FB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

miaafbfan · October 08, 2005, 04:05:48 PM

Alma pulls out a close one at Adrian, 13-10. Sounds like both teams are for real. I'm curious to hear other observations from the game.

miaafbfan · October 09, 2005, 10:07:37 AM

Interesting day yesterday around the MIAA.

Albion must have taken all of their frustration from the Adrian loss last week out on Tri-State: 73-0 says it all. TSU has a long way to go before being competitive in the MIAA.

Olivet shows the potential for being a spoiler again this year by defeating Hope 31-24 at OC's Homecoming. Hope's really having a down year, as the conference is as a whole.

And Kalamazoo shows some promise as well. They may get another win or two in the MIAA, as they manage to get by Wisconsin Lutheran 21-13.

Alma is once again in the driver's seat, but it is still early in the season. A lot can happen in 5 more weeks. It's quite possible the MIAA champ will come down to a tiebreaker among teams with a conference loss.

miaafbfan · October 09, 2005, 10:25:13 AM

Let's get some more chatter going on this board. Looking ahead to next week:

Olivet @ Adrian: Adrian bounces back.

Kalamazoo @ Albion: Kazoo will have to wait for that second conference win as Albion takes this one.

Tri-State @ Alma: The Scots maintain their lead in the conference race as Alma wins with ease.

Wisconsin Lutheran @ Hope: It's hard to pick against Hope at home. The Dutchmen win.

BigJ70 · October 09, 2005, 06:04:10 PM

Being an old bulldog it pained my heart to see the Scots comeback and beat the Dawgs. Adrian had a 10-0 lead at half and then the offense just stopped. Hutchinson hurt his left shoulder right before half and that had to have been the reason for his terrible second half. He couldn't complete a pass in the second half. Adrian even brought in their backup for a series but all he did was hand it off and that ain't their offense. I know I am an old Dawg (from late eighties and early nineties) but Adrian does have the better team by a slight margin. Hats off to the Scots for getting the job done in Maple stadium. I will tell you what it was a great game to watch, some SERIOUS hitting going on from both teams. Many passes fell incomplete from smacks across the middle and special teams had some "decleaters" from both teams. Great MIAA battle. Reminds me of some of the old battles when Steve Kinney and the boys came to town against Croswaite and Roedell. Great game but am worried about an Adrian let down next week at homecoming against the Comets.

formerd3db · October 09, 2005, 09:52:36 PM

Well, I blew the two picks I made! Agree with the previous comments that Alma is in the drivers seat...for now

. Kudos to them for winning at Maple Stadium; the past few years they have had good success against Adrian at the latter's home turf. However, also, I agree that it isn't over yet; anyone could win it yet, but the three "A"'s have the best chance; Hope and Olivet have outside and slim chances but have to "win out the rest of the way" to have a chance. The tie breaker provision in case of a 1st place tie could be a factor. But alas, I am getting ahead of ourselves; next week will be a major indicator.

As for the Hope game, Olivet is a good team; much better than some have given them credit. I said from the beginning they would be a factor. Good running game, passing and kicking games, however, are weak, their defense okay. Hope could have won the game, but did not deserve to; mainly because of extremely poor tackling. Taking nothing away from Olivet's two fine running backs, on many of their long runs including the TD runs, they were stopped at the line of scrimmage and/or stopped after a few yards, only to slip through the arms/hands of Hope defensive players who were "arm tackling". It would have been a much different game had that not occurred. Anyway, a nice day for the game despite the overcast skies which gave way to the sun in the 4th Qtr. A nice capacity crowd at Olivet's new stadium for their Homecoming, and for once at the latter, they finally won one! Congrats to them;

and

to Hope as there is a lot of work for us to do this week if we even hold onto the outside chance for the title. Never give up, however, "until the fat lady sings"

miaalooker · October 09, 2005, 11:28:35 PM

Rough Randy snatches a moral victory out of the jaws of defeat!!

