Week 6 Recap: UWF Extends Winning Streak to Three with 42-3 Homecoming Win
UWF Offense Shows Versatility
Coming into the game, Shorter was one of the better pass defenses in the conference, one of four teams in the conference holding opponents to less than 200 yards per game. Their game plan, quite smartly, was to sell out against the deep ball. As a result Shorter’s DBs, probably the most talented individual position group on the team, were aligned 10 or more yards off of the ball, which makes it difficult to create separation downfield and win those deep passes that the Argos have thrived on for the last couple of weeks. On top of the schematic decisions, the Hawks’ defensive backfield played really good ball on Saturday, particularly in limiting John Jiles (9 targets 3 catches 24 yards 1 TD, 3 PBU). But UWF showed a remarkable flexibility in this game and reformed themselves into an extremely effective running team against the Hawks.
The Argonauts had been solid running the ball all season, but never had to lean on it until Saturday. They’ve had at least 140 yards rushing in each of their four D2 games, and even managed to break the century mark against FAMU (when excluding sacks). I’ve mentioned both in previous recaps and live during games how impressed with CJ Wilson I have been this season, despite relatively low carry totals both for him and for the RB group in general. That all got flipped on its head over the weekend when Shorter decided to try and limit the downfield threat of Peewee, Jiles, Leggett, and Company. To be clear this isn’t the Argos highest volume of carries, the 35 rush attempts are less than vs UWG (39) and McKendree (38), but the running game exploded on an 8.8 yard per carry average.
It started with CJ Wilson, who was awesome Saturday. He continues to show why he has staked his claim as the Argos top back, his footwork is excellent, he is extremely hard to tackle one on one, he demonstrated great vision and burst in the backfield. He finished the game with a team best and career best 126 rushing yards on 13 carries, his TD coming on a 36 yard scamper in the 1st half. Wilson finished the night with just four carries that went for no gain or loss, and five carries that went for 10 or more yard gain, including 36, 27, and 20 yarders. But it wasn’t just Wilson, Troy transfer Jamontez Woods also had his best night as an Argonaut, finishing with 98 yards rushing and another 13 receiving, and averaging over 10 yards per offensive touch. Woods had an explosive 48 yard run and his one reception was a good play after the catch to convert a 3rd and 7 from deep in UWF territory.
This is not to overshadow the job the Argos Offensive Line did against Shorter. There were some gaping holes to hit, and that always makes the job of the backs and play callers a lot easier. It was great to see UWF flex that muscle after not really leaning on the run game through the first five games of the season.
Defense on an Historic Run
UWF has held three of their five D2 opponents to just 3 points this season. In those three games, the Argonauts are responsible for lowering their opponents’ average by 4, 3, and 4 points per game. The other two D2 opponents have scored just 21 and 24 points, but in each of those games (UWG and NGU) there has been a defensive TD and three of the four TDs allowed came in the 4th quarter. Add that all together and what does it mean? Against D2 opponents UWF’s defense is allowing a paltry 6.6 points per game and has not allowed a 1st half TD. Stunning when you consider the Argos gave up 26.6 points per game on defense in their first five D2 games last season.
The unit has been fantastic, Coach Conner’s new look Argos are leading the league in sacks (23), tackles for loss (49), total defense (270.8 yards per game), yards per play (4.6), rush defense (91.5/game), scoring defense (14.2 points per game), TDs allowed (8), and tied for the lead in INT (9). They’re second in total turnovers (12) and 3rd down defense (31.3%). Many of these marks are also in the top 25 nationally for defenses, including sacks (5th), rush defense (24th), total defense (19th), scoring defense (10th), and TDs allowed (t-9th).
I have gushed about the Defensive Line and the Linebacker groups this season, and understandably so. Gael Laurent and Walker Robinson have stepped up at the two Inside Linebacker positions, and are currently tied for 20th in the conference with 30 tackles. OLB Ralph Ortiz, leads the team with 3 INT and 4 PBU, is 3rd in the GSC for total passes defended (7). The Defensive Line is deep and talented, John McMullen leads the GSC in sacks (by a lot) and TFL, and despite failing to tally a sack for the first time all season, still managed 2 TFL and caused an INT with a QB hit. Others along the line like Jake Dorn (2.5 TFL, 5 hurries) and Byron Puryear (4 TFL, 2 sacks, 6 hurries) have also been dangerous playmakers. But the Defensive Back group has really held the line this year, and had a strong performance Saturday night.
