FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[PolarCat]

First, requests for injury reports or status of key player's status; kinda a touchy subject. Bates is a different team if their starting QB is out so if I was the Bates coach, I would want that status to be held close to the vest. I know that Trinity is cautious about such information. Of course, if the key player is in a cast and 'walking' the campus in crutches, the info gets out.

SRSLY?  The two Bates players with concussions both left the Williams game, due to said concussions.  The QB left at half-time, and came back in the 4th quarter, playing through either a high ankle sprain or a fracture.  None of their injuries was exactly a secret.  And my comments that my sources were "not sure if either (of the concussed kids) will be cleared to play against Wes" or that the QB's status was somewhere between "fine" and "questionable" are pretty darn innocuous.  More along the lines of ESPN's quote-unquote reporting than Edward Snowden or WikiLeaks.

I was just about to spill the beans about Tufts roster changes' and game plan, but now I'm worried I'd get slapped on the wrist by the internet police.

I like the sense of decorum on this board compared to some of the others out there (like Talking Soccer), but SRSLY?  As Chris Berman would say, "Come On, Man!"

[banfan]

Gee, insecurity and personal attacks? SRSLY? Decorum?

Maybe you should take a breath a read my post again. It was never aimed at you. I did not even know who had made the inquiries. I was just responding to the subject. You, on the other hand.....

[DC 53]

The Williams alcohol gestapo make the TSA seem like Cub Scouts! Really shameful.

[FightingCards]

Middle of the week...quiet.  Only info of interest to posters is up in Willytown.  This weekend, there will be a dedication and a celebration.  The new facilities in general and the football field in particular will be dedicated.  The famous coaches associated with the fields will also be honored.  Writeup indicate that food and refreshments will be available...I take it it will be provided without charge! 
Frank U....maybe you can confirm?  Know you will be at the Log for  the particulars afterwards.
This is really for the fans of the opposing team.
Still not sure about some of the particulars at the Amherst Homecoming game Frank.  You are invited to my class tent in any case...refreshments particulars still unknown...due to the late start.  There will be an open lunch provided in Coolidge cage between 12-2pm....no charge, if the policy of after the game activities are followed....beer and wine do cost...unless some alum subsidize it as has been done.  Parking is not clear.  Last year, because of the new grass...tailgating was not allowed.  Not sure what is going on this season.  Know that parking on the lower old practice field has been allowed.
Oh yes, for posters who may wish to attend the game..alums, parents or otherwise...this info applies to you also.  Expect no charge for the game...not sure if the game programs will be free as they were last year.

Does anyone know Coach Kelton's career record versus Bates?

[amh63]

Really! That bad at Middlebury and Williams.  I actually read the ban that is on the Midd website.  Cited a reference from the NESCAC ho;y writ or something and the AD and others took it from there.  Also made reference to an incident another time and reference to costs....for security patrols...or whatever.  Posters should read it and if there are any lawyers around....let me know what you think. 
What has college football watching coming to.  The WSJ did a piece about tailgating in the SEC...where the tailgating  is first and the game second....also about the partying among the fans....i.e. LSU and Old MISS at the same party! Approaching an art form.
Very civil and all.
Guess us folks must adjust to new times in NE.  Guess the new thing is to watch the games online in a sports bar....now that we have NSN in HD.  Me going on about this topic...me a non drinker too..in my declining years.

[FightingCards]

Over the past dozen or so years Bates has managed to attract an increasingly improving caliber of player personnel.

It's because of Coach Mark Harriman-great guy, great coach.  I used to work with him at Harvard in the 90's. If he was the HCOF at Williams, he would probably have a record of 26-6 in the last 4 years with a Little 3 and Nescac titles.

[FightingCards]

I give Trinity the edge over Wesleyan ... most certainly in Class!

Trinity vs Hamilton was a hard hitting and hard fought game ... but clean!  The Trinity O-Line was huge, but the Hamilton defense played outstanding. 3 - 0 at the half!  The Trinity defense gave Hamilton fits all game but really turned up the pressure in the second half - Shut down the run game and put a lot of pressure on the Hamilton QB.

It was great to see the Hamilton kids play so hard against a talented Trinity team.  I agree that a couple of poor Hamilton punts had an impact on the game.  But if this team keeps improving, the wins will definitely come.  As I said last week, Hamilton will be competitive and has as good a chance as any to win each of their last 5 games.  Now wouldn't that be something!

