State college notebook

By Andy Johnston

For the AJC

Albany State (6-0, 5-0 SIAC) at Clark Atlanta (3-3, 2-3)

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

Key matchup: Clark relies heavily on RB Winston Thompson, the SIAC’s leading rusher at 138.4 yards a game, so the Panthers might struggle against the conference’s top-ranked run defense (64.3 yards).

Keep an eye on: Clark interim coach Keith Higdon will make his debut after being promoted to interim coach. Higdon replaced Ted Bahhur, who was fired Oct. 6.

Quick fact: Albany State QB A.J. McKenna has thrown 13 TD passes and only one interception.

Georgia Southern (3-3, 1-2 Southern) vs. Chattanooga (4-1, 2-1)

When, where:6 p.m. today, Paulson Stadium

Key matchup: DE Josh Beard, who leads Chattanooga with 5-1/2 sacks, is going against a Georgia Southern offensive line that has allowed 23 sacks.

Keep an eye on: Chattanooga QB B.J. Coleman, who transferred from Tennessee, is averaging 226.4 yards a game passing and has already thrown for 1,132 yards.

Quick fact: Georgia Southern has recovered eight fumbles, which leads the conference and is 10th in the nation.

Morehouse (4-2, 3-2 SIAC) at Lane (0-6, 0-5)

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

Key matchup:Lane quarterbacks have completed only 38.9 percent of their passes and have thrown nine interceptions, which is good news for Morehouse. The Maroon Tigers are third in the nation in pass-efficiency defense, allowing only 123.3 yards a game, and have picked off nine passes.

Keep an eye on:Morehouse WR Achille Hendje, who caught 46 passes for 681 yards and seven touchdowns last year, has only 21 receptions for 282 yards and two touchdowns in 2009.

Quick fact: Lane has lost seven consecutive games, dating to the final game last year.

West Georgia (0-6, 0-4 Gulf South) at Arkansas Tech (4-2, 2-2)

When, where:3 p.m. today, Thone Stadium

Key matchup: Arkansas Tech has held its past two opponents to a combined 31 yards rushing on 41 attempts, which is bad news for West Georgia RB Yusuf Holloway (Central Gwinnett), who has rushed for 389 yards.

Keep an eye on: Arkansas Tech QB Nick Graziano, who transferred from Nevada, is sixth nationally in total offense (324.8 yards), seventh nationally in passing (296) and has thrown 14 touchdown passes.

Quick fact: West Georgia hasn’t won in two years -- 20 consecutive games -- since a 30-28 victory over West Alabama on Oct. 13, 2007.

Around the state

* Fort Valley State (5-2, 4-2 SIAC) is headed for its first meeting with Southern (6:30 p.m. today) a Divison I-AA team that plays in the Southwestern Athletic Conference. DB Dionte Dinkins (Southwest Macon) had two interceptions in Saturday’s win against Stillman, giving him four this season.

* Valdosta State WR Cedric Jones, who holds the Gulf South record for career catches, might find it tough to reach the Division II record of 323, set by Clarence Coleman of Ferris State. Jones, a senior, has 265 career receptions, 58 behind Coleman. The Blazers (3-3, 3-2 Gulf South) play at Harding (4-3, 2-2) at 7 p.m. today.

* Shorter (3-3, 1-1) has lost two in a row, but is third in NAIA in rushing at 294.8 yards a game. The Hawks host Kentucky Christian (0-6) at 1:30 p.m. today.

* LaGrange (3-3) rushed for a team-record 418 yards in last year’s 63-19 victory over Eureka (2-4), but look for QB Drew Carter to surpass 5,000 career passing yards when the teams meet at 1 p.m. today. He needs 131 to reach the milestone.