2012 NUC FCS POLL (Wk 2)

2012 NUC FCS POLL - Week 2

Week one is in the books and the National Underclassmen is ready for version 2.0 of the NUC FCS Poll. The opening week saw four FCS colleges beat FBS schools and several giving big scares to some supposedly superior competition. We had two teams drop out of the poll after giving little fight against DI schools.

The biggest move in the poll came from the Penguins of Youngstown State who surprised soon to be departed Big East member Pittsburgh 31 to 17. The Penguins now find themselves at #6 in the latest poll. Eastern Washington leapfrogs Stephen F. Austin by virtue of beating WAC member Idaho 20 to 3. For years Tennessee Martin has been the butt of many jokes until this past week when they downed C-USA member Memphis 20 to 17. The Skyhawks are now just outside the NUC FCS Top25. Finally McNeese State downed Sunbelt Conference member Middle Tennessee State 27 to 21 earning some votes for the NUC FCS Poll.

Both Murray State and Eastern Kentucky lost to FBS schools Florida State and Purdue respectively. But it was how they lost by a combined score of 117 to 9 to their superior opponents that cost them a spot in the Top25. More amazing both schools were outgained a combined 1,153 to 346 yards of total offense. Taking their place in the latest poll are Tennessee Tech and North Dakota.

This week's NUC FCS Player of the Week is being shared by Eric Breitenstein of Wofford and Tre Lamb of Tennessee Tech. The senior fullback for the Terriers ran for 219 yards and two scores on 22 carries in 34 to 7 win over Gardner Webb. The Golden Eagle senior signal caller completed 24 of 35 passes for 339 yards and four touchdown tosses versus zero picks in 41 to 31 win over Hampton.

The NUC is proud to announce their first Game of the Week which pits two perennial FCS powers. The Grizzlies of Montana make the long trip to Boone, NC to take on the Mountaineers of Appalachian State. Montana has played in seven FCS title games since 1995 winning two championships. The Mountaineers won three consecutive championships from 2005 to 2007.

Upset Alert: FBS schools that need not to overlook their FCS opponent this week are Colorado State, Minnesota, and Washington State. The Rams are flying high after beating in-state rival Colorado this past week. Problem is they play defending FCS Champ North Dakota State which returns several star players from last year's team. The Gophers have a recent history of coming up short versus FCS opponents. They now take on a very experienced New Hampshire team set on proving their mettle. The Cougars of Washington State will be battling the pass happy offense of Big Sky member Eastern Washington who just defeated an FBS school in week one.

1.       Montana State (MT) Bobcats

Head Coach: Rob Ash
Record: (1-0)
Last Week: The Bobcats beat DII Chadron State 33 to 6 behind junior signal caller DeNarius McGhee's four touchdown tosses.
Next Game: 9/8 @ Drake (1-0)

2.       North Dakota State (ND) Bison

Head Coach: Craig Bohl
Record: (1-0)
Last Week: The Bison clobbered Robert Morris 52 to 0 as the Bison defense only rendered 88 yards.
Next Game: 9/8 @ Colorado State (1-0)

3.       Sam Houston State (TX) Bearkats

Head Coach: Willie Fritz
Record: (0-0)
Last Week: Bye
Next Game: 9/8 vs. Incarnate Word (1-0)

4.       Old Dominion (VA) Monarchs

Head Coach: Bobby Wilder
Record: (1-0)
Last Week: Signal Caller Taylor Heinicke completed 41 of 63 passes for 492 yards and four scores in 57 to 23 win over Duquesne.
Next Game: 9/8 @ Hampton (0-1)

5.       Appalachian State (NC) Mountaineers

Head Coach: Jerry Moore
Record: (0-1)
Last Week: The Mountaineers fell to C-USA member East Carolina 35 to 13 despite junior signal caller Jamal Jackson 300 yards passing.
Next Game: 9/8 vs. Montana (1-0)

6.       Youngstown State (OH) Penguins

Head Coach: Eric Wolford
Record: (1-0)
Last Week: The Penguins pulled the biggest upset of the week downing Big East member Pittsburgh 31 to 17. Youngstown State was plus two in the turnover margin and held the ball for over 25 minutes in the game.
Next Game: 9/8 vs. Valparaiso (0-1)

7.       Georgia Southern (GA) Eagles

Head Coach: Jeff Monken
Record: (1-0)
Last Week: The Eagles ran for 557 yards on the ground in 58 to 0 shellacking of Jacksonville.
Next Game: 9/8 @ The Citadel (1-0)

8.       New Hampshire (NH) Wildcats

Head Coach: Sean McDonnell
Record: (1-0)
Last Week: Senior receiver Joey Orlando caught seven passes for 102 yards and two scores in 38 to 17 win over Holy Cross.
Next Game: 9/8 @ Minnesota (1-0)

9.       James Madison (VA) Dukes

Head Coach: Mickey Matthews
Record: (1-0)
Last Week: The Dukes topped 600 yards of total offense in 55 to 7 beat down of St. Francis (PA).
Next Game: 9/8 vs. Alcorn State (1-0)

10.   Stony Brook (NY) Seawolves

Head Coach: Chuck Priore
Record: (1-0)
Last Week: Senior running back Miguel Maysonet carried the ball 16 times for 171 yards and two scores in 49 to 17 win over Central Connecticut State.
Next Game: 9/8 vs. Pace (0-1)

