FB: New Jersey Athletic Conference

[RowanPhan]

Here's my list of remnants of those who still have eligibility that once upon a time suited up for the Wesley Wolverines... the ones I could find at least. This list is going to get a lot smaller next season.

Mike Brewer - Gr. - Shippensburg
Derrico Poston - R-Jr. - Delaware State
Darrin Matthews - Gr. - Alvernia
Jemuel Cypress - Jr? - Waynesburg
Tazmire Burton - Sr. - William Paterson
Daquan Knight - Sr. - William Paterson
Will Valentine - Sr. - William Paterson
Eric Bryant - Jr. - Rowan
Jay Holmes - Sr. - IUP
Odion Okojie - Jr. - Bowie State
Deshawn Wiggins - Jr. - Del Val (listed as injured).

Eric Bryant has been great for Rowan (3 INT's this season, 2 career TDs on int returns).  His confidence is through the roof at the moment, and he's one of the leaders on the team!

[CNU85]

Hopefully CNU learns that it is ok to kick field goals in the 1st QT.

[MRMIKESMITH]

Good rebound win for Salisbury this past Saturday. It wasn't pretty early, but a win is win, especially in front of the home crowd. Here is my Good, Bad, and Ugly:

Good: Great to see Salisbury's All-Conference RB back in action after missing the 1st four games of the season. He didn't miss a beat and got back to where he left off from 2022 campaign. Although the Defense gave up some explosives, the Defensive front seven has played lights out the past two games. It always starts up front with stopping the run. Additionally, the Defense (including special teams) got back to being very opportunistic, getting key turnovers in the second half that allowed the offense to capitalize and pull away late against William Paterson. Special teams stepped up in a big way this week, creating momentum and igniting the offense to score.

Bad: Offense continues to struggle to put together and sustain drives. Many of the touchdowns this week, were created based upon have a short field (which is not a bad thing). However, if this offense wants to grow, it has to find ways to become sucessful on 3rd and longs or become much better on 1st down, getting short yards to gain. Right now, they are struggling throwing in the 3rd and long and obvious short run situations.

Ugly: Fumble that led to opposing touchdown. Two weeks in a row a fumble leads to a big touchdown or creates momentum for opposing team. Salisbury has to be much more secure and more decisive with running the triple and limiting those type of plays.

Overall, it was a good win in front of a good crowd. If the Defense and Special Teams continue to get the offense in short field situations, that will continue to help an offense that is still trying to find its rhythm offensively. Offensively, Salisbury has to find ways to get those explosives and defensively have to limit the explosives. The defensive front seven has done a great job stopping the run the past two weeks, but the back 4 has to be more sound with eye discipline and be locked in at all times.

Montclair will be a tough out next week. Montclair has always had a plan defensively against the triple option, so I expect next week to be a tough one as they have gained momentum the last two weeks after losing big to Union. I think Montclair strength is its front seven, which is not something a struggling TO team will like to face.

[RowanPhan]

Big game for the Profs this weekend against CNU.  Rowan's record this season hasn't been great, but they have had to deal with injuries at all positions. 

Profs will have home field advantage, a homecoming crowd, and we may have rain in the forecast.

[MRMIKESMITH]

No big recap this week. Good win by Salisbury against Montclair State. Front seven continues to play very well, saw some new things from defensive 7 that was great. I just need the back 4 to be more opportunistic when the D coordinator makes a great call. Offensively, there was a couple of explosive plays early on in the game, love to see at least a minimum of 4/5 of those per games. Looking forward to next week at Rowan, going to be another good game, especially with how close Rowan played CNU. Was really rooting for the Profs. That was the one game I thought the Captains could fall, but I don't see them losing the rest of the way. They will probably coast until a trip to Alliance or with better luck, Ashland, VA. Salisbury is vying for an ECAC, probably against a PAC school.

[CNU85]

Big game for the Profs this weekend against CNU.  Rowan's record this season hasn't been great, but they have had to deal with injuries at all positions. 

Profs will have home field advantage, a homecoming crowd, and we may have rain in the forecast.

I noticed your stud FR Running Back, Bukula kept grabbing at his right calf and pulling up on his right foot trying to loosen his calf. A couple of times he took himself out of the game. He clearly wasn't 100%. Yet, he ran the ball 28 times for 123 yards. I'd hate to go up against him when he's 100%.

[RowanPhan]

Big game for the Profs this weekend against CNU.  Rowan's record this season hasn't been great, but they have had to deal with injuries at all positions. 

Profs will have home field advantage, a homecoming crowd, and we may have rain in the forecast.

