SoCon Football 2026: Four League Games and Two High-Profile Non-Conference Battles Highlight Saturday's SoCon Action

 WEEK 4 OVERVIEW AND PREVIEWS

                                                                                         

Four SoCon games highlight the week four slate, with none bigger than the one between Western Carolina and East Tennessee State, which has come to be known more affectionately as the "Blue Ridge Border Battle" in recent seasons, and the rivalry has the makings of what could be another shootout this weekend. 

That meeting will mark the 56th all-time clash between the two programs, with the series all tied, 27-27-1. The Bucs were able to officially bring an end to WCU's playoff hopes last season, claiming what was a 52-35 win over the Catamounts at EJ Whitmire Stadium last season. This series has seen some truly great games, and few Catamount fans will ever forget the 1983 meeting, which saw the Catamounts come from behind to get one of the more memorable wins in the history of the series, as WCU trailed 16-6 with just 4:31 remaining, but were able to put together what was a dramatic 91-yard drive, as backup quarterback Willie Perkins was able to help ignite the Catamount comeback.

Perkins completed a 37-yard scoring pass in the most dramatic of fashions, as his pass deflected off two ETSU defenders before being hauled in by Eric Rasheed, who made a shoestring catch just before the ball hit the EJ Whitmire Stadium turf. After successfully converting the two-point play, the Catamounts trailed just 16-14.

The Catamounts then recovered the onsides kick and moved easily within the range of future Hall-of-Fame kicker Dean Biassucci, who knocked through the 21-yard field goal with nine seconds remaining to make it a 17-16 Catamount lead. The reception was called by Western Carolina beat reporter for the Asheville Citizen-Times, Doug Mead, as "perhaps the most unbelievable play in Western Carolina history."

That win helped spark the greatest season in WCU football history, as the Catamounts would go on to qualify for the postseason and would go on to go unbeaten in their next 11 games, including winning 10 of those, en route to making it to the Division I-AA National Championship game where the Catamounts would eventually lose to Southern Illinois, 43-7, at The Citadel's Johnson-Hagood Stadium in Charleston. 

The Bucs will be looking for their third-straight win in the series, including their fourth win in the last six meetings. The Bucs and Catamounts will battle for the big rock from the Blue Ridge Mountains and it will mark the ninth meeting in which the trophy is on the line, with the Bucs holding a 5-3 edge since the inception of the new trophy. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. EST at William B. Greene Jr. Stadium.

The other SoCon game to kickoff at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday will be between VMI and Samford, as the two teams are the only two that have yet to claim a win yet in 2026. The Keydets and Bulldogs both have new head coaches, with John Grass the new head coach at Samford and VMI's new boss being Ashley Ingram. 

The Keydets were a 27-24 loser at Davidson this past weekend, while the Bulldogs had the weekend off. Samford opened SoCon play a couple of weeks ago with a 45-19 setback to the newest SoCon member Tennessee Tech, dropping a 45-19 on the road to the Golden Eagles. Samford was able to get its only win of the season last fall against the VMI, posting a 24-22 win in Lexington. Samford holds a commanding 10-3 lead in the all-time series, as the Bulldogs have won five-straight in the series.

Chattanooga will look to continue its strong play of late, as the Mocs will be on the road to face off against The Citadel in what will be another key conference clash, and will have shown that they have one of the best defenses once again under head coach Rusty Wright. Finding a solution under center remains a bit of a concern for the Mocs, but there are weapons around Battle Alberson at the skill positions. 

The Citadel, meanwhile, went to the Scenic City and completely dominated Chattanooga last season, finishing off a 28-10 win by completely manhandling the Mocs at the point of attack all evening, as the Bulldogs rolled up 433 yards of total offense, which included a 336-120 advantage on the ground. I don't expect those types of totals today, but the Bulldogs usually are a tough out at Johnson-Hagood Stadium. The Chattanooga game is really where Quentin Hayes started to really get things going under center for The Citadel, finishing off that contest with 103 yards and a pair of scores on the ground. 

Tennessee Tech will be on the road for its first ever Southern Conference road game, as the 10th-ranked Golden Eagles will take on Wofford, which is coming off a blowout loss in league play to Chattanooga (L, 41-7) last week. The Terriers have won all four previous meetings with Tennessee Tech in a series that started back in 1948. The Golden Eagles appear to be the class of the SoCon and will get the day started off with the day's first kickoff, as the Golden Eagles and Terriers will tee-it-up at 1:30 p.m.

The two most important games of the day for the league as a whole are the two non-conference games, as Furman heads to Richmond for a 2 p.m. EST kickoff against the Spiders at Robins Stadium, while Mercer will cap the day looking to rebound from back-to-back losses when it takes on two-time defending UAC champions Abilene Christian. 

The Paladins and Spiders will be meeting on the gridiron for the first time in 21 years, as Furman posted a 24-20 win over the Spiders in 2005 FCS Playoffs. That was a Spiders team that was coached by Dave Clawson, but current head coach and former UTC head coach Russ Huesman was the defensive coordinator for that '05 team. 

Three years later, Richmond would become the second of three private schools to win a national title, as the then Mike London-led Spiders knocked off Montana, 24-7, in Chattanooga. The Spiders became the first private school since Furman in 1988 to lift a national title trophy. The only other private school to win a national title is Villanova, who would claim the 2009 crown by knocking off that same Montana team, 23-21.

The Paladins will be looking for a fourth-straight win over the former SoCon member Spiders, having also claimed wins at Richmond in 2002 (17-7) and  at Paladin Stadium in 2003 (31-17). The Paladins and Spiders will kickoff at 2 p.m. EST.

Mercer and Abilene Christian will be meeting for just the second time, with the Wildcats claiming a 20-17 win over the Bears at Five Star Stadium back in 2020, which was early in the Drew Cronic era. The Wildcats scored all 20 points in the final six minutes of the contest to stun the Bears in that contest. Kickoff for the Bears and Wildcats is set for 8 p.m. EST.

Finally....Enjoy this important week of SoCon football!

                                                                                            

Game 33: Furman (2-2, 1-0 SoCon) at No. 19 Richmond (3-1, 2-0 PFL)

     Date: Sept. 26, 2026

     Location: Richmond, VA/Robins Stadium 

     Time: 2 P.M. EST

     How To Watch: ESPN+

     Furman Head Coach: Clay Hendrix (62-45/10th Yr at Furman)

     Richmond Head Coach:  Russ Huesman (62-42/10th Yr at UR/121-79 in 18th Yr overall)

     Series: 26th Meeting/Richmond Leads 15-10

     Players To Watch For Furman: QB-Connor Ackerley (Offense)/DE Joshua Stoneking                 (Defense)

     Players To Watch For Richmond: RB Aziz Foster-Powell (Offense)/ DE Camden Byrd                 (Defense)

Previewing the Matchup: Two old Southern Conference rivals will battle Saturday afternoon when Furman takes on Patriot League member Richmond and it will be the first meeting between the former SoCon rivals in 21 years, with the last meeting between the two taking place in the 2005 FCS Playoffs, with the Paladins holding off the Spiders 24-20 in the FCS quarterfinals at the old City Stadium.

