FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[Charlie]

Chuckie, define "quagmire" please. Yes, last year vs Amherst it was a mess with the monsoon. Also, it is PARITY. Parody is an imitation.  No team can sleep on another at this juncture, clearly the league is up for grabs.

Thank You for the error. I get the nostalgia of Wesleyan having the oldest football field. But The field is slow , great deal of divots  , depressions on the uneven playing surface. Not as bad as the old Tufts and Bowdoin fields but still not exactly the greatest field conditions. I am not even speaking about the inclement weather and its impact on the field. I like the fact of the history there but come on they should be making this a permanent field with up to date turf.

I dont agree with the up for grabs statement

After two weeks in no order


Contenders                       Pretenders

Trinity                              Hamilton
Colby                               Bates
Wesleyan                         Bowdoin
Tufts                                Amherst
                                      Williams

** Cant rank Middlebury did not see last weeks game and only ranking Wesleyan     
     based on returning upperclassman.

** If Williams has clear cut win this weekend and handles Tuft then I would easily say Tufts and Williams would shift positions and the Tufts Trinity game was an aberration.

Can't decide if I love or hate how much you are gassing up my Mules, Charlie! Regardless, the C-B-B kicks off this weekend and the Mules need to take care of the bobkitties under the lights. Bates always gives us everything they can handle, but I think the Mules will pull away late. Look for Hersch to have a breakout game.

Again this is why I said we have to wait and see how they play against Wesleyan. If they get in a dog fight and or win that means they fought the best three teams in the league and have moved up the ranks. I have not seen Middlebury yet and want to make sure I give everyone there credit. All I can go by is the last two weeks and they have come out strong out of the gates.

[The Mole]

Charles, it is probably too early to call anyone a contender or pretender after just 2 contests, but I see where you are going. Midd and Trinity not having losses puts them in the contender category. Bates and Amherst at 0-2 have a taller hill to climb, but could make some noise by knocking teams off along the way. Not saying it will happen, but this could be a season with a shared title and 2 loss champions if the same pattern continues.

[Nescacman]

The best thing that ever happened to Lord Mammoth football and HCOF EJ was a guy by the name of Aaron Kelton...

Too bad Michael Berluti didn't follow his brothers to Amhurst and instead went to Dad's alma matter at Tufts...

Certainly didn't hurt Amherst that Kelton was there, although his team was undefeated in his first year and 5-3 in the second year.   And Kelton was there for six years ... EJ is in his 26th year.   So a bit of overlap but not that much.

Re the lacrosse situation, I agree with that assessment.  It was partially the behavior of the kids - enough incidents for discipline to be warranted - but frankly the way that the administration handled it was far, far more impactful in a negative way.  The president and (very weak) athletic director went on a diversity mission that set the entire school back.   Combine that incident, including the school's horrific response to it, with a change in the admissions director to an individual who never worked at a school with any history with football ... all a bad combination.   I read an article that suggested EJ will stay to get his 150th win and then move on.  The man owes Amherst NOTHING - he has been an outstanding coach and steward of the program. 

Here is to having NESCAC football back!

Kelton won in 2010 with all of Whales' recruits...as Whales said to NESCACMAN at the time, we could have gone undefeated with that team...Whales and Dice left Williams loaded when they headed south to Middletown.

[Nescacman]

I am assuming David Estevez got hurt unless Dicenzo forgot how to coach. Any updates?

David was not injured...just a tough day all-around for the Wes QB's on Saturday...both David and Ashton Scott were not sharp. Balls sailed on them and missed some open receivers.

For some reason, Wes just has a tough time playing up north in Vermont. With that being said, nice coaching job/game plan by HCOF Ritter, DC Mandigo...short quick passes and up tempo offense neutralized the Wes pass rush and didn't allow Wes to do situational subbing...worked well, although with all due respect to the Panthers, as bad as Wesleyan played, they probably should have won the game. We expect them to bounce back this this week in Clinton.

[Nescacman]

Would love to hear some thoughts about the Continentals. Do we think it's a case of Amherst being a bad football team or the Conts taking a step forward? From what I saw looked like the Conts dominated the game and should have won by a whole lot more.

We think the Conts and the Lord Mammoths (crazy as that sounds) are the two worst teams in the league...jury still out on UBates, but we will give HCOF Coyne the benefit of the doubt for now.

[Nescacman]

You ok NESCAC-MAN? You having trouble putting Wesleyan lower than 3 in your power rankings this week. No worries we are here to help.

The First Ever Unbiased NESCAC-MAN'S Power Rankings

1). Hartford State Bantams (2-0; LW: 2): Not the best team they have had by any stretch of the imagination. They do however seem like the most rounded team so far. Can the offense continue to lean on the run as they try to stretch the field vertically. If they get the pass game rolling watch out!

2). Middlebury (2-0; LW: 5): Sure seem energized against the Cardinals this past week. They still have a long way to go to be a true contender though. But showed they will scrap and still compete. Can the offense find ways to utilize weapons and get solid QB play. Defense employing the bend don't break strategy, must keep up the physical and discipline play.

