 Leo Gutierrez was the fourth of four Mary Hardin-Baylor players to rush for more than 100 yards Saturday. |
A strong ground game; playing strong defense. These are the tenets of teams that go deep into the playoffs, and they were things that all eight winners had in common in Saturday’s second round. (Other than UW-Whitewater on defense.)
Pat Coleman and Keith McMillan break down Saturday’s playoff games, from the thrillers at St. Thomas and UW-Whitewater to the snoozers at Mary Hardin-Baylor and Wesley. At least those two teams will meet in what is expected to be an epic on Saturday in the quarterfinals.
Plus we have an MIAC rematch and more coming up in this week’s games with the much-awaited UW-Whitewater/North Central showdown.
Click the play button below to listen.
You can also get this and any of our future Around the Nation podcasts automatically by subscribing to this RSS feed: http://www.d3blogs.com/d3football/?feed=podcast
Way to much play-by-play of the Linfield and WWW games. Last week you had an article about the great defenses and Montclair was one of the teams mentioned. Not a mention about Wesley dismantling that defense 44-7. I would strive for balance in the ATN. Very disappointing!
I timed that out after the fact — it was about 7 minutes out of 62 but it was also a double-overtime game. It’s hard to give equal time to a blowout game. I think Keith gave it plenty of discussion, regardless.
The play-by play from both WWW and Linfield has to be much more than 7 minutes. No need for play-by-play from a stat sheet. I do not know why you just don’t try to give a nice sense of balance to all eight games. The fans of the other teams deserve it and the players do also. You think Keith gave it plenty of discussion. Wow, what a view.
Well, not to get into an argument here, but I don’t think we can really give an equal amount of time to a double-overtime game and a 44-7 game. One is inherently more interesting than the other. Similarly, we gave a lot of time to the UWW game because a lot happened. If UWW-Trine had been 44-7, we wouldn’t have given it much time either. But they were the two most interesting games to a neutral/national fan on Saturday and that’s what we’re playing to. We can’t do a podcast that is equally satisfying to all 16 teams that played on Saturday. As the bracket gets smaller, we certainly can and we have tried to do that in the past.
Keith and I did make a conscious decision to not spend a lot of time dwelling on Wesley-Montclair State and spin it ahead to a much more interesting game in the next round with a lot of history.
We never set up Montclair’s defense as being the answer to Wesley’s offense — our feature story last week talked about each of the three teams featured as facing a much bigger challenge this week. (And none of them was able to overcome them.)
LETS FACE IT D-3 FANS……..THIS IS A WISC-MINN WEBSITE AND ALWAYS WILL BE…….WHEN LINFIED TIED THE GAME THE GAME THE THOUGHT CROSSED MY MIND THAT MR. COLEMAN MIGHT HAVE MESSED HIS JEANS……..THE PLAYOFFS ARE ABOUT ALL 32 TEAMS NOT JUST WISC-MINN……..WESLEY/MHB WILL BE A CLASSIC
That’s pretty funny considering that from 1999-2008 Keith and I both lived in Virginia. Guess we were a Virginia website then? 🙂 Keith still lives there, and I think there are a bunch of people who still think we worship Mount Union, which is in neither Virginia nor the upper Midwest.
Wesley/UMHB will be a classic and that’s why we talked about it that way and why Keith will be there.
I am listening to the podcast…..and you guys keep mentioning that the 2 elite teams are UWW and Mount Union and then possibly North Central. Why is Wesley not considered the best team? They were the #1 overall seed and it seems that they have the best overall offense when it comes to a balanced attack. They have a solid running game and several WR who have the ability to take it to the house on every play.It also seems like their D is very solid holding teams week after week. It would seem to me that they would have to be the team to beat in this years playoffs….. Why do you not think that?
Well, basically in our minds there are just two elite teams, and they’re the ones who have played in the Stagg Bowl each of the past five years. Wesley is in that second tier until it proves otherwise on the field. An NCAA committee’s seeding can’t win you elite status, I don’t think, and it’s a cliche, but you definitely have to beat the best to be the best.
