st four games to go in the regular season, must win to stay in

(STATS) -- After taking over as Charleston Southerns coach in 2013, Jamey Chadwell felt like his program was trying to earn respect across the Big South Conference.It might have built slowly within the conference, so its been ironic how quickly its come on a national scale.The Buccaneers, coming off the best season in the programs 25-year history, open the 2016 season ranked No. 7 in the STATS FCS Top 25 and are a heavy favorite to repeat as Big South champions.Itll obviously be unique because since Ive been here and really for a long time weve been fighting for respect here, Chadwell said. At least on the outside and in our conference, you feel like you have it, so I cant go to that well too hard again. I think what weve tried to get this team to realize is, You know, you had one year. You had some pretty good years, but only one year. Did you have anything to show for it?Theres a lot of one-hit wonders out there, Chadwell continued. To be a great team, you can have a great year. To be a great program, you have to show consistency and especially now that youre supposed to be the team.Charleston Southern advanced to the FCS quarterfinals last season before falling to Jacksonville State. Its spot atop the Big South is stronger because Coastal Carolina, which had become the conferences recent power, has left for the Sun Belt Conference on the FBS level.The Big South is down to six teams and hopeful of growing again in the future. The conference is at the minimum number of teams required to have an automatic bid to the FCS playoffs.Following is a team-by-team breakdown of the 2016 Big South Conference race and STATS predicted order of finish:1. Charleston Southern2. Liberty3. Monmouth4. Kennesaw State5. Gardner-Webb6. Presbyterian---=TEAM CAPSULES=1. CHARLESTON SOUTHERN BUCCANEERS=LOCATION: Charleston, South CarolinaSTADIUM: Buccaneer FieldCOACH: Jamey Chadwell (28-10 in three seasons at Charleston Southern; 53-31 overall)LAST SEASON: 10-3 overall, 6-0 Big South (1st)STARTERS RETURNING: 12 (5 offense/7 defense)KEY LOSSES: Austin Brown, QB; Aaron Brown, LB; Malcolm Jackson, CBONE TO WATCH ON OFFENSE: Darius Hammond, RB/RS, Sr. (145 carries, 856 yards, 7 TDs; 25.1-yard KO return average; 15.5-yard punt return average)ONE TO WATCH ON DEFENSE: Anthony Ellis, DE, Jr. (54 TT, 17.5 TFL, 7 sacks, 1 INT, 2 PBU, 4 QBH, 3 FR, 2 FF)OTHER KEY PLAYERS: Kyle Copeland, QB, R-Jr.; Robert Mitchell, QB, Jr. (Blinn JC transfer); Mike Holloway, RB, Sr.; Ben Robinson, RB, Sr.; Colton Korn, Sr.; Kenny Dinkins, WR, Jr.; Erik Austell, LT, R-Sr.; Jackson Williamson, C, Sr.; Frank Cirone, RG, R-Jr.; Johnny Robinson, DT, So.; Noah Oliver, NT, R-So.; Zane Cruz, MLB, Jr.; Solomon Brown, LB, R-So.; Troy McGowens, CB, Sr.; Corbin Jackson, FS, R-Sr.; D.J. Curl, SS, Sr.; Tyler Tekac, PK, So.; Joseph Smith, LS, R-Sr.OUTLOOK: Coming off their first outright Big South championship, the Buccaneers are heavy favorites to go back-to-back. While they lost a terrific senior class that led them to the FCS quarterfinals, they return a potent run game and the conferences best defense. QB Copeland is expected to take over the read option offense, which features a physical offensive line and three senior running backs -- Hammond, Holloway (731 yards, 12 TDs) and Robinson (422 yards, 4 TDs). With their style of play, the Bucs controlled the ball for over 33 minutes per game last season. Ellis and Robinson, who are cousins, help form a stout defensive line, and LB Solomon Brown was the 2015 Big South freshman of the year. The Bucs nonconference schedule has been raised in a big way and they play four of their first five games on the road, including against five-time reigning FCS champion North Dakota State, Florida State and Coastal Carolina.SCHEDULE:Aug. 27, at North Dakota StateSept. 