Hearing that the preliminary meeting between Forth and Tampa Bay went well- they are interested in his size and athletic ability. Main focus will be on the mass is he able to put on from now until the draft. Not surprised with any of this information. Obviously, draft is unlikely, so they will monitor the situation towards the end of the season and the spring. Still a long shot and mostly speculative, but heard that Bucs scouts were in Williamstown, so that speculation is real. Interested if anyone else in the NESCAC will gain NFL attention along with Forth and Perry. Unlikely that anyone that does not play in the trenches gathers any attention. 

Quote from: Ephswatcher101 on November 16, 2024, 03:53:42 PM

Quote from: Hogz on November 15, 2024, 10:14:53 PMAny ideas of what O linemen and D linemen will make the all NESCAC team? I know forth from Williams and Perry from Middlebury are guaranteed selections.

I heard Williams OG Forth has a try out with the Tampa Bay Bucs, has anybody else heard this?

I have heard this, as well. Wishing him all the best.

Landolfi is a stud and easily one of the more underrated players in the league

Quote from: Nescacman on October 08, 2024, 01:01:19 AM

Quote from: Brady12 on October 07, 2024, 08:36:00 PMFischetti is the key.  If he has a 5th year he will be huge in the development of the Ephs passing game.

Before we anoint Mario Fischetti the next coming of Tyler Dinapoli, let's remember that he hasn't played more than 4 games in a season since his freshman year (2021), he has 7 career rushing TDs (also one receiving TD), and 26 career receptions. Sure he had a career day on Saturday, but it was against Bowdoin, who is last in the league in total defense and rushing defense.

When the guy plays a whole season and leads the NESCAC in rushing, come talk to us. Until then, let's relax. Nice player and we're sure an excellent person but he still has a lot to prove, IOO.

The Purple Cows win a few games against bottom tier teams and their peeps come out from their 3 year hibernation...welcome back...we miss Bobby Maimaron too.

As far as discussions on play-offs....spare us the pain please. Lumber, please help... 

Cold take, in my opinion. His injuries are the only thing that have held him back from being a top 5 player in the entire league. Most dynamic playmaker in the league when he is healthy, and I am kind of shocked that is up for debate.

Quote from: Nescacman on September 27, 2024, 12:29:40 PM

2024 Week 3 NESCACMAN Picks

Welcome to Week 3 in the NESCAC "in the league where they pay to play". After going 5-0 with our picks last week, we are off to one of our best starts ever picking NESCAC winners.

Our Game of the Week features Hartford State hosting the Ephs in the Coop in a battle of 2-0 teams. Other games that we will be watching are Tufts hosting the Lord Mammoths in Medford and Middlebury going for their second win in a row against Colby in Vermont.

Amherst College at Tufts University
Amherst NESCAC Ranks: Total Offense: 8/Total Defense: 1
Tufts NESCAC Ranks: Total Offense: 1/Total Defense: 4
#1 offense (Tufts) against the #1 defense (Amherst). Tufts looking for a rebound against another good defensive team in the Lord Mammoths. The Jumbo's will look to repeat their offensive and defensive performance of a year ago against the Lord Mammoths. Tufts has not won back-to-back games against Amherst since 2003/2004 and has not beaten the Lord Mammoths in Medford since 2007. On the positive side for Tufts, they are 3-0 the week after a loss the last 2 years. Tufts QB Michael Berlutti is still looking for his first TD pass of 2024. We think he gets at least one this week. On the negative side for Tufts, too many turnovers and the special teams, other than their place kicker, must be better. They miss RB Reece and WR Richardson from last year's squad. Only 2 of 8 chances in the red zone have resulted in TDs. Meanwhile, same old story that we have seen the last several years at Amherst...good defense and bad offense. Defense has only given up 2 TDs in two games. Despite the LMs 2-0 record thus far in 2024 (first 2-0 start for them since 2019), keep in mind that they achieved that against two of the weaker teams in the NESCAC. A positive for the Lord Mammoths is that new quarterback, Mason Morrow, is an improvement and is playing well.  Thus far, he has not been sacked which certainly helps.
Why Amherst will win: Good defense and better play at QB. Continued solid production from their new starting RBs.
Why Tufts will win: Best player on the field (Berlutti), play well at home, and they have bounced back from defeat well over the last couple of seasons.
KTV for Amherst: Contain the Tufts QB. Run the ball and control the clock to keep the ball out of the Tufts offense hands. Amherst defense will need to keep this game low scoring for them to have a shot at a win.
KTV for Tufts: Offense needs to establish a running game to set-up the Tufts passing game. Need to improve on special teams and avoid costly mistakes. Players to watch: QB Mason Morrow (AMH), WR Owen Gaydos (AMH), LB Luke Harmon (AMH), QB Michael Berlutti (TUF), WR Cade Moore (TUF), RB Christian Shapiro (TUF).
Game Summary: This will be a hard-fought game won in the trenches. Amherst is improved but their lack of a dynamic offense will hurt them on the road at Tufts. Tufts plays well at home, and we think they win a relatively close game to get to 2-1 and stay in title contention.
 
