DALLAS – Weekday CUSA makes its triumphant return to the calendar as the league prepares for an 18-game slate of nationally televised games over the month of October.
 
The action begins with in-state foes Sam Houston and UTEP squaring off in the Sun City at 8 p.m. CT Thursday, and Jax State and Kennesaw State renew their rivalry as fellow CUSA members at 6 p.m. Friday.
 
The debut of Weekday CUSA in 2023 brought nine one-possession games and a pair of overtime contests, while road teams held a 12-7 advantage over the home squads.
 
SAM HOUSTON (4-1, 1-0 CUSA) AT UTEP (0-4, 0-1 CUSA)
Date: Thursday, Oct. 3
Time: 8 p.m. CT
Location: El Paso, Texas (Sun Bowl)
Broadcast: CBS Sports Network
Announcers: Alex DelBarrio (PxP), Taylor McHargue (Analyst)
All-Time Series: UTEP leads 1-0
 
Sam Houston and UTEP enter Thursday’s matchup on very different trajectories. The Bearkats are riding a three-game winning streak after a thrilling, 40-39 victory over rival Texas State last Saturday, while the Miners are still chasing their first win after an 0-4 start to the season.
 
With a top-20 rushing offense (216.0), Sam Houston’s run game should be imperative once again as they face a UTEP team that ranks 127^th nationally in rush defense (223.5). Quarterback Hunter Watson, last week’s CUSA Offensive Player of the Week, has rushed for 100+ yards in consecutive games and ranks ninth among all FBS quarterbacks in yards per game (67.6).
 
UTEP’s defense, which is tied for second in CUSA in sacks (2.25) and tackles for loss (6.8) per game, will look to get pressure on a Bearkats’ offensive line that has allowed 2.40 sacks and 7.0 TFL per game this season. The Miners also lead the league in passing yards allowed, surrendering just 189.8 yards per game through the air.
 
The Bearkats and Miners were responsible for one of the gems of last year’s Weekday CUSA slate as UTEP edged Sam Houston, 37-34, after overcoming a 27-13 deficit. Then-freshman kicker Buzz Flabiano drilled three field goals, including the game-winner with three ticks remaining.
 
JAX STATE (1-3) AT KENNESAW STATE (0-4)
Date: Friday, Oct. 4
Time: 6 p.m. CT
Location: Kennesaw, Ga. (Fifth Third Stadium)
Broadcast: CBS Sports Network
Announcers: Dave Ryan (PxP), Adam Breneman (Analyst)
All-Time Series: Kennesaw State leads 3-1
 
Friday marks the conference opener for both squads and the first CUSA football game in program history for the Owls as the Gamecocks make the brief, 85-mile trip across the border to Fifth Third Stadium.
 
Jax State is coming off a bye week and issued a 44-7 dismantling to Southern Miss in their last time on the gridiron. The Gamecocks dominated on both sides of the ball, racking up 509 yards of total offense and forcing six turnovers. Quarterback Tyler Huff ranks in the top-30 nationally in completion percentage (.681), yards per completion (14.19) and total offense (287.3).
 
Kennesaw State’s defense has forced a league-high five fumbles through the first four weeks but goes up against a Jax State team that has allowed the fewest fumbles (one) and turnovers (five) on the year. The Owls have had five different players record a fumble, including defensive back Jayven Williams, who also has a sack and recorded a pick-six against UT Martin last week.
 
Although a young rivalry, the matchups between the Gamecocks and Owls have already seen some fireworks. The two met at the Atlanta Braves’ Truist Park (then SunTrust Park) in 2018 in a five-overtime affair that ended in a 60-52 outcome in favor of Kennesaw State. In 2022, Jax State earned its first win over the Owls with a 35-28 triumph, which also went to overtime.