FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[Jonny Utah]

It's been a really fun season, thanks to everyone who read our posts. Here is a final post from the blog (http://blogs.middlebury.edu/panthernation/2012/11/13/settling-the-debate-determining-offensive-and-defensive-players-of-the-year-and-coach-of-the-year/):

There are three — and only three — possible candidates for Offensive Player of the Year in the NESCAC: Mac Foote, Zach Driscoll and Evan Bunker. Here are their respective 2012 season lines:

Mac Foote: 256-402 (64%, 32 completions/game, 1st in nation), NESCAC-record 2,897 yards (362/game, 3rd in nation), NESCAC-record 31 TD (3.9 TD/game, 2nd in nation), 8 INT
Zach Driscoll: NESCAC-record 83 receptions (10.4 receptions/game, 2nd in nation), 1,134 yards (141.75 yards/game, 2nd in nation), NESCAC-record 15 receiving TD (1.9 TD/game, 2nd in nation)
Evan Bunker: 207 rushes, 1275 yards (159 yards/game, 3rd in nation), 6.16 yards/carry (21st in nation), 11 catches, 97 yards, 11 TD (27th in nation)

While Bunker certainly has a strong case for the award, his season simply does not measure up to those of Driscoll and Foote. Bunker is an incredible
runner and in an ordinary year this would be his award, but what Driscoll and Foote accomplished this season cannot be ignored. Put simply, they both just finished the best single season in NESCAC history at their respective positions. Driscoll set the single season record for most receptions and touchdowns for a wide receiver and fell just four yards short of setting the receiving yards record. Mac set the single season record for passing yardage and obliterated the passing touchdown record, throwing 36% of the total touchdowns thrown in the conference this season.

Consider for a moment that Bunker averaged 159 yards per game on the ground — a very impressive, though not record-breaking number. Then consider that Driscoll nearly matched that through the air, nearly tripling the yards per game average of the next best non-Middlebury wide receiver. Bunker's numbers, though again impressive, are considerably more reasonable when juxtaposed to those of the next best runners in the conference all of whom averaged nearly two-thirds of Bunker's production. Driscoll also scored four more touchdowns than Bunker, despite less than half as many touches.

Some will argue that Bunker's numbers were depressed by backfield mate Ben Crick who stole carries from Bunker, making Bunker's season that much more impressive. There are two responses to this argument. First, if we acknowledge that Crick took carries away from Bunker, which he did (though Bunker still led the NESCAC in rushing attempts) then we must also acknowledge that Middlebury's numerous weapons on the outside, including Chapman, Rankowitz, Goodkind and Minno also took targets away from Driscoll — probably at a considerably greater "cost" to Driscoll's numbers than Crick's affect on Bunker. And second, while we're on the subject of Crick, doesn't it say something that, of the two runners, Crick was both more efficient and more explosive than Bunker? On 84 carries (hardly a small sample size), Crick averaged better yards per carry average and a considerably higher touchdown rate than Bunker. This isn't to say that Crick is the better of the two backs, but rather to point out that what Bunker accomplished was not so much more impressive than what other players on his team and in the conference accomplished. The same cannot be said about Driscoll or Foote, who statistically obliterated every other NESCAC player at their respective positions, this year or any year.

So, given that Driscoll and Foote both had seasons for the ages, which is more deserving? We would argue that their accomplishments cannot and should not be separated. Foote and Driscoll have had a special connection this season since the very first drop back (which happened to result in a Driscoll touchdown catch), one that has broken and set numerous program and conference records, and one that should result in the pair being named Co-Offensive Players of the Year. Furthermore, the fact that Driscoll and Foote played together should not weaken their case for Co-OPoY, but rather enhance it. This is not a case where the quarterback made the wide receiver or vice versa. Instead, the immense talent of each player allowed the other to play at a higher level than any other at their position. The 15 touchdowns that Foote threw to Driscoll this season were the product of precision route running and perfectly timed touch throws that could not have been, and were not, replicated by any other tandem in the league, including Driscoll's teammates.

Zach Driscoll and Mac Foote should be named co-Offensive-Players-of-the-Year in the NESCAC, and both should be strongly considered for First Team All-American honors, along with tight end Billy Chapman.