I noticed your stud FR Running Back, Bukula kept grabbing at his right calf and pulling up on his right foot trying to loosen his calf. A couple of times he took himself out of the game. He clearly wasn't 100%. Yet, he ran the ball 28 times for 123 yards. I'd hate to go up against him when he's 100%.

Likewise, there are a few studs on the CNU team. We're certainly lucky to have Nunes on the team, he's a stud. I believe he was initially on the Wagner team.
Just finished listening to the Rowan coaches show, he said CNU tackled 2 Rowan guys on the initial kickoff touchdown, oh well. I think the refs also missed a clear horse collar early in the game. Oh well, welcome to D3 football...

[Jay Murry]

Hello All,

While I will be following from afar WashU's efforts against North Central, it won't be idle following.

I will be in the midst of my Rett Gets Rocked 2023 24-hour ultramarathon at WashU to raise awareness of Rett syndrome and research funds to find a cure.  I'm starting around 8:00 Friday night (after I provide the call for the WashU-Saint Louis U. swimming and diving meet), and ending at 8:00 Saturday night. 

Rett syndrome is a neurological disorder caused by a gene mutation on the X chromosome.  It lays in the weeds until a child is between 6-18 months old, just when a child is learning to walk and talk.  Rett is like Lucy in the Peanuts comic strip when she pulls the ball away from Charlie Brown, as he tries to kick it.  Unlike Charlie Brown...when Rett pulls the ball away from children, they don't get a chance to get up and try again.  Children go into severe neurological regression; many end up in wheelchairs and most lose the ability to talk and to do sign language.  Those with Rett also are prone to seizures, extreme nerve pain, GI issues, breathing abnormalities, and eating difficulties that can all be life-threatening.

Researchers are relentless, providing hope on two fronts.  Back in March of this year, Daybue became the first FDA-approved drug to target the effects of Rett syndrome.  Daybue helps blunt some of the seizures and has helped improve some vocal and gross motor skills.  Gene replacement therapy clinical trials in two North American locations have helped one patient sit up independently for the first time in a decade, and to grasp objects for the first time since infancy.

It is this momentum of hope and progress that I am trying to assist and perpetuate.

If you would like to make a donation, click on this Rett Racers link:  https://rettracers.funraise.org/fundraiser/jaymurry

The families of children who have Rett and fight a tough fight every day, will be very grateful for your help.

Thank you for your time and consideration, and enjoy the games this weekend!

[MRMIKESMITH]

Nice win in New Jersey against a resilient Rowan team. I thought Salisbury was going to run away with a huge lopsided win, but Rowan kept battling until the final whistle. Here's is my Good, Bad, and Ugly:

Good: Offensive Drives! It was finally good to see Salisbury put together drives longer than 40 yards. Salisbury had 3 drives of 65 or more. It was really good to see the QB and Slot Receivers/RBs get going. It kept the opposing defense on its toes all game. Complementing the offense this game was the defensive front seven, the front seven continues to dominate up front. It held Rowan to less than 3 yards per carry and less than 60 yards. 1st half was as dominate 1st half all season from both an offensive and defensive standpoint.

Bad: Finish. Salisbury didn't finish the game, would have loved to see the 1st half execution. They gave up some passing yards defensively, I won't say it was garbage time, because you have to play a full 4 quarters. Rowan first td could of been a great call against qtrs defense, where the Z receiver pretends to block outside lb on fake bubble and turns up field. This confused the CB that passed the WR off to play outside in while Safety bites on the bubble allowing the WR to break behind him. The second td was more of an athlete on athlete td, Rowan WR made a great catch. Would love for the CB to be in better technical position, he got turned around somehow.

Ugly: Passing Attack and Fumbles. Salisbury didn't really have to pass the ball this game, but a comparable pass attack is much needed from this offense. It has never been Salisbury strength, but when they are efficient and hitting the explosives, it just adds another variable that defenses have to practice against. Lastly, the fumbles, Salisbury gave up another score late in the 4th running the TO. There is an old saying that only 3 things can happen when you throw the ball and two of those are bad. However, when lack of execution running the TO, I would say the same. The players have to execute better on those give, pulls, and pitches.

Overall, it was great to see the FB, Slot Receivers, and QB find success rushing the ball. Kudos to the offensive lineman this week, it was a pleasure to watch until that last turnover that led to Rowan TD. Defense was top notch the 1st half, need them to finish, especially when teams abandon the run and passing to get back.