The Paladins have in fact won each of the past three meetings, claiming a 17-7 win over No. 22 Richmond at City Stadium in 2002 before claiming a 31-17 win over Richmond on Sept. 20, 2003. 

The last time these two met, it was an absolute thriller that came right down to the wire. Led by dual-threat signal-caller Stacey Tutt and prolific future NFL running back Tim Hightower on offense, and a tenacious defense that allowed next to nothing through the ground or through the air. 

The "Stonewall Defense" as the Spiders came to be known were at that time led by Huesman, who was the Spiders' defensive coordinator and in his second season leading a stout unit. Following Richmond's first and only national title in 2008, Huesman left to become the head coach at Chattanooga, where he would spend the next eight seasons before arriving to become Richmond's head coach in 2017. 

Coming into that '05 matchup that was played at the old City Stadium and former NASCAR Track, the Spiders had won eight in a row and were the Atlantic 10 co-Champions (now the Coastal Athletic Association or CAA). 

However, in Furman and its talented quarterback Ingle Martin, the Spiders had met their match, as the Paladins went on to get a four-point win, as Martin passed for 249 yards and a touchdown, while Jerome Felton finished with 92 rushing yards and a pair of scores in the narrow win. The '05 Paladins, which established themselves as the top offensive in program history, would finish out the night holding a 443-348 edge in total offense. 

The Paladins, who have posted a 13-12 record against ranked foes under Clay Hendrix, including an 11-6 mark since 2021, are seeking their first regular-season road non-conference win over a non-conference ranked foe since a 37-35 win over No. 20 Jacksonville State to open the 2005 season, which would also feature that thrilling win over the Spiders in the playoffs. The Paladins are 10-2 in their last 12 games against the Patriot League, while having posted an all-time mark of 26-29 against Patriot members. 

William & Mary and Richmond account for 42 of those 55 games against the league, with the Paladins a combined 19-23 against the Tribe and Spiders combined. At one time, the Paladins shared SoCon rivalries with William & Mary and Richmond.

Furman will also be playing its fourth-straight ranked opponent, having already faced FBS No. 18 Tennessee, No. 14 Mercer, and in the most recent encounter, taking on No. 14 Mercer. 

It's only the second time in program history that the Paladins have taken on four-straight ranked foes for only the second time in program history, with the only other time having been the 2016 season, when the Paladins faced off against at No. 12 Michigan State (L, 28-13), at No. 15 The Citadel (L, 19-14), No. 4 Chattanooga (L, 21-14), and at No. 17 Coastal Carolina (L, 41-21). The Paladins would go on to lose two more games to a pair of FCS Playoff teams, dropping games to both Samford (L,38-21) and Kennesaw State (L, 54-42) before eventually getting a breakthrough against East Tennessee State.

Following the game against No. 19 Richmond, the Paladins will face a home test against a Wofford team Furman has lost three-straight games against before traveling to meet nationally-ranked and SoCon favorite Tennessee Tech on Oct. 10. The Paladins are 1-1 against FCS ranked foes this season, dropping a 20-17 game to South Carolina State last weekend, while defeating SoCon preseason pick and 14th-ranked Mercer, 20-13, a couple of weeks back. 

Richmond has struggled to find its own rhythm this season, dealing mostly with injuries, however, the Spiders have found a way to start 3-1, with the only loss coming in a 73-0 humiliation at the hands of North Carolina State a couple of weeks back. The Spiders have gotten off to a strong 2-0 start in Patriot League play, knocking off Bucknell (W, 35-14) and Georgetown (W, 24-21) last Saturday.

The Paladins have had trouble protecting their quarterbacks through the first four games this season, especially over the course of the past three weeks, surrendering a combined total of 14 quarterback takedowns through the first four games, which is about 4.5 sacks per game.  

The Spiders bring in a tough defensive unit of their own under head coach Russ Huesman, having posted 14 sacks as a unit this season, which ranks them fifth nationally in total quarterback takedowns this season.  Defensive end Camden Byrd has been Richmond's version of Joshua Stoneking this season, having posted 4.5 of those 14 sacks through the first four weeks of the season.

The Spiders will offer equally as tough of a challenge on the defensive side of the ball as both Mercer and South Carolina State proved to be each of the past two weeks. In its 3-0 start against FCS foes this season, the Spiders are allowing only 243.3 YPG and just 18.7 PPG. The Spiders are also holding FCS foes to just 10-of-43 on third down attempts in those three games. The Spiders rank 33rd in FCS in third down conversion defense. 

The Paladins, meanwhile, have been one of the worst in the nation when it comes to converting on third downs this season, as the Paladins are just 12-of-59 for the entire season, which ranks 122nd nationally out of 124 teams ranked. 

Furman's defense, however, has proven one of the stoutest, holding teams to just a 25.5% (14-of-55) conversion rate on third down. Furman ranks ninth in the country in third down conversion defense. Though the Paladins have just seven sacks through four games, their defensive line has provided constant pressure throughout the season, especially on third down. 

Richmond, meanwhile, is stout defensively in its own right, and the aforementioned Byrd leads a formidable defensive front for the Spiders. Richmond ranks three spots higher nationally in total defense than the Paladins, as the Spiders come in ranking 50th nationally (364.5 YPG). 

Byrd anchors that talented front seven for the Spiders, with Daniel Sellers being Byrd's partner-in-crime along that talented defensive front for Richmond. Sellers was named to Bruce Feldman's "Freaks List" in the preseason, ranking 98th among the 101 most physically-gifted players in college football. 

Sellers gives the Spiders quite a pass-rushing tandem along its three down linemen, as the two have combined to rack up seven of the team's 14 sacks through the first four games. Sellers has 12 tackles, 2.5 tackles-for-loss, 2.5 sacks, three pass breakups and a fumble recovery in the early portion of the season.

Linebacker Blake Houser anchors the second level of a talented front seven for the Spiders, and he is leading the Spiders in tackles through the early portion of the season, having posted 34 tackles, 4.5 tackles-for-loss, 2.5 sacks, two quarterback hurries and a forced fumble.  Teaming with Houser as a dynamic player at linebacker is Jackson Thorne, who ranks right behind Houser in tackles, having posted 24 tackles, 2.5 tackles-for-loss and a pass breakup.

Dating back to Huesman's days as the Chattanooga head coach, where he completely restored the program during his seven years at the helm (2009-16), the secondary was always a strength for those Mocs teams, and Huesman, who was once a standout defensive back himself during his days as a player in the late 1970s and early '80s at UTC, it's always been a unit that has been close to his heart. 

Like those Mocs secondaries over his seven seasons as the head coach, the Richmond Spiders have more often than not been among the best in FCS when it comes to the third level of the defense and this season is no different. The Spiders unit, which is anchored by brothers Devin Geronomi (19 tackles, 1 PBU, 1 FR) and Caleb Geronomi (9 tackles, 4 QBHs), which has limited three FCS opponents to just 39-of-80 passing for 457 yards, with 18 pass breakups and 12 sacks in those three FCS games. The Spiders currently rank 35th in the nation in passing yards allowed (190.8 YPG). Richmond's only interception of the season was recorded by cornerback Kyree Richardson (7 tackles, 2 PBUs, 1 INT).

