WEEK 10 GAME SCHEDULE
Tuesday October 29, 2024
Louisiana Tech Bulldogs at Sam Houston Bearkats
INSIDE THE SERIES
In Ruston…………………………………………………………………..2-1-1 In Huntsville…………………………………………………………………0-0 Neutral………………………………………………………………………….0-0 Current Streak……………………………………………………………………….L1 Longest Win Streak…………………………………………… 2, LA Tech
Most LA Tech Points…………………………………………….55 (1999)
Most SHSU Points………………………………………………..42 (2024)
Most Combined Points……………………………………….72 (1999)
Biggest LA Tech Win …………………………………………………….46-0
Biggest SHSU Win………………………………………………………42-27
Louisiana Tech Bulldogs Notes
A LA TECH WIN…
• Would give head coach Sonny Cumbie his 5th win over a team from Texas as the Bulldogs head coach. • Would give LA Tech its first win over SHSU in Huntsville. • Would give the Bulldogs three weeknight wins. • Would give the Bulldogs a 3-1 record in the month of October. • Would give LA Tech its first road win of the season.
STORYLINES
• The Louisiana Tech football team will play its fourth and final weeknight game as it travels to Huntsville, Texas, to face the Sam Houston Bearkats on Tuesday in a nationally televised contest on ESPNU. Tech improved to 2-1 in weeknight games this season after defeating UTEP 14-10 last week. • LA Tech moved to 3-1 at home this season after defeating the Miners. The Bulldogs have yet to pick up a win on the road as they sit at 0-3. The trip to Huntsville will mark a first for LA Tech, as they hold a 2-1-1 record against the SHSU, with all four games taking place in Ruston. • The Bulldog defense currently ranks first in the CUSA in total defense and 20th in the nation after allowing just 251 total yards to UTEP. LA Tech allowed 85 yards through the air and 166 yards on the ground while surrendering one touchdown. Jeremiah Johnson’s defense is allowing 307.0 yards per game which ranks 20th, 113.0 rushing yards (26th) and 194.0 passing yards (35th).
MATCHUP NOTES
This will be the 5th all-time meeting between LA Tech and Sam Houston. The Bulldogs lead the series 2-1-1 with all games taking place in Ruston. Tuesday night’s matchup will be the first time the two squads have squared off in Huntsville. The contest will also mark the second time the two have met as FBS foes, after last season marked the first. The two schools first met in 1926 with the game ending in a 6-6 tie. SHSU would travel to Ruston for a second time in 1942, with LA Tech earning a 46-0 shutout. Tech and Sam Houston would not meet again until 1999 with the Bulldogs winning 55-17. The 2023 season marked the Bearkats first year as FBS members. SHSU won last season’s initial CUSA matchup against LA Tech in Ruston 42-27. Jessie Evans finished with nine tackles, 3.0 tackles for loss and one sack in the loss. Head coach Sonny Cumbie will look to pick up his 5th win as Bulldog coach against a team from Texas. He carries a 4-6 record with wins over UTEP (3), and SFA.
Sam Houston Bearkats Notes
KATS TO CLOSE MIDWEEK SLATE AT BOWERS vs LOUISIANA TECH
• The Bearkats’ win at FIU secured bowl eligibility in their first season following the 2-year transition to the FBS • The Kats are the first CUSA team in 2024 to secure bowl eligibility and the fourth consecutive program in NCAA 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 Bearkats have won 9 of their last 12 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 0-8 and win at least 6 of its first 8 games the following year since Georgia Southern in 2017 and 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 final of 4 consecutive midweek games. In all, the Kats play 5 non-Saturday games in 2024 with the season finale vs Liberty being on a Friday. The 5 non-Saturday games are tied with Jax State for the most in the nation n Sam Houston is 5-6 in midweek games under KC Keeler; however, the Kats are 5-1 in midweek games under Keeler in years excluding Sam Houston’s FBS transition years (2022 & 2023) • Sam Houston averaged 282.0 yards per game on the ground in its 4-game win streak before falling to WKU, becoming the first team in CUSA to rush for 250+ yards in 4 straight games since FAU did so during the 2018 season • KC Keeler and Paul Pierce are the only Bearkat head coaches to claim national championships and the win at FIU now has them equal in career victories at Sam Houston. The win was the 94th for Keeler at SHSU and 1 more victory would give him sole possession of second place on that list, trailing only Ron Randleman’s 131 career victories at SHSU
THE LAST TIME
• Sam Houston picked up its first-ever win in Conference USA play a year ago in Ruston with a 42-27 win over the Bulldogs • The Kats led wire-to-wire, but it was a 45-yard pick-6 by Kavian Gaither with 2:15 to play in the game which finally sealed the deal • Quarterback Keegan Shoemaker was incredibly effective, completing 18 of 28 passes for 269 yards and a score and no interceptions. He also rushed for 54 yards and a touchdown • Sam Houston was outgained by LA Tech, 501-493, but did not turn the ball over while taking it away 4 times
New Mexico State Aggies at Florida International Panthers
Series History: vs. FIU
Overall: 2-1 | Home: 2-1 | Away: 0-0
Date Location Score W/L
10/30/04 Las Cruces, N.M. 56-31
W 10/1/22 Las Cruces, N.M. 21-7
L 10/4/23 Las Cruces, N.M. 34-17* W
New Mexico State Aggies Notes
ENDING THE STREAK
In their last time out, the Aggies came away with a hard-fought 33-30 victory over LA Tech in double overtime. This put an end to a five-game losing streak which marked the longest such streak since the 2021 season. This victory also marked the Aggies’ first double overtime game since 2005.
