247 thoughts on “Triple-take: The quarterfinals”

1. Kudos to Jackson for having fun on the last reception of his career. Let’s remember no matter how much passion you feel…this is still a game and is meant to be fun. Congrats to the Mount Union coaching staff as you clearly outcoached the Fisher staff. Fisher made no adjustments that made any sense. They continually brought pressure off the edges and left the middle of the field wide open for the Raiders quarterback to step up and many times take off running. Offensively Fisher was trailing 21-0 at the half but had some success throwing the ball…however they start the second half running the ball against the best run defense in the nation. Good luck to Mount Union the rest of the way.

2. Mainjack-
   The coaches always spoke highly of Robinson. For as good of a back as he was he always seemed to carry himself with a great deal of humility. Glad he came across that way on the broadcast.

3. looking very much like a rematch in salem – mount vs. whitewater

4. I am putting out an official SOS for SJF Fan for I am truly concerned with his health and well being after the “double monkey stomping”. I’m checking all of the bridges, rivers and emergency rooms in Rochester!! SJF Fan……..please wait until at least August to tell us how SJF will be beating the Mount next season. That could have been even worse then the final score!! SJF Fan……KNEEL AT THE FOOT OF ZOD (MOUNT UNION) AND REPENT!!!

   And, this little dittie goes out to Jackson……The Little Drummer Boy…..Enjoy:

   Come they told me, pa rum pum pum pum
   A new born King to see, pa rum pum pum pum
   Our finest gifts we bring, pa rum pum pum pum
   To lay before the King, pa rum pum pum pum,
   rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum,

   So to honor Him, pa rum pum pum pum,
   When we come.

   Little Baby, pa rum pum pum pum
   I am a poor boy too, pa rum pum pum pum
   I have no gift to bring, pa rum pum pum pum
   That’s fit to give the King, pa rum pum pum pum,
   rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum,

   Shall I play for you, pa rum pum pum pum,
   On my drum?

   Mary nodded, pa rum pum pum pum
   The ox and lamb kept time, pa rum pum pum pum
   I played my drum for Him, pa rum pum pum pum
   I played my best for Him, pa rum pum pum pum,
   rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum,

   Then He smiled at me, pa rum pum pum pum
   Me and my drum.

   That little exhibition will cost SJF dearly in next year’s game in Alliance. Dr. Bain is going to make you write The Fisher Creed one thousand times!!!!

5. I’m not going to pile on SJF Fan – just re-state my comment – We’ll see where SJF would have placed within the OAC or the “Purple Patsies Conference”. I predicted number 3 or 4…

   I’ll hold to that prediction.

6. I for one thing that this will be motivation for SJF. They will have the entire offseason to think about this game knowing that their first game of the season will be Mt Union again. I think that it will provide motivation for the players and will make next years game much more competitive.

   as for captain cru……mary doesnt have a chance next week…..a one dimensional running team play directly into UWW’s strength….mary has compiled 17 points in 8 quarters…..they will not be able to run and we have seen what happens when they pass (just look at the first half of the earlier game)….they have no hope…..

   UWW 35 UMHB 3

7. also captain cru:

   I find it comical that you say the UWW “got lucky” when they posted a 41-14 score on your team. At least the SJF fans have admitted that the better team won. you obviously cant do that…….

8. Man, what a mess the BCS is!! Missouri and WV both just lost. I love it that in D3, there is no doubt right now who the best 4 teams in the country are.

9. First of all, just because I have “UMHB” as the first four letters of my name doesn’t mean I am unrealisitic. So please dont shut me out completely.

   As far as this week went for UMHB, they won because they had a strong rushing defense (101 yards), forced turnovers (4 fumbles and 1 INT. The INT didn’t happen until late in the fourth quarter, so it really didn’t matter), and because of that they were given opportunities to put the ball in the red zone, and coverted in the red zone (4 for 4). Not all of those four were touchdowns, but they did put points on the board. Also their rushing duo did quite nicely against an amazing defense. The two rushed for a total of 233, while the total team rushing was 289. This was against a team that allows only 88 yards a game on the ground.

   As far as next week goes, I would hope that it would be like our encounters with Trinity (Texas) and Wesley in which we played them twice in the playoffs, losing both times, and then third times a charm. I am not sure if that will be the case. UWW is a very good team, and has showed us that the past two years. Are they unbeatable (minus MUC)? Yes. Can UMHB beat them? Yes. Will they? I guess we will find out Saturday.

