19 years ago
Friday, June 15, 2012
RFC Summer Semester--Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC)--(NCAA Division III)
2011 Final Standings
Looking back: Like in the last post on the NCAA Division II West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WVIAC), the NCAA Division III Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) also had one of those so-called "silly seasons" in 2011. The main difference between the ODAC and the WVIAC, aside from the obvious difference in divisions, is in the won-lost records.
Three teams, Washington & Lee, Hampden-Sydney, and Randolph-Macon, all finished last season with eight wins each. While W&L and H-SC both finished ODAC action with identical 5-1 league records, it was their dramatic 42-35 win over the Generals that gave the Tigers the automatic bid to the NCAA Division III playoffs. Taking away Hampden-Sydney's first round playoff loss to Centre, the aforementioned trio finished with a combined overall regular season record of 24-6 (.800). R-MC finished third in the ODAC at 4-2 in conference play.
Looking ahead: Shenandoah joins the ODAC from the USA South Athletic Conference as a full-time member this season. As for on the field, barring any multiple serious injuries on any of those teams, expect the trio of Hampden-Sydney, Randolph-Macon, and Washington & Lee to do battle for the ODAC title in 2012.
2012 Predicted Order of Finish (2011 overall record in parentheses)
1. Hampden-Sydney (8-3): The Tigers senior class finished 35-4 in taking home the ODAC title in 2011, the program's third in the last five years. This year's seniors will have a tremendous task in building on that winning tradition. Believe it or not, H-SC head coach Marty Favret needs 11 wins to join the 100-win club. In order to get there in 2012, though, the Tigers must win at least 11 games, something this program has never accomplished in its long, storied history.
2. Randolph-Macon (8-2): Despite ending the 2011 season with three straight wins, including a win in the season finale over H-SC in the "Game", the Yellow Jackets found themselves on the outside looking in when postseason play started. The 2012 season opener at defending Centennial Conference champion Johns Hopkins could shed light on the kind of season the Yellow Jackets might have.
3. Washington & Lee (8-2): In the last two years, the Generals have had a combined record of 16-5 overall, including a D-III playoff berth in 2010, as well as a combined 11-1 mark in ODAC play during that span. Still, a loss to Hampden-Sydney in the 2011 finale not only denied them their second straight undefeated season in conference play, it also cost the Generals a trip to postseason play. While they hope to get back there in 2012, they must navigate their way through a tough schedule that includes a home game against D-III playoff participant on September 15, as well as key ODAC games against Randolph-Macon and Hampden-Sydney on October 13 and November 3, respectively. Both of the contests will be at home for W&L as well.
4. Emory and Henry (5-5): The Wasps started the 2011 season at 4-1, only to lose four straight games, before crushing Guilford, 30-6, to finish 2-4 in ODAC play, as well as finish at .500 for the second straight season. In order to get back above the .500 mark for 2012, E&H must avoid the lengthy losing streaks that have forced it to settle for back-to-back mediocre seasons. But getting that elusive winning record will be anything but easy, as the Wasps will face six teams that had winning records themselves last season.
5. Bridgewater (Va.)--(6-4): With the exception of a 7 p.m. game at Guilford on October 11, all of the Eagles 2012 games will be played at the same time: 1 p.m., local time. Their longest trip of the season will be on Opening Day, as they travel to Western Pennsylvania to face St. Vincent on September 1. It will also include home games against Hampden-Sydney and Washington & Lee, as well as a late-season visit to Randolph-Macon.
6. Shenandoah (6-4): The Hornets finished a respectable 5-2 in their final season as a member of the USA South Athletic Conference. But they might be hard-pressed to repeat that feat in their first season in the ODAC, as they take on the likes of Christopher Newport, Hampden-Sydney, Randolph-Macon, and Washington & Lee, just to name a few.
7. Catholic (5-5): The Cardinals limped to a 1-5 finish in ODAC action last season, losing their final two contests by a combined 10 points. The late season slide followed a 3-0 start, with all of those wins coming by a combined nine points. In fact, winning close games became a habit for CUA in 2011, as all five of the Cardinals victories came by nine points or less. Now, if they could only find a way to win more conference games in 2012.
8. Guilford (2-8): The Quakers look to move up in the ODAC standings after finishing 1-5 in conference play last season. That followed a winless 2010 campaign. One of the highlights of the 2011 season came on September 3, when the Quakers crushed archrival Greensboro, 27-7, to snap an 11-game losing streak that dated back to the final game of 2009.
Thursday, June 14, 2012
RFC Summer Semester--West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WVIAC) Preview (NCAA Division II)
Website
2011 Final Standings
Looking back: In what can best be described as the so-called "silly season" in the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WVIAC), this intrastate NCAA Division II Super Region 1 league produced a conference champion (Concord) that went winless in non-conference action (0-3), but lost just one league contest, a nine-win team that lost its final two games of the season (West Virginia Wesleyan), another nine-game winner that lost back-to-back games at mid-season, yet ended 2011 on a five-game winning streak (Shepherd), two more teams that went winless outside of the WVIAC, yet finished with a winning record (5-3) in conference play (Charleston, Glenville State), not to mention a team that won seven games overall, but could only manage a .500 record in league action (Fairmont State). Oh, and there were three teams (Seton Hill, West Liberty, and West Virginia State) that all finished last season with just one win a piece, just for good measure.
Even when the dust finally settled on that silly 2011 season, it was another team that finished with seven wins overall (Concord) that took home the WVIAC title. As the No. 6 seed entering the D-II playoffs, the Mountain Lions were the league's lone representative when postseason play rolled. They suffered a tough, season-ending loss to Kutztown, 17-14.
One more thing. Prior to last season, the WVIAC had at least one team win at least 10 or games in a single season from 2005-2010.
Looking ahead: Will 2012 produce even more silliness, with an unlikely champion like Concord emerging to the top of the heap? Or will a team like Shepherd or West Virginia Wesleyan step up, and lead the pack? Those are questions that will have to be answered throughout the upcoming season, huh?
2012 Predicted Order of Finish (2011 overall record in parentheses)
1. Shepherd (9-2): Despite a 4-0 start, as well as a 5-0 finish, to the 2011 season, it was that two-game losing streak at mid-season that forced the Rams to sit at home come playoff time. Both of those losses, to Concord and West Virginia Wesleyan, came on the road. They'll play host to both the Mountain Lions and Bobcats on successive weekends in 2012 (September 29 and October 6).
2. West Virginia Wesleyan (9-2): With a 9-0 record, all of the stars appeared to be lined up for the Bobcats to a least have an undefeated regular season, and advance to the NCAA Division II playoffs. Then the unthinkable happened. They were upset by Charleston on November 5, followed by a season-ending setback at Concord a week later. Both losses proved to derail the Bobcats postseason hopes. Now, it'll be interesting to see if they can win the games that count, in November. Lucky for these "Cats", they'll have a chance at payback when they play host to Charleston and Concord on the final two weeks of the regular season.
3. Concord (7-4): After winning their first WVIAC championship since 1990, the Mountain Lions will surely have the big bullseye on their backs in 2012, as one of the highlights of this year's schedule include a home game against D-II semifinalist Winston-Salem State on September 8, as well as a visit to FCS Liberty on October 20. Looks like the Mountain Lions won't be sneaking up on anyone.
4. Fairmont State (7-4): The Fighting Falcons started the 2011 season at 5-1, but faltered down the stretch, losing three of their final five games. It'll be interesting to see if they can finish the 2012 season better than they started.
5. Glenville State (5-6): The Pioneers lost five of their six contests of 2011 by 10 points or more. They'll be looking for their first conference championship since 2008, as well as their first NCAA Division II playoff appearance since 1997, when they were crushed by eventual national runner-up New Haven, 47-7. Getting there, though, might prove to be a tough task, as the Pioneers will play five of their six games on the road, including four straight away games between September 22 and October 13, to start the 2012 season. Oh, and they also must pay visits to West Virginia Wesleyan and Shepherd along the way. Ouch!
6. Charleston (5-6): After a dismal 1-6 start to 2011, the Golden Eagles were well, golden down the stretch, ending the season on a four-game winning streak, including that upset win over West Virginia Wesleyan on November 5. They hope that strong finish will carry over into 2012. They'll be tested quickly in conference play with the league opener at defending WVIAC champion Concord on September 15, followed by a home game against Shepherd a week later.
7. Seton Hill (1-10): A 26-22 win over West Liberty on October 29 ended a 13-game losing streak for the Griffins, only to have a new skid start the following week, that brought 2011 to a close with back-to-back losses.
8. West Liberty (1-10): It appears that the magical playoff run of 2009 in which they finished 11-2 is merely a memory for the Hilltoppers, as they enter the 2012 season having lost five straight games. It was also the first losing season for the Hilltoppers under head coach Roger Waialae. It'll be interesting to see if they can re-capture the magic of three years ago.
9. West Virginia State (1-9): The Yellow Jackets also limped to the finish line to finish 2011, carrying a six-game skid into 2012.
2011 Final Standings
Looking back: In what can best be described as the so-called "silly season" in the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WVIAC), this intrastate NCAA Division II Super Region 1 league produced a conference champion (Concord) that went winless in non-conference action (0-3), but lost just one league contest, a nine-win team that lost its final two games of the season (West Virginia Wesleyan), another nine-game winner that lost back-to-back games at mid-season, yet ended 2011 on a five-game winning streak (Shepherd), two more teams that went winless outside of the WVIAC, yet finished with a winning record (5-3) in conference play (Charleston, Glenville State), not to mention a team that won seven games overall, but could only manage a .500 record in league action (Fairmont State). Oh, and there were three teams (Seton Hill, West Liberty, and West Virginia State) that all finished last season with just one win a piece, just for good measure.
