The "WM" will be out in full force this Saturday in the potential snowy purple mountains to witness the 1st Fighting Cardinal victory in W'Town since 1984.  However, we'd like to keep the game close so Williams Alumni think that HCOF Kelton has an improving team.  We certainly don't want a situation similar to when Williams got blown out vs Hartford State this year in the new $100 million stadium (A Hartford newspaper printed the following day that HCOF Kelton stated "I'm glad they called the dogs off!")......all that said, many strange things can happen in Williamstown.  The WM is excited and ready and we hope to see some of you there...although other than Frank, I think the Williams fan base is pretty much done. 

Quote from: Nescacman on October 04, 2014, 09:51:59 AM
2014 Week #3 NESCAC Preview and Power Rankings

Welcome to Week 3 in the NESCAC..."the league where they pay to play". Week #2 produced a few surprises with upstart Tufts continuing their winning ways (congrats to Coach Civetti on improving his career record to 2-24) and Trinity swamping the Head Coach of Football ("HCOF") Kelton's squad in Billville (not surprisingly). A couple of story lines we are watching: Trinity and Wesleyan on a collision course for an "all the marbles game" November 8th in Middletown, how many games will a resurgent Tufts Jumbo squad end up winning (the over/under is 3), will Bowdoin win a game this year (we say no), when does the Kelton watch begin in 2014 (we think it has), does Amherst have enough offense to challenge Wes or Trinity for 'CAC league supremacy (the Magic 8-ball says "check back later").

Week 2 was another good week for us going 4-1. If not for a complete breakdown in Bates' usually solid special teams, we would be sitting at 10-0 for the season. We were all over the Amherst/Bowdoin and Middlebury/Colby scores and were close on several others. Our rankings remain pretty much unchanged in the upper tier with some continued movement around the fringes.

2014 Week #3 NESCAC Power Rankings

1. Wesleyan (Last Week: #1): Not the expected dominant performance by The Cardinals. Despite playing OK versus a solid Middlebury team, they did not well against a well coached but undermanned Hamilton squad, Wes is still sitting at 2-0. Last year, they played their best all around game against a Ciero led Colby team. This would be the perfect week for them get their act together with Amherst coming to town in just 2 weeks. Jesse Warren was efficient (isn't he always) going 12-14, throwing 2 TDs and no interceptions. All NESCAC RB Drew once again did not play, but super back-up Kyle Gibson showed why he is also an All-NESCAC performer rambling for 132 yards. We continue to believe that the Cards would be well served by throwing the ball down the field a bit more to one of their stellar receivers. Surprisingly, the question mark right now is the defense. We think the defense is good, however, they have not played a complete game yet. We think this is the week they get it all together. This week, Wesleyan travels to Colby for their first of two back-to-back trips to Maine.

2. Trinity (LW #2): The Bantams smashed their second straight opponent beating the hapless Ephs of Williams. We won't get a true read on this team until week five when they play Middlebury at home. Trinity has perhaps the easiest schedule in the league playing their next 3 weeks against Hamilton, Tufts, and Bowdoin. All the Bantams can do is to keep doing what they are doing and stay focus. The offense was impressive garnering over 450 yards of total offense for the second straight week including 321 yards on the ground. 11 different Bantams carried the ball (again). Trinity got out quick in this one leading 24-0 at the half. Meanwhile, the defense completely shutdown Williams only allowing 175 total yards and 9 first downs. This week, Trinity is on the road at Hamilton.

3. Amherst (LW #3): Amherst had a bounce back week against a poor Bowdoin squad after looking less than sharp against Bates in week 1. Despite only leading 9-0 at the half, the Lord Jeffs came out strong in the third quarter with 21 unanswered points as they cruised to a win. Soph Alex Berlutti had another solid game at QB with Senior Max Lippe again not seeing any action. We have been less than impressed with the Lord Jeffs thus far this year barely beating a Bates team that is 0-2 (that lost to Tufts) and beating the worst team in the league in Bowdoin. This week is a test for Amherst as they travel to Vermont to play Amherst.

4. Middlebury (LW #4): Matt Milano had an excellent game 2 winning NESCAC offensive POTW honors. Middlebury looked good in week #2 completely dominating Colby. The defense again looked good against the run and they lead the NESCAC in rushing defense. This week, they host Amherst in the NESCAC GOTW.

