2018 Mid-American Conference Leaders Opponent First Downs - Games vs. FBS non-Power 5 Conference Teams Only through 01/07/2019
| Name | G | Rush | Pass | Penalty | Total | Total/G | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bowling Green | 8 | 113 | 57 | 18 | 188 | 23.5 |
| 2 | Central Michigan | 8 | 81 | 59 | 17 | 157 | 19.6 |
| 3 | Eastern Michigan | 11 | 112 | 65 | 26 | 203 | 18.5 |
| 4 | Akron | 8 | 100 | 66 | 10 | 176 | 22.0 |
| 5 | Kent State | 8 | 74 | 82 | 20 | 176 | 22.0 |
| 6 | Buffalo | 12 | 110 | 97 | 13 | 220 | 18.3 |
| 7 | Miami (Ohio) | 11 | 98 | 105 | 23 | 226 | 20.5 |
| 8 | Western Michigan | 10 | 79 | 109 | 16 | 204 | 20.4 |
| 8 | Ball State | 10 | 125 | 109 | 20 | 254 | 25.4 |
| 10 | Ohio | 11 | 81 | 110 | 16 | 207 | 18.8 |
| 11 | Toledo | 11 | 95 | 126 | 28 | 249 | 22.6 |
| 12 | Northern Illinois | 11 | 66 | 129 | 31 | 226 | 20.5 |