Concord Puts National Ranking on the Line Versus Urbana

Concord Stats - Urbana Stats - Live Stats - Live Audio - Live Video - D2football.com Poll - AFCA Top 25 Poll - Complete Game Notes

ATHENS, W.Va. - For the first time in school history, the Concord University football team will enter a game nationally-ranked by the American Football Coaches Association poll as the Mountain Lions host Urbana on homecoming in Athens. Game time is set for 2:00 p.m.

LIVE COVERAGE
The Concord Univeristy Sports Information Department will provide live in-game statistics as well as live in-game streaming video. Additionally, the live radio broadcast of the game can be heard on Willie 97.3 FM locally or live online at kissplaysthehits.com. To access any of the live coverage options, follow the links at the top of the page or click here.

MOUNTAIN LION NOTES
• The 5-0 start has Concord ranked in both major Division II football polls. Concord jumped into the AFCA poll at number 23 after receiving 72 points in becoming the 119th different team to being slotted in the rankings since its creation in 2000.

• The Mountain Lions find themselves 21st in the D2football.com poll, marking the second straight week CU has been in the D2football rankings.

• After a 45-21 win on the road against Fairmont State, CU is just one of 17 programs in Division II to start the season 5-0.

• Junior back running back Calvinaugh Jones paced the offensive attack with 144 rushing yards and a career-high three touchdowns.

• Jones, who has 2,387 yards for his career, moved past Wayne Hicks for seventh all-time on the career rushing yards list at Concord and the Glen Burnie, Maryland native now needs 432 yards to pass David Lipscomb for sixth all-time.

• Senior cornerback Mike Carey tied current Concord defensive backs coach Tracy Gravely as well  as Chris Belcher and Rodney Hughey for ninth on the career interceptions list at CU with his eighth career pick in the Mountain Lions' win at Fairmont State.

• After catching another touchdown, junior wide receiver Ryan Stewart is tied for third in Division II with nine touchdown receptions this season.

• Stewart is just two scores away from tying his career high in receiving touchdowns (11) which he set in 2011 as a true freshman.

• Sophomore quarterback Brian Novak sits atop the Division II passer efficiency ratings for a second straight week at 184.2 after throwing for 201 yards and two touchdowns agaisnt FSU.

• As for Concord's homecoming game versus Urbana, the Mountain Lions have not lost a homecoming contest under head coach Garin Justice in three prior tries.

• Last season, CU beat Fairmont State on homecoming 34-17.

• In fact, Concord is undefeated in homecoming games since 2008.

• Jones has saved his best performances for homecoming as he has rushed for 395 yards in two homecoming games while scoring two touchdowns.

• The 209 yards Jones rushed for in last year's game versus Fairmont State remains a career high. Previously, the 186 yards he racked up against Glenville State two years ago on homecoming was his former career collegiate best.

• Heading into play against Urbana, Concord leads the Mountain East Conference in several major offensive categories.

• The Mountain Lions are the conference's best in total offense (531 yards per game), rushing offense (223 ypg), passing offense (307 ypg) and scoring offense (50.4 points per game).

• In addition to the eye-popping offensive numbers the Mountain Lions have produced throughout the season, the CU defense ranks fourth nationally in interceptions with 10 lead by Carey, who has three and is third in the MEC in picks.

• Perhaps, one of the overlooked aspects of Concord's success this season is the great play of the special teams unit.

• Junior wide receiver Tiko Henderson has spearheaded the kickoff return game for Concord as he has averaged  21.3 yards per return and has returns of 40 yards or more in three of five CU's games.

• As a team, CU is third in the MEC in kickoff return average (22.8).

• Junior quarterback Jermeil Douse has been the primary option on punt returns for Concord.

• Douse has already returned a punt for a touchdown this season and is averaging 22.6 yards per return.

• CU is also third in the league averaging 15.4 yards on punt returns.

• Adding to the special teams success is redshirt freshman punter Garrett Lee who averaged a career-high 41.7 yards per punt against Fairmont State including a personal-best 54-yard boot.

• During the 2013 season, Concord averaged 4.9 yards per play, but through five games in 2014 the Mountain Lions are averaging 7.3 yards per snap which is second in the nation.

• The Mountain Lions will be seeking revenge from a 22-10 loss on the road at Urbana last season.

• Jones rushed for 94 yards and the lone CU touchdown versus the Blue Knights.

• Junior defensive lineman Tre Preston had a career game in Ohio as he tallied 10 tackles, three tackles for loss and one sack. His 10 tackles are a personal best.

• Prior to kickoff against Urbana, members of the 1989 Concord football team will be recognized. The '89 Mountain Lions finished 7-2-1 and claimed a share of the WVIAC championship.

• Gravely, a Concord defensive back and running back Bryan Hamm were two key members of the team along with James Smith who were Concord's three first team all-conference selections.

• Additionally, Hamm and former CU defensive lineman Robert Thompson were announced as members of Concord's 2015 Hall of Fame Class earlier this week.

• Thompson and former basketball coach Steve Cox and current kickers coach will be honored before Saturday's game.

• Urbana has the league's top tackler in linebacker D'Gary Wallace, leading the way with 56 takedowns.

• Urbana is just ahead of CU is total defense in the MEC, ranking third.

A CONCORD WIN WOULD...
• A Concord win would keep the Mountian Lions unbeaten in the last six homecoming games.

• A Concord win would give CU its ninth win out of its last 10 contests.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS
23-  Concord's ranking in the AFCA poll. The first time CU has appeared in the coaches' poll in school history.

395- Jones' rushing yards total in two previous homecoming games.

7- Number of wins for the 1989 football team that will be recognized prior to Saturday's game.

UP NEXT
Concord will travel to West Virginia Wesleyan for an MEC contest October 18 at 1:00 p.m.