5. Tufts (LW #8): I know we are going to be sorry we did this, but Tufts jumps up 3 spots in our weekly poll by upsetting Bates. Although Tufts is not about to challenge for the league title or even have a winning record this year, we still think Tufts has a chance to get to .500. The roadmap for that to happen is for them to beat Bowdoin this week (which they will do) and then win against either Colby or Williams, which could happen. Will that be enough to save their coaches job. According to our sources close to the Tufts situation, the answer is no. This week they face the hapless Bowdoin Polar bears in Maine.

6. Williams (LW #5): The 2014 Aaron Kelton watch has begun. As we had said, look who they played in week #1 beating up on Bowdoin. Last week, reality set in as they were completely demolished by the Bantams of Trinity in Williamstown allowing 468 yards of total offense and 26 fist downs. The only bright spot for the Ephman on Saturday was their punting (which is never a good sign). Highly touted transfer Austin Lommen came back to earth only throwing for 85 yards and a pick. This is a big week for Williams as they go on the road for the first time this year facing the Bates Bobcats.

7. Bates (LW #6): Disappointing week #2 for the Bobcats as Tufts upset them. We're really not sure about this team yet. Are they the team that played really well against Amherst or the team whose special teams completely broke down against Tufts? The thing that surprises the most is the Bobcat offense. Historically, Bates triple option attack has made them a run first team. IMO, due to a lack of talent at the RB position and their offensive line not playing all that well, Bates has suddenly switched places with Tufts and has become a pass first attack (Bates is third to last in the 'CAC in rushing offense). We think that they are going to have to start running the ball more effectively to be able to have offensive success starting this week in their home opener against Williams as they attempt to go for their 4th straight win against the Ephs.

8. Colby (LW#7): Another tough loss for the Mules as they got crushed by Middlebury in their home opener. Another poor performance by the Colby D (giving up 458 yards of total offense to Middlebury). We are perplexed since we thought Colby's experienced D was going to be solid. They aren't going to be helped by the loss of standout All-NESCAC performer Zach Padula who is gone for the year with a broken collarbone. They currently rank last in the 'CAC in total defense. Their offense has not been much better ranking last in total offense. The schedule continues to be tough for them as they host Wesleyan this week.

9. Hamilton (LW #10): The Conts continue to play hard for new HCOF Murray. The problem here is they just do not have the talent yet to be able to compete with the better teams of the 'CAC. Cont fans, be patient. It will take a couple of years, but by 2016, this program will be respectable. This will be another tough week as the Conts face Trinity in Clinton.

10. Bowdoin (LW #9): Let's sum up the Polar Bears season thus far: ugly. We will go on record right now and say that this team will not win a single game this year. Yes, we are talking about 0-8 for Bowdoin. The problem: Caputi (take your pick: QB or HCOF). This week hey will hit a new low when they lose to former 'CAC doormat, Tufts, at home.

Special Feature: NESCAC Coaching Carousel
What is the status of every HCOF in the NESCAC? Whose job is safe? Who's on the hot seat? Who's a goner? We checked with our sources around the league and this is what we came up with:

Safe: Mills (AMH), Whalen (Wes), Devanney (Trin), Murray (HAM), Ritter (MID), Harriman (BAT), Michaeles (COL)
Safe (But shouldn't be): Caputi (BOW)
Probably a goner (But shouldn't be): Civetti (Tufts)
The Watch is on (And should be): Kelton (WIL)

Week #3 NESCAC Preview

As we head into the third week of the 2014 season, there are a few interesting games that we are keeping our eyes on this week. We are looking forward to Tufts winning their third game in a row, Wesleyan paying their bust game of 2014 and Bates putting the pressure on the HCOF Kelton. Our GOTW pits Amherst against Middlebury. Should be a typical fall day in New England: cloudy, cool and a chance of showers.

Tufts College at Bowdoin College: Tufts is 2-0 for the first time since 2008. Not sure the last time they went 3-0 but we better look that up (1950?). Bowdoin does nothing well and they turn the ball over way too much. Tufts QB Doll will have a big day. Keys to victory for Bowdoin: Avoid turnovers and don't put QB Caputi in a position where they have to pass (maybe they should just run the wildcat with Grant lined up at QB). Keys to victory for Tufts: Keep doing what they are doing with their newly balanced offense and don't keep Bowdoin in the game to allow them to get any confidence. Reality will set in next week for Tufts when they play Trinity in Hartford.

Tufts 28 Bowdoin 14
Weather: Not a factor.

Williams College at Bates College: We think Bates turns it around in this one it in what should be a very competitive contest. Williams has not fared well against the Bobcats in recent years and we think Bates' will figure out their special teams problems. We like Bates' offense to finally run the ball effectively against a porous Williams run D. If Bates runs the ball more (never thought I would say that), I think they will win. The Kelton watch heats up. Keys to victory for Williams: Get Alex Scyocurka going on the ground to open things up for first year QB Lommen.  Keys to victory for Bates: Run the ball effectively to control the clock.

