All Things D2 and D3 College Football 2023 Season Thread

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Panthadad2 said:
If you're a MSUM fan...

There's a kid on that team, Gage Florence, who's a really talented receiver. Leads the NSIC in receptions this year and led the conference last year as a freshman. A bunch of friends and I knew his dad so we've kept track a little. I'm a little surprised he didn't end up on at least an FCS roster.
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Yeah Gage has been fantastic. Great weapon for the Dragons offense.
 

disco said:
It is to some extent, because they exist in the shadow of NDSU (and did even when both were D2 schools), and to some extent, Concordia, which has the kind of private school/alumni interest not generally found the in MnSCU public colleges.

Both schools have seen enrollments drop 40% or so from their peak but SCSU was so much larger, that I think it's hurt them a lot more. MSUM was actually over-enrolled at the time I attended and was actually for a couple years, larger than NDSU in terms of enrollment. The current size of around 5000 students seems about right for the campus.
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Yeah it's been around 5,000 or so for a while. When I attended (2009-2012) it was between 7,000 and 8,000.
 

IceBoxGopher said:
Yeah it's been around 5,000 or so for a while. When I attended (2009-2012) it was between 7,000 and 8,000.
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I think when I was there (1991-95) it was up around 8-9000. I know the year before (1990-91) which was my wife's freshman year, it was up around 10,000 and NDSU was around 7 or 8. She had to live in a triple dorm room for a while. Ugh.

And that was well before the campus expansion to the west.
 

Re: Crookston (and Morris for that matter), I also believe a motivation for the U to maintain this is to help get out-state senators/congress to vote for U funding requests. Otherwise they'd only have campuses in TC, Duluth, and Roch. I have no idea how much, if it at all, it actually helps, but I believe that is part of the motivation.
 

MplsGopher said:
Re: Crookston (and Morris for that matter), I also believe a motivation for the U to maintain this is to help get out-state senators/congress to vote for U funding requests. Otherwise they'd only have campuses in TC, Duluth, and Roch. I have no idea how much, if it at all, it actually helps, but I believe that is part of the motivation.
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That's a reasonable thought. Crookston's mission though could likely be accomplished with an U of M extension service center. Wisconsin has several of these throughout the state. It's such a tiny school. At the very least, sports-wise, they should not be a D2 school by any stretch. They should be in the UMAC.

Morris is tiny too, but it won't go away. It's the old Indian school and the agreement that transferred it to the U was such that Natives would always be able to attend for free. That continues to this day. A guy I played with in high school played for Morris and went to school free for this reason.

There was an article recently that the Rochester campus has not been the success they had hoped. I know it was meant to be very niche, but it doesn't sound like it's doing well.
 



MIAC football results for 9/23/23

St. John's 27, Bethel 7
Augsburg 33, Gustavus 31
Carleton 31, Hamline 27
St. Olaf 38, Macalester 13
Concordia 49, St. Scholastica 16

ending of Auggies & Gusties was nuts. Gustavus scored with 0:22 left in 4th qtr. Augsburg ran back KO to the 43, completed 22-yd pass downfield, and threw 35-yd TD pass with 0:01 left on clock.

Next week:
St. Scholastica (1-2/0-1) at Macalester (2-1/0-1)
St. Olaf (2-1/1-0) at Hamline (2-1/0-1)
Carleton (3-0/1-0) at Concordia (2-1/1-0)
Gustavus (1-2/0-1) at Bethel (1-2/0-1)
St. John's (2-1/1-0) at Augsburg (3-0/1-0)
 







Here are the results from the NSIC this weekend. Minnesota teams in bold:
  • Augustana edged Minnesota State-Moorhead, 31-27
  • Bemidji State won over Mary, 41-10
  • Minnesota State-Mankato routed Concordia-St. Paul, 42-10
  • Sioux Falls edged Minot State 7-0 (?!)
  • Minnesota Duluth shut out Southwest Minnesota State, 33-0
  • Winona State defeated Northern State 39-16
  • Wayne State took down non con opponent Missouri S&T, 38-34
Updated standings:
  • Bemidji State (4-0, 4-0)
  • Minnesota State-Mankato (4-0, 4-0)
  • Augustana (4-0, 3-0)
  • Minnesota-Duluth (4-0, 3-0)
  • Wayne State (3-1, 2-1)
  • Winona State (2-2, 2-1)
  • Sioux Falls (2-2, 2-2)
  • Minnesota State-Moorhead (2-2, 1-2)
  • Northern State (1-3, 1-3)
  • Southwest Minnesota State (1-3, 1-3)
  • Concordia-St. Paul (1-3, 0-3)
  • Mary (0-4, 0-4)
  • Minot State (0-4, 0-4)
MSUM kept things tight with Augustana but had a few crucial mistakes. They were unable to complete a drive where they could have taken the lead and allowed a kick return touchdown right after scoring one of their own.

