Looking at Game 4, Mars Hill College

Who: Mars Hill Lions

When: Saturday, September 21th 

Where: Bob Waters Field at E.J. Whitmire Stadium - Cullowhee, NC

Series history: WCU leads the series 14-5-1, and has won the last 14 straight games

Their conference:  South Atlantic (SAC) - NCAA Division II

Their coach: Tim Clifton - Clifton is entering his 20th season at Mars Hill College and has a career record of 112-98.

Last year’s record: 6-4 (5-2 SAC)

How they got there: The Lions ended the 2012 season with a 6-4 overall record. They were 4-0 at home and 2-4 on the road, and finished tied for second place in the SAC. Quarterback Jon Richt completed his career at Mars Hill. This past season, Richt completed 200-of-386 passes for 2,936 yards and 25 touchdowns. While playing for the Lions, Richt set Mars Hill records in completions (567), attempts (1,109), yards (8,169) and touchdown passes (69).

After opening losses to Western Carolina and Southeast Missouri on the road, the Lions rolled off 5 straight wins before falling to Lenior-Rhyne on the road.

Total Lettermen Returning/Lost:  38 / 16

Offensive starters returning/Lost: : 10 / 2

Defensive starters returning/lost:: 8 / 3

2012 Stats:
Rushing Yardage: 1593 -  Avg. per game: 159.3 yards
Passing Yardage: 1952  - Avg. per game: 295.2 yards
Total Yardage Per Game: 454.5

Biggest losses:  
Offense - QB Jon Richt and WR Josh Young
Defense- LB Rudy Cabrl, DT Mam Nuang, and SS Michael Robinson

Strengths:  The good new for the Lions is they return 10 of their offensive starters, the bad news is they must replace Jon Richt at quarterback. On defense, defensive end Troy Harris has been named to the 2013 BSN Preseason All-America Team.

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