With every passing week, the Wesley 47-0 debacle loss at Brockport State gets more and more puzzling. How could this team go up to Brockport, field conditions aside, and not put up one single point? My trip to Wesley the next week to see them pound Salisbury began the puzzlement — it was obvious this was a good team, with the ability to win a playoff game or two, but to become the first non-Texas team to win a playoff game in the Lone Star State since 2001?
Incredible. And that’s coming from me, after picking Wesley as the cinderella team in the bracket on the ESPNews selection show.
Another home game on turf. Then a trip West for the winner. Who knew.
Mount Union pulls another Mount Union and rolls a quality opponent. I know Capital is a familiar opponent, but that bodes well for Mount Union, which has had a tendency to pound OAC teams the second time around.
Even though St. John’s helped UW-Whitewater out, Whitewater would have won on its own today. Five of the seven fumbles were forced and defensively, Whitewater was making plays even when not taking the ball away. Other than a brief period in the third quarter, St. John’s couldn’t stop Justin Beaver and Derek Stanley burned the Johnnies defense for a pair of big plays when they needed them.
West Region final should be a dandy. So should the South. Not so sure about the East, if Rowan has found its stroke again it might not be much different than last year’s Rowan/Delaware Valley regional final.
No stupid e-mail of the week, at least not ones I have with me, so we’ll have to suffice with the …
Bad karma moment of the weekend: Two St. John’s fans independently coming up to me and asking me why UW-Whitewater passed them in the poll a few weeks ago. Never a good idea right before a head-to-head matchup.
And I have a 6 a.m. flight out of O’Hare. Gotta get some sleep now.
Paul “Bear” Bryant was fond of saying, “when you pass, three things can happen and two of them are bad.” Yesterday five of Union’s completions were caught by Rowan. That’s really bad. Rowan’s defense lived up to its billing. Union reverted to some of its mid season sloppiness and it cost them dearly. The Dutchmen still put up 24 points against the Beast of the East, thereby validating their presence in the playoffs. Were it not for those picks, who knows. But that’s sports. Union has much to be proud of. We said Rowan would be a tough opponent, definitely the favorite in our book. The Union magic was not there at the end, but what a season!
How about MOUNT UNION beat Augustana at their own game.
SeanGOP,
Otterbein could take your Augies. Augustana learned a little bit about playing a team from a strong conference.
So much for the vaunted Augustana defense. They got smacked in the mouth today.
At least you were right about one thing, Whitewater looks tough.
Go Raiders!! Congratulations to Capital! The rematch should great.
Pat,
As bad as an excuse as it sounds, Looks like mother nature played right into Brockports defensive scheme that day and after getting up its worked to perfection. Ferrum tried the same strategies 7 and 8 ma coverage and look what happened. Warrick seemed unruffled by the 9 man fronts yesterday. Looks like another great game coming up this week.
Kudos to Wesley for deservedly winning the game, but UMHB did play right into their hands with some stubborn play calling on both sides of the ball. They certainly could have opened up the offense – an occasional play-action pass on first down might have slowed down the Wesley front four. Putting all those guys in the box against a passing team that kept burning them with the deep ball was very curious. You don’t want your All-America caliber safety (Kubiak) staying home to cover a rushing attack that was averaging something like 2.5 yds/carry (before a few decent runs after the game was decided).
Not only did the Crusaders get out-executed, but they got out-coached. Congrats to the Wolverines who executed against what they saw on the game films.
As for MUC…
I arrived in Alliance on Friday afternoon and had dinner with MUC’s commerical play-by-play guy Ric Brienza. One of the first things Ric said to me is that Nate Kmic is the best running back Mount has had, possibly ever. Playing in four games, Kmic had almost 400 yards and 3 scores, all while playing second fiddle to Aaron Robinson.
I wouldn’t say Kehres beat Augustana at their own game. Augie doesn’t even run a wing-T – it’s a smoke and mirrors approach to rushing. The ball is going to one of four people – so cover em…Kmic simply ran all over Augustana. No smoke and mirrors. Half of his runs were right up the gut. This kid averaged 9.1 yards per carry on 37 attempts and the longest run was 34 yards. AMAZING.
After witnessing that performance, I’ll see Mount in Salem.
