FB: New Jersey Athletic Conference

[CNU85]

Nice story in today's pennlive.com on former CNU QB Connor Barry, who transferred to Penn State for his final season of eligibility:  https://www.pennlive.com/pennstatefootball/2026/08/why-penn-state-football-took-a-chance-on-a-division-iii-qb-it-doesnt-matter-the-level.html

If you encounter a paywall, try an incognito browser which was how I was able to read it. 

I wish only the best for him. A really good guy. Works hard. My only wish would be that he played one more year at CNU!! Next man up!

[RowanPhan]

Nice story in today's pennlive.com on former CNU QB Connor Barry, who transferred to Penn State for his final season of eligibility:  https://www.pennlive.com/pennstatefootball/2026/08/why-penn-state-football-took-a-chance-on-a-division-iii-qb-it-doesnt-matter-the-level.html

If you encounter a paywall, try an incognito browser which was how I was able to read it. 

I wish only the best for him. A really good guy. Works hard. My only wish would be that he played one more year at CNU!! Next man up!

CNU85 - what's your CNU preview? Are the captains able to replace Barry?

[CNU85]

Nice story in today's pennlive.com on former CNU QB Connor Barry, who transferred to Penn State for his final season of eligibility:  https://www.pennlive.com/pennstatefootball/2026/08/why-penn-state-football-took-a-chance-on-a-division-iii-qb-it-doesnt-matter-the-level.html

If you encounter a paywall, try an incognito browser which was how I was able to read it. 

I wish only the best for him. A really good guy. Works hard. My only wish would be that he played one more year at CNU!! Next man up!

CNU85 - what's your CNU preview? Are the captains able to replace Barry?

Good question. Pena looked great at times, but he didn't have enough time in games to show what he can really do on a consistent pace. I think he will be really good. But Connor Barry was special. We have a freshman coming in that looks promising as well.

O-line and D-line look good. Looking at the 2 deep from the last game of last year, we only lost 1 guy on each side on the line. And we substitute quite a bit. So, I expect line play will be solid.

The only area that I'm interested in seeing is how Barry and Hart are replaced by a new QB and WR. That combo was deadly. Everything else should be the same or better.

It's going to be fun to watch.

[RowanPhan]

Nice story in today's pennlive.com on former CNU QB Connor Barry, who transferred to Penn State for his final season of eligibility:  https://www.pennlive.com/pennstatefootball/2026/08/why-penn-state-football-took-a-chance-on-a-division-iii-qb-it-doesnt-matter-the-level.html

If you encounter a paywall, try an incognito browser which was how I was able to read it. 

I wish only the best for him. A really good guy. Works hard. My only wish would be that he played one more year at CNU!! Next man up!

CNU85 - what's your CNU preview? Are the captains able to replace Barry?

Good question. Pena looked great at times, but he didn't have enough time in games to show what he can really do on a consistent pace. I think he will be really good. But Connor Barry was special. We have a freshman coming in that looks promising as well.

O-line and D-line look good. Looking at the 2 deep from the last game of last year, we only lost 1 guy on each side on the line. And we substitute quite a bit. So, I expect line play will be solid.

The only area that I'm interested in seeing is how Barry and Hart are replaced by a new QB and WR. That combo was deadly. Everything else should be the same or better.

It's going to be fun to watch.

Thank you CNU85!

MRMIKESMITH - What's the latest in Salisbury?

Do we have any Kean, MSU, WPU, or Castleton fans in the chat with season previews?

[CNU85]

Nice Kickoff Luncheon today for CNU football and The Newport NEws Apprentice School.

Hundreds of people. The mayor. Keynote Speaker was NN native and former NFL QB Aaron Brooks.

Part of the luncheon was a video about the week before when 240 players and coaches from both schools fanned out to 22 locations across the city for community service.

If I was smart enough, or slowed down enough, I'd figure out how to post images on here.
It was good to see small college football being represented in a positive way.

Cheers!

[MRMIKESMITH]

Nice story in today's pennlive.com on former CNU QB Connor Barry, who transferred to Penn State for his final season of eligibility:  https://www.pennlive.com/pennstatefootball/2026/08/why-penn-state-football-took-a-chance-on-a-division-iii-qb-it-doesnt-matter-the-level.html

If you encounter a paywall, try an incognito browser which was how I was able to read it. 

