2026 MAC Football Week 4 Late Afternoon Live Game Thread

The MAC saw at least one encouraging result in the early window today, with Toledo downing San Diego State by over three scores at home. Akron lost to UNLV with a shoestring roster, while in MAC league play. Kent State claimed their first win in a MAC opening game in three years over Ball State.

(EMU's game against Lindenwood is still in progress, and you can follow that on the early thread.)

Now we get some more intriguing contests, including what could be the Game of the Year in Boise State vs. Western Michigan.

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!

Western Michigan Broncos vs. Boise State Broncos

Preview:

2026 MAC Football Week 4 Game Preview: Boise State Broncos at Western Michigan Broncos

It’s Broncos vs. Broncos... with significant College Football Playoff stakes involved.

By The BeltSteve Helwick

Updates:

• Receiver Aveion Chenault is QUESTIONABLE for Western today, while safety Micah Davis is OUT.
• Boise gets the ball first and they shred the WMU defense, as Maddux Madsen finds Matt Wagner for a 34-yard scoring strike. Boise goes for the two-pointer and gets it, now leading 8-0 early 1Q.
• WMU punts the ball back after stalling out, but Boise can't take advantage, as Canaan Moore misses a 29-yard chip shot field goal to gift the home team the ball back.
• Seems the kicker misses are contagious; Dieter Kelly, the hero of the Bail Mary game, misses from 40 yards out, and the score remains at 8-0 Boise.
• Touchdown, Boise. Dylan Riley goes up the middle untouched on a five-yard gain. 15-0 for the visiting side.
• There is just nothing doing for WMU in this one. They're forced to a three-and-out and are down by 15. Boise is swarming to the ball on offense and sustaining drives on defense, with over 16 minutes of possession on three drives.
• The defenses are entrenched in warfare, as both teams have largely exchanged punts in the second quarter. Ryan Millmore's latest pins Boise inside their four-yard line.
• Boise runs down the clock, and that will be the end of the first half from Kalamazoo. This has been an unexpectedly arrhythmic game from two very fun offenses. Boise got the early jump, but after getting out of the first quarter, it feels as if both teams know what the other wants to do.
• Western could really use more from their pass game; they have largely relied on the run to win so far in 2026, but sit at just 35 yards currently– 23 on one long run. Finding some seams in the pass game could perhaps open the running lanes back up. Just a thought, looking at it from outside.
• A golden opportunity to get back into the game slips through Emazon Littlejohn's hands on third-and-four, as he can't get his hands on Broc Lowry's throw right in front of the endzone. Lowry overthrows Egypt Nelson on fourth down on the next play and now they're in the danger zone.
• Boise starting to get control of the game now, with Maddux Madsen finding Ben Ford for an eight-yard touchdown pass. 22-0 Boise over WMU 7:22 3Q
• Down four scores, WMU has no choice but to start going on some uncomfortable fourth downs. They look at fourth-and-three from Boise's 40 and the pass falls incomplete. Turnover-on-downs.
• Caanan Moore makes up for his earlier short field goal miss by sinking the next one from 25 yards out, and Boise goes up 25-0 right before the end of the third quarter.
• WMU really pushing it now and they do not look comfortable at all. Boise has succeeded in taking away the run game, and the consistent passing has made them one-dimensional.
• The Broncos once again reach fourth down, this time on their own 34-yard line, and Lowry tosses an arm punt to Roman Tillmon, who returns the ball 22 yards the other way to give Boise the ball at the WMU 38.
• Touchdown, Boise. It's way too easy for Maddux Madson, who rolls left and finds Matt Wagner drifting up the endzone wide open. 32-0 Boise with 7:40 remaining and we can probably assume it's over but the crying at Waldo.
• WMU can't win but for losing at this point, drawing an unsportsmanlike conduct on a completion that loses them all the yards and then some. A few plays after, a pass to put them in Boise territory gets overturned. They punt soon after.
• The backups are now in for both sides, which is a sign they're content to run the clock out to the end.
• This is an aura-shattering loss for Western, as it snaps a stretch where they have gone 11-2 in the last 13 games dating back to last season. Refusal by the powers that be to count the Michigan win already made WMU's Playoff fight hard, but a loss of this nature absolutely shreds the MAC's hopes to an irreparable state.
• Really did not like the body language I saw from WMU throughout the game. It seemed like the moment was a little too big for them, and once Boise got the two-pointer at the start of the game, the emotional tempo was set. Hopefully they can take a lesson from this and apply it to their conference season.
• A nice moment for halfback Cole Cabana, a former Michigan transfer who has dealt with multiple injuries affecting his career. It's his first-ever score! He gets a late touchdown here, and the score sits at 32-7 with 1:03 remaining.
• Your final score from Waldo: Boise State 32, Western Michigan 7.

