Around the state

By Andy Johnston

For the AJC

Georgia Southern (4-3, 3-1 Southern) at Appalachian State (4-2, 3-0)

When, where: 3 p.m. today, Kid Brewer Stadium

Key matchup: Georgia Southern must stop QB Armanti Edwards, who is third in the nation in total offense with 338.2 yards a game. Edwards threw for 415 yards last week and has also rushed for 283 yards and eight TDs.

Keep an eye on: Georgia Southern K Adrian Mora (Dalton) is the FCS active career leader in field goals per game (1.5) and percentage made (84.6 percent).

Quick fact: The Eagles and Mountaineers have produced the past two Walter Payton Award winners: Edwards (2008) and Georgia Southern’s Jayson Foster (2007).

Clark Atlanta (3-4, 2-3 SIAC) at Morehouse (5-2, 4-2)

When, where: 2 p.m. today, B.T. Harvey Stadium

Key matchup: Albany State held Clark RB Winston Thompson, the SIAC’s leading rusher, to 33 yards last week, and Morehouse will need to limit his yards. Thompson is averaging 117.5 yards a game. The Maroon Tigers have struggled against the run this year, giving up an average of 157.1 yards a game.

Keep an eye on: Morehouse LB Charlie Wilson had three sacks last Saturday and leads the SIAC with 7½, second in the country. He also returned a fumble for a score in the victory over Lane.

Quick fact: Clark leads 51-34-2 in this “Backyard Brawl” series, which was first played in 1905.

West Alabama (5-3, 3-2 Gulf South) at West Georgia (0-7, 0-4)

When, where: 2 p.m. today, University Stadium

Key matchup: West Alabama WR Terry Allen has returned two kickoffs for TDs and averages 27.3 yards a return this season. The Tigers are second in the nation with a 26.8 average.

Keep an eye on: West Georgia QB Brandon Behenna (East Coweta), the son of former Atlanta Braves reliever Rick Behenna, ran and threw for a TD last week. Coach Daryl Dickey said Behenna will play today, but Sean Gray (Greenbrier) will still start.

Quick fact: West Georgia has given up 30 or more points in every game except one this season.

Around the state

* Albany State (7-0, 6-0), No. 8 in Division II, can go along way toward wrapping up the SIAC title with a win over 19th-ranked Tuskegee (5-2, 5-1) at 2 p.m. today. The Rams are 3-0 on TV since 2004, and today’s game will be shown on ESPN360.com.

* Fort Valley State (5-3, 4-2) is fifth in Division II in total defense, giving up an average of 250.1 yards a game heading into today’s game (2 p.m.) at Benedict (5-3, 3-3).

* GMC (4-3) has won three of its past four games going into today’s game (2 p.m.) against Louisburg (N.C.) College.

* LaGrange RB Mario Wallace (Clarkston) passed 5,000 career all-purpose yards in last week’s victory over Eureka. He is part of a 25-member senior class that will play its final home game against Westminster (Mo.) at 1 p.m. today. It is the first four-year senior class since the program started in 2006.

* Savannah State (1-5) will try to snap a five-game losing streak against Old Dominion (5-2), a first-year program, at 5 p.m. today.

* Shorter (4-3) brings NAIA’s top rushing attack into today’s 1:30 p.m. game at Union (Ky.). The Hawks are averaging 299.6 rushing yards a game behind A.J. Cooley (Bowdon) and Antwon Appleton, who is averaging 9.7 yards a carry.

- Andy Johnston