Week 1 of the Division II college football season saw the Gulf South Conference, as a whole, struggle. Here is a team-by-team breakdown of last week's action and what is ahead this weekend. All times are eastern.
First, the standings:
West Alabama 1-0, 0-0
West Georgia 1-0, 0-0
North Alabama 1-0, 0-0
Delta State 0-1, 0-0
Valdosta State 0-1, 0-0
**Shorter 1-0, 0-0 (not eligible for conference championship or playoffs)
Valdosta State (0-1)
The Blazers dropped their fourth consecutive game, dating back to the end of the 2011 season, with a 28-24 loss to Saginaw Valley State. The loss dropped the Blazers from eighth to 20th in the latest Division II rankings. Quarterback Cayden Cochran will miss this week's game with Fort Valley State with a separated shoulder. Sophomore Graham Craig will start in his absence after completing 12 of 19 passes in the second half of the season opening loss to SVSU. Wide receiver Griffin Roelle is expected to return after missing last week's game with a quad injury. Saturday's meeting between the Blazers and Wildcats will meet for the first time since 2008. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
Delta State (0-1)
The Statesmen were outscored by Fort Valley State 22-0 in the fourth quarter to fall 31-23. Delta State was out-gained 353 to 306 in the game, but was held to just five yards of offense in the fourth quarter. Trevor Wooden made his first start at quarterback for the Statesmen. He completed 13 of 25 passes and tossed two touchdowns and one interception in the loss. Delta State visits Elizabeth City State this weekend. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.
North Alabama (1-0)
The Lions withstood a massive scare from Miles College Sunday night. After scoring a potential game-winning touchdown with less than two minutes to play, the Lions allowed a Miles touchdown with less than a minute to play, which brought Miles within one-point (31-30). Instead of kicking the tying extra point, Miles went for a two-point conversion and was unsuccessful, giving UNA the week 1 victory. North Alabama rushed for 266 yards on 52 rushes in the win. The Lions host Harding this weekend. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
West Alabama (1-0)
After a sluggish offensive start, the Tigers pounded Clark Atlanta 44-0 in the season opener last week in Atlanta. Matt Willis rushed for 163 yards with a pair of touchdowns to earn the GSC Offensive Player of the Week honors to lead the Lions, who moved up to the 13th ranking in the latest AFCA Poll. The Tigers face a tough test against Division I-FCS Samford this weekend. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
West Georgia (1-0)
The Wolves pounded Point University 55-3 Saturday. Led by Seth Hinsley's 111 yards on the ground, Austin Trainor's 151 yards through the air and 590 yards of offense, the Wolves improved to 1-0 on the young season. Defensively, West Georgia allowed just 190 yards of total offense. West Georgia hosts Tusculum this weekend in Carrolton. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m.
**Shorter (1-0)
Shorter defeated Division I-FCS Campbell University last Thursday. The Hawks racked up 454 yards on the ground, led by Bradley Moon's 102 yards and two touchdowns. Quarterback Eric Dobson completed 9 of 17 passes for 191 yards and a touchdown. The Hawks visit the Newberry Wolves Saturday. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m.
Week 1 of the Division II college football season saw the Gulf South Conference, as a whole, struggle. Here is a team-by-team breakdown of last week's action and what is ahead this weekend. All times are eastern.