The SoCon had three teams in the playoffs: Georgia Southern, App State, and Wofford.
Wofford had a decent signing day with 16 kids: 8 offense and 8 defense. They basically recruited to replace what they lost as they got a QB and three D-lineman. However the signing I am most excited about is Ray Smith an undersized RB. At 5'7" Smith is little, but he is the All-Time leading rusher at Dorman High School right there in Spartanburg, SC. Dorman has a nice history, so it is no small feat. With the running attack Wofford's offense normally has this guy could be great down the road.
Wofford's problem is that they have to replace Mitch Allen at QB. He had nice burst running, but his real genius was his decision making. All signs point to Brian Bass replacing Allen at QB, and Bass actually has a better arm (in my opinion), so maybe more throws are in the work, but not many. The question is going to be will Bass be able to make decisions in the options as well as Allen. How far will the drop off be? Bass still has Breitenstein and Johnson to run the ball, so the offense should not fall to pieces, but it will need to get used to a new pilot. A bigger problem is the complete loss of the Defensive line. Depth at the line will need to be developed and a new group has to keep the pressure up front or Wofford will be run all over by the other teams.
App State signed 19, but has to replace even more than Wofford. DeAndre Presley and Brian Quick are both gone (with invites to the NFL combine by the way), and even if Presley got benched last year it is a big loss. Quick is the type player that cannot be just replaced. However, they got several highly rated signings by Rivals. 3-Star ratings for Dante Blackmon (DB) and Quatterrio Morgan (RB). 2 Star ratings for Jamie Colmar (OL), Tysean Holloway (RB and in school for spring practice), Malachi Jones (WR), Aaron Krah (DB), John Law (LB), and Paul Maglorie (QB). It is a nice looking class, but this year may not be their year to contribute much. What exactly will Appy be able to do on offense is a big concern, but they should still make the playoffs. Just maybe not win the SoCon this year.
Georgia Southern won the SoCon last year, and could this year as well. However sheer number wise, this team lost the most, including Jaybo Shaw. They recruited 24 players this year. That is high. But their class was good. Matt Dobson is a three star QB recruit. Lenard Govan also has 3 stars, but where he will play is up in the air. A good RB but played WR and TE and all over on Defense as well. Tre Griffen is a three star on some place and two in others (LB), Irvin Huggins (DB) is in the same boat. Vegas Harley 3 stars (QB), Patrick Flowe is a two star LB recruit. So is Deshawntee Gallon (DB), Tay Hicklin (DB), and Gray Redding (DB).
It looks like Georgia Southern will be back in power soon.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Signing Day - Sam Houston State and NDSU
It is time to look at some of the big news from the FCS and that is recruiting. Now, signing day is a little different in the FCS as big star athletes seldom come to the FCS, so not as many immediate impact players are coming. But still as NDSU proved good signing classes still lead to titles. We will look at some FCS power houses, but no reason not to start with the title game participants.
NDSU is the champ and so they are up first. And they had a very good class, but they also have a few holes to fill in their line up. NDSU has 18 players on the way with a 19th (Devon Dwiddle from a community college) probably on his way. Craig Bohls has said that four or five guys can play right away from this class and one would have to think that it includes Jack Plankers a 6'7" 290lbs O-Lineman. That kind of size is rare and it can make a huge impact with their running game up there. Brett Pierce a 6'6" 250lbs DE could be another. Bohl continues to take players from NE as well getting Sam Hahn a 6'6" 260lbs OL, who the university of Nebraska tried to get as a walk-on, but he took the scholarship from NDSU instead. QB Derek McGuinnis from Crete, NE signed as well. Bo Liekhus a safety from Bellevue, NE also signed with NDSU.
NDSU needed the most help at Running back, but Dwiddle will be the only one in the class. Dwiddle has had knee problems in the past (at K-State), but seems healthy now. Apparently John Crockett might be eligible academically. Interesting who will be the RB up in Fargo.
Sam Houston State has a lot of players returning, and so almost none of these 16 players will see much time and most will be red shirted. Although for the future you may want to keep your eye on Roclain Drain a 6'4" 255lbs O lineman and Steven Hicks the only RB in the group. The one exception to not playing this year may be Quaylon Ewing-Burton a DB transfer from Boise State.
