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South Atlantic Conference (SAC)
2014 South Atlantic Conference Football Standings - South Atlantic Conference
Looking back: The 2014 South Atlantic Conference (SAC) football season was dominated by the Lenoir-Rhyne University Bears, who finished the regular season undefeated at 11-0, only to be upset by the upstart Valdosta State Unviersity Blazers in the second round of the NCAA Division II playoffs. While the Bears also finished SAC play unbeaten at 7-0, every other team in the conference finished with at least two losses in league play, and three overall.
Looking ahead: Will Lenoir-Rhyne win yet another SAC title in 2015? Or will a mainstay such as Carson-Newman return to the top of the heap in a conference whose history dates back 40 years? Those are among the many questions that will be answered this fall.
Predicted order of finish (2014 overall record in parentheses):
1. Lenoir-Rhyne (11-1): The Bears must replace quarterback Miles Freeman, who passed for more than 1, 200 yards last season, as well as linebacker Tanner Botts, and other seniors lost due to graduation, if they're to add fifth straight SAC championship to their trophy case this fall.
2. Carson-Newman (7-3): The Eagles gave up 35 or more points in each of the three games they lost last season. That's an area where they must improve upon if they're to claim a conference title and/or advance to postseason play this season.
3. Tusculum (6-5): A four-game winning streak to end the 2014 season could lead to a promising 2015 season for the Pioneers.
4. Catawba (6-5): The Indians face a tough early-season slate that starts with the season opener at home against D-II playoff semifinalist West Georgia on September 5, followed by a trip to Carson-Newman to open SAC play on September 19.
5. Wingate (6-5): The Bulldogs will leave the state of North Carolina only once in 2015: a trip to Tusculum on October 10.
6. Newberry (5-6): Head Coach Todd Knight hopes that the return of 17 starters--10 on offense and seven on defense--will help turn the Wolves into serious SAC title contenders this fall.
7. Mars Hill (4-6): If the Lions hope to finish above .500 this fall, they must grind their way through a tough early-season stretch that includes visits to FCS foes Western Carolina and Chattanooga.
8. Brevard (1-10): With their pending move to the NCAA Division III ranks within the next several years, the Tornados will be spending 2015 and beyond, preparing for such a transition.
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Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA)
2014 CIAA Football Standings
Looking back: The 2014 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) was dominated by Virginia State in the North Division, and Winston-Salem State in the South, with both squads finishing unbeaten in conference play at the end of the regular season. The Trojans defeated the Rams, 21-17, to claim the CIAA championship.
But the Trojans remarkable season didn't end there, as they downed LIU-Post, 28-17, for their first-ever NCAA Division II playoff victory. Their run ended in the second round of the D-II playoffs, as they fell to Bloomsburg, 35-14.
Looking ahead: Virginia State will try to make it back-to-back CIAA championships this fall, while Winston-Salem State will try to rebound after missing out on postseason play despite a nine-win season.
Predicted order of finish (2014 overall record in parentheses):
North Division
1. Virginia State (10-3): If the Trojans hope to repeat as CIAA champions in 2015, they must do it under new head coach Byron Thweatt. He replaces Latrell Scott, who left to take a similar position at Norfolk State.
2. Virginia Union (7-3): The Panthers hope to improve on last year's 5-2 conference mark, which included a 3-2 in North Division action.
3. Bowie State (5-5): With 20 starters coming back from a squad that finished 5-2 in league play, and 4-1 in division games, expect the Bulldogs to be serious contenders for the CIAA crown this fall.
4. Elizabeth City State (4-6): The Vikings struggled in close games last season, going 1-4 in games decided by eight points or less.
5. Chowan (2-8): The Hawks hope to put another disappointing season behind them.
6. Lincoln (Pa.)--(1-9): The Lions will look to start over yet again, as Herb Pickens steps in as their interim head coach.
South Division
1. Winston-Salem State (9-2): The Rams not only found themselves a combined nine points away from an undefeated regular season, but also another appearance at the NCAA Division II playoffs. With that said, they hope to use that postseason snub as motivation for this fall.
