Sun Belt Championship: Louisiana at Appalachian State

Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns (10-2) vs #25 Appalachian State Mountaineers (11-1)

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The second edition of the Sun Belt Championship Game is set to kick off on December 7 at 11 a.m. CST and will air on either ESPN or ESPN2. 

The title game matches the conference’s East and West Division Champions and will be played at the site of the divisional winner with the best conference record.

The two teams met during the regular season in Lafayette. Louisiana’s defense held a high-powered Appalachian State offense to a season-low 17 points, but their valiant effort was not enough as the Ragin’ Cajuns fell to the Mountaineers, 17-7, at Cajun Field on October 9.

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LOUISIANA RAGIN’ CAJUNS | WEST DIVISION CHAMPIONS

Coach: Billy Napier

Louisiana Players to watch:

Senior RT Robert Hunt (6-5/316) & Senior OG Kevin Dotson (6-4/325)

RT Robert Hunt (50) and RG Kevin Dotson (75) leads a strong offensive line that is up for the Joe Moore Award.

Louisiana’s offensive line, pivotal in creating one of the most dominant rushing attacks in the nation this season, has been named to the Joe Moore Award Midseason Honor Roll, the national organization announced on October 22.

With the help of Robert Hunt and Kevin Dotson’s stellar blocking, Louisiana’s running back trio of Raymond Calais, Elijah Mitchell and Trey Ragas have been virtually unstoppable, rushing for 2,193 of the team’s 2,797 total yards and accounting for 28 of the team’s rushing scores.

According to the voting committee, “Louisiana may be the most physical G5 school unit we have seen on film. They come off the ball and combo block and double team with bad intentions. They seek and destroy when getting out in space on screens and they show that #PassProIsNotPassive! Louisiana has been a pleasant surprise and I predict they will have a couple of guys drafted from their unit next spring.”

*Junior RB Elijah Mitchell (5-11/221)

Mitchell was named second team All-Conference last year, finishing with 1,334 total yards from scrimmage and 16 touchdowns. He wrapped up his junior season with 1,007 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns. Mitchell has been the bell-cow this year, getting 60 more carries than Ragas.

Junior Trey Regas was the team’s top rusher in ’17; and again in ’18, when he was named third team All-Conference, finishing with 1,410 total yards and ten touchdowns.

Raymond Calais, a senior from Breaux Bridge, is the third part of Louisiana’s triple threat. Calais is the speed guy. He was named Sun Belt offensive player of the week (Oct 17) after an incredible showing in front of a national audience, Calais racked up 144 total yards on eight carries and found the endzone twice.

Senior WR Ja’Marcus Bradley (6-1/195)

Earlier in the season, Bradley was the second-highest graded wide receiver in college football with a grade of 88.6 right behind LSU wide receiver Justin Jefferson.

A native of Ackerman, Mississippi, Bradley has compiled 136 receptions for 1,963 yards and 18 touchdowns during his career at UL. In 2018, he tied the Cajuns’ single season record for TD catches (10) and led the team with 608 yards. Bradley has caught 36 passes for 510 yards and five touchdowns this season.

Louisiana Head Football Coach Billy Napier spoke about Bradley at the beginning of the season, saying, “He’s a tremendous practice player and he’s a very consistent guy. I mean you know what you’re getting out of him every day.”

Senior CB Michael Jacquet (6-2/195)

Jacquet has turned into a dominant defensive force for Louisiana in this recent season. He is fourth on the team with 30 tackles, recording two interceptions in the season against Liberty and Texas State and adding four interceptions to his career total. Jacquet also recorded his first career sack and forced fumble against Mississippi State, with three pass breakups against Liberty, Ohio and Arkansas State. A former wide receiver, Jacquet possesses good size, length, and fluidity to be an intriguing prospect at the next level.

**Sophomore NG Zi’yon Hill (6-2/286)

Hill has 19 solo tackles coming from his nose guard position, along with 21 assists. Hill played 10 games as a redshirt freshman, already proving to be one of the better defensive lineman in the conference recording 47 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and one sack.

