D2Football.com SAC Column

We need a rescue plan or some kind of bailout.

The South Atlantic Conference is in turmoil, and my confidence in the teams is running low.

Where is this turmoil coming from?

Well, Carson-Newman lost. Tusculum lost. Lenoir-Rhyne won a conference game 40-14. Wingate is the only unbeaten South Atlantic Conference team at 5-0. First team all-conference running back George Washington of Mars Hill rushed for 11 yards last week. Carson-Newman is 1-2 in its last three games.

It is my promise to you that I will figure out this jumbled mess that is the South Atlantic Conference right now. Don't sell this conference's stock just yet.

Week Five Recaps

Actual Score: Catawba: 24 Mars Hill: 7
Timmy's Predicted Score: Catawba: 28 Mars Hill: 21

The Tribe capitalized on the powerful leg of freshman punter Thomas Trexler on Saturday, downing three of his punts inside the twenty yard line. Mars Hill was always stuck in a rut, sometimes inside their own five-yard line, and could never establish a running game.

Lion quarterback Ricky Spradling managed to throw for 239 yards in the losing effort, but he was sacked on three different occasions and harassed the entire contest.

Jamelle Cuthbertson churned out 115 yards on the ground, while quarterback Howard Williamson accounted for 115 total yards of offense and two scores in the victory. Backup quarterback Patrick Dennis threw a pretty touchdown pass to Brandon Bunn early in the fourth quarter to put Catawba ahead for good.

The superb defensive effort was led by senior outside linebacker Charles McAfee, who had seven tackles for the Indians, three of them for loss, and a sack. Defensive tackle Brandon Sutton has the gift of gab and the ability to punish quarterbacks. The sophomore finished the game with a forced fumble, a sack, and a 38-yard return on an unbelievable interception.

Actual Score: Newberry: 27 Carson-Newman: 21
Timmy's Predicted Score: Carson-Newman: 42 Newberry: 24

An overtime fiesta was witnessed at Setzler Field on Saturday afternoon when Newberry upended Carson-Newman on a gutsy third down play call.

The Eagles could not execute on their initial possession of the overtime period, missing a 24-yard field goal wide left.

Carson-Newman's defense stood strong for the first two downs, holding Newberry for no gain. Coach Zak Willis then rolled the dice.

Instead of playing it safe and placing the ball in the middle of the turf, Newberry gambled with a risky lob to David Pressley in the end zone.

It was game over when Pressley pulled down the "immaculate reception" and was piled on by the entire Newberry sideline.

Three-hundred rushing yards just weren't enough for Ken Sparks and company, not when you fumble the ball away four times.

Actual Score: Wingate: 37 Tusculum: 33
Timmy's Predicted Score: Tusculum: 35 Wingate: 24

Four turnovers by the Tusculum offense plagued quarterback Corey Russell and the Pioneers on Saturday.

If the four turnovers plagued coach Frankie DeBusk, then Wingate running back Nelson Woods made the Tusculum defense suffer from the Bubonic Plague with 125 yards and two touchdowns on a healthy dose of 28 carries.

In the losing effort, Russell did break the school's all-time total offense record with 463 yards and three touchdowns (341 passing, 122 rushing).

I have always bragged about this league having special combinations between senior quarterbacks and senior receivers, like something always starts to click this time of year.

Well it clicked for Dawg gunslinger JD Moore, as he threw for 215 yards and three touchdown passes, all to 6'4 senior wide out Shawn Barrett. Obviously, Barrett was honored as the league's offensive player of the week.

Both teams combined for well over 900 yards of total offense, while Wingate outside head hunter Greg Harmon posted 16 tackles and the game-saving interception at the three-yard line as time expired.

Actual Score: Lenoir-Rhyne: 40 Brevard: 14
Timmy's Predicted Score: Lenoir-Rhyne: 27 Brevard: 10

One statistic really jumps out to viewers of the game and it is in the rushing column. The disparity was overwhelming to coach Paul Hamilton and his struggling Tornado program, as they were out rushed 222 yards to 49 yards last Saturday.

The time of possession was also heavily one-sided as the Bears held on to the pigskin for more than 41 minutes, while Brevard only touched the ball for 19 minutes.

