FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[Vandy74]

A question for the board with Wesleyan/Middlebury officially lurking--what happens in event of a three-way tie? Is there a tiebreaker past common record, or could three teams split the title?

I ask because a Wesleyan win over Midd on Saturday instantly brings Amherst and Williams back into the conversation. Wesleyan would have to beat Middlebury and then go 1-1 in the Little 3. Whoever between Williams/Amherst beats Wesleyan would then join Wes and Midd at 8-1, with all 3 teams a combined 1-1 against each other. Although, if both Wesleyan beats Middlebury but loses to both Williams and Amherst, Middlebury would stand alone at 8-1 with the head to head wins against Williams and Amherst.

Won't a game against Trinity that all three Little Three teams still have left to play factor into this in some way?

OK, I see what you're saying.  I was looking at two-loss tie-breaker scenarios.  I don't see Tufts as an automatic win for Middlebury.  I wouldn't look past Hamilton either, it being the Panthers' "rivalry" game.  The Continentals are long overdue and have played some good football at times this season.

[Nescacman]

A question for the board with Wesleyan/Middlebury officially lurking--what happens in event of a three-way tie? Is there a tiebreaker past common record, or could three teams split the title?

I ask because a Wesleyan win over Midd on Saturday instantly brings Amherst and Williams back into the conversation. Wesleyan would have to beat Middlebury and then go 1-1 in the Little 3. Whoever between Williams/Amherst beats Wesleyan would then join Wes and Midd at 8-1, with all 3 teams a combined 1-1 against each other. Although, if both Wesleyan beats Middlebury but loses to both Williams and Amherst, Middlebury would stand alone at 8-1 with the head to head wins against Williams and Amherst.

We have posted this before, but here is the "official" NESCAC Championship tie breaking policy:

https://www.nescac.com/sports/fball/tiebreaker

And IOO, it is way too early to start playing out championship scenario's...tons of important games left to play starting with Saturday's big game in Vermont...

[SpringSt7]

A question for the board with Wesleyan/Middlebury officially lurking--what happens in event of a three-way tie? Is there a tiebreaker past common record, or could three teams split the title?

I ask because a Wesleyan win over Midd on Saturday instantly brings Amherst and Williams back into the conversation. Wesleyan would have to beat Middlebury and then go 1-1 in the Little 3. Whoever between Williams/Amherst beats Wesleyan would then join Wes and Midd at 8-1, with all 3 teams a combined 1-1 against each other. Although, if both Wesleyan beats Middlebury but loses to both Williams and Amherst, Middlebury would stand alone at 8-1 with the head to head wins against Williams and Amherst.

Won't a game against Trinity that all three Little Three teams still have left to play factor into this in some way?

OK, I see what you're saying.  I was looking at two-loss tie-breaker scenarios.  I don't see Tufts as an automatic win for Middlebury.  I wouldn't look past Hamilton either, it being the Panthers' "rivalry" game.  The Continentals are long overdue and have played some good football at times this season.

This was not intended to be an exercise in predicting the rest of the games in the season. Just a question about what would happen if there were 3 8-1 teams.

[Nescacman]

Enjoyed the broadcast of the Wes game...good analyses/comments by the AD of Wes.  Liked the comment... paraphrasing here....may have to return to coaching.  For the newer posters here, the AD was the former football HC of Wes.  He returned to his Alma mater for many reasons. He was the HC of football of Williams.  The present football coach of Wes played football for the Ephs and came to Wes with his HC.

Amh, trust us, Whales isn't returning to coaching anytime soon....he's very happy as one of the best AD's in the NESCAC winning Wesleyan's first two team National championships (Mlax and Wtennis), several NESCAC championships, and many Little 3 titles in his brief tenure...expect many more in the years ahead......and Coach Dice is doing just fine at Wes as well with a 27-12 record over 4+ years...that 27-12 record compares favorably to the other newer NESCAC coaches hired over the last ten years...in fact, Coach Dice's .692 winning percentage makes him the winningest coach in program history with more than 20 games coached...we'll also point that both the offensive and defensive coordinators at Wes have Eph roots...O Coordinator Ludwig both coached and played (all-league lineman) in Willytown and D Coordinator Coyne played QB at TTUN before transferring to Wes when Whales moved back to Middletown and was the Cards starting QB...and that's not fake news.     

