Gordon Mann joins Keith McMillan and Pat Coleman to help wrap up the 2007 Division III football season. Hear a lively debate on who should be No. 2 when the final poll is released, as well as their takes on what the 2007 season will mean upon reflection.
This is the last ATN podcast of the season — thanks for listening and thanks for the hundreds of you who subscribed to it. We’ll also have some more audio from the weekend to share as well.
Wow – Pat creating a little controversy by leaning toward MHB as #2 – I like it!
I think the general points you guys made most would agree with – the top 3 programs are UWW, MUC, and MHB.
While I would have loved to have seen how UMHB would have matched up with MUC, I do not see how you can vote them #2 since they didn’t play for the D3 Championship. I would go UWW #1, MUC #2, UMHB #3
10 years from now, we will only remember who Won, not who Lost.
Interesting discussion ! Let there be no mistake, I’m a big-time UMHB supporter. I’d like nothing better than for them to be # 2 (or #1 !!)……BUT I don’t see how anyone could honestly rate them above MUC….MUC was undefeated in the regular season and did play for the National championship….I rate it UWW #1, MUC#2 and UMHB #3……
Oldsarge – how many players are returning for UMHB in ’08?
My final rankings:
1 – UWW, 2 – MUC, 3 – UMHB and 4-SJF (of course!)
5 – “Vacant” 6 – Bethel, and so on.
I think we all agree SJF Fan, if there is a vacant spot it would be the fouth…sorry. I was at both the MUC game and UMHB, MUC was the better team. I think UMHB would have played a good game against them but after all that has happened this season it would be really hard to put MUC anywhere but #2.
Baylorfan — in the end a ranking is still a measure of “who would beat whom” and since Mount Union and Mary Hardin-Baylor didn’t face each other, it’s subject to debate who should fall where.
In the end, I thought the December results against the common opponent of UW-Whitewater favored UMHB; however, others certainly disagree.
well, the beauty of the d3 system is that these polls really don’t matter other than bragging rights. it’s not like getting the #1 pre-season ranking significally helps you into the national championship game, b/c you have to make the play-offs and win out.
SJF Fan,
A quick double check tells me that on offense we’ll only return 3 STARTERS and on defense we’ll return 5. HOWEVER, you need to know that the UMHB coaching staff uses “liberal substitutions” throughout the game (s) ….often you would see the second team offensive line playing with the first team backfield (early in the game). Bottom line, our second teamers, on both sides of the ball have a lot of “QUALITY” game experience.
Seeing MHB twice and MU in the big show. I would give MHB the nod on a head to head match up. MU couldn’t stop WW running game and that is MHB’s bread and butter. MHB limited WW running game both meetings but couldn’t contain WW QB. Wasn’t impressed by either QB’s passing attack but MU has decent running skills.
This is my first post since being back, so here I go.
I was being laughed at and basically not even listened to when I said that this was the best of the three Whitewater teams, are you guys still laughing?
People were acting like I should go to the looney bin for saying that there was no way that Mount Union would put up 40 on WW and saying that I thought they wouldn’t even score 28. Still think I’m crazy?
I said that Mount Union might struggle in a close game because they hadn’t played in one all year, hmm.
OU#25 do you still believe that Whitewater has the 19th best defense in the nation, just wondering.
I said that the key would be to shutdown Garcon and they certantly did that, 4 recptions for 30 yards and man was he uncomfortable the whole game.
I also said that Whitewater would benefit from playing a tougher schedule and I believe that was a big factor on Saturday.
This post from raiderfanfamily136 is probably one of the greatest posts ever, for those of you who missed it.
