Recapping Week 6 of SoCon Football and Looking Ahead to Week 7

Samford 26, Furman 21

Samford came to Paladin Stadium and picked up its first Southern Conference of the 2011 season, as the Bulldogs posted a 26-21 victory over Furman on Saturday. Dustin Taliaferro led the way for the Bulldogs on Saturday, as he passed for 234 yards and three scores to lead the Bulldogs to their first win over the Paladins since 1969.

In all, Taliaferro connected on 22-of-35 passes, and his TD tosses covered six, 21 and eight yards to complete a solid performance for the senior signal-caller.

The Paladins were led offensively by Chris Forcier, who completed 27-of-45 passes for 356 yards with three TDs and three INTs and tied the Furman single-game passing record for total passing yards on Saturday afternoon.

Forcier's 380 yards of total offense (356 yards passing, 24 yards rushing) set a new Paladin record, besting the previous mark of 374 yards set by Cleve Hightower in the 1969 season against Mississippi College. Fabian Truss headlined an effective Samford ground game, rushing 26 times for a career high 136 yards.

Furman, meanwhile, managed just 71 yards on the ground. The Paladins forged a slight 427-415 advantage in total offense. Each team finished the contest with two turnovers.

Georgia Southern 28, Chattanooga 27

In possibly the best game of the 2011 Southern Conference season, top-ranked Georgia Southern held on to defeat No. 24 Chattanooga, 28-27, Saturday afternoon at Allen E. Paulson Stadium.

The Eagles were able to thwart a two-point conversion with 1:44 remaining to hold on for the one-point victory. With the win, the Eagles improved to 5-0 overall and 4-0 in league play, while the Mocs fell to 2-4 and 0-3 in league play. The Mocs have now lost three-straight league games by a total of four points.

For Chattanooga, freshman quarterback Terrell Robinson came off the bench after starter B.J. Coleman suffered a shoulder injury and did a nice job of leading the Mocs' offense. In all, Robinson gained 114 yards and scored three times on 21 rush attempts while completing 5-of-9 passes for 62 yards, with a TD and an interception.

Neither team could find much offensive success in the opening quarter of play; however, in the second quarter, the fireworks began. Georgia Southern got a couple of TDs to jump on top 14-0 in the second quarter, courtesy of a 22-yard dash by Dominique Swope and a 20-yard scoring catch by J.J. Wilcox.

Late in the second quarter, the Mocs would find the end zone for the first time on the afternoon, as Robinson led an 11-play, 82-yard drive to make it 14-7 less than two minutes before the break.

However, Georgia Southern would make the best of its final drive of the half, as the Eagles drove 67 yards for a score, ending with a short 1-yard plunge by Shaw, and headed to the locker room with a 21-7 lead.

Chattanooga would make it another SoCon classic in the second half, however. On its opening drive of the second half, the Mocs drove 76 yards for a score to cut the Eagle lead to a TD. Backup tailback J.J. Jackson capped the scoring drive, scoring on a 20-yard sweep around the left side for his first score of the afternoon, making it a 21-14 contest.

The Mocs got a strong effort from their defense, allowing Robinson and the Mocs offense to get the ball back with a chance to tie the football game. Robinson and the UTC offense would make the most of that opportunity with about nine minutes remaining in the contest, as his 11-yard scamper tied to contest, 21-21, but it was a bit of trickery that allowed the Mocs to extend the game-tying drive.

On fourth and eight from the UTC 36, wide receiver-turned-punter Joel Bradford ran 10 yards on a fake punt to keep the drive alive. From there Robinson and Jackson took over accumulating 46 of the remaining 54 yards to tie it up.

Georgia Southern regained the league on the next series, as the Eagles would find the end zone for the only time in the second half. A Robert Brown 48-yard run was the most significant play in the drive, and Shaw would find the end zone for the second time on the day, with a short 1-yard scoring plunge, making it 28-21 after Adrian Mora's extra point.

Robinson and the Mocs were not done, however, as the Mocs mounted a furious rally with the 2011 season on the line. Robinson and the Mocs offense took over from their own 21-yard line with about six-and-a-half minutes remaining. The Mocs drove 66 yards in five plays, finding the end zone with 1:44 remaining on a 5-yard scoring dash.

