A pair of FCS teams are leading their SEC counterparts after one half of college football on Saturday. Here is the upset alert at halftime for early Week 2 games.
Usually, when FCS schools travel to play SEC teams, it is anticipated to be a paycheck game for the lower-subdivision program and an easy victory for the Power Five squad. But that’s why they play the games on the field.
Eastern Kentucky was up by double digits for much of the first half against the Kentucky Wildcats. Quarterback Tim Kevin Boyle went 7-of-9 for 57 yards and a touchdown, while Louisville transfer LJ Scott ran in a touchdown to boost their lead. Though they missed the extra point on the second touchdown, the Colonels still took a 13-10 halftime lead into the locker room.
South of Lexington, Ole Miss also found itself in trouble in the first half when they faced UT-Martin at home. Ladarius Galloway had piled up over 100 yards at running back for the Skyhawks, including this 59-yard burst through the Rebels defense for a touchdown.
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Galloway’s burst right through the heart of the Ole Miss line put the Skyhawks up 16-7. Ole Miss took a 17-16 lead into the locker room, though. The Rebels reclaimed the lead thanks to a late field goal by Gary Wunderlich and Shea Patterson‘s second touchdown pass of the game. But they are still nowhere in the clear.
The two teams demonstrated that the gulf between FBS and FCS schools is not always as big as advertised. Ole Miss and Kentucky will need to make major adjustments at halftime if they hope to prevent what could be two of the biggest upsets of September.
Eastern Kentucky gets the ball to start the second half. The Colonels could extend its lead back to double digits in the second half on the road. UT-Martin will be on defense to start the second half. Both have their SEC opponents on high alert at the intermission.
Looking beyond the SEC
Other teams on upset alert during early action on Saturday include Georgia Tech. The Yellow Jackets found themselves up just 10-7 at the half against FCS Jacksonville State in Atlanta. Paul Johnson‘s team struggled against the Gamecocks throughout the first half. The run-heavy triple option racked up just 80 rushing yards in the first two quarters.
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Outside of FCS versus FBS matchups, Buffalo took a 17-7 lead into the locker room against Army at West Point. Iowa was also locked in a close 14-10 battle with rival Iowa State, while Michigan and Wisconsin found themselves winning, but by smaller margins than expected against Cincinnati and Florida Atlantic respectively.