Offensively, the Spiders have been much like Furman, in that they haven't been terribly explosive, averaging 314.5 YPG, which ranks 81st nationally in total offense. The Spiders average 21.8 PPG this season, which ranks the Spiders tied for 76th nationally in scoring average. 

Leading the offense is senior quarterback Ashten Snelsire (73-of-135 passing, 858 yds, 7 TDs, 1 INT), who is coming off a career performance last time out in the 24-21 win over Georgetown, establishing both new career highs for completions (29), attempts (49) and passing yards (322). He leads the Patriot League and ranks 30th nationally in completions and also ranks 30th nationally in total passing yards this season.  The Spiders prefer the airways a little more than the ground through the early portion of the season, passing for 214.5 YPG, while averaging just 100.0 YPG on the ground. 

The Spiders are coming off their best offensive day yardage-wise of the season, having amassed 467 yards on 77 snaps in last Saturday's win over the Hoyas. 

The leading wideout is tight end Sean Clarke, who is off to a strong start to the season, having hauled in 16 passes for 134 yards and a touchdown (8.4 YPR). Wideouts Bryce Allen (15 rec, 243 yds, 3 TDs, 16.2 YPR) and Quanye Veney (14 rec, 228 yds, 1 TD, 16.3 YPR) are the only receivers to have more than 200 yards receiving for the Spiders over the first four games of the season. Allen had a 75-yard scoring catch from Snelsire in the opening week win over Bucknell. 

Richmond's ground attack is led by one of the top running backs in the Patriot League, as Aziz Foster-Powell (43 rush att, 228 yds, 5 TDs, 5.3 YPC) leads the attack, and is coming off a solid performance in last Saturday's win over the Hoyas, rushing for 87 yards and a pair of touchdowns on 17 attempts, including a 33-yard scoring run. He accounted for all three touchdowns against Georgetown, as he also hauled in a 12-yard scoring pass from Snelsire in the second quarter. The Spiders have taken pretty good care of the football in the early portion of the season, having thrown only one INT on 135 attempts through the first four games.

Like Richmond, Furman has had the injury bug begin to bite a little at this juncture of the season. One of those new starters on offense and under center, as Connor Ackerley (13-of-23 passing, 171 yds, 1 TD, 0 INTs) is set to start his first game for the Paladins after coming into last week's game against South Carolina State, relieving Jake Garcia, who went out with an apparent shoulder injury on the third play of the second half in last week's 20-17 loss by the Paladins. 

Ackerley transferred in from Western New Mexico in the spring, starting all 11 games as a sophomore last fall, completing 253-of-397 passes (63.7%) for 2,999 yards, with 30 TDs and 12 INTs. In last week's loss to No. 16 South Carolina State, Ackerley connected on 10-of-18 passes for 164 yards and one touchdown, which was a 67-yard toss to Luke Shields late in the game, as Ackerley threw deep spotting a wide-open Shields, who had benefited from a Bulldogs defensive back slipping down to the turf on the scoring play.

Furman's offense actually moved more fluently for much of the second half with Ackerley in the lineup, though points were still tough to come by against the best defense statistically in FCS football. 

While SC State's defense is certainly good, seven Furman dropped passes--six of which were uncontested--were part of what was a frustrating evening offensively. Then Paladins will hope to change that Saturday afternoon at Richmond, with Daniel Haughton (18 rec, 214 yds, 1 TD, 11.9 YPR), Ethan Harris (10 rec, 108 yds, 10.8 YPR) and the previously mentioned Luke Shields (14 rec, 174 yds, 1 TD, 12.4 YPR) having been the three primary options for Furman quarterbacks through the first four games. 

Furman's ground attack has been pretty good this season, despite finishing last week's contest against a good SC State defensive unit with only 53 yards on the ground. Senior Ben Croasdale (27 rush att, 172 yds, 3 TDs) continues to lead the Furman ground attack, while CJ Nettles (24 rush att, 134 yds, 5.6 YPC) and Charlotte transfer CJ Stokes (31 rush att, 78 yds, 2.5 YPC) have done a nice job of supplementing the former walk-on, Croasdale. 

Nettles and Stokes are two guys that can deliver a blow and are backs that get a good number of yards after initial contact. Isaiah Davis, who rushed for 116 yards and a touchdown against Tennessee, is the only other player not named Ben Croasdale to have scored a rushing TD this season.

Furman's offensive line is one of the more talented units that Clay Hendrix has had in his 10 seasons at Furman, however, while the ground game is much improved so far, the Paladins have surrendered 14 sacks (6 sacks surrendered vs. FBS Tennessee) through the first four games, ranking the Paladins 115th out of 122 teams ranked nationally, allowing 3.50 sacks per game. 

Defensively, Furman has been solid and comes in ranking 53rd nationally in total defense (372.8 YPG), while ranking 36th nationally in scoring defense (23.0 PPG). It all starts up front for the Paladins, which continue to feature among the nation's top defensive line units. It's a little peculiar then, to see a Furman defense that forced only one turnover and didn't record a sack in last Saturday's 20-17 home loss to SC State. The Paladins forced five turnovers and recorded four sacks in the 20-13 road win at No. 14 Mercer a week earlier.

At the forefront of that talented group are a pair of preseason All-SoCon selections and a Buck Buchanan Award runner-up last season, in Wingate transfer Eli Lipscomb (20 tackles, 6.0 TFL, 2 sacks, 2 FRs, 3 QBHs) and returning junior defensive end Joshua Stoneking (14 tackles, 3.0 TFL, 0.5 sack, 8 QBHs). 

Lipscomb, which is the Paladins' edge rusher, has teamed with Trevor Short (10 tackles, 2.0 TFL, 2.0 sacks, 4 QBHs, 1 FF, 1 FR) at 'bandit' linebacker this season, giving Furman a formidable 1-2 punch on the perimeter. Furman's athleticism at 'bandit', whether it's Lipscomb or Short, has created matchup problems for foes this season.

While the defensive line unit is among the best in the FCS, the linebacking room has been hit hard by injuries through the first three weeks, with both starters Caleb Ellison and Raleigh Herbert having been injured in an especially physical game against Mercer in the Paladins, 20-13, win over the 14th-ranked Bears a couple of weeks back. 

Furman was dealt yet another blow last Saturday, as backup inside linebacker Jacob Hanson suffered a season-ending knee injury last Saturday in the loss to the Bulldogs, leaving Furman even more undermanned at inside linebacker. Nick Simmons (6 tackles, 1.0 TFL, 1 QBH) is slated to make his second-straight start on Saturday against Richmond, as he will start alongside veteran Ryan Earl (20 tackles, 1 PBU, 1 QBH, 1 FR), who was a 2024 SoCon All-Freshman selection, and remains one of the veteran leaders of the Paladin front seven.

