Third and long: week four - don't get me wrong
9/18/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
Two big games, two bad picks.
My college football Saturday, September 13th, was defined by a Lehigh win over Fordham that left me staggering, followed by a McNeese State triumph against Georgia Southern that was the prognosticator's equivalent of a right hand by Sugar Shane Moseley.
Now, I'll be the first to tell you that I get my share of predictions wrong, and I can usually deal with the many "eat crow" messages that I receive from those blessed with the miracle of 20/20 hindsight. I still get e-mails from the nether regions of Montana penned by readers incredulous that I picked Sam Houston State to beat the Grizzlies in the 2001 playoffs. It's life, and since I know there are no gamblers pinning their rent money on what I write in my little Web world (no lines on I-AA games), I am generally able to get my requisite 10 to 14 hours of sleep a night.
But this past Saturday was different. When you pick against the home team in a game you'll be attending, you better be sure. I entered Lehigh's Goodman Stadium as confident in my pick of "Fordham by two scores" as Jeremy Shockey at the Playboy Mansion. After three- plus hours of watching Webster-sized Mountain Hawk tailback Jermaine Pugh run over, around, and through the Fordham defense, while Ram punter Stephen Ayers regularly offered the crowd his best jogging- onto-the-field routine, I was finally allowed to bask in the humiliation of Lehigh's 23-16 win. Brown and White head coach Pete Lembo twisted the knife in the post-game press conference: "It doesn't hurt when The Sports Network picks you to lose by two touchdowns," said the coach. Yeah, but it hurts me.
Four-or-so hours later, another home team that I had picked to lose, McNeese State, had just begun its systematic takedown of No. 2 Georgia Southern. The Cowboys, who I had seven days earlier witnessed making all kinds of mistakes at Kansas State, were suddenly flawless. Tailback Vick King was rushing (147 yards, 2 TD), quarterback Scott Pendarvis was tossing (11-18, 1 TD, 0 INT), and receiver/return specialist B.J. Sams was, well, receiving (5 catches and a TD) and returning (117 combined yards). The MSU defense, meanwhile, was forcing the option-based Eagles to throw, and badly (2-17, 39 yards), while causing four turnovers on the night. MSU won, 34-15, in "The Hole," which aptly described where my spirits were residing.
Since making my two ill-fated predictions, there has been some soul searching. Has too much pressure been placed on me, a guy on the Internet, by those who insist on conferring nicknames like "guru"? When the Allentown Morning Call refers to me as "The Beano Cook of I-AA Football," (and honestly, the resemblance is uncanny) can I be expected to live up to such hype?
No, but then again, I have no interest in getting a real job. So here I am, about to begin another week where I make some picks sure to further discolor the reputation tarnished by last week's two notable missteps.
I'll take that crow deep-fried, on white toast, if you please.
Let's take a look at the week that was, and the week that will be, in I-AA:
TROUBLE IN BOZEMAN: Eleventh-ranked Montana State has been sent reeling by the arrest of popular assistant Joe O'Brien, who was detained in Broadwater County on drug-related charges last Friday. O'Brien, who served as the team's assistant head coach and worked with the defensive line, has been charged with one count of possessing methamphetamine and one count of distributing the drug, according to Tuesday's Bozeman Chronicle. Authorities reportedly arrested the 30-year old O'Brien, a former Big Sky Defensive Player of the Year at Boise State, following a sting operation in which a half-ounce of crystal meth, valued at between $1,400 and $1,700 dollars, was delivered to the assistant. Both charges are felonies, and if convicted of intending to sell meth, O'Brien could face up to 20 years in prison and a $50,000 fine. O'Brien, who according to an MSU source was expected to be terminated by the University this week, is free on $15,000 bail.
STREAKING AND PEAKING: Hats off to Southern Utah, which ended its 12-game losing streak, previously the longest-running skein in I-AA, with a 22-21 win over former No. 17 Stephen F. Austin on Saturday. The victory was the first Thunderbird win of the Gary Andersen era, after the former Utah assistant took over for fired C. Ray Gregory following last season. The T-Birds trailed, 21-7, late into the fourth quarter, until two touchdown passes from backup QB Ryan Zimmerman inside of four minutes remaining cut the lead to 21-20. That's where the fun began for SUU, which faked an extra-point attempt with 20 seconds left, as holder Wes Patterson scampered around right end to give the Thunderbirds a 22-21 victory. The "you-know-what's-of-steel" award goes to Andersen for making that brave call, and to Patterson for pulling off the play. I-AA's longest current losing streaks now belong to Charleston Southern and Columbia, which have each lost nine consecutive. Western Kentucky, which has won 12 in a row, sports the sub-classification's longest win streak.
SLIP OF THE TONGUE: Tennessee-Martin coach Matt Griffin needed just three games to draw a reprimand from the Ohio Valley Conference, which was handed down Monday following comments published by the Jackson (TN) Sun. The first-year head man, whose team dropped a 14-7 overtime decision to East Tennessee State last Thursday, was upset about a play in the final moments in which Skyhawk running back Andrew Staten appeared to cross the goal line before fumbling the football. Though Staten recovered the ball, UTM was denied the TD, and Brent Harris' 18-yard field goal attempt was blocked on the next play. "It's unbelievable," Griffin said. "The officials come in like red-headed step- children instead of being impartial. Our kids will play confident this week. They didn't deserve what happened." UTM is 1-2 this season, and plays at No. 2 Western Illinois this Saturday.
MONDAY NIGHT LIGHTS: If you stayed up late enough to watch the Monday night NFL game between the Giants and Cowboys, you got to witness a former I-AA standout serving as the man of the hour. Dallas kicker Billy Cundiff tied an NFL record with seven field goals, including a 52-yarder to knot the game at the end of regulation, and a 25-yarder to give the Cowboys a 35-32 victory. Cundiff, who played for Drake from 1998-2001, was a two-time All-American and is the Bulldogs' all-time points leader with 284. The Sports Network would like to take credit for discovering the Iowan, after we made him the national Special Teams Player of the Week following a five field goal performance against Wisconsin-Stevens Point on Sept. 16, 2000. The praise heaped on Cundiff after his most recent heroics might just supplant that weekly honor in Cundiff's personal trophy case.
BULLISH: Colgate picked up I-AA's seventh win over a I-A opponent this past Saturday, when the Raiders went into Buffalo and dominated, 38-15. Quarterback Chris Brown completed 19 of 29 passes for 263 yards and two touchdowns, also rushing for 75 yards and a score in the demolition. Running back Jamaal Branch rushed for 170 yards and two scores in the triumph, and Colgate outgained Buffalo, 621-243, on the night. Dick Biddle's team had 32 first downs, to 13 for the Bulls. The Raiders entered this week's Top 25 poll at No. 24, the highest ranking for the program since the 1999 season.
LATE ARRIVAL FOR IVY: A hearty welcome goes out to the Ivy League, which finally begins its season this Saturday. Most Division I-A and I-AA teams will have played two or three games before the Ivies play their first this week, and Kansas State and California will each have five games in the books before Princeton and Penn kick off on Saturday night. Princeton, which hosts No. 20 Lehigh in a 7pm affair, will be the last of Division I's 240 schools to begin its football season.
For TSN's breakdown of the Ivy League race, check:
http://www.sportsnetwork.com/default.asp?c=sportsnetwork&page= /cfoot2/news/AGN2799690.htm
THE GAMES: I was 25-6 (.807) in my picks last week, bringing the record to 75-16 (.824) on the year. I didn't just drop my Lehigh/Fordham and McNeese/Georgia Southern predictions, also failing to predict upset wins for Portland State over Nicholls State and Southern Utah over Stephen F. Austin, among others. I did strike gold on Colgate's win over I-A Buffalo, however, and also made solid picks on wins for Cal Poly, Southern Illinois, and Montana, among others.
QUICK HITS: Northern Iowa (1-1) at Stephen F. Austin (1-1), Thursday, 7:30 p.m. The week's only Thursday game involving I-AA teams is an underrated dandy, featuring a pair of clubs both clinging to "bubbling under" status in the nation's Top 25. The visiting Panthers come off an open date, a free Saturday earned by a narrow loss at Big 12 stalwart Iowa State (17-10) followed by a demolition of Division II Northern Michigan (62-0). UNI has gotten big offensive contributions from players like tailback Terrance Freeney (158 yards, 4 TD) and quarterback Tom Petrie (29-44 passing, 310 yards, 2 TD), but it is a defense that has forced five turnovers and 19 punts through two games that is truly deserving of headlines. SFA does not enter this week's regionally televised contest in as happy a place, as the Lumberjacks are fresh off a 22-21 loss at Southern Utah, a team that entered last Saturday's game riding a 12- game losing streak. The 'Jacks let a 21-7 lead slip away late in the fourth quarter, wasting a fine effort from quarterback Zeke Dixon (20-32, 229 yards, 2 TD). A defense that forced five turnovers in the game had trouble stopping the SUU pass, as the T-Birds piled up 319 aerial yards. Though Homer Bryce Stadium is never a pleasant place for incoming foes, the Panthers enter having won the last four games in this series dating back to 1996. SFA isn't going to lay down in its home opener, and I know Mike Santiago's club downed I-A Louisiana-Monroe a couple of weeks ago, but I think UNI is better than both of the aforementioned opponents. In a hotly contested one, Mark Farley's charges prevail by a single point.
Columbia (0-0) at No. 18 Fordham (2-1), 12:20 p.m. The healing process for Fordham after last week's disappointing loss at Lehigh begins this Saturday, and the Rams could not be playing Columbia at a more opportune time. The Lions, who went 1-9 a year ago, will be playing their first game under head coach Bob Shoop, so you can expect that the schemes will take some time to work out in a live setting. One of the Light Blue's top projected weapons, tailback Rashad Biggers, was lost for the season with an ACL tear sustained in a preseason scrimmage. As if that's not enough, the Rams will be eager to re- assert their offensive dominance after last week's failures, and will do so against a Columbia team that won last year's battle for the Liberty Cup, 13-11. Fordham's "Big 3" of quarterback Kevin Eakin (20-39, 183 yards, 1 TD last week), running back Kirwin Watson (15 carries, 51 yards), and wideout Javarus Dudley (5 receptions, 39 yards) were all limited by the Mountain Hawks last week, and will attempt to display the previous form prevalent in blowout wins over C.W. Post (42-7) and Rhode Island (63-28). The Lions, meanwhile, will try to start their season by scoring some points, after averaging just 16.1 per game last season. Quarterback Steve Hunsberger, who threw for 2,023 yards a year ago, will have to be on his game. Fordham head coach Dave Clawson and Shoop are well acquainted, having served on Andy Talley's staff as assistants at Villanova in 1997. Expect Clawson to get the best of his former co-worker in their first meeting, as a determined Ram team takes down a Columbia unit still trying to find its footing under the new regime. Fordham by 28.
