RFC Summer Semester: Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Preview (NCAA Division III)

Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC)--(NCAA Division III)

Website

2013 Final Standings


Looking back: If you wanted parity in any one conference from start to finish, you found it in the Middle Atlantic Conference in 2013.  All teams had at least two losses in league play last season.  Eventual NCAA Division III automatic qualifier Lebanon Valley lost back-to-back games to close out the season, but not before the Flying Dutchmen downed Lycoming, 14-7, in a low-scoring defensive struggle on October 12. LVC fell to Wittenberg, 59-17, in the first round of the D-III playoffs.

Looking ahead: Don't be surprised if the race for the 2014 MAC crown comes down to the final weekend of the regular season.


Predicted order of finish (2013 overall record in parentheses):

1. Lebanon Valley (8-3):  But the return of rising senior linebacker Frank Gaffney is one good reason why  the Flying Dutchmen are the team to be in the Middle Atlantic Conference going into 2014.


2. Lycoming (7-3):  Had they not lost both of their conference games by a combined 11 points--or by seven points or less--the Warriors could have gone unbeaten in MAC play last season. Hopefully, those setbacks will be used as motivation for this season. 

3. Albright (8-3):  A season-ending four-game winning streak, including a come-from-behind win over Juniata in the ECAC Southwest Bowl, gives the Lions and their faithful hope for a potential playoff run in 2014.


4. Delaware Valley (7-4):  New head coach Duke Greco faces a tough task in keeping the Rams relevant in the MAC in 2014--and beyond. He replaces Jim Clements, who resigned to become the head coach at NCAA Division II Kutztown.

5. King's (6-4):  With five seniors recently named as captains, don't be surprised if the Monarchs are MAC champions by the end of this season.

6. Widener (6-4):  The Pride will enter the 2014 season with a new head coach in Mike Kelly, who has spent multiple years in the Canadian Football League, as well as a few stints in the NFL.

7. Stevenson (4-6):  The Mustangs won just as many games in 2013 (four), as they did the previous two years combined, 4-16 overall.  Still, moving up in the conference standings in 2014 might prove to be an uphill battle, as they open the season with back-to-back road games, followed by the home opener against defending MAC champion Lebanon Valley on September 20.

8. Wilkes (4-6):  The Colonels begin in new era for 2014, as former Muhlenberg quarterbacks coach Trey Brown takes over the helm.

9. Fairleigh Dickinson-Florham (1-9):  The Red Devils face an uphill battle in 2014, as they look to put the misery of 2013 behind them.

10. Misericordia (1-9):  Speaking of "misery", the Cougars finally won their first-ever game, on the last day of the 2013 season, knocking off the aformented Red Devils team in convincing fashion, 63-40, on November 16. Whether that one win will carry over into the 2014 season will be anyone's guess.
 
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8.

RFC Summer Semester: Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Preview (NCAA Division II)

Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC)--NCAA Division II

Website

2013 Final Standings

Looking back: In what turned out to be a bizarre 2013 season, the West Chester University Golden Rams lost their bid to become the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference champions, losing to the Bloomsburg University Huskies 31-28 on November 9.  But in a strange twist of fate, they avenged that loss in the NCAA Division II playoffs three weeks later, knocking them off in a 40-38 thriller in the second round.  The Golden Rams advanced to the national semifinals on December 7, losing to eventual national runner-up Lenoir-Rhyne, 42-14.

Looking ahead: With every team in the PSAC losing at least one conference game last season--including a three-way tie for first place in the Eastern Division between Bloomsburg, Shippensburg, and West Chester, expect another tight race in this highly competitive league this season.

Predicted order of finish (2013 overall record in parentheses):

Eastern Division

1. West Chester (13-2):  With most of their roster returning from 2013, don't be surprised if the Golden Rams make another deep postseason run in 2014.

2. Bloomsburg (10-2):  But the defending division and overall league champion Huskies just might have a say in ultimately ends up on top in the PSAC East, so don't count them out so easily.  They'll open the 2014 season with head coach Paul Darragh having the "interim" tag removed from his title.

