FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[Nescacman]

I agree NESCAC1 but relative to the 2,000 estimate of the crowd at the Bates-Amherst I noted at the time that it was a very conservative number.

The Home side stands at Garcerlon hold 2,000 and they estimate from there so there are some parameters.

The home side was almost full for the Amherst game and that doesn't include other areas.

The tricky thing at Bates is many fans like like to stand around the perimeter of the field because of the close proximity to the action.  Those spectators typically are not counted. Not to mention some folks in Purple on the other side. I would have said closer to 3,000 that day.

But Nescac1 is right. With no tickets and tailgaters coming and going it's difficult to get a handle on things.

I think Trinity numbers would be the most accurate as they sell tickets.
Not sure if Tufts still sells tickets....will find out Saturday.

Tufts is free, although they do charge for (very good) popcorn...

[Nescacman]

NESCACMAN 2018 NESCAC Weekly Power Rankings-Week #2

Welcome to the 2018 NESCAC Weekly Power Rankings for Week #2 in "the league where they pay to play"!!! Week 2 went as expected with the only upset at Tufts as they "beat" Wesleyan. The only real surprise this week occurred up in Vermont. Is Middlebury's defense really that bad? Does Bowdoin actually have an offense? Onto this week's rankings...

1. Hartford State (2018 record: 2-0; last week's rank: 1-tie): All alone at the top...Another win for HS as they continue their march through the C-B-B...finally play a real game this week on the road at TTUN...For the second week in a row, a H-Stater was 'CAC OPOTW...this week it was new starting QB Jordan Vazzano's turn (where does HS get these QBs from...the Soprano's?)...he threw for 353 yards, 5 TDs and ran for another...Koby Schofer and Jonathan Girard (whose brother, AJ, played at Wesleyan) both had a day with 187 yards/3 TDs and 160 yards/ 2 TDs receiving, respectively...HS put up 563 yards of total offense including 349 yards passing...HS defense only gave up 102 yards of total O and 5 first downs to the UBATES offense...longest play from scrimmage by UBates was 13 yards...HS is 5th in the country in Total Offense and 2nd in the country in total defense...bring on Mount Union...next up: at TTUN.   

2. Amhurst (2-0; LW: 3): Amhurst moves up in our rankings as a result of the Wes loss...Solid if unspectacular effort by the LMs against an over matched Continental squad....Amhurst again ran the ball almost 50 times this week for 308 yards....game manager Ollie Eberth only threw 24 passes....RB Hickey had another good day running for 115 yards and 1 TD...game was 14-7 at the half...LMs continue to struggle on third down (6 of 15)....LMs were penalized 7 times for 109 yards...they need to clean that up before they move into the difficult part of their schedule...longest pass by Eberth was 26 yards...Amhurst D played well only allowing 221 yards of total O and only 18 yards rushing by the one dimensional HAM offense...next up: at Bowdoin.

3. Tufts (2-0; LW:5-tie): Tufts lost Sat night, right?...If you look at the game stats, you would think so...Wes had more first downs (20-13), more yards from scrimmage (334-227), more time of possession: 36:34-23:26, ran 19 more plays and had 45 fewer penalty yards...looking at that, you would have said Wes would have won by two TDs....Tufts won because of 1). A botched kickoff return by Wes that gave Tufts the ball on the 11 (Tufts TD next play); 2). Failure by Wes to convert on Tufts INT on 1st play after Wes TD early in 3rd quarter; 3). Wes not converting on 4th and 1 at Tufts 6 (forgoing a game tying FG) in the 3rd Qtr.; 4). Wes failing to score from Tufts 5 early in the 4th (missing a chip shot game tying FG); 5.) Wes missing game tying 46 yd field goal with :40 seconds left on the clock (wide right, had the distance, despite what play by play says)....was an electric atmosphere...Tufts D played well and was in "bend but don't break mode"...Tufts O, especially the running attack, looked a little challenged....McDonald is a very good player but, was for the most part, contained last Saturday....rest of O, not so much...this team will have a tough time against HS, LMs and TTUN...next up: UBates in Medford.

