FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[The Mole]

Is Fetter a forgotten man here? Pretty similar passing numbers for an undefeated team. Would think he has got to be in the conversation. Berluti certainly adds the running element, but 8-0 versus 5-3 has got to carry some weight. Results from Saturday will sort out the winner amongst the aforementioned candidates (all very good and deserving).

[The Mole]

Heard from a friend that Ed Argast passed away. RIP Coach

[BigKat]

RIP Coach-he was a tremendous leader of men.

and yes,  Fetter is absolutely in the mix Mole...good catch.

[Nescacman]

Is Fetter a forgotten man here? Pretty similar passing numbers for an undefeated team. Would think he has got to be in the conversation. Berluti certainly adds the running element, but 8-0 versus 5-3 has got to carry some weight. Results from Saturday will sort out the winner amongst the aforementioned candidates (all very good and deserving).

We didn't include Fetter because of the running element precisely as you noted. Fetter wasn't forgotten, we just think Berluti has been better this year. As far as Kennon, he's been great when he's played but we think not playing the full complement of games hurts his chances.

[Nescacman]

Heard from a friend that Ed Argast passed away. RIP Coach

RIP Coach.

[Nescacman]

and NM we know you love your Cards but there is zero chance that WR is getting Offensive POY. Literally none. But I do hope they win Sat! which  Prob unlikely as the Bants will be too physical for them.

We would typically agree with you, but in a year where the WR's have been so good and we have a limited number of QB candidates (Berluti, Fetter, Kennon, Estevez), we think Lutz and Tomlinson have a legit chance to win OPOTY. Kennon has been great but has not played enough this year plus he doesn't run the ball. Estevez is a victim of the number of play makers on the Wes offense. Fetter's a great player but not at Berluti's level this year. BTW, the last WR to win OPOTY was in 2017 when former Wesleyan star Mike Breuler, who now plays for the European Football Champs, the Vienna Vikings, won it.

Nescacman I was (and am) with you on Helbig as a singular talent and one of the most dominant defensive linemen in NESCAC history who has a great shot at capturing a second DPOTY award, but there is a 0% chance that both the OPOTY and DPOTY come from Wesleyan this year (the third place team in the league). I understand being a homer (a passionate one, for sure), but that is just delusional.

Don't disagree with you. Btw, there is a scenario (and not a long shot at all) where Wes ties for second in the league. Tufts is playing well and will give Middlebury all they can handle playing at home. Meanwhile, Wes has played Hartford State well in recent years, is also playing well, and could definitely upset the Bantams and ruin their perfect season in the Coop. Should be a fun day Saturday.

Meanwhile, has anyone seen our Purple Cow friends? They seem to have gone MIA.

[Nescacman]

NESCACMAN - you're the best - I love your posts - but best ever?

https://www.amherst.edu/news/node/860423

No doubt that Doug Swift was a great player and he ruined our childhood as a fan of the division rival Buffalo Bills. However, not to get technical on you, but Swift graduated from Amwurst (1970) before the NESCAC was officially formed in 1971 so technically, he never played in the NESCAC. We continue to stand by #11.

[dman]

Here are some comparable NESCAC names from the Purple Valley you can look up who were pretty good on D- Ted Rogers, Ethan Brooks, Bobby Walker.  There are some others too.  I'll try to remember....

[lumbercat]

Helbig is a great one but not in Ethan Brooks class. Brooks had great physical tools- I think he was 6'5". Totally dominant, went on to the NFL. Ironically I think his brother or father went to Wesleyan.

[Nescacman]

Helbig is a great one but not in Ethan Brooks class. Brooks had great physical tools- I think he was 6'5". Totally dominant, went on to the NFL. Ironically I think his brother or father went to Wesleyan.

Ethan Brooks was a great one, no doubt, who of course had great genes as a result of his father attending college at Little Three Champion, Wesleyan. 

Ironically, despite winning DPOTY in the NESCAC his senior year as a DT and being named a D3 All-American, he played in the NFL as an offensive lineman. My recollection from seeing him play was he was outstanding.

