Atlantic Central Football Conference/Independents

[DE Wesley Fan]

Another nice article on Wesley and how last year's loss to Mt Union has motivated us since:

http://delaware.newszap.com/centraldelaware/sports/137026-72/wesley-college-wolverines-mount-union-d3football

Says Drass has won 199 games - won't that 200th be awfully sweet?  Think it was after our first loss to UMU (though may have been the 2nd), but as our fans cheered the coaching staff when they came off the field he told everybody "We'll be back".  And we believed him, believed that one day we'd not just be back but would knock off one of the two big boys of DIII (or with any luck, both of them!).  And the faithful believe that this Saturday will be that day.

Admitedly I've been drinking the KoolAid, but wouldn't have it any other way.

[HSCTiger fan]

Can one of you guys direct me to the Wesley Two-Deep?  I've been to the website and can't find anything..

Games notes from our game a couple of weeks ago include a 2 deep.

[SaintsFAN]

Can one of you guys direct me to the Wesley Two-Deep?  I've been to the website and can't find anything..

Games notes from our game a couple of weeks ago include a 2 deep.

Thank you.

[HSCTiger fan]

Wesleydad et al

First, every one here in Alliance knows Wesley is a great team. We hear that this may be the best Wesley team ever. That info certainly doesn't give me that warm all over feeling.
However; given that, it seems that a lot of posters keep talking about last year's Mount Union team.
Believe me, this team is far better!
For whatever it's worth, consider the following NCAA stats as of now:
     No. 1   Total Offense 594.7 YPG
     No. 1   Scoring Offense 59.5 PPG
     No. 1   Total Defense 217.5 YPG
     No. 1   Scoring Defense 8.4 PPG
     No. 1   First Downs Offense 372 FD
and top 5 rankings in several other categories.
I realize all this doesn't mean Mount will win, my point is don't compare this team with last year's.
This Saturday should be a great game between two outstanding teams. May the better team win.

MUC, I am not talking about Mount's team from last year, but I am talking about the game that did happen.  62 - 59, with Wesley outscoring Mount 59 - 31 in the last 3 quarters.  That did happen and since both teams have most of the same players back, I would hope that the Wesley offensive coaches and players take great stock in what they were able to do in that game.  I do not expect the game to be that high scoring again, Wesley has improved drastically on defense since that game.  It looks like Mount has also improved.  Still I find it hard to believe that both offenses are licking their chops to get a shot at the other defense again.  Wesley should have a ton of confidence after that game going into this game.  After having done it, why would they think they can't do it again.  I know Mount will have the same confidence.  This has all the makings of a shoot out, with whichever defense making enough stops and maybe causing a few turnovers making the difference.  I expect both teams to get into the 30's or more, although I would be surprised if Wesley gives up more than the 38 they gave up to UNC Charlotte.  Can Wesley get to 40, why not?  I throw season stats out the window at this point.  Neither team has likely played a team as good as the one that will line up across the field from them on Saturday.  I can not wait for this game.  Sort of been hoping for it to happen after what happened last year.

After the HSC game I pointed out a few perceived flaws - punting, penalties, allowing us to pressure the QB.  All points I still see as issues.  I also pointed out that had you removed 4 pass plays the your QB was something like 10 of 24 with an int.  My karma was quickly dinged, and I was also reminded that you cannot simply discount those 4 passes. I agree. But now your argument seems to be - Wesley beat MU except for the first quarter. That is not to much different than saying the HSC Wesley game was 10 - 7 game after the first quarter. 

Every post since last Saturday has been the same 59 to 31, or Wesley has the best team I ever seen them have, or our defense is so much better than last year's. All statements that maybe very true. But it's also true that Mount Union is better on both sides of the ball too. Their OLine play is more consistent than Wesley's, they don't average 12 penalties per game and they have hands down better special teams play than Wesley.

Last year doesn't mean jack squat. I'll say til I'm blue in the face for Wesley to win (and I know they can) special teams and OLine must step up and the team as a whole needs fewer penalties.

