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EAST DIVISION:
EAST CAROLINA: The Pirates dropped their second consecutive game, as they fell 42-17 at North Carolina over the weekend. ECU (2-2), which opened the season with back-to-back league wins, suffered a second straight loss to an ACC school, dropping a 49-27 decision to Virginia Tech on September 18th. The Pirates turned the ball over three times in the defeat and were outgained, 263-64, on the ground by North Carolina. Furthermore, ECU committed 13 penalties for 120 yards and possessed the ball for just 24 minutes. QB Dominique Davis threw for 244 yards and a TD on 33-of-51 tosses, but he was also picked three times. WR Dwayne Harris also tossed his second career TD, while hauling in eight balls for 64 yards. The Pirates will wrap up their current three-game road trip this weekend with a trip to Hattiesburg to face Southern Miss.
MARSHALL: The Thundering Herd managed just 170 total yards and were penalized 12 times for 112 yards in a 41-16 loss to Southern Miss this past weekend. Marshall (1-4, 0-1), which trailed 28-0 at the half, was outgained 205-45 on the ground and gave up four rushing TDs. Troy Evans had a 100-yard kickoff return for a TD in the loss, while Brian Anderson threw for 30 yards and a TD in a lackluster offensive performance by the Herd. Vinny Curry paced the defense, logging 11 stops and a pair of sacks. Marshall will return to action on October 13th, when is hooks up with UCF.
MEMPHIS: The Tigers gave the ball away four times and had just 207 yards of total offense, as they were handled 48-7 by Tulsa over the weekend. Memphis (1-4, 0-3) gave up 447 total yards and failed to come up with a single takeaway in the team's second loss in a row. Jerrell Rhodes paced the Tigers with 62 yards and a score on 10 carries, while Jamon Hughes headed the defense with 12 stops. Memphis will take a break from its conference schedule to face Louisville next weekend.
SOUTHERN MISS: QB Austin Davis ran for three TDs and passed for another, as the Golden Eagles controlled Marshall in a 41-16 rout this past weekend. Davis finished 16-of-29 for 164 yards through the air, as Southern Miss (4-1, 1-0) won its fourth game in a row and its 11th straight at home. Desmond Johnson had 74 yards on 13 carries for the Golden Eagles, who rolled up 205 yards on the ground. Southern Miss was even strong on defense, holding Marshall to a mere 170 total yards. The red-hot Golden Eagles will try to continue their winning ways this weekend versus East Carolina.
UAB: The Blazers had the week off to prepare for a Wednesday night matchup with UCF. UAB (1-3) is coming off a heart-breaking loss, falling 32-29 in overtime at Tennessee on September 25th. The Blazers have played just one C- USA game thus far and that resulted in a 28-7 loss at SMU.
UCF: The Knights are set to return to action this Wednesday, as they host UAB in a night game in Orlando. UCF (2-2) had the week off to get ready and they are hoping to bounce back from a 17-13 loss at Kansas State on September 25th. The game versus UAB will be the team's first in C-USA play.
WEST DIVISION:
HOUSTON: The Cougars were idle this past week, as they get ready to face Mississippi State this coming Saturday. Houston (3-1) most recently rebounded from its first loss with a 42-23 win over Tulane on September 25th. It marked the first game without star and recording-setting QB Case Keenum, who is expected to miss the season after tearing his ACL in a loss to UCLA. The Cougars are enjoying a school-record 17-game home winning streak and that run will be tested by the Bulldogs this weekend.
RICE: The Owls simply could not slow down SMU this past weekend, allowing 472 total yards in a 42-31 loss. Rice (1-4, 0-1) was shredded through the air, as SMU completed 24-of-32 tosses for 371 yards and three scores. The Owls were paced by Sam McGuffie, who rushed for 96 yards and a score on 20 carries. He also had five catches for 45 yards. Nick Fanuzzi passed for a career-high 276 yards, but was also picked twice. Losers of three straight, the Owls will take on Texas-El Paso this weekend.
SMU: QB Kyle Padron threw for 371 yards and three TDs, as the Mustangs streaked to a 42-31 win over Rice this past weekend. Padron hit on an efficient 24-of-32 tosses for SMU (3-2, 2-0), which is set to face Tulsa this coming weekend. Cole Beasley hauled in eight balls for 158 yards in the win, while Aldrick Robinson finished with six receptions for 148 yards and two TDs. The Ponies were also helped by a 32-yard INT return for a score by Sterling Moore and a 77-yard blocked punt return for a TD by Ja'Gared Davis.
TEXAS-EL PASO: QB Trevor Vittatoe tossed three TDs and the Miners went on for a 38-20 victory over New Mexico this past weekend. Vittatoe connected on 20- of-37 pass attempts for 264 yards, while Kris Adams caught five balls for 141 yards and a pair of scores. Joe Banyard headed the ground attack with 90 yards and a score on 15 carries, while the UTEP defense forced three turnovers and limited New Mexico to just 237 total yards. The Miners, who have now won three in a row, will take on Rice this coming weekend.
TULANE: Alex Wacha's INT with 36 seconds left sealed the deal, as the Green Wave stunned Rutgers, 17-14, this past weekend. It was the first career pick for Wacha, stopping Rutgers at the Tulane 24-yard line. The Green Wave (2-2, 0-1) snapped a six-game road losing skid by limiting Rutgers to 353 total yards and a dismal 4-of-16 effort on third downs. Tulane managed just 245 total yards itself, but took advantage of its opportunities and used strong defense to upset Rutgers. Dezman Moses and Justin Adams were terrific for the Green Wave, as they combined for 11 stops and three of the team's four sacks. Tulane will return to play this weekend versus Army.
TULSA: The Golden Hurricane used a balanced attack of 233 rushing yards and 214 passing to cruise past Memphis, 48-7, this past weekend. Tulsa (3-2, 1-1) was also strong on defense, forcing four turnovers and holding Memphis to just 207 total yards. QB GJ Kinne threw for 214 yards and a pair of TDs, while adding 39 yards and a score on the ground. Curnelius Arnick led the way for the defense, as he came up with nine stops and a sack. Winners of two straight, the Hurricane will clash with SMU this coming weekend.