FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[ColbyFootball]

I don't recall that play, Trin 8-0, and I don't understand it.  It appears that this was a punt?  If a punt, and not touched by the receiving team, how could the kicking team advance the ball?  Maybe I need a rule refresher ...

Amherst was the kicking team. The punter shanked a short kick and their coverage team never downed the ball, meaning it was still live.
Here's the full clip along with the ensuing 2 point conversion play that tied the game:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RlS-PQXp86w

The Bants went on to win and then topped Wesleyan 53-0 the following week to complete the first undefeated season in 10 years. #GloryDays!

Unlike kickoffs, punts are not live unless touched by the kicking team, or blocked by the receiving team. I did not see it touched by the kicking team, but it was likely partially blocked by Trinity. That would also account for the poor kick. That's the only explanation.

Huh...? Not live? Amherst punted to Trinity and it was returned for a touchdown. If Amherst had touched the ball the play would have been dead. They never touched it so it's just like any other punt return for a score. Don't overthink this guys.

SORRY, MY MISTAKE!!! I'm multi-tasking, or trying to, and doing a terrible job of it. I really am getting old!!!

[frank uible]

The longstanding suspicion has now been confirmed that those Amherst guys aren't smart enough to come in from the rain.

[frank uible]

Back in the day today's multitasking would have been called lack of focus.

[Nescacman]

We just came across some new items for sale in the Hartford State College Bookstore:

[PBPOP20]

We just came across some new items for sale in the Hartford State College Bookstore:

LOL.... Ok, admit it... how many of you immediately went to the Trinity website to see if this was real.  I DID!   

Love it Nescacman!

[nescac1]

I imagine that photo will be appearing on the Trinity bulletin board heading into the Wesleyan game ...

[JEFFFAN]

To stimulate dialogue ... for anyone not affiliated with Amherst ("Amhurst") or Trinity ("Hartford State"), who would you most like to lose this upcoming weekend?

[Trin9-0]

I doubt Trinity is overly concerned with Wesleyan (whom they've beaten 14 of the past 15 years) and are solely focused on beating a very good Amherst team and securing yet another NESCAC championship.

[JoeBag]

I doubt Trinity is overly concerned with Wesleyan (whom they've beaten 14 of the past 15 years) and are solely focused on beating a very good Amherst team and securing yet another NESCAC championship.

Trin and Amherst are two very similar teams in that they both thrive on running the ball down hill and playing smash mouth defense. This game is going to be won in the trenches.

[nescac1]

Two dominant teams.  Normally I'd root against Trinity, because I don't want to see anyone (besides Williams!) go 9-0.  But I can never root for Amherst, so, reluctantly, go Bantams.  I think it's a great game but Trinity's defense is too tough, and they will pull out a nailbiter ... before beating Wesleyan to clinch the perfect season.  Amherst finishes second, and with nearly everyone of consequence back save for the OL (where Amherst has a loaded group of frosh ready to step up majorly next year), the Jeffs are the odds-on favorite for next year's title. 

[Nescacman]

2017 Week #8 NESCACMAN Preview

Welcome to Week 8 in the NESCAC..."the league where they pay to play". Last week we went 5-0, we are 30-5 for the season and are 154-41 for our career. Week 8 features the NESCAC GOTW with our #1 and #2 ranked Teams facing off: Amhurst and Hartford State. Williams/Wesleyan is another interesting game on the schedule. Looks to be a great fall weekend in New England so get out there and support your favorite University, College and State School!

Hamilton College at Middlebury College: If Lebowitz plays; this one will be a blow out. If not, we give the Conts a punchers chance. Hamilton can score against the Pants, however, they won't win a shoot out. Hamilton has gotten into the red zone 21 times this year (only 2 fewer times than Tufts and 5 fewer than WES and AMH). Unfortunately, they have only converted on 52% of those opportunities. If they were up around 80% (Where WES and HS are), this year could have been very different for HAM. That would have meant an incremental 5-6 TDs for the Conts and could have made them a .500 team.

Middlebury 38 Hamilton 14 (with Lebowitz)
Middlebury 24 Hamilton 14 (without Lebowitz)
Weather: Not a factor. High around 49.

Bowdoin College at University of Bates (Lewiston Campus): Bowdoin hasn't scored more than 14 points in a game all year. Meanwhile, Bates has only scored more than 17 points once. Bates has the 3rd best rushing offense (right on the heels of #2 Amhurst) and the worst passing offense. Both defenses have not been good, 9th and 10th in the NESCAC respectively. We think the difference here is Bowdoin's defense, which we believe is slightly better than Bates. Bowdoin is coming off their best game of the year against Wesleyan. Bowdoin in a close one on the road.

Bowdoin 21 University of Bates 17
Weather: Not a factor. High around 53.