Even though the Bulldogs walked away with a loss Saturday afternoon at Maple Stadium, there was a lesson to be learned from "Rough" Randy. Not only does the man call his own plays, he actually calls the play for the defense as well. He decided in the 4th quarter with 7:00 minutes to go, to pull himself out of the game for the betterment of the team, utilizing the power I running attack which has garnered national attention. It is rumored that "Rough" Randy delieved a Panda Bear during halftime as part of his Bio. 101 requirment. On the way back out to the field he threw an old ladies walker, to her surprise "Rough" Randy had cured her of her disabilities. All in all, completing 17-42 passes for 168 yards, "Rough" Randy has proved himself not only to be an athlete but one hell of a model American. "Rough" Randy is truly a god amongst men!

wlcalum · October 10, 2005, 03:25:50 PM

Week 3 is upon us. My predictions are one team to be 3-0, one team to be 0-3, three teams will be 2-1, three teams will be 1-2. What the heck is going on out there!!

Alma big over Tri State. Keep your chins up Tri State(miaafbfan - Tri State beat us last year what does that say for us?)

Olivet goes to Adrian for homecoming - success for Adrian

Kalamazoo heads for Albion - Albion will protect the middle passing lanes/stop two recievers - Albion wins.

WLC trots to Hope for yet another homecoming game. (how many of these things do we have to play?) Will WLC spoil Hope's HC? Are they mad enough for letting Kazoo slip by? I (HOPE) so.

Olivet vs Adrian and Kazoo vs Albion will decide if the three A's do indeed rule the roost. Three very good games between the 1-1's. A simple mistake could make the differance in all three of these game.

See ya in Holland the 15th.

miaafbfan · October 10, 2005, 05:09:57 PM

WLC was having a bad week. :-)

formerd3db · October 10, 2005, 10:34:24 PM

wlcalum:
Agree with you, except HOPE that we beat you again for Homecoming

! Look me up at the game; I'll be on the sidelines.

Alma/Albion will be the key after next week, I predict (although as you all know, my prediction field record is not very good so far this year!

wlcalum · October 11, 2005, 08:35:17 AM

fd3db

Now I know who you are and will spot you right away.

You will know me too as I will be in the stands wearing WLC colors and ball cap.

wabco · October 11, 2005, 10:31:30 AM

Former 3db .... there is nno Hope. What will it take? Is the coaching staff just tired? Is the talent not there? Has self belief just abandoned the Wooden Shoes? I am amazed. What is the reason(s) and what is the fix?

formerd3db · October 13, 2005, 06:57:00 PM

wabco:
There is ALWAYS HOPE!

I mentioned these aspects earlier in the season, but alas it indeed appears to be what is happening this year for Hope. No, the coaching staff is not tired - in fact, I have to commend them for an excellent job particularly in this last game at Olivet - their clock management with regard to time-out situation and the "two minute" offense at the end of the game was superb. Unfortunately, however, the team was not, and didn't respond.

Not intending to bash anyone, but rather trying to be truthful and realistic about the situation. The QB is a Sr. (and 4 yr starter) and is not having a very good year. Granted, he has not had blocking all season long and is forced from the pocket, but has had a tendency to make poor choices and throwing INT's instead of throwing the ball away and/or just plain not very accurate passing, i.e. overthrowing receivers, and not being on target. In addition, (and this has been a major problem) the another aspect has been extremely poor tackling especially arm tackling on the part of our defense. The coaches teach and emphasize proper technique (I've seen it in pre-game so can attest to that), however, the players are the ones who have to respond on the field as we all know. Also, overall, our linemen on either side of the ball are not big in size as compared to other years and the defense becomes very tired from being on the field alot.

The bottom line is that every college or university at any level goes through a down season or period at sometime or another, and unfortunately, it appears that Hope is in that cycle the last two years. We are just not a very good football team, or at least not playing up to potential. But, we all have to endure, and as I said, "never give up HOPE!

" Play it out to the end and again, one never knows what might happen "until the fat lady sings"

BashDad · October 14, 2005, 01:31:48 PM

formerd3db:

Hopefully, it's a get-well-week for Hope. Look forward to seeing that the Wisconsin L. game becomes a win-side entry for the Dutchmen.

formerd3db · October 14, 2005, 09:42:29 PM

BashDad:
Reply to yours is on your NCAC board!

miaafbfan · October 16, 2005, 06:31:32 PM

I was wrong about Alma defeating Tri-State with ease. The Scots did get the win, but it was much closer than a lot of people thought it would be. Lots of guys were getting playing time, and a couple of key defensive players were out, so I guess the tough game down at Adrian the previous week was still being felt. Aches and pains don't really explain all the penalties, though (100+yards). There is time to get things back in order before the two tough back-to-back road games at Albion and Hope to close out the (regular) season..

FB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

miaalooker