Last comment on the Bethel -Sasquatch game, on the final possession when Bethel had to line up after 25 yards of penalties, the QB lateraled the ball after receiving a lateral himself, but the QB lateraled from the 50 entirely across the field to #18, #18 could have cut to the sideline and had what looked like a clear path to the end zone , instead he cut into the middle of the field and the circus of laterals and fumbles followed. Now if #18 would have scampered down the sideline for a TD, that would have been the most incredible ending. Instead we are left with the Bethel coach whining about a legit holding call. Sasquatch is lucky, for sure, and has the spirit of old Amos Alonzo Stagg( Sasquatch coach from 1947-1952 at the age of 85) behind them going out to NCC. Good luck boys.

 The Ivy League has agreed to participate in the NCAA Division I FCS playoffs, starting with the 2025 season. The league had long ended its season at the end of the regular season. Marks a distinct shift for Ivy League football, which can now play for national title.

The genesis of the idea for the Ivy League to play in FCS playoffs came via a proposal from Ivy League student athletes. The proposal from the league's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) was approved Tuesday by a vote of the Ivy League Council of Presidents. - Pete Thamel ESPN

will NESCAC do the same?

Quote from: Garnet on December 18, 2024, 09:06:39 AMThe Ivy League has agreed to participate in the NCAA Division I FCS playoffs, starting with the 2025 season. The league had long ended its season at the end of the regular season. Marks a distinct shift for Ivy League football, which can now play for national title.

The genesis of the idea for the Ivy League to play in FCS playoffs came via a proposal from Ivy League student athletes. The proposal from the league's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) was approved Tuesday by a vote of the Ivy League Council of Presidents. - Pete Thamel ESPN

will NESCAC do the same?

Will be fascinating to watch.  I have to think the recent tournament changes make it slightly less likely, as the jump from a 9 game schedule to the new 4 month gauntlet is quite the leap. 

Would certainly change the D3F landscape.  They would take up an AQ, and probably another Pool C bid (or two) a year.  We'd never hear the end of it from the Region 4-6 guys, particularly if they're retained the closed schedule.  But maybe the would add an out of conference game - I would sure love to see Union bring back its old Hamilton rivalry game.

And if the NESCAC schools decided they wanted to compete in football the way they do in other sports, the landscape might be very, very different.  I'm not sure that the numbers required for football would permit that without putting pressure on some of their academic stats, but if they wanted to deploy their considerable advantages in football, they certainly could, and would probably produce title contenders (like they do in almost every other sport).

It would definitely put pressure on the roster limit, where I suspect 100 is more sustainable over a 10-plus game season rather than where it's at now.

Finally the Ivies have agreed to postseason play in football.  It is strange, though, since 3 months ago the Ivy Presidents came out strongly denouncing NIL usage in the Ivies.  I am sure that some of the powerhouse Ivy programs will be playing on championship games very soon.

Would be fantastic if the NESCAC joins the playoff pool, and starts playing some OOC games.  Can only enhance the competition in the Northeast. 

Quote from: Garnet on December 18, 2024, 09:06:39 AMThe Ivy League has agreed to participate in the NCAA Division I FCS playoffs, starting with the 2025 season. The league had long ended its season at the end of the regular season. Marks a distinct shift for Ivy League football, which can now play for national title.

The genesis of the idea for the Ivy League to play in FCS playoffs came via a proposal from Ivy League student athletes. The proposal from the league's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) was approved Tuesday by a vote of the Ivy League Council of Presidents. - Pete Thamel ESPN

will NESCAC do the same?

I think the Ivies declaring for the Football playoffs is critical to recruit and retain the best players, especially since they do not participate in the NIL world at this time. As far as the NESCAC, I think they are less likely to enter the D3 Football playoffs , especially with the extended format, but it would be great if they reconsider. That said ,it is not consistent when all of the other sports participate in the NCAA Championships. 

Quote from: Pat Coleman on December 18, 2024, 11:33:44 AMIt would definitely put pressure on the roster limit, where I suspect 100 is more sustainable over a 10-plus game season rather than where it's at now.

Indeed.  Though a reasonable roster limit is not such a bad idea for all of D3.  (I'm looking at you, UMHB.)

Quote from: unionpalooza on December 18, 2024, 05:08:40 PM

Quote from: Pat Coleman on December 18, 2024, 11:33:44 AMIt would definitely put pressure on the roster limit, where I suspect 100 is more sustainable over a 10-plus game season rather than where it's at now.

Indeed.  Though a reasonable roster limit is not such a bad idea for all of D3.  (I'm looking at you, UMHB.)

UMHB is hardly the largest. Methodist typically has 200 or more. It's all about getting tuition-paying bodies.

