FB: Old Dominion Athletic Conference

[Matt Barnhart (kid)]

[...] Llamaguy? Peggy? Chris? Matt? Snake? You guys still out there?

Oh yes, I'm still here. Just having 'deep' ODAC football thoughts to myself, one of which I'll share...

Perhaps Bridgewater has dropped back to being an average team like they were in 1999, instead of the ODAC getting better the past couple years?

In other words, most of us (coaches, players, fans) have been saying over the last couple years that the conference has stepped it up closer to the level of what Bridgewater accomplished from 2001 to 2005. Really?

BC went undefeated (30-0) in the ODAC during those years, and won nine playoff games over that span. The three non-BC ODAC champs since 2000 tell a different story...

2000: Emory & Henry (5-1 ODAC) loses 38-14 to Western Maryland (first round)
2006: Washington & Lee (5-1 ODAC) loses 42-0 to Wilkes (first round)
2007: Hampden-Sydney (5-1 ODAC) loses 45-17 to Wesley (first round)

I have a feeling that BC just isn't performing as well as they used to, and when that happens, naturally the conference will get more competitive. Sure, the conference is more interesting with any team capable of beating another on any day, but BC set a standard for competing outside of VA, NC, and DC. And that clearly isn't happening anymore.

So in my mind, BC has dropped back and rejoined everyone else in competing for conference titles and nothing more. I sure hope that changes over the next couple years!

Absolutely agree.  To take this arguement a step further, I would argue that this year's HSC team that won the ODAC couldn't hold a candle to the Ricca qb'd squads.  Problem is, BC isn't nearly as good as it was those years either........

     Not buying that. It is very tough to compare teams from different times but IMO, this years Tigers were more balanced and better on defense.     

I remember being WAY more scared of the Ricca/Singh/Clemmons trio (not to mention Ferrante and Rolander).

I would even go as far as to say that one or two of the Mac Russell years at Sydney were better than the 2007 Tigers.

BC not being as strong as in years past has allowed the "cellar dwellers" look better, and the only two teams that were always competitive with the Eagles win an ODAC title the last two seasons. That's why I'm starting to think the conference hasn't changed all that much, other than BC's performance.

I agree with what has been said about "blue-chippers." Division III shouldn't be able to snag up players like Jason Lutz, Davon Cruz, and Jermaine Taylor. We were lucky that BC found Lutz playing basketball in HS (seriously, that's how Clark first found him); Cruz recovered from his injury that kept him from playing at West Virginia University; and Taylor playing in a football-rich state (Florida) in HS. It also helped that we had great offensive and defensive lines during 2000-2005. All the stars (literally) aligned those years.

But I will say that there is some great young talent in the ODAC, and the next few seasons will be fun to watch.

[willierobin]

Kid is right about the HSC 2003 team...way better than this year...in addition to ODAC poy's Ricca-Singh-Clemmons they had Ben Dull, Rolander, Ferrante, Junes and a better o-line led by all-americans Lee Bailey and Paul Williams...which is why they led all divisions (1,1aa,2,3) in scoring (47.2 per game) and were second to Mt.Union in total offense (521.4 per game)...the 2003 Tigers were a top 25 team whose only loss was the heartbreaker (if you were an HSC fan) to BC in which the Tigers blew a 21-3 halftime lead and lost by 3 on a last minute pass following a brutal roughing the passer call on a 4th down incomplete pass...that BC team went to the final 4 in the playoffs before getting beat (badly) by Mount Union. The 2003 Tigers were 2-3 tds better than the 2007 Tigers(imo).

[allsky7]

[...] Llamaguy? Peggy? Chris? Matt? Snake? You guys still out there?

Oh yes, I'm still here. Just having 'deep' ODAC football thoughts to myself, one of which I'll share...

Perhaps Bridgewater has dropped back to being an average team like they were in 1999, instead of the ODAC getting better the past couple years?

In other words, most of us (coaches, players, fans) have been saying over the last couple years that the conference has stepped it up closer to the level of what Bridgewater accomplished from 2001 to 2005. Really?

BC went undefeated (30-0) in the ODAC during those years, and won nine playoff games over that span. The three non-BC ODAC champs since 2000 tell a different story...

2000: Emory & Henry (5-1 ODAC) loses 38-14 to Western Maryland (first round)
2006: Washington & Lee (5-1 ODAC) loses 42-0 to Wilkes (first round)
2007: Hampden-Sydney (5-1 ODAC) loses 45-17 to Wesley (first round)

I have a feeling that BC just isn't performing as well as they used to, and when that happens, naturally the conference will get more competitive. Sure, the conference is more interesting with any team capable of beating another on any day, but BC set a standard for competing outside of VA, NC, and DC. And that clearly isn't happening anymore.

So in my mind, BC has dropped back and rejoined everyone else in competing for conference titles and nothing more. I sure hope that changes over the next couple years!