William & Mary (1-1) at No. 4 Northeastern (3-0), 12:30 p.m. It will be a long trip from Williamsburg to Brookline for William & Mary, which finishes its three-game season-opening run of road contests against Northeastern this week. The Tribe have played to mostly mixed reviews thus far, failing to do much defensively in a 56-24 loss at I-A Western Michigan on Sept. 6, and following that performance by struggling to put away usually-overmatched VMI until late in a 34-24 victory. Tribe coach Jimmye Laycock must shore up a defense that is giving up just under 500 yards per contest, but has to be encouraged by the play of QB Lang Campbell (30-55 passing, 348 yards, 6 TD, 3 INT), who took over for departed starter Dave Corley this season. Defense also has to be a concern for the fourth-ranked Huskies, who surrendered 531 total yards in a closer- than-expected 42-39 win over Rhode Island. The Rams' spread-option piled up 406 yards on the ground, so the Tribe might want to go to tailbacks Jon Smith and Steven Hargrove in the running game. While the NU defense has taken a step back, the offense has flourished, with running backs Anthony Riley (132 yards, 1 TD last week) and Peter Harris (118 yards, 2 TD) serving as the big gainers a week ago. Northeastern is 1-8 all-time against the Tribe, including a 30-13 loss at Zable Stadium last season. Though history is on the side of W&M, the talent advantage seems to reside with the Huskies, who have scored at will against lesser defenses this year. From the looks of it, William & Mary's defense also falls into the "lesser" category. I'll take Don Brown's Northeastern team by two touchdowns at Parsons Field.
Illinois State (2-1) at No. 19 Eastern Illinois (1-1), 2:30 p.m. No rivalry in the state of Illinois is as long-running as this matchup, which kicks off for the 91st time in Charleston this week. For the fourth time in five years, ISU will make the 107-mile trek from Bloomington-Normal to Charleston, in an attempt to exact revenge for last year's 45-10 Panther win. Redbird fans are cautiously optimistic of a return to I-AA prominence, with double-digit wins over Mid-Major Drake (27-13) and Division II Truman State (49-6) probably seeming less impressive than a 49-22 loss at Big Ten foe Illinois two weeks ago. In that contest, ISU outgained the Illini, 511-461, on the day, with wideout Dwayne Smith's 14- reception, 243-yard, two-touchdown outing coming against the program from which he transferred. EIU also achieved some positives in its most recent loss, a 37-0 blanking at the hands of Big 12 opponent Missouri. QB Andy Vincent, in his second start after taking over for Panther legend and current Dallas Cowboy Tony Romo, completed 23 of 36 passes against the Tigers, who led just 14-0 at the half. Tailback extraordinaire Andre Raymond, who was limited to 26 yards on the ground, will have to be more of a factor against the Redbirds this week. I see this game coming down to the play of the defenses, and both teams' All-America linebackers - Illinois State's Boomer Grigsby and Eastern Illinois' Nick Ricks - are bound to be significant contributors. Though EIU has had ISU's number of late, I like Denver Johnson's Redbirds to pull one out against Bob Spoo's charges on the road. A Stephen Carroll field goal wins it in overtime, and Illinois State finds its way into the Top 25.
Samford (2-0) at San Diego State (2-1), 5:00 p.m. The Ohio Valley Conference's only remaining undefeated team will put its perfect status on the line in a big way as Samford travels to face I-A San Diego State. The Bulldogs have had two- plus weeks to get ready for the Aztecs, who count a notable loss to Ohio State (16-13) amid wins over Eastern Washington (19-9) and UTEP (34-0). Samford has been strong offensively thus far, ringing up plenty of yardage in wins over Chattanooga (31-23) and Division II West Alabama (44-28). Quarterback Ray Nelson, who was terrific at the end of the 2001 season, has returned to his previous form, tossing for 445 yards and six touchdowns through his first two games. Wideout Efrem Hill has been another key component, catching 16 balls for 255 yards and a quartet of touchdowns. Bill Gray's team hasn't been wonderful defensively, though the opportunistic Bulldogs have forced seven turnovers thus far. Whether they have the size, speed, or depth to contend with SDSU on either side of the ball is in question, especially against an Aztec defense that has surrendered just 25 points through its first three games. My guess is that Samford will have trouble getting much going in the way of ball movement, and will lose the field position game too often to remain in the contest beyond halftime. San Diego State by about five touchdowns.
No. 7 Bethune-Cookman (2-0) at Florida International (0-2), 6:00 p.m. Florida International's ambitious schedule hits another landmine this week, with seventh-ranked Bethune-Cookman traveling from Daytona to Miami for the Golden Panthers' home opener. Don Strock's FIU team has had its struggles thus far, losing quarterback Jamie Burke for the season with a knee injury sustained against Indiana State in a 13-10 loss on September 6th. Minus Burke, the offense sputtered during much of last week's 24-14 defeat at the hands of Maine, though the relief efforts of former third-stringer Josh Padrick (18-31, 192 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT) brought Strock's club to within striking distance late. Padrick, a redshirt freshman, will get the start this week. Florida International will have to cut down on the penalties against B-CC, after committing 17 infractions a week ago. The Wildcats come off an open date that was preceded by wins over Savannah State (62-12) and Alabama State (31-26). Quarterback Allen Suber has run the "Wyatt- Bone" offense to perfection thus far, accounting for 558 yards of total offense and four touchdowns (two rushing, two passing) in the set of wins. Penalties also plagued B-CC in its most recent effort, with 13 such sins helping Alabama State remain in the Sept. 6 meeting. Bethune-Cookman was a 31-0 winner over FIU in last year's meeting, and I think the Golden Panthers will be quite a bit stronger this time around. But an offensive attack depleted by the loss of Burke, coupled with the Wildcats' foreign offensive scheme, does not spell good things for the south Florida outfit. They'll hang in late, but Florida International will eventually fall by 10 points.
Jacksonville State (1-1) at Kansas (2-1), 7:00 p.m. Bill Whittemore was destined to play against OVC competition, but he probably didn't think it would come as the starting quarterback of Big 12 member Kansas. You see, Whittemore once appeared on the roster of none other than Tennessee-Martin, where he spent the 1999-2000 seasons before transferring to Fort Scott Community College in Kansas in 2001. Whittemore landed in the Jayhawks' laps following a productive season at Fort Scott, and is currently serving in his second year as the staring signal-caller in Lawrence. The senior, who has thrown for 779 yards and eight touchdowns versus just two picks this year, would have seen this week's opponent, Jacksonville State, on October 11th had he remained at UTM. Instead, he'll have a much stronger supporting cast around him as the Gamecocks make their way to Memorial Stadium. JSU comes off a 28-16 loss to Division II North Alabama last week, failing often to stop Lion quarterback Will Hall (295 passing yards, 4 TD). JSU quarterbacks Maurice Mullins (8-19, 58 yards, 1 INT) and Anthony Mayo (9-17, 92 yards, 1 INT) were equally ineffective, but Mayo will get the start this week in Lawrence. Kansas is no Big 12 powerhouse, but early indications are that JSU is severely limited in several offensive and defensive areas. That means a four-or-more touchdown win for Youngstown State grad Mark Mangino and the Jayhawks, who should get a big day out of OVC castoff Whittemore.
Howard (0-2) at Akron (1-2), 7:00 p.m. Former OVC member and current I-A bottom-feeder Akron is either smart enough or scared enough to never schedule quality I-AA competition. The Zips had perennial I-AA beggar Liberty on the slate last year, but you don't see Youngstown State or any other prominent I-AA within bussing distance getting too many invites to the Rubber Bowl, do you? Clearly, the Akron administration knew what it was doing when it scheduled Howard, a middling MEAC club, while it had no clue what it was doing in inviting current No. 21 Cal Poly to come to town on Oct. 11. But we'll get to that game in a few weeks. This Saturday, it's Howard, which is 0-2 entering the Rubber City Classic. Ray Petty's team was a 17-14 loser to Hampton last Saturday, being limited to 12 yards on the ground against the Pirates' stifling defensive line. The absence of running back Jay Colbert, a 1,000-yard rusher who has missed the Bison's first two games with a broken hand, has clearly hindered Howard. Last week, backup Keon Coleman was also lost with an ankle injury. The status of both players is in question this week, but the presence of free safety Antoine Bethea (8 tackles, 3 fumble recoveries and a sack last week) on defense should help matters. Howard will have to stop quarterback Charlie Frye, who has thrown for over 1,000 yards already this season and is completing nearly 70 percent of his passes. I see the Bison having trouble with the impressive Frye this week, and am looking for a three-to-four touchdown Akron triumph.
Southeastern Louisiana (2-1) at Troy State (1-2), 7:00 p.m. Speaking of I-As that know better than to schedule a I-AA that will beat them, we have Troy State, which probably didn't think twice about putting newly-revived Southeastern Louisiana on this season's docket. But the Lions aren't exactly your run-of-the-mill startup program, as famed former Kentucky head coach Hal Mumme brought in a host of transfers to help the team win right away. After defeating Arkansas-Monticello (22-17) and Lambuth (22-10) to begin the year, the Lions absorbed a 41-35 loss to Henderson State a week ago. Woody Widenhofer's green defense had some difficulty with the Reddies' option attack, giving up a total of 546 yards for the game. Offensively, however, Southeastern had its finest moment to date, with true freshman quarterback Martin Hankins completing 37 of 52 passes for 402 yards and 3 touchdowns (also three interceptions). Getting more production from a running game that picked up only 45 yards on 18 attempts will be a notable priority for the Lions. Mumme and company will have their hands full with TSU, which defeated UAB by a 20-9 count last week. Larry Blakeney's charges got 212 yards of total offense from quarterback Aaron Leak in the victory, while holding the Blazers to 89 rushing yards on the day. Southeastern is explosive, but they are probably not ready to account for Troy State's greater size, speed, and depth. In three years, there's no way the Trojans will schedule the Lions. As for this week, Movie Gallery Stadium, once known to I-AA fans as Scrushy Field, will be the site of a double-digit Troy State victory.
