FB: New Jersey Athletic Conference

[RowanPhan]

Had to run errands all afternoon, but was listening on my phone. I'm not sure what to think. Widener lost to Lycoming today. I guess that's why they play the games. If the Profs can minimize mistakes maybe they can make a run at the NJAC. I got really excited at 14-14 and 28-14 when Rowan was inside the 10.

Maybe I can convince the wife to take a week out in Oregon, next year... wine country etc. Gonna have to figure out some kid-friendly stuff for my five-year-old son. I'm gonna pencil in a trip Rowan @ Linfield next year.

I watched the game. Rowan needs to get sharper and minimize the errors. Hobart will be another tough test before NJAC games begin. 

Against Linfield today, I thought Rowan was very competitive. The game was closer than the score indicates. If the Profs were sharper, it would have been a closer score. I will say, Husni is fun to watch, he'll continue to get better each week.

Teams are stuffing Rehm so the Profs have to find other guys to step up. The other captain WR, Grosso, has been phenomenal in the first 2 games. The running game was improved today. Devine had an impressive 30 yard TD scamper. Rookie Jajuan Hays finally saw action. Ifreke Andy (listed #2 on the depth chart) is a speed back who didn't dress against Widener. Hoping he can add a spark once he gets on the field.

[Teamski]

Alright, I just got back from the Wesley game.  WOW!!!!  When was the last Wesley game to go 3-3 at the end of regulation?  Good luck finding it!  I have never seen a game like that one before.  Both offences were being pummelled by the defenses.   I should be a lot more disappointed with the offense EXCEPT:

1.  No turnovers!!  Had Burroughs been out there with that defense in his face, we would have had 2-3 interceptions and at least 1 fumble.  Seriously guys, give props to the QB's for taking care of the ball.  It helped in a huge way save the game.

2.  Wesley scored when it really mattered.  Wesley showed some serious character out there on the field today to be able to deal with an improving Aggie offense especially after they scored their last TD in in the the 3OT.  That one hurt and yet the Wesley offense came back with a sizzling Marroco TD pass.    He has ways to go, but if he uses his legs more to give himself more time, well, we could be in for a treat.

3.  The running game worked in the end and if Wesley can draw up some decent screen plays to deal with the blitz, that would go a long way in keeping the ball moving.


The Wesley defense was awesome!!  Their 3 interceptions were the difference in the game.  That said, the late deep pass that was dropped by the Aggie receiver in the 4th would have spelled doom if it had been caught.  Otherwise, the D linemen are beasts and I am really happy with what I am seeing out there right now.  I haven't seen a D line with a decent secondary for a long time.

The offense will have a lot of work ahead of it, but games like is are what is needed to shake the cobwebs out.  There are weapons on that team and they just need some more sharpening.  That was one EPIC game.

-Ski

[CNU85]

Halftime of the worst college game I've ever witnessed. Hampden-Sydney Sydney is a horrible team. But right now CNU is "horribler "

[RowanPhan]

Rowan quarterback Mike Husni (5) unleashes a bomb that Nick Grosso (14) would catch [despite the clear holding] during the football game between Rowan and Linfield College at Coach Richard Wackar Stadium.

Other Game Photos
https://www.nj.com/galleries/VTJTBTJ2XJEW3GS3XXTU7WEA6U/

[CNU85]

Whew. D3 refs are bad. HSC has ball. Tan a play. Linesman is telling chain gang it's a first down. They start moving. The ref says it's 4th down.

[thewaterboy]

CNU goes down to HSC in OT. NJAC goes 4-4 on the weekend.

[wesleydad]

CNU goes down to HSC in OT. NJAC goes 4-4 on the weekend.

The NJAC is not very good overall this year and will be a shoot out once league play starts.  I watched some of the Rowan game and they hung with Linfield.  Wesley is not good on offense.  CNU lost to Hampden Sydney which is not a good loss.  Montclair rebounded.  Salisbury beats Oshkosh which is a good win.  Right now they have to be the top team.

[wesleydad]

Wesley needs to stick with Morocco.  He throws a nice ball.  They have a lot of work to do on offense if they are going to win the NJAC.

They both looked very mediocre imo.... I think this game kinda shines a light on why Khaaliq Burroughs stuck around so long last year. Marrocco wins the job after today I think by performing in overtime, but that does not negate the 4 quarters of lackluster play.

Take out overtime and Marrocco is 11-31 for 140 yards, 51 of which came on one play.

Last year, Wesley had to go with Burroughs, this year, we have options (Drew Fry). Time to see what they are.

