Confident Cardinals return to Alliance By Keith McMillan D3football.com Since last season’s 26-14 semifinal win over St. John Fisher, Mount Union has won the Stagg Bowl and reeled off 12 wins this season, with a staggering 49.5-point average margin of victory. The Purple Raiders have put up seven shutouts while outscoring opponents 643-49, and their 42-18 first-round win against Ithaca is the only game decided by fewer than 35 points all season. The Cardinals, meanwhile, lost a game Sept. 29 at Hartwick. Three of the best players on the field in the last Mount Union meeting won’t play: Linebacker Gene Lang and running back Mark Robinson graduated, with Robinson calling the game Saturday with Frank Rossi for D3football.com, and all-American cornerback Steve Stepnick has been ruled out. With all that working against them, the Cardinals still boarded their bus for Ohio Friday a confident team. Having made the trip last season has been a factor. “Playing Mount last year has helped a lot,” coach Paul Vosburgh said on a media conference call this week. “Our kids know what it is like to play the best in the country. They got a taste of what it takes to move up to the next level as a team. You can read about Mount Union and watch the Stagg Bowl, but until you step onto the field and play that level of competition, you truly don’t know what it’s all about, and doing that really helped our kids.” “St. John Fisher was in the playoffs a year ago and played us here and gave us an excellent game. They have some of the same personnel back and I’m sure will draw from that experience as any team would.” Vosburgh acknowledges getting over the psychological hurdle of going against Division III’s Goliath is part of the battle. “When you have never played a team like Mount Union, there is a mystique and until you go in and play them, you just don’t know.” Kehres doesn’t see it as a one-way challenge. From playing last year, he knows St. John Fisher presents a handful of difficulties for his team, to an extent mirroring what the Purple Raiders do well. “They made a great impression last year with an outstanding fundamental approach to the game: Good blocking, a balanced scheme on offense, blitzing with the ability to play a solid Cover 2 zone. All teams want to have that tag of being solid in all phases, but St. John Fisher truly does it.” Though the Purple Raiders and Cardinals are both versatile and talented offensively, the teams really mirror each other on defense. Mount Union leads the nation in scoring defense, surrendering 4.1 points per game, and St. John Fisher is fifth, allowing 11.8. The Cardinals are eighth nationally in turnover margin, having forced 35, with 25 interceptions. They are plus-1.7 per game. “They do force a lot of turnovers,” Kehres said. “St. John Fisher puts constant pressure on the quarterback which forces bad throws. They tip balls and cause break-ups. They have good cover guys behind the rush as well.” That’s why not having Stepnick, who learned after Thursday’s practice that his high ankle sprain would definitely keep him out Saturday, could be a big factor. Mount Union wide receiver Pierre Garcon, who played as a freshman for Norwich, a St. John Fisher conference rival in the Empire 8, had just one catch for three yards in last year’s meeting while battling a broken hand as well as Stepnick. After re-aggravating the hand injury and missing October games against Ohio Northern and Wilmington, Garcon has had between five and seven catches and a touchdown grab in all six games. “We want to get the ball to Pierre, but defenses can shut down who they want to shut down,” Kehres said. “We will look to put Pierre in situations where we can get the ball to him and help us make plays.” Vosburgh said not having Stepnick – who Kehres called “fantastic” in the game last year -- wouldn’t much change what the Cardinals do. “Steve is a great tackler and a special player,” Vosburgh said. “Any time you lose a guy like that, it will hurt. … Steve is so special, he allows us to do certain things defensively, but we’re not going to change much. (We’ll) stay how we have always been.” There are reasons to like what St. John Fisher has been. Linebacker Josh Gottlieb, who stepped in for Lang, leads the team with 94 tackles, an average of nearly eight per game. Defensive linemen Dan Pollock and Kevin Schenk each average more than a tackle for loss per game, while Pollock leads the team with nine sacks. Mount Union surrendered six sacks in the second round against The College of New Jersey. Stepnick leads the Cardinals with five interceptions, but cornerback Scott Miranto, and outside linebackers Micah Norton and Josh Cerulli each have three, and eight other players have picked off at least one pass. In recent seasons, Fisher’s offense has balanced a two-back attack with a quarterback who doesn’t make many mistakes. This year’s team fits the bill, with running backs Ryan Hanson and James Reile combining for 1,950 yards and 23 TDs, and quarterback Rob Kramer tossing only seven interceptions in 12 starts. Taking care of the ball is key, especially against Mount Union, Vosburgh said. “You can’t turn the ball over and let Mount have big plays,” he said. “We did a good job last year of not turning it over against them. You have your hands full as it is, but if you turn it over, you are in real trouble against them.” Jimmy Smith and Tim Marion are threats in the Cardinals’ passing game, and tight end Chris Harmon and tackle Brennan Fortune were D3football.com preseason all-Americans. But St. John Fisher’s most impressive strides have come in a defensive turnaround. The Cardinals allowed 87 points in five September games and 55 in seven since, all wins. Their average score over the streak following the 31-28 loss at Hartwick loss is 38-8. St. John Fisher has been as good in the playoffs as they have been at any time all season. They’ve given up just two TDs, a fourth-quarter score in the 24-7 first-round win against Hobart, a team that came into the game on fire offensively, and a quick score early in the game against Curry. After a 49-yard kick return and long pass on the first play from scrimmage set up a Colonels touchdown 1:03 in, St. John Fisher pitched a shutout, limiting Curry to one first down on 16 third-down tries. Hobart averaged 2.8 yards per carry, a figure the Cardinals cut in half, to 1.4 per carry, against Curry. But playing Mount Union is another level. “Our kids know that this is the best team they are going to play this year,” Vosburgh said. “They haven’t played anyone nearly as good as them and we have played some good teams. Our kids know what they are getting into and that they need to play 60 minutes of their best football.” Kehres is just as complimentary of St. John Fisher. “Our men know how strong they are, how they wrap and tackle well, and how well they finish blocks,” he said. “The men know more than just from looking at tape, our players know from playing them in 2006.” The teams will meet again to start the regular seasons in 2008 and ’09, but the ’07 quarterfinal between the Purple Raiders and Cardinals is shaping up to be St. John Fisher’s chance to stun the Division III world and continue toward their ultimate goal: A Stagg Bowl victory. “W we always knew if we were going to advance to Salem, then we would have to go through Mount Union,” Vosburgh said. “Our kids knew that. They are excited for this opportunity. If you want to be the best, you have to go play the best.” | |||||
| Permalink | Nov 30, 2007 | |||||