Wesley is in that group of a half-dozen or so teams to follow, no doubt, but they haven’t been competitive with UW-Whitewater and they needed Mount Union’s quarterback to be injured to keep Mount Union to a 17-point win last season. If they keep winning, though, they’ll have the chance to show they belong in the top tier.
footbalfan- they think UWW and UMU are the 2 elite teams because they have played in the last 5 Stagg bowls against each other. Wesley was victimized by one of those 2 each of those years. North Central is mentioned because there isn’t as much data on them. After Saturday we will either be talking about 3 elite teams or we will put NCC in the Wesley bucket (which is tier 2). If Wesley wins the next 3 weeks, then we will be talking about 3 elite teams. Pat and Keith have no allegiance to the NCAA’s seeding. They have experience, insight, and best of all….common sense.
Sorry. Pat said the same thing and beat me to it….again.
Very simple….. Wesley has not beaten Mount Union or Whitewater. Mount and UWW have played in the Stagg Bowl five years in a row. I believe they mentioned North Central and Wesley and UMHB as teams are possible number threes….
Pat and Keith are both very experienced media professionals, outside of the great job that they do with this website.
They know which games to lead with. The most exciting game and the defending national champs being challenged into the 4th quarter make perfect sense!
Thanks guys…..and I never said they had allegiance to any teams… That was the other guys getting mad and typing with cap locks on…lol. I enjoy the site and have listened to the pod cast nearly every week this season…..in saying that I do think that Wesley is a better team this season then they were in years past…..and are doing it with a guy at QB that started as the backup. Do you guys agree with me that Wesley is one of the elite teams this year?
Keith and Pat what is your take of this years Del Val football team, and some weakness’s they gave up to mount union and how do you feel they will be next year?
When they beat UMHB, and either then Whitewater or Mount, you have an argument.
Until then they are in tier two behind Mount and UWW.
Keith and Pat, How do you feel about this years Del Val football team, and what are some weakness’s they gave up to mount union and also the future of Delaware Valley football, could mount union be meeting up with del val in the playoffs again next year.
Del Val had a really stellar defense this season, but didn’t have enough play-makers on offense to make the game close against a D as good as the Purple Raiders. Their starting RB Cook being banged up didn’t help.
ffan- I saw Wesley play @UWW in the playoffs last time they were up there. Obviously that wasn’t a great snapshot of who they are. I don’t know that much about them now. I think if they beat UMHB I’ll be watching their semi game on video for sure. This week I am going to UWW/NCC
“mtufan” — I don’t think you are a Mount Union fan based on where you’re posting from. It’s OK to be a Del Val fan and ask for an opinion.
usee…. I think they are a much more balanced team then they are getting credit for…..they have a solid D and obviously have proved they can score on anyone…. Montclair and Muhlenberg both have above average D’s and they put up 97 points against those two….. Montclair was held to it’s lowest total offense in 49 games.
Del Val loses most of its O-line, QB,RB and a couple of receivers. I believe they lose a few key pieces on D as well, especially LB Kyle Gesswein.
However, Coach Clements has built a solid program and I would expect that they’ll be competitive in the MAC next year. As far as meeting Mount again, anything is possible.
lots of spirit and spunk out there today I like that
They always say Defense wins championships……and Wesley’s D is ranked 3rd in rushing D 57 yards per game….. 15th in passing D 132 yards per game….. because most teams are trailing by so much they have no choice but to go pass happy……and 1st overall at 188 yards per game. They also have a very balanced attack on offense. I think that they are the best overall team in the tourney this season……just my opinion.
I was at the semifinal last year between Wesley and Mount Union and Wesley had alot of talent. It was a very close close game until the fourth quarter and I was impressed with their size and speed.
What held them back last year, in my opinion, was the “Alliance” factor that gets talked about on this site. They had confidence but, going to Mount Union puts doubt in that confidence because of the history of opponents in the playoffs (except Mary Hardin-Baylor of course).
When Wesley has the confidence to win no matter where they play and back it up, they will be in the same class as UWW and UMU.
Raiderdude…… Great points made….. Wesley won’t have to play on the road this time around until they get to the Stagg Bowl most likely against Mt Union……
In general I think we all agree that the ATN podcasts by the d3football.com guys are very good to excellent throughout the season and playoffs. Both Pat and Keith are knowledgeable and fair, but when we only have eight games and some are blowouts what’s left to talk about?
