Philadelphia, PA (Best E Casino) - EAST DIVISION:
EAST CAROLINA - The Pirates let one slip away this weekend, as they suffered their first loss, 30-24, in overtime to NC State. Russell Wilson threw a five- yard touchdown pass to George Bryan with 1:12 remaining in the fourth quarter to tie the game and Andre Brown ran 10 yards for a score in overtime, sending ECU to its first loss in four outings. The then 15th-ranked Pirates had the ball first in the extra period, but Patrick Pinkney lost a fumble and NC State capitalized on its possession for the win. Pinkney threw for 210 yards with one touchdown and an interception, in addition to rushing for 38 yards on nine carries. Dwayne Harris was his top target with 10 catches for 88 yards, while Norman Whitley paced the ground attack with 83 yards and a score on nine totes. ECU will return to action this weekend when it hosts Houston in a key league clash.
MARSHALL - The Thundering Herd totaled 429 yards of offense, including 201 on the ground, as they captured a 34-27 victory at Southern Miss this past weekend. The win improved Marshall to 3-1 overall and moved it to 2-0 in C-USA play for the first time since joining the league in 2005. Freshman Mark Cann threw for 228 yards and a pair of scores in the win, while Darius Marshall had 112 rushing yards and a touchdown on 30 carries. Darius Passmore also had a big game, as he caught nine passes for 139 yards and a score, in addition to breaking off an 80-yard touchdown run. The Herd will head out of the conference this coming weekend to face rival West Virginia.
MEMPHIS - Arkelon Hall threw for a touchdown and ran for another, as the Tigers defeated Nicholls State, 31-10, for their first win of the season. For the game, Hall passed for 173 yards and ran for 29 more for Memphis, which was coming off three straight losses to open the year. Duke Calhoun pulled down five balls for 50 yards and a touchdown in the victory, while Curtis Steele toted 20 times for 109 yards. The Tigers outgained their FCS opponent 449-164 and forced three turnovers as well. Memphis will look for a second straight win this weekend against Arkansas State.
SOUTHERN MISS - The Golden Eagles amassed 431 yards of total offense, but it wasn't enough in a 34-27 loss to Marshall this past weekend. Southern Miss set itself back with some sloppy play, committing 11 penalties for 129 yards. Quarterback Austin Davis guided the team in defeat with 308 yards and a score through the air and 45 yards and another touchdown on the ground. Damion Fletcher added 82 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries for the Eagles, who fell to 11-2 in C-USA openers and 2-2 on the season. After a week off to regroup, Southern Miss will continue its three-game homestand by hosting UTEP on October 4th.
UAB - The Blazers used a balanced attack of 248 rushing yards and 238 passing to notch their first victory in a 45-10 decision over Alabama State this past weekend. UAB, which opened the year with three consecutive losses, was also solid on defense, holding its Football Championship Subdivision opponent to just 17 yards on the ground. Quarterback Joe Webb was once again sensational, as threw for 238 yards and a pair of scores on 14-of-22 pass attempts, while also leading the team with 121 rushing yards and a touchdown on 14 carries. The Blazers have a much more difficult task this coming weekend, as they travel to Columbia to take on the Gamecocks of South Carolina.
UCF - The Knights gained just 252 total yards and turned the ball over four times, as they were dropped by Boston College, 34-7, this past weekend. It was the second straight loss by UCF, which posted its only win of the season against a Football Championship Subdivision program. Michael Greco accounted for three of the team's turnovers on interceptions and he passed for only 92 yards on 12-of-24 tosses. He did lead the way the way with 54 yards and a score on the ground though. The Knights, who surrendered 411 yards of total offense in the setback, begin defense of their C-USA title at UTEP next weekend.
WEST DIVISION:
HOUSTON - Despite racking up 473 yards of total offense, the Cougars were unable to compensate for four turnovers in a 28-25 loss to Colorado State over the weekend. It was the third straight loss following a season-opening win by Houston, which suffered another three-point defeat the prior week versus Air Force. Case Keenum threw for 380 yards and three touchdown in the setback, but he was picked off three time, including in the end zone in the closing moments of the contest. Mark Hafner was on the receiving end of eight of those passes that led to 73 yards and a score, while Bryce Bell paced the ground attack with 96 yards on 14 attempts. Houston will try to snap out of its funk next weekend against ECU in its conference opener.
RICE - The Owls were completely overmatched this past weekend and it showed in a 52-10 setback at nationally-ranked Texas. Rice surrendered a whopping 600 yards of total offense, as it suffered its second straight loss following back-to-back conference wins to start the season. Chase Clement threw for 245 yards and a score in the losing effort, while Jarett Dillard snared nine balls for 158 yards and a touchdown. After three straight games on the road, the Owls will return home this weekend to host North Texas.
SMU - The Mustangs were blown out for the second straight weekend, suffering a 48-7 defeat at the hands of TCU. The Ponies, whose lone win in four tries came against Texas State, were coming off a 43-7 loss to Texas Tech the prior weekend. On Saturday, SMU managed just 226 total yards and committed three turnovers in the loss to TCU. Bo Levi Mitchell completed 20-of-36 pass attempts for 218 yards and a score, but he also accounted for two interceptions. Emmanuel Sanders notched six receptions for 62 yards in the setback and Cole Loftin logged five catches for 52 yards and a score. The Mustangs won't have much time to dwell on the loss, as they tangle with Tulane on Thursday.
TEXAS-EL PASO - The Miners nearly got into the win column this weekend, but couldn't slow down New Mexico State enough in a 34-33 setback. UTEP permitted five passing touchdowns, as it suffered a third straight loss to open its campaign. Quarterback James Thomas II threw for just 60 yards in the setback, but he did lead the team with 142 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries. He is just the third Miner gunslinger to eclipse the 100-yard mark on the ground since 1982. Vernon Frazier added 74 yards on 14 carries for the Miners, who posted 277 yards on the ground as a team. UTEP will wrap up its three-game homestand by hosting UCF this weekend.
TULANE - After opening the season with a pair of hard fought losses, the Green Wave found its way into the win column with a 24-10 triumph over UL-Monroe this past weekend. Andre' Anderson led the charge, as he rushed for 157 yards and a touchdown on 38 carries. Kevin Moore also had a solid game, as he threw for 272 yards, one touchdown and an interception on 19-of-32 pass attempts. Jeremy Williams hauled in six balls for 49 yards and a touchdown, while Brian King had five receptions for 95 yards in the win. Tulane will have a quick turnaround, as it hosts SMU on Thursday.
TULSA - The Golden Hurricane continued its impressive start to the season, as it routed New Mexico 56-14 this past weekend. Tulsa, which is averaging 52.3 ppg over its three wins this season, rolled up 606 yards of total offense in the victory. David Johnson, the nation's leader in pass efficiency entering last weekend, completed 24-of-39 tosses for 469 yards with six touchdowns against two interceptions. Damaris Johnson hauled in three of those scores to go with five receptions and 109 yards, while Slick Shelley had six catches for 129 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Tulsa will put its undefeated record on the line against Central Arkansas this weekend.
