MAC Football

2026 MAC Football Week 3 Late Afternoon Live Game Thread

More MACtion to whet your appetite!

Photo credit: JH Jimenez

It's officially Week 3 of the football season, meaning we're reaching the end of the non-conference season pretty soon.

Below, you'll see each game segmented into its own little space, with observations regarding each game updating in real time, so be sure to bookmark this page and refresh often!

Here's all the previews for the middle window, with broadcast and gambling considerations inside:

Toledo Rockets vs. Temple Owls

Temple won the toss and opted to receive the ball first.
Toledo gets called for a disconcerting signal penalty on the third play of the game; don't see that one every day.
The UT defense forced a quick three-and-out, but CJ Miller fumbles the ball after getting hit by Kevin Hornbeak and Saboor Karriem falls on it.
Temple cashes in with a field goal from 41 yards out after the Rockets stand tall on a three-and-out stop. (12:10 1Q)
Toledo makes no mistakes this time, with three-straight 10+ yard passes to start the drive after an incompletion, then steadily driving to set up CJ Miller a chance for redemption. He scores on a one-yard drive to put Toledo up 7-3. (8:10 1Q)
Temple has found something in the run game, gashing Toledo for six-straight runs, not losing ground once. It opens up Samuel Brown to get a good 10-yard pickup to set up Temple inside the UT 5-yard line.
Ajani Sheppard finds Joey Schlaffer for a TD, and the Owls are back up front 10-7 (2:00 1Q)
Toledo laboring through a long drive to get to Temple's 40, but John Alan Richter can't get the pass complete and Temple takes over. That feels like a bad move considering the game situation.
The Toledo defense had nothing for the Owls on the following drive, as Temple ends a 12-play drive with a three-yard Samuel Brown rushing score. It's 17-7 Temple. (6:48 2Q)
Richter starting to figure things out on Toledo's next drive, with passes of 18, 7 and 43 yards all in a row.
Temple trying like hell to keep up and draws a defensive pass interference to put Toledo right on the goal line.
Connor Walendzak converts for a touchdown on the next play from two yards out, and Toledo draws closer, 17-14. (5:18 2Q)
Have to admit, I'm a little worried about the Toledo defense and how it's looked so far in this game. They did give up a 21-yard explosive on this drive, but otherwise it's just been 7 yards here, 4 yards there, 9 yards, etc.
Samuel Brown's awesome day continues, this time nabbing a two-yard receiving TD to put the Owls up 21-14 right at the end of the half.
Toledo looks better coming out of the break, with John Alan Richter opening up the defense with small shots before airing it out.
Richter finishes a drive where he went 7-of-7 for 63 yards with a 16-yard TD to tight end Jake Newell. Toledo now trails 24-21 to Temple (10:29 3Q)
Carl Hardin ends yet another long drive for Temple with points– aided by a costly defensive holding penalty called on Cam Jones on second-and-nine after an incomplete pass. It's 27-21 Owls. (5:12 3Q)
A holding penalty wipes out a 35-yard pass play to start a drive for Toledo, and that is frustrating. They make up for it on the next three plays, but get stymied in Temple territory thanks in part to a four-yard loss on first down.
Mike Jacobs opts to go on fourth-and-three from the Temple 34, down six points. It was likely the best move, but Temple's Jaylon Joseph anticipates the pass and forces the turnover-on-downs. That may mark a turning point in the game.
The Toledo defense finally gets to Ajani Sheppard at the start of the fourth quarter and get paid big for it, as Andrew Zock recovers the fumble to give the Rockets the ball back at the Temple 32!
Touchdown, Toledo! Richter gives it to Connor Walendzak on the screen pass and he takes it the rest of the way for a nine-yard score! Toledo goes up 28-27. (12:29 4Q)
Temple responds right back with a 69-yard dime from Ajani Sheppard to Colin Chase. 36-28 Temple in what has turned into a wild, back-and-forth contest. Crucially, the Owls also scored a two-point conversion. 36-28 Temple. (11:40 4Q)
A three-and-out for Toledo, and you get the sense Temple has their number now.
Too easy for Samuel Brown, whose monster day continues with a third touchdown. Temple rolling now, up 42-28. (6:40 3Q)
Toledo is now in desperation mode, going for it on fourth-and-six at the Temple 41-yard line. John Alan Richter finds Adjatay Dabbs, but it's a yard short after review.
Ajani Sheppard thought he had the killshot on a 63-yard touchdown, but it's called back on holding. Not that it matters much, as Toledo is down multiple scores with 3:25 remaining.
Toledo doing their best to get back into the game, with Richter connecting on passes of 25 and 28 yards, but even still, they're only at the Temple 38 after all that.
Well, so much for our earlier pessimism! Richter finds CJ Miller for a 10-yard TD to pull within a score... can Toledo make a miracle happen? 42-35 Temple (1:05 4Q)
UNBELIEVABLE! Toledo recovers the onsides kick, and get the ball at Temple's 49!
HARK: A MIRACLE! Richter connects with Daryl Barnett for a 23-yard touchdown! THE ROCKETS HAVE TIED THE GAME! 42-42 (:54 4Q)
Take a breather, everyone: we're going to overtime.
Toledo opens up the overtime ledger with a 24-yard pass from Richter to Sam Lee– and Connor Walendzak continues a banner day with another rushing touchdown. They're up 49-42 OT1.
Ajani Sheppard gets a 22-yard rushing score to answer– but take a timeout right after. They could be mulling whether to go for it.
Toledo WINS! Ajani Sheppard tries to connect with Peter Clarke on the two-point conversion, and it fails. What an unbelievable effort by the Rockets to snatch a win from the jaws of defeat.

