FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[amh63]

The wind was a factor wrt to kicking and passing.  Going left to right  on the Amherst side, kicks had to be low....going the other way, all kick offs were out of the park...a field goal of 50 plus could be made easily....from a distance stand point. 
Williams scored the first TD and the last TD of the game...Amherst took the knee to run out the last few minutes.  In between, Amherst scored 45 points!   Will take that anytime.  Hickey was the primary runner and ran hard inside and outside and over 100 plus yards.  Wanted to win this game...in his senior year...badly.  Fine career filled with a number of untimely injuries.  Amherst won the TOs battle too!.  Talked to a big EPH alum after the game.  Told him, I wished the Ephs top QB could play.  Surprised that he flatly stated that Amherst was too big for Williams....linemen?.  Too deep with talented players.  Amherst fans were checking the 'battle of the birds in Middletown....was a little excited when it was 0-0 at halftime.  In any case, Amherst beat the spread....I guess?

[polbear73]

Congratulations to Colby and Coach Cosgrove, not only for the win against Bowdoin and the CBB title, but for showing marked improvement, an obvious culture change, and a step in the right direction in their rebuilding.  A great coaching job by Coach Cosgrove who will be able to start coaching his own recruits next season.  Colby has a lot to look forward to. 

Another disappointing year for Bowdoin.  The less said the better. 

[GoBlue61]

Congrats to Colby on the CBB win.  As a parent of a Bowdoin football Senior it was a tough day.  Unfortunately, same losing formula for Bowdoin -- key players can't go, no offense, key turnovers and some ridiculous calls by the officials that led to points, defense hangs in there but wears down in the second half-- a losers lament.  In the end, I have a lot of respect for the players who battled all year for very little reward.  I guess I will spend the offseason watching the 2 min highlight reel of the Bates game.

[ColbyFootball]

Congratulations to Coach Cosgrove and Colby on winning the CBB. Not a NESCAC title but a big first step in the HC's first year. Coaching matters!!!

[Nescacman]

NESCACMAN 2018 NESCAC Weekly Power Rankings-2019 Final

Welcome to the 2018 NESCAC Weekly Power Rankings for Week #9 in "the league where they pay to play"!!! Our final ranking for 2019...We were 5-0 in week 9, were 36-9 on the season, and are 195-55 in our career (.780 winning pct.) ...that's a new record for NESCACMAN with 36 wins in a season...congrats to D1 power Hartford State on qualifying for the CFP...the question is now whether they face 'Bama or Clemson in the first round....will be interesting watching the MIT/Hopkins play-off game (the play-in game for Hartford State's spot in the NESCAC)...

1. Hartford State (8-1; last week's rank:1): Won a hard-fought game against their rival in the Battle of the Birds in Middletown....would have been interesting to see how this game would have turned out had Wes been playing at full strength...season grade: A (NESCAC champs but they did have a loss).   

2. Amhurst (8-1; LW:2): Congrats on the Little 3 with a win against rival TTUN...season grade: A- (did not beat HS and win the league).

3. Tufts (7-2; LW:3): Great season for the Jumbo's...only loses to Amhurst and Hartford State...season grade: B+ (only loses to HS and Amhurst).

4. Wesleyan (5-4; LW:4): Defense put up a great effort last week against HS....offense, not so much...disappointing year in Middletown that started out with so much promise....future is bright...Wes should get off nicely in 2019 with COL, HAM, BAT, and BOW to start...season grade: C (talent was better than record).

5. Middlebury (5-4; LW:5): Another team that will not be happy with this season...they will figure the QB thing out and be back in 2019...season grade: C (see above...MID with QB issues?).

6. That Team Up North (aka Williams)(5-4; LW:6): Lost 4 of last 5...will be interesting to see what happens at QB heading into 2019...need some depth...another step forward for the program....season grade: B (finished season badly but better than HCOF Kelton era).

7. Colby (3-6; LW:7):  Won 3 of their last 4, albeit against the weak sisters of the NESCAC...something to build on for 2019...season grade: C+ (good ending to season and C-B-B title). 

8. Hamilton (3-6; LW:8): We would say this was a disappointing year....lots of talent on offense...jury is still out on HCOF Murray (11-31 in 5 years; 5 years in we should start to see improvement)...need more horses on defense...season grade: C- (need to do better with that talent).

