WEEK 12 GAME SCHEDULE
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2024
LA Tech Bulldogs at Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
(CBSSN) 11 a.m.
SERIES HISTORY
WKU and Louisiana Tech are knotted up with five wins each in the all-time series, which dates back to 1939. The Hilltoppers have won the last two meetings, which were both played in Ruston, Louisiana. Last year’s meeting was the first since 2018. The Hilltoppers are 3-1 against the Bulldogs in Bowling Green, Kentucky. WKU held on for a 35-28 last season at Louisiana Tech, and were led in the game by receiver Malachi Corley, who had eight receptions for 207 yards and three touchdowns.
LA Tech Bulldogs Notes
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers Notes
LAST TIME OUT
WKU Football moved to 5-0 in Conference USA play with a 41-28 win over New Mexico State on Saturday, Nov. 9, at Aggie Memorial Stadium in Las Cruces, New Mexico. It was the fourth consecutive win for the Hilltoppers (7-2 overall, 5-0 CUSA). WKU is one of two teams sitting at 5-0 in CUSA play after Saturday’s games. WKU’s defense forced five turnovers in the game, while the Hilltopper offense posted its third-highest point total of the season.
CUSA STANDINGS
The Hilltoppers sit atop the CUSA standings entering this week’s games. They’re one of two unbeaten teams in league play, along with Jax State, with both currently boasting a 5-0 record. It’s the second time WKU has been 5-0 in league play and the first since 2015, when the Hilltoppers went 8-0 in regular-season CUSA play before claiming the conference championship. Sam Houston is behind WKU and Jax State at 4-1 in CUSA play, while Liberty is fourth at 4-2.
BOWL ELIGIBILITY
WKU became bowl eligible for the sixth time in six seasons under Tyson Helton with its 31-14 win over Kennesaw State. The win marked 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 became bowl eligible in October three times before – in 2012, 2015 and 2016. WKU is one of only 16 programs that 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.
HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE
WKU is 4-0 at home for the first time since the 2015 season, when the Hilltoppers finished 6-0 in games at Houchens-Smith Stadium, including a win in the CUSA Championship game.
WHAT YOU DO IN NOVEMBER, THEY REMEMBER
WKU is 16-4 under Tyson Helton in games played in November, including a 15-3 record against CUSA competition. The Hilltoppers have won three straight games in November and five of the last six.
DEFENSE HOLDING STRONG
WKU has been stout since the season-opening loss at Alabama. The Hilltoppers are allowing only 17.0 points per game over their last eight games, and have allowed more than 21 points in a game during that stretch only once. WKU has been especially good in the red zone all season, allowing scores just 62.5% of the time. The Hilltoppers rank first in CUSA and third nationally entering this week’s games in the category. WKU posted five turnovers gained in the most recent game at New Mexico State, and are tied for first in CUSA in the category and are tied for 14th in the category nationally.
Liberty Flames at Massachusetts Minutemen
(ESPN+) 11 a.m.
SERIES HISTORY
Head-To-Head. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Liberty leads, 5-1-0
At UMass. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Liberty leads, 2-1-0
At Mississippi State. . . . . . . . . . . . Liberty leads, 3-0-0
As FBS Opponents. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Liberty leads, 5-1-0
Last Meeting. . . . . . . #25 Liberty 49, Massachusetts 25
Last UMass Win. . . . . . . . Massachusetts 62, Liberty 59
Liberty Flames Notes
STORYLINES
• Liberty (6-2, 4-2 CUSA) will travel to UMass (2-7) on Saturday to meet a familiar foe in the Flames’ final non-conference tilt of the season. • The Flames and Minutemen are squaring off for the seventh consecutive season. Liberty is 5-1 versus UMass, having won five straight meetings and scoring 42+ points every time it has faced the Minutemen. • Liberty snapped a two-game losing skid last Saturday, rushing for a season-best 339 yards in a 37-17 victory at Middle Tennessee. • The win over Middle Tennessee made the Flames bowl eligible for the sixth consecutive season. • Jamey Chadwell is 19-3 in his second year at Liberty and owns a 50-9 coaching record dating back to the start of 2020. He has a chance to eclipse Hugh Freeze’s mark (26 games) as the fastest Liberty head coach to record his 20th win. • QB Kaidon Salter accounted for three total TDs (two passing, one rushing) vs. Middle Tennessee. With his season-best 94 rushing yards, Salter (1,859 yards) became Liberty’s all-time leading rusher among QBs, breaking Malik Willis’ record of 1,822. • RB Quinton Cooley has tallied six 100-yard rushing performances this season and 13 in his first 22 games as a Flame. He carried the ball 24 times for 136 yards and a score last week against Middle Tennessee. A year ago, Cooley needed only eight carries to post 102 yards vs. UMass, aided by a 60-yard TD run. Cooley is 149 rushing yards away from 1,000 for the season.
