FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[nescac1]

Maimaron has pretty crazy career numbers: not only 46 passing TDs, but also 21 rushing TDs, against only 13 career interceptions (most of which came as a first-year).  46 passing TDs (and counting) is hugely impressive for a guy whose best attribute is his running. 

That got me wondering to who the all-time NESCAC leader in TD passes is?  NESCAC for some reason does not have career records on its records page.  My guess is McCallum Foote with 77 - seems like that HAS to the record, right?  He is the single-season leader with 31.  That career number seems almost unbreakable.  You'd need a QB who is really good to play all four years in a pass-heavy offense to have a chance, most likely, and he would have to stay healthy.  Or at least be a three-year starter.  Even with a 9 game schedule, you have to average two TD passes a game playing every game in your entire career just to get in Foote's neighborhood.  And he did it as a sophomore transfer.  That dude could really sling it. 

Foote had only two rushing TDs in his career, so Maimaron (if he doesn't miss any games) has a decent shot at the combined passing / rushing TD career records, as right now he's 12 behind Foote's total with six games to go.

[Charlie]

Your Week 3 NESCAC Football Uniform Report:

Hamilton at Colby
Grade C
Too much blue. Too much white. This one looked a bit like an intra-squad scrimmage. Hamilton is sneaky one of the best looking teams in the NESCAC, but I'd love to see them add a set of Buff pants to their rotation. Likewise, the Mules need to switch back to their grey pants permanently. I'll add that I like their block C helmet logo more every time I see it.



I also believe every team should follow Trinity and put the kids names on the Jerseys. I would think the tuition they charge at these schools would not break the budget.

Williams at Bowdoin
Grade B-
Neither the Ephs nor the Polar Bears have a top tier uniform set, but here the whole is greater than the sum of their parts and the black/white contrast with just a pop of color (albeit mismatched purple) makes for a somewhat pleasing aesthetic.


Wesleyan at Bates
Grade B
Wes looked great in their all white combo and while the monochrome look for Bates continues to disappoint, the color contrast made for a decent looking match-up. 


Middlebury at Trinity
Grade B+
Two of the NESCAC's best dressed programs; but there was just too much navy blue and white on the field today. You won't find me saying anything negative about Midd's all white road look, but I would have liked to see Trin in their gold pants to provide a little more color.


Tufts at Amherst
Grade Incomplete
I've been unable to find any pictures from this game. The Amherst athletics information operation really is a disaster. Anyways, below is what I hope they wore. If so, the grade would be a solid "A". Vibrant colors with clean white contrast; sharp all around. Sadly, it's entirely possible that the either or both the Mammoths and/or Jumbos wore one of their dingy grey pants or jerseys to ruin what could be an otherwise beautiful look. If that's the case they'd get knocked all the way down to a C.  I'll update this post if I can track down a photo (or feel free to share one if you've found it). In the meantime enjoy their look from 2018 below.

[Charlie]

I think every team should follow Trinity and put kids name on Jerseys. It is a great touch and fro all the tuition they pay small expense.

[polbear73]

Really dating myself but I think the best uniforms ever were the all white Amherst road uniforms with deep purple stripes on the sleeves and deep purple numerals with white helmets. The unis looked even better when worn by four future NFL players.

[Trin9-0]

Maimaron has pretty crazy career numbers: not only 46 passing TDs, but also 21 rushing TDs, against only 13 career interceptions (most of which came as a first-year).  46 passing TDs (and counting) is hugely impressive for a guy whose best attribute is his running. 

That got me wondering to who the all-time NESCAC leader in TD passes is?  NESCAC for some reason does not have career records on its records page.  My guess is McCallum Foote with 77 - seems like that HAS to the record, right?  He is the single-season leader with 31.  That career number seems almost unbreakable.  You'd need a QB who is really good to play all four years in a pass-heavy offense to have a chance, most likely, and he would have to stay healthy.  Or at least be a three-year starter.  Even with a 9 game schedule, you have to average two TD passes a game playing every game in your entire career just to get in Foote's neighborhood.  And he did it as a sophomore transfer.  That dude could really sling it. 