He throws a nice ball.  Why he can't hit his receivers is another issue.  The O line was not good yesterday from what I saw in the second half.  I also think the offense is predictable.  Simpson has to learn to run north and south when he catches the ball.  They will stay in games because the defense looks good, but that was not a good offense in Del Val.  I am not sure if anyone has a strong offense in the NJAC.  If Fry is an option than maybe it is time to use him if he is as advertised.  Next week at Endicott would be a good game to see.  Rowan and Salisbury after that, Wesley better have decided on a QB by then.  Rowan will be tough, the d is good and the offense can move the ball.  Salisbury is usually annoying with the triple option, but Wesley should be able to slow it down at minimum.  It will come down to the offensive line and QB.  Wesley only had 129 yards rushing with 3 OTs.  That is not good and shows a weakness with the line.  5 guys at or near 300 should be able to open holes for a pretty good running back.  Lee did go over 100, but they need more overall.

[RowanPhan]

What are the groups' thoughts on an NJAC power ranking? Based on what I've read/saw this week ...

Post Week 2 Power Rankings
1. Salisbury
2. Wesley
3. Montclair State
4. William Patterson
5. Rowan
6. CNU
7. Kean
8. TCNJ

[MRMIKESMITH]

Very busy weekend, but had a chance to watch a few games and Salisbury game in person. I was impress with Salisbury front 7 the whole game, I think they are just as good as last year front 7, they dominated the line of scrimmage all game IMHO. Regarding the back 4 with the exception of the SS (Carroll), they need to learn how to stop looking in the back field on scrambles and learn how to open field tackle, the defensive coordinator had them in great position all game, they just didn't do their part. Coach can only do so much. Now regarding the offense, kudos to the offense for staying true to their game plan for 3 quarters, the offensive skill positions were the difference as UW-O were in good positions (not great) for most of the game, except Salisbury athleticism at the skill position allowed for big plays at the right times throughout the 2nd and 3rd quarters. The matchup against UW-Oshkosh will only make both the players and coaches better going forward. Overall, Salisbury dominated for 3 quarters looking like a solid Top 25 team, then the 4th quarter happen, kudos for UW-O for fighting and not giving up, but Salisbury got super conservative with the offensive calls and UW-O defense realized that Salisbury wasn't going to take a chance and throw the ball to stop the clock from moving while up 24, that's never a good sign for the Triple option when playing against a respectable defense. Both teams missed big opportunities throughout the game, especially in the 1st quarter, could have change the game. Saw some good things from the receiving corps of Salisbury too, they are big and elusive, if they can get them the ball more in open space, it can mean trouble for teams going forward, but that is a big IF when running the Triple.  I think Salisbury still has a way to go as far as Top 5, but I think they can compete against most teams this year if they play all 4 quarters and not 3 quarters.

[MRMIKESMITH]

Ice Bear looking forward to the Gulls matchup with Oshkosh this weekend. Hope the Gulls get the W.

NJAC needs a good showing this week after going 2-6 last week. It's gonna be tough. Salisbury-Oshkosh is pretty intriguing. Rooting for Salisbury also.

Wesley-Del Val will be a good matchup, but I like the Wolverines here. They showcased some depth (at minimum) in the game against FP. If they get some decent QB play from Marrocco or Mullin, itll be tough for the Aggies to keep up... as long as the Wesley defense is as good as advertised. Last year, Wesley beat them 34-10, holding them scoreless in the second half.

**********Below posted on June 12, 2019....................and my mind has not changed in the three months since:**********

DelVal will be in a massive rebuilding year this coming season so I don't see them as one of the better teams in the East.

The DelVal vs. Wesley game should be interesting. DelVal loses their four year starter at QB (Darden), their top three receivers (with all at least 6'4".......Ellis, Graham and Stewart), stud kick returner and punt returner Stewart (4 TD's last year), three of their five mulit-year starter offensive linemen and their all conference fullback/hback. I think they struggle mightily to move the ball against a loaded Wesley defense. And when they do, DelVal also loses their four year punter, All-American Steven Adams (currently in an NFL rookie camp, and getting CFL looks) who was an amazing weapon at the D3 level. Wesley knows first hand what it is like to be subpar at kicker and/or punter.

DelVal brings a lot back on defense, but Wesley does on offense, including a lightning quick back (Lee), big, fast WR's and a huge offensive line. After DelVal winning the first two and Wesley winning last year, I'll set the line at at Wesley -9.5. DelVal covers, but Wesley wins to tie the recent series (last four seasons) up at 2-2. No team, with the exception of Mount Union, Mary Hardin Baylor, Wisconsin Whitewater and maybe one or two I'm missing, beats Wesley 3 out of 4 games (this season's seniors were freshman during game one of the series).........certainly NOT DelVal.

I don't have a MAC prediction yet, but I don't see DelVal running the table, nor winning the MAC for a third straight year.

I think that Wesley, Salsbury and Rowan catch a huge break with the departure of Frostburg.

