FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[Knightstalker]

Went to the Tufts website and saw/felt the rise of sport spirit...really.  There is a Fan Spirit spot and two? Football sites.  In any case, good to see.  Tufts has posted it's webcast plans for this upcoming seasons.  Cannot yet figure out all the parties....Presto for stats; Jumbocast being the student run video and a d3 something others.  Maybe Iamhuge can clarify or any other Tufts poster.  Not too smart with this new "Internet " thing.
On the subject of squad size.....the Tufts 2012 roster is still up.  Counted the non seniors and came up with 54 players.  If there are 30 plus freshmen candidates and all underclass men return....there maybe 84 players around for a time.  Good to see that Tufts and others are going to reach the player limit.  I see more competitive games in the future for the conference.

I wonder if the 75 man roster limit hurts the NESCAC teams in recruiting.  If a player has the grades and scores to get into any of the NESCAC schools and is a good solid player but nothing special in terms of ability, might he choose to go to say a Liberty League team like Hobart or Union where he would still get the great education and more of a chance to participate in football?  I know I am probably beating that poor dead horse again but wouldn't it be a smart move from both an enrollment standpoint and athletic standpoint to up roster limits to say 100 or 110 and keep the varsity roster at 75, and the rest are considered the JV?  Then you could allow replacements on the rosters for injured players from the JV roster.  Or are the college presidents of the opinion that the conference schools sell themselves and football is just a neanderthal sport that has no bearing on the school whatsoever?

[Jonny Utah]

Went to the Tufts website and saw/felt the rise of sport spirit...really.  There is a Fan Spirit spot and two? Football sites.  In any case, good to see.  Tufts has posted it's webcast plans for this upcoming seasons.  Cannot yet figure out all the parties....Presto for stats; Jumbocast being the student run video and a d3 something others.  Maybe Iamhuge can clarify or any other Tufts poster.  Not too smart with this new "Internet " thing.
On the subject of squad size.....the Tufts 2012 roster is still up.  Counted the non seniors and came up with 54 players.  If there are 30 plus freshmen candidates and all underclass men return....there maybe 84 players around for a time.  Good to see that Tufts and others are going to reach the player limit.  I see more competitive games in the future for the conference.

I wonder if the 75 man roster limit hurts the NESCAC teams in recruiting.  If a player has the grades and scores to get into any of the NESCAC schools and is a good solid player but nothing special in terms of ability, might he choose to go to say a Liberty League team like Hobart or Union where he would still get the great education and more of a chance to participate in football?  I know I am probably beating that poor dead horse again but wouldn't it be a smart move from both an enrollment standpoint and athletic standpoint to up roster limits to say 100 or 110 and keep the varsity roster at 75, and the rest are considered the JV?  Then you could allow replacements on the rosters for injured players from the JV roster.  Or are the college presidents of the opinion that the conference schools sell themselves and football is just a neanderthal sport that has no bearing on the school whatsoever?

KS, the nescac schools do not really care about enrollment the way Ithaca or UMass might.  I don't think they care about losing potential "students" either. 

The roster limit is basically something that keeps an even playing field between the league teams.  I think it works well in a league like the nescac.

I think the only negative part of the roster limit for nescac schools, is that you are basically not letting students participate in an activity where everyone should be able to participate.

[frank uible]

The Rule of 75 and its possible positive, ill and non-effects can be interminably debated and otherwise discussed, but the fact remains that the Rule is present currently and is very likely to remain into the indefinite future - despite the certainty of its limiting opportunities to participate among members of the NESCAC student bodies.

[FinethyOne]

Any word on when Bates will have their first scrimmage ?  Any news on the QB situation out there ?

[warriorcat]

Bates scrimmaged Colby last evening on Garcelon Field.  The teams played through heavy rain which hampered both offenses.  The teams played one half and then some situational play.  Scrimmage score was Bates 16 Colby 0.  The bates offense scored one touchdown and the defense scored on a fumble recovery and on a safety.  Not much to report on the quarterback situation.  This is will a very interesting next Saturday when both Bates and Trinity play new starting QB's.

[gridiron]

Adding to Warriorcat:  Bates/Colby scrimmage took place in significant rain.  Bates started at QB with Laspada then went with junior Cannone.

First quarter with LaSpada the offense did nothing.  Second quarter with Cannone Bates scored TD when Colby offense, from own endzone, fumbled a snap, Bates defense recovered for a TD--7-0.  Later in second quarter Bates took over after an interception on about Colby 30.  Decent drive resulting in TD pass in corner of endzone from about the 9 yard line.  14-0.  After the kickoff Colby backed up on their own five yard line again.  Another fumbled snap in endzone, and Colby QB kicked the ball out of the endzone for a safety to prevent another TD by defense.  16-0.

QBs were not allowed to be tackled, so in the rain running QBs such as Colby's starter Ciero had very few options.  Highlights for Colby were (in order):  a difficult one-handed grab by a sophomore TE number 80, a couple of booming punts by new punter number 89 and a big hit by a junior defensive back number 14.

Would have been interesting to see what both teams would have looked like without the rain and with QBs able to run.