Even when the dust finally settled on that silly 2011 season, it was another team that finished with seven wins overall (Concord) that took home the WVIAC title. As the No. 6 seed entering the D-II playoffs, the Mountain Lions were the league's lone representative when postseason play rolled. They suffered a tough, season-ending loss to Kutztown, 17-14.
One more thing. Prior to last season, the WVIAC had at least one team win at least 10 or games in a single season from 2005-2010.
Looking ahead: Will 2012 produce even more silliness, with an unlikely champion like Concord emerging to the top of the heap? Or will a team like Shepherd or West Virginia Wesleyan step up, and lead the pack? Those are questions that will have to be answered throughout the upcoming season, huh?
2012 Predicted Order of Finish (2011 overall record in parentheses)
1. Shepherd (9-2): Despite a 4-0 start, as well as a 5-0 finish, to the 2011 season, it was that two-game losing streak at mid-season that forced the Rams to sit at home come playoff time. Both of those losses, to Concord and West Virginia Wesleyan, came on the road. They'll play host to both the Mountain Lions and Bobcats on successive weekends in 2012 (September 29 and October 6).
2. West Virginia Wesleyan (9-2): With a 9-0 record, all of the stars appeared to be lined up for the Bobcats to a least have an undefeated regular season, and advance to the NCAA Division II playoffs. Then the unthinkable happened. They were upset by Charleston on November 5, followed by a season-ending setback at Concord a week later. Both losses proved to derail the Bobcats postseason hopes. Now, it'll be interesting to see if they can win the games that count, in November. Lucky for these "Cats", they'll have a chance at payback when they play host to Charleston and Concord on the final two weeks of the regular season.
3. Concord (7-4): After winning their first WVIAC championship since 1990, the Mountain Lions will surely have the big bullseye on their backs in 2012, as one of the highlights of this year's schedule include a home game against D-II semifinalist Winston-Salem State on September 8, as well as a visit to FCS Liberty on October 20. Looks like the Mountain Lions won't be sneaking up on anyone.
4. Fairmont State (7-4): The Fighting Falcons started the 2011 season at 5-1, but faltered down the stretch, losing three of their final five games. It'll be interesting to see if they can finish the 2012 season better than they started.
5. Glenville State (5-6): The Pioneers lost five of their six contests of 2011 by 10 points or more. They'll be looking for their first conference championship since 2008, as well as their first NCAA Division II playoff appearance since 1997, when they were crushed by eventual national runner-up New Haven, 47-7. Getting there, though, might prove to be a tough task, as the Pioneers will play five of their six games on the road, including four straight away games between September 22 and October 13, to start the 2012 season. Oh, and they also must pay visits to West Virginia Wesleyan and Shepherd along the way. Ouch!
6. Charleston (5-6): After a dismal 1-6 start to 2011, the Golden Eagles were well, golden down the stretch, ending the season on a four-game winning streak, including that upset win over West Virginia Wesleyan on November 5. They hope that strong finish will carry over into 2012. They'll be tested quickly in conference play with the league opener at defending WVIAC champion Concord on September 15, followed by a home game against Shepherd a week later.
7. Seton Hill (1-10): A 26-22 win over West Liberty on October 29 ended a 13-game losing streak for the Griffins, only to have a new skid start the following week, that brought 2011 to a close with back-to-back losses.
8. West Liberty (1-10): It appears that the magical playoff run of 2009 in which they finished 11-2 is merely a memory for the Hilltoppers, as they enter the 2012 season having lost five straight games. It was also the first losing season for the Hilltoppers under head coach Roger Waialae. It'll be interesting to see if they can re-capture the magic of three years ago.
9. West Virginia State (1-9): The Yellow Jackets also limped to the finish line to finish 2011, carrying a six-game skid into 2012.
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
RFC Summer Semester--President's Athletic Conference (PAC)--(NCAA Division III)
Website
2011 Final Standings
Looking back: Thomas More took home its fourth straight President's Athletic Conference title in 2011. The Saints finished first in the PAC with a 7-1 conference record, although that lone loss, which came to Waynesburg, snapped their 26-game winning streak in league games. Despite that setback, the Saints still managed to advance to the NCAA Division III playoffs as the automatic qualifier from the PAC. They lost a heartbreaker to Franklin, 24-21, in the first round. The only other PAC team to advance to postseason play was St. Vincent. The Bearcats fell to Lebanon Valley, 23-15, in the ECAC Southwest Bowl.
Looking ahead: Thomas More will look to win its fifth straight PAC title in 2012. But there are plenty of challengers looking to end the Saints run at the top of this PAC: teams like Washington & Jefferson, Waynesburg, and even St. Vincent, just to name a few. The PAC will grow by two teams in 2014, as Carnegie Mellon from Pittsburgh, as well as Case Western Reserve out of Cleveland, Ohio, will join the conference as associate members for football.
2012 Predicted Order of Finish (2011 overall record in parentheses)
1. Thomas More (9-2): In addition to trying to advance to the D-III playoffs for the fifth year in a row, Jim Hilvert will shoot for another milestone: his 50th career win as the Saints head coach. Hilvert has a career record of 43-13 (.768) in five years at Thomas More. He needs just seven wins to accomplish that feat. But even getting career win No. 44 might prove to be a tough task, as the Saints will open the 2012 season in Upstate New York to face playoff quarterfinalist St. John Fisher on September 1. Additionally, there's a trip to Waynesburg three weeks after that in hopes of avenging that last league loss from a year ago.
2. St. Vincent (6-5): From a program that once lost 20 straight games from 2008-2010, to a team finished above .500. The Bearcats have come a long way in the last five years. Now they hope to take that next step, and shoot for their first-ever conference title. But with a tough 2012 schedule that includes visits to Thomas More and Waynesburg in late October, getting there won't be easy.
3. Washington and Jefferson (6-4): The Presidents will also have another tough non-conference game at home against St. John Fisher on September 8, before opening conference play against Grove City, also at home, the following weekend.
4. Waynesburg (5-5): The Yellow Jackets have had just two seasons of at least eight wins or more since 2000. Additionally, they've finished with exactly five wins three times in the last four years. That's a trend they hope to change in 2012.
5. Westminster (Pa.)--(5-5): After struggling to a 2-8 record just two years ago, the Titans improved their overall win total by three games last year, finishing 4-4 in PAC play. Still, they ended the 2011 season on a sour note, losing three straight games after starting it at 5-2. The Titan faithful hope that the 2012 season will end better than it started.
6. Bethany (W.Va.)--(5-5): The Bison will square off against two teams that finished 2011 with a combined overall record of 17-4 in Centre and Randolph-Macon, respectively, to open 2012.
7. Geneva (4-6): The Golden Tornadoes overcame a slow start to finish 4-4 in their inaugural PAC season last year. They'll open this year with three straight road games, including a visit to defending Liberty League champion Hobart on September 8, before playing host to Thomas More in their home opener on September 29.
8. Grove City (3-7): The Wolverines look to move forward after struggling to a 3-5 record in PAC play last season.
9. Thiel (0-10): The Tomcats will enter the 2012 season trying to snap a 22-game losing streak that dates back to late 2009. Their last win came on October 31 of that year, as they crushed St. Vincent, 38-14.
2011 Final Standings
Looking back: Thomas More took home its fourth straight President's Athletic Conference title in 2011. The Saints finished first in the PAC with a 7-1 conference record, although that lone loss, which came to Waynesburg, snapped their 26-game winning streak in league games. Despite that setback, the Saints still managed to advance to the NCAA Division III playoffs as the automatic qualifier from the PAC. They lost a heartbreaker to Franklin, 24-21, in the first round. The only other PAC team to advance to postseason play was St. Vincent. The Bearcats fell to Lebanon Valley, 23-15, in the ECAC Southwest Bowl.
Looking ahead: Thomas More will look to win its fifth straight PAC title in 2012. But there are plenty of challengers looking to end the Saints run at the top of this PAC: teams like Washington & Jefferson, Waynesburg, and even St. Vincent, just to name a few. The PAC will grow by two teams in 2014, as Carnegie Mellon from Pittsburgh, as well as Case Western Reserve out of Cleveland, Ohio, will join the conference as associate members for football.
2012 Predicted Order of Finish (2011 overall record in parentheses)
1. Thomas More (9-2): In addition to trying to advance to the D-III playoffs for the fifth year in a row, Jim Hilvert will shoot for another milestone: his 50th career win as the Saints head coach. Hilvert has a career record of 43-13 (.768) in five years at Thomas More. He needs just seven wins to accomplish that feat. But even getting career win No. 44 might prove to be a tough task, as the Saints will open the 2012 season in Upstate New York to face playoff quarterfinalist St. John Fisher on September 1. Additionally, there's a trip to Waynesburg three weeks after that in hopes of avenging that last league loss from a year ago.
2. St. Vincent (6-5): From a program that once lost 20 straight games from 2008-2010, to a team finished above .500. The Bearcats have come a long way in the last five years. Now they hope to take that next step, and shoot for their first-ever conference title. But with a tough 2012 schedule that includes visits to Thomas More and Waynesburg in late October, getting there won't be easy.
3. Washington and Jefferson (6-4): The Presidents will also have another tough non-conference game at home against St. John Fisher on September 8, before opening conference play against Grove City, also at home, the following weekend.
4. Waynesburg (5-5): The Yellow Jackets have had just two seasons of at least eight wins or more since 2000. Additionally, they've finished with exactly five wins three times in the last four years. That's a trend they hope to change in 2012.
