FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

amh63 · October 09, 2017, 08:50:49 PM

Lumbercat....based on your previous posts, I have come to respect your football knowledge, observations, etc. so what happened?
Your last post is a REAL puzzle? Too much single malt drinking with another Bobcat fan?
You want a big first rate gun slinger...that can run....into a running back? You point out smaller DBs. If Midd's QB starts running, he will be facing some big LBs and even a DB ...Rak...that is no small dude. Heck, I truely believe Amherst would love to have Midd's QB to be a TB first. As it was....Amherst's Passing yards was about the same as Midd's. Note, not counting the yards by Midd's interceptions for TDs. Midd was a little short in the running yds...as Amherst did have over 200 yards via running. Amherst won the offensive stats but LOST the TO battle and the game.
Credit to Midd's defense!
The slide by Midd's QB was so he would be around to play another day, IMO.

JEFFFAN · October 09, 2017, 08:56:21 PM

Quote from: lumbercat on October 09, 2017, 07:45:04 PM
Middlebury the better football team regardless of Foy in or out.

Leibowitz could have put Amherst away earlier if he was willing, the kid is 6'4" 220, to take on 180 lb Amherst DBs instead of going down in the slide. He could have extended several plays if he didn't slide down after making a first down.

Why all the QB depth if Leibowitz runs like Tom Brady. The kid made a couple of first downs and hit the deck. I couldn't beleive it.

Say what? "Leibowitz could have put Amherst away earlier if he was willing ..." What the hell does that mean? That he - and I guess by inference the coaching staff - decided to just sort of save things up for the next game while Amherst made a spirited but ultimately unsuccessful comeback? I never understand the +k stuff here but that is a serious negative whatever on your part. Silly comment.

lumbercat · October 09, 2017, 09:31:24 PM

Jefffan and AMH

Relax you guys- the Jeff's just aren't as good as recent past.

Look at the tape- Leibowitz danced to a couple of first downs later in the game in key situations amidst the Jeffs comeback attempt. With the game close he hit the deck as soon as he got beyond the first down stick.

Boy did he make some plays but He could have extended some of those runs, easily.

That game was closer that it should have been.

AMH 63- Not saying he should initiate head on contact with anyone but don't slide down to avoid it. Leibowitz is a stud. Stay up and make a move to extend the play....he's capable of extending those runs if not not breaking them with his tools.

He went a little easy on the purple- but I'm sure Ritter was looking to get out of there with the W- which they did.

Panthers just the better team. On to Colby.

ColbyFootball · October 09, 2017, 09:51:55 PM

Lumbercat - I enjoy talking football. Strategizing is fun. Sometimes I'm right, and sometimes off base. Maybe way off base. I go into each week the same way, hoping the Colby team is competitive. Hoping Michaeles is successful. Because if he is, Colby is. But it's been hard not to be disappointed each week. And although it sounds like I'm a hater, I'm not. I just want to enjoy a few games. And call me crazy, but I honestly believe Colby can give Amherst a tough game if we play to win, and nothing would make me happier. So I will be rooting for Michaeles this Saturday.

middpantherpride · October 10, 2017, 08:24:01 AM

I'm going to have to agree with Lumbercat on this one. Middlebury was playing for the win. After QB dropped a dime into Conrado Swanky, the Midd offense was content playing conservative and running the ball. In fact, the whole second half was fairly conservative after a 28-10 lead. That bit them in the butt. But, the way the Midd defense played in the first half it made sense.

In regards to QB1 sliding, there was one play where he could have picked up the first down in the 4th quarter, but slid two yards short of the marker. Middlebury then had to punt. While I agree he could have been more aggressive picking up yards, he was also playing to win and to fight on for the rest of the year uninjured. It didn't make sense for him to initiate contact when Amherst has some heavy hitters on defense. So I understood it.

Let's not forget Lumbercat, with the game on the line, after not running the ball very much, QB1 kept the ball on a read option and picked up the first down easily and slid with a little extra umph to seal the win. That's what I like to see out of a Quarterback. The kid can flat out play football. I truly believe they kept him on a leash the second half because of the circumstances of the game and he was ok with that. He can be a gunslinger and get into INT trouble and they had no need for it. If they unleashed him in the second half, I believe Midd would have won by two scores at least.

