Partly cloudy, mid-to-high 40s here at Springfield, no wind as we are about 15 minutes away from kickoff between No. 2 seeded Springfield and No. 7 seeded Curry. I’ll be down on the field shooting for most of the game and won’t be checking in much but wanted to get the ball rolling for those of you at other games and those sitting at home.
Parking lot is packed with tailgaters — in fact, an hour before game time, there was nowhere to park. Excellent football weather, especially for mid-November in New England.
It’s the first meeting of these schools. Should be a quick game — you may have heard that Springfield runs the triple option, plus Curry runs for 227 yards a game so expect the clock to roll.
Dutchman,
Of course the 7-win teams deserve to be in the postseason. They all won their conferences, which is the criteria to qualify. Besides, Millsaps was a good team. They were only a couple plays away from a 9-1 regular season. One of their losses was due to a blocked extra point at the end of the game after they had scored what should have been the game-tying touchdown to send it into overtime. In another one of their losses, they were leading 38-33 and on the verge of scoring another touchdown until they threw an interception in the endzone and ended up losing 41-38.
Anyways, I think CMU deserves more credit for shutting out a team that was averaging 33 ppg. I realize they’re no Wesley, but still a lot of people here were predicting Millsaps to win in a shootout.
K-Mack:
Westbrook’s younger brother (Byron) goes to Salisbury and is a pretty good defensive back. Brian went to school at ‘Nova.
It’s a good thing I didn’t know they were related before the game or I would’ve slipped and called Byron “Brian” all day.
Yeah,
I knew all that, except I said “cousin went,” not “brother goes.” It’s been a few years since Byron’s been a starter, I thought he might have graduated by now.
Although what you wrote doesn’t directly explain the connection to Rowan/Hobart, after I typed it, I sort of put it together. His brother plays D3. He’s familiar with playoff football from I-AA. And many of the Eagles live in that part of South Jersey, like Washington Township area, if I remember correctly. People used to tell me they saw Byron Evans and Jessie Small in the McDonald’s or they knocked on Reggie White’s door for Halloween.
I was just wondering if there was a direct connection I was missing, like when they showed McNabb at the Rutgers/Louisville game, standing there with L.J. Smith … a Rutgers grad.
The UMHB-HSU game was as good as I thought it would be, glad UMHB could stop the comeback. W&J comes to Belton next week. Take this to the bank, UMHB will beat W&J by at least 3 TD’s. UMHB just might get to play Wesely and get revenge from last years playoff loss. Oh! Millsaps lost as I predicted, they are a weak team from a very weak conference.
“Why show up . . . if you’re not going to show up?”
Agreed. This is why people don’t take the ECAC bowls seriously. It doesn’t appear the teams all do.
Not making excuses for Cortland, that’s pretty much been the feeling about those games for years. Plus, I had RPI in the playoffs in Kickoff ’06 … would’ve been nice if they busted out that whoopin’ stick a little earlier. 🙁
Look out Wesley. UMHB has a score to settle and we will win it at your house this time baby!!!! Yes, I know I’m looking ahead but UMHB is that good. I’m actually looking way ahead and will say that UMHB will play UWW. I will make that flight for sure and see that game.
D3Keith (& Gordon) – The “incident” occurred at halftime out by his car (I was parked two cars down from him) and there was literally nobody around at the time. I said hello and mentioned a connection with his financial advisor and he was cool with me.
A father and his little kid were walking to their car, noticed him and the kid asked for an autograph on his gameday program and he shunned the kid.
As far as Reggie White is concerned, he and I used to participate together in The Leukemia Society of The Greater Philadelphia Area and we forged a very good relationship over the years. He would show up at children’s homes unannounced, never for the camera. He would call me out of the blue to say hello…….and I’m a nobody compared to him!