5. Westminster (Pa.)--(5-5): After struggling to a 2-8 record just two years ago, the Titans improved their overall win total by three games last year, finishing 4-4 in PAC play. Still, they ended the 2011 season on a sour note, losing three straight games after starting it at 5-2. The Titan faithful hope that the 2012 season will end better than it started.
6. Bethany (W.Va.)--(5-5): The Bison will square off against two teams that finished 2011 with a combined overall record of 17-4 in Centre and Randolph-Macon, respectively, to open 2012.
7. Geneva (4-6): The Golden Tornadoes overcame a slow start to finish 4-4 in their inaugural PAC season last year. They'll open this year with three straight road games, including a visit to defending Liberty League champion Hobart on September 8, before playing host to Thomas More in their home opener on September 29.
8. Grove City (3-7): The Wolverines look to move forward after struggling to a 3-5 record in PAC play last season.
9. Thiel (0-10): The Tomcats will enter the 2012 season trying to snap a 22-game losing streak that dates back to late 2009. Their last win came on October 31 of that year, as they crushed St. Vincent, 38-14.
Monday, June 11, 2012
RFC Summer Semester--Patriot League Preview (FCS)
Website
2011 Final Standings
Looking back: Lehigh (11-2 overall) rode an undefeated season (5-0) in league play to win the Patriot League's automatic bid to the NCAA Division I Football Championship in 2011. The Mountain Hawks were the only team from the conference to advance to the FCS playoffs. They advanced to the quarterfinals, where they were shut out and eliminated by eventual North Dakota State, 24-0, on December 3.
Looking ahead: Although seven teams currently make up the Patriot League for football, Fordham can't play for the conference title until 2014. That's because the Rams have chosen to award athletic scholarships, which the Patriot League previously didn't allow. Although conference officials have since changed those policies, with scholarships starting in 2013, Fordham still must wait another two years before earning the right to compete for the Patriot League's autobid to the FCS playoffs.
2012 Predicted Order of Finish (2011 overall record in parentheses)
1. Lehigh (11-2): The Mountain Hawks will shoot for a third straight 10-win season, as well as a third straight trip to the FCS playoffs. In order to get there, they must overcome the loss of multiple contributors to last year's playoff run, yet rely on 11 returning starters from a year ago.
2. Georgetown (8-3): The Hoyas hope that 2012 will bring a postseason berth to their campus, something the football program has never experienced. Their last conference championship came in 1997, when they won the title of the now-defunct Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference.
3. Holy Cross (6-5): The Crusaders enter this season shooting for an eighth straight winning season. Tough non-conference games await them against the likes of FCS playoff participant New Hampshire, as well as defending Ivy League champion Harvard.
4. Bucknell (6-5): The Bison begin anew after struggling to a 2-3 mark in Patriot League play in 2011.
5. Colgate (5-6): How's this for a season opening September? The Red Raiders will open the 2012 campaign with five straight (yes, that's right!) games on the road. Their home opener will be on October 13, when they play host to Holy Cross in the Patriot League opener. In the meantime, the Colgate squad will travel as far away as South Dakota for a game on September 8.
6. Lafayette (4-7): The Leopards look to make a leap upward in the Patriot League standings after a disappointing 2011 season.
Not eligible for Patriot League title
Fordham (1-10): Even with nothing to play for in 2012 and 2013, the Rams still have a long way to go to reach respectability among their Patriot League rivals.
2011 Final Standings
Looking back: Lehigh (11-2 overall) rode an undefeated season (5-0) in league play to win the Patriot League's automatic bid to the NCAA Division I Football Championship in 2011. The Mountain Hawks were the only team from the conference to advance to the FCS playoffs. They advanced to the quarterfinals, where they were shut out and eliminated by eventual North Dakota State, 24-0, on December 3.
Looking ahead: Although seven teams currently make up the Patriot League for football, Fordham can't play for the conference title until 2014. That's because the Rams have chosen to award athletic scholarships, which the Patriot League previously didn't allow. Although conference officials have since changed those policies, with scholarships starting in 2013, Fordham still must wait another two years before earning the right to compete for the Patriot League's autobid to the FCS playoffs.
2012 Predicted Order of Finish (2011 overall record in parentheses)
1. Lehigh (11-2): The Mountain Hawks will shoot for a third straight 10-win season, as well as a third straight trip to the FCS playoffs. In order to get there, they must overcome the loss of multiple contributors to last year's playoff run, yet rely on 11 returning starters from a year ago.
2. Georgetown (8-3): The Hoyas hope that 2012 will bring a postseason berth to their campus, something the football program has never experienced. Their last conference championship came in 1997, when they won the title of the now-defunct Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference.
3. Holy Cross (6-5): The Crusaders enter this season shooting for an eighth straight winning season. Tough non-conference games await them against the likes of FCS playoff participant New Hampshire, as well as defending Ivy League champion Harvard.
4. Bucknell (6-5): The Bison begin anew after struggling to a 2-3 mark in Patriot League play in 2011.
5. Colgate (5-6): How's this for a season opening September? The Red Raiders will open the 2012 campaign with five straight (yes, that's right!) games on the road. Their home opener will be on October 13, when they play host to Holy Cross in the Patriot League opener. In the meantime, the Colgate squad will travel as far away as South Dakota for a game on September 8.
6. Lafayette (4-7): The Leopards look to make a leap upward in the Patriot League standings after a disappointing 2011 season.
Not eligible for Patriot League title
Fordham (1-10): Even with nothing to play for in 2012 and 2013, the Rams still have a long way to go to reach respectability among their Patriot League rivals.
Sunday, June 10, 2012
RFC Summer Semester--Northeast Conference (NEC) Preview (FCS)
Website
2011 Final Standings
Looking back: Despite a 1-2 record in non-conference games, Albany (N.Y.) won the one game that counted in earning its first-ever trip to the FCS playoffs: a 38-10 rout of Duquesne on October 8, to win the Northeast Conference's autobid to the 2011 dance. Unfortunately, however, the Great Danes postseason run ended in heartbreaking fashion, as they fell to Stony Brook, 31-28, in the first round of the playoffs on November 26.
Looking ahead: Can the Great Danes repeat as NEC champs, and make a return to the FCS playoffs. Or will Duquesne, or someone else, for that matter, step up to the top in this competitive conference, as it enters its third season as an automatic qualifier to the NCAA Division I Football Championships? Both questions will be answered throughout the 2012 season, one way or another. In off the field news, Rhode Island will join the NEC as an associate member for football in 2013.
2012 Predicted Order of Finish (2011 overall record in parentheses)
1. Albany (N.Y.)--(8-4): The Great Danes have a tough non-conference schedule on their agenda, starting on September 1, when they play host to a Colgate squad that beat them, 37-34, in last year's season opener. They'll also take tough trips to Youngstown State and Maine along the way. As for their NEC opener, UAlbany will pay a visit to Robert Morris on September 8.
2. Duquesne (9-2): Despite going 7-1 in NEC play, as well as earning a share of the conference title in 2011, that one loss in league play, that blowout loss to UAlbany, cost the Dukes a trip to postseason play. That's something they hope to accomplish in 2012. A season opening visit to 2011 FCS playoff participant Old Dominion could provide insight as to whether the Dukes are indeed postseason ready. Oh, and they must replace 13 starters from last season, too.
3. Bryant (7-4): The Bulldogs begin their first full season as a full member of the NEC looking to earn their first-ever FCS playoff appearance. In order to get there, though, they must overcome the loss of 14 starters from last season, including two on special teams.
4. Wagner (4-7): The Seahawks overcame a dismal 1-7 start to finish strong in 2011, winning their final three games of the season. That was good enough to finish tied for fourth place in the NEC at 4-4. The highlights of the 2012 season include non-conference visits to FBS Florida Atlantic, and Georgetown (D.C.), as well as a late season visit to UAlbany, and the season finale at home against Duquesne.
5. Monmouth (N.J.)--(5-6): The Hawks were undefeated on the road (5-0), but couldn't get off the ground at home, going winless (0-6) in their own backyard last season. If they're to contend for a conference championship in 2012, they must learn how to defend their home turf.
6. Sacred Heart (5-6): The Pioneers begin the 2012 campaign looking to bounce back after a season-ending three-game skid. They open it with three straight road games (Morgan State, Colgate, and Monmouth), before their home opener against Central Connecticut State on September 29.
7. Central Connecticut State (4-7): The Blue Devils also finished strong after a sluggish start in 2011, winning their last two games of the season. That included a 42-21 rout of Bryant to close out the campaign.
8. Robert Morris (2-9): The Colonials have nowhere to go but up after ending the 2011 season with six straight losses.
9. St. Francis (Pa.)--(2-9): The Red Flash weren't exactly a flash in the pan in 2011, with their lone NEC win coming in a 27-13 victory over Central Connecticut State on October 29.
2011 Final Standings
Looking back: Despite a 1-2 record in non-conference games, Albany (N.Y.) won the one game that counted in earning its first-ever trip to the FCS playoffs: a 38-10 rout of Duquesne on October 8, to win the Northeast Conference's autobid to the 2011 dance. Unfortunately, however, the Great Danes postseason run ended in heartbreaking fashion, as they fell to Stony Brook, 31-28, in the first round of the playoffs on November 26.
Looking ahead: Can the Great Danes repeat as NEC champs, and make a return to the FCS playoffs. Or will Duquesne, or someone else, for that matter, step up to the top in this competitive conference, as it enters its third season as an automatic qualifier to the NCAA Division I Football Championships? Both questions will be answered throughout the 2012 season, one way or another. In off the field news, Rhode Island will join the NEC as an associate member for football in 2013.