Crusaders facing familiar foe By Marcus Fitzsimmons Special to D3football.com Is the third time really the charm? Or do bad things just always come in threes? For relative youngster Mary Hardin-Baylor (11-1) the playoff answer to the cliche conundrum comes Saturday in Dover, Del., where the Crusaders cross postseason paths with Wesley (11-1) for the third consecutive year. “Someday we’ve got to beat them,” said MH-B head coach Pete Fredenburg. “We get into the law of averages and someday we’re going to have to be able to compete with them. Hopefully it’s this year, but you never know — at least not until Saturday.” Mary Hardin-Baylor, which started football under Fredenburg in 1998, shocked the experts in 2004 making its way to the Stagg Bowl in its third playoff run by defeating Mt. Union in the national semifinals. Three seasons later the Crusaders are still the last team to win a playoff game against the perennial national champions from Ohio but haven’t been able to get back to mid-December play themselves because of Wesley. “We haven’t (beat them) yet,” said Fredenburg, who worked the sidelines in last year’s 34-20 quarterfinal loss and the 46-36 second-round defeat the year before. “We were fortunate in 2004 to play with Mt. Union and then go to the Stagg Bowl but we encountered Wesley the last two years and they’ve beat us. “We’d certainly hope (the third time is the charm). We know this is going to be a very contested game where we have to play extremely well and do it there in front of their home crowd. We know we have a big challenge.” Largely viewed as the favorite the past two meetings it’s hard not to put the favorite button on the Texas talent one more time. Since a 27-point late October loss to UW-Whitewater the Crusaders have been exorcising the defeat-demon with a vengeance putting up 258 points the last four weeks after a season-low 14 against UWW. “We’ve yet to beat UW-Whitewater so we feel like we’re still in our growing stages as a program and we certainly aspire and hope to get we can get to the point where we’re competitive across the nation,” Fredenburg said. “I think our players want that as much as the coaches do. They’re expectations are high.” The defeat of October may yet pay benefits in December for a team that has won and loss by its ability to dominate the ground game on both sides of the ball. MH-B has churned away for 382 rushing yards a game with Jarvis Thrasher (1,793) and Quincy Daniels (1,456) both crossing the kilo-mark after averaging better than 8 yards a carry. Giving up just 36 rushing yards a game, the Crusaders saw UW-W limit the vaunted run (162) and exploit the pass with two 60-yard interception returns for scores. “I think Whitewater taught us a lesson about how to play at a fever pitch. They played very well and we didn’t play that well. You hope you’d learn something from that,” Fredenburg said. “We threw the ball 20 times in large part because Whitewater was capable and did a nice job of stopping our run. We always feel like we’re capable of throwing it but I felt like we forced the ball into some areas that day. “We know that as the teams get better and better that we have to be able to throw the ball and throw it well. Our quarterback has to make good decisions and we have to execute. We understand that.” The Crusaders also understand that in the D3 version of “The Cowboy Way” sequel getting past the Wesley roadblock could open the door to a second go round with UW-W. “We’re just excited to continue to play. We know we have a huge challenge ahead of us to try and compete with Wesley,” added Fredenburg. “We’re excited to still be playing and be one of the eight remaining teams.” Weather factor Who knew a cloudy December day in Dover would seem welcoming to Texans? After a second-round home game became a cold and wet experience the idea of dry mid-40’s Saturday doesn’t seem so bad. “It was horrible cold and wet,” Fredenburg said of the conditions in Baylor last weekend. “I say cold I mean for Texas. It was in the high 30s and being wet and raining it was more miserable but the word we’ve got is it’s going to be nice up there.” Comparing scores Wesley managed to protect home field by fending off eventual USA South champion North Carolina Wesleyan 34-31 in early September. The Crusaders crushed NCWC in the second round, 64-0. Divided loyalties While the Mary Hardin-Baylor staff will remain focused on Division III Saturday afternoon, don’t be surprised if a quick postgame check of the SEC Championship game takes place. Fredenburg spent a season as an LSU assistant coach after 13 years as defensive coordinator at Baylor, which leads to some conflicting interest in the 4 p.m. match between No. 5 LSU and No. 14 Tennessee in Atlanta. “I always pull for LSU but just because I love my experience there ... “ said Fredenburg. “But I also have mixed feelings because one of my former players is coaching at Tennessee. I coached (current UT wide receiver and assistant head coach) Trooper (Taylor) at Baylor for a number of years. “I think it’s going to be a heck of a ball game.” Marcus Fitzsimmons writes for the Maryville (Tenn.) Daily Times | |||||
| Permalink | Nov 29, 2007 | |||||
Simply solid By Clyde Hughes D3football.com You’re not likely to hear Matt Rees voice screaming and causing a commotion on the football field Saturday when his Mount Union Purple Raiders take on St. John Fisher in the national quarterfinals. Rees, a fixture at linebacker for Mount Union for over three seasons, is plenty excited about playing. He’s even more excited about playing against the Cardinals. But if you’re expecting him to do the Mambo after each tackle and let out a “rebel yell” by Billy Idol, you may be a little disappointed. But if you’re looking for a person who will proudly stand between St. John Fisher’s vaulted running game and the Mount Union goal line, Rees is there. In fact, coach Larry Kehres expects him to be there. Kehres uses the word “solid” to give his highest respect for a player or team. He calls St. John Fisher a solid opponent. But his 5-10 linebacker from Dover, Ohio, has the same title. “Matt has had some wonderful moments playing football at Mount Union,” said Kehres of Rees, who had started 30 games for the Purple Raiders coming into this season. “He’s a good man and gets good grades, but he’s very quiet. He’s one of the players who has earned the right to be called a very solid player.” The Cardinals have Mount Union’s full attention for Saturday’s game. In a rematch from last year’s national semifinals, the Purple Raiders escaped took a 26-14 win at home. It was one of Mount Union’s closest contests in 2006. Rees said his teammates have not forgotten the battle St. John Fisher put up and there has been a sharpened attention to detail this week. On a team that seems loaded with impressive defensive players with impressive defensive stats, Rees has quietly carved out a niche for himself. His 52 tackles is third on the team and has 8.5 tackles for losses. “I lead by example,” Rees said. “I get excited within myself. I focus in and make big plays and I want my team to feed off a big play that I’ve made in a big situation on a third-and-short or a fourth-and-goal. “I don’t like to yell and scream. That’s just not the person that I am. I’m a person that stays focus on what I have to do and everyone can feed off of what I do.” Focus is one of the things Rees and his teammates will need Saturday facing a team that rushes for 389.7 yards per game this season. St. John Fisher’s two-headed running back monster of Ryan Hanson (226-1,098) and James Reile (181-852) have carried the ball for nearly 2,000 yards between them. Mount Union gives up a measly 12.8 yards a game on the ground and 128.4 total yards a contest. “I get excited every week, but there is something about these big games that we know it’s going to be a battle for 60 minutes,” Rees said. “It lights another fire under you and makes it burn that much hotter. It’s something you look up for all week. You’re in the film room looking at all the talent this team has and it makes you more and more determined and focused. That just makes you more excited to play in the game.” Kehres said experience players like Rees will have to play within themselves, respecting St. John Fisher’s powerful running game but not falling asleep on the play-action pass that can produce a big play. “We have to play this team as a running team,” Kehres said. “You have to stay true to your responsibility or a strong running team will try to suck you up. They have a veteran quarterback (Rob Kramer). He made some real good throws last year. We’ve got to be smart and play our responsibilities defensively. “ Rees said Mount Union knows that St. John Fisher will give them a solid game and the two-time defending Division III champs will have to play up to the challenge. “To beat St. John Fisher, we have to be disciplined,” Rees said. “We have to be extremely physical because they’re an extremely physical team. We have to execute. Execution is a big thing this week and not making mistakes. Even the smallest mistake in a game like this will kill you.” Rees said when it comes down to it, the Purple Raiders will be looking for another solid performance. | |||||
| Permalink | Nov 29, 2007 | |||||
Been there With Mount Union averaging a 50-point win and having only Ithaca come closer than 35 points, what makes St. John Fisher think it can go to Alliance and win? For starters, just the fact that it's been to Mount Union before and played a pretty decent game, in a 26-14 semifinal loss last season. The Cardinals are headed back Saturday, so find out why they have reason to feel good going in, and why the Purple Raiders are showing their respect in a Road to Salem feature by Keith McMillan. As for the players lining up trying to stop Fisher, we had Clyde Hughes find out more about Mount Union linebacker Matt Rees, who might not say a whole lot but has been letting his pads make noise for the past 30 starts. Scroll down to read more about the other quarterfinalists.
