FCS Football 2014: Spring Top 40 Part 2, (11-20)

GREENVILLE, S.C.–Part two of the 2014 Saturday Blitz FCS Spring Preview will focus on the teams 11-20 of our Top 40, as we break down who we think are the Top 40 teams in FCS football heading into the season. We will also take a look at some teams that might surprise in the 2014 season, which will be a part of the final portion of this series of articles.

There was a demand by a certain fanbase, which will remain nameless, that it was outrageous they were not in Top 10. To be honest, I welcome that kind of criticism and appreciate there are FCS fans out there who care about their teams. So, I kind of like that kind of criticism in an odd way.

Often, FCS football gets a bad rap because there is a perception that people don’t care out there, and that’s simply not true. To the fans that questioned their ranking, I will say that I realized I ranked this particular team lower than I should have, but once this was realized, I would have to go back and do the whole thing over to include this certain team in a higher ranking. With that said, I think that truly is the greatest thing about the FCS–it is indeed settled on the field no matter what.

But, I believe in what I write and I know it is credible. I have covered FCS football longer than some of the schools in the Top 25 have been Division I schools, so I feel pretty good about my credibility, however, fans are certainly welcomed to their own opinions, but I do welcome all readers to check out our coverage of FCS football at SaturdayBlitz this fall.

We encourage debating the Top 40, but most importantly, have fun discussing these rankings, as preseason polls are for just that–discussion and debate. If it were up to me alone, I would not rank teams until the fifth week of the season, but I am obviously in the minority on that stance, so as they say, if you can’t beat them, join them.  With that said, have fun bantering.

11. Southeastern Louisiana (11-3 in 2013/FCS Quarterfinals)— was one of several cinderella stories in the ranks of FCS football last fall, as the Lions broke through to claim their first Southland Conference Football title in 2013. The Lions finished 11-3 and finished No. 6 in the final national poll of the season after making it to the final eight of the FCS postseason.

Over the years, the state of Louisiana has been a hotbed of tradition for FCS football, if you go back to the days when Northeast Louisiana (now UL Monroe)–the 1987 national champions with a thrilling win over Marshall–were the team to beat in the Pelican State. We all know about McNeese State’s tradition at the FCS level, with the likes of B.J. Sams and Scott Pendarvis leading the Cowboys to some great moments in the early 2000’s. And who can forget Northwestern State in the late 1990’s and early 2000’s. The Demons where at the doorstep of a national title game appearance in 1998.

Walter Payton Award Candidate Bryan Bennett

In 2005, it was a rare breakthrough for Nicholls State with Yale Vannoy leading Colonels to an emotional playoff bid in a season shortened by Hurricane Katrina.

Now, it appears Southeastern Louisiana is yet another team to give credence to the the type of football played in a state steeped in gridiron greatness at every level.

Head coach Ron Roberts was the orchestrator of the turnaround story for the Green, Black and Gold last fall, as he brought the program back from NCAA sanctions, which were more of a misunderstanding by the previous compliance staff, than an outward violation of NCAA rules by the program, all the way to a Southland title last season.

The Southeastern offense could put up points in a hurry, and the Lions were kind of like the FCS version of Clemson, utilizing a very similar offense to that of Chad Morris’ Clemson spread offense. Southeastern finished the campaign ranking 10th nationally in total offense (483.3 YPG) and 12th in scoring offense (38.4 PPG).

Bryan Bennett (215-of-354 passing, 3,165 yds, 21 TDs, 11 INTs), who was the 2013 Southland Conference Player of the Year, and will return to lead the Southeastern offense this fall, however, will have a new offensive coordinator to learn under, as Chet Pobolish takes the reins of the Lions’ in 2014.

Bennett was not only a prolific passer last season, but also showed outstanding wheels, as he rushed for a team-leading 1,046 yards and 16 TDs last fall, amassing 4,211 yards of total offense and had 37 TD responsibilities.

Bennett is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the skill position talent returning for the Lions in 2014, which includes running backs Rasheed Harrell (134 rush att, 640 rush yds, 8 TDs, 4.8 YPR) and Xavier Roberstson (117 rush att, 538 yds, 6 TDs, 4.6 YPR). The top returning receiving option for the Lions heading into the 2014 season is Jeff Smiley (57 rec, 744 yds, 6 TDs, 13.1 YPR).

