FB: Old Dominion Athletic Conference

[Macon]

I watched the first three quarters of The Game. It was really interesting to hear former R-MC coach Jim Blackburn doing commentary. He had such great insights and spelled out in football coach language what was going on with each play. Maybe he should consider joinjng the broadcast crew more often.

Totally agree.  Coach Blackburn also spent many years in the HSC administration and is friends with Coach Favret, so he has insight into HSC as well.  As to the game, played out about how I thought it would, slow start for the Jackets but rolled late.  Largest margin of victory in the 124 year series, which surprised me.
Onto the Neptune Bowl, much better than the NCAA playoffs.

[HSCTiger fan]

I watched the first three quarters of The Game. It was really interesting to hear former R-MC coach Jim Blackburn doing commentary. He had such great insights and spelled out in football coach language what was going on with each play. Maybe he should consider joinjng the broadcast crew more often.

Totally agree.  Coach Blackburn also spent many years in the HSC administration and is friends with Coach Favret, so he has insight into HSC as well.  As to the game, played out about how I thought it would, slow start for the Jackets but rolled late.  Largest margin of victory in the 124 year series, which surprised me.
Onto the Neptune Bowl, much better than the NCAA playoffs.

The largest margin of victory was the 1917 version of The Game when the Tigers won 62 - 0. Congrats on the win today.

[Macon]

I watched the first three quarters of The Game. It was really interesting to hear former R-MC coach Jim Blackburn doing commentary. He had such great insights and spelled out in football coach language what was going on with each play. Maybe he should consider joinjng the broadcast crew more often.

Totally agree.  Coach Blackburn also spent many years in the HSC administration and is friends with Coach Favret, so he has insight into HSC as well.  As to the game, played out about how I thought it would, slow start for the Jackets but rolled late.  Largest margin of victory in the 124 year series, which surprised me.
Onto the Neptune Bowl, much better than the NCAA playoffs.

The largest margin of victory was the 1917 version of The Game when the Tigers won 62 - 0. Congrats on the win today.

Got it off the RMC site:  https://www.rmcathletics.com/sports/fball/2019-20/releases/20191116qnz7rf

Obviously, my surprise was warranted.

[thescottharris]

H-Sc will be lucky to win another game this year.

Well unfortunately hate to say I told you so...

[Macon]

I've finally found one thing good about the Neptune Bowl, it's a very nice football facility:

http://thevirginiabeachsportsplex.com/about-us

[hasanova]

Congratulations to Bridgewater on their undefeated regular season and the ODAC championship ... good luck to the Eagles in the NCAA playoffs!

Kudos also to Randolph-Macon on a fine season ... hope the Yellow Jackets have a great outing in the Neptune Bowl!

[Matt Barnhart (kid)]

With Bridgewater finishing 10-0 for the first time since 2002, and as they prepare for the NCAA playoffs (first time in 14 years), I thought it might be fun to revisit the ODAC's best single season records and NCAA playoff history -- since the conference was formed in 1975.

Since the Eagles are the 7th ODAC program to finish the regular season undefeated, let's first take a look at the best seasons (based on wins):

	Team	Record	Notes
#1	*2001 Bridgewater	12-1	Regular Season 10-0 // Stagg Bowl Finalist
#2	2003 Bridgewater	12-2	NCAA Playoff Semifinalist
#3	1992 Emory & Henry	11-1	Regular Season 10-0 // NCAA Playoff Quarterfinalist
	*2002 Bridgewater	11-1	Regular Season 10-0 // NCAA Playoff Quarterfinalist
#5	1987 Emory & Henry	11-3	NCAA Playoff Semifinalist
#6	1998 Emory & Henry	10-0	Regular Season 10-0
	2019 Bridgewater	10-0	Regular Season 10-0 // NCAA Playoffs TBD
#8	2009 Hampden-Sydney	10-1	Regular Season 10-0 // NCAA Playoffs First Round
	2015 Washington & Lee	10-1	Regular Season 10-0 // NCAA Playoffs First Round
#10	1986 Emory & Henry	10-2	NCAA Playoffs First Round
	2000 Bridgewater	10-2	NCAA Playoffs Second Round
	2005 Bridgewater	10-2	NCAA Playoffs Quarterfinalist

