Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) -
ARKANSAS STATE: It was a big night for the Red Wolves, as they piled up 619
total yards in mounting a fourth-quarter comeback to defeat Memphis, 33-28.
David Oku rushed for 130 of the team's 317 rushing yards, which included the
game-winning, one-yard touchdown run with 6:31 left in the game. Ryan Aplin
has seen better days passing the ball (23-of-43, 302 yards, TD), although he
was also factor in the run game, gaining 73 yards on just six attempts. J.D.
McKissic (eight receptions, 99 yards) and Josh Jarboe (six receptions, 101
yards) each had big receiving nights, with Jarboe hauling in Aplin's lone
touchdown pass in the second quarter. The defense held Memphis to just 293
yards. ASU (1-1) will continue its difficult early-season schedule on Saturday
when it heads to Lincoln to take on Nebraska.
FIU: With the help of a game-tying field goal from Jack Griffin at the end of
regulation and another one to win the game in overtime, the Golden Panthers
prevailed in a wild, back-and-forth game over Akron, 41-38. Jake Medlock was a
busy man on the night, throwing for 209 yards and a touchdown on 19-of-30
passing. He also rushed for a 141 yards -- a school record for a quarterback
-- which included a 29-yard scoring scamper in the first quarter. Darian
Mallary was also key in the running game, toting the ball 14 times for 60
yards and a pair of scores. Jairus Williams caught Medlock's passing
touchdown, a seven-yarder in the final minute of the second half. Richard
Leonard returned a 49-yard punt for a touchdown in the fourth quarter, marking
his first-career punt return touchdown. FIU (1-1) will continue its string of
non-conference games to open the season this week when it faces UCF in
Orlando.
FLORIDA ATLANTIC: After narrowly winning their season opener against Wagner,
the Owls began their Sun Belt Conference schedule in disappointing fashion,
falling to Middle Tennessee in a 31-17 final. Graham Wilbert's final stat line
looked impressive, completing 25-of-32 passes for 260 yards and two
touchdowns, but most of that damage came late in the game when his team was
down by as many as 21 points. William Dukes and Travis Jones each hauled in
six passes from Wilbert. The FAU rushing attack was stifled by the Blue
Raiders, gaining just 96 yards on 28 carries, led by a modest effort from
Damian Fortner (13 carries, 42 yards). David Hinds shined on the defensive
side, tallying a team-high 11 tackles with a forced fumble and a fumble
recovery. The Owls will face their toughest test yet this week when they go on
the road to take on No. 7 Georgia.
LOUISIANA: The Ragin' Cajuns improved to 2-0 on the year after they took care
of business in the SBC opener against Troy, 37-24, snapping the team's 21-game
losing streak in road openers dating back to 1990. Alonzo Harris controlled
the game for Louisiana on the ground, carrying the ball 21 times for 137
yards, including a two-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter to help put
the game out of reach. Terrance Broadway came on midway through the game to
replace an injured Blaine Gautier and played well, completing 10-of-16 passes
for 143 yards with a touchdown strike to Harry Peoples. The defense got in on
the act as well, with Jermario Moten returning a fumble 56 yards for a score.
Brett Baer was busy on the night, converting 3-of-3 field goal attempts.
Moving to 3-0 will be very difficult for Louisiana as it is set to take on
Oklahoma State this Saturday in Stillwater.
MIDDLE TENNESSEE: Behind 480 yards of total offense, including a whopping 302
yards on the ground, the Blue Raiders rolled over Florida Atlantic in their
Sun Belt opener, 31-17, thus avenging a loss to FCS opponent McNeese State the
week prior. Jordan Parker led the rushing attack with 117 yards on 17 carries,
and Drayton Calhoun wasn't far behind with 104 yards and a touchdown. The pair
became the team's first duo to record 100 yards rushing in the same game since
2009. Quarterback Logan Kilgore wasn't asked to do much, but he was effective
in limited opportunities, completing 10-of-14 passes for 178 yards and two
scores. Anthony Amos made a few big plays on the day, catching four balls for
102 yards, including both of Kilgore's touchdown strikes. Middle Tennessee
will hit the road for the first time this season this Saturday when they
travel to Memphis.
