WEEK 8 GAME SCHEDULE
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15
Kennesaw State at MTSU (CBSSN) 7 p.m.
SERIES HISTORY
The Blue Raiders and the Owls will be meeting for the first time in history when the two teams collide at Floyd Stadium on Tuesday night.
Kennesaw State Notes
• Kennesaw State will play its first Tuesday night game as part of Conference USA when it travels 3.5 hours North to face off against Middle Tennessee in its second league game of the season. • Tuesday night’s game will be the first-ever meeting between the two programs, despite being separated by just 200 miles. • Tuesday night’s game will also mark the fourth nationally televised matchup in Kennesaw State’s history and the second of four-straight nationally broadcast contests. The Owls will play two more games on CBS Sports Network before a Wednesday night affair on ESPN2. • A bright spot last week was the play of RBs Qua Ashley and Michael Benefield. • Benefield turned in the fifth 100-yard rushing game of his career, finishing with 112 yards on 17 carries along with a touchdown. Only three Owls have more 100-yard games in their career than Benefield • Ashley became the first Owl to return a kick for a touchdown in six years, returning his 93 yards to the house in the second quarter. • Along with the touchdown, Ashley finished with a school-record 156 yards on kickoffs. He currently leads CUSA-only action in total yards and is one of just two returners in the league to take one for a TD. • Also impressing was DB Milon Jones, who has recorded double-digit tackles in two-straight games, racking up 12 stops last week. • Jones now leads the team with 32 tackles overall to go with a forced and recovered fumble. • As a defensive unit, Kennesaw State leads Conference USA in fumbles forced, having stripped the ball seven times at a 1.40 fumble/game clip. Unsurprisingly, KSU also ranks second with five fumbles recovered behind Jax State, who has played one more game.
OFFENSE
• Kennesaw State has boasted one of the top offenses over the last few years, despite transitioning from an option system to one with multiple formations. • Leading the offense this season is co-offensive coordinator/QBs coach Chandler Burks and co-offensive coordinator/TEs coach Stewart Cook. • Burks was promoted to co-offensive coordinator after four years as the Owls’ quarterbacks coach. • A standout QB at Kennesaw State, every KSU passing or quarterback rushing record was either set by Burks, a teammate of his who benefited from his leadership, or played under his tutelage. • At just 28 years old, Burks is tied for the youngest offensive coordinators in the country. • Also leading the offense this season will be veteran coach, Cook, who spent nine seasons coaching the tight ends and tackles at KSU prior to being promoted to co-offensive coordinator. • Under Cook’s mentorship, the tackles have helped pave the way for an explosive running attack that ranked amount the top three nationally in FCS from 2017-22 – leading the country in 2017 and 2019. • Cook also built the tight end position from the ground up at Kennesaw State as the program shifted from a spread option attack to a more multiple schematic. • Last year, redshirt sophomore Carson Kent shined from the tight end position, ranking third on the team with 150 yards receiving over the Owls’ nine-game schedule. • Regardless of the offensive scheme, Kennesaw State is going to attack the trenches and has won the ground game. • No team in the conference has bettered Kennesaw State’s 287.84 rushing yards per game since 2015. Through five games this season, Kennesaw State’s struggle has been in staying on schedule and creating manageable third downs. • Through five games, Kennesaw State is averaging 8.2 yards to go on third downs
DEFENSE
• With Harris at the helm in the first season of FBS competition, Kennesaw State will have to contend without three of its Top 5 tacklers with Deontre Morris and Markeith Montgomery graduating. • The Owls’ Top 2 returners on defense are redshirt sophomore Donelius Johnson (40 tackles) and redshirt junior Sidney Porter (27 tackles) • Kennesaw State will look for a big year from its defensive front with only four of its 15 defensive lineman true freshmen. • On the roster, Kennesaw State features a combined 187 games of experience and 68 starts under the defensive line’s belt. • Kennesaw State’s depth at the position will be tested as it will be without the services of two of its top rushers in incoming transfer redshirt sophomore Donovan Westmoreland and redshirt freshman linebacker Ramontei Dardy, who will miss the 2024 season with