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| Permalink | Nov 29, 2007 | |||||
Castleton adds football Castleton State president Dave Wolk announced today that the college will introduce football beginning in the fall of 2009. The school is in Castleton, Vt., and is a member of the North Atlantic Conference. “An analysis over the past year has convinced us that adding football to our offerings provides many benefits,” Wolk said. “Our investment in student-athletes has been an important part of Castleton’s growth in numbers and in quality. We expect good sportsmanship and exemplary citizenship, and our student-athletes have higher grade point averages, retention rates, and graduation rates than the general student population.” The addition will bring the number of Division III football programs to 239. St. Scholastica, in Duluth, Minn., starts football in 2008. Castleton becomes the seventh member to sponsor football in the NAC, along with Becker, Gallaudet, Husson, SUNY-Maritime, Mount Ida and Norwich. The NAC begins football play in 2008. Wolk said, “I know the Norwich rivalry will grow and flourish as it as in many other sports. The inauguration of football will generate a few level of interest and excitement on campus, in Rutland County, and across Vermont.” The decision to add football follows the announcement in October of a $25.7 million project that includes an enlarged and renovated Campus enter and a small stadium with a lighted, artificial turf field, which can be used for many intercollegiate and intramural sports, including football. Athletic director Deanna Tyson said, “It is exciting to have football added as our 20th varsity sport. It is a good fit all around. Students are interested; we have plans for new facilities; and the North Atlantic Conference has just added football.” Wolk said that the college plans to hire a head coach in the near future, with a start date of July 1, 2008. “We will search for a top-notch coach who is committed to motivating and educating our student-athletes not only on the playing field, but more importantly, in the classroom and community,” he said. | |||||
| Permalink | Nov 29, 2007 | |||||
Experienced Warhawks' defense goes on the offensive Special to D3football.com Bob Berezowitz retired as UW-Whitewater football coach after last season, but he has his fingers firmly on the pulse of the Warhawks. “From Mary Hardin-Baylor on, they’ve got a phenomenal number of turnovers,” said Berezowitz, whose 22-year run coaching the Warhawks ended last season with a second consecutive trip to the Stagg Bowl. “To me, that’s been the big thing.” Starting with a 41-14 victory over the then-No. 2 Crusaders on Oct. 27, the Warhawks (11-1) have forced a whopping 26 turnovers in their last five games. In that time, the defense has scored five touchdowns. Impressively, all five have come against ranked opponents, including two against Mary Hardin-Baylor, one against No. 14 Capital in the first round of the playoffs and two against No. 20 North Central in the second round. The Warhawks aren’t doing anything fancy. Brian Borland, who first-year coach Lance Leipold retained as defensive coordinator, relies on a smart and experienced group of players to be in the right place at the right time. Seven starters are back from last season, and eight of this year’s starters — including the entire defensive backfield — are seniors. Six of them were named to the all-Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference first or second teams. “We’ve got a pretty seasoned group of guys,” Borland said. “We’ve got guys with good football savvy and good football instincts for what’s going on. We’re not trying to trick anyone. So much of it is trying to get lined up in the right place, knowing what we’re doing and hopefully knowing what our opponent is doing. We talk a lot about alignment, assignments and giving effort, but it’s really about putting yourself in position to make plays.” These Warhawks don’t have a stud in the middle like All-American defensive tackle Ryan Kleppe, who had a team-record 14.5 sacks last season, but they’ve hardly missed a beat. They’re allowing 3.7 more points per game over last season (12.1 in 2006 compared to 15.8 this season), but last year’s defense, stingy as it was, never found the end zone. Senior defensive end Ryan Ogrizovich, who is threatening Kleppe’s sack record with 14, has been a monster in the two playoff wins. Against Capital, Ogrizovich used a speed rush, practically stole the ball from the quarterback and took it 15 yards for a touchdown. “It was an act of God. The ball rolled over his shoulder and into my hand,” he said. Against North Central, he intercepted a pass that he returned 40 yards for a score and piled up a WIAC record-tying four sacks. “He’s exactly what I was talking about,” Borland said. “He knows the situation and is able to put himself in the right position. In the last game, we used him as a spy because the quarterback was so active. On the interception, the quarterback was looking left, and he mirrored him. The quarterback kept looking left and he kept mirroring him, and he was there when he threw it. That’s just the kind of guy he is.” Unlike Kleppe, who was a singular, dominating talent, these Warhawks rely on strong play across the board. Their 27 interceptions are split among 10 players, including a team-high six by senior Ben Farley, five by senior Matt Blaziewske and four apiece by seniors Andy Murray and Tristan Borzick. Their 47 sacks — two more than Whitewater had in 15 games en route to reaching the championship game last season — are divided among a dozen players, including 9.0 by sophomore Anthony White, 5.5 by senior A.J. Raebel, a three-time all-WIAC first-team linebacker, and 4.5 by senior Corey Schroedl. “You can’t replace a Ryan Kleppe, but I think overall, we’re playing better (than last year),” Berezowitz said. Orgizovich credits Borland for putting the defense on the offensive. “It was kind of a challenge on the part of our defensive coordinator,” he said of the defense’s penchant for forcing turnovers. “Before (the Mary Hardin-Baylor game), he said usually by this time, we’re up in the national leaders in turnovers, so it was a challenge to us. Ever since then, we’ve been focusing a lot more on it.” Berezowitz also credits Borland, who, with linebackers coach Chris Simpson and defensive line coach Bill Hoagland, stayed with the team during the transition to Leipold. “That was huge,” Berezowitz said. “He’s a person who did not get enough credit for what he has done within this run we’ve been having the last three years. That defense has really been the backbone. Defense wins championships, and that’s exactly what’s happened here. The defense has been doing an outstanding job. We’ve had some great players on offense get a lot of recognition, and the defense has been taken for granted. But I think that it was huge that he was able to stay.” | |||||
| Permalink | Nov 28, 2007 | |||||
Wesley's Jackson breaks back out By Jason Bowen Special to D3football.com DOVER, Del. -- If you follow Division III football closely, the name Aaron Jackson may ring a bell. No? Come on, you remember him. He was the kid with more rushing yards (1,095) than any other freshman in Division III during the 2006 season. He picked up Eastern College Athletic Conference (South Region) and Atlantic Central Football Conference Rookie of the Year honors, while helping Wesley to the national semifinals for a second straight year. But the 2007 season has not been quite as glorious for the 5-9, 177-pounder. Entering the Wolverines second round playoff match up with Muhlenberg last Saturday, Jackson's numbers were much more modest: 99 carries, 453 yards, four touchdowns. And he wasn't starting either. Fellow sophomore runner Mike Pennewell got on a roll early in the season and ran up nine straight 100-yard games and nearly 1,500 yards. All season long, with exception of a 114-yard effort against Frostburg State, it seemed Jackson just couldn't seem to find his rhythm. “I came in ready to take up where I left off last year. But he came in focused and did a hell of a job,” Jackson said of Pennewell on Monday before practice as Wesley prepared for their regional championship game against Mary Hardin-Baylor this Saturday in Dover. “Sure it was frustrating in the beginning of the year, but you have to adapt to it. Mike Pennewell is a great running back. If he's doing the job to help this team win, then more power to him.” On Saturday, Jackson found his grove again just in time for a sputtering Wolverine offense. The sophomore entered the Muhlenberg game for the first time late in second quarter with Wesley trailing 7-0. The sophomore burst 44 yards on his first carry and five on his next to help set up the Wolverines game-tying touchdown before the half. But Jackson, a native of North Brunswick, N.J., really showed his explosiveness on the Wolverines first two series of the second half. His 41-yard cutback run on the half's second play gave the Wolverines a 14-7. And his next carry broke the game wide open. With Wesley backed up on its own eleven-yard line, Jackson took a pitch to the right and sprinted 89 yards nearly untouched to the end zone. The run put Wesley well on its way to a 38-21 victory, its seventh straight home playoff win. It was the second longest in school history. “It was the perfect play.” said Jackson, who ended up with a career-high 214 yards on just 14 carries against the Mules. “Everything worked. The receivers got to their secondary, the lineman got to the second level. We called the right play on the blitz.” On the Wesley sideline after the run there was no one happier for Jackson, than his chief competitors in the Wolverine backfield, Pennewell and senior captain Alpha Koroma, who also has over 1,000 career rushing yards. “I wasn't surprised,” said Pennewell, whom the Mules held to under 100 yards for the first time since early September. “Aaron is super fast and a great changeup. He makes plays. He's a game-breaker.” “It was great,” adds Koroma, who ironically was replaced as a starter last season by Jackson. “It was more than great; it was incredible.” You may think that there would be some resentment over playing time in a rotation that also includes sophomore Gene Knight, but the teammates insist they gotten past that. 