UPCOMING GAMES (ALL TIMES CT)
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 28
WKU at Boston College
(ACC Network) 11 a.m.
SERIES HISTORY
WKU and Boston College will be meeting for the first time on Saturday. It is the second of two first-time opponents the Hilltoppers face this season. WKU faced Toledo for the first time in program history on Saturday, Sept. 21, and beat the Rockets 26-21.
WKU Notes
LAST TIME OUT
The Hilltoppers overcame a 14-point first-half deficit and a lengthy weather delay in the second half to beat Toledo 26-21 on Saturday, Sept. 21, at Houchens-Smith Stadium. WKU scored the final 16 points after the game was delayed for 75 minutes midway through the third quarter before getting two big red zone stops from their defense with a pair of interceptions from Devonte’ Mathews to close out the nonconference victory over the Rockets. Redshirt sophomore Caden Veltkamp made his first career start and finished with 242 yards and one touchdown on 20-of-30 passing. He also had 20 yards and two scores on 16 rushing attempts.
AGAINST POWER CONFERENCE TEAMS WKU
has had some success against power conference teams in the past, with wins at Arkansas in 2019, at Vanderbilt in 2015, against Kentucky in 2013 and at Kentucky in 2012 during the program’s FBS Era (since 2009).
Boston College Notes
FIRST-AND-10
• Boston College football hosts Western Kentucky at Alumni Stadium with a Noon ET kickoff on Saturday, Sept. 28.
• The game will be broadcast on ACC Network. Jorge Sedano (play-by-play) and Orlando Franklin (analyst) are on the call with sideline reporter Morgan Uber.
• Coverage on the Boston College Sports Network begins 30 minutes prior to kickoff on WEEI 93.7 FM. Jon Meterparel (play-byplay) is joined on the call by former BC linebacker Pete Cronan in the booth and quarterback Scott Mutryn on the sideline.
• The game marks the first ever meeting between Boston College and Western Kentucky.
• BC senior running back Kye Robichaux started his career at WKU in 2021 and 2022. He rushed for 828 yards in two seasons with the Hilltoppers.
• Since joining the ACC in 2005, the Eagles are 37-20 in regular season, non-conference games against FBS opponents.
• BC is 3-1 or better to start a season for the first time since a 4-0 start in 2021 and fifth time since 2018.
• Thomas Castellanos ranks eighth in FBS and third in the ACC, the “Conference of Quarterbacks”, with a 193.2 passer rating. He is also 10th in yards per completion (16.2) and 13th in passing touchdowns (10).
• Donovan Ezeiruaku is tied for second in the ACC with five sacks, averaging 1.25 per game. He pushed his career total to 18.5, which is tied with Zach Allen (2015-18) and Sean Guthrie (1998-01) for sixth all-time at BC.
• Lewis Bond was named the ACC Wide Receiver of the Week after scoring the game-winning TD in his second career 100-yard game.
DUAL-THREAT
• Thomas Castellanos emerged as QB1 after coming off the bench in week one of 2023 and went on to produce a 2,000- yard passing, 1,000-yard rushing season; the fifth such season by an ACC quarterback since 1996.
• Castellanos is one of three quarterbacks in the country with 10-plus touchdown passes and a passing efficiency above 190.
TOUCHDOWN TOMMY
• Through four games of 2024, Thomas Castellanos has three multi-touchdown games, including a career-high vs. Duquesne (9/7).
• Castellanos was responsible for three touchdowns at FSU (9/2) and rushed for 73 yards to pass Tyler Murphy for the most career rushing yards by a BC quarterback at 1,186.
• Castellanos passed for 305 yards and ran for 95 in BC’s 2023 week-three game against No. 3 FSU. He became just the 22nd quarterback since 1996 to have gone over 300 and 95 in a game against an AP-ranked Top-25 opponents.
• Castellanos was the first quarterback to lead BC on a five-game win streak as the starter in all five games since Chase Rettig in 2010.
• His 13 2023 rushing touchdowns were the third most in the ACC and the most in a season or career by a BC quarterback. Castellanos’ 13 rushing TDs were the most by an Eagle since AJ Dillon ran for 14 in 2019.
• Castellanos’ 25 career touchdown passes at BC are the 12th most in program history, three back of Paul Peterson (2003- 04) and four back of Tim Hasselbeck (1997-00) for 10th.
Texas State vs. Sam Houston
(ESPN+) 2 p.m. (NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas)
SERIES HISTORY: TXST V SHSU
Former conference rivals, Texas State and Sam Houston were charter members of the Lone Star Conference in 1931 before both moving to the Gulf Star Conference (1984-86) and then the Southland Conference (1987-2010). The last meeting between the two schools was in 2011 when Texas State was an independent FCS member and transitioning to the FBS level. For 94 seasons from 1915 to 2011, the two schools met 91 times. Texas State leads the all-time series, 50-37-5.
Texas State Notes
OPENING DRIVE
• Texas State is coming off a historic 2023 season that saw the program win its first bowl game, in its first appearance, a 45-21 victory over Rice in the SERVEPRO First Responder Bowl. • The Bobcats set an FBS-program record with eight wins. • Texas State posted the highest season attendance average the program has seen in 2023 at 21,184 (127,102 total). • Texas State opened the season receiving votes in the US LBM preseason Coaches Poll and received eight votes in the week 3 edition. • Texas State finished 7-2 across nine games played in the state of Texas in 2023. • TXST is coming off a 31-28 loss to Big 12 foe Arizona State on Sept. 12. • Saturday’s game will be the first for the Bobcats in NRG Stadium, but not the first in an NFL facility. TXST has played at Raymond James Stadium (USF, 1999) the Metrodome (Minnesota, 2002) and the Georgia Dome (Georgia State, 2014 & 2016). • The 93rd meeting between the two schools dates back to 1915, but has not been played since 2011. • Nash Jones was named a semifinalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy, college football’s premier scholar-athlete award.
A WIN VS. SAM HOUSTON MEANS..
• The Bobcats get their 51st victory over Sam Houston, the second-most over a single opponent in TXST history (SFA, 57) and have won three of the last five in the match up. • Texas State starts the season 3-1 for the second consecutive season. • Texas State has won five of six dating back to the 2023 season. • The Bobcats move to 3-0 against foes from the state of Texas in 2024.
ON THE OFFENSIVE
While Texas State’s offense finished 11th in the country in scoring offense, it became the nation’s most improved scoring offense over the 2023 season. • Texas State improved its scoring output from 21.1 points per game in 2022 to 36.7 in 2023 (+15.6). • The Bobcats’ 36.7 points per game in 2023 marked the first time they have averaged more than 28 points per game since 2014 when they averaged 33.8.
