Know Your Foe: VMI Keydets
Record: 3-3 (2-1 SoCon)
Head Coach: Danny Rocco (First Year)
Previous stops:
2022 - Penn State (analyst)
2017-2021 - Delaware (HC)
2012-2016 - Richmond (HC)
Last meeting: Samford W, 35-14
Fun? Fact: VMI is 3-1 in their last 4 matchups against Samford.
Team Overview
The VMI Keydets came into this season with zero expectations. The Keydets were picked to finish dead last in both the coaches and media polls. VMI only had two players make All-Southern Conference teams: P Jack Culbreath and OL Tyriq Poindexter. However, they are winning football games. If there was a preseason over/under win total for FCS programs, I presume they would be over that already.
VMI has only played three conference games but hey they are ranked ahead of Samford right now. Yes, I know the schedules are not comparable but give credit where credit is due. Right now the Keydets are riding high, fresh off of a 17-14 rivalry game win over The Citadel. They finished with over 300 total yards and also won the turnover battle.
The Keydet offense is not explosive as they are 7th in the conference in total yards per game with 273. They are last in rushing yards per game with 101 yards. While the offense has not been spectacular, VMI is winning games with their defense as they are ranked only behind Furman in allowing 23 points per game. Also VMI is ranked second in the conference allowing 352 yards per game (Samford is 8th in points per game allowed).
VMI is led on offense by redshirt junior QB #2 Collin Ironside, what a great last name for a football player. Ironside is completing 65% of his passes while also totaling 856 passing yards but only 3 TDs. RB #24 Hunter Rice is a 6’0” 225 lbs back who leads the Keydets in rushing with 308 yards and 3 TDs. WR #6 Chance Knox leads the team in receiving yards 357 yards which is seventh overall in the SoCon.
Moving over to the defense, LB #2 Evan Eller is the best overall player on this football team. Eller has 63 total tackles which is not only the best for the Keydets, but is ranked first in the entire Southern Conference. VMI LB #17 Josh Knapp is second on the team in total tackles with 46 which is good for seventh in the SoCon.
Over to special teams, preseason All-SoCon P #41 Jack Culbreath is living up to his preseason honor. He is averaging 44 yards a punt which is sixth in the entire country. Culbreath has 1,730 punt yards which is second in the FCS. This guy is awesome.
To recap, VMI has a very good defense which can cause problems for this Samford offense. The Samford defense has an opportunity to shine against this struggling VMI offense. Does Michael Hiers play after going down last week? I believe that he will.
Let’s see how this Samford team responds. You combine the tough loss to Furman along with the 8 hour plus bus drive, things could get interesting against the VMI Keydets.
Follow Grant on X/Twitter at @GrantGardner_ & @SamfordScoop