Miami RedHawks vs. Cincinnati Bearcats

Miami came out motivated, as the diminutive Scoop Smith (five-foot-five, 150 lbs.) returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown! Miami up 7-0 early.

Miami RedHawks open the final Victory Bell with a kickoff return touchdown, courtesy of SCOOP SMITH pic.twitter.com/2pcdH9yvRS
— By the Belt: A MAC Sports Blog (@bythebelt) September 19, 2026

Miami gets a three-and-out on Cincy's first offensive series as well. What a start for the RedHawks, who are looking to prove their game against Pitt was a fluke.
Miami absolutely getting whatever they want against the Bearcat defense, with a 34-yard pass to start the proceedings, followed by an 11-yard rush and an additional 10-yard pass.
TOUCHDOWN, Miami! Lazaro Rogers caps an explosive drive with a 12-yard rushing score to double the RedHawks lead at 14-0! (10:53 1Q)
Cincy seems to have settled in, gaining steadily with a short and intermediate look. Anything to try and slow the game down.
Bing, bang, boom. Passes of 29 yards and 16 yards after Kaleb Martin left the field due to injury puts Cincy right at the doorstep, and Cole Tabb runs in to put the Bearcats on the board at 14-7 (6:07 1Q.)
We've reached the end of the first quarter, and it certainly feels like Miami is in the driver's seat here thanks to their defensive play. They've notched some key pass break-ups to stall drives.
Tyler Dikos breaks through the line and stuffs JC French nine yards behing the line on third-and-five to force a crucial stop. Miami will possess the ball at their 14-yard line to start the new drive.
David McComb hadn't see the field as a college prospect before Week 1, but he looks damn comfortable now, with a 34-yard pass to Damarion Witten that wowed the eyes– even if it was called back on penalty.
Maleek Huggins making a name for himself too, with a beautiful, leaping one-handed catch along the sideline reminiscent of the Jumpman logo for a gain of 27 yards. Adidas supplies the Miami uniforms; hope they don't get in trouble.
David McComb ends a raucous drive with aplomb, rushing for a six-yard score on a fake give. The RedHawks making a statement against their hated rival, up 21-7 with 5:52 to go in the first half.
Cincinnati is forced to go for a field goal after the RedHawks put them into third-and-18 thanks to a big TFL by Blayne Myrick. Stephen Rusnak misses from 52 yards out, and the Bearcats are starting to unravel here.
I cannot emphasize enough just how awesome of a game Maleek Higgins is having. He just caught a TD backshoulder and managed to get both feet on the sideline of the endzone despite tight coverage to put Miami up 28-7 with :21 2Q.
Higgins has two catches– both worthy of SportsCenter Top 10– to go with 63 yards and a touchdown. The Bethune-Cookman transfer has looked incredible so far in 2026, and is confirming our priors here.
Man, the RedHawk defense is playing with their hair on fire. They break up a pass, stuff a run for no gain, force a false start, and then cap the drive off by stonewalling JC French's attempt to convert a fourth-and-one on their own 33-yard line. Grant Lyons gives Miami a crucial turnover-on-downs.
The boobirds are out in Cincinnati, as the shellshocked home fans can't believe what they're seeing.
Really bad drive for the RedHawks, as they sputtered on offense for the first time today. Had a penalty for a chop block on a 13-yard gain, then stalled out at the Cincy 18. The field goal attempt was no good– a rarity for this unit. Looks like the holder let go of the ball before the kicker got his foot on it.
The Bearcats are getting going real good now, with explosive plays of 11 yards and 38 yards to Larenzo Fenner sandwiching an 11-yard rush by Gi'Bran Payne.
Touchdown, Cincinnati. The Bearcats go 80 yards in eight plays, with JC French calling his own number on the score. Miami still up 28-14. (7:27 3Q)
