Week 7 Coaches Inc. Highlights

We had one coach reach the 6-0 mark after Week 6 and now we have quite a few more 6-0 coaches. Congrats to Carson-Newman HC Ashley Ingram, Pitt RBs Coach Lindsey Lamar, Texas OLBs/DL Defensive Analyst Isaac Mooring, BYU Special Teams/DEs Coach Kelly Poppinga, Oregon Assistant Head Coach/RBs Coach Ra’Shaad Samples, and Army Special Teams Coordinator Sean Saturnio,  

The Bears made wholesale changes on offense in the offseason. In addition to a new Offensive Coordinator,  the Bears hired a new offensive staff including WRs Coach Chris Beatty, Passing Game Coordinator Thomas Brown, and Assistant OL Coach Jason Houghtaling. They selected QB Caleb Williams with the #1 overall pick, allowing former 1st round pick QB Justin Fields to walk, and WR Rome Odunze with the 9th overall pick. On the first day of free agency they signed RB D’Andre Swift and then, with a call from Chris, recruited WR Keenan Allen to be reunited with his LA Chargers’ position coach from the last 3 seasons. With all the shiny new pieces on offense and a stout defense returning, expectations were high going into the season. Then the realities of playing a rookie QB set in.

The Bears’ scored just 3 offensive TDs in their first 3 games but showed improvement each week; with 0 in Week 1, 1 in Week 2, and 2 in Week 3. The offense started to come together in Week 4, scoring 3 TDs, and they have truly impressed since then -  scoring 5 offensive TDs in each of the last two games which is the first time the franchise has accomplished that feat since 1956.

On Sunday in London, Williams went 23-29 for 226 yards and 4 TDs, with 2 of those going to Keenan Allen. He would have added one more to DJ Moore, who played for Chris when they were both at the University of Maryland, but he was ruled down just shy of the goal line. Swift had 91 yards rushing with a TD and overall the Bears rushed for 152 yards. The defense and special teams have continued to play well, the Bears have won 3 in a row, and are now 4-2 going into the bye week.

Texas held Oklahoma to just 3.4 yards per play and only 237 total yards of offense in a 34-3 blowout win. Although the Longhorns trailed for the first time this season after an early FG by the Sooners, it was all Texas the rest of the game. DL/OLBs Defensive Analyst Isaac Mooring helped scheme a game plan in which the Longhorns had 11 TFLs with 5 sacks for a convincing win over their rival. With the win, Texas held onto the #1 ranking in college football with a perfect 6-0 record gaining bowl eligibility.

The University of Buffalo was one of two G5 schools to lose its Head Coach to an assistant job at Alabama after last season. Fortunately, offensive assistants OL Coach Matt Stansfield and Recruiting Coordinator/TEs Coach Ron Whitcomb were retained and the Bulls are now 2-0 in the MAC after Saturday’s 30-15 win over perennial powerhouse Toledo.

UB’s rushing offense led the way last weekend with 230 Yards rushing on 4.4 yards per attempt. QB CJ Ogbonna didn’t put up huge numbers but was only sacked one time and connected with TE Jake Orlando for a passing TD. The home win got the Bulls to 3-0 at home for just the third time in FBS program history.

Louisiana Tech Defensive Coordinator Jeremiah Johnson was hired in the offseason to fix the defensive woes of the Bulldogs. He’s lived up to the challenge, taking over a defense that finished 2023 ranked 107 in total defense and is currently ranked 23, but the offense had struggled in the first 3 games against FBS opponents, having failed to surpass 20 points in a game.

Last Thursday night was different, and not just because La Tech players were wearing new blue helmets. With a new play caller in place, the offense scored 7 TDs and the defense added 2 critical turnovers to lead to a 48-21 win over Middle Tennessee. Perhaps the most telling impact of Jeremiah’s tenure came when a Bulldog defender got up after a hit and then stumbled to the ground with a clear head injury. During the long delay, as the medical staff attended to the player, Jeremiah was the coach the players were leaning on for support as they hoped for the best for their teammate. Fortunately, the player is expected to make a full recovery, and if the offense can keep scoring, the Bulldogs have a chance to turn the season around in conference play.

