{"id":1135,"date":"2011-11-18T13:00:26","date_gmt":"2011-11-18T19:00:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/jonfmorse.com\/tog\/?p=1135"},"modified":"2011-11-18T01:55:15","modified_gmt":"2011-11-18T07:55:15","slug":"d-iii-first-round-precaps-whitewater-region","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/jonfmorse.com\/tog\/2011\/11\/18\/d-iii-first-round-precaps-whitewater-region\/","title":{"rendered":"D-III: First Round Precaps, Whitewater Region."},"content":{"rendered":"

Handy precaps for the four games in the Whitewater bracket of this week’s D-III playoff first round.
\n
\n8 Albion (6-4) at 1 Wisconsin-Whitewater (10-0)<\/strong><\/span>
\nPerkins Stadium, Whitewater WI, 1pm ET
\nAvailable on cable in Wisconsin; no internet feeds
\nSeries: first meeting.<\/p>\n

Albion Britons<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
\nLocation: Albion MI
\nConference: Michigan IAA
\nColors: Purple and Gold
\nPlayoff appearances: 9, 5-7, 1 title (1977, 1985, 1991, 1993, 1994<\/strong>, 1996, 1998, 2005, 2011)
\nCoach: Craig Rundle (15th year, 86-63; 143-109-1 including stints at Saint Mary’s (CA) and Colorado College; Rundle was the coach of Saint Mary’s 10-0 squad in 1988)
\nKey games: 54-34 loss to Wheaton, 9\/10; 14-3 loss to Wisconsin-Stevens Point, 9\/24; 28-14 win over Adrian, 10\/28
\nOffense: 25.3 ppg, 364.5 ypg
\nDefense: 19.6 ppg, 300.9 ypg
\nPassing offense: 226.3 ypg
\nPassing defense: 199.9 ypg
\nRushing offense: 138.2 ypg
\nRushing defense: 101.0 ypg
\nTurnover margin: +6
\nKey players: QB Spencer Krauss (59.8%, 1708 yds, 170.8 ypg, 12 TD, 7 INT), RB Clinton Orr (194-1000, 111.1 ypg, 6 TD), DL C.J. Carroll (11.5 sacks), DB Lorenzo Reese (5 INT)
\nOther notes: The key to the game for Albion will be whether their defense can impose their will on Whitewater’s rushing game. If they can keep Coppage in check, it could be a long day for the Warhawks.<\/p>\n

Wisconsin-Whitewater Warhawks<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
\nLocation: Whitewater WI
\nConference: Wisconsin IAC
\nColors: Purple and White
\nPlayoff appearances: 10, 28-6, 3 titles (1988, 1990, 1997, 2005, 2006, 2007<\/strong>, 2008, 2009, 2010<\/strong>, 2011)
\nCoach: Lance Leipold (5th year, 67-3)
\nKey games: 45-0 win at Franklin, 9\/10; 20-17 win at UW-Oshkosh, 10\/22
\nOffense: 34.8 ppg, 451.2 ypg
\nDefense: 12.4 ppg, 259.4 ypg
\nPassing offense: 222.2 ypg
\nPassing defense: 176.5 ypg
\nRushing offense: 228.9 ypg
\nRushing defense: 82.9 ypg
\nTurnover margin: +13
\nKey players: QB Matt Blanchard (68.5%, 2133 yds, 213.3 ypg, 19 TD, 3 INT), RB Levell Coppage (241-1405, 140.5 ypg, 17 TD), DBs Ryan Wenkman and Noah Timm (5 INT each)
\nOther notes: Whitewater hasn’t been as successful inside the red zone as you’d expect from a dominant team, only scoring on 34 of 42 trips (and only getting in the end zone on 27). On the other hand, if you can get into their red zone, you can score — the problem is getting there (10 scores, 8 TDs, but only 11 trips).<\/p>\n

Jon’s Prediction:<\/span><\/p>\n

Wisconsin-Whitewater 38, Albion 7. Albion’s going to try to stop it, but Coppage is going to run all over them. Albion simply doesn’t have the line to survive the Whitewater onslaught.<\/p>\n

7 Western New England (10-1) at 2 Salisbury (9-1)<\/strong><\/span>
\nSea Gull Stadium, Salisbury MD, 12pm ET
\nVideo available via empire8.tv<\/a>. Live Stats available via Presto Sports<\/a>
\nSeries: first meeting.<\/p>\n