GOING FOR A DRIVE
Texas State’s offense scored on 45% of its drives (57 TD, 15 FG on 160 drives) in 2023 and scored on 55% (6/11) in the season opener against Lamar. • TXST sits at 43% to open 2024, scoring on 17 of 40 drives. • Texas State was 7-1 when it scored on 40 percent or higher of its offensive drives in a game, with wins against Baylor (50%), Jackson State (85%), Nevada (42%), Southern Miss (43%), ULM (42%), Georgia Southern (64%), and South Alabama (50%). Its lone loss was against Louisiana (60%). • The Bobcats averaged 2.66 points per drive in non-garbage time drives against FBS opponents, according to BCFToys.com, the 29th best in the country. • Texas State averaged 10+ yards per play on 23 percent of its drives, which was 8th-best in the nation according to BCFToys.com (non-garbage time drives against FBS opponents only).
TALKING POINTS
While Texas State’s offense was one of the highest scoring in the country in 2023, the season was also its highest scoring in the school’s FBS history. • Texas State set an FBS school record with 477 points scored, besting the previous mark of 406 set in 2014. • It was only the second time in the school’s FBS history that the Bobcats scored 400+ points in a single season (406 in 2014). • The 477 points were the most points scored by Texas State in any season besting the 470 in 13 games in 2008 as an FCS program. That year, Texas State scored 457 points in 12 regular season games (432 in 2023 regular season). • Texas State scored 40+ points in 6 games last season, which topped the overall program record of 5 previously set in 1967 and 1983. • The Bobcats scored 265 points in conference play in 2023 (8 games). In 2022, Texas State scored 253 points all season (12 games)
AIR ATTACK
Texas State’s passing offense set the FBS and overall program record for most yards in a season in 2023. • Texas State had 3,522 passing yards in 2023, which marked the first time since 2008 that the Bobcats totaled more than 3,000 yards in the air. • The overall program record for passing yards in a season was 3,499 set in 2008 (13 games). • Texas State had 200+ passing yards in all but 2 games in 2023. • The Bobcats have only thrown for 3,000+ yards in a season 4 times in program history: 2003, 2008, 2009, 2023. • Texas State had 5 300-yard passing games in 2023, which is an FBS program record. • The Bobcats also set the overall program record for most completions in a season with 287. The previous record was 264 in 2009.
GROUND GAME
Despite throwing for more than 3,500 yards in 2023, the Bobcat offense was also one of the best in the country and in the program’s FBS history in rushing • Texas State rushed for 2,439 yards last season, which was the second-most in the program’s FBS history (2,862 in 2014). • Texas State has rushed for more than 2,000 yards in a season 5 times in the program’s 12 years at the FBS level. The first 4 instances, though, were in the first 4 years in FBS. • The Bobcats finished the season as one of 35 FBS team to register 3,000+ passing yards and 2,000+ rushing yards.
Sam Houston Notes
OLD SCHOOL KATFIGHT TO BE RENEWED AT NRG STADIUM
• One week after moving to 1-0 in Conference USA play, the Kats will step out of conference one final time this year when it travels back to NRG Stadium on Saturday to take on Texas State n Sam Houston is 11-2 all-time in games played at NRG Stadium, having played a game there every year since 2010 apart from the COVID-altered 2020 season
• Sam Houston is 18-27-1 all-time in games played in the City of Houston, including 1-0 this year after opening the year with a win at Rice
• The Kats have drawn home attendances of 15,134 and 13,059 in the last 2 weeks, both crowds which rank in the top 5 all-time at SHSU. The total of 28,193 in consecutive weeks is the most in Bearkat history for consecutive home games
• Sam Houston is averaging 32.0 points per game in its 3 wins, all over G5 teams
• Sam Houston will be wearing another set of throwback decals on their helmets on Saturday, with Bearkats in arching white script with a white stripe down the middle of the orange hats. The arching script mark originally was worn from 1989-93 on a navy blue helmet before Sam Houston moved to orange helmets in 1994. The mark remained on the side of the hats through the 1996 season, while the orange headwear carries on to today.
TEAM NOTES
• The game vs Hawaii officially drew 15,134 fans to Bowers Stadium. That attendance is the second-largest in Bowers Stadium history and the most since 16,148 were tallied in October of 1994 when the Bearkats hosted Steve McNair and Alcorn State in a regionally-televised game on ABC
• The Kats have captured 3 CUSA weekly honors this year thru 4 games. Quarterback Hunter Watson and kicker Christian Pavon earned Offensive and Special Teams Players of the Week after the Kats’ Week 1 win over Rice before defensive back Caleb Weaver was the Defensive Player of the Week after his effort in the win over Hawaii
• Sam Houston has already put up 110 points in 2024, a stark contrast to its early offensive output in early in 2023. In fact, the Kats did not score their first TD of 2023 until Game 3 and did not surpass 100 total points until Game 8 of the year
• KC Keeler has to be happy with his team’s discipline thru 4 games as the Kats have been one of the least penalized teams in the country. SHSU is averaging just 3.75 penalties per game so far this year, which is tied for seventh best in the country and the best among teams in CUSA n Sam Houston is competing in its second season in the FBS and its first with full bowl eligibility. The Kats completed their 2-year transition to full-fledged FBS status following the completion of the 2023 season
LAST ONES STANDING
The move by Sam Houston to the FBS level following the 2021 season is arguably the most transcendent decision made in the history of Bearkat Athletics. Much of that was due to the Kats claiming the FCS national title in the Spring of 2021. There are still 7 players remaining from that team. Those players are: AIfe Adeyi, Noah Smith, Trey Fields, Ethan Hagler, Ysidro Mascorro, Jevon Leon and Briceon Hayes
Liberty at App State
(ESPN+) 2:30 p.m.
Liberty Notes
STORYLINES
• Liberty (4-0, 2-0 CUSA) will look to remain unbeaten when it travels to Appalachian State (2-2, 0-1 Sun Belt) for the first time in 10 years on Saturday.
• This will mark the 11th meeting between Liberty and App State in a series that dates back to 1987 but the first with both teams playing at the FBS level. The Flames are just 3-7 all-time against the Mountaineers but won the most recent meeting, 55-48 (OT) in Boone on Oct. 11, 2014.
• Liberty has won three straight matchups with Sun Belt foes, moving to 10-3 all-time against members of the conference.
• Liberty overcame a 17-0 deficit and a 4:37 weather delay to defeat East Carolina 35-24 in a game which ended at 2 a.m. Sunday morning at Williams Stadium. That marked the Flames’ 16th straight regular-season win. If Liberty is victorious Saturday, it would have its first-ever seven-game road winning streak.
