Click here to read the 2016 Popeyes Bahamas Bowl Weekly Release – Week 8 – October 21-22 (PDF)
PASSPORT STAMPED (BOWL-ELIGIBLE TEAMS): AAC-Houston (6-1), USF (6-1); MAC-Western Michigan (7-0). AT CUSTOMS (ONE VICTORY SHY): AAC-Memphis (5-1); MAC-Central Michigan (5-2), Eastern Michigan (5-2), Toledo (5-1).
THIS WEEKEND: Week 8 begins in the American on Friday with a key East Division matchup as division leader USF (6-1, 3-0) visits second-place Temple (4-3, 2-1). Saturday, the top two teams in the West face off as Memphis (5-1, 2-0) visits Navy (4-1, 3-0). Houston (6-1, 3-1) will try to keep pace in the West race as they travel to SMU (2-4, 0-2). In Conference USA on Saturday, Louisiana Tech (4-3, 2-1), currently in a three-way tie for the West lead, goes to East leader FIU (3-4, 3-0). In another key East Division contest, Old Dominion (4-2, 2-0) goes to WKU (4-3, 2-1) as both teams look to gain ground on FIU. In non-conference action, Middle Tennessee (4-2) travels to SEC foe Missouri. Saturday in the MAC, East Division co-leader Akron (4-3, 2-1) heads to Ball State (4-3, 1-2) while West Division leader Western Michigan (7-0, 3-0) will put an undefeated record on the line as they visit in-state rival Eastern Michigan (5-2, 2-1). Also, East co-leader Ohio (4-3, 2-1) is at Kent State (2-5, 1-2).
WEEK 7 REVIEW: In the American, Houston and USF both gained bowl eligibility with victories as the Cougars held off Tulsa 38-31 and the Bulls defeated UConn 42-27. Temple used a touchdown with one second left to beat UCF 26-25. In C-USA, WKU held off rival Middle Tennessee 44-43 in two overtimes. Two other games went down to the final play as FIU beat Charlotte 27-26 and UTSA held off Rice 14-13. In the MAC, Eastern Michigan beat Ohio 27-20 for its third straight road victory for the first time since 1967, while Central Michigan needed three OT to beat Northern Illinois 34-28.
POLLING PLACE: Houston (AAC) is No. 11 in both the the Associated Press Poll and the Amway Coaches’ Poll after Week 7, Western Michigan (MAC) is No. 20 in both the AP and Coaches and Navy (AAC) is No. 24 in the AP and No. 25 in the Coaches. South Florida (AAC) is receiving votes in the AP poll. Those receiving votes in the Coaches’ Poll (in order of votes received) are South Florida, Memphis (AAC) and Tulsa (AAC).
WEEK 8 SCHEDULE
AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE
Friday, Oct. 21
* USF at Temple (ESPN)
Saturday, Oct. 22
* UCF at UConn (ESPNews)
* Memphis at Navy (CBSSN)
* Tulane at Tulsa (ESPNU)
* East Carolina at Cincinnati (CBSSN)
* Houston at SMU (ESPN2)
CONFERENCE USA
Saturday, Oct. 22
North Texas at Army (CBSSN)
Prairie View A&M at Rice (CUSATV)
Middle Tennessee at Missouri (SECN)
* Charlotte at Marshall (beIN)
* Louisiana Tech at FIU (ESPN3)
* Old Dominion at WKU (ASN)
* UTEP at UTSA (KMYS)
MID-AMERICAN CONFERENCE
Saturday, Oct. 22
* Central Michigan at Toledo (ESPN3)
* Miami at Bowling Green (ESPN3)
* Ohio at Kent State (ESPN3)
* Akron at Ball State (ESPN3)
* Buffalo at Northern Illinois (ESPN3)
* Eastern Michigan at Western Michigan (ASN/ESPN3)
* – conference games
WEEK 7 RESULTS
AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE
Friday, Oct. 14
* Memphis 24, Tulane 14
Saturday, Oct. 15
* USF 42, UConn 27
* Houston 38, Tulsa 31
* Temple 26, UCF 25
CONFERENCE USA
Saturday, Oct. 15
* WKU 44, Middle Tennessee 43 (2 OT)
* FIU 27, Charlotte 26
* Marshall 27, Florida Atlantic 21
* UTSA 14, Rice 13
Louisiana Tech 56, UMass 28
LSU 45, Southern Miss 10
MID-AMERICAN CONFERENCE
Saturday, Oct. 15
* Eastern Michigan 27, Ohio 20
* Miami 18, Kent State 14
* Ball State 31, Buffalo 21
* Toledo 42, Bowling Green 35
* Central Michigan 34, Northern Illinois 28 (3 OT)
* Western Michigan 41, Akron 0
* – conference games
WEEK 7 INDIVIDUAL HONORS
AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE
Offensive Player of the Week
USF QB Quinton Flowers: The junior threw for two touchdowns and ran for 157 yards and three scores in a 42-27 victory over UConn.
