FB: Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference

[Tex]

I was just reporting what I was told on the spitting thing.  I'll leave it at that.  I probably should have not even brought it up.  I had no way of seeing it myself.  I"m sure it was just a couple of guys or maybe just one.  The persons telling me this really had no reason to tell me a falsehood.  So, I'll leave it at that.  I'm sure it happens all over at times.  It's always a bad apple spoiling the bushel type thing.  I'll reiterate how nicely I personally was treated in Jackson.  I had breakfast on Saturday morning talking to a Millsaps soccer dad that was in town.  It was a great conversation.  Jackson is a very friendly town and I really look forward to visiting again some time.  Hopefully we bring home a W next time. 

[Tex]

In reference to the comments about a lack of fans at the TU-MC game, there was a huge game going on as well, LSU-Miss State.  I dare say it was the "prime time" game in the area this weekend.

Since I have not been to Millsaps before, I cannot compare to previous years. I thought it was a good crowd for a D-3 game.

[Patriot_Pride]

In reference to the comments about a lack of fans at the TU-MC game, there was a huge game going on as well, LSU-Miss State.  I dare say it was the "prime time" game in the area this weekend.

Since I have not been to Millsaps before, I cannot compare to previous years. I thought it was a good crowd for a D-3 game.

I made that statement about the State/LSU game the Monday before kickoff as well. But combine that, and the fact this game was moved up 5 weeks due to the SCAC shuffling the schedule, it was bound to be a small crowd. The later the game in the year, the better. That was the first time since 1995 that the Millsaps/TU game wasn't the last OR second to last game of the SCAC season. I personally hated it being this early and wish it would be moved back, but then we'll hear complaints on how Millsaps had two weeks to prepare for Trinity.... again.

[Pat Coleman]

---Millsaps unranked, Trinity barely in the top-20.

And not in ours at all.

[Tex]

In reference to the comments about a lack of fans at the TU-MC game, there was a huge game going on as well, LSU-Miss State.  I dare say it was the "prime time" game in the area this weekend.

Since I have not been to Millsaps before, I cannot compare to previous years. I thought it was a good crowd for a D-3 game.

I made that statement about the State/LSU game the Monday before kickoff as well. But combine that, and the fact this game was moved up 5 weeks due to the SCAC shuffling the schedule, it was bound to be a small crowd. The later the game in the year, the better. That was the first time since 1995 that the Millsaps/TU game wasn't the last OR second to last game of the SCAC season. I personally hated it being this early and wish it would be moved back, but then we'll hear complaints on how Millsaps had two weeks to prepare for Trinity.... again.

After 24 hours to think about it all, and keeping in mind it's only a game (the greatest game in the world I might add), although the TU defense kept it very close, Millsaps was the better team yesterday. 

There's a lot of "shouldve's and couldve's and wouldve's" out there, but that doesn't change the outcome for TU.  Time to regroup, fix the problems exposed and shoot for a string of W's.

[Tacttm1]

Well, Gang...Looks like my Millsaps v. Trinity score prediction was waayyy off; at least I picked the winner!!

Here are some random thoughts:

1) Kevin Peters with 3 interceptions!! This kid brings it!
2) Lee Klein's knee injury is a reminder of just how fragile we humans are.
3) The Majors giving the game dedication to the Coach and Polly after the game is a sign of a 'class' team.
4) I got to meet Frank and his camera is certainly bigger than mine!
5) Shocked that TU had so little offense; I really thought theys would put up more yards and points.
6) Penalties.  'nuf said.
7) Graves may seem a bit tentative at times, but he isn't afraid to put his head down and pick up the yards.  I agree that he is still learning how to lead this team and has some pretty big shoes to fill.
8) The beer and tailgate thing is a matter of rules, impressions and priorities.  I know this is a challenge at other schools, too.  Unfortunately, there is no solution that will work for all.
9) Getting such a whipping by MC will be a determining factor come bid time.

More later...

[Tacttm1]

My point number 8 should be an 8, not a smiley face (sorry for typo)

[frank_ezelle]

---Millsaps unranked, Trinity barely in the top-20.

And not in ours at all.

That's correct and I think most of us here consider the D3 poll the more accurate poll.  With both teams being unranked, it might explain why the game wasn't even mentioned in the D3 coverage of Saturday games--quite a change from the coverage received nationwide two years ago thanks to the very unusual ending to the 2007 Trinity-Millsaps contest.

[Pat Coleman]

Suppose so -- I definitely looked at it a couple of times but we mentioned about a dozen non-Top 25 games and it was already really, really long.

Every time I think about us moving to a design like one of the pro sports leagues, where you have a handful of rotating top stories, I think about a game day and wonder how we would be able to match that kind of coverage in that format.

