FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[JEFFFAN]

Forget about the signal calling questions re Bowdoin.   What the Bears need is a commitment at the very top to build a football program and then, as a result, an ability on the part of the coaches to go out and get that talent.   They could have the original Dan Marino at QB and the team would still not be any good.   Caputi may have been a fine man, but either he was unable to recruit or the administration didn't give him the support required.   Say what we want about the excellence of the schools that reside in the bottom of the NESCAC - and they are outstanding schools - but it is damn hard to build a program into a contender from the current residence in the bottom of the barrel.   Very, very difficult with multiple years required.   It took Amherst years to get back from the post-Ostendarp years and we count our blessings every day for what EJ - with great support from the administration - has done.   I wish Bowdoin all the best in creating a football program that mirrors the excellence of the school.

[polbear73]

Forget about the signal calling questions re Bowdoin.   What the Bears need is a commitment at the very top to build a football program and then, as a result, an ability on the part of the coaches to go out and get that talent.   They could have the original Dan Marino at QB and the team would still not be any good.   Caputi may have been a fine man, but either he was unable to recruit or the administration didn't give him the support required.   Say what we want about the excellence of the schools that reside in the bottom of the NESCAC - and they are outstanding schools - but it is damn hard to build a program into a contender from the current residence in the bottom of the barrel.   Very, very difficult with multiple years required.   It took Amherst years to get back from the post-Ostendarp years and we count our blessings every day for what EJ - with great support from the administration - has done.   I wish Bowdoin all the best in creating a football program that mirrors the excellence of the school.

Nailed it, JEFFFAN

[amh63]

Boy, was away a little while and the pages keep filling up with posts.  Was at the eye doctor so as to avoid all the error filled mistakes I make in posts...anyway my plus Ks to the some fine posts I have read to date.
Nescacman....fine posts on the power ratings, etc.   WestCoastDad.....citing the 2014 Amherst game at Middlebury.
I took a look again at that Amherst Win at Middlebury in wet weather...7-6....via a Amherst highlight video of that 8-0 season.  It can be found via the Amherst athletic website on the u-tube button.  It also points out to me a number of the topics banter about while I was at the eye doctor.  First...the 2014 schedule is basically the same as this year except that Bates was the first game of the season.  Bates played Amherst tough...real tough for an Amherst team that was searching for an identity, IMO.
A senior QB not known as a passer..Lippe, all 6'6" of him...battling a soph QB Bertutti for the starting position.  Three tough road games...at Midd, at Wes, at Trinity...all title contenders.  Those three key road games were played under wet weather conditions.  Those three road games was won by the special teams, IMO.  The Amherst kicker...a player from a local MD school...Bullis Prep, won the Wes game in OT and his field goal took the game into OT.  The Trinity game in the COOP was won by a blocked extra point, I believe...in wet conditions. 
Really guys, calling a kicker a specialist or whatever, the kicker, punter are players and part of the team.  Football is truely a Team sport.  Special Teams is another confusing label of sorts.  Many of athe special team players are often the younger players that want to get PT and contribute.  Their play often are "special".
That 2014 Homecoming game against Williams was under the lights at the new Pratt Field...the game where I and West CoastDad froze our butts off..it was in Nov. in NE.
Off my soap box type post...Enjoy the games on Saturday all.  Me, hoping for wet weather in VT. .

[AmherstStudent05]

Amherst's preview of the Midd game has been posted.   http://athletics.amherst.edu/sports/fball/2016-17/releases/20161007dcmmq2

Berluti is listed as the starting QB, but I don't think that has any significance. 

[mariner75]

Forget about the signal calling questions re Bowdoin.   What the Bears need is a commitment at the very top to build a football program and then, as a result, an ability on the part of the coaches to go out and get that talent.   They could have the original Dan Marino at QB and the team would still not be any good.   Caputi may have been a fine man, but either he was unable to recruit or the administration didn't give him the support required.   Say what we want about the excellence of the schools that reside in the bottom of the NESCAC - and they are outstanding schools - but it is damn hard to build a program into a contender from the current residence in the bottom of the barrel.   Very, very difficult with multiple years required.   It took Amherst years to get back from the post-Ostendarp years and we count our blessings every day for what EJ - with great support from the administration - has done.   I wish Bowdoin all the best in creating a football program that mirrors the excellence of the school.

