FB: Southern Athletic Association

[BerryCollegeFan]

That said, Huntingdon will always be a great matchup for the SAA in the first round. They are a competitive team but a good Hendrix or Berry squad (I limit it to these two schools because of NCAA seeding likelihood - Centre and Trinity won't be going to bama in the playoffs typically) can go toe to toe with them, especially as the programs grow. We were tied at halftime and hung around for a decent bit. Coach Buck described that game as "one we probably shouldn't have won, but one we coulda won..."

I think a Huntingdon-SAA matchup provides for an exciting, regional game. Hoping for one this weekend!

I haven't looked at the past SAA first round match-ups, I would think that several of them would have been against USAC teams or maybe ASC

[albatross]

That said, Huntingdon will always be a great matchup for the SAA in the first round. They are a competitive team but a good Hendrix or Berry squad (I limit it to these two schools because of NCAA seeding likelihood - Centre and Trinity won't be going to bama in the playoffs typically) can go toe to toe with them, especially as the programs grow. We were tied at halftime and hung around for a decent bit. Coach Buck described that game as "one we probably shouldn't have won, but one we coulda won..."

I think a Huntingdon-SAA matchup provides for an exciting, regional game. Hoping for one this weekend!

I haven't looked at the past SAA first round match-ups, I would think that several of them would have been against USAC teams or maybe ASC

The SAA is a new conference so it doesn't have a huge playoff history to thumb through. Centre and Wash U have been bused to midwestern colleges and Berry/Hendrix have drawn Huntingdon (which for Hendrix means escaping a first round Texas game...).

We are still looking for that elusive first playoff win as a conference, and Berry looks poised to give us a good showing...

[BerryViking92]

So I know that Berry and Huntington have had scrimmaged (prior to the first official game) for the past couple of years.  I am not sure if they played an actual game, or if the scrimmage was more situational.  Anybody have any intel?

[BerryViking92]

Hi Berry fans-

Just some thoughts from a Mount Union alumnus, albeit an old one (class of 1957).
Don't get too impatient about tearing up Dlll. The Purple Raiders started football in 1893. They won their first conference championship in 1985 and, therefore, their first playoff appearance. First national title didn't come until 1993. You won your conference in 5 years. Seems pretty good to me.
Ah, but I ramble. Hope this made some sense.
Good luck in the playoffs. Look forward to hearing more about Berry!

Good luck to you, but I don't think that you need it!

[albatross]

So I know that Berry and Huntington have had scrimmaged (prior to the first official game) for the past couple of years.  I am not sure if they played an actual game, or if the scrimmage was more situational.  Anybody have any intel?

Those can go any sort of way. Hendrix and Louisiana College try to scrimmage before the first game, too. Scrimmages aren't allowed to be publicized in any way per NCAA rules, so it's hard to get firsthand info on them unless you're a parent, for example.

Sometimes scrimmages are situational or they play a quarter or so, which you know already. I would imagine that Berry probably had a good showing in the scrimmage considering their strong performance at the beginning of the year and Huntingdon's slow start (see: 45-38 score against Birmingham Southern)...

[Hawks88]

So I know that Berry and Huntington have had scrimmaged (prior to the first official game) for the past couple of years.  I am not sure if they played an actual game, or if the scrimmage was more situational.  Anybody have any intel?

Those can go any sort of way. Hendrix and Louisiana College try to scrimmage before the first game, too. Scrimmages aren't allowed to be publicized in any way per NCAA rules, so it's hard to get firsthand info on them unless you're a parent, for example.

Sometimes scrimmages are situational or they play a quarter or so, which you know already. I would imagine that Berry probably had a good showing in the scrimmage considering their strong performance at the beginning of the year and Huntingdon's slow start (see: 45-38 score against Birmingham Southern)...

The scrimmage was mostly situational and Albatross is correct in his assumption that Berry had the better showing. It was not an encouraging evening for the Huntingdon side though we did have several defensive starters held out for precationary measures. HC has come a long way since then and is definitely not the same team as that night or the first couple of regular season games. I think the outcome would be much different if we were to play BSC again.
I think Saturday will be a tight game between pretty evenly matched teams.

[Ron Boerger]

Berry is featured in this week's Around the South.   I think this is the last one for the season, so enjoy.

