As always, I'll be taking suggestions for the annual year in review column. This year, I'll try a thread. If we can keep things
brief and
on topic, this could be a great help in assisting me with the goal of getting the first installment out by the Stagg Bowl.
Part of the reason for asking while the season is still going is to get the suggestions while they're fresh in your minds. I'll take whatever you have, suggestions for things you'd like to know but don't want to do the research on, odd occurrences, broken records and (real or imagined) superlatives.
Anything that you see or have seen along the way that seems memorable.
Here are a couple from yesterday's Daily Dose that are good starters:
Quote# Pat Coleman Says:
November 3rd, 2007 at 2:28 pm
Albright 21-7 at the half. Widener called timeout twice on Albright's field goal attempt to end the second quarter and blocked both attempts.
Quote# Pat Coleman Says:
November 3rd, 2007 at 2:30 pm
Susquehanna scored on the last play of the game at WPI, went for the two-point conversion and got it to win the game 8-7.
Other stuff:
Trinity vs. Millsaps is a pretty good candidate for play of the year.
Mount Union's 52-point quarter
UMHB's two backs combining for 523 yards or whatever
Miss. Coll.'s 4th quarter against Millsaps
2 vs. 3 not living up to billing
QBs going over 10,000 career yards ... etc.
I'm not guaranteeing public credit or promising that I'll use anything, especially if you post a list of 40 neat things about School X Football, but I do appreciate most of the suggestions, and drawing from the collective knowledge about D3 football always,
always makes for a more comprehensive, more interesting column.
I have two from Wabash:
1. All-American LB Adi Pynenberg setting the school record for career tackles in game 9.
2. Wabash losing their starting QB (fifth year senior Dustin Huff) for the year (probably), while playing on the hands team on onside kicks, in the first game of the year. Then, the Little Giants roll through the regular season using sophomore Matt Hudson, who has put up Huff-like numbers. (Going into DPU, 73% completion, 17 TDs to 5 Ints, 181.6 efficiency).
Carry on!
Central losing 2 time IIAC MVP Vance Schuring and carrying on to a 9-0 record...soon to be 10-0 with him on the sidelines much of the season. Just a thought.
Meant to say also, if you haven't seen a YIR before (maybe you check out at the end of Week 11), start here (http://www.d3football.com/columns/around-the-nation/2007-01-08/2006+Year+in+Review) so you can see the style. That might help with ideas.
Oh yeah, the hands team thing (debacle?) was memorable. Central too, for Vance Schuring and for other reasons.
Some more I've thought of while compiling my vote this week:
Best player: Consider D3football.com OPOY, DPOY, Gagliardi Trophy Finalists
Best coaching job: Consider D3football.com COYs from 4 regions, Liberty Mutual Finalists
St. Olaf scoring 85, Salisbury scoring 79, etc. in 70s
Geneva's NAIA transition
Surprise teams: Randolph-Macon, Ill. Wesleyan, Albright, Case, Waynesburg, Middlebury?
Most unfortunate: Millsaps (there might be others)
MAC moves opening up the schedule for good East Coast clashes early
Also HSU at Linfield, vs. UW-LaCrosse
Season turning on UW-Ws comeback vs. La Crosse?
Losses that weren't shocking that later turned out to be Frostburg over R-MC, (another one I thought of recently that I will edit in later)
Others that were: Augsburg over Wartburg
Big games at the time that turned out not to be: Rowan/CNU, UWL/HSU, Springfield vs. anyone
Crown/Blackburn Dome Day finish
Four-way LL playoff race with 2 weeks to play
Rowan's disappointing season.
How bad my early-season hype picks were (although with Rochester winning, I've got a chance!)
and all the traditional stuff we review and awards we give out. And stuff that has yet to happen (most disappointing playoff string, etc.)
This is just an open brainstorm at this point, so kick in whatever you think of.
If ever we had some real competition, we couldn't do public threads like so.
Course, there's also a bunch of personal stuff I noticed on the trips to Abilene, Chicago, Minn. and Oregon that I haven't used that would spice it up anyway.
In the oddities category:
Earlham's regular kicker chose to study abroad this semester, so soph Alexander Cogbill and junior Hillary Carter....yes, a girl, stepped up for the Quakers. Cogbill has been the go to player, but Ms. Carter has made good on both her opportunites, making both her extra point attempts against Hiram and Wooster.
Lebanon Valley's kicker Brittany Ryan is 4 for 5 on PATs in two games. It looks like she's won the starting role at that position.
