FB: Middle Atlantic Conference

[gordonmann]

uPBRmeASP:

It's another huge test for the defense.  Salisbury runs the ball a lot and has been incredibly hot on offense.  The Sea Gulls had their way with CNU last week and scored 40+ the previous weeks.  They have a bunch of guys who can break big runs so the Aggies must wrap up on tackles.  But since the Aggies' defense is usually very good, this one comes down to whether the offense can get anything going.  Three keys to watch:

- Has the offense improved with the week off: The Aggies are last in the MAC in total yards per game (166) and are getting just 2.9 per play.  It doesn't matter how good the defense is.  If the Aggies can't move the ball, they won't compete for the MAC title.

- Does Isgro get any time to pass the ball: The Aggies will have a new center since the starter is lost to injury and Salisbury has very active, aggressive linebackers.  Freshman Michael Lewis played well in his debut at tackle matched up with All American Brian Robinson.

- Can the Aggies run the ball:  They won't beat Salisbury with a one dimensional attack or by asking Isgro to make a play with his arm every down.  Can Matt Cook build off the good Week 2 performance?


Segueing into promotional mode, people can get answers to these questions and more by listening to tomorrow's broadcast.

No. 25 Salisbury Sea Gulls
versus
Delaware Valley

Kickoff at 1 pm with pregame at 12:30 on www.allinbroadcasting.com.

[PBR...]

agreed the aggie offense HAS to put points on the board this week....the aggie defense to me is sounding solid but the offense has to give them a breather as well as they say "the best defense is a good offense". ball control seems to be the key to this game. whoever wins the time of possession wins the game imo.

[ramarama]

Another disappointing show by MAC team...Widener is getting embarrassed by Rowan 38-0 early in the 4th quarter! They haven't been able to move the ball on offense and have turned the ball over 3 or 4 times...

[PBR...]

ouch...that is a body slam by rowan 41-0 final...the is a good ol' fashioned whoopin

[bman]

I just got back from the Rowan/WU game...

No use hiding behind the elephant in the room, so I'll do this blog style....

"Man Day Ruined"

This day was the culmination of some long time planning...

...a day off of work...
...a golf outing...
...beer
...no kids..

...followed by my alma mater playing a game I have been waiting to see for 20 some odd years...
This took much effort, and convincing to get the better half to deal with unruly children all day, and night...so after making sure I paid the price in several ways...this was in motion...

5pm
(insert foreshadowing music here)...my golf game was terrible today...no rythm, hands of lead killed my short game...and didn't get (or make myself) a break all day.

5:30pm
Going to the game after the round, my thoughts were of one thing..."please don't let us get blown out...","please don't let us get blown out..."

7pm
The first comment on the game I have is wow....
Wow means a lot here...so let me clarify...
-Wow we(Widener) are SO small...
-Wow Rowan is just gashing our defense
-Wow we are making dumb plays
-Wow the play calling is horrible

9:45 PM  "I can't believe we got blown out...."


Wow meant alot tonight...which culminated in one of the ugliest losses I have ever seen...

11:57 pm (as I am typing)

Thoughts on this and the future...

First, congrats to Rowan..they played a great game and dominated every aspect of this game...every one...
Rowan could have hung 70 on us tonight, so I respect the class of the RU coaching staff to kick field goals and sub appropriately...

Second...I wonder about the size of our kids....I hung with several ex all-americans tonight...and the consensus was disbelief at the size of some of the kids starting for Widener...sure there were the usual meat eaters, however, I wonder if some of these starters would have started on Widener teams of past....
Not many 5'6" receivers are going to pull down jump balls in the endzone...

Third play calling...I know that coach Wood has publically committed to the run...it wasn't there, and in my opinion, it's not going to be there often unless this O line gets much better...we could not run the ball at all tonight except in garbage time...
The play calling did not help...I watched in disbelief, on 3rd and 1, as WU runs a slow developing pitch, against an athletic and aggressive D crowding the line...there was zero chance of those types of plays being sucessful, in that situation....
Because we could not run...RU pinned their ears back and pressured us causing errant and intercepted passes...
Mental errors cost us dearly especially on special teams....
Looking back on this, I honestly can't find any positives...especially because Rowan looked nothing like they have in years past (and I know because I have been there and watched...)

Coach Wood has stated he will play anyone anytime. Fundamentally that attitude is good for the program, if you have players that will develop from the increased level of competition...

