2017 Mid-American Conference Leaders First Downs - Games vs. Non-Conference Teams Only through 01/08/2018
| Name | G | Rush | Pass | Penalty | Total | Total/G | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ohio | 5 | 56 | 47 | 13 | 116 | 23.2 | 
| 2 | Western Michigan | 4 | 48 | 25 | 5 | 78 | 19.5 | 
| 3 | Toledo | 5 | 40 | 62 | 11 | 113 | 22.6 | 
| 4 | Northern Illinois | 5 | 38 | 42 | 12 | 92 | 18.4 | 
| 5 | Akron | 5 | 35 | 44 | 13 | 92 | 18.4 | 
| 6 | Central Michigan | 5 | 34 | 60 | 14 | 108 | 21.6 | 
| 6 | Kent State | 4 | 34 | 10 | 3 | 47 | 11.8 | 
| 8 | Buffalo | 4 | 31 | 40 | 7 | 78 | 19.5 | 
| 9 | Ball State | 4 | 30 | 48 | 4 | 82 | 20.5 | 
| 9 | Miami (OH) | 4 | 30 | 41 | 5 | 76 | 19.0 | 
| 11 | Eastern Michigan | 4 | 21 | 53 | 5 | 79 | 19.8 | 
| 12 | Bowling Green | 4 | 19 | 44 | 4 | 67 | 16.8 |