FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[Jonny Utah]

I noticed over on the d3hockey.com page a few articles about d3 programs who have faced sanctions over hockey players getting more financial aid over others at the schools.  I wonder if this same thing is starting to effect NESCAC football programs since it seems that someone is starting to look closer at these financial aid statistics. 

I know nescac schools are more generous than others in terms of financial aid anyway, so maybe it isn't an issue?

[Trincoll14]

Hearing a lot about the Trinity defense yesterday and rightfully so but their offense completely dominated Middlebury. The numbers: 585 of total offense including 377 in the first half, 385 rushing yards and Bunker and Crick combined for 299 yards.

[gridiron]

Banfan--I think many are trying to keep the site alive with info.  Just that some are busy attending games and cannot be on-line as easily to update on game days. 

Mostly predictable results yesterday with the exception of the Middlebury Trinity surprise one-sidedness...

[banfan]

Frank, "little football of small importance" so why have you been posting here 5000 times?  You are ridiculous.

Gridiron, I live in Maine.  I went to the game in Hartford.  I slept in my bed last night.  Don't join Frank in making excuses.  Do you like football?  Do you like NESCAC?  Than post.

Trincoll14, does your coach know you are here?  lol  The Midd D is just NOT THAT GOOD!  Bowdoin was much better!  The Midd tackling was very poor!  Any time we ran past the line of scrimmage, we ran to the end zone.  Crick had one run that he should have been tackled 4-5 times and he just bumped and ground it out for a 45 yrd td.

Our team was prepared by our coaching staff.  Trin has been in games like that many times.  All the pressure was on Midd.  Foote and his receivers were not up to the task and they have no running game.  Number 11 made a very nice fully extended catch early in the game.  The next time he went over the middle and extended, he could not catch the ball or his wind after getting hit.  That was the end of his day.  His arms got shorter and his ribs are a little tender.

Now, I hope to heck that the Midd team and coaches learned from that game and they will be tougher next year, mentally and physically.  I hope they make a game of it in Midd next halloween.  Time will tell.

By the way Frank, you should click on the PsitachioX link to the Hartford Courant story.  My review looks tame compared to theirs.  After that you can go out and sit with Sandy for the rest of the day.  lol

[frank uible]

I, of course, am ridiculous and also have a screw loose - always have. But most other people tend to be reasonable and consequently act accordingly. May I come inside? I have to pee, and my momma doesn't like me to do it on the carnations.

[gridiron]

Banfan, wondering if you would have been as quick to post had the score of your game been reversed yesterday?? LOL.

[amh63]

Banfan.....Amherst players are good students and they will do their homework.  Coaches will look at the film and provide the players with their lesson plans.
Was curious about the games this past weekend and went to look at the stats of the various contests.  What is surprising to me is by looking at the stats of the Williams win over Hamilton, one would think Hamilton won.  Was it Lumbercat ? last week that made that sort of remark about the Wes. lost to Amherst.  What has happen to Williams' offense and its top receiver?
Couple of more comments from the Tufts' game that will lead into next weekend.
The Amherst website game announcers mentioned several times during the game that the size difference between the lines of Tufts and Amherst maybe a key reason for the play on the field.  The Tufts players are young and that also could have been a factor.  In short, Amherst outmanned the Tufts lines, both on the off. line and def. line....in size and experience.  The broadcasters did mention that going against Trinity and its lines are another matter.
When the score was posted for the 3rd quarter of the Trinity vs. Midd. game, the broadcasters seemed happy.  With a Trinity win...as it appeared,,,,that meant Amherst will have a chance to control their football destiny...sort of speaking.  With two tough games ahead, Amherst still have a shot to win a share of the conference crown.

[Trincoll14]

Bantfan ..since I don't have a coach ..the answer would no ..I know the QBs # is 14 but im not him..just a fan. Just keeping underestimating the TC offense like everyone else. Next week will be a completely test on both sides of the ball. Playing a much more physical team on both sides. Whatever team can run the ball is going to win.

[PistachioX]

The Trinity offense has been consistently solid  - although play calls became predictable and downright futile during a couple contests, before the OC changed it up a bit to pull out of it.

Their defense IS the story for the Midd game, IMO... since they were able to easily dismantle Midd's 'high octane' offense.  It wasn't even a contest.

I agree with Banfan, however... the performance of #14 has become more effective with every game this season.

