Around the Nation podcast: We’re semi-fine with it


Wesley had just four second-half possessions against UMHB ending in a punt, an interception, a field goal and a fourth-down stop.
Photo by Andrew Zavoina, d3photography.com

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Two great games, two not-so-great ones. And you can probably guess based on past experience which region was involved in the not-so-great games. We talk about all four games that took place in the national quarterfinals, of course, including the great plays, the special teams miscues. And, of course, the big bracket miscue that results in the No. 1 and No. 2 teams meeting this week instead of next week in Salem.

Updated bracket, playoff features

And it had to happen eventually. After seven years or so of doing this podcast, we finally ran into a technical problem we didn’t discover until it was too late. There is an Around the Nation podcast this week, but the recording gets a little jittery a little way into the broadcast.

Pat and Keith give their thoughts on what it means to have a new team in Salem. Keith talks about what he missed in watching Mount Union games to make him think Widener had a chance. And we talk about why it’s important for all Division III fans to come to Salem, not just the ones whose teams are playing in the game.

We talk about that and more in this week’s Around the Nation Podcast, sponsored by the City of Salem, hosts of Stagg Bowl XL. Tickets on sale now!

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You can subscribe to the Around the Nation Podcast in iTunes. 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

D3reports postgame show

Here’s this week’s D3football.com reports, highlight packages and postgame interviews.

And this week’s photo galleries from our friends at d3photography.com:

ATN Podcast: Can they be challenged?

Jeremy Murray
Jeremy Murray returned and got 25 carries for Mount Union.
Photo by JT Higgins for d3photography.com

Now that we’ve reached the semifinals, will someone challenge UW-Whitewater and Mount Union? St. Thomas and Wesley will get their chance this week, and meanwhile, Pat Coleman and Keith McMillan take a first look at the upcoming games in this week’s Around the Nation podcast.

You’ll also hear another coach’s assessment of one of our semifinal teams, plus Gagliardi Trophy talk and more. Don’t forget to vote for the Gagliardi Trophy, through noon EST Monday.

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

Plus, here’s this week’s D3football.com reports.

Sideline Guy: Back in Salem

As I write this, I’m sitting in the interview room for the Stagg Bowl teams — yes, in case you thought you were dreaming, it’s the same teams as the previous five years. I’ll spare you the formal introductions except to tell you that I’m Frank Rossi, your D3football.com “Sideline Guy” for Saturday’s online broadcast of the Stagg Bowl.

Oddly enough, we entered the Taliaferro Complex in Salem with a feeling of deja vu as about four inches of snow fell since last night. The forecast is for another potential clipper to produce precipitation sometime Saturday — but it’s unlikely we’ll see even close to the 21″ of snow we encountered last year.

So, you say you’re bored by this matchup again? Well, the cream rose to the top again, and we’re going to be treated to an excellent game — the 2010 matchup on paper looks as close as any of the prior five Stagg Bowl matchups between these teams. Yet, there are a number of back stories surrounding this year’s Stagg Bowl.

First, who will be quarterback? Okay, we had that question with Kurt Rocco’s injury last year, sure. However, this year, BOTH teams have that question facing them. It isn’t just of question of who is starting, though. The formations both teams have would enable play by multiple quarterbacks — for instance, Cecil Shorts ran the Wildcat for a few downs last week when Mount Union defeated Bethel. Will we know who will start as quarterback by Saturday at, say, 2 p.m.? Odds are against that — these coaches play this very close to their chest historically. However, there is an additional intrigue surrounding this game because of this question.

Second, there are many stories still to be told by fans of both teams that simply could not make it to the game last year. This wasn’t by choice — Mother Nature decided to force their hands. For instance, the Whitewater band and cheerleaders, weather permitting, will actually get to enjoy the game without having to resort to the warmth of a chicken wing franchise.

Also, for the first time, we do not know the winner of the Gagliardi Trophy quite yet. That announcement will be live at 7 .p.m EST, and all of the final four finalists will be on hand (again, weather permitting). We also will air the entire ceremony, including a pre-announcement show and a post-announcement interview and reaction streamed online so tune in and enjoy this excellent ceremony.

Every year, we have different angles, regardless of the teams. Remember that the players change every year (and the rosters, in their entirety, every four years). For those people who feel upset that the rest of the season is predictable, remember that this game has been very unpredictable. Stay tuned for more updates throughout the weekend, and travel safely to Salem if you can make it.