Furman's improvement in the secondary has been notable through the first four games of the season, as the Paladins rank 67th in the nation, surrendering 217.0 YPG. The Paladins finished 93rd last season, surrendering 239.5 YPG through the air. 

Leading the unit this season has been lockdown cornerback Caleb Easterling (20 tackles, 2 INTs, 2 PBUs, 1 FF), who is in his first season as a starter and has made a big impact. He's arguably Furman's most talented defender with the variety of skills that he brings to the table, with his speed, coverage ability and physicality, as well as his tackling ability, which might the most fundamentally-sound of any Paladin defender. 

Not to be overlooked is the veteran leadership of AK Burrell (14 tackles, 1 INT, 1 PBU), who is coming off a strong performance as that third safety for the Paladins, finishing off his contest against SC State by posting four tackles, a PBU and an INT. It was Burrell's second-career pick, having recorded his first in last season's 31-13 loss at Wofford. Braylon Peebles (29 tackles, 2 PBUs) has been among the best freshmen defenders in the SoCon this season, and he is Furman's tackles leader entering Saturday's contest at Richmond. 

Originally in the preseason, I had Richmond predicted to win this game, 17-14, over the Paladins. But given the fact that the Paladins lost a tough, 20-17, game at home against South Carolina State last week, it would be hard for-me to believe that they lose back-to-back games, despite the fact that the game is on the road. I think this will be a game in which Furman's offense will come to life for the first time this season, with Ackerley at the controls and the Paladins surprise some folks with their most complete performance of the season on both sides of the ball, playing complimentary football. 

FINAL PREDICTION: FURMAN 28,

RICHMOND 17

                                                                                                  

                                                                                                     
    Game 34: No. 23 Mercer (2-2, 0-1 SoCon) at Abilene Christian (1-3, 0-0 UAC)

     Date: Sept. 26, 2026

     Location: Abilene, TX

     Time: 8 P.M. EST

     How To Watch: ESPN+

     Mercer Head Coach: Joel Taylor (14-12 in 3rd Yr/2-2IN 1st Yr at MU)

     Abilene Christian Head Coach: Keith Patterson (31-23 in 5th Yr at Abilene Christian)

     Series: Second Meeting/ACU leads 1-0

     Players To Watch For Mercer: WR Brayden Smith (Offense)/LB Jyarius Carter (Defense)

     Players To Watch For Abilene Christian: QB Tucker Parks (Offense)/DB Dillon Williams                 (Defense)

Previewing the Matchup: Mercer heads on the road Saturday for its final non-conference game of the season, and it's a monumental one, as the Bears face off against a good Abilene Christian team that coming into the season, many had as one of the favorites in the UAC. Mercer entered the season as the SoCon favorite, but the Bears find themselves reeling a bit after back-to-back losses, albeit to two good football teams, in Furman (L, 20-13) and Georgia Tech (L, 44-11). 

It's perhaps more of an unfamiliar experience for the fans than the players, however, as new Joel Taylor had to almost completely flip the roster, welcoming in 72 new players, with plenty of those players joining him in the trek from Carrolton to Macon, as Taylor moved from West Georgia to Mercer to become the Bears' new head coach after Mike Jacobs left to become the new head coach at Toledo last December.

Many of those same players, which joined Taylor in coming over from UWG, got to see up close and personal how talented this ACU team is, as the Wildcats handed the then No. 21 Wolves a 30-13 loss in Carrolton last October. That Abilene team would go on to make the FCS Playoffs, and once in the postseason, won one game, as the Wildcats would knock off Lamar, 38-20, at home before getting knocked out of the postseason by No. 7 Stephen F. Austin, dropping what was a 41-34 contest to the Lumberjacks.

While Mercer has hit the tough part of its schedule, ACU started out with one of the tougher slates in FCS, traveling to Beaumont to battle No. 20 Lamar to open the season, which saw the Wildcats drop what was a hard-fought, 21-14, contest. That would be followed by a more than respectable 33-10 loss at FBS No. 12 ranked Texas Tech before turning around and facing FCS No. 9 Stephen F. Austin in Abilene a week later, dropping a 28-7 contest to the Lumberjacks.

It's possible that, heading into last Saturday's trip to the Kibbie Dome to face winless Idaho, that the Wildcats might have just been the best winless team in the country. However, in the battle of 0-3 teams, the Wildcats would hold off the Vandals for a 41-39 win to scratch out their first win of 2026.

Saturday's game offers an opportunity for a big win for both teams. For Mercer, a win over an ACU team that will likely find itself in the mix for both the UAC title and an FCS Playoff berth, would be the type of boost the Bears need before heading into conference play, as the Bears also have games at Chattanooga (Nov. 7) and at Tennessee Tech (Nov. 14) late in the season. That makes this game even more paramount should the Bears not claim a third-straight SoCon crown this fall.

For the Bears, it's a program that continues to set new standards and visit new milestones since the resurrection of its football program after a 72-year hiatus some 12 years ago, as Saturday evening's matchup with the Wildcats in the Lone Star state will mark the first ever game in the state of Texas for the Mercer football program.

While it might be a first trip to Texas for the Bears, it is not in fact the first-ever meeting between the two programs. That actually took place on Halloween of the COVID-19 compromised season of 2020, when now Mercer head coach Joel Taylor was the defensive coordinator for Drew Cronic in what was the first season under a new staff in Macon. 

The lone meeting between the Bears and Wildcats came back during the COVID-19 compromised 2020 season, as the Bears lost a heartbreaker in Macon, coming up just short in a 20-17 setback against the Wildcats. 

ACU's Blair Zepeda connected on a 38-yard field goal as time expired, as the Wildcats were able to capture what was a 20-17 win over the Bears at Five Star Stadium. Zepeda's game-winning points were part of a flurry that saw ACU score all 20 of its points in a six-minute span en route to the win. 

While Mercer lost its only meeting with ACU in its only series meeting, the Bears hold a 4-2 record all-time against teams from the UAC. 

Mercer will led by either Jaylen King (50-of-83 passing, 641 yds, 5 TDs, 4 INTs) or JP Pickles (11-of-17 passing, 118 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT) on Saturday following after King went out with a concussion in the second quarter in the loss to Georgia Tech last Saturday. 

Both are capable of leading a solid Mercer attack, and it was a ground attack that put up 190 rushing yards against Georgia Tech last Saturday and earlier in the season against Presbyterian, posted just the seventh 600-yard afternoon in program history in what was a 62-3 rout of the Blue Hose.

King had a bit of rough go of it against Furman, throwing his first four INTs of his Bears career. Whoever starts under center for Mercer, weapons abound at the skill positions, with wideout Brayden Smith (21 rec, 342 yds, 1 TD, 16.3 YPR) being one of the best in the FCS. Smith is in his final season with Mercer, and he's been loyal to both the Bears program and his hometown of Macon. 

