OMAHA, Neb. – Mississippi State took the lead on Wes Rea’s two-run double in the eighth inning, closer Jonathan Holder turned back two Oregon State threats, and the Bulldogs beat the Beavers 5-4 on Saturday in the openingBOWLING GREEN, Ohio – Kent State’s remarkable season just keeps getting better.
The No. 25 Golden Flashes are going to their first Mid-American Conference title game with the most wins in school history. But getting there wasn’t easy Saturday, especially for second-year coach Darrell Hazell.
Kent State’s defense stopped Bowling Green twice within the last five minutes in the Flashes’ territory, holding on for a 31-24 victory to clinch the MAC East title.
The Golden Flashes will play West champion Northern Illinois in the MAC title game Nov. 30 in Detroit.
CENTRAL MICHIGAN 30, MIAMI (OHIO) 16: In Mount Pleasant, Mich., Zurlon Tipton ran for 113 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Chippewas.
EASTERN MICHIGAN 29, WESTERN MICHIGAN 23: In Kalamazoo, Mich., Tyler Benz threw two touchdown passes and Dylan Mulder booted three field goals for the Eagles (2-9, 1-6).
After the game, Western Michigan (4-8, 2-6) fired coach Bill Cubit.
BUFFALO 29, MASSACHUSETTS 19: In Foxborough, Mass., Joe Licata threw two touchdowns and the Bulls (4-7, 3-4) scored 29 points in the second half. UMass is 1-10, 1-6.
State
MOREHEAD STATE 76, VALPARAISO 24: In Morehead, Ky., Rees Macshara ran for a career-high 211 yards to finish the season with 1,013 for the Eagles.
YOUNGSTOWN 27, INDIANA STATE 6: In Youngstown, Ohio, Kurt Hess completed 20 of 28 passes for 248 yards and two touchdowns for the Penguins. The Sycamores finish 7-4, 5-3.
