USA Fends Off USF’s Late Push to Secure Top-10 Road Win

Week 3 delivered plenty of fireworks as teams across the nation began settling into conference play and testing their early-season grit. From heart-pounding finishes to statement wins and narrow escapes, the action was nothing short of thrilling. Top contenders jockeyed for position, while underdogs rose to the occasion, making this week a memorable chapter in the season. With betting lines keeping fans on the edge of their seats, and standout performances emerging from players determined to leave their mark, Week 3 proved once again why college football never disappoints.

Coastal Carolina 88, Temple 34

Coastal Carolina kept their perfect season alive with an emphatic 88-34 win over Temple, covering the spread in a game where their explosive offense stole the show. Coastal racked up a staggering 902 yards of offense, while holding Temple to just 330 yards and an incredible -7 rushing yards. With Coastal’s relentless attack, the game soared well over the over/under line as the Chanticleers set a blistering pace from the start.

Senior quarterback Ethan Vasko threw for 681 yards, 10 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions on 31 of 51 passing attempts. On the ground, running back Ja’Vin Simpkins rushed for 186 yards and 2 touchdowns on 24 carries. Coastal’s receiving corps kept Temple’s secondary scrambling, with Jalon Williams snagging 8 catches for 165 yards and 3 touchdowns, CJ Smith adding 160 yards and 2 touchdowns on 5 catches, and Khalid Boyle hauling in 138 yards and 2 touchdowns on 4 catches.

Defensively, Coastal’s secondary made an impact with 4 interceptions, including two from senior cornerback Jayden Bellamy, who narrowly missed a pick-six after stepping out of bounds following a laser pointer incident from the stands. Coach Jacob Clayton did not hold back in expressing his frustration with the stadium’s security: “This is a serious safety issue. If they can get a laser pointer in, what else are we risking? This isn’t just a game—this is a matter of player safety, and next time, we may be dealing with something worse than a laser. It’s unacceptable.”

Meanwhile, Ja’Vin Simpkins was thrilled to prove himself as the starter this season: “I’m grateful for this chance. I knew I was better than Christian Washington all along, and now I finally get to show what I can do out there.”

With another dominant win in the books, Coastal Carolina moves to 3-0 and prepares to travel to Denton to face UNT in Week 4, looking to maintain their momentum against tougher competition.

Arkansas State 98, FCS Midwest 14

Arkansas State rebounded with a decisive 98-14 victory over FCS Midwest, easily covering the spread in a game that restored confidence after last week’s close loss to TCU. The Red Wolves’ offense racked up nearly 600 yards, while the defense held their opponent to minimal progress. With this dominant showing, Arkansas State continues to prove they’re a force to be reckoned with as they move forward with renewed momentum.

After a tough outing at TCU, freshman quarterback Connor Wojciechowski got the start and delivered a standout performance, throwing for 477 yards, 9 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions, completing 34 of 44 passes. Woj added 65 rushing yards and 2 rushing touchdowns, showcasing his dual-threat abilities. Sophomore running back Sateki Stumph also had an impressive outing, rushing for 125 yards and a touchdown, while adding 14 catches for 205 yards and 2 receiving touchdowns. Jayvion Showers contributed 85 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns to further boost the Red Wolves’ offense.

Arkansas State’s defense also took control, forcing 4 interceptions against FCS Midwest. Junior strong safety Aaron Flowers led the way with 7 tackles and two of the interceptions, while Tennel Bryant electrified the crowd with a 55-yard punt return touchdown after his seventh punt return attempt, sealing an all-around dominant performance.

Coach Bryan addressed recent speculation around the quarterback position following Raynor’s comments after the TCU game: “I went with Woj this week because he gives us options we needed to maximize today. Jaylen’s a champion, but we’re making decisions for each game’s unique needs. You can expect we’ll keep making those choices game by game, so keep an eye on that.”

Sateki Stumph, whose versatility has been essential to the Red Wolves’ success, shared his perspective on his breakout season: “I’m just trusting the process and playing my role. The coaches believe in me, and I’m feeding off that. This season has been a chance to show what I’ve got, and I’m enjoying every minute of it.”

Arkansas State, now 2-1, prepares to host Tulane in Week 4, where they’ll look to keep their offense clicking and settle any lingering questions about their quarterback rotation.

UNLV 84, Western Kentucky 17

UNLV continued their undefeated streak with a commanding 84-17 victory over Western Kentucky, handily covering the spread in a game that showcased their offensive firepower and defensive playmaking. The game sailed past the over/under as UNLV’s balanced attack dismantled Western Kentucky’s defense.

