FB: Old Dominion Athletic Conference

[y_jack_lok]

I am very much looking forward to some non-traditional games this weekend.

R-MC has never played Berry to my knowledge. Couldn't confirm on either team's website

W&L has never played Trinity

H-SC has played Centre many times, but the last time not in the playoffs was 1992. They did face off in the first round in 2011, a 10pt Centre win.

Shenandoah takes on Rhodes but I don't know if they've ever played. Can't confirm.

Sewanee and Guilford have never played --- which seems very odd to me but they are 7 hours apart.

Regardless, it seems like only 1 of these matchups has ever been played before. W&L has had significant experience with Centre, Rhodes and Sewanee, though it has been almost 50 years since they played Rhodes, 10 since they played Centre for the last time after an almost unbroken 50 years run, and 2 since the almost unbroken 70+ year series with Sewanee died.

I think it will be a fun weekend. Personal favorites are R-MC at home, Trinity at home, Centre on the road, Shenandoah at home, and Guilford at home. 3-2 for the ODAC wouldn't be a bad result.

We'll learn alot about the relative strength of the ODAC from these games.  Bridgewater vs Millsaps will be interesting, too.

[Ron Boerger]

W&L was a charter member of the CAC (which later became the SCAC) along with Rhodes (then called Southwestern University at Memphis), Centre, and Sewanee.  They were members from 1962 until 1973.

[jknezek]

W&L was a charter member of the CAC (which later became the SCAC) along with Rhodes (then called Southwestern University at Memphis), Centre, and Sewanee.  They were members from 1962 until 1973.

I know. Sometimes I wish W&L would have joined the SAA because I think some of those rivalries, particularly Centre and Sewanee, were very good ones. Sure we had the better of Sewanee for more than 20 years, but Centre had the better of us for a long time.

On the other hand, I don't envy the travel for those student athletes. Travel might be a hook for some kids, but I suspect it turns into a grind over time. The ODAC is just too convenient  in my opinion.

[jknezek]

I'm sad to say but I actually missed a milestone last season that I was super excited about. When W&L beat Averett last year it marked the first time the program had been above .500 all-time since the 1971 season. In 2003, W&L was 55 games under .500. Hard to complain about the last 20 seasons were we have been 59 games over .500. That's around a 7-4 average.

I'm also going to leave this out there, because it kind of surprised me. In six season, Scott Abell went 39-24 with W&L. Coach LeRose is in his 6th season and he is 33-20. While Abell had the best season, 10-1, he also had the worst, 2-8. Coach LeRose has yet to win more than 8 in a season, but he hasn't lost more than 5.

And it's hard to say that either coach came in to a bad situation, W&L had gone 16-5 in the two seasons before Abell took over, and 14-7 in Abell's last two seasons before handing things over to LeRose.

[rmc1982]

Just read Pedro's weekly email/preview of the Berry game. It appears our defense must be at the top tier level to stop Berry's running game! I hope we're up to the task!!

[jknezek]

Trinity's announcers are... Not good. I think I've heard the phrase "swallowed up" on every play. They have no rhythm with each other. Had to mute it. W&L looking toothless on offense.

[tigerguy]

Trinity's announcers are... Not good. I think I've heard the phrase "swallowed up" on every play. They have no rhythm with each other. Had to mute it. W&L looking toothless on offense.

100% agree. The last few years, I've bragged relentlessly about the broadcast. The guys this year are a step backwards. Thats what you get for using students though; constant revolving door.

[y_jack_lok]

RMC's defensive line looked good, everything else was average in the Jackets' 28-24 loss to Berry. The Vikings had been ranked #22 after week #1, but dropped out of the top 25 after losing to DePauw last week. Was today's win enough to get them back in? Honestly, neither team looked great to me. The Jackets will surely drop quite a bit in the next poll.

ODAC non-conference game winners were Bridgewater, H-SC, Guilford, and Shenandoah. W&L lost to Trinity (TX).

In the lone conference matchup, Ferrum looked good in the first half, leading 20-3, and must have continued to play well downing Averett 36-10.

[rmc1982]

RMC's defensive line looked good, everything else was average in the Jackets' 28-24 loss to Berry. The Vikings had been ranked #22 after week #1, but dropped out of the top 25 after losing to DePauw last week. Was today's win enough to get them back in? Honestly, neither team looked great to me. The Jackets will surely drop quite a bit in the next poll.

ODAC non-conference game winners were Bridgewater, H-SC, Guilford, and Shenandoah. W&L lost to Trinity (TX).

In the lone conference matchup, Ferrum looked good in the first half, leading 20-3, and must have continued to play well downing Averett 36-10.

dunno if I totally agree with your assessment of our defensive line. We were great at stopping Berry's running game and blocked a few passes and ran an int in for a td but we had ZERO sacks I think, maybe one( i haven't looked at the stats) and while the secondary is mostly responsible for the pass defense breakdown you can't expect those guys to cover but for so long! Their QB had all day to throw most of the game and he picked us apart, especially on the last drive. I was lucky enough to be handed a pass into the 1984 team suite ( PRESIDENT's Box)in the new Duke Hall by the 1984 football alums so I had a great view! Let's face it- DIII Rankings, especially early in The season- are usually indicative of past successes and more of a popularity contest than an actual ranking. We simply aren't the #9 team in the country right now! Top 25 yes and I would expect us to win the ODAC and be back in the playoffs but a Top 10 team.....uh....NO!! I do have confidence, however, that Pedro will right the ship and correct the obvious problems!! Berry is good- especially on offense. For DePAUW  to beat them 33-0 was a tall feat!!

[y_jack_lok]

^^^ Good points about the DL, especially the amount of time the QB had to throw. We're lucky he was only 18-38. He missed a lot of open receivers. Still, I'd say it was about the only bright spot of the day.

I caught the 4th quarter of the Shenandoah vs Rhodes game. It was 14-14 at that point, then SU put up 21 unanswered points and their passing game looked sharp doing it. They did self-destruct a bit in the last couple of minutes with several bad penalties that allowed Rhodes to score a TD with 23 seconds left. After the bye week the Jackets are at SU on Oct 5th. SU has a game at Juniata next Saturday. Not sure which team that schedule difference favors.

[HSCTiger fan]

HSC played inspired football from start to finish on HOF weekend. The HOF ceremony took place on Friday evening. Coach Marty Favret, teammates Holton Walker and Nash Nance were inducted into the HSC HOF.

[Macon]

Lok and 82, thanks for your insight into the Berry game.  Once again, no video to watch. 

[Macon]

So, only having stats available to evaluate the game.

I return to my previous comments on the O-line.  Five sacks on Saturday and lackluster run game.  If I was looking at improving things, I'd start there.  Kwesi Clarke had 1 rushing attempt for minus 1 yard.  He's a 5th year RB, who I thought was that premier back this year.  There's also several other backs that had significant time last year, so what's up?  (Insert my suggestion here)

[Macon]

Just looked at the starting lineup for Saturday.   Two different O-line starters this week.  Looks like Coach is listening to me, or maybe, just maybe he just might have seen the same thing I did.   

[y_jack_lok]

^^^ Yes, OL can definitely improve. Re Kwesi Clarke, he was injured in the 4th quarter on a drive that started with just under 13 minutes to play. He was taken off on a stretcher and apparently put in an ambulance and taken to a hospital. Hope he's okay.