FB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[MIAA in Exile]

Fantastic finish in Holland.  Both teams played well enough to win.  Heroic drives back and forth by both teams  the last 10 minutes of the game.  Two missed field goals the difference. Doink is a rough way to end the game/season.  Albion overcame that disastrous pick 6  before half with a very solid second half, but Hope had to feel good going up 4 with less than 2 minutes left. Britons showed champions heart on the game winning drive.

Albion earned the title with two tough road games against the two other best teams in the MIAA.  Well done Brits.

[formerd3db]

First, congratulations to the Albion players, staff and fans for their MIAA championship and best wishes to them in the playoffs in representing our conference.

Some random thoughts on today's game:

1) Obviously, a very disappointing day for Hope fans.  It was an exciting game as I suspected, it either going to be a close game as it was (or a blowout if someone imploded). The difference in the game was Hope's special teams (kickoff, punt return), the defense and the secondary.  Poor tackling, not covering well on punts, kickoffs, giving up too many passes at key points in the game and, unfortunately, the defensive line getting blown out at times )some massive holes for large running gains by Albion's backs).  Hope's offense played well and had character when they needed and at key times, especially in coming back as has been mentioned for those last two drives, including the 58 seconds left drive at the end of the game (although a few times, the offensive line was being overwhelmed).  I also felt bad for Hope's sr. kicker who missed 2 field goals, which might have been the difference and Hope had a dropped TD pass in the endzone in the first qtr. and had to settle for 3.  Those might have made the difference.

2) Some great plays were made by Hope's receivers and a great INT for a TD by one of Hope's dbs.

3) I have to say this...the officiating crew was absolutely horrible.  One of the worst I've seen, going back to the 3-4 years ago when that was a routine.  They absolutely made one sided calls favoring Albion;  wrong calls on the 3 pass interference calls against Hope; one was unequivocally offensive pass interference by Albion, a fourth simply was not called against Albion on a Hope receiver near the end of the game.  Two of those four led to Albion scores, however, at the same time, had they not been called, that is not to say Albion wouldn't have scored.  Although Hope did have a great goal line stand at the end, limiting them to their game winning FG instead of a TD, which, again, gave Hope the last chance at winning and/or at least sending the game into an overtime period.  Before anyone accuses me of saying that the officials cost Hope the game, I am not saying that as Hope did not deserve to win -when you give up big plays like they did at key times, poor-tackling both on defense and special teams, giving up consecutive pass plays, and missing FG's, that is not going to do it.  However, that does not excuse poor officiating.  I was disgusted and more than disappointed in the quality of the latter.

All that said, congratulations to Hope's players and staff as they did not give up and had a great season, accomplishing so much more than anyone expected, IMO.  Coach Kreps and staff have done a great job.  I wish all Hope's seniors all the best in the next chapter of their lives.  Enjoy your Hope College football memories.

Finally, it was a pleasure and great to finally meet you DBQ1965.  Thanks for making the effort to come down on the field after the game.  I was going to look for you regardless after the game, but you beat me to it!  Take care and talk to you again soon.

[sac]

Alma beat Trine 31-13

[formerd3db]

Alma beat Trine 31-13

Wow.  Alma avoids a winless season and Trine essentially continued to go downhill.  Good way to end on a positive for Alma to head into and build on next season. As for Trine, they have fallen quite a bit since their more recent 3 season rampage in the conference. Adrian had an "okay" season, yet surely disappointing for them and not what they expected.

Olivet and Kalamazoo end up having good seasons obviously compared to where they were last year.  6-4 for each of them is fine.  No doubt it was a tough loss for Olivet today loosing at home by 2 points just as it was for Hope, although it appears the game was a very exciting one.

One other aspect I forgot to mention about the Hope game.  Another big disappointment was the attendance-official "announced" attendance was 2314.  Again, I have to say there was no way that was the figure.  There had to be more than that- once again, the entire home side of the stadium was filled (and that has to be at least the 2300 figure and probably more), plus the fans sitting on the endzone hill and, of course, the Albion fans.  So it had to be more than what was announced.  In regards to Albion's following, I was very surprised and disappointed that Albion fans did not travel better- especially for a title game.  It appeared most were parents, families, friends of the players - an average small crowd for away games as is for most of these teams. 

