MAC Football

2026 MAC Football Week 4 Evening Live Game Thread

We get three games for a night cap, including #MACtionAfterDark and a nationally-televised tilt.

Photo credit: The State Hornet

Our late afternoon slate is still active, but we have one game in the evening slate which has kicked up, so we're publishing this one a bit early!

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!

Bowling Green Falcons vs. South Florida Bulls

Preview:

Updates:

CB JoJo Johnson was declared out for the season in the latest report. It's truly a pity, as he was easily one of the best players on the roster. He notched an interception against Nebraska and was their most experienced corner. Less than ideal news ahead of kick.
BG forced to punt on their first possession, but they get a golden opportunity on USF's next possession, as Myles Bradley brings down Michael Van Buren for a sack fumble and Eriq George recovers!
Travis Kenner turns the turnover into a field goal to put the Falcons up 3-0 over South Florida with 10:05 1Q.
A second offensive drive for USF, a second USF fumble finding it ways into the mitts of a BGSU defender– this time Myles Bradley, who now has two sacks, two forced fumbles and a recovery!
BG's drive ends in a punt after an early sack. They are at five yards of offense in two possessions despite starting two drives in BG territory.
USF has been malfunctioning on offense in this game so far between the turnovers and general inefficiency. Even basic plays are labored; to wit, a six-yard pass to Kade Caton is called back on illegal touching.
USF gets to their 49 and in an effort to try and extend the drive, goes on fourth-and-four. The pass falls incomplete and BG gets another defensive stop.
The Falcons offense had a few opportunities to find paydirt, most notably on a second down incompletion to Winn Sharp, but they'll settle for another short field goal. 6-0 BGSU with 7:29 2Q.
This BG defense is playing out of their minds right now. They have forced yet another USF punt after a drive that doens't reach midfield. They should have a great chance at extending their lead here when they get the ball back.
There's the first major mistake of the day by the Falcons; veteran linebacker Dorian Pringle gets flagged for a personal foul after a successful three-and-out stop and now USF gets the back with a new series of downs.
Kade Kostus gets an 11-yard sack coming off the penalty, but then give up a 30-yard QB scramble on the next play. This is the first drive we can recall where USF has crossed into BG territory.
But it's much too late for the Bulls at this point; the drive ends there, as we reach the halftime break! BGSU, despite all odds, are up 6-0 over USF thanks to two forced fumbles and a turnover-on-downs.
USF really has no idea what to do with this BG pass rush; they've looked as if their clock is wound up and are making a lot of mistakes. Two sacks on three plays end their latest drive– which was already hampered by a holding call.
BG has done an incredible job holding possession in the third quarter, and now Nakai Amachree gets a 13-yard gainer to put the Falcons into the USF 40. This has been perhaps their best offensive output of the season so far.
... Now if only they could finish drives. They go 46 yards over 12 yards to kill off 6:45, but punt to pin the Bulls at the nine. That feels like a loss.
Bowling Green gets put in their first sticky situation of the game, a fourth-and-one from their own 45-yard line. Austyn Dendy gets the ball, but USF is ready for it and stonewalls him behind the line of scrimmage. They take over at BG's 44.
You can sense the momentum shifting in USF's favor after the fourth down stop. It's only a matter of time at this point before they score– especially if they keep collecting the yards in chunks like they are.
Touchdown, USF. Luke Kromenhoek rolls out and has nothing but green, green turf in front of him. The Bulls take their first lead of the game at 7-6 12:11 remaining.
BG gets an early 13-yard gain through the air thanks to Eli Jacon-Duffy, but other than that, USF has really nailed down the gameplan. The Bulls force a punt of 40 yards, and USF will get another chance to extend the lead.
Kal-El Pascal gets called for pass interference on a second-down incompletion, then BG gets a roughing-the-passer flag on the next play. The Falcons are quickly losing composure.
Touchdown, USF. DJ Crowther caps off the drive with a one-yard rushing TD to compliment his previous 12 yards on the two plays before. 14-6 USF 5:37 remaining, and at this point, it feels insurmountable.
Jay Kastantin and Winn Sharp have had trouble connecting all night; the latest miss was a walk-in touchdown in blown coverage.
Another bad miss, this time towards Eli Jacon-Duff.
Finally, the Kastantin/Sharp connection works on a schoolyard drill where Sharp comes back to help save a broken play. It's a 12-yard connection on third-and-10!
BG trying to extend the drive on third-and-four... Sharp hauls the pass in, but there is a question of if the ground aided the catch or now. He converted the down, so this would be a major overturn if it comes back.
The call is UPHELD! BG gets the ball at the USF 24 with 1:38 remaining. They need a touchdown and a two-point conversion to tie.
Fourth-and-16... Jay Kastantin reeling further and further backwards our of the pocket... and SOMEHOW, a receiver comes down with it! It's Winn Sharp... but he's two yards short of the chains. Turnover-on-downs, and that'll be your game in Bowling Green.

