University Athletic Association

[ADL70]

Interesting schedule quirk, CWRU-CMU is last game this season and first game next.

Does that effect who gets PT this week?  Beecher over Olson  Sicre over Riordan (although he does have a potential extra year for medical)

You want to win this year, but if the underclassmen are getting the job done do you stick with them?

[ExTartanPlayer]

I see arguments both ways.  Personally...since there's nothing but pride at stake...I would play the seniors most of the game if possible.  It's nice to get underclassmen game experience when possible, but getting the seniors PT means something to underclass players, too, knowing that seniors are rewarded for sticking around the program (and I say this even though I started the last two games of my freshman season over a senior that had started the previous year).  It is kind of a bummer to watch a senior with a lot of starting experience sit on the bench for his entire final game, especially if the kid is a known good soldier.  One option is to find ways to get both involved, another is to get some of the seniors onto special teams where they might not otherwise play if you really want to get the young kids PT on offense/defense.

[formerd3db]

I see arguments both ways.  Personally...since there's nothing but pride at stake...I would play the seniors most of the game if possible.  It's nice to get underclassmen game experience when possible, but getting the seniors PT means something to underclass players, too, knowing that seniors are rewarded for sticking around the program (and I say this even though I started the last two games of my freshman season over a senior that had started the previous year).  It is kind of a bummer to watch a senior with a lot of starting experience sit on the bench for his entire final game, especially if the kid is a known good soldier.  One option is to find ways to get both involved, another is to get some of the seniors onto special teams where they might not otherwise play if you really want to get the young kids PT on offense/defense.

Excellent post, ExTartanPlayer.  I agree with you about the dilemma as well as your philosophy.  I recall when I was coaching as an assistant in college, I had the same thoughts and mission to get those guys in the last game or two for all the same reasons and the same manner.  It was important and one never knows how much just that little decision in doing so will mean to a guy and how that may affect him and his memories of an entire college career/experience later on in his life.  We all know that the obvious goal is to use the best players, however, at the same time, I am always disappointed when some coaches don't put players in those "last chance ever" situations, especially the seniors (but even sometimes the "upper"-underclassmen who haven't had much P.T. during the season)  even for a few minutes or few plays, especially when the outcome of the game is already decided.  In that regard, I agree with you that the other players (and underclassmen) certainly understand. I'm sure some of our colleagues will disagree with me on that, however, IMO, there really is no excuse/no reason not too-there is no way that will hurt the team.

[CamCat]

Best wishes to CWR tomorrow vs. Carnegie Mellon. It's nice to see you winning some games and wish you the best in winning tomorrow and ending the year with a winning season. 

[WashUDad]

Congrats Bears!!!!!!!

[DagarmanSpartan]

Well, CMU fought their hearts out.  Good game!

I guess we Spartan fans should be thankful that we managed to salvage a winning season and a winning record in the UAA, despite having incomprehensible defeats to the likes of Oberlin and Frostburg early on.

Now.......................ON TO THE PAC!!!!

[ADL70]

Congrats Bears!!!!!!!

Millsaps lost to Rhodes which gives the Bears a real shot at post-season glory.

And the gurus project a favorable first round match-up at Wartburg, not Platteville.

Go UAA!!!

[BearFan]

Great to see the Bear's grab a Pool B bid.  Shows that strength of schedule is still important - at least  this year.  Looks  like the Franklin match up will be a high powered offense vs. a stingy defense.  Looking at the Franklin season, struggling to understand the Blufton loss.  Great to get in and hope to do  the UAA proud!

[mck99]

WASHU Reacts to Making Playoffs for Second Time in School History: http://youtu.be/0uZeaZNRt_Y

[bleedpurple]

WASHU Reacts to Making Playoffs for Second Time in School History: http://youtu.be/0uZeaZNRt_Y

Awesome video! Congratulations to Wash U for a great season and for making the playoffs.  Well done!!  Much respect to Coach Kindbom and Wash U for scheduling UW-W the past two years. Not many will answer that call. Franklin will be a worthy opponent.  They are another team who has earned respect through aggressive scheduling. It should be a great game on Saturday!!

Good luck in the playoffs and enjoy!

[ADL70]

Get past Franklin and the reward--rematch with UWW.

[FCGrizzliesGrad]

Wasn't very optimistic that WashU would get in the playoffs... and I absolutely expected the Grizzlies to be on the road. Shows how much I know
Congrats to the Bears and I can't wait to see how it goes Saturday in Franklin

[ExTartanPlayer]

That was a neat video of WashU's reaction.  Thanks for posting.

I will be interested to see how the Bears do against Franklin.  Interesting first-round matchup.  As I've said all year, WashU has a terrific defense and a so-so offense, but that defense is good enough to keep them in games with all but a handful of D3 teams.  Franklin provides a very interesting challenge with Jonny West and a very productive passing game.  The Bears will have to get a bit of a rushing attack going to have a chance; I don't think they can win a shootout with the Grizz, but nor do I think they can expect to hold Franklin to single digits as they have many of their other opponents.  A few long possessions will be key, as will turnovers.

[ExTartanPlayer]

Congrats to Coach Kindbom and WashU on their playoff appearance and acquitting themselves quite well yesterday.  Franklin has a very powerful offense and the Bears shut them down, as they have done all season.  That WashU defense must go down as one of the best units in the conference's history.  14 points allowed in the three UAA games; 127 overall in 11 games (86 in 10 if you remove the Hendrix shootout); and holding some very, very, very good opponents to just 17 (UWW, Franklin) meaning that they could shut down very good teams as well as their peers.  I haven't looked at their two-deep to see how many defensive starters return next year but if a fair number do, they will be a tough out again.  Bears, get yourself some offense!  I want to see what that defense can do if you can give'em 20 points a game!

[BearFan]

Congrats to Coach Kindbom and WashU on their playoff appearance and acquitting themselves quite well yesterday.  Franklin has a very powerful offense and the Bears shut them down, as they have done all season.  That WashU defense must go down as one of the best units in the conference's history.  14 points allowed in the three UAA games; 127 overall in 11 games (86 in 10 if you remove the Hendrix shootout); and holding some very, very, very good opponents to just 17 (UWW, Franklin) meaning that they could shut down very good teams as well as their peers.  I haven't looked at their two-deep to see how many defensive starters return next year but if a fair number do, they will be a tough out again.  Bears, get yourself some offense!  I want to see what that defense can do if you can give'em 20 points a game!

Very exciting game on Saturday.  Once again, one more long scoring drive by the offense would have helped tremendously.  The weather played a major factor also - very windy and cold.  Wash U controlled the third quarter with the wind and went up 10-7.  The fourth quarter was all Franklin with Wash U being unable to turn the field and consistently having to punt into the wind.  I think Franklin's  worst starting field position in the 4th quarter was about their own 45.  Even on the final TD,  the Franklin QB was quoted as saying he was actually throwing to another receiver and the ball carried  to the other guy.  Great year for the Bears and lots of reasons to be very optimistic about next year with a slightly more favorable schedule.

The Bears will lose 6 starters on defense, including 3 linemen, 1 linebacker and 2 db's.  One thing Coach Kindbom does well is rotate a lot of players in, so the first line of replacements for these six all have considerable playing time under their belts.  Only losing 3 starters on offense including the QB.  Back-up QB at the end of the year was a freshman who looked pretty good in limited action.