FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[dirtybirds8-0]

Nessy:  Have you been able to watch other NESCAC teams in the past?  How do yu think Colby rates compared to some of the more elite teams in the NESCAC's past?

[weightman]

Williams won the pre season game vs Amherst.  Play started with some 7 0n 7 with QB, backs and receivers vs LBs and backfield and it was clear Williams had an improved passing attack, or Amherst a weaker pass defense.    I suspect this  was a great learning experience for the Amherst pass D as to what they have to work on.  The linemen went to the practice field and did some one on one pass rush/defense drills, that looked pretty even.  Then they came back and each ran a few goal line D sequences and then a few punt sequences each. When the game started, the Williams passing attack was strong with a long completion for a touchdown near the beginning of the game.  Several running backs looked good for Williams, but Weeks had one run that had both sides showing their appreciation, with one open field move that left the Amherst guy grabbing air.    Williams has a bread and butter counter play where they pull the rt G & T to the left, with the guard knocking the DT outside and the tackle going through the hole to go for the linebacker.  It worked really well once, another time the herst NT ran through the vacated hole and got the RB before the play could get started.  Williams also had another play where they rolled right then screened back left that went for a big gain, helped by a good block downfield. Otieno for Amherst had one nice speed run that would have been a TD if he didnt trip on his own just short of goal line. Williams kicker missed a PAT but made a nice field goal.  Both teams look like the kicking is unsettled.  Williams left side O line looks bigger, with a 300 lb soph and a 270 freshman that may be starting, unless someone was hurt.   The freshman punched one of the Amherst D linemen in the privates.   Didn't intimidate Amherst, but frosh gained a reputation for being low class .  The d lineman was livid but then subs went in.  Some recruiting website on google listed the freshman's  PSAT score at 1120, so don't anyone think that Williams  Admissions isn't letting Coach Whelan drop school standards big time to get players.   The two D lines looked about even.    Amhersts D line did decently vs the run but Williams got three good running plays off, and Williams D line put more pressure on the QB.     The Amherst O line let up some sacks.  Very few penalties were called either side.  After 3rd quarter the clock and scoreboard were shut off xc for 25 second.  Whelan and Mills ended the day with some ten play  sequences for the younger players who got some good game experience.  I came away thinking that Williams will have a shot vs. Trinity.   Amherst has potential, but coaches have some coaching to do.   

     There was another interesting aspect of the day going on. I hadn't heard anything previously, but was told by some  parents that because of some complaint that i heard Hamilton may have made vs. Trinity after last years game, the NESCAC presidents are making the teams strictly adhere to the 75 man roster limit this year, which is meaning that some kids have to be cut from the rosters by next Friday to get down to 75.   Not impacting  the Maine schools so much or Ham, but definitely Trinity Wms and Amherst.  Apparently several boys that were recruited out of HS and now Jrs or sophs will be told they can't play.   Some parents in the stands were upset. 

[nessy]

I have been watching NESCAC football for about 5 years now.  Living in CT, Trinity and Weslyan are easy to get to, but I have been to almost every school in the conference.  Trinity 03 & 04 is undoubtedly the best I have seen.  Colby may not be that dominating on Defense, but can hold their own with any offense I have seen in this league.  They have more playmakers than I could count.  As a defensive coodinator, I wouldn't know what to take away.  The quarterback has matured, has good pocket sense and field vision along with a stellar tight end and several fast recievers.  The two running backs will split  time, but both would be starters and stars anywhere in this league and I can't imagine what it would be like to see them both on the field together.  They don't seem to have an outstanding wr, but several players who can make plays and all want the ball.  Their biggest strength may be their offensive line, big, strong and mature. Colby is for real.

[mariner75]

My understanding has been that the 75 man roster has/should always been in effect.  Never took the time to count rosters but I know schools (not just those in Maine & Hamilton) did need to cut players prior to the season......and did.   Was unaware that the schools mentioned were in violation.

[Pat Coleman]

Why have a rule if it's not strictly enforced?

[Pat Coleman]

There are 77 players on Trinity's numerical roster and 79 on the alphabetical roster. Shouldn't be too difficult for them to get in compliance.

[mariner75]

Good question......not that big a deal but a rule is a rule.

[Pat Coleman]

I would be surprised if Hamilton would have had a complaint last year -- Hamilton was a road game for Trinity and certainly wouldn't have traveled more than 75 players.

Stats for that game credit 60 Trinity players with having appeared in the game.

[frank uible]

It is a rule foolishly limiting student's participation in colleges priding themselves on broad student participation and is a big deal for players, who end up being cut, and their parents who pay as much tuition as the parents of the uncut players. I'm sure Hamilton wouldn't stand for Trinity's dictating the number of sections of Hamilton's English 101.

[Pat Coleman]

I suppose not, but those are the conditions of being in the NESCAC, and if Trinity or any other school doesn't like the rule it should try to get it changed or remove itself from the conference.

[speedy]

It is a rule foolishly limiting student's participation in colleges priding themselves on broad student participation and is a big deal for players, who end up being cut, and their parents who pay as much tuition as the parents of the uncut players. I'm sure Hamilton wouldn't stand for Trinity's dictating the number of sections of Hamilton's English 101.

The rule was put in place because of the perception on the part of several NESCAC schools that Williams, Amherst, and Trinity were basically stockpiling NESCAC players with huge rosters of 100 players, knowing full well that many of their recruits would play very little or not at all.  There was a point a few years ago when the Hamilton roster fell to a dangerously small size (I forget the exact numbers but maybe less than 50 players).

[frank uible]

Break up football in NESCAC! It is too imperious! Then each former NESCAC college as an independent can play any other former NESCAC college on terms upon which the two of them can agree plus other colleges with which it can come to terms.

[frank uible]

speedy: The 76th player on Trinity's roster does not have nearly enough talent to be a starter for Hamilton. Consequently he is very unlikely to choose Hamilton over Trinity in an attempt  to get playing time. And if for purposes of argument it is acknowledged that he has such talent, then why solve Hamilton's lack of roster size problem by creating an educational problem for Trinity. Folly. Trinity shouldn't stand for it.

[saul]

     Frank, you're assuming that the 76th Trinity player would be admitted to Hamilton; that's not a given, even though I hear Trinity has competitive admissions in general. Is Trinity in CT affiliated with Trinity in Texas?
     
     I need to know if Amherst can beat Trinity this season.   

[frank uible]

saul: If Trinity's 76th player is unable to gain admission to Hamilton, my argument is strengthened. I believe (but am not sure) that Trinity (TX) and Trinity (CT) have no affiliation with each other. See your favorite soothsayer concerning the possible outcomes of Amherst vs. Trinity (CT).