Conference USA News and Notes
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PHILADELPHIA, Pa. (Sports Network)
EAST DIVISION:
EAST CAROLINA - The Pirates piled up 497 yards of offense, including 275 on the ground, as they handled Memphis, 38-19, last week. It was the second win in a row and fourth in five games for ECU (5-3, 4-1), which hosts Virginia Tech of the ACC this Thursday. Dominique Lindsay ran for 139 yards on 22 carries, while Giavani Ruffin added 87 yards and a score on 14 totes. Quarterback Patrick Pinkney had a pair of rushing touchdowns, in addition to throwing for 216 yards and another score. His main target was Darryl Freeney, who hauled in five passes for 116 yards and a touchdown. ECU's defense also got involved by forcing four turnovers, including three fumbles.
MARSHALL - The Thundering Herd let a 13-point lead slip away in the final eight minutes of regulation, as they dropped a 21-20 decision at UCF. Marshall (5-4, 3-2) held a 20-7 lead before the Knights struck for two late scores, including the game-winning one-yard touchdown pass with 23 seconds remaining. Darius Marshall ran for 80 yards and a score on the night, while Cody Slate reeled in five balls for 80 yards and a touchdown. Brian Anderson hit on 13- of-28 tosses for 237 yards and a score, but it wasn't enough. Marshall has the week off prior to hosting Southern Miss on November 14th.
MEMPHIS - The Tigers turned the ball over four times and allowed nearly 500 yards of total offense to East Carolina in a 38-19 setback last week. Memphis (2-6, 1-4), which has dropped two straight, posted 397 total yards, but was outgained 275-84 on the ground. Quarterback Will Hudgens guided the club in defeat by throwing for 313 yards and two scores, while Duke Calhoun pulled in nine balls for 91 yards. Carlos Singleton also had nine catches that went for 70 yards and a score, and Marcus Rucker added five receptions for 89 yards and a touchdown in the losing effort. Memphis will take a break from C-USA play and try its luck against Tennessee, an SEC member, this weekend.
SOUTHERN MISS - The Golden Eagles fought valiantly, but were done in by a 28- yard touchdown pass with 21 seconds remaining in a 50-43 loss to nationally- ranked Houston this past weekend. USM (5-4, 3-2) scored 21 points in the fourth quarter and actually tied the game with 57 seconds left, but it took Houston just 36 seconds to drive 77 yards for the game-winning score. The Eagles surrendered 750 yards in the game, although they countered with 608 total yards themselves. Quarterback Martevious Young had a brilliant performance, as threw for 334 yards and three touchdowns, in addition o rushing for 70 yards and another score. Gerald Baptiste also enjoyed a career day, pulling in eight passes for 186 yards and three scores. Damion Fletcher led the team with 136 yards and a score on 26 carries, helping USM pile up 248 yards rushing. The Eagles, who had their two-game win streak snapped, will have the week off before returning to action at Marshall on November 14th.
UAB - Quarterback Joe Webb recorded a touchdown in three different ways, as the Blazers stunned Texas-El Paso, 38-33, on the road this past weekend. Webb ran for 163 yards and a score, threw for 127 yards and two touchdowns and even caught a touchdown in a remarkable performance. UAB (3-5, 3-2) gave nearly 600 yards of offense to UTEP, but countered by forcing three turnovers, one of which was a 98-yard interception return for a touchdown by Marquis Coleman. It marked the longest scoring play in UAB history. The Blazers snapped a two-game slide with the win and now return home to host Florida International in non- conference play this coming weekend.
UCF - Brett Hodges threw a one-yard touchdown pass to Rocky Ross with 23 seconds left, as the Knights rallied for a 21-20 victory over Marshall. A two-yard touchdown run by Brynn Harvey brought UCF (5-3, 3-2) within six at 20-14 and UCF capped the comeback with Hodges' second touchdown pass. Hodges had a big night with 342 yards on 23-of-34 pass attempts and Ross finished with six catches for 76 yards. The Knights' defense also played a factor, creating two turnovers and limiting Marshall to just 293 total yards. Winners of two straight, the Thundering Herd face off against highly-ranked Texas in a non-conference bout this weekend.