Sam Houston State (1-1) at Baylor (1-2), 7:00 p.m. If I-AA is going to get another legitimate shot at a BCS-level victory, this one might be your winner. Baylor, which as an institution has endured some well-publicized difficulties of late, hasn't had much quality play from the football team with which to lift its spirits. The Bears were 10-7 winners over SMU a week ago, but began the season with disturbing losses to UAB (24-19) and North Texas (52-14). Guy Morriss, who left Kentucky to take over the beleaguered program following last season, has found very little in the way of offense (five touchdowns in three games) and his team has also been porous against the run (nearly 200 yards per game). That's not to say a Baylor loss would be an expected phenomenon this Saturday. As predicted, Sam Houston State offered little in the way of inspiring effort in last week's 38-14 loss at Montana. The Bearkats fell behind by 21 early, woke up in the second quarter to cut the lead to 21-14, and then slowly faded into the Montana night. An offense that managed just 52 ground yards and turned the ball over four times was a major culprit, overshadowing the effort of a defense that gave up only 10 Montana first downs and got a 37- yard interception return for a touchdown from Paul Donelson. They'll need greater offensive flow this week, primarily from running back Stevie Smith (17 carries, 44 yards vs. Montana), who will be charged with getting the ground game going. Sam Houston State's last I-A win was over Louisiana-Monroe to start the 2001 season, and I'm honestly not sure how much better this Baylor club is than that ULM edition. But SHSU's shoddy play since its appearance in the 2001 playoffs keeps me from picking the Bearkats. I think they'll go into the fourth quarter with a shot, but lose by 10.
BIG TIME: No. 12 Massachusetts (1-1) at No. 16 Maine (2-1), 6:00 p.m. As expected, UMass did not upset Kansas State. The Minutemen lost, 38-7, but gave the Wildcats a little more than will many Big 12 opponents this season. Mark Whipple's team led, 7-0, after a 65-yard touchdown strike from Jeff Krohn to Jason Peebler early in the first quarter. The feel-good moments even extended into the second frame, as UMass took a 7-3 lead into quarter number two. Forty- five minutes, six UMass three-and-outs, and three Darren Sproles touchdowns later, the Minutemen exited Manhattan as losers who could hold their heads relatively high, having played K-State closer than did previous Wildcat opponents Troy State (41-5) or McNeese State (55-14). But moral victories aren't going to get it done this week, as Whipple's crew must travel to Orono to open its Atlantic 10 season against Maine. The Black Bears were 24-14 winners over Florida International in Portland a week ago, riding a steady diet of tailback Marcus Williams (159 yards, 1 TD) to the win. Freshman quarterback Ron Whitcomb (15-26, 121 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT) continued not to hurt Jack Cosgrove's team, and the defense played well until giving up two fourth-quarter touchdowns that made the score closer than it should have been. Penalties (13 for 145) were a concern for Maine, though both Williams and Cosgrove told the Bangor Daily News that FIU players were baiting the undisciplined play from the Black Bears. The Golden Panthers were penalized 17 times for 166 yards. This one could get chippy as well, with UMass having defeated Maine by double digits in four of the past five seasons. The Minutemen won last year's battle, 20-10, in Amherst. But I see that trend reversing in this year's contest. UMass is road-weary and less than 100 percent physically after the K-State loss, and Whipple's crew is still without top offensive weapons R.J. Cobbs (academics) and Raunny Rosario (knee). Maine, meanwhile, is playing with the confidence of a two-time league champion, and will have a home crowd in its corner. The Black Bears by a touchdown.
No. 6 Georgia Southern (1-1) at No. 25 Wofford (1-1), 7:00 p.m. Could it be d??j?? vu all over again for Georgia Southern? Last season, the Eagles headed into week three as a 1-1 football team, with a blowout home win over an unheralded team (Gardner-Webb) and a road loss to a prominent I-AA (Delaware). In game number three, GSU dropped a 14-7 shocker to Wofford. This year, Mike Sewak's club enters its third game with a blowout home win over an unheralded team (Savannah State), and a road loss to a prominent I-AA (McNeese State). Will this year's Terrier tilt provide the same disturbing pattern for the Eagles? Georgia Southern's central problem has been turnovers, which number nine through the team's first two games. Quarterback Chaz Williams has had his moments, rushing for 101 yards and four scores in his first two games, but has put the ball on the ground multiple times and has not often been effective in the passing game (6-20, 118 yards). Fullback Jermaine Austin (246 yards, 2 TD) has been the team's most effective offensive weapon, and the vaunted slotbacks have been minimized. Defensively, there is concern for a unit that allowed McNeese's state attack to rush (191 yards) and pass (231) effectively. Wofford has been a tough read, getting outclassed at Air Force (49-0) before recovering with a 35-13 win over South Carolina State two weeks ago. The Terriers managed just 186 rushing yards out of its option attack in the SCSU win, but did hold the Bulldogs to minus-16 on the ground while forcing six turnovers. Mike Ayers' team has averaged just 2.7 yards per rush, but the play of true freshman halfback Kevious Johnson (50 yards, 2 TD) has been a plus. GSU is 4-0 all-time against Wofford in Spartanburg, winning those games by a composite score of 152-47. Though I don't see this one being a blowout, I do think the Eagles will tighten up their play on both sides of the ball and move to 2-1. Look for a low-scoring battle, with Williams and Austin making enough big plays to enable a 10-point Georgia Southern victory.
No. 15 Northwestern State (2-1) at Louisiana-Monroe (0-3), 8:00 p.m. One of the Southland Conference's most viable candidates for football expansion, Louisiana-Monroe, hosts another of its potential league siblings, Northwestern State, this week. ULM fell victim to Southland member Stephen F. Austin, 23-21, two weeks ago, and will be attempting to break a five-game losing skid to I-AA schools when the Demons visit Malone Stadium on Saturday. The Indians dropped a 59-14 laugher to Ole Miss last week, not helping to quiet those that believe the school should participate in the Southland for football, as it does for all other sports. A loss to Northwestern State, which comes off a 43-6 shellacking of Delaware State last Saturday, would do nothing to boost the morale of Charlie Weatherbie's club. NSU's stingy defense was once again present in the DSU win, allowing just 121 yards and four first downs on the evening. On offense, tailback Derrick Johnese moved the chains, rushing for 162 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries. The largest task for Scott Stoker's defense will be limiting ULM tailback Kevin Payne, who went for 135 and a pair of touchdowns in the SFA loss. The game figures to be especially intense for Stoker, who was denied the chance to walk-on at ULM before starring at quarterback for the Demons in the late 1980s. Stoker was 2-1-1 against then-Northeast Louisiana during his playing career, and the positive moments should continue for the head coach this week. Northwestern State went toe-to-toe with a much stronger I-A opponent, Tulane, two weeks ago before falling in overtime, 27-24. As a practical matter, the Demons can't afford to lose this game, not with road tests against tougher opponents Northern Iowa and McNeese State on the schedule. Look for NSU, which sports the more talented of the two defenses, to win by a touchdown and extend ULM's losing streak against I-AA to six.
No. 20 Lehigh (2-0) at Princeton (0-0), 7:00 p.m. Lehigh is back in the national Top 25, and the I-AA world is better off. When Mountain Hawk fans, or Engineer fans, or Brown and White fans are prominent on the scene, the profile of both I-AA and the Patriot League can only be boosted by their energy. Hopefully, those that were not among the 7,401 at Goodman Stadium last week (it was raining all morning, but that's no excuse), have been awoken by their team's 23-16 triumph over former No. 9 Fordham last week. Pete Lembo's club was outstanding on both sides of the ball, and enters this week's foray into Ivy League territory featuring I-AA's top rusher in 5-4 wunderkind Jermaine Pugh (238 yards vs. the Rams) and a defense that, at least for a week, looked as strong as any in recent Lehigh annals. With the game on the line, the Mountain Hawks forced punts in each of Fordham's final five possessions, with four of those going down as three-and-outs. Lehigh forced the Rams to play catch-up for much of the day, which is the opposite of last year's Princeton matchup. The Tigers entered the fourth quarter ahead, 24-7, before a furious Lehigh rally, finished off by a Chad Schwenk pass to Justin Barrasso with 13 seconds remaining, gave Lembo's team a 31-24 victory. Princeton will be seeking revenge for that one, but will do so without last year's top rusher in Cameron Atkinson, receiver in Chisom Opara, and tackler in linebacker Zak Keasey. Roger Hughes' team will have to be on the same page early, and the connection between quarterback David Splithoff (3,446 career passing yards) and 6-5 wideout B.J. Szymanski (33 receptions in '02) is likely to be key. Though the Tigers have the benefit of 10 full months of rest, I'm not going to be foolish enough to pick against Lehigh this week. If healthy, the defense is going to be tough to penetrate all year, and weapons like Pugh and receiver Dave Crockett will ensure enough points are scored to win the Brown and White some ball games. Who wins by two scores this week? It's Lehigh.
Richmond (0-1) at No. 9 Furman (1-1), 7:00 p.m. That pesky open date victimized Furman last week, as the "out-of-sight, out-of- mind" complex of Top 25 voters forced Bobby Lamb's team to slip from No. 8 to No. 9 in the poll. No one seemed to recall the purple-clad Paladins' solid effort in Clemson one week prior, when Tommy Bowden's ACC-bred Tigers failed to score a single second-half point in a 28-17 win. Had Furman been privy to the services of receiver Isaac West and tight end Willis Sudderth, who served the second leg of a three-game suspension, Death Valley could have been the scene of an "upset special." Now Lamb and company will attempt to prove their power to the I-AA world as Atlantic 10 foe Richmond visits Paladin Stadium this week. Richmond fell hard at Delaware, 44-14, a week ago, with four costly turnovers helping to inflate a 24-14 halftime deficit. QB and former Virginia starter Bryson Spinner made some plays in his first action as a Spider, piling up 225 yards of total offense and throwing a 28-yard scoring strike to converted signal-caller Stacy Tutt. A young UR defense, which lost most of its key elements from a year ago, struggled to corral Delaware running back Germaine Bennett (126 yards, 3 TD) and gave up 450 yards on the day. The toughest assignments for Jim Reid's team this week will be limiting Paladin quarterback Bo Moore and tailback Hindley Brigham, who each looked sharp in a season-opening win against Elon. Furman won last year's meeting, 17-7, in Richmond, and I see this one being a tad higher- scoring. The Spiders have introduced an aerial attack into their repertoire, which should make for a longer contest and a few more scoring chances. But I won't pick the result to be much different. The Paladin defense has been solid this season, and it will force enough Spinner mistakes to spell a home win in Greenville. There could be some tense moments late, but Furman wins by a half- dozen.