3. Shippensburg (7-4):  After earning a three-way share of the East Division title with a 6-1 mark in conference games last year, the Red Raiders hope to take the next step towards a possible playoff berth this year.  But they must pay visits to division foes Bloomsburg and West Chester during the 2014 season.

4. East Stroudsburg (7-4):  The Warriors have won seven or more games eight times dating back to 2002.  It's a trend they hope to continue in 2014.

5. Kutztown (4-7):  The Golden Bears start a new era with a new head coach in Jim Clements. He moves up from the NCAA Division III ranks after spending the last eight years as the head coach at Delaware Valley College.

6.  Lock Haven (3-8):  The Eagles won more games in 2013 than in the previous two years combined. Still, they might be hard pressed to move up in the standings in what should be a very solid Eastern Division of the PSAC going into 2014.

7. Millersville (1-10):  The Marauders face a tough task ahead, as they look to notch first winning season since a 6-4 finish in 2000.

8. Cheyney (0-11):  Anthony Johnson only recently took over as the Wolves head coach after the sudden resignation of predecessor Ken Lockard after just three years on the job. 

Western Division

1. Indiana (Pa.)--(9-2):  The Crimson Hawks hope that a season-ending four-game winning streak will not only carry over into 2014, but also provide the push they need to win the West as well. Among the seniors that IUP will lose to graduation is Don Hansen All-American safety Terrell Holloway.


2. Slippery Rock (9-3):  On the flip side, the Rock lost back-to-back contests to close out 2013, losing to Bloomsburg in the PSAC title game, followed by a season-ending loss to Winston-Salem State in the first round of the NCAA Division II playoffs.  Hopefully, that late slide will be used as motivation for the defending Western Division champions to make another potential playoff push in 2014.

3. Mercyhurst (7-4):  Among the more interesting games for the Lakers in 2014 will be played on October 18.  That's when the Lakers will face the aforementioned Slippery Rock at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Mich. No, this is not a misprint.

4. California (Pa.)--(7-4):  The Vulcans hope to improve on last year's 4-3 mark in PSAC play.  Among the early tests they'll face in 2014 will be a September 13 battle with Bloomsburg on the road.

5. Gannon (6-5):  The Golden Knights hope to keep moving into the right direction after a 4-3 finish in conference games last season. It was their second six-win season in the last four years (6-5 in 2010).

6. Edinboro (5-6):  The Fighting Scots must fight an uphill battle after winning just nine games combined over the past two seasons.

7. Clarion (4-7):  The Golden Eagles split their first eight games, even starting at 3-0, before ending 2013 with three straight losses.

8. Seton Hill (1-10):  True, the Griffins won just one game last season. But that lone win came in the last game of last season, as they downed Cheyney, 17-10, on November 16, 2013, snapping a 23-game losing streak. Whether that win will carry over into 2014, however, remains to be seen.

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RFC Summer Semester: New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Preview (NCAA Division III)

New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Preview (NCAA Division III)

Website

2013 Final Standings

Looking back: Rowan advanced to the second round of the NCAA Division III playoffs in 2013, shutting out Endicott, 24-0, before being blasted by Mary Hardin-Baylor, 59-8.  The only other team from the NJAC to advance to postseason play was now former member Brockport, as the Golden Eagles ended last season on a seven-game winning streak, thanks to a dramatic 19-12 win over Waynesburg in the ECAC Northwest Bowl.

Looking ahead: Expect many changes--both on and off the field--for the NJAC in 2014 and 2015. Brockport departs for the Empire 8 this season, while both Cortland State and Morrisville State will follow suit in time for next season. In response, the NJAC adds Southern Virginia as an associate member this season, while Cortland State, Frostburg State, Salisbury, and Wesley will enter the fold by next season.


