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CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - The best of the Football Championship Subdivision 2009 were honored Thursday at the Chattanooga Convention Center.

A panel that included James Madison head coach Mickey Matthews, former National Football League greats Wayne Chrebet and Dexter Coakley, and Master of Ceremonies Brock Huard presented the Buck Buchanan (best defensive player), Eddie Robinson (top head coach) and Walter Payton (offensive MVP) Awards.

"When I was coming up and won the [Buck Buchanan] Award, it was nothing like this," said former two-time winner, NFL Pro Bowler and Appalachian State alumnus Coakley. "It feels like I'm getting the award again. To see these guys carrying the torch for FCS, it's a great pleasure.

"Hopefully these guys will get the chance to play at the next level and continue making their universities proud," he said.

"THE WOW FACTOR"

 What Armanti Edwards brought to the Appalachian State program was described thusly by ASU head coach Jerry Moore.

Huard commended Edwards for his 9,000 career passing and over 4,000 rushing yards.

And the Sports Network honored Edwards with his second Walter Payton Award, making him the first two-time recipient of the honor.

It seems only fitting given how many other milestones and firsts Edwards achieved throughout his career. The resume reads like a very long laundry lists: 64 ASU records, two national championships, star of college football's greatest upset.

"It's an honor to be mentioned in the same breath as Walter Payton and sit here with these guys [Karim and Hudgins], who worked their butts off all season," he said.  

But the road to a second Payton Award wasn't a smooth one. Edwards missed the beginning of the season with a foot injury sustained during an off-season lawn mower accident. The two games he missed were the Mountaineers' only regular season defeats.  

Edwards returned strong to score 30 touchdowns -- 18 by ground, 12 by air -- and pass for just below 3300 yards.

Beyond his statistics, Edwards was a leader by example for his ASU comrades.

"He's a great ambassador," fellow Mountaineer Coakley said. "To be able to graduate in three-and-a-half years, and graduate with honors -- that says enough right there.

"He sets an example for kids that 'I can be an athlete and get my degree at the same time,'" Coakley added.  

"You can't ask for more than this. You've got to take your hats off to the coaches...and the other guys on the team, who were breaking a sweat just like I was," Edwards said.

Other finalists for the award were Elon wide receiver Terrell Hudgins and Southern Illinois tailback Deji Karim. Their respective coaches, Pete Lembo and Dale Lennon, introduced the players before the banquet.

Karim battled back from a devastating knee injury that sidelined him late in 2007 and all of 2008, and almost ended his playing career. But rehabilitation brought Karim back better than ever.

He averaged 7.1 yards per rush, finishing the season with a shade below 1700 total yards on the ground, and more than 2,000 all purpose yards.

 "Words can't describe it. Last year at this time I was down in the dumps," Karim said. "I couldn't imagine being where I'm at today. It's a big thing, and I feel it's a team award. I couldn't be where I'm at without my team."

Hudgins helped Elon reach its first postseason since the program's NAIA days. And in doing so, he surpassed names like Jerry Rice and Terrell Owens in the record books.

The receiver finished the campaign with over 1600 yards receiving, placing him over 5200 for his career.  

Edwards said that if he had a vote, it would be for Hudgins.

"This man had 1,000 receiving after five games," Edwards pointed out.

Hudgins said he plans to find an agent and begin working out in preparation for the spring's NFL Draft Combine.   

ALL WORK...AND ALL PLAY

Matthews had the opportunity to present the Buck Buchanan Award to his own player, as defensive end Arthur Moats received the honor.

Moats was a backfield terror, leading the Dukes with 11 sacks and 23.5 tackles for loss. He also finished as the team's leading overall tackler, a feat almost unheard of coming from a line player. He had 90.

Matthews regaled those the awards banquet crowd with a story about his recruiting trip to visit Moats. After hours spent playing with his family, Moats suited up for his high school's varsity basketball team -- and from there clocked in at his part-time job at a fast food restaurant.

That same kind of hard work carried over into Moats' gridiron work ethic, as his Herculean stat line proves. Working toward a degree he hopes to put to use as a member of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Moats should have career options.

At 6'2 and over 250 pounds, NFL teams could come calling on Draft Day.

Moats was all smiles throughout the ceremony, including when he accepted the award and acknowledged his JMU coaches and teammates for helping elevate his game.  

"HE SHOULD WIN COACH OF THE CENTURY"

The above were the words of Matthews, describing Eddie Robinson Award winner Henry Frazier III. The Prairie View A&M sideline general led the Panthers to their first Southwest Athletic Conference championship since 1964, a feat that's impression is compounded when one considers just a decade ago, PVAMU was famous only for its 80-game losing streak.

