ATN Podcast 348: And then there were two

D3football.com Around the Nation Podcast

Just as we expected — one amazing national semifinal and one blowout. Never mind that people generally thought it would be the other way around — not our predictions, by the way, which did not have North Central winning in a blowout.

We talk through the Cortland win against Randolph-Macon, hear the reactions of players Cole Burgess and Jack Winey as told to Keith McMillan, talk about what we learned and whether Saturday’s defensive performance by the Red Dragons is enough to suggest they can slow down North Central.

We also talk through the implications of the North Central’s narrow win, talk through the exciting plays that had the Cardinals on the ropes and the key defensive stops and big offensive plays which won the day. We also talk with quarterback Luke Lehnen about the experience of playing in the cold and wind, on the road, in a big game, and his sense of calm even as the Cardinals were struggling to move the ball.

Plus, let’s be honest. It’s Stagg Bowl L. 50. FIFTY. And it’s back in Salem, Virginia. That requires a special tribute, and Patrick Coleman is glad to provide. Scroll down for lyrics because they fly by pretty fast.

Plus, our listener questions: What do you suggest we do in Salem? We’ll give our insight there plus tackle some other questions, as well as talk about who the loudest fans are and what else is coming up this week on D3football.com

This edition of the podcast is sponsored by d3photography.com, the licensed photography bureau contracted by D3sports.com.

Patrick Coleman and Greg Thomas discuss, in this edition of the podcast.

The D3football.com podcast is a weekly in-season podcast by Patrick Coleman and Greg Thomas, which was started in 2007.

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Theme music: Power 2 by DJmentos.
Photos: By Caleb Williams, d3photography.com: Dan Hunter, d3photography.com

The Stagg Bowl 50 Song

Lyrics by Patrick Coleman, music by Billy Joel

Annotations of lyrics in the comments.

50 years of D-III,
We know it’s the place to be.
Salem made it special back some 30 years ago
Playoffs were just 16 teams
And you know what that means
You might not get in them even if you’re 10-0

1999 felt nice,
When the field expanded twice
Automatic bids for all seemed like an awesome plan
Playoffs going five rounds,
Extra week of showdowns
Now at-large teams stay home and we’re back where we began

We’re here for Stagg Bowl 50
Played for half a century
As the best of D-III
We’re here for Stagg Bowl 50
And it’s back in V-A
Everyone say hooray

Purple Raiders on a streak,
Tying Augie’s what they seek,
Entering the playoffs once again as No. 1
Way out on the west coast,
Frosty’s not the type to boast,
They’re still new to D3 and they’re out here having fun.

Rowan’s guys from ACC,
Pluto’s spirit of D3,
Semi goes to overtime,
Smeck to throw just one more time
Sadak says “The record’s gone”
Rowan Profs are playing on.
But the Lutes. Make it moot.
Make the big time where they are.

We’re here at Stagg Bowl 50
Played for half a century
As the best of D-III
We’re here at Stagg Bowl 50
From around the nation
Here for the duration

R.J. Bowers rumbles on. Swarthmore says, program’s gone
Linfield out with a thud; Miracle in the Mud
Stagg Bowl 28, Chenos kicks it through late
Raiders start another run,3 55 opponents stunned

CNU debuts in dance, Stopped clock gives Bridgewater chance
Chuck Moore goes for 95, Raider streak is still alive
Raiders meet the Warhawks, stay off the River Walk
409 for Coach John, Zauhar’s pick, he’s long gone

We’re here at Stagg Bowl 50
Played for half a century
As the best of D-III
We’re here at Stagg Bowl 50
We don’t make the bracket
You don’t have to ask it

Now the Cru enter the chat, Linfield says the heck with that
Beaver, Garcon, Damien Dumonceaux
Warhawks make their first Stagg, Next year’s there’s a second Stagg
In 07 they break through, it’s a run for them, too
Garcon plays on Sunday night, Game Seven is quite a fight
Leipold goes to D-I, one last title so fun

We’re here at Stagg Bowl 50
Played for half a century
As the best of D-III
We’re here at Stagg Bowl 50
If their call sounds half-assed
Listen to our broadcast

Toms awaken, now they’re gone, Kehres’ coaching days are done,
Kevin Burke Gagliardis twice, ’16 title pays the price
Target Field packs ‘em in, Cortaca’s big crowds begin
Stagg Bowl starts to hit the road, local fans are no-shows

Urban, Dietz and Rindahl coach, Kehres’ tree has D-I growth
Cardinals show they’re here to play, Warhawks drawing 20K,
COVID shuts it all down, Wesley, others leave town
Now no purple in the Stagg, Circle back where we began

We’re here for Stagg Bowl 50
Played for half a century
As the best of D-III
We’re here for Stagg Bowl 50
If this game is lame,
Then we all know who to blame, the same, for shame, the same, for shame, the game is lame so lame

We’re here at Stagg Bowl 50
Played for half a century
As the best of D-III
We’re here at Stagg Bowl 50
Had to write a parody
For this anniversary

We’re here for Stagg Bowl 50
Played for half a century
As the best of D-III
We’re here for Stagg Bowl 50
Singing for the haters
And the tailgaters

We’re here for Stagg Bowl 50
Played for half a century
As the best of D-III
We’re here for Stagg Bowl 50
Gone five hundred miles
With a thousand smiles