Now I feel obligated to make this post. I witnessed a very exciting playoff game Saturday, the Trine, UW-Whitewater game. What an exciting game. Trine is an impressive team.
I know football is a team sport, but every once in a while certain players rise to the occasion and transcend even a team sport like football into an exhibition of sheer will and athleticism. Eric Watt is an impressive athlete! Eric Watt made two exceptional plays, which resulted in six points each. Both of these touchdown plays were well defended; one which required a lateral to another play five yards past the line of scrimmage before being team tackled; and the other on a roll out play to the right side, under good weak side pursuit by the UWW defense, while throwing across his body into the end zone for a touchdown.
Levell Coppage was unstoppable Saturday, and the coaches and the Warhawk football team rode him all the way to an impressive victory over a very good football team. A few times after I thought he may been tackled for a loss he would get loose and turn the TFL into a 35 or 50 yard run…What an effort!
For most of the game Whitewater couldn’t stop Trine’s passing game and Trine couldn’t stop Whitewater’s running game. Don’t be fooled by the score of this second round playoff game because it sure didn’t look or feel like a typical football game…It was a great game. One I will not forget for a long time.
I wish more people could have seen the game I saw Saturday. I also wish more people understood the excellent level of football being played across this nation during the NCAA DIII playoffs. This site is one way to get the word out about Division III Football and Keith and Pat are the “ambassadors’ of d3football.
This is a golden opportunity for Wesley. Forget about not having to go to Alliance. They also don’t have to return to Whitewater, where previous results were far worse.
Plus, IF you can believe the reports, both Mount and UWW might be more vulnerable this time around.
Wesley looks like the best of the “non-elite,” but I’m expecting Saturday’s game to be fabulous. Outside of UMHB and Wesley, the South (and East) regions provided little to the quality of these playoffs. Perhaps Alfred will prove me wrong.
Citing efforts against Montclair and Muhlenberg doesn’t really strike fear into the hearts from a national perspective. Wesley couldn’t control its matchups, but this weekend it gets the opportunity to make a statement that all throughout d3 ball will recognize.
wow….interesting comments herein…..lack of respect for Wesley…..??? Really ??? Talk about lack of respect,…most comments seem to suggest that that UMHB doesn’t have a chance. I won’t get excited about it,….but I’d bet money that UMHB’s 2d team will play “a lot” of the second half again….on saturday.
OK – I felt I had to comment about some of this.
First off, I was at Wesley this past Saturday and can tell you that they are a very good team. They are deserving of a high-ranking by the NCAA (please remember these NCAA seedings are very subjective!). Their offense is multi-faceted with plenty of speed; their defense is especially solid upfront getting plenty of pressure on the quarterback along with stopping the running game.
Now with all that being said, until they actually beat UWW or Mount Union, they along with everyone else can not be considered part of the elite. You have to beat the best to be considered. Wesley along with UMHB, St. Thomas, and others are very good teams, but they have to prove not only to those on the outside, but also themselves, that they can beat the two top teams in Division III (and have been for five years!).
Remember, UWW was in the same position until they got to the championship game not only once… but multiple times… and not only gave Mount Union a game of it, but BEAT them!
As for “being fair”… no one is ever satisfied no matter how much time a team or game is given. Just watch any program covering any college or professional sports entity… they never give absolute equal time… even as you get further along in the season. IMHO, Wesley deserved a mention, but they controlled MSU from the opening drive defensively. What else is there to talk about? Besides the fact their game against UMHB is going to be a classic showdown – despite what UMHB fans may think, it won’t be over until late.
Enjoy the coverage that is given, appreciate the fact that there is coverage to being with, respectfully make your comments so we all can strive to do our jobs better, but understand that we can’t please everyone.
I did not get a chance to listen to the podcast yet. Still in some mourning over Wheaton’s loss to Bethel. It was a tremendous defensive struggle, with Bethel making a great play call at the end for the final TD. I will certainly be supporting Bethel but think they will have to be able to pass the ball better to progress in the next couple of rounds. I am going to be back in Chicago this weekend and am excited about attending the NCC/WWW game. I have watched North Central play on 3 occasions this year and think they are a very strong team. I am concerned about their passing attack as well. When playing the Whitewaters of the world one needs to be firing on all cylinders. I think NCC has the defense to stay in the game with Whitewater, crossing fingers that offense can be enough.
