Future Opponents:
Boston College (1-5, 0-4 ACC): Lost to Clemson (3-3, 2-2 ACC) 41-10
The Eagles’ offensive struggles were again the topic of discussion of this one, after being outgained 504-218, and lost the time of possession battle 37:21-22:39. There were some more signs of life from the run game than against Pitt, but BC still just rushed for 85 yards, 2.7 yards per carry. Turbo Richard ran for 75 yards on 18 carries, with a long of 18. QB Dylan Lonergan was again benched, because, as HC Bill O’Brien said during a sideline interview, “they couldn’t protect him.” He threw for just 117 yards on 12-19 passing, His backup, Shaker Ressig, who engineered the lone scoring drive against the Panthers last week, threw for just 19 yards on 3-10 passing with an INT.
Defensively, the Eagles held it together fine, all things considered. They were able to force red zone interceptions in back-to-back possessions in the third quarter, keeping the margin of loss lower. They did allow 280 yards to Clemson QB Cade Klubnik, and allowed 226 yards on 43 rushes, an average of 5.3 ypc. KP Price had a big game in the secondary, totaling 14 tackles, ten solo, a TFL, and an interception. They have zero margin of error left if they want to make a bowl, with games at Louisville, and Syracuse, and home games against Notre Dame, SMU, and Georgia Tech following the UConn game. The odds are stacked against them, but you can assume “New England’s Team” will be up for the UConn game, not wanting to lose an embarrassing out-of-conference game to a “lesser team.”
- Current ESPN FPI UConn W odds: 59.9%
- Up next: vs UConn (4-2)
Rice (3-4, 1-3 American): Lost at UTSA (3-3, 1-1 American) 61-13
Up until this point, the read on Rice was that they’re still working on installing a new option attack from HC Scott Abell, but they have a good defense that will keep them in games. Well, UTSA seemed to have cracked the code, scoring all 61 points through just three quarters en route to their first American victory. Despite losing the time of possession game, 32:40-27:20, UTSA outgained the Owls 437-288, with 246 passing yards and 191 rushing yards, 5.6 ypc.
Rice threw for just 79 yards, an effort that took four separate QBs to accomplish. Starter Chase Jenkins was knocked out of the game with a left ankle injury. He had a boot on and a towel over his head, the universal sign for “not a good prognosis.” Backup Drew Devillier, who UConn fans saw last year at the Rent, was out of the game in the second quarter after taking a big hit. Rice does have a bye week to try and rest up, but the engine that has made this offense go has been Jenkins, and without him, it will be tough sledding. After the game, Abell said it’s “soul searching” time, and that when they host UConn, “we’ll be a better team. We’ll be better prepared and we’ll be ready to compete.”
- Current ESPN FPI UConn W odds: 74.4%
- Up next: Bye Week
UAB (2-4, 0-3 American): Lost to FAU (3-3, 2-1 American) 53-33
In between the time I wrote the opening to this and by the time I was done with the article, Trent Dilfer had been fired, after another high scoring affair. UAB is 61st nationally with 31.2 ppg, but are dead last in allowing 41.3 ppg. That’s with a rebuilt defense through the portal and a new DC. After a decent showing against Army’s triple option the week prior, UAB spotted FAU 21 points in the first quarter, and the Owls never looked back, leading 35-14 at the half, 50-30 after three quarters. FAU QB Caden Veltkamp threw for 297 yards on 20-30 passing, while Kaden Shields-Dutton rushed for 77 yards on 15 carries. FAU held possession for just 24:47, but managed to outgain the Blazers 494-329.
For UAB, QB Jalen Kitna threw for 261 yards on 29-41 passing, but the Blazers struggled on the ground, rushing for just 68 yards as a team, an average of 2.4 ypc. UAB didn’t turn the ball over, but was penalized 14 times for 118 yards, and never got closer than a 28-14 deficit in the second quarter. It doesn’t get easier, as they head to the Liberty Bowl to take on #23 Memphis, but then get a bye before they head to East Hartford.