Instead of kicking the extra point, the Mocs opted for the two-point conversion; however, Robinson was stopped in the backfield by GSU linebacker Josh Rowe, preserving the Eagles' one-point lead at 28-27. The Eagles were able to run out the clock to hold on for the win.

Brown led all rushers with 169 yards for the Eagles on 18 carries. Shaw added 67 yards, also on 18 totes, with two scores. The Eagles amassed 326 yards rushing, 383 total yards for the game. Shaw finished the contest completing 4-of-10 passes for 57 yards and a TD, while rushing for 58 yards and a couple of TDs on 19 attempts.

No. 5 Wofford 43, The Citadel 14

Wofford remained undefeated in SoCon play and claimed its 13th-straight victory over The Citadel, as the Terriers claimed a 43-14 win over the Bulldogs in Charleston on Saturday afternoon.

The Terriers had five different players score rushing touchdowns in the contest, which was the 13th straight win over the Bulldogs in the series.

The Terriers are 4-1 on the season and 3-0 in the SoCon. The Citadel is 2-3 overall and 1-3 in the conference. Wofford was led by Eric Breitenstein with 106 rushing yards, and he was one of five players to score a touchdown.

Mitch Allen, Donovan Johnson, Bryan Youman and Alex Dunmire also added rushing touchdowns. The Citadel was led by Terrance Martin with 55 rushing yards and a touchdown.

Elon 38, Western Carolina 31

The Elon defense forced four turnovers, and a late touchdown pass from Thomas Wilson to Aaron Mellette proved to be the difference as the Phoenix defeated the Western Carolina Catamounts 38-31 on a beautiful mountain day on Saturday.

Western Carolina (1-4, 0-3 Southern Conference) took a 7-0 lead with 9:52 remaining in the first quarter when Josh Cockrell took a reverse 10 yards for the game's first score. The Catamounts were set up in great field position after a pass attempt was tipped at the line and intercepted by Western's Marcus Stokes.

Gary Coates blocked his second punt of the first quarter to set Elon (4-2, 2-1) up at the Western three-yard line. The Phoenix gained one yard on first down before an incompletion and a penalty made it third-and-goal from the seven. Wilson dropped back to pass and then raced to the end zone, diving in for the touchdown as Elon tied it at seven with 18 seconds left in the first quarter.

On the ensuing possession, the Catamounts faced a third-and-four from its own 39 before Brandon Pechloff lofted a pass deep down the middle of the field, where an open Cockrell hauled it in and raced in for a 61-yard touchdown that put Western back in front 14-7 with 14:18 to play in the first half.

After starting at its own 20 following a WCU punt, Elon took over with 9:13 left on the first half clock. Wilson found Mellette for an eight-yard gain on second-and-10. Wilson went back to Mellette for another four yards and an Elon first down at the 32 to move the chains. On third-and-three, Wilson zipped a pass to a streaking Jeremy Peterson for a 14-yard pick-up to move into Catamount territory at the 47.

A personal foul against Western moved the Phoenix down to the Catamount's 28-yard line, but the drive stalled at the 27, and Adam Shreiner came on to attempt a 44-yard field goal. The attempt was blocked, but Western lined up offside, and Shreiner got a chance for a 39-yarder that he booted through the uprights to make it a 14-10 game.

The Phoenix offense came out firing in the second half and marched 67 yards on eight plays to take a 17-14 lead. Elon converted a third-and-five with a seven-yard pass from Wilson to Mellette that moved the ball to the Elon 45. After picking up another first down at the Western 45-yard line, Wilson went deep down the left sideline to Mellette for a 37-yard completion that set up a first-and-goal at the eight. Two plays later, Dontay Taylor bowled in from three yards out to put the Phoenix on top for the first time, 17-14.

