FB: Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference

[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.

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.

That's alright -- I didn't take it as a complaint, I was just letting you know I had thought about it so the game was definitely on my mind.

[D3_DPUFan]

Wes and Fripp---
Agree with both your takes...bottom line is the Tigers will need a total team effort on both sides of the ball and special teams to win Saturday against another good Millsaps team. Wes, you are so right about Coach Long and attention to details---one of the reasons the Centre game was frustrating. Although I think we're seeing that Centre has a good ball club and played perhaps a perfect first half in Greencastle. In any event, this Saturday will be a real test.   

[TigerDad]

OK, now that a couple days have gone by and I've had a chance to voice my opinions (not on this board ... to my wife and the bathroom mirror!) ... I've got a few comments to make about our trip to Jackson last weekend.

First of all, I agree with most of what was written earlier by the TU and Millsaps posters, including Tex, frank, tu2698 and others.  Trinity was dominated by Millsaps and the score could have been much worse.  Anyone who takes a look at the game stats will be surprised at the close score. Trinity D held Millsaps to "only" 14 points in the first three quarters despite overwhelming deficit in offensive yards, time of possession, first downs, field position ... the list goes on ad nauseum.  We were shocked that TU was actually still in the game at the beginning of the fourth quarter.  If our "O" could have put in a TD or two it would have been a game.  Urban's KOR was terrific, but that was the lone bright spot of the day.

Millsaps D had answers for everything Trinity tried on offense ... beginning with stuffing the run game and option plays.  The Majors O-Line was unreasonably HUGE and wore down the Trinity D-Line until they had little left to give in the fourth quarter.

Congrats to millsaps mom ... your son punted GREAT ... two kicks downed inside the 5 were deadly to Trinity's ability to gain any sort of field position advantage.  Trinity's punter averaged more yards, but that was due to TU's horrible field position throughout the game.

My sincere prayers go out to OLB Klein and his family ... terrible to see anyone get hurt, but a season-ending knee surgery is a heart-breaker and believe me, we understand how you feel.  Here's wishing him a speedy and complete recovery.  Everything that happens has a purpose and we hope you'll see yours in this someday soon.

I will say this and then I'm done ... Millsaps is good, but they may struggle with DePauw and Centre this year.  Of course (no offense to my Majors friends), we'll be cheering for the Indiana Tigers this week ... so that we have a chance to knock DPU off the top of the heap in October.  That said, Trinity's offense has to improve several hundred percent to run the SCAC and have a shot at the title.  If not, it will be a long year in San Antonio.  I felt bad for the Black Flag ... they played their hearts out but got no support.  Kind of like a baseball pitcher throwing a one-hitter and getting beat 1-0.  C'mon Tigers ... step it up.

Finally, a special shout to frank for taking a minute to visit us on the visitors' side ... as Tex wrote earlier, you are a CLASS ACT and we enjoyed meeting you in person.  We enjoy your work and comments in tireless support of the Majors and their fans.  Every D3 school needs a guy like Frank Ezelle.

[Major Rev]

Tiger Dad, all very well said.  I wouldn't be surprised if the lackluster Trinity performance was a 'fluke', and I'm sure it was a wake up call for the players.  They're not used to being in this position.  It's a scary thing to walk the tightrope between a 9-1 and 5-5 season, but that's a possibility for ANY of these top SCAC teams !

And you're absolutely right about Frank Ezelle.  Those pictures on the Clarion Ledger web site are awesome, and I agree - the two-handed facemask penalty is almost as good as the guy with his helmet turned backwards!

One more thing about Frank - he's been giving this kind of support for a LONG TIME!  You won't find that kind of dedication from many people in many places.

[rooski]

From a Roo's dad standpoint, while there is certainly no shame in losing to the Millsaps Majors and the Centre Colonels, there is great disappointment. The team has gotten so much better, yet again starts conference with an 0-2 record. So those of you with wins on the board - take heart. Our boys have played as hard as the rest, but...

Hats off to Centre College for the improvements made to their facilities. It came into play big time this weekend. Without them the game Saturday would have been played in some serious daytime rain on a rather poor natural turf {if my memory from 2 years ago is correct}. But because of the lights and the artificial turf the game could be played at night when the rain had stopped and the weather and the field were a non-factor.

Friends this game came down to the final play. Down by 7 a "hail Mary" landed in the end zone just beyond the deepest AC receiver as time ran out. But just like last week - close means we didn't win the game. Very impressed by the Centre team but I feel bad for the Roos. Oh well.

My take on the Colonels just based on this weekends game: Centre is a very spirited group that plays like a unit on both the "O" and "D". A very talented offense executed a balanced attack {39 runs, 38 passes} to near perfection. Their "glitch" Saturday was turnovers. Pinque and Osterman are good football players! The defense held AC to 5 "3 and out" possesions. That was a key to the game. They were disciplined in their approach to our running game, preventing Hasten and Braly from ever getting untracked.

I can picture them going undefeated. Eliminate T/O's and make the field goals and they will be very very hard to beat.

