Here’s my week by week breakdown. Enjoy.
Week 1 - Sep 3 - vs Utah Tech - Win
Utah Tech (1-10) enters its 2nd full season of FCS play and first full season in the WAC and is looking to improve from their inaugural D1 season. On offense, the Trailblazers return all of their starters with the exception of RB. Defensively, all the starters are returning except at DL where 3 of the 4 graduated. On special teams, Tech returns their K and P. Notable returners:
- QB Kobe Tracy: 147/241, 1664 yds, 8 TD, 8 INT
- WR Keith Davis: 35 rec, 479 yds, 2 TD
- WR Michael Moten: 30 rec, 422 yds, 2 TD
- WR Rikie Johnson: 38 rec, 387 yds, 1 TD
- RB Quali Conley: 69 car, 263 yds, 1 TD
- K Connor Brooksby: 10/17 FG, 19/19 PAT
- SS Tyrell Grayson: 103 tak, 3.5 TFL, 1 sac, 2 INT
- LB Malaki Malaki: 94 tak 9.5 TFL, 2 sac
- LB Will Leota: 54 tak, 4.5 TFL, 1 sac
Week 2 - Sep 10 - Bye
Week 3 - Sep 17 - at Northern Iowa - Loss
Northern Iowa (6-6, 4-4 MVFC) will have a new OC this season as they begin the hunt for their 23rd FCS playoff appearance. UNI has a tough schedule leading into their home opener against the Hornets, so this game could be there for the taking.
The Panthers return most of its offense from a season ago at QB, RB, WR, TE and 3 of 5 starting OL. They did graduate their top WRs. Defensively they graduated a few of their key players, however they still return 2 starting DEs, 1 LB, a CB and both at S. On special teams they return a top K in all of FCS. Notable returners:
- QB Theo Day: 155/276, 2316 yds, 16 TD, 11 INT
- RB Dom Williams: 121 car, 723 yds, 4 TD
- WR Deion McShane: 35 rec, 408 yds, 2 TD
- WR Sam Schnee: 29 rec, 402 yds, 5 TD
- K Matthew Cook: 19/22 FG, 33/33 PAT
- LB Spencer Cuvelier: 75 tak, 4.5 TFL
- S Benny Sapp III: 52 tak, 1 TFL, 4 INT
- DE Caden Houghtelling: 51 tak, 10 TFL, 5.5 sac, 1 INT
Week 4 - Sep 24 - at Colorado State - Loss
Colorado State (3-9, 2-6 MWC) opens up the Jay Norvell era needing a full rebuild. This young team will have 2 road games at P5 programs before hosting the Hornets. The Rams return some starters at RB and WR, but only 1 returning starter at OL. Defensively they return 1 starter at DT, 2 LBs and 2 S. The top 3 tacklers return for the Rams.
- RB David Bailey: 197 car, 752 yds, 9 TD
- WR Dante Wright: 43 rec, 540 yds, 3 TD
- WR Ty McCullouch: 24 rec, 415 yds, 1 TD
- TE Gary Williams: 21 rec, 287 yds, 5 TD
- LB Cam’ron Carter: 100 tak, 8.5 TFL, 6 sac, 1 INT
- S Tywan Francis: 88 tak, 2 TFL, 1 sac
- LB Dequan Jackson: 84 tak, 8.5 TFL, 1 sac
Week 5 - Oct 1 - at Cal Poly - Win
Cal Poly (2-9, 1-7 BSC) has a tough schedule to open the season, but has a bye leading into their homecoming game against the Hornets. The Mustangs enter the 2nd full season under HC Beau Baldwin as they continue their transition away from the triple option and into a spread attack.
Being a young team early in the rebuild process, this means almost every starter returns. Offensively, all but a WR and an OL return. The CP offense should see significant improvement this season. Defensively the Mustangs return 7 starters (2 DL, 1 LB, 4 DB), but lost some key leaders at LB.
