(Press and News Releases From Team, Conference, Division and/Or National Sources)
This post and it’s links will be updated as new awards are announced, so feel free to check back often!
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December 7, 2019
(Reposted from FERRISSTATEBULLDOGS.COM)
Big Rapids, Mich. – For the second-straight season and the third time in four years, the top-seeded Ferris State University Football team advanced to the Division II National Semifinals with a 25-3 victory over the third-seeded Northwest Missouri State Bearcats on Saturday (Dec. 7) at Top Taggart Field.
With the win, FSU will be the top seed for the national semifinals and host West Florida on Saturday, Dec. 14, with kickoff set for 3:30 p.m. (ET) at Top Taggart Field.
Through 45 minutes of play, just 13 combined points had been scored in the contest as the defensive units owned the day. Ferris State tacked on 15 fourth quarter points to eventually pull away from Northwest Missouri State. The Bulldog defense stonewalled the Bearcat offense all day, as Ferris State allowed only 158 yards on 61 plays for an average of 2.5 yards allowed per play.
— The Michigan Music Hall Of Fame, preserving the past, promoting the future! —
Both teams battled through the first quarter scoreless. The Bulldogs took advantage of good field position early in the second quarter when junior defensive back Sidney McCloud picked off Northwest Missouri State quarterback Braden Wright out near midfield. Ferris State senior kicker Jackson Dieterle drilled a 35-yard field goal to draw first blood with 9:02 remaining in the first half.
November 24, 2019
By Tony Dixon, For COLLEGE FOOTBALL WRAP-UP(c)
Ypsilanti, MI —
Hope College had a great 2019 football season. They reeled of nine consecutive victories, after a season opening loss. They took over the # 1 in the TPR(c) rankings midway through the season and never looked back. They sped to the MIAA crown, which they won with a perfect conference record of 6 – 0. The team returned to the NCAA Playoffs after a 13 year drought.
Concordia University-AA also had a great 2019 football season. They broke out of the gate and ran off 5 straight victories, culminating with a 3 point victory against Siena Heights, a Top 20 Showdown game, on Homecoming Saturday against a highly rated rival. They finished the regular season at 8 – 2, a far cry from their 0 – 11 first season’s record in 2011. Their achievements were acknowledged with an invitation to the NAIA Playoffs.
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Hope began their NCAA playoff push with a home game against Wartburg (IA) College. They opened the game and their scoring with a field goal…and that was also the end of their scoring, as they fell by a score of 41 – 3.
Concordia began their NAIA playoff push with a road game against another Iowa based institution, Grand View College. This game was a going to be a struggle for CU-AA on multiple fronts (visitor, travel, high-scoring opponent) and in the end…they fell by the difference of a blocked extra point, 31 – 30.
— The Michigan Music Hall Of Fame: Preserving The Past, Promoting The Future(c) —
In other weekend action around the state:
What could possibly top last weeks action…?!!
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Games Of Conference, National Importance Are On The Slate For This Weekend!
By Tony Dixon, for COLLEGE FOOTBALL WRAP-UP(c)
November 15, 2019
Ypsilanti, MI —
The state of Michigan will have no shortage of quality college football on the field this weekend. Washtenaw county itself will house not only the annual civil war known as Michigan State at U-M. But, it will also be the site of the CFWU’s Mid-States Football Association Spotlight Game between # 12 Nat. (#5*) Concordia-AA (7 – 2 Overall, 3 – 2 Conf.) who will be hosting nationally regarded Indiana Wesleyan (6 – 3, 3 – 2).
In the MIAA #2* Olivet will be at home facing Albion. The Saints of Olivet will be trying to defend their claim to second place in the MIAA and hopes of a Co-Championship with conference leader HOPE alive. At the same time, Albion’s Brits can wrestle away a share of second place in the conference from the Saints with a victory.
As you would expect both teams feature high powered offenses and strong defenses, as the following numbers will attest.
Kicking off an hour earlier in Adrian Michigan, Siena Heights (#18 Nat., #3* TPR) will be facing off against visiting Marian (IN) the Mid States Football Association powerhouse. Marian is the conference leader, unbeaten (8 – 0, 5 – 0 MSFA M/E) and ranked #2 nationally. 