Western New England Golden Bears<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
\nLocation: Springfield MA
\nConference: New England Football Conference
\nColors: Blue and Gold
\nPlayoff appearances: 1 (2011)
\nCoach: Keith Emory (6th year, 26-32)
\nKey games: 28-24 win over Norwich, 9\/3; 19-14 loss to Mass Maritime, 9\/10; 12-9 win over Salve Regina, 10\/1; 40-37 win over Endicott, 10\/29; 20-13 win in OT over Framingham State, 11\/12
\nOffense: 28.8 ppg, 341.1 ypg
\nDefense: 16.4 ppg, 247.0 ypg
\nPassing offense: 135.7
\nPassing defense: 145.0
\nRushing offense: 205.4
\nRushing defense: 102.0
\nTurnover margin: +21
\nKey players: QB Bryce Brown (54.5%, 1275 yds, 127.5 ypg, 11 TD, 4 INT, 176-826 rushing, 82.6 ypg, 13 TDs, so 24 TDs total), DB Nicholas Silvester (6 INT), KR Mike Graham (38.3 avg, 4 TDs), DE James Georges (9 sacks)
\nOther notes: The Golden Bears trailed Framingham State 13-0 with less than four minutes to go last week. That’s sort of the story fo their season, as the scores of the key games above might indicate. This is a team that flies by the seat of its pants.<\/p>\n

Salisbury Sea Gulls<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
\nLocation: Salisbury MD
\nConference: Empire 8
\nColors: Maroon and Gold
\nPlayoff appearances: 8, 5-7 (1983, 1985, 1986, 2002, 2004, 2007, 2010, 2011)
\nCoach: Sherman Wood (13th year, 90-44; 113-82-1 overall including six years at Bowie State)
\nKey games: 27-23 win at Christopher Newport on 9\/17; 69-0 win at Alfred on 10\/15; 23-14 loss at Wesley on 10\/29; 41-21 win over Saint John Fisher on 11\/5.
\nOffense: 45.9 ppg, 453.0 ypg
\nDefense: 16.6 ppg, 275.9 ypg
\nPassing offense: 112.8
\nPassing defense: 154.9
\nRushing offense: 342.8
\nRushing defense: 121.0
\nTurnover margin: +12
\nKey players: QB Dan Griffin (57.5%, 1073 yds, 107.3 ypg, 13 TD, 0<\/strong> INT, 135-623 rushing, 62.3 ypg, 14 TD), RB Randal Smedley (115-713, 79.2 ypg, 8 TD), RB Ross Flanigan (83-626, 62.3 ypg, 11 TD), DB Andre Carter (5 INT, 1 TD), DL Matt Leon (15.5 TFL)
\nOther notes: Just a look at those stats tells you what you really need to know about Salisbury. They have a devastating triple option attack, and the top three rushers combined don’t even account for 60% of their rushing yards — they’re deep. They average 6.6 yards a carry, which makes stopping them a challenge.<\/p>\n

Jon’s Prediction:<\/span><\/p>\n

Salisbury 43, Western New England 17. The Golden Bears are going to get their chances, and they’ve seen some nightmarish ground games in the NEFC — but nothing like this.<\/p>\n

6 Christopher Newport (8-2) at 3 Kean (9-1)<\/strong><\/span>
\nAlumni Stadium, Union NJ, 12pm ET
\nVideo available via Kean University<\/a>. Audio available via Stretch Internet<\/a>. Live Stats available via Sidearm<\/a>
\nSeries: first meeting.<\/p>\n

Christopher Newport Captains<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
\nLocation: Newport News, VA
\nConference: USA South
\nColors: Royal Blue and Silver
\nPlayoff appearances: 8, 2-7 (2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2011)
\nCoach: Matt Kelchner (11th year, 76-39)
\nKey games: 12-7 win over Waynesburg on 9\/3; 23-27 loss to Salisbury on 9\/17; 48-30 win at Ferrum on 11\/5
\nOffense: 32.5 ppg, 410.0 ypg
\nDefense: 23.3 ppg, 330.2 ypg
\nPassing offense: 196.5
\nPassing defense: 186.3
\nRushing offense: 213.5
\nRushing defense: 143.9
\nTurnover margin: +11
\nKey players: QB Aaron Edwards (72.2%, 576 yds in two starts, 7 TD, 1 INT), RB Markeese Stovall (207-970, 107.8 ypg, 11 TD),
\nOther notes: Third-string QB Aaron Edwards has had to step in the last two weeks, and his presence has made a difference. He led the team to their championship-clinching win over Ferrum, and statistically he’s performed twice as well as the two injured quarterbacks before him. He could be the difference-maker in a potential upset.<\/p>\n

Kean Cougars<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
\nLocation: Union NJ
\nConference: New Jersey AC
\nColors: Blue and Silver
\nPlayoff appearances: 1 (2011)
\nCoach: Dan Garrett (6th year, 42-21)
\nKey games: 31-28 win at Wesley on 9\/10; 21-16 win at Cortland State on 9\/17; 28-20 loss at Brockport State on 10\/15; 27-14 win at Montclair State on 11\/12.
\nOffense: 26.8 ppg, 317.1 ypg
\nDefense: 17.1 ppg, 336.2 ypg
\nPassing offense: 173.0
\nPassing defense: 196.1
\nRushing offense: 144.1
\nRushing defense: 140.1
\nTurnover margin: +13
\nKey players: QB Tom D’Ambrisi (53.1%, 1700 yds, 16 TD, 8 INT), RB Chris DiMicco (152-657, 65.7 ypg, 6 TD),
\nOther notes: It’s almost surprising that this is Kean’s first trip ever, but they’ve been in the shadow of Rowan and Montclair for so long that they haven’t been able to break through.<\/p>\n

