FB: Old Dominion Athletic Conference

[Pat Coleman]

You know, I'm primarily a CUA basketball fan and don't go to many football games, but I'm also a relatively recent alum ('02) went to this one to see what the new field looks like (great!).

Honestly, I don't think I've seen a more exciting football game in a long, long time...especially in person.  CUA trailed 20-17, got a 42 yard field goal to tie (not exactly a gimme in d3 college), then promptly gave up a touchdown with 1:50 or so left.  CUA gets the ball on the 20 with 1:42 left, had to go all the way down the field, gets to 3rd and long on the first series after Ricca was sacked twice, and then gets a 35 yard reception.  Marches all the way down the field, one final play, down 7 at the 3 or so, passes the ball, caught for a touchdown with 1 second left.  Extra point is good.  Goes to OT.  CUA ball first...on the very first play, basketball player/two way star Nick Olivero breaks one, 25 yards in for the TD.  Extra point good.  3rd down for OWU, 25 yard pass for a TD.  Calls timeout so you knew something was up.  Goes for two.  Drops back to pass, looks like they might have a guy in the corner...but the ball is knocked away...game over, Catholic wins.

Wow!

Lots of ugly turnovers in this one...and sacks...but an win's a win and that was a big one. 

A 42-yard field goal?

That might be the school record. I believe it was 41 (T.J. Robles, early 1990s) when I was SID there.

[muchacho]

Still wearing the tie from the wedding tonight, and checking the scores from the hotel lobby. Congrats to Catholic on a great win. Its great to see the team show some heart and pull out a close one at home. Last overtime win I remember was against Frostburg back in 2002. Those are crazy games, and I'm excited that Catholic pulled it out.
Catholic now looks pretty good going into next week vs. an 0-2 McDaniel team. Its time to keep working hard and start realizing that this team can whoop some ass. The Cards need no let up from here on out, and its time to regain that swagger from a few years ago.
HSC...Ouch!
W&L...Disappointing
BC...Not as much of an offensive explosion as some might have expected, but impressive.
RMC...Looks like what was expected.
GC...Not surprised at all.

[Forma80]

Still wearing the tie from the wedding tonight, and checking the scores from the hotel lobby. Congrats to Catholic on a great win. Its great to see the team show some heart and pull out a close one at home. Last overtime win I remember was against Frostburg back in 2002. Those are crazy games, and I'm excited that Catholic pulled it out.
Catholic now looks pretty good going into next week vs. an 0-2 McDaniel team. Its time to keep working hard and start realizing that this team can whoop some ass. The Cards need no let up from here on out, and its time to regain that swagger from a few years ago.
HSC...Ouch!
W&L...Disappointing
BC...Not as much of an offensive explosion as some might have expected, but impressive.
RMC...Looks like what was expected.
GC...Not surprised at all.

The Generals were not just disappointing, they were terrible. Literally 128 yds of total offense. Penalties abounding, a punter resembling belushi in animal house, and a lack of anything resembling a cohesive unit.

Congrats to the teams who represented the ODAC well this weekend. Hopefullly everyone will get back on track this week and realize their potential.

[mizzou_mafia]

It's not often that a team starts a year off with 2 shutouts.  So I looked around a little bit to see how often it's happened in the last 5 years, and how those teams have done in the next game, and for the season.

Currently, BC is the only D3 team this year (correct me if I'm wrong) with 2 shutouts through 2 games.  A handful of teams have only played one game and have 1 shutout.

In 2005, only Hobart started the year off with 2 shutouts (21-0 & 34-0).  In the third game of the season, they won 56-48.  They finished the season at 9-2 with a 2nd round playoff loss.

In 2004, no team started off with 2 shutouts.

In 2003, Rowan (21-0 & 30-0, third game W 25-19), Mass.-Dartmouth (20-0 & 29-0, third game W 34-13), North Central (55-0 & 21-0, third game W 17-14), and Amherst (34-0 & 21-0, third game L 17-14) started off with 2 shutouts.  Rowan finished at 7-3 and didn't make the playoffs...Mass-Dartmouth finished 9-2 and won the ECAC Div. III Northeast Championship...North Central finished 7-3 and didn't make the playoffs ...the first score Amherst gave up was on a blocked punt...they rebounded to shutout their next 2 opponents (yes, 4 of first 5 games were shutouts) before finishing the season 4-4.   

In 2002, only Tufts (20-0 & 27-0, third game W 44-13) started off with 2 shutouts.  They finished the year 3-5.

In 2001, Amherst (24-0 & 35-0, third game W 7-3) was the only team to start off the season with 2 shutouts.  Amherst only gave up 46 points on the season to finish 7-1.

As far back as I looked (2001), no D3 team has started a season off with 3 shutouts.  Each team that started with 2 shutouts won its third game except 2003's Amherst, which gave up a blocked punt for TD in a 3pt loss.  While starting off with 2 shutouts usually produced a winning season (only 2 exceptions), only 2005's Hobart made the NCAA playoffs following a 2 shutout start.

