FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[quicksilver]

The timing of the coaching change at Bowdoin may have more to do with the recent change in athletic director to the more football friendly former Bowdoin football player and co-captain and assist football coach Tim Ryan. He is at the beginning of his second year as AD and likely is making some of the changes he was brought into make . .

[rlk]

Rik...you may have to explain your comment to the other posters....even though MIT is having a fine season....are they still undefeated?

[that's rlk, already!]

Hackito, ergo sum.  (and I'm quoted, no less!)

(And yes, as wcrosby -- who was one of the founders of the MIT football program -- notes, we're 9-0.  Up to Bangor on Saturday against Husson.)

[polbear73]

To quicksilver's point, I think all of the factors discussed come into play with the timing the decision.  I know that, aside from a few random comments in the Orient, there has been no serious consideration of giving up the football program at Bowdoin.  The College values all of the  qualities that makes NESCAC football so great and will be working to fix the program. 

[amh63]

rlk.....sorry again wrt i instead of l.   
To those not aware of the history of MIT's history of hacks and pranks...legendary...the Harvard-Yale game in Cambridge is a frequent target.  The 1982 hack was really a three part one which left many fans at the game not remembering the score but remembering the hack.  One part was the MIT band sneaking in before the Yale band and spelling out MIT..in formation at halftime.  Another part was fans given cards to spell out "BEAT Yale".  On cue, 1,134 fans raised their cards and spelled out MIT instead.  The most famous part appeared with 7:45 minutes left in the 2nd period.  Harvard had not scored against Yale since 1979.  After Harvard's 2nd touchdown, a weather balloon burst from the turf at the 46 yard line and grew to 6 feet.  MIT was spelled out on the balloon when the balloon burst in a cloud of talcum powder.
Thus the 1982 game was considered a MIT victory.  Actually, the hack was done by three groups independently!
Info particulars obtained from a publication entitled "Nighthawks"..The MIT Press.
The rlk provided link...in Latin no less.....gives more history.

[AmherstStudent05]

All-Conference teams released.

Milano and Warren split the votes for Offensive Player of the Year (and First Team QB).  Bussani nabs Defensive Player of the Year and Coach Mills is CoY.

I am not sure, but I believe this is the first time that a team has gone undefeated in conference play without being "treated" to a Player of the Year award (on either offense or defense).  I really would have liked to see Chris Tamasi win DPOY this year as he had an outstanding season.  Tied for the conference lead in sacks, second in tackles for loss and forced fumbles, in the top 10 in tackles, and the leader of the best defense in the conference.  Still Bussani likewise had a great season and an amazing career.

Interesting that basically all across the board, Wesleyan got more recognition than Amherst.  Also, as ever, the football coaches were very democratic in making their selections.  Hamilton even got two guys on the First Team.

Anyway, congrats to all the honorees, and, indeed, all NESCAC players and coaches for giving us another great season of football. 

[PolarCat]

It is Barry Mills

Yes it is.  Barry is one of identical triplets.  One brother is Frank, the other is General.  Because I am almost senile, I get them confused sometimes.   

(Hey, at least I got the Mills part right).

[Nescacman]

2014 NESCAC Awards

Congratulations to all of our 2014 NESCAC Award winners.

Offensive Player of the Year: Jesse Warren, Wesleyan

Jesse led the league in passing efficiency for the second straight year and threw 15 TD passes while only throwing 2 picks. He helped lead Wesleyan to their second straight 7-1 campaign (their best two back-to-back seasons since 1947 and 1948). He did all of this while missing his number one weapon, backfield mate and 2013 NESCAC 1st Team RB (and pre-season OPOTY) LaDarius Drew. His ability to avoid the turnover helped Wesleyan lead the NESCAC in turnover differential, which was crucial to their success in 2014.

Defensive Player of the Year: Jake Bussani, Wesleyan

Jake was the prototypical shut down corner for the Cardinals this year (and the last 4 years for that matter). Jake was a 4 year All-NESCAC 1st teamer. We are not sure if anyone has done that before, but it is extremely rare and something to be commended for. Jake led the NESCAC with 7 interceptions (and is second in the country) 2 of which were returned for TDs. He also had 5 pass break-ups. That number would have been higher had teams thrown at him more. Jake anchored the best secondary in the league (first in pass defense and pass efficiency). He is the current active NCAA leader in both interceptions (18, a Wesleyan career record) and pass break-ups (38). Jake hopes to continue his career on Sundays as a long-snapper, which he also did at Wesleyan for 4 years.

