Quote from: PolarCat on December 04, 2014, 05:17:53 PM
I still think the whole argument is over-blown.  I'd be amazed if MIT  bend their admissions standards one iota for their football recruits, and the Engineers did pretty darn well this year.  MIT proved that you can be a rocket scientist and a winning DIII QB at the same time.

I'd be willing to bet the kid who got the most Admissions help at __________ (fill in the blank: Amherst, Williams, Wes, wherever) is still brighter than 90% of the HS seniors in his graduating year.

Actually my youngest was recruited at some NESCAC schools and also MIT.   Football is an admissions tiebreaker at MIT but the kids need to meet the admissions standards of the general population.  On the other hand, the NESCAC schools have slots for admissions where kids are admitted with an academic index well below admission averages for each school.

Quote from: quicksilver on October 19, 2014, 01:35:07 PM
Here's an article from the Portland Press Herald on Dave Caputi's  departure from Bowdoin as the HFC. It's still hard to figure out what this change signals (a new commitment by Bowdoin to football or just an exhausted Caputi?). Anecdotally, we hear of admissions as an obstacle at Bowdoin to success on the gridiron but then again it is hard to believe that there is that big a difference between the credentials of, lets say, the average incoming Middlebury fball player.

Coach Caputi is a really terrific guy.  I dealt with him directly when my son was being recruited in 2009.   Here's a factoid relevant to this discussion.   All of the NESCAC schools gave my son a favorable admissions pre-read (ie if he applied early, he'd be admitted) with the exception of Bowdoin.  So, at least in the case of my son, Bowdoin had the most rigorous admissions requirements.

Quote from: FightingCards on November 20, 2013, 06:44:03 PM
Vanderlay Industries 74-

Love u state that 4 current NESCAC teams could beat each other on any given day, and Williams is not one of them.  Despite what Middhoops staes, I think it's fine to kick the sleeping giant.  No apologies Sir Frank...you have won enough games.  FC's have been kicked around and irrelevant for years.......Purple may not rebound for awhile.   The real sleeping giant is Tufts.....they will be very good one day but more than likely with the future coach.  The coach is safe for 1 more year.  Tufts has 5,000 students, next to a major city, has engineering and should be very good...just built new offices, fitness center, etc. Could Purple slip below Tufts in 3 years?  Perhaps  below Tufts and above Conn College.

In my opinion, Tufts fell into the trap of playing their best games against the best teams, and their worst games against the weaker teams, thus the final record.

F&M and Coach Troxell runs a great program.  I don't think that the NESCAC plays with the same physicality that the Centennial Conference does.  There's no way to say which teams are better until the NESCAC decides to play out of conference.

I will say that the NESCAC has an abundance of ISL and other private school kids, who just aren't as tough as the kids from the big public and parochial schools that feed the Centennial Conference.

http://bostonherald.com/sports/college/college_football/2013/11/zero_hour_for_tufts_resilient_seniors



Zero hour for Tufts' resilient seniors
Saturday, November 9, 2013 PrintEmail Comments (0)
By:
John Connolly, N.e. Football

If you're looking for a plucky band of underdogs to root for this weekend, look no farther than Tufts (0-7) which is bidding to snap a 30-game losing streak today against NESCAC rival Middlebury (6-1).

The Jumbos' last win was Sept. 25, 2010, when they beat Hamilton, 21-10, at home in the season opener.

Since then, through countless bumps and bruises, and amid a variety of weather conditions on practice and game days, 11 seniors have stuck it out: Cord Deal, Connor Glazier, Nick Kenyon, Jon Sobo, Trevor Barsamian, Matt Johnson, John Dame and locals Sean Harrington (Chelmsford), Nate Marchand (Concord), Ryan Pollock (Reading) and Nash Simpson (Brockton).

The class numbered 27 as freshmen but attrition, for a variety of reasons, whittled that figure down to the 11 survivors. Through thick and thin, mostly thin, the group has persevered.

"In terms of character, hard work, integrity, stick-to-it-ness, all those type of buzz words, they've done that. They're great people and great kids and they continue to persevere that way," said Tufts coach Jay Civetti, who has maintained a professional and courageous stiff upper lip throughout the travails. "It's just frustrating that we haven't been able to turn the corner for them."