No. 1 McNeese State (2-1) at No. 13 Grambling State (2-1), 7:30 p.m. OK, this is it. I am officially labeling this game as Grambling State's final chance to impress the 100-plus voters that select the weekly Top 25 and will confer on the Walter Payton Award winner and All-Americans later this season. We'll all forget the 32-point loss at McNeese last season, the debacle on network television against Southern last Thanksgiving weekend, and the blanking at the hands of San Jose State on national TV to start this year. Call it a clean slate for GSU, head coach Doug Williams, and Payton candidates Bruce Eugene and Tramon Douglas. Just about no one is expecting Grambling to take down the top- ranked McNeese State Cowboys, but if the eyes of the I-AA world bear witness to another blowout against a quality foe, I wouldn't expect anyone to be too impressed by those wins against Prairie View and Mississippi Valley State later this season. The Tigers need to keep it close in front of a home crowd, or at least do something to suggest them worthy of the elite I-AA status that they have attained. Williams' crew feasted on another overmatched SWAC opponent last week, shutting down Alabama A&M by a 45-14 margin. Eugene completed 27 of 55 passes for 430 yards and three touchdowns in the win, and Douglas caught six balls for 75 yards and a score. The defense also had its moments, forcing five turnovers on the day. McNeese was a big winner last Saturday as well, taking down former No. 2 Georgia Southern, 34-15, in I-AA's most hyped game of the week. Tommy Tate's club was sharp offensively, and running back Vick King (147 yards, 2 TD) made a solid case for inclusion on the next Walter Payton Award revision (announced October 1st). But it is on the defensive side of the ball that McNeese typically dominates, whether you're discussing last Saturday's terrorizing of Eagle quarterback Chaz Williams (2-14 passing) or last season's Grambling game, when the Cowboys forced five turnovers and held the Tigers to 206 total yards on the night. I see another strong defensive effort in McNeese's near future. GSU completed three deep balls for scores last season, and if the Cowboy corners can tighten up in that department, Eugene will have trouble moving the offense. That means short fields and enough effort from King, quarterback Scott Pendarvis, and wideout B.J. Sams to get McNeese in the win column. Tate's team by double digits - again.
Eastern Kentucky (1-2) at No. 3 Western Kentucky (2-0), 8:00 p.m. At last, we all get to see of what the defending national champion Western Kentucky Hilltoppers are made. Following two joke wins, over NAIA Union (KY) (51-3) and Division II West Virginia Tech (67-3), WKU will take on Eastern Kentucky in the resumption of the "Battle of the Bluegrass" series, the Commonwealth of Kentucky's oldest rivalry. The clubs haven't met since 2000, when Jack Harbaugh and Roy Kidd were patrolling the sidelines and both schools were members of the OVC. Three years forward, Western is a part of the Gateway and comes off its first- ever national title, while both teams sport new coaches - David Elson for the Hilltoppers and Danny Hope for the Colonels. WKU's system remains largely the same, although true freshman quarterback Justin Haddix (252 passing yards, 3 TD, 1 INT) has done a touch more passing than did his predecessors in the 'Toppers option-based attack. Running backs Chris Miller (256 yards, 2 TD) and Lerron Moore (145 yards, 4 TD) have received a wealth of the carries thus far. Defensively, linebackers Erik Dandy (22 tackles) and Charles Thompson (18 tackles) have continued the 'Toppers dominance on defense, albeit against lesser competition. EKU has seen nothing in the way of lesser competition, having defeated perennial I-AA power Appalachian State while falling to MAC schools Bowling Green (63-13) and Central Michigan (42-41). The Colonels opened up a 21-0 lead on CMU last week before letting it slip from their clutches. Hope's team dominated in yardage, 614-373, but turned the ball over three times and was plagued by 13 penalties. The game did mark the return in earnest of former Payton candidate running back C.J. Hudson, who rushed for 85 yards and two touchdowns in his first significant action of the season. WKU won the last battle between the two teams, 6-3, in Bowling Green during the 2000 season, but you shouldn't expect a defensive struggle this time around, since both teams have shown the ability to move the football in 2003. The big question is whether EKU will have enough left in the tank to play four solid quarters following a difficult three-game stretch. I think they'll play tough, but I can't pick them to beat a homestanding Western team coming off an open date. In a contest that will be worth the price of admission, Elson's squad will take it on a late Matt Lange field goal.
Northern Arizona (1-1) at No. 22 Portland State (2-0), 9:05 p.m. The first game on the Big Sky Conference docket will feature two first-month surprises attempting to gain an early edge in the league race. Portland State, which finds itself in the Top 25 poll for the first time this year, earned a quality 44-37 win over former No. 20 Nicholls State a week ago. Quarterback Joe Wiser was the star for Tim Walsh's team, connecting on 27 of 35 passes for 392 yards and two touchdowns in the win. Payton Award candidate Ryan Fuqua did not have a strong day on the ground (14 carries, 31 yards, 1 TD), but the offensive line allowed just one sack of Wiser and the team did not surrender a single turnover. Defensively, PSU forced three Nicholls miscues, a necessary factor since the Viks had little clue against the Colonel option (515 ground yards for NSU). Though Walsh and company will see the more conventional offensive attack of Northern Arizona, they'll have plenty of weapons with which to deal. NAU was off last weekend after playing Arizona State tough in a 34-14 loss on Sept. 6. True freshman quarterback Jason Murrietta was 21 of 35 for 292 yards, two touchdowns, and one pick against the then-AP No. 20 Sun Devils, establishing himself as a rising I-AA star. Wideout Clarence Moore impressed the pro scouts, catching nine passes for 157 yards and a touchdown in the loss. Jerome Souers' club was solid defensively, allowing just one scoring drive of more than 55 yards. Though the Lumberjacks hold an 8-2 edge in this series and are the better-rested outfit, I've noted PSU's strong play at PGE Park and think they can continue their winning ways before embarking on a difficult three-week road trip to Fresno State, Stephen F. Austin, and Eastern Washington. Wiser leads one more touchdown drive than does Murrietta, and the Vikings win by a half- dozen.
No. 11 Montana State (1-1) at No. 21 Cal Poly (2-0), 9:05 p.m. There is not generally a good time for off-the-field problems, but the timing of Montana State's recent struggles seems particularly cruel. The No. 11 Bobcats will travel to play red-hot No. 21 Cal Poly without the services of longtime assistant Joe O'Brien, who was expected to be fired from his post following last week's drug-related arrest (see above). MSU, which comes off an open date, could have entered its duel with the Mustangs still basking in the glow of a 38-3 rout of Gardner-Webb on Sept. 6. The Bobcat defense suffocated the Bulldog attack, forcing four turnovers, limiting the team to just 94 rushing yards, and sacking quarterback Nick Roberts six times. Offensively, running back Bruce Molock (14 carries, 120 yards) was the man, but it was the play of return man Corey Smith that really turned heads. Smith returned a punt 49 yards for a touchdown, as well as bringing back a 100-yard kickoff return for a score, helping him win national Special Teams Player of the Week honors. A duplication of that performance will be difficult for Mike Kramer's team, and not just because of outside distractions. Cal Poly defended its new-found Top 25 status by defeating Big Sky member Sacramento State, 31-17, last week. The ground- based Mustang attack piled up 278 land yards, including 101 and a touchdown from slotback Geno Randle. Defensively, All-America candidate and linebacker Jordan Beck posted 15 tackles and cornerback David Richardson returned an interception 71 yards for a score in the triumph. The Mustangs have won four straight in the series against MSU, including a 34-6 rout in the teams' most recent meeting in 2001. Though Montana State is probably the more talented team on paper, I'm worried about the toll of the week's events and the 'Cats focus heading into enemy territory against a club with unusual schemes. Rich Ellerson's team needs this win, especially with road games against Northern Arizona, Montana, and I-A Akron following on the docket. I say the Mustangs will get that victory, winning by a handful on the strength of a late score.
I-AA Mid-Major Game of the Week: Mid-Major No. 2 Duquesne (1-1) at TSN No. 23 Penn (0-0), 6:00 p.m. No, the Penn Quakers are not a I-AA Mid-Major, they're the defending Ivy League champs and a team that finished the 2002 season at 9-1 and No. 17 in the country. But they'll be taking on Duquesne, a I-AA Mid-Major which that level's voters thought so much of that they moved the Dukes from No. 4 to No. 2 in the rankings as Greg Gattuso's 0-1 club sat idle during an open date. DU opened the year with a 28-21 loss to Patriot League member Bucknell, but rebounded for its first win of the season by blanking Butler, 49-0, last week. Quarterback Niel Loebig, who was plagued by three interceptions against the Bison, lit up the Bulldogs for 291 yards and four touchdowns last week. The defense was also stifling, causing four Butler turnovers and limiting them to just 77 yards on the ground. But the Dukes won't be playing a Pioneer League team, they'll be heading to storied Franklin Field to face a team that dominated Ivy League opposition last season. Al Bagnoli's Quakers welcome back quarterback Mike Mitchell (2803 passing yards, 20 TD, 13 INT), their entire offensive line, and several key players from a defense that surrendered just 13.2 points per game a year ago. A win against Penn, which Duquesne has never met on the gridiron, would mean a legitimate shot at this year's Top 25 poll for the non-scholarship Dukes. But Gattuso and company probably picked the wrong Ivy League team to mess with, as Penn has legitimate Top 25 talent and should hold a significant size and speed advantage on both sides of the ball. The Quakers begin their campaign with a four-touchdown triumph.