On the ensuing Catamount drive, linebacker Jonathan Spain, making his first start of his career, stepped in front of a Pechloff pass for an interception, and the Phoenix took over at the Western 41. A.J. Harris scampered for 16 yards on first down to the Catamount 25. On third-and-10, Wilson fired to Christian Dennis for a first down at the nine. Harris took it in on the next play as the Phoenix put up 14 points less than six minutes into the final half to build a 24-14 lead.

Akeem Langham made a diving tackle to potentially save a score on the kickoff as Nate Harris returned the ball 30 yards to the Western 48. On second-and-nine from the Elon 40, Pechloff went deep down the Catamount sideline for a 28-yard gain to Deja Alexander as Western advanced to the Elon 12. A personal foul on second down against the Catamounts backed the ball up to the 21 and brought up a third-and-19. Pechloff threw toward Cockrell, who dropped a sure touchdown, setting up a Clark Sechrest 38-yard field goal that made it a 24-17 game.

A Blake Thompson interception return of 47 yards set up Elon's next score. The Phoenix started at the Western 21 and scored three plays later when Taylor went in from four yards out to give Elon a 31-17 lead with 12:09 to play.

Western Carolina struck quickly in response when Cockrell broke two Elon tackles and went 66 yards for a touchdown after a reception. The PAT pulled the Catamounts back within a touchdown, 31-24.

After forcing Elon to punt, Pechloff converted a third-and-three by running for four yards to the Western 39. A 26-yard pass to Cockrell moved the Catamounts down to the Elon 27. On fourth-and-10 from the 27, Pechloff completed a pass to Mitchell down to the 18 for what would have been short of the marker, but a holding penalty on Elon allowed the drive to continue with a first down at the 17.

Johnson ran the hand off up the middle for a gain of nine yards on first down before Pechloff was taken down for a loss of two. Mitchell's third-down run was stopped at the eight, bringing up another fourth down. Johnson's second effort on fourth down moved the ball to the five, setting up a first-and-goal. Pechloff tossed a ball into the back of the end zone, where Taylor Spangler made the grab, and Sechrest's PAT evened the score at 31 with 4:05 showing on the clock.

Wilson went deep to Mellette on second down for a gain of 59 yards to the Western one on second-and-six from the Elon 40. Two plays later, Wilson tossed into the back right corner of the end zone where Mellette pulled down a TD pass. The catch gave Mellette a touchdown grab in seven consecutive outings.

Elon sealed the victory when Jonathan Conner picked off Pechloff with 1:53 remaining.

The Phoenix offense compiled 360 yards of offense, including 207 passing yards for Wilson, who completed 24 of 33 passes. Mellette ended the day with eight receptions for 124 yards and a score. Harris ran the ball 23 times for 98 yards, while Taylor finished with 45 yards and two scores on 12 carries.

Pechloff completed 12 passes of 231 yards for the Catamounts. Cockrell had two catches for 127 yards.

A Brief Look Ahead To Week 7 Conference Matchups:

Furman Heads To Georgia Southern

Furman will head to Georgia Southern on Saturday to face the top-ranked Eagles in what will be the 23rd meeting between the two programs. The Eagles hold a 14-8 all-time series advantage, including a 32-28 victory last season. The two teams have met twice in the Division I-AA national title (1985 and '88) and once in the Division I-AA semifinals (2001)

The Paladins haven't faced a top-ranked Georgia Southern club since the 2000 season, when the Paladins posted a 45-10 win over the Eagles in Greenville. Furman is 3-7 all-time in Statesboro; however, the Paladins have claimed victories in their past two trips to Allen E. Paulson Stadium, including a 30-22 win in 2009.

Furman and Georgia Southern also have some similarities entering Saturday's matchup. The Paladins, who are under the direction of first-year head coach Bruce Fowler, have returned to doing many of the same things that brought the Paladins so much success in throughout the 1980s and the latter part of of the 1990s-early 2000's.

Last year, Georgia Southern hired Jeff Monken, a disciple of Paul Johnson and the triple-option/flexbone offense, returned to Statesboro and with him, Georgia Southern's winning tradition.

Samford Hosts Elon

Fresh off its first Southern Conference win, Samford returns to Seibert Stadium looking to improve to .500 in Southern Conference play when the Bulldogs take on Elon. The Phoenix improved to 2-1 in league play last week with a 38-31 win at Western Carolina.

