FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[The Mole]

Don't know what game you were watching. Cards controlled the game and the outcome was never in doubt. Was it a choppy first game after a 4 hour bus ride for a game that got moved up? Yes. Bates had 218 yards and 34 on one pass play. The Middlebury @ Wesleyan game Saturday is probably the game of the week in NESCAC. Neither team is mediocre and should take the other lightly. I suspect the coaches on both sides will be reinforcing that message this week.

doesn't  Mammoths defense deserve some credit? Mediocre team was not upset Friday night, much to your chagrin

Watching the Amherst V Midd Game, some things are certain:

Amherst Offense is absolute garbage. Absolute terrible offensive efficiency, O-Line is non existent (although Midd's D-Line is a force), and horrible run game. Pretty sure the local high school team could've put up a better offensive front than Amherst did.

Midd Defense is solid. D-Line remained a force with Kenary and Filias racking up sacks and shredding through the Amherst Offense. Secondary also looked decent with a few pass breakups and small holes that weren't too damaging.

Midd Offense is terrible. Now this is the most mind boggling to me. Coming into the season, Midd O looked to be one of the top 3 offenses. Now, they do have a new OC but still the performance but up on Saturday was one of the worst I've ever seen on any collegiate level. The first quarter looked as usual for Midd, with a strong opening drive and we're absolutely crushing Amherst' defense but after the first quarter. Oh boy. Bad. Not just bad terrible. Let's go over the stats after the first quarter:

*Per drive* -3 yards, 17 yards, 22 yards,17 yards INT, -12 yards FUMB, 3 Yards, 3 yards, 20 yards, 4 yards, 4 yards, 2 yards

Keep in mind that NO scoring was made during any of these attempts. It was baffling to watch, the team went from a locomotive train, to a 8th grade JV team in a matter of minutes. Kennon threw for only 130 yards 11/22 (avg 305 per game last season). There seemed to be no connect with the receivers and Kennon the entirety of those quarters. Passes were either underthrown, overthrown or just plain not thrown when open.

Conclusion:

If Amherst didn't have the worst offense in the entirety of the United States of America, Midd would have lost that game. Their offense isn't up to par with that of last year and the tools they have are being underutilized or plain out neglected. They need to get it together before Saturday or else they will have a rude awakening vs a mediocre Wesleyan team

Did not specify on Amherst Defense due to my previous post regarding to things that are "certain".

Could not tell if it was Midd's horrendous offense that made the Amherst Defense look so good or vice Versa. That being said, watching the game, Midd receivers were open majority of the time, that being said it looked as though Kennon wasn't even looking in the right direction.

In regards to Wesleyan. Watched the game on Friday, they are mediocre at best. Bates looked absolutely terrible and Wesleyan easily could've threw that game. That being said, it is week 1 so you can't take everything as you see it. From a current POV, the general consensus is that Midd will beat Wesleyan and only have to contend with Trinity and Tufts. If they play how they did on Saturday, they may lose against a mediocre Wesleyan football team.

[Nescacman]

Don't know what game you were watching. Cards controlled the game and the outcome was never in doubt. Was it a choppy first game after a 4 hour bus ride for a game that got moved up? Yes. Bates had 218 yards and 34 on one pass play. The Middlebury @ Wesleyan game Saturday is probably the game of the week in NESCAC. Neither team is mediocre and should take the other lightly. I suspect the coaches on both sides will be reinforcing that message this week.

doesn't  Mammoths defense deserve some credit? Mediocre team was not upset Friday night, much to your chagrin

Watching the Amherst V Midd Game, some things are certain:

Amherst Offense is absolute garbage. Absolute terrible offensive efficiency, O-Line is non existent (although Midd's D-Line is a force), and horrible run game. Pretty sure the local high school team could've put up a better offensive front than Amherst did.

Midd Defense is solid. D-Line remained a force with Kenary and Filias racking up sacks and shredding through the Amherst Offense. Secondary also looked decent with a few pass breakups and small holes that weren't too damaging.

