Southern Conference football programs have been feeling the effects of hurricane season in the Southeast. As Tropical Storm Hanna approaches, coastal athletics programs are beginning to consider contingency plans for Saturday’s games. Charleston Southern — which is scheduled to play Wofford — on Saturday is one of two Big South Conference programs considering moving its Saturday game. Officials from both Charleston Southern and Coastal Carolina — which faces Colgate this weekend — said they would have to make decisions by today as to the status of their games.
Meanwhile, Samford is playing host to the Tulane football team this week, which evacuated New Orleans because of Hurricane Gustav. The Green Wave will use the Bulldogs’ facilities this week before heading to Tuscaloosa, Ala. where they will play Alabama on Saturday.
FCS vs. FBS
After Georgia Southern, Appalachian State and Chattanooga all fell to Bowl Subdivision teams last week, three more SoCon teams will try their luck playing against teams from the FBS.
After downing Mars Hill 62-14 last week, Furman (1-0) hopes to be the second team to upset Virginia Tech (0-1) in as many weeks. Picked as No. 17 in the Associated Press’ preseason poll, the Hokies fell out of the Top 25 altogether after losing to East Carolina, 27-22 on Saturday.
The Citadel comes off a 45-7 defeat of Webber International and will face Clemson, another team that fell out of the AP poll completely this week. The Tigers were the No. 9 ranked team in the country prior to their 34-10 loss to Alabama in the Georgia Dome on Saturday.
Western Carolina walloped Shorter 35-0 on Thursday and will be Florida State’s season-opening opponent Saturday in Tallahassee.
Players of the Week
The Citadel earned two player of the week honors from the Southern Conference with its win over Webber International. Punt returner Andre Roberts was named the special teams player of the week, returning first punt for a touchdown for the Bulldogs since 1999. He totaled four returned punts for 116 yards in the game. Meanwhile, Asheton Jordan was given the title of freshman of the week. The Bulldog fullback rushed for 70 yards and two touchdowns on 10 carries and added 30 receiving yards on four catches.
Dane Romero of Wofford was named as the SoCon’s offensive player of the week with 100 rushing yards and three touchdowns in Woffords 38-21 win over Presbyterian.
Appalachian State linebacker Jacque Roman took defensive player of the week honors with a game-high 12 tackles and an interception to set up a field goal in the Mountaineers’ 41-13 loss to No. 7 LSU.
Georgia Southern Injury Note
Freshman nose tackle Brent Russell walked with the aid of a crutch during Tuesday’s practice. According to sources, Russell is scheduled for an M.R.I. today to check for a possible torn knee ligament. After sustaining an injury in Saturday’s game against UGA, Russell was cited as “day-to-day” by GSU head coach Chris Hatcher on Monday.
Natalie Sayewich can be reached at (912) 489-9413.