The biggest asset the Lions’ defense will have this fall is the fact that it welcomes back the top two pass-rushers from a year ago–linebacker Isiah Corbett (58 tackles, 16.0 TFL, 7.0 sacks, 1 INT, 1 FF in 2013) and defensive tackle Jacob Newman (42 tackles, 14.0 TFL, 7.0 sacks, 1 FF in 2013). Harlan Miller (45 tackles, 4 INTs, 2.0 TFL, 10 PBUs in 2013), Marice Sutton (40 tackles, 4 INTs, 6 PBUs, 1.5 TFL in 2013) and Tyler Stoddard (54 tackles, 3.0 TFL, 1 INT, 4 PBUs in 2013 ) all garnered All-Southland honors last season and the trio returns to the secondary for the 2014 campaign.

With an offense that can score points in a hurry led by a Payton Award candidate, coupled with an athletic, aggressive speedy defense, great things are once again on the horizon for the Green and Gold.

12. Northern Iowa–The Northern Iowa Panthers are probably the best team to never win an FCS title, however, they were the team that looked most like ending North Dakota State’s long winning streak last season, only to lose 24-23 as the Bison came from a big deficit to get the win.

Players like Kurt Warner, Tyree Talton and Eric Sanders are just a few of tremendously talented players to come out of the football factory in Cedar Falls. The Panthers have made 16 postseason appearances, seven trips to the FCS Final Four and finished as the national runner-up in 2005 after losing in the national title game in heartbreaking fashion to Appalachian State in a game the Panthers led with 10 minutes remaining.

In 2014, UNI welcomes the return an impressive 19 of 22 starters, and plenty of young players that got experience as a result of a rash injuries hit the team in the middle portion of the slate last fall, and the Panthers lost three games in overtime, and lost another by two points to Youngstown State towards the end of the season.

Slated to lead the UNI offense this fall will be Sawyer Kollmgren (156-of-248 passing, 1,824 yds, 14 TD, 5 INTs) under center, while Kevin Vereen. Jr. (52 rec, 750 yds, 4 TDs, 14.4 YPR )–a potential breakout Walter Payton Award candidate this season–returns at receiver. Vereen will team with Chad Owens (60 rec, 595 yds, 5 TDs, 9.9 YPR) as the the team’s top two aerial options this fall.

UNI has always been a program that has prided itself on great defenses, and the 2014 season should be no different. The Panthers have had some truly great defensive backs and defensive linemen come through the program over the years, including the aforementioned Talton as well as a litany of All-American defensive linemen from the past such as defensive end James Ruffin and former defensive tackle Matt Mitchell.

It will be those two positions which drive Mark Farley’s defense this fall, with Xavier Williams (74 tackles, 12.0 TFL, 5.5 sacks, 1 FF, 1 FR) one of the best defensive linemen in the Missouri Valley, while Ray Mitchell (56 tackles, 4 INTs, 2 TDs) will anchor the secondary and will enter the season on pretty much everyone’s Buck Buchanan Award list.

At most schools, 7-5 is a respectable season, but at a school like UNI, it’s unacceptable, and the pressure for Farley’s Panthers to return to form this fall will be immense.

13. New Hampshire (10-5 in 2013/FCS Semifinals)–Prior to Ricky Santos captivating the FCS world following injuries to three other quarterbacks, including seasoned flamethrower Mike Granieri, New Hampshire had only previously been a blip on the FCS radar, but did produce Jerry Azumah–one of the greatest running backs in FCS history–and had qualified only two times before for the FCS/Division I-AA postseason as a Division I member (1991 and ‘94) .

However, it was the 2004 season which saw the breakthrough for the Wildcats, which saw Santos and the Wildcats, who under the direction of former offensive coordinator Chip Kelly–yes that Chip Kelly–would take the FCS by storm and qualify for the first of 10-straight FCS postseasons. Head coach Sean McDonnell has built a winning culture over the past decade.

New Hampshire has had a knack from producing some excellent quarterbacks, and that trend has continued with Sean Goldrich (158-of-264 passing, 2,076 yds, 14 TDs, 7 INTs in 2013) calling out the signals. And the Wildcats appear to have struck it rich under center, with the junior coming off a strong spring and ready to lead New Hampshire to even rarer territory as a program. Goldrich was also a rushing threat for the Wildcats last season, having posted 417 yards and six TDs rushing last fall.