FIRST BLOCK FG SINCE
Arguably the play of the year for the Aggies came on the final play of regulation against LA Tech when defensive tackle Naki Fahina busted through the line to block a potential game-winning field goal from the Bulldogs. This blocked field goal marked the first time that the Aggies had blocked a field goal since Oct. 4, 2014, when they did so against Georgia Southern. This also marks the Aggies’ second blocked kick of the season which is good for 16th-most in the nation this year.
KALE’S COMING OUT PARTY
Last Tuesday, NM State defensive end Kale Edwards logged a total of four sacks in the Aggies’ victory over LA Tech. This equals the highest total sack mark for any individual at the FBS this season – matching the efforts of Suntarine Perkins (Ole Miss), Antwaun Powell-Ryland (Virginia Tech) and Cameron Whitfield (Louisiana). Impressively, Powell-Ryland has reached this mark twice this season. This performance from the native of Couer d’Alene, Idaho, earned him recognition from the Conference USA office as he was named the CUSA Defensive Player of the Week. This was also just two sacks shy of the single game program record set by Fredd Young when he recorded six sacks against LA Tech in 1983.
CAROUSEL OF QUARTERBACKS
This season, four different Aggie quarterbacks have now seen significant game action after Brandon Nuñez made an impact in the win over LA Tech. With Nuñez’s contributions, he joins teammates Parker Awad, Santino Marucci and Deuce Hogan to become the fourth Aggie quarterback with at least five pass attempts this season. This also makes the Aggies one of just two FBS teams with four different players that have at least five pass attempts. The Aggies’ next opponent, FIU, is the only other program in this boat.
#WEEKDAYCUSA
The Aggies’ stretch of midweek games continues this week against FIU as they travel to Miami for their final midweek game of the year. 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.
THREE WEEKS, ONE GAME
This week’s game versus the Panthers will mark the Aggies only game during a stretch of 24 total days. Prior to Tuesday, NM State last took the field on Oct. 15 and following their eighth game of the year, they will not return to action until Nov. 9. This marks the longest stretch in the country with just one game.
MONEY MONTAÑO
Kicker Abraham Montaño has been one of the bright spots for the Aggies this season and following a perfect 2-for-2 performance against LA Tech, he now ranks 10th in the nation in field goal percentage – connecting on 10-of-11 tries this season. Against the Gamecocks, Montaño connected from 48 yards out at the end of the second half before splitting the uprights during the first overtime. This season, the only miss for the Fresno State transfer came from 57 yards away on a kick into the wind that had the distance and would have tied the longest kick in program history.
KEEP THE FOOT ON THE PEDAL
Despite the Aggies ranking 97th in the country in scoring offense, NM State scored first in five of its eight games this season. Unfortunately, this hasn’t translated to wins as the victory over LA Tech marked the Aggies’ first victory of the season in a game that they scored first in.
WINNING THE GROUND GAME
Head Coach Tony Sanchez preaches the importance of winning the rushing battle and last Tuesday marked just the second time this season that the Aggies have rushed for more yards than their opponent. The other time came in their first win of the season when they outrushed SEMO in the season opener. On the contrary, the Aggies have been outgained on the ground in each of their five losses. In fact, the last time the Aggies won a game in which they lost the rushing battle came on Oct. 29, 2022, when they defeated UMass despite the Minutemen rushing for 162 yards – 51 more than the Aggies.
Florida International Panthers Notes
SETTING THE STAGE
PANTHERS HOST NEW MEXICO STATE ON TUESDAY NIGHT
The Panthers conclude the current homestand with a showdown against New Mexico State beginning at 7 p.m. ET at South Dade Kia Field at Pitbull Stadium. Tuesday’s game will be aired on CBS Sports Network and called by Dave Ryan (pxp) and Donte Whitner (analyst). The audio broadcast can be heard on The Panther Online Network with AJ Ricketts (pxp) along with Corey Brooks and Billy Gil (analysts) 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.
SCOUTING NEW MEXICO STATE
New Mexico enters Tuesday night’s primetime clash with the Panthers 2-5 overall and fresh off a bye after its most recent action – a 33-30 double overtime won at Louisiana Tech on Oct. 15. The win over the Bulldogs snapped a five-game losing streak and the Aggies are 0-3 on the road this season entering Tuesday’s clash in Miami. New Mexico State is led by Tony Sanchez, who is in his first season at the helm of the Aggies’ program. The Aggies are averaging 20.5 points over the first seven games and have posted an average of 127.1 passing yards and 161.9 rushing yards offensively. Defensively, New Mexico State is allowing 37.0 points per game in 2024. They have surrendered an average of 232.4 yards on the ground and 224.8 through the air. They have posted 10 sacks in the first seven games and forced three turnovers.
LAST MEETING VS. NEW MEXICO STATE
The FIU football team never trailed by more than a touchdown until the final quarter in a contest that featured three ties before falling by a 34-17 margin in a Conference USA road clash at New Mexico State on Oct. 5, 2023. The game was tied at the conclusion of each of the three opening quarters before New Mexico State pulled away by outscoring the Panthers 17-0 in the final 15 minutes. New Mexico State finished with 439 yards of total offense, including 256 rushing yards. FIU posted 397 yards on the evening. The Aggies also forced a pair of interceptions in the win. FIU freshman quarterback Keyone Jenkins finished 25-for32 for a total of 250 passing yards. He also rushed for 34 yards and added a score on the ground. Panthers’ junior wide receiver Kris Mitchell hauled in eight receptions for a total of 91 yards. Sophomore Dean Patterson added five catches for 88 yards and Eric Rivers added five catches for 60. NMSU signal caller Diego Pavia accounted for three touchdowns in the contest (2 pass/1 rush) and finished with 256 passing yards while completing 20-of-31 attempts. He also recorded 46 rushing yards – including a 43-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter. Monte Watkins led the Aggies on the ground with five rushes for 89 yards. He averaged 17.8 yards per carry.
