Slowly the Big South begins to take shape.
There are teams blatantly out of championship contention, while others remain on the fringes.
Still a couple of weeks for football to be played.
Anything can happen.
Here are the updated power rankings for the conference:
Note last week’s rankings in (parentheses).
- (2) Charleston Southern 7-1, 4-0 *Nationally ranked #13
Last week: CCU 25 CSU 33
And just like that, Charleston Southern is in sole possession of first place in the Big South. Austin Brown had a great night, throwing for 252 yards with a pair of touchdowns. A great passing attack, mixed with 204 rushing yards gave the Bucs a must-get win. Coastal drove down the field on the final possession of the game only to turn the ball over on downs on CSU’s 8-yard line.
Next up: @ Kennesaw State, 1:00pm
- (1) Coastal Carolina 7-1, 3-1 *Nationally ranked #8
Last week: CCU 25 CSU 33
After falling into a 15-point hole, Coastal mounted a comeback that fell short, bringing about their first loss of the season. Alex Ross attempted 46 passes, completing 28 of them for 274 yards. De’Angelo Henderson rushed for 90 yards and extended his FCS scoring streak to 22 games. The Chanticleers had a chance to force overtime, but turned the ball over on downs in the last-minute of the game.
Next up: Vs. Gardner-Webb, 3:30pm
- (3) Liberty 4-4, 2-2
Last week: Bye
The Flames had the week off and get back to action this Saturday.
Next up: Vs. Presbyterian, 3:30pm
- (4) Kennesaw State 6-2, 2-1
Last week: Monmouth 12 Kennesaw St. 23
With their win over Monmouth, Kennesaw picked up their first ever winning season. Trey White led his team with 114 yards passing and was second on the ground with another 102 yards, accounting for 2 total touchdowns. Chaston Bennett was the most impressive rusher for the Owls, picking up 124 yards on 6 carries.
Next up: Vs. Charleston Southern, 1:00pm
- (6) Gardner-Webb 3-5, 2-2
Last week: Gardner-Webb 14 Presbyterian 10
The Runnin’ Bulldogs got quite a bit of action out of Trey Maxwell who threw for 97 yards and a touchdown on top of 105 rushing yards on Saturday. He led the team in both passing and rushing. The defense put together an impressive game, limiting Presbyterian to 195 yards and forcing seven three-and-outs on 12 drives.
Next up: @ Coastal, 3:30pm
- (5) Monmouth 3-6, 1-3
Last week: Monmouth 12 Kennesaw St. 23
Monmouth had difficulty defending Kennesaw’s stout option attack on Saturday, giving up 341 rushing yards. Cody Williams threw for 134 and a pair of touchdowns, shadowed by 2 interceptions. The Hawks did have their own rushing attack going, picking up 187 yards thanks to Zach Welch who had 112 of them.
Next up: BYE
- (7) Presbyterian 1-7, 0-3
Last week: Gardner-Webb 14 Presbyterian 10
No doubt Presbyterian is ready for this season to come to a close. They have had a number of close calls, but end up on the losing side of them. The majority of the Blue Hose’s yards came on the ground thanks to 8 different rushers combining for 160 yards. And their passing game was practically non-existent, consisting of 35 yards. Presbyterian had a chance to win it (again) but turned the ball over on downs at their own 17 on the final drive of the game.
Next up: @ Liberty, 3:30pm
