FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[Nescacman]

Good summary Lumber. We would add that weather wasn't really a factor since the rain stopped just before kick-off and the grass was very playable, all things considered. The wind kicked up a bit in the 4th quarter but did not appear to factor much into the game. We do think that the Andrus grass turf gives Wes a big home field advantage and gets into the heads of the opposing players, some of whom we are sure have never actually played on a grass field before and don't actually own a pair of 3/4" cleats.

Fine effort by a very game Polar Bear squad today. Hats off to the student-athletes on both sides that played their hearts out today. Bowdoin dominated early, Wes played well in the 2nd and 3rd quarters and Bowdoin made a fine comeback in the 4th quarter. 2 defensive TDs, a blocked FG by Wes, TD by Wes on the last play of the half (another one!), and an excellent goal line stand were the difference for Wes today. Bowdoin was 2-4 in the red zone, as an aside.

We must say, we think coaching was the difference today. The Polars were heavily penalized, made some questionable play calls, and were unable to adjust when Wesleyan moved to a four man front that pressured Boel from a three man front that let him pick them apart early. In the fourth quarter, Wes moved back to the 3 man front, dropping into nickel and dime coverage and Boel had time to find King and Fahey almost leading to a miraculous comeback. We hate when poor coaching gets in the way of what would have been a signature win for the Polars. But alas, Wes wins and stays in the hunt for the NESCAC title (with some help needed). More on that later.

Polar Bear Man, we look forward to seeing you in the Cardinal suit in Brunswick next year.

Little 3 week for the Cardinals.

#rollcards

[Scoops]

How can you say that "coaching was the difference" when a team with a 35-7 lead, nearly coughs up the game in the 4th quarter? If anything, it's BAD coaching for Wes to take their foot off the gas and allow Boel to pick them apart. Especially when all of the touchdowns go to the same guy. I don't think it's crazy to say that if there's 5 more minutes in that game, Wes almost certainly loses. They ran the ball terribly (as usual). Gave up another 3 sacks. Threw for under 50%. Held the ball for literally half the amount of time that Bowdoin did. And allowed 500+ yards of offense. And got exposed in the secondary for a second straight game. Sure, it's a "win". But if I'm HCOF Dice, I certainly wouldn't be celebrating.

[The Mole]

Scoops, your assessment is not inaccurate, albeit one-sided (as always). Here is the other side of the story. Right before the half after Wesleyan had gone up 14-7 after two consecutive defensive TDs (sack, fumble and return for TD and then a pick 6), Hammer came out and ran the ball with just over 2 minutes left and let clock run--both sides appeared to be OK with just heading to the half. Cards had all 3 timeouts remaining. Surprisingly, Hammer decided to throw on second down and it was incomplete. Thanks for stopping the clock and letting us keep a timeout. Inexplicably, they threw AGAIN on third down and another incompletion. Head scratching. Wesleyan was able to get in position after the punt and threw a 27 yard pass with no time left to take the lead and more momentum into the half to lead 21-7 despite TOP of 24 minutes for the Polars and SIX for Wesleyan. In addition, with a 7-0 lead and all the momentum on a still somewhat slippery field, Hammer opted for a FG. PBs just went 64 yards on 16 plays and took 7:32 off the clock. Decided for FG to go up 10-0 instead of going for the jugular which may have broken the back of the red and black. BLOCKED FG. Completely shifted the momentum, and gave Wes life. Had not been stopping them, D was relieved to see them line up for triple. He played it safe instead of going for the win. Shortly thereafter, the defensive TDs occurred. Those were major coaching blunders that allowed Wes to take momentum. On the road, as a program that has not had a winning season since 2005, don't you go for the knockout punch when you have a team on the ropes? Also thought once Wes went up 28-7 and 35-7, the play calling appeared to get conservative for a drive or two.

[Nescacman]

How can you say that "coaching was the difference" when a team with a 35-7 lead, nearly coughs up the game in the 4th quarter? If anything, it's BAD coaching for Wes to take their foot off the gas and allow Boel to pick them apart. Especially when all of the touchdowns go to the same guy. I don't think it's crazy to say that if there's 5 more minutes in that game, Wes almost certainly loses. They ran the ball terribly (as usual). Gave up another 3 sacks. Threw for under 50%. Held the ball for literally half the amount of time that Bowdoin did. And allowed 500+ yards of offense. And got exposed in the secondary for a second straight game. Sure, it's a "win". But if I'm HCOF Dice, I certainly wouldn't be celebrating.