Momentum is starting to turn, you can feel it in the air and in how the Miami offense is approaching the game. David McCord tosses a very bad pick trying to get a short gain on the right sideline. It could have been a pick-six had the defender not fallen over.
Cole Tabb gets another score on an outside run, and suddenly, Cincy is down just one score. 28-21 Miami lead, with 3:44 3Q.
Miami has looked completely rattled since that field goal error. Feels like they're trying to do too much to keep the lead in such an emotional environment. They've got to settle down and not let the circumstances get to them.
Mama, there goes that man. Maleek Huggins climbs the ladder to haul in a 50-yard heave. AN additional 15 yards on roughing the passer, and that's a field-flipping play. Miami in great position to re-establish a two-score lead.
Miami scaring the fans on back-to-back plays, with two fumbles in a row right after getting into Cincy territory. They've recovered both, but only barely.
D'Shawntae Jones tries to convert on the Wildcat snap on third-and-goal at the Cincy two-yard line, but fails. Kellan McLaughlin boots the kick through from 19 yards out to push the lead back to two possessions. (13:51 4Q.)
FUMBLE! Miami gets to JC French on the sack and Grant Lyons strips it out! Roosevelt Andrews is there to fall on it, and Miami is in the driver's seat, up 10.
Oh no, special teams with another mistake for Miami. Kellan McLaughlin pushes the 42-yard field goal well to the right, and now Cincy has a chance to get within a score with 10 minutes remaining.
Cincinnati is feeling it now, sustaining a long drive and ending it with a pass from JC French to JV Gibson to put the margin at 31-28 with 6:20 remaining.
The sense you get watching is that Miami is really holding on for dear life. Lots of hesitation on defense and ramped up clocks on offense. They're out of timeouts now after a procedural mistake.
David McComb with a potential legacy-defining throw on third-and-22, finding Damarion Witten right in the middle of the field for a 33-yard gain to put the ball at the Miami 48.
Some missed throws by McComb dooms the drive, and a 38-yard punt puts the Bearcats at their 15-yard line.
Cincy going for it on fourth-and-two, game on the line, and gets 15 yards on the pass. Grant Lyons is injured on the play, and getting stretched out. He's been Miami's best defender today.
Cole Tabb with his second touchdown of the day, rumbling for a 53-yard score to put Cincy in front for the first time today with 1:29 remaining. Feels like the dam is finally bursting for Miami.
Maleek Huggins with yet another huge reception, this time for 24 yards. Unfortunately, McComb has felt pressure since, potentially compromising the drive.
David McComb has thrown some simply insane passes today. This time, it's a 14-yard rope to Carl Jenkins Jr. between two defenders to convert on third down. Even if Miami loses, this has been a simply incredible performance.
Heartbreak. David McComb tries to step up in the pocket after his left tackle loses his assignment and Antwan Peek– who won the rep with the left tackle– forces the fumble. Drew Logan recovers, and the Bearcats will hold the Victory Bell until the next time these two teams meet.
Miami had chances to cement the win, but made several uncharacteristic mistakes on special teams which altered the game state, costing at least six points. They also had a bad interception and a lost fumble on offense (with three total fumbles) in the fourth quarter, allowing Cincy to outscore them 28-3 in the final frame.
Feels like the moment got too big for Miami, which suffered a similar fate vs. Pitt two weeks ago when trying to keep up in the third quarter. One mistake unraveled them then, and it seemed to do the same here. Another tough non-conference loss for Miami under Chuck Martin.