Tufts 21 Amherst 10
Point Spread: Tufts -10
Weather (courtesy of The Weather Channel): Partly sunny. High of 69.

Colby College at Middlebury College
Colby NESCAC Ranks: Total Offense: 6/Total Defense: 7
Middlebury NESCAC Ranks: Total Offense: 5/Total Defense: 8
Middlebury has played 4 halves of football this year and only one of them have been good. Fortunately, they did enough in the 2nd half of last week's game against Bowdoin to get their first win. Colby should be another good test for the defending NESCAC champions. Middlebury's rushing defense will need to be better as they sit at 9th in the NESCAC. Last week the Mules could have come away with the win at home against the Ephs. Colby will need to be better on offense and in pass coverage (9th in the NESCAC) to get the win.
Why Colby will win: Good defense and they are getting better QB play.
Why Middlebury will win: Carry over momentum from Win #1 and strong 2nd half vs. Bowdoin. Home field advantage.
KTV for Colby: Offense must be better and score TDs. On defense, they need to force turnovers.
KTV for Middlebury: Star players need to step up as they did against Bowdoin. Stop the Colby passing attack.
Players to watch: QB Miles Drake (COL), WR Duke Ferrara (COL), RB Keon Smart. (COL), LB Julian Young (COL), QB Brian Moran (MID), WR Patrick Jamin (MID), DL Tomas Kenary (MID), DT Dave Filias (MID), DB Rocco Stolla (MID).
Game Summary: Middlebury plays well at home having only lost once in HCOF Mandigo's tenure. This game is one that they must win to stay in the hunt for the NESCAC title. We expect a close, relatively low scoring game with the Pants coming out on top.

Middlebury 21 Colby 14
Point Spread: Middlebury -7
Weather: Partly cloudy. High of 73.

Hamilton College at Bowdoin College
Hamilton NESCAC Ranks: Total Offense: 9/Total Defense: 10
Bowdoin NESCAC Ranks: Total Offense: 7/Total Defense: 9
Two 0-2 teams looking for their first win at Bowdoin's homecoming. Unlike Middlebury, Bowdoin has played well in 3 of their 4 quarters of football thus far in 2024. Unfortunately, they have nothing to show for it. The Polars defense was effective in week 1 and shut down Middlebury in the first half of last week's game. Unfortunately, the sky came crashing down on them as they allowed 32 unanswered points to Middlebury. QB Robbie Long is second in the NESCAC in rushing. Senior DL Aidan Reidy has been strong for the Polars on defense (2 sacks and 4.5 TFL). On the other side of the field, Hamilton has thus far been one of the weaker teams in the conference again in 2024 despite having one of the best receivers in the league in Chester Boynton. This is the first of four tough games in a row for the Conts.
Why Hamilton will win: Hamilton runs the ball effectively allowing QB Kurzum to find Boynton down the field and the control the clock.
Why Bowdoin will win: Long bus trip for Hamilton and Bowdoin has more talent, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. Playing at Whittier helps.
KTV for Hamilton: Generate some offense behind QB Luke Kurzum. Contain the dual headed Bowdoin QB. Stop the run to force Bowdoin to throw, which has been a challenge for them thus far this year. Give their QB more time to throw. Run the ball well for a change.
KTV for Bowdoin: More balanced offense. Avoid turnovers. Play a complete game. Players to watch: QB Luke Kurzum (HAM), WR Chester Boynton (HAM), DB Kyle Bratcher (HAM), LB Koy Price (BOW), QB Robbie Long (BOW).
Game Summary: Very important game for both teams to get their first win of 2024. We think Bowdoin is more motivated than Hamilton and has the edge in Brunswick.

Bowdoin 28 Hamilton 14
Point Spread: Bowdoin -10
Weather: Partly cloudy. High of 69.

