elcid83
June 29th, 2009, 05:07 PM
Now that we all know that Phil Steele’s Division FCS Magazine [also known as the ACC/Big East Preview] will be coming out in a couple of weeks, I wanted to take a stab at what I think he might say about the Big South.
Liberty – 10-2 - Overall, 5-0 Big South . The Flames come off of another impressive football season, but, they come back minus a lot of the talent that made them so good last year. The Flames certainly had a high-powered offense in 2008 [ranked 2nd in Big South Scoring Offense, 3rd in Big South Pass Offense – 233.2 ypg, 3rd in Big South Rush Offense – 213.5 ypg, and 1st in Total Offense].
On Offense, the Flames lose the following significant contributors to graduation: Big South Offensive Player of the Year, Rashad Jennings [RB – 7th Round Draftee – Jacksonville Jaguars]. QB - Brock Smith, WR - Dominic Bolden [1056 rec. yds.] and Jonathan Crawford [713 rec. yds.], TE - Corey Rasberry OL - Mike Godsil, Britt Stone. It will be interesting to see if University of South Carolina QB transfer – Tommy Beecher will get the starting job at Liberty.
Liberty’s Big South leading defensive production will also take a step backwards as they will be feeling the loss of LB - Nick Hursky [97 tackles, 2 sacks], and Kent Hicks; DB - Kent Hicks, Ryan Greiser [67 tackles] and Pat Calvary, Sr.; DL - Kevin Richard and Colin Dugan. The defense will need to see leadership from DB Chris Rocco [Sr. – 78 tackles], DB Tim Torrense [Sr. – 48 tackles, 2 sacks], LB Chad Brown [Jr. – 48 tackles, 2sacks], and LB Wes Cheeks [Sr. – 44 tackles, 1 sack]. Also, LB Ian Childress [59 tackles, 3.5 sacks] returns after receiving a medical redshirt.
Stony Brook - 5-6 Overall, 3-2 Big South. Coach Priore and his staff look to continue the Big South’s northernmost member’s rise to the top of the Big South Conference. The Seawolves had an up and down season with a disappointing 33-0 loss to Liberty, but finished strong with wins over Charleston Southern, Coastal Carolina, and VMI to finish tied for 2nd place in the Big South.
On offense, the Seawolves return Big South Freshman of the Year, RB- Edwin Gowins. Gowins rushed for 1310 yds [2nd in Big South], averaged an impressive 9.4 yds per carry [1st in Big South] and scored 11 TDs. His longest carry was for 72 yds. Look for another explosive year from Gowins. Gowins teams up with Sr. Conte Cutino who was the 4th leading rusher in the Big South with 1195 total yards and 7 tds. Dayne Hoffman [Soph] returns at the QB position after throwing for 1,636 yds and 11 TDS [9 ints]. The Seawolves lose OL - Steve Council and Lawrence Lovell.
On Defense, Stony Brook celebrates the return of LB - Tyler Santucci [Sr. – 79 tackles], Stephen Schwicke [60 tackles], and Carl Teague [Sr. – 52 tackles]; DB - Chris Richards, [Sr. – 39 tackles, 3 ints and 4 breakups] and Arin West [Jr. – 58 tackles]. The Seawolves lose DL - James Harris, Adam Soivilien, David Gross and Will Martinez.
Charleston Southern – 7-5 Overall, 3-2 Big South. The Bucs kick off their 2009 season with games against Florida, Wofford and University of South Florida. If they survive that stretch unscathed they then get to play the meat of their Big South schedule.
On offense, the Bucs lose QB Tribble Reese and OL - Alex Bragg. WR - Gerald Stevenson [Jr. 45 rec for 551 yds] returns to lead CSU in receiving numbers.
On defense, the Bucs lose DL - Jake Killeen and Justin Witzmann. DB - Philip Ashley [Sr.] and LB - Andrew McKain, [Sr. – 74 tackles, 2 sacks] return to lead the Bucs’ stout defense. Also returning are Darius Gaither [Jr – 53 tackles], Josh Warrior [Sr. – 50 tackles], and Jacques Bazile [Soph. – 47 tackles].
