Immediate thoughts on Week 8
Oct
2005
So I first got a call around 2:15 or so that Ohio Northern was leading Mount Union 21-7 in the second quarter. Ehh, yeah, whatever — if I had a dime for every time someone called me or sent me an instant message that Mount Union was losing, we’d have enough money to stop running pop-up ads.
Oh wait, we stopped doing that a couple months ago.
So yeah, didn’t really think much of it. Got another call at halftime. One late in the third quarter and then another with three minutes or so left in the game. At that point it gets serious — you have to doubt even Mount Union’s chances of scoring twice in three minutes. I’m already on the way out the door from the game I was covering, so I’m heading to a wireless hotspot I know sits about two blocks from the stadium. Got cut off at a stop light. Missed the end of the game. Caught the Mount Union student station giving the final score.
So everyone voting, have fun with your Top 10. I’m thinking of starting with my ballot from like six weeks ago. You know, when Mary Hardin-Baylor was still ahead of HSU and Ohio Northern was in my top 10.
Deep down inside, too, I’ve had this nagging feeling about Hardin-Simmons without Jordan Neal at quarterback. Descriptions of the UMHB defense today reminds me of its performance at W&J in the national quarterfinals last year. Could be time for another roll.
We’re getting close to the time where we’ll start having teams clinch playoff bids. Some of these will involve our favorite 11-letter word: tiebreakers. However, Johns Hopkins is 4-0 with a two-game lead on Dickinson (have not played yet) and Muhlenberg (Hopkins beat them today). They have two games left to play. Lakeland plays Aurora next week and can clinch the Illini-Badger with a win.
Speaking of tiebreakers, we could be seeing them in several conferences. How odd is it for half the HCAC to be in first place and Hanover not be one of the teams?
I had to call the folks at Wesley to confirm that Brockport score. No injuries or suspensions to report. No excuses made for the long bus ride. Wonder what that means for the Salisbury/Wesley game next week.
Congrats to Brad Duesing, definitely back on pace now to get 1,000 receiving yards for the fourth straight year. Only one other receiver has done that, Susquehanna’s Mark Bartosic.
Interested in:
The NCAA’s appeals process. How does it work, really? Is Ohio Northern really off the hook until the appeal is heard? That sounds more like Major League Baseball than the NCAA.
Kalamazoo. Upset Alma. How did that happen?
Concerned about:
Union. For the second week in a row. If you were playing the comparative scores game (always dangerous — ask Mount Union) then look at Union’s results vs. Coast Guard and Kings Point (a seven-point game at home and an OT game), then look at RPI’s (a 17-point game on the road, 41-point win at home).
Wheaton. Looks like the team that played the second half against North Central went to Illinois Wesleyan.
Crazy e-mail of the week:
So, for three years every game that Mt. Union has played has been
significant, but when Linfield
is the #1 ranked team in the nation and defending National Champs their
games and players aren’t
worthy of a mention because??????????????????????
Love you dearly, Wake Up and report Division III football!!??!!??:)
Let’s ask the Mount Union fans what they feel about our coverage the past three years, k? Heck, we don’t even have to go back through three years. Just last week Linfield was on the front page and Mount Union was not. The week before Linfield was on the front page and Mount Union was not. There was a week Mount Union was on the front and Linfield was not (Oct. 1, when Mount Union needed 28 unanswered points to beat Capital). The week before that, neither team was on the front. But that was also Linfield’s bye week. The week before that, Linfield was on the front page and Mount Union was not. And both schools were on the front page for their respective season openers.
Get your facts straight before you complain. Thanks.
But we can’t talk about Week 8 without talking about the tragic death of Minnesota-Morris student and men’s basketball player Rick Rose, who died when the goalposts came down after Morris’ win against Crown, the final game in Morris’ current stadium. Perhaps it’s time to end this tradition. It isn’t worth it.
October 23rd, 2005 at 9:12 am
Pat:
Amen to your comments about tearing down goalposts. These structures aren’t designed for dismantling by crowds of celebrating students.
October 23rd, 2005 at 9:40 am
It is kind of interesting how fans, not just Linfield’s or Mount’s, all fans think their team deserves more press, more votes, more interest in their star player (who of course is the best in D3). As fans we usually keep our blinders on which explains why our mindset is there is nothing else anyone could possibly write or talk about but “my team”. Selfish lot we fans, eh?
ONU deserves all the credit in the world for yesterdays victory. I’ve posted more than once that Mount can be beaten but their opponent will not only have to be good, they will have to play a perfect game. ONU did just that.
The astute fans knew when ONU held MUC from first and four just before the half that Mount was in trouble. The weather was wet and cold so there were very few MUC students in the stands and the home crowd was thin so there wasn’t much noise being generated. A silent dark and dreary day was the perfect setting for the ending of Mount’s streak, and what a streak it was. Congratulations to ONU for their victory and to Larry Kehres and his staff for that string of victories.
I hope the “interested in” paragraph above gets some attention this week.
Those of us in the OAC want to know if the appeal will be decided prior to the post-season selections. It would indeed be ironic after ONU’s victory if the appeal is heard and its decided that they must sit out the playoffs.
October 23rd, 2005 at 9:57 am
The WIAC and the CCIW prove to have it once again. I love following those two conferences. They are the two deepest and the two toughest.
October 23rd, 2005 at 10:01 am
The poll on the front shows 257 ballots cast at this point. The amazing thing is the superficial nature of the 58% who are concerned about Baldwin-Wallace’s chances as MUC’s next opponent.
I thought that “Wesley’s everything” caught the nature of the Wolverine’s plight. Last week, we saw 2 ACFC teams in the Top 25, but Pool B is very strong this year. I don’t think that 2 ACFC teams make playoffs after the drubbing that Brockport gave Wesley. IMHO, a second loss knocks them from the playoffs.
Congratulations to ONU, UMHB, Oxy (I like that broadcast team for Occidental) and my McMurry Indians, who will have a .500 season for the first time since 2000 after their 48-43 win over Sul Ross State behind the efforts of QB Ty Sellers’ 25 carries for 217 yds rushing and 2 TD’s plus passing 11-22-191yds-2 INTs-4TDs! Wow! 9 yds passing shy of his 2nd “double double” of the year!
October 23rd, 2005 at 10:17 am
Pat, like to point out that Johns Hopkins has played Dickinson and defeated them as well. They have Ursinus and McDaniel left in conference play.
October 23rd, 2005 at 10:19 am
The moth that is the Union football team continues to flirt with the flame. In a game that included TEN interceptions and four fumbles, Union needed one last pick with thirty seconds remaining in the game to defeat a feckless Coast Guard team. With the most prolific running back in the country and one of the best receivers in DIII, one has to wonder about this team. St. Lawrence, Union’s next opponent, gave Hobart a scare. What will the Dutchmen pull out of their bag of tricks next week? RPI has received little mention in recent weeks. They have a very good team, witness the Hobart game, a 56-48 loss. Union’s prospects against Hobart and RPI are dubious at best. CONCERNED ABOUT is an understatement!
