SoCon Notebook: An Inside Look At The SoCon Matchups For Oct. 17

SoCon Notebook: An Inside Look At The SoCon Matchups For Oct. 17 (part 1)

The Citadel (2-3, 0-2 SoCon) at Western Carolina (0-5, 0-3 SoCon)

–The Citadel and Western Carolina square off on the gridiron for the 34th time on Saturday. The Bulldogs hold a 19-13-1 all-time series edge. The Bulldogs were 34-14 victors in Charleston last season. The Catamounts have lost five-straight to the Bulldogs, with Western’s last win over the Bulldogs coming back in the 2003 season, with the Catamounts getting a 28-21 win in Cullowhee.

 

–The Citadel is coming off a disheartening 43-7 loss to No.10 Elon last weekend, while the Catamounts enjoyed a week off. The last time the Catamounts took the gridiron was back on Oct.3, dropping a 16-3 decision to the Samford Bulldogs.

 

–Both the Bulldogs and Catamounts have struggled on the offensive side of the football as of late. The Bulldogs gained just 120 yards in last week’s loss to Elon. The Catamounts didn’t fair too much better in their last outing against Samford, as the Bulldogs were able to hold the Catamounts to just 163 yards of total offensive output. In the Bulldogs’ loss to Elon, they didn’t register a first down until the seven-minute mark of the third quarter.

 

–Western Carolina enters Saturday’s matchup led by sophomore signal-caller Zach Jaynes. Jaynes, a 6-0, 205-pound native of Canton, N.C., has struggled in the starting role so far this season for the Catamounts. In five previous outings this season, Jaynes has completed 73-of-135 passes for for 785 yards, with two TD passes and six interceptions. In last season’s 34-14 loss to the Bulldogs, Jaynes saw only limited action, completing 2-of-4 passes for 16 yards.

 

–The Catamounts have yet to really find their running game this season, as Western ranks last in the nation in FCS in rushing offense, averaging just 58.6 YPG. Leading the charge rushing the football this season have been Michael Johnson (37 att., 99 yds.) and Dion Wilson (14 att. 73 yds., 1 TD). Both players bring differing styles to the Western running game. Johnson, a 5-11, 200-pound true freshman from Decatur, GA., is more of an in-between the tackles runner, while Wilson is more of a ‘scat’ back runner, with dangerous speed if he gets into the secondary.

 

–One of the biggest problems for the Catamounts this season has been their offensive line. The Catamounts rank last in the league in scoring offense (8.0 PPG.), total offense (215.6 YPG.), rushing offense (58.6 YPG.), and seventh in passing offense (157.0 YPG.). The Catamounts’ offensive line is anchored by junior left tackle Matt Winter and senior center Victor Aqualina. Winter, a 6-5, 280-pound native of Spartanburg, N.C., started 12 games at left guard last season and has started all five games so far this season. He is the most talented of the WCU offensive lineman and he has the best opportunity of garnering all-league honors. Aqualina, a 6-1, 280-pound center from Carlsbad, CA., was another of WCU’s offensive lineman to start all 12 games a year ago.

 

–The passing game has been the most-effective mode of moving the ball down the field in 2009, led by talented junior wide receiver Marquell Pittman. The 6-3, 190-pound native of Maxton, N.C., is one of the more impressive wide receivers in the SoCon so far this season. He had 40 receptions for 583 yards and four TDs last season as a sophomore. This season, Pittman appears to be well on his way to challenging for all-league accolades, having caught 20 passes for 293 yards and two TDs so far this season. He is averaging 12.7 YPR. this season.

 

–Defensively, the Catamounts returned seven starters from last year’s defensive unit and come into Saturday’s matchup, ranking eighth in the league in scoring defense (29.6 PPG.), eighth in total defense (423.0 YPG.), ninth in rushing defense (212.4 YPG.) and seventh in pass defense (210.6 YPG.)

 

–The Catamount defense is led by talented linebacker Chris Collins. Collins is having another season worthy of all-league consideration, having recorded 54 tackles, 6.5 tackles-for-loss, two sacks and has also forced a fumble this season.

 

–Linebacker Adrian McLeod has also had a strong season for WCU, and he is tied for the team lead in tackles so far this season. He has 54 tackles to tie for the team lead so far this season.

