Championship Subdivision Football | FCS Football | Stadiums | Blogs | Forums

The first intra-conference first-round game I can recall since the debut of the rule forbidding them, this features the two squads that happened to tie for first in the Southland. This game likely comes down to whether SHSU can run the ball well. Since SELU's defense is noticeably better, I'm gonna guess they get enough stuffs on the road to move on to Jacksonville.

Here's my assessment of the matchups & my pick for the game:

• • • Quarterbacks -- SE Louisiana
      
      Running Backs - Sam Houston St.
      
      Receivers/TEs - SE Louisiana
      
      Offensive Line - SE Louisiana
      
      
      Defensive Line - Sam Houston St.
      
      Linebackers --- SE Louisiana
      
      Secondary ---- SE Louisiana
      
      
      Kicking ------ SE Louisiana
      
      Punting ------ Sam Houston St.
      
      Return Teams - SE Louisiana
      
      Kickoffs ------ SE Louisiana
      
      
      
      
      
      • SE Louisiana 31-24 Sam Houston St.

This is messed up IMO, two teams from the same conference should not play one another in the first round

From looking at the box score, this game must've been a real chore to watch. The two starting QBs combined to go 29/80 for 300 yards and 2 INTs (a 63 efficency rating).

SELU somehow found a way to lose despite winning yardage & winning turnovers 4-1. They went 0/5 on fourth down.

While watching Southeastern Louisiana play Stephen F. Austin this year while holding quarterback Brian Bennett out in the first half I developed the opinion that the Lions would not be a contender to get into the playoffs without him. He played yesterday but he was hurt. I suspect that even though the injury was an ankle injury it was affecting him when he tried to throw the ball. And even though he made some plays with his feet he obviously wasn't anywhere close to full speed.

I would say that neither would have had much of a chance to advance past the second round but I think Jacksonville State is way over rated. I think the winner of the Southland/Southland first round game got a good draw in that regard.

After that if they get past the second round? I don't know. I don't think Sam Houston State would have a snowball's chance in hell playing at Villanova. But at the same time, for some reason, I think Liberty could knock Villanova off and the BearKats MIGHT have a chance to get to the semis if that happens.

JohnStOnge wrote:I think Liberty could knock Villanova off...

While I would dearly LOVE to see this...Villanova is no James Madison. They'll probably be too nice to turn this into a blowout, but 'Nova likely wins rather decisively...

KC Keeler wins playoff games.

PJ Hall destroyed the SELA OL.

Cluck U wrote:PJ Hall destroyed the SELA OL.

He's a very good player but, overall, Southeastern Louisiana's defense was more impressive in that game than Sam Houston State's was. Sam Houston State only got 13 first downs and 269 total yards. They're a running team and they rushed for 150 yards at 3.6 yards per carry. Their offense was pretty much smothered.

They caught a break because Bennett wasn't healthy. I've seen him play many times before and he was way off.

JohnStOnge wrote:

Cluck U wrote:PJ Hall destroyed the SELA OL.

He's a very good player but, overall, Southeastern Louisiana's defense was more impressive in that game than Sam Houston State's was. Sam Houston State only got 13 first downs and 269 total yards. They're a running team and they rushed for 150 yards at 3.6 yards per carry. Their offense was pretty much smothered.

They caught a break because Bennett wasn't healthy. I've seen him play many times before and he was way off.

And SELA caught a break because Keshawn Hill, SHSU's best offensive player and one of the best RBs in the division, was injured on the first play.

And Johnson, while no star piggy throwing QB, apparently had a hand issue. Dude was lost. Hopefully, the hand gets better and the nerves settle down.

As far as SELA's defense doing a better job than SHSU's, you're splitting hairs. SELA, who came in averaging a million yards per game, was held to 305 yards. They had two ineffective drives of 37 and 23 at the end, while SHSU was simply trying to run out the clock (with poor time management skills) with simple runs up the middle. So 240 yards before SELA's last two gasps...about the same as SHSU before their last two drives to run out the clock.

Oh, SELA was limited to 2.6 yards per carry, and a paltry 3.7 yards per pass.

So yes, both defenses played well. And, as mentioned, PJ Hall, a freshman, absolutely wrecked SELA's O-line.

In the end, SHSU outscored SELA 21 - 7 in the second half. That there was the ball game.

Cluck U wrote:

JohnStOnge wrote:
He's a very good player but, overall, Southeastern Louisiana's defense was more impressive in that game than Sam Houston State's was. Sam Houston State only got 13 first downs and 269 total yards. They're a running team and they rushed for 150 yards at 3.6 yards per carry. Their offense was pretty much smothered.

They caught a break because Bennett wasn't healthy. I've seen him play many times before and he was way off.

And SELA caught a break because Keshawn Hill, SHSU's best offensive player and one of the best RBs in the division, was injured on the first play.

And Johnson, while no star piggy throwing QB, apparently had a hand issue. Dude was lost. Hopefully, the hand gets better and the nerves settle down.

As far as SELA's defense doing a better job than SHSU's, you're splitting hairs. SELA, who came in averaging a million yards per game, was held to 305 yards. They had two ineffective drives of 37 and 23 at the end, while SHSU was simply trying to run out the clock (with poor time management skills) with simple runs up the middle. So 240 yards before SELA's last two gasps...about the same as SHSU before their last two drives to run out the clock.

Oh, SELA was limited to 2.6 yards per carry, and a paltry 3.7 yards per pass.

So yes, both defenses played well. And, as mentioned, PJ Hall, a freshman, absolutely wrecked SELA's O-line.

In the end, SHSU outscored SELA 21 - 7 in the second half. That there was the ball game.

You called it Cluck. After our loss to CSU-P, I was ready to hang KCK from the nearest tree. Now I'm eating my words. Keeler and staff have done a great job of turning this year into a hell of a positive. The Kats are now conference champs for the 3rd time in the last four years. Also, we are in the playoffs for the fourth year in a row. Kudos to KCK and the Kats. And you're right, PJ Hall is a STUD!!!

I don't think Hill is/was one of the best backs in FCS. I don't even think he's the best back on Sam Houston State's team. I think Overstreet is. Why he didn't get more carries is beyond me.

Otherwise, I'll say this much: I don't think the loss to Colorado State Pueblo was ever as big a deal as some thought just because that team is D2. I think people who think top D2 teams can't do that to good FCS teams haven't been paying attention over the years.

BTW Colorado State Pueblo got a first round bye in the D2 playoffs then won its second round game 52-14 over Angelo State. I don't think there is a team in the FCS playoff field the Timberwolves would not have a shot to beat. Not saying they wouldn't be the underdogs against a number of FCS playoff teams. But there isn't a team in the FCS playoff field that wouldn't be making a big mistake if it were to play them and not take them seriously because they've got "D2" by their name.