FB: Middle Atlantic Conference

[gordonmann]

Until they weren't.

Albright 20 Delaware Valley 14 at halftime

Delaware Valley takes a quick 14-0 lead on the strength of three nice plays (interception, throwing touchdown, 70-yard touchdown run). But other than that Albright dominates the first half to the tune of an 150-yard advantage. Knight throws for 219 yards and 2 touchdowns and the Aggies run offense has 76 yards on 24 plays and just 37 rushing yards once you set aside the long 70-yard play.

Sobolewski is an impressive kicker, but not so far today -- two missed field goals and a missed PAT take 7 points off the board, but Albright looks like a complete team.

[D3MAFAN]

Until they weren't.

Albright 20 Delaware Valley 14 at halftime

Delaware Valley takes a quick 14-0 lead on the strength of three nice plays (interception, throwing touchdown, 70-yard touchdown run). But other than that Albright dominates the first half to the tune of an 150-yard advantage. Knight throws for 219 yards and 2 touchdowns and the Aggies run offense has 76 yards on 24 carries once you set aside the long 70-yard play.

Sobolewski is an impressive kicker, but not so far today -- two missed field goals and a missed PAT take 7 points off the board, but Albright looks like a complete team.

Yes indeed. Albright settled in and looking really good. Yes, shocking to see the missed field goals by Sobolewski.

[kate]

Aggies 28 - Albright 23 - Huge Congrats Team & Coaches!!!

[D3MAFAN]

Great game by Del Val, really impress with this young team. Kudos to Albright as well, they played well too. MAC may have two teams in.

[jmcozenlaw]

Until they weren't.

Albright 20 Delaware Valley 14 at halftime

Delaware Valley takes a quick 14-0 lead on the strength of three nice plays (interception, throwing touchdown, 70-yard touchdown run). But other than that Albright dominates the first half to the tune of an 150-yard advantage. Knight throws for 219 yards and 2 touchdowns and the Aggies run offense has 76 yards on 24 carries once you set aside the long 70-yard play.

Sobolewski is an impressive kicker, but not so far today -- two missed field goals and a missed PAT take 7 points off the board, but Albright looks like a complete team.

Yes indeed. Albright settled in and looking really good. Yes, shocking to see the missed field goals by Sobolewski.

In an absolute stunner in Reading, the Kiddie Corps from DelVal came back from a 20-14 halftime deficit to upset previously unbeaten Albright. Albright was about to go up by two touchdowns and the Aggies stoned them at the two and at the one. I did not see this coming whatsoever.......this game and this season to date. My, how I'd like to be playing Wilkes now instead of week two as the eleven brand new starters on the offensive side start to build a little cohesion.

I don't know the final, but I almost swallowed my teeth when I saw Widener losing 31-0 at halftime to Stevenson. WTH?!?!?! It looks like the Aggies still have a slight chance to pull off a miracle season!

[jmcozenlaw]

Gordon - It sounds like you had a few "Albright roughnecks" seating in the crowd near the box. The mic picked it up and turned it into an "R-Rated" broadcast  Did that insanely loud, crude guy..........the one cursing and screaming, "kill them" and yelling at the refs every other play (you even mentioned him) look just about how he sounded? I have a picture in my mind. Please confirm 

[Warren Thompson]

wone3:

LVC 48, Wilkes 17. It seems the Dutchmen didn't have to look very hard to "find their O" this afternoon. 

[wone3]

Yeah, I guess it didn't take much to find it but it seemed to take a holiday against Stevenson.

Those of us at the game today with Stevenson and Widener were thinking the same thing after that 31-0 half time score, it was CRAZY. Widener looked like in the first half like they were flat and just not ready to play, making mistakes that they usually don't do. Stevenson seemed to play "prevent zone" in the second half and kind of let Widener back in but play calling was a bit weird by Stevenson in that second half also. Also it seems Stevenson was not using their usual starting QB, not sure of the reason there.

[bman]

A couple of comments on the Stevenson/Widener Game, then a few MAC comments.

1.  Stevenson is just a better team than Widener.  Widener just doesn't have enough talent at the skill positions to compete for a conference title.   I was scratching my head at the play calling all day, but I am assuming that's what they feel best suits the talent on the field.   

2. I have to say that after 7 weeks, I am befuddled that they continue to use the jet sweep.  It has not worked, it does not work, and will not work...but we continue to see a version of it every week.

3. Stevenson has a nice defense.   They will have to improve offensively to be a threat to other playoff caliber teams.

Also
Time to give JM his due...
JM, you called it at the end of last season...  You clearly said that DVU had recruits that would step in, and transfers that would make an impact.   I have been kind of ready to acknowledge this for a couple weeks, but this week's win, cements that you were spot on in your assessment...kudos, and I bow to your knowledge!!!  and Kudos on a great win.   
I will say that I actually feel a bit bad for Albright...  they never seem to get that one win that cements them into a sole conference win...but clearly they are a playoff worthy team.   

So...
WU officially out...
3 teams at 1 loss

Del Val -  Holds tiebreaker wins over Albright and Stevenson  - controls it's own destiny...games with Leb Val, Lyco and Widener left
Albright - Needs a win over Stevenson and a Del Val loss  - not sure about Pool C contention at this point.  Need to check Wally Wabash's SOS listing
Stevenson - Needs a win over Albright and a Del Val loss - see above for Pool C

One final note...good wins (expected ) by Lyco and Leb Val, but I just realized I have absolutely no idea who won the Kings/Miseriacordia game....