On to Trinity vs Wesleyan:
I was quiet last week on the whole fight song subject - but I agree with ContinentalsMan that coaching matters a lot.  I have had the opportunity to meet the Trinity and Wesleyan Coaches on a few different occasions.  Every time I met the Wesleyan coaches I felt they displayed a significant amount of arrogance - and that obviously flows down to their team.  They have certainly had success, but it is how you win and lose that matters as well.

So from now on I am routing for Hamilton - and anyone that is playing Wesleyan!

HamMan-
If you would like us to send you the lyrics and music sheet for the Wesleyan fight song, Nescacman and I can make that happen.  The Wesleyan success and Cardinal Pride is a wonderful thing and a long time coming for a school that suffered in football since the Vietnam War.  If you went to a practice and saw how hard the kids work, I think you would call that a reflection on the coaches and the athletic program that Coach Whalen is creating.   "And so it's fight for old Wesleyan, never give in....."  We cordially invite you to the Kelton vs Whalen game in November in the Purple Mountains...We'll sneak in the beer and invite you to our tailgate. 

[FightingCards]

2014 Week #3 NESCAC Preview and Power Rankings

Welcome to Week 3 in the NESCAC..."the league where they pay to play". Week #2 produced a few surprises with upstart Tufts continuing their winning ways (congrats to Coach Civetti on improving his career record to 2-24) and Trinity swamping the Head Coach of Football ("HCOF") Kelton's squad in Billville (not surprisingly). A couple of story lines we are watching: Trinity and Wesleyan on a collision course for an "all the marbles game" November 8th in Middletown, how many games will a resurgent Tufts Jumbo squad end up winning (the over/under is 3), will Bowdoin win a game this year (we say no), when does the Kelton watch begin in 2014 (we think it has), does Amherst have enough offense to challenge Wes or Trinity for 'CAC league supremacy (the Magic 8-ball says "check back later").

Week 2 was another good week for us going 4-1. If not for a complete breakdown in Bates' usually solid special teams, we would be sitting at 10-0 for the season. We were all over the Amherst/Bowdoin and Middlebury/Colby scores and were close on several others. Our rankings remain pretty much unchanged in the upper tier with some continued movement around the fringes.

2014 Week #3 NESCAC Power Rankings

1. Wesleyan (Last Week: #1): Not the expected dominant performance by The Cardinals. Despite playing OK versus a solid Middlebury team, they did not well against a well coached but undermanned Hamilton squad, Wes is still sitting at 2-0. Last year, they played their best all around game against a Ciero led Colby team. This would be the perfect week for them get their act together with Amherst coming to town in just 2 weeks. Jesse Warren was efficient (isn't he always) going 12-14, throwing 2 TDs and no interceptions. All NESCAC RB Drew once again did not play, but super back-up Kyle Gibson showed why he is also an All-NESCAC performer rambling for 132 yards. We continue to believe that the Cards would be well served by throwing the ball down the field a bit more to one of their stellar receivers. Surprisingly, the question mark right now is the defense. We think the defense is good, however, they have not played a complete game yet. We think this is the week they get it all together. This week, Wesleyan travels to Colby for their first of two back-to-back trips to Maine.

2. Trinity (LW #2): The Bantams smashed their second straight opponent beating the hapless Ephs of Williams. We won't get a true read on this team until week five when they play Middlebury at home. Trinity has perhaps the easiest schedule in the league playing their next 3 weeks against Hamilton, Tufts, and Bowdoin. All the Bantams can do is to keep doing what they are doing and stay focus. The offense was impressive garnering over 450 yards of total offense for the second straight week including 321 yards on the ground. 11 different Bantams carried the ball (again). Trinity got out quick in this one leading 24-0 at the half. Meanwhile, the defense completely shutdown Williams only allowing 175 total yards and 9 first downs. This week, Trinity is on the road at Hamilton.

3. Amherst (LW #3): Amherst had a bounce back week against a poor Bowdoin squad after looking less than sharp against Bates in week 1. Despite only leading 9-0 at the half, the Lord Jeffs came out strong in the third quarter with 21 unanswered points as they cruised to a win. Soph Alex Berlutti had another solid game at QB with Senior Max Lippe again not seeing any action. We have been less than impressed with the Lord Jeffs thus far this year barely beating a Bates team that is 0-2 (that lost to Tufts) and beating the worst team in the league in Bowdoin. This week is a test for Amherst as they travel to Vermont to play Amherst.

