Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - In Week 4 of the 2012 FCS season, plenty
of teams, ranked or unranked, faced their toughest tests. While some passed
with flying colors, others found out they are most likely pretenders, not
contenders.
The stakes got higher as conference play kicked off around the FCS and six
teams ranked in the FCS Top 25 improved to 4-0.
Sam Houston State and Northern Iowa find themselves with 1-2, and 1-3 records,
respectively. But perhaps the biggest surprise is that each team has yet to
record a victory over Division I opponent.
Both teams have seven remaining contests versus FCS foes, and while the NCAA
playoff committee doesn't specify that a team must record at least seven
Division I wins, usually that is one of the key requirements to earn a spot in
postseason play.
Northern Arizona defeated Montana for the first time since 1997, snapping a
14-game losing streak and the program's first win in Missoula since 1986.
The FCS's longest active losing streaks ended this week with Charleston
Southern and Nicholls picking up wins, but the victories came in the hands of
Division II and NAIA schools, respectively. Currently, Savannah State has the
FCS' longest losing streak at 10 games.
Idaho State lost, 73-7, at Nebraska and the Bengals have now dropped 34
straight road games.
Lehigh captured its 13th straight regular-season victory dating back to last
season as the Mountain Hawks defeated Liberty, 28-26. They are 4-0 for the
first time since 2001.
Likewise, Youngstown State is 4-0 for the first time since 2000.
If we learned anything from Week 4, it's that any win - no matter how pretty,
ugly, revealing or satisfying - is another stepping-stone for the road to
Frisco, Texas.
Although every game on the schedule is the most important game, in conference
play across the FCS, anything can happen. For all the promise in its teams,
some things can never be ignored.
Whether it be scores, statistics or standout performances, the numbers never
lie.
Here are some important figures from Week 4 of the 2012 FCS season that should
not be overlooked:
Northern Arizona snapped a 14-game losing streak versus Montana to defeat the
No. 14-ranked Grizzlies, 41-31. The Lumberjacks also spoiled UM's 19-game
homecoming win streak which dated back to 1992. Junior running back Zach
Bauman rushed for a career-high 253 yards and had three touchdowns.
A total of 24 teams ranked in the FCS Top 25 were in action. Out of those
teams, 11 came away with victories versus unranked foes, while No. 10 The
Citadel, No. 14 Montana, No. 19 McNeese State, No. 22 Indiana State and No. 23
Maine lost to opponents which were not ranked.
Six teams in the FCS Top 25 have a record of 4-0. They are No. 2 Montana
State, No. 4 Youngstown State, No. 5 Old Dominion, No. 12 Delaware, No. 15
Illinois State and No. 16 Lehigh. Alabama A&M, Samford and Tennessee State are
4-0, but have yet to be ranked in the Top 25.
In Old Dominion and New Hampshire's historic statistical contest - in which
the Monarchs won, 64-61 - both quarterbacks combined for 78 completions on 117
attempts, 1,066 yards and 10 touchdowns passing. ODU sophomore quarterback
Taylor Heinicke threw for a Division I record 730 yards and added 61 rushing
yards and one touchdown.
Last year's national runner-up, Sam Houston State lost in its Southland
Conference opener versus Central Arkansas, 24-20. The Bearkats (1-2) have yet
to register an FCS win (having only defeated Division II Incarnate Word) and
only have seven games remaining versus FCS opponents because its last game of
the season is against FBS Texas A&M.
Eastern Illinois wide receiver Erik Lora caught a school and Ohio Valley
Conference record 21 passes for a school-record 269 yards with three
touchdowns. On top of his standout performance, the junior's biggest play of
the night came on a a two-point conversion pass to fellow receiver Von Wise,
in overtime as EIU defeated Murray State, 50-49.
Six running backs rushed for over 200 yards in Week 4. They were Northern
Arizona's Zach Bauman (253 yards), Fordham's Carlton Koonce (250 yards), South
Dakota State's Zach Zenner (237 yards), Eastern Kentucky's Matt Denham (218
yards), Butler's Trae Heeter (204 yards) and New Hampshire's Nico Steriti (201
yards).
Davidson linebacker Patrick Moynahan totaled 22 tackles in a 34-21 loss versus
Marist. The senior set a school record, and his 22 tackles were the highest
single-game amount in the 2012 season. He also added two tackles for loss, one
sack and one pass breakup.
Murray State place-kicker Jordan Benton was a perfect 5-of-5 on field goal
attempts in his team's 50-49 overtime loss against Eastern Illinois. The
sophomore made boots of 39, 30, 35, 35 and 21 yards in the loss, and he had 10
kickoffs.
Two teams, Nicholls and Charleston Southern, ended 12- and 15-game losing
streaks (the FCS' two longest active losing streaks) in Week 4. Charleston
Southern won at Division II Shorter, 23-20, while Nicholls took down NAIA
Evangel, 73-14.
The Sports Network