ompetitors -- whether it be on the court, whether it be on consoles or computers -- playing against each other to prove whos the best, Towns explained. Thats why esports is so awesome, its just like professio

(STATS) -- The most successful new coaches in the FCS this year coached together for the last six years.Its no surprise The Citadels Brent Thompson and James Madisons Mike Houston are leading the way considering their championship-winning ability.Besides them going separate ways last offseason, the difference is that Thompson kept the triple option offense that he and Houston utilized together at The Citadel and previously at Division II Lenoir-Rhyne, while Houston wisely kept the spread attack that was in place among the great talent at James Madison.After beating Samford on Saturday, fifth-ranked The Citadel (9-0) has clinched at least a share of its first back-to-back Southern Conference titles and secured an automatic bid to the FCS playoffs. James Madison (8-1) sits in first place in CAA Football and will move up to the No. 6 ranking following a great win over rival Richmond, and it can clinch the conference title and a playoff bid with a victory at Villanova next Saturday.Houston and Thompson first coached together as assistants on the Lenoir-Rhyne staff in 2010, with Houston coordinating the defense and Thompson the offense under head coach Fred Goldsmith. When Goldsmith retired after the season, Houston was elevated to head coach and Thompson remained on with the Paul Johnson/Fisher DeBerry form of the triple option, which took Lenoir-Rhyne to the 2013 D-II national championship game and set an NCAA record for rushing yards in a season.Houston left for The Citadel before the 2014 season and named Thompson as his offensive coordinator. Last year, they led the Bulldogs to their first SoCon title since 1992.When Houston took over at James Madison after last season, Thompson remained at The Citadel to become its 25th head coach.Theyre both winning with high-powered offenses this season. James Madison, which has lost only to North Carolina, ranks second in the FCS in scoring offense and third in total offense behind quarterback Bryan Schor and running back Khalid Abdullah. The Citadel leads the nation in rushing offense behind fullback Tyler Renew and four of the top 10 rushers in the SoCon.Six of the 19 FCS teams with new coaches are enjoying winning seasons. The others are Fordham (Andrew Breiner), Maine (Joe Harasymiak), Southern Utah (Demario Warren) and Western Illinois (Charlie Fisher).---=SECOND AND 10=Ten more observations from the FCS weekend:1.) James Madisons 47-43 win over Richmond in a Top 10 matchup was among the games of the season. It was two interstate rivals and defending champions in CAA Football playing for first place again and going back and forth at each other (the lead changed five times, including three times in the fourth quarter). Quarterbacks Schor and Richmonds Kyle Lauletta combined for 10 total touchdowns and no turnovers. Its a shame there has to be a winner and loser in this ball game, considering the way these two teams competed, Houston said, but for us, its certainly a huge win.2.) Gardner-Webb is the team of the week after stunning No. 8 Charleston Southern 17-10 on the road in the Big South. The Runnin Bulldogs (4-6), though inconsistent, make it a habit of beating ranked teams, this time behind quarterback Tyrell Maxwell, who amassed 360 total yards (195 passing, 165 rushing) and two total touchdowns. They capped a game-winning, 85-yard touchdown drive with Maxwells 1-yard TD pass to tight end Mike Estes with 27 seconds remaining.3.) The Citadel and Lehigh are the first qualifiers to the FCS playoffs, so whos next? Next weekend, Liberty (Big South), James Madison (CAA), Saint Francis (Northeast) and San Diego (Pioneer Football League) can clinch automatic bids with wins.4.) Can the MEAC runner-up earn an at-large bid to the playoffs? Dont forget the team not headed to the Celebration Bowl is eligible, and its looking more possible for No. 11 North Carolina A&T (8-1) or North Carolina Central (7-2). They are both 6-0 in the conference and on a collision course for a Nov. 19 matchup at Central. Their three combined losses are against FBS teams and A&T owns a win over MAC member Kent State. The MEAC has had at-large qualifiers in the past.5.) Speaking of the selection committee, chair Brian Hutchinson was forthcoming in an interview with Bison 1660 in Fargo, North Dakota, about the initial rankings last week. His revealing that the committee will look deeper into the data as it advances toward the release of the Nov. 20 pairings brings into question why that wasnt done prior to the first rankings. After Jacksonville States 17-10 struggle past Southeast Missouri, the Gamecocks could fall from the No. 1 ranking. Their 101st schedule ranking, according to NCAA statistics, is the lowest of the 10 teams in the first committee rankings.6.) If any team is going to get an at-large bid with a 6-5 record, it would likely come from the toughest conference, the Missouri Valley, where Western Illinois was the first team to accomplish the feat a year ago. Northern Iowa (4-5) and Illinois State (5-5) were Top 10 teams entering the season, but both have been frustrated by close losses this season. Illinois State figures to beat Missouri State next weekend and get to 6-5 with impressive wins over Northwestern, South Dakota State and Western Illinois. UNI also would have wins over SDSU and WIU if it wins out and an FBS win (Iowa State). Ironically, they are not playing each other in the MVFCs unbalanced schedule.7.) Teams wont lose if theyre not giving up points. The top 13 FCS teams in fewest points allowed are a combined 93-21, with none worse than 6-3. San Diego (7-1) leads the way at 11.6 points per game.8.) Its getting overlooked because of Eastern Washingtons weekly offensive firepower, but the Eagles defense is progressing down the stretch -- more bend than break. Second-year defensive coordinator Jeff Schmeddings defense has allowed its three-lowest point totals of the season in the last three games, including the No. 3 Eagles 42-21 win at No. 14 Cal Poly in the Big Sky on Saturday night. The Eagles are seeking their fourth conference title in five years.9.) Junior quarterback Jeremiah Briscoe set the Sam Houston State record for touchdown passes in a season when he reached 40 in a 56-43 win over McNeese. With two more regular season games and a potentially deep playoff run ahead, the FCS record of 56 -- held by Mississippi Valley States Willie Totten (1984) and Grambling States Bruce Eugene (2005) -- appears within Briscoes reach.10.) Texas Southern (3-6, 3-4) sits 3 1/2 games out of first place in the SWACs West Division. It would be tied for first place in the East, where none of the five teams has a winning record. Alcorn State (3-5, 3-4) and Jackson State (3-6, 3-4) are expected to play for the East Division spot in the SWAC championship game on Nov. 19. Grambling State (6-1, 6-0) and Southern (6-2, 6-0) have an edge over Prairie View A&M (6-3, 6-1) in the West Division standings.