New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC)
2014 New Jersey Athletic Conference Football Standings
Looking back: Three teams; Montclair State, Morrisville State, and Rowan, all finished in a three-way tie for first place in the New Jersey Athletic Conference at 6-1 in league games last season. In the end, however, it was Rowan that ended up representing the NJAC in the NCAA Division III playoffs at the end of 2014. The Profs fell in the first round, as they lost to Johns Hopkins, 24-16.
Looking ahead: The 2015 season will bring about a lot of changes to the NJAC, as Cortland and Morrisville State both depart to join the Empire 8 Conference, while five out-of-state programs: Christopher Newport (Va.), Frostburg State (Md.), Salisbury (Md.), Southern Virginia, and Wesley (Del.) enter the fold this fall. With a combined 73 league titles and 63 NCAA playoff appearances between the 10 teams in the new-look conference, the upcoming campaign promises to be very interesting indeed.
Predicted order of finish (2014 overall record in parentheses):
1. Rowan (7-4): The Profs enter the 2015 campaign as the team to beat in the NJAC. But with a tough schedule that includes a season-opening clash at Widener, followed by visits to newcomers Christopher Newport, Salisbury, and Wesley, defending that title won't be easy.
2. Wesley (12-2): Since 2005, the Wolverines have had one of the winningest programs at the NCAA Division III level, winning at least nine games overall, as well as advancing to the D-III playoffs, in each of the last 10 years. But as they enter their inaugural season in the NJAC, maintaining that level of success will be anything but a walk in the park.
3. Montclair State (8-2): "20" proved to be an unlucky number for the Red Hawks in 2014. That was the exact they scored in their two losses last season, to Delaware Valley and Morrisville State, respectively. Were it not for those two setbacks, they would have not only finished the regular season undefeated, but also would have advanced to the D-III playoffs. That's something they hope to rectify in 2015.
4. Christopher Newport (8-4): The Captains have not finished a season below .500 in their football program's 14-year history, which includes 10 NCAA playoff appearances. However, as they enter their 15th season--and their rookie campaign in the NJAC--that streak will be put to the task in a tremendous way, as they'll try to do something they've never done: win at least 10 games in a single season for the first time ever.
5. Salisbury (7-4): The Sea Gulls also have a solid tradition of winning that dates back more than four decades. But like several of their newcomers, they'll face the tremendous challenge that will await them in the brave new world of the NJAC.
6. Frostburg State (4-6): After their second four-win season in the last four years, the Bobcats hope to rise to the challenge in the new-look NJAC.
7. Kean (2-8): The Cougars face an uphill battle after their second two-win season in as many years.
8. William Paterson (4-6): The Pioneers head into 2015 hoping to finish with a winning record for the first time since their playoff season of 1993, when they finished 8-4 overall.
9. Southern Virginia (1-9): With nearby foes such as Christopher Newport coming into the NJAC this fall, road trips won't be quite as long, or lonely, for the Knights.
10. The College of New Jersey (2-8): The Lions look to go nowhere up under third-year head coach Wayne Dickens.
Follow RFC on Twitter @realfootball.
5 years ago
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