The following is the playoff history for each school:

School	Appearances	Record	Years
Bridgewater	7	10-6	2000, *2001, *2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2019
Emory & Henry	5	3-5	1986, 1987, 1992, 1995, 2000
Ferrum	5	4-5	1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 2005
Guilford	0	0-0
Hampden-Sydney	7	1-7	1977, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014
Randolph-Macon	4	1-4	1984, 2008, 2016, 2018
Shenandoah	0	0-1	2004
Washington & Lee	5	0-5	2006, 2010, 2012, 2015, 2017
---------------	---	---	----------------------------
Catholic	3	0-3	1997, 1998, 1999
Maryville	1	0-1	2013

*In 2001 and 2002, Bridgewater earned first round byes in the NCAA playoffs

Obviously, Catholic and Maryville are no longer with the ODAC -- and only Catholic's 1999 playoff appearance occurred as an ODAC representative. Also, Shenandoah's one playoff appearance was when they were part of the USAC. And lastly, all of Ferrum's NCAA playoff success (including two semifinalist finishes -- 1988 and 1989) came before they joined the ODAC.

Overall, the ODAC (including current and former conference programs) has a 19-37 NCAA playoff record. If you remove the appearances when current and former ODAC programs were not representing the conference, that changes the overall record to 15-28. And if you remove Bridgewater's historic run from 2000 to 2005, the ODAC is just 5-22 in the NCAA playoffs over 44 years.

A couple of interesting notes (and one question):

    * In 1977, Hampden-Sydney finished with a 9-2 record, and was ranked #4 in the country
    * In 1987, E&H made it to the semis of the NCAA playoffs, but HSC won the ODAC with a 5-5 record (beating E&H 14-13)
    * 2010 was the only year that two ODAC schools made the NCAA playoffs (HSC and W&L)
    * In 1998, Emory & Henry went 10-0 -- why didn't they receive a NCAA playoff berth?

Anyway, just thought I would share! Feel free to make any corrections -- I used archived stats/records from D3football.com, ODAConline.com, and school websites.

[Pat Coleman]

In 1998, there were only 16 playoff spots and they went to the top four teams in each region. There were five unbeaten teams in the South and E&H was the odd one out, probably because they hadn't been a playoff team the year before.

https://www.d3football.com/columns/around-the-region/mid-atlantic/1999/e-and-h-looks-to-end-dry-spell

[Matt Barnhart (kid)]

In 1998, there were only 16 playoff spots and they went to the top four teams in each region. There were five unbeaten teams in the South and E&H was the odd one out, probably because they hadn't been a playoff team the year before.

https://www.d3football.com/columns/around-the-region/mid-atlantic/1999/e-and-h-looks-to-end-dry-spell

Thanks, Pat! Stinks for the Wasps, but glad the playoffs expanded to include more opportunities!

On the bright side, one could argue that's the best season in ODAC history — zero losses! 🤔

[Macon]

I watched the first three quarters of The Game. It was really interesting to hear former R-MC coach Jim Blackburn doing commentary. He had such great insights and spelled out in football coach language what was going on with each play. Maybe he should consider joinjng the broadcast crew more often.

Totally agree.  Coach Blackburn also spent many years in the HSC administration and is friends with Coach Favret, so he has insight into HSC as well.  As to the game, played out about how I thought it would, slow start for the Jackets but rolled late.  Largest margin of victory in the 124 year series, which surprised me.
Onto the Neptune Bowl, much better than the NCAA playoffs.

The largest margin of victory was the 1917 version of The Game when the Tigers won 62 - 0. Congrats on the win today.

Someone is listening to you, RMC article corrected to state that it's the largest margin for an RMC victory.

[Macon]

I watched the first three quarters of The Game. It was really interesting to hear former R-MC coach Jim Blackburn doing commentary. He had such great insights and spelled out in football coach language what was going on with each play. Maybe he should consider joinjng the broadcast crew more often.

Totally agree.  Coach Blackburn also spent many years in the HSC administration and is friends with Coach Favret, so he has insight into HSC as well.  As to the game, played out about how I thought it would, slow start for the Jackets but rolled late.  Largest margin of victory in the 124 year series, which surprised me.
Onto the Neptune Bowl, much better than the NCAA playoffs.