Bates 21 Williams 17
Weather: Chance of showers. High of about 60.

Wesleyan University at Colby College: The last time Wes travelled to Waterville, they were lucky to come away with a win scoring twice in the last 2:30 to pull out a win. Last year, with the same team that they have today, they played probably their most complete game of a stellar 2014 season. Colby is off to a really tough start, albeit against very tough competition. They are last in the 'CAC in offense and last in defense. They have lost key players to transfer and injury. We think Wes starts to put it together this week as they start to gear up for the tougher part of their schedule. Keys to victory for Colby: Run Lipani endlessly and control the clock. Keys to victory for Wesleyan: Throw the ball down the field. Defensively they need to play better against the run.

Wesleyan 35 Colby 7
Weather: Chance of showers, high of about 60.

Trinity College at Hamilton College: Complete mismatch. We think Murray will try some tricks to try and surprise the Bantams, but they just do not have the athletes to be competitive in this one. Keys to victory for Trin: Show up and stay healthy. Keys to victory for Hamilton: Run the ball and control the clock.

Trinity 49 Hamilton 7
Weather: Not a factor.


NESCAC Game of the Week

Amherst College at Middlebury College: Very interesting game as #3 Amherst travels to #4 Middlebury. Amherst has not been as impressive as we thought they would be (similar to Wesleyan) barely beating Bates and pulling away in the second half against a woeful Bowdoin squad. These team's match-up very well against each other. We are going to give the edge to the home team in this one and we think the difference will be QB Milano and Middlebury's tough rushing D. Keys to victory for Amherst: Minimize the mistakes and avoid the big play by Middlebury. Keys to victory for Middlebury: Run the ball effectively to set up the pass.

Middlebury 17 Amherst 14
Weather: Rain. High in the high 50's.

NESCAC Man's Picks
Last week: 4-1
2014 Season: 9-1
2013 Season: 32-8

Nescacman-

Apologize I have been non existent until tonight.  Just saw that u actually picked Bates to beat the HCOF at Williams last week.  Gutsy pick...please weave ur magic in the upcoming games in Coach Kelton's favor as we need him to go 4-4 or 5-3 every year.  Game of the year coming up in 10 days....Lord Jeffrey at the Fighting Cards for Homecoming.......but the Cards will not dismiss a very well coached Bates team this week....they are always tough at home and will bounce back to give Wesleyan a very respectable game...this game always concerns me...but as we say in Middleton, " In Coach Whalen We Trust". 

Quote from: hamgrand on October 05, 2014, 10:43:56 AM
I give Trinity the edge over Wesleyan ... most certainly in Class!

Trinity vs Hamilton was a hard hitting and hard fought game ... but clean!  The Trinity O-Line was huge, but the Hamilton defense played outstanding. 3 - 0 at the half!  The Trinity defense gave Hamilton fits all game but really turned up the pressure in the second half - Shut down the run game and put a lot of pressure on the Hamilton QB.

It was great to see the Hamilton kids play so hard against a talented Trinity team.  I agree that a couple of poor Hamilton punts had an impact on the game.  But if this team keeps improving, the wins will definitely come.  As I said last week, Hamilton will be competitive and has as good a chance as any to win each of their last 5 games.  Now wouldn't that be something!

On to Trinity vs Wesleyan:
I was quiet last week on the whole fight song subject - but I agree with ContinentalsMan that coaching matters a lot.  I have had the opportunity to meet the Trinity and Wesleyan Coaches on a few different occasions.  Every time I met the Wesleyan coaches I felt they displayed a significant amount of arrogance - and that obviously flows down to their team.  They have certainly had success, but it is how you win and lose that matters as well.

So from now on I am routing for Hamilton - and anyone that is playing Wesleyan!

HamMan-
If you would like us to send you the lyrics and music sheet for the Wesleyan fight song, Nescacman and I can make that happen.  The Wesleyan success and Cardinal Pride is a wonderful thing and a long time coming for a school that suffered in football since the Vietnam War.  If you went to a practice and saw how hard the kids work, I think you would call that a reflection on the coaches and the athletic program that Coach Whalen is creating.   "And so it's fight for old Wesleyan, never give in....."  We cordially invite you to the Kelton vs Whalen game in November in the Purple Mountains...We'll sneak in the beer and invite you to our tailgate. 

