The Delaware Valley Aggies (10-0) scored 42 unanswered points to rip the Widener Pride (8-2) 56-28. In the most impressive performance of the week, on the biggest Saturday of the regular season, the Aggies clinched the MAC title and a birth in the NCAA tournament. By keeping a perfect record, and by winning in such resounding fashion, the Aggies made a strong statement for the #1 seed in the Eastern Region bracket of the NCAA Division 3 football tournament.
The turning point came midway through the third quarter. Widener held a 28-21 lead with the Aggies pinned at its own 6-yard line. Delaware Valley marched 94 yards on 10 plays to tie the game at 28-28. The Aggies scored on its next possession when quarterback Aaron Wilmer ran for an 18-yard touchdown to give Delaware Valley a 35-28 lead.
On their next offensive possession, Wilmer completed a 61-yard pass to Lewis Vincent to put the Aggies deep in Pride territory. Wilmer then hit Chris Ruiz for a 15-yard touchdown pass to put Delaware Valley ahead 42-28.
The flood gates opened when Wilmer completed a 13-yard touchdown pass to Isaiah Hall for a 49-28 Aggies advantage.
Delaware Valley amassed a staggering 580 yards in total offense to win in convincing fashion. The Aggies look like the best team in Eastern Region since St John Fisher's 2006 run to the NCAA semifinals.
We at D3East-Football believe the Aggies are deserving of the top seed in the eastern bracket. Our Eastern bracket predictions will be online late tonight!
Showing posts with label widener. Show all posts
Showing posts with label widener. Show all posts
Rivalry Saturday
Tomorrow is the biggest Saturday of the Division 3 Eastern Region football season. Conference championships will be on the line, and annual rivalries will be settled. By the time the dust clears tomorrow evening, we should have a good idea how the NCAA Division 3 Football tournament brackets will shape up. The actual selections will be made on Sunday.
Widener at Delaware Valley
A long standing rivalry gets renewed this Saturday when the Delaware Valley Aggies hosts the Widener Pride in the annual Keystone Cup game. This season there is the added factor of the MAC Championship and an automatic playoff bid being on the line.
If that were not enough already, we have revenge on the minds of Delaware Valley. Last season Widener upset Delaware Valley 28-27 and caused the Aggies to potentially lose the #1 seed in Eastern Region. Instead Mount Union was imported from the North to be the East's number one seed. The Aggies were forced to travel to Alliance, Ohio on November 27, 2010, where they lost 31-3 to end their season.
Up until last Saturday, say around 3 pm or so, I was picking red hot Widener to end Delaware Valley's undefeated streak in 2011. But after witnessing Delaware Valley drive 54 yards in less than a minute for the winning touchdown against Lycoming on the road, I became a believer that the Aggies can indeed see this thing through.
Our pick? Delaware Valley to barely win a fast paced game with a moderate amount of scoring. Will it be enough to win them the #1 ranking, or will Mount Union come East again? We'll find out Sunday.
Kean at Montclair State
While this one doesn't have the historical significance of the Keystone Cup or the Cortaca Jug, the Kean Cougars and Montclair State Red Hawks are fast developing a new, intense rivalry. No less than three former Montclair players now coach at Kean, including head coach Dan Garrett. The schools are less than 20 miles apart, so it is likely many players on each roster were actively recruited by their opponent.
Kean with Tom D'Ambrisi has the superior passing game. Montclair with Chris D'Andrea has a better ground attack. Both defenses are quick, hard hitting units which make few mistakes and keep the play in front of them.
The winner gets more than just bragging rights. They get the NJAC Championship trophy and a stamped ticket to the big dance. The loser is almost certainly out of the playoff hunt, and has the choice of playing an ECAC bowl next Saturday.
Our pick is Montclair in a tough, defensive struggle. Look for a late score or turnover to swing this one.
Cortland at Ithaca
They call it the Cortaca Jug. Sports Illustrated once called it the Biggest Little Game in the Nation. With the Cortland State Red Dragons seemingly out of the playoff hunt, and the Ithaca College Bombers having its first non-winning season in 40 years, this game will not carry the same regional implications in 2011.
However playing your biggest rival in front of 10,000 to 12,000 fans tends to motivate you.
Cortland has the offensive advantage on paper, though Ithaca may have as much talent on defense, and perhaps even more on special teams. Ithaca also has recent history on its side, having won three consecutive Cortaca Jugs through 2009, before Cortland took the Jug back last season.
It may be a cliche, but you truly never know what is going to happen between these two teams until they take the field. In 2003, Cortland was a 5-5 team. Ithaca came one game from winning the Eastern Region finals in the NCAA tournament. But Cortland stunned Ithaca 16-15 in the Cortaca Jug, likely costing the Bombers a shot at home field advantage in the playoffs.