• Jamey Chadwell is in his second year at Liberty. He is 17-1 with the Flames and owns a 48-7 coaching record dating back to the start of 2020.
• RB Quinton Cooley rushed 19 times for 105 yards and a game-sealing 21-yard TD with 2:00 left in the win over ECU. He has posted three 100-yard games this year and is CUSA’s leading rusher (371 yards).
• WR Reese Smith enjoyed a breakout game vs. ECU, tying the Liberty single-game record of three receiving TDs and posting a team-high 80 receiving yards.
• CB Dexter Ricks, Jr. notched an INT for the second straight game, one of two turnovers forced by the Flames in the fourth quarter against East Carolina.
A LIBERTY WIN WOULD…
• Extend the Flames’ program-record regular-season winning streak to 17 while breaking a tie for the longest road winning streak in program history with seven straight away victories. • Enable the Flames to start 5-0 for the second year in a row and the third time in the last five seasons. • Be the Flames’ second straight victory over Appalachian State (also 2014), improving the Flames to 4-7 all-time against App State and 4-5 in Boone, N.C. • Mark the Flames’ second win this season over a team who played in a 2023 bowl game (also at New Mexico State). • Improve Liberty to 11-3 all-time against Sun Belt teams (at time of meeting), including 4-0 since the start of the 2022 season. • Represent the Flames’ 19th victory in their last 21 September contests (dating back to 2019). • Mark the Flames’ first win in North Carolina since Oct. 28, 2017 at Gardner-Webb, snapping a two-game losing skid in the Tar Heel State.
“4 DOWNS” WITH APP STATE
Liberty and Appalachian State are matching up on the gridiron for the 11th time but the first with both as FBS members. App State is one of four current FBS squads Liberty has faced 10 or more times in program history, also including James Madison (18), Coastal Carolina (15) and UCF (11). The Mountaineers are the most frequently played opponent on Liberty’s 2024 schedule.
Liberty will attempt to give App State its first back-to-back home losses since Oct. 4 and 11, 2014, when the Mountaineers dropped consecutive contests in Boone to South Alabama and the Flames. Liberty and App State have both made bowl game appearances every year they have competed at the FBS level with full bowl eligibility. The Flames have rallied from deficits of 14 points or more to win twice this season (at New Mexico State, vs. East Carolina).
Reese Smith tied the program record with three receiving TDs against East Carolina on Saturday, surpassing his career total of two entering the contest. His efforts helped fuel a comeback from a 17-0 deficit in a game which was delayed 4:37 due to weather. All 35 of the Flames’ points against the Pirates were scored after midnight.
Liberty has boasted a 100-yard rusher in all four games to begin 2024. Quinton Cooley reached 100 vs. Campbell, New Mexico State and East Carolina, while Billy Lucas did so vs. UTEP. This is the first time since 2008 Liberty has had a 100-yard rusher in each of a season’s first four contests.
LAST MEETING WITH APP STATE
OCT. 11, 2014 LIBERTY 55, APPALACHIAN STATE 48 (OT)
BOONE, N.C. (KIDD BREWER STADIUM)
• After App State missed a potential game-winning 32-yard FG at the end of regulation, Josh Woodrum completed a nine-yard TD pass to Darrin Peterson in the first overtime to put the Flames ahead. • Jacob Hagen then intercepted a pass from App State QB Taylor Lamb in the end zone to complete the victory. • The teams combined for 1,129 yards of offense and the game featured eight lead changes. • At the time, it marked Liberty’s third win over an FBS opponent in program history and its first in four years.
ON THE ROAD AGAIN
Liberty plays five of its remaining eight regular-season games on the road. The Flames’s current six-game road winning streak is tied for its longest in program history, as Liberty went 6-0 on the road in 1997. Saturday’s opponent, App State, snapped Liberty’s previous six-game road winning streak, defeating the Flames 28-19 in the 1998 season opener in Boone.
REGULAR SEASON ROLL
Liberty carries a program-record 16-game regular-season winning streak into today’s matchup. The Flames were the only Group of Five team to go undefeated in the regular season last year. Only Georgia (42 games) owns a longer active regular-season winning streak than Liberty among FBS schools. So far this season, Florida State, Michigan and Washington have all seen their lengthy regular-season winning streaks snapped.
NORTH CAROLINA NOTES
This will be Liberty’s 92nd game versus a varsity opponent from North Carolina, including its third this year. The Flames are 45-44-2 all-time against North Carolina opponents, including 16-27-2 away. Liberty has lost its last two games in the Tar Heel State (2020 at NC State, 2022 at Wake Forest). By contrast, the Flames have won 15 straight home games versus North Carolina teams since a 27-24 loss to Gardner-Webb Oct. 21, 2006.
QUICK SERIES HISTORY
Appalachian State holds a 7-3 all-time lead over Liberty. However, all three of the Flames’ wins over the Mountaineers have come in Boone, N.C., where App State holds a 5-3 advantage. App State had won five straight meetings (1998-02) before the Flames knocked off the Mountaineers 55- 48 in overtime on Oct. 11, 2014, the last meeting to date.
SUN BELT SUCCESS
Liberty is 10-3 all-time against Sun Belt Opponents, at time of meeting. That includes bowl wins over Sun Belt foes Georgia Southern (in 2019) and Coastal Carolina (in 2020) at back-to-back Cure Bowl appearances. The Flames have won each of their last three meetings against Sun Belt teams, including wins at Southern Miss and Old Dominion in 2022 and a home victory over ODU last year.
QUICK STATS
Liberty ranks 29th in the nation in total offense (456.8), while App State is 123rd in total defense (453.3). The Mountaineers are 19th nationally, averaging 307.5 passing yards per game, while the Flames allow just 200 passing yards per contest.
FLAMES QUARTER
The Flames are outscoring opponents 56-14 in the fourth quarter so far this season. That +42 scoring margin is Liberty’s largest of any quarter this year. That includes a 21-point fourth-quarter surge to come back for a 30-24 win at New Mexico State, Sept. 7. The Flames outscored ECU 14-0 on Saturday in the fourth. Liberty is 13-0 when leading after three quarters last under Jamey Chadwell, continuing a trend of Chadwell-coached teams. Chadwell’s team has closed out the game with a win each of the last 42 times it took a lead into the fourth quarter, since giving up a 31-25 advantage in a 39-38 Coastal Carolina loss at Arkansas, Nov. 4, 2017.