Midd Offense is terrible. Now this is the most mind boggling to me. Coming into the season, Midd O looked to be one of the top 3 offenses. Now, they do have a new OC but still the performance but up on Saturday was one of the worst I've ever seen on any collegiate level. The first quarter looked as usual for Midd, with a strong opening drive and we're absolutely crushing Amherst' defense but after the first quarter. Oh boy. Bad. Not just bad terrible. Let's go over the stats after the first quarter:

*Per drive* -3 yards, 17 yards, 22 yards,17 yards INT, -12 yards FUMB, 3 Yards, 3 yards, 20 yards, 4 yards, 4 yards, 2 yards

Keep in mind that NO scoring was made during any of these attempts. It was baffling to watch, the team went from a locomotive train, to a 8th grade JV team in a matter of minutes. Kennon threw for only 130 yards 11/22 (avg 305 per game last season). There seemed to be no connect with the receivers and Kennon the entirety of those quarters. Passes were either underthrown, overthrown or just plain not thrown when open.

Conclusion:

If Amherst didn't have the worst offense in the entirety of the United States of America, Midd would have lost that game. Their offense isn't up to par with that of last year and the tools they have are being underutilized or plain out neglected. They need to get it together before Saturday or else they will have a rude awakening vs a mediocre Wesleyan team

Did not specify on Amherst Defense due to my previous post regarding to things that are "certain".

Could not tell if it was Midd's horrendous offense that made the Amherst Defense look so good or vice Versa. That being said, watching the game, Midd receivers were open majority of the time, that being said it looked as though Kennon wasn't even looking in the right direction.

In regards to Wesleyan. Watched the game on Friday, they are mediocre at best. Bates looked absolutely terrible and Wesleyan easily could've threw that game. That being said, it is week 1 so you can't take everything as you see it. From a current POV, the general consensus is that Midd will beat Wesleyan and only have to contend with Trinity and Tufts. If they play how they did on Saturday, they may lose against a mediocre Wesleyan football team.

Mole, let's not forget that Wes ran out the clock with the ball at the UBates 2 yard line (kudos to Dice for being a class act...maybe some of the other HCOFs in this league can learn something from that), fumbled at the UBates 9 yd line on the opening drive (debatable call upon review...the receiver was down but hey, that's classic Maine officiating for you), and a Wes receiver was so wide open in the end zone (and so excited), he tripped over himself and didn't make the catch...Wes easily could have scored 42 or more points in winning their 17th straight game against the Kitties. As evidenced by the yardage differential and the time of possession, the reality is that Wes pretty much dominated the game. QB Nico Candido should be strongly considered for NESCAC OPOTW for his stellar opening game. Congratulations to both teams for a great opening night atmosphere put together in 24 hours.

[Nescacman]

Week 1 Wesleyan/UBates highlights:

https://x.com/Wes_Football/status/1703420881622491376?s=20

[VoodooDoc]

Congrats to the Bowdoin Polar Bears for opening the season with a win on the road.

In other football news from Bowdoin, a generous commitment by Suffolk Construction CEO John Fish '82 will allow Bowdoin College to endow the position of head football coach. B. J. Hammer becomes the first coach to hold the position of Fish Family Head Coach of Football.  Strong alumni support is an important part of the football program.

[westcoastnescac]

The Mark Howrigan v Brendan King debate should be settled, btw...

[Charlie]

Trinity/ Tufts game

Did anyone hear about a verbal jousting match after the game between DC of Trinity and Tufts HC. I heard it was along the theme that Tufts was trying to pad stats for Berluti against Trinity 3 and 4 depth chart defensive players of Trinity.

The game was out of reach with no chance of Tufts coming back. Trinity pulled their starters and Tufts should have been back up players to finish game. I heard the exchange was true and there were pushing and shoving between players and possibly Coaches but can't confirm this.

[NESCACFball24/7]

Trinity/ Tufts game

Did anyone hear about a verbal jousting match after the game between DC of Trinity and Tufts HC. I heard it was along the theme that Tufts was trying to pad stats for Berluti against Trinity 3 and 4 depth chart defensive players of Trinity.

The game was out of reach with no chance of Tufts coming back. Trinity pulled their starters and Tufts should have been back up players to finish game. I heard the exchange was true and there were pushing and shoving between players and possibly Coaches but can't confirm this.