“4 DOWNS” WITH UMASS
1 – UMass is the only opponent Liberty has faced during each of its seven FBS seasons (2018-present). However, it will be the last meeting between the Flames and Minutemen for a while with UMass set to join the MAC in 2025. Liberty has only defeated one FBS opponent (New Mexico State – 6 times) more often in program history than UMass (5 times).
2 – Liberty boasts CUSA’s No. 2 rushing attack (242.4 yards/game) and the No. 7 ranked rushing unit nationally following a season-best 339 yards on the ground at Middle Tennessee. The Flames rushed for 324 yards during last season’s 49-25 triumph over UMass. The Flames are playing back-to-back road games for the first time since Sept. 16-23, 2023, when they won at Buffalo and FIU by a combined score of 93-33.
3 – Saturday’s 37-17 win over Middle Tennessee improved the Flames’ record to 5-0 this season and 17-0 under Jamey Chadwell when scoring 30+ points. Liberty has never scored fewer than 42 points during its first six matchups with UMass. However, the Flames did lose one of those contests, falling 62-59 in triple OT at UMass on Nov. 3, 2018.
4 – Saturday will mark Liberty’s fourth visit to UMass’ McGuirk Alumni Stadium. During the Flames’ previous three contests in Amherst, they have averaged 54.7 points and 557 yards of offense per game. UMass is 2-2 in its first four home games this year, marking the Minutemen’s most home wins since 2018 (3, including Liberty).
A LIBERTY WIN WOULD…
• Mark the Flames’ sixth straight head-to-head victory over UMass, making Liberty 6-1 all-time against the Minutemen. UMass would tie New Mexico State as the FBS opponents Liberty has defeated most often in program history. • Make the Flames the first CUSA team since TCU (2002-03) to go unbeaten in regular-season non-conference play in back-to-back years. • Secure the Flames’ sixth consecutive season with 7+ victories and the 22nd in program history. • Guarantee the Flames finish with a .500 or better record on the road for the fifth year in a row. • Give Jamey Chadwell his 20th victory at Liberty (in 23 games). The previous fastest Flames coach to reach 20 wins was Hugh Freeze (26 games). • Make Flames’ November record under Chadwell 6-0. • Keep the Flames unbeaten (14-0) in Saturday contests under Chadwell. • Improve Chadwell’s all-time record vs. UMass to 5-0.
LAST MEETING WITH UMASS
NOV. 18, 2023 LIBERTY 49, UMASS 25
LYNCHBURG, VA. (WILLIAMS STADIUM)
• Liberty recorded its program-record 11th win on Senior Day, building a 28-0 second quarter lead and never looking back. • The Flames racked up 324 yards on the ground with QB Kaidon Salter (118 yards, 2 TDs) and RB Quinton Cooley (102 yards, 1 TD) both going over the century mark. • Salter also threw for 225 yards and two TD passes, with both going to TE Austin Henderson. • LB Tyren Dupree paced the Liberty defense with a career-high 14 tackles.
SATURDAY STREAK
Liberty is 13-0 on Saturday under second-year head coach Jamey Chadwell. The Flames’ only three losses in the last two seasons have come on Monday (Vrbo Fiest Bowl vs. Oregon) and Wednesday (Oct. 23, 2024 at Kennesaw State; Oct. 30, 2024 vs. Jacksonville State). Liberty has seen its double-digit regular-season (17), conference (11) and home winning streaks (12) all come to an end within the last three weeks.
