Solving the Non-D1 Problem (Part Two)

This is part two of "Solving the Non-D1 Problem"; an expansion of my earlier article.

Now that we've gotten the Big South idea out of the way, I am pleased to bring you some extra ways we can fix this horrid scheduling dilemma.

Solving the Non-D1 Problem

For Wofford, playing lower-division opponents (North Greenville and Virginia-Wise) this year is no fun.

No fun for the smaller team, as they likely have to trek a good distance to get walloped on the gridiron.

No fun for the fans, as the excitement of the usual home schedule eludes them this season.

Most importantly, however, it is no fun for the Terriers, because filling up open spots on the schedule with lower-division schools, as opposed to Division I schools, makes it harder for them to make the playoffs.

Bulldogs End Wofford's Season

Alec Paradowski leads off for the Terriers in the first inning.

A sloppy outing late in the game contributed to a 12-3 loss to the Samford Bulldogs, which effectively ended the Terriers' season.

Baseball Preview: Samford

Man, it seems like we play Samford a lot. Actually, four out of our last six games were against the Bulldogs. We split those four evenly with Samford, our pair of wins coming in the form of a regular-season concluding doubleheader sweep.

Looking at last night's victory again, I am still struck by two things: the success of our pitching staff, and the Terriers' never-give-up attitude when it seemed all hope was lost.

Terriers Stay Alive

Wofford starter Connell Anderson warms up.

I didn't want this to be a farewell post. Farewell, that is, to the Terriers' 2014 baseball campaign. It was turning into quite the thing of beauty: strong pitching, an impressive record, and the will to survive in the SoCon Tournament.

Thanks to only the Terriers themselves, this is absolutely not a farewell post.

Coming Up Short

What's the first thing that pops into your mind when you hear the term "money game"? A major team running up the score on a smaller, lower-budget program cloaked in anonymity? Well, for quite a few years (not counting last season), the Terriers were not just a small FCS opponent. They were a small FCS opponent that was not to be taken lightly. 

2014 Football Preview: Mercer

This article is part of a series previewing the Terriers' 2014 football opponents. Mercer will visit Gibbs Stadium on November 22 to close the regular season.

We've already introduced Mercer as part of our "New SoCon Members" series, but in case you need a refresher, the Bears put football back on campus last season, which was the first since 1941.

Former Furman head coach Bobby Lamb's Bears, competing in the Pioneer Football League, finished with a statistically pleasing 10-2(6-2 conference) record.

2014 Football Preview: Furman

This article is part of a series previewing the Terriers' 2014 football opponents. The Terriers will travel to Furman on November 15th.

One of the SoCon's biggest rivalries, and a closely matched one at that, will enter its latest installment on November 15th. This will be the second straight meeting in Greenville.

Series Salvaged: Terriers Sweep Doubleheader, Earn #6 Seed, Bye in SoCon Tourney

Wofford earned a bye and a six-seed in the upcoming SoCon Tournament with a doubleheader sweep of the Samford Bulldogs.

Terriers Fall to Samford, 2-0

Samford pitchers Alex Ledford, Jared Brasher, and Parker Curry combined for an eight inning no-hitter on Friday night, before the Terriers ruined the bid in the ninth, facing pitcher Alex Gracia. Matt Ramsay and Eric Brink recorded Wofford's only hits of the game.

Terrier Notebook: APR Scores, Panthers Training Camp, Baseball Outlook

Here's a look at some news of interest concerning Terrier athletics:

Starting From Scratch

Remember the "Big Three" of SoCon Football? Perennial powerhouses Appalachian State and Georgia Southern were probably the first to come to mind. Completing that trio were the Terriers, modest yet persistent in their climb from "just another school" to a SoCon authority.

2014 Football Preview: Chattanooga

This article is part of a series previewing the Terriers' 2014 football opponents. Wofford visits Chattanooga after the off week.

The Terriers will get a break (which, considering Wofford's history of injury troubles, will most likely be a welcome one) after the first four SoCon games on the 2014 slate, which include The Citadel, Western Carolina, Samford, and VMI.  After this off week comes the Chattanooga Mocs, who have recently risen as one of the SoCon's top powers.  The game, on November 18, will be the second straight Terriers/Mocs contest played in Chattanooga.

Terriers Sweep UNCG, Look Forward to Samford, SoCon Tourney

Today, Wofford completed a three-game sweep of the UNCG Spartans.  On Friday, the Terriers recorded a walk-off 5-4 victory, while Saturday saw a 2-1 win. Today, the Terriers rallied to score four runs in the bottom of the seventh, overcoming a one-run deficit to cement a 8-4 victory.