They've played Wayne State and Augustana close, though, and won their other two games convincingly. It shows some promise for the rest of the season.
 

Was confused there for a second, I guess MSUM = Moorhead and MSU = Mankato?
 



Top 25 coaches poll is out. NSIC teams in bold, Minnesota teams in italics.
  1. Ferris State (23) (2-1)
  2. Colorado School of Mines (6) (4-0)
  3. Pittsburg State (4-0)
  4. Minnesota State-Mankato (4-0)
  5. Ouachita Baptist (4-0)
  6. West Florida (3-1)
  7. Grand Valley State (2-1)
  8. Delta State (4-0)
  9. Bemidji State (4-0)
  10. Harding (4-0)
  11. Emporia State (4-0)
  12. Slippery Rock (4-0)
  13. Benedict (4-0)
  14. Indianapolis (3-0)
  15. Lenoir-Rhyne (4-0)
  16. Texas A&M-Kingsville (3-0)
  17. Western Colorado (4-0)
  18. Davenport (3-0)
  19. Minnesota-Duluth (4-0)
  20. Angelo State (2-2)
  21. Central Missouri (3-1)
  22. Valdosta State (4-0)
  23. Assumption (2-1)
  24. Henderson State (3-1)
  25. Shepherd (3-1)
Others receiving votes
Truman State, Virginia Union, Augustana, Tuskegee, Tiffin, Black Hills State, Virginia State, Indiana (PA), Mars Hill, Central Washington, East Stroudsburg, Missouri Western State, Bowie State
 

in the D3 football poll -
1. North Central (ill) - with 24 of 25 1st-place votes
2. Mount Union
3. Wartburg
4. UW-Whitewater (the other 1st-place vote)
5. Trinity (TX)
6. UW-River Falls
7. St. John's (MN)

others of note
13. UW-LaCrosse
20. UW-Oshkosh (begosh)

Bethel was 19 last week but fell out of the top 25 to 4th among "also receiving votes" so 29th overall. and my old stomping grounds of UW-Platteville also received votes.

so 4 of the 8 schools in the WIAC are in the top 20 and another received votes.
 

D2.com media poll also out. NSIC bold, Minnesota teams in italics
  1. Ferris State (Mich.) 2-1
  2. Colorado Mines 4-0
  3. Pittsburg State (Kans.) 4-0
  4. Grand Valley (Mich.) 2-1
  5. Minnesota State-Mankato 4-0
  6. Delta State (Miss.) 4-0
  7. Bemidji State (Minn.) 4-0
  8. West Florida 3-1
  9. Ouachita Baptist (Ark.) 4-0
  10. Emporia State (Kans.) 4-0
  11. Harding (Ark.) 4-0
  12. Slippery Rock (Penn.) 4-0
  13. Benedict (S.C.) 4-0
  14. Lenoir-Rhyne (N.C.) 4-0
  15. Indianapolis 4-0
  16. Davenport (Mich.) 3-0
  17. Western Colorado 4-0
  18. Ind University of Penn 3-1
  19. Angelo State (Tex.) 2-2
  20. Texas A&M-Kingsville 3-0
  21. Truman State (Mo.) 4-0
  22. Central Missouri 3-1
  23. Shepherd (W.V.) 3-1
  24. Virginia Union 3-1
  25. Minnesota-Duluth 4-0
 

Headed to the Gustie @ Bethel game today for a battle of MIAC contenders, though both teams have been off to a bumpy start. A friend's son is a Gustie. It should be beautiful day for college football. The Gopher game will be getting streamed today if the cell tower gods allow it.
 

Southwest Minnesota State (1-4 on the year) and struggling in the NSIC just lost at Valparaiso 16-15 today. Valpo is in the same conference as St. Thomas (Pioneer). Shows you the quality of the Pioneer compared to other Division 1 conferences.
 

Gusties with another heart breaking last second loss.
 