[lumbercat]

Frank-
Not sure I understand your quote:

"Bates, Wes and Midd are all having notably "up" years - what does it take to spark their fans? Looking at it philosohically they rightfully have better things to do than get excited over a little football of small importance."

I won't speak for Midd or Wes as I have not attended a game at either campus yet this year. However, I attended the Colby-Bates game yesterday and there was no evidence of a lack of "spark" on the Bates campus and among the Bates fans. The tailgate was festive and overflowing-- a NESCAC newbie remarked that it seemed like a big school atmopshere in terms of overall enthusiasm on a smaller scale. The home side of the Bates stands were packed and as usual at their stadium there were a lot more folks who opt to stand around the close perimeter of the trackless stadium.

It was a great NESCAC Football atmosphere on a fantastic summer like day yesterday in Lewiston. It was "important" and "significant" to 3,000+ Fans, Parents, Students, 145 Student Athletes and the newly inaugurated Bates President Spencer who tossed the coin at the opening kickoff.

Bates is drawing good home crowds for each home contest with over 3,000 at yesterdays game. I think the "lack of spark" comment  may apply at a venue much closer to home for you......at Williams. As established on this board a couple of weeks ago Williams can't draw flies at home unless it's the Amherst game. To me that looks like an atmosphere with a lack of interest and spark among fans.

Banfan-
NESCAC football is of little importance to Frank these days. He's goes out of his way to dampen much of the passion and enthusiaism that may be posted on the board with sarcastic inuendo and riddle like posts.  He is presently consumed with reminding us that NESCAC competition is irrelevant. This negative, contrarian point view is due to the fact that Williams is struggling and may be lucky to end at 4-4,...... thus Football is now insignificant.

Frank seems to want to take his ball and go home.

Never sensed that it was "unimportant and insignificant" when Williams was 8-0 and Frank was leading the free world in posts.


As for the game, the first half was very sloppy. Colby could not get going and their highly touted Freshmen QB Ciero really struggled. Though smaller than advertised Ciero has tremendous quick feet and will be a force for the White Mules in the future. Reminds one of former Colby QB Kmetz. He had trouble throwing but in the long run a good learning day for him but the Bates D gave him fits.

Overall Colby seemed in disarray.

Bates dominated with a strong ground game. QB Smith didn't have to throw much but threw effectively going something 12-14, also ran for close to 100 yards. This kid is the personfication of a tough triple option QB and is the MVP on that Bates offense. He's not in Footes class but in terms of overall effectiveness is as good as any other QB in the league

Congratulations to Trinity. I was all wet on my Middelbury prediction. I suggested in my pre-game predictions if Burgess could have a good day passing Trinity may be unbeatable. In looking at some film and stats it looks like they indeed put it all together. Truly a great effort from every area of their program.

Once more Trinity will be in the "Game of the Week" and again the game will be at Trinity. I will again predict a big crowd in Hartford though I can't believe the published attendence on Saturday in Hartford of 2,900 ?? With the great Indian Summer weather?? 
Boy was I way off, I predicted  8,000 more as seen in Trinity matchups at home with Amherst and Williams in recent years.

[frank uible]

We aim to please.

[shartwell]

I am a Williams football parent and have just discovered this board; great reading!  I have been taking photos of their games - see http://shartwell.zenfolio.com/ephsfootball12 - and have pictures posted of the contest at Hamilton yesterday if readers are interested.

[lewdogg11]

So the real question(s)........

How HUGE was the Tufts tailgate?

[amh63]

Lewdogg...nice.  Will have to wait for the Tufts supporters to report.
As posted earlier, it was a damp day...but did see some smoke coming from the tent area on the scoreboard side.  Most of the tents were purple.  On the other end of the field there were alot of parked cars but no visible tents groupings.  The visitor stands were not well populated and the Amherst stands, I gathered were not full.  There were a number of people standing at the ends at field level.  Amherst had a number of contests at other fields.  The men and women soccer teams were hosting conf. quarter-final games.  The xcountry teams were at Bowdoin in the conf. championships.  The field hockey team was at Trinity in a quarter final game and the volleyball team was elsewhere. The stated attendance for the football game was slightly over 1l00 and 275 for the men's soccer game.  I'm sure the attendance went up after the soccer games.  Still below the Bates and Trinity games.
Was that really the point of your post?

[banfan]

Thank you Lumbercat!!!!  This place has been stuck in the stone age for some time.  Come on NESCAC let's have some football fun.  Glad to hear Bates is turning it up.