The Big problem that Sam Houston State is going to have is the loss of the Offensive Coordinator and the O Line coach to New Mexico. The Bearkats had a potent offense, and now they will have to learn a new one. How smoothly that goes is a big factor in Sam Houston challenging again for the title.
NDSU is the champ and so they are up first. And they had a very good class, but they also have a few holes to fill in their line up. NDSU has 18 players on the way with a 19th (Devon Dwiddle from a community college) probably on his way. Craig Bohls has said that four or five guys can play right away from this class and one would have to think that it includes Jack Plankers a 6'7" 290lbs O-Lineman. That kind of size is rare and it can make a huge impact with their running game up there. Brett Pierce a 6'6" 250lbs DE could be another. Bohl continues to take players from NE as well getting Sam Hahn a 6'6" 260lbs OL, who the university of Nebraska tried to get as a walk-on, but he took the scholarship from NDSU instead. QB Derek McGuinnis from Crete, NE signed as well. Bo Liekhus a safety from Bellevue, NE also signed with NDSU.
NDSU needed the most help at Running back, but Dwiddle will be the only one in the class. Dwiddle has had knee problems in the past (at K-State), but seems healthy now. Apparently John Crockett might be eligible academically. Interesting who will be the RB up in Fargo.
Sam Houston State has a lot of players returning, and so almost none of these 16 players will see much time and most will be red shirted. Although for the future you may want to keep your eye on Roclain Drain a 6'4" 255lbs O lineman and Steven Hicks the only RB in the group. The one exception to not playing this year may be Quaylon Ewing-Burton a DB transfer from Boise State.
The Big problem that Sam Houston State is going to have is the loss of the Offensive Coordinator and the O Line coach to New Mexico. The Bearkats had a potent offense, and now they will have to learn a new one. How smoothly that goes is a big factor in Sam Houston challenging again for the title.
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Congrats to NDSU
Unbelievable game! NDSU dominated on defense and that propelled them to a title.
More later.
More later.
Monday, December 19, 2011
FCS FINAL SET
The two semi-finals were all action and the rankings got it right.
I was not surprised by the NDSU victory over Georgia Southern. I still believe they will win it all. Georgia Southern was excellent all year against ground games, but struggled to stop good passing games. They barely beat a passing UTC. They lost to a passing App St. Brock Jensen was poised to take them down. Oddly enough, NDSU did it on the ground. Jensen did pass for a TD to open scoring and hit a 2 pt conversion pass later, but he was only 10 for 15. Although Jensen did a lot with his legs including a 55 yard TD run. NDSU ended up with one 100 yard rusher and two more players with 94 yards a piece (one was Jensen). Even more impressive was the fact that Swope was held under 100 yards rushing. He did get one TD early in the game, but NDSU was ready for him all day. It was a big day in the Fargo Dome for the NDSU defense.
The shocker for me was Sam Houston State taking down Montana. I thought for sure Montana was going to win this game, and I have been discounting Sam Houston most of the season. The jumped out to a 21-0 lead by the end of the first quarter, and Montana had to fight back to simply be close. Sam Houston actually had a bad day as a team. They were only 5 for 13 on 3rd down, but they did convert both their 4th down attempts. They simply road Flanders their RB to this victory. They had over 400 yards of offense, but over half of that was Flanders. He had an unbelievable 287 yards on the ground. Which by the way means the O-Line had a great game as well. I would never have thought Montana could get pushed around the way they did. His early runs including a 1st Quarter TD along with a running TD by Bell the QB made Montana vulnerable to the pass. This led to a 2nd Quarter TD where the Montana men were not ready for it. Still they were ready the next time and returned one to the house to make the half time score 28-14. Sam Houston only managed a field goal in the second half, but held on to win 31-28.