October 23rd, 2005 at 10:41 am
“With the most prolific running back in the country and one of the best receivers in DIII, one has to wonder about this team.”
theduke-
Perhaps you should realize that Union doesnt even have the best WR or RB in NY let alone the country. Even though they arn’t ranked, this Union team is vastly over rated…..
October 23rd, 2005 at 10:50 am
Wow what a weekend for upsets. On the national scene—how about Wesley-they got shallacked–and Hardin-Simmons-at home!!! Divsion three football gets more and more balanced every year. It’s good to see such parity, because in the long run it really will save some of these smaller private schools.
In the ODAC, how about Guilford (they have one of the best QB’s in the Mid-Atlantic)? They spoiled W&L’s thoughts of going undefeated in the ODAC on a last second pass. E&H played BC too tough, so my guess is that BC overlooked them thinking of W&L.
In the USAC, Methodist beating CNU is not much of an upset. Methodist too has one of the best QB’s in the Mid-Atlantic (if not the nation) in Roncketti. If CNU can get past NCW and Averett, who won a close one at Greensboro (missed Greensboro FG with 11 secs.), then the tiebreaker scenario for Methodist, Ferrum, and CNU will loom large going into the last games of the season of Methodist and Shenandoah (what happened to these guys??? I wish them well because Coach Barnes is a good guy and deserves well) and CNU and Ferrum. From what I heard it comes down to point differential in conference play. That gives the edge to CNU, because of their sound defeat of Maryville by 50+. Should be a fun finish for my boys in Ferrum and the rest of the south and mid-atlantic. Go Panthers!!!
October 23rd, 2005 at 10:52 am
Mount Union getting knocked off is defiantly news. However the consecutive OAC wins was an amazing record. Anyways Methodists pulled the upset against CNU this week. On another note, I heard the Catholic v. HSC game was (for these teams) low scoring, I am assuming both defenses came out to play.
October 23rd, 2005 at 11:23 am
rbrockwell, I like your typing “dyslexia”/Freudian slip.
“Mount Union getting knocked off is ‘defiantly” news”…
That loss does go against the usual headlines! lol
October 23rd, 2005 at 12:02 pm
To the gentleman from upstate, we have already speculated that Union may be the worst undefeated team in the nation. Furthermore, he may want to double check his stats, at least pre Oct.22.
October 23rd, 2005 at 12:11 pm
A look at the photo gallery from the Catholic/HSC game might give some insight as to why the game was low-scoring.
http://www.pictureprints.net/albums.php?gallery=394
Specifically, the field conditions and weather were awful.
October 23rd, 2005 at 1:08 pm
Wow, what a shame that tragedy has to overshadow a great week of D3 football. (and D1 for that matter) As I read the post on this tragedy I thought back to the time many years ago I saw the post come down in Neyland Stadium and make their way down the Cumberland Ave strip after a TN / Bama game. I specifically remember thinking that one day someone was going to get killed. Well, I guess yesterday was that day. Not sure if it has happened before but I guess it is a small miracle that it hasn’t happened more often. (either the post falling or the crush of people) I doubt that is any consolation to this young mans family and friends. I also remember an H-SC / R-MC game (again some years ago) where the police resorted to pepper spray to save the post. I don’t know whether that was such a good idea or not but that situation had some serious potential for trouble. Fortunately that day, the number of mostly students numbered in the hundreds and not thousands like at larger schools. Not sure what the answer is short of putting razor wire and a moat around the playing field. My thoughts and prayers are with family and the entire MN Morris community.
October 23rd, 2005 at 1:32 pm
Here is my two cents worth (plink, plink)…
Crow du Juor: Did I say ONU wasn’t beating Mount Union? I meant in field hockey. Yeah, that’s it. Field Hockey.
Okay, I’m an idiot. Congrats to the Polar Bears on their win. I’ll eat my crow with creamed corn as suggested on the OAC message board. I’m also shelving dreams of Kenyon in the playoffs barring an upset. It’s the Little Giants race to lose after they beat Wittenberg. If only I had a new underdog to root for. Maybe someone like…
HCAC Champ Anderson College!: They are in first place if you look at the HCAC standings, thanks in part to their alphabetical prowess. That race is now wide open after Bluffton dumped Hanover and MSJ thumped Defiance.
Or maybe I’ll hop on the Hope (3-4, 3-1 MIAA) bandwagon. Alma, Hope and Albion will play each other over the final three weeks to decide the title. I love this time of year.
Three Cheers: I doff my cap to Coach Rich Mannello of King’s. Like cross town rival Wilkes, King’s graduated a really good running back in Richard Jackson. QB Chris Barnic and the Monarchs, who endured an unreal string of tough loses, are now above .500 after likely ending Widener’s title hopes.
Congrats to QB Zack Luke of Brockport who threw for four touchdowns in the Golden Eagles’ 47-0 throttling of Wesley. Brockport could actually finish in a three-way tie for first in the AFCA if Wesley beats Salisbury. With an ambitious non-conference schedule, they aren’t Pool B contenders. On the bright side, Luke is just a freshman.
And kudos to Illinois Wesleyan who upset Wheaton. Coach Eash’s team has been through a lot this year so it’s nice to see them get this win.
Bubble trouble: Similar to last week, here are some musings on the Pool C picture. For now I’m omitting one-loss teams with more than one big games left (i.e. Alfred, McMurry, UW-Oshkosh). Feel free to add them or others you feel are worthy.
One loss teams: Augustana, Central, Coe, Concordia-Moorhead, DePauw, John Carroll, UMHB, Mount Union, Ohio Northern, RPI, St. John Fisher
Two loss teams: Capital, Carthage, Cortland, Hampden-Sydney, Methodist, St. Norbert, UW-Eau Claire, UW-La Crosse, Widener, Wilkes, Wheaton
The IIAC and OAC will drop a team once they hand out their AQs. But the MIAC and Liberty League will add one each once their undefeated teams play each other.
October 23rd, 2005 at 3:26 pm
Gordon,
I believe that UW-Eau Claire has only one conference loss against Whitewater.
October 23rd, 2005 at 5:27 pm
Yes, but they have another against SJU. That gives them two in region, which is what the Committee will look at.
October 23rd, 2005 at 7:50 pm
Agreed on the goalpost tradition. Never really understood that one… all it really does is cost the school money to replace it and make your school look like a bunch of lawless hoodlums with nothing better to do.
Also makes it look like your team never wins and that you’re celebrating a rare occassion.
October 24th, 2005 at 8:46 am
Goalposts - I realize the cost would be prohibitive for most DIII schools, but some DI universities such as NC State have hydraulically assisted golaposts that lower to the ground as soon as the game is over. The Wolfpack had an ugly incident with injuries and other calamities a few years ago when East Carolina students stormed the field after beating State in Raleigh. My thoughts go out to this young man’s family and friends in the Minn.- Morris community.
On a happier note - Go Quakers! What a nice (and dramatic) 28-26 win over W&L.
