Concord Voted Ninth in MEC Preseason Poll

BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. – The Concord University football team has been tabbed ninth in the Mountain East Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll that was released Monday afternoon by the conference office.
 

Place	Team (First-Place Votes)	Points
1.	Charleston (6)	77
2.	UNC Pembroke (3)	73
3.	Frostburg State (1)	68
4.	Fairmont State	54
5.	Glenville State	43
6.	Wheeling	39
7.	West Virginia State	36
8.	West Liberty	32
9.	Concord	18
10.	West Virginia Wesleyan	10

 
2023 REVIEW
Concord went 1-10 last fall as it picked up a win over West Virginia Wesleyan in late October. The Mountain Lions averaged just under 300 yards of offense with more than 240 of those yards coming through the air per game. Wide receiver Kris Copeland earned Honorable Mention All-American after hauling in 92 receptions for 957 yards for eight touchdowns. Linebacker Jamari Smith was All-Mountain East Conference Honorable Mention and offensive lineman Jabari Edwards earned the same distinction.

2024 SCHEDULE
The season opens September 7 against Mercer County rival Bluefield State. CU plays two non-conference games to start the season as UVa.-Wise visits Athens September 14. To start MEC play, Concord faces the top two teams in the MEC from 2023 as it travels to Frostburg State September 21 before hosting Charleston the following week. Back-to-back road games begin October as the Mountain Lions head to West Liberty and West Virginia State October 5 and 12. Homecoming is slated for October 19 as Concord faces Glenville State. And the month closes at West Virginia Wesleyan October 26. The final road contest comes November 2 at Fairmont State, and the Mountain Lions cap the season with home games versus Wheeling and UNC Pembroke November 9 and 16.

THE RETURNERS
Blayne Ferguson will factor into the quarterback competition to replace record-setting quarterback Jack Mangel, who is now playing in Europe for the Fehervar Enthroners in Hungary. Ferguson attempted 23 passes last year, completing 14 for 144 yards. TJ Finney will spearhead the ground game after he rushed for 315 yards and three touchdowns in eight games last fall. With the lost production of Copeland and Alvin Howard (30 catches for 461 yards and six touchdowns), Jordyn Bentley (25 receptions, 257 yards, two touchdowns) and Jake Roberts (21 receptions, 212 yards, two touchdowns) seek to have increased roles in 2024. Edwards and Aidan Parsons, an 11-game starter at left guard last season, will be counted on to lead the offensive line.

Concord's defense returns its top four tacklers from a season ago. Smith finished second in the MEC in tackles as he rolled up 90 stops with 10 tackles for loss. Kendall Bournes and Brodee Rice saw valuable time as true freshmen last fall. Bournes made 78 tackles from his safety spot. Meanwhile, Rice collected 72 tackles at linebacker. Leading the defensive line is sixth-year senior Vonte Pannell after career highs in tackles (59), tackles for loss (11) and sacks (three) in 2023. Other key returners on defense is safety Trennon Mitchell (29 tackles in seven games) and Rodric Vaughn (18 tackles, five pass break-ups in eight games).

All-MEC First Team punter Josh Hutley headlines the returning specialists for the Mountain Lions. He averaged 41.6 yards per punt which was top 20 in Division II. Roberts averaged 7.3 yards per punt return.

THE NEWCOMERS
Concord added Division II transfers Cole McKinney (Shaw) Khwan Mickens (Chowan), Terry Noel (Glenville State) and Nehemiah Scott (Virginia Union) to the secondary as well as Bryant University transfer Devon Banks to the back end of the defense. The offensive line was strengthened by California junior college transfers Jacob De Lazzaro and Chievers Johnson, both Citrus College products, as well as Duquesne transfer Evan Azzara. Former all-state quarterback Grant Cochran from nearby Princeton High School returns to Mercer County after spending last year at West Virginia.

A total of 27 first-year transfers dot the Concord football roster while 69 true freshmen are in preseason camp for the first time as CU prepares for its September 7 opener versus Bluefield State at Callaghan Stadium.