RFC Summer Semester--USA South Athletic Conference (NCAA Division III)

Looking back: After a tight race that came down to the final weeks of the regular season, Christopher Newport came out on top in the USAC at 6-1 (6-4 overall, regular season), winning not only a tiebreaker over North Carolina Wesleyan, but also the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Division III playoffs.  The Captains season ended in round one, with Mary Hardin-Baylor winning big, 59-7.

Looking ahead: The USAC welcomes two new members into their fold in 2012: LaGrange College from Georgia, as well as Maryville College from Tennessee. However, Shenandoah will leave the USAC for the Old Dominion Athletic Conference after this season.

Website: http://www.usasouth.net/


Predicted order of finish (2010 overall record in parentheses)

1. Christopher Newport (6-5):  The Captains have built a decent tradition in the 10-year history of their program, having had just one non-winning record (5-5 in 2009) during that span.  Additionally, CNU has reached the D-III playoffs seven times during over those 10 years.  It's something the Captains hope to continue in 2011.


2. North Carolina Wesleyan (7-3):  The Battling Bishops finished 6-1 in USAC play, but a loss to Christopher Newport put them on the outside looking in come playoff time.  A tough non-conference schedule has NCWC facing Ohio Northern, Hampden-Sydney, and future USAC member LaGrange to start the 2011 season.


3. Ferrum (4-6):  The Panthers may have a new head coach, but Dave Harper is no stranger to them.  The longtime assistant coach replaces Dave Davis, who retired at the end of last season.


4. Averett (5-5): After a promising start to 2010 at 5-2, the Cougars faded down the stretch with a season-ending three-game skid.


5. Shenandoah (4-6):  After finishing USAC play at 4-3, the Hornets hope that 2011 will be the year that they finally reach the top, before heading off to the ODAC in 2012.


6. Maryville (4-6):  The Scots will have one more season of associate membership in the USAC, before coming on board full-time in 2012.


7. Methodist (2-8):  A heartbreaking, triple-overtime loss to Ferrum sent the Monarchs into a season-ending six-game slide.  Four of those losses came by six points or less.


8. Greensboro (2-8):  A season-opening 17-15 win over crosstown archrival Guilford in the Gate City Soup Bowl was one of the few bright spots in an otherwise miserable season for the Pride.