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APPALACHIAN STATE MOUNTAINEERS | EAST DIVISION CHAMPIONS

Coach: Eliah Drinkwitz

Appalachian State Players to watch

*Junior RB Darrynton Evans (5-11/191)

Darrynton has over 4,000 all-purpose yards in his career.

By Week 10, Evans surpassed a special milestone. He registered his second straight season of 1,000 yards or more. The junior currently sits at 1,250 yards in 2019 with 16 touchdown runs. “I would say the offensive line was more excited than I was once I got to the sidelines but that’s a major accomplishment,” Evans said. “Something you set at the beginning of the year, a solo goal, but it’s really a team effort.”

Senior LT Victor Johnson (6-5/296)

Appalachian State was also name to the Joe Moore Midseason Honor Roll in 2019. Their front five have made a combined 123 starts in their careers. Redshirt senior Victor Johnson leads the way with 43 starts in 44 career games, and center Noah Hannon has started all 32 games since he enrolled at App State.

The committee had high praise for App State’s line, saying, “This is a ‘must-watch’ unit. They consistently display many of the award criteria that we look for, with their technique, physicality and effort being the pillars of their success. Their O-line is a huge reason why Appalachian State is undefeated.” (App State has since been defeated by Georgia Southern on Oct 31, 24-21.)

Senior ILB Jordan Fehr (6-3/226)

Fehr is not only an outstanding football player, but he is also a semifinalists for the 2019 William V. Campbell Trophy which recognizes the best football scholar-athlete in the nation for his combined academic success, football performance and exemplary leadership.

Fehr has a 3.77 GPA as a management major who repeats as an Academic All-District selection. The reigning first-team All-Sun Belt linebacker has 69 tackles to rank second on an 8-1 team that’s in the top 25 of both the College Football Playoff rankings and Amway Coaches Poll.

Senior ILB Akeem Davis-Gaither (6-2/208)

The son of Western Michigan assistant and former Elon standout Keith Gaither. Davis-Gaither has thrived in his final season for a Top 25 team, posting 74 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and six PBUs to go along with his second-half interception and game-ending block of a field goal in the 34-31 win at North Carolina. He also led the Mountaineers’ defense in total tackles last year.

*Junior DE Demetrius Taylor (6-1/260)

Taylor arrived at Appalachian State in 2017 and has appeared in 25 of the 26 games the Mountaineers have played since he joined the program. Defensive Line Coach Anwar Stewart says, “Taylor has the strength to blow up blockers.” And that he “sees in Taylor a player who could be incredibly difficult to stop” if he were to add the complementary finesse moves that will help him take advantage of his speed.

In the last meeting against Louisiana (Oct 9), Demetrius Taylor had a sack, a touchdown-saving fourth-down tackle, and a quarterback hurry that forced the Ragin’ Cajuns to punt.

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Kidd Brewer Stadium – Field Turf
Dec. 7 | Boone, NC

MAC Championship: Miami (OH) vs Central Michigan

Miami Redhawks (7-5) vs Central Michigan Chippewas (8-4)

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The 23rd Annual Marathon MAC Football Championship is scheduled for Saturday, December 7, 2019 at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan.

Central Michigan, under first year head coach, Jim McElwain had the biggest turnaround in all of NCAA Division I college football. Going from 1-11 to 8-4. The RedHawks have a stout defense, but can they score enough points to stop the Chippewas high octane offense?

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MIAMI REDHAWKS | MAC EASTERN DIVISION

Coach: Chuck Martin

Miami (OH) Players to watch:

***Freshman QB Brett Gabbert (6-0/200)

True freshman Brett Gabbert is the future of the new Maimi offense.

Brett Gabbert became the first true freshman quarterback to open the season as the starter in Miami football history. In fact, he has thrown all but 21 passes for Miami this season. The St. Louis, MO., native is the younger brother of Blaine Gabbert, who was a standout quarterback at Missouri and currently with the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The offense has struggled this year as Miami has transitioned to a spread-style offense. Gabbert has completed 133 of 250 passes for 1,851 yards with nine touchdowns and eight interceptions this season along with 53 rushing yards plus three scores.