[amh63]

Nice inputs/post on scrimmages to date.  Seems that you were at the Bates/Colby match-up Gridiron.
Amherst's scrimmage is today according to Frank and Frank is a man of his word.
All Fall teams have had their previews posted...except for football at Amherst.  Maybe after this weekend rosters will be out and a preview will be out with video.   Guess you can see I am getting anxious.  Plans set for first live game next weekend in upper New York State.
Busy weekend on Amherst campus on Sat.   Bowdoin visiting with three teams....so will be watching the other "football" on-line.  Soooo expecting a good post by Williams' fans....probably just a tea party report with the flavor of the month and all hugs and kisses.  Most interest will be who is playing center for Amherst and if there is a clear winner in the QB position.  Nice to know who is put in at the NG position.   Got that Frank!

[gridiron]

Looking forward to reports back from other scrimmages as well. 

One week to go for teams to tweak.

[amh63]

For those that are interested....there are 10 photos of the Amherst's team preparing for the scrimmage taken yesterday.  It does show nice pictures of the Homestands with the pressbox and the new fieldhouse...2nd level.  For me, there are some surprises based on a few players' numbers.  One local MD player who has been listed as a DL, #90, is seen to be catching a ball....TE position....he is big enough.  Another local player, #75, is a very talented OL that has played since his FY and started at RG last season.  He had played a little center his first year.  I anticipated him moving to the center position this year and some of the pictures show a very tall player at center....No. 75 is 6'4" and 280 last season.
Amherst lost two starting interior linemen and return three.  The center was a 3-time first team NESCAC pick and his buddy at LG have graduated.  I'm expecting an interior OL of experienced players that will average around 6'4" and 275-280 lbs this season.  The LT is a first team all conference pick.  There are large backups.  One top QB is Lippe who is 6'6" and a great athlete....played MBB his FY.  The other QB is at least 6'2" and also a runner.  My concerns on the Amherst teams is more on the defensive side than the offensive side....in particular the defensive line.  Amherst lost two starting LBs  but also return two starters.  Will admit that the graduated LBs were very talented.
The pixs can be seen by going to the Amherst website..front page.  Hit the "flicker" button on the left side above the pix of the Prez.

[FinethyOne]

Adding to Warriorcat:  Bates/Colby scrimmage took place in significant rain.  Bates started at QB with Laspada then went with junior Cannone.

First quarter with LaSpada the offense did nothing.  Second quarter with Cannone Bates scored TD when Colby offense, from own endzone, fumbled a snap, Bates defense recovered for a TD--7-0.  Later in second quarter Bates took over after an interception on about Colby 30.  Decent drive resulting in TD pass in corner of endzone from about the 9 yard line.  14-0.  After the kickoff Colby backed up on their own five yard line again.  Another fumbled snap in endzone, and Colby QB kicked the ball out of the endzone for a safety to prevent another TD by defense.  16-0.

QBs were not allowed to be tackled, so in the rain running QBs such as Colby's starter Ciero had very few options.  Highlights for Colby were (in order):  a difficult one-handed grab by a sophomore TE number 80, a couple of booming punts by new punter number 89 and a big hit by a junior defensive back number 14.

Would have been interesting to see what both teams would have looked like without the rain and with QBs able to run.

Excellent update on the Bates/Colby scrimmage, thank you very much.  The rain and non ability to tackle the QB would have also hampered LaSpada as he is a tremendously athletic QB who is known for his ability to run.  Sounds like LaSpada and Cannone are battling for that starters spot, will be interesting to see who wins that job.  Did LaSpada only play that 1st qtr?  He is a highly touted kid and I'm curious to see how he makes out in that QB battle.

[AlDavis]

heard Wesleyan beat Trinity 16 - 0....obviously Trinity has different approach and sat some key players....Wesleyan is deep at most positions.

[gridiron]

After the first two quarters of regular play, the teams worked on situations with a two minute drill.  LaSpada did play more during that phase and I thought was more effective than in the beginning.

[amh63]

On the conference website, there is a story with regards to changes in the athletic department.  My take is that Bates' administration is raising its support of the athletic programs...as it can be a positive force in raising funds and enrollment goals..as we all know.  The new Prez has a fine "template" to use, being a Williams graduate.  The fine new Bates website was an earlier step forward, IMO.
It is a competative world in higher education these days, particular in the "CAC"...in general...as it is on the playing fields.

[lumbercat]

Amh63 --I think you are hitting the nail on the head in terms of Bates athletics and President Spencer. In addition to attending Williams she was a student athlete playing basketball for the Ephs. She recognizes the role of Athletics in the overall college experience which continues to be a plus for Bates Athletics. She is an enthusiastic supporter of all Bates sports attending events regularly.
At last years football game at Bowdoin President Spencer sat on the 50 yard line with a big Bates crowd. I believe it meant a lot to Bates supporters to see this kind of support for Bates Football especially at a road game.

[Someone]

Anyone attend the scrimmage and if so, can you offer perspective/insights?  I heard Amherst defense looked good but offense was iffy, particularly at QB play.  Any feedback would be welcome.