Click here to read the 2016 Popeyes Bahamas Bowl Weekly Release – Week 4 – September 23-24 (PDF)
THIS WEEKEND: League play dominates Conference USA this Saturday with four games as UTSA travels to Old Dominion, North Texas takes on in-state rival Rice, Louisiana Tech visits Middle Tennessee in a game that should feature plenty of offense as both teams are No. 1 and 2 in C-USA in total yards per game, and Southern Miss goes to UTEP. The biggest non-conference game in C-USA is No. 3 Louisville (AP) at Marshall while WKU hosts a SEC team at home as Vanderbilt visits. In the MAC, Kent State visits No. 1 Alabama, undefeated Central Michigan is at Virginia and unbeaten Western Michigan hosts Georgia Southern. The American has No. 6 Houston hosting in-state foe Texas State and unbeaten USF hosts No. 13 (AP) Florida State. The AAC also has two games against the ACC as undefeated East Carolina goes to Virginia Tech and UConn hosts Syracuse.
WEEK 3 REVIEW: The American picked up three victories against Power 5 schools as Memphis beat Kansas (Big 12) 43-7, UConn beat Virginia (ACC) 13-10 on a late field goal and USF pummeled Syracuse (ACC) 45-20. In AAC conference action, Houston rallied in the fourth quarter to beat Cincinnati 40-16 and Navy beat Tulane 21-14. The MAC picked up another victory over the Big Ten as Western Michigan won at Illinois 34-10. The Broncos are the fourth MAC program in league history to win two games against the Big Ten in the same season. Akron beat Marshall 65-38 and Eastern Michigan defeated Charlotte 37-19 for victories over Conference USA schools. In C-USA, previous Popeyes Bahamas Bowl participants WKU (31-24 over Miami) and Middle Tennessee (41-21 over Bowling Green) each won games over the MAC.
POLLING PLACE: Houston (AAC) is No. 6 in the Associated Press and No. 7 in the Amway Coaches’ Poll after Week 3. Those receiving votes in the AP poll (in order of votes received) are Central Michigan (MAC), South Florida (AAC), Toledo (MAC) and Western MIchigan (MAC). Those receiving votes in the Coaches’ Poll (in order of votes received) are South Florida, Western Michigan, Navy (AAC), Toledo. Central Michigan, Memphis (AAC), WKU (C-USA).
RECORD AMONG CONFERENCES: The American is 1-0 vs. C-USA and 1-0 vs. the MAC, while C-USA is 2-2 vs. the MAC this season. Interconference games Saturday: Charlotte (C-USA) at Temple (AAC), Miami (MAC) at Cincinnati (AAC), UCF (AAC) at FIU (C-USA), Bowling Green (MAC) at unbeaten Memphis (AAC) and Ball State (MAC) is at Florida Atlantic (C-USA).
WEEK 4 SCHEDULE
AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE
Friday, Sept. 23
TCU at SMU (ESPN)
Saturday, Sept. 24
Florida State at USF (ABC)
Charlotte at Temple (ASN/ESPN3)
East Carolina at Virginia Tech (ACCN)
Syracuse at UConn (CBSSN)
Miami (Ohio) at Cincinnati (ESPNews)
Tulsa at Fresno State (MWN)
UCF at FIU (beIN)
Houston at Texas State (ESPNU)
Bowling Green at Memphis (ESPNews)
Louisiana at Tulane (ESPN3)
CONFERENCE USA
Saturday, Sept. 24
Charlotte at Temple (ASN)
* UTSA at Old Dominion (KMYS)
Vanderbilt at WKU (CBSSN)
Ball State at Florida Atlantic (CUSATV)
* North Texas at Rice (CUSATV)
UCF at FIU (beIN)
* Louisiana Tech at Middle Tennessee (ASN)
Louisville at Marshall (CBSSN)
* Southern Miss at UTEP (CI)
MID-AMERICAN CONFERENCE
Friday, Sept. 23
Wyoming at Eastern Michigan (CBSSN)
Saturday, Sept. 24
Kent State at Alabama (SECN)
Central Michigan at Virginia (ESPN3)
Gardner-Webb at Ohio (ESPN3)
Appalachian St. at Akron (ASN/ESPN3)
Miami at Cincinnati (ESPNews)
Western Illinois at NIU (ESPN3)
Ball State at Florida Atlantic (CUSATV)
Army at Buffalo (ESPN3)
Georgia Southern at Western Michigan (ESPN3)
Bowling Green at Memphis (ESPNews
* – conference games
WEEK 3 RESULTS
AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE
Thursday, Sept. 15
* Houston 40, Cincinnati 16
Saturday, Sept. 17
Memphis 43, Kansas 7
Penn State 34, Temple 27
UConn 13, Virginia 10
Tulsa 58, North Carolina A&T 21
USF 45, Syracuse 20
South Carolina 20, East Carolina 15
Maryland 30, UCF 24 (2 ot)
SMU 29, Liberty 14
* Navy 21, Tulane 14
CONFERENCE USA
Friday, Sept. 16
Baylor 38, Rice 10
Arizona State 32, UTSA 28
Saturday, Sept. 17
WKU 31, Miami (Ohio) 24
Middle Tennessee 41, Bowling Green 21
Akron 65, Marshall 38
Kansas St. 63, Florida Atlantic 7
Massachusetts 21, FIU 13
Eastern Michigan 37, Charlotte 19
NC State 49, Old Dominion 22
Texas Tech 59, Louisiana Tech 45
Troy 37, Southern Miss 31
Army 66, UTEP 14
Florida 32, North Texas 0
MID-AMERICAN CONFERENCE
Saturday, Sept. 17
Akron 65, Marshall 38
Middle Tennessee 41, Bowling Green 21
Tennessee 28, Ohio 19
Ball State 41, Eastern Kentucky 14
Toledo 52, Fresno State 17
Central Michigan 44, UNLV 21
Kent State 27, Monmouth 7
San Diego State 42, NIU 28
WKU 31, Miami 24
Western Michigan 34, Illinois 10
Eastern Michigan 37, Charlotte 19
Nevada 38, Buffalo 14
* – conference games
WEEK 3 INDIVIDUAL HONORS
AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE
Offensive Player of the Week
Houston QB Greg Ward Jr.: The senior threw for 326 yards and a TD and rushed for two other scores in a 40-16 victory over Cincinnati.
