FB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[HOPEful]

Oberlin is a phenomenal choice for first game and a great barometer of where Calvin's team is in relation to being a legitimate D3 program. Oberlin was picked to finish dead last in the NCAC by the coaches, and it's a conference that also includes Hiram. I know nothing about the current state or rumblings coming from the East Beltline... do those in the know think Calvin could win this one?

[Pat Coleman]

Yes. I do.

Helps that Calvin had a developmental season last year, so they have some general idea of what they have on their roster. They'll have three times as many players as Oberlin, which will have to have a bunch of players play both ways, so they may be able to out-depth them as well, although as a new program goes down its depth chart, you get to guys who are even less proven than the starters and that isn't always a positive.

[TUAngola]

Massey has Calvin with a 78% chance of winning against Oberlin.  Predicted score of 35-20.

[Dark Knight]

Massey has Calvin with a 78% chance of winning against Oberlin.  Predicted score of 35-20.

Of course, Massey has zero knowledge about Calvin football this season or any other.

Other than being undefeated since 1876, of course.

Calvin really seems to be going all out. A passel of coaches. 120 kids on the roster.  The football building is very nice. They even hired a marching band director.

I wonder how big the scoreboard of the planned stadium will be. If it's half as big as the new soccer scoreboard, it'll be ginormous.

[Flying Dutch Fan]

Massey has Calvin with a 78% chance of winning against Oberlin.  Predicted score of 35-20.

Of course, Massey has zero knowledge about Calvin football this season or any other.

Other than being undefeated since 1876, of course.

Calvin really seems to be going all out. A passel of coaches. 120 kids on the roster.  The football building is very nice. They even hired a marching band director.

I wonder how big the scoreboard of the planned stadium will be. If it's half as big as the new soccer scoreboard, it'll be ginormous.

I think this proves Massey is an optimist, since Calvin is also winless since 1876

[ADAWGISADAWG4LIFE]

It feels like theres no chance that Calvin is going to half ass this football program thing now that they have entered the fray. Id expect year one to be a bit bumpy for them, its just how it usually goes, but I imagine they will come in and have competitive showings more often than not. Theyve shown the willingness to invest in this to get it off the ground, and the amount of kids they have brought in for a program that is in year 1 (not counting last season) is really impressive.

Unrelated to Calvin, but as an Adrian guy I am super pleased to see what the new coaching staff is all about. Joe Palka coached the LB my junior year at Adrian and was a great coach for that and his resume at the HS level is impressive aong . I played with several guys who worked with him (at EMU and Saline HS) and who are currently on his staff and all have great things to say. Was able to get up and watch a practice the other week and things seemed very well organized and high intensity. His staff has also done a great job trying to bring the alumni together, starting an alumni club (long time coming honestly) and bringing Jim Lyall back into the fold as well. All great positive signs and Im looking forward to a much improved season this year for Adrian. Could be the type of step up season that was seen from 01 to 02, hopping in the way back machine!

[TUAngola]

Story on Calvin's first season playing football on D3football.com, link below.

https://www.d3football.com/columns/features/2024/calvin-football-ready-to-kick-off

[CNU85]

Looks like it is going to be perfect football weather in Angola on Saturday. Too bad I can't make the road trip.

[Grutte Dirk]

Massey has Calvin with a 78% chance of winning against Oberlin.  Predicted score of 35-20.

Of course, Massey has zero knowledge about Calvin football this season or any other.

Other than being undefeated since 1876, of course.

Calvin really seems to be going all out. A passel of coaches. 120 kids on the roster.  The football building is very nice. They even hired a marching band director.

I wonder how big the scoreboard of the planned stadium will be. If it's half as big as the new soccer scoreboard, it'll be ginormous.

Calvin is all in for football. Too many necks on the line to treat it like the other sports. Plus, people are willing to donate for football quicker than other Olympic sports..

[Grutte Dirk]

If you are setting it at 12, I'll put $100 on the under right now!!

I get that it will take the Knights a while to get "up to speed" so to speak, but I don't think it will take anywhere close to that long.  Add in the fact of it being a Rivalry game and all the strangeness that can contribute, and I won't be surprised to see them win one by 2030. 

Does the MIAA allow the Calvin v. Hope game to conclude the season yearly? Are there similar MIAA rivalries that could also be pushed to the final regular-season game?

[TUAngola]

Looks like it is going to be perfect football weather in Angola on Saturday. Too bad I can't make the road trip.

I'd venture to say that CNU will be an overwhelming favorite against Trine this Saturday. 

Trine will be very inexpierenced.  I don't have the exact figures, but I'm guessing the total of starters returning on both sides of the ball might be around 6 out of 22, maybe even less than that.  On offense I believe they only return their tight end and for certain their center, maybe another offensive lineman.  They graduated most all their playmakers; Price at QB, Kirby at RB and 3 very good receivers in Lawson, Kline and Arthur.  On defense I know they return linebacker Hasselman, but all the D-line graduated and only a couple DB's return.  I will definitely need a roster handy on Saturday to see who the new guys are.  We were picked 3rd in the MIAA coaches pre-season poll, but I believe that to be too high.

It will be interesting to go against an eastern region team on Saturday, it's exciting for the Thunder to venture out from the usual Indiana and Ohio schools we see in non-conference play.

Speaking of CNU I'd would have loved to see the Captains on Trine's MBB schedule this season.  That would be a great game!

[CNU85]

TUAngola,

I'd love to see a MBB game as well. Hopefully, you don't go through what CNU went through after the Natty. A few guys got big heads. Coach doesn't put up with that. Key players, an All-American, didn't finish the season on the roster. Yet, with 9 Freshmen and 4 healthy upperclassmen, we were still 2 points away from a Final Four. This year's team should be loaded.

For football. I'm excited about the team this year. NJAC champions. We played some tough teams very close on their home turf (Johns Hopkins 20-14) and (10-0 RMC in playoffs, we lost 28-20). We get a shot at Johns Hopkins next week at home. That game has already sold out.

Standing Room Only

Most of our guys are back and a few key additions from D1 programs. Our QB is back for a final year. He's tough. Our backup was previously at Appalachian State. I drove past the practice field this morning. Early morning practice before loading on the bus and starting the 2 day trip. I believe we are traveling with about half the team. Roster size is limited by NJAC rules to 135.

Here are some game notes, if you're interested.

Game Notes CNU V Trine

[calvin_grad]

And Calvin's first points in school history are scored by the defense! Calvin leads 2-0 at the end of the first quarter.

[Captain_Joe08]

And Calvin's first points in school history are scored by the defense! Calvin leads 2-0 at the end of the first quarter.

Sickos Committee approves of this scoreline.

[ADAWGISADAWG4LIFE]

Up to 26-0 now. Good for Calvin.

Adrian up 27-20 after going down 20-0 to Elmhurst with two turnover based TDs early.