Haha not much talk on the board... Looking forward to the Bombers taking back the Jugs... Headed to IC shortly and then the game tomorrow... Prediction 27-13 IC. Go Bombers!

Really looking forward to seeing what happens between IC and Fisher this weekend... For the Fisher faithful... how will we know if Fisher is playing well? Heres some things I think are key to the Bombers success...

1.) Get off to a fast start... Score on the first drive or stop Fisher from scoring. Taking an early lead on the road in a game like this is really important for IC. I think they are built to play with a lead.  When they have to play catch up, I think they find themselves doing things they arent comfortable doing. "You cant win the game in the 1st Q, but you certainly can lose it"

2.) Win first down and establish the run... They dont need to win the game on the ground but they need to be able to run it successfully to get in 2nd and 3-6 and get in 3rd and 1-2. If they are consistently doing this they will move the ball. Inventive play calling will be important also. IC's OC is very good at trying to be more unpredictable (which was a problem in the past) Taking shots down the field and calculated aggresiveness will be important.

3.) Special teams.  I dont think this is a surprise here but IC's ST unit is usually outstanding.  If IC can win the field position battle and make some big plays on ST (big punt returns, block a kick), they have a good shot.

4.) Turnovers. I honestly think IC has to win the TO margin by 2 to win this game.  If IC turns it over once, they have to create 3. If IC has 2,3,4+ TO's, its not gonna be a game. I think this is the most important of all of the previous mentioned points.

Really looking forward to this one... Unfortunately I wont be in attendance but will be watching from my phone... Best of luck Bombers! #Beatfisher

As for a prediction- I'll do it. 27-21 Bombers. IC has a "Interception" at the end that may or may not hit the ground and the football gods even things out

P.S.  That interception happened before my time so its not that touchy of a subject but seems to be a major topic on this boards

GO BOMBERS!

Just returning from the Bombers game as I camped out overnight... a few observations from the game...

1.) The bombers Special Teams is back? Hopefully? The incosistency on the ST has been a concern but yesterday was a pretty solid effort. Other than a muffed punt that was recovered by IC, their ST unit was good. Great field position all day and a few game changing plays. The muffed punt by Salisbury recovered by IC set up their 1st TD of the game and you could feel the energy come right out of Salisbury.  Getting ahead of them early and making them try to play catch up is as important as anything against SU. Oliver had a muffed punt again which is a cause for concern.  Turnovers kill any team but I feel like if IC turns the ball over more than once, its gonna be hard for them to win.  Id maybe rather have a sure handed returner (Carney) back there who may get 10-20 yards and not fumble than a gamebreaker who may cough it up.

2.) ICs RB are banged up. Hopefully they can get healthy but seeing the young backs in a boot and not dressed wasnt a good sight to see after the game. With the experienced O line hopefully they can get healthy or Padula who ran hard yesterday can fill in.  Brown played a little yesterday but only had 6 carries. The Oline is really good and experienced so that will help whoever is running it.

3.) I was pretty impressed with the solid WR play.  IC has 3-4 solid senior wideouts who all block, do everything good.  They dont have a game breaker at this position but they are solid.  Lynch, Bauer, and of course Boffoli are all solid.  I was most impressed with Sophmore Andrew Tabbert. Runs solid routes and catches everything.  Was open consistently and reminds me of a young Tom Vossler.  He will hopefully continue to be a solid threat for the bombers for the next 3 years.

4.) Bombers Coaches know how to shut down the triple option. They have beaten Salisbury 3 years in a row and were in a battle with a team that went to the Elite 8 when they lost.  Credit to Coaches Welch and Mcdonough and the rest of the D for their great strategy/ gameplan.

I had a feeling UC would win vs Buff State... The best way to look at how teams will fare is look at their history vs the opponents.. I think thats the best way to predict? But what do I know...

The next few weeks are going to be fun to watch in the empire 8.  Multiple teams still control their own destiny.  Fisher is still in the drivers seat but I think there are 2-4 teams that can say "if we win, were in" which is awesome. This is one of the most fun conferences to be in and watch the outcomes. Hang on for an interesting next few weeks.