Miami RedHawks vs. UConn Huskies

Preview:

2026 MAC Football Week 4 Game Preview: UConn Huskies at Miami (OH) RedHawks

Jason Candle and Chuck Martin meet again, except this time, it’s not for the MAC standings.

By The BeltSteve Helwick

Updates:

• No major injuries to report for the RedHawks. They'll be essentially full go.
• UConn strikes first, as former Toledo QB Kalieb Osborne finds Javon Brown for the game's opening touchdown from seven yards out. 7-0 UConn early on the road.
• Osborne went 3-of-3 passing for 51 yards on the drive, showing no problems early.
• Miami's offense goes three-and-out. Discouraging start.
• Touchdown, UConn. Kalieb Osborne again, this time on a 38-yard rush, Caps off an eight-play, 84-yard drive. 14-0 UConn 6:30 1Q.
• The drive was set up in part by a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, and the scoring play itself was on a fourth-and-one. A lack of discipline for what is typically a stout unit in the Miami defense.
• Miami's offense already in desperation mode, going for it on fourth-and-one on the UConn 26-yard line– a rarity under Chuck Martin– and failing, as D'Shawntae Jones is met by a welcoming party of Huskies for a loss.
• The thing about Scoop Smith being so small is that any tackle on him looks comical. He gets horsecollar tackled out of bounds and looks like a ragdoll in the process. It's a free 15 yards though, and the RedHawks continue to march.
• TOUCHDOWN, Miami! David McComb calls his own number for a 10-yard rush and the RedHawks are on the board! 14-7 UConn 6:08 2Q.
• Miami really testing the UConn secondary, with a deep shot down the middle for Scoop Smith that fell incomplete followed by a 15-yard completion to Lynel Billups-Williams.
• Renick Dorilas snags an interception but he gets it called back on a defensive pass interference call. Miami's drive remains alive at the two-minute warning.
• Miami makes UConn pay for their mistake on the very next play, as Brendan Loftus snags the ball one-handed on the run and gallops 58 yards for the score! It's 14-14 with 1:50 2Q.
• UConn putting together a drive to try and take the lead after giving up 14 unanswered on the other side. They've been a bit discombobulated in the second quarter after scoring on their first two possessions.
• Miami pressures the UConn backfield well on three consecutive plays, and Miami forces UConn to try for a long field goal.
• Jack O'Connor's try is NO GOOD from 46 yards out! The RedHawks will get the ball back to start the second half, having scored the last 14 points.
• TOUCHDOWN, Miami! It's Scoop Smith for an 11-yard reception to keep the good times going. That's 21 unanswered, and the RedHawks lead 21-14 3:51 3Q.
• Miami seems to be over their early game jitters, but one wishes they would figure things out a little earlier in games.
• A special teams blunder for Miami, as they allow Keji Christian to have a 32-yard return on the kickoff. UConn gets the ball at their own 36-yard line now to start.
• Kalieb Osborne launches an absolute missile down the middle of the field and Shamar Porter has to go to dramatics to haul it in through coverage. It's a 53-yard snag to put the Huskies at the Miami 10-yard line.
• Touchdown, UConn. Cyncir Bowers crosses the threshold on third-and-goal at the one-yard line to snap the scoring streak. We're tied at 21 with 49 seconds left 3Q.
• Oh man, Brendan Loftus very nearly hauls in another touchdown on a very pretty backshoulder catch, but it's broken expertly by Hayden Pegg.
• It's official: Miami has a problem at placekicker. Kellan McLaughlin misses his second-straight field goal attempt, this time from 40 yards, on a knuckler that wasn't even close to being center. He had one bounce off the crossbar earlier in the game, and had a wide kick down the stretch against Cincy last week too. Chuck Martin is all about special teams; this has to be chapping his hide fierce.
• David McComb gets injured on a play and has to leave the field for an examination. Caleb Heavner, who started camps as third-string QB, helms the offense for now.
• Roosevelt Andrews doing his part to help Miami, getting a four-yard sack on UConn's first play of the new series.
• INTERCEPTION! CJ Young, the former Kent State Golden Flash, nabs the pick for the RedHawks to kill a potential drive. Jermain Agee is assessed a personal foul during the play, so the ball gets pushed back 15 yards, but still: a vital play.
• True freshman placekicker Brady Stidham is in to replace Kellan McLaughlin after his two earlier missed field goals. Stidham hits it down the middle on his first career attempt, and Miami will have 3:02 to defend their 24-21 lead.
• UConn goes for the killshot, but Javon Brown can't being it in with one hand. Brown objects to the officials, saying he was interfered with but to no avail.
• UConn opts to go for the win instead of tying the game on fourth-and-10 from the Miami 38... Kalieb Osborne can't find Ryder Treadway down the middle after getting hurried behind the line, and the RedHawks are going to win a huge non-conference clash, 24-21!
• This is a program-defining game, even with the questions surrounding injuries and special teams. Simply put: Miami doesn't win a lot of these non-conference games. They're now 2-2 entering the league slate; that's huge for them as a potential MAC dark horse.