In addition, as I commented before on this, I was very disappointed at the turnout for an MIAA Championship game and one especially at the end of the season.  Under 3,000 (if that was the true attendance and, again, I do not believe that figure), is extremely disappointing for a title game and particularly for an Albion//Hope game alone, but of such significance regarding the outcome reward.  It just shows me that the MIAA is not what it used to be as "back in the day", although certainly with Trine's recent 3 great years as well and particularly their last one of that category, the MIAA title game would have 3-4 times what was announced today.  The largest crowd on record was the Albion/Alma game back in the late 1990's and while that was essentially for the MIAA title, it wasn't the last game of the season as I recall.  That had nearly 9,000, however, even then I know it was more than that figure at that game.  Regardless, I am disappointed in today's attendance for such an important game , yet obviously appreciate all the fans who did attend the game.   Anyway, I'm out until tomorrow...uh, I mean later this afternoon. 

[Raider 68]

First, congratulations to the Albion players, staff and fans for their MIAA championship and best wishes to them in the playoffs in representing our conference.

Some random thoughts on today's game:

1) Obviously, a very disappointing day for Hope fans.  It was an exciting game as I suspected, it either going to be a close game as it was (or a blowout if someone imploded). The difference in the game was Hope's special teams (kickoff, punt return), the defense and the secondary.  Poor tackling, not covering well on punts, kickoffs, giving up too many passes at key points in the game and, unfortunately, the defensive line getting blown out at times )some massive holes for large running gains by Albion's backs).  Hope's offense played well and had character when they needed and at key times, especially in coming back as has been mentioned for those last two drives, including the 58 seconds left drive at the end of the game (although a few times, the offensive line was being overwhelmed).  I also felt bad for Hope's sr. kicker who missed 2 field goals, which might have been the difference and Hope had a dropped TD pass in the endzone in the first qtr. and had to settle for 3.  Those might have made the difference.

2) Some great plays were made by Hope's receivers and a great INT for a TD by one of Hope's dbs.

3) I have to say this...the officiating crew was absolutely horrible.  One of the worst I've seen, going back to the 3-4 years ago when that was a routine.  They absolutely made one sided calls favoring Albion;  wrong calls on the 3 pass interference calls against Hope; one was unequivocally offensive pass interference by Albion, a fourth simply was not called against Albion on a Hope receiver near the end of the game.  Two of those four led to Albion scores, however, at the same time, had they not been called, that is not to say Albion wouldn't have scored.  Although Hope did have a great goal line stand at the end, limiting them to their game winning FG instead of a TD, which, again, gave Hope the last chance at winning and/or at least sending the game into an overtime period.  Before anyone accuses me of saying that the officials cost Hope the game, I am not saying that as Hope did not deserve to win -when you give up big plays like they did at key times, poor-tackling both on defense and special teams, giving up consecutive pass plays, and missing FG's, that is not going to do it.  However, that does not excuse poor officiating.  I was disgusted and more than disappointed in the quality of the latter.

All that said, congratulations to Hope's players and staff as they did not give up and had a great season, accomplishing so much more than anyone expected, IMO.  Coach Kreps and staff have done a great job.  I wish all Hope's seniors all the best in the next chapter of their lives.  Enjoy your Hope College football memories.

Finally, it was a pleasure and great to finally meet you DBQ1965.  Thanks for making the effort to come down on the field after the game.  I was going to look for you regardless after the game, but you beat me to it!  Take care and talk to you again soon.

formerd3db,

I saw an earlier score with your Hope team up over Albion, But was surpized to see how it ended.
Hope came very close this year and will be in it again in 2014. Glad you were able to meet DBQ1965, now
I just need to get him to Mount Union. Sorry about the result, but Congrats to Albion ( who may be
playing Mount Union, (if Keith playoff predictions hold).

Great season for Hope!

