Week Two Winners and Losers

Week Two Game of the Week

• New Mexico 42, UTEP 35 (OT): In a game that saw 882 yards of total offense, 47 first downs and 77 points, the New Mexico Lobos defeated the UTEP Miners 42-35 in overtime. Seven of the combined 11 touchdowns were for 13 or more yards out in this explosive matchup. Neither team led by more than a touchdown at any point in the game and were tied 21-21 at the half and 35-35 at the end of regulation. Lobos senior running back Kasey Carrier took the ball 21 yards on New Mexico's overtime possession to make the score 42-35 in favor of the Lobos. Carrier ended the night with 291 yards on 41 carries and four touchdowns. The Miners attempted to strike back but were stuffed on a 4th-and-1 from the four-yard-line behind a tackle from senior linebacker David Orvick sealing the win for New Mexico.

Week Two Winners:

• Chuckie Keeton, Utah State: Looking to respond from a devastating 30-26 loss to arch-rival Utah in the season opener, junior quarterback Chuckie Keeton took matters into his own hands with 437 yards of total offense in a 52-20 win over Air Force. Keeton was electric both on the ground with 77 yards on eight carries and in the air with 360 yards passing and five touchdowns on 32-40 passing. Keeton is 63-80 passing on the year for 674 yards and seven touchdowns in addition to 162 yards on the ground. The Aggies host FCS foe Weber State in the Utah State home opener Saturday night.
• Bowling Green: The Falcons, facing a Dri Archer-less Kent State squad, used a 17-0 second half to move to 2-0 on the season with a 41-22 win over the Golden Flashes. The Bowling Green offense was running at optimum efficiency with 26 first downs and 576 yards of total offense led by sophomore quarterback Matt Johnson's career high 357 yards in the air. Fellow sophomore Travis Greene rushed for 145 yards on 24 carries in the win. The Falcon defense held Kent State without a point for the final 34:40 of regulation. The Falcons are on the road again for a Week Three matchup versus the high-scoring offense of Indiana. 
• BYU running game: A week after an embarrassing offensive performance on the road in a season opening loss to Virginia, the Cougars racked up a school record 550 yards rushing versus #15 ranked Texas in the BYU home opener. Sophomore quarterback Taysom Hill led the Cougars with 259 yards on 17 carries with three touchdowns, all 20+ yards, flanked by fellow sophomore Jamall Williams with 182 yards on 30 carries and junior Paul Lasike with 87 yards on 15 carries in the 40-21 win. While the Cougars still have major issues in the passing department, the running game didn't need any help versus Texas. The Cougars get a bye Saturday before hosting Utah in the 95th "Holy War."
• Navy: After starting the 2012 season 1-3 before rebounding to an 8-5 record behind then freshman Keenan Reynolds, the Naval Academy jumped out to a 1-0 record with a 41-35 win over a much-improved Indiana squad. The Midshipmen ran for 444 yards in route to 515 yards of total offense in the exciting win. Reynolds led the Midshipmen with 127 yards on 32 carries and three touchdowns. Navy should head into a Sept. 28 trip to Western Kentucky at 2-0, who they defeated 40-14 in 2011.
• Ball State: Behind 325 yards passing from senior quarterback Keith Wenning, the Ball State Cardinals moved to 2-0 on the season with a 40-14 win over Army. With the win, Ball State is one of only three MAC team that are undefeated after two weeks of play. The Cardinals only play one AQ team in 2013 with an Oct. 5 trip to Virginia and have a chance to navigate the schedule to 10+ wins in 2013. Wenning needs to only average 208.1 yards passing in the final ten regular season games to break 10,000 career yards passing. The Cardinals travel to 1-1 Conference USA foe North Texas in Week Three action.

Week Two Losers:

• Massachusetts: On the heels of a 1-11 season in 2012 that saw the Minutemen outscored on average 40.2-12.7 in addition to a 2013 season opening 45-0 loss to Wisconsin, Massachusetts fell to FCS foe Maine 24-14. The Minutemen were outgained 514-265 with Maine taking a 24-7 lead as the third quarter expired. Massachusetts scored a late touchdown but never pulled any closer than ten points in the defeat. The Minutemen host SEC foe Vanderbilt in hopes to get the 2013 season back on schedule.
• Georgia State: The Panthers, making their FBS debut this season, were dominated for the second straight game in getting blown out 42-14 by FCS foe Chattanooga. The Mocs outgained Georgia State 509-303 averaging a gaudy 6.7 yards per carry in the win. The Panthers travel northeast to West Virginia to face the Mountaineer before getting a third shot versus an FCS foe with Jacksonville State headed to town.
• Central Michigan: Wanting to respond from a 59-9 drubbing in the season opener by Michigan, the Chippewas struggled versus FCS foe New Hampshire before pulling out a 24-21 win. The Wildcats jumped out to an early 13-0 lead and held a 21-7 lead early in the fourth quarter. Central Michigan fought back behind two touchdown passes from quarterback Cooper Rush before forcing a fumble as New Hampshire was driving for a game winning score. The Chippewas used a 9-play, 66-yard drive culminated by Ron Coluzzi's 27-yard field goal as time expired. The Chippewas travel to 0-2 UNLV in Week Three action.
• Western Kentucky Offense: The Hilltoppers were riding high early in the first quarter versus SEC foe Tennessee with a 3-0 lead. After stopping Tennessee quite easily in the opening drive, Western Kentucky has a chance to take control of the game. Instead, the Hilltoppers turned the ball over five times in six offensive plays including two interceptions returned for touchdowns. By the time the Hilltoppers stopped turning the ball over, the score was 31-3 and the Volunteers were on their way to a 52-20 win. The Hilltoppers turned the ball over 7 times on the day. Western Kentucky looks to get back to winning ways with a trip to Mobile, Alabama for a Saturday night matchup versus 1-1 South Alabama.
• Arkansas State's Uniforms: Taking on an Auburn squad that struggled in 2012 and getting some love as a dark horse upset winner, the Red Wolves shot themselves in the foot before the game started. Due to wearing non-contrasting uniforms, Arkansas State took a 15-yard penalty on the first play of the first and second half in the 38-9 loss. After the penalties, the Red Wolves were unable to stay in the game offensively versus former coach Guz Malzahn in the loss. The Red Wolves have very little time to rebound before a Thursday night Sun Belt game versus 2-0 Troy.