Quote from: K-Mack on November 04, 2007, 02:05:52 PM
As always, I'll be taking suggestions for the annual year in review column. This year, I'll try a thread. If we can keep things brief and on topic, this could be a great help in assisting me with the goal of getting the first installment out by the Stagg Bowl.
To this end I will be removing sidetracking posts.
Least Likely Result:
Hartwick 21
Western New England 48
9/1/2007
For consideration:
UMHB loses to UWW 41-14, and then beat ETBU 72-7 the next weekend.
-27 to plus 65. Net +92.
Punters always seem to be that unsung position, but I've never seen a crowd ooh and ahh as much at the punters as I did last weekend:
W&L's Jordan Campbell: 9 punts; 43.4-yard average; long was 72 yards (!!--yes, most of that was on the fly); 3 landed inside the 20
E&H's Tim Whaley: 9 punts; 41.9-yard average; long was 59 yards; 3 landed inside the 20
Great performances by both of them. To put it in perspective, these kinds of stats would put them at first and sixth in the country (though only Whaley is ranked, at 39th).
Something that jumps out at me...
Linfield
2007: 3-2 in NWC
2000 to 2006: 33-2 in conference (5 titles)
Bridgewater (Va.)
2007: 2-3 in ODAC
2000 to 2006: 39-3 in conference (5 titles)
Rowan
2007: 2-4 in NJAC
2000 to 2006: 36-6 in conference (5 titles)
Quote from: Ryan Tipps (WCLegacy) on November 04, 2007, 07:53:21 PM
Punters always seem to be that unsung position, but I've never seen a crowd ooh and ahh as much at the punters as I did last weekend:
W&L's Jordan Campbell: 9 punts; 43.4-yard average; long was 72 yards (!!--yes, most of that was on the fly); 3 landed inside the 20
E&H's Tim Whaley: 9 punts; 41.9-yard average; long was 59 yards; 3 landed inside the 20
Great performances by both of them. To put it in perspective, these kinds of stats would put them at first and sixth in the country (though only Whaley is ranked, at 39th).
Good punters are common in the ASC. Four of the top 11 punters thru October 27th are from the ASC.
#4 Jonathan Russell, Miss College
#9 Joel Munoz UMHB
#10
Bert Green (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scarborough_Green) McMurry (the All-American 4 x100 Meter runner and former baseball player for the St Louis Cardinals and Texas Rangers).
#11 Kelsey Larson HSU
Here's one for consistency. Principia is #230 of 231 in rushing offense, and #231 of 231 in rushing defense.
Quote from: smedindy on November 04, 2007, 10:22:40 PM
Here's one for consistency. Principia is #230 of 231 in rushing offense, and #231 of 231 in rushing defense.
http://www.d3sports.com/post/index.php?topic=5329.msg732046#new
And regionally ranked #9 in the October 31st Central Region Men's Soccer Rankings.
You could add Hartwick and TCNJ to surprise teams.
Quote from: Pat Coleman on November 04, 2007, 06:48:31 PM
Quote from: K-Mack on November 04, 2007, 02:05:52 PM
As always, I'll be taking suggestions for the annual year in review column. This year, I'll try a thread. If we can keep things brief and on topic, this could be a great help in assisting me with the goal of getting the first installment out by the Stagg Bowl.
To this end I will be removing sidetracking posts.
I almost made this threat myself, but then I realized I don't think I have admin privileges like I do on the blog.
Um,
Josh Vogelbach's 8-TD day.
Mount Union allowing only 24 points this season.
TCNJ (and MUC, I think) pitching shutouts in all first quarters
(Had to do something to keep this from being a sidetracking post)
Quote from: altor on November 04, 2007, 07:06:46 PM
Least Likely Result:
Hartwick 21
Western New England 48
9/1/2007
That was the one I was going to edit in later.
Found a bunch though. Bethel/Buena Vista is another.
As is Heidelberg/Baldwin-Wallace, particularly if B-W ends up beating Capital this weekend and claiming one fourth of second place in the OAC.
How about the turn around of Heidelberg period? From 0-10 three years in a row to 4-6 (assuming they handle Musky)? If they could have beaten Marietta 2 weeks ago and finished 5-5, Hallett would have been a lock for OAC Coach of the Year. Even now, he might have a chance. Though Collins has done a great job keeping Capital in 2nd place with all their injuries.
The East region has a bunch of candidates for Coach of the Year.
Marzka at Albright, engineering that turn around. The Lions should be good for a while with the sophomore at QB (Tanner Kelly).
Carr at Hartwick with their explosive offense.
Hamilton at TCNJ. I never would've believed they would be Top 20 in the country after the opener.