[amh63]

Nescacman....Having the privilege of shaking the AD's hand when Wes visits Amherst, I know he is "home".  His comment during the broadcast reflected, IMO, an inner urge to be on the sideline and help his Cardinals succeed.  Bad paraphrasing on my part.
It should be noted that Amherst played the game without two of it's top young defensive players.....injured/banged up.  Big games ahead with Wes, Trinity at home and Williams away.
Question to the EPH posters....Have not heard from FrankU here and elsewhere.....is he ok?  Frank is a Williams alum, class of 57.  Frank was a very good friend of the legendary Amherst Football coach...Coach DARP. 

[SpringSt7]

For those curious:

Mike Breuler, 2017, 9 games: 9.6 catches per game, 130.2 yards per game, 1.1 TDs per game

Frank Stola, 2019, 5 games: 7 catches per game, 147.2 yards per game, 2.4 TDs per game

On track to break Breuler's yards record, and comfortably--projects out to 1325 total yards, Breuler had 1172. Needs 3 TDs to tie Zach Driscoll's record of 15 TDs in a year.

Other thing to consider, Wesleyan's first 5 games of 2017 were almost identical to Williams' first 5 this year--Breuler's 5 game totals against Middlebury, Tufts, Hamilton, Colby, and Bates: 57 catches, 814 yards, 7 TDs.

Stola's first 5 games against Middlebury, Tufts, Bowdoin, Colby, and Hamilton: 35 catches, 736 yards, 12 TDs.

Assuming he doesn't fall off too sharply on a per game average, he should easily pass Breuler in yards. Passing Driscoll in TDs seems like a foregone conclusion. I don't know that anyone will ever break Breuler's record of 87 catches in a single 9 game season.

[Nescacman]

Nescacman....Having the privilege of shaking the AD's hand when Wes visits Amherst, I know he is "home".  His comment during the broadcast reflected, IMO, an inner urge to be on the sideline and help his Cardinals succeed.  Bad paraphrasing on my part.
It should be noted that Amherst played the game without two of it's top young defensive players.....injured/banged up.  Big games ahead with Wes, Trinity at home and Williams away.
Question to the EPH posters....Have not heard from FrankU here and elsewhere.....is he ok?  Frank is a Williams alum, class of 57.  Frank was a very good friend of the legendary Amherst Football coach...Coach DARP.

All good...we are looking forward to that cocktail with you one of these days...

And despite the fact that Frank roots for the wrong team, we hope he is ok as well...we miss his snarkiness...

[Nescacman]

For those curious:

Mike Breuler, 2017, 9 games: 9.6 catches per game, 130.2 yards per game, 1.1 TDs per game

Frank Stola, 2019, 5 games: 7 catches per game, 147.2 yards per game, 2.4 TDs per game

On track to break Breuler's yards record, and comfortably--projects out to 1325 total yards, Breuler had 1172. Needs 3 TDs to tie Zach Driscoll's record of 15 TDs in a year.

Other thing to consider, Wesleyan's first 5 games of 2017 were almost identical to Williams' first 5 this year--Breuler's 5 game totals against Middlebury, Tufts, Hamilton, Colby, and Bates: 57 catches, 814 yards, 7 TDs.

Stola's first 5 games against Middlebury, Tufts, Bowdoin, Colby, and Hamilton: 35 catches, 736 yards, 12 TDs.

Assuming he doesn't fall off too sharply on a per game average, he should easily pass Breuler in yards. Passing Driscoll in TDs seems like a foregone conclusion. I don't know that anyone will ever break Breuler's record of 87 catches in a single 9 game season.

We were going to do the exact same analysis you did Spring so +k to you....nice work...and thanks for saving us the effort...

We will bring up that 2 of the Ephs 4 remaining games are against the top 2 pass defenses in the league....although the other 2 games are against the worst 2 pass defenses...maybe that balances out?

Stola is obviously not a secret and without any other dynamic play makers on the Williams squad close to his level (besides the QB), it's amazing to us that NESCAC coaches don't put two guys on Stola and let someone else try to beat them...is that just too obvious? 