Defensive Player of the Week
Houston LB Steven Taylor: The senior had nine tackles, two sacks and a 74-yard interception return for a TD in the victory over Cincinnati.
Special Teams Player of the Week
UConn K Bobby Puyol: The senior made a pair of field goals, including a 43-yard game-winner with 1:33 left, in a 13-10 victory over Virginia.
CONFERENCE USA
Offensive Player of the Week
Middle Tennessee RB I’Tavius Mathers: The senior had 157 rush yards, 103 receiving yards and had 4 TDs in a victory over Bowling Green.
Defensive Player of the Week
Middle Tennessee DT Anthony Wilson: The senior had eight tackles, a sack and a fumble recovery in the victory over Bowling Green.
Special Teams Player of the Week
WKU KR/PR Nacarius Fant: The junior returned a punt 48 yards for a touchdown in a 31-24 victory over Miami (Ohio).
MID-AMERICAN CONFERENCE
East Division Offensive Player of the Week
Akron WR JoJo Natson: The senior had seven receptions for 134 yards and a touchdown in a 65-38 victory at Marshall.
East Division Defensive Player of the Week
Ohio LB Quentin Poling: The junior had 14 tackles (nine solo), 1.5 tackles for loss and forced a fumble at Tennessee.
East Division Special Teams Player of the Week
Ohio K Louie Zervos: The freshman made all four of his field-goal attempts at Tennessee.
West Division Co-Offensive Player of the Week
Central Michigan QB Cooper Rush: The senior threw for 352 yards and six TDs against UNLV.
West Division Co-Offensive Player of the Week
Western Michigan RB Jamauri Bogan: The sophomore ran for two TDs at Illinois.
West Division Co-Defensive Player of the Week
Western Michigan LB Robert Spillane: The junior had 11 tackles in the victory at Illinois.
West Division Co-Defensive Player of the Week
Toledo DL Treyvon Hester: The senior had two sacks in a victory against Fresno State
.
West Division Special Teams Player of the Week
Eastern Michigan K Paul Fricano: The redshirt freshman made three field goals vs. Charlotte.
“POWER FIVE” VICTORIES
A list of American, C-USA and MAC victories over “Power Five” opponents (teams from the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-12 and SEC)
Team (Conference): Opponent/Score
Sept. 3
Houston (AAC): Oklahoma (Big 12)/33-23
Southern Miss (C-USA): Kentucky (SEC)/44-35
Western Michigan (MAC): Northwestern (Big Ten)/22-21
Sept. 10
Cincinnati (AAC): Purdue (Big Ten)/38-10
Central Michigan (MAC): Oklahoma State (Big 12)/30-27
East Carolina (AAC): N.C. State (ACC)/33-30
Ohio (MAC): Kansas (Big 12)/37-21
Sept. 17
Memphis (AAC): Kansas (Big 12)/43-7
UConn (AAC): Virginia (ACC)/13-10
USF (AAC): Syracuse (ACC)/45-20
Western Michigan (MAC): Illinois (Big Ten)/34-10
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
Each week in 2016, the Popeyes Bahamas Bowl will spotlight an alumni player from each of our partner conferences: the American Athletic Conference, Conference USA and the Mid-American Conference.
RANDY MOSS (Marshall)
Marshall WR Randy Moss (Photo Credit: Marshall Athletics)
Former NFL wide receiver and current ESPN analyst Randy Moss was a two-time consensus All-American during his college career at Marshall from 1996-97.
Moss set several NCAA records as a redshirt freshman during Marshall’s 1996 I-AA undefeated championship season. He caught 78 passes for 1,709 yards and 28 touchdowns.
