MAC takes down two undefeated teams with wins over Ohio and Rutgers

Kent State knocked off Rutgers on the road, while Ohio failed to convert on a game-tying drive and lost 23-20 to Miami.

By Chip Patterson

Oct 27, 2012 at 7:15 pm ET • 1 min read

Kent State's Anthony Meray breaks a tackle attempt by Rutgers defensive back Duron Harmon. (AP)

Just like that, in a span of one hour Saturday, two undefeated teams suffered their first loss of the season. In both instances, the culprit was the same: the mighty MAC.

Granted, Ohio's loss was a conference game -- as well as a rivalry game, but Miami and Kent State were both on the field celebrating on upsets at the same time. It was another memorable Saturday during this memorable season for the Mid-American Conference.

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First, Kent State picked off Rutgers quarterback Gary Nova for the sixth time, and the Golden Flashes were able to run out the clock on the biggest win in school history. It was the first win over a ranked opponent, and it guaranteed a winning season for a program that has not had one since 2001. It was also Rutgers' Homecoming game, making the win even sweeter for the underdogs on the road.

Back in Ohio, the in-state battle between the Bobcats and the Redhawks unfolded in a similarly surprising manner. The Redhawks jumped out to a 13-0 lead in the first quarter, and never gave up control of the game again on the way to a 23-20 upset of Ohio. The two teams combined 888 total yards of offense as Miami's Zac Dysert and Ohio's Tyler Tettleton led the quarterback dual that fans were anticipating.

In the end, it was Tettleton taking a sack with nine seconds remaining and no timeouts that prevented Ohio from kicking a game-tying field goal. The Bobcats were at the seven-yard line, and an incomplete pass on the final play would have given them an opportunity to force overtime.

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