FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[AmherstStudent05]

This is not a post I ever expected to write, but I feel compelled to come to the defense of Nescacman here from his own Wes colleagues!  Obviously I am completely oblivious to the inner workings of Wesleyan and Wesleyan football (most happily so!) so if there are key facts or perspectives I am missing, please forgive me, but for purposes of this NESCAC football board, has anyone contributed more content or stimulated more discussion over the last several years than Nescacman? As an avid reader of these boards I certainly appreciate that.  There can be no denying that his steady stream of posts are an impressive undertaking.

I know he is an exuberant Wes poster but I would have thought that the fun of being a NESCAC football fan is that we are all irrationally devoted to our little schools (could there even possibly be a neutral fan of NESCAC football?). So yes he always expects the best from Wesleyan, but fortunately his power rankings are not part of the official NESCAC BCS formula!  Also, I know that he constantly takes shots at "Hartford State" and "Amwurst" but I see this as good natured ribbing. I might have missed it but I haven't known him to take such a shot at individual student athletes.

I will say I didn't think it was appropriate for him, in his earlier years, to hold his account as being the product of a wide ranging "consortium" of alums across the NESCAC when it was always clearly the work of a passionate Cardinal. Also, if a member of his "consortium" was involved in questioning a high school athlete on his college selection — particularly where that selection is Amherst — that is obviously poorly considered as well.

Nobody is perfect, particularly someone who posts with any frequency online. But I just wanted to say that I have appreciated, and benefited from, Nescacman's extensive knowledge of NESCAC football. I look forward next week to an exhaustive analysis of how Wesleyan has managed to lose two games in a row!

Now let me close on a note that I know will unite Nescac1, Nescacman, Vandy and hopefully many others:
Go Giants!!!

[Charlie]

Cards have had a disappointing year. So has Tufts, Amherst and Williams. All the teams have good coaches, recruiting (can be debated and argued) and players. The entire league has improved, top to bottom, there are no gimmes. The Covid year has $%!$ things up in a big way the last two seasons with the transfer portal, red shirting and roster juggling. This is at every level--FBS FCS D2 and D3. It affects team chemistry, recruiting, player development and coaching continuity. For example, last year Cornell had 51 seniors on its roster and finished 2-8. How many young players did not get reps or recruits get offered a spot because of that dynamic? That takes a few years to correct! I will not make any excuses for Wesleyan or any team, the results and record is your resume. These are 18-23 year old kids. They get injured, they get homesick, they miss girlfriends, they have a hard time adjusting to college,  coaching,  academics and the level of play. So many factors that it is impossible to determine.

As a former player and coach, I learned one thing:  it is NOT EASY to win a college football game. The amount of hours these coaches put in is mind boggling. I would not want any of them to "review" my work for a week and then critique it. I would tell them to go pound sand. So, I am not going to throw any coach or staff under the bus based on this play and that play, etc. Players make plays and they need to be accountable. Good lesson in life: do not go into any job interview, presentation, etc. unprepared and do not assume the deal is closed until the check is cashed! Taking the competition for granted or lightly is a recipe for failure. This is what the great sport of football teaches us. In 5, 10, 15 or 20 years plus no one is going to care what you record was or how many TDs you scored, tackles you made, etc. It is the teamwork, preparation, collaboration, resiliency and working towards a common goal that matters. Sorry for the rant, but that is the end game (and a championship along the way makes for good banter)!


EXCELLENT ANSWER YOU ARE SPOT ON !!!!!!!!

I did not see the Wes - Bowdoin game but what a disappointing outcome (if not unsurprising; I did call they would get ahead of themselves and overlook someone between now and Trinity--I just thought it would happen in two weeks against the Ephs). With all the hype and build up entering this season, I don't think we can consider this anything but underperformance and grossly failed expectations.

At this point I think Wes fans--particularly the ones putting the program in the same class as Trinity, Williams, and Midd--need to take a step back and objectively evaluate the last two seasons. With what many considered one of the most loaded rosters with unmatched talent (hell, a couple pages ago people were discussing how many Wes players were going to get NFL looks this year?!), the team has gone 6-3 in 2021 and is now 4-2 in 2022. There are three games left to play this season, a share of the league title is completely out of sight, and the team just lost to Bowdoin. Is this 2006??

Either this roster is not as deep with superlative talent as we've been led to believe, or this team is woefully under-coached. It can be both, but it can't be neither.