I follow the boards but dont post very often... In reference to why some of the "upper tier" teams lose to the perceived "lower teams", football is all about matchups.  Certain styles of play are easy to stop for some teams and some teams just struggle against other styles... For instance Ithaca typically has done a good job against triple option teams. They have usually had a triple option team on the schedule for the past few decades I think.  That experience and belief in assignment football (one guy tackles dive, next guy has qb, next has rb" that the coaches teach and get the players to execute is a solid approach Ithaca has vs these style teams.  Fisher may have a different approach or they may not recruit that style player or have that scheme which may be why they struggle to matchup vs that style of play.

On the flip side for years Ithaca struggled vs the spread style teams such as Fisher.  We just couldnt play vs a spread out team that threw the ball 40 times a game and many times fisher nickel and dimed us to death.  Ithaca just didnt matchup vs that style for a while.  So many years I remember fisher beat us, we beat springfield or salisbury and then they beat fisher. Its all about matchups.  Even in our 4-6 year when we lost to Salisbury in a close game on the road and to fisher in OT, and Both of them made it to the elite 8 I was confused as to how those teams who didnt seem like world beaters could both be within a game of the final 4.  Certain teams matchup better.  Im not using this as an excuse as to why Ithaca lost to Frostburg, that was a bad loss anyway you look at it but certain teams just matchup against certain styles better.  I know Frostburg has had some ex-bomber coaches and the old OC was there for a while, they probably knew the bombers gameplan pretty well and just outplayed IC on sat.

As to why Carney hasnt been in on ST.. Im not sure to be honest.  Maybe they feel Oliver is the bigger gamebreaking threat? He had a few huge PRs while carney was out and maybe they felt he had won the job? I was at the Buff state game and I thought they won the game on Special Teams. IC consistently started drives inside the 20 and field position is huge for an IC team that doesnt get many "homerun plays". Plus a few muffed punts cost them possessions but I think it all started on ST.

Quote from: Frank Rossi on November 27, 2013, 05:41:06 PM

Quote from: bomber23 on November 27, 2013, 02:21:17 PM

Quote from: Pat Coleman on November 27, 2013, 01:44:15 PM

The logic Frank provides below is a reasonable interpretation of how this might have happened, but all the confusion surrounding it is a good demonstration of why the NCAA's closed-mouth policy is a bad one.

Thanks Frank this clears it up a little but if they considered Ithaca and Wesley identical seeds, I wish they would have just left it the way the bracket was initially set up.  When they did decide to change it, I wish they would have given us an explanation as to why but as Pat said their closed mouth policy leaves a lot to interpret. I really think playing on the frozen tundra of Butterfield Stadium may have really slowed down the explosive play of Wesley. Wishful thinking.

I wouldn't call what they did "chang[ing] it" so much as not clueing us in to the idea that Framingham State didn't file to host.  We knew somebody didn't based on our conversation with Duey Naatz on "In the HuddLLe" (he referenced this idea that there was/were (a) team(s) that didn't file to host, but there were no specifics).  In reality, if they followed seeding closely, then Ithaca should've travelled to Johns Hopkins and Framingham State should've travelled to Wesley.  As such, Ithaca may have actually benefitted from the Committee's setup of that octant of the bracket because there was no other way Ithaca could have hosted.  I know Ithaca fans were upset with how the Second Round game was lined up in terms of location, but take a step back and think about what would have happened if matchup like 2/7 & 3/6 or 2/6 & 3/7 occurred last weekend.  There would have been no Butterfield and perhaps no Second Round at all.

Fair point... Just being greedy here... Happy Thanksgiving to all as well.

Quote from: Pat Coleman on November 27, 2013, 01:44:15 PM

The logic Frank provides below is a reasonable interpretation of how this might have happened, but all the confusion surrounding it is a good demonstration of why the NCAA's closed-mouth policy is a bad one.

