State college notebook: SoCon up for grabs

With two weeks left in the regular season, nothing has been decided in the Southern Conference.

Wofford, Elon and Georgia Southern enter Saturday’s games in a three-way tie for the SoCon lead at 4-2. Two-time defending I-AA national champion Appalachian State is a half-game back at 3-2.

Three other teams, The Citadel (3-3), Furman (2-3) and Chattanooga (2-4), haven’t been eliminated, leaving the possibility of a seven-way tie for the championship and the conference’s automatic playoff berth.

“It’s the best the league has ever been, top to bottom,” Wofford coach Mike Ayers said. “Every week is a tough week in the SoCon.”

There are several tiebreaker scenarios, the first being head-to-head competition. In the event of a multiple tie, the team with the best record against the other tied teams wins.

If a tie still remains, the playoff berth goes to the team with the best result against the highest place team not involved in the tie. That continues until the tie is broken.

Of the teams near the top, Georgia Southern and Elon are in the best positions. The Eagles, who host Furman on Saturday, have beaten Wofford and Appalachian State.

The Phoenix, who have wins over Wofford and Georgia Southern, wrap up SoCon play at The Citadel on Saturday.

Wofford will finish its regular season Saturday against Chattanooga, while Appalachian plays Western Carolina on Saturday and ends the season against Chattanooga next week.

Plenty to play for

Coastal coach David Bennett isn’t ready to throw in the towel.

Despite being assured of the school’s first losing record, the coach says there is plenty at stake as the Chanticleers (3-6) host Gardner-Webb in the home finale Saturday.

Coastal still has an outside shot of sharing its fourth straight Big South title. The Chants must beat the Bulldogs and hope Liberty loses one of its final two games.

The Flames play VMI on Saturday and are at Gardner-Webb next week.

“You want to go out on a good note, especially for the seniors,” Bennett said. “You want to leave this place on a high note.”

Dual threat

Gardner-Webb defensive end Brian Johnston is not a one-dimensional player.

The preseason Big South defensive player of the year, who is projected as a fifth-round NFL pick by draftdog.com, also has been used on offense by the Bulldogs.

Johnston has a touchdown catch, and the Bulldogs picked up first downs on all six plays in which he lined up at tight end.

Killian finished

Trent Killian’s playing career might be over.

The Coastal offensive lineman hurt his hip against VMI, and, according to Bennett, doctors have said his career with the Chants is over.

The sophomore started seven games this season at right tackle. Bennett said if Killian isn’t able to return, he will likely be a student assistant.

Good riddance

SoCon coaches will be glad to see Georgia Southern senior Jayson Foster leave.

The GSU quarterback turned in another stellar performance, rushing for 279 yards and three touchdowns, in a 38-35 win over Wofford last week. Foster also threw for 57 yards.

Foster had 311 total yards and six touchdowns in a win over Coastal Carolina on Sept. 15.

“I will be glad when this year is over, because Jayson won’t be in the Southern Conference,” Furman coach Bobby Lamb joked. “He is the best pound-for-pound player in any division of college football.”

Foster has 2,728 total yards this season and 24 touchdowns. The senior is getting consideration for the Walter Payton Award, given to the best player in I-AA.

“I’d vote for him right now,” Lamb said.

Lawson done

Citadel quarterback Duran Lawson has played his last game for the Bulldogs.

The former Conway star tore his meniscus Oct. 27 against Georgia Southern. The senior had surgery last week and Bulldogs coach Kevin Higgins said he will begin a one- to two-month rehabilitation process.