In his four-year career as a Mercer Bear, Smith has hauled in 125 passes for 1,574 yards and 13 touchdowns. Smith, who also has a pair of punt returns and a pair of rushing touchdowns in his Bears career, entered the 2026 campaign as the SoCon's Offensive Player of the Year. 

The Bears continue to feature a two-headed monster in the backfield, with both Pittsburg State transfer Zahmari Palode-Gary (43 rush att, 299 yds, 7.0 YPC) and freshman Devon Caldwell (26 rush att, 204 yds, 1 TD, 7.8 YPC) leading that attack. King is the Bears' third-leading rusher this season, having posted 115 yards and a pair of touchdowns on 39 attempts (2.9 YPC).

The Bears have been solid run-blocking this season, as the Bears rank 12th nationally in rushing yards per game (212.0 YPG), but haven't been stellar protecting either of Mercer's signal-callers this season, as the Bears rank 83rd nationally in sacks allowed, having yielded a total of nine through the first four games. In terms of total offense, however, the Bears are solid, ranking 37th in total offense (400.8 YPG) and 50th in scoring offense (27.3 PPG).

On defense, this unit hasn't been as stout as any of the Bears' defenses the past four seasons--not yet at least. However, the Bears have put up some pretty solid numbers in the early part of the 2026 season, including ranking 45th nationally in total defense (354.3 YPG). The Bears have also matched their nine sacks surrendered this season with nine sacks of their own. Mercer is best against the run, ranking 42nd nationally (139.8 YPG), while ranking 27th nationally in scoring defense (20.8 PPG).

Leading a solid defensive front this season has been defensive Kobe McInnis (13 tackles, 2 TFLs, 4 QBHs), which is the lone returning starter from that talented unit of a year ago. The preseason First-Team All-SoCon selection is complimented along the defensive front by Ethan McDowell (8 tackles) at the other bookend position, while Cam Moore (10 tackles, 1 TFL) and Ke'Vion Wellington (7 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 sack) hold down the defensive interior spots. 

UWG transfer Jyarius Carter (41 tackles, 1.5 TFL, 0.5 sack, 4 QBHs, 2 PBUs) has been one of the top defensive transfers in the league through the early part of the season. Carter is as good as they come at linebacker for the Bears, and will be among the SoCon's tackles leaders at season's end. He will team with CJ Favors (16 tackles, 1 TFL, 3 QBHs, 1 FR) in the middle of the Mercer defense.

The back end of the Mercer defense has been led by another UWG transfer, in Cameron Goggins (10 tackles, 2 INTs), who is one of the leading playmakers as a ballhawk in the SoCon. While Mercer's defense has been strong as a whole this season, the one area with some question marks this season has been the secondary.

Abilene Chrsitian, like Mercer, has won back-to-back conference titles, and also like the Bears, has seen some struggles at times on the offensive side of the ball, while the defensive unit has been solid throughout. There's no doubt that Keith Patterson's team has gone out and tested itself in the non-conference in preparation for making a potential third-straight run at a UAC title this fall. 

The Wildcats, who started the season 0-3, will be looking to become just the seventh team in FCS history to start the season 0-3 and make the FCS Playoffs, and to do that, there is basically no margin for error. The Wildcats are looking to join the following teams to have completed that rare feat: Stony Brook (2011/9-4/At-Large), Wagner (2012/9-4/Auto), Colgate (2015/9-5/Auto), Eastern Illinois (2015/7-5/At-Large), Furman (2017/8-5/At-Large), and Drake (2023/8-4/Auto). Special thanks to the ACU Sports Information staff for that tremendous note from its weekly game notes release. 

The Wildcats come into Saturday night's contest against ranking 95th nationally in total offense (311.0 YPG) and have averaged just 18.0 PPG through the first four games this season.

The hope for offensive coordinator and former Texas Tech standout and former Green Bay Packer (2010-12) quarterback Graham Harrell is that his offense found its spark last week in the win at Idaho, as the Wildcats posted 41 points and a season-high 392 yards in last week's win. 

Leading the offense under center is Tucker Parks (18-of-29 passing, 213 yds, 2 TDs, 2 INTs/16 rush att, 96 yds, 1 TD, 6.0 YPC), who made just his second-career start last time out against the Vandals. He is a dual-threat quarterback, featuring good athleticism and if the play is not there initially, will look to pull it and run the ball quicker than most conventional drop-back QBs. He rushed 13 times for 74 yards and a touchdown in last week's win in the Kibbie Dome.

The ACU offense is more run-heavy, but have been effective throwing the ball at times this season. The Wildcats have three capable running backs, with Rovaughn Banks (42 rush att, 174 yds, 4.1 YPC), Deonte Dean (22 rush att, 103 yds, 1 TD, 4.7 YPC), and Boston College transfer Alex Broome (24 rush att, 127 yds, 5.3 YPC) sharing the ground game responsibilities.

Cristian Driver (18 rec, 224 yds, 1 TD, 12.4 YPR) and Romelo Boykin (12 rec, 136 yds, 1 TD, 11.3 YPR) have been the two top options in the passing game, while the most decorated part of the offense coming into the season--the offensive line--had three pre-season all-conference selections coming into the season--and is anchored by preseason All-America selection Luke Roaten at right tackle. Roaten started all 14 games last season and starts alongside his twin brother, Landon Roaten, who starts at right guard. 

Defense has been ACU's calling card this season, however, even though they have struggled at times through the first four games against the exceedingly tough slate. The one area that ACU has been inconsistent at times during the early part of the season is along the defensive front, but Obi Udom has been good from the outset of the season. He enters Saturday night's contest with nine tackles, two tackles-for-loss, a sack, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. 

The redshirt sophomore anchors a defensive front that has only four sacks in its first four games from his nose tackle spot. Odom even contributed to the points total in last week's huge win at Idaho, as he had a strip sack, which he returned nine yards for a score on what was a huge momentum-changing play.

The two pillars at the heart of the ACU defense were also pivotal playmakers in last season's Wildcats defensive unit, as Darius Moore (26 tackles, 1 QBH) and Gabe Brown (27 tackles, 1.5 TFL, 1 QBH) have both returned from last season's unit. Though on the roster, Brown missed the entire 2025 season with an injury after initially transferring in from Oklahoma State. 

Without question the best player on the defensive side of the ball is 'spur' safety Dillon Williams (38 tackles, 3.5 TFL, 4 QBHs, 2 PBUs), who led the Wildcats with 83 tackles last season, and was named the top safety in FCS football in the preseason by FCS Football Central. 

When this game was scheduled, we all knew it was big. I detailed that is much in the preseason, but given each program's struggles in the opening few games, this game could have major playoff implications, especially for the Bears, who already has a conference loss. Prior to the season, I felt good about Mercer in this game, however, the way things are shaking out, I have more and more questions about Mercer's offense and I just don't feel confident about this one. 

Whereas I like Furman to beat Richmond, it is mainly based on the fact that Furman's offense looked better with Connor Ackerley running things, and while I hope Mercer wins this game because the league desperately needs that, I just don't see the kind of hope Furman's offense has with Ackerley under center with Mercer's offense. I don't know if either Jaylen King or JP Pickles can effectively lead this Mercer team to where the rest of the team is talented enough to go. With that said, I like the Wildcats at home.

