Atlantic Central Football Conference/Independents

[SU Backer]

  Whoa...easy Goldpride.......I love your optimism, but hanging 45 on Wesley probably ain't happening.....this game is played way too hard by both sides ....I do think that this is SU's best chance over the last several years, although last year's game was darn close.....I think it was a one score game, this will probably be a tight one too. I just want that "W".....by 1 point will do just fine!!!!GO GULLS!!!

[Teamski]

Wesley beats Webber Intl 42-13.  Real slow second half with back-ups.

It will be one hell of a good game next week.  I have to agree with SU Backer, with Salisbury's run offense, I don't expect them to score more than 21 points..... 

-Ski

[wesleydad]

got back from fla earlier today.  trip was nice, go to fla and get rained on in the morning friday and saturday.  both days turned out to be nice.  enjoyed epcot, good food and brew.  wesley was the better team and they showed it throughout the game.  missed the first kickoff return, still outside with refreshment.  the second kickoff was executed well from the kicking part, low bounced through the entire team, made the mistake of kicking it to beavers side of the field.  larry picks it up splits 2 players and is gone.  still have concerns about the lack of a pass rush, way too much time for the opposing QB.  it should be a good game this week against salisbury.  i think wesley will score against the depleted d of the gulls.  not sure how wesley will handle the option.  the lack of pass rush or push may be a blessing since they dont get upfield and will be in position to make plays.

nnasid, webber is a good matchup for you guys.  they are similar to you in size and numbers.  they play several different formations on O.  i call them a backwards team, run when you think they should pass and vice a versa.  they like to go 5 receivers and run the QB, had some success against wesley with that.  if your D plays like they did in the first half against wesley you should be able to handle them.  they dont do anything special on D and had trouble with the run when wesley went between the tackles, they seemed to be quick to the outside against sweeps.

conrad, hope you enjoved the trip.  since you saw the game along with several others.  do you have the same concern as i do with the lack of a push from the D line?

pawesley, sorry to hear about the shoulder, at least you get some time before the fix up.  will you be making the trip to salisbury?

goldpride, 45 points   not sure what you have been watching for the prognostication.  i agree with su backer should be a good game, but can the gulls D shut down the wolverines?

plenty of shake up in the top 25.  is southern oregon any good in naia?  will be interesting to see how the voters look at all the losers, who drops far and who still gets respected due to past performance.

[PA_wesleyfan]

wesleydad

Not going to make it.. I have to work I have to squirrel as much money away as I can for my up to 6 weeks of non paid recovery    But it's been 12 weeks and it's  not going to get better without the surgery.. I may get to the Gallaudet game because of the shorter trip.

[@d3jason]

conrad, hope you enjoved the trip.  since you saw the game along with several others.  do you have the same concern as i do with the lack of a push from the D line?

plenty of shake up in the top 25.  is southern oregon any good in naia?  will be interesting to see how the voters look at all the losers, who drops far and who still gets respected due to past performance.

Pass rush? Probably won't need one this week, since the Gulls probably won't throw it too much.

I think they've played a lot of teams that have have gotten rid of the ball quickly. It's hard to get sacks that way. I don't have any problem with how Wesley's defense has played this year. I think they were ranked 2nd in the nation coming into the game. They've stopped the run all year. And their pass defense has been good. But they could get a little more pressure. They did loss three guys with a lot of experience from last year, but the new group has been solid, if not spectacular, IMHO.

This week's game is a must win for both teams. The South Region playoff picture and Pool B is looking crowded. Case Western, Wesley/Salibury winner and Huntingdon/LaGrange winner probably grab those three bids.

Plus it looks like there could be a lot of one loss teams around in the nation in Pool C. That's were the high emphasis on in region play and the Del Val loss is really going hurt the loser of this game. Wesley & Salisbury would love to play more in region games, but you have teams like Widener that would rather travel five hours across the state to play in region games than an hour or two away. Guess you can't blame them, they're just trying to get themselves a schedule that can get them to the playoffs.

As far as UMHB losing to Southern Oregon. SOU was 2-5 coming into that game. I read the newspaper account from the Temple Telegraph and it seems that their coach was pretty pleased (suprised?) to beat the Crusaders. That NAIA conference has a pretty good reputation as I remember however, Western Washington, Central Washington (can't remember which) won a NAIA title in the mid late 90's I think. And I think Jon Kitna went to one of them. (Granted that was a while ago, and I don't really know I'm just guessing.)

I wouldn't read too much into though. That's a long trip and the Crusaders are pretty beat up on the offensive side of the ball. They lost 7 or 8 starters from last year's team and have had a rash of injuries to their skill kids. Their tailback Daniels blew out his knee and the transfer they got from Baylor is hurt too, along with a top receiver. They aren't getting as many big plays from their offense as a result. They've still got that speedy, pressure defense.