The final argument for Bunker — that he outperformed Foote and Driscoll in their one meeting — is also a weak one. While Bunker was phenomenal in that game and both Foote and Driscoll played well below their capabilities, Bunker should not get credit for "outperforming" Middlebury's stars. This is a nonsensical argument, similar to reasoning that the outcome of a pitching duel or the result of a game involving two great quarterbacks determines who the better player is. In reality, the Middlebury offense was dominated by the best defense in the NESCAC, and Bunker ran wild over a defense that regressed in the second half of the season, especially against the run. It does not make the case that Bunker was the superior offensive player.

Instead, it does, along with many other factors, make a great case for Trinity safety Rae Haynes as the Defensive Player of the Year. Haynes is as dominant of a player as there is in the conference and, we would argue, probably the best player at any position in the league. While his teammate Stephen Goniprow also has a strong case for DPoY and probably had a better statistical season than Haynes, stats account for a smaller piece of the puzzle on defense than they do on offense. Haynes made it virtually impossible to throw downfield against the Bantams, using both his imposing physicality and tremendous quickness to simultaneously intimidate receivers — often stopping their routes completing their routes — and dissuade quarterbacks from throwing the ball in his direction. Because measuring the effectiveness of a defensive player is understanding the importance of not just what did happen, but also what didn't happen, it is Haynes who deserves the award for Defensive Player of the Year.

While offensive "matchups" are a foolish way to determine the better of the two players in any substantial way, the same cannot be said about coaching results. The NESCAC Coach of the Year, therefore, is a straightforward decision — the award belongs to Trinity head coach Jeff Devanney. While Bates head coach Mark Harriman is also deserving of the award, both for his team's improvement as well as everything they accomplished this season in light of the terrible tragedy of Troy Pappas's death, what Devanney did this year, blowing out certain teams, including Middlebury, with greater preparation and a better game plan while consistently pulling the right strings late in games when the team needed a big play was amazing. The criteria for great coaches should be threefold: 1) Earn the respect of and have the ability to motivate your players (check) 2) Consistently outcoach your competition with better preparation and game planning (check) 3) In tight games always put your team in the best possible position to win (check). Having clearly demonstrated that he excels in each of these respective areas, Devanney should be the decision for CoY despite considerable improvement from Middlebury, Wesleyan and Bates.

Who is next in line for the Middlebury QB next year?

[Panthernation]

Mac Foote is a Junior. After next year, Matt Milano, currently a freshman, appears likely to take over.

A correction from above: Zach Driscoll is 1st, not 2nd, in receiving TDs per game. The WR ahead of him in "Scoring" had 2 rushing TDs.

[Panthernation]

I think some of these posts could be submitted as dissertations at some of the NESCAC schools 

If only... Wrote that instead of a paper last night. Priorities.

[Pat Coleman]

I think some of these posts could be submitted as dissertations at some of the NESCAC schools 

If only... Wrote that instead of a paper last night. Priorities.

+1

[pg04]

I think some of these posts could be submitted as dissertations at some of the NESCAC schools 

If only... Wrote that instead of a paper last night. Priorities.

Trust me, I know! I spend a lot more time on here than I should given all the writing I need to do. +K from me as well!

[amh63]

Pat C........You understand the Amherst vs. Williams game marks an end of the season!  Thanks for the comment.

[Pat Coleman]

Only as it pertains to the ECAC's. Somehow the Monon Bell and Cortaca Jug folks still manage to have a fantastic rivalry game and also go to the NCAA playoffs afterward without ruining the sanctity of their game.

[Jonny Utah]

Mac Foote is a Junior. After next year, Matt Milano, currently a freshman, appears likely to take over.

A correction from above: Zach Driscoll is 1st, not 2nd, in receiving TDs per game. The WR ahead of him in "Scoring" had 2 rushing TDs.

Duh, I knew that.

[amh63]

Some final thoughts from Homecoming and the last game on the present Pratt field.
It was a sunny relative mild day for Nov. and a great one for the attendees to gather and watch the game.  Estimates by some for the expected crowd was 16 thousands....a little too high.  Both stands were filled with some Amherst supporters moving over to the Sunny and warmer Williams side.  The stands can hold 8000 fans.  The Hitchcock Rd. side was packed with fans around the party tents and was at a minimum ten deep...I estimate over 2000 fans.  The scoreboard side by the football parents tent was quite packed.  The official number was 10214!  How did they get 214!....since there were no tickets required.  My estimate is around 11-12 thousands by halftime.
My class tent even had several Williams guests....former football Captains?  All are welcome after one graduates.
Heard from a stats keeper in the press box that a NE Patriot scout was on hand.  He came to see L. Lewis, the fine senior CB...who was not in pads but was on the sidelines.  Seemed that the NFL scout noted the play of Hartwell, the fine WR for Williams.
Sat with a number of parents of Amherst players and they were very concerned about Hartwell.  When Amherst went down to the red zone of Williams in its last drive.....there was a debate about the approach to take with around 2 plus minutes to go in the game.  Run down the clock and kick a short field goal to make it a 26-20 game (if Amherst could not score a TD) OR just go on a 4th down and leave Williams with a long field and a short clock.  Amherst went on 4th down.....not wanting to have Hartwell make ANOTHER great runback.