BOWLING 300
It was fitting that Liberty rushed for over 300 yards on Saturday at Middle Tennessee, a game in which the Flames earned bowl eligibility. The Flames have rushed for 300 or more yards eight times under Jamey Chadwell, going 8-0 in those games. In the first 50 years of Liberty football history, the Flames posted 28 total 300-yard rushing games. Overall is his head coaching career, Chadwell’s teams are 34-0 when rushing for 300 or more yards and 7-0 when churning up 400 or more rushing yards.
FLAMES QUARTER
Liberty is outscoring opponents 84-41 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 15-0 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 44 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.
Massachusetts Minutemen Notes
GAMEDAY NOTES
Saturday will serve as the Hall of Fame Game, with Jeff Deren (Men’s Soccer 1999-2002), Dennis Fenton (Football, Wrestling 1974-77), Kwesi Frimpong-Boateng (Men’s Track & Field 2001- 2004) and Nicole (Way) Toye (Women’s Cross Country, Track & Field 1997-99) formally inducted on Friday night as the George “Trigger” Burke Hall of Fame as the Class of 2024. The game is also the department’s Salute to Service contest, featuring distinguished Veteran guests, a flyover and active and retired military and first responders can claim two free tickets by presenting appropriate ID at the ticket office
THE CENTURY MARK…
Don Brown posted his 100th career win as a collegiate head coach in the victory over Central Connecticut State University (Sept. 21). Brown’s career total includes wins at Plymouth State, Northeastern and the University of Massachusetts.
QUICK HITS
The Massachusetts defense is holding opponents to 164.7 passing yards per game, which ranks 10th in FBS, just behind No. 9 Iowa State (163.1) and ahead of No. 11 Northern Illinois (166.3). Massachusetts ranks ninth in FBS in average time of possession (32:46), just behind Air Force (33:01) and ahead of Northern Illinois (32:42). Liberty enters Saturday ranked 17th (32:10). Massachusetts ranks 49th in FBS in total defense (of 133 ranked), allowing 343.0 yards per game. T.Y. Harding is one of 42 FBS players with a punt return touchdown this season (entering week 12). The Minutemen are tied for 19th in FBS with eight turnovers lost on the season (six interceptions and two fumbles lost). Massachusetts has held opponents to a three-for-nine mark on fourth down (.333), which ranks tied for 10th in FBS for fourth down defense. According to ESPN.com, the Minutemen’s remaining Strength of Schedule ranks 19th. Five Minutemen have rushed for 10 touchdowns this season, including CJ Hester (2), Taisun Phommachanh (3), Jalen John (1), Brandon Campbell (3) and Jackson Paradis (1). Trivia: Entering week 12 (Nov. 11 – Nov. 17), UMass is the most recent team to defeat currently 9-0 Army West Point (UMass won 21-14 on Oct. 28, 2023 at Michie Stadium).
PASSING GRADE
The Massachusetts defense is holding opponents to 164.7 passing yards per game, which ranks 10th in FBS, just behind No. 9 Iowa State (163.1) and ahead of No. 11 Northern Illinois (166.3). The Minutemen posted four pass breakups against CCSU (Sept. 21), marking their third game of the season with at least four pass breakups (also had vs. Eastern Michigan on Aug. 31 and nine at Toledo on Sept. 7). Massachusetts has totaled 27 pass breakups on the season, led by Lake Ellis (4), Tyler Rudolph (3) and Time Grant-Randall (3). The Minutemen also have four interceptions on the season, with the most recent coming by Te’Rai Powell against Wagner (Oct. 26), marking the first interception of his career. Isaiah Rutherford notched his first interception of the season and the second of his career at Northern Illinois (Oct. 5), while Jalen Harrell (at Miami on Sept. 28) and Ryan Barnes (vs. CCSU on Sept. 21) also recorded their first career interceptions this season.