 

–The Western Carolina defensive line is anchored by defensive tackle Gene Singletary. The 6-2, 270-pound product of Kernersville, N.C., actually came to WCU as an offensive lineman, but was converted to defense during his rookie season. Singletary has already notched six tackles-for-loss this season.

 

–The defensive backfield has been again led by safety Mitchell Bell. The 6-2, 185-pound junior from Warner Robbins, GA., was named a preseason First Team All-SoCon selection by some publications. By all indications, Bell is living up to those expectations quite nicely, having recorded 27 tackles so far this season. He teams with another talented safety, Antoine George,

who has recorded 33 tackles so far in ‘09.

 

–The Citadel enters Saturday’s contest, ranking fifth in scoring offense (24.8PPG.), sixth in total offense (288.2 YPG.), sixth in rushing offense (117.2 YPG) and sixth in passing offense (171.0YPG.). The Citadel had one of its best offensive afternoon’s of its 2008 season against the Catamounts last season, rolling up 541 yards of total offense in last season’s 34-14 win over Western.

 

–Bulldog quarterback Bart Blanchard has looked brilliant at times this season, and struggled mightily at others during the ‘09 season. Blanchard, a 6-2, 200-pound junior from Rock Hill, S.C., has managed to connect on 82-of-138 passes for 793 yards, 10 TDs and seven INTs this season.

 

–The Bulldogs have had trouble at times rushing the football this season, but the ground attack has been led by the trio of Van Dyke Jones (27 att., 167 yds., 2 TDs ), Miguel Starks (41 att., 204 yds. 1 TD) and Terrell Dallas (30 att.103 yds., 2 TDs).

 

–The Citadel’s top offensive weapon is All-American wide receiver Andre Roberts. The senior wide receiver from Columbia, S.C., was held in check last week against Elon, as he caught only one pass for 13 yards in the 43-7 setback, and was a large reason the Bulldogs’ offense struggled last week. He had a solid afternoon against the Catamounts last season, hauling in 10 passes for 135 yards and a TD. So far this fall, Roberts has registered 32 catches for 330 yards and four scores this season. He’s averaging 10.3 YPR.

 

–The Citadel has a veteran offensive line that is anchored by a couple of fifth-year seniors, in senior offensive tackle Daniel DeHaven and senior center Thomas Suggs. They are more adept pass-blocker’s than run-blockers.

 

–Defensively, the Bulldogs come into Saturday’s contest, ranking seventh in scoring defense (28.2 PPG.), eighth in rushing defense (202.2 YPG.), eighth in pass defense (225.2 YPG.) and ninth in total defense (427.4 YPG.).

 

–The top player on the defensive side of the football for the Bulldogs this season has been linebacker Jordon Gilmore. So far this season, Gilmore has a team-leading 49 tackles, 1.5 tackles-for-loss, a sack, a pass break-up and a fumble recovery.

 

–The strength of the Bulldogs’ defense is along their defensive line, where three of four starters return from a year ago. Anchoring that defensive front for the Bulldogs is nose tackle Terrence Reese. The 6-0, 286-pound native of North, S.C., was a First-Team All-SoCon selection a year ago. Reese has put together a solid season so far in ‘09, having recorded 19 tackles and three tackles-for-loss.

 

–Another player along the defensive line for the Bulldogs that has all-confernce type potential is defensive end DeWitt Jones. Jones, a 6-3, 231-pound native of Fairhope, AL., garnered Second Team All-SoCon honors last season. This season, Jones has registered 24 tackles, 2.5 tackles-for-loss, two pass break-ups and a sack.

 

–Anchoring the defensive secondary for the Bulldogs this season has been boundary cornerback Cortez Allen. Allen, a 6-2, 185-pound native of Ocala, FL., has put forth a strong effort this season, recording 20 tackles, three pass break-ups and an interception.

 

Final Analysis:

–Western Carolina and The Citadel go in search of their first league wins against each other on Saturday. Western has had trouble getting anything going offensively, and up until last week, The Citadel looked like they had one of the best offenses in the league. The Bulldogs have won five-straight against the Catamounts, and should get a sixth-straight win over the Catamounts on Saturday in what should be a good contest.