Predicted order of finish (2013 overall record in parentheses):

1. Rowan (9-3):  The Profs will gear up for the tough NJAC schedule ahead with back-to-back road games against 2013 D-III playoff participants Framingham State and future NJAC foe Wesley in consecutive weeks: September 13 and 20.  Oh, and they'll open league play at home against soon-to-be former associate member Cortland State after a bye week, on October 4.

2. Cortland State (6-5):  The Red Dragons look to bounce back after a rare down year in 2013. They lost three of their five games by eight points or less.  

3. College of New Jersey (5-5):  The Lions also had their ups-and-downs in close games last year, going 4-2 in games decided by eight points or less. They even won four straight games that were decided by five points or less. 

4. Montclair State (4-6):  The Red Hawks look to get back to their usual winning ways after suffering one of their worst seasons in recent memory, finishing a mediocre 3-4 in NJAC play last season. 

5. Morrisville State (3-7):  A season-ending five-game skid put a damper to the 2013 season for the Mustangs. They hope to go into 2014 with hopes of having a much happier ending, which would include the program's first-ever winning season.

6. William Paterson (3-7):  Pioneers have a tough row to hoe in trying to climb out of the NJAC lower division this season. 

7. Kean (2-8):  The Cougars fortunes took a turn for the worse since their 2011 playoff appearance, going from 10 to five to just two wins over the last three years.  It's a situation that their fans hope will be reversed in 2014.

8. Southern Virginia (8-2):  It appears that the Knights might find themselves in for a rough maiden voyage in the NJAC for 2014.  Not only that, they'll also have a new head coach in Jason Walker.

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RFC Summer Semester: Empire 8 Conference (E8) Preview (NCAA Division III)

Empire 8 Conference (E8) Preview (NCAA Division III)

Website

2013 Final Standings

Looking back: Two teams advanced to the NCAA Division III playoffs in 2013, with conference champion Ithaca advancing to the second round before losing to Wesley, 23-15, while at-large qualifier St. John Fisher reached the quarterfinals--upsetting a previously undefeated Hobart along the way--before being routed by Mary Hardin-Baylor, 45-23.

Two other E8 squads advanced to postseason play as well, with Alfred knocking off Cortland State, 21-14, to win the ECAC North Central Bowl, while Salisbury held off Muhlenberg, 21-19, to capture the ECAC South Atlantic Bowl crown.

Looking ahead: 2014 will mark the final season for Frostburg State and Salisbury as associate members of the Empire 8 Conference, as both Maryland-based schools will join the New Jersey Atlantic Conference (NJAC) as associate members in 2015.  If that wasn't enough, both Brockport and Cortland State will leave the NJAC to join Ithaca and other Upstate New York institutions in the E8 by 2015 too.

Predicted order of finish (2013 overall record in parentheses):

1. St. John Fisher (10-3): The Cardinals will be shooting for their second straight season of winning at least 10 games, their third in the last four years, and their sixth dating back to 2004.

2. Ithaca (9-3):  After several down years, the Bombers finally returned to the top of the heap in the E8, winning their first conference championship since 2008.  Now the big challenge going into 2014 will be maintaining that high standard of success.

3. Alfred (8-3):  Robert Rankl takes over the head coaching reins after the sudden resignation of Dave Murray earlier this month (May 13).  Rankl will try to keep the Saxons in contention for the E8 title in 2014.  Talk about putting a "Rankl" in one's plans for an upcoming season.

4.  Salisbury (7-4):  The Sea Gulls hope their final season is the E8 will be a productive one, as they look to advance to the NCAA playoffs for the 10th time since 1983.

5. Hartwick (6-4):  "Bizarre" was probably the best word to describe the Hawks 2013 season, as they started it at 4-0, only to lose four in a row, before winning their last two in a row to finish with only only third winning record in the last 10 years, as well as their fourth since 2002.

6. Brockport (8-3):  The Golden Eagles and second year head coach Jason Mangone might be hard-pressed to repeat last year's success.  They'll face future E8 foe Cortland on the road September 13.

