Recordpub.com - Scott scores five TDs as Ohio tops Temple to win MAC East title

Associated Press

ATHENS — By the time Theo Scott limped to the sideline with an ankle injury, he had already done more than enough to get Ohio University to the Mid-American Conference championship.

Scott threw for three touchdowns and ran for two more as Ohio defeated Temple 35-17 on Friday to clinch the MAC East title for the first time since 2006.

The Bobcats (9-3, 7-1 MAC) won their fourth straight game and Temple (9-3, 7-1) had its school-record nine-game winning streak snapped.

“I think the early part of the season was telling for us,” Ohio coach Frank Solich said. “I think our team felt all along that we had the capability to be a good football team. Guys started to truly believe.”

Ohio will play Central Michigan in Detroit on Dec. 4. Scott’s status is uncertain.

“I think Theo did a great job,” Solich said. “His decision making has improved in the past two ballgames and that was huge today. He made special plays today.”

Scott was 17-of-21 for 324 yards and had scoring passes of 9, 65 and 4 yards. He also scored on runs of 17 and 43 yards.

Scott’s 43-yard run put Ohio ahead 32-17 with 10:02 left in third quarter. Taylor Price caught three passes for 94 yards for the Bobcats.

But Scott watched the end of the game from the sideline, leaning on crutches, after injuring his ankle late in the fourth quarter.

Temple played without star freshman running back Bernard Pierce (shoulder) and struggled to get a passing game going. Quarterbacks Chester Stewart and Vince Charlton combined to go 11-of-34 with three interceptions.

Matt Brown rushed for 172 yards on 25 carries, including a 9-yard touchdown run in the second

“They made explosive plays and we did not,” Owls coach Al Golden said. “We didn’t convert enough on third downs and in the red zone and they did. That was the difference in the ball game; it’s as simple as that.”

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Akron 28,

Eastern Michigan 21

AKRON — Alex Allen rushed for two touchdowns and Miguel Graham scored off an interception to lead Akron to a 28-21 win over Eastern Michigan on Friday.

Graham intercepted Eastern Michigan quarterback Alex Gillet’s pass, returning it 62 yards for a touchdown to give the Zips (3-9, 2-6 Mid-American Conference) a 21-14 lead in the second quarter.

Akron pushed its lead to 14 points on Dashan Miller’s 29-yard touchdown run in the third. Miller finished with 49 yards rushing on two carries and Allen had 50 yards on the ground on 14 attempts. Broderick Alexander led the Zips’ rushing attack with 54 yards.

Gillett, who went 16-for-30, passed for 148 yards and two interceptions for the Eagles (0-12, 0-8). The quarterback also rushed for 102 yards on 17 carries, including a 27-yard touchdown run in second quarter.

Dwayne Priest also had two rushing scores for Eastern Michigan.

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CENTRAL Michigan 45,

NORTHERN Illinois 31

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. — Dan LeFevour threw for 255 yards and three touchdowns in the final home game of his record-setting career, leading Central Michigan to a 45-31 victory against Northern Illinois on Friday.

The Chippewas (10-2, 8-0 Mid-American Conference), who wrapped up the MAC West title last week, head to the conference championship game to face Ohio University at Ford Field in Detroit next Friday. CMU finished unbeaten in conference play for the first time in school history.

Bryan Anderson caught three passes for Central Michigan to set an NCAA All Divisions record with at least one reception in 52 straight games. The previous record of 51 was held by Tauren Henderson of Texas Tech and Michael Larkin of Miami of Ohio.

•••

Bowling Green 38, Toledo 24

BOWLING GREEN — Willie Geter scored three touchdowns, Freddie Barnes caught two scoring passes and Bowling Green blocked two first-quarter punts while holding off Toledo 38-24 on Friday.

The Falcons (7-5, 6-2 Mid-American Conference) took a 24-0 lead and set up their first two scores — a 1-yard run by Geter and a 4-yard catch by Barnes — after blocking punts on the Rockets’ first two possessions. With 6:19 left in the first quarter, Toledo (5-7, 3-5) fumbled the punt return. Geter scored a play later on another 1-yard burst.

After the Rockets tied the game with 13:08 remaining, Barnes caught a 17-yard touchdown from Tyler Sheehan and Geter scored on a 61-yard run with 1:27 left.

Geter gained 114 yards and Barnes had nine catches for 69 yards. With 138 receptions, Barnes is now four shy of the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision record.

Austin Dantin was 23-for-38 for 326 yards for Toledo.