Looking back: It was a three-team race in the NJAC in 2010, as three teams; Cortland State, Montclair State, and Rowan, shared the league title, with that trio finishing conference play at 8-1. Cortland won the tiebreaker to take the automatic bid to the NCAA Division III playoffs, while Montclair took an at-large bid. Rowan was on the outside looking in for postseason play despite a 9-1 finish, as the Profs were passed over for an ECAC bowl bid.
Looking ahead: It'll be interesting to see if any of the other seven teams in the NJAC can break the three-team stranglehold of Cortland State, Montclair State, and Rowan in 2011.
Website: http://www.njacsports.com
Predicted order of finish (2010 overall record in parentheses)
1. Cortland State (10-2): Head Coach Dan MacNeill enters his 15th season at the Red Dragons helm with a career record of 97-52 (.651). He needs just three wins to join the 100-win club. His 2010 squad reached the second round of the D-III playoffs, losing to Alfred, 34-20.
2. Montclair State (10-2): The Red Hawks also advanced to round two of the D-III playoffs, falling to eventual national semifinalist Wesley, 44-7. Head Coach Rick Giancola, who is beginning his 29th season as Montclair's head coach, joined the 200-win club during the 2010 season, as he has a career record of 201-89-2 (.691) entering the 2011 season.
3. Rowan (9-1): Had it not been for an early-season loss to Montclair, the Profs not only would have gone undefeated, they also could have won the NJAC title outright. Don't be surprised if they use that lone loss as motivation for the 2011 season, as they play host to Montclair on November 5. Oh, and the Profs also play host to Cortland on September 24.
4. Kean (5-5): After finishing 9-2 in 2009, the Cougars hope to bounce back after slipping back into the middle of the pack in 2010.
5. New Jersey (5-5): Head Coach Eric Hamilton is another member of the 200-win club, joining Montclair State head coach Rick Giancola. He begins his 35th season at TCNJ with a career record of 201-135-6.
6. Buffalo State (4-6): The Bengals haven't had a winning season since 2000 (7-4).
7. William Paterson (4-6): The Pioneers were 4-1 coming out of the gate to start 2010, but an upset loss to Brockport State started a season-ending five-game freefall. They were held to under 10 points in their three of those final five games.
8. Brockport State (2-8): The win over William Paterson was one of the few bright spots in an otherwise forgettable season for the Golden Eagles. Head Coach Rocco Salomone is just six wins away from joining the 100-win club. His career record coming into the 2011 season is 94-69-1.
9. Morrisville State (2-8): The Mustangs are also put 2010 in the rear-view mirror.
10. Western Connecticut State (0-10): The Colonials last win came on November 7, 2009, the last game of that season.
5 years ago
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