FB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[formerd3db]

hand shakes seem to be an issue today  (Maryland/PSU)

Adrian 27 Hope 19
Trine 47 Kzoo 12

With these results, its pretty much down to Adrian at Trine in 2 weeks.  Trine plays at Hope next week but it only gets messy if Kzoo beats Adrian and Hope wins which sets up the long shot of messy multiple team tie with 2 losses.

Obviously, this was a disappointing loss for Hope.  Thanks for your summary of the possible scenario(s).  I agree with you that it is essentially down to the final Saturday for the title with the Adrian/Trine game.  Kalamazoo is not going to beat Adrian, barring an implosion by the latter, which, although it could happen, is very unlikely.  I must admit, however, that it would be a strange, but interesting scenario if there were to be the 2-loss situation resulting in having to sift through the established criteria as to who gets the AQ for the NCAA first round playoff game.      

[formerd3db]

Wild and wooly finish in Albion as the Brits nail a 37 yard field goal into the wind for a 30-28 victory.  Olivet coaches then refused to let their team shake hands.  There has to be a story on that, but on the live stream you could see their coaches separating their players who tried to shake hands with the Brits.    Too bad as it was a very hard fought game and you could see lots of helmet taps and respect  on the field.

Anyone care to comment further on this unfortunate incident, if there is any additional information regarding the cause of it?  I got blasted by several of you for commenting on sportsmanship issues a few weeks ago here, so I am reluctant to try and comment here, especially since I know nothing about the above described situation from this past weekend's Olivet/Albion game.

[Raider 68]

So with two games left in the season, which team will win the MIAA, Trine or Adrian?

[Cousin Eddie]

I was stuck with just the internet feed for the Albion v Olivet game as well.  And so no real idea on what the issue was at the end of the game.  Haven't heard anything from those that were there.  Just glad to see Albion finally got an upgrade to their camera equipment used for internet broadcast.  Finally able to read numbers and have a clear picture.  Kicking game still seems to be a wild ride for Albion.  But...they call it Special Teams for a reason.

[formerd3db]

Great win for Hope today.  They finally came through and got tough when needed in regulation time to win the game.  Not that the win against Olivet in OT was any less of an effort (or the loss in OT to Albion), but rather they came through in regulation near the end of the game after Trine came back and took the lead.  Another 7-3 season is not bad, although disappointing as to what might have been. Unrelated topic...the poor weather had a huge affect on attendance today at MIAA games as that was diminished tremendously at all the games, unfortunately.  However, we obviously don't have control over that. 

Not unexpectedly, as most people predicted at the beginning of this past week, the MIAA championship comes down to Adrian and Trine next week.  Without considering any statistics and just looking at this in a general way in regards to wins and perhaps closeness of some games, IMO, I believe either team could easily win the title.  I think it will be a close contest.  I would be surprised if one of the teams imploded.  I hope the weather is not "crappy" again as it would be nice to see a huge crowd for the championship game.   

[formerd3db]

Well, at least the annual Amherst/Williams game out in Mass had 11,500 in attendance today!  Impressive.  Amherst went undefeated this year (although they only play 8 games I believe).

[Raider 68]

formerd3db,

Thanks for the note regarding the Mount Union/JCU game. It will be a packed house like last year and I expect another
exciting game. All the best for your Hope alma mater as they close the 2014 season. +k

[sac]

Kzoo 30 Hope 29

Wild finish as each team trade TD's in the final 2 minutes, Kzoo goes 40 yards in the last 34 seconds to kick the game winning FG from the 5, pbp says kick deflected hit cross bar and over.

More importantly Kalamazoo wins the Wooden Shoes for the first time in 19 years(1995).  Congratulations to the Hornets.

[waxx]

That's a big win for Kalamazoo. I definitely saw some flashes of positive things from them in the game against Adrian.

I listened to the Trine vs. Adrian game on the radio and it sounded like Adrian pretty much controlled the game at will. 20-0 at the half. Trine came out and put the first points of the 2nd half on the board to make it 20-7, but it was all Adrian after that cruising to a 40-7 victory. Congrats to all the Adrian faithful, it's great to see such a turn around for the program in the last ~10 years(from my point of view as an alum, at least).

[NW Hope Fan]

Disappointing... 4th time in the last 7 years going 3-3 in the league.
(Karma beware...) Does Hope need a change?
I've been gone from Holland since 2003, so I don't have the same interaction around the athletic department, so it's a serious question.
How does Hope get better and consistently stay better?

[sac]

Hope has fewer than 20 Seniors overall, but will graduate 6 starters on each side of the ball.

[formerd3db]

Disappointing finish to the season for Hope and obviously for our seniors.  Indeed, it was a big win for Kalamazoo, essentially their season this year, in what was initially seen/predicted to be another good year for them after last year's tremendous improvement.  Unfortunately, Hope's players just did not seem to have that enthusiasm to put the game away.  Offense played fairly well and came back when they needed, however, the defense and special teams play for Hope, unfortunately, was the demise, even despite the game winning blocked FG that somehow hit the crossbar and tricked over.  In all my years in football, I do not recall ever seeing a kick bounce that way-those usually fall down or to the side, while this one just kind of flipped up and rolled over the bar. 

Both teams had some big plays, but the missed tackles on special teams and the late hit for the personal foul penalty on the last kickoff to Kalamazoo with less than 41 seconds left led to the demise.  That put Kazoo in Hope territory, although I will say that after the goal line stand of the first 3 plays and then seeing the blocked kick tip, I thought we had survived.  Not taking anything away from the Kalamazoo players since they did not give up.   On a final, although less important note; the attendance was listed around 1300+, however, it certainly appeared to me that we had equal to last week's mid-900's or even less.  Strange. But, at least we lucked out all season with the weather for games, even with today's cold, one was comfortable with a hoodi, jacket, ski hat and gloves and UnderArmour or similar.

Anyway, best wishes to all the seniors in the next chapter of their lives and congratulations to Kalamazoo for a nice win for them.  Also, best wishes to the Kalamazoo senior player who hurt his ankle early in the game and was unable to return.  I hope his injury ends up being just a sprain.  And finally, as usual, I've enjoyed posting and having discussion with all of you this season on our board (and yes, even despite differences of opinion at times).  Congratulations to Adrian for their MIAA title and best to them for next weekend's first round playoff game.  Hopefully, they can advance beyond that and even further. 
   

[sac]

Congrats Adrian on winning the MIAA Championship.  Your reward, and you have no choice on whether to choose it, is a game at Mt. Union.

[Captain_Joe08]

Congrats to Adrian for winning the MIAA. Also congrats goes to former MIAA football member Wisconsin Lutheran for winning a share of their first conference title this year too.

[Stinger]

Congrats to Coach Zorbo and the Hornets of bringing the Shoes back to Kzoo. I was a Jr. the last time the Hornets won. Nicely done.   

Albion produced a really nice  video for the 20th Anniversary of their National Title.  Check it out:  http://albion1994.com/