FB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[sac]

Listened to the last few minutes of Hope/UWEC........quite exciting.  UWEC scored a TD and 2pt conversion to go up 45-38, after Hope had taken a 1 point lead just minutes earlier.  Hope then tied the game with :17 left.

First OT, Hope went nowhere, and failed on 4th down.  UWEC worked the ball in position for a FG, but missed wide right.


2nd OT
UWEC completed a 4th down pass from about 40 yards for a TD in the 2nd OT, Hope couldn't respond with a score and came up short on 4th and 1.


Yet another heartbreaking loss, in this long non-conference losing streak.


UWEC 52 Hope 45  2OT

[Mr. Ypsi]

MIAA scoreboard today:

Kalamazoo 48, Manchester 37 (did I misread, or was K'zoo down a bunch at the half?)
Alma 51, Rockford 3 (don't get TOO excited - Rockford just might be the worst team in d3)
Trine 40, Defiance 9 (a smashing win over a not-bad team)
Adrian 41, Bluffton 7 (a smashing win, but over ??)
Millikin 30, Albion 13 (I like scheduling CCIW teams, but it doesn't seem to be working very well)
CUC 12, Olivet 7 (unless CUC is MUCH improved over past seasons, this does not bode well for Olivet)
UW-Eau Claire 52, Hope 45 [2 OTs] (what a heart-breaker!  with Wheaton next, yet another 0-4 start seems inevitable, but with close losses to excellent teams, Hope should not be discounted as a title threat - I say 3rd behind Trine and Adrian)

[formerd3db]

Indeed, Kazoo was down at halftime.  Looks like Coach Z has them sporting a new attitutde.  Alma, Trine, Adrian as expected.  However, I, too, am surprised at Olivet and the Albion scores.  I agree wth Mr. Ypsi that doesn't look good for Olivet, which is somewhat surprising, since Concordia is not that good.
 
As far as the Hope game, sac gave a nice synopsis.  Hope actually was playing "catch up" all game.  That they stayed in the game was surprising as UWEC was a huge and fast team, but just didn't put the game away.  Hope kept coming back.  Hope did play tremendously well and never gave up, which is a great credit to the players.  However, they again came up short and just can't seem to "finish".  On UWEC's winning TD, Hope's DB was right there and no defensive back could have played that better as he and the receiver both caught the ball.  However, the WR wrestled it away (actually the "tie" goes to the receiver) and hence the TD.  Hope's 4th and 1 on the ensuing chance was stopped inches short - the handoff bobbled by the RB which cost them that play.

Scoring to tie the game at the end was a great accomplishment for them and a big confidence booster, however, it would have been a huge win and nice to win one of those type of games for once.  Yet, it was not to be.   Another beautiful day for football and a nice size crowd again, but seems like a waste.  As Mr. Ypsi said, it doesn't look good for us as Wheaton is next, so it could be another 0-4 start - I hope not, though.  

Overall, it will be another tight MIAA race I believe, based on what we've seen so far in the non-conference games.

[RFMichigan]

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I was able to watch the CUC-Olivet game yesterday - just a beautiful afternoon for college football. A few observations about Olivet (and one or two about CUC):

1) An incredible statistic: Olivet punted ONCE and only scored 7 points (and that with 7 seconds left in the game.) That's what 6 turnovers (including four inside CUC's 30) and three 4th down stops will do. Overall they were able to move the ball with regularity, but turnovers just killed them.

2) CUC's offense is pass first and . . . pass second. Other than maybe Alma's Scotgun, they're not going to see much of that type of offense all year. If a team is clicking with that type of pass offense, it isn't easy to prepare for it.

3) After last year's 59-0 shellacking Olivet put on CUC, I would bet that, even though the coaches preached against it, the players thought  . . . well, you guess the rest. And I think that the saying, "If you let an underdog stick around long enough, it's easier for him to bite you", might have rung true here. CUC  gained a lot of confidence when they looked at the scoreboard at halftime and they hadn't given up any points even though Olivet hadn't punted once and had five drives die deep in CUC territory.