Ohio Bobcats vs. Stonehill Skyhawks

Preview:

FCS Round-Up: Week 4, 2026

Week 4 is the last of the Round-Ups as far as MAC/FCS games go. Hopefully, there’s no more road bumps from here.

By The BeltJ.H. Jimenez

Updates:

• As expected, both QB Nick Poulos and linebacker Charlie Christopher are both OUT due to injuries suffered earlier in the season. HB Duncan Brune is QUESTIONABLE.
• Ohio tries to get aggressive on their first drive, but it goes haywire, as the Skyhawks force a turnover-on-downs.
• The Bobcats force a Stonehill punt, and will see if they can get their first points of the day.
• TOUCHDOWN, Ohio! Matt Vezza gets 18 yards on the scramble play with 1:46 1Q to bring a 14-play, 76-yard drive to an end. The drive lasted over 7:3o of game clock. 7-0 Ohio.
• The quarter ends with Stonehill driving in Ohio territory. They've looked pretty composed so far in this one.
• Touchdown, Stonehill. Jack O'Connell finds his favorite receiver in Cole Clarke, and the pair connect for a 32-yard score. 7-6 Ohio lead, pending XPA.
• The extra point is good, even despite the yards added by the holding play. We're tied at 7-7.
• TOUCHDOWN, Ohio! Victor Rosa from four yards out will give the Bobcats the lead once again with 8:15 2Q.
• Matt Vezza finds Riley Neer for a 20-yard gain to get just outside of Stonehill's redzone at the two-minute break. It is very important Ohio scores here; Stonehill gets the ball back at the break.
• The Bobcats get to the Stonehill 7 thanks to some strong runs from Irving Brown and Mike Taylor, but Matt Vezza tosses an interception in the trying to escape pressure, as Tyler Bannon tips the pass and Christopher Gill catches it and returns it to the Stonehill 44. A tough break for Ohio, who really could have turned the game on its head.
• Jack O'Connell gets sacked for an 11-yard loss, and the Skyhawks opt to run the clock out to end what has been an unexpectedly tight first half of action.
• TOUCHDOWN, Ohio! Matt Vezza finds Dom Dorwart for a 42-yard laser with 8:01 3Q, and the Bobbies extend their lead to 21-7.
• Ohio has come out with their hair on fire in the second half, forcing a three-and-out on the Stonehill offense to open the quarter.
• TOUCHDOWN, Ohio! Took only three plays on this one, as Matt Vezza's one-yard clean-up score was set up by a 60-yard burst up the middle from Irving Brown, who has had a banner contest so far. Ohio 28, Stonehill 7 4:27 3Q.
• Stonehill going on fourth-and-seven from the Ohio 31 down three scores. Jack O'Connell's pass gets broken up by DJ James-Hamilton in front of the endzone, and the Bobbies get a crucial stop with 13:27 remaining.
• TOUCHDOWN, Ohio! It's Victor Rosa on a six-yard run up the middle with 7:13 remaining. He and Mike Taylor made the drive a joint effort, and that puts Ohio up 35-7 late.
• Stonehill puts in the backups and immediately goes three-and-out. Ohio will likely do the same and try to run the clock down from here. It was a hard-earned win for Ohio, as Stonehill gave them a few good jabs early on before succumbing to the talent pressure.
• We've gone final in Athens, with Ohio taking a 35-7 victory over Stonehill! An admirable effort considering how many injuries they carried coming into the game.

