FB: Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference

[Inkblot]

I've been watching old episodes of To Tell the Truth and just ran across one from 1961 featuring Rose Polytechnic Institute's football coach. The team had only 15 players and had just gone 0-8 while being outscored 515 to 6. Video link

[FCGrizzliesGrad]

If you like defense, don't watch Franklin. After the 1st quarter it's Aurora 28-14. They've combined for 485 yards of offense. Aurora has 258 yards rushing and had 304 total while Franklin has contributed 181 yards.

MSJ leads Hiram 42-14 at half
Anderson trails DePauw 44-0 at half
Defiance leads Adrian 14-10 late in the 2nd quarter

[FCGrizzliesGrad]

Franklin is making a comeback, Aurora's lead is down to just 5. It's 35-30 with 11 minutes left.


MSJ has won 62-21 over Hiram
Defiance outscored Adrian 20-0 in the 2nd half and win 34-17
Anderson loses 68-19 to DePauw.

[FCGrizzliesGrad]

Franklin had the ball with a chance to take the lead but a strip sack recovered by Aurora led to a FG. Spartans later got another TD. Franklin drove down into the red zone in the final minute but an interception in the end zone finishes it. 45-30 final score. 1109 yards of offense between the two teams today, 616 for Aurora and 493 for Franklin.

Manchester is down 22-0 to Alma late in the 1st quarter

[FCGrizzliesGrad]

The conference is 6-9 with 9 non-conference games left. Last time the conference managed 7 wins was in 2009. Last time the conference won at least 40% (as they have so far) was 2008.
Now if Anderson and Manchester could improve like Defiance has, the HCAC might not be a bottom 5 conference. We were ranked 25th of 27 last year

[dc_has_been]

MSJ looks for real, DC and RHIT picked up some big wins for the conference this weekend.
Hoping we can win at least two more to exceed 2009, and I feel there are several toss ups this upcoming Saturday.

[FCGrizzliesGrad]

It's MIAA challenge week. 7 games against our northern neighbors plus a UMAC matchup.

Favorite
Mount St Joseph was the lone win last year beaingt Hope by 5 and I'd peg them as a slight favorite this year. I'm expecting a high scoring game decided by 10 or less.

Coin Flip
Hanover travels to Olivet where they lost by 3 last year. Panthers have had a week off to prepare. I think it will be close but if I had to pick I think I'd take Hanover.
Defiance is in Kalamazoo who beat them last year by 19. After an impressive win last week, they have a decent chance at going into conference play with a winning record.

Underdog
Rose-Hulman has split a challenging first two weeks. They have another test at Albion. They lost by 32 last year, I expect a much closer battle this year.
Franklin heads to Trine where they lost by 34 last year. I think they'll keep it close for the first 2-3 quarters but Trine should be able to hold them off.
Bluffton visits Adrian who won last year by 35. I think the scoreline will be closer but I think Adrian should be able to win again.
Manchester is the lone team not playing the MIAA. They host Greenville who won by 27 last year. I think the Spartans will finally get on the scoreboard but might be tough to get a win.

No chance
Anderson gets the worst matchup of the day heading to Alma. They lost by 38 last year and if they hold the Scots to under 50 points that will be a success.


I know better than to have optimism, but I'll predict 3 wins this week. I apologize in advance if the conference now goes 0-8 today.

[FCGrizzliesGrad]

Rose really need to figure out the 2nd half. In 3 games they've scored 27 points in the 1st quarter and 37 in the 2nd quarter, but just 6 points in the 3rd and nothing in the 4th. They were down just 1 at halftime but lose 48-19.

Three good games right now, Defiance tied 35-35 in the 4th quarter, MSJ up 35-34 in the 4th, Franklin tied 37-37 in the 3rd.
Hanover is destroying Olivet 61-17 in the 4th.
Manchester down 42-7 at halftime.

[FCGrizzliesGrad]

Hope up 40-35, MSJ driving down. 4th and 2 with 9 seconds left at the Hope 10. The snap was fumbled and Hope holds on.
Kalamazoo just scored to take a 42-35 lead on Defiance with 2:16 left. Yellow Jackets have 1st down at midfield with 44 seconds left and one timeout.
Franklin tied at 37 with Trine early in the 4th. Having video issues in Angola.
Hanover wins 67-17 over Olivet.

[FCGrizzliesGrad]

Defiance appears to get a TD on the final play but the ref rules him out of bounds. Not sure I agree with that call. Got both feet in I believe (certainly the first foot was) and it was a bit of a fight for the ball between the receiver and defender. I'll be interested to hear dc's comments on it.

Trine has scored a couple times to put Franklin down 37-51 with under 12 minutes left. They've combined for over 1000 yards now.

Manchester loses 59-7. At least they've scored this season.

[FCGrizzliesGrad]

Franklin falls 58-43 which is scorigami

Bluffton is down 23-7 to Adrian at halftime
Anderson trails 36-14 early in the 2nd

[FCGrizzliesGrad]

Bluffton had a chance late, down 23-15 they had the ball in the final minute but a fumble recovered by Adrian ends their chances. Lots of close but no cigar moments for the HCAC today.

And the last game of the day Anderson trails Alma 50-14 at halftime.

[monsoon]

Thanks for the updates, FC!

[dc_has_been]

Agreed, thanks for the updates, FCGrizz!

I was disappointed with the call at the end of the DC game. Saw a still shot of catch and there was control and inbounds. Regardless, it's D3 with no reviews, so you go with what was called. Additionally, you can't lose the turnover battle as well as have 15-2 penalty disparity and expect to win.
Hopefully, they learn from it and rebound in conference play! 

[FCGrizzliesGrad]

With just Hanover-Trine left in the non-conference, the conference is 7-16. It will be the best win percentage since 2019 when the conference went 6-12 (and before that was 2010 which was also 6-12). Seven wins matches the best win total since 2009.

Should be a pretty good game Saturday in the Panthers home opener.