OK.Iv been reading all of the comments on here from both side of the fans.Theres some that i agree with then theres some that i dont agree with.The one that bothered me was the one sayiny “that all UWW defence has to do is stop Kmic and you’ll be fine” Well if you stop Kmic you still have 5 other RB on the field that the QB could throw the ball to.And you CAN stop Garcon but you have 5 other WR that could run the ball to the endzone either way UWW cant stop Mounts runs they have the number one defence and offence in the nation.Either way one team has to win and one team has to loose and ALL of the fans will find out on Saturday who the best is in D3 football but i have somthing else to add.If u look at mounts statics they had like 7 shutout games like 55-0 60-0 something like that and UWW has had none.Mount played 3 teams in the playoffs this year that they never had played and they blew them out example the St. John Fisher game they (mount) won 52-10 i mean that sounds like a mount game.I dont think UWW has another chance this year to beat the undeniable,unbeatable,awsome team the MOUNT UNION PURPLE RAIDERS!!!!! this year is for the SENIORS OF MOUNT UNION!!!!!
GO MOUNT WE’LL BE CHEERING FOR YA BACK HERE AT HOME….
Here was a classy post from R24aider.
BiasD3FootballFan,
It’s better that they play the game. It gives posters like you something to dream about, One day your team may make it to the big dance to play Mount.
Well it appears that Whitewater no only showed up to the big dance but also came home with the finest girl there. 😉
And to anyone else who thought Whitewater didn’t have a chance against the best Mount Union team ever, including Vegas (Whitewater was 20 point ‘dogs!) well you should have listened to me. Enjoy your crow.
I’ll be back with my thoughts on the game later.
great job guys. thanks for the mention of the stone station guys and all the people who traveled to the game without a team in it. we had a great time and i was very glad to meet so many of the posters from different schools. i mentioned them in post patterns and yes keith, it was fun to see jason hanging with brandon from bridgewater and crualum39. we got involved 4 years ago at wesley, hoping that he would eventually get in a game. what has transpired these past 4 years is way beyond anything we could have expected. pat, you used the word “communitization” of d3, if it is not a word it should be. how many other games do you get to see, wesley, bridgewater, cnu, umhb, uww, muc, and huntington, i may have missed some others, people hanging around with each other for the love of football. these friendships will last long past the end of my son’s career, which hopefully will be next december in salem. as has always been the case, any visiting team that travels to wesley all are invited to join us before and after the game in the tailgate area. although we do not do it as big or well as stone station does at the stagg, we did get props from them when they visited.
as far as the debate goes, uww 1, muc or umhb 2 – 3, after that there are several teams in the 4 – 7 range and wesley is certainly one of them. next year will be real interesting with the lose of the number of players from the top 3, wesley returns 10 on an offense that averaged over 470 a game with a balanced attack. some holes on d, robinson being the biggest, but wesley will certainly be in the mix again.
congrats to uww, you guys played a great game and deserve all the props. besides, your cheerleaders visited stone station and that is a plus from any fans perspective.
have a good holiday all involved here, even sjf fan. lol
Pat and Keith:
Another great season, and they are so special for as many reasons as there are people. Thank you for your great work. Basketball is fun, but like an old war horse, I can’t wait for the smell of late summer. Happy holiday’s and look forward to the pre season report.
I for one am actually becoming concerned about the health of some of the Mount Union posters, OU#25 hasn’t posted since the 12th.
I think #1 UWW, #2 UMHB, # 3 MUC. Remember the CRU played at UWW both times and stuffed the Beaver. I think UMHB’s RB’s would have ran all over MUC D.
BD3,
I already chowed down on my crow over on the ODAC board but will do so here in front of the world. YUM…YUM…..tasty!! 🙂
I have to tell this story even though I’m sure I will get some “yeah,sure you did’s”. I originally picked MUC 38 to 21 over WW. (as did 90% of the non WW folks)Last Friday I actually went back and typed up a change saying I was having second thoughts on the game. My gut was telling me with the weather forecast that WW would gain a slight “real” advantage. Field turf holds up well to the weather so I didn’t think in reality it would amount to that much but would be some. However, I really felt like the weather would at least be a psychological advantage for WW having played in bad weather more plus it might slow the MU O a little bit. Real or not, that was my instinct. I was ready to change my prediction to 28 to 21 Warhawks but didn’t have the balls to pull the trigger. Anyway, I didn’t….the Warhawks did.. so a big congrats to them on a very impressive win.
