FB: Middle Atlantic Conference

[LineCat]

I'm pretty bad at predictions but I don't see DVU beating Wilkes by that margin. Wilkes' offense has improved and DVU's defense is down relative to last year when the final score was 34-14.

Howdy Gordon, and the rest of the crew on the MAC board!

I was fortunate to be present for both of the first two games for the Colonels- LVC is my favorite road trip in the conference- and I believe your assessment is well-founded.

I have been impressed by the improvement shown by the Colonels under Coach Drach. The offense works to dictate the pace of the game, mixing big plays into a clock-controlling style that wears down defenses. The Wilkes defense has tightened up significantly from previous seasons, and features some exciting young talent...the potential exists for the unit to be quite exciting.

The program has made great strides in reaching out to alumni in various means of engagement; that includes not just fundraising, but regular updates from the coaching staff, and alumni engagement events. I was fortunate to catch up with several of the defensive stars from our 2006 championship team at the Lebanon Valley game, and I hope that becomes a more frequent theme of the new era.

A road trip to DVU is always daunting, and with good reason. The last Wilkes win in Doylestown came during my senior year in 2007. But you can be sure that this year's Colonels will come ready to play, and may surprise some folks.

In the meantime, check out some highlights from the OT win in Annville (it looks like this will be a regular feature this season):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EK_anTHc_1Q

Awesome post G-manWU and a great highlight clip. The level of improvement there seems dramatic. Your clip motivated me to watch Coach Drach's presser below. He is an extremely positive and humble coach. Wilkes is in good hands and the games and league will be much better because of him at the helm. It is amazing what a positive leader and atmosphere can do to a football team.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwMKPm-B36Q

[tweisman5]

I'm pretty bad at predictions but I don't see DVU beating Wilkes by that margin. Wilkes' offense has improved and DVU's defense is down relative to last year when the final score was 34-14.

Howdy Gordon, and the rest of the crew on the MAC board!

I was fortunate to be present for both of the first two games for the Colonels- LVC is my favorite road trip in the conference- and I believe your assessment is well-founded.

I have been impressed by the improvement shown by the Colonels under Coach Drach. The offense works to dictate the pace of the game, mixing big plays into a clock-controlling style that wears down defenses. The Wilkes defense has tightened up significantly from previous seasons, and features some exciting young talent...the potential exists for the unit to be quite exciting.

The program has made great strides in reaching out to alumni in various means of engagement; that includes not just fundraising, but regular updates from the coaching staff, and alumni engagement events. I was fortunate to catch up with several of the defensive stars from our 2006 championship team at the Lebanon Valley game, and I hope that becomes a more frequent theme of the new era.

A road trip to DVU is always daunting, and with good reason. The last Wilkes win in Doylestown came during my senior year in 2007. But you can be sure that this year's Colonels will come ready to play, and may surprise some folks.

In the meantime, check out some highlights from the OT win in Annville (it looks like this will be a regular feature this season):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EK_anTHc_1Q

G-manWU

Glad to hear things are looking positive for Wilkes! I'm always in the belief that a more competitive MAC is good for everyone as it elevates the entire conference! I look forward to see continued improvement from the program and hopefully they join the dance for annual conference contender.

[tweisman5]

Friday Fact of the Week

Fact:

MAC Top Five Team's (2014-2017)

Team (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017): Point Total

1. Del Val (2, 2, 2, 1): 17
2. Stevenson (4, 3, 1, 4): 14
3. Albright (5, 1, 3, 2): 13 
4. Widener (1, 4, 4, 3): 12
5a. Lycoming (3, N/A, N/A, N/A): 3
5b. Leb Val (N/A, 5, N/A, 5): 2
5c. King's (N/A, N/A, 5, N/A): 1

Point Total= (1=5, 2=4, 3=3, 4=2, 5=1)
N/A= No Top Five Finish

Reaction:

This was an interesting nugget of information I dug up as the conference has formed a "final four" teams that contend annually before a sharp drop-off for fifth place in the conference. Going forward, I'm curious who starts to claim the fifth spot and tighten the gap between the four contenders and the rest of the conference.