2. Fayetteville State (5-5): The Broncos look to build on a second place showing that saw them finish 5-2 in CIAA play, and 4-1 in South Division games last season.
3. St. Augustine's (3-7): After spending last season as the interim head coach, Michael Morand got the job permanently once the offseason arrived. He'll have his work cut out for him this season, as he hopes to lift a struggling Falcons program into CIAA championship contention.
4. Johnson C. Smith (3-7): The Golden Bulls begin a new era under new head coach Kermit Blount, who was a former head coach at Winston-Salem State.
5. Livingstone (5-5): The Blue Bears hope to bounce back after a promising 4-0 start fizzled into a 1-5 finish.
6. Shaw (3-7): The Bears will shoot for their second winning season in three years under third-year head coach Robert Massey.
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Mountain East Conference (MEC)
2014 Mountain East Conference Football Standings
Looking back: The 2014 season was one of storybook proportions for the Concord University Mountain Lions, as they advanced to the NCAA Division II playoffs for the first time ever. Their amazing run with a loss to eventual national runner-up Minnesota State-Mankato on the road.
Looking ahead: Can Concord repeat last year's success, or will Shepherd step up and reclaim its place at the top of the Mountain East Conference throne? It should be interesting to see what happens, as this fledgling league enters its third season of play in 2015.
Predicted order of finish (2014 overall record in parentheses):
1. Concord (13-1): With eight starters coming back from last year's national semifinal squad, the Mountain Lions enter this season as the team to beat in the Mountain East Conference. Not only that, they'll also begin the year ranked No. 5 in The Sporting News poll, and No. 7 in the Lindy's Sports rankings.
2. Shepherd (8-2): But the Rams found themselves just 10 combined points away from an undefeated regular season, as well as a berth in the NCAA Division II playoffs last year. With that said, don't be surprised if they're in the conference title/postseason hunt this year.
3. Charleston (W. Va.)--(8-3): The Golden Eagles will shoot for their fourth straight winning season under head coach Pat Kirkland.
4. Notre Dame College (7-4): The Falcons hope to build on their first-ever winning season, as their program enters its sixth season this fall.
5. West Liberty (6-5): The Hilltoppers move into the 2015 season hoping to improve on last year's 6-4 mark in Mountain East play. Program History
6. Glenville State (5-6): The Pioneers will leave the state of West Virginia only twice to play this fall.
7. West Virginia Wesleyan (4-6): The Bobcats will face five teams that compiled winning records in 2014.
8. Fairmont State (3-7): The Fighting Falcons face a huge uphill fight, as they've won just 10 games combined over the past three years.
9. Urbana (3-8): New head coach Tyler Haines inherits a Blue Knights program that's coming off of its first losing season since 2010, when they finished 5-6 overall.
10. UVa.-Wise (2-9): Wins have been hard to come by for the Cavaliers, who have won just seven games combined since 2012.
11. West Virginia State (2-9): Speaking of which, the Yellow Jackets have won only eight games combined dating back to 2009.
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President's Athletic Conference (PAC)
2014 President's Athletic Conference Football Standings
Looking back: The Washington & Jefferson Presidents won or shared their third straight President's Athletic Conference crown, finishing 7-1 in league play en route to a 10-2 overall record last season. After outlasting Wittenberg in the first round of the NCAA Division III playoffs, the Presidents were crushed by eventual national runner-up Mount Union in the second round.
Looking ahead: Don't be surprised if W&J winds up returning to the NCAA Division III playoffs in 2015.
Predicted order of finish (2014 overall record in parentheses):
1. Washington & Jefferson (10-2): The leader of the "PAC" again this fall, until another team proves otherwise.
2. Waynesburg (8-3): But after a season-ending loss to Buffalo in the ECAC Southwest Bowl, the Yellow Jackets will be out to prove that they're serious contenders for a conference championship this fall.