As an aside - The Ferrum fans should stop using their 41-7 opening game win over Guilford for a head-to-head comparison with Bridgewater. As I mentioned earlier in this forum, Guilford was coming off a 1-9 season, had an away game, a freshman QB & a new coach. The Quaker team you see in the middle of the season is not the team that started the season. Ferrum is having a fine season and might still win, but it would no longer be 41-7. I’ve seen both FC & BC play and I believe BC would defeat the Panthers.
October 24th, 2005 at 10:06 am
I think it’s funny how perception effects our judgement. I always felt that Pat went out of his way not to not give Mount Union too much exposure when they were running the table year after year. I look at the Linfield/Stagg banner across the home page and don’t remember Mount living on the front page all season.
My point is, that I love the balanced coverage that is provided DIII athletics here. There are teams getting virtual ink here that get no press in their home towns. And that ONU breaking a 110 regular season winning streak is more news worthy than Linfield beating the snot out of Puget Sound.
My perception is that the article is about Ohio Northern, not Mount Union.
October 24th, 2005 at 11:16 am
A WIAC team as #2 - that’s good. However, they should be #1. That is the toughest conference in the nation. Could any team in the nation go undefeated with that schedule?
CCIW is still looking hot. I think the WIAC and the CCIW are going to do quite well in the post season.
Mount Union getting beat is always a pleasure for me. As an Augustana alumni I knew that Mount Union was the team that posed the biggest threat to beating Augustana’s record of 4 consecutive National Championships. Reminder, Augie is a CCIW team.
October 24th, 2005 at 11:55 am
First, congratulations to Mt. Union on such an impressive run. They are one of the top standards by which other programs gauge themselves.
Second, kudos to Ohio Northern for ending the streak! What a feather in their cap, er, helmet.
Third, the ending of streaks is good for football in general and DIII football in particular. It gives the rest of us hope and keeps us trying, which helps promote rivalries, attendance, recruiting, school spirit and so forth.
Fourth - I am an ODAC fan, so, with this in mind, Bridgewater’s 32 game ODAC streak needs to end! lol Maybe it’ll be against W&L Oct. 29, maybe not. If they beat W&L, it’s likely, they’ll run the table in 2005 …. but I’ll bet money they don’t make it all the way through 2006.
Go Quakers!
October 24th, 2005 at 12:16 pm
SeanGOP:
Why do you think Whitewater is better than the current #1 Linfied?
October 24th, 2005 at 12:52 pm
Seventiesraider, not entirely true. We’ve been doing the Stagg Bowl teams in the header thing for a while. Guess you’ve been “Knapping” on us.
http://www.d3football.com/images/d3flogo.jpg
October 24th, 2005 at 1:03 pm
After watching the Union Dutchmen pull out yet another late game lucky break for a win there is little doubt this team could be heading for more than just one loss in the upcoming weeks. Understanding they are most likely the worst undefeated team in the nation, there still are a few things to think about: Maybe one or two nail bitters are luck, but three or more might just be heart and the ability to win. They do have one of the best running backs and set of recievers in the country (Angiletta, Twitchell, and Arcidiacano). One of the most difficult things as a team is to consistantly play teams below your level and not let down. Who knows, I see Union, RPI, and Hobart having a great three way finish for the LL title….with one of the three to possibly make the dIII semi-finals!
October 24th, 2005 at 1:10 pm
hasanova- How bout those Quakers!!! Not surprised by that victory at all. Also, not surprised that Methodist beat CNU. As much as I would like to see W&L beat BC don’t see it happening. As for Ferrum vs BC, it is entirely possible we may get to find out how they stack up in the playoffs. Could be a first round playoff game. Sure would be a fun one to see. Am headed down for the homecoming festivities at Maryville this weekend. Being a former Fighting Scot, fingers crossed that they can rise to the occasion and pull off the upset over Methodist. Don’t see that happening either but maybe Methodist will have a let down after their big win.
The topic of ESPN came up a week or so back about their lack of support for D3. Noticed Sat. that they did run a few D3 scores across the bottom of the screen. Of course D3football.com will always #1 in my heart, it is good to see a little love from the 800# gorilla of sports.
October 24th, 2005 at 2:14 pm
allsky7 - thanks for the kind words. How ’bout those Quakers! (Sorry - if I was a UGa grad I’d say “How ’bout dem Quakers,’ but I just can’t bring myself to do it. lol Guilford is still a school where a properly completed sentence still carries more weight than a completed pass, but I digress … lol) I’ve seen the progression of the Guilford program this year - in offensive production, in confidence, in attitude and, believe it or not, in defense. With 2193 yards passing and 23 passing TD’s after only 7 games, I expect big things out of redshirt freshman QB Josh Vogelbach.
Good luck to the Scots this weekend. Guilford played a very competitive game vs. Methodist in game #2, so I think they can be beaten by Maryville. My middle brother used to live in Nashville and always kept me informed about Rhodes, Sewanee and Maryville. I have a tremendous amount of respect for all three academically and philosophically.
Yes, Ferrum & BC could be a 1st-round matchup. I’m sure both sides would have a huge contingent. It should be fun. I’ll stick to my talent assessment, however, and go with the Eagles. If I’m wrong, I’ll admit it, but I say BC is the better team this year.
Yes, it is good to see ESPN carry some DIII scores. At least now we have the internet. Twenty years ago when I lived in Durham, I was lucky to get a one-line score and Guilford is only 80 miles west in Greensboro! To me, DIII still carries the original spirit of amateur athletics … DI lost that many years ago. Speaking of DI, I went to grad school at S. Carolina and attended their 35-28 homecoming victory over Vandy with 84,000 others. Funny thing was, however, I was on the cell all day checking the W&L/Guilford game. Shows you where my heart is and will always be! lol Go Quakers!
October 24th, 2005 at 2:16 pm
SeanGOP thinks Whitewater is better than Linfield because they play in the WIAC, no other reason. It’s the same reason that he thinks Augustana is so much better than Monmouth. Scots, by the way, is spelled with one “t” not two. He recently stated that Monmouth was the worst undefeated team in the nation because they play in the MWC. Get real guy! If they were winning every game by a field goal, sure, with the MWC schedule, that would be understandable. But this team hasn’t even been challenged outside of the first half against St. Norbert. They’ve outscored their last 4 opponents 189-27! It’s the age old adage “if you’re a good team playing bad teams, beat them badly”. As I recall, the last time Augie met a MWC team in the playoffs they beat MWC champ St. Norbert 39-32 when Norbert fumbled on their own 25 with 2 minutes left (Augie won the darling CCIW). To say that Monmouth can’t play with CCIW teams is completely ascenine. They wouldn’t neccessarily win the conference, but they would be near the top. This team is deserving of a Top 25 ranking no doubt.
I realize how well UWW is playing, but until someone beats Linfield they should be #1.
I’m also skeptical of the CCIW and WIAC being the toughest conferences. They may be the deepest, yes, but any conference with Linfield, Mt. Union, or St. John’s in it would be the most difficult to win.
October 24th, 2005 at 2:45 pm
Right on GoScotties!!!
MC can definitely play with the “Big Boys.”
October 24th, 2005 at 3:59 pm
old fighting scot:
No doubt. Aside from the game in DePere, the closest anyone has come to Monmouth after 3 quarters is 27-0!