The game really turned on two key plays late in the game. Montana was marching back, and had scored to pull within three with over 10 minutes left in the game. Montana had gotten it back on a three and out, and was now in Sam Houston territory, but on a second and seven Jordan Canada ran the ball, but was stuffed for a 4 yard loss. This made a passing down, and it was incomplete. A punt with 6 minutes left made a stop important. The next big play came after Sam Houston had converted one of those 5 converted 3rd downs on a Flanders run. They responded to that big moment with a false start penalty for a 1st and 15. This was the time for Montana. A stop here and the ball is in your hands with a chance to win the game. Flanders rushes for 9. Rushes again for 5. Then he is stopped on 3rd down for no gain. It is now 4th and 1 at their own 47. Montana would not need much for a game tying field goal, and momentum would be on their side if you failed the conversion. A punt leaves it up to your Defense. They go for it and Flanders rambles off a 22 yard run. That ended the game and all hopes of Montana getting back to the finals.
NDSU versus Sam Houston State. The power conferences come up empty this year, and it is going to be a great game. NDSU just held one of the best rushers in the nation to under 100 yards. Now they face a red hot Flanders for the title on Jan. 7. Looking forward to it.
I was not surprised by the NDSU victory over Georgia Southern. I still believe they will win it all. Georgia Southern was excellent all year against ground games, but struggled to stop good passing games. They barely beat a passing UTC. They lost to a passing App St. Brock Jensen was poised to take them down. Oddly enough, NDSU did it on the ground. Jensen did pass for a TD to open scoring and hit a 2 pt conversion pass later, but he was only 10 for 15. Although Jensen did a lot with his legs including a 55 yard TD run. NDSU ended up with one 100 yard rusher and two more players with 94 yards a piece (one was Jensen). Even more impressive was the fact that Swope was held under 100 yards rushing. He did get one TD early in the game, but NDSU was ready for him all day. It was a big day in the Fargo Dome for the NDSU defense.
The shocker for me was Sam Houston State taking down Montana. I thought for sure Montana was going to win this game, and I have been discounting Sam Houston most of the season. The jumped out to a 21-0 lead by the end of the first quarter, and Montana had to fight back to simply be close. Sam Houston actually had a bad day as a team. They were only 5 for 13 on 3rd down, but they did convert both their 4th down attempts. They simply road Flanders their RB to this victory. They had over 400 yards of offense, but over half of that was Flanders. He had an unbelievable 287 yards on the ground. Which by the way means the O-Line had a great game as well. I would never have thought Montana could get pushed around the way they did. His early runs including a 1st Quarter TD along with a running TD by Bell the QB made Montana vulnerable to the pass. This led to a 2nd Quarter TD where the Montana men were not ready for it. Still they were ready the next time and returned one to the house to make the half time score 28-14. Sam Houston only managed a field goal in the second half, but held on to win 31-28.
The game really turned on two key plays late in the game. Montana was marching back, and had scored to pull within three with over 10 minutes left in the game. Montana had gotten it back on a three and out, and was now in Sam Houston territory, but on a second and seven Jordan Canada ran the ball, but was stuffed for a 4 yard loss. This made a passing down, and it was incomplete. A punt with 6 minutes left made a stop important. The next big play came after Sam Houston had converted one of those 5 converted 3rd downs on a Flanders run. They responded to that big moment with a false start penalty for a 1st and 15. This was the time for Montana. A stop here and the ball is in your hands with a chance to win the game. Flanders rushes for 9. Rushes again for 5. Then he is stopped on 3rd down for no gain. It is now 4th and 1 at their own 47. Montana would not need much for a game tying field goal, and momentum would be on their side if you failed the conversion. A punt leaves it up to your Defense. They go for it and Flanders rambles off a 22 yard run. That ended the game and all hopes of Montana getting back to the finals.
NDSU versus Sam Houston State. The power conferences come up empty this year, and it is going to be a great game. NDSU just held one of the best rushers in the nation to under 100 yards. Now they face a red hot Flanders for the title on Jan. 7. Looking forward to it.
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Playoffs 2011 Quarterfinals
Just so we know Grambling St beat Alabama A&M 16 - 15 for the SWAC championship.