- QB Spencer Brasch: 145/267, 1725 yds, 10 TD, 9 INT
- RB Shakobe Harper: 82 car, 251 yds, 3 TD
- WR Chris Coleman: 43 rec, 590 yds, 4 TD
- WR Zedakiah Centers: 35 rec, 310 yds
- K Jaden Ohlsen: 3/9 FG, 15/15 PAT
- LB Laipeli Palu: 51 tak, 2 TFL, 1 sac, 2 INT
- S Tommy Griffin: 36 tak, 1 TFL
- DE Elijah Ponder: 35 tak, 11 TFL, 8 sac, 1 INT
Week 6 - Oct 8 - vs Northern Colorado - Win
Northern Colorado (3-8, 2-6 BSC) is in rebuild mode entering HC Ed McCaffery’s 2nd full season. A lot of players transferred out after last season and not many returning starters are back. On offense, the Bears return their QB and top RB and WR, but the OL has no returning starters. The same story persists on defensive as only a few starters are back.
- QB Dylan McCaffery: 160/265, 1332 yds, 5 TD, 7 INT
- RB Gene Sledge Jr: 134 car, 482 yds, 4 TD
- WR Kassidy Woods: 43 rec, 483 yds, 4 TD
- LB David Hoage: 69 tak, 23 TFL, 10.5 sac
Week 7 - Oct 15 - at Eastern Washington - Win
Eastern Washington (10-3, 6-2 BSC) enters the season off of a 2nd round loss in the playoffs. The Eagles have an excruciatingly difficult first half of the season leading into this game against the Hornets. Offensively, the Eagles graduated all of their top performers and will be looking to reload. A few starters return at TE and WR along with a talented and experienced RB, however only two starting OL return. Defensively the Eagles return all of their starting DL and three starting DBs, but all of their LBs graduated; including their top 3 tacklers from a season ago.
- WR Freddie Roberson: 49 rec, 779 yds, 6 TD
- RB Justice Jackson: 54 car, 317 yds, 3 TD
- DL Joshua Jarome: 61 tak, 13.5 TFL, 7 sac
- DL Mitchell Johnson: 50 tak, 9.5 TFL, 5.5 sac
- DB Marlon Jones Jr: 47 tak, 0.5 TFL, 3 INT
Week 8 - Oct 22 - vs Montana - Win
Montana (10-3, 6-2 BSC) is looking to make another deep run in the playoffs following their quarterfinal loss a season ago. Offensively the Grizzlies graduated some key players, however they added a transfer QB from San Diego State that will lead the offense as well their leading rusher and receiver to go along with a couple at OL. The Griz offense's biggest question marks will be up front at OL. Defensively the Griz return a lot and should have a stout defense. UM returns 6 starters, most of which are the 2nd and 3rd level; including 3 of the top 4 tacklers, the top two sack leaders and the leader in INTs. Couple that with a soft schedule and the Griz defense should be one of the statistically best in the BSC this season.
- QB Lucas Johnson: 138/223, 1424 yds, 12 TD, 4 INT
- RB Xavier Harris: 151 car, 666 yds, 2 TD
- WR Mitch Roberts: 55 rec, 683 yds, 1 TD
- TE Cole Grossman: 36 rec, 463 yds, 5 TD
- FS Robby Hauck: 128 tak, 7 TFL, 1 sac
- LB Patrick O’Connell: 105 tak, 22 TFL, 14 sac
- LB Marcus Welnel: 94 tak, 12.5 TFL, 8 sac, 3 INT
- CB Justin Ford: 41 tak, 2 TFL, 1 sac, 9 INT
Week 9 - Oct 29 - vs Idaho - Win
Idaho (4-7, 3-5 BSC) will be starting a new era under HC Jason Eck who was hired from his OC role at South Dakota State in the offseason. Offensively the Vandals return starters at RB, WR and 3 OL, including 2 of their top 3 rushers and 4 of their top 5 receivers. If the Vandals can find a decent QB, they could have a respectable offense. Defensively the Vandals return 2 starting LBs and 3 DBs but most of their statistical leaders are gone.
