DALLAS – The third season of Weekday CUSA continues with a four-game slate on Wednesday and Thursday, including a key matchup of league unbeatens LA Tech and Kennesaw State at 6 p.m. CT on Thursday on ESPNU and five teams seeking their first conference win of the season.
 
MISSOURI STATE (2-3, 0-1 CUSA) AT MTSU (1-4, 0-1 CUSA)
Date: Wednesday, Oct. 8
Time: 6:30 p.m. CT
Location: Murfreesboro, Tenn. (Johnny “Red” Floyd Stadium)
Broadcast: ESPN2
Announcers: Clay Matvick (PxP), Chase Daniel (Analyst), Victoria Arlen (Reporter)
All-Time Series: MTSU leads 1-0
 
The outlook on this game largely hinges on whether quarterback Jacob Clark takes the field for Missouri State after exiting before halftime in the loss to WKU. However, true freshman Deuce Bailey managed to total 118 yards of total offense (57 passing, 61 rushing) with a touchdown straight off the bench against the Hilltoppers. On the other side, MTSU’s Nick Vattiato has overcome a relatively slow start to the year and averaged 274.7 yards per game on 62.3 percent passing in his last three games, while running back Jekail Middlebrook has averaged 88.3 yards per game and 7.4 yards per carry during that span.
 
LIBERTY (1-4, 0-1 CUSA) AT UTEP (1-4, 0-1 CUSA)
Date: Wednesday, Oct. 8
Time: 7 p.m. CT
Location: El Paso, Texas (Sun Bowl)
Broadcast: CBS Sports Network
Announcers: Alex Del Barrio (PxP), Adam Breneman (Analyst)
All-Time Series: Liberty leads 2-0
 
Liberty joins Missouri State in remaining hopeful of the return of its starting quarterback after Ethan Vasko missed the second half of the James Madison contest and the Old Dominion game. Vasko would provide a much-needed spark to the offense as he leads CUSA and ranks 18^th nationally in yards per completion (13.87). However, the matchup should be a tough one for both quarterbacks as the Flames (162.8) and Miners (185.6) both rank in the top 40 in FBS in passing yards allowed. UTEP’s Orange Swarm defense – which ranks 13^th in sacks (3.00) – looks to maintain its level of pressure against Liberty, who ranks 112^th in sacks allowed (2.80).
 
LA TECH (4-1, 2-0 CUSA) AT KENNESAW STATE (3-2, 1-0 CUSA)
Date: Thursday, Oct. 9
Time: 6 p.m. CT
Location: Kennesaw, Ga. (Fifth Third Stadium)
Broadcast: ESPNU
Announcers: Jorge Sedano (PxP), Rodney McLeod (Analyst)
All-Time Series: LA Tech leads 1-0
 
The most pivotal game of the week pits a pair of teams riding three-game winning streaks in the Bulldogs and Owls. The biggest matchup to watch is KSU quarterback Amari Odom against the relentless LA Tech defense, which leads the nation in defensive touchdowns (5), interceptions (11) and turnovers gained (13). Odom has attempted 65 consecutive passes without an interception during the hot stretch but has also accounted for two of the team’s three lost fumbles in the last two games. The Owls’ front, which ranks 39^th nationally in TFL (6.2) matches up with a Bulldog offense that ranks 120^th in TFL allowed (6.80).
 
JAX STATE (2-3, 1-0 CUSA) AT SAM HOUSTON (0-5, 0-2 CUSA)
Date: Thursday, Oct. 9
Time: 7 p.m. CT
Location: Houston, Texas (Shell Energy Stadium)
Broadcast: CBS Sports Network
Announcers: Jack Gordon (PxP), Taylor McHargue (Analyst)
All-Time Series: Jax State leads 7-6
 
The final game to kickoff this week presents an opportunity for two teams to stop its respective skid as the Gamecocks enter having lost two straight and the Bearkats remain winless on the year. Sam Houston looks to build on its best game yet from quarterback Hunter Watson, who completed 22-34 passes for a season-high 222 yards and a touchdown in last week’s loss to NM State. On the other side is a Jax State defense that is looking to establish some defensive momentum after allowing more than 40 points in its last two times out. Led by Cam Cook, the Gamecocks’ will again lean on the run as they rank sixth nationally in rushing offense (261.4).