FB: Presidents' Athletic Conference

[SaintsFAN]

Thanks for the insight, Willy. 

Inspite of your analysis, I know Thomas More needs to play their best game of the year to date.  Grove City is another team thats had our number in recent years and we have to continue to play as we have -- play fast, and play mistake free.  This team hasn't turned the ball over much and I think thats a key...along with not being able to focus on one RB.. 

[spikegrouchy]

Spikegrouchy...I wouldn't worry much about next week. Bison "D" couldn't stop a good high school offense. I will say if both teams play as they have, I'd take the "over" even if it's a 100.

Well the way Westminster turns the ball over, even a high school team could beat them!  They had a bunch of turnovers last year in a loss to the Bison.

I am hoping that in the future the PAC will become more competitive with other conferences.  I don't know what the problem is.  I always thought that western PA was a "hotbed" for football talent.  Surely not everyone is going to Division 1 or 2 (or even worse...Mt. Union), are they?  I would like to see a PAC team make it past the first or second round of the playoffs in my lifetime!

[the_burghboy]

I am hoping that in the future the PAC will become more competitive with other conferences.  I don't know what the problem is.  I always thought that western PA was a "hotbed" for football talent.  Surely not everyone is going to Division 1 or 2 (or even worse...Mt. Union), are they?  I would like to see a PAC team make it past the first or second round of the playoffs in my lifetime!

Well, I would say you type pretty well for a two year old.  W&J made it past the first round in 2006, and past the second round in 2004.

That said,  I agree about the point you are attempting to make in that the conference would be more enjoyable to watch if it were more competitive, but I believe that  A.) Western Pa is questioned as a 'hotbed' and B.) if it were, doesn't neccessarily equate to kids filling up Division III rosters at Western Pa colleges.

As I mentioned before here, there are many reasons why people attend colleges at this level and at these respective schools.  I doubt football is the main reason in most cases.

[Bob.Gregg]

The early-season struggles for Washington and Jefferson.....

Five double-digits wins (+14, +28. +10, +28, +29)
Top 10 D3Football.com ranking (THE D3 Football Authority)

Team:
#11 Total Offense  454 yards/game
#3 Scoring Offense  44.8 points/game
#8 Passing Offense
#11 Pass Efficiency Offense
#21 Rushing Defense

Individual:
#2 Scoring--Curt Jones, 16.5 points per game
#7 Passing Yards--Bobby Swallow, 305.6 yards per game
#9 Total Offense--Bobby Swallow, 311.6 yards per game
#13 Receiving Yards--Craig Besong, 119 yards per game
#19 Pass Efficiency--Bobby Swallow, 161.8 rating
#19 Receptions--David Ravida, 8 receptions per game

Good thing for Oberlin, Frostburg State, Thiel, Grove City and Geneva that the Presidents had "early-season struggles", eh........

[Pat Coleman]

Oberlin's season high in points is against W&J, while Thiel's second-highest season scoring total is against the Presidents. It's a fair assertion.

[spikegrouchy]

Well, I would say you type pretty well for a two year old.  W&J made it past the first round in 2006, and past the second round in 2004.

Thanks the_burghboy, I really appreciate your "positive" comment. 

But you are right about W & J making it past the second round in 2004 (and lost at home by 38 points!).  But let's go back to 2000 and list the PAC champions and how they fared...

2000  W & J lost in the first round to Bridgewater 59-42
2001  W & J lost in the second round to Widener 46-30
2002  W & J lost in the second round to Trinity 45-10
2003  Waynesburg lost in the first round to Bridgewater 28-24
2004  W & J lost in the third round to MHB 52-14.
2005  Thiel lost in the second round to Bridgewater 24-13
2006  W & J lost in the second round to MHB 30-27
2007  W & J lost in the first round to NC-Wesleyan 35-34

Also other PAC playoff teams over the past few years...

2005 W & J lost in the first round to Bridgewater 30-21
2007 Waynesburg lost to Dickinson in the ECAC SE Bowl 16-10
2007 Geneva lost to Malone College in the NCCAA Victory Bowl 45-17

That's eleven teams from the PAC over the past eight years.  Six lost their first playoff game.  Again, all I was trying to say is that I would like to see a PAC team make it to the semifinals or beyond.