Freshman quarterback Tavarus Cargile showed significant improvement after last week’s two-interception game, delivering an error-free performance with 584 passing yards, 9 touchdowns, and no interceptions. Cargile completed 32 of 37 passes and spread the ball effectively across his receivers. Arlis Boardingham led the receiving corps with 6 catches for 199 yards and a touchdown, while Corey Thompson Jr. was a red zone threat with 5 catches, 102 yards, and 4 touchdowns.

UNLV’s defense added to the scoreboard with two pick-sixes. Senior cornerback David Yarborough electrified the crowd with a 104-yard interception return for a touchdown, while junior free safety Kendrick Stark contributed his own 24-yard pick-six and notched 11 tackles in a dominant defensive showing.

Coach Hayden Tindal praised Cargile’s weekly development: “Each week, we’re seeing Tavarus make leaps in his game. His ability to read defenses, protect the ball, and keep composure is setting the tone for our entire offense. If he keeps growing like this, we’re going to be a very tough team to beat.”

David Yarborough shared his excitement about his 104-yard interception return: “When I saw the ball coming my way, I just knew I had to make a play. It felt incredible to not only stop their drive but also take it all the way back and put points up for our team. Plays like that give us energy, and it’s something we thrive on.”

With this decisive victory, UNLV moves to 3-0 and will host FCS Southeast in Week 4, aiming to keep their momentum going and give Cargile further opportunities to showcase his growth.

Wyoming 42, Central Michigan 20

Wyoming secured a solid 42-20 victory over Central Michigan, easily covering the spread in a game that saw them bounce back strongly after their Week 1 loss to UNT. The Cowboys’ offense proved unstoppable, racking up significant yardage, as the team found its rhythm just in time to head into Mountain West play. Wyoming’s dominant performance pushed the game comfortably past the over/under, solidifying their renewed momentum as they sit at 2-1 on the season.

Sophomore quarterback Micah Alejado led the way with 600 passing yards, 4 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions, completing 25 of 35 attempts. Running back Darius McIver added consistency on the ground with 70 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns on 19 carries. Star receiver Tyler King showcased his game-changing abilities with 6 catches for 324 yards and 3 touchdowns, adding yet another outstanding performance to his season.

Reflecting on the win, Coach Joey Clayton remarked on the team’s growth: “This was a good test for us, and I’m proud of how the guys bounced back. We’re moving into Mountain West play against Air Force next week, and we’ll be ready. And no, we’re not just playing to pad Tyler’s stats; we’re playing to win. Tyler just happens to make it look good while we do.”

Meanwhile, King’s confidence was unmistakable when asked about the possibility of repeating as the Heisman Trophy winner: “Look, nobody does it like I do. Another Heisman? Yeah, that sounds about right. I’m just out here showing everyone why it’s mine again this year.”

Wyoming, with back-to-back wins under their belt, now heads to Air Force in Week 4 to kick off their Mountain West conference play, ready to continue their climb up the rankings.

UNT 31, Texas State 7

UNT secured a comfortable 31-7 victory over Texas State, covering the spread in a game that saw their offense and special teams execute with precision. The final score reflected UNT’s control from start to finish, holding Texas State’s offense to a single highlight while UNT surpassed the over/under with contributions from all phases of the game.

For Texas State, sophomore quarterback PJ Hatter struggled, throwing for just 62 yards with 2 interceptions. Running back Jaylen Jenkins provided a glimmer of hope with a 70-yard touchdown run late in the first half, narrowing the deficit to 14. Chris Dawn Jr. made his lone catch count with a 49-yard reception, but Texas State couldn’t build any consistent momentum.

UNT’s offense showed marked improvement, as sophomore quarterback Paul Lowell rebounded from a rough outing against UNLV, throwing for 139 yards and a touchdown while completing all 7 of his passes. Running back Zach Evans led the ground game with 103 rushing yards on 14 carries, while also catching a 39-yard touchdown pass. Shortly after Texas State’s only score, Gabe Stroud responded with a 103-yard kickoff return touchdown, reclaiming momentum and solidifying UNT’s dominance. Reflecting on his return, Stroud said confidently, “I’m the fastest guy on the field at all times, and today, I just proved it.”

Coach Uncle Matt of Texas State admitted his focus may have been divided: “I may have been a little distracted today—I raced from the polls to the field after casting my vote for our future president and glass ceiling breaker, Kamala Harris. Voting for her felt like being part of true history, and if today’s loss is the price of that, so be it. She’ll be incredible for this country.”

Jaylen Jenkins expressed his excitement about his big play: “That 70-yarder was huge. It felt amazing to get one to the house and put some points on the board for the team.”

For UNT, head coach Jake Robinson was encouraged by Lowell’s performance: “Paul looked miles better this week. We may have just found our guy. His accuracy, poise, and decision-making were spot-on, and he led the offense the way we needed.”

With Texas State heading into a bye for Week 4, they’ll have time to regroup, while UNT prepares for a tough matchup at home against Coastal Carolina.

