RFC Summer Semester: NCAA Division III Independents

Editor's Note: We're taking a break from our regular conference previews to take a short look at some small college football teams who are making the transition from one division to another.  In this installment, we take a look at the five teams who are competing as independents at the NCAA Division III level.

2012 overall record in parentheses

Alfred State (5-4):  The Pioneers of Upstate New York will begin their first season as a provisional member of the NCAA Division III ranks.  Their inaugural season will be a very bumpy road, literally, traveling to Ohio Northern, Concordia (Mich.), and Husson in the first three weeks.  Their home opener will be on September 28 against the Apprentice School.

Macalester (6-4):  Coming off of their second winning season in the last three years, the Scots will have their own road "tri-fecta" to start the 2013 season, paying visits to Crown, Concordia (Wis.), and Maranatha Baptist, before finally coming home to play host to NAIA Mayville State on October 5.  The Scots will join the Midwest Conference as an affiliate member for football in 2014. 

Maranatha Baptist (0-10):  After spending the last five years in the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NACC), the Crusaders will return to competing as an independent. Head Coach Andy Peterson will try to turn around a program that's coming off it's third winless season in the last five years, while winning just four games overall dating back to the 2008 season.

Southern Virginia (5-6):  The Knights won three straight games to finish the 2012 season after starting 2-6.  The 2013 schedule will include six home games, with five of them to be played in October and November.

Wesley (10-2):  The Wolverines have won at least nine games in each of the last eight years, while winning at least 10 contests in seven of the last eight seasons.  That run has also included many deep runs in the NCAA Division III playoffs.  That's something that 20th year head coach Mike Drass wants to see continue in 2013.  


Follow RFC on Twitter @realfootball.