Bear quarterback Justin Sanders is finally looking like, well, Justin Sanders. The former SAC Freshman of the Year lived up to the billing behind center last week, completing 12 of 15 passes for an even 200 yards in the air, and rushing for two scores with his feet.

Poor Stanley.

No, not Stanley Roper from Three's Company, but Stanley Jones, the inside linebacker from Brevard.

Jones had to deliver a career-high 21 tackles for a defense that only used three down linemen against an option-loving Lenoir-Rhyne team.

Week 6 Previews

I am 23-9 on the season in predicting South Atlantic Conference games. I suffered two close losses last week that I sincerely blame on my Magic 8 ball. How else do you explain Carson-Newman coming away with no points in three redzone trips? I am feeling a lot better about my picks this week. I know I will come away with at least three wins.

Right?

Mars Hill (3-2, 0-1) at #17 Carson-Newman (2-2, 0-1)

October 4th 1:00 PM ET Weather Forecast: 78 degrees, sunny, 3 MPH wind, 0% chance of rain

It will be a beautiful October day in Jefferson City, Tennessee, for an intense conference game.

Two teams that were expected by many to win last week are now in a fight to get their first conference win.

We now know a little bit more about each team since league play is a wonderful measuring stick.

Carson-Newman should come out hungry after suffering their second loss of the season. It is almost hard to believe that one more loss this year will probably all but end the Eagles' chances of a playoff bid. I will never say never, but coach Ken Sparks and his Eagles know not to place the destiny of a season into a committee's hands.

It won't be doom and gloom for Mars Hill this week. Sure, C-N QB Alex Good will gash the Lion defense for a couple of big runs like he did against Newberry, but the Lions will concentrate on trading scores with the Eagles.

Do they have the weapons to attempt such a feat?

They really don't have a choice. Carson-Newman is going to be good for at least 28 points at home we suspect, so the Lions will need quarterback Ricky Spradling to connect on the long balls. Last week against Catawba, the senior signal caller's accuracy was just not there. Mars Hill can definitely produce fireworks, see the West Liberty game, and wide out Tyrea Allen will be the man responsible for trying to keep this one close.

The way Carson-Newman's defense played last week would earn them a victory most weeks, but the offensive inconsistencies cost the Eagles a win.

The final play of the game, in overtime, caused me to seriously step back and think about my prediction for this week. Newberry quarterback Eric McCollom's 25 yard lob pass to David Pressley to win the game raises a concern of mine about Carson-Newman. Can the Eagles' secondary continually prevent huge scoring strikes? Another twist to this game is the status of Louisville transfer running back George Stripling. He was injured during the Furman game, but finally played significant time against Catawba. He is a very physical back that is good for at least four hard yards a carry.

A blitz by the Eagles may result in a big passing play off of play action.
Everybody's favorite running back, George Washington, should get back on track in terms of production for this week as well.

I can't pick against Carson-Newman at home. Even if the Eagles were playing Oklahoma, I would at least have to think about it for a moment.

Carson-Newman: 38 Mars Hill: 28

#18 Catawba (3-1, 1-0) at Newberry (2-2, 1-0)

October 4th 7:00 PM ET Weather Forecast: 62 degrees, clear sky, 6 MPH wind, 3% chance of rain

What a difference a week can make.

The plan was for these two teams to fight for a possible second place finish behind a virtually invincible Carson-Newman team. Now, after both teams pulled out wins many predicted they would not, it is a clash for an upper hand in this race.

Both teams have questionable losses however. These setbacks still define Catawba and Newberry in 2008 until they can both go on a run through the conference. Catawba's humiliating loss was to St. Augustine's, while Newberry's falter was on the road to a solid Midwestern State game. MSU is a respectable opponent, but that was a game the Scarlet and Gray needed bad for playoff considerations.

I feel that history will play a part in this game. Just as it did in the Catawba-Mars Hill game. The Tribe had previously won 11 of their last 12 against the Lions before last week. That one loss was in 2006, quite possibly Catawba's worst performing team in nearly a decade. Newberry's dream season in 2006, equipped with Josh Stepp and Tymere Zimmerman, almost suffered a loss to the Indians.

