CSJ Big South Football Power Rankings – Week 4

Charlestion Southern vs. Monmouth, 2016
Charlestion Southern vs. Monmouth, 2016

 

Here are the updated power rankings for the Big South, courtesy of the A Sea Of Red Liberty Flames blog.

Note last week’s rankings in (parentheses).

1.(1) Charleston Southern 2-2, 0-0 *Nationally ranked #10
This week: CSU 36 Monmouth 7

Seems like Charleston Southern hasn’t skipped a beat with the loss of their starting QB. This is much in part to the experienced backfield of 3 senior RBs who put together 322 rushing yards against Monmouth. One of those RBs, Mike Holloway, led the team in both rushing and receiving with 2 touchdowns. QB Shane Bucenell ran the backfield for the Bucs, throwing for 98 yards and rushing for 73 more.

Next up: Saturday @ Coastal Carolina, 6:00pm

2. (2) Liberty 1-3, 0-0

This week: JSU 48 Liberty 19

This past Saturday, the Flames suffered their worst home loss since 2005 . The offense continues to struggle with uncertainty at QB and inconsistency at RB. After flip-flopping between Buckshot Calvert and Stephon Masha during the 1st half, the true freshman Calvert took over from the 3rd quarter forward. Liberty only managed 44 rushing yards throughout the game. The Flames were out-gained 563-181 in yardage.

Next up: Saturday vs. Robert Morris, 7:00pm

3. (5) Kennesaw State 2-1, 0-0
This week: Kennesaw State 36 Duquesne 28

The Owls picked up a good road win against Duquesne, a 2015 FCS playoff team, this weekend. Even with injury issues at the QB positions, freshman QB Daniel David along with Chandler Burks threw for 312 yards. The passing game played a greater role in this victory as the triple-option team only managed 147 rushing yards. DB Dante Blackman forced 3 interceptions for Kennesaw, one of which was a pick-6, and quite possibly the difference maker in this one.

Next up: Saturday @ Furman, 3:00pm

4. (3) Monmouth 2-2, 0-0
This week: CSU 36 Monmouth 7

Monmouth struggled to get anything going as they opened Big South play against Charleston Southern. QB Cody Williams threw for 172 yards and produced the only score, to WR Reggie White Jr., for the Hawks Saturday. The rushing game was absent, even with Lavon Chaney, who rushed for just 38 yards on the day.

Next up: Saturday vs. Fordham, 1:00pm

5. (4) Gardner-Webb 1-3, 0-0
This week: Gardner-Webb 21 Ohio 37

Ohio had little trouble with Gardner-Webb thanks to a strong showing in the first half of their match-up. Offensively, the Runnin’ Bulldogs looked good. QB Tyrell Maxwell threw for 156 yards and a touchdown, on top of 52 rushing yards with another touchdown. RB Khalil Lewis rushed for 83 yards and a touchdown. But that wouldn’t be enough to keep the Bobcats at bay. Gardner-Webb’s defense couldn’t stop Ohio’s offense as they gave up 517 total yards.

Next up: Saturday vs. Benedict, 6:00pm

6. (6) Presbyterian 1-3, 0-0
This week: Florida Tech 28 Presbyterian 7

Ouch. The Blue Hose lost to a DII squad by 3 touchdowns. We will just leave it at that.

Next up: BYE