Thursday, October 4, 2012

Ferrum @ Christopher Newport
Game Preview

Ferrum hits the road for the second week in a row, and travels to Newport News to face Christopher Newport. Over the years, Ferrum, like most other teams, has had very little success against the Captains. Since 2001, when CNU started football, Ferrum has only defeated CNU once. It was in 2003, and Ferrum hung on to beat the then 11th ranked Captains, 19-17.

Currently, Ferrum's rushing offense is ranked 2nd in the conference, and the Panthers passing offense is ranked 4th. These are solid rankings considering the change in personnel that the offense experienced since last year. The offense looked really strong against Averett, as Ferrum employed a balanced rushing and passing attack to best the Cougars 49-28. Defense looked very strong, as it has in the last three games. Against Shenandoah, and Southern Virginia, they only gave up 7 points per game, and this likely could have been the same story with Averett had wholesale substitutions not been made on the defense in the fourth quarter.

Ferrum's run defense is ranked 2nd in the conference, and has been very solid. The pass defense is however ranked 7th in the conference, and will have to be hitting on all cylinders against the Captains solid passing game.

As for Ferrum's opponent this week, Christopher Newport has a 2-2 record overall, but that is not surprising. They opened against Salisbury, and Hampden-Sydney. They lost both of those contests, but picked up wins against Shenandoah, and Maryville. I still consider this team the logical top pick in the conference, but they are showing vulnerabilities. They are having offensive success, but not to the level we have come to expect. Their rushing offense is ranked 5th in the conference, and their passing offense is ranked 3rd.

If the Captains have a glaring weakness, it is their inability to stop the run. They are ranked 8th in the conference against the run, and even though that included a loss to Salisbury who ran the ball 55 of their 61 offensive plays for 455 yards, they also gave up 252 yards to Maryville this past Saturday. CNU opponents are averaging 248 yards per game on the ground.

5 Things you can count on Saturday from CNU:

1. A loud biased crowd at Pomoco stadium.
2. A CNU offense that will be heavily run oriented
3. Short underneath passing routes that are designed to pick up necessary yards for the first downs.
4. At least one trick play for the Captains. Very well may come in the form of an onside kick.
5. Periodic shots down field deep to test the secondary

Ferrum has the necessary talent to win this game. They can put up points, and are very effective on defense. It will be a good game, and possibly one of the closest games in the series. Look for Ferrum to come out fired up. The potential conference champion could be decided Saturday.

As for my predictions, I was 3-1 last week, only missing the Greensboro-Methodist game. As for this week, here is what I see happening.

Ferrum 24    CNU 27
Maryville @ Greensboro
Averett @ LaGrange
Methodist @ N.C Wesleyan

9 comments:

  1. If Ferrum's history in big games is any indication, especially against CNU- the panthers will give up a ton of points- more than likely through the air. I hope that's not the case- please prove me wrong.

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  2. I do agree with your outcome of CNU winning but I don't see the game being so close. It seems to me that sadly Ferrum has a very non appearing secondary defense and truly when it comes down to it when Ferrum had the chance to win the game like in 2008 and 2010 Ferrum choked and for me this time around their are no excuses if they lose for me I think CNU sadly wins big and Ferrum continues the old we tried but can't get over the hurdle talk. Its time to get new coaches in there to clean up what has been a old but timely tradition and that is Ferrum comes close and then gets their hopes up and then get a beat down by CNU or another team and it leaves Ferrum chasing a title they can never get!!!

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  3. It is realy sad that people and or parents use what these kids and coaches build on just to tear it down. If you use that amount of energy to write comments like this. imagine the impact it has when the young men who play there hearts out on that feild read this. You should be more uplifting. In fact i actualy think they have a chance at winning. But u tear them before the game how can they go into it with a winning attitude. Maybe you have a kid who has not made it to the field yet and you condemn the coaches for it. And if his attuide is the same as yours i see why he is upon the side lines. For some us we love to see our kids play and forgoing there love for the sport win or lose

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  4. It is realy sad that people and or parents use what these kids and coaches build on just to tear it down. If you use that amount of energy to write comments like this. imagine the impact it has when the young men who play there hearts out on that feild read this. You should be more uplifting. In fact i actualy think they have a chance at winning. But u tear them before the game how can they go into it with a winning attitude. Maybe you have a kid who has not made it to the field yet and you condemn the coaches for it. And if his attuide is the same as yours i see why he is upon the side lines. For some us we love to see our kids play and forgoing there love for the sport win or lose

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  5. I want to just insert here that any comment left by "Anonymous" could be from anyone reading the post and decides to leave a message without identifying him or her self.
    As the writer of the blog, I will be identified on comments as Ferrum82....Just in case there was any misunderstanding.

    That being said, I do find it equally frustrating that people cannot be more positive in their comments, but let's face it...Ferrum will have their hands full Saturday night. There are a lot of things going right for Ferrum, and it is not at all impossible to believe that they cannot leave Newport News with a win.It is certainly possible, and the truth is, this game in my mind is almost a toss up....Home field adavantage could be a factor, but if Ferrum can establish a successful running game early, it may open the passing lanes, and things will looking good for Ferrum.
    Keep in mind, CNU has a strong passing game, and Ferrum must be able to defend this by pressuring the quarterback, and covering the receivers close...very close.

    Go Panthers!

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  6. Someone in the know...

    CNU's normal balance is out of balance this year.

    Their defensive front four have not controlled the line of scrimmage in any game and in the Salisbury game, they had no answer for the triple option.

    Offensively, they haven't made a commitment to "that one tailback" they usually have. Too many carries to too many different guys. None of them get into the groove. QB holds the ball too long.

    This may very well be Ferrum's year. A win by Ferrum may not be an upset.

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  7. Ferrum choked again when it was there for the taking. I give them credit for being around but when you commit to many stupid plays that results in flags and then having only 2 players on offense be your only offense in reynolds and brubaker it means that FC depended to much on that suppose to be good old defense that showed up to late and now like always in 2nd place chasing CNU and FC must win out and hope that CNU falls flat on their faces which doesn't look likely. Like the Hokies "Chokies" here @ Ferrum College you employ coaches that has been here to long picking up paychecks and producing nothing. It is time to fire your defense coordinator Cleve Adams, your quarterback coach Bob Brown and your sorry excuse of defensive backs coach whoever that is. FC will always be chasing a title that they can never get. They just blew it tonight because of no offense and your defense decided not to show up when called upon. I feel for the players not these sorry coaches its time for changes from top to bottom!!!!

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  8. Love the obvious parent comments... Trust me the coaches play the best players- there's no conspiracy going on

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  9. Yep this person must have really sat the bench in his colege day. My son plays on the defence and i feel that he done as good as he could .loosen up man these kids are having the time of there lives. Coach adams done all he could besides play himself . Until ferrum gets it in there heads they beat cnu is only when it will happen. Stop it about the coaches on the blog . The coaches are always available to talk

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