In 2023, the MAC will have quarterbacks with a wide range of skill sets, which should make for interesting conference showdowns.
Here’s a ranking of the best quarterbacks in the Mid-American Conference.
Best MAC Quarterbacks, Ranked
| Rank | Name | Team |
| 1 | Kurtis Rourke | Ohio |
| 2 | Dequan Finn | Toledo |
| 3 | Cole Snyder | Buffalo |
| 4 | D.J. Irons | Akron |
| 5 | Connor Bazelak | Bowling Green |
1. Kurtis Rourke, Ohio
Rourke is the reigning MAC Offensive Player of the Year and is an obvious candidate for this top spot.
In 2022, Rourke completed 69% of his passes for 3,256 yards and 25 touchdowns, which were all the best marks in the league. He also ran for 234 yards and four touchdowns while throwing just four interceptions on his way to All-MAC first-team honors.
The 6-foot-5, 216-pound redshirt senior has started games since 2020. For his career, he’s thrown for 4,912 yards and completed 67% of his passes with a 35 to 11 touchdown-to-interception ratio.
With another year of development, Rourke might only continue to improve.
2. Dequan Finn, Toledo
Finn is one of the best dual-threat quarterbacks in any Group of Five conference.
Finn was second in the MAC with 23 touchdown passes to go with 2,260 yards through the air. He also completed 60% of his passes while throwing 12 interceptions.
Finn was fourth in the conference with 240.9 yards per game of total offense as he was ninth among all players with 631 rushing yards – a school record for quarterbacks – and nine touchdowns. He was offensive MVP in the Boca Raton Bowl and MAC Championship.
For his career, Finn has recorded 4,417 yards, 41 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions through the air and 1,277 yards and 18 touchdowns on the ground. The 6-2, 210-pound junior might be even better in 2023.
3. Cole Snyder, Buffalo
Snyder was just the third quarterback in the history of the program to pass for more than 3,000 yards in a season in 2022.
He transferred to Buffalo from Rutgers before last season. In nine games played there, he threw for 165 yards and one touchdown while completing 21 of 31 passes and adding 48 rushing yards.
Snyder finally got his chance to shine at Buffalo. In 13 starts, he totaled 3,030 yards, which was second in the MAC, and 18 touchdowns with eight picks as he completed 59% of his throws. He added 145 yards and four touchdowns on the ground.
Snyder wasn’t on the all-conference list in 2022, but the 6-2, 208-pound fifth-year signal caller has a shot to make it this year.
4. D.J. Irons, Akron
Irons was on the All-MAC third team in 2022 for good reason.
Irons, a former JUCO All-American, played his first season at Akron in 2021, making three starts. He threw for 892 yards, eight touchdowns, and four picks. He also added 296 yards and two touchdowns rushing.
Last year, Irons took a step forward as he threw for 2,609 yards, 10 touchdowns, and seven interceptions on a 67% completion rate. He added 314 yards and four touchdowns on the ground.
Irons, a 6-6, 205-pound redshirt senior, should be even better this upcoming season.
5. Connor Bazelak, Bowling Green
Bazelak has bounced around Division I programs, but he’s shown potential everywhere he’s gone.
The 6-3, 220-pound senior began his collegiate career at Missouri. Earning SEC Co-Freshman of the Year honors in 2020, he threw for 5,058 yards, 23 touchdowns, and 17 picks while completing 66% of his throws in 24 games.
Bazelak then went to Indiana for the 2022 season. There he totaled 2,312 yards, 13 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions.
Bazelak has tallied 7,370 yards and 36 touchdowns in his career at Power Five schools. He should prove to be a top-five quarterback in the MAC in 2023.
