FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[jumbolina]

So can someone inform me on the rules here, are you not allowed to speak freely?

[Pat Coleman]

Go Jumbos!

Don't Say Nothing Bad!

You are off to a bad start on a board where proper English is a plus.

If you know, you know Mr. Fox...hop off my bantam (Had to repost since everything is censored on here )

Only the inappropriate stuff.

So can someone inform me on the rules here, are you not allowed to speak freely?

Terms of Service: https://www.d3boards.com/index.php?topic=5787.0

Honestly, read the room a little bit and see what the conversation is like.

[Nescacman]

Personally I find nescacman's Wesleyan bias a stark and quite frankly, disgusting, contrast to the rest of the unbiased and truly neutral posters on this board.

Spring, you almost made us (collectively) spit our afternoon coffee all over our home office. Great stuff...if we didn't know you, we wouldn't think this was so funny!

#rollcards

[Nescacman]

As we have said before, we have VERY thick skin...one of the reasons we love doing this week after week is the passion of our fellow NESCAC fans, parents, alums, coaches, and student-athletes. IOHO, the NESCAC is hands down the preeminent D3 sports conference in the country and the thought, analysis and writing of our fellow boardsters (with a few exceptions  ), reflects the high quality of this league. As a result of us doing this for the last 11+ years we have made many new friends who like us, love NESCAC and D3 football. Our biggest thrill is knowing that the coaches (some, religiously) and players actually not only follow and read the Board (and our posts) but actually really like and appreciate what we ALL have to say. This week, in the wake of some of the noise, we received a few messages of support. We are going to share one which should make all of you (like us) that try to make positive contributions to NESCAC football feel good. This message was from one of the better players on the Polars 2013 squad who we respect immensely as a player and a person. We will not identify his name to protect his identity and we appreciate his support.

"NM- I'm a huge fan of the board and appreciate all the work you guys put in each week. I do not know who polarbear man is but just know he doesn't stand for our team"

We will also have an exciting important announcement in the next few week's that will benefit all NESCAC football student-athletes. Stay tuned for that important announcement.

[lumbercat]

NM-
My guess is you may have already volunteered to tutor Jumbolina on the nuances of this board. You're always willing to step forward and assist a new boardster. She seems pretty eager to get involved and will be a great addition!

[Nescacman]

NM-
My guess is you may have already volunteered to tutor Jumbolina on the nuances of this board. You're always willing to step forward and assist a new boardster. She seems pretty eager to get involved and will be a great addition!

Class is in session for Jumbolina!

[lumbercat]

 

[westcoastnescac]

With the boards quiet today, I would like to share my mid szn thoughts/awards that no one asked for or cares about 
OPOY: Jaden Richardson. 10 touchdowns through 6 games when often facing bracket coverage speaks for itself.
DPOY: Kenary or Muldoon. Kenary has the very impressive stats but Muldoon always comes up with a big play for the Midd defense when the game is on the line.
most valuable: Fuschetti (apologize if misspelled), but he is everything for that offense. Not sure the extent of his injury but he is dynamic and just a really good football player
Oline: Tufts or Trin. Cepalia for tufts is nails- after Woodring the best olineman I've personally seen in the last couple years
Breakout: Luke Harmon/Trey Doyle. Amherst always has a good defense and these two are having very solid seasons. Doyle doing a good job picking up some of 16's lost production early in the season (I believe due to injury)

[Charlie]

Players

One thing that still amazes me about the NESCAC. I was at the Tufts Wesleyan game and still cannot figure out why the NESCAC decides on seprating players from there teams regarding who dresses. I noticed Tufts had maybe 15 to 20 players not dress because of the rules regarding dress limits. