SAC Week 4 Preview

September 26th, 2025 1:00pm

The last weekend of September, and the SAC schedule takes a slight detour back into non-conference play for a few schools. D3 power Mary Hardin-Baylor heads to The Hill to take on Coach Barnette and the Mars Hill Lions. Catawba brings in guest from the Northeast 10 in Southern Connecticut, who is looking to get back to the playoffs like they were in the time we were in school. There is also four intraconference games this weekend with plenty of drama to unpack. Anderson and Emory & Henry do battle, as both teams look to stay up near the top of the league and avoid a second league loss. Tusculum and UVA Wise will go to battle, both looking for their first league win of this season. The Bishop's Trophy is on the line in Hickory, as the SAC's two Lutheran's institutions go head to head. And we get a rematch of the 2024 SAC championship game between Wingate and Carson-Newman: Ingram vs. Jordan Part III. 

Should be an awesome weekend of football. Stay safe out there everybody!

SAC Players of the Week

Offense: Zane Whitson (Carson-Newman): became the first Carson-Newman QB to rush for over 150 yards since 2019 with his 22 carries for 177 yards and two touchdowns, including a 63-yard run to ice the game late. 7-of-9 passing for 123 yards and a touchdown pass.

Defense: A.J. Burgess (Emory & Henry): 13 total tackles, including one for a loss, and forced a fumble in win.

Special Teams: Rivers Teeter (Wingate): Three of Teeter's four punts on the night were downed inside the five-yard line and he averaged 44.3 yards per punt on the night. Mr. Teeter was also named D2football.com National Special Teams player of the week.

Standings after Week 3

Last Week: 5-0

Season: 22-3

Anderson Trojans at Emory & Henry Wasps

Location & Time: Emory, VA / 1 PM

Massey: Emory & Henry -12.5

SP+: Emory & Henry 29.5, Anderson 16.5

Series: Emory & Henry leads series, 1-0. (Emory & Henry won the only meeting, 34-3, in 2024).

Anderson fought and fought, especially in the second half, but came up short in a 21‑14 loss to end their hot start. But at 3-1, the season isn’t over yet. Tyler Wesley threw for 245 yards, and Zay Williams was a reliable target with 125 yards receiving. After being shut out in the first half, the Trojans got two touchdowns—one through the air and one on the ground—but couldn’t overcome Mars Hill’s early lead and defensive stands. Weather delays also disrupted rhythm, which may have contributed to the slow start. Coach Lamb’s crew has another big task this weekend and cannot afford to let their 1^st loss linger and turn into two.

Emory & Henry came out strong in Greeneville, earning a 34‑13 win over Tusculum. Quarterback Cole Lambert threw for 168 yards and three touchdowns, helping the Wasps build leads in key stretches. Their offense was efficient, scoring in every quarter except the third where they still held firm on defense. Emory & Henry kept Tusculum from getting consistent rhythm and let big plays—like those passing touchdowns—do much of the heavy lifting. This win marked an important step in their conference slate, allowing them to bounce back from a gut-wrenching loss the week before. I’m still not 100% sold on the Wasps offense, but the defense (despite losing some DAWGS) has been stellar early on.

Prediction: Emory & Henry goes to 4-1 in an instant classic.

Anderson (statistically) has had a slightly better offense and a better defense this year, but the Wasps have been tested more, and I feel like that is still a factor for the Trojans. For Anderson to win, they need to force some turnovers and take advantage of those turnovers. They also need to force Lambert to put the ball in the air and keep Jackson from getting going. For the Wasps, it comes down to limiting what Tyler Wesley does both with his arm and legs. Forcing him to make mistakes. I think Emory & Henry is overall a slightly better team early on and will get the win at home.

Mary Hardin-Baylor Crusaders at Mars Hill Lions

Location & Time: Mars Hill, NC / 1 PM

Massey: Mars Hill -5.5

SP+: Mars Hill 31.7, Mary Hardin-Baylor 14.6

Series: First Ever Meeting

"The Cru" lost last week to perennial D3 powerhouse Wisconsin-Whitewater, 26-6, falling to 1-1 on the young season. The Crusaders were outgained by 150 yards and couldn’t get the offense going or make stops to keep it close in the second half before the Warhawks put the game to bed. If you are unfamiliar with the Crusaders, it won’t be a typical D2 vs. D3 snoozefest. UMHB is a year in-year out top program and has won two national titles since 2018 and have gone 95-9 since 2016 (depending on if you count the 2016 and 2017 seasons, which the NCAA does not). Their head coach is Larry Harmon, who was promoted to head honcho in 2022 after being the defensive coordinator for the previous 20 years. Coach Harmon also does have a tiny connection to the SAC, as he was an assistant coach at Northwest Missouri when they defeated Carson-Newman in the 1998 D2 national championship.

Mars Hill eked out a 21‑14 win at home against Anderson, leaning on a balance of big plays and resilient defense. Quarterback J.R. Martin connected on a long touchdown pass early and later added a rushing score that helped put the game away. Martin also led the rushing attack (58 yards) while Jon Gullette added 56 of his own. Edward Louis Jr. had a big day, with over 100 yards on seven grabs. The Lions struck early in each half and forced Anderson into mistakes when momentum threatened to swing. With this win, they moved to 2‑0 in SAC play and have won back-to-back weeks in close league games. Been a good start up on The Hill in 2025!

Prediction: Mars Hill moves to 3-1, will they ever play on the road?

Mary Hardin-Baylor is traditionally one of the better teams in D3, but last year they went 6-4 and didn’t look that great through two games early. And they certainly haven’t faced someone who has game breaking skills like JR Martin. I like the Lions in this matchup not because of Martin (though it helps), but because I expect the Mars Hill big nasties up front to dominate the game. Look for stud performances from the offensive line and defensive line to change the outcome of this game and open things up. Mars Hill has more playmakers on both sides of the ball and is settling into a groove after the opening loss to Winston-Salem.

Tusculum Pioneers at UVA Wise Cavaliers

Location & Time: Wise, VA / 2 PM

Massey: Tusculum -0.5

SP+: Tusculum 26.4, UVA Wise 25.6

Series: Tusculum leads series, 8-7. (UVA Wise won the last meeting, 35-27, in 2024).

Tusculum struggled to keep pace with Emory & Henry’s momentum. They managed a couple of scoring drives but were limited to just 13 points overall and continually put themselves in deficit situations. Offensively, they couldn’t generate consistent big plays (3.3 yards per play), and their defense was stretched trying to stop both the pass and the run (though they did a pretty good job bottling up Jordan Jackson for the most part). A close game at the half turned into a blowout in the second, even as Richard Hunter scored to make the scoreboard look more respectable. The game exposed areas they’ll need to clean up moving forward. It’s just tough to win football games putting up under 180 yards of total offense and allow your opponent to go 9 for 13 combined on 3^rd and 4^th down.

For UVA Wise, this was a frustrating outing. They were unable to match Wingate’s offensive tempo or defensive intensity. Though Jake Corkren threw for a decent yardage total (over 240 yards), they turned the ball over multiple times, couldn’t capitalize in the red zone, and couldn’t establish a running game (just ~64 rushing yards). After exploding for 417 yards the past two weeks, Daniel Thomas was held to a measly 60 by the Bulldogs. DJ Powell had his second consecutive solid performance, with 10 receptions for 130 of Corkren’s yards. Their defense bent under consistent pressure, and Wingate’s sustained drives wore them down. It was a game of missed chances, and Wingate made them pay. It’s been a tough start for Coach Bass and the Highland Cavaliers in 2025, but there has been some positives and they certainly by no means are a bad football team.

Prediction: UVA Wise gets their first win in what could be an underrated game of the weekend!

