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ARKANSAS STATE: The Red Wolves were on the verge of stunning the defending SBC
champions, but had a major letdown in the final minute of a 35-28 setback
against Troy this past weekend. After taking a 28-27 lead with 50 seconds
left, ASU (1-3, 1-2) allowed Troy to drive 67 yards in just 28 seconds for the
game-winning score on a 17-yard TD pass with 22 seconds to go. It was a heart-
breaking loss for the Red Wolves, who were coming off a victory over UL-Monroe
in their league opener. Ryan Aplin led ASU with 237 yards and two TDs on 16-
of-32 pass attempts, and he also added 89 yards on 17 carries. Allen Muse was
his main target, pulling in seven balls for 119 yards and a score.
FLORIDA ATLANTIC: In their conference opener this past weekend, the Owls came
up short in a 21-17 decision against North Texas. FAU (1-2, 0-1) committed a
pair of turnovers and possessed the ball for only 23 minutes against North
Texas, which held a decisive 257-84 advantage in rushing yards. Alfred Morris
gained 54 yards and a score on 17 carries, while Rob Housler pulled in four
passes for 94 yards and a score. QB Jeff Van Camp got into the mix with 273
yards and a TD on 20-of-31 tosses. Losers of two straight, the Owls will try
to get back into the win column this coming weekend against South Florida.
FIU: The Panthers remained winless on the season, as they dropped a 42-28
decision to Maryland at College Park this past weekend. It was the second of
three straight games on the road for FIU (0-3), which began the trip at Texas
A&M and will conclude it at Pittsburgh next weekend. The Panthers outgained
Maryland, 472-419, on the day, but committed two turnovers and 10 penalties
for 91 yards. QB Wes Carroll guided FIU with 355 yards and two TDs on 35-of-58
tosses, though he was also picked twice. Greg Ellingson had six receptions
that went for 93 yards and a score, while Anthony Gaitor paced the defense
with 10 stops.
LOUISIANA-LAFAYETTE: The Ragin' Cajuns trailed just 20-14 at the break, but failed to
score after the intermission of a 34-14 loss to Middle Tennessee this past
weekend. Louisiana (1-2, 1-1) was outgained 217-126 on the ground, with the
Cajuns managing only 140 total yards in the second half. The team also gave up
seven sacks in the loss. Despite the heavy pressure, Chris Masson still threw
for 192 yards and a TD on 16-of-32 pass attempts. Javone Lawson had a team-
high 53 receiving yards, while Kevis Streeter paced the rushing attack with 63
yards on 11 totes. The Cajuns will hit the road this weekend to tussle with
North Texas in Denton.
MIDDLE TENNESSEE: The Blue Raiders rushed for 217 yards and their defense
pitched a shutout in the second half of a 34-14 triumph over Louisiana this
past weekend. The Middle Tennessee (2-2, 1-0) defense also come up with seven
sacks, including four from Jamari Lattimore. Phillip Tanner headed the ground
attack with 104 yards and a score on 17 carries, while D.D. Kyles added 84
yards and two TDs on just five carries. Logan Kilgore passed for 207 yards and
a TD on 21-of-36 tosses in the victory. The Raiders will next take the field
on October 5th, when they host Troy.
NORTH TEXAS: The Mean Green ran for 257 yards, helping it to possess the ball
for over 36 minutes, as it defeated Florida Atlantic 21-17 over the weekend.
It marked the first victory of the season North Texas (1-3), which won its
league opener for the first time since 2005. James Hamilton led the way with
122 yards and a score on 11 carries, while Lance Dunbar went for 72 yards on
29 carries. QB Riley Dodge, making his first start of the year, added 67 yards
on the ground, while throwing for 146 yards and a pair of scores. Darius Carey
was on the receiving end of both TDs and he finished with 69 yards. North
Texas is now set for a three-game homestand, beginning with Louisiana this
weekend.
TROY: Corey Robinson threw a 17-yard TD pass to Shawn Southward with 22
seconds remaining, giving the Trojans a dramatic 35-28 win over Arkansas State
this past weekend. Troy (2-2, 1-0), beginning defense of its SBC title, went
down 28-27 with 50 seconds left, but drove 67 yards in just 28 seconds for the
game-winning score. Robinson finished the game with 316 yards and two TDs on
18-of-38 pass attempts, while Jerrel Jernigan had 10 receptions for 209 yards
and a score. Chris Anderson rushed for 74 yards and a score on 15 carries for
Troy, which helped its cause by recording three sacks and the same amount of
takeaways. The Trojans will be back in action on October 5th, when they square
off with Middle Tennessee.
UL-MONROE: The Warhawks opened their home slate this past weekend, picking up
a 21-20 victory over Southeastern Louisiana. The deciding score came early in
the fourth quarter, when Kolton Browning threw a 47-yard TD pass to Tavarese
Maye. The offense converted 10-of-20 third-down chances and held the ball for
over 38 minutes, but had to overcome three turnovers. The defense, meanwhile,
limited SLU to just 266 total yards, while recording three sacks. Cameron
Blakes led the defense with seven stops, an INT and a sack. Browning paced the
offense with 249 yards and two TDs through the air, and he also had 75 yards
and a score on the ground. The Warhawks have a much stiffer challenge this
weekend, when they face nationally-ranked Auburn.
WESTERN KENTUCKY: The Hilltoppers put up a good fight this past weekend, but
couldn't overcome a 21-0 deficit in a 24-12 loss at South Florida. It marked
WKU's (0-4) 24th consecutive loss, the longest current streak in the nation.
The Toppers were outgained 226-88 on the ground and that made the difference.
Bobby Rainey had 64 rushing yards to lead WKU and he also threw a TD pass. QB
Kawaun Jakes hit on 19-of-37 tosses for 221 yards and a score, while Jack
Doyle brought in seven balls for 94 yards and a TD. The Toppers will have the
week off before returning to action against FIU on October 9th.