injuries. • The Owls do return redshirt junior Adam Watkins, who led them in sacks last season (3.0 for 22 yards), while also forcing and recovering a fumble in eight games. • Through five games, Watkins leads the team and is seventh in Conference USA among interior linemen in defending against the run, grading out at a gaudy 79.4, according to Pro Football Focus. • Graded at 76.0 as an overall defender, Watkins is the third-highest graded interior lineman in the conference and the No. 23 defender overall, according to PFF. • Also shining against the run of late has been redshirt junior Thomarius “Pooda” Walker, who ranks No. 12 in Conference USA among interior linemen against the run witha 71.6 grade. • Redshirt junior Jordan Miles holds the most experience on the team with 33 games and 27 starts under his belt (23 games and 13 starts of which were at Georgia State), and is the defensive line’s top tackler returning, making 24 stops last season, including 3.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and five QB hurries. • Miles had a big sack at UTSA (Aug. 31) for a 10-yard loss to go along with his four tackles on the day. • Miles was once again a force against Louisiana (Sept. 7), recording the second-most tackles for KSU with five and one tackle for loss
SPECIALISTS
• Ulrich’s 54.6-yard average led the nation in Week 1 (min. 4 attempts – the NCAA prerequisite) by more than half a yard. Only three punters averaged a better mark, but with only three tries (Oklahoma State, Wake Forest and Southern California). He led Conference USA by more than 7 yards per punt. A multi-threat weapon, Gabriel Benyard is one of Kennesaw State’s best on special teams. • A multi-threat weapon for Kennesaw State, Benyard has amassed a whopping 2,356 all-purpose yards over his 27-game career. • Benyard is also Kennesaw State’s most dangerous kick returners, breaking the 1,000-yard mark on Saturday against Louisiana with a 22-yard return. • Benyard is the only player in Kennesaw State history to return a punt for a touchdown. • Benyard has missed the last three games due to a lower body injury.
Middle Tennessee Notes
QUICK HITTERS
MTSU has 23 explosive plays (20 or more yards) on the season and eight have been passes from Nicholas Vattiato to Omari Kelly. • Nicholas Vattiato is 8th in the Group of 5 with 260.2 passing yards per game and Omari Kelly is 4th in receiving yards (574). • 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. • QB Nicholas Vattiato ranks 26th nationally in passing yards/game and 23rd in completions/game. • The Blue Raiders have played 10 true freshmen this season (Amarrien Bailey, Jordan Beasley, Aidan Butts, Grant Chadwick, Zach Clayton, Austin Clemons, Josh Evans, Roman Gagliano, Evan Poticher and Korey Smith). • WR Holden Willis has at least one catch in 15 straight games to own the longest streak on the team • 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. • 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). • The Blue Raiders have two seven-year players on their roster in Brendon Harris and Alex Williams. However, both are now out for the season with injuries. • Consecutive Start Leaders: Nick Vattiato: 18 • The Blue Raiders had seven one-score games in 2023, which went down as tied for the 8th most nationally behind ODU (11), Boston College (8), Colorado (8), Illinois (8), North Texas (8), Northern Illinois (8), Northwestern (8) and Washington (8). • 2024 marks the 40th anniversary of the 1984 team that went 11-3 and knocked off top-ranked Indiana State in the playoffs to reach the 1-AA National Semifinals. • When the Blue Raiders kicked it off against TTU in the season opener, marked 1,372 days since Derek Mason was on the sidelines as a head coach (Nov. 28, 2020) or 196 weeks. • The 2024 season for MTSU is the 110th for Blue Raider football and the 26th at the FBS level.
BLUE RAIDERS AT FLOYD
• Since Floyd Stadium opened in 1933, the Blue Raiders have compiled an overall mark of 300-137-14 (.681), including a record 31-game win streak from 1987-94. • Since joining the FBS ranks in 1999, the Blue Raiders are 85-50 (.630) overall at Floyd Stadium and 46-21 in conference games (30-11 vs CUSA). MT has a 43-19 record at home in its last 62 games.
KELLY ON A ROLL
Junior Omari Kelly, who entered this season with just five career receptions, has been one of the hottest receivers in the country. In the last four games, Kelly has hauled in 27 receptions for 528 yards and three touchdowns. That equates to 19.6 yards per catch and 132.0 yards per game. Currently, Kelly ranks 12th nationally and 1st in CUSA in receiving yards per game at 95.7 yards.