Rookie of the Year: Matt Milano, Middlebury

Matt Milano did a great job replacing All-NESCAC QB Mac Foote. Matt led the 'CAC with 24 TD touchdown passes against only 3 interceptions. He was second in passing efficiency. Unfortunately for the rest of the NESCAC, he is only a junior.

Coach of the Year: Jay Civetti, Tufts

Coach Civetti led Tufts to a 4-4 campaign after 3 straight 0-8 seasons. Tufts was 2nd in the NESCAC in passing offense and 4th in total offense. More importantly, he brought some respect back to the once proud Jumbos program. Hopefully, Coach Civetti will be rewarded with a raise and a long-term contract.

Team of the Year: Amherst Lord Jeffs

An undefeated season and a Little 3 title cinched this award for the Lord Jeffs. Amherst led the 'CAC in scoring defense and third in scoring offense. A great year all around for Amherst and Coach Mills.

Just saying...

BTW, not that Coach Mills is not deserving or talented, but how does Coach Civetti not win COY after the job he did this year at Tufts?

[AmherstStudent05]

On thinking a little bit more about the all-conference selections, the most obvious thing that stands out is the Milano/Foote debate.  Indeed, much like the Foote/Warren debate of last year, there are strong arguments on both sides.  To be honest, until looking at the numbers again, I had no idea that Milano's numbers were quite that incredible.  As an Amherst fan, Warren was far and away the best QB we played against, but, then again, we had the benefit of playing him earlier in the year in a game played under very difficult weather conditions.  I would have thought Warren would have deserved this award going away, but after looking at the numbers, it is hard to argue with them both sharing this award.

The other thing that stands out to me is just how many incredibly talented DBs were playing in our conference this year.  Neither Mancini or Buco could crack the first team, and Leedy, Gow, Fairfield-Sonn, and Newson weren't honored at all (Bates and Tufts appear to be two schools whose records surpassed their representation on All-Conference teams, but there just isn't very much room for these coaches to maneuver).

Finally, congrats to the Banfan family!

[banfan]

Proud of my son as always but want to point out that Lyle had a medical redshirt last year and would have been a senior. His class at Andover HS produced Connor Clancy (Colby Center) and Ned Deane (Amherst LB) as well. All three all conference. That High School team was a good team with a great deal of character. Also on that team was a BC tight end and the leading running back at Brown.  Go Golden Eagles!

[gridiron]

With the All NESCAC selections announced I suppose the season really is now officially wrapped up.  What in the world will this board talk about now?

How about a review of the best and the worst NESCAC tailgating venues?  Something to pass the time awaiting kickoff 2015!  Might be helpful for any NESCAC newbies to help prepare.  Just a thought....

[PolarCat]

Add the best tailgate recipes, and I'll stay tuned all winter!

[Nescacman]

With the All NESCAC selections announced I suppose the season really is now officially wrapped up.  What in the world will this board talk about now?

How about a review of the best and the worst NESCAC tailgating venues?  Something to pass the time awaiting kickoff 2015!  Might be helpful for any NESCAC newbies to help prepare.  Just a thought....

Something tells me we will have plenty to talk about this off-season...the NESCAC coaching carousel (or lack there of) for example..

Maybe we should all throw $5 into a pool and pick how many schools have coaching changes and which schools they are and see who wins...we know it is at least 1 and it certainly won't be higher than 5 based on the rumors floating around this board.

I'll start and take 3....Bowdoin, Williams and Wesleyan...anyone else in?

[amh63]

An FYI item while awaiting news wrt to coaching changes.
Retiring HFC Caputi has a daughter playing on the WBB team.  She is a FY player...Class of 2018.  Did I read somewhere that there is another child..last daughter applying to a CAC school?  May need to get a job soon!

[gridiron]

Read on this board from another poster he has a daughter at Colby.

[FourMoreYears]

An FYI item during the news wrt to coaching changes.
Retiring HFC Caputi has a daughter playing on the WBB team.  She is a FY player...Class of 2018.  Did I read somewhere that there is another child..last daughter applying to an CAC school?  May need to get a job soon!

The Caputi family has four children:
Senior son at Bowdoin
Junior daughter at Middlebury
Freshmen daughter at Bowdoin
Youngest daughter a senior in HS, applying ED to a NESCAC school. (until that letter comes no matter which one!)