Weekend WAC action sees Bulldogs and Roadrunners remain perfect

Week 5 in the WAC followed a familiar pattern with Louisiana Tech and UTSA scoring wins to remain unbeaten, while Utah State and San Jose State continued their impressive starts to the season. Meanwhile, Idaho and New Mexico State both continued to struggle, suggesting there may be a definite divide within the conference.

Louisiana Tech Defeats Virginia

The free-scoring Bulldogs of Louisiana Tech moved to 4-0 on the season with a win at Virginia on Saturday.

Louisiana Tech (4-0) trailed 24-10 midway through the second quarter but a spell of 34 unanswered points was enough to ward off Virginia (2-3) of the ACC.

It was the second straight week in which the Bulldogs tallied 30 plus unanswered against a team from an automatic qualifying conference after a come from behind win last week in Illinois.

The Cavaliers put together two touchdown scoring drives in the fourth quarter but by then it was too little too late.

QB Colby Cameron had just one passing touchdown, a marked change on his output so far this season, but he also ran one in alongside a pair from Ray Holley. The Bulldogs defense assisted, picking off Virginia QB Michael Rocco three times, including one returned for a touchdown by Chip Hester.

The 44-38 final score marked the first time Louisiana Tech – the third leading scorers in the BCS – failed to pass 50 points in a game. Not that anybody on the team is complaining; the win keeps the Bulldogs’ undefeated streak alive and has the team looking strong to finish as WAC champions.

Next week the Bulldogs host UNLV (1-4) at Joe Aillet Stadium. Having lost four of its five opening contests, including this past weekend at Utah State, the Rebels are heavy underdogs (+24½) with oddsmakers expecting Louisiana Tech to build on its recent form.

UTSA Remains Unbeaten Ahead Of Bye Week

On the back of an excellent performance by QB Eric Soza, the surprising UTSA Roadrunners remain unbeaten this season.

The WAC’s other undefeated team, UTSA (5-0, 1-0 WAC) also continued its winning ways, upsetting the favored New Mexico State (1-4, 0-1 WAC) in the first conference game of the season.

The Roadrunners’ have looked impressive this season – its only year in the WAC ­– albeit against seemingly inferior competition. The win over the Aggies on Saturday stakes a claim that the team from San Antonio can hang with the big boys of the conference, at least for the moment.

The Roadrunners trailed 7-0 early before reeling off 28 unanswered points, including three strikes and a run all for scores from QB Eric Soza. The two teams traded touchdowns in the fourth quarter of a game that looked to be in UTSA’s control most of the way.

UTSA now has a week to rest and recuperate before visiting Rice (1-4) on October 13.

New Mexico State meanwhile prepares to travel to the winless Idaho. Both teams will be looking to take advantage of the other’s current woes.

Across the Conference

Utah State (4-1) continued its strong start to the season with a 35-13 win over UNLV (1-4). Barring a close loss in Week 3 to Wisconsin, the Aggies would be 5-0 and leading the conference. Things look a little tougher next week with a visit to Brigham Young (3-2) on the schedule.

At the other end of the spectrum, Idaho (0-5) continued to struggle, losing to North Carolina (3-2) in a 66-0 blowout. The Vandals will welcome intra-conference play and the visit of New Mexico State next week. The Aggies are the WAC’s other strugglers, and will be 10-point underdogs heading into the game.

San Jose State (4-1) defeated Navy in a low-scoring 12-0 affair. The Spartans have a bye this coming week before hosting Utah State in what will be both team’s first WAC game of the season.

Texas State (2-2) led Nevada (4-1) 21-20 at the half but failed to score after the break. The result puts the Bobcats at 2-2 ahead of this weekend’s game at New Mexico (2-3). The Lobos enter that game as three-point favorites.

Week 4 results (in full)

Nevada 34-21 TEXAS STATE

IDAHO 0-66 North Carolina

LOUISIANA TECH 44-38 Virginia

SAN JOSE STATE 12-0 Navy

UTSA 35-14 NEW MEXICO STATE

UNLV 13-35 UTAH STATE

 

Week 5 schedule (in full)

Conference games highlighted

UTAH STATE (4-1) @ Brigham Young (3-2) (Friday)

NEW MEXICO STATE (1-4) @ IDAHO (0-5)

TEXAS STATE (2-2) @ New Mexico (2-3)

UNLV (1-4) @ LOUISIANA TECH (4-0)

BYE: UTSA, San Jose State