[Nescacman]

2022 Week #9 NESCACMAN Picks

Welcome back NESCAC Fans! It's Week #9 in the NESCAC; the league where they "pay to play". Hard to believe it's the final game. This week is rivalry week in the NESCAC featuring three traditional rivalry games: Wesleyan/Hartford State, Colby/Bowdoin, and Amwurst/Williams. Hartford State has already clinched at least a tie for the league championship. Now they are going for the third 9-0 record in the history of the league. Middlebury holds out hope for a share of the title with a win over the Jumbo's in Medford and a Wes win in Hartford. Congratulations to Middlebury HCOF Ritter on his last game at the helm of the Middlebury Panthers.

University of Bates (Lewiston Campus) College Bobkitties (2-6) at Hamilton College Continentals (2-6): Good chance for a win for HCOF Coyne and the Bobkitties, which would equal their win total from 2021. This is not a great week #9 match-up. Hamilton's defense has given up 45 or more points in 4 of the last 6 games. We'd be surprised if more than 500 people watch this game in person. UBates going for their third straight win over the Conts. KTV ("Keys to Victory") for UBates: Play some defense. Offense has been decent. Get the running game going against the poor Hamilton run defense (last in the NESCAC). KTV for Hamilton: Play some defense. Play some offense. Do something. Prediction: Both defenses are not good but the UBates offense is way better than Hamilton's, so we are going with the Bobkitties on the road.

UBates 28 Hamilton 24
Point Spread: Hamilton -3
Weather (courtesy of The Weather Channel): Showers in the AM, then cloudy in the afternoon. High of 56.

Amwurst College Lord Mammoths (2-6) at Williams College Purple Cows (2-6): When was the last time both of these teams' came into this game tied for last place in the NESCAC? Williams comes in having lost 5 of their last 6 games. The Lord Mammoths have won 2 of their last three games and the only loss was in OT to Wesleyan.  While the Lord Mammoth defense has played well, the offense hasn't (last in the NESCAC in points scored and Total Offense). Both teams have had problems passing the ball so we would expect the running game to be featured by both teams in this one. KTV for Amwurst: Score more than 14 points. Control the clock. Prevent the big play by the Purple Cows. KTV for Williams: Run the ball effectively against the tough Amwurst run defense. Prediction: Amwurst has been playing better the last three weeks. We think the lack of play makers for both teams will lead to a low scoring game which favors the Lord Mammoths. We'll take the Lord Mammoths on the road in a low scoring affair.

Amwurst 14 Williams 10
Point Spread: Williams -3
Weather: Cloudy with rain ending in the afternoon. High of 65.

Middlebury College Panthers (7-1) at Tufts University Jumbo's (5-3): Important game at Ellis Oval that could have NESCAC title ramifications for the Panthers. Middlebury needs a win to keep their hopes for a share of the NESCAC title alive. A win for the Panthers will not be easy. #1 ranked Tufts offense (just ahead of Hartford State and Wesleyan) faces off against the #2 ranked "bend but don't break" Middlebury defense. Middlebury has been a different team since QB Kennon has come back from injury. He has won 2 OPOTW awards in the 5 weeks that he has played. Both teams come in on winning streaks; Tufts has won 2 in a row and Middlebury has won 3 in a row. Tufts has a chance to even the all-time series between these teams. KTV for Middlebury: Be able to establish some semblance of a running game to open the pass for Kennon. Defense needs to continue to play well in the red zone. KTV for Tufts: Avoid mistakes and turnovers. Protect Berluti from the #2 ranked Middlebury pass rush to give him time to find his talented playmakers. Defense needs to put up some resistance to Kennon to give the offense opportunities to win the game for the Jumbo's. Prediction: We like the home team in this one in what should be a close, relatively high scoring game. Jumbo's end HCOF Ritter's storied career with a loss.

Tufts 31 Middlebury 28
Point Spread: Pick 'em
Weather: Rain showers in the AM with bright sunshine in the afternoon. High of 72.