4) I think Olivet will be able to put points on the board against teams if they cut down the mistakes and turnovers. However they are breaking in a new quarterback and the transition is not always easy. (and I'm not sure of the health of their starter as he went out of the game during the last last series with a hand injury.)

Good luck to Olivet the rest of the way.

[ADAWGISADAWG4LIFE]

I attended the Albion game this weekend and there were some positives for their team.  They have a QB, spencer Krause I think the name is, first start of his college career whjo looked good.  Threw the ball 36 times and had the mobility to escape pressure and to create some yards on his own.  With some time he can be a  good QB it appears.  Albion appeared to abandon the running game a bit early once Millikin got on the board.  Defensivley Albion looked solid at times, but there were numerous coverage break downs in the deep secondary that left Millikin players wide open.  Millikin didnt take full advantage though as their QB often got to excited and threw off his back foot instead of setting up.

Interesting tidbit of info, in the last 4 years that Adrian has played Bluffton they have not given up an offensive touchdown or a FG yet have one shutout in that time period.  Two years had pick sixes and this year a kick off return for a TD.

[Mr. Ypsi]

A tip of the hat to Kalamazoo.  I just saw a game recap, and, indeed, they were down 37-14 in the third quarter, before reeling off 34 unanswered points!  Comeback of the year so far!

I don't know if lightning can strike twice in one year, but opponents might be concerned whether any lead is 'safe'.

[D306]

dawg4life

Glad you were at the Albion game and saw the same I have the last 2 weeks.
Great weather, maybe even a little warm for football.

I like the QB, makes some solid plays, strong arm, good pocket awareness of pressure. Played well for first college game action.
Defense is adjusting to the the new format. Just as the Thiel game, tough defensive stands but get beat deep way to often.

Brits need 2 things to improve to be a force in the MIAA.

1) Get the offense going, I think commiting to Krauss will help get more reps and timing will improve. Get starting RB back he has not seen the field yet this year.
To many dropped passes yesterday for Albion, catch the ball.

2) Get healthy, 6-7 starters or main rotation players did not even dress yesterday. The dline played well, with 2 starters out and seriously limited rotation of lineman.
Get starting DB back should help with the speed and coverage.

I know every team struggles with injuries, Albion needs to overcome and adjust, no excuses. there is talent on the team need to make plays.

Albion has a BYE week next weekend, sorely needed to get healthy and work on assignments in the defensive backfield.
Homecoming and Olivet coming to town in 2 weeks, should be a good game.

Of note the Dogs look strong again this year, defense will carry the day while Offense adjusts to losing last years MIAA offensive leader.

[D306]

Ypsi


You are right
Amazing comeback for Kazoo, that was a huge number of points to overcome in less than a half.

By the well tell our Tigers they need the win today, making this scary with the Twins

[formerd3db]

Yes, I'd have to agree re: the Kazoo comeback.  IMO, it doesn't matter what the level of talent/competition for any one team in any one game in that type of situation as that is simply a lot of points to score for anyone.  It will be interesting to see how Kazoo responds further as it heads into the MIAA tough competition.  

Also, thanks everyone for your game summaries and observations from yesterday's games.  For sure, it was a gorgeous afternoon for football.  I hope we have a couple of more Saturdays with that type of weather.  You know we'll all be wishing it was like this in mid-late October when the cold(er) and rainy weather starts occuring.  Perhaps we'll get lucky this year and it won't be as bad i.e. maybe we'll have one of the "good old fashioned" late "Indian (Autumn) Summers".  On the other hand, that might be a little too much to ask for!  Anyway, great to see the great conversation activitiy on our board.

[BOYA87]

It was another beautiful Saturday.  I'd be willing to say almost too beautiful as I am now the proud new owner of a nasty sunburn on my face and neck.  You just dont get the same sun protections at a football game without a helmet on your head!

But WOW for this weeks games!!  5/7 games this week with MIAA teams scoring over 40 points!  It looks like MIAA fans are in for a high scoring entertaining year.