   All predictions aside, as a football fan, I would like to see some new teams in the Stagg Bowl. It gets kind of boring to see the same teams every year on ESPN in mid-December. Especially, when the same team wins every year.

   I would like to know something from UWW fans. Do you guys tailgate? If so, are UMHB fans invited? If that’s the case, I’m there. Not to start debates about who the better team is, but to enjoy some good ole tailgating.

10. Had trouble logging in earlier at the house thanks to bad computer & bad dialup connection. Now that I’m at work, here’s some comments. It’s looking like another MUC-UWW battle in Salem. This is also known as the Purple & Black Bowl or the Bruise Bowl. If UMHB gets in, it will just be the Purple Bowl. Too bad MUC held SJF under 30 points; it would have been a trip to see Ric run naked around Salem Stadium. I hear that a player from SJF plays a pretty mean drum. If I decide to put a band together in 2008, I might be looking for a drummer. If this turns out to be the third consecutive MUC-UWW Purple & Black Bowl, could this be the year that Prince plays the halftime show? Everyone have fun and hope to see you at Salem!

11. Wesleydad—I gave you guys your credit——–good season and fine job in limiting the MHB running game to what you did(289 yds)——-your 101 yds rushing wasn’t all that and teams tend to have a high passing total against MHB and honestly I really didn’t think MHB would win considering that teams that usually beat them have a decent if not very good passing game—that has always been UMHB’s weakness——I was at the first game, I was actually on the Wesley sidelines and talked to quite a few of their players—–gave the guys their due credit then as well. UMHB didn’t play their best ball against Wesley and I don’t think Wesley did either but then again I don’t think UMHB has encountered a team of Wesley’s caliber throughout the season(except UWW)—-it was a great experience for the kids and a great season for Wesley.

    As for Dallas and Bigwheels77, football fanatic, nathanshin and you again mille125————be (man or women) enough if UMHB wins next week to admit the better team won and I will do the same——-and for you nathanshin—–I will eat the crow if UMHB loses(thought you would like that—even though I did go over my allotment)——NEW PREDICTION——–UMHB 24—-UWW 21 Send me the crow if they lose–and if they get pounded like the first game—-I will go into hibernation.

12. SJFFan
    I am singling you out not because I know for a fact that you held this position, but your bold statements make you the obvious choice. Discussion was held before on the idea that Garcon was intentionally not used against SJF last year-a case heavily disputed by you I believe. UWW faced MUC with Garcon in the last two Staggs. You now know, without question, the impact that man has on a game (3 TD’s against STF). I don’t know that anyone can beat MUC at full strength, and now you know as well. Unlike many dreading a UWW-MUC Stagg again, I believe UWW is the best chance DIII has of stopping the dominace, so I hope they handle UMHB again.

13. To clarify for the Captain… I am not a UWW fan. I just made my prediction earlier. I was really hoping someone would comment on my statement about Beaver, but no one has obliged. I would also like to propose a new rule.

    NEW RULE
    Anyone who uses the phrase “eat crow” must donate $25 to a charity of your choosing. This will hopefully curb the use of the phrase and when it must be used everyone will know that it is for a good cause.

14. Very impressive performances by the surviving top 4. Congratulations to all. Should be some very interesting matchups next week.

15. Booby,
    According to local papers, Raider players and Coach Kehres all thought the drum incident was funny. Of course, had it been a Raider player that did it, I doubt LK would have been chuckling. I don’t think it’s a “scar” on the program, just one of those “things” that happen in the course of a season.

16. CaptainCru
    If you or anyone else have to eat Crow let Llama cook it!!!!!
    Too bad the Cru fans didn’t visit he Stone Station yesterday. Would have been a good time to chat face to face.

17. PA_wesleyfan,
    Would have been nice to chat face to face———I could have cooked the bird for you! Wesley had a good season–won’t take anything away from them—-just think it was MHB’s time to get that monkey off their backs. Good luck next year guys———see you guys in Wisconsin

18. Here is the way I see it. UMHB and UW-W have one another played twice. Last year the game was determined by the first kick-off returned for a touchdown. This year it was determined by one team taking over and beating the other. There is no such thing as “got lucky” unless we are discussing a spectacular play, etc. turnovers are not luck. On the other hand turnovers are not always an indicator of skill either.

    Here is how I see it. MUC will roll through Bethal into the Stagg Bowl. UMHB-UW-W game will be a hard fought battle which will be determined by one or two big plays. Neither umhb nor UW-W are that much more talented or physical than the other. They actually match-up pretty well. Someone will need to gain the upper-hand to win this one:
    UMHB will win if: they can run the ball, their defense can stop the pass, & they limit mental mistakes. I have seen them play and they are a very, very good team when not plagued by silly mistakes (mostly stupid penalties).
    UW-W will win if: the can pass at will on UMHB, force UMHB to pass (stop the run), and cause UMHB to get outside of their normal game (like happened in the last meeting).

