News from the FCS
September 23rd, 2013, 02:50 PM
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Gardner-Webb moved into The Sports Network FCS Top 25 poll for the first time since 2002, jumping in at No. 25 when the poll was released Monday afternoon. Coastal Carolina moved up in both national polls as well, climbing to No. 11 in the Coaches poll and No. 12 in The Sports Network ranking. It is the third-straight year the Big South has had two teams ranked in the top 25 in the same week, and the fourth time overall in League history.
Also on Monday, Big South Defensive Player of the Week O.J. Le'iatua Mau was named National Defensive Player of the Week by The Sports Network as well as a National All-Star by College Sporting News. The Big South has had a national honoree all four weeks of the 2013 season.
Gardner-Webb (3-1) is off to its best start since 2009, and is coming off back-to-back wins over top-15 opponents Richmond and Wofford. The Runnin' Bulldogs last appeared in The Sports Network poll at the conclusion of the 2002 season, when they finished with a 9-1 record and the program's first Big South Conference title. Gardner-Webb finished the 2002 regular season ranked No. 18 by The Sports Network and was ranked No. 22 at the conclusion of that season's playoffs.
The Runnin' Bulldogs made an appearance in the 2003 ESPN/USA Today Coaches poll at No. 25, the last ranking for the program in either major FCS poll. GWU received votes in this week's FCS Coaches Poll, falling 12 votes shy of the top-25 in that tabulation. Gardner-Webb is the lone North Carolina school ranked in this week's top-25, and one of only three schools from the Carolinas to appear in the rankings.
Both Wofford and Richmond also remained in this week's rankings, with the Terriers ranked No. 15 and the Spiders at No. 20. The Runnin' Bulldogs have navigated a difficult schedule thus far.
"When I first looked at this schedule, it was intimidating," said head coach Carroll McCray, in his first season directing his alma mater. "The first three teams [Furman, Marshall, Richmond] all have national championships in their trophy case. Wofford is one of a small group of programs that has been to the playoffs five times in the past six seasons. Obviously we are thrilled to have gotten off to a great start. There are areas we must continue to try and correct. Those games are behind us now and we need to continue to improve ourselves and play the next team up. Our Conference has gotten off to an impressive start as a group (12-3 vs. FCS opponents including wins over three ranked teams), and when those games begin in October it will be another very tough stretch."
Gardner-Webb made its move into the spotlight on the shoulders of an impressive defense this season, which has allowed just one touchdown in the past eight quarters. The Runnin' Bulldogs lead the Big South Conference and rank No. 17 nationally in total defense, and have allowed just 233.3 total yards per game and 10.3 points per game in its games against FCS opponents Furman, Richmond and Wofford. Leading tackler and preseason All-America selection Tanner Burch paces that unit with 41 total hits, but the Runnin' Bulldogs have gotten strong performances across the board – particularly in the trenches with the emergence of sophomore nose guard O.J. Le'iatua Mau and junior end Shaquille Riddick.
Gardner-Webb has also been effective controlling the clock offensively, ranking No. 3 nationally in time of possession – holding onto the football for nearly 35 minutes per game. Juanne Blount ranks among the league leaders on the ground with 105.0 yards per game and Kenny Cook paces the Big South with 21 catches through four games. GWU has made tremendous strides in 2013 on special teams, from kicker Jordan Day (five field goals) to notable improvement on coverage teams.
"Our young men have responded very well to the teams who have lined up across from us. We go into every game with the goal to win and improve our football program. These last two weeks we have faced off against two big, physical teams in Richmond and Wofford. Those are two programs that represent their schools and the sport correctly. We have executed well enough to win two very tight games. It's a testament to our players, their hard work and a willingness to play for one another."
The Runnin' Bulldogs return home to host NAIA member Point (Ga.) University (2-1) on Saturday, Sept. 28, at 6:00 pm in Ernest W. Spangler Stadium. The game will be broadcast live for free on The Big South Network.
Meanwhile, this marks the fifth consecutive week Coastal has been ranked among the nation's top 25, including the preseason polls. The last time CCU enjoyed such a run in the national ranking was finishing the 2006 season ranked in each of the final seven weeks. It is the second consecutive year that the Big South has had a football team nationally-ranked in BOTH polls the first five weeks of the season.
Coastal Carolina and Gardner-Webb will meet in the first Conference game of the season on Saturday, Oct. 12 in Conway. The game will be broadcast exclusively on ESPN3 beginning at 6:00pm.