MIAC Football results (9/30)

St. John's 27, Augsburg 24
Bethel 37, Gustavus 28
Carleton 36, Concordia 35
St. Olaf 49, Hamline 25
St. Scholastica 23, Macalester 17

Carleton was trailing Concordia 35-21 in the 4th Qtr - scored 2 TD's in final 7 minutes. Winning TD scored with 0:20 left including a 2-pt conversion for the winning margin.

Augsburg missed on some opportunities in the loss to St. John's. Auggies missed 2 XP kicks and failed on two 2-pt conversion tries. they also came up about 2 or 3 inches short on a 4th-and-goal play late in the 1st half. Auggies couldn't come up with enough stops on defense when they needed one. Johnnies 25 of 37 passing for 367 yds - but only 31 yds rushing.

Next week
St. Olaf (3-1/2-0) at Carleton (4-0/2-0)
Augsburg (3-1/1-1) at Hamline (2-2/0-2)
Concordia (2-2/1-1) at St. John's (3-1/2-0)
Gustavus (1-3/0-2) at St. Scholastica (2-2/1-1)
Bethel (2-2/1-1) at Macalester (2-2/0-2)
 

Today's NSIC scores:

MSU - Moorhead - 45
Northern State - 26

UMD - 38
Winona State - 14

CSP - 37
Mary - 34

Wayne State - 48
Minot State - 22

Valparaiso (FCS) - 16
SW Minnesota St. - 15

Augustana - 49
USF - 29

Minnesota State - 27
Bemidji State - 24
 

GFBfan said:
Gusties with another heart breaking last second loss.
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This has become a multi year trend, dating all the way back to when St. Thomas was still in the league.
 

Northern State scored first but it was all Dragons after that, just kept attacking on offense and Wolves couldn't keep up.

Much taller task next week with the Mavericks, which I figure will be in the top 5. Of course it's the same day the Gophers take on No. 2 Michigan. And the Vikings play the Chiefs the next day, too. Oof.

Anyway, here are NSIC standings, MN teams in bold.
  • Minnesota State-Mankato (5-0, 5-0)
  • Augustana (5-0, 4-0)
  • Minnesota-Duluth (5-0, 4-0)
  • Bemidji State (4-1, 4-1)
  • Wayne State (4-1, 3-1)
  • Minnesota State-Moorhead (3-2, 2-2)
  • Winona State (2-3, 2-2)
  • Sioux Falls (2-3, 2-3)
  • Concordia-St. Paul (2-3, 1-3)
  • Southwest Minnesota State (1-4, 1-3)
  • Northern State (1-4, 1-4)
  • Mary (0-5, 0-5)
  • Minot State (0-5, 0-5)
Next week's games:
  • Sioux Falls @ Concordia St. Paul
  • Minnesota-Duluth @ Wayne State
  • Southwest MN State @ Augustana
  • MSU Moorhead @ MSU Mankato
  • Winona State @ Mary
  • Minot State @ Northern State
 

Division II polls are out. NSIC teams in bold, Minnesota teams in italics. Here's the Coaches Poll:
  1. Ferris St. (Mich.) 3-1
  2. Colorado School of Mines 5-0
  3. Pittsburg St. (Kan.) 5-0
  4. Minnesota St. Mankato 5-0
  5. Ouachita Baptist (Ark.) 5-0
  6. West Florida 4-1
  7. Grand Valley St. (Mich.) 3-1
  8. Delta St. (Miss.) 5-0
  9. Harding (Ark.) 5-0
  10. Slippery Rock (Pa.) 5-0
  11. Benedict (S.C.) 5-0
  12. Indianapolis (Ind.) 4-0
  13. Lenoir-Rhyne (N.C.) 5-0
  14. Bemidji St. (Minn.) 4-1
  15. Western Colorado 5-0
  16. Davenport (Mich.) 4-0
  17. Minnesota-Duluth 5-0
  18. Central Missouri 4-1
  19. Valdosta St. (Ga.) 5-0
  20. Emporia St. (Kan.) 4-1
  21. Angelo St. (Tex.) 3-2
  22. Henderson St. (Ark.) 4-1
  23. Assumption (Mass.) 3-1
  24. Truman St. (Mo.) 5-0
  25. Shepherd (W.Va.) 4-1
Others receiving votes: Augustana (S.D.); Virginia St.; Texas A&M-Kingsville; Virginia Union; Tiffin (Ohio); Missouri Western St.; Texas-Permian Basin; Barton (N.C.),; Limestone (S.C.); Charleston (W.Va.); Central Washington.