[Panthernation]

All Conference Teams and Awards released: http://nescac.com/sports/fball/2012-13/honors/allconference

OPOY: Mac Foote, Middlebury
DPOY: Rae Haynes, Trinity
ROY: Tim Patricia, Middlebury

[nescac1]

Hard to argue with any of those picks.  As for the Foote vs. Bunker award, it's a no-brainer.  Not only did Foote set every record, but he wins on every measure of how you evaluate an MVP: take Bunker away from Trinity, they lose maybe 1, at most 2, games, take Foote away from Midd, and they aren't remotely the same team.  Plus, every coach in NESCAC would pick Foote if they could choose any one player to start their team with. 

I note that Wesleyan has seven members of the all-NESCAC team, and NONE of the them are seniors.  Add in a solid underclassman QB and two stud sophomore TBs both with all-NESCAC ability, and the Cardinals are going to be a force next year and in particular in two years time.  They will be right there with Trinity and Midd as the pre-season NESCAC favorite. 

Williams had its thinnest crop of all-NESCAC talent in recent memory.  Even more troubling for the Ephs is that the best player, Hartwell, is graduating and the Ephs return only two all-NESCAC guys next year, one of whom is a kicker.  Scyocurka is a lock for all-NESCAC is he can ever stay healthy, and Cabarle will eventually be all league as well (and I'm surprised that Kim and not him made the team, actually) and I like the young defensive line talent the Ephs have returning (especially DL Howe, who would have challenged for ROY most seasons), but Williams, right now, needs a serious influx of talent at virtually every position other than maybe WR if they want to keep up with Wesleyan and Amherst, let alone ever challenge Trinity again.  Based on Wesleyan's last two recruiting classes vs. the Ephs', Williams appears to really miss Dicenzo. 

[oldhamfan]

Notable snubs:
LB MacDonald from Hamilton had a good year statistically, but the Hamilton defense was too bad to have any players from that side of the ball make the team.

Can't agree with you, nor did the NESCAC coaches. With your logic, Archie Manning should never have been NFC Player of the Year.

[frank uible]

All conference and other "all" teams are produced through a combination of good intentions, petty politics, sometimes commercial considerations and easy convenience with an almost total absence of the excruciating time consuming, truly hard work needed to get it as nearly right as possible.

[BallHawk7]

I think it's a quite different. In 1978, the New Orleans Saints had a bad record, but it wasn't because of their offense; their offense put up some of the most points in the league. Hamilton, statistically, was the worst defense in the league, and it wasn't close. They let up the most points, the second most yards, and forced the fewest turnovers. MacDonald was the leader of that defense and had a lot of tackles because they were so bad. Hamilton was 1 and 7 and it was primarily because of their defense...their offense was pretty good.  For them to have 1 defensive player does not make much sense to me, but lucky for you oldhamfan...I don't have a vote!

[RanchHawg73]

All conference and other "all" teams are produced through a combination of good intentions, petty politics, sometimes commercial considerations and easy convenience with an almost total absence of the excruciating time consuming, truly hard work needed to get it as nearly right as possible.

Hello NESCAC Football Family.   I have been following this board throughout the season, and decided to add my thoughts as the season is complete.  My background: I'm a former Bantam (15+ years out), living and working in Asia for five years.  Late night webcasts are a good way to keep in touch with the game, and I have enjoyed doing so this season. 

First, let me leave a disclaimer:  I respect all football players on each team, and my opinions on a college, team, portion of a team, or individual player, however seemingly critical, are not to be taken personally as I respect this league and its true form of student-athletics immensely.  I'm from New England, I don't pull punches, but its all in good fun.  So to the parents, relatives, and at times players themselves (who should be in the weight room an not concerned what we "has-beens" are saying), its all in the spirit of promoting a fun exchange between members of the best collegiate athletic conference in the country.  (more New England sarcasm in each and every post).