[amh63]

Been absent from this board....a number of reasons, but not because of interest. Yes, last week's win did bring a smile.  Amherst has a new Prez. An alum whose wife is also an alum.....waiting to see how his rise impacts the Amherst's sports' teams...if any.  Note, the present admission head is from MIT.  Going up north to Ithaca area to watch the Amherst vs Wes game.   Hope the "Homecoming" game with "Wes" will be competitive..  My younger son and his wife will drive.  A side note...our three children are All Amherst grads.  My oldest son is a classmate of the new Amherst prez.  However, he is teaching outside the USA, presently.

[lumbercat]

This is not a post I ever expected to write, but I feel compelled to come to the defense of Nescacman here from his own Wes colleagues!  Obviously I am completely oblivious to the inner workings of Wesleyan and Wesleyan football (most happily so!) so if there are key facts or perspectives I am missing, please forgive me, but for purposes of this NESCAC football board, has anyone contributed more content or stimulated more discussion over the last several years than Nescacman? As an avid reader of these boards I certainly appreciate that.  There can be no denying that his steady stream of posts are an impressive undertaking.

I know he is an exuberant Wes poster but I would have thought that the fun of being a NESCAC football fan is that we are all irrationally devoted to our little schools (could there even possibly be a neutral fan of NESCAC football?). So yes he always expects the best from Wesleyan, but fortunately his power rankings are not part of the official NESCAC BCS formula!  Also, I know that he constantly takes shots at "Hartford State" and "Amwurst" but I see this as good natured ribbing. I might have missed it but I haven't known him to take such a shot at individual student athletes.

I will say I didn't think it was appropriate for him, in his earlier years, to hold his account as being the product of a wide ranging "consortium" of alums across the NESCAC when it was always clearly the work of a passionate Cardinal. Also, if a member of his "consortium" was involved in questioning a high school athlete on his college selection — particularly where that selection is Amherst — that is obviously poorly considered as well.

Nobody is perfect, particularly someone who posts with any frequency online. But I just wanted to say that I have appreciated, and benefited from, Nescacman's extensive knowledge of NESCAC football. I look forward next week to an exhaustive analysis of how Wesleyan has managed to lose two games in a row!

Now let me close on a note that I know will unite Nescac1, Nescacman, Vandy and hopefully many others:
Go Giants!!!

Amherst Student-

Excellent points on NM, I agree. He makes this board go. Agree or disagree with him he's a great catalyst which makes for a lot of fun for all those who follow this board.

Despite some illicit sources and "correpondents" he makes no bones about his passion and support for Wesleyan. Full disclosure all the way.
His contributions to the board elicit the passions and opinions that make this whole thing worth following.

[Charlie]

Serious question for the Wes group: I have always been a huge fan of DiCenzo and what he has done with Wesleyan football but I have to say I am a little underwhelmed with how he and the staff has managed their offensive talent over the last two years. Ashton Scott was, in my opinion, the best throwing QB in the league in 2019 and it goes without saying how transcendent of a weapon David Estevez has been throughout his career as well. Therefore it is hard to wrap my head around how they have ended up at this point where both are super seniors and they have not managed to get the most out of either---although Estevez has still been a good player this year.

Is there a back story to that? I believe Scott has fought through some injuries and if I had to guess Estevez's usage is probably not wholly sustainable and needed to be cut back, but is it fair to place any blame on the coaches for not getting as much out of them as they have? I apologize if this is totally off the mark as I am not overly familiar with the inner workings of the program but from the outside it is a bit of a head scratcher as to how they have ended up at this point.

Ultimately a loss is first blamed on the Coaches and then the players. It is Coaches responsibility to put the best players out there and in then best position to win games. I said this after Tufts game how many penalties and mental mistakes Wesleyan makes. Now I know these are kids playing a tough sport. However these are 5 th year seniors a great deal of them or traditional upperclassman and should be seasoned. Players should not be making mistakes that a Freshman would make. In addition if they are then it is the Coaches responsibility to correct these errors and play more disciplined football.

I am not A Wesleyan alum but for years heard about the talent on their football roster.I think it is time to say that the players are very good but not good enough or have meshed enough to win a championship. I also think a great deal has to be blamed on the staff. I will grant you they had a great amount of Coaching turnover this past year but turnover is part of the game. Why is it every year we seem to find some excuse for their play , bad bounce of the ball or other excuses.