Sam Houston State dominated this game showing their defense was not going to collapse against a good offense. They picked off a pass, recovered fumbles, and turned them all into points. They ran a kick back on their first possession of the second half breaking Montana State in half. The running game was halted by Sam Houston State. Kirk did not even get 2 yards a run on 12 runs, and he did break an 11 yard rumble on their TD drive. The speed on Sam Houston State was impressive, but Montana State was not ready for it, and they gave up on tackling early in the second half. The #1 team won 49-13.
North Dakota State blanked Lehigh in a 24-0 win. It is going to be hard to go into Fargo and win. Brock Jensen was effective, but did not have anything great. He threw 1 TD, but it was the 200+ yards on the ground that won it for NDSU. The defense was great as they picked off 3 passes. A shut out should have been enough to show everyone that NDSU was great and is still my choice to win it all.
Georgia Southern put up 330+ yards to ensure their win. Maine had a kick return for a TD in the first quarter to keep it interesting at 14-7. However, Georgia Southern took over after that. They have a lot of offensive talent but they can give up a lot of points. Maine was not the team that was going to be able to do it, but next weeks opponent of NDSU ought to be able to do it with Jensen throwing it around.
Friday night Montana defeated Northern Iowa. The option attack was too much. Canada and Nguyen kept the running going when it was not kept by Johnson their QB. It was not close as Montana dominated the game. Their defense also picked off three passes taking one to the house as UNI ran out of the strange luck that won them the last game.
All four ranked teams advance and next week will be very entertaining.
Sam Houston State dominated this game showing their defense was not going to collapse against a good offense. They picked off a pass, recovered fumbles, and turned them all into points. They ran a kick back on their first possession of the second half breaking Montana State in half. The running game was halted by Sam Houston State. Kirk did not even get 2 yards a run on 12 runs, and he did break an 11 yard rumble on their TD drive. The speed on Sam Houston State was impressive, but Montana State was not ready for it, and they gave up on tackling early in the second half. The #1 team won 49-13.
North Dakota State blanked Lehigh in a 24-0 win. It is going to be hard to go into Fargo and win. Brock Jensen was effective, but did not have anything great. He threw 1 TD, but it was the 200+ yards on the ground that won it for NDSU. The defense was great as they picked off 3 passes. A shut out should have been enough to show everyone that NDSU was great and is still my choice to win it all.
Georgia Southern put up 330+ yards to ensure their win. Maine had a kick return for a TD in the first quarter to keep it interesting at 14-7. However, Georgia Southern took over after that. They have a lot of offensive talent but they can give up a lot of points. Maine was not the team that was going to be able to do it, but next weeks opponent of NDSU ought to be able to do it with Jensen throwing it around.
Friday night Montana defeated Northern Iowa. The option attack was too much. Canada and Nguyen kept the running going when it was not kept by Johnson their QB. It was not close as Montana dominated the game. Their defense also picked off three passes taking one to the house as UNI ran out of the strange luck that won them the last game.
All four ranked teams advance and next week will be very entertaining.
Friday, December 2, 2011
Playoffs 2011 Round 2 - preview
There are some really good games this weekend. I will give a look and my prediction.
Stony Brook vs. Sam Houston St. - Overall #1 Sam Houston should have no problem with Stony Brook. I think Sam Houston is a weak overall #1, but this is one they ought to win.
James Madison vs. North Dakota St. - #2 NDSU is really good and lost one slip up game. They have an accurate QB, and a defense that can play. I know JMU has history, but it was a four loss team.
Old Dominion vs. Georgia Southern - #3 overall Georgia Southern has the toughest opponent of any ranked team in ODU. ODU is 10-2, and used to big games coming out of the CAA. However, Georgia Southern has a rushing attack that is hard to slow down, just ask Alabama. They were number 1 most of the year, and I think they get through.
Central Arkansas vs. Montana - Montana is #4 and playing at home. It is hard to win at Montana. This is a program that has been in 7 of the 16 FCS title games. Central Arkansas looked good last weekend, but this weekend they lose.