UMass Minutemen vs. Stonehill Skyhawks

UMass wins the toss and defers to the second half.
The Minutemen defense rocks the Skyhawks just three plays into the game, as William DePaepe stonewalls Aiden Garrett to cause a fumble. TJ Magee picks the ball up and UMass starts on the Stonehill 17.
UMass nearly gives the ball back on a fumble on third-and-two, but Pop Watson manages to fall on it.
Derek Morris converts the turnover to a field goal to put UMass up 3-0. (12:09 1Q)
Some undisciplined football gives Stonehill a chance to score, as William DePaepe draws a roughing-the-passer penalty on what was already a 26-yard completion by the Skyhawks. They have the ball at the UMass 13 now.
Alijah Turner, who we wrote might be a problem in our preview, hauls in a touchdown on the very next play to give Stonehill the 7-3 lead. (9:15 1Q)
Nothing T.Y. Harding can't solve though; he darts through the defense for a 56-yard gain and puts the Minutemen back up to 10-7 in what has been a wildly-entertaining opening salvo. (7:33 1Q)
Derek Morris kicks a 55-yarder and it's through the uprights. (1:38 1Q)
Stonehill with possession to start the second quarter and he gets sacked for a 15-yard loss on first-and-20! William DePaepe, who has been all over the board, gets a positive play here.
That sack sets up fourth-and-35, so Stonehill punts– or so they think! David Chiavegato blocks it, and Tavian Dashiell falls on top! UMass takes the ball once again deep in Stonehill territory.
The UMass offense gets two-straight penalties to kill two explosive plays, then immediately gives up a sack to punt the ball back. That was about as bad as we've seen a UMass drive go in awhile.
UMass and Stonehill have stalemated for a bit here in the second quarter, feels like something needs to give soon.
Pop Watson's pass for Joseph Griffin is intercepted by Spencer Davila, and the Skyhawks get a chance to score starting at the midfield.
UMass' defense averts a crisis, condemning the game into yet more punting. Neither team could gain an edge to end the half.
It was an ugly second quarter for both sides; Stonehill had four punts and a turnover-on-downs, while UMass had two punts, a turnover-on-downs and an interception.
UMass dictating the tempo to start the second half, ending a drive lasting over five minutes on a Curtis Kimmons IV short rushing score. The two-point conversion is missed, but UMass still leads 19-7. (9:31 3Q)
UMass has struggled keeping Pop Watson upright today, as he goes down for another 11 yard sack on third down. Not the best series for UMass' OL, which also had a two-yard loss on a run.
Fumble! David Chiavegato, the true freshman, with another awesome play. After blocking the punt earlier, he now recovers a fumble on third-and-three to gift the offense the ball at the Stonehill 31. Isaiah Reed credited with the force.
An unforced tripping penalty puts UMass behind the eight ball early, but Derek Morris converts another short field goal to extend the lead to 22-7. (2:15 3Q)
Touchdown, UMass! Pop Watson polishes the latest drive with a sneak, and the Minutemen are in full control, up 30-7. (13:37 4Q)
UMass did pick up an unsportsmanlike after the fact; they need to watch out in the future as they approach league play. There's been several of those today.
It's been all UMass in the fourth quarter, forcing a Stonehill three-and-out right away before T.Y. Harding gets loose for his second 50+ yard score of the day. UMass 36, Stonehill 7. (10:54 4Q)
Stonehill puts together a very nice drive, lasting nearly seven minutes, to get Derek Varley on the board with a receiving TD from Drew Eason. UMass up 36-14 over Stonehill. (3:32 4Q)
UMass puts in the backups, and they run the clock down to end the game. For the first time as an FBS program, they're 3-0 to start a season– and now have a winning streak at home as they get set to play MAC newbie Sacramento State.