[JEFFFAN]

Re the Ephs, I am hard pressed to understand the comments about disharmony with the coaches, etc, given that a historic class left campus in May.   That class was a great one, which certainly the coaches, players and anyone else associated with the program knew.  Some of those players are in the top NESCAC players over the past two decades!   It was inevitable that there was going to be a drop-off of some magnitude, much more likely larger than smaller.   There is also a tendency (among everyone) to over-rate underclassmen playing on those teams because they had so much more room to operate with the great players around them.

Just surprised that folks are surprised at this season's results.

[CC_Camels]

I was in Lewiston this past weekend for the Bates-Middlebury game and it was a competitive, well-played game that was definitely entertaining to watch. Tons of offense with almost 700 passing yards between the two teams and Bates putting up two school records; QB Bosselait tying the single game completions with 31 and WR Olivieri breaking single game reception record with 17 catches for 177 yards.  Kennon was impressive for Middlebury and the Panthers running game was excellent as well...the Middlebury O Line was VERY solid and gave Kennon time and only gave up one sack while clearing the way for the Middlebury RB to rush for over 100 yards.

Turnovers were the difference in the game as Middlebury had two takeaways, and both led to TD's. Shoutout to both punters as there was only one punt return on the day which was longer than one yard, and both punters averaged around 40 yards on the afternoon.

I was definitely impressed with how hard Coach Coyne has the Bobcats playing, and props to Middlebury as they are very talented and well coached by Coach Ritter.  There were only three penalties on the afternoon, although there was one play where there was holding call and an intentional grounding, but both sides were very disciplined throughout the whole game.

[lumbercat]

Camel-

Very accurate from my standpoint, no question it was a well played, entertaining football game.

Bates is making great progress. They made 2 key mistakes characteristic of a rebuilding program.  The outcome could have been different if we could erase those errors but those were the plays plays which sealed the outcome of the game. Credit to the Panthers for a great INT and forcing the fumble on the kickoff. Two big plays.

Another great Midd passing attack assembled once again by Houdini Ritter,  the undisputed king of the NESCAC aerial game. He has done this year after year for what seems like an eternity. He recruits QBs and receivers like no other NESCAC program. This kid Kennon looks like another in a long line of fine QBs.

Midd aerial attack will kill you on the outside with great vertical weapon. Speed.
If you want to try to contain that aspect of their offense Houdini will gash you underneath in the middle of the field with his slot receiver.  To compound things their OL is the biggest I've seen the NESCAC.

However, the trump card in the Panthers passing attack is the 6'7'' TE.  Bates had no answer for him. In trying to contain the outside threats and slot receiver there was nothing left to stop Clough. He is a carbon copy of a similar 6'6" TE several years ago for Houdini with McCallum Foote at QB.

Ritter has been a great coach- one of the best we've seen and a true master of the passing game.

We wish Coach Ritter the best but thank God that was his last trip to Garcelon Field.

[Charlie]

Re the Ephs, I am hard pressed to understand the comments about disharmony with the coaches, etc, given that a historic class left campus in May.   That class was a great one, which certainly the coaches, players and anyone else associated with the program knew.  Some of those players are in the top NESCAC players over the past two decades!   It was inevitable that there was going to be a drop-off of some magnitude, much more likely larger than smaller.   There is also a tendency (among everyone) to over-rate underclassmen playing on those teams because they had so much more room to operate with the great players around them.

Just surprised that folks are surprised at this season's results.

You just touched on their one problem you are focusing on one class rather than year after year in recruiting. Look at Tufts Last year there starting QB goes down and then there back up and Berluti steps in and has not relinquished the spot. Williams has QB on their depth chart and has to revert to a back RB/Wr to run the QB position. Absolutely terrible recruiting at that position.

Middlebury the same way they lost Jeurnigan to graduation and another QB whom they recruited steps right and the aerial attack continues. I think it is easy to say that Williams poor recruiting classes is the direct result of this years record. Hopefully they will learn from this mistake along with their small recruiting classes and learn you have to solidly recruit each and every year. Williams small number of recruits for whatever reason they choose that route means you cant afford duds.

[LochNescac]

Recruiting is certainly part science, part "dark arts"...

Lotta factors to project post high school; some harder to nail down than others.