- Current ESPN FPI UConn W odds: 87.5%
- Up next: vs #23 Memphis (6-0, 2-0 American)
Duke (4-2, 3-0 ACC): Bye Week
- Current ESPN FPI UConn W odds: 23.0%
- Up next: vs #13 Georgia Tech (6-0, 3-0 ACC)
Air Force (1-5, 0-4 MW): Lost at UNLV (6-0, 2-0 MW) 51-48
Air Force isn’t that far off from UAB, as their offense averages a much better 43.3 ppg, good for 10th nationally, but a 134th nationally 40.0 ppg allowed. It was a wild back-and-forth at Allegiant Stadium, but the Rebels ultimately prevailed behind a missed Air Force kick to go to OT as time expired. Air Force was up 21-10 in the second quarter, and scored a TD with 1:13 remaining to go up 48-44, but UNLV put together a quick 6 play, 75 yard drive that took just :37 off the clock to take the 51-48 lead. Air Force then went 6 plays, 52 yards to get in position for a game-tying 40 yard FG, but it missed right, giving the Rebels the win.
Air Force QB Liam Szarka threw for 175 yards on 10-17 passing, and 136 yards on the ground on 27 carries. The Falcons were led by RB Owen Allen who rushed for 192 yards on 17 carries, an astounding 11.3 ypc. Conversely, UVA transfer Anthony Colandrea threw for 361 yards on 20-32 passing, and the Rebels rushed for 220 yards as a team, averaging 8.1 ypc. Air Force ended up outgaining UNLV 603-597, but this was the kind of a game of whoever scores last wins. In classic Air Force fashion, they rushed for 428 yards as a team, and controlled time of possession at 36:51-23:09, but it was not enough.
- Current ESPN FPI UConn W odds: 77.8%
- Up next: vs Wyoming (3-3, 1-1 MW)
FAU (3-3, 2-1 American): Beat UAB (2-4, 0-3 American) 53-33
See above for recap under UAB.
- Current ESPN FPI UConn W odds: 63.7%
- Up next: at #24 South Florida (5-1, 2-0 American)
Past Opponents:
FIU: Bye week
Up next: at Western Kentucky (5-1, 3-0 CUSA) (Tuesday)
Buffalo (3-3, 2-0 MAC): Bye week
Up next: at UMass (0-6, 0-2 MAC)
Ball State (2-4, 1-1 MAC): Lost to Western Michigan (4-3, 3-0 MAC) 42-0
After an impressive win over Ohio, Ball State headed to Kalamazoo to take on first-place in the MAC Western Michigan, and unfortunately for the Cardinals, the rout was on early. Ball State finished the game with just 88 yards, 68 through the air, as QB Kiael Kelly struggled immensely to get anything going, and Ball State finished with 20 yards on 27 carries, an average of 0.7 ypc. WMU QB Broc Lowry threw for 241 yards on 23-27 passing, and rushed for 108 yards on 13 carries. WMU rushed for 220 yards as a team, averaging 5.1 ypc. Each team turned it over twice, but this was simply just a good, old-fashioned, MAC beatdown.
Up next: vs Akron
Delaware (3-2, 1-1 CUSA): Bye week
Up next: at Jacksonville State (3-3, 2-0 CUSA) - Wednesday
Syracuse (3-3, 1-2 ACC): Bye week
Up next: vs Pitt (4-2, 2-1 ACC)
CCSU (4-3, 2-0 NEC): Beat Robert Morris (1-5, 0-1 NEC) 24-12
The Blue Devils entered conference play on the road in Moon Township, PA, and was never really threatened in a twelve point win. CCSU jumped out to a 14-0 lead after the first quarter, led by a 34 yard Brady Olson TD strike, and an Elijah Howard 29 yard TD run. After missing a FG before the half, CCSU returned an interception 55 yards for a score on the opening drive of the second half, esssentially putting this game away. Olson threw for 187 yards on 19-34 passing, while Howard ran for 131 yards on 16 carries. CCSU allowed 356 yards through the air to two different Colonials QBs, but just 79 yards on the ground. They take on 1-5 Wagner next week.
Up next: at Wagner
