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Thursday, September 5, 2013
SPOTLIGHT
FLORIDA AT MIAMI Noon Saturday | ESPN
The Hurricanes and Gators square off for the first time since 2008, with no future meetings scheduled.
The No. 12 Gators are coming off a 24-6 win over Toledo.
“They’re big, physical up front,” UM coach Al Golden said. “It’s a very talented defense and they play a lot of guys. It’s a great challenge for our offense.”
Miami was just 4 of 14 on third down in last week’s win over Florida Atlantic. Stephen Morris completed only 15 of his 27 passes.
“We’ll throw and catch the ball better,” Golden said.
WAKE FOREST AT BOSTON COLLEGE
8 p.m. Friday | ESPN2
Boston College trailed FCS foe Villanova 14-7 at halftime before winning 24-14.
“We would like to start the game [Friday] at a much higher level of execution on both sides of the ball,” BC coach Steve Addazio said.
Wake WR Michael Campanaro will play Friday after being held out of last week’s win over Presbyterian with a sore hamstring.
SYRACUSE AT NORTHWESTERN
6 p.m. Saturday | Big Ten Network
Syracuse faces its second straight Big Ten foe after losing to Penn State 23-17.
The No. 19 Wildcats won 44-30 at California last week.
“They do a great job with the spread offense creating a quick tempo,” Syracuse coach Scott Shafer said. “The thing that makes them most perplexing in preparing for them is they have two different styles of quarterbacks that they can play.”
RICHMOND AT N.C. STATE 6 p.m. Saturday | ESPN3.com
Colorado State transfer Pete Thomas will start at QB for the Wolfpack because Brandon Mitchell suffered a broken foot in last week’s win over Louisiana Tech. Thomas threw for 212 yards after replacing Mitchell.
“We may have to be a little more creative with how we do some of our run game without a mobile quarterback,” coach Dave Doeren said.
OLD DOMINION AT MARYLAND 4 p.m. Saturday | ESPNEWS
The Terrapins held Florida International to 80 yards passing in last week’s win. But Old Dominion’s Taylor Heinicke threw for 338 yards and three TDs in a 52-38 loss at East Carolina last week.
“It’s going to be a tremendous challenge,” Maryland coach Randy Edsall said of facing Heinicke.
SOUTH CAROLINA STATE AT CLEMSON 12:30 p.m. Saturday | CSN
The No. 4 Tigers ran 76 offensive plays in last weekend’s win over Georgia. Coach Dabo Swinney would like to have even more this week against FCS member South Carolina State (0-1).
“We had two three-and-outs and we had several dropped balls,” Swinney said. “We just need to clean up some execution a little bit and make sure that we’re continuing to play at the pace we want.”
MIDDLE TENNESSEE AT NORTH CAROLINA
12:30 p.m. Saturday | CW5
Tar Heels coach Larry Fedora hopes his team tackles better against Conference USA newcomer Middle Tennessee (1-0) than it did in last week’s loss at South Carolina.
DUKE AT MEMPHIS 4:30 p.m. Sat. | ESPN3.com
This is the opener for American Athletic Conference member Memphis, which lost to Duke (1-0) last year.
GLENVILLE STATE AT VMI 1:30 p.m. Saturday
After getting shut out at Richmond, VMI looks to bounce back against an NCAA Division II foe.
Coach Sparky Woods wants his team to execute its blocking and tackling techniques better than it did last week.
“Richmond has a really outstanding team, and usually when you play a really good team, they do expose your deficiencies,” he said. “We’re trying to see that as a favor almost from Richmond and use it to motivate ourselves.”
This is the opener for Glenville State, which went 6-5 last fall. QB Justin Feagin was kicked off Michigan’s team in 2009.
FERRUM AT EMORY & HENRY 1 p.m. Saturday
The Wasps have beaten Ferrum the past six years.
Ferrum must replace nine defensive starters from last year’s team, including All-USA South linebacker Jatavious Adams, who did not return to school.
Coach Dave Harper said three to five defensive starters could miss the opener because of injuries.
FRANKLIN & MARSHALL AT W&L 1 p.m. Saturday
The option-oriented Generals open against Franklin & Marshall, which beat W&L 35-28 last year on a touchdown with 15 seconds left.
“It’s one thing to have a week to prepare for an option scheme like ours. It’s another thing to have three or four weeks,” W&L coach Scott Abell said. “We’ve got to dictate tempo.”
The Diplomats return eight offensive starters from a seven-win team.
“They’re very explosive,” Abell said.
METHODIST AT SOUTHERN VIRGINIA 1 p.m. Saturday
The Knights open against USA South member Methodist, which went 5-5 last fall.
“Maybe the best team on our schedule,” SVU coach DeLane Fitzgerald said. “Their front seven are as good as anybody in Division III football. If we win this one on Saturday, you better look out because we might win them all.”