New Hampshire vs. Montana St. - This game looks tough on paper. Montana State played well all year, and was briefly the top ranked team until they hit Montana. But New Hampshire is overrated. They avoided ODU and Delaware in the CAA, and lost to Towson and William and Mary on the road. The only big game the won was James Madison at home and an early season overtime victory at Leigh. Montana St.
Maine vs. Appalachin St. - This is not the same App St. team that lost to Wofford and was blown out by Va Tech. They changed their QB and shared the RB duties more, and since then they have looked pretty good. App. should win with ease in Boone.
Leigh vs. Towson - Leigh is on the road, but they have been over looked most of the season. They are on a 9 game win streak, and they beat Yale and Princeton pretty ease this year. Their only loss is the aforementioned overtime loss to New Hampshire. I just don't have faith that surprising Towson can keep it up. Leigh in the upset.
Wofford vs. Northern Iowa - This game is also interesting. UNI had a great season that included only a loss to NDSU and Iowa St both of which were close (a combined total of 9 points). They did struggle in the last game of the season and have to pull out an OT win over a good Illinois State team. They also beat SF Austin on the road, which is a good win. They are battle tested. However, Wofford has a hard to read rushing attack that has not been stopped often this year. They are senior laden in the D-Line and in their rushing attack. They were here last year and won on the road in the playoffs. So I am going with the upset with Wofford. But then again I am an alum.
Enjoy!
Stony Brook vs. Sam Houston St. - Overall #1 Sam Houston should have no problem with Stony Brook. I think Sam Houston is a weak overall #1, but this is one they ought to win.
James Madison vs. North Dakota St. - #2 NDSU is really good and lost one slip up game. They have an accurate QB, and a defense that can play. I know JMU has history, but it was a four loss team.
Old Dominion vs. Georgia Southern - #3 overall Georgia Southern has the toughest opponent of any ranked team in ODU. ODU is 10-2, and used to big games coming out of the CAA. However, Georgia Southern has a rushing attack that is hard to slow down, just ask Alabama. They were number 1 most of the year, and I think they get through.
Central Arkansas vs. Montana - Montana is #4 and playing at home. It is hard to win at Montana. This is a program that has been in 7 of the 16 FCS title games. Central Arkansas looked good last weekend, but this weekend they lose.
New Hampshire vs. Montana St. - This game looks tough on paper. Montana State played well all year, and was briefly the top ranked team until they hit Montana. But New Hampshire is overrated. They avoided ODU and Delaware in the CAA, and lost to Towson and William and Mary on the road. The only big game the won was James Madison at home and an early season overtime victory at Leigh. Montana St.
Maine vs. Appalachin St. - This is not the same App St. team that lost to Wofford and was blown out by Va Tech. They changed their QB and shared the RB duties more, and since then they have looked pretty good. App. should win with ease in Boone.
Leigh vs. Towson - Leigh is on the road, but they have been over looked most of the season. They are on a 9 game win streak, and they beat Yale and Princeton pretty ease this year. Their only loss is the aforementioned overtime loss to New Hampshire. I just don't have faith that surprising Towson can keep it up. Leigh in the upset.
Wofford vs. Northern Iowa - This game is also interesting. UNI had a great season that included only a loss to NDSU and Iowa St both of which were close (a combined total of 9 points). They did struggle in the last game of the season and have to pull out an OT win over a good Illinois State team. They also beat SF Austin on the road, which is a good win. They are battle tested. However, Wofford has a hard to read rushing attack that has not been stopped often this year. They are senior laden in the D-Line and in their rushing attack. They were here last year and won on the road in the playoffs. So I am going with the upset with Wofford. But then again I am an alum.
Enjoy!
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Playoffs 2011 Round 1
Round 1 is in the books and it was a pretty good one with a surprise or two.
The Bayou Classis, not a playoff game, went to Grambling again. They were the better team, but at least on paper it looked more competitive than in years past. 36-12 this one was out of hand pretty quick in the second half. I will leave it to you all to decide who won the Battle of the Bands.
Old Dominion won as expected and it was not all that close. Norfolk State was game early and kept it 14-7 after 1, but it was all down hill from there. ODU will advance and give their next opponent a handful for sure.
