FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[PolarCat]

Lumbercat and Warriorcat:

I'm optimistic about the QB situation next year, as I was impressed with both Dugan and Radford.  Dugan's stats weren't overly impressive, but I attribute that to coming in for an injured Cannone and having trouble finding his rhythm running the triple option.  His first game as a starter was against Wes: I thought he played better than the stats might suggest, since Wes is a heck of a baptism of fire for any QB.

Radford doesn't appear in any of the formal stats, but he led the Bobcats in the "JV" game against Husson on Sunday, October 12th.  (Bates won handily, even though Husson had at least twice as many players suited up for the game).  I was very impressed with his his ability to run the TO, and it will be fun to watch him battle it out with Dugan (and maybe the first years?) for the starting spot next fall. 

The big challenge will come two years from now, when Dugan and Radford are both gone.  Hopefully one or more of the incoming guys is a quick study.

[lumbercat]

Twin Cats-

Dugan was the starter in the 2013 home opener against Trinity- he did a great job that day running  the Triple Option extremely well- Bates led the Bantams at the half. He was hurt late in that game and seems to have had a tough time since that injury. He backed up Cannone this year who did a great job but was unable to step in when Cannone was hurt due to a concussion or other injury. He seemed uncomfortable in the backup role but the job is his next year and he will embrace the starting job as he did in 2013. He has showed the skill and toughness to run the Triple Option for Bates but let's hope he can avoid injury this year.

Believe the Garnet will develop some depth at the QB position- they were dangerously thin last year after losing Laspada to transfer.

Harriman has been adept at finding QBs who are exceedingly tough to run the Bates Triple Option. Trevor Smith and Matt Cannone dished out more punishment than they absorbed running the option for the Garnet and Black, two tough customers......it's Dugan's turn this year.

[PolarCat]

Lumbercat,

Love the "twin cats"!  In fact, you, warrior and I should form the "Trip Cats", in honor of the triple option.  Maybe even do some musical numbers in three part harmony in the tailgate area at halftime. 

Whaddaya think?

[polbear73]

Just saw that 6'2", 185 lbs Hill School quarterback Devon Kennedy, an all MAPL selection will be attending Bowdoin. 

[lumbercat]

Polarcat
Always willing to join in on the fun in the Bobcat tailgate- look forward to it!
Love to join you guys in the Bates fight song following a Bobcat win.

[PolarCat]

It's a date!  Let's plan on doing it 6 or 7 times this season.  Deal?   

(Actually, your idea of after the game works much better than my idea of halftime.  By the end of the game, the Bobcat faithful should have enough antifreeze in their systems that they won't mind the fact I can't carry a tune in a dump truck).

[lumbercat]

Polarcat-
I make most of the home games. I look forward to it- I will look you up.

In the meantime -incoming QB headed to Bates:
Sandy Plashkes 6'2"  185 Torrey Pines HS, San Diego, Ca.

[NewtoNescac]

Can someone critique the QB situation at each of the NESCAC schools going into. 2015?

[amh63]

Best to wait until the Fall when much more info is available wrt to the conference teams.  Also, it saves possible unnecessary "worries" over the SPring and Summer, IMO.
Like in the NFL, to speculate how a QB will perform during the season depends on how his teammates' perform.

[NewtoNescac]

Good point. Patience is a virtue.

[amh63]

FYI...Amherst announced on its website the selection of it's new AD.  As I had hoped, the present Interim AD was chosen.  Nice writeup on the athletic website. 

[gridiron]

Colby now has a new president, new director of admissions and new AD heading into next year and beyond.

[Trin9-0]

Trinity football alums received an email today with the full recruiting class for this year. As previously mentioned the Trin class is heavy on commits from CT (9) and MA (11). There's a total of 28 kids listed including two from NY and one each from FL, MD, NH, NJ, PA and QB Alvaro Roux who is from Panama and played QB at Kent School.   

The Trinity staff has proven they know how to recruit, though it still does seem a little strange to have roughly two thirds of the class coming from just two states.

By position, the class is comprised of:
DB - 5
LB - 4
OL - 3
LB/DB - 1
OLB - 1
DL - 2
TE - 2
QB - 2
RB -2
RB/WR - 2
WR - 3
K - 1

It's always tough to make an impact as a first year player but Trinity has some holes to fill, especially at DB, LB and TE.

[amh63]

Trin8-0.....thanks for the info.  Some side info that you may find of interest.  Trinity hosted the conference MBB playoffs.  Wesleyan brought a large crowd of fans made up of a lot of Cardinals football players...required some crowd control.  In the Title game on Sunday when Wesleyan beat Amherst for its first Title, the WES fans were a bit more rowdy.  As posted by an fan in the stands, the WES AD.. And some asst coaches had to assist in calming the football heavy crowd...not to rush the floor until after the trophy ceremonies. 
Skidmore will have to takeover this weekend.....as the Cardinals play there in the NCAA first round.

[mariner75]

Article on the new Tufts Athletics Director coming from Colo. State.  Replaces long-time AD Bill Gehling.

http://www.gotuftsjumbos.com/general_news/2014-15/morris_feature