State college previews
The Citadel (7-2, 6-0 SoCon) at Chattanooga (7-2, 5-1)
When: 2 p.m.
The Citadel: LB Quinlan Washington, a freshman, intercepted two passes, returning one 72 yards for a touchdown, forced a fumble and recorded a sack in the Bulldogs’ 35-14 win over VMI. It was a performance that earned him SoCon defensive player of the week honors.
Chattanooga: QB Jacob Huesman has 1,459 yards passing and 884 yards rushing and is responsible for 18 touchdowns.
Outlook: The Mocs, coming off a stunning loss to Mercer, must win to keep their run of SoCon titles alive. The Citadel, meanwhile, is looking to nail down its first outright conference championship since 1992. UTC has dominated the series – 29-17-2 overall, winning five of the last six meetings.
Liberty (6-4, 2-2 Big South) at Charleston Southern (8-1, 5-0)
When: 1:30 p.m.
Liberty: RB Todd Macon ran for two touchdowns as the Flame rallied late to nip Presbyterian, 21-13.
CSU: RB Darius Hammond was named the Big South special teams player of the week for his efforts in a win over Kennesaw State. The Buccaneers’ leading rusher, a Strom Thurmond alum, had 146 return yards (three punts, two kickoffs) and became the first BSC player to have 50-plus yard punt and kickoff returns in the same game.
Outlook: CSU has managed just three wins in 22 tries against Liberty, but the times are changing.
Kennesaw State (6-3, 2-2 Big South) at Coastal Carolina (8-1, 3-1)
When: 2 p.m.
Kennesaw State: RB Trey White leads the first-year Owls in rushing (809 yards) and touchdowns (9).
Coastal Carolina: QB Alex Ross was named Big South offensive player of the week for his efficient passing performance in a 46-0 rout of Gardner-Webb. Ross connected on 14 of 16 tosses for 209 yards and two touchdowns.
Outlook: Coastal woke up against G-W and won’t be caught sleeping again.
Presbyterian (1-8, 0-4 Big South) at Monmouth (3-6, 1-3)
When: noon
Presbyterian: RB Darrell Bridges is ranked second in Big South rushing with 919 total yards and an average of 102.1 yards per game.
Monmouth: QB Cody Williams, a freshman, is ranked third in the conference in total offense, averaging 210.1 yards rushing and passing per game.
Outlook: The Hawks are tough at home in New Jersey – beating Liberty in overtime and losing to Coastal by three points in recent conference outings. It doesn’t bode well for the offensively challenged Blue Hose.
Mercer (4-5, 1-4 SoCon) at Furman (4-5, 2-3)
When: 1:30 p.m.
Mercer: QB John Russ ran for one touchdown and threw for another as the Bears shocked Chattanooga, 17-14.
Furman: LB Cory Magwood’s quest to lead the SoCon in tackles for a second straight season is on track. He currently shares the top spot with 104 stops.
Outlook: The up-and-down Paladins have one advantage – playing at home while honoring 13 seniors.
Samford (4-5, 1-4 SoCon) at Wofford (4-5, 2-3)
When: 1:30 p.m.
Wofford: QB Evan Jacks ran for 109 yards and two touchdowns in a 41-20 win at VMI.
Samford: WR Kelvin McKnight caught 10 passes foe 101 yards in a loss to Furman.
Outlook: Wofford is coming off a bye week after its best offensive showing of the season, while Samford is 1-5 against FCS competition since opening the season at 2-0.
South Carolina State (5-4, 4-2 MEAC) at Norfolk State (3-6, 3-3)
When: 1 p.m.
SC State: LB Darius Leonard had eight tackles, four tackles for loss and one sack in a 9-6 loss to North Carolina A&T.
Norfolk State: K Cameron Marouf sent the game with Savannah State into overtime with a 41-yard field goal late in the fourth quarter, then won it with a 38-yarder in extra time.
Outlook: Playing out the string, SC State faces a trap game on the road.
Newberry (6-4, 3-3 SAC) at Wingate (6-4, 3-3)
When: 1:30 p.m.
Newberry: RB Romelo Doctor has run for 1,029 yards to date, averaging 102.9 yards per game.
Wingate: RB Lawrence Pittman has run for 1,195 yards (119.5 yards per game) and 11 touchdowns.
Outlook: It’s hard to believe, but Newberry likely rates a NCAA Division II playoff invitation with a win. The Wolves’ current three-game winning streak features a defense that has allowed just four touchdowns and Raleigh Yeldell’s 12 touchdown passes.
Limestone (3-7) at UNC Pembroke (5-4)
When: 2 p.m.
Limestone: DB Titus Williams has been very productive in his sophomore season with a team-high 56 tackles, plus one interception, four passes broken up, a fumble recovery and a blocked kick.
UNC Pembroke: QB Patrick O’Brien is 165-for-270 passing for 1,791 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Outlook: The host Braves are looking to assure a winning record after last season’s 2-8 disappointment.
Livingstone (5-3) at North Greenville (7-3)
When: 7 p.m.
Livingstone: QB Drew Powell was 21-for-33 passing for 269 yards and two touchdowns and ran for another score in a 35-12 win over Johnson C. Smith.
North Greenville: QB Nelson Hughes passed for 233 yards and four touchdowns in a 48-45 loss to Carson-Newman.
Outlook: North Greenville, needing a win to have a shot at earning a NCAA Division II playoff berth, closes out the regular season with a tougher foe that originally expected after Clark Atlanta had to back out.
John Devlin