Goldrich isn’t the only member of that talented New Hampshire offense returning for the 2014 season, as senior running back Nico Steriti (197 rush att, 1,028 yds, 8 TDs, 5.2 YPC) returns to the fold for the New Hampshire offense, and he was the leading rusher for the Wildcats last season. Steriti was named Third-Team All-CAA last fall, and also had 17 catches for 213 yards last fall.

The bad news for the New Hampshire offense heading into 2014 is it won’t have the services of top receiver and Walter Payton Award candidate Justin Mello, who has graduated. The top returning wideouts in the passing game returning this fall will be a pair of senior wideouts, in Jimmy Giansante (31 rec, 306 yds, 2 TDs, 9.9 YPR in 2013) and R.J. Harris (76 rec, 1,004 yds, 5 TDs, 13.2 YPR in 2013). Harris heads into the season as a Walter Payton Award candidate after leading the Wildcats in catches last fall.

14. Chattanooga (8-4/Missed Playoffs in 2013)–Sometimes, teams are just unlucky, and that seems to be the case with the Chattanooga football team each of the past two seasons, and last season, the Mocs were probably the best team in the SoCon, but due to some bounces not going their way, the Mocs would fail to make the postseason.

The Mocs have 15 starters back for the 2014 season, and that includes Southern Conference reigning offensive Player of the Year, which was junior signal-caller Jacob Huesman (164-0f-240 passing, 1,637 yds, 16 TDs, 5 INTs/824 rush yds, 9 TDs). He will be a leading candidate to take home the top offensive honors in the SoCon again this fall, as well as potentially finding himself on the Payton Award list at some point in the season. He is a quarterback that is a true dual threat much like a guy named Kenyon Earl, who came through the Chattanooga program about the same time Terrell Owens did.

While the Mocs have been efficient on the offensive side of the football, it’s the defense that has had most opponents in fear over the past couple of seasons, and it starts up front with the Mocs’ vaunted defensive front–one of the best in FCS football–with three returnees, including Buck Buchanan Award candidate Davis Tull (52 tackles, 15.0 TFL, 9.0 sacks, 4 FFs, 1 FR), who became the first player since former Appalachian State great and two-time Buchanan Award winner Dexter Coakley in 1995 and ’96.

Tull is  the catalyst for a Chattanooga defense that will once again be among the top units in the nation this fall, after finishing the 2013 season ranking first in the SoCon and 17th nationally in total defense (328.9 YPG). However, the task will be a little bit tougher this season, with six starters having graduated from the Chattanooga defense, including four of its five All-SoCon performers from last season.

15. Maine (10-2/1st Rd of FCS playoffs)–Maine has become a stalwart as a CAA contender over the past four seasons, as the Black Bears have been a terror for teams in the Northeast over the past three seasons. Maine has also excelled in the postseason, with a prime example of that being the 2011 postseason when the Black Bears routed Appalachian State, 32-12, in Boone.

Maine has always been known for its outstanding defenses, and that has certainly been true the past couple of seasons. A solid nucleus returns for the Black Hole defense this fall, with rising sophomore linebacker Christophe Mulamba (118 tackles, 4.0 TFL, 1.5 sacks, 2 INTs) leading the five returnees on that side of the ball entering the 2014 season. All Mulamba did on that side of the ball was garner the CAA’s Rookie of the Year accolade for his performance in 2013.

The Maine defensive line will lose its best pass-rusher, as the experienced and talented Michael Cole has graduated, however, the good news is key performer Trevor Bates (54 tackles, 9.0 TFL, 4.o sacks, 2 FFs in 2013) returns for his junior campaign to anchor the defensive line in 2014.  Michael Mangiarelli (47 tackles, 2 INTs in 2013) returns as the talented leader of the Main secondary.

The Black Bears will also have some work to do on the offensive side of the ball, as Marcus Wasilewski has graduated from under center. Redshirt freshmen Kellen Croce and Daniel Hoffer are the most likely replacements under center for the departed Wasilewski.

It was an unprecedented season for Maine football, finishing off its first CAA title, which in turn led to Maine hosting its first-ever FCS playoff game against a team that prevented the Black Bears from an undefeated CAA season, in New Hampshire, who closed the season with a 24-3 win over the Black Bears.