More... (http://www.bigsouthsports.com/entries/gardner-webb-joins-coastal-in-top-25-rankings-mau-collects-national-honors---sept-23)
Gardner-Webb moved into The Sports Network FCS Top 25 poll for the first time since 2002, jumping in at No. 25 when the poll was released Monday afternoon. Coastal Carolina moved up in both national polls as well, climbing to No. 11 in the Coaches poll and No. 12 in The Sports Network ranking. It is the third-straight year the Big South has had two teams ranked in the top 25 in the same week, and the fourth time overall in League history.
Also on Monday, Big South Defensive Player of the Week O.J. Le'iatua Mau was named National Defensive Player of the Week by The Sports Network as well as a National All-Star by College Sporting News. The Big South has had a national honoree all four weeks of the 2013 season.
Gardner-Webb (3-1) is off to its best start since 2009, and is coming off back-to-back wins over top-15 opponents Richmond and Wofford. The Runnin' Bulldogs last appeared in The Sports Network poll at the conclusion of the 2002 season, when they finished with a 9-1 record and the program's first Big South Conference title. Gardner-Webb finished the 2002 regular season ranked No. 18 by The Sports Network and was ranked No. 22 at the conclusion of that season's playoffs.
The Runnin' Bulldogs made an appearance in the 2003 ESPN/USA Today Coaches poll at No. 25, the last ranking for the program in either major FCS poll. GWU received votes in this week's FCS Coaches Poll, falling 12 votes shy of the top-25 in that tabulation. Gardner-Webb is the lone North Carolina school ranked in this week's top-25, and one of only three schools from the Carolinas to appear in the rankings.
Both Wofford and Richmond also remained in this week's rankings, with the Terriers ranked No. 15 and the Spiders at No. 20. The Runnin' Bulldogs have navigated a difficult schedule thus far.
"When I first looked at this schedule, it was intimidating," said head coach Carroll McCray, in his first season directing his alma mater. "The first three teams [Furman, Marshall, Richmond] all have national championships in their trophy case. Wofford is one of a small group of programs that has been to the playoffs five times in the past six seasons. Obviously we are thrilled to have gotten off to a great start. There are areas we must continue to try and correct. Those games are behind us now and we need to continue to improve ourselves and play the next team up. Our Conference has gotten off to an impressive start as a group (12-3 vs. FCS opponents including wins over three ranked teams), and when those games begin in October it will be another very tough stretch."
Gardner-Webb made its move into the spotlight on the shoulders of an impressive defense this season, which has allowed just one touchdown in the past eight quarters. The Runnin' Bulldogs lead the Big South Conference and rank No. 17 nationally in total defense, and have allowed just 233.3 total yards per game and 10.3 points per game in its games against FCS opponents Furman, Richmond and Wofford. Leading tackler and preseason All-America selection Tanner Burch paces that unit with 41 total hits, but the Runnin' Bulldogs have gotten strong performances across the board – particularly in the trenches with the emergence of sophomore nose guard O.J. Le'iatua Mau and junior end Shaquille Riddick.
Gardner-Webb has also been effective controlling the clock offensively, ranking No. 3 nationally in time of possession – holding onto the football for nearly 35 minutes per game. Juanne Blount ranks among the league leaders on the ground with 105.0 yards per game and Kenny Cook paces the Big South with 21 catches through four games. GWU has made tremendous strides in 2013 on special teams, from kicker Jordan Day (five field goals) to notable improvement on coverage teams.
"Our young men have responded very well to the teams who have lined up across from us. We go into every game with the goal to win and improve our football program. These last two weeks we have faced off against two big, physical teams in Richmond and Wofford. Those are two programs that represent their schools and the sport correctly. We have executed well enough to win two very tight games. It's a testament to our players, their hard work and a willingness to play for one another."
The Runnin' Bulldogs return home to host NAIA member Point (Ga.) University (2-1) on Saturday, Sept. 28, at 6:00 pm in Ernest W. Spangler Stadium. The game will be broadcast live for free on The Big South Network.
Meanwhile, this marks the fifth consecutive week Coastal has been ranked among the nation's top 25, including the preseason polls. The last time CCU enjoyed such a run in the national ranking was finishing the 2006 season ranked in each of the final seven weeks. It is the second consecutive year that the Big South has had a football team nationally-ranked in BOTH polls the first five weeks of the season.
Coastal Carolina and Gardner-Webb will meet in the first Conference game of the season on Saturday, Oct. 12 in Conway. The game will be broadcast exclusively on ESPN3 beginning at 6:00pm.
More... (http://www.bigsouthsports.com/entries/gardner-webb-joins-coastal-in-top-25-rankings-mau-collects-national-honors---sept-23)