PSAC 2023 (Week 1) Non-Conference Games

[IUPNation]

To be fair to Grand Valley, their 3-year agreement included a trip to Edinboro in 2020. It would have happened if not for the Covid cancellation. I don't know if they requested the two home games or Edinboro asked for them to get the guarantees.

Ok. Again IUP was not obligated to fill in with less than a weeks notice just because they asked. No good coach would accept that…

[Ram040506]

Shepherd does have some opportunities others don't have like name recognition outside the conference, viewed as a strong program, and much more "south" than any of us. Always a possible issue for playoff-minded programs like Shepherd is that a) most schools won't want to schedule unless they have to, and b) most programs in and around our region don't have as much long-term consistency like the better PSAC schools have. For every consistently average to above average West Chester a conference might have, they have a bunch of teams that go from 3-8 to 8-3 then two years later back to 3-8 (especially in the MEC). In the NE-10, any consistently above average team eventually bolts to the NEC (or gets folded into campus consolidation like CW Post). The number of national powers capable of paying a guarantee to make it worth it for Shepherd to play a game in Missouri or Texas are few and far between. There's no way IUP would have signed a 4-year deal with Ashland if AU were in Indiana or Kentucky.

I agree, Shepherd should have some name recognition and on top of that I think it's time for them as a program to continue to push the envelope and challenge themselves. Going out west without a guarantee and help for travel is probably not in the cards, but going south to the Carolinas or into Indiana/Ohio/Michigan should be entertained.

This year worked out in a sense, as they will be breaking in a new quarterback for the first time since 2017 and replacing some real stars on offense. But the program should be ready for that challenge and hopefully they take it in the coming years. I really enjoyed the Ohio Dominican series recently and think that should be the bar or target at the very least in scheduling that game for Shepherd moving forward.

Shepherd is going to have to broaden the search a bit if they want that game anyway since the natural scheduling with the MEC programs is just not going to happen because of Reid Amos (MEC Commish). Could be a blessing in disguise.

[Ram040506]

Actually IUP approached Shepherd last year regarding a visit to Indiana week one before they accepted the challenge at SCS….

I heard similar. Played IUP twice anyway, probably didn't want to play 3 games in Indiana last year. IMO, I'd rather get outside the conference to play the OOC game.

[Fightingscot82]

That’s the message I got in the thread where the MIAA commissioner whined about how it’s not fair how Region 3 is set up…and boo Hoo Hoo Region 1 gets a semi final spot.

You sure as hell didn’t diffuse the lie Kle posted that IUP is scared to play Grand Valley in that thread. No team in Their right mind takes a game with less than a weeks notice and we had no obligation to replace Edinboro because they ghosted GV. That was a total made up LIE with no ****ing proof.

To be fair to Grand Valley, their 3-year agreement included a trip to Edinboro in 2020. It would have happened if not for the Covid cancellation. I don't know if they requested the two home games or Edinboro asked for them to get the guarantees.

[IUPNation]

And you know this how? I know this is a message board and I get your rep, but why make stuff up?

That’s the message I got in the thread where the MIAA commissioner whined about how it’s not fair how Region 3 is set up…and boo Hoo Hoo Region 1 gets a semi final spot.

You sure as hell didn’t diffuse the lie Kle posted that IUP is scared to play Grand Valley in that thread. No team in Their right mind takes a game with less than a weeks notice and we had no obligation to replace Edinboro because they ghosted GV. That was a total made up LIE with no ****ing proof.

[Redwing]

But the Region 3 whiners think IUP should be playing at Grsnd Valley and Northwest Misery every season to “prove ourselves”. They don’t want to travel to PA.

And you know this how? I know this is a message board and I get your rep, but why make stuff up?

[IUPNation]

IUP signing a 4-year deal with Ashland was perfect. Two equal level, higher-end programs.

IUP's won the last 3 games against them but could have lost them all, too. You'd sure think this would be a SOS boost for both, also.

But the Region 3 whiners think IUP should be playing at Grsnd Valley and Northwest Misery every season to “prove ourselves”. They don’t want to travel to PA.

[Fightingscot82]

Actually IUP approached Shepherd last year regarding a visit to Indiana week one before they accepted the challenge at SCS….

Okay, but we still don't understand the terms because there are terms. SCSU could be paying a guarantee that covers the cost of travel. Or Shepherd was already in the process of finalizing the agreement with SCSU and didn't want to back out. I doubt Shepherd refused out of fear - but to be honest, when you're a team with expectations to make the playoffs, you generally don't play a week 1 game that could haunt you in week 11. Schools like GVSU can take that risk because they'll likely win almost every other game. In the dogfight PSAC, there are few guarantees each week.

