Central Connecticut Picked First in NEC Preseason Poll

[Dane96]

Shame on you for forgetting what could be the best player UA has ever had: Andrew Smith. :

[Ruler]

There are two Andrew Smiths. The other is a GREAT recruit. He is a DT that was scheduled to go to Hofstra on a full ride. He will play THIS YEAR. Could be a starter. He has good size at 255lbs as a true frosh.

[danefan]

There are two Andrew Smiths. The other is a GREAT recruit. He is a DT that was scheduled to go to Hofstra on a full ride. He will play THIS YEAR. Could be a starter. He has good size at 255lbs as a true frosh.

That is right. Two very solid Andrew Smiths.

I'm declaring reference to them from now on as follows:

Drew Smith - QB
Andrew Smith - DE

And so it has been decided.

[Dane96]

Seconded!!!

Andrew Smith was highly heralded at of high school...then ended up at Suffolk CC (not sure the reasoning on it).

Drew Smith...was a flat out steal from us. The Georgia Southern guys couldnt believe he "fell" to Albany.

[danefan]

Seconded!!!

Andrew Smith was highly heralded at of high school...then ended up at Suffolk CC (not sure the reasoning on it).

Drew Smith...was a flat out steal from us. The Georgia Southern guys couldnt believe he "fell" to Albany.

I have a feeling that Andrew may have needed that year at Suffolk for clearing house reasons. (not confirmed) Wasn't it a "grey shirt" situation?

[CoachL]

I'm not going to predict a Duquesne championship this year. However...

However, this whole "we will take 5 years to get to 20 rides" thing has Georgetown written all over it. CCSU, Monmouth, Albany and RMU will be at or very near 40 soon...and that is a big difference in terms of depth.

Uh, I'm not sure how old that "5 years" quote is, but Duquesne started out at 18 in 2008 and is currently at 22. I'm sure that you are aware of the big brouhaha earlier this year when Duquesne cut four men's sports in order to free up athletic and scholarship money. Most of that money is going into the football program and football scholarships. That will bring Duquesne up to 30-36 rides rather quickly.

Of course, that won't help much this year.

Yes, depth is still an issue. However, our starting guys more than match up with anyone in the NEC. Duquesne lost five games last year by 7 points or less with an injury-depleted, musical-chairs lineup. The one game last year where everything fell apart for the Dukes was vs. Albany (just like my other team, Butler who suffered their only loss of the season to Jacksonville with a horrible performance). If the Duquesne - Albany game last year is your main point of reference regarding the Dukes' level of talent, I'm afraid that you have a very clouded view.

Duquesne's receiver corps is the best in the NEC. (But since the "conservative" nature of NEC offenses has been mentioned, that might be like being the skinniest kid at fat camp.)

Dave Williams - SR - Michigan State transfer - NEC pre-season All-conference - out most of 2009 with injury
Akeem Moore - SO - out most of 2009 with injury
Connor Dixon - SR - Michigan State transfer - 6' 5" former QB switched to WR after shoulder surgery
Sean Bunevich - SR - 2008 All- NEC TE - missed entire 2009 season because of pre-season injury
Jay Spinks - SR - 42 catches, 354 yards, 2 TDs in 2009

Duquesne also brings back SO RB Larry McCoy who was the top freshman ballcarrier in the FCS last season with a 73.4 ypg average (160 carries, 807 yards, 8 TDs).

The Defense will be anchored by SR linebacker Nate Totino - 2008 First Team All-NEC linebacker who was slowed by preseason knee surgery last year and missed the end of the 2009 season because of an injury. Nate ranks fifth among active FCS players with a career 9.9 tackles per game average, and his career average of 5.1 solo tackles per game is third-best among FCS returning players.

The Dukes defense also has 6' 2" 280 lbs. SR 2010 NEC preseason All-Conference DL Thaimu Bangura; SR Hofstra transfer, Garrett Heron in the defensive backfield; and new Defensive Coordinator Dave Opfar.