CLOSE CALLS
FIU has only been outscored this season by a total of 21 points through the first seven games – despite a 2-6 record. The Panthers have lost their last three games by a combined total of 19 points – with the most recent loss vs. Sam Houston being just a three-point margin.
Jacksonville State Gamecocks at Liberty Flames
Jacksonville State Gamecocks Notes
Quick Hits
• The 2024 season marks the second year as a member of the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) and Conference USA for Jax State. The Gamecocks posted a 6-2 record last season in Conference USA play which was their first season as members of the league. • The Gamecocks improved to 6-1 in “Weekday CUSA” games after a 42-20 win over Middle Tennessee. • Jax State has won four straight contests with an average of 50.75 points per game. • The Gamecocks are playing their fifth of five non-Saturday contests this season which is tied with Sam Houston and UNLV for the most in FBS this year. • When the Gamecocks next play on a Saturday, it will have been 50 days since they’ve done so. They last played on Saturday against Southern Miss on 9/21 and will do so next week at LA Tech (11/9). • This is Jax State’s first trip to Lynchburg since 2016 when both programs were Division I-AA (FCS) programs. • This is the fourth consecutive game Jax State has played on national television and fifth total. • With a win, the Gamecocks would have their first five-game win streak since the 2020 season which saw three-straight wins in October, followed by back-to-back wins in February and March of 2021. • Under Rich Rodriguez, Jax State has a 9-2 record in the month of October.
Liberty Flames Notes
STORYLINES
• Liberty (5-1, 3-1 CUSA) welcomes CUSA co-leader Jacksonville State (4-3, 3-0 CUSA) to Williams Stadium on Wednesday for the Flames’ final Midweek on the Mountain contest this season. • Liberty is coming off a 27-24 loss at Kennesaw State last Wednesday, which snapped numerous winning streaks. Prior to that contest, the Flames had won 20 straight meetings with CUSA opponents, 17 consecutive regular-season games and six straight road games. • The Flames have recorded 12 straight home victories. However, they are seeking their first-ever triumph over Jax State in Lynchburg after losing to the Gamecocks 42-13 in 1982 and 48-19 in 2016. • Jamey Chadwell is 18-2 in his second year at Liberty and owns a 49-8 coaching record dating back to the start of 2020. • QB Kaidon Salter rushed for a team-high and season-high 87 yards at Kennesaw State. He also threw three TD passes, becoming the fifth Liberty QB ever to reach 50 TD passes for his career. • RB Quinton Cooley has tallied four 100-yard rushing performances this season and 11 in his first 20 games as a Flame. Cooley played a key role in a 31-13 win at Jax State last season, finishing with 28 carries for 163 yards and his first career two-TD outing. • DE TJ Bush, Jr. and LB Joseph Carter paced the Flames with 11 tackles apiece at Kennesaw State. Carter, who has recorded a team-high 41 stops in 2024, went over the 100 mark for his career at KSU. Bush, Jr. leads the Flames with five sacks this year.
A LIBERTY WIN WOULD…
• Make the Flames bowl eligible for the sixth consecutive season. • Secure the Flames’ 19th straight season of six wins or more, a streak which began in 2006. • Extend the Flames’ home winning streak to 13 games, just two shy of matching the program record. • Mark the Flames’ first-ever home victory over Jax State (in three tries), improving their all-time record against the Gamecocks to 2-4. • Improve the Flames’ record to 22-2 all-time when facing CUSA opponents (at time of meeting). • Boost the Flames’ mark to 18-2 in their last 20 October contests, a stretch which started in 2020. • Make Jamey Chadwell’s teams 7-1 following a loss in the last five seasons (2020-present). • Enable the Flames to avoid their first back-to-back conference losses since Oct. 14 and 21, 2017 (Big South losses to Kennesaw State and Monmouth).
“4 DOWNS” WITH JAX STATE
1 Liberty is coming off its first-ever CUSA setback after winning its first 11 conference games as a league member, something no CUSA team had ever accomplished previously. Wednesday will mark the first time since a Nov. 19, 2015 clash with Coastal Carolina that Liberty hosts a conference game where the Flames enter with a worse league record than its opponent.
2 Both second-year CUSA members, Liberty and Jax State have adapted well to midweek play. The Flames are 5-1 in midweek contests over the last two years, while Jax State is 6-1 (with the only loss coming to Liberty). Jax State will attempt to join Oregon as the only teams to boast a 100-yard rusher against the Flames since the start of 2023. The Gamecocks lead CUSA with 256.3 rushing yards per game this season.
3 Three of Liberty’s four CUSA games this season have been decided by seven points or fewer. Conversely, Jax State has won its first three CUSA outings by an average of 34.0 points/ game. Three of the Flames’ four remaining CUSA games pit Liberty against teams with either zero or one conference loss so far this season, beginning with 3-0 Jax State.
4 Jax State rushed for a season-high 438 yards during its 42-20 win over Middle Tennessee last Wednesday. The Gamecocks joined Liberty as the only CUSA teams to post 400-yard rushing efforts since the start of 2023. The Flames did so twice a year ago. Jax State ranks No. 5 nationally for rushing this season, while Liberty is No. 10.
LAST MEETING WITH JAX STATE OCT. 10, 2023
LIBERTY 31, JAX STATE 13
JACKSONVILLE, ALA. (BURGESS-SNOW FIELD)
• Liberty dominated the second half of its first-ever Tuesday game, outscoring Jax State 21-3 and outgaining the Game- cocks, 257-112. • RB Quinton Cooley led the way for the Flames, finishing with 28 carries for 163 yards and his first career two-TD outing. • QB Kaidon Salter completed 12-of-21 passes for 177 yards and a pair of scores. • Linebackers Tyren Dupree (12 tackles) and Joseph Carter (11 tackles) paced the Liberty defensive effort.