First off I would like to say GREAT SEASON to the Union College Dutchmen! For such a group of scholar atheletes to compete the way they have is wonderful and exactly what Division III sports is about. You guys are great! I also take my hat off to a Rowen team that worked very hard, and stepped up defensively to win the game. One thing bothers me though, maybe I am wrong and if I am I have no problem with someone telling me I am. Yesterday, especially in the second half Union seemed to always force the long pass on first down. This was effective in the first half but it was obvious that it was not working in the second, yet they kept throwing long on 1st. Rowen clearly made the proper adjustments, still the calls were the same. The result; third and long over and over again in very pressure situations. Now my point is this: You have got the 2nd best rusher in the nation, you have time on the clock (Union had the ball more than a few times in the third and early in the fourth), and all of your recievers have great hands (including a tight end). Why go for it all, time and time again. Why not go short, run and then pass. Mix it up. I played hockey in college and still knew what was coming on first down. It was just frustrating and I think some of the play calling put to much pressure on Marotti (in a snowstorm!). I will also say I feel Rowan was not really stopping the run because the run was never given a chance. First half Arcidiacano had 64 yards on only 12 carries, not all that bad against the nations 4th rated run defense. You cannot win at that level forcing just one weapon. I think Marotti played great, I didn’t see the mix ups and bad decisions that I saw earlier in the year. I just saw a quaterback who was giving his all to make things happen. He just needed a break and some different calls so the defense did not know what was coming. I love Union and its coach, he is great! This is just a thought I had and wanted to get it out there. Hats off to the entire Union program.
From the Delaware Valley-Hobart perspective, the Aggies started slow, came on late and had to win in the final few minutes. Stop me if you’ve heard this before.
Hobart’s defense, particularly the secondary, played well and Blakowski did a good job running the ball. Even graduating several seniors on defense, the Statesmen should be very much in the Liberty League mix next year with just about everyone back on offense. And DL Ryan Aruck is a BEAST as a freshman.
As for Rowan, there’s not another team in this region that could lose their QB, RB and maybe best DL and still get this far. The Profs have incredible depth, which isn’t always appreciated because their starters are so good.
I talked with ONU grad Paul Schreel (who’s done a great job on color the past two weeks) about Mount Union’s domination and he rightly pointed out that Kehres and his staff do a great job convincing talented players to come to Alliance even though they may not play the first year or two. That builds the depth you need to be excellent over many years. It’s not at the same scale, but Rowan has done that well in the East.
The road to Salem looks clearer. I’m still concerned about Capital. I know Mount’s history of playing other OAC school’s in the playoffs. They should take care of Capital handily. I was also fortunate to enough to see MUC and Capital during the regular season. Capital is strong. I think MUC has too many weapons. Now that Nate Kmic decided to outgain Augstana’s entire offense. I also wanted to thank Capital for taking care of Wabash. We weren’t looking forward to that road trip, had Wabash won.
We also do not have to put up with The Little Giant male cheerleading squad. Anyone who plays Wabash knows what I mean.
GO Purple Raiders!
Wabash fans will blame the refs, and there were some questionable calls, but dropped passes lost the game. this site’s prediction would have been dead-on correct had Wabash hauled in a soft toss just before the game-clinching “interception.” Capital may not be able to slow down Kmic, but they sure slowed the Wabash machine yesterday. An exciting game.
Well, I questioned whether MUC would have even one tough game in their region, especially with homefield advantage. So far its the same old. So much for Augustana doing diddly, although sounds like it was due more to MUC just being that good rather than Augustana not deserving to be there. Another home game for MUC this Saturday and if Rowan wins, yet another despite coming into the tourney with a loss.
Speaking of Rowan, my disappointment with the East continues. If the East was ever going to show that its not a one trick pony this was the year. The Profs lost their QB people! And they are STILL beating everyone in this region. If Delaware Valley can’t get it done this Saturday two things we have long known will be proven. Rowan really is that good of a program and the East is as weak a region we will ever see.
UW-Whitewater appears to be even better than everyone thought. How many teams not named MUC have defeated St. Johns by 27?Epic game this Saturday in Oregon. The Warhawks should be playing MUC this Saturday, and Capital should have been sent East to add some depth, but we already know that.
And I can’t believe UMHB’s season is over. After their run last season and having most of those players back plus their decisive win over Trinity, I thought they were a lock in the South. Props to Wesley for beating a very good football team.
Congrats to Capital!!! They have an excellent defense. The Crusaders offense put enough points on the board to earn the win. For Wabash, there were too many dropped passes, too many overthrown balls. Wabash can’t have a turnover inside Capital’s 5 and an “interception” in the end zone and win a defensive battle like the one yesterday. All that being said, the officiating was not playoff caliber. No wonder they refused to be interviewed by the media after the game. Good luck to Capital against Mount Union!!!
