Dutchman,

I have a hard time seeing them win out - they have a stout defense but not much offense.

Of course, I have a vested interest in them losing a game or two. 

And, since I was in attendance at homecoming this weekend - wow - what a finish to the Lycoming - Albright game!

Tough one to lose for the Lions but what a pressure packed way to win - 24 seconds to go, fourth down, into a 20 mile an hour wind, and I think it was a 35 yard kick too. 

Anyway - a cold day in Williamsport but much warmer thanks to the lads - who really rallied late. 

Happy Halloween and All Saints Day to one and all.

ATB

Hey Simba, and

How does roast Ram taste anyway?  Are you going to the LVC game next week?  I have been monitoring the games on the pc - tough wins the last two weeks but looks like the boys may be on a MAC roll.  Trust you are well - let's have a Yingling and toast the lads!

Have to say I did not see the score of the MU - WU game coming.  Apparently Ohio football players are monsters who can devour, in one gulp, players from East of the Alleghenies.  Still - the MAC champ made it to the quarters - not too shabby.  Still remember the Lycoming - MU game in 1997 and how on the first kick-off the Mount Union guy just laughed after a Lyco starter hit him with his best shot - They are just playing at a totally different level than we are in the East - it is that complex and that simple.

Happy Holidays to all MAC posters and lurkers - and you know who you are too!

ATB

Yes - they are not a member school of the ECAC and therefore not eligible for an invitation.

17 seconds was the difference - and Coach Clark elected to throw on third down giving Widener 1:23 to win - AND THEY DID.  UGH!

Great season for the Warriors but a very dissatisfying end all the same.

Playoffs are the best. 

ATB

Go Aggies - er, but just not too much - a two touchdown win would be a nice, early birthday present.

ATB

Widener reminds me a little bit like Brett Favre - a Mississippi riverboat gambler - always relying on talent and believing in luck but willing to gamble even when it is 4th down on your own 22.  That sort of impulsive behavior eventually leads to your undoing because sooner or later the ball does not bounce your way and you run into a team that is just a wee bit hotter than you are.  They overcame great odds against a LVC team inextricably passing into double coverage twice while ahead and came out on top against Lycoming who did not score TDs in the red zone and botched field goals to put the game away truly capitalizing on turnovers.  Great teams, not just good teams, will not make those mistakes.  If Widener is going to win the MAC they will have to defeat a very determined and much improved DVC team and then re-invent themselves somewhat for the playoffs if they are going to go deep.  They are a hugely talented offensive juggernaut of a machine but must make better decisions when the playing field gets elevated to another plane.  Just how I see it after watching the game and reflecting.

Go Warriors - Go Aggies!

ATB

While I am grateful for those who posted the tie-breaker protocols it makes my head hurt to consider all the permutations - sure wish they had tackled #5 as he sprinted across the field in Williamsport while time ran out on the game.  So much simpler - sigh.

ATB

Thanks for the props bman.

Lycoming missed two field goals - one blocked; one botched; that were inside the ten yard line.  Matt Atkinson dropped a clear touchdown pass on the two yard line.  A Widener wide receiver dropped a clear touchdown pass without a defender within ten yards and inside the ten.  It was that sort of game. 

The defenses played their hearts out and Widener's offense was on fire passing like mad.  The first half they played lots of stretch plays with passes to the flats - I thought trying to tire out the Warriors and set them up for the inevitable Q-back draw - which worked to great effect later in the game when they lost some confidence in their passing game.

The turnovers were mostly attributable to sterling d-back or linebacker play - reading the pass and undercutting it or staying tight with the receiver and leaping at the last second.  It was an incredible game in many ways. 

Funny, the six points on the missed, chip shot field goals, proved very costly as the final tally was 5 points. 

This is why we love football so much - it is fast and unpredictable.

Thanks for asking.

ATB

Was at the Widnener-Lycoming  game for any and all concerned and am willing to answer questions, if requested.

The Warriors were up, with the ball, and only needing to run out the clock.  They were able to overcome a false start and get a first down and needed only one more to run out the clock.  On third and fourth, Coach Clark elected to pass and the ball was thrown behind Parker Showers for an incomplete pass stopping the clock - a critical mistake.  Second guessing says, run the ball, if you do not get the first down let the clock continue to run - take the timeout and then punt.  Not done - leaving Widener with 1:26 on the clock as the ball came to rest near the twenty yard line.

Widener gets the ball and begins to self-destruct - penalties, have to use up third time out, scrambling like mad, etc.  A series of dramatic third down pass plays for big gains.  With mere seconds to go - not quite yet in field goal position they attempted a crossing route with Anthony Davis - I do not know how they got him since I thought he turned pro after USC - but he made a great catch in mid-stride and sprinted diagonally across the field for a score.  If he catches it and is tackled it is very likely the clock runs out before they line up and spike it - but Lycoming did not lay a hand on him.  After the touchdown the clock read 00:17 - those final seconds that might have been run off the clock earlier during the Warriors last possession loom even larger as the season winds down.  Hard to say if things would have turned out differently - I would have preferred to eat more clock. 