In 2008, Cortland went undefeated in the NJAC and made it to the NCAA Eastern Region finals before falling to mighty Mount Union. Ithaca bombed Cortland 35-13 on the road to take away a chance at a #1 seed for Cortland and home field advantage in the playoffs. Ithaca lost to Curry in the first round of the playoffs, who then lost to Cortland 42-0, creating a bizarre triangle of results.
Our pick? This one will be closer than anyone seems to think it will be. Look for a turnover or big special teams play to be the difference. As much as I am tempted to pick Ithaca for the upset, I think Dan Pitcher and Cortland will find a way to pull it out.
Join Us Saturday
Remember to join us tomorrow evening as we analyze the day's results, and choose which eastern teams we think will be in the NCAA tournament.
Widener at Delaware Valley
A long standing rivalry gets renewed this Saturday when the Delaware Valley Aggies hosts the Widener Pride in the annual Keystone Cup game. This season there is the added factor of the MAC Championship and an automatic playoff bid being on the line.
If that were not enough already, we have revenge on the minds of Delaware Valley. Last season Widener upset Delaware Valley 28-27 and caused the Aggies to potentially lose the #1 seed in Eastern Region. Instead Mount Union was imported from the North to be the East's number one seed. The Aggies were forced to travel to Alliance, Ohio on November 27, 2010, where they lost 31-3 to end their season.
Up until last Saturday, say around 3 pm or so, I was picking red hot Widener to end Delaware Valley's undefeated streak in 2011. But after witnessing Delaware Valley drive 54 yards in less than a minute for the winning touchdown against Lycoming on the road, I became a believer that the Aggies can indeed see this thing through.
Our pick? Delaware Valley to barely win a fast paced game with a moderate amount of scoring. Will it be enough to win them the #1 ranking, or will Mount Union come East again? We'll find out Sunday.
Kean at Montclair State
While this one doesn't have the historical significance of the Keystone Cup or the Cortaca Jug, the Kean Cougars and Montclair State Red Hawks are fast developing a new, intense rivalry. No less than three former Montclair players now coach at Kean, including head coach Dan Garrett. The schools are less than 20 miles apart, so it is likely many players on each roster were actively recruited by their opponent.
Kean with Tom D'Ambrisi has the superior passing game. Montclair with Chris D'Andrea has a better ground attack. Both defenses are quick, hard hitting units which make few mistakes and keep the play in front of them.
The winner gets more than just bragging rights. They get the NJAC Championship trophy and a stamped ticket to the big dance. The loser is almost certainly out of the playoff hunt, and has the choice of playing an ECAC bowl next Saturday.
Our pick is Montclair in a tough, defensive struggle. Look for a late score or turnover to swing this one.
Cortland at Ithaca
They call it the Cortaca Jug. Sports Illustrated once called it the Biggest Little Game in the Nation. With the Cortland State Red Dragons seemingly out of the playoff hunt, and the Ithaca College Bombers having its first non-winning season in 40 years, this game will not carry the same regional implications in 2011.
However playing your biggest rival in front of 10,000 to 12,000 fans tends to motivate you.
Cortland has the offensive advantage on paper, though Ithaca may have as much talent on defense, and perhaps even more on special teams. Ithaca also has recent history on its side, having won three consecutive Cortaca Jugs through 2009, before Cortland took the Jug back last season.
It may be a cliche, but you truly never know what is going to happen between these two teams until they take the field. In 2003, Cortland was a 5-5 team. Ithaca came one game from winning the Eastern Region finals in the NCAA tournament. But Cortland stunned Ithaca 16-15 in the Cortaca Jug, likely costing the Bombers a shot at home field advantage in the playoffs.
In 2008, Cortland went undefeated in the NJAC and made it to the NCAA Eastern Region finals before falling to mighty Mount Union. Ithaca bombed Cortland 35-13 on the road to take away a chance at a #1 seed for Cortland and home field advantage in the playoffs. Ithaca lost to Curry in the first round of the playoffs, who then lost to Cortland 42-0, creating a bizarre triangle of results.
Our pick? This one will be closer than anyone seems to think it will be. Look for a turnover or big special teams play to be the difference. As much as I am tempted to pick Ithaca for the upset, I think Dan Pitcher and Cortland will find a way to pull it out.
Join Us Saturday
Remember to join us tomorrow evening as we analyze the day's results, and choose which eastern teams we think will be in the NCAA tournament.
Widener Rising
Widener University was once a national powerhouse. The Widener University Pride has two national championships, and has won a league record 17 MAC titles. But it has been a while since Widener was considered a national championship contender. Things may be changing fast.
The Widener University Pride is red hot. With a record of 8-1, and averaging an amazing 49.1 points per game, the Pride may be the most dangerous football team in Eastern Region. This week Widener travels to Delaware Valley to face the 9-0 Aggies for the annual Keystone Cup, and the MAC Championship. The winner gets an automatic bid to the NCAA playoffs.
