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Post by BearDownMU on Oct 8, 2015 12:59:33 GMT -5
Interesting to see the board this week. Bene kind of slow, me included. I know I felt gut punched after Saturday and it's been hard to get on here and mix it up.
This week's opponent has traditionally not been a conference contender, but really put some good talent together and enjoyed success last year going 5-2 in the conference.
They were one of two teams to beat us by more than a TD last year thanks in part to us getting completely torched by their big WR Spearman Robinson for over 100 yards and 3 TDs, and a good game running and throwing from Troy Mitchell. Both of those guys are back and will be looking for a repeat of last year, I'm sure.
Their only conference game so far this year was a loss to The Citadel and Mitchell didn't play great, going 19-40 with 2 picks and no TDs.
The RB Detrez Newsome looks legit, however, averaging 120 yards a game.
The QB Mitchell will run it as well, averaging nearly 10 carries a game.
They have been a bit loose with the football. 6 fumbles and 4 INTs through 4 games.
Currently about a 50% chance of rain in Cullowhee this Saturday.
Should be a good game. We will see how we deal with their mobile QB and big receivers.
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Post by wcugrad95 on Oct 8, 2015 14:08:10 GMT -5
Appreciate you and some others from this board coming over and posting on the WCU boards. I could be totally wrong, but I expect plenty of yards and probably a good bit of scoring from both sides in this game. Your assessment is pretty spot-on for us this year. Turnovers and penalties, and surprisingly some uneven play from Troy Mitchell have kept our offense from taking another step forward this year. We have also been without the second "Robinson" receiver, who was key last season as a control-type guy. His play allowed Spearman Robinson and Kannorris Benson to put more downfield pressure on defenses, which just hasn't been happening in our first 4 games (although Benson had 149 receiving yards). Newsome has been a blessing (Darius Ramsey has been forced to end his career due to concussions), and I think he is #2 in FCS for all-purpose yards (good running, decent receiver, and can be a dangerous returner).
We played better later on last week in the Presbyterian game (who has a pretty good defense), and we hope that is a good omen. I expect a relatively close game, and we can't afford turnovers or giving up big special teams plays if we want to win. My bet is it will take 30 to 35 points for the winner in this one.
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Post by BearDownMU on Oct 8, 2015 14:25:02 GMT -5
Benson also had 3 catches for 63 yards and a TD last year.
Big plays in the passing game. We gave up passes of 42, 39 and 52. Big plays also haunted us in the Wofford game. Need to limit those if possible.
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Post by bear38 on Oct 8, 2015 15:11:22 GMT -5
I like the Mercer-WCU promo at top!
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Post by bear38 on Oct 8, 2015 15:21:13 GMT -5
The Mercer at WCU stat of the pregame:
Two very balanced offenses:
Mercer averages 241 rushing and 244 passing.
WCU averages 215 rushing and 222 passing.
It doesn't get any more balanced than that!
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Post by wcugrad95 on Oct 8, 2015 20:11:44 GMT -5
While I know you can't really throw a game out, if you were to ignore the Tennessee game (where we only had 90 passing yards), WCU is averaging over 265 yards passing and almost 225 yards rushing per game against non-FBS competition. The highs for the year were 383 yards passing against Mars Hill (I know they are a D-II school, but they played actually pretty good against both us and UTC) and 316 yards rushing last week against Presbyterian. At the same time, we didn't get to 200 yards rushing or passing against Citadel. So the Western hopeful are just that - hopeful that our Citadel showing was just an ugly performance and is behind us. We put up 542 yards last weekend in the rain against what I thought was going to be a good Presby D. I think this should be a good game with the opportunity for some fireworks (both sides).
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Post by jackal on Oct 8, 2015 20:27:23 GMT -5
The Mercer at WCU stat of the pregame: Two very balanced offenses: Mercer averages 241 rushing and 244 passing. WCU averages 215 rushing and 222 passing. It doesn't get any more balanced than that! Had me thinking about some other Bobby Lamb offenses. Check out the 2005 Furman team furmanpaladins.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/2005-2006/teamcume.htmThat was about as balanced an offense for an entire season as I've ever seen. |
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Post by bear38 on Oct 9, 2015 6:53:14 GMT -5
The Mercer at WCU stat of the pregame: Two very balanced offenses: Mercer averages 241 rushing and 244 passing. WCU averages 215 rushing and 222 passing. It doesn't get any more balanced than that! Had me thinking about some other Bobby Lamb offenses. Check out the 2005 Furman team furmanpaladins.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/2005-2006/teamcume.htmThat was about as balanced an offense for an entire season as I've ever seen. Ingle Martin at QB. Not too shabby! |
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Post by chez23 on Oct 9, 2015 10:52:12 GMT -5
any TV for this game?
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Post by wcugrad95 on Oct 9, 2015 11:21:11 GMT -5
It is on the American Sports Network (ASN), but I was having a hard time figuring out where all I could see it - I live in Florida. Looks like it will be carried on local stations in the Mercer, GA and Asheville, NC areas for the schools. americansportsnet.com/schedule/You are supposed to plug-in your zip code and hit submit to see what they will carry/offer in your area. |
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Post by jackal on Oct 9, 2015 15:24:39 GMT -5
Ingle Martin at QB. Not too shabby! Kind of like describing the Agean Sea. I can tell you how impressive he was, but you would never really appreciate it until you saw it. |
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Post by 95sacks on Oct 9, 2015 17:02:48 GMT -5
If we can't pass the ball,and score TDs we won't win these SOCON games.
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Post by bear38 on Oct 9, 2015 22:29:42 GMT -5
Ingle Martin at QB. Not too shabby! Kind of like describing the Agean Sea. I can tell you how impressive he was, but you would never really appreciate it until you saw it. I have seen his high school coaching abilities and am completely impressed. He took over a .500 program and is now 60-5. |
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Post by Hayes on Oct 10, 2015 7:52:50 GMT -5
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Post by jackal on Oct 10, 2015 7:59:33 GMT -5
Kind of like describing the Agean Sea. I can tell you how impressive he was, but you would never really appreciate it until you saw it. I have seen his high school coaching abilities and am completely impressed. He took over a .500 program and is now 60-5. Did not realize he had been that successful at the high school level. Furman, oddly enough, produces a lot of football coaches at every level (several on Mercer's staff as well). Even in Tennessee High School, I think George Quarles at Maryville has done alright. |
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