We’re not sure what was more exciting, the games themselves in the first round or the rush of 16 games all underway at once. It seemed like you couldn’t hit refresh without getting some interesting new tidbit, whether it was Curry pulling away early or TCNJ winning late, Salisbury tying Muhlenberg in the fourth quarter or N.C. Wesleyan taking W&J to overtime.
Plus, Keith and Pat, remember, both saw N.C. Wesleyan the first week of the season. Hear their hindsight on what each saw and how it colored their predictions from last week. And go through the rest of last week’s games and the ones coming up.
It’s our Around the Nation podcast, which continues through the Stagg Bowl.
I was most surprised to read that W&J had lost in the first round. .
Great podcast …..Super to hear about other teams around the country that we don’t know about. Will be cold at the Perk this weekend and with the students home and half the state deer hunting usually the smallest playoff crowd. Still we will Pound the Rock…..
That one felt long, but wow, 25 minutes … someone’s gonna eat up a lunch break listening.
Like people stop “working” to listen.
Thanks for the early feedback fellas. Sakman, you can throw students home for Thanksgiving break on there with the opening of hunting season as reasons for the sparse crowds this week. But the diehards will be in the house no matter where it is, right?
We will have the grills going at the Perk early Keith…..I guess that makes us diehards but to be honest there is no place I would rather be on a Saturday in November…..
Pat and Keith:
Good podcast except you left the 2/7 game between Wesley and HSC completely out of your report. What happened??????
I did notice that as we moved from the 7s to the 6s, but I thought we would weave it back in down the road and it never happened.
What was there to say though? Wesley’s good. 🙂
You should’ve said something. 🙂
Guys:
I know we blew HCS out but a mention would have been nice. Larry Beavers scoring three different ways AND throwing a touchdown pass. What possessed HCS to kick to him at the start of the second half?????
You do a SUPER job. I hope we do as well against the Mules this weekend as we did against HCS!
Maybe he’s still sore that HSC spoiled his homecoming last week. 🙂 LOL
Talk about understatement…Whalen “might have been the difference in the game.” He was–both positively and negatively. Pick 6 and fumble at the Widener 5, then 97 yd TD pass and can I say “The Drive”?
I enjoyed the games all at once and can’t understand how local TV can avoid covering games of such high quality. Oh well, I guess in these times when we have a leader that really believes that he’s the commander in chief we will all be stuck with the Army Navy attempt to play a football game all over ABC.
There was local TV at Salisbury-Muhleberg (ch. 2) and a few other places, I imagine. The challenge would be rounding up all those feeds (or tapes in hindsight) … I have never been very good at getting my hands on too many of them.
Our bad on Wesley/H-SC. We’re sorry.
It was my subliminal R-MC bias coming out, ignoring the garnet and grey on purpose 🙂
Oh. I see Conrad made the same joke. Boo.
I actually had a good inkling that the prize for winning was going to be a trip to Wesley ending a bad result, and was just happy to see R-MC matter again. Not that I didn’t want to Atomic Elbow-Drop a few Blue Blazer-and-khaki-wearing H-SC kids at midfield during the postgame, but this season was more than we all expected at R-MC and I was very happy with it given the expectations. Plus you can see they play the right way, not sloppy and talking a whole lot of trash and what not, so that was good.
So yeah, uh, playoffs.
Sakman1111 … football in November? Every day’s a great day for football.
Maybe we’ll see you at The Perk in a few weeks.
So I think NCW has a tougher task in the 2nd round than they did in the first round. I have not seen MHB play (or really paid too much attention to them) but what will NCW have to do to take down a Texas giant? Also if they can get by MHB I think Wesley (If they win) will go down and NCW will be in Salem playing Whitewater.
MHB 35 – NCW 21
runferrum:
You must stop posting at 3:00 am, u are in need of sleep. MHB is VERY tough. Wesley beat them in the regional finals the last two years, but they are tough and well coached. In order for NCW to get to Salem, even if they meet and could beat Wesley, they have to play Whitewater in the semis and therefore one of them would lose so both NCW and WW could not be in Salem. My hope is Wesley/MHB at Wesley for the WJ bracket championship, and a Wesley win. Maybe someone will upset WW so I do not have to go to the COLD country of Wisconsin again. But one step at a time, Wesley must beat a good Mulenburg team this weekend.
