Philadelphia, PA (My Sportsbook) - EAST DIVISION:
EAST CAROLINA - Patrick Pinkney threw for 275 yards and a pair of touchdowns, as the Pirates routed Tulsa, 44-17, in a rematch of last year's C-USA championship game. The veteran quarterback completed 20-of-29 pass attempts and added 33 yards on the ground to keep ECU (6-4, 5-1) atop the East Division standings. Darryl Freeney had a career performance with eight receptions for 152 yards and a score for the Pirates, who rolled up 517 yards of offense. Dominique Lindsay turned in a career-best 172 yards on the ground and even hauled in a touchdown pass. The Pirates' defense was also terrific, recording six sacks and four takeaways. The unit sealed the game with three consecutive touchdowns in the fourth quarter. Emanuel Davis and Levin Neal both returned interceptions for scores, while Jay Ross took a fumble recovery to paydirt. C.J. Wilson added three sacks for ECU, which will host UAB this coming weekend.
MARSHALL - The Thundering Herd outgained Southern Miss, 363-294, but committed three turnovers that proved costly in a 27-20 loss over the weekend. Marshall (5-5, 3-3) also gave up a kickoff return for a score, as it remained one win shy of becoming bowl-eligible. Quarterback Brian Anderson had mixed results, as he threw for 337 yards and a score, but with two picks. He was under heavy pressure all game long, as the Herd allowed seven sacks. Antavious Wilson had a big day with 13 receptions for 153 yards, and Lee Smith had six catches that went for 77 yards. Star running back Darius Marshall and tight end Cody Slate were injured in the game, as the Herd suffered its second loss in a row. Marshall has two more chances to earn bowl-eligibility, beginning with SMU this weekend.
MEMPHIS - The Tigers were unable to win their final home game of the season, as they were dealt a 31-21 set back by UAB over the weekend. Memphis (2-8, 1-5) gave up 487 total yards, including 376 through the air, as it finished its home slate just 2-4. Curtis Steele paced the team in the loss with 107 yards and two scores on 20 carries, while Will Hudgens completed 26-of-41 pass attempts for 333 yards. It was the Tigers' first game since learning head coach Tommy West will be removed from his position following seasons end. Memphis, which has now dropped four straight games, will tangle with Houston this weekend before wrapping things up at Tulsa.
SOUTHERN MISS - The Golden Eagles turned in a complete effort over the weekend, as they become bowl-eligible with a 27-20 win over Marshall. Tracy Lampley returned a kickoff 93 yards for a score and DeAndre Brown hauled in the game-wining 36-yard touchdown pass with just under seven minutes to play. USM's (6-4, 4-2) Justin Wilson also came up with a pair of late interceptions to seal the victory for the team. Quarterback Martevious Young threw for 191 yards and two scores, while tailback Damion Fletcher pulled in three balls for 63 yards and a touchdown. The Eagles will host Tulsa this coming weekend before taking on East Carolina in a game that could determine the East Division winner.
UAB - Joe Webb threw for three touchdowns and added another on the ground, as the Blazers topped Memphis, 31-21, over the weekend. The versatile gunslinger hit on 18-of-25 pass attempts for 378 yards and also paced UAB (5-5, 4-2) with 52 rushing yards. Frantrell Forrest enjoyed a big day with seven receptions for 129 yards and two scores, while the defense added four sacks. The Blazers have now won two straight and they are just one victory shy of becoming bowl- eligible for the first time since 2004. Just as important, UAB is very much in the mix for the East Division crown and it faces East Carolina this weekend in a key league matchup.
UCF - Brynn Harvey ran for 139 yards and three touchdowns, as the Knights upended than 13th-ranked Houston, 37-32, in Orlando this past weekend. It marked UCF's (6-4, 4-2) first-ever win over a ranked FBS team, spanning 23 games. The team also earned bowl-eligibility, in addition to remaining in the hunt for the East Division title. Quarterback Brett Hodges was terrific in the big win, as he completed an efficient 21-of-25 pass attempts for 241 yards and a score. The Knights possessed the ball for nearly 40 minutes, keeping Houston's potent offense off the field for a majority of the game. The defense recorded three turnovers, to go with a pair of sacks as well. UCF will try to continue its momentum this weekend, when it hosts Tulane.
