FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[Trin9-0]

I admittedly didn't see the Trin-Bowdoin game, so perhaps it was closer than the 38-14 score (or even the 17-0 halftime score) indicates. However, if holding the Polar Bears to under 100 yards passing and under 100 yards rushing while putting up 439 yards of offense is looking past an opponent then either Bowdoin is much worse than we thought or Trinity is much better.

It's certainly early nescac1, but it's hard to say that that Maimaron is ahead of Fetter at this point. The Williams QB has completed just over 51% of his passes for 334 yards and 2 TDs. Meanwhile, Fetter's completion percentage is 73.3% and he has thrown for nearly twice as many yards (633) and three times as many touchdowns (6).

Sure Trin played Bowdoin this week, while the Ephs opened against Middlebury but they both played Tufts and Fetter torched them, while Maimaron couldn't crack 200 yards passing vs the Jumbos. Again, it's early but Fetter is clearly in the driver seat. (As a side note, it looks like Maimaron's stats are incomplete on NESCAC.com since his name (and thus stats) listed on Williams' site are under both Robert, and Bobby, depending on the game.

I did get to watch the first half of the Wes-Ham game and the Cards looked very sharp. Hamilton was physical enough, but their secondary simply couldn't cover Wesleyan's athletes. I'm looking forward to Trinity Homecoming on Saturday to get my first look at the new Coop and to see how the Bants handle Middlebury.

[nescac1]

My mistake on Eden, I could have sworn he was a 25.  Yeah, it's a realllllly thin year so far in terms of true FY contributions.  Maybe as the year goes on someone will emerge.  I just realized Hamilton's new QB Joe Cairns is a frosh.  Just by virtue of being a QB, he will probably be the favorite for ROY if he performs with a reasonable amount of promise ... (and given that the other guy quit, I imagine he is going to get EVERY chance to show what he can do). 

[SpringSt7]

I admittedly didn't see the Trin-Bowdoin game, so perhaps it was closer than the 38-14 score (or even the 17-0 halftime score) indicates. However, if holding the Polar Bears to under 100 yards passing and under 100 yards rushing while putting up 439 yards of offense is looking past an opponent then either Bowdoin is much worse than we thought or Trinity is much better.

It's certainly early nescac1, but it's hard to say that that Maimaron is ahead of Fetter at this point. The Williams QB has completed just over 51% of his passes for 334 yards and 2 TDs. Meanwhile, Fetter's completion percentage is 73.3% and he has thrown for nearly twice as many yards (633) and three times as many touchdowns (6).

Sure Trin played Bowdoin this week, while the Ephs opened against Middlebury but they both played Tufts and Fetter torched them, while Maimaron couldn't crack 200 yards passing vs the Jumbos. Again, it's early but Fetter is clearly in the driver seat. (As a side note, it looks like Maimaron's stats are incomplete on NESCAC.com since his name (and thus stats) listed on Williams' site are under both Robert, and Bobby, depending on the game.

I did get to watch the first half of the Wes-Ham game and the Cards looked very sharp. Hamilton was physical enough, but their secondary simply couldn't cover Wesleyan's athletes. I'm looking forward to Trinity Homecoming on Saturday to get my first look at the new Coop and to see how the Bants handle Middlebury.

Maimaron leads the league in rushing yards, which I guess is the type of thing I would leave out if I was trying to make an argument for my own team's quarterback instead too.

[xPolarDadx]

I admittedly didn't see the Trin-Bowdoin game, so perhaps it was closer than the 38-14 score (or even the 17-0 halftime score) indicates. However, if holding the Polar Bears to under 100 yards passing and under 100 yards rushing while putting up 439 yards of offense is looking past an opponent then either Bowdoin is much worse than we thought or Trinity is much better.

Trinity dominated the stats and play, for sure, but let Bowdoin hang around way more than they should have.  Part of the huge yardage differential was due to Bowdoin allowing Trinity to march downfield, but holding them out of the endzone 4x inside the red zone (1 FG, 1 missed FG, 1 TO on downs, 1 INT/FR on a QB scramble).  Trinity seemed to default to the fade to Girard way too often, who Bowdoin DB Hugee actually did really well against most of the day (5'10" vs 6'4"... you'll take 1 DPI and 1 TD on an insane grab most times).  In the first half, Bowdoin QB Stalcup overthrew an open WR King (would have been a 60+ yd TD), and had the INT in the endzone on 1st and goal, either of which make the game way more interesting.  It took Trinity a while to realize their biggest mismatch was not Girard but actually WR Reid, who was literally half their offense on the day. 