    Coach Fred is very good in second games. I believe UMHB will be more prepared for this game, but no matter how much I want to say UMHB can pull this out, I know it will be tough. I will always pull for UMHB, but there is no way I can honestly admit that they will waltz into Whitewater and lay it on the Warhawks.

    I am so tired of seeing people from both sides foolishly stating that their perspective team (UMHB or UW-W) will obilerate the other. Personally, I think anyone who thinks this game is gonna be a blow-out (on either side) is out of thier freakin’ mind. I hope that it is a great game and I hope everyone enjoys!

19. Here lies the mighty, mighty East…

20. Congratulations to all involved in the “Mount Union College” football program. You soundly defeated and went through the East Region as many had predicted. – Much to my dismay.

    I sincerely hoped/believed that the gap between you and D3 football or at least between you and the East had been narrowed. Clearly that is not the case yet again.

    You are the best until someone can prove otherwise. I am very much looking forward to our future games in the coming seasons.

    Thank you for sharing the field with rest

21. Congratulations to Bethel, MHB, and UWW.

    MHB and UWW your programs are models of consistency.

22. MUC93, MUCnash, MUCVA and Ric, –
    thanks for the engaging debate and keeping it within bounds.

    Your team is the best, and look forward to future games between our respective programs.

23. mikem17 Says:
    December 2nd, 2007 at 1:56 am
    SJFFan – I am singling you out not because I know for a fact that you held this position . . .on the idea that Garcon was intentionally not used against SJF last year.
    ——–
    Actually Mike, the reason you’re singling me out is because you see a few others doing it, and you just want to be in the crowd with the rest of the sheep. I went back and checked, it did not appear that I was apart of the thread. If you can go back and find it fine I guess, but do not recall. The reason I was not apart of the conspiracy theory on Garcon’s ’06 production was:
    1 – last year’s game was ancient history
    2 – MUC did not need to use him as they had a back rushing for 100 yds per quarter – so why mess with success
    3 – he was recovering from an injury I believe and
    4 – the coverage may have something to do with it as one of the best cover guys (Step.) was on him last year.
    —
    As for this year, he did put up great numbers in a lopsided win versus our back up cover guys. Bottomline, ’06 is meaningless, MUC is still playing, and SJF is not. And a team’s success is all I care about.
    —
    I don’t really see any issues here so move along Lamb Chops.

24. boobyhasgameyo Says:
    December 1st, 2007 at 8:44 pm
    Yes SJF Fan as I said before good luck making statements that will surely come back to bite you.
    ——–
    I don’t feel bitten at all. I feel disappointed that there was not a victory. I am disappointed that I was wrong. It is part of life for those that are willing to go farther out on the branches – try it sometime – it is where the fruit is.

    I support my teams and am not afraid to say so – Victory is all that I want for them – they worked very hard to get the program to where it is.

25. MUC VA Says:
    December 1st, 2007 at 11:07 pm
    – just re-state my comment – We’ll see where SJF would have placed within the OAC I predicted number 3 or 4…I’ll hold to that prediction.
    —–
    Fair enough . . (for now!).

    Do you see any OAC teams on the horizon (maybe a team returning most starters etc.) that’ll pose a bigger challenge next season to MUC or will the gap continue to widen for ’08?

26. SJFC1993 – very disappointed that you opted to pile on a kid from our program.

    It was a tough playoff game (every see those or did the 0-9’s prevent that?), he wanted to have a little fun and lighten the mood on the sideline, most of the MUC players found it humorous as well.

    Is it all that more offensive than another WR running into the crowd with a 40 pt cushion? Or was that just not the cool thing to comment on?

    In general WRs have a flare for the dramatic – cut the kid some slack.

27. SJFfan,
    Curious, did you play at SJFC?

28. SJFfan…thanks for your great posts….re: the drum beating and the WR running into the crowd……folks, these are just college kids playing in some of the biggest games of their young lives…something they will remember later in their adult years…..why should they be bashed for having a little fun and enjoying the rewards of their hard work? I neither find what they did offensive or disrespectful to the other teams…. All I can say is folks lighten up, enjoy the games..have a few laughs and remember it is only a game…Both teams work hard for what they do…give them some slack….. Now on to Bethel…GO RAIDERS!

