UConn's opponents in week 4

Temple: Won 59-0 over Delaware State, giving the Owls their largest win in school history. The previous high was a 56-0 victory over Holy Cross in 1974. Temple covered the 39-point spread. The owls led 42-0 with 10:45 left in the second quarter and added another touchdown with a minute left to go up 49-0 at halftime. Two Owls’ quarterbacks combined to go 16 for 20 with 179 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. Delaware State was held to 93 yards, averaging 2.9 yards per pass and 0.9 yards per rush. The Owls scored off of a blocked punt, a punt return and an interception in this game.

Tulane: The Green Wave lost 47-13 to the Duke Blue Devils. Tulane tied the game at 7 with 7:03 left in the first quarter. Then, from the four minute mark of the first quarter to the end of the game Tulane was outscored 40 to 6.  Tulane had five turnovers, which the Blue Devils turned into 21 points. Duke also returned two interceptions for touchdowns in the fourth quarter to help them cover the 16.5-point spread and go over the over/under of 55. Tulane did accumulate 391 total yards and averaged four yards a carry on 58 rushing attempts. What did the Green Wave in, was not only the five turnovers, but the 5 for 18 3^rd down efficiency, going 1 for 6 on 4^th down, allowing 437 yards and missing an extra point.

East Carolina: There’s a little bit more room left on the Shane Carden bandwagon that I have been driving since my week 1 recap. ECU moved into the AP Top 25 pool for the first time since 2008 after annihilating instate rival North Carolina for the second year in a row 70-41 – becoming the first team outside of the Power 5 conferences to put up 70 points on a Power 5 team – in front of the biggest home crowd in school history. Over the past two years, ECU has now defeated UNC 125-72. In those two games, Carden has combined to go 62 for 95 (65%) with 814 yards, seven passing touchdowns, two interceptions and five rushing touchdowns. ECU allowed 439 yards, but put up 789 – a school record. ECU closed as a 1.5-point underdog and the over/under was 68. ECU has easy sailing into November. The Pirates have a bye, then play Southern Methodist and South Florida. Finally, they close out the month by hosting UConn on a Thursday night….While you were reading this the Carden bandwagon filled up. Sorry.

Central Florida: The Knights won 41-7 over FCS opponent Bethune-Cookman in a rain game. The game actually started with a penalty on Bethune-Cookman for not wearing white jerseys as the visiting team. The Wildcats led 7-3 at the end of the first quarter before the Knights rallied for 38 straight points. UCF did have five first half sacks. There were no turnovers in the game. The Knights held the Wildcats to 1.7 yards per carry on 42 carries. The Knights outgained the Wildcats 351 to 173. UCF improved to 20-0 against FCS opponents since moving up to FBS in 1996. The Knights covered the 24-piont spread.

Army: The Black Knights led 21-14 at halftime over Wake Forest, before allowing 10 points in the fourth quarter and losing 24-21. Army played their typical triple option game, accumulating 341 yards on the ground on 59 carries, while two quarterbacks combined to go 3 for 5 for 18 yards and a touchdown. Army was a 2.5-point favorite and the over/under was 48.5

Cincinnati: The Bearcats played a Miami (OH) team that has not won a game since since October 27, 2012. Last year when these two teams met, Cincinnati won 14-0 and this year Cincinnati was able to hold off Miami (OH) 31-24 for their ninth straight victory over the RedHawks. Gunnier Kiel, Cincinnati’s quarterback, followed up his six-touchdown debut with four touchdowns, 271 yards, two interceptions and completed 25 of 39 pass attempts. Cincinnati only out-gained Miami (OH) by six yards (370 to 364). The Bearcats did not come close to covering the 30-point spread and the game stayed under the over/under of 61.5.

Memphis: The Tigers defeated the Blue Raiders of Middle Tennessee 36-17. Tank Jake, besides having an awesome name, forced a fumble that resulted in a touchdown, picked off a pass and had a sack for a safety. Memphis continues their turnaround season. Paxton Miller finished 21 for 35 with 219 yards, two interceptions and one interception. Memphis racked up 480 yards and forced three turnovers, while returning a 59-yard fumble for a touchdown. Brandon Hayes and Doroland Dorceus combined for 36 carries for 190 yards and a score. Memphis covered the 12-point spread and the score stayed under the over/under of 60.5.

Southern Methodist: SMU lost to Texas A&M in their home opener 58-6. The Mustangs might not only be the worst team in the American, but might be the worst time in the country. The Mustangs played in their first game since their coach June Jones resigned on September 8^th. Garrett Krstich, replaced ineffective Kolney Cassey in the second quarter, going 13 for 24 for 137 yards and added 33 yards on the ground on 14 carries. The Mustangs allowed seven sacks in the game. The Aggies were up 38-3 at halftime. Texas A&M outgained SMU 663 to 241 in the game. The Aggies covered the 33.5-point spread and it went over the over/under of 59. Could UConn be playing for last place in the American Conference and in the country in the last game of the season?