[Nescacman]

2019 NESCAC Weekly Power Rankings-Week 6

Two undefeated teams still remain....Wes and MID...get ready for the game of the year thus far in Vermont this Saturday...

Here are the coaches New England rankings for this week:

https://d2o2figo6ddd0g.cloudfront.net/m/s/drlx33ogkxbopi/Grinold_Chapter_New_England_Division_III_Football_Poll_Release_-_10-14-19.pdf

And here are this week's NESCAC rankings:

1). (tie) Middlebury (2019 record: 5-0; LW Rank: 1):  Won on Saturday despite putting up a lackluster effort against the Mules....similar to the way Wes played the week before at Bowdoin...What do we like about this team? They seem to be a team of destiny winning close games despite some adversity, minimal penalties, and their QB is playing very well (although he is not the typical Middlebury QB we have seen over the last decade or so)...What don't we like? Negative turnover ratio (which may catch-up with them at some point), one dimensional offense/over reliance on one player, a slew of injuries, and below average special teams...the turnovers is most concerning to us..Next game: Wesleyan in Middlebury.

1). (tie) Wesleyan (2019 record: 5-0; LW Rank: 2):  Answered a lot of questions for us Saturday night and moves into a tie for 1st in our poll..first half looked like an extension of their poor effort the week before at Bowdoin...they were down 10-0 at the half against the Jumbo's and it easily could have been worse...showed up to play in the 2nd half, opened up the offense and outscored Tufts 20-3 in the second half...5-0 for the first-time since 2013 when they went 7-1 and won the league championship (tie before the tie rules were put into place)...and this is why we love D3 football NESCAC style: 

https://youtu.be/UmP8QQCzCPk

Wes is #1 in turover ratio in the league and has the best special teams in the league...could bode well for the rest of the year if they keep that up...Next game: @Middlebury. 

3). Amhurst (2019 record: 4-1; LW Rank: 3): As expected win against the hapless Polars in Blanketville...Next game: @Hamilton.

4). TTUN (2019 record: 4-1; LW Rank: 4): Good effort against the Conts...Ephs smart to put the Hamilton bus driver on the TTUN payroll...over reliance on the Maimaron/Stola combo is a bit of a red flag for us, but until someone stops it they will continue to ride it...hats off to HCOF Raymond for turning the program, regardless of how the season ends up...should be interesting to see where his next stop is in the coaching carousel...Next game: UBates in Willytown.
   
5). Tufts (2019 record: 2-3; LW Rank: 5):  This team is solid defensively, they can throw the ball, but they have struggled to run the ball (last in rush O and average 2.8 yards per carry)...that hurt them Saturday night (as well as some poorly timed INTs)...played well in the first half against Wes but could not close it out...another team struggling at the kicker position...should get back to .500 this week...why are they ranked ahead of Hartford State you ask? Well the Jumbo's beat HS...Next game: Bowdoin in Medford.

6). Hartford State (2019 record: 3-2; LW Rank: 6): Congrats on destroying UBates..HS has outscored Maine 112-7 in 2 games...66 points for, 70 points against playing real football teams...too bad they can't play the C-B-B every week...face a slightly tougher opponent this week in Colby...HS is first in the 'CAC in total offense and total defense...why are they 3-2? -5 in turnovers, 2nd to last in the league in penalties and a running game that has been very unHartford State-like...Next game: Colby in Hartford.
 
7). Hamilton (2019 record: 2-3; LW Rank: 7):  Yeah, yeah, we know we picked HAM to upset the Ephs last week and took it on the chin...if we had known that Ralph Cramden was driving the Conts from Clinton to Willytown, we may have rethought our pick...seriously, an 1 1/2 hour delay on top of an already crappy 2 1/2 hour bus drive spelled doom for HAM...hopefully this team gets Joe Schmidt back soon, they need him...Next game: Amhurst in Clinton.

8). Colby (2019 record: 0-5; LW Rank: 8):  Almost pulled off the upset in Middlebury...could have very easily won that game...they need a new kicker....can't old school HCOF Cos get a square toed shoe and strap it on one of his lineman ala Lou Groza?...We think Gus the Mule is also a viable option...Next game: @Hartford State.