Appalachian State Notes
TOP STORYLINES
• Saturday’s sold-out game during Family Weekend in Boone will also be a White Out game, with fans encouraged to wear white while cheering on the Mountaineers in Kidd Brewer Stadium. It’s the eighth straight sellout at The Rock, dating back to last season, and 14 of the top 17 crowds in stadium history have occurred since the start of 2022. • App State’s other home “White Outs” in recent years were a 31-7 victory against Old Dominion in 2016 and a 56-41 victory against Charlotte in 2019. • Since Liberty began FBS competition in 2018, App State is tied for eighth place nationally with 60 wins (60-23 record), while the Flames are 12th with 57 wins (57-23 record). Those win totals rank No. 1 and No. 2 among current Group of Five programs. • App State has a 96-32 record since starting 1-5 in its 2014 FBS debut. The only teams with more wins than the Mountaineers’ 97 since their transition are Alabama (130), Clemson (121), Ohio State (118), Georgia (117), Oklahoma (105) and Notre Dame (98). Michigan also has 97. • This summer, Kidd Brewer Stadium was listed at No. 23 on ESPN’s list of top 25 college football stadiums in the country. All 15 home crowds since the start of 2022 have eclipsed 30,000. The Mountaineers led all FBS schools in percentage of stadium capacity filled (115.8%) last season. • App State opened the 2024 season against FCS-level ETSU and drew the third-biggest crowd in stadium history (36,232), then had a crowd of 34,133 for last Thursday’s midweek game vs. South Alabama. In May, season tickets sold out for the third straight year for a program that set Sun Belt season attendance records in 2021, 2022 and 2023. • Under head coach Shawn Clark, App State is one of five G5 programs (and 14 FBS programs) with at least three nine-win seasons since the start of 2020. • With 1,230 passing yards (No. 8 in FBS) and six TD passes this year, including a career-high 424 yards at ECU, Joey Aguilar is the nation’s only returning FBS QB who had 33-plus TD passes and 3,700-plus passing yards in 2023. His 15 TD passes to either tie a game or give his team a lead led the country in 2023, and he has two more of those TD passes in 2024. • Falling behind 16-0 after one quarter at ECU, App State posted its largest comeback win since a Sun Belt game at Idaho in 2017, when the Mountaineers overcame a 20-0 deficit to win 23-20.
MORE STORYLINES
• Shawn Clark’s team ranked 33rd nationally by returning 68 percent of its production from 2023. The roster had 34 scholarship newcomers entering 2024, including 15 from the transfer portal. • The only FBS programs in the country with four conference championship game appearances in the last six seasons are App State, Alabama, Boise State, Clemson, Georgia, Oregon and Utah. The Mountaineers have won four Sun Belt titles overall, plus division titles in 2021 and 2023. • Shawn Clark has led the Mountaineers to a win over a ranked opponent in each of the last three years: 30-27 over No. 14 Coastal Carolina in 2021, 17-14 over No. 6 Texas A&M in 2022 and 26-23 (OT) over No. 18 James Madison in 2023. App State is 3-3 in its last six games vs. ranked teams. • Armanti Edwards, a record-setting and title-winning QB for the Mountaineers from 2006-09, is one of 22 members of the 2024 College Football Hall of Fame Class. The official induction ceremony will be held Dec. 10 during the 66th NFF Annual Awards Dinner in Las Vegas. • App State was among the programs featured by EA Sports in the promotion of the College Football 25 video game, with WR Kaedin Robinson receiving extended exposure as a returner. • Nine team captains have been named for the 2024 season: DE Kevin Abrams-Verwayne, QB Joey Aguilar, RB Anderson Castle, SAF Jordan Favors, STAR/SPT Andre Hamilton, ILB Brendan Harrington, WR Christan Horn, WR Kaedin Robinson and K Michael Hughes. • App State is one of 32 FBS teams that returns the same head coach, offensive coordinator, defensive coordinator, starting quarterback and head strength coach from 2023. • All four App State losses in the 2023 regular season were decided in the closing seconds (by a combined 19 points). Of the program’s last 15 losses, 10 have been one-possession games. • Under head coach Shawn Clark, App State is 18-1 when winning the turnover battle. • App State led the Sun Belt with 14 alums on NFL rosters in 2023, and there are 13 football alums on current NFL rosters.
OFFENSE
• QB Joey Aguilar, four of the top five running backs and five of the top seven pass-catching targets returned from 2023 for an offense with one returning starter on the offensive line. • For the first time since 2017, when Frank Ponce had a fourth straight year coaching quarterback Taylor Lamb, App State opened a season with the same starting quarterback and quarterbacks coach from the previous season. Zac Thomas played under Ponce in 2018, then had different coordinators in 2019 and 2020. Chase Brice played for different coordinators in 2021 (Ponce for his second stint in Boone) and 2022. • In addition to his 33 TD passes in 2023, a total that ranked fifth nationally, QB Joey Aguilar also set school records of 3,757 passing yards and 4,002 yards of total offense in 2023. Replacing the injured starter in the first half of the 2023 opener, he threw a TD pass on his first FBS play by hitting Kaedin Robinson for a 32-yard score. Aguilar then threw an 83-yard TD pass to Christan Horn on the second offensive snap (and first pass) of 2024. • At ECU, Joey Aguilar threw for a career-high 424 yards and two TDs, including a 36-yard, go-ahead score to Makai Jackson late in the third quarter. His 32 completions and 47 pass attempts were also career highs. The 424 passing yards set a record for a road performance by an App State QB and rank as the third-best total in program history, behind only the 433 yards from Armanti Edwards against South Carolina State in a 2008 playoff game and the 427 yards from Taylor Lamb against Coastal Carolina in 2017. • Kaedin Robinson opened 2024 with eight catches for 103 yards after tying for the Sun Belt lead last year with 10 TD receptions while catching 67 passes for 905 yards — the most single-season receiving yards by an App State player in the FBS era. He had another 100-yard game with a career-high 129 yards on seven catches at ECU, and his six-catch, 85-yard effort against South Alabama gave him at least one catch in 28 consecutive games. • TE Eli Wilson had a momentum-swinging, 34-yard TD catch in the 2024 opener and App State’s first TD at ECU. He ranked in the top three among Sun Belt tight ends in catches (34), yards (350) and touchdown catches (five) in 2023. • WR Makai Jackson scored in each of the first three games. He scored on a 47-yard end-around in the opener, led the team with an FBS career-high six catches in the loss at Clemson (including a 17-yard TD) and scored the go-ahead TD at ECU during a six-catch, 86-yard performance. • Returning from a 2023 preseason injury to play in the final six games of last year, RB Anderson Castle gained 80 yards on seven carries (only one after halftime) in the loss at Clemson and made his second career start at ECU. His late 10-yard run allowed App State to run out the clock.
