Division III football - check it out
Our local college in Naperville, IL, North Central, played in the NCAA Division III quarterfinals today. My wife, bless her, saw tickets were available ($8). She suggested we should see the game vs. Delaware Valley of Doylestown, PA.
The game had some excitement with Delaware Valley making it a game after falling behind 17-0, but committing turnovers and penalties at key times during the second half that doomed them.
The game was played by guys that loved football, but clearly aren’t looking at a future in the NFL. No trash talking, no show boating, and with a lot of mutual respect evident. No TV timeouts, replays, or other things to slow the game down. The first half took about an hour. It was refreshing to watch.
So, if you get a chance, give small school ball a look. It may surprise you.
North Central won led by a QB that went to my son’s high school (QB threw for 525 yards the previous game) and will go to the Div. III semifinals for the second time ever. They’ve never made it to the final and face mighty Muhlenberg to get there.
December 8th, 2019 at 3:50 AM ^
If we wanted to watch a better product we wouldnt be watching what we watch.
/s?
December 8th, 2019 at 5:04 AM ^
Rice4114: I think you're missing the point. I AVIDLY follow D3, specifically St. Johns of MN. I've been doing so for over a decade now. I can tell you the "product" isn't any worse at D3. In many ways, I'd say D3 is better since it's not corrupted by money -- no constant TV time-outs, no instant replay rulings, no hyping up of players, players aren't doing dances or other "look at me" antics after making plays. It's great football.
December 8th, 2019 at 8:21 AM ^
FYI, the small "s" at the bottom of his post means SARCASM...... he gots da point.
December 8th, 2019 at 9:52 AM ^
Yes isn't awful when the players have fun and celebrate after doing something good. Really sucks the fun out of it seeing an athlete enjoying what he's doing.
December 8th, 2019 at 5:37 AM ^
I always enjoy watching these playoff games when they are on TV.
December 8th, 2019 at 8:39 AM ^
I always enjoy going to games at my Div. III alma mater (went to Michigan for grad school). You're so close to the action you can practically call in plays yourself. It's an interesting contrast to games at the Big House!
December 8th, 2019 at 8:40 AM ^
DIII has a better playoff system.
December 8th, 2019 at 8:53 AM ^
So does D2. Home playoff games. Check out Ferris State next Saturday. They host a school from Florida. BBBBUUURRR!
And no Jayru is not playing. He left the team a few weeks ago, again. Some sort of “injury”.
December 8th, 2019 at 9:37 AM ^
Jayru had surgery again. That’s why he’s out for the year.
December 8th, 2019 at 1:10 PM ^
So I’ve heard.
December 8th, 2019 at 1:53 PM ^
I have it on good faith that he’s been a huge piece of shit to the coaching staff for years and Tony Annesse is glad he’s done
December 8th, 2019 at 9:18 AM ^
I will agree with the respect to approval of the game day experience for DIII and DII football. I have been to games at all 3 levels, and DIII is nice to watch. Stadiums aren’t massive, and as stated, the players are just enjoying being able to play a few more years after high school while they get their education. I also agree that there is probably homogenous mixture of athletes in DIII as many rosters are filled primarily from their respective regions and there aren’t cash grabs to be had. I was briefly “recruited” to play DIII ball, so ever since dipping my toe in back then, I’ve taken some interest in smaller level football. its often fun to watch and teams appear to be more evenly matched. There are definitely still powerhouse programs etc, but not quite to the extent that there is in DII or DI
December 8th, 2019 at 10:05 AM ^
You left out the bigger story here which is the team they beat last week was none other than DIII powerhouse Mount Union
December 8th, 2019 at 10:39 AM ^
My brother-in-law’s cousin plays for North Central and apparently took part in the upset of Mount Union. He was pretty oblivious about it while we were together at a family gathering before the announcement of the upset came up on the ESPN crawl. I’m not really into Division III, but most football fans know of Mount Union, and I’m guessing it was streaming somewhere. Wishing we had caught it!
December 8th, 2019 at 10:41 AM ^
Maybe we can find the Duncan Robinson of football?
December 8th, 2019 at 11:04 AM ^
Not D III, but Slippery Rock in D II semis winning 65-59. Both teams had over 500 yds of total offense. The "rock's" Qb was 27/47 436 yds and 6 ! Tds.
December 8th, 2019 at 1:15 PM ^
NW Missouri St put up 63 points last week. Then Ferris held them to 3.