FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[lumbercat]

Speaking of TBs to watch who were injured last year, the Ephs' T.J. Dozier was a monster through four games (125 ypg on 7 ypg, 4 tds) before suffering a season ending injury early in game 5.  He looked really explosive before getting hurt. 

The Ephs more generally were absolutely decimated by injuries late in the season, so hopefully they have better luck this season, starting with Dozier, Maimaron, and Rothmann, all of whom the Ephs need to return healthy and stay that way ...

Don't forget Stola- he will be very good.

[bantamweight]

Trinity got a big commitment for class of 24. Big OL 6'5 and 285. Max Taylor.

[lumbercat]

A nice score for Trinity. Almost every other NESCAC program coveted this kid and he was live with some Ivies.
Thats what winning football games does.

[bantamweight]

Street and Smith's has Trinity ranked #23 in their D3 preseason ranking.

[bantamweight]

A nice score for Trinity. Almost every other NESCAC program coveted this kid and he was live with some Ivies.
Thats what winning football games does.

They're reloading the OL. A big freshman this year and it looks like a couple enter next year.

[JEFFFAN]

Richman could very well be one of the best players in the league - he is extremely talented - but his shot at any awards will be slim and none unless the team plays better.   To the winners go the spoils of individual awards, for right or for wrong.

Now that the Middlebury drama has been resolved, who do folks think are the pre-season favorites for POY and (much harder) ROY? 

DPOY is absolutely LOADED once again.  I'll go with 1. Taj Gooden, 2. T.J. Rothmann, 3. Greg Holt, 4. Tyler Hudson,  5. Devyn Perkins, 6. Avery Saffold

On offense, a lot of stars graduated.  Let's say 1. Ollie Eberth, 2. Bobby Maimaron, 3. Jonathan Girard, after that, anybody's guess ...

ROY, no idea!

For DPOY I continue with the opinion that Tyler Hudson is the best defensive player in the league. Holt at Tufts is a fine LB but Tufts has padded his stats since his Freshmen year in the subjective area of tackle stats which is totally at the behest of the home team. I've tracked 3 games over the past couple of years and couldn't believe the numbers of tackles and assist the Tufts media arsenal posted.

As for OPOY don't underestimate Nate Richam at Bowdoin- lets see if the Hammer can structure the offense to maximize his talent. He's better than most realize.
I say again that Alonzo Highsmith at Wesleyan has great talent but has underachieved with the Cards. If they can get some footballs going in his direction the kid will excel.
Costa at Bates is a playmaker but will need some help from a questionable supporting cast.
Shofer at Trinity could catch a ton of balls if Trinity should elect to break their recent trend and throw more. Interesting QB situation in Hartford, the Golden Boy from URI with the D! physical package proved to be a woefully inaccurate passer. Will Devanney have a D! transfer holding a clipboard in the Coop?

[gridiron]

Earlier posts (Amher?) asked what brand uniforms each school uses. As I previously indicated, Colby is, in fact, using Adidas.

[gridiron]

All Mules report this Saturday for intense conditioning  evaluations.

Bowdoin night game option still in limbo

[amh63]

gridiron.... what is "intense conditioning evaluations" mean?

[lumbercat]

gridiron.... what is "intense conditioning evaluations" mean?

AMH63-
I had the same thought- maybe the White Mules are taking preseason testing to another level.

[gridiron]

Ha! Just that the coaching staff has set expectations with the players of a higher level of conditioning than in past years with ramifications for those who are unable to pass the tests.

[amh63]

gridiron....hope the FYs' get a pass!  If not, me thinks there will be a nescac investigation.  At Amherst, all FYs, including all varsity sports hopefuls are to attend ALL orientation functions, etc.   As posted earlier, varsity medical forms are to be submitted prior to this weekend.

[Trin9-0]

Will Devanney have a D! transfer holding a clipboard in the Coop?

There is some precedent for this; during Trinity's '04 & '05 undefeated seasons a transfer QB from UVA, Billy Schweitzer, split time with Josh Pitcher for the Bants. I don't recall who started each game but based on pass attempts it looks like they split time pretty evenly. Pitcher actually had better overall results completing 59% of passes with 12 TDs and just one pick, while Schweitzer completed 57% of passes with 9 TDs and 7 INTs.

Devanney wasn't the HC at the time, but he was on staff. I'd be surprised if Trinity rotates between Lambert and Vazzano this season, but it has worked for championship teams in the (not too distant) past.


Regarding the discussion on POY candidates, I'd say Taj Gooden at Wesleyan is the favorite but fellow rising junior, Jimmy Christiano, is a strong candidate as well. He may be Trinity's best returning player on defense and finished behind only Gooden and Andrew Yamin in both sacks and tackles for loss last season.

On offense I'd give the nod to Eberth or Maimaron, as John Girard will be sharing the spotlight in the Bantam receiving corps with the equally dangerous Koby Schofer.

[amh63]

A more positive Nescac football post.   Recently, Sports Illustrated came out with the top/best 150 football photos, some from the distant past.  There was one D3 level football photo.....a game between Amherst and Wesleyan  in Middletown, Ct.  The black and white photo was played on one of the oldest/historic fields....a field that remains a grass field. Is the Cardinal field the last natural grass field in the NESCAC??.  The field has been altered somewhat for drainage when a new student center replaced a basketball Cage.  Baseball games are played on the field in the Spring.
The photo can be found on the Amherst athletic page.
The present Nescac is relatively new, but it has a rich historic legacy.  Amherst claims the first gym building...still being used for classes.  Amherst and Williams claim the first college baseball game..played in Pittsfield, Ma...by the present commercial baseball park.

[NESCACFBFAN]

Tufts still plays on a natural grass field, as a matter of fact they replaced the sod I believe two seasons ago. It is like a fairway and is for football only.