Saturday's SoCon Football Round-up (9-20-14)

In the game most Catamount fans were interested in, South Carolina State led the entire game, and secured a 10 point win over the Paladins.  The Bulldogs were able to grind out 232 yards on the ground, while adding 90 yards in the air against the much heralded Furman defense.  The 21st nationally ranked Paladins once again fielded an anemic offense that was limited to just 61 yards rushing and 268 total yards. Paladin freshman quarterback Dillon Woodruff was 17 of 31 in pass attempts for 200 yards. The win gave the Bulldogs (2-2) a little revenge after losing to the Paladins in the first round of the FCS playoffs last season.  My pick was, SC State by 10, the final score was Furman 7 -  SC State 17

A couple of fumbles turned out to be the difference in Charleston Southern's two point win over the Citadel in their first visit to Buccaneer Stadium for the Bulldogs. CSU took a 17-3 lead into the third quarter on the strength of Darius Hammond's 74 yard punt return for a score. The Bulldogs were able to get within two points as Isiaha Smith ran into the endzone on a one-yard touchdown run followed by a successful two-point conversion. The Citadel blew a final chance to take the lead and win the game in the final minutes, as they fumbled near midfield with 1:26 to play, which enabled the Bucs to run down the clock for the win.  My pick was the Citadel 17-14, the final score was CSU 20 - The Citadel 18.

Gardner-Webb quarterback Lucas Beatty threw for 233 yards and three touchdowns and capped that performance with a rushing TD, as the Bulldogs pulled out a comeback win over Wofford.. With the score even at 36, late in the 4th quarter, Beatty orchestrated a 10-play, 59-yard game-winning drive, that ended with a 5-yard reception by Kenny Cook for the winning TD.  My pick was Terriers, 14-7, the final score was Wofford 36 - GWU 43

The Mercer football team set a program record with 42 first-half points, scoring on each of its first five possessions to run away with a 42-21 victory over their third cupcake of the season, NAIA's Ave Maria. The Bear's John Russ finished 11-of-16 for 181 yards and three touchdowns through the air to go along with 18 yards and a TD,   My pick was Bears roll over helpless Ava Maria, the final score was Ave Maria 21 - Mercer  42

In the only conference game of the day, VMI visited Samford for the first time as conference mates and came away a big loser. Samford quarterback Michael Eubank scored four of the Bulldog's eight rushing touchdowns, while running back Denzel Williams added 178 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries. The Bulldogs went into halftime with a 49-0 lead, 'nuff said.  Beatdowns like this against conference mates, have a way of coming back home to haunt you.  My pick was Samford by 17, the final score was VMI 21 - Samford 63.

For the week, I was 3-2.  I actually thought we'd win both games against the Big South, but close only counts in horseshoes and handgrenades.  


Join the conversation and leave a comment below