DEFENSE
• App State brought back a pair of returning starters on the line, at linebacker and in the secondary. • OLB Nate Johnson (Gaffney, S.C.) and DL Santana Hopper were named Freshman All-Americans last season, when Johnson tied for first nationally among true freshmen with 7.5 sacks and Hopper made a late-season surge while contributing 3.5 sacks among his 7.5 tackles for loss. • Nate Johnson had a first-half sack at ECU erased by a targeting call, while Santana Hopper was named the national defensive player of the week by PFF College after forcing a fumble on a third-quarter sack and also stopping a run for no gain among his three tackles. PFF credited him with three QB pressures and gave him a 94.5 run-defense grade. • Against South Alabama, DE Santana Hopper forced a fumble on a sack for the second straight game. The fumble was recovered by fellow defensive lineman Shawn Collins. • In his first career start vs. South Alabama, SAF DJ Burks had a career-high 14 tackles, including one for a loss. He has 28 of his team-high 30 tackles in the last three games after totaling four tackles in his first 17 games as a Mountaineer, mostly as a special teams contributor. • ILB Brendan Harrington had six tackles, including one tackle for loss, in his inspiring return to the lineup vs. ETSU and has 16 tackles in four games. He has shown toughness and perseverance after suffering season-ending injuries early in the 2022 season (shoulder injury in the opener vs. UNC) and the 2023 season (knee injury in Week 2 vs. UNC). • A defense that recorded four sacks and recovered one fumble at ECU made another key stop when CB Seth Robertson intercepted a deep pass at the App State 31 and returned the ball 21 yards with the Mountaineers holding a two-point lead in the final five minutes. • Joshua Donald, Cahari Haynes, Montez Kelley and Santana Hopper produced sacks vs. ECU, which had 110 yards of offense in the first quarter but managed 214 yards the rest of the way. • In the 2024 opener, App State recorded three sacks over the final 18 minutes. OLB Thomas Davis accounted for 1.5 on back-to-back plays late in the third quarter. The Mountaineers limited ETSU to 305 total yards, with 80 coming on their only touchdown of the day.
SPECIAL TEAMS
• All-America kicker Michael Hughes went 2-for-2 on field goals at ECU and is 5-for-5 this season to extend his streak of consecutive makes to 16, dating back to last season. • Last year, Michael Hughes made 19 of 22 field goals, including a game-winning kick from 54 yards as time expired in a 41-40 victory at ULM. Since the start of the 2023 season, he has scored 208 points by going 33-for-39 on field goals (84.6 percent) and converting 115 extra points. • In 2023, assistant Brian Haines had at least one special teams player receive All-America recognition for the third straight year, as Michael Hughes and multi-unit coverage stalwart Jackson Greene were both honored to join kick returner Milan Tucker (2022) and kicker Chandler Staton (2021).
LA Tech at FIU
(ESPN+) 5 p.m.
INSIDE THE SERIES
LA Tech leads, 5-1
In Ruston………………………………………………………………………3-0 In Miami……………………………………………………………………….2-1 Neutral………………………………………………………………………….0-0
Current Streak……………………………………………………………………..W1
Longest Win Streak…………………………………………… 4, LA Tech
Most LA Tech Points…………………………………………….44 (2016)
Most FIU Points…………………………………………………….42 (2022)
Most Combined Points……………………………………….76 (2022)
Biggest LA Tech Win ………………………………………………….43-21
Biggest FIU Win ………………………………………………………….42-34
LA Tech Notes
BULLDOG STORYLINES
• Louisiana Tech will travel to Miami, Fla., to face FIU in their Conference USA opener at Pitbull Stadium on Saturday at 5 p.m. CT. This will mark the conference opener for both squads. The Bulldogs and the Panthers are coming off back-to-back losses, with the LA Tech at 1-2 and FIU at 1-3. • The Bulldog football program has not lost a C-USA opener since the 2016 season and will aim to win their 8th straight conference opener on Saturday night. Sonny Cumbie eyes his third straight C-USA opening win after defeating South Alabama in his first season and FIU in 2023. This will mark the third time in the last eight seasons that LA Tech has opened conference play against FIU (2019, 2023, 2034). • A Trio of quarterbacks saw action against Tulsa as the Bulldogs were edged 23-20 in overtime. Redshirt freshman Evan Bullock took over for an injured Blake Baker in the fourth quarter and led LA Tech on a five-play, 43-yard scoring drive to put the Bulldogs up late. Bullock finished 4-of-6 for 49 yards while tossing his first career touchdown pass. Starting quarterback Jack Turner went 7-of-14 for 41 yards. Bake is expected to miss time after leading the team with 107 yards through the air. • Through three games, LA Tech’s defense ranks amongst the top half in several FBS categories, while sitting atop the C-USA ranks. The Bulldog defense ranks 37th in total defense (298.0), and rushing defense (106.5), while the teams 192.0 passing yards allowed per outing ranks 57th. Tech leads the C-USA in total defense, rushing defense and fewest touchdowns allowed. • This will be the seventh all-time meeting between the Bulldogs and the Panthers, and the third consecutive matchup between the CUSA foes. LA Tech leads the series 5-1 after picking up a 22-17 win over FIU to open the season a year ago.
MATCHUP NOTES
This will be the seventh all-time meeting between the Bulldogs and the Panthers, and the third consecutive matchup between the CUSA foes. LA Tech leads the series 5-1 after picking up a 22-17 win over FIU to open the season a year ago. Tech won four straight over the Panthers to start the series before falling 42-34 on the road in 2022. Each of the six matchups between LA Tech and FIU have been Conference USA games after both teams joined the league in 2013.
LA Tech has tallied a combined 193 points in its six games against FIU to average 32.16 points per game against the Panthers. The Bulldogs have never scored less than 22 points while playing FIU and have averaged 33 points over their last three games (43, 34, 22).
The Bulldogs and Panthers last faced off to open the 2023 season with LA Tech earning a 22-17 come from behind win. LA Tech only held the lead for 61 seconds, but it was the final 61 seconds as the Bulldogs scored 19 unanswered points to win the 2023 opener over FIU. Quarterback Hank Bachmeier threw for 333 yards and one score on 34 completions. Smoke Harris reeled in 11 grabs for 155 yards and a touchdown. J’Dan Burnett tallied four stops, while Zach Zimos collected three.
FIU was picked to finish 8th in the CUSA preseason poll. The Panthers come into Saturday night’s matchup with a 1-3 record after two straight losses. FIU opened the season with a 31-7 loss to Indiana before defeating Central Michigan 52-16. The Panthers are coming off losses to FAU and FCS foe Monmouth. They are averaging 30.25 points per outing while giving up 32.50.
FIU Notes
QUICK HITS
• FIU will be facing Louisiana Tech for the third straight season and seventh time in program history when they square off on Saturday.