Colby College White Mules (4-4) at Bowdoin College Polar Bears (2-6): Much on the line for both teams as they face-off for the 133rd time, third longest rivalry in D3. Colby trying to have a winning season for the first time since 2005 and win the C-B-B crown for the 4th straight year. Meanwhile, Bowdoin trying to get 3 wins in a season for the first time since 2013. The 5:30 PM start means that this game will end the NESCAC season. Both teams coming off loses. Colby hasn't scored more than 18 points in a game since week #3 against UBates. Meanwhile, the Bowdoin offense has sputtered since losing their starting QB two weeks ago. KTV for Colby: Put pressure on the new Bowdoin QB to force turnovers. Contain Eden who looks banged up to us. Control the clock. KTV for Bowdoin: Try to avoid turnovers. Don't ask too much of your back-up QB. Prediction: Colby wins a low scoring affair. Bowdoin just doesn't have enough offense against a decent White Mule offense.

Colby 17 Bowdoin 14
Point Spread: Colby -1
Weather: Cloudy and damp with rain in the AM, then becoming partly cloudy. Potential for heavy rainfall. High around 70.

NESCAC Game of the Week

Wesleyan University Cardinals (6-2) at Hartford State Bantams (8-0): Important rivalry game that doesn't have all the juice that some had hoped for. Still, Hartford State is playing for sole possession of the NESCAC Football Championship, an undefeated season, and a win against rival Wesleyan. Wesleyan is playing for a share of second place in the league and a win against their in-state rival. Both teams are among the top three in the league in total offense and they are the top two teams in total defense. KTV for Wesleyan: Their league leading pass rush needs to pressure Fetter just as they did in 2021, force interceptions, and poor passes. On offense, Wesleyan's array of play makers have to produce to put pressure on the excellent Hartford State defense. KTV for Hartford State: Run the ball well against the very good Wesleyan run defense and control the clock to keep the ball away from Wesleyan's weapons. On defense, need to not give up the big play. Prediction: Hartford State hasn't faced adversity since week #5 against Middlebury. Wesleyan is playing well and beat the Bants the last time the two teams played in Hartford in 2019. Wesleyan is experienced and won't be intimidated. We think Wesleyan's playmakers on offense and defense step up. Wesleyan gets the upset in the Coop.

Wesleyan 27 Hartford State 24
Point Spread: Hartford State -7
Weather: Light rain early. Breaks of sun in the afternoon. High around 70.

NESCACMAN's Picks (winners):
2022 Season: 29-11 (5-0 last week)
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: 290-90 (.763 winning percentage)

Follow us on Twitter @realnescacman

[Scoops]

Interesting takes on a few of these games. Not that I disagree with the picks (aside from the HS/Cards game, Bants are going 9-0)

Hamilton seemed to wake up in the 2nd half of the Midd game, and put up points on the vaunted Pants defense. I think there's room for an "upset"there, but I do believe the Bobcats will ultimately win. Just have to give credit where it's due for the Conts for not packing it in. 

When it comes to the game in Medford, I'm very curious why people seem to think the Jumbos defense is such a train wreck? No doubt that their offense is exciting and full of big time players, but their defense has been quietly very strong all season. They give up yards, but they don't give up points. In fact, Wes, Midd and Tufts have are all averaging basically the same number of points allowed (Midd has given up 1 less point on the year). And through the air, Tufts defense is seemingly elite. Again, they give up yards but they're 2nd in completion percentage allowed, and tied for 1st with Trin in TDs allowed. Their run defense numbers are middle of the pack, but have steadily improved since the early part of the season. Tufts is a more complete team than they're given credit for.

The Wesleyan Trinity game is certainly the GOTW. I think this might be the most evenly matched game on paper, but the big question mark / advantage for Trinity is the lack of discipline for Wesleyan. Wes is certainly a very talented team all around, but their habit of making head-scratching mistakes can't go overlooked here. Especially on the road against a team like Trinity  Wes also struggles in the big moments. If they get behind, they press and panic. So unless they go coast to coast with a lead, I think Trinity will be able to get them on their heels. Trinity's poise and the chance to be crowned champions at the coop will ultimately be the deciding factor.