I can’t speak to how MHB fits into the end of year picture as I have never seen them play. I do think there is little doubt that WW, MUC, & MHB are in a class by themselves in D3. I have seen WW and MUC play the last 3 years. These two teams have been evenly matched and as previously stated, the team that made plays won the game. They are the class of D3. In addition to comparative scores, I will have to take the word of those more knowledgeable than I on MHB.
Again, congratulations to the Whitewater Warhawks!! I am already looking forward to Sept. 2008.
Now let me get back to that delicious crow I was enjoying. FYI…it pairs well with a brown ale. My fav is Brooklyn Brown. The malty flavor of BBA brings out the intense flavor of the crow. 🙂
Merry Christmas all and a prosperous 2008!!
Should have, could have, would have……..nice thought…. however, we didn’t! Do I think UMHB would have beat MUC….absolutely ! Do I think UMHB should be ranked higher than MUC because I THINK they WOULD have beat them…no I don’t.
MHB lost to the Warhawks twice and MU lost to the Warhawks once. Whether MHB stopped Beaver or not is a mute point…..they still lost twice. The end result is still the same in my book…..Mount Union has to be number two until MHB beats them or they lose two games…..Comparison of opponents and how you lose to me are meaningless….it’s simply who won and who lost….
I think this argument is somewhat meaningliess anyway. Who care who finished where AFTER the season? However, I’m inclined to put in my two cents, unfortunately.
Mount Union would beat UMHB. Yes, UMHB has a couple of good running backs. But….that’s all they have. Mount Union would have no troubles stopping a one-dimensional offense. Granted, though, I do think the UMHB defense would give the Mount offense some fits. All in all it would be a good game, fairly low-scoring from both teams, with a special teams play factoring in.
But then again, who wants to play for second place…
Coming on here I was hoping I wouldn’t see too many overzealous posts by the Whitewater people such as myself. For the most part, the posts have been in good taste.
BD3Fan….Way to be humble about some of your “predictions and viewpoints” of the game. I think we all had a couple of aspects about the game we hit spot on, however, pointing them as if we were experts in analysis was deemed not needed.
As a Whitewater fan, I still believe this wasn’t the best UW-Whitewater team over the last three years, at least overall talent-wise. But as a cohesive unit, along with the coaching staff (which actually impressed me in the title game – hard to do.), this team was above the rest.
yes, UMHB runs more than they pass…..they have since their beginning…but, I personally would not classify them as ONE-DIMENSIONAL, they pass when they need to. However, regardless of how you classify them…just keep in mind that the 2004 team… running just as much as this years team, defeated a MUC team (with a pass!) that “most’ said was unbeatable.
SAKMAN-
being a UWW fan and having been to both UMHB games i agree with your comment. Watching the game saturday night UWW seemed to rise to the occasion which is something that UMHB could not do when they came to the perk the second time. UMHB is a good team dont get me wrong, but UWW and MUC are great teams and to put them ahead of MUC in the polls is ridiculous.
Not an expert just my opinion. Great job by both teams on saturday. Way to go HAWKS.
what team/school is CRU?
The only way to end the MHB/MUC debate is to schedule each other for a home and home.
SJF may have some holes to fill in its 08 schedule – any team want to travel to Rochester?
SJF Fan,
University of Mary Hardin Baylor Crusaders.
1111: The only reason UMHB lost twice is because they played UWW twice. Couldn’t MUC have lost twice playing the same schedule?
This is my first post since last Friday.
First, allow me to congratulate the UWW football team. While Mount Union did not play their best game, a portion of that was due to the UWW defense. On Saturday, UWW was the better team. We had our chances but just couldn’t get over the hump.
One of the great things about the recent threads was the respect shown for both programs. The sign of a great program (and their fans) is the ability to be humble in both victory AND defeat. Let’s all remember that as we move ahead.
