FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[nescac1]

I know Estevez is enormously dangerous in his slash role and I'm sure the coaches love the flexibility he offers, but at some point barring a change in how the two QBs are playing, doesn't he need to be the full time guy?  He's so clearly their best player.  On the season he's at 85 percent passing (!) with 5 TDs plus is obviously a huge running threat.  Scott is at 43 percent with negative rushing yards on the season playing vs the bottom tier of the league ... he was obviously stellar in 2019 but I wonder if Estevez might just need to be the guy?  No one ever breathes easy when he's under center.  He, Maimaron and Fetter all continue to kill it in what is already down to a three person POY race ...

[lumbercat]

The TD catch in the end zone by Wesleyan #12 Elcoury was of the greatest plays Ive ever seen in the NESCAC. He was double covered by 2 DBs who were right on him. I was standing a short distance away and saw the whole thing develop. When the QB released the ball I saw Bates DBs in great position and there was no way no way he could ever make the catch- Bates had him doubled like a blanket.
He goes up with 2 guys in his shirt. He high points the ball one handed and bings it in one handed. If you're standing where I was there was no possible way he makes that play. I didn't even thing he could get a hand on it.
Ive seen the tape and it does not do the play justice- utterly spectacular, much greater than it appears. Should be on ESPN.

The irony for the Bobcats is the fact that he was very heavily recruited by the Bates staff, I think at one point they thought they had him.

Close never counts was the theme of the day for the Bobcats yesterday.

[Charlie]

Was at the Trinity v Middlebury game this weekend. Wow what a difference a recruitment cycle makes. Middlebury replaced there starting QB who was fabulous in 2019 and led them to championship. But Trinity just had the answers for them and played tougher. I will say the game was close for a period of time but Trinity defense which had three INT led the way. Constantly forcing Middlebury into bad decisions by QB. I will say it looked as if Trinity at any time could have put this game out of reach Middlebury had no answer for WR or TE combo's. It appeared that Trinity was actually working on the running attack and felt like a practice rather than a game. There was never any sense of urgency from them and they controlled Middlbury's offense easily. I think the only test truly for Trinity will be Wesleyan. I just do not think that Williams has the DB to match up against Trinity. Trinity's QB is legit !.

I am also amazed how many players Trinity had it seemed like 100 players dressed and about 20 players not dressed. heard from a good deal of alumni that each week they pick and choose certain freshman not to dress because of needs and postional fullfilment. Interested to see what will happen if NESCAC goes back to 70 man rosters and when and how it affects these schools. Also heard that they are adding about 25 prospects for next year.

[polbear73]

Big loss by Colby to Hamilton by allowing 27 points in second quarter only a week after their huge win over Amherst. Bottom of league could be very unpredictable this year.

[Conts Fan]

Big loss by Colby to Hamilton by allowing 27 points in second quarter only a week after their huge win over Amherst. Bottom of league could be very unpredictable this year.

At one point I looked at the scoreboard for this game and it said "game delayed due to protest." Any idea what was going on there?

[polbear73]

A group of students entered the field as the National Anthhem was being played played and continued to sit when it was over. It was unclear what they were protesting.

[Nescacman]

Greetings fellow boardsters...we made the trip to the town that Ali made famous...a few thoughts on yesterday:

1. Hats off to UBates players, in particular QB Costa, LB Hooks, Returner/WR Diawara, WRs Bryan and Marino...entire team played very hard on UBates version of homecoming...
2. Stat of the day for UBates...9 penalties for 132 yards including some crucially bad penalties at key times of the game....2 long returns (inc. One for a TD) by Diawara called back (he did a great job returning the ball all day)...some bad personal fouls and a roughing the kicker when UBates was going to get the ball back at the end of the game with time left for a Hail Mary...we're sure some of you will disagree with this but that is just not good coaching...
3. Wes pulled it out despite numerous injuries to key players including all-league players Simco and Johnson...game reminded us of Colby/Middlebury in 2019....championship teams win those kind of games...not sure if Wes year will end the same way as MIDs, but we will see...
4. Congrats to QB/WR/RB David Estevez and K/P Daniel Yoon for winning NESCAC players of the week...remember, Yoon wouldn't even be playing if Von Jess didn't get hurt in week 1...definitely a luxury having two good kickers...
5. Catch by Wes WR Elkhoury rivaled the Odell Beckham one handed catch....pretty amazing stuff...maybe best catch we ever saw...
6. Too bad UBates can't run the ball...Costa tried to do way too much...turned the ball over twice in the last 4 mins trying to will the team to win...
7. Tailgating at UBates was pre-pandemic-like...no restrictions....and they did not enforce the mask requirement...great job by UBates...
8. Wes was very flat...with that being said, they have their two long Maine road trips done...we think this will be a wake up call for the Cards..
9. ephs1...we'll settle up later in the season...we think Ephs and Hartford State will beat UBates but nowhere near number of points we need to win...
10. We had a great breakfast at Fran's...highlight of the day...

