Week five brings matchups both old and new as WKU – riding a three-game winning streak – begins the day against ACC foe Boston College for the first time, while Saturday’s action concludes with the 114th meeting of the Rio Grande Rivalry between NM State and New Mexico.
Source: Conference USA
In between are a few opponents rekindling series that have been defunct for a decade or more, including the 93rd meeting between Sam Houston and Texas State. Squaring off for the first time since 2011, the Bearkats and Bobcats take the big stage inside NRG Stadium.
WKU (3-1, 1-0 CUSA) AT BOSTON COLLEGE (3-1)
Date: Saturday, Sept. 28
Time: 11 a.m. CT
Location: Chestnut Hill, Mass. (Alumni Stadium)
Broadcast: ACC Network
Announcers: Jorge Sedano (PxP), Orlando Franklin (Analyst), Morgan Uber (Sideline)
All-Time Series: First meeting
Winners of three-straight, the Hilltoppers close out non-conference play with a rare trip to New England to take on an Eagles squad that fell out of the Top 25 following a narrow loss to then-No. 7 Missouri. Quarterback Caden Veltkamp made the most of his first career start with 262 yards of total offense and three total touchdowns in a 26-21 win over Toledo. In its winning streak, WKU’s defense has allowed just four red-zone scores on 10 trips.
TEXAS STATE (2-1) VS. SAM HOUSTON (3-1, 1-0 CUSA)
Date: Saturday, Sept. 28
Time: 2 p.m. CT
Location: Houston, Texas (NRG Stadium)
Broadcast: ESPN+
Announcers: Randy McIlvoy (PxP), John Harris (Analyst)
All-Time Series: Texas State leads 50-37-5
The former Lone Star, Gulf Star and Southland Conference foes resume a series that dates back to 1915 inside the Houston Texans’ NRG Stadium. Each team comes in with just one loss – both to Big 12 foes. The Bearkats have rushed for more than 250 yards in each of their back-to-back victories and averaged 5.3 yards per carry as a team. Defensively, Sam Houston leads CUSA in passing yards allowed (180.8) and passing efficiency defense (103.51) and has five interceptions.
LA TECH (1-2) AT FIU (1-3)
Date: Saturday, Sept. 28
Time: 5 p.m. CT
Location: Miami, Fla. (Pitbull Stadium)
Broadcast: ESPN+
Announcers: AJ Ricketts (PxP), Zach Letson (Analyst)
All-Time Series: LA Tech leads 5-1
There’s likely a good one in store between these schools after they’ve split the previous two meetings in one-score affairs, including a 42-34 double-overtime win by the Panthers the last time they met in Miami in 2022.
FIU’s offense has been electric inside Pitbull Stadium, averaging 47 points and 392 yards of total offense in two games. Quarterback Keyone Jenkins has completed 66 percent (33-50) of his passes for 243 yards per game with four touchdowns and no interceptions in those contests.
LA Tech will respond with a defense that leads CUSA in first downs allowed (47), sacks (2.33), TFL (7.7) and total defense (298). Linebacker Kolbe Fields has been one of the top contributors to the unit with 22 tackles, 4.0 TFL, 1.5 sacks and an interception.
UT MARTIN (1-3) AT KENNESAW STATE (0-3)
Date: Saturday, Sept. 28
Time: 5 p.m. CT
Location: Kennesaw, Ga. (Fifth Third Stadium)
Broadcast: ESPN+
Announcers: Nolan Alexander (PxP), Stan Lewter (Analyst), Autumn Johnson (Sideline)
All-Time Series: Kennesaw State leads 1-0
Still in search of their first win as an FBS squad, the Owls host the Skyhawks for Kennesaw State’s Homecoming game. The Owls have had six scoring drives of at least 11 plays, including an 18-play, 75-yard march against San Jose State. Defensively, Kennesaw State has forced the most fumbles of any CUSA team (five). Defensive lineman Jordan Miles has tallied at least one tackle for loss in each game and is tied for the team lead with 3.5 TFL on the year.
MTSU (1-3, 0-1 CUSA) AT MEMPHIS (3-1)
Date: Saturday, Sept. 28
Time: 6:30 p.m. CT
Location: Memphis, Tenn. (Simmons Bank Liberty Bowl)
Broadcast: ESPNU
Announcers: Courtney Lyle (PxP), Rene Ingoglia (Analyst)
All-Time Series: MTSU leads 16-10-1
The in-state foes face off for the first time since playing each year between 2009-14, four of which went the way of the Blue Raiders. It also marks back-to-back appearances by MTSU on ESPNU and the second of seven-straight nationally televised contests. Quarterback Nicholas Vattiato leads CUSA and ranks in the top 30 nationally in completions per game (21.50) and passing yards per game (250.5). Safety John Howse IV has been extremely disruptive on the defensive side of the ball with 23 tackles, 3.0 TFL, two interceptions, a sack, a forced fumble and a pass breakup.
NEW MEXICO (0-4) AT NM STATE (1-3, 0-2 CUSA)
Date: Saturday, Sept. 28
Time: 7 p.m. CT
Location: Las Cruces, N.M. (Aggie Memorial Stadium)
Broadcast: ESPN+
Announcers: Adam Young (PxP), Danny Knee (Analyst)
All-Time Series: New Mexico leads 73-35-5
The Aggies look to capture their third-straight in the Rio Grande Rivalry series coming off back-to-back two-possession wins over the Lobos. Running back Seth McGowan has played a vital role in NM State’s flawless redzone conversion rate, accounting for three of the Aggies’ five redzone touchdowns. Safety Tayden Barnes is tied for the league lead with four pass breakups and has an interception to give him five passes defended on the year.
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