[formerd3db]

First, congratulations to the Albion players, staff and fans for their MIAA championship and best wishes to them in the playoffs in representing our conference.

Some random thoughts on today's game:

1) Obviously, a very disappointing day for Hope fans.  It was an exciting game as I suspected, it either going to be a close game as it was (or a blowout if someone imploded). The difference in the game was Hope's special teams (kickoff, punt return), the defense and the secondary.  Poor tackling, not covering well on punts, kickoffs, giving up too many passes at key points in the game and, unfortunately, the defensive line getting blown out at times )some massive holes for large running gains by Albion's backs).  Hope's offense played well and had character when they needed and at key times, especially in coming back as has been mentioned for those last two drives, including the 58 seconds left drive at the end of the game (although a few times, the offensive line was being overwhelmed).  I also felt bad for Hope's sr. kicker who missed 2 field goals, which might have been the difference and Hope had a dropped TD pass in the endzone in the first qtr. and had to settle for 3.  Those might have made the difference.

2) Some great plays were made by Hope's receivers and a great INT for a TD by one of Hope's dbs.

3) I have to say this...the officiating crew was absolutely horrible.  One of the worst I've seen, going back to the 3-4 years ago when that was a routine.  They absolutely made one sided calls favoring Albion;  wrong calls on the 3 pass interference calls against Hope; one was unequivocally offensive pass interference by Albion, a fourth simply was not called against Albion on a Hope receiver near the end of the game.  Two of those four led to Albion scores, however, at the same time, had they not been called, that is not to say Albion wouldn't have scored.  Although Hope did have a great goal line stand at the end, limiting them to their game winning FG instead of a TD, which, again, gave Hope the last chance at winning and/or at least sending the game into an overtime period.  Before anyone accuses me of saying that the officials cost Hope the game, I am not saying that as Hope did not deserve to win -when you give up big plays like they did at key times, poor-tackling both on defense and special teams, giving up consecutive pass plays, and missing FG's, that is not going to do it.  However, that does not excuse poor officiating.  I was disgusted and more than disappointed in the quality of the latter.

All that said, congratulations to Hope's players and staff as they did not give up and had a great season, accomplishing so much more than anyone expected, IMO.  Coach Kreps and staff have done a great job.  I wish all Hope's seniors all the best in the next chapter of their lives.  Enjoy your Hope College football memories.

Finally, it was a pleasure and great to finally meet you DBQ1965.  Thanks for making the effort to come down on the field after the game.  I was going to look for you regardless after the game, but you beat me to it!  Take care and talk to you again soon.

formerd3db,

I saw an earlier score with your Hope team up over Albion, But was surpized to see how it ended.
Hope came very close this year and will be in it again in 2014. Glad you were able to meet DBQ1965, now
I just need to get him to Mount Union. Sorry about the result, but Congrats to Albion ( who may be
playing Mount Union, (if Keith playoff predictions hold).

Great season for Hope!

Thanks Raider68.  Yes, although we all knew it was probably going to be a very close and exciting game just as it turned out, and as good as Albion played, I think that many of us still can't believe Hope let that one slip away.  We had it won, yet as I mentioned in my earlier post and on another board, you can't give up consecutive big plays like we did on their last drive (and earlier in the game at times as well) and expect to win.

Yes, you will have to get DBQ1965 down to your place for a game sometime.  He is a very nice gentleman and knows his DIII football.  He enjoys that as well as supporting his U of Dubuque as much as we support our alma maters!

Also, indeed, we came very close this year and 7-3 is a good season and a marked improvement from last year.  Again, I think that Coach Kreps and the coaching staff really did a great job in motivating our players and got even more out of them this year.  Yet, as far as next year, even though you are very kind and optimistic about us being in it again for next season, I am concerned because our Sr. QB Atwell graduates and our backup QBs have played very little/have little game time experience.  However, hopefully, one of them will step-up.

