National Notes Week 7
Kevin Marshall, National Contributor | October 15, 2015
The State of the Nation
The Reviews
What a week in the FCS! Some of our top teams really showed what they were made of and a couple showed us that they were pretenders all along. The North Dakota State Bison showed their mettle and toughness over a determined Northern Iowa Panthers squad and won the football game at the end. The Bison ran their home winning streak to an impressive 26 games. Illinois State couldn’t quite put the Penguins of Youngstown State away and had to hold on for the 31-29 victory. South Dakota State saw the birth of a new star when the Jackrabbits pulled the Redshirt off of Quarterback Taryn Christion. Christion accounted for 320 yards of total offense in the Jacks 24-7 triumph over Indiana State. The Fordham Rams, of the Patriot League, needed a 31 yard field goal by Makay Redd with 8 seconds remaining to avoid overtime with Pennsylvania. The Quakers are a pesky squad who had already defeated the Villanova Wildcats.
The Portland State Vikings absolutely hammered the North Texas Mean Green of the FBS 66-7. The Vikings announced late this week that Interim Head Coach Bruce Barnum will now be the permanent Coach in the Rose City for the next five years. Coach Barnum has earned the opportunity. Eastern Washington outlasted Cal Poly 42-41 in overtime in Cheney. The Eagles continue to live dangerously each week. The Montana State Bobcats used a balanced offensive attack and a stingy red zone defense to whip the Hornets of Sacramento State. Dakota Prukop accounted for 3 touchdowns in the victory. Weber State rebounded from perhaps the worst performance in program history one week ago and used a potent ground game to beat the Montana Grizzlies in Missoula. Wildcat running back Eric Wilkes carried the ball 24 times for 112 yards for Weber State.
Down South, the Chattanooga Mocs dominated both lines of scrimmage and after the 1st quarter the offense was too much for the Furman Paladins to handle. Derrick Craine had 21 carries and 140 yards for the Mocs. The Citadel Bulldogs jumped all over the Wofford Terriers and never looked back. Running back Tyler Renew led the Cadets with 85 yards rushing. The Citadel moved to 8-0 under Head Coach Mike Houston when scoring 21 or more points in a ballgame. McNeese State scored on their first two possessions and then relied on the defense. The Cowboy defense was outstanding and held a very good Southeastern Louisiana offense to just 7 points.
James Madison continues to impress. The Dukes outscored the Towson Tigers 27-13 in the second half and won 51-30. Quarterback Vad Lee threw 5 touchdown passes in the win. William and Mary scored 28 unanswered points in the 2nd quarter to pull away from Villanova. Great win for the Tribe. Coastal Carolina survived, and that is about all one can say, against a tough Presbyterian Blue Hose team. Presbyterian had a chance to tie the score on the final play but were turned away. Great effort by the Blue Hose. Gardner Webb, led by quarterback Tyler Maxwell’s 278 total yards and 3 touchdowns, whipped the Liberty Flames. Liberty had no answer for Maxwell’s silver hammer. Game balls go to all of the victorious teams.
The Interviews
In the Voices of the FCS segment this week Mr. Jay Colley, longtime Voice of the William and Mary Tribe, joins us. Bubba Schweigert, Head Coach at the University of North Dakota, is our Coach interview. Thanks to both of these gentlemen for making the time to appear on The FCS Wedge.
The Previews
New Hampshire @ William and Mary
The Wildcats get their Qb Sean Goldrich back this week from injury. The Tribe have already had their hiccup game in the 2015 season. Tribe 28-17.
James Madison @ Elon
Elon is improving but the Dukes are a great team. James Madison 42-17.
South Dakota @ NDSU
The Bison will not need last second heroics this week. Bison 31-10.
Southern Illinois @ Indiana State
Which Southern Illinois team will show up? The squad who beat Liberty? I think so. Salukis 27-20.
McNeese State @ Central Arkansas
Cowboys prove they are a real contender with their second straight victory over a quality opponent. McNeese 20-17.
Fordham @ Holy Cross
The Crusaders are a year away from being a very good team. All Rams in this one. Fordham 31-13.
Bethune-Cookman @ North Carolina A&T
Aggie Coach Rob Broadway notched his 100th victory last week. He will add one more W to his total. Aggies 23-13.
Chattanooga @ Virginia Military Institute
The Moc offense will be too much for the Keydets to handle. Chattanooga on the road 34-17.
The Citadel @ Samford
In this one if a fan yells “Go ‘Dogs” he will have to be more specific. I’ll take the Alabama Bulldogs at home 31-28.
North Dakota @ Weber State
The Wildcats are roaring after their big win in Missoula last week. The North Dakota defense and running game will prove to be a thorn in their paw. North Dakota 20-17.
Montana State @ Portland State
It is tough to pick against the Vikings but that’s just what I am going to do. Bobcats 34-31.
Eastern Washington @ Idaho State
The Bengals are feeling better about themselves right now than they have at any point since the opening game. Those feelings don’t last. Eagles 38-28.
Wherever you happen to be in the country I urge you to get out and see some FCS Football this weekend. It is a great brand of football played by real Student-Athletes with a passion and love for the game not exceeded by any other level.