HOME SWEET HOME
Liberty is 12-0 at Williams Stadium under second-year head coach Jamey Chadwell, outscoring opponents 457-274 at home during his tenure. Liberty’s 12-game home winning streak is tied with Oregon for the fourth longest active FBS home winning streak. Only Georgia (28), Washington (18) and LSU (14) have longer home winning streaks.
CUSA SUCCESS
Liberty went 8-0 in conference play last year, its first season in Conference USA. The Flames were the first CUSA team to win their first 11 regular-season Conference USA games as conference members prior to their loss to Kennesaw State, Wednesday. Overall, Liberty is 21-2 all-time against teams who were members of CUSA at time of meeting.
FIRST AT HOME
Liberty is 9-8 all-time against teams from Alabama, including 6-2 at home and 3-6 on the road. Last year, Liberty earned its first-ever win over Jacksonville State, a 31-13 victory over the Gamecocks on Oct. 10, 2023 in Jacksonville, Ala. The Flames are looking for their first home win over Jax State, as the Gamecocks defeated Liberty in Lynchburg in both 1982 and 2016.
MONTH OF WINNING
Liberty is 11-1 in its last 12 October contests, with its loss at KSU snapping an 11-game October win streak. Beginning in the 2020 season, Liberty has gone 17-2 in its last 19 October games.
FLAMES QUARTER
Liberty is outscoring opponents 70-34 in the fourth quarter so far this season. The fourth quarter is the Flames’ highest-scoring 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 Sept. 21 in the fourth. Liberty is 14-0 when leading after three quarters 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 43 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.
MIDWEEK MADNESS
Liberty has found success in midweek games since the CUSA went to midweek contests in October, starting last season. The team is 3-0 during Midweek on the Mountain home games. The Flames are 5-1 so far during midweek Conference USA games the last two seasons, including 1-0 on Thursday, 0-1 on Wednesday and 4-0 on Tuesday. Four out of Liberty’s six October midweek games have been decided by seven points or fewer, including both this year. Under Jamey Chadwell, only one out of 14 non-October games (W/30-24 at New Mexico State, Sept. 7, 2024) has been decided by one score.
Kennesaw State Owls at Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
SERIES HISTORY
WKU and Kennesaw State will meet for the first time on Wednesday, Oct. 30. The Owls are in their first season at the FBS level and joined Conference USA this season. Kennesaw State will be the final of three first-time opponents WKU has on the 2024 schedule. The Hilltoppers beat Toledo 26-21 on Sept. 21 in the first meeting between the two programs and fell 21-20 the following week in the program’s first game against Boston College.
Kennesaw State Owls Notes
TOP STORYLINES
• Coming off a thrilling first win as an FBS program, Kennesaw State will head back on the road for two-straight games, beginning at Western Kentucky on Wednesday, Oct. 30. • Kennesaw State knocked off previously undefeated Liberty in sensational fashion, as the Owls recorded a season-high 323 yards of offense and stifling Conference USA’s top rushing team. • Wednesday night’s game will also mark the sixth nationally televised matchup in Kennesaw State’s history and the final of four-straight nationally broadcast contests. The Owls have played three games on CBS Sports Network, one on TruTV/ Max and will now appear on ESPN2. • Wednesday will also mark the third conference team to play Kennesaw State coming off a bye. Half (four) of its CUSA opponents play KSU coming off open dates in 2024 No other CUSA team plays more than two opponents coming off a bye overall. • Last week had a plethora of Owls who shined en route to the 27-24 victory at Fifth Third Stadium. • QB Davis Bryson started the game a perfect 8-for-8 before finishing 16-of-20 for the game. He finished with the third-highest passer grade in the country for Week 9 (92.5) and the eighth-best offensive grade (90.1) nationally, according to Pro Football Focus. • Defensively, DB Tyler Hallum shined with six tackles, but more importantly, amassed a career-best three pass breakups, including a drive-killing, acrobatic interception in the second quarter – the first of his career. Of the nine times his receiver was targeted, only three receptions were made, tying for a league-best 33.3% reception rate among cornerbacks in Conference USA last week. • DL Tylon Dunlap recorded the top interior lineman defensive grade (80.3) in Week 9 en route to the win. His defensive grade was the fourth highest among interior lineman in all Group of 5 schools, helping lead a defensive front that held Conference USA’s top rushing attack to its lowest rushing output (180 yards) since last season (January 1, 2024 vs. Oregon). • Only twice in the last two seasons has Liberty been held to 180 rushing yards or fewer — Oregon and Kennesaw State.
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’ quarterback’s 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. • 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 286.4 rushing yards per game since 2015. • Only against Jacksonville State (56.3 percent) did Kennesaw State convert third downs better than it did last Wednesday against Liberty (7-for-14, .500). In fact, entering the fourth quarter, the Owls had converted 6-of-10. • Kennesaw State set team single-game records with 35 passing attempts against UT Martin (Sept. 28) and tied the single-game record with 17 completions. • Despite the loss, Kennesaw State had its best game offensively this season against Jax State (Oct. 4), if not for the undoing of three turnovers. • Against the Gamecocks, Kennesaw State put up 270 yards of offense behind a season-high 189 yards rushing. • En route to its historic win over Liberty last Wednesday, Kennesaw State put up season-high numbers without a turnover, something that had plagued the Owls lately.