Lycoming gambled on the pass for the final first down to run out the clock and threw over the middle and LOST.  Widener, with their backs to the wall, created an aerial circus, and gambled, throwing over the middle and WON.

It was a stunning loss, given the Girardi bust dedication, the homecoming backdrop, and the Warriors giving up 14 points in the final quarter - something not usually seen in Williamsport or elsewhere.  The Pride have a potent office and can score fast. 

The only truly negative thing I can report is they seemed a bit too full of themselves at the end - and did not exit the field to celebrate in the locker room which would have been the sportsmanlike thing to do - and what Lycoming did at Del Val earlier in the year when they upset them at home.

All in all - an exciting exhibition of D-III football and a game that might have turned out differently for a few crucial and strategic decisions.

I am now an Aggie fan - beat Widener.

Go Warriors!

ATB

Funny thing, great comebacks are almost always accompanied by catastrophic collapses.  Concur with Simba - the Widener - Lycoming game could be one for all time.  But, Del Val still gets a shot at Widener at the end of the season so you just never know.  The MAC is often very unpredictable despite what posters, soothsayers, coaches, broadcasters and prognosticators think and write.

Go Yankees!  Go Warriors!

ATB

Wow - all this posting reminds me of the scene in "The Princess Bride" where the Dread Pirate Roberts, played by Carey Elwes says, "Clearly, you have a dizzying intellect."  And the reply, "Ha ha, wait until I really get going."

I would like to point out that the season is not over yet - there are still plenty of games against competitive teams remaining for the MAC crown to be decided. 

Lycoming is sitting in a good spot having defeated Delware Valley, Lebanon Valley and Albright - but the rest of the gang remains - including Widener as the homecoming opponent.

The MAC could be a split champion as in previous years or even a tri-champion - you just never know until it all plays out.

Still - as was stated - lots of good commentary about the Wilkes v. Widener game.  Widener still has to play DVC too, right?  The Aggies might have something to say to them too.

I love this time of year!

Go Yankees!!  Go Warriors!!

ATB

Simba,

You were missed in the box and mentioned by name - just so you know.  What an awesome view and way to watch football!  The lads did not disappoint but played a spirited LVC team that kept fighting right until the end.  Their starting QB was injured early in the first half and that forced them out of a passing game plan into a more wildcat formation.  To his credit, he returned and that gave them a certain spark.  The Warriors controlled the tempo most of the day but the Flying Dutchmen refused to go away.

They can give the rest of the MAC fits and probably will.

As for the Warriors - they seem to be on a roll but there is still a lot of season left and who knows what will happen.

The play of the game was a very late interception where the DB nearly did a complete turn around to end the Dutchmen's chances - it was worthy of ESPN it was that unbelievable.

On to Albright and Go Warriors!

ATB

Not sure if the board is dormant or in hibernation or expired - hard to say.  I understand the silence of the Rams but wonder about the rest of the MAC.

In years past there was more than a handful of posters from Widener, Wilkes, LVC and even Albright - but now shhhhhh.

Guess folks must still be finishing up late summer yard projects.

Hard to have a chat by yourself.

Impressive Albright FG - thanks for the video clip.

Hope the Warriors can win at home this weekend - be sort of nice to see them get on a roll against the MAC.

Trust the rest of the MAC gang is well - nothing from my shipmate buddy Knight Stalker, or PBR, Gordon Mann or even Kate.

This week we have been invited to watch the Warriors in the President's box - swanky - hope they have barca-loungers!

Go Warriors!

ATB

Wow - what a game and what an upset today! 

I had a hunch the Aggies might be ripe for an upset so we loaded up the family and drove up to Doylestown, PA from Arlington, VA to watch the Warriors take on Del Val. 

Things started well with Lycoming moving the ball but the first drive was interrupted by a fumble and a quick score and it initially appeared things would not go the Warriors way but things slowly turned around for the lads from Williamsport. 

The game ended just about the time the skies opened up and as we drove away the entire DVC team was being addressed in the middle of the field by the coaching staff as the deluge arrived.  Even my ten year old daughter knew that was not good.

DVC might be the more talented team on paper but the Warriors were the victors today.

A personal salute to Coach Clark and Wiser for keeping the lads disciplined and focused all day - a true test of leadership. 

One other note:  the officials seemed to be intent on being intrusive as there was laundry on the field much of the day.

This win means the MAC is wide open this year - it will be interesting to see how DVC moves forward and what next week will portend for the Warriors who host the other valley school.

Go Warriors!

ATB

Lycoming now permits live streaming so you can watch the game - pity there is no voice-over to accompany the video.  That said, I watched the game and the boys never could get going.  Brockport was also throwing bombs down field with the game well in hand late in the 4th quarter.  Not sure what all or any of this means.

The guys gave a scrimmage output for an opening day event - pity.

Now Del Val is next and they will be spoiling for a win after losing to Rowan.

Talk about digging a whole for yourself - 1-0 looks much better.  That will have to wait until next season.

Anyone out there see the game in person?

ATB