After triumphing over Lafayette in an opening-round postseason game, the Wildcats handed the Black Bears a 48-27 setback in the first-ever game Maine hosted at Alfond Stadium. Two of Maine’s three losses came to New Hampshire last season, who would eventually go on to the FCS semifinals before losing to evnetual national champion North Dakota State.

The Black Bears will look to build on what was a magical 2013 season under one of the most underrated coaches in FCS football, Jack Cosgrove. Cosgrove was recently named to the Maine Athletic Hall-of-Fame.

16. Furman (8-6/ 2nd Rd of FCS Playoffs)–Not since 2006 has Furman (8-6) been relevant in FCS football, but the Paladins found their way back into the FCS postseason last fall by coming from out of nowhere to claim the Southern Conference title last season.

Furman LB Corey Magwood

The Paladins were just 3-5 overall and 2-2 in league play entering the month of November, however, a win over Georgia Southern in thei final trip to Statesboro to open the final month of the season, which got the Paladins started on what would be a strong finish to the regular-season.

Seventeen starters return for Bruce Fowler’s Paladins, who along with Chattanooga, Wofford and Samford, will challenge for the Southern Conference title in 2014.

The Paladins return most of their important pieces on the offensive side of the football, including quarterback Reese Hannon (153-of-254 passing, 1,748 yards, 7 TDs, 5 INTs), leading rusher Hank McCloud (215 rush att, 1,092 yds, 5 TDs, 5.1 YPC). , and leading wideout Andrej Suttles (50 rec, 697 yds, 3 TDs, 13.9 YPR).

The Paladins return athleticism and experience on both sides of the ball heading into the 2014 season, but will have to replace Dakota Dozier, who recently became a member of the New York Jets, is the lone starter not returning along the offensive line.

The Paladins must also replace Ryan Culbreath at receiver and tight end Cameron Mason on the offensive side of the ball, while cornerback Austin Williams and All-SoCon safety Greg Worth must be replaced on defense.

The Paladins should be even better on the offensive side of the football heading into the 2014 season, with nine starters returning for the upcoming campaign.

Leading the way along the defensive front once again this fall will be potential Walter Payton Award candidate Gary Wilkins (79 tackles, 13 TFL, 5.5 Sacks, 4 PBU, 1 INT, 1 TD in ’13) at one defensive end, while Shawn Boone (10 tackles, 1.5 TFL, 1.0 sack in 2013 prior to season-ending injury), who missed most of the 2013 season with a torn ACL, returns at the other bookend position to give the Paladins one of the top pass-rush tandems this fall.

Linebacker will be occupied by All-SoCon caliber defenders, in Cory Magwood (77 tackles, 2.5 TFL) and Carl Rider (137 tackles, 8 TFL, 2 Sacks, 1 INT, 1 FF), who led the Paladins in tackles last fall. Despite losing Worthy to graduation, the secondary might be the strongest aspect of the Paladin defense this fall, with the return of Marcus McMorris (113 tackles, 9 TFL, 2 Sacks, 2 INT, 1 FR, 1 TD)  and Jairus Hollman (112 tackles, 11.5 TFL, 3 INT, 7 PBU, 1 FR) at the respective safety positions, while Reggie Thomas (63 tackles, 2 INT, 5 PBU) is an All-SoCon performer at cornerback.

17. Fordham (12-2/FCS Second Rd)– has 18 starters returning from a team that took the Patriot League race bystorm last fall, winning its first 10 games of the season before losing to Lafayette in the next to last game of the regular-season, and the Rams would get a win in the postseason, with a 37-27 victory over NEC foe Sacred Heart before eventually bowing out of the postseason with a 48-28 second round loss to national runner-up Towson.

The Rams had a record-setting 2013 season saw the Rams score 50 or more points five times last fall, fielding one of the most prolific offenses in school history. The Rams set single-season school marks for total yards (7,214) and the 526 points scored smashed the previous school mark of 418 points set in 2003.

