https://nescacfootballreport.com/2024-game-recaps/

I recall some Williams fans criticizing the OC for not opening up the playbook more, especially in the red zone.
I noticed from the game summary that Williams through 4 int.s v. Tufts.  It sounds as though
Williams may have won if they focused more on their strength: pounding the rock.  Since I did not see the game or watch film, I am wondering if that was the case?

I am looking forward to watching Hamilton's Tighe Hoey 6'2" 205 pound punter play in person this weekend.
He is No. 2 in D 3 at 45 yards per game. 
https://www.ncaa.com/stats/football/d3/current/individual/17

45 yards per punt

Nescacman,

First of all, Congratulations to Bates. Great win for their program. As I detailed in my half time analysis, Bates had a great game plan and executed it well.

As I mentioned, the 25.5 line wasn't a line I set. It was simply the line I was on the wrong side of this weekend. So please, do not bash my friend's reputable sports book on this board. Come after me. I'm a grown man. I can take it. Leave him out of this. This was the same book who set the Trinity v Middlebury game as even money, which was wildly accurate and fair. Nescacman, if you were so confident in Bates, I gave you the option to get in at the 25.5 line. I told you to Personal Message me and I would refer you to my friend in South Florida. You never did. So you had the option to put your money where your mouth was, but you didn't. I will admit, the Golden Corral buffet didn't quite taste the same Saturday night. But, they kept the bar open late for me which was much needed. Panthers are still very much in the hunt.

- Honcho, NESCAC Legend

GroundAndPound, while a few of us DID want Williams to open up its playbook, they went completely in that direction to the point of being bizarre, I just did not understand a few of the decisions in this one, there kind of has to be a happy medium between never throwing down the field and throwing the ball into tight coverage in clear run-favoring situations. 

The craziest was early in the game Williams had the ball in the red zone in a second and two situation, and threw THREE straight incomplete passes (none of which were even close), coming away with nothing.  That as an absolutely critical possession and to not run even once on those three plays, or maybe throw a very short safe pass to a FB/TB, really twice if you are planning to go for it on fourth, is insane.  Especially on a day when (1) McHugh for whatever reason was sailing his passes much of the game and (2) Tufts was blanketing receivers (other than a few times when Stahelski broke free way down the field, there just didn't seem to be a lot of receivers getting open), but the running attack was generally working well.  JUst have McHugh run it on one of those plays!  Williams also threw a bunch of times at Richardson, never successfully it seemed like, which I did not understand.  The Ephs also HAD to get three points at the end of the first rather than trying to force a bad pass into a ton of traffic. Both the play calls and the execution by McHugh need to improve because Tufts were all over the Eph deep passes most of the game. 

A few other notes from the game:

(1) Williams has a lot of trouble with powerful straight-ahead runners going right up the middle -- vs. Bates, Tufts, and Midd that was a big issue, and Shapiro murdered Williams with his physical style.  The Ephs interior line and inside LBs have to be stouter against those guys.  Williams really misses injured all-conference DL Cam Smith. The young DL are very talented but probably need some time to get stronger to raise the level of that unit. 

(2) Tim Landolfi was however awesome on Saturday, leading the team in tackles in his first game back from injury despite playing with a huge cast on his hand.  Kudos to him. 

(3) The Eph pass coverage was the best I've seen all season, the DBs were really locking down Tufts receivers most of the game.  Some better health in that unit has certainly helped. 

(4) Johansen has incredible hands and made several very difficult catches in the game.  He's an incredible all-around athlete and I'd make him the top option in the passing game these next two weeks.  He threw a pretty looking pass on the gadget play as well, too bad the Tufts DB read it the entire way and was there for the pick.  I liked the idea of it! 

But really, McHugh needs to get his mojo back for the Ephs to beat Wesleyan next week, it's as simple as that, especially with Fischetti, tragically, almost surely finished this year.  And the Ephs needs to do everything to make anyone but Chase Wilson burn them on the other end. 