4. Wesleyan (1-1; LW: 1-tie): See the above comments...Wes needs to get back to basics in week 3...Stellar game plan by the Cards defensive coaching staff essentially shut down Tufts O and gave Wes O plenty of chances...Wes' balanced attack worked well (145 rushing and 189 passing)....Wes' 145 yards rushing compared to just 55 for Tufts (Wes is 7th in the country in rushing defense)...Wes will need to shake off this tough loss and bounce back next week...we think the Conts are just what the doctor ordered for Wes...next up: Hamilton in Middletown.

5. That Team Up North (aka Williams)(2-0; LW: 5-tie): Another convincing win as TTUN moves to 2-0, albeit against weak opponents...dominant win at home with 398 yards of total O for the Ephs including 288 yards rushing...won big despite only 25 mins of possession...penalties plagued TTUN (10 penalties for 73 yards)...QB Maimaron did not have his best day in the air (8-18, 110 yds, no TDs) but ran for 4 TDs....RB Dozier had 160 yards rushing and a TD...defense limited Colby to 13 first downs, 5 of 17 on 3rd down, and forced 9 punts...TTUN led 36-0 until midway in the 3rdth Q...WR Stola did not play...now the real games begin...next up: at Hartford State.

6. Middlebury (1-1; LW:4): We have no idea what is going on with the MID defense....this team had 7 starters back on D and Doug Mandigo still the D coordinator, yet they gave up 50 to Wes and 24 to a challenged Bowdoin squad...gave up 495 yards of offense including 289 on the ground to Bowdoin...actually was untypically balanced on O (540 yds of total O; 196 passing and 344 rushing)...QB Meservy threw 2 TDs but also had 3 more INTs that kept Bowdoin in the game...BOW actually led 24-23 with a minute left in the 3rd...All-NESCAC performers Banky and Cosolito were again held in check...TE Cosolito playing injured after significant knee injury during last hockey season (that's another thing we love about the 'CAC...two sport athletes, in this case football/hockey)...he is definitely not the same player that was 1st team all NESCAC last year...Big days for Bowdoin RB and Co-NESCAC O POTW Nate Richam (288 yards rushing, 2 TDs) and MID RB Peter Scibella (184 and 1 TD)...may be time for the Pants to give back-up QB Jernigan a shot...Meservy has thrown 6 INTs in two games...if D gives up anything next week against Colby, you know there is a major problem...next up: at Colby. 

7. Bowdoin (0-2; LW:8-tie): Glimmer of hope, at least offensively for the PBers...Offense had 21 first downs and 495 yards of total O, including 289 on the ground, they were 42% on 3rd down, and they ran 80 offensive plays...need to get better play from the QB position (only 50% passing and 3 INTs)...Defense gave up a ton of yards (540 to be exact) including 344 on the ground (BOW is 244th out of 247 nationally in run defense and 233rd in total defense)...gave up way too many 3rd down conversions (6 of 11) against the PANTs...next up: Amhurst in Brunswick. 

8. University of Bates (Lewiston Campus)(0-2; LW: 7): Despite the loss to HS, still the Team to beat in the C-B-B-H...played HS tough for about a quarter and a half...Bates O continues to struggle with only 102 yards of total O and 5 first downs all game...HS offense ran 88 plays to UBates 59 plays...UBates version of the "Air Raid" continues to be a work in progress...2 turnovers by UB did not help...on the bright side, QB Costa did not throw an INT...penalties killed Bates (11 for 99)...does not get any easier on offense nest week as they face a very tough D...next up: at Tufts.

9. Hamilton (0-2; LW: 8-tie): Good first half vs. LMs trailing only 14-7 at the half...Amhurst scored 23 unaswered points in the second half to jump out 37-7 before HAM scored late...Another tough day running the ball for the Conts...only 18 yards rushing needs to get better...played without starting RB Mitch Bierman...Amhurst sacked QB Gray 3x and the HAM O line has given up 9 sacks in 2 games...All NESCAC WR Schmidt had 7 catches for 93 yards and a TD...HAM defense could not contain LM running attack...Conts did a good job against the pass but need to improve against the run...Billy Wagner had another good game punting with a 39.7 average and 1 inside the 20...next up: at Wesleyan.

10. Colby (0-2; LW: 8-tie): Coach Cosgrove has his work cut out for him in rebuilding (building?) this program...just not a good football team right now...finally made the switch at QB after O'Brien started 1 for 8 for 3 yards...It appears FY Hersch will be the guy under center going forward...offense has one playmaker in Jake Schwern who went over 100 yards rushing for the 2nd straight week...TTUN was up 36-0 in the 4th before Colby scored 2 garbage TDs...Mules D not any better...they are 240th nationally out of 247 teams in Total D and 247th in rushing defense (that's last folks)...combined record of C-B-B-H is 0-8...next up: Middlebury in Waterville.

