In this file photo, Appalachian State's DeAndre Presley (2) dances away from Chattanooga's Wes Dothard (25) and Ryan Consiglio (45) in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Boone, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)

Appalachian State's DeAndre Presley was the Southern Conference football offensive player of the year in 2010. He also was one of the three finalists for the Walter Payton Award after a remarkable season at quarterback that included 2,631 passing yards, 1,039 rushing and a combined 34 touchdowns.

Last week the senior lost the starting quarterback job to sophomore Jamal Jackson. ASU coach Jerry Moore said last Tuesday that Presley likely would line up at receiver and maybe return kicks, but that didn't happen.

Instead, Presley was in the starting lineup at right cornerback for the fifth-ranked Mountaineers (5-2, 3-1) in their 35-17 win over Samford. Presley finished with six tackles and forced a fumble on Samford's second possession of the game.

"What a team they've got up there to be able to take what our conference and the media and the coaches feel is one of the very best offensive players in the entire league," Georgia Southern coach Jeff Monken said, "and to be able to line him up on defense, and start on defense."

Monken's top-ranked Eagles make the trip north to The Rock this weekend. Georgia Southern (7-0, 5-0) has been ranked No. 1 since Sept. 12 and is one three undefeated teams in the Football Championship Subdivision.

No more freshmen

As the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga approaches the end of its season, there will be no more freshman mistakes in coach Russ Huesman's eyes. That's because the Mocs' freshmen are no longer freshmen.

"I told everybody [Sunday], if you're a freshman or a redshirt freshman, you've got eight games under your belt -- you're not a freshman anymore," Huesman said. "We're not using that excuse, we're not young anymore; get it done and get better. ... After eight games, they're sophomores."

Twelve freshmen have started at least one game this season.

No throwing yet

Injured quarterback B.J. Coleman did not throw any passes during Tuesday's practice and may not test his sprained right shoulder until Thursday, Huesman said.

"He told me Thursday. I thought he was going to throw earlier [this week] than that," Huesman said. "He said it feels good and he did 30 push-ups, so we'll see."

A mini-break

UTC was on fall break Monday and Tuesday, so the Mocs had a lightened load during the first part of the week. UTC's off week follows the Nov. 5 game at Samford, so the team has been going nonstop since reporting for preseason practice in August.

Huesman said he hasn't seen any mental or physical fatigue from his players.

"This team has gone out and been focused," he said. "No high, no low, just kind of even-keeled. I like it that way."