Good points Gordon and hscoach. Collins has done a nice job. Hamilton in the East is a good pick too.
Rowan CB Chris Pollard blocked two successive punts against Buffalo State. Both were recovered by the Profs. The first block led to a TD and the second ended in a Buff State interception late in the second quarter, ending the first half.
Here is a good one if you can find out the results. I wonder if there is anyone left playing O and D?
There was a player at Welsey, Andre Summers and I think it was ' 98, played offense and defense. He scored TD's about every way you could including on a kickoff on a ball that was never touched by the return team.
Hartwick 72-70 in 4OT, sets all-time scoring record.
It is almost eclipsed later that night in a regulation game. Whittier led Occidental 67-42 before Oxy scored three times in the last 3:10 to narrow the gap to 67-61.
Capital held on to its playoff chances by stopping B-W on a 2-point conversion and winning 17-16. A loss there has repurcussions out to probably Spokane.
Also, I think the Monon Bell ending was interesting. And maybe Central-Wartburg.
Fowler's comments from Game Day at Williams.
The curveballs the selection committee threw.
Anything else anyone can think of from this past weekend?
Keith
There were a number of teams that scored in the 70's this week but the combined totals points of a number of games were in the 90's .
But Utica scoring 70 and losing ???
Only the third highest point total of the day, second highest in regulation...HSU 71 McMurry 56! 127 points! :D
Here is one other fact to consider.
Imagine looking into the Crystal Ball and seeing only one fact from the future in the 2007 ASC Football season.
I know I am personally grateful that I did not know that McMurry would score 56 points on cross-town rival HSU back in mid-August.
McMurry finished 2-8 overall, 1-7 in conference. ::)
The same might be said for Oxy scoring 61 on the Poets!
Ralph,
I believe the old record was Coe and Cornell from 10/25/2003 66-63 no OT's
Quote from: PA_wesleyfan on November 12, 2007, 09:56:54 PM
Keith
There were a number of teams that scored in the 70's this week but the combined totals points of a number of games were in the 90's .
But Utica scoring 70 and losing ???
I know. It was so sad. :'(
Quote from: DutchFan2004 on November 12, 2007, 10:03:23 PM
Ralph,
I believe the old record was Coe and Cornell from 10/25/2003 66-63 no OT's
129 points in regulation...it still stands! ;)
I noticed the HSU-McM score, and noticed a lot of scores in the 70s this year.
Also, I believe Manchester 69, Earlham 62 was in regulation in 2005 and outdid Coe-Cornell by two points, and that game outdid a Franklin-Olivet 63-62 game (details a little shaky on that last one)
In any case, high scores have been going on forever, but they seemed like less of an anomaly this year.
Trying to figure out how to turn it into a bigger observation of the trend. I know some D1 scores (Boise State-Nevada, and there was another one with Weber State involved) have drawn attention.
Going to see if I can plug into the database and see if Division III teams have averaged more points on the whole this year than in previous years.
One explanation why might be moving the kickoff back 5 yards.
Any other thoughts on why this might be, if it turns out to be true? Lack of defensive fundamentals, proliferation of complicated passing offenses?
Better passing games!
The QB's and receivers are able to execute precise routes as never before.
Favre, Brady, P Manning, Romo, all of them can tell the receiver go to that point 12 yds down the field in 3.2 secs at 30 degree angle from the line of scrimmage and he will place the ball over three defenders arms and into the hands.
We used to think of 50% of the passes as completions. We are now looking at 70% completions as a good day.
I think scoring is up also because players don't tackle as well as they used to. fundamentals are not stressed like they used to be and players are going for the spectacular play instead of the sure play. They will try to strip the ball ala LT instead of just wrapping up the ball carrier.
KMack
I hope this thread works out for you.
How about these fun facts:
Hartwick gets to the playoffs giving up more points than anyone in their conference at 34.2 per game on the season and only outscored their opponents by 3.7 PPG in going 8-2.
Hartwick enters the playoffs as the lowest ranked team from the Kickoff 2007 rankings (156).
Heidelberg ending their losing streak was great and I'm not certain who's got the longest losing streak in DIII. I suspect it's Hiram at 26 games. 2 wins in the last six seasons for the Terriers, ouch.
In the crazy finishes dept. check out the John Carroll/OTT game. Tying score in the final seconds. Recovered onside kick. FG to win in Reg. hits upright. 3 OT's. An ejection. two more missed GW FG's.
And more...
I don't know if there is a bigger despairity this year than Averett going from 7-3 in 2006 to 0-10 in 2007. More research required?!?
The OAC goes 1,2,3 in NCAA DIII team sacks for the season. (CAP, ONU, MUC)
More to come I'm sure...
