cable provider for channel information.)</p>
<p id="I74cZy"><strong>Odds:</strong> <a href="http://www.oddsshark.com/ncaaf/iowa-state-akron-odds-september-16-2017-791603">Per OddsSharks.com</a>, Iowa State is a 10.5 point road favorite against Akron, with an over/under of 63 points. Iowa State opened at -9.5 points.</p>
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https://www.hustlebelt.com/2017/9/15/16316578/2017-week-3-preview-akron-zips-vs-iowa-state-cyclonesJonathan Snover2017-09-14T13:30:02-04:002017-09-14T13:30:02-04:002017 Week 3 Preview: NIU Huskies vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers
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<img alt="Boston College v Northern Illinois" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/AFZFdyOq-1ZuSowOidcqi8B8oRg=/0x0:3654x2436/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/56674187/841706462.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>It’s a homecoming for NIU kicker Christian Hagan and a whale of a matchup for the two squads. </p> <p id="7XYKji">The Northern Illinois Huskies are 0-3 against Power Five schools since 2015. Their next attempt at breaking that streak will come in Lincoln, Nebraska, on Saturday when they battle with the Cornhuskers of Nebraska. </p>
<p id="3dbN8G">NIU (1-1, 0-0 MAC) will come into this matchup with a win in hand after a game against Eastern Illinois that was closer than anticpated at first before the Huskies ultimately dominated the second half under new leadership at QB. </p>
<p id="Fj86bf">Nebraska (1-1, 0-0 B1G), meanwhile, comes into this home game after a chaotic loss to the Oregon Ducks, where the Huskers faded down the stretch during a road upset bid. They’ll look to show some form of dominance after two questionable performances to start the season.</p>
<p id="4kJYfj">If the Nebraska defense continues to be as mediocre as it has been, NIU has a chance. Nebraska has given up 1,063 total yards of offense, and 497 of those came in week one against Arkansas State. The Huskies have earned a total of 866 yards in their first two matchups and will look to add a significant amount to that total against a Husker defense that has been leaving their fans with questions.</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="EEfpe5">
<h2 id="ucIrr8">Players to Watch</h2>
<p id="AI0KZM"><strong>Daniel Santacaterina, NIU</strong></p>
<p id="vHAOxg">After Ryan Graham went down with an elbow injury in the opener, Santacaterina stepped into the spotlight and started last week against Eastern Illinois. He threw for 252 yards and three touchdowns on 23 completions. He rushed five times in 14 attempts, so he can get out if needed. Topping this Nebraska defense that’s coming off a week that they gave up 365 yards against a team that historically goes with a run first offense should not be too difficult for this Husky offense.</p>
<p id="IcQ92a"><strong>Christian Hagan, NIU</strong></p>
<p id="M0p6Hn">Yes, he’s a kicker. Yes, he missed the tying field goal at Boston College in week one. He’s not on this list because he’s the best player on the team or a key part to the team. He’s on this list because he hails from nearby Omaha. Last time Hagan played in Lincoln’s Memorial Stadium, he was leading his high school offense in the state championship game. They ultimately lost 23-21, and Hagan will look to help his team get his revenge against Memorial Stadium on Saturday.</p>
<p id="FpN8Gm"><strong>JD Spielman, Nebraska</strong></p>
<p id="wGyBH1">After a year of redshirting, Spielman hit the field for the first time in Nebraska’s opener against Arkansas State. In the matchup with the Red Wolves, he returned a kickoff for a 99 yard touchdown. Although he has just 73 yards to his name on the season, he’s on the verge of having a breakout game. Keep an eye on him.</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="5yjWq3">
<p id="BPnxLo"><strong>Game Information</strong></p>
<p id="pT4msp"><strong>Where:</strong> Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska.</p>
<p id="pvNfjU"><strong>When:</strong> 12 p.m. EST on Saturday, September 16, 2017.</p>
<p id="g1jr3Q"><strong>How to View:</strong> Fox Sports 1, Fox Sports Go with Tim Brando, Spencer Tillman and Les Miles in the booth and Holly Sonders on the sideline.</p>
https://www.hustlebelt.com/2017/9/14/16305534/niu-huskies-nebraska-cornhuskers-football-preview-week-3-2017Jonathan Snover2017-09-08T15:54:50-04:002017-09-08T15:54:50-04:002017 Week 2 Preview: Miami RedHawks vs. Austin Peay
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<img alt="NCAA Football: Austin Peay at Kentucky" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ceDHtBOmohu7KAMhcx32dulERzY=/0x115:3664x2558/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/56588065/usa_today_9690126.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Governors roll into Oxford on Saturday looking for an upset.</p> <p id="mX4PvJ">The <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/teams/miami-ohio-redhawks">Miami-Ohio Redhawks</a> haven’t had a winning season since they went 10-4 in 2010, nearly coming close last season with a 6-7 record last season. The fortune wasn’t on the RedHawks’ side in week one as they fell to Marshall, 31-26, last Saturday. </p>