 

The Citadel 27, Western Carolina 24

 

Samford (3-3, 1-2 SoCon) at Furman (3-2, 2-1 SoCon)

 

–Samford heads to Furman for a key Southern Conference tilt on Saturday. The Paladins hold a narrow 6-5 all-time series advantage and haven’t lost to the Bulldogs since 1969, when the Paladins were 34-14 losers to the Bulldogs in Birmingham. The Paladins have won five-straight against the Bulldogs, including last season’s thrilling 28-27 win at Seibert Stadium.

 

–Samford comes into Saturday afternoon’s league clash sporting the nation’s second-ranked defense (228.67 YPG). The Samford defense has been tough through its first six games, allowing just two plays that have totaled 30 yards or more on the season. Samford also ranks fourth nationally in scoring defense (12.83 PPG.) and ninth in rushing defense (76.17 YPG.)

 

–Leading the Samford defense this season has been one of the league’s top linebacker’s, Bryce Smith. The 6-1, 245-pound junior from Lawrenceville,GA., was the team’s leading tackler last season, and is well on his way to doing the same this fall. So far this season, Smith has registered 49 tackles, 6.5 tackles-for-loss, five pass break-ups and an interception.

 

–The Bulldogs enter Saturday’s matchup with the Paladins, ranking second in the league in sacks, having racked up 19 quarterback hits on the season. Leading the Bulldogs’ pass-rush so far in ‘09 has been a trio of players that have three sacks on the season. Nose guard Devyn Keith, and bookends Erik Peterson and John Michael Clay have all registered six sacks on the campaign, to account for nine of the 19 quarterback hits on the season. Clay is a player that will likely challenge for all-league honors this fall. The 6-5, 265-pound native of Vestavia Hills, AL., has recorded 15 tackles, 3.5 tackles-for-loss, three sacks and four quarterback hurries on the campaign.

 

–The defensive backfield for the Bulldogs is anchored by free safety Thomas Broussard. The 6-0, 210-pound native of Baton Rouge, LA., has enjoyed a solid season thus far for the Bulldogs. Broussard is a player that is a playmaker in the secondary for the Bulldogs. He’s off to a strong start this season, having recorded 25 tackles and 2.5 tackles-for-loss. Broussard is a veteran on the defensive side of the football, as he is in his third season as a starter on the Samford defense.

 

–Another key figure on the Samford defense is Patrick Hatcher, who garnered First-Team All-SoCon honors last season. The 6-3, 280-pound product of Marietta, GA., hasn’t enjoyed the same success this season as of yet, however, Hatcher has managed to record nine tackles, two tackles-for-loss and 1.5 sacks so far this season

 

–The Samford defense hasn’t allowed a TD in the second half of a game since the season opening loss to Central Florida.

 

–Samford’s offense is led by 2008 SoCon Freshman of the Year quarterback Dustin Taliaferro. Taliaferro has completed 94-of-167 passes for 805 yards, with four TDs and four INTs so far this season. Last season against the Paladins, Taliaferro turned in one of his best efforts in his freshman season, connecting on 22-of-28 passes for a career-high 336 yards and threw three TD passes.

 

–The Bulldogs also have the SoCon’s leading rusher, Chris Evans, who entered the 2009 season as a Walter Payton Award candidate. Evans, a 6-0, 215-pound product of Alexandria, AL., transferred into Samford from UAB a couple of years ago. He’s looking to finish with 1,000 yards for a third-consecutive season, which would add to his unprecedented career in the Navy Blue and red. So far in ‘09, Evans has rushed the ball 128 times for 601 yards and four TDs, averaging 4.7 YPC. He didn’t have the best of outings against the Paladins last season, finishing the contest with 68 yards on 29 carries, with a TD and a couple of fumbles. Evans also catches the ball well out of the backfield for Samford, with 18 receptions for 99 yards in ‘09.

 

–Samford’s offensive line returned three starters for the 2009 season, which includes one of the SoCon’s top centers, in Jon Weber. Weber, a 6-2, 300-pound senior from Shalimar, FL., garnered Second-Team All-SoCon honors last season. He is looked at as the leader of the offensive line and perhaps the offense as a whole. Thomas Gray is another returning starter to the offensive line for the Bulldogs and could contend for All-SoCon honors at the right guard position.

 

–Despite returning three starters along that offensive front, the Bulldogs have seen their share of troubles on the offensive side of the football entering Saturday’s showdown with the Paladins. The Bulldogs enter Saturday’s contest with the Paladins, ranking seventh in scoring offense (18.7 PPG.), eighth in total offense (275.3 YPG.), eighth in pass offense (152.0 YPG.) and fifth in the league in rushing offense (123.3 YPG.).