So the elite 8 is when the passion breaks out! Great job as always Pat and Keith. And thanks to all who posted. It’s fun to see people who care! As far as my take:
Piperarcher: You have got to be the whiniest poster I’ve ever read. Wesley is a solid 2nd tier team who blew out a lesser opponent. What exactly did you want Pat and Keith to say about them?
Footballfan: Seriously, dude. When two teams go to 5 straight Stagg Bowls and both are alive in the playoffs, you can’t expect to be mentioned in their company until you beat them. That’s just the way it rolls.
OldSarge2: 2nd Team “d” in the second half?? Really?? Scoring at will against Sul Ross State, Texas Lutheran, Christopher Newport, and Thomas More has filled you with that much Kool Aid? Maybe Wesley hasn’t beaten UMU or UWW up until now, but those teams aren’t even in the same stratosphere as Wesley. You may want to capture a bit of respect for the Wolverines’ program or you may learn the hard way!
In a perfect world, the playoffs would be formulated and seeded not based on regions but, by team ranking.
Money (or lack thereof) has hampered the process to limit the travel as much as possible. With few exceptions, the Midwest has seemed to have the most concentration of universities and talent. I mean no disrespect to Linfield, Mary Hardin-Baylor, and the like in the but it’s true. There is also a large concentration of universities in New York state but, due to recruiting limitations, the talent level gets spread so its hard for a school to maintain a premier level for their program.
So, the challenge is trying to slice and dice the teams to fit in the regional scheme formulated by the NCAA.
They do the best job under the circumstances and it’s left to the schools to play them out! I for one see some teams for whcih their star is shining brighter and look forward to seeing how they play out in the coming weeks.
I concur with Dave Hughes on the commentary and wish the final eight the best of luck! I will be in Alliance Saturday to cheer on the Raiders!
I have cut and pasted some info. (off the fan site) regarding the QB situation at UWW. It sounds like the coach will address it during his radio spot.
“As far as the status of Blanchard is concerned, the All-WIAC quarterback participated in pregame warm-up prior to Saturday’s game. He appeared to throw the ball much better than the previous week. Coach Leipold called Blanchard “a gametime decision” leading up to the Trine game.”
“On tonight’s KOOL 106.5 UWW Coaches Show Gary Douglas and Tom Pattison will discuss the Warhawk quarterback situation and much more with UW-Whitewater head coach Lance Leipold.”
Tonight’s show airs live from 6:00 to 6:45 on KOOL 106.5.
bleedpurple….. LOL!!! The only way the 2nd team D is in against Wesley is because they are so far behind they want to get some of the Seniors who dont start some playing time in their final game….. Wesley is a complete team on both sides of the ball…. If sarge thinks UHM is going to run wild against the Wesley D he is mistaken
bleedpurple….. I understand 100% why Mount Union and UWW are considered the elite teams…..all I stated was that Wesley deserves to be in the discussion…..since they are the #1 seed and we are talking about this season not past….. I think it will be Wesley vs Mount Union in the Stagg
Bleedpurple: Maybe you’ve misunderstood me…I meant NO disrespect to Wesley….they have a solid program…I attended both of the games they played here in Belton….and I was impressed by how “they” conducted themselves both on and off the field…..yes, SOLID program!! Now having said that,….I’ve not changed my mind about what I think will be the “outcome” of Saturdays game. UMHB has a lot of “young” players in key positions….and they had some “growing” pains early in the season. But, they are now up to the task, and I THINK they’ll surprise a lot of people. UMHB is also a solid program…they’ve got great coaches and don’t forget…UMHB has been to the “big” game. Good luck to your Wolverines on Saturday…. If Wesley should win…I won’t hesitate to acknowledge that they were the better team…
Sarge…. I am pretty sure bleedpurple is a Mount Union fan….hence the name bleedpurple
footballfan: yeah,….maybe you are right….or, Whitewater……
So will the video of the Wesley vs UMH be a live feed? And if so where can I find the link?