Just in watching some of these NESCAC games, it does become clear that certain teams need to step back & look at the "macro view of recruiting"

When you're bringing in 20 or so guys a year, it may be prudent to not split 50/50 and instead see which side of the ball you need the most immediate help on...I'm sure the staffs look at this closely & take into account departures but....you can see some multiple season trends or teams with excellent defenses & anemic offenses, and visa versa.

It would appear that some teams should tip heavily (at least short term) one way or other.

Simplistic view I know; just wondering if you guys have dug into the past recruiting classes & seen a close to 50/50 split?... Which is ideal obviously, provided you don't lead the league in defense yet trail in offense....or the reverse, season after season.

No real data so I have no idea if this is a contributing factor, but was curious to see if you guys have seen teams actively go "all in" on one side of the ball to fix a recurring issue?

Or do they just fire a OC or DC....!!

[Charlie]

Recruiting is certainly part science, part "dark arts"...

Lotta factors to project post high school; some harder to nail down than others.

Just in watching some of these NESCAC games, it does become clear that certain teams need to step back & look at the "macro view of recruiting"

When you're bringing in 20 or so guys a year, it may be prudent to not split 50/50 and instead see which side of the ball you need the most immediate help on...I'm sure the staffs look at this closely & take into account departures but....you can see some multiple season trends or teams with excellent defenses & anemic offenses, and visa versa.

It would appear that some teams should tip heavily (at least short term) one way or other.

Simplistic view I know; just wondering if you guys have dug into the past recruiting classes & seen a close to 50/50 split?... Which is ideal obviously, provided you don't lead the league in defense yet trail in offense....or the reverse, season after season.

No real data so I have no idea if this is a contributing factor, but was curious to see if you guys have seen teams actively go "all in" on one side of the ball to fix a recurring issue?

Or do they just fire a OC or DC....!!

From what I have seen it appears that schools take the best athlete that they can recruit. For example you look at my past post Trinity has a top notch QB on their roster that starts. However they also have four other behind him and have a recruit that has also committed for next year. Now I know all will not pan out but inside source tells me they really like a couple of them.

Middlebury the same way they had Jeurnigan for two years albeit his last year was not stellar. But they also recruited a few and I really like Qb Kenos and they are also high on QB Moran. The bottom line is that they bring in a great number of recruits and some will plan out and some won't.

When you are Williams you bring in a QB in one class and miss on that pick and have to convert him to TE then bring in two more and busts and have no more in your stable thats on Coaching. I understand Williams has stringent academic standards but I also know they are allowed so many C Band players. If you dont excise that on a position like QB than this is the product you get.

Look at Bates they had Costa last year had a Coaching transition and still were able to have two real good replacements. QB Bosselait broke a school record. So despite having good QB Costa they still recruited behind him. This is what Williams needs to be doing.

I also find that in the past few years Amherst , Williams seem to be making offers to players who clearly are fielding the offers but obviously have no intention of going to that school and using these as back up offers. It is my hopes that these schools are not banking on any of these top players attending their programs.It seems like they waste time trying to reach out to these players than focusing on the ones they can actually get to matriculate to their school.

[lumbercat]

Most NESCAC programs will over recruit the QB position as they are looking for good athletes. As we know QBs are typically top level athletes who make excellent DBs, WRs and possibly RBs.

WR Fahey at Bowdoin is a good current example of this practice. He was a good HS QB who was moved to WR as a FY with great results.

Occasionally this can backfire in cases where the kid is recruited as a QB then moved to another position. Bates lost a young QB to Kenyon presumably because they moved him from QB to DB last year resulting in his transfer.

[Charlie]

Most NESCAC programs will over recruit the QB position as they are looking for good athletes. As we know QBs are typically top level athletes who make excellent DBs, WRs and possibly RBs.

WR Fahey at Bowdoin is a good current example of this practice. He was a good HS QB who was moved to WR as a FY with great results.

Occasionally this can backfire in cases where the kid is recruited as a QB then moved to another position. Bates lost a young QB to Kenyon presumably because they moved him from QB to DB last year resulting in his transfer.

I totally get that I know a great deal of QB who go to programs and are taken as athletes. However you must be able to replenish specifically at that position. Wesleyan for example has three solid QB find it odd that some programs really miss at this position specifically Williams and Amherst. Most NESCAC schools over recruit at this position making sure they have capable back ups. Having said that I watched the film of the Williams and Trinity game and i know the score does not reflect this I thoiught the Williams QB converted RB/WR did a great job with his legs in that game and kept it close. He really did the best he couild and applaud him for his efforts.