Buffalo Bulls vs. Robert Morris Colonials

Preview:

FCS Round-Up: Week 4, 2026

Week 4 is the last of the Round-Ups as far as MAC/FCS games go. Hopefully, there’s no more road bumps from here.

By The BeltJ.H. Jimenez

Updates:

• Buffalo will be down their top two halfbacks vs. Robert Morris today, with Terrance Shelton Jr. and James McNeil Jr. both OUT. Starting receiver Jasaiah Gathings is also listed OUT.
• The Colonials get the ball first, but UB forces the punt.
• Disaster strikes on third-and-six of UB's first drive, as Jason Wright is intercepted by Amanuel Dickson. RMU gets the ball back at UB's 33-yard line.
• Touchdown, RMU. Xavier Goulbourne sneaks through the middle for a 29 yard gain, and the Colonials lead the Bulls 7-0 9:51 1Q.
• Another frustrating drive for Buffalo on offense. This time, they get into the RMU redzone but miss on a 35-yard field goal try. It kills what was a 17-play, 55-yard drive lasting over 5:35.
• UB starting to wake up, forcing a quick RMU drive and then grinding away the clock on offense.
• TOUCHDOWN, UB! Third-string running back Nino Hill, inserted as the starter today due to injuries, gets a four-yard rush to put the Bulls on the board at 7-7 with 9:11 2Q.
• If there's one thing UB is doing right, it's sustaining drives. This last TD drive went 17 plays for 75 yards with a time of possession of 7:24. That's their second-consecutive 17-play drive of the afternoon.
• If there's one thing they do wrong, it's giving up really easy third downs. Gave up 16 on third-and-four on a pass play, and just gave up a 50-yard rushing touchdown to Carson Haggard. 14-7 RMU 6:30 2Q.
• UB goes three-and-0ut on the next possession. All you can do is shake your head about it at this point. It's as disjointed an offense as I've ever seen.
• Buffalo now in RMU territory thanks to an 18-yard pass from Wright to Chance Morrow, with a chance to score before the end of the half.
• TOUCHDOWN, Buffalo! Jason Wright runs in from 25 yards out and ties the game back up with 33 seconds left 2Q!
• That was much-needed; a field goal there would have felt pretty bad given the game flow to this point.
• Dwayne Early Jr. gets a great 26-yard gain to put the Bulls on the one-yard line– but he gets chirpy with an RMU defender and costs his team 15 yards. Those are the sorts of plays that will drive you insane as a fan or coach.
• TOUCHDOWN, Buffalo! Nino Hill with his second of the afternoon to put the Bulls up 21-14 over RMU with 7:55 3Q.
• It was another offensive drive going over 10+ plays for UB, this time a 14-play, 73-yard one lasting over seven minutes, This is more like it from the Bulls.
• We've reached the end of the third quarter, and UB finds themselves in another squeaker with an FCS team. RMU has the ball to start the final 15 minutes at their own 32-yard line, looking for an opportunity to tie.
• UB forces the punt to open the quarter, then marches right down the field for a quick scoring drive, as Chance Morrow brings in a nine-yard catch to paydirt! 28-14 UB 12:03 remaining.
• Oops, that'll go in the film study. Jason Wright gets sack fumbled and Khalil Hunter hauls in the defensive score to put the game within a score at 28-21 with 9:32 remaining.
• UB seems content running the clock down as much as they can here, especially after the adventure that was the previous drive trying to pass protect.
• Oliver Hautanen notches a field goal from 48 yards out, and go up 31-21 with 5:49 remaining.
• Carson Haggard certainly isn't giving up on this game. He finds Jaqai Carter for a 31-yard connection to get inside UB territory.
• Touchdown, RMU. Noah Scharli gets by the defense for a 32-yard touchdown reception, and suddenly, it's a one-score game again. 31-28 UB 1:51 remaining.
• RMU tries the onsides kick but it doesn't work. Buffalo has to run out the clock– but they can't kneel.
• They opt for the time-wasting method and will walk away with a 31-28 win over Robert Morris.
• Another result where you don't feel particularly good about Buffalo, but they did what they needed to by day's end. Lots of little mistakes, but these are all things which can be fixed on down the line– at least, that's the hope.