FB: American Rivers Conference

[bethelguy]

I was at most of the BU / BV game on Saturday. 

My perspective was that BU's defense was the difference.  Their D Line was in the backfield much of the afternoon and their DBacks had several pass deflections because of very good coverage.  BV had 161 total yards of offense and 60 of that was on 1 long pass play in the 4th qtr that was followed by an interception by the same corner who was beat on the big play.  BV's defense was good getting to the ball and disrupted Bethel's passing game just enough to knock them off their rhythm.

The didn't feel as close as the score indicated.  But BV made the better half time adjustments and kept themselves in the game till the end. 

[Charlie Kohawk]

Welcome to the board Ulysses III. This board could use some Cornell representation. I hope you'll stick around when the going gets Ram tough.

[Ash Park]

I am a long time reader so I guess it is time to start posting as well. I agree the rams looked good in their opener. The problem cornell has faced in the past and may face this year as well but will soon change with Dillon ahold of the reins is depth. Most of their 22 are as good as anybody in the conference, but after that there is a HUGE drop off. IF they can stay healthy they can make some noise. I think it will take a couple of years for Dillon to get things turned completely around. Obviously it will take longer to be consitently at the top with the Centrals, Coes and Wartburgs of the conference.

Northwestern was a good game for the Rams to see where they are at. This week will be extremely important for them before going into conference play as they travel to Michigan to play Alma college. Alma maybe the best offense they will see all year. The conference should be as always pretty interesting this year. Good Luck to all IIAC teams this weekend! 

[Walston Hoover]

I think it will be tough going for Cornell after teams get a few of their games on tape. You have to remember for these first few games no teams have any clue what they're going to do.

[Pain_Train]

Had to get a new password so I haven't been able to post for awhile but just wanted to say congrats Show on the newcomer to the family. Something tells me that you should have planned a little better so that she wasn't born during the football season but that's the ways of the world :-). Best of luck this weekend to all IIAC teams!

[Ash Park]

Walston you make a good point, but I still think Dillon is a very good coach and will make the adjustments accordingly. Just from watching one game and talking to some of the players his play calling is 100 times better than Reaslands ever was.

[Ulysses III]

You are absolutely right Ash Park; and thanks Charlie.  Depth always has been a problem for Cornell but I definitely see Cornell's roster increasing over the course of the next few years.  The biggest thing we need to do is take care of business early in the season and try our best to stay healthy to prepare us for one hell of a tough last couple of games.  This Saturday we will really get a taste of how well the Rams will be this season facing a team that averaged over 500 yds of total offense last year.  Whatever the circumstances, the Cornell coaching staff will find a way to keep the Rams competing, Coach Dillan has turned around every program he's been a part of, with exception to his one season stint last year, and I don't see this program being any different.

[dutchfan1]

Congrats, Show!! Your days of a full night's sleep are over!

Welcome newbies! Thank god we have some Cornell representation in here now!

Oldbeake -- Kaopectate, Kaopectate, Stop that Run. Seriously, you guys have been around for 60 years? Amazing -- you guys were almost abolished during the Maurer years. Speaking of the old kids, I'll sign a petition to change the name of Kuyper stadium to Kroloff stadium -- K-R-O-L-O-F-F.

[Walston Hoover]

Dillon may have had success at Dowling, but I wouldn't say he left on a high note.

[Confused77]

I agree Walston, but remember that Dillon did what many others could not do at Dowling, win a State title. He did it with the wing T. He knows the wing t and it is not just a bland ram the ball at you wing t it is a scary give d. coordinators headaches wing t. 500 yards a game against the Centrals, Coe's and Wartburgs probably will not happen, but they will move the ball. Notice, I did not say Dillon is going to be the savior, but I think he may have a decent chance at making them a consistant .500 ball club, which hasn't happend in Mt. Vernon since they left the MWC. We all know the 2001 season was very much a blip on the radar screen.

[thehouse76]

Hey all...

Sorry havent been on much, getting married soon and if you are married you can understand all the planning and crap that goes into all of it.  Anyways,  went to the Loras game last week and did see some good things.  My concern right now is that we are staying with the "going for the long ball" on every play.  What ever happened to using the 2 minute offense? Loras tried to march down the field in exactly 2 plays.  You try to live on the long ball, you will die by it too.  Some that should have been noticed was the St. Ambrose had their secondary playing deep to prevent the 30+ yard pass.  It may have been QB error, but I can just go by what I saw.  I was impressed with the running backs, they are short, but they run hard and that is what they need behind a strong O-line.  The defense I was also impressed with, they fly to the ball and are high geared which is something to get excited about.  Lets hope week 2 can bring some vast improvement.  Good Luck Duhawks!!   House

[Ash Park]

It is hard to tell if Dillon will be the "savior" for Cornell, but I wouldn't count against it. He has already brought so much change to this school and program that has been needed for a VERY LONG TIME. There is a lot more ram pride this year than there has ever been. Hopefully everything stays that way when things get tough. Don't get me wrong there is a lot of work to do and the people within the program know it and are up to the challenge. I want to see those coe vs cornell thrillers so hopefully things will get turned around.

[Former Ram]

I think that Coach Dillon is going to be a great thing for the hilltop.  He's running his system how he wants to, and the Rams are adding coaches so they are caught up with the rest of the league in that area.  It makes a difference when you have quality people teaching at every positional group.  With the added number of coaches, the Ram players will get even more instruction on how to run that Wing T.  I heard something crazy the other day that the Rams have something like 100 variations of formations and plays that they can run out of them.  I think the Rams are starting to put the right pieces in place towards being a competitive team again as long as they can increase their numbers.

[lorbec47]

So what's the pre-verdict on everyone for this weekend? Good luck to all...

[Ulysses III]

Sorry Walston, since I am a junior varsity member I can only recieve messages, I cant send them.  Im curious to know a little more about what kind of shape the program was in though.  Also in response to your email I am a former player.