7. Buffalo State (5-5):  The Bengals have a tough row to hoe to kick off 2014, playing host to future E8 member Cortland, as well as current members Alfred and Salisbury within the first four weeks of the season. Ouch!

8. Utica (3-7):  The Pioneers have had just two winning seasons in their football program's 13-year history, 6-4 in 2005 and 2012.  Their faithful hope that 2014 will bring not only winning season number three, but also the first with seven or more wins. 

9. Frostburg State (1-9):  New head coach DeLane Fitzgerald hopes to turn around a Bobcat football program that hasn't had a winning season since 2005, when they finished 6-5 overall.

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RFC Summer Semester: Northeast 10 Conference (NE10) Preview (NCAA Division II)

Northeast 10 Conference (NE10) Preview (NCAA Division II)

Website

2013 Final Standings

Looking back: American International defeated Stonehill not once, but twice--31-10 on October 5, and 27-17 in the title game on November 16--to claim the 2013 Northeast 10 Conference football championship.  However, the Yellow Jackets were "one and done" in the NCAA Division II playoffs, as West Chester cruised to a convincing 38-7 win in the first round.

Looking ahead: Expect another tight race for the NE10 crown in 2014.

Predicted order of finish (2013 overall record in parentheses):

 

1. Stonehill (8-3):  After finishing tied with American International for the NE10 regular season title at 8-1 in league games last season, the Skyhawks will look to soar to the top of the conference this season. They return the bulk of the roster they had from 2013, including conference defensive player of the year Brian Harrington.

2. American International (9-3):  The Yellow Jackets hope to put the sting of last year's first round playoff loss behind them in 2014.  One of the seniors they must replace is on the defensive side of the football, as linebacker Joel Bowen is among the 12 players that graduated after the 2013 season.

3. New Haven (8-3):  The Chargers will quickly find out how good they might be on September 6. That's when they'll open the 2014 season at home against West Chester.

4. Assumption (6-5):  The Greyhounds will be tested right out of the gate to start 2014, opening the season at home against American International, followed by road games at FCS Sacred Heart and New Haven on back-to-back Saturdays in September.

5. Merrimack (7-4):  Warriors begin their second season under head coach Dan Curran hoping to improve on their best finish since 2009.

6. Bentley (6-5):  Falcons look to move forward under first-year head coach Bill Kavanaugh, who once worked under now Houston Texans head coach Bill O'Brien, who himself was an assistant at Penn State.

7. Southern Connecticut State (3-8):  The Owls look to bounce back after having back-to-back three-win seasons. They'll turn to former player Tom Godek to begin the lengthy rebuilding process in 2014.

8. LIU-C.W. Post (5-6):  Pioneers face a long uphill battle to move up in the NE10 standings after finishing 3-6 in conference play last season.

9. St. Anselm (1-10):  Speaking of long uphill battles, that's the boat the Hawks find themselves in as well, as they play six road games in 2014. 

10. Pace (0-11):  New head coach Andrew Rondeau will try to get the Setters back on the winning track after a winless 2013 season.  Their last win came on September 10, 2011, when they defeated Stonehill, 23-20, in overtime.

 

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RFC Summer Semester: Eastern Collegiate Football Conference (ECFC) Preview (NCAA Division III)

Eastern College Football Conference (ECFC) Preview (NCAA Division III)

Website

2013 Final Standings 

Looking back: The Gallaudet University Bison advanced to its first-ever NCAA Division III playoff in 2013, finishing tied with Norwich at 7-1 for first place in Eastern Collegiate Football Conference (ECFC) action.  But back-to-back losses to close out the season after a 9-0 start, including a season-ending loss to Hobart in the first round, put a damper on an otherwise great campaign for the Bison.

Looking ahead: Don't expect Gallaudet to sneak up on anyone in the ECFC in 2014.

Predicted order of finish (2013 overall record in parentheses):

1. Norwich (7-4):  Although four of their final five games of 2014 will be on the road, the Cadets re-match against Gallaudet on November 1. They lost the 2013 match-up to the Bison, 30-22, on October 12.

