DAVIDSON, N.C. – An annual PFL tradition between two nearby rivals, the 2023 edition of the Carolina Border Clash is all set for this Saturday in the Tar Heel State. The Presbyterian College football team looks to reverse last season's defeat at the hands of Davidson as they'll joust with one of two remaining unbeatens across league play.
As is customary for the PC/Davidson duel, kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM tomorrow night, broadcasted via the Wildcats' all-access network. The Blue Hose have carved a reputable aura when competing away from home, downing Wofford and Dayton in close calls when playing the visiting side.
Saturday will denote the 35
th all-time meeting between Presby and Davidson, a streaky series that has favored the Wildcats in recent times. After the Blue Hose received four straight victories against their rival, three of the past four have swayed in the other direction (including a 56-24 Davidson win at Bailey Memorial Stadium last September).
Head coach
Steve Englehart's club has been dealt a tough hand in regards to their upcoming final two road trips, made to play guest two weeks apart against the Wildcats and later Drake in Des Moines, two squads that are a combined 8-0 in PFL action going into this weekend.
GAMEDAY CENTRAL
WHAT: Presbyterian (3-4, 1-3) at Davidson (5-2, 4-0)
WHERE: Richardson Stadium (Davidson, N.C.)
WHEN: Saturday, October 28 | 7:00 PM
FOLLOW THE ACTION
WATCH: Davidson All-Access
LIVE STATS: SideArm
TWITTER: @BlueHoseFtball
GAME NOTES: Presbyterian Notes |
Davidson Notes |
PFL Weekly Report
Opponent Profile
• Representing the Pioneer League in the 2022 FCS Playoffs, Davidson has picked right back up where they left off by steamrolling their way to a five-game winning streak, the longest in the division.
• After posting an 8-3 record last season, the Wildcats have continued to press an elite rushing attack that has conjured 301 ground yards per game (second among all FCS schools, trailing only #2 Montana State).
• Since a surprising 0-2 opening, Davidson has compiled an average of 53 points per contest during their impressive streak of W's, including a 28-point decision over Marist, a 22-point win versus San Diego, a three-touchdown triumph against Valparaiso, and an 84-6 annihilation of St. Andrews last month.
• Under head coach Scott Abell's guidance, the Wildcats rank fourth in the country with 480 total yards per outing, leading all FCS comers with a passing efficiency rating of 187.72.
Last Time Out
• On the 2023 edition of Homecoming at PC, the Blue Hose defense overwhelmed Marist last weekend and played a crucial role across a low-scoring progression. The Red Foxes would muster a mere three points from their offensive unit, which didn't appear until the 4th
quarter.
• Unfortunately for the blue and garnet, that same stinginess was applied to Marist's front seven and beyond, who accounted for two defensive TD's and a special teams safety that proved to be the difference-maker in a 19-10 ballgame.
• Next to
Alex Herriott's 16 tackles, the accompanying PC D surrendered only 22 passing yards when the Red Foxes opted to throw. That's the third-smallest number given up all season at the FCS stage, helping Presby outgain the New Yorkers by 108 yards when the smoke had cleared (293-185).
• Although the past couple matchups inside of conference terrain have favored both defenses, coach Englehart's squad still ranks seventh nationally in yards per catch (14.6).
Herriott Acquires PFL Defensive Player of the Week
• Junior linebacker
Alex Herriott (PC's leading tackler since 2021) was chosen as the division's Defensive Player of the Week on October 22. The captain of a unit that did not let Marist's offense into the end zone over the entire 60-minute matchup, Herriott brought down a Red Fox ball-carrier 16 times as the Blue Hose fell by a slim 19-10 margin.
• One of the nation's best at his position, Herriott has collected 48 solo tackles since September (fourth in FCS) while his 76 tackles overall place him in the country's top 10. He leads the Pioneer Football League full-stop in both of those categories.
• He has now assembled 10 separate performances in his illustrious PC career with a double-digit number of stops, doing so five times this season and in four consecutive contests.
• After picking up 93 tackles in 2022 as a sophomore, Herriott is averaging nearly 11 per game as the season's PFL stretch chugs on. Approaching next weekend's trip to Davidson for the Carolina Border Clash, he has logged 230 tackles in 29 games (good for sixth-place in PC's 16-year Division I history).
Mikko Makes Jerry Rice Award Watch List
• First-year kicker
Mack Mikko has been summoned to the 2023 FCS Jerry Rice Award Watch List, presented by Stats Perform and FedEx Ground. The annual honor, awaiting its 13th recipient, is presented to the most outstanding freshman player in the Football Championship Subdivision.
• Making the cut of 22 individuals nationwide – while being the only special teams player on the entire list – Mikko gets the invite after pouring in 11 field goals in seven appearances this season (the second-highest among any kicker at the FCS level regardless of class).
• Debuting in 2011 and named after legendary Hall of Fame wide receiver Jerry Rice (who attended Mississippi Valley State University), the award is voted on by a national panel of more than 40 sports information and media relations directors, broadcasters, writers, and other various dignitaries.
• Other notable past honorees include eventual NFL stars Cooper Kupp (Eastern Washington, 2013), Chase Edmonds (Fordham, 2014), Trey Lance (North Dakota State, 2019), and current QB of the Colorado Buffaloes, Shedeur Sanders (then at Jackson State in 2021).