3). Tufts Jumbo's (1-1; LW: 3): Continuing to trend upward with a comfortable win vs the bobkitties. The offense still has not reached its full potential. Defense is showing improvements.

4). Colby Mules (1-1; LW: 4): May have lost but showed they belong. First time in years The Mules showed some kick, fought for 4th quarters with another one of the big dogs. Need to take care of business this week before looking ahead to the next.

5). Wesleyan Cardinals (1-1; Last week: 1): Cards show their true colors once again. Despite it being the year of the cardinal. They couldn't over come what seems to be a theme since their 3 way split of a championship in 2013 and runner up finish in 2014. Ultra talented but lack of discipline and composure. Doing the little things right wins championships. Still plenty of games left but need to more consistent in big games.

6). Williams Purple Cows (1-1; LW:6):  Got back on the right track but have seem to have lost the mojo. No longer seem like the team that feels it can't be beat. Can they regain the swagger of last year in time.

7). Bowdoin Polar Bears (1-1; LW: 7):  Making strides but reminded they still have a ways to go. They have the talent at certain positions to scare and maybe steal a win vs the upper tier. But still have work to do to be more than a trap game.

8). Hamilton Continentals (1-1; LW: 10): Just not a good football team... to maybe they are just Hamilton and you get what you get week to week. Some good some bad some ugly.

9). University of Bates Bobcats (Lewiston Campus)(1-1; LW: 8): Good things take time, but is their improvement week to week that is still to be seen. What will it take for the Bobcats to become a winner?

10). Amhurst Lord Mammoths (0-2; LW: 9):
O oh, maybe in trouble, there's talent there but not playing as a team. QB struggles need to be fixed or this could become a season to forget. The competition only gets harder from here.

NESCACMAN's Picks (winners):
2022 Season: 6-4
2021 Season: 33-12
2020 Season: 0-0
2019 Season: 33-12
2018 Season: 36-9
2017 Season: 35-10
2016 Season: 32-8
2015 Season: 30-10
2014 Season: 30-10
2013 Season: 32-8
Career: 267-83 (.765 winning percentage)

This post reeks of Hs8-0...welcome back...do you still work at Wes?!? With that being said, whomever you are, stick to your day job.

[BigKat]

Rankings' list isn't terrible. Williams and Wesleyan need to be higher. Pillow fight at the bottom will clarify this weekend.

[Pat Coleman]

This post reeks of Hs8-0...welcome back...do you still work at Wes?!? With that being said, whomever you are, stick to your day job.

Not sure why you're trying to doxx another poster -- please stop.

[Pat Coleman]

Fun day in the NESCAC board -- someone just tried to register as "SchoolnamehereStudent" but their registration came from a different NESCAC school.

Apparently we're back to 1999 tactics around here.

[Nescacman]

2022 NESCACMAN Week 2 Power Rankings

The NESCAC season is off to a very interesting start with Hartford State and Middlebury leading the way. The Pants and Colby have been the positive surprises thus far and the Lord Mammoths have been the negative surprise...

1). Hartford State Bantams (2-0; LW: 2): Not the typical dominant performance we would typically see from the Bants in the Coop...rode the defense to the win last week against the White Mules...will have a week to figure things out against Amhurts which could get very ugly...

2). Middlebury Panthers (2-0; LW: 2): Middlebury wins ugly against Wes despite being outgained and losing the time of possession battle...offensive line coach doing a great job teaching the young Pants how to hold and not get caught...Donovan Wood is the star on this team...might have their hands full this week v. the Polars running game.

3). Tufts Jumbo's (1-1; LW: 2): Tufts offense just way too much for UBates...defense looked better...travel to Williamstown which could be an elimination game for the league crown...

4). Wesleyan Cardinals (1-1; Last week: 1): Winner of the league will not run the table but Wesleyan's margin for error going forward became very slim...outplayed the Pants between the 20's but couldn't punch it in inside the red zone....nick Helbig was, once again unstoppable (when he wasn't being held), and is running away with the DPOTY award early in 2022...need to get it together in Clinton this week against the upstart Conts coming off a big win against the Lord Mammoths...

5). Colby Mules (1-1; LW: 4): Have looked improved in 2022 despite a tough early season schedule...defense carrying the team thus far...offense, especially the running game, was anemic v. Hartford State...on the surface, things seemingly get a bit easier for them this week as they face UBates at night on the Hill although we think the Cats will be game...

6). Williams Purple Cows (1-1; LW:6): Rebound against the Polars....new QB looked better...huge game this week in Williamstown...loser will have a tough hill to climb to win the league.

7). Bowdoin Polar Bears (1-1; LW: 7): Polars need more than they got last Saturday out of QB Boel and RB Eden...offensive line has to do a better job protecting the passer...interesting game against the Pants...we're looking for Eden to have a big day on the Middlebury fast-track.

8). Hamilton Continentals (1-1; LW: 10): We still don't think they are a good football team, just that Amhurst is that bad...probably catching a Wes squad not at the right time.

9). University of Bates Bobcats (Lewiston Campus)(0-2; LW: 8): Need to get the offense going...defense, believe it or not, has not looked bad...opening week of the C-B-B, the greatest pillow fight in America.