[nescac1]

Based on lineup report looks like Pat Watson and Frank Stola are still out for Williams. Not ideal.  The other three WRs will really have to step up, especially because there isn't much behind them with all of the injuries at the position.  Speedy frosh Kingman may see some opportunities as well. 

[amh63]

Nescacman....lunch has been served, thanks! Even some meat on the bones too. Second trip up to Maine for the LJs.  Team needs to focus and not stare at the surroundings...new "playpen".  Bowdoin's running game can be a challenge for Amherst.  Expect the coaches to have the team start strong.  Might be watching more golf late this week.  College football...big boys D1...does have its surprises. I do not need surprises these days.  I'm not a golfer...my grandchild beats me in miniature golf.  Dropped off two sets of clubs to Goodwill recently.  Wandering off subject again . 
Do expect the Nescac title contenders to settle in this week.  No surprises wrt to Nescacman's "picks".

[lumbercat]

Regarding the Air Raid offense at Bates. While things are moving in a very positive direction under Coach Hall they have obviously had to scale back the Air Raid philosophy a bit.

Costa is most capable of running an Air Raid type attack and will excel in doing so. However, so far this year he often can't get time to throw. When his good feet and scrambling ability buy him some time nobody is open, no separation. In 2 games he's wisely thrown at least 10 balls away to avoid a sack or TFL. He's thrown one interception which went off his receivers hands so Coach Patterson is coaching discipline in Costa's reads and decisions. A very good thing.

The current reality is that this team is not built for the Air Raid. This roster was built and recruited for the Triple Option. They haven't recruited TE's in recent years and WR's avoided Bates like the plague knowing they might typically throw the ball 10-15 times per game. This is a major transition with a new scheme and lot of guys playing new positions. Everything is being re tooled offensively.

The decision to run the Air Raid was based to a large extent on Costa's ability but they are thin at the WR position despite moving some talented athletes from other positions. Injuries haven't helped either.  A vaunted FY recruit at the WR position appears injured, so is their most productive playmaker form last years team. It will take OC Patterson some time to develop the personnel for this scheme. Hoping they can quickly develop some of these kids from within but at the end of the day Bobcat faithful will need to be patient with a difficult transition.

Cant wait to see Hall, Patterson and the entire staff shopping for the groceries and recruiting for their system......Expecting they will have admissions support.

In the interim they can compete but a lot of work to do.

[Nescacman]

Regarding the Air Raid offense at Bates. While things are moving in a very positive direction under Coach Hall they have obviously had to scale back the Air Raid philosophy a bit.

Costa is most capable of running an Air Raid type attack and will excel in doing so. However, so far this year he often can't get time to throw. When his good feet and scrambling ability buy him some time nobody is open, no separation. In 2 games he's wisely thrown at least 10 balls away to avoid a sack or TFL. He's thrown one interception which went off his receivers hands so Coach Patterson is coaching discipline in Costa's reads and decisions. A very good thing.

The current reality is that this team is not built for the Air Raid. This roster was built and recruited for the Triple Option. They haven't recruited TE's in recent years and WR's avoided Bates like the plague knowing they might typically throw the ball 10-15 times per game. This is a major transition with a new scheme and lot of guys playing new positions. Everything is being re tooled offensively.

The decision to run the Air Raid was based to a large extent on Costa's ability but they are thin at the WR position despite moving some talented athletes from other positions. Injuries haven't helped either.  A vaunted FY recruit at the WR position appears injured, so is their most productive playmaker form last years team. It will take OC Patterson some time to develop the personnel for this scheme. Hoping they can quickly develop some of these kids from within but at the end of the day Bobcat faithful will need to be patient with a difficult transition.

Cant wait to see Hall, Patterson and the entire staff shopping for the groceries and recruiting for their system......Expecting they will have admissions support.

In the interim they can compete but a lot of work to do.

Lumber...we couldn't agree more. Costa is talented, no doubt, but without the horses he's just a jockey running without a ride against thoroughbreds.