**Sophomore FS Sterling Weatherford (6-4/218)

DB Sterling Weatherford leads the team with 86 tackles and also has 2 TFL and an interception.  Weatherford earned MAC East Defensive Player of the Week honors for the first time in his young career (vs Ohio on Nov 6), recording nine tackles, 1.0 sack, one forced fumble and two pass break-ups versus arch-rival Ohio. Weatherford’s forced fumble came inside the Miami 2-yard line to help keep the Bobcats off the scoreboard.

Senior DT Doug Costin (6-2/295)

Doug Costin and Kameron Butler have terrorized offensive lines all season long with 18.5 TFLs and 4.5 sacks between them. However, nose tackle Doug Costin, a native of West Chester, Pa., is capable of spoiling plays by himself. He has 21.5 tackles-for-loss and 12.5 sacks in his career.

In 2018, he logged 10.5 TFLs and six sacks — not bad for a 295-pounder.  That performance earned him second team All-MAC honors. On would be surprised if he wasn’t named first-team All-MAC this season.

Senior NB Bart Baratti (6-1/202)

Defensively, the RedHawks have steadily improved their execution of the 4-2-5 defense: a scheme generally considered to be the best against the spread offense’s of the MAC.

The scheme has allowed Baratti to see much more playing time than he might have otherwise. His disruptive play from the end of last year (nine tackles-for-loss, five QB hurries, three sacks, and an interception) has carried over into his senior season. He finished the regular season tied for third on the team with 71 stops but he also has 11.5 tackles-for-loss, three sacks, seven passes defended and one interception.

*Junior CB Manny Rugamba (5-11/193)

Rugamba missed the 2018 season due to NCAA transfer rules. However, ‘Hawks fans were excited to see the Iowa transfer making plays all over the field in 2019.

Rugamba was tied with Baratti with 71 total tackles during the regular season. “It’s just continuing to move forward, regardless of what happens, and focusing on ourselves, not on the other team,” redshirt junior defensive back Manny Rugamba said. “When we mess up ourselves, anyone can beat us … So as long as we continue to focus on ourselves, I think we’ll continue to roll.”

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CENTRAL MICHIGAN CHIPPAWAS | MAC WESTERN DIVISION

Coach: Jim McElwain

Central Michigan Players to watch

Senior RB Jonathan Ward (6-0/202)

Ward (5) gained 1,340 total yard during the regular season.

Ward has run for 2,399 yards in his career. He’s also ran for 27 touchdowns, which ranks eighth-best in school history. “This is by far the best-balanced team I have been on in my college career,” Ward said. We had a lot of great passers, but maybe the rushing game wasn’t up to par that year or we had good rushing years but the rushing game wasn’t up to par. This year we have balance. I feel we are very dynamic.” Ward is a true, four-year, senior. He hails from Kankakee, IL .

Senior QB Quinten Dormady (6-4/215)

This season is Dormady’s sixth season in college football. He spent the first four seasons of his career at Tennessee before taking a graduate transfer opportunity to Houston. An injury allowed him to take a medical redshirt, granting him a sixth season that he elected to use at Mt. Pleasant.

“This has been the most fun year of college football I have had for sure, there is no doubt about it,” Dormady said. “It’s a special group in the locker room, I’ll continue to say that for years to come. I’m happy for the guys that were here and endured what they did. To bounce back is special.” 

**Sophomore WR Kalil Pimpleton (5-9/160)

After spending a season at Virginia Tech, he transferred to join the Chippewas in Mount Pleasant. He spent last season on the sidelines due to NCAA transfer rules, but has become an instant playmaker in his first year under McElwain.

Pimpleton leads the MAC in both receptions (73) and receiving yardage (711). Sullivan is eighth with 47 catches and is fourth with 712 yards. Pimpleton has burst onto the scene at Central Michigan. He’s growing into more of a threat each week. “Anytime you put anything together, the goal is to put the ball in your playmakers’ hands,” said first-year coach Jim McElwain. “We’re real glad he’s on our team.”  

Senior DE Sean Adesanya (6-3/240)

Last year, Adesanya played in all 12 games, making two starts, in his first year at CMU after transferring from Illinois. The defense typically aligns in a 4-3 look, with senior Sean Adesanya (30 tackles, 14.5 tackles-for-loss, 7.5 sacks) and freshman LaQuan Johnson (24 tackles, 10 tackles-for-loss, five sacks) setting the edge. Johnson, at six-foot-three, 272 lbs., recently made the move from tackle to end, where his speed rush abilities fit the scheme decidedly better.