Defensive Player of the Week
Memphis LB Austin Hall: The freshman had 12 total tackles (three for loss) and a fumble recovery in the 24-14 victory over Tulane.
Special Teams Player of the Week
Memphis K Jake Elliott: The senior made three field goals and a PAT in the 24-14 victory over Tulane.
CONFERENCE USA
Offensive Player of the Week
Louisiana Tech WR Carlos Henderson: The junior caught 12 passes for 326 yards and five touchdowns in a 56-28 victory over UMass.
Defensive Player of the Week
FIU LB Anthony Wint: The senior had 13 total tackles (seven solo) in a 27-26 victory over Charlotte.
Special Teams Player of the Week
WKU K Skyler Simcox: The sophomore made three field goals and five PATs in a 44-43 two-overtime victory over Middle Tennessee.
MID-AMERICAN CONFERENCE
East Division Offensive Player of the Week
Bowling Green QB James Morgan: The redshirt freshman threw for 335 yards and five TDs in a loss at Toledo.
East Division Defensive Player of the Week
Miami DE Zack Smierciak: The junior had seven tackles and a sack in a 18-14 victory over Kent State.
East Division Special Teams Player of the Week
Bowling Green P Joseph Davidson: The junior had the FBS’ longest 2016 punt (82 yards) and ran for a first down on a fake punt at Toledo.
West Division Co-Offensive Player of the Week
Eastern Michigan QB Brogan Roback: The Junior threw for 347 yards and three touchdowns in a 27-20 victory over Ohio.
West Division Co-Offensive Player of the Week
Western Michigan RB Jarvion Franklin: The Junior rushed for a school-record 281 yards and a touchdown in a 41-0 victory over Akron.
West Division Defensive Player of the Week
Western Michigan LB Caleb Bailey: The junior had seven tackles (2.5 for loss) and an interception in a 41-0 victory over Akron.
West Division Special Teams Player of the Week
Toledo P Nick Ellis: The senior averaged 46.5 yards per punt, including a 69-yarder in a 42-35 victory over Bowling Green.
“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
SATURDAYS TO SUNDAYS
Three players who saw action in the Popeyes Bahamas Bowl are currently on active 53-man NFL rosters in 2016.
S Kevin Byard – Tennessee (Middle Tennessee)
TE Tyler Higbee – Los Angeles (WKU)
DE Leterrius Watson – Pittsburgh (Central Michigan)
AROUND THE CONFERENCES
In the American, Houston ranks third the nation in rushing defense (87.1 ypg), 20th in scoring defense (19.0 ppg) and 10th in total defense (298.7 ypg). USF ranks eighth nationally in rushing (268.4 ypg) and eighth in scoring offense (44.1 ppg).
Conference USA now has four of the top six players in the FBS in receiving yards, with Louisiana Tech senior WR Trent Taylor and Bulldogs sophomore Carlos Henderson third. WKU senior WR Taywan Taylor is fourth and Middle Tennessee sophomore WR Richie James is sixth.