Pat raises valid arguments and without a head to head matchup, there is certainly room for debate as to who should be #2. I have alot of resepct for the UMHB program (I had them going to the finals actually) but I don’t think they should be #2 simply because Mount lost to UWW in the finals. Statistics aside (which are hard to ignore without a head/head), Mount had better balance, etc.
Again, congratulations to the Warhawks. You deserved it!! Look our next year for Mount Union will be back.
BiasD3FootballFan,
You’re showing very little class. Enjoy your championship and congratulations. Being a Mount Union fan, do you know how many times I could have come on here and copy and pasted posts from fans of a team that were wrong after the fact? The answer would be more than I can remember. But I have never ever considered doing that.
This is not to debate who won, who lost, who said what. But I will tell you there were a tremendous amount of UWW fans in ’05 that posted a lot of stuff about Mount not having a chance that year. Don’t ruin a great game and a great season by your team.
And for the dabate between #2 and #3, WHO CARES. Thank God Division 3 settles this all on the field. Therefore the only thing that matters is who won the Stagg.
Congrats to the UWW and MUC seniors on completing their great careers playing in Virginia. Whitewater was the better team in ’07 because they made the 2 or 3 difference making plays to win. Same as MUC did in ’05 and ’06. All 3 of the MUC/UWW Staggs were closely contested games that could have went either way depending on a few plays here or there.
While I’m disappointed that Mount didn’t win Title #10 last Saturday, I’m realistic enough to know that LK makes the winning look a lot easier than it really is and there is nothing to be ashamed of in falling to a team the caliber of Whitewater. The outgoing MUC seniors had a GREAT 4 years with one Final Four, two Titles and a Runner-Up. Not to shabby in my book.
I’m also very confident that MUC has the talent and coaching to potentially be playing in Virginia again next December. While most will only dwell on amount of players that MUC loses, and there are a lot of great ones gone, nobody has more depth to fill those holes than Mount. And LK has shown the ability to re-load as evidenced by their string of Semi-Final appearance (or better) every year since 1994.
As long as Larry Kehres is the Mount Union head coach, they’re a legitmate threat to win the National Title. Regardless of what they have coming back from the previous season.
First let me say Happy Holidays to all and a sincere congrats to UWW for winning the championship game. As for who should be number 1,2,3 I don’t think it really matters at this point. I sincerely believe that whoever comes back in at 1,2,3 one of those teams will have a difficult time maintaning that ranking all year. Of all the teams that were in the playoff this year and according to their rosters each team looses a signifant amount of senior experienced players. Approximate loss for each is significant, 24 for UWW, 22 for MUC and 20 for UMHB. After all is said and done no matter who comes in at 1,2, or 3 they still have to win out and reach the championship game. Remember on any given Friday, Saturday or Sunday a team can lose a game or be upset. UWW was the best team and nobody can take that away from them. Their defense rose to the occasion for each game they played and their only lose was to a D11 team early in the season. Hats off to a great team.
Those of us that had to file a vote in the final poll cared. Those of us that were asked the question cared. Certainly not more than the results on the field, but more than not at all.
This is not just directed at you HScoach, but at everyone that wonders why we would discuss such things … People DO care about the final poll, you’d apparently be surprised how many and how much.
If you don’t care, your energy is better spent ignoring the debate altogether than trying to get us not to have it.
For the record, I believe I slotted Wesley 4 and Bethel 5 when all was said and done, and would look strongly at the Wolverines for preseason No. 1 (shocked face here) given all that is returning and being lost in the top 3. It may be that the top 3 are such a cut above that even severely depleted “reloading” rosters would be ranked ahead of any other team in the country no matter who returns … that’s a debate for next summer. 🙂
If you’ll recall, I ranked UW-W No. 5 in the preseason based on their personnel losses. I’m not embarassed by that at all, it left the door open for them to eventually be the best team in the country, but I felt the cohesiveness had to be there, and be built over time. They may not have been the best team on Day 1, but their effort from Day 1 through Day XXXV, the Warhawks proved they deserved to be No. 1.
