FB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[D306]

Good activity on the board this weekend

I did not make the Albion Game this week, out of country and back all in a weekend can you say jet lag?

The overview of Albion game will be second hand info here.

Marian is has large lines, couple 6-5/6-7 tackles at 300+
They like the power run game, with fly routes when you put 8 or more in the box.

Albion sat 3 starters and limited play of another on defense.

Albion had opportunites early with a forced fumble inside the 30 came away with FG. The next drive an interception inside the 30 again leading to a tough drop in the endzone on 3rd down and a missed FG.
Why is it that missed opportunites always come back to huant you?

Marian hit a 50+ pass pattern on 3rd and 10 the next drive and proceeded to run the ball in on the subsequaint set of downs.

The remainader of the game was pretty even, with both teams moving the ball at points, Marian more effectively on the ground.
Albion had 2 costly turnovers inside their 20 in which Marian capitalized with TD's hence the comment about always coming back to haunt you.
Albion sat starting QB the 2nd half. Limited some play of others once the 1st of 2 deep in their own zone turnovers lead to a TD.

Cold wet day in Albion, though looking at the Hope pictures on board nothing like that field that is ugly!!!

All in all I think if Albion was healthy and had put a focus on the game, Marian still would have come away with a close win, Lineplay on both sides was impressive Marian LB flow to the ball, DB's were good size but not overly tight to ball or fast.  Defense started with the front 4 keeping LB's clean and pressure on QB's.

Marian RB and FB were big and fast ran hard, FB looked to 235-240 and had speed.
Several lead runs, power delays, full house backfield.

As I said this is a second hand review, sounds like Marian is a solid power team.

I do not think Albion was looking forward to Trine as much as I think coaching staff rested some nicked up guys, and focused on a few different wrinkles in the offense to get ready for the stretch drive.
I am sure Albion would have liked a win to keep spirits high, though I also think coaching staff wisely chose to play things safe, play a few new guys and get right for big game with Trine.

Big Adrian win / tough loss for Hope
With Trine coming to Albion this weekend the conference championship comes into focus.
Albion needs to pull the upset, can not afford to have 2 losses in league play.
Adrian and Trine need to remain focused and not look past this weeks games.
The re-match means nothing if they lose this weekend, they then control their own destiny. You do not want to then have to scorebard watch and look for help.

Let's hope for dry weather so a wet ball does not effect turnovers and limit game plans.

[formerd3db]

Raider68:

RE: karma - altor nicely related the "karma rules".  As he mentioned, a poster has to have a significant amount of posts before they are allowed to give karma, although karma can be given/taken away from them before that.

As to the stadium in Holland, there will be no "new" stadium built - I have heard nothing whatsoever regarding that possibility and, IMO, that is extremely unlikely.  Certainly updated renovations need to be made to the current Holland Municipal Stadium, yet the situation to be decided is exactly as you mention as to who will be the owner/overseer of the facility.  Therein lies the underlying aspect in the discussions or negotiations (if we can call it that i.e. the latter term).  Right now, from what I've heard most recently, the city wants to keep ownership of the stadium.  IMO, I think it would be a better situation if Hope purchased it and, I can't believe that a very good mutual/contractual agreement couldn't be made for allowing Holland High School the use of it that would suit all parties.  Then again, we all know how politics plays into these matters.  We'll see what may or may not play out, if anything, over the next few months.

BAW:
Thanks for the summary of the Trine/Kazoo game.  After seeing Trine play Hope, I was, indeed, impressed with Trine's RB's, so as you mention, they will be a big offensive weapon for teams to contend with next year and beyond.  From your description and what I saw at the Trine/Hope game also, I think that Trine will have to definitely improve on defense to have a good chance to advance beyond the first round of the NCAA playoffs if they end up winning the MIAA title.  While Trine is good, I'm afraid there are just too many other regional teams that are (once again) better than any of this year's MIAA teams.  Hope did well against some tough non-conference competition, yet perhaps aside from Wheaton (which has lost a game now), the others who may still yet make the playoffs are not overpowering teams compared to some of the others (again, I'm just basing my opinion on what I saw in the Hope games and have only peripherally followed those non-conference opponents we played).  All that being said, as I mentioned in a previous post, whoever is our league AQ, I am definitely going to be rooting for them.  

[formerd3db]

D306:

Others had asked about Marian.  I had reviewed their football website in the past, but will admit other than that, I know little about them.  They started a new program from scratch and as I understand it, have never had a football program in the history of that school.  Their coach is Ted Karras, a former Northwestern standout in the Big Ten (and nephew of the famous Detroit Lion Alex Karras).  Ted Karras was the former Head Coach at Div III Rose-Hulman and got their program back to a good, competitive level; prior to that he was Head Coach as I recall at NAIA St. Francis and had a top program there, winning or at least in the national championship game I believe (not sure on that without checking that on the website right now).  Anyway, from reviewing the roster, it appears that Marian is, indeed, on the course of recruiting some more talented players, although as we all know, it takes a few years to do that (they are only in their third year I believe).  Also, I think they are a scholarship program (I could be mistaken on that and should really check before posting this, but again, I'm trying to recall this at the moment).  They also have to recruit in the same regions as DePauw, Wabash, Franklin and, of course, the other DIII schools in Indiana; Karras also has some strong connections in the Chicago area so I believe they try and tap into that region as well.  And if they are a scholarship program, we know that gives them a perceived advantage in recruting, at least in the eyes of some of the parents and student-athletes in that process.   Being they are a newer program, I thought they would lose to Albion, yet on the other hand, they've obviously improved and we also know that your Albion is not at their best this year as compared to past years.  But that's the way it goes.