10. (Tie) University of Bates (Lewiston Campus)(2019 record: 0-5; LW rank: 9): Can't rank them ahead of the Polars anymore...we know they should technically be tied for #9 but the 'Cats and the Polars have been bad enough to be 10th ranked...The "dynamic" air-raid offense generated a grand total of 105 yards of total offense and 3  first downs in the entire game v. Hartford State on Saturday....that is not a typo....count 'em, 3 first downs...HCOF Hall 0-14 and counting....T-13 games left in his Bobcat coaching career...at least they held HS scoreless in the 4th quarter...Next game: @TTUN.

10. (Tie) Bowdoin (2019 record: 0-5; LW Rank: 10): And another non-winning season in Brunswick...Maine is now 0-15 in 2019....looks like HCOF MC Hammer had enough with the alleged D1 transfer at QB...we feel really bad for Nate Richam...put him on any team in the NESCAC outside of Maine and he is a 1,000 yard guy...Next game: @Tufts.

[MidDay]

Hats off to Colby for coming to play hard Saturday.  They gave Midd everything they could handle on that day.  Hopefully, they're (relatively) happy with coming close and knowing they can win.  Can't help but feel bad for the kicker and the lineman who cost the Mules 15 yds on the extra point that hit the upright after getting an unsportsmanlike penalty for spiking the ball after recovering a fumble for a TD in the end zone.  As for Midd, just happy to survive and advance.  Hopefully they'll get some guys back and yet another "game of the year" will be a good one next week.

[nescac1]

What's crazy about Stola is that he is doing this as a junior -- he still has one more season left.  I can't find any info on NESCAC career records, but considering that Stola has been performing at a very high level since his frosh year, if he can stay healthy through his senior season he will very likely own every career NESCAC receiving record.  He has benefited from great chemistry with an excellent QB in his class to be sure, but on the other hand, he has done this in a run-first offense that has lacked another star receiving threat.  Stola has truly remarkable ball skills for a receiver at any level, enabling him to make really difficult catches on the move and in tight spaces. 

Interesting conundrum as to whether to double-team Stola on every play.  He actually has scored a number of deep TDs despite two guys trying to cover him.  Moreover, he typically lines out very wide, so if you shade a safety all the way over there routinely, you are taking a man out of the box, which is really dangerous vs. Maimaron and the Eph TBs, all of whom have explosive ability in the open field.  It's not an easy decision ... it's easy to say, why not just change the base defense to keep the ball out of the hands of by far the best playmaker in the conference, but then the Ephs will have a much easier time in the running game, which is really their bread-and-butter.  All that being said, I do think with some very talented opponents still to come, the Ephs would be well-served trying to spread the ball around a bit to keep defenses guessing.  Perhaps they are just saving some surprises! 

On another note, especially if the Midd frosh TB is injured (I hope not, and if he returns healthy he is a ROY lock) Drew Michalek really deserves a hard look as ROY.  He vaulted ahead of several upperclassmen as the opening day starter and has certainly had an eye-popping year statistically ... fourth on Williams in tackles, and he has been all over the field with a sack, a fumble recovery, three tackles for losses, two INTs and four pass break-up. 

[Trin9-0]

What's crazy about Stola is that he is doing this as a junior -- he still has one more season left.  I can't find any info on NESCAC career records, but considering that Stola has been performing at a very high level since his frosh year, if he can stay healthy through his senior season he will very likely own every career NESCAC receiving record.

I did a little digging and it looks like Matt Perceval from Wesleyan holds the NESCAC record with 36 receiving touchdowns from 1996-'99. His 14 receiving TDs in 1998 (including an absolutely absurd 7 in a single game) ranks second for the NESCAC single season record behind Middlebury's Zach Driscoll who racked-up 29 receiving TDs from 2009-'12. However, Driscoll isn't even the career record holder for receiving TDs at Midd... that belongs to Matthew Minno who notched 30 from 2012-'15. It looks like Stola and Freddie Scott, who played at Amherst from from 1971-'73, would be tied for fourth on the list with 27 receiving TDs. Hamilton's Fred Colman had 26 from 1984-87.

For what it's worth, Koby Schofer just broke Trinity's record for career TD receptions with his 21st score. The previous record was held by Tom McDavitt who played at Trin from 1991-'94. It's very unlikely that Schofer will catch Perceval, but Stola certainly has a chance with 13 games to play in his career. He's averaging 1.2 TDs per game so it's possible, if not likely, that he could reach 40 if he stays healthy which is incredible.