That is what the argument and confrontation was about but trinity had their 2's in for one drive and then put their starters back in for the last drive of the game. It wasn't as if tufts was trying to play bully ball on trinity's freshman in the 4th lol. Civetti definitely lost his mind in a way that looked way worse on him than anybody else

[GroundandPound]

Role Model of the Week: Coach DiCenzo having team take a knee on 2 yard line.  I hope NESCAC coaches remember this if any of his offensive skill players have one less touchdown than someone else being pushed for all conference recognition.

[LochNescac]

Role Model of the Week: Coach DiCenzo having team take a knee on 2 yard line.  I hope NESCAC coaches remember this if any of his offensive skill players have one less touchdown than someone else being pushed for all conference recognition.

Nice.

[Charlie]

Trinity / Wesleyn JV Game

Heard from many reps from both schools and both were extremely happy with the JV game played at Trinity yesterday. The battle between the two schools was great and kids not going to get playing and or limited were able to play some football and get needed game time reps. Hopefully some type of future scheduling can come from this and maybe a potential spring JV Game between schools for students who are around and not taking semester abroad. But kudos to both Colleges for pulling this off.

Definitely see Maine Teams trying to coordinate this.

[LochNescac]

Trinity / Wesleyn JV Game

Heard from many reps from both schools and both were extremely happy with the JV game played at Trinity yesterday. The battle between the two schools was great and kids not going to get playing and or limited were able to play some football and get needed game time reps. Hopefully some type of future scheduling can come from this and maybe a potential spring JV Game between schools for students who are around and not taking semester abroad. But kudos to both Colleges for pulling this off.

Definitely see Maine Teams trying to coordinate this.

Love this...very cool if this were implemented league wide.   Lotta lifts, practice, & sacrifice for many kids & no game reps...ever.

[Pat Coleman]

Trinity / Wesleyn JV Game

Heard from many reps from both schools and both were extremely happy with the JV game played at Trinity yesterday. The battle between the two schools was great and kids not going to get playing and or limited were able to play some football and get needed game time reps. Hopefully some type of future scheduling can come from this and maybe a potential spring JV Game between schools for students who are around and not taking semester abroad. But kudos to both Colleges for pulling this off.

Definitely see Maine Teams trying to coordinate this.

This is not currently permissible by Division III rules, just to be clear.

[lumbercat]

Trinity/ Tufts game

Did anyone hear about a verbal jousting match after the game between DC of Trinity and Tufts HC. I heard it was along the theme that Tufts was trying to pad stats for Berluti against Trinity 3 and 4 depth chart defensive players of Trinity.

The game was out of reach with no chance of Tufts coming back. Trinity pulled their starters and Tufts should have been back up players to finish game. I heard the exchange was true and there were pushing and shoving between players and possibly Coaches but can't confirm this.

Lumbercat wrote:

Nothing new here with Trinity. Devanney has been doing this stuff for years.
His mindset has always has been if I pull my starters you need to back off on us too. If you keep bringing it he refuses to pull his starters or he puts them back in like he did on Saturday.
A good team that has been dominated is not going to lay down and Tufts was going keep punching. Civetti's not going to take any crap from his alma mater or anyone else.

Trinity complaining about someone padding stats or refusing to let up on their reserves- wow. Trinity always very late to pull their ones.
Hell, in the 4th quarter on Saturday with about 5 minutes left and a 30 point lead they ran RB Kirby, who is a great back, on 8 straight plays......At that point I chalked it up to Devanney resting his reserves for the JV game. LOL

Nothing new in Hartford- Trinity has another great team and I commend their entire program they still encounter problems wining with class which is really pretty easy.

[LochNescac]

Trinity / Wesleyn JV Game

Heard from many reps from both schools and both were extremely happy with the JV game played at Trinity yesterday. The battle between the two schools was great and kids not going to get playing and or limited were able to play some football and get needed game time reps. Hopefully some type of future scheduling can come from this and maybe a potential spring JV Game between schools for students who are around and not taking semester abroad. But kudos to both Colleges for pulling this off.

Definitely see Maine Teams trying to coordinate this.

This is not currently permissible by Division III rules, just to be clear.

Pat & his facts.....Buzzkill.

[GroundandPound]

No worries.  NCAA can ban Trinity and Wesleyan from post-season football playoffs.