DALLAS - Liberty handled its business on Tuesday night, defeating Jax State 31-13 on the road in a battle of conference unbeatens, while Middle Tennessee earned a much-needed victory, knocking off Louisiana Tech 31-23 at home.
LIBERTY STAYS UNBEATEN, IS BOWL ELIGIBLE | Box Score
Liberty (6-0, 4-0 CUSA) kept its record unblemished, knocking off Jax State (5-2, 3-1 CUSA) 31-13 on the road Tuesday night to become the first CUSA team to reach bowl eligibility.
RB Quinton Cooley was fantastic for the Flames, showcasing the nation’s second-ranked rushing attack. Cooley finished with 28 carries for 163 yards and two touchdowns.
QB Kaidon Salter was 12-21 for 177 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions, while also carrying 10 times for 31 yards in the win. The Liberty defense now leads the nation in interceptions after Tuesday’s pair of picks lifted the Flames to 13 on the season, passing Oklahoma for the FBS lead.
LB Tyren Dupree finished with a game-high 12 tackles and a pass breakup, while
DB Brylan Green recorded his CUSA-leading fourth interception of the season, and
DB Kobe Singleton snagged his third. The Flames are one of 14 unbeaten teams remaining in the FBS, and with a win over Jax State continue to build their resume during their first season as a member of CUSA.
MTSU PICKS UP FIRST CUSA WIN, 31-23 | Box Score
Middle Tennessee (2-5, 1-2 CUSA) picked up a much-needed victory at home Tuesday night over Louisiana Tech (3-5, 2-2 CUSA), 31-23. LA Tech had an opportunity to try and tie things up late, but the Blue Raider defense stood up, forcing a turnover on downs to secure the victory, the team’s first since a Sept. 16 win over Murray State, also at home.
QB Nicholas Vattiato completed 23-29 passes for 248 yards with three total touchdowns (two passing, one rushing) and no interceptions in the win.
WR Holden Willis had four catches for 103 yards and a touchdown (a key 60-yard score in the fourth quarter). Defensively,
LB Parker Hughes led the Blue Raiders with nine tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, and a half sack in the win.
WEEKDAY CUSA CONTINUES WEDNESDAY
Wednesday night’s Weekday CUSA action gets started at 6:30 p.m. CT on Vice Night in Miami, as FIU (3-3, 0-3 CUSA) hosts UTEP (1-5, 0-2 CUSA) on
ESPN2. Both teams are in search of their first league win of the season, as both are coming off disappointing losses. FIU fell 34-17 on the road at New Mexico State last week, while UTEP was on a bye, but lost 24-10 at home to LA Tech on Sept. 29.
The Week 7 CUSA finale kicks off at 8 p.m. CT on CBS Sports Network when Sam Houston (0-5, 0-2 CUSA) makes the trip to Las Cruces to take on New Mexico State (3-3, 1-1 CUSA). Sam Houston fell again in heartbreaking fashion last week at Liberty 21-16, coming up just three yards shy of the upset, while New Mexico State took care of FIU 34-17 at home.