I think they just got down early after a few turnovers, and had to go to the air a little more than they'd like (similar offensive philosophy to Salisbury, but a little more physical.) They made a couple of nice comebacks from 21-7 to 21-21 and got within 34-28, but they turned it over five times. Not going to win too mant when you do that,

[PA_wesleyfan]

Conrad

How 'bout them PHILS ?

I guess we'll see if the 4th ranked rushing D can stop the 1st rated rushing O. 
Between the two teams over 800yrds per game O. I'll be listening

[@d3jason]

Conrad

How 'bout them PHILS ?

I guess we'll see if the 4th ranked rushing D can stop the 1st rated rushing O. 
Between the two teams over 800yrds per game O. I'll be listening

What did Ryan Howard have to eat before the game?

Should be a great game!! You have to respect the way the Gulls have bounced back from the Del Val loss and the suspensions. Wesley has also taken care of business.

[PA_wesleyfan]

Conrad

How 'bout them PHILS ?

I guess we'll see if the 4th ranked rushing D can stop the 1st rated rushing O. 
Between the two teams over 800yrds per game O. I'll be listening

What did Ryan Howard have to eat before the game?

Should be a great game!! You have to respect the way the Gulls have bounced back from the Del Val loss and the suspensions. Wesley has also taken care of business.

  I don't know but I haven't seen Iguchi in the dugout

[XSUGull]

GOLDPRIDE:
I have to agree with SU Backer on this one. I think its going to be difficult for Salisbury to score 45 points on Wesley. The Wolves stop the option better than anyone the Sea Gulls face. Of course I'm going to pick the maroon and gold but I think the scoring will be more in the 20's and not the 40's. I'm not ready to give my official prediction but I like SU's chances.

I think one key will be if Salisbury can be successful throwing the ball. That doesn't mean putting it in the air 15 to 20 times but just hitting enough passes off playaction to keep the safeties out of the box.

[SU Backer]

XSU...I agree, you have to keep them honest with the pass....a deep ball every so often and maybe you hit a big one to boot.....Wesley is still the team to beat in the ACFC until someone beats them....I think Wesley is under-rated in the poll because of the loss to DelVal...I still say they are the #2 team in the south region (behind MHB)  until proven otherwise.....but I think the Gulls are poised to take that step and win this game. The Gulls will have to play nearly flawless football and we will need Wesley to make a few mistakes to get it done-but it is a do able task! The winner gets in the playoffs and the loser will host a ECAC bowl IMO. Where is Bobby Sheahin (sp?), is he hurt, quit, what? He can throw the ball and was only a tick different than Ronnie running the option. Anybody out there know?
Anyway, as always may they all come out healthy and GO GULLS! See you all saturday......

[GOLDPRIDE]

SU GULL and Backer,
"I got cited." CW -

I know that Wesley has the antidote for the SU/Navy option.  There d-ends are the key to its success or failure.  I am hoping for points from those unexpected places in order to win this one i.e. special teams and defense.

Any idea of weather that day?  Not sure who would benefit from rainy weather. 

I have to stick with my prediction even though it is a shot in the dark.  I'm just hoping for a good game.   

Go GULLS

[XSUGull]

The defensive ends will be a key for Wesley in stopping the option. Its no secret that Salisbury is going to run the ball. SU will run if there are seven, eight, or even nine men in the box. I think my early statement about the Gulls hitting a few passing plays is going to be key. You have to think that the Wesley linebackers are going to be running downhill at 100 mph to stop the run. It takes a discipline defense to stop the option and Wesley has shown that in the past few years.

Goldpride, you asked who benefits from rainy weather and of course its a running team. Salisbury isn't the only team in the conference that can run the ball. I might be mistaken but I think the Wolves are averaging near 200 yards of ground work a game. Rain makes the option a bit more difficult to operate in, but it shouldn't be too big of a factor for either team. The only thin rain might do is slow down Wesley's air attack.

I don't even know if its supposed to rain this weekend.

[XSUGull]

I just saw that Salisbury dropped from #16 to #17 in the AFCA Poll and from #15 to #16 in the D3football Poll despite winning last week. Maybe coach Wood will play the "respect card" to the Gulls and use this as motivation this week.

[Pat Coleman]

If they need Willamette's defeat of Linfield as inspiration before the Wesley game, then Salisbury's in trouble.

[Teamski]

All I know is that I got my leave approved to take off Saturday.  I will be there!   


That said, I really think the only way Salisbury can win is if Wesley self destructs with fumbles and penalties.  Unfortunately, it is a definate possibility, although Wesley has done pretty well in the last couple games keeping both numbers somewhat in check.  I'm keeping these fingers crossed!

-Ski