FINAL PREDICTION: ABILENE CHRISTIAN 19,

MERCER 16

  

                    BLUE RIDGE BORDER BATTLE

                                                                                   

    Game 35: Western Carolina (2-2, 0-0 SoCon) at East Tennessee State (2-2, 0-0)

     Date: Sept. 26, 2026

     Location: Johnson City, Tenn/William B. Greene Jr. Stadium

     Time: 3:30 p.m. EST

     How To Watch: Nexstar/ESPN+ **SoCon Game of the Week**/Pete Yanity (play-by-play);      Jeremy Greene (color analyst); Dave Friedman (sideline reporter)

     Western Carolina Head Coach: Kerwin Bell 126-70 in 18th Yr/33-28 in 6th Yr at WCU)

     East Tennessee State Head Coach: Will Healy (37-52 in 9th Yr/9-7 in 2nd Yr at ETSU)

     Series: 56th meeting/series tied 27-27-1

     Players To Watch For Western Carolina:  QB Lex Thomas (Offense)/DB Ken Moore Jr.                  (Defense)

     Players To Watch For ETSU: QB Mason Mims (Offense); LB Dre Delinois (Defense)

Previewing the Matchup: While Mercer and Furman helped whet our appetites for the upcoming league battles on the SoCon gridiron, it really feels like it all starts this weekend and with this game--The Blue Ridge Border Battle--between East Tennessee State and Western Carolina, which has become a unique, exciting football series over the years.

The Cats and Bucs started playing each other back in 1932 and in the first six meetings, it was sheer dominance by the Bucs, which claimed the first six wins in the series that is now tied 27-all. This will be the 11th meeting between the two since ETSU brought back its football program and re-joined the SoCon in 2016, with the Bucs having won six of those matchups, including each of the previous two clashes. 

The two teams have played from everything from a tire at Bristol Motor Speedway (2016) to a piece of rock from the Blue Ridge Mountain border battle, which started back in 2018. ETSU leads in the Blue Ridge Border Battle Series games, holding a 5-3 edge when the literal hardware is on the line. 

Western Carolina begins its 50th season of SoCon play without having ever won a league regular-season title, and the hope in Cullowhee is that the 50th campaign in the league will be the magical one, as the Catamounts are 25-24 all-time in SoCon openers. It marks the first time since 2016 that the two have met in the league opener. The Catamounts are 6-2 against ETSU all-time in SoCon openers. 

Catamount losses in 1978 (L, 21-14) and 2016 (L, 34-31) account for the only setbacks for the Catamounts in league openers against the Bucs. Western Carolin is just 8-18 when opening league play on the road, with both of those aforementioned losses to the Bucs both being road games.

Saturday's matchup is one that usually never fails to produce points and big plays. After all, in three of the past five matchups between the two Blue Ridge Mountain rivals, the victor has scored 50 or more points, and it has also seen its fair share of dramatic finishes, with five of the last eight meetings in the series having produced one-possession thrillers. Seven of the 11 meetings since ETSU brought back its football program have been decided by one possession, including two that needed overtime to decide the victor. 

Each team shares the unfortunate result against common opponent Campbell, with the Catamounts dropping what was a 28-19 loss to the Camels in Buies Creek in a game delayed by a day due to weather, while the Bucs opened the season with a 49-37 loss on the home turf to Campbell. 

Both teams once again feature prolific offenses with arguably the two top quarterbacks in the SoCon, with Mason Mims (84-of-117 passing, 991 yds, 7 TDs, 2 INTs) leading the Bucs into action on Saturday, while Lex Thomas is set to lead the Catamounts fast-paced offense into action. Mims continues to be one of the best quarterbacks in all of FCS football, as the Louisville transfer currently ranks 14th in the nation in passing yards (991 yds) and 16th in the country in passing efficiency (159.27). Mims is seventh nationally in completion percentage (71.8%), while Thomas (68.8%) ranks 11th nationally in the same category.

Lex Thomas comes into the rivalry clash ranking sixth nationally in passing yards (1,079 yds), which is just ahead of reigning Walter Payton Award winning and Youngstown State quarterback Beau Brungard (1,057 yds). 

Mims has one more passing touchdown (7) than Lex Thomas (6) this season, and he leads a Bucs offense that comes into Saturday's contest that ranks 29th nationally in total offense (411.0 YPG), 26th in passing offense (252.0 YPG) and 36th in scoring offense (30.8 PPG).

Thomas leads a Catamount offense that has been slightly better overall, ranking 22nd in total offense (433.8 YPG), 14th in passing offense (286.8 YPG) and tied for 29th in scoring offense (33.0 PPG).

While there is no Taron Dickens leading the Catamounts this season, the Purple and Gold appear to once again be a machine on offense. It's been ETSU that, over the past two seasons, has managed to be the team that has been WCU's kryptonite, however, with the wins by the Bucs in 2024 and '25 playing a big role in keeping the Catamounts from making the postseason or winning their first-ever SoCon title. 

As far as the weapons around Thomas are concerned, he has no shortage of viable options, whether it be handing off in the running game, or going to the air, which is the preferred modus operandi for a Kerwin Bell offense. 

Leading the ground game for the Catamounts is the reigning SoCon Offensive Player of the Week, in running back Josh Perry, who posted three rushing scores and had a career-best 142 yards on 16 rush attempts in last week's lopsided win over Presbyterian. 

The receiving options for Thomas are talented and speedy, with the trio of Jai Boyd (13 rec, 197 yds, 3 TDs, 15.1 YPR), AJ Colombo (21 rec, 262 yds, 12.5 YPR) and Michael Rossin (9 rec, 114 yds, 12.7 YPR) enough to rival not only any other receiving unit in the SoCon, but also in all of FCS football. 

Western Carolina's offensive line is also arguably the top unit in the Southern Conference, with Zach Watson and Steven Hamby anchoring the unit. Watson was a preseason second-team All-SoCon pick. 

ETSU has been just as explosive in Will Healy's second season at the helm of the program. The Bucs have been the epitome of explosive this season, and Mims' 88-yard scoring strike to wideout Brandon Winton (12 rec, 203 yds, 3 TDs, 16.9 YPR) against West Georgia is an example of just how explosive this offense can be when it wants to be. 

The 88-yard scoring toss against the Wolves is a new school record for passing TDs in Buccaneer lore, as it eclipsed the previous standard of 86 yards established by Todd Wells and Anthony Stringfield against Appalachian State in a 51-28 rout at Kidd Brewer Stadium in Boone. 

As good as the Catamounts receiving corps is, the Bucs bring a formidable unit of their own. Winton is joined by UVA transfer Suderian Harrison, who spent three years with the Cavaliers and has already had an impact for the Bucs in his short time at ETSU.  He set a new career-high with seven catches against North Carolina a couple of weeks back, and turned in his best performance of his young ETSU career against Campbell, hauling in five passes for 99 yards. 