Saturday's meeting between the Bulldogs and Phoenix will mark the 10th all-time meeting between the Phoenix and the Bulldogs, with Elon holding a 7-2 all-time series edge. Elon has never lost to the Bulldogs as a league member and have won the last three meetings between the two dating back to 2001. Elon claimed a hard-fought, 24-19 win last year at Elon's Rhodes Stadium.

Three of the past four meetings between the Bulldogs and Phoenix have been decided by a TD or less. The matchup between the Bulldogs and Phoenix will feature two of the SoCon's premier passing threats, in the Bulldogs, senior signal-caller Dustin Taliaferro (101-of-163 passing, 1,158 yds., 10 TDs, 3 INTs) and Elon junior quarterback Thomas Wilson (145-of-212 passing, 1,542 yds., 11 TDs, 11 INTs).

Chattanooga Looks For First SoCon Win Against WCU

After three league losses by a total of four points, the Mocs return to Finley Stadium in search of their first league win of the 2011 season when they host the Western Carolina Catamounts for a homecoming matchup.

The Mocs and Catamounts will be meeting for the 38th time in the series, with Chattanooga holding a 21-16 series edge. The Mocs have won two-straight against the Catamounts, with Western claiming a 27-7 win over the Mocs in 2008 in Cullowhee. The Mocs were 27-21 victors over Western Carolina last season in Cullowhee.

Saturday's matchup between the two pits two of the league's top passing offenses, with the Catamounts ranking second in the SoCon in passing offense (257.4 YPG) and Mocs ranking fourth in passing offense (225.5 YPG).

It's unclear whether or not Mocs starting QB B.J. Coleman (111-of-186 passing, 1,295 yds., 6 TDs, 6 INTs) will be back from a shoulder injury he suffered at GSU on Saturday. If he can't go, expect freshman Terrell Robinson to get the nod once again. WCU's Brandon Pechloff (82-of-154 passing, 1,203 yds., 7 TDs, 7 INTs) has been impressive for the Catamounts this season.

Appalachian State Returns To Action At The Citadel After A Week Off

After a much-needed off-week, the seventh-ranked Appalachian State Mountaineers return to action on Saturday when the Mountaineers travel to Charleston and Johnson-Hagood Stadium to battle The Citadel.

The Mountaineers and Bulldogs will be meeting for the 40th time, with ASU holding a commanding 28-11 all-time series advantage. ASU has had command of the series of late, having won 16 of the last 17 meetings between the two and have claimed seven straight against the Bulldogs, dating back to a 24-21 Bulldog victory in Charleston in 2003.

ASU holds an 11-8 advantage over The Citadel in Charleston, but have seen games come right down to the wire when playing the Bulldogs in Charleston, including a 30-27 overtime win in its last trip to the Low Country in 2009.

ASU will be facing a team that utilizes the flexbone attack for the second-straight game, as the Mountaineers were 28-14 losers at No. 5 Wofford a couple of weeks ago. In that contest, ASU yielded 388 yards on the ground in the setback. The Citadel enters the matchup also coming off a loss to the Terriers, and boast the league's third-best rushing offense, averaging 273.8 YPG.

For the first time since 2003, the Mountaineers rank in the bottom three in the league in total offense, averaging just 347.0 YPG to rank seventh out of the nine league members. The Citadel ranks ninth in the SoCon in total offense (309.2 YPG) and had zero passing yards in the Bulldogs' 39-10 loss in Boone last October.

SoCon Power Poll

1. Georgia Southern (5-0, 4-0 SoCon)

1. Wofford (4-1, 3-0 SoCon)

3. Appalachian State (3-2, 1-1 SoCon)

4. Chattanooga (2-4, 0-3 SoCon)

5. Samford (3-2, 1-2 SoCon)

6. Furman (3-2, 2-1 SoCon)

7. Elon (4-2, 2-1 SoCon)

8. The Citadel (2-3, 1-3 SoCon)

9. Western Carolina (1-4, 0-3 SoCon)