Gardner-Webb – 5-6 Overall, 2-3 – Big South. The GWU Runnin’ Bulldogs continued their transition to FCS football last season. Their stellar rush defense held opponents to 118.3 ypg to lead the Big South in this category. Unfortunately, their Pass Defense in the “Pass Happy” Big South was next to last allowing 225.6 ypg. GW was able to keep opponents out of the end zone effectively and only allowed 23.7 ppg [3rd place – Big South]. GW also finished 2nd in Total Defense in the Big South.
The GW offense will take a hit in the loss of the following Big South All-Conference Players: WR - Dobson Collins , and OL - Demario Deese. However, the Runnin’ Bulldogs return these standout All-Conference players - TE Josh Miller [JR], WR James Perry [R-Soph – 2nd in Big South receptions with 55 catches for 661 yds]and OL Corey O’Daniel, [Jr]. Stan Doolittle returns to the QB spot and he has been criticized for throwing too many ints [6]. However, GW was the league loser in Sacks Allowed with 29. Now that Stan’s Dad, Mike, is coaching the O Line, look for that number to improve and look for better pass production from the younger Doolittle. Big South leading kicker, Ryan Gates [Soph] returns after finishing 3rd in Big South scoring last year with 75 points [27 XPTs and 16 FGs].
Defensively, the Runnin’ Bulldogs will welcome the return of Big South Defensive Player of the Year [and preseason FCS All-American] Jeffrey Williams. Last year, the rising Jr. LB led the Big South with 119 tackles. Jeffrey also had 3 ints, 5 pass breakups, 9 tackles for loss, and 2 forced fumbles. Also returning on Defense are LB Mario Brown [Sr. – redshirted last year due to injury], LB - Marty Patterson [Jr. – 81 tackles, 12 tackles for loss], LB Dami Teniola [Jr. – 79 tackles, 1 sack]; DB - Cedric McGowan [Sr. – 46 tackles, 3 ints, 8 pass breakups], Lyndrez Leslie [Soph – 43 tackles], and Bryce Nixon [Jr. – 1 int, 9 pass breakups] DL - Jordan Woods [Soph – 51 tackles, 6 sacks, 3 forced fumbles] and Leon Hudson [Sr. – 21 tackles, 1 sack]. The Runnin’ Bulldogs lose DB - Daniel Cooke [51 tackles] to graduation.
[B]VMI - 4-7 - Overall, 1-4 - Big South. The Keydets look to get back on track after a disappointing season and help 2nd year Head Coach Sparky Woods do something that has never been done before – be successful as a head coach after being the head coach at the University of South Carolina.
Offensively, the Keydet running attack that averaged 357.5 yds per game should keep right on running. VMI returns 4 All Conference starters in QB - Tim Maypray, [Sr. – 1266 yds, 12 TDs], RB - Howard Abegesah, [Sr. – 775 yds, 6 TDs], OL - George Handler, [Sr.] and James Boatright, [Jr.] in 2008, VMI was the best Big South Scoring Offense averaging 34.4 pts per game, but they had the penultimate Scoring Defense allowing 33.5 pts per game. The Keydets were dead last in Pass Offense and Pass Defense. In order for the Keydets to play for the Big South Championship, they are going to have to balance their attack.
Defensively, LB - A.J. Gross, [Soph. – 67 tackles, 4 sacks] returns along with DB – Byron Allen [Soph. – 2 ints]. Also Kyle Nikmard [Soph. – 54 tackles, 2 sacks], Bryant Youngblood [Sr. 59 - tackles], Emilio Calvin [Soph. – 53 tackles], Kris Ware [Jr. – 49 tackles], and Tyler Reedy [Soph. – 38 tackles] all return to help the rebuilding VMI program get rebuilt.
[B]Coastal Carolina 6-6 - Overall, 1-4 - Big South. The Chanticleers look to return to their 2006 form after disappointing seasons in 2007 and 2008. Statistically, Coastal was 4th in the Big South in Scoring Offense, 4th in Scoring Defense, 4th in Pass Offense, 1st in Pass Defense, 7th in Kickoff Returns, 4th in Punting, 5th in Turnover Margin, 4th in Rush Offense, and 5th in Rushing Defense, 5th in Total Offense, and 5th Total Defense. The Big South is now competitive enough that numbers like these are going to result in a fairly unsuccessful season and that is just what happened at Coastal Carolina last year. They will need to get their program back on track to be successful in 2009.