Props to the Amherst offense. After a real tough first half and a rough go at QB, they found the means to claw their way back into the game. Middlebury defense played lights out but then gave up a few long TD's on an option play and on a blown coverage. Easy to get complacent on defense when you have a big lead. Being comfortable is the worst thing possible. I'm sure the coaches are hammering into the defense telling them they need to play every single play with the same focus. Moving forward, they will need to do that against Williams, Bates, Trinity, Hamilton, and Tufts. All 5 of those teams pose different threats and the Midd defense needs to be dialed in, especially against Williams, Trinity, and Tufts. I still like Midd to set themselves up for a huge matchup against Trinity at Midd for homecoming with both teams 6-0. This Williams matchup, however, is going to be a VERY tough game. Midd needs to get healthy and hopefully we will see some of their starters returning on both sides of the ball. They played Amherst without a starting safety (Fahey), without the special teams ace (Martinez), and without the All-NESCAC rb Diego Meritus. With a healthy lineup, this Midd team stacks up with any team in the league, including Trinity. In fact, I think if they are healthy, they may even be favored at home against Trinity. But, I love when they play as the underdog and with that extra chip on their shoulder of having to prove themselves and gain respect. They always seem to get looked over as being just below the elite teams in this league. At least that's how the team always felt going into the games against Amherst and Trinity. I think this win over Amherst proved that.

Cheer. Boys. Cheer.

lumbercat · October 10, 2017, 09:59:01 AM

Yes I forgot Don Diego was out.
Middlebury-Trinity matchup will be the game of the year.

westcoastDad · October 10, 2017, 12:16:57 PM

Is it Swanky or Banky?

IslandTime · October 10, 2017, 12:42:32 PM

It is Conrado Banky. Saw him in The 4th qtr with ice bag wrapped on his knee. Hope is is Ok! Great kid.

Was able to hook up briefly with Coach McDonald after the game. Needless to say he was fired up.

JEFFFAN · October 10, 2017, 01:00:22 PM

Quote from: lumbercat on October 09, 2017, 09:31:24 PM
Jefffan and AMH

Relax you guys- the Jeff's just aren't as good as recent past.

Look at the tape- Leibowitz danced to a couple of first downs later in the game in key situations amidst the Jeffs comeback attempt. With the game close he hit the deck as soon as he got beyond the first down stick.

Boy did he make some plays but He could have extended some of those runs, easily.

That game was closer that it should have been.

AMH 63- Not saying he should initiate head on contact with anyone but don't slide down to avoid it. Leibowitz is a stud. Stay up and make a move to extend the play....he's capable of extending those runs if not not breaking them with his tools.

He went a little easy on the purple- but I'm sure Ritter was looking to get out of there with the W- which they did.

Panthers just the better team. On to Colby.

Kudos to Middlebury for beating Amherst and having the better team this year, at least through this point in the season which is all that really matters ...

To the victors go the (obnoxious comments) ... I mean the spoils!

westcoastDad · October 10, 2017, 02:07:19 PM

Those formerly known as LJs still can win a share. Me thinks winning final 6 games will get them that share.

Not sold that the Midds can go unbeaten and Banky may not be at full strength. If they face a team that can get pressure on their excellent QB1......and force him to his left........

Trinity is the team to beat.....for all

Amherst should cover the spread this week. The offense clicked for first time all year in 2nd half. They may have found their identity.

middpantherpride · October 10, 2017, 07:56:20 PM

JEFFFAN point taken... its just hard to contain my excitement for my squad. That said, I can't resist this point:

Westcoastdad... only time will tell. Not sure Midd will beat Trinity but it seems you still have a mild regard for the Pants. I think you also predicted a blowout win for Amherst over Midd?? I think you said by at least two TDs if i recall correctly???

westcoastDad · October 10, 2017, 09:19:13 PM

MiddPride had I known the coach's game plan both offensively and defensively, I would have not made such a bold prediction.

Anyone who watched Sam Bradford last night could tell he wasn't his normal self (after 1 series). But coach kept him in game until almost halftime. Why?!
The coaches have it tough.

Midds got the win. Midds deserved the win!

westcoastDad · October 10, 2017, 09:38:47 PM

Is it me or are you all on the New England side experiencing unusually warm weather? Seeing temperature numbers in the 70s this late into the year seems maybe 10 degrees warmer? I remember a few years ago when the Midds lost 7-0 to Amherst that it was a cold and rainy day. Hope the good weather continues. Plan on going to the Patriots v Falcons game.

