FB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[sac]

Holland Municipal Stadium has always had lights but it looks like Hope has replaced and upgraded them.  Stadium improvements coming fast and furious.


Only 3 days to kickoff at Trine, 5 for the rest of us

[ThunderStorm_3peat]

Raider 68 Trine vs Albion oct. 6th, Trine at Adrian oct. 13th and Trine vs olivet oct. 27th, Trine has averaged over 4500+ attendance the last 4 seasons no other MIAA school can say that it isnt even close when it comes to game day there isnt a better place to watch a MIAA game than Angola IN.

[TUAngola]

Well opening weekend of MIAA football is quickly approaching with Trine first up with a home tilt against Manchester College Thursday evening at Zollner Stadium at 7pm.  Looking forward to the game, the atmosphere at the stadium is terrrific for a small school like Trine.  Love the festivites before the game; the Thunder marching band, the skydivers and/or helicopter brining in the game ball, the fireworks.  Gets everyone pumped up!

How many posters on here are going to the Trine game Thursday?  What are your expections for the team this year?  My predicted order of finish in the conference is 1) Adrian  2) Albion  3) Trine  4) Hope  5) Alma  6) Kalamazoo  7) Olivet.  I will say that there will be a lot of parity this year and there will be a few upsets, but I won't be shocked if the order of finish of the top 4 teams is reversed with Hope winning the crown.

[sflzman]

I still think Trine takes this thing with the number of guys that contributed that are coming back.  And I might go out on a limb and say Olivet is ahead of Kzoo too.  1) Trine 2) Adrian 3) Hope 4) Albion 5) Alma 6) Olivet 7) Kalamazoo is what I would say right now probably

[TUAngola]

Back from the Trine-Manchester game.  Final score 24-14 Thunder.  Up 17-7 at half, TU survives the 2nd half.  Up 17-14 late in 4th and Manchester had a chance with a drive in the last 5 minutes to pull it out, but Trine D held on 4 downs on MC end of the field and then the Offense ran in a TD with under a minute to play for the final score. 

We have lots of work to do that is for sure.  Will post more thoughts on the game tomorrow.

[TUAngola]

Some observations from Trine-Manchester game last night.

*Another good turnout on a perfect night for football.  Around 4800 fans.  Student section has moved to east endzone.  Band has moved to visitor side.

*Trine defense.  Grade C.  Very good on 1st and 2nd downs, not so much on 3rd.  Manchester converted way too many 3rd and longs. Need to learn how to get off the field/make plays on 3rd down.   DLine was solid, shut down run game for the most part.  LB's and DB's had some moments but were inconsistent.  Manchester's QB scrambled for a lot of yardage, need better shadowing of the QB by the LB's, and our LB's, other than Nitz, who by the way had an awesome game, were slow to the ball.
*Trine offense.  Grade D.  QB Hargraves...ugh.  Did not sense any improvement from last year.  Can scramble, but just can't pick out targets or checkdowns, did not attempt even one deep ball to keep their D honest.  Granted our deep threat Chrystal was out with an injury, but our passing game needs lots of work.  Running game got better as game progressed.  Barton runs hard.  OLine was best unit on Offense.  Again they got better as game went on, negative was they had a couple penalties that stopped a promising drive in the 3rd quarter.  No turnovers, so that aspect was good. 
*Special teams.  Grade A.  Puryear's KO return for TD in 2nd quarter was HUGE, just after Manchester had long drive to tie the game.  KO and Punt coverage teams were very good.  Keck converted his only FG attempt.  Muir had 1 shanked punt otherwise was ok.

I know it's cliche', but teams grow the most between first and second games of the season.  Coaches have some work to do next week to get the boys ready for the road trip to suburban Chicago to take on Elmhurst. 

Good luck to the rest of the MIAA teams this weekend.  Time to get back to watching the MSU-Boise St game.

