FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[AUPepBand]

The atmosphere at the Hamilton-Tufts game was from what I am told the best in years at Steuben Field. While head coach Dave Murray started turning around the program last season, this was a huge lift for parents, alumni and, most importantly, a good group of students which came out and were ready to rush the field had they won. The new uniforms and helmets reminded those of what Alabama wears but in blue and the team a good decision to move their sideline across the field, away from the parents and fans as Steuben only has stands on one side. While Hamilton has a long ways to go, many of the parents afterwards including first-year parents felt like despite the loss a breath of fresh air has been blown into the program. The other standout was there were a handful of freshman that were able to contribute. The next day, Hamilton hosted Union College for a JV game where we got a chance to see this freshman class, Murray's first at Hamilton, and they looked good. I hope some of the administration was on hand Saturday to see what competitive football can bring to the school and how exciting it can be in Clinton on Saturday afternoons.

Murray has a way about him that gets the best out of his kids, despite the extent of the talent with which he has to work. But then, he has a way of attracting good talent. He's definitely a players' coach and a calm, cool, sideline source of encouragement. Have never seen him blow up at a kid....although early in his Alfred career Pep observed his giving his boys a tongue-lashing for their rude behavior in a convenient store. You're in for some fun in Clinton, win or lose.

Go Continentals! On Saxon Warriors!

[nescac1]

I am not a Bowdoin guy but kept an eye on Montgomery vs. Williams.  He was starting at LT for Bowdoin and matched up against James Howe, Williams' star end, one-on-one a lot.  For much of the game he manhandled Howe -- he is really, really big and strong.  But he seemed to wear down a bit late in the game and Howe, plus a back-up end, were both able to use their speed to beat him on the outside several times for QB sacks or pressures.  Still, he looks like he will be quite good to me. 

[fulbakdad]

thanks N1

[PolarCat]

Tufts has posted a really nice video recap of last week's win.  (Except for the quote-unquote musical soundtrack). Some pretty significant celly action.  I'm sure the Bobcats will watch that with interest.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9O6XuVBV5w

[AUPepBand]

Nescacman, great writeup and agree that Hamilton can win at least two games this season. Today, despite you picking them to lose, will be very interesting considering they have Tufts at home and should have beaten  them in Boston last year. The attitude seems to have changed among the players though the school itself still gives the team little or no support and there is little or no confidence in the athletics director. No need to put the number out there but the overall Hamilton sports program has to be among the worst in all of the NCAA. The AD along with the administration has promised for more than a year and a half changes in the entire athletic program but there has been really nothing done except for a new locker room which only came because of a gift of a former football player and replaced a locker room that was disgusting and a health hazard. Head coach Dave Murray, however, has brought in new uniforms, helmets and a new overall look and he is the school's lone hope for a winning program. Lot of players gone from last year's squad though most of the ones that played returned. The key for Hamilton will be finishing, whether it be a play, drive, quarter or game. With games against Wesleyan and Trinity around the corner, the key to the season really is today against Tufts. There is no reason why they can't beat the Jumbos. They have them at home, there is certainly enough talent in Clinton and Tufts hasn't won a road game in what, almost five years. If Tufts wins it will be another setback for a Hamilton program that needs to get the monkey off its back much like Tufts did against them last year. I think we will all get a chance to see what Murray and his staff are made of today at Steuben Field. He won at his last school but came from a poor academic school at Alfred where he could take anyone. These are his coaches and he has a year under his belt and we will get a chance to see today what he can actually do in D3's top academic league. Murray has enough to win four games this season and perhaps even pull up a upset over one of the big four and they don't have to play Amherst. If Hamilton was ever going turn a corner where the players start learning to win, a good start would be today. Hopefully, it's AD and administration will be on hand today to watch and if a win does come see what kind of difference it can make at the school. Hamilton wonders why it is not a top 10 or now even top 15 liberal arts college. It is not just all about academics and or building some fancy theatre and arts building. It is about trying to be the best at everything. Ask Harvard or I like what Mercedes goes by: Best or Nothing!

say what?

[PolarCat]

Ah, the pain of unrequited love.  Since you let that go for 3 days, I was hoping you hadn't seen that indelicate comment buried in the fine print of his marathon post.

I also think Hamilton's outstanding WLAX coach, Patty Kloidt, would take exception to the statement that Murray is Hamilton's "lone hope for a winning program."  I bet Coach Murray would take exception, too.

Puts  you in a bit of a pickle: How do you root for your former coach and his program when a parent takes a shot like that at the Saxon Warriors?  Think I will cook me up some popcorn, as this may get interesting.....

[gridiron]

Looking for some input on Middlebury tailgating with the new no alcohol policy in place.  Any posters attend games there last season when the policy was first initiated?  Any direction as to what to expect would be very useful.

[Nescacman]

Looking for some input on Middlebury tailgating with the new no alcohol policy in place.  Any posters attend games there last season when the policy was first initiated?  Any direction as to what to expect would be very useful.

Gridiron...it's easier to get a shoe bomb on a plane than it is to sneak a bottle of beer, wine, or God forbid, booze into the Middlebury tailgate area. Expect trunk searches and parking lot patrols by heavily armed law enforcement professionals. Alas...where there's a will there's a way...this is America after all! Oh wait, is Vermont still part of the US of A?!?

[PolarCat]

Would a "Feel the Bern", "I love Cow Tipping" or "Re-elect Calvin Coolidge" bumper sticker distract them?

[Nescacman]

Would a "Feel the Bern", "I love Cow Tipping" or "Re-elect Calvin Coolidge" bumper sticker distract them?

I think you'd need to have Bernie Sanders in your car to have any shot of getting alcohol into the Middlebury tailgate area.

[gridiron]

Polarcat and Nescacman--thanks for the insight on tailgating in Middlebury.  Wow, sounds as if the "fun police" are in full force--modeling themselves after those in Willytown maybe??  I know the students and alum were not happy last year, so now I guess visiting fans will be added to the list.  Will spread the word to those planning to make the trip in the rain this weekend.

[Nescacman]

Polarcat and Nescacman--thanks for the insight on tailgating in Middlebury.  Wow, sounds as if the "fun police" are in full force--modeling themselves after those in Willytown maybe??  I know the students and alum were not happy last year, so now I guess visiting fans will be added to the list.  Will spread the word to those planning to make the trip in the rain this weekend.

Save your coffee cups...hint, hint.

[gridiron]

Expect some caffeine junkies in attendance Saturday.

[gridiron]

Just heard a rumor that Hamilton has now adopted the same alcohol-free tailgating policy as Middlebury and Williams (as opposed to "free alcohol" policy....).  Can anyone who attended last week's game in Clinton confirm??

[PolarCat]

Meanwhile, the College in Lewiston is sponsoring the "Bates BrewFest" during the game.

I'd say my son picked the right place to spend 4 years.