[Matt Barnhart (kid)]

It's not often that a team starts a year off with 2 shutouts.  So I looked around a little bit to see how often it's happened in the last 5 years, and how those teams have done in the next game, and for the season.

Nice work mizzou.  If I can't find much of anything else, may I use this for my "Statistically Speaking" on my web site?  Of course I'll give credit where credit is due.

[pakownr97]

Man, I know BC hasn't played a really strong offensive team yet, but the D has looked great so far.   2 shutouts in a row is impressive, no matter who you play and they were in the backfield the whole game.  Especially the first half.  I thought one of BC's guys was gonna take the handoff from the SU QB a couple times!  Good win!

His name is Tony Burt (#93)  and he was on the National Team of the week last week and look what he did for an encore!!!  He was superb again today and had plenty of help!!!  The D looks really good!!

OlineMom,

As you know, I gave my week one game ball to YOUR offensive line, but Tony Burt deserved an honorable mention as he was in McDaniel's backfield all day.

I thought ALL of BC's starting and 2nd D-line played excellent in the Shenandoah game.  So I am giving my game ball to the D-line this week, not just #93.  If I observed correctly, the only time SU had back-to-back first downs was during the third quarter when BC inexplicably went to a three-man D-line.  I DON'T LIKE IT!  Bring four...or more.

Let's see if the BC dee can keep it up.  If they can play like this against the pass-happy ODAC teams, we should have a great season.

Two concerns.  One, Jeff had an off game, I thought.  Other than the beautiful TD pass, I was not impressed.  I am confident he will pick up his game, just like he did last year, but I hope it is soon.

Second, our secondary hasn't really been tested yet, but if our front seven can keep getting pressure, our passing D should be fine.

I don't think I will be able to make it to the Ferrum game.  I hope my schedule changes before Saturday.

GO BC!!!

[pakownr97]

1. Occidental wins 49-7, and moves up from 9 to 8, but is leapfrogged by Hardin-Simmons who was idle, but moves up from 10 to 7.

2. Bridgewater wins 30-0, and moves up from 13 to 10, but is leapfrogged by UW-LaCrosse who was idle, but moves up from 14 to 9.  Yes, I know UW-LaX beat South Dakota State, but that was week 1 and moved them up to 14.  They moved up 5 spots by not playing.  So is it best not to play?

3. Guilford has two impressive wins, but only one point.  I am not necessarily saying they should be top 25, but c'mon, they deserve more than one number 25 vote out of 25 voters.

Just my humble opinions.  I know its tough to pick these teams so early in the season, but these things seem strange to me.

GO BC!

[hasanova]

1. Occidental wins 49-7, and moves up from 9 to 8, but is leapfrogged by Hardin-Simmons who was idle, but moves up from 10 to 7.

2. Bridgewater wins 30-0, and moves up from 13 to 10, but is leapfrogged by UW-LaCrosse who was idle, but moves up from 14 to 9.  Yes, I know UW-LaX beat South Dakota State, but that was week 1 and moved them up to 14.  They moved up 5 spots by not playing.  So is it best not to play?

3. Guilford has two impressive wins, but only one point.  I am not necessarily saying they should be top 25, but c'mon, they deserve more than one number 25 vote out of 25 voters.

Just my humble opinions.  I know its tough to pick these teams so early in the season, but these things seem strange to me.

GO BC!

Thanks for your posts, pakownr97.  To me, the big Occidental win over Lewis and Clark doesn't mean that much so far.   Wasn't L&C the team that dropped football after four games last season when they only had a little over 30 players? 

BC is doing really well, but it looks as though many of their early games are against weaker than normal competition.  I believe McDaniel isn't as strong as they usually are and we all know what's happening at Shenandoah.  After I saw them against Guilford, Ferrum also needs to get it together.  The Quakers beat the Panthers badly in the secondary.  As a first year program, LaGrange will not know what hit them against the Eagles.  Finally, if HSC couldn't beat you at home with Ricca last season, I sure don't see it this year without him at BC.  Barring an upset, I see BC starting 5-0.

I'm still optimistic that Guilford will win all their early games, but I don't think it's as certain as BC.  Part of it is tradition, part of it is too many road games, part of it is a still young Defense and part of it is the imbalance between passing and running.  I'm really pleased so far and I really hope we'll be sporting a good record on Oct. 14.  I'm happy we got one vote in the poll and think that recognition will continue to rise.

Go Quakers!  Congratulations on your good start to the season.  Defense - great job versus Methodist!   

[Olinemom]

Man, I know BC hasn't played a really strong offensive team yet, but the D has looked great so far.   2 shutouts in a row is impressive, no matter who you play and they were in the backfield the whole game.  Especially the first half.  I thought one of BC's guys was gonna take the handoff from the SU QB a couple times!  Good win!