2012 Predicted Order of Finish (2011 overall record in parentheses)
1. Albany (N.Y.)--(8-4): The Great Danes have a tough non-conference schedule on their agenda, starting on September 1, when they play host to a Colgate squad that beat them, 37-34, in last year's season opener. They'll also take tough trips to Youngstown State and Maine along the way. As for their NEC opener, UAlbany will pay a visit to Robert Morris on September 8.
2. Duquesne (9-2): Despite going 7-1 in NEC play, as well as earning a share of the conference title in 2011, that one loss in league play, that blowout loss to UAlbany, cost the Dukes a trip to postseason play. That's something they hope to accomplish in 2012. A season opening visit to 2011 FCS playoff participant Old Dominion could provide insight as to whether the Dukes are indeed postseason ready. Oh, and they must replace 13 starters from last season, too.
3. Bryant (7-4): The Bulldogs begin their first full season as a full member of the NEC looking to earn their first-ever FCS playoff appearance. In order to get there, though, they must overcome the loss of 14 starters from last season, including two on special teams.
4. Wagner (4-7): The Seahawks overcame a dismal 1-7 start to finish strong in 2011, winning their final three games of the season. That was good enough to finish tied for fourth place in the NEC at 4-4. The highlights of the 2012 season include non-conference visits to FBS Florida Atlantic, and Georgetown (D.C.), as well as a late season visit to UAlbany, and the season finale at home against Duquesne.
5. Monmouth (N.J.)--(5-6): The Hawks were undefeated on the road (5-0), but couldn't get off the ground at home, going winless (0-6) in their own backyard last season. If they're to contend for a conference championship in 2012, they must learn how to defend their home turf.
6. Sacred Heart (5-6): The Pioneers begin the 2012 campaign looking to bounce back after a season-ending three-game skid. They open it with three straight road games (Morgan State, Colgate, and Monmouth), before their home opener against Central Connecticut State on September 29.
7. Central Connecticut State (4-7): The Blue Devils also finished strong after a sluggish start in 2011, winning their last two games of the season. That included a 42-21 rout of Bryant to close out the campaign.
8. Robert Morris (2-9): The Colonials have nowhere to go but up after ending the 2011 season with six straight losses.
9. St. Francis (Pa.)--(2-9): The Red Flash weren't exactly a flash in the pan in 2011, with their lone NEC win coming in a 27-13 victory over Central Connecticut State on October 29.
Saturday, June 09, 2012
RFC Summer Semester--Ivy League Preview (FCS)
Website
2011 Final Standings
Looking back: Harvard ruled the roost in the Ivy League, as the Crimson cruised to an undefeated record (7-0) in league play en route to a 9-1 overall record in 2011. Additionally, four teams (Brown, Penn, Yale, and Dartmouth) all finished in a four-way tie for second place.
Looking ahead: While most other conferences still find themselves in realignment mode, the Ivy League is one of the few leagues that likely won't be adding any new members, or see any current members leave, for that matter, anytime soon. Otherwise, the other seven teams will spend 2012 trying to dethrone Harvard for the Ivy League crown.
On a media-related note, the Ivy League will have eight games on national television this season, with seven of those contests being shown on the NBC Sports Network, and one on the CBS Sports Network.
2012 Predicted Order of Finish (2011 overall record in parentheses)
1. Harvard (9-1): The Crimson reeled off nine straight wins to close out 2011 after losing their season opener to Holy Cross, 30-22, on September 17. They'll play six home games in 2012, starting with the season opener against San Diego on September 15.
2. Yale (5-5): The Bulldogs will look to bounce back after an up-and-down 2011 season. They'll try to do just that under new head coach Tony Reno.
3. Brown (7-3): Most programs would be happy with a seven-win season. Not the Brown Bears. Why? After starting last season at 7-1, the Bears lost their final two games of the year to finish in a four-way tie for second place in the Ivy League at 4-3. It'll be interesting to see if they can redeem themselves this season.
4. Penn (5-5): The Quakers played in their share of close games in 2011, going 4-3 in games decided by 12 points or less.
5. Dartmouth (5-5): Three straight wins over Cornell, Brown and Princeton to close out the 2011 season after a 2-5 start are giving the Big Green faithful a good reason to be hopeful for the 2012 season.
6. Cornell (5-5): Like the Big Green, the Big Red also finished the 2011 season strong after a sluggish start. Unlike the Big Green, though, the Big Red won back-to-back games to finish at .500 overall, and 3-4 in Ivy League play after starting the season at 2-5. Like Dartmouth, the Cornell faithful also have reason to be hopeful going into the 2012 season.
7. Columbia (1-9): The Lions may have won only one game last season. But that lone victory came in the final game of the year, in dramatic fashion, as the Lions upset Brown, 35-28, in double overtime. They hope to carry the momentum from that unlikely win into this season.
8. Princeton (1-9): A close win over the Lions was the lone bright spot in a disappointing season for the Tigers.
2011 Final Standings
Looking back: Harvard ruled the roost in the Ivy League, as the Crimson cruised to an undefeated record (7-0) in league play en route to a 9-1 overall record in 2011. Additionally, four teams (Brown, Penn, Yale, and Dartmouth) all finished in a four-way tie for second place.
Looking ahead: While most other conferences still find themselves in realignment mode, the Ivy League is one of the few leagues that likely won't be adding any new members, or see any current members leave, for that matter, anytime soon. Otherwise, the other seven teams will spend 2012 trying to dethrone Harvard for the Ivy League crown.
On a media-related note, the Ivy League will have eight games on national television this season, with seven of those contests being shown on the NBC Sports Network, and one on the CBS Sports Network.
2012 Predicted Order of Finish (2011 overall record in parentheses)
1. Harvard (9-1): The Crimson reeled off nine straight wins to close out 2011 after losing their season opener to Holy Cross, 30-22, on September 17. They'll play six home games in 2012, starting with the season opener against San Diego on September 15.
2. Yale (5-5): The Bulldogs will look to bounce back after an up-and-down 2011 season. They'll try to do just that under new head coach Tony Reno.
3. Brown (7-3): Most programs would be happy with a seven-win season. Not the Brown Bears. Why? After starting last season at 7-1, the Bears lost their final two games of the year to finish in a four-way tie for second place in the Ivy League at 4-3. It'll be interesting to see if they can redeem themselves this season.
4. Penn (5-5): The Quakers played in their share of close games in 2011, going 4-3 in games decided by 12 points or less.
5. Dartmouth (5-5): Three straight wins over Cornell, Brown and Princeton to close out the 2011 season after a 2-5 start are giving the Big Green faithful a good reason to be hopeful for the 2012 season.
6. Cornell (5-5): Like the Big Green, the Big Red also finished the 2011 season strong after a sluggish start. Unlike the Big Green, though, the Big Red won back-to-back games to finish at .500 overall, and 3-4 in Ivy League play after starting the season at 2-5. Like Dartmouth, the Cornell faithful also have reason to be hopeful going into the 2012 season.
7. Columbia (1-9): The Lions may have won only one game last season. But that lone victory came in the final game of the year, in dramatic fashion, as the Lions upset Brown, 35-28, in double overtime. They hope to carry the momentum from that unlikely win into this season.
8. Princeton (1-9): A close win over the Lions was the lone bright spot in a disappointing season for the Tigers.
RFC Summer Semester--Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) Preview (FCS)
Website
2011 Final Standings
Looking back: Towson not only took home its first-ever Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) title in 2011, it also became the first team in NCAA history to advance to the playoffs in three separate divisions (Division III runners-up in 1976, Division II in 1983, 1984, and 1986, and the FCS in 2011). The Tigers joined four other teams (Old Dominion, Maine, New Hampshire, and James Madison) in advancing to the FCS playoffs last season. A sixth team, Delaware, was left out of the FCS field despite a 7-4 overall record. Only the Black Bears were able to advance as far as the quarterfinals, with their season ending in a 35-23 loss to Georgia Southern.
Looking ahead: It has already lost Massachusetts to the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivsion (FBS) ranks for 2012. Now, the CAA will lose two more programs, Georgia State and Old Dominion, to the Sun Belt Conference and Conference USA, respectively, by 2013. Other programs, in the CAA as well as other conferences, may follow suit beyond the 2013 season. Those moves alone leave the CAA's future in limbo. Still, the league will operate with 11 teams in 2012.
2012 Predicted Order of Finish (2011 overall record in parentheses)
1. Old Dominion (10-3): The Monarchs made history in just their third season of football, as they made their first-ever FCS playoff appearance. They advanced to the second round before being eliminate by Georgia Southern, 55-48. Now, as they prepare to play in their final FCS season this fall, the Monarchs hope to go out as CAA champions. With eight offensive and seven defensive starters coming back, they just might have the team to get the job done this year.
2. Towson (9-3): The Tigers finished 7-1 in conference play to win their first-ever CAA championship, and earn a first round bye in the process. But their postseason run was cut short by Lehigh in a 40-38 loss. It came after the program had just one win in 2010. Now the challenge for head coach Rob Ambrose and his charges is to continue to build on last season's run. The 2012 schedule includes visits to FBS Kent State and LSU.
3. Maine (9-4): The Black Bears had a season to remember in 2011, advancing to the quarterfinals before losing to Georgia Southern. With 14 starters returning, seven on both sides of the football, expect them to be in both the CAA title and FCS playoff discussion for 2012.
4. Delaware (7-4): The Blue Hens started 4-4, only to win three straight games to finish 5-3 in CAA action last season. If they're to make the playoffs this season, they must overcome the loss of seven starters on offense.
