FB: Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference

[Ralph Turner]

Personally, there is one big game left in the SCAC and that is Austin College at Trinity next week.  This could be the year! 

Sign of the end times...

Dallas Cowboys in last place;
Texas Rangers (Senators)  beat the New York Yankees to win the AL Pennant;
Baylor Bears beating Texas and sitting higher in the standings of the Big XII South...

Who knows?  Austin College might be beat Trinity for the first time since 1993.

[historymajor]

The Trinity-Austin College gametime for Saturday's Senior Day at TU has been changed to a 1PM CST start.

[roocru]

Game time for the AC vs Trinity game has been changed from 1:30 to 1:00.  Other events on campus (Trinity is hosting soccer playoffs) prompted Trinity to ask for earlier start and AC agreed.

[Frank Rossi]

We've got Regional Rankings... Final time for the season that we'll see them:

http://d3blogs.com/d3football/2010/11/10/ncaas-third-regional-rankings/

[Ron Boerger]

We've got Regional Rankings... Final time for the season that we'll see them:

http://d3blogs.com/d3football/2010/11/10/ncaas-third-regional-rankings/

Looking good for a DPU home playoff game with a W on Saturday ...

[Tacttm1]

The end of the season is literally around the corner......I'll share a few thoughts at the closing of many athletic careers:

To All:  In these rapidly waning days of  the 2010 Football season, I have found myself a bit more reserved when the 'football topic' comes up in conversation with friends and co-workers.  This is a conscious decision, one made out of recognition and respect for many.  Whom, you may ask, are the 'many'?

The 'many' include all of the athletes that are preparing to suit up for their last real competitive football game.  The seniors, who have shed their sweat since childhood, learning and playing a game they have grown to love.  All of the players who waited nervously by a bulletin board in a school locker room or clubhouse to see if their name was listed a member of the team or if they would have to wait just one more season to pursue their passion.  Young men that struggled with the demands of sports, academics and personal lives; who learned to incorporate a girlfriend into the demands of time and who often pushed parents or step-parents away as they sought that elusive life-balance.  Athletes who sought sleep with the burden of an important reception dropped or field goal pushed wide, of a fumble made or a tackle missed, of opportunities squandered or energies misspent.  The same athletes who greet the new morning with the knowledge that they have been given one more chance at gridiron redemption, one more chance to enter the arena and 'get in the game.'  To those athletes who are preparing for that final chance, I give my appreciation and my respect.

The 'many' also includes the parents, step-parents, guardians and mentors of the athletes.  What emotions you must have as you near the culmination of your young man's sports career.  The memories of an early morning or late evening drive to the practice field, the extra 'reps' at home, the breathless anticipation of watching a boy enter his first huddle and the all-encompassing pride as four, eight, ten or even fifteen years later they clap hands one final time and emerge from that huddle, seemingly suddenly, a man.  How much love and pride expressed by a nod, a handshake, a hug, a kiss or a tear-filled gaze cast across a cinder track as easily as a dining room table have you freely given?  Miles of travel, hours in booster club activities, bank accounts full of fees, uniforms, cleats, camps, doctors' bills and awards banquets with nothing asked in return; no quid pro quo for victories or recognition, only enjoyment as its' own reward.  I give my respect and admiration to all of you for the years of faithful, selfless commitment.

'Many' includes the coaches; men and women who have devoted so much of their lives to forming our children, not just as athletes, but as people.  Coaches who were workmen or lawyers during the day, but put the whistle around their neck and became a teacher in the afternoon.  What did they ask in return for deciding a little league roster, nurturing the stars while not discouraging those who were less gifted, comforting children through their first experience of losing?  I dare suggest not much was asked in return other than effort and passion.  For those long hours, moments of impact, mounting responsibilities and helping make the parents work easier, I offer my respect.

Finally, to the 'many' fans who have offered their support to those players closing this one chapter of their young lives.  On their behalf, thank you for cheering when they entered the field, hobbled up from an injury or pranced away victorious.  Thank you for your silence when mistakes were made, games were lost and tears flowed.  Thank you for sharing winning seasons, losing streaks, cold rainy nights, games played under diminishing light, our sons' achievements, defeats, failures, coaching changes, injuries, passionate play and helping us realize there is always another day, another game, another season.

Except sometimes, there just isn't.



My thoughts and prayers will be with all of you throughout this final week for safe travels, an injury-free game day and joy-filled, peaceful lives.

[D3_DPUFan]

The end of the season is literally around the corner......I'll share a few thoughts at the closing of many athletic careers:

To All:  In these rapidly waning days of  the 2010 Football season, I have found myself a bit more reserved when the 'football topic' comes up in conversation with friends and co-workers.  This is a conscious decision, one made out of recognition and respect for many.  Whom, you may ask, are the 'many'?