Speaking of conference bragging rights, the CFWU’s GLIAC CONFERENCE SPOTLIGHT GAME features the Warriors of Wayne State who will journey to Lubbers Stadium in Allendale MI this weekend to try to add their own brand of mayhem to the Grand Valley State calendar. The Lakers are in an unfamiliar position of looking up at both the Warriors and the Bulldogs in the standings. Wayne State (#8* TPR) has a hold on second place in the GLIAC, while the Lakers of GVSU are looking to put last week’s narrow loss in the Anchor Bone Classic behind them.
Meanwhile, the Warriors have proven themselves to be road warriors by winning 4 of their 5 games away from Tom Adams Field this season. Their only conference loss is to GLIAC Champion Ferris St.
The numbers and information on our other Games Of Interest this weekend:
Enjoy your weekend!
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First Ever Stacey Y. Dixon Memorial Award Goes To Ratings Winner!
November 13, 2019
By Tony Dixon, for COLLEGE FOOTBALL WRAP-UP(c)
Ypsilanti, MI —
As the college football regular season in Michigan nears its end, a handful of teams are looking at the conference standings, with an eye on preparing for the post-season. Whether that post-season is a one-and-done bowl game or a chance at a run of games that could lead to a national championship, the TEAM PERFORMANCE RATINGS (c) or TPR(c) season draws to a close with the end of the regular season.
Barring a total collapse in its style of play in their final regular season game against Adrian this Saturday, Hope College will claim the first ever TPR(c) Championship.
Team Performance Ratings – Week # 10:
The Stacey Y. Dixon Memorial Award and it’s accompanying trophy will be given to the Michigan based college or university team that has the highest Team Performance Rating (TPR) at the end of the regular season. Post season statistics are not used in the TPRs because not all teams will participate in a post season game or games.
The late Stacey Y. Dixon (Young) was the second oldest daughter of Dixon Media Group founder, Tony Dixon. She passed in December of 2014 at the age of 36, from complications of gestational diabetes. Plans are in the works to create a fund to do further research into the causes and preventative treatments for this condition.
“Stacey was a joy to know and be around, such a team player. In the early days of our video production service, she was always ready to tackle a project and worked tirelessly to see it to a successful completion,” states Tony Dixon. “This award and the system that it is built upon, is a testament to her drive and dedication to team success.”
“Our rating system and the award that goes to the season’s winner will be an ongoing project and the staple of our branded TV project, ‘COLLEGE FOOTBALL WRAP-UP(c)’.”
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Hope Claims Share Of The MIAA Championship, Readys For Playoffs!
November 11, 2019
By Tony Dixon, for COLLEGE FOOTBALL WRAP-UP(c)
As the regular season for 2019 draws to a close, conference title races are also just about over. In the College Football Wrap-Up(c) ‘GAME OF THE WEEK’, #4* Ferris State (10 – 0, 8 – 0 GLIAC) defeated #3* Grand Valley State (8 – 2, 5 – 2 GLIAC) in their annual tussle known as the Anchor Bone Classic, 21 – 16.
Ferris State now awaits the start of the national championship playoffs, currently it has a first round bye in their regional.
Meanwhile, #1* Hope College claimed a share of the MIAA Conference title with it’s 49 – 21 victory over Kalamazoo. Only a season-ending showdown with 3rd place Adrian stands between the Flying Dutchmen and a perfect 2019 MIAA campaign.
Hope’s win not only moved them a step closer to the conference title it also guarantees them a spot in the D-3 Playoffs, their first invitation since 2006!
— Thinking About Getting Or Staying In Shape During or After The Holiday Season? —
In the MAC, both Central Michigan and Western Michigan are in first place in the conference’s West Division, both are also bowl eligible! WMU has two games remaining on their schedules, both are against conference foes, both are road games and both are the final two MACTION games on the ESPN Network.
CMU also has two games remaining on their schedule, including a visit to Ball State this Saturday, a game that will be available on the CBS Sports Network.
In the Mid-States Football Assoc. (MSFA)’s Mideast League, Concordia-AA and Siena Heights are tied for third place. CUAA, #14 (nationally) welcomes # 25 (nationally) Indiana Wesleyan this Saturday. Concordia defeated Lawrence Tech last week 56 – 7, to prove that they will be ready for the Top 25 clash.
Siena Heights, # 21 (nationally) won’t have it any easier, they face league leader and (nationally ranked) # 2 Marian University in their regular season finale. The Saints have had a week to contemplate and shake off the results of their last outing, a 28 -21 loss to…Indiana Wesleyan!
Also in Ann Arbor this weekend, U-M and MSU renew their rivalry, we don’t includes records and rankings in this game…because they don’t mean a lot when these two teams meet. They just want to get out onto the field and exchange pleasantries with their opponent.
