RFC Summer Semester--USA South Athletic Conference Preview (USAC)--(NCAA Division III)

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2011 Final Standings

Looking back: Christopher Newport advanced to the NCAA Division III playoffs for the eighth time in the program's 11-year history in 2011, as the Captains posted their second-ever undefeated season (7-0) in USAC play.  Still, Kean sent CNU packing in the first round of the D-III dance, losing 34-10.

Looking ahead: Changes are on the way in the USAC, for 2012 and beyond.  LaGrange College from Georgia, and Maryville College from Tennessee will join the fold this season, while Shenandoah has left the USAC for the Old Dominion Athletic Conference.   Also, Huntingdon College from Montgomery, Alabama will join the conference. effective in 2013.

Additionally, Christopher Newport will join the Capital Athletic Conference in 2013 as a full member.  However, the Captains are expected to remain a football-only member of the USAC until at least the 2015 season.  In other words, don't be surprised if CNU joins forces with schools such as Frostburg State, Salisbury, Stevenson, and Wesley to form a new football league under the Capital Athletic Conference umbrella by at least 2016.

2012 Predicted Order of Finish (2011 overall record in parentheses)

1. Christopher Newport (8-3):  Head Coach Matt Kelchner enters his 12th season of leading the Captains onto the field.  He enters the 2012 season with a career record of 76-40 (.655).  Speaking of which, the first three games of this year will provide numerous tests for CNU, with the Captains squaring off against D-III playoff quarterfinalist Salisbury, as well as defending ODAC champion Hampden-Sydney to open the campaign.

2. Ferrum (7-3):  The Panthers overcame an 0-2 start to the 2011 season to win seven of their final eight games, including a 6-1 mark in USAC play.  Their only loss in that span: a 48-30 setback to Christopher Newport on November 5.  If they hope to win to break the stranglehold CNU has had on the USA South Athletic Conference in 2012, the Panthers will likely have to beat the Captains.  They'll get that chance on October 6, when they make the trip to Newport News, Virginia.


3. Maryville (4-6): The Scots begin their first season as a full member of the USAC with a visit to future conference member Huntingdon on September 1.  Their conference opener is on September 29, playing host to CNU.


4. Averett (3-7):  The Cougars hope to put the misery of 2011 behind them in 2012, as they look to improve on last season's 2-5 conference record. 

5. North Carolina Wesleyan (2-8):  The Battling Bishops will look to battle their way back to the top of the USAC standings after a dismal 2011 season, in which they also finished conference play at 2-5.  


6. Methodist (3-7):  The third team to finish in a three-way tie for fifth place in 2011, at 2-5 in the USAC, the Monarchs hope to make a move up in the standings under second year head coach Dave Eavenson.


7. LaGrange (4-6):  After spending the last three seasons as an independent, the Panthers will embark on a new journey in 2012, as they join the USAC.  


8. Greensboro (0-10):  The Pride played in just two games decided by five points or less last season, both losses, to Apprentice, 9-7, on September 17, as well as to Christopher Newport, 27-22, on October 29.  The program's last win came on November 6, 2010, with the Pride outlasting Methodist, 22-19.