Absolutely agree.  To take this arguement a step further, I would argue that this year's HSC team that won the ODAC couldn't hold a candle to the Ricca qb'd squads.  Problem is, BC isn't nearly as good as it was those years either........

     Not buying that. It is very tough to compare teams from different times but IMO, this years Tigers were more balanced and better on defense.     

I remember being WAY more scared of the Ricca/Singh/Clemmons trio (not to mention Ferrante and Rolander).

I would even go as far as to say that one or two of the Mac Russell years at Sydney were better than the 2007 Tigers.

BC not being as strong as in years past has allowed the "cellar dwellers" look better, and the only two teams that were always competitive with the Eagles win an ODAC title the last two seasons. That's why I'm starting to think the conference hasn't changed all that much, other than BC's performance.

I agree with what has been said about "blue-chippers." Division III shouldn't be able to snag up players like Jason Lutz, Davon Cruz, and Jermaine Taylor. We were lucky that BC found Lutz playing basketball in HS (seriously, that's how Clark first found him); Cruz recovered from his injury that kept him from playing at West Virginia University; and Taylor playing in a football-rich state (Florida) in HS. It also helped that we had great offensive and defensive lines during 2000-2005. All the stars (literally) aligned those years.

But I will say that there is some great young talent in the ODAC, and the next few seasons will be fun to watch.

     The Ricca/Singh/Clemmons teams at H-S were very good teams no doubt. Could they beat this years Tiger team....absolutely. What I don't agree with is saying that this years Tiger team "couldn't hold a candle to" the Ricca led years. If we could some how match those two teams up, I think it would be a battle. Guess we'll never know though will we?    Wonder what the 70 & 71 Tiger D would do against the Favret O?

[allsky7]

Kid is right about the HSC 2003 team...way better than this year...in addition to ODAC poy's Ricca-Singh-Clemmons they had Ben Dull, Rolander, Ferrante, Junes and a better o-line led by all-americans Lee Bailey and Paul Williams...which is why they led all divisions (1,1aa,2,3) in scoring (47.2 per game) and were second to Mt.Union in total offense (521.4 per game)...the 2003 Tigers were a top 25 team whose only loss was the heartbreaker (if you were an HSC fan) to BC in which the Tigers blew a 21-3 halftime lead and lost by 3 on a last minute pass following a brutal roughing the passer call on a 4th down incomplete pass...that BC team went to the final 4 in the playoffs before getting beat (badly) by Mount Union. The 2003 Tigers were 2-3 tds better than the 2007 Tigers(imo).

     Yeah....I remember that "brutal" roughing the passer call.  I was so lucky to get to see it in person and then again on TV later that night. 

[Matt Barnhart (kid)]

Kid is right about the HSC 2003 team...way better than this year...in addition to ODAC poy's Ricca-Singh-Clemmons they had Ben Dull, Rolander, Ferrante, Junes and a better o-line led by all-americans Lee Bailey and Paul Williams...which is why they led all divisions (1,1aa,2,3) in scoring (47.2 per game) and were second to Mt.Union in total offense (521.4 per game)...the 2003 Tigers were a top 25 team whose only loss was the heartbreaker (if you were an HSC fan) to BC in which the Tigers blew a 21-3 halftime lead and lost by 3 on a last minute pass following a brutal roughing the passer call on a 4th down incomplete pass...that BC team went to the final 4 in the playoffs before getting beat (badly) by Mount Union. The 2003 Tigers were 2-3 tds better than the 2007 Tigers(imo).

     Yeah....I remember that "brutal" roughing the passer call.  I was so lucky to get to see it in person and then again on TV later that night. 

Yup. And I've shown the video clip of that last play on here (last year or the year before, when this came up), and it's very clear it was roughing the passer.

[allsky7]

Kid is right about the HSC 2003 team...way better than this year...in addition to ODAC poy's Ricca-Singh-Clemmons they had Ben Dull, Rolander, Ferrante, Junes and a better o-line led by all-americans Lee Bailey and Paul Williams...which is why they led all divisions (1,1aa,2,3) in scoring (47.2 per game) and were second to Mt.Union in total offense (521.4 per game)...the 2003 Tigers were a top 25 team whose only loss was the heartbreaker (if you were an HSC fan) to BC in which the Tigers blew a 21-3 halftime lead and lost by 3 on a last minute pass following a brutal roughing the passer call on a 4th down incomplete pass...that BC team went to the final 4 in the playoffs before getting beat (badly) by Mount Union. The 2003 Tigers were 2-3 tds better than the 2007 Tigers(imo).

     Yeah....I remember that "brutal" roughing the passer call.  I was so lucky to get to see it in person and then again on TV later that night. 

Yup. And I've shown the video clip of that last play on here (last year or the year before, when this came up), and it's very clear it was roughing the passer.

     Kid....do you mind forwarding it to me? I wouldn't mind seeing it one final time for evaluation. If the replay judges overturn the call, I'm sorry but there is no choice but to strip the Eagles of their ODAC title and they must forfeit all playoff wins. 
     Snow sure is beautiful here in the Blue Ridge of Virginia. 

