Buck Buchanan Battle

By JOSH BUCHANAN - SMALL SCHOOL INSIDER

BUCHANAN TOP 5

Like Edwards, Eastern Washington DE Greg Peach put his stamp on a national award with two sacks this past weekend to likely seal up the Buck Buchanan Award. Maine has come on strong as of late with the play of Belcher among the reasons why, thus moving him to #2. App State S Mark LeGree has seven picks in the last five games and leads the FCS in interceptions to move into the top five and likely become a front runner along with Adrian Tracy and Larry Hart for next year.

1. DE GREG PEACH, EASTERN WASHINGTON, SR.
Stats- 67 TT, 22 TFL, 18 SCK, 1 PBU, 1 QBH in 10 games.

2. DE JOVAN BELCHER, MAINE, SR.
Stats- 84 TT, 13 TFL, 6.5 SCK, 1 PBU, 1 FR, 2 FF in 10 games.

3. LB JASON WILLIAMS, WESTERN ILLINOIS, SR.
Stats- 64 TT, 14.5 TFL, 4 SCK, 6 PBU, 4 QBH, 6 FF in 10 games.

4. LB NATHAN WILLIAMS, MURRAY STATE, SR.
Stats- 167 TT, 13 TFL, 8 SCK, 1 INT, 2 PBU, 2 QBH, 2 FR, 1 FF in 11 games.

5. FS MARK LEGREE, APPALACHIAN STATE, SOPH.
Stats- 47 TT, 2 TFL, 1 SCK, 9 INT, 4 PBU, 1 FF in 10 games.

THE BEST OF THE REST

LB BOBBY ABARE, YALE, SR.
Stats- 68 TT, 10 TFL, 3.5 SCK, 4 INT/returned one for TD, 2 PBU, 1 FR for TD, 1 FF in 9 games.

DT JOHN FALETOESE, UC DAVIS, SR.
Stats- 29 TT, 6.5 TFL, 4.5 SCK, 3 PBU, 1 QBH, 4 BLK in 11 games.

CB K.J. GERARD, NORTHERN ARIZONA, SR.
Stats- 47 TT, 8 TFL, 3 SCK, 5 INT, 9 PBU, 1 FR, 1 FF, 1 BLK in 11 games.

DE LARRY HART, CENTRAL ARKANSAS, JR.
Stats- 39 TT, 20.5 TFL, 14 SCK, 4 PBU, 1 FF, 1 BLK in 11 games.

S MARCUS HAYWOOD, JAMES MADISON, SR.
Stats- 74 TT, 3.5 TFL, 4 INT, 5 PBU, FF in 10 games.

DE TIM KNICKY, STEPHEN F. AUSTIN, JR.
Stats- 65 TT, 19 TFL, 13 SCK, 2 PBU, 1 QBH, 1 FR, 4 FF in 11 games.

DE GREG MILLER, VILLANOVA, SR.
Stats- 41 TT, 13 TFL, 5.5 SCK, 3 PBU, 2 FF in 10 games.

LB ANDY ROMANS, LAFAYETTE, SR.
Stats- 87 TT, 5 TFL, 1.5 SCK, 3 PBU, 5 QBH, 2 FR, 1 BLK in 10 games.

LB ANDY SCHANTZ, PORTLAND STATE, SR.
Stats- 104 TT, 13 TFL, 1 INT, 8 PBU, 1 FR, 1 FF in 10 games.

DE ADRIAN TRACY, WILLIAM & MARY, JR.
Stats- 62 TT, 14 TFL, 8.5 SCK, 1 PBU, 6 QBH, 1 BLK in 10 games.

S LARDARIUS WEBB, NICHOLLS STATE, SR.
Stats- 47 TT, 2 TFL, 2 SCK, 2 INT, 7 PBU, 1 QBH, 2 FR/one for TD, 1 FF, 9 PR, 152 yards, 16.9avg, 1 TD, 75 long, 16 KR, 472 yards, 29.5avg, 1 TD, 78 long in 8 games.

