Atlantic Central Football Conference/Independents

[CNU85]

Widener will likely host.

Still fun to mess with Wesleydad

[wesleydad]

Quarters are set with 1 vs 2 in the Wesley bracket, 1 vs 2 in the UWW bracket, 1 vs 3 in the Mount bracket, and 2 vs 4 in the Widener bracket.  Too me it looks like Mount and UWW may have the tougher games this week.  I expect Wesley to continue to roll, maybe not by 50 but by a comfortable margin.  Linfield will have little trouble with Widener.  The John Carroll/ Mount game could be another battle if John Carroll can match there week 10 perfromance.  Finally, UWW gets the unknown Wartburg.  All they have done is beat everyone they have played.  Wesley, Hobart, Widener, Mount, Wartburg, and UWW are all undefeated and John Carroll's only loss was to Mount.  Pretty strong final 8.  This will be a nice week leading up to some pretty good games this weekend.  See you all in Dover in 7 days.

[Teamski]

Another whopping 1st quarter.  First, you get a pick 6 followed by a TD pass followed by a punt block return for a TD.  Amazing stuff.  I haven't seen that many points being scored so many different ways!  Wesley's offense wasn't perfect, but then again, with the score what it was, there was no sense of urgency that really makes the squad go.  Ben Martin's long run has to be in the play of the week running.  His 60+ yard run was stopped by MIT behind the scrimmage, but he somehow shed his tacklers to break through the line and run the ball down the field.  It was a cool play that needs to be seen.  I really like him!

Hats off to MIT.  Regardless of the score, they played a spirited game and is a really good team that got behind early and turned the ball over too often.  Their fans filled the visitor's stands and were enthusiastic to the end.  Well done folks, that is what football is all about.

The game was really well attended even with it being Thanksgiving weekend and it felt like a playoff game.  I am looking forward to seeing more crowds next year with Wesley in the NJAC.  It certainly livens the game up.

So onto Hobart which will give Wesley a game next week.  I think Wesley is ready for the competition to heat up, so I don't expect them to look past this game.  The 12-0 victory the last time these two teams played showed that Hobart has a quality program that wants to prove itself.  I don't expect Wesley to disappoint.

Oh, and it was great to see Shane McSweeny at the game.

-Ski

[wesleydad]

Another whopping 1st quarter.  First, you get a pick 6 followed by a TD pass followed by a punt block return for a TD.  Amazing stuff.  I haven't seen that many points being scored so many different ways!  Wesley's offense wasn't perfect, but then again, with the score what it was, there was no sense of urgency that really makes the squad go.  Ben Martin's long run has to be in the play of the week running.  His 60+ yard run was stopped by MIT behind the scrimmage, but he somehow shed his tacklers to break through the line and run the ball down the field.  It was a cool play that needs to be seen.  I really like him!

Hats off to MIT.  Regardless of the score, they played a spirited game and is a really good team that got behind early and turned the ball over too often.  Their fans filled the visitor's stands and were enthusiastic to the end.  Well done folks, that is what football is all about.

The game was really well attended even with it being Thanksgiving weekend and it felt like a playoff game.  I am looking forward to seeing more crowds next year with Wesley in the NJAC.  It certainly livens the game up.

So onto Hobart which will give Wesley a game next week.  I think Wesley is ready for the competition to heat up, so I don't expect them to look past this game.  The 12-0 victory the last time these two teams played showed that Hobart has a quality program that wants to prove itself.  I don't expect Wesley to disappoint.

Oh, and it was great to see Shane McSweeny at the game.

-Ski

Ski, I believe that the score was 35 - 28.  Wesley was sloppy, but Hobart was tough.  I am not sure how close Hobart will be able to keep this game because I think they will have trouble scoring just like everyone else has this year.  Wesley will get in the 30's unless they turn the ball over.  If that is the case I am looking at a 20+ pt win.  That is as of right now, I will re-evaluate as the week goes on.

[Teamski]

Ski, I believe that the score was 35 - 28.  Wesley was sloppy, but Hobart was tough.  I am not sure how close Hobart will be able to keep this game because I think they will have trouble scoring just like everyone else has this year.  Wesley will get in the 30's unless they turn the ball over.  If that is the case I am looking at a 20+ pt win.  That is as of right now, I will re-evaluate as the week goes on.

Doh!  I got them mixed up with Johns Hopkins.  Point still stands, hehehe.....

-Ski

[DE Wesley Fan]

For those of you at the game, did the O look crisper today?  Callahan's stats look good, but I expected that against MIT.  How about penalties?  Overall, did they look better than last week?

I will be in Dover next week although the Linfield/Widener game is tempting.

I thought our starting offense looked much better this week.  Couple stupid false start penalties on the O-line again.  Officials didn't seem interested in calling holding on either side today, which was fine by me.  Callahan did a much better job of not seeming to lock in on a receiver too early, spread the ball around well, and had some beautiful passes.  George continues to concern me a bit.  He had a couple catches today but again didn't seem 100% - dropped pass, caught one off balance so he didn't get any YAC when he should have been able to easily go another 10-15 yards, etc.   We're going to need him back in top form from here out.  Agree with Ski that Martin's run later in the game was fun to watch.  So nice to have depth at running back this year.

