A Look At Saturday's SoCon Football

Saturday, October 7, 2023  

• Samford at Wofford -1:30 pm (ESPN+)
• The Citadel at #5 Furman - 2 pm (ESPN+)
• Mercer at ETSU - 3:30 pm (ESPN+)
• #11 Western Carolina at #24 UTC - 4 pm (ESPN+)

Four conference games are on The Southern Conference schedule for Saturday, October 7th, VMI has a bye this week to prepare for The Citadel in the Military Classic of the South on October 14.

Samford looks to improve its conference record as the 1-2 Bulldogs travel to South Carolina to face the winless Wofford Terriers (0-2). Looking for their first win of the season, the Terriers put up an impressive game against the Mocs last week with a balanced attack. Unfortunately for the Terriers, the Bulldogs seem to be moving into mid-season form, with Michael Hiers putting up almost 400 yards in the air.  Samford leaves Spartanburg with a win in their pocket, final score 35-21.

In the second game of the day, The Citadel faces #5 Furman in Travelers Rest, SC.  It's said that anything can happen in a rivalry game, but don't count on it in this one. The Bulldogs are in 8th place in defensive scoring, giving up 43.6 ppg, while the Paladin offensive unit is scoring an average of    33.8 ppg.  Furman at home will handle the Bulldogs by a four-touchdown score, 35-7 Furman.    

In the third game of the day, Mercer is on the road to ETSU.  While the Bucs have shown improvements each game this season, the Bears will be too strong for ETSU. Mercer ranks 5th in the conference in offensive scoring, putting up an average of 24.8 ppg, while the Bucs are right behind them in 6th place putting up, 19 ppg.  The Bears' defense ranks in 6th place giving up 28.6 ppg, while the Bucs come in at 8th place, giving up 38.5 ppg. Mercer wins by a 35-21 final score. 

Saturday's final game pits the #11 Catamounts, on the road, facing the #24 Mocs in Finley Stadium. In the past, a road trip to Chattanooga usually spells disaster for the Cats, but this is not your typical Catamount team. With the Cats on a seven-FCS game win streak stretching back to the 2022 season, the WCU offensive line proves to be too much for the home-standing Mocs. That line allows the Cats to move the ball at will, resulting in a near-record day for both Desmond Reid and Cole Gonzales.  Cats win 49-10.