- RB Roshaun Johnson: 91 car, 444 yds, 10 TD
- WR Terez Treynor: 50 rec, 737 yds, 3 TD
- RB Elisha Cummings: 71 car, 373 yds, 1 TD
- LB Fa’Avae Fa’Avae: 72 tak, 4 TFL, 1.5 sac
Week 10 - Nov 5 - at Weber State - Loss
Weber State (6-5, 5-3 BSC) is looking to bounce back from a disappointing 2021 season. Offensively, the Wildcats return almost all of their starters with the exception of their top WR and a couple OL. WSU is loaded with talent at RB. Defensively is the opposite as WSU doesn’t return many starters and only 2 of their top 7 tacklers. The Wildcats do return a solid K.
- QB Bronson Barron: 129/212, 1520 yds, 8 TD, 5 INT
- RB Josh Davis: 64 car, 281 yds, 2 TD
- RB Dontae McMillen: 85 car, 475 yds, 4 TD
- WR Ty MacPherson: 37 rec, 478 yds, 2 TD
- TE Justin Malone: 18 rec, 144 yds, 1 TD
- CB Eddie Heckard: 48 tak, 1.5 TFL, 1 INT
- LB Winston Reid: 36 tak, 3 TFL, 1.5 sac
- DT Doug Schiess: 22 tak, 4.5 TFL, 1.5 sac
- K Kyle Thompson: 12/15 FG, 39/39 PAT
Week 11 - Nov 11 - at Portland State - Win
Portland State (5-6, 4-4 BSC) is looking to take a step up and get over its “middle or the road” hump their program has been in for the last 3 seasons. The Vikings offense has the potential to be potent, if they can find a QB (there are 9 on the roster) they’ll certainly rack up lots of yards and points. PSU returns their top 4 WRs and a talented backup RB with 4 returning starters at OL. Defensively, the Vikings return all but 2 starters (DL and LB) and should improve upon last season's decent showing. PSU also has a young K with good upside.
- RB Jalynnee McGee: 49 car, 259 yds, 2 TD
- WR Beau Kelly: 69 rec, 981 yds, 10 TD
- WR Nate Bennett: 49 rec, 605 yds, 4 TD
- WR Darien Chase: 54 rec, 579 yds, 4 TD
- LB Parker McKenna: 88 tak, 4 TFL, 1 sac
- CB Anthony Adams: 52 tak, 5 TFL, 3 INT
- DT VJ Malo: 45 tak, 20 TFL, 10.5 sac
- K Gianni Smith: 5/8 FG, 29/29 PAT
Week 12 - Nov 19 - vs Causeway - Win
They (8-4, 5-3 BSC) are looking to make another playoff appearance following a first round loss to end last season. Offensively they return almost everyone with the exception of their top WR, their best passing QB and starting RT. They’ll have a run heavy attack as they have a top RB in all of FCS returning to run behind 4 returning starters on the OL. They are a good QB and a down the field threat at WR away from having a prolific attack.
Defensively they return a lot up front but lost their top cover corner to the portal. They have 2 starting DL returning along with all 4 starters at LB coupled with 2 returning starters at DB which includes 3 of their top 5 tacklers returning. Their defensive unit will be looking to pull themselves up from the middle of the pack in the conference. If their first half of the schedule wasn’t so brutal, they might have been able to see significant improvement from a year ago.
- QB Miles Hastings: 130/215, 1173 yds, 7 TD, 8 INT
- RB Ulonzo Gilliam Jr: 201 car, 901 yds, 6 TD
- TE McCallan Castles: 27 rec, 387 yds, 4 TD
- WR CJ Hutton: 38 rec, 318 yds, 4 TD
- LB Teddye Buchanan: 74 tak, 5.5 TFL, 2 sac, 2 INT
- FS Chris Venable: 73 tak, 1 TFL, 2 INT
- LB Cam Trimble: 47 tak, 9.5 TFL, 5 sac
- K Isaiah Gomez: 19/25 FG, 33/34 PAT