2008 Woodie Awards
Ten games to keep an eye on for fall season
Jack Nicholl
Issue date: 8/17/08 Section: Sports
Welcome to a new season of Truman athletics. The volleyball team lost only one starter, the football team returns 20 starters and the soccer teams have grown a year older.
All of the big four fall sports have a good chance to build on their winning records from 2007, and all four have a realistic shot at a playoff bid.
With a clean slate for '08, here are my top 10 games for the fall.
10. Football vs. Missouri Science and Technology, Aug. 28: This non-conference matchup has been played nearly every year since 1929 and Truman has won the last 22 times. What should be a winner for the 'Dogs is more interesting because of the surface of play compared to the opponent. This potentially will be the first game played on the new synthetic surface at Stokes Stadium.
9. Volleyball at Emporia State, Sept. 17: This is the conference opener for the 'Dogs. Although Emporia is only ranked fifth in the MIAA coming into the season, the team will be looking for revenge. Truman completed the trifecta last year by beating the Hornets in the regular season, conference tournament and NCAA regionals.
8. Football vs. Northwest Missouri State, Sept. 20: Northwest Missouri has won the last six meetings, has been the Div. II runner-up the last three years and is favored to repeat as MIAA champs. But the "Ol' Hickory Stick" game still serves some importance. It'll be huge for the 'Dogs if they can pull off an upset.
7. Women's Soccer vs. Central Missouri, Nov. 1: This will be Senior Day and the second-to-last game of the regular season. Central Missouri edged Truman for the second spot in the preseason MIAA rankings. This game could have huge implications for either team heading into postseason play.
6. Volleyball at Concordia-St. Paul, Sept 12: Last year, Truman finished at 36-6. Of those six losses, only one came as a 3-0 sweep - against Concordia-St. Paul, the eventual national champion, in the second match of the season.
If the Bulldogs can win this contest on Concordia's home court, they will gain momentum going into the conference schedule.
All of the big four fall sports have a good chance to build on their winning records from 2007, and all four have a realistic shot at a playoff bid.
With a clean slate for '08, here are my top 10 games for the fall.
10. Football vs. Missouri Science and Technology, Aug. 28: This non-conference matchup has been played nearly every year since 1929 and Truman has won the last 22 times. What should be a winner for the 'Dogs is more interesting because of the surface of play compared to the opponent. This potentially will be the first game played on the new synthetic surface at Stokes Stadium.
9. Volleyball at Emporia State, Sept. 17: This is the conference opener for the 'Dogs. Although Emporia is only ranked fifth in the MIAA coming into the season, the team will be looking for revenge. Truman completed the trifecta last year by beating the Hornets in the regular season, conference tournament and NCAA regionals.
8. Football vs. Northwest Missouri State, Sept. 20: Northwest Missouri has won the last six meetings, has been the Div. II runner-up the last three years and is favored to repeat as MIAA champs. But the "Ol' Hickory Stick" game still serves some importance. It'll be huge for the 'Dogs if they can pull off an upset.
7. Women's Soccer vs. Central Missouri, Nov. 1: This will be Senior Day and the second-to-last game of the regular season. Central Missouri edged Truman for the second spot in the preseason MIAA rankings. This game could have huge implications for either team heading into postseason play.
6. Volleyball at Concordia-St. Paul, Sept 12: Last year, Truman finished at 36-6. Of those six losses, only one came as a 3-0 sweep - against Concordia-St. Paul, the eventual national champion, in the second match of the season.
If the Bulldogs can win this contest on Concordia's home court, they will gain momentum going into the conference schedule.
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