[formerd3db]

TUAngola:

Thanks for the Trine/Manchester summary.  Wow, 4800 in attendance for the opening season game, and against Manchester, even.  That is great.  Anyway, indeed, there will be many teams that need to tweak some things and improve for the second game after today, including Michigan State last evening.  IMO, they were "okay" but aside from Bell, I wasn't impressed.  I think they are overrated, yet, they will obviously improve and I'll probably be saying that (overrated) about Michigan after tonight's game!

As far as today's MIAA games, best of luck to all the teams.  I hope Hope's home attendance is nearly as good as Trine's is.  There is a good chance it might be better than usual since it is the Annual Community Day (42nd Annual, believe it or not) celebrating the great relationship that the College has with the City of Holland and the unveiling of the new stadium renovations and synthetic turf (although Holland High School used it last night for their game).  The College will be completing the deal by the end of the month in buying the stadium from the City and will then completely own it.  They've painted the pressbox and concession stand and utilitiy buildings also.  Anyway, safe travels to all as you go to the games today.  We'll look forward to the report summaries of the games!   

[NCF]

TUAngola:

Thanks for the Trine/Manchester summary.  Wow, 4800 in attendance for the opening season game, and against Manchester, even.  That is great.  Anyway, indeed, there will be many teams that need to tweak some things and improve for the second game after today, including Michigan State last evening.  IMO, they were "okay" but aside from Bell, I wasn't impressed.  I think they are overrated, yet, they will obviously improve and I'll probably be saying that (overrated) about Michigan after tonight's game!

As far as today's MIAA games, best of luck to all the teams.  I hope Hope's home attendance is nearly as good as Trine's is.  There is a good chance it might be better than usual since it is the Annual Community Day (42nd Annual, believe it or not) celebrating the great relationship that the College has with the City of Holland and the unveiling of the new stadium renovations and synthetic turf (although Holland High School used it last night for their game).  The College will be completing the deal by the end of the month in buying the stadium from the City and will then completely own it.  They've painted the pressbox and concession stand and utilitiy buildings also.  Anyway, safe travels to all as you go to the games today.  We'll look forward to the report summaries of the games!   

I ws thinking the same thing about MSU after watching the 2nd half. I expected them to put up more points, but it is the first game and a win is a win.

[formerd3db]

TUAngola:

Thanks for the Trine/Manchester summary.  Wow, 4800 in attendance for the opening season game, and against Manchester, even.  That is great.  Anyway, indeed, there will be many teams that need to tweak some things and improve for the second game after today, including Michigan State last evening.  IMO, they were "okay" but aside from Bell, I wasn't impressed.  I think they are overrated, yet, they will obviously improve and I'll probably be saying that (overrated) about Michigan after tonight's game!

As far as today's MIAA games, best of luck to all the teams.  I hope Hope's home attendance is nearly as good as Trine's is.  There is a good chance it might be better than usual since it is the Annual Community Day (42nd Annual, believe it or not) celebrating the great relationship that the College has with the City of Holland and the unveiling of the new stadium renovations and synthetic turf (although Holland High School used it last night for their game).  The College will be completing the deal by the end of the month in buying the stadium from the City and will then completely own it.  They've painted the pressbox and concession stand and utilitiy buildings also.  Anyway, safe travels to all as you go to the games today.  We'll look forward to the report summaries of the games!   

I ws thinking the same thing about MSU after watching the 2nd half. I expected them to put up more points, but it is the first game and a win is a win.

Indeed.  BTW, good luck today to your Cards and your son.

[MIAA in Exile]

Albion absolutely dismantling Defiance 42-0 just before half.  Running and passing at will.

[Gregory Sager]

Hope 42
NPU 24

[sac]

Carthage, Wis. 20, Adrian 17
Albion 55, Defiance, Ohio 0
Heidelberg, Ohio 45, Alma 0  --ooof
Hope 42, North Park, Ill. 24

[Gregory Sager]

Hope 42, North Park, Ill. 24

There's another one somewhere?

[Flying Dutch Fan]

So Hope scores 42 for the 42nd annual community day game.

[sflzman]

Ouch.  O-line and defense were terrible.  Heidelberg man-handled the Scots from the get-go.  Young, rebuilding year it looks like.