• The Panthers have played three of their last four games at Pitbull Stadium, including Saturday’s clash with the Bulldogs.
• FIU trails the all-time series with La Tech 1-5.
SETTING THE STAGE
The Panthers are back at South Dade Kia Field at Pitbull Stadium on Saturday night when they host Louisiana Tech in the Conference USA opener in a 6 p.m. ET Kickoff. Saturday’s game will be aired on ESPN+ and called by AJ Ricketts (pxp) and Zach Letson (analyst). The audio broadcast can be heard on The Panther Online Network with Corey Brooks (pxp) and Jackson McDonald (analyst) on the mic. The pregame show on The Panther Online Network will start 15 minutes prior to kickoff and a postgame show will follow the conclusion of the contest. The Panther Online Network can be accessed by visiting fiusports.com/listen.
DEFENSIVE SCORES
The FIU defense ranks tied for fifth nationally with a pair of defensive touchdowns through the opening four games of 2024. The Panthers have run back two interceptions for scores this season – one by Brian Blades against Central Michigan and a second by Travion Barnes vs. Monmouth.
DEFENSIVE PICKS
The FIU defense also ranks eighth nationally and leads Conference USA in passes intercepted with six through four games. Six different players have intercepted a pass for the Panthers this season – two of which have been run back the distance for touchdowns.
UT-Martin at Kennesaw State
(ESPN+) 5 p.m.
UT-Martin Notes
SETTING THE SCENE
• The University of Tennessee at Martin football program will hit the road to close out the month of September with its final non-conference matchup of the season when squaring off against new Conference USA member Kennesaw State on Saturday, Sept. 28. Kickoff from Fifth Third Stadium is slated for 5 pm CT and will be broadcast on ESPN+.
• UT Martin hits the road again after a brief homestand. The Skyhawks dropped their most recent matchup, falling at home to Missouri State by a 31-24 margin. UT Martin jumped out to an early advantage before Missouri State responded with 24 unanswered points. The Skyhawks mounted a comeback attempts, but ultimately could not come away with the victory.
• Graduate quarterback Kinkead Dent is back in the starting lineup while Patrick Smith leads the ground attack with 353 yards and four touchdowns. Defensively, Chris Hunter, Jr. paces the team with 21 tackles while Jaylon Sharpe (5.0) and Charles Perkins (3.5) leads the way in the tackle for loss category.
• Saturday’s contest marks the fourth and final non-conference matchup for the Skyhawks (1-3). Much like the first game of the season, Game 5 features a matchup against a FBS opponent in first-year Conference USA member Kennesaw State (0-3). Prior to joining the FBS ranks in 2024, the Owls played in the Big South (2015-21) and ASUN (2021) where they have boasted a 71-30 record and posted four playoff appearances.
• Kennesaw State is looking for its first win in the FBS ranks with three losses to begin the year before resetting during last week’s bye week. The Owls are in their 10th season under the direction of head coach Brian Bohannon while averaging 216.3 yards of total offense and 12.0 points per game.
• The two programs have met one time previously back on Nov. 5, 2022. The Skyhawks took a lead into the fourth quarter before Kennesaw State rallied with 27 unanswered points to steal away a 44-27 victory at Hardy Graham Stadium.
HOME SWEET HOME
• UT Martin found success at Hardy Graham Stadium last season by posting their second perfect 5-0 record in the last three years. Additionally, the Skyhawks have won 22 of their last 25 contests at home since 2019 – including a 15-1 record over the past four seasons. Against Big South-OVC opponents, the Skyhawks have not lost a home contest since Apr. 3, 2020.
Kennesaw State Notes
TOP STORYLINES
• Coming off its first bye week after a grueling road schedule to open 2024 that included 3,100 miles of travel, Kennesaw State returns home for two-straight weeks and, appropriately, Homecoming on Saturday against UT Martin. • The Owls and Skyhawks played each other once before in 2022 when KSU downed No. 15-ranked UT Martin, 44-27. • Kennesaw State is 6-2 overall against members of the Ohio Valley Conference. • Despite its 0-3 start to the season, Kennesaw State now enters the main part of its schedule after playing three-straight bowl teams from last year, hosting UT Martin on Saturday and beginning its first season in Conference USA on Friday, Oct. 4. • A bright spot for the Owls has been the play of r-Fr. DB Isaac Paul, who turned recorded five tackles at San Jose State and recovered his first career fumble. Paul leads KSU on the year with 18 tackles. • In addition to Paul’s fumble recovery, Kennesaw State racked up the turnovers, forcing three fumbles for the first time since 2021. • Since 2015, only Sam Houston averages more turnovers per game (1.86) than Kennesaw State (1.78). • On the offensive side, r-Sr. RB Michael Benefield enters the weekend on milestone watch, needing just 44 rushing yards to eclipse the 1,000-yard mark for his NCAA career. • r-Jr. WR Tykeem Wallace and r-So. RB Qua Ashley have also shined as Swiss Army Knives, racking up 225 and 164 all-purpose yards, respectively. • Ashley currently leads the Owls with 119 receiving yards on seven receptions this season, averaging 17 yards per catch. • Kennesaw State opens the highly anticipated season with a host of new faces, welcoming in 49 newcomers to the Black and Gold – good for the second-most in Conference USA and Top 30 in the country. • One of the most relied upon newcomers has been Fr. OL Jacob Norcross, who leads CUSA and ranks third in Group of 5 in snaps by true freshman offensive linemen at 18.
MTSU at Memphis
(ESPNU) 6:30 p.m.
SERIES HISTORY
The Blue Raiders and the Tigers will be meeting for the 28th time in history. MTSU leads the overall series, 17-9-1, and has won five of the last seven meetings. Memphis has a 7-6-1 edge in games played in Memphis with the last Blue Raider win coming in 2012, 48-30. The series began in 1925 as the Blue Raiders raced out to a 5-0-1 record in the first six meetings.
MTSU Notes
QUICK HITTERS
MTSU has played three home games in 2024 and two have had lightning delays. The delays have totaled four hours and 22 minutes or basically another complete game. l QB Nicholas Vattiato ranks 26th nationally in passing yards and 28th in completions per game. l The Blue Raiders have played seven true freshmen this season (Amarrien Bailey, Jordan Beasley, Aidan Butts, Grant Chadwick, Zach Clayton, Roman Gagliano and Korey Smith). l WR Holden Willis has at least one catch in 13 straight games to own the longest streak on the team l With the TTU win, Derek Mason became just the seventh head coach out of 15 who won their opening game as head coach of the Blue Raiders. The other six were: Alfred Miles, Johnny Red Floyd, E.W. Midgett, Charles Murphy, Bill Peck and Rick Stockstill. l Between the 11 full-time coaches (head coach and 10 assistants), four have either played or coached at the NFL level (Derek Mason, Brian Stewart, Kendall Simmons and Calvin Lowry). l The Blue Raiders have two seven-year players on their roster in Brendon Harris and Alex Williams. l Since joining the FBS ranks in 1999, the Blue Raiders have just four 1,000 yard rushers and two have been quarterbacks (Dwone Hicks – 2000, 2001, 2002; QB Dwight Dasher – 2009; I’Tavius Mathers – 2016; QB Asher O’Hara – 2019).
