FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[amh63]

There you go again PolarCat....looking on the bright side.
If the rumor is correct wrt Hamilton.....I will relate an observation/ trend?   The three schools in play on no booze in the tailgate area.....are all located in nice small "hamlets/ villages" with low population density...in the country for a city boy like me.  what is up! Is it to promote local brewies?  Best I stop here.  Shades of " Animal House" ....keeping the townspeople safe from the college rowdies.

[ContinentalsMan]

No alcohol at Hamilton tailgates; also school policy states that Kosher meals have to be provided at any sporting tailgates.

[PolarCat]

The three schools in play on no booze in the tailgate area.....are all located in nice small "hamlets/ villages" with low population density...

A related factor may come into play.  All three schools are "in the boonies", with long drives on windy roads, few lodging choices nearby, and a local constabulary interested in revenue generation - think Barnie Fife with a radar gun.  Having liquored-up parents and alums on those windy roads may result in DUI's, accidents, and a host of rabble-rousing hard-working locals incensed that them city slicker college types are wreaking havoc on our roadways.  Town v. Gown controversies exist pretty much everywhere, not just at dear old Faber College.

[PolarCat]

No alcohol at Hamilton tailgates; also school policy states that Kosher meals have to be provided at any sporting tailgates.

Assuming you're serious, does that mean that there has to be ONE kosher meal provider at every tailgate?  Or that EVERY family that's tailgating has to provide kosher meals?  What's next, a peanut-free, gluten-free, vegan mandate?  After driving all day to get to Clinton, do fans need to get by on Tofu, matzo, kale and bean sprouts, washed down by carrot and avocado juice?

Oy vey.  No wonder the program's in trouble.

[amh63]

Wow...guess if you give certain types power...they will extend it as they see it in their world.  I predict that soon, their will be attemps to control how you dress at games....no insulting T- shirts.  Wait the mascot has a gun/rifle...unfair to the mascots of other schools....except maybe the Jumbos .  Could you think what may happen if Cheesehelds garb was banned in Wisconsin.  I know it would not happen...but!
I hope that all this posting is just kidding around.  We are left with pics on smartphones of a beer mug to enjoy.  We will have to insult the opponents with text messages...need to hack the e-mail accounts first for that.

[John McGraw]

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.

The atmosphere was awesome. The first touchdown toss by Rosenburg woke the crowd out of its slumber and the crowd got progressively louder as Hamilton proceeded with its comeback. The loudest roar I think was on the "homerun throwback" touchdown pass to tight end Jordan Jenkins that brought the Continentals within one.

If Hamilton plays like it did in the second half the rest of the season, the future is definitely bright this year.

[middhoops]

PolarCat wrote:

"A related factor may come into play.  All three schools are "in the boonies", with long drives on windy roads, few lodging choices nearby, and a local constabulary interested in revenue generation - think Barnie Fife with a radar gun.  "

Thinking of responses. 
Witty, positive responses.

[PolarCat]

You mean like "Barnie Fife and his radar gun, riding his patrol cow with a Feel the Bern bumper sticker on its rump?"

[JEFFFAN]

http://nothingbutnescac.com/?p=2512

[Nescacman]

http://nothingbutnescac.com/?p=2512

Thank you Jefffan for posting the link and even more, Nothingbutnescac for another fine blog giving their views on the best NESCAC Teams from 2005-2015. From the blog, we take the following quote:

"So there we have it. It's been a great stretch of football in NESCAC, but again not very diverse, with Middlebury, Amherst, Trinity and Williams either winning or finishing second every year. However, last year Wesleyan was the runner-up in the league, and one has to expect that NESCAC football is soon due for an explosion of talent throughout the league, as we have seen in basketball in the last couple of years. One thing is for sure though. Whether that happens or not, you'll find me watching the Panthers take on those teams on Saturdays at Alumni field. Maybe not in the bushes though. I'm one of the big kids now."

