Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) -
ARKANSAS STATE: Thanks in large part to 21 unanswered second-half points, the
Red Wolves cruised to a 45-23 home win over ULM in a battle for first place in
the Sun Belt Conference. For the fifth time this season, Arkansas State (7-3,
5-1 Sun Belt) posted at least 500 total yards. It was led by another
outstanding effort by Ryan Aplin (26-of-34, 334 yards, two TDs, INT), who
threw for 300 yards for the second consecutive week. He also added 44 rushing
yards and his fifth rushing touchdown of the season. David Oku took advantage
of 22 carries, cashing them in for a career-high 131 yards and three
touchdowns. For the second straight week, freshman J.D. McKissic set a career
high in receptions, finishing the game with 12 catches for 102 yards. ASU has
guaranteed itself a winning record for the eighth straight season, and it will
try to take another step toward claiming the conference championship this week
when it faces Troy on the road.
FIU: The Panthers (2-8, 1-5 Sun Belt) enjoyed an off week after recording
their second win of the season on Nov. 3 against South Alabama. They will
resume action this Friday at Florida Atlantic.
FLORIDA ATLANTIC: The Owls went on the road and shocked the bowl-eligible
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers, 37-28, as they won their second game in the last
three weeks. Graham Wilbert was impressive in the victory, completing 23-of-36
passes for 257 yards and a pair of scores. Graham also had a rushing
touchdown. While both scoring passes were hauled in by Daniel McKinney (four
receptions, 48 yards), it was Williams Dukes who had a career day receiving,
catching nine passes for 104 yards. The ground game had a difficult time
getting going as the team averaged just 2.5 yards per carry on 39 attempts,
but Damian Fortner punched in a crucial score in the fourth quarter. The
defense played well too, forcing four turnovers. FAU (3-7, 2-4 Sun Belt) will
have a short turnaround this week as it is set to face FIU on Friday night.
LOUISIANA: The Ragin' Cajuns put together a fantastic effort for 58 minutes of
their game against nationally-ranked Florida over the weekend, but they
surrendered two touchdowns in the final two minutes to fall in a 27-20 final.
With the game tied at 20-20 in the waning seconds, the Cajuns tried to punt
the ball away and play for overtime, but Florida blocked the punt and returned
it 36 yards for the touchdown to deliver the crushing blow. The offense
couldn't do much against the vaunted UF defense, gaining a mere 267 yards.
Terrance Broadway completed 16-of-23 passes for 171 yards and while he didn't
score, he played turnover-free football. Harry Peoples finished with 10
catches for 73 yards, and Alonzo Harris rushed for 68 yards and a score.
Despite the late breakdown, the defense played well, holding the Gators to
just 311 total yards. Louisiana (5-4) returns to Sun Belt Conference action
this week against visiting Western Kentucky.
MIDDLE TENNESSEE: The Blue Raiders (6-3, 4-1 Sun Belt) lost ground in the race
for the conference title but only because they were off last week. Middle
Tennessee steps back into action on Saturday, taking on South Alabama in
Mobile.
NORTH TEXAS: After getting down 14-7 in the first half, North Texas finished
strong by scoring the game's final 17 points as the Mean Green toppled South
Alabama, 24-14. The rushing attack accounted for just under 200 yards, and it
was anchored by a couple of long touchdown runs by Jeremy Brown (51 yards) and
Brandin Byrd (85 yards). Byrd finished with 109 yards on 15 carries. The same
type of success was not found by quarterback Derek Thompson, who completed
just 12-of-28 passes for 106 yards and a touchdown. North Texas (4-6, 3-3)
buckled down late in the game on defense, as it held South Alabama off the
scoreboard in the fourth quarter and it also recovered two fumbles. With wins
in its last two games, UNT will become bowl eligible, and it will start its
stretch run this Saturday at ULM.
SOUTH ALABAMA: The Jaguars appeared to be in control early in their recent
clash with North Texas, but they faltered down the stretch in what turned out
to be a 24-14 loss. Ross Metheny completed 23-of-45 passes for 233 yards and a
touchdown, and it was the fourth time in the last five weeks that he has
thrown for at least 200 yards since becoming the team's starting quarterback.
Jereme Jones was the primary beneficiary of Metheny's passes as he caught five
balls for 72 yards, including a 13-yard touchdown in the second quarter.
Kendall Houston led the team in rushing with 42 yards and a touchdown. The USA
defense played very well, holding North Texas to just 303 yards of total
offense and only 12 first downs. South Alabama (2-8, 1-5 Sun Belt) will
attempt to halt its three-game losing streak this week at home against Middle
Tennessee.
TROY: Behind a very creative game plan, the Trojans took down Navy in a non-
conference bout, 41-31, to snap a two-game losing streak. Despite not getting
the start under center, backup quarterback Deon Anthony saw plenty of action
as he completed 9-of-12 passes for 93 yards and a touchdown, while also
running the ball seven times for 56 yards and two scores. Even with his role
diminished, Corey Robinson still had a great game, as he missed on just three
pass attempts (25-of-28) while throwing for 322 yards and a touchdown.
Chandler Worthy caught six passes for 64 yards and a touchdown, and Chip
Reeves led the team with eight grabs for 88 yards. Running back Shawn
Southward amassed 81 total yards and scored a rushing touchdown in the first
quarter. Troy (5-5) will return to conference action this Saturday when it
celebrates Homecoming against Arkansas State.
ULM: The Warhawks dropped their second consecutive game last Thursday night by
falling to the Arkansas State Red Wolves, 45-23, in a battle for first place
in the Sun Belt Conference. Cody Wells had a busy night filling in for the
injured Kolton Browning, completing 37-of-53 passes for 357 yards with two
touchdowns and an interception. Brent Leonard continued his outstanding play
of late by hauling in a career-high 14 receptions for 134 yards. He has been
one of the best receivers in the country in recent weeks, recording 34
receptions for 428 yards and five touchdowns in the past three games.
Monterrell Washington was outstanding both rushing the ball (62 yards, TD) as
well as catching it out of the backfield (four receptions, 46 yards, TD). The
defense was torched by Arkansas State for 534 yards. ULM (6-4, 4-2 Sun Belt)
will try to halt its skid at home this Saturday against North Texas.
WESTERN KENTUCKY: Turnovers will kill you, and the Hilltoppers learned that
first-hand over the weekend as they were guilty of four giveaways in suffering
a disappointing home loss to Florida Atlantic, 37-28. Kawaun Jakes put forth
his worst effort of the year under center, completing just 14-of-26 passes for
169 yards with two touchdowns to go along with three interceptions. Despite
the setback, running back Antonio Andrews was a beast yet again, racking up
340 all-purpose yards (88 rushing, 71 receiving, 52 punt return, 129 kick
return) and he had a touchdown both rushing and receiving. Even with his huge
day, Andrews snapped his streak of consecutive 100-yard rushing games at
seven. On the defensive side of the ball, Andrew Jackson tallied a career-high
19 tackles, but WKU (6-4, 3-3 Sun Belt) disappointed as a whole defensively by
allowing four touchdowns. The team will try to snap a two-game slide this
Saturday when it plays at Louisiana.
The Sports Network