By THOMAS STOKES
Southern Conference Weekly Breakdown
The schools in the SoCon are wrapping up their non-conference schedule for 2026. Let’s look at another weekend of games from around the league, as well as what’s on tap this weekend.
VMI: Lost to Davidson 27-24 in overtime
What a terrible way to lose for the Keydets. This was Davidson’s first win against a scholarship program since 1981. Davidson, on the last play of the game recovered a called fumble to end the possession for the Keydets. From the pictures posted on social media the VMI player was out of bounds, which should have been a dead ball and not a fumble. This was VMI’s last non-conference game, so it’s nothing but SoCon teams from here, and I don’t think VMI wins a game in Ashley Ingram’s first year. Davidson’s Casey Bullock had a great day on Saturday, accounting for over 300 yards and three touchdowns to get the game tied at 24 in regulation.
Up Next: VMI and Samford will face off in search for their first win. (3:30, ESPN +)
Mercer: Lost to Georgia Tech 44-11
Mercer travelled to Atlanta for a payday and some experience, and that was about where the good news ended. The Bears were held out of the end zone, scoring on field goals and a blocked extra point attempt that they returned. The biggest takeaway out of this game was Jaylen King being benched in the first half for JP Pickles. Is King’s time as the starter over? King has so much talent and at times has really shined; look what he accomplished for the Bucs in 2024, especially against North Dakota State. The biggest continuous issue in his entire college career has been turnovers. He lost a fumble in this game before he was benched.
Up Next: Mercer goes on the road game against Abilene Christian. (8 PM, ESPN +)
East Tennessee State: Won 35-27 vs West Georgia
Finishing the out of conferencem the Bucs are where I expected to be at this point, expect I anticipated ETSU beating Campbell and losing to West Georgia. Mason Mims continues to impress if only the defense would stop allowing so many open receivers. I would feel more confident about ETSU finishing 8-4 if the Bucs can get a handle on the issues that pop up weekly on the defensive side of the ball. The next two games will be a big test for ETSU. These games aren’t only for trophies, but going 0-2 in conference would destroy any chance at a playoff bid.
Up Next: ETSU starts the SoCon schedule with the Blue Ridge Border Battle against Western Carolina. (3:30, ESPN +)
Western Carolina: Won 58-14 vs Presbyterian
This is the kind of outcome you should expect when you are playing a PFL team. The Catamounts did something interesting in the Kerwin Bell era. They relied on the running game not the passing game to score. Lex Thomas did account for a little over 250 yards but only one touchdown. The running backs were the main point of scoring on Saturday and that is a little bit scary for future games. WCU had 325 yards rushing and if the Catamounts found a consistent run game, they might be the only team in the conference that could challenge Tennessee Tech for the league title. That game on October 3rd looms large between Western and Tech.
Up Next: Western Carolina comes to Johnson City, TN trying to take home the Blue Ridge Border Battle trophy for the first time since 2023. (3:30 PM, ESPN+)
Chattanooga: Won 41-7 against Wofford
If Kevin Lalin is Superman I might have to call Journey Wyche Batman as well. These two combined for almost 225 yards and 3 touchdowns. With running backs like this why do you even need to throw the ball? At some point you will have to, so it’s going to be interesting to see how they respond. Right now, I would probably put UTC in a tier below Tennessee Tech and Western Carolina. This also is the same tier I would put ETSU in. These two meeting on the gridiron in a couple of weeks will be big.
Up Next: Chattanooga plays The Citadel, a team that UTC lost to last year (2 PM, ESPN+)
Wofford: Lost to Chattanooga 41-7
I thought the Terriers would be able to limit the Mocs rushing game this past week, but I was wrong. The turnovers must stop for Wofford. It does not matter who the quarterback is at this point, both seem to have a hard time recognizing their own jersey. Let’s also tack on a fumble lost by Ethan Drumm. The offense weren’t the only ones giving the ball away. This defense, which won the game against Gardner-Webb and held The Citadel to seven points in the opener, was not prepared. The defense was run through like paper on Saturday. They now have to host what is considered the best team in the SoCon in a MUST-win game for the Terriers. Honestly when it comes to a playoff bid they are in a must-win position until the season finale against Ole Miss.