Ball State Cardinals at Liberty

Ball State receives the ball first.
The Cardinals end up going three-and-out, with a two-yard gain and two incomplete passes.
Liberty QB Deshawn Purdie finds Indiana transfer Makai Jackson for a 12-yard touchdown, and the Flames go up 6-0 after the PAT is missed off the uprights. (10:16 2Q)
Luster showing off how his arm looks when it finds the target now, with a 14-yard pass and a 13-yard pass on back-to-back dropbacks, helping set up a 25-yard rush by TJ Horton.
Speaking of, Horton takes the snap directly on the Wildcat play and scores to help Ball State take a 7-6 lead! (5:47 1Q)
Liberty dices the Ball State defense like a country ham on the next possession, with Purdie's 16-yard pass to Jamari Person capping a four-play drive which saw plays of 37, 13 and nine yards before. (3:53 1Q)
Ball State's defense has settled down in the second quarter, but they're still prone to the 10+ yard pass. They'll need to communicate a little better for a chance to win.
Chase Reeves gets a 46-yard kick to put Liberty up 16-7, and that should be considered a minor victory for BSU.
Brody Boehm finally misses a placekick, this one from 34 yards out. It's a pity, this was one of Ball State's better drives of the game.
Two absolutely killer offensive penalties on Ball State on back-to-back plays will do nothing to help their attempt to score before the half. Ball State was lined up illegally on a 10-yard gain by Luster, then Donovan Hamilton drew a personal foul to wipe out another Luster gain, this time from 29 yards out. Head coach Mike Uremovich was unhappy with BSU's lack of discipline last week and that is rearing itself again here.
Oh hey, another Ball State penalty. This one for a personal foul at BSU's 15-yard line. Liberty gets a new set of downs inside the BSU 10-yard line after getting the stop on the run.
Touchdown, Liberty. Deshawn Purdie finds Jamari Person for their second scoring connection of the day with 13 seconds left in the half. Liberty now up 23-7.
Liberty gets the ball back at the start of the second half due to the coin toss, and backup QB Ethan Vasko gets the score on a four-yard scamper. Ball State really in trouble now, down 30-7. (11:17 3Q.)
Ball State gets in their own way again, committing a penalty on a Luster gain on third down and then having to deal with third-and-long. It's been like that all day; Uremovich won't be happy in film review.
Terron Kellman with a huge 43-yard run up the middle and one gets the feeling Ball State's defense is no longer up to the task.
Touchdown, Liberty. Kam Davis with a 14-yard gain to put the Flames up 37-7. (6:59 3Q)
TJ Horton has carried the load impressively today despite the gap between these two teams. His emergence over the last two weeks has been welcome for the Cardinals. Reminds me of BSU backs of old, such as James Gilbert.
Horton caps off a drive where he had plays of 20 yards and 13 yards with a direct snap touchdown. Luster crosses the line for a two-fer, and Ball State cuts the gap to 37-15 (2:42 3Q)
Brady Boehm nearly pulls off the onside kick recovery, but he's a little too quick to the ball; it's a penalty for illegal touch. LU gets the ball on BSU's 44.
Keldrick Luster converts a fourth-down on his legs– but another holding penalty on senior lineman Chris Hood negates it. A severely disappointing afternoon. I would estimate Luster has lost about 50 yards rushing due to negated plays alone.
Liberty has the backups in, with Jaylen Henderson finding Terron Kellman for a 21-yard touchdown. 44-15 Liberty. (7:29 4Q)
Keldric Luster with no chance as he get sacked for a fumble by Michael Floyde. Kyle Ferm returns the ball 28 yards to set up the offense at BSU's 16.
Liberty tacks on another TD thanks to Jaylin Belford to go up 51-15 with 5:02 to go.
Ball State puts in the backups, and the rest of this game will be elementary.
The Cards can't really blame anyone but themselves here; penalties negating big offensive games really put them in a hole they could never dig a hole out of. On the day, they had 11 flags for 108 yards.