Photo Credit: Eastern Washington Sports Information

BUCK BUCHANAN BATTLE

By JOSH BUCHANAN - SMALL SCHOOL INSIDER

WEEKLY TOP 5

1. DE GREG PEACH, EASTERN WASHINGTON, SR.
Stats- 52 TT, 18 TFL, 14 SCK, 1 PBU, 1 QBH, 1 FF in 8 games.

2. LB JASON WILLIAMS, WESTERN ILLINOIS, SR.
Stats- 51 TT, 11.5 TFL, 4 SCK, 5 PBU, 4 QBH, 4 FF in 8 games.

3. DE GREG MILLER, VILLANOVA, SR.
Stats- 39 TT, 13 TFL, 5.5 SCK, 2 FF in 8 games.

4. DE LARRY HART, CENTRAL ARKANSAS, JR.
Stats- 33 TT, 18 TFL, 12 SCK, 2 PBU, 1 FF, 1 Blocked Kick in 9 games.

5. DE JOVAN BELCHER, MAINE, SR.
Stats- 76 TT, 10 TFL, 6 SCK, 1 PBU, 1 FR, 2 FF in 9 games.

THE BEST OF THE REST

LB BOBBY ABARE, YALE, SR.
Stats- 62 TT, 7.5 TFL, 3 SCK, 3 INT/returned one for TD, 1 PBU, 1 FR for TD in 7 games.

DT JOHN FALETOESE, UC DAVIS, SR.
Stats- 19 TT, 5.5 TFL, 4.5 SCK, 2 PBU, 1 QBH, 4 BLK in 9 games.

CB K.J. GERARD, NORTHERN ARIZONA, SR.
Stats- 36 TT, 6 TFL, 2 SCK, 5 INT, 7 PBU, 1 FF, 1 blocked kick in 9 games.

S MARCUS HAYWOOD, JAMES MADISON, SR.
Stats- 70 TT, 3.5 TFL, 4 INT, 4 PBU, FF in 9 games.

DE TIM KNICKY, STEPHEN F. AUSTIN, JR.
Stats- 50 TT, 16.5 TFL, 10 SCK, 1 PBU, 1 FR, 4 FF in 9 games.

LB CYRUS MULITALO, SACRAMENTO STATE, SR.
Stats- 72 TT, 5.5 TFL, 1 SCK, 1 INT, 4 PBU in 9 games.

LB ANDY ROMANS, LAFAYETTE, SR.
Stats- 70 TT, 5 TFL, 1.5 SCK, 3 PBU, 4 QBH, 1 FR, 1 BLK in 8 games.

LB ANDY SCHANTZ, PORTLAND STATE, SR.
Stats- 81 TT, 10 TFL, 1 INT, 6 PBU, 1 FR, 1 FF in 8 games.

DE ADRIAN TRACY, WILLIAM & MARY, JR.
Stats- 48 TT, 14 TFL, 8.5 SCK, 1 PBU, 6 QBH, 1 BLK in 8 games.

S LARDARIUS WEBB, NICHOLLS STATE, SR.
Stats- 31 TT, 1 TFL, 1 SCK, 1 INT, 4 PBU, 1 QBH, 1 FR for TD, 1 FF, 9 PR, 152 yards, 16.9avg, 1 TD, 75 long, 13 KR, 432 yards, 33.2avg, 1 TD, 78 long in 6 games.

LB NATHAN WILLIAMS, MURRAY STATE, SR.
Stats- 141 TT, 11 TFL, 6.5 SCK, 1 INT, 2 PBU, 1 QBH, 2 FR, 1 FF in 9 games.