I know that we live in a different society with a different edge, are supposed to be impressed by shows like “Cribs”, etc. I’d be more impressed if you have the money………give a chunk of it away (can you say Bill Gates, Warren Buffet, Ted Turner, Secret Santa….they get it!!). If you don’t have the money but have the time………give of your time to those less fortunate!!
It’s time to go down to the Linc and cheer for beloved Birds (yes…….even BWest……..it’s the uniform…….not the person wearing it these days!!).
Purple Crush
You may want too save some room on Thanksgiving for the CROW you might be eating next Sunday!!!!! If the UMHB players are thinking like you are W&J will send them packing. Our schools up here can play some football as you all found out last year!!!
Despite the uc loss to sjf it was some hard fought d3 football. felt bad for uc running back TA – it was obvious his achilles tendon was bothering him. game also showed size does matter. sjf was bigger and stronger and played mistake free. Hats off to them. Also i have seen plenty of d3 playing fields and facilities in my lifetime, uc has a great one and so does sjf but how do you build a stadium like that with no bathrooms. Good luck to the rest of the teams. sjf and springfield should be a great one.
sjff 82
I’m not sure why you are so angry. My post was not a whine but merely a response to repete who slammed Cortland for an ECAC loss. The ECAC is much like the NIT in basketball, teams that struggled during the year that come together have something to prove and look forward to the game. Teams on the 65 team bubble usually struggle over the disappointment of not getting to the real tournament. Enjoy your victory and the game next week and let us wallow in our self pity. I understand how the NCAA selection process works and if you can find a post from me complaining about it then tell me to shut up. For the record I considered your game against Alfred last week was also a “playoff” game, win and in lose and out (that’s how meaningful playoffs work otherwise it’s a bowl game!)
Lost opportunities for Hobart, both in the game and in the big picture. I think we all probably look at a tough playoff loss (or in Cortland’s case, not getting in) as though we’ve lost the national championship, even though our next opponent may be Mt. Union. Who knows?? You still have to play the game.
What makes these losses extra tough is that for most of us, the opportunities are few and far between. What goes around usually comes around, and who knows when we might get the chance again? A couple of years ago, nobody ever heard of Delaware Valley (2-8 record) and Widener (who??) was king of that league. Springfield was off the football map and surprised everybody this year. RPI makes the final four in 2003 and hasn’t been in the playoff’s since. Lycoming hosts the regional final and hasn’t had a good record since. Union and Ithaca have been to (and won) the Stagg Bowl several times. Brockport St. was a contender in the East not so long ago. Nobody had ever heard of Mt. Union until the 1990’s. The San Francisco 49ers were the worst team in the NFL for 40 years until the Joe Montana era – now they’re back to being the worst (I’m getting way off base – just wanted to agitate their fans).
Is anyone aware that Hobart is 2-0 all time against Mt. Union??
even though i obviously favor the pittsburgh teams, they will have their work cut out for them this week
Wesley vs CMU: D3Keith found out what everyone in western PA has known all year. CMU has a legit defense. this game will be a draw for most if not all of the first half. However, in the end wesley will make a few more plays on offense then CMU. It will however be a close game until the 4th quarter…….wesley 17 cmu 6
UMHB vs W&J: These teams have met in the playoffs before and they have been one sided affairs. This one will be a little closer. However, UMHB will expose the W&J pass defense. UHMB has been tested against 3 top 10 teams this year which will help them prepare for W&J. In the end UMHB by 2 TDs UMHB 28 W&J 14
DragonFan, I’m still here, and I’ms still proud.
My hat goes off to CMU, as they played a mistake free game. This young Millsaps team allowed for a huge emotional let down. Millsaps, though, is far from a weak team, and by no means is the SCAC weak either. Regardless, Millsaps season is done and all Millsaps can do is work toward next season.
Millsaps has a first year head coach, a first year offensive Co., and a first year special teams coach. Add to that, Millsaps only loses 9 seniors, and 5 starters. Mock it now and say what you’d like, but Millsaps is a name you will be mentioning again this time next season.
