FB: Upper Midwest Athletic Conference

[GU1999]

GU at ML was a grinder.  But, GU comes away with the OT win and gives ML its first conference loss since 2017.   GU managed only one offensive TD in regulation and it happened on the first play from scrimmage, a 77 TD pass to RB Paul Garret.  They added a defensive TD on a scoop and score in the 3rd.   MLs ability to stymie the GU attack bodes really well for them winning out in this league. 

Next up, GU faces off with Northwestern in the "teams formerly coached by Kirk Talley bowl."  I would have to guess that GU will be a double digit favorite in this one.

[Baldini]

GU at ML was a grinder.  But, GU comes away with the OT win and gives ML its first conference loss since 2017.   GU managed only one offensive TD in regulation and it happened on the first play from scrimmage, a 77 TD pass to RB Paul Garret.  They added a defensive TD on a scoop and score in the 3rd.   MLs ability to stymie the GU attack bodes really well for them winning out in this league. 

Next up, GU faces off with Northwestern in the "teams formerly coached by Kirk Talley bowl."  I would have to guess that GU will be a double digit favorite in this one.

GU1999, it was a hard fought win for Greenville. Congratulations on the win and a now not to difficult road to a title. If you had told me before the game that the MLC defense would shutout the GU offense for the last 59:44 of regulation and lose the game I would of thought you were completely crazy, but that is exactly what happened. It is kind of a shame this game wasn't later in the season because there doesn't seem to be much drama left for title hopes.

The Westminster @ Minnesota-Morris game lived up to what I thought it might be, a battle of two very evenly matched teams. The Cougars got the 38-35 win and look to be in great position to finish at least in the top 3 in the UMAC. They are a young team and with road games at MLC and Greenville yet to come, the schedule doesn't favor them against the top teams, but the future looks bright in Morris and never say never.

Westminster has a bye this week and gets Greenville at home the following week. The Blue Jays always seem to play them tough at home and they might be the team with the best chance remaining to knock off Greenville.

Northwestern just got by Finlandia at home 16-13. I thought Northwestern was going to contend for the title this season, but wonder now if they will get another win this season. Head scratching year for them so far.

Crown traveled to Iowa Wesleyan and took the defeat 69-28, but they continue to put up points at times with their passing game and I believe they will still get a win or two this season.

UMAC Power Rankings after week one of conference play.

1.) Greenville
2.) Martin Luther
3.) Minnesota-Morris
4.) Westminster
5.) Crown
6.) Northwestern
7.) Finlandia   

[GU1999]

Game breakdown for NW v. GU:

Northwestern @ Greenville (o/u 49.5  and GU -32.5)

Northwestern has struggled mightily this season.  Sitting at 1 and 4 with their only win coming last week in a squeaker against Finlandia.  NW is in for another long day on the road in Greenville. 

Northwestern has been outscored 250 to 60 in their first 5 games.  21 of their 60 points came against a Buena Vista team that conceded 80 points in their game the week before.  I just don't see them moving the ball much against GU.  Defensively they have given up a league worst 533 yards per game.  GU has averaged 430+ ypg which is top 40 nationally after playing the hardest part of their schedule.  GU will get back to their ball movement and scoring ways the week.  One fun individual stat to keep an eye on as the UMAC season progresses is will Paul Garrett's run to lead the nation in Total Yards.  Currently, he sits at #13 with 172 p/g.  The leaders are in the 190's a game.  With the UMAC being the lowest rated conference in the country by D3Football.com, I suspect he could make a run at it.  Also, this would be a huge accomplishment as he has yet to be deployed in kick returns. PREDICTION GU 41 - UNW 8   

I hope to get to the other two games later. 

[GU1999]

UM - Morris @ Finlandia

(o/u 34.5 & Finlandia +19.5)

Morris (2-3) will be too much for the Finlandia no matter where this game is played.  Morris is one of only two UMAC teams to have multiple wins this season, although both did come against UMAC opponents, as they scheduled Crown for a non-con game.  Morris also played close games with Macalester and Hamline.  The Fin's played a tougher non-con schedule, but their games were simply not bery competitive. They did manage to hang with Northwestern last week, but that may have been a game played between the bottom two teams in the league. 

Finlandia has a very hard time moving the ball averaging less than 200 ypg as a team, and mustering only 25 total points in their first four games. 
Morris is averaging 27 ppg.   

Prediction:  Morris 28 - Finlandia 6

[Baldini]

UM - Morris @ Finlandia

(o/u 34.5 & Finlandia +19.5)

Morris (2-3) will be too much for the Finlandia no matter where this game is played.  Morris is one of only two UMAC teams to have multiple wins this season, although both did come against UMAC opponents, as they scheduled Crown for a non-con game.  Morris also played close games with Macalester and Hamline.  The Fin's played a tougher non-con schedule, but their games were simply not bery competitive. They did manage to hang with Northwestern last week, but that may have been a game played between the bottom two teams in the league. 

Finlandia has a very hard time moving the ball averaging less than 200 ypg as a team, and mustering only 25 total points in their first four games. 
Morris is averaging 27 ppg.   