11.   Montana (MT) Grizzlies

Head Coach: Mick Delaney
Record: (1-0)
Last Week: Senior backfield mates Dan Moore and Peter Nguyen both topped 100 yards rushing in 35 to 24 win over South Dakota.
Next Game: 9/8 @ Appalachian State (0-1)

12.   Towson (MD) Tigers

Head Coach: Rob Ambrose
Record: (0-1)
Last Week: The Tigers feel to MAC member Kent State 41 to 21 as senior quarterback Grant Enders completed 26 of 36 passes for 246 yards and once score.
Next Game: 9/15 vs. William & Mary (0-1)

13.   Delaware (DE) Blue Hens

Head Coach: KC Keeler
Record: (1-0)
Last Week: Senior quarterback Trent Hurley was 24 for 35 for 310 yards and three scores in victory over DII West Chester 41 to 21.
Next Game: 9/8 vs. Delaware State (1-0)

14.   Indiana State (IN) Sycamores

Head Coach: Trent Miles
Record: (0-1)
Last Week: The Sycamores gave the Hoosier all they could handle falling 24 to 17. NUC alum Shakir Bell carried the ball 24 times for 192 yards and one score.
Next Game: 9/8 vs. Quincy (0-1)

15.   Northern Iowa (IA) Panthers

Head Coach: Mark Farley
Record: (0-1)
Last Week: The Panthers fell to Big10 power Wisconsin 26 to 21 as freshman signal caller Sawyer Kollmorgen threw for 265 yards and three scores in his first college game.
Next Game: 9/8 vs. Central State (0-0)

16.   Wofford (SC) Terriers

Head Coach: Mike Ayers
Record: (1-0)
Last Week: Senior Fullback Eric Breitenstein ran for 219 yards and two scores in 34 to 7 win over Gardner-Webb.
Next Game: 9/8 vs. Lincoln (MO) (0-1)

17.   Eastern Washington (WA) Eagles

Head Coach: Beau Baldwin
Record: (1-0)
Last Week: Junior receiver Brandon Kaufman had five catches for 148 yards in 20 to 3 win over DI Idaho.
Next Game: 9/8 @ Washington State (0-1)

18.   Stephen F. Austin (TX) Lumberjacks

Head Coach: JC Harper
Record: (1-0)
Last Week: Junior quarterback Brady Attaway threw for 354 yards and three scores in 49 to 14 victory over SW Oklahoma.
Next Game: 9/8 @ SMU (0-1)

19.   Illinois State (IL) Redbirds

Head Coach: Brock Spack
Record: (1-0)
Last Week: Senior running back Darrelyn Dunn ran for 127 yards and three scores in 56 to 14 win over Dayton.
Next Game: 9/8 @ Eastern Michigan (0-1)

20.   Maine (ME) Black Bears

Head Coach: Jack Cosgrove
Record: (0-0)
Last Week: Bye
Next Game: 9/8 @ Boston College (0-1)

21.   Jacksonville State (AL) Gamecocks

Head Coach: Jack Crowe
Record: (0-1)
Last Week: The Gamecocks gave Arkansas a first half scare but ended up losing 49 to 24. Senior receiver Alan Bonner caught eight passes for 107 yards and one score.
Next Game: 9/8 vs. Chattanooga (0-1)

22.   Lehigh (PA) Mountain Hawks

Head Coach: Andy Coen
Record: (1-0)
Last Week: Senior signal caller Mike Colvin threw for 221 yards and two scores in 27 to 17 win over Monmouth.
Next Game: 9/8 @ Central Connecticut State

23.   Central Arkansas (AR) Bears

Head Coach: Clint Conque
Record: (0-1)
Last Week: The Bears gave the Rebels all they could handle as junior quarterback Wynrick Smothers completed 25 of 32 passes for 247 and two scores in 49 to 27 loss.
Next Game: 9/8 @ Murray State (0-1)

24.   Tennessee Tech (TN) Golden Eagles

Head Coach: Watson Brown
Record: (1-0)
Last Week: Senior Tre Lamb completed 24 of 35 passes for 339 yards and four scores in 41 to 31 win over Hampton.
Next Week: 9/6 vs. North Greenville (0-0)

25.   North Dakota (ND)

Head Coach: Chris Mussman
Record: (1-0)
Last Week: North Dakota put up 653 yards of total offense in 66 to 0 win over South Dakota Mines.
Next Game: 9/8 vs. Portland State (1-0)

Just Outside: Albany, NY (1-0); Bethune-Cookman, FL (1-0); Drake, IA (1-0); Harvard (0-0); Liberty (0-1), VA; McNeese State, LA (1-0); UT-Martin, TN (1-0); Villanova, PA (0-1).

Dropped Out

Murray State (KY) Racers
Head Coach: Chris Hatcher
Record: (0-1)
Last Week: The Racers did not put up much a fight versus Florida State losing 69 to 3 while being outgained 606 to 156 in total offense.
Next Game: 9/8 vs. Central Arkansas (0-1)

Eastern Kentucky (KY) Colonels

Head Coach: Dean Hood
Record: (0-1)
Last Week: The Colonels were outgained 547 to 190 yards in 48 to 6 loss to Purdue.
Next Game: 9/8 vs. Morehead State (1-0)