QUARTERBACKS
• Kennesaw State will enter Conference USA and FBS football with a young group under center. • Kennesaw State’s quarterback group features just 26 games of combined experience and 14 starts – seven of which came this season. • Redshirt sophomore Davis Bryson boasts the most experience as an Owl, appearing in five games last season, including one start. • In his first true action as the Owls’ starting quarterback against UTSA (Aug. 31), Bryson performed admirably, throwing for 202 yards and a passing touchdown. • Against UT Martin (Sept. 28), Bryson set the school record for single-game passing attempts with 34 and was one shy of tying the record for completions at 16. • Bryson struggled against Jax State (Oct. 4), throwing three interceptions and completing just six passes. He did connect on his second touchdown of the season to TE Carson Kent on a 7-yard route to close out the second quarter. • After being benched against Middle Tennessee (Oct. 15), Bryson was back under center against Liberty last Wednesday and responded with his best statistical game since UTSA and his best job running the offense this season. • Bryson finished 16-of-20 for 189 yards through the air with a touchdown, as well as 20 yards on the ground. • Unsurprisingly, Bryson finished with a 90.1 offensive grade against Liberty, according to Pro Football Focus, the best of his career by far. • He finished with the third-highest passer grade in the country for Week 9 (92.5), according to Pro Football Focus, finishing only behind Taylen Green (Arkansas) and Max Brosmer (Minnesota) • His PFF offensive grade also topped CUSA and ranked eighth nationally at 90.1 in Week 9 and his NFL passer rating would’ve been a conference-best 122.7. • Most importantly, after five turnovers in his previous two games, Bryson failed to turn the ball over once against a stingy Liberty defense. • Scoring two touchdowns on just 24 attempts last season, Bryson averaged a touchdown every 12 carries. • Bryson’s 206 rushing yards ranked second among returning Owls entering 2024. • Kennesaw State also added a quarterback in the offseason from the transfer portal in redshirt sophomore Khalib Johnson (Louisville/Blinn College). • As Kennesaw State looks for execution and ball security out of the QB position, Johnson got his first career start with the Owls at Middle Tennessee (Oct. 15). • Johnson finished 5-for-17 for 52 yards through the air and 8 yards rushing, but threw two interceptions as well. • Johnson appeared in seven games at junior college Blinn College, recording four 100-yard passing games. • Johnson made his first appearance on the final drive of the first half for Kennesaw State, entering the game due to an injury to Bryson. • Woods appeared in three games as a true freshman at Jacksonville State, playing twice as a backup quarterback. He also saw action at running back against LA Tech. • Also returning this season for the Owls is redshirt sophomore Braden Bohannon, who made his collegiate debut in 2023 in the season finale against Virginia-Lynchburg (Nov. 11). • Bohannon also got time under center against Middle Tennessee (Oct. 15), finishing 5-for-10 for 51 yards and 7 yards rushing in his first collegiate action of his career. • Bohannon and brother, redshirt junior Blake Bohannon, join seven other teams in having sons play for their father.
DEFENSE
• Kennesaw State’s defense will be under the direction of defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Greg Harris. • Harris was previously Kennesaw State’s linebackers coach for four years before being promoted. • Harris has previously been the defensive coordinator at VMI and North Greenville (Division II). • It was a tale of two halves at UTSA (Aug. 31) as Kennesaw State’s defense was gashed for 8.1 yards per play in the first half, before being stuffed for just 2.5 yards/ play in the second. • A big part of that was stuffing the run game. After averaging 3.0 yards per rush in the first half, UTSA was only able to muster 1.3/rush against the Owls in the second half. • The Owls also tallied five sacks at UTSA, tying the program’s single-game high last recorded against Gardner-Webb (Nov. 23, 2019). • Kennesaw State struggled against the bigger, older Ragin’ Cajuns against Louisiana (Sept. 7), failing to record a sack and surrendering 454 yards (7.8 yards per play). • The 454 yards allowed is the most since Kennesaw State allowed 564 yards to Eastern Kentucky on Nov. 19, 2022. • The defense was once again a bright spot against UT Martin (Sept. 28), only surrendering 17 points and holding the Skyhawks to their second-lowest offensive output of the season (284 yards). • Kennesaw State also converted its first pick-six of the season and its first since Nov. 11, 2023 (Markeith Montgomery vs. Virginia-Lynchburg. • For the fourth time in program history, Kennesaw State was able to force three fumbles on Sept. 14 at San Jose State. It marked the first time since Feb. 27, 2021 against Shorter the Owls had accomplished the feat. • The Owls continue to be a force on creating fumbles, ranking second overall in the conference with seven. • Entering Jax State, Kennesaw State’s defense ranked fourth in Conference USA in total yards allowed at just 392.8 per game, but a rough fifth game that saw Jax State (Oct. 4) tally 577 yards pushed KSU to seventh in CUSA (429.6). • A main culprit to the uncharacteristic yardage totals was missed tackling against JSU. According to Pro Football Focus, the Owls missed 23 tackles against the Gamecocks after averaging just 7.8 missed tackles over the first four games. • Kennesaw State looked back to its usual self at Middle Tennessee (Oct. 15), holding the Blue Raiders to just 2.4 yards per rush and 4.1 yards per play. • Kennesaw State was once again outstanding against the run game last Wednesday versus Liberty, holding the Flames to its lowest rushing output (180 yards) since last season (January 1, 2024 vs. Oregon). • Only twice in the last two seasons has Liberty been held to 180 rushing yards or fewer — Oregon and Kennesaw State. • The 37 yards yielded to Liberty’s preseason all-conference running back Quinton Cooley was tied for the lowest of his career. • Last season, Kennesaw State held opponents to just 17.9 points per game, which ranked ninth in FCS and would’ve ranked 12th in FBS, leading Conference USA. • The Owls also held opponents to just 308.2 yards of offense per game last season (which would’ve ranked 15th in FBS and led CUSA). • Kennesaw State allowed just 118.8 rushing yards (25th in FBS, 3rd CUSA) and 189.4 passing yards (24th FBS, 3rd CUSA) last season en route to the effort. • 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).