Bowdoin's DL/LB's did a much better job not creating huge lanes for the QB to run this week, but didn't get enough pressure on Trinity's QB, who was extremely accurate in the pocket, while not great throwing on the run.  Other teams that can create pressure up the middle with their interior LB/DL could cause problems for Trinity, as their RB Kirby is also great N/S runner, but not one who excels at getting the edge on the perimeter.

[nescac1]

As for Maimaron v. Fetter, things are only just getting started, but through two games,

31 carries for 221 yards and 3 TD on the ground, plus 334 yards passing on 45 attempts with 2 TD and 0 INT

vs. Midd and Tufts

is more impressive than Fetter's (very impressive!) performance vs. Tufts and Bowdoin.  When there are only two games to compare, having one of those games vs. a team that was 9-0 last year rather than 0-9 last year just makes it impossible say Fetter was "better" so far unless his stats are just DRAMATICALLY better.   And Maimaron is the best running option in the league PLUS has respectable passing numbers to boot through two games, so it's hard to really be much better than that.   

Maimaron's completion percentage is always on the low side but a lot of those are throwaways when he's running around in the backfield and doesn't want to take a loss.  Fetter also is throwing to two absolute monsters at receiver (Maimaron does have Stola, of course, but those two guys paired together are certainly going to help any QB out, you can argue who the best WR1 in the league is but clearly no one has a better WR2 than Trinity). 

After three weeks, Maimaron and Fetter will have played exactly the same opponents, so then it becomes a better comparison to make ... Midd's pass defense through two games has been impressive, so it will be a test for Trinity's air attack for sure.  Finn Muldoon is big and can really play at CB (he'll be an all-league guy for sure), so the match-up of him vs. I'm guessing Girard will be a fun one. 

And yes, it's annoying that Maimaron's stats are screwy.  Whatever automated stats system NESCAC is using this year, both scoreboard and stats, really needs some serious work ... the Amherst stats are completely FUBAR, in particular. 

[Trin9-0]

SpringSt7 & nescac1, Robert/Bobby's 221 rushing yards through two games is impressive and I'm not saying that he's played poorly by any means. He just hasn't been as dominant as Fetter even when then playing the same opponent (Tufts). Also, I'm not sure if I'd hang my hat on the "sure his completion percentage is low, but it's always low" is the best argument for Maimaron's OPOY candidacy.

I think we all agree its early and there's plenty of time to sort this out.

[Nescacman]

As for Maimaron v. Fetter, things are only just getting started, but through two games,

31 carries for 221 yards and 3 TD on the ground, plus 334 yards passing on 45 attempts with 2 TD and 0 INT

vs. Midd and Tufts

is more impressive than Fetter's (very impressive!) performance vs. Tufts and Bowdoin.  When there are only two games to compare, having one of those games vs. a team that was 9-0 last year rather than 0-9 last year just makes it impossible say Fetter was "better" so far unless his stats are just DRAMATICALLY better.   And Maimaron is the best running option in the league PLUS has respectable passing numbers to boot through two games, so it's hard to really be much better than that.   

Maimaron's completion percentage is always on the low side but a lot of those are throwaways when he's running around in the backfield and doesn't want to take a loss.  Fetter also is throwing to two absolute monsters at receiver (Maimaron does have Stola, of course, but those two guys paired together are certainly going to help any QB out, you can argue who the best WR1 in the league is but clearly no one has a better WR2 than Trinity). 

After three weeks, Maimaron and Fetter will have played exactly the same opponents, so then it becomes a better comparison to make ... Midd's pass defense through two games has been impressive, so it will be a test for Trinity's air attack for sure.  Finn Muldoon is big and can really play at CB (he'll be an all-league guy for sure), so the match-up of him vs. I'm guessing Girard will be a fun one. 

And yes, it's annoying that Maimaron's stats are screwy.  Whatever automated stats system NESCAC is using this year, both scoreboard and stats, really needs some serious work ... the Amherst stats are completely FUBAR, in particular.

Don't really care that much about POTY two games in, however, we would say that the Wes combo of Simco/Tomlinson is worth at least discussing compared to Girard/Reid (need to look beyond 2021 stats)...

