FB: USA South Athletic Conference

[crazylegs33]

WFU34,

What are you smoking? CNU schedules the toughest non conference schedule available. You suggested that we haven't scheduled any Mt. Unions. Right now there are only a few teams that are in that upper tier. Have you ever heard of UMHB? I would consider them one of the BEST in the nation. We went 1 and 1 against them. That being said, CNU is not a national power. We just expect to compete in the playoffs each year and vie for the national championship. We want to take one more step each year. Hopefully stepping all the way to the top eventually.

To the CNU players, wake up. Where is that swagger? Let's get it back. We can't control NCWC or Averett. Focus on what we can control. Win out and let the chips fall where they may.

[WFU34]

CNUSfinest54 - Obviously you have an emotional investment in your program which is good and no one is knocking the success CNU has had.  You should be proud of it.  All that is pointed out was the comment about being a national contender year in and year.  Currently the facts don't support that, doesn't mean it's not a goal and/or it won't happen - just not yet.  

Simple fact is the record in this decade is largely built on the success within the USAC, which is in the lower half of DIII in respect to overall conference strength.  That's still a tremendous accomplishment as you can only play the games on your schedule.  Over the same period of time the non-conference record is 14 - 21 or .400.  You played possibly tougher non-conference opponets but that doesn't change the overall results.  As time goes on, CNU may.  

That is not an indictment of the program or the aspirations of your coach or the players there, past or present.    All schools should want to test themselves against the best competition available.  To be the best, you have to beat the best competition, not just play them.  That's the only point that was being made.  

[WFU34]

Crazylegs33 - You CNU supporters are extremely sensitive.  No one is questioning CNU's willingness to schedule the best non-conference schedule possible.  The fact that you're 1 -1 against UHMC is great, but North Carolina beat Virginia Tech the other night but that doesn't make them a national contender.

Without question, since 2000, CNU has demonstrated that's its the most consistant program in the USAC, the number of wins and titles support that.  The goal to develop into a program that potentially contends for the national championship on a consistant basis is an good objective.  The only point is that the performance against out of conference competition or in the playoffs does not support that at this point in time. 

Possibly it will in the future.  But I doubt seriously that any of the true powers in DIII are looking at the potential 2009 playoff brackets and hoping to avoid the USAC representative.  And that's not dishing any of the other schools either.  It takes time for either a team or conference to raise its national persception.  The best way to do that is simply win.

[kickerdad]

So what about recruiting strategies in the conference? Is there not a HUGE gap between the schools of the conference as far as recruiting goes?

Having only been around this year I dont really know how much of a gap there is but in looking at rosters one thing stands out. CNU owns the 757 area as far as the number of players brought in. Some people, including myself will argue that the I-64 corridor from Richmond to Chesapeake is the best high school ball in the state. Right now CNU owns it and the other schools need to be more proactive in hitting it, especially AA ball because CNU has just about every kid who was either AD or AR or AS in the local district. Took a quick count, included Richmond to Chesapeake schools.

CNU               45 players
NCWC            28
Ferrum            9
AU                   9
Greensboro     2
Shenandoah  12
Methodist         0

NCWC seem to be getting there fair share as well. I didnt check Maryville as I am sure thier recruiting base in very different than the others. Think the numbers speak for themselves.

Not sure where Averett is concentrating their efforts now, but for the previous four years they recruited heavy in Florida. Four years ago when my son was recruited, they did send someone to the high school which is in Suffolk, Va. and butts up against NC line. NCWC was also there. He got more attention with his highlite tape from other schools such as SU, Liberty, Bridgewater and UVA Wise. He chose Averett because that was his best chance to start his freshman year.  There have been a couple of others from his school that went to NCWC and a couple from the other local schools that went to Greensboro and Bridgwater.

As far as the practice, Averett took off on Monday and lifted, went full speed Tuesday through Thursday (full pads) and walk through on Friday. things may be different this year but that's what my son went through.

[kickerdad]

Averett scheduled Mt. Union back in 2006 and 2007. Got there a$$ kicked in both games. But the coach knew this would happen, however he wanted the players to see what they had to do in order to get to the top level. In 2006 it worked and had positive impact on the team. They lost only two other games that year. One to Wesley and CNU. The CNU game was at CNU and didn't get decided until the final few minutes. Averett and CNU shared the conference title that year. CNU went on to the playoffs because of the win over Averett. The following year Averett traveled to Mt. Union and made history (75 points in first half) .....Oh, by the way, the points were scored by Mt. Union. Averett had graduated 26 seniors and didn't have the experience to deal with Mt. or anyone else for that matter the entire year. They turned it around last year and went 5-5 and again we gave CNU a battle at CNU.
Sorry CNU guys, don't have the history and wins that you have so we consider some of the games "Moral Victory".
I would love to see a CNU/Mt. Union game but only if CNU is stacked as they have been the past several years. If they are rebuilding it may not be a pretty sight. I have seen the Mt. Union team twice now in person. They were close in size to a VaTech, NC team. The coach is a wizard and gets the best performance out of his players that is possible. They have one player in the pro's now (Garcon) I think he is with the Colts.