Trey Weary (12 rec, 89 yds, 1 TD, 7.4 YPR) and tight end Charlie Browder (12 rec, 152 yds, 1 TD, 12.7 YPR) round out a solid quartet of receiving options for Mims. The Bucs might not be quite as prolific offensively as WCU, but where they do have an edge is overall balance. The Bucs have a pair of capable running options, in TJ Peyton (56 rush att, 347 yds, 4 TDs, 6.2 YPC) and Jason Albritton (23 rush att, 84 yds, 3 TDs, 3.7 YPC). 

Albritton was a preseason All-SoCon selection, but it's been Peyton, who transferred in from Georgia State, who has one of the biggest impacts on the offensive side of the ball this season. Jaiden Daniels (28 rush att, 190 yds, 6.8 YPC) offers even a third option in the backfield for the Bucs. 

The two defensive units leave something to be desired, however, and that could make for an interesting remaining portion of the season. While offense is fashionable, in this league Western has proven that offense only will not win conference titles.

Both teams are surrendering 31.3 PPG and giving up well over 400 yards-per-game, with the Catamounts surrendering 457.8 YPG and the Bucs surrendering 418.3 YPG. Western Carolina has one of the top defensive backs in the country, in Ken Moore Jr. (20 tackles, 3.0 TFL, 2 sacks, 1 PBU), while the Bucs are solid in their front seven, with linebacker Dre Delinois and defensive tackle Brendan Leblanc (6 tackles, 0.5 TFL, 1 QBH) highlighting the front seven for ETSU. 

The question marks for ETSU for a second-straight season reside in the secondary, as the unit is yielding 266.2 YPG. The Bucs have just one INT on the season, but it was a big one, as Mike Jenkins' (22 tackles, 1.5 TFL, 2 PBUs, 1 INT) INT ended up changing the game for the Bucs in last Saturday's eight-point win.

This game may come down to who has the ball last once again, but the Bucs are at home and that gives them the slight edge...literally. 

FINAL PREDICTION: ETSU 51, WESTERN 

CAROLINA 48

Game 36: No. 10 Tennessee Tech (3-0, 1-0 SoCon) at Wofford (2-2, 1-1 SoCon)

     Date: Sept. 26, 2026

     Location:  Spartanburg, S.C./Gibbs Stadium

     Time: 1:30 p.m. EST

     How To Watch: ESPN+

     Tennessee Tech Head Coach: Bobby Wilder (99-63 in 14th Yr as a head coach/22-7 in 3rd        Yr at TTU)

     Wofford Head Coach:  Shawn Watson (29-49 8th Yr/18-27 in 4th Yr at Wofford)

     Series: Fifth meeting/Wofford leads 4-0

     Players To Watch For Tennessee Tech: RB MJ Flowers (Offense)/CB Cee Rhodes (Defense)

     Players To Watch For Wofford: QB JT Fayard (Offense)/DB Eli Coleman (Defense)

Previewing the Matchup: Tennessee Tech and Wofford will get the day started in the SoCon on the gridiron, and Saturday's tilt in Spartanburg will give the Golden Eagles a chance to see how they will fare in their first SoCon road game. 

As far as the series is concerned, it will mark just the fifth meeting between the two programs, with Wofford having won all four of the previous meetings in a series that began in 1948, as the Terriers claimed an 8-6 win on that occasion. In the most recent clash, the Terriers were 21-7 victors back on Sept. 1, 2016. 

In that game, there was a scary moment, as  Wofford linebacker Michael Roach collapsed by the team bench in the third quarter and had to be revived and was quickly transported to the Cookeville Regional Medical Center. It was later learned it he had a heart abnormality and it brought an abrupt end to his football career. 

Wofford got the season underway in strong fashion, posting a 42-14 win in the season and SoCon opener in week zero against The Citadel, while Tennessee Tech blasted Samford, 45-19, in their first game in a new conference. Now comes the first road test for Bobby Wilder's team.

Though the Golden Eagles weren't picked to win the SoCon by the league's head coaches, it has become readily apparent that the Golden Eagles are now the clear-cut favorite to claim the title in their first season as a league member. 

The Terriers have seemingly regressed, having lost two-straight to Kent State and last week were blasted 41-7 to a team that Tennessee Tech defeated 24-9 on the road back in week one. 

Tennessee Tech's defense has been outstanding this season, as the Golden Eagles enter Saturday's clash against the Terriers surrendering just 283 YPG and only 14 PPG. That certainly doesn't bode well for a Terriers offense that has struggled in all but one game this season. 

The Golden Eagles have one of the best secondary units in the FCS, with UT Martin transfer cornerback Cee Rhodes (3 tackles, 1 PBU) and Omari Philyaw (11 tackles, 1 INT, 1 FR, 3 PBUs) leading the charge. The Golden Eagles also fly to the ball on defense, and that can easily be ascertained by the fact that linebacker Greg Turner III is the team leader with 19 tackles, as TTU has excellent tackles distribution.

With a defense this talented, it appears to defeat the Golden Eagles, you're going to have to outscore them, and that isn't going to be easy, as Tech is averaging 35.3 PPG and averaging a solid 347.0 YPG. Jax Leatherhead (58-of-89 passing, 679 yds, 8 TDs, 1 INT ) continues to lead the offense, while Tre Holloway (12 rec, 169 yds, 2 TDs, 14.1 YPR/24.6 yards-per-punt return and one TD) has been the Swiss army knife of the Tech offense and is looking very much like a SoCon Player of the Year candidate so far.

Wofford certainly has its hands full, and there has been an unforeseen development over the past couple of weeks, as both JT Fayard (35-of-63 passing, 325 yds, 2 TDs, 3 INTs) and Ethan Drumm (16-of-30 passing, 244 yds, 1 TD, 3 INTs) have very much struggled over the past couple of games. In fact, the Terriers rank 117th nationally in total offense (243.5 YPG). The Terrier defense hasn't been that stout and stingy unit we have seen in previous iterations under Shawn Watson, surrendering 26.0 PPG and almost 400 YPG (399.5 YPG). 

I don't see this one being all that close even though the game is at Wofford. The Terriers are now officially in free-fall.

FINAL PREDICTION: TENNESSEE TECH 31, 

WOFFORD 17

                                                                                        

    Game 37: Chattanooga (2-2, 1-0 SoCon) at The Citadel (1-2, 0-1 SoCon)

     Date: Sept. 26, 2026

     Location: Charleston, S.C./Johnson Hagood Stadium

     Time: 2 p.m. EST

     How To Watch: ESPN+

     Chattanooga Head Coach: Rusty Wright (44-36 in 7th Yr at Chattanooga)

     The Citadel Head Coach: Maurice Drayton (10-28 in 4th season at The Citadel)

     Series: 60th meeting/Chattanooga leads 36-21-2

     Players To Watch For Chattanooga: QB Battle Alberson (Offense)/LB Zion Rutledge               (Defense)   

     Players To Watch For The Citadel: RB Gavin Garcia (Offense)/LB Zyion Brown (Defense)

Previewing the Matchup: Chattanooga looks to keep the momentum moving in a positive direction Saturday afternoon, as the Mocs head to Charleston to face off against The Citadel. 

