National Notes Week 3
Kevin Marshall, National Contributor | September 17, 2015
The Review
We learned quite a few things in FCS World last week. In my mind the top 2 teams put a little distance between themselves and the rest of the field that is chasing them. Jacksonville State is a very legit #1 team. The Gamecocks fought all the way in a 27-20 overtime loss to the #6 FBS Auburn Tigers. The fact that a top 10 team from the Southeastern Conference couldn’t put away Jacksonville State in regulation says a great deal about the talent level, preparation, and guts of the Gamecocks.
The #2 Coastal Carolina Chanticleers dominated a pretty good South Carolina State team and won going away in Conway, SC. These two teams are the best of the FCS right now. The North Dakota State Bison really needed and took advantage of the bye week to get healthy and work out some kinks in their defense. Carson Wentz did his best Willis Reed impersonation and despite the high ankle sprain he suffered in week 0 against Montana led his team in a real crossroads moment for them.
Illinois State proved that they are a good offensive team despite the disappointing showing in week 1 against Iowa. 67 points against a playoff team from last season, Morgan State, has to have the Redbirds and Coach Brock Spack feeling a little better about themselves.
Northern Iowa looked like a different team as they were able to outlast Eastern Washington in the UNIDome. Villanova won a tough game in a monsoon against Fordham and their defense looked dominant throughout. The Citadel Bulldogs upset preseason #2 in the Southern Conference besting Western Carolina 28-10 in Charleston. Game balls go to each of those squads.
The Preview
Montana @ Liberty
At Montana Coach Bob Stitt’s press conference on Tuesday he was asked how much more he enjoys facing a more traditional offense this week than what the Griz saw against Cal Poly in their last outing when the Griz were defeated by the Mustangs. Sometimes at these press events the words don’t match what you see in a man’s eyes. Coach Stitt looked as if he really didn’t care whom or where his Griz played this week or what system the opponent runs. He looked like a man who had confidence in his team and who was ready to line up and get to hitting. Liberty will be the third tough opponent in a row for the Griz and I look for them to really show they belong in the top 10 with a signal victory. Griz 34-21
Montana State @ Eastern Washington
To say that the 2015 campaign is off to an inauspicious start for the Eastern Washington Eagles would be a severe understatement. They are staring an 0-3 start right in the face as the Montana State Bobcats roll into Cheney, Washington this week. The Eagles are bumped and bruised after two games against excellent competition and this really is a make or break moment for them. Wide Receiver Cooper Kupp was hurt and did not play in the second half one week ago against Northern Iowa. At press time his availability for this week was unknown. If Kupp plays the Eagles just may slip by the Bobcats. If not I don’t see how they can stretch the field and the Bobcats should be able to keep everything in front of them when Eastern has the ball. Bobcat QB Dakota Prukop will use his arms and his legs to make the Bobcat offense go and I don’t think the Eagles defense will have an answer for him. Bobcats 38-31
North Dakota @ North Dakota State
As someone who respects the rights of the States to handle their own affairs I will not wade into the politics of this game. I will allow the citizens of North Dakota to work out their internal affairs without any interference from someone ‘from off’. In a purely football sense this game should be a pretty good one. UND shocked everyone, including their own fans, by defeating FBS Wyoming in week 1 and last week jumped out to a lead against Drake but couldn’t put them away. The Bison, as mentioned above, got their stuff in a pile and played like they are capable of against Weber State in the Fargo Dome last Saturday. I look for this one to be close early but the Bison are the better team and unless some bounces go UND’s way the Bison should win this one pretty handily. Bison 38-17
Chattanooga @ Samford
The Mocs are a team that is highly rated but hasn’t shown the country exactly why just yet. Samford is much improved over last year especially on the defensive side of the ball. Are these the two best teams in the Southern Conference? Perhaps we will know the answer to that question after this one. In a matchup of two excellent field generals, Jacob Huesman of the Mocs, and Michael Eubanks of Samford will be the key players for both of their teams. Both defensive lines are stout and can get pressure without blitzing. Huesman is a bit more mobile and that will be an advantage for Chattanooga. Eubanks can really spin it and if Samford can keep him upright they should win at home. Samford 28-17
Delaware @ Villanova
The Villanova Wildcats survived a tough test against Fordham last week and the Delaware Blue Hens defeated Lafayette. Both come in feeling pretty good about themselves although the Wildcat offense has not been particularly sharp so far in 2015. Qb John Robertson has an uncanny ability to escape contain and make something happen when the blocking breaks down that makes him a very special player. The Blue Hens must limit his explosive plays to have a chance to come away with the victory in this one. I don’t think they can contain him enough to get the win Wildcats 28-10
Bonus
The Georgia Southern Eagles, late of the SoCon and now an FBS Sun Belt Member, will host The Citadel Bulldogs in Statesboro, GA Saturday evening. The Eagles’ exit from the SoCon was ugly and left a bad taste in the mouth of those whom they left behind. The Citadel, who has always given the Eagles and their faithful fits, will march down US-17 and attempt to ‘whip their fannies’ once again. FCS fans will remember Eagle Coach Willie Fritz from his days at Sam Houston State. Fritz will be facing The Citadel for the first time in his career. He is too good of a coach to allow his boys to look past the Cadets and think they can win just by showing up. This one will resemble all of the great games between these two schools from the past and will be decided in the 4th quarter. Cadets 27-24
The Interviews
The FCS Wedge unveils a new segment this week entitled “Voices of the FCS”. We will be interviewing a play by play announcer each week and when Executive Producer Troy Berndt and I discussed adding this feature the first guy that came to mind was Kooter Roberson. Kooter is the Voice of the Sam Houston State Bearkats and is gracious enough to join us this week. As usual Kooter is GREAT radio.
Doug Fullerton, Commissioner of the Big Sky Conference, will also be joining us on the air this week. Be sure to tune in to catch what the Commish has to say about the State of the Big Sky. Thanks to Kooter and Doug for graciously giving of their time to The FCS Wedge.
