Belts Won, Titles Chased: Week 9’s High-Stakes Conference Clashes

By Champ Jackson, Saturday Night Chronicles

As the calendar turns to October, conference play is officially heating up across the country, and Week 9 did not disappoint. From thrilling last-second victories to dramatic momentum swings and even a bit of controversy, this week’s matchups had it all. Whether it was Coastal Carolina’s bold two-point gamble, South Alabama’s Battle for the Belt triumph, or UNT’s commanding win to stay atop the AAC, teams are beginning to show their true colors as they battle for positioning in their respective conferences. Let’s dive into all the action from Week 9!

Nevada Falls Short Again, Loses 31-24 to San Jose State

Nevada (2-5, 1-2 MWC) continues to flirt with victory, but once again, the Wolf Pack found themselves on the losing end of a one-score game, falling to San Jose State 31-24. Despite jumping out to an early 14-0 lead, Nevada couldn’t hold on, and now finds themselves 0-3 in games decided by one score. It’s becoming a frustrating theme for a team that could easily be having a much better season with just a few different bounces.

Brendon Lewis threw for 310 yards, 1 touchdown, and 2 interceptions in a solid but mistake-riddled performance. Ashton Hayes continued to shoulder the offensive load, rushing for 82 yards and a touchdown, while adding 8 receptions for 47 yards. In a surprising twist, Kyree Mays made a big impact off the bench, rushing for 66 yards on just 5 attempts. Nate Burleson II made the most of his single catch, taking it 67 yards to the house for a touchdown.

In total, 8 different Nevada players recorded receptions, but only Hayes managed more than 2 catches, leaving the offense without a consistent target. For a team that has struggled to close out games, this loss once again showcased the narrow margins that separate Nevada from turning their season around.

Nevada entered the game as 3-point underdogs and failed to cover the spread, with the game’s total of 55 points narrowly hitting the over (set at 52.0). The Wolf Pack will look to regroup and travel to New Mexico in Week 10, hoping to finally turn these close losses into wins.

Wyoming Rolls Over New Mexico 56-17, Stays Perfect in MWC Play

Wyoming (5-2, 3-0 MWC) continued their dominant run in conference play, crushing New Mexico 56-17 in a game that was never in doubt. The Cowboys' defense was relentless, forcing New Mexico QB Devon Dampier into 4 interceptions, and the offense took full advantage.

Evan Svoboda put together another stellar performance, throwing for 318 yards, 5 touchdowns, and 1 interception. Even backup QB Phillip Rush got in on the action, completing 5 of 7 passes for 57 yards, while showing off his off-platform throwing abilities late in the game. Wyoming’s offense was firing on all cylinders, as Sam Scott made his resurgence felt with 130 rushing yards on 19 carries and a touchdown. Freshman Taylor Hasselbach added his first career rushing touchdown late in the game.

And of course, the man of the hour was once again Tyler King, who put up video game-like numbers with 181 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns. King has become a fixture in Wyoming’s air raid attack, and there seems to be no stopping him. John Michael Gyllenborg also made his presence known with 92 receiving yards and a touchdown, though Cowboy fans haven’t forgotten about BYU: we still remember, John Michael, we still remember.

With Wyoming easily covering the 28-point spread and the total score far surpassing the 55.5 over/under, the Cowboys continue to roll through MWC play, remaining undefeated in conference action.

Next up, Wyoming will host Colorado State in Week 10 for the Battle of the Bronze Boot. Rivalry games are always unpredictable, so throw out the record books—this one’s bound to be a thriller!

UNLV Tops Hawai'i 51-27, Holds Onto the Golden Pineapple

UNLV (6-1, 3-0 MWC) continues to roll through the Mountain West, beating Hawai'i 51-27 to claim the coveted Golden Pineapple. Because when you think of Las Vegas, you think of pineapples. Must be a swingers thing?

The Rebels had to fight back in this one, as Hawai'i took a 27-24 lead into halftime, but UNLV shut out the Rainbow Warriors in the second half, outscoring them 27-0 to secure the win.

Despite the final score, Santi Melendez put the entire Rebel nation on edge, throwing 5 interceptions to go along with 5 touchdowns and 355 passing yards, while adding 78 rushing yards. Melendez may keep defensive coordinators awake at night, but he’s doing the same to UNLV fans with his wild playmaking. Still, when he’s good, he’s really good, and his 5 touchdowns were enough to turn the game around in the second half.