Photo Credit: Larry Dean, Western Illinois University

WEEKLY BUCK BUCHANAN BATTLE

By JOSH BUCHANAN - SMALL SCHOOL INSIDER

THE TOP 5

1. DE GREG PEACH, EASTERN WASHINGTON, SR.
Stats- 43 TT, 16 TFL, 14 SCK, 1 PBU, 1 QBH in 7 games.

2. LB JASON WILLIAMS, WESTERN ILLINOIS, SR.
Stats- 45 TT, 10 TFL, 4 SCK, 4 PBU, 2 QBH, 3 FF in 7 games.

3. DE GREG MILLER, VILLANOVA, SR.
Stats- 36 TT, 12.5 TFL, 5.5 SCK, 2 FF in 7 games.

4. LB ANDY SCHANTZ, PORTLAND STATE, SR.
Stats- 66 TT, 9 TFL, 1 INT, 6 PBU, 1 FR, 1 FF in 7 games.

5. DE JOVAN BELCHER, MAINE, SR.
Stats- 70 TT, 8 TFL, 4 SCK, 1 PBU, 1 FR, 2 FF in 8 games.

THE BEST OF THE REST

LB BOBBY ABARE, YALE, SR.

Stats- 56 TT, 5.5 TFL, 2 SCK, 3 INT/returned one for TD, 1 PBU, 1 FR for TD in 6 games.

DT JOHN FALETOESE, UC DAVIS, SR.

Stats- 19 TT, 5.5 TFL, 4.5 SCK, 2 PBU, 1 QBH, 4 BLK in 9 games.

CB K.J. GERARD, NORTHERN ARIZONA, SR.

Stats- 30 TT, 4 TFL, 1 SCK, 5 INT, 7 PBU, 1 FF, 1 blocked kick in 8 games.

DE LARRY HART, CENTRAL ARKANSAS, JR.

Stats- 29 TT, 17 TFL, 12 SCK, 2 PBU, 1 FF in 8 games.

S MARCUS HAYWOOD, JAMES MADISON, SR.

Stats- 66 TT, 3.5 TFL, 4 INT, 4 PBU, FF in 8 games.

DE TIM KNICKY, STEPHEN F. AUSTIN, JR.

Stats- 47 TT, 15.5 TFL, 10 SCK, 1 PBU, 1FR, 4 FF in 8 games.

LB CYRUS MULITALO, SACRAMENTO STATE, SR.

Stats- 66 TT, 5 TFL, 1 SCK, 1 INT, 4 PBU in 8 games.

LB ANDY ROMANS, LAFAYETTE, SR.

Stats- 66 TT, 4 TFL, 1.5 SCK, 3 PBU, 4 QBH, 1 FR, 1 BLK in 7 games.

DE ADRIAN TRACY, WILLIAM & MARY, JR.

Stats- 43 TT, 12.5 TFL, 7 SCK, 1 PBU, 6 QBH, 1 BLK in 7 games.

S LARDARIUS WEBB, NICHOLLS STATE, SR.

Stats- 24 TT, 1 TFL, 1 SCK, 1 INT, 2 PBU, 1 FR for TD, 1 FF, 5 PR, 140 yards, 28.0avg, 1 TD, 75 long, 12 KR, 406 yards, 33.8avg, 1 TD, 78 long in 5 games.

LB NATHAN WILLIAMS, MURRAY STATE, SR.

Stats- 120 TT, 10 TFL, 5.5 SCK, 1 INT, 2 PBU, 1 QBH, 2 FR, 1 FF in 8 games.

Photo Credit: Eastern Washington Sports Information

Small School Award Watch

By JOSH BUCHANAN - SMALL SCHOOL INSIDER

WEEKLY WALTER PAYTON WATCH

WR RAMSES BARDEN, CAL POLY, SR.
Stats- 30 catches, 666 yards, 8 TDs, 22.2avg, 133.2 yards per game in 5 games.

QB RHETT BOMAR, SAM HOUSTON STATE, SR.
Stats- 109 comp, 183 att, 1476 yards, 15 TDs, 5 INT, 59.6%, 148.90 pass eff., 295.3 yards per game, 39 carries, 107 yards, 2.7avg, 3 TDs in 5 games.

QB NATHAN BROWN, CENTRAL ARKANSAS, SR.
Stats- 149 comp, 206 attempts, 1890 yards, 18 TDs, 1 INT, 72.3%, 178.86 pass eff., 270.0 yards per game, 41 carries, 64 yards, 1.6avg in 7 games.