Here are the scores of their games at the end of 3, when the starters came out:
Concordia(Wis.) 40-6
Ripon 48-12
Beloit 56-14
Lake Forest 27-0
Grinnell 62-7
Lawrence 38-7
Illinois College 35-0.
That’s 306-46 for the starting units, and they outscored St. Norbert 21-0 in the second half on the road.
This conference is bad, but Monmouth has more than proven they don’t fall into that same category.
Check the stats:
Tanney (QB) Nations top rated passer, 74.4 comp%, 1,885 yds, 26 TD-3 INT
Dante Daniels (RB) 100+ yds/gm, 5.5 avg, 12 TD
Evan Haffner (WR) 52 catches, 683 yds, 11 TD, 13.4 yds on punts with 2TD’s
Justin Zigler (LB) 91 Tackles, 20 for loss, 3.5 sacks, 2 INT, 1 FF
Anthony Goranson (DL) 45 tackles, 15 for loss, 7 sacks.
Tyler Dihle (DL) 28 tackles, 5 for loss, 3.5 sacks (he’s 6′6 300 lbs)
These guys are the real deal. Coach Bell has guided this team to 15 straight wins and they have won 30 of their last 33. Now that they have finally gotten over the St. Norbert mental block we will get to see how good they really are. I’m looking forward to November. I think the disappointing thing is that every time Norbert was 8-0 they were ranked in this poll. I guess all that stuff will work itself out in the playoffs.
October 24th, 2005 at 4:04 pm
FC and BC would be a good game, experience landing on the BC side of course. Ferrum has proved this year to be a contender. I assume ‘hasanova’ is right and that Ferrum fans should stop talking about the opening onslaught. Ferrum was ranked at a high 5th place in their conference and not really given a chance by anyone to have a winning record this year. After talking to a few HSC players over the weekend, the only reason Guilford has been able to keep games close is because many teams take Guilford lightly. I guess W&L found out the hard way.
October 24th, 2005 at 4:36 pm
No disrepect the the always deep, but guaranteed to lose in the second round of the playoffs WIAC, but Whitewater shouldn’t be ranked #2. They will not be one of the two teams in Salem even should the committee ship them to a non-Linfield region. It isn’t a perfect criteria, but shouldn’t the rankings be a reflection of how a tournament in any given week would unfold? This weeks tournament would not pit the Warhawks in the final.
After seeing them down here three weeks ago, I’m convinced that a playoff season without Huntingdon isn’t whole. This team is good. Everybody thinks they’ll get a shot next year when they return everybody. I say why not this year.
While statistically inferior to teams of the last few years, I think people need to take Trinity as a serious threat out of the South. The team has moxy and more character than others I’ve seen here and this defense isn’t going to run and hide in the playoffs.
October 24th, 2005 at 4:51 pm
“After talking to a few HSC players over the weekend, the only reason Guilford has been able to keep games close is because many teams take Guilford lightly. I guess W&L found out the hard way.”
The “only” reason Guilford has been able to keep games close is because many teams take Guilford lightly? Well, that may have been true early in the season, but now? Maybe, just maybe, it’s also because they have some talented players who are beginning to click with a new players and a revamped coaching staff (only one assistant coach is there from former Coach Ketchum’s staff).
If you will look up Josh Vogelbach, you will find he was a much heralded QB in Florida, but only got a few DI offers due to his size (6′0″/200 lbs). He redshirted at ECU last year, but decided he’d rather play than sit. BTW, his father played at West Virginia.
Chris Barnette is the younger brother of former NC State QB Jamie Barnette. Good bloodlines, perhaps? Maybe he picked up a few pointers and caught a few passes in the backyard from his older brother?
Micah Rushing was a starter in the same HS backfield with former NC State RB T. A. McClendon at Albemarle HS. They were perennial NCHSAA state champs.
Joe Joyner was GC’s leading receiver last year and a HS “Athlete of the Year” at Greene Central HS in NC.
Guilford kicker Travis Frazier made 98% of his PAT’s last year and 8 of 9 FGs. He’s had a 41-yarder this year and had a 61-yarder in HS. He has the nickname “Thunderfoot” for a reason.
Safety Taylor Baker was a HS basketball and football star and was a starter along with my nephew on a NCHSAA state championship basketball team in 2004.
Should I go on? Maybe HSC took them for granted. Did BC after the Quakers put up 36 vs Greensboro and 45 vs the Tigers? Did W&L after we put up 46 vs the Eagles? Amazing! Guilford scores 208 points in 7 games and everyone thinks it’s just dumb luck? I don’t think so - the opposing Coaches aren’t that naive.
Look, Guilford has a ways to go as a football team and their defense needs to mature and recruit a few more athletes, but they can score. And their defense has two TD’s in the last two weeks. Ferrum should be very happy you got us the first game of the season with a new QB and a new Coaching staff.
Congratualtions to Ferrum on your unexpectedly great season. I’m happy for you and the Panther fans. Let’s just qFrom here on, however, please restrict what you say to what you actually know, which, by the way, should be very little.
October 24th, 2005 at 4:53 pm
I seem to remember moxie (note spelling) and character being in the box score, so that’s huge!
October 24th, 2005 at 4:55 pm
Sorry - I was editing that last paragraph. It was not supposed to go as is. I hit the send key accidentally. I apologize to rbrockwell, but the first thing I typed is stronger than what I really meant to send. Good luck to the Panthers.
October 24th, 2005 at 4:58 pm
Pat/pcole:
How many people in these rooms know what Moxie is? And that it’s still in production? And how many people herein have ever tasted it (FWIW I haven’t).
October 24th, 2005 at 5:26 pm
GoScotties,
I am thrilled for Monmouth and the stellar year they are having. About time that someone knocked St. Norbert’s out of the top. After UWW beat up on them 41-9 last year (and again this year 45-7, ) the only comment in the newspaper last year from the coach was that the game didn’t matter because they win their conference every year and go to the national playoffs. Anyone with a basic knowledge of D-3 knows that there are many conferences that are much stronger and tougher than others. A big fish in a little pond is still a big fish in a LITTLE pond! That is why the national play-offs level the playing field. I would also caution you about differentiating between final scores and scores before the starters come out. Everyone can play that game. I would guess that approximately 40 to 50% of the points scored against Whitewater came in the 4th quarter after the starting defense came out at the end of the 3rd quarter. UWW’s starting offense and defense have only played full games 2 out their 5 games.
And regarding the point, ” I am skeptical of the CCIW and the WIAC being the toughest conference. They may be the deepest, yes, but any conference with Linfield, Mt. Union or St. John’s in it would be the most diffictult to win.” In 2004, D-3.com ranked the WIAC the toughest conference in the country and their definition of “toughest” was a conference where the bottom was as good as most of the middle of other conferences. It becomes very hard to win by virtue of the number of quality teams that one must beat to win a championship. I do agree with you, however, Linfield should be number one until someone beats them. As noted in this blog awhile ago. playing with a D-1 QB who, given his Utah history, should and probable will play in the NFL some day sure helps you win games.