Thanks Frank this clears it up a little but if they considered Ithaca and Wesley identical seeds, I wish they would have just left it the way the bracket was initially set up.  When they did decide to change it, I wish they would have given us an explanation as to why but as Pat said their closed mouth policy leaves a lot to interpret. I really think playing on the frozen tundra of Butterfield Stadium may have really slowed down the explosive play of Wesley. Wishful thinking.

I read a lot on here to keep up with the bombers and E8 but post rarely being somewhat close (in a sense I still am friends with players) to the program... Maybe this is a better question for Pat but what was the reason behind the Bomber game being at Wesley? I know when the bracket came out it insinuated (the word that was used) that if the Bombers and Wesley won, the game would be at IC.  I was excited for another home playoff game, one that would be in cold, possibly snow covered Butterfield (which I think really would have helped the bombers). Then on Sunday I saw the game was at Wesley.  I can understand a multitude of reasons why Wesley should get a home game (them being ranked higher, more recent playoff success, turf field, better weather) but I was just curious if anyone knew the exact reason? Is there a policy/ anything in the seeding process that would explain this?

Wow what a crazy game between the Bombers and the Bengals today in Buffalo. A very chippy game which led to 2 ejections from Buff State players and a handful of unsportsman like penalties from both teams... In the 1st half the Bombers had a big play TD by tight end Jared Prugar for 65 yards on what appeared to be a hitch and go from the outside WR position? On Buff State's first drive they nickled and dimed (also known as "Fishering" or "Uticaing") the Bombers defense right down the field and went for it on 4th and 2 from the 15. Apparently Buff St doesnt have a kicker?? I think this decision handicapped them later in the game.. They went for it and got sacked by the Bombers D. Ithaca added a 42 yard FG.  Buff Stare scored just before half on a TD catch in the back of the endzone.  The replay on TV was close but it looked like the WR didnt get his foot in but either way ithaca led 10-7 at half.

The 1st 24 minutes of the 2nd half set offensive football back about 50 years.  I think there were maybe 5 first downs combined between the 2 teams until halfway through the 4th quarter. Even the announcers mentioned "Well if you like punting and punt coverage this game is the game of a lifetime for you" As he was finishing that sentence Buff State punted the ball and IC returner Josh Oliver ran it back 65 yards to put the bombers up 17-7.  And then the game turned from a defensive struggle to an offensive explosion (by Ithacan standards haha) Buff state came right down the field and scored to make it 17-14.  Ithaca went back to their "soft and off" defense which Buff State exposed. Then the Ithaca offense went 3 and out and Buff state got it back with 4 mins to go... Ithaca started bringing a lot of pressure and Buff State ran some screens and draws and got their play makers the ball in space and ended up scoring with just over a minute to go. A missed XP made it 20-17.. At that point I honestly thought to myself "Hopefully we can return it to the 50 and we can make a 67 yard field goal to send it to overtime".  Unfortunately we only returned it to the 30 but senior QB Phil Neumann hit Jr. WR Vito Boffoli 3 times including a game winning TD that took just over 40 seconds.  Tough catches and plays by Boffoli especially on the TD catch where he caught a short pass, took a big hit from the LB, bounced off and scampered into the endzone.  Buff State was unable to respond even though IC blew a coverage and left a WR wide open down the sideline but the pass was caught out of bounds and Ithaca held on for the victory

