FB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[formerd3db]

Bobo and DBQ:
Thanks for the summary and link regarding the same.  It was a "pasting" for sure and it appears that Albion, unfortunately, just imploded in having one of those games where nothing goes right from the start.  That sometimes happens in the playoffs to some teams, who on paper should do better and despite by their record and play in recent games, just have a bad day.  I remember that happened to Hope back in 2006 the last time we made the playoffs.  After losing consecutive games at the beginning of the season, we won the remaining to get to the playoffs.  While we were certainly no powerhouse, the team had been improving (not only in play and execution but in enthusiasm, attitudes, etc.) to the point where some of us thought they just might have a chance at pulling a rare upset of Mount Union.  The thought was if we could shock Mount and get them off their usual mode, we might have a chance.  Everyone, including the coaching staff thought that the team was ready for that kind of day.  Well, it turned out the exact opposite and just like Albion's yesterday; with the minor exception that after stopping Mount on our goal line in a great goal line stance, we proceeded to move the ball down the field to our 49 yard line until an interception that then turned the game into a "nightmare".  Within 6 minutes of the first quarter, it was 21-0 Mount Union (as I recall) and it went further downhill from there.  Hope completely fell apart and could do nothing at all the rest of the game.  Of course, it didn't help that Mount Union had Garcon, who simply put on "his jets" when our defensive players were right on him and pulled away with "the speed of light" everytime he got the ball for either long pass gains and/or scores.

Those type of games are disheartening and when it starts "going downhill and then turns into a landslide/avelanche", there is nothing you can do to stop that it seams.  So it appears from the game summaries you both provided, that was the way it went. 

I agree with Mr. Ypsi about the MIAA and what it needs to do in the future as he posted above.  BTW, sorry Ypsi, that your IWU lost in OT - that makes it even more painful.  Although that was a nice win for Monmouth, which happens to be Hope Head Coach Kreps' alma mater and where he played. 

Anyway, on to the second round playoffs now. I also think we will now be seeing the more colder and gray weather as usual for November and December for these games.   

[GRIZ_BACKER]

People must have had some late fall chores to get done today and/or they assumed their teams (who were the favorites) would win as the attendance at the first round playoff games was only fair.   The only team (that box scores are shown for on the front web page so far) that was over 2,000 in attendance was the the Monmouth/Illinois Wesleyan game.  All the others were in the mid 1,000, with most being around 1,300 - 1,500.  I hope some of the bigger, more competitive games now will have more attendance.

2850 at Franlin per the box score.  Less than the normal crowd but Thanksgiving break probably had something to do with that.  Good crowd was on hand and the game went down to the wire as promised.

[formerd3db]

Thanks for the info, Grizz_Backer.  The info wasn't available intially for that game or a few others when I posted.  That is a nice crowd for the playoff, although as you say, perhaps it might have been even more were it not for the weekend prior to Thanksgiving break.  Anyway, good luck to Franklin this weekend in the second round. 

[formerd3db]

Okay now.  Just because we're (the MIAA) is "out of it" for this year, doesn't mean you guys have to go away, on vacation from here or "AWOL"   I know you'll all have some thoughts on the DIII playoffs and the other divisions.  So don't be strangers!

[Mr. Ypsi]

formerd3db, well, even though my Titans are now just as much spectators as the MIAA teams, you know I'm not going away!

That was a truly painful loss - it went just the way I feared it would.  Super QBs can make for weird outcomes (c.f., Chad Rupp over NCC, 2008 round two).  We definitely slowed Tanney down most of the game, but a fifth year All American QB is apt to come thru in crunch time.  Our QB played very well most of the year, but as a first-year starting sophomore, alas, picked the worst time possible to play like the young QB he is - FOUR picks and a fumble in the third OT!   I remain convinced that, overall, IWU is better than Monmouth, but while teams like UWW, UMU, or NCC may be able to overcome 5 TOs, we can't (and didn't).

0-1 Monmouth plays bball at 3-0 IWU on Tuesday.  I've got a feeling that the score may get UGLY - can you spell P A Y B A C K?!