NORTH TEXAS: After falling to national-powerhouse LSU the week prior, the Mean
Green got on track this weekend against Texas Southern, winning 34-7. The
North Texas defense was the story, as it held the Tigers to just 16 yards of
total offense in the first half and 31 yards rushing for the entire game --
the lowest for an opponent since 1992. The team accounted for more than 350
yards rushing itself, with Antoinne Jimmerson (139 yards, TD) and Brandin Byrd
(136 yards, two TDs) each logging their first-career 100-yard games. Derek
Thompson completed 11-of-24 passes for 145 yards, tossing an interception and
no touchdowns. UNT has one more tough non-conference game this Saturday
against No. 15 Kansas State before starting its Sun Belt schedule on Sept. 22
against Troy.
SOUTH ALABAMA: After losing a 33-31 heartbreaker to fellow FBS newcomer Texas-
San Antonio last week, the Jaguars prevailed against Nicholls State on
Saturday, 9-3. Three Michel Chapuseaux field goals (34, 22, 19) were the only
source of scoring on the day for South Alabama, but it proved to be enough as
the defense held Nicholls State to just 127 yards of total offense. C.J.
Bennett (11-of-20, 114 yards) was less-than stellar, and backup Ross Metheny
(7-of-11, 62 yards) didn't fare much better. Demetre Baker was a work-horse
for the Jaguars with 19 carries for 68 yards, although he did lose a fumble.
In addition to its impressive yardage allowed total, the USA defensive unit
forced four turnovers (two fumbles, two interceptions). The road gets much
more difficult for the Jags this week, as they hit the road to take on ACC foe
NC State.
TROY: Despite a record-setting night by Corey Robinson, the Trojans dropped
their conference opener against Louisiana, 37-24. The veteran quarterback
finished the game 46-of-70 for 485 yards and two touchdowns, which were
career-bests for completions and yards in a game. The passing total ranks
third-highest in Sun Belt Conference history and is the most in an NCAA game
this season. In the process, Robinson also set school records for total
offense (7,591), passing yards (7,786), and pass attempts (1,103). Nine
different receivers caught a pass in the game, led by Chandler Worthy with
nine grabs for 154 yards. While the passing game was flying high, the rushing
attack was shut down to the tune of 60 yards on 27 attempts, although Deon
Anthony did find the end zone early in the first quarter to give the Trojans a
7-0 lead. Troy (1-1, 0-1) entertains Mississippi State this week, marking the
first time it has ever hosted an SEC team.
ULM: In their biggest win in program history, the Warhawks stunned eighth-
ranked Arkansas in overtime, 34-31. Not only was the win ULM's first-ever
against Arkansas, it marked the first time the team has ever beaten an FBS
ranked team and the first time a Sun Belt school has ever defeated a team
ranked in the top-10. The Razorbacks appeared as if they were going to run
away with the win after their lead ballooned to 28-7 early in the third
quarter, but the Warhawks climbed all the way back to tie the game in the
final minute on a Kolton Browning touchdown pass to Brent Leonard. After
Arkansas kicked a field goal in overtime, ULM went for the win on fourth down
on its possession, and Browning turned a broken play into the game-winning 16-
yard touchdown scamper. Browning was a beast on the night, accounting for 481
yards of total offense (412 passing, 69 rushing) and four total touchdowns.
Leonard caught 11 balls for 112 yards. The Warhawks (1-0) travel to Auburn
next week with the hopes of knocking off another SEC opponent.
WESTERN KENTUCKY: The Hilltoppers had their hands full with the nation's No. 1
team on Saturday afternoon, getting shut out by defending national champion
Alabama, 35-0. The offense for WKU (1-1) was overmatched by the elite defense
of the Crimson Tide, gaining just 224 yards of total offense. Kawaun Jakes
completed 20-of-31 passes for 178 yards, no touchdowns and an interception,
while the running game compiled just 46 yards on 28 carries (1.6 ypc). Jack
Doyle (seven receptions, 45 yards) and Antonio Andrew (six catches, 52 yards)
were both active in the receiving game. Despite the 35 points allowed, WKU's
defense can hang its hat on a solid day. The unit allowed just 328 total
yards, while holding UA's potent rushing attack to 103 yards on 31 attempts.
Quanterus Smith tallied a career-high three sacks. It marked the first time
the team had been blanked since 2002, and it will try to rebound this week
with a less-daunting SEC foe in Kentucky.
The Sports Network