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

New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC)

Website

2012 Final Standings 

Looking back: The NJAC sent two teams to postseason play in 2012, with Cortland State getting the automatic bid, while Rowan earned an at-large bid.  The Red Dragons advanced to round two before being crushed by Wesley, 56-6, while the Profs found themselves in the "one-and-done" after losing to Salisbury, 17-9.

Looking ahead: Can Cortland claim another NJAC title in 2013? Or will Rowan, or maybe someone else, step up and take home the title?  Lots of questions yet to be answered.  Meanwhile, the departure of Western Connecticut State (now in the MASCAC), as well as the eventual departure of the College of Brockport (formerly Brockport State) will leave the NJAC with just seven schools for football by 2014.

Predicted order of finish (2012 overall record in parentheses)

1. Cortland State (9-2):  The Red Dragons managed to finish undefeated in NJAC play at 7-0, despite having their game against William Paterson called off because of Hurricane Sandy.  They'll face fellow non-conference, Upstate New York foes such as Buffalo State and St. John Fisher to get ready for what is sure to be yet another tough conference schedule.

2. Rowan (7-3):  The Profs were another team that advanced to the NCAA playoffs despite also having one game cancelled due to Hurricane Sandy.  Like Cortland, Rowan will gear up for NJAC play by perennial Middle Atlantic Conference power Delaware Valley, as well as defending New England Football Conference champion Framingham State. Oh, and the Profs did punch their ticket to postseason play despite playing just four home games last season (4-0 in 2012).

3. Kean (5-4):  The Cougars had a "Jekyll and Hyde" 2012 season. After starting 0-2, they reeled off five straight wins before losing their final two contests.  Looks like getting to a fast start is a must if the Cougars have any aspirations of postseason play in 2013.

4. Brockport (6-4):  Despite a so-so showing in league play last year (4-4 in 2012), the Golden Eagles still managed to clinch their first winning season since 2004, when they finished 6-4 overall.  They hope to make one last serious run at the NJAC crown in 2013, before jumping to the Empire 8 Conference as an affiliate member in 2014.

5. Montclair State (5-5):  Back-to-back wins in their final two games salvaged what was an otherwise disappointing season by Red Hawks standards in 2012.  Head Coach Rick Giancola hopes they return to the elite status that the locals have been used to in 2013.

6. William Paterson (5-5):  The Pioneers have hovered around the four to five win range for the last six years.  In order to finally get above that .500 hump that has eluded them over that span, they must overcome an early stretch of games that has them facing the likes of King's, Bridgewater State, and Cortland, all on the road, to start the 2013 campaign.

7. The College of New Jersey (4-6):  The Lions will look to get back on the winning track following a disappointing 2012 season.  That followed up a 2011 campaign which produced a 7-3 mark. But with a schedule that has them playing against seven teams that won five or more games last season, finishing with that winning record this season might be a tall order for the Lions.

8. Morrisville State (1-9):  Can anybody say "nowhere to go but up"?   That's the direction the Mustangs want to go in after yet another dismal season.  They've never won more than three games since starting varsity play in 2006.

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