Nescac1, thank you for the thorough summary.  I believe Williams can beat Wesleyan if (1) they win the turnover battle by plus 2; (2) average about 4 yards per carry; (3) get at least four sacks.  I hope they can do all three.
Go Ephs!!!!

Williams I thought recruited a few RB Marvan from Choate and another player who escapes me. Where they not the big RB that Williams liked or did these kids not pan out. It seems like they are constantly waiting for Fischetti to get healthy. I think it is sad that because of the academics and admissions they can't recruit more players to be competitive.

In terms of your frustration let's not forget what Trinity did for two years against Middlebury. Each time they play Middlebury comes out in a Cover two and forces Trinity to throw in front of the DB or run the ball. For two years Trinity moves the ball into opposition territory then when they get on the 30 yard line of opponents end try to throw the ball for the  quick 6 points to no avail. Remember last year Trinity kicked something like four field goals because they got away from the run and short passing.

These Coaches for some odd reason when something works they get away from it and call some real bizarre plays rather then stick to what the defense gives them. A win is a win you dont' have to beat every team by double digit points.

Quote from: GroundandPound on October 28, 2024, 11:10:16 AMhttps://nescacfootballreport.com/2024-game-recaps/

I recall some Williams fans criticizing the OC for not opening up the playbook more, especially in the red zone.
I noticed from the game summary that Williams through 4 int.s v. Tufts.  It sounds as though
Williams may have won if they focused more on their strength: pounding the rock.  Since I did not see the game or watch film, I am wondering if that was the case?

I am looking forward to watching Hamilton's Tighe Hoey 6'2" 205 pound punter play in person this weekend.
He is No. 2 in D 3 at 45 yards per game. 
https://www.ncaa.com/stats/football/d3/current/individual/17

They lost 22 Fishchetti to injury on his 3rd carry and that had to have some impact on game play calling, but you are correct on relying on your strength. I think had 22 been in game the pass plays (int's in the endzone) may have had a better chance of success as the defense would have most likely been defending against the run. #12 McHugh's accuracy was off all game.

I don't know what to think about Tuft's after this game.  If you told me Williams would throw 4 ints, lose 22 to injury and 12 would have a bad game, I would have predicted Tufts by 20+ not a 3 point victory. 

Yes, Williams battled Tufts. Despite flipping the rock 4 times and losing a top if not THE top RB in the 'CAC, the mighty Ephs still almost pulled out a win against Tufts.  I think Williams OL and DL may be the difference maker this weekend.  Get those big boys fired up!!!

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

Charlie, Marvan is on the roster but is deep on the depth chart after a devastating injury kept him out last year.  Hopefully he can get back to 100 percent and compete for carries behind Oris next season. 

Quote from: nescac1 on October 28, 2024, 12:40:33 PM(4) Johansen has incredible hands and made several very difficult catches in the game.  He's an incredible all-around athlete and I'd make him the top option in the passing game these next two weeks.  He threw a pretty looking pass on the gadget play as well, too bad the Tufts DB read it the entire way and was there for the pick.  I liked the idea of it!


LUMBERCAT WROTE-

A nice account of things in Williamstown by N1.

I remember writing a post around 2 years ago regarding a very impressive group of Quarterbacks in the Williams recruiting class that year.

Johansen, Renzella, Carroll and McHugh.

The one that really stood out to me at the time was Joahansen. I said he would have a significant impact in NESCAC Football. I thought it was going to be at the QB position though it was obvious from his tape that he could easily excel at LB, SS or other positions.

As it turns out McHugh is the guy at QB but Johansen's talent is showing at another position after losing a year to injury.

Carrol was moved to DB and looks like a mainstay in the Ephs secondary.

Only Renzella remains as a QB. Hope he sees the field at some point. He has very good QB talent. (I know Amherst would probably love to have him though I'm not condoning or suggesting transfer- this is the NESCAC)

While this scenario was predictable and makes sense it's funny how things play out. I saw McHugh locally here in HS and knew he would be successful in the NESCAC but I didn't think it would unfold as it did. I thought Johansen might be the guy at QB with McHugh changing positions but I'm sure the Ephs staff, who are on the job and have seen each of them from day one, have made the right decision.