University of Bates (Lewiston Campus) at Wesleyan University
UBates NESCAC Ranks: Total Offense: 10/Total Defense: 3
Wesleyan NESCAC Ranks: Total Offense: 2/Total Defense: 6.
This once sleepy match-up has become a great rivalry since Wes grad, former QB, and coach Matt Coyne became head man at UBates. The Kitties, starting mostly freshman and sophomores (12 including 2 on the offensive line) and running a new offense, have struggled thus far in 2024. However, the defense is showing signs of dramatic improvement (23.5 ppg in 2024 vs. 34.7 ppg in 2023) while the offense has continued to struggle. In particular, the UBates passing game (last in the NESCAC) has had its challenges completing only 12 passes all year and throwing 6 interceptions. Although they have played 3 QBs thus far in 2024, we expect to see a lot of Soph signal caller Seneca Moore in this one. The running game has been improved led by Super Soph RB Ryan Lynskey, who leads the NESCAC in rushing through the first two weeks of the season. Meanwhile, Wesleyan is off to a fast start winning their first two game against two of the better teams in the conference. They have beaten UBates 17 straight times dating back to 2005, haven't lost to UBates at home since 1981, and the Cards play very well at home on the Andrus turf. Wesleyan's offensive line continues to do an excellent job of opening holes to run the ball effectively (Wes leads the NESCAC in rushing). Wes WR Chase Wilson continues to excel leading the NESCAC in receiving yards through 2 games. The Cardinal defense, led by their front 7, will need to stop the UBates ground game. The defense has been very good thus far in 2024 holding their opponents to 19% on 3rd downs, they lead the league in sacks (10), and have recovered 5 fumbles. The challenge for Wesleyan is to not look past UBates and take them lightly.
Why UBates will win: The Kitties run the ball effectively and show some semblance of a passing game. Wesleyan takes the Frisky Kitties lightly and look past them leading to an upset.
Why Wesleyan will win: Wesleyan has had UBates number for years, they play well at home, and they have superior talent.
KTV for UBates: Run Ryan, run! Avoid costly turnovers. Stop big Wesleyan plays.
KTV for Wesleyan: Run the ball to set up the pass. Stop the UBates triple option running attack, which is very tough to simulate in practice. Wes leads the NESCAC in sacks so we expect them to get to the QB when the Kitties decide to throw, which has not been often in 2024.
Players to watch: QB Colton Bosselait (UB), QB Seneca Moore (UB), RB Ryan Lynskey (UB), LB Ryan Rozich (UB), QB Niko Candido (WES), WR Chase Wilson (WES), LB Ben Carbeau (WES), DB Dylan Connors (WES), DB Wesley Abraham (WES), DB Nick Donatio (WES). 
Game Summary: UBates is improved but not enough to keep up with the Cards. We think they are still a year away. Wes O-line will need to continue to be good. We expect this game to be somewhat competitive for a while, but Wesleyan's superior talent and depth will allow them to pull away and get their third win of 2024. 

Wesleyan 31 UBates 10
Point Spread: Wesleyan -17
Weather: Cloudy. High of 73.

NESCAC Game of the Week

Williams College at Hartford State College
Williams NESCAC Ranks: Total Offense: 3/Total Defense: 5
Hartford State NESCAC Ranks: Total Offense: 4/Total Defense: 2
And the Hartford State train keeps on rolling. Tougher test for the Bantams this week as they face the upstart Ephs in the Coop. Our game of the week features 2-0 teams facing off. Historically, the Ephs have played the Bantams tough. Although the Ephs are improved this year, we expect a close game but a Bantam victory. Ephs second year QB Owen McHugh has been excellent completing over 75% of his passes and throwing 6 TDs and no INTs. Tougher test for the Ephs this week as they barely held on to beat Colby last week. On the Hartford State side of the ball, they need to continue to pound the rock to set up the pass. QB Zander Zembrowski has picked up where Spencer Fetter left off for the Bants and has been very good. The HS defense has been good yielding only 7 points per game thus far in 2024. One negative for the Bants, they are last in the NESCAC in penalties.
Why Williams will win: Williams continues to avoid turnovers and creates a few Bantam turnovers. If they can jump out to a quick lead, watch out. 
Why Hartford State will win: They play very well at the friendly confines of the Coop and their two-headed monster at RB wears down the Eph defense.
KTV for Williams: McHugh continues to mature. Run the ball well. Put pressure on the new Bantam QB.
KTV for Hartford State: Run the ball effectively. Put pressure on McHugh. Avoid penalties.
Players to watch: QB Owen McHugh (WIL), LB Luke Mangini (WIL), RB Mario Fischetti (WIL), WR/DB Holden Gering (WIL), QB Zander Zembrowski (HS), RB Tyler Dinapoli (HS), RB Jack Tosone (HS), WR Sean Clapp (HS)
Game Summary: We expect a completive game with Hartford State getting the win at home.

Hartford State 28 Williams 17
Point Spread: Hartford State -10
Weather: Cloudy. High of 73.

Good luck to all the student-athletes and coaches this Saturday!