Widener is doing everything right to attract talent to their football program. They are running a multiple set, pass heavy offense which kids want to be a part of. Quarterback Chris Haupt has thrown for over 2200 yards and 27 touchdowns despite playing in games which were often lopsided by half-time. The defense is a hard-hitting, impact style which has generated 30 turnovers. Head coach Isaac Collins is a charismatic leader. Collins came from a defensive coordinator position at The Citadel, where he had to create packages to defend against teams like the University of Florida and Clemson.
The official website is slick and loaded with recent game photos.
Most inventive is the weekly video interview with head coach Isaac Collins, "Kickin It with Coach C." The video is linked from the official Widener website, and can be found on YouTube. Media like this represents a new wave in attracting talented recruits. Businesses have long embraced social media and YouTube for getting their brands out to consumers.
It is refreshing to see a small college football staff which "gets it." They are using the avenues which are popular with high school juniors and seniors who they wish to recruit. And they are building brand recognition with younger kids, who will know Widener as a top notch football program when they reach varsity. Other football teams need to follow this lead, or risk following way behind.
It has been over a decade since an Eastern Region power was considered a threat to Mount Union or Wisconsin-Whitewater. For Eastern Region to regain national respect, it needs a new super power to rise.
If I had to bet on the best chances for a national powerhouse emerging in Eastern Region, I would start with St. John Fisher and Cortland, who each have excellent facilities, on-campus stadiums, and host NFL training camps. I would also include Rowan, Montclair, and Kean. All three recruit from the talented New Jersey base of football talent, and have quality facilities. And of course I would include Delaware Valley and Salisbury.
But the best chance for a national powerhouse to develop, in my opinion, is Widener. Recruiting is a form of sales, and Widener is following some best practices normally reserved for tech savvy companies.
Widener will have their work cut out for them if they hope to beat the undefeated Delaware Valley Aggies on the road this Saturday. If they lose, the odds on The Pride being invited to the NCAA playoffs as an at-large bid with two losses are slim. But I would put Widener on the short list of teams which deserve the chance even with two losses. If they do make the playoffs, I guarantee nobody will want to face them.
Who are your top picks for future national powers from Eastern Region?
The Widener University Pride is red hot. With a record of 8-1, and averaging an amazing 49.1 points per game, the Pride may be the most dangerous football team in Eastern Region. This week Widener travels to Delaware Valley to face the 9-0 Aggies for the annual Keystone Cup, and the MAC Championship. The winner gets an automatic bid to the NCAA playoffs.
Widener is doing everything right to attract talent to their football program. They are running a multiple set, pass heavy offense which kids want to be a part of. Quarterback Chris Haupt has thrown for over 2200 yards and 27 touchdowns despite playing in games which were often lopsided by half-time. The defense is a hard-hitting, impact style which has generated 30 turnovers. Head coach Isaac Collins is a charismatic leader. Collins came from a defensive coordinator position at The Citadel, where he had to create packages to defend against teams like the University of Florida and Clemson.
The official website is slick and loaded with recent game photos.
Most inventive is the weekly video interview with head coach Isaac Collins, "Kickin It with Coach C." The video is linked from the official Widener website, and can be found on YouTube. Media like this represents a new wave in attracting talented recruits. Businesses have long embraced social media and YouTube for getting their brands out to consumers.
It is refreshing to see a small college football staff which "gets it." They are using the avenues which are popular with high school juniors and seniors who they wish to recruit. And they are building brand recognition with younger kids, who will know Widener as a top notch football program when they reach varsity. Other football teams need to follow this lead, or risk following way behind.
It has been over a decade since an Eastern Region power was considered a threat to Mount Union or Wisconsin-Whitewater. For Eastern Region to regain national respect, it needs a new super power to rise.
If I had to bet on the best chances for a national powerhouse emerging in Eastern Region, I would start with St. John Fisher and Cortland, who each have excellent facilities, on-campus stadiums, and host NFL training camps. I would also include Rowan, Montclair, and Kean. All three recruit from the talented New Jersey base of football talent, and have quality facilities. And of course I would include Delaware Valley and Salisbury.
But the best chance for a national powerhouse to develop, in my opinion, is Widener. Recruiting is a form of sales, and Widener is following some best practices normally reserved for tech savvy companies.
Widener will have their work cut out for them if they hope to beat the undefeated Delaware Valley Aggies on the road this Saturday. If they lose, the odds on The Pride being invited to the NCAA playoffs as an at-large bid with two losses are slim. But I would put Widener on the short list of teams which deserve the chance even with two losses. If they do make the playoffs, I guarantee nobody will want to face them.
Who are your top picks for future national powers from Eastern Region?