We wouldn't worry too much Scoops, Dice and the Cards faithful are celebrating, especially since we are on the cusp of our 11th straight winning season. How are the Ephs doing these days? No need to answer, we'll handle that ourselves in upcoming posts...

[JEFFFAN]

Hard to believe I am actually going there ... but, seriously, NESCACMAN, are you really going to try to compare Wesleyan's program - even with recent good run - to the Ephs program?   I am an Amherst fan, of course, but if you start going down that road you are likely going to get crushed!

Good luck with that!

[lumbercat]

That seems like Little 2 elitism.

[The Ghost of John Wesley]

How can you say that "coaching was the difference" when a team with a 35-7 lead, nearly coughs up the game in the 4th quarter? If anything, it's BAD coaching for Wes to take their foot off the gas and allow Boel to pick them apart. Especially when all of the touchdowns go to the same guy. I don't think it's crazy to say that if there's 5 more minutes in that game, Wes almost certainly loses. They ran the ball terribly (as usual). Gave up another 3 sacks. Threw for under 50%. Held the ball for literally half the amount of time that Bowdoin did. And allowed 500+ yards of offense. And got exposed in the secondary for a second straight game. Sure, it's a "win". But if I'm HCOF Dice, I certainly wouldn't be celebrating.

We wouldn't worry too much Scoops, Dice and the Cards faithful are celebrating, especially since we are on the cusp of our 11th straight winning season. How are the Ephs doing these days? No need to answer, we'll handle that ourselves in upcoming posts...

I'd bristle a little less to this type of bravado if Wes had won an outright/solo league title by now. But as it stands, Williams won an outright title two years ago with an undefeated team, and we're celebrating going 2-1 vs. the CBB for the second consecutive year.

I said this last year, but at some point the Mysterious Ministers from Middletown need to win an outright title if they (and the fans) are to have any true bragging rights. Literally all an Amherst/Middlebury/Trinity/Williams fan has to do in response to this kind of bluster is point at the last decade's trophy case.

[Nescacman]

How can you say that "coaching was the difference" when a team with a 35-7 lead, nearly coughs up the game in the 4th quarter? If anything, it's BAD coaching for Wes to take their foot off the gas and allow Boel to pick them apart. Especially when all of the touchdowns go to the same guy. I don't think it's crazy to say that if there's 5 more minutes in that game, Wes almost certainly loses. They ran the ball terribly (as usual). Gave up another 3 sacks. Threw for under 50%. Held the ball for literally half the amount of time that Bowdoin did. And allowed 500+ yards of offense. And got exposed in the secondary for a second straight game. Sure, it's a "win". But if I'm HCOF Dice, I certainly wouldn't be celebrating.

We wouldn't worry too much Scoops, Dice and the Cards faithful are celebrating, especially since we are on the cusp of our 11th straight winning season. How are the Ephs doing these days? No need to answer, we'll handle that ourselves in upcoming posts...

I'd bristle a little less to this type of bravado if Wes had won an outright/solo league title by now. But as it stands, Williams won an outright title two years ago with an undefeated team, and we're celebrating going 2-1 vs. the CBB for the second consecutive year.

I said this last year, but at some point the Mysterious Ministers from Middletown need to win an outright title if they (and the fans) are to have any true bragging rights. Literally all an Amherst/Middlebury/Trinity/Williams fan has to do in response to this kind of bluster is point at the last decade's trophy case.

We hear you Mr. Wesley....for the record, Little 3 titles over the last 10 years:

Wesleyan 4
Lord Mammoths 3
Purple Cows/Bobby Maimaron 1
Three Way tie 1
Covid 1

And for the record, we wouldn't trade those 4 Little 3 titles for one solo NESCAC championship. If you asked most other alums, especially former players, they would echo the same sentiment, guaranteed. See you Saturday on Andrus.  #rollcards

[Nescacman]

We would like to thank some of our Polar friends (no, not Lumber) for the awesome gift they presented us with yesterday at the Polar/Wes tilt. The personalized "NESCACMAN" cigars were given to us by our good friends, the Ortiz's (Angel, Laura, and Drew) and we will cherish them as we celebrate Little 3 wins over the next two weeks. Pictures to follow.