History shows that a blowout will not take place this week. Newberry's strong defense will be the key for a Homecoming win this Saturday night. Senior linebacker is fresh off of a SAC Defensive Player of the Week honor after his terrific performance against Carson-Newman. The only concern I have in Newberry's defense is their run defense. After having to replace basically the entire defensive line from last year, the Scarlet and Gray have been questionable against the run. Newberry has been out gained by their opponents this season 487 yards to 604 yards.

This isn't good news with the Indians' Jamelle Cuthbertson, Antonio Hall, and George Bell visiting Newberry this week.

Newberry true freshman quarterback John Carnell did not play last week. Eric McCollom and Brandon Gantt filled in for him, but it did not come without some mistakes. Gantt threw one pick against C-N, while McCollom threw two interceptions. I do not seem them being very effective in this game.

Catawba's offense has been very efficient with both Howard Williamson and Patrick Dennis taking snaps. Williamson is still the starter, but Dennis is a very capable backup after proving a lot these past two games. Williamson has yet to throw an interception this season and has five touchdowns.

Catawba's defense must be able to stop Newberry running back Tharry Salley to win this weekend. The Tribe was able to slow down the rushing attack of Mars Hill and forced them to make plays in the passing game. The same must be done this week.

Newberry cannot allow Catawba to get its ground game going either.

This game should be a tight one for a long time. There is a history of many teams suffering from post-Carson-Newman victory syndrome. It is simply hard to refocus on another opponent after knocking off the king of kings.

Catawba: 21 Newberry: 10

Brevard (1-3, 0-1) at #21 Wingate (5-0, 1-0)

October 4th 6:00 PM ET Weather Forecast: 60 degrees, clear sky, 2 MPH wind, 5% chance of rain

Wingate University's football program is beginning to gain true national recognition and respect. The Bulldogs earned a hard-fought victory against Tusculum last weekend by a score of 37-33.

Head coach Joe Reich's team is 5-0, but 7-0 is clearly in sight. Taking this another step would mean that Wingate could conceivably be ranked in the top 15 more than likely.

What a great job Reich has done so far in turning around this program.

Wingate was once in the conference cellar, a position now belonging to the Brevard Tornados.

Brevard will not be able to slow down star running back Nelson Woods or his backup Patrick Pinchinat. Those two will be able to run for over 200 yards. WU quarterback JD Moore has done a better job this season of protecting the football.

Brevard needs junior John Compton to produce for the injured tailback John Taylor. Compton is a 6'2 215 pound back transfer from Charleston Southern. He was stopped before he really ever got started last week against Lenoir-Rhyne.

Quarterback Kye Hamilton needs to be put in position of having manageable third down situations, but that won't be happening on the road at Wingate.

Wingate improves to 6-0 and is the conference's only unbeaten team.

Wingate: 42 Brevard: 10

Tusculum (3-2, 0-1) at Lenoir-Rhyne (3-2, 1-0)

October 4th 2:00 PM ET Weather Forecast: 74 degrees, sunny, 2 MPH wind, 0% chance of rain

Lenoir-Rhyne quarterback Justin Sanders vs. Tusculum's defense.

It's one of those stories that remind us of many historical battles in which one man helps to lead a charge against the enemy.

In this case, the enemy is fast.

The enemy is big.

The enemy is good.

It was a walk through the park for Sanders and the running-oriented Lenoir-Rhyne Bears against Brevard last Saturday.

Tusculum is in no mood for walks in parks or for reminiscing about missed extra points last week. Head coach Frankie DeBusk's team is ready to get its first conference win of the year. The offense is exactly what we expected: high-powered and productive. In fact, Tusculum is ranked seventh in Division II in passing offense so far this season. Star quarterback Corey Russell had a busy week in the loss at Wingate last Saturday. He went 28 of 45 for 341 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for 122 yards and a score.

If Tusculum has a better than average record, Russell should receive consideration for being a Harlon Hill candidate.

Expect Russell to find receivers Nate Binder and Ryan Tallent early and often this weekend. The senior gunslinger should be able to pass for over 300 yards again.

Tusculum's defense was unable to put clamps on Wingate's Nelson Woods, so the Bears rushing attack may have some success with Sanders running around the field. Running backs James Pone and Anthony Silvers must have big days for any chance of an upset happening.

It is an attractive upset pick, but Tusculum wins this game.

Tusculum: 35 Lenoir-Rhyne: 14