Weekly FCS preview capsules
James Madison at UMass
Where: McGuirk Alumni Stadium (cap. 17,000), Amherst, Mass.When: Noon
TV: The Comcast Network; Radio: WREJ (1540)
Records: JMU 2-4, 4-5; Massachusetts 3-3, 5-4
Players to watch: JMU -- QB Justin Thorpe, 60-111 passing, 881 yards, 3 TDs, 6 int., 653 yards rushing; DE Arthur Moats, 72 tackles, 21 for loss, LB Pat Williams, 65 tackles; UMass -- QB Kyle Havens, 136-244 passing, 1,820 yards, 9 TDs, 14 int., WR Victor Cruz, 46 catches, 702 yards, 5 TDs, LB Tyler Holmes, 87 tackles, 4 int.
Notable: JMU, which has won two consecutive games, needs to win this week and next (against Towson) to finish with a winning record. Redshirt freshman Justin Thorpe has established Dukes freshman marks for total offense (1,414 yards) and rushing yards for a quarterback (533). Thorpe, the CAA rookie of the week, had 133 yards passing and 83 rushing in last week's 22-14 win over Maine. JMU had four fumble recoveries and two interceptions in that game. Massachusetts is 5-1-1 at home against the Dukes. The Minutemen lead the series 7-5-1.
Liberty at Gardner-Webb
Where: Spangler Stadium (cap. 9,000), Boiling Springs, N.C.When: 1:30 p.m.
Radio: WRVL (106.9)
Records: Liberty 4-0 Big South, 7-2; Gardner-Webb 2-2, 5-4
Facts: Liberty, ranked 16th in Football Championship Subdivision, continues its quest of getting an at-large playoff bid. The Flames have won 15 consecutive Big South Conference games and are averaging 46.8 points in league games this season. Gardner-Webb running back Patrick Hall is tied for first in the Big South with nine touchdowns.
VMI at Army
Where: Michie Stadium (cap. 40,000), West Point, N.Y.When: Noon
Radio: WLEE (990), 11 a.m.
Records: VMI 2-7, Army 3-6
Facts: The Keydets finished their conference schedule last week by losing 54-14 at Liberty. They are 2-17 in league play dating to the beginning of 2006. Before finishing their season at home next week against Old Dominion, a first-year program, they get to experience a trip to West Point. Army is 12-1 all-time against VMI, with the Keydets' win coming in 1981 at West Point. Army won 62-7 the last time the teams played, in 2006. Before that, they last met in 1993, when Army won 31-9.
Norfolk St. at Delaware St.
Where: Alumni Stadium (cap. 7,000), Dover, Del.When: 1 p.m.
Records: NSU 4-3 MEAC, 5-4; Delaware State 2-4, 3-6
Facts: The Spartans have their first two-game winning streak of the season but have never won at DSU's Alumni Stadium (0-6). The Hornets lead the series 13-3, and Delaware State is the only MEAC opponent that Norfolk State teams of Pete Adrian, coach since 2005, haven't beaten. DSU is down to one healthy scholarship running back, sophomore Jaashawn Jones. NSU junior tailback DeAngelo Branche was named MEAC offensive player of the week after gaining 145 yards in a 31-23 win at Morgan State last Saturday.
Florida A&M at Hampton
Where: Armstrong Stadium (cap. 17,000), HamptonWhen: 1 p.m. Tickets: $20, $7 youth
Radio: WHOV (88.1), Hampton
Records: Hampton 2-4 MEAC, 4-5; Florida A&M 5-1, 7-2
Facts: The Pirates are nearing the conclusion of a drab season, but they should fly high today. Prowling the visitor's sideline at Armstrong Stadium will be Joe Taylor, who constructed a 136-49-1 record as Hampton's coach before resigning unexpectedly in December 2007. Emotion alone, however, might not enable the Pirates to overcome defensive generosity (21.9 ppg) and a sub-.500 air attack. Hampton's best hope is to feed RB LaMarcus Coker (102.1 ypg) early and often.
Advertisement
View More:
vmi athletics,norfolk state university athletics,liberty university athletics,james madison university athletics,hampton university athletics,college football,
Not what you're looking for? Try our quick search:
Post a Comment(Requires free registration)
- Please avoid offensive, vulgar, or hateful language.
- Respect others.
- Use the "Flag Comment" link when necessary.
- See the Terms and Conditions for details.
Advertisement