Oct. 28 marked the final Tuesday night showcase for “Fun Belt” and “Weekday CUSA” before Midweek MACtion takes over November weeknights.
James Madison traveled to San Marcos for a Sun Belt showdown against
Texas State, while Kennesaw State hosted UTEP at Fifth Third Stadium for some action at The Fraction. Both games unfolded in somewhat similar fashion as the red hot favorites — James Madison and Kennesaw State — quickly trotted out to 14-0 leads, let their foot off the gas for a brief comeback, and then finished with double-digit victories.
Here’s a summary of what unfolded Tuesday night in Week 10:
James Madison 52, Texas State 20
James Madison (7-1, 5-0 Sun Belt) continued its domination of the Sun Belt, winning its fifth-straight overall matchup and its second-straight by at least 30 points. Texas State (3-5, 0-4 Sun Belt) remains winless in Sun Belt play, but unlike their previous three losses, this one wasn’t decided in the final 10 seconds or overtime. The Dukes stormed out of the gate with two first quarter touchdowns, however, Texas State remained within striking distance with an opportune interception to open the second quarter. The Bobcats won the second frame 20-14 but lost the other three quarters by a combine score of 38-0.
Late in the second quarter, Texas State made it a ballgame with 10 points in the final 100 seconds thanks to some significant pickups by the wide receivers. But everything flipped in the Dukes favor in the third quarter as Alonza Barnett III hit Nick DeGennaro on a 76-yard touchdown strike on the second snap after halftime. Three plays later, Texas State threw an interception and James Madison eventually capitalized with a short touchdown drive. Then it was rinse and repeat, as Texas State tossed another pick three snaps later and the Dukes capitalized on yet another 6-play touchdown drive with a shortened field. Barnett threw for 264 yards and four touchdowns while rushing for 98 and another touchdown in a dominant showing. Meanwhile, the Bobcats tossed three interceptions and struggled mightily in the ground game compared to their Sun Belt counterpart. Both teams’ streaks persisted as Texas State drops its fourth-straight while JMU is 5-0 since a Week 2 loss at Louisville.
Kennesaw State 33, UTEP 20
Kennesaw State (6-2, 4-0 CUSA) continued its surprise run through Conference USA, claiming a sixth-straight victory after early season road losses to 5-2 Wake Forest (by 1) and 8-0 Indiana. The Owls remained unblemished in conference play and at home, but Tuesday night wasn’t without some challenges against a feisty UTEP (2-6, 1-3 CUSA) defense. Kennesaw State stormed out to a 16-10 halftime lead, yet not a single point was courtesy of the offense. The Owls notched a scoop-and-score touchdown from Caleb Offord and a punt return touchdown from CUSA’s leading receiver Gabriel Benyard in the first quarter. After 10 unanswered UTEP points, the defense then continued its efforts by forcing a safety late in the second quarter.
Kennesaw State’s lack of offensive production eventually came back to bite as Skyler Locklear and the Miners gained momentum. UTEP claimed a 17-16 lead in the early third quarter on a tunnel screen from Locklear to top receiver Kenny Odom, and then a field goal extended the advantage to 20-16. But Kennesaw State finally received some contribution from its offense late in the third as Amari Odom ran in the go-ahead score. Trailing 26-20, UTEP’s defense received several opportunities to get off the field, however, the penalties continued to pile up. The Miners forced an obvious punting situation at 4th and 7 on the Kennesaw State 44, but an unsportsmanlike conduct breathed fresh life into the Owls. Then on a 4th and 3 from the 34, Kennesaw State kept the offense on the field, but a pass interference in the end zone stuck a dagger into UTEP. Chase Belcher then ran in the punishing blow, pushing UTEP to the brink of bowl eligibility. Meanwhile, Kennesaw State is bowl eligible for the first time ever in its second year of FBS membership, vastly improving upon last year’s 2-10 season with a 6-2 start.