Nescacman · October 11, 2017, 01:57:11 AM

2017 NESCAC Weekly Power Rankings-Week #4

Some thoughts on week 4....

1.   Colby, Colby Colby...one of the worst offenses we have ever seen...3 TDs in 4 games (last in the 'CAC and 2nd to last in the country averaging 5.2 points per game)...averaging just 196.5 YPG of total offense (last in the 'CAC and 240th out of 243 D3 Teams in the country)...2nd to last in the league with 53 first downs (237th in the country)...averaging 3.2 yards per attempt on passes and 2.2 yards per carry rushing...last in the league converting only 23% on 3rd down...last in red zone conversion % at 25%....
2.   We had members of our Team at the Colby/Wes game...the Mules were outgained by Wes 559 to 166 (second straight week that Colby gave up that many yards), completed 22 of 45 passes and had only 55 yards rushing averaging 2.1 yards per carry....although some of the play calling was suspect (several runs on 3rd and long) the problem does not just rest on the coaches...3 bigger problems in our mind....lack of overall athleticism on this Team (longest play from scrimmage all year is 24 yards...they are last in the league in sacks...Schwerin is the ONLY quality offensive player on this Team and he would be, at best, 2nd string on the Wes' JV Team), very poor QB play (QB O'Brien is doing is best to win the 2017 Mac Caputi Award pulling up the rear in the league in passing among QBs with more than 60 attempts...he had problems throwing 15 yard "outs"), and complete lack of conditioning (we observed Colby's offensive lineman sucking wind with their hands on their hips in the 1st quarter).
3.   Hartford State will have their Hands full this week in Medford.
4.   Before we get too excited about the Ephs, lets remember that the combined won/loss record of teams they have beat is 0-12...lets see how they do in Vermont this weekend....we think at best this Team will finish 4-5 and there is a strong possibility that they have won their last game of 2017...75% of their starters were 0-8 a year ago.
5.   We went 4-1 last week and stand at 17-3 for the year...
6.   The C-B-B is 0-12...
7.   Bates may actually be worse than Colby...as bad as Colby is on offense, Bates is just that bad on D allowing 44 points per game, 229th best in the country...
8.   Congrats to our friend Coach Bagnoli as the Columbia Lions beat Marist to go 4-0 to start a season for the first time since 1996...and their largest margin of victory since 2010.
9.   Speaking of the Ephs, former HCOF is 0-6 at Shorter. We've said it before...worst HC hire in NESCAC history setting back the Williams program a decade or more.
10. Hartford State leads the country in defensive points against...

1. Hartford State (4-0; Last Week-1): Finally their first real test. We think McDonald will make this interesting.
This week: at Tufts

2. Middlebury (4-0; LW-3): Big win last week week for the Pants, their second big win of the season. Looking forward to their 10/28 battle with Hartford State. MID is perplexing to us. The only thing they do very well is pass the ball. They are 8th in the NESCAC in rushing ahead of only COL and HAM and they average only 3.4 YPC. They are 8th in time of possession. They are 6th in red zone conversion %. Their defense is middle of the road ranking fifth in the NESCAC.
This week: Williams in Middlebury

3 (tie). Amhurst (3-1; LW-2): It may be time to end the Foy experiment in Amhurst and go with Eberth. We will learn a lot in 2 weeks when this team plays Wesleyan in a Little 3 contest. The Former LJs are 5th in total O but are by far the most balanced Team in the league. They lead the league in rushing and average a league best 5.2 YPC. Hello, McFly??? Defensively, they are 2nd best in the league against the run and 3rd in total D. However, their wins, like Williams, have all come against 2nd Division NESCAC Teams who are all 0-4.
This week: at Colby

3 (Tie). Wesleyan (3-1; LW-4): Cruised to victory in week 4 against COL. Lots of things to like about this Team. They pass the ball very well (Piccirillo is completing 72.5% of his passes) and WR Breuler leads the entire nation is both catches per game and receiving yards per game. The offense is #1 in the NESCAC in total O and they could move into the lead in points scored after this weeks tilt against the worst scoring defense in the league, Bates. The defense is near the top in many categories and is #1 in rushing D and QB sacks. The Team is a lock to win 6 games and couple be playing the Bants on 11/11 with the league title on the line.
This week: Bates in Middletown