QB LIAM COEN, UMASS, SR.
Stats- 130 comp, 207 att, 1629 yards, 11 TDs, 6 INT, 140.65 pass eff., 62.8%, 232.7 yards per game, 24 carries, -7 yards, -0.3avg, 2 TDs in 7 games.

RB HERB DONALDSON, WESTERN ILLINOIS, SR.
Stats- 192 carries, 1091 yards, 5.7ypg, 16 TDs, 155.9 yards per game, 10 catches, 72 yards, 7.2avg, 1 TD in 7 games.

QB ARMANTI EDWARDS, APPALACHIAN STATE, JR.
Stats- 87 comp, 150 att, 1270, 13 TDs, 2 INT, 58.0%, 155.1 pass eff., 181.4 yards per game, 115 carries, 545 yards, 4.7avg, 5 TDs in 7 games.

QB CAMERON HIGGINS, WEBER STATE, SOPH.
Stats- 181 comp, 264 att, 2551 yards, 25 TDs, 6 INT, 176.43 pass eff., 68.6%, 318.9 yards per game, 29 carries, -66 yards, -1.5avg, 1 TD in 8 games.

RB RASHAD JENNINGS, LIBERTY, SR.
Stats- 148 carries, 873 yards, 5.9avg, 9 TDs, 145.5 yards per game, 17 catches, 101 yards, 5.9avg, 2 TDs in 7 games.

QB RODNEY LANDERS, JAMES MADISON, SR.
Stats- 52 comp, 83 att, 692 yards, 8 TDs, 3 INT, 157.26 pass eff., 62.7%, 98.9 yards per game, 121 carries, 797 yards, 8 TDs, 6.6avg in 7 games.

WR MARC MARIANI, MONTANA, JR.
Stats- 40 catches, 825 yards, 20.6avg, 11 TDs, 117.9 yards per game, 12 PR, 129 yards, 10.8avg, 34 long, 15 KR, 342 yards, 22.8avg, 38 long in 7 games.

QB CHRIS PIZZOTTI, HARVARD, SR.Stats- 111 comp, 180 att, 1504 yards, 9 TDs, 3 INT, 145.02 pass eff., 61.7%, 300.8 yards per game, 32 carries, 40 yards, 1.2ypg, 2 TDs in 5 games.

RB DOMINIC RANDOLPH, HOLY CROSS, SR.
Stats- 195 comp, 297 att, 1965 yards, 16 TDs, 8 INT, 133.62 pass eff., 66.7%, 37 carries, 35 yards, 0.9avg, 4 TDs in 6 games.

QB SCOTT RIDDLE, ELON, SOPH.
Stats- 169 comp, 274 att, 1998 yards, 18 TDs, 10 INT, 61.7%, 137.3 pass eff., 249.8 yards per game, 49 carries, -12 yards, -1.3 yards per carry in 8 games.

WR ANDRE ROBERTS, THE CITADEL, JR.
Stats- 50 catches, 697 yards, 13.9avg, 9 TDs, 99.6 yards per game, 4 carries, 19 yards, 4.8avg, 16 PR, 334 yards, 20.9avg, 2 TDs, 64 long, 2 TT in 7 games.

RB JORDAN SCOTT, COLGATE, SR.
Stats- 1670 carries, 971 yards, 5.7avg, 11 TDs, 161.8 yards per game, 3 catches, 23 yards, 7.7ypg in 6 games.

RB DAVID SINISI, MONMOUTH, JR.
Stats- 178 carries, 1101 yards, 6.2avg, 13 TDs, 157.3 yards per game, 9 catches, 77 yards, 8.6avg in 7 games.

TOP 5

1. QB CAMERON HIGGINS, WEBER STATE, SOPH.
Stats- 181 comp, 264 att, 2551 yards, 25 TDs, 6 INT, 176.43 pass eff., 68.6%, 318.9 yards per game, 29 carries, -66 yards, -1.5avg, 1 TD in 8 games.

2. QB ARMANTI EDWARDS, APPALACHIAN STATE, JR.
Stats- 87 comp, 150 att, 1270, 13 TDs, 2 INT, 58.0%, 155.1 pass eff., 181.4 yards per game, 115 carries, 545 yards, 4.7avg, 5 TDs in 7 games.

