By Keith McMillan
D3sports.com
No one expected Rowan's new coach to match the personality of K.C. Keeler, who led the Profs to five Stagg Bowls in nine years as head coach, least of all the man who got the job.
The Profs may appear to be different under Jay Accorsi, who admits that change is a gradual process, but the goals remain the same.
As usual, Rowan is off to a hot start, winning its first four under the 38-year-old former defensive coordinator. But heading into their second New Jersey Athletic Conference game, a Friday-nighter at The College of New Jersey, some are wondering what's wrong with the Profs.
"People are asking 'how come you're not putting up 50 points a game'?" Accorsi said. "Well that was last year. It was different kids in a different situation."
Rowan had remarkable success in its first season running the spread offense, averaging about 47 points per outing, going over 40 ten times, 50 seven times and over 60 twice, including postseason games. It didn't matter that they allowed 18 points per game when they were scoring at that clip.
Accorsi, right, a 1985 graduate of Nichols, was nervous about some of the decision he made in his first go-round as head coach, though he's been at Rowan since Keeler arrived in 1993. It wasn't until a 17-3 win over Division II Millersville that his conscience eased.
"I was excited and nervous," he said, "because you don't know how what you've done will affect the team on the field until the first game."
The wins so far haven't come at the breakneck speed of last season's blowouts, but they've come over a team from a higher division, two 2001 Division III playoff participants and in the NJAC opener. They're scoring just 25.5 points per game, but allowing less than 10. Only Wesley reached double figures, scoring 20 points.
"We're 4-0, but realistically, I didn't think we'd be that," Accorsi said.
The new coach didn't know what to expect from this season, not because he was new to the helm, but because Rowan's roster is stocked with freshmen and sophomores who log significant playing time.
"We don't have the stars, per se, that we've had in the past," Accorsi said. "We're very blue-collar."
Instead of having two go-to wide receivers, for example, this team shuffles in eight to 10 contributors.
The reward for having to play so many players, and so many young ones, is twofold. The Profs have great depth, and aside from 2001 Melberger Award finalist Tony Racioppi at quarterback, injuries should have a limited effect on the team's success. The Profs can wear teams out with the depth as well.
"That's our philosophy," Racioppi told D3football.com after the 22-20 win against Wesley, "control the tempo. Last year we did it with talent. This year we'll wear you down."
"I think now, there's no great star, no phenomenal player," Accorsi said. "But I hope teams look across the board and say 'holy smokes, they're all good players.''"
Playing so many players is also a recruiting tool. The Profs used a lot of players last season under Keeler, and promised to do the same when getting freshmen to commit. Keeping their word this season puts them in good shape for next year. After all, every recruit wants a chance to play.
"We're not going to beat you with our 22," Accorsi said. "We're going to do it [with the entire team]."
The coach calls that "fun for the kids," especially since Accorsi says Rowan doesn't field a JV team on par with some of the division's other top programs. But Accorsi also brings to Rowan a sort of clean slate, as fans of other teams around Division III at times became Prof-haters, and extended the same
feelings to Keeler.
Some regarded Rowan as a Division I program without the
scholarships, feelings that really came to the surface when Terry Pluto of the Akron Beacon-Journal wrote, "But this still is Division III football. And even if it's legal, there is something about Rowan that turns me into a Mount Union fan every time the two schools play. ... I hope they lose again."
"I guess that just comes with the territory when you're in that spot," said Accorsi. "I'm sure there are people that give Mount Union a hard time too. Look at President Bush. He's on top, and he's going through some tough times. It just goes with the territory."
But Accorsi is dedicated to Division III ideals, something he says is not a change from the previous regime.
"I don't know," he said. "Do you hear about Tony and a couple of the kids going to Pitman to visit a kid dying of cancer, and bringing him T-shirts and stuff?"
This year's Profs have also rededicated an area of campus and planted shrubs, held a punt, pass and kick contest for local kids and have mentored both on and off the school's Southern New Jersey campus. Those things are familiar to many Division III programs across the country, yet Rowan had been labeled a band of thugs, something Keeler often wondered was linked to the fact that many of Rowan's players had African-American and other minority backgrounds.
"Do people see those [good] things" Probably not," Accorsi said. "Maybe that doesn't sell newspapers... Maybe those are things, in our society, people aren't interested in hearing about."
But that doesn't mean Accorsi isn't interested in helping boys grow into solid young men. He recites a three-part mission statement that's been part of the program for years. The trio of goals include winning the national championship, upholding the student-athlete's commitment to academic excellence and "giving back to his team, university, community, country and world."
"My thrust is to concentrate a little bit more on two and three, and maybe we'll get one," Accorsi said.
Your feedback
The feedback of Around the Nation readers has been a great part of this column this year, though I'm a little behind in compiling the best responses from last week, I'm already asking for more.
If there were a cable television channel either all or partly dedicated to airing Division III sports, would you support it by watching? Would you watch only football, or all Division III sports? Do you think such a channel could survive?
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Beyond the numbers
Lake Forest leads my list of early surprises, although there are surely several others around the nation, not to mention the teams with winning records early in the year because the toughest competition comes late in the schedule, or vice versa. But the 4-0 Foresters have proven they deserve acclaim beyond the name recognition of middle linebacker Casey Urlacher, brother of Chicago Bears star Brian Urlacher. The younger Urlacher, a D3football.com preseason all-American, is a player in his own right: Name recognition didn't make a school-record 125 tackles last season. Lake Forest's win against perennial Midwest conference contender Ripon could be a sign of big things to come.