5. Tufts (3-1; LW-5): 3 of their last 5 games are against top tier NESCAC talent. It starts this week as they face Hartford State.
This week: Hartford State in Medford

6. Williams (3-1; LW-6): Ephs are the most hyped, overrated Team in the NESCAC. 4 of their last 5 games are against 1st Division clubs. Hamilton will test them as well. Kelton Update: 0-6 and counting for Shorter U. as they lost to Garner-Webb 42-14.
This week: at Middlebury

7. Hamilton (0-4; LW 7): Early lead last week wasted against HS. The Conts now finish with 4 of their last 5 games against winnable opponents. It starts this week.
This week: at Bowdoin

8 . University of Bates (Lewiston Campus) (0-4; LW-7): This is a very bad Team. The play a Team this week that matches up extremely well against them. Bates almost exclusively runs the ball and Wes is number one against the run. The most amazing stat to us is somehow; despite only throwing the ball 89 times, they lead the league in turnover by interception with 7.
This week: at Wesleyan

8. Conn College (0-0; LW-8): Rapidly closing in on UB.
This week: at Mount Holyoke

9. Colby (0-4; LW-9): Let's say something nice about Colby. Hmmmm.... Well, they only have 5 games left and they can still win the "Battle of the Midgets" trophy (aka the C-B-B title).
This week: Amhurst in Waterville

10. Bowdoin (0-3; LW-10): Worst team in the NESCAC. Period. The question is will they get a win. First chance is this week against HAM. Not going to happen
This week: Bowdoin at Hamilton

ColbyFootball · October 11, 2017, 08:45:39 AM

Quote from: Nescacman on October 11, 2017, 01:57:11 AM
2017 NESCAC Weekly Power Rankings-Week #4

Some thoughts on week 4....

1. Colby, Colby Colby...one of the worst offenses we have ever seen...3 TDs in 4 games (last in the 'CAC and 2nd to last in the country averaging 5.2 points per game)...averaging just 196.5 YPG of total offense (last in the 'CAC and 240th out of 243 D3 Teams in the country)...2nd to last in the league with 53 first downs (237th in the country)...averaging 3.2 yards per attempt on passes and 2.2 yards per carry rushing...last in the league converting only 23% on 3rd down...last in red zone conversion % at 25%....
2. We had members of our Team at the Colby/Wes game...the Mules were outgained by Wes 559 to 166 (second straight week that Colby gave up that many yards), completed 22 of 45 passes and had only 55 yards rushing averaging 2.1 yards per carry....although some of the play calling was suspect (several runs on 3rd and long) the problem does not just rest on the coaches...3 bigger problems in our mind....lack of overall athleticism on this Team (longest play from scrimmage all year is 24 yards...they are last in the league in sacks...Schwerin is the ONLY quality offensive player on this Team and he would be, at best, 2nd string on the Wes' JV Team), very poor QB play (QB O'Brien is doing is best to win the 2017 Mac Caputi Award pulling up the rear in the league in passing among QBs with more than 60 attempts...he had problems throwing 15 yard "outs"), and complete lack of conditioning (we observed Colby's offensive lineman sucking wind with their hands on their hips in the 1st quarter).

You make some good points, but they have some decent, even explosive, skill players. They are not using them. Brandon Miner a WR is one of them. And the O line has had problems, mostly due to injuries. They have players that are just back from injury working their way back into game shape, one of whom is a terrific 6'7" soph. And you have Gomez, one of the captains and DL standout, filling in at OG, so he's apparently pulling some double duty.

To pin all of the failure on these players is unfair, as it would be to pin it all on the coaches. But , the coaches formulate the game plan, and they play the players they want, so when this week comes and you get more of the same worst in the country offense, and the same blow out results, ask yourself why the coaches haven't changed things up.

The worst thing of all coming out of Mayflower Hill this week is that the players are despondent with the coaching. The coaches are not changing anything. They're telling the players that the offensive game plan is fine, and it's the O line that's failing, and the WRs failing to perform. No coach Michaeles, when you are throwing WR screens to the los on most of your pass attempts, and throwing many to your 6'4" but slower WR who should be running 15 yards downfield to out jump smaller DBs for the ball, YOU are not doing your job.