3, Kentucky StateSept. 10, at Florida StateSept. 24, at Monmouth*Oct. 1, at Coastal CarolinaOct. 8, Albany StateOct. 22, Presbyterian*Oct. 29, BucknellNov. 5, Gardner-Webb*Nov. 12, at Liberty*Nov. 19, Kennesaw State** -- Big South game---=2. LIBERTY FLAMES=LOCATION: Lynchburg, VirginiaSTADIUM: Williams StadiumCOACH: Turner Gill (29-19 in four seasons at Liberty; 54-68 overall)LAST SEASON: 6-5 overall, 3-3 Big South (Tie/3rd)STARTERS RETURNING: 14 (6 offense/8 defense)THREE KEY LOSSES: Josh Woodrum, QB; Darrin Peterson, WR; Chima Uzowihe, DLONE TO WATCH ON OFFENSE: Zac Parker, WR/PR, Sr. (49 receptions, 464 yards, 1 TD; 10.4-yard punt return average, 1 TD)ONE TO WATCH ON DEFENSE: Nick Newman, LB, Sr. (74 TT, 5.5 TFL, 1 sack, 1 PBU, 1 FF)OTHER KEY PLAYERS: Stephon Masha, QB, Jr.; Todd Macon, RB, Jr.; B.J. Farrow, WR, So.; Damian King, WR/RS, So.; Kendall Couamin, TE, Jr.; Tanner Hartman, OL, Sr.; Michael Henderman, OL, Jr.; Juwan Wells, DL, So.; JaRon Greene, DL, Sr.; Erwin Dessources, DE, Sr.; Dexter Robbins, LB, Sr.; Corbin Jackson, CB, So.; Chris Turner, CB, So.; Alpha Jalloh, S, Sr.; Trey Turner, P, Jr.OUTLOOK: Last season was humbling for the Flames, who had lofty expectations following their first FCS playoff appearance -- and win -- in 2014. They should be in a transition season, but the loss of Coastal Carolina keeps the perennial Big South power in the title mix -- with their Nov. 12 game against Charleston Southern in Lynchburg. New offensive coordinator Joe Dailey has moved the offense from a pro-style that fit four-year QB Woodrum to the spread that works best for the new signal-caller Masha. While Parker and Farrow (32 receptions, 448 yards, 2 TDs) are both go-to wide receivers, the offense needs to jump-start its running game, which slumped last year amid injuries on the line. Despite the loss of Uzowihe, the Big Souths 2015 defensive player of the year, the young defense has grown up together. Greene and Dessources hope to put pressure on opposing backfields and CB Turner was a Big South preseason choice after an excellent freshman campaign.SCHEDULE:Sept. 3, at Virginia TechSept. 10, JacksonvilleSept. 17, at SMUSept. 24, Jacksonville StateOct. 1, Robert MorrisOct. 15, at Kennesaw State*Oct. 22, Monmouth*Oct. 29, Gardner-Webb*Nov. 5, at Presbyterian*Nov. 12, Charleston Southern*Nov. 17, at Coastal Carolina* -- Big South game---=3. MONMOUTH HAWKS=LOCATION: West Long Branch, New JerseySTADIUM: Kessler FieldCOACH: Kevin Callahan (131-108 in 23 seasons at Monmouth)LAST SEASON: 5-6 overall, 3-3 Big South (Tie/3rd)STARTERS RETURNING: 13 (6 offense, 6 defense)ONE TO WATCH ON OFFENSE: Lavon Chaney, RB, Sr. (182 carries, 806 yards, 7 TDs; 23 receptions, 176 yards, 1 TD)ONE TO WATCH ON DEFENSE: Mike Basile, S, Jr. (119 TT, 7 TFL, 1 sack, 2 INTs, 4 PBU, 1 QBH, 1 FF, 1 BK)THREE KEY LOSSES: Hakeem Valles, TE; Rotchill Medor, OT; John Sieczkowski, LBOTHER KEY PLAYERS: Cody Williams, QB, So.; Zach Welch, RB, Jr.; Darren