Michael Allen chipped in with 89 rushing yards and a touchdown, while Corey Thompson Jr. continues to dominate, recording 165 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns. Damien McDaniel added 89 receiving yards and a touchdown of his own, giving UNLV one of the most dangerous receiving corps in the conference.

But the real star of the day? Jordan Eubanks. The senior linebacker had an absolute career day, recording 13 tackles, 7 tackles for loss, and a whopping 5 sacks. Eubanks was everywhere, and Hawai'i had no answer for him.

With the win, UNLV remains undefeated in MWC play and is keeping the Golden Pineapple safe in Las Vegas until the next matchup.

UNLV easily covered the 14.5-point spread, and the over/under of 60.0 was blown away with the combined 78 points. The Rebels now shift focus to a critical Week 10 matchup at San Diego State as they continue their march through the Mountain West.

Utah State “Wins” 27-3 Over San Diego State

In what can only be described as a confusing and head-scratching game, Utah State (4-4, 2-2 MWC) walked away with a 27-3 victory over San Diego State. How? We’re still not sure. It’s hard to call this a “win,” but it goes in the books as one.

Utah State, who’s been the subject of jokes for being hard to watch, actually managed to outscore the Aztecs, putting together one of their best showings in weeks. There wasn’t much excitement to the game, but a win’s a win. Or is it?

And as for next week? Well, we think Utah State is on a bye—but are we going to fact-check that? Absolutely not. Utah State might need the week off more than their fans do.

Arkansas State Rolls Over Louisiana 64-36, Stays Undefeated

Arkansas State (7-0, 3-0 Sun Belt) continued their undefeated run, overpowering Louisiana with a 64-36 victory in a high-scoring affair. Jaylen Raynor was once again a rollercoaster for the Red Wolves, throwing for an impressive 431 passing yards and 6 touchdowns, while also tossing 3 interceptions and adding 2 fumbles for good measure. Raynor contributed 31 rushing yards and tacked on 2 rushing touchdowns—because when Raynor has the ball, chaos follows.

Ja'Quez Cross, doing his usual routine of not scoring on the ground, rushed for 86 yards but made his impact through the air, adding 101 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns. Malik Hornsby led the receiving corps with 164 receiving yards, while Jayvion Showers stole the show with 145 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns.

And in a moment of excitement on the defensive side, sophomore cornerback Deaubry Hood returned an interception 85 yards for a pick six! Whether Hood will remain on the roster or face suspension is a mystery at this point. Stay tuned for updates.

Despite the high turnover count, Arkansas State’s offense was relentless, and Louisiana had no answers for Raynor and company, who continue to put up video game numbers.

With the win, Arkansas State remains undefeated and looks ahead to next week’s matchup against UL Monroe.

South Alabama Rallies to Beat Troy 48-36 in the Battle for the Belt

South Alabama (8-0, 4-0 Sun Belt) remains undefeated after a thrilling 48-36 victory over Troy (5-3, 3-1 Sun Belt) in the Battle for the Belt. The game began with Troy holding all the momentum, driving down the field to go up 21-0 before a game-changing play turned the tide.

Troy quarterback Tucker Kilcrease, who threw for 241 yards and 3 touchdowns, had a day to forget with 5 interceptions. The most devastating of them came early when Jonathan Gatson picked him off and returned it 91 yards for a pick-six, completely shifting the momentum of the game. Gatson wasn’t done there, as he snagged a second interception later on.

Despite the rough day for Kilcrease, Damien Taylor led Troy’s ground game with 127 rushing yards and a touchdown. Peyton Higgins added 78 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns, while Rondell Carter contributed with a 22-yard pick-six of his own.

For South Alabama, the story was the surprise return of Kentrel Bullock, who was expected to miss the season but made a massive impact. Bullock rushed for 136 yards and 3 touchdowns, while adding 11 receiving yards and a receiving touchdown. His return has the Jaguars in prime position for a championship run. Bishop Davenport had a steady hand at the helm, throwing for 271 yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception, completing 22 of 26 passes. Anthony Eager was his favorite target, recording 117 receiving yards on 10 receptions.