Good luck to the Majors, and to the remainder of the teams that are still playing ball.
OK….for the Hobart/Rowan game…
Hobart dominated Rowan for 4 quarters. I was at the game and the ONLY reason that Hobart lost was because of their awful kicker. Missing two field goals, not even long ones, 37 and 35 i believe, is what did it. They also had a third scoring drive that was taken away when the receiver stepped out of bounds and came back in to catch the touchdown pass. Right there, the score should have been 31-20 Hobart. Even if the kicker made atleast one of the two field goals, that would’ve been the difference. I think Hobart might want to be looking for a new kicker next year…
UC1795,
Did you really think the Union-SJFC game was hard fought D3 football? It was 42-9 with 8 minutes to play in the 4th quarter and SJFC scored touchdowns on 6 of their first 8 possessions. The game was over at half-time! Did you notice that or were you too busy looking for the bathrooms??? Do me a favor and don’t follow up your “hats off to them” compliment with a cheap shot at SJFC’s stadium. It just makes you look bad…
Congrats on making the playoffs and good luck next season.
Well, let’s hope that Rowan finally gets their “comeuppance.” GO WILKES!
I like Mt. Union, Capital, Wilkes, Springfield, Wesley, W&J, Whitewater and St. John’s to move on to the quarterfinals. Best games: Wilkes/Rowan, Springfield/St. John Fisher, W&J/MHB and Whitworth/St. John’s.
GOOD LUCK TO ONE AND ALL NEXT SATURDAY!
sjfc1993 you guys need some bathrooms! Just relax man, he gave your team props and if your stadium needs a bathroom then it needs a bathroom. I can think of many worse insults. You are even more sensitive than myself, man, to think if SJF lost what you would say? I think your post just made me a Springfield fan. Lets go pride!
Keith –
Agree on the ECAC’s. I don’t want to agree, but having seen these games for years it is obvious some teams mail it in. I’m not making any excuses. Cortland with Pratt at QB would have lost to RPI even if they wanted the game the way they wanted Cortaca.
You mentioned having RPI in the playoffs in the Kickoff. I was really impressed. They have a good quarterback, good tailback, and 2 big receivers with speed. Defense really gets after people too. I’m trying to figure out how they lost 3 games this season. They were every bit as good as Ithaca and Rowan.
dlippiel,
You’re right, I was a bit sensitive. I just sent my donation in last month to help with the stadium addition which includes mens and womens rest room facilities. It’s a sore spot. My apologies for the aggressive post.
SJFC1993-
Are you saying your money is going straight into the toilet? 🙂 Sorry…could not resist.
Are there bathrooms at Cortland I read early post that they squatted and pee on the field?I like stories.
That was some of the co-eds during the Cortaca game, a little too much tailgating! If you want to go in two years don’t bother with a ticket just hand out in the lot next to PE building and listen to the radios and the roar.
Let’s see Tom A. 10 carries for 11 yards and Chris Sharpe 28 carries for 242. I guess that ends that debate. Tom had a great year ,but this year belongs to Chris. I doubt SJF can hold him to 11 yards,in fact after the clinic he put on in Springfield’s 55-38 win at SJF they probably don’t care to see the D3 Player of the Year again. I will say that game was one of the best games I’ve ever seen at any level and I think this one will be another .
PA_wesleyfan
East coast teams are weak, period! Wesley got lucky last year. I think you will be the one eating crow my friend. No team can run on UMHB, no one. UMHB D does have a weakness, pass defense on certain blitz situations. Wesley did a great job last year on play calling at the line of scrimmage. I was on the Wesley sideline for that game and I must admit the coaches had a great game plan and everything seemed to work. No such luck this year on the execution part.
Oh! I still think W&J loses by at least 3 TD’S. Bank it!!!! UMHB has the quickest D in DIII. Ask Keith he was at the WW game.