DEFENSIVE LINE
• 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 more than 200 combined games of experience and 75 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 seven games, Watkins leads the team and is sixth in Conference USA among interior linemen in defending against the run, grading out at a gaudy 77.8, according to Pro Football Focus. • Graded at 72.6 as an overall defender, Watkins is the seventh-highest graded interior lineman in the conference. • Tyler Dunlap has shot up to be the fourth-highest graded interior lineman in the conference, ranking fourth with a 73.4 grade. • Dunlap has 12 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and two sacks on the season. • 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 with a 69.9 grade. • For the season, Walker has amassed 20 tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss and two QB hurries. • Redshirt junior Jordan Miles holds the most experience on the team, 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. • For the season, Miles has 23 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, one sack and three quarterback hurries.
LINEBACKERS
• The backbone of Kennesaw State’s defense, the linebackers have been outstanding defending against the run this season. • Among Conference USA linebackers, Kennesaw State features four in the top 10 of Pro Football Focus’ run defense rankings — No. 3 Baron Hopson (82.0), No. 5 Amir Scarver (77.9) and Donelius Johnson (77.9), and No. 8 Jalen Barnum (76.0). • Redshirt sophomore Johnson leads the linebacker room as Kennesaw State’s leading returning tackler from last season. • Johnson was terrific in his season debut at UTSA (Aug. 31), making seven stops (second on the team) and a career-high 2.0 huge sacks for a total loss of 22 yards. • Johnson was a bright spot against Jax State (Oct. 4), finishing second on the team with eight tackles. • Johnson was once again strong against Middle Tennessee (Oct. 15), finishing second on the team with seven tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss. • En route to holding Liberty to just 180 rushing yards, Johnson tied for second on the team with six tackles. • Through seven games, Johnson leads all linebackers and is third on the team overall with 40 tackles, 6.0 tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks, • Johnson ranks tied for sixth in CUSA in tackles for loss and 17th in sacks. • Just over his last 11 games alone, Johnson has recorded 65 tackles, 9.0 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks.
SPECIALISTS
• Where special teams have sometimes been Kennesaw State’s Achilles’ heel, in the season opener against UTSA, it was a strength. • Redshirt junior kicker Austin Welch made his first collegiate field goal on the first points of the game for Kennesaw State when he converted from 48 yards out against UTSA. • The 48-yard field goal is tied for second-longest in school history (50 yds. by Conor Cummins at Eastern Kentucky, Nov. 19, 2022) and is the longest by a KSU kicker since Cummins converted on a 46-yarder vs. Tennessee State (Oct. 7, 2023). • Welch would also connect on 34- and 31-yard attempts, becoming the fifth kicker in program history to make three or more field goals in a single game. • Welch improved to 4-for-4 against Louisiana (Sept 7), kicking home a 30-yard attempt. • Welch would remain perfect against San Jose State (Sept. 14), connecting on a 32-yard field goal to move to 5-for-5. • Welch continued his streak by going 2-for-2 against UT Martin (Sept. 28), becoming the first player in Kennesaw State history to start 7-for-7 on field goals. • Welch’s first field goal against UT Martin was a buzzer-beating 49-yard field goal to end the first half and was the second-longest in school history. • Welch was once again 1-for-1 against Jacksonville State (Oct. 4) and last Tuesday against Middle Tennessee to become one of six FBS kickers to make eight or more FG without a miss. • Welch was as good as ever last Wednesday against Liberty when connected on 31- and 41-yard field goals in the fourth quarter to make it a two-score game and keep the Flames at bay., • En route to being named to “Ray’s 8” for Week 1, which recognizes the top punting performances each week, Ulrich dazzled in his punting debut, setting the school record for single-game average. • Of his five punts, the Dacula native was able to pin two inside the 20 and launched a whopping four 50-yard kicks – including a 59-yarder in the second quarter. • 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
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers Notes
OPENING KICKOFF
DEFENSE HOLDING STRONG
WKU has been tough to score on since the season-opening loss at Alabama. The Hilltoppers are allowing only 15.7 points per game over their last six games and have not allowed more than 21 points in a game during that stretch. WKU has been especially good in the red zone all season, allowing scores just 58% of the time. The Hilltoppers rank first in CUSA and second nationally entering games on Friday, Oct. 25, in red zone defense.
CUSA STANDINGS
The Hilltoppers are among the leaders in CUSA so far this fall. They’re one of two teams still unbeaten in league play, along with Jax State. It’s the first time the program has been 3-0 in league play since 2019, when Tyson Helton was in his first season with the program and the Hilltoppers started 4-0 against CUSA competition. WKU has started 4-0 in CUSA play only twice since joining the league ahead of the 2014 season – in 2019, and in 2015, when the Hilltoppers went 8-0 in regular-season CUSA play before claiming the conference championship.
BOWL ELIGIBILITY
With a win, WKU can become bowl eligible for the sixth time in six seasons under Tyson Helton. A win would mark the first time WKU has become bowl eligible before November under Helton and the first time the program has become bowl eligible before November since 2016. WKU has become bowl eligible in October three times before – in 2012, 2015 and 2016. WKU is one of only 16 programs that had played in a bowl game each of the five seasons from 2019-23, and one of only seven programs to win a bowl game each year from 2021-23.
WELCOME TO OUR HOUSE, PART 1
WKU has started the season 3-0 at home for the second straight year. The last 4-0 start at home came in the 2015 season, when the Hilltoppers finished 6-0 in games at Houchens-Smith Stadium, including a win in the CUSA Championship game.
