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ATN Podcast 421: A Bell game that deserves a name

A No. 1 vs. No. 2 showdown under the lights produced a 2-0 halftime score, a virtual walk-off field goal, a new No. 1 team in the country and maybe the latest entry in Little Brass Bell lore. Wheaton finally got the trophy back, plus Rowan finally got past Salisbury, and Washington & Lee reminded everyone why nobody enjoys defending the option for 22-play drives.

North Central spent most of the night looking for the breakout run. Wheaton made sure it never arrived. How did Wheaton hold North Central to 0.9 yards per carry? Which defender piled up 18 tackles, 6½ tackles for loss and the game’s biggest interception? And how will this Bell game be remembered, or named?

Which championship contender survived a goal-line stand at the 5-yard line? And who needed just six possessions to pull off one of the biggest upsets of the season?

Who earned game balls after defining wins? Which conference winning streaks now sit atop Division III football after North Central and Randolph-Macon saw theirs come to an end? Who finally got on the scoreboard? And which bizarre play featured one interception, four laterals and a big long touchdown?

Plus, Jesse Scott joins us for Fast Five after the biggest win of his tenure, Logan Hansen updates a playoff race that suddenly looks more wide open than ever, and we debate whether there has ever been a season with this many legitimate national-title contenders.

Trinity continued making its case in the NESCAC, Muhlenberg won another thriller against Franklin & Marshall, Millsaps stayed in the SAA race behind a backup quarterback, and Wilmington nearly landed a statement win against Hanover.

And looking ahead: Can Merchant Marine survive a crucial NEWMAC test against Salve Regina? Will Dickinson keep rolling when it visits Franklin & Marshall for the Conestoga Wagon Trophy? Can LaGrange take control of the USA South race at Brevard? Will Linfield and Whitworth once again decide the Northwest Conference? And who is best positioned to wear the crown now that Division III has a new No. 1?

Patrick and Greg tackle all this, plus your mailbag questions, in the latest edition of the D3football.com Around the Nation podcast.

Hit play, or subscribe to get this podcast on your mobile device.

You can subscribe to the Around the Nation Podcast in Apple Podcasts, and many other places. 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

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Photos: Michael Hudson Photography for Wheaton athletics; Keith Lucas, Sideline Media; Salisbury athletics

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ATN Podcast 420: No consensus, plenty of contenders

UW-Whitewater found a freshman-sized answer to a championship-sized challenge, while St. John’s turned shovel passes into an avalanche against Bethel and WashU broke through with the first top 10 victory in program history. Across Division III, defenses joined the scoring spree, long field goals delivered big wins and the playoff picture got a whole lot more interesting.

Which two defenses each produced three pick-sixes on the same Saturday? Which quarterback ran for three fourth-quarter touchdowns on just four carries? Which offense somehow scored 335 points on 336 plays? Oh yes, we did the math.

Who came up with the key defensive plays to get a game ball in Trinity’s revenge win against Berry? Who became a one-man Falcon wrecking machine in Whitewater? Who hit from 54 yards to give Luther a win, and who earned the nickname “Patty Ice” while kicking St. Olaf to a win?

Plus, WashU coach Aaron Keen joins us for Fast Five, the analytics say what they’re going to say, and Dickinson produces a third quarter unlike just about anything we’ve seen. Who survived an even longer delay than the one at St. John’s? Who scored three touchdowns before the opponent even recorded a first down? And who finally got to see the St. John’s tailgate?

And looking ahead: Can Whitewater follow its biggest win of the season by winning at UW-La Crosse? Will Rowan’s defensive prowess continue at Salisbury? Might Howard Payne make a statement at Mary Hardin-Baylor? Can Ohio Northern throw a great big … bear paw … into the OAC race? And most importantly, what happens when No. 1 North Central and No. 2 Wheaton meet for the Little Brass Bell?

Patrick and Greg tackle all this, plus your mailbag questions, in the latest edition of the D3football.com Around the Nation podcast.

Hit play, or subscribe to get this podcast on your mobile device.

You can subscribe to the Around the Nation Podcast in Apple Podcasts, and many other places. 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

Here’s how to find us on some of the major podcasting apps:

Photos: Semanco Media for WashU athletics; Evan Laserstein for UW-Whitewater athletics, Ella Carlson for St. John’s athletics

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ATN Podcast 419: The Captains, the goat cheese, the Pride

Christopher Newport struck the biggest blow this week among ranked teams, with the Captains coming up with six takeaways and shutting out Susquehanna on the road, while the Goat and the Cheese Bowl got some time in the spotlight (mmm, goat cheese) and Springfield survived in a rain-swept defensive battle.

Which conference gave us a huge Act 1 finale this weekend? Which punter came up with a huge game in his team’s win? Which broadcast team shouted out Pat Coleman on the air, and got him to answer? Oh yes, we’re listening.

Who came up with the key defensive plays to get a game ball in a shutout win? Who got the special teams play his team desperately needed on a day where the offense was struggling? Who finally bookended a win in a rivalry game?

Plus, Christopher Newport coach Paul Crowley joins us for Fast Five, the analytics say what they’re going to say, and St. Francis finally gets out of the queue and onto the field. How many people played quarterback for Texas Lutheran? Who opened the door in Region 4?

And over-under: How many yards for Wash U against John Carroll this upcoming week? How many points will the winning team end up scoring in the Berry-Trinity (Texas) game? How many yards will Tyler Szalkowski throw for for Utica against Cortland? How many points do we really expect Baldwin Wallace and Heidelberg to put up on Saturday? And lastly, how many people will cram in the gates at Whitewater and St. John’s this weekend for their top 10 clashes?

Patrick and Greg answer these, plus your mailbag questions, in the latest edition of the D3football.com Around the Nation podcast.

Hit play, or subscribe to get this podcast on your mobile device.

You can subscribe to the Around the Nation Podcast in Apple Podcasts, and many other places. 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

Here’s how to find us on some of the major podcasting apps:

Photo: @leary_kell38655