'We have a lot of running backs that compete at a high level,” Jackson said. “When our number gets called, we just have to be ready. “The competition definitely makes you better. You could be a starter one week and next week if a guy steps up you wouldn't be. You have to practice hard. You can't take a day off.” Pennewell and Koroma have also bought into the team concept that rewards the back that has the a hot hand. “The difference between this year and last year is we all have a better relationship with each other,” Pennewell said. “We've got a year under our belt. I've developed a really good relationship with the two of them. Individual goals are always something that is put to the bottom.” “Anybody who wants to win, you have to look at it like that,” Koroma agrees. “Everybody wants to run for 100 yards and two touchdowns but if that doesn't win the game, it doesn't mean anything. If my role is going to be limited and we still get a 'W.' I still won.” Making Jackson's achievements on the field all the more impressive is that he suffers from severe asthma. He remembers sneaking into Pop Warner games as a 7-year-old, when doctors had advised against playing. But as he has gotten older, the problem as been less debilitating. “It doesn't really affect me during games,” he said. “When it's cold out I do a lot better.” Regardless of how many carries he gets this Saturday against Mary Hardin-Baylor, Jackson has learned a lot this season and credits advice from his mother. “Just to be humble,” he said. “Because you never know if you are going to have that spot today or tomorrow. “My mom has been my inspiration throughout this whole season. She told me to stick with it. There have been times I've been ready to give up because I'm not use to that back seat role.” Last week, the Wesley ground game faced a tough test in Muhlenberg, which entered the game allowing just over 71 yards a game. Wolverine runners, paced by Jackson, passed that test with flying colorings by rolling up 290 yards on the ground. However, this week with the stakes even higher, Jackson and his running mates face an even bigger challenge -- a Crusader defense that has allowed just over 35 rushing yards per game. If they can grind out and set up the passing game, they could lead the Wolverines to their third straight regional championship. So now that you remember the name, don't be surprised if you hear Aaron Jackson had another big game. | |||||
| Permalink | Nov 28, 2007 | |||||
Turning the corner
Central made a name for itself the past two seasons by winning a multitude of close games win heart-stopping fashion. But the past two weeks, it's been a little easier. How did the Dutch go from cardiac to crushing? Ryan Tipps has more in A Road to Salem feature. Bethel has gotten out of the shadow of St. John's as well, advancing to the regional final after four first-round defeats. How did the Royals turn the corner? Adam Johnson writes about how the Royals changed their ways. One name you might remember from last year, while the other was definitely overshadowed within his own unit. But Saturday, Wesley running back Aaron Jackson broke out, with 130 yards on back-to-back runs and more than 200 yards on the day in beating Muhlenberg. How did Jackson handle going from freshman phenom to sophomore backup behind Mike Pennewell? And how did his backfield mates react to Saturday's performance? Mary Hardin-Baylor has a Stagg Bowl appearance to its credit, a win at Mount Union in the national semifinals, but no wins against Wesley in two previous playoff meetings. The Crusaders, who love to run, run and run some more, found they were limited in their passing game in a blowout loss at UW-Whitewater in October. What did Mary Hardin-Baylor learn on that long trip that might help them out on their trip to Delaware? Marcus Fitzsimmons has more in a Road to Salem feature. For UW-Whitewater, the defense doesn't have its big name in the middle and Justin Beaver steals the headlines from the other side of the ball, but defensive end Ryan Ogrizovich is nearing Ryan Kleppe's team sacks record and the remainder of the defense is balanced, with 10 players sharing 27 interceptions. More on the Warhawks' defense, including Bob Berezowitz's take, in a Plus, looking for a trip to Salem? Scroll down to enter the Stagg Bowl giveaway. Contest ends Dec. 7.
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| Permalink | Nov 28, 2007 | |||||
Central puts away doubts
By Ryan Tipps D3football.com It was easy to have had some reservations about Central during the regular season. A 2-8 Loras team played the Dutch to within three points. A .500 Luther team hung 36 points on Central's defense. Seven teams outgained Central on offense. And fewer than 10 points separated most games. But that was then. For a team that spent much of the year entwined in close matchups like those, the playoffs have given the Dutch a taste of something new -- breathing room. Most notably, the lopsided 37-7 win against St. John's that made history and made a statement. The defense and offense "just fed off of each other," coach Jeff McMartin said. "Defense played well, and offense made plays. It was kind of a back-and-forth thing." The Dutch hadn't gotten the best of the Johnnies since a playoff game in 1987, and Saturday's win was the worst defeat in almost 15 years for St. John's. "We played very good defense," McMartin said. "That's really the key, we played really well on defense." Sure enough, the Johnnies gained just 34 yards on the ground and were intercepted twice. And the seven points St. John's scored was the best defensively and worst offensively all season for each team, respectively. But, McMartin said, "It was also a situation where we got off to a quick start" -- something that came with the help of IIAC most valuable player Tim Connell. Connell is the kind of player who took the quarterbacking reins of his team three years ago as a sophomore and instead of relaxing into that role, he has continued to create his own challenges in an effort to improve. And it has paid off. "He's gotten better; he has worked hard to evolve," his coach said. Connell's task became more difficult when running back Vance Schuring, a two-time conference MVP, was injured in the budding part of the season. After that, Connell notes that the passing game became even more important. "There was a little pressure knowing that the passing game was going to have to get the offense going," he said. "But as the season progress, it got easier and easier to move the ball with the passing game." From his coach's eye, it was safe to say that the quarterback was up for the challenge. "Tim's very competitive," McMartin said. "He studies film, he works hard in practice, he's very tough. He has taken a pounding for four years, and he's never missed a game. ... He can take punishment, and he has. He's been very durable for us." And let it not go unnoticed that Connell is an exceptional thrower who has logged almost 2,950 yards and 34 touchdowns this season. Yet it wasn't something he could accomplish alone; he had the help of two All-Conference wideouts, among others. "We have two great receivers in Josh Smith and Cody Huisman, which make it pretty easy to throw the ball. You just got to throw it to them, and they go get it," Connell said. Against St. John's, Connell threw for more than 300 yards, which brings to 565 yards his passing total for both playoff games. What does something like this mean for the senior quarterback? "Confidence is a big thing," he said. "As far as offenses, teams haven't really been able to put those kinds of points up on St. John's this year," he said. "And then we come in, and score (on some early drives). That really says a lot for our offense." And about those recent displays of dominance after so many close games earlier in the season? There is a simple reason for that: player health. "We've had a lot of injuries this year, and we started getting healthy at the end of the year," McMartin noted. Coping with injuries changes a team from week to week, he said. "You've got to adapt and adjust and figure things out. And I think our conference has a lot of good teams in it." Bethel -- which has a "great defense" and does a "great job running the ball," as McMartin puts it -- will be another in the line of good teams Central has been getting used to facing. Though after four previous meetings, Central has never lost to the Royals. And going into Round 3, Central has the benefit of playing at home in Pella. "Bethel certainly has a great, fast defense. They're very aggressive up front," Connell said. "They like to blitz a lot, and we have to be prepared for that. We have to execute all of the things we do best." These are the kind obstacles the Dutch -- in a season filled with drama, tension and last-quarter heroics -- have shown they can overcome. But, McMartin said: "We've got our work cut out for us. We're definitely going to be tested on Saturday." | |||||