October 24th, 2005 at 5:32 pm
MOXIE - Just thought I’d “pop” in and add that Moxie is a soft drink that’s still sold in New England - primarily Maine, although you can order it over the net. The etymology of the noun “moxie” is actually traced to the soda brand, which means 1) energy, pep 2)courage, determination 3) know-how, expertise.
October 24th, 2005 at 5:41 pm
I just discovered a statistics error on my part. UWW starters have only played full games in 2 out of their 7 games. Sorry
October 24th, 2005 at 7:50 pm
WIAC Watcher,
Linfield Elliott is damn good….he’s great. I hope you just don’t discount the other cogs in the Linfield engine. You can always ask LAX and the Pointers about them.
October 24th, 2005 at 7:54 pm
hasanova- I tend to agree with you. Anyone overlooking the Quakers at this point of the season deserves to get beat. Frankly, I doubt very seriously that W&L was over looking them. 1) It is tough to play on the road. 2) Just maybe the Quakers are a pretty good and improving football team. It is possible I suppose that W&L had a letdown after their big win over H-SC.
Speaking of H-SC: Being the son of a former H-SC coach and growing up on the campus there I am a loyal Tiger fan. However, I am concerned that the Tigers blew a 28 to 7 lead in the 4thQ with Catholic having a chance to tie or win the game on the last play. I hope H-SC isn’t overlooking a solid Dickinson team with Hopkins looming. As I mentioned earlier, it is tough to play on the road plus it is homecoming for the Red Devil’s. Go Tigers!
October 24th, 2005 at 8:37 pm
Cat11
I wouldn’t dare discount any player on Linfield! Football is a team sport and it takes everyone to accomplish what that team has. I am a fan of all great football and I am sorry if I implied that they are a “one-star” team! As far as LAX, that was past years and past teams so it doesn’t apply to this year. And as for Steven’s Point, it appears that UWW and Linfield played them about the same. The Pointers only scored 6 points on UWW’s starting defense and the last 6 were in the last quarter against their 2nd and 3rd string. Would be a great match-up, don’t you think?
October 24th, 2005 at 9:28 pm
Guilford fans,
If your administration didn’t run off the most respected man on campus last spring in Ketchum and only give him half of the resources made available to the new guy, then Guilford might have beaten Ferrum in game one. But don’t be mistaken–if Ferrum played Guilford today, the result would be exactly the same. Don’t you think that Ferrum is a little better now considering that they have a clue as to what you are doing offensively and defensively (remember Guilford knew what Ferrum was running, but the converse is not true—41-7 is pretty good for going in blind).
One win, and all of the sudden you guys could have beaten everyone on your schedule?
Ketchum was a good man who was limited with his three paid assistants (versus Kiesel’s seven). Give Ketchum those resources and my guess is that he would have beaten HSC, BC, and W&L this year (and more than likely hold them to well under 135 points collectively)—not just come close.
Ferrum is so lucky that they don’t have to play Guilford again this year. ???????????????? I’ll take the Quakers any day over the Bishops or Captains. The ODAC sure is scary–oooh.
Congratulations Quakers on your “unexpectedly” great two win season. Oh by the way, Ketchum seems to be doing quite well at WSSU. Just my two cents, but since we don’t know much in Ferrum I guess I should stop there.
October 24th, 2005 at 11:16 pm
Some of the Ferrum fans amuse me. A few of you are the masters at taking things out of context. I have repeatedly said congratulations to the Panthers for their fine season. I hope they continue to do well this year.
I never said a disparaging word about Mike Ketchum. I like him & he is a Guilford alumnus so I wish him well at WSSU. He had 7 losing seasons in a row, however, so something had to give. They always say the new coach gets what the old coach needed, so that’s probably true to some extent in this case. Kiesel does have more assistants, new lockers, new weight facilities & the school has announced plans to upgrade the stadium. Whether that’s right or wrong, I don’t know, but that’s life.
I also never said Guilford would beat Ferrum if we played again. I simply just said it wouldn’t be 41-7 the second time. Ferrum is a fine team & Guilford is rebuilding. Ferrum deserves to be a top 30 team this year. GC is trying to break a cycle of losing & crack the Top 100. What else do you want me to say?
In addition, I also never said one (actually two) win & we could beat everyone on our schedule. You said that. Were you actually reading my post or were you dreaming about annihilating Greensboro? I only said GC has improved as the season has progressed & I stand by that.
As far as Ferrum playing Guilford again this year, I don’t expect you to be scared. What are you, like 5th grade? I really, personally, don’t want Guilford to ever play Ferrum & it has nothing to do with being afraid we’ll lose to you. You & I both know they play partially because of geographic proximity & the minimal effect it has on travel budgets. The schools are philosophically different & I’m glad they are. Ferrum has its niche & Guilford has its.
The USAC is a stronger football conference than the ODAC right now. I’ve always admitted that. All the head-to-head matchups bear that out. You should be justifiably proud of that record. The ODAC has to improve in this area to garner national support for rankings & the postseason. It’s quite clear to everyone the ODAC top-to-bottom lags behind the USAC in football power.
You can make fun of GC’s two wins so far this season & that’s OK. When you’ve had 7 straight losing seasons & were 1-9 the previous year, 2-5 is already an improvement. Most objective observers would acknowledge that the Quakers have been more competitive (except for Ferrum) even in the games we’ve lost. We are not 7-0, so any gains are cause for hope & not ridicule.
As for you being quiet & stopping there, that would be great. Thank you. As for me, I have a lot better things to do than debate when others seem to capriciously change the facts to suit their particularly myopic point of view. I hope some day soon we’ll have the kind of season Ferrum is having in 2005. Enjoy it while you can. They don’t come along every day.
Finally, as I have said ad nauseum, good luck to the Panthers. You have a fine team and deserve to be excited this year.
October 24th, 2005 at 11:26 pm
allsky7 - I only saw HSC play once this year (against Guilford) and they have a fine team. I think their defense is a little shaky, but boy can they move the ball! I do think, unfortunately, that their focus has been geared so much this year towards beating Bridgewater that it affected their preparation for Guilford & W&L. I’m actually think they’ll end the season maybe 7-3 and, because the ODAC is not as strong as it should be with interconference play, out of the playoffs. I’ve been to HSC a couple of times & I love the campus. I could have seen myself attending school there and enjoying it. What a great place to spend your childhood. Sounds a lot more exciting than the dairy & tobacco farm I grew up on in Patrick County. lol Good luck to the Tigers versus Dickinson!
October 25th, 2005 at 1:23 am
Hasanova I agree, GC has had an improvement this year and Ferrum has had an amazing year so far. Lets just drop all of this non-sense and just talk about the upcoming games. No matter what has happened, it is going to be an exciting finish this year in D3 football this year.