A couple of thoughts from the game..
With Neumann hitting Boffoli 3 times down the stretch could he become Neumann's new favorite 2nd weapon behind Prugar/ Delmoro? Would love to see some more 3 WR sets from the Bombers to open things up a bit.
The Bomber Special Teams was the difference.. or as Bombers has put it before, "water is still wet" We say it time and time again but the special teams wins Ithaca games all the time. Im actually pretty sure Ithaca would be 3 and 37 over the last 4 years if it wasnt for Special Teams. (Only half kidding... Those 3 wins over Hartwick of course) I mentioned it earlier but Buff State not having a kicker may have cost them.  I know all the new school football thinkers will argue "you should go for it anyways" or "field goals dont win you games, touchdowns do" But when you have a D like Ithaca, FG's can win you games. Note: I wish Ithaca went for it on 4th down more often so I am completely contradicting myself but whatever... 
Buff State lost 2 Starting DTs that were ejected... If they kept their cool it could have been a different game.
Ithacas back 8 (LB's and DB's) can run really well.. We saw linebackers and safeties chase down the Pete kid who is lightning quick.. Having played against these guys believe me when I say theyre very fundamental, strong, and fast.

Ithaca is 3-0 and has Hartwick next week before taking on Alfred at home.  Not looking ahead but this years' home games help Ithaca (Alfred, Fisher) if they want to make a serious run at things which I believe is possible. Anything is possible (cue Kevin Garnett)

New poster here... Frequent to the board over the last year to follow the Bombers when I couldnt make it to games... but looking forward to this year optimistically (as are most teams before the season starts). Quick breakdown on the bombers for this year..

Offensively:

QB: Neumann's (Captain) Senior year. Will he take the next step and progress into a possible all conference QB? Last year he seemed to get more comfortable and trusting of his recievers as the season went along but his strength will remain not turning the ball over and being smart with it.  Would like to see him get a little more aggressive when needed though. Hopefully the Bombers have been developing younger talent at this position/ have some good young recruits coming in because the Bombers really struggled even to get a single first down when Neumann went down vs HARTWICK last year.  Big question mark on the future of the position after Scavo went to Alfred (although the Bombers only had him for 2 days)
RB: After losing 2 senior RBs in Naiden and Ardoin the Bombers I believe will depend more on last years newcomer and Ithaca native Rakim Jones. Saw him a little in limited action and he looked like he could be a solid back.  Also any word on Sal Sulla? Last I heard he was supposed to be returning to the Bombers but I havent heard. He would be a welcomed sight as 2 back systems seem to have worked pretty well in the past for the bombers. 
OL: O-Line will be the biggest strength for the bombers offensively.  Returning starters of Benvenuto (G), Rampa (T), and Senior Captain Pat Stevenson (T/G) Should allow the bombers to be a better run team than recent years.  Also some younger talent should help fill in the spots to provide a pretty solid line, probably the best for the bombers since the 08-09 mostronsity of a line.
WR: With Ingrao gone the WR's are somewhat of a question mark for the bombers... Joel Lynch will be their biggest threat. Can he step up and become the #1 Wideout for the bombers.  Look for lesser known juniors such as Matt Pinzka/Chris Bauer to possibly be a number 2 threat. Also slot recievers Vito Boffoli and Josh Oliver could make an impact if they can get the ball in their hands.
TE: Returning Seniors Steve DelMoro and Jared Prugar should be assets for the bombers in the passing and running games. Look for the bombers to use a lot of 2 TE sets again with these 2 back.

Defensively:

D-Line: Returning Joe Ricotta to the Bombers 3 man line will be key but the bombers need to fill in the other 2 spots to allow the LBs to run free and make tackles.  Look for Tijah Henderson to possibly fill one of these roles.
LBs: Typically the Bombers' strength will be no different this year.  Returning Senior Will Carter (Captain) will be big for the bombers. Also returning are Jake Santora and Chris Williams.  No shortage in depth with Duggan, Hardenberg, and others returning to help the bombers.
DBs: With both starting corners in Vulcano and Garvey returning as well as safeties Tom Scanlon and Skylar Griffenberg, the Bombers pass D should be pretty strong. Depth behind those guys as well.

Special Teams:
Returning Kicker Garrett Nicholson and Returners Sam Carney and Josh Oliver should make the Bombers dynamic as always on the specialties. 

Looking forward to this year to see if the bombers can make the next step and get back into playoff contention... Any insights on other teams in the E8? Saxons? UC? Fisher? Salisbury? Buff State?

Go Bombers!!