9. Bowdoin (1-8; LW:9): On the positive side, they did break the losing streak and won a game...unfortunately they couldn't get it done at Colby and win the C-B-B...it might be time for a change at HCOF (HCOF Wells is 3-31 in 4 seasons) ...definitely need a QB...season grade: D+ (did break streak but that's about it). 

10. University of Bates (Lewiston Campus)(0-9; LW:10): End of a bad first  season for HCOF Malik in Lewiston...needs lots of reinforcements in this year's recruiting class...won't get easier in 2019 starting season with AMH, MID, WES, TUF, HS and TTUN....can you say 0-6 to start the season...Season grade: D (no wins).

NESCACMAN's Picks
2018 Season: 36-9
2017 Season: 35-10
2016 Season: 32-8
2015 Season: 30-10
2014 Season: 30-10
2013 Season: 32-8
Career: 195-55 (.780 winning percentage)

[JEFFFAN]

Nice job, NESCACMAN.   Your overviews are always welcome.   As co-champs, I would agree with the A minus for Amherst without an undefeated season.   Going to miss Berlutti and Yamin big time next year!

[Nescacman]

Nice job, NESCACMAN.   Your overviews are always welcome.   As co-champs, I would agree with the A minus for Amherst without an undefeated season.   Going to miss Berlutti and Yamin big time next year!

We hate to be the one's to break it to you (and you know we hate to take the side of Hartford State), but the Lord Mammoths are not "co-champs"...when the league went to 9 games in 2017 they installed a tie-break system...by virtue of the HS win over Amhurst, they are the 2018 NESCAC Football champions...there is always 2019 to look forward to!!!

Here you go: https://www.nescac.com/sports/fball/tiebreaker

[Zlax45]

Photos from the Amherst and Williams game

https://www.foley-photography.com/Football/College-Football/2018-Season/Williams-at-Amherst

[gridiron]

Congrats to Coach Cosgrove and the entire Colby program for their success this season. Remember, all assistant coaches from the previous season had been retained, although in some instances reassigned. Things appear to be heading in the right direction.  A new athletic facility combined with Cosgrove's proven ability to recruit and inspire young men bodes well for the blue and gray. With a little help from admissions to match that given other football programs with new coaches in the league, and we will hopefully see a more competitive NESCAC.

Yes, going to the nine game schedule has finally allowed the league to crown a true champion. Feels as if the league is more legitimate now.

[Trin9-0]

We were 5-0 in week 9, were 36-9 on the season, and are 195-55 in our career (.780 winning pct.) ...that's a new record for NESCACMAN with 36 wins in a season.

You must be thrilled about finally picking Trinity to beat Wesleyan. Sorry to have missed you yet again amidst all the celebrating on Andrus Field.



I'm a little surprised no one has shared their thoughts yet on the NESCAC awards. Here are my picks (with runners-up):

• Offensive Player of the Year: Max Chippouras, RB, Trinity (runner-up Ryan McDonald, QB, Tufts)
• Defensive Player of the Year: Andrew Yamin, LB, Amherst (runner-up Taj Gooden, DL, Wesleyan)
• Rookie of the Year: Seamus Lambert, QB, Trinity (runner-up Jackson Bischoping, QB, Williams)
• Coach of the Year: Jeff Devanney, Trinity (runner-up Jay Civetti, Tufts)

[nescac1]

Interesting picks Trin 8-0.  I agree on Yamin-Gooden.  I would be SHOCKED if McDonald was not the OPOY.  Not to say that Chippouras is not deserving, but McDonald really did it all for Tufts.  Take Chippouras off Trinity and they are still a great team, probably no worse than 7-2, so many other great dudes on that offense.  McDonald I feel like was called upon to do SO much with his arm and feet, and even though he had a pretty tough ankle injury for much of the second half of the season he was able to carry his offense.  Also, ROY has to be Hersch.  I like what Bischoping did in limited time but he just didn't play enough to be in the conversation. 

I'd go with: OPOY - McDonald, Chippouras runner up.  Eberth, Schwern and Girard also in contention
DPOY - agreed with Yamin, Gooden runner-up.  Tj Rothmann was right there with Yamin in the first half of the season but was alas hurt or very limited for the second half, a shame. 
ROY - Hersch, Lambert as runner-up. 
COY: Devanney or Mills, take your pick. 