Foote had only two rushing TDs in his career, so Maimaron (if he doesn't miss any games) has a decent shot at the combined passing / rushing TD career records, as right now he's 12 behind Foote's total with six games to go.

Joe Shield '84 holds the Trinity record for career TD passes with 52. Impressive given the era but a far cry from Foote's 77... that's unreal.

Really dating myself but I think the best uniforms ever were the all white Amherst road uniforms with deep purple stripes on the sleeves and deep purple numerals with white helmets. The unis looked even better when worn by four future NFL players.

Unfortunately this picture is black and white so you'll have to just imagine the purple.


And if you want to see them in action (albeit still black and white) you can watch the 1974 Trinity Amherst game here.
The Bantams won 24-19 en route to a 7-1 record (best in the NESCAC).

[polbear73]

Classic!  Thank you!!!!

[Trin9-0]

Noontime Sports ranks Trinity, Williams, and Wesleyan 2nd, 3rd, and 4th respectively in his DIII New England Top 20 rankings. The only other NESCAC teams included are Amherst 19th and Middlebury 20th.

This take aligns with what most NESCAC observers agree to be a huge disparity between the top three teams this year and the rest of the league. I also think he has the top three NESCAC schools in the correct order based on their performances through the first three weeks.

[amh63]

Thanks Trin8-0!  The pic of a young Darp brought a big smile on my face.  Great crowds at Trinity in the '70's film. 

[DC 53]

The incredible, one handed TD reception was #2 on Randy Moss' "You Got Mossed" highlight feature on the Monday Night Football pre-game show. Great PR `for the NESCAC!

[lumbercat]

I'll say it again, I was 15 feet away from that play by Wes 12 and the video does not do justice to it.
The Birds have got a big time Texas playmaker in the nest. Lets hope the bus rides to home games and halftime meetings in the cafeteria don't make him look to transfer.

Can someone post the link to the ESPN piece?

[DC 53]

https://athletics.hamilton.edu/news/2021/10/3/football-teams-cairns-22-is-nescac-defensive-player-of-the-week.aspx

Mike Cairns is the older brother of Joe Cairns, Hamilton '25, who threw for 3 TD's in the Cont's win at Colby. The Cairns family accounted for all 4 Hamilton TD's on Saturday.That's some good recruiting of "local" talent. The Hamilton players most certainly had ample time to work on their Senior Theses on that ride back to Clinton, but I'm not sure that many exercised that option. Far be it for me to temper anyone's enthusiasm, but it may be the time to pump the brakes on an immediate pigskin renaissance in Waterville. We all know what a painstakingly incremental process a rebuild can be. I do hope that early season results mean that the league is getting more competitive. Though I have rooting interests, I just really want to be entertained.

[Nescacman]

I'll say it again, I was 15 feet away from that play by Wes 12 and the video does not do justice to it.
The Birds have got a big time Texas playmaker in the nest. Lets hope the bus rides to home games and halftime meetings in the cafeteria don't make him look to transfer.

Can someone post the link to the ESPN piece?

Lumber, your wish is our command....

https://twitter.com/wes_football/status/1445186881801670661?s=21

[Nescacman]

2021 NESCACMAN Weekly Power Rankings-Week 3

10 things we learned this week:

1. We hope the UBates HCOF is feeling better....our thoughts go out to him and his family.
2. The Lord Mammoths Sports Information Department is even worse than we thought....we tried to watch the end of the Jumbo's/Mammoths tilt on Saturday and the stream was nowhere to be found....no link, no evidence that there was even a game being played...very poor job for a college with a multi-billion endowment...get with the program Amwurst!
3. Injuries are rampant throughout the 'CAC with many former all-league and key performers out due to injury...not sure if the year off has anything to do with it but the injuries are reeking havoc on many teams.
4. Colby Mules are the NY Yankees of the NESCAC...they play ok, they they play badly, they play OK....roller coaster ride.......which team shows up to play this week to play the Ephs?
5. Most teams in the league seem to be having a problem running the ball including offensive juggernaut Hartford State who is creating lots of offense almost exclusively through the air.
6. Would anyone have guessed that the Jumbo's would be 0-3 and Hamilton would be 2-1 at this point in the season?
7. 3 games into the season and we are all but assured a new league champ in 2021.
8. Pant QB Jernigan definitely missing his weapons (and line) from last year.
9. Big drop-off from Top 3 to #4.     
10. Week #4 schedule is as bad as we can ever remember in the league...might have to head to VT to look at the leaves and watch the Pants/LMs!

1). (Tie) TTUN (2021 Record: 3-0; Last Week Rank: 1): Good win on the road; never easy to win in Maine......1st ranked rushing attack...tied for second in the 'CAC in turnovers (+5)...no INTs yet...next up: v. Colby

1). (Tie) Wesleyan (2021 Record: 3-0; LW Rank: 1): Tough win on the road for the Cards...defense again played well and offense starting to get it going...Wes is 1st in scoring D, total D, rushing D, and turnover ratio (+7)...7th in the country in rushing yards allowed...QBs have not throw an INT yet...next up: v. Bowdoin

1). (Tie) Hartford State (2021 Record: 2-0; LW Rank: 3): Another strong win against defending league champ Middlebury...1st in scoring O, passing O and points per game...lead the league in sacks with 11...not running the ball well yet...7th in rushing offense...tied for second in turnovers with +5...next up: @ Hamilton 

4). Amhurst (2021 Record: 2-1; LW Rank: 7): Good comeback win for the Lord Mammoths...appears that they have settled on a QB...Pass D is last in the league...-5 in turnover ratio is last in the 'CAC...1-4 on FGs...next up: @ Middlebury

5). Middlebury (2021 Record: 1-2; LW Rank: 4): Another loss for the Pants...will make it very difficult for them to repeat as NESCAC Champs...lead league in sacks allowed with 12...shockingly, MID is last in passing efficiency and 9th in Passing O...8 turnovers is tied for last in the league...must win this week against the Lord Mammoths...Jernigan 2nd to last in league in passing efficiency...next up: v. Lord Mammoths  

6). Tufts (2021 Record: 0-3; LW Rank: 5): We were surprised they lost to LMs...another team looking for a QB looks like they found one...last in total D, scoring D and rushing D...yet to get an INT...next up: v. UBates

7). Hamilton (2021 Record: 2-1; LW Rank: 8): Shocker of the week beating the Mules...we would say QB Cairns in the running for offensive ROTY...8th in total O, 8th in total D...still only 2 sacks for them...next up: v. Hartford State

8). Colby (2021 Record: 1-2; LW Rank: 7): Disappointing loss to CONTs...defense has played great...3rd in total defense...offense has not played well...9th in total offense, last in rushing offense at 43 YPG (235th out of 240 D3 football programs)......next up: @ Ephs

9). University of Bates (Lewiston Campus)(2021 Record: 0-3; LW Rank: 9): Gave Wes a run for their money in a game they should have probably won...9th in total defense...anemic running the ball...great at returning kicks...last in league in penalties which killed them against Wes...next up: @Tufts

10). Bowdoin (2021 Record: 0-3; LW Rank: 10): RB Eden has been bright spot for the Polars (1st in 'CAC in rushing)...Polars are last in turnover ratio...last in scoring O, last in total O, last in passing O (224th in the country)...next up: @ Wesleyan

[Former CAC Coach]

Nescacman -   I find it always easiest to bookmark D3 site either on my computer or my phone, then go to Scores for NESCAC -  can always find either the link to Video stream of game or to Live Stats - although "Live" stats is a serious misnomer.....

[Former CAC Coach]

...and no, Pat Coleman did not pay me for the free advertisement/endorsement of his site....