<p id="tY6eDn">The final was set in stone after they had the ball with 53 seconds left in the game, a drive that ended at the Marshall 41 yard line. Consequently, their quest for creating a winning season for the first time in seven years became a tad rockier.</p>
<p id="0aGTEF">The RedHawks’ next attempt at getting their first win of 2017 will take place in Oxford at Yager Stadium when they host the Governors of Austin Peay, an FCS school out of Clarksville, Tennessee, with an enrollment of just over 10,000 students. </p>
<p id="OwqyHe">The Governors will be playing their second FBS opponent in as many weeks after a loss to Cincinnati.</p>
<p id="iAjKe1">It certainly won’t be a gimmie win for the RedHawks; Miami has lost to an FCS team two of the last three seasons, with both of those losses coming at home in the second week of the season. </p>
<p id="H2Kefd">(Coincidentally enough, Miami played Marshall in Week 1 in 2014 before listing to Eastern Kentucky in their home opener.)</p>
<p id="wxY1to">It’s unlikely history will repeat itself again, but that’s certainly something to keep in mind coming into Saturday’s game.</p>
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<h2 id="TbcPQq">Players to Watch</h2>
<p id="w4oBPr"><strong>JaVaughn Craig (Austin Peay, QB)</strong> </p>
<p id="V1Kuqm">In the matchup with Cincinnati last week, Craig rushed for a net of 92 yards on 15 attempts. In addition, he threw for 63 yards on seven completions with an interception. </p>
<p id="Kg8o3N">Most of the quarterbacks a defense will see at the college level will be versatile, and JaVaughn Craig is no exception to that. It can be the short gains and clock management that matter, so the 6.1 yard average can make a difference. He fits in well with Kirby Cannon’s run-first offense, and that’s why he’s one to keep an eye on Saturday.</p>
<p id="D5aqW8"><span><strong>Gus Ragland</strong></span><strong> (Miami, QB) </strong></p>
<p id="kCuXp9">The RedHawks threw the ball a decent amount of times in the loss to Marshall. <span>Ragland</span>, the redshirt junior, threw for 298 yards on 23 completions and two touchdowns. He appeared in seven games and threw for 1,537 yards on 115 completions in 2016. Seeing that the Governors allowed a total of 151 passing yards on 17 completions last week, it would make sense to see ball continuing to fly out of the hands of Ragland. </p>
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<p id="uaxPCq"><strong>Game Information</strong></p>
<p id="8g2Sxi">Where: Yager Stadium, Oxford, Ohio.</p>
<p id="zb7bFR">When: 3:30 p.m. EST</p>
<p id="mroMnC">Weather: Partly cloudy, 68 degrees, wind at 9 MPH. </p>
<p id="59GQtf">Odds: <a href="http://OddsShark.com">OddsShark.com</a> predicts a 35-0 victory for the RedHawks, though there is <a href="http://www.oddsshark.com/ncaaf/austin-peay-miami-oh-odds-september-9-2017-791393">no official line</a>. </p>
<p id="xGmPyn">How to Watch: Streaming on ESPN3 and WatchESPN. Contact your local cable provider for more information.</p>
https://www.hustlebelt.com/2017/9/8/16277588/week-2-preview-miami-ohio-redhawks-austin-peay-football-2017Jonathan Snover2017-09-07T15:00:02-04:002017-09-07T15:00:02-04:002017 MAC Football Preview: Kent State Set to Battle Howard
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<img alt="NCAA Football: Kent State at Alabama" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/FSAl8YGNVOtRsJGwt6i76w7QvIk=/0x263:1686x1387/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/56563751/usa_today_9560957.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Cam’s little brother will roll into Kent Saturday</p> <p id="kfSodX">The <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/teams/kent-st-golden-flashes">Kent State Golden Flashes</a> have not had a winning season since 2012 and, even then, that’s the only time they’ve done it in the last eight years. It’s a tale as old as time for Flashes fans, really. </p>
<p id="JutXvk">Kent State’s next stop in their attempt to end that streak is at Dix Stadium when they host FCS school Howard. Howard, a school out of Washington D.C. with an enrollment of just over 10,000, has not had a winning season since 2012 either. However, the Bison are coming off a 43-40 upset over the Mountain West’s UNLV despite being outnumbered in both passing and rushing yards; a matchup in which they were the underdogs by 45 points.</p>
<p id="DcezxL"><strong>Players to Watch</strong></p>