Prediction:  Morris 28 - Finlandia 6

I'm actually impressed with the job that Mike DuFrane is doing in his first year coaching Finlandia. The defense has been respectable so far and they are playing hard for their coach. Finlandia has the smallest enrollment in all of NCAA football I believe with around 370 students, yet DuFrane has 53 players on his roster. 15% of the student population is on the football team, these type of situations alway do fascinate me.

[GU1999]

53 players in a school of 370.  WOW.  Truly remarkable.  I sure hope they get a win this season.  Maybe it will be on the 23rd against Crown. 

[Pat Coleman]

53 players in a school of 370.  WOW.  Truly remarkable.  I sure hope they get a win this season.  Maybe it will be on the 23rd against Crown.

Finlandia really needs a successful football program to keep the school open.

[waxx]

53 players in a school of 370.  WOW.  Truly remarkable.  I sure hope they get a win this season.  Maybe it will be on the 23rd against Crown.

Finlandia really needs a successful football program to keep the school open.

Any idea what their retention is? I see a lot of players from the southern part of the US, it's gotta be tough to keep those kids coming back to the U.P. enough on it's own,  but especially if you are losing by a ton.

[Pat Coleman]

That's definitely the problem that other Finlandia coaches have tried to solve and have not really succeeded. The initial class of guys had some behavioral issues that did not help.

I feel like having an actual D-III guy in charge, rather than a D-II guy, should help. I mean, they are already not losing by a ton every time out so that's helpful.

[Baldini]

It seems like such a difficult position for Finlandia, if DuFrane has any kind of success the better job offers will be many and they will be back to square one. 

[GU1999]

Game breakdown for NW v. GU:

Northwestern @ Greenville (o/u 49.5  and GU -32.5)

Northwestern has struggled mightily this season.  Sitting at 1 and 4 with their only win coming last week in a squeaker against Finlandia.  NW is in for another long day on the road in Greenville. 

Northwestern has been outscored 250 to 60 in their first 5 games.  21 of their 60 points came against a Buena Vista team that conceded 80 points in their game the week before.  I just don't see them moving the ball much against GU.  Defensively they have given up a league worst 533 yards per game.  GU has averaged 430+ ypg which is top 40 nationally after playing the hardest part of their schedule.  GU will get back to their ball movement and scoring ways the week.  One fun individual stat to keep an eye on as the UMAC season progresses is will Paul Garrett's run to lead the nation in Total Yards.  Currently, he sits at #13 with 172 p/g.  The leaders are in the 190's a game.  With the UMAC being the lowest rated conference in the country by D3Football.com, I suspect he could make a run at it.  Also, this would be a huge accomplishment as he has yet to be deployed in kick returns. PREDICTION GU 41 - UNW 8   

I hope to get to the other two games later.

GU outgained UNW by 318 yards.  GU forced 3 UNW turnovers.  AND just barely managed to win the game.  It was a one score game with 5:24 to play. 
GU managed to let UNW hang around by having SIX turnovers and 118 penalty yards.  This effort will get them beat against more than one team in the league. 

There were a few bright spots. 
- The Defensive line was excellent, led by Sophomores #96 Turjan McLaurin and #91 Matthew Binion. 
- The Defense combined for 16 Sacks/TFLs.
- Jr. Paul Garrett and Soph. Adrian Hinton combined for 188 yards on the ground. 

Causes for concern:
- Ball Security.  6 turnovers is not sustainable.
- Injuries. GU lost its number one TE, Sr. Seth Logan early.   
- Multiple offensive linemen were injured in the second half.  The OL depth will be tested going into Westminster next week.

A quick note about UNW.  Their QB, Nick Drinken, made some unbelievable plays in this game.  Most of the game he was under significant pressure.  The box score does not adequately reflect the performance he had on Saturday. 

[jakeMN91]

According to MLC Twitter, their game with Finlandia this weekend has been postponed due to COVID protocols.

[Baldini]

According to MLC Twitter, their game with Finlandia this weekend has been postponed due to COVID protocols.

Thanks Jake for that update. This leaves the UMAC with only 2 games this weekend.

Greenville at Westminster should be a very good game and a must win for Westminster if they are going to win the title this season. Did that sound odd? Well with a win Westminster will be in the drivers seat to win it all.

Crown at Minnesota-Morris is the second game, M-M defeated Crown 3 weeks ago in a non-conference game 24-18 at Crown. A close game last time and probably another close game this week. Both seem to be young and improving teams.

Hopefully COVID doesn't keep anyone down more than a week and all games are on again next week.   

[Baldini]

Saw a list on the CCIW page of teams by roster size and made me wonder about the UMAC.

Greenville 98
Westminster 96
Northwestern 72
Martin Luther 63
Minnesota-Morris 60
Crown 54
Finlandia 53

It would be interesting to see a study based on the success on the field and roster size. Having a roster in the 50's or 60's seems like it would be a handicap in many ways, yet MLC has had some success on the UMAC level against teams that regularly have larger rosters. How that plays conference to conference in D3 would be interesting.

[GU1999]

The battle of the two largest rosters turned lopsided early.  GU rebounded well from the 6 turnover game against Northwestern and controlled from the start.  Westminster's "Iron Curtain" defensive front was not up to the task as Paul Garrett rushed for 231 and crossed the 1000 yard mark rushing for the season.  GU rolls 42-14 in Fulton, Mo.  It was nice to see many  good reps for reserve team late in this game. 

sorry (not sorry) for the lame Churchill reference