But with a new attitude and dedication, the Panthers lost just once on the campaign, that coming to Bowl Subdivision participant New Mexico State, en route to a perfect SWAC slate.

"I'm very humbled by this award," Frazier said. "Eddie Robinson, Walter Payton, Buck Buchanan all came from the Southwest Athletic Conference, so to be the first coach from a [Historically Black College & University] to receive this award is incredibly humbling."

A coach who Jerry Moore introduced as someone who truly exemplified what the profession is about, Frazier was quick to point the work of those around him in the Panthers' rise from the gutter.  

"They say it takes a village to raise a kid -- it took a village to turn this around. It wasn't just me. Great assistant coaches, great student athletes and a committed administration -- that's a recipe for success."  

The rubber match went the way of the Mountaineers -- and what a match it was.

Meeting for the third consecutive postseason, Appalachian State and Richmond capped off the 2009 NCAA Playoffs quarterfinals with an instant classic. The programs accounting for the last four national championships exchanged leads throughout the second half, but it was the visiting Mountaineers who prevailed.

"It's called Armanti Edwards. He's a terrific player," said Richmond head coach Mike London in the post-game press conference.

Edwards scored two of ASU's three fourth quarters, including the difference-making four-yard pass to Matt Cline with 10 seconds on the clock. The strike put ASU ahead 35-31, where it would remain when time expired.

Three minutes earlier, Richmond had regained the lead Edwards earlier took away with a touchdown rush when Eric McBride returned a loose ball to the end zone.

Billed "Clash of the Titans" on the Richmond athletic website RichmondSpiders.com, Saturday's nightcap lived up to its lofty billing on a day when other Playoff match-ups ended in lopsided scores.

Two of the Championship Subdivision's top quarterbacks were lined up under center at UR Stadium, and one was guaranteed to end his collegiate career. That was Richmond's Eric Ward, who last week surpassed 10,000 yards of total offense for his tenure.

ASU's senior quarterback Edwards plays on, one win away from his third national championship game and with a second straight Walter Payton Award in his sights. Edwards is one of three finalists for this year's award with Southern Illinois running back Deji Karim and Elon wide receiver Terrell Hudgins.

For Edwards to reach that Dec. 18 championship game in Chattanooga, Tenn., his Mountaineers will have to do something no team has this season -- beat the Montana Grizzlies.

The overall No. 1 seed extended its unanswered point total to a mind-boggling 91 by racking up 51 against Southland Conference co-champion Stephen F. Austin.

The Grizzlies had reeled off 40 straight in the opening round to rally against South Dakota State, 61-48.

Montana welcomes ASU to Missoula Saturday, where a raucous crowd and 17-game home win streak await. The Grizzlies last lost at home Nov. 24, 2007 in a playoff game with Wofford.

The winner of the Montana - ASU game is assured a Colonial Athletic Association foe in the National Chamionship game. Villanova avenged its only loss of the season in spectacular fashion, routing New Hampshire 46-7.

Villanova dealt with snowy weather by taking to the ground -- and what a strategy it proved to be. Angelo Babbaro went off for 148 yards and three touchdowns to pace the Wildcats' romp.

William & Mary went on the road to topple the coaches' poll No. 1 Southern Illions, 24-3. Defensive end Adrian Tracy tied the program record with his 12th sack in the win, and running back Jonathan Grimes exploded for three scores.

The Tribe and Wildcats met Oct. 3 in Philadelphia, a 28-17 Villanova win. The two are scheduled to meet Friday, back at Villanova, and for the second time will be broadcast on national television.

Their October encounter was aired nationally on Versus, and Friday's game is scheduled for ESPN2.

View the Interactive Bracket

There's a myriad ways to define the contrasting styles on display Saturday when Southern Illinois hosts William & Mary in the quarterfinals of the NCAA Playoffs.

But W & M cornerback David Caldwell's description might be most fitting.

"Something has to give."

On one side is the nation's fourth best rushing attack. SIU has won 11 straight thanks to it, boasting one of college football's premier running backs and a versatile quarterback in Deji Karim and Chris Dieker, respectively.

Add in Lucien Walker and Paul McIntosh to the backfield, and the result is a Saluki offense registering nearly 37 points and 231 rushing yards per game.