[frank_ezelle]

Too many nice words about this Frank guy--but it is all appreciated.  Regarding the photos on the Clarion-Ledger site, those were all taken by Vicki King of the Clarion-Ledger.  I have admired her work for quite some time and always feel like I learn something by looking at her photos of an event that I'm also covering.

As for the Trinity offense, they were hampered all day by starting field position and I see that Millsaps punter William Lawrimore was named SCAC Special Teams POTW for keeping Trinity pinned back all day.  It is really hard for a team to get any continuity going when they start so deep, so often.  Especially when going with 2 QBs.  And when you do have to drive 90+ yards, there are a lot of chances for a defense to make a play such as the 3 interceptions made by Kevin Peters, this week's SCAC Defensive POTW.

Also regarding the Trinity offense, let's keep in mind that this was Trinity's 4th straight road game.  It's hard for me to believe that Trinity was at their absolute best after being on the road all of September.  I'm not taking anything away from Millsaps, or making excuses for Trinity, just pointing out the reality of the schedule.  Trinity is at home for the next three weeks (BSC, bye week, Sewanee) before going to Greencastle on October 24 and I suspect they will get a lot of things ironed out before meeting DePauw.

Regarding the Millsaps O-line, it's nice when guys like senior John Shivers (6'2, 275) and junior Adam Williams (6'4", 255) are the smaller guys on the line.  Against Trinity the other 3 spots were filled by sophomore Oliver Galicki (6'3", 310) and freshmen Deauntay Payne (6'2", 325) and Nathan Quick (6'5", 290).  I don't know if all of those roster heights and weights are 100% accurate, but it's a big wall of beef for sure.  Size like that on the O-line is one of the ingredients Millsaps needs to compete at the highest level.

Millsaps is going to get better.  I believe this team will be just as good as the Millsaps team of 2008 by the time they play their final regular season game against Birmingham Southern.  I suspect the team believes they will be better than the 2008 team by that time--that's certainly what they are shooting for every day in practice.  The big question is whether this team is good enough right now to go on the road to Greencastle and come home with a victory.  With DePauw having their backs to the wall, Millsaps will have to play very well to get the win.  It should be very interesting.

[frank_ezelle]

Before going on to other activities this evening, like working on photos, may I highly recommend that you read Keith McMillan's recent article "Courage Bowl About More Than Football".  You'll be glad you took a few minutes to read this story:

Link:  http://www.d3football.com/columns/around-the-nation/2009-09-24/Courage+Bowl+about+more+than+football

[etg]

(El Tea Gray--re: D3 Poll for Week 4)


I can't begin to count the number of times that I've been thru this "gut-it-out routine" with the Trinity Tigers (since 1963); however, there are already 7 teams in the top 25 with one or more losses. Believe me this is NOT towel throwing time. The Tigers don't have a Burton or a Hampton (and haven't for a while), but one of these current QB's will pick up this team and carry it on his back. Those are just the kind of young men that Trinity ALWAYS will have.  Go Tigers Go, 9-1.

                                                                             

[Tex]

"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.

Well, no matter how you cut it, the score was close thru 3 Q's.  

On those TD's called back, the holds were called at the point of attack and had their not been in holding, likely not a touchdown either.  Just my two cents, zoomed in with my telephoto on this stuff the entire game.  

My point was our D bent but did not break for three quarters.  7-0 at the half was a huge deal to me the way our Offense wasn't cutting it.  If our offense does its part, TU is in that game and positioned to win it.  

Heck, if my defense can keep the other team to 14 points in three quarters, I expect to win that game.  THe TU D was on the field all day and finally wore down in the 4th.  

I agree, Millsaps definitely put up lots of yards.  Kudos to them, they won the day.  I won't try and belittle their win.  It was their day.  Enjoy it guys.  

[Tex]

(El Tea Gray--re: D3 Poll for Week 4)


I can't begin to count the number of times that I've been thru this "gut-it-out routine" with the Trinity Tigers (since 1963); however, there are already 7 teams in the top 25 with one or more losses. Believe me this is NOT towel throwing time. The Tigers don't have a Burton or a Hampton (and haven't for a while), but one of these current QB's will pick up this team and carry it on his back. Those are just the kind of young men that Trinity ALWAYS will have.  Go Tigers Go, 9-1.

                                                                             

Damn Earl, thanks for the shot of kool-aid!  I needed it.  I've not been following the Tigers for more than 3 years, but I have a lot of faith in them.  9-1, let's do it.

Honestly guys, I really love this message board during football season.  Good opinions and insights and all manage to keep it respectful.  I appreciate that tremendously!  And all of you as well. 

[millsaps mom]

 

Tigerdad, thanks for the compliments about my son.  I also thought he did great, but being the humble child he is, he didn't think so.  This game is the first I have seen in his career that someone called for a fair catch. That shows me that he's getting the hang time needed for coverage.

And son, since you are reading this, we (me and Major Dad), are very proud of you for everything you do, on and off the field.

[TigerDad]

Honestly guys, I really love this message board during football season.

I'd suggest a group hug, but my arms are not near long enough to hug you, Tex ... much less all the others here who share our D3 & SCAC appreciation.  Pat, you in?

[frank_ezelle]

I'm going to pass on that group hug even though I very much appreciate the message board year round.

