FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[PolarCat]

Maybe we'll just have to pack extra munchies, and light up a big 'ole spliff instead of downing a craft brew or a nice Cab?  Probably good for the tailgating budget in any event: Cheeto's and Snickers bars are cheaper than Brie and Camembert any day.

Heaven forbid any Eph alumnus or parent should have any FUN in Willytown.  The Silly Willy's won't even let them drown out the pain of another defeat.  No wonder the program is in trouble.

[FourMoreYears]

Attendees prohibited from bringing alcohol into Weston Field Athletic Complex.
Unsealed plastic or paper containers checked with a passive alcohol detector.
No cans, no glass.

True story.
Last year I was almost tossed for drinking seltzer out of a can.
Friends had beer confiscated entering tailgating area, instructed to pick it back up after the game, only to have it "get lost" by security.
Of course, they sell beer inside the gates ... the height of hypocrisy.

[amh63]

Late to the party remark......just hit me that the Amherst- Midd game starts at 2pm. All the other games are at 1:00 PM.   Do not know the reason why....seems the students have a mid- semester break this weekend.  Could state that it allows the hordes from up NORTH to gather on Pratt field
The fact is, the Midd rosters shows a large number of players from MA. AND CT.
In any case, allows me to catch the first half of one of the other games on tap...an expression only.

[Eagle322]

Haven't been to the new field down at Williams for a few years, so I'm not sure if it had an affect on the set up, but a few Bobcat faithful used to park and tailgate across the street in the hockey rink parking lot in order to skirt the ridiculous no alcohol policy. A bit of a walk, but many deemed it worth it in exchange for a few Bud heavies before the game and at half time.

[Nescacman]

Nescacman--Williams tailgating has the most supervision in the conference resulting in being the least tailgate-friendly.  Best to understand in advance to avoid disappointment.

Oh we get it. Perhaps they should better focus on supervising the HCOF?!?

[Nescacman]

2015 Week #3 NESCAC Preview and Predictions

Welcome to Week 3 in the NESCAC..."the league where they pay to play". We went 4-1 in week 2 and now stand at 8-2 for the season.

It's going to be a beautiful day for football in New England as the NESCAC heads into the heart of the schedule. This week features two interesting games, Bates at Williams and the game of the week, Middlebury at Amherst.

Colby College at Wesleyan University: Colby will not be able to run against Wesleyan so it should be a busy day for the Wes secondary. Unfortunately, Colby is second to last in the league in passing offense (last is a team that does not pass, Bates). Colby's number one weapon is their NESCAC leading punter, John Baron. Wes is second in the 'CAC in total offense and rushing offense and is tied for the lead in number of plays averaging more than 80 plays per game. We think this is the week that Coach Dice instills some discipline and they finally gets their act together with regard to penalties, and the Cards dominate TOP (Wes leads the country in TOP) and they force the Mules to turn the ball over several times.

Wesleyan 27 Colby 7
Weather: Not a factor (weather courtesy of the Weather Channel).

Bates College at Williams College: The Kelton Kountdown has begun...6 games and counting until freedom from the HCOF's reign of terror! It's really amazing to us how quiet the Eph faithful have become late in the Kelton era. This game should be interesting. We think Bates' offense is better than Williams, but Williams defense has been playing better than Bates' defense. Bates has beaten Williams the last 4 times the teams have played and we think they make it 5 times and get win number one in 2015. Look for the Bates' option to rack up some serious rushing yards in this one.

Bates 21 Williams 17
Weather: Not a factor.

Bowdoin College at Tufts University: We expect Tufts to come out flying in their home opener. Bowdoin has only scored 13 points all year so to have a chance in this one; the Bowdoin D will have to contain Tufts passing game. That won't happen. Expect Bowdoin's five game winning streak against the Jumbo's to come to an end.

Tufts 28 Bowdoin 10
Weather: Not a factor.

Hamilton College at Hartford State University: Hamilton goes on the road for the first time this year to play the 'Bants. Trinity's defense has played tough all year leading the 'CAC (and the country) in scoring defense and the 'CAC in total defense (3rd in the country). Hamilton is riding a 22 game losing streak (our research tells us this is the longest current losing streak in D3) and it won't end this week in the Coop. Coach Murray will have to wait another week for his first NESCAC win.

Hartford State 28 Hamilton 3
Weather: Not a factor.