3. Bethany (W. Va.)--(6-5): The Bison will look to build on its first postseason appearance since 1980. They fell to Stevenson in last year's ECAC Southeast Bowl.
4. Thomas More (8-2): The Saints must continue to build on their winning tradition under a new head coach, as Regis Scafe replaces Jim Hilvert, who resigned after eight seasons at the Kentucky-based institution.
5. Saint Vincent (4-6): The Bearcats look to keep moving forward under second-year head coach Ron Dolciato.
6. Case Western Reserve (3-7): The Spartans will look to bounce back after suffering their first losing season since 2005, when they also finished that season at 3-7.
7. Westminster (Pa.)--(4-6): The Titans will have three tough tests in a row on the road to start the 2015 season, followed by their home opener taking on Thomas More on September 26.
8. Thiel (4-6): Tomcats tough 2015 schedule includes visits to Thomas More, Washington & Jefferson and Waynesburg, among other opponents.
9. Carnegie Mellon (4-6): The Tartans enter their second season in the PAC looking to improve on last year's 3-5 mark in their inaugural conference campaign.
10. Geneva (3-7): The Golden Tornados hope to put last year's disappointing performance behind them.
11. Grove City (0-10): The Wolverines are looking to rebound after posting their first winless season since 1956, when they finished 0-8.
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Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC)
2014 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Football Standings
Looking back: It turned out to be a tale of two divisions in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference for 2014. While the East Division was dominated by both Bloomsburg and West Chester, respectively, with the Huskies ultimately taking home the title, the race for the West Division crown came down to the final week of the regular season, as Slippery Rock won the tiebreaker over Gannon to win the latter championship. The Rock then went on to shock the Huskies, 28-26, to win the PSAC championship.
But once the NCAA Division II playoffs rolled around, it was a much different story, as the PSAC sent three teams; Bloomsburg, Slippery Rock, and West Chester advanced to postseason play. As the No. 2 seed in Super Region 1, the Huskies advanced to the regional finals, where they fell to Concord, 32-26. Meanwhile, West Chester ousted Slippery Rock, 46-20, in the first round, before falling to Concord, 51-36, in the second round.
Looking ahead: Expect intense races on both sides of the PSAC in 2015. In fact, don't be surprised if both division races aren't settled until the final week of the regular season.
Predicted order of finish (2014 overall record in parentheses):
East Division
1. Bloomsburg (11-2): If the Huskies hope to make another deep postseason run, head coach Paul Darragh must rely on the services of their four captains, including starting quarterback Tim Kelly.
2. West Chester (11-2): The Golden Rams will quickly find out just how good they might be, when they open the 2015 season at home against fellow D-II playoff participant Lenoir-Rhyne on September 3.
3. East Stroudsburg (6-5): Head Coach Denny Douds must replace eight starters, six on defense, from a Warriors squad that ended the 2014 season with four straight losses following a 6-1 start. Program History
4. Kutztown (6-5): The Golden Bears have their work cut for them in 2015, as they must face seven teams that won six or more games in 2014.
5. Shippensburg (6-5): The Red Raiders will have a lot of work ahead of them as well, as they'll shoot for their fifth straight winning season, and their sixth dating back to 2009.
6. Lock Haven (2-9): The Eagles will look to move forward under new head coach Dave Taynor.
7. Millersville (1-10): The Marauders face a huge uphill climb under third-year head coach Greg Breitbach.
8. Cheyney (0-11): The Wolves have turned to the past for their immediate future, as former head coach Chris Roulhac recently returned to the program on an interim basis for the 2015 season.
West Division
1. Gannon (9-2): After ending the 2014 season with five straight wins, the Golden Knights will go into the 2015 season looking to accomplish something they've never achieved since restarting their football program in 1989: playing in their first-ever postseason game.
2. Slippery Rock (9-3): But the Golden Knights must get past a "Rock" squad that begins the 2015 campaign ranked ninth in the nation by The Sporting News, and No. 25 by Lindy's Sports.