4. Middlebury (LW #4): Matt Milano had an excellent game 2 winning NESCAC offensive POTW honors. Middlebury looked good in week #2 completely dominating Colby. The defense again looked good against the run and they lead the NESCAC in rushing defense. This week, they host Amherst in the NESCAC GOTW.

5. Tufts (LW #8): I know we are going to be sorry we did this, but Tufts jumps up 3 spots in our weekly poll by upsetting Bates. Although Tufts is not about to challenge for the league title or even have a winning record this year, we still think Tufts has a chance to get to .500. The roadmap for that to happen is for them to beat Bowdoin this week (which they will do) and then win against either Colby or Williams, which could happen. Will that be enough to save their coaches job. According to our sources close to the Tufts situation, the answer is no. This week they face the hapless Bowdoin Polar bears in Maine.

6. Williams (LW #5): The 2014 Aaron Kelton watch has begun. As we had said, look who they played in week #1 beating up on Bowdoin. Last week, reality set in as they were completely demolished by the Bantams of Trinity in Williamstown allowing 468 yards of total offense and 26 fist downs. The only bright spot for the Ephman on Saturday was their punting (which is never a good sign). Highly touted transfer Austin Lommen came back to earth only throwing for 85 yards and a pick. This is a big week for Williams as they go on the road for the first time this year facing the Bates Bobcats.

7. Bates (LW #6): Disappointing week #2 for the Bobcats as Tufts upset them. We're really not sure about this team yet. Are they the team that played really well against Amherst or the team whose special teams completely broke down against Tufts? The thing that surprises the most is the Bobcat offense. Historically, Bates triple option attack has made them a run first team. IMO, due to a lack of talent at the RB position and their offensive line not playing all that well, Bates has suddenly switched places with Tufts and has become a pass first attack (Bates is third to last in the 'CAC in rushing offense). We think that they are going to have to start running the ball more effectively to be able to have offensive success starting this week in their home opener against Williams as they attempt to go for their 4th straight win against the Ephs.

8. Colby (LW#7): Another tough loss for the Mules as they got crushed by Middlebury in their home opener. Another poor performance by the Colby D (giving up 458 yards of total offense to Middlebury). We are perplexed since we thought Colby's experienced D was going to be solid. They aren't going to be helped by the loss of standout All-NESCAC performer Zach Padula who is gone for the year with a broken collarbone. They currently rank last in the 'CAC in total defense. Their offense has not been much better ranking last in total offense. The schedule continues to be tough for them as they host Wesleyan this week.

9. Hamilton (LW #10): The Conts continue to play hard for new HCOF Murray. The problem here is they just do not have the talent yet to be able to compete with the better teams of the 'CAC. Cont fans, be patient. It will take a couple of years, but by 2016, this program will be respectable. This will be another tough week as the Conts face Trinity in Clinton.

10. Bowdoin (LW #9): Let's sum up the Polar Bears season thus far: ugly. We will go on record right now and say that this team will not win a single game this year. Yes, we are talking about 0-8 for Bowdoin. The problem: Caputi (take your pick: QB or HCOF). This week hey will hit a new low when they lose to former 'CAC doormat, Tufts, at home.

Special Feature: NESCAC Coaching Carousel
What is the status of every HCOF in the NESCAC? Whose job is safe? Who's on the hot seat? Who's a goner? We checked with our sources around the league and this is what we came up with:

Safe: Mills (AMH), Whalen (Wes), Devanney (Trin), Murray (HAM), Ritter (MID), Harriman (BAT), Michaeles (COL)
Safe (But shouldn't be): Caputi (BOW)
Probably a goner (But shouldn't be): Civetti (Tufts)
The Watch is on (And should be): Kelton (WIL)

Week #3 NESCAC Preview

As we head into the third week of the 2014 season, there are a few interesting games that we are keeping our eyes on this week. We are looking forward to Tufts winning their third game in a row, Wesleyan paying their bust game of 2014 and Bates putting the pressure on the HCOF Kelton. Our GOTW pits Amherst against Middlebury. Should be a typical fall day in New England: cloudy, cool and a chance of showers.