Civetti became the head coach at Tufts in 2011.  He's done a remarkable job but it took him but it took him until last year's 6-2 season to have a winning record. 

[NESCAC.Football.Observer]

PolarCat..... I played (started) as a DB at a 1AA  school.... for what that matters....,

[westcoastDad]

Lol! Classic! 

[westcoastDad]

Amh63!  Froze our tails off is an understatement for that Homecoming game versus Williams under the lights.   Though heavy underdogs, Williams made it a nail biting contest until the 2nd half. 

This Middlebury game is getting more attention than my own USC Trojans this weekend.  I'm hoping for a great game.

30-7 Amherst! 

PS. TOO BIASED I KNOW

GOOD GAMES FOR ALL AND HOPEFULLY MATTHEW IS JUST A HEAVY RAIN.

[Nescacman]

2016 Week #3 NESCAC Preview

Welcome to Week 3 in the NESCAC..."the league where they pay to play". As predicted, we were 5-0 in week 2, despite Tufts almost letting us down. Another bad schedule this week with only one game of consequence on the menu.

Wesleyan University at Colby College: Expect Wes to stack 8 in the box to stop Hurdle-Price and force the Mules 3rd string QB to try and throw on Wesleyan's experienced secondary. Wes should be able to run early and often with the three headed monster at TB (Berry, Stephens and FY sensation Highsmith).
Wesleyan 31 Colby 10
Weather: Not a factor.

Williams College at Bates College: Bates doubles their offensive output for the year running the triple option and controlling the clock at home. Bates is last in the league in rushing D. Unfortunately, Williams has only averaged 2.3 ypc thus far in 2016.
Bates 14 Williams 10
Weather: Not a factor.

Hartford State at Hamilton College: Another ugly loss for the Conts before they have a shot at win #1 in week 4 against Bowdoin. Hamilton has given up about 450 ypg while State has racked up almost 500. Expect State to better their average.
Hartford State 41 Hamilton 7
Weather: Rain. High 65.

Tufts University at Bowdoin College: Another blowout. Expect Tufts RB Brady to have a huge day for the Jumbos.
Tufts 24 Bowdoin 7
Weather: Not a factor.

NESCAC Game of the Week

Amherst College at Middlebury College: Amherst will go with their #4 signal caller who will duel with the latest prolific Middlebury signal caller, Jared "The Gambler" Lebowitz. We expect this one to come down to Amherst's D v. Middlebury's O. We are going to give the slight edge to Amherst's D and we think Amherst will score just enough to come away with the W.
Amherst 21 Middlebury 17
Weather: Not a factor.

NESCACMAN's Picks
2016 Season: 9-1
2015 Season: 30-10
2014 Season: 30-10
2013 Season: 32-8
Career: 101-29 (.777 winning percentage)

[gridiron]

Jefffan--the key, you nailed it-- LOTS OF SUPPORT FROM ADMINISTRATION--aka admissions. Direct correlation between every school that has turned it around. Takes a few years but can happen--look at Tufts and Wesleyan recently, and Amherst just before. Williams continues to tow the line for now, but must be difficult given the rivalry.

[ColbyFootball]

Last minute picks, Colby 28 Wesleyan 21, and in the big game, Middlebury 27 Amherst 24.
That's all I've got.

[AmherstStudent05]

Did John Rak really just hit a 52-yard field goal?!!  Wow.  When he was lining up to attempt it, I thought Coach Mills was completely crazy.  After all these years I should have known better.

This is shaping up to be an entertaining game. 

[polbear73]

Some great legs in NESCAC as Holmquist just hit on a 46 harder for Tufts. Made it with yards to spare.

[westcoastDad]

Amherst has no running game.  We will not win as a pass only offense.  The read option is hard to execute without a dual threat QB.  Our secondary playing ok but if the DL doesn't get pressure....toast.

Middlebury passing game purely dependent on OL giving QB time.  IF he gets the time he's very accurate and moves well.  Middlebury defense is teeing off because they don't have to respect running game.

[westcoastDad]

How about those "specialists".  John Rak has a 52 and 34 yard FG in first half.   He's also playing safety