EAST DIVISION:

EAST CAROLINA - The Pirates pulled off the season's first big upset, as they knocked off ACC power and then 17th-ranked Virginia Tech 27-22 on Saturday. T.J. Lee's blocked punt and subsequent 27-yard return for a touchdown with 1:52 left in the fourth quarter proved to be the difference. Patrick Pinkney completed an efficient 19-of-23 pass attempts for 211 yards and a touchdown and he also ran for a score. The Pirates, who upset Boise State in the Hawaii Bowl to end last season, became the first C-USA team to win consecutive games over a ranked opponent. Up next for ECU is a home bout against another nationally-ranked team in West Virginia.

MARSHALL - In their opener last weekend, the Thundering Herd handled Football Championship Subdivision member Illinois State 35-10. Redshirt freshman Mark Cann, making his first start, threw for 161 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. Darius Passmore was his main target with four catches for 111 yards and two scores, and Darius Marshall paced the ground attack with 115 yards and a touchdown on 20 attempts. The Thundering Herd will hit the road this weekend for a bout against a much tougher opponent in nationally-ranked Wisconsin.

MEMPHIS - The Tigers opened the 2008 campaign on a down note, as they were dropped by Ole Miss 41-24 this past weekend. Memphis, which has now lost 13 of the last 17 meetings between the schools, turned the ball over twice and was flagged for eight penalties. Arkelon Hall and Will Hudgens both saw time under center and they combined for 261 passing yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. The Tigers will kick off the C-USA portion of their schedule by hosting Rice next weekend.

SOUTHERN MISS - The Golden Eagles ran over their opponent this past weekend, using 427 rushing yards to defeat UL-Lafayette 51-21 in their opener. Damion Fletcher led the charge with a career-high 222 yards and two scores on 21 carries, as Southern Miss won Larry Fedora's debut as a head coach. Bubba Kirksey also cracked the century mark with 110 yards and a score on 20 carries, while quarterback Austin Davis added 63 yards and two touchdowns on 12 totes. Davis also threw for 206 yards and a pair of scores against one interception. The Eagles will hit the road this weekend for a tough bout against nationally-ranked Auburn.

UAB - The Blazers jumped right into the C-USA portion of their schedule this past weekend, but they were unable to protect their home field in a 45-22 setback to Tulsa. UAB held a 22-21 lead at the half, but couldn't generate any offense after the break. Joe Webb threw for 169 yards, two touchdowns and one interception, in addition to rushing for 136 yards. Frantrell Forrest caught a touchdown and returned a kickoff for another score in the losing effort. UAB will return to action this weekend with a matchup at Florida Atlantic.

UCF - The reining C-USA champions got their 2008 campaign off to a good start, as the Knights blanked Football Championship Subdivision member South Carolina State 17-0. It was the first shutout since 2001 for UCF, which also extended its home winning streak to seven games. The Knights' offense wasn't all that productive, but the defense was outstanding, limiting South Carolina State to just five first downs and only 126 yards of total offense. UCF will battle instate foe and nationally-ranked South Florida this weekend.

WEST DIVISION:

HOUSTON - The Cougars were offered very little resistance in their season- opener, as they trounced FCS member Southern, 55-3, this past weekend. The 55 points were the most Houston has scored in a season-opener since 1991, as head coach Kevin Sumlin won his debut at the helm of the program. Case Keenum had a sensational game for the Cougars, completing an efficient 33-of-43 tosses for 392 yard and five touchdowns. His main target was Mark Hafner, who hauled in seven balls for 103 yards and two scores. Houston will look to keep things going against Big 12 foe Oklahoma State this weekend.

RICE - The Owls jumped right into C-USA play this past week and notched a convincing 56-27 victory over SMU on Friday. Rice, which already matched its home win total from a year ago, featured a balanced attack of 208 yards rushing and 258 passing. Chase Clement was sensational in the win, throwing for 258 yards and six scores and rushing for a team-best 87 yards. Jarett Dillard was on the receiving end of three of those touchdowns and he finished with seven catches for 89 yards. The Owls and their high powered attack will stay within the league again this weekend with a date at Memphis.

SMU - The Mustangs picked up right where they left off last season, suffering a 56-27 setback to Rice this past week. SMU, which won just once last season, has now dropped 11 straight games dating back to 2007. Bo Levi Mitchell was 25-of-43 passing for 244 yards with three touchdowns and three interceptions, as June Jones had his head coaching debut at SMU spoiled. Emmanuel Sanders pulled down eight balls for 121 yards and a score, while Aldrick Robinson logged seven catches for 91 yards and two touchdowns. The Ponies will try to put an end to their losing ways against Texas State this weekend.

TEXAS-EL PASO - The Miners turned the ball over three times and were limited to just 67 rushing yards, as they lost their opener at Buffalo, 41-17, this past week. Trevor Vittatoe threw for 199 yards and a score, but he was picked off three times. Jamar Hunt had six receptions for 86 yards in the losing effort. UTEP will host nationally-ranked Texas this weekend.

TULANE - The Green Wave will kick off its season this weekend against nationally-ranked Alabama in Tuscaloosa. Tulane is coming off a 4-8 campaign, but with a decent amount of returning starters on each side of the ball, this team should be vastly improved. The Green Wave however, has dropped its last five season openers.

TULSA - For the third straight year, the Golden Hurricane won its season- opener, defeating UAB 45-22 in league action. David Johnson, making his first career start, threw for 332 yards and three touchdowns in leading the defending West Division champions. Brennan Marion pulled in four passes for a team-best 125 yards, and Charles Clay recorded three catches for 87 yards and a pair of scores. Tarrion Adams led the ground attack with 63 yards and two touchdowns on 12 carries. Tulsa will return to action this weekend with a trip to North Texas.