WILLIAMS SHINING IN NEW ROLE
Safety Xavier Williams, who made the move from quarterback to safety during the week of the WKU game, has been excelling in his new role. Williams has started the last three games and totaled 25 stops, including 17 solos. He has led the team in tackles the last two games with nine stops each against Memphis and Louisiana Tech. Williams joined the Blue Raiders after transferring from UCF.
LA Tech at New Mexico State (ESPNU) 8 p.m.
LA Tech Notes
• Louisiana Tech will play its second of four consecutive weeknight games as the Bulldogs travel to Las Cruses, N.M., to take on the 1-5 New Mexico State Aggies. LA Tech comes in at 2-3 (1-1), fresh off its first CUSA win, while the Aggies are still seeking their first conference win. In addition, LA Tech will be in search of its first road win of the season. • LA Tech is coming off its best offensive performance of the season, defeating Middle Tennessee 48-21. The Bulldogs recorded more than 500 total yards of offense for the first time since the 2021 season in the rout of the Blue Raiders. • Redshirt freshman quarterback Evan Bullock will make his third career start against the Aggies, just days after a career performance against Middle Tennessee. Bullock completed 18 of 25 passes for 290 yards and five touchdowns, while also adding a rushing score. His performance earned him Conference USA Offensive Player of the Week honors. • The Bulldog defense continues to play as advertised, ranking in the top 25 in total defense and rushing defense. LA Tech’s 306.8 yards allowed ranks 23rd in the FBS, while the 93.0 rushing yards per game comes in at 14th in the FBS. The Bulldogs have allowed just 85 first downs through five games, ranking sixth in the nation for fewest first downs allowed. • This will be the 14th all-time meeting between LA Tech and NMSU. The Bulldogs have struggled playing in Las Cruses in the past, posting a 3-5 mark against the Aggies on their home turf. LA Tech will look to turn the tides against an NMSU team that is 1-2 at home, with their lone win coming over Southeast Missouri State from the FCS ranks.
MATCHUP NOTES
This will be the 14th all-time matchup between LA Tech and New Mexico State. The Bulldogs lead the series 8-5. This will be the second CUSA contest between the two after first meeting in CUSA play last season. The Bulldogs and Aggies competed in the Western Athletic Conference for eight seasons from 2005-2012, with LA Tech winning seven of those matchups. The two teams first met in 1967 with NMSU earning a 48-7 victory. The Aggies returned the trip to Ruston in 1968, marking LA The’s first victory over the aggies. LA Tech is 3-5 when playing in Las Cruses, while posting a 5-1 mark in Ruston. The two squads met last year for the first time in over 10 seasons as the Aggies made the trip to Ruston and pulled out a 27-24 victory over the Bulldogs. Tied at 24 apiece headed to the fourth, NMSU would use a 31-yard field goal to go ahead with five-minutes left in the game. The Aggies, who were picked to finish tied for 5th in the CUSA Preseason Poll, have struggled to find their footing this season, posting a 1-5 record with no FBS wins. The Aggies have used two quarterbacks this season, with neither of them completing more than 50 percent of their passes. NMSU is averaging 278.2 yards per outing which ranks 128th in the FBS. The Aggies are posting just 185. Points per game, which ranks 121st in the nation
New Mexico State
PICK SIX
57 This will be the 14th time that the Aggies meet up with the Bulldogs in a series that goes back 57 years to the first meeting in 1967. The Aggies are currently 5-8 all-time against LA Tech.
53 Last week, kicker Abraham Montaño split the uprights from 53 yards out to equal the third-longest field goal in program history.
14 NM State’s George Eberle currently ranks 14th in the country in yards per punt at an average of 45.6 yards per boot. 2 With two interceptions this season, Josiah Cox ranks tied for 19th in the nation for interceptions among FBS players. He is also one of only three CUSA players with two interceptions in one game.
6 On Tuesday, NM State will return home where it has won six of its last eight games.
131 In 2023, the Aggies finished the year ranked 14th at the FBS level in rushing yards per game. This season, the Aggies offensive line room brings a combined 131 total starts to the table and will be the Aggies most experienced position group by a wide margin.
