Obvious predictions come true
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That being said, my predictions have been spot on through one week of the Division III season.
Hardin Simmons opened the season with a 49-17 spanking that showcased the veteran talent of quarterback Jordan Neal and the reemergence of defensive end Reggie Robinson — just like I said. Texas Lutheran hammered Austin 45-0 behind wide receiver Jason Trahan and kicker Holt Storrie — just like I said. The “Backyard Brawl” featured a lot of offense — just like I said — and Trinity’s defense was Ziploc-tight in a 41-0 blanking of East Texas Baptist — like I said it would be.
But who am I kidding? What competent D-III football fan didn’t think those things would happen. I also missed a few things too.
I was genuinely surprised to see East Texas Baptist give up 41 points but even more stunned that they were shutout. RoShawn Johnson, ETBU’s all-time leading rusher had only 68 yards on 16 carries. You can’t put all of that on Johnson. Sophomore Antroin Broom got the start for the Tigers and completed just 3-of-10 passes. Needless to say, Trinity probably made it a point to bring hat to Johnson every time he touched the ball.
It doesn’t get any easier for ETBU in Week 2, though. They play D-II Ouachita Baptist (alma mater of the legendary Tim Scoggins) this week in Marshall. But I think coach Ralph Harris is too good to let his team get smoked twice in two weeks. And remember, I am a prediction machine.
The Backyard Brawl between Mississippi College and Millsaps featured 71 more points than their last meeting - a 9-0 Millsaps win in 2004. I predicted that the game would be more explosive than that snoozer but one thing I didn’t predict, nor would I ever want to was the season-ending injury to MC quarterback Adam Shaffer.
Shaffer was on fire in the first half against the Majors. The sophomore had 311 yards and five touchdowns before the first half was over. He sustained a knee injury while throwing the fifth touchdown pass, which was also his 17th completion in 22 passes. The worst part is that the injury is devastating on many fronts. His season is definitely done and his career might not be the same. Never mind what it does to a promising Choctaw season. Shaffer was scheduled for reconstructive surgery on Thursday and he’ll have the support of D-III Nation during his rehabilitation. Hopefully he gets a medical redshirt and continues to torment ASC defenses for three more seasons.
The usual — and unusual — suspects
Neal, Shaffer, Storrie, Trahan and Trinity’s “Black Flag” defense were their usual dominant selves but there were quite a few coming-out parties last weekend.
Sewanee’s Blake Mears had 258 yards of total offense in their 42-35 win against Hampden-Sydney. The junior running back racked up 149 yards and three scores rushing and also had three catches for 109 yards and a score. He is the only Sewanee player this century to pull the 100/100 feat in a game. In fact, he’s done it twice. Mears was undoubtedly the biggest star in Sewanee’s first win over Hampden -Sydney in four years.
Without sounding like Stuart Scott, you have to give “big ups” to Centre’s Zack Sloan. The freshman return man took a punt back 73 yards for a score in Centre’s 21-6 win against Bluffton.
Howard Payne’s entire defense was stout in a 7-0 win over Southern Nazarene. The Yellow Jackets held the Crimson Storm to 152 yards of total offense and provided the only score of the game when Daryl Jones picked off a pass and returned 12-yards for a touchdown.
I’d probably be remiss if I didn’t mention to of the South’s brightest stars — Hardin-Simmons’ Will Galusha and Sewanee’s Blake Satterfield.
Galusha, who has been an All-American, at just about every position including wing back, center, left field, umpire and point guard, made his debut as an offensive player and fared pretty well. If you consider five catches, 135 yards and a touchdown a decent debut. He also returned some kicks, some punts, led a few cheers and sold hot dogs for an all-purpose total of 178 yards.
Satterfield, last year’s SCAC co-Player of the Year, was almost as good as his teammate Mears. He had 104 yards on the ground and two scores to go with 156 yards passing on nine completions. Yep, I predict he’s winning some more awards this year.
Game of the Week. Game of the Weak?
We can all stop hyping the UMHB-Christopher Newport game. I know that CNU is a talented program but, judging from last week, it doesn’t appear that this is going to be a big year for them. I think UMHB will handle them pretty well just because the Cru has had nine months to think about their playoff loss to Wesley. Some things have changed for UMHB defensively and I’m afraid that they’re gonna take out their frustration on CNU.
Quiet Couch Cru
I haven’t gotten any backlash for ripping the UMHB Couch Cru last week but I did get some feedback from some of the old crew at UMHB. They were excited I stuck up for the has-beens and never-will-bes that got it started back in the day. Couch Cru Founder Jerrod particularly enjoyed the shoutout. Speaking of Jerrod, he is planning on trying out for the Dallas Desperados Arena League team in early October.
Don’t bother combing the ASC record books for his stats — the man we call J-Witt never played a down of 11-man for the Cru. But he was one of the great intramural performers of this generation. And he doesn’t look like he’s lost a step in spite of a diet that has consisted of 12-14 Dr. Peppers a day and at least one “Nacho Explosion” per night.
My predictions: UMHB drops Christopher Newport and Jerrod literally sweats Dr. Pepper and nacho cheese into his Desperados practice helmet.
See ya next week.