Knights Go 6-4, DuPaix Named Conference Coach Of The Year
The Southern Virginia University football team just completed one of its best seasons in program history. The Knights went 6-4, achieving their most wins since becoming a full NCAA member in 2016 and their most wins since the 2013 squad finished 8-2.
SVU also recorded its first 3-0 and 4-0 starts in program history and received a Top 25 vote for the first time ever. In the USA South Athletic Conference, the Knights went 3-4 for their best conference record in program history.
The Knights’ 4-0 start consisted of wins over Apprentice, Averett, Keystone and Greensboro. SVU would also beat Methodist and Belhaven before dropping its final three games.
Offensively, the Knights averaged 340.7 total yards per game, the highest mark since joining the NCAA. They averaged 271.7 passing yards per game, leading the USA South Athletic Conference and ranking as the second-highest mark in program history and the highest since joining the NCAA. In the conference, the Knights finished third in both scoring offense and scoring defense.
SVU scored a program-record six defensive touchdowns, the second-most among all NCAA Division III teams. The Knights finished second in the nation in fumbles recovered, with 13, and led the nation in turnover margin (14-1) at one point.
In his third season as SVU’s head coach and his fifth overall with the Knights, Joe DuPaix became the first SVU football coach to be named USA South coach of the year. SVU was unanimously picked to finish last in the conference in the USA South Preseason Coaches poll, but the Knights placed fifth of eight teams in the standings.
Since joining the league in 2021, this is the first season the Knights have won more than one game in conference play.
Five SVU players earned allconference honors. Knights named to the all-conference first or second teams were wide receiver Jireek Washington, offensive linemen Cambridge Bingham and Christian Janis, defensive lineman Train Henderson and safety Ty Smith. Linebacker Jemaar Robinson was named allconference honorable mention.
Individually, SVU junior quarterback Devin Watson threw for 2,210 yards, the second-most in a single season in program history, completed 18 touchdown passes, tied for second in program history. He also ranks second in program history in career completions (194), touchdowns (19) and passing yards per game (212).
Washington, a senior, caught eight TD passes, the third-most in a single season in program h i s t o r y. Smith, a sophomore, grabbed four interceptions and recovered three fumbles, with both marks tying the third-most in program history.
Freshman offensive lineman Peyton Brown blocked three kicks, tying for the third-most in a single season in program history.
Lackey, a sophomore wide driver, posted 147 punt-return yards, the second-most in a single season in program history.
Also a member of the SVU football team is junior defensive lineman Nick Oyler, a 2023
SVU SOPHOMORE running back Marcus Sollers breaks away from a fallen defender during the Knights’ 27-6 home win over Apprentice on Sept. 6. (photo by SVU creative producer Sam Larson)
BRINGING THE SVU and American flags onto the field, the SVU players take part in the cowboy coin dance. (photo by SVU creative producer Sam Larson)