Also, just for debate’s sake … I’m not really sure if this was the best Warhawks team of the past three, though if forced to vote, I’d have to go yes since they actually won. Same deal with Mount Union, both teams were senior-dominated this year.
In terms of the past three Stagg Bowls, all three could have gone either way as far as I’m concerned. Mount Union made the key second-half plays in the first two and Whitewater did the job in this one. I’m glad they split, it proved how even the two programs have been over the past few seasons. I know this one was extra-special for Whitewater, having come so close the past two years, and finally taking home the crown.
Subjectively, it’d probably be pretty hard to determine how the past three MUCs stack up vs. the past three UWWs, since this year’s teams might have been the best of both. If you tried that old “if they played 10 times, x would win x times” thing … it’d be a mess.
So, as noted by others, it is nice to have some actual results to go on. Guess we’ll just stick by those 🙂
Unless of course people care to debate. There’s plenty of room to have at it in cyberspace …
Either my computer screen is on the fritz or there has been a typo – it looks like SJF is ranked 7th in the final Top 25. –
I think everyone on the board agreed to 4th – whenever you get a chance to update it . . that’ll be great. thanks.
I think the debate is what this site great. I am disappointed that Mount did not win but, to say that UMHB should be ahead of Mount simply because they held Beaver to less yards is ludicrous. The defense didn’t play their best last Saturday but, over the course of the entire season, I believe Mount’s defense was clearly better than UMHB’s. Is that debatable? Absolutely! Does that make Mount better than UMHB? Debatable again but I believe so.
The past history and current year performance of Mount as a whole is superior to UMHB. I know that the Cru beat Mount in 2004 but, if using history to determine your current ranking, let’s figure out the last time Mount lost two games in a season and compare that to UMHB. How many titles, etc. You can’t cherry pick your stats to tailor them to your argument.
All I am saying is that the two top teams in DIII played in the Stagg Bowl. No matter the result, they were the two best teams in the nation and should end up #1 and #2. I will say the same about DI no matter the result. Ohio State and LSU are the two top teams in the nation no matter who wins. We can argue how they were selected but they were and the loser doesn’t get reduced to #3 or lower simply because they lost to the #1 team.
As far as the comparison of UWW and Mount for three years, I think that Mount was the overall better team. Breaks or no, Mount won 2 out of 3. To me, that indicates a superiority. Not dominance mind you but the advantage. I would still like to see conference realignment that would allow Mount to expand their non-conference schedule. Then they could play UWW, SJF, Wabash, etc. more often. Until they do, we have what we have but Mount, despite the first loss in 39 games, should not fall below #2.
Being a UMHB fan doesn’t stop me from enjoying a great game played by others…this years Stagg Bowl was a great game….congraulations to UWW for the win….they were the best team on Saturday. That being said, I still think Mount Union is the STANDARD to which all others aspire to…..THEY-ve lost 5 games since 1999 !!!! During the same period UWW has lost 31 and UMHB has lost 19. UMHB is a relatively new program, they’ve had some early success but they are still “working on it”. I sure hope I’ll be able to say in another ten years, that they’ve equalled the long term success demonstrated by Mount Union.
I’m definatley eating crow. I said no one can run on MU. Beaver is definatley the real deal. The difference was in the trenches. UWW controlled that, and obviously Beaver only needs a little daylight. Congrats to UWW. Your team sure did prove MU is not unbeatable. The question will be if you can do it year in and year out like MU.
what does it matter what a teams ranking is at the end of the year. If youre not #1 you didnt win who cares. Mount Union was and still is the best team this year except for 4 hours on the 15th.
OldSarge: great post!
I really hope someone steps up nationally to challenge the MUC run of dominance as it would make for some interesting story lines come playoff time. Parity across the board like the NFL is right now brings an interesting mix into each season as you never know who is going to be good, but I prefer the old days where you had a handfull of dynasties battling it out. I find the parity thing rather boring.
