Last year the Amherst-Williams game was available through NSN. I know it will be broadcast on NESN in the New England region. Will it still be available on NSN? NESN is not available on any of the providers near me. Making a trip to a watch party isn't an option either with my current health issues.

This has been a tough season as an Amherst dad but I'm still not buying in to the notion that Amherst won't be a legitimate contender next season. The Mammoths are 2nd in the CAC in rushing, 2nd in trips to the Red Zone(turnovers and missed FGs have loomed large in 3 of 4 losses) and have at least 2 if not 3 young QBs ready to step in next season. If the younger LBs continue to mature and the offense and special teams eliminate back breaking gaffes, I'm willing to allow myself the belief that this can be the 2nd 9-0 team in NESCAC history.

JEFFFAN,
The Hamilton loss was at the end of regulation.
I agree, the loss at LB has been tough to recover from. The positive side is that Amherst is running the ball effectively as a team. With at least 2 good QB prospects ready to step in next year along with another year of growth for a young LB core, I think the Mammoths will improve in the little areas that have hurt us in these close games. As as special teams play. I dont know what the answer is at this point.

Quote from: middhoops on October 24, 2019, 05:08:10 PM
The list of sports at which the NESCAC is not generally near the top of the ratings is relatively few.  Does it make specific sense that football would be an outlier?

I would imagine that limiting the rosters to 75 would also play a part in a sport like football where injuries can play such a large part in a season, especially adding a postseason to the grind. I'm not sure what the roster cap is in other conferences but I'm guessing it is much more than 75.

Amh63,
Thanks for the tips. We will be coming via 90 from the west and staying near Clinton both Friday and Saturday nights before we head back through Canada on Sunday. Will definitely check online for eating places but wondered if there is an absolute must-visit kind of place.
As far as the game itself, Hamilton seems to be on the upswing. I'm looking forward to a competitive game. Hopefully Amherst can fire on all cylinders and put together a complete game for the win.

The boys and I are taking our dad to Clinton to watch his eldest grandson play. It's only my second game at Hamilton and we didnt stick around for any meals last time. Any suggestions on parking, restaurants, etc.?

I looked through the last 20 years of ROY and cant find any non-FY players to have been given the award. Not sure where to find a longer list than what is on the NESCAC website.

I did find it interesting that there used to be both an offensive and defensive ROY awarded. I'm guessing it became difficult to find two FYs every season so it was reduced to one. Also couldn't locate a ROY given for the 2005 season.

Also surprised to see that a player from near us here in Michigan, Scott Secor, won the award back in the early 2000s as a DB for Middlebury. Nice to see another Mid-Michigan alum that performed well in the CAC. Does anyone remember him? That was before I started paying attention to NESCAC football but it looks like he played high school ball against some players I would've known.

Great effort by Amherst to overcome some tough breaks early and a 21-0 deficit and take it to OT. If Midd hadn't pulled that out how many Panther faithful would be asking pointed questions about that pass to end the 4th?

I watch the games on the NESCAC Network app on FireTV and my ipad and haven't had any issues for any of the games so far.

The 2 INTs were crippling for Amherst. Passing game isn't quite there for Amherst. I think all of the picks were tipped. Run game is there but haven't put together sustained drives.

I only watched the last few minutes of the Midd-Trinity game but I noticed Midd went 3 for 15 on 3rd down. That's not a good look on a stat sheet. Having not witnessed the offense first hand, I'm not sure how I feel about the matchup with Amherst's defense but so far I am optimistic.
Offensively, I feel like Mills and company keep things pretty basic early in the season until games that have championship implications. Maybe that's just coincidental to the natural flow and growth of the team but hopefully this is the week that Amherst opens up on offense.
Looking forward to Sarurday's games!

Midd looks like the team to beat so far.

When was the last time Hamilton was ahead of Trinity in the standings after week 3?

Amherst did it again. They have made a habit of winning ugly.  However, with the exception of two 60+ yard TD passes, Amherst consistently shut Tufts down. But need to continue to improve on both sides of the ball.

Jefffan,
I remember reading an article that he was All-State and MVP of the district or conference. Not sure how they term things down there. Seems like he was awaiting D-1 scholarships but nothing materialized so he committed to Amherst. Not a bad choice.
I know here in our part of the MidWest, I've seen too many talented players waste away at D-1 schools without a scholarship and become disillusioned and quit the game and leave the school. It hurts them and their education. In rural, underprivileged, and underserved areas like where I am assigned currently, the emphasis is on the "prestige" of a D1 program regardless of the real future the young man may have afterwards.
My son was pleased to turn down D2 schools for a chance to go to an Ivy or NESCAC school for the education and the non-football opportunities.

Jefffan,
I know the QB from Texas was very highly acclaimed in his home state, which is saying a lot when that state is Texas.
No offense to my East Coast friends.

True true. Speak up.

I also want to add to my general thoughts on the Amherst v. Bates game. As an Amherst dad I'm focused on what Amherst is doing well, and can do better.

But I want to give some credit to Bates. I said at halftime that the tie was no fluke. Last year the Bobcats conceded more rushing yards than any other defense. This time around it definitely seems like Bates is bringing more to the table as they are getting more familiar with new schemes. Props to Coach Hall and the Bobcats. The CAC is better when every team is improving and competing at the highest level.

WRT the Amherst run game, there is more to it than a RB. I think Nate Richam-Odoi's numbers from Sarurday can attest to that. Some consider him to be the best RB in the league. He was held to 60 yards.

The Mammoths lost 3 or 4 Senior Offensive Linemen and, I believe, a Junior transferred. They have a few fresh faces at several offensive positions and they still rushed for 157yds on the day. There was at least 1 run of 10+yds by 3 ball carriers and the screen pass was good for 14+ per attempt.

My concerns are not with personnel, however biased I may be, but with current execution which may be expected in the first game. I would certainly suggest Eberth not pull the ball so often to run it himself on that option. It is effective, but risky to have him run so much. He is too good to lose to injury. And it looked like he did get shaken up once last game.

The only other thing that is concerning is the rush between the tackles didnt seem to be there. Consistent gains of 2 or 3 yards but that won't be enough to keep teams honest at the LOS. That may be where Hickey is most missed.

I have confidence that the coaches and players will get the run game tweaked.
Dad out.