[MRMIKESMITH]

Welp that blows, credit to TCNJ they dominated the game from start to finish, the game was never in any doubt for them.  What's unfortunate, this was all on homecoming. The fumble to start the game led to immediate confidence for TCNJ, they quickly scored. Salisbury did answer back, but defensively Salisbury couldn't stop the passing attack of TCNJ. TCNJ QB looked very poised in the pocket, TCNJ WRs made plays all game. I felt as though this game was similar to the Johns Hopkins game, except TCNJ is not as talented. Salisbury scored late to make it look respectable, I love the fight, but the game was already decided by the last td. Salisbury still have an opportunity to get an ECAC bowl, but I think we can chalk up this year to "lack of talent", "tough schedule", lack of execution, who knows. I will not do a good, bad, and ugly because I would be letting some folks off the hook. I really don't know where Salisbury is as a program this year. The defense returned 70% of last year team, the offense returned some players. I think the rest of the NJAC knows Salisbury system and in a year where Sailabury is not as much more talented, Salisbury can't get away with just lining up and running the basics. It's unfortunate, because expectations were to compete for and win the NJAC championship.  I don't see how we improve from this going into a possible ECAC and next season. Hopefully younger players start to get more time to develop.

[CNU85]

Welp that blows, credit to TCNJ they dominated the game from start to finish, the game was never in any doubt for them.  What's unfortunate, this was all on homecoming. The fumble to start the game led to immediate confidence for TCNJ, they quickly scored. Salisbury did answer back, but defensively Salisbury couldn't stop the passing attack of TCNJ. TCNJ QB looked very poised in the pocket, TCNJ WRs made plays all game. I felt as though this game was similar to the Johns Hopkins game, except TCNJ is not as talented. Salisbury scored late to make it look respectable, I love the fight, but the game was already decided by the last td. Salisbury still have an opportunity to get an ECAC bowl, but I think we can chalk up this year to "lack of talent", "tough schedule", lack of execution, who knows. I will not do no good, bad, and ugly because I would be letting some folks off the hook. I really don't know where Salisbury is as a program. The defense returned 70% of last year team, the offense returned some players. I think the rest of the NJAC knows Salisbury system and finally not being the much more talented team, Salisbury can't get away with just doing the same ole same ole. Its unfortunate, because expectations were to compete for NJAC championship, I don't see how we improve from this going into a possible ECAC and next season.

Losing on homecoming sucks. At least it wasn't 84-14. 

[jmcozenlaw]

TCNJ?

Damn!!!!!!!!

As good as it is for Salisbury to have Frostburg and Wesley out of the conference, I am at a loss as to where they go from here as well as where the NJAC is and where it goes from here. It is an oddly constructed conference for football, but a couple of schools, at this moment, have no other choices.

With the size of a couple of these schools (Rowan and Montclair) and there distinct advantages from a tuition and fees perspective, I'm stunned the conference can't produce one or two perennial Top 20 programs. The conference needs to really look at itself and address what is a strange football complexion with the mish mash of schools. IMO.

[phil]

TCNJ?

Damn!!!!!!!!

As good as it is for Salisbury to have Frostburg and Wesley out of the conference, I am at a loss as to where they go from here as well as where the NJAC is and where it goes from here. It is an oddly constructed conference for football, but a couple of schools, at this moment, have no other choices.

With the size of a couple of these schools (Rowan and Montclair) and there distinct advantages from a tuition and fees perspective, I'm stunned the conference can't produce one or two perennial Top 20 programs. The conference needs to really look at itself and address what is a strange football complexion with the mish mash of schools. IMO.

In a Bizarro World NJAC finish – with CNU still having to play Montclair and TCNJ – and every other 2-loss team having games with either William Paterson or Kean... imagine Montclair taking down CNU, while TCNJ, Rowan and Salisbury take care of business in their games... That would lead to a nightmare scenario of TCNJ playing a one-NJAC-loss CNU team with Rowan, Montclair, Salisbury and TCNJ each having two losses. A five-way tie anyone? Not at all likely – but it would be funny as hell!

The NJAC was a two-headed monster with Glassboro State (Rowan), Montclair State, and sometimes a three-headed monster with Trenton State (TCNJ) through the 70's, 80's, and 90's. Sometime around 1987, Ramapo College - tired of going 1-25-1 over the previous seasons - hired a new coach (who will remain nameless) - and 'miraculously' turned a doormat program into an NJAC power with athletes in the skill positions whom you rarely would ever see on a D3 level. After four consecutive winning seasons the Ramapo administration disbanded the football program citing funding issues (in 1990 they only lost one game - and their NCAA birth - in the season finale to Trenton State as their field was turned into a swamp by a game time storm which rendered their QB, backs, and wideouts useless). Back then I heard from a very (VERY), good source it was either disband the football program or face the NCAA death penalty. That was the end of the NJAC as a seven team conference of NJ schools.

