Weather looks to be cloudy with a high of 29 degrees, with some sun and winds at 8 mph, which isn't nothing.  Conditions might put an extra premium on running, and with Conlan playing but maybe not 100% Webb will have to show people why he is the man.  Hopefully Ellis is back to 100% too.  He is underrated in my view.  Absolute beast out there. 

SJF schedule was tougher than Hobart's this year and they have had to pull some games out of the fire.  Hobart has not had starters play in the 4th quarter yet this year, including against Utica which lost to SJF because they missed a PAT. 

Looks like Bombers 798891 picked up a few bucks from the bookies in Vegas with his picks this weekend. 

Nice job by Bayley to come in and take care of business.  Great to see Hobart come out with a very nice, controlled passing attack in the first half.

I watched Fisher dominate the second half at JCU.  As I expected, JCU was one dimensional and not very weather proof.  If not for three key penalties, JCU would not have advanced the ball over midfield in the second half.  Fisher has some playmakers out there.  Solid at skill positions, solid special teams, and they really stuck to their play book rushing only 3 guys even she behind.  They showed a lot of heart and are not short of effort.  It will be a battle net week. 

I may have to hustle back from South Carolina for the Fisher game.  Watched your second half against JCU and Fisher looked very tough.  JCU drive for the field goal consisted of a roughing the punter penalty and a pass interference.  Another drive also consisted of a pass interference call.  JCU did nothing in the second half, SJF played harder and had more balance.  Good special teams too.  Hats off to the Cardinals who were more weather proof.  See you in the Lake Trout Capital of the World! 

Having grown up in Cortland on Pleasant St. (off Clayton) and my Dad having been a prof and football coach for the Red Dragons I was sorry to see this happen.  My high school classmate Mike Catalano is chief of police in town.  The locals do get into the whole Cortaca scene, and in general people appreciate everything the college brings to the town (including the Jets summer camp).  A few of my Hobart buds who live in Cortland and Ithaca look forward to the game and enjoy the festivities.  Many Cortland businesses take advantage and the Board of Legislators voted down a resolution to ban the game after lobbying by local businesses to keep it going.  Bars have "breakfast and booze" specials and arrests were happening in the afternoon before the game was even over 20 miles away in Ithaca.  So moving the game won't have much impact.

Part of the problem is that Cortland's enrollment has grown and they haven't built on campus residences so there are neighborhoods that are basically student ghettos now.  Put together a few house parties 100 yards from the Dark Horse and you have a recipe for trouble on a gorgeous fall day. 

They will have to ban establishments selling beer before noon and get out on the street and prevent trouble before it starts.  Or conversely close off Main Street completely and keep them all some place where they will do less damage and can be controlled better.  They already call in reinforcements from other places and they may have to pony up for more police presence next year.  Shouldn't stop playing the game. 

We have struggled with strong passing games of which the LL did not have many this year.  Kennedy looked very good against us but he did get picked and sacked a couple of times.  JCU could be the best passing team we have faced in a few years although RPI's guy last year was awfully good.  More mobile quarterbacks (like the St. Thomas kid last year) like Dean Kennedy seem to be more trouble for us as we have had a good pass rush over the past couple of years. 

One thing that can be tough about having a strong pass attack in the NCAAs is weather.  It could be nasty, and will likely be windy in Geneva come game day.  If you want to win in the playoffs you need to be weather proof. 

But hey we have to get by Gallaudet first and they seem like a team of destiny this year. 

Quote from: Rt Rev J.H. Hobart on November 10, 2013, 05:40:52 PM
Hobart16,
This is one of the most solid contributions to the board I've read all season. +k

Thanks for your blessing Bishop.   

Don't forget we have a new D coordinator and I think they are gelling at the right time.  I listened to Jolyon Davis give a good interview to Frank and Jim tonight.  Bravo guys. 

Listened to the Hobart game (as an aside the awesome two camera video feed at Springfield is the best in the league and it's free, they deserve an award!) against SLU and it doesn't seem Hobart has put together a complete game, though I haven't watched the entire season like others may have. 

The Merchant Marine D was very tough at their place, the first quarter of the Utica game was close (non league of course), and maybe one quarter of the RPI game was competitive.  But there seems to be a slight curse of high expectations against Hobart.  Have we been behind this year for more than 5 minutes total?  Has any game been in any doubt?  Not really.  Hobart has dominated this year but I think expectations are so high that despite a very strong showing in the league people remain skeptical of us going forward  It's like looking at the Mount Union score from yesterday and thinking "wow, they only scored 30."   THey won be more than 3 touchdowns.  So the question is whether this Hobart team will go as far as last year. 

I am sure LL fans will want us to carry the flag far in the NCAAs and the comments on Hobart from our league rivals are astute.  Penalties and execution remain a concern.  Our run D is as good as last year maybe better, not sure what the numbers say and taking out the starters in the third quarter skews them anyway.  in the SLU game the D backs were very good against a team that has shown it can throw it.  Two HC freshman seem to be getting more playing time at DB: Cragg's nephew from PA, and Gabriel Smith from Lasalle Institute in Troy.  Smith has a few punt blocks this year and is very athletic.  Classic way for frosh to get on the field under Cragg, play hard on special teams.  D back is less of a concern in my mind right now. 

The receiving corps was a concern but they too have stepped up over the course of the season and I like them a lot better now.  Berkowitz is solid, and Souffrant, Robinson and Fasano are getting open and can give us YACs. 

The upward trajectory of our QB that we saw at Union seemed to have stalled when he started 0-8 against SLU in the first quarter, then he throws 3 incredible passes in a row into the wind on a 3 play 78 years drive.  If he can become more consistent in finding people and delivering it like he did in the second quarter we will be a very tough out.  He is also pretty quick and can do damage with his feet.  I honestly think Dewall is saving some things up his sleeve for NCAAs on that score.  Look for designed running plays for Conlan in NCAAs like we had with Strang.

Our special teams play has been very good and is better than last year. 

The interior line on both sides of the ball has been super all season, and a deep linebacking corps has also gotten better over time.  Worhtington and Toney are fantastic and aren't even leading the team in tackles. 

Looking at it overall, this team is right there with last years team talent-wise, but it seems like a consistency issue. 

Agree on Conlon.  He looks more confident every week. He can run and I think they are saving some of that for the playoffs. 

Cragg never plays freshman unless they are in Tyre Coleman territory so having a frosh catch a TD is great.  Speaking of which did you see Coleman hurl that running back into the Springfield QB?  Wow. 

Offense has more upside if you can believe it since they have not been bad up to now.  The other guy who is not going to get enough credit is Ellis.  He is an absolute monster.  He can run obviously but check out his blocking he can drive people. 

The schedule is an issue.  Not getting enough reps under fire but the last thee games should be more competitive.  Those three will bring their best against Hobart. 

Special teams play is improved over prior years and there is no weakness on the line on either side of the ball and that can be overlooked when you have a scintillating talent like Webb.