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    • Five Things to Know About Mid-American Conference College Football Media Day
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    Five Things to Know About Mid-American Conference College Football Media Day

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    CANTON — The Mid-American Conference hosted its annual Football Media Day on Friday at the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

    Reigning MAC football champion Miami (Ohio) was tipped as the No. 1 team and Toledo was tipped to finish second in the league’s preseason coaches poll in 2024. They were also the top two teams last year.

    Here are five key points from the Canton event:

    Matt Salopek, Scot Loeffler and Jason Candle Return to Northeast Ohio

    The event featured coaches and players from all 12 MAC schools, including three with local ties: Miami senior linebacker Matt Salopek, Bowling Green coach Scot Loeffler and Toledo coach Jason Candle.

    Salopek, a graduate of Archbishop Hoban High School, is entering his sixth year at the Miami University and is a returning All-MAC player. He earned his bachelor’s degree last year and will receive his master’s degree later this year.

    Salopek was named to Phil Steele’s 2024 Preseason All-American team as a third-team selection. Steele also named Salopek to his Preseason All-MAC first-team.

    Candle, a graduate of West Branch High School and Mount Union, enters his ninth season as Toledo’s coach. MAC coaches projected the Rockets to finish second in the league this season.

    Loeffler, a Barberton High School and Michigan graduate, is entering his sixth season as Bowling Green’s coach. MAC coaches projected the Falcons to finish third in the league this season.

    One of Loeffler’s top returning players is tight end Harold Fannin Jr., a junior from Canton McKinley High School.

    Fannin was selected to the All-MAC preseason team by Phil Steele and Athlon Sports.

    Bennett Adler, Bryan McCoy Lead Akron Zips Into 2024 Football Season

    Senior defensive lineman Bennett Adler, junior linebacker Bryan McCoy and coach Joe Moorhead represented the Akron Zips in Canton.

    The Zips were tipped to finish 11th in the MAC after going 2-10 in each of the past two seasons.

    The following Akron players were named to Phil Steele’s All-MAC preseason team:

    • First team: junior linebacker Bryan McCoy and senior defensive lineman CJ Nunnally IV
    • Second team: Senior linebacker Antavious Fish
    • Third team: Senior wide receiver Alex Adams and junior punt returner Bobby Golden
    • Fourth team: junior defender Lama Lavea

    The following Akron players were selected to the Athlon Sports All-MAC preseason team:

    • First Team: Nunnally and McCoy
    • Second Team: Adams, Fish and redshirt junior cornerback Darrian Lewis (St. Vincent-St. Mary graduate)
    • Third team: Adler, redshirt junior cornerback Devonte Golden-Nelson and redshirt junior safety Daymon David

    Tahj Bullock and Ben Finley in the running to be Akron’s quarterback

    Moorhead said there is a “great quarterback competition” in Akron between redshirt juniors Tahj Bullock and Ben Finley.

    Bullock is in his second season at Akron after transferring from Virginia Tech. He split time at under center last season with DJ Irons and Jeff Undercuffler Jr., both of whom graduated.

    Bullock completed 32 of 66 passes for 271 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions, and ran for 165 yards and four TDs on 62 carries.

    Finley is in his first season at Akron after transferring from California.

    Tommy Ulatowski opens training camp as Kent State’s QB1

    Tommy Ulatowski will begin training camp as Kent State’s starting quarterback, but coach Kenni Burns added there will be “healthy competition” between Ulatowski and Devin Kargman.

    Ulatowski threw for 737 yards, seven TDs and two interceptions in 10 games (seven starts) for the Flashes last season. His 229 yards and three TDs against Akron brought Kent State to the brink of a victory before the Zips pulled away late in the game. Kargman threw for 297 yards and two TDs in three games in 2023.

    The Flashes were tipped to finish 12th in the MAC after finishing 1-11 last season.

    Kent State’s Chrishon McCray hopes to build on breakthrough year

    Due to the massive departure of transfers from the portal, the Flashes were far behind heading into last season.

    Receiver Chrishon McCray seized the opportunity that came his way. Despite missing the last three games due to injury, McCray led Kent State with 41 receptions, 610 receiving yards and four TD catches. He was selected to the first team All-MAC and is a first team selection to multiple preseason all-conference teams this year.

    The following Kent players were selected to Phil Steele’s All-MAC preseason team:

    • First team: redshirt sophomore wide receiver Chrishon McCray and senior kicker Andrew Glass
    • Second Team: Graduated senior punt returner Luke Floriea and senior long snapper Gus Goodell
    • Third team: redshirt senior running back Ky Thomas, graduate senior wide receiver Luke Floriea and graduate senior cornerback Dallas Branch
    • Fourth Team: Graduated senior offensive tackle Cameron Golden, junior defensive end Stephen Daley, graduated senior linebacker Khalib Johns and senior safety Alex Branch (Twinsburg graduate)

    The following Kent players were selected to the Athlon Sports All-MAC preseason team:

    • First Team: McCray and Glass
    • Third team: Thomas, Daley and Floriea (punt returner)

    Michael Beaven can be reached by email at [email protected] and can be found on Twitter at @MBeavenABJ. Mike Popovich can be reached at [email protected] and can be found on Twitter at @mpopovichREP.

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