#WEEKDAYCUSA
The Aggies’ stretch of midweek games continues this week against LA Tech as they host what will be their only home midweek game of the season. This marks the second season in a row that sees all October league matchups played on midweek evenings after a successful launch in 2023. CUSA’s broadcast partners will share the October weeknight football games on linear television across CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN2 or ESPNU. In 2024, the Aggies were a perfect 4-0 with victories over FIU, Sam Houston, UTEP and LA Tech. During this stretch of games, the Aggies outscored their opponents by an average of 13.8 points per game. In general, October has been friendly to the Aggies as they began this year with a perfect 6-0 record in October across the last two seasons. Thus far, the Aggies are 0-1 this season and will have two more midweek opportunities this season.
CROSSING CONFERENCE PATHS
This will mark just the second season that NM State and LA Tech are Conference USA opponents, however, this is the third different league patch that the two programs have shared. The Aggies and Bulldogs first competed as conference opponents in 1995 as members of the Big West. Ten years later, the two programs would reside in the Western Athletic Conference and would spend time competing as league foes from 2005-12. Finally, the two would cross paths again in 2022 as members of CUSA. In total, the Aggies hold a 3-7 record against the Bulldogs in their 10 matchups as members of the same conference.
HANDLING LA TECH IN LAS CRUCES
Despite the Aggies holding a 5-8 all-time record versus the Bulldogs, NM State does enter Tuesday’s game with a winning record against LA Tech inside Aggie Memorial Stadium. In seven games, the Crimson and White have come out on four times, including winning each of the first three games in Las Cruces.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16
WKU at Sam Houston (ESPN2) 6 p.m.
SERIES HISTORY
WKU and Sam Houston have met twice before, with each team owning one win in the series. The Hilltoppers claimed a 28-23 victory over the Bearkats last season in Bowling Green, after turning the ball over five times. WKU’s defense forced three turnovers on Sam Houston’s final three possessions in the game, and the win secured bowl eligibility for the Hilltoppers. The only other meeting was a 54-24 Sam Houston win in Huntsville, Texas, in the NCAA Division I-AA playoffs on Nov. 27, 2004
Western Kentucky Notes
LAST TIME OUT
WKU took down UTEP 44-17 on Thursday, Oct. 10, at Houchens-Smith Stadium. The Hilltoppers, wearing Big Red-inspired uniforms, put up nearly 300 yards of offense in the first half as they built a 27-7 lead, before eventually finishing off the 27-point victory to move to 5-0 all-time against UTEP. WKU rushed for 218 yards, which was the most the program has recorded in a single game this season, and Mike Mathison tallied three touchdowns. Quarterback Caden Veltkamp finished with 264 yards and three touchdowns on 18-of-27 passing and added a rushing score as well.
CUSA STANDINGS
The Hilltoppers are one of four teams in CUSA without a loss in league play this season. WKU, Sam Houston and Jax State all sit at 2-0, while Liberty is currently 3-0 in CUSA play and 5-0 overall. Louisiana Tech and FIU are both 1-1 in league play, while Middle Tennessee, New Mexico State, Kennesaw State and UTEP are all still looking for their first win in league play. The Hilltoppers have started 2-0 in Conference USA play for the second straight year. WKU’s last 3-0 start in CUSA play came in 2019 during Tyson Helton’s first season as head coach. WKU started 4-0 in CUSA that season.
DEFENSE HOLDING STRONG
WKU has been tough to score on since the season-opening loss at Alabama. The Hilltoppers are allowing only 16 points per game over their last five games and have not allowed more than 21 points in a game during that stretch. That stretch includes a shutout win over in-state rival Eastern Kentucky in the home opener and a win last week in which the defense allowed only 10 points. WKU has been especially good in the red zone all season, allowing scores just 61% of the time. The Hilltoppers rank first in CUSA and fifth nationally entering games on Saturday, Oct. 12, in red zone defense. WKU is tied for 15th nationally in turnovers gained this season with 10.
KICKING IT UP
Punter Cole Maynard and kicker Lucas Carneiro have been big players on special teams this fall. Maynard ranks first in CUSA in average yards per punt with 47.1 per attempt on 20 attempts. He’s had eight punts travel 50-plus yards, with a long of 60 yards, and has landed four inside the 20-yard line. He was named CUSA Special Teams Player of the Week on Sept. 23. WKU’s single-season record for average yards per punt is 45.9 yards, held by John Haggerty in the 2019 season. Carneiro is 7-for-8 on field goals with a long of 54 last week – tied for the second longest in program history – and is 21-for-21 on PATs.