Hey, I am not sure about my schedule just yet, but...if Albion gets thrown at your Mount Union down at your place next weekend in the first round game, I just might be able to make the trip down.  First, we'll have to see what the brackets are when they come out this afternoon - I'll check on those when we get back home from church.  If the former occurs, any chance you might be going to the game and/or be interested in going (i.e. twisting your arm a bit for that if you have other personal plans that you need to take care of instead of going to the game were I able to make it down ).  Let me know.  I recall several years ago (well, actually quite a few years ago back in the early 1990's before Albion won their Stagg Bowl national championship in 1994), I and my late father "blasted down and back" for the day to see (I believe it was Albion) playing Mount in a playoff game. I believe it was 1993 when Mount beat Albion 30-16 and I remember it was very wet snow and some rain.  I know it wasn't in 1994 when Albion won the championship because that game was at Albion and they beat Mount 34-33 in a very close game - that one was played in extremely, terribly cold weather- I remember I had a ton of heavy clothing on and was still freezing then entire game.  It was so cold that everyone could see their breath fogging out the entire time!   Anyway, so much for the trip down memory lane.

Let me know later today about next Saturday, again, depending on what we find out this afternoon.   

[DBQ1965]

Exciting game at Hope yesterday ... though a heart-breaker for the Dutch.  Both teams had chances to put it away ... and both teams made some critical mistakes.  The assessment of formerd3db re: the officiating was right on.  I saw several missed calls ... particularly one holding or pass interference that should have been called on the wide receiver who then went on to score ... and I don't see how none of the officials caught it as it was so blatant.  Having watched games at Kalmazoo, Olivet and Hope ... I have some misgivings about the quality of officiating in the MIAA ... and I've noticed that in the IIAC as well.  I wonder if D-3 officiating suffers across the board.

It was good to meet formerd3db (he looks so young) at the end of the game down on the field.  Now I've got to work on getting to the Mount and meeting up with Raider 68.

Next weekend will it be a D-3 playoff game somewhere ... one of the Michigan high school semi-final games ... or Grand Valley hosting a first round D-2 game?

[DBQ1965]

My sympathies to Albion.   Getting matched up against North Central in Naperville in the 1st Round is a toughie.  My UD Spartans had the same match-up in 2011 and it wasn't pretty.  The Cardinals are both quick and fast on both sides of the ball, and they play with exceptional aggressiveness. Their play-off experience, especially in front of their home crowd, pays dividends.  Visitors stands are not the greatest, about the same as Kalamazoo, not as good as Hope.

[formerd3db]

DBQ1965:

Great meeting you yesterday as well and thanks for the kind comments.  Ditto to you as well.  As to Albion's selection for the first round opponent, you, I and everyone knew that they were going to get a top seed opponent and, thus, a tough task, more difficult chance in getting beyond that first game and to the second round.  It was either going to be Mount Union or someone like North Central.  I thought perhaps even Illinois Wesleyan if they were going to be sent to a more west location as opposed to east.  Personally, though, I really expected it to be Mount Union.   At any rate, as you say, it will be a tough challenge.  While we all know upsets can happen, and as much as I'd like to see our MIAA representative advance, I doubt that is going to happen.  Now, my opinion (and hope) would probably be different if Hope had been the MIAA champ and in that position...    

[Cousin Eddie]

I would have to agree with others that the Albion v Hope game was a well fought game with big plays and mistakes on both sides.  I was attempting to watch the Hope internet broadcast and was increasingly frustrated.  I commend Hope on having the first D3 setup I have seen where they can access multiple camera views for the game.  However, it was this great thing that was the cause of frustration.  The broadcast was flipping from various views in the middle of plays and most often stayed on a camera that was zoomed in on just the offensive line.  Many times big plays were missed because of this view and when switched to a different camera it was one in which the top row of fans was standing and blocking the view.  So unfortunately a lot of the big plays....and from what it sounds like the penalties, were not in camera view and so I cannot speak to the full extent of the game.  Again good on Hope for having multiple cameras, but they are not ESPN yet and so need a lot of work to make sure it is a good viewing....not just a cool thing to have.

The Albion win on Saturday was the 100th W as Albion HC for Craig Rundle.  Quite a combination of things with winning the league and winning a rivalry game for the 100th W. 

