The FCS season is quick approaching, so we’re going inside every convention race. With Nicholls and UIW main the way in which, right here’s our 2024 Southland soccer preview.
It’s vital to have an skilled quarterback within the 2024 Southland Convention season.
The highest-returning groups from final yr’s title race have simply that, together with defending champion Nicholls with Pat McQuaide.
There’s a wild card this yr with the return of Stephen F. Austin, which had a wealthy historical past within the Southland earlier than it left the convention for 3 seasons. The Lumberjacks have raised the convention to 9 soccer applications, however this season, the groups will play solely a seven-game Southland schedule, lacking one convention opponent every.
2024 Southland Soccer Preview
Predicted Order of End
*-FCS Playoff Qualifier
1. *UIW (2023 Document: 8-2 6-1; No. 14 nationwide preseason rating) – No FCS crew that fell wanting the postseason final yr had the next ultimate rating than the No. 22 Cardinals. Whereas their program is thought for quarterbacks – they return Southland passing chief Zach Calzada and proficient No. 2 Richard Torres – the protection that was top-ranked within the convention is especially skilled, led by linebacker Tylan Foster (team-high 82 tackles) and defensive backs Mason Chambers and Ronald Wilson.
2. Nicholls (6-5, 7-0; No. 23 nationwide preseason rating) – The Colonels are stacked for a title protection regardless of enjoying 5 of their first six video games on the highway. Collin Guggenheim and Jaylon Spears ranked first and third, respectively, within the convention in dashing and mixed on 20 touchdowns. They boast six of the 12 defensive gamers on the Southland preseason first crew: linemen Rasheed Lovelace, Kershawn Fisher and Joe Mason; linebacker Hayden Shaheen; and defensive backs Tyler Morton and Kendarius Smith.
3. Lamar (6-5, 5-2) – In his first season, coach Pete Rossomando lifted the Cardinals from a 1-10 mark in 2022 to 6-5 – a .454 achieve in profitable proportion that was fourth-best within the FCS. The offense returns 10 starters, with QB Robert Coleman working behind a veteran offensive line and set to get the ball to main rusher Khalan Griffin (823 yards, 5 TDs) and main receiver Andre Dennis. The Playing cards open November towards the three groups picked forward of them within the Southland ballot.
4. Southeastern Louisiana (3-8, 3-4) – The Lions have been picked atop the convention’s 2023 preseason ballot, however misplaced their first six video games. Quarterback Eli Sawyer seeks a bounce-back season, and that bid is helped by the return of extensive receiver Darius Lewis, who’s three catches shy of 100 in a profession that started at Abilene Christian. Like Sawyer, linebacker Donte’ Daniels hopes for his 2022 stage of play (87 tackles).
5. Stephen F. Austin (3-8, 0-6 UAC) – After three seasons as a Western Athletic Convention member, SFA is again within the Southland, the place it spent the earlier 34 years, amassing 4 convention titles. Broad receiver Kylon Harris (61 receptions, 694 yards, eight TDs) and cornerback Jeremiah Walker (58 tackles) have been named to the convention’s preseason second crew. Which means defensive deal with Edward Bobino III was ignored, which is difficult to do contemplating his 6-foot-2, 340-pound dimension.
6. McNeese (0-10, 1-6) – McNeese’s tradition-rich program isn’t accustomed to a 4-7 season in 2022, not to mention going winless (a forfeit over Northwestern State counted within the Southland standings) in coach Gary Goff’s second season. He’s introduced within the well-traveled Clifton McDowell, the beginning quarterback on Montana’s 2023 FCS runner-up squad, who will get the ball to main rushers D’Angelo Durham and Joshon Barbie. All-America linebacker Micah Davey has 10 or extra tackles in his final 12 video games.
7. HCU (5-5, 4-3) – Jason Bachtel was elevated from offensive coordinator to go coach after Braxton Harris departed after one season for Campbell. A full season of well being for operating again/kick returner Champ Dozier (450 all-purpose yards in 4 video games) will go a great distance. The protection misplaced mainstays Jalyx Hunt and Rodney Dansby, however defensive deal with Zae Smith is productive.
8. Texas A&M-Commerce (1-9, 2-5) – The Lions took a step backward after debuting on the FCS stage with a 5-6 report (3-3 Southland) in 2022, however QB Eric Rodriguez performed in just one recreation on account of damage. They’re robust within the secondary with security Max Epps, who opened final season with 4 interceptions within the first three video games, and cornerback Jaden Rios.
9. Northwestern State (0-6, 0-7) – The Demons want a contemporary begin following their 2023 marketing campaign, which was canceled after six video games following the taking pictures dying of security Ronnie Caldwell. New coach Blaine McCorkle went 31-25 in six seasons guiding Division III Belhaven. The lineup will look fairly completely different from a yr in the past, though linebacker Cadillac Rhone gives a veteran presence.
How the Convention Predicted the Race
5 Gamers to Know
Zach Calzada, QB, UIW (Walter Payton Award preseason nominee) – The FBS drop-down switch made a splash because the Southland chief in passing yards per recreation (288.7), TD passes (19) and whole offensive yards per recreation (295.0).
Micah Davey, LB, McNeese (Buck Buchanan Award preseason nominee) – Whereas enjoying solely 10 video games final season. Davey led the FCS with 153 tackles. He racked up 20 and 21 tackles in his ultimate two video games.
Tyler Morton, S, Nicholls (Buck Buchanan Award preseason nominee) – The Southland champ collected 24 turnovers, and Morton was answerable for 5 of them (4 interceptions, one pressured fumble).
Jaylon Spears, RB Nicholls (Walter Payton Award preseason nominee) – Whereas being named Southland participant of the yr, Spears led the convention with 119.5 all-purpose yards per recreation on carries, receptions and kickoff returns.
Caleb Williams, DL, Lamar – The Cardinals shaved over 14 factors per recreation defensively as Williams racked up 58 tackles within the defensive entrance.
5 Should-See Matchups
1. Nicholls at UIW (Oct. 12) – The defending champs are dealing with UIW on the highway for the second consecutive season. In final yr’s showdown, the Colonels fell behind 10-0 after one quarter, then scored 45 of the subsequent 54 factors in a 45-32 win.
2. UIW at South Dakota State (Sept. 7)
3. Southeastern Louisiana at Nicholls (Nov. 21)
4. Stephen F. Austin at McNeese (Sept. 14)
5. Nicholls at Lamar (Nov. 16)
Quick Truth
Frisco, Texas, is the most-frequent host metropolis of the FCS championship recreation, with the Southland serving because the host convention. The season will wrap up for the fifteenth time at Toyota Stadium on Jan. 6 with a first-ever Monday night time title recreation.
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