[Nescacman]

https://noontimesports.com/2018/09/24/noontime-sports-top-10-new-england-d3-football-poll-week-five-sept-24th-2018/

It appears Noontime looks at the Tufts/Wes game as a win for Wes as well....

[lumbercat]

Piccorillo (sp) had an "off"?  game -thanks to the Tufts D- McDonald right there with him.

in the preseason I touted Richam at Bowdoin as a playmaker and potentially one of the best RBs in the league......I caught some flak over that from Fake News Central because Richam plays in the CBB. Don't know if it will continue for Richam depending on how much support he gets from the Bowdoin O line which is very young. But again, this kid has as much ability as any other back in the league.

Breakout player at Wesleyan is Dario Highsmith who the black clad Cardinals moved from RB to WR this year. A skilled playmaker.

What happened to the Wes Red Jerseys and helmets......everything is now black with the flat black paint on the helmet- awful-- must be trying to copy Bowdoin.....the old uni's must be in Frankie Hausers garage while he commandeered  that victory over Wes last Saturday.

Any doubts about Civetti's ability as a coach....he will be coaching at a Patriot or Ivy venue sometime soon.
Dicenso stays at Wesleyan with his binky- the Whale.

[Nescacman]

Piccorillo (sp) had an "off"?  game -thanks to the Tufts D- McDonald right there with him.

in the preseason I touted Richam at Bowdoin as a playmaker and potentially one of the best RBs in the league......I caught some flak over that from Fake News Central because Richam plays in the CBB. Don't know if it will continue for Richam depending on how much support he gets from the Bowdoin O line which is very young. But again, this kid has as much ability as any other back in the league.

Breakout player at Wesleyan is Dario Highsmith who the black clad Cardinals moved from RB to WR this year. A skilled playmaker.

What happened to the Wes Red Jerseys and helmets......everything is now black with the flat black paint on the helmet- awful-- must be trying to copy Bowdoin.....the old uni's must be in Frankie Hausers garage while he commandeered  that victory over Wes last Saturday.

Any doubts about Civetti's ability as a coach....he will be coaching at a Patriot or Ivy venue sometime soon.
Dicenso stays at Wesleyan with his binky- the Whale.

Lumber, a few comments/clarifications...

Re: Wes QB Pic...Wesleyan, as we have discussed, is clearly trying to have a more balanced offense in 2018...last year, out of necessity, they were pass first...with the improved play of their O line (and TEs) and RBs, they are trying to control the clock a bit more and run the ball...that sort of strategy worked well for them in 2013 and 2014 when they had back to back 7-1 campaigns...we would say Pics stats are down out of design, not having an "off" game...btw, Wes leads the 'CAC in TOP and is 17th in the country in TOP...

Richam is decent but we think his success last week has more to do with the complete lack of ability of MID to stop the run thus far in 2018...we think reality will set in this week for Richam and the Polars as they face a more formidable rushing defense in the LMs and Yamin...

Highsmith is playing well at WR...brilliant move to get him into the open field a bit more and if you have watched Wes at all this year you have seen that he has an excellent set of hands as well...btw, Highsmith trivia...he is from Middletown (home of Wes) and started his college football career at Army...

Wes has been wearing black (at home) and white (on the road) with the matte black helmets for awhile now...not sure where you have been...

Our sources in the Tufts camp tell us that Civetti is now game planning the O and calling the offensive plays...not sure why the change from OC Hauser...

As far as Civetti's future, he did a nice job Saturday, no doubt, but it was more Wes shooting themselves in the foot and not making plays on offense vs any tremendous scheming/game planning by the Tufts HCOF...question, other than Coach Sid at Amhurst making the move to Yale, not sure any other 'CAC HCOF as ever moved directly from that role to an HCOF role in the IVY or PATRIOT League...we also thought about Priore went from HCOF at Hartford State to HCOF at Stonybrook (I-AA) and Video Vic Gatto moved from Tufts to Davidson (I-AA) in the 80's, but we were hard pressed to think of others...how's that for a NESCAC trivia question...."Name the 3 (or more) coaches that went from an HCOF role in the NESCAC to an HCOF role at a D-1AA program (now called something else) or higher?"....

[NBC93]

Finally finished watching the Bowdoin-MID game in preparation for for this week's Amherst-Bowdoin matchup.