JULIEN ON THE LOOSE
Redshirt junior Louce Julien posted his second sack of the season and totaled three tackles for loss (for 10 yards) in the win over Wagner (Oct. 26). Julien’s three tackles for loss were the most by a Minuteman since Billy Wooden had three at New Mexico State on September 23, 2023. On the season, Julien has played all nine games while totaling career highs in tackles (32/16 solo), tackles for loss (5), sacks (3.5), while also adding a quarterback hurry and a forced fumble.
HARDING: ALL-PURPOSE
Redshirt sophomore T.Y. Harding helped lead the Minutemen past Wagner (Oct. 26) with a receiving touchdown and 58-yard punt return touchdown that iced the game in the fourth quarter. It was the first UMass punt return touchdown since Isaiah Rodgers, currently a defensive back for the Philadelphia Eagles, returned a punt for a touchdown at Charlotte on September 14, 2019. Harding ranks 52nd in FBS in combined kick return yards this season with 251 and is one of 42 FBS players with a punt return touchdown this season. Harding, who started the season on the scout team, now has five touchdowns including four receiving and the punt return TD. He is now averaging 64.88 all-purpose yards per game.
Florida International Panthers at Jacksonville State Gamecocks
(ESPN+) 1 p.m.
Florida International Panthers Notes
Jacksonville State Gamecocks Notes
Sam Houston Bearkats at Kennesaw State Owls
(ESPN+) 2 p.m.
Sam Houston Bearkats Notes
Kennesaw State Owls Notes
TOP STORYLINES
• Kennesaw State football resumes action on Saturday when it returns home to host the first of its final two home games of the 2024 season on Nov. 16 against Sam Houston. • Kennesaw State alumnus and football letterwinner Chandler Burks makes his debut as the Owls’ interim head coach on Saturday. Burks took the reins as the Owls’ interim head coach on Sunday and is in his fourth season coaching at KSU after an illustrious career that earned him induction into the KSU Athletics Hall of Fame. • Burks joins 18 other FBS head coaches in leading their alma maters, including in-state FBS teams, Georgia Tech (Brent Key) and Georgia (Kirby Smart). • Saturday 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, including three of the Owls’ four home conference games. No other CUSA team plays more than two opponents coming off a bye overall or at home. • Kennesaw State is coming off a heartbreaking double-overtime loss to UTEP, where it amassed 300 yards of offense and scored four touchdowns (two rushing, two passing) and one special teams TD. • r-So. RB Qua Ashley once again shined, recording 183 all-purpose yards and running his second kick return back for a touchdown this season. • Ashley is one of just three players in the country with more than one kickoff return touchdown on the season, joining Rayshawn Pleasant (Tulane) and Keelan Marion (BYU). • Another bright spot was the defensive play of r-So. LB Donelius Johnson, who recorded a team- and career-high 15 tackles on Saturday. • Just over his last 13 games of his career, Johnson has recorded a whopping 85 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss and 4.0 sacks.
New Mexico State Aggies at Texas A&M Aggies
(SECN) 6:45 p.m.
New Mexico State Aggies Notes
PICK SIX
100 For the first time since 2016, a pair of Aggie backs finished with over 100 rushing yards. Mike Washington (153) and Seth McGowan (113) each eclipsed the century mark against WKU.
1 NM State carries a 1-33 all-time record against SEC opponents into this weekend. The Aggies’ lone SEC victory came last season when they knocked off Auburn 31-10 in Jordan-Hare Stadium.
331 NM State rushed for 331 yards its last time out to mark its highest single game rushing total of its last 32 games.
2 NM State came away with two interceptions against Western Kentucky to end its drought of four games without a forced turnover.
23 The Aggies currently have 23 players on their roster which hail from the Lone Star State. 4.5 NM State is currently averaging
4.5 yards per rush in CUSA games – a mark that ranks third among league opponents.
