Shenandoah Valley News

VMI Football vs. Furman Game Day Central

 Looking for some home cooking, the VMI Football team will host Furman on Saturday with kickoff scheduled for 1:30 p.m.

FIRST COMMAND – Saturday's game against Furman is also presented by First Command Financial. To find out more about First Command and their services, visit www.firstcommand.com/.

Attending the Game
Tickets

Broadcasts
ESPN+ (Wade Branner, Cal Murray)
Radio - 96.7 3WZ  (Jeremy Franklin, Rick Cruze,)
Live Stats
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VMI (1-5, 0-3 SoCon)
Roster
Coaching Staff
Schedule/Results
Statistics
Game Notes
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Furman (5-2, 3-1 SoCon)
Roster
Schedule/Results
Coaching Staff
Statistics
Game Notes
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VMI TOPPED BY No. 9 CHATTANOOGA – The Keydets had a tall task last weekend, visiting ninth-ranked Chattanooga on Saturday, as the SoCon-favorite Mocs topped VMI 41-13. Chattanooga, who was also coming off its bye week, held the Keydets to negative yards rushing in the first, getting a pair of big plays to jump in front 31-7 at the half, tacking on 10 points in the second. VMI's two-scoring plays came on a 98-yard kickoff return from rookie Jahleel Porter and a five-yard rush from rat quarterback Collin Shannon. On Monday, the Mocs were bumped up to No. 8 in the FCS Coaches Poll.

SCOUTING THE PALADINS – Picked to finish fourth in the preseason SoCon poll, Furman has put together a strong season, with its lone FCS loss coming to No. 16 Samford. In both the FCS Coaches Poll and Stats Perform FCS Poll, Furman is just two spots out of the Top 25. The Paladins – who did receive a first-place vote in the preseason poll – have a win over then No. 18 ETSU and are most recently coming off a 47-40 victory over Western Carolina. In SoCon play, the Paladins – behind a strong offensive line - boast the top rushing offense (228.8 yards per game) led by Dominic Roberto who is averaging 129.5 yards per game on the ground to go with five touchdowns in four league games. Roberto had a massive game against Western Carolina, rushing for 252 yards and scoring three touchdowns en route to FCS Ground National Offensive Player of the Week honors. Defensively, Matt Sochovka played a key role in the victory, blocking a field goal, an extra point and registering two tackles to win SoCon Defensive Player of the Week honors.

HOW THEY RANK – The turnover battle has been critical to the Paladins' success, ranking second among FCS teams with 17 turnovers and fourth nationally with 10 interceptions on the season. Roberto's ground game ranks him 9th in the nation with 685 yards, while the team as a whole checks in at 10th in the nation in that category. In the air, fifth-year tight end Ryan Miller ranks second with seven scores on the year, averaging 6.3 catches per game (16th FCS, 1st SoCon). In league games, Furman is averaging 30.5 points, 409.5 yards and over 32 minutes in the time of possession battle. The Paladins pace the conference in kickoff return yards (28.6) and are efficient in the Red zone, coming away with points 15 out of 18 tries. On the flip side, teams have gone 8-for-10 when in the Red Zone.

THE SERIES – All-time, Furman has gotten the better of VMI, winning 29 of 39 matchups. In Lexington, the two sides have been more even, with the edge going to Furman 12-7. Last season, the Keydets fell into a 17-0 deficit, battling all the back before falling to the No. 21 Paladins 37-31. When the teams met in the Spring of 2021, VMI took town No. 10 Furman 14-13 for its first win over a ranked opponent since 2002.

A VMI Win over Furman would ...
--Be VMI's second victory in three tries over Furman
--Snap a six-game slide in SoCon matchups dating back to last year

- NOTING THE KEYDETS -

SHANNON GETS THE START – With injuries sidelining both Seth Morgan and Collin Ironside, true freshman Collin Shannon got the nod at Chattanooga for his first career start. The Sevierville, Tennessee native was the first rat quarterback to start a game for VMI since Reece Udinski in 2017 (11/11 vs. Wofford). Shannon had some good moments, going 15-of-20 for 157 yards with one interception and a rushing touchdown (his first score at the collegiate level).

PORTER TO THE HOUSE – Rookie Jahleel Porter has been a difference maker since game one, totaling seven tackles and two break ups in his debut at Wake Forest. Posting a team-high five break ups on the season, Porter etched himself into the VMI history books with a 98-yard kickoff return for a touchdown against Chattanooga. The return was the first VMI kickoff return for a touchdown since 2015 (Greg Sanders).

NATIONAL NUMBERS – VMI special teams has been consistently strong this season, with its two blocked punts tying for 4th in the nation, while their punt return defense is allowing just 3.5 yards per return (26th, FCS). Stone Snyder continues to rack up numbers on the defensive side, as his 10.3 tackles per game ranking 7th nationally, with teammate Evan Eller's 8.7 per game is 50th. Christian Dunn has been effective all year when getting to the quarterback, posting a team-high 4.0 sacks (0.67 per game - ranking 41st nationally).

STATS AMONG THE SOCON – When it comes to fourth downs, the Keydet defense has stymied teams all season, giving up just three first down attempts in 11 tries. The VMI defense has also been solid in the red zone, ranking fourth among SoCon teams. Chance Knox and Leroy Thomas ranks 6th and 8th in receptions per game (5.0, 4.0).

SPREAD IT AROUND – Eight different Keydets recorded at least one catch at Chattanooga, with Isaiah Lemmond totaling 68 yards on a career-high six catches. Andre Cooper's 42-yard reception set up the Collin Shannon touchdown for VMI. While Chance Knox is still the No. 1 target for the Keydets, the junior had just one reception last week.  

TWO-DEEP NOTES – The quarterback position will still be Collin Shannon and Wyatt Hagan going into Saturday, while Charles Dixon is slated to get the start at nose tackle in place of Eric Weaver.

NEWCOMER NOTES – In addition to Collin Shannon and Jahleel Porter, freshman Tyler Swann has seen his role grow on the defensive line, collecting 8.0 tackles on the season while linemate Geoffrey Speight has 9.0 tackles including 1.5 tackles for loss. Offensively, Isaiah Lemmond has proven to be a consistent target for Keydet quarterbacks, ranking third on the team in receiving yards (166) and fourth with 10 catches.

CLIMBING THE CHARTS – Sending the 31st field goal of his career through the uprights at Western Carolina, Jerry Rice is now tied for second place at VMI for career field goals, matching Wade Hawkins' 31. Rice is also fourth in VMI history with 76 PATs made, trailing Jeff Sexton who sits in third with 86 PATs for his career.

Original source can be found here