RAIDERS VS IN-STATE FOES
Since joining the FBS in 1999, the Blue Raiders have enjoyed success against in-state opponents. During that span, MT has a mark of 16-8 against teams from the state of Tennessee with three wins coming on the road against Vanderbilt. The Blue Raiders are 10-2 during that span against in-state teams at home. As a head coach, Derek Mason is 12-4 against in-state teams but this will be his first meeting against Memphis.
Memphis Notes
SETTING THE SCENE
• The Tigers opened American Conference play at Navy (3-0, 2-0 AAC) on Saturday, Sept. 21 and dropped a 56-44 shootout in which they totaled 659 total yards to fall to 3-1 on the season overall. The 659 yards were the most for Memphis since totaling 600 in a win at North Texas last season. The Tigers’ 95 offensive plays were the most in a game since 2021 vs. SMU. • At Navy, Mario Anderson Jr. (117 yards, 3 TD) and Brandon Thomas (125 yards, 1 TD) became the first pair of Tigers to rush for over 100 yards in the same game since 2019 vs. SMU (Gainwell, Watkins). Wide receivers Koby Drake (102 yards) and Roc Taylor (100 yards) joined them in going over the century mark to make it the first time since December 2, 2017, at UCF that Memphis had a pair of 100-yard rushers and a pair of 100-yard receivers. • Seth Henigan went 32-of-56 passing for 371 yards with a pair of scores and an interception to add to his school record and log his 20th-career 300-yard passing game. He extended his streak with a touchdown pass to 41 games (every game of his career) to move into a tie with 2014 Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota for the second-longest streak in FBS history. • Memphis started its season 3-0 for the second-straight year after a 40-0 shutout of North Alabama, a 38-17 win over two-time defending Sun Belt champions Troy and a 20-12 win at preseason No. 10 Florida State. • The win in Tallahassee was the first for the Tigers over a power conference opponent on the road since taking down Kansas in 2015. The defense was lights out all day, holding the Seminoles to a season-low 238 total yards with 4.0 sacks and three forced turnovers. Memphis’ 12 tackles for loss in the win over Florida State were the most for the Tigers in a game since 2018 vs. SMU. • Memphis has scored 37 of its 142 points (26%) this season after taking the ball away from its opponent. • The Tigers have scored 20 or more points in 31-consecutive games – the longest active streak in the nation – dating back to a 33-28 win over Tulane on Nov. 27, 2021. • Memphis is one of nine teams in FBS with 10 or more consecutive bowl-game appearances along with Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Wisconsin and Iowa. • Memphis has posted 91 victories since 2014, tied for 14th-most in the nation during that stretch. The Tigers are also 20th in the country in winning percentage dating back to 2014 with their 91-42 (.684) mark. • The 91 wins are the most among American Athletic Conference schools during that span. • Memphis (58) has the fifth-most home wins in FBS since 2014, trailing only Alabama (67), Clemson (67), Ohio State (64) and Michigan (59). The Tigers .829 winning percentage is tied for No. 10 in the country over that stretch. • The Tigers were picked to win The American in the preseason-media poll (409 points),receiving 23 of 30 possible first-place votes. Picked to finish runner up was UTSA with 368 points and four first-place votes. The Tulane Green Wave were tabbed third in the preseason poll with 362 points and a pair of first-place votes. South Florida was picked to finish fourth with 339 points while AAC-newcomer Army received a first-place vote and 236 total points to round out the top five. • Memphis capped the 2023 season off with a 36-26 win over Iowa State in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl to finish the season 10-3 and complete just the fifth 10-win season in program history. • The Tigers returned 69% of their total production from 2023 (No. 26 in FBS) including 74% of offensive production (No. 29 in FBS) and 65% of defensive production (No. 45 in FBS).
New Mexico at NM State
(ESPN+) 7 p.m.
SERIES HISTORY
Series Record……………………..New Mexico leads 73-35-5
In Albuquerque ………………New Mexico leads 43-16-3
In Las Cruces ………………….New Mexico leads 29-19-2
Current Streak ……………………………. New Mexico State 2
Last Meeting in ABQ………………….NMSU 27-17, 9/16/23
Last Meeting in Las Cruces…………NMSU 21-9, 10/15/22
New Mexico Notes
New Mexico is 6-61 all-time against ranked opponents dating back to the 1940 season. UNM is 4-26 at home vs. ranked opponents, 2-34 on the road and 0-1 on neutral fields. UNM’s last win over a ranked opponent was on October 25, 2003 when the Lobos won at No. 23 Utah 47-35. UNM’s last win over a top 10 program was also against Utah, a 23-21 win on November 5, 1994. UNM is 1-18 all-time against top-10 teams and 0-5 vs. top-five teams. UNM has lost 26 straight to ranked foes.
New Mexico State Notes
TURNING THE TIDE
On Saturday, the Aggies will be seeking their third straight victory over their in-state rivals from Albuquerque. This would mark the Aggies’ first three-game win streak in the Rio Grande Rivalry since winning in 2009, 2010 and 2011. In total, NM State has stacked three or more consecutive wins just five times in the 113-year history During the Aggies’ current two-game win streak, NM State is outscoring New Mexico by an average of 11 points after earning a 21-9 win in 2022 and a 27-17 win in 2023. A win this weekend would also mark the first time since 1963 and 1965 that the Aggies would earn back-to-back home wins over the Lobos – a feat that has only happened five time in the history of the rivalry.
