Welcome back Flames Nation!
This is your weekly look around the Big South.

Here are the updated power rankings:
Note last week’s ranking in (parenthesis).

  1. (1) Coastal Carolina 6-0, 1-0 *Nationally ranked #1

Last week: BYE

The Chanticleers had the week off and look to continue their undefeated season this Saturday in New Jersey.

Next up: @ Monmouth, 1:00pm

  1. (2) Charleston Southern 5-1, 2-0 *Nationally ranked #20

Last week: CSU 10 Presbyterian 7

Thanks to an impressive defensive performance from Presbyterian, Charleston Southern had trouble picking up much yardage through the air. Luckily the ground game took hold has the Buccaneers had five people rush for double digits, including Darius Hammond who had 70 yards and the game-winning touchdown. CSU’s defense also played a great game, forcing two turnovers and limiting the Blue Hose to 142 yards.

Next up: @ Gardner-Webb, 1:30pm

  1. (7) Kennesaw State 5-1, 1-0

Last week: Gardner-Webb 7 Kennesaw State 12

Kennesaw picked up their first ever conference win against Gardner-Webb on Saturday. The MVP of the game? Justin Thompson. All 12 of the Kennesaw’s points came from the kicker’s leg. Though they picked up 353 yards of offense and held the ball for almost 39 minutes, they were unable to punch it in. The Owls defense kept the Bulldogs in check for the majority of the game, keeping them scoreless until 5 minutes showed in the 4th quarter and limiting them to 200 yards.

Next up: @ Liberty, 7:00pm

  1. (4) Gardner-Webb 2-4, 0-2

Last week: Gardner-Webb 7 Kennesaw State 12

After an emotional win over #15 Liberty, the Runnin’ Bulldogs were unable to use that momentum against Big South newbie Kennesaw State. The defense did their job in keeping the Owl’s impressive spread attack out of the endzone, making them kick four field goals, but that would be all they needed. Gardner-Webb’s offense had little life until the 4th quarter, which wasn’t enough to lift them over the 12 points Kennesaw had. The Bulldogs collected 40 total yards in the first half.

Next up: Vs. CSU, 1:30pm

  1. (6) Monmouth 3-4, 1-1

Last week: OT Liberty 17 Monmouth 20

What a win for Monmouth! This was their first ever victory over a FCS ranked opponent and against a conference rival none-the-less.  Liberty came to town ranked #22 and left with a loss as the Hawks rushed for 102 yards with 2 touchdowns. All it took was 297 yards and overtime for Monmouth to get the victory.

Next up: Vs. Coastal, 1:00pm

  1. (3) Liberty 3-4, 0-2

Last week: OT Liberty 17 Monmouth 20

The Flames were unable to piece together a win against Monmouth on Saturday. Stalled drives and two turnovers kept the LU off the board until the 4th quarter, in which they scored all 17 of their points. The rushing game was absent as they only picked up 66 yards. Darrin Peterson did have an impressive game though, picking up 120 yards and becoming both the Big South’s and Liberty’s all-time career leader in receiving yards. It’s interesting to note that Liberty is 0-8 every time Josh Woodrum throws over 40 passes. He was 34 of 53 for 336 yards on the day.

Next up: Vs. Kennesaw State, 7:00pm

  1. (5) Presbyterian 1-6, 0-2

Last week: CSU 10 Presbyterian 7

Presbyterian continues to keep it close with the top teams in the Big South, but unfortunately they can’t quite get the win. After it coming down to the last drive against Coastal last week, a similar scene was found against Charleston Southern this week. Both defenses worked hard on Saturday, but Charleston Southern’s field goal in the 1st quarter made all the difference. The Blue Hose took the lead late in the 1st half and had it until a run by Darius Hammond solidified the win for CSU. Presbyterian had 142 total yards: 55 through the air and 87 on the ground.

Next up: BYE