[LA Major]

"although the TU defense kept it very close..."
"The Trinity defense played well enough to win, the offense didn't do their part."

Tex
With great respect for the tradition at TU, I'm not understanding your perception that the D played well enough to win by giving up >500 total yards? There are real problems at TU with a 2-3 SCAC conference record in their last 5 games. Millsaps had a very balanced attack and had 3 TDs nullified by holding penalties so it could have been worse on the sboard.

I think there are issues with both teams as they move forward through the SCAC schedule. I think even though the score was 7-0 at half it never seemed that the TU offense would get it on track. I'm not sold that the Millsaps D was that good yesterday. I hope they are. I think there are real tests ahead for this D.

D3 gets it right lots more often than not in the rankings.

[frank_ezelle]

Suppose so -- I definitely looked at it a couple of times but we mentioned about a dozen non-Top 25 games and it was already really, really long.

Every time I think about us moving to a design like one of the pro sports leagues, where you have a handful of rotating top stories, I think about a game day and wonder how we would be able to match that kind of coverage in that format.

Wanted to clarify my post about the Millsaps-Trinity game not making the D3 coverage.  That was made in the context of the current topic about why there seemed to be less of a big game atmosphere at the game this year.  If this game is played later in the year with an SCAC Championship and NCAA Tournament bid on the line for one or both teams, or when one or both teams had played well enough to work their way into the D3 rankings, then it would have the feel of a much bigger game to the fans.  I guarantee that it doesn't matter if it is the 1st, 4th, or last game on the schedule, the Millsaps-Trinity game is always big to the players.

Taken by itself, I could see where my comment might have sounded like a complaint that the Millsaps-Trinity game wasn't covered in the Saturday story and that was not my intention.  Pat, you and your staff do a remarkable job and a tremendous service with this website.  Plus, you can be sure that if I have any sort of "suggestion" (aka "complaint"), I will send it along in a private message or email, not address it in a post on the message board.

And now that we've had 24 hours to enjoy Saturday's win, I'm starting to think about DePauw.  As far as the SCAC goes, this next game is the biggest game of the year for DePauw since they no longer have any margin for error.  They have to beat Millsaps if they want to have any real hope of winning the SCAC and going to the NCAA Tournament, so I expect them to bring the absolute best they have to offer.  With Millsaps having just gotten so high to play the Trinity game and now having a short week because of  travel (and a short roster because of SCAC rules), I won't be surprised if a lot of people pick DePauw to win this game.

[frank_ezelle]

Well, let me backtrack with one more thing about Saturday's game.  There was a long article about the game in the local paper Sunday and it talks about Coach DuBose and the team dealing with preparing for a big game while Coach DuBose is dealing with his wife's health issues:

http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20090927/SPORTS030105/909270355/1085/Majors-rally-around-DuBose

The newspaper also has a photo gallery with 33 photos from the game at this rather lengthy link:

http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Avis=D0&Dato=20090926&Kategori=SPORTS&Lopenr=909260817&Ref=PH&Profile=1085&SectionCat=Majors-rally-around-DuBose&GID=o+Pfz7g6A+WhWgqYZrkLsLB84V/1USFIwjoDT2z8G6E%3D

[DPU3619]

Frankly Frank (har!), DePauw has to play a lot better than they have the last two weeks if they're going to have a chance on Saturday.

They played so badly against Centre that I cringe to think what the outcome might be if they give a similar effort on Saturday.  Yeah, the conditions against Sewanee were just downright miserable, and Michael Engle played OK considering, but I think DePauw needs Spud and they need the pass defense to be there or it's going to be ugly.

DePauw has to control the football.  They've been good defending third downs.  They've been good against the run.  They just have to limit the big plays and stupid mistakes.  INT returned for 75 yards for a TD against Centre.  Had a personal foul on a FG attempt that eventually led to a Centre score.  Gave up too many plays over 30 yards.  They're good enough.  They're talented enough.  Just need to use our heads a little bit here.  Robby Long is a HUGE stickler for details, and I'm so surpised that his team is making these kinds of mistakes.

[Tacttm1]

Nice photos from the paper.  thanks for posting the link.  That photo number # 3 is great...nothing like double-facemasking!

[Fripp52]

Wes, Agree on all fronts.  Even the game this past Saturday (I was there soaking in the monsoon) wasn't a great effort offensively.  Defensively, they did fine, but Sewanee never threatened and were not going to threaten.  But, offensively, most times the ball was handed off, there was someone in their backfield that Ellis or Karaszia (sp?) had to avoid.  When they could plant their foot and hit the hole, the RBs usually gained 5 plus yards.  DePauw needs a Monon Bell type effort.  Seems Millsaps has good athletes defensively.  Offensively, they are more balanced than they were the past couple years.  It will be a stern test.  If DePauw goes out there like the last 2 games, it will be a long day.