**Sophomore WLB Troy Brown (6-0/203)

Troy Brown, who converted from safety this past offseason, is the leader of the defense at his outside linebacker position. He leads CMU in total tackles (72) and interceptions (3) and is second in tackles-for-loss (14.)

CMU’s defense is allowing opponents just 121.5 yards on the ground, and it ranks second in the MAC and 26^th nationally in that category.

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Ford Field – Astro Turf
Dec. 7 | Detroit, Michigan

CUSA Championship: UAB vs Florida Atlantic

University of Alabama-Birmingham Blazers (9-3) vs Florida Atlantic Owls (8-4)

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UAB, the defending Conference USA champions, will take on Florida Atlantic in Boca Raton, Florida, Saturday, Dec 7.

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UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM BLAZERS | CUSA WESTERN DIVISION

Coach: Bill Clark

UAB Players to watch:

*Junior WR Austin Watkins, Jr. (6-3/200)

The Miami native is leading a trio of UAB wide receivers who are amongst the most productive units in the nation. Watkins Jr., Kendall Parham and Myron Mitchell combined for 2,043 receiving yards heading into the conference championship game.

A first cousin of NFL standout Sammy Watkins, the UAB junior and North Fort Myers graduate has emerged as one of the most dynamic receivers in the country. During the regular season, Watkins had 44 receptions for 890 yards and five touchdowns.

“Really, I have to give credit to my quarterback Tyler Johnston and our offensive line,” Watkins said. “Our coaches are giving us a good game plan every week, so everyone knows what they’re doing and no one really has to think about much.”

*Junior MLB Kristopher Moll (6-1/200)

Last week, the nation’s sixth ranked defense finished the game (vs No. Texas) with seven sacks, 11 tackles for loss and two interceptions. Both Kristopher Moll and Jordan Smith had two sacks, and Garrett Marino had the final sack on 4th-and-11 to secure the victory. UAB held North Texas to just 21 rushing yards for the entire game. 

Senior DT Garrett Marino (6-2/290)

Marino was the first player to sign at UAB when the program was reinstated in 2015. The Blazers defense is leading the conference with 18.5 points given up per game, and a league low of 269.8 yards per game. Marino, the senior leader of the defense, had 11.5 tackles-for-loss, six sacks, and five passes defended during the regular season.

*Junior DE Jordan Smith (6-6/250)

On the edge, Jordan Smith has put together an All-Conference worthy season with 39 total tackles, 12.5 tackles-for-loss, eight sacks, and three forced fumbles.

***Freshman LB Alex Wright (6-4/235)

C-USA Freshman of the Year candidate Alex Wright has 8.5 TFL. Wright’s 8.5 TFL and 4.5 sacks are the most of any freshman in the league.  UAB has recovered 12 fumbles this year, Wright has two of those.

*Junior RB Spencer Brown (6-0/220)

UAB quarterbacks have thrown 17 interceptions this year, and with starting QB Tyler Johnson hobbled by a knee injury, HC Bill Clark decided to rely on the running game last week.

Brown, the school’s all-time leading rusher, had been injured in week 6 vs Rice. In the following five weeks, Brown’s playing time was very limited. Last week, however, he looked like his old self, carrying the ball 19 times for 111 yards. Look for a heavy dose of the run game vs FAU.

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FLORIDA ATLANTIC OWLS | CUSA EASTERN DIVISION

Coach: Lane Kiffen

Florida Atlantic Players to watch

Senior TE Harrison Bryant (6-5/240)

Florida Atlantic University football’s Harrison Bryant has been named as one of three nationwide finalists for the John Mackey Award, given to the top tight end in FBS, as announced by the committee.

Bryant, a senior from Gray, Georgia, leads all of the nation’s tight ends with 61 receptions and 965 yards receiving. Those totals not only lead all Conference USA tight ends, but ranks second among all league pass-catchers in yards, while slotting fifth in receptions. Two weeks ago, in the Owls’ 40-26 win over UTSA, Bryant had a career day, recording 10 receptions for 192 yards.