[wesleydad]

Wesleydad et al

First, every one here in Alliance knows Wesley is a great team. We hear that this may be the best Wesley team ever. That info certainly doesn't give me that warm all over feeling.
However; given that, it seems that a lot of posters keep talking about last year's Mount Union team.
Believe me, this team is far better!
For whatever it's worth, consider the following NCAA stats as of now:
     No. 1   Total Offense 594.7 YPG
     No. 1   Scoring Offense 59.5 PPG
     No. 1   Total Defense 217.5 YPG
     No. 1   Scoring Defense 8.4 PPG
     No. 1   First Downs Offense 372 FD
and top 5 rankings in several other categories.
I realize all this doesn't mean Mount will win, my point is don't compare this team with last year's.
This Saturday should be a great game between two outstanding teams. May the better team win.

MUC, I am not talking about Mount's team from last year, but I am talking about the game that did happen.  62 - 59, with Wesley outscoring Mount 59 - 31 in the last 3 quarters.  That did happen and since both teams have most of the same players back, I would hope that the Wesley offensive coaches and players take great stock in what they were able to do in that game.  I do not expect the game to be that high scoring again, Wesley has improved drastically on defense since that game.  It looks like Mount has also improved.  Still I find it hard to believe that both offenses are licking their chops to get a shot at the other defense again.  Wesley should have a ton of confidence after that game going into this game.  After having done it, why would they think they can't do it again.  I know Mount will have the same confidence.  This has all the makings of a shoot out, with whichever defense making enough stops and maybe causing a few turnovers making the difference.  I expect both teams to get into the 30's or more, although I would be surprised if Wesley gives up more than the 38 they gave up to UNC Charlotte.  Can Wesley get to 40, why not?  I throw season stats out the window at this point.  Neither team has likely played a team as good as the one that will line up across the field from them on Saturday.  I can not wait for this game.  Sort of been hoping for it to happen after what happened last year.

After the HSC game I pointed out a few perceived flaws - punting, penalties, allowing us to pressure the QB.  All points I still see as issues.  I also pointed out that had you removed 4 pass plays the your QB was something like 10 of 24 with an int.  My karma was quickly dinged, and I was also reminded that you cannot simply discount those 4 passes. I agree. But now your argument seems to be - Wesley beat MU except for the first quarter. That is not to much different than saying the HSC Wesley game was 10 - 7 game after the first quarter. 

Every post since last Saturday has been the same 59 to 31, or Wesley has the best team I ever seen them have, or our defense is so much better than last year's. All statements that maybe very true. But it's also true that Mount Union is better on both sides of the ball too. Their OLine play is more consistent than Wesley's, they don't average 12 penalties per game and they have hands down better special teams play than Wesley.

Last year doesn't mean jack squat. I'll say til I'm blue in the face for Wesley to win (and I know they can) special teams and OLine must step up and the team as a whole needs fewer penalties.

HSC, read my entire post.  I have spoken about how Mount should feel.  As far as last year not meaning jack squat, this is where I disagree.  Wesley should have total confidence that they can play with Mount based on last year's game and the fact that both teams are basically the same players.  Does Wesley have issues to fix? Yes.  Does Mount have issues to fix? Yes.  I am not discounting the 31 - 0 score, I was there, I saw it.  I also saw a team, Wesley, totally dominate Mount for the last 3 quarters to the point where there was a stunned silence in the stands, well, except for us Wesley fans that were going crazy.  If they do not use that as a way to motivate themselves in this game then in my opinion they are wasting a golden opportunity.  Will it matter on the field, I guess that all depends on how it is used mentally.  Prior success should make Wesley feel totally confident that if they play to their potential they can win this game.  I don't waste time dinging anyone's karma, I just let you know that I disagree with your thoughts.

[DE Wesley Fan]

Last year doesn't mean jack squat. I'll say til I'm blue in the face for Wesley to win (and I know they can) special teams and OLine must step up and the team as a whole needs fewer penalties.

You are absolutely correct, except that last year's 3 quarters of success have given us confidence and the final score extra motivation.  The only caveat I'll throw out there is that our punting game was unusually bad against HSC, and has been better in other games including the last 2.  Of course if it happened once it can happen again, and that is just the kind of stupid thing we can't afford.