The Dukes lost 2 four-year starters from the offensive line, and only had one true QB during Spring Practice. Depth and experience at both positions will be an issue this season, and those are both very important parts of the overall machine. However, I see Duquesne being significantly improved over last season, and will be a serious threat for the NEC title in years to come.

GO DUKES!

[Dane96]

Seconded!!!

Andrew Smith was highly heralded at of high school...then ended up at Suffolk CC (not sure the reasoning on it).

Drew Smith...was a flat out steal from us. The Georgia Southern guys couldnt believe he "fell" to Albany.

I have a feeling that Andrew may have needed that year at Suffolk for clearing house reasons. (not confirmed) Wasn't it a "grey shirt" situation?

Forgot about that...yep I believe you are correct on the grey shirt.

[DetroitFlyer]

Wow, reading about RMU and Duquesne almost makes me worry that Dayton plays both of them this season. By this point in the summer, I just want to get the season started.... Of course my Flyers have not even announced the 2010 recruiting class yet.... I think we are waiting until they are juniors in order to gain an competitive advantage....

Robert Morris at Dayton. One of the best early season games of 2010!

And I still say that SFUP will not finish last in the NEC this year.

[Dane96]

I'm not going to predict a Duquesne championship this year. However...

However, this whole "we will take 5 years to get to 20 rides" thing has Georgetown written all over it. CCSU, Monmouth, Albany and RMU will be at or very near 40 soon...and that is a big difference in terms of depth.

Uh, I'm not sure how old that "5 years" quote is, but Duquesne started out at 18 in 2008 and is currently at 22. I'm sure that you are aware of the big brouhaha earlier this year when Duquesne cut four men's sports in order to free up athletic and scholarship money. Most of that money is going into the football program and football scholarships. That will bring Duquesne up to 30-36 rides rather quickly.

Of course, that won't help much this year.

When the Dukes came in to the NEC for the 2008 season they offered 18 rides. You are correct there. They would add 2 more per year for 3 years. So, again you are correct...and next year they would be at 24...but I was off by four rides...because in 5 years total they would have 24 rides. However...

"...Duquesne eventually will be able to increase the number of football scholarships it can offer from 20 to 30, helping it to compete in the NEC. The conference plans to allow 40 scholarships per school next year.

"We have a plan to increase (scholarships) regularly, and this will allow us to actually accelerate it," he said. "We know we have to expand our commitment to football."

That, is straight from the mouth of the President. Here is the deal...there will be at least three schools (possibly four IMHO) who will go right to 40 next year: Albany, CCSU and Monmouth. I think RMU will go that route...and I know Wagner certainly has the coin to do so. IMHO, with URI downgrading (likely) you will see Bryant "find" the money ASAP.
I know Albany will likely give out fulls to some...and split the rest.

The Dukes have no intentions of going to 40 anytime soon...and that will eventually hurt them over the cycles. It takes a few cycles to reload/rebuild. Chances are, the three teams I mentioned...plus URI if they come and Bryant....and the other two I mentioned will have 50-60 or so kids on some sort of rides...while the Dukes wont. That is a huge problem IMHO.

Again, I like Duquense (family affinity)...but they need to step it up scholarship wise. And dont think for a second there arent some in the league who want to get to the counter level (Monmouth, Albany, CCSU, URI if they come...which brings along Bryant) so they can have the yearly pay day from an FBS.

[Seahawks]

Northeast Conference football coaches pick Wagner College to finish 4th

Cormac Gordon
SILive.com


Wagner College has something new to play for this season.

The Northeast Conference has been awarded an invite to the Football Championship Subdivision playoff, meaning there’s a postseason berth for the league winners to an event from which a national champion emerges each fall.

Last December, Villanova defeated Montana in the FCS title game.

This year, Wagner will have an opportunity to be in the mix, along with the 123 other mostly mid-size FCS programs in the grouping formerly known as Division I-AA. That news couldn’t have come at a better time for the fast-improving Seahawks.

During yesterday’s NEC teleconference, it was announced that Wagner was picked to finish fourth in the league’s annual preseason poll of head coaches.

But head coach Walt Hameline has a different take on the chances for his young squad, which returns eight starters on each side of the ball from last year’s 6-5 club.

http://www.silive.com/colleges/index.ss ... tball.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[CoachL]

Good points, Dane96.