So with that, I have followed Frank's comment, as I completely agree that these All-NESCAC teams are of the "feel good" nature, similar to the mantra by which the NESCAC listed standings in Alphabetical order during my day as a student athlete.  Upon further, and deeper, inquiry, we may find some riveting details about actual performance.  The first of which is this:

McCallum Foote is not even the best Quarterback in the NESCAC!   Let alone the best offensive player!
(listen quietly....you can hear kitten teardrops tapping the floor)

Ok, is that a tough statement to digest?  Let's see what the rest of the statistics from NCAA Stats and NESCAC Stats tell us:


Ryan Burgess:
Attempt to TD Ratio:   9.81     (Foote 12.97)
Yards per Completion: 16.4     (Foote  11.3)
Passer Rating:  158.97            (Foote  145.81) 
Passing Efficiency:  21st in Nation  (Foote: 52nd in Nation)
170 Rushing Yards (positive yards - gross sacks), One Rushing Touchdown
Zero Fumbles on the Season  (Foote: 2)

-Directed 3rd Highest Offensive Production in History of NESCAC (3,720 yards)

-Three 4th-Quarter Comebacks, against the Little Three.  NESCAC #3 Amherst(Home), #4 Wesleyan(Road), and #6 Williams(Road).   These teams held the #2, #4, and #5 defense by points allowed, respectively.

-Responsible for all four offensive TDs in those fourth quarter comebacks.  *Can anyone name a team aside from Trinity that has beaten the Little Three in one season? Has it happened?*  Burgess did it on his own shoulders, with two wins on the road. 

-Led Team to Undefeated Season and NESCAC Championship

Trinity Offensive Yardage: 40% Pass, 60% Run offensive yards  (Middlebury 80% Pass, 20% Rush)


McCallum Foote: 
(reference the dissertation of reasons and statistics posted by other members)

-Foote is a system Quarterback, whose numbers are marginally better than the QB that came immediately before him.  See: Graham Harrell, Colt Brennan, Timmy Chang, Chase Daniel.   
(I can sense the blood boiling in the Green Mountain State).  :-)


For the sake of argument since the votes have already been counted..........

Offensive Player of the Year Quarterfinal: (all are very deserving)

Bunker
Burgess
Driscoll
Foote


Offensive Player of the Year Final:  Bunker v. Foote

Bunker (159.4 Rushing Yards Per Game)
Bunker did all this while sharing carries with two other All-NESCAC running backs in his backfield.

Foote   (362.1 Passing Yards Per Game, 63.7% Completion percentage)

Let's see how these two stack up in prime-time:

Bunker vs. #1 Rushing Defense Amherst, 215 yards (134.9% of his average)

Bunker vs. #2 Rushing Defense Bates, 146 yards (91.6% of his average)

Bunker vs. #3 Rushing Defense Wesleyan, 139 yards (87.2% of his average)

Foote vs. #1 Passing Defense Trinity: 133 yards (36.7% of his average), 47.40% completion percentage (74.43% of his average)

Foote vs. #2 Passing Defense Bowdoin: 285 yards (78.7% of his average), 59.1% completion percentage (92.8% of his average)

Foote vs. #3 Passing Defense Amherst: 379 yards (104.1% of his average), 65% completion percentage (102.1% of his average)

And the winner is:   Trinity.   8-0 NESCAC Champs!
Individual honors are nice but Football, the greatest team sport in the world, should be left on the field.  Makes no difference to 99% of the players in the League, nor should it. 

Although, I look forward to all of your responses.


Three Final Comments:
McCallum Foote:  Incredible Year, Exceptional Performance, Bravo!  Same to the all the Panthers (and to the Bates Bobcats).  Good year for cats. ....ok, I just pulled a punch

(Cant believe I'm saying this, but it's true):  Drew and Gibson from Wesleyan got no respect in the All-NESCAC teams....they deserve recognition, despite injuries and sharing carries, each had very good production, created strong TOP numbers for Wesleyan, and helped secure their best season in recent memory. 

Congrats Bants!  Hell of a season!  Well earned through hard work, teamwork, study, and undying Bantam spirit!  Your off-season, practice, film, and in-game efforts are the reason that our Alma Mater has won 91% of its games in the past decade, and 80% of its games in the last 25 years.   .......oh, yeah, and we're "dummer" than everyone else.   :-)