Later learned from reliable sources in the area that now departed Ephs Asst who was recruiting McHugh was very forthright in his indication that the QB job would very likely be his if he was to commit to the Purple.

McHugh subsequently decommitted from a deal to play D1 Baseball at UMass- Lowell.
I think he made a good choice.

I think Johansen will have a great career at TE. Believe he is tecnically a red shirt FY if he chooses that route with the Ephs.

Sometimes a kid just jumps off the tape as a can't miss NESCAC prospect. To me Johansen was one of those guys.

Another Eph recruit I posted on who stood out as a can't miss guy was Holden Gehring. Looks like he is living up to his full potential at Williams.

Both scenarios are clear indications of the great job Williams continues to do in recruiting despite very high academic standards.

Quote from: Brady12 on October 28, 2024, 03:01:36 PM

Quote from: GroundandPound on October 28, 2024, 11:10:16 AMhttps://nescacfootballreport.com/2024-game-recaps/

I recall some Williams fans criticizing the OC for not opening up the playbook more, especially in the red zone.
I noticed from the game summary that Williams through 4 int.s v. Tufts.  It sounds as though
Williams may have won if they focused more on their strength: pounding the rock.  Since I did not see the game or watch film, I am wondering if that was the case?

I am looking forward to watching Hamilton's Tighe Hoey 6'2" 205 pound punter play in person this weekend.
He is No. 2 in D 3 at 45 yards per game. 
https://www.ncaa.com/stats/football/d3/current/individual/17

They lost 22 Fishchetti to injury on his 3rd carry and that had to have some impact on game play calling, but you are correct on relying on your strength. I think had 22 been in game the pass plays (int's in the endzone) may have had a better chance of success as the defense would have most likely been defending against the run. #12 McHugh's accuracy was off all game.

I don't know what to think about Tuft's after this game.  If you told me Williams would throw 4 ints, lose 22 to injury and 12 would have a bad game, I would have predicted Tufts by 20+ not a 3 point victory. 

Personally I think this is about the lack of explosiveness on the offense for tufts this year. They still have tons of talent but they seem to be lacking the GUY that they have 2 or 3 of each of the last couple years. I expected Berluti to be able to make up the difference but he was much more productive the last two years.

He had 2 legitimate division 1 receivers for the start of his career. It's pretty obvious that they made him, not the other way around. Berluti is certainly no slouch, but I'm sure if you gave Amherst's QB (whichever one they choose to play) Richardson and Lutz, they would have the same kind of success. Those guys were just better than everyone else.

Quote from: NESCACFball24/7 on October 28, 2024, 07:30:04 PMPersonally I think this is about the lack of explosiveness on the offense for tufts this year. They still have tons of talent but they seem to be lacking the GUY that they have 2 or 3 of each of the last couple years. I expected Berluti to be able to make up the difference but he was much more productive the last two years.

I am real happy for Bates College and even though they only have 2 wins to show for it this team has played hard all year. I think Coach Coyne has them going in good direction. They lost to Trinity which I beleive many thought they would but played hard despite the score. They should have beaten Amherst , Colby and Williams. I think they have a great deal of postivity moving forward. I think this and some more good recruiting classes and they can make a hard push for the middle to upper eichelon of the League

Not to look past their respective games against the Mammoths and Ephs, but if the Bants and Cards both take care of business this weekend it would set up just the fifth time that Trinity and Wesleyan entered the final game of the year with two or fewer combined losses since the NESCAC was formed in 1970.

The Bantams have faired well in those contests, winning each game by an average of nearly 28 points; twice completing undefeated seasons and winning three titles. Despite their perfect season being spoiled in 2013, Wes still ended up sharing a tri-championship with Amherst and Middlebury.

Year  Wesleyan    Trinity    Result 2016 6-1 7-0 Trinity Wins 45-21 2013 7-0 5-2 Trinity Wins 40-10 1993 6-1 7-0 Trinity Wins 32-8 1978 6-1 6-1 Trinity Wins 43-10