I wish only the best for him. A really good guy. Works hard. My only wish would be that he played one more year at CNU!! Next man up!

CNU85 - what's your CNU preview? Are the captains able to replace Barry?

Good question. Pena looked great at times, but he didn't have enough time in games to show what he can really do on a consistent pace. I think he will be really good. But Connor Barry was special. We have a freshman coming in that looks promising as well.

O-line and D-line look good. Looking at the 2 deep from the last game of last year, we only lost 1 guy on each side on the line. And we substitute quite a bit. So, I expect line play will be solid.

The only area that I'm interested in seeing is how Barry and Hart are replaced by a new QB and WR. That combo was deadly. Everything else should be the same or better.

It's going to be fun to watch.

Thank you CNU85!

MRMIKESMITH - What's the latest in Salisbury?

Do we have any Kean, MSU, WPU, or Castleton fans in the chat with season previews?

Consistency is the word! We bring back experience at some key positions, but have to replace some good players that have graduated or moved on. However, the staff as always brings consistency, which is always assuring. It will be up to the staff and players on where they want to be, starting with the 1st game (wk2) after unusual wk 1 bye week.

[CNU85]

It's getting close to kickoff. The community is getting fired up about this game. I haven't seen the guest list yet for the suite, but I imagine the mayor will be there and possibly some dignitaries from Huntington Ingalls. I will find out when I get up there before the game.

And I was just doing some math....between the football team, marching band, cheer team and dance team, about 430 students will be on the field or sidelines. That's almost 10% of the student body. And it's a night game and post game fireworks are scheduled. It's going to be electric.

[MRMIKESMITH]

MMA ran the option very well yesterday. I thought Montclair would have faired better after playing both MMA and us over the year's.

[RowanPhan]

MMA ran the option very well yesterday. I thought Montclair would have faired better after playing both MMA and us over the year's.

Rough game for MSU

[RowanPhan]

MMA ran the option very well yesterday. I thought Montclair would have faired better after playing both MMA and us over the year's.

Rough game for MSU

Rough game for Rowan too

[MRMIKESMITH]

Salisbury has played considerably well, especially given the significant number of new starters this season. Through the first two games, I think they have shown that the program has maintained its consistency despite the turnover. Salisbury's key players have stepped up when needed and made the necessary plays, and I expect those experienced players to continue doing so throughout the season.

With one more non-conference game that I expect them to win and most likely the first conference game, there should be a few more opportunities for the younger and less experienced players to get valuable reps and continue getting up to speed. I have been particularly impressed with the team's second-half performances and the adjustments they have made as games progress.

My only concern is QB2 and early adjustments. Like last year's playoff match, once QB1 goes down, the offense stales off and doesn't look good. QB2 needs to be more active in practices and prepared if QB1 goes down. Additionally, we have to figure out how to adjust before halftime. We have to a better job on how to figure out how teams are approaching us earlier.

Hopefully, by the big matchup on October 10, they are able to put together stronger starts and play more consistently from the opening whistle in all three phases of the game.

[Ice Bear]

Salisbury has played considerably well, especially given the significant number of new starters this season. Through the first two games, I think they have shown that the program has maintained its consistency despite the turnover. Salisbury's key players have stepped up when needed and made the necessary plays, and I expect those experienced players to continue doing so throughout the season.

With one more non-conference game that I expect them to win and most likely the first conference game, there should be a few more opportunities for the younger and less experienced players to get valuable reps and continue getting up to speed. I have been particularly impressed with the team's second-half performances and the adjustments they have made as games progress.

My only concern is QB2 and early adjustments. Like last year's playoff match, once QB1 goes down, the offense stales off and doesn't look good. QB2 needs to be more active in practices and prepared if QB1 goes down. Additionally, we have to figure out how to adjust before halftime. We have to a better job on how to figure out how teams are approaching us earlier.

Hopefully, by the big matchup on October 10, they are able to put together stronger starts and play more consistently from the opening whistle in all three phases of the game.

I think this is true for many d3 teams, probably the majority IMHO.