Central Michigan Chippewas vs. Miami [FL] Hurricanes

Preview:

Updates:

As expected, DL Hunter Zirkle is OUT for the Miami game. He tore his pec last week. Two Chippewas showed up as questionable, including starting cornerback Jaion Jackson and starting halfback Vaughn Blue.
CMU's defense corrals the Hurricanes on the first drive, as Jaxon Cherry gets a 10-yard sack early to put them in unfavorable scenarios.
Angel Flores trots out once again as the starter at QB for CMU. The Chippewas are trying very hard to establish the pass early here, but Flores is still finding gaps here and there in the run game.
CMU draws first blood at Hard Rock Stadium, as Caden VanHuis nails a 49-yard kick to put the Chippewas up 3-0 with 5:58 1Q.
By the way: this is the first time Miami has trailed in any of their games this season.
The Hurricanes are getting their bearings now, with two consecutive first down conversions. They've gotten no less than six yards on each of these plays.
Touchdown, Miami. Javian Mallory, taking the main halfback reps today in place of Mark Fletcher, plows through for a four-yard touchdown with 2:00 1Q.
CMU goes three-and-out on a drive primarily propelled by the pass, and that's not good if they hope to keep pace.
Touchdown, Miami. Darian Mensah puts it where no one else but the receiver can get it, and Daylan Upshaw will get the 11-yard score. 14-3 Miami 12:50 2Q.
It's too bad, because it was basically perfect pressure by the defensive back. Just one of those plays you can't do anything about.
Jadyn Glasser in now at QB, replacing Flores. Looks like the rotation is back on for CMU.
The center sends the snap before Jadyn Glasser was ready on third down, and Miami's JJ Dunnigan falls atop it. Turnover for Central.
Touchdown, Miami. Malachi Toney is covered by true freshman linebacker Drew Esper in the endzone and Mensah finds him. Ultimate mismatch there. 21-3 Miami 9:48 2Q.
Donovan Philord getting looked at for a potential injury after a play. Jaion Jackson was already questionable entering today, so that would be less-than-ideal for the outside boundaries of the defense.
This Darian Mensah guy, he's pretty good.
Mensah finds Cooper Barkate for a 13-yard TD, and we are left in awe of just how easy it is for the Heisman candidate. 28-3 Miami 3:24 2Q.
Marcus Beamon in now for the Chippewas at QB. He makes his presence felt with a 24-yard strike down the middle of the field in the direction of Tayte Vanderleest– who collects it off the tip of Mohammed Toure.
If there has been one saving grace for CMU, Miami has had eight penalties already in the first half. This score could be a lot worse than it currently is.
Officials are looking at whether or not Malachi Toney stretched the ball past the goal line on his latest reception.
The ruling is UPHELD, and the crowd isn't terribly happy about it. But the ball is at the one regardless.
CMU with two excellent reps in pass coverage in their goal line package, putting Darian Mensah at four incompletions on the day.
Touchdown, Miami. Darian Mensah dekes two different Chippewas with a single move to score from five yards out and it's 35-3 for the 'Canes near the end of the first half.
Miami picked up 360 yards of offense in the first half despite all their mistakes. That's a credit to them working through the issues and not letting the emotion get to them.
Central is trying their hardest, but 64 yards on 25 plays is what they're looking at currently. A lot of that is due to Miami's talent on defense, but they're at the least showing a lot of different looks and showing balance between the pass and run in a way they haven't really been able to recently.
Right as we were about to compliment Jadyn Glasser's performance, he gets absolutely rocked unprotected on a sack. Glasser drops the ball and Damon Wilson II picks it up for a scoop-n-score– but a personal foul ends up pulling it off the board. Still Miami's ball, but at their own 35-yard line.
Odell Beckham, eat your heart out. Malachi Toney just had an incredible one-handed grab over the defensive back while having both feet planted inbounds in the back of the endzone. Unfortunately, he's also called for offensive pass interference. Between you, me and the fencepost... it should have counted on the Rule of Cool.
It's a big man touchdown this time for Miami, as Jordan Lyle gets the ball knocked out by a Chippewa defender and lineman Jamal Merriweather falls atop of it before anyone else can get there to get on the scoreboard. 42-3 6:05 3Q.
Declan Duley punts the ball away after a three-and-out– a beautiful 63-yard effort– and then plants Somourian Wingo out of bounds at midfield on a tackle to prevent a return touchdown. Don't see a #PUNTERTACKLE every day, so you gotta celebrate them when you see them.
Miami putting in the backups now, as Luke Nickel takes the place of Darian Mensah.
Mensah finishes the day 23-of-27 for 338 yards and four total touchdowns (three passing, one rushing). This is the first time Mensah has tossed more incompletions than touchdown passes in 2026.
Shoutout to CMU defensive end Nathan VanTimmeren. He started his career as a tight end under Jim McElwain and waited his turn only to be converted to the defensive side midway through last year under a new head coach. He just got a huge eight-yard sack on Luke Nickel to back up the Hurricanes major.
Ed Conoran gets a pass break-up on third down, and the Chippewas will force the Hurricanes offense off the field for the first time.
Jake Weinberg's 33-yard kick is good, and Miami is up 45-3 with 13:19 remaining.
Touchdown, Miami. Chris Wheatley-Humphrey is responsible for all 58 yards on this Hurricane drive, and especially on the 35-yard rumble down the middle of the field. 52-3 Miami 10:29 remaining.
CMU was finally finding a bit of offensive rhythm after being forced into some quick drives earlier, with Glasser continuing his good passing form– but the pressure gets to him on a first-and-10 look inside the Miami 30 and he tosses a duck into the hands of Brody Jennings to kill the drive.
The drive was 12 plays for 45 yards over 7:23. Definitely a lot to build upon there; you just wish it would have ended with at least a chance of scoring.

