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Louisiana Tech 55 WKU 52
LA Tech snapped WKU’s 13-game C-USA winning streak in a wild Thursday night shootout. Both teams combined for 998 yards of offense, and Ryan Higgins threw for 454 yards and five touchdowns for the Bulldogs. LA Tech would lead 52-31 heading into the fourth quarter, but WKU’s Mike White threw two fourth quarter touchdown passes, and a blocked punt returned for a score by the Tops made the last five minutes a tense ending. Jarred Craft ran for 81 yards for the Bulldogs who improve to 2-1 in conference play and play at UMass next week. WKU drops their second straight and face rival Middle Tennessee next week.
Old Dominion 36 UMass 16
Old Dominion used a balanced attack to pull away from UMass on Friday night. Jeremy Cox ran for 162 yards and a pair of touchdowns, while Ray Lawry added 88 yards rushing and a touchdown for the Monarchs. A third quarter UMass touchdown cut the ODU lead to 22-16. But ODU’s defense would hold strong, with Cox and Lawry closing things out on the ground with late touchdowns. ODU improves to 4-2 overall, and sits 2-0 in conference play heading into their bye week.
UTSA 55 Southern Miss 38
UTSA started fast, and finished strong, getting a huge C-USA upset with stout defense, and an explosive running game. The Runners jumped out to a 28-7 first quarter lead, and led 38-21 at halftime rushing for 339 yards. Jalen Rhodes and Jarveon Williams both ran for over 100-yards, while UTSA’s defense pestered Nick Mullens all morning despite Mullens throwing for 370 yards and three touchdowns. UTSA moves their record to 2-3 on the year, and 1-1 in conference play and will face Rice on the road next week. Southern Miss is now 4-2 on the season and now tied for first place in C-USA West with a 2-1 record and will play at LSU next week.
North Texas 38 Marshall 21
North Texas shut down Marshall’s run game, and Jeffery Wilson ran for 188 yards and two scores as the Mean Green shocked the Herd. The was tied at 21 after a Marshall touchdown pass with four minutes left in the third. But Wilson would break off a 72-yard touchdown run on the ensuing drive to give the lead back to North Texas. With Marshall down 10, and looking to cut into the lead, Eric Jenkins jumped a hitch route and picked off Litton for a 52-yard pick six to close the door. Mason Fine threw for 206 yards, leading the Mean Green to 458 total yards. North Texas (3-3, 2-1) will enjoy a bye week. Marshall drops to 1-3 overall and 0-1 in C-USA play and will host FAU next week.
FIU 35 UTEP 21
FIU goes to 2-0 under Ron Cooper as they did whatever they wanted offensively versus UTEP. The first half, Alex McGough got it done through the air, then in the second half. Running backs Alex Gardner and Anthony Jones both ran for over 100-yards as FIU put up 499 yards of total offense. FIU broke open a 20-14 lead with back-to-back touchdown drives which sunk UTEP’s continued offensive struggles. FIU (2-4, 2-0) will host Charlotte. UTEP has now dropped five straight and has a bye next week.
Charlotte 28 FAU 23
FAU thought they won the game on a last second Hailmary, but a replay review overturned the call as Charlotte picked up their first ever C-USA win. Charlotte quarterback Hasaan Klugh threw for 223 yards and three touchdowns, meanwhile Kalif Phillips added 132 yards on the ground to help Charlotte improve to 2-4 overall, and 1-1 in conference play. Greg Howell ran for 100 yards and three touchdowns in the loss for FAU who drops to 1-5 overall, and 0-2 in C-USA action.