FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[frank uible]

I recall that at an Amherst game in 1984 a fan of Amherst's opponent yelled at Ostendarp, saying something to the effect "who do you think you are - Tom Landry?" in reference to Ostendarp's garb. Of course the fan had his football history upside down. Ostendarp became a HFC in 1959 and wore that outfit then one year before Landry became a HFC in 1960.

[lumbercat]

Good point Frank and ironically I think Ostendarp and Landry were teammates with the NY Giants. Some great coaches came from those old Giant teams, most notably Don Shula and Tom Landry, two of the greatest Pro coaches of all time. Overlooked in that group is Ostendarp who was just as great at the unknown D3 level.

[TheHerst2and4]

Lets solicit an 'anonymous' contribution from wall atreet for throwback jerseys in this years game--bring back the old school look.

Love this idea. How do we make this happen? Might get some tread since it will be the last Amherst Williams game on historic Pratt field as it now stands.

[oldhamfan]

Wes 34 Ham 14. Continentals scored early td and late in game td, Cardinals everything else.. Score only H 7 W 6 at half, looked like Ham had chance, but Wes just pulled away in 3rd quarter.  Soph QB started for Ham, so senior QB Eck has clearly been benched.
The "webcast" from Wes was terrible,somebody tell the school technology has changed since 1995, also their "live stats" page   was actually a 2011 soccer game!

[amh63]

Amherst had the jitters against Bowdoin in a wet cold game in Maine.  Bowdoin was up to the task in the first half, stopping Amherst's running attack at the critical times.  It was 10-6 at the half....Bowdoin with the lead.  Stats were about the same for both teams.  Amherst cough up a fumble that led to a field goal for the Polar Bears.  To many mistakes....penalities stopped Amherst as much as the Bears' defense.  Amherst missed a short field goal and an extra point.  Bowdoin scored first and played error free ball in the first half.
Amherst stopped Bowdoin in the 2nd half and drove down the field on a 65 yard drive to take the lead at 12-10.  Amherst again missed the extra point.  Amherst shut down the Polar Bears in the second half to win 22-10.  Amherst added a long field goal and a TD run by Lippe to reach 22 points.  Amherst was down to Bowdoin's 20 yard line but decided to run out the clock with less than a minute to go. 
Bowdoin started to make mistakes.. and had two interceptions in the 2nd half.  Amherst's defense started to stop the run and picked up two sacks.  Bowdoin did pick up a sack when Lippe chose to run a sweep to his left but was caught behind the line.
Guess Amherst did not beat the spread.....Bowdoin played it tough but its small defensive line worn down as Amherst chewed off big runs with three backs and the QB running.  Lippe did throw a TD and ran for two TDs.

[nescac1]

Trinity beats Williams 17-13.   As expected (by most) a close game.  Unfortunately, neither webcast nor livestats worked, so I have no insight into the game.  Another frustrating fourth quarter collapse vs. Trinity by the Ephs, up 13-3 heading into the quarter.  For whatever reason, Williams really struggles in fourth quarters against Trinity.  Hopefully the Ephs will rebound and get back into a groove prior to Little Three season.  This week just confirms that NESCAC this year has an upper echelon (Trinity, Amherst, Williams, Midd, Wesleyan), and everyone else.  A lot more blowouts to come, likely.  Hamilton, based on the first two games, may set a NESCAC record for rushing yards allowed, they are getting absolutely chewed up on the ground (and Drew didn't even play for Wesleyan). 

[amh63]

Lumbercat......Yes, I remember the "dark blue" being the purple in the old days.  They did not have the "dyes" then and synthetic materials were not available to hold the proper colors.  The official colors are purple and white for Amherst and purple for Williams.  Those purples can be all shades and even lavender passing for purple.  I have read that some English lady watching a sporting event between the schools introduced the color "gold/yellow" into the contest to distinguish the two teams.
Since the budget for this year has paid for the new uniforms and we have no under armor type sponsors for special outfits....I suggest that the movement for those strip jerseys be obtained for next season to mark the NEW field at Amherst with a retro look.  How much does it take for a set of retro jerseys for 80 players?  Less than 5 K?   No more than 8K.  Get the reunion classes for next year to pitch in!
nescac1....was going to pick on Williams for the NO video webcast...free or not.....but you have suffered already.  Did beat the spread and your comments proved ok.

[quicksilver]

Nice effort by the injury-riddled Polar Bears against Amherst. No. 1 QB Grant White went down with a concussion in the Middlebury game and continues to be unable to play. No. 1 RB Zach Donnarumma has an injury of some sort and has not played at all this year. Hope one or both makes it back onto the field this year . .

[Trin9-0]

Another Trinity-Williams classic. It felt like Trin outplayed the Ephs in the first half but big pass plays and two blocked field goals left the Bants down 13-3 at the midway point. Hartwell is LEGIT; a true Bantam killer. When is the last time a WR was a OPY candidate?

It seemed as though Trinity eventually wore down Williams and the Bantams simply dominated the fourth quarter. Some great play calling and timely receptions were the difference late. Although Trinity's QB situation is suspect at best. Several crucial late game 3rd down conversions via the run sealed the game. Bunker and Crick may be the two best backs in the league.

I fully realize that I'm looking WAY too far ahead but Trinity is set up very well for an 8-0 season. Games @Hamilton, Tufts, @Bowdoin before taking on Middlebury and Amherst in the Coop. If Trin can take care of business and protect the home winning streak it could set up for an epic Trin-Wes battle in the season finale.

