There were no surprises in the race for the Southern Conference crown as Chattanooga rolled to remain unbeaten. Samford, VMI and Wofford all won as well to stay at one loss in the conference race. The Citadel continued to win in an out of conference game.
# 7 The Citadel 38 North Greenville 14 (box score)
With Hurricane Matthew headed for the South Carolina low country, The Citadel Bulldogs were forced to travel upstate to take on the Division II North Greenville Crusaders. With their practice week cut short, the unexpected travel (8 hour bus trip), and accommodations at a nearby Christian summer camp, the Bulldogs really needed to stay focused on beating a very good Crusader team who has claimed more than one FCS scalp over the last few years. Upstate Bulldogs fans and many low country evacuees in Citadel blue descended on Tigerville, SC for the game. In fact, an attendance record for NGU’s Younts Stadium was set for this game as 5435 attended the first meeting between these schools. In the end, the Bulldogs got it done, but it appeared touch and go initially.
The Dogs took their opening drive 76 yards only to stall on a 4th and goal from the 1. After holding the Dogs, NGU ran one rushing play to get some breathing room, which was stuffed by the Dogs. Crusader QB Will Hunter then tossed a pass on a crossing route that connected with Javon Smith in full stride and he took it to the house. That is the way to start if you are a Div II school looking to upset an FCS ranked team. But the Dogs got it in gear on their next series and went 59 yards in 5 plays to tie it up on a 17 yard TD run by Reggie Williams.
The Crusaders took their next possession 32 yards on 6 plays before giving it up on downs at The Citadel 43 yard line. After the teams traded punts, The Citadel quickly took it 61 yards on 4 plays to go ahead 14-7. Rod Johnson scored the TD on a 49 yard run. After forcing another NGU punt it looked like the Dogs were finally taking control as they drove 48 yards in 8 plays to NGU 10. But a careless fumble on a second effort by Reggie Williams gave it back to the Crusaders. Two plays later, in a déjà vu nightmare for the Dogs, Will Hunter again connected with a wide open Javon Smith after The Citadel defender fell and the Crusaders tied it up at 14 with 5:39 to go in the half.
After the Crusaders attempted a sky hook kickoff in an attempt to recover, one of The Citadel up men called for a fair catch while back peddling to the 35. He caught it clean and was promptly hit by a Crusader which gained the Dogs 15 penalty yards. The whole situation apparently lit a fire under the Bulldog offense which had been a little sluggish so far. On first and ten from their 48 yard line, Cam Jackson took the pitch and sprinted off 52 yards for the go ahead score to make it 21-14.
The teams traded punts again with NGU doing a pretty good job of containing The Citadel B-Back Tyler Renew. NGU got the ball back with 1:07 to go in the half and was moving it well when the Dogs got some good pressure on the Crusader QB and he was hit as he threw it. The injured duck throw, with no time left on the clock, went right to, none other than Bulldog defender Dee Delaney who promptly wove his way to the end zone for a 78 yards TD return. But a flag brought it back. Apparently after the NGU QB had been taken down, one of the Citadel players was blocking him as he was on the ground trying to get up and get Delaney before he scored. After the penalty was marked off, with no time on the clock, The Citadel ran one play and headed into the half with a slim lead and a scare.
The second half would be all Dogs as they wore down the capable Crusaders. In the first half, NGU racked up an impressive 297 yards of offense, with the 99 and 90 yard TD passes accounting for the lion’s share of those. The Crusaders would only get a total of 75 yards in the second half. The Dogs would score on 3 of 4 of their second half possessions, not counting their 5th possession which they drove 78 yards and ended in a victory formation in a sportsmanlike gesture.
On the night, the Dogs rolled up 599 yards of offense which is good for the 7th highest total in Bulldog history. It was 3 yards less than the WCU game last week. It included 559 rushing yards, which is good for the #2 spot on the highest rushing total in a game for the Bulldogs. On the night, the Bulldogs went 3-6 through the air for 40 yards with 1 TD toss for 30 yards. Even with all those rushing yards, only one Bulldog had a 100 yard rushing game. Cam Jackson tallied 107 yards on 6 carries. The Dogs spread it around quite a bit with 3 other runners gaining 80+ and 2 more with 70+. The Citadel gained 33 first downs and went 7/15 on 3rd down tries and 2/3 on 4th downs.
Although the Dog defenders had a great second half, the Crusaders did gain 372 on the night with over half of those yards coming on just 2 plays. They did hold NGU to just 56 yards on the ground for the night. Dee Delaney snagged his 3rd interception of the year as well. Bulldog defender also recorded 11 tackles for loss including 3 sacks. Another bonus for the Bulldog defense is that their offense held the ball for an outrageous 39:08.