WELCOME TO OUR HOUSE, PART 2
Flo Rida will perform a free pregame concert prior to Wednesday’s game. The concert is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. on South Lawn. It’s the third consecutive season WKU has hosted a pregame concert. In 2022, the Hilltoppers welcomed DJ Diesel for a show before facing UAB, and last season Jordan Davis performed prior to the Oct. 24 game against Liberty. BLACK OUT THE HOUCH Wednesday’s game will be WKU’s annual Black Out game. The Hilltoppers will wear all black uniforms for the first time this season, and fans are encouraged to wear black to the game to support the team and celebrate Halloween on the Hill. The first 1,000 students will receive a glow-in-the-dark “Tops” shirt.
Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders at Texas-El Paso Miners
SERIES HISTORY
This will be the seventh meeting all-time between MTSU and UTEP on the gridiron. The Blue Raiders own a 5-1 advantage in the series, which began in 2013. MTSU won the first meeting in 2013 in Murfreesboro, 48-17, then the Miners bounced back with a win in El Paso the following year, 24-21. The Blue Raiders have gone on to win the next four in a row, including a 34-30 decision in Murfreesboro last season. Overall, MTSU is 2-1 in El Paso.
Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders Notes
QUICK HITTERS
• MTSU has 32 explosive plays (20 or more yards) on the season and 13 have been passes from Nicholas Vattiato to Omari Kelly. l MTSU has had seven different starting lineups among its offensive line unit in eight games, which ranks as the most in the country. • Nicholas Vattiato is 9th in the Group of 5 with 257.1 passing yards per game and Omari Kelly is 4th in receiving yards (779). l QB Nicholas Vattiato ranks 28th nationally in passing yards/game and 22nd in completions/game. • The Blue Raiders have played 11 true freshmen this season (Amarrien Bailey, Jordan Beasley, Aidan Butts, Grant Chadwick, Zach Clayton, Austin Clemons, Josh Evans, Roman Gagliano, Evan Poticher, Tiyyan Robinson and Korey Smith). • WR Holden Willis has at least one catch in 17 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. • MTSU has played four home games in 2024 and two have had lightning delays. The delays totaled four hours and 22 minutes or basically another complete game. • Consecutive Start Leaders: Nick Vattiato: 20 l 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. l 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.
Texas-El Paso Miners Notes
AT A GLANCE
• MINERS AND BULLDOGS LOCKUP FOR A TUESDAY NIGHT BATTLE ON CBS SPORTS NETWORK
Saturday games return as UTEP will host Conference USA foe Middle Tennessee. The Miners and Blue Raiders are set to kickoff at 1:30 p.m. in Sun Bowl Stadium on Nov. 2. Saturday’s contest is the first of back-to-back home games for the Miners. Saturday’s promotion is Future Miner Day with proud partner GECU as the game sponsor. The 2004 UTEP football team that finished with eight wins and earned a Houston Bowl berth will be honored at the game.
• STUFFING THE RUN UTEP allowed seven yards rushing at LA Tech, ranked tied for the seventh-lowest allowed in school history.
• UTEP RUN D THE LAST TWO GAMES The Miners have yielded only 92 yards (46.0 ypg) on the ground in the last two games (85 vs. FIU and seven at LA Tech).
• SCORING DEFENSE, THE LAST TWO CUSA GAMES The UTEP defense has only allowed 35 points in the last two contests (17.5 avg.).
• SACK ATTACK UTEP leads CUSA in sacks (21), sacks per game (2.6), and sack yards (116). Miners rank t-25th in FBS in sacks per game.
• TACKLING BEHIND THE LINE OF SCRIMMAGE UTEP leads CUSA in TFLs (56), TFLs per game (7.0) and TFL yards (202).
• 2 IN A ROW FOR JJ RB Jevon Jackson has hit the century mark in rushing in back-to-back games (119 at LA Tech, 148 vs. FIU).
• 3 STRAIGHT 100-YARD EFFORTS UTEP has had three consecutive 100-yard rushing performances for the first time since the 2014 season.
• QUICK CUSA RANKINS Odom leads yards per catch (21.5); K. Thomas ranks 2nd receptions (43); Westmoreland ranks t-2nd sacks (4.5).
ABOUT MIDDLE TENNESSEE
The Blue Raiders dropped to 2-6 overall and 1-3 in CUSA action following a 42-20 loss at high-scoring Jax State on Oct. 23. MTSU opened the campaign with a 32-25 victory over Tennessee Tech on Aug. 31and recorded its lone CUSA win against Kennesaw State, 14-5, in Murfreesboro. The Blue Raiders also fell at LA Tech 48-21 (Oct. 10) and against WKU 49- 21 (Sept. 14). MT QB Nicholas Vattiato leads the league and ranks in the top 25 nationally, averaging 257.1 yards passing yards per game. Vattiato has completed over 64 percent of his passes (175-272) for a conference-best 2,057 yards and nine touchdowns with five INTs. MTSU WRs Omari Kelly (779 yards receiving) and Holden Willis (600) rank first and second in receiving yards in CUSA, respectively. Kelly is also the CUSA leader with 46 receptions (16.9 avg.), while Willis, a 6-6 pass catcher, has tallied 39 catches (15.4 avg.) Each player hauled in three touchdowns. Nationally, Kelly ranks seventh in receiving yards while Willis in 20th. Despite ranking high in the passing and receiving categories, the Blue Raiders average only 16.9 points per game (ranked second to last in CUSA) and are last in total defense (467.5 ypg).
QUICK HITTERS
BARNES ON THE PROWL
FIU linebacker Travion Barnes has made an immediate impact in his first year with the Panthers’ defense, leading CUSA and ranking in the top five nationally in total tackles (2nd, 12.4) and solo tackles (5th, 5.8), while ranking 21st in tackles for loss (1.3). In his last four games, he is averaging 14.75 tackles and 5.25 solo tackles per contest. Barnes has also recorded 8.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, three quarterback hurries and a fumble recovery during that span.
