FB: New Jersey Athletic Conference

[MRMIKESMITH]

Looking at current brackets and projected brackets, here are teams that Salisbury and CNU could potentially play in the first 2 rounds.

Salisbury (#3/#4/#5/#6) - Cortland, Endicott, Eastern, Union, F&M, Muhlenberg, Springfield, John Carroll, Susquehanna, W&J, Grove City, and Curry
CNU (#1/#2) - R-MC, Muhlenberg, F&M, Eastern, W&J, Susquehanna, Grove City, Chapman (travel bracket), Willamette (travel bracket).

CNUs 3rd Quarterfinal game will probably require a flight from or to many of the potential 1 to 2 seeds, unless its a team aforementioned or potential game with Mount, Johns Hopkins. Many of the other #1/#2 seeds can not get to CNU by bus.

Salisbury will most likely face a Hopkins or Mount Union in the S16 if they were to win their 2nd round matchup.

As I predicted, Salisbury will face a Top 10 Johns Hopkins team. To succeed, Salisbury must be at its best in all three phases of the game.

Hopkins has had two weeks to prepare for the triple option, having just faced Springfield's iteration. While Salisbury's specific execution of the offense has evolved drastically over the years from the traditional Springfield approach, Hopkins' defense will still require high discipline against Salisbury Spread-Option.

While two weeks of preparation is often seen as a significant benefit against the option, option OCs must sometimes adjust on the fly when defenses change their approach from their defenses. Salisbury's offensive coordinators (OCs) now have film of how Hopkins defends the option, which will aid their preparation—every coin has two sides.

Defensively, this is a great opportunity for Salisbury's defense to prove critics and statisticians wrong. All season, Salisbury has struggled against the pass, particularly when opponents abandoned their run game. They will face a high-powered, dual-faceted, but patient offensive attack from Hopkins, widely considered one of the best-balanced attacks in DIII. Salisbury can learn from its prior game against Endicott, which successfully used a tempo-based scheme to achieve over 200 passing yards. Salisbury has talented players; it is up to the staff to put them in the best position to succeed. The players must execute the calls, recognize formations quickly and plays, and MAKE THE PLAYS. Salisbury will still need to stop the run first, as Hopkins will maintain its rushing attack to keep the defense honest and create opportunities for downfield passes.

Special teams and turnovers have been Salisbury's Achilles' heel in big games. The special teams unit must be disciplined, sound, and execute the little things correctly (make the chip shots). This will either maintain field position or put Salisbury in a strong position to succeed.

Salisbury also has to protect the ball (no fumbles or BAD interceptions). Self-inflicted, untimely penalties and turnovers have given opponents sparks to stay in games (e.g., Endicott) or win outright (e.g., CNU). If Salisbury plays a clean game, avoids 15-yard defensive penalties that help the opposing offenses move chains, and the offense avoids penalties that put them behind the chains, Salisbury will be very successful (I know cliche).

Remember folks, Salisbury has playoff experience, and opponents have to prepare to play against them, too.

[MRMIKESMITH]

Congratulations to the seniors and grad students who played their hearts out yesterday. Congrats as well to the staff and administration on an overall awesome season. Although the outcome wasn't what Salisbury supporters hoped for, it was still a great year.

Now, regarding the game: I usually congratulate the opposing team, but what Hopkins pulled at the end was not something I expected from an institution like that. It's fine—karma has a funny way of showing itself. I lost a lot of respect for their staff and head coach. Congratulations to the players, though; they executed well and made the plays that were there.

As for Salisbury, this game was lost on the defensive side of the ball and in the red zone. Giving up over 600 yards was a death by a thousand cuts. I can't say that was purely a talent issue. As many have noted, Salisbury's schedule over the past two seasons has featured mostly sub-par offenses that rely heavily on the run, which played to our advantage. But when teams competently schemed to pass, they were highly effective, putting pressure on our offense to win shootouts. As with many high-powered offenses without a complementary defense, once they face a good defensive unit and have to battle for four full quarters, they typically falter—just like yesterday.