My initial thoughts/observations:

RB Richam had a good day on the stat sheet but I agree with NESCACMAN's assessment, MID could not only not stop the run but they allowed huge holes on the line and their LB's were nowhere to be found many times. Richam is a strong runner that does not let arm tackles or even contact with a wrap-up bring him down. O Line opened good holes for him but I didn't see breakaway speed. I only saw him beat contain to the edge once. He is patient and waits for holes to develop.

QB- Accurate enough but I question his vision of the field. A few times he threw into an area with lots of Blue shirts and directly into MID defender's hands a couple times. Again, O line did well keeping pressure off of him. He had a ton of time.

Defense-Gave up 344 yards rushing. That will be a problem for them this week with a runner like Hickey who, after seeing him up close and personal last week, looks more like 250 lbs. than 225.

Pass defense literally handed MID everything underneath. Short routes were wide open all day and CBs were playing soft like they were overly concerned with deep balls. I cannot stress enough how available short routes were. Essentially UN-covered.

I'm not sure, after only watching one game, if Bowdoin has a playmaker on the outside but it doesn't look like it. I didn't see much by way of YAC from them when they did catch it.

From what I have read on these boards and what I have gleaned from stats and standings from years past, Bowdoin has not been a top tier team, but they didn't look terrible against Middlebury. They executed well, especially the O Line.

Prediction: Amherst 42    Bowdoin 10

[NBC93]

Whoops, I intended to write "Contact without a wrap-up" regarding Richam

[Nescacman]

Finally finished watching the Bowdoin-MID game in preparation for for this week's Amherst-Bowdoin matchup.

My initial thoughts/observations:

RB Richam had a good day on the stat sheet but I agree with NESCACMAN's assessment, MID could not only not stop the run but they allowed huge holes on the line and their LB's were nowhere to be found many times. Richam is a strong runner that does not let arm tackles or even contact with a wrap-up bring him down. O Line opened good holes for him but I didn't see breakaway speed. I only saw him beat contain to the edge once. He is patient and waits for holes to develop.

QB- Accurate enough but I question his vision of the field. A few times he threw into an area with lots of Blue shirts and directly into MID defender's hands a couple times. Again, O line did well keeping pressure off of him. He had a ton of time.

Defense-Gave up 344 yards rushing. That will be a problem for them this week with a runner like Hickey who, after seeing him up close and personal last week, looks more like 250 lbs. than 225.

Pass defense literally handed MID everything underneath. Short routes were wide open all day and CBs were playing soft like they were overly concerned with deep balls. I cannot stress enough how available short routes were. Essentially UN-covered.

I'm not sure, after only watching one game, if Bowdoin has a playmaker on the outside but it doesn't look like it. I didn't see much by way of YAC from them when they did catch it.

From what I have read on these boards and what I have gleaned from stats and standings from years past, Bowdoin has not been a top tier team, but they didn't look terrible against Middlebury. They executed well, especially the O Line.

Prediction: Amherst 42    Bowdoin 10

Our objective assessment....BOW is improved from last year (tough to be any worse) and MID is down....biggest problem/difference for MID is at the QB...huge dropoff from Lebowitz to Meservy...

[lumbercat]

Piccorillo (sp) had an "off"?  game -thanks to the Tufts D- McDonald right there with him.

in the preseason I touted Richam at Bowdoin as a playmaker and potentially one of the best RBs in the league......I caught some flak over that from Fake News Central because Richam plays in the CBB. Don't know if it will continue for Richam depending on how much support he gets from the Bowdoin O line which is very young. But again, this kid has as much ability as any other back in the league.

Breakout player at Wesleyan is Dario Highsmith who the black clad Cardinals moved from RB to WR this year. A skilled playmaker.

What happened to the Wes Red Jerseys and helmets......everything is now black with the flat black paint on the helmet- awful-- must be trying to copy Bowdoin.....the old uni's must be in Frankie Hausers garage while he commandeered  that victory over Wes last Saturday.

Any doubts about Civetti's ability as a coach....he will be coaching at a Patriot or Ivy venue sometime soon.
Dicenso stays at Wesleyan with his binky- the Whale.

Lumber, a few comments/clarifications...