Quote from: frank uible on October 06, 2014, 01:06:27 PM
Over the past dozen or so years Bates has managed to attract an increasingly improving caliber of player personnel.

It's because of Coach Mark Harriman-great guy, great coach.  I used to work with him at Harvard in the 90's. If he was the HCOF at Williams, he would probably have a record of 26-6 in the last 4 years with a Little 3 and Nescac titles.

Quote from: amh63 on October 08, 2014, 10:38:25 AM
Middle of the week...quiet.  Only info of interest to posters is up in Willytown.  This weekend, there will be a dedication and a celebration.  The new facilities in general and the football field in particular will be dedicated.  The famous coaches associated with the fields will also be honored.  Writeup indicate that food and refreshments will be available...I take it it will be provided without charge! 
Frank U....maybe you can confirm?  Know you will be at the Log for  the particulars afterwards.
This is really for the fans of the opposing team.
Still not sure about some of the particulars at the Amherst Homecoming game Frank.  You are invited to my class tent in any case...refreshments particulars still unknown...due to the late start.  There will be an open lunch provided in Coolidge cage between 12-2pm....no charge, if the policy of after the game activities are followed....beer and wine do cost...unless some alum subsidize it as has been done.  Parking is not clear.  Last year, because of the new grass...tailgating was not allowed.  Not sure what is going on this season.  Know that parking on the lower old practice field has been allowed.
Oh yes, for posters who may wish to attend the game..alums, parents or otherwise...this info applies to you also.  Expect no charge for the game...not sure if the game programs will be free as they were last year.

Does anyone know Coach Kelton's career record versus Bates?

Quote from: Nescacman on September 19, 2014, 10:21:55 AM

Quote from: lumbercat on September 18, 2014, 11:18:24 PM
Sorry to you Wesleyan front running apologists but the Whales comments made direct condescending reference to Tufts....he made no reference to home or away games or a tough schedule - stop the excuses- he openly implied that it would be tougher this year for Wesleyan minus the "privilege" of opening with Tufts.....total BS.
I'm not a Tufts guy but I will state here that Civetti will succeed at Tufts- he's got some skill in the passing game and while he puts the rest of his scheme together he will win some games.
Tufts is going to throw the ball 60 times a game this year--Forgotten Jack Doll will be a leading NESCAC QB .......if he wins the starting job......that's how deep the Jumbos are at QB.......Civetti has at least 2 other QBs within a whisker of being the starter but I say Doll starts and if they give him some time to throw he surprises many in the CAC.

Although I don't have "a dog in this fight", let's be objective for a second before we kill Coach W for "dissing a team that has not won a game since 2010. He was being honest and frankly truthful. Wesleyan's schedule starts with defending co-league champ Middlebury coming off of 2 back to back 7 win seasons who is replacing a team that has lost 31 straight games. in addition, Wesleyan beat Tufts handily last year in Medford with essentially the same team that they are putting on the field tomorrow against Middlebury. Just based on those facts alone, how can you not honestly say that Wesleyan's schedule is harder in 2014 than it was in 2013. Throw in the back to back trips to Maine against 2 decent opponents (Bates and Colby) versus playing Hamilton and Bowdoin on the road last year (and not back to back) and it just adds to Coach W's comment about the schedule being tougher this year. Before we kill someone for "dissing" someone, let's look at the facts. Coach W deserves better than that. And the people on this Board are smarter than that.

"From NESCAC 1"
Wesleyan 8-0.  One of the more loaded teams in recent NESCAC history (return NINE guys who have been all-NESCAC, including several two-timers, which has to be some sort of record).  They have a feeling of unfinished business after the disappointing loss to Trinity to end the season.  Whalen has proven that he can manage a team with sky-high expectations.  This year, they get Trinity at home, which will make all the difference.  They also get Amherst at home.  Toughest game could actually be at Colby, but Wesleyan dominated Colby last year.  Best RB duo in the league, a tested senior QB, talented receivers, and a defense which returns virtually everyone and just looks absolutely nasty.  Led by a big senior class chalk full of 3-4 year starters, this is the Cards' year.
-->>Thank you for the vote of confidence NESCAC 1.  The critical game for the Fighting Cards is the opener at Middlebury.  Middlebury still has a very good defense, but they may have difficulty scoring points against Wesleyan.  The 'Whalen Operation" is back in full force.  This is definitely his best team since his return to Andrus Field...there are also 4 fifth year seniors returning on defense.  Things are looking up in Middletown...and for any of you baseball fans, Wesleyan has won the Little 3 the last 2 years, won the Nescac title last spring, and made it to the final game of the Mid Atlantic regional before bowing out to Baldwin Wallace.  "So then it's fight for old Wesleyan......" Where are you NESCACMAN??  Looking forward to your pregame rankings......Little known tidbit-Wesleyan baseball is 6-0 versus Williams in the last 2 years.  Rumor has it that kelton runs the baseball practices.