UWW has made a great first step the last 3 years to being a consistent national force, but their run has basically been one or two year’s worth of kids. The key for them will be the next 2 to 3 years. Will they re-load or will they need to re-build? If they can win the WIAC and advance to the Regional Finals (or better) 2 of the next 3 years, then they have obviously made the step up to a consistently dominant program.
If they fall back to 2nd or 3rd in the WIAC and get bounced early from the playoffs, then they’ve had a nice little run. Not completely unlike Rowan or Linfield. Very good programs that had a couple GREAT teams.
As an outsider, I’d rather have the NFL heyday of Cowboys vs. Steelers in the Super Bowl over what we usually have now of someone like St Louis or Chicago being bad one year to playing in the bowl the next to only return to crap the 3rd year.
Though I can completely understand the nation’s dislike of the Mount Union dynasty because it makes it look impossible to win a title, that’s not the case. It just makes it difficult to do so, not impossible. UWW’s win on Saturday was more special to them because of who it came over. Every title is special, but beating The King makes it even more so.
On the subject of MHB, outside of it being their 1st trip to Salem, what made MHB’s appearance in the ’04 Stagg so special? They beat The King to get there. Even though they finished as runner-ups, they still hang their hats on beating Mount AT Mount, not that they finished 2nd. If Cartage had upset Mount in the Regional Final, would MHB’s Semi-Final win of Carthage be “the story” from their ’04 season? MHB’s win at Mount was their ’04 crowning moment, not losing a close game to Linfield the next week.
HScoach
I agree with your assessment of UMHB’s 2004 win over Mount Union…..while I had great hope….I was mostly hoping we wouldn’t be embarrassed. A GREAT win for the UMHB program…it almost made losing the Stagg Bowl bearable……(almost!)
9isfine great post, I would have said the same thing if Whitewater would have lost, way to own up.
This though is not owning up, how can you say that Mount Union is still the best team? They got outplayed by a better team, just like Whitewater been outplayed by a better team the past two years.
I agree with BiasD3 on this one. There’s a handful of MUC posters on other threads that are giving the same type of non-compliment compliment that purplephyso is – “the best team on that day” kind of message.
That message is coming from the same several who would lecture others about class, sportsmanship, etc. Newsflash: A concept that falls under that umbrella that you guys freely lecture about is recognition.
UWW was more than the best D3 on one day. They played just as tough, if not more so of a schedule at the D3 level, while mixing it up for a week with a scholarship D2 school.
MUC is still in my view the best program and UWW is the best team in 2007. . . hopefully to be displaced by SJF in ’08;)
Is it necessary to focus on a “handful” of fans when that isn’t representative of the majority?
Cmon guys, let’s move on. UWW was the better team on Saturday and deserve all the credit for outplaying Mount. No one is doubting that fact.
I, for one, espoused the mantra of respect for your opponent and fellow posters. That hasn’t changed just because my home team lost in the Stagg Bowl. But, just as I would do so, I would expect the same respect and humility from the victors of the game and their supporters. In the end we ALL support DIII and the insight of ALL fans.
It was mentioned earlier but, while Mount lost Saturday, they are still the program to emulate. UWW, to be thought of in the same vein, would need to build on this success and carry it consistently for the next 5-10 years. My hope is they they do keep building as would I hope that for SJF and all the other teams in DIII.
I’ll admit it – Mount isn’t used to losing and some of us need to realize a win isn’t given and when we lose it isn’t because Mount had a bad game. But, that being said, I stand by all Mount supporters and claim that we are collectively a respectful bunch.
Time to start planning for ’08!!!!
Raiderdude, very well put. I ran into several fans from MU after the game who were nothing but gracious losers and we had some good conversation. I hope to see these teams meet up again next year so UW-W can even up the score, but I think most people would prefer to see two new teams. I like parity and all, but it’s hard being a u-dub-dub grad.
Oh and I was wondering anyone knows if it’s possible to get any of the merchandise that was being sold at the game. I want to get one of the UW-W championship hats, but didn’t want to wait in the long line in the rain after the game. Am I just out of luck?