3. California (Pa.)-(8-3): Head Coach Mike Kellar hopes that the return of 36 letterwinners, including 15 starters, will help lead the Vulcans back to the NCAA Division II playoffs this fall. But a tough opening stretch awaits them, as they must face 2014 D-II playoff participants Virginia State and Bloomsburg in back-to-back weeks.
4. Mercyhurst (7-4): The Lakers must navigate their way through a tough PSAC West Division if they hope to advance to the D-II playoffs for the first time since 2010. 2014 Media Guide
5. Indiana (Pa.)-(6-5): The Crimson Hawks hope to bounce back after a "down" year in 2014.
6. Edinboro (3-8): The Fighting Scots hope to put a disappointing 2014 campaign behind them as well.
7. Seton Hill (3-8): The Griffins will face a brutal schedule in 2015, as they'll take on eight teams posted winning records in 2014.
8. Clarion (2-9): The Golden Eagles will look to begin a long rebuilding effort under new head coach Chris Weibel.
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Centennial Conference (CC)
2014 Centennial Conference Football Standings - Centennial Conference
Looking back: The Johns Hopkins University Blue Jays took home yet another Centennial Conference crown in 2014, which was their fourth straight conference championship, as well as their fifth title in the last six years. They advanced to the second round of the NCAA Division III playoffs, where they were eliminated by Hobart on the road, 24-21.
The only other Centennial Conference team to advance to postseason play was Muhlenberg, whose Mules gave the Widener Pride all it could handle before falling 36-35, in the first round of the D-III playoffs.
Looking ahead: While Johns Hopkins is once again favored to win the Centennial Conference crown again this fall, don't count out Muhlenberg out of the mix either.
Predicted order of finish (2014 overall record in parentheses):
1. Johns Hopkins (12-1): With a preseason ranking of No. 11 by The Sporting News, expect the Blue Jays to win yet another Centennial Conference crown.
2. Muhlenberg (9-2): But with just two sub-.500 seasons (3-7 overall in 2005 and 2009 respectively) dating back to 2000, don't be surprised if the Mules end up wresting the title away from the Blue Jays this fall.
3. Ursinus (7-3): The Bears have had six straight winning seasons, as well as eight in the last nine years dating back to 2006. If they hope to make it seven it a row this season, they must rely on the services of rising seniors such as Nicholas Pulizzi at fullback, as well as James Roccograndi at linebacker.
4. Gettysburg (5-5): Head Coach Barry Streeter welcomes back 11 starters from last season, as the Bullets look to build on their 5-4 conference mark from 2014.
5. Franklin & Marshall (5-5): The Diplomats were one of three teams in the Centennial Conference to finish in a three-way tie for fifth place (4-5) in league play last season
6. Juniata (5-5): The Eagles enter the 2015 campaign looking to finish the season at .500 or better, as they finished 7-4 overall in 2013.
7. Moravian (5-5): The Greyhounds will look to improve on last year's 4-5 record in CC action last season, after finishing 2-8 overall for each of the previous three seasons (2011-2013).
8. Dickinson (3-7): The Red Devils haven't had a winning season since 2009, when they finished 8-2. Since then, they've won just 17 games combined dating back to 2010.
9. Susquehanna (2-8): The Crusaders begin a new era under rookie head coach Tom Perkovich this fall. He replaces Steve Briggs, who resigned after 27 years at the helm.
10. McDaniel (1-9): The Green Terror face an uphill battle after going winless in conference play for the second time in the last three years.
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Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC)
2014 Middle Atlantic Conference Football Standings
Looking back: Widener and Delaware Valley both headed into the final week of the 2014 regular season unbeaten at 9-0, with the Pride outlasting the Aggies 44-28 to win the Middle Atlantic Conference crown. Both teams advanced to the NCAA Division III playoffs, with the Aggies being ousted in the first round by Christopher Newport, while the Pride advanced to the quarterfinals, only to be crushed by Linfield. A third team, Stevenson, capped a historic season with a win over Bethany (W. Va.) in the ECAC Southeast Bowl. Yet another squad, Albright, fell to Salisbury in the ECAC South Atlantic Bowl.