5. New Hampshire (8-4): Head Coach Sean McDonnell enters his 14th season at the Wildcats helm, needing just four wins to earn his 100th career coaching win. He'll also try to put UNH in the FCS playoffs for the ninth year in a row. The highlight of the 2012 schedule includes a September 8 visit to Minnesota of the FBS (BCS) Big 10 Conference.
6. James Madison (8-5): Like McDonnell, Mickey Matthews will go into his 14th season leading the Dukes onto the field. Like his counterpart at New Hampshire, Matthews is just four wins away from his 100th career victory. JMU advanced to the second round of the FCS playoffs before being eliminated by eventual national champion North Dakota State, 26-14. If they're to make an even deeper postseason run in 2012, the Dukes must replace six starters on defense.
7. William & Mary (5-6): After making back-to-back FCS playoff appearances the last two years, the Tribe slumped to a 3-5 finish in CAA action last season. Moving up in the standings may be prove to be a challenge for head coach Jimmye Laycock, who enters his 33rd season as the winningest head coach in W&M history, having compiled a career record of 213-151-2. The 2012 slate includes back-to-back late season visits to New Hampshire and Old Dominion.
8. Rhode Island (3-8): As if losing programs to the FBS wasn't bad enough, the CAA will lose another, the Rams, to the Northeast Conference at the end of the upcoming 2012 season. While head coach Joe Trainer welcomes back nine starters from last season, he also must replace 13 of them. URI hasn't had a winning season since 1995, or have been to the playoffs since 1985.
9. Villanova (2-9): It seems as if the national championship season of 2009 is a distant memory for the Wildcats faithful, as the team finished CAA play a dismal 1-7 in 2011.
10. Richmond (3-8): The team that won it all in 2008 also hit rock bottom in 2011, as the Spiders lost eight straight games, all in CAA action, after a promising 3-0 start, as well as a national ranking as high as No. 5.
11. Georgia State (3-8): The Panthers first season in the CAA, sadly, will be the last, as they begin the transition to the FBS Sun Belt Conference in 2013.
2011 Final Standings
Looking back: Towson not only took home its first-ever Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) title in 2011, it also became the first team in NCAA history to advance to the playoffs in three separate divisions (Division III runners-up in 1976, Division II in 1983, 1984, and 1986, and the FCS in 2011). The Tigers joined four other teams (Old Dominion, Maine, New Hampshire, and James Madison) in advancing to the FCS playoffs last season. A sixth team, Delaware, was left out of the FCS field despite a 7-4 overall record. Only the Black Bears were able to advance as far as the quarterfinals, with their season ending in a 35-23 loss to Georgia Southern.
Looking ahead: It has already lost Massachusetts to the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivsion (FBS) ranks for 2012. Now, the CAA will lose two more programs, Georgia State and Old Dominion, to the Sun Belt Conference and Conference USA, respectively, by 2013. Other programs, in the CAA as well as other conferences, may follow suit beyond the 2013 season. Those moves alone leave the CAA's future in limbo. Still, the league will operate with 11 teams in 2012.
2012 Predicted Order of Finish (2011 overall record in parentheses)
1. Old Dominion (10-3): The Monarchs made history in just their third season of football, as they made their first-ever FCS playoff appearance. They advanced to the second round before being eliminate by Georgia Southern, 55-48. Now, as they prepare to play in their final FCS season this fall, the Monarchs hope to go out as CAA champions. With eight offensive and seven defensive starters coming back, they just might have the team to get the job done this year.
2. Towson (9-3): The Tigers finished 7-1 in conference play to win their first-ever CAA championship, and earn a first round bye in the process. But their postseason run was cut short by Lehigh in a 40-38 loss. It came after the program had just one win in 2010. Now the challenge for head coach Rob Ambrose and his charges is to continue to build on last season's run. The 2012 schedule includes visits to FBS Kent State and LSU.
3. Maine (9-4): The Black Bears had a season to remember in 2011, advancing to the quarterfinals before losing to Georgia Southern. With 14 starters returning, seven on both sides of the football, expect them to be in both the CAA title and FCS playoff discussion for 2012.
4. Delaware (7-4): The Blue Hens started 4-4, only to win three straight games to finish 5-3 in CAA action last season. If they're to make the playoffs this season, they must overcome the loss of seven starters on offense.
5. New Hampshire (8-4): Head Coach Sean McDonnell enters his 14th season at the Wildcats helm, needing just four wins to earn his 100th career coaching win. He'll also try to put UNH in the FCS playoffs for the ninth year in a row. The highlight of the 2012 schedule includes a September 8 visit to Minnesota of the FBS (BCS) Big 10 Conference.
6. James Madison (8-5): Like McDonnell, Mickey Matthews will go into his 14th season leading the Dukes onto the field. Like his counterpart at New Hampshire, Matthews is just four wins away from his 100th career victory. JMU advanced to the second round of the FCS playoffs before being eliminated by eventual national champion North Dakota State, 26-14. If they're to make an even deeper postseason run in 2012, the Dukes must replace six starters on defense.
7. William & Mary (5-6): After making back-to-back FCS playoff appearances the last two years, the Tribe slumped to a 3-5 finish in CAA action last season. Moving up in the standings may be prove to be a challenge for head coach Jimmye Laycock, who enters his 33rd season as the winningest head coach in W&M history, having compiled a career record of 213-151-2. The 2012 slate includes back-to-back late season visits to New Hampshire and Old Dominion.
8. Rhode Island (3-8): As if losing programs to the FBS wasn't bad enough, the CAA will lose another, the Rams, to the Northeast Conference at the end of the upcoming 2012 season. While head coach Joe Trainer welcomes back nine starters from last season, he also must replace 13 of them. URI hasn't had a winning season since 1995, or have been to the playoffs since 1985.
9. Villanova (2-9): It seems as if the national championship season of 2009 is a distant memory for the Wildcats faithful, as the team finished CAA play a dismal 1-7 in 2011.
10. Richmond (3-8): The team that won it all in 2008 also hit rock bottom in 2011, as the Spiders lost eight straight games, all in CAA action, after a promising 3-0 start, as well as a national ranking as high as No. 5.
11. Georgia State (3-8): The Panthers first season in the CAA, sadly, will be the last, as they begin the transition to the FBS Sun Belt Conference in 2013.
Thursday, June 07, 2012
RFC Summer Semester--Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Preview--NCAA Division II
Website
2011 Final Standings
Looking back: 2011 proved to be one of the most competitive seasons in the history of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC), as eight of the league's 16 teams finished with at least seven or more wins, while four of those squads had at least eight wins.
But it doesn't end there. The top two teams in both divisions, East (Kutztown/C.W. Post) and West (California [Pa.]/Slippery Rock), finished tied for first place at 6-1 in conference to end the regular season, while two other teams (Bloomsburg/Indiana) finished at 5-2 in their respective divisional play.
In the end, though, only California and Kutztown managed to advance to the NCAA Division II playoffs. Both teams were eliminated in the second round with losses to Winston-Salem State and New Haven, respectively.
Looking ahead: Expect another competitive race on both sides of the PSAC in 2012.
2012 Predicted Order of Finish (2011 overall record in parentheses)
East Division
1. Bloomsburg (9-2): Two losses on back-to-back weekends (October 29 and November 5) proved very costly to the Huskies postseason hopes in 2011. If they're to get back on top in the PSAC East in 2012, they must defeat either C.W. Post or Kutztown to get there, as well as back into the D-II playoff discussion. Unlike last season, the Huskies must play against Kutztown and C.W. Post in succession in September, instead of late October/early November.
2. Kutztown (11-2): The Golden Bears enter the 2012 season looking to not only win the PSAC East title for the third straight season, but also advance to the D-II playoffs for the third year in a row. That's not to mention that they're also looking to defend their first-ever overall PSAC title that they won in 2011, a 21-14 win over Slippery Rock. Still, KU faces a tough start to its season, as the Golden Bears will face California at home on September 8, before beginning divisional play at Bloomsburg the following week.
3. Shippensburg (7-4): After a 3-4 start, the Red Raiders were red hot to finish the 2011 season, ending it with four straight wins, holding their opponents to average of 12.5 points in the process. In 2012, however, Shippensburg faces a tough road to the top in the PSAC East, with the Red Raiders facing six teams that had winning records in 2011.
4. C.W. Post (7-4): Despite a dismal 0-3 start, the Pioneers managed to finish 6-1 in PSAC East play last season, good enough to finish in a first-place tie with Kutztown. That one loss in conference play, though, came to the Golden Bears, although the big highlight of 2011 came one week later, in the form of a 24-21 upset win over Bloomsburg a week later. Now the big question heading into 2012 is can the Pioneers take that next step, and seriously challenge for the division title again, and maybe more?
5. West Chester (5-6): The Golden Rams look to rebound after a disappointing 2011 campaign which saw them lose five of their six games by 10 or more points. The program's last playoff appearance came in 2008.
6. Millersville (3-8): The Marauders hope to move up in the PSAC East after a 2-5 finish in divisional play last season.
7. East Stroudsburg (3-8): The Warriors also hope to move forward after a rough 2011 season.
8. Cheyney (1-10): The Wolves barely escaped with a 21-19 win over Lincoln (Pa.) in their season opener, but lost 10 in a row to close out 2011.
West Division
1. California (Pa.)--(10-3): The Vulcans will shoot for an unprecedented sixth straight NCAA Division II playoff appearance, as well as their sixth straight 10-win season in 2012. But it'll be anything but an easy start to it, as they play host to a Hillsdale team that finished 8-2 last season, followed by a tough tilt against defending PSAC champion Kutztown the following week.