---=A LOOK AHEAD=Next weekends action kicks off Friday night with a big matchup in the Ivy League -- Harvard at Penn. With a win, the visiting Crimson would clinch at least a share of their fourth straight title.On Saturday, James Madison will have its second straight Top 10 matchup in the CAA when it goes to Villanova.Other pivotal conference matchups include: Big Sky, Northern Arizona at North Dakota, Cal Poly at Weber State and Montana at Northern Colorado; Big South, Charleston Southern at Liberty; Ivy, Princeton at Yale; Missouri Valley, Northern Iowa at Western Illinois and South Dakota at South Dakota State; NEC, Sacred Heart at Duquesne; OVC, Southeast Missouri State at UT Martin; Southern, Wofford at Chattanooga; Southland, Nicholls at Central Arkansas; and SWAC, Southern at Prairie View A&M and Alabama State at Grambling State.Southern Utah will go to Provo to take on BYU. Fake Air Force 1 Buy . -- The Bishops Gaiters are showing they belong among the countrys top varsity football teams. Cheap Air Max 270 China .C. -- When North Carolina freshman Ryan Switzer reported to training camp in August he was a little miffed to learn he was third on the depth chart at punt returner. http://www.outletsneakersclearance.com/fake-air-jordan.html . Olli Jokinen, Mark Scheifele, and Bryan Little each had a goal and an assist as Winnipeg won 5-2, handing Calgary its record-setting seventh consecutive loss on home ice. Cheap Balenciaga Shoes Online .Y. - Detroit goaltender Jonas Gustavsson has earned NHL first star of the week honours after winning in his first three appearances of the season. Air Max 95 China Wholesale . Zvonareva, who won the tournament in 2009 and 10, couldnt handle her opponents big groundstrokes in only her third event back after 17 months out with a shoulder injury. Zvonareva made her comeback in January in Shenzhen and played in the Australian Open but lost her first matches at both tournaments. Several people are gathered for food and drinks in the Chase Lounge at The Forum in Los Angeles while a large Call of Duty esports and interactive event occurs around them. But one 7-foot?Minnesota Timberwolves?center, Karl-Anthony Towns Jr., is here for the game. Specifically, to play the new version, Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare, and watch the Call of Duty World Championships.Ive played the first Call of Duty on PC; that was my first time playing [it], Towns told ESPN. It was just Call of Duty at the time. It was awesome, I had a blast playing it and I have that nostalgia feel here when playing Modern Warfare Remastered [from] when I was really good at video games.Towns joins the ever-growing list of traditional athletes who have taken an interest in esports, many of whom are or have been affiliated with the NBA. Some have zeroed in on Call of Duty in particular.I think [the reason some athletes like Call of Duty over other games] is because it gives us that sense of teamwork and also because its action-packed, Towns said of the trend. Its like being part of a movie. It gives you that sense where ... you dont have to work together necessarily to win, but if you work together, a lot of great things happen. Its great for people who like the teamwork and that also like the commando style, and thats why I think Call of Duty is so successful.But unlike many of his peers, such as current?Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward?(who has spoken about an investment before) and former NBA stars Rick Fox and Shaquille ONeal, Towns has very little interest in investing his money just yet. Hes mainly here to enjoy himself and check out the competition.For me, it being my second year in the [NBA], I need to invest my money wisely, Towns said. Do smart moves and take care of my family and my kids and my kids kids. Im finding little things to make sure my future is set and my familys future is set, [to] just make sure everyonnes OK.ddddddddddddowns interest in esports manifests mainly as a spectator as opposed to a player. He says hes familiar with a number of other competitive games, such as Counter-Strike and StarCraft, and enjoys watching those more talented than he is play. In that sense, he is very much like traditional sports spectators.These guys and gals are coming out here and theyre putting on a show for the fans because there is no other or better thing to watch than two competitors -- whether it be on the court, whether it be on consoles or computers -- playing against each other to prove whos the best, Towns explained. Thats why esports is so awesome, its just like professional sports. I think whats great about esports is that its much easier to access; its cheaper to access as well. I think thats a great appeal. It allows fans to see what they can possibly do in a game, thats the greatest thing. Not everyone is going to be gifted and 7-feet [tall], big shoulders and everything, but I think the greatest appeal is that anyone can be an esports competitor, anyone can be great at video games -- it just takes the work and effort.Towns has tried playing other esports with some success, although none really interest him more than Call of Duty.Ive tried [League of Legends] actually; its hard, youve got to get your grasp on it and I dont have any grasp on the game yet, but I definitely have tried the game, he said. Won both times I played. Ive had a lot of fans playing it so far.When asked about his peer Hayward, who has been outspoken about his interest in League of Legends, Towns said, League is all him.[The upcoming League of Legends World Championship at Staples Center] is a Gordon Hayward special -- thats absolutely the whole chicken and fries put together, Towns added. He loves that game. ' ' '