Up Next: Wofford hosts Tennessee Tech (1:30 PM, ESPN +)
Furman: Lost to South Carolina State 20-17
I don’t think this is a bad loss on paper. I think SCSU will be in Atlanta in December for the HBCU National Championship. I do feel it is time to make a change at quarterback for the Paladins. Jake Garcia is just not the guy for Furman. Saturday proved it when he left the game after landing wrong on his elbow. The offense looked night and day different being led by Conner Ackerley once the switch was made. Ackerley in his short time almost led the team in rushing looked comfortable and made the score more respectable in the end. With this loss they are still in a good position to make a run for the playoffs. A win on Saturday will go a long way in that goal.
Up Next: Furman goes on the road against Richmond (2:00 PM EST ESPN +)
The Off Week Teams
There were three SoCon teams on their off week this past Saturday. Tennessee Tech, which looks to be poised for a run in the playoffs, most likely would have wanted this off week later in the season. Winless Samford had to use this bye to get right for the rest of the year and has a good chance of scoring its first victory this week against VMI. The off week came at a good time for The Citadel, after a heartbreak in the Low Country Boil Bowl.
Tennessee Tech returns to action against Wofford (1:30 PM, ESPN+)
Samford hosts VMI (3:30 PM, ESPN+)
The Citadel looks to make it 2 in a row against Chattanooga (2:00 PM, ESPN+)
Week 4 Viewing Guide (All Games EST)
#5 Montana vs #10 UC Davis (10 PM, ESPN+)
You will need some coffee for the games I’m spotlighting this week. Both are Big Sky Conference games, and also two of the biggest games of the weekend. After a disappointing game against Oregon State the Griz will look to right the ship this week with UC Davis. Montana RB Eli Gillman, one of my favorite players in all of FCS due to his loyalty, is going to go down as one of the best to play not only at Montana but on the FCS level. Gillman won the Jerry Rice Award (given to the best freshman at the FCS level) and has multiple all-conferenc5 honors and was conference player of the year in 2024. He could have transferred but didn’t, even though with the talent he has he would be a contributor anywhere in the nation. He already holds the program career rushing record. The Aggies haven’t really been tested this season minus the SMU game. It’ll be interesting to see how they fare against another ranked Big Sky contender. UC Davis is ranked third in the conference preseason; this matchup will have major implications for the year. Especially because both schools are looking for that coveted top eight playoff seed. Zach Jones really impressed me with his return skills this past weekend against Stetson, and he had two punt return touchdowns in a blowout win.
#18 Northern Arizona vs #1 Montana State (10:30 PM, ESPN2)
In one of the first nationally televised games for the Big Sky, the defending FCS Champion Montana State will host the Lumberjacks. I’m not sure what happened early in the game last Saturday, but right out of halftime Montana State was down 21-7 against Central Connecticut State (bet you didn’t even know CCSU was a Division I team!) Maybe the Bobcats were overlooking that game for this one, I don’t know but we might find out soon with Northern Arizona being a major step up in competition. This will be an aerial showcase for both teams because they love to throw the ball. Ty Pennington (NAU) has had major looks from NFL scouts. He is on the list for the Senior Bowl (the only FCS quarterback on the list in the preseason). If you can stay awake this will be a great game to cap off a Saturday night.
Repeat of Last Year?
South Dakota State QB Chase Mason went down during the Youngstown State game against South Dakota State and SDSU head coach Dan Jackson stated that Mason will be week-to-week coming into practice. This won’t be an issue for the Jackrabbits this week because they are hosting Eastern Illinois and should win easily. But I assume that was their thought when Mason went down last year and they hosted Indiana State late in the season, and the Sycamores won 26-12. The issue is, if the injury sidelines Mason longer than this week, it could be detrimental, with Illinois State next on the schedule. Mason is essential for SDSU to be successful and be in the Top 8 conversation.
Could we have an MEAC at large?
Two schools that piqued my interest in a playoff bid out of the MEAC are South Carolina State and Morgan State. They won a couple of impressive out of conference games this weekend. Out of the two teams, South Carolina State probably has the best win. They went on the road against a top 25 team (Furman) and won 20-17. The only downside for the Bulldogs would be their schedule, which included two non-Division I schools, meaning they’ll have the hardest road to get an at-large bid. That is if they don’t win the MEAC and go to Atlanta for the HBCU National Championship. Last year Presbyterian went 10-2 with two non-Division I teams and was one of the last four left out of the bracket. Now, on the other hand Morgan State’s only played one non-Division I opponent. If they’re able to beat Villanova this coming week, the conversation about the Bears will increase going into their last two games before conference play. Morgan State beat Towson handily on Saturday 41-26 to make my list of potential at-large bids. If either team does get an at-large bid this will be the first time a MEAC team pulled that off since 2023 when North Carolina Central got a bid and faced Richmond in the playoffs.