The largest margin of victory was the 1917 version of The Game when the Tigers won 62 - 0. Congrats on the win today.

No congrats to me, but to the 33 RMC seniors that now have 33 wins, an RMC program record for a senior class.

[Jeremybozz]

Delaware Valley at Bridgewater with the winner to face the Framingham State at Wesley winner.

[Jeremybozz]

Delaware Valley defeated Stevenson 28-21. Bridgewater defeated Stevenson 37-22.

[Ralph Turner]

With Bridgewater finishing 10-0 for the first time since 2002, and as they prepare for the NCAA playoffs (first time in 14 years), I thought it might be fun to revisit the ODAC's best single season records and NCAA playoff history -- since the conference was formed in 1975.

Since the Eagles are the 7th ODAC program to finish the regular season undefeated, let's first take a look at the best seasons (based on wins):

	Team	Record	Notes
#1	2001 Bridgewater	12-1	Regular Season 10-0 // Stagg Bowl Finalist
#2	2003 Bridgewater	12-2	NCAA Playoff Semifinalist
#3	1992 Emory & Henry	11-1	Regular Season 10-0 // NCAA Playoff Quarterfinalist
	2002 Bridgewater	11-1	Regular Season 10-0 // NCAA Playoff Second Round
#5	1987 Emory & Henry	11-3	NCAA Playoff Semifinalist
#6	1998 Emory & Henry	10-0	Regular Season 10-0
	2019 Bridgewater	10-0	Regular Season 10-0 // NCAA Playoffs TBD
#8	2009 Hampden-Sydney	10-1	Regular Season 10-0 // NCAA Playoffs First Round
	2015 Washington & Lee	10-1	Regular Season 10-0 // NCAA Playoffs First Round
#10	1986 Emory & Henry	10-2	NCAA Playoffs First Round
	2000 Bridgewater	10-2	NCAA Playoffs Second Round
	2005 Bridgewater	10-2	NCAA Playoffs Quarterfinalist

The following is the playoff history for each school:

School	Appearances	Record	Years
Bridgewater	7	10-6	2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2019
Emory & Henry	5	3-5	1986, 1987, 1992, 1995, 2000
Ferrum	5	4-5	1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 2005
Guilford	0	0-0
Hampden-Sydney	7	1-7	1977, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014
Randolph-Macon	4	1-4	1984, 2008, 2016, 2018
Shenandoah	0	0-1	2004
Washington & Lee	5	0-5	2006, 2010, 2012, 2015, 2017
---------------	---	---	----------------------------
Catholic	3	0-3	1997, 1998, 1999
Maryville	1	0-1	2013

Obviously, Catholic and Maryville are no longer with the ODAC -- and only Catholic's 1999 playoff appearance occurred as an ODAC representative. Also, Shenandoah's one playoff appearance was when they were part of the USAC. And lastly, all of Ferrum's NCAA playoff success (including two semifinalist finishes -- 1988 and 1989) came before they joined the ODAC.

Overall, the ODAC (including current and former conference programs) has a 19-37 NCAA playoff record. If you remove the appearances when current and former ODAC programs were not representing the conference, that changes the overall record to 15-28. And if you remove Bridgewater's historic run from 2000 to 2005, the ODAC is just 5-22 in the NCAA playoffs over 44 years.

A couple of interesting notes (and one question):

    * In 1977, Hampden-Sydney finished with a 9-2 record, and was ranked #4 in the country
    * In 1987, E&H made it to the semis of the NCAA playoffs, but HSC won the ODAC with a 5-5 record (beating E&H 14-13)
    * 2010 was the only year that two ODAC schools made the NCAA playoffs (HSC and W&L)
    * In 1998, Emory & Henry went 10-0 -- why didn't they receive a NCAA playoff berth?

Anyway, just thought I would share! Feel free to make any corrections -- I used archived stats/records from D3football.com, ODAConline.com, and school websites.

Can you "asterisk" those seasons that BC got a bye?

Thanks.

[Matt Barnhart (kid)]

Delaware Valley defeated Stevenson 28-21. Bridgewater defeated Stevenson 37-22.

DV was at home, and BC was on the road... although both games were early in the season.

I will provide a stat comparison this week. 😉