Philadelphia, PA (Best E Casino) - ARKANSAS STATE: In the lone league matchup of the weekend, the Red Wolves downed Middle Tennessee, 31-14, behind 440 yards of total offense. Corey Leonard threw for 292 yards and three scores in the win and he also led the team with 74 rushing yards on 10 carries. David Johnson pulled down four passes for 49 yards and a pair of scores and Jarriel Norman had the same amount of catches, but for 107 yards. Now off to its best start (3-1) since 1986, ASU will hit the road to take on Memphis this weekend.
FLORIDA ATLANTIC: For the second straight week, the Owls were shut down by a Big Ten opponent, as they dropped a 37-3 decision at Minnesota over the weekend. FAU, which was defeated 17-0 by Michigan State the prior weekend, managed just 276 yards in the loss to Minnesota. Quarterback Rusty Smith had a rough game, completing just 17-of-34 tosses for 153 yards and four interceptions. Charles Pierre had 70 rushing yards on 10 carries, as the Owls fell for the third time in four outings. FAU will have the week off before beginning defense of its SBC title against Middle Tennessee on September 30th.
FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL: In their first game in a brand new on-campus stadium, the Panthers put up a good fight, but were still on the short-end of a 17-9 loss to nationally-ranked South Florida this past weekend. FIU, which was outscored 82-10 in two losses to open the season, broke a streak of nine straight scoreless quarters with a safety and touchdown in the final frame of last weekend's loss. A Julian Reams one yard touchdown run with under a minute left in the game represented the offense's first touchdown in three games this season. Wayne Younger and Paul McCall both saw time at quarterback, but they combined for just 118 yards and an interception on 11-of-21 pass attempts. The Panthers try for a better result this weekend against Toledo in a non- league showdown.
MIDDLE TENNESSEE: The Blue Raiders fell to 1-3 overall and 0-2 in conference play this weekend, as they were defeated at Arkansas State 31-14. MT managed just 315 total yards, while surrendering 440 yards of offense. Joe Craddock completed 25-of-35 pass attempts for 268 yards, but with no touchdowns and an interception. Patrick Honeycutt was clearly his primary outlet, finishing with 11 receptions for 94 yards and a one score. The Raiders will have the week off before hosting FAU in a Tuesday night game on September 30th.
NORTH TEXAS: The Mean Green had the week off after opening the season with three straight losses. North Texas, which was outscored 142-35 over its first three games, will return to action this weekend against Rice in a non- conference bout.
TROY: Off to their first 2-0 start since 2004, the Trojans gave nationally- ranked Ohio State all it could handle in the first-ever meeting between the programs, but in the end the Buckeyes emerged with a 28-10 victory. Troy trailed Ohio State just 14-10 heading into the fourth frame before allowing a pair of scores for the final margin. Quarterback Jamie Hampton did his best to keep Troy in the game, throwing for 218 yards and a score and rushing for 35 yards on 10 carries. However, he was picked off twice. Jerrel Jernigan was one of his primary targets, finishing with eight catches for 66 yards and a touchdown. The Trojans have another big challenge ahead of them, as they face off against Big 12 power Oklahoma State this weekend.
UL-LAFAYETTE: The Ragin' Cajuns rolled up a school-record 667 yards of total offense, as they notched their first win in a 44-27 decision over Kent State this past weekend. Quarterback Michael Desormeaux passed for 253 yards and a score, in addition to rushing for 150 yards and another touchdown. Tyrell Fenroy toted 23 times for 194 yards and three touchdowns for ULL, which went for 414 yards on the ground in the win. The Cajuns will try to keep the offense going this weekend when they visit Kansas State.
UL-MONROE: The Warhawks simply couldn't get anything going on the offensive side of the ball this past weekend, gaining just 182 total yards and only nine first downs in a 24-10 setback at Tulane. Kinsmon Lancaster threw for 118 yards and a pick on 13-of-18 pass attempts for ULM, which fell to 1-3 on the season. Frank Goodin guided the ground attack with 87 yards on 14 carries, while Darrell McNeal accounted for the team's lone touchdown on a four-yard run late in the fourth quarter. Following a week off, the Warhawks will get their conference slate underway with a bout against UL-Lafayette on October 4th.
