October 17, 2004 in Sports

Arkansas State’s defense carries day against Troy

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Eric Neihouse kicked two second-half field goals to lead Arkansas State to a 13-9 victory over Troy State on Saturday in a Sun Belt Conference game in Jonesboro, Ark.

Neihouse’s 27-yard field goal with 12:44 left gave Arkansas State (2-5, 2-1) a 10-9 lead and his 24-yard field goal with 1:35 left put the Indians ahead by the final margin.

Both of his field goals came after big plays by the Indians defense, which turned in a season best showing by allowing the Trojans (3-3, 2-2) just nine points. The go-ahead score came after Josh Williams stopped Troy State’s DeWayne Batterson on the next-to-last play of the third quarter.

The field goal was set up when Stephen Tookes forced Batterson to fumble and Alex Peoples recovered with 6:36 left. The drive was kept alive when Jason Wood caught a pass for a 3-yard gain after it was deflected twice.

Clemson 35, Utah State 6

Reggie Merriweather had two of Clemson’s four rushing touchdowns and the Tigers (2-4) snapped a four-game losing streak with a victory over the Aggies (2-5) in Clemson, S.C.

The Tigers came into the season ranked in the Top 25, yet have fallen near the bottom of the Atlantic Coast Conference during their month-long slide. The team hoped a return home — it hadn’t played at Death Valley since Sept. 11 — and a struggling opponent in Utah State might be just the thing to revive its fading bowl hopes.

Clemson defenders had 11 sacks, the most in a game in coach Tommy Bowden’s six seasons, and held Utah State to minus-20 yards rushing. The Aggies lost their third straight.

La.-Monroe 28, Fla. Int. 20

Steven Jyles threw two touchdowns and ran for one as the Indians (2-4) rallied for a victory over the Panthers (2-2), ending a six-game home losing streak.

Louisiana-Monroe overcame a 17-0 deficit and scored 21 straight points, winning back-to-back games for the first time since 1999.

The Indians took their first lead with 5:16 left in the third quarter when Jyles found Floyd Smith for an 18-yard TD strike.

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