October 25th, 2005 at 8:03 am
WOW, tough crowd that hangs around this web site! hasanova - H-SC does have one of the most beautiful campuses I have ever seen. You are right, the Tiger D had given up a bunch of points this year. I was able to see the Sewanee and Bridgewater game in person but with this wonderful technology we are now using have been able to listen to all their games. (except W&L) Speaking of defense. Am headed down with my father to the H-SC Hall of Fame game and induction Nov 5th. Most D3 followers are aware of the great success Lou Wacker had at Emory & Henry. What many may not know is that he was an assistant at H-SC for 20 years. From 1969-79 Tiger defenses allowed less than 10 points per game for the entire 10 year period. In 70 and 71 allowed only 73 points in 22 games including 11 shut outs. UNREAL! Congrats to Coach Wacker for being awarded a special citation by the H-S HOF. (he is not a H-S grad so is not elligible for full induction) The HOF game should be a good one too. H-SC’s O versus John’s Hopkins D. Looking forward to it.
October 25th, 2005 at 8:12 am
rbrockwell - agreed. Thank you. Good luck to the Panthers vs. Greensboro this weekend. Being 7-0 is a great thing and the students, alumni and fans should really get into the games.
October 25th, 2005 at 8:30 am
allsky7 - Yes, Coach Wacker is a legend in the ODAC. His success as the Head Coach at E&H was amazing. Thanks for the extra information about his connection to H-SC - I didn’t know that. A really nice gesture on the part of H-SC to include him - & deservedly so. I did know H-SC was great on defense in the 70’s, but I had no idea it was that good! Is your father being inducted in the H-SC HOF as well? If so, congratulations!
THe H-SC vs JHU game should indeed be great. The Blue Jays are still undefeated, so it would be a great thing for the Tigers if they could knock them off this weekend. Should be a big - and enthusiastic - crowd. Have a great trip with your Dad. As a farmer, my father never attended very many college sporting events, so one of my best memories is a “road trip” just the two of us took to a S. Carolina at Clemson game in the early 90’s. I am so glad we able to do that before he passed away. As for me, I’ll be over at GC when the Yellowjackets come to Greensboro. That game can help make or break the season for both teams - should be interesting.
October 25th, 2005 at 10:42 am
I have been researching the appeals process and hear is the quote right from the NCAA bylaws:
A member institution
shall be provided notice of alleged NCAA rules violations for which it is charged BEFORE any penalty is
imposed, as well as the opportunity to appear before the committee and the opportunity to appeal the committee’s
findings of major violations or penalties
So it looks like the Bears are still playoff eligible until further notice. Besides that I willing to listen to anyone who was a jsutification for imposing a playoff ban two years after the unfair advantage infractions occurred? I would say the same for anyone, How can you say an offseason workout, which I agree is wrong, provides you an unfair advantage with two offseasons inbetween?
October 25th, 2005 at 10:46 am
Gordon,
UW Whitewater is better because they have won all their games in the toughest conference in the nation. Don’t get me wrong Linfield is a great team. I would love to see those two teams go at it - that would be a great, great game.
GOSCOTTIES and Ye Olde Fighting Scot,
Your points on Monmouth’s greatness are good since you are a fan and should be proud. But if Monmouth was sooo good, then why are they not ranked by D3 Football.com?
I could score tons of points in that league! Could you imagine the numbers a WIAC or CCIW team would put up in the Midwest conference? It would be a laugher! The CCIW and the WIAC are the two toughest conferences in the nation (according to Massey Ratings). You should compare the schedule strength of those teams compared to Monmouth. Come on man, there is no way Monmouth could hang with that - their schedule is 109th toughest - out of 219 - and it will only get worse when they play the other cellar dwellers in the Midwest.
Please.
Augustana still gets to play highly ranked North Central. When was the last time Monmouth beat (or even played) a ranked team? Augustana has already beaten a ranked opponent and has more to play still!! Augustana plays ranked teams every year - just like the rest of the CCIW and the WIAC.
Play somebody and get recognized. You are only as good as your competition - and in Monmouth’s case - not very good.
October 25th, 2005 at 11:27 am
SeanGOp,
Monmouth is not ranked by D3 football.com because well, i dont know. MC is ranked very respectful in every other reputable D3 national poll.
It seems that most of the rankings on this site, and just about everywhere else in football rankings are INITIALLY given based on history alone. Look at OU and the whole big ten this year (division 1). None of those teams are ranked where they started. Generally votes for rankings are given based on what teams have done in past years, not what they are currently doing. MC has not been a good team in the past, but this year they are VERY GOOD.
SeanGOP you look down upon MC, and call the MWC weak, great, fantastic. You go to any D3 coach in the Midwest and ask them what they think of them boys from Monmouth. You go ask the Augies, the North Centrals, the Illinois Wesleyans about the recruits they have lost to MC in the last couple of years. You go ask those schools about the state of the art (23 mil) training facility that no other small school in the midwest can compare with. And then you ask them if they think this years MC team aint like no other they have ever seen…
And when you get that answer, you wait to see what we do in the first and second round, then you come back on here and apologize for your comments….
those who only talk about the past are doomed to stay there!!!
MC Football in 2005 whether you like it or not!!!
October 25th, 2005 at 11:48 am
The great thing is this will all be decided on the field and your posts will be here no matter the results. We’ll see in November.
Those who don’t play Top 50 teams are doomed to not be in the Top 25.
October 25th, 2005 at 12:30 pm
H-SC actually travels to Dickinson this weekend. I believe a dangerous game for the Tigers. The JH game is next week. No, my father is not on the induction list this time around. He does have credentials worthy of consideration and hopefully will get his opportunity down the road. He was an outstanding player for the Tigers in the 50’s and early 60’s and coached during the “glory years” 70’s. He coached on the offensive side of the ball and most notably, the 1977 D3 playoff team. Still one of the most incredible games I have ever witnessed on any level. The Tigers trailed 35 to 8 at half and were able to tie the game 38 all before losing 52 to 45. He was also the last coach to lead the Tiger tennis team to an ODAC championship. (Not 100% sure but I believe that to be correct) W&L has ruled that roost for years.
October 25th, 2005 at 12:53 pm
allsky7 - thanks for the clarification on HS-C/Dickinson this week & H-SC/Johns Hopkins next week. I remember you said that, but it’s not the way it ended on the typed page. lol Sounds as though you - and your father - have some good memories from the HS-C days. I believe Guilford was still playing NAIA ball in the old Carolinas Conference (Elon, Catawba, Lenoir-Rhyne, Mars Hill, Newberry, Presbyterian, Carson-Newman) in 1977, but I know we often played a lot of the schools now in the ODAC, including Hampden-Sydney.
You are right about the current ODAC tennis programs, they are dominated by W&L for men & women. Basketball was the sport at Guilford in my day. The Quakers won 101 games (I think) in my 4 years and were the NAIA national championship with future NBA players M.L Carr (Pistons, Celtics), Greg Jackson (Suns, Knicks), Lloyd “World B.” Free (Sixers, Cavs, Rockets) plus another talented assortment of 6′5″ to 6′10″ players. What fun! We rocked the house every night. I remember W&L coming down one Saturday night (out of conference game) and they didn’t know what hit them. lol
BTW, who did H-SC play in that 52-45 playoff game?
