COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEWS
RICHMOND (5 -5 , 3 -4 CAA) at WILLIAM & MARY (6 -4 , 4 -3 ), 3 :3 0 p.m.
On the air:
Cox YurView, FloFootball.com, 92.3FM, 107.9FM
The Spiders: Richmond is on a roll. Its 51-24 rout of Delaware last weekend was its third consecutive victory. QB Joe Mancuso, the CAA Offensive Player of the Week, is a dual threat, passing for 179 yards and three touchdowns while running for 116 yards and two TDs in the win over Delaware. The Spiders look to take the lead in this ancient series tied at 63-63-5.
The Tribe: Two consecutive losses mean the Tribe must win, and perhaps get some help (most notably in the form of a loss by CAA rival Rhode Island), to reach the FCS playoffs. Even in the loss to No. 2 James Madison, the Tribe’s CAA-leading rushing game was stellar, netting 207 yards as Malachi Imoh returned to form with 101 of them. Generating numbers like that against Richmond, which is allowing just 104 yards rushing on average, will be a challenge.
— Marty O’Brien
SOUTH CAROLINA STATE (5 -5 , 4 -0 MEAC) at NORFOLK STATE (6 -4 , 2 -2 ), 2 p.m.
On the air: ESPN3, 91.1FM
The Spartans:
Looking to salvage its season, NSU is reeling after two straight shocking defeats after leading 21-0 and 26-0. QB Juwan Carter has been held under 160 passing yards in both losses and must get back on track to beat the MEAC-leading Bulldogs. But most importantly, the Spartans’ defense needs to finish games better if the team hopes to avoid another losing conference record.
The Bulldogs: With a balanced attack, QB Corey Fields Jr. (1,894 yards, 11 TDs, 11 INTs) and RB Kendrel Flowers (465 yards, 8 TDs) lead SCSU, which won four straight before a loss to North Carolina A&T last week. LB Chad Gilchrist has a team-high 60 tackles and two forced fumbles, while DE Jeblonski Green has 18.5 tackles for loss. The Bulldogs allow 28 points per game and 353 yards per game.
— Ray Nimmo
NORTH ALABAMA (2 -8 , 1 -4 Big South) at HAMPTON (5 -5 , 3-3),1 p.m.
On the air: ESPN+
The Lions:
While they’ve won just twice, both victories came against teams (Robert Morris and Charleston Southern) that beat the Pirates, so this game is no gimmie for HU. The Lions led Kennesaw State, ranked fifth in the FCS coaches poll, into the last minute before losing 28-24 last week. This will be their final game in the Big South as they depart after this season to the ASUN (formerly Atlantic Sun) Conference.
The Pirates: The Pirates seek their third consecutive victory in quest of a winning season. QB Jett Duffey has been the catalyst with seven touchdown runs and four TD passes in the past three games. Jadakis Bonds had eight catches for 140 yards in the 28-21 win over Campbell last week as he continues his assault on the HU record books. The defense, led by cornerback Ali Shockley’s 14 tackles against Campbell, is playing its best football down the stretch.