| Permalink | Nov 28, 2007 | |||||
Royals flush with confidence By Adam Johnson D3football.com ST. PAUL -- According to Bethel coach Steve Johnson the Royal's goal every year is to win the MIAC -- anything that happens after that is "gravy." For a coach who has dedicated 19 years of his life to 131 wins, five MIAC Coach of the Year awards and countless hours towards shaping the lives of young Christian men, the playoff turkey has been dry. It's not as though this year's first round matchup with Concordia (Wis.) was his first chance at playoff victory. In four tries from 2000 to 2006, the Royals were 0-4 including blowouts (41-13 at home against Pacific Lutheran in 2000) and nail-biters (28-21 on the road against UW-La Crosse in 2006.) Now in 2007, the Royals have strung together Johnson's first two playoff victories and are preparing for the West Region final against the Central Dutch on Saturday in Pella, Iowa. So, what's the difference this year? What has gotten Bethel over the proverbial playoff hump and how are they still playing football while their conference foe and playoff powerhouse, St. John's, is sitting home? Look no further than St. John's. The Royals have finally reached a place where they feel they can expect to win the Johnnie game. After back to back wins, including last year at St. John's, the Royals expect to win the conference and go to the playoffs. "There was a very different feeling after the St. John's game this year," said MIAC MVP, quarterback Ben Wetzell. "We were happy to win but we were ready to get focused on the next opponent." The drop-off from the emotional high of previous years wasn't as prevalent this season. "There was a 'no big deal, we won, now let's go get the next one' feeling," offensive coordinator Greg Peterson said. Bethel seniors take a retreat before camp opens to discuss the season and set goals. The Royals 0-4 playoff history was definitely on their minds as they mapped out season goals. "Win the conference was our first goal," said Wetzell "And we thought it would be really cool to win a couple playoff games and make a run." The playoff turnaround also starts with overcoming setbacks. "The trials you go through, and not around, get you good," says Johnson. There have been plenty of playoff trials: Drawing the defending national champion Pacific Lutheran Lutes in their first playoff appearance in 2000; losing a 14-0 lead on the road in 2001 against UW-Stevens Point; losing a fumble on their first offensive play for a touchdown to go down 14-0 at Wartburg in 2003; having to play without All-MIAC running back Phil Porta due to injury in a narrow 28-21 loss to UW-La Crosse on the road last year. "Everyone's been asking if it feels like the monkey is off our back," Johnson said. "If there was (a monkey) it wasn't a monkey we placed there." If Johnson had to thumb a difference in this year's success and his previous winless playoff record, it would come down to defense. "Our success is all about 'D'," Johnson said. While Johnson feels the talent is as strong as it has ever been on defense it is the experience the team has gained that has set them apart. "We may have been more talented last year," Johnson admitted after losing MIAC MVP linebacker Kirby Carr and Stam Award winner, defensive linemen, Zach Danielson. Another key piece to success in this postseason is the senior leadership of quarterback Ben Wetzell. Last season, in his first taste of playoff action, Wetzell was forced to carry the load with Porta out with injury. He carried them to within a touchdown of victory on the road. The Royals have had a lineage of solid quarterbacks but Ben Wetzell brings a dynamic Royal fans have not seen in some time. "Ben Wetzell is a stud," Johnson said. In 2001 and 2003, former MIAC career passing leader Scott Kirchoff was a stud, too, but his one dimensionality -- dropback passer -- led to predictability in the playoffs. If his passes were off, defenses keyed on the running game and foiled the Royals. (see 29 yards on 29 carries in a 21-7 loss to Wartburg in 2003) With Wetzell, the Royals have a threat through the air and on the ground -- evidenced by his final drive in the MIAC championship clinching game over St. John's. On their final drive with less than four minutes to play, Wetzell took over. He threw for 43 yards including a 36-yard completion on second down and 8. He rushed for 11 yards including a 9-yard rumble to the Johnnie 1-yard line where freshman running back Logan Flannery punched in the final score with 23 seconds to play. "I love to run and be physical," said Wetzell. "A good run and hit gets me into the game, it helps me settle down." This year, Wetzell has a healthy running back in All-MIAC Flannery and an offensive line that makes the Royals offense just as scary as their defense. "We run some wrinkles with Wetzell," offensive coordinator Greg Peterson said. The Royals now face a blazing hot Central team that handed St. John's its worst playoff loss in recent memory, 37-7. As Johnson sees it, this West Region final pits a throwing team that runs well, Central, against a running team that throws well, Bethel. One might wonder if Johnson is feeling any pressure to win three straight after previous playoff struggles. But not so. "The only pressure we feel in the playoffs is we want to practice next week," said Johnson. "We have a bunch of guys that just love each other." | |||||
| Permalink | Nov 28, 2007 | |||||
See Salem! As we get ready for this weekend's games, there's a lot of talk about who will make it to the Stagg Bowl. But regardless of whether your team makes the trip, you can go to Salem and get treated like a champion! Register now, through noon Dec. 7. The winner will be notified following the drawing. Rules and qualifications apply.
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| Permalink | Nov 27, 2007 | |||||
Safran, Weller finalists for Draddy Mount Union center Eric Safran and Illinois College defensive back Jake Weller have been named finalists for the Draddy Trophy, emblematic of the top scholar-athlete in college football. Each will receive a post-graduate scholarship, and one of the 15 finalists, 13 from other levels of the NCAA, will receive the Draddy Trophy. Established to honor former NFF Chairman Vincent dePaul Draddy, a Manhattan College quarterback who developed the Izod and Lacoste brands, the award comes with a stunning 24-inch, 25-pound bronze trophy and increases the winner's scholarship to a total of $25,000. The Draddy Trophy has been awarded to a non-Division I-A player just once, when Brandon Roberts of Washington U. earned the honor for the 2002 season. Safran has already been named to the 2007 ESPN The Magazine/CoSIDA First-Team Academic College Division District 4 All-Region squad. Weller, who has a 4.0 GPA and majors in biology and chemistry, serves on the Student Athlete Advisory Committee and as treasurer of the Beta Beta Beta Academic Honor Society. He volunteered at Camp Care A Lot and the Special Olympics and was a member of the Students Crossing Borders fundraising committee. | |||||
| Permalink | Nov 27, 2007 | |||||
AFCA announces Aztec Bowl roster The American Football Coaches Association and USA Football announced today the roster for the Division III national team that will represent the United States against Mexico in the 2007 Aztec Bowl in Chihuahua, Mexico, on Dec. 8. The Aztec Bowl is the traditional season-ending game for Mexico’s college football schedule. The game has been played 36 times since 1947 with the last nine contests featuring the United States-Mexico match-up. The United States leads the series, 9-1 This year’s game will kick off at 6 p.m. CT and will be played at Estadio Olimpico. The game can be heard via a webcast that can be accessed on the AFCA’s Web site at www.afca.com. Wide receivers: Jake Allen, Mississippi College; Luke Dillon, Defiance; Horace Gant, St. Olaf; Jack Martin, Washington and Lee; Josh Silvernail, Albion; MacArthur White, Lakeland. Tight ends: Kris Bisci, Moravian; Nolan Swett, Colorado College. Offensive linemen: James Arnold, Hardin-Simmons; Brandon Bennett, Willamette; Brennan Fortune, St. John Fisher*; Matt Gregg, Grove City; Don Kasper, North Central; Brandon Lee, Thomas More; Steve Palmer, Puget Sound; Mike Robinson, Trinity (Conn.); Jon Verhelst, Augustana (Ill.); Grant Weller, Concordia-Moorhead. Alternate: Ben Hogan, Wartburg Quarterbacks: Jermar Jackson, Dubuque; Alex Kofoed, St. John’s (Minn.) Running backs: Justin Beaver, UW-Whitewater*; Denny Kimmel, Anderson; Chris Sharpe, Springfield; Tyler Sherden, Luther. Alternate: Matt Bielecki, Rochester Defensive Linemen: Mike Czerwien, Waynesburg; Andrew Eisentrout, Pacific Lutheran; Baron Koch, Trinity (Texas); Don Miller, Alfred; Tom Pinto, Curry; Clay Ream, Marietta; Bryan Robinson, Wesley*; Randy Tosh, Rowan. Alternate: Wilbur Allen, Concordia (Wis.) Linebackers: Eric Dube, Dickinson; Jerrell Freeman, Mary Hardin-Baylor*; Kyle Follweiler, Wilkes; Cody Pierce, Buena Vista; John Pursell, Delaware Valley. Alternate: Erik Woodring, Middlebury Defensive backs: Brandon Carr, Bethel (Minn.)*; Jezreel Davis, North Carolina Wesleyan; Guy Dierikx, Central*; Wendell Eskridge, UW-Stout; Steve Gunter, Ohio Northern; LeRoy Harper, Christopher Newport; Tyler Moody, Centre; Donovan Moore, Carthage; Kasey Morgan, UW-Stevens Point; James Starks, Capital; Jay Tully, Whitworth; Andrew Woods, Linfield. Alternates: Chase Palmer, Oberlin; Jevon Pruitt, DePauw Kicker: Nate Palkovic, Monmouth (Ill.) * - pending Saturday’s quarterfinal result | |||||
