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Welcome Big South fans to the 2014 season. With the Big South media days in a few weeks, I thought I would (for I believe the 4th consecutive year) preview the conference position by position and instead of starting with a game by game prediction to start the season, I will save that for the final part during kickoff week. Let's kick things off with the signal callers.

Here is my thread from last year: viewtopic.php?f=4&t=35790&p=782259&hili ... 13#p782259" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Charleston Southern
Daniel Croghan III 85-150 1014 Yards 7 TD 4 INT
Kyle Copeland 13-35 150 Yards 3 TD 4 INT

DC3 (an homage to the nickname of the Heisman Trophy winning quarterback from Baylor now with the Washington Redskins) took the reins from 2012 starter Malcolm Dixon (who I believe also was dealing with injury much of the year...CSUBUCDAD can you verify that one for me?) and had a very solid season (despite missing the Colorado game). The interesting development at this position is the entrance of former UAB triggerman Austin Brown, who split the reps with Copeland during the spring game while DC3 was out due to injury. Will be interesting to see how he does when this becomes a three-way battle in August heading into the opener against Point University.

Coastal Carolina

Alex Ross 232-358 3093 Yards 26 TDs 9 INT (2013 Big South All-Conference First Team)
Michael Church 14-22 198 Yards 3 TD 0 INT

Ross had a major coming out party in 2013, earning first team laurels over fellow sophomore Josh Woodrum (who you will hear more about later), and leading the Chants to their first ever back to back playoff berths. Church filled in admirably for Ross for one game when he was out due to injury and gives CCU depth under center, allowing R-freshmen Tyler Keane and Tim Burns further opportunity to develop before taking the reins in a couple years.

Gardner-Webb
Lucas Beatty 229-377 2497 Yards 12 TDs 13 INT
Nat Dunlap 3-7 20 Yards 1 TD 2 INT

Beatty actually regressed a bit from 2012 after exploding onto the scene with a 400+ yard performance in the loss to Liberty in Lynchburg. If he can stay healthy he certainly can be in that all-conference discussion with Ross and Woodrum. Dunlap was mostly a garbage time QB when Chandler Browning converted back to QB after spending some time on the defense. With him gone, he will be battling with Chase Arrington for the #2 spot behind LB.

Liberty

Josh Woodrum 198-308 2581 Yards 19 TDs 7 INT (2013 Big South All-Conference Second Team)
Javan Shashaty 15-17 208 Yards 1 TD 2 INT

Playing his first full season as "the man" in Lynchburg, Woodrum did not disappoint, boosting his numbers by about 600 yards from 2012 and cementing his place as one of the top QBs in the Big South. Shashaty performed well mostly in garbage time, but did not really separate himself heading into spring practice 2014, where R-Freshman Stephon Masha impressed with his playmaking ability. Look for the battle to rage even further when the Flames return to the mountain at the end of July.

Monmouth

Brandon Hill 181-323 2356 Yards 19 TDs 11 INT
Greg DePugh 11-22 133 Yards 1 TD 1 INT

As we welcome the Hawks into the Big South for 2014, they are led by the UMass transfer in Hill, who played very well in 2013, passing for a total which would have been good for fourth in the conference behind the already mentioned Ross, Beatty and Woodrum. DePugh did not attempt his first passes until last season, and I list him as the backup only for that reason. It should be a wide open battle between him, junior Ben Onett and the two true freshmen, Christian Runza and Cody Williams.

Presbyterian

Heys McMath 85-149 1142 yards 10 TDs 5 INT
Kaleb Griffin 71-100 635 Yards 2 TDs 4 INT

McMath, a true freshman in 2013, took the reins of the Blue Hose against now former conference foe VMI (who will officially re-join the Southern Conference on Tuesday) and started the final 6 games. Griffin, who became the starter versus Brevard before giving way to McMath, had a solid campaign and will probably be the primary backup in 2014.

Team Rankings

1. Coastal Carolina
2. Liberty
3. Gardner-Webb
4. Charleston Southern
5. Monmouth
6. Presbyterian

Individual Rankings

1. Alex Ross, CCU
2. Josh Woodrum, LU
3. Lucas Beatty GWU
4. Brandon Hill, MU
5. Daniel Croghan III, CSU
6. Heys McMath, PC
7. Michael Church CCU
8. Kaleb Griffin, PC
9. Javan Shashaty, LU
10. Kyle Copeland, CSU

Ross is a beast. I still have the CCU/Montana game on TiVo, and I watch it whenever I need a good cry.

AZGrizFan wrote:Ross is a beast. I still have the CCU/Montana game on TiVo, and I watch it whenever I need a good cry.

I just stick my head in the freezer and bang it against the sides if I feel like reliving that one.

AZGrizFan wrote:Ross is a beast. I still have the CCU/Montana game on TiVo, and I watch it whenever I need a good cry.

Croghan, for CSU, is an accurate QB. He did pretty well when the pocket collapse and he had to run. He was very consistent in finding and connecting with a receiver. I wouldn't be surprised the Croghan/Reyes team run up an impressive number of wins again this season.

I will say this, teams are going to be covering Reyes much more this year. Now that they understand how dangerous he is.

Yep, Malcom suffered a season ending ACL injury against ASU last year.

I think CSU and GWU are going to be the biggest QB battles going into fall camp. Liberty and CCU at the backup position will be interesting as well

Ibanez wrote:I will say this, teams are going to be covering Reyes much more this year. Now that they understand how dangerous he is.

You are correct. I fully expect teams to scheme against Reyes much more. However, I am sure Coach Chadwell knows that also. I believe that is why Coach Chadwell brought in Austin Brown (UAB Transfer). He is proven on a bigger stage than the Big South and FCS and has a bit more experience and ability in throwing the ball.

DC3 had offseason shoulder surgery and was unable to practice and get reps in with the team. Nobody knows what he will be like until fall camp.

Going into fall camp, I believe the depth chart will be:

1. Austin Brown
2. Kyle Copeland
3. DC3

Brown and Copeland offer an excellent change of pace combination. Brown running an aerial assault offense and Copeland running an option offense like you saw from CSU much of last year.

Early in the season, I expect teams to load the box to try to shut down Reyes and the run. If CSU can prove early that they can get the ball down the field in the air, it will open things up for Reyes.

It definitely has the chance to be a dynamic offense with the QBs, RBs Reyes and Holloway, and WRs like Glears, Korn, Sumpter, LJ3, and the return of a healthy Perera (played only 3 games in 2012 and Redshirted 2013 - All Conference First Team WR in 2011).

I really think that if teams are loading up the box against Reyes, it will probably underscore the importance of the O-Line. you cant have repeats of the Gardner-Webb game

Needless to say, everyone at CCU is chomping at the bit to see how well Alex does this year.

I think it will be an upset if it's anyone other than Woodrum or Ross for all-conference at the end of the year

Agreed. A whole lot could be riding on the final game of the year - awards, championships, post season berths/seedings etc.

bodoyle wrote:Agreed. A whole lot could be riding on the final game of the year - awards, championships, post season berths/seedings etc.