Scioneaux Signs With Chargers

Alvin Scioneaux signed with the San Diego Chargers as an undrafted free agent.

UVA-Wise Replaces Jacksonville on 2014 Schedule

This article is part of a series previewing the Terriers' 2014 football opponents.  UVA-Wise replaces Jacksonville in Game Four.

Well, this is awkward.  Already eight games in, and we have to go back and re-preview game four.  Why? Jacksonville has apparently taken Wofford off next year's slate, and our replacement is none other than Virginia-Wise, one of our favorite Division II opponents of recent years.  The Highland Cavaliers play in the Mountain East Conference, where they finished last season 2-9 (2-7 conference), under fourth-year head coach Dewey Lusk.

2014 Football Preview: VMI

This article is part of a series previewing the Terriers' 2014 football opponents.  VMI visits Gibbs Stadium on October 25.

We already spotlighted VMI as one of the new SoCon members in 2014-15, so let's have a brief recap: The Keydets were longtime SoCon members(1924-2003), who left for the Big South Conference. Wofford's first SoCon game was a 23-13 victory over the Keydets in 1996.  The Terriers also won the last meeting between the two schools, 38-23 in 2005, two seasons after VMI left the conference.

VMI finished last season with a 2-10(1-4 Big South) record under seventh-year head coach Sparky Woods.

Terrier Notebook: Draft Watch, 2014 Bosscars, Other Terrier News

Here's a look at some recent news of interest concerning Wofford athletics:

Postgame Thoughts: Wofford vs. South Carolina

The Terriers came into Columbia today to take on a #11 Gamecocks team. Wofford has been steady lately, coming off a tough extra innings loss to Presbyterian and a series win over The Citadel. After tonight's 15-1 loss, their record stands at an even 25-25, with a 7-14 SoCon mark.

2014 Football Preview: Samford

This article is part of a series previewing the Terriers' 2014 football opponents. Wofford hopes to snap their two-loss streak to Samford on October 18.

Wofford's hopes for an outright SoCon title in 2012 were dashed with a two-overtime loss to the Samford Bulldogs. Samford fought back from a 24-9 deficit to tie the game with no time left in regulation.  An exchange of missed field goals, a Bulldog touchdown, and a Terrier fumble later, Wofford had no choice but to split the title with Appalachian State and Georgia Southern, only after beating Chattanooga the following week.

Last year, the Bulldogs came out on top by a touchdown in Spartanburg, 34-27.  Under seventh-year head coach Pat Sullivan, Samford finished 2013 with a 8-5(6-2 SoCon) record, splitting a SoCon title with Chattanooga and Furman.

2014 Football Preview: Western Carolina

This article is part of a series previewing the Terriers' 2014 football opponents.  Wofford's SoCon slate continues with WCU.

The Terriers will travel to Cullowhee, North Carolina, on October 11 to face the Western Carolina Catamounts.  This will be Wofford's second SoCon game and the sixth contest overall.

The Catamounts have fallen on some tough times lately.  From 2011 to 2012, WCU only won two games, both against Division II Mars Hill(NC).  Last season, the Catamounts made a slight improvement, finishing with a 2-10(1-7 SoCon) record.  In addition to the now-yearly win against Mars Hill, Western Carolina notched a SoCon win over Elon.

Where Are They Now: Noah Dahlman, Cameron Rundles

If you've watched a Wofford basketball game in the last few years, you've undoubtedly noticed some great players.  In fact, a lot of talent comes into Spartanburg.  Today's post looks at where two former Terrier standouts are now.

2014 Football Preview: The Citadel

This article is part of a series previewing the Terriers’ 2014 football opponents. The Citadel travels to Gibbs Stadium on October 4 to kick off SoCon play.

Wofford's foray into the newly shaped SoCon begins on October 4 against The Citadel.  The Terriers have defeated the Bulldogs each time for the last fifteen years, the most recent being last season’s 21-10 victory a week after the demoralizing 69-0 loss to Baylor to open the season. The Bulldogs finished last season 5-7 (4-4 SoCon).

The Citadel is entering 2014 with a new coach, Mike Houston, who led Lenoir-Rhyne to last year's Division II National Championship game, in which they lost to Northwest Missouri State.  Houston replaces Kevin Higgins, who left for an assistant spot at Wake Forest.