Game 2 of the Night - Season 140
Previous GotN Prediction: Cheyney 45 - Ferris St 24
Result: Cheyney 48 - Ferris St 17
Intro/comments/match-up: The final score ended up being more or less what the "smart dog" thought. When I went to look at the game stats and didn't know the final score already, I would have thought it would have been a close game in the twenties. The game was tied with just under two minutes left in the first half when Ferris State lost a fumble that was returned by Cheyney to the 5-yard line. Two plays later, Cheyney takes the halftime lead at 17-10. Later following a punt return for a TD seven minutes into the third quarter the game was basically over at 27-10. I'll give coach cowboy90s credit for his blunt assessment of his team on the GLIAC chat board.
We are staying in the state of PA again with another interesting game involving a coach who took over an elite team just one season ago. From the GLIAC again, #3 Northern Michigan is on the road to take on #6 Bloomsburg.
Team: Northern Michigan
Coach: Mrbig987 # of Seasons: 2
Roster Breakdown:
Seniors: 12
Juniors: 13
Sophomores: 11
Freshmen: 14
Offensive Formations: Pro-set
Defensive Formations: 4-3
Key Wins: N/A
Losses: N/A
Comments: Following last season's disappointing 2nd round exit from the playoffs, the jury is still out on whether coach Mrbig987 will be able to continue the extremely high standards set by the previous coach. Since Northern Michigan's schedule has only one more game against a human coach remaining, tonight's game will be the only chance for the coach to impress before the playoffs begin.
Team: Bloomsburg
Coach: Jms245 # of Seasons: 8
Roster Breakdown:
Seniors: 11
Juniors: 13
Sophomores: 11
Freshmen: 15
Offensive Formations: Pro-set
Defensive Formations: 4-3Nickel
Key Wins: N/A
Losses: N/A
Comments: One of the teams the "smart dog" has been watching closely the last few seasons. After last season's semi-final appearance, it will be just a matter of when before coach Jms245 bring Bloomsburg their first Rockne national championship. Bloomsburg has a challenging out of conference schedule with games against #22 Central Oklahoma and #11 Presbyterian after tonight's game. Their conference schedule got a little lighter with the decision of a couple of coaches to leave what was becoming the top conference in PSAC.
Tonight's Prediction: On paper these two teams make for what should be a tight game with Northern Michigan having a small edge among the seniors and juniors. Bloomsburg has a bigger edge in coaching reputation. It is harder to determine trends after just one game so that may mitigate the advantage between the coaches. After a close first half, Bloomsburg pulls away for a solid 35-24 victory.