W & M conversely has made its bones with the top rushing defense. A linebacker corps of Jake Trantin (79 tackles, 7.5 for loss, 2.5 sacks), Evan Francks (79 tackles, and the Adrian Tracy (68 tackles, 20 for loss, 11 sacks) anchored line have yielded only 50.3 rushing yards a game and less than two yards an attempt.

Players from each quarterfinalist team were complimentary of one another.

"William & Mary is really athletic. That's a great defensive line," Karim said.

Likewise, Tribe tackle Sean Lissemore acknowledged Walter Payton Award finalist Karim's abilities.

"We're going to have to play at the absolute top of our game," Lissemore said. "We welcome the challenge."

"It's going to be a big challenge for the secondary," added Caldwell. "There will probably be a lot of open field tackles."

Caldwell had an additional thought on Karim, too.

"Honestly, I'd say Jonathan Grimes," he cited as a comparison for Karim. "They're both athletic, both around the same size."

Tribe running back Grimes has led a multifaceted ground attack with over 1100 yards on the season and six touchdowns.

Another contrast between these two opponents is their postseason history. This is SIU's seventh consecutive playoff appearance. For members of W & M's roster, this is their first experience.

"It's an adjustment. Usually I'd be planning my itinerary to go home for the holidays," Caldwell said. The Tribe's last venture to the playoffs came in 2004.

In addition to the approaching holiday vacation, the playoffs come with the end of the semester and thus final exams.

While according to Lissemore, coaches and professors have the athletes prepared for their classroom duties, Saturday is all about those 60 minutes in SIU's McAndrew Stadium.

"Everyone's on a mission," Karim said. "We have chemistry...it's big. No one is bigger than the team."

Follow the Tribe and Salukis on Gametracker or via ESPN360.

Richmond vs. Appalachian State
Gametracker | Audio | ESPN360.com

It's an encounter being dubbed on RichmondSpiders.com "Clash of the Titans."

There's no Zeus or Poseidon at UR Stadium, but there are two of the nation's quarterbacks and the programs accounting for the last four NCAA Championships.

UR's Eric Ward and 2008 Walter Payton Award winner Armanti Edwards of ASU lead their respective teams in a rematch of a 2008 quarterfinal. In that match-up, the Spiders capitalized on seven Mountaineer turnovers to come out 33-13 victors.

The 2008 encounter evened the score between the programs. ASU won a 2007 semifinal showdown 55-35 en route to the program's third straight title.

A second straight playoff defeat of the most dominant Championship Subdivision program this decade could solidify Richmond as one of the nation's premier programs, something UR head coach Mike London alluded to in a press conference Wednesday.

"What we're trying to build is when you talk about FCS powers, hopefully you talk about Richmond in that mix," he said.

In the interim, the 2005, 2006, and 2007 champions ASU remain the FCS forerunner.

"Appalachian State is one of the best, most historic programs in college football," London said. "It's an honor to play the best."

The sentiment was one that seemed to be shared based on ASU head coach Jerry Moore's comments during his press conference Tuesday.

"That is a tough, veteran football team," he said.

Montana vs. Stephen F. Austin
ESPN360.com

Stephen F. Austin led the nation in points per game and passing offense, so there's no question the Lumberjacks can score. The same can be said for a Montana team that last week posted 40 points in a quarter-and-a-half against one of nation's top defenses.

Montana defensive end Severin Campbell said the Grizzlies' second half success against South Dakota State was the result of "turning them into a passing team."

The opposite is going to have be true Saturday against an SFA offense that relies most heavily on that aspect of its game.

"We're going to have to pressure the quarterback," Campbell said, who referenced Big Sky opponents citing Montana's success against the pass this campaign.

Villanova vs. New Hampshire
Gametracker | ESPN360.com

CAA rivals meet in Philadelphia, almost two months after their back-and-forth conference tussle. The New Hamsphire Wildcats bested their Villanova counterparts 28-24 that day. Read more about the encounter.

Defensive end Brandin Jordan described Southern Illinois' season opening loss to Marshall as leaving "a bad taste in our mouths."

The senior, a starter on four consecutive postseason qualifiers, similarly laments the Salukis' 2007 semifinal loss to Delaware.

"That was a bad game," Jordan said. "We had a lot of miscues, a lot of penalties that cost us."

The Blue Hens won that one 20-17 in Carbondale behind Joe Flacco's two touchdown performance. It was a game that Jordan said SIU's 23 seniors use as motivation heading into the 2009 postseason, and Saturday's tilt with Eastern Illinois.

If the regular season is any indication, using a loss as motivation works for these Dogs.