[wone3]

bman- looked like there were 3 at least day ending injuries ( wasn't sure on Widener side but their start QB, cause if you look at stats he only had like a few plays and they went to back-up as well).

Stevenson is installing a new offense, I think all season it seems; and this wasn't Stevenson's usual starting QB, which has me scratching my head. The play calling on both sides seemed strange all day long. I was expecting more on Widener's D cause they are even better ranked than Stevenson's D. Granted Widener did a very nice job on the Stevenson run game in most cases which was hugely expected. Stevenson has put the "pressure" on the D side in games; but that is because they have older more experience guys and will graduate a few keys on that side. Offense will lose a WR and maybe not much more; most of the key skilled experience guys are either Juniors or Sophomores.


MAC:

Nice wins by Lyco and Lebanon Valley...

Congrats on the big win by Del Valley, and now the 3 horse race in the final weeks. I'm hoping one of the final 3 will find a way to knock off Del Valley. Stevenson/Albright in 2 weeks becomes fun (making the assumption both win next week against Wilkes & Kings). Good luck to all still in the race and hopefully no more injuries ( serious or otherwise).

[wone3]

Just looked for the Kings score- 28-14 win over Misercordia.

[jmcozenlaw]

A couple of comments on the Stevenson/Widener Game, then a few MAC comments.

1.  Stevenson is just a better team than Widener.  Widener just doesn't have enough talent at the skill positions to compete for a conference title.   I was scratching my head at the play calling all day, but I am assuming that's what they feel best suits the talent on the field.   

2. I have to say that after 7 weeks, I am befuddled that they continue to use the jet sweep.  It has not worked, it does not work, and will not work...but we continue to see a version of it every week.

3. Stevenson has a nice defense.   They will have to improve offensively to be a threat to other playoff caliber teams.

Also
Time to give JM his due...
JM, you called it at the end of last season...  You clearly said that DVU had recruits that would step in, and transfers that would make an impact.   I have been kind of ready to acknowledge this for a couple weeks, but this week's win, cements that you were spot on in your assessment...kudos, and I bow to your knowledge!!!  and Kudos on a great win.   
I will say that I actually feel a bit bad for Albright...  they never seem to get that one win that cements them into a sole conference win...but clearly they are a playoff worthy team.   

So...
WU officially out...
3 teams at 1 loss

Del Val -  Holds tiebreaker wins over Albright and Stevenson  - controls it's own destiny...games with Leb Val, Lyco and Widener left
Albright - Needs a win over Stevenson and a Del Val loss  - not sure about Pool C contention at this point.  Need to check Wally Wabash's SOS listing
Stevenson - Needs a win over Albright and a Del Val loss - see above for Pool C

One final note...good wins (expected ) by Lyco and Leb Val, but I just realized I have absolutely no idea who won the Kings/Miseriacordia game....

bman - There have been many stunning accomplishments to DelVal's season so far but the one that blows my mind is the 11 new starters on offense. Pat and Gordon could not remember anything like that ever happening. They also have seven new starters on defense as well with a season ending injury to a linebacker.

The most amazing thing has been that with the exception of a transfer running back, the offense consists of some freshmen and underclassmen on the roster last year. The transfer QB and WR haven't done much. One never knows from season to season who is and isn't coming back, but this entire offense, with the exception of a tight end, all comes back next year. It looks like they found their next four year starter at QB and they have some speed in the backfield. They also have some stud freshmen at wide receiver........if they could ever get the passing game going.

Interesting factoid.......since the week two game at Wilkes, the Colonels haven't won (the Aggies game was their Super Bowl) and the Aggies haven't lost, including hanging the only losses on both Albright and Stevenson.

I think the Aggies have another loss or two in these final three, but the building blocks for the next couple of years are absolutely in place. Another very strong recruiting year and they will be in the mix for the next few years. If they run the table, Coach Greco should be the overwhelming favorite for MAC Coach of the Year.

[tweisman5]

I know much can happen with three weeks remaining in the season, but what is the chance MAC conference gets 2 teams in this years NCAA playoffs again? If so, what teams do you believe will get the two bids?

[bman]

I know much can happen with three weeks remaining in the season, but what is the chance MAC conference gets 2 teams in this years NCAA playoffs again? If so, what teams do you believe will get the two bids?

Assuming they all  win out, the winner of the Stevenson/Albright game would be a consideration.   Albright would have the better chance if they won against Stevenson, as their out of conference win against Salisbury is standing up right now.   Barring a trip up for either team, Salisbury vs. Wesley will be for the NJAC.  If Albright beats a OOC conference champ, inherently their SOS and Strength of opponent's schedule should put them in the mix.  Stevenson's OOC game will hurt them as NC Wesleyan's W/L record = not good...
Wally Wabash does a great job on Pool C on the General Topics board, and he should put the first estimate out there in about a week.

Please stick around with us, we need more MAC posters!

[tweisman5]

Recently, I came across this article mentioning the possibility of spring practice with pads. From my understanding, this was narrowly defeated in a vote at last years NCAA D3 Convention, but it looks like it's making another pushed again. What is the communities thought on spring practice with pads being implemented in D3 and more specifically in the MAC conference?