BTW, speaking of Albion playing non-conference foes like that, I see where Butler, who Albion has beaten in recent years is undefeated overall this year so far at 7-0 (they are technically FCS classification, yet as everyone knows their league is non-scholarship - formerly D-IAA Pioneer League).  Still, they have beaten the likes of San Diego who Jim Harbaugh took to the next level (and who beat teams such as Yale) before he moved on to Stanford.  I've heard through the rumor mill that Butler is planning on moving back to a "higher level" of competition in D-I and very possibly going back to scholarship football at that level, to match the other sports in their program.  Fordham University in NY has just done the same - kind of like returning to their earlier years or at least attempting to (does anyone recall hearing about the 7 Rocks of Granite? - and for a trivia bonus point, who was a member of that Fordham group back then? Hint: famous NFL legendary coach).

[RFMichigan]

D306:

Others had asked about Marian.  I had reviewed their football website in the past, but will admit other than that, I know little about them.  They started a new program from scratch and as I understand it, have never had a football program in the history of that school.  Their coach is Ted Karras, a former Northwestern standout in the Big Ten (and nephew of the famous Detroit Lion Alex Karras).  Ted Karras was the former Head Coach at Div III Rose-Hulman and got their program back to a good, competitive level; prior to that he was Head Coach as I recall at NAIA St. Francis and had a top program there, winning or at least in the national championship game I believe (not sure on that without checking that on the website right now).  Anyway, from reviewing the roster, it appears that Marian is, indeed, on the course of recruiting some more talented players, although as we all know, it takes a few years to do that (they are only in their third year I believe).  Also, I think they are a scholarship program (I could be mistaken on that and should really check before posting this, but again, I'm trying to recall this at the moment).  They also have to recruit in the same regions as DePauw, Wabash, Franklin and, of course, the other DIII schools in Indiana; Karras also has some strong connections in the Chicago area so I believe they try and tap into that region as well.  And if they are a scholarship program, we know that gives them a perceived advantage in recruting, at least in the eyes of some of the parents and student-athletes in that process.   Being they are a newer program, I thought they would lose to Albion, yet on the other hand, they've obviously improved and we also know that your Albion is not at their best this year as compared to past years.  But that's the way it goes.

BTW, speaking of Albion playing non-conference foes like that, I see where Butler, who Albion has beaten in recent years is undefeated overall this year so far at 7-0 (they are technically FCS classification, yet as everyone knows their league is non-scholarship - formerly D-IAA Pioneer League).  Still, they have beaten the likes of San Diego who Jim Harbaugh took to the next level (and who beat teams such as Yale) before he moved on to Stanford.  I've heard through the rumor mill that Butler is planning on moving back to a "higher level" of competition in D-I and very possibly going back to scholarship football at that level, to match the other sports in their program.  Fordham University in NY has just done the same - kind of like returning to their earlier years or at least attempting to (does anyone recall hearing about the 7 Rocks of Granite? - and for a trivia bonus point, who was a member of that Fordham group back then? Hint: famous NFL legendary coach).

I'll try this from memory: Was it Vince Lombardi - legendary Green Bay Packer coach?

[formerd3db]

....Fordham University in NY has just done the same - kind of like returning to their earlier years or at least attempting to (does anyone recall hearing about the 7 Rocks of Granite? - and for a trivia bonus point, who was a member of that Fordham group back then? Hint: famous NFL legendary coach).

I'll try this from memory: Was it Vince Lombardi - legendary Green Bay Packer coach?

RFMichigan:

You are correct and "win the prize".   I owe you a hot dog and a beer (or a Coca-Cola) if we ever meet up at one of the DIII games!

[formerd3db]

BAW and BOY, where are your Trine colleagues?  Uncle Rico and LetItRain have been quiet around here.

[Diezel1]

BAW and BOY, where are your Trine colleagues?  Uncle Rico and LetItRain have been quiet around here.

I don't think anyone would really claim to being colleagues with either of those two.  Just kinda got stuck with them, with no choice.  So, I think Boya drove off Uncle Rico and LetItRain

[formerd3db]

Diezel1:

I, of course, hope you are joking (if you are, you forgot to put in one of the face symbols ).  No one should drive anyone off our board here.  I (and others) have always intended our board be somewhat different than some of the other boards.  While there can be - and is - spirited discussion here at times, I dare say that I don't ever recall anyone here taking it to an inappropriate level by making personal attacks or "crossing the line" with regards to offensive comments, foul language, etc. against or toward anyone else here unlike what occurs at times on other boards.  So with that said, I hope everyone makes the choice to continue to contribute and participate here as they can and/or desire, and/or at least once in awhile.