Quote from: reality check on November 14, 2007, 10:27:42 PM
I don't know if there is a bigger despairity this year than Averett going from 7-3 in 2006 to 0-10 in 2007. More research required?!?
For the past two seasons, I do a win differential chart (although maybe Ryan could pull it from the database for me) ... That will be one of the things I can't do until the week of the Stagg Bowl if not afterward, or maybe by the semis it'll be OK to do all but four.
Point is, that chart reveals a lot, who went up the most, who went down the most, who simply played fewer games. Coach of the year candidates, etc.
The other thing is I look at biggest disparities between Kickoff rankings to see what we missed (Randolph-Macon at 201 will be one that looks bad for us) and what we nailed. Also compare the final poll and playoff finishes to all the preseason rankings & polls.
So yeah, more research required. ;)
Glad to do it though.
Keep the suggestions coming, they are great so far.
K Mack: I have spoken with the publisher about your idea for a D3 rivalries book.....he is very interested! (He's a Sewanee grad) As soon as the season is over, I will get back with you and maybe we can move this along? Thanks for your dedication to D3 sports!!!
GO GRIZ!!
Quote from: PA_wesleyfan on November 08, 2007, 07:22:42 PM
Here is a good one if you can find out the results. I wonder if there is anyone left playing O and D?
There was a player at Welsey, Andre Summers and I think it was ' 98, played offense and defense. He scored TD's about every way you could including on a kickoff on a ball that was never touched by the return team.
As recent as 2003, Alfred had Jesse Raynor, who not only was AU's starting tailback, he also did the punting, place-kicking, kick-offs, kick-off returns...and also played cornerback with the defense in the team's "prevent" package.
http://www.empire8.com/PDF/Football%20all-conference%202003.pdf
In 2007, the Saxons' senior defensive tackle Don Miller (#99) is the go-to guy offensively in third-and-short yardage situations.
Given that situation, the pep band yells, "It's Miller Time!!"
Great taste! Less filling! Great taste! Less filling!
just had to throw that in....
How about Freshman RB Robert Heller from Waynesburg's 2019 rushing yards. If he keeps this pace, and that's a helluva pace, he'd blow away RJ Bowers' career numbers. I wonder where his 344 carries ranks for true freshmen carries in a season. Maybe you hold off on Heller, it would be an interesting story for YIR 2010 if he keeps pace and the top two career rushers in DIII were to come out of the same conference.
Was thinking about the 5(?) last-minute finishes in Round 1 of the playoffs.
Curry getting NEFC's 1st playoff win.
Not sure if I mentioned Whitter-Oxy as bang for buck or best game for the widespread implication. 72-70 4OT Hartwick/Utica is pretty obvious.
Mount Union's 6 straight shutouts, 7 overall and 24-point regular season defensively, followed by Ithaca's 18 points in the first round.
Thought of something else recently ... hmmm. Oh well, can't remember.
Brainstorm still open. Beginning to piece things together.
Note to self, mostly ... the D3 female kickers weren't all-time scoring leaders.
That did seem funny, 11 points.
According to a USA Today correction:
Tonya Butler of the University of West Alabama scored 87 points in the 2003-04 seasons.
I remember a story back in Aug -Sept about Mike Flynt. A 59 yr old that made the Sul Ross State team. If he played at all being that age would be remarkable. Took two weeks to remember the name of the college, then the granddaughter found it on the net... Getting old myself.
Quote from: K-Mack on November 13, 2007, 12:10:14 AM
Also, I believe Manchester 69, Earlham 62 was in regulation in 2005 and outdid Coe-Cornell by two points, and that game outdid a Franklin-Olivet 63-62 game (details a little shaky on that last one)
Keith,
I was going through post patterns and came across this post of yours. For future reference, below are links from the wild 63-62 Olivet win over Franklin. I remember the game because it was a road game that I actually went to. Franklin scored with 37 seconds left and chose to go for two. The two-point conversion pass attempt was knocked down by an Olivet DB. Franklin's coach said that he went two because his team had not stopped Olivet all day, and would not stop them in OT, so it was best to go for the win.
Stats: http://www.olivetcollege.edu/sports/fb/2004/0911FROL.HTM (http://www.olivetcollege.edu/sports/fb/2004/0911FROL.HTM)
Game recap: http://www.olivetcollege.edu/sports_news/news.php?id=372 (http://www.olivetcollege.edu/sports_news/news.php?id=372)
Geoff
That was great stuff.
Thanks as always, G.
K,
Kudos for 20000 well chosen words.
Thanks.
A lot.