FB: New Jersey Athletic Conference

[CNU85]

Connor Barry has another outstanding game. 17-18 340 yards and 3 TDs. Plus he ran for 3 TDs. 2 of his rushing TDs were results of long passes (i believe one was 72 yards. The other I can't remember-40+ seems right) that ended up inside the 1 yard line. That would have been 5 throwing TDs. Wow.

His stat line for the season is now 119-166. 2,054 yards. Almost 72% completion. 26 passing TDs. 1 INT. 293.43 yards per game. He also has 5 rushing TDs

And most games he plays less than 3 quarters. The best stat of all for Connor Barry — he's a junior!

Colin Hart had 8 receptions for 204 yards and 2 TDS, giving him 9 TDs for the year, with 37 receptions totaling 881 yards.

[MRMIKESMITH]

Salisbury took care of business this weekend against a very good Rowan team at what I believe was their homecoming. It was a hard fought game that went to final minute. Hats off to Rowan, they threw the kitchen sink at Salisbury. I also believe Rowan should be getting votes in the Top 25, especially considering the score differential. Now back to the game, Rowan came out very inspired and was very prepared to stop Salisbury rushing attack. However, kudos to Salisbury offensive coordinator, his play calling at crucial moments were spectacular, Salisbury had more passing yards than rushing. Kudos to the WRs/Rbs and QB for executing the pass plays. Rowan did make some timely defensive plays with strip as Salisbury was driving to score and a key pick-6 after their offense had fumbled in the Redzone. I do think Salisbury shot itself in the foot with untimely penalties that either kept Rowan drives alive or stalled the offense. I think Salisbury proved that through some adversity playing on the road for a Top 25 team homecoming and overcoming some disastrous turnovers that they are turning the corner. Defensively, Salisbury has to figure out 3rd and long, but they fought hard as Rowan ran every formation in Madden. Salisbury had some great punts and the fg kicker made a fg late that would be the game winner. Kudos to the players, staff, and support for a good win. There are some things they'll learn that will hopefully prepare them for the weeks to come.

Circling back to Top 25, Salisbury flipped with Bethel. Not sure why? Rowan IS a Top 25 team. I think that tie is really hurting them. Case is also a solid team as well and still in the hunt for the PAC title and can prove it over the next 3 weeks.

[RowanPhan]

Salisbury took care of business this weekend against a very good Rowan team at what I believe was their homecoming. It was a hard fought game that went to final minute. Hats off to Rowan, they threw the kitchen sink at Salisbury. I also believe Rowan should be getting votes in the Top 25, especially considering the score differential. Now back to the game, Rowan came out very inspired and was very prepared to stop Salisbury rushing attack. However, kudos to Salisbury offensive coordinator, his play calling at crucial moments were spectacular, Salisbury had more passing yards than rushing. Kudos to the WRs/Rbs and QB for executing the pass plays. Rowan did make some timely defensive plays with strip as Salisbury was driving to score and a key pick-6 after their offense had fumbled in the Redzone. I do think Salisbury shot itself in the foot with untimely penalties that either kept Rowan drives alive or stalled the offense. I think Salisbury proved that through some adversity playing on the road for a Top 25 team homecoming and overcoming some disastrous turnovers that they are turning the corner. Defensively, Salisbury has to figure out 3rd and long, but they fought hard as Rowan ran every formation in Madden. Salisbury had some great punts and the fg kicker made a fg late that would be the game winner. Kudos to the players, staff, and support for a good win. There are some things they'll learn that will hopefully prepare them for the weeks to come.

Circling back to Top 25, Salisbury flipped with Bethel. Not sure why? Rowan IS a Top 25 team. I think that tie is really hurting them. Case is also a solid team as well and still in the hunt for the PAC title and can prove it over the next 3 weeks.

It wasn't homecoming, homecoming was against Willy P.

Another heart breaker for the Profs - a winnable game indeed.  Game was off to a tough start when the Gulls were awarded a first down on a weak Pass Interference call, when the ball was 10 yards over the WR. That lead to the Gulls first TD.
Rowan made some mistakes.. a dropped TD pass, the fumbled punt return, even the onside kick recovery (which the refs called back via penalty).
In order for Rowan to win, they would have had to stop the big plays, and Salisbury had them in the bag all day long.
Onto the next! 

[MRMIKESMITH]

A great win this past weekend for Senior day for the Seagulls. Salisbury was able to get touches by 20 plus players. The defense didn't allow an explosive over 20 yards, which was good to see. Special teams got into the action, getting a safety and kickoff return (to start the game). A lot of players played, which allowed for significant in-game reps for 2nd/3rd strings as Salisbury gears up for the big matchup against CNU and more.