UMass Minutemen at Sacramento State Hornets

Preview:

Updates:

UMass' injury report looks like this: Cornerback TJ Magee and defensive lineman Kamarion Thomas are OUT. Receiver Joseph Griffin Jr., defensive lineman Joshua Nobles and safety Zeraun Daniels are QUESTIONABLE.
Sac State will be without starting halfback Jamar Curtis, starting linebacker Derek Houston and starting QB Carson Conklin. Matt Coleman, the MAC's leader in receiving through four weeks, is QUESTIONABLE.
UMass starts with the ball and get two big conversions right away to get into Sac State territory.
Touchdown, UMass! Pop Watson III takes it himself on the designed QB rollout, follows the blocker and goes 18 yards for the score! 7-0 UMass 11:48 1Q
Sac State gave up a lot of explosives on the ground, with a 17-yard rush by T.Y. Harding to start the proceedings, then a 33-yard scramble by Watson two plays later. Watson's second rushing play would eventually end the drive.
Sac State goes three-and-out on the first drive of the series. They've had to shuffle along the offensive line recently and it's apparent right there. Joshua Iseah gets a sack of Jackson Sharman on third down to force the punt.
UMass showing a lot of creativity in their pre-snap motion so far. A favorite formation so far has been the two back look which brings a receiver across in motion for a quasi-option look.
The Hornets manage to get a stop on third-and-ten on their own 26 to force a field goal.
Derek Morris' attempt is NO GOOD from 40 yards out. Sac State does draw a foul after the play which is enforced on the following drive.
Isaiah Ene with a 16-yard reception on a nice C-route from the backfield to move the chains. His development so far has been a very fascinating watch as he slowly climbs the depth chart.
Sac State won't be happy leaving this drive with a field goal attempt, even if it's points. Grant Meadors kicks it through from 20 yards, and it's UMass 7, Sac State 3 early 2Q.
The drive ending in Meadors' kick was a 16-play drive spanning two quarters with help from a DPI in the endzone. They had plenty of opportunities but come away without max points. They're hoping it won't haunt them.
Mama, there goes that man again. It's Pop Watson for a 32-yard scamper, and the Minutemen are up 14-3 on Sacramento State on the road with 10:27 to go 2Q.
Oh no, Sacramento. Isaiah Ene tries to fight for extra yards, but he gets stood up by Tyler Martin and the ball pops up, allowing the Minutemen to recover and reclaim possession at their own 14-yard line.
The Hornets defense is quick to respond, forcing a three-and-out, then Ivan Moore Jr. gets the block on Edward Phillipson's punt to give Sac State the ball at the Minutemen 13-yard line.
UMass holds the Hornets to another three-and-out, and they have to settle for a field goal from 29 yards out to put the tally at 14-6 for the visitors with 3:46 to go first half.
The Sac State defense not on their best behavior on the next drive, committing offsides on third-and-eight, then pass interference on the ensuing third-down incompletion, then an unsportsmanlike conduct– all on back-t0-back-to-back snaps UMass gets a 26-yard bomb that puts them on the doorstep of a score from 26 yards out.
TOUCHDOWN, UMass! Pop Watson rolls right and finds tight end Max Dowling for a seven-yard score, and it's now 21-6 UMass with 1:45 to go in the first half.
Jackson Sharman fighting to try and get Sac State within scoring range in a two-minute drill. Hits on passes of 14, 5, 9 and 4 yards before finding his first incompletion trying to move the ball deeeeep downfield. They're at the UMass 43 with 1:09 remaining first half.
Onterrio Smith Jr. with a strong 15-yard reception where he crossed the field and stiff armed at least one defender en route.
Smith gets targeted again on a receiver bubble screen but starts running before he has the ball. His hands hit his helmet as he realizes what's happened. Fourth down now, and the Hornets will send out the field goal unit to try and add to their tally.