We met the Ortiz's via this Board. We've become good friends with Angel (Lord Mammoth football alum), Laura (#rollcards softball alum who played for legendary Wes Hockey Coach, Duke Snyder), and Drew (former Polar All-NESCAC student-athlete and all around stellar human). Can't thank them enough and grateful for the NESCAC friends we have made over the years via this Board. Thank you again, NM

#rollcards

[The Ghost of John Wesley]

We hear you Mr. Wesley....for the record, Little 3 titles over the last 10 years:

Wesleyan 4
Lord Mammoths 3
Purple Cows/Bobby Maimaron 1
Three Way tie 1
Covid 1

And for the record, we wouldn't trade those 4 Little 3 titles for one solo NESCAC championship. If you asked most other alums, especially former players, they would echo the same sentiment, guaranteed. See you Saturday on Andrus.  #rollcards

Yes, that is where we differ. I hold an outright league title in a completely different (and exalted) category than the winner of a triangular rivalry, even if it's the Little Three. And I am an alum and former player. I'd trade three of those Little Three titles for one outright NESCAC league title any day (understanding that in almost every scenario an outright league title means that you also win the Little Three that year, of course).

[Scoops]

Wow that is peak "loser mentality" NM. I don't even think I'd hear a polars fan say something like that. If Wes is satisfied with winning a watered down little 3 title this year, then they have MUCH bigger problems in Middletown than I thought.

We hear you Mr. Wesley....for the record, Little 3 titles over the last 10 years:

Wesleyan 4
Lord Mammoths 3
Purple Cows/Bobby Maimaron 1
Three Way tie 1
Covid 1

And for the record, we wouldn't trade those 4 Little 3 titles for one solo NESCAC championship. If you asked most other alums, especially former players, they would echo the same sentiment, guaranteed. See you Saturday on Andrus.  #rollcards

[Charlie]

Williams Football

I happened to watch the Williams/Trinity game and was impressed with Williams future QB in Mchugh. I really think he is going to e a good QB needs to put some size on but really had some nice plays. Unfortuneltely I cannot say the same for the other facets of Williams Football.

OL -loosing Freeman will hurt this team best OL in NESCAC by far #65 Ngnombouowo who was Freemans future replacement was benched for his play and frankly cannot play at this position. What was once the strength of this team is now a big weakness. I was watching Trinity simply pouring through the OL and chasing Mchugh all day. This QB not built to take a pounding like that each and every week. The run game is non existant and even if Frichetti comes back do not think it will help with this pourous line.

WR- Despite the score of the game Williams would have kept this close early on. Mchugh through some nice balls and simply dropped by WR/TE all game. I know it was raining but the rain did not seem to affect the WR/TE of Trinity. Williams has to get some better skilled players at this position no doubt just do not know if they have any on roster currently.

LB play was consistent but a lack of pass rush and archaic scheme negatated their play. Williams was too concerned at protecting the weak secondary which was torched all game. Trinity exploited this and just ran right at Williams. DL is okay but loosing players to graduation. I attribute this program in a rapid rebuild mode this is a sad situation at Williams the last few abysmal recruiting classes have caused this situation and areas that need addressing they do not have large recruiting classes to make up for their past recruiting years. By the time they get any type of athletes the QB will be graduating and the cycle repeats itself.

Finally down by 30 points and Williams elects to punt on Trinity 40 yard line seems very lame and head scratching.

[Hawk196]

OL -loosing Freeman will hurt this team best OL in NESCAC by far

Are you saying Williams has the best Oline in the NESCAC?

There is a #1 in D3 (240+ teams)......that is Tufts (1 sack given up all year)...Berlutti has a clean pocket almost always and if he's not picking you apart in the air, he will get you with his legs

[Charlie]

No I am saying freeman is best Offensive lineman in NESCAC

[Charlie]

No I am saying freeman is best Offensive lineman in NESCAC

If you recall When Freeman was Sophmore they had an experinced Offensive line and the rest of the unit where upper classman and quality players the year they won the NESCAC championship. When he graduates this year there entire unit will be below average and does not bode well for next year and keeping QB and RB healthy.

If you couple this with WR who can't get open or catch the ball going to be a long rebuild.