RUN AGGIES, RUN
NM State turned in its best rushing performance of the season as it tallied a total of 331 yards on the ground against Western Kentucky. This marks the Aggies’ highest single game total since Sept. 24, 2022, when they rushed for 357 yards against Hawaii. The attack which represents the most rushing yards in the last 32 games was led by the backfield duo of Mike Washington and Seth McGowan. Against the Hilltoppers, Washington compiled 153 yards on the ground to mark the first time since Nov. 27, 2021, that an Aggie rusher surpassed 150 yards rushing. Meanwhile, Seth McGowan added 113 rushing yards to signify the Aggies’ first game with multiple 100-yard rushers since Dec. 3, 2016, when Larry Rose III (170) and Conner Cramer (110) achieved this feat.
AGGIES V AGGIES
Saturday will mark the only meeting of the year between a pair of FBS programs which utilize the Aggie moniker. Aside from NM State and Texas A&M, Utah State is the lone program at the FBS level which uses the Aggie mascot.
RECORD AGAINST SEC OPPONENTS
NM State has collided with current SEC programs a total of 34 times in its history and following a win over Auburn in 2023, the Aggies now hold a 1-33 record against SEC foes. This will mark just the second time that the Aggies take on Texas A&M. Meanwhile, the Aggies most frequent SEC opponent in its history is Arkansas which they have seen a total of six times. Prior to last season, the Aggies were winless against SEC opponents, however, NM State walked into Jordan-Hare Stadium and earned a dominant 31-10 win over Auburn to claim its first-ever SEC victory.
RECORD AGAINST POWER FOUR OPPONENTS
NM State will enter Saturday’s matchup with a 16-125-2 all-time record against programs currently residing in one of the four “Power” conferences (ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, SEC).
Texas A&M Aggies Notes
WHAT TO WATCH FOR
• Texas A&M and New Mexico State face off for just the second time after the Maroon & White took the first meeting 52-10 in 2016. • The Aggies boast one of the best rushing offenses in the nation, ranking 14th with 212.9 yards per game, while their 22 rushing touchdowns are good for 22nd in the country. • Junior RB Amari Daniels has played a key role in the Aggies’ success in the run game, ranking 16th in the SEC with 51.8 yards per game while his six rushing scores are good for ninth in the SEC. • The offensive line has controlled the battle in the trenches while clearing the way for A&M’s top-15 rushing attack, as the unit ranks second in the SEC and ninth nationally allowing 32.0 tackles for loss. • Texas A&M has been efficient in the red zone as it ranks second in the country and leads the SEC with a 97.1 conversion rate … The Aggies have scored on 33 of 34 trips, including 25 touchdowns. • The Maroon & White have disrupted the opposition’s aerial attack all season, registering their third game this season with multiple picks after tallying three against LSU … The Aggies’ 11 interceptions on the season are tied for third in the SEC and 19th nationally, while their 50 passes defended rank among the 17th in the country and third in the league. • Sophomore LB Taurean York paced the defense as of late, leading the team in tackles in each of the last three games, most recently tallying eight at South Carolina … York leads the the team with 54 tackles, good for 19th in the SEC. • Junior DL Nic Scourton has come on strong in league play, tallying 10.0 tackles for loss and 4.0 sacks through six SEC games and has registered at least 1.0 tackle for loss in seven of the team’s nine games this season … He ranks 10th in the nation and third in the SEC with 12.5 tackles for loss on the season, while his 5.0 sacks are good for 11th in the league.