Coast Guard quarterback Matt Gully has thrown four interceptions returned for touchdowns in the past two weeks. But Gully can call on a good source for some inspiration. His high school baseball coach and football assistant coach in Big Lake, Texas, was Jim Morris, the man whose story was told in the film "The Rookie." Morris is now a motivational speaker following his brief big league career.
When kicker Jonathan Feig hurt his leg, Washington University's Ben Lambert stepped into the role without much dropoff, impressive for a sophomore backup to an All-American, which Feig was as a freshman in 2000. Lambert has hit six of eight field goal attempts, including five of five from beyond 30 yards. His long kickoffs have resulted in an average starting field position at the 26-yard line.
Games to watch
No. 3 Rowan at TCNJ: This Friday nighter is a little duller after Lions
were stunned by Kings Point, but both teams are still 1-0 in the NJAC.
No. 8 Lycoming at No. 6 Widener: Lycoming among nation's top five in total defense and scoring defense. But the Warriors lost in last visit to Chester, 50-49 in double overtime, then got pounded 35-0 in Williamsport last season. Are the Pioneers the new class of the MAC? Only one way to find out, and D3football.com will be there.
King's at Juniata: Okay, it's not the high-profile MAC game of the day, but the Eagles are 4-0, 3-0, and the Monarchs are outscoring conference competition 93-38.
Westminster (Pa.) at No. 23 Washington & Jefferson: Titans might be the only PAC team that can give Presidents a run for the championship.
Muhlenberg at McDaniel: A matchup of Centennial teams just outside the Top 25, both 2-0 in-conference. Mules were CC co-champions in 2001, but Green Terror won their meeting 28-25 in overtime.
Hampden-Sydney at No. 2 Bridgewater (Va.): This game should be a lot of fun for the scoreboard operator (Oops, we don't mean to bring up bad memories for the Eagles). We do mean to imply that the ODAC's most talented team will be hosting its most potent offense. Eagles averaging 487 yards of offense, giving up 8 points per game. Tigers have scored 17 touchdowns in three games and lead the ODAC in total defense. Eagles have won three meetings in a row, including a 48-42 thriller last year.
Christopher Newport at Shenandoah: These two programs, started in 2001 and 2000, respectively, are already becoming Dixie Conference rivals. They get together in another night game at Shentel Stadium.
Greensboro at Guilford: It's a little early for the Soup Bowl (a.k.a the sixth annual Gate City Classic), a game normally held in mid-November, but Around the Nation can't ignore a rivalry game.
Hartwick at St. John Fisher: The Cardinals, one-time also-rans, kept up with Ithaca last week and face another of the Empire 8's top teams in the Hawks, who hold the ball for 35 minutes per game. Greg Roland and Noah Fehrenbach are turning out to be a nice quarterback-receiver tandem for St. John Fisher, but Hawks lead the nation in pass efficiency defense.
Springfield at No. 11 Ithaca: Bombers held St. John Fisher to 5 yards
rushing last week, but get a stiffer test in the Pride, which has put up 60 points
twice in three games by rushing for 385 yards per. Statistically, Springfield sports the nation's top rushing offense and fourth-best defense (at 152.3 yards allowed per game). The Bombers won 17-16 last season.
Worcester State at Westfield State: Teams were each undefeated when they met in 10th game last season. Defense-oriented Westfield pulled out a 34-30 victory and eventually advanced to Division III playoffs as the NEFC representative. Both teams are unbeaten this year, but as mates in NEFC Bogan, only one can advance to conference title game.
Baldwin-Wallace at No. 12 John Carroll: Yellow Jackets, looking for their 36th consecutive winning season, came within a touchdown of No. 1 Mount Union. Blue Streaks are shaping up to be Purple Raiders' top OAC rival. A win here is critical for JCU with Oct. 19 game at Mount Union looming.
Allegheny at Wabash: This NCAC opener is a big test for 3-0 Little Giants, especially after Gators knocked off Washington & Jefferson and faced Baldwin-Wallace. Wabash has the nation's No. 2 defense, allowing just 146 yards per game.
Anderson at Defiance: The Yellow Jackets' 27-7 win last November snapped a seven-game Ravens win streak and clinched the Heartland title. Both teams have struggled to 2-2 records so far this season, and need a win in HCAC opener to keep pace with what looks like a very good Hanover squad.
Coe at Central: Kohawks are unbeaten and sport the division's No. 3 offense, but perennial conference champion Dutchmen host the first big IIAC game of the year.
St. John's at Gustavus Adolphus, St. Thomas at St. Olaf: Two teams will get upper hands, helping to clear picture in crowded MIAC. St. John's is still the team to beat. And don't forget Concordia-Moorhead (at Hamline).
UW-Eau Claire at Bethel: Matchup looked better before Royals' 1-3 start.
UW-La Crosse at No. 14 UW-Stevens Point: WIAC opener for both teams, whose records could be deceiving. 2-1 Pointers lost to I-AA Butler, 1-2 Eagles to I-AA Drake.
No. 22 Linfield at No. 20 Pacific Lutheran: One of the nation's great rivalries features the Wildcats' No. 2 offense in nation (555 yards/game) and the Lutes' No. 12 offense (482 yards/game). This one should be fun.
