FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[NescacFam]

JumboJerry - The "Bowdoin Community College" dig isn't necessary or pertinent. Bowdoin ranks #6 in US News and World Report for best liberal arts colleges ranked only behind NESCAC peers Williams (#1) and Amherst (#2). Tufts is #32. But I digress...

As for the game against Middlebury this past weekend, it was a game of should have, could have, would have.

On offense... The good: Bowdoin jumped out to a 10-0 first quarter lead, out-gained the panthers 321-279 overall, and owned a 36:59-23:01 advantage in time of possession in the game.  Bowdoin controlled the pace of play throughout the second half of the contest, handling the ball six times and marching into Middlebury territory on all four possessions. The bad: Bowdoin was without 4 starters; 3 on the offensive line and #1 wide receiver Colton Fahey. The ugly: The Polar Bears went 1-5 in the red zone and went 5-19 on third down conversions in the loss. Bowdoin had to settle for two punts, a missed field goal and three turnover on downs; all three coming in the fourth quarter in Middlebury territory.

On defense... The good: Bowdoin forced two turnovers (1 INT and 1 fumble), held Middlebury to 6-16 on 3rd down, and 279 totall yards. The bad: The panthers went 3-3 in the red zone. The ugly: Gave up a bomb touchdown on a busted coverage to Donovan Wood.

On special teams... The good: Bowdoin made a 40 yard FG. The bad: Bowdoin missed a 17 yard FG. (For some reason, the holder never spins the ball after the snap, causing the laces to be on the side or even facing the kicker. For those of you on this board old enough to remember Jim Carrey in the movie Ace Ventura Pet Detective: "Laces out, Dan.") The ugly: Bowdoin had a punt blocked in their own territory which led to great field position for the panthers and a touchdown 2 plays later.

On coaching offense: Lack of adjustments and play calling killed the Polar Bears. Everyone knew they were going to run the ball up the middle with Eden. How about an RPO? Play action? ANYTHING to keep the Middlebury defense honest. Especially with 3 new starters on the offensive line. Bowdoin had 4th and goal from the 1 yard line and elected to kick a FG (which was missed). Had they gone for it with any number of plays (QB sneak, Eden toss, play action to their 6'6" tight end) it would have sent a message. Had they not converted, Middlebury would have had the ball at the 1 yard line, instead of the 20.

On coaching defense: Red zone defense continues to be an issue, especially goal-line.

On coaching special teams: Middlebury came close to blocking the punt several times before finally breaking through. Coaches did not adjust to the overload pressure. Not telling the holder to spin the ball is inexcusable.

[Nescacman]

It looks like Doug Mandingo is heir apparent to Coach Ritter?

https://athletics.middlebury.edu/news/2022/10/5/doug-mandigo-96-named-associate-head-football-coach.aspx?utm_medium=sidearm-email&utm_source=athletics.middlebury.edu&utm_campaign=Doug+Mandigo+%2796+Named+Associate+Head+Football+Coach&utm_content=7018e38c-dd5a-4b73-8e08-7f8ec36c8129

Middlebury has announced the promotion of Doug Mandigo '96 as the associate head football coach. In this new role, Mandigo will continue serving as the defensive coordinator, a position he has held since 2011, while assisting with the head coaching transition.

No surprise at all...as we said weeks ago, Coach Mandigo, is the leader in the clubhouse to be the next HCOF of the Pants...

Well deserved and we wish Doug nothing but luck and success in the future...we liked him a lot when he was at Wes and did a good job despite being undermanned for much of his tenure there...we root for the Mandigo family since Doug's brother Bill is Wes Class of '83 and is a fraternity brother (DKE)...for those of you that don't know, Bill is the head woman's hockey coach at MID, the defending NCAA D3 National Champs and is arguably, the greatest small college woman's hockey coach of all-time...

[Scoops]

While I get your point, I will say that throwing for under 50% and 3 picks, while simultaneously running for under 75yds as a team, does not a qualify as being effective in my book. To Nescacman's point, I mistook the tone and tenor of his comment. But to say that they were rolling offensively is inaccurate. They moved the ball everywhere but where it mattered most. Again, I think Wes is among the top tier teams, but I think Colby will hold up against their offense effectively. As for a prediction, I'd feel comfortable saying this game is a 3-pt game when all is said and done. Which side is a coin flip, so lets just say Cards 13-10.

Scoops, Wes outgained Middlebury and had over 400 yards of offense. To say they had no answers offensively is 100% inaccurate. Missed FG, Blocked FG, interception and turnover on downs in the red zone versus the Panthers. Give Middlebury credit as they executed in the red zone and Cards did not, but they moved the ball up and down the field most of the day.

Dollars to donuts, what is your score prediction and outcome?