[LineCat]

Good luck today Widener, get the W!

Note to Coach Kelly: Don't let the bus driver use "Google". 

[wone3]

Friday Fact of the Week

Fact:

MAC Top Five Team's (2014-2017)

Team (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017): Point Total

1. Del Val (2, 2, 2, 1): 17
2. Stevenson (4, 3, 1, 4): 14
3. Albright (5, 1, 3, 2): 13 
4. Widener (1, 4, 4, 3): 12
5a. Lycoming (3, N/A, N/A, N/A): 3
5b. Leb Val (N/A, 5, N/A, 5): 2
5c. King's (N/A, N/A, 5, N/A): 1

Point Total= (1=5, 2=4, 3=3, 4=2, 5=1)
N/A= No Top Five Finish

Reaction:

This was an interesting nugget of information I dug up as the conference has formed a "final four" teams that contend annually before a sharp drop-off for fifth place in the conference. Going forward, I'm curious who starts to claim the fifth spot and tighten the gap between the four contenders and the rest of the conference.

Looks like 3 and 4 are taking a minor step back this week in conference play. I do think this will be a wake up call for #4 and this was basically a fluke and major kudos to Misercordia for stepping up this week on a nice nailbiter game

[kate]

Gordon, you were so right - Wilkes played one heck of a game!   So glad we have Darden!!!   Congrats Aggies!

[kate]

Based on today's scores, the MAC looks very competitive this season.

[gordonmann]

It really does. King's, Wilkes, Misericordia all fared well today.

And when was the last time you looked at a Lycoming/FDU-Florham game, like next week's, and said, "That's a big game in the conference race?"

[bill]

1995 - when I was still a young coach at FDU !!

[bill]

Speaking of which - wow - break up the Devils!

It's nice to see them have a good start - congrats to Coach Surace and all the players...who don't always have the understanding and complete support of the "powers that be" above the level of athletic department....

[wesleydad]

Came on looking to see comments about the Widener free fall after the loss to Misercordia and nothing.  There have to be issues since the team was predicted to go undefeated. 

[Machiavelli]

Came on looking to see comments about the Widener free fall after the loss to Misercordia and nothing.  There have to be issues since the team was predicted to go undefeated.

Google it.

[LineCat]

Came on looking to see comments about the Widener free fall after the loss to Misercordia and nothing.  There have to be issues since the team was predicted to go undefeated.

Google it.

So the Widener Misericordia game was a hard fought game by both teams. Both offenses ran the ball well and passed enough to put up big points.   I have to congratulate Misericordia on the win.

Good call by Misericordia Coach Ross on the 2pt conversion for the win!

Dumb-ss call by Widener OC's Mike Kelly and Mike Brayniack for the loss! Inserting a freshman QB in the game on Widener's own 11 yard line after an 88 yard QB driven touchdown drive to make it 7-0? It was clear in the first quarter it was going to be a contest. Well, the dropped first snap by the young QB resulted in a fumble and touchdown by Misercordia. Everyone knew those 7 points would come back to hurt us and it did, that decision cost the team the game.  They had to play him on our own 11 yard line? Really, why? Sorry coaches, it's on you! 

I'll post later on the disgraceful Kelly show after the game again... it's astonishing! 

[pumkinattack]

Has to be a parent.  No way a player could be enrolled in any institution of higher learning and that above happen.

[LineCat]

Not a parent or a player but have now heard more than I wish from too many people. The games aside, Widener's Coach Kelly is like a forest fire wherever he goes and his response to these tough losses has been troubling. I learned yesterday that Kelly has a history of an anger management problem, that's public record. Widener hired him anyway. Now somewhat irrational statements on social media, public and personal denigration of student athletes on multiple occasions, and apparently challenging parents on the field after the game yesterday is some of what's going on there. Kelly's reaching a boiling point. This is not good for the team or the university and something needs to be done.