| Permalink | Nov 27, 2007 | |||||
Moving forward ATN's take You got our take last week on who the winners would be and all eight did win, but there's a lot more behind Saturday's games to look at. Among the eight teams that lost on Saturday, there's bound to be a difference of opinion in terms of how these teams view their 2007 season. Keith McMillan and Pat Coleman take a look at two in particular to see what this season will do for them in the future. More in this week's Around the Nation podcast. This week features playoff rematches between St. John Fisher and Mount Union as well as Mary Hardin-Baylor and Wesley. Are these games going to be just like last year? What's changed on each side that could affect the nature of the East and South regional finals? More in the podcast. For more playoff coverage, scroll down. As always, you can click here to load the podcast page in iTunes or you can also receive this and any of our future Around the Nation podcasts automatically by subscribing to this RSS feed: http://www.d3football.com/dailydose/?feed=podcast Plus, check out our photo galleries: • Muhlenberg at Wesley • UW-Eau Claire at Bethel • Wabash at Case Western Reserve • North Central at UW-Whitewater • St. John's at Central
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| Permalink | Nov 26, 2007 | |||||
Kalamazoo coach steps down Kalamazoo coach Terrance Brooks announced his resignation, effective immediately. Brooks leaves Kalamazoo after three seasons to pursue other career opportunities. Eric Soulier, Kalamazoo College assistant coach since 2004, will direct all football operations until a new head coach is in place. A search will begin immediately. "I am grateful to Kalamazoo College for the opportunity to be a college head coach,” Brooks said. “I appreciate the efforts and hard work of the players and coaching staff the past three seasons.” Brooks was named Kalamazoo's 24th football coach on Jan. 18, 2005. He recently completed his third season with the Hornets, compiling an overall record of 7-21 (5-16 MIAA). In 2005, his first season as head coach, Brooks led the Hornets to a 4-6 record (a three-game improvement over the previous year) and an undefeated home record. “We appreciate coach Brooks’ commitment to our students, both on and off the field. He cares about them and their success,” said Kristen Smith, Kalamazoo athletic director. “We wish him the best in the future." “I am pleased that Eric Soulier will oversee the operations of the football program as we search for a new head coach,” Smith said. “As a 2000 graduate of Kalamazoo College and a two-sport athlete (football, baseball), Eric understands and has a passion for the college which allows us to maintain a high level of consistency during this transition period.” Kalamazoo president Eileen B. Wilson-Oyelaran said, “We are very sorry to see coach Brooks leave the College. He has been an outstanding role model for our scholar athletes on the field, in the classroom and across the campus. “Kalamazoo College is strongly committed to the football program, and we will begin immediately a search for a new head football coach.” Kalamazoo lists just 45 players on its 2007 roster. | |||||
| Permalink | Nov 26, 2007 | |||||
Case's road ends at home
By Matt Florjancic D3football.com CLEVELAND -- After losing the regular season finale to in-state rival DePauw, the Wabash Little Giants drew the three seed in the North Region. If the No. 2 seed defeated its first opponent, Wabash had to go on the road for its second round matchup. That was the scenario at Case Field Saturday afternoon. When the Case Western Reserve Spartans defeated the Widener Pride last week, they got the right to host Wabash for a chance to make the regional finals. Playing in front of the home crowd had been good for the Spartans, who were 10-2 in their last 12 games at Case Field, but the Little Giants made a statement with a 38-23 victory. Though Wabash rushed for 156 yards, the Little Giants scored all five of their touchdowns through the air. “Our plan worked early,” Wabash coach Chris Creighton said. “I thought the first half was much better than the second half. I don’t think that we ran the ball all that well in terms of the whole game. In the first half, we ran the ball well. People perceive us to be a passing team, but the reality of it is that we’re pretty close to 50-50.” “We definitely wanted to run the ball to start the game,” said Little Giants quarterback Matt Hudson. “We felt like we were able to do that and control the clock. We worked the run to set up the passing game more than anything. We did our quick passing game. I think it made them a little bit more compact in the middle and we were able to spread them out. “We knew coming into it that they weren’t going to give up any deep balls,” Hudson added. “We knew from what we had seen, [they] were a cover three, corners tight where they weren’t going to let anything get behind them.” With the win, Wabash (11-1) will travel to Wisconsin-Whitewater Saturday afternoon. UW-Whitewater defeated North Central 59-28 at home, behind a 241-yard, three-touchdown performance by Warhawk running back Justin Beaver. The Little Giants started the scoring midway through the first quarter. While the defense forced three three-and-outs, the offense began its aerial display. Wabash’s first possession went for 68 yards in 12 plays. Facing a third-and-goal from the three, Hudson dropped back and found Mike Russell for the touchdown. The score stood at 7-0 as the first quarter drew to a close. However, Wabash made sure it did not stay a one-score game for long. On the first play of the second quarter, Hudson connected with Brock Graham for his fifth receiving touchdown of 2007. The extra point made it a 14-0 Wabash lead. The Spartans tried to get back into the game with the passing game, but struggled to get past the first down markers. After two forced punts and one interception, Case set Wabash up with a first-and-ten 39 yards from a score. Hudson and Evan Sobecki led the charge for Wabash on the drive. Following two completions, Sobecki took the ball at the 29 and ran 19 yards, setting up a first-and-goal. This time, Hudson found junior wide receiver Andrew Rode over the middle for the touchdown and a 21-0 lead. “It definitely took us out of our game plan offensively,” said Case coach Greg Debeljak. “You definitely have to change things when you’re down by three scores. They did some things on both sides of the ball that they hadn’t shown. “Defensively, they’re a four-man front and they changed up to a three-man front quite a bit against us,” added Debeljak, now 24-18 at Case. “They did a nice job rushing the football on us. I was really hoping they’d just try to throw because they are huge up front and we are very small. I thought they had a really good plan of attack for us.” Case did not go into the locker room quietly. With 1:15 remaining in the second quarter, the Spartans mustered a 52-yard, four-play drive. On fourth-and-three from the Wabash 45-yard line, Case quarterback Dan Whalen found Jeff Mayer open near the right sideline. After hauling in the pass, Mayer out-ran the defenders for the score. The point-after-touchdown made it a 21-7 game. Wabash tried to answer the Spartan strike with one of its own, but Case cornerback Bobby Bott stepped in the passing lane for the interception, ending the scoring threat in the first half. “It wasn’t schemes or anything,” Whalen said of his 24-for-49, 303-yard performance. “Sometimes, the guys that you play against are going to bigger, faster and stronger. You’ve just to keep playing for four quarters. “Sometimes, teams are going to be more physical,” he added. “I’m not disappointed in the way we played. We still gave ourselves a shot.” Case had the only score of the third quarter, which came on a 38-yard field goal from Sam Coffey. However, the flood gates opened in the final frame. The first five possessions of the fourth quarter went for scores. Wabash started the scoring with a 14-yard pass from Hudson to Bart Banach, but the duo was not done. Up by only eight points with 3:31 remaining, Hudson threw to the left sideline to an open Banach. The senior made the most of the reception, cutting all the way across the field to the right sideline and taking the ball 68 yards to close out all scoring. Case (11-1) will look to build on a season of firsts. By defeating Washington University at home, Case won its first-ever outright University Athletic Association Championship. They also made it to the playoffs for the first time and won their regional quarterfinal match-up with Widener. “It’s an exciting time, even though we have to wish the seniors