[CNU85]

It will be interesting to see if the new football program at Old Dominion University will have an effect on the recruiting of 757 players.  I suspect that a player can walk on at state school ODU for the same cost as playing at CNU.  They will have to choose from D1 FBS or D3 at CNU or NCW.

ODU is FCS.......or the old 1-AA

[CNU85]

You CNU supporters are extremely sensitive. 

Shut up. We are not sensitive. 

[Bishop64]

I have a Son in Law who coaches in the Western Part of North Carolina. He tells me a lot of kids miss out on DIII Footbal simply because no one pays any attention to them. The school he coaches has been a 2A State Champion 3 out of the past 4 years, but he has never had a DIII coach interested enough to really go after them. There are a lot of good caliber football players in the Western Part of North Carolina, but it is not recruited as well as other areas. The area has no DIII teams and many of the Kids are not aware of the possibilities for them in DIII. There is no doubt that thet the Richmond to Virginia Beach area is a hot spot. but I wonder how many other Hot spots could be out there.  Just asking why. May :)be someone could fill me in.

[WFU34]

CNU85 - well thought out, reasoned response.

[WFU34]

As to recruiting areas - AU has more kids from Florida than any other state and will probably continue (30+).  A key reason is the vast talent pool with virtually few options for high schoolers.  If they aren't recruited to the 7 1A schools in the state or the 2 - 3 1AA there is very few options.  No D-II or D-III there.

If you look at the skill positions, virtually all of Averett's are from Florida, i.e., speed.  I would say they probably have the most overall team speed in the conference this year.  Only problem is that they need some more big "country lineman" to capitalize on their speed.

The game is about match-ups and although Averett has speed, their size was exposed when they played CNU this year where they simply were outmanned on both sides of the ball by 25 - 30 lbs a man and got worn out.  They've also have trouble when they try to grind it out, for instance against SU last week they were stopped on several 3rd/4th and short.

[AUPOP]

As to recruiting areas - AU has more kids from Florida than any other state and will probably continue (30+).  A key reason is the vast talent pool with virtually few options for high schoolers.  If they aren't recruited to the 7 1A schools in the state or the 2 - 3 1AA there is very few options.  No D-II or D-III there.

If you look at the skill positions, virtually all of Averett's are from Florida, i.e., speed.  I would say they probably have the most overall team speed in the conference this year.  Only problem is that they need some more big "country lineman" to capitalize on their speed.

The game is about match-ups and although Averett has speed, their size was exposed when they played CNU this year where they simply were outmanned on both sides of the ball by 25 - 30 lbs a man and got worn out.  They've also have trouble when they try to grind it out, for instance against SU last week they were stopped on several 3rd/4th and short.

Very true but the O Line as a whole is pretty young. With the exception of 1 guard and the center ( both JRs) all the other starters are freshman and sophomores. There is size its just young and not quite fully developed. Plus its fairly deep, several 300 pounders that are freshman, given a little time to develop I believe the O line could end up being one of the strengths in the future.

[Highlander]

does anyone know if CNU doees Live Video Streaming of ots home games? Thanks.

[WFU34]

AUPop - don't disagree about AU's youth in the line and size.  Possibly I should clarify.  In my opinion they need to increase strength and speed on the line.  You can be 280+ lbs. but without the strenght that really doesn't get you much.

If you analyze their games this year, more than once AU has not been able to effectively control the line of scrimmage in obvious running downs.  Again last week, several short yardage plays were stopped short for 1st downs to include a QB sneak on 4th and less that a yard. 

Shutting the offense down and going exclusively to the run in Q4 vs. SU (and AU's inability to gain a 1st down running) enabled them to get back into the game when at the end of Q3 it appeared they had a comfortable 2 TD and game in hand.

All that being said, the line and running game has iimproved from where it was earlier this year and would expect it to continue to improve going forward.

In looking at the personnel losses and potential returnees for next year - if they continue to work hard in the weight room, they should continue to be a contender in the conference next year.  Their skill/speed positions should be outstanding next year.

[coachmilburn]

How good is North Carolina Wesleyan?  Who are their impact players?

[ProudFightingScot]

How good is North Carolina Wesleyan?

very good...