2016 Mid-American Conference Leaders Rushing Defense - On 1st Down through 01/09/2017
| Name | G | Att | Yards | Avg. | TD | Long | 1st | 10+ | 20+ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ohio | 14 | 221 | 653 | 2.95 | 6 | 35 | 17 | 18 | 4 |
| 2 | Western Michigan | 14 | 231 | 1031 | 4.46 | 7 | 38 | 34 | 35 | 8 |
| 3 | Miami (Ohio) | 13 | 217 | 868 | 4.00 | 9 | 43 | 22 | 23 | 7 |
| 4 | Northern Illinois | 12 | 250 | 1157 | 4.63 | 11 | 46 | 32 | 34 | 10 |
| 5 | Akron | 12 | 267 | 1306 | 4.89 | 10 | 49 | 38 | 38 | 10 |
| 6 | Eastern Michigan | 13 | 239 | 1163 | 4.87 | 11 | 60 | 23 | 23 | 7 |
| 7 | Bowling Green | 12 | 247 | 1040 | 4.21 | 8 | 62 | 26 | 30 | 5 |
| 7 | Toledo | 13 | 243 | 1141 | 4.70 | 6 | 62 | 35 | 36 | 13 |
| 9 | Ball State | 12 | 187 | 739 | 3.95 | 8 | 63 | 22 | 22 | 7 |
| 10 | Buffalo | 12 | 281 | 1631 | 5.80 | 10 | 67 | 45 | 46 | 14 |
| 11 | Central Michigan | 13 | 217 | 944 | 4.35 | 5 | 72 | 24 | 24 | 5 |
| 12 | Kent State | 12 | 252 | 991 | 3.93 | 12 | 85 | 29 | 29 | 6 |
| 1st: First Downs; 10+: Rush attempts of 10 or more yards; 20+: Rush attempts of 20 or more yards | ||||||||||