Regarding DePauw University, I'm under the impression that there is absolutely, positively no way that any game on the football schedule can be bigger than the Monon Bell game against Wabash at the end of the season.  So while this week's game with Millsaps might not be the biggest game of the year for DePauw, it has to be awfully close.

DePauw came into this season viewed by many as the favorite to win the SCAC.  Trinity and Millsaps had graduated talented QBs, DePauw had a record breaking QB returning for his senior year.  Likewise, Trinity and Millsaps lost a lot of other starters to graduation while DePauw returned just about everyone.  Furthermore, DePauw had home field advantage over the 3 teams seen as the top contenders for the title.  The year was set up perfect for a SCAC Championship and a spot in the NCAA Playoffs.

Now those dreams will vanish if DePauw loses against Millsaps this weekend.  A season with such promise could become a disappointment only halfway through the schedule.

That's the reality staring the DePauw team in the face.  Giving the situation, and considering that they will have a Homecoming crowd for support, I suspect the DePauw players will give the type of monumental effort that they showed at the end of 2008 when they beat #3 Wabash on the road by a score of 36-14, a game where DePauw held a 30-0 lead midway through the 3rd quarter.

While I personally have faith that Millsaps can go on the road and get this victory, something tells me that it will take the absolute best effort of the season for Millsaps to get this win.  They can't start slow and play from behind like what happened at Austin, and they can't let up if they are fortunate enough to build a decent lead.  This game is going to be a battle, well worth watching if you are a football fan.  I sure hope the internet service is such that the Millsaps crew can do both video and audio this week--I definitely will be tuned in from start to finish.

[DPU3619]

That's the thing, though.  We've all been waiting to get a Monon-esque effort from this football team in a game that isn't Monon.  We could have used the type of effort we got in the '07 Bell game the next year at Trinity or at Millsaps.  Instead, they gave Trinity 486 yards and 45 points.  They also gave Millsaps 590 yards and 55 points.

Heck, even though DePauw didn't win the 2006 Bell game they gave a pretty good effort.  Could have used that the next year against Trinity & Millsaps.  Instead, DePauw turned it over 4 times and lost at Trinity.  They gave Juan Joseph 475 passing yards and 5 TD's in Greencastle.  Could have used the effort from the '04 Bell game in '05 against Wesley.  Didn't get it.  That's a different coaching staff, but you get the point.  That effort just hasn't transferred to conference games.  We'll see where we are on Saturday.  The offensive effort the last two weeks is causing me to do a little hand-wringing - I know that much.

[frank_ezelle]

That's the thing, though.  We've all been waiting to get a Monon-esque effort from this football team in a game that isn't Monon.  We could have used the type of effort we got in the '07 Bell game the next year at Trinity or at Millsaps.  Instead, they gave Trinity 486 yards and 45 points.  They also gave Millsaps 590 yards and 55 points.

Heck, even though DePauw didn't win the 2006 Bell game they gave a pretty good effort.  Could have used that the next year against Trinity & Millsaps.  Instead, DePauw turned it over 4 times and lost at Trinity.  They gave Juan Joseph 475 passing yards and 5 TD's in Greencastle.  Could have used the effort from the '04 Bell game in '05 against Wesley.  Didn't get it.  That's a different coaching staff, but you get the point.  That effort just hasn't transferred to conference games.  We'll see where we are on Saturday.  The offensive effort the last two weeks is causing me to do a little hand-wringing - I know that much.

Wes, there is something about a rivalry game at the end of the season that is impossible to replicate in any other game.  Around here it is Ole Miss vs. MS State, Alabama vs. Auburn, Georgia vs Georgia Tech, etc.  Not a lot of D3 schools have such a rivalry like the one between DePauw and Wabash.  I wonder if having such a big game at the end of the schedule does actually make it more difficult to give it your best throughout the season.  For example, with Millsaps it is a case of win the SCAC or else.  With DePauw, if they don't win the SCAC then there's always the Monon Bell game as a second opportunity for a successful campaign.

That being said, I still think DePauw will play very well this Saturday.  The Sewanee game in a mud bowl isn't much of an indicator about the Tigers, especially if the DePauw players were licking their wounds from the Centre game and looking ahead to the Millsaps game.  Things can change a lot from week to week in this league.  The results of the Millsaps at Austin and Trinity at Rhodes games certainly weren't a good forecast for how Millsaps and Trinity would match up the following week. 

Maybe I should add that I also expect Millsaps to play very well this week.  Start with the simple fact that this game is very important to Millsaps.  Win it and they control their NCAA Playoffs destiny.  Lose this game and you open the door for a 3-way tie between DePauw, Centre and Millsaps and who knows how that tiebreaker would work.  Add in the emotional factor of wanting to win as a way of supporting Coach DuBose and his wife Polly as they deal with her medical issues.  Then throw in the emotional factor of team co-captain Lee Klein being lost with a knee injury on the first play of the Trinity game. 

It's going to be two outstanding teams with each giving an outstanding effort.  It's going to be a big crowd thanks to this being Old Gold Weekend.  It's going to be a great place to be for small college football.