By Keith McMillan
D3sports.com
It used to be one of the few things you could count on in Division III football, that Rowan would hand the ball off to some of the nation's best tailbacks, who would then run the Profs deep into the NCAA playoffs.
All that changed following a 7-2 "down year" for Rowan, which missed the playoffs for the first time since 1994 and then dismissed its starting quarterback in the offseason.
Enter Tony Racioppi.
K.C. Keeler and his coaching staff had high expectations for the virtually unknown 6-2, 220-pound junior, but he wasn’t expected to be a polished passer and team leader right away.
Racioppi (Ras-see-OH-pee) has more than exceeded expectations, completing 60% of his passes for 714 yards and 11 touchdowns through two games in Rowan’s new pass-happy offense.
"Tony is the perfect person to orchestrate this offense," beams Keeler. "He’s the smartest player I’ve ever coached."
Racioppi threw for 351 yards and four touchdowns in spot duty behind starter Mike Warker during the Profs' injury-plagued 2000 campaign. When Keeler dismissed Warker for violating a team rule, it didn’t look as though Rowan would solve its problems from 2000 right away.
But Keeler and his staff added a dash of offensive spice that only a team with Rowan’s depth could cook up.
"Last year was a shock to the system, but it was probably a good shock to the system," Keeler said. "We made some evaluations in the offseason, and one of those was to make some changes offensively."
Keeler said the Profs had depth at tailback and wide receiver last season, but their old I-based offense wasn’t allowing those players an opportunity to play.
"Instead of looking at two or three of our best players on the bench behind me," said Keeler, "we decided to get some of those kids on the field and take advantage of our depth."
The Profs are now running offensive sets that spread the field, speed up the pace of the game and use multiple players. Keeler said his offense employed eight offensive linemen, eight wideouts, three tailbacks and a tight end in a single quarter earlier this season.
By operating quickly, the goal is to overwhelm opponents, who so far have tried to roll coverages, blitz the Profs and drop extra men into coverage — all to no avail.
"We call it ice hockey on grass," joked Keeler.
The new tactics are working, as the Profs have skated to 51-19 and 54-36 victories in their first two games, on the road at D-II Millersville and at 2000 Division III playoff participant Wesley. Rowan’s success is thanks mostly to Racioppi.
And the quarterback’s arm isn’t his biggest asset, says his coach.
"He was voted captain," said Keeler. "He’s the kind of guy you want as your quarterback. The guys gravitate to him. I see him hanging with the wideouts, hanging with the offensive linemen and hanging with the defensive guys."
Keeler’s keys to success are talent, hard work and chemistry, and he says Racioppi makes the Profs a better football team.
"He helps make the team chemistry better," Keeler said. "And the kids believe in him."
In fact, Rowan’s biggest problem under Racioppi has been staying interested in the game. The Profs surged to 27-0 leads in both of their contests.
"Once they learn to play with big leads, we’ll be OK," said Keeler. "We need to stay aggressive."
The Profs have also surged to the top of the AFCA poll, coming in at No. 2 behind defending national champion Mount Union.
Could these be the best Profs ever? Keeler isn’t sure, but one thing is certain: If the Profs do make a return trip to the Roanoke Valley, they won’t look anything like the five Rowan teams that have made it to the Stagg Bowl and Salem and come away winless.
Around the Nation
History could be in the making for Cleveland area football fans. The winningest and losingest Division III football programs of the past few seasons will descend on the city Saturday, and both games could end with surprise results.
John Carroll hosts Mount Union, the defending national champion and team that has won 68 of its past 69. Last time the Purple Raiders visited Cleveland, they almost had the NCAA-record 54-game win streak – then at 45 games – snapped. The Blue Streaks took Mount Union into overtime at 41, but a crowd of 6,450 left disappointed when they couldn’t get a first down on their third possession in OT. The Raiders won 57-51, and no OAC team has come that close to climbing the Mount since.
On the flipside, Oberlin has lost 41 in a row, and was a late punt return away from victory against Pomona-Pitzer two weeks ago (last week’s game at Earlham was postponed until Nov. 17). The Yeomen could snap their streak when they visit Case Western, 0-2 this season and 5-15 the two seasons before.
Fans could attend both games. Oberlin/Case Western starts at 1:30 p.m. and Mount Union/John Carroll starts at 7. A dinner in between could make it a perfect day of Division III football, especially if one witnesses history — twice.