29. You know, MUC romped thru the East by a +117 point margin, but I don’t think that we found out anything about the East vis-a-vis the rest of D3 in their doing so. (Has Wesley begun to draw off some talent that was going to Rowan?) I do have a better handle of the teams in the East and will follow the Empire 8 more carefully. Perhaps we are seeing a shift in the East away from the NJAC. My question still remains. How does the rest of the East stack up to the other parts of the country?

    We know that the West is the most balanced region, and the Northwest Conference does not worry about the capricious nature of Pool B in 2008. Bethel reminded us that the top of the MIAC is every bit the strength of the top of the WIAC. Also, the West is at least 4-5 conferences deep.

    We know that the South is definitely split in two…the Texas sub-bracket (possibly including our Mississippi cousins) and the northern half. Muhlenberg had a “season of the century” and by far the best season with respect to quality of outcome since the institution of Pool system. The ODAC, the Pres AC, and the USAC are in a state of flux. It will be interesting to see how Geneva holds as they move through the provisional process. As for the #4 team in the south winning the bracket, I think that the isolation that the Texas Sub-bracket experiences at the hands of the Selection Committee, and the criteria itself leaves much to be desired. I have cast my vote in the South Region Fans’ Poll that is hosted by our friend, Matt Barnhart.

    I voted this way:

    1) UMHB
    2) Wesley
    3) Muhlenberg
    4) Trinity
    5) Millsaps
    6) Salisbury
    7) Mississippi College
    8 ) NCWC
    9) W&J
    10) H-SC

    I think that the geographic isolation will continue to hurt the SCAC and the ASC in the bids farther down the list. In the regular season, the #3 team in the SCAC (DePauw) beat the North Region finalist (Wabash) in a game with playoff like/big-game qualities (the Monon Bell game). That tells me that the SCAC and ASC got short shrift. (The conspiracy theorist will scream monetary considerations and budget constraints!) I probably should have put DePauw in the poll at about #8, now that I have thought about it. (Hold my ballot, Matt! I want to change it! I also think that Hardin-Simmons, which tied with Mississippi College for second in the ASC, might win the USAC, the Pres AC and the ODAC as well.)

    As for the North, moving UWW was a good move for all of the reasons that they did, but the other teams in the North still had to face a “giant”. MUC distorts the North so badly, that we cannot make a comparison with anyone very easily. UWW may have been another variation of the “Purple Giant” that has stalked the North Region for more than decade. I alluded to the Region Finalist Wabash being beaten by DePauw in the Monon Bell Game. Is this really representative of at least half (the Wabash sub-bracket) of the North Region? Wow! That begs the question of how strong the North (minus the OAC really is).

    I will appreciate other responses.

    Thanks.

30. RT,
    Good post. I think the bracketing job is looking like a success. BTW, here’s a little number crunching I did earlier this fall that illustrates the depth of the West region teams. It’s based on the d3.com final polls, which I think is the most accurate ranking of talent. I’m not a stats guy and maybe someone will shoot holes in it, but even if it’s not telling, it’s at least somewhat interesting …

    Look at where the top four teams from each region end up.

    The West, for example:
    2006 — four in top nine
    2005 — four in top eight
    2004 — four in top 13
    2003– four in top eight
    Total — 38

    East:
    4-14
    4-22
    4-21
    4-13
    Total 70

    North
    4-19
    4-15
    4-12
    4-26
    Total 72

    South
    4-18
    4-17
    4-14
    4-19
    Total 68

31. SJF Fan, In reference to your question, a healthy Capital is a team to be reckoned with. Many would have argued that were it not for Mt. Union last year, they would have had a good shot at the national championship. They were down to second and third string offensive players this year which really diminished their chances. Ohio Northern is another team, that with consistency could challenge. B/W too. Not trying to slight anyone I didn’t mention – just my opinion.

    SJF gave it a great try and never gave up. It looks like you’ll get a few more chances at Mount over the next few years. Good programs adapt and you can bet LK will too!

32. I agree with MUC VA- Capital was devastated by injuries this year, and lost one of the best QB’s in the nation (Rocky Pentello) to graduation. They could be back in the mix of it again next year. B/W also was solid this year, particularly on defense. Ohio Northern always has a well balanced team with strong Offensive and Defensive Line play. Any of these 3 may emerge next year as contenders, considering that MUC is losing many starters to graduation.

33. MUC second and third teams did get a lot of playing time this year, though, and Kmic and Micheli are juniors, so who knows……

34. I think it is great that MUC and SJF will play each other in the regular season next two years. I think both programs will benefit from the elevated level of competition.

