October 9th, 2012 12:00pm
Over the past decade Gulf South Conference teams Valdosta State, Delta State and North Alabama have relied on prolific passing attacks to dominate the league and region. Quarterbacks like Scott Eyster and Micah Davis at DSU, Will Hall and Lee Chapple at UNA and Dusty Bonner at VSU have lit up the scoreboard and rewritten the record books with their passing. The GSC was the league where 300-yard passing games were the norm and 1,000-yard rushers a rarity.
Has that ever changed in 2012. Last year, VSU, UNA and DSU were primarily passing teams. This season, all five GSC teams run the ball much more than they throw it. Between the five teams, they average 225 yards per game on the ground compared to just 175 in the air. When provisional member Shorter joins the league as a full member next season, the numbers are likely to get skewed even further towards the run: the Hawks average 272 yards per game on the ground and just 102 through the air this season.
So what changed? Terry Bowden and his pass-happy attack left UNA. He was replaced by Bobby Wallace and the spread option. Ditto at DSU, where Ron Roberts was replaced by Jamey Chadwell.
But that does not tell the whole story. Hall used his passing skills to win the Harlon Hill Trophy as UNAs quarterback in 2003. As UWAs head coach in 2012, Hall prefers to run the ball much more than he throws it. If there was ever a coach that one would assume would prefer to throw the ball it would be Hall. And yet his offensive philosophy as a coach is just the opposite.
Clearly, there is a philosophy shift going on with many of these programs. But remember, in the period generally before the 2001 season, the GSC was a run-first league. UNA won its three straight national championships in the mid-90s with Wallaces option offense. DSU won the 2000 national title running the option out of the flexbone (with some spread elements to it).
Although the schemes are different, what we are seeing today in the GSC seems to be a shift back to the offensive philosophies that were successful in the 80s and 90s. More than anything, this shift seems to be part of the normal ebb and flow of strategy that accompany the game of football. With this change happening so quickly, however, fans in the Gulf South Conference must feel like they are living in some sort of alternative football universe this season.
Thoughts from Last Week
-After a surprising loss to Tarleton State to open the season, Midwestern State seems to be getting on the same type of roll that the Mustangs were on last season. MSU was impressive in winning 42-27 at West Alabama last week.
-Minnesota State has flown under the radar a bit, but the Mavericks look like the type of team capable of winning in the playoffs. MSU, leads the nation in total defense at 202 yards per game and is second in scoring defense and third in rush defense. Offensively, the Mavericks run the football very effectively and have a big play receiver in Adam Thielen to stretch defenses occasionally.
-More evidence that the MIAA is a very strong football league: The three newcomers to the conference this fall (Nebraska-Kearney, Northeastern State and Central Oklahoma) are a combined 1-17 so far this season. UNK was a playoff team last year and NSU went 7-5 and reached the Mineral Water Bowl.
-Seven weeks into the season Central Washington (4-2) will finally get to play its first true home game. Wildfires in the area around the campus effected air quality, forcing the Wildcats to play their previously scheduled home games on September 22nd and 29th to Pop Keeney Stadium in Bothell Washington. CWU will also be celebrating homecoming this weekend.
-IUPs Harvie Tuck is having a very productive senior season. He has rushed for 954 yards already this season despite missing the game against Millersville two weeks ago. Tuck has three 200-yard games already this year and is just 365 yards shy of reaching 4,000 rushing yards in his career.
-Ashland (6-0) is probably the best team in not only the GLIAC, but all of SR3 at this point. The Eagles are stingy defensively, can force turnovers and senior quarterback Taylor Housewright has yet to throw an interception in 194 pass attempts this season. When looking at the Eagles schedule, Findlay is the only remaining opponent with the ability to provide much of a challenge.
-West Chester did not handle well the prosperity of knocking off Kutztown and California in back to back weeks. The Rams lost 35-28 to East Stroudsburg last week and will probably have to beat both Shippensburg and Bloomsburg to reach the PSAC title game.