Sam Houston Notes
BATTLE OF CUSA FRONTRUNNERS SET FOR BOWERS STADIUM STAGE
• The Bearkats have won 8 of their last 10 games overall after starting their venture into FBS with an 0-8 start in 2023 • Sam Houston is the first FBS program to start a season 0-6 and win at least 5 of its first 6 games the following year since Georgia Southern in 2017 an 2018. The Eagles went 0-9 to start the 2017 season and started 7-1 in 2018 on their way to a 10-3 year and a win in the Camelia Bowl n Sam Houston is playing the second of 4 consecutive midweek games. In all, the Kats will play 5 non-Saturday games. The 5 non-Saturday games are tied with Jax State for the most in the nation • Sam Houston is averaging 35.4 points per game in its 5 wins. Each win is over a G5 team n Sam Houston has averaged 282.0 yards per game on the ground in its last 4 games and is the first team in CUSA to rush for 250+ yards in 4 straight games since FAU did so during the 2018 season • The Kats have outrushed their opponents in each of their 5 wins, holding their opponent under 100 yards in 4 of those games. In the 5 victories, the Kats are averaging 261.2 yards on the ground to just 78.2 for their opponents • In the win over UTEP, DJ McKinney had his breakout game with 138 rushing yards and a pair of touchdowns. He is the third different Bearkat in as many games to lead the Bearkats in rushing • The Bearkats need 1 more victory for bowl eligibility in their first season following the 2-year transition to the FBS. Should the Kats become bowl eligible, they would become the fourth consecutive program to make the transition up and become bowl eligible within the first 2 seasons of being at the FBS (Jax State 2023, James Madison 2023, Liberty 2018)
THE LAST TIME
• Sam Houston forced 5 WKU turnovers and held a 23-21 lead entering the fourth quarter; however, a 75-yard touchdown from WKU quarterback Austin Reed to Malachi Corley put the Hilltoppers ahead and Desmyn Baker picked off Keegan Shoemaker in the end zone on the Kats’ last-gasp attempt at their third straight win of 2023 • Sam Houston finished the 2023 season winning 3 of its final 4 games, with the lone loss in that stretch coming at WKU • Noah Smith led the offense with 10 catches for 115 yards and a touchdown • Caleb Weaver had a pair of interceptions and linebacker Trevor Williams racked up 14 tackles for the third time on the year • It was the first time since 2020 the Kats had caused 4+ turnovers in a game and the first time since 2017 to have 4 INTs • Colby Sessums’ 53-yard FG to end the half tied the second-longest in school history. It was only the 12th field goal of 50+ yards in program history and the longest by a Bearkat since 1989 when Mark Klein hit a 53-yarder at Northwestern state
Florida International at Texas-El Paso (CBSSN) 8 p.m.
SERIES HISTORY
UTEP has won the last two meetings against FIU to even up the series at 3-3. The Miners are 2-1 versus the Panthers in the Sun Bowl. UTEP defeated FIU 27-14 last season on national television in Miami while taming the Panthers 40-6 in El Paso during the 2022 campaign. UTEP defeated FIU in their first meeting in 2013, 33-10. During last season’s first victory in Miami, QB Cade McConnell threw two touchdowns of 80 and 23 yards to WR Kelly Akharaiyi to jump out to a 21-0 lead in the first quarter. RB Deion Hankins got UTEP on the board first with a oneyard run into the end zone, and K Buzz Flabiano added a 37-yard field goal in the second quarter and a 20-yard make in the fourth. McConnell finished 11-of-17 for 262 yards, while QB Kevin Hurley completed a 40-yard pass. Akharaiyi tallied 223 receiving yards on eight catches. Defensively, DE Maurice Westmoreland tallied six tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. The Panthers were held to 91 yards rushing.
Florida International Notes
SETTING THE STAGE
The Panthers concludes their current two-game road swing with a visit to El Paso on Wednesday night to take on UTEP in a 9 p.m. kickoff from the Sun Bowl. Wednesday’s game will be aired on CBS Sports Network and called by Dave Ryan (pxp) and Brock Vereen (analyst). The audio broadcast can be heard on The Panther Online Network with AJ Ricketts (pxp) and Corey Brooks (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.