2022 Week #9 NESCACMAN Picks

Welcome back NESCAC Fans! It's Week #9 in the NESCAC; the league where they "pay to play". Hard to believe it's the final game. This week is rivalry week in the NESCAC featuring three traditional rivalry games: Wesleyan/Hartford State, Colby/Bowdoin, and Amwurst/Williams. Hartford State has already clinched at least a tie for the league championship. Now they are going for the third 9-0 record in the history of the league. Middlebury holds out hope for a share of the title with a win over the Jumbo's in Medford and a Wes win in Hartford. Congratulations to Middlebury HCOF Ritter on his last game at the helm of the Middlebury Panthers.

University of Bates (Lewiston Campus) College Bobkitties (2-6) at Hamilton College Continentals (2-6): Good chance for a win for HCOF Coyne and the Bobkitties, which would equal their win total from 2021. This is not a great week #9 match-up. Hamilton's defense has given up 45 or more points in 4 of the last 6 games. We'd be surprised if more than 500 people watch this game in person. UBates going for their third straight win over the Conts. KTV ("Keys to Victory") for UBates: Play some defense. Offense has been decent. Get the running game going against the poor Hamilton run defense (last in the NESCAC). KTV for Hamilton: Play some defense. Play some offense. Do something. Prediction: Both defenses are not good but the UBates offense is way better than Hamilton's, so we are going with the Bobkitties on the road.

UBates 28 Hamilton 24
Point Spread: Hamilton -3
Weather (courtesy of The Weather Channel): Showers in the AM, then cloudy in the afternoon. High of 56.

Amwurst College Lord Mammoths (2-6) at Williams College Purple Cows (2-6): When was the last time both of these teams' came into this game tied for last place in the NESCAC? Williams comes in having lost 5 of their last 6 games. The Lord Mammoths have won 2 of their last three games and the only loss was in OT to Wesleyan.  While the Lord Mammoth defense has played well, the offense hasn't (last in the NESCAC in points scored and Total Offense). Both teams have had problems passing the ball so we would expect the running game to be featured by both teams in this one. KTV for Amwurst: Score more than 14 points. Control the clock. Prevent the big play by the Purple Cows. KTV for Williams: Run the ball effectively against the tough Amwurst run defense. Prediction: Amwurst has been playing better the last three weeks. We think the lack of play makers for both teams will lead to a low scoring game which favors the Lord Mammoths. We'll take the Lord Mammoths on the road in a low scoring affair.

Amwurst 14 Williams 10
Point Spread: Williams -3
Weather: Cloudy with rain ending in the afternoon. High of 65.

Middlebury College Panthers (7-1) at Tufts University Jumbo's (5-3): Important game at Ellis Oval that could have NESCAC title ramifications for the Panthers. Middlebury needs a win to keep their hopes for a share of the NESCAC title alive. A win for the Panthers will not be easy. #1 ranked Tufts offense (just ahead of Hartford State and Wesleyan) faces off against the #2 ranked "bend but don't break" Middlebury defense. Middlebury has been a different team since QB Kennon has come back from injury. He has won 2 OPOTW awards in the 5 weeks that he has played. Both teams come in on winning streaks; Tufts has won 2 in a row and Middlebury has won 3 in a row. Tufts has a chance to even the all-time series between these teams. KTV for Middlebury: Be able to establish some semblance of a running game to open the pass for Kennon. Defense needs to continue to play well in the red zone. KTV for Tufts: Avoid mistakes and turnovers. Protect Berluti from the #2 ranked Middlebury pass rush to give him time to find his talented playmakers. Defense needs to put up some resistance to Kennon to give the offense opportunities to win the game for the Jumbo's. Prediction: We like the home team in this one in what should be a close, relatively high scoring game. Jumbo's end HCOF Ritter's storied career with a loss.