Troy 42, Mississippi State 17

Troy continued their dominant run, defeating Mississippi State 42-17 and comfortably covering the spread in a game that was all but decided by the end of the third quarter. Up 35-3 entering the final frame, Troy’s relentless offense and stifling defense left no doubt as they notched another convincing win, pushing the game well past the over/under mark and solidifying their 3-0 record.

Junior quarterback Dylan Lonergan showcased pinpoint accuracy, completing 37 of 39 passes for 345 yards and 4 touchdowns. Running back Tae Meadows added 64 rushing yards and a touchdown, while Matt Laulile led the receiving corps with 6 catches for 97 yards and a touchdown, as the Trojans executed their game plan with precision and power.

After the game, Coach Khail Sharp emphasized Troy’s consistent dominance: “Another week, another dominating win for the Trojans. I’m glad to see some media outlets like SNC starting to notice, but we’re still not getting the national recognition we deserve. This team is playing elite football on both sides of the ball, and it’s time the rest of the country pays attention.”

Tae Meadows credited the team’s success to their unity and versatility: “We’re firing on all cylinders because everyone’s bought in. Our defense shuts down opponents, and our offense executes at a high level. We’re prepared, focused, and just playing with purpose.”

Troy, now riding high at 3-0, will look to continue their unbeaten streak as they prepare to host New Mexico State in Week 4.

Kansas State 39, Tulane 29

Tulane fell to Kansas State 39-29 in a hard-fought game that covered the point spread but saw the Green Wave narrowly miss out on pulling off the upset. Tulane outgained Kansas State 411 to 333 yards, showing flashes of offensive brilliance, but ultimately couldn’t keep up as Kansas State pulled away in the third quarter. With this loss, Tulane drops to 1-2 on the season, and questions about their quarterback situation remain as they prepare for a critical Week 4 game against Arkansas State.

In a developing storyline, freshman quarterback Leeroy Jenkins was benched midway through the game in favor of senior Zeon Chriss. Jenkins had 126 passing yards and an interception on 16 of 31 attempts before Tulane made the change. Chriss came in and threw for 195 yards, 1 touchdown, and 2 interceptions, completing 9 of 17 passes. Known for his control in the pocket, Chriss surprised fans by adding a rushing element to Tulane’s offense with 43 yards and 2 rushing touchdowns, sparking a brief resurgence. Reflecting on his performance, Chriss said: “I knew I had to give the offense a jolt, and using my legs felt like the right way to do it. I believe I can be the guy to lead this team moving forward, if that’s what’s best.”

Head coach Fran Chione spoke on the decision to go with Chriss: “We felt Zeon’s experience and presence would give us a spark. We needed a leader, and he brought that in the second half. Whether he’s the guy going forward, we’ll evaluate in practice this week, but his performance definitely gives us options.”

Tulane, facing a quarterback controversy and a tough schedule ahead, will look to regroup as they travel to Jonesboro to take on Arkansas State in Week 4.

South Alabama 24, USF 21

In a nail-biter that came down to an onside kick, South Alabama held on to beat USF 24-21, bringing their record to a perfect 3-0, while USF falls to 2-1. The spread had USA as slight favorites at -1.5, with the over/under set at 45, and this close matchup saw bettors covering the spread as South Alabama just edged out a victory on the road.

For USA, Bishop Davenport was efficient, going 14 of 16 for 133 yards and a touchdown. Winston Malone continued his dominant ground game, rushing 16 times for 122 yards and a touchdown, while Anthony Eager turned his two catches into 47 yards and a score, sealing the deal on a top-10 road win for the Jaguars.

“This is a huge win for us,” Coach Mason said. “Beating a top-10 team on their own turf shows the grit and growth in this squad. It’s a stepping stone, no doubt, but one worth celebrating.”

Quarterback Bishop Davenport echoed the sentiment: “This was a great team win. We came in focused and ready, and it showed. Now, we’re looking forward to our next challenge at Kentucky.”

USF’s Byrum Brown was determined but had a challenging day with 311 passing yards, 2 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions. He also added 23 rushing yards and another score. His primary target, Jeyquan Smith, caught 9 passes for 107 yards and a touchdown, keeping USF in striking distance until the very end.

“These games are never easy to lose,” said Coach Dr. Bryan. “But I’m proud of how our guys fought until the final whistle. They left it all out there, and that’s all I can ask for.”

Brown maintained a resilient outlook: “As long as I’m out there, I believe we’re never out of a game. I’m carrying that confidence with me through the rest of the season.”

Next week, USF heads to Navy for their AAC opener, while USA prepares for another big test on the road against Kentucky.

Who was the MVP for week 3?

• Tyler King
• Woj
• Dylan Lonergan