Williams College at Wesleyan University: Wesleyan has been resting several injured "stars" for weeks in preparation for the final two weeks of the season. Expect to see many of the walking wounded back this week, which should be a huge boost to the Cards offense and rushing defense. On the other side of the ball, Williams started the year with a smaller squad and injuries have taken their toll on this young, inexperienced group. Hard not to like what HCOF Raymond is doing at TTUN (we're trying hard NOT to like it), but he has done a nice job turning around a program that was wrecked by HCOF Kelton and has posted the Ephs first winning season since 2012. We think Piccirillo, Breuler, and Morris; Wes' numbers and experience, and home field advantage are enough to be the difference in this one, the first Little 3 game for many of the Ephs starters. The TTUN hangs with Wes for a while before Wes pulls away in the second half. 

Wesleyan 28 Williams 17
Weather: Not a factor. High around 59.

Tufts University at Colby College: The good news for Colby is it is week 8 and this will be the last drubbing for the Mules. The bad news is the Mule seniors are going to go out with a bad taste in their mouth without a win in their senior year at home. The Mules are one of the worst offensive teams in the country averaging 219 yards per game of offense and 10.7 points per game. Good opportunity for the Jumbos to rest their starters before they face Middlebury in week #9 at home.

Tufts 31 Colby 7
Weather: Not a factor. High around 51.

NESCAC Game of the Week

Hartford State College at Amhurst College: #1 vs. #2. Hartford State wins, and they clinch the NESCAC title. Amhurst wins and that opens up all kinds of other possibilities. We just think HS has too much of a balanced offense (#1 in the NESCAC; almost equal amounts of passing and receiving yards) compared to the Lord Mammoths (#5 in the NESCAC). Both teams play very good D. The LMs get to the QB more than the Bants, while the Bants force more turnovers. Close game but the Bants exploit Eberth's inexperience in big games to win a close one.

Hartford State 27 Amhurst 21
Weather: Not a factor. High around 55.

NESCACMAN's Picks
2017 Season: 30-5
2016 Season: 32-8
2015 Season: 30-10
2014 Season: 30-10
2013 Season: 32-8
Career: 154-41 (.790 winning percentage)

[lumbercat]

Can't see Amherst beating Trinity.

[PolarCat]

A number of Bates seniors asked to memorialize former Bobcat Alexi Whitney before the Bowdoin game Saturday.  For those who don't know, Whitney was a former Bobcat fullback (and Bobcat lax bro) who joined the USMC and served in Anbar Province in 2005, as a Captain in Force Recon.  He was killed in Afghanistan this past December, while serving in the CIA.  Teammates and fellow Marines have started an initiative to memorialize Captain Whitney's service with a bust on campus: https://www.change.org/p/bates-college-should-honor-captain-george-alexi-whitney

The seniors proposed to stand at the 50 yard line holding Capt. Whitney's Bates jersey, and have the Navy Hymn played before the National Anthem.  Simple and dignified, just current Bobcats honoring one of their own, who gave the ultimate sacrifice for his country.

They were shot down.  And told memorializing Capt. Whitney would only "reinforce the divide between non-athletes and athletes."

I've very grateful for the education my kids have gotten in the CAC, but I am SOOOOO fed up with all the liberal horse poop that comes along with it.  (Earlier in the week, a tenured professor announced in one of my son's classes that "Fannie Mae was created for the sole purpose of promoting and enabling segregation.")  Sometimes, I think football is NESCAC's sole connection to "the real world."

/End rant.

[PBPOP20]

Can't see Amherst beating Trinity.

Agreed...  Bants are stacked and I'm sure looking to make a statement this week.  I think it could be ugly.

[JoeBag]

A number of Bates seniors asked to memorialize former Bobcat Alexi Whitney before the Bowdoin game Saturday.  For those who don't know, Whitney was a former Bobcat fullback (and Bobcat lax bro) who joined the USMC and served in Anbar Province in 2005, as a Captain in Force Recon.  He was killed in Afghanistan this past December, while serving in the CIA.  Teammates and fellow Marines have started an initiative to memorialize Captain Whitney's service with a bust on campus: https://www.change.org/p/bates-college-should-honor-captain-george-alexi-whitney

The seniors proposed to stand at the 50 yard line holding Capt. Whitney's Bates jersey, and have the Navy Hymn played before the National Anthem.  Simple and dignified, just current Bobcats honoring one of their own, who gave the ultimate sacrifice for his country.

They were shot down.  And told memorializing Capt. Whitney would only "reinforce the divide between non-athletes and athletes."

I've very grateful for the education my kids have gotten in the CAC, but I am SOOOOO fed up with all the liberal horse poop that comes along with it.  (Earlier in the week, a tenured professor announced in one of my son's classes that "Fannie Mae was created for the sole purpose of promoting and enabling segregation.")  Sometimes, I think football is NESCAC's sole connection to "the real world."

/End rant.

Mistake number 1, they should not have asked for permission. They should have honored the Bates Patriot in their own way and to hell with the administration. It is always better to ask for forgiveness than to ask for permission.