Offensively, Coastal will lose standout RB Jamie Fordham [501 yds, 3 TDs], OL - Britt Leggett and WR Trent Usher and Arthur Sitton. However, they return Big South runner-up QB Zach MacDowall [Jr. – 61.3 Comp %age, 2064 yds, 16 TDs, 6 ints]; and RB Eric O’Neal [Jr. - 405 yds, 3 TDs]
On Defense, Coastal loses leading tackler LB - D.J. Rice [86 tackles, 1 sack] to graduation. But, DL - Phillip Oboh, [Sr. – 53 tackles, 5 sacks], LB Derrick Frasier [Jr. – 67 tackles, 1 sack], LB Chris Walls [Jr. – 58 tackles, 2.5 sacks], DB Keon Cunningham [Jr. – 3 ints, 5 pass breakups], DB Brandon Aughtry [Sr. – 51 tackles] and DB Josh Norman [ Soph. – 2 ints, 7 pass breakups] return to bring experience to the defensive side of the field.
Presbyterian - 4-8 – Overall, 1-4 Big South. While not yet eligible for conference play, the Blue Hose did manage to pull an upset over Conference Champion, Liberty in 2008. It’s difficult to believe that was their lone conference win, but, it is what it is. PC’s new head coach Harold Nichols is a former PC QB whose latest job was OC at Bucknell University. He has been coaching college ball since his PC days so he has the necessary experience.
Offensively, PC had the best Pass Offense and the worst Rush Offense in the Big South last year. Combine those stats with the last place Scoring Defense, worst Turnover Margin and worst Total Defense in the Big South and you get a 1-4 Big South record. It still doesn’t make sense that they beat Liberty, does it? School leading receiver WR - Brandon Clark graduates. Returning for the Hose are RB – SJ Worrell [SR. - 497 yds & 5 TDs], QB Brandon Miley [Soph. - 60.1% Comp Pct & 8 TDs, but 12 ints].
Defensively, the Blue Hose lose DL - Adam McKinney, LB - Antwan Thomas, and DB - Anthony McKnight. Returning for the Hose are: LBs Chris Bowman [Jr. – 90 tackles, 3.5 sacks] and Brian Leonardi [Jr. – 63 tackles, 1 sack]; DBs – Bo Tribble [Jr. – 65 tackles, 1 sack] and Justin Bethel [ Soph. – 54 tackles].
Liberty – 10-2 - Overall, 5-0 Big South . The Flames come off of another impressive football season, but, they come back minus a lot of the talent that made them so good last year. The Flames certainly had a high-powered offense in 2008 [ranked 2nd in Big South Scoring Offense, 3rd in Big South Pass Offense – 233.2 ypg, 3rd in Big South Rush Offense – 213.5 ypg, and 1st in Total Offense].
On Offense, the Flames lose the following significant contributors to graduation: Big South Offensive Player of the Year, Rashad Jennings [RB – 7th Round Draftee – Jacksonville Jaguars]. QB - Brock Smith, WR - Dominic Bolden [1056 rec. yds.] and Jonathan Crawford [713 rec. yds.], TE - Corey Rasberry OL - Mike Godsil, Britt Stone. It will be interesting to see if University of South Carolina QB transfer – Tommy Beecher will get the starting job at Liberty.
Liberty’s Big South leading defensive production will also take a step backwards as they will be feeling the loss of LB - Nick Hursky [97 tackles, 2 sacks], and Kent Hicks; DB - Kent Hicks, Ryan Greiser [67 tackles] and Pat Calvary, Sr.; DL - Kevin Richard and Colin Dugan. The defense will need to see leadership from DB Chris Rocco [Sr. – 78 tackles], DB Tim Torrense [Sr. – 48 tackles, 2 sacks], LB Chad Brown [Jr. – 48 tackles, 2sacks], and LB Wes Cheeks [Sr. – 44 tackles, 1 sack]. Also, LB Ian Childress [59 tackles, 3.5 sacks] returns after receiving a medical redshirt.
Stony Brook - 5-6 Overall, 3-2 Big South. Coach Priore and his staff look to continue the Big South’s northernmost member’s rise to the top of the Big South Conference. The Seawolves had an up and down season with a disappointing 33-0 loss to Liberty, but finished strong with wins over Charleston Southern, Coastal Carolina, and VMI to finish tied for 2nd place in the Big South.