This win solidifies South Alabama’s spot atop the Sun Belt, and the Jaguars will head into a well-earned bye week. Troy, meanwhile, will look to rebound against Louisiana next week.

Tulane Overpowers Temple 52-24, Stays Perfect in AAC Play

Tulane (5-2, 3-0 AAC) continues to roll in conference play, pulling away from Temple with a dominant second half to win 52-24. The Green Wave held a narrow 28-21 lead at halftime, but their superior athletes took over after the break, shutting down the Owls and allowing just 3 points in the second half. Tulane’s defense held Temple to -4 rushing yards on the day, proving their dominance in the trenches.

Senior quarterback Ty Thompson had another stellar performance, throwing for 537 yards and 4 touchdowns, including a 78-yard bomb to Mario Williams. Williams had a career day, racking up 259 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns. Shazz Preston added 151 receiving yards and a touchdown, as Tulane’s air attack was nearly unstoppable.

On the ground, Shaadie Clayton-Johnson balanced out the offense with 115 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns, while also adding 38 receiving yards.

Tulane’s athletes took over late in the game, proving too much for Temple to handle. With the win, the Green Wave stays perfect in conference play and looks ahead to a Week 10 matchup against Rice, where they will face the Owls on the road.

USF Crushes Memphis 58-10, Bounces Back in a Big Way

USF (4-3, 1-2 AAC) absolutely dominated Memphis, walking away with a 58-10 victory that was essentially over by halftime. The Bulls jumped out to a commanding 42-7 lead at the break, leaving no doubt about the outcome. This game wasn’t even close to the 21-point spread that USF covered with ease, and the over/under of 55.0 was blown out of the water by halftime alone.

After a rough showing last week against Tulane, quarterback Byrum Brown bounced back in spectacular fashion, throwing for 294 yards, 4 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions. Brown added another dimension with his legs, rushing for 73 yards and 2 touchdowns. For those who bet on Brown’s rushing prop to go over 50.5 yards, it was an easy win.

Jeyquan Smith was the star receiver for the Bulls, racking up 134 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns. His breakout performance helped USF’s passing attack look lethal throughout the game. On the defensive side, sophomore linebacker Zavier Hamilton added to the scoring with a 22-yard pick six, ensuring Memphis never had a chance to climb back into the game.

With the Bulls easily covering the spread and the game hitting the over by halftime, bettors who backed USF had a stress-free afternoon.

USF now looks ahead to Week 10, where they will travel to face Tulsa.

Coastal Carolina Survives Late Surge, Edges App State 56-55 in a Thriller

Coastal Carolina (6-1, 3-1 SBC) barely held on in a dramatic 56-55 victory over App State, in a game that had fans on the edge of their seats until the final whistle. The Chanticleers seemed to have the game in hand, jumping out to a commanding 26-6 halftime lead, but a 21-point third quarter by App State brought them roaring back into contention, thanks in large part to Coastal QB Ethan Vasko, who threw 4 interceptions and kept the Mountaineers in the game. Despite the turnovers, Vasko finished with 409 passing yards and 2 touchdowns.

Christian Washington, usually a key offensive weapon, had his least effective game of the season, managing only 82 rushing yards on 16 carries with no touchdowns. Instead, it was sophomore running back Ja'Vin Simpkins who stole the spotlight, rushing for 106 yards on just 7 carries and adding 2 touchdowns.

On the receiving end, Matt Sauer continued his breakout season with a monster game, racking up 201 receiving yards and 1 touchdown, while Cane Berrong—in typical fashion—dominated with 149 receiving yards of his own. But it was Coastal’s lone defensive highlight that truly changed the game, as Jamaal Harris picked off App State QB Billy Wiles and returned it 38 yards for a critical pick-six.

As the game came down to the wire, controversy struck. With Coastal needing a game-winning drive, it wasn’t Vasko under center—it was Freshman QB Keke Fokou who stepped up, leading the Chanticleers down the field with precision and poise. Whispers around campus are growing louder as fans question who will be the starting quarterback moving forward.

Coastal Carolina had a chance to kick the extra point and tie the game at 55, sending it into overtime, but head coach Jacob had other plans. "You don’t pass up a chance to beat a team like App State in regulation," he said after the game. Opting to go for two, Coastal pulled off the victory with a Matt Sauer jet sweep that sealed the deal.