As usual, there will be some great football action going on around the state this weekend, if you can take in a game, drop us an email, or a selfie! Contact.MISPORTSTV@Gmail.Com, we will add them to our new Football Fans Page. Don’t forget to add the names of faces in the photos!
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Did Your Favorite MI College Team Rise Up In The Rankings?
November 7, 2019
By Tony Dixon, for COLLEGE FOOTBALL WRAP-UP(c)
Ypsilanti, MI —
As the 2019 college football season marches on to it’s conclusion, we want to say…let’s take a minute to enjoy the moment!
On the eave of what is becoming arguably, the biggest game in the state of Michigan…the Anchor Bone Classic. We look forward to another deep run in the playoffs for one, or maybe two of our collegiate stalwarts as the regular season draws to a close and the playoff season starts!
— Watch The YouTube(c) Episode Of COLLEGE FOOTBALL WRAP-UP(c) For Week #9 —
Hope College continues to dominate both the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Associaton (MIAA) and the Team Performance Ratings or TPR(c), rating out again as #1 in this week’s Ratings. A place that they have occupied since Week 6. The Flying Dutchmen are tenacious on defense and efficient on offense, while handling the football like it was made of gold, they have only turned the ball over in one game so far this season!
They continue to sit atop the MIAA conference standings, turning back all challengers. Last week’s victim was then 2nd place Alma, 31 – 24.
Tied for #2* in the TPRs is a trio of schools that have put together a strong season as well, Siena Heights, Olivet and Wayne St., WSU has been trying to make a visit to Tom Adams Field a particularly concerning event as they have beaten SVSU and Ashland (the only team to have beaten GVSU, to date, this season) at home.
At #3* and #4* we find two foes that know each other well, and teams that will clash this weekend in the aforementioned Anchor Bone Classic. Grand Valley State and Ferris State are the current two teams that the nation recognizes when the best teams in Michigan are mentioned these days. Their tussle in Big Rapids this weekend has even had media moguls ESPN and Fox Sports jockeying to have the game on their networks!
Rising to #6* this week, U-M continues to creep its way up the ranks and could crack the Top Five this week with a BYE and the shoot-out between GVSU and FSU on the card for this weekend. The Wolverines will have a lot on their plate when they return to the field, as both MSU and OSU loom on the horizon.
At #11* Western Michigan is on the rise as they defeated Ball State, 49 – 10 in Tuesday’s MAC-Action to become bowl eligible this season.
Adrian (#16*) bounced from a loss to Albion with a visit to Finlandia, where they put together their second best TPR scoring event (9.5) of the season in a 48 – 24 road victory.
Lawrence Tech.’s TPR(c) average has been updated in the system, as well as in this slide.
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Plus Results From Other Week 9 Games Of Interest
November 4, 2019
By Tony Dixon for COLLEGE FOOTBALL WRAP-UP(c)
Were it not for a fourth and goal stop by Millikin University late in the fourth quarter, in the first game of the 2019 season, Hope’s record could potentially be unblemished. Since that stop they have been unbeatable, seven straight victories while performing like a well-oiled machine. Their average margin of victory during this streak is over 33 points!
But, their last 2 MIAA foes, Olivet and Alma, both eyeing a share of the top spot in the conference had come to wrest that throne away, if possible. The margin of victory in those two games…7 points! Fortunately, Hope plays a style of football that lends itself to success in tight games, they rarely turn the ball over. In only 1 game so far this season have they had a turnover…they escaped that game with a 2 point victory. In addition, they are most likely the least penalized team in the state as well, averaging 3.5 flags per game.
#1* Hope Defeats Alma 31 – 24, Holds Onto First Place In The MIAA.
#2* Siena Heights Receives A Rude Welcome At Indiana Wesleyan, 28 – 21
#3* Michigan Tech Runs Into A Blizzard, #6* Ferris State, 51 – 0
#5* Grand Valley State “Shows” William Jewell (MO) How It’s Done, 63 – 10
#8* U-M Flexes Its Defensive Prowess At Maryland, 38 – 7
* Denotes TEAM PERFORMANCE RATINGS Rank
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The College Football Wrap-Up(c)’s GAME OF THE WEEK!