 

–The Bulldogs have a couple of big-play wide receivers that can make plays in the passing game. One of those options is sophomore speedster Riley Hawkins. The native of Pace, FL., has managed to be the leading big-play receiver for Samford this season. He has caught 12 passes for 274 yards and has a team-leading three TD catches for the Bulldogs this season. Hawkins is averaging an impressive 22.8 yards-per-reception this season. Hawkins had a big game against the Paladins last season, hauling in three passes for 73 yards, including a 63-yard TD reception in the fourth quarter.

 

–Two other playmakers in the passing game are senior wide receiver Jonathan Lowery and junior wide receiver DeMarcus Covington. Lowery is a veteran wide receiver for the Bulldogs, and had a big afternoon against Furman last season, hauling in six passes for 136 yards, including a 74-yard TD reception in the fourth quarter of that contest. So far this season, Lowery has hauled in 13 passes for 138 yards and one TD, averaging 10.6 YPR.

 

–Covington, a 6-2, 200-pound native of Birmingham, AL., has been the most reliable option in the passing game so far this season for the Bulldogs. He has 17 passes for 150 yards and a TD this season. Covington is averaging 8.8 YPR.

 

–Furman enters Saturday’s contest coming off of an off week. The Paladins haven’t fared very well in recent memory when coming off of an open date, having dropped four-straight games in contests immediately following an open date. However, the Paladins, who will be celebrating Homecoming on Saturday afternoon, have won 10-straight Homecoming games.

 

–The Paladins are led offensively by signal-caller Jordan Sorrells.The Greenville, S.C. native has connected on 102-of-164 passes for 1,118 yards, six TDs and three INTs so far in his final campaign in the Purple and White. Sorrells is well on his way to breaking the school’s all-time passing mark. Last season against the Bulldogs, Sorrells didn’t have a great day, connecting on 17-of-29 passes for 216 yards, with one TD and three interceptions, but did enough to lead the Paladins to victory in the contest.

 

–The running game has been buoyed by Jerodis Williams and Tersoo Uhaa so far this season, however, the Paladins expect to get the much anticipated return of top running back Mike Brown, who will see his first action of the 2009 season on Saturday afternoon. Brown suffered a severe ankle sprain during preseason camp and was forced to the sidelines for the first six weeks of the season. Brown, a 5-9, 191-pound junior from Marietta, GA., is proven All-SoCon performer. Last season, Brown was one of the top running backs in the league, completing the ‘08 season with 823 yards and five TDs on 162 attempts, averaging 5.1 YPC. Brown was also effective as a receiving threat coming out of the backfield, having caught 35 passes for 343 yards last season. He was held to just 13 rushing yards on eight attempts against Samford’s vaunted defense last season.

 

–Jerodis Williams and Tersoo Uhaa have enjoyed some success, tag-teaming the rushing duties for the Paladins this season. Uhaa is the Paladins’ leading rusher so far in ‘09, having amassed 286 yards and seven TDs on 73 attempts, averaging 57.2 YPG. Williams, a true freshman, is the Paladins’ second-leading rusher, with 249 yards on and a TD on 51 attempts, averaging 4.9 YPC.

 

–Furman brings one of the best offensive lines in the SoCon into this matchup. The unit is anchored by Tyler Haynes at left guard and Heath Cockburn at right guard. The two seniors have helped the Paladins rank third in the league in total offense (391.2 YPG.), third in scoring offense (28.0 PPG.), second in pass offense (234.6 YPG.) and third in rushing offense (156.6 YPG.). The Paladin offensive front has also done an exceptional job of protecting Sorrells this season, having allowed only four sacks this season, which is tops among the league’s nine schools.

 

–The Paladins have one of the league’s top wide receivers, in junior wideout Adam Mims. The 5-9, 198-pound native of Birmingham, AL., had one of his best games of the 2008 season, playing against his hometown school. In the 28-27 win for the Paladins last season, Mims caught six passes for 128 yards and caught what proved to be the game-winning TD-a 50-yard run after catching a short out pass down the left sideline. This season, Mims is the SoCon’s second-leading receiver, with 36 receptions for 431 yards and a TD. He’s averaging 86.2 yards receiving yards per game, averaging 12.0 yards-per-catch and 7.2 receptions per game.