A very sloppy exchange between both teams just now. UMass commits offsides on the first field goal attempt from 39 yards out. It forces a re-try from 34 yards. The try from Meadors is good, but a flag on the play nullifies it, as it's false start on the Hornets. Now trying for the third time from 40 yards, Meadors hooks it wide right. No good, and Sac State will squander another drive.
This was a great opportunity to add points of any kind and try the "middle eight" stack out of the halftime break, but now they'll have to defend one more UMass offensive drive.
Sac State managed to contain UMass to prevent any more points being added to the board, but you really hope they can show something in the second half.
UMass gets the third quarter started off dramatically, as Timmy Hinspeter reads Jackson Sharman's eyes, picks the ball off and returns it all the way for a pick-six! 28-6 UMass early 3Q.
Unfortunately for the Minutemen, William DePapoe, their star edge rusher, was injured pretty severely on the play and was carted off holding his ankle and drying tears with a towel. If he can't go for the rest of the season, that's a stark loss for the defense.
A terrible special teams mistake by Matt Coleman may end up taking the Hornets out of contention. The ball lands behind Matt Coleman, and he tries to get to it to ensure it doesn't touch him– but instead he tosses it upwards due to his being dragged down by UMass gunners and it's chaos as both teams fight in the pile. The Minutemen come up with it, though.
UMass cashes in the turnover with a touchdown run by Kezion Dia-Johnson from three yards out on the end-around, and the Minutemen are just cruising now. They're up 35-6 with 2:27 3Q.
I know UMass has just played two FCS team and gotten really good results out of it, but this is the first time I've seen UMass look a team in the eyes, point where they're going and then plant them into the ground from wire-to-wire. They're winning in the trenches, they're winning with play design, they're winning in mentality– and of course, on the scoreboard as well. This is nothing against Sac State, which is in a pretty painful position given how FCS/FBS transitions work nowadays, but UMass is just plain better right now and I don't know how often we've said that... if at all.
If anything, Sac State kind of reminds me of the UMass of old from a mentality and resource standpoint. You underestimate the growing pains until you're going through them, and boy are the Hornets certainly feeling them. NDSU was positive growth, while tonight's game has been like running into a brick wall. They'll figure some things out as we go along, but this year was always destined for tough lessons.
Per our Jack Dann, tight end Jordan Williams has limped to the Sac State locker room. That's another loss for an offense which was already wounded coming in. Halfback Cincere Rhaney also getting help off the field and into the medical tent on the sideline.
Meeting at the quarterback for Andrew DePaepe and Joshua Nobles on third down, and UMass forces yet another punt on the night. Just an absolute tail-whippin' today.
Pop Watson III being pulled out with 7:18 remaining. Finishes 11-of-18 for 101 passing yards, 72 rushing yards and three total touchdowns (two rushing, one passing.) Sophomore backup QB Logan Inagawa is in for his second game appearance in 2026. Also had snaps against Sacred Heart.
Jackson Sharman continuing to toss the ball in desperation, but fails to connect with Raiden Brown twice and then overthrows Khai Taylor as well. Hamish Adams on to punt.
UMass opts to punt the ball back to Sac State with 1:08 to go, but unless the Hornets pull out the magical 30-point play from the playsheet, I don't think they have a chance of coming back in this one.
Your final score in Sacramento is UMass 35, Sacramento State 6. The Minutemen are the only undefeated team left in the MAC at 4-0, and have won four games in a row for the first time since joining FBS. What a season so far.

2026 MAC Football Week 4 Evening Live Game Thread

Bowling Green Falcons vs. South Florida Bulls

Central Michigan Chippewas vs. Miami [FL] Hurricanes

UMass Minutemen at Sacramento State Hornets

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