PAC, MAC to face off in 2010, 2011 The Presidents' Athletic Conference and Middle Atlantic Conference have announced the creation of the "PAC-MAC Football Challenge Series," which will take place during the 2010 and 2011 football seasons. All MAC football-playing schools and eight of the nine football-playing PAC institutions (Thomas More is not participating) will face off during the second week of each football season (Sept. 11, 2010 and Sept. 10, 2011). The pairings will be determined by the previous year's conference standings (e.g. PAC No. 1 vs. MAC No. 1, PAC No. 8 vs. MAC No. 8). MAC schools will host all eight games in 2010, followed by the PAC schools hosting the contests in 2011. "The Presidents' Athletic Conference is very pleased to join the MAC in this exciting new venture," said Joe Onderko, Executive Director of the PAC. "This series should provide a great deal of excitement for football fans and alumni of schools in both conferences throughout the Mid-Atlantic region." "Besides the excitement this "East-West" series will generate, our coaches and players welcome the opportunity to travel outside the region and face teams they would not normally encounter," notes Ken Andrews, MAAC Executive Director. "We hope this concept proves to be a long-term relationship." Participating PAC institutions are Bethany, Geneva, Grove City, St. Vincent, Thiel, Washington & Jefferson, Waynesburg and Westminster (Pa.). MAC schools competing in the series are Albright, Delaware Valley, FDU-Florham, King's, Lebanon Valley, Lycoming, Widener and Wilkes. | |
| Permalink | Aug 6, 2008 | |
PAC projects W&J on top
Washington and Jefferson was picked to capture the 2008 football championship in the Presidents' Athletic Conference, according to the preseason poll released at the 2008 PAC Football Media Day at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, Pa., today. Voters in the polls included conference head coaches, sports information directors and members of the media present at the conference media day. The defending PAC champion Presidents of sixth-year head coach Mike Sirianni return 16 starters and 58 lettermen from last year's team which finished 10-1 overall, including a perfect 6-0 mark against conference competition. W&J received 23 of 28 first-place votes and 192 points in the conference poll to edge second place Waynesburg (165), followed by Westminster (100), Grove City (97), Thomas More (87), Bethany (78), and Thiel (65). 1. Washington & Jefferson (23) 192 10-1 (6-0) 2. Waynesburg (4) 165 8-3 (5-1) 3. Westminster (Pa.) 100 5-5 (2-4) 4. Grove City 97 4-6 (3-3) 5. Thomas More 87 4-6 (2-4) 6. Bethany 78 4-6 (2-4) 7. Thiel (1) 65 3-7 (1-5) (xx) - first place votes 2008 PAC 2007 Prediction Record Geneva 5-3 Saint Vincent 1-7 "It is nice to be the favorite, but as past preseason polls have shown, it doesn't necessarily mean we'll get the trophy at the end of the year," said Sirianni. "Three different teams have won the PAC over the past five years and that shows how much the conference has improved. Our seniors are hoping to win their third in a row." NCAA Division III provisional members Geneva and St.Vincent were predicted to post 5-3 and 1-7 records, respectively, in 2008 against PAC teams, according to poll voters. Geneva and St. Vincent are not eligible for the PAC football title until the schools are granted active membership in Division III by the NCAA at the conclusion of their provisional membership period, tentatively scheduled for 2010 for St. Vincent and 2011 for Geneva. | |
| Permalink | Aug 6, 2008 | |
Franklin picked to win HCAC Franklin rose to the top of the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference football standings for the first time last fall, posting a 7-0 conference mark. The Grizzlies have been selected as the favorite to win a second straight league crown in 2008, according to a poll of the HCAC's eight head coaches. Franklin, 9-2 overall in 2007, held off Mount St. Joseph in the preseason poll, receiving 61 points and six first-place votes. Mount St. Joseph placed second in the voting with 58 points and the other two first place votes, while Rose-Hulman finished third with 46 points. Defiance (35), Anderson (31), Manchester (27), Hanover (18) and Bluffton (12) round out the poll. The Grizzlies will be looking for their second straight conference crown under the direction of 2007 HCAC Coach of the Year Mike Leonard. Prior to Leonard's arrival in 2003, FC failed to have a winning record in conference play since the 1998 season. Franklin returns the 2007 HCAC Offensive Player of the Year in quarterback Chad Rupp. Rupp dominated the conference in all passing categories last fall, racking up 3,250 yards and 35 touchdowns in 11 games through the air. The senior completed 70.2% of his passes and led the nation with a 194.9 passing efficiency. In seven conference contests, Rupp averaged 307.6 yards passing per game and tossed 22 touchdowns, while completing 70.9% of his passes. The Grizzlies' offensive attack dominated HCAC defenses last season and will look to improve on those numbers in 2008. FC averaged a league-best 45.1 points per game and totaled 504.5 yards of offense per contest to lead the league. The blue and gold return two integral parts of their defense in 2008. The Grizzlies' defense ranked third in the HCAC in scoring defense last fall, allowing 22.5 points per game. Franklin 's unit will look to improve on a sixth place finish in total defense last season, which surrendered 372.0 yards per ballgame. Senior defensive end Dan McManus and senior defensive back Roshawn Hill return in an effort to lead the Franklin unit. McManus led the Grizzlies with 13.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks last fall to earn a spot on the All-HCAC First Team. Hill finished 2007 leading the HCAC with six interceptions and added 41 tackles and a fumble recovery in the defensive backfield. Franklin fell in the first round of the NCAA Division III playoffs 44-42 at home to North Central and will look to return to the tournament once again this fall. The Grizzlies begin the season ranked No. 21 in the preseason D3football.com rankings and open the season at home against Baldwin-Wallace. | |
| Permalink | Aug 6, 2008 | |
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