Re: Wes QB Pic...Wesleyan, as we have discussed, is clearly trying to have a more balanced offense in 2018...last year, out of necessity, they were pass first...with the improved play of their O line (and TEs) and RBs, they are trying to control the clock a bit more and run the ball...that sort of strategy worked well for them in 2013 and 2014 when they had back to back 7-1 campaigns...we would say Pics stats are down out of design, not having an "off" game...btw, Wes leads the 'CAC in TOP and is 17th in the country in TOP...

Richam is decent but we think his success last week has more to do with the complete lack of ability of MID to stop the run thus far in 2018...we think reality will set in this week for Richam and the Polars as they face a more formidable rushing defense in the LMs and Yamin...

Highsmith is playing well at WR...brilliant move to get him into the open field a bit more and if you have watched Wes at all this year you have seen that he has an excellent set of hands as well...btw, Highsmith trivia...he is from Middletown (home of Wes) and started his college football career at Army...

Wes has been wearing black (at home) and white (on the road) with the matte black helmets for awhile now...not sure where you have been...

Our sources in the Tufts camp tell us that Civetti is now game planning the O and calling the offensive plays...not sure why the change from OC Hauser...

As far as Civetti's future, he did a nice job Saturday, no doubt, but it was more Wes shooting themselves in the foot and not making plays on offense vs any tremendous scheming/game planning by the Tufts HCOF...question, other than Coach Sid at Amhurst making the move to Yale, not sure any other 'CAC HCOF as ever moved directly from that role to an HCOF role in the IVY or PATRIOT League...we also thought about Priore went from HCOF at Hartford State to HCOF at Stonybrook (I-AA) and Video Vic Gatto moved from Tufts to Davidson (I-AA) in the 80's, but we were hard pressed to think of others...how's that for a NESCAC trivia question...."Name the 3 (or more) coaches that went from an HCOF role in the NESCAC to an HCOF role at a D-1AA program (now called something else) or higher?"....

Nescacman a few comments/clarifications...


Great post NM- I knew if I targeted Wesleyan I'd get your attention- you're the best but you miss some stuff here and there.

First, the double talk about Piccorillo and mix of of pass vs run......run vs pass is not becoming of a guy with your team of correspondents. It was a huge game in Medford last Saturday and The Tufts D shut Samson down. Piccorillo came up short in a huge game. They are salivating in Hartford for a shot at your guy.

Richam is "decent"? ....he would start at Wes.

"Highsmith trivia- he came from Army" .....not trivia, check my posts from 2 years ago when he transferred.

Saw the bad Wesleyan unis day one with the bad helmets..didn't comment until now. Always thought the Cardinal jerseys and helmets looked great but now this Black on Black look is getting old.

No question Frankie is winding it down but my sources say he loved that win.

[Nescacman]

Piccorillo (sp) had an "off"?  game -thanks to the Tufts D- McDonald right there with him.

in the preseason I touted Richam at Bowdoin as a playmaker and potentially one of the best RBs in the league......I caught some flak over that from Fake News Central because Richam plays in the CBB. Don't know if it will continue for Richam depending on how much support he gets from the Bowdoin O line which is very young. But again, this kid has as much ability as any other back in the league.

Breakout player at Wesleyan is Dario Highsmith who the black clad Cardinals moved from RB to WR this year. A skilled playmaker.

What happened to the Wes Red Jerseys and helmets......everything is now black with the flat black paint on the helmet- awful-- must be trying to copy Bowdoin.....the old uni's must be in Frankie Hausers garage while he commandeered  that victory over Wes last Saturday.

Any doubts about Civetti's ability as a coach....he will be coaching at a Patriot or Ivy venue sometime soon.
Dicenso stays at Wesleyan with his binky- the Whale.

Lumber, a few comments/clarifications...

Re: Wes QB Pic...Wesleyan, as we have discussed, is clearly trying to have a more balanced offense in 2018...last year, out of necessity, they were pass first...with the improved play of their O line (and TEs) and RBs, they are trying to control the clock a bit more and run the ball...that sort of strategy worked well for them in 2013 and 2014 when they had back to back 7-1 campaigns...we would say Pics stats are down out of design, not having an "off" game...btw, Wes leads the 'CAC in TOP and is 17th in the country in TOP...

Richam is decent but we think his success last week has more to do with the complete lack of ability of MID to stop the run thus far in 2018...we think reality will set in this week for Richam and the Polars as they face a more formidable rushing defense in the LMs and Yamin...