His name is Tony Burt (#93)  and he was on the National Team of the week last week and look what he did for an encore!!!  He was superb again today and had plenty of help!!!  The D looks really good!!

OlineMom,

As you know, I gave my week one game ball to YOUR offensive line, but Tony Burt deserved an honorable mention as he was in McDaniel's backfield all day.

I thought ALL of BC's starting and 2nd D-line played excellent in the Shenandoah game.  So I am giving my game ball to the D-line this week, not just #93.  If I observed correctly, the only time SU had back-to-back first downs was during the third quarter when BC inexplicably went to a three-man D-line.  I DON'T LIKE IT!  Bring four...or more.

Let's see if the BC dee can keep it up.  If they can play like this against the pass-happy ODAC teams, we should have a great season.

Two concerns.  One, Jeff had an off game, I thought.  Other than the beautiful TD pass, I was not impressed.  I am confident he will pick up his game, just like he did last year, but I hope it is soon.

Second, our secondary hasn't really been tested yet, but if our front seven can keep getting pressure, our passing D should be fine.

I don't think I will be able to make it to the Ferrum game.  I hope my schedule changes before Saturday.

GO BC!!!

I thought the D played exceptionally well.  You are right to observe that the 3man line called ¨dawg¨or some such tommy rot is not effective.  But when there are 4 on the line, they go to town.  You´re right that the secondary hasn´t been tested but if the offense is getting that kind of pressure, they are not going to be very accurate.  I think we are going to be tested when we hit Vogelbach and co. because they have not seen a situation that doesn´t call for a pass.   I hope we are up for it.  The O'Line was a bit ragged yesterday.  They got the job done, but were not as crisp and definitive as they were last week.  All in all there are plenty of things to work on this weeik.  I sure hope you can get there this weekend, but . . . And Tony did spend quite a lot of time in SU´s backfield

[Llamaguy]

Two concerns.  One, Jeff had an off game, I thought.  Other than the beautiful TD pass, I was not impressed.  I am confident he will pick up his game, just like he did last year, but I hope it is soon.

This is just an observation and a question. Since I had to patrol the visitor's side at Jopson yesterday I made an observation. From that side the field looked alot more "crowned" than it did last year. I wonder if this was done for drainage with the new bermuda turf? Not making excuses as Jeff would be the first to tell you he was not as accurate as intended.  It just seemed like the "out patterns" where he was throwing downhill were the one's that were  overthrown.

[Matt Barnhart (kid)]

Hasanova -

First off, "welcome back."

Secondly, I'm very glad programs like Catholic and Guilford have started out strong like they have.  But don't think just BC has had an "easy road."

Ferrum lost Mulford (stud RB) and 80% of their OL from last year.  Methodist lost Ronckette (stud QB).  While your 741 passing yards in the first two games is impressive, both FC and MC are coming off years where their secondary was the weak area.

pak -

As much as I'd like to see two (or more) ODAC schools ranked in the top 25, I think the voters are being more cautious this time around because of how H-SC "let them down" in year's past.

[religion_major]

Hasanova -

First off, "welcome back."

Secondly, I'm very glad programs like Catholic and Guilford have started out strong like they have.  But don't think just BC has had an "easy road."

Ferrum lost Mulford (stud RB) and 80% of their OL from last year.  Methodist lost Ronckette (stud QB).  While your 741 passing yards in the first two games is impressive, both FC and MC are coming off years where their secondary was the weak area.

pak -

As much as I'd like to see two (or more) ODAC schools ranked in the top 25, I think the voters are being more cautious this time around because of how H-SC "let them down" in year's past.

But HSC in years past was the voters own fault.  They should have been intellegent enough to realize that until they played BC, HSC did not play a tough team and had a tradition of choking on the big one.  This year, Methodist and Ferrum are better than anybody that HSC played before taking on BC those years that they were highly ranked.

[hasanova]

I also think it's good for the ODAC to have some out of conference wins by schools other than BC.  That helps everyone in the league.

Yeah, I realize Mulford (FC) and Roncketti (MC) are gone, but their schools are still fair teams with Pitts and Hill, respectively, among others.  I think most observers would say it has at least piqued their interest that Guilford has begun the season with impressive wins over both, especially in light of the losses against them at the same juncture last season.  Also, speaking of Hampden-Sydney, that was a wild game in Greensboro last season.  Even though they lost 47-45, I think that's when the Quakers and their coaching staff realized what they could do.  It was fun to watch and set the tone for the rest of the season.   

[Pat Coleman]

Let's let Guilford play someone who's receiving a vote before we go all ga-ga.

Remember, religion major, at least in those years Hampden-Sydney got votes, they were coming off an eight-win season. What is Guilford coming off of??

[coco]

Olinemom,

Your brownies were a huge hit at the Wildcat tailgate. Thank you very much!
You are now a legend out here.

Mrs. Coco