WEST DIVISION:
HOUSTON - The Cougars built an early 17-3 lead before watching UCF score 34 of the next 37 points, as they suffered a 37-32 loss this past weekend. The defeat not only ended Houston's (8-2, 4-2) five-game win streak, but it also dropped the team a game back of SMU for the West Division lead. Houston, which is averaging 562.6 total ypg, managed only 423 yards last weekend and had three turnovers as well. The offense spent only 20 minutes of the game on the field due to the defense's inability to slow down UCF, which gained 393 total yards. Case Keenum threw for 377 yards and three touchdowns in the setback, while Tyron Carrier hauled in nine balls for 149 yards and a a pair of scores. The Cougars will try to get back on track this weekend, when they host Memphis.
RICE - The Owls finally broke into the win column, as they downed Tulane, 28-20, this past weekend. Rice (1-9, 1-5) managed 331 yards of offense and went a perfect 4-of-4 on fourth downs en route to the win. Quarterback Nick Fanuzzi turned in a big performance, as he completed 15-of-24 pass attempts for 217 yards and a career-high four touchdowns. His main target was Toren Dixon, who pulled in seven balls for 158 yards and three touchdowns. The Owls will try to make it two in a row this weekend, as they host Texas-El Paso.
SMU - Kyle Padron completed a 37-yard touchdown pass to Emmanuel Sanders with 4:34 left in the game, as the Mustangs continued their remarkable turnaround with a 35-31 win over Texas-El Paso on Saturday. With three straight victories, SMU (6-4, 5-1) is now eligible to make its first bowl appearance since 1984. Houston's loss earlier in the day also allowed the Ponies to take over sole possession of the West Division. It has been a remarkable rebound for the program, which won a total of two games, while going winless in league play over the prior two seasons. Padron finished the game 17-of-24 for 244 yards and two scores and he also rushed for two more touchdowns. Sanders ended his night with seven receptions for 134 yards and two touchdowns, while Shawnbrey McNeal ran for 169 yards and a score on just 18 carries. SMU, which controls its own destiny for the West Division title, will face Marshall on the road this weekend before wrapping up the season at home against Tulane.
TEXAS-EL PASO - Despite rolling up 627 yards of total offense, the Miners were unable to snap out of their funk, falling 35-31 at SMU over the weekend. Losers of three straight, UTEP (3-7, 2-4) has been eliminated from postseason contention in a campaign it was expected to compete for the league title. Donald Buckram guided the team in defeat with 241 yards and a score on 33 carries and he also added six catches for 66 yards and a touchdown. Trevor Vittatoe threw for 396 yards and a pair of touchdowns, while Jeff Moturi's five receptions went for 153 yards and a score. The Miners will try to snap their losing skid this weekend, as they tussle with Rice.
TULANE - The Green Wave came up just short over the weekend, as they were handed a 28-20 loss by winless Rice. Tulane (3-7, 1-5) gained 402 total yards in the game and jumped out to a quick 14-0 lead, but scored just six points over the final three quarters. Quarterback Ryan Griffin threw for 261 yards and three touchdowns in the setback, and Jeremy Williams was his main target, pulling in 10 passes for 113 yards and a pair of scores. Casey Robottom added eight receptions for 91 yards and a score, while Andre Anderson paced the ground attack with 135 yards on 26 carries. The Green Wave has just two road games remaining and it will clash with UCF this weekend.
TULSA - The Hurricane rallied within six points following a 20-0 deficit, only to see East Carolina score three straight defensive touchdowns in the fourth quarter of a 44-17 setback to East Carolina on Sunday. Tulsa (4-6, 2-4) turned the ball over four times, allowed six sacks and was outgained, 517-266, on the night. Quarterback D.J. Kinne threw for 236 yards and a pair of scores, but was guilty of all four turnovers. Damaris Johnson had a huge night with 14 receptions for 135 yards and a score, as Tulsa dropped its fifth game in a row. The Hurricane will try to keep its bowl hopes alive this weekend, when it tangle with Southern Miss.