On offense, the Seawolves return Big South Freshman of the Year, RB- Edwin Gowins. Gowins rushed for 1310 yds [2nd in Big South], averaged an impressive 9.4 yds per carry [1st in Big South] and scored 11 TDs. His longest carry was for 72 yds. Look for another explosive year from Gowins. Gowins teams up with Sr. Conte Cutino who was the 4th leading rusher in the Big South with 1195 total yards and 7 tds. Dayne Hoffman [Soph] returns at the QB position after throwing for 1,636 yds and 11 TDS [9 ints]. The Seawolves lose OL - Steve Council and Lawrence Lovell.
On Defense, Stony Brook celebrates the return of LB - Tyler Santucci [Sr. – 79 tackles], Stephen Schwicke [60 tackles], and Carl Teague [Sr. – 52 tackles]; DB - Chris Richards, [Sr. – 39 tackles, 3 ints and 4 breakups] and Arin West [Jr. – 58 tackles]. The Seawolves lose DL - James Harris, Adam Soivilien, David Gross and Will Martinez.
Charleston Southern – 7-5 Overall, 3-2 Big South. The Bucs kick off their 2009 season with games against Florida, Wofford and University of South Florida. If they survive that stretch unscathed they then get to play the meat of their Big South schedule.
On offense, the Bucs lose QB Tribble Reese and OL - Alex Bragg. WR - Gerald Stevenson [Jr. 45 rec for 551 yds] returns to lead CSU in receiving numbers.
On defense, the Bucs lose DL - Jake Killeen and Justin Witzmann. DB - Philip Ashley [Sr.] and LB - Andrew McKain, [Sr. – 74 tackles, 2 sacks] return to lead the Bucs’ stout defense. Also returning are Darius Gaither [Jr – 53 tackles], Josh Warrior [Sr. – 50 tackles], and Jacques Bazile [Soph. – 47 tackles].
Gardner-Webb – 5-6 Overall, 2-3 – Big South. The GWU Runnin’ Bulldogs continued their transition to FCS football last season. Their stellar rush defense held opponents to 118.3 ypg to lead the Big South in this category. Unfortunately, their Pass Defense in the “Pass Happy” Big South was next to last allowing 225.6 ypg. GW was able to keep opponents out of the end zone effectively and only allowed 23.7 ppg [3rd place – Big South]. GW also finished 2nd in Total Defense in the Big South.
The GW offense will take a hit in the loss of the following Big South All-Conference Players: WR - Dobson Collins , and OL - Demario Deese. However, the Runnin’ Bulldogs return these standout All-Conference players - TE Josh Miller [JR], WR James Perry [R-Soph – 2nd in Big South receptions with 55 catches for 661 yds]and OL Corey O’Daniel, [Jr]. Stan Doolittle returns to the QB spot and he has been criticized for throwing too many ints [6]. However, GW was the league loser in Sacks Allowed with 29. Now that Stan’s Dad, Mike, is coaching the O Line, look for that number to improve and look for better pass production from the younger Doolittle. Big South leading kicker, Ryan Gates [Soph] returns after finishing 3rd in Big South scoring last year with 75 points [27 XPTs and 16 FGs].
Defensively, the Runnin’ Bulldogs will welcome the return of Big South Defensive Player of the Year [and preseason FCS All-American] Jeffrey Williams. Last year, the rising Jr. LB led the Big South with 119 tackles. Jeffrey also had 3 ints, 5 pass breakups, 9 tackles for loss, and 2 forced fumbles. Also returning on Defense are LB Mario Brown [Sr. – redshirted last year due to injury], LB - Marty Patterson [Jr. – 81 tackles, 12 tackles for loss], LB Dami Teniola [Jr. – 79 tackles, 1 sack]; DB - Cedric McGowan [Sr. – 46 tackles, 3 ints, 8 pass breakups], Lyndrez Leslie [Soph – 43 tackles], and Bryce Nixon [Jr. – 1 int, 9 pass breakups] DL - Jordan Woods [Soph – 51 tackles, 6 sacks, 3 forced fumbles] and Leon Hudson [Sr. – 21 tackles, 1 sack]. The Runnin’ Bulldogs lose DB - Daniel Cooke [51 tackles] to graduation.
[B]VMI - 4-7 - Overall, 1-4 - Big South. The Keydets look to get back on track after a disappointing season and help 2nd year Head Coach Sparky Woods do something that has never been done before – be successful as a head coach after being the head coach at the University of South Carolina.