    SJF Fan- congrats on a great season, thanks for your kind words and stimulating debate. See you next year.

35. Repete, I took your concept of the top four teams from each region and applied “Cross-country scoring” to the top four teams in each region (as voted in the Top 25).

    2003
    West 1,3,4,8 = 16pts
    North 2,6,9,26 = 43 pts
    East 5,10,13,17 = 45 pts
    South 7,11,14,15 = 47 pts

    2004
    South 2,4,8,14 = 28 points
    West 1,7,9,13 = 30 points
    North 3,5,10,12 = 30 points
    East 6,15,20,21 = 62 points

    2005
    West 2,3,7,8 = 20 pts
    North 1,5,13,15 = 34 pts
    East 4,6,14,22 = 46 pts
    South 10,11,12, 17 = 50 pts

    2006
    West 2,4,8,9 = 23 pts
    North 1,5,10,14 = 30 pts
    South 6,8,11,13 = 38 pts
    East 3,10,12,19 = 44 pts

    2003-2006
    West — 16 + 30 + 20 + 23 = 89
    North — 43 + 30 + 34 + 30 = 133
    South — 47 + 28 + 50 + 38 = 163
    East — 45 + 62 + 46 + 44 = 197

36. I know this is not a relevent post regarding the latest games but I would like to give kudos to the SID at College of New Jersey for putting together the depth chart page on the internet prior to the MUC game. That would be a great addition to every schools website. Nice Job.

37. RT,
    Excellent. Probably a better way of looking at it.

38. Let’s cut the SJF receiver some slack. Probably just frustrated. If he couldn’t beat the Raiders at least he could say he “beat” their drum!

39. Repete, I want to look at the depth of the various regions. Your comment on the finish in the Top 25 was interesting.

    Let’s eliminate the Top team from each region in the final Top 25 (the Mount Union effect) and add the 5th team from the Top 25 poll to the last four years of data.

    2003
    West — 3,4,8,12 = 27
    South — 11,14,15,19 = 59
    East — 10,13,17,20 = 65
    North — 6,9,26,28 = 69

    2004
    South — 4,8,14,16 = 42
    North — 5,10,12,19 = 46
    West — 7,9,13,21 = 50
    East — 15,20,21,27 = 83

    2005
    West — 3,7,8,9 = 27
    North — 5,13,15,16 = 49
    South — 11,12,17,19 = 59
    East — 6,14,22,24 = 66

    2006
    West — 5,6,9,11 = 31
    South — 7,8,13,18 = 46
    East — 10,12,14,20 = 56
    North — 3,16,19,26 = 64

    2003-2006 Regions minus the Mount Union effect (using “cross country scoring” minus the highest rated team from each region, i.e., #2 – #5 from each region in the Top 25)

    West — 27 + 50 + 27 + 31 = 135
    South — 59 + 42 + 59 + 46 = 226
    North — 69 + 46 + 49 + 64 = 228
    East — 65 + 83 + 66 + 56 = 270

    We see that the West has the most depth and seems to be the most competitive region. The South edges out the North for second place.

40. Does anybody think that Bethel can hold their own against Mount Union?

41. And as we all know, if Prince does deign to do the halftime show at Salem, he’ll sing his ode to MUC: “Purple Raiders, Purple Raiders”.

42. Ive been going to mount games sinse 93,never seen anything like it. I loved the base drum beating by #18.Loved it…I would have done the same.

43. Is there a video of the drumming thing anywhere?

44. Ralph,
    Excellent number crunching. Thanks!

45. UWW will win again and meet the MUC machine again in Virginia. Those Raiders haven’t even been tested this year, and unfortunately for my Hawks, I think they are even better than the two previous years we played them. Looks to be a great game and the Hawks cannot make any mistakes the this week or next. The Crusaders are certainly wanting revenge but as others posted, they are only a running team and the Hawks can handle them on that. the insane stats they have against the pansies they play in Texas are very misleading. UWW could get those stats playing teams like St. Norbert all year.

46. SJF Fan,
    Lamb Chops-that made me laugh. Seriously, nothing against you as I don’t even know you. Others opinion of you had nothing to do with me naming you, I was just too lazy to go back through all the posts to find the SJF fan that disputed the idea that MUC held Garcon out intentionally. You have made some bold comments that stuck with me, so I took a shot.
    My bad, but the point remains the same. Garcon is an absolute difference maker.

47. muc will not look past bethel in saturdays game. i expect a good one…a real tester for muc in a season of blowouts.