SIMILAR SPOT
The Aggies carry a 1-3 record into the meeting with the Lobos. Despite recording two of the most successful seasons in program history during the 2022 and 2023 campaigns, the Aggies are familiar with slow starts. During a 2022 season which was capped off by a win in the Quick Lane bowl to finalize their record at 7-6, the Aggies entered the Rio Grande Rivalry with a 1-5 record. A 21-9 Aggie victory ended a streak of three consecutive losses to the Lobos and ignited a back half of the season in which the Aggies finished 6-1 to earn the program’s first bowl bid since the 2017 campaign. One year later, the Aggies would travel to Albuquerque with a 1-2 record in hand. NM State would then improve to 2-2 with a 27-17 win at University Stadium. After dropping the following game on the road at Hawaii, the Aggies would fall to 2-3 prior to kicking things in gear to finish the regular season with a 10-3 record. While Tony Sanchez and staff would not opt to be in a position with one win through four games, it is a space that the Aggies have proven they can bounce back from. In fact, in six of the Aggies’ last seven seasons that resulted in plus-.500 winning percentage, NM State held a losing record through at least five games. Previous seven winning seasons Year Start Finish 2023 2-3 10-5 (Isleta New Mexico Bowl) 2022 1-5 7-6 (Quick Lane Bowl) 2017 2-4 7-6 (Arizona Bowl) 2002 1-2 7-5 1999 3-4 6-5 1992 2-3 6-5 1978 2-3 6-5
RETURN TO FORM
After missing the Sam Houston game due to injury last Saturday, center Canaan Yarro is expected to return as the leader of the Aggie offensive line against the Lobos. The senior captain from Provo, Utah, is currently tied with AJ Vaipulu and Kordell David for the most starts as an Aggie at 30. Prior to the injury, Yarro had started the Aggies’ previous 29 games. With Yarro sidelined, the Aggie front line saw four positions change amid the starting lineup as AJ Vaipulu shifted to center which left starting right guard BJ Tolo in the left guard spot. Tolo’s movement then led to starting right tackle Louie Canepa getting the start at right guard while Canepa’s primary position was filled by Cedric Claiborne. The Aggie adjustments were not limited to just the offensive line as Arkansas transfer Hunter Talley also missed the CUSA matchup due to injury which provided an opportunity for backup tight end Jerry Lydiatt. Lydiatt submitted easily his best collegiate performance as he finished the night with four catches for 22 yards the Aggies’ lone touchdown.
PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Offensive Player of the Week –
Reese Smith, Liberty Smith entered Saturday’s 35-24 win over East Carolina without a touchdown in a Flames uniform and just two career receiving touchdowns but hauled in six passes for 80 yards and a program-record tying three touchdowns to help Liberty rally from a 17-0 deficit. His second touchdown grab gave the Flames their first lead (21-17) with 2:52 remaining in the third quarter, and his final score gave Liberty the lead for good midway through the final frame. Smith became the 13th player in program history with three receiving touchdowns in a game and now leads CUSA and ranks 30th nationally in receiving touchdowns.
Defensive Player of the Week –
Devonte’ Mathews, WKU Mathews came up big for the Hilltoppers in their 26-21 win over Toledo on Saturday, intercepting two passes in the final two minutes when the Rockets were threatening to score. The first came with Toledo facing a fourth-and-15 from the WKU 20-yard line, when he picked off a pass attempt in the end zone with 1:20 remaining. After a turnover allowed Toledo to get the ball back, he intercepted his second pass at the Tops’ one-yard line with 18 seconds remaining to clinch the victory. Mathews, WKU’s leading tackler through four games this season, finished with four tackles in the win, including 0.5 for loss.
Special Teams Player of the Week –
Cole Maynard, WKU Maynard played an important role in Saturday’s win over Toledo, averaging 50.8 yards per punt on six attempts in the game – the fifth-highest average in a single game in program history of players who had at least four attempts. He sent four punts 50-plus yards and had two downed inside the 20-yard line. His long was 57 yards, which he did twice, but his most impactful came with under a minute to play in the third quarter when he pinned Toledo at its own two-yard line. The WKU defense recorded a safety on the next play, kicking off a stretch of 16 unanswered points in the comeback victory.
PANTHERS PILE UP PICKS FIU
leads CUSA and is tied for eighth nationally in passes intercepted with eight, including five picks in a 52-16 victory over Central Michigan. That marks the most in a game by an FBS team this season. Six different Panthers have intercepted a pass so far this season, and two have returned theirs for touchdowns in linebacker Travion Barnes and defensive back Brian Blades II. FIU is also tied for 23rd nationally in turnovers gained this season
METHODIC-OWL OFFENSE
Kennesaw State has ground down opposing defenses down with six scoring drives of at least 11 plays, including an 18-play, 75-yard march against San Jose State that culminated with a Preston Daniels touchdown run. Daniels also capped off a 16-play, 74-yard drive against Louisiana on Sept. 7.
FLAMES QUARTER
Liberty has turned the fourth quarter into the “Flames Quarter,” using the final frame to pull away in each of its four victories to begin the year. The Flames are averaging 14 points, while their opponents are averaging just 3.5 points. Liberty is outgaining its opponents by an average margin of 152-56. Quarterback Kaidon Salter is 21-27 for 288 yards and two touchdowns in the fourth quarter and has led the offense to a 78.6 percent (11-14) conversion rate on third downs. Additionally, the Flames have punted just once.
FLAGS FEW AND FAR BETWEEN
LA Tech and Sam Houston have displayed great discipline through the opening four weeks of the season as both rank in the top-10 in fewest penalties per game and the top-15 in fewest penalty yards per game. The Bulldogs have drawn just 12 penalties for 90 yards through three games, while the Bearkats have been whistled for just 15 penalties for 140 yards. through four games. In their three victories, Sam Houston committed just nine penalties for a total of 105 yards.
AGGIES STAY PERFECT IN RZ
After converting a pair of red zone opportunities against Sam Houston, NM State maintained its flawless mark within the opponent’s 20-yard line. The Aggies are 8-8 on the year on red zone scoring chances with five touchdowns and three field goals. They are one of just 17 teams with a perfect conversion rate. Running back Seth McGowan has accounted for three of the five red zone scores with a pair of rushing touchdowns and a touchdown reception.
MINERS ON THE MOVE
Scotty Walden’s “Blue Blaze” offense is poised to mirror the fiery energy of UTEP’s first-year coach as he plans to get a play in every 12-14 seconds. “Fast, physical and fearless” is another saying around the Miners’ camp as they complete a 180 on the program’s offensive philosophy. Other focuses will be moving receiving tight ends to wideout, emphasizing blocking tight ends and getting the ball out fast.
VELTKAMP STAKES HIS CLAIM
In his first career start, WKU quarterback Caden Veltkamp accounted for three touchdowns to lead the Hilltoppers to a 26-21 victory over Toledo. In his last three games with at least 10 pass attempts (dating back to last year’s Famous Toastery Bowl), he has completed 87-112 passes (77.7 percent) for 1,023 yards and 11 touchdowns and three interceptions. He currently ranks seventh in completion percentage (.739), 15th in passing efficiency (176.1), 18th in points responsible for per game (18.0) and 19th in yards per pass attempt (9.43).
