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Nick's 2006 MAC Football Picks - Week #1 Recap

published 09.06.05

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Boston College 31 – Central Michigan 24

Highlights:

• Central had a terrific home crowd in excess of 25K and rallied from a 31-10 4th quarter deficit to come within seven points and have the ball late in the contest to possible put the game into OT
• QB Dan LeFevour passed for 223 yards and rushed for 71 more – accounting for all three ‘Chip TDs
• Total net yards was 398-354 in favor of the Eagles

Nick’s Pick: BC 34 – Central 23

Actual Score: BC 31 – Central 24

Spread: BC by 14

Buffalo 9 – Temple 3 (OT)

Highlights:

• UB had their largest home crowd ever – 29,795 to break in the new Turner Gill era, winning in the game overtime
• UB’s James Starks rushed for 86 yards on 14 carriers, including the 18-yard TD in OT that won the game
• Buffalo dominated the stats gaining 356 yards offense to Temple's 183, but the Bulls missed two short field-goal attempts

Nick’s Pick: Buffalo 21 – Temple 20

Actual Score: Buffalo 9 – Temple 3

Spread: UB by 7

Ball St 38 – EMU 20

Highlights:

• True freshman Nate Davis, VanDelaySports.com’s #1 incoming 2006 MAC football recruit, went 7 for 8 passing for 108 yards and two TDs
• EMU QB Tyler Sparks passed for 146 yards and rushed for 164 accounting for 310 total yards
• EMU put up more offense than Ball St – 435 to 389, but the Cardinals did not have a turnover and just three penalties for 20 yards

Nick’s Pick: Ball St 31 – EMU 23

Actual Score: Ball St 38 – EMU 20

Spread: Ball St by 5

Northwestern 21 – Miami 3

Highlights:

• After a scoreless first half, the Wildcats blocked a punt early in the third period to begin a 21-point second half surge
• Neither team had a turnover - the RedHawks had a crowd in excess of 20K
• N’western had 301 total yards to 230 for Miami in a defensive showdown

Nick’s Pick: Miami 30 – Northwestern 24

Actual Score: Northwestern 21 – Miami 3

Spread: Northwestern by 3

Minnesota 44 – Kent State 0

Highlights:

• Kent State had nearly 21K in attendance, one of their largest crowds ever, as they hosted a Big Ten team for the first time in school history
• The Golden Gophers forced six turnovers including two interceptions by Jamal Harris
• The turning point came in the first half when Julian Edelman hit Najah Pruden on a 64-yard pass, but as Pruden fought to break a tackle, linebacker Mario Reese forced a fumble and recovered the ball in the end zone for a touchback – Minnesota dominated from that point

Nick’s Pick: Minnesota 30 – Kent St 13

Actual Score: Minnesota 44 – Kent St 0

Spread: Minnesota by 17

Iowa State 45 – Toledo 43 (3 OTs)

Highlights:

• All-American candidate WR Todd Blythe caught a pair of touchdown passes in OT and Iowa State held on for a victory in triple-overtime
• Toledo rallied from a 12-point second-half deficit to send the game into OT at 23 apiece
• Clint Cochran threw for 370-yards and three TDs while TE Chris Hopkins 13 balls for 148 yards, and all three TDs

Nick’s Pick: ISU 37 – Toledo 21

Actual Score: ISU 45 – Toledo 43

Spread: ISU by 8

Penn St 34 – Akron 16

Highlights:

• The Zips held Penn St to 288 total yards and just 80 yards on the ground
• Akron had three turnovers and Luke Getsy was sacked four times
• PSU QB Anthony Morelli passed for 208 yards with three TDs and 0 INTs

Nick’s Pick: Penn St 35 – Akron 14

Actual Score: Penn St 34 – Akron 16

Spread: PSU by 17

Ohio State 35 – Northern Illinois 12

Highlights:

• Garrett Wolfe produced 172 rushing yards and also added 115 reception yards, totaling 287 yards of offense in a loss to the #1 ranked Buckeyes
• OSU led 28-3 at the half
• OSU had more total offense; 490 to NIU's 324

Nick’s Pick: OSU 28 – NIU 13

Actual Score: OSU 35 – NIU 12

Spread: OSU by 19

Indiana 39 – Western Michigan 20

Highlights:

• This was Indiana's 16th straight win over a MAC school since 1977
• IU scored one TD on a 64-yard INT and another TD on an 86-yard punt return
• Western had three turnovers and were on the short end of total offense; 323 to 274

Nick’s Pick: Indiana 35 – Western 27

Actual Score: Indiana 39 – Western 20

Spread: IU by 4.5

Ohio 29 – UTM 3

Highlights:

• Ohio used T.J. Wright's 35-yard fumble recovery TD and a safety on its way to a victory - The Bobcats got a team safety in the second quarter when they sacked the Skyhawks quarterback in the end zone
• Kalvin McRae had just 28 yards rushing on 10 attempts
• Ohio had 13 first downs to UTM’s 9 – Ohio led in total offense 144 to 123

Nick’s Pick: Ohio 45 – UTM 7

Actual Score: Ohio 29 – UTM 3

Spread: NL

Wisconsin 35 – BGSU 14

Highlights:

• John Stocco threw a touchdown pass and sneaked for a score leading Wisconsin to a over the Falcons in Bret Bielema's debut as Badgers coach in a game played at Cleveland Browns Stadium
• The attendance was in excess of 30K despite very bad weather along the Lake Erie shore
• Wisconsin held a slim total yardage edge; 320 to 299 while BGSU QB Freddie Barnes rushed for 150 yards but passed for just 82