Offensively, the Keydet running attack that averaged 357.5 yds per game should keep right on running. VMI returns 4 All Conference starters in QB - Tim Maypray, [Sr. – 1266 yds, 12 TDs], RB - Howard Abegesah, [Sr. – 775 yds, 6 TDs], OL - George Handler, [Sr.] and James Boatright, [Jr.] in 2008, VMI was the best Big South Scoring Offense averaging 34.4 pts per game, but they had the penultimate Scoring Defense allowing 33.5 pts per game. The Keydets were dead last in Pass Offense and Pass Defense. In order for the Keydets to play for the Big South Championship, they are going to have to balance their attack.
Defensively, LB - A.J. Gross, [Soph. – 67 tackles, 4 sacks] returns along with DB – Byron Allen [Soph. – 2 ints]. Also Kyle Nikmard [Soph. – 54 tackles, 2 sacks], Bryant Youngblood [Sr. 59 - tackles], Emilio Calvin [Soph. – 53 tackles], Kris Ware [Jr. – 49 tackles], and Tyler Reedy [Soph. – 38 tackles] all return to help the rebuilding VMI program get rebuilt.
[B]Coastal Carolina 6-6 - Overall, 1-4 - Big South. The Chanticleers look to return to their 2006 form after disappointing seasons in 2007 and 2008. Statistically, Coastal was 4th in the Big South in Scoring Offense, 4th in Scoring Defense, 4th in Pass Offense, 1st in Pass Defense, 7th in Kickoff Returns, 4th in Punting, 5th in Turnover Margin, 4th in Rush Offense, and 5th in Rushing Defense, 5th in Total Offense, and 5th Total Defense. The Big South is now competitive enough that numbers like these are going to result in a fairly unsuccessful season and that is just what happened at Coastal Carolina last year. They will need to get their program back on track to be successful in 2009.
Offensively, Coastal will lose standout RB Jamie Fordham [501 yds, 3 TDs], OL - Britt Leggett and WR Trent Usher and Arthur Sitton. However, they return Big South runner-up QB Zach MacDowall [Jr. – 61.3 Comp %age, 2064 yds, 16 TDs, 6 ints]; and RB Eric O’Neal [Jr. - 405 yds, 3 TDs]
On Defense, Coastal loses leading tackler LB - D.J. Rice [86 tackles, 1 sack] to graduation. But, DL - Phillip Oboh, [Sr. – 53 tackles, 5 sacks], LB Derrick Frasier [Jr. – 67 tackles, 1 sack], LB Chris Walls [Jr. – 58 tackles, 2.5 sacks], DB Keon Cunningham [Jr. – 3 ints, 5 pass breakups], DB Brandon Aughtry [Sr. – 51 tackles] and DB Josh Norman [ Soph. – 2 ints, 7 pass breakups] return to bring experience to the defensive side of the field.
Presbyterian - 4-8 – Overall, 1-4 Big South. While not yet eligible for conference play, the Blue Hose did manage to pull an upset over Conference Champion, Liberty in 2008. It’s difficult to believe that was their lone conference win, but, it is what it is. PC’s new head coach Harold Nichols is a former PC QB whose latest job was OC at Bucknell University. He has been coaching college ball since his PC days so he has the necessary experience.
Offensively, PC had the best Pass Offense and the worst Rush Offense in the Big South last year. Combine those stats with the last place Scoring Defense, worst Turnover Margin and worst Total Defense in the Big South and you get a 1-4 Big South record. It still doesn’t make sense that they beat Liberty, does it? School leading receiver WR - Brandon Clark graduates. Returning for the Hose are RB – SJ Worrell [SR. - 497 yds & 5 TDs], QB Brandon Miley [Soph. - 60.1% Comp Pct & 8 TDs, but 12 ints].
Defensively, the Blue Hose lose DL - Adam McKinney, LB - Antwan Thomas, and DB - Anthony McKnight. Returning for the Hose are: LBs Chris Bowman [Jr. – 90 tackles, 3.5 sacks] and Brian Leonardi [Jr. – 63 tackles, 1 sack]; DBs – Bo Tribble [Jr. – 65 tackles, 1 sack] and Justin Bethel [ Soph. – 54 tackles].