Based on the rest of the scores this week it's possible that the Ephs are the second best team in the league this year.

[banfan]

Trinity beats Williams 17-13.   As expected (by most) a close game.  Unfortunately, neither webcast nor livestats worked, so I have no insight into the game.  Another frustrating fourth quarter collapse vs. Trinity by the Ephs, up 13-3 heading into the quarter.  For whatever reason, Williams really struggles in fourth quarters against Trinity.  Hopefully the Ephs will rebound and get back into a groove prior to Little Three season.  This week just confirms that NESCAC this year has an upper echelon (Trinity, Amherst, Williams, Midd, Wesleyan), and everyone else.  A lot more blowouts to come, likely.  Hamilton, based on the first two games, may set a NESCAC record for rushing yards allowed, they are getting absolutely chewed up on the ground (and Drew didn't even play for Wesleyan).

Sorry nescac but other than unforced errors by the Trin O this game was not close.  Check the stats.  Williams completely evaporated in the second half.  They gained 36 yrds on the ground.  Heck, Trin gained as much in the air as the Willies.  It was total domination by the Trinity D.  Also our play selection in the first half was insanely predictable.  We opened it up in the second half and except of the aforementioned errors, the second half was all Trinity.  And, if the coach wanted to, we would have covered the spread.

Ask a Williams witness if they were ever comfortable with their lead.  It had nothing to do with the curious difficulty that Williams has with the 4th qrtr against the Bantams.  Your kicking game was better, I'll give you that.

[banfan]

First Downs- Williams 11  Trinity 27
Rushing Yards- W 39  T 261
Passing Yds- W 16-30 198 yds  T 13-22 194 yds
3rd down eff. W 1of12  T 7of18

2nd Half Drives by Williams
5 plays 18yds. punt
3        -10       punt
3        -6        punt
3        +8       punt
3        -10      punt

Second half yardage from scrimmage 0.

[amh63]

Banfan.....Ease up on nescac1 a little....big smile here.  Actually, Trinity's second half domination was much like Amherst's 2nd half effort against Bowdoin.  The Polar Bears tried to stop Amherst's running game in the first half.....often going with 8 players in the box as the announcers put it.  Amherst allowed Bowdoin to run in the first half.  Adjustments were made at the half and no more running by the Bears and Amherst as posted earlier, wore down the smaller Bears' defensive players.  Even the kicking game improved a little...made an extra point and even a field goal.  Really need work on the special teams.  Need to give credit for the 2 sacks by Bowdoin for 2 yards.  Did mention the one on Lippe earlier.  There was as "bubble" pass that lost a yard.....hate that term....no it must have been when Lippe tried to go for a QB sneak into the end zone.  He did make it on the 2nd try....he is 6'6" and is up to 210 this year......thinking ahead for his BB season.
The way Foote is playing for Midd., he is going to be POY.....2nd game with 5 TDs!  Will see how Amherst will adjust next week in VT.
Did notice that Amherst shuttled a number of FY players on the defensive side into the game in "packages".  There are several good size defensive players at OLB and DL on the freshman class.  Game experience needed to meet the great teams ahead....Trinity and as Trinity 8-0 puts it, Williams...the 2nd best.

[banfan]

The stats in my previous post were for the Wes team.  lol

amh if you think I am too big a fan, well, not sure how to respond.  All I do is support my team and give the stats to support my support.  You have to admit the Ephs were totally out gunned and that other than mistakes by Trin and really poor play calling in the first half, it was one sided in everything but the score.  Defense wins championships amh, you know that.  If, and I am saying IF, you think Trinity has the best D in conference, what O will beat them?  Middlebury had nearly 400 yds through the air but only 50 on the ground.  The Williams passing O was thought to be pretty good, maybe second best behind Midd.  Trin took Hartwell out of the game, 3 catches and negligible return yards.  They had no running game and between good coverage and pressure on the QB, Williams couldn't generate 200 yds through the air.

I don't know what else to conclude.  You and others give wrap ups of the games you saw.  This is the wrap up of the game that I went to.

[madzillagd]

Wow. I'm sad that the video feed wasn't working since it sounds like I missed the greatest performance by a football team ever. One thing I'm a little confused about though, if it was such a one-sided contest what are we to think of this stat...

Time with lead:
Williams 42:16
Trinity 6:03

I'm not a football expert but that doesn't seem as lopsided as I was led to believe in previous posts. 

[amh63]

Banfan....Nah...call it as you see it.  That is just what real fans do.....that is what the Williams posters do at times...shading comments to their teams.  I was just kidding with you.  It is like the Bowdoin fan....Quicksilver who again gave the Injury Report.  It is tough to loose starters, etc.....but it is part of the season.  Coaches need to plan for injuries and other factors.  One could argue that both of Amherst's opponents were outmanned with respect to size and number of players.  Getting talent and playing young players are what makes differences in a long "eight game" season.  Enough said on that.
Actually, Bowdoin's back-up QB played last year and played well,imo, in the game.  He made two long completions with defenders chasing him and in his face.....as it looked like on a video feel with players looking like ants.  In short, he kept drives going....so much  so that I wondered what was wrong with the Amherst's defense in the first half.  I do believe that one of Amherst's strengths is the coaching staff's adjustments made as the game goes on.  Defensive and offensive adjustments were made that changed the game around in the second half.