**Sophomore QB Chris Robinson (6-4/215)

Robinson. an Oklahoma tranfer, was named co-CUSA freshman of the year last season after throwing for over 2,500 yards and 12 touchdowns for the Owls as the starter for all but one game. 

This year, Robinson has thrown for 3,125 yards, with a Td/Int ratio of 22-5. The Owls lead the conference averaging 443.1 yards per game. They are also putting up a league leading 34.1 points per game, putting up over 40 points five times this season.

*Junior MLB Akileis Leroy (5-11/235)

Leroy is the heart and soul of the Florida Atlantic defense. He leads the team with 94 total tackles; 14.5 tackles-for-loss; and 7.5 sacks. He’s picked off three passes and forced three fumbles this year.

“We just balled out. I’m still in shock,” Leroy said after clinching the East. “It’s always our dream to win the conference championship. Just the fact that we are one step closer to it, it gives me chills.”

Senior WLB Rashad Smith (6-1/215)

Smith is credited with four fumble recoveries during the regular season. “We’re number one in the country in turnovers,” said head coach Lane Kiffin, “and number one in the country in turnover margin. I’m proud of these players, two of three years to win the division, now to have the conference championship at home, it’s a good spot to be in.”

Senior CB Meiko Dotson (5-11/188)

Speaking of turnovers, last week, FAU cornerback Meiko Dotson set a new Owls single-season record with his eighth interception on the season. Dotson also moved into a tie for the most interceptions in the nation for the 2019 season. His record-setting pick came with 50 seconds left in the second quarter.

*Junior FS Zyon Gilbert (6-1/180)

Zyon Gilbert is another FAU defender quietly having an impressive season. Gilbert has eight passes defended and two interceptions on the season. Fellow corner Chris Tooley tied Gilbert for the team lead in pbu’s.

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FAU Stadium – Grass
Dec. 7 | Boca Raton, Florida

MW Championship: Hawai’i vs Boise State

Hawai’i Rainbow Warriors (9-4) vs Boise State Broncos (11-1)

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The 2019 Mountain West Conference Championship Game will be a played on Saturday, December 7, 2019, at Albertson’s Stadium in Boise, Idaho.

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HAWAI’I RAINBOW WARRIORS | MOUNTAIN WEST WESTERN DIVISION

Coach: Nick Rolovich

Hawai’i Players to watch:

*Junior QB Cole McDonanld (6-4/205)

McDonald has shined in Hawaii’s run-and-shoot offense. In two seasons (’18-’19), McDonald has thrown for over 7,000 yards and 62 touchdowns.

Yet, inconsistent play prompted HC Nick Rolovich to start redshirt freshman Chevan Cordeiro vs Army last week. When Cordeiro injured his ankle just before halftime, McDonald entered a game tied at 17.

McDonald went on to complete 19 of 29 passes for 250 yards and three touchdown passes, leading Rainbow Warriors to victory. However, the question remains, who will start at quarterback vs Boise State?

**Sophomore RB Miles Reed (5-8/185)

The Corona, California, native provides a nice blend of power and speed. He leads the team with 712 yards in 142 attempts (5.01 ave) with 6 rushing touchdowns. McDonald is the second leading rusher for Hawaii.

Earlier this year when these two teams met – Hawai’i losing 59-37 in Boise – redshirt sophomore running back pronounced as his team left the field, “Right back here! Right back here!…” Reed repeated the manta all the way to a sullen locker room. In that game, Boise keep Reed -1 yard on three carries.

Reed was right, he is going back to play Boise State for the Mountain West Championship. This time will his actions do the talking on the field?

Senior WR Cedric Byrd (5-9/170)

Cedrick Byrd II, a senior from Los Angeles, California, is leading Hawaii in receptions with 83 catches for 927 yards and 9 touchdowns. 

In his rookie season, he finished second on the team in receiving yards (970), receptions (79), and touchdowns (9). Byrd II had the most-ever receiving yards in his debut with 181 yards against Colorado State. He found the end zone in seven games with two multiple-touchdown games.

