Around the Group of 5: Week 5

After five entertaining weeks of college football, the top teams in the Group of 5 are beginning to emerge, with many of them facing tough tests in the coming weeks.

To no one’s surprise anymore, the most entertaining game of the week featured Appalachian State. A team that can not seem to resist making their games come down to a single score continued that trend after eking out a one-point win over Louisiana Monroe.

The Warhawks of Louisiana Monroe were a machine on offense for the first three quarters, putting up 40 points on an App State defense that, aside from their game against UNC, has been strong this season.

Unfortunately for the Warhawks, their offense disappeared in the fourth quarter. Their four fourth-quarter possessions ended with a punt, fumble, a turnover on downs on the App State one-yard line and a punt.

App State quarterback Joey Aguilar had a strong showing, throwing for 335 yards while completing 27 of his 39 pass attempts. He did throw two interceptions, including one in the fourth quarter with his team trailing by three points.

However, after the Warhawks punted the ball back to the Mountaineers with 62 seconds left in the game, Aguilar led them into field goal range. Aguilar found wide receiver Kaedin Robinson three times in the final drive, totaling 44 yards.

With four seconds remaining in the game, App State was facing a 54-yard field goal. Kicker Michael Hughes nailed it, allowing the Mountaineers to escape with a 41-40 victory.

Texas State, the Colorado of the Group of 5, continues to impress. The Bobcats scored four touchdowns in just the first quarter en route to a 50-36 win against fellow Sun Belt member Southern Miss.

Former LSU and Auburn quarterback TJ Finley continued his resurgence with Texas State, contributing 338 yards and two touchdowns. Running back Ismail Mahdi returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown and proceeded to add three more rushing touchdowns in the first half.

Five Group of 5 teams remain undefeated, with two facing tough tests next weekend.

No. 24 Fresno State, the only ranked Group of 5 team, easily dismantled Nevada by a final score of 27-9 after jumping out to a 27-0 lead. They travel to Wyoming to take on a tough Cowboys team whose only loss this season has been to Texas.

Marshall defeated Old Dominion in an entertaining game despite 236 yards and three touchdowns from Old Dominion running back Kadarius Calloway.

After dispatching Virginia Tech two weeks ago, the Thundering Herd will travel to Raleigh next week to take on another ACC team in NC State.

James Madison won against South Alabama after withstanding a late rally from the Jaguars. The Dukes are off next week before facing Georgia Southern in Week 7.

Air Force easily handled San Diego State, while Liberty enjoyed their bye week.

Georgia State fell from the ranks of the unbeaten after their dynamic offense got stymied by reigning Sun Belt Champion Troy’s defense. The Panthers could only muster a touchdown as they suffered their first loss of the season by a score of 28-7

Georgia State will use their bye week next week to regroup before traveling to face undefeated Marshall in Week 7.

Alex Perez is a second-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, please email app5877@psu.edu.