Recruiting tougher in New York than Texas? Seriously, do you have any idea of how hard it is to recruit in Texas for D3 with all the DI schools in the state….As far as the Wesley – UMHB game, if Bailey fumbles on 3 straight series like he did against Thomas More, it will be a very long day for the Cru. I’d love to see the Cru move on in the playoffs, but if you can’t pass the football – you won’t win games at this level. Wesley pulls away in 2nd half.
Bleedpurple is Whitewater.
Footballfan: We’re working on details and still very hopeful of getting it done.
Brewcru….. I agree 110% rushing for 500 yards is great but if you can’t pass the ball you will be in trouble and I don’t see any team rushing for 500 yards against a team that is giving up 57 yards a game…. I also think that Wesley will be able to throw the ball against UHM and put up points forcing UHM to throw the ball……
Thanks Pat….please keep me posted.
First off, let me say thank you for all the comments and criticism. 42 comments is very good for a podcast — I have at times wondered about the usefulness of talking about Division III football for an hour, but am I assured all the time that people are listening, and the comments help to reinforce that. Certainly we wouldn’t bother if you didn’t care.
The very first podcast we did was 10 minutes and mostly scripted. Now it is blocked out and we prep for it, but we also largely freelance parts of it. I’ll take the remarks about too much PbP constructively. Pat addressed a lot of the other things that were mentioned, so I’m just going to hop around and pick at things I noticed in the comments.
@McHugh … NCAA very subjective? The complaint this year was that they weren’t subjective enough! 🙂 They are very numbers-based, and the reason they got that way is because the D-III membership asked for it, so they were not victim to the subjective whims of whoever is on the committee at a given time.
Now, I know what you meant by that. The NCAA rankings say Wesley is No. 1 overall, but nobody thinks they’re the best team — yet. Well, somebody wrote that in the comments but I don’t believe that was written with any perspective on the other teams.
Re: Wesley not getting the respect as No. 3, somebody didn’t listen to the whole podcast before commenting, because we specifically said Wesley might disagree with the coach who said he thought from film that North Central was the next best team he’d seen. Now we’re inclined to trust the coach of an elite team who could easily say his own team was third best … but that’s beside the point. The point is, and we mention this in the podcast, is that best is only determined by what happens these next three weeks. And we will have a resolution. I think we’re all looking forward to that.
@raiderdude, I don’t believe Wesley was spooked at all by the Alliance Factor. It happens to some, but Wesley looked plenty comfortable out there. I think that game came down to the fourth quarter, Mount Union’s O-Line asserting itself against Wesley’s D-Line. Shorts just ran read option behind that line and as maybe the best offensive player in the country last year, won the game.
Wesley would’ve been in a lot better shape if it had gotten points instead of the jump-pass INT from McSweeny to McAndrews in the end zone in the 2nd.
Same time, that’s probably a very different game if Benson doesn’t knock Rocco out of the game early too. MU’s offense really sputtered with Seaman, although 12 games later, Seaman now has a lot more game experience.
(more to come)
oldsarge2
Wesley also had some growing pains early this year. They lost their starting QB 3 plays into the season with very little expeienced back up. They lost their starting TE and their starting Slot back both players who were going to play main points in the Offense within a week of each other. So we have seen a team that had high hopes survive some tough early games and come together as one of the best teams in DIII. We will see if that continues this week against UMHB.
After watching Wesley for 16 yrs I can say this is one of the gutsiest,hard working, and propbably the most talented bunch yet
@raiderdude, one of the ancient ATNs (like pre MUC/UWW dominance) suggested we seed 1 to 32, so we like the idea in theory. It of course is not how it works, and when we say “the NCAA’s emphasis on regions” let’s remember we mean “the emphasis on regional play voted on by the NCAA member institutions in D-III.” In other words, it’s not Indianapolis telling D-III how it’s going to be, it’s D-III schools saying “this is what we want, make it happen.”
Montclair State was one point from being a possible No. 1 in the East this year. The regional emphasis is going to be there, and as discussed in those ATNs late this year, all the East wants is an opportunity. Alfred is the latest team to get one.
@footballfan, I think Wesley has the talent to get to Salem, but I’ve thought that before. I went out on the limb for them last year in the semis. One of these days they’ll break through.