Fordham’s prolific offense was led by quarterback Michael Nebrich (353-of-480 passing, 4,380 yds, 35 TDs, 7 INTs) acquitted himself as one of the top quarterbacks in FCS football last fall, posting what was a record-setting junior campaign, as he probably reminded some Fordham fans of formerAll-American and current Tennessee Titan backup quarterback John Skelton,who holds the school career mark for

son passing mark set by Skelton in 2008. Nebrich transferred into the Fordham program from the University of Connecticut. Nebrich has great potential to be a next level type player, as he good arm strength and mechanics.

Not only did Nebrich put up big numbers as a running threat, ranking second on the team in rushing yards last fall (513) and scored nine times with his legs. All told, Nebrich registered 44 TD responsibilities last fall.

Nebrich is only the beginning of the offensive talent returning for the Rams heading into the 2014 season, with top receiver and All-American wide receiver Sam Ajala (93 rec, 1,646 yds, 14 TDs, 17.7 YPR). Not only does Ajala return at receiver, but his partners-in-crime also return to the fold, in Brian Wetzel (89 rec, 1,094 yds, 14 TDs) and Tebucky Jones, Jr. (85 rec, 1,154 yds, 5 TDs), who also had over 1,000 yards receiving in 2013 for the Rams. The trio combined to haul in 290 passes for 3,894 yards and 33 scores last fall. Ajala, Jones and Wetzel hauled in all but five of the team’s 38 scoring passes last fall.

The one major loss on the offensive side of the ball is running back Carlton Koonce, who is a two-time All-Patriot League performer, which included a back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons, as Koonce finished out his career third on the school’s all-time rushing charts. Koonce finished the campaign with 1,462 yards and nine scores last fall. Jared Crayton (23 rush att,137 yds, 4 TDs, 5.9 YPC) returns as the primary rushing threat heading into 2014.

The Rams defense sees the return of eight starters on the defensive side of the football, led by All-Patriot League performer Stephen Hodge (124 tackles, 94 solo stops, 16.0 TFL, 5.0 sacks), while senior All-American defensive backs Ian Williams (86 tackles, 2.0 TFL, 4 INTs) and Levon Williams (79 tackles, 5 INTs, 2 PBU) combined to pick off nine passes last season and 165 tackles last fall.

18. Northern Arizona (9-3/FCS 2nd Rd.) comes into the 2014 season with eyes on the highest prize in the Big Sky title, and plenty of experience returns under center, in Kyren Poe (163-of-270 passing, 1,602 yds, 6 TDs, 10 INTs) and Chase Cartwright (70-of-111 passing, 753 yds, 8 TDs, 2 INTs) return as the quarterbacks for the Lumberjacks heading into 2014.

The Lumberjacks have had a tradition of great offensive weapons spanning the past couple of decades, dating all the way back to the Steve Axman era, which included the likes of quarterback Travis Brown and recent NCAA College Football Hall-of-Fame selection Archie Amerson back in 1996. Amerson was the Walter Payton Award winner as a senior, leading the ‘Jacks to nine wins that season.

Amerson’s Payton Award was ranked as the 14th-best moment in the Top 50 rated in a recent released by the Big Sky Conference in celebration of the conference’s 50 years of existence.

Both Poe and Cartwright saw action for the Lumberjacks last fall, and the two will once again be back in the saddle leading the Lumberjacks, but the Lumberjacks were hit hard by graduation, losing nearly 1,800 yards in receiving yards from a year ago, in Dejzon Walker and Alex Holmes.

The Lumberjacks will have an All-America candidate returning at tight end heading into the 2014 season, as R.J. Rickert (22 rec, 246 yds, 1 TD, 11.2 YPR) returns to haul in passes from Poe and Cartwright this fall. The loss of Zach Bauman at running back will obviously the biggest challenge for the offense to overcome heading in the campaign.

Northern Arizona Tight End R.J. Rickert

All Bauman did was finish the 2013 season with 1,456 rushing yards and nine scores, while also leading the team in receiving, with 44 catches for 305 yards and a score. Casey Jahn (56 rush att, 212 rush yds, 1 TD, 3.8 YPC) returns as the leading ground-gainer in the backfield.

Four starters return along the Lumberjacks’ offensive line for the 2014 season, as the unit will be led by senior Roy Garcia at offensive tackle.

The defensive side of the ball for the Lumberjacks will be the biggest concern for veteran head coach Jerome Souers, as he must replce eight starters on that side of the football heading into the campaign.