It would start from an Athletic Director first.  I will speak to one before the month ends and send an update.

9 Game Schedule/Playoffs:

This topic was discussed in 1980 when I was a real Fighting Card.  It also appears on early pages in this board 2005-2006.  It's a great topic and will continue.  My feeling is nothing will change with regard to playoff eligibility until the "Big Nescac" (Ivies) make a decision to go to the playoffs which I highly doubt.  That said with some newer presidents in the league, a game 9 should be a reality and makes sense.  They don't want to extend the season but they could start 1 week early.  The only downfall is the added expense of bringing the players in a week early.  The Wesleyan president would vote yes.

BREAKING NEWS!
November 10, 2022

Williams defeats Amherst 22-20 for their 1st winning season in 10+ years!

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.

Mr. Trin 8-0

Coach Ritter has done an outstanding job at Middlebury.  He has gone 14-2 in the last 2 years and is very deserving of this award.  In fact he has beaten every team in the league the last 2 years except for Wesleyan.  Under the Whalen regime, Coach Ritter is 1-1 against 2 average to poor FC squads.  So, before we name him "Red Auerbach", let's see what happens on opening day next year in Vermont....should be a good one.

I do feel bad for you and the Bantams that you finished 6-2.  You are not part of the Little 3 or the C-B-B.  Trinity realistically has the best talent in the league year in and year out but struggles to win big games on the road.  Perhaps you should start the "T-H-T" and dominate each year versus the Medford/Clinton folks.  And if you beat Tufts, I'll personally send you "T-H-T" Championship shirts prior to playing Hamilton!

You may or may not like me....I certainly haven't earned a karma point yet....and I don't have any "karma goals yet" for myself....but I do tell the truth.  Your stories are wrong about the FC players' behavior....you should have a sit down with your sources...

Here's my favorite one because I was there too.  Your former teammate was the guy doing the "W-H-A-L-E-N" chant for the last 5 mins of the game.  Coach Whalen walked over to him and said, "Congratulations...you have been calling my name for the last 5 minutes so you must want to talk to me".  The guy had nothing to say.  Coach Whalen shook his hand and left as the guy was escorted out off the field by security....

And finally, like many other teams, Wesleyan takes the team photo early so it can make the game program...and yes there were more than 75 players in that photo.  In Hartford, we had 75 or less.  The Whalen Mafia can send you some game film and you can count all the players on the Wesleyan sideline.  it would be a nice family activity.....

And I did LOL on your comment on Hartford being 15 mins from Bristol....that was a good one...out

PATRIOTS, CAROLINA, and WESLEYAN FOOTBALL:

Anyone watch the Monday Night Preview minutes ago on ESPN (located by the way 15 mins from the best football program in the land).......there was a feature on Amanda Belichick that featured "In Bill We Trust" and Coach Whalen........

The FC's are going national. We may need to play The Lord Jeffrey game at Gillette next year. 

My friend Nescacman: 
As you well know I coached at Columnia University in late 80's, early 90's, and 6-14 giving up 23 points per game is not terrible at "Roar Lion Roar".

Lumbercat and Sir Frank (4000 posts allows you the Sir title):
4 years ago with the FG attempt by purple increased my animosity....but it did begin in 1982 on that cold day in November.  Down 21-0 in the 4th, the purple kingdom began the "Goodbye Wesleyan Cheer", and then as you know the FC's took the lead with 24 secs left and lost.  I have no ill will to anyone at purple or any of the alumni-friends with many.  But that game was the worst day of my life at age 21 and until family members departed us for the great gridiron in the sky, it remained my worst day.  So, nothing against anyone at Williams, but they happened to be our opponent on that day.  I honestly think more of the problem is with me than with the rest of the football world.....which is why November 2nd at 2:30pm became one of the best days of my life.......

AMH 63-

How's Bob Odell as a guess?  Another great guy in a long line of great Williams Head Coaches.

Now that we are talking Lord Jeffrey lingo, my favorite story as a player was that our fraternity brothers got together every 2nd year-the night before the Amherst Homecoming game-and took bets on who would be able to jump the fence and steal Coach Ostendarp's hat during the 4th quarter...the same guy won both years...but not sure where the hats are today.....