October 25th, 2005 at 1:35 pm
I highly doubt that the CCIW and the WIAC have lost alot of recuits to Monmouth and the MWC. I agree with pcole. If you want to be the best, you need to play the best. Respect comes with building a tested, winning tradition. It can’t be demanded on a web site. If Monmouth is as good as you say it is, they will prove it on the field where it is the only place that counts! Good luck to the Scots on the rest of their season.
October 25th, 2005 at 1:56 pm
WIAC Watcher is a smart insightful individual who knows what the heck he’s talking about.
Monmouth may have a new training facility, they needed one - it still is behind other schools as far as facilities go, except maybe in the Midwest conference. I also agree with wiac watcher, I can’t see WIAC or CCIW missing out on good recruits to Monmouth.
I don’t dislike Monmouth or its football team. I do dislike the comparison between Monmouth and WIAC or CCIW teams. I honestly feel they are in different worlds. And I honestly think that Monmouth has a very, very weak schedule. They have a schedule that many teams would go undefeated with - unlike a CCIW or WIAC schedule.
I now hope Monmouth wins the conference and goes to the playoffs, then we will all know and understand.
I admire the loyalty the Monmouth fans. It is a good school (unfortunately in a very boring town) with an undefeated football team.
Talk to your athletic director, or whoever schedules your games, and have that person schedule a tough non-conference game. That way, if you win, then you may get the respect you want (and possibly deserve). But, until you start beating quality teams, you will get a bad seed in the playoffs (if you go), and you will not get the polling respect.
October 25th, 2005 at 3:50 pm
Congrats to UW-Whitewater. NCAA stats have just been updated and they are #1 in Total Offense again this week after their record setting 706 yards of offense against UW-Platteville broke UWW’s previous mark of 702 yards. Unfortunately for the defense, while occupying spots in some defensive categories, they are off the list of Total Defense. Don’t be decieved. Their defense is equally as competent. When you have an offense that is that prolific, your starting defence very rarely plays a full game and unlike the offense, after they leave the field, their numbers that measure their success are more likely to be negatively affected as the game is finished by the back-ups. Many times the back-ups are still playing against the opponents first string. The offensive numbers remain the same. They scored the points, gained the yards and completed the passes. Don’t get me wrong. I love it when clean shirts go into the game. That is how it should be and a necessary part of developing future players but the fact remains that it can adversely affect the stats by which a defense is measured. “Offense wins games but Defense wins Championships!”
October 25th, 2005 at 9:44 pm
At the risk of inciting the Midwest fans, please explain to me how UW-LaCrosse, a team that is 3-3, and tied for the 4th best team (by record) in its conference, is ranked 24th in the country in latest poll on this site while a bunch of undefeated teams, some undefeated for several seasons, are unable to break the top 25? Sure sounds like an anti-eastern bias to me. I don’t get it, because when I look at the WIAC schedules, all they do is play each other, and come tournament time, all of them are gone by the second round in recent years. So what makes people think this conference is so dominant that it deserves 2 teams in the top 25 and 2 more in the “knocking on the door” category? I’d suggest it’s time to recognize teams for what they’re doing in their conference and not anticipate what they might do in the tournament.
October 25th, 2005 at 10:49 pm
Oh how I love to argue.
First of all SeanGOP:
You were the one that started talking trash about Monmouth being the worst undefeated team in the nation. Even still, if you ranked the remaining undefeated teams as the top teams in the country, and Monmouth was last, you would still find them in the top 25 because there aren’t that many undefeateds left.
You also said that you lived in Monmouth and new many of the players on the football team. I’m not sure what year that was, but coaches change, players change, and then the program changes. Keep in mind, these guys are only in school for 4 years, it doesn’t take that long to turn a program around when a new coach arrives. The Scots actually had a 26 game regular season winning streak back in the late 80’s and early 90’s(when Coe and Cornell were still in the conference) but never made the playoffs because of the way the tournament was stuctured. After a stretch of 8-39 in the last five years of Coach Kane’s 18 year tenure, he was finally forced out. Enter Steve Bell, 41-17 in 6 years since taking over, 25-3 over the last 3+ seasons, and 15 straight wins. If you can’t see it coming, you simply haven’t been paying attention. Apparently, the folks in DePere, Wis. missed that memo too, so don’t feel bad.
Furthermore, I have to agree with Andy. What did the WIAC do to deserve so much respect? 3-7 in the playoffs since ‘99, while the MWC is 1-6. So lets see, if St. Norbert hadn’t pissed in their wheaties up 23-10 with 8 minutes to go against LaX in last year’s playoffs, the MWC would be 2-6, and the WIAC 2-7! Whitewater is unbelievable, no doubt about it. But the rest of the conference is not nearly as good as advertised. This conference probably won’t even get two teams this year. Sure, Whitewater blasted St. Norbert, but they’ve killed everyone else as well. Maybe they are just that good. The fact is, this respect crap doesn’t make any sense. The CCIW teams have beaten which ranked opponents this year? Oh yeah, other CCIW teams. You know the difference between the CCIW’s 8-7 playoff record and the MWC? The CCIW has found a way to squeak by against lower seeds, while the MWC has found a way to give away close games against higher seeds. If Monmouth wins a playoff game this year, how much respect will the MWC gain? Very litte…St. Norbert did it two years ago. The CCIW has taken just as many playoff poundings by the Top 10 as everyone else, ask Wheaton.
The point is I’M RIGHT AND YOU’RE WRONG!
Just kidding…the point is that SeanGOP obviously loves Augie, wiac watcher loves his guys, I wanna see the Scots do something great (and be recognized), and none of us will determine who’s better on this website. I think this thing is the devil. I have just realized how mad I’ve gotten about this crap. Anyway, I’m done. Go Scotties!
October 25th, 2005 at 11:14 pm
“I don’t get it, because when I look at the WIAC schedules, all they do is play each other……”
Andy, if you look closely at the WIAC schedule this year, you will see that the 8 teams played 22 nonconference games against teams that came from atleast 9 different conferences. They won 14 and lost 8. Those 8 losses were to the defending national champs, (Linfield,) a Division 1A team,(Drake,) Two Division 2 team, (SDSU and Bemidji State) and other top teams such as St. Johns which Eau Claire lost to by only 7 points and Hardin-Simmons. And by the way, LaCrosse beat Howard Payne 34 to 6 on Sept. 10th. The respect the WIAC has earned from the polls is based on years of results of head to head competition against some of the most well respected conferences and teams in the country.
October 26th, 2005 at 12:03 am
Not to be nit picky, but SDSU is currently a D1-AA, second full season I believe.
October 26th, 2005 at 8:22 am
I apologize to SDSU and the Jackrabbits!! I am embarassed to have gotten that wrong.
October 26th, 2005 at 8:39 am
I am wrong about Drake also. They are D1-AA as well.
October 26th, 2005 at 12:58 pm
GoScotties
The more I read you - the more I think I lilke you - even though I don’t agree with you on most things. You are right, the reason I like to torture Monmouth fans is that I had a personal dislike for many of they players (years ago). To be quite honest, after thinking about it, it is foolish for me to want them to lose since I was born in Monmouth and the town does better when the college does well.
I still think that they would have a .500 record or worse if they played in the WIAC or the CCIW.