3. QB RODNEY LANDERS, JAMES MADISON, SR.
Stats- 52 comp, 83 att, 692 yards, 8 TDs, 3 INT, 157.26 pass eff., 62.7%, 98.9 yards per game, 121 carries, 797 yards, 8 TDs, 6.6avg in 7 games.

4. WR RAMSES BARDEN, CAL POLY, SR.
Stats- 30 catches, 666 yards, 8 TDs, 22.2avg, 133.2 yards per game in 5 games.

5. RB HERB DONALDSON, WESTERN ILLINOIS, SR.
Stats- 192 carries, 1091 yards, 5.7ypg, 16 TDs, 155.9 yards per game, 10 catches, 72 yards, 7.2avg, 1 TD in 7 games.

WEEKLY BUCK BUCHANAN BATTLE

LB BOBBY ABARE, YALE, SR.
Stats- 48 TT, 5.5 TFL, 3 INT/returned one for TD, 1 FR for TD in 5 games.

DE JOVAN BELCHER, MAINE, SR.
Stats- 68 TT, 8 TFL, 4 SCK, 1 PBU, 1 FR, 2 FF in 7 games.

DT JOHN FALETOESE, UC DAVIS, SR.
Stats- 18 TT, 4.5 TFL, 3.5 SCK, 2 PBU, 1 QBH, 3 BLK in 8 games.

CB K.J. GERARD, NORTHERN ARIZONA, SR.
Stats- 22 TT, 3 TFL, 5 INT, 6 PBU, 1 FF, 1 blocked kick in 7 games.

DE LARRY HART, CENTRAL ARKANSAS, JR.
Stats- 23 TT, 15 TFL, 10 SCK, 2 PBU, 1 FF in 7 games.

S MARCUS HAYWOOD, JAMES MADISON, SR.
Stats- 55 TT, 2.5 TFL, 4 INT, 4 PBU, FF in 7 games.

DE GREG MILLER, VILLANOVA, SR.
Stats- 32 TT, 11.5 TFL, 5.5 SCK, 2 FF in 6 games.

LB CYRUS MULITALO, SACRAMENTO STATE, SR.
Stats- 58 TT, 4.5 TFL, 1 SCK, 4 PBU in 7 games.

DE GREG PEACH, EASTERN WASHINGTON, SR.
Stats- 43 TT, 16.5 TFL, 14 SCK, 1 PBU, 1 QBH in 7 games.

LB ANDY ROMANS, LAFAYETTE, SR.
Stats- 66 TT, 4 TFL, 1.5 SCK, 2 PBU, 4 QBH, 1 FR, 1 BLK in 6 games.

DE JAMES RUFFIN, NORTHERN IOWA, JR.
Stats- 40 TT, 10.5 TFL, 7 SCK, 1 PBU, 3 QBH, 1 FR, 2 FF, 1 BLK in 7 games.

LB ANDY SCHANTZ, PORTLAND STATE, SR.
Stats- 50 TT, 7 TFL, 5 PBU, 1 FR, 1 FF in 6 games.

DE ADRIAN TRACY, WILLIAM & MARY, JR.
Stats- 40 TT, 11 TFL, 6.5 SCK, 1 PBU, 4 QBH, 1 BLK in 6 games.

S LARDARIUS WEBB, NICHOLLS STATE, SR.
Stats- 18 TT, 1 INT, 4 PR, 120 yards, 30.0avg, 1 TD, 75 long, 9 KR, 330 yards, 36.7avg, 1 TD, 78 long in 4 games.

LB JASON WILLIAMS, WESTERN ILLINOIS, SR.
Stats- 45 TT, 10 TFL, 4 SCK, 4 PBU, 2 QBH, 3 FF in 7 games.

LB NATHAN WILLIAMS, MURRAY STATE, SR.
Stats- 120 TT, 10 TFL, 5.5 SCK, 1 INT, 2 PBU, 1 QBH, 2 FR, 1 FF in 8 games.