The Coast Guard Academy has turned up its stadium security following last week’s attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. For all Parents’ Day events Saturday, only relatives of athletes on a list submitted to academy officials in advance will be admitted. There is no on-site parking and relatives will have to show ID to gain entrance to the Bears’ game with Springfield.
From the "If we could be so lucky" department: When 74-year-old John Gagliardi and his Saint John’s Johnnies kick off at Augsburg Saturday, it will be the legendary coach’s 500th game as head man. He’ll join exclusive company with the feat. Only former Grambling coach Eddie Robinson (588 games coached) and Amos Alonzo Stagg (548) have coached more NCAA football games.
The 10-team NESCAC begins play this week. Conference teams play eight games, all against other NESCAC teams, but three squads went 7-1 in 2000: Middlebury, Amherst and Colby. Only the White Mules host a team that finished with a winning record last year (Williams) in their opener.
Games to Watch
No. 1 Mount Union at No. 9 John Carroll
The history is explained above. The significance if the Blue Streaks win is that somebody besides a Purple Raider could earn an OAC Championship for the first time since 1991. Mount Union was last beaten in an OAC contest by Baldwin-Wallace in October 1994.
Hanover at No. 4 Washington & Jefferson
The Panthers (1-1) love to pass, which may be a welcome change for the Presidents, who faced run-based Ursinus and Allegheny in their first two wins. Expect a lot of scoring however… the teams combined for 82 points in 2000.
No. 6 Bethel at Gustavus Adolphus
The Royals held Macalester to 21 yards rushing on 23 attempts in a 33-6 win on Saturday, but the Gusties, who opened with a 37-26 win against powerhouse Trinity (Texas), should provide a stiffer challenge. Both teams are 2-0 and at the top of the MIAC. The Royals’ last regular-season loss came on their last trip to Gustavus Adolphus, on Oct. 16, 1999.
Ursinus at No. 12 Western Maryland
The Bears are one of two Centennial Conference teams to come close to knocking the perennial power Green Terror off its perch in the past few seasons. If Ursinus can overcome Western Maryland quarterback Boo Harris and a stifling defense, they’ll bust the CC race wide open.
No. 15 Albion at Washington U.
The 3-0 Bears host the 3-0 Britons in a north region battle. Sophomore Bobby Collins Jr. rushed for 206 yards in Washington’s 24-14 win against Case Western. The last time the Bears started 4-0 (1995) was a year after the Britons won the Stagg Bowl. If either team is to reach such heights this year, a win Saturday is a must.
No. 18 Union at Hobart
Both upstate New York teams made the playoffs in 2000 and Hobart won last year’s meeting 13-12 on an option pass from Terry Smith to Scott Yoder with 2:43 left in the game. Union defensive end Mark Stokes died after a Sunday auto accident, and the Fighting Dutchmen will no doubt be on an emotional high after dedicating the rest of the season to their fallen teammate.
Wabash at No. 20 Wittenberg
The Tigers could be vulnerable after suffering their first regular-season loss since 1997, 26-24 last week against Alma… or they could be twice as fired up and ready to get back on the winning track.
Baldwin-Wallace at Ohio Northern
The Yellow Jackets eked out a 38-35 overtime win against Wilmington last week. These two OAC teams could challenge for the conference title, especially if John Carroll beats Mount Union. Outside linebacker David Schierbaum made 14 tackles against Wilmington for Baldwin-Wallace. Outside linebacker Larry Cartwright took an interception back for a touchdown in the Polar Bears’ win over Muskingum.
Cornell at Buena Vista
The Rams (2-0) travel to Storm Lake for another difficult conference matchup after knocking off IIAC favorite Wartburg. The Beavers are regarded as a title challenger and are eager to get back on the field following a 20-17 loss to Simpson.
Redlands at Cal Lutheran
The two-time defending SCIAC champions are set to return to the gridiron after cancelling last week’s game with Whitworth. They’ll face a hot Kingsmen group fresh off wins over Muhlenberg and LaVerne. The Bulldogs lead the SCIAC series 8-1.
Also keep an eye on: No. 3 Bridgewater at Johns Hopkins (Friday), Randolph-Macon at Catholic, Frostburg State at Brockport State, DePauw at Trinity (Texas), Williams at Colby.