My college football Saturday, September 13th, was defined by a Lehigh win over Fordham that left me staggering, followed by a McNeese State triumph against Georgia Southern that was the prognosticator's equivalent of a right hand by Sugar Shane Moseley.
Now, I'll be the first to tell you that I get my share of predictions wrong, and I can usually deal with the many "eat crow" messages that I receive from those blessed with the miracle of 20/20 hindsight. I still get e-mails from the nether regions of Montana penned by readers incredulous that I picked Sam Houston State to beat the Grizzlies in the 2001 playoffs. It's life, and since I know there are no gamblers pinning their rent money on what I write in my little Web world (no lines on I-AA games), I am generally able to get my requisite 10 to 14 hours of sleep a night.
But this past Saturday was different. When you pick against the home team in a game you'll be attending, you better be sure. I entered Lehigh's Goodman Stadium as confident in my pick of "Fordham by two scores" as Jeremy Shockey at the Playboy Mansion. After three- plus hours of watching Webster-sized Mountain Hawk tailback Jermaine Pugh run over, around, and through the Fordham defense, while Ram punter Stephen Ayers regularly offered the crowd his best jogging- onto-the-field routine, I was finally allowed to bask in the humiliation of Lehigh's 23-16 win. Brown and White head coach Pete Lembo twisted the knife in the post-game press conference: "It doesn't hurt when The Sports Network picks you to lose by two touchdowns," said the coach. Yeah, but it hurts me.
Four-or-so hours later, another home team that I had picked to lose, McNeese State, had just begun its systematic takedown of No. 2 Georgia Southern. The Cowboys, who I had seven days earlier witnessed making all kinds of mistakes at Kansas State, were suddenly flawless. Tailback Vick King was rushing (147 yards, 2 TD), quarterback Scott Pendarvis was tossing (11-18, 1 TD, 0 INT), and receiver/return specialist B.J. Sams was, well, receiving (5 catches and a TD) and returning (117 combined yards). The MSU defense, meanwhile, was forcing the option-based Eagles to throw, and badly (2-17, 39 yards), while causing four turnovers on the night. MSU won, 34-15, in "The Hole," which aptly described where my spirits were residing.
Since making my two ill-fated predictions, there has been some soul searching. Has too much pressure been placed on me, a guy on the Internet, by those who insist on conferring nicknames like "guru"? When the Allentown Morning Call refers to me as "The Beano Cook of I-AA Football," (and honestly, the resemblance is uncanny) can I be expected to live up to such hype?
No, but then again, I have no interest in getting a real job. So here I am, about to begin another week where I make some picks sure to further discolor the reputation tarnished by last week's two notable missteps.
I'll take that crow deep-fried, on white toast, if you please.
Let's take a look at the week that was, and the week that will be, in I-AA:
TROUBLE IN BOZEMAN: Eleventh-ranked Montana State has been sent reeling by the arrest of popular assistant Joe O'Brien, who was detained in Broadwater County on drug-related charges last Friday. O'Brien, who served as the team's assistant head coach and worked with the defensive line, has been charged with one count of possessing methamphetamine and one count of distributing the drug, according to Tuesday's Bozeman Chronicle. Authorities reportedly arrested the 30-year old O'Brien, a former Big Sky Defensive Player of the Year at Boise State, following a sting operation in which a half-ounce of crystal meth, valued at between $1,400 and $1,700 dollars, was delivered to the assistant. Both charges are felonies, and if convicted of intending to sell meth, O'Brien could face up to 20 years in prison and a $50,000 fine. O'Brien, who according to an MSU source was expected to be terminated by the University this week, is free on $15,000 bail.
STREAKING AND PEAKING: Hats off to Southern Utah, which ended its 12-game losing streak, previously the longest-running skein in I-AA, with a 22-21 win over former No. 17 Stephen F. Austin on Saturday. The victory was the first Thunderbird win of the Gary Andersen era, after the former Utah assistant took over for fired C. Ray Gregory following last season. The T-Birds trailed, 21-7, late into the fourth quarter, until two touchdown passes from backup QB Ryan Zimmerman inside of four minutes remaining cut the lead to 21-20. That's where the fun began for SUU, which faked an extra-point attempt with 20 seconds left, as holder Wes Patterson scampered around right end to give the Thunderbirds a 22-21 victory. The "you-know-what's-of-steel" award goes to Andersen for making that brave call, and to Patterson for pulling off the play. I-AA's longest current losing streaks now belong to Charleston Southern and Columbia, which have each lost nine consecutive. Western Kentucky, which has won 12 in a row, sports the sub-classification's longest win streak.
SLIP OF THE TONGUE: Tennessee-Martin coach Matt Griffin needed just three games to draw a reprimand from the Ohio Valley Conference, which was handed down Monday following comments published by the Jackson (TN) Sun. The first-year head man, whose team dropped a 14-7 overtime decision to East Tennessee State last Thursday, was upset about a play in the final moments in which Skyhawk running back Andrew Staten appeared to cross the goal line before fumbling the football. Though Staten recovered the ball, UTM was denied the TD, and Brent Harris' 18-yard field goal attempt was blocked on the next play. "It's unbelievable," Griffin said. "The officials come in like red-headed step- children instead of being impartial. Our kids will play confident this week. They didn't deserve what happened." UTM is 1-2 this season, and plays at No. 2 Western Illinois this Saturday.
MONDAY NIGHT LIGHTS: If you stayed up late enough to watch the Monday night NFL game between the Giants and Cowboys, you got to witness a former I-AA standout serving as the man of the hour. Dallas kicker Billy Cundiff tied an NFL record with seven field goals, including a 52-yarder to knot the game at the end of regulation, and a 25-yarder to give the Cowboys a 35-32 victory. Cundiff, who played for Drake from 1998-2001, was a two-time All-American and is the Bulldogs' all-time points leader with 284. The Sports Network would like to take credit for discovering the Iowan, after we made him the national Special Teams Player of the Week following a five field goal performance against Wisconsin-Stevens Point on Sept. 16, 2000. The praise heaped on Cundiff after his most recent heroics might just supplant that weekly honor in Cundiff's personal trophy case.
BULLISH: Colgate picked up I-AA's seventh win over a I-A opponent this past Saturday, when the Raiders went into Buffalo and dominated, 38-15. Quarterback Chris Brown completed 19 of 29 passes for 263 yards and two touchdowns, also rushing for 75 yards and a score in the demolition. Running back Jamaal Branch rushed for 170 yards and two scores in the triumph, and Colgate outgained Buffalo, 621-243, on the night. Dick Biddle's team had 32 first downs, to 13 for the Bulls. The Raiders entered this week's Top 25 poll at No. 24, the highest ranking for the program since the 1999 season.
LATE ARRIVAL FOR IVY: A hearty welcome goes out to the Ivy League, which finally begins its season this Saturday. Most Division I-A and I-AA teams will have played two or three games before the Ivies play their first this week, and Kansas State and California will each have five games in the books before Princeton and Penn kick off on Saturday night. Princeton, which hosts No. 20 Lehigh in a 7pm affair, will be the last of Division I's 240 schools to begin its football season.
For TSN's breakdown of the Ivy League race, check:
http://www.sportsnetwork.com/default.asp?c=sportsnetwork&page= /cfoot2/news/AGN2799690.htm
THE GAMES: I was 25-6 (.807) in my picks last week, bringing the record to 75-16 (.824) on the year. I didn't just drop my Lehigh/Fordham and McNeese/Georgia Southern predictions, also failing to predict upset wins for Portland State over Nicholls State and Southern Utah over Stephen F. Austin, among others. I did strike gold on Colgate's win over I-A Buffalo, however, and also made solid picks on wins for Cal Poly, Southern Illinois, and Montana, among others.
QUICK HITS: Northern Iowa (1-1) at Stephen F. Austin (1-1), Thursday, 7:30 p.m. The week's only Thursday game involving I-AA teams is an underrated dandy, featuring a pair of clubs both clinging to "bubbling under" status in the nation's Top 25. The visiting Panthers come off an open date, a free Saturday earned by a narrow loss at Big 12 stalwart Iowa State (17-10) followed by a demolition of Division II Northern Michigan (62-0). UNI has gotten big offensive contributions from players like tailback Terrance Freeney (158 yards, 4 TD) and quarterback Tom Petrie (29-44 passing, 310 yards, 2 TD), but it is a defense that has forced five turnovers and 19 punts through two games that is truly deserving of headlines. SFA does not enter this week's regionally televised contest in as happy a place, as the Lumberjacks are fresh off a 22-21 loss at Southern Utah, a team that entered last Saturday's game riding a 12- game losing streak. The 'Jacks let a 21-7 lead slip away late in the fourth quarter, wasting a fine effort from quarterback Zeke Dixon (20-32, 229 yards, 2 TD). A defense that forced five turnovers in the game had trouble stopping the SUU pass, as the T-Birds piled up 319 aerial yards. Though Homer Bryce Stadium is never a pleasant place for incoming foes, the Panthers enter having won the last four games in this series dating back to 1996. SFA isn't going to lay down in its home opener, and I know Mike Santiago's club downed I-A Louisiana-Monroe a couple of weeks ago, but I think UNI is better than both of the aforementioned opponents. In a hotly contested one, Mark Farley's charges prevail by a single point.
Columbia (0-0) at No. 18 Fordham (2-1), 12:20 p.m. The healing process for Fordham after last week's disappointing loss at Lehigh begins this Saturday, and the Rams could not be playing Columbia at a more opportune time. The Lions, who went 1-9 a year ago, will be playing their first game under head coach Bob Shoop, so you can expect that the schemes will take some time to work out in a live setting. One of the Light Blue's top projected weapons, tailback Rashad Biggers, was lost for the season with an ACL tear sustained in a preseason scrimmage. As if that's not enough, the Rams will be eager to re- assert their offensive dominance after last week's failures, and will do so against a Columbia team that won last year's battle for the Liberty Cup, 13-11. Fordham's "Big 3" of quarterback Kevin Eakin (20-39, 183 yards, 1 TD last week), running back Kirwin Watson (15 carries, 51 yards), and wideout Javarus Dudley (5 receptions, 39 yards) were all limited by the Mountain Hawks last week, and will attempt to display the previous form prevalent in blowout wins over C.W. Post (42-7) and Rhode Island (63-28). The Lions, meanwhile, will try to start their season by scoring some points, after averaging just 16.1 per game last season. Quarterback Steve Hunsberger, who threw for 2,023 yards a year ago, will have to be on his game. Fordham head coach Dave Clawson and Shoop are well acquainted, having served on Andy Talley's staff as assistants at Villanova in 1997. Expect Clawson to get the best of his former co-worker in their first meeting, as a determined Ram team takes down a Columbia unit still trying to find its footing under the new regime. Fordham by 28.