I’m rolling with the Cavaliers in this one primarily because I have more confidence in their ability to keep scoring points than I do the Pioneer offense. Both teams give up a lot of yards in the air, but Tusculum isn’t throwing the rock around the yard. The path for them to win is to take advantage of potential turnovers (which there will be some) and to establish the run/control the clock. If the Highland Cavaliers can jump out to a 14-17 point early lead, they may be able to cruise for a bit. Neither defense is outstanding, but Tusculum’s is giving up over 100 yards less a game. Seems like a formula for a 38-27 type ball game, where total points is in the 60’s or more.

Southern Connecticut Owls at Catawba Indians

Location & Time: Salisbury, NC / 4 PM

Massey: Catawba -10.5

SP+: Catawba 33.0, Southern Connecticut 22.9

Series: First Ever Meeting

Southern Connecticut got their first win of the season last weekend, defeating American International in a NE10 barn burner…..just kidding. It was 10-3. Kieran Falzon gave the Owls the lead in the 3^rd quarter, and both teams traded 4^th quarter field goals. Falzon got the score, but John Amaning led the way with 18 carries for 106 yards, and Brandon Jorgensen threw for 151. SAC vs. NE10 matchups don’t happen often, so many in our league would be unfamiliar with 1^st year head coach Joe Loth. Loth was hired in May, after spending 12 years at D3 Western Connecticut. He inherited a team on a 21-game losing streak and did not have another losing season after his initial year and is WestConn’s all time winningest coach.

After losing seven consecutive and eight of nine to their rivals, Coach Haines and the Indians finally put the Graveyard to rest last weekend. Catawba executed well enough to secure a 21‑10 win, relying heavily on a strong ground game and stout defense when needed. Bennett Galloway was the workhorse, busting runs including the game‑sealing 2‑yard TD late in the fourth. Their defense held when it mattered most—stopping Newberry on crucial fourth down plays and with a key goal‑line stand. They also managed to keep turnovers low (none for Newberry) and converted both of their fourth‑down attempts. Outgaining Newberry and controlling many phases of the game allowed Catawba to keep their first victory since 2017 over Newberry. Don’t look know, but the Indians defense may be waking up too.

Prediction: Catawba rolls to 4-1 start, too much offensive firepower.

Catawba’s offense has more firepower than any team that Southern Connecticut will see in the NE10, and at the end of the day that’s the difference. Brown, Galloway, Lalin, Pryor, McArthur, etc. are just too much and I expect Catawba to roll by a couple of scores. I’m not confident the Owls can make enough stops to allow their offense to stick around in this one.

Carson-Newman Eagles at #20 Wingate Bulldogs

Location & Time: Wingate, NC / 6 PM

Massey: Wingate -14.5

SP+: Wingate 26.9, Carson-Newman 18.4

Series: Carson-Newman leads series, 26-9. (Wingate won the last meeting. 28-13, in 2024 SAC Championship Game).

Carson‑Newman got a big win, holding off Lenoir‑Rhyne 24‑7, securing their first SAC victory of the season. It was the Eagles first win against the Bears on the banks of Mossy Creek since 2012. They leaned heavily on a balanced offense, especially on the ground, putting up ~282 rushing yards. QB Zane Whitson had a strong showing, including multiple long touchdown runs, and the Eagles got big plays at key moments — like a 45‑yard TD pass to Cade Meeks early, and a decisive 63‑yard run in the fourth to put the game out of reach. Their defense also clamped down when necessary, limiting Lenoir‑Rhyne’s chances and forcing turnovers. The Eagles ability to stop the Bears rushing game added to the pressure put on Bettenhausen and Blanc. Cruz Temple was all over the place.