In 1999 the NCAA began awarding automatic bids to 7-team conferences - which necessitated the NJAC finding their 7th team in Cortland State for the 2000 season. Then in 2003 Jersey City State (NJCU), disbanded its football program. Thus began the NJAC game of musical chairs... Western Connecticut, Buffalo State, Brockport State, Morrisville State... all came and left by 2015. Southern Virginia joined in 2014, left in 2019... and along the way Christopher Newport, Frostburg State, Salisbury University and Wesley College all came - with only Salisbury and CNU remaining.

Along the way, head coaches K.C. Keeler left Rowan in 2001, Eric Hamilton left TCNJ in 2012, and Rick Giancola - Montclair 2022. That was 85 years of head coaching at their respective schools – with K.C. only coaching 9 years while possibly inventing the transfer portal before there was a transfer portal while he was in Glassboro.

Also, as Rowan, TCNJ, and Montclair declined as regional powers, Salisbury, Wesley, and Delaware Valley (a horrible football school until 2003), began to emerge – Salisbury in 2002 and beyond – and Wesley since Mike Drass became head coach in '93.

I also know for a fact that Salisbury started using the same model that TCNJ (who emulated William & Mary), used throughout the 80's and 90's – use athletics as a "window upon the institution". It was highly successful for TCNJ as their admission requirements rose and they started to collect national championships until subsequent administrations put less emphasis into athletics. I also know that, given a choice, TCNJ would have liked to have joined the Centennial Conference in the 90's.

So, I don't know if there's anything in what I wrote that gives any insight into what has happened to NJAC football... maybe there's a few contributing factors. I agree with you that I don't understand – given the size of Rowan with its in-state tuition advantages – as well as Montclair with an enrollment of 23,000 and a short term strategic plan to grow to 25,000 students – why one, the other, or both schools are not more successful on the gridiron. Hell, Montclair's only managed a .500 football record over the last decade.

Will Rowan go D1? Is TCNJ and their enrollment of 7,000 still looking to find a conference with a better academic and athletic fit? What the heck is Montclair doing up there? Will William Paterson and Kean continue to be happy with football programs that have shown very little success over the last 50+ years? Will CNU and Salisbury up and leave like every out of state NJAC team before them? It seems more of a conference of schools that lack any other choices than a conference which has been built from like-minded institutions.

[CNU85]

Thanks Phil for that insight. I appreciate you taking the time to provide a brief history of the NJAC.

Interesting that you mention the TCNJ model being taken from my grad school alma mater, W&M.

As you probably know, CNU started as a 2 year branch of W&M in the early 60's and then became a 4 year affiliate around 1967 and eventually became independent in 1977-78. When I went to CNC ('85), I remember going to the "Computer" Lab with my Fortran punch cards to be sent the W&M computer for processing. Also at the time the ROTC program was a part of W&M. Some of my W&M MBA classes in the 90's were held at CNU before they opened a satellite campus nearby.

And some football connections. The first CNU head coach (Kelchner) was an assistant at W&M under Laycock for 15 years. Also, current CNU head coach Crowley spent time at W&M as an assistant.

Thanks for providing some background on the NJAC. I wonder if the larger enrollment at some schools is actually a negative. For the smaller schools, having 130 kids on a football team helps enrollment. For a school with 20,000+, there isn't as much of a need from the Admissions folks to get about 70 football players every year. For an incoming class, bringing in 70 for the football team out of 1,250 total FR = 5.6%. For a 20,000 enrollment that is only 0.35%. Just a thought I've had for awhile. I would imagine there are a multitude of factors besides enrollment that have been discussed on this board at times. Administration support, community involvement, etc.

Cheers!

[MRMIKESMITH]

Salisbury has a new AD and from what I can tell, she was handpicked by the Coaches. The former A/D did not prioritize making the teams better, it was more about who name goes on which field. Salisbury doesn't even promote tailgating, they promote this everyone get together and be happy with kids with moon bounces street activity. The administration and prior AD didn't care about getting teams from being good to being elite, they were happy with Lacrosse/FH being elite, it's an Eastern Shore sport. As far as other sports, they were happy with being respectable. Its night and day when you look at CNU and Salisbury in regards to athletics. Salisbury is becoming too "snousy" and cares more about people feelings like its DI counterpart in College Park. 70% of the Alumni that wasn't associated with sports had never went to a sporting event. The new A/D now has added a student section and surprisingly now a golf team. Aside from administration, Salisbury has been struggling with getting the young men from less fortunate areas or young men that may not have a 3.0, it makes it hard to maintain a high level of play year after year. It's part of reason why Salisbury success is cyclical. The last factor IMHO is complacency, that's the consensus a lot Alum feel, they believe players are in positions to be successful by attending Salisbury, but athletically players aren't getting better year after year, you see the same mistakes (which could be talent issue). However, you have to start at the tone at the top, A/D to Coaches to Senior Leadership.