In the MAC, Toledo QB Logan Woodside leads the nation with 24 passing touchdowns, while Western Michigan WR Corey Davis is tied for first in the country with 10 TD receptions.
#PASSPORTTOKICKOFF
#PassportToKickoff is our hashtag and a reminder that all U.S. citizens must have a valid passport to travel to the Bahamas & the Popeyes Bahamas Bowl. For U.S. passport info, go to: passports.state.gov
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.
JOE STALEY (CENTRAL MICHIGAN)
Central Michigan T Joe Staley (Photo Credit: Central Michigan Athletics)
Current San Francisco 49ers tackle Joe Staley was an All-MAC performer during his college career at Central Michigan from 2003-06.
Staley worked on the Chippewas offensive line that produced a 1,000-yard rusher during three of his four seasons at CMU.
As a senior in 2006, he started all 14 games and was a consensus All-MAC at left tackle. He was one of three co-captains that helped lead the Chippewas to their first MAC title in 12 seasons and the 2006 Motor City Bowl title, the school’s first bowl victory.
In his junior season of 2005, he did not allow a sack in 11 starts at left tackle and helped CMU average 418.8 yards per game of offense.
After playing the 2007 Senior Bowl, he posted the fastest 40-yard dash time (4.7) by any offensive lineman at the 2007 NFL Combine.
Staley was drafted in the first round of the 2007 NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers in 2007 He became the first Central Michigan player to be selected in the first round.
He played right tackle in his rookie season with the 49ers and became the first San Francisco rookie offensive lineman to start every game in a season since 1968.
He moved back to left tackle in 2008, and he has started all 130 games he has been available to play in his career.
A five-time Pro Bowler (2011-15), Staley was selected All-NFL in 2013 by the Pro Football Writers of America.
POPEYES BAHAMAS BOWL MEDIA PROJECTIONS
Media Organization (Reporter) – Date: Predicted Matchup
10thYearSeniors.com (John Marc Nutt) – Oct. 19: Tulsa vs. Eastern Michigan
Nassau Tribune (Renaldo Dorsett) – Oct. 19: Cincinnati vs. Louisiana Tech
USA Today (Erick Smith) – Oct. 19: Middle Tennessee vs. Toledo
SI.com (Colin Becht) – Oct. 18: UConn vs. Ohio
Athlon Sports (Steven Lassan) – Oct. 18: Old Dominion vs. Ohio
Gridiron Now (Mike Huguenin) – Oct. 18: Tulsa vs. Old Dominion
Bleacher Report (Brian Pedersen) – Oct. 17: Tulsa vs. Toledo
CBSSports.com (Jerry Palm) – Oct. 17: Louisiana Tech vs. Ohio
The Sporting News (Bill Bender) – Oct. 17: UCF vs. Louisiana Tech
Phil Steele Magazine (Phil Steele) – Oct. 17: Cincinnati vs. Western Michigan
CollegeFootballNews.com (Pete Fiutak) – Oct. 17: Memphis vs. Akron
Campus Insiders (Dave Miller) – Oct. 16: UCF vs. Toledo
ESPN.com (Brett McMurphy) – Oct. 16: North Texas vs. Tulsa
ESPN.com (Mark Schlabach) – Oct. 16: Old Dominion vs. Tulsa
Orlando Sentinel (Brant Parsons) – Oct. 16: Temple vs. Toledo
SB Nation (Jason Kirk) – Oct. 16: Tulsa vs. Eastern Michigan
FOXSports.com (Stuart Mandel) – Aug. 30: Tulsa vs. Akron
Sports on Earth (Matt Brown) – Aug. 22: Memphis vs. Northern Illinois
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; FCS opening-weekend game; 13 college bowl games, 11 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.); Montgomery Kickoff Classic (Montgomery, Ala.); 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.); 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.); PK80 (Portland, Ore.); State Farm Armed Forces Classic (Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Honolulu); State Farm Champions Classic (New York City); Tire Pros Invitational (Orlando, Fla.) and Wooden Legacy (Orange County, Calif.)
