FB: USA South Athletic Conference

[MUC57]

But while on the subject of tailgating, 2 things:

1. People literally show up on Wednesday afternoons during practice to stake tents in the ground and claim their area. That's dedication.

2. I don't know why the athletics department does it, but every year at Homecoming there is a volleyball game and soccer game on campus AT THE SAME TIME AS THE FOOTBALL GAME. The campus is already packed. Why spread fans out? Have them come to the tailgate and into the stadium and fill it to the brim. It's always irked me, especially this year for the bicentennial. 

Scots13

On your number 2, Mount Union does that also. Drives me crazy too!   

[MRMIKESMITH]

But while on the subject of tailgating, 2 things:

1. People literally show up on Wednesday afternoons during practice to stake tents in the ground and claim their area. That's dedication.

2. I don't know why the athletics department does it, but every year at Homecoming there is a volleyball game and soccer game on campus AT THE SAME TIME AS THE FOOTBALL GAME. The campus is already packed. Why spread fans out? Have them come to the tailgate and into the stadium and fill it to the brim. It's always irked me, especially this year for the bicentennial. 

Scots13

On your number 2, Mount Union does that also. Drives me crazy too!   

We do the same, I always wondered that as both a player and fan. I couldn't support other clubs because of the game or other clubs couldn't support us. Then as aforementioned, fans are spread out, which definitely kills what the stadium could be.

[Mr. Ypsi]

But while on the subject of tailgating, 2 things:

1. People literally show up on Wednesday afternoons during practice to stake tents in the ground and claim their area. That's dedication.

2. I don't know why the athletics department does it, but every year at Homecoming there is a volleyball game and soccer game on campus AT THE SAME TIME AS THE FOOTBALL GAME. The campus is already packed. Why spread fans out? Have them come to the tailgate and into the stadium and fill it to the brim. It's always irked me, especially this year for the bicentennial. 

Scots13

On your number 2, Mount Union does that also. Drives me crazy too!   

We do the same, I always wondered that as both a player and fan. I couldn't support other clubs because of the game or other clubs couldn't support us. Then as aforementioned, fans are spread out, which definitely kills what the stadium could be.

IWU does (or at least did - don't know today) the same also.  Worked out well for me in 2010.  The football game was a bore (we were up 28-0 at the half, and it could have been worse), so I just wandered over to the soccer pitch, where nationally-ranked IWU (women) were hosting also ranked Carthage - a MUCH better game!

[Hawks88]

As much as I gave Huntingdon crap for their visiting locker room situation, I'll give them credit for their tailgating. I've been to a few good ones there. Sad to be missing this weekend when Guilford visits. I thought they sold some of the land they had used for tailgating, or maybe for parking, so I wonder if it's the same as I remember. But those folks were dedicated, put up some good food, and welcomed all comers. The spot had some good shade, actually able to tailgate where you parked, and it was close enough to the field to wander back at halftime and pig out some more.

The western end of the property along Boultier St was sold a few years ago that included about a third of the front lawn area. The rear part had an apartment building built several years ago and now the front part on Fairview has some apartments being built but the main part of the lawn nearer the stadium is still used. More and more people are setting up at the north end of the football field but I still like the lawn area better.

[Scots13]

But while on the subject of tailgating, 2 things:

1. People literally show up on Wednesday afternoons during practice to stake tents in the ground and claim their area. That's dedication.

2. I don't know why the athletics department does it, but every year at Homecoming there is a volleyball game and soccer game on campus AT THE SAME TIME AS THE FOOTBALL GAME. The campus is already packed. Why spread fans out? Have them come to the tailgate and into the stadium and fill it to the brim. It's always irked me, especially this year for the bicentennial. 

Scots13

On your number 2, Mount Union does that also. Drives me crazy too!   

We do the same, I always wondered that as both a player and fan. I couldn't support other clubs because of the game or other clubs couldn't support us. Then as aforementioned, fans are spread out, which definitely kills what the stadium could be.

IWU does (or at least did - don't know today) the same also.  Worked out well for me in 2010.  The football game was a bore (we were up 28-0 at the half, and it could have been worse), so I just wandered over to the soccer pitch, where nationally-ranked IWU (women) were hosting also ranked Carthage - a MUCH better game!

It's at minimum a couple hundred less people at the game. It's a decent chunk of the student- athlete pool that never experienced a Homecoming game atmosphere. Even when we were bad, tons of people showed up for homecoming. Special time for a special place, but I guess we'd all say that about our alma maters. 