[formerd3db]

Mr. Ypsi:

Well, you better not go away - you are one of our veteran and most astute posters here and we need you.  I didn't think you would leave us!  Anyway, thanks for your take on the IWU/Monmouth game.  Yes, indeed, sometimes it goes that way, just as I commented about the Albion/UWW game in comparing it to our Hope/Mount game about 5 years back (difficult to believe it was that long ago already).  As far as the basketball game goes, yes, there might be some satisfaction for the students at IWU in that regard if it is a blow-out win!   Hope plays Western Michigan University in bb next week (Nov 30th) as I previously mentioned and I think I may go to the game.  As you mentioned, they were picked to be one of the top, if not the top MAC team, so I am not sure how Hope will fare this year, compared to when they had some of their greatest bb teams in recent past years.  We shall see.

Talk to you later and all best wishes for a blessed Thanksgiving with your family.   

[Raider 68]

Bobo and DBQ:
Thanks for the summary and link regarding the same.  It was a "pasting" for sure and it appears that Albion, unfortunately, just imploded in having one of those games where nothing goes right from the start.  That sometimes happens in the playoffs to some teams, who on paper should do better and despite by their record and play in recent games, just have a bad day.  I remember that happened to Hope back in 2006 the last time we made the playoffs.  After losing consecutive games at the beginning of the season, we won the remaining to get to the playoffs.  While we were certainly no powerhouse, the team had been improving (not only in play and execution but in enthusiasm, attitudes, etc.) to the point where some of us thought they just might have a chance at pulling a rare upset of Mount Union.  The thought was if we could shock Mount and get them off their usual mode, we might have a chance.  Everyone, including the coaching staff thought that the team was ready for that kind of day.  Well, it turned out the exact opposite and just like Albion's yesterday; with the minor exception that after stopping Mount on our goal line in a great goal line stance, we proceeded to move the ball down the field to our 49 yard line until an interception that then turned the game into a "nightmare".  Within 6 minutes of the first quarter, it was 21-0 Mount Union (as I recall) and it went further downhill from there.  Hope completely fell apart and could do nothing at all the rest of the game.  Of course, it didn't help that Mount Union had Garcon, who simply put on "his jets" when our defensive players were right on him and pulled away with "the speed of light" everytime he got the ball for either long pass gains and/or scores.

Those type of games are disheartening and when it starts "going downhill and then turns into a landslide/avelanche", there is nothing you can do to stop that it seams.  So it appears from the game summaries you both provided, that was the way it went. 

I agree with Mr. Ypsi about the MIAA and what it needs to do in the future as he posted above.  BTW, sorry Ypsi, that your IWU lost in OT - that makes it even more painful.  Although that was a nice win for Monmouth, which happens to be Hope Head Coach Kreps' alma mater and where he played. 

Anyway, on to the second round playoffs now. I also think we will now be seeing the more colder and gray weather as usual for November and December for these games.   

formerd3db,

I was at that game and was not posting  then. or knew you were a Hope alum and former player. Your post is spot on regarding both games. I have a hunch that top team will lose this Saturday and it will not be either Mount or UWW!

[sac]

Check this out.   

At 3:34 of this video you will see the best play I have ever seen run in person.  You cannot defend this without one hell of a great individual effort by someone.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4dAkYN17jk&feature=player_embedded

During the broadcast Urban Meyer said he had never seen it.  You could see Brady Hoke mouth the words "how do you defend that", Greg Mattison's response was "you can't".

This was just one amazing play.

[formerd3db]

Raider68:
Thanks and we both know what that is like.  Also, I think you are right about next weekend!   Have a blessed and enjoyable Thanksgiving this week and your trip (if you haven't taken it already).

[formerd3db]

sac:

I watched most of the game, although missed some parts of it and much of the fourth quarter as we had to go to a wedding.  However, thanks for bringing attention to the video.  That is an awesome play - a double option -wow!  Also, great broadcasting team of Frank Beckman and Jim Brandstatter for both U of M and the Lions!  Same to you as the others - best wishes for a blessed and enjoyable Thanksgiving holiday and safe travels if you have to drive.