Coastal Carolina failed to cover the 3-point spread by the skin of their teeth, and the over/under of 61.0 was obliterated in the wild offensive shootout. The Chanticleers now look ahead to a Week 10 matchup against Georgia State.

UNT Dominates ECU 70-20, Zach Evans Sets the Tone Early

UNT (6-1, 3-0 AAC) didn’t waste any time asserting their dominance over ECU (3-4, 0-3 AAC), with junior running back Zach Evans breaking off an 81-yard rush on the very first play of the game. Some people in Denton were already calling the game over after that moment, and they weren’t far off. The Mean Green went on to crush the Pirates 70-20, fueled by a combination of explosive plays and a rough night for ECU’s offense.

UNT’s offense, led by quarterback General Booty, was clinical. Booty finished with 193 passing yards, 4 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions, completing 15 of 18 passes in a nearly flawless performance. While the air attack was efficient, the night belonged to Zach Evans, who ran wild with 216 rushing yards on 15 carries and that early 81-yard touchdown. With the Mean Green covering the 27.5-point spread, it was a profitable day for UNT backers.

Landon Sides contributed in the passing game with 80 receiving yards and a touchdown, while UNT’s defense stole the show, forcing 5 interceptions and returning 2 for pick-sixes. Junior Safety Dante Goodson took one back 38 yards, and Junior Cornerback X'Avion Brice added a 70-yard pick-six, helping UNT pull away early.

ECU’s struggles were on full display as Jake Garcia had a nightmare game, throwing for 197 yards with 1 touchdown and 5 interceptions. The Pirates were able to produce some big plays of their own, with Javious Bond breaking loose for an 85-yard touchdown run, but those moments were few and far between. Chase Sowell contributed 91 receiving yards and a touchdown, but turnovers and missed opportunities defined the Pirates' evening.

On top of the lopsided score, there’s now an extra layer of controversy surrounding the game. ECU repeatedly roughed the kicker, with sources in Denton reporting that UNT’s athletic department is considering filing a formal investigation into ECU’s conduct and the actions of Coach Mike Peach. The Pirates’ undisciplined play added fuel to an already fiery rivalry.

UNT will move forward to face UTSA in Week 10, while ECU will look to regroup as they head to Temple for another AAC showdown.

CFP Week 10 Rankings:

#13 South Alabama 8-0

#14 Arkansas State 7-0

#15 Tulane 5-2

#16 UNLV 6-1

#17 UNT 6-1

#25 Wyoming 5-2

Week 10 Power Rankings:

1. South Alabama (8-0) – Still undefeated, South Alabama remains at the top with their strong performances and consistent dominance in conference play.

   
   

2. Arkansas State (7-0) – Another undefeated powerhouse, Arkansas State stays near the top after showcasing their explosive offense.

   
   

3. Tulane (5-2) – Tulane climbs with their commanding wins and elite offense, despite two losses earlier in the season.

   
   

4. UNLV (6-1) – The Rebels continue to make waves with their balanced play and strong performances in the Mountain West.

   
   

5. UNT (6-1) – UNT keeps pace with solid offensive showings, but their defensive vulnerabilities prevent them from climbing higher.

   
   

6. Coastal Carolina (6-1) – The Chanticleers are on a roll, overcoming mistakes and showing their grit with close victories.

   
   

7. Wyoming (5-2) – Wyoming moves up with their recent win, showing potential to disrupt the top contenders.

   
   

8. Troy (5-3) – Despite a loss, Troy remains a strong Sun Belt team, but inconsistency keeps them from climbing higher.

   
   

9. USF (4-3) – USF is bouncing back after a rough start, but still has a way to go in AAC play.

   
   

10. ECU (3-4) – ECU is struggling in conference play and continues to underperform, though they still have some upside.

    
    

11. Nevada (2-5) – Nevada's inconsistency and inability to close out close games keep them near the bottom, though they’ve shown some flashes.

    
    

12. Texas State (1-6) – Texas State continues to struggle, with only one win this season and no real signs of turning things around.

    
    

13. Utah State (4-4) – Utah State’s record doesn’t match their struggles on the field. With no momentum and low viewership, they stay at the bottom.