Improving SoCon defenses contributing to parity

A botched extra point at Furman, a busted coverage at The Citadel, a midfield fumble at Wofford.

Those were some of the plays that marked the narrow divide between victory and defeat in the Southern Conference last week.

Three league games were decided by an average margin of five points, and Elon's 19-12 win over Furman was really a one-point game (Elon, up 13-12, recovered a fumble in the end zone on the game's final play as the Paladins tried to lateral the ball).

Appalachian State needed overtime for a 30-27 win at The Citadel, and Wofford's 26-21 loss to Georgia Southern was not decided until the Terriers lost a fumble with 70 seconds left. Even Samford's 16-3 win over Western Carolina was no blowout.

"If what happened last weekend is any indication, we have a very balanced league," Furman coach Bobby Lamb said. "A lot of games are going to go right down to the wire."

One reason for parity in the SoCon is the rise of defense throughout the league. It's early yet, but it looks like defenses are catching up with the spread and spread-option offenses prevalent in the SoCon.

As recently as 2007, six SoCon teams averaged at least 31.6 points per game, and six averaged more than 407 yards per game. Last season, three teams scored more than 31.8 points per game, and two gained more than 400 yards per contest.

This season, only one team (App State) is scoring more than 30 points per game, and only Elon (at 459.6) is averaging better than 400 yards per game.

Elon coach Pete Lembo, whose squad features record-setters in quarterback Scott Riddle and receiver Terrell Hudgins, says more teams are playing it safe on defense.

"Everything keeps evolving," he said. "But I think some of the defenses in the league are less pressure- oriented and slightly more conservative. They are keeping everything in front of them, and that results in less big plays. And there's a lot of very good defensive personnel in this league."

A case in point was Elon's game with Furman. Lamb said the Paladins blitzed just one time in 74 plays. Riddle passed for 374 yards and Hudgins caught 16 balls for 209 yards, but Elon managed just one TD and two field goals on offense.

"We're a zone blitz team," Lamb said. "But the game plan against Elon did not call for it. I don't know how you can blitz those guys."

The Citadel's approach to App State QB Armanti Edwards was much the same. Edwards patiently hit 22 of 29 passes for 327 yards, but the Bulldogs rushed only four and held App State to 20 points through 55 minutes, until they busted a coverage on a 74-yard TD pass with 4:28 left that forced overtime.

"Everybody has put in some form of the spread," Lamb said. "And the more you play against it, the better you get at it. The defenses are catching up a little bit."

Whatever happened to?

--Terry Bowden? He's coaching at North Alabama, which is 6-0 heading into this week's game with 1-5 North Greenville. The Lions, located in Florence, Ala., play in the Gulf South Conference and are ranked No. 3 in Division II.

--Sparky Woods? The former USC coach is in his second season at VMI, which is 1-3 overall and 0-1 in the Big South and headed to Coastal Carolina (2-2, 0-0) this week.

--S.J. Worrell? The former Presybterian running back now plays for Newberry (that would have been unthinkable at one time), and ran for 237 yards and two TDs in last week's 40-21 win over Catawba. The 5-11, 225-pound senior led PC in rushing three straight years before transferring down I-26.

Team (Record) This Week Comment

1. S.C. State (3-1) at Norfolk St. Spartans usually play Bulldogs close

2. Furman (3-2) open date Loss to Elon was "gut-wrenching"

3. The Citadel (2-2) at Elon No App State hangover, Bulldogs vow

4. Coastal Carolina (2-2) VMI Sparky Woods comes to Conway

5. Newberry (3-2) Mars Hill S.J. Worrell SAC player of week

6. Wofford (1-4) open Terriers could use a week off

7. Charleston So. (2-3) open Bucs regroup before Big South slate

8. Presbyterian (0-5) at ODU ODU's first season since 1940

9. Benedict (3-3) Lane Lane is 0-5 this season

10. N. Greenville (1-5) at N. Alabama UNA coached by Terry Bowden

Reach Jeff Hartsell at jhartsell@postandcourier.com.