The primary starting group for the last few weeks has been Eli Williams and Virgil Lemons at the two Corner spots, with True Freshman Donovan “DJ” Barnes and JUCO transfer Quincy Milhomme at Safety, four players who were not Argonauts this time last year. Milhomme has two INT in the last three weeks and Virgil Lemons grabbed his second of the season over the weekend as well. Lemons, who has looked excellent in coverage and has proven to be a strong tackler as well, also helped force Ralph Ortiz's interception over the weekend, delivering a big hit to the intended receiver that popped the ball up in the air. UWF’s DBs have 9 PBU and 6 INT through the first six games of the season, and are a big part of the reason that this defense is allowing just 179 yards passing per game, and given up just 5 passing TDs thus far. They have only allowed FAMU to throw for over 200 yards, and opponents are completing passes at just a 53.1% rate. The Argonauts DB group have yet to allow a 100 yard receiver this season or a multiple TD game from any receiver, leaving opposing teams totally locked down on the outside.
Freshman Highlights Through Six Weeks
In the fourth quarter on Saturday, the UWF offensive staff did something pretty cool: they subbed in a full group of Freshman skill players to get a drive with the starting OL unit and Peewee Jarrett. I’m not exactly sure why they did this instead of a full offensive sub package, but it gave True Freshmen RB TJ Lane, WRs Brenden Cook, Ja’Corey Scott, and Pat Delcour, as well as RS Freshman Jake Robinette invaluable experience both against the opposing 1st team defense and with the first team QB/OL running the show.
The result was a showcase drive for Lane, one of the top rushers in all of Florida HS Football last year and an opportunity for Cook to show off the jets he was recruited for. Lane was given an opportunity and made the most out of it. Entering the game on the second to last drive, he immediately showed his stuff with back to back runs of 11 and 9 yards, then an 18 yard 1st down run, another 9 yarder, which set up a 3 yard score. In all the Middleburg native, who had just one touch on the season, finished the night with 8 attempts for 58 yards and a score. Cook’s contribution on the same drive was a simple comeback route, but he turned on a dime and got upfield fast showing his sprinter’s stride and exploding for a 31 yard gain. It was the 3rd longest pass play of the night and was over 20 yards after the catch.
While these two True Freshman got a chance in mop up duty Saturday, two of their defensive classmates have been making an impact week after week so far this season. Donovan Barnes quickly asserted himself as the starter at Strong Safety. An opportunistic defender as a prep Barnes racked up a ton of big plays playing for FSU High School, and despite not being around for Spring football made his way onto the field and into the starting lineup week 2, an impressive feat especially at Safety. The early returns are good, he is second among DBs with 16 tackles (13 solo) and adds 1 INT and 1 PBU as well. He’s shown a propensity to make big hits even this early in his career, and looks like he will be a playmaker for the Argos for years to come. Another Freshman who has seen quite a bit of action is Robert Riley, who looks like Ortiz’s backup at SAM. While the official stat sheet has him only participating in three games, he has actually appeared in all six contests this season. He may only have four tackles on the year but has been extremely active when he is on the field and he delivered a huge hit in pass coverage on Saturday.
Through six weeks, my unofficial count of True Freshman (c/o 2023) who have played is 10:
QB Marcus Stokes (1)
WR/KR Brenden Cook (3)
OLB Robert Riley (6)
RB TJ Lane (2)
SS Donovan Barnes (6)
OL Jordan Capraro (1)
OL Keilon Hayes (1)
OL Matthew McQueen (1)
WR Ja’Corey Scott (1)
WR Patrick Delcour (1)
Quick Hitters
At halftime Coach Nobles acknowledged that Shorter was playing off, to limit the deep throws, and that they had to adapt. They did that. After going 7/16 66 yards (43.8%, 4.1 ypa) in the first half, Jarrett completed 12/18 for 191 (66.7%, 10.6 tpa) in the 2nd half.
In that 2nd half Peewee had his three longest plays of the night, at least two (the third wasn’t fully caught on camera) were short throws where the pass catcher (Leggett for one, Cook for the other) did most of the heavy lifting.
KJ Franklin and Jakobe Quillen both caught TDs on the night. Quillen opened scoring with a wide open catch in the end zone, while Franklin went up though contact and came down with his second of the year. Franklin has had at least two catches and reception of at least 13 yards in every game this season except McKendree.