A little birdie also tells me that this season's game might be the end, for now, of the Wesley vs. DelVal series. I have no clue who Wesley replaces them with.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I've never been one to pat myself on the back and I don't want to start now but damn, did I nail the Wesley vs. DelVal game down to a nanometer.

Wesley won. Check. DelVal covered. Check.

There are only 5 or 6 teams who beat Wesley 3 out of 4 years and DelVal is not of that ilk.

Neither of these teams has a prayer to be in the national conversation and would get monkey stomped by the likes of UMHB, Mount Union and Whitewater.

DelVal wins if their FG kicker hits his. Wesley wins of their FG kicker hits his.

They are two pretty evenly matched teams with brand new QB's. The difference was the sheer amount of newbies on DelVal's offense and it shows.

Wesley cakewalks through the Frostburgless NJAC.

The Aggies do NOT win the MAC.

Call we the swammy

Not taking anything away from any team, but I think the NJAC will be fine this year, not saying there is a Top 5 team today, but I think there is a lot of potential. Rowan played admirably all game against a good Linfield team. I'm always impressed with the Linfield coaching staff and how they make 2nd half adjustments and their players executions. I think if Rowan had played a clean game and not had some costly penalties, could have been a much different game late and maybe pulled off an upset. Again, against top programs, have to play mistake free. I really like Linfield adjustments. Regarding the Wesley and Delaware Valley game, from what I heard, it appears that teams have some work to go offensively. I think the NJAC will be a defensive conference with whichever offense limits the most mistakes and whoever takes advantage of special teams will win the game. I'm not sure no one at this point are world class above the rest until the scoreboard says otherwise throughout the season.

[CNU85]

CNU couldn't find a rhythm (again). I was joking with a friend --  we were arguing as to whether CNU had 3 offensive plays or 4. Very predictable. When #8 comes in, we run. When in shotgun we mostly pass. When 3 WR line up to one side it's a WR screen.

[MRMIKESMITH]

So we play bye-week over the next two weeks as Central Virginia College exhibition game has been cancelled. If anyone needs a scrimmage/game this week or next week, I'm sure Salisbury would be willing to play. If I were coaching I'd do two-minute drill with 1's vs. 1's all week. I think that would sure up some things defensively and offensively add a little more flavor to the offense.

[MRMIKESMITH]

Congratulations to P Michael Gillespie and ST Jamarkus Brumskin for making D3Football.com Team of the Week.

[thewaterboy]

Wesley needs to stick with Morocco.  He throws a nice ball.  They have a lot of work to do on offense if they are going to win the NJAC.

They both looked very mediocre imo.... I think this game kinda shines a light on why Khaaliq Burroughs stuck around so long last year. Marrocco wins the job after today I think by performing in overtime, but that does not negate the 4 quarters of lackluster play.

Take out overtime and Marrocco is 11-31 for 140 yards, 51 of which came on one play.

Last year, Wesley had to go with Burroughs, this year, we have options (Drew Fry). Time to see what they are.

He throws a nice ball.  Why he can't hit his receivers is another issue.  The O line was not good yesterday from what I saw in the second half.  I also think the offense is predictable.  Simpson has to learn to run north and south when he catches the ball.  They will stay in games because the defense looks good, but that was not a good offense in Del Val.  I am not sure if anyone has a strong offense in the NJAC.  If Fry is an option than maybe it is time to use him if he is as advertised.  Next week at Endicott would be a good game to see.  Rowan and Salisbury after that, Wesley better have decided on a QB by then.  Rowan will be tough, the d is good and the offense can move the ball.  Salisbury is usually annoying with the triple option, but Wesley should be able to slow it down at minimum.  It will come down to the offensive line and QB.  Wesley only had 129 yards rushing with 3 OTs.  That is not good and shows a weakness with the line.  5 guys at or near 300 should be able to open holes for a pretty good running back.  Lee did go over 100, but they need more overall.

Agree. The offense was stale on Saturday. Not enough screens to key players IMO. I don't think the o-line (it was by no means great... just very average... especially against the Nobile brothers) was bad enough to create that many problems for the QBs on Saturday. I thought Del Val was trying to take the run away early and they succeeded. Wesley had to pass and they couldn't really get it done during the 4 quarters that we saw. How many passes did they complete downfield? They'll need a playmaker under center because EJ Lee and Ruhann cannot do it by themselves. It'll be interesting to see if the QB competition expands this weekend against Endicott. I am kind of hoping that it does. I think neither guy has done an effective enough job to claim anything. Not scoring ANY touchdowns in regulation is out of the norm for Wesley, considering the offensive scheme has remained the same for 30+ years.... and considering the above average guys at the skill positions (with the exception of QB thus far). They are running out of time for experiments... if Fry or Wagenhoffer ARE in fact options, give them a shot when it matters. They cannot wait until they have dropped an NJAC contest or two.