WEST DIVISION:
HOUSTON - Case Keenum threw a 28-yard touchdown pass to Patrick Edwards with 21 seconds left, lifting the 13th-ranked Cougars to a thrilling 50-43 win over Southern Miss this past weekend. Southern Miss actually knotted the score with just 57 seconds left, but Keenum drove Houston (7-1, 3-1) 77 yards in just 36 seconds for the game-winning score. Keenum finished his tremendous performance with five touchdowns and a career-best 559 passing yards, helping Houston amass a season-high 750 yards of offense. James Cleveland also enjoyed a career day, as he grabbed 13 passes for 190 yards and two scores. Charles Smith added 95 yards and a touchdown on the ground for the Cougars, who averaged 8.6 yards per play. Houston will take is electric offense and four- game win streak to Tulsa this weekend, as it battles the Golden Hurricane in a West Division showdown.
RICE - The Owls were idle this past week as they prepare for SMU on Saturday. Rice (0-8, 0-4) is still in search of its first win and hasn't been all that competitive, averaging just 14.9 ppg, while allowing a whopping 45.5 ppg. The Owls have allowed at least 49 points to three straight opponents, including a 49-7 setback to UCF in their most recent outing on October 24th.
SMU - Kyle Padron, making his first start, threw for 354 yards and a pair of touchdowns in leading the Mustangs in a 27-13 upset of Tulsa this past weekend. The freshman quarterback stepped in for injured starter Bo Levi Mitchell and was terrific, completing 20-of-30 pass attempts, helping SMU (4-4, 3-1) move into a tie with Houston for first place in the West Division standings. It has been a remarkable turnaround for the Ponies, who went winless in league play in each of the past two seasons. Aldrick Robinson had five catches for 104 yards, as SMU outgained Tulsa 429-322 in the game. The Ponies also came up with a pair of interceptions to bring their season total to 15 in that department. SMU will host Rice this weekend, as it tries to move one step closer to bowl eligibility.
TEXAS-EL PASO - The Miners turned the ball over three times, one of which was returned 98 yards for a score, and allowed 234 rushing yards to UAB in a surprising 38-33 loss this past weekend. The loss means UTEP (3-5, 2-2) is no longer in control of its fate in the West Division despite its two wins coming over Tulsa and Houston, two of the favorites to win the league title. Donald Buckram had a solid game in the loss, as he rushed for 164 yards and a pair of touchdowns on 28 carries. Quarterback Trevor Vittatoe threw for 397 yards and two scores, but his two picks were costly. Jeff Moturi led the team with seven receptions for 161 yards, as UTEP suffered its second loss in three games. UTEP will open a three-game road trip this weekend with a visit to Tulane.
TULANE - As expected, the Green Wave was no match for nationally-ranked LSU and was blanked 42-0 over the weekend. It was the first time Tulane (2-6, 0-4) had been shutout since 2002, as it suffered its 18th straight loss to LSU. The Green Wave was outgained 455-216 by LSU, which held a 267-26 advantage in rushing yards. Ryan Griffin threw for 163 yards on 21-of-29 pass attempts, while Jeremy Williams hauled in eight of those passes for 78 yards. Tulane will head back to league play this weekend against Texas-El Paso.
TULSA - The Golden Hurricane were outgained 429-322 on the day and outscored 20-6 in the second half in what resulted in a 27-13 surprising loss to SMU this past weekend. Tulsa (4-4, 2-2), known for its high powered attack, managed only 13 first downs and converted just 3-of-15 third-down chances. The defense spent over 37 minutes of the game on the field, offering little resistance to SMU's offense. Quarterback G.J. Kinne threw for just 10 yards and was picked twice, while backup Jacob Bower saw his most extensive action of the season, passing for 206 yards and a score on 9-of-22 tosses. Damaris Johnson had 121 receiving yards on four catches for Tulsa, which has dropped three games in a row for the first time since 2004. Things won't get any easier this weekend, as nationally-ranked Houston comes to town for a pivotal West Division showdown.