Ambush, WR, Sr.; Reggie White Jr., WR, So.; Matt Stoneberg, OT, Jr.; Alex Thompson, C, Jr.; Dimitrius Smith, DT, Sr.; Darnell Leslie, DL, Sr.; Zach Talley, DL, R-So.; Payton Minnich, MLB, Sr.; Marcus Leslie, S, Jr.; Tymere Berry, CB, So.; Matt White, PK, Jr.OUTLOOK: Monmouth will have a new stadium in 2017, but the Hawks are paying the price this year with only three home games (the existing stadium will be torn down after the home portion of the schedule concludes Oct. 29). The Road Warriors, er, Hawks, face a tough task as they seek to build on last years encouraging second season in the Big South. Williams took over at quarterback as a freshman and will keep developing as he again teams with his top two wideouts, Ambush and White. Defenses will be kept busy by All-Big South RB Chaney, although the Hawks are replacing three starters on the offensive line. The defense features an All-American in safety Basile. It lacked a consistent pass rush after standout DE Leslie was sidelined by injury last season, but he returns this year to team up with Talley up front. Oh yes, those three home games? Not so easy with Charleston Southern, Patriot League power Fordham and Kennesaw State.SCHEDULE:Sept. 3, at LehighSept. 10, at Delaware StateSept. 17, at Kent StateSept. 24, Charleston Southern*Oct. 1, FordhamOct. 8, at HowardOct. 13, at Presbyterian*Oct. 22, at Liberty*Oct. 29, Kennesaw State*Nov. 5, at Coastal CarolinaNov. 19, at Gardner-Webb** -- Big South game---=4. KENNESAW STATE OWLS=LOCATION: Kennesaw, GeorgiaSTADIUM: Fifth Third Bank StadiumCOACH: Brian Bohannon (6-5 in one season at Kennesaw State)LAST SEASON: 6-5 overall, 2-4 Big South (Tie/5th)STARTERS RETURNING: 20 (10 offense/10 defense)THREE KEY LOSSES: P.J. Stone, WR; Brett Gillespie, OL; Mason Harris, DLONE TO WATCH ON OFFENSE: Trey White, QB, R-Sr. (49-for-103, 1,059 yards, 8 TDs, 6 INTs; 218 carries, 964 yards, 9 TDs)ONE TO WATCH ON DEFENSE: Taylor Henkle, S, R-So. (65 TT, 1 TFL, 4 INTs, 4 PBU)OTHER KEY PLAYERS: Chaston Bennett, RB, Sr.; Jake McKenzie, RB, R-So.; Darnell Holland, RB, So.; Justin Sumpter, WR, R-So.; Malik Letatau, OL, Sr.; Zach Mitchler, OL, R-So.; Nick Perrotta, DL, R-Sr.; Anthony Gore, Jr., LB, R-So.; Dez Billingslea, LB, R-So.; Izzy Sam, LB, R-Jr.; Derrick Farrow, DB, Sr.; Dante Blackmon, DB, R-Sr.; Jace White, DB, R-So.OUTLOOK: That QB White, WR Sumpter, OL Letatau and S Henkle all made the Big South preseason team indicates how Kennesaws second-year program has been built well from the start. The Owls sold out Fifth Third Bank Stadium for every game in their excellent inaugural season, going 5-1 there. As expected, much of the nucleus returns this season, led by White. Hes the trigger in an option offense that averaged 293 rushing yards, but White also seeks to improve as a passer. Some of the goals of the offseason were to improve at running back and on the offensive line as well as build depth at linebacker and in the secondary. RBs Bennett and McKenzie combined for over 1,000 rushing yards, so the Owls appear in great shape. With Henkle and Farrow as standouts in the secondary, the front units of the defense should increase their sack total (only 18 last season).SCHEDULE:Sept. 3, East Tennessee StateSept. 10, PointSept. 24, at DuquesneOct. 1, at FurmanOct. 8, Missouri S&TOct. 15, Liberty*Oct. 22, at Gardner-Webb*Oct. 29, at Monmouth*Nov. 5, Clark AtlantaNov. 