The Bulldogs were outstanding on special teams. On kickoffs, the average return for NGU was 13 yards, while the Dogs averaged nearly 30 a return. DeAndre Schoultz returned 5 punts for the Dogs with an average of 9.2 yards per return, including a long of 27 yards. Although the Dogs did better in keeping down penalties (3-40), they had a costly one that erased the pick six.
The Dogs probably never doubted the outcome. They went about the game in a fairly business-like manner and were not fazed by the two big NGU plays. The Dogs were no doubt a little distracted, but got it done with no injuries and a bonus of 2 extra days in which to prepare for what could be the deciding game for the SOCON championship next week against Chattanooga.
#19 Samford 38 Furman 21 (box score)
The Furman Paladins needed a win badly after starting 0-5. It didn’t start out well for them going 3 and out on their first possession. The Samford Bulldogs promptly took the ball 59 yards in 5 plays to go up 7-0. After a poor kickoff return, the Paladins got one first down before stalling. At this point Furman took a calculated risk and went for it on a fourth and inches at its own 34. The risk did not pay off as Samford stuffed them and then took just three plays to score again for a 14-0 lead with 7:53 to go in the first. On their next possession, just when it looked like the Paladins were able to start moving the ball, things got worse as they fumbled near mid-field. They got a reprieve though as Bulldogs QB Devlin Hodges fumbled himself on a 4th and 1 from the Furman 39. Furman struck back quickly and two plays later connected on a 51 yard toss to the Samford 2. Four plays later Samford had the ball again after holding Furman scoreless in a stubborn goal line fight.
After the teams traded punts to take it into the second quarter, Furman started to drive again. They were aided by more than 1 penalty that kept them moving in the right direction. That was enough to allow Reese Hannon to take one in as he weaved his way through more than one defender on a 36 yard rushing score to make it 14-7.
Furman’s defense again did their part by forcing Samford to punt, for the fourth straight time. But Furman’s inconsistent offense stumbled again and they punted it back to the Bulldogs. This time Samford wasted no time and scored quickly in 4 plays to gain back a 14 point lead. Samford’s offense is certainly explosive with its first three scoring drives taking an average of just 4 plays and 1:06 each.
Samford scored again on their next drive, but it took an interminable two minutes, by Samford standards, and Furman’s defense held them to a field goal making it 24-7. With 2:37 to go before half, the Furman offense had one more chance to redeem themselves before half. They did. Resse Hannon orchestrated an 11 play 80 yard drive to cut its deficit to 24-14 at the half. Hannon went 7/11 on the drive including converting a fourth and 6. Furman scored on a 16 yard toss by Hannon.
After trading punts to start the third, Samford missed a 39 yard field goal. After Furman again had to punt, Samford went to town on a 7 play, 85 yard drive that took 2:21. As the fourth quarter started, down 31-14, Furman could ill afford to give it back to the Bulldogs at this point. They didn’t. Reese Hannon again drove the Paladins for a score on a 7 play, 66 yard drive to make it 31-21 with 12:59 to go in the game. But Samford answered right back with a long drive of their own, to make it 38-21. Samford drive took over 4 minutes and went 84 yards in 9 plays. More importantly, Samford ran more than they had been, including the score which was a 7 yard scamper by Hodges.
Furman was up against the wall at this point. They drove well until Hannon tossed his first interception of the day deep in Samford territory. That basically ended it for the Paladins with under 5 minutes to go.
Furman’s defense, which started the year so well, gave up 517 yards on the day. Devlin Hodges, Samford prolific QB, finished the day going 27/38 and 411 yards, with 3 TDs and 1 interception. As mentioned, just as impressive, is that Samford finally got their running game going, at least a little bit. They gained 106 on the day, but that was huge improvement for them. Furman’s Reese Hannon finished 30-50 for 301 with 2 TDs and 1 interception. On the day, Furman gained an impressive 415 yards, but it could not match Samford’s explosive passing attack.
Samford (4-1, 2-1) remains on track to be a runner up in the SOCON race and snag a playoff berth. Having lost to The Citadel, UTC, and now Samford, it should only get easier for the Furman Paladins.
Samford faces off against a dangerous VMI squad next week. Furman fans are hopeful the Paladins will find a win next week at ETSU.