Call your person who schedules your games and have them schedule a tough team for non-conference games - for once.
October 26th, 2005 at 3:20 pm
Agreed. A tough non-conference game would do wonders. But, I still think MC should just concentrate on winning the conference first. Look at what happened to St. Norbert. They got railed by Whitewater, and will likely miss the playoffs. 2 losses to teams that are a combined 15-0 and they don’t stand a chance at getting an at-large. Once Monmouth re-establishes themselves as the team to beat in the MWC, they should look elsewhere for non-conference games. Augie would be good, Wartburg, IWU, or even Wheaton wouldn’t be that far to travel. It all just depends on which teams aren’t already locked into contracts. Right now MC plays CUW, which is in a weak IBC conference, but they are a step up from a Macalester team that other MWC schools have been wearing out, and they were a playoff team in ‘03. Nonetheless, they could find better. The other issue is that the MWC has 10 teams, which means 9 conference games (6 of which are against Jerry’s Kids), and only one non-conf. game. I believe MC could be a 7-3, maybe even 8-2 team in the CCIW. Augie and North Central would be tough, Carthage’s defense could cause problems, but everyone else would be a lot like St. Norbert or Ripon. Wheaton is certainly vulnerable, Elmhurst and Millikin would only beat MC on an off day, and IWU and North Park have just been garbage. At any rate, it would obviously be more difficult to make the playoffs in either of those two conferences, because you really wouldn’t get a “break” from playing teams that would at the very least compete.
October 26th, 2005 at 9:41 pm
Here’s a prediction for Saturday. 7-0 Ferrum College 34, 1-6 Greensboro College 28. Still….8-0 for the Panthers, right?
Christopher Newport will want to have their chinstraps buckled (both of them) versus North Carolina Wesleyan, as well!
October 27th, 2005 at 1:32 am
Blackhatonthehill,
A win is a win, but I think Ferrum wins by roughly 3 TD’s. Ferrum College 49- Greensboro 28. Hopefully the Defense will step up, the offense should be hungry after this past off-week. Although I would take a win either way.
October 27th, 2005 at 10:55 am
i know Ferrum’s D has been a little suspect the past couple weeks, but look for them to come out with that same intensity they did in week 1. they have alot to prove, but Ferrum’s offense has done what an offense’s number 1 job is, and that is to score more points than the opposition. they’ve done that. the D is going step up big this week for the Panthers, no doubt about it. Ferrum 55 Greensboro 10.
October 27th, 2005 at 11:20 am
Go Scotties,
Good luck this Saturday. If Monmouth wins, then they are most likely playoff bound. If enough poeple call the athletic department, then I am sure Monmouth will schedule a tough pre-conference test.
Prediction: A WIAC team wins it all this year. (I wish it was a CCIW team - namely Augustana).
October 27th, 2005 at 1:43 pm
I’ve seen Ferrum and Greensboro as well as some of their common opponents. I think FC will win at home by about 2 TDs in a relatively high scoring affair. Greensboro has some “big play” potential but they make too many mistakes and their kicking game has hurt them lately. Let’s say 45-31 FC … I hope the Ferrum folks turn out for this game - they should - how often do you have a chance to go this deep in the season undefeated? I hope both teams put on a good show with no injuries.
October 27th, 2005 at 3:24 pm
I love the prediction, SeanGOP! I think you are also, “a smart and insightful individual who know what the heck he is talking about!” lol
October 27th, 2005 at 6:05 pm
If MC wins Saturday, they ARE in the playoffs.
I wouldn’t doubt that a WIAC team wins it all this year, but the WIAC team is Whitewater. LaX might still get in with 3 losses, especially considering the playoffs expanded this year, but this conference will only get 2 teams in at the most.
October 27th, 2005 at 8:46 pm
I just noticed that MC is ranked 7th in the West. Which means if the playoffs started today they would play #2…………Whitewater! That’s just wonderful. Well, maybe St. Olaf and Coe will get knocked off and the Scots will have a shot at a home game. The Oles have to play St. John’s, so there’s a good chance we can get at least a 6 seed. Of course, that means we play St. John’s in the opener. No rest for the weary. Augie is 5th in the North, but also has loseable games with Wheaton and North Central. Where is the rest of the WIAC? Right now, the CCIW would get 3 teams based on the rankings. How in the heck is Ferrum ranked ahead of Mary Hardin Baylor and Hardin Simmons in the South? I think they are probably a lot like Monmouth talent wise, and the Scots are not better than the defending National Championship runners-up, that’s for sure.
October 27th, 2005 at 10:44 pm
“How in the heck is Ferrum ranked ahead of Mary Hardin Baylor and Hardin Simmons in the South?” That’s simple…..it’s called being 7-0.
October 28th, 2005 at 9:38 am
Tell that to Johns Hopkins and Thiel, which are both undefeated, and have higher QOW components. Hardin-Simmons only loss is to National Runners Up UMHB. When did Ferrum ever play and beat someone like that. Ferrum should be 6th in this region. Look at the national rankings in nearly every D3 poll, and you will find Ferrum squarely behind UMHB and HS. That undefeated stuff doesn’t mean anything. Monmouth is 7-0, has a higher QOW component than Ferrum, and they are 7th in the West (by far the toughest region) behind one loss teams. There must be a Ferrum grad on the South committee.
October 28th, 2005 at 10:12 am
Allsky7 - You have to be Bobby Saylor’s son. I agree that your dad belongs in the HSC HOF. I was a member of the 1970 team that gave up 28 points in 10 games. I was on the scout team and your dad was the offensive scout team coach and his work during the week made it easier for everyone on Saturday. He was a big part of the zeroes that went up on the other side of the board each week.
Give him my best.
Joe Crockett
October 28th, 2005 at 2:29 pm
GoScotties, QOW is a nice measure, but as discussed earlier in these posts, QOW cannot be relied on. If we based all of our judgments solely on this, then Ferrum would be ranked over Linfield. Some people out here think Ferrum deserves their placement. I personally think Ferrum can play with and beat the top teams in their region.
October 28th, 2005 at 3:03 pm
Sorry, I just thought it was odd that an unranked team would be placed so high in the regional rankings ahead of top 10 teams. Also, I’ve been trying to compare the Panthers to the Scots (Monmouth College). MC is ranked ahead of Ferrum in every poll, they have a higher QOW’s component, their margin of victory is 28 ppg, and they just beat a 3-3 team 45-0 last week. So why all of the sudden did Ferrum get so much national respect and Monmouth gets stuck playing a Whitewater team that would be #1 in any other region? It’s just a little annoying, that’s all. This MC team was expected to be 1 or 2 in their conference after a 9-1 campaign in ‘04, Ferrum apparently had some work to do. They won’t surprise everyone! I don’t want to disrespect a team that I have never seen play, but if you read enough of these blog’s you get the idea that Ferrum scores alot, but they are just getting by with a mediocre defense. It also sounds like a lot of the teams in the conference are down this year. Just the impression I’ve got. Maybe I’m wrong. Anyway, good luck the rest of the season to both the Panthers and Scots. Hopefully, one (or both) of us can make some noise in late November.