Thursday, July 05, 2012

RFC Summer Semester--Independents Preview--NCAA Division III

Editor's Note: Our preview of independent football programs continues with the teams competing as independents at the NCAA Division III level in 2012.

2011 Final Standings 
 
2012 Profiles (2011 overall record in parentheses)

Huntingdon (7-3):  Believe it or not, the Hawks have had four straight winning seasons, including an appearance in the 2009 NCAA Division III playoffs.  The Montgomery, Alabama-based squad will spent one final season as an independent before joining the USA South Athletic Conference in 2013.  But, for 2012, the Hawks will face a tough road towards notching a fifth straight winning season, as 2011 D-III playoff participants Hampden-Sydney and Wesley are on the schedule.

Macalester (4-5):  After posting a 6-3 mark in 2010, the Scots fell back to earth slightly in 2011.  It will be interesting to see if 2012 will mark the second winning season in three years for them.


Wesley (12-2):  Despite their recent independent status, the Wolverines have compiled a record few programs have been able to match over the years, having notched six double-digit win seasons over the last seven years.  That run includes five trips to the national semifinals during that span, including three straight trips in the last three years alone.  During that span, they've lost either to the eventual national runner-up (Mount Union, 2009) or the eventual national champion (Wisconsin-Whitewater, 2010-2011).  With a preseason national ranking of No. 2 by Lindy's Sports magazine, expectations will once again be high for the Wolverines going into the 2012 season.  Which leads to the question: Will this finally be the year they get over the hump, and into the Stagg Bowl?

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