[@d3jason]

I just gave you some love Tigerfan.  And Wesleydad too. Great have something to read.

[Teamski]

I just gave you some love Tigerfan.  And Wesleydad too. Great have something to read.

Wha....?  No love for me?   

-Ski

[MUC57]

The other day I posted some stats for Mount Union trying to show that this team was better than last year's. Today I uncovered a stat I did not post. Here it is!
                              Mount Union  NCAA Rank       Wesley   NCAA Rank
   Turnover Margin         +17              15                 +35           1
Now that's a stat I wish I hadn't seen. Talk about not getting that warm all over feeling!
Mount had better hold on to the ball or they could lose it. And a good team like Wesley will make them pay.
Looking forward to a great game. Go Raiders!!!!

[Teamski]

The other day I posted some stats for Mount Union trying to show that this team was better than last year's. Today I uncovered a stat I did not post. Here it is!
                              Mount Union  NCAA Rank       Wesley   NCAA Rank
   Turnover Margin         +17              15                 +35           1
Now that's a stat I wish I hadn't seen. Talk about not getting that warm all over feeling!
Mount had better hold on to the ball or they could lose it. And a good team like Wesley will make them pay.
Looking forward to a great game. Go Raiders!!!!

Nice stat for us Wolverines fans but good teams don't usually give up the pigskin easily, so I think Mount Union will be able to protect the ball better than most other Wesley opponents.....

-Ski

[SaintsFAN]

I wasn't at the game Wesley/Mount Union game last year but I have talked to someone who was and knows their football.  His view of the 1st Quarter last year was Mount Union's 31-0 lead after 15 minutes was a result of Wesley melting down and not necessarily Mount Union dominating.  So in addition to giving up a punt return TD and a long pick-six, Wesley gave up a 67 yard TD run on the 1st play from scrimmage and a 23 yard TD pass on the first play following another INT. 

Mount possessed the ball three times in that 1st Quarter -- with two of the drives starting at the Wesley 23 (TD) and the Wesley 16 (34 yard FG) and the other possession was the 67 yard TD run by Mitchell to start the game.

The come away from this is that if Wesley maintains their composure this year -- it should be a pretty good game.  Wesley almost climbed that mountain last year, despite being down 31-0 with 45 minutes left to play. 


I think this game will be good enough that I'm driving the 4 1/2 hours up to see it in person.  The last time I felt this way about a Mount Union semifinal that I wasn't working for D3Football.com was the Mary Hardin-Baylor Semifinal in 2012 and I was there to see that ending.

[Teamski]

The come away from this is that if Wesley maintains their composure this year -- it should be a pretty good game.   

Amen to that!  In addition to last year's Mount Union game, The Wesley/Linfield game showed that Wesley can be a very good 2nd half team even if they haven't been continually tested this year.  It is up to the Wolverines to make sure they execute and avoid the penalties.  I don't know if I will be able to keep the camera still this Saturday.  I have been between the TV cameras twice now in Alliance filming wide with hopes that Wesley could squeak out a win.  I hope that the third time is the charm.

-Ski

[CNU85]

Would be nice to say "Congrats" to Wesley on Saturday evening!!!

[Teamski]

Sweet!  Joe Callahan makes the Gagliardi "Final Four."  Well done and congrats!

-Ski

[wesleydad]

The other day I posted some stats for Mount Union trying to show that this team was better than last year's. Today I uncovered a stat I did not post. Here it is!
                              Mount Union  NCAA Rank       Wesley   NCAA Rank
   Turnover Margin         +17              15                 +35           1
Now that's a stat I wish I hadn't seen. Talk about not getting that warm all over feeling!
Mount had better hold on to the ball or they could lose it. And a good team like Wesley will make them pay.
Looking forward to a great game. Go Raiders!!!!

Not one much for stats, but this looks pretty prolific.  Wesley has scored at least 1 D touchdown in each playoff game.  The defense is light years better than last year, I hope it shows on Saturday.