GROUND POUND GAMECOCKS
Jax State has imposed its will against opposing rushing defenses during the team’s four-game winning streak, averaging 357.25 yards per game during that span. That mark would be just a couple yards off Army’s FBS-leading 359.1 yards per game this season. The Gamecocks have also averaged 6.97 yards per carry. Quarterback Tyler Huff is averaging 6.96 yards per carry, which leads CUSA and ranks eighth nationally and second among FBS quarterbacks. His 93.4 yards per carry ranks 30th nationally and third among quarterbacks. Running back Tre Stewart leads CUSA and ranks ninth nationally in scoring (10.3), while coming in at 22nd in both yards per carry (6.37) and rushing yards per game (97.4). Stewart and Huff are the only teammates in the nation who are both averaging more than 93 yards per game.
BALL, BALL, BALL
Kennesaw State has been among the best in the league at dislodging the ball from its opponents’ hands. They lead CUSA in forced fumbles (1.00) per game. Redshirt freshman defensive back JeRico Washington Jr. leads the team with two forced fumbles and is one of five different players with a fumble recovery.
CLUTCH BEYOND HIS YEARS
LA Tech’s freshman quarterback Evan Bullock has performed at an elite level on third downs in his rookie season. He has completed 75 percent of his passes (33-44) for 486 yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions, while posting the second-best rating of any FBS quarterback (205.28). Bullock has been even more clutch on third downs with at least 10 yards to go, completing 80 percent of his passes (16-20) for 225 yards and three touchdowns with the third-highest rating nationally (224.00). In the Bulldogs’ win over UTEP, Bullock was 10-12 for 123 yards on third downs and completed passes of 17 and 13 yards on third-and-long situations on LA Tech’s game-winning scoring drive.
AGGIES LEAD THE WAY IN RZ
NM State leads CUSA and ranks ninth nationally in red zone offense (.941), converting on 16-17 trips this season with 11 touchdowns and five field goals. Running backs Seth McGowan and Mike Washington have each accounted for three red-zone touchdowns this season, including Washington’s game-winning score in double overtime against LA Tech on Oct. 15. McGowan has averaged 5.75 yards per play down in the red zone with a team-high 41 rushing yards to go with a five-yard touchdown catch.
LET THE KAT OUT THE BACKFIELD
Sam Houston owns the 19th best rushing offense in the nation (208.6). After rushing for 293 yards against UTEP, the Bearkats became the first CUSA team to eclipse 250 yards in four-straight games since Florida Atlantic in 2018. Sam Houston’s three-headed monster in the backfield includes three players averaging between 50 and 58 yards per game. They are led by quarterback Hunter Watson (58.1), and he’s joined in the backfield by running backs DJ McKinney (52.8) and Jay Ducker (49.6).
ORANGE SWARM DEFENSE
One of UTEP head coach Scotty Walden’s philosophies includes the “Orange Swarm Defense” with the goal of all 11 hats being on the ball on any play. The Miners have exemplified that mission so far this season as they rank in the top 25 nationally in both sacks (25th, 2.63) and tackles for loss (18th, 7.0). This season, ten UTEP players have at least one sack, and ten Miners have at least two TFL. Senior bandit Maurice Westmoreland has tallied at least half a sack in each of the last four games.
VELTKAMP HEATS UP
WKU quarterback Caden Veltkamp improved to 4-1 as QB1 after recording more than 300 yards of total offense and four total scores in a dominant win over Sam Houston. The sophomore signal caller ranks in the top 15 nationally in completion percentage (.695), passing efficiency (164.7) and points responsible for per game (19.0). In his six career games where he’s recorded at least 10 pass attempts, he’s completed 72.5 percent (150-207) of his passes for an average of 300 yards with 19 touchdowns and just six interceptions. He also rushed for five touchdowns.
PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Offensive Player of the Week – Davis Bryson, KSU
Bryson turned in a career performance, finishing 16- 20 for 189 yards and a touchdown to lead the Owls (1-6, 1-2 CUSA) to their first FBS win – a 27-24 upset of previously unbeaten Liberty. He connected on a 41-yard touchdown strike to Christian Moss to open the scoring, as part of starting the game a perfect 8-8. Bryson finished with the third-highest passer grade in the country for Week 9 (92.5), according to Pro Football Focus, finishing only behind Taylen Green (Arkansas) and Max Brosmer (Minnesota).
Defensive Player of the Week – Tyler Hallum, KSU
Hallum provided lockdown coverage in Kennesaw State’s win over Liberty. He finished with six tackles and a career-best three pass breakups, including a drive-killing, acrobatic interception in the second quarter – the first of his career. The play was the No. 10 play on SportsCenter. Of the nine times Hallum’s receiver was targeted, only three receptions were made, tying for a league-best 33.3% reception rate among cornerbacks in Conference USA. Overall, he helped KSU hold Liberty to just 180 rushing yards – its lowest rushing output since facing Oregon in the Fiesta Bowl earlier this year and second-lowest total in the last two years.
Special Teams Player of the Week k – Austin Welch, KSU
Welch tallied nine points with a pair of field goals and three extra points in the Owls’ win over Liberty. He connected on 31- and 41-yard field goals in the fourth quarter to make it a two-score game and keep the Flames at bay. With a late fourth-quarter score by Liberty, Welch’s 41-yard field goal proved to be the game-winner for the Owls. The two field goals kept him perfect on the year (11-11), making him one of just four kickers in FBS with a 1.000 field goal percentage on more than 11 kicks.
