GoMiddle.com - Week nine wrap: Troy, MT take big steps

November 2, 2009

Chris Childers
GoMiddle.com Publisher

Troy emerged as the clear leader in the Sun Belt, but the best games of the weekend involved the teams fighting it out for conference positioning and potential bowl bids.

Of that group, Middle Tennessee emerged as the biggest winner.

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

BEST GAME

FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL 20, LOUISIANA-LAFAYETTE 17 (OT)- FIU picked up a much needed victory in a thriller Saturday night in Miami. The Golden Panthers scored with 10 seconds left in regulation to tie the game and converted on a field goal in overtime to drop Louisiana-Lafayette 20-17. The win gave FIU its first victory over the Ragin Cajuns in six games. Gregg Ellingson scored the late game tying touchdown on a 3 yard pass from Paul McCall.

BEST OFFENSIVE PERFORMANCE

NORTH TEXAS QUARTERBACK RILEY DODGE- Dodge had a monster day in guiding the Mean Green in a wild 68-49 shootout win over Western Kentucky. The freshman accounted for seven touchdowns, three rushing and four passing. Dodge finished the game with 262 passing yards and an additional 70 on the ground. The 68 points scored by the Mean Green tied a school record set in 1957 in a game against Youngstown State.

BEST DEFENSIVE PERFORMANCE

MT DEFENSIVE BACK Marcus Udell- Udell's performance was critical in the Blue Raiders hard fought 27-20 win over Florida Atlantic. Udell had two interceptions on defense and helped the Blue Raiders get within one win of becoming bowl eligible on a day when the MT offense was not sharp. Udell also had three tackles in the win over the Owls.

TEAM THAT MOST IMPRESSED

TROY- The Trojans rolled on to their sixth straight victory and look to be headed for another conference championship and trip to the New Orleans Bowl. The Trojans smashed fellow title contender ULM 42-21, giving the Warhawks their first conference loss. Trojans wide receiver Jerrel Jernigan had a career day catching 13 passes for 203 yards. Quarterback Levi Brown impressed as well by throwing for 378 yards and four touchdowns.

TEAM THAT MOST DISAPPOINTED

WESTERN KENTUCKY- There is no question WKU has a long way to go! In its first year as full time member of the Sun Belt the Hilltoppers are 0-8 and have dropped 16 straight games dating back to last season. Its latest embarrassment came in Denton as the Toppers surrendered 68 points in a 19 point loss to North Texas. WKU has given up 130 combined points in its last two games and has given up more than 60 points in three separate games this year.

FINAL SCOREBOARD

FIU 20, Louisiana-Lafayette 17 (OT)
North Texas 68, Western Kentucky 49
Louisville 21, Arkansas State 13
Middle Tennessee 27, Florida Atlantic 20
Troy 42, ULM 21

FEATURED PRODUCT