 

–Other options in the Furman passing attack include R.J. Webb, Tyler Maples and David Hendrix. Webb, a 6-2, 20-pound senior receiver, has possibly the best hands on the team. Webb is the team’s second-leading receiver, with 14 catches for 112 yards and a TD. Maples, a 6-1, 190-pound transfer from the University of Tennessee, is another solid option in the passing attack. He has caught 12 passes for 106 yards and a couple of TDs this season. Maples has the potential to take it the distance any time he touches the football with his overall athleticsm. Hendrix, a 6-4, 206-pound native of Buford, GA., was one of the league’s top young wide receivers a year ago. This season, Hendrix has caught 11 passes for 182 yards (16.5 YPR.)

 

–The Furman defense, which struggled early on in the ‘09 season, seemed to have found its stride the last time it took the field on Oct. 3 in the 19-12 loss to Elon. The Paladins have one of the league’s top linebackers, in sophomore middle linebacker Kaddarron Anderson. The 6-1, 235-pound native of Greenwood, S.C., is an active linebacker and one of the top athletes on the defensive side of the football. In five games this season, Anderson has registered 59 tackles, which is tops on the league’s tackles ledger. In addition to his 59 stops, Anderson 3.5 tackles-for-loss, a pass break-up and a fumble recovery. Anderson garnered SoCon Defensive Player of the Week accolades in his last outing against Elon, recording 14 tackles.

 

–Furman’s defense enters Saturday’s contest, ranking fifth in scoring defense (25.2 PPG.), seventh in total defense (396.0 YPG.), ninth in pass defense (268.6 YPG) and fourth in rush defense (127.4 YPG.). The Paladins are tied for seventh in the league in sacks this season, with four sacks this season.

 

–Anchoring the defensive front for the Paladins is talented senior nose tackle Justin Brown. Brown, a 5-11, 265-pound from Warner Robins, GA., was a preseason All-SoCon selection and has put up some solid totals so far this season. Five games into his senior season, Brown has recorded 19 tackles and two tackles-for-loss.

 

–The two defensive end positions will be manned by Kyle McKinney and Shaun Van Rensburg. McKinney, a 6-1, 257-pound senior from Atlanta, GA., made his return from a preseason foot injury three weeks ago in the game against Western Carolina. McKinney is a tremendous athlete and has given the pass-rush an immediate boost this season. McKinney was the player responsible for blocking what would have been the game-tying extra point in Furman’s 28-27 win in Birmingham last season. So far in ‘09, McKinney has racked up seven tackles and a pass break-up in two games this season. Van Rensburg, a 6-4, 250-pound senior is a player that has tremendous power and strength. This season, Van Rensburg has been able to produce 18 tackles, two tackles-for-loss and half-a-sack.

 

–The Furman secondary has struggled at times this season, but have two of the top defensive backs in the SoCon. Max Lerner, a 5-11, 192-pound junior from Birmingham, AL., played his high school football at Hoover High School. Lerner has been the emotional leader in the secondary so far this season. The ‘rover’ in Furman’s 4-2-5 defensive scheme, he has recorded 23 tackles, two tackles-for-loss and has a team-leading two interceptions this season.

 

–Set to start at the ‘bandit’ safety position for the Paladins is senior Julian Hicks. The 5-9, 192-pound native of College Park, GA., is a vicious hitter and is one of the top playmakers on the defensive side of the football for the Paladins. Hicks has 20 tackles, 1.5 tackles-for-loss, a pass break-up and a forced fumble so far in ‘09.

 

–The Paladins are young, but talented at the cornerback positions. One of those young performers in Ryan Steed, who many around the program think he has the potential to be one of the best to ever play corner in the Purple and White. The 5-11, 185-pound sophomore has excellent overall athleticism and isn’t scared to be physical with receivers. Steed has been able to rack up 30 tackles, a tackle-for-loss, a team-high tying five pass break-ups, a fumble recovery and an interception so far this sason.

 

–Starting at the other cornerback position is Jordan Griffin, who has come of age over the past couple of games for the Paladins. Griffin is often the corner that is most picked on, however, with that experience, he’s becoming a solid cover-corner in his own right. This season, Griffin has registered 34 tackles, half-a-tackle-for-loss and a team-high tying five pass break-ups.