Hats off to those MIT players.  It has to be tough enough to be a student there without the demands of a practice schedule, and it says so much about their love for the game that they take on the extra responsibility.

Congratulations to Linfield for their big win in Texas today. I'm sure their fallen team mate is looking on down on them with pride.  Good luck to them next week. 

[PA_wesleyfan]

 I don't remember any team ever bringing that big a crowd to Wesley!!! The visitor stand where full.

[DE Wesley Fan]

I don't remember any team ever bringing that big a crowd to Wesley!!! The visitor stand where full.

Closest I recall is Hopkins a few years ago, and perhaps Salisbury back when they kept the game a bit more competitive.  Was great to see not only a large crowd over there, but one obviously so proud of their team.

Speaking of crowds, did anybody else get caught in the insane line to get in today? It would really help if 1)there was another entrance for people to go in if they already had tickets, and 2)if there was a sign up out front with pricing so people can be better prepared when they get to the window.  I was happy to hear two groups of people in line behind us today were locals catching their first Wesley game - hope they enjoyed it enough to come back next week. 

[Teamski]

I was happy to hear two groups of people in line behind us today were locals catching their first Wesley game - hope they enjoyed it enough to come back next week.

That is good to hear.  If there is one thing that bugs me more than anything else about Wesley is that they don't get any local credit for their elite status.  They deserve a lot more local support than what they get.  I would love to see the stands packed each and every game. 

-Ski

[rlk]

I don't remember any team ever bringing that big a crowd to Wesley!!! The visitor stand where full.

Closest I recall is Hopkins a few years ago, and perhaps Salisbury back when they kept the game a bit more competitive.  Was great to see not only a large crowd over there, but one obviously so proud of their team.

Have to say this -- we got hammered on the field by a team that gave a decent FCS outfit a serious run for its money, but the Wesley folks here (and, from what I hear from MIT fans at the game) were in all other ways most gracious hosts.  This has been a most exciting season for MIT (only the 2011-2012 Final Four basketball team ranks up there -- yet!), and even if we couldn't give you a competitive game, we do appreciate the recognition and respect we've received.  It isn't always that way.  I remember when we played Harvard in basketball in the mid 1980's.  I was the visiting scorekeeper.  We weren't very good then, and of course, it was D1 vs. D3 so the game was over very early.  Their table crew (yup, clock operator and scorekeeper -- they're game officials) oozed contempt and even yelled at the refs when they didn't like a (not) goaltending non-call, and it wasn't just the usual rivalry.

I have to root for Hobart on Saturday because Coach Martinovich hails from there, but if it's Wesley against UW-Whitewater at Salem, I'm definitely rooting for your folks.  Whitewater has to be taken down a notch (ref. the Final Four above).  For that matter, this ridiculous run of WW-Mt. Union Stagg Bowls is getting tiresome.

[@d3jason]

Good article on Steve Koudossou in the Delaware State News. It's not on their site yet so I couldn't include the link.

Thing that jumped out at me are his career playoff statistics, in 12 games 59 catches for 1227 yards and 19 touchdowns.

[D3MAFAN]

Good article on Steve Koudossou in the Delaware State News. It's not on their site yet so I couldn't include the link.

Thing that jumped out at me are his career playoff statistics, in 12 games 59 catches for 1227 yards and 19 touchdowns.

d3jason,

I was confused when I saw the Linfield mascot, but after a closer look, realized it was the "LinfiledStrong Wildcat icon"

[Teamski]

Ahh yes!     Congrads to Ben Martin on making the D3football.com Play of the Week.  I am happy my wide camera was able to catch the play as I was sure he was going to be downed behind the line of scrimmage.  Keep an eye on this kid.  I have been really impressed with his acceleration and moves.  Earlier in the season, the Menlo TV announcers were really impressed as well when he started tearing down the sidelines play after play racking up some serious yardage. 

-Ski

[wesleydad]

Ahh yes!     Congrads to Ben Martin on making the D3football.com Play of the Week.  I am happy my wide camera was able to catch the play as I was sure he was going to be downed behind the line of scrimmage.  Keep an eye on this kid.  I have been really impressed with his acceleration and moves.  Earlier in the season, the Menlo TV announcers were really impressed as well when he started tearing down the sidelines play after play racking up some serious yardage. 

-Ski

Nice run.  I think he could easily be the starter.  He has better acceleration and makes people miss.  If not this year, he will get plenty of touches next year.  I hope he gets them this year because he could make a difference against a Mount or Whitewater.

[Teamski]

Ahh yes!     Congrads to Ben Martin on making the D3football.com Play of the Week.  I am happy my wide camera was able to catch the play as I was sure he was going to be downed behind the line of scrimmage.  Keep an eye on this kid.  I have been really impressed with his acceleration and moves.  Earlier in the season, the Menlo TV announcers were really impressed as well when he started tearing down the sidelines play after play racking up some serious yardage. 

-Ski

Nice run.  I think he could easily be the starter.  He has better acceleration and makes people miss.  If not this year, he will get plenty of touches next year.  I hope he gets them this year because he could make a difference against a Mount or Whitewater.

I was just watching the play again and had a laugh seeing the Wesley left tackle start blasting the left guard for missing his assignment right in the middle of the play, obviously thinking that Martin was about to get tackled.  Hilarious.

-Ski