Kzoo...AMAZING!!  now that is a football game I would have liked to be at.  That is if I would have stuck it out the whole game and not gotten frustrated and left at half time.  That should be a great boost to the Hornets confidence and any teams confidence for that matter who finds themself in a "down and out" situation.

Not a lot to say about the Trine game.  The score pretty much says it all.  I believe they punted once the whole game and had no turnovers.  The offense found its rythm this game as Watt was connecting with recievers all over the place. 

Next week Trine plays Franklin AT Franklin.  Always a difficult game for us as Franklin has a team that is always in the national spotlight.  Should be a good game and a great test for Trines defense. 

Only 2 more weeks till we get some hot MIAA on MIAA matchups.  Usually you have to pay double for that kind of action.

[Pat Coleman]

... as Franklin has a team that is always in the national spotlight. 

If by always you mean "the past two years," sure.

[WLCALUM83]

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I was able to watch the CUC-Olivet game yesterday - just a beautiful afternoon for college football. A few observations about Olivet (and one or two about CUC):

1) An incredible statistic: Olivet punted ONCE and only scored 7 points (and that with 7 seconds left in the game.) That's what 6 turnovers (including four inside CUC's 30) and three 4th down stops will do. Overall they were able to move the ball with regularity, but turnovers just killed them.

2) CUC's offense is pass first and . . . pass second. Other than maybe Alma's Scotgun, they're not going to see much of that type of offense all year. If a team is clicking with that type of pass offense, it isn't easy to prepare for it.

3) After last year's 59-0 shellacking Olivet put on CUC, I would bet that, even though the coaches preached against it, the players thought  . . . well, you guess the rest. And I think that the saying, "If you let an underdog stick around long enough, it's easier for him to bite you", might have rung true here. CUC  gained a lot of confidence when they looked at the scoreboard at halftime and they hadn't given up any points even though Olivet hadn't punted once and had five drives die deep in CUC territory.

4) I think Olivet will be able to put points on the board against teams if they cut down the mistakes and turnovers. However they are breaking in a new quarterback and the transition is not always easy. (and I'm not sure of the health of their starter as he went out of the game during the last last series with a hand injury.)

Good luck to Olivet the rest of the way.

CUC's win is the first one the NAthCon's had over an MIAA team in 6 tries over 2 seasons.

[section7]

Random Thoughts (something must change):

Have the Flying Dutchmen taken on the look of the Detroit Lions?

18 game losing streak in non-MIAA games dating back to 2004 season.

Dean Kreps, career non-MIAA record, 10-38, .208 winning percentage, 3-23 (.115) since 2002 season.

Unacceptable?

[Flying Dutch Fan]

Random Thoughts (something must change):

Have the Flying Dutchmen taken on the look of the Detroit Lions?

18 game losing streak in non-MIAA games dating back to 2004 season.

Dean Kreps, career non-MIAA record, 10-38, .208 winning percentage, 3-23 (.115) since 2002 season.

Unacceptable?

The only way you say this is unacceptable is if you look at only those games in some kind of vacuum - where you don't look at who those teams were (I'm doing some research on them statistically), and you don't look at how these games have prepared the team for MIAA competition.

<edit: to add some statistics>

Based on info from the Hope website, the Dutchmen's non-MIAA record from 2002 - 2008 is 3-22 (.120)  The cumulative records for the team they have played in that stretch is 200-73 (.733).  There have been a total of 2 teams under .500 during that time, and Hope won 1 of those games (vs UW Platteville in 2002), and lost the other (vs UW River Falls in 2007).  There have also been 11 games against teams that finished their year at .800 or higher.  That's some pretty tough competition.

Hope's conference record during that same time frame (2002-2008) is 36-11 (.766), including 3 conference championships.

[BOYA87]

... as Franklin has a team that is always in the national spotlight. 

If by always you mean "the past two years," sure.

haha really?  I guess I have only been following D3 football for the past 5 years so that seems like always to me.