[The Mole]

Scoops what would the defensive game plan be to hold them to 13 points? It is not likely for the Cards to come up that empty in the red zone again. There are mismatches that can be exploited at WR and I am not sure the Mules will be able to close that gap.

I will bet you a glazed donut Wesleyan scores more than 13

[Nescacman]

Scoops what would the defensive game plan be to hold them to 13 points? It is not likely for the Cards to come up that empty in the red zone again. There are mismatches that can be exploited at WR and I am not sure the Mules will be able to close that gap.

I will bet you a glazed donut Wesleyan scores more than 13

Can we make it 2 donuts?!?

[LochNescac]

Hearing there will be a fly over of three F35 Lightning Jets during the national anthem prior to Tufts vs Bowdoin Community College at Ellis Oval Stadium this Saturday. Pretty cool.

pretty DAMN cool....

[bantamweight]

We did...

We like...

We're not ready to make our pick yet on this game yet, but when we do make our prediction, it will be based on the facts.

Stop insulting people with Dissociative Identity Disorder, please. DID phobia isn't a good look for a progressive Wes alum.

[JumboJerry]

It is "pretty DAMN cool". You know what else is cool? Tufts University's ranking of #28 in Economics compared to BCC's ranking of #49. Yikes! Even cooler? The chill in the air after three F35 Lightning jets fly over Ellis Oval Stadium to send the Jumbos into battle.

Tufts by a million.

[bantamweight]

Tufts University's ranking of #28 in Economics.

loose=lose

Nothing like being the 27th loser.

[Nescacman]

Tufts University's ranking of #28 in Economics.

loose=lose

Nothing like being the 27th loser.

Or "looser", right hartfordstateweight???

[Scoops]

Wesleyans receivers are okay. I don't think the matchup there is as one-sided as you make it out to be. Reid is better than Tomlinson, and the Mules handled him just fine. It's also a question of QB play. Again, against a real defense the Wes Q's went 50% with 3 picks and no TDs. Mudd's defense is elite, but I don't think Colby is a big drop off. Their new DC has improved upon their '21 defense, and I thought their previous guy did a solid job there. I don't see it as a stretch at all to have Colby stifle the Cards offense. If Hersch and the Mules O can play keep away with the ball, this game will be tight. Wes has a chance to prove that they're not pretenders. Excited to see what they do with it.

Scoops what would the defensive game plan be to hold them to 13 points? It is not likely for the Cards to come up that empty in the red zone again. There are mismatches that can be exploited at WR and I am not sure the Mules will be able to close that gap.

I will bet you a glazed donut Wesleyan scores more than 13

Can we make it 2 donuts?!?

[maineman]

Hearing there will be a fly over of three F35 Lightning Jets during the national anthem prior to Tufts vs Bowdoin Community College at Ellis Oval Stadium this Saturday. Pretty cool.

pretty DAMN cool....

The F-35 is the joint strike fighter so it could be Air Force, Navy or Marines.  I wonder how this was arranged? I have to figure, one or more of the pilots is a Tufts or Bowdoin alum and got permission to do a training flight over Medford.

More than pretty cool!!

[The Mole]

Where did it say one-sided? Read it again--mismatches can be exploited. I will take Tomlinson over Reid all day, so I respectfully disagree with your opinion. That is not the only WR, you must not be watching. I guess we will have to see how it all plays out. When the Mules O cannot play keep away, this game will not be tight.

Wesleyans receivers are okay. I don't think the matchup there is as one-sided as you make it out to be. Reid is better than Tomlinson, and the Mules handled him just fine. It's also a question of QB play. Again, against a real defense the Wes Q's went 50% with 3 picks and no TDs. Mudd's defense is elite, but I don't think Colby is a big drop off. Their new DC has improved upon their '21 defense, and I thought their previous guy did a solid job there. I don't see it as a stretch at all to have Colby stifle the Cards offense. If Hersch and the Mules O can play keep away with the ball, this game will be tight. Wes has a chance to prove that they're not pretenders. Excited to see what they do with it.

Scoops what would the defensive game plan be to hold them to 13 points? It is not likely for the Cards to come up that empty in the red zone again. There are mismatches that can be exploited at WR and I am not sure the Mules will be able to close that gap.

I will bet you a glazed donut Wesleyan scores more than 13

Can we make it 2 donuts?!?

[The Mole]

Wesleyans receivers are okay

Cardinals top 5 Receivers (4 in top 20 of NESCAC):

21-271-4
9-146-3
8-85
7-127
6-121

Scoops, please let me know what is good....

[JumboJerry]

Tufts University's ranking of #28 in Economics.

loose=lose

Nothing like being the 27th loser.

Oh I know number #84 isn't talking