Kent rolls into MAC title game

Dri Archer ran for 241 yards and two long touchdowns to lead No. 25 Kent State to its first Mid-American Conference title game with a 31-24 victory at Bowling Green on Saturday.

Kent State’s defense stopped Bowling Green twice within the last five minutes inside the Flashes own territory.

Luke Wollet’s interception of Matt Scihilz’ heave into the end zone with 21 seconds left sealed the victory. The Falcons had driven to the Kent State 14-yard line with less than a minute left, before coming up empty on four consecutive throws.

Back in the national rankings for the first time since 1973, Kent State (10-1, 7-0 MAC) avoided becoming the third MAC team to lose a week after getting into the Top 25.

It was a game of big plays on both sides, with four touchdowns going for over 70 yards, including Archer’s scoring runs of 79 and 74 yards.

Wittenberg 52, Heidelberg 38: Wittenberg staged the largest comeback in its illustrious NCAA Division III playoff history, rallying from a 31-13 halftime to stun No. 11 Heidelberg 52-38 in the first round.

“We’ve had some great comeback wins in the playoffs, and this one will definitely rank right up there with the best of them,” said Wittenberg coach Joe Fincham.

Heidelberg, making its first playoff appearance, seized a 21-3 lead less than 12 minutes into the game and held a 31-13 advantage after a field goal on the final play of the first half. But the second half was dominated by the Tigers as they scored 32 unanswered points.

Wittenberg quarterback Reed Florence threw five touchdown passes.

Buffalo 29, UMass 19: Joe Licata threw two touchdowns and Buffalo scored all 29 of its points in the second half in rallying past Massachusetts. Licata completed 18 of 30 passes for 226 yards in only his third start of the season.

Morehead State 76, Valparaiso 24: Rees Macshara ran for a career-high 211 yards in a Pioneer Football League mauling. Morehead State (4-7, 3-5) scored the game's first 34 points.

E. Michigan 29, W. Michigan 23: Tyler Benz threw two touchdown passes and Dylan Mulder booted three field goals as Eastern Michigan (2-9, 1-6) defeated Western Michigan (4-8, 2-6).

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