[Nescacman]

We were 5-0 in week 9, were 36-9 on the season, and are 195-55 in our career (.780 winning pct.) ...that's a new record for NESCACMAN with 36 wins in a season.

You must be thrilled about finally picking Trinity to beat Wesleyan. Sorry to have missed you yet again amidst all the celebrating on Andrus Field.



I'm a little surprised no one has shared their thoughts yet on the NESCAC awards. Here are my picks (with runners-up):

• Offensive Player of the Year: Max Chippouras, RB, Trinity (runner-up Ryan McDonald, QB, Tufts)
• Defensive Player of the Year: Andrew Yamin, LB, Amherst (runner-up Taj Gooden, DL, Wesleyan)
• Rookie of the Year: Seamus Lambert, QB, Trinity (runner-up Jackson Bischoping, QB, Williams)
• Coach of the Year: Jeff Devanney, Trinity (runner-up Jay Civetti, Tufts)

We will have actual winners tomorrow afternoon...and our picks this evening.

[JEFFFAN]

We were 5-0 in week 9, were 36-9 on the season, and are 195-55 in our career (.780 winning pct.) ...that's a new record for NESCACMAN with 36 wins in a season.

You must be thrilled about finally picking Trinity to beat Wesleyan. Sorry to have missed you yet again amidst all the celebrating on Andrus Field.



I'm a little surprised no one has shared their thoughts yet on the NESCAC awards. Here are my picks (with runners-up):

• Offensive Player of the Year: Max Chippouras, RB, Trinity (runner-up Ryan McDonald, QB, Tufts)
• Defensive Player of the Year: Andrew Yamin, LB, Amherst (runner-up Taj Gooden, DL, Wesleyan)
• Rookie of the Year: Seamus Lambert, QB, Trinity (runner-up Jackson Bischoping, QB, Williams)
• Coach of the Year: Jeff Devanney, Trinity (runner-up Jay Civetti, Tufts)

NESCAC coaches aren't going to give Trinity all three of those awards.  They were champs but not undefeated.

[Trin9-0]

Interesting picks Trin 8-0.  I agree on Yamin-Gooden.  I would be SHOCKED if McDonald was not the OPOY.  Not to say that Chippouras is not deserving, but McDonald really did it all for Tufts.  Take Chippouras off Trinity and they are still a great team, probably no worse than 7-2, so many other great dudes on that offense.  McDonald I feel like was called upon to do SO much with his arm and feet, and even though he had a pretty tough ankle injury for much of the second half of the season he was able to carry his offense.  Also, ROY has to be Hersch.  I like what Bischoping did in limited time but he just didn't play enough to be in the conversation. 

I'd go with: OPOY - McDonald, Chippouras runner up.  Eberth, Schwern and Girard also in contention
DPOY - agreed with Yamin, Gooden runner-up.  Tj Rothmann was right there with Yamin in the first half of the season but was alas hurt or very limited for the second half, a shame. 
ROY - Hersch, Lambert as runner-up. 
COY: Devanney or Mills, take your pick.

It's probably unlikely that Trin wins three of the four awards and McDonald is certainly deserving. The case for Chipouras is that he played incredibly well against the two toughest defenses he faced; combining for 367 yards rushing and 3 TDs against Amherst and Tufts. He also led the league in yards, rushing touchdowns, longest run, and he never fumbled. This was done as Trinity used two different quarterbacks, and by the way he eclipsed the Trinity career scoring record.

McDonald was good, but not great against Trinity and Amherst; throwing for 42 of 74 (54%) with 2 TDs and 3 INTs. He leads the league in all the notable passing stats and QB is the most important position. I'd still vote for Chipouras but can certainly see McDonald winning award.

I had forgotten about Hersch. An excellent candidate for ROY, but Lambert's numbers were insane against two poor defenses and still pretty good against two of the better defenses in the NESCAC.

Given that Trinity won the title and Tufts improved significantly from last year I don't think Mills would be in contention for Coach of the Year this season, although he is clearly an excellent coach.

[frank uible]

How about Cosgrove for COY?