FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[NCC2010]

The refs completely botched that play...

1. I thought he was short of the first (up for debate)

https://x.com/fftmag/status/1999923330858766829?s=46&t=2LpDHlmLWW7A7c0oIFbv5Q

2. Progress was clearly stopped before the fumble

3. How is it then overturned ?

[CCIWFan69]

Ugh, not like this again...

That's not a call that can be overturned by review.

I thought so too.  Weird.  It did look like he was stopped and the ref was starting to wave his arm and blow the whistle perhaps but I didn't think you can review forward progress. 

If I'm Bethel, I'm very encouraged in how this game is going.  The have the NCC D on their heels.

[gobigred425]

Has Cooper Drews completed a throw past the line of scrimmage today? I fear the Bethel offense full of gimmick plays is not built to play from behind.

[Retired Old Rat]

Looks like NCC is as good as advertised. Didn't think they could do this to Bethel. 

[art76]

Dang - from the comments, perhaps some controversy near the end of the first half? All I knew was that it took forever for the play by play to refresh. I wondered if somebody had gotten hurt and they stopped play.

It was a great ride - no need to hang heads.

[CHUBBS PETERSON]

The refs completely botched that play...

1. I thought he was short of the first (up for debate)

https://x.com/fftmag/status/1999923330858766829?s=46&t=2LpDHlmLWW7A7c0oIFbv5Q

2. Progress was clearly stopped before the fumble

3. How is it then overturned ?

1. Thought the same thing.

2. Again, no argument here.

3. Review can be used to determine WHERE a player's forward progress is stopped, but not WHEN forward progress has been stopped. They got the judgement call wrong, which can be understood, but then made it infinitely worse by following it up with an error of knowledge/procedure. That is completely unacceptable.

Something similar happened to Bethel at this stage last year and obviously the PTSD from that amongst the Royal faithful is still raw. Hence the heated reactions you observed.

[gobigred425]

Well it appears SJU and Bethel are as good as any team in the country...except for North Central and UWRF which appear to be head and shoulders better than everyone else. Some years I feel that we might finally have some parity, but then remember that D3 football just isn't built for that.

[faunch]

Well it appears SJU and Bethel are as good as any team in the country...except for North Central and UWRF which appear to be head and shoulders better than everyone else. Some years I feel that we might finally have some parity, but then remember that D3 football just isn't built for that.

Need to run the ball more than 9 times, gain way more than 20 yards on the ground and wear down a defense when the temps are this cold to be one of the best.

[RoyalsFan]

Disappointing loss today, but not unexpected. Congrats to the Royals for a great season, exceeding all preseason expectations with a MIAC championship, undefeated regular season and quaterfinals appearance in the playoffs, especially considering they only had 6 starters returning from last year. This is a young team and expectations will be high for next year.

With that said, some thoughts on today's game. 2 plays in the first half were crucial, the first being Drews losing the ball attempting to pass on a drive in NCC territory for a turnover. The second and more important one was the goal line stop at the end of the 1st half by NCC. While it may not have changed the outcome of the game, momentum plays a huge role in college and Bethel not scoring at the end of the 1st half to go into half time tied was a huge let down for them. Would have been nice to see how those 2 plays would have changed the game had they gone Bethel's way.

[sju56321]

Watching ncc and uwrf(twice) it is apparent that SJU needs to run the ball next year-get a RB or commit to who you have and run the darn ball. Interesting how both games were close-bethel game closer-at half and how ncc and uwrf pulled away. MIAC has work to do-schedule tough non-conference games.

[fredfalcon]

sju56321--Would really like to see SJU appear on UWRF schedule yearly. Short trip, tough non-conference game for both. Coach Walker told me he tried to get that going after last regular season game between the two, but SJU wouldn't/couldn't agree.

[RoyalsFan]

Watching ncc and uwrf(twice) it is apparent that SJU needs to run the ball next year-get a RB or commit to who you have and run the darn ball. Interesting how both games were close-bethel game closer-at half and how ncc and uwrf pulled away. MIAC has work to do-schedule tough non-conference games.

Unfortunately that is a double edged sword when it comes to getting an at-large bid. Win/loss record seems to be more of a factor than strength of schedule when determining at-large bids. It is fine if you happen to win those non conference games, but if you lose them it really hurts IMO.

[USee]

Watching ncc and uwrf(twice) it is apparent that SJU needs to run the ball next year-get a RB or commit to who you have and run the darn ball. Interesting how both games were close-bethel game closer-at half and how ncc and uwrf pulled away. MIAC has work to do-schedule tough non-conference games.

Unfortunately that is a double edged sword when it comes to getting an at-large bid. Win/loss record seems to be more of a factor than strength of schedule when determining at-large bids. It is fine if you happen to win those non conference games, but if you lose them it really hurts IMO.

This is no longer true w NPI.  In fact it seems the tougher your non conf opponent the better your chances of an at large bid.  Take Wheaton. Last year they scheduled Oshkosh and lost. Finished 8-2 (w losses to NCC and UWO). Didn't get in. This year they replaced UWO w Mt Union. Same result. 8-2. Easily got in.  The reality is weaker non conference opponents hurt your NPI. You can actually lose a road game to a strong opponent and increase your NOI more than a home win against a weak team

[RoyalsFan]

Watching ncc and uwrf(twice) it is apparent that SJU needs to run the ball next year-get a RB or commit to who you have and run the darn ball. Interesting how both games were close-bethel game closer-at half and how ncc and uwrf pulled away. MIAC has work to do-schedule tough non-conference games.

Unfortunately that is a double edged sword when it comes to getting an at-large bid. Win/loss record seems to be more of a factor than strength of schedule when determining at-large bids. It is fine if you happen to win those non conference games, but if you lose them it really hurts IMO.

This is no longer true w NPI.  In fact it seems the tougher your non conf opponent the better your chances of an at large bid.  Take Wheaton. Last year they scheduled Oshkosh and lost. Finished 8-2 (w losses to NCC and UWO). Didn't get in. This year they replaced UWO w Mt Union. Same result. 8-2. Easily got in.  The reality is weaker non conference opponents hurt your NPI. You can actually lose a road game to a strong opponent and increase your NOI more than a home win against a weak team

I really don't follow the selection process that close. Are you saying that NPI is now the only determining factor when selecting at-large teams? I didn't think it was that cut and dried, otherwise there wouldn't be any drama on selection Sunday.

[ncc_fan]

Yes, NPI is now the only criterion used to select Pool C teams. As soon as the final game was played on Saturday of week 11 the NPI scores, Pool C teams, and positions of the top 4 seeds within the bracket were locked in.  The drama came in projecting the remainder of the bracket. I'm sure Pat discussed this in a podcast, but I don't know which one. You can see the final NPI ratings and the 13 Pool C teams determined thereby at D3 Datacast.