I didn't look up receptions/yardage but would imagine it's many of the same names atop those lists.

[Nescacman]

What's crazy about Stola is that he is doing this as a junior -- he still has one more season left.  I can't find any info on NESCAC career records, but considering that Stola has been performing at a very high level since his frosh year, if he can stay healthy through his senior season he will very likely own every career NESCAC receiving record.

I did a little digging and it looks like Matt Perceval from Wesleyan holds the NESCAC record with 36 receiving touchdowns from 1996-'99. His 14 receiving TDs in 1998 (including an absolutely absurd 7 in a single game) ranks second for the NESCAC single season record behind Middlebury's Zach Driscoll who racked-up 29 receiving TDs from 2009-'12. However, Driscoll isn't even the career record holder for receiving TDs at Midd... that belongs to Matthew Minno who notched 30 from 2012-'15. It looks like Stola and Freddie Scott, who played at Amherst from from 1971-'73, would be tied for fourth on the list with 27 receiving TDs. Hamilton's Fred Colman had 26 from 1984-87.

For what it's worth, Koby Schofer just broke Trinity's record for career TD receptions with his 21st score. The previous record was held by Tom McDavitt who played at Trin from 1991-'94. It's very unlikely that Schofer will catch Perceval, but Stola certainly has a chance with 13 games to play in his career. He's averaging 1.2 TDs per game so it's possible, if not likely, that he could reach 40 if he stays healthy which is incredible.

I didn't look up receptions/yardage but would imagine it's many of the same names atop those lists.

Great research and info Hs8-0....plus K for you (I think your first ever from us, for those that are counting)...we must be getting soft in our old age...

[Nescacman]

What's crazy about Stola is that he is doing this as a junior -- he still has one more season left.  I can't find any info on NESCAC career records, but considering that Stola has been performing at a very high level since his frosh year, if he can stay healthy through his senior season he will very likely own every career NESCAC receiving record.  He has benefited from great chemistry with an excellent QB in his class to be sure, but on the other hand, he has done this in a run-first offense that has lacked another star receiving threat.  Stola has truly remarkable ball skills for a receiver at any level, enabling him to make really difficult catches on the move and in tight spaces. 

Interesting conundrum as to whether to double-team Stola on every play.  He actually has scored a number of deep TDs despite two guys trying to cover him.  Moreover, he typically lines out very wide, so if you shade a safety all the way over there routinely, you are taking a man out of the box, which is really dangerous vs. Maimaron and the Eph TBs, all of whom have explosive ability in the open field.  It's not an easy decision ... it's easy to say, why not just change the base defense to keep the ball out of the hands of by far the best playmaker in the conference, but then the Ephs will have a much easier time in the running game, which is really their bread-and-butter.  All that being said, I do think with some very talented opponents still to come, the Ephs would be well-served trying to spread the ball around a bit to keep defenses guessing.  Perhaps they are just saving some surprises! 

On another note, especially if the Midd frosh TB is injured (I hope not, and if he returns healthy he is a ROY lock) Drew Michalek really deserves a hard look as ROY.  He vaulted ahead of several upperclassmen as the opening day starter and has certainly had an eye-popping year statistically ... fourth on Williams in tackles, and he has been all over the field with a sack, a fumble recovery, three tackles for losses, two INTs and four pass break-up.

Nescac1, we would think that the Wes K Von Jess would at least deserve some consideration...he's already won 2 SPOTW awards this year, is 2nd in the league in scoring and leads the league in just about every kicking related category including kick-offs...we know, he's a kicker but he has been a difference maker thus far for the Cards... 

[nescac1]

I think Von Jess warrants some consideration (I have him third right now).  But I just don't think a kicker should top a starting TB and S, both playing at a very high level on other very good teams.  But if Wesleyan wins the league and Von Jess keeps performing at this level, and especially if the Midd TB is out for a few games, I would not be shocked to see Von Jess win ROY, which I imagine would be without precedent in NESCAC ...   

Thanks Trin 8-0.  Interesting indeed!  Perceval I recall being an absolute beast, as well.