William & Mary (1-1) at No. 4 Northeastern (3-0), 12:30 p.m. It will be a long trip from Williamsburg to Brookline for William & Mary, which finishes its three-game season-opening run of road contests against Northeastern this week. The Tribe have played to mostly mixed reviews thus far, failing to do much defensively in a 56-24 loss at I-A Western Michigan on Sept. 6, and following that performance by struggling to put away usually-overmatched VMI until late in a 34-24 victory. Tribe coach Jimmye Laycock must shore up a defense that is giving up just under 500 yards per contest, but has to be encouraged by the play of QB Lang Campbell (30-55 passing, 348 yards, 6 TD, 3 INT), who took over for departed starter Dave Corley this season. Defense also has to be a concern for the fourth-ranked Huskies, who surrendered 531 total yards in a closer- than-expected 42-39 win over Rhode Island. The Rams' spread-option piled up 406 yards on the ground, so the Tribe might want to go to tailbacks Jon Smith and Steven Hargrove in the running game. While the NU defense has taken a step back, the offense has flourished, with running backs Anthony Riley (132 yards, 1 TD last week) and Peter Harris (118 yards, 2 TD) serving as the big gainers a week ago. Northeastern is 1-8 all-time against the Tribe, including a 30-13 loss at Zable Stadium last season. Though history is on the side of W&M, the talent advantage seems to reside with the Huskies, who have scored at will against lesser defenses this year. From the looks of it, William & Mary's defense also falls into the "lesser" category. I'll take Don Brown's Northeastern team by two touchdowns at Parsons Field.
Illinois State (2-1) at No. 19 Eastern Illinois (1-1), 2:30 p.m. No rivalry in the state of Illinois is as long-running as this matchup, which kicks off for the 91st time in Charleston this week. For the fourth time in five years, ISU will make the 107-mile trek from Bloomington-Normal to Charleston, in an attempt to exact revenge for last year's 45-10 Panther win. Redbird fans are cautiously optimistic of a return to I-AA prominence, with double-digit wins over Mid-Major Drake (27-13) and Division II Truman State (49-6) probably seeming less impressive than a 49-22 loss at Big Ten foe Illinois two weeks ago. In that contest, ISU outgained the Illini, 511-461, on the day, with wideout Dwayne Smith's 14- reception, 243-yard, two-touchdown outing coming against the program from which he transferred. EIU also achieved some positives in its most recent loss, a 37-0 blanking at the hands of Big 12 opponent Missouri. QB Andy Vincent, in his second start after taking over for Panther legend and current Dallas Cowboy Tony Romo, completed 23 of 36 passes against the Tigers, who led just 14-0 at the half. Tailback extraordinaire Andre Raymond, who was limited to 26 yards on the ground, will have to be more of a factor against the Redbirds this week. I see this game coming down to the play of the defenses, and both teams' All-America linebackers - Illinois State's Boomer Grigsby and Eastern Illinois' Nick Ricks - are bound to be significant contributors. Though EIU has had ISU's number of late, I like Denver Johnson's Redbirds to pull one out against Bob Spoo's charges on the road. A Stephen Carroll field goal wins it in overtime, and Illinois State finds its way into the Top 25.
Samford (2-0) at San Diego State (2-1), 5:00 p.m. The Ohio Valley Conference's only remaining undefeated team will put its perfect status on the line in a big way as Samford travels to face I-A San Diego State. The Bulldogs have had two- plus weeks to get ready for the Aztecs, who count a notable loss to Ohio State (16-13) amid wins over Eastern Washington (19-9) and UTEP (34-0). Samford has been strong offensively thus far, ringing up plenty of yardage in wins over Chattanooga (31-23) and Division II West Alabama (44-28). Quarterback Ray Nelson, who was terrific at the end of the 2001 season, has returned to his previous form, tossing for 445 yards and six touchdowns through his first two games. Wideout Efrem Hill has been another key component, catching 16 balls for 255 yards and a quartet of touchdowns. Bill Gray's team hasn't been wonderful defensively, though the opportunistic Bulldogs have forced seven turnovers thus far. Whether they have the size, speed, or depth to contend with SDSU on either side of the ball is in question, especially against an Aztec defense that has surrendered just 25 points through its first three games. My guess is that Samford will have trouble getting much going in the way of ball movement, and will lose the field position game too often to remain in the contest beyond halftime. San Diego State by about five touchdowns.
No. 7 Bethune-Cookman (2-0) at Florida International (0-2), 6:00 p.m. Florida International's ambitious schedule hits another landmine this week, with seventh-ranked Bethune-Cookman traveling from Daytona to Miami for the Golden Panthers' home opener. Don Strock's FIU team has had its struggles thus far, losing quarterback Jamie Burke for the season with a knee injury sustained against Indiana State in a 13-10 loss on September 6th. Minus Burke, the offense sputtered during much of last week's 24-14 defeat at the hands of Maine, though the relief efforts of former third-stringer Josh Padrick (18-31, 192 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT) brought Strock's club to within striking distance late. Padrick, a redshirt freshman, will get the start this week. Florida International will have to cut down on the penalties against B-CC, after committing 17 infractions a week ago. The Wildcats come off an open date that was preceded by wins over Savannah State (62-12) and Alabama State (31-26). Quarterback Allen Suber has run the "Wyatt- Bone" offense to perfection thus far, accounting for 558 yards of total offense and four touchdowns (two rushing, two passing) in the set of wins. Penalties also plagued B-CC in its most recent effort, with 13 such sins helping Alabama State remain in the Sept. 6 meeting. Bethune-Cookman was a 31-0 winner over FIU in last year's meeting, and I think the Golden Panthers will be quite a bit stronger this time around. But an offensive attack depleted by the loss of Burke, coupled with the Wildcats' foreign offensive scheme, does not spell good things for the south Florida outfit. They'll hang in late, but Florida International will eventually fall by 10 points.
Jacksonville State (1-1) at Kansas (2-1), 7:00 p.m. Bill Whittemore was destined to play against OVC competition, but he probably didn't think it would come as the starting quarterback of Big 12 member Kansas. You see, Whittemore once appeared on the roster of none other than Tennessee-Martin, where he spent the 1999-2000 seasons before transferring to Fort Scott Community College in Kansas in 2001. Whittemore landed in the Jayhawks' laps following a productive season at Fort Scott, and is currently serving in his second year as the staring signal-caller in Lawrence. The senior, who has thrown for 779 yards and eight touchdowns versus just two picks this year, would have seen this week's opponent, Jacksonville State, on October 11th had he remained at UTM. Instead, he'll have a much stronger supporting cast around him as the Gamecocks make their way to Memorial Stadium. JSU comes off a 28-16 loss to Division II North Alabama last week, failing often to stop Lion quarterback Will Hall (295 passing yards, 4 TD). JSU quarterbacks Maurice Mullins (8-19, 58 yards, 1 INT) and Anthony Mayo (9-17, 92 yards, 1 INT) were equally ineffective, but Mayo will get the start this week in Lawrence. Kansas is no Big 12 powerhouse, but early indications are that JSU is severely limited in several offensive and defensive areas. That means a four-or-more touchdown win for Youngstown State grad Mark Mangino and the Jayhawks, who should get a big day out of OVC castoff Whittemore.
Howard (0-2) at Akron (1-2), 7:00 p.m. Former OVC member and current I-A bottom-feeder Akron is either smart enough or scared enough to never schedule quality I-AA competition. The Zips had perennial I-AA beggar Liberty on the slate last year, but you don't see Youngstown State or any other prominent I-AA within bussing distance getting too many invites to the Rubber Bowl, do you? Clearly, the Akron administration knew what it was doing when it scheduled Howard, a middling MEAC club, while it had no clue what it was doing in inviting current No. 21 Cal Poly to come to town on Oct. 11. But we'll get to that game in a few weeks. This Saturday, it's Howard, which is 0-2 entering the Rubber City Classic. Ray Petty's team was a 17-14 loser to Hampton last Saturday, being limited to 12 yards on the ground against the Pirates' stifling defensive line. The absence of running back Jay Colbert, a 1,000-yard rusher who has missed the Bison's first two games with a broken hand, has clearly hindered Howard. Last week, backup Keon Coleman was also lost with an ankle injury. The status of both players is in question this week, but the presence of free safety Antoine Bethea (8 tackles, 3 fumble recoveries and a sack last week) on defense should help matters. Howard will have to stop quarterback Charlie Frye, who has thrown for over 1,000 yards already this season and is completing nearly 70 percent of his passes. I see the Bison having trouble with the impressive Frye this week, and am looking for a three-to-four touchdown Akron triumph.
Southeastern Louisiana (2-1) at Troy State (1-2), 7:00 p.m. Speaking of I-As that know better than to schedule a I-AA that will beat them, we have Troy State, which probably didn't think twice about putting newly-revived Southeastern Louisiana on this season's docket. But the Lions aren't exactly your run-of-the-mill startup program, as famed former Kentucky head coach Hal Mumme brought in a host of transfers to help the team win right away. After defeating Arkansas-Monticello (22-17) and Lambuth (22-10) to begin the year, the Lions absorbed a 41-35 loss to Henderson State a week ago. Woody Widenhofer's green defense had some difficulty with the Reddies' option attack, giving up a total of 546 yards for the game. Offensively, however, Southeastern had its finest moment to date, with true freshman quarterback Martin Hankins completing 37 of 52 passes for 402 yards and 3 touchdowns (also three interceptions). Getting more production from a running game that picked up only 45 yards on 18 attempts will be a notable priority for the Lions. Mumme and company will have their hands full with TSU, which defeated UAB by a 20-9 count last week. Larry Blakeney's charges got 212 yards of total offense from quarterback Aaron Leak in the victory, while holding the Blazers to 89 rushing yards on the day. Southeastern is explosive, but they are probably not ready to account for Troy State's greater size, speed, and depth. In three years, there's no way the Trojans will schedule the Lions. As for this week, Movie Gallery Stadium, once known to I-AA fans as Scrushy Field, will be the site of a double-digit Troy State victory.
