OSM{WKU} 54, LA-Lafayette 21

October 23--What happened? After losing their last 26 games and their last 32 games against FBS opponents and three days short of two years wearing the Original Shame Mask, the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers finally won a game. And they won convincingly.

The first quarter featured two long drives for WKU. The first ended in a missed 42-yard field goal attempt, but on the second, the field goal was good, giving WKU a 3-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.

The second quarter had to be best quarter WKU has played in their four years at the FBS level (the first two were transitioning). They started with a 69-yard interception return for a touchdown from Jamarcus Allen. Okay, so maybe they celebrated a bit too much because they allowed a 52-yard touchdown run to LA-Lafayette's QB Chris Masson three plays later, but WKU countered with a 15-play drive capped by a 1-yard touchdown run by quaterback Kawaun Jakes. On the following drive, the LA-Lafayatte punter fumble the snap, and two plays later, WKU got another touchdown. After forcing to LA-Lafayette to turn it over on downs, the WKU two-minute drill got a field goal as time expired to take a 27-7 lead into the half.

The Hilltoppers poured it on in the second half, too. Two interceptions in the first five minutes of the fourth quarter, one returned 62 yards for a touchdown by Derrius Brooks, sealed the WKU victory.

It was a very efficient day for Kawaun Jakes. He completed 18 of 22 passes for 262 yards and a touchdown, and he also ran 4 times for 28 yards and two touchdowns.

Hearty congratulations to Western Kentucky!

But I am saddened just a twinge. Had WKU lost, their upcoming game with Golden Gopher Shame Mask-wearing North Texas would have brought shame mask unity at long last, but to no avail. Next week, LA-Lafayette (2-5) tries to send the Original Shame Mask back to the MAC when they travel to Athens to take on Ohio.

Florida International 34, GGSM{North Texas} 10

Saturday, October 16--It had been nearly two years since North Texas last took to the field with a Shame Mask around its neck. (Assuming whatever the Mean Green is, it has a neck.) Since then, they have gone 3-18. And things didn't really turn around against Florida International. FIU jumped out to a 27-3 lead by halftime and never looked back.

Since 2007, North Texas is 6-37. However, three of those six wins have come over Western Kentucky, the Mean Green's next opponent after their bye week. This is especially exciting since Western Kentucky currently wears the Original Shame Mask (which they got from North Texas in their 2008 match up). WKU still must play at LA-Louisiana, but there could be some really nice Shame Mask football on October 30.

LA-Monroe 35, OSM{WKU} 30

Saturday, October 16--Shame Mask heartbreak in Bowling Green! Western Kentucky took a 17-0 lead late in the second quarter only to see LA-Monroe respond with a touchdown two minutes later. This did not get the Hilltoppers down, as they restored their 17-point lead late in the third quarter.

And then the wheels fell off. The Warhawks of LA-Monroe scored touchdowns at the 14:20, 7:45, and 3:35 marks in the fourth quarter to take the lead and then for good messure Robert Nelson returned an inception 55 yards for a touchdown to make it 28 unanswered points in 15 minutes of playing time.

Now, WKU did counter quickly by scoring a touchdown wit 50 seconds remaining, but they could not recover the onside kick afterwards which allowed LA-Monroe to run out the clock on their come-from-behind win.

Next up: The Hilltoppers travel to LA-Lafayette.

Oklahoma State 54, GGSM{LA-Lafayette} 28

Friday, October 8--The Ragin' Cajuns welcomed Oklahoma State to Lafayette, and for a brief moment looked like they might be able to shock the 22nd-ranked Cowboys and hand them their first loss.

With Oklahoma State up 10-0, LA-Lafayette mounted a 13-play, 82-yard drive capped at the beginning of the second quarter with a 1-yard touchdown run by Blaine Gautier. Oklahoma State countered quickly with another touchdown, however. After a trade of punts, LA-Lafayette took control of the second quarter. Ragin' Cajuns QB Chris Masson connected with James Butler for a 35-yard touchdown pass, and then two plays later, an interception set up Masson's second touchdown pass with just 36 seconds remaining in the half. This gave LA-Lafayette an unexpected 21-17 halftime lead.

It didn't last long. This is when I turned on the game. Oklahoma State stormed out of the locker room going 68 yards in just 7 plays for a touchdown. On the next play, Masson threw an interception, and 5 plays and 67 yards later, Oklahoma State scored their second touchdown in the first 4:10 of the second half. This is when I turned off the game.

