2016 Mid-American Conference Leaders First Downs - Games vs. FBS non-Power 5 Conference Teams Only through 01/09/2017
| Name | G | Rush | Pass | Penalty | Total | Total/G | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ohio | 11 | 92 | 99 | 26 | 217 | 19.7 |
| 2 | Toledo | 12 | 113 | 160 | 25 | 298 | 24.8 |
| 3 | Bowling Green | 10 | 112 | 105 | 24 | 241 | 24.1 |
| 4 | Akron | 10 | 75 | 103 | 22 | 200 | 20.0 |
| 5 | Northern Illinois | 11 | 123 | 113 | 21 | 257 | 23.4 |
| 6 | Eastern Michigan | 11 | 94 | 146 | 18 | 258 | 23.5 |
| 7 | Miami (Ohio) | 10 | 69 | 97 | 17 | 183 | 18.3 |
| 8 | Western Michigan | 10 | 130 | 114 | 13 | 257 | 25.7 |
| 8 | Central Michigan | 10 | 63 | 113 | 13 | 189 | 18.9 |
| 10 | Buffalo | 10 | 84 | 99 | 9 | 192 | 19.2 |
| 11 | Ball State | 10 | 121 | 119 | 8 | 248 | 24.8 |
| 11 | Kent State | 8 | 67 | 50 | 8 | 125 | 15.6 |