State college football preview capsules

Central Connecticut^[1] State at James Madison Where: Bridgeforth Stadium^[2] (cap. 25,000), Harrisonburg

When: 6 p.m.

Radio: WREJ (1540 Richmond),

WSVA (550 Harrisonburg)

Internet: jmusports.com

Records: James Madison^[3] 0-1;

Central Connecticut^[4] State 1-0

Facts: JMU will unveil its expanded stadium in its first meeting with Central Connecticut State. ... JMU is ranked 19th in the FCS after losing to North Carolina 42-10 last week. The Blue Devils, the preseason favorite in the Northeast Conference, were among the teams receiving votes after beating Southern Connecticut State 35-21. ... CCS is 39-18 under coach Jeff McInerney. It won the NEC title in 2009 and shared the title last year but missed the FCS playoffs. ... QB Gunnar Jespersen was injured in the second quarter last week and did not return. Backup Jake White threw his first two career touchdown passes.

Old Dominion at Georgia State Where: Georgia Dome (cap. 28,155), Atlanta

When: NoonTV: CSN+

Records: Old Dominion 1-0; Georgia State 1-0

Facts: These two new programs eventually will meet as full-fledged members of the Colonial Athletic Association. But while the Monarchs joined the CAA this season, the Panthers are an independent this year. ... Antonio Vaughan had 191 all-purpose yards and scored two touchdowns in ODU's 41-14 win at Campbell last week. Thomas DeMarco threw for two scores, ran for another and finished with 310 passing yards as the Monarchs racked up 506 yards of offense. ... In the inaugural meeting between these clubs last year, GSU led 6-0, but ODU scored the next 34 points. ... The Panthers, led by former Alabama coach Bill Curry, thumped city rival Clark of Division II 41-7 to start their second season.

Robert Morris at Liberty Where: Williams Stadium (cap. 19,200), Lynchburg

When: 7 p.m.Radio: WRLV (94.9)

Internet: www.libertyflames.com^[5]

Records: Robert Morris 0-1; Liberty 0-1

Facts: The Flames were competitive for three quarters in last week's 43-21 loss at N.C. State. ... Liberty and the Colonials renew acquaintances almost 12 months to the day after Robert Morris jolted the Flames 30-23 in suburban Pittsburgh. ... Liberty was severely wounded by turnovers (four interceptions, three by QB Mike Brown; three lost fumbles) in Raleigh. Nonetheless, Brown passed for 279 yards and rushed for 77. ... Another encouraging note: Liberty sacked N.C. State QB Mike Glennon four times. ... Robert Morris gained only 237 yards and surrendered eight sacks in its 19-13 season-opening loss to Dayton.

Norfolk State at No. 19 West Virginia Where: Milan Puskar Stadium (cap. 60,000), Morgantown, W.Va.

When: 1 p.m.

Internet: www.nsuspartans.com^[6]

Records: Norfolk State 1-0;

West Virginia 1-0

Facts: NSU coach Pete Adrian is a 1970 graduate of WVU. ... The Spartans beat Virginia State 37-3 last weekend, while WVU beat Marshall 34-13. ... The FCS Spartans have been outscored 128-3 in three previous games against FBS opponents (Rutgers twice and Kentucky). ... NSU's Chris Walley completed 25 of 29 passes for 255 yards and 2 TDs against VSU. ... WVU has a first-year coach, Dana Holgorsen.

Winston-Salem State at Virginia Union Where: Hovey Field (cap. 10,000)

When: 7 p.m.

Internet: www.vuusports.com^[7]

Records: Winston-Salem State 1-0;

Virginia Union 2-0

Facts: Virginia Union started the season by beating St. Augustine's 12-0 and Benedict 27-0. It's the first time VUU has begun a year with two shutouts since 1964. ... In the most recent Division II poll, VUU received 16 points, which placed it in 32nd place in a tie with Harding University of Arkansas. ... Union's Derrick Parker was the CIAA defensive back of the week. He recorded six tackles five solo last week. ... VUU assistant coach Calvin Randall is an alumnus of Winston-Salem State. WSSU tight end coach Jason Mai was an assistant at Union last season. ... WSSU defeated Elizabeth City State 22-17 a week ago.

Virginia State at West Virginia State Where: Lankin Field (cap. 5,000), Institute, W.Va.

When: 1 p.m.Radio: WVST (91.3)

Internet: www.vsu.edu/pages/102.asp^[8]

Records: VSU 0-1; WVSU 0-1

Facts: It's the 30th meeting between the two schools, and VSU leads the series 17-9-3. State fell to Division I Norfolk State 37-3 last week. ... The Trojans will look to improve their running game, as they gained only 51 rushing yards against Norfolk State. ... WVSU fell to CIAA member Johnson C. Smith 64-27. Quarterback Ricky Phillips threw for 345 yards in the loss.

Hampden-Sydney at N.C. Wesleyan Where: Northern Nash Football Complex (cap. 3,500), Rocky Mount, N.C.

When: 1 p.m.

Radio: 12:45 p.m., WFLO (95.7 Farmville)

Internet: www.hscathletics.com^[9]

Records: H-SC 1-0; N.C. Wesleyan 0-1

Facts: The Tigers won 63-9 over Averett in last week's opener. Senior QB Travis Lane passed for 273 yards and three TDs, and senior RB Kirk Rohle picked up 183 yards and two scores. Receivers Kyle Vance and Sean Cavanagh combined for 154 yards and two TDs. ... In three meetings with the Battling Bishops, the Tigers are undefeated. ... N.C. Wesleyan lost its opener 38-20 last week at No.14 Northern Ohio. ... Senior kicker Kevin Quicker was the USA South special teams player of the week after kicking field goals of 41 and 42 yards.

Randolph-Macon at Averett Where: Cougar Den (cap. n/a), Danville

When: 1 p.m.

Radio: 12:30 p.m. (WHAN 102.9, WHAN 1430)

Internet: www.athletics.rmc.edu^[10]

Records: Randolph-Macon 1-0; Averett 0-1

Facts: R-MC defeated visiting Methodist 43-7 last Saturday. Zac Naccarato completed 16 of 23 passes for 153 yards and two TDs in his debut. ... The Yellow Jackets controlled the ball for 37 minutes and recorded 393 yards on offense. Joe Pricone and Abel Simpson each had five tackles for R-MC. ... Today is the first meeting between the Yellow Jackets and Cougars. Averett fell to 8-8 all-time against ODAC teams after being pummeled 63-9 last week at Hampden-Sydney.

References

1. ^{^} Topic - Connecticut (www2.timesdispatch.com)
2. ^{^} Topic - Bridgeforth Stadium (www2.timesdispatch.com)
3. ^{^} Topic - James Madison (www2.timesdispatch.com)
4. ^{^} Topic - Connecticut (www2.timesdispatch.com)
5. ^{^} www.libertyflames.com (www.libertyflames.com)
6. ^{^} www.nsuspartans.com (www.nsuspartans.com)
7. ^{^} www.vuusports.com (www.vuusports.com)
8. ^{^} www.vsu.edu/pages/102.asp (www.vsu.edu)
9. ^{^} www.hscathletics.com (www.hscathletics.com)
10. ^{^} www.athletics.rmc.edu (www.athletics.rmc.edu)