2016 Mid-American Conference Leaders First Downs - Games vs. FCS (I-AA) Teams Only through 01/09/2017
| Name | G | Rush | Pass | Penalty | Total | Total/G | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kent State | 2 | 16 | 15 | 1 | 32 | 16.0 |
| 2 | Western Michigan | 1 | 22 | 8 | 1 | 31 | 31.0 |
| 2 | Ohio | 1 | 16 | 14 | 1 | 31 | 31.0 |
| 4 | Ball State | 1 | 13 | 11 | 4 | 28 | 28.0 |
| 5 | Northern Illinois | 1 | 13 | 9 | 3 | 25 | 25.0 |
| 6 | Eastern Michigan | 1 | 14 | 9 | 1 | 24 | 24.0 |
| 6 | Akron | 1 | 7 | 16 | 1 | 24 | 24.0 |
| 8 | Central Michigan | 1 | 12 | 8 | 3 | 23 | 23.0 |
| 8 | Buffalo | 1 | 11 | 10 | 2 | 23 | 23.0 |
| 10 | Miami (Ohio) | 1 | 10 | 10 | 2 | 22 | 22.0 |
| 10 | Bowling Green | 1 | 9 | 12 | 1 | 22 | 22.0 |
| 12 | Toledo | 1 | 9 | 8 | 0 | 17 | 17.0 |