[Stinger]

stinger:
Thanks for the link regarding the progress on Kalamazoo's athletic complex and stadium renovations.  A question:  is the plan to use the existing old concrete stands (repairing/upgrading those, of course) or are they planning on tearing those entirely out and replacing them in the same place with new ones.  It is not clear from some of the photos, however, I would think that if those are in good shape, even though they are from the 1930's I believe, it would obviously be less expensive not to replace them.  However, when you spending mult-millions of $ on a project like that, what's a few thousand more, right?   Besides, since everything is being renovated, doing it right is the ideal choice.  It also looks great to see the "easy access" flow between all the playing fields i.e from the football field to the soccer and baseball and softball fields.  New visitors permanent stands look very nice as well.  I assume they are going to keep the Louis Calder Fieldhouse behing there intact for storage use of field equipment?  Anyway, thanks again.

I can't answer the question about the stands.  I would hope they would be replacing them.  As for Calder, it's my understanding that it will be razed.  There's no reason to keep it and it is in deplorable shape.  Weeds (trees?) growing through the floor deplorable. If you look at this rendering: http://kzoo.edu/sports/news/fieldsproject/images/site-plan.jpg, you can see (bottom right) there will  be a grass practice field for both football and soccer use.

[Uncle Rico]

stinger:
Thanks for the link regarding the progress on Kalamazoo's athletic complex and stadium renovations.  A question:  is the plan to use the existing old concrete stands (repairing/upgrading those, of course) or are they planning on tearing those entirely out and replacing them in the same place with new ones.  It is not clear from some of the photos, however, I would think that if those are in good shape, even though they are from the 1930's I believe, it would obviously be less expensive not to replace them.  However, when you spending mult-millions of $ on a project like that, what's a few thousand more, right?   Besides, since everything is being renovated, doing it right is the ideal choice.  It also looks great to see the "easy access" flow between all the playing fields i.e from the football field to the soccer and baseball and softball fields.  New visitors permanent stands look very nice as well.  I assume they are going to keep the Louis Calder Fieldhouse behing there intact for storage use of field equipment?  Anyway, thanks again.

I can't answer the question about the stands.  I would hope they would be replacing them.  As for Calder, it's my understanding that it will be razed.  There's no reason to keep it and it is in deplorable shape.  Weeds (trees?) growing through the floor deplorable. If you look at this rendering: http://kzoo.edu/sports/news/fieldsproject/images/site-plan.jpg, you can see (bottom right) there will  be a grass practice field for both football and soccer use.

I always thought the spiral staircase to the press box was cool.  Wonder if they scrapped it or sold it off.   

[Cousin Eddie]

I think the Thiel reference can give you an idea of who was behind the decision at Albion.

Nice pick up Stinger.....I thought if you were still hanging around you would be the one to catch it.  Hope you are doing well.

Rough day for Albion on Saturday.  Just no way to recover from turnovers on each of the first 3 possessions.  I know the team was excited and prepared going into the game.....but the way it started surely takes away a lot in terms of fight.  I am reminded of a scene, maybe one of the only decent scenes of a terrible movie.  Decent only because of the explanation.  The terrible movie is "The Replacements" but the talk about fear of "quick sand" seems to be a pretty good bet on how the Brits were feeling as the game went on.

[adidas28]

Great idea for a topic since MIAA is out and we all know it comes down to Whitewater and Mt. Union again. By the way I am picking Whitewater by 14 in the Championship, with Coppage as the MVP.

But, how about greatest football movie of time? Mine is Rememberthe Titans. True story (for the most part), life lessons, history, football, tolerance, and uch more.

[Cousin Eddie]

Tough call on greatest football movie.  Remember the Titans is a great movie....a nice feel good football movie and the true story part helps big time.  But for a greatest of all time I have to factor in being able to watch the movie multiple times and still enjoy the majority.  After a few times of seeing Remember the Titans it just isn't the same. 

So I put my pick down on The Program Hell it covers everything from a coach hated by fans, start QB that is an alcoholic with a dad that doesn't love him, steroid use, injuries, freshman taking spot and girlfriend of star upperclassman, and one of the most over the top football characters (due to steroids) in Latimer.  Which that particular actor played a number of times including an offensive lineman in Any Given Sunday. 

Side note.....best cameo by a group of former NFL players is the Prison/Convict team in the movie Necessary Roughness.