Tufts 31 Middlebury 28
Point Spread: Pick 'em
Weather: Rain showers in the AM with bright sunshine in the afternoon. High of 72.

Colby College White Mules (4-4) at Bowdoin College Polar Bears (2-6): Much on the line for both teams as they face-off for the 133rd time, third longest rivalry in D3. Colby trying to have a winning season for the first time since 2005 and win the C-B-B crown for the 4th straight year. Meanwhile, Bowdoin trying to get 3 wins in a season for the first time since 2013. The 5:30 PM start means that this game will end the NESCAC season. Both teams coming off loses. Colby hasn't scored more than 18 points in a game since week #3 against UBates. Meanwhile, the Bowdoin offense has sputtered since losing their starting QB two weeks ago. KTV for Colby: Put pressure on the new Bowdoin QB to force turnovers. Contain Eden who looks banged up to us. Control the clock. KTV for Bowdoin: Try to avoid turnovers. Don't ask too much of your back-up QB. Prediction: Colby wins a low scoring affair. Bowdoin just doesn't have enough offense against a decent White Mule offense.

Colby 17 Bowdoin 14
Point Spread: Colby -1
Weather: Cloudy and damp with rain in the AM, then becoming partly cloudy. Potential for heavy rainfall. High around 70.

NESCAC Game of the Week

Wesleyan University Cardinals (6-2) at Hartford State Bantams (8-0): Important rivalry game that doesn't have all the juice that some had hoped for. Still, Hartford State is playing for sole possession of the NESCAC Football Championship, an undefeated season, and a win against rival Wesleyan. Wesleyan is playing for a share of second place in the league and a win against their in-state rival. Both teams are among the top three in the league in total offense and they are the top two teams in total defense. KTV for Wesleyan: Their league leading pass rush needs to pressure Fetter just as they did in 2021, force interceptions, and poor passes. On offense, Wesleyan's array of play makers have to produce to put pressure on the excellent Hartford State defense. KTV for Hartford State: Run the ball well against the very good Wesleyan run defense and control the clock to keep the ball away from Wesleyan's weapons. On defense, need to not give up the big play. Prediction: Hartford State hasn't faced adversity since week #5 against Middlebury. Wesleyan is playing well and beat the Bants the last time the two teams played in Hartford in 2019. Wesleyan is experienced and won't be intimidated. We think Wesleyan's playmakers on offense and defense step up. Wesleyan gets the upset in the Coop.

Wesleyan 27 Hartford State 24
Point Spread: Hartford State -7
Weather: Light rain early. Breaks of sun in the afternoon. High around 70.

NESCACMAN's Picks (winners):
2022 Season: 29-11 (5-0 last week)
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: 290-90 (.763 winning percentage)

Follow us on Twitter @realnescacman

[SpringSt7]

Ephs win the big one, 20-10 over Amherst. For an afternoon it looked like vintage Williams football under Mark Raymond, Dan Vaughn and Joel Nicholas gashed Amherst on the ground, combining for 279 rush yards on 55 carries. It was the Joel Nicholas (33-205-1) we had been expecting all year but for some reason didn't get until today.

There will be time to dissect this season and wonder how they looked so lifeless for so much of the season but not today. A special shoutout to Dan Vaughn, had to be a special last couple of weeks, recruited as a QB, moved to WR, to RB, and closing the season out as the emergency QB winning a POTW and leading the Ephs to a W over Amherst in the last game of his career. Well deserved.

[Gray Fox]

NIL for Jack Betts, Amherst WR.

https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/college-sports/2022/11/03/meet-jack-betts-the-amherst-wr-who-has-become-division-iiis-king-of-nil/

[bantamweight]

2022 NESCACMAN Week 8 Power Rankings

The Wes defensive line had another awesome game and Nick Helbig won the NESCAC DPOTW for the second time this year. You might as well just give him the DPOTY Award right now. He may be the greatest defensive lineman to ever play in the NESCAC and you could make the argument that he might be the best defensive player that ever played in the NESCAC. .

Pfft. Helbig was barely the 4th best defensive lineman on the field today.