Photo courtesy of Western Kentucky Athletics
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. (Sports Network) -
ARKANSAS STATE: Senior quarterback Ryan Aplin became the Arkansas State's all- time leader in total offense (9,075 yards) and passing yards (7,721), but the Red Wolves simply didn't have enough in the tank to overtake the fifth-ranked Oregon Ducks as they fell on the road, 57-34. Aplin cemented his place in school history with a great all-around game, completing 29-of-44 passes for 304 yards and 3 touchdowns, while adding 37 yards and a score on the ground. Josh Jarboe was busy as the team played catch-up all night, tying a school record with 13 receptions, including a 6-yard touchdown late in the third quarter. David Oku (81 yards) and Frankie Jackson (72 yards) were effective splitting carries in the backfield. ASU's offense piled up 530 total yards, but its defense was no match for the lightning-quick Ducks as they tallied 605 yards. The Red Wolves will play their home opener on Saturday against Memphis.
FIU: The Golden Panthers offense was on point in the season opener against Duke, racking up 513 total yards, but the defense did not hold up its end of the bargain as Blue Devils prevailed in a 46-26 final. Jake Medlock was outstanding, throwing for 348 yards and 2 touchdowns on 27-of-45 passing. Medlock's success resulted in a pair of 100-yard receivers in Wayne Times (9 rec, 114 yds) and Kedrick Rhodes (7 rec, 115 yds), with Rhodes scoring on a 67-yard pass play the game's first minute. Rhodes also did plenty of damage on the ground, carrying the ball 25 times for 130 yards and a score, becoming the first player in school history to tally 100 yards receiving and rushing in the same game. FIU returns to Miami for its home opener on Saturday against the Akron Zips.
FLORIDA ATLANTIC: After finishing last in the Sun Belt standings a year ago, the Owls got the 2012 season started on the right foot as they posted a hard- fought 7-3 win over Wagner. FAU was scoreless through the first three quarters but finally took the lead with 11:36 left in the game on a 39-yard touchdown pass from Graham Wilbert to Byron Hankerson. The Owls would later cement the victory by running out the clock with an 18-play, eight-minute drive where they converted two fourth downs. Wilbert threw for 126 yards on the day while Hankerson caught 5 balls for 93 yards. The Owls gained 163 yards on the ground, led by Martese Jackson's 99 yards on 21 carries. The win already matches their total from the entire 2011 season, and they will try to carry that momentum into next week's road clash with Middle Tennessee.
LOUISIANA: The Ragin' Cajuns opened the season with a dominant performance against Lamar, defeating the FCS team by a resounding 40-0 final. The defense was suffocating for Louisiana, allowing Lamar to net just 194 yards while forcing 4 turnovers (3 fumbles, 1 interception) and logging 3 sacks. Blaine Gautier was unspectacular (7-of-18, 142 yards), but he tossed a pair of touchdown passes, one to Javone Lawson and the other to Jacob Maxwell, before being spelled for backup Terrance Broadway (6-of-9, 61 yards). Effrem Reed and Alonzo Harris combined for more than 100 yards rushing and 2 scores. Brett Baer drilled all 4 of his field goal attempts, including a 52-yarder in the first quarter. Louisiana will try to keep the momentum going when it kicks off conference action on Saturday against Troy.
MIDDLE TENNESSEE: The Blue Raiders' season did not get off to the start they were hoping for as they lost at home to FCS foe McNeese State, 27-21. They were actually down 18 points heading into the fourth quarter, and a late comeback attempt fell just short. Logan Kilgore completed 27-of-41 passes for 240 yards and 2 touchdowns, but he also threw an interception and lost a fumble. Anthony Amos finished with 8 receptions for 70 yards, which included a 6-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter. The Middle Tennessee rushing attack gained 103 yards but on just 3.8 yards per carry. Three Blue Raiders recorded double-digit tackles (Jajuan Harley, Christian Henry and Kevin Byard), but the defense surrendered 450 total yards. MT hopes to get back on track this Saturday when it opens up its conference slate at home against Florida Atlantic.
NORTH TEXAS: The Mean Green knew they were in for a rough outing as they opened the new season on the road at reigning SEC champion LSU, and the outcome was as expected with them losing, 41-14. Though quarterback Derek Thompson finished with 143 yards and 2 touchdown passes, he struggled the whole game, completing just 8-of-21 attempts while also throwing an interception. Thompson was locked in on Brelan Chancellor, who made 4 catches for 114 yards and 2 scores, including an 80-yard TD late in the second half. The UNT defense was gashed for 508 total yards, and it will look to improve next week when it takes on Texas Southern.
SOUTH ALABAMA: In the Jaguars' first game as a member of the Sun Belt Conference, they dropped a 33-31 heartbreaker to fellow FBS newcomer Texas-San Antonio. South Alabama took a one-point lead with 2:46 left in the game when C.J. Bennett connected on a 34-yard touchdown pass to Jereme Jones, but UTSA won the game on a 51-yard field goal in the final minute. Bennett finished 15- of-24 for 182 yards and 2 touchdowns, but he also threw an interception and lost a fumble. Demetre Baker (12 carries, 63 yards) and Kendall Houston (11 carries, 43 yards) each scored a rushing touchdown. The Jags will try to find the win column next week when they takes on FCS foe Nicholls State.
TROY: Behind a career-best 204 rushing yards from Shawn Southward, the Trojans outlasted UAB in a 39-29 shootout in Birmingham over the weekend. Southward carried the ball 28 times and found the end zone three times. Corey Robinson completed 12-of-21 pass attempts for 184 yards and 2 touchdowns, while Chip Reeves was the primary beneficiary of Robinson's passing exploits, collecting 6 receptions for 125 yards and a score. The defensive unit stepped up as well, forcing UAB into 4 turnovers. The Trojans have now defeated the Blazers in back-to-back seasons. Troy will kick off its Sun Belt schedule this Saturday when it plays host to the Ragin' Cajuns of Louisiana.
ULM: The Warhawks were idle in Week 1. They will open their season on the road against SEC powerhouse Arkansas this Saturday.
WESTERN KENTUCKY: The Hilltoppers got off to a 1-0 start for the first time since 2005 as they rolled over FCS foe Austin Peay, 49-10. Senior quarterback Kawaun Jakes shined in the victory, setting career highs in both passing yards (296) and touchdowns (4), becoming the first WKU player to throw for 4 scores since Jeff Cesarone threw for 5 back in 1985. Jakes spread the ball to 9 different receivers, with Boe Brand, Willie McNeal, Kadeem Jones and Tim Gorski all catching touchdowns. The rushing attack was on point as well with 244 yards, led by Leon Allen's 93 yards and a score. The Hilltoppers defense held the Governors to 154 total yards while allowing just 2 completed passes for 11 yards. The road gets much tougher for WKU as it travels to Tuscaloosa to take on defending national champion Alabama this Saturday.