Can’t remember the last time the NCAA allowed the media to interview the officials, regardless of outcome. Doubt there’s any conspiracy here.
I guess officials are allowed to comment to explain a call they made during the game. This is the Exerpt from the Wabash web site “Referee Craig Jeffreys refused to meet with a designated media pool reporter, as allowed under NCAA rules, after the game to explain the interception call.” Anyway though not saying that it cost Wabash the game but it was a bad call. Though the Capital player came down with the ball, both players clearly landed out of bounds. Capital sealed the win with a huge play on third down to seal Wabash’s fate. Great almost comeback by Wabash…a truely great game. Good Luck to Capital against the mighty Mt. Union!!!
Well D3forme, I really do not want to be rude so I won’t, but…I feel there is a distinct difference between many of the eastern schools and many of the western schools. It is called academic excellence. Make sure you go easy on a region that cantains many top academic institutions that allow very few academic exceptions for student atheletes that they are recruiting. I can say that Union, Hobart, and RPI alone are stronger academic instituitons than any offered by a western division III football power. Of coarse we have our Ithacas and Rowans that maybe exceptions but overall many more eastern schools represent true DIII scholar atheletes (not that I would take anything away from any student athelete, but this gentleman wishes to kncok the eastern region). This is not even a debate. The West has many wonderful schools with great programs but always remember, most choose from a different pool of students than many of the eastern schools do. So go easy, in the overall picture academics come before winning football games in DIII, that what makes this div and all these atheletes special!
Pool reporter, that’s different than a media mob situation. Though I should’ve known that.
One other story to relate from Saturday. Stayed at a hotel near O’Hare airport to make it easier to get out at 0600 this morning. Driving there after dinner, down an empty stretch of road. Cop pulls out of a side street and settles in behind me — I have the cruise control set at 40 in a 40-mph zone. After a minute or so, he pulls me over, tells me I was going 46 in a 35.
Yeah, right.
Also wanted to see the registration, said the plate was registered to a 2005 Ford (hard to argue, I had no idea there). Since it was a rental, I wasn’t responsible for that, and since the speeding charge was patently bogus, he let me off with … well, nothing, really, not even a real warning.
Then he got back in behind me, as we passed a sign that reiterated the correct speed limit was 40. (I was paying attention, I mean, shoot, I knew he was a cop when he turned onto the road.)
Good thing he didn’t ask me to blow, though — I had had some beer with dinner about 40 minutes earlier and I probably would have registered .03 or .04, not DUI but enough for him to harrass me some more.
Guess there aren’t any more important things to do in Elk Grove Village.
dlippiel, are you seriously going to go to the academic card already? DIII is the most even playing field out there. It is composed of like minded institutions that do no allow athletic scholarships. There are many top academic institutions outside of the East. I really can’t believe you went there in an attempt to explain why the East’s football teams, aside from Rowan (and RPI’s team a couple of years ago) have not been competitive with the rest of the country. The fact remains that Rowan has dominated this region for years. Many think the QB position is the most important in all of sports, and the Profs lost a very good one. They are now playing the “best” teams in the East. I would think a good team, not even necessarily a great team, could take down a squad who just lost their leader, especially if they are a playoff team. So far, it’s still the Beast and everyone else. I don’t think that has squat to do with academics.
When you look at recruiting and consistancy of schools atheletic programs they go hand in hand with academics period. I do agree with alot of what you said previously. Believe me I would love to see more than one team from the east compete on a national level. It is also does show the east is weak when the so called “Beast” loses their QB and still takes the region. Yet I am just saying why this happens. There is a difference between recruiting pools even in DIII football, it is a fact. Unless you are very very good year in and year out for the most part you are going to have a hard time getting the best players. Especially when many cannot get into your school. You ask Rowans coach which type of student he targets when recruiting, then ask the coach of Union which type of kid he can recruit and I know they will have totally different answers. Its a fact jack deal with it. I do however feel that I should narrow my academic excuse to certain schools, more of which play in the east. I guess when I look at a Cortland state, Brockport state, Springfield etc I see your point.I think we both have spoken alot of truth here. Oh by by the way no other region is dominated by one team? I guess MT Union does not count? Again, what makes DIII so great, and these athelets so special is that the academic card always counts, always.
dlippiel,
Are you saying that students who are better academically, are generally worse athletically? Can the best athletes not be as successful academically?