[Nescacman]

2022 NESCACMAN Week 6 Power Rankings

1). Hartford State Bantams (6-0; Last Week: 1): Bowdoin, UBates and Wes are all that stand in the way of a perfect season....magic number for a NESCAC championship is down to 2...2 of 3 final games are in the coup...Purple Cows gave Hartford State a scare for a half until they folded in the second half...congrats to HS RB Colin McCabe on a stellar day running the ball and winning the NESCAC OPOTW....DL Noah Glatz had 2.5 TFL and 2.5 sacks on defense for HS...

2). Middlebury Panthers (5-1; LW: 2): As predicted, game against UBates was closer than many expected...important game this week against Colby and finish the year at Tufts...need to win those games to have hopes of obtaining a share of the NESCAC title...Big day for QB Cole Kennon who probably should have been OPOTW...

3). Wesleyan Cardinals (4-2; LW: 2): Disappointing loss at Bowdoin....3 big games left against Little 3 rivals and Hartford State....can salvage the season with a Little 3 title...need to win out and hope for some help...dominated the Polars offensively and defensively but Bowdoin capitalized on Cardinal mistakes and poor special teams play...

4). Colby Mules (4-2; LW: 5): Colby wins ugly on the road at Hamilton...Colby needs one more win in their last 3 games for a winning season...

5). Tufts Jumbo's (3-3; LW: 4): Disappointing loss against the Lord Mammoths at home...dink and dunk passing attack didn't work as planned...Tufts has two tough games left against Colby and Middlebury....will struggle to have a winning season...

6). University of Bates Bobcats (Lewiston Campus)(2-4; LW: 6): Played Middlebury tough trailing by as few as 5-points numerous times....HCOF Coyne returns to Williamstown to face the Purple Cows...historically, he had a lot of success there as a D-Coordinator at Wes...

7). Bowdoin Polar Bears (2-4; LW: 9): Big win on Family Day vs. Wesleyan...first time since 2015 the Polars have had 2 or more wins in a season....Congrats to Max Jacobs for winning DPOTW...

8). Hamilton Continentals (2-4; LW: 7): Blew a 12-point lead against Colby at home....travel to face an angry Tufts squad this week in Medford...

9). Williams Purple Cows (1-5; LW:8): Sliding fast in the rankings...Hung in for a half against Hartford State before collapsing...16 unanswered points by Hartford State in the 4th quarter...only 195 yards of total offense on the day...can they win out and salvage the season?

10). Amhurst Lord Mammoths (1-5; LW: 10): Surprising win on the road at Tufts...QB Mike Piazza with a stellar day on the ground...hint, stop him and you win...

NESCACMAN's Picks (winners):
2022 Season: 20-10 (3-2 last week)
2021 Season: 33-12
2020 Season: 0-0
2019 Season: 33-12
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: 281-89 (.760 winning percentage)

Follow us on Twitter @realnescaman

[LochNescac]

Most NESCAC programs will over recruit the QB position as they are looking for good athletes. As we know QBs are typically top level athletes who make excellent DBs, WRs and possibly RBs.

WR Fahey at Bowdoin is a good current example of this practice. He was a good HS QB who was moved to WR as a FY with great results.

Occasionally this can backfire in cases where the kid is recruited as a QB then moved to another position. Bates lost a young QB to Kenyon presumably because they moved him from QB to DB last year resulting in his transfer.

I totally get that I know a great deal of QB who go to programs and are taken as athletes. However you must be able to replenish specifically at that position. Wesleyan for example has three solid QB find it odd that some programs really miss at this position specifically Williams and Amherst. Most NESCAC schools over recruit at this position making sure they have capable back ups. Having said that I watched the film of the Williams and Trinity game and i know the score does not reflect this I thoiught the Williams QB converted RB/WR did a great job with his legs in that game and kept it close. He really did the best he couild and applaud him for his efforts.

Kinda what I'm saying....several NESCAC teams could benefit from recruiting more "TRUE" DB's & LB's.  Many drives seem to stall due to mistakes by the offense; not due to above average defensive play..? 

Guess I'm just one of those fans that would love to see better defense, especially pass defense.  I feel (with very few exceptions) that if my DB's are former high school QB's, I'm in deep trouble!!   (just an opinion...maybe I'm wrong).