FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[amh63]

Bantsfan...welcome aboard.  Seems the more senior Trinity posters have also pointed out the strong running game to date.  Be interested in your take on why that is...considering the lost to graduation of the talented RBs from last season's.  Is it the improvement/growth of the offensive line and/or the improved passing aspects of the offense?  Opinions from other Trinity fans ...please jump in.

[gridiron]

Interesting to note that the Offensive Players of the Week each of the first two weeks (Chudi Iregbulem, Trinity College and Matt Milano, Middlebury College) earned their honors against Colby's defense, anticipated by most to be strong again this season.  With Wesleyan traveling to Waterville this weekend it will be interesting to see if the OPW comes at the expense of the Mules once again.

Side note--the Defensive Players of the Week both came in the games against Bates...hmmmmm....

[lumbercat]

I'm sure Chudi is a fine back but to me the story is the Trinity O line. They are very big and mobile.
Better than the Bates line last year which was acknowledged as the best in the league.

I saw some of the Trinity-Williams tape and they were totally dominant-nobody was laying a hand on Chudi until he was 5 yards or more beyond the line of scrimmage on most of the running plays I saw.

Banfan- This kid will set records as you suggest running behind that line.

[Bantsfan]

I did reply yesterday but I must have forgotten to click "post"...  chalk 1 up for the newbie

Since my "affiliation" is on the other side of the ball, I feel like I can freely sing the praises of the Trinity offense.  They are huge, fast (all things being relative) and hungry... and most importantly, they are healthy!  Chudi is certainly lucky to have them watching out for him and it looks like he has what it takes to capitalize on that.  The good thing is, if teams concentrate on stopping him, the offensive arsenal is locked and loaded.  They have some serious depth. The running game is working, and if it aint broke...   but it will be interesting to see what happens if they are forced to take it to the air, my gut says the coaches are covering all angles and are prepared.

I'm torn between wanting to savor every last game, and my impatience to know the outcome of the season.

...feeling cautiously optimistic!

[amh63]

It's Thursday...pass mid day and no predications...what's up?
Just Kidding..do not wager so will wait quietly.  Williams did post a preview the other day on their website.. Not much there so did not mentioned it when it came out.  Interesting that in the previews there is always a mention of the head coach's bio. 
Brantsfan....it is a short season...best to savor the moment.  Advice from an old man who also forgets to hit post...and/or my tablet freezes.  Blame the new IOS8...technology and not brain freeze.

[amh63]

Amherst has posted its preview of the MIddlebury game.  There is a podcast...usually contains a interview with Coach Mills.  Early this week...has been posted on Friday.  QB Beruti is again starting.

[Trin9-0]

I'm curious to see how improved Hamilton really is and whether there will be a letdown by Trinity after the big win over the Ephs.

Also, found this very cool interactive map that tracks football programs in the U.S. You can sort it by Division and conference. It's fascinating to see how many Div. III programs there are in the Northeast and Midwest compared to the rest of the country.

http://ncaasavant.com/apps/map.php?div=d3&conf=

[Bantsfan]

I was actually nervous about the same thing - I hope they are mentally prepared and not looking past Hamilton to the next game.  Because they haven't been very competitive in recent years, Hamilton could take some team by surprise.  (Tufts too)

[Nescacman]

2014 NEW ENGLAND DIVISION III FOOTBALL POLL


Week #3 - 9/29/14
Rank   Team   Record   (First-Place Votes)   Points   Last Week's Rank
1   Western New England   3-0   (10)   205   1
2   Wesleyan   2-0   (5)   179   2
3   Framingham St.   3-1   (2)   178   3
4   Trinity   2-0   (3)   168   5
5   Amherst   2-0   (1)   152   4
6   MIT   3-0   (3)   129   6
7   Springfield   3-1      104   8
8   Fitchburg St.   3-1      63   ARV
9   Endicott   2-2       35   ARV
10   (tie) Middlebury   1-1      22   ARV
Western Connecticut   2-2      22   9
Also Receiving Votes (to be listed a team must receive at least one percent of the available points and appear on at least two ballots):  Worcester St. (20), Tufts (16).

[banfan]

Well, that poll gives you something to grunt about. A lot of us something to grunt about. Go MIT! Now that would be a great OOC game each year, MIT vs Tufts.

By the way, I do not expect Trinity to take Hamilton lightly. I expect Trin to play a hard first half. Whether Ham stays with them, we will have to see but I do not expect them to be looking ahead to Tufts.

That kinda sounds funny "looking ahead to Tufts" but this year is different and Tufts gave Trinity a game last year. Wait a minute, I'm getting ahead of myself.

Hamilton is a different team and Clinton is a long way from Hartford. 80% chance of rain should help Trinity with their running game and against Ham's throwing. Trinity also has a better than average defensive backfield.

Not making the trip from Portland. First and probably only game that I will miss in 4 years. I am knocking on all kinds of wood.

[gridiron]

Another tough break for the Mules losing All NESCAC defensive back/punt and kick returner Zach Padula to injury.  Broken collar bone against Middlebury last week.  Very unfortunate for the senior and a huge loss for the team.

http://www.centralmaine.com/2014/10/02/padula-injury-adds-to-pain-of-colbys-loss/

And after opening with Trinity followed by Middlebury, the schedule doesn't get any easier for Colby with Wesleyan next followed by Amherst.

[amh63]

Times are a changing....MIT ranked!  Remember when they decided to go the varsity route.  No uniform/equipment inventory.  Bought uniforms from another school that dropped football.  Opened the season with uniforms of a color distinctly different from school colors.  Liked the percepective.
Wonder where they practice, etc.   Land is "dear" in Cambridge.  Maybe in Boston...like Harvard.
Would walk across the playing fields going to classes...or bike.  Long time ago during my grad school days.   Will check it out.
Back to CAC.  Seems there will be wet weather around for the games....and cooler.  Quite different from last weekend.  First time this season..."studied" the players of MIddlebury.  Offensive line mainly seniors.  Seems Panthers' leading RB is not projected to start.
Oh yes...only poll that counts for conference schools these days is the one at the end of the season, imo.

[ECoastFootball]

Times are a changing....MIT ranked!  Remember when they decided to go the varsity route.  No uniform/equipment inventory.  Bought uniforms from another school that dropped football.  Opened the season with uniforms of a color distinctly different from school colors.  Liked the percepective.
Wonder where they practice, etc.   Land is "dear" in Cambridge.  Maybe in Boston...like Harvard.
Would walk across the playing fields going to classes...or bike.  Long time ago during my grad school days.   Will check it out.

They practice on Henry G Stenbrenner Field. Nice Field Turf and right next to/on campus. Very small/terrible stands and press box, but the turf itself is very nice.

[gridiron]

Since my post earlier today an article appeared suggesting Colby may have the most difficult opening four games in all of New England DIII football.  Link follows.

http://www.colby.edu/athletics/2014/10/03/football-to-get-another-tough-challenge/

[Vandy74]

I was really excited about seeing the Amherst-Middlebury game tomorrow especially since the Panthers appear stronger than expected.  I have rooting interests in both schools as amh63 knows but my heart is with Middlebury.  Unfortunately tomorrow is my high school reunion celebration.  I won't say which one but ironically the cookout is being hosted by the QB who engineered the Panthers' last undefeated season back in '72.  With apologies to my niece who begins her freshman year at Amherst, Go Panthers!