Although the wins have not come, no one said sport is easy. Still, life has a way of rewarding the underdogs, often when they least expect it.

"I couldn't recommend a better group of guys," Civetti said. "They'll be fiercely loyal. When others are full of despair and have their heads down, they'll find a way to get it done."

As for today's game, all eyes will be on former Herald All-Scholastic McCallum Foote of Newton. The former Noble & Greenough standout is the reigning NESCAC Offensive Player of the Year and has the Panthers offense clicking along at 425.3 yards per game (343.7 through the air). On the year, Foote has completed 229-of-375 passes for 2,364 yards and 19 touchdowns. He earned a Gridiron Club of Boston Gold Helmet after completing 25-of-29 for 332 yards and five TDs in a 40-13 thumping of Hamilton last weekend.

"They're always a well-coached team and they're incredibly athletic," Civetti said of Middlebury. "We had them on the ropes down here two years ago and he converted a couple of fourth-down passes on us. Their defense is solid and plays with good confidence so they'll challenge in some different ways. They won't be coming in taking us lightly because they're still in the title hunt."

Quote from: amh63 on November 06, 2013, 11:59:51 AM
IAMHUGH....enjoyed your posts the past and present years.  I gather your son will get his diploma in May.  Hope you will drop a post once in awhile in future years, especially when Tufts' fortune on the field improve.  In other sports the Jumbos are making their presence known.  Yes, New Jersey produce fine student athletes in Football!...for "CAC " schools.  Since Tufts has Grad schools, can/will your son play another year?

Today is Senior Day. How does a Dad feel when he sees his kid walk onto the field for the last time? After two season ending injuries and four surgeries I guess one would think that there would be a lot of mixed feelings about what could have been, or should have been? Nope.

All I can think about is how unbelievably fortunate I have been. There's not going to be enough room in that stadium to contain the pride I have for my football player.

Go Jumbos!

Quote from: NESCACGrad on November 06, 2013, 09:22:44 PM
First time posting.  What a great board.  My son is getting ready to commit to a NESCAC in the next few weeks for football.  He is an OLineman.  Hopefully, he'll find as much passion at his future team's games as are displayed on these boards. . . . .

Best of luck with your decision!

Quote from: amh63 on November 06, 2013, 11:59:51 AM
IAMHUGH....enjoyed your posts the past and present years.  I gather your son will get his diploma in May.  Hope you will drop a post once in awhile in future years, especially when Tufts' fortune on the field improve.  In other sports the Jumbos are making their presence known.  Yes, New Jersey produce fine student athletes in Football!...for "CAC " schools.  Since Tufts has Grad schools, can/will your son play another year?

I think, overall, football has been very very good to him.

Quote from: FourMoreYears on November 06, 2013, 09:55:57 AM

Quote from: iamhuge on November 06, 2013, 07:41:56 AM

Quote from: gridiron on November 05, 2013, 08:35:33 AM
Lumbercat--agreed, the rivalries between all three Maine schools are genuine and fierce, and tend to bring out the best during their contests. 

Hoping for great weather across the league for the upcoming season finales.  Lots at stake for all--

*Trinity 50 game home streak
*Wesleyan league championship on top of Little Three
*Tufts streak
*Hamilton chance to get in the W column
*Williams chance to salvage something from season by being "King of the purples"
*Bates chance to not have losing record
*Colby chance for 5 and 3 and outright CBB championship
*Bowdoin opportunity to salvage something by beating archrival
*Middlebury chance to stay alive for piece of league title (admittedly with big assist to the 8 game schedule)
*Amherst chance to stay alive for piece of league title and beat nemesis
*Final game for seniors everywhere

Spot on Gridiron.  There's a lot to be proud of for each and every one of these seniors who have combined rigorous academics at these great institutions with the honor of wearing their school colors on the field.  Special note to all of the kids who faced adversity and still persevered.  It's a lot more fun to be on a winning team or to play injury free, but to those who did not have that fortune and are still able to come out on senior day I think deserves special commendation.

True dat.