Tufts College at Bowdoin College: Tufts is 2-0 for the first time since 2008. Not sure the last time they went 3-0 but we better look that up (1950?). Bowdoin does nothing well and they turn the ball over way too much. Tufts QB Doll will have a big day. Keys to victory for Bowdoin: Avoid turnovers and don't put QB Caputi in a position where they have to pass (maybe they should just run the wildcat with Grant lined up at QB). Keys to victory for Tufts: Keep doing what they are doing with their newly balanced offense and don't keep Bowdoin in the game to allow them to get any confidence. Reality will set in next week for Tufts when they play Trinity in Hartford.

Tufts 28 Bowdoin 14
Weather: Not a factor.

Williams College at Bates College: We think Bates turns it around in this one it in what should be a very competitive contest. Williams has not fared well against the Bobcats in recent years and we think Bates' will figure out their special teams problems. We like Bates' offense to finally run the ball effectively against a porous Williams run D. If Bates runs the ball more (never thought I would say that), I think they will win. The Kelton watch heats up. Keys to victory for Williams: Get Alex Scyocurka going on the ground to open things up for first year QB Lommen.  Keys to victory for Bates: Run the ball effectively to control the clock.

Bates 21 Williams 17
Weather: Chance of showers. High of about 60.

Wesleyan University at Colby College: The last time Wes travelled to Waterville, they were lucky to come away with a win scoring twice in the last 2:30 to pull out a win. Last year, with the same team that they have today, they played probably their most complete game of a stellar 2014 season. Colby is off to a really tough start, albeit against very tough competition. They are last in the 'CAC in offense and last in defense. They have lost key players to transfer and injury. We think Wes starts to put it together this week as they start to gear up for the tougher part of their schedule. Keys to victory for Colby: Run Lipani endlessly and control the clock. Keys to victory for Wesleyan: Throw the ball down the field. Defensively they need to play better against the run.

Wesleyan 35 Colby 7
Weather: Chance of showers, high of about 60.

Trinity College at Hamilton College: Complete mismatch. We think Murray will try some tricks to try and surprise the Bantams, but they just do not have the athletes to be competitive in this one. Keys to victory for Trin: Show up and stay healthy. Keys to victory for Hamilton: Run the ball and control the clock.

Trinity 49 Hamilton 7
Weather: Not a factor.


NESCAC Game of the Week

Amherst College at Middlebury College: Very interesting game as #3 Amherst travels to #4 Middlebury. Amherst has not been as impressive as we thought they would be (similar to Wesleyan) barely beating Bates and pulling away in the second half against a woeful Bowdoin squad. These team's match-up very well against each other. We are going to give the edge to the home team in this one and we think the difference will be QB Milano and Middlebury's tough rushing D. Keys to victory for Amherst: Minimize the mistakes and avoid the big play by Middlebury. Keys to victory for Middlebury: Run the ball effectively to set up the pass.

Middlebury 17 Amherst 14
Weather: Rain. High in the high 50's.

NESCAC Man's Picks
Last week: 4-1
2014 Season: 9-1
2013 Season: 32-8

Nescacman-

Apologize I have been non existent until tonight.  Just saw that u actually picked Bates to beat the HCOF at Williams last week.  Gutsy pick...please weave ur magic in the upcoming games in Coach Kelton's favor as we need him to go 4-4 or 5-3 every year.  Game of the year coming up in 10 days....Lord Jeffrey at the Fighting Cards for Homecoming.......but the Cards will not dismiss a very well coached Bates team this week....they are always tough at home and will bounce back to give Wesleyan a very respectable game...this game always concerns me...but as we say in Middleton, " In Coach Whalen We Trust". 

[lumbercat]

Banfan-
Not sure you understood, Polarcat was posting an honest response on the injury situation at Bates and you took the over officious approach with your comments about hiding or not reporting injuries---not the case, the guy was just posting his response.

Wish your Bantams the very best as they coast to the NESCAC game of the DECADE against Wesleyan this year......the bloom is off the rose with the Amherst - Williams game- it's no big deal these days. The purple/blue are not among the elite of the NESCAC.

Someone call NESN and let them know they will be airing another A-W sleeper in Western Ma this year..."The Game" will be in Middletown.

Not sure how the elite "Double Purple" society in western Ma will deal with the fact that "The Game"  in the NESCAC has moved to Connecticut for the second year in a row......How will they handle second billing in Amerst and Williamstown ? ....the stands may be empty.....they may all go to an Art exhibit.

