FB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[formerd3db]

BOYA87 and section7:

Thanks for your kind comments and I also respect your own opinions.  I have been around Hope's program for a long time and I will share this with you.  I realize what you both are saying and, in most instances, that is true.  However, when the coaching staff instructs players repeatedly about some specific action they are supposed to do and that player/those players continually fail to perform that specific action, that is not on the coaching staff.  It is absolutely true that coaches don't play the games, and that, as you say, it is their responsibility to instill enthusiasm, perseverence and the will to win.  Hope's coaches are have been trying to do that, while at the same time not be too overly harsh on players - the latter can be just as detrimental.  The bottom line is that, unfortunately, our players have simply not made the plays or perform their duties to do what it takes to win, especially some of the more verteran players.  Certainly, there have been some bright spots and I truely believe Hope is improved somewhat from last year.  However, the players have not played up to their potential and that is not the coaches fault.  The have done everything they can to insight being upbeat, postive, enthusiastic.  But, again, you can't force players to have the will to win and or play.  Also, four blocked kicks right up the middle in two games - somethings wrong and it isn't the coaches for that one.  Perhaps Coach Kreps and his staff need to make some changes in the lineup, although I know there are people who have doubts that would even be helpful at this time.  Again, my point was players have to make the tough plays to win close games and they just haven't done it.  Coach Kreps even went out of his routine this past game to make some "gutsy" calls, when some of us weren't quite so sure.  Luckly, a couple of those plays turned out, yet unfortunately, the others did not when we needed it the most.

I'm not intending to be disrespectful or down on the players.  I'm just simply stating the truth of the situation as it now stands.  As I said, I hope this changes or it will be a long season.  On the other hand, if we had won those two close games, then people would be singing a different tune I'm sure, yet there would still be some areas of concern.  But that is a natural occurance for any team regardless.  Just MHO  Anyway, obviously takiing one week at a time is the only thing that can be done.  This is a new week.

[formerd3db]

Hey DAWG:

Glad to have you back on the board!  You've been away for quite some time.  Please don't be a stranger   Your posts and insight has been a fine contribution here.

[BOYA87]

can anyone remember the travel roster size for away games?!  I know in the playoffs its something like 52 but during the season I think you can travel upwards of 60 players.  I am sure if Trine played Blufton at home in which they dressed their 100+ players that they have on their team, there would have been 5th 6th and 7th string players in, but regardless it was an away game and most teams only have the luxury of sending their 1st 2nd and hopefully most of their 3rd string players.  As a Trine fan I never want to see a score run up in the name of sportsmanship but I am also extrememly proud of the many young and hungry players Trine has who are willing to go out and work hard at a point in the game that really doesnt matter.  Were all of us not taught to never give up?  To treat every down like its your last?  Congrats on another great performance Trine!  and if you can take that attitude and desire into every game then its going to be a hell of a season! 

[Pat Coleman]

Conference games are usually run by conference rules. For non-conference games, traveling parties are sometimes agreed to in the contract.

[OnAirThunder]

FYI...

I talked to Coach Land this morning and there isn't a set limit, rules-wise on the number a program can bring. However, it comes down to budget restrictions. Trine brought 70 players on Saturday and every single one of them was listed on the participation report.

Of course, playoff games are different.

[BoredatWork56]

I have been on both sides of games that have gotten out of hand.  Most notably the 73-0 loss to Albion on Tri-States homecoming a few years ago.  Although there were some hurt feelings, lessons were learned in that game that helped turn the program around.  Hopefully the same can be said in a few years for Bluffton.

Knowing Coach Land, he in no way intentionally ran up the score.  He is a very demanding and competitive coach, but he has the upmost respect for his peers.  As has been said before, he played reserves for most of the second half.  You cant expect the 2nd and 3rd stringers to take it easy.  They are going to play their butts off whenever they get a chance.  Land getting all 70 players on the field is quite a feat (i wish that happened more often, i could have padded my stats - or at least had some stats).  I wouldn't for a second commend him for putting up a 70 point win, but i would commend him very much for getting some of these palyers experience and in doing so, prepping his team to win in the future.

Looking forward to next week, I wish the Thunder the best of luck in their first big test of the season.  These long trips bring a new dynamic to game day, getting the players and coaches out of  their comfort zone of the normal game day routine. I am excited to see how they respond.  Hopefully they stay disciplined and come out with a victory against their toughest opponent so far.