VMI 37 ETSU 7 (box score)
The ETSU Bucs traveled to Lexington, Virginia to face the Keydets of VMI on Saturday. After trading punts to start to game, VMI took it 72 yards on 7 plays highlighted by a 32 yard pass from Al Cobb to Dane Forlines and a 19 yard run by Alex Keys. VMI scored on a 1 yard run by Keys. After forcing ETSU to punt, VMI’s capable offense went to work again. This time they drove 80 yards in 6 plays and scored on a 54 yard toss by Cobb to make it 14-0 with seconds remaining in the first quarter. After trading three punts, the Keydets again scored on a long pass. This time it was a 45 yard toss by Cobb to cap off a 7 play 80 yard drive.
VMI took it the distance again on their next drive as well. This time on a 7 play, 55 yard drive to make it 27-0 with 24 seconds to go in the half. They had the extra point blocked. The Keydets racked up 265 yards in the first half. ETSU punted on all five of their possessions, but they never went 3 and out and totaled 123 yards by the half.
Things didn’t start well in the second half for the Bucs of ETSU. On their first play from scrimmage, Bucs QB Austin Herink threw an interception. But VMI could not capitalize and punted it back after a three and out. The VMI defense continued to be perfect and forced ETSU to punt yet again. VMI then scored on a 51 yard field goal which is pretty good, especially considering VMI’s field goal woes this year.
The Bucs were still playing hard and they halted VMI on their next drive at the goal line. Likewise the Keydet defense held firm and forced an eighth punt by the Bucs. Now in the 4th quarter and up 30-0, VMI wisely took Cobb out of the game and started to work on their running game. With their back up QB in, VMI didn’t move it well, but the Keydet defense continued holding the Bucs. ETSU almost got on the board following a VMI interception but missed a 47 yard field goal try.
VMI scored again on a 73 yard TD romp to make it 37-0 with under 5 minutes to go in the game. On the Buc’s final drive they finally had some success as they drove 73 yards on 10 plays for a TD to avoid the shutout. The drive was highlighted by a 38 yard toss by ETSU’s back up QB Nick Sexton.
VMI’s Al Cobb finished the day 14/20 with 212 yards, 3 TDs and no interceptions. Overall, VMI had 458 yards with 233 on the ground. VMI had a good balanced attack on offense. The Keydet runners were led by Tyain Smith with 97 yards. ETSU’s Austin Herink went 11/23 and 109 yards with no TDs and 1 interception. ETSU’s offense struggled, gaining just 262 yards for the day.
VMI now 3-2 and 1-1 in the SOCON is stringing together what could be its best season in years. They face Samford on the road next week in what will no doubt be a duel between Hodges and Cobb. ETSU will face a downtrodden Furman team at home.
# 5 Chattanooga 52 Mercer 31 (box score)
After an upset loss last year, the Chattanooga Mocs were going to be prepared for the Mercer Bears this year. They proved they were ready from the first whistle. After the Mocs defense held Mercer to a three and out, the Mocs offense went to work. They executed a methodical 65 yard drive in 11 plays for their first score. The big play of the drive being a 34 yard pass by Mocs QB Alejandro Bennifield to the Mercer 9.
On Mercer’s next possession, they went 12 plays for 62 yards but had to settle for a 30 yard field goal. The Mocs answered right back in what could be called the Derrick Craine drive. The Mocs rusher ran three times for 75 yards during the 5 play 79 yard drive, including a 25 yard TD run. When Mercer was forced to punt again after a three and out, UTC, or rather Craine turned up the heat. Craine took the second play of the drive to the house on a 54 yard run to make it 21-3 at the beginning of the second quarter. It didn’t get any better for the Bears. After another 3 and out, the Mocs drove 51 yards in 9 plays to gain another 3 on a 20 yard field goal to make it 24-3. But things went from bad to worse for the Bears.
On their next possession, on a third and 5 from the Mercer 33, Bears QB John Russ threw an uncharacteristic interception to give the Mocs a short field. Chattanooga capitalized on the turnover to go up 31-3 with just over three minutes to go in the half. The Mocs defense did their part yet again and forced another three and out on the Mercer offense. With just 1:30 to go before the half, the Mocs offense was not done and cranked out a 7 play 57 yard drive to go up 38-3 with 18 seconds to go in the half. The drive was aided by a roughing the passer penalty. Penalties have previously plagued Mercer, but they avoided them in the first half fairly well getting flagged just twice for 28 yards. UTC simply dominated the Bears in the first half. The Mocs rolled up 338 yards prior to the break. The Mocs defense was just as impressive holding Mercer to just 65 yards.
As good as the Mocs did in the first half they started out the second half with two scares. First, Craine went down hard on a play and left the game. Mercer ended up holding the Mocs on their opening possession and forced a punt, their first of the game. Then the Bears, who were still playing like they were in it, blocked the punt and took over at the UTC 26. A penalty took it to the 13 and the Bears punched it in on a 13 yard run up the middle by Alex Lakes to make it 38-10. Mercer took a risk on the ensuing kickoff with an onside kick, but they did not recover and the Mocs started with great field possession and made them pay. The Mocs scored on a 5 play drive when Bennifield wove his way for a 21 yard TD run.
