(Sports Network) -
ARKANSAS STATE: The Red Wolves had the week off after splitting their first
two games of the season. The team opened the 2009 campaign with a 61-0
blanking of Mississippi Valley State before losing at nationally-ranked
Nebraska, 38-9, the following weekend. ASU will open its SBC opener this
weekend against defending champion Troy.

FLORIDA ATLANTIC: The Owls hung in with South Carolina over the weekend, but
were outscored 21-0 in a decisive third quarter of a 38-16 final. FAU (0-2)
turned the ball over three times and managed just 307 total yards, while
giving up 516 to South Carolina. The squad was also outgained 287-96 on the
ground, with Alfred Morris rushing for a team-high 79 yards on 22 carries.
Rusty Smith threw for 198 yards and a pair of scores in the setback, while
Chris Bonner hauled in six balls for 57 yards and a touchdown. FAU will take
another crack at its first this weekend, when it hosts UL-Monroe in league
play.

FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL: Despite a late rally attempt, the Golden Panthers
didn't have what it took to get the job done and dropped a 23-15 decision at
Rutgers over the weekend. Trailing 23-0, FIU (0-2) scored 15-unanswered points
over the final seven minutes, but the rally ended when the team was unable to
recover an onside kick with 31 seconds remaining. The Panthers totaled just
260 yards and had three turnovers, to go with a poor 2-of-12 effort on third
down conversions. Paul McCall hit on 24-of-37 pass attempts for 197 yards and
a pair of scores, while T.Y. Hilton had nine receptions for 80 yards and two
touchdowns. McCall however, was picked off twice, one of which was returned
for a touchdown. The Panthers will open their home slate by hosting Toledo
this weekend.

MIDDLE TENNESSEE: Alan Gendreau nailed a 19-yard field goal as time expired,
lifting the Blue Raiders to a thrilling 32-31 victory over Maryland in College
Park. The field goal was set up by an eight-play, 73-yard drive that was led
by quarterback Dwight Dasher, who went 4-of-4 for 65 yards. Dasher certainly
overcame his two interceptions with that drive and he also finished the game
with 324 yards and a pair of touchdowns through the air. He even added 26
yards and a score on the ground, while Chris McClover posted seven receptions
for 110 yards. Jamari Lattimore led the defense with three sacks, as MT (2-1)
posted its first road victory over a BCS-conference opponent since 2005.
Winners of two straight, the Blue Raiders will take on North Texas this coming
weekend.

NORTH TEXAS: The Mean Green were simply no match for highly ranked Alabama,
suffering a 53-7 loss this past weekend. UNT (1-2) was outgained 523-187,
including 260-61, on the ground and it managed only seven first downs to 28 by
Alabama. Nathan Tune got the nod under center and he completed 16-of-23 pass
attempts for 126 yards and a touchdown in the team's second straight loss. The
Mean Green will open their SBC schedule this coming weekend, as they host
Middle Tennessee.

TROY: Levi Brown threw for 413 yards and a pair of touchdowns, leading Troy
past UAB, 27-14, this past weekend. Brown, who completed 24-of-32 tosses,
became the first Troy (1-2) player to eclipse 400 yards passing in a game
since Sim Byrd in 1968. Behind Brown, the Trojans outgained UAB 551-285 in
picking up their first win of the season. Chip Reeves was the squad's leading
receiver with five catches for 95 yards and a score, while DuJuan Harris went
for 61 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries. Troy will begin defense of its SBC
title at Arkansas State this weekend.

UL-LAFAYETTE: The Ragin' Cajuns just couldn't get their offense going this
past weekend, managing only 272 total yards and a field goal in a 31-3 loss to
nationally-ranked LSU. ULL (2-1) also turned the ball over three times,
although the defense did do a good job in limiting LSU to only 330 total
yards. Gerren Blount led the defense with nine stops and he also forced a
fumble and picked off a pass. Unfortunately, quarterback Chris Masson didn't
have any success, as he completed just 16-of-36 tosses for 159 yards and two
interceptions. The Cajuns face another stiff challenge this weekend against
25th-ranked Nebraska.

UL-MONROE: The Warhawks committed three turnovers and gained just 262 total
yards, as they were defeated at Arizona State 38-14 over the weekend. ULM's
(1-2) defense did a solid job in recording four sacks and holding Arizona
State to just 327 yards, but the unit forced no turnovers and that was
crucial. Aaron Morgan had a terrific game with eight tackles and three sacks,
while Trey Revell paced the offense with 126 yards and two scores through the
air. Revell had two picks and 54 rushing yards as well, while Darrell McNeal
paced the team with four receptions for 50 yards and a score. ULM will try to
bounce back when it takes on FAU in its league opener this weekend.

WESTERN KENTUCKY - The Hilltoppers continued to struggle and took a big hit
this past weekend with a 28-7 loss to Central Arkansas, a FCS program. WKU has
now been outscored 126-27 in dropping all three of its game this season. The
Toppers were outgained 407-287 this past weekend and they also turned the ball
over three times. Brandon Smith and Kawaun Jakes both saw time under center
and they combined for just 141 yards and a pick on 17-of-36 tosses. Smith at
least paced the ground attack with 59 yards and a score on 16 attempts. The
Toppers will hit the road this coming weekend to tangle with Navy in
Annapolis.





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