[LetItRain]

BAW and BOY, where are your Trine colleagues?  Uncle Rico and LetItRain have been quiet around here.

Wow - I've been called out.   

Sometimes flying under the radar is the way to go and that's how I've been feeling about this season.  I hated seeing Trine lose to Franklin but knocking us out of the Top 25 may have been the best thing that happened to us this season.  It seems to have calmed everyone down so they can focus on football and they can stop worrying about the big target painted on our backs.

Speaking of knocking someone out of the Top 25 - Franklin got a taste of that themselves this weekend.  Who would have thought that one loss would result in a 20 point drop in the poll - yikes!

I don't know if I have any earth-shattering observations this year.  Trine's offense looks better than they did last year.  However, our defense worries me just a bit.  There's a lot of newer players starting this year and they're working hard to get into their "groove".  The veterans are doing their best to make up the difference, but the newer players also need to step up.  That being said, I also think I'm being a bit harsh/critical since they've only lost one game and that was by only one point, so obviously the defense is doing their job.  Nothing would please me more than to see Trine repeat as the MIAA champs but to even hope this will happen is almost like tempting fate, so I've been quiet.

I will say that Trine set a new school record by scoring 40+ points in 4 games so far this season.  It's always good to set these kinds of records and affirms the fact that the offense has really been playing well. 

I'm just harder on the defense since my son plays defense.  Typical parent, right?

[Mr. Ypsi]

LIR,

Good to see you back.  I was going to point out that your were still a regular on pickems, and were maybe just still licking your wounds from the 17th!

[LetItRain]

While I may be currently a regular on pick-ems I think it would be better if I stuck to posting on this forum than trying to pick games this year.  I'm getting beaten up this year on pick-ems.  Can't seem to catch a break (other than sticking with Trine each week).   

[formerd3db]

LIR:

I second Mr. Ypsi's comment.  I agree with you that sometimes "lurking" is the better part of valor, however, please don't make it such a long stretch.  We do appreciate your commentary and discusion on here.

I have questions for you (and the other Trine people).  What is the next phase for your football stadium?  When we (Hope) played there a few weeks back, it sure looked great to see the new turf, lights, etc.  I heard there that the permanent stadium stand (brick and block) and new pressbox were to probably be in action for next year, but not sure.  It was also my understanding that the master plan called for the main stadium i.e. home stands to switch sides of the field and thus be where the current visitors stand are.  I would just add my opinion that if that is so, it won't be as nice for you home spectators because the wind, rain, sleet, etc. will be blowing right directly in your faces due to the orientation of the field as the weather usually (traditionally) comes from the SW to NE.  I know it was nasty in that regard for us that day we played at Hope when it intermittantly went from rain, sleet, high winds to sunny/windy and back again all day.

One final question; is it also in the plan to have a new lockerroom building at the end of the stadium and much closer for the teams?  I assume also you'll have a nice matching gateway entrance and ticket booth in the final stage.  Overall, at least the field is a tremendous improvement with the new synthetic turf as compared to the mudhole you guys had a couple of years ago when we played.  Unfortunately, as I'm sure you've read in the posts/discussion above, Hope still has the exact same problem - see the photo above.

Anyway, glad you haven't abandoned us!
   

[Mr. Ypsi]

While I may be currently a regular on pick-ems I think it would be better if I stuck to posting on this forum than trying to pick games this year.  I'm getting beaten up this year on pick-ems.  Can't seem to catch a break (other than sticking with Trine each week).   

Yes, that HAS worked out a lot better than if you were an Olivet 'homer'!

On CCIW pickems I generally pick IWU at least 95% of the time in both fball and bball.  Some years that puts me at or near the top; other years, not such a good strategy!

[formerd3db]

Oops!  Sorry for the minor modifications - had to correct my typos - should have checked those fully before hitting the "post" button.

[LetItRain]

Trine broke ground on the new football building on 10/3.  The building will house new locker rooms, press box, a weight room, football offices, etc...  As you indicated, the home stands are moving across the field and will be built into the side of the new football building (similar to Adrian's building but without reserved seating - that I know of anyway).  The new building is scheduled to be complete in time for the 2010 football season. So to answer your question - yes, the home stands will now be facing the sun, wind, rain, sleet and snow starting next season.  Don't think we fans haven't already talked about this a bit...   

We did purchase and install lights from Memorial Stadium in Ft. Wayne.  It is my understanding that we also purchased the "jumbotron" from Memorial Stadium and it will be installed somewhere around the field for next season.  I heard this from a Trine faculty member so I trust that it is reliable info.  It will be very cool if it actually happens.  Wouldn't it be nice to see some instant replays at a D3 stadium?

I'm not sure about the plans for a new entrance, ticket booth, etc..., but I have to imagine this is all part of the plans.