RunFerrum–
NCW will have to stop the run (not an easy task against the CRU’s option attack), force them to pass and cause some turnovers to be in the game. At the same time, Townsend will have to be smart with the football. He will make some plays with his with his legs but he has to know when to cut his losses. Sometimes he’s throws the ball up for grabs. That’s a big NO-NO this week with speed of UMHB defense. Bush and Webb will have to make some plays too.
You guys did a great job with the podcast – wrapping up almost all of the games (yeah – the one miss) – and some much appreciated commentary regarding the HCAC. Thank you ! Franklin returns a lot on both sides of the ball … and has some “real” talent coming up. We will miss Hartsfield, Mongan and Pickerill among others. Really wanted to win at least one game so Bill Lynch (Indiana coach) would get to see his son play at least once this year !! Both Father and son had a last second decision in their games — one on the up side, one not. Keep up the good work … OH — and Keith — you never did respond regarding the high school proximity — I went to Washington Township long ago … used to play Triton on an old field right next to the street ! GO GRIZ !
You guys did a great job with the podcast – wrapping up almost all of the games (yeah – the one miss) – and some much appreciated commentary regarding the HCAC. Thank you ! Franklin returns a lot on both sides of the ball … and has some “real” talent coming up. We will miss Hartsfield, Mongan and Pickerill among others. Really wanted to win at least one game so Bill Lynch (Indiana coach) would get to see his son play at least once this year !! Both Father and son had a last second decision in their games — one on the up side, one not. Keep up the good work … OH — and Keith — you never did respond regarding the high school proximity — I went to Washington Township long ago … used to play Triton on an old field right next to the street ! GO GRIZ !
Congratulations to NCW on their first playoff game. I think that if W&J and NCW played 10 times they would split 5 to 5. It is interesting to see a number 1 seed go for two in overtime against a number 8 seed at home. NCW played a good game.
W&J and the rest of the PAC will need to upgrade their schedules if they expect to go far in the playoffs. NCW as a number eight seed was a step up in class for W&J and that shouldnt be. Outside of conference play W&J did not play one top 50 team until NCW. Infact, the entire conference only played three playoff teams (geneva vs salisbury, st vincents vs Case, ThomasMore vs Mt St Josephs). The conference as a whole was 0-9 vs the top 50 including the postseason losses of waynesburg and W&J. The PAC was competitive in some of these games but needed to play more. If W&J wants to be competitive in the playoffs, they need to put the Widener’s, Ithaca’s, and Cortland’s back on their schedule.
As for this week, NCW will have a monumental task. They will keep it respectable in the first half but will lose by 14-17 points in the end.
UMHB 38 NCW 21
Wesley vs Muhlenberg will be the game of the week. If these teams played 10 times on a neutral field, they would likely split 5 to 5. I have to give Wesley a slight edge at home.
Wesley 20 Muhlenberg 17
I don’t see NCW making it past MHB – as I have them going to the semi’s. They pretty much convinced we have they demolished a good team in CNU.
Haha- I am in Law School on the West Coast so my post are around midnight. Besides the occasional flight home, phone conversations, D3football keeps me informed.
As for my last post. MHB convinced me after the CNU game that it would take an elite team to knock them off. I can’t see anyone other than WW or Mt. Union doing that. It’s been a nice run for NCW, just wish they were one seed higher b/c I think they are very capable of beating anyone else in that region.
Question: Outside of WW and MT. U, does anyone have a legitimate shot at the national title? I do not see too much parity in D3 football. With 300+ teams why is there not multiple teams at the WW/Mt. level? With no scholarships and low recruiting budgets there should be a great deal of teams at that level.
correction: That’s Lance PICKRELL … typed in a hurry at work — mishit some keys — sorry Lance
You folks are fooling yourselves if you think D3 schools do not provide “scholarships!” I would guess most of the programs do. They just call it tuition discounting or some other fancy name. How do you think some of those players can afford $25,000 tuition, etc. It is becuase they do not pay that amount. Do a roster check of what players “actually” pay and you would see there are plenty of “scholarships” being handed out. Anough of this “With no scholarships…….” stuff.
RunFerrum, to attempt to answer your question, it’s difficult to say whether anyone (including UWW) has a realistic shot of knocking of Mt. Union. Obviously, the Purple Raiders are a very heavy favorite to win yet another Stagg, but history has shown that it’s not always easy, and doesn’t always happen.