CARPEDIEM104-
the UWW bookstore is ordering as we speak check back with them in about a week. My wife was there yesterday and thats what they told her.
My question to some of the MUC posters is this- If Mt. Union had one the game Saturday- would they describe MUC as “the better team that day” or as “the best team in the country”?
I think the “better team that day” comment is a bit insulting and sour grapes. Had UWW won a low scoring game on a fluke play or two, perhaps MUC has that arguement. UWW scored 31 points, all on the offense driving the ball on MUC.
Additionally, all the talk about the best defense is MHB or MUC. UWW held MHB down twice and MUC (54.5 pts per game) 33.5 points under its season average. UWW stopped MUC three times on fourth down, including 6″ from the goal line. UWW held a MUC team that had multiple threats, more talent than any team faced by MUC or MHB.
Much was made of the speed advantage of MUC over UWW-which just didn’t show up at all on the field.
I think again, this is where the schedule comes into play. UWW didn’t have the same defensive stats as MUC and MHB, but they played a different schedule. When it came to head to head competition, the UWW defense out-performed both MHB and MUC.
So for those fighting it, can’t we just acknowledge the reality- UWW is the best team in the country in 2007.
I apologize for beating a dead horse regarding the “better team that day” position, but one more point about the schedule in support of UWW’s season. In looking at D3’s final poll, UWW played 6 of the top 13 ranked teams-and #3 MHB twice- so 7 games against teams ranked in top 13- and beat them all. That’s a lot of “best team that day”.
6 tournovers… for mount
Two teams played last Saturday. UWW won so they were the better team and, as a result, are the #1 team in the country for 2007. What is insulting about that? I suspect that nothing short of groveling would satisfy your needs. So be it.
If you had bothered to read the earlier posts, there was a debate over who should be ranked #2. The comparison of defenses was one component of that debate and did not include UWW unless you think that UWW should be ranked #2. Again, you have a self esteem problem.
UWW is the number one team in the country for 2007. There is disappointment in the MUC camp but not sour grapes. Just as I am sure there was disappointment in the UWW camp the last two years but no sour grapes.
Let’s just move on and not beat that poor dead horse.
purplephysco, Mount didn’t have six tournovers, they had four. And were a managable -2 in turnover ratio, plus one was after the fact in the interception at the end of the game, which in the big picture, mattered little in the outcome.
Whitewater won. They were/are the better team. Period.
I dont agree with the MU played poorly that day either. Do I think this MU team could beat this UWW team? Yes. 9 out of 10 times? 8? 7? No. I think they would be pretty evenly matched like on 9-15-07. UWW did expose some weaknesses we didnt see all year long with MU. The major problem was in the trenches. Micheli saw alot of pressure. If he is pressured he tends to put his head down and becomes one dimensional. Dont get me wrong he’s a great QB, but he seemed to lose his poise during the game.
Just a couple of points and I’ll TRY to shut-up for a while. I can’t be classified as a MUC poster….I’m a UMHB supporter….however I did use the term ” the best team on Saturday” about UWW’s win at the Stagg Bowl. That was certainly not intended as an insult. I’m an “old guy” I’ve played a lot of ball and I’ve watched a lot……One thing I know is that when you put two teams of nearly the same ability (anyone who makes it to the final 4) on the field ANYTHING can, and might happen. Play a second time and the outcome COULD be different. As someone else stated in an earlier post…UWW is the best team in Div III for 2007…they demonstred that by being “the best team on the field on Saturday”
OK,….I done…
does anyone know when the hula bowl players are selected and the other games that the nfl scouts.just wondering how many d3 players will get invited.
To the Hula Bowl? I would think that the vast majority of those playing will be DI seniors at BCS conferences, unless they can’t fill the rosters fom those conferences, then they would expand throughout the remaining DI conferences.
Same with the Senior Bowl, North-South game, etc.
well i remember chris kern played in the hula bowl and dan pugh played in the blue grey game.i dont know what other d3 guys from other schools have played. i think tom bauer from mount also played in the hula.