Every week that passes it seems less and less likely that we will see Will Breland, Willie Jordan, or Kode Lowe the rest of the season. Crazy to think the LB group is so deep its been able to suffer the loss of all three of the 2022 starters.
Caden Leggett eclipsed the 100 yard mark for the first time this year, leading the team with 5 receptions 109 yards receiving and two catches over 45 yards. Its been good to see him get going the last two weeks after two relatively quiet weeks for him.
UWF allowed just one sack and no QB hurries on Saturday, one of the cleanest nights of the season. The totals for the year stand at 8 sacks 19 hurries, and a 13% total pressure rate on 207 drop backs. That number comes down to 5 sacks 5 hurries on 167 drop backs, a 6.0% total pressure rate against, when excluding the FAMU game.
After being absent the last two games, Starting Center Nash Nelson made an appearance this week. I’ll be curious if the starting lineup at OL reverts back to what we had been seeing earlier in the season.
UWF Players of the Week
Offense: RBs CJ Wilson (13 carries 126 yards 1 TD) and Jamontez Woods (10 carries 98 yards 1 TD, 1 reception 13 yards)
I couldn’t separate one from the other this weekend, so I’ll cheat and say both. The Argos top two RBs had their best nights of the season, leading to the best rushing contest for the Argonauts in 2023. Wilson eclipsed his career best for yards (117 with South Dakota State in 2019) while Woods matched his (98 yards with Troy in 2021), and slightly edged out his career best for total yards with 111. Wilson was hard to tackle, as per usual, and probably broke double digit tackles in the first half alone. Woods showed his versatility as a physical runner, but also a capable receiving threat.
Defense: CB Virgil Lemons (3 tackles (2 solo) 1 INT 1 PBU)
This was a tough one to pick, could have easily gone to Walker Robinson again (8 tackles 1.5 TFL 1 sack) or John McMullen (3 tackles 2 TFL 1 hurry) but I’m rolling with Lemons this week. The UNCP transfer has been an instant boon to the UWF defense this season, and this week he snagged his 2nd INT of the year and helped to force a second with a big hit that dislodged the ball from the intended receiver. The Argos allowed just 195 yards on 40 attempts and Lemons was a big part of that effort.
Special Teams: K Griffin Cerra (6/6 PAT, 0/1 FG, 7 KO 251 yards 1 touchback)
While Cerra missed a 46 yard FG this week, he was perfect 6/6 on PAT and returned to kickoff duty. Interestingly the Argos decided to kick short most of the night, with Cerra either pooching or punching the ball to an up man, only allowing 2 returns for 71 yards despite only one touchback.
From Around the League
North Greenville (3-3, 2-2) got back on track against Chowan (0-6, 0-4), winning 31-16.
In a battle of the unbeatens, Delta State (6-0, 4-0) won a lopsided 49-25 victory over Valdosta State (5-1, 2-1).
West Alabama (2-4, 1-3) fell on the road 24-6 to the Wolves of West Georgia (3-2, 2-1).
GSC Offensive Player of the Week
RB Kelvin Smith Delta State (23 carries 181 yards 3 TD 1 reception 11 yards)
GSC Defensive Player of the Week
LB Keondre Williams West Georgia (3 tackles (3 solo) 2 TFL 1 sack 1 fumble recovery 55 yard TD return)
GSC ST Player of of the Week
P Reilly Mason West Georgia (8 punts 326 yards 40.7 average, 2 inside 20, 60 yard long)
GSC Freshman of the Week
LB Ralph Ortiz West Florida (2 tackles (1 solo) 1 INT 1 PBU)*
*This is Ortiz’s third consecutive Freshman of the Week acknowledgement
Coming up This Week
The Argonauts take their three game winning streak on the road to Livingston, AL and take on the Tigers of West Alabama. UWA has been a tale of two phases so far this season, their defense is among the best in conference and country but their offense is among the worst. While not lacking in individual talent, RB Bry Webb and WR Darius Nalls are All-Conference caliber players, they have yet to find a steady presence at QB and sport the league’s worst Red Zone and Scoring Offense. Defensively they’re as tough as they come with talent at all three levels. Look out for a massive and dangerous Defensive Line, rangy playmaking Linebackers, and hard hitting and athletic Defensive Backs, all culminating in the best defense the Argonauts are likely to see the rest of the season.