QUICK HITS
• The Aggies notched their best start in SEC play, boasting a 5-0 record for the first time since joining the league in 2012 and their best conference start since going 7-0 to begin Big 12 play in 1998. • With the wins over No. 8 LSU and No. 9 Missouri, Texas A&M stands as one of just two teams in the nation to take down two AP top-10 teams this season. • After three weeks away from action, sophomore QB Conner Weigman returned in Week 6, leading them to a big victory over top-10 Missouri, connecting on 18-of-22 passes for a season-best 276 yards. • Freshman QB Marcel Reed has led the Aggies to three victories in his three starts as well as three of A&M’s record five wins to start league play, sparking a 31-6 scoring spree in the second half to lift the Aggies past No. 8 LSU with three touchdowns of his own on the ground. • The Aggies have held their opponents to 100-or-fewer yards on the ground in five of the last six games, most recently limiting LSU to just 24 yards on 23 attempts … A&M has only allowed multiple rushing scores in a game twice this season and its nine touchdowns allowed this year rank 21st in the nation. • Junior DB Will Lee III has brought veteran leadership to the secondary and ranks 10th nationally with nine break ups while his 10 passes defended are the 17th-most in the country … He ranks fourth on the team with 33 tackles, 31 of which are solo takedowns which are good for 18th in the SEC. • Graduate K Randy Bond ranks 11th nationally with 16 made field goals this season while his 80 total points are good for 25th … Bond is just two field goals away from taking sole possession of fourth all-time at A&M, entering the game with 55 in his career. . • Sophomore DL Nana Boadi-Owusu was named the 12th Man ahead of the 2024 season, becoming just the sixth student-athlete in program history to hold the season-long honor.
SPECIAL TEAMS SUCCESS
• Graduate K Randy Bond was one of the nation’s leading scorers a season ago and continues to rank among the best in 2024 while also climbing A&M’s all-time scoring, field goals made and extra point lists. • Bond currently ranks 11th nationally and second in the SEC with 16 made field goals this season, after sending a pair of 50-plus-yarders through the uprights at South Carolina, including from a career-long 55 yards … His 80 total points land among the top-25 in the country and top-five league scorers. • Bond has posted double-digit points in a game 11 times in his career and four times this season, most recently tallying 10 points in the victory at Mississippi State by way of two field goals and four extra points. • The kicker has been climbing A&M’s all-time field goals made, extra points and scoring lists, ranking sixth with 55 career makes, seventh overall with 270 points and 10th with 105 made extra points. • Freshman P Tyler White has also elevated A&M’s special teams game this season, as he averages 45.3 yards on 31 punts in his first year as the team’s primary punter … White boasts a 62-yard long from the Notre Dame and has sent nine punts 50-plus yards. • White earned SEC Special Teams Player of the Week in back-to-back weeks this season after landing seven of his nine punts inside the 15 and five inside the 10 against Arkansas and the following week averaged 46.3 yards per punt, pinning Missouri on its own 1 … White earned his third SEC Special Teams Player of the Week honor after booming three punts 50-plus yards down the field, landing four of his five punts inside the 20, and finishing the night with an average of 48.4 yards per boot, including a game-long 54 yards. • Four Aggies on the 2024 roster have registered a blocked kick in their careers … Senior DL Shemar Turner blocked a pair of field goal attempts last season, getting his hand on the ball in back-to-back weeks
PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Offensive Player of the Week – Skyler Locklear, UTEP
Locklear posted career bests in touchdowns (four), yards (327) and completions (28) during the Miners’ (2-8, 2-5 CUSA) 43-35 double-overtime victory over Kennesaw State. He finished the day 28-33 and his 84.8 completion percentage tied for third best in program history. Locklear connected with Kenny Odom on three scores in the win. The second TD pass to Odom came in the first overtime period, and the duo hooked up a third time on a 16-yard touchdown pass that wound up being the game-winner.
Defensive Player of the Week – Kory Chapman, UTEP
Chapman intercepted his first pass in a UTEP uniform and added nine tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and a half sack during UTEP’s 43-35 double-overtime win against Kennesaw State. He returned his interception to the Owls’ 29-yard line, while a personal foul moved the ball to the KSU 14-yard line. The Miners scored on the ensuing drive to take a 14-7 lead in the second quarter. Chapman now has a CUSA-best 11.0 tackles for loss and has recorded 3.0 sacks this season. He ranks third on the team with 65 tackles (8.1 per game).
Special Teams Player of the Week – Lucas Carneiro, WKU
Carneiro extended his streak of made field goals to 11 with two makes in WKU’s 41-28 win at New Mexico State on Saturday, helping the Hilltoppers move to 7-2 overall and 5-0 in CUSA play. He connected on kicks from 42 and 53 yards in the victory. The 42- yard field goal came as time expired in the first half to put WKU ahead 24-7. His other make came from 53 yards in the fourth quarter to help WKU close out the win. It was Carneiro’s second-longest field goal this season and his third make on as many tries from 50-plus yards.
