FB: New Jersey Athletic Conference

[@d3jason]

Jason:

It's still early, but what are your initial thoughts on how joining the NJAC shapes Wesley as a program instead of playing a Harlem Globetrotters' type schedule?

If you don't mind another opinion..... 

Interesting question.  It has to help the team to know that they will have a more consistent schedule in which to keep the players engaged.  And engaged they must be.  A loss in the NJAC has far more weight to it for Wesley than before.  As an independent, Wesley could pretty much bank on a Pool B bid with 1 or even two losses.  Here, well, that one loss gets you sweating a Pool C bid, something Wesley isn't had to deal with.  The shorter travel distances are a huge break for the team.  Nothing tears you up more than having a 13 hour bus ride one week followed by a 8 hour flight the next!  Game planning is going to change as well.  With the exception of Salisbury, Wesley really hasn't had a yearly run of games with specific teams in which to become familiar with their play calling.  That is going to change of course.  NJAC teams will have a better idea how to deal with Wesley and vice versa.  I think that this will make for some very interesting games.

Another impact could be recruiting.  Wesley's hunting grounds is already rooted in New Jersey and the surrounding states.  I don't know how joining the NJAC could impact those prospects.  It shouldn't hurt.  The NJAC also features a smaller team roster (100 players) than what Wesley has traditionally had, so Wesley has to pick it's players with more care.

Regardless, Wesley joining the NJAC certainly makes it more fun for us fans.  Each and every conference game is critical.  With key games against Kean, Rowan and Salisbury coming up, let the nail biting begin!

EDIT:  Wanted to add a big congrads to Joe Callahan for somehow achieving both play of the week AND team of the week honors........

-Ski

Personally, it's been better for my marriage.  But I did get to travel to some neat and interesting places.

I generally agree with Ski.

Schedule-wise it's huge. They would have had a tough time getting even 8 games let alone a full 10-game slate. And though it would have been interesting to go play Finlandia, I think it is really going to stabilize the program. I know that the really would like to use that non-conference game to get back out on the road and travel like they did with North Central this year.

[Teamski]

Wesley game preview video for your viewing pleasure.   

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4i6BBXhZEc

-Ski

[D3MAFAN]

Wesley game preview video for your viewing pleasure.   

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4i6BBXhZEc

-Ski

Awesome Video!

[Swish3]

Interesting article regarding CNU football season....

http://www.dailypress.com/sports/christopher-newport/dp-spt-cnu-football-1016-20151015-story.html

[wesleydad]

going to be a nice day for a game.  cool and crisp for homecoming at Wesley.  I want to see if the defense has improved since the last game I saw them play, NCC.  I expect the offense to continue to put up points.  Kean seems to be hard to figure, losing to Frostburg, but beating CNU rather easily.  This will be a good test for Wesley leading to next weeks game against Rowan.  In the end I am thinking Wesley wins by 20 or so.  Too much offense for Kean.

[Teamski]

going to be a nice day for a game.  cool and crisp for homecoming at Wesley.  I want to see if the defense has improved since the last game I saw them play, NCC.  I expect the offense to continue to put up points.  Kean seems to be hard to figure, losing to Frostburg, but beating CNU rather easily.  This will be a good test for Wesley leading to next weeks game against Rowan.  In the end I am thinking Wesley wins by 20 or so.  Too much offense for Kean.

And to add to the confusion Kean outpaced Frostburg on just about every stat in the game with far more offense.   I don't know how they lost the game (EDIT: Punt return and an interception return for TD's by Frostburg).  They lost 29-15.  Kean has a prolific offense so Yeah, it will be interesting to see how the Wesley defense performs today.

KEAN                            FROSTBURG STATE
23        FIRST DOWNS       11

366         TOTAL OFFENSE           194

28:42  TIME OF POSSESSION   31:18

-Ski

[thewaterboy]

Safe travels everyone! At least there is video for us locationally challenged folks.

[Teamski]

Safe travels everyone! At least there is video for us locationally challenged folks.

Will do!  You are missing some nice football weather!

-Ski

[Swish3]

The final score of the CNU/Kean game was misleading....it was 14-10 at the half and 21-10 going into the fourth quarter.  Kean has a decent team, but I expect Wesley to win big....

IF CNU could find a way to win today, they could turn things around with a favorable schedule remaining....that's a big IF, though, given how bad CNU's offense has been this season.

[Div3Fan]

Salisbury's Jerome Johnson is quite a player... 4 carries 100+ yards and two td's.

Gulls up 21-7

[Div3Fan]

Score is now 34-14 at about the half.

Both of WPU's touchdowns came on huge 75+ yard runs. Besides those two plays, they haven't been able to move the ball at all. I don't think WPU has had converted to a single first down.



Can't wait for Wesley v. Rowan on the 24th.

Edit: Ok, Salisbury's D has a big play problem. WPU just scored, again, it was a huge 75 yard run.

34-20

Edit II: Right before the 2nd quarter ends, Salisbury scores on a big play. No defense being played now. These teams may combine for over a 100 total points.

41-20 at halftime.

Edit III: WPU's opening drive quickly falters. SU gets the ball and scores - easy.

48-20

Edit IV: SU scores again, then WPU has another huge play which they score on.

55-26

[thewaterboy]

Seems that Wesley has adjusted to Kean's aggressiveness to a degree. Still looking for the offense to clean up a few things during halftime. Defense I think is playing well.

The wifi at Wesley must be bad. Havent been able to see the feed since the first quarter, even then it was just pictures. Not really video unfortunately.

Wesley gets the ball right back out of halftime. Leroy Cheatham picks it at the 15 yard line.

[Div3Fan]

Salisbury is going to easily win this game, as they've set the record for most rushing yards in a game.

Salisbury really needs to sure up their D if they are going to remain undefeated in conference play up to the Wesley game.

If they can solidify their defense AND maintain the rushing attack then this will be a team to watch for... maybe in the playoffs.

[CNU85]

Ugh. Once CNU figures that there is a second half to play, we might win one

[wesleydad]

competitive first half, not so in the second.  I have no idea how Kean has been able to put up the offensive numbers they have so far this year with the offense I saw today.  Limited running game and a not very accurate QB.  Wesley's D played ok, still have receivers open 10 - 15 yards downfield.  Offense still running the ball well and Callahan still making plays.  Int into the wind had the receiver open, but just died in the air.  Kick coverage was much better today.  Still don't know why Wesley tries 40 yard field goals with a wind like todays, hit upright with good distance, but it was only 4th and 5 or so at the 21.  Next weeks game will be much of the same because Rowan does not have much of a passing game.  They will run and run and run, hoping to break a few.  They have a good defense, but I think Wesley will be able to move the ball and score.  Unless something really negative occurs, more than a few turnovers, Wesley wins by 17 - 20.  Then Montclair, who had a nice win today, and finally Salisbury.  Wesley has won like 9 or 10 in a row and knows how to stop the option so Salisbury being one demential will struggle scoring and likely have trouble stopping Wesley from scoring.  I like the 4 strong games in a row to keep the team focused on winning the NJAC.