FB: Old Dominion Athletic Conference

[jknezek]

Well, W&L closed out a very mediocre season with another mediocre loss. They lost 5 games this season and not one of them by double digits. Once again they lost the turnover battle, losing two and collecting none. They also played what can only be termed a potential lineup for the future. While the seniors played, underclassmen and juniors got a lot more time, including a first year qb starting. I suppose it was time to look to the future, but for some reason I would have rather picked up another win than gotten them a little game experience.

Good luck to HSC. A lot of teams in the East and South lost unexpectedly this week, Ithaca, Gallaudett, Maryville, and Millsaps to name a few. That might help the Tigers improve their seeding a bit. 

[odacsuperfan]

Very good game in Ashland today. Great atmosphere. HSC came into a hostile environment and won. HSC defense was much improved. Both Offensive Lines are very good and well coached . I got to see McGhee and Nance show why they are the 2 best players in the ODAC. Nance had some INT's today but I saw some throws and runs from him that other QB's can't make in ODAC . McGhee is the best RB in the ODAC. McGhee and Nance were tied for Total Rushing TD's this season. RMC and HSC IMO are also the best coached teams as well. It isn't surprising that 2 points separated THE GAME ! If Favret's on next week and HSC gets a decent draw maybe an upset ?

[HSCTiger fan]

What a game today!  The mist in the air made it feel as if the former players and fans of the past rivalries were all at "The Game" in spirit. The announced attendance was 5500. They must have given up counting. The capacity of their stadium is listed as 4000. RMC brought in temporary stands that seat another 1000. Every one of those 5000 seats were filled. I stood in the aisle with 3 other guys. The stadium was circled 5 deep. A conservative estimate would easily be 10000 people. It was the best atmosphere for a D3 game I have ever seen. Kudos to RMC for a great facility.

HSC is the ODAC champion for 2013!

Thoughts:

The HSC defense lead by all-awesome Josh Doggett was amazing. HSC turned the ball over on 3 consecutive processions that resulted in zero points for RMC. On the critical 2 point try Tyler Ikwild made a perfect read and met McGhee square in the hole. What most may not know was the first try resulted in a penalty that gave RMC a 2nd chance to tie from the 1.5 yard line.

Will McGhee is a GREAT back. Congrats to him for having the best rushing season ever for a RMC running back.

Nash Nance deserves the ODAC MVP. There is not a single player in the league that means more to their team than this guy does for HSC. In the last 3 games he was 56-77 with 6 TDs and 722 yards. Additionally he rushed for in those 3 games 236 yards and 8 TDs!  That's 958 yards and 14 TDs in the last 3 games!  Simply sensational!

HSC offensive line is the best in the league.  They are Will Ferrell, Tyler Ritter, Joey Partin, CJ Wade, and Tyler Williams. They pass block and run block equally as well. HSC rushed for 1700 yards with 28 TDs. They allowed only 14 sacks in 360 attempts. That is 1 sack per 25.7 attempts. Their combination of run blocking and pass protection is unrivaled in the ODAC.

Finally - Holton Walker 10 catches 152 yards and a TD in today's game. What a great competitor. In the ODAC he ranks first in receptions, TDs, yards, and YPG and 2nd in YPC. Congrats to Holton for in my opinion was an all-American season.

Congrats to HSC for a great year. I cannot wait to see who they play next.

[wasper68]

Nova, congrats on the comeback win yesterday.  Maybe this will mark the end of an error.

[algernon]

Nash Nance seems like the obvious choice for ODAC MVP.  He does it all.

The Tigers will find where they're traveling to shortly after 6pm.  My bet is that they'll go to Rowan (8-2), Johns Hopkins (10-0), Wesley (8-2), or Lebanon Valley (8-2) .... listed in order of probability, as I see it.

[hasanova]

Nova, congrats on the comeback win yesterday.  Maybe this will mark the end of an error.

Thanks, wasper68.  I, too, hope it marks the end of an era.  I was glad I was there to see it, but I could only hope for such a comeback when E&H took a 31-0 lead with 9 minutes left in the 3rd Quarter.  The Guilford SID office says this was the greatest football comeback in school history, which spans about 120 years.  The jubilation on the Guilford side was matched only by the stunned disbelief on the E&H side.  It was a signature win for the Quakers - what a boost going into the off season and what a great thing to finish with a winning record and tied for 2nd in the ODAC at 5-2.  With all the contributing underclassmen Guilford has, I think we'll be in the hunt next year as well.  The Wasps looked strong for 36 minutes, then it was a "Tale of Two Games" rolled into one.  Thanks again and good luck to E&H for next season.

[wasper68]

Nova, congrats on the comeback win yesterday.  Maybe this will mark the end of an error.

Thanks, wasper68.  I, too, hope it marks the end of an era.  I was glad I was there to see it, but I could only hope for such a comeback when E&H took a 31-0 lead with 9 minutes left in the 3rd Quarter.  The Guilford SID office says this was the greatest football comeback in school history, which spans about 120 years.  The jubilation on the Guilford side was matched only by the stunned disbelief on the E&H side.  It was a signature win for the Quakers - what a boost going into the off season and what a great thing to finish with a winning record and tied for 2nd in the ODAC at 5-2.  With all the contributing underclassmen Guilford has, I think we'll be in the hunt next year as well.  The Wasps looked strong for 36 minutes, then it was a "Tale of Two Games" rolled into one.  Thanks again and good luck to E&H for next season.

I literally meant error not era.  5-5 is getting real old.

[SafetyGuy]

Hampden-Sydney vs Maryville in the first round

[wasper68]

Looks like the NCAA took travel in mind with the HSC vs. Murville game.  Good luck to both teams but the ODAC really needs a win in the playoffs.

[SafetyGuy]

Forgot to add that HSC is hosting.

[jknezek]

Got to say, that is the most winnable playoff game the ODAC has had since HSC last hosted. Get it done Tigers. We've taken the USASC the last couple years in the regular season, now it is time to show them up in the playoffs as well!

[Scots13]

And the prodigal son is coming back home Saturday.

I always wanted this match up when I was playing at MC. Figures it happens the first chance they get when I'm gone.

[Michael Herbert]

Got to say, that is the most winnable playoff game the ODAC has had since HSC last hosted. Get it done Tigers. We've taken the USASC the last couple years in the regular season, now it is time to show them up in the playoffs as well!

You're right, JK.  With the heart and grit the Tigers played with yesterday, I would feel good going up against a good number of teams in the first round.  The boys will need to grab the ball and hold onto it, though.  This team has one of the best attitudes over the past 10 years and they're bound together like glue...offense and defense.  Should be exciting for the next couple of weeks.

[algernon]

Got to say, that is the most winnable playoff game the ODAC has had since HSC last hosted. Get it done Tigers. We've taken the USASC the last couple years in the regular season, now it is time to show them up in the playoffs as well!

Super news for the Tigers!  We were expecting to travel ... and also expecting to play a team with a better record than Maryville.  Will be wonderful to host again in 6 days! 

And perhaps the Tigers will have an opportunity to spend the Thanksgiving Break in Oregon ...   

[Scots13]

A Tennessee qb wanting to transfer to a smaller division having several (Carson-Newman and Tusculum d2 schools) in area and Maryville 15 miles down the road from Neyland, decides to transfer to HSC 6 hours away from campus. Teams are meeting each other in the first round. I hope the newspapers pick up on this. You couldn't ask for a better story line to the game.