Pridefan…
I agree that this Saturday’s matchup between SJFC and Springfield will be one of the best games ever… However, I can assure you that the Cards are more than anxious for the rematch. It’s gonna be a great game and I’d bet that while Fisher won’t be able to hold Chris to 11 yards they will be able to hold him to far less than 242. Can’t wait for Saturday.
Purple Crush…
W&J will not lose by 3 td’s. It will be a close game. I plan to make the drive up to Belton to root them on (I went to W&J but now live in San Antonio).. Should be a great game
and one more thing….dont look ahead
it could be an all pittsburgh south finals
Cortlandfootball,
Great observation on where my money is going! You’re obviously well schooled in D3 football so help me out with something…What did IC do to hold Springfield to 280 yards in the regular season? Was it scheme, talent, weather, or just a bad day for Sharpe and the Pride offense? I didn’t pay much attention to the game at the time. Thanks.
SJFC1993-
Well as you know from having played, football is a game of match-ups. RPI matched well vs. Cortland because they run sprint-draws with the back, and the QB is a 1-2 step drop passer who likes to sprint out of the pocket. It neutralizes what Cortland does with their pass rush.
Now IC is a good run defender. I don’t know that they showed it against Fisher, but they did a good job keeping tabs on our backs. They are quick up front which is what you want against the option. So that is a plus for them against Springfield.
However what really helped IC against Springfield was a sloppy, slow, muddy turf from plenty of rain. IC also (allegedly) let the grass grow all week. Nice. 🙂
Purple Crush
I don’t get into that rah rah stuff. And I don’t think that Wesley is even thinking about anything other than getting ready for CMU this week. Dickinson slapped ’em a little and woke them up. So I’ll get back to you when and if Wesley is going to meet UMHB. For now I will enjoy watching y’all pounding your chests.
PA_Wesleyfan,
Please modify “ya’ll pounding your chests” to “you pounding your chest”. Purple Crush and his overbearing posts do not represent all of us ASC posters. After the last two years in the playoffs the majority of us know the value of taking the games one at a time.
roocru
I realize that. Just a little nudge to get the Crush ranting. No disrespect at all to the UMHB fans
PA_wesleyfan and roocru;
Just stating my opinion ladies. Sorry it offends you.
OH! UMHB 42 W&J 14
Dukefin,
I don’t envy you, that you had to sit through the Birds today. I had a ticket offered to me, but since I was on the road to Pittsburgh Friday & yesterday, I didn’t want to drive up. Thank God.
I never got the sense that Westbrook is a “Cribs” type of dude, but point taken.
You going to Wilkes this week, or have you seen enough D3 for one year?
Speaking of turf … Springfield is on it again this week, which is always a topic of conversation.
SJF is a turf team going to turf at Springfield.
Carnegie Mellon is a turf team going down to turf at Wesley.
W&J is a turf team going down to turf at UMHB.
Rowan is a turf team going to grass at Wilkes.
Thought that was an interesting East/South note, that 7 of the 8 teams left are turfies.
I guess I can complete the chart for ATN, especially since East/North and West/South are the semifinal matchups.
Um,
Pride fan, I thought we had this conversation.
A little early to be giving Chris Sharpe the “the D3 Player of the Year” nod. There are several games upcoming which may have an effect on who gets that honor, both real and the one given out in cyberspace.
Cortlandfootball,
Thanks. I figured conditions had something to do with the “low” output of 280 yards. In talking to the staff at SJFC they told me they were missing 3 defensive starters when they gave up 55 points to the Pride in the regular season. One was their starting 3 technique and the other was a starting corner. As you said it’s all about match ups so I’m hoping that having these guys back and healthy gives us a better chance against the run.
We need a concession stand too, but enough about football already, and sorry to Cam08 above, was just knee-jerk reaction to all the Cortland posts.