North Central is a tough draw for Albion.  I caught some of the 2nd half online of the North Central v IWU game.  As mentioned their offense and defense looked to be quite fast and physical.  Should be interesting to see how it plays out on Saturday.

[formerd3db]

Cousin Eddie:

Thanks for the review.  Most of us don't know that much about Hope's camera set-ups for those broadcasts (as we're usually down on the field! ).  However, while that is very neat we have the system, it sounds like they need to improve on that. 

BTW, I didn't realize that the win for Rundle was his 100th.  He joins that elite group, which was just talked about 3-4 weeks ago when Hope HC Kreps won his 100th at Hope, joining former Hope HC Ray Smith and former Alma HC Jim Cole.  Those guys all modestly said it was "just because they had been around a long time".  I disagree-it's not because of that, rather it is because of their coaching and the kind of men and great character they have, all which plays into the overall scene along with the recruiting, etc., etc..  Congrats to Coach Rundle.

I agree with you that it will be a tough challenge for Albion Saturday.  Not impossible, but not very easy.  They will have to bring their "A" game and no mistakes like they did against us this past weekend.  As I previously mentioned, Hope had their chance too and made the mistakes, however, if there had been 30 more seconds left in the game, I believe we would have won it!   But...if's don't count as we all know!  Good luck to Albion this weekend representing our MIAA.

[sac]

Hope released its schedule for next year:

Saturday, Sept. 6 - Hope at Monmouth, Ill, 1 p.m. CT
Saturday, Sept. 13 - Augustana, Ill CCIW/MIAA Challenge (Community Day), 1:30 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 20 - Lakeland College (NAC/MIAA Challenge) 2:00 p.m. ET
Saturday, Sept. 27 - Bye
Saturday, Oct. 4 - Hope at Albion, 1 p.m. ET
Saturday, Oct. 11 - Rockford at Hope, 1 p.m. ET
Saturday, Oct. 18 - Olivet at Hope, 2 p.m. ET (Homecoming)
Saturday, Oct. 25 - Hope at Alma, 1 p.m. ET
Saturday, Nov. 1 - Hope at Adrian, 1 p.m. ET
Saturday, Nov. 8 - Trine at Hope, 1 p.m. ET
Saturday, Nov. 15 - Kalamazoo at Hope, 1 p.m. ET

Monmouth went 5-5
Augustana went 5-5
Lakeland went 7-3
Rockford went 1-9

[Mr. Ypsi]

Sorry to see the end of the Hope/IWU series.  With only one exception, all the games were close.

[Captain_Joe08]

Looking ahead here is the 2014 MIAA/NACC Challenge looks like

#1 Albion at Concordia Wisconsin
#2 Hope at Lakeland
#3 Kalamazoo at Benedictine
#4 Adrian at Wisconsin Lutheran
#5 Olivet at Aurora
#6 Trine at Concordia Chicago
#7 Alma at Rockford

[Flying Dutch Fan]

Hope released its schedule for next year:

Saturday, Sept. 6 - Hope at Monmouth, Ill, 1 p.m. CT
Saturday, Sept. 13 - Augustana, Ill CCIW/MIAA Challenge (Community Day), 1:30 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 20 - Lakeland College (NAC/MIAA Challenge) 2:00 p.m. ET
Saturday, Sept. 27 - Bye
Saturday, Oct. 4 - Hope at Albion, 1 p.m. ET
Saturday, Oct. 11 - Rockford at Hope, 1 p.m. ET
Saturday, Oct. 18 - Olivet at Hope, 2 p.m. ET (Homecoming)
Saturday, Oct. 25 - Hope at Alma, 1 p.m. ET
Saturday, Nov. 1 - Hope at Adrian, 1 p.m. ET
Saturday, Nov. 8 - Trine at Hope, 1 p.m. ET
Saturday, Nov. 15 - Kalamazoo at Hope, 1 p.m. ET

Monmouth went 5-5
Augustana went 5-5
Lakeland went 7-3
Rockford went 1-9

Oops, you missed one

Bye went 0-10