Looking ahead: Will Widener make another deep postseason run? Or will Delaware Valley step up and knock the Pride off of its perch? Or could another team rise to the challenge, and take charge? Those are the many questions that are still to be answered within the D-III version of the MAC this fall.
Predicted order of finish (2014 overall record in parentheses):
1. Widener (12-1): With a preseason ranking of No. 21 by The Sporting News, the Pride look poised to stay on top of the MAC pack in 2015.
2. Delaware Valley (9-2): But the Aggies hope to use their late-season meltdown, which included a stunning upset loss to Christopher Newport in the first round, as motivation for the upcoming 2015 campaign.
3. Lycoming (8-2): The Warriors will look to make another run at postseason play this year after missing out last year despite finishing third in the MAC at 7-2.
4. Stevenson (8-3): After the best season in their brief four-year history, the Mustangs will look to build on last year's success.
5. Albright (6-5): The Lions will look to clinch their eighth winning season in nine tries under head coach John Marzka this fall.
6. King's (4-6): The Monarchs hope to bounce back after struggling to a 4-5 mark in MAC action last season.
7. Lebanon Valley (3-7): The Dutchmen will look to rebound after seeing their streak of six straight winning seasons snapped last season.
8. Wilkes (2-8): The Colonels face an uphill battle after suffering seven straight setbacks to end the 2014 season.
9. Misercordia (1-9): As they head into their fourth season of football, the Cougars will look to defeat a team other than FDU-Florham, whose Devils have provided the fledgling program's only two wins over the past two years.
10. FDU-Florham (0-10): Speaking of the Devils, they'll enter the 2015 season looking for their first win since the start of the 2013 season, when they defeated The College of New Jersey, 18-12.
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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.
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Northeast 10 Conference (NE10)
2014 Northeast-10 Conference Football Standings
Looking back: Although American International won the Northeast 10 Conference regular season title at 8-1 in league play (8-3 overall), the Yellow Jackets fell to LIU Post in the "postseason" championship game, 58-25, on November 15. In the NCAA Division II playoffs, the Pioneers fell to Virginia State, 28-17, in the first round the following week.
Looking ahead: Expect another tight race in the NE-10 again this fall.
Predicted order of finish (2014 overall record in parentheses):
1. American International (8-3): The Yellow Jackets enter the 2015 season looking to become the team to beat in the NE-10. Not only that, they'll also look to advance to the NCAA Division II playoffs for the second time in three years. Additionally, AIC hopes to use its blowout loss in last year's conference championship game as motivation for the upcoming campaign.
2. LIU Post (8-4): But don't expect the Pioneers to give up their throne quite easily. They'll look to clinch their fifth winning season in seven years, all dating back to 2009.
3. Assumption (7-4): The Greyhounds will begin the 2015 season with back-to-back road games, as they hope to build on a 6-3 conference finish from 2014.
4. New Haven (6-5): Chris Pincince enters his second season as the Chargers head coach.H e hopes to lead that program to its first NCAA Division II playoff appearance since 2013, and fourth since the program was reinstated in 2009.
5. Saint Anselm (6-5): The Hawks posted their biggest turnaround in the 16-year history of their football program, improving from 1-10 in 2013. It'll be interesting to see if they can build on 2014's success in 2015.
6. Stonehill (5-6): The Skyhawks hope to bounce back after struggling to a 4-5 conference mark last season.
7. Merrimack (4-7): The Warrior faithful that the third time will be the charm under third-year head coach Dan Curran, as they look to rebound from their second losing season since 2010.
8. Bentley (5-6): Believe it or not, the Falcons will enter the 2015 season needing just eight wins to reach the 200-win club, as they enter their 28th season of varsity football.
9. Southern Connecticut State (2-9): After struggling to their third straight losing season, the Owls look to bounce back under second-year head coach Tom Godek.
10. Pace (1-10): The Setters face a long, uphill battle after yet another losing season.
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