In 2003, some Mount fans were touting that year’s version of the dynasty as their best yet. Perhaps those fans were clearly wrong even at the time; I don’t know. But MUC not only lost in the Stagg Bowl but quite likely would have been at the receiving end of a Monkey Stomp but for a terrible, terrible call that took away a Johnnie touchdown. And in 2004, of course, the dynasty fell again to a UHMB squad that took Linfield (which I would have favored over MUC anyway) to the very end in the Stagg. MUC has also had a pair of Staggs (vs. Bridgewater in 2002? and SJU in 2000) that it won by the skin of its teeth.
My point is that MUC is clearly at a higher level than the rest of D3 in the long run, but on a year-by-year basis, they can be challenged or even beaten. This isn’t parity, per se, but given the amazing coaching staff at MUC, teams that even put up a fight against them have something to be proud of. Frankly, it’s the fact that so few coaches can match Larry Kehres that MUC has been so great.
While UWW has been terrific for the past three seasons, I don’t know that it’s fair to say that they’re so much higher than the rest of D3. They had to survive two very close playoff games last year (UWL and SJU) just to get out of the West Region. They’ve also only found this high level of success in the past three seasons, inclusive. Before them, teams like SJU were competing in at least the semifinals for years on end.
In the end, DIII schools have vast differences in resources, both overall and as allocated toward football, as well as differing philosophies. This will likely preclude any type of parity even remotely resembling the NFL, or perhaps even DI-A. MUC has established itself as the great dynasty of this age, but someday, they will fade, just like past dynasties. Eventually, the rest of the WIAC will catch up to Whitewater (or the Warhawks will fall down to their level), just as happened to their conference rivals to the west. Parity will likely never be the rule at this level, but that’s not necessarily such a terrible thing.
piperarcher,
I have worked in the financial aid office of a DIII school; these boys do not receive anything “special” from the university. Reports/Audits are submitted annually to the NCAA and the conferences as well as the Dept of Education. The “money” that is given to these athletes is typically less than the amounts given to the general student body. The scholarships given are academic or need-based. To imply that these schools are somehow operating less than truthfully or illegally is reprehensible and irresponsible. I would expect more from a true Division III football fan.
SJU_Nick –
You make some great points about MUC’s continued greatness. Though they occasionally lose, I think they are 109-4 since 1999, I can think of no other football team, NFL down, that has been this dominate. I would love to see them play some lower level D1-A &AA schools. I think they are both good and bad for D3. Every year it is seems like everyone is playing to just into the playoffs rather than a national title. Besides a very few select teams, its foolish to think anyone has even a shot at knocking them off.
Vhwon –
Unfortunately, I have also heard of schools giving academic scholarships to athletes, from players and parents at many schools. Maybe these athletes fall within the requirements of the academic scholarship, but they still are not be the best candidate for the monetary award. Though I do not think schools give “full” academic rides, I do believe many athletes are given scholarships that they do not neccesarily deserve (or worse yet may gain admittance when they fall below the schools academic standards).
Question: If D1 schools are sometime in the future allowed to pay athletes, would it be appropriate to then allow D3 schools to give athletic scholarships?
Good article on TCNJ on D3’s front page today.
RunFerrum,
If that is happening, that is most unfortunate. I just do not like the implication that all D3 schools do this. Also, these are allegations that should be reported to the conferences and ultimately to the NCAA. I just know first hand that these schools are put under a microscope by the NCAA, conferences and the Dept of Ed. At most schools, financial aid is awarded on a first come, first serve basis. I know the coaches are trying to recruit early in the year and thus the process by the athletes and their parents is starting as early as February for the upcoming fall. Most other parents do not start applying for aid until May….at best. Appearance is one thing, but I would bet if we were to investigate every school and every athlete (NCAA already does this to a certain degree by auditing), you would find very few improprieties taking place. I certainly do not mean any offense to you or piperarcher. I agree it probably happens, as do wrongdoings at Div I and II or anything that involves people. Rules will be tested and bent, at time. However, it is not as widespread as indicated or implied in earlier posts. Sure we have “bad apples” everywhere. Furthermore…. perhaps great stay great because better players want to play for a winning team. Why do you think Randy Moss went to New England?…..Because he wants to win. Thanks!