Sam Houston State (1-1) at Baylor (1-2), 7:00 p.m. If I-AA is going to get another legitimate shot at a BCS-level victory, this one might be your winner. Baylor, which as an institution has endured some well-publicized difficulties of late, hasn't had much quality play from the football team with which to lift its spirits. The Bears were 10-7 winners over SMU a week ago, but began the season with disturbing losses to UAB (24-19) and North Texas (52-14). Guy Morriss, who left Kentucky to take over the beleaguered program following last season, has found very little in the way of offense (five touchdowns in three games) and his team has also been porous against the run (nearly 200 yards per game). That's not to say a Baylor loss would be an expected phenomenon this Saturday. As predicted, Sam Houston State offered little in the way of inspiring effort in last week's 38-14 loss at Montana. The Bearkats fell behind by 21 early, woke up in the second quarter to cut the lead to 21-14, and then slowly faded into the Montana night. An offense that managed just 52 ground yards and turned the ball over four times was a major culprit, overshadowing the effort of a defense that gave up only 10 Montana first downs and got a 37- yard interception return for a touchdown from Paul Donelson. They'll need greater offensive flow this week, primarily from running back Stevie Smith (17 carries, 44 yards vs. Montana), who will be charged with getting the ground game going. Sam Houston State's last I-A win was over Louisiana-Monroe to start the 2001 season, and I'm honestly not sure how much better this Baylor club is than that ULM edition. But SHSU's shoddy play since its appearance in the 2001 playoffs keeps me from picking the Bearkats. I think they'll go into the fourth quarter with a shot, but lose by 10.
BIG TIME: No. 12 Massachusetts (1-1) at No. 16 Maine (2-1), 6:00 p.m. As expected, UMass did not upset Kansas State. The Minutemen lost, 38-7, but gave the Wildcats a little more than will many Big 12 opponents this season. Mark Whipple's team led, 7-0, after a 65-yard touchdown strike from Jeff Krohn to Jason Peebler early in the first quarter. The feel-good moments even extended into the second frame, as UMass took a 7-3 lead into quarter number two. Forty- five minutes, six UMass three-and-outs, and three Darren Sproles touchdowns later, the Minutemen exited Manhattan as losers who could hold their heads relatively high, having played K-State closer than did previous Wildcat opponents Troy State (41-5) or McNeese State (55-14). But moral victories aren't going to get it done this week, as Whipple's crew must travel to Orono to open its Atlantic 10 season against Maine. The Black Bears were 24-14 winners over Florida International in Portland a week ago, riding a steady diet of tailback Marcus Williams (159 yards, 1 TD) to the win. Freshman quarterback Ron Whitcomb (15-26, 121 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT) continued not to hurt Jack Cosgrove's team, and the defense played well until giving up two fourth-quarter touchdowns that made the score closer than it should have been. Penalties (13 for 145) were a concern for Maine, though both Williams and Cosgrove told the Bangor Daily News that FIU players were baiting the undisciplined play from the Black Bears. The Golden Panthers were penalized 17 times for 166 yards. This one could get chippy as well, with UMass having defeated Maine by double digits in four of the past five seasons. The Minutemen won last year's battle, 20-10, in Amherst. But I see that trend reversing in this year's contest. UMass is road-weary and less than 100 percent physically after the K-State loss, and Whipple's crew is still without top offensive weapons R.J. Cobbs (academics) and Raunny Rosario (knee). Maine, meanwhile, is playing with the confidence of a two-time league champion, and will have a home crowd in its corner. The Black Bears by a touchdown.
No. 6 Georgia Southern (1-1) at No. 25 Wofford (1-1), 7:00 p.m. Could it be d??j?? vu all over again for Georgia Southern? Last season, the Eagles headed into week three as a 1-1 football team, with a blowout home win over an unheralded team (Gardner-Webb) and a road loss to a prominent I-AA (Delaware). In game number three, GSU dropped a 14-7 shocker to Wofford. This year, Mike Sewak's club enters its third game with a blowout home win over an unheralded team (Savannah State), and a road loss to a prominent I-AA (McNeese State). Will this year's Terrier tilt provide the same disturbing pattern for the Eagles? Georgia Southern's central problem has been turnovers, which number nine through the team's first two games. Quarterback Chaz Williams has had his moments, rushing for 101 yards and four scores in his first two games, but has put the ball on the ground multiple times and has not often been effective in the passing game (6-20, 118 yards). Fullback Jermaine Austin (246 yards, 2 TD) has been the team's most effective offensive weapon, and the vaunted slotbacks have been minimized. Defensively, there is concern for a unit that allowed McNeese's state attack to rush (191 yards) and pass (231) effectively. Wofford has been a tough read, getting outclassed at Air Force (49-0) before recovering with a 35-13 win over South Carolina State two weeks ago. The Terriers managed just 186 rushing yards out of its option attack in the SCSU win, but did hold the Bulldogs to minus-16 on the ground while forcing six turnovers. Mike Ayers' team has averaged just 2.7 yards per rush, but the play of true freshman halfback Kevious Johnson (50 yards, 2 TD) has been a plus. GSU is 4-0 all-time against Wofford in Spartanburg, winning those games by a composite score of 152-47. Though I don't see this one being a blowout, I do think the Eagles will tighten up their play on both sides of the ball and move to 2-1. Look for a low-scoring battle, with Williams and Austin making enough big plays to enable a 10-point Georgia Southern victory.
No. 15 Northwestern State (2-1) at Louisiana-Monroe (0-3), 8:00 p.m. One of the Southland Conference's most viable candidates for football expansion, Louisiana-Monroe, hosts another of its potential league siblings, Northwestern State, this week. ULM fell victim to Southland member Stephen F. Austin, 23-21, two weeks ago, and will be attempting to break a five-game losing skid to I-AA schools when the Demons visit Malone Stadium on Saturday. The Indians dropped a 59-14 laugher to Ole Miss last week, not helping to quiet those that believe the school should participate in the Southland for football, as it does for all other sports. A loss to Northwestern State, which comes off a 43-6 shellacking of Delaware State last Saturday, would do nothing to boost the morale of Charlie Weatherbie's club. NSU's stingy defense was once again present in the DSU win, allowing just 121 yards and four first downs on the evening. On offense, tailback Derrick Johnese moved the chains, rushing for 162 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries. The largest task for Scott Stoker's defense will be limiting ULM tailback Kevin Payne, who went for 135 and a pair of touchdowns in the SFA loss. The game figures to be especially intense for Stoker, who was denied the chance to walk-on at ULM before starring at quarterback for the Demons in the late 1980s. Stoker was 2-1-1 against then-Northeast Louisiana during his playing career, and the positive moments should continue for the head coach this week. Northwestern State went toe-to-toe with a much stronger I-A opponent, Tulane, two weeks ago before falling in overtime, 27-24. As a practical matter, the Demons can't afford to lose this game, not with road tests against tougher opponents Northern Iowa and McNeese State on the schedule. Look for NSU, which sports the more talented of the two defenses, to win by a touchdown and extend ULM's losing streak against I-AA to six.
No. 20 Lehigh (2-0) at Princeton (0-0), 7:00 p.m. Lehigh is back in the national Top 25, and the I-AA world is better off. When Mountain Hawk fans, or Engineer fans, or Brown and White fans are prominent on the scene, the profile of both I-AA and the Patriot League can only be boosted by their energy. Hopefully, those that were not among the 7,401 at Goodman Stadium last week (it was raining all morning, but that's no excuse), have been awoken by their team's 23-16 triumph over former No. 9 Fordham last week. Pete Lembo's club was outstanding on both sides of the ball, and enters this week's foray into Ivy League territory featuring I-AA's top rusher in 5-4 wunderkind Jermaine Pugh (238 yards vs. the Rams) and a defense that, at least for a week, looked as strong as any in recent Lehigh annals. With the game on the line, the Mountain Hawks forced punts in each of Fordham's final five possessions, with four of those going down as three-and-outs. Lehigh forced the Rams to play catch-up for much of the day, which is the opposite of last year's Princeton matchup. The Tigers entered the fourth quarter ahead, 24-7, before a furious Lehigh rally, finished off by a Chad Schwenk pass to Justin Barrasso with 13 seconds remaining, gave Lembo's team a 31-24 victory. Princeton will be seeking revenge for that one, but will do so without last year's top rusher in Cameron Atkinson, receiver in Chisom Opara, and tackler in linebacker Zak Keasey. Roger Hughes' team will have to be on the same page early, and the connection between quarterback David Splithoff (3,446 career passing yards) and 6-5 wideout B.J. Szymanski (33 receptions in '02) is likely to be key. Though the Tigers have the benefit of 10 full months of rest, I'm not going to be foolish enough to pick against Lehigh this week. If healthy, the defense is going to be tough to penetrate all year, and weapons like Pugh and receiver Dave Crockett will ensure enough points are scored to win the Brown and White some ball games. Who wins by two scores this week? It's Lehigh.
Richmond (0-1) at No. 9 Furman (1-1), 7:00 p.m. That pesky open date victimized Furman last week, as the "out-of-sight, out-of- mind" complex of Top 25 voters forced Bobby Lamb's team to slip from No. 8 to No. 9 in the poll. No one seemed to recall the purple-clad Paladins' solid effort in Clemson one week prior, when Tommy Bowden's ACC-bred Tigers failed to score a single second-half point in a 28-17 win. Had Furman been privy to the services of receiver Isaac West and tight end Willis Sudderth, who served the second leg of a three-game suspension, Death Valley could have been the scene of an "upset special." Now Lamb and company will attempt to prove their power to the I-AA world as Atlantic 10 foe Richmond visits Paladin Stadium this week. Richmond fell hard at Delaware, 44-14, a week ago, with four costly turnovers helping to inflate a 24-14 halftime deficit. QB and former Virginia starter Bryson Spinner made some plays in his first action as a Spider, piling up 225 yards of total offense and throwing a 28-yard scoring strike to converted signal-caller Stacy Tutt. A young UR defense, which lost most of its key elements from a year ago, struggled to corral Delaware running back Germaine Bennett (126 yards, 3 TD) and gave up 450 yards on the day. The toughest assignments for Jim Reid's team this week will be limiting Paladin quarterback Bo Moore and tailback Hindley Brigham, who each looked sharp in a season-opening win against Elon. Furman won last year's meeting, 17-7, in Richmond, and I see this one being a tad higher- scoring. The Spiders have introduced an aerial attack into their repertoire, which should make for a longer contest and a few more scoring chances. But I won't pick the result to be much different. The Paladin defense has been solid this season, and it will force enough Spinner mistakes to spell a home win in Greenville. There could be some tense moments late, but Furman wins by a half- dozen.