The Mocs have the best defense in the Southern Conference, as it showed in a 41-7 shellacking of Wofford last Saturday in the Scenic City. In fact, Chattanooga hasn't given up more than 24 points in any of its four games to open the season.

The Citadel brought a three-game series winning streak to an end last season, posting a surprising 28-10 win in the Scenic City. It was the first sign that their were major defensive problems at UTC. 

With the Mocs entering the contest ranked ninth nationally (275.0) in total defense, and Chattanooga also ranks 23rd in the nation against the run, allowing just 120.0 YPG on the ground. 

The Mocs have been even better against the pass in the early part of the season, as the Mocs rank 13th nationally and lead the SoCon in passing yards allowed (155.0 YPG) so far this season. Finally, Chattanooga's 12 sacks through the first four game (3.0 SPG) ranks the Mocs 11th nationally and first in the SoCon.

Orlando Daniels (16 tackles, 4.0 TFL, 3.0 sacks, 2 PBUs), Ky Tayo (8 tackles, 1.5 TFL, 1.0 sack, 1 QBH) and Montrell Henderson (6 tackles, 1.0 TFL) each represent the rebirth of that vaunted Mocs defensive front. Zion Rutledge (30 tackles, 2.5 TFL, 1.0 sack, 1 PBU) continues to lead the Mocs defense in the middle at linebacker, having posted 30 tackles this season. 

Questions still have to be answered under center, however, as Battle Alberson (30-of-67 passing, 398 yds, 2 TDs, 3 INTs) hasn't necessarily looked like a man that can help Rusty Wright sleep easier without having to worry about his job status come late November, but then again, Chase Artopoues, Cole Copeland or Luke Schomburg did either. It feels like the Mocs haven't really had an efficient, reliable signal-caller since Nick Tiano.

While Alberson still leaves something to be desired under center, the skill positions have been pretty good, namely running backs Journey Wyche (35 rush att, 252 yds, 1 TD, 7.2 YPC) and Kevin Lalin (76 rush att, 400 yds, 4 TDs, 5.3 YPC.). The passing attack needs some igniting, but whenever it does get lit, Chattanooga has a pair of big-play options in Ashton Schumann (14 rec, 258 yds, 1 TD, 18.4 YPR).

Helping Lalin rank eighth overall in the country in rushing yards through the first four games this season is a much improved offensive line, which is anchored by three returning starters, with left tackle Aidan Donald--a preseason First-Team All-SoCon selection--anchoring one of the league's top units.

The Citadel is has had a roller-coaster ride of a season so far, with the league's lone FBS win--a 43-41 overtime win over Charlotte--followed by an "egg in the face" loss to Charleston Southern last time out in the home opener. The Bulldogs have a much tougher assignment against the Mocs Saturday. 

The Bulldogs have employed the services of both quarterbacks, Quentin Hayes (17-of-37 passing, 202 yds, 1 TD, 2 INTs/45 rush att, 163 yds, 3.6 YPC) and Nick Billoups (10-of-14 passing, 127 yds, 1 TD/16 rush att, 76 yds, 2 TDs) over the first three weeks. That duo leads a Bulldogs offense that ranks sixth nationally in rushing output (243.3 YPG) and one that also ranks a solid 60th (353.0 YPG) nationally. 

Kent State transfer Gavin Garcia has arguably been the best offensive portal addition in the SoCon early on this season, however, the Bulldogs have yet to see either Ismael Zamor (7 rec, 91 yds, 13.0 YPR) or Braylon Knauth (3 rec, 56 yds, 18.7 YPR) get untracked in the passing game.

The Bulldogs returned more experience up front than any team in the SoCon, and that has led to the solid offensive output so far through the first three games.

While there were much less questions on the offensive side of the ball entering 2026, the defensive side of the ball was a much different story for the 'Dogs, while lost the likes of linebacker Mikey De Rosa to the transfer portal, as well as others like talented safety Cale Williams.

The Bulldogs have been decent enough defensively, ranking 46th nationally in total defense (356.3 YPG), but the Bulldogs have struggled in a couple of key areas and that is a bit of a concern, ranking 116th in third down conversion defense (52.6%) and red zone defense (92.3%).

This game will be close, but I am afraid the Mocs have a little too much firepower on offense even though the jury remains out on Alberson.

FINAL PREDICTION: CHATTANOOGA 28, 

THE CITADEL 24

                                                

Game 38 VMI (0-4, 0-0 SoCon) at Samford (0-3, 0-1 SoCon)

     Date: Sept. 26, 2026

     Location: Birmingham, AL/Pete Hanna Stadium

     Time: 3:30 p.m. EST

     How To Watch: ESPN+

     VMI Head Coach: Ashley Ingram (16-10 in 3rd Yr overall/0-4 in 1st Yr at VMI)

     Samford Head Coach: John Grass (72-29/9th season as a head coach/0-3/1st at Samford)

     Series: 14th meeting/Samford leads 10-3

     Players To Watch For VMI: QB Ian Reynolds (Offense)/DB Nic Land (Defense)

     Players To Watch For Samford: WR Marquise Henderson (Offense) or WR Preston Bird             /ROV Jalen Nelson (Defense)

Previewing the Matchup: The final matchup of the day is the one we all have anticipated the most if we're honest. It might not have the sexiness of the Blue Ridge Border Battle, but there is some intrigue in a battle of two of the three new head coaches in the SoCon. 

VMI's loss at Davidson last weekend was among the worst losses in recent memory for the Keydets. Everything is still a work in progress for head coach Ashley Ingram and the Keydets.

It's been a struggle for the Keydets on both sides of the ball so far this season in either side of the ball, but VMI might have found its man under center, in freshman Ian Reynolds (20-of-50 passing, 323 yds, 1 TD, 2 INTs), who has played solid given the circumstances. Leo Boehling (60 rush att, 168 yds, 2.8 YPC) continues to be the man to lead the Keydets option-based attack this season, while on defense it's been safety Nic Land (29 tackles, 1 INT, 1 PBU).

Like VMI, Samford has had trouble finding any kind of rhythm offensively this season, but Gabarri Johnson (62-of-117 passing, 646 yds, 3 TDs, 2 INTs) appears to have solidified himself as the starter under center. 

The tandem of Marquise Henderson (9 rec, 218 yds, 2 TDs, 11.3 YPR) and Preston Bird (16 rec, 158 yds, 9.9 YPR) at wideout gives the Bulldogs two rather impressive big-play options, but running the ball has been a mighty struggle for Samford so far through the first three games of the John Grass era, and the Bulldogs rank 123rd out of 124 teams rank nationally in rushing offense (33.7 YPG).

Samford's defense appears to be one of the better ones in the SoCon under the direction of new defensive coordinator Mickey Conn, and they'll be the difference today, as the Bulldogs pick up their first win of the season and in conference play all in one. 

FINAL PREDICTION: SAMFORD 24, VMI 6