[Wild Horse Rider]

Both Huntingdon and Guilford's QBs look really good but there also look to be coverage breakdowns since the WRs are really open at times.  The online feed is solid as usual.

I don't understand why NCWC is chasing points this early. I know it says the first XP was blocked and unless the kicker or blocking is that bad I don't know why you don't wait till the 4th to go for 2

[Wild Horse Rider]

First to 70 wins in Montgomery. And clearly I don't know what I'm talking about since NCWC had another XP blocked. Keep going for 2 fellas

[Wild Horse Rider]

The Pride lose. I am going to go ahead and give Huntingdon win since they are up by 32 with 3 minuets left in the third. NCWC and Averett get the Ws today as well. USA 3 ODAC 0. Maybe this is the year.

[Hawks88]

Finally getting around to posting on the game. With 69 points and 592 yards of offense I guess there's not really anything to complain about the offensive side of the ball. I know GC is known for not playing great defense but it was nice to see us execute so well. The defense definitely has some issues to iron out though they did settle in and play better in the second half. There were issues with kick coverage on the special teams, especially allowing the punt return TD, but that should be fixable. We seemed to handle the heat pretty well as I didn't see much cramping on our side.

On to Birmingham this week. Hopefully we can execute as well on offense and get the win.

Go Hawks!

[Wild Horse Rider]

My week one predictions were alright.  The Greensboro loss does not shock me at all but I was a little surprised by the LaGrange win.  Especially since it appeared offensively they relied more on their ground game than they have in the past.  So for week 2 I see it like this:

NCWC wins at home against Shenandoah.  Week ones production was dominated by returning starters and upperclassmen headlined by the QB Totten
Ferrum beats Greensboro badly and Mann may have 300 yards rushing if he plays long enough
Brevard has enough offense to beat Apprentice
Berry stops LaGrange's win streak at one
Huntingdon continues their offensive output and beats Birmingham-Southern.  It will be interesting to see if there is any improvement in Huntingdon's D
Centre beats Maryville in a low scoring contest but this wouldn't surprise me to see the Scots pull an upset but it would likely need to include a special team or defensive TD

The game of the week (in both the ODAC and USAC) where Randolph-Macon travels to Averett.  I will hopefully be able to watch some of this one online.  Averett appeared to struggle offensively and defensively last week against HSU but their special teams stepped up big.  I think RMC defense may be really good.  In a very close game I think Averett's special teams will be the key and it will not have to be in the form of a return.  Averett's SR K/P Westberry will play a big role in field position.  I can't call a final score but I can't really see this one getting out of the 20's.

Finally for my game of the week (since I will be in attendance) Methodist vs Guilford.  Guilford kept up punch for punch with Huntingdon in the first half.  The score in the second half was lopsided but I believe it was a result of some bad breaks (2 fumbles by guilford and a blocked kick led to 21 Hawk's points) .  This annual contest between the Quakers and the Monarchs has been going on for this the 31st season in a row (since MU started a program in 1989).  With Guilford not holding the Soup Bowl against Greensboro I would imagine that this is the longest running non-conference game for any team in both conferences.  Unfortunately this is a contest that has favored the Quakers 19 wins against 11 losses.  The last 5 games have not been very close either with Guilford's average margin of victory being 30 points.  I expect a lot of points in Fayetteville this weekend.  Guilford will probably put up points and yards through the air with Manley back after a good SO season.  I am assuming Guilford's SR WR Houston and JR LB Smith must have been injured and unable to play in Alabama on Saturday.  Both players were All-ODAC performers last season and are on the roster but did not show up on the box score or starter list last week.  As far as the Monarchs go I believe that the offense will also but up big numbers but likely on the ground with SR RBs Howard and Baker.  Hopefully the SR QB who has 2 years of starting experience and 3 WRs with experience will be able to provide a spark and some big plays through the air.  The OL will be replacing 2 all-conference players but return I believe 4 with significant time last season rushing for an average of 230 YPG.  The defense returns players in the second and third levels but I believe only one player up front in SR DL Bagley.  I heard rumors that there are some improvements on that side of the ball.  I am probably relying on my head a little more than my heart on this pick but I am all in on a Methodist win this Saturday.