2. Slippery Rock (8-3): Despite a two-game losing streak to end last season, The Rock and its faithful still had something to cheer about, as the football program represented the West in the PSAC title game, giving eventual champion Kutztown all it could handle before losing, 21-14. Fans at SRU are hoping 2012 will be the year their team hoists the PSAC championship trophy up in the air, and then some.
3. Indiana (Pa.)--(7-3): If the last name of Cignetti doesn't sound familiar to both IUP and PSAC fans, it should. That's because Curt Cignetti is entering his season as the Crimson Hawks head coach coming off one of the best seasons the program has had since his father Frank led it to a conference crown in 1986. Now the challenge for the younger Cignetti will be to lead IUP to first postseason appearance since 2002.
4. Edinboro (7-4): The Fighting Scots will look to rebound after ending the 2011 season with back-to-back losses.
5. Gannon (4-7): The Golden Knights were outscored 277-219 in all 11 games of 2011.
6. Mercyhurst (4-7): The Lakers are looking to bounce back after a disappointing 2011 season. That followed an unlikely playoff run in 2010 in which they reached the D-II quarterfinals.
7. Clarion (3-8): A 34-20 season ending win over Millersville was the bright spot in a otherwise dismal campaign for the Golden Eagles.
8. Lock Haven (0-10): Speaking of dismal, the Bald Eagles are long overdue for a win. Their last victory came on the last day of 2007, November 10, to be exact. Ironically, it came against Clarion, 17-14. Since then, they've lost 42 straight games.
2011 Final Standings
Looking back: 2011 proved to be one of the most competitive seasons in the history of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC), as eight of the league's 16 teams finished with at least seven or more wins, while four of those squads had at least eight wins.
But it doesn't end there. The top two teams in both divisions, East (Kutztown/C.W. Post) and West (California [Pa.]/Slippery Rock), finished tied for first place at 6-1 in conference to end the regular season, while two other teams (Bloomsburg/Indiana) finished at 5-2 in their respective divisional play.
In the end, though, only California and Kutztown managed to advance to the NCAA Division II playoffs. Both teams were eliminated in the second round with losses to Winston-Salem State and New Haven, respectively.
Looking ahead: Expect another competitive race on both sides of the PSAC in 2012.
2012 Predicted Order of Finish (2011 overall record in parentheses)
East Division
1. Bloomsburg (9-2): Two losses on back-to-back weekends (October 29 and November 5) proved very costly to the Huskies postseason hopes in 2011. If they're to get back on top in the PSAC East in 2012, they must defeat either C.W. Post or Kutztown to get there, as well as back into the D-II playoff discussion. Unlike last season, the Huskies must play against Kutztown and C.W. Post in succession in September, instead of late October/early November.
2. Kutztown (11-2): The Golden Bears enter the 2012 season looking to not only win the PSAC East title for the third straight season, but also advance to the D-II playoffs for the third year in a row. That's not to mention that they're also looking to defend their first-ever overall PSAC title that they won in 2011, a 21-14 win over Slippery Rock. Still, KU faces a tough start to its season, as the Golden Bears will face California at home on September 8, before beginning divisional play at Bloomsburg the following week.
3. Shippensburg (7-4): After a 3-4 start, the Red Raiders were red hot to finish the 2011 season, ending it with four straight wins, holding their opponents to average of 12.5 points in the process. In 2012, however, Shippensburg faces a tough road to the top in the PSAC East, with the Red Raiders facing six teams that had winning records in 2011.
4. C.W. Post (7-4): Despite a dismal 0-3 start, the Pioneers managed to finish 6-1 in PSAC East play last season, good enough to finish in a first-place tie with Kutztown. That one loss in conference play, though, came to the Golden Bears, although the big highlight of 2011 came one week later, in the form of a 24-21 upset win over Bloomsburg a week later. Now the big question heading into 2012 is can the Pioneers take that next step, and seriously challenge for the division title again, and maybe more?
5. West Chester (5-6): The Golden Rams look to rebound after a disappointing 2011 campaign which saw them lose five of their six games by 10 or more points. The program's last playoff appearance came in 2008.
6. Millersville (3-8): The Marauders hope to move up in the PSAC East after a 2-5 finish in divisional play last season.
7. East Stroudsburg (3-8): The Warriors also hope to move forward after a rough 2011 season.
8. Cheyney (1-10): The Wolves barely escaped with a 21-19 win over Lincoln (Pa.) in their season opener, but lost 10 in a row to close out 2011.
West Division
1. California (Pa.)--(10-3): The Vulcans will shoot for an unprecedented sixth straight NCAA Division II playoff appearance, as well as their sixth straight 10-win season in 2012. But it'll be anything but an easy start to it, as they play host to a Hillsdale team that finished 8-2 last season, followed by a tough tilt against defending PSAC champion Kutztown the following week.
2. Slippery Rock (8-3): Despite a two-game losing streak to end last season, The Rock and its faithful still had something to cheer about, as the football program represented the West in the PSAC title game, giving eventual champion Kutztown all it could handle before losing, 21-14. Fans at SRU are hoping 2012 will be the year their team hoists the PSAC championship trophy up in the air, and then some.
3. Indiana (Pa.)--(7-3): If the last name of Cignetti doesn't sound familiar to both IUP and PSAC fans, it should. That's because Curt Cignetti is entering his season as the Crimson Hawks head coach coming off one of the best seasons the program has had since his father Frank led it to a conference crown in 1986. Now the challenge for the younger Cignetti will be to lead IUP to first postseason appearance since 2002.
4. Edinboro (7-4): The Fighting Scots will look to rebound after ending the 2011 season with back-to-back losses.
5. Gannon (4-7): The Golden Knights were outscored 277-219 in all 11 games of 2011.
6. Mercyhurst (4-7): The Lakers are looking to bounce back after a disappointing 2011 season. That followed an unlikely playoff run in 2010 in which they reached the D-II quarterfinals.
7. Clarion (3-8): A 34-20 season ending win over Millersville was the bright spot in a otherwise dismal campaign for the Golden Eagles.
8. Lock Haven (0-10): Speaking of dismal, the Bald Eagles are long overdue for a win. Their last victory came on the last day of 2007, November 10, to be exact. Ironically, it came against Clarion, 17-14. Since then, they've lost 42 straight games.
Wednesday, June 06, 2012
RFC Summer Semester--Centennial Conference Preview (NCAA Division III)
Website
2011 Final Standings
Looking back: Johns Hopkins took the Centennial Conference crown, as well as the automatic bid to the NCAA Division III playoffs, after dominating the league with unbeaten mark (9-0) in conference play last season. The Blue Jays were upset by eventual national quarterfinalist St. John Fisher, 23-12, in round one.
Looking ahead: The Blue Jays will not only shoot for their fourth straight winning season, but also fourth straight season of winning at least eight games. Head Coach Jim Margraff enters his 23rd season as the Johns Hopkins head coach.
2012 Predicted Order of Finish (2011 overall record in parentheses)
1. Johns Hopkins (10-1): Margraff enters the 2012 season with an overall career record of 147-79-3 record. That makes him the winningest head coach in program history. He's just three wins away from his 150th career victory as the Blue Jays head coach. Hopefully, that will also provide the motivation the program will need in order to overcome the sting of last year's sudden exit from the D-III playoffs last season.
2. Muhlenberg (7-3): After splitting their first six games of 2011, the Mules caught fire down the stretch, closing out last season on a four-game winning streak. That was good enough for them to finish second in the CC last season, at 7-2 in conference play. It's the type of momentum the Mules hope to carry over in 2012.
3. Ursinus (6-4): Of the four games they lost last season, the Bears lost three of those by seven points or less. If they're to be serious contenders for the CC title, they must learn how to win the close contests.
4. Gettysburg (6-4): The Bullets also had their share of close calls last season, as they finished 4-2 in games decided by seven points or less. Despite being among the multiple programs that have won at least 500 games all time (540-494-42), the Bullets haven't been to the NCAA Division III playoffs since 1985. That's something that veteran head coach Barry Streeter hopes to help change in 2012.
5. Susquehanna (6-4): The Crusaders will be tested early in 2012, as they play host to defending CC champion Johns Hopkins on September 8.
6. Dickinson (4-6): The Red Devils look to bounce back following a disappointing 2011 campaign in which they finished 4-5 in conference play.
7. Franklin & Marshall (3-7): The Diplomats will open the 2012 season playing three straight games against teams that had winning records at the end of the 2011 season. More specifically, the combined records of those three opponents is 21-9.
8. Moravian (2-8): In the eight games they lost last season, the Greyhounds had given up at least 20 points in seven of those contests, while surrendering at least 40 or more points in three games.
9. McDaniel (2-8): The Green Terror look to start fresh under new head coach Mike Hoyt.
10. Juniata (1-9): The Eagles avoided a winless season by stunning Susquehanna, 17-16, in the season finale on November 12.
2011 Final Standings
Looking back: Johns Hopkins took the Centennial Conference crown, as well as the automatic bid to the NCAA Division III playoffs, after dominating the league with unbeaten mark (9-0) in conference play last season. The Blue Jays were upset by eventual national quarterfinalist St. John Fisher, 23-12, in round one.
Looking ahead: The Blue Jays will not only shoot for their fourth straight winning season, but also fourth straight season of winning at least eight games. Head Coach Jim Margraff enters his 23rd season as the Johns Hopkins head coach.
2012 Predicted Order of Finish (2011 overall record in parentheses)
1. Johns Hopkins (10-1): Margraff enters the 2012 season with an overall career record of 147-79-3 record. That makes him the winningest head coach in program history. He's just three wins away from his 150th career victory as the Blue Jays head coach. Hopefully, that will also provide the motivation the program will need in order to overcome the sting of last year's sudden exit from the D-III playoffs last season.