Perhaps the reason Rowan is so good in the east, is because they are a primarily passing team in a primarily rushing region. If you look at the stats of the 8 teams in the east, on average they give up less than 60% than what they give rushing the ball. However, they give up more than 90% of what they give on the passing end. The west is almost identical on the rushing end, but they only give up 75% of what they give passing.
If your offense runs well, your defense is probably pretty good at defending the run. If your offense passes well, your defense is probably pretty good at defending the pass.
Maybe that is why Rowan can put 4 or 5 wide outs on the field and pass all over the rushing teams of the east. But then get blown out 52-0 when they face a heavy passing team from the West.
dlippiel:
Playing the academic card is not germane to this discussion. Your comments regretably evoke a stereotype of the Eastern snob. I think you may be pretty lonely in this debate should you choose to prolong it.
dlippiel and D3forme
Guys I thouht this was a DIII football blog, try US News and World reports web site if you want to discuss academics.
But I was confused by D3forme’s comments about Eastern Football.
How could anyone draw any conclusions about’s Rowan’s dominance from Saturday’s games? How does Union losing to Rowan by 4 points prove anything about Rowan”s dominance of the East? I believe statistically Union out gained Rowan and Union drives at the end the half and game ended in interceptions. Different game results if these picks don’t happen! The most dominate team in DIII football over the last 10 years isn’t Rown it is Mount Union! Based of yesterday’s game results, I think the Liberty League stature should go up! Hobart and Union gave Rowan and Delaware Valley a run for thier money. Why pick on the East?
Because once it gets outside of its own region, the East hasn’t exactly had great playoff performances of late.
Exactly, Pat.
foxsden, this should support my argument of Rowan’s dominance in the East. Check out their playoff win scores since 1999:
29-10
55-0
42-13
40-17
43-14
48-0
45-14
56-7
42-3
28-24
This doesn’t even include their wins in the East Region the years they won it in ’93, ’95, ’96 & ’98. Tell me that’s not utter dominance. Other than the Profs 3 point loss to Brockport State in ’02 and their close win yesterday, they have annihilated every team they’ve played in the East region playoffs since ’99 (and maybe before that too, not sure what the scores were). Take out the two games mentioned above, and they have won by an AVERAGE of 36 points/game. Include the game against Union and it’s still almost 33 points/game. Now, they have no Orihel and they continue to beat teams in this region. All I’m saying is if the East wants to be recognized as anything other than Rowan then the least they could do is have someone in this region beat the Profs, especially when they are without the guy who ran the show at QB. Delaware Valley gets the last crack at it until next year.
I think D3forme makes a valid point here and I hope I did not sound to abbrasive. I guess I am sensitive to the east. I do believe what I said though and I feel it is a valid argument (not snobbery) when comparing certain schools to others. How does Rowan compare to the top schools left in other regions? Can Delaware Valley take them? It will be very interesting to see.
dlippiel, no problem and I can understand your affinity for the east. It’s just that I have been wishing for a long time we could start seeing some different teams from the North and/or South added to the East (and at the same time fewer at-large bids given to East teams) to make things more competitive, and continue to be let down by the committee. Nothing against you.
I removed a blatantly biased and inaccurate reference to Rowan’s starting lineup, a “fact” that was never true, even in the most extreme example years.
I’m not convinced that the comparisons based on east vs. west and which kind of student-athletes can be recruited is a valid one. I’m also not seeing a correlation between the lower admission standards and playoff wins.
Here is the percentage of incoming freshmen whose SAT scores exceed 500 in Verbal and Math from this year’s east bracket:
Curry: V 31% M 20%
Delaware Valley: V 51% M 54%
Cortland St: V 31% M 38%
Hobart: V 90% M 93%
Rowan: V 77% M 80%
Wilkes: V 65% M 67%
Ithaca: V 90% M 93%
Union: V 97% M 99%
Now look at Mount Union and Linfield, two consistently successful teams from outside the east:
Mt. Union: V 60% M 69%
Linfiend: V 76% M 80%
It looks to me like these schools would finish near the middle of the pack in the east as far as admissions standards for freshmen (Mt. Union on the low side of the middle, Linfield slightly above the middle.)
I’m not sure one can say (paraphrsing) “The east isn’t as good in football as other regions because SCHOLAR athletes must be recruited.” It also looks like Rowan has tougher admissions standards than most of the east bracket.
No Barry Switzer Oklahoma teams here.
D3forme
The NCAA sent a N region team to the East in 2002. John Carroll was 2nd in the OAC and won all 3 post-season games in the East, only to return to be beaten badly by Mt Union in the semis.