[Bob.Gregg]

Oberlin's season high in points is against W&J, while Thiel's second-highest season scoring total is against the Presidents. It's a fair assertion.

I can probably list 215 D3 football teams that would LOVE to 'struggle' like the Presidents.

Oberlin season-high in points allowed was against W&J.  Frostburg State's season-high in points allowed was vs. W&J.  Grove City season-high came against W&J. Thiel's second highest came against W&J (surpassed only by 4 OT win vs. Bethany).  Geneva's second highest total also came against W&J.

Based on ATR Great Lakes' standards, the defending NFL Champion 4-1 New York Giants are having 'early-season struggles."  The Cincinnati Bengals season high in points was against the Giants, while Cleveland's highest was also againt NYG...

It's not a fair assertion, nor is it accurate.

But, it's your website.  It's your writer.  Hyperbole draws clicks.  Have at it.

[Bob.Gregg]

  I would like to see a PAC team make it past the first or second round of the playoffs in my lifetime!

You were just born too late, apparently.

W&J went to the National Semifinals four straight years, including the 1992 & 1994 Stagg Bowls...

[Pat Coleman]

Oberlin's season high in points is against W&J, while Thiel's second-highest season scoring total is against the Presidents. It's a fair assertion.

I can probably list 215 D3 football teams that would LOVE to 'struggle' like the Presidents.

Great -- 24 teams that don't want to, yet only nine are ranked ahead.

I think we can stipulate that W&J is great on offense. No kidding. Really. But I mentioned two games that are significant defensive issues.

[the_burghboy]

That's eleven teams from the PAC over the past eight years.  Six lost their first playoff game.  Again, all I was trying to say is that I would like to see a PAC team make it to the semifinals or beyond.

If that was actually clear in your original post, then I would agree with that.

[SaintsFAN]

When did W&J start throwing the ball??  They must have some hot-shot QB on campus now to scrap the run. 

Just kidding.  I actually wondered about the early season schedule of W&J, since Grove City is the only team the Presidents have played that have a chance at a non-losing record.  But, that offense is pretty much like a machine.  I think they'll be fine later in the year. 

Bob, how much of the early season defensive "struggles" or whatever people want to call them, can be attributed to losing John Klein to Heidelberg?  I'm just curious what your thoughts are on his defense vs. the Caponi/Goff defense.. 

[SaintsFAN]

spike,

burghboy is one of the few on here that are actually intelligent enough to have a conversation.  All he was trying to do was point out that two years ago.... not trying to be demeaning.

Sheesh... if you had been here 3 or 4 years ago, you'd have seen anonymous names behind a computer full of rants and raves + insults. 

burghboy, bob gregg, and south willy have been here and have plenty of good insight for you.

[SaintsFAN]

Nice article this week by Matt Florjancic on Thomas More QB Trevor Stellman and his road back from ACL Surgery last August. 

I know W&J is in the back of their minds --I know Grove City gets TMC's full focus this weekend.  Same with Thiel next weekend. 

http://www.d3football.com/columns/around-the-region/greatlakes/2008/Saints+have+their+leader+back

[South Willy]

SaintsFAN...

I hope my insight is correct and TMC handles Grove City this Saturday. If you can shut down their running game your DBs should have no problems on the outside. Bethany may have brought Thiel to life by letting them get 50 with the weakest offense in the PAC.

I would be great to see someone challenge W & J for the top spot.

[SaintsFAN]

SaintsFAN...

I hope my insight is correct and TMC handles Grove City this Saturday. If you can shut down their running game your DBs should have no problems on the outside. Bethany may have brought Thiel to life by letting them get 50 with the weakest offense in the PAC.

I would be great to see someone challenge W & J for the top spot.

Sounds like a job for our suddenly stout Defensive Line, led by the kid from Florida (Barimah) and the LB's (Clark, Steinmetz, Kohrs).   

So you think Grove City passes to set up the run ??  Historically, Thomas More has had trouble with teams that do that, but I like the way they've played it this year. 

*I agree it would be nice to see someone challenge W&J (it would also make the conference better).... hopefully, Thomas More is the team to do it this year... though, if I were W&J --I wouldn't be worried about the Saints because of what they've done to us annually.