2. Muhlenberg (7-3): After splitting their first six games of 2011, the Mules caught fire down the stretch, closing out last season on a four-game winning streak. That was good enough for them to finish second in the CC last season, at 7-2 in conference play. It's the type of momentum the Mules hope to carry over in 2012.
3. Ursinus (6-4): Of the four games they lost last season, the Bears lost three of those by seven points or less. If they're to be serious contenders for the CC title, they must learn how to win the close contests.
4. Gettysburg (6-4): The Bullets also had their share of close calls last season, as they finished 4-2 in games decided by seven points or less. Despite being among the multiple programs that have won at least 500 games all time (540-494-42), the Bullets haven't been to the NCAA Division III playoffs since 1985. That's something that veteran head coach Barry Streeter hopes to help change in 2012.
5. Susquehanna (6-4): The Crusaders will be tested early in 2012, as they play host to defending CC champion Johns Hopkins on September 8.
6. Dickinson (4-6): The Red Devils look to bounce back following a disappointing 2011 campaign in which they finished 4-5 in conference play.
7. Franklin & Marshall (3-7): The Diplomats will open the 2012 season playing three straight games against teams that had winning records at the end of the 2011 season. More specifically, the combined records of those three opponents is 21-9.
8. Moravian (2-8): In the eight games they lost last season, the Greyhounds had given up at least 20 points in seven of those contests, while surrendering at least 40 or more points in three games.
9. McDaniel (2-8): The Green Terror look to start fresh under new head coach Mike Hoyt.
10. Juniata (1-9): The Eagles avoided a winless season by stunning Susquehanna, 17-16, in the season finale on November 12.
Tuesday, June 05, 2012
RFC Summer Semester--Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Preview (NCAA Division III)
Website
2011 Final Standings
Looking back: Delaware Valley was one of four teams that won at least eight or more games in 2011. However, the Aggies were the only team to advance to the NCAA Division III playoffs, as they won the automatic bid from the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC). They advanced to round two of the D-III playoffs, with their season ending in a 27-14 upset loss to St. John Fisher. Two other teams earned berth in ECAC bowls, with both Widener and Lebanon Valley earning season-ending victories, respectively, while Lycoming found itself on the outside looking in for postseason play despite finishing 8-2.
Looking ahead: Until another team proves otherwise, Delaware Valley will enter the 2012 season as the team to beat in the D-III version of the MAC. New to the conference is the Misericordia University Cougars out of Dallas, Pa. That gives the MAC 10 teams for this season.
2012 Predicted Order of Finish (2011 overall record in parentheses)
1. Delaware Valley (11-1): With the sting of last year's playoff loss still fresh in their minds, the Aggies hope to use it as motivation for this year. If they can stay healthy, there's no reason why the 2012 DelVal squad can't make another deep playoff run.
2. Lebanon Valley (8-3): Despite a fourth place finish in MAC action (5-3), the Dutchmen ended the 2011 season on a three-game winning streak, including a season-ending 23-15 win over Saint Vincent in the ECAC Southwest Bowl. It's the kind of the momentum that the LVC faithful hopes will carry over into the 2012 season. The Dutchmen will get a stiff season opening test from Montclair State from the NJAC.
3. Lycoming (8-2): Two losses by a combined total of 10 points, one to Widener (31-28), as well to Delaware Valley (28-21), proved costly to the Warriors postseason hopes, as they sat at home despite finishing tied for second in the MAC (6-2) in 2011. It'll be interesting to see if they can make another serious run at the conference title in 2012.
4. Widener (9-2): Like Lebanon Valley, the Pride also ended the 2011 season with a win in an ECAC bowl game, as they crushed Waynesburg, 48-27, to win the ECAC South Atlantic Bowl. Still, fans in Chester, Pa. would like nothing more than to advance to the NCAA Division III playoffs for the first time since 2007.
5. Wilkes (4-5): A season-ending 43-34 win over Stevenson gave the Colonels their third season of at least four wins dating back to 2007. Even so, they would like to the winning ways they experienced in 2006, the year they made their last trip to the D-III dance.
6. Albright (6-5): An up-and-down 2011 season for the Lions ended with a 14-0 shutout loss to Cortland in the ECAC Southeast Bowl. If that wasn't enough, they'll face five teams that had winning records last year in 2012. That includes two teams that reached the D-III playoffs in Delaware Valley and Kean, as well as two teams that advanced to ECAC bowl games in Lebanon Valley and Widener.
7. Fairleigh Dickinson-Florham (1-9): The Devils surrendered 50 or more points in five of their nine losses last season.
8. Stevenson (2-8): The Mustangs look to build on their inaugural season mark of 1-7 in MAC play from a year ago.
9. King's (1-9): The Monarchs were held to single-digit scoring six times in their nine losses last season. Additionally, they reached the double-digit mark in points scored on just four other ocassions, with only one win to show for it, a 51-26 rout over Stevenson on September 17.
10. Misericordia (n/a): The Cougars will take the field for the first time in 2012. Their first-ever game will be on the road against Gettysburg on September 1.
8.
2011 Final Standings
Looking back: Delaware Valley was one of four teams that won at least eight or more games in 2011. However, the Aggies were the only team to advance to the NCAA Division III playoffs, as they won the automatic bid from the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC). They advanced to round two of the D-III playoffs, with their season ending in a 27-14 upset loss to St. John Fisher. Two other teams earned berth in ECAC bowls, with both Widener and Lebanon Valley earning season-ending victories, respectively, while Lycoming found itself on the outside looking in for postseason play despite finishing 8-2.
Looking ahead: Until another team proves otherwise, Delaware Valley will enter the 2012 season as the team to beat in the D-III version of the MAC. New to the conference is the Misericordia University Cougars out of Dallas, Pa. That gives the MAC 10 teams for this season.
2012 Predicted Order of Finish (2011 overall record in parentheses)
1. Delaware Valley (11-1): With the sting of last year's playoff loss still fresh in their minds, the Aggies hope to use it as motivation for this year. If they can stay healthy, there's no reason why the 2012 DelVal squad can't make another deep playoff run.
2. Lebanon Valley (8-3): Despite a fourth place finish in MAC action (5-3), the Dutchmen ended the 2011 season on a three-game winning streak, including a season-ending 23-15 win over Saint Vincent in the ECAC Southwest Bowl. It's the kind of the momentum that the LVC faithful hopes will carry over into the 2012 season. The Dutchmen will get a stiff season opening test from Montclair State from the NJAC.
3. Lycoming (8-2): Two losses by a combined total of 10 points, one to Widener (31-28), as well to Delaware Valley (28-21), proved costly to the Warriors postseason hopes, as they sat at home despite finishing tied for second in the MAC (6-2) in 2011. It'll be interesting to see if they can make another serious run at the conference title in 2012.
4. Widener (9-2): Like Lebanon Valley, the Pride also ended the 2011 season with a win in an ECAC bowl game, as they crushed Waynesburg, 48-27, to win the ECAC South Atlantic Bowl. Still, fans in Chester, Pa. would like nothing more than to advance to the NCAA Division III playoffs for the first time since 2007.
5. Wilkes (4-5): A season-ending 43-34 win over Stevenson gave the Colonels their third season of at least four wins dating back to 2007. Even so, they would like to the winning ways they experienced in 2006, the year they made their last trip to the D-III dance.
6. Albright (6-5): An up-and-down 2011 season for the Lions ended with a 14-0 shutout loss to Cortland in the ECAC Southeast Bowl. If that wasn't enough, they'll face five teams that had winning records last year in 2012. That includes two teams that reached the D-III playoffs in Delaware Valley and Kean, as well as two teams that advanced to ECAC bowl games in Lebanon Valley and Widener.
7. Fairleigh Dickinson-Florham (1-9): The Devils surrendered 50 or more points in five of their nine losses last season.
8. Stevenson (2-8): The Mustangs look to build on their inaugural season mark of 1-7 in MAC play from a year ago.
9. King's (1-9): The Monarchs were held to single-digit scoring six times in their nine losses last season. Additionally, they reached the double-digit mark in points scored on just four other ocassions, with only one win to show for it, a 51-26 rout over Stevenson on September 17.
10. Misericordia (n/a): The Cougars will take the field for the first time in 2012. Their first-ever game will be on the road against Gettysburg on September 1.
8.
Sunday, June 03, 2012
RFC Summer Semester--New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC)--(NCAA Division III)
Website
2011 Final Standings
Looking back: It was a mostly three-way race for the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) title in 2011, with Kean ultimately winning that league's automatic bid to the NCAA Division III playoffs. The Cougars advanced to round two before bowing out with a hard-fought, but heartbreaking, 49-47 loss to Salisbury in triple overtime.
Looking ahead: The NJAC has already lost Buffalo State to the Empire 8 Conference for 2012. But the changes don't end there, as Western Connecticut State is entering its final season in the conference this fall, and will join the newly-formed Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) for football in 2013. If that wasn't enough, another associate NJAC football member, Brockport, will join the Empire 8 Conference in 2014. That will leave the NJAC with just seven football-playing schools by then.
2012 Predicted Order of Finish (2011 overall record in parentheses)
1. Kean (10-2): Fresh off of their first-ever NCAA Division III playoff appearance, the Cougars look to build on that record-setting run of last season. But a tough challenge awaits them in the early stages of this season, as they travel down to Texas to face an always tough Mary Hardin-Baylor program on September 8. In addition to their NJAC title of a year ago, the Cougars have advanced to three ECAC bowls under current head coach Dan Garrett, winning two titles in 2006 and 2009. It's a tradition the program hopes to continue in 2012.