Wingate dominated much of the game, cruising to a 28‑7 win over UVA Wise. Led by a typical Bulldog balanced attack — 223 rushing yards and 229 passing yards — and they made big plays when it counted. Elijah Holmes threw efficiently (18/21) for two touchdowns, Jaylen Himes hauled in over 100 receiving yards, and Xavier Pugh ran for two scores. Jayshawn Appling joined the fun as well, rushing for 92 yards on 17 carries. Defensively, they forced three turnovers and largely shut down UVA Wise’s rushing attack, limiting them to ~64 yards on the ground. Control of the clock and converting in the red zone were key. This was very much an old school Wingate performance, with lockdown defense and the offense solid.

Prediction: I’ll be wrong either way I pick it. Bulldogs win at home means an Eagles win for sure right?

Wingate has won three straight at home in this rivalry, and I have missed three straight picks in Carson-Newman/Wingate games. Last year’s first meeting was a classic. Wingate is an incredibly tough place to play under the lights and the defending SAC champions have looked stellar early on. The Eagles have to avoid the slow starts which have plagued them early on this year. Not counting the game against SCCCC, the Eagles are averaging 9.3 in the first half this year; doubling it and some to 20.3 in the second half. If Wingate is able to stop the run and have a similar game plan that they did in the SAC title rematch, it could be a long day for the orange and blue. I’ve been skeptical of who they’ve played thus far, but we shall see.

Newberry Wolves at Lenoir-Rhyne Bears

Location & Time: Hickory, NC / 6 PM

Massey: Lenoir-Rhyne -14.5

SP+: Lenoir-Rhyne 28.0, Newberry 17.1

Series: Lenoir-Rhyne leads series, 49-35-7. (Lenoir-Rhyne won the last meeting, 24-3, in 2024)

Newberry showed a lot of fight, especially in the second half, but couldn’t quite close the gap last Saturday evening. The Wolves lost for the first time since 2017 to Catawba, 21-10. The Wolves rallied twice late; they drove inside Catawba’s 20 in the fourth quarter but came away with only a 31‑yard field goal. Quarterback Reed Charpia threw for over 200 yards, and De’Andre Coleman made some big catches, including a 41‑yarder to shift momentum. On defense, Newberry made key stops, including a goal‑line stand in the fourth, but overall couldn’t stop Bennett Galloway enough. Despite the loss, the Wolves gained 314 total yards and showed some offensive sparks that could be building blocks going forward. Coach Knight won’t let his boys sulk about losing their first game this year, especially with the massive matchup this weekend.

For Lenoir‑Rhyne, this was a tough outing and extended misery with the lightning delays. They suffered in their first SAC loss, managing just 266 total yards and failing to establish a consistent threat. Missing starting quarterback Khamoni Robinson, the offense flashed briefly — Max Blanc came in relief for Bettenhausen and connected on a 40‑yard touchdown pass to Dominique Marshall — but it wasn’t enough to overcome Carson‑Newman’s momentum, particularly after a long run by Whitson late in the game immediately after the Bears missed a field goal that would’ve made it a one score affair. Turnovers and missed opportunities, especially in the first half and the red zone, hurt their ability to keep pace. The Bears defense also struggled to make tackles, something one isn’t used to seeing from a Lenoir-Rhyne defense. Coach Socha and the guys must turn quickly to Newberry and the Bishops’ Trophy.

Prediction: Lenoir-Rhyne bounces back, goes to 3-2.

Lenoir-Rhyne has won two straight and five of the last seven in the Bishop’s Trophy rivalry. Oddly though, they are 7-5 at home since 2000 in this matchup. If Khamoni Robinson is out again and the Wolves can follow some of Carson-Newman's footprint, they can pull the upset, but I've just got a feeling the Bears are going to play angry and come out trying to send a message to their rivals. The Bears need more out of others outside of Robinson if they are going to make a playoff run and title push though. For Newberry, even if a healthy Robinson plays, play your game. Don't turn it over, run the ball some. The Wolves defense is good enough to keep them in the game if the offense is struggling.

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