Defensively, players do need to make plays, recognize threats, and respond to formations and routes. But at some point that can't be the only excuse. Salisbury's conservative defensive approach has been the same for many years, going back to 2004. Offensively the program has evolved, adding more passing concepts to the flex, but defensively the structure may have changed while the play-calling has stayed the same. That has repeatedly become a problem whenever we face passing teams that can also run.

Offensively, the players did not make the necessary plays in the red zone—credit to Hopkins' defense. Many slot/RB players were too finesse-oriented and didn't make the needed cutbacks, lower their shoulders, or fight for extra yards. That edge wasn't there this week, or for much of the season. That's a big difference from last year's RBs and slot receivers. QB1 missed some throws before being injured early in the third, but that comes with experience and offseason work. Hopkins' interior defensive line caused havoc in the A and B gaps all day, which contributed to the red-zone struggles. And if you don't convert in the red zone—especially when your defense hasn't been reliable all year—you're in trouble. Salisbury didn't convert a single 3rd or 4th down, even when many early ones were short-yardage situations they usually thrive in.

Special teams were okay, but the kicker had his usual once-per-game missed chip shot, and the punt returner misplayed a key punt that rolled inside the five.

Next year is a real unknown. The past two seasons had a lot of experience, and it's unclear what the roster will look like. I'm sure Salisbury will plug and play, but from a fan perspective, the defensive play-calling must improve. In the big games, you can't be afraid to take risks and instead die a slow death. The defense needs to be more aggressive and trust that players can develop over the season in man-to-man and zone blitz schemes. Sitting in base coverage, reading and reacting, and trying to bend-but-not-break is not championship football. The best pass defense is a pass rush.

Offensively, I want to see continued growth from QB1. Have him work on his throwing, but also expand the offense for late-game situations—move personnel around, swap slots and receivers, and provide different looks. With two more years of QB1, there's no reason to stay stagnant.

[unionpalooza]

Congratulations to the seniors and grad students who played their hearts out yesterday. Congrats as well to the staff and administration on an overall awesome season. Although the outcome wasn't what Salisbury supporters hoped for, it was still a great year.

Now, regarding the game: I usually congratulate the opposing team, but what Hopkins pulled at the end was not something I expected from an institution like that. It's fine—karma has a funny way of showing itself. I lost a lot of respect for their staff and head coach. Congratulations to the players, though; they executed well and made the plays that were there.

As for Salisbury, this game was lost on the defensive side of the ball and in the red zone. Giving up over 600 yards was a death by a thousand cuts. I can't say that was purely a talent issue. As many have noted, Salisbury's schedule over the past two seasons has featured mostly sub-par offenses that rely heavily on the run, which played to our advantage. But when teams competently schemed to pass, they were highly effective, putting pressure on our offense to win shootouts. As with many high-powered offenses without a complementary defense, once they face a good defensive unit and have to battle for four full quarters, they typically falter—just like yesterday.

Defensively, players do need to make plays, recognize threats, and respond to formations and routes. But at some point that can't be the only excuse. Salisbury's conservative defensive approach has been the same for many years, going back to 2004. Offensively the program has evolved, adding more passing concepts to the flex, but defensively the structure may have changed while the play-calling has stayed the same. That has repeatedly become a problem whenever we face passing teams that can also run.

Offensively, the players did not make the necessary plays in the red zone—credit to Hopkins' defense. Many slot/RB players were too finesse-oriented and didn't make the needed cutbacks, lower their shoulders, or fight for extra yards. That edge wasn't there this week, or for much of the season. That's a big difference from last year's RBs and slot receivers. QB1 missed some throws before being injured early in the third, but that comes with experience and offseason work. Hopkins' interior defensive line caused havoc in the A and B gaps all day, which contributed to the red-zone struggles. And if you don't convert in the red zone—especially when your defense hasn't been reliable all year—you're in trouble. Salisbury didn't convert a single 3rd or 4th down, even when many early ones were short-yardage situations they usually thrive in.

Special teams were okay, but the kicker had his usual once-per-game missed chip shot, and the punt returner misplayed a key punt that rolled inside the five.