Here's the media poll from D2Football.com.
  1. Ferris State 3-1
  2. Colorado Mines 5-0
  3. Pittsburg State 5-0
  4. Grand Valley 3-1
  5. Minnesota State 5-0
  6. Delta State 5-0
  7. West Florida 4-1
  8. Ouachita Baptist 5-0
  9. Harding 5-0
  10. Slippery Rock 5-0
  11. Bemidji State 4-1
  12. Benedict 5-0
  13. Lenoir-Rhyne 5-0
  14. Indianapolis 4-0
  15. Davenport 4-0
  16. Western Colorado 5-0
  17. Emporia State 4-1
  18. Central Missouri 4-1
  19. Angelo State 3-2
  20. Truman State 5-0
  21. Minnesota Duluth 5-0
  22. Shepherd 4-1
  23. Virginia Union 4-1
  24. Missouri Western 4-1
  25. Valdosta State 5-0
 

short ornery norwegian said:
MIAC Football results (9/30)

St. John's 27, Augsburg 24
Bethel 37, Gustavus 28
Carleton 36, Concordia 35
St. Olaf 49, Hamline 25
St. Scholastica 23, Macalester 17

Carleton was trailing Concordia 35-21 in the 4th Qtr - scored 2 TD's in final 7 minutes. Winning TD scored with 0:20 left including a 2-pt conversion for the winning margin.

Augsburg missed on some opportunities in the loss to St. John's. Auggies missed 2 XP kicks and failed on two 2-pt conversion tries. they also came up about 2 or 3 inches short on a 4th-and-goal play late in the 1st half. Auggies couldn't come up with enough stops on defense when they needed one. Johnnies 25 of 37 passing for 367 yds - but only 31 yds rushing.

Next week
St. Olaf (3-1/2-0) at Carleton (4-0/2-0)
Augsburg (3-1/1-1) at Hamline (2-2/0-2)
Concordia (2-2/1-1) at St. John's (3-1/2-0)
Gustavus (1-3/0-2) at St. Scholastica (2-2/1-1)
Bethel (2-2/1-1) at Macalester (2-2/0-2)
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In a rather interesting twist, the Battle for the Goat in Northfield will be BOTH St Olaf and Carleton's Homecoming weekend.

HCFW 2023 Schedule of Events – St. Olaf Alumni

wp.stolaf.edu wp.stolaf.edu

Yes, that's correct. St Olaf is having their Homecoming in conjunction when the football team has to cross the Cannon River and play at Laird Stadium.

Plenty of seats still available.
 

AO54 said:
I think you just don't have a full picture of D3, there are multiple high enrollment public university conferences in D3. The small private schools can still recruit their way into beating these large public universities, this isn't high school. Going D2 just doesn't make any sense, pay more for the same or less exposure. Clearly St. Cloud and Crookston would have been better off playing D3 as the D2 model just doesn't add up for many schools.
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WisconSIN's "high enrollment public universities" can't compete against their peers, so they drop down to the lowest level of football possible. Yep, it's that embarrassing to be a fan of one of those "high enrollment" schools.

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New D3 Football poll out - relatively little change
1. North Central (ill)
2. Mount Union
3. UW-Whitewater (up from #4 last week)
4. Wartburg (falls from #3 to #4)
5. UW-River Falls (up from 6 to 5)
6. Trinity, TX (down from 5 to 6)
7. St. John's MN (remains at #7)

among others
--UW-LaCrosse drops from 13th to 14th
--UW-Oshkosh falls out of the top 25 (has most votes of the 'others receiving votes' - so 26th place)
--Bethel received votes - would be in 30th place.

FWIW - WIAC goes from 4 ranked teams to 3 - but with 2 of the top 5 this week.
 

short ornery norwegian said:
New D3 Football poll out - relatively little change
1. North Central (ill)
2. Mount Union
3. UW-Whitewater (up from #4 last week)
4. Wartburg (falls from #3 to #4)
5. UW-River Falls (up from 6 to 5)
6. Trinity, TX (down from 5 to 6)
7. St. John's MN (remains at #7)

among others
--UW-LaCrosse drops from 13th to 14th
--UW-Oshkosh falls out of the top 25 (has most votes of the 'others receiving votes' - so 26th place)
--Bethel received votes - would be in 30th place.

FWIW - WIAC goes from 4 ranked teams to 3 - but with 2 of the top 5 this week.
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River Falls is the real deal. I saw them dominate Mary Hardin-Baylor, a perennial power. They should give Whitewater a run for their money in a couple weeks if they can stay healthy.
 

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