A few things...

1.) Football games are played on the field, not in the Financial Aid office. (see: Gridiron Classic results)

2.) The current target for Duquesne Football scholarships is 36, with 30 being the immediate short-term goal.

3.) Duquesne did not jettison four men's sports to only put enough money into the football program to consistently finish in fifth/sixth/seventh place in the NEC. Duquesne has the money, and is committed to a winning/championship football program. Duquesne is playing "catch up" with much of the rest of the NEC, but don't look back... the Dukes may be gaining on you!

4.) "The Dukes have no intentions of going to 40 anytime soon." I'm not sure where you get that from, or what is your definition of "anytime soon", but do you really believe that there is that big an overall talent difference between 30, 35, or 40 scholarships? I don't. Remember, I also bring a non-scholarship PFL perspective to this. A few scholarships did not make any difference in the results of the Gridiron Classic.

5.) I would guess that Duquesne currently has 50-60 players "on some sort of (athletic) ride". As you know, when you combine the athletic grant with academic grants and need-based grants the player can bring home a pretty attractive financial aid package. PFL programs do the very same thing, only without the athletic grant part of the equation. (extensive knowledge from personal experience)

6.) Players choose schools for many reasons other than financial aid packages. Duquesne offers many attractive benefits and features (outside of the fabulous view across the river from the awe-inspiring Rooney Field! ) for the Duquesne student/athlete. Duquesne has talent on the field, and will continue to increase the depth of that talent. A short-term "shortfall" of 5, 10, or 15 scholarships to a few NEC opponents will make little difference in the outcome on the field, in my opinion.

I'm REALLY looking forward to the season this year. For me, it seems that both the PFL and the NEC are going to be absolute knock-down, drag-out brawls to the finish.

May the best team win!

[Dane96]

3.) Duquesne did not jettison four men's sports to only put enough money into the football program to consistently finish in fifth/sixth/seventh place in the NEC. Duquesne has the money, and is committed to a winning/championship football program. Duquesne is playing "catch up" with much of the rest of the NEC, but don't look back... the Dukes may be gaining on you!

4.) "The Dukes have no intentions of going to 40 anytime soon." I'm not sure where you get that from, or what is your definition of "anytime soon", but do you really believe that there is that big an overall talent difference between 30, 35, or 40 scholarships? I don't. Remember, I also bring a non-scholarship PFL perspective to this. A few scholarships did not make any difference in the results of the Gridiron Classic.

5.) I would guess that Duquesne currently has 50-60 players "on some sort of (athletic) ride". As you know, when you combine the athletic grant with academic grants and need-based grants the player can bring home a pretty attractive financial aid package. PFL programs do the very same thing, only without the athletic grant part of the equation. (extensive knowledge from personal experience)

May the best team win!

For pt. 3- If I remember correctly your son came into to Duquense after the sports were cut. Even if I am wrong on that, the real reason everyone knows (but wont admit) for the cut was to pay off the debt from the renovations for the Palumbo Center and new recreational facility on Forbes Ave.

For pt. 4- I get my information straight from the DU athletics department and...from articles posted that quoted the president saying they would only go to 30 for now. The article was from May 2010. Maybe things have changed.

For Pt. 5- I dont think it is quite legal to offer need based or academic based grants if the school offers scholarships. That would equate to a scholarship and must be included in the math. For example, at Albany there is the Times Union/NY Giants scholarship. Technically, it can go to any kid in the school...however it has always gone to an athlete (football player). That scholarship counts against one of the near 40 we give.

That said, i hope duquense gets going quick...always fun to beat tough kids from the Alleghany County area.

[CoachL]

If I remember correctly your son came into to Duquense after the sports were cut.

Arrived in Pittsburgh for his official visit three days after the cuts were announced! Walked onto campus just as the poop was hitting the fan.

Even if I am wrong on that, the real reason everyone knows (but wont admit) for the cut was to pay off the debt from the renovations for the Palumbo Center and new recreational facility on Forbes Ave.