This means I did miss a Rajun' Cajun kickoff return for a touchdown and several Oklahoma State field goals.

Next up: at Troy

GGSM{LA-Lafayette} 28, North Texas 27

Argh! A true Shame Mask classic! Check out the stats (brought to us by the Gangster Museum of America on the Sun Belt Channel's broadcast) Total yardage: North Texas 370, LA-Lafayatte 369. But it is of course the points that really matter.

In the second quarter, the LA-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns took a 14-0 lead early in the second quarter when Lance Kelley returned a fumble 40 yards for a touchdown. The North Texas Mean Green countered with a touchdown of their own, but then LA-Laf's Chris Masson threw a 82-yard touchdown to Aaron Spikes. North Texas wasn't down for the count yet, though, and Riley Dodge threw a 37-yard touchdown to Alex Lott to cut their halftime deficit to 21-14.

However, LA-Lafayette struck quickly in the second half with Masson going 60 yards for a touchdown, this time to Javone Lawson. However, ahead 28-14, the Ragin' Cajun offense went into a tailspin, getting a first down on only one of their next five possessions, and they ended with four punts and a missed field goal.

The Mean Green had a rough third quarter, but they turned it on in the fourth. An 11-play, 72-yard drive capped by a 3-yard run from Lance Dumbar cut the lead to 28-21. Then on 4th and 8 at the North Texas 41 and 5 minutes to play, LA-Lafayatte elected to play field position and punted, giving North Texas 4:54 to 91 yards. Lance Dunbar and Riley Dodge rose to the challenge (overcoming back-to-back false starts on the third-string center). Down the field they went, with Dodge throwing a 4-yard shovel pass to Darius Carey for a touchdown with 31.7 seconds remaining.

But LA-Lafayette blocked the extra point! LA-Lafayette blocked the extra point in the final minute to win 28-27!

Exciting times for the Sun Belt. Both Shame Masks are worn by Sun Belt teams. North Texas hosts Arkansas State and Florida International and then have a week off before going to Western Kentucky. The be-Shame-Masked Western Kentucky was idle this week plays Florida International, LA-Monroe, and LA-Lafayette before their duel with North Texas.

GGSM{MTSU} 34, LA-Lafayette 14

Sept. 25--MTSU did not like getting that Shame Mask and wanted to shake it loose as quickly as possible. They got help from LA-Lafayette, who fumbled on their first play from scrimage and then had a field goal blocked later in the first quarter. However, MTSU could only get three first quarter points. The second quarter saw a flurry of scoring from both teams, netting three more points for MTSU giving them a 20-14 lead at halftime. Two big third quarter plays--a 62-yard touchdown pass from Logan Kilgore to Malcolm Beyah and a 74-yard touchdown run by D.D. Kyles--sealed the victory for Blue Raiders.

South Florida 24, OSM{WKU} 12

Sept. 25--Western Kentucky went down to Tampa to take on South Florida. Both teams started sluggishly with the first score not coming until only 5:09 left in the second quarter when South Florida running back Moise Plancher scored from 13 yards out. South Florida added two more touchdown in the third quarter before Western Kentucky again tried to rally. On the season, the Hilltoppers have won their fourth quarters by a combined 40-38. The problem is being outscored 136-31 in first three quarters.

GGSM{Memphis} 24, MTSU 17

Sept. 18--Again shame on me for waiting so long to acknowledge this. Congratulation to Memphis on finally shaking loose the Golden Gopher Shame Mask!

In a close game, one stat jumps out at me as something that made the difference--MTSU 4 turnovers, Memphis 0. Two of MTSU's three interceptions led directly to Memphis touchdowns. This is tough to overcome.

The loss snapped an eight-game losing streak for the Tigers. Congratulations again, Memphis!

Indiana 38, OSM{WKU} 21

Sept. 18--First, shame on me for getting behind.

Homestanding Western Kentucky had a mixed start against the Hoosiers. Indiana returned the opening kickoff 87 yards, but then two plays later they fumbled at the six. WKU recovered and then put together a nice 10-play, 91-yard touchdown drive. Thanks to a missed field goal, the Hilltoppers held this 7-0 lead into the second quarter, but then Indiana took control. Fifteen seconds before halftime, Indiana scored a touchdown to take a 17-7 lead and then successfully recovered an onside kick. Sort of unfair, if you ask me. Did it demoralize the Hilltoppers? Who can say? Indiana extended the lead to 31-7 by the end of the third quarter, but then WKU won the fourth quarter two touchdowns to one.