[Matt Barnhart (kid)]

Kid is right about the HSC 2003 team...way better than this year...in addition to ODAC poy's Ricca-Singh-Clemmons they had Ben Dull, Rolander, Ferrante, Junes and a better o-line led by all-americans Lee Bailey and Paul Williams...which is why they led all divisions (1,1aa,2,3) in scoring (47.2 per game) and were second to Mt.Union in total offense (521.4 per game)...the 2003 Tigers were a top 25 team whose only loss was the heartbreaker (if you were an HSC fan) to BC in which the Tigers blew a 21-3 halftime lead and lost by 3 on a last minute pass following a brutal roughing the passer call on a 4th down incomplete pass...that BC team went to the final 4 in the playoffs before getting beat (badly) by Mount Union. The 2003 Tigers were 2-3 tds better than the 2007 Tigers(imo).

     Yeah....I remember that "brutal" roughing the passer call.  I was so lucky to get to see it in person and then again on TV later that night. 

Yup. And I've shown the video clip of that last play on here (last year or the year before, when this came up), and it's very clear it was roughing the passer.

     Kid....do you mind forwarding it to me? I wouldn't mind seeing it one final time for evaluation. If the replay judges overturn the call, I'm sorry but there is no choice but to strip the Eagles of their ODAC title and they must forfeit all playoff wins. 
     Snow sure is beautiful here in the Blue Ridge of Virginia. 

Why not.

Since it's such a large file, I placed it on my webspace here at BC.

http://www.bridgewater.edu/~mbarnhar/latehit.mpg

You have two angles to enjoy (tight and wide).

[Matt Barnhart (kid)]

Anyone see the name of Lycoming's new head coach?

Thank goodness D3football.com's news post had a photo of him. Eagle fans may have had heart attacks.

[Ryan Tipps]

Snow sure is beautiful here in the Blue Ridge of Virginia. 

I second that! It has been quite nice today! 

[hasanova]

OK, football fans, here's a trivia question to help you through the (DIII) off-season doldrums:

Without searching the internet for the answer, what four colleges/universities have produced both a US President and the winning QB in a Super Bowl?

[Ralph Turner]

Okay, I am doing this from memory...

No trying to figure out if there is a QB from Eureka to go with Ronald Reagan or a QB from Whittier to go with Richard Nixon, or trying to find a QB from Harvard, Yale or West Point.

Naval Academy (Staubach and Carter)
Stanford (Elway and Hoover)

[Llamaguy]

Anyone see the name of Lycoming's new head coach?

Thank goodness D3football.com's news post had a photo of him. Eagle fans may have had heart attacks.

LOL! That will be a funny call for the Lyco game in September, "Coach Clark wins close one!" But which coach Clark will it be? Even bigger news is that the Lyco game may be the first BC football game I've missed in 3 years. I've been told I'm taking a trip to Cabo San Lucas with someone other than Jessica Simpson that weekend. Hopefully BC doesn't go into a slide so I won't receive the Romo treatment from the Stone Station gang when I get back! 

On another note, saw where SU is looking at field turf. I guess that means they can start recruting speed on their football roster. That stadium is Top 5 among D3 stadiums in VA with the worst grass field in the state. I remember well attending the Catholic game there with a nicely groomed surface then a month later BC played there on literally 10 inches of painted grass. Guess that option will fall by the wayside if they install turf. LOL!

[wally_wabash]

Okay, I am doing this from memory...

No trying to figure out if there is a QB from Eureka to go with Ronald Reagan or a QB from Whittier to go with Richard Nixon, or trying to find a QB from Harvard, Yale or West Point.

Naval Academy (Staubach and Carter)
Stanford (Elway and Hoover)

Michigan (Brady and Ford)
Miami University (Roethlisberger and Banjamin Harrison)

[Matt Barnhart (kid)]

Anyone see the name of Lycoming's new head coach?

Thank goodness D3football.com's news post had a photo of him. Eagle fans may have had heart attacks.

[...] Even bigger news is that the Lyco game may be the first BC football game I've missed in 3 years. I've been told I'm taking a trip to Cabo San Lucas with someone other than Jessica Simpson that weekend. [...]

We will surely miss you, but I bet oil, skoal, snake, peggy, chris and the gang will pick up the slack. Maybe we can plan to have me (and/or someone else) take some of your stuff for the weekend. We need to show Williamsport what's up.

[hasanova]

Okay, I am doing this from memory...

No trying to figure out if there is a QB from Eureka to go with Ronald Reagan or a QB from Whittier to go with Richard Nixon, or trying to find a QB from Harvard, Yale or West Point.

Naval Academy (Staubach and Carter)
Stanford (Elway and Hoover)

Michigan (Brady and Ford)
Miami University (Roethlisberger and Benjamin Harrison)

Both of you are correct.  You can also add Jim Plunkett for Stanford in addition to Elway.