More on other games later...

[nescac1]

Is there a video of the catch someone can link to?

Regarding the protest, I was kind of hoping the deposed Hamilton QB who left the team was staging a protest.  Oh well.  Speaking of which, impressive statistical game for the Hamilton frosh QB vs a solid Colby D.  We have our ROY front runner (only b/c the Bowdoin TB is not eligible, a bummer for him but he will settle for first team all NESCAC I'm sure).

[The Mole]

Lumbercat, I agree 100%. Stunning that he caught that ball, should have never been thrown. Bates outplayed Wesleyan in every facet of the game. Bobcats found good matchups with the bigger receivers 81 and 89. Unfortunate 7 got hurt, he was a major factor in the return game. Cards are banged up ('tis the season) and need to find a running game to make the offense smoother and secondary needs to tighten up. I heard Coach Argast was not coaching in the game due to illness, hope he is well.

No such thing as an easy game.....

The TD catch in the end zone by Wesleyan #12 Elcoury was of the greatest plays Ive ever seen in the NESCAC. He was double covered by 2 DBs who were right on him. I was standing a short distance away and saw the whole thing develop. When the QB released the ball I saw Bates DBs in great position and there was no way no way he could ever make the catch- Bates had him doubled like a blanket.
He goes up with 2 guys in his shirt. He high points the ball one handed and bings it in one handed. If you're standing where I was there was no possible way he makes that play. I didn't even thing he could get a hand on it.
Ive seen the tape and it does not do the play justice- utterly spectacular, much greater than it appears. Should be on ESPN.

The irony for the Bobcats is the fact that he was very heavily recruited by the Bates staff, I think at one point they thought they had him.

Close never counts was the theme of the day for the Bobcats yesterday.

[D3FLETCH]

Boel did a nice job today.  Some exciting things to come.

I think Bowdoin may be better served putting Andre Eden in at wildcat QB. Bowdoin QBs were 12-27 for 102 yards. Adding extra OL/TE on field may open up running lanes for Eden.

[SpringSt7]

I think the argument with Estevez is that moving him around frequently probably provides more value than sticking him under center for 95% of the snaps. He seems like a better WR than runner, although he is great at both. The elephant in the room too has been Ashton Scott's poor play. I thought he was the best passer in the league in 2019. I doubt Wesleyan was planning for this decline in his play.

Is Daniel Yoon related to Notre Dame great K Justin Yoon by any chance? Would explain a lot. Having someone who can make kicks is such a luxury in this league. Although he nearly costed them a couple of times with poor kickoffs (2 illegal procedures) and a poor punt late in the 4th. Maybe Martin will take over those duties when he's back. But Wesleyan and Williams' elite kicking units could be the difference at the end of October.

[Pat Coleman]

Was on the road a bit visiting family,etc.  Watching Nescac games online a bit..  Amherst's sports page really needs a SID....limited info on the fine games played on Sat......as well as players info.  Oh well...blame it on the departing Amherst's prez.

Whoever is in charge of setting budget and staffing priorities for the athletic department. The SID position has been a revolving door for years there and my understanding is that position is way underfunded.

There should be TWO people in that department, at least, rather than one.

[amh63]

Pat Coleman....I agreed with you wrt the funding needs for the SID...and other areas.  Hoping with the Prez leaving...things will change with funding.  The Prez has been sticking herself into a number of athletic areas that have impacted athletic dept's budget.  The removal/buyout  of the lacrosse coach; the hiring and buyout of another HC.  When Amherst needed to build a new stadium for football, etc...the Prez did not want money coming out of "her" budget.  Plans for new stadium and building of complex came elseware.....including at least 6.5 million plus from Lehrman, father of a football player....major donor is one of the owners of Giant food markets in the DC/MD area. Other major donors from alums and friends of sports.  Present AD, a former football coach, is imho, a mouth piece for the Prez. 

[lumbercat]

Boel did a nice job today.  Some exciting things to come.

I think Bowdoin may be better served putting Andre Eden in at wildcat QB. Bowdoin QBs were 12-27 for 102 yards. Adding extra OL/TE on field may open up running lanes for Eden.

Couldn't disagree more. This kid is the future of the Bowdoin Football program. Why put him in a position where he will face contact on more plays with a bad offensive line.. The Hammer is no dummy (I don't care what they are saying in Waterville) he will bring this kid along slowly and turn him loose at the appropriate point in their rebuilding scheme.

The Hammer has been heavily criticized for being too patient with awful results but I agree with his plan to proceed with some caution on Eden.......A little like Mac Jones with the Patriots from my perspective.

[SpringSt7]

Agree unfortunately that the Bowdoin hype from yesterday seems a little exaggerated. They had one great player play great. I understand the excitement over seeing Boel play for a contingent of this board but this was a non competitive game from the first play against a Williams team that is missing several starters including two all-league guys. With Bates looking competent and having to travel to Colby I don't think this Bowdoin team gets a win this year.