DII football preview: Upset specials No. 20 Albany State, No. 22 Tuskegee square off
Week 1 was full of upsets in Division II football. Eleven ranked teams found themselves in the loss column, leading to a shakeup in the Top 25. Winston-Salem State, Albany State, and Tuskegee were all on the winning side of big upsets. It's only fitting that they highlight this week's DII football showcase.
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Bowie State at Winston-Salem State, 4 p.m ET WATCH THIS GAME
Game 1 of the showcase is a matchup of 1-0 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association teams. WSSU pulled off the upset last weekend, defeating then-No. 19 UNC Pembroke 34-31. Running back Kerrian Moore led the charge with a 230-yard day, picking up CIAA Offensive Back of the Week honors. Quarterback Amir Hall -- responsible for a total of six touchdowns -- was equally impressive for Bowie State as the Bulldogs upended Seton Hill 48-7. Last week both teams combined for over 1,000 yards and more than 80 total points -- this game has the makings of a shootout.
Both teams were projected to win their respective CIAA divisions, with Bowie State tops in the North and WSSU best of the South. WSSU has won four of the past five CIAA championships, so this may be Bowie State's chance to stake its claim in the conference with a big win Saturday.
2017 outlook:
| Bowie State | Winston-Salem State |
|---|---|
| 2016 record: 7-4 | 2016 record: 9-3 |
| Head coach: Damon Wilson (9th year) | Head coach: Kienus Boulware (3rd season) |
| Preseason ranking: NR | Current ranking: RV (13) | Preseason ranking: NR | Current ranking: No. 19 |
|
Key players (Week 1 stats): Amir Hall, QB: 361 passing yards, 5 touchdowns, 55 rushing yards, 1 TD Lansana Sesay, Geordan Clark, Kerrick Pollack, WRs: combined for 301 yards and 4 touchdowns Derrick Tate, LB: 6 tackles, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble |
Key players: Kerrian Moore, RB: rushed for 230 yards and 3 TDs in upset Canard Brown, WR: QB Rod Tinsley only threw for 158 yards. Brown caught 125 of them, along with a TD Kyrell Williamson, LB: team-high 9 tackles, including 0.5 sacks |
2017 by the numbers:
| Bowie State | Winston-Salem State |
|---|---|
| OFFENSE | OFFENSE |
| Points: 48 | Points: 34 |
| Pass yards: 382 | Pass yards: 158 |
| Rush yards: 217 | Rush yards: 278 |
| Total offense: 599 | Total offense: 436 |
| DEFENSE | DEFENSE |
| Points allowed: 7 | Points allowed: 31 |
| Total defense: 151 | Total defense: 237 |
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Albany State vs. Tuskegee, 5 p.m. ET
WATCH THIS GAME
Suddenly, the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference has two Top 25 teams. Thanks to two upsets in Week 1, Albany State (GA) and Tuskegee face off in the only game featuring two ranked teams this week.
Unlike the first matchup, neither offense lit up the stat sheet in Week 1. In fact, Tuskegee won with only 192 total yards. The Golden Tigers have one of the premier linebackers in DII football -- All-American Osband Thompson -- who will need to make his presence felt for Tuskegee to win. Both defenses will make finding room on the ground and through the air difficult for either team.
#ICYMI Here is the INT from Jonah McCutcheon that helped sealed Tuskegee's 14-6 win over Alabama State last night. via @HBCUGameday #TUMADE pic.twitter.com/Brrudfb6ck
— Tuskegee Athletics (@MyTUAthletics) September 4, 2017
Coined the White Water Classic, the game will be played on neutral turf in Phenix City, Alabama. As with the first game, this is a battle of projected division winners, so it will go a long way in deciding who will be the king of the SIAC come season's end.
2017 outlook:
| Albany State | Tuskegee |
|---|---|
| 2016 record: 5-4 | 2016 record: 9-3 |
| Head coach: Gabe Giardina (1st year) | Head coach: Willie Slater (12th season) |
| Preseason ranking: NR | Current ranking: No. 20 | Preseason ranking: NR | Current ranking: No. 22 |
|
Key players: McKinley Habersham, RB: ran for 110 yards Nick Scott, DB: had a 75-yard interception return for a TD in upset Zavondric Shingleton, LB: 6 tackles, 2 sacks |
Key players: Osband Thompson, LB: 14 tackles, 1 forced fumble Jonah McCutheon, S: 7 tackles, 46-yard interception return for a TD Peyton Ramzy, WR: 66 yards, including 55-yard TD |
2017 by the numbers:
| Albany State | Tuskegee |
|---|---|
| OFFENSE | OFFENSE |
| Points: 29 | Points: 14 |
| Pass yards: 88 | Pass yards: 139 |
| Rush yards: 212 | Rush yards: 53 |
| Total offense: 300 | Total offense: 192 |
| DEFENSE | DEFENSE |
| Points allowed: 12 | Points allowed: 6 |
| Total defense: 311 | Total defense: 367 |
The Battle of the Mascot Week 2:
Last week's debut of the Battle of the Mascot was a battle for Arkansas. The Wonder Boys of Arkansas Tech prevailed in a 28-21 upset of Great American Conference rival Southern Arkansas Muleriders. Who's on tap this week?
It was a tough choice. The Pennylvania State Athletic Conference has an exciting matchup between the Lock Haven Bald Eagles and the Edinboro Fighting Scots.
As enticing as that may be, there may be an even better contest.
The Dixie State Trailblazers travel to Rapid City, South Dakota to take on the South Dakota School of Mines Hardrockers. The 'Rockers edged the 'Blazers by a four points in last year's matchup, so we can hope that this one goes right down to the wire as well.