2. Maritime (5-5):  Back-to-back wins, including a 7-6 upset win over a previously undefeated Gallaudet team to end 2013 on a high note after an up-and-down season, gives the Privateer faithful a glimmer of hope going into 2014.  By the way, the Privateers must travel to Washington, D.C. to close out the season against the Bison on November 15.

3. Gallaudet (9-2):  If the Bison are make a return trip to the D-III playoffs in 2014, they must overcome the loss of 11 seniors from their 2013 roster.

4. Mount Ida (5-5):  The Mustangs struggled to defend their home turf, finishing the 2013 season a dismal 1-4 at home.  That's something that needs to change if they're to contend for the ECFC crown in 2014.

5. Husson (5-5):  The Eagles were just 1-3 in games decided by six points or less last season.  All of those games were played in the second half of 2013.

6. Becker (3-7):  After back-to-back 3-7 seasons, the Hawks hope to finally have their first-ever winning season.  But they'll have to play four of their first five games of 2014 on the road.

7. Anna Maria (2-8):  The AmCats find themselves in a similar situation going into their sixth season, after three straight eight-loss seasons in as many years.

8. Castleton State (1-9):  New head coach Tony Volpone hopes to turn around the fortunes of a Spartans program that took a tremendous tumble after advancing to the D-III playoffs as the ECFC champions just two years earlier.

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RFC Summer Semester: New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) Preview (NCAA Division III)

New England Football Conference (NEFC) Preview (NCAA Division III)

Website


2013 Final Standings


Looking back: In a league that traditionally hasn't sent its teams to postseason play, ever, three teams--Amherst, Middlebury, and Wesleyan--shared the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) football championship in 2013. All three teams finished at 7-1 overall. 

Looking ahead: Expect more of the same from the NESCAC in 2014.  The biggest question, however, is this: Will it be Wesleyan, Middlebury, or Amherst duke it out until the final week of the season, or will some other challenger step up, and rise to the challenge?

Predicted order of finish (2013 overall record in parentheses):

1. Middlebury (7-1):  Panthers will look to build on the combined 14-2 record they've built over the last two years. Their last undefeated/untied season came in 1972, finishing at 8-0.

2. Trinity (Conn.)--(6-2):  The Bantams will shoot for a 15th straight winning season, with All-New England center Joe Magardino leading the way.

3. Wesleyan (7-1):  With just 11 out of their 76 players leaving because of graduation, don't be surprised if the Cardinals find themselves in the hunt for the NESCAC crown again in 2014.

4. Amherst (7-1):  The Lord Jeffs are in reload mode after capturing a share of last year's NESCAC title.

5. Bates (4-4):  The Bobcats will try to win at least a share of their third straight CBB title this season.

6. Bowdoin (3-5):  A 32-22 season-ending win over archrival Colby gives Bears fans a glimmer of hope going into 2014.

7. Colby (4-4):  Speaking of the Mules, they'll look to finish above .500 in 2014, with the vast majority of the 2013 roster returning.

8. Williams (2-6):  The Ephs face a long uphill climb towards an upper division finish after having their worst finish to a season since 1985, when they finished 2-5-1 overall.

9. Hamilton (0-8):  New Head Coach Dave Murray hopes to changes the fortunes of a Continentals program that has lost 12 straight games dating back to October 20, 2012.

10. Tufts (0-8):  The Jumbos are trying to get back into the win column for the first time since September 25, 2010, when they defeated this aforementioned Hamilton program, 21-10. They've lost 31 games in a row since then.

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RFC Summer Semester: New England Football Conference (NEFC) Preview (NCAA Division III)

New England Football Conference (NEFC) Preview (NCAA Division III)

Website

2013 Final Standings

Looking back: Endicott cruised to an unbeaten season in New England Football Conference (NEFC) action for 2013, finishing 7-0 in league games.  The Gulls season ended in the first round of the NCAA Division III playoffs, as they were shut out by Rowan, 24-0.  The only other team to advance to postseason play from the NEFC was Salve Regina, whose Seahawks fell to Western Connecticut State, 48-35, in the ECAC Northeast Bowl.