well in whatever they do,” said Whalen. “Our whole offense almost, except for two guys anchoring our line, [is] coming back. I’m always looking forward, but you can’t replace a Tom Zagorski or a Brandon Jeffries up there. Hopefully, we can get the recruiting going after a season like this and instead of rebuilding, just reload and start this year-in, year-out.” “What their legacy will be is they really changed the culture of athletics at this school,” Debeljak said of his seniors. “When these guys came in here, football was an afterthought, a non-entity. To see the way the school responded is something very special. That is what we’re going to lose with the seniors. “We have a lot of really talented kids coming back, but you never know,” he added. “We enjoyed it while we had it and we’ll go back [to] working hard. Hopefully, [we’ll] get that chemistry and the right people in there and make a run next year. These guys that are leaving are pretty special.” While Case’s postseason run inspired the Cleveland campus, other coaches have taken notice of the Spartans. “They’re a special football team,” Creighton said of Case. “You don’t get very many special ones in your career. It’s never about one guy, but [Whalen] is a special one. “Talking to him afterwards, you can tell that he is so much more than just a great player,” added Creighton. “You can tell he’s a great kid. I’m sure he’s an awesome leader. They’re going to have a lot of fun here at Case the next few years.” | |||||
| Permalink | Nov 24, 2007 | |||||
Central makes Johnnies see red When we picked the winners on Friday, the winners of all eight games were unanimous. The way in which the second round of the 2007 playoffs went down, however, was surprising. Who outside of Iowa, for example, foresaw Central dominating St. John's? Dutch quarterback Tim Connell threw four touchdown passes and the Central defense held St. John's scoreless on four of five red zone trips in a 37-7 win. Wesley blew the game open with two big plays in the second quarter to pull away from Muhlenberg 38-21 and advance to the regional finals (photo gallery). Aaron Jackson ran for 218 yards on just 14 carries, including touchdown runs of 89 and 41 yards. The Wolverines will host Mary Hardin-Baylor, which beat N.C. Wesleyan 64-0 behind 168 rushing yards from Quincy Daniels, 117 from Chris Owen and 95 from Jarvis Thrasher.
The North Region saw Wabash make its national ranking stand up, as the Little Giants defeated Case Western Reserve 38-23, ending the Spartans' unlikely run at 11-1 (photo gallery). After North Central cut UW-Whitewater's lead to 24-21 in the third quarter, the Warhawks scored 25 of the next 32 to put the game away in a 59-28 (photo gallery). Saturday's scoreboard and game stories.
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| Permalink | Nov 24, 2007 | |||||
EC's season a puzzler
Special to D3football.com Among the things Division III football fans want to know: What is a Blugold, and what are they doing among the blue bloods in the second round of the playoffs? The answer to the first question is a bit murky, with the most likely being a mix of the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire’s colors — blue and gold. The answer to the second question is easier to deduce, once you get past the fact Eau Claire — generally considered the last team to get into the 32-team playoff field — ranked last in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference with 290.5 yards of offense per game and was outgained by 60 yards per contest. “Defensively, we played well all year, and the special teams made some big plays with some blocked kicks to keep us in games,” said second-year Blugolds coach Todd Glaser, the WIAC’s coach of the year. “Another big thing is turnover margin.” No, turnover margin is the big thing. The Blugolds (9-2) forced 32 of them during the regular season and f our mo re during a 24-20 victory over previously undefeated St. Norbert College last week to advance to Saturday’s second-round playoff game at ninth-ranked Bethel (10-1). Their 36 takeaways are tied for sixth in Division III and their 23 interceptions are tied for fifth. “We take the ball away from people and capitalize on some of those field positions,” said Glaser, the former Blugolds defensive lineman and defensive coordinator who was coach at Marietta College for three seasons. The turnovers — along with nine blocked kicks and seven touchdowns from the defense and special teams — are just part of the Blugolds’ remarkable story. Start with them being picked to finish seventh in the eight-team WIAC. Continue with a season-ending injury to junior quarterback Kyle Paulson, who started all 10 games as a sophomore. That injury led to a revolving door at quarterback that led to Glaser turning to, of all people, his punter. When the season started, senior Mitch Schaeuble wasn’t even on the quarterback depth chart. But, due to injuries and ineffective play at the position, Glaser handed the keys of the offense to Schaeuble after a 27-0 loss to UW-Whitewater in the WIAC opener. In his first game, a 21-20 victory over UW-Oshkosh, Schaeuble hit 17 of 27 passes for a whopping 348 yards with two long touchdowns. Schaeuble hasn’t always been so accurate, but he’s excelled at making big plays. He’s completing just 46.9 percent of his passes, but his 83 completions have gone for 1,404 yards — 16.9 yards per connection — with 12 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. “He’s done a great job,” Glaser said. “We knew he had a great arm, but there’s more to playing quarterback than having a great arm. He’s a clutch player, and he did it at times when there was a lot of heat on him. I attribute that to him being a punter. He’s been in pressure situations and done well.” In his seven starts, Schaeuble is 6-1. Only one of those seven games was decided by more than seven points, including wins by one, two, three and four points. The three-point win came in the regular-season finale, a 17-14 triumph over UW-Stout. With the Blugolds trailing 14-10 and their playoff hopes in dire jeopardy, Schaeuble guided a 10-play, 54-yard scoring drive in the final 4 minutes. Still, even with a 6-1 record in the powerful WIAC, the Blugolds’ playoff berth caught Glaser by surprise. Asked if he expected to be one of the seven at-large teams, Glaser flatly said, “No.” “We were hoping,” he continued. “We knew we were in a great conference and thought we had the right to be in there, but it’s a tough field.” With all of those close games, it should have come as no surprise the Blugolds found a way to keep their season alive last week at St. Norbert. Still, Schaeuble authored another chapter in an amazing story when he led the offense onto the field with 1:37 remaining and staring at a 20-17 deficit. Schaeuble was experiencing vision problems and could barely see out of his right eye, but that didn’t stop him from leading the winning 61-yard drive, punctuated by a 28-yard pass to Chris Hull with 46 seconds to go. “It was pretty crazy,” Glaser said. “All of our games in conference have been extremely close. We wish they weren’t, but it’s a good conference. The kids persevere and wait until the last whistle is blown to stop playing.” Few people expect Eau Claire to beat Bethel, but few people expected the Blugolds to get into the playoffs, much less win a game, when the season kicked off. The Blugolds’ chances will be even slimmer if Schaeuble can’t play — Glaser called him “day to day.” “They’re real similar,” Glaser said when asked to compare Bethel to second-ranked Whitewater. “Obviously, they are very good at running the ball, and they’re great on defense and special teams. If we make mistakes, they’ll capitalize. So, in that regard, they’re very similar.” | |||||
| Permalink | Nov 23, 2007 | |||||
Trusnik, Jackson make active rosters Coe's Fred Jackson and Ohio Northern's Jason Trusnik each made NFL active rosters this past week and got playing time for the Buffalo Bills and New York Jets. Jackson, a second-team D3football.com All-American selection in 2002, carried three times for 15 yards and caught two passes for 9 yards in the Bills' loss to the New England Patriots. He also returned one kickoff for 16 yards. Trusnik played on special teams on Sunday and Thursday in the Jets' two games, recording a solo tackle against the Steelers and an assisted tackle on Thanksgiving against the Cowboys. | |||||
| Permalink | Nov 23, 2007 | |||||
Solving the Blugolds
It was hard to tell whether UW-Eau Claire belonged in the playoff field or not, at least when you looked at the published playoff selection criteria. But at least after last week's road win at St. Norbert, seeded higher by the NCAA but ranked lower by D3football.com, it's hard to say the Blugolds aren't playoff quality. Just don't look at the stat sheet, with a quarterback who completed less than half of his passes and an offense that gets outgained by nearly 60 yards per contest. More on the Blugolds' puzzling season.. North Carolina Wesleyan fits the bill as a Cinderella. The Battling Bishops may have made themselves into a household name with their overtime win at Washington and Jefferson, but of course, it's not the first big opponent they have faced, nor will face. Marcus Fitzsimmons has more in a Road to Salem feature. Plus, don't forget this week's earlier features about New Jersey, Wabash and Curry.
