Samford's Fabian Truss now also a big return threat

Arkansas-SEMO Live Blog

Samford senior running back Fabian Truss came into this season as one of the top playmakers in the Southern Conference. So far in 2013 he's giving opponents even more to worry about, both when the Bulldogs' offense is on the field and as a kick returner.

Last week against Western Carolina, Truss returned a kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown. It was his second 100-yard return for a score of the season and his third return for a touchdown in his career.

He started Samford's season with a bang in the opener against Georgia State, returning the opening kickoff 100 yards.

"He's got great vision and all great returners have that great burst, where when they've got a hole, in a 4- or 5-yard stretch they can hit it and explode through it," Samford coach Pat Sullivan said during Tuesday's SoCon teleconference. "To me, that's what Fabian does. And obviously when he gets behind the defense there's not many people that can catch him."

Truss was sixth in the SoCon in rushing last season with 1,063 rushing yards. He was also the Bulldogs' second-leading receiver with 35 catches for 291 yards. This season he has 394 yards and four touchdowns rushing and 140 yards and a score receiving. He also has 437 return yards.

Surprising situation

It's a good bet that nobody predicted that when Appalachian State and The Citadel met this Saturday in Charleston, S.C., the teams would be a combined 2-7. Seeing App's perennial-power Mountaineers at 1-3 looks like a typo in the standings.

But ASU is 1-3 following last week's 27-24 loss to Charleston Southern, which knocked off The Citadel 32-29 in week one.

"We have a really young football team, especially defensively, and we've got a lot of young players and freshmen that are having to play, and we're just making too many mistakes," first-year ASU coach Scott Satterfield said. "We've got to correct those, and we have the potential to be a really good football team."

Lott, Herren iffy

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga defensive tackle Derrick Lott (elbow) and left guard Synjen Herren (shoulder) each had an arm in a sling Tuesday and is questionable for Saturday's game against Western Carolina.

Both were hurt during last week's 23-21 loss at Georgia Southern. Mocs coach Russ Huesman said he should know more about their status today. All-America linebacker Wes Dothard had his left leg in a boot during Tuesday's practice at Scrappy Moore Field, but Huesman said he expects the senior to be ready for the Catamounts.

Contact John Frierson at jfrierson@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6268. Follow him at twitter.com/MocsBeat.

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