[Raider 68]

Having become more and more familiar with the WIAC conference in the past few years, IMHO, Trine will have a tough go at UW-RF. If there was a line on the game it might be Trine to win by 7 -10, since they are 2-0 and RF is 0-2, but UW-RF played #11 Ohio Northern away and lost another game away to a ranked St. Thomas. Trine has not had a tough game and has a 500 mile ride to Wisconsin, so we see if those factors have an impact.

[OnAirThunder]

I'm more concerned about my travel than Trine's. Coach Land talked about it briefly in our pregame show that they were going to treat it like a playoff game. The guys would get on the bus, watch a movie, take a nap, and they would be there. They're leaving campus at 10 AM which will put them up in WI-RF around dinner/bed time.

One thing that I've learned about this coaching staff and this team is that they are able to put on the blinders, ignore almost everything around them, and focus on the task at hand.

[Pat Coleman]

I was really hoping to get to that game but we had a death in the family this week so I will be traveling, but not for football.

[maripp2002]

Pat, sorry to hear that, my condolences.

[formerd3db]

Yes, Pat, very sorry to hear about the death in your family.  I will keep you and the family members in thought and prayer.  It is never easy, regardless of how close the relative is.  God Bless and safe travels.

[formerd3db]

can anyone remember the travel roster size for away games?!  I know in the playoffs its something like 52 but during the season I think you can travel upwards of 60 players.  I am sure if Trine played Blufton at home in which they dressed their 100+ players that they have on their team, there would have been 5th 6th and 7th string players in, but regardless it was an away game and most teams only have the luxury of sending their 1st 2nd and hopefully most of their 3rd string players.  As a Trine fan I never want to see a score run up in the name of sportsmanship but I am also extrememly proud of the many young and hungry players Trine has who are willing to go out and work hard at a point in the game that really doesnt matter.  Were all of us not taught to never give up?  To treat every down like its your last?  Congrats on another great performance Trine!  and if you can take that attitude and desire into every game then its going to be a hell of a season! 

Conference games are usually run by conference rules. For non-conference games, traveling parties are sometimes agreed to in the contract.

FYI...

I talked to Coach Land this morning and there isn't a set limit, rules-wise on the number a program can bring. However, it comes down to budget restrictions. Trine brought 70 players on Saturday and every single one of them was listed on the participation report.

Of course, playoff games are different.

Hope traveled with 53 players this past weekend to the WLC game.

[ADAWGISADAWG4LIFE]

When I started out at Adrian we took one bus full of players and then a 12 person van, probably around 55 or so players tops.  By the time I left there we were traveling with 2 full sized buses for road games, so our roster had ballooned, it came in handy for large wins, but other than that it was just a lot of bodies and a more crowded vistors locker room.

Im curious to see the scores this weekend, Adrian faces another tough test in Augustana after a lesser opponent in Defiance, itll be another measuring stick game for them to see where they are really at as a team both offensively and defensively.  Hope @ Milikin and Trine @ UW RF are two other intriguing games.  It would be nice to see Hope get off the losing streak they are on and Trine will be testing itself against some very good talent which could make for their first test on the year.  I may be taking in the Albion game this weekend, not sure yet as no plans are set and my car is acting up a bit which may prevent the drive.

formerd3db:

Ill be in and out, probably not as in depth as I have been in the past things have picked up on my end with new job, planning a wedding, home ownership etc and the changes that were made at Adrian, not as heavily invested as I had been at the moment, no hard feelings towards the program or staff, but the administration is another story.

[lakeshore]

Yeah I heard the story of how they fired the HC at Adrian.  Very unprofessional and disrespectful to a man who had served the college so long.

Adrian will be in for a tough test in Augie who we know in the CCIW as a perennial contender.  Like the top 4-5 teams in the CCIW, Augie could enter most other D3 leagues and win it year in and year out.

[ADAWGISADAWG4LIFE]

Lakeshore:

Augie has always been a tough team, the first year schedule for Coach Deere at Adrian isnt doing him any favors @ UWW, home against Augie, @ Depauw.  A tough non conference schedule for anyone, Defiance is the only easy non con game they had and they open their conference play against Trine, it could shape up to be a very tough first 6 weeks with Olivet and Defiance being the lower tier games in that stretch.