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.

VMI's 2013 Season 

After dropping their season opener to Richmond (34-0), the Keydets won their home opener by a touchdown against Division II Glenville State.  VMI lost their next seven games, which included a seven-point loss to North Greenville, who the Terriers play this season, and a 49-0 stomping at the hands of FBS Virginia before an overtime home loss to Robert Morris.  VMI's Big South slate opened with losses to Charleston Southern (25-17) and Presbyterian (49-35).  Coastal Carolina uprooted the Keydets 66-27, and Liberty squeaked out a ten-point victory, setting the stage for VMI's second and last win of the season: a 27-9 contest over Gardner-Webb, another of Wofford's non-conference foes this year.  In the Military Classic of the South, they were defeated by The Citadel 31-10, and they dropped a 35-25 decision to Bucknell to finish the season.  The Keydets closed out 2013 tied for last place in the Big South, accompanying Presbyterian at the bottom of the pile.

The Game

It should be interesting to see how this younger Terrier squad adapts to a new opponent. We should be able to manage, that is, if we continue to build up our strengths and repair our weaknesses by analyzing our work in the games leading up to this one, especially in our SoCon slate.  This could end up as a "tune-up" for the tougher games featuring the likes of Chattanooga and Furman, but you never want to be caught looking ahead.  Play smart in every game, and take advantage of each opportunity to improve.