No. 1 McNeese State (2-1) at No. 13 Grambling State (2-1), 7:30 p.m. OK, this is it. I am officially labeling this game as Grambling State's final chance to impress the 100-plus voters that select the weekly Top 25 and will confer on the Walter Payton Award winner and All-Americans later this season. We'll all forget the 32-point loss at McNeese last season, the debacle on network television against Southern last Thanksgiving weekend, and the blanking at the hands of San Jose State on national TV to start this year. Call it a clean slate for GSU, head coach Doug Williams, and Payton candidates Bruce Eugene and Tramon Douglas. Just about no one is expecting Grambling to take down the top- ranked McNeese State Cowboys, but if the eyes of the I-AA world bear witness to another blowout against a quality foe, I wouldn't expect anyone to be too impressed by those wins against Prairie View and Mississippi Valley State later this season. The Tigers need to keep it close in front of a home crowd, or at least do something to suggest them worthy of the elite I-AA status that they have attained. Williams' crew feasted on another overmatched SWAC opponent last week, shutting down Alabama A&M by a 45-14 margin. Eugene completed 27 of 55 passes for 430 yards and three touchdowns in the win, and Douglas caught six balls for 75 yards and a score. The defense also had its moments, forcing five turnovers on the day. McNeese was a big winner last Saturday as well, taking down former No. 2 Georgia Southern, 34-15, in I-AA's most hyped game of the week. Tommy Tate's club was sharp offensively, and running back Vick King (147 yards, 2 TD) made a solid case for inclusion on the next Walter Payton Award revision (announced October 1st). But it is on the defensive side of the ball that McNeese typically dominates, whether you're discussing last Saturday's terrorizing of Eagle quarterback Chaz Williams (2-14 passing) or last season's Grambling game, when the Cowboys forced five turnovers and held the Tigers to 206 total yards on the night. I see another strong defensive effort in McNeese's near future. GSU completed three deep balls for scores last season, and if the Cowboy corners can tighten up in that department, Eugene will have trouble moving the offense. That means short fields and enough effort from King, quarterback Scott Pendarvis, and wideout B.J. Sams to get McNeese in the win column. Tate's team by double digits - again.
Eastern Kentucky (1-2) at No. 3 Western Kentucky (2-0), 8:00 p.m. At last, we all get to see of what the defending national champion Western Kentucky Hilltoppers are made. Following two joke wins, over NAIA Union (KY) (51-3) and Division II West Virginia Tech (67-3), WKU will take on Eastern Kentucky in the resumption of the "Battle of the Bluegrass" series, the Commonwealth of Kentucky's oldest rivalry. The clubs haven't met since 2000, when Jack Harbaugh and Roy Kidd were patrolling the sidelines and both schools were members of the OVC. Three years forward, Western is a part of the Gateway and comes off its first- ever national title, while both teams sport new coaches - David Elson for the Hilltoppers and Danny Hope for the Colonels. WKU's system remains largely the same, although true freshman quarterback Justin Haddix (252 passing yards, 3 TD, 1 INT) has done a touch more passing than did his predecessors in the 'Toppers option-based attack. Running backs Chris Miller (256 yards, 2 TD) and Lerron Moore (145 yards, 4 TD) have received a wealth of the carries thus far. Defensively, linebackers Erik Dandy (22 tackles) and Charles Thompson (18 tackles) have continued the 'Toppers dominance on defense, albeit against lesser competition. EKU has seen nothing in the way of lesser competition, having defeated perennial I-AA power Appalachian State while falling to MAC schools Bowling Green (63-13) and Central Michigan (42-41). The Colonels opened up a 21-0 lead on CMU last week before letting it slip from their clutches. Hope's team dominated in yardage, 614-373, but turned the ball over three times and was plagued by 13 penalties. The game did mark the return in earnest of former Payton candidate running back C.J. Hudson, who rushed for 85 yards and two touchdowns in his first significant action of the season. WKU won the last battle between the two teams, 6-3, in Bowling Green during the 2000 season, but you shouldn't expect a defensive struggle this time around, since both teams have shown the ability to move the football in 2003. The big question is whether EKU will have enough left in the tank to play four solid quarters following a difficult three-game stretch. I think they'll play tough, but I can't pick them to beat a homestanding Western team coming off an open date. In a contest that will be worth the price of admission, Elson's squad will take it on a late Matt Lange field goal.
Northern Arizona (1-1) at No. 22 Portland State (2-0), 9:05 p.m. The first game on the Big Sky Conference docket will feature two first-month surprises attempting to gain an early edge in the league race. Portland State, which finds itself in the Top 25 poll for the first time this year, earned a quality 44-37 win over former No. 20 Nicholls State a week ago. Quarterback Joe Wiser was the star for Tim Walsh's team, connecting on 27 of 35 passes for 392 yards and two touchdowns in the win. Payton Award candidate Ryan Fuqua did not have a strong day on the ground (14 carries, 31 yards, 1 TD), but the offensive line allowed just one sack of Wiser and the team did not surrender a single turnover. Defensively, PSU forced three Nicholls miscues, a necessary factor since the Viks had little clue against the Colonel option (515 ground yards for NSU). Though Walsh and company will see the more conventional offensive attack of Northern Arizona, they'll have plenty of weapons with which to deal. NAU was off last weekend after playing Arizona State tough in a 34-14 loss on Sept. 6. True freshman quarterback Jason Murrietta was 21 of 35 for 292 yards, two touchdowns, and one pick against the then-AP No. 20 Sun Devils, establishing himself as a rising I-AA star. Wideout Clarence Moore impressed the pro scouts, catching nine passes for 157 yards and a touchdown in the loss. Jerome Souers' club was solid defensively, allowing just one scoring drive of more than 55 yards. Though the Lumberjacks hold an 8-2 edge in this series and are the better-rested outfit, I've noted PSU's strong play at PGE Park and think they can continue their winning ways before embarking on a difficult three-week road trip to Fresno State, Stephen F. Austin, and Eastern Washington. Wiser leads one more touchdown drive than does Murrietta, and the Vikings win by a half- dozen.
No. 11 Montana State (1-1) at No. 21 Cal Poly (2-0), 9:05 p.m. There is not generally a good time for off-the-field problems, but the timing of Montana State's recent struggles seems particularly cruel. The No. 11 Bobcats will travel to play red-hot No. 21 Cal Poly without the services of longtime assistant Joe O'Brien, who was expected to be fired from his post following last week's drug-related arrest (see above). MSU, which comes off an open date, could have entered its duel with the Mustangs still basking in the glow of a 38-3 rout of Gardner-Webb on Sept. 6. The Bobcat defense suffocated the Bulldog attack, forcing four turnovers, limiting the team to just 94 rushing yards, and sacking quarterback Nick Roberts six times. Offensively, running back Bruce Molock (14 carries, 120 yards) was the man, but it was the play of return man Corey Smith that really turned heads. Smith returned a punt 49 yards for a touchdown, as well as bringing back a 100-yard kickoff return for a score, helping him win national Special Teams Player of the Week honors. A duplication of that performance will be difficult for Mike Kramer's team, and not just because of outside distractions. Cal Poly defended its new-found Top 25 status by defeating Big Sky member Sacramento State, 31-17, last week. The ground- based Mustang attack piled up 278 land yards, including 101 and a touchdown from slotback Geno Randle. Defensively, All-America candidate and linebacker Jordan Beck posted 15 tackles and cornerback David Richardson returned an interception 71 yards for a score in the triumph. The Mustangs have won four straight in the series against MSU, including a 34-6 rout in the teams' most recent meeting in 2001. Though Montana State is probably the more talented team on paper, I'm worried about the toll of the week's events and the 'Cats focus heading into enemy territory against a club with unusual schemes. Rich Ellerson's team needs this win, especially with road games against Northern Arizona, Montana, and I-A Akron following on the docket. I say the Mustangs will get that victory, winning by a handful on the strength of a late score.
I-AA Mid-Major Game of the Week: Mid-Major No. 2 Duquesne (1-1) at TSN No. 23 Penn (0-0), 6:00 p.m. No, the Penn Quakers are not a I-AA Mid-Major, they're the defending Ivy League champs and a team that finished the 2002 season at 9-1 and No. 17 in the country. But they'll be taking on Duquesne, a I-AA Mid-Major which that level's voters thought so much of that they moved the Dukes from No. 4 to No. 2 in the rankings as Greg Gattuso's 0-1 club sat idle during an open date. DU opened the year with a 28-21 loss to Patriot League member Bucknell, but rebounded for its first win of the season by blanking Butler, 49-0, last week. Quarterback Niel Loebig, who was plagued by three interceptions against the Bison, lit up the Bulldogs for 291 yards and four touchdowns last week. The defense was also stifling, causing four Butler turnovers and limiting them to just 77 yards on the ground. But the Dukes won't be playing a Pioneer League team, they'll be heading to storied Franklin Field to face a team that dominated Ivy League opposition last season. Al Bagnoli's Quakers welcome back quarterback Mike Mitchell (2803 passing yards, 20 TD, 13 INT), their entire offensive line, and several key players from a defense that surrendered just 13.2 points per game a year ago. A win against Penn, which Duquesne has never met on the gridiron, would mean a legitimate shot at this year's Top 25 poll for the non-scholarship Dukes. But Gattuso and company probably picked the wrong Ivy League team to mess with, as Penn has legitimate Top 25 talent and should hold a significant size and speed advantage on both sides of the ball. The Quakers begin their campaign with a four-touchdown triumph.
Tuesday, June 02
Monday, June 01
Friday, May 01
Monday, March 30
