FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[ScotsFan]

How crazy are these stats & facts on Mount Union:

>- roster has 186 players
> - 4 guys wear #32, 4 guys wear #34!!!!!!  Most number assignments have at least 2 guys
> - they have punted 6 times all season in 14 games!
> - they have given up 5 points per game
> - they average 52 points per game
> - opposing teams average .7 yards per rush
> - they give up 24 yards rushing per game
> - they are 98 for 99 in PATs
> - in 14 games, they have given up 6 points in the first quarter
> - Mount has rushed for 57 TDs on the season, opponents have 3

CRAZY!

Those are some outrageous numbers!  Those are video game numbers!!!   

If you look at ND's strength of schedule, they don't play many cupcakes........ and would have beaten most MAC, Conf USA, MWC, Sun-Belt teams if they would have played them.

While ND does have their share of tough games, to say they don't play many cupcakes is a bit of an understatement as well.  The thing is, ND was losing to those cupcakes on their schedule this season!  I actually found it kind of funny how ND was pumping themselves up acting as though they had finished off the season with momentum by beating mighty Duke and Stanford?!  Not exactly signature wins, but whatever makes you feel good about yourselves I guess?!

[jaypeter]

Scotsfan,

Another stat that is pretty impressive.  While MUC has made 98 of 99 extra points, their starting place kicker has made 97 of them in a row.

[nike]

Nice front page story on Justin Beaver. Wow!

[D3_DPUFan]

While ND does have their share of tough games, to say they don't play many cupcakes is a bit of an understatement as well.  The thing is, ND was losing to those cupcakes on their schedule this season!  I actually found it kind of funny how ND was pumping themselves up acting as though they had finished off the season with momentum by beating mighty Duke and Stanford?!  Not exactly signature wins, but whatever makes you feel good about yourselves I guess?!

Thank you, Scotsfan...you are exactly right. And the win against Duke---at home no less---was far from convincing...if the Blue Devils didn't keep shotting themselves int he foot with turnovers they could have beaten ND. But it's ridiculous to even be talking about that...Notre Dame, no matter the year or hte excuses, should NEVER lose to the teams their losing to now. This is a D3 site, so conversation for another place...but how about the decisionmakers under the Golden Dome? Gerry Faust, Bob Davie, Ty Willingham, getting stiffed by Urban Meyer, the quicktrigger reaction to hire George "doctored resume" O'Leary...and the arrogant one from New England...then big time Charlie holds up ND for a 10 year deal with subtle threats of retreating to the NFL...I think the problems extend beyond the field in South Bend...

p.s. Obviously they got it right when they hired Lou!
 

[formerd3db]

...I think the problems extend beyond the field in South Bend...

p.s. Obviously they got it right when they hired Lou!
 

D3_DPUFan:

Probably, a lot of people would agree with your assessment.  From your posting, I assume you are talking about the # of wins regarding Holtz because he certainly was "below the board" on many other issues both there and at the Univ. of Minnesota as no doubt many might recall.  Obviously, there is more to (or at least should be) the integrety of a college football program, its administration and coaching staff, than wins, although unfortunately, we all know that doesn't occur at many places in today's society.

[D3_DPUFan]

D3_DPUFan:

Probably, a lot of people would agree with your assessment.  From your posting, I assume you are talking about the # of wins regarding Holtz because he certainly was "below the board" on many other issues both there and at the Univ. of Minnesota as no doubt many might recall.    Obviously, there is more to (or at least should be) the integrety of a college football program, its administration and coaching staff, than wins, although unfortunately, we all know that doesn't occur at many places in today's society.

You are correct...and I totally agree with your reference to integrity, etc. (including the fact that it is missing in so many aspects of society), HOWEVER, I think ND has come to use the "integrity/academics card as a crutch (excuse) for its woes. ND can maintain academic integrity, the moral high ground, etc. and have success on the gridiron...IMHO they have too many built in advantages to have sunk to the level they now find themselves...

