FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP SUBDIVISION

• Around FCS: Week Five Predictions

  
  

  Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - Here is a look at the FCS Top-25 games and other select games from the upcoming weekend.

  THURSDAY NIGHT Mississippi Valley State (1-2, 0-0 SWAC) at Alabama State (0-3, 0-0 SWAC) Two struggling teams in need of a victory get a second life with the beginning of Southwestern Athletic Conference play in a game that will be televised by ESPNU from the historic Crampton Bowl.

  After beating a non-Division I team, Texas College, in its opener, Mississippi Valley State has been crushed in a pair of non-conference games against SWAC opponents. The Delta Devils lost 49-7 to Southern and 49-14 to Prairie View.

  Ronald Brewer has been one of the few bright spots for the MVSU offense, with 206 yards rushing. Quarterback Ryan Burciaga has completed just 40% of his passes and has thrown for 467 yards, with three TDs and four interceptions for an attack that is averaging only 20 points per game.

  The Delta Devil defense has allowed 341 yards per game, but safety Fred Poole has been a bright light with 18 tackles and three sacks (seventh nationally). Linebacker Rory Malone is 11th in FCS with 37 tackles (12.3 per game).

  Things have been even bleaker for Alabama State. The Hornets rank 111th in total offense and scoring offense (12.3) and 99th in scoring defense (34 points per game).

  Receiver Darius Mathis has been the biggest offensive threat for Alabama State with 18 catches (13.4 average) with a pair of TDs. Rechard Johnson (14 tackles, two sacks) is one of the top linebackers in the SWAC.

  The Hornets were competitive in a season-opening 30-20 loss to Florida A&M, but followed that up with a 28-7 loss to Bethune-Cookman and a 45-10 setback to Alabama-Birmingham.

  Mississippi Valley State 28, Alabama State 21Central Methodist (1-2) at Tennessee Tech (2-2), 8 p.m.

  The Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles will face NAIA member Central Methodist in the in the inaugural meeting between the two in the at Tucker Stadium.

  Coming off a 41-7 loss to the Western Michigan, the Eagles will look to rebound again. After a 51-10 loss to Louisville, TTU recovered for a 29-27 win over Southeast Missouri State on an explosive night by running back Henry Sailes, two weeks ago in a nationally-televised game.

  This season, Sailes has been one of the best game-breaking backs in the OVC, with his elusiveness and athleticism. He has rushed for 186 yards and two touchdowns. Signal-caller Lee Sweeney has thrown for 521 yards and a touchdown pass.

  Defensively, the Golden Eagles have struggled this season, giving up an average of 417 yards. The Golden Eagles defense is led by senior linebacker Corey Reed who has been able to make 34 tackles this season.

  Central Methodist, located in Fayette, MO., is off to 1-2 start, but has lost two straight after opening the season with a win over Graceland. On offense, the Eagles are led by Brock Brockmeier who threw for 291 yards, two touchdowns and an interception in the loss to Evangel last week. Defensive backs Antonio Brown and Andrew Claxton are the keys to the pass defense.

  Tennessee Tech 48, Central Methodist 17FRIDAY NIGHT Hofstra (1-2) at Stony Brook (1-3), 7 p.m.

  After trying to ride the wave of momentum coming off a 7-4 season in 2007, things looked bright for Dave Cohen and Hofstra. It didn't take long for the season to take a sour turn, as starting quarterback Bryan Savage went down with a career-ending knee injury minutes before the season opener against Connecticut.

  Cory Christopher has taken the reigns of the Hofstra offense, throwing for 667 yards, with a touchdown and two interceptions.

  The Hofstra running game, which picked up the pace behind the churning legs of Kareem Huggins last season, has moved on the combo of Brock Jackolski (163 yards, one TD) and Everette Benjamin (120 yards. one touchdown).

  Hofstra was hit hard by graduation on the defensive side of the football, where players such as All-American linebacker Gian Villante loomed large. Linebacker Anthony Vernaglia has had a solid season for the Pride this season, tallying 16 tackles and 1.5 sacks, while freshman linebacker Chris Edmond paces the team with 19 stops.

  Stony Brook's season took off with a surprising 42-26 win over perennial Patriot League contender Colgate, but after three straight losses to Elon, Maine and Brown, the Sea Wolves are looking some positives to build on.

  Dayne Hoffman leads an offense averaging 304 yards per game. Hoffman has passed for 551 yards, four TDs and four interceptions. Freshman running back Ed Gowins has powered the ground game, rushing for 335 yards and three TDs.

  Defensively, Stony Brook has been solid, ranking 24th overall in FCS (299 yards per game), with linebacker Tyler Santucci pacing the club with 35 tackles and 4.5 tackles-for-loss.

  Stony Brook 24, Hofstra 17TOP-25 GAMES No.1 Richmond (3-1, 1-0 CAA) at No. 19 Villanova (2-1, 0-0 CAA) For the first time since 1985, the Richmond Spiders hold the poll position in this week's official FCS Top 25 rankings. Saturday's meeting between the ranked foes will mark the fifth meeting of the 28 previous meetings in which both schools have entered the matchup boasting national rankings. Four of those head-to-head ranked matchups have taken place since 2000.

