While teams at the FBS level are just now starting to get into midseason swing and their conference schedules, the lower level teams are already looking at postseason projections and talking about conference championships. As we enter Week 7 there is still a ton to be decided and this week we learned a few things about some teams we weren’t sure about (Appalachian State) and we learned that we have absolutely no idea what’s going to happen yet in Division II.
So join me as I take you through a wrap up of what were the biggest games of Week 7 in FCS, DII, and DIII.
Football Championship Subdivision
No. 16 William & Mary 24 No. 6 New Hampshire 10
For those that may not know, Senior RB Jonathan Grimes is one of the most complete and dangerous backs in the entire country. On Saturday New Hampshire found out just how dangerous Grimes, is as he went off for 295 total yards and two touchdowns (with over 100 yards each rushing and receiving) while leading the Tribe to a badly needed win.
No. 12 Appalachian State 49, Citadel 42
Legendary coach Jerry Moore made a bold decision this week to bench incumbent starter DeAndre Pressley in favor of sophomore Jamal Jackson. That move appeared to pay off as App State scored 49 points; 35 more than they had scored in either of their last two games. Jackson went 21 of 27 for 234 yards, and three TD’s, and even more importantly Appalachian State’s biggest weapon WR Brian Quick had his second biggest game of the year with eight catches for 131 yards, and a touchdown score. If Jackson and Quick can find a way to become a dynamic duo then Appalachian State will become a sleeper for the National Title.
Massachusetts 21, No. 9 Delaware 10
Massachusetts jumped out to a quick 21-0 lead in the first quarter and never looked back in this one. Try as they might, the Blue Hens could never get their star running back Andrew Pierce on track as they averaged only 2.4 yards per carry on the ground. Add in five Massachusetts sacks, two interceptions, and a forced fumble and you see now how the Blue Hens will soon find themselves on the outside of the Top 10.
No. 17 Towson 39, No. 18 Old Dominion 35
In a battle of two of the more surprising CAA teams, Towson came away with a big victory over the Monarchs, who are still without starting QB Thomas DeMarco. Towson went four of five on fourth down conversions and really became an offensive juggernaut picking up 534 total yards. Towson RB Terrance West was a load to handle for the Monarchs as he racked up 148 yards and two TD’s on 16 carries. West’s ability to pick up yardage and move the chains was the key to Towson’s victory.
Central Arkansas 21, No. 22 McNeese State 18
If I told you all before this game started that McNeese would outgain UCA 422 to 256 would you believe this would have been the final score? Well how about if I told you that McNeese would put the ball on the ground seven times? They only ended up losing three of those fumbles to Central Arkansas but those kinds of mistakes kill drives. UCA WR Dominique Croom had a great day snagging six catches for 116 yards and one TD and the UCA defense was swarming as they got to the QB five times.
Illinois State 28, No. 15 South Dakota 3
If you don’t know the name Matt Brown (Illinois State QB), learn it now, because this kid is going to be the real deal next year. While he wasn’t a huge factor in this game the Illinois State RB’s were as they combined for 22 carries for 121 yards, and two TD’s. However the biggest difference-maker may have been South Dakota’s inability to gain yardage, as well as their propensity to shoot themselves in the foot. USD had only 108 total yards of offense to go along with 253 yards of penalties. It’s near impossible to win a game when you are committing penalties that are killing your own drives and allowing your opponents to continue theirs.
Division II
No. 2 Delta State 30, No 1. North Alabama 24
This game actually occurred last Thursday night and, thanks to the GSC’s deal with ESPN3, was viewed by many people who don’t traditionally have access to Division II Football. In what was a thrilling game for the most part, the Statesman came out on top thanks to 512 total yards of offense. Quarterback Micah Davis went 29 of 41 for 339 yards, one TD, and one INT. His one TD went to WR Tim Smith who grabbed four balls for 100 yards. With Janoris Jenkins on the field DSU had to get other WR’s to step up since Jenkins would lock down their top WR, and Smith was the guy who did. UNA struggled to consistently put drives together thanks in part to LB Melvin Griffin’s 12 tackles, three tackles for loss, and one sack performance.
Ashland 20, No.14 Wayne State (MI) 17
Heading into the fourth quarter of this game it looked like Wayne State was going to cruise to a relatively easy victory. They held a 17-3 lead and were in control for the most part. However Ashland had other plans and proceeded to score 17 consecutive points. The crowning achievement of this comeback was when DB Eric Schwieterman picked off his second pass of the afternoon and put Ashland into position to kick the game winning field goal as time expired.
Concordia-St. Paul 27, No.25 Wayne State (NE) 24
In what was one of the most exciting games of the weekend Concordia-St. Paul and Wayne State found themselves in all out slug fest. Concordia and Wayne State traded scores almost the entire game but two things factored into this victory for Concrodia-St. Paul. First it was that Wayne State turned the ball over four times which gave Concordia-St. Paul enough chances to win this game despite being outgained. The second was Concordia’s ability to milk the clock and kill off time. By the end of the game Concordia had over nine additional minutes of possession compared to Wayne State.
No. 13 CSU-Pueblo 27, No. 10 Nebraska-Kearney 14
In what was considered one of the three biggest games of the week, two top 15 teams met and in the end CSU-Pueblo came out victorious. It was a bit of sloppy game for the Neb-Kearney as they committed five turnovers (four INT’s, one fumble) and were only 4 of 14 on third downs. In the end Neb-Kearney’s mistakes caught up with them as CSU-Pueblo went on a 17-0 run to end the game and come away with a big win for their program. CB Stephen Dickens led the way with seven tackles and two INT’s on the day.
No. 5 Abilene Christian 28, No. 11 West Texas A&M 18
The score may not indicate it but Abilene Christian was the dominant team on Saturday night. They put up 400 yards of total offense but it was their defense that was the story. They held West Texas A&M to a 2.2 yard per carry average, allowed them to convert only 4 of their 16 third down attempts, and gave up no fourth down conversions in West Texas A&M’s three tries. In additional to that they registered 7 sacks, and were led by stud DL Aston Whiteside who had seven tackles, four tackles for loss, four sacks, and a pass breakup.
Division III
No. 18 Salisbury 69, No. 23 Alfred 0
This was the beat down of the weekend as two top 25 teams took to the field. Alfred never looked comfortable in this game and it showed in the result as they went 2 of 14 on third downs, threw for only 40 yards, and lost four fumbles to Salisbury. Salisbury’s offensive explosion was a true team effort as no one player dominated the Alfred defense, however it was RB Dan Griffin who got most of the glory as he carried the ball 11 times for 31 yards and four TD’s. Defensively Salisbury was led by LB Jamey McClendon who had eight tackles, one and a half tackles for loss, one and a half sacks, one forced fumble, a fumble recovery and a pass breakup.
Simpson 38, No. 19 Wartburg 37
In what was a thrilling overtime game unranked Simpson came away with a huge upset over Wartburg. Simpson got the ball to start OT and promptly scored a TD to go up seven points on Wartburg. On the ensuing possession Wartburg would match that score, however when they lined up to attempt the PAT it was blocked and that sealed the victory. Simpson was dominant through the air as QB Tyler Nelson went 38 of 59 for 359 yards and five TD’s. His favorite target was WR Taylor Rogers who hauled in nine of Nelson’s passes for 97 yards and three TD’s.
For all of his small-school college football coverage, follow Matthew Elder on Twitter @MatthewCElder.