Honestly Wesley is very very good, but this team reminds me a lot of previous Wesley teams. Take that for whatever you think it’s worth. They have a great defense — I really like the secondary as well as the DL — but they’re also banged up this year and missing some key guys.
Maybe something will change this year. I really don’t know, but I’m looking forward to watching.
We’re writing features this week, and one we hope will introduce North Central to the national audience. Are they maybe the best team nobody’s seen?
We want to talk about Wesley and UMHB on defense, as well as the rivalry that’s grown over the years. UMHB seems like it’s on a five-game stretch where the defense has matched the offense.
We’re going to meet some UMU and UWW players, as this is the point in the season where we can no longer count on them to be around next week for sure to do features next week.
One thing I learned so far is that UWW is not eager to talk about its QB’s issue or injury. So I wonder if much was said on KOOL 106.5.
Obviously we want to know what’s going on and we owe it to our readers, but from a UWW perspective, the mystery might be an advantage. If Brekke has to go again, or if NCC only has one tape of Blanchard, it might be an advantage.
I thought we touched on everyone in the hour, some more than others, by design, but I thought if any game got glazed over, it was DV-UMU.
And to answer an above question, I saw DV play this year and I still feel like I didn’t know them all that well. That’s really a better question for Gordon Mann, who works with us and knows DV intimately.
Enjoy the week guys, this is going to be a great one. UWW fans, travel en masse to Bendetti-Wehrli, that’s a nice place to watch a game IMO and I think it’ll be a charged atmosphere on both sides (though all the stands are on the same side, so stay out of trouble).
That comment about Watt was helpful too. For all Trine did to promote his as a Gagliardi candidate, that performance against UWW might have done more.
Just wanted to say…. I enjoy the site and the podcast and think you guys do a GREAT JOB!!!
pawesleyfan: I think “we” are in for a great game….maybe one that will be considered the best of this post season. I have only missed a “hand full” of UMHB games since their second year of football. I don’t know that I can say, that I think this is their best team…(it’s close behind the team that went to the Stagg Bowl…) But, I can say that I believe that this team has more “bench” strength than any, they have ever had. Right now, ..not a “lot” is lost when someone goes down with an injury.
Ok, so I’ve read/skimmed most of these posts and a few things come out in my mind, and as I’m probably one of the biggest UMHB, thats U M H B for those of you who can’t type/spell right, one of the biggest UMHB fans around, (have season tickets, travel to a few away games in state a year, flew to Wesley in 06 for the loss) here is what I think:
1) UWW and MU are THE PREMIER teams in D3. Period. Until we, or anyone else for that matter, dethrones them, they are number one. We did beat MU once, “The Catch” was an amazing, HUGE moment for UMHB, but until we get through one of them again, we will be in that second tier with everyone else striving for the top.
2) I too feel that there is little respect for our club this year with some due points: Our D was not great early in to middle part of the season. But, they have come on strong. Our D line is smaller, but fast, as is the rest of our D. The secondary has really come on lately, yes against lower ranked teams, but weakness is weakness, and any team that has done defensively what we have done in the games we have played deserves some credit. I believe our D will show its strength and that our passing will surprise people. Wesley will try to stop the run, but LB is gaining confidence and our 6-5/6-6 WR’s are playing well and will do well, I believe.
3) It will be a close faught game. I don’t agree that our 2nd D will be in to start the second half, or at really any point in the game, as it will come down to the fourth.
That’s it, sorry so long…i’m out.
Most of the discussion focused on three teams today, so I figured I’d bring some attention to the other purple team in the mix…St. Thomas has a really strong team this year and the game against Bethel this week should make for a great rematch. UST has some firepower, they have a chance at busting out this year!
It’s been a long day, but I finally listened to the podcast. Great job you guys! I sensed you were both trying to be “diplomatic” and “balanced” in your assessments of the teams that played this past weekend, along with a bit of foreshadowing of the games to come. Not sure what all the hoopla is over/about. I for one would liked to have heard more about the penalties and turnover ratios and how they played out in the games. I know you highlighted a couple of examples, but it’s crunch time and it does give us a bit of insight in how the teams left are handling the added stress/intensity level. Any chance to see stats for these final games on the website? (Some of us like to extrapolate trends and such and it sure would be handy to see them all in one place.) Looking forward to this weekends games!