SJFC1993: I was at the SJF-SC game earlier this year and that was the most unbelievable display of offense you are ever going to see….which means hopefully we wont see it again. There was only one team out there when SC was on offense. Twice they ran their FB up the middle on 3rd and long? Gained 9 yds each time. That of course was just to prove that they could run whatever they wanted I think. As you probably know they run the trip-option, and it seemed that every play all they did was option the FB up the middle and Sharpe usually kept the ball to nobody’s suprise except nobody could tackle him
He would run 5-6 palys and gain 25 yds and then pop one for 50….all afternoon. We need to tackle and force turnovers. The good thing is that our offense couldnt be stopped either…we just had a couple turnovers.
sjfc 1993
lets see, my 1st response was not allowed, porbably because of the truth within the message and the people at d3 know it.
So, i appreciate your funny comment about the game on saturday. even with a heathy AA running back and an AA wide-receiver unionwould have had an uphill battle. with linemen at near 300 pounds i knew our guys were going to struggle. we can’t keep linemen that size at our school.
good thing your coach showed a little more class than a particular alum who sent some pennies to help with the toilet project. i can see sjf taught you some good values – not bad for a parochial school.
Not to live in the past but curious what was your playing days like? Record? Playoffs? How far? I seem to remember playing for a national championship once and coming up short in the quarter finals another year. Oh well, great memories and glad some of the boys from uc had a chance to play in the playoffs back to back.
i have suddenly become a springfield fan. sharpe is going to have another big game if UC QB was a runner the flats were clear all day. Best of luck to the rest of the teams.
I knew Springfield was going to destroy them.
purple crush
i will see you at the game….UMHB better not be looking ahead like you are
UC1795,
My first assumption about you was correct, you’re a sore loser, that is why I responded to your half hearted congratulatory post in the first place. Your team got whacked by a squad and a college that you have long looked down your nose at….I guess that’s a tough pill to swallow. At least in your latest post your true colors come out for all to see, so I won’t be accused of being over-sensitive in my response this time.
“lets see, my 1st response was not allowed, probably because of the truth within the message and the people at d3 know it.” = sore loser. Please try to re-post your message, I’m dying to hear the truth that D3 doesn’t want us to know.
“we can’t keep 300 lb linemen at our school” – Do tell, what is it about UC that prevents you from keeping those kids in school? Is it insufficient dining halls, beds that are too small in the dorms, c’mon what is it?
Starting a phrase with “Not to live in the past…but” is called living in the past. This, much the same as cheap shot comments, makes you look bad.
I was very open and honest in earlier posts about the struggles we had during the late 80’s and early 90’s at SJFC. We never made the playoffs, in fact we never got close. Am I supposed to be ashamed of that? It was 13 years ago…do you think anyone outside of a small group of former players and coaches cares or even remembers those days? I’m happy for you and your “UC boys”, congratulations on your achievements 16 years ago, you should be very proud. Be sure to tell all of your co-workers tomorrow about your glory days, I’m sure they will be hanging on your every word.
Finally, I’m happy that you’ve become a Springfield fan, us parochial school guys wouldn’t want one of you white collar elitist from UC on our side anyway. Best of luck to you and your new team this weekend. If you’re heading up to the game, I have some great news for you, Springfield’s stadium has restrooms! Roll Pride!
SC may appear to go as Chris Sharp goes, however how about the no name defense that appears to bend but not break? Ithaca game withstanding, of course. Seems like the D has thrown a shutout the past two games -discounting the points Curry scored when SC had their #2’s on their field for D in the later part of the 3rd and the fourth quarters. Can they bend and not break once again against SJFC?? Big question
UMHB 42 W&J 14, I’m looking ahead because UMHB is that good.
purple crush
umhb is stout against the run….but what about the pass….they are very vulnerable when they run blitz packages…just ask CNU who had some good success against you….W&J will look at those films…..by the way we did beat CNU last week (a team that you lost to)
umhb is not unbeatable
they have two losses
mille125: That’s if they have those games on video. The ones they get in the playoff tape exchange would be UW-Whitewater, East Texas Baptist and Howard Payne.