Well its a short week and teams will have to face cutting their Thanksgiving holiday feasts just a little short as practice will be looming on Thursday afternoon. Getting into the play-offs is great but there are drawbacks that face every team. The T-Giving holiday season falling in the midst of the second week of the play-offs creates whole new situations for teams, schools and players–but I’m sure no one is complaining too hard (unless you are one of the practice players the team needs to prepare and you really have no chance to to make the top 52).
So lets take a close look at this weeks ganmes and see what Ole’ Touchdown says about the teams that should advance.;
1.Mt Union should continue their march to Salem but they better play better pass “D” this week (over 350 yds last week by Ithaca) than last or someone that throws the ball really well could bite them
2. Curry’s dream season should come to a skidding stop as St. John Fisher beats them up badly…12 wins in a season is great but Fisher is too tough and gets prepared for the Mount Union showdown next weekend
3. Central is just waiting to get knocked off and I think it will be the Johnnies to do it…look for a St. John’s vs. bethel rematch next week
4. Bethel vs. Eau Claire is a toss-up but I’m going to go with Bethel as they haven’t lost since the first week of the season…this could be the tightest game of the weekend
5. Mary Hardin Baylor crushes NC Wesleyan by 5 TD’s or more…how did Washington & Jefferson lose to this bunch–oh yea they went for a ‘surprise 2′ from kick formation when an extra point would have taken the game to another OT
6. The Mulhlenberg group tastes their first defeat by 2 TD’s or more, Wesley is for real and could be the surprise team of the tourney
7. North Central won on the last play of the game last week but they won’t need those heroics in round two as a last play won’t bring them back from a 2-3 TD deficit…Whitewater at home is good–especially on grass in bad weather
8. Wabash jumps all over Case Western Reserve by 20 or more…Case has had a good run but it ends this weekend…Wabash is too tough for them
The final eight should provide some really good match-ups with;
Mount Union vs. St. John’s Fisher—lets see how rreally tough the true east is
St. John’s vs. Bethel….round two and I think St. john’s wins this time
Mary Hardin Baylor vs. Wesley…what a game, this will be a beauty & slugfest
Wis-Whitewater vs. Wabash…Whitewater wins and prepares for game above
Anybody else care to take a crack at it–just one person’s opinion but I’ll bet I’m really, really close—–Ole’ Touchdown signing off
Touchdown… I like your picks, you know your stuff… Should they go as stated, I like the Johnnies, Mary-Hardin Baylor, UW-W and Fisher over the Mount… Would I bet these; probably not… Fisher just getting to Alliance is big… The East really is tough, but MUC is truly in a class of their own…
Come on you d3football bloogers, where are you? I’ve been out of town a week or so and now am back in action…anybody going to challenege?
As to the comment about DIII scholarships and all….there are some 430+ DIII insitutions across this great country, I learned that less than 10% were challenged by the Goverance/Financial Aid area of the NCAA for possible over/or/under zealous giving of financial aid to student-athletes. If you take that same percentage and apply it to DIII football, that means between 20-23 schools were found to be in the gray area as it is represented with the 5% above the norm as it relates to standard giving at any particular institution. Does that mean one of the 32 teams chosen for the play-offs might be one of those schools, sure its strongly possible…but I would bet lots that it isn’t significant. I’ve been told that each school handles their financial aid in their own way and many schools have endowments that are much larger than others (example: Grinnell has 3 gadzillion in endowment, a school like McMurray may have only 5-10 mil). But as long as the student-athletes are treated exactly like everyone else that qualifies..all is kosher. Is there some possible hanky-panky…sure but I’m guessing not nearly as much as people seem to suggest. Mount Union and Larry kehres are really straight forward …I’ll bet everything I own they are not one of the 10%. He just goes and gets better players and everyone wants to play for a champion.
Alright now—lets get it started–waiting for a reply–Ole’ Touchdown
Agree w/ SJF fan–enjoyed the TCNJ article. They’re on a nice run, save for the Kean upset. My alma mater was not up to the challenge this year, but they at least finished with an ECAC win vs. Union.
Cortland Football: Granted this is old news, but why were there no details re Alex Smith’s season ending injury? Will he have an additional year of eligibility?
When throwing around putative numbers, I wish to see great precision.
Touchdown’s comment about “McMurray” was imprecise.
McMurry TX saw its endowment go over $60M this year.
I have not found the endowment of MacMurray IL in the NACUBO documents.
http://www.nacubo.org/documents/research/2006NES_Listing.pdf
In 2006, Grinnell was reported and enodowment of $1.471B.
Thanks 🙂