There was plenty of interesting this past weekend, including some that jumbled the league and playoff pictures a bit more. I'll definitely post my thoughts on the playoff scenarios later in the week after the Committee puts out its rankings...those should come some time later today.

Ohio Dominican 20, Ashland 17

We talked last week about this being a budding rivalry...well, ODU did its part on Saturday to make that a reality. Not only did they ensure a winning season in just their second year in D2, they also destroyed Ashland's league and playoff hopes. This game was a well-played (zero turnovers, five combined penalties) affair, that saw the Panther defense take the ultimate stage by shutting down the AU ground game and holding the Eagles to 276 total yards. The ODU offense also contributed with great balance, as Mike Noffisinger topped the 100-yard mark rushing and Tyler Purcell did the same receiving.


Michigan Tech 41, Ferris State 14

Tech was balanced on offense, suffocating on defense, and even chipped into the scoring on special teams as the Huskies dominated Ferris. We talked last week about Tech shutting down the Bulldog ground game and they did just that to the tune of 41 net yards. Conversely, the Huskies had one of their better offensive ground games led by Akeem Cason's 117 yards and two TD's. After a shaky (at times) performance at Grand Valley a week ago, Tyler Scarlett was nearly flawless for MTU hitting on 21 of his 27 passes including a pair of scores.


Lake Erie 52, Tiffin 42

The return of James Capello at quarterback for Tiffin (along with his six total TD's on the afternoon) certainly sparked the Dragon offense, but it wasn't enough as Lake Erie outlasted Tiffin at Frost-Kalnow. In the end, LEC was more balanced on offense (is there a theme in this blog?) as The Storm defense held TU to 71 net rushing yards. Meanwhile, Dayton Overstreet had a career day with 172 yards and three TD's on the ground for LEC.


Grand Valley 35, Northwood 10

The Lakers raced to a 28-0 edge at recess and cruised to the easy win despite sleepwalking a bit in the second half. We keep talking about balance...and NU didn't have it as they were held without a completed pass (and the subsequent zero net passing yards) for the second time in three weeks. The Lakers, on the other hand, did most of what they wanted on offense. Heath Parling threw four first half touchdown passes (three to Charles Johnson), and also chipped in on the ground game as one of four Laker ball-carriers to post at least 53 yards rushing on the afternoon. Michael Ratay led the GV ground charge with 105 yards and a score.


Hillsdale 49, Findlay 19

Findlay took an early 7-0 lead, but they were basically never in this one after that as Hillsdale's offense went essentially unstopped all afternoon...including scoring touchdowns on seven of its first eight possessions and racking up 587 total yards. In the battle of two of the GLIAC's elite backs, Joe Glendening certainly proved the victor in this round by posting 241 yards and four touchdowns rushing. Give credit to the Charger defense as they contained UF all-star Monterae Williams to only 40 yards on the day...his second consecutive sub-par performance.


Saginaw Valley 48, Northern Michigan 26

We knew going in that Northern Michigan was likely going to have a tough time keeping up with the Cardinals offensively...and that notion was exacerbated early as the SV defense notched a pair of pick-sixes in the first half. Jonathon Jennings was once again stellar hitting on 18 of 23 for 274 yards and three TD's, and Zach Cecich was his favorite target as the junior tight end made four grabs for 101 yards.


Wayne State 28, Indianapolis 19

We talked last week about the potent UIndy passing attack and how it was going to give Wayne fits. As it turns out, the Warrior ground game was the most imposing force on the evening as Josh Renel and Toney Davis both had over 100 yards and combined for three TD's. More importantly, after the Greyhounds made it a one-score game with less than ten minutes to play Wayne immediately embarked on a 70-yard touchdown drive that ate 8:33 of the remaining 9:42 off the clock, and all 15 plays of the drive were running plays. That statement of power proved the back-breaker and kept Wayne tied for the league lead and might put them back into the Top Six when the regional rankings come out this week.