Jon’s Prediction:<\/span><\/p>\n

Kean 27, Christopher Newport 20. Going strictly by the numbers, I’d have a much wider spread here, but Edwards has changed the face of CNU’s offense. Kean has won by forcing turnovers and making plays on special teams, and it’s still likely going to be enough to win the game, but when you’ve only got two games to go on with a replacement quarterback who’s come in and played lights out, anything could happen.<\/p>\n

5 Thomas More (9-1) at 4 Franklin (9-1)<\/strong><\/span>
\nFaught Stadium, Franklin IN, 12pm ET
\nLive Stats available via Franklin<\/a>
\nSeries: Thomas More leads 7-1 (last: 2003, Thomas More 24, Franklin 21)<\/p>\n

Thomas More Saints<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
\nLocation: Crestview Hills KY
\nConference: Presidents’ AC
\nColors: Royal Blue, White, and Silver
\nPlayoff appearances: 6, 3-5 (1992, 2001, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011)
\nCoach: Jim Hilvert (5th season, 43-12)
\nKey games: 44-13 win over Hanover on 9\/10; 35-32 win over Washington & Jefferson on 9\/24; 20-17 win at Saint Vincent on 10\/15; 26-23 loss to Waynesburg on 11\/5
\nOffense: 35.1 ppg, 391.8 ypg
\nDefense: 16.7 ppg, 328.6 ypg
\nPassing offense: 185.7
\nPassing defense: 215.1
\nRushing offense: 206.1
\nRushing defense: 113.5
\nTurnover margin: +11
\nKey players: QB Robert Kues (58.8%, 1739 yds, 18 TD, 2 INT), RB Domonique Hayden (136-756, 75.6 ypg, 14 TD), PR\/KR Kendall Owens (15.0 ypPR, 23.0 ypKR, 3 TD), DB Zach Autenrieb (7 INT, 1 TD)
\nOther notes: The struggling Kues was replaced by freshman Luke Magness in last week’s game, and there’s no word yet whether that change will carry over. Magness did provide a necessary spark, but Kues has not had a bad season by any stretch — and, statistically, Magness was no improvement. The Saints have also had trouble with time of possession, which is of course not as important as some think, but it’s also not irrelevant. Especially when you don’t have a quick-strike offense.<\/p>\n

Franklin Grizzlies<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
\nLocation: Franklin IN
\nConference: Heartland CAC
\nColors: Navy Blue and Old Gold
\nPlayoff appearances: 4, 2-3 (2007, 2008, 2010)
\nCoach: Mike Leonard (9th year, 66-29)
\nKey games: 49-35 win at D-I FCS Valparaiso on 9\/3; 45-0 loss to Whitewater on 9\/10; 35-23 win over Mount Saint Joseph on 10\/1; 40-15 win at Hanover on 11\/12
\nOffense: 42.4 ppg, 486.1 ypg
\nDefense: 22.3 ppg, 359.3 ypg
\nPassing offense: 322.9
\nPassing defense: 216.5
\nRushing offense: 163.2
\nRushing defense: 142.8
\nTurnover margin: -5
\nKey players: QB Jonny West (62.9%, 3144 yds, 30 TD, 13 INT), RB Reece Craig (108-664, 73.8 ypg, 7 TD), WR Kyle Linville (68-1008, 100.8 ypg, 11 TD), DL David O’Rourke (7.5 sacks, 11 TFL)
\nOther notes: Franklin’s going to throw, and they’re going to score. They can also run the ball enough to burn clock, but they’ve also had some problems keeping the other team from doing the same thing. And the turnover margin is unsettling.<\/p>\n

Jon’s Prediction:<\/span><\/p>\n

Franklin 35, Thomas More 31. It’ll be a shootout, and it should be one of the best games of the day in terms of equality. However, if the Saints start Magness, this could get out of control quickly if he’s not up to the task.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Handy precaps for the four games in the Whitewater bracket of this week’s D-III playoff first round.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[10,7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1135","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-division-iii","category-division-news-and-notes"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p185sV-ij","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/jonfmorse.com\/tog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1135","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/jonfmorse.com\/tog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/jonfmorse.com\/tog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/jonfmorse.com\/tog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/jonfmorse.com\/tog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1135"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"http:\/\/jonfmorse.com\/tog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1135\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1154,"href":"http:\/\/jonfmorse.com\/tog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1135\/revisions\/1154"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/jonfmorse.com\/tog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1135"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/jonfmorse.com\/tog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1135"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/jonfmorse.com\/tog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1135"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}