Week one USAC 3 ODAC 0
Week two USAC 3 ODAC 1 hopefully

[Wild Horse Rider]

Sorry:
Relying on my heart more than my head

[Air Raid]

My week one predictions were alright.  The Greensboro loss does not shock me at all but I was a little surprised by the LaGrange win.  Especially since it appeared offensively they relied more on their ground game than they have in the past.  So for week 2 I see it like this:

NCWC wins at home against Shenandoah.  Week ones production was dominated by returning starters and upperclassmen headlined by the QB Totten
Ferrum beats Greensboro badly and Mann may have 300 yards rushing if he plays long enough
Brevard has enough offense to beat Apprentice
Berry stops LaGrange's win streak at one
Huntingdon continues their offensive output and beats Birmingham-Southern.  It will be interesting to see if there is any improvement in Huntingdon's D
Centre beats Maryville in a low scoring contest but this wouldn't surprise me to see the Scots pull an upset but it would likely need to include a special team or defensive TD

The game of the week (in both the ODAC and USAC) where Randolph-Macon travels to Averett.  I will hopefully be able to watch some of this one online.  Averett appeared to struggle offensively and defensively last week against HSU but their special teams stepped up big.  I think RMC defense may be really good.  In a very close game I think Averett's special teams will be the key and it will not have to be in the form of a return.  Averett's SR K/P Westberry will play a big role in field position.  I can't call a final score but I can't really see this one getting out of the 20's.

Finally for my game of the week (since I will be in attendance) Methodist vs Guilford.  Guilford kept up punch for punch with Huntingdon in the first half.  The score in the second half was lopsided but I believe it was a result of some bad breaks (2 fumbles by guilford and a blocked kick led to 21 Hawk's points) .  This annual contest between the Quakers and the Monarchs has been going on for this the 31st season in a row (since MU started a program in 1989).  With Guilford not holding the Soup Bowl against Greensboro I would imagine that this is the longest running non-conference game for any team in both conferences.  Unfortunately this is a contest that has favored the Quakers 19 wins against 11 losses.  The last 5 games have not been very close either with Guilford's average margin of victory being 30 points.  I expect a lot of points in Fayetteville this weekend.  Guilford will probably put up points and yards through the air with Manley back after a good SO season.  I am assuming Guilford's SR WR Houston and JR LB Smith must have been injured and unable to play in Alabama on Saturday.  Both players were All-ODAC performers last season and are on the roster but did not show up on the box score or starter list last week.  As far as the Monarchs go I believe that the offense will also but up big numbers but likely on the ground with SR RBs Howard and Baker.  Hopefully the SR QB who has 2 years of starting experience and 3 WRs with experience will be able to provide a spark and some big plays through the air.  The OL will be replacing 2 all-conference players but return I believe 4 with significant time last season rushing for an average of 230 YPG.  The defense returns players in the second and third levels but I believe only one player up front in SR DL Bagley.  I heard rumors that there are some improvements on that side of the ball.  I am probably relying on my head a little more than my heart on this pick but I am all in on a Methodist win this Saturday.

Week one USAC 3 ODAC 0
Week two USAC 3 ODAC 1 hopefully
/quote]

Well thought out, and I look forward to reading your posts as the season continues.  Good luck with your picks this week.

[Wild Horse Rider]

Averett places both the K/P and the returner on the D3 team of the week.  I looked back and since Coach Adams has been at the school the special teams have been probably the best in the conference.  They have gotten progressively better from an individual standpoint at first to more team results the last couple years.

2014- P 2nd team all conference
2015-  RET 2nd team all conference
2016- All Region/1st team all conference RET
2016- Led the conference in KR yards
2017- All American/All Region/1st team all conference K, 1st team all conference P, and both the 1st & 2nd team RET
2017- Led the conference in PR yards, FG %, and kick off yardage
2018- All Region/1st team all conference RET, 1st team all conference P, and 2nd team all conference K
2018- Led the conference in KR yards, Punt average, and kickoff yardage

With the 2 players receiving the weekly honers above that makes 8 total.  I wonder what the reason or secret is?  Coach Al Smith is listed as the specialists coach on the website is he the reason?  Is it a specific area that they focus on in recruiting that others in the conference do not?  It's silly to say that other teams don't work on special teams but whatever these guys are doing it appears to be working.

[BerryCollegeFan]

Passing this along, I saw Maryville's Adam Diggs on the 2019 Allstate AFCA Good Works nominee list.

https://www.afca.com/inspiring-acts-of-kindness-land-college-football-players-on-2019-allstate-afca-good-works-team-nominee-list/

Congratulations.

[Wild Horse Rider]

As a coach of mine used to say back in the day..... Game day, game day, best day of the week, great day to be alive, great day to be a Monarch! Wooo!! The entire phrase is best used in a yelling fashion and the wooo much like the great Rick Flair.