As noted in multiple podcast and D3football.com morning podcast, Salisbury and CNU faces off for the de facto NJAC championship down in the 757 for CNUs Senior day at 6 p.m. I'm sure its going to be an awesome environment and the crowd will be very large. I know both teams approach the 1 and 0 philosophy, but us fans and outsiders have been awaiting for this matchup for a while and the tension in the air is there.  A rivalry no doubt, is it the new Route 13 rivalry, I think its time to get a trophy for this game. Salisbury competes in every sport.

[CNU85]

I like that idea. I plugged in a question into AI and it came up with:

A strong, memorable name that captures the shared regional identity and mascots is The Chesapeake Cup or The Maritime Trophy. These names are alliterative and have a classic feel often associated with college football rivalries.

I'm leaning towards the Chesapeake Cup. What do you think?

[NED3Guy]

Man....I tell you all what? I knew the Spartans would be looking up at the rest of the pack as they joined the NJAC this year, but I had NO IDEA what a high quality conference this was going to be.

I've been a Castleton fan for a while, but follow the NESCAC and Liberty League pretty heavily as well.....that's always been my barometer for "high quality D3 football". No knock on either of those leagues, but top half of the NJAC is better than the top half of either of those leagues and the top two teams are far and away better than anybody the LL or NESCAC has to offer (sorry RPI and Trinity). 

I had wondered why the Spartans continued to have guys earn rookie of the week honors; and then it hit me: the NJAC teams are all so loaded that freshmen are not being asked to contribute a whole lot. The depth of this league top to bottom is really something.

Being a fan of Castleton, I've been able to see 2nd and 3rd stringers for a number of NJAC teams this year - its really impressive how good the backups are.

One last bit of praise for the NJAC - the parents and fans who have made trips to VT for games this year (Montclair, TCNJ and CNU) the ones I hear talking during the games generally seem to now their ball. Sure enough, their teams have been rolling during those games, but you can tell the parents "get it" (at least the ones who drove to VT).

Been fun to follow the league this year. Good football being played. Looking forward to watching Friday night. Thankfully you all don't have pay per view yet.

[CNU85]

The NJAC was insane when it also included Frostburg St and Wesley!

I made the trip to VT. The folks at Castleton were extremely gracious and hospitable. The stadium is beautiful. I like the train station feel!

I hope to make many return trips. We actually made it a vacation and went into Canada and down into Maine before crossing over to VT. I was able to locate my great grandfather's headstone in a cemetery in Barton VT.

My grandfather grew up in West Glover.

[MRMIKESMITH]

The NJAC was insane when it also included Frostburg St and Wesley!

I made the trip to VT. The folks at Castleton were extremely gracious and hospitable. The stadium is beautiful. I like the train station feel!

I hope to make many return trips. We actually made it a vacation and went into Canada and down into Maine before crossing over to VT. I was able to locate my great grandfather's headstone in a cemetery in Barton VT.

My grandfather grew up in West Glover.

Ooh, we don't talk about Bruno, no, no, no!

Now back to the rivalry trophy, I like Chesapeake Bay Cup/Trophy.

[CNU85]

Someone suggested we call it the Royal Farms Trophy! There are about 6 Royal Farms gas stations/convenience stores on Rt 13 between SU and CNU. And I think a few more are closely passed in Va Beach/Norfolk/NN area.

[MRMIKESMITH]

Was watching a Rutgers podcast and Rowan was mentioned to have played Rutgers in a scrimmage. It was also noted that there is rumblings that Rowan is trying to move to FCS/FBS???

[CNU85]

I've heard that rumor for the last couple of years. My take on it (and just totally guessing) is that they are exploring their options. I would think you need to bring in a consultant to help figure out if a move like that makes sense. Perhaps someone got wind of that possibility.

Time will tell.

[RowanPhan]

No rumblings from what I know, unless the new AD has floated the idea

Rowan did evaluate the idea a few years back (D1 basketball was the more realistic route), but I think the idea was squashed

Overall, just good marketing that people are even talking about is my take on it

[goroprofs]

Yeah, with the likeness rights stuff going on at higher divisions, I don't think there's a financial possibility that Rowan bumps up. Especially now that you can't multi-division unless you were grandfathered (Hartwick D-I men's soccer and D-III everything else comes to mind).

That said, the basketball team did play a couple preseason exhibitions against D-I Rider and Penn.

[RowanPhan]

Great win by the Profs, thank you Seniors.

Onto Kean!

[CNU85]

Wow! What a game!

If you would have told me Barry gains more yards on the ground than McGowan, I would not have believed it.

I'm not sure why SU attempted 2 on the final TD with 19 seconds left. There was no upside to that, at all.  Had SU recovered the onside kick and kicked a FG, the game would have gone to OT. Had  they kicked the PAT and then get the onsides and managed a FG, they win the NJAC. Baffling decision.