Not "everyone" knows. It's news to me, and I've never read any hint of that anywhere until now.

I dont think it is quite legal to offer need based or academic based grants if the school offers scholarships. That would equate to a scholarship and must be included in the math. For example, at Albany there is the Times Union/NY Giants scholarship. Technically, it can go to any kid in the school...however it has always gone to an athlete (football player). That scholarship counts against one of the near 40 we give.

It's legal, but you're right about it being included in the math as far as the NCAA is concerned.

To quote directly from the Duquesne "Athletic Grant-In-Aid Agreement Addendum" that I have right in front of me:

6. Any grants, awards or scholarships you receive from Duquesne Univ. may change in subsequent years due to your academic record at the school.

7. Any need-based financial assistance you receive may change in subsequent years due to fluctuations in your, or your family's financial situation.

10. If the sum of all financial aid, including but not limited to outside awards, Duquesne grants/scholarships and your athletic scholarship exceeds the total cost of on-campus educational expenses, such as tuition, room and board, and textbooks (according to NCAA regualtions), your athletic scholarship may be reduced by the amount of the excess.

16. Any institutional financial aid (e.g., need-based, academic, merit, athletics) that you receive may be adjusted at any time to ensure you do not exceed individual and/or team maximum limits, as designated by the NCAA. To avoid an NCAA violation for financial aid that exceeds individual and/or team maximum limits, the Dept. of Athletics should be notified if you are aware of receipt of additional financial aid through the institution.

So, while Duquesne may only offer 22 athletic (football) scholarships at this time, it is obvious that the additional institutional grants and scholarships that are offered do not put Duquesne Football over the NEC (or NCAA) "team maximum limits". I do not know how academic or needs-based grants that are awarded to walk-on players are handled, since those players do not sign an Athletic Grant-In-Aid Agreement.

[CoachL]

Please forgive the brief off-topic discussion, but I thought that this was interesting...

http://www.ncaa.org/wps/wcm/connect/nca ... _ncaa_news" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Cabinet proposals would deregulate DI aid limits

Jun 17, 2010 8:34:14 AM

By Michelle Brutlag Hosick
The NCAA News

The Division I Awards, Benefits, Expenses and Financial Aid Cabinet will sponsor proposals to deregulate rules affecting student-athletes’ ability to accept different types of need- and merit-based aid due to the effect those awards have on team limits.

Under current legislation, many types of aid (including some not administered by the institution) count toward a team’s maximum financial aid limit, just as an athletics financial aid would count. The cabinet’s proposals will address these and other situations that members feel adversely affect both student-athletes and institutions.

The cabinet-sponsored proposals would:

-Exempt all federal need-based financial aid (for example, Supplemental Educational Opportunities Grants) from counting toward a team’s maximum financial aid limits

-Exempt state-funded, need-based financial aid from counting toward team limits, provided the aid is administered in accordance with the federal methodology for determining financial need and is not related to athletics ability.

-Exempt state, merit-based aid administered by an institution from counting toward team limits if the criteria satisfy the legislated requirements for an academic honor award or institutional academic scholarship (for example, cumulative grade-point average) and are not related to athletics ability.

-Establish 3.0 as the minimum cumulative GPA necessary to apply existing exemptions for institutional academic scholarships and academic honor awards for transfer students. The 3.0 minimum GPA would also apply to the exception available for recruited football and basketball student-athletes whose only source of institutional financial aid is academic aid based solely on their academic record at the institution, awarded independently of athletics interests and in amounts consistent with the pattern of all such awards made by the institution.

-Exempt all established and continuing outside scholarships from counting toward team limits if the choice of institution is not restricted by the donor and there is no direct connection to an institution. If the total value of all such awards for an individual student-athlete exceeds 10 percent of the value of a full grant-in-aid at the institution, then documentation of how the institution determined the aid was eligible to be exempted must be filed with the institution’s conference office.

-Allow student-athletes to replace a signed athletics financial aid agreement with an institutional, non-athletics aid package that is at least equal to the value of the signed financial aid agreement. The replacement must be initiated by the student-athlete and must occur before the student-athlete becomes a counter for the academic year.