Next year is a real unknown. The past two seasons had a lot of experience, and it's unclear what the roster will look like. I'm sure Salisbury will plug and play, but from a fan perspective, the defensive play-calling must improve. In the big games, you can't be afraid to take risks and instead die a slow death. The defense needs to be more aggressive and trust that players can develop over the season in man-to-man and zone blitz schemes. Sitting in base coverage, reading and reacting, and trying to bend-but-not-break is not championship football. The best pass defense is a pass rush.

Offensively, I want to see continued growth from QB1. Have him work on his throwing, but also expand the offense for late-game situations—move personnel around, swap slots and receivers, and provide different looks. With two more years of QB1, there's no reason to stay stagnant.

So after your "what [JHU] pulled at the end" comment I had to check the play by play and watch the last few minutes.  I think it's fair to say both coaches were petty in the final two minutes.  JHU took a knee on first down at the Salisbury 15 with 1:45 to go, and rather than let JHU kneel it out, Sherm Wood called a timeout.  So JHU ran three plays, including a TD pass on fourth down with 3 seconds to go, presumably as a subtle FU for the timeout. Looked to me like two coaches battling out to see who could be the smaller man at the end of the game, when nothing was at stake.  FWIW, I think throwing into the end zone with three seconds to go was the much lamer and more insecure of the two decisions.

[FourthAndShort]

After seeing this thread, I too went back to evaluate the controversy at the end. My thought is that it is a non issue.

Two teams battled hard all day. It appeared JHU went to bring an end to the game by kneeling it out. Salisbury did not feel the game yet had advanced to that point and called a timeout to keep the game alive. I see no issue with Salisbury calling a timeout if they feel there is game left. I also see no issue with JHU playing hard to finish the game.

These players work their tails off to be on the field. I applaud both teams to playing until the last whistle.

[MRMIKESMITH]

No, FWIFW is that it was bush league and that's it. I know certain folk from certain schools will have their thoughts about Salisbury. So I take certain folks opinion with a grain a salt.  "Looking back at thread" and "non issue". Yea okay!

[IC798891]

Hopkins runs the ball 9 straight times, and then goes to kneel it out. Absolutely textbook end of blowout game plan.

Salisbury calls a timeout, so they clearly want to play to the final whistle, and now Hopkins, what, is obligated to continue to call nothing but runs?

It's admirable that the Gulls wanted to keep playing to the last whistle, but acting as though Hopkins is only allowed to do so exactly how Salisbury deems fit is weak.

Speaking as a fan of a team that got waxed by Hopkins and had Hopkins kneel it out on them, grow up.

[MRMIKESMITH]

Hopkins runs the ball 9 straight times, and then goes to kneel it out. Absolutely textbook end of blowout game plan.

Salisbury calls a timeout, so they clearly want to play to the final whistle, and now Hopkins, what, is obligated to continue to call nothing but runs?

It's admirable that the Gulls wanted to keep playing to the last whistle, but acting as though Hopkins is only allowed to do so exactly how Salisbury deems fit is weak.

Speaking as a fan of a team that got waxed by Hopkins and had Hopkins kneel it out on them, grow up.

Everyone wants to come to rescue for Hopkins, go on ahead. Like I said, it was still classless. Don't care if team called timeout, many of your teams did the same thing and we ran it out and or kneeled. Spare ME!

[unionpalooza]

Hopkins runs the ball 9 straight times, and then goes to kneel it out. Absolutely textbook end of blowout game plan.

Salisbury calls a timeout, so they clearly want to play to the final whistle, and now Hopkins, what, is obligated to continue to call nothing but runs?

It's admirable that the Gulls wanted to keep playing to the last whistle, but acting as though Hopkins is only allowed to do so exactly how Salisbury deems fit is weak.

Speaking as a fan of a team that got waxed by Hopkins and had Hopkins kneel it out on them, grow up.

One of my biggest pet peeves is treating 60 kids playing their butts off and their coach as interchangeable. 

Sherm Wood, not "Salisbury," called the timeout on the first kneel. This was probably lame, though I can imagine a world in which his reason for calling it was not lame - for example, because he wanted to remind his kids to end the game with composure and class.  Probably not, but it's possible.