NESCAC Game of the Week

Middlebury College at Amherst College: In this battle of the unbeatens, we think this game will come down to whether Middlebury can pass on Amherst's defense. Last year, QB Milano had a tough time of it against the Amherst D. If he can't get it done, we expect Coach Ritter to have a quick hook and go to "The Gambler", Jared Lebowitz. On the defensive side of the ball, LB Patricia has been a beast for the Panthers. He is going to need to have a big game to suppress Amherst's league leading running attack. We think Amherst wins their 14th game in a row and stays undefeated.

Amherst 24 Middlebury 17
Weather: Not a factor.

NESCACMAN's Picks
Last week: 4-1 (2015 season to date: 8-2)
2014 Season: 30-10
2013 Season: 32-8

[PolarCat]

Who can bring some big old Bluetooth speakers to Willyown tomorrow?  I'd be happy to put this on a repeating loop - what could be more appropriate for a Polka during Oktoberfest time?  (Or did the Willytown Fun Police outlaw polka's, too?)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=drAbyx1YpIs#UniversityOfIowaHawkeyeMarchingBand

(Substitute "At Williams" for "In Heaven").

[Nescacman]

Who can bring some big old Bluetooth speakers to Willyown tomorrow?  I'd be happy to put this on a repeating loop - what could be more appropriate for a Polka during Oktoberfest time?  (Or did the Willytown Fun Police outlaw polka's, too?)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=drAbyx1YpIs#UniversityOfIowaHawkeyeMarchingBand

(Substitute "At Williams" for "In Heaven").

PolarCat...A proper Oktoberfest celebration would require beer, which of course is verboten in Keltontown. Therefore, no Polka for you!

[PolarCat]

I was actually thinking a nice St. Pauli Girl NA might hit the spot, and not impair my driving for the long trek home.  It should slip right past the "passive alcohol detector".  But then I realized: It comes in a glass bottle, so the Willy Nazi's wouldn't let me imbibe it anyway.  I guess I could always pour some into an environmentally friendly Nalgene bottle, but that's a buzz kill.  Like your Hofbrauhaus waitress wearing a burka over her dirndl.

By the way, I think this should be the official non-alcoholic beer of Willytown tailgates.  The name says it all:

Nanny State
BrewDog, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

This beer is one of the few highly hopped non-alcohol beers around. At a solid 45 IBUs, this 0.5 percent ABV India Pale Ale is all about the flavor, thanks in part to eight different speciality malts and big West Coast hops like Centennial, Amarillo, Columbus, Cascade and Simcoe.  Nanny State goes the full distance with intense dry-hops. Think grapefruit rind and pineapple with a big bitter balance.

[lumbercat]

Now I know why Williams built their prized stadium with such a small seating capacity.....their imposing tailgating regulations may discourage many from going to the game.

Spectators want to tailgate and have a beer or a glass of wine and don't want to have their cars and baggage searched and prodded by security officers.
I am sure I am like many who have to spend too much time in airports with all the security restrictions. We understand those procedures at airports. Most of us like to enjoy a good NESCAC game in the fall without all the airport crap and assume Williams Parents and Alums would feel the same.

Maybe I am missing something, did something happen at Williams to influence the administration to make these changes. They have been playing football at Williams for 100 years, why are they imposing these restrictions now?

In liberal western Ma how is this happening? Can someone get Barney Frank or Eliizabeth Warren on the phone?

The kids will always figure out how to get alcohol in or around the stadium but why initiate a crackdown on Williams parents or alums who deal with alcohol responsibly, doesn't seem right.

[PolarCat]

You need to have a really good calling plan to reach Barney Frank these days.  And Elizabeth Warren won't be much help.  Princess Moonbat Feathers and her tribe are still opposed to firewater.  Unless they're selling it to you at Foxwoods or Mohegan Sun.



Is it true you can buy beer inside the stadium, but you can't BYOB?

[lumbercat]

Nicely done Polarcat, still laughing- and good luck tomorrow

[lumbercat]

Some observations as we approach week 3

Hamilton FY Tyler Hudson looks like a horse. Recruiting intelligence suggesting he would be a NESCAC stud seems to be spot on. Recruited by Syracuse and other higher level programs from a smaller school in upstate NY and Murray nailed him.

