2016 Mid-American Conference Leaders First Downs - Games in October Only through 01/09/2017
| Name | G | Rush | Pass | Penalty | Total | Total/G | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Western Michigan | 4 | 58 | 46 | 6 | 110 | 27.5 |
| 2 | Ball State | 4 | 51 | 43 | 4 | 98 | 24.5 |
| 3 | Northern Illinois | 4 | 48 | 44 | 7 | 99 | 24.8 |
| 3 | Kent State | 5 | 48 | 29 | 6 | 83 | 16.6 |
| 5 | Ohio | 5 | 47 | 44 | 10 | 101 | 20.2 |
| 6 | Akron | 5 | 40 | 46 | 9 | 95 | 19.0 |
| 7 | Central Michigan | 5 | 39 | 53 | 5 | 97 | 19.4 |
| 8 | Buffalo | 5 | 38 | 46 | 4 | 88 | 17.6 |
| 9 | Miami (Ohio) | 5 | 37 | 49 | 8 | 94 | 18.8 |
| 10 | Toledo | 4 | 35 | 57 | 10 | 102 | 25.5 |
| 11 | Bowling Green | 4 | 34 | 54 | 15 | 103 | 25.8 |
| 12 | Eastern Michigan | 5 | 33 | 61 | 5 | 99 | 19.8 |