[BerryCollegeFan]

So I know that Berry and Huntington have had scrimmaged (prior to the first official game) for the past couple of years.  I am not sure if they played an actual game, or if the scrimmage was more situational.  Anybody have any intel?

Those can go any sort of way. Hendrix and Louisiana College try to scrimmage before the first game, too. Scrimmages aren't allowed to be publicized in any way per NCAA rules, so it's hard to get firsthand info on them unless you're a parent, for example.

Sometimes scrimmages are situational or they play a quarter or so, which you know already. I would imagine that Berry probably had a good showing in the scrimmage considering their strong performance at the beginning of the year and Huntingdon's slow start (see: 45-38 score against Birmingham Southern)...

The scrimmage was mostly situational and Albatross is correct in his assumption that Berry had the better showing. It was not an encouraging evening for the Huntingdon side though we did have several defensive starters held out for precationary measures. HC has come a long way since then and is definitely not the same team as that night or the first couple of regular season games. I think the outcome would be much different if we were to play BSC again.
I think Saturday will be a tight game between pretty evenly matched teams.

I wasn't there this year, but was in the past and the coaches definitely have particular goals in mind;  playing certain player groups, trying new formations or plays, etc.  And they also spend some time getting a look at the new players on the roster.  Usually its 10-12 plays then switch.  They usually run sets from midfield, quarter field, goal line, etc.

[BerryCollegeFan]

Berry is featured in this week's Around the South.   I think this is the last one for the season, so enjoy.

thanks for the link.  I love #9s attitude. 

[Ron Boerger]

Congrats to Berry for securing the first playoff win in SAA conference history today!

[BerryCollegeFan]

 
The team is excited to be in the second round.

St Thomas will be a new challenge for sure!

[BerryViking92]

Hats off to Huntington.  You don't win nine games in a row nor win your conference three (I think ) years in a row without being well coached, have lots a talent and be an all around strong program.  I was also impressed with the crowd they brought to Rome, and by their band.  Class act all the way around.

I am a proud Berry alum.  The game was not always pretty (defense bailed out special teams and the offense in the 2nd half), but we looked really good at times (4th quarter defense, 2nd quarter offense).  But 11-0 is very, very impressive and special.  Can't make the journey to up north, but will be listening online.  Hoping the Vikings get it some good practice in the meantime, and clean up a few things.

[Ron Boerger]

St Thomas is on a whole different level than any team Berry has faced in its young history - a consistent top 5 squad that loves to beat the c**p out of lesser opponents (cumulative score in last five games including the 47-8 victory in round 1:  344-28).   That and the cold will present stiff challenges this weekend.     From the Tommies' web site:

St. Thomas improved to 17-2 at home in eight NCAA playoff appearances under Caruso. The last nine Tommie teams have reached the Stagg Bowl championship game twice; the national semifinals one other time; the quarterfinal round three other times; and had one first-round road loss in 2014 at Wartburg, 37-31.

The Toms' only home loss in their last 24 on-campus games was 34-31 to UW-Oshkosh last December in the Division III quarterfinals.

Wishing the Vikings all the best this week.

[Ron Boerger]

Early forecast for Saturday:  dry, temps in the low 30s at gametime with with 15-mph winds out of the NW.

https://www.wunderground.com/forecast/us/mn/55105---saint-paul/55105?cm_ven=localwx_10day

[BerryViking92]

St Thomas is on a whole different level than any team Berry has faced in its young history - a consistent top 5 squad that loves to beat the c**p out of lesser opponents (cumulative score in last five games including the 47-8 victory in round 1:  344-28).   That and the cold will present stiff challenges this weekend.     From the Tommies' web site:

St. Thomas improved to 17-2 at home in eight NCAA playoff appearances under Caruso. The last nine Tommie teams have reached the Stagg Bowl championship game twice; the national semifinals one other time; the quarterfinal round three other times; and had one first-round road loss in 2014 at Wartburg, 37-31.

The Toms' only home loss in their last 24 on-campus games was 34-31 to UW-Oshkosh last December in the Division III quarterfinals.

No doubt.  We will be underdogs and have a tall task ahead.  I am ok with being the underdog. We might lose by 40, but I believe the coaches will have the guys ready.

Wishing the Vikings all the best this week.