This team was not ready for that step....
This team is 4-5 touchdowns short (either scoring or eliminating on defense)of competing on a national level right now...
That is not to say they can't benefit from this in the long run, and this year as well.  I hope they can...
Recruiting needs to get better...I don't buy the private vs public bs...If coach Wood publically states we will play anyone any time, than they need to do what it takes to get student athletes in school that can complete at a higher level than what was on the field tonight...

Lastly, do not think that these harsh opinions take anything away from the effort our guys put out...effort was there...heart was there...they played their a**es off...
...it just wasn't enough...

[gordonmann]

I feel for you, bman.

Widener lost a big part of its plan to run the ball when OL Fagnani was lost for the year to injury.

The good news is that the MAC's nightmarish non-conference season is almost over.  Aggressive scheduling and big holes on all teams have left all the teams but Albright battered entering conference play.

Hope comes in the morning.  Or, in this case, next Saturday when conference play starts.

[Dr. xGSC]

BMan,

We'll cya at another game another time. No use in my pouring salt on your wounds, though it is hard not to after all these years waiting for this game to happen. Your blog entry came from your heart and for that, well, at least you get some +karma.

[PBR...]

bman +k for having a great day (minus the football score) pbr knows what it takes to get a day or night w/o kids and just have a guys night out. pbr is still working off the notre dame/penn st. game....at least the effort was there. mac does have a very difficult  ooc schedule and +k to them all because at least on paper they may look bad when you see the records but these teams will be battle tested and should see large improvements week to week. pbr never understand scheduling 3 cream puffs to get ready for the league play. what does that prove? how will your team be ready when it faces adversity through falling behind or injuries? so in the long run pbr believes widener and the mac teams will be much better for it, just its tough to bear right now through injuries and losses.

[PBR...]

aggies up in the third over salisbury!!! come on boyz dig deep!!!


check that no longer up now salisbury has put a bunch of points on the board!!! 

[bill]

congratulations to the FDU guys working hard for a non-conference NJAC win...big rebound today after a disapointing showing vs. TCNJ...
Looking to get a big MAC win early against abright next week (now that Juniata doesn't count anymore

[formerwu]

FormerWU is feeling mighty low. 

I was with Bman on Friday night in Glassboro.  He pretty much hit the nail on the head with his comments.  What a horrible performance by the "Pride".  Rowan did look good, but they are not the Rowan team of past.

It makes you think, how did the MAC crap the bed so quickly?  Is this just a down year, or a sign of things to come?  I hope that things get straightened out sooner rather than later.

MAC games are now here, and everyone counts.  No clear cut team at this time.  The championship is there for anyone to take.  Come on WU, lets go.

[bman]

DrX and Gordon

Thanks for the kind words...

Indeed the sun did come up on Saturday...and even yesterday...

looking forward to the MAC schedule...and indeed, now is not when the out of conference games count...it will be the post season that matters...

Congrats to FDU on the OOC win...nice to see.

[LANES]

Its been a while.

I can definitley see Albright going 7-3 this year.  I think they still have some learning to do, but they have a solid qb, and some good playmakers.  If Asay, and Romig dont end up as first team all-league guys that will be a shame.  Romig is the MAC mold of A Reggie Bush, Brian Westbrook Type.  Asay, is just a freak.  I am not sure there is a corner in this conference that can cover him.  Lastly Kelly is just smart.  He may not light it up, but he doesnt make a ton of mistakes, and that is just as good as puttin in 400 yds every week.

I think Del-Val is a surprise. I liked their QB from last year, I am not following them too much, but I thought he was going to be a playmaker this year.


Here is something no one on this boad is used to.  7-3 COULD win the MAC this year, when did you think you would hear that?

Dog,

Would be nice.  I too am surprised even as an alum.  These games are great to see live as they bring back memories and feelings lost since the last whistle blow we all were lucky enough to be part of.  FDU this week should tell whether they are for real and can handle the big boys in the rest of the schedule.  Lyco the following week and Delval in the end should make for a fantastic finish.  I may have to "wonder" into the locker room to get into the emotional aspect and hear what the new coach has to say as he seems to have picked up the ball.  Maybe the bye week coming off of a win will be a great way to heal and get together for the next few humps in the road.

[PBR...]

its been a grind but the mac starts up this week pbr cant remember a time when this conference seemed so up in the air that any team has a realistic shot at winning it....gonna be a fun and bumpy ride...pbr is sure that dvc is home for once its been a long road trip for them all and gordon too!!!

[formerwu]

PBR

Big MAC weekend this week.  Good luck to all.

BTW - I freakin' love your taste in women.  Spot on.