<p id="Ut5Nyv">Kaylin Newton, Howard- Brother to the Carolina Panthers’ Cam Newton, the Bison’s starter is a true freshman that is considered to be a good get. In the matchup in Las Vegas last week, Newton threw for 140 yards on 15 completions with just one interception. Not only can he pass, but Newton also ran for 194 yards on 21 attempts with one touchdown. It’s always tricky for a defensive coordinator to gameplan against such a versatile quarterback, and Kaylin Newton is just that. He’s a key player this week for Howard, and it’s not just because he’s the quarterback that he’s a player to keep an eye on.</p>
<p id="ZXqWjO"><span>Derek Adams</span>, Kent State- Yes, he’s the punter. No, that is not a good reason to leave him off this list. Kent State punted a lot at Clemson last week. If anything good came out of that game, it’s that Adams punted for 511 yards (!) on 11 attempts. That’s an average of 46.5 yards per punt, and four of those were 50+ yard punts. This is not to say the offense is going to break down again, but it’s always good to know your team has someone that’s good at what they do at the back end of the long snap.</p>
<p id="bNQhXy"><strong>Game Information</strong></p>
<p id="pLwo8g">Where: Dix Stadium, Kent, Ohio.</p>
<p id="TvRqvM">When: 3:30 EST on Saturday, September 9th</p>
<p id="TCEMbb">Where to Watch: ESPN3 with Michael Reghi and Jerod Cherry on the call.</p>
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https://www.hustlebelt.com/2017/9/7/16266874/2017-mac-football-preview-kent-state-howard-september-2017Jonathan Snover2017-05-14T21:00:02-04:002017-05-14T21:00:02-04:002017 MAC Baseball: Buffalo Wraps Up Conference Home Schedule for Last Time
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<img alt="Buffalo logo" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/eC3pwdJI82EtwXZd-uHJXISB3Po=/55x0:1045x660/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/54781587/buffalo.0.jpg" />
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<p>Bulls fans got one last taste of MAC baseball this weekend.</p> <p id="p75lXY">Amherst Audubon Field was officially opened on May 4, 2001, when the University of Buffalo Bulls hosted the Huskies of Northern Illinois. </p>
<p id="8qNtDh">Sixteen years and 10 days later, the final MAC game at the stadium was played when the Bulls (16-31, 8-13 MAC) hosted the Ohio Bobcats (25-25, 11-10 MAC). Ohio won all three games this weekend, bringing more heartbreak to those from Buffalo.</p>
<p id="R3hNJi">Friday night, the clubs opened the series in a game that saw a lot of early action. After the Bobcats went down quietly, the Bulls were able to capitalize on a few early mistakes which gave them a 1-0 lead. Ohio was able to get on the board in the third on a bases loaded triple by Michael Klein. The triple was followed by a single to left. They left the top of inning with a 4-1 lead. Kyle Brennan quickly responded with a triple of his own early in the bottom half. Brennan came around to score on a sacrifice groundout, and, just like that, it was 4-3 going to the fourth. Anthony Mrosla homered in the next inning, and that was enough for Ohio to grab game one.</p>
<p id="q3Gxpj">Game two was a battle of the starting pitchers for the first six innings. Ohio broke open the scoring in the second inning on a wild pitch thrown by Buffalo starter Shawn Dubin, and they scored on a sacrifice line out. The lead would be 2-0 to the Bobcats until they added one in the fourth when a leadoff walk came around to score. The Bulls got one back in the bottom of the fifth when Kwitzer scored on a Dudek double. The Bulls ended the inning when Dudek was left on third, keeping the advantage 3-1 in favor of Ohio. The Bobcats would extend their lead to 12-1 with a nine run seventh inning. They scored these runs on seven hits and two errors. The Bobcats took the game, and the series, with a 12-1 win.</p>
<p id="7TVR40">Sunday’s matchup, the last ever MAC baseball game at Audubon Field in Buffalo, was a pitcher’s dual the whole way through. The teams game up a combined 12 hits with a combined 14 strikeouts. Seven of those hits came before anyone scored, and a combined eight men were left on base before someone stepped across the plate. The Bobcats picked up the first two runs of the game on a a Frinkler single and a wild pitch thrown by Logan Harasta. Ohio would pick up one more for insurance on a Klein sacrifice fly in the top of the ninth. The Bobcats took the series sweep with a 3-0 victory Sunday.</p>
<p id="Y3neI2">On Sunday, the Bulls recognized ten seniors. Alex Thrower, Ben Haefner, Alec Tuohy, Brian Dudek, Vinny Mallaro, Tyler Utz, Don Killian, Chris Kwitzer, Kyle Brennan, and Brent Cleland were all recognized before the game. However, there was a different tension in the air. These men were recognized for their efforts as Bulls, but there was a different elephant in the room. Every player on the roster would never play as a Bull at home in Mid-Americn Conference play again.</p>
<p id="uKATKe">The Bulls will, however, play one more game on Tuesday, May 16, 2017, at 3:00 p.m. against in-state rival Niagara.</p>
https://www.hustlebelt.com/2017/5/14/15638538/2017-mac-baseball-buffalo-wraps-up-conference-home-schedule-for-last-timeJonathan Snover