The Amherst- Williams game was shifted to 4:00 pm on NESN this year..... Word is that NESN is now considering airing the NESCAC Championship game between Wesleyan-Trinity at Noon with the "constellation" game in western Ma to follow.

[Nescacman]

Middle of the week...quiet.  Only info of interest to posters is up in Willytown.  This weekend, there will be a dedication and a celebration.  The new facilities in general and the football field in particular will be dedicated.  The famous coaches associated with the fields will also be honored.  Writeup indicate that food and refreshments will be available...I take it it will be provided without charge! 
Frank U....maybe you can confirm?  Know you will be at the Log for  the particulars afterwards.
This is really for the fans of the opposing team.
Still not sure about some of the particulars at the Amherst Homecoming game Frank.  You are invited to my class tent in any case...refreshments particulars still unknown...due to the late start.  There will be an open lunch provided in Coolidge cage between 12-2pm....no charge, if the policy of after the game activities are followed....beer and wine do cost...unless some alum subsidize it as has been done.  Parking is not clear.  Last year, because of the new grass...tailgating was not allowed.  Not sure what is going on this season.  Know that parking on the lower old practice field has been allowed.
Oh yes, for posters who may wish to attend the game..alums, parents or otherwise...this info applies to you also.  Expect no charge for the game...not sure if the game programs will be free as they were last year.

Does anyone know Coach Kelton's career record versus Bates?

Not sure I am allowed to answer, but he is 1-4 against the Bates Bobcats including 4 loses in a row. Pretty sad that the Ephs wouldn't win a C-B-B title these days let alone a Little 3 championship.

[banfan]

Lumbercat, maybe you and Polarcat did not understand. The subject was injury reports and their importance in game preparation. I think that you need to re-read my post as well. Polar was 'honest' and I was 'overly officious'?
Let's just drop it there.

[PolarCat]

I doubt very much that any of the NECAC HCOF's troll this board looking for nuggets of intelligence to help them prepare for the coming games.  Now, there's always a chance that the CIA has a sleeper mole here (I am guessing it's either amh63 or Fighting Cards), and the NSA is almost certainly monitoring us looking for ISIS recruiting messages, but they have the budget to do so.  Pretty sure Harriman, Caputi, Caviti and even Kelton have better things to do with their time.

So I think any innocuous comments made about injuries here are pretty safe.  Just like the innocuous comments about alcohol and tailgating; I doubt the Vermont State Police and the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms are going to swoop in and arrest us all anytime soon.

[madzillagd]

So I think any innocuous comments made about injuries here are pretty safe.  Just like the innocuous comments about alcohol and tailgating; I doubt the Vermont State Police and the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms are going to swoop in and arrest us all anytime soon.

You say that but forget that Al Davis has been missing all year. Watch your back tailgaters, The Man is watching you.

[amh63]

Approaching MIDSEASON in a 8 game conference.....and many posters including me are a bit of topic. Hoping more football projections arrive shortly...even previews.  Until then, some responses and comments on posts
Lumbercat.....you may be correct wrt to the NESN point/jab...now that The Game is at 4 PM  Wrong about the Purple crowd attendance.  We have nothing better to do that weekend.  If you are available, you have my personal invite to join.  Will even wager a bet that the attendance will exceed that of the your Game of the Decade.
PolarCat...CIA???...me.  However you are linking in the right spot.  There have been three alums , I believe, that have held the Directorship of that esteem agency.
Madz....like your wit....though Al Davis would be the last person to enforce based on his posts. 
Now a possible topic up for comments...The Game of the Week. 
It maybe the Amherst vs Colby game in the art loving town of Amherst.  All of Colby's fall teams are arriving, it appears, to study art and beat on the poor Amherst teams.  Why?  Colby to me is a unknown quality with something to prove. Though I trust Amherst coaches to take one game at a time..there is a concern here that players maybe looking ahead to a brutal 2nd half of the season.  Suggesting the game in Amherst is also due to the fact that I am ignorant of the other games.

[PolarCat]

Public Service Announcement for any going to Trinity Saturday for the Tufts game.  NESCAC has re-Tweeted an announcement from Trinity, mentioning that many streets will be closed on Saturday for the Hartford Marathon.  It would stink to be late for the tailgate, and maybe even worse to be lost and detoured through the surrounding neighborhood.

Full announcement is here: http://www.trincoll.edu/Admissions/campusvisit/Documents/HartfordMarathonDirections%202014.pdf