Looking ahead: Don't be surprised if the Gulls and Seahawks do battle with each other for the NEFC title again in 2014.

  
Predicted order of finish (2013 overall record in parentheses):

1. Salve Regina (7-4):  The Seahawks look to take the next step towards a conference crown after finishing 6-1 in NEFC play last season.

2. Endicott (8-3):  With the loss of 18 seniors to graduation, the Gulls might be hard pressed for a return trip to the D-III playoffs in 2014.

3. Curry (4-5):  A season-ending two-game winning streak to close out 2013 gives the Colonels and their faithful a glimmer hope going into 2014.

4. MIT (6-3):  The Engineers hope to make some noise after posting back-to-back winning seasons for the first time in ,modern program history, which dates back to 1988.

5. Coast Guard (3-7): Bears 2014 slate includes a trip south to Virginia to face perennial power Hampden-Sydney on September 20.

6. Western New England (4-6):  The Golden Bears look to bounce back after a disappointing 2013 season. 

7. Maine Maritime (1-8):  Capturing the D-III rushing title was the big bright spot in an otherwise dismal 2013 season for the Mariners, who have managed just one win over the last two years.

8. Nichols (1-8): The Bison will look to snap a season-ending eight-game losing streak under new head coach Dale Olmsted.
 
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RFC Summer Semester: The 2014 Debut--Massachusetts State College Athletic Conference (MASCAC)

Editor's Note: Welcome to the fifth season of the "RFC Summer Semester". Yes, that's right, season number five!  Hopefully, from now until the start of the 2014 season in late August/early September, Real Football Central will preview the seasons for up to 71 conferences, from the NAIA to the so-called "Group Of Five" in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS)--(American, Conference USA, Mid-American, Mountain West, and Sun Belt).  So, what are we waiting for? Let's go!

Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC)


Website

2013 Final Standings

Looking back: Framingham State finished first in the first full season of MASCAC football action in 2013, with the Rams finishing conference play unbeaten at 8-0. Their season ended with a heartbreaking 20-17 loss to Ithaca in the first round of the NCAA Division III playoffs.

Looking ahead: Going into 2014, it appears that Framingham State will be the team to beat in the MASCAC.


Predicted order of finish (2013 overall record in parentheses):

1. Framingham State (10-2):  As mentioned above, the Rams will be the team to beat in the MASCAC.  That is, of course, until and unless another team proves otherwise. Having said that, the Rams have had four straight winning seasons dating back to 2010.  They hope to make it five in a row in 2014.

2. Bridgewater State (6-4):  The Bears will look to bounce back after a down 2013 campaign where they finished a mediocre 5-3 in MASCAC play.

3. Western Connecticut State (8-2):  The Colonials notched their first winning season since 2001, when ironically, they also finished 8-2.  Now the challenge for third-year head coach Joe Loth is to build on last year's success.

4. Fitchburg State (6-4): A season-ending three-game winning streak has the Falcon faithful cautiously optimistic for 2014.

5. Westfield State (5-5):  The Owls enter the 2014 campaign with an interim head coach in Pete Kowalski, who takes over for the retired Steve Marino.

6. UMass-Dartmouth (3-6):  The Corsairs look to bounce back after a dismal 2013 slate which saw them lose their final three games.

7. Massachusetts Maritime (5-5):  A fast 2-0 start quickly disintegrated into a disappointing 3-5 finish to 2013.  The Buccaneers hope that 2014 will have a happier ending.

8. Worcester State (3-7):  Brien Cullen will enter his 30th season as the Lancers head coach.  He's the only head coach the program has had since it became a varsity program in 1985.

9. Plymouth State (2-8):  The Panthers have nowhere to go but up after yet another miserable season.

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