[Iupgh]

Shepherd does have some opportunities others don't have like name recognition outside the conference, viewed as a strong program, and much more "south" than any of us. Always a possible issue for playoff-minded programs like Shepherd is that a) most schools won't want to schedule unless they have to, and b) most programs in and around our region don't have as much long-term consistency like the better PSAC schools have. For every consistently average to above average West Chester a conference might have, they have a bunch of teams that go from 3-8 to 8-3 then two years later back to 3-8 (especially in the MEC). In the NE-10, any consistently above average team eventually bolts to the NEC (or gets folded into campus consolidation like CW Post). The number of national powers capable of paying a guarantee to make it worth it for Shepherd to play a game in Missouri or Texas are few and far between. There's no way IUP would have signed a 4-year deal with Ashland if AU were in Indiana or Kentucky.

Actually IUP approached Shepherd last year regarding a visit to Indiana week one before they accepted the challenge at SCS….

[Iupgh]

I figured I'd start a new thread for the 2023 Non-Conference schedule and will update this original post as more games are confirmed.

BLOOMSBURG: TBA
CAL: at Alderson-Broaddus (MEC), Aug 31
CLARION: at Lincoln (CIAA), Aug 31
EAST STROUDSBURG: TBA
EDINBORO: TBA
GANNON: TBA
IUP: vs. Ashland, Aug 31
KUTZTOWN: at Assumption (NE10), Sept 2
LOCK HAVEN: vs. Post (Ind.), Date TBA
MERCYHURST: at Ferris State (GLIAC), Aug. 31
MILLERSVILLE: TBA
SETON HILL: TBA
SHEPHERD: vs. Southern Connecticut, Sept 2
SHIPPENSBURG: TBA
SLIPPERY ROCK: vs. Wayne State (Mich.), Sept 2
WEST CHESTER: TBA

Surprised 2 PSAC teams just don’t play each if East/West and not already on the cross over slate…In the old days before cross overs IUP would always schedule one or two.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Shepherd does have some opportunities others don't have like name recognition outside the conference, viewed as a strong program, and much more "south" than any of us. Always a possible issue for playoff-minded programs like Shepherd is that a) most schools won't want to schedule unless they have to, and b) most programs in and around our region don't have as much long-term consistency like the better PSAC schools have. For every consistently average to above average West Chester a conference might have, they have a bunch of teams that go from 3-8 to 8-3 then two years later back to 3-8 (especially in the MEC). In the NE-10, any consistently above average team eventually bolts to the NEC (or gets folded into campus consolidation like CW Post). The number of national powers capable of paying a guarantee to make it worth it for Shepherd to play a game in Missouri or Texas are few and far between. There's no way IUP would have signed a 4-year deal with Ashland if AU were in Indiana or Kentucky.

That's the part so many on here don't understand or want to accept. It takes two to tango. Shepherd isn't exactly going to have teams in the NE or coastal states lining up to play them.

[Fightingscot82]

I am hoping Shepherd starts scheduling a stronger OOC week 1 after this year with SoCon St. Would be nice to start playing Bowie St or some other stronger opponent for some home and homes. Maybe even venture down into the Carolina's and get Lenoir Rhyne or maybe even visit old OC Tyler Haines at Catawba for a home and home.

Shepherd does have some opportunities others don't have like name recognition outside the conference, viewed as a strong program, and much more "south" than any of us. Always a possible issue for playoff-minded programs like Shepherd is that a) most schools won't want to schedule unless they have to, and b) most programs in and around our region don't have as much long-term consistency like the better PSAC schools have. For every consistently average to above average West Chester a conference might have, they have a bunch of teams that go from 3-8 to 8-3 then two years later back to 3-8 (especially in the MEC). In the NE-10, any consistently above average team eventually bolts to the NEC (or gets folded into campus consolidation like CW Post). The number of national powers capable of paying a guarantee to make it worth it for Shepherd to play a game in Missouri or Texas are few and far between. There's no way IUP would have signed a 4-year deal with Ashland if AU were in Indiana or Kentucky.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

So much for the false narrative that the Pee Sack won’t play teams from other regions because “ we are too scared”.

IUP signing a 4-year deal with Ashland was perfect. Two equal level, higher-end programs.

IUP's won the last 3 games against them but could have lost them all, too. You'd sure think this would be a SOS boost for both, also.

[Ram040506]

So much for the false narrative that the Pee Sack won’t play teams from other regions because “ we are too scared”.

I am hoping Shepherd starts scheduling a stronger OOC week 1 after this year with SoCon St. Would be nice to start playing Bowie St or some other stronger opponent for some home and homes. Maybe even venture down into the Carolina's and get Lenoir Rhyne or maybe even visit old OC Tyler Haines at Catawba for a home and home.

[IUPNation]

Ship hosts Newberry.

So much for the false narrative that the Pee Sack won’t play teams from other regions because “ we are too scared”.