WEEKLY TOP 5

1. DE GREG PEACH, EASTERN WASHINGTON, SR.
Stats- 43 TT, 16.5 TFL, 14 SCK, 1 PBU, 1 QBH in 7 games.

2. LB JASON WILLIAMS, WESTERN ILLINOIS, SR.
Stats- 45 TT, 10 TFL, 4 SCK, 4 PBU, 2 QBH, 3 FF in 7 games.

3. DE JOVAN BELCHER, MAINE, SR.
Stats- 68 TT, 8 TFL, 4 SCK, 1 PBU, 1 FR, 2 FF in 7 games.

4. DE GREG MILLER, VILLANOVA, SR.
Stats- 32 TT, 11.5 TFL, 5.5 SCK, 2 FF in 6 games.

5. LB NATHAN WILLIAMS, MURRAY STATE, SR.
Stats- 120 TT, 10 TFL, 5.5 SCK, 1 INT, 2 PBU, 1 QBH, 2 FR, 1 FF in 8 games.

Photo Credit: Matt Brown Photography

SOUTHERN CONFERENCE PREVIEW PART III

By Josh Buchanan

PLAYERS OF THE YEAR

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

QB Armanti Edwards, Appalachian State, Jr.: The junior amassed 1,948 passing yards and 17 touchdowns while rushing for 1,588 yards and 21 more touchdowns last year. He did that missing 4 _ games and led the Mountaineers to their 3rd straight national title. Injuries left him off the All-SoCon team but his playoff performance earned him 2nd team All-America plaudits by The Sports Network and the distinction of the preseason #1 QB, also by The Sports Network. Phil Steele Magazine has Edwards as a preseason 1st team All-American, and the QB has been selected as the preseason SoCon Offensive Player of the Year by the league’s coaches.

Others Considered: WR Terrell Hudgins, Elon, Jr.; QB Scott Riddle, Elon, Soph.; WR Andre Roberts, The Citadel, Jr.

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

LB Pierre Banks, Appalachian State, Sr.: This selection could easily change by season’s end but nobody enters the season with the career consistency of Banks. He earned 1st team All-America honors by The Sports Network last year with 108 tackles, 7 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, and 7 passes defended. Phil Steele Magazine also named him a preseason 1st team All-American while the SoCon coaches tabbed him the SoCon preseason Defensive Player of the Year.

Others Considered: LB Seth Goldwire, Wofford, Sr.; LB Corey Weaver, Elon, Sr.; LB Joseph Thornton, Chattanooga, Jr.

OFFENSIVE LINEMAN OF THE YEAR

OT Joel Bell, Furman, Sr.: Bell earned 1st team All-SoCon honors as a junior and 2nd team plaudits as a sophomore. The Sports Network also named him honorable mention All-America last year and Bell earned preseason 1st team All-SoCon honors from both the league’s coaches and Phil Steele Magazine. The magazine also named him a 1st team preseason All-American.

Others Considered: OT Derek Wooten, Wofford, Sr.; OG Mario Acitelli, Appalachian State, Jr.; OG/OT William Giles, UTC, Sr. OT Brad Coley, Appalachian State, Sr.

TOP NFL PROSPECT

OT Joel Bell, Furman: Bell’s mammoth size (6’7, 315) and good footwork make him a potential mid-round left tackle prospect. Consistency and technique are his main weaknesses but they can be improved with experience and coaching. Expect him to earn mid-round grades from most teams with a solid senior campaign.

Others Considered: OG William Giles, UTC; WR TJ Courman, Appalachian State, P Brandon Lane, Elon.

NATIONAL AWARD CANDIDATES

WALTER PAYTON AWARD CANDIDATES
QB Armanti Edwards, Appalachian State, Jr.
QB Scott Riddle, Elon, Soph.
WR Terrell Hudgins, Elon, Jr.
WR Andre Roberts, The Citadel, Jr.

BUCK BUCHANAN AWARD CANDIDATES
LB Pierre Banks, Appalachian State, Sr.
LB Seth Goldwire, Wofford, Sr.

Tomorrow: Team Predictions