Wow. Week 8 of the college football season has already come to a close.
Still quite a bit of football to be played though!

Here are the updated power rankings following last week’s action:
Note last week’s rankings in (parenthesis).

  1. (1) Coastal Carolina 7-0, 2-0 *Nationally ranked #1

Last week: Coastal 23 Monmouth 20

It was another close one for the Chanticleers this weekend. A field goal from Ryan Grander boosted Coastal over Monmouth as time expired in the game. De’Angelo Henderson rushed for 91 yards and extended his FCS scoring streak to 21 games thanks to a touchdown. The defense had their struggles though, giving up 268 yards rushing and a pair of touchdowns.

Next up: @ Charleston Southern, 7:00pm

  1. (2) Charleston Southern 6-1, 3-0 *Nationally ranked #19

Last week: CSU 34 Gardner-Webb 0

Charleston Southern recorded their first shutout of the season thanks to a dominate defense. CSU limited the Bulldogs 110 yards, 6 first downs, and forced 2 turnovers. Austin Brown threw for 202 yards and three touchdowns. The best rusher for the Buccaneers was Ben Robinson who picked up 58 yards on the ground with a touchdown. Despite Robinson’s low numbers, CSU picked up 189 total yards rushing. The Bucs now look towards Coastal Carolina for a 1st place showdown in the Big South.

Next up: Vs. Coastal, 7:00pm

  1. (6) Liberty 4-4, 1-2

Last week: Kennesaw 35 Liberty 45

After a disappointing two-game skid, the Flames bounced back against Big South newbie Kennesaw State. It was clear the Owls had yet to see a player like Darrin Peterson, who picked up 164 yards on four catches. Three of his four catches were touchdowns. The rushing game was more present as Todd Macon and Des Rice combined for 160 yards and two touchdowns. Considering the difficulty of the spread, the defense did pretty well. The Owls were kept below their rushing average.

Next up: BYE

  1. (3) Kennesaw State 5-2, 1-1

Last week: Kennesaw 35 Liberty 45

The Owls headed to Lynchburg on Saturday and it was clear they were anxious to play. By the end of the game, they had picked up at least nine offsides penalties. Kennesaw rushed for 292 yards and threw from another 128. Trey White had a good showing as he threw for 71 yards and a touchdown, and he rushed for 94 yards, adding on three more touchdowns. While their offense was working fairly well, the defense couldn’t contain Liberty. Letting them pick up 406 yards of total offense and one of their better rushing performances of the year.

Next up: Vs. Monmouth, 1:00pm

  1. (5) Monmouth 3-5, 1-2

Last week: Coastal 23 Monmouth 20

Monmouth may be a little more impressive than we give them credit for. They kept it a tie game with the #1 FCS team in the country until the clock hit zero. The Hawks rushed all over Coastal, picking up 268 yards on the ground thanks to Lavon Chaney, who almost had 200 yards on the evening. After a strong performance, Monmouth fell thanks to a late CCU field goal.

Next up: @ Kennesaw State, 1:00pm

  1. (4) Gardner-Webb 2-5, 1-2

Last week: CSU 34 Gardner-Webb 0

Gardner-Webb seems to be back to their normal ways after falling hard to Charleston Southern on Saturday. Their 110 yards of total offense were the lowest of the season. 46 yards came through the air while 64 came on the ground. This was the third time this year that the Bulldogs picked up less than 150 yards of total offense.

Next up: @ Presbyterian, 2:00pm

  1. (7) Presbyterian 1-6, 0-2

Last week: BYE

Presbyterian had the week off and will return to action on Saturday.

Next up: Vs. Gardner-Webb, 2:00pm