Hats off to the kid that lost his season to an ACL injury two minutes into the first game after 9 months of hard work in the off-season yet still is there very practice and game helping his teammates in any way he can.

Hats off to the kid that worked his tail off to get ready for the game knowing his team probably wouldn't win and at the same time worked his tail off to get an "A" on that crucial test in his major.

Hats off to the kid that spends as much time working out and practicing as the starters, some for four years, but never sees the field.

Iamhuge is right. It's easy when you are winning and succeeding.  Success in life is what you do when things don't go so well.

I love it when you guys "get it".   

Quote from: gridiron on November 05, 2013, 08:35:33 AM
Lumbercat--agreed, the rivalries between all three Maine schools are genuine and fierce, and tend to bring out the best during their contests. 

Hoping for great weather across the league for the upcoming season finales.  Lots at stake for all--

*Trinity 50 game home streak
*Wesleyan league championship on top of Little Three
*Tufts streak
*Hamilton chance to get in the W column
*Williams chance to salvage something from season by being "King of the purples"
*Bates chance to not have losing record
*Colby chance for 5 and 3 and outright CBB championship
*Bowdoin opportunity to salvage something by beating archrival
*Middlebury chance to stay alive for piece of league title (admittedly with big assist to the 8 game schedule)
*Amherst chance to stay alive for piece of league title and beat nemesis
*Final game for seniors everywhere

Spot on Gridiron.  There's a lot to be proud of for each and every one of these seniors who have combined rigorous academics at these great institutions with the honor of wearing their school colors on the field.  Special note to all of the kids who faced adversity and still persevered.  It's a lot more fun to be on a winning team or to play injury free, but to those who did not have that fortune and are still able to come out on senior day I think deserves special commendation.

I'll be at the Tufts - Middlebury game for senior day November 9th.  If any of you want to come by the tailgate, feel free to reach into my cooler for a frosty.

Quote from: Jonny "Utes" Utah on October 26, 2013, 05:53:33 PM

Quote from: iamhuge on October 26, 2013, 05:40:44 PM

Quote from: amh63 on October 26, 2013, 04:48:54 PM
Most difficult game to watch as Amherst beats Tufts by the score of 17-7.  It was 7-7 at the half.  Amherst continues to make mistakes...penalties at the wrong time to stop drives and turnovers...six of them!  Yes 6...three interceptions and three fumbles.  First must give Tufts credit.  Two of the fumbles were more like stripping the ball after the play was stopped.  Tufts played hard on the defensive side.  Amherst's bailed the offense out again.  Many of the turnovers happened when Amherst was in the red zone.  Amherst second TD was on 4th down.  Amherst had to kick a field goal after being stopped on the 5.  With time running out, Amherst was stopped again on the 3 by Tufts defense.
Actually the strong wind played a part....as it often was a game of field position with short punts into the wind and running plays vice passes into the wind.
Tufts only TD, was started by good field position due to a Amherst fumble on a run.  The Tufts drive was aided by two..yes two unsportsman penalties that moved the ball down to the Amherst 1 yard line. 
The game is summarized best by a remark by the Tufts announcer...late in the game...4th quarter.  He stated that with the way Amherst was moving the ball, the game felt like the score should be around 35-7...Amherst. 
Good prediction of the score Nescacman...38-7.  The Tufts defense and Amherst mistakes provided you wrong

The odds of winning a game  when a team is -6 on turnovers is very long indeed.  You have to give Amherst's defense a ton of credit here.    Tufts had 7 yards rushing and was sacked 7 times and had a mind boggling 13 punts.  A very extreme day for stats.

Tufts kids continue to play hard and their families are doing a magnificent job lifting their spirits week after week.    I have no doubt they will play hard until the echo of the last whistle of the season.

Iamhuge, 

What's going on with the qbs at tufts?

If I was just a fan, I'd be happy to weigh in, but I have a son on the team so it's probably not appropriate to comment on things that the coach has not publicly divulged.

