MAC games are creeping onto the schedule and I couldn’t be more excited about it. Western Michigan won the Battle for the Cannon, and Miami beat Buffalo at home. Only seven teams played this week, so a lot of big names were hanging out on the couch.
Passing was down this week. There wasn’t a weather issue across multiple game sites, there’s no real reason. There were still players that showed up to play.
Quarterback of the Week
Jon Wassink – Western Michigan
Jon Wassink passed for 244 yards, ran for 65, and scored two touchdowns in a rivalry game win. Central Michigan isn’t a threat to win the west but performing in a rivalry game is a great way to make a statement as a college football player. Wassink did overthrow a receiver in the second quarter and the pass was intercepted nearly off the turf. That was his only blemish.
Wassink and the Broncos prepare for a big MAC West game against Toledo in a week. He will need to be on top of his game on Saturday. He will likely need to win a shootout if the Broncos are going to win.
Running Back of the Week
Jaret Patterson – Buffalo
Almost everyone had a running back run for 100 yards in week 5. Jaret Patterson ran for 183 yards and a score on 21 touches. That’s a good day. He broke two tackles during an 82 yard run to the endzone. It wasn’t enough for the Bulls, they desperately need some balance even if they run for 309 yards on 49 carries.
The Bulls have a tough test in Ohio next week. We’ll wait and see if Patterson maintains his hot hand against the Bobcats.
Wide Reciever of the Week
Giovanni Ricci – Western Michigan
Ricci is the receiver of the week in back to back weeks. It helped that passing was very depressed this week. Ricci only had three catches but he made them count. One went to the endzone, and another was a 43-yard catch an run. Ricci leads the MAC in receiving yards.
Tackle For Loss Leader
Desjuan Johnson – Toledo
Desjuan Johnson had one sack and two total tackles for loss in a big win against BYU. His sack was in the second quarter and pushed a field goal attempt from 30 yards to 39 yards. The field goal was missed and the Rockets maintained an early lead. He assisted in six total tackles.
Volume Tackler of the Week
John Lako – Akron
John Lako was everywhere against UMass. He had six solo tackles and 13 total to lead the MAC this week. Not bad for an Athlon preseason All-MAC linebacker. Lako leads the MAC in total tackles and is second in tackles per game.
Pass Defender of the Week
Mike Brown – Miami
Mike Brown intercepted Matt Myers twice in week five. He took one to the house in the third quarter, a quarter that saw Miami take the lead and score 21 points. Myers got rid of that ball in desperation right before getting steamrolled. I’m not sure he knew that ball was going the other direction for six until the play was over.
Returner of the Week
Maurice Thomas – Miami
Maurice Thomas had three punt returns that totaled 68 yards. Two of the returns gave the ball to the offense in positive field position and lead to 10 points. His kick returns weren’t quite as strong, but 3 returns for 56 yards isn’t terrible. Miami dominated this game once they figured out football.
No one had a return touchdown this week. What a bummer after a buzzer-beater block punt last week.
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