The 'many' include all of the athletes that are preparing to suit up for their last real competitive football game.  The seniors, who have shed their sweat since childhood, learning and playing a game they have grown to love.  All of the players who waited nervously by a bulletin board in a school locker room or clubhouse to see if their name was listed a member of the team or if they would have to wait just one more season to pursue their passion.  Young men that struggled with the demands of sports, academics and personal lives; who learned to incorporate a girlfriend into the demands of time and who often pushed parents or step-parents away as they sought that elusive life-balance.  Athletes who sought sleep with the burden of an important reception dropped or field goal pushed wide, of a fumble made or a tackle missed, of opportunities squandered or energies misspent.  The same athletes who greet the new morning with the knowledge that they have been given one more chance at gridiron redemption, one more chance to enter the arena and 'get in the game.'  To those athletes who are preparing for that final chance, I give my appreciation and my respect.

The 'many' also includes the parents, step-parents, guardians and mentors of the athletes.  What emotions you must have as you near the culmination of your young man's sports career.  The memories of an early morning or late evening drive to the practice field, the extra 'reps' at home, the breathless anticipation of watching a boy enter his first huddle and the all-encompassing pride as four, eight, ten or even fifteen years later they clap hands one final time and emerge from that huddle, seemingly suddenly, a man.  How much love and pride expressed by a nod, a handshake, a hug, a kiss or a tear-filled gaze cast across a cinder track as easily as a dining room table have you freely given?  Miles of travel, hours in booster club activities, bank accounts full of fees, uniforms, cleats, camps, doctors' bills and awards banquets with nothing asked in return; no quid pro quo for victories or recognition, only enjoyment as its' own reward.  I give my respect and admiration to all of you for the years of faithful, selfless commitment.

'Many' includes the coaches; men and women who have devoted so much of their lives to forming our children, not just as athletes, but as people.  Coaches who were workmen or lawyers during the day, but put the whistle around their neck and became a teacher in the afternoon.  What did they ask in return for deciding a little league roster, nurturing the stars while not discouraging those who were less gifted, comforting children through their first experience of losing?  I dare suggest not much was asked in return other than effort and passion.  For those long hours, moments of impact, mounting responsibilities and helping make the parents work easier, I offer my respect.

Finally, to the 'many' fans who have offered their support to those players closing this one chapter of their young lives.  On their behalf, thank you for cheering when they entered the field, hobbled up from an injury or pranced away victorious.  Thank you for your silence when mistakes were made, games were lost and tears flowed.  Thank you for sharing winning seasons, losing streaks, cold rainy nights, games played under diminishing light, our sons' achievements, defeats, failures, coaching changes, injuries, passionate play and helping us realize there is always another day, another game, another season.

Except sometimes, there just isn't.



My thoughts and prayers will be with all of you throughout this final week for safe travels, an injury-free game day and joy-filled, peaceful lives.

Thank you for writing and posting this. Very appropriate for lots of parents and student-athletes this time of year. Very nice.   

[Tacttm1]

Thanks, feel free to share.

It has been a great ride and I hope Millsaps can close out it out with a win at Birmingham! 

[wabashcpa]

We've got Regional Rankings... Final time for the season that we'll see them:

http://d3blogs.com/d3football/2010/11/10/ncaas-third-regional-rankings/

Looking good for a DPU home playoff game with a W on Saturday ...

Maybe not so much right now.

Wabash 47
DePauw 0

This was a highly forgettable effort for the Indiana Tigers.

[frank_ezelle]

Millsaps got off to a slow start as BSC picked off 3 passes in the first half, but Bowser rushed for over 200 yards and 2 TDs and Millsaps took the road victory 28-17.  The big game easily put Bowser over 1,000 yards rushing for the season and I believe he also was over 500 yards in receiving this season. 

[Ron Boerger]

Trinity gets out to a big lead and it's a good thing as AC scores the last three touchdowns, the final one with no time remaining. Two point conversion makes the final score Trinity 28, Austin 24. 

[TigerDad]

Congratulations to the Trinity Tigers, especially the seniors, for finishing the season with a convincing win over Austin College in S.A.  Not as close as the score indicates as the Roos score in the closing minutes to bring it to 28-24.  Big thanks to Bob and Bill for bringing the webcast to all of us watching online from home.  Kudos to the Tiger seniors for defending the home turf one last time.  Go Tigers!

[DPU3619]

DePauw has made a nasty habit of having to go back to the drawing board before this playoff game.  You really don't like having to do that when you're going to face the best team you'll play all year. 

The scheme stuff will probably work itself out, but the hard part is having to build the confidence back in your players.  This is a little different than last year, too, because DePauw was actually in that game.  Yesterday's game was over before it kicked off.  Took 'em out behind the woodshed.  I kinda wanted to find something positive that happened yesterday that they can build on, but I really couldn't.  Did not do one single thing well yesterday.  95 total yards.  25 rushes for 11 yards.  I could go on, but I wont.

It obviously depends on the draw, but this team has to focus on what they are doing and not let that disaster that happened yesterday get in their heads.  It's easy to have a short memory about losses, but it's really hard to have a short memory about getting killed by your rival in a game that you were probably expected to win.  That's not an easy thing to do.

[Ron Boerger]

Wow, Wes, despite yesterday's meltdown of nuclear proportions, you get a home game with Trine.  Hope your guys can get their "A" game going again (and I'm not trying to be snarky).  

[wabashcpa]

Good luck to DePauw against Trine - time to put yesterday in the rear view and get ready for Saturday.  There shouldn't be any concerns regarding overconfidence, that's for sure.  But hey, at least you're still playing!