[SpringSt7]

I don't know why we're even acting like the stats matter when the reality is that the coaches will just get lazy and give it to whoever's team wins the league. Maybe they'll take it a step further and make both 1st-team all-league at the position to really hammer it home. We saw it with Jernigan last season, Maimaron and Scott had clearly better seasons than he did and it didn't matter.

[SpringSt7]

As for Maimaron v. Fetter, things are only just getting started, but through two games,

31 carries for 221 yards and 3 TD on the ground, plus 334 yards passing on 45 attempts with 2 TD and 0 INT

vs. Midd and Tufts

is more impressive than Fetter's (very impressive!) performance vs. Tufts and Bowdoin.  When there are only two games to compare, having one of those games vs. a team that was 9-0 last year rather than 0-9 last year just makes it impossible say Fetter was "better" so far unless his stats are just DRAMATICALLY better.   And Maimaron is the best running option in the league PLUS has respectable passing numbers to boot through two games, so it's hard to really be much better than that.   

Maimaron's completion percentage is always on the low side but a lot of those are throwaways when he's running around in the backfield and doesn't want to take a loss.  Fetter also is throwing to two absolute monsters at receiver (Maimaron does have Stola, of course, but those two guys paired together are certainly going to help any QB out, you can argue who the best WR1 in the league is but clearly no one has a better WR2 than Trinity). 

After three weeks, Maimaron and Fetter will have played exactly the same opponents, so then it becomes a better comparison to make ... Midd's pass defense through two games has been impressive, so it will be a test for Trinity's air attack for sure.  Finn Muldoon is big and can really play at CB (he'll be an all-league guy for sure), so the match-up of him vs. I'm guessing Girard will be a fun one. 

And yes, it's annoying that Maimaron's stats are screwy.  Whatever automated stats system NESCAC is using this year, both scoreboard and stats, really needs some serious work ... the Amherst stats are completely FUBAR, in particular.

Don't really care that much about POTY two games in, however, we would say that the Wes combo of Simco/Tomlinson is worth at least discussing compared to Girard/Reid (need to look beyond 2021 stats)...

Logan Tomlinson career stats "beyond 2021": 0 catches, 0 yards, 0 TDs.

[Nescacman]

As for Maimaron v. Fetter, things are only just getting started, but through two games,

31 carries for 221 yards and 3 TD on the ground, plus 334 yards passing on 45 attempts with 2 TD and 0 INT

vs. Midd and Tufts

is more impressive than Fetter's (very impressive!) performance vs. Tufts and Bowdoin.  When there are only two games to compare, having one of those games vs. a team that was 9-0 last year rather than 0-9 last year just makes it impossible say Fetter was "better" so far unless his stats are just DRAMATICALLY better.   And Maimaron is the best running option in the league PLUS has respectable passing numbers to boot through two games, so it's hard to really be much better than that.   

Maimaron's completion percentage is always on the low side but a lot of those are throwaways when he's running around in the backfield and doesn't want to take a loss.  Fetter also is throwing to two absolute monsters at receiver (Maimaron does have Stola, of course, but those two guys paired together are certainly going to help any QB out, you can argue who the best WR1 in the league is but clearly no one has a better WR2 than Trinity). 

After three weeks, Maimaron and Fetter will have played exactly the same opponents, so then it becomes a better comparison to make ... Midd's pass defense through two games has been impressive, so it will be a test for Trinity's air attack for sure.  Finn Muldoon is big and can really play at CB (he'll be an all-league guy for sure), so the match-up of him vs. I'm guessing Girard will be a fun one. 

And yes, it's annoying that Maimaron's stats are screwy.  Whatever automated stats system NESCAC is using this year, both scoreboard and stats, really needs some serious work ... the Amherst stats are completely FUBAR, in particular.

Don't really care that much about POTY two games in, however, we would say that the Wes combo of Simco/Tomlinson is worth at least discussing compared to Girard/Reid (need to look beyond 2021 stats)...

Logan Tomlinson career stats "beyond 2021": 0 catches, 0 yards, 0 TDs.

Spring, our comment was focused on the nescac1's comment on #2 receivers and also addressing Simco's 2021 stat line, thus far...as far as 2021, we'd say Tomlinson's year has been pretty good so far...even better if you've been fortunate enough to see him play, as we have...

[xPolarDadx]

My mistake on Eden, I could have sworn he was a 25.  Yeah, it's a realllllly thin year so far in terms of true FY contributions.  Maybe as the year goes on someone will emerge.  I just realized Hamilton's new QB Joe Cairns is a frosh.  Just by virtue of being a QB, he will probably be the favorite for ROY if he performs with a reasonable amount of promise ... (and given that the other guy quit, I imagine he is going to get EVERY chance to show what he can do).