10). Amhurst Lord Mammoths (0-2; LW: 9): Shocking loss to the Conts...We are sure Coach Darp is rolling over in his grave over the start of this season...134 yards passing is not going to cut it...doesn't get any easier this week as the Lord Mammoths play Hartford State at home...will they have 500 people there to watch the destruction?

NESCACMAN's Picks (winners):
2022 Season: 6-4
2021 Season: 33-12
2020 Season: 0-0
2019 Season: 33-12
2018 Season: 36-9
2017 Season: 35-10
2016 Season: 32-8
2015 Season: 30-10
2014 Season: 30-10
2013 Season: 32-8
Career: 267-83 (.763 winning percentage)

[Nescacman]

Fun day in the NESCAC board -- someone just tried to register as "SchoolnamehereStudent" but their registration came from a different NESCAC school.

Apparently we're back to 1999 tactics around here.

That's funny...was it jbelushi@wesleyan.edu?

[lumbercat]

2022 NESCACMAN Week 2 Power Rankings


10). Amhurst Lord Mammoths (0-2; LW: 9): Shocking loss to the Conts...We are sure Coach Darp is rolling over in his grave over the start of this season...134 yards passing is not going to cut it...doesn't get any easier this week as the Lord Mammoths play Hartford State at home...will they have 500 people there to watch the destruction?

NESCACMAN's Picks (winners):
2022 Season: 6-4
2021 Season: 33-12
2020 Season: 0-0
2019 Season: 33-12
2018 Season: 36-9
2017 Season: 35-10
2016 Season: 32-8
2015 Season: 30-10
2014 Season: 30-10
2013 Season: 32-8
Career: 267-83 (.763 winning percentage)

I could never understand the small, apathetic crowds at Amherst over the years for all games but Williams as they have perennially been a dominant program. If they continue to lose there won't even be 500 at the games. Is there something about the location of the field that has something to do with meager attendance......I can't figure it out.

However, I gotta think the Jeffs are better than they have shown in the first 2 games. I just can't imagine an EJ Mills team being this bad and think they will be better than this.

When Williams hit that bad skid I remember thinking that would not happen at Amherst but maybe it's the Jeffs turn now. I guess we will see.

[Nescacman]

2022 NESCACMAN Week 2 Power Rankings


10). Amhurst Lord Mammoths (0-2; LW: 9): Shocking loss to the Conts...We are sure Coach Darp is rolling over in his grave over the start of this season...134 yards passing is not going to cut it...doesn't get any easier this week as the Lord Mammoths play Hartford State at home...will they have 500 people there to watch the destruction?

NESCACMAN's Picks (winners):
2022 Season: 6-4
2021 Season: 33-12
2020 Season: 0-0
2019 Season: 33-12
2018 Season: 36-9
2017 Season: 35-10
2016 Season: 32-8
2015 Season: 30-10
2014 Season: 30-10
2013 Season: 32-8
Career: 267-83 (.763 winning percentage)

I could never understand the small, apathetic crowds at Amherst over the years for all games but Williams as they have perennially been a dominant program. If they continue to lose there won't even be 500 at the games. Is there something about the location of the field that has something to do with meager attendance......I can't figure it out.

However, I gotta think the Jeffs are better than they have shown in the first 2 games. I just can't imagine an EJ Mills team being this bad and think they will be better than this.

When Williams hit that bad skid I remember thinking that would not happen at Amherst but maybe it's the Jeffs turn now. I guess we will see.

Lumber, have you watched the Lord Mammoth offense? The stats speak for themselves...last in scoring offense (2 TDs in 2 games including a game against Hamilton) and 2nd to last in total offense...frankly, pathetic. Trust us, having watched them, they are as bad as the stats are, maybe worse.

As far as the Amhurst crowds are concerned, we've never liked the location of the field...it's away from the main campus and the parking stinks...plus the away team has to park by the main campus and walk about a half a mile to get to the field...definitely not ideal.

We think PC run amok at Amhurst, recruiting competitiveness in the 'CAC (particularly the resurgence of the Purple Cows), loss of key coaches, top recruits that just haven't panned out/stepped up and not having a competent QB have all contributed to the demise of the Lord Mammoth football program in recent years (0-2 in '22, 5-4 in '21, 4-5 in '19)...are HCOF EJs days numbered???

[lumbercat]

NM-

I haven't seen the Jeffs yet. Based on your information maybe it's worse than I expect, a lot worse.
Believe EJ has a long leash. It would take a couple of 2-7 or 1-8 years before they would dump him.
One thing I'm pretty sure about is that it will get ugly with EJ and the refs. He's been perennially vicious on the zebras when he's winning. I've seen him go crazy on refs even in games with big leads.
If they start losing regularly it could get ugly for EJ and the officials.

[Pat Coleman]

Fun day in the NESCAC board -- someone just tried to register as "SchoolnamehereStudent" but their registration came from a different NESCAC school.

Apparently we're back to 1999 tactics around here.

That's funny...was it jbelushi@wesleyan.edu?

It was not from Wesleyan at all, in fact. Thanks for playing.