After week 8 of the season, the Cougars own first place in the West division, while Temple holds first in the East. | File photo/The Cougar
Week eight of the college football season featured six intra-conference matchups, including three teams putting their undefeated seasons on the line.
Houston and UCF
The Cougars traveled to Orlando, Fla. looking to expel some demons against the University of Central Florida Knights.
Coming into the game, UH had lost back-to-back meetings with UCF on late plays which would have given the Cougars the win, including a goal-line fumble from quarterback Greg Ward Jr. last season.
This season, the Cougars made sure the win was never in doubt. Despite getting off to a slow start, Houston turned up the intensity in the second half, scoring 28 points in the third quarter to capture the 59-10 win.
Senior running back Kenneth Farrow rushed for 167 yards and three touchdowns in a short afternoon, carrying the ball just 13 times.
The Cougars remain perfect with the win, at 7-0 overall and 4-0 in the AAC, while UCF is left without a win, at 0-8 overall and 0-4 in conference play.
Temple and East Carolina
The University of Temple Owls were another team risking their perfect record on the road, as they were visiting the East Carolina University Pirates.
While the Pirates carried a 14-10 lead into half time, the Owls were able to mount a comeback in the fourth quarter, scoring 14 points to hold on to their perfect record.
Temple improved to 7-0 overall for the first time in school history, improving to 4-0 in the American, while ECU dropped to 4-4 on the year and 2-2 in the AAC.
Memphis and Tulsa
The University of Memphis came off a strong win over the University of Mississippi to return to conference play against the University of Tulsa, hoping to avoid any kind of hang-over from the previous week.
The two teams put their offenses on full display, combining for 108 total points in four quarters, as the Tigers clawed their way to a 66-42 win.
The combined point total of the two teams is the most in the Football Bowl Subdivision this season, and Memphis quarterback put on a passing display, going 32 of 44 passing with four touchdowns and 447 total yards in the air.
With the win, Memphis also remains lossless this season, moving to 7-0 overall and 3-0 in conference play, while Tulsa falls to 3-4 and 0-3 respectively.
Tulane and Navy
The United States Naval Academy played host to the Tulane University Green Wave, looking to stay perfect in conference play and keep close with Memphis and Houston.
The Midshipmen handled business against the Green Wave as they capitalized on three forced turnovers to protect home field with the 31-14 win.
Navy improves to 5-1 this year, remaining perfect in conference play at 3-0, while Tulane sits at 2-5 overall and just 1-3 in AAC play.
SMU and USF
Both Southern Methodist University and the University of South Florida entered their game on Saturday with streaks, one hoping to continue theirs and one hoping to buck theirs.
The Mustangs were owners of a four-game losing streak, while the Bulls looked to improve their win-streak to three-straight games at home.
USF dominated SMU on the ground, outgaining them 255 yards to just 132 on the ground, and they powered their way to a 38-14 win, keeping their streak alive.
The Bulls improve to 4-3 on the season and pick up their second conference win, moving to 2-1 in the AAC, while SMU falls to 1-6 overall and winless in the AAC at 0-3.
UConn and Cincinnati
The University of Connecticut and the University of Cincinnati wrap up the weekend’s action, with the Bearcats looking for their first conference win of the year.
Behind 327 passing yards from quarterback Gunner Kiel and 140 yards from Hosey Williams on the ground, the Bearcats powered their way to a 37-13 win over the Huskies.
The Bearcats move to 4-3 on the year and 1-2 in the American, while UConn falls to 3-5 overall and 1-3 in AAC play.
Temple remains atop the East division with a 4-0 record, while Houston sits solely in first place in the West. Houston also holds a 4-0 record, but has Memphis and Navy nipping at their heels at 3-0 in the AAC.