Bowdoin DB/KR Koy Price may have a shot at this, but he didn't play in Week 2 vs Trinity (in street clothes on the sideline).  Hopefully not a serious injury or anything, I think he has a lot of potential.

[nescac1]

Wesleyan is going to be hard to evaluate this year just because its schedule is so back-loaded ... but it does seem like they have a great receiving duo. 

Speaking of DeVante Reid and Bowdoin, I'm kind of surprised Bowdoin wasn't a bit more attuned to Reid after the hurting he put on them the last time they played.  In two games vs. Bowdoin, Reid has over 450 yards receiving and 5 TDs.  Ouch. 

[JEFFFAN]

My Lord Jeffs definitely going through a tough phase, of which there have not been too many under EJ Mills.   Not having a go-to quarterback might be close to a first under his regime so we will hope that someone can step up. Not that this comment affects moving into the top tier this year but two interceptions in the end zone hardly inspires confidence in what they have.

Re St joe Prep, it is an historically public school complaint in Philly that the Prep, LaSalle and the Interac "steal" good athletes.   It has been this way forever so nothing new on this front.   Same for northern Jersey re Delbarton and LI for Chaminade.   In terms of academics, the Prep is very good academically or parents wouldn't pay the money to send their kids there.   Finally, regarding the Interac, the NESCAC programs are fully aware of their players in all sports and recruit them actively.   I could name a dozen terrific NESCAC athletes from the Interac,  It is not a league that is under-recruited.  However, in football there is only one great Interac program – Malvern – which happens to be by far the least formidable academically.   Haverford School, PC, GA, EA periodically have kids worth recruiting in football but remember that these are very small schools.   

[xPolarDadx]

Speaking of DeVante Reid and Bowdoin, I'm kind of surprised Bowdoin wasn't a bit more attuned to Reid after the hurting he put on them the last time they played.  In two games vs. Bowdoin, Reid has over 450 yards receiving and 5 TDs.  Ouch.

I think this was more a matter of having just one upper classman starting DB (Hugee).  Ty Jones-Garland (Jr) started at corner for Bowdoin in 2019, but has since moved to LB... so you have ~8 sophomore DBs all competing that haven't played since HS other than last week, where the Hamilton WRs were not anywhere near the level of Trinity's top 2.  I'm guessing Hammer & Co are still trying to work out who is the best #2 cover guy for 1v1 on a stud WR after Hugee (and with Price out).  Reid made a lot of mileage cutting routes underneath, as the DBs looked to be playing to keep him from beating them over the top.  He also had a ridiculous left-handed catch while stiff arming a defender with the other arm... so what are you gonna do.

[Trin9-0]

Here's your Week 2 NESCAC Football Uniform Report:

Colby at Amherst
Grade: C+
This one had potential as Colby looked as good as they can in their all white combo. Unfortunately, Amherst paired their traditional purple jersey with those hideous grey pants for the second week in a row.


Bates at Middlebury
Grade: B
I would have preferred Midd with their white pants to offer a bit more contrast. The break in color is why I prefer this combo from Bates. Note, I couldn't find an image from this game and the photo is actually from their 2018 game but this video confirms the look. The only difference I can see is the Bobcats helmet logo (I actually prefer the 'cat head inside  the B to the current stand alone Bobcat version).
 

Trinity at Bowdoin
Grade: B
While I love Trin's all white set, I feel like you need a little color to juxtapose Bowdoin's stark all black look. I liked when the Bants wore their gold jerseys in Lewiston a few years back creating a beautiful color-vs-color match up. This game just looked a little too dull for my taste.


Hamilton at Wesleyan
Grade B+
Wes in the all black vs Hamilton in their gorgeous road whites was a sharp contrast that offered just enough color with the pop of Cardinal red accents and the Continentals bright blue lids. I still would like to see Wes integrate some more red in their set but everyone looked good Saturday.


Williams at Tufts
Grade A-
I'm as surprised as anyone to have this game as the best looking match-up of the day, but the all white is easily the Eph's best look and I'm a sucker for the Jumbos' powder blue jerseys. I don't love purple in general, but there's just enough in the Williams road uniform. When it's paired with Tufts' well-designed home set the color combinations create a real feast for the eyes.