Schedule updatesThursday
VUL at Newberry 1:00
Mars Hill at Lenoir-Rhyne 2:00

Friday
Limestone at Tusculum 7:00

Saturday
Wingate at Carson-Newman 7:00

CANCELLED
UNC Pembroke at Catawba



After a dreadful opening weekend of the football season in which the SAC teams posted a combined record of 1-8, the league made a big comeback in week 2 with a 6-3 mark. Among the results were four wins and one loss against CIAA opponents. That could be significant later in the year when the regional committees have to compare teams, records, winning percentages, strength of schedule, etc. A significant win-loss advantage over another conference in the region could be big. The SAC also got a pair of wins over GSC teams, which is great, but the overall record against the GSC is just 2-6.

As we head into conference play, here is how I rank the 9 SAC teams (including UNCP). This is just my take on how the teams measure up and it will change a lot from week to week.

1. Wingate (2-0, 0-0)2. Lenoir-Rhyne (1-1, 0-0)3. Carson-Newman (1-1, 0-0)4. Catawba (1-1, 0-0)
After falling 34-3 at West Georgia, Catawba reversed their fortunes with a 34-7 victory at Winston-Salem State. The defense was impressive again, holding the Rams to just 85 rushing yards and negating the threat of star running back Kerrion Moore. The offense still needs work. They have faced two very solid defensive football teams, but I am still concerned about their inability to run the ball so far. They did manage to make a couple of big plays (and well-times ones at that) throwing the ball but as a team they have completed only 40% of the pass attempts through two games. That has to improve starting this weekend and they need to get Kenyatta Green going. I had him pegged as a breakout performer in the SAC this year but he has just 103 yards from scrimmage so far.

5. UNC Pembroke (1-1, 0-0)
The Braves are a miracle play away from being 2-0. They fell just shy of completing a big comeback at Winston-Salem State, but they made up for that with a huge performance in their home opener. ECSU showed some explosive big play potential in their season opener, but UNCP limited them to just 76 total yards and only four first downs. The Braves offense is relying on youth at several positions, and while I am generally not a fan of playing two QBs, UNCP has two youngsters that look awfully good. Josh Jones and Josh Dale are both completing more than 60% of their passes and have only turned the ball over once. Not bad for a pair of freshmen.

6. Newberry (0-2, 0-0)7. Tusculum (1-1, 0-0)8. Limestone (0-2, 0-0)9. Mars Hill (0-2, 0-0)
Week Three schedule

Thursday

Virginia University of Lynchburg at Newberry 1:00Mars Hill at Lenoir-Rhyne 2:00Friday

Limestone at Tusculum 7:00Saturday
Wingate at Carson-Newman 7:00[email protected]
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