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| Permalink | Nov 22, 2007 | |||||
Teamates again, duo drives Case By Matt Florjancic D3football.com Having a sound defense with an evolving offense may not be the classic winning formula, but do not tell that to Case Western Reserve. The Spartan defense had seven upperclassmen start the game against Widener in the first round of the NCAA playoffs last week. Conversely, the offense began the contest with six freshmen and sophomores taking the field. Two of the younger players on offense were sophomore quarterback Dan Whalen and freshman wide receiver Shaun Nicely. Earlier this week, the University Athletic Association presented its season-ending awards. Whalen split the Offensive Player of the Year award with Carnegie Mellon senior running back Travis Sivek, while Nicely took home Rookie of the Year honors. Both were first-team All-UAA and Whalen earned honorable mention status as a punter. While they make a good combination for Case, Whalen and Nicely were a formidable duo at Willoughby South High School in neighboring Lake County, Ohio. As a senior in 2005, Whalen led the Rebels to a perfect 10-0 regular season. During the first round of the postseason, Whalen and Nicely helped South post a 49-10 victory over perennial contender Olmsted Falls. The chemistry they developed in their prep careers has given Whalen and Nicely the opportunity to lead Case Western Reserve to its first-ever trip to the playoffs. “We always grew up throwing the ball together, working out together,” Nicely said. “It’s comforting knowing where he’s going to put it, how he’s going to throw and that he has the ability to make plays. “Dan is a different quarterback, being very mobile and everything,” added the freshman. “I think I’ve taught the receivers a lot about him, a lot about where he likes to put the ball, how he likes to run things. It’s easier sometimes coming from a receiver than from Dan himself.” Having confidence in the quarterback delivering the football is one thing, but knowing the wide receivers can get the passes thrown is another. “I’ve known Shaun since sixth grade. We have a good relationship,” Whalen said. “I know what kind of player he is, his skills and abilities. He’s not the fastest kid out there, but he’s got great hands and runs good routes. In certain situations, he knows what I’m thinking and I know what he’s thinking. “He knows the coverages,” added Whalen. “Before you can know that stuff about defenses, you’ve got to learn the offense in and out. He’s a great blocking receiver. I think that gets taken for granted. Because we run a lot of screens [and] when we run the ball, we have to have those guys in the slot that can block linebackers. He does it really well.” Whalen has thrown 21 touchdown passes against five interceptions in ten starts this season. After beating Washington University in Week 10, Whalen sat out against Ohio Wesleyan to rest his ailing knee. Though he started slowly against Widener, he threw two touchdown passes in the final quarter, sealing the come-from-behind victory. “I started practicing Wednesday and the trainer, (Susan Higgins) gave me a new brace to work with,” Whalen said. “I had tried three or four on before one was comfortable. Once I found a brace I liked, there was really no doubt that I was going to be playing. “Coming out Saturday, my knee felt the best it did all week,” he continued. “I was running around fine, better than I had been. There was no pain. It was just a little stiff. This week, there is a possibility I may not have to wear a brace at all, so it’s looking good.” The ability to use his legs makes Whalen a dual threat under center. Defenses must respect his tendency to make something out of seemingly nothing. “He’s got a very strong arm and he’s very mobile,” Nicely said. “A play could collapse and Dan would come out of the pile ready to throw the ball or ready to run. I think that puts a lot of pressure on defenses because they’ve got to keep a couple guys back to make sure they contain the quarterback and that leaves us open in the secondary.” One of the plays the Spartans used effectively this past weekend was a 97-yard touchdown pass from Whalen to Nicely. “It was a hitch-seam play where the outside receiver runs a hitch and the inside receiver runs the seam,” Nicely said. “I had been getting jammed here all day and I got a good release. Dan looked to the other side for the hitch and the hitch wasn’t open. When he looked to the other side, it drew the safety, so when he looked back, I was running down the seam. I caught it and all I remember thinking was just to run as fast as I could and not get caught from behind.” “They only had one safety, so he flew to the left side and they forgot about Shaun down the seam,” Whalen added. “I turned back when I saw the hitch was covered and just let it loose and 97 yards later, we’re in the end zone. I thought he was going to get caught, but he had a few more steps that he needed.” This Saturday, the Spartans host their second playoff game when they welcome the Wabash Little Giants to Case Field. “They’re pretty similar to us in that they have a standout middle linebacker and standout guys on their defense,” said Nicely. “It starts with a good run game. It really keeps the defense guessing because we have so many weapons on offense. If we keep them off balance, that will help in the passing game.” “They’re tough and they know it,” Whalen said. “The thing they do that a lot of teams we play don’t do at least from what I’ve seen, is they’re going to come at you. They’re going to say, ‘this is what we do, beat us!’” “All season, no one outside of our locker room really expected us to do much,” continued Whalen. “Being the underdog now is actually good. We have nothing to lose. Being a two seed is awesome because we get the home game. These fans have been coming out to see us more and more every week and it’s an awesome feeling. I wouldn’t want it any other way than it is right now.” | |||||
| Permalink | Nov 21, 2007 | |||||
Midnight hasn't struck yet By Marcus Fitzsimmons Special to D3football.com Glass slippers just aren’t in the North Carolina Wesleyan wardrobe. “The biggest accomplishment of our team are being the first undefeated team in USA South play and being the first No. 8 seed to win a game. Those are two things that 30 years from now these kids will still be the first ones. That’s pretty special. Those are things that can’t be taken away from them,” said Battling Bishops coach Jack Ginn amidst a busy day of arranging travel for his team to play Mary Hardin-Baylor. “Every year at playoff time from now on the question is going to be: Who is this year’s North Carolina Wesleyan? If the first round was uncharted territory for Cinderella the second round is an undiscovered country. NCW (9-2) pulled the upset, downing top-seeded Washington & Jefferson, but now has to do its best to make second-round arrangements. “It’s what you’d like to be doing. There are a lot of good things about it,” said Ginn. “The hard thing is and I’m sure it’s this way at some other D-III schools, is we just aren’t set up to do this. We don’t have the manpower or the expertise for this. “Right now I’m the director of football operations and everybody else is coaching the team. It’s frustrating.” Turns out that Cinderella was a hit at the ball but has nothing to wear for the next party. Even with the school’s first playoff game the details got a bit much for Wesleyan, which since dropping a four-overtime game at Maryville College and a heartbreaker at Averett in consecutive weeks in 2006 has won 13 of 15. “Last week I was as ill-prepared for a game as I’ve been in my career only to be topped by this week,” said Ginn. “I didn’t do anything. I probably should have bought a ticket. “I didn’t call a play. It was all on my offensive and defensive coordinators. I th |
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