C-USA Scoreboard: Odd day around the conference

It was an odd day around Conference USA yesterday, as the teams against the Power 5 didn’t do too well, and some upsets were pulled off from teams in the Sunshine State. Lets get to it.

Rice scored in every quarter on their way to redeem themselves from last weeks loss to ODU. Quarterback Driphus Jackson threw for 178 yards and a pair of scores, and the Owls held the ball for just over 34 minutes. The only non-QB 100 yard gainer was Owl running back, Jowan Davis, who took the ball 29 times for 131 yards.

In what is one of the most surprising scores of the day, UTSA bested FAU in nearly every team category – total plays, first downs, rushing yards, time of possession – but the Owls pulled away late and pulled off the early season upset. Both QB’s threw for over 250 yards – UTSA’s Tucker Carter for 272 and FAU’s Jaquez Johnson for 295 – but no receiver or rusher had 100 yards.

I argue that

this

was the shocking score of the day, as the Panthers head into Dixie and leave with a 14 point win. The Blazers pitched a first quarter shutout, and scored just 84 seconds into the contest, but three straight double-digit point quarters for the Panthers, as well as an FIU record six forced turnovers, brought FIU back to win their first conference game of the year. The Tops have this Blazers squad next Saturday at Smith Stadium.

I’m sure Miner fans thought an upset was possible, but no one would have thought the Wildcats would have run over UTEP like they did. In the loss, Jameill Showers had a solid showing, passing for 201 yards and four touchdowns, finding Ian Hamilton five times for 112 yards and two scores.

Auburn had homecoming, and no one really expected the Techesters to put up much of a fight. LA Tech put up three points in the first half and 14 in the second, and allowed 473 yards to who some people believe is the best team in the nation. Much like Showers did, Cody Sokol had a solid showing in the beatdown, throwing for 216 yards but an interception.

The Hilltoppers defense actually played a full game – hurray! – and went to Annapolis to defeat Navy for the second time in as many years. Doughty threw for just under 400 yards, and Leon Allen ran for 102 yards. Eight different Hilltoppers caught a pass, and all eight caught at least two. To prove just how full a game the defense played, the win was sealed with less than 90 seconds to play on a Wonderful Terry pick six. The Tops are back home for the first time since week one next week.

What were your highlights/lowlights of the week in C-USA? Let us know below or on twitter @WaveTheRedTowel.