DALLAS - WKU won its seventh straight game, knocking off Marshall 53-21 in Huntington, West Virginia, on Saturday to claim the Conference USA East Division title, and with it a spot in the 2021 Conference USA Championship Game against 11-1 UTSA in San Antonio on Friday, Dec. 3, at 6 p.m. CT. That was just one big moment from Saturday's six C-USA contests, which added to Friday's win by UAB over UTEP to get the Blazers to 8-4.

2021 Ryan Conference USA Championship
UTSA (11-1, 7-1 C-USA) vs. WKU (8-4, 7-1 C-USA)
Friday, Dec. 3
6 p.m. CT
CBS Sports Network

WKU 53, Marshall 21
WKU QB Bailey Zappe, was excellent again on Saturday in WKU’s 53-21 win at Marshall, which clinched the C-USA East Division title and a spot in the 2021 Ryan Conference USA Championship Game in San Antonio on Friday, Dec. 3, at 6 p.m. CT. Zappe completed 25-48 passes for 328 yards and four touchdowns with no interceptions in the victory, WKU’s seventh straight. Zappe is now the record-holder in C-USA (and WKU) history for single-season passing touchdows, with 52 (in 12 games). He also moved into sixth in C-USA history in single-season passing yardage, with 4,968 thus far. Zappe is now tied for fourth in FBS history, just eight touchdown passes shy of Joe Burrow’s record, set in 2019, with two games to go (championship game and bowl game).

WKU’s defense clamped down in the second half, allowing just seven points after surrendering 14 in the first half. The defense also scored via a pick six, and the Hilltoppers forced a pair of turnovers in the win.

North Texas 45, No. 22 UTSA 23
North Texas picked up its fifth consecutive win to become bowl eligible at 6-6, rebounding from a 1-6 start. The Mean Green did so by knocking off previously unbeaten and CFP No. 22 UTSA 45-23 on Saturday in Denton. UNT capitalized on three Roadrunner turnovers, which the Mean Green turned into 21 points.  The nation’s fifth-ranked rushing attack entering play this week rolled up 340 yards on the ground on the normally stingy UTSA defense, highlighted by a pair of 100-yard rushers in DeAndre Torrey (23 carries for 108 yards and three scores) and Ikaika Ragsdale (19 carries for 146 yards and two touchdowns). 

Old Dominion 56, Charlotte 34
Old Dominion won its fifth consecutive game, defeating Charlotte 56-34 at home on Saturday, clinching bowl eligibility. RB Blake Watson finished with 18 carries for 115 yards and two scores, while WR Ali Jennings had the fifth-most receiving yards in a single game in Conference USA history, hauling in nine catches for 252 yards and three touchdowns in the win. The Monarchs, like North Texas, started the season 1-6, and each are now bowl eligibility. ODU did not play in 2020, and in 2019, went 1-11, illustrating the impressive job done by head coach Ricky Rahne.

Middle Tennessee 27, Florida Atlantic 17
Middle Tennessee knocked off Florida Atlantic 27-17 in Boca Raton to become bowl eligible. The Blue Raiders used a 17-point fourth quarter to come back to beat the Owls Saturday night. Middle also nabbed its sixth defensive touchdown of the season, when DE Jordan Ferguson returned a fumble (forced by LB DQ Thomas) 71 yards for a touchdown to push the Blue Raiders’ lead to 27-17 in the final two minutes of the game. Thomas finished with 10 tackles, two sacks, 2.5 tackles for loss and a forced fumble in the win. DL Zaylin Wood blocked a kick, recorded a half sack and made a highlight-reel touchdown grab in the win.

UAB 42, Rice 25 (Friday)
UAB bounced back from a heartbreaking loss a week ago in San Antonio to close out their regular season at 8-4, winning on Senior Day, 42-25 over UTEP at Protective Stadium. The Blazers outscored the Miners 28-8 in the second half to race to victory, largely thanks to an effective day on the ground. UAB rushed for 220 yards, despite losing starting RB DeWayne McBride to injury in the first half (seven carries for 99 yards and a score). 

Rice 35, LA Tech 31
Rice won its fourth game of the season when the Owls knocked off Louisiana Tech 35-31 on Senior Day. Rice trailed 31-21 with under five minutes to go, utilizing a late punt return to help set up the go-ahead score. QB TJ McMahon connected with WR Cedric Patterson III on a three-yard scoring strike in the final minute to complete the comeback. Patterson finished with five grabs for 93 yards and two scores, and RB Cameron Montgomery carried 10 times for 95 yards and the first two touchdowns of his collegiate career in the win.

Southern Miss 37, FIU 17
Will Hall’s Southern Miss Golden Eagles finished their season on a high note, winning their last two games, including Saturday’s 37-17 win on Senior Day over FIU. The Super Back system was effective again, as Frank Gore, Jr. and Antavious Willis combined to go 8-9 for 122 yards and two touchdowns, while Southern Miss also ran for 322 yards in the win. Gore totaled four touchdowns on the day (two passing, two rushing), and RB Dajon Richard carried 16 times for 107 yards and a score.

2021 Conference USA Standings

2021 Conference USA Statistics