The secondary, which lost Lucky Dozier and Anders Battle were selected All-Americans by The Sports Network and College Sports Madness, respectively, are the biggest losses on the defensive side of the football.

Leading the defensive side of the ball this fall will be senior middle linebacker Austin Hasquet (91 tackles, 5.5 TFL, 3 INTs in 2013), who led the team in tackles last season.

19. Southern Utah (8-5/FCS 1st Rd.) is coming off a season which saw the Thunderbirds make the postseason for the first time as an FCS member, and SUU returns a glut of talent from that team that won eight games a year ago, as 15 starters return to the fold for the 2014 campaign.

The Thunderbirds finished fourth in the Big Sky last season, winning five conference games, which was good enough to see head coach Ed Lamb’s Thunderbirds finish No. 24 in the Sports Network’s final poll.

Returning to the lead the Southern Utah offense this fall will be quarterback Ammon Olsen, who last suited up for SUU back in 2009 before transferring to BYU and the embarking on a two-year mission for the Church of Latter Day Saints, and was the primary backup signal-caller in Provo for the Cougars last season.

Raysean Martin (112 rush att, 444 yds, 6 TDs, 4.0 YPC) returns to the backfield for Thunderbirds, while one of the leading receiving options returning to the fold is tight end Anthony Norris (23 rec, 237 yds, 4 TDs, 10.3 YPR) after garnering All-Big Sky honorable mention honors last fall.

The strength of this team might be on the defensive side of the football, with the likes of Matt Holley (110 tackles, 13.5 TFL, 2.0 sacks, 2 INTs, 2 FRs, 1 FF in 2013), who was a third-team All-Big Sky selection last season, while sophomore defensive end James Cowser (77 tackles, 19.0 TFL, team-leading 10.5 sacks in 2013) returns after earning Freshman All-America honors last fall.

One of the all-time early-season matchups to keep an eye on in the non-conference FCS slate will take place on Sept. 6, when Southern Utah travels to Hammond, LA, to take on another first-time FCS playoff qualifier, in Southeastern Louisiana, who returns most of its squad that claimed the Southland Conference Football title last season.

20. Samford (8-5 in 2013/Second Rd of FCS Playoffs)–The final team involved in the three-way tie for the 2013 Southern Conference title was Samford, which claimed its first conference Division I title with last year’s 8-5 overall record and 6-2 mark in the Southern Conference, as the Bulldogs finished ranked 19th nationally in the final poll, and that’s where they will start in the Saturday Blitz preseason poll.

Head coach Pat Sullivan’s Bulldogs were able to qualify for the postseason for the first time since 1992. Last season, the Bulldogs were simply sensational offensively, with a prolific, balanced attack, which featured senior QB Andy Summerlin and running back Fabian Truss.

Arizona State Transfer Michael Eubank

Summerlin finished as the media’s offensive player of the year, while Truss was a threat not only rushing the football, but also finished his career as one of the top kick-return threats in Southern Conference history, having led the league in all-purpose yards each of the past three campaigns.

The Bulldogs must also replace three of the top four receiving options from last season, including All-SoCon and leading receiving option Kelsey Pope, who also doubled by completing his standout career as Samford’s all-time leading receiver.

Though the offense doesn’t return much in the way of production from last season, the unit will be given an immediate shot in the arm with addition of a high-profile FBS transfer, in Arizona State quarterback Michael Eubank.

The 6-5, 240-pound quarterback has a strong arm, and the new Bulldog installment under center will have the services of Karel Hamilton returning on the offensive side of the ball. Hamilton was the team’s second-leading receiver last season, hauling in 38 passes for 657 yards (17.3 YPR) and seven TDs, garnering SoCon All-Freshman honors in 2013.

Samford has the most to look forward to on the defensive side of the football, and although the Bulldogs must replace middle linebacker and media Southern Conference Defensive Player of the Year Justin Shade, Samford does welcome the return of eight starters, including All-America safety Jaquiski Tartt, who was the preseason SoCon Defensive Player of the Year, and finished the season with 98 tackles, an INT and a TD. Tartt also led the team with nine pass break-ups last fall.

Be sure to check back next week for SaturdayBlitz’s Part III of the preseason Top 40, as we will take a look at the No.21-30 ranked teams in our spring preview.