Tufts QB Snyder has been criticized but I see no negatives beyond a few missed throws. His footwork and awareness in the pocket was impeccable last week in Lewiston. He deftly evaded continued blitz pressure from DC Kempton's athletic Bates defense. He sees the whole field and the pass rush. Someone intimated that Dibiaso was nipping at his heels but Dibiaso was not in uniform last week from what I could see. There was no #4 dressed- not sure if Tufts could have run out of low numbers with 6 QBs on the roster?? but no sign of Dibiaso.  Civetti will not be moving Snyder anytime soon- those 5 other QBs better sit tight including Dibiaso.

Tufts presents another uniform wrinkle this year. They introduce silver into their uniform. Silver helmets and pants. Looked good but last time I checked the colors are Blue (light blue, I believe) and Brown. Over the years they have deployed every shade of blue from powder blue to navy blue along with varying levels of brown so silver is a new one. Have never seem them wear the same uniform in consecutive years and I go back to the 70's. Fun to watch and evidently their AD signs the check.

I sense some fierce momentum building in Hartford.

This is a rebuilding year in Middletown- no one mentions that. Some great talent at Wesleyan but with a new coach and a record number of seniors moving on the Whale timed his exodus right. The Cards will be 4-4 maybe 5-3. They will be good in years ahead but are reloading this year. At a total loss at the performance and lack of playing time for Drew. NESCAC 100m champ who was unstoppable when healthy. Not even playing regularly. "Hey coach "D" I came back for a 5th year, put me in the game full time".....maybe he is still having injury issues....wish the kid luck.

Hamilton functioning  on emotion at this point which is a great credit to Murray and his staff. They will be good in years ahead but expectations for this year should not be adjusted upward at this point.

Colby remains an enigma- Michaels has moved guys around and done some unpredictable things as always but still believe they are better than advertised. They may give the Cards a handful tomorrow.

Bates has got to vary their play calling and avoid predictability tomorrow, believe they will. They have made a couple of lineup changes and will limit the playing time of their 2 very talented but inexperienced Freshmen corners. These 2 FY CBs have big time speed and great athleticism but the Bobcat staff has made the call to pull them back a bit as they gain NESCAC experience. DC Kempton's crew will give the Ephs a handful- they thrive on different schemes and calls and mix it up significantly from week to week which makes Ephs preparation difficult. Who knows what they will throw at the Purple.

Ephs QB Lommen way underrated could be best in league if Purple O Line will perform. Where has Gossnickle been.

And finally is Williams still wearing those Pop Warner style uniforms? We will see tomorrow.   

[Nescacman]

Now I know why Williams built their prized stadium with such a small seating capacity.....their imposing tailgating regulations may discourage many from going to the game.

Spectators want to tailgate and have a beer or a glass of wine and don't want to have their cars and baggage searched and prodded by security officers.
I am sure I am like many who have to spend too much time in airports with all the security restrictions. We understand those procedures at airports. Most of us like to enjoy a good NESCAC game in the fall without all the airport crap and assume Williams Parents and Alums would feel the same.

Maybe I am missing something, did something happen at Williams to influence the administration to make these changes. They have been playing football at Williams for 100 years, why are they imposing these restrictions now?

In liberal western Ma how is this happening? Can someone get Barney Frank or Eliizabeth Warren on the phone?

The kids will always figure out how to get alcohol in or around the stadium but why initiate a crackdown on Williams parents or alums who deal with alcohol responsibly, doesn't seem right.

lumbercat...we all know why they built the stadium with a small seating capacity. Who would want to sit in the stands and watch Kelton destroy a once proud football program.

The current tailgate situation at Williams has been going on for at least four years. And yes, believe it or not, they do sell beer inside the tailgate from a Williams vendor. I would rate Williams equal to Middlebury in terms of level of prohibition. It is tougher to get alcohol into the Williams tailgate (alcohol detectors and car searches) but at Middlebury, it is harder to conceal it in the tailgate area (roving plain clothes patrols). The answer at both places is to park near but not in the tailgate area so that you can enjoy your libations. Btw, the prohibition policy at Hamilton has been very exaggerated. As long as you drink out of a red solo cup, you are cool.

As far as why, not sure at Middlebury but at Williams, I did observe several out of control tailgates where the undergrads burned everything in sight nearly taking out several nearby cars.

[lumbercat]

Thanks Nescacman
I was spouting off  a bit but appreciate your accurate account of the actual situation at Williams.
They actually sell beer in the stadium.??....Steinbrenner lives!