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2012 Final Standings
Looking back: At the end of a very competitive 2012 campaign, St. Scholastica (8-3 overall) advanced to the NCAA Division III playoffs for a second straight season. The Saints finished in a three-way tie for first place with Northwestern (Minn.)--(8-3 overall) and Greenville (8-2 overall) at 7-1 in conference play.
In the postseason, though, St. Scholastica's run in the D-III playoffs was cut short for the second year in a row, as eventual national semifinalist Wisconsin-Oshkosh cruised to a 55-10 win in the first round. In the NCCAA Victory Bowl, two UMAC teams provided the opposition against each other, as Greenville edged Northwestern, 28-27, on November 17.
Looking ahead: Expect the UMAC title race to be wide open again in 2013. In off-the-field news, Iowa Wesleyan will bring its transition to the D-III ranks this fall.
Predicted order of finish (2012 overall record in parentheses)
1. Greenville (8-2): If the Panthers want to win the UMAC title outright in 2013, they must do it under interim head coach Robbie Schomaker. He replaces Ordell Walker, who resigned to become the head coach at Bluefield.
2. Northwestern (Minn.)--(8-3): The Eagles entered the final week of the 2012 season at 8-1 overall, and unbeaten in UMAC play at 7-0. But back-to-back losses to Greenville, including the defeat in the NCCAA Victory Bowl, brought about a disappointing end to what was an otherwise good season. Fans hope for a better ending to the 2013 season.
3. St. Scholastica (8-3): In just five years of existence, the Saints have gone from a fledging start-up program, to a perennial postseason contender. Barring any potentially devastating injuries to key players, don't be surprised if they're in the UMAC championship again in 2013.
4. Minnesota-Morris (6-4): After posting their best season since 2006 (7-3 overall), the Cougars hope to take the next step, and take home a UMAC title in 2013.
5. Eureka (4-6): The Red Devils face a long, tough road after ending the 2012 season on a four-game skid. That came about about they started 4-2.
6. Martin Luther (4-6): On the flip side, the Knights and their faithful have a glimmer after ending last year with back-to-back wins following a 2-6 start.
7. MacMurray (2-7): Highlanders hope to go nowhere to go but up under third-year head coach Chris Douglas.
8. Westminster (Mo.)--(3-6): The Blue Jays look to bounce back after a disappointing 2012 season. Head Coach John Welty and company will try to clinch their second winning season in three years. Oh, and they also ended last season on a five-game losing streak after starting 3-1.
9. Crown (2-8): There's nowhere to go but up for the Knights this season.
10. Iowa Wesleyan (3-8): The Tigers begin their rookie season in D-III after a number of years as an NAIA member.
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5 years ago
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