WEEKNIGHT CLASHES CONTINUE
Wednesday night’s game will mark the second of four consecutive nationally-televised weeknight games and the second straight road contest.
SCOUTING UTEP
UTEP enters Wednesday night’s meeting with the Panthers looking for its first win of the 2024 campaign following a 0-6 start. The Miners are 0-2 at home with losses against Southern Utah (27-24/OT) and Sam Houston (41-21). UTEP also dropped road games at Nebraska (40-7), Liberty (28-10), Colorado State (27-17) and Western Kentucky (44-17). UTEP is led by Scotty Walden, who is in his first season at the helm of the Miners’ program. The Miners are averaging 16.0 points over the first six games and have posted an average of 225.0 passing yards and 98.3 rushing yards offensively. Kenny Odom leads the UTEP receiving corps with 19 catches for 435 yards and four touchdowns. Kam Thomas hauled in a team-best 34 catches for 339 yards and a touchdown. The Miners have employed a pair of quarterbacks this season in Skyler Locklear and Cade McConnell. Locklear has completed 77-of-121 pass attempts for 792 yards and three touchdowns, while McConnell has gone 40-for-71 for 540 yards and four touchdowns. Defensively, the Flames are allowing 34.5 points per game in 2024. They have surrendered an average of 235.5 yards on the ground and 207.8 through the air. They posted 15 sacks in the first six games and forced six turnovers.
LAST MEETING VS. UTEP
Despite finding itself facing an early deficit, the FIU football team put together a second-half rally before coming up on the short end of a 27-14 decision against UTEP on Oct. 11, 2023. UTEP opened the contest with 21 unanswered points in the opening quarter – which proved to be just enough to keep the Panthers at bay as it hung on for the victory in the meeting of Conference USA foes. The Panthers began the second half with new energy as they put together a solid drive on their opening possession, that saw freshman quarterback Keyone Jenkins complete passes of 19 yards or more to three different receivers before finishing the eight-play, 84-yard drive with his fourth rushing touchdown of the season – from one yard out – to trim the deficit to 24-14 at 10:28 of the third. FIU’s special teams kept the momentum going for the Panthers as it recovered an onside kick for the first time this season following the score but came away without points following a failed fourth and six attempt from the UTEP 46. That was as close as the Panthers would get as the Miners added a late 20-yard field goal with less than six minutes remaining to account for the final margin. FIU junior running back Kejon Owens was a bright spot in the loss for the Panthers as he totaled 82 rushing yards on 10 carries, while averaging a solid 8.2 yards per attempt. He also scored on an 11-yard run. Jenkins finished the contest 12-of-24 overall for 216 yards. He also rushed for a score for the fourth consecutive game. UTEP was led by wide receiver Kelly Akharaiyi who snagged eight catches for a career-high 223 yards and a pair of touchdown receptions. Miner signal caller Cade McConnell completed 11-of-17 passes for 262 yards and a pair of touchdowns. UTEP was led on the ground by Torrance Burgess Jr., who tabbed 86 yards.
Texas-El Paso Notes
UTEP HOSTS FIU DURING CUSA’S MIDWEEK MADNESS WEDNESDAY NIGHT
UTEP returns to the Sun Bowl to host FIU during Conference USA’s Midweek Madness. The Miners and Panthers are set to kick off at 7 p.m. MT on Wednesday night, while the contest will be nationally televised on CBS Sports Network. Wednesday night is the UTEP Athletics Hall of Fame Game with proud partner El Paso Children’s Hospital as the game sponsor. Tony Tobert will be honored at the football game following his induction into the Hall of Fame on Tuesday.
WREN TO THE HOUSE
MB Corey Wren returned a kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown at WKU; first Miner since 2020 to return a KO for a TD. » CATCH 22 RB Ezell Jolly ran for a career-high 119 yards on 27 carries; tallied career-best 140 all-purpose yards at WKU.
SPEED KILLS
WR Kenny Odom ranks second in CUSA, fifth in FBS in yards per catch (22.9); four TD receptions rank t-first in CUSA. » ANOTHER LONG TD BY KENNY Kenny Odom had a career-long 76-yard TD at WKU; Odom ranks tied for first in CUSA with three plays of 50+ yards.
