Updates on the state's small colleges

By Andy Johnston

For the AJC

North Greenville (1-7) at Clark Atlanta (3-5, 2-5 SIAC)

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

Key matchup: North Greenville has thrown nine interceptions this season, so look for the Clark defense to add to its SIAC-worst five picks. The Panthers are minus-10 in turnovers this season.

Keep an eye on: Clark’s red-zone offense is the best in the SIAC this season. The Panthers have scored on 20 of their 21 trips inside their opponents’ 20 -- 17 touchdowns and three field goals.

Quick fact: North Greenville has scored only 71 points this season and won three of its past 19 games.

Morehouse (6-2, 5-2 SIAC) at Albany State (7-1, 6-1)

When, where: 2 p.m. today, Albany Municipal Coliseum

Key matchup: Morehouse RB David Carter (Sprayberry) has excelled in the past two games, rushing for an average of 117 yards in victories over Clark and Lane. Albany State is sixth in the nation in rush defense (71.8 yards a game). Carter leads Morehouse with 498 yards rushing and five touchdowns.

Keep an eye on: The winner of this game will improve its chances at making the Division II playoffs. Albany State is No. 3 in the regional and needs to win to solidify that ranking. Morehouse is No. 6.

Quick fact: After dominating opponents its first six games, Albany State has struggled in its past two, defeating Clark 32-29 in overtime and losing to Tuskegee 21-19 last week.

Around the state

* Fort Valley State (5-4, 4-3) RB Richard Willis and WR Rodriguez Render are among the SIAC’s leaders in receptions. Willis leads the conference with 43 catches (358 yards), and Render has 30 receptions for 278 yards, fourth in the conference. The Wildcats host Kentucky State (5-4, 3-4) at 1 p.m. today.

* LaGrange (5-3), which plays at Huntingdon College (6-1) at 2 p.m. today, has outscored its opponents by an average of 34.8-10 during its four-game winning streak. ... George Okpani (Lithia Springs) has six of LaGrange’s 19 sacks.

* An athletics department spokesman said Kurvin Curry (Hart County) will start at quarterback for Savannah State (1-6), which will try to snap a six-game losing streak against Edward Waters (0-8) at 2 p.m. today. Curry started the first four games of the season, and A.J. DeFilippis (Benedictine) has started the past three.

* Shorter (5-3, 2-1 Mid-South), which leads NAIA in rushing at 318.8 yards a game, must be able to move the ball against Cumberland (3-5, 1-2), which is allowing 143.5 rushing yards a game. The Hawks are 5-1 when rushing for 200 or more yards.