Highsmith is playing well at WR...brilliant move to get him into the open field a bit more and if you have watched Wes at all this year you have seen that he has an excellent set of hands as well...btw, Highsmith trivia...he is from Middletown (home of Wes) and started his college football career at Army...

Wes has been wearing black (at home) and white (on the road) with the matte black helmets for awhile now...not sure where you have been...

Our sources in the Tufts camp tell us that Civetti is now game planning the O and calling the offensive plays...not sure why the change from OC Hauser...

As far as Civetti's future, he did a nice job Saturday, no doubt, but it was more Wes shooting themselves in the foot and not making plays on offense vs any tremendous scheming/game planning by the Tufts HCOF...question, other than Coach Sid at Amhurst making the move to Yale, not sure any other 'CAC HCOF as ever moved directly from that role to an HCOF role in the IVY or PATRIOT League...we also thought about Priore went from HCOF at Hartford State to HCOF at Stonybrook (I-AA) and Video Vic Gatto moved from Tufts to Davidson (I-AA) in the 80's, but we were hard pressed to think of others...how's that for a NESCAC trivia question...."Name the 3 (or more) coaches that went from an HCOF role in the NESCAC to an HCOF role at a D-1AA program (now called something else) or higher?"....

Nescacman a few comments/clarifications...


Great post NM- I knew if I targeted Wesleyan I'd get your attention- you're the best but you miss some stuff here and there.

First, the double talk about Piccorillo and mix of of pass vs run......run vs pass is not becoming of a guy with your team of correspondents. It was a huge game in Medford last Saturday and The Tufts D shut Samson down. Piccorillo came up short in a huge game. They are salivating in Hartford for a shot at your guy.

Richam is "decent"? ....he would start at Wes.

"Highsmith trivia- he came from Army" .....not trivia, check my posts from 2 years ago when he transferred.

Saw the bad Wesleyan unis day one with the bad helmets..didn't comment until now. Always thought the Cardinal jerseys and helmets looked great but now this Black on Black look is getting old.

No question Frankie is winding it down but my sources say he loved that win.

Up early to watch our fave sporting event (other than 'CAC football)....the Ryder Cup!!!! U-S-A!!!!

We will reserve judgement on Richam until we see him play against an actual defense instead of against a bunch of paper tigers, like MID's run D...this week should be a much better test...

One stat that has gotten lost in the sauce is that Wes held Tufts McDonald to 28 yards on 16 carries...

NESCAC has 3 of the top 20's teams in the country in rushing defense...Amhurst 7th, Wesleyan 9th and Hartford State 18th...

More on this later in our weekly picks...stat of the year in the 'CAC....Hamilton has exactly 7 yards rushing FOR THE SEASON on 42 carries....that's good for last last nationally...as we said in their season preview, they are a poor man's Moddlebury in terms of their uni-dimensional offense, but come on....7 yards on 42 carries....wow....to quote Ray Liotta in the second Silence of the Lambs movie..."Thats not very good Doctor"....

[Vandy74]

Lumbercat,

I couldn't agree with you more on Nate Richam's talent and yes he's a playmaker.  He generated 39 of the 49 yards and scored the touchdown on the drive following the safety that stretched the Panther lead to 16-3 with about four and a half minutes remaining in the half.  The hosts had fumbled the ball away on the Polar Bears ensuing kick.  When Middlebury answered with a touchdown of their own giving them a 23-11 lead and just thirty-five seconds on the clock Richam answered back on the next play running it seventy-five yards to paydirt making it 23-18 at intermission.  The Middlebury defense limited him to 61 yards in the second half but Bowdoin held a 24-23 lead late in the third quarter.   With just over five minutes to play and and trailing 37-24 The Polar Bears had a 1st and 10 on the Panthers' 27 yard line.   Richam had run for fifteen yards on the previous play.  A Jourdon Delerme-Brown interception at the three stopped the Bowdoin drive.  The game's outcome wasn't decided until DPOW Jonathan Hobart broke up a 4th down Bowdoin pass deep in Middlebury territory with 1:39 left to play.  Hobart also intercepted a pass early in the fourth quarter and recovered a fumble that had lead to a touchdown in the first half.  I don't like to admit it but I was there.  On that particular Saturday those Polar Bears could have beaten those Panthers.   A large share of the blame goes to Nate Richam.