Saturday's SoCon Football Round-up (10-25-14)

Western Carolina and Chattanooga both won Saturday, setting up a showdown between the two teams in Cullowhee on November 1st for sole possession of first place in the conference standings. Both teams are currently 4-0 in conference games.

While down in Spartanburg, the Terriers are saying, "What about us?"

Realistically the race for the championship will not be over even after the showdown game in Cullowhee next week.  However, with just three weeks remaining in the conference season, the team that wins Saturday's game, controls their own destiny. If that team wins out - they win a championship and the auto berth to the NCAA playoffs.  The loser of that game will join Wofford (who has a bye week) with just one conference loss, and in need of outside help to get a share of the conference crown.  This season could certainly end up much like last year with multiple teams tied for first at the end of SoCon play.

More on that later.  Lets look at how this week's games played out.

Mercer at Chattanooga: Mercer put in a scare for the Mocs and came within a touchdown on Jagger Lieb's 42-yard field goal in the fourth quarter. The Bears final two drives both fall short as last second pass broken up as time expired. The Mocs Jacob Huesman completed 24 of 36 passes for 359 yards and two touchdowns. Huesman also rushed for 99 yards. Not to be outdone, Mercer's John Russ passed for 293 yards and two touchdowns.

Purple & Gold's pick was: Mocs win, 42 -21;  the final score was Chattanooga 38 - Mercer 31


VMI at Wofford:  The Terriers kept their playoff hopes alive with a 38-3 spanking of VMI on Saturday in Spartanburg, improving their conference record to 3-1.  Wofford held the Keydets to just 197 total yards of offense, as the picked up 499 yards of offense,  with 374 of those yards on the ground. Wofford's Lorenzo Long ran for 125 yards and a pair of touchdowns, and Octavius Harden added 100 yards. VMI's freshman quarterback Al Cobb finished with 111 yards passing.

Purple & Gold's pick was: Terriers win, 28-21;  the final score was: Wofford 38 - VMI 3


Samford at Furman:  The Paladins were shut out by Samford 45-0 for Homecoming in Greenville, SC. This was the first shutout of the Paladins since they fell 33-0 to Clemson in 1998 and the first by an FCS team since Georgia Southern won a 21-0 victory in Greenville in 1992. Samford took control of the game almost from the beginning as the Bulldog's Deion Pierre blocked a Furman punt, and Jay Galloway raced the 15 yards to the end zone. Samford's Michael Eubank completed 22-of-33 passes, passing for 314 yards and a touchdown, as Denzel Williams rush for 101 yards and two scores.  Both teams now have two conference losses and while not mathematically out the running, both are probably out of contention for the league championship.

Purple & Gold's pick was: Paladins win, 21-17;  the final score was: Samford 45 - Furman 0


The Citadel at Western Carolina:  The Cats put up a big second half, scoring 22 points, while holding the Bulldogs to just 7, winning by a margin of 29-15 over the Bulldogs.  The win matched Chattanooga's 4-0 record in league action, to keep the two teams atop the SoCon standings. WCU's Troy Mitchell completed 21 of 29 attempts for 291 yards, and gained another 131 yards in 15 carries. Mitchell also complete one touchdown pass while freshman Detrez Newsome ran for two TDs.

Purple & Gold's pick was: Catamounts win - 38-24; the final score was: WCU 29 - The Citadel 14



This week: 3-1 (overall 21-8)

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