Maybe a form of football affirmative action is the answer for the East? OK, for those of you who take this forum TOO seriously, I’m kidding.
Like some of the other traditional DIII football powerhouses, Rowan is always on the lookout (and believe me…..not just on the lookout!!) for the disgruntled DI, DI-AA, DII player who would rather become a big fish in a small pond versus the unknown/forgotten fish in an ocean. Some of the best players on the DIII powerhouses outside of the East would be playing at the DII level (or the DI-AA level if up to snuff academically…..including the Ivies……go Penn!!) if they were on the East Coast. Other than possibly a Rowan (recruiting tactics with transfers), I don’t forsee an Eastern power ever having the chance at dominating the country like a Linfield, Mount Union due to the sheer number of DIII alternatives in the East (levels out the playing field) as well as the plethora of excellent DII and DI-AA options. I look at the Linfield’s, Mount Union’s and the few Texas schools as more similar to DII or DI-AA schools in the East. Brett Elliott could be plying his trade at an Eastern DI-AA, getting an incredible education (for free!!!!!!………if he’s not at Linfield!!!) and a better look see from the NFL. He did start ahead of this past year’s No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft back at the U of U didn’t he??
Whatever happens to the Delaware Valley-Rowan winner in the National Semifinals is fine with me. Without a roster of players who could/should be playing at a higher collegiate level……….it’s never going to happen for the East!!! And that’s just fine with me.
I don’t believe Rowan recruits transfers. Recruiting transfers is illegal — it’s called tampering.
The east has the best team in the country. Just ask Trinity. They have a ten team league and only play eight games a year. They’re winning game after game against their own league but won’t dare step out against anyone else in the east or any other region. What is that all about? The eastern region needs to get their best team to come out of their cocoon and play some games with the rest of you so they can carry the banner in the D3 tournament for the east.
Rowan will probably step aside and give them a pass to play in their place.
pcole – You could ask the father of a former [removed] about that one!!!
And you could substantiate your allegations or stop posting them here. Thanks.
pcole – I would never make any allegation that could not be substantiated nor would I substantiate though in a forum such as this. One other point as far as Rowan’s eastern dominance. If you are a South Jersey High School football player and want to stay local (and are not a DI caliber player), Rowan truly is your primary, if not sole choice. If you are in the Southeastern PA area and want to stay fairly local, you’ve got DVC, Widener, Albright, Moravian, Muhlenberg (I’m probably leaving out a few) along with a few good DII’s (West Chester, still alive East Stroudsburg) and some I-AA’s. Rowan has a huge advantage at the DIII level in the East!!! Do you know where their starting QB and stud WR started their respective collegiate careers? I love the site and it is fun to talk DIII football at 1:00am. I miss my playing days in the MAC!!!!
On the academic issue Larry Kehres was at a speaking engagement recently. He was asked about some of his records and statistics. The statistic he was most proud of was only three of his players have not received their degrees since he has been there. He must be getting the few smart athletes from the east to attend Mount causing a severe imbalance in the east. The only students left are smart but not athletic?
And please dlippiel if you are going to play the academics card grab a Websters and check out athlete and athletics. It’s not athelete. I guess Webster couldn’t get in an eastern school either. But he was a heck of a QB in his day.
Gosh, I don’t know PikeCat, if you’re going to do some research and play the academic card, at least do some smart research. That argument’s tired and often the alibi of last resort for sore losers.
For example, the school that has won four of the last six titles in the West (arguably one of the top regions year in and year out with four different teams winning titles over the past 10 seasons) has a higher average SAT (Princeton Review) than every East playoff team except Union.
How does that fit with your theory?
PikeCat – I think the real question is how many of those student/athletes in the %’s that you noted that DON’T have over 500 and still get into the schools you list that are blue chip football players. (sorry for the run on sentence) Four or five blue chip players can make a huge difference between a team making it several rounds into the playoffs or sitting at home. Case in point. I will use the ODAC since that is what I am familiar with. Washington & Lee had a very good 7 and 3 season. Beating a very good Hampden-Sydney team and coming a play or two from beating Bridgewater. While all ODAC schools are very solid academically, W&L is at the top of the list. Four or five additional blue chip players and W & L is in perhaps and Bridgewater probably sits at home.
D3 has it down about as well as possible. It is an impossible task to get the playing field completely level. There aren’t too many academic slouches in D3. After all, student/athlete is the essence of what D3 is all about in the first place. There are many factors that make a successful program. (Eg: quality coaches, facilities, tradition, administrative support, aid, etc.) Being able to get those four or five players each year that other schools cannot will always make a huge difference.