Top Games this Week
Wayne State (4-1) at Saginaw Valley State (5-1)
Thursday Night 8PM Eastern CBS College Sports Network
The Warriors run the ball and force turnovers- the same formula that let them to the national championship game last season. SVSU is not as good defensively, but the Cardinals have quarterback Jon Jennings and receiver Jeff Janis to terrorize opposing defenses. Wayne State 24 Saginaw Valley State 21.
New Haven (5-0) at Bentley (5-0)
This looks like the game of the year in the Northeast 10, with the conference title and playoff berth possibly on the line. Both teams play good defense and with UNH backup Ronnie Nelson (15 touchdown passes in just 74 pass attempts) doing an outstanding job filling in for the injured Ryan Osiecki, both offenses are very good as well. This should be a great game. New Haven 30 Bentley 24.
Hillsdale (4-2) at Ferris State (4-2)
After beating rival Grand Valley State for the first time in 11 years, FSU could be in for a letdown. But with neither team able to absorb another loss and still stay alive for the playoffs, I expect both teams to come in ready to play. I like the Chargers as they are more balance offensively and better defensively. Hillsdale 28 Ferris State 21.
Northwest Missouri State (5-1) versus Pittsburg State (5-0)
This is the 11th straight year that these two powers meet at Kansas Citys Arrowhead Stadium. Last season in this game PSU used a big second half rally to knock off Northwest on a last second field goal, ending the Bearcats five year stranglehold on the MIAA. Then the Gorillas left no doubt as to who was the better team by stomping Northwest in the playoffs on the way to the national championship. Both of these teams are very similar from a defensive standpoint, but surprisingly the Gorillas are actually a bit more prolific throwing the football. Two weeks ago I would have gone with PSU by a couple of scores, but the Bearcats have turned the corner and played great football the last two weeks. This should be a great game that could go either way. Pittsburg State 34 Northwest Missouri State 31.
Henderson State (6-0) at Harding (5-0)
What a matchup this is. HSUs has a high octane passing attack that leads the nation in scoring (60 points per game). Meanwhile, Harding is second in the nation in both total defense and pass efficiency defense. Something will have to give. I think the Bisons strong rushing attack will limit the opportunities for the Reddie offense just enough to pick up the win. Harding 31 Henderson State 28.
Valdosta State (4-2) at North Alabama (5-1)
As I mentioned earlier, both of these teams like to run the football. But despite the records, I think VSU is the better overall team. The Blazers can throw the ball effectively and they are tougher defensively than UNA. Valdosta State 28 North Alabama 17.
Abilene Christian (4-2) at West Texas A&M (5-1)
These two teams have combined to win five of the last seven LSC titles and have combined for 11 playoff appearances since 2005. Adding to the drama is the fact that neither team can really afford another loss as they try to stay in contention for a playoff berth. ACU has won six straight regular season games at WTAMU but I expect that streak to end this week since the Wildcats are weaker defensively and struggle to run the football. West Texas A&M 35 Abilene Christian 21.
Mailbag
[Q] Bloomsburg has already avenged its losses from last year (Kutztown and LIU Post). If the Huskies are able to defeat both Shippensburg and West Chester, do you think it is possible for the Huskies to contend with the other heavy weights in SR1 (New Haven comes to mind) and make a deep post season run?
Matthew
[A] Bloomsburg is definitely a candidate to win SR1. BUs rushing attack (351 yards per game) led by running backs Franlyn Quiteh and Eddie Mateo is a nightmare for opposing defenses to stop. That said; I am not sure that the Huskies are the favorite in the region because BU is average at best defensively and the Huskies have had a tendency in recent years to fade late in the season.
When I look at SR1 as whole, I feel it is the deepest it has been in several years. Shepherd from the WVIAC looks like a very solid team. New Haven and Bentley are both strong from the Northeast 10 and IUP, California and Shippensburg are other good PSAC teams. If I had to pick a favorite in the region today, I would go with defending region champ Winston-Salem State. The Rams are very good defensively and they have a better passing game than when they won the region last year.
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