Quote from: Pat Coleman on December 18, 2024, 05:12:29 PM

Quote from: unionpalooza on December 18, 2024, 05:08:40 PM

Quote from: Pat Coleman on December 18, 2024, 11:33:44 AMIt would definitely put pressure on the roster limit, where I suspect 100 is more sustainable over a 10-plus game season rather than where it's at now.

Indeed.  Though a reasonable roster limit is not such a bad idea for all of D3.  (I'm looking at you, UMHB.)

UMHB is hardly the largest. Methodist typically has 200 or more. It's all about getting tuition-paying bodies.

Well just counted 200+ on the Mt Union team photo......

Quote from: Pat Coleman on December 18, 2024, 05:12:29 PM

Quote from: unionpalooza on December 18, 2024, 05:08:40 PM

Quote from: Pat Coleman on December 18, 2024, 11:33:44 AMIt would definitely put pressure on the roster limit, where I suspect 100 is more sustainable over a 10-plus game season rather than where it's at now.

Indeed.  Though a reasonable roster limit is not such a bad idea for all of D3.  (I'm looking at you, UMHB.)

UMHB is hardly the largest. Methodist typically has 200 or more. It's all about getting tuition-paying bodies.

As a great example, in 2024, Hartwick's roster had 51 players listed as freshmen. They had a first year/transfer incoming class of 374. The last year I could find a gender breakdown was in 2021-2022 had it at about 60-40 Female to Male. That would mean ~150 male students.

So, very roughly speaking, 1/3 of Hartwick of Hartwick's incoming male class this year was the football team. It's probably not a surprise then that their VP of Enrollment has "and athletics" at the end of his title.

Mind you, none of what I said above is a criticism. It's just how it is. We're all fighting for students. Capping rosters would be an absolute death sentence for some of these schools. Even if these kids don't stay on the football team for 4 years, they may stay at the school.

Agree with IC, let the D3 Colleges make their own decisions on football roster size. The NCAA has plenty of other issues to complicate.

How about a good ole East Region end of the year top ten?

I need to think about mine but will post soon. Love to see what you guys think. Hope you are all well and having a great Thursday.

Quote from: IC798891 on December 18, 2024, 10:01:10 PM

Quote from: Pat Coleman on December 18, 2024, 05:12:29 PM

Quote from: unionpalooza on December 18, 2024, 05:08:40 PM

Quote from: Pat Coleman on December 18, 2024, 11:33:44 AMIt would definitely put pressure on the roster limit, where I suspect 100 is more sustainable over a 10-plus game season rather than where it's at now.

Indeed.  Though a reasonable roster limit is not such a bad idea for all of D3.  (I'm looking at you, UMHB.)

UMHB is hardly the largest. Methodist typically has 200 or more. It's all about getting tuition-paying bodies.

As a great example, in 2024, Hartwick's roster had 51 players listed as freshmen. They had a first year/transfer incoming class of 374. The last year I could find a gender breakdown was in 2021-2022 had it at about 60-40 Female to Male. That would mean ~150 male students.

So, very roughly speaking, 1/3 of Hartwick of Hartwick's incoming male class this year was the football team. It's probably not a surprise then that their VP of Enrollment has "and athletics" at the end of his title.

Mind you, none of what I said above is a criticism. It's just how it is. We're all fighting for students. Capping rosters would be an absolute death sentence for some of these schools. Even if these kids don't stay on the football team for 4 years, they may stay at the school.

I definitely get all this.  It would be nice to have some real data on the outcomes, though.  If you bring in all those extra freshman and most stick around and graduate in four or five years, I'm all for it.  But if half those 51 freshmen end up with no degree and several years of student loans, then I feel like that's a crappy way to keep the doors open. Hopefully it's the former, but I have my doubts. 

Quote from: unionpalooza on December 19, 2024, 09:27:49 PMI definitely get all this.  It would be nice to have some real data on the outcomes, though.  If you bring in all those extra freshman and most stick around and graduate in four or five years, I'm all for it.  But if half those 51 freshmen end up with no degree and several years of student loans, then I feel like that's a crappy way to keep the doors open. Hopefully it's the former, but I have my doubts. 

Per the Hartwick quick facts from 2021-2022, their six year grad rate was 58% and their six year grade rate for student-athletes was 62.9%. This actually undersells the difference, because athletes are a part of that 58%. Obviously, this doesn't answer the football specific question, but this also lines up with what I have heard from IC, where yield, retention, and grad rates are all higher among student-athletes than non.

Quote from: Ice Bear on December 19, 2024, 11:02:19 AMHow about a good ole East Region end of the year top ten?

I need to think about mine but will post soon. Love to see what you guys think. Hope you are all well and having a great Thursday.

Susquehanna/Johns Hopkins
Johns Hopkins/Susquehanna
Triple-Option School
Carnegie-Mellon
Triple-Option School
Hobart/Cortland
Grove City
Endicott
Cortland/Hobart
Mass-Darthmouth/Kings College