QUICK HITTERS
GROUND POUND GAMECOCKS
Jax State has imposed its will against CUSA defenses during the team’s winning streak, averaging 342 yards per game in five league games. That mark eclipses Army’s FBS leading 334.9 yards per game this season. The Gamecocks have also averaged 6.45 yards per carry, which would also rank third among all FBS teams. Running back Tre Stewart ranks in the top 15 nationally in yards per carry (6.43), rushing touchdowns (17), rushing yards per game (120.0) and scoring (12.0), while quarterback Tyler Huff ranks 17th nationally in yards per carry (6.31) and 30th in rushing yards per game (91.8). He also ranks third among quarterbacks in yards per game and fourth in yards per carry. The duo joins Army’s Bryson Daily and Kanye Udoh as the only pair who are both averaging more than 91 yards per game.
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 (42-56) for 579 yards, six touchdowns and no interceptions, while posting the second-best rating of any FBS quarterback (197.21). Bullock has been even more clutch on third downs with at least 10 yards to go, completing 8.8 percent of his passes (18-22) for 255 yards and three touchdowns with the second highest rating nationally (224.18). In his six starts, the Bulldogs are converting third downs at a 47 percent clip, which would rank 18th in FBS. In the team’s first four games, they were only converting third downs at a 35.6 percent rate.
REKINDLE THE FLAMES
After losing back-to-back games for the first time since 2022, Liberty bounced back with one of its most dominant performances in a 37-17 victory over MTSU. The Flames racked up a season-high 339 yards on the ground. Running back Quinton Cooley led the way with 136 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries. Quarterback Kaidon Salter carried nine times for 94 yards and a score, and newcomer Julian Gray had a breakout game with 52 yards on three carries, including a 41-yard touchdown scamper. The Liberty defense also showed out with season highs in TFL (8.0) and sacks (5.0).
BEARKATS’ D BEARING DOWN
While the offense has failed to find the same groove that led Sam Houston to its hot start to begin the year, the defense has taken the torch to help the team keep the wins coming. During the last four games, the Bearkats’ defense is averaging 6.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and 2.5 turnovers per game, compared to 4.2 tackles for loss, 1.4 sacks and 1.6 turnovers per game in the first five contests of the year. Sam Houston did not allow FIU to enter the red zone in a 10-7 win on Oct. 22, and the Bearkats held LA Tech to just three points on four red zone trips in a 9-3 win on Oct. 29.
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 30 nationally in both sacks (30th, 2.50) and tackles for loss (18th, 7.1). UTEP is coming off a win that saw the team rack up three sacks and 10 TFL. This season, seven UTEP players have at least two sacks, and eight Miners have at least 4.5 TFL. Senior bandit Maurice Westmoreland leads the team with 4.5 sacks. Senior spur Kory Chapman paces the Miners with 11.0 TFL and ranks 11th nationally with 1.4 per game.
VELTKAMP HEATS UP
WKU quarterback Caden Veltkamp improved to 6-1 as QB1 after recording four total touchdowns for the third time in the last four games. The sophomore signal caller ranks in the top 10 nationally in completion percentage (.700), passing efficiency (169.7), points responsible for per game (19.5) and yards per attempt (9.15), while his 19 passing touchdowns rank 19th in FBS. In the redzone, Veltkamp has completed 81.3 percent of his passes for 187 yards with 12 touchdowns and just one interception. In his eight career games where he’s recorded at least 10 pass attempts, he’s completed 72.3 percent (185-256) of his passes for an average of 290.3 yards with 24 touchdowns and just eight interceptions. He’s also rushed for seven touchdowns.
BALL, BALL, BALL
Kennesaw State has been among the best in the league at dislodging the ball from its opponents’ hands. The Owls lead CUSA in both fumbles forced (10) and forced fumbles per game (1.11) in their debut season in CUSA. Redshirt freshman defensive back JeRico Washington Jr. leads the team with three forced fumbles and is one of six different players with a fumble recovery.