That aforementioned 31-28 defeat against bowl-eligible Marshall occured Sept. 5. It was the last time SIU left the field on the losing end.

Ten wins later, SIU has the nation's second longest win streak, trailing only that of No. 1 overall seed Montana and its 11-gamer.

The streak was enough for SIU to seal its second consecutive Missouri Valley Conference title, fifth since 2003, and first outright since 2004.

"Winning the conference was Goal No. 1," Jordan said. "It's great for us...It's not the same when you have to share it."

The next goal, said running back Deji Karim, is for SIU to end its season knowing it gave all it had toward winning a national championship.

"I was watching from the sidelines," remembered Karim, a Walter Payton Award finalist and the nation's second-leading rusher. Karim began to establish himself as a danger out of the backfield upon his arrival from Northeast Oklahoma JC, but a knee injury that would sideline him throughout 2008 left him off the field against Delaware.

"Everybody learned from that experience and coming one game away [from the championship]," he said.

Karim, the latest in a string of standout Saluki ball carries said he has played all season with the same mentality.

"Every play could be your last," he said.

Karim has made the most of that outlook, racking up over 1,500 yards rushing and 16 touchdowns in 2009.

And Saturday in the do-or-die atmosphere of the postseason, it will truly be the case. It's a scenario SIU has had ample opportunity to get acquainted with this decade.

This season is the Salukis' seventh straight reaching the Playoffs. Only Montana has been more consistent.

But in the previous six appearances, SIU has fallen short of the national championship. The Salukis won their only title in 1983.

It's a drought the team seeks to end, beginning Saturday when it hosts Eastern Illinois.

"They've got a good offense that goes three-deep at running back," Jordan said of SIU's in-state foe. "You can't focus on any one player."



 

Five conference championships could be decided in crucial tilts tomorrow, rendering this Judgment Saturday.

No. 1 Richmond puts its unblemished record and 17-game win streak on the line against No. 4 Villanova in the Colonial Athletic Association.

"Our goal is to make them a one dimensional, passing offense," said UR defensive end Martin Parker. Parker has four sacks and 12.5 tackles for loss to help anchor a Spider defense ranked 11th nationally in points yielded (15.4).

Parker and his teammates will have a full plate as they try to a stop one of the nation's premiere rushing games.

Villanova's found success with a balanced attack, showing opposing defenses shotgun spread option and Wildcat sets. Tailback Aaron Ball, wide receiver Matt Szczur, and quarterback Chris Whitney combine for over 170 of the Wildcats' 223 rushing yards a game.

And according to Parker, those Villanova rushers have plenty of opportunities thanks to the team's work in the trenches.

Villanova QB Chris Whitney

"That's a very veteran offensive line -- very big, very well coached. That's the No. 1 key to their rushing game. If our defensive line can stop their offensive line, that's going to be a big key to us stopping their rushing game."

UR has a match in the Villanova defense, which has held opponents below 17 points per game. Included on the Wildcats' defensive resume is holding Temple freshman sensation Bernard Pierce to 44 yards, his second lowest output and stifling fifth ranked William & Mary to 17 points.

This pairing of Top 5 foes is the culmination of Richmond's Homecoming Week.

Follow it online via Gametracker, and streaming live through Richmond All-Access .

Defenses take center stage in the Missouri Valley when Southern Illinois travels to South Dakota State. The Salukis and Jackrabbits both boast perfect MVFC records, and top 10 ranked defenses.

And for SDSU, a program that joined Division I ranks in 2004, it's a showdown that linebacker Derek Domino called "the biggest in program history.

"This could put us on the map. Hopefully we can show we're here, and we're here to stay."

Southern Illinois ILB Brandin Jordan

"Stop the run, put pressure on the quarterback, cause some turnovers, try to force them to make mistakes," SIU senior linebacker Brandin Jordan said of the Salukis' gameplan vs. SDSU.

Through eight games the Salukis have hit those goals. SIU opponents are averaging just 14.1 points per game and forced into 19 turnovers. Jordan has done his share with 47 tackles and three sacks.

But if there's any defense that has equaled SIU, it's the Jackrabbits'. In fact, SDSU is tied with Elon for the stingiest scoring defense in the Championship Subdivision.

"We always go in with the mindset, 'they can't score, they can't win,'" said Domino.

Chief among the Jackrabbits' challenges against a potent SIU squad: stopping tailback Deji Karim, the MVFC leading rusher with 139 yards per game.

"[Karim]'s a great running back. He's having an All-America type season," Domino said. "When he gets out on the edge, there's no one in the country that can catch him.