Senior WR JoJo Ward (5-/175)

Ward, a senior wide out from Waco, Texas, is a close second behind Byrd with 53 catches for 889 yards and 10 touchdowns. Those numbers are very close to last year’s production, when Ward tied for second on the team with nine receiving touchdowns and was third in receiving yards (865). He led the team in yards per catch (17.0) and accrued 15 receptions of 20+ yards.

*Junior CB Cortez Davis (5-11/178)

A JUCO transfer, Davis has been a standout for Hawaii’s secondary this season, he has 50 total tackles, 11 pass break-ups, and one interception.

“He’s a competitor,” HC Rolovich said of Davis. “He’s been a real nice addition to the team. Not only just the defense, just the team and to Hawaii because of who he is as a person.”

Senior SS Ikem Okeke (6-0/200)

According to Okeke, his full name means “My Strength is in my God” in Nigerian.

In 2018, Okeke tied for second on the team with 87 tackles, while leading the team in solo tackles at 60. This year, the hard-hitting safety has 31 tackles, three interceptions, and eleven pass break-ups. In his career, the senior from Las Vegas, Nevada, has racked up 132 tackles, 92 being solo tackles.

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BOISE STATE BRONCOS | MOUNT WEST EASTERN DIVISION

Coach: Bryan Harsin

Boise State Players to watch

Senior DE Curtis Weaver (6-3/264)

The two-time first team All-Mountain West performer looks to be on his way to being named an All-American in 2019. Weaver, a redshirt junior from Longbeach, California, has been included on updated candidate lists for two end-of-season awards, being named a semifinalist for the Lott IMPACT Trophy, and to the final watch list for the Ted Hendricks Award.

Weaver has established himself as one of the top pass rushers in the country in 2019, currently ranking in the FBS top 10 in sacks (fifth, 13.5) and tackles-for-loss (tied for tenth, 18.0). He also has 47 tackles, one interception and a forced fumble on the season.

***Freshman RB George Holani (6-0/195)

Boise State offensive coordinator Zak Hill told the media Tuesday, “Running the football here and being dominant up front is what we’re all about.” While, true freshman running back George Holani calls Boise State “Running Back University.” Holani wants to become the next in line of formed Boise State star running backs, like Jay Ajayi and Doug Martin, and Alexander Mattison. Holani rushed for 912 yards during the regular season. His 166 receiving yards, put him comfortably over the 1,000 all-purpose yards for the season.  

“He is very elusive,” Hill said of Holani, “and he can get tiny in holes and slip things. He’s got that trust and that confidence to be able to hit the small holes. A lot of backs will feel that contact and go down. He doesn’t. He keeps the legs going and he’s got good balance through contact, and I think that is a big part of what makes him special.”

Senior WR John Hightower (6-3/175)

Hightower is known as the speed guy. His 19.1 yards per catch, attest to his ability to stretch the field. He has 859 receiving yards with seven touchdowns. The junior college transfer has been used on kick returns, in the wildcat, and on end around sweeps. He has 1,539 all-purpose yard this year.

*Junior NB Kekaula Kaniho (5-10/185)

Kaniho is second on the team in total tackles (57). He is very quick when shooting in off the receiver, he has 10 tackles-for-loss. In coverage, Kaniho has six passes defended and one interception. Kaniho has also caused two fumbles and recovered one.

*Junior LT Ezra Cleveland (6-6/211)

Cleveland is follow in the footsteps for former Broncos like Charles Leno and Ryan Clady. There’s little doubt, barring injury, that Cleveland would become the next Boise State tackle selected in the NFL draft. The only question is will he come out early or return to Boise for his senior season?

***Freshman QB Hank Bachmeier (6-1/200)

Who will start at quarterback for the Broncos?

Bachmeier started the first six games of the season before missing the Broncos’ loss at BYU thanks to a hit he took on a scramble the week before against Hawaii. He returned to start at San Jose State and briefly left the game with what appeared to be a shoulder injury before returning to finish the fourth-quarter comeback. He hasn’t played since.

Bachmeir’s availability is unknown for the Mountain West championship game against Hawaii on Dec. 7.

Senior Jaylon Henderson has started the past three games and led the team to 129 points.

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Albertsons Stadium – Blue Field Turf
Dec. 7 | Boise, Idaho