Week One in college football saw some really good (and really bad) SBC football. We saw overtime thrillers and upsets. Here is a look at those performances, good and bad.
SBC Football-The Good and Bad
Old Dominion 20 – Va. Tech 17
The Monarchs led the Hokies 10-7 at halftime. The ODU defense forced four INTs by Va. Tech QB Grant Wells and also recovered a fumble for a scoop and score. RB Blake Watson scored on a 1 yard run for the winning score. It was ODU’s second victory over the Hokies in four years.
North Carolina 63 – Appalachian State 61
Both teams combined for 67 first downs, 1216 total yards, and 19 penalties for 210 yards. Appalachian State scored 40 points in the fourth quarter to take the game down to the wire, going in for a game-tying 2-point conversion attempt in the waning seconds of the game. The attempt failed.
App. State QB Chase Brice threw for 361 yards and 6 TDs (to six different receivers) and 1 INT. RB Nate Noel rushed for 116 yards and 2 TDs (8.3-yard average). UNC QB Drake Maye threw for 352 yards and accounted for five touchdowns.
Marshall 55 – Norfolk State 3
The Thundering Herd trampled the Spartans. Marshall gained 33 first downs, 612 total yards, and 380 yards rushing. RB Ethan Payne rushed for 113 yards on 10 carries. RB Khalan Laborn gained 102 yards and 2 TDs. The Thundering Herd defense racked up 10 tackles for loss.
Ole Miss 28 – Troy 10
Troy forced three turnovers (2 fumbles, 1 INT). Trojans QB Gunnar Watson threw for 275 yards and a TD. On defense, Carlton Martial and Craig Slocum combined for 21 tackles for Troy.
South Alabama 48 – Nicholls 7
The Jags racked up 508 yards of total offense. They forced 2 Nicholls turnovers. USA QB Carter Bradley passed for 260 yards, 3 TDs, and zero INTs.
Jags RB Ladamian Webb rushed for 98 yards and 2 TDs. WR Jalen Wayne added three catches for 98 yards (32-yard average) and 2 TDs. The USA defense allowed just 59 yards rushing and 165 yards of total offense.
Nevada 38 – Texas State 14
Not much to say for Texas State, except here is the bad. The Bobcats were held to -12 yards rushing, racked up 97 yards in penalties, and committed four turnovers.
First Year in SBC Football: James Madison 44 – Middle Tennessee 7
2022 marks the first year in FBS (and in the Sun Belt) for the Dukes. The Dukes gained 31 first downs, 548 yards of total offense, and a balanced attack (287 yards passing, 261 yards rushing). They possessed the ball 13 minutes longer than the Blue Raiders. JMU led 21-0 at halftime.
Dukes QB Todd Centario passed for 287 yards and 6 TDs. WR Kris Thornton caught 12 passes for 155 yards and 3 TDs. Reggie Brown and Devin Ravenel combined for three receiving touchdowns. the JMU defense racked up 4 sacks and 13 TFLs.
Georgia Southern 59 – Morgan State 7
GSU led 17-7 at halftime. They gained 26 first downs, 504 total yards, QB Kyle Vantrease passed for 367 yards, 4 TDs, and 1 INT. OJ Arnold, Gerald Green, and Jalen White combined for four rushing touchdowns.
Liberty 29 – Southern Miss 27 (4OT)
The Golden Eagles rushed for 252 yards and gained 389 total yards. Both teams combined to commit 22 penalties for 184 yards. Southern Miss committed five turnovers.
Southern Miss RB Frank Gore, Jr. rushed 32 times for 178 yards and 2 touchdowns, including a 46-yard scoring run. On defense, the Golden Eagles were led by Malik Shorts who made 12 tackles. The Nasty Bunch made an appearance and registered 2 sacks, 11 tackles for loss, and 3 INTs ( one returned for a touchdown by Eric Scott, Jr.).
Coastal Carolina 38 – Army 28
The Chanticleers gained 30 first downs and 263 yards rushing. QB Grayson McCall accounted for four touchdowns (3 passing TDs, 1 rushing TD). RB Reese White carried 21 times for 133 yards and a touchdown and also caught two receiving touchdowns. The CCU offensive line allowed zero sacks in the game.
Arkansas State 58 – Grambling 3
The Red Wolves gained 34 first downs and allowed only 9 to the G-Men. They gained 572 total yards (339 rushing for 6.3 yards average). Both teams combined for 22 penalties for 212 yards. The Red Wolves allowed Grambling to gain just 102 total yards.
ASU QB James Blackman passed for 210 yards and 2 TDS, and he added 2 rushing TDs. RB Johnnie Lang rushed for 124 yards and a TD. WR Champ Flemings caught 7 passes for 122 yards and a TD.
The Red Wolves’ defense posted four sacks, 14 TFLs, and 1 INT.
South Carolina 35 – Georgia State 14
Georgia State held the Gamecocks to just 79 yards rushing and forced two Spencer Rattler INTs. The defense also sacked Rattler three times and registered seven tackles for loss.
Georgia State QB Darren Grainger accounted for 2 touchdowns.
Texas 52 – UL-Monroe 10
The Warhawks defense racked up 3 sacks, 5 tackles for loss, and intercepted Texas QB Quinn Ewers once.
Louisiana 24 – Southeastern 7
The Ragin’ Cajuns forced two Southeastern turnovers (INTs). QB Chandler Fields was 13 of 20 (65%) for 173 yards and two touchdowns. Louisiana failed to record a rushing touchdown. WR Johnny Lumpkin caught five passes for 72 yards.
SBC Football-Talented Teams and Players
From Old Dominion’s upset of power five Va. Tech to Appalachian State’s near comeback win, there was good football being played on gridirons all over the region. I can’t wait to see what happens in Week 2.
Thanks for reading.