"Hopefully we can just contain him -- not let him get out on the edge, keep him in the box with limited space to move," he said.

Follow the action via SDSU Live Stats.

Dayton quarterback Steve Valentino said tomorrow's Flyer match-up with Butler is "one of the games, if not the game, that's going to decide the [Pioneer] League championship."

UD claimed the 2008 crown, and is gunning for a second. But the visiting Bulldogs are unbeaten on the campaign and tomorrow are seeking a measure of retribution.

"It's an unbelievable chance to play a championship game in November," said Butler quarterback Andrew Huck.

The Bulldogs had a similar opportunity a season ago, but dropped a late season road contest to this same Dayton bunch.

In that vein, Huck said Butler has "focused on finishing all week in practice."

"Butler's always a tough game, and last year I'm sure they think they should have won it," Valentino said.

The 2008 game featured a Butler rally from a two-touchdown deficit. That gap was bridged with less than a minute remaining in regulation, forcing an overtime wherein Dayton persevered.

This time around the teams have new starters under center, but the implications remain the same. And as for Huck and Valentino, the two have registered almost identical numbers: 256.5 yards per game of total offense and 21 touchdowns for Huck; 255.6 total yards and 16 touchdowns for Valentino.

Similarly, the Bulldogs and Flyers boast lofty point differentials of plus-15.3 and plus-12.2 respectively.

According to Huck, that total could be higher for the undefeated Bulldogs.

Dayton QB Steve Valentino

"We've been able to get down in the red zone, but we haven't been able to get the points equivalent to the yards we're making," he said.

The ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities is vital for Butler against a UD defense giving up just 12 points per game.

"Our defense has carried us all year. We have one of the best defenses in the entire league," Valentino said.

Dayton has the game covered via Gametracker and All Access

The Keystone State is home to two key match-ups in the Patriot League. A week after pulling ahead of Colgate, Holy Cross travels to Lehigh with a chance to stay atop the conference. But fellow pace setter Lafayette takes on an 8-1 Colgate squad that just suffered its first loss.

HC quarterback Dominic Randolph has been among the nation's most prolific passers, but in Lehigh faces a passing defense that has ranked fifth in FCS. The cross-state contest features a similar angle, with Colgate's offense scoring just shy of 30 points per game but Lafayette yielding only 15.9 points.

Last but certainly not least in the Judgment Saturday lineup is a Northeast Conference bout featuring Central Connecticut State and Wagner, the league's two unbeaten leaders. CCSU has made a habit of winning nailbiters. Five of the Blue Devils' seven victories are by single digits, and the two most recent were by a field goal -- combined.

Wagner has won in similar heartstopping fashion, tallying three of its five conference wins by fewer than 10 points.

The formula could make for another classic as the two pursue an NEC title.

The special teams play of Eastern Illinois' Lorence Ricks was certainly special. He scored on an 87-yard punt return, forced a fumble on a Jacksonville State return and blocked a punt attempt in EIU's 28-20 win over JSU.

It was the Gamecocks' first Ohio Valley loss of 2009, and forced a tie atop the OVC. For his efforts, Ricks garnered conference Specialist of the Week honors.

While one league became deadlocked, another broke its tie at the top. Holy Cross jumped two touchdowns ahead of Colgate early in a battle of Patriot League unbeateans. All four of the Crusaders' first half scores were the result of quarterback Dominic Randolph.

South Dakota State maintained its perfect Missouri Valley mark and handed Northern Iowa its second consecutive loss. The Jackrabbits' stingy defense yielded just 14 points, almost 26 fewer than the Panthers' season average entering the game.

The Jackrabbits' win helps them keep pace with Southern Illinois, which employed its own brand of stifling defense in a 27-8 defeat of Youngstown State. The Salukis did not surrender a score until the final stanza.

While the Jackrabbits and Salukis jockeyed for MVFC positioning, conference mate Indiana State made its own noteworthy moves. The Sycamores topped Western Illinois 16-14 for the program's first win under head coach Trent Miles - and the first ISU win since October 2006.

William & Mary maintained pace in the Colonial Athletic Association with a 24-3 drubbing of James Madison. The Tribe attacked the Dukes primarily from the ground, registering 258 yards rushing on the day.

W&M trails league-leader Richmond, which easily handled UMass. 34-12. Villanova remains in a tie for second with W&M, though the Wildcats hold the tiebreaker thanks to their head-to-head victory Oct. 3. The Wildcats trounced Rhode Island 36-7.