Tennessee Tech lost at home to Central Arkansas. Central Arkansas just exposed Tennessee Tech's secondary. The two freshman safety's in particular got hammered. At least twice they were just beat for long touchdowns. One was a trick play (fake reverse throw back to the reversee), so maybe they can be forgiven for that one, but they gave up a costly one on a TE post where no one was around and he was behind everyone. Central Arkansas shut down the run game. Their best receiver got an ankle sprain. He returned and made some wonderful catches, but his being out hurt their game. Tennessee Tech is going to be back next year with a more experienced secondary and a senior QB (Lamb), who looked pretty good throwing.
Stony Brook shocked the world when it won as well. Albany was up 21-10 at half and scored first in the second half to go up 28-10. Stony Brook put together a drive featuring Jackoiski, who ran it in. Then a quick TD on a pass to Jackoiski for a 55 yard TD really changed the game. That meant the 4th quarter was up for grabs and a defensive struggle. Jackoiski ran it from 11 yards out to grab a 31-28 lead with 12 minutes to go. No one scored again as the D held up for both teams. Jackoiski had a great game and over 100 yards with 3 TDs. Maysonet also ran the ball 22 times for 75 yards as Stony Brook wore down Albany with their run game.
Eastern Kentucky lost at home to James Madison. They had the half time lead (10-7). The lead at the end of the 3rd Quarter (17-10), and were up 17-7 with under 30 seconds to go in the 3rd Quarter. But James Madison's experience in the playoffs showed in the 4th Quarter. Overall the game was controlled by the James Madison defense. They controlled the game. Eastern Kentucky's star running back Matt Denham did get 125 yards, but 66 were on one scamper. They only converted 1 third down. JMU put up just enough offense to win.
A bad week for the Ohio Valley Conference and a good one for the CAA. Still I don't expect any of these teams to win next week with ODU being the best team going forward.
The Bayou Classis, not a playoff game, went to Grambling again. They were the better team, but at least on paper it looked more competitive than in years past. 36-12 this one was out of hand pretty quick in the second half. I will leave it to you all to decide who won the Battle of the Bands.
Old Dominion won as expected and it was not all that close. Norfolk State was game early and kept it 14-7 after 1, but it was all down hill from there. ODU will advance and give their next opponent a handful for sure.
Tennessee Tech lost at home to Central Arkansas. Central Arkansas just exposed Tennessee Tech's secondary. The two freshman safety's in particular got hammered. At least twice they were just beat for long touchdowns. One was a trick play (fake reverse throw back to the reversee), so maybe they can be forgiven for that one, but they gave up a costly one on a TE post where no one was around and he was behind everyone. Central Arkansas shut down the run game. Their best receiver got an ankle sprain. He returned and made some wonderful catches, but his being out hurt their game. Tennessee Tech is going to be back next year with a more experienced secondary and a senior QB (Lamb), who looked pretty good throwing.
Stony Brook shocked the world when it won as well. Albany was up 21-10 at half and scored first in the second half to go up 28-10. Stony Brook put together a drive featuring Jackoiski, who ran it in. Then a quick TD on a pass to Jackoiski for a 55 yard TD really changed the game. That meant the 4th quarter was up for grabs and a defensive struggle. Jackoiski ran it from 11 yards out to grab a 31-28 lead with 12 minutes to go. No one scored again as the D held up for both teams. Jackoiski had a great game and over 100 yards with 3 TDs. Maysonet also ran the ball 22 times for 75 yards as Stony Brook wore down Albany with their run game.
Eastern Kentucky lost at home to James Madison. They had the half time lead (10-7). The lead at the end of the 3rd Quarter (17-10), and were up 17-7 with under 30 seconds to go in the 3rd Quarter. But James Madison's experience in the playoffs showed in the 4th Quarter. Overall the game was controlled by the James Madison defense. They controlled the game. Eastern Kentucky's star running back Matt Denham did get 125 yards, but 66 were on one scamper. They only converted 1 third down. JMU put up just enough offense to win.
A bad week for the Ohio Valley Conference and a good one for the CAA. Still I don't expect any of these teams to win next week with ODU being the best team going forward.
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