Any hope the Bears had evaporated on the next drive when John Russ tossed his second interception of the game on a tipped ball for a pick six to make it 52-10 half way through the third quarter. Mercer tried to make it respectable scoring again in the third on a long ball tossed by Russ, but their next drive was marred by two unsportsmanlike penalties on offensive lineman Avery White. The Bears scored twice in the fourth to make it a 52-31 final, but it wasn’t nearly that close.
Bennifield finished 23/32 for 258 yards with 4 TDs and no interceptions. Derrick Craine ended up with 162 yards rushing on 17 attempts with one TD through a little more than half the game before he went out. By all accounts he is ok and the Mocs simply kept him out as a precaution. The Mocs held onto the ball for over 36 minutes and totaled 532 yards on the day.
The Bears made it respectable on paper in the second half and gained 340 yards on the day. John Russ ended the day going 18/28 for 222 yards with 1 TD and 2 interceptions. Mercer gained just 118 on the ground.
Chattanooga is now 6-0, 4-0 and faces its biggest remaining challenge next week when it travels to Charleston to meet the undefeated Bulldogs of The Citadel. Mercer, now 2-3, 1-2, will attempt to regroup as it faces Western Carolina at home.
Wofford 31 Western Carolina 19 (box score)
The Wofford Terriers traveled to Cullowhee NC to face the Western Carolina Catamounts on Saturday. The Terriers were 4th in the FCS in rushing coming into the game. Western took their first drive the distance behind the arm of Tyrie Adams for 75 yards in 10 plays to go up 6-0. Adams was 8/9 on this drive. They missed the PAT. Wofford took their first drive 57 yards before the Cats held them. Facing a 4th a 7 in no-man’s land, Wofford elected to try a 57 yard field goal…and they hit it to make it 7-3. WCU then took it 54 yards in 14 plays only be held and they were also forced to kick a FG to make it 9-3.
As the first quarter came to a close, Wofford began a statement drive of 80 yards in 10 plays and scored on a 35 yard reverse to go up 10-9. The Wofford defense got into the act next and picked off Adams to give the Terriers great field position. Wofford made the Cats pay and drove it 38 yards in 8 plays to score again for a 17-9 score. The teams traded punts 4 times to take it into the half.
Wofford took their opening drive of the second half 75 yards in 10 plays to extend the Terrier lead to 24-9. After a three and out by both teams, WCU got a drive going which included a hard fought 20 yard run by WCU back Detrez Newsome on a third and ten. That must have sparked the Cats who scored 3 plays later on a 14 yards pass to Newsome to make it 24-16.
Back within striking distance, the Cats defense again rose up and made a stop helped by a fumbled Wofford snap. After the punt, Western began their drive as the fourth quarter started. Luck was with them as a crazy fumble was recovered by none other than Newsome who made something out of nothing. Adams hit receiver after receiver to move it deep into Wofford territory. But the drive stalled in the red zone and WCU had to settle for a field goal to close the deficit to 5 at 24-19.
Wofford looked to make it a two score game again with 11:53 to go in the game. On a third and six Wofford again ran a reverse and caught the Western defense flat footed for a 35 yard run. Faced with a 4th and 3 at the WCU 34 a few plays later, Wofford went for it and trotted off another 8 yards. The Terriers trudged their way to the goal line and scored after a 14 play drive that took 8:17 off the clock. On the drive, the Terriers made 3 third down conversions and made one fourth down as well. That is how you finish a game. Now with the score at 31-19 and 3:36 to go, Western needed a miracle. They almost got it when Newsome returned the kickoff to midfield and nearly broke it. But after making a fourth down conversion, Adams turned it over on a fumble while scrambling and that ended any hope the Cats had.
Wofford finished with 322 yards on the ground and a just 38 through the air. Wofford’s Lorenzo Long lead the Terrier ground attack with 135 yards and 2 TDs. Wofford did not turn the ball over during the game. WCU’s Tyrie Adams went 31/48 for 285 with 2 TDs and 1 interception. Western’s offensive line did a better job this week and Adams was only sacked twice. Western ran for just 46 yards.
Wofford has a bye week upcoming and gets The Citadel at home in two weeks. Western travels to Macon next week to face the Mercer Bears.
Power Rankings
1) UTC
2) The Citadel
3) Samford
4) Wofford
5) VMI
6) Mercer
7) Western Carolina
8) Furman
9) ETSU