Nevada Passing Game Coordinator/Secondary Coach Joey Thomas witnessed a coming out party for his group against Oregon State. His DBs had 4 INTs that made a major impact on the outcome of the game. One was a 56 yard pick 6 and one set up a Nevada TD. The last INT came in the end zone on the final play of the game to seal the victory for the Wolfpack. Not only did his guys pick off passes, but they made tackles too as DB Tori Daffin led the team with 9 solo tackles. If Joey’s DBs play the way they did on Saturday, the rebuild in Reno will happen sooner rather than later.

The Western Michigan vs Akron game kicked off at 3:33pm in Kalamazoo and didn’t end until 11:47pm after a hail storm turned thunderstorm forced a 5 hour and 5 minute weather delay in the 3rd quarter. WMU Assistant Head Coach/RBs Coach Darren Paige’s guys were up to the task of playing in tough conditions as WMU ended the day with 196 rushing yards and a 5 yard average. RB Jalen Buckley eclipsed the 100 yard mark with 103 on just 7 carries and added a reception for 14 yards. The Broncos are now also 2-0 in the MAC and head to Buffalo this weekend to take on the Bulls.

QB Ron Peace accounted for 4 TDs, 3 passing and 1 rushing, in Commerce’s 42-21 win over Northwestern State. RBs Coach Tony McClain’s go-to back, BK Jackson, averaged 5.2 yards with 63 total yards and 1 TD while Jordon Hamilton turned a 3rd and 10 screen pass into a 22 yard TD. Pass Game Coordinator/WRs Coach Chase Paramore got 2 TD receptions of 30 and 22 yards from WR Christian Jourdain, and, overall, Commerce put up 439 yards of offense and was 8-13 on 3rd down conversions.

UNC Pembroke HC Mark Hall and the Braves put up video-game type offensive numbers against conference opponent West Liberty amassing a whopping 675 yards with 520 yards through the air and 8 passing TDs. UNCP set school records for most yards of total offense in a game, most TDs (10) in a game, and most TD passes in a game. QB Colin Johnson threw for 514 yards and 7 TDs, both single game school records. The win was the second in a row for Mark and the Braves as they have nothing but conference games remaining. He’s never had a season as Head Coach at either Chowan or UNCP with fewer than 7 wins so don’t be surprised to see UNCP run the table.

In keeping with the theme of ridiculous offensive numbers, West Texas A&M HC Josh Lynn engineered 632 yards of offense in a 42-17 win over Western New Mexico. The Buffaloes turned a 21-17 halftime lead into a 42-17 lead in the 3rd quarter and maintained that lead for the final period. Going into this Homecoming game, Josh decided to change QBs and gave Sophomore Kanon Gibson his first start of the season. He didn’t disappoint and accounted for 410 yards of offense, 374 through the air and 36 on the ground, with 6 TDs, 5 passing/1 rushing.

In the biggest game of the year so far, Oregon Assistant HC/RBs Coach Ra’Shaad Samples and the Ducks defeated #2 ranked Ohio State 32-31 for perhaps the most significant win in Oregon history.

Wisconsin Assistant DBs Coach Jack Cooper and the Badger defense stayed hot in their 42-7 win over Rutgers. They’ve given up just 1 TD in the last 2 games against Big Ten opponents.

Citadel Special Teams Coordinator Tony Coaxum’s group tallied its 5th blocked kick of the season which is good for #2 in the nation at the FCS level.

Angelo State Head Coach Jeff Girsch and the Rams moved to 4-0 in conference with a 38-0 win over Texas A&M Kingsville. They have now outscored their conference opponents 121-27 with two shutouts.

Carson-Newman HC Ashley Ingram miraculously maintained his undefeated record even though his Eagles never led during regulation. They recovered an onside kick with 1:35 remaining down 6, scored a TD on 4th and goal from the one as time ended to tie, then kicked the extra point with no time remaining for the W.