Another team battling for playoff consideration and conference title aspirations, McNeese State, needed a dramatic fourth quarter comeback to battle past Southeastern Louisiana. The Southland Conference showdown was an instant classic that featured over 800 yards of combined, total offense.

MSU's Derrick Fourroux threw a five-yard touchdown pass to Richard Conner with 40 seconds left to put the Cowboys ahead. McNeese State needed two touchdowns and a defensively perfect fourth quarter to hand SELA its first Southland defeat.

More late game heroics were needed for Central Connecticut State. The Blue Devils topped Bryant on the road, 24-23, when James Mallory punched in a one-yard rush with 47 seconds to go. CCSU remains atop the Northeast Conference at 4-0 (6-1 overall). Newcomer Bryant is not eligible for postseason play due to transition rules. The Bulldogs have, however, been a threat in the NEC with two conference wins.

INDIVIDUAL STARS

Jeremy Moses, Stephen F. Austin Moses led a 42-3 Lumberjack rout of conference rival Sam Houston State with five touchdown passes and 372 yards through the air.

Dominic Randolph, Holy Cross The HC quarterback threw for 288 yards, rushed for another 116, and scored four touchdowns in the Crusaders' Patriot League win over Colgate.

Lorence Ricks, Eastern Illinois His forced fumble, blocked punt and punt return for a touchdown were integral in Eastern Illinois' road win over Jacksonville State.

Ryan Roberts, Indiana State Converted to quarterback this season as a measure to plug holes, Roberts answered his coach Miles' call with two critical touchdowns in the Sycamores' first win since October 2006: one a 91-yard rush, the other a four yarder in the fourth quarter.

Justin Rogers, Richmond Top ranked Richmond held UMass to 12 points in a Spider win, and doing his part was CAA Defensive Player of the Week Rogers. He had an interception and a recovered fumble in the decision.

Fireworks can, and probably will happen whenever LeRoy Vann takes a punt. The Florida A&M defensive back leads all of Div. I, either Championship or Bowl Subdivision in punts returned for a touchdown. In fact, his four are twice as many as his nearest competitors.

All four of Vann's end zone jaunts came in two games. Last month, the Rattler had consecutive outings with multiple returns for touchdowns including a 92-yarder. In those outings, both FAMU wins, he accumulated 182 and 117 special teams yards.

So what makes Vann so electric in special teams?

"I just look for my holes, but I don't look to cut," Vann explained. "I'm running full speed. I don't hesitate."

Vann said the moment he has the ball, he's scanning the field for creases in the defense. He credits his fellow Rattlers for widening those creases.

"My blockers have done a good job staying with their blocks. They've given me lanes to run through."

In addition to using the opportunities his teammates have given him, Vann said he's put forth extra hours to hone his game.

"You've got to stay longer after practice if that's what it takes, work hard on your craft."

On the defensive end, Vann has 53 tackles (eight for loss), two sacks and an interception. He said he carries over the same outlook from his play on that side of the ball to his punt returning.

"I'm a physical guy, so I really don't get intimidated by anybody."

When asked what player Vann would compare his return style to, he said: "Maurice Jones-Drew. He runs fearless, and I run fearless, so that would be the closest [comparison] to me."

Vann's game-changing special teams play could prove integral this week, as the Rattlers travel to South Carolina State in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference contest with huge ramifications.

Both FAMU and SCSU are unbeaten in the MEAC. Both are ranked in the top 25. Each has a 4-1 record with their lone, respective losses coming to ranked FBS foes. The winner of this one will have a decided edge in the conference title race.

MORE TO WATCH SATURDAY

Defending national champions and No. 1 Richmond takes its perfect record on the road to Colonial Athletic Association foe Maine. The Black Bears trail New Hampshire in the conference's North Division and are tied with Massachusetts. An upset of the Spiders would guarantee Maine either second place alone, or a share of first as UNH and UMass square off Saturday.

Fans can follow both Richmond vs. Maine and New Hampshire vs. Massachusetts . UMass is also offering a live broadcast via All Access .

Another showdown of ranked squads highlights the Missouri Valley Conference. When No. 2 Northern Iowa plays hosts to No.5 Southern Illinois it will mark the third consecutive week two top five teams have met (William & Mary at Villanova Oct. 3, Villanova at New Hampshire Oct. 10).

The SIU defense is allowing opponents just 17 points per game, but UNI quarterback Pat Grace (featured this week on NCAA.com) has helped the Panthers post a second-best nationally 41.8 points an outing. Follow the Salukis and Panthers on .