In his sophomore season of 1997, he caught 96 passes for 1,820 yards and 26 touchdowns as Marshall moved up to I-A and won the MAC title. Moss finished fourth in voting for the Heisman Trophy and was the Fred Biletnikoff Award winner as the nation’s top receiver.
Moss finished his two-year college career with 168 receptions for 3,467 yards and 53 TDs.
Moss was drafted in the first round of the 1998 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings, and he immediately became one of the most prolific receivers in the NFL.
A six-time Pro Bowler and a four-time All-Pro, Moss set the NFL’s single-season touchdown reception record with 23 in 2007 and is second all-time in career TD catches with 156.
He led the NFL in receiving TDs in 1998, 2000, 2003, 2007 and tied for the lead in 2009. He led the NFC in receiving yards in 1999 (1,413) and 2002 (1,347). Moss also led the NFC in receptions in 2002.
Moss played 14 NFL seasons with the Vikings, Oakland Raiders, New England Patriots, Tennessee Titans and the San Francisco 49ers.
He was voted to the 2000s NFL Team of the Decade by the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Selection Committee.
POPEYES BAHAMAS BOWL MEDIA PROJECTIONS
Media Organization (Reporter) – Date: Matchup
10thYearSeniors.com (John Marc Nutt) – Sept. 21: East Carolina vs. Marshall
Nassau Tribune (Renaldo Dorsett) – Sept. 21: Cincinnati vs. Louisiana Tech
USA Today (Erick Smith) – Sept. 21: Marshall vs. Central Michigan
CBSSports.com (Jerry Palm) – Sept. 19: Marshall vs. Ohio
The Sporting News (Bill Bender) – Sept. 19: UConn vs. Middle Tennessee
ESPN.com (Brett McMurphy) – Sept. 18: Louisiana Tech vs. Tulsa
ESPN.com (Mark Schlabach) – Sept. 18: Marshall vs. Tulsa
Campus Insiders (Dave Miller) – Sept. 18: UConn vs. Toledo
CollegeFootballNews.com (Pete Fiutak) – Sept. 18: UConn vs. Akron
Orlando Sentinel (Brant Parsons) – Sept. 18: Army vs. Central Michigan
SB Nation (Jason Kirk) – Sept. 18: FAU vs. Akron
SI.com (Colin Becht) – Aug. 30: Memphis vs. Ohio
FOXSports.com (Stuart Mandel) – Aug. 30: Tulsa vs. Akron
Sports on Earth (Matt Brown) – Aug. 22: Memphis vs. Northern Illinois
Athlon Sports (Steven Lassan) – July 6: Toledo vs. Marshall
Bleacher Report (Brian Pedersen) – May 4: Bowling Green vs. Tulsa
Phil Steele Magazine (Phil Steele) – Magazine: Marshall vs. Bowling Green
ESPN EVENTS
ESPN Events, a division of ESPN, owns and operates a large portfolio of collegiate sporting events worldwide. The roster includes three Labor Day weekend college football games; 13 college bowl games, 10 college basketball events and two college award shows, which accounts for approximately 250-plus hours of programming, reaches almost 64 million viewers and attracts over 700,000 attendees each year. With satellite offices in Albuquerque, Birmingham, Boca Raton, Boise, Dallas-Fort Worth, Honolulu, Las Vegas, Montgomery and St. Petersburg, ESPN Events builds relationships with conferences, schools and local communities, as well as providing unique experiences for teams and fans.
ESPN Events also manages the Big 12 Corporate Partner Program.
Collegiate Football
AdvoCare Texas Kickoff (Houston); AdvoCare V100 Texas Bowl (Houston); Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl (Atlanta); Birmingham Bowl (Alabama); Boca Raton Bowl (Florida); Camping World Kickoff (Orlando, Fla.); Famous Idaho Potato Bowl (Boise); Gildan New Mexico Bowl (Albuquerque); Hawai’i Bowl (Honolulu); Las Vegas Bowl (Nevada); Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl (Dallas-Fort Worth); MEAC/SWAC Challenge (Orlando, Fla.); Popeyes Bahamas Bowl (Nassau); Raycom Media Camellia Bowl (Montgomery, Ala.); St. Petersburg Bowl (Florida); The Home Depot College Football Awards (Atlanta) and Zaxby’s Heart of Dallas Bowl (Dallas-Fort Worth)
Collegiate Basketball
AdvoCare Invitational (Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando, Fla.); Armed Forces Classic (Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Honolulu); DIRECTV Wooden Legacy (Orange County, Calif.); College Basketball Awards Presented by Wendy’s (Los Angeles); Gildan Charleston Classic (South Carolina); Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic (Honolulu); Jimmy V Men’s Classic presented by Corona (New York City); Jimmy V Women’s Classic presented by Corona (Uncasville, Conn.); NIT Season Tip-Off (Brooklyn, N.Y.); Puerto Rico Tip-Off (San Juan) and State Farm Champions Classic (New York City)
