GoMiddle.com - Week six wrap: FIU in the win column

October 12, 2009

Chris Childers
GoMiddle.com Publisher

There were only two games in the Sun Belt on Saturday, but both contests were interesting as Louisiana-Lafayette opened conference play with a win and Florida International surged past struggling Western Kentucky.

GoMiddle.com reviews the weekend action with the Sun Belt wrap up.

BEST GAME

LOUISIANA-LAFAYETTE 38, NORTH TEXAS 34- Saturday night's game in Lafayette turned out to be one of the Sun Belt's most exciting games this season. The Mean Green had a late lead, but Chris Masson threw a 4-yard touchdown pass to Marlin Miller with 27 seconds left to give Louisiana-Lafayette a 38-34 win in front of a rowdy home crowd. Even in the loss, North Texas running back Lance Dunbar shined rushing for 184 yards and scored all four touchdowns for the Mean Green.

BEST OFFENSIVE PERFORMANCE

FIU RUNNING BACK DAUNTE OWENS- Daunte Owens is new to the Panthers running back rotation and made a big statement Saturday in Bowling Green against Western Kentucky. Owens showed the coaching staff he is definitely ready for a permanent spot in FIU's backfield rushing for 80 yards and two touchdowns in the Golden Panthers win over the Hilltoppers. The senior had earned the spot after impressing offensive coaches in practice in recent weeks.

BEST DEFENSIVE PERFORMANCE

LOUISIANA-LAFAYETTE CORNERBACK DWIGHT BENTLEY- ULL cornerback Dwight Bentley shined in the Cajunss hard fought victory over North Texas. Bentley finished the day with two interceptions and nearly 100 return yards. The sophomore was also responsible for ULL's first touchdown of the day picking off a Riley Dodge pass in the first quarter and returning it 70 yards for a touchdown.

TEAM THAT MOST IMPRESSED

LOUISIANA-LAFAYETTE- ULL showed great poise in front of the home Cajun crowd and overcame a 10 point deficit in the fourth quarter to pick up a critical conference victory. With the win, the Cajuns improved to 3-2 on the season and 1-0 inside the Sun Belt. Running back Undrea Sails led the Cajuns with 93 yards rushing and two touchdowns. Louisiana's defense also impressed by forcing four North Texas turnovers.

TEAM THAT MOST DISAPPOINTED

WESTERN KENTUCKY- It was the same old story, just a different week for the struggling Hilltoppers. WKU remained winless through five games in its first season as a full time member of the Sun Belt. The Toppers gave up 486 yards of offense and turned it over twice in a 37-20 home loss to Florida International.

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