  Richmond was able to claim a gut-wrenching 35-27 victory over the Wildcats last season at UR Stadium. But the Spiders haven't claimed a victory inside the confines of Villanova Stadium since 2000, when the Spiders emerged with a 28-18 victory.

  In last Saturday's 44-17 win over Maine, the Spiders had their share of first- half struggles before finally being able to shake the pesky Black Bears in the second half. Leading just 13-10 at the break, the Spiders were able to pull away from Maine in the second half of playing, erupting for 31 points.

  Richmond will play without speedy back-up running back Justin Forte, who broke a leg against Maine. But the Spiders still have quarterback Eric Ward (832 yards passing, seven TDs) and starting tailback Josh Vaughan (309 yards rushing, two TDs) to shoulder the offense.

  The Spiders have been tough defensively, allowing just 53 yards rushing and 14 points per game (both ranked eighth nationally. With defensive ends Sherman Logan and Lawrence Sidbury and linebacker Eric McBride leading the way, Richmond is 14th in total defense.

  Villanova has shown flashes of brilliance, particularly on defense, but hasn't played a complete game yet. The Wildcats struggled to beat Penn 20-14 last week at Franklin Field, a week after a 33-14 thumping of Lehigh.

  The Wildcats, led by linemen Tim Kuckuka, David Dellasandro and Greg Miller, are ranked 23rd nationally (298 yards per game) on defense. They have also picked off six passes, with Frederick Maldonado grabbing two.

  Villanova's offense has been inconsistent and quarterback Antwan Young (625 yards passing) was benched in favor of Chris Whitney last week after throwing four interceptions, three in the end zone. Whitney had a game-winning nine- yard touchdown run in overtime.

  Veteran Wildcat coach Andy Talley said Young and Whitney are locked in an open competition for the starting job.

  Villanova 23, Richmond 20No. 2 James Madison (4-1, 1-0 CAA) at Maine (2-2, 0-0 CAA), 6 p.m.

  After back-to-back wins over No. 3 ranked Massachusetts and No. 1 Appalachian State, James Madison must avoid a letdown as it travels to Maine. The Black Bears have won three of their last four home outings against JMU, though the teams haven't played at all since 2005 and haven't met in Orono, ME. since 2004.

  The Dukes certainly have some firepower on offense and on special teams with quarterback Rodney Landers (842 yards total offense, 446 yards rushing, six TDs) and Scotty McGee (99-yard kick return for TD against ASU last week, four scoring returns in his career).

  The return of running back Eugene Holloman had to be refreshing for the JMU faithful last week after battling numerous injuries over the past couple of seasons. The talented running back exploded to rush for 73 yards and a touchdown, including breaking off a 47-yard sprint late in the game.

  JMU ranks fourth nationally in rushing (252 yards) and ninth in scoring (37.5 points per game).

  Defensively, JMU showed plenty of progress in last Saturday's win, especially in the second half, limiting the high-powered Appalachian attack to just 11- second half points after falling behind 21-0 in the first half.

  Defensive back Marcus Haywood (38 tackles, two interceptions) led the way with 14 tackles last week, while fellow defensive backfield mate Gerrin Griffin added nine stops, one and a half tackles for loss and a fumble recovery.

  If you're Maine head coach Jack Crosgrove, how do you survive a grueling CAA slate, let alone facing opponents from your own league ranked No. 2 in FCS in consecutive weeks? The Black Bears performed almost as well as they could for a half against Richmond last week, trailing just 13-10 at the break. But Maine was overwhelmed in the second half and lost 44-17.

  The Maine defense has one of the nation's premier defensive players in defensive end and Buchanan Award candidate Jovan Belcher (32 tackles, two sacks, a forced fumble in 2008).

  Maine signal-caller Adam Farkes (667 yards passing,nine TDs,three interceptions) has put up solid numbers, while Jhamal Fluellen has 341 yards rushing.

  James Madison 37, Maine 17Presbyterian (1-3) at No. 3 Appalachian State (1-2), 7 p.m.

  Presbyterian probably wishes it had caught Appalachian State at a different time. After blowing a 21-0 halftime lead in a 35-32 loss at James Madison, ASU will be looking to regain its winning touch.

  Payton Award candidate Armanti Edwards (209 rushing, 342 passing, two interceptions, three TDs passing and one TD rushing) has performed below expectations in 2008, but he hasn't been alone on offense, as the offensive line and receivers have also had blame to share. Of particular concern is the shortcomings of a normally efficient passer (27-of-58, 46.6 percent).

  The ground attack lost starting running back Devon Moore (123 rushing yards, two TDs), who suffered an ankle injury in ASU's loss to James Madison. Fortunately for the Mountaineers, Robert Welton has run for 265 yards and five TDs as Moore's understudy.