12, Presbyterian*Nov. 19, at Charleston Southern** -- Big South game---=5. GARDNER-WEBB BULLDOGS=LOCATION: Boiling Springs, North CarolinaSTADIUM: Spangler StadiumCOACH: Carroll McCray (16-20 in three seasons at Gardner-Webb; 31-59 overall)LAST SEASON: 4-7 overall, 2-4 Big South (Tie/5th)STARTERS RETURNING: 17 (10 offense/7 defense)ONE TO WATCH ON OFFENSE: Mike Estes, TE, Grad (29 receptions, 353 yards, 5 TDs)ONE TO WATCH ON DEFENSE: Chad Geter, OLB, Grad (92 TT, 13 TFL, 5 sacks, 1 PBU, 4 QBH, 1 FR, 2 FF)THREE KEY LOSSES: O.J. Mau, NG; Jebrai Regan, DE; Ivan Toomer, CBOTHER KEY PLAYERS: Tyrell Maxwell, QB, Jr.; Ramsey Rigby, QB, Fr. (Troy transfer); Khalil Lewis, RB, R-So.; Braylin Collins, WR, R-Fr. (Eastern Michigan transfer); Caleb Smith, C, Grad; Will Millikan, OT, So.; Blaine Hudson, OL, Fr. (Troy transfer); P.J. Fuimaono, DE, Jr.; Davis Neilands, DE, R-Fr.; Jeffrey Pegues, ILB, Jr.; Aaron Cook, OLB, Sr.; Kenyatta Dunbar, ILB, Jr.; Triston Dozier, CB, So.; Angel Guzman, CB, R-Jr.; Spencer Havird, FS, R-Jr.; Paul Schumacher, PK, Jr.OUTLOOK: Gardner-Webbs veteran squad returns each of its statistical leaders in seven main categories -- passing (Maxwell), rushing (Maxwell), receiving (Estes), tackles (Geter), sacks (Geter), interceptions (Cook, Guzman and Havird) and scoring (Schumacher). The strength of the team is at outside linebacker with the return of longtime forces Cook (77 tackles, 3.5 sacks) and Geter. The offense is even more experienced than the defense, and while dual-threat QB Maxwell became the first player in school history to lead the team in both rushing and passing yards, he has to become a more efficient passer (45.7 percent). Estes is a fourth-year starter and one of the better tight ends in the FCS. While four starters return on the offensive line, the Runnin Bulldogs need more production from their running backs.SCHEDULE:Sept. 3, at ElonSept. 10, at Western CarolinaSept. 17, The CitadelSept. 24, at OhioOct. 1, BenedictOct. 8, Presbyterian*Oct. 15, Coastal CarolinaOct. 22, Kennesaw State*Oct. 29, at Liberty*Nov. 5, at Charleston Southern*Nov. 19, Monmouth** -- Big South game---=6. PRESBYTERIAN BLUE HOSE=LOCATION: Clinton, South CarolinaSTADIUM: Bailey Memorial StadiumCOACH: Harold Nichols (17-58 in seven seasons at Presbyterian)LAST SEASON: 2-9 overall, 1-5 Big South (7th)STARTERS RETURNING: 12 (7 offense/5 defense)THREE KEY LOSSES: Ugonna Akoh, DE; Donelle Williams, LB; Ed Britt, DBONE TO WATCH ON OFFENSE: Darrell Bridges, RB, R-Jr. (224 carries, 1,065 yards, 8 TDs)ONE TO WATCH ON DEFENSE: Obinna Ntiasagwe, DL, R-Jr. (41 TT, 7 TFL, 5.5 sacks, 1 PBU, 1 FR, 1 FF)OTHER KEY PLAYERS: Ben Cheek, QB, R-So.; Daryl Wilson, WR, Sr.; Dashawn Davis, WR/RS, So.; Joseph Purter, TE, Sr.; Ryan Bristow, OL, Sr.; Zach Cooper, OL, R-So.; Frank Keller, OL, R-So.; Khari Rosier, DE, Sr.; Gyasi Yeldell, DL, Jr.; Kamren Mack, DL, Sr.; Steve Osondu, DB, Jr.; Kevin Green, DB, Sr; Rock Ya-Sin, DB, So.; Brett Norton, PK, So.OUTLOOK: The smallest FCS school (enrollment of about 1,200) fell by four wins from 6-5 in 2014, but it ended last season with an encouraging victory over Kennesaw State. The Blue Hose averaged only 12.5 points, and while they feature the Big Souths top returning rusher in Bridges, opposing defenses will focus on him until the offense gains consistency. As a freshman, QB Cheek eventually settled in at quarterback, yet he threw only two touchdowns with six interceptions. The defense has been solid in recent seasons, but it suffered key losses, especially with Williams and Britt. The Blue Hoses top returning tackler, Green, was fifth on the team. Some of this years defensive signees could have an impact. Its probably not the season for the Blue Hose to end the regular season at Florida.SCHEDULE:Sept. 1, at Central MichiganSept. 