Which statement is more true?
Are any statements false?
1) The West bracket is by far the toughest top-to-bottom bracket, as evidenced by 5 undefeated teams entering the playoffs.
2) The West region is the most top-heavy region, as evidenced by both finalists winning each playoff game so far by 14+ points.
3) The West region has the most over-rated teams of any region, as evidenced by 3 undefeated teams losing by 27+ points.
For all the academics discussion types..
My last post should read: Which statement is MOST true?
Easy Raiderguy:) MY EXCUSE this time won’t be academics but typos! I just can’t type fast, but I am improving.
Again, aside from academics I think d3forme is right. It would be nice to see some other eastern schools compete at a national level. What needs to happen so this can be the case? Any ideas? DOes everyone feel it is a equal playing field across the board? Does anyone see any programs in the future from the east that will challenge Rowan on a yearly basis?
D3forme
All the statistics you quote are probabaly true, but this it is all ancient history.
This blog is entitled “immediate thoughts on week 13” and you are quoting Rowan scores in the plauoffs from the last mellenium.
Rowan beat Union 28 to 24, the second lowest point spead in the DIII playoffs on Saturday.I don’t think this tells us squat about Rowan’s dominance in the East!
We will learn more in two weeks when the regional winners square off in the National semi finals. Then we will know which regions are stronger!
You may be right that other regions are stonger than the EAST, but you didn’t learn that on Saturday watching Union play Rowan!
Congratulations to the Concordia College Cobbers on a great season! They held their own against the number 1 team in the nation. I was listening on the radio and the Cobbers had a number of opportunities to upset the Wildcats. There is a team that appears to be back on the winning track. Congratulations to Coach Horan, his staff, and the players who worked hard this year. Go Cobbers!!!
Rerepete–
I guess it fits with my theory–smart kids who meet high academic standards can play good football. One need not load a team with Dexter Manleys in order to succeed.
Allsky7–I don’t know the answer to the “how many blue chippers are admitted with weak academic credentials” question. I can certainly speculate about it, but I don’t know fr certain.
re: players transferring from D-I to D-III–many do it so they won’t have to sit out a season like they would if they transferred to another D-I school.
dlippiel
No problem. It just seemed funny because of the topic. No harm no foul.
PikeCat,
That’s what I get for posting at 4 a.m. I’m with you on that and must have confused your post with those on the other side, such as dlippiel. It was the use of LC and MUC that threw me — because the example I cited “monkey stomps” (thanks, RPI) his point.. I generally tread carefully on the whole academic angle because in d3 because the arguments are seldom valid. Sorry for the confusion. I am now self-enforcing a posting curfew.
About the three statements — I might say statement three could be false. Just because St. John’s and Occidental didn’t perform well against the top two teams in the bracket does not mean there are any teams that could have performed better.
Re: BOLDCobber…..The Concordia Football program came back to McMinnville(after 27 years) last weekend.
From my perspective as a Wildcat fan and outside support vendor…it was the most serious battle test I’ve seen since the MHB-v-Linfield championchip game last year.
Although I doubt any losing team wants to necessarily try to feel better about losing…I’d like to say this: The quality of play that rises to the top through the D3 playoffs is another great characteristic and result of a system of sport that leaves other divisions missing the mark…badly!
I had the chance to briefly talk with a few Cobber players and coaches just following the game. There were no slumped shoulders in the bunch!
These are “Stand Up” guys, gridiron warriors and gentlemen all.
Quick question about the “weak ” East. In the “Our Predictions” section leading up to last week’s eight games, the single largest prediction spread was a score of Mary Hardin-Baylor 30 vs. Wesley 10. The prediction ended with the line “Wesley is a nice squad, but they will find that the Crusaders are on a completely different level”. Can anybody help me and explain what happened to MHB’s defense…….on their home field no less?!?!
How many quality D3, D2 and D1-AA schools are there in states like Oregon, Texas, Minnesota?
Finally, the Gagliardi should not go to a player who was once starting ahead of last year’s #1 pick in the NFL Draft at the D1 level. It should go to D3 talent playing at the D3 level. Adam Knoblauch, record setting QB at Delaware Valley College.
P.S. Name the current D3 coach most likely to be leading a major D1 program within the next 7-10 years……….G.A. Mangus of Delaware Valley College. Unlike the remaining 7 teams in the field, his is the only roster without a dozen or so players who could/should be playing a level or two up from D3. Making the most with the least is what great coaching can do for a program.