[BashBacker#16]

Congrats to Adi on another post season award.  This team is compiled of all of D2, all of D3, and NAIA!

http://www.wabash.edu/news/displaystory.cfm?news_ID=5341

[Li'l Giant]

Here is an article I assume will be of interest to y'all. Please note the author of the first comment.

Split Division III? Proceed With Caution

[Mr. Ypsi]

Here is an article I assume will be of interest to y'all. Please note the author of the first comment.

Split Division III? Proceed With Caution

That is very revealing as to the usual position of Earlham's athletic teams in the NCAC.  Memo to President Bennett: Last Sunday I attended a performance of Archibald MacLeish's J.B. at the University of Michigan.  Among the cast members were Chad Henne and Jake Long (since I'm sure you've probably never heard of them, they are the qb and AA lineman on the Wolverine football team).  Even at a 'football factory', students who so desire find time to (and are allowed to) be 'diversely active'.  BTW, both will graduate, on time and with honors.

[formerd3db]

Here is an article I assume will be of interest to y'all. Please note the author of the first comment.

Split Division III? Proceed With Caution

Here is an article I assume will be of interest to y'all. Please note the author of the first comment.

Split Division III? Proceed With Caution

That is very revealing as to the usual position of Earlham's athletic teams in the NCAC.  Memo to President Bennett: Last Sunday I attended a performance of Archibald MacLeish's J.B. at the University of Michigan.  Among the cast members were Chad Henne and Jake Long (since I'm sure you've probably never heard of them, they are the qb and AA lineman on the Wolverine football team).  Even at a 'football factory', students who so desire find time to (and are allowed to) be 'diversely active'.  BTW, both will graduate, on time and with honors.

Indeed, very interesting.  The author discusses some legitimate concerns.  There was also an article a couple of years ago in the Stagg Bowl program about potential scenarios for this potential split and the future of DIII, which brought out some similar concerns, although as I recall, was more focused on the disparity between some of the smallest schools in regards to being able to compete against the better teams i.e. won/lost records, etc.

For sure, as the author of this current article suggest, I hope the DIII presidents and NCAA procede with caution regarding this.  We don't need another Swarthmore debacle on a widespread playing field!

[D3_DPUFan]

Here is an article I assume will be of interest to y'all. Please note the author of the first comment.

Split Division III? Proceed With Caution

Thanks for the link to an extremely well written and thought-provoking piece. 

BTW, I just looked up the definition of egghead and it included a picture of Earlham's president...sorry couldn't resist. Perhaps explains alot about the school's state of athletic competitiveness. 

[D3_DPUFan]

That is very revealing as to the usual position of Earlham's athletic teams in the NCAC.  Memo to President Bennett: Last Sunday I attended a performance of Archibald MacLeish's J.B. at the University of Michigan.  Among the cast members were Chad Henne and Jake Long (since I'm sure you've probably never heard of them, they are the qb and AA lineman on the Wolverine football team).  Even at a 'football factory', students who so desire find time to (and are allowed to) be 'diversely active'.  BTW, both will graduate, on time and with honors.

...well said.

[phil]

Where are the statistics that show a corellation between school enrollment size and athletic success? Show me the statistics which prove that state schools have a higher instance of success than private schools. Explain why Williams, Amherst, and Middlebury - among the most exclusive and expensive private DIII schools - are some of the most succesful athletic programs in DIII. These arguments to split DIII have no merit other than to try to create an excuse out of faulty reasoning.

The folks that want the proverbial DIV should just admit they don't want to commit the funds to programs they don't care about supporting... and drop their athletic programs to club status. I wonder how that would affect enrollment?!

[bashbrother]

The folks that want the proverbial DIV should just admit they don't want to commit the funds to programs they don't care about supporting... and drop their athletic programs to club status. I wonder how that would affect enrollment?!

Bingo!  +K

[BashJB49]

Didn't get a chance to watch the UW-W/ Bash game but from watching them play Mount at the moment, I don't think we had much of a chance against the Warhawks from the get-go. That goal line stand was sick.