10, at ChattanoogaSept. 17, at CampbellSept. 24, Florida TechOct. 8, at Gardner-Webb*Oct. 13, Monmouth*Oct. 22, at Charleston Southern*Oct. 29, Coastal CarolinaNov. 5, Liberty*Nov. 12, at Kennesaw State*Nov. 19, at Florida* -- Big South gameRockets Jerseys China . 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Supported by three-run homers from Jayson Werth and Wilson Ramos, the young right-hander went seven strong innings in the Washington Nationals 8-4 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday night.Penriths run to the NRL finals suffered a setback with key forward Chris Grevsmuhl joining a growing list of injured forwards on the sidelines.The mid-season signing will miss Sundays crunch match against Newcastle with an elbow injury that could rule the former South Sydney player out for up to a month.Prop Suaia Matagi will be added to the 17 after recovering from a foot issue.Particularly this week with Chris missing out, thats a real bonus for us, Panthers coach Anthony Griffin said.Grevsmuhl, who has become a critical member of Penriths line-up since moving to the club in June, enters a casualty ward that also includes Sam McKendry and Reagan Campbell-Gillard.Jeremy Latimore is just one game back from a foot injury, while Matagi was forced to miss last weeks win over the Sydney Roosters.Griffin said Campbell-Gillard was close to returning against the Knights.With a short turnaround, hell probably play on Friday (against Wests Tigers), he said.The Panthers sit in eighth spot on the ladder following Gold Coasts win over the Wests Tigers and, with just four games to go in the regular season, must win to stay in the top eight.In his first year in charge at the club, Griffin said he was simply excited that his team was in contention to make their second finals series in six seasons.Weve been in and out for mostt of the year, on the edge of the eight, he said.dddddddddddd.Its certainly been more exciting, as the year comes to a close, that we put ourselves in there with a chance.Winners of three of their past four, the Panthers meet a Knights side aiming to avoid breaking more unwanted records in a disastrous season.After losing a club record 14th straight game last week, Newcastle are now in danger of equalling their longest losing streak at home with seven.And with just one win on the board this year, they could also have the fewest wins of any team in the NRL era, a record owned by the Rabbitohs three wins in 2003 and 2006.Hooker Tyler Randell returns from a rib injury to replace Danny Levi, while Mitchell Barnett comes back from suspension for co-captain Jeremy Smith (calf).STATS THAT MATTER* Since the beginning of 2006, 12 of the 15 matches between these two sides have been decided by double figure margins.* The Knights have conceded the first try in eight of their nine home games this season, including each of the past six.* If Newcastle are held scoreless, they will equal the all-time record of four games in a season scoring zero points. Only five other teams have suffered the feat. ' ' '