  Defensively, the Mountaineers have looked better than the unit that took the field last season, especially led by a veteran corps of linebackers led by Pierre Banks, Jacque Roman and D.J Smith, one of the best linebacking groups in FCS, have combined to make 52 tackles this season in three games.

  Appalachian State may play without starting defensive ends Quavian Lewis and Tony Robertson, who suffered knee and foot injuries against JMU. Robertson and Devon Moore are likely to be redshirted.

  With its struggles on the ground (83.8 yards per game), the Blue Hose offense has needed to rely on the passing game, in particular the combination of quarterback Tim Webb (91-of-152, 956 yards, seven TDs and two interceptions) and receiver Terrance Butler (24 receptions, four TDs, 13.2 yards per catch).

  The Presbyterian defense has also had its share of woes early in the season, yielding 509.5 yards per outing. Leading the unit is Antwan Thomas at linebacker, who has a team-leading 41 tackles and six tackles-for-loss.

  Appalachian State 56, Presbyterian 17Central Washington (4-0) at No. 4 Montana (3-0), 3:05 p.m.

  After having to expend more energy than it expected in a 29-24 win over UC Davis last week, Montana returns to the gridiron in its final tune-up before Big Sky Conference play, when it entertains Division II power Central Washington.

  Cole Bergquist tossed a nine-yard scoring pass to Marc Mariani with 3:36 remaining to bring the Grizzly back from a 24-23 deficit after they had led 23-10 at halftime. Bergquist has completed 63% of his passes for 621 yards, with eight TDs and only one interceptions for an offense averaging 35 points per game.

  Mariani has developed into the Grizzlies' top receiver with 17 catches, five TDs and a 20.2 average per catch. Montana has taken a group approach to its run game, with Andrew Schmidt and Thomas Brooks-Fletcher combining for 269 yards.

  On defense, Montana ranks eighth nationally in sacks (10), led by Jace Palmer, who is seventh in the country with four sacks. Linebacker Shawn Lebsock and safety Colt Anderson have been the tackle leaders.

  The Grizzlies will need to pressure the quarterback on Saturday, with CWU quarterback Mike Reilly (1,280 yards passing, 11 TDs) ranked seventh nationally among Division II passers. The Wildcats are scoring 43 points and 455 yards per game.

  Defensive end Ryan Dyer (5.5 sacks) is the third leading pass rusher in Division II.

  Montana 49, Central Washington 21Southern Virginia (1-3) at No.6 McNeese State (2-1), 8 p.m.

  When McNeese State athletics director Tommy McClelland was struggling to find a reputable FBS or FCS games for McNeese in his new post, he searched high and low in both classifications and even the lower divisions. He appeared to score a pretty solid non-conference schedule, scheduling ACC up-and-comer North Carolina and FCS power Cal Poly only to have Hurricane Ike take care of that game before it could be played. That leaves Southern Virginia (Division III), the lone lower-division school on the Cowboys' schedule.

  Offensively, the Cowboys have been impressive yet again under the direction of Derrick Fourroux (409 yards passing, four TDs and an interception) currently ranking fourth nationally in total offense (465 yards per game). Toddrick Pendland has powered the ground game this season, rushing for 221 yards and a touchdown this season to lead the Southland. Quinten Lawrence has been impressive catching the ball in McNeese's Hurricane-shortened season, hauling in eight passes for 168 yards and a touchdown in two games.

  Defensively, the Cowboys have struggled a bit, yielding an average of 418 yards in their first two outings, but the talented offensive units of North Carolina and Division II power Delta State must be taken into consideration. Linebacker Deron Minor (15 tackles, 2.5 tackles-for-loss) and defensive back Brant Linde (13 tackles, two sacks) have anchored the McNeese defense.

  Southern Virginia, despite its 1-3 record and lopsided setbacks, does possess some talent in places. Tye Hyatt (29 receptions, 492 yards and four touchdowns) is probably the Knights' most talented on the offensive side of the ball at wide receiver.

  Defensively, linebacker Nick Deniz has a team-leading 44 tackles, while Shea Owens has added 30. McNeese gets to get some of the rust off after a rather lengthy lay-off.

  McNeese State 70, Southern Virginia 17No.7 New Hampshire (3-0) at Dartmouth (0-1), 12 p.m.

  Sean McDonnell's New Hampshire Wildcats have proven they can play a little bit of offense over the years, but the jury remains out on their on a defense that hasn't stopped many opponents the past several seasons.

  Dartmouth showed promise offensively in its season-opening 34-20 setback at Colgate. The Big Green amassed 434 yards, including 343 yards through the air.

  Junior signal-caller Alex Jenny looked good in the against the Red Raiders, passing for 343 yards and a touchdown without throwing an interception. Phillip Galligan was the go-to-receiver, hauling in 10 catches for 146 yards in the loss.

  Defensively, the Big Green struggled against Colgate All-American Jordan Scott, who rushed for 239 of the Raiders' 343 yards on the ground. Dartmouth is led by safety Pied Pidermann, who had 12 tackles in the opener.

  New Hampshire ranks 11th in the nation in scoring offense, led by quarterback R.J.Toman, who's s