A showdown of the last two remaining unbeaten teams in South Atlantic Conference play did not disappoint. Lenoir-Rhyne and Limestone delivered a classic in Week 6, with the Bears scoring a 31-28 decision thanks to Jake Brown's walk-off field goal. 

Now 4-0 in the SAC and 6-0 overall, Lenoir-Rhyne continues its steady climb up the national Div. II polls. The Bears return home in Week 7 looking to move to 7-0, but face another serious challenge from Piedmont division foe Barton. 

Barton brings the second-best overall record in the conference into Helen & Leonard Moretz Stadium, sitting at 5-1 after consecutive league wins at Tusculum and last week vs. Newberry. 

The Bulldogs' two most recent victories followed much different trajectories: Against Tusculum, Barton pounced to a quick, early lead then held on for a 17-14 win after the offense stagnated in the second half. 

Against Newberry, however, Barton used a pair of long touchdown drives in the fourth quarter — one of 95 yards, the other of 80 — to pull away for a 34-17 final. Running back Jordan Terrell continued his outstanding production on the season, rolling up 158 yards rushing. 

Terrell is now at 934 heading into Week 7, good for second-most in Div. II. But stealing the show vs. Newberry, quarterback Jaquan Lynch went off for four touchdown passes in just 13 attempts. 

Barton flexing its offensive muscles coincided with the Bulldogs defense on an impressive stretch of holding its last three SAC opponents to an average of 15.7 points per game. 

The Bulldogs rank 23rd nationally allowing 17 points a game for the season. Of the 22 defenses stingier, however, is Lenoir-Rhyne's — and it's the second-most stifling defense in the country. 

Despite giving up 28 points in Week 6, the Bears continue to boast a season average yield in single-digits at 9.2 per. L-R is also limiting opponents to fewer than 72 rushing yards per game. That defense colliding with Terrell and the proficient Barton ground game promises to shape an outstanding matchup with SAC and NCAA Playoffs implications. 

Limestone at Wingate 

Coming off its heartbreaking overtime loss to Lenoir-Rhyne, Limestone gets right back to work against another opponent in the thick of the SAC title hunt. The Saints visit Wingate, winner of three straight by an average of 28 points per game. 

The Bulldogs began their current run Sept. 23 at Emory & Henry, routing the Wasps, 31-10. After a 45-0 shutout of Erskine, the Bulldogs went on the road again for a 31-13 defeat of Catawba in which wide receiver Tremel Jones caught a touchdown pass — his fifth of the season and fourth during Wingate's current winning streak. 

Jones' connection with quarterback Brooks Bentley powers a Wingate offense now up to 28 points per on the season — just behind Limestone, which is averaging 28.3 with its balanced, uptempo attack. 

Limestone's come alive offensively since scoring 32 combined points in its two non-conference openers. The Saints are averaging 34.5 points in SAC play, and their 28 points marked the most the Lenoir-Rhyne defense has allowed on the season. Running back Tre Stewart erupted for 212 yards on a stifling Bears defense, while quarterback Dustin Noller threw for three touchdown passes, all to wide receiver Jelani Baker. 

Conversely, Wingate's holding league opponents — including Mars Hill, in a non-conference game — to 12.2 a game.  Marquise Fleming and Daniel Morison come into Week 7 having combined for 9.5 sacks and 16.5 tackles for loss to set the tone for the Bulldogs defense. 

Mars Hill at Emory & Henry 

In the Mountain, divisional co-leader Mars Hill goes on the road to face an Emory & Henry team coming off its first conference win of 2023. 

The Wasps snapped a three-game losing skid last week, going on the road for a 41-24 defeat of UVA Wise in the sixth edition of the Southwest Virginia Bowl. Emory & Henry led by as many as 24 points in the second half, thanks in part to incredible special-teams play. Cam Peoples and Jarrell Harrison each returned kickoffs for touchdowns. 

Emory & Henry may need more pivotal performances on special teams against an outstanding Mars Hill defense. The Panthers returned to form after their 27-23 loss Sept. 30 at Limestone, pounding Erskine last week, 38-3. 

Mars Hill boasts the eight-best rushing defense in the nation at just 67.8 yards allowed per game, and 2.92 per carry. Opponents have scored just two touchdowns on the ground vs. the Panthers.