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Conference USA Football Week Four Recap

Middle Tennessee and North Texas picked up big wins to open conference play.

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NCAA Football: North Texas at Rice Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports

Temple 48 Charlotte 20

Temple scored 28 unanswered points in the second quarter after Charlotte took an early 7-3 lead and never looked back.  Temple put up 507 total yards of offense, with 297 coming through the air.  Kaliff Phillips ran for 107 yards and a touchdown for the 49ers who drop to 1-3 on the season.  Charlotte opens C-USA play next weekend when they host Old Dominion.

Old Dominion 33 UTSA 19

ODU quarterback David Washington accounted for three touchdowns, and UTSA couldn't overcome eight penalties and another inconsistent offensive performance Saturday afternoon.  Jeremy Cox ran for 103 yards and two touchdowns for ODU, Washington threw for 207 yards and ran for another 69 yards helping ODU post 445 total yards. Old Dominion starts C-USA play 1-0 and will travel to Charlotte next week.  UTSA drops to 1-3 overall, and 0-1 in C-USA play heading into their bye week.

Vanderbilt 31 WKU 30 (OT)

Vanderbilt's defense snuffed out a two-point conversion in the first overtime to complete their comeback win.  WKU jumped out to a 14-0 lead after a 61-yard touchdown reception from Nacarius Fant.  Vanderbilt started slow on offense, but Kyle Shurmur threw for 279 yards, and Ralph Webb ran for 95 yards and three touchdowns.  Ace Wales ran for 152 yards and two touchdowns for WKU who will host Houston Baptist next week.

Ball State 31 FAU 27

Despite several lightning delays, Ball State was able to put together a scoring drive in the final two minutes to bury FAU in Boca.  Jason Driskell threw for 327 yards, but the Owls two turnovers were the difference.  Ball State ran for 226 yards and dropped FAU's record to 1-3 overall on the season.  FAU will face rival FIU next week to open their C-USA slate.

North Texas 42 Rice 35 (2OT)

Rice's Darik Dillard was stopped on a 4th and short in the second overtime as North Texas escaped Houston with the most exciting win across the conference on Saturday.  Jeffery Wilson ran for 157 yards and three touchdowns, but it was Willy Ivery's four yard touchdown in the second overtime that lifted North Texas to a 1-0 start in C-USA play.  North Texas will host Middle Tennessee next week, while Rice travels to Southern Miss.

UCF 53 FIU 14

UCF jumped out to a 32-7 lead, and barley broke a sweat as they demolished FIU.  UCF put up 501 yards of offense, while FIU sputtered for 189 total yards.  FIU is 0-4 on the season and will host rival FAU next week.

Middle Tennessee 38 LA Tech 34

LA Tech jumped out to an early 27-7 lead, but Brent Stockstill and I'Tavius Mathers put the Blue Raiders on their backs for a 1-0 start in conference.  Mathers ran for 163 yards and three touchdowns, Stockstill threw for 356 yards and two touchdowns including the go-ahead score a 23-yard strike to Ty Lee with 2:36 left in the fourth quarter. Ryan Higgins threw for 504 yards and Trent Taylor put up 17 catches for 210 yards in a losing effort.  LA Tech hosts UTEP next week, and Middle Tennessee will travel to Denton to face North Texas.

#3 Louisville 59 Marshall 28

Without quarterback Chase Litton, Marshall struggled and Louisville put up another impressive offensive showing.  The Cards put up 690 yards of total offense led by Lamar Jackson who threw for 417 yards and five touchdowns.  The Heisman candidate also ran for 62 yards and a pair of rushing touchdowns.  Marshall finished with just 59 yards passing and fall to 1-2 on the season.  Marshall will face P5 opponent Pitt next week on the road.

Southern Miss 34 UTEP 7

UTEP's passing game woes continue as they gifted Southern Miss a conference win.  UTEP's defense actually held Nick Mullens to just 176 yards passing, but Mullens tossed three touchdown passes. Curits Mikell had two interceptions, one went for an 100-yard return for a score.  UTEP will travel to Ruston to face LA Tech with their 1-3 record.  Southern Miss (3-1) takes on Rice at home next week.