Dan Wodicka, not "Hopkins," called a pass into the endzone with 3 seconds left in a game he was up 4 scores.  He did that for the sole reason of embarrassing a Gulls team whose coach had called a silly timeout rather than let them kneel it out. That's a dick move; give me the coach who is secure enough to just run the ball and walk away the bigger man, with a 25-point victory, any day of the week.  Making the players on the field pawns to a coach's ego games may be par for the course in the SEC, but I see no need to excuse it in D3. 

[The Man]

Hopkins runs the ball 9 straight times, and then goes to kneel it out. Absolutely textbook end of blowout game plan.

Salisbury calls a timeout, so they clearly want to play to the final whistle, and now Hopkins, what, is obligated to continue to call nothing but runs?

It's admirable that the Gulls wanted to keep playing to the last whistle, but acting as though Hopkins is only allowed to do so exactly how Salisbury deems fit is weak.

Speaking as a fan of a team that got waxed by Hopkins and had Hopkins kneel it out on them, grow up.

Everyone wants to come to rescue for Hopkins, go on ahead. Like I said, it was still classless. Don't care if team called timeout, many of your teams did the same thing and we ran it out and or kneeled. Spare ME!

In 1984, Johns Hopkins traveled to DC play Georgetown University. The Jays had not yet become the D3 football powerhouse of today, but on that sunny October day, Hopkins shut out Georgetown 42-0.

Now, the Hoyas home field set up was unusual to say the least: The field was on top of a building, the turf felt like it was laid down over plywood (it bounced like a trampoline in spots), and both teams shared a sideline.
 
The Hoyas head coach took offense to the fact that Hopkins continued to throw the ball with their 3rd team QB late in the 4th quarter with a 35-0 lead. The coach came racing up the shared sideline to confront the JHU head coach, screaming at him like a mad man after a Jays receiver caught a simple 5-yard out pass on 3rd and 10, broke a tackle, and scored a touchdown.
 
"That's f*ing bull ****!" the now red-faced Georgetown coach yelled at the Hopkins head coach. "F*ing bull **** throwing the ball now."
 
The Man will never forget what happened next as long as he lives.
 
Calmly, and without missing a beat, the LEGENDARY Johns Hopkins head coach Jerry Pfeifer said to the incensed Georgetown coach, "Christ, son, I can't help it if your team can't play pass defense."

Savage.
 

Regardless of who was more petty, Sherman Wood for calling the time out when Hopkins was trying to kneel out the game or Dan Wodicka for calling the pass play on 4th down, it all comes down to the immortal words of the LEGENDARY Jerry Pfeifer:

Christ, son, I can't help it if your team can't play pass defense.  Q.E.D.

[IC798891]

Nah, when my team got waxed by Hopkins and Hopkins wanted to kneel it out, they just accepted that they got waxed and didn't complain.

They're not allowed to kneel, they're not allowed to throw. Does Salisbury get to look at Hopkins' playbook and choose their play?

[MRMIKESMITH]

Salisbury still had two timeouts remaining, and that timeout was used simply to ensure players didn't do or say anything foolish. Moving the conversation forward, the NJAC will look very different next year. I think the conference is getting stronger—especially if the New Jersey programs can keep more in-state talent home and if CNU continues to dominate recruiting throughout Virginia.

For Salisbury, the recruiting approach will need to evolve. The program must do a better job tapping into "urban" areas and conferences to bring in tougher, more dynamic athletes. After rewatching the last two playoff games, Salisbury looked too finesse-oriented and, frankly, soft. To close the gap, the team will likely need to lean more heavily on the transfer portal—whether that's players who didn't qualify initially, FCS transfers, or borderline Division II talent—to fill key positional needs, keep the offense explosive, and bring in guys who have that true "dawg" mentality.

Defensively, the secondary needs a full overhaul. They need more athletic (can cover 1 on 1), sound tacklers, and confident players. The scheme itself could use some fine-tuning as well; watching Saturday's game again, there were plays available to be made, and many of the breakdowns were simply skill-related. Even the GR MLB said in the post-game that the defense came out slow and didn't settle in until the third quarter. That can't continue. The DC has to make adjustments earlier—mid-first quarter, not after halftime.