LIMITING PENALTIES ON THE ROAD
UTEP was called for two penalties at WKU; the Miners have only been penalized six times the last three road games.
STRAPPIN’ YOUNG LINEBACKER
Freshman LB Stratton Shufelt made his first career start at WKU; had career-high 7 tackles, pass breakup, QB hurry.
FIRST FULL SACK
Bandit Maurice Westmoreland recorded his first full sack of the season; now has 1.5 in ’24, 9.0 sacks in his career.
LANTZ IS A BALL HAWK
S Lantz Russell had 11 tackles, INT at WKU; totaled 23 tackles the last two games; leads UTEP with 23 solo stops.
ABOUT FIU
The Panthers are coming off a 31-24 overtime loss at Liberty. FIU fell to 2-4 overall and 1-1 in Conference USA play. The Flames jumped out to a 24-10 lead with 10:43 remaining in regulation. But the Panthers would score two touchdowns down to the stretch to tie the game. The first came on a Kejon Owens three-yard touchdown at the 6:23 mark and Keyone Jenkins’s one-yard touchdown, followed by the PAT, tied the contest at 24 apiece with 1:42 left. Kaidon Salter ran for a nine-yard touchdown to open the overtime session. However, on a third-and-3 at the LU 18, Jenkins fumbled the ball after a sack and was recovered by Liberty to seal the victory. FIU opened the season with a 31-7 loss at national power Indiana on Aug. 31. The Panthers bounced back for a 52-16 thumping of Central Michigan in Miami on Sept. 7. FIU lost two in a row – the first at Florida Atlantic 38-20 on Sept. 14, and against Monmouth 45-42 on Sept. 21. FIU won its first CUSA matchup, beating LA Tech 17- 10 at Pitbull Stadium on Sept. 28. FIU averages 27.0 points per game, ranked fifth CUSA. It ranks just above UTEP in total offense, averaging 330.3 yards per game. The Panthers rank third with 1,358 passing yards. LB Travion Barnes leads CUSA and ranks second nationally with 70 total tackles. His 11.7 tackles per game rank first in CUSA and fourth in FBS. The FIU defense gives up over 400 yards of total offense but ranks third in CUSA with six interceptions by six different Panthers. Jenkins is one of the top passers in the league. The sophomore ranks third in CUSA averaging 224.8 yards per game. Jenkins’s nine TD tosses rank second. Owens leads FIU with 265 yards rushing and four touchdowns.
PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Offensive Player of the Week
– Evan Bullock, LA Tech
Making just his second career start, Bullock had a career day as he led the Bulldogs (2-3, 1-1 CUSA) to their first CUSA win of the season while accounting for six scores. The redshirt freshman tossed five touchdowns and added another on the ground in a 48-21 rout of MTSU. Bullock finished 18-25 (72%) for 290 yards. Four of his five passing touchdowns came in the first half, as he led the Bulldogs to touchdowns on four straight drives to open the game. His five touchdown passes tied the program record for most touchdown passes in a CUSA game.
Defensive Player of the Week
– Travion Barnes, FIU
Earning his second Defensive Player of the Week nod in the last three weeks, Barnes recorded a career-high 16 tackles, including a career-best two sacks, and three TFLs in the Panthers’ (2-4, 1-1 CUSA) narrow overtime loss at Liberty on Tuesday. He also recovered a fumble against the Flames. Barnes now has recorded double-figure stops in four of the last five games overall, averaging 13.4 tackles and 7.2 solo stops per game during that span. He currently ranks second nationally in tackles per game (11.7) and fourth in solo tackles per game (6.5).
Special Teams Player of the Week
– Lucas Carneiro, WKU
Carneiro went 3-3 on field goals and 5-5 on PATs in the Hilltoppers’ (4-2, 2-0 CUSA) 44-17 win over UTEP on Thursday at Houchens-Smith Stadium. His field goals came from 25, 42 and 54 yards. The 54-yard make was the longest of his career and was tied for the second-longest field goal in program history. Carneiro is now 7-8 on field goals this season and ranks 21st nationally in field-goal percentage (.875). He is 6-7 on field goals over 40 yards in his career. Carneiro is a perfect 21-21 on PATs on the season, making him a flawless 68-68 for his career.