[Dane96]

That is very interesting stuff....I have to think, however, it would make a great rift b/w schools with $$$ and schools with limited resources (I'm talking 100mm dollar budgets vs. 40mm budgets).

[danefan]

Intresting. I wonder how that will effect the Patriot and PFL teams.

[yorkcountyUNHfan]

I remember when Coach Mac was our DC for a year. I'm glad to see that he's doing well. I see Stowers is now on the staff.

Coach Mac???

[aceinthehole]

I remember when Coach Mac was our DC for a year. I'm glad to see that he's doing well. I see Stowers is now on the staff.

Coach Mac???

Jeff McInerney, current CCSU head coach and former Defensive Coordinator at URI. He has also been an assistant at Tulsa, UNLV, Oregon State, Georgia Southern and Southern California. McInerney has seen plenty of success in his coaching career, thrice being a part of a staff that won a National Championship (1984 and 1987 at Troy State; 1990 at Georgia Southern).

http://www.ccsubluedevils.com/ViewArtic ... EASON=2010" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[danefan]

Coach Mac???

Jeff McInerney, current CCSU head coach and former Defensive Coordinator at URI. He has also been an assistant at Tulsa, UNLV, Oregon State, Georgia Southern and Southern California. McInerney has seen plenty of success in his coaching career, thrice being a part of a staff that won a National Championship (1984 and 1987 at Troy State; 1990 at Georgia Southern).

http://www.ccsubluedevils.com/ViewArtic ... EASON=2010" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

He also seems to be in one of the most love/hate relationships with a school's fans that I've seen outside of Keeler at UD. The CCSU fan board is riddled with guys that appear to really disagree with Coach Mac on just about everything he does.

[aceinthehole]

Jeff McInerney, current CCSU head coach and former Defensive Coordinator at URI. He has also been an assistant at Tulsa, UNLV, Oregon State, Georgia Southern and Southern California. McInerney has seen plenty of success in his coaching career, thrice being a part of a staff that won a National Championship (1984 and 1987 at Troy State; 1990 at Georgia Southern).

http://www.ccsubluedevils.com/ViewArtic ... EASON=2010" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

He also seems to be in one of the most love/hate relationships with a school's fans that I've seen outside of Keeler at UD. The CCSU fan board is riddled with guys that appear to really disagree with Coach Mac on just about everything he does.

Kinda. If you recall it was one specific poster at CCSUfans.com that couldn't post anything positive about Mac. The rest of us had good reason to think that poster was just family/friend of a particular player that wasn't getting enough PT or action..

I will say, I'm not a big fan of his offense style - its very boring and not fun to watch. Now, I'm also a JETS fan, and I like what Rex did last year with Sancez and the running game, but at CCSU what we were doing was painful to watch at times. I am personally a huge Mac supporter, but I'm not afraid to say CCSU's style is hard to like from the stands.

I actually think the guy does just about everything else right from scheduling, promotions, recruiting, defense, etc. I think he could be one of he better head coaches at this level. But we will see if CCSU looks very different with Stowers at OC.

[danefan]

He also seems to be in one of the most love/hate relationships with a school's fans that I've seen outside of Keeler at UD. The CCSU fan board is riddled with guys that appear to really disagree with Coach Mac on just about everything he does.

Kinda. If you recall it was one specific poster at CCSUfans.com that couldn't post anything positive about Mac. The rest of us had good reason to think that poster was just family/friend of a particular player that wasn't getting enough PT or action..

I will say, I'm not a big fan of his offense style - its very boring and not fun to watch. Now, I'm also a JETS fan, and I like what Rex did last year with Sancez and the running game, but at CCSU what we were doing was painful to watch at times. I am personally a huge Mac supporter, but I'm not afraid to say CCSU's style is hard to like from the stands.

I actually think the guy does just about everything else right from scheduling, promotions, recruiting, defense, etc. I think he could be one of he better head coaches at this level. But we will see if CCSU looks very different with Stowers at OC.

All I know is that every time CCSU goes to a QB platoon system it really seems that the wrong guy is getting the majority of the snaps.