November 1, 2019
By Tony Dixon, For COLLEGE FOOTBALL WRAP-UP(c)
Ypsilanti, MI —
Hope’s Flying Dutchmen have proven themselves to be determined to claim the 2019 MIAA title and have shown this determination very adeptly on the field. They are currently riding a 6 game winning streak (6 – 1, 4 – 0 MIAA) and are coming off a fine performance, in adverse weather conditions, in their victory over the former #2* team in the state as well as the MIAA, Olivet.
But when you are on top, there is always a new contender, someone that wants that top spot. Enter #4* Alma (5 – 2, 3 – 1 MIAA), the Scots had a 4 game winning streak snapped a couple of weeks ago, but have returned to the right side of the ledger with a victory last week, and look to start a new streak with another win on Saturday.
No small feat, Hope’s senior signal caller, Mason Opple is a dual threat that can carry a team, as he did last week during the cloud burst that was college football Saturday in Michigan. In Hope’s victory over previously unbeaten Olivet, Opple rushed for 217 yards, with a long of 50 yards! He also had 2 rushing TDs. Totals that earned him Player of The Week honors in the MIAA.
The two squads have played a common foe this season, Albion. The Scots defeated the Britons by a 32 – 28 score the first Saturday in October. Hope then piled on, making Albion win number 4, with a 52 – 33 victory over the Britons the following weekend.
Other Games of Interest this weekend:
Ferris State is a national powerhouse, ranked # 2 nationally and the state’s only remaining unbeaten team. Jayru Campbell the former Detroit Cass Tech. grad., is a a monster at QB. Last weekend he bucked the ground game trend and threw for a career high 347 yards and 2 TDs, while leading the team in rushing with 61 yards and 2 TDs. He won Player Of The Week honors in the GLIAC.
FSU (8 – 0, 6 – 1 GLIAC) is currently # 1 in the regional seedings for the D-2 National Championship Playoffs. Not to disparage the rest of the remaining foes this regular season, but other than their clash with Grand Valley State (7 – 1, 5 – 1 GLIAC) in the Anchor Bone Classic, which has been upgraded to a prime time national telecast on ESPN, they probably won’t be threatened until then.
Grand Valley State’s only blemish this season came in another rain soaked game, under the lights, and ESPN cameras, at the hands of Ashland…on a “Hail Mary”…as time expired, 20 – 17 was the final score. Easily the most dramatic finish to a game that I’ve seen this season.
The following games are out of state, but feature the new # 2 in the TPR(c) rankings, and nationally ranked Siena Heights. The Saints have rebounded well from their only loss, a 10 – 7 game at Concordia-AA in early October. They have won 3 straight including a strong (15.5 TPR) performance at Saint Francis (IN).
U-M is also on the road following their stunning performance against former Top Ten foe Notre Dame.
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TEAM PERFORMANCE RATING or TPR…explained!
October 31, 2019
By Tony Dixon, for COLLEGE FOOTBALL WRAP-UP(c)
To begin with, this is not a Op-Ed or fluff piece about why this college squad or that university team should or should not be the called the best football team in state of Michigan, this season.
It’s an explanation of the statistical and numerical data that is used to power the TPR(c) (TEAM PERFORMANCE RATING) system that we use to analyse how each team is performing this season.
Now, it is understandable that some may question what experience or instruction I have in my background that qualifies me to give my views and/or opinions on what makes a high performing college football team? My answer is simple, I am not giving views or opinions, I’m using data, compounded over the season on a week-by-week, game-by-game basis to reach a mathematical conclusion. No opinions or views, just math.
As for that experience concern, let’s say that I have been an ardent fan of the game of college football for over 50 years! Going back to the first minute I saw it on the TV screen…and what a memorable first minute it was. There was this older gentleman, striding up, down and across the sidelines…actually going onto the playing field of the stadium. He was moving rather briskly, arguing with the officials and snatching and tearing apart sideline markers, while the guys in striped shirts and members of his staff and team tried to calm him down! It was incredible, and formed my love for the passion and the pride of the college game that is still with me today.
Now on to the TEAM PERFORMANCE RATING System, also called the TPR(c). It is a simple system that rates each teams performance in it’s game against a stated set of numerical values. The numerical values are then totaled (The Points Score for the game) and then every week’s Points Score is added up and divided by the number of games played to determine the TPR(c) Average for the team, for the season, as of the last game.
Here are the Criteria and The Numerical Values Assigned to the Criteria:
The TPR(c) System was created by Tony Dixon, and is used exclusively for the TPR(c) Rankings. No other source except numerical data from the game itself is used to score the rankings.
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