I have to call Nothingbutnescac out for leaving out a key fact in that quote. Not only was Wesleyan the runner-up last year, they won the league in 2013. One other interesting fact is that the Eph's have not finished anywhere near 1st or 2nd since 2010 when they went undefeated with a team entirely comprised of recruits from the Whalen/DiCenzo era. Since then they have gone 5-3, 4-4, 2-6 and 2-6. Hmmm...its been a long time since I took the SATs but I think there's a trend here.

[Pat Coleman]

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.

The atmosphere was awesome. The first touchdown toss by Rosenburg woke the crowd out of its slumber and the crowd got progressively louder as Hamilton proceeded with its comeback. The loudest roar I think was on the "homerun throwback" touchdown pass to tight end Jordan Jenkins that brought the Continentals within one.

Should that have been a play of the week nominee?

[John McGraw]

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.

The atmosphere was awesome. The first touchdown toss by Rosenburg woke the crowd out of its slumber and the crowd got progressively louder as Hamilton proceeded with its comeback. The loudest roar I think was on the "homerun throwback" touchdown pass to tight end Jordan Jenkins that brought the Continentals within one.

Should that have been a play of the week nominee?

While it was a well executed play - tight end releasing late from the line and getting wide open on the left side of the field during a right-designed roll-out, it wasn't the best play of the day, no offense given obviously.

On Hamilton's final drive in regulation, wide receive Pat Donahoe, who is also the punter, made a ridiculous near shoe-string lunging catch at the Tufts 33 on a ball thrown from say around the Hamilton 20. What made it a mind-boggling catch was that Donahue was being face-guarded by the Tufts defensive back and he was slightly ahead of the throw so he had to rip/swim around the DB and reach down nearly to his feet to catch the ball. Pass interference on the play was declined. It was one of the best catches that I've seen at any level.

[TheHerst2and4]

Something I came across while browsing the Amherst roster that I don't believe has been previously discussed, they picked up a db transfer from Brown, Kyle Obana. It appears he did not register a stat last season as a freshman at Brown nor did he register a stat in the Jeff's first game.

He's the second player on the Amherst roster from Honolulu, again not really anything substantive to add but found that interesting; I'm sure he's going to enjoy the winter in New England....

[NewtoNescac]

It doesn't look like the weather is going to be a major factor, after all. Here are my "guesses" for the coming weekend:

Amherst 35    Bowdoin 7
This is actually generous. With Amherst's balance on O and D, they will score and hold a rebuilding Bowdoin team to little offense. And, throw in a top flight coaching staff that knows how to win, and the final can be far worse.

Wesleyan 31   Hamilton 21
Wesleyan outplayed Middlebury last week, and held the ball for 2/3 of the game. Hamilton hanging tough, but just not able to break through. Yet! Expect two wins for Hamilton this season, just not this week.

Middlebury 24  Colby 21
I assume the Colby coaches are aware Middlebury rushed for only 10 yards last week, and will go all out to stop the pass. I'm also assuming Colby will find a way to get a few scores, maybe set up off turnovers.
If Colby can force Middlebury to try and win with the run, Colby might actually shock an unsuspecting Middlebury team. But, that's asking a lot.

Bates 21  Tufts 20
I tend to think Bates is going to run the triple option with great success. That , some tough D, and a loud hometown crowd, will be the slim difference.

Trinity 27  Williams 7
Trinity will continue to make people realize last year's 3 game skid to end the season was unacceptable. And, I'm just not convinced Williams is for real. If Kelton can get his team to play big away at Trinity, I may start believing. I'd like to believe, but I'm just not feeling it.

[P'bearfan]

Amherst 35    Bowdoin 7
This is actually generous. With Amherst's balance on O and D, they will score and hold a rebuilding Bowdoin team to little offense. And, throw in a top flight coaching staff that knows how to win, and the final can be far worse.

I'm hoping the P'bears will take a significant step forward on both sides of the ball this week and make this a competitive game.  Unfortunately, that view is probably a bit optimistic and your description is more realistic.