2. Montclair State (8-2): A loss to Kean in the final week of the regular season proved costly for the Red Hawks, as they not only lost a shot at a conference crown, they also found themselves on the outside looking in for the 2011 postseason. They hope for another shot at the playoffs in 2012.
3. Cortland (9-2): After struggling to a 3-2 start, the Red Dragons were red hot going down the stretch, winning their final six games of 2011. That included a season-ending 14-0 shutout of Albright in the ECAC Southeast Bowl. Still, they want to take that next step, and earn their first D-III playoff appearance since 2010.
4. College of New Jersey (7-3): The Lions will be night owls in 2012, as they'll play four games under the lights this season. Three of their key games, though, will be played during the day, with home games against Cortland and Kean, as well as a road trip to Montclair State, all during the first three weeks of October.
5. Rowan (5-5): The Profs started the 2011 campaign at 5-2, but it ended with three straight losses, albeit by a combined total of 20 points. That included a 37-31 overtime loss to Montclair State in overtime on November 5. Oh, and the Profs lost all five of their games by seven points or less last season. Learning how to win the close games is a goal this program hopes to accomplish in 2012. It starts on September 1, when the Profs play host to perennial playoff contender Delaware Valley.
6. Brockport (3-7): The Golden Eagles may have had a disappointing 2011 season, but at least it ended on a winning note, as they outlasted Morrisville, 35-20, in the season finale on November 12. Hopefully, that momentum will have them soaring to new heights in 2012.
7. William Paterson (4-6): Like the Golden Eagles, the Pioneers also ended an otherwise disappointing 2011 campaign on a winning note, as they crushed Western Connecticut State, 45-19, in their final game of the season.
8. Morrisville State (1-9): The Mustangs look to move forward after a miserable 2011 season.
9. Western Connecticut State (0-10): The Colonials look to get a fresh start under new head coach Joe Loth. His main task will be to snap a 21-game skid that dates back to final game of the 2009 season. WCSU's last win came on November 7 of that year, when the Colonials outlasted the College of New Jersey, 37-34.
2011 Final Standings
Looking back: It was a mostly three-way race for the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) title in 2011, with Kean ultimately winning that league's automatic bid to the NCAA Division III playoffs. The Cougars advanced to round two before bowing out with a hard-fought, but heartbreaking, 49-47 loss to Salisbury in triple overtime.
Looking ahead: The NJAC has already lost Buffalo State to the Empire 8 Conference for 2012. But the changes don't end there, as Western Connecticut State is entering its final season in the conference this fall, and will join the newly-formed Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) for football in 2013. If that wasn't enough, another associate NJAC football member, Brockport, will join the Empire 8 Conference in 2014. That will leave the NJAC with just seven football-playing schools by then.
2012 Predicted Order of Finish (2011 overall record in parentheses)
1. Kean (10-2): Fresh off of their first-ever NCAA Division III playoff appearance, the Cougars look to build on that record-setting run of last season. But a tough challenge awaits them in the early stages of this season, as they travel down to Texas to face an always tough Mary Hardin-Baylor program on September 8. In addition to their NJAC title of a year ago, the Cougars have advanced to three ECAC bowls under current head coach Dan Garrett, winning two titles in 2006 and 2009. It's a tradition the program hopes to continue in 2012.
2. Montclair State (8-2): A loss to Kean in the final week of the regular season proved costly for the Red Hawks, as they not only lost a shot at a conference crown, they also found themselves on the outside looking in for the 2011 postseason. They hope for another shot at the playoffs in 2012.
3. Cortland (9-2): After struggling to a 3-2 start, the Red Dragons were red hot going down the stretch, winning their final six games of 2011. That included a season-ending 14-0 shutout of Albright in the ECAC Southeast Bowl. Still, they want to take that next step, and earn their first D-III playoff appearance since 2010.
4. College of New Jersey (7-3): The Lions will be night owls in 2012, as they'll play four games under the lights this season. Three of their key games, though, will be played during the day, with home games against Cortland and Kean, as well as a road trip to Montclair State, all during the first three weeks of October.
5. Rowan (5-5): The Profs started the 2011 campaign at 5-2, but it ended with three straight losses, albeit by a combined total of 20 points. That included a 37-31 overtime loss to Montclair State in overtime on November 5. Oh, and the Profs lost all five of their games by seven points or less last season. Learning how to win the close games is a goal this program hopes to accomplish in 2012. It starts on September 1, when the Profs play host to perennial playoff contender Delaware Valley.
6. Brockport (3-7): The Golden Eagles may have had a disappointing 2011 season, but at least it ended on a winning note, as they outlasted Morrisville, 35-20, in the season finale on November 12. Hopefully, that momentum will have them soaring to new heights in 2012.
7. William Paterson (4-6): Like the Golden Eagles, the Pioneers also ended an otherwise disappointing 2011 campaign on a winning note, as they crushed Western Connecticut State, 45-19, in their final game of the season.
8. Morrisville State (1-9): The Mustangs look to move forward after a miserable 2011 season.
9. Western Connecticut State (0-10): The Colonials look to get a fresh start under new head coach Joe Loth. His main task will be to snap a 21-game skid that dates back to final game of the 2009 season. WCSU's last win came on November 7 of that year, when the Colonials outlasted the College of New Jersey, 37-34.
Friday, June 01, 2012
RFC Summer Semester--Eastern Collegiate Football Conference (ECFC) Preview (NCAA Division III)
Eastern Collegiate Football Conference (ECFC) Preview--(NCAA Division III)
Website
2011 Final Standings
Looking back: Despite going winless in non-conference games, Norwich (7-4 overall) went undefeated in league play en route to winning the ECFC title, and advancing to the NCAA Division III playoffs for the first time ever. The Cadets were quickly ousted in the first round by Delaware Valley, 62-10.
Looking ahead: Norwich might be hard-pressed to repeat last year's success.
2012 Predicted Order of Finish (2011 overall record in parentheses)
1. Norwich (7-4): The Cadets open the 2012 campaign at home against another team that also reached their first-ever D-III dance in Western New England, on September 1. They'll find out quickly just how good they are on Labor Day Weekend.
2. Maritime (N.Y.)--(8-2): One of the Mariners two losses in 2011 cost them a trip to postseason play: a 16-9 setback to Norwich on November 5. They'll get a chance to return the favor in Vermont on November 3.
3. Mount Ida (6-5): The Mustangs up and down 2011 campaign ended with a 31-22 loss to Endicott in the ECAC North Atlantic Bowl. If they're to challenge for the ECFC title in 2012, the Mustangs must learn how to win the close games, as they were 1-4 in games decided by nine points or less.
4. Castleton (4-6): The Spartans had a habit of giving up a lot of points in 2011, finishing 3-4 in games in which they allowed 50 or more points.
5. Gallaudet (5-5): Although they finished a respectable 4-3 in ECFC action last year, the Bison lost their final two games of the season to finish at .500 overall, although both losses came against teams (Mount Ida and Maritime) that eventually finished 2011 with winning records. It's something the Bison hope to accomplish in 2012.
6. Anna Maria (2-8): After going winless in their first 27 games, the Amcats finally found their way into the win column on November 5, 2011, as they held off Becker in a hard-fought 35-33 victory. They followed up that win with a 31-28 triumph over Husson to close out the season a week later. Under interim head coach Vince Sinagra, the Amcats hope to move forward in 2012.
7. Becker (1-9): A 20-14 win over Husson was the lone highlight of an otherwise dismal season for the Hawks.
8. Husson (0-10): The Eagles surrendered at least 70 points in two of their games last season, and at least 60 in another game.
Website
2011 Final Standings
Looking back: Despite going winless in non-conference games, Norwich (7-4 overall) went undefeated in league play en route to winning the ECFC title, and advancing to the NCAA Division III playoffs for the first time ever. The Cadets were quickly ousted in the first round by Delaware Valley, 62-10.
Looking ahead: Norwich might be hard-pressed to repeat last year's success.
2012 Predicted Order of Finish (2011 overall record in parentheses)
1. Norwich (7-4): The Cadets open the 2012 campaign at home against another team that also reached their first-ever D-III dance in Western New England, on September 1. They'll find out quickly just how good they are on Labor Day Weekend.
2. Maritime (N.Y.)--(8-2): One of the Mariners two losses in 2011 cost them a trip to postseason play: a 16-9 setback to Norwich on November 5. They'll get a chance to return the favor in Vermont on November 3.
3. Mount Ida (6-5): The Mustangs up and down 2011 campaign ended with a 31-22 loss to Endicott in the ECAC North Atlantic Bowl. If they're to challenge for the ECFC title in 2012, the Mustangs must learn how to win the close games, as they were 1-4 in games decided by nine points or less.
4. Castleton (4-6): The Spartans had a habit of giving up a lot of points in 2011, finishing 3-4 in games in which they allowed 50 or more points.
5. Gallaudet (5-5): Although they finished a respectable 4-3 in ECFC action last year, the Bison lost their final two games of the season to finish at .500 overall, although both losses came against teams (Mount Ida and Maritime) that eventually finished 2011 with winning records. It's something the Bison hope to accomplish in 2012.
6. Anna Maria (2-8): After going winless in their first 27 games, the Amcats finally found their way into the win column on November 5, 2011, as they held off Becker in a hard-fought 35-33 victory. They followed up that win with a 31-28 triumph over Husson to close out the season a week later. Under interim head coach Vince Sinagra, the Amcats hope to move forward in 2012.
7. Becker (1-9): A 20-14 win over Husson was the lone highlight of an otherwise dismal season for the Hawks.
8. Husson (0-10): The Eagles surrendered at least 70 points in two of their games last season, and at least 60 in another game.
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