Quote from: amh63 on October 26, 2013, 04:48:54 PM
Most difficult game to watch as Amherst beats Tufts by the score of 17-7.  It was 7-7 at the half.  Amherst continues to make mistakes...penalties at the wrong time to stop drives and turnovers...six of them!  Yes 6...three interceptions and three fumbles.  First must give Tufts credit.  Two of the fumbles were more like stripping the ball after the play was stopped.  Tufts played hard on the defensive side.  Amherst's bailed the offense out again.  Many of the turnovers happened when Amherst was in the red zone.  Amherst second TD was on 4th down.  Amherst had to kick a field goal after being stopped on the 5.  With time running out, Amherst was stopped again on the 3 by Tufts defense.
Actually the strong wind played a part....as it often was a game of field position with short punts into the wind and running plays vice passes into the wind.
Tufts only TD, was started by good field position due to a Amherst fumble on a run.  The Tufts drive was aided by two..yes two unsportsman penalties that moved the ball down to the Amherst 1 yard line. 
The game is summarized best by a remark by the Tufts announcer...late in the game...4th quarter.  He stated that with the way Amherst was moving the ball, the game felt like the score should be around 35-7...Amherst. 
Good prediction of the score Nescacman...38-7.  The Tufts defense and Amherst mistakes provided you wrong

The odds of winning a game  when a team is -6 on turnovers is very long indeed.  You have to give Amherst's defense a ton of credit here.    Tufts had 7 yards rushing and was sacked 7 times and had a mind boggling 13 punts.  A very extreme day for stats.

Tufts kids continue to play hard and their families are doing a magnificent job lifting their spirits week after week.    I have no doubt they will play hard until the echo of the last whistle of the season.

Quote from: lumbercat on October 01, 2013, 10:07:18 PM
Delayed response to IM Hughes observations on tha Tufts- Bates game.
Couldn't agree more. A great effort by Tufts who will end their losing streak this week at home against the Black and Whiite.

Bates came out with their dominant running game and put up 2 early scores. Looked like it was going to be a blowout but Tufts wasn't laying down. A credit to their coaching and preparation. No quit in them, they just kept throwing and maintained a high intensity level until they found themselves back in the game.
At the end of the day it was the Bates running game that took control in the final drive. Bates pounds it behind 2 of the best offensive lineman in the NESCAC who line up on the right side of the Bates line. All conference tackle Liam O'Neil and guard Mike Bernstein are 300+ pounders who are keys to the Bates ground attack. Bernstein has been overshadowed by all conference O'Neil but he is in the same class---dominant.

Tufts QB Doll can sling it and will inflict some pain on opponents this year. He has a great group of big receivers but don't understand why they don't attempt to run it a bit more. Trause and Brady look like very solid backs.

Bates slot back Doherty has been a great back at Bates following a Sophomore year lost to injury and emerged on Saturday as one of the elite backs in the league.

Bates' Kukesh again this week just a monster game for Bates-- while Tufts threw at will Bates kept the pass completions in front of them and didn't give up any big pass plays while shutting down the Tufts aerial attack completely in the red zone.

Tufts 6'6" TE Kenyon one of best in the league.

Tufts coach Civetti won't be in the losing ranks for much longer.

Tufts used a very interesting defensive scheme to try to slow down the Bates rushing attack.  It was very obvious from the video and the premise was based  on making at least one big defensive play to get Bates into 3rd and long which they don't like to do at all.    All it takes is one 3rd and long to stop a drive.  Having said all that, it was a huge Bates pass play which saved the game for them on the last drive..go figure.

The Tufts offense really doesn't care about field position as they find openings in the middle of the field all of the time.  The tough part is down in the red zone when the zones get compacted.    Tufts has a lot of youth on the O-Line so it's tough to consistently create running lanes.  Obviously pass catching skill out of the backfield is a must for them.  Like I said earlier, Doll is very good.

Should be a great game Saturday between Tufts and Bowdoin. 

A really courageous effort by Tufts today.  They were one play away from getting the win.  Give Bates credit as they mustered up enough to finish strong and seal the victory, completing a key pass down the sideline when it looked like Tufts had them stopped and then following it with a 4th and 3 conversion.  Had Tufts made the stop, it's very likely the Jumbos would have won.

Great job by Coach Civetti rallying the team back from last week's performance.