National Notes Week 16
Kevin Marshall, National Contributor | December 16, 2015
The State of the Nation
We have reached the semifinals and three seeded teams remain. Sam Houston State has reached the semis for the fourth time in five years. North Dakota State has been here five years in a row. Are these two programs on a collision course for a rematch in Frisco? Richmond and Jacksonville State will have something to say about that kind of peeking ahead.
The Reviews
#1 Jacksonville State 58 #8 Charleston Southern 38
The second largest crowd in Jacksonville State history 22, 797 and a national television audience saw a great game between the Gamecocks and the Buccaneers. When you look at the final score it is hard to believe that this was a 13-10 game at the half. The Gamecocks came out in the second half and flat out dominated on offense. They racked up 45 points and 425 yards in that second half. It was the Eli Jenkins and Troymaine Pope show once again for the Cocks. Jenkins threw for 91 yards and rushed for 195 yards for the second consecutive week. Pope ran for 250 yards and three touchdowns. It was a record setting night for Jenkins and Pope. Pope became the Gamecocks all time single season rushing leader with 1576 yards. Jenkins broke the school record for total offense and has 7, 922 yards in his career. Congratulations to these two young men.
#7 Richmond 39 #2 Illinois State 27
The Richmond Spiders snapped a 19 game home winning streak by defeating the Redbirds in Normal. Spider running back Jacobi Green rushed for 137 yards and three touchdowns. Richmond quarterback Kyle Lauletta was 18 of 30 for 369 yards and his favorite target was Brian Brown. Brown had 141 receiving yards on just five grabs. The Spider defense was outstanding. All-American Marshaun Coprich was held to only 30 yards rushing. All season long we heard about how weak the CAA was but here we are again with a Colonial Athletic Association team in the semifinals.
#3 North Dakota State 23 Northern Iowa 13
This was just an old fashioned buckle your chin strap and hit somebody defensive struggle. The Bison eliminated the big play and the Panthers just couldn’t string together enough drives to win. Bison Freshman Bruce Anderson had the play of the day. Anderson fielded the second half kickoff at the 3 yard line and and took it all the way for a touchdown. Anderson gave the Bison the lead which they never relinquished. Bison quarterback Easton Stick was an efficient 13 of 17 for 116 yards and more importantly zero interceptions.
Sam Houston State 48 Colgate 21
The Bearkats scored on six of their first seven drives to overwhelm Colgate. The unseeded Bearkats have defeated three straight conference champions in this playoff run. Jeremiah Briscoe threw for 358 yards and four touchdowns and has really been the difference in these playoffs. He can make all the throws and doesn’t do anything to hurt his team. If he can continue this trend SHSU just may wind up in Frisco.
The Interviews
Mr. Mike Parris (@JSUVoice), Voice of the Jacksonville State Gamecocks, joins us to speak about his team. Mr. Kooter Roberson, Voice of the Sam Houston State Bearkats, makes an appearance on The FCS Wedge to give us the scoop on the Bearkats. Thanks to both of these Southern Gentlemen for making the time to sit down with us. Kris Kallem and Lance Berndt break down the semifinals and update the FCS Coaching Carousel. Some good jobs were filled this week and some remain open. Get up to speed with Lance and Kris.
The Previews
#7 Richmond @ #3 NDSU
Richmond sis what that had to do to whip Illinois State last week. They stuffed the run and made the quarterback beat them throwing the ball. If they can do it that game plan will be successful in the Fargodome as well. I don’t think they can. Bison 24-21.
Sam Houston State @ #1 Jacksonville State
These may be the two most athletic teams in the FCS. Both of the play by play guys said they were almost a mirror image of one another. I think that Sam Houston State has the experience of being here before and that will be the difference. Bearkats in the upset 52-48.