NESCACMAN's Picks:
2024 Season: 9-1
2023 Season: 31-14
2022 Season: 31-14
2021 Season: 33-12
2020 Season: 0-0 (COVID)
2019 Season: 33-12
2018 Season: 36-9
2017 Season: 35-10
2016 Season: 32-8
2015 Season: 30-10
2014 Season: 30-10
2013 Season: 32-8
Career: 332-108 (.755 winning percentage)

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Follow NESCACMAN on X (aka Twitter) @realnescacman

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I agree with all these picks besides one. I am taking the Ephs over the Bantams... think it will be a statement win for Williams with a strong game for McHugh and great defense and ST. Trinity is clearly a good squad but, to me, a massive problem is their lack of discipline. You mentioned the lead the NESCAC in penalties; those are the types of things that lose teams close games. Why are they so undisciplined...? Not sure, but that will eventually hurt them, and I suspect it will be tomorrow.

Taking a step away from the Nescacman/Trin9-0 beef for a moment, I want to talk about an aspect of the Williams team that, in my opinion, has played a massive role in their 2-0 start. Obviously, the QB play and stout defense is always critical when examining a team's current and potential success, but their special teams unit has been sensational too. In their opening game against Hamilton, their punt and kickoff unit had some great, field changing plays. A massive hit by #36 Beaubien on punt really set the tone for the rest of the game. Watching the Williams team celebrate this hit, and the Hamilton squad look defeated, it seemed to me that this play by Beaubien, albeit rather minor, played a major role in the overall game. Their kicker, Ivan Shuran, has been lights out on kickoffs and field goals/PAT. Additionally, Leonardo Maiuolo (Williams Punter) is second in punting average, something that is - obviously - crucial in flipping the field and changing momentum. I was worried about how they were going to replace their previous punter, Tim Brown (widely known for being a penalty drawing magician), but it seems that Maiuolo has suppressed any of my further doubts.

Score predictions for this week:

17-7 Amherst over Hamilton
35-10 Trinity over Bates
21-17 Midd over Bowdoin
28-7 Williams over Colby
35-31 Tufts over Wes

Interesting to see Midd roster and the loss of WR Donovan Wood. Obviously, he was a massive part of that offense and his departure is something that is not being talked about enough. One guy who may step up in a major way is TE Liam High. A transitioned LB, High saw some action on the offensive side of the ball last year, showing a firm schematic understanding of the run game and a strong point of attack while blocking. He will need to drastically improve his receiving abilities - with one of the worst drops I have ever seen in last years game vs Williams - but I hear that he is a very hard worker and beloved within the locker room. If he can piece it all together, he may prove to be greatly important in an offense that is going to need another playmaker to emerge.

Also, great to see CB Teddy Daniel named captain. As one of the premier punt blockers in the entire nation during 2022 (seriously, he was statistically a top 5 punt blocker across all NCAA levels), he finally gets some recognition for his scrappy play and dedication to the little aspects of the game.

Anyone who rejects the idea of Midd being the sole league champion confuses me. I understand the "technical" rules, but anyone that has played understands the reality of who are the champs. I bet all those guys on Trinity last season would admit that too. Sure, Trinity was the best team last year, but that's the beauty of sports and especially in the NESCAC... should have showed up and played better on that particular Saturday. 

Exciting times as NESCAC teams are all reporting to camp in the next day or two. Personally, I see the league being weaker than previous years which leaves the door open for some under-the-radar teams to make some noise this year. Obviously, Trinity and Midd are coming off great years but both squads lost key players. Wes is returning key skill players and QB, but their o-line was objectively weak with the exception of one kid. Tufts returns the best QB and a solid core, but they haven't seem to put it all together in recent years. Can Hamilton make a little bit of noise this year after showing a glimpse of some hope in last years OT win vs Tufts? Hamilton lacks talent but have by far and away the best punting talent in the league. That can prove vital in close games by stealing momentum and easing pressure on their defense. Maybe the Ephs can piece it all together again. I expect QB McHugh and RB #22 to be a tandem that is very frustrating to handle. Defense returns Landolfi and Scott who are very solid, capable players. Punting game still remains a question mark in my mind after the departure of key player Tim Brown. He was a penalty drawing machine which is, obviously, very under-appreciated. Should be a great year and looking forward to it.

Quote from: EphsML on August 13, 2024, 10:55:11 AMWEEK 1 Selections:

Amherst over Bates (14-7)

Trinity over Colby (42-7)

Williams over Hamilton (28-17)

Bowdoin over Tufts (21-14)

Middlebury over Wesleyan (28-10)

First post on the Boards. I agree with mostly everything here. I think Wes plays Midd closer than that but agree that they don't win. Not sure about Bowdoin, though, seems unlikely that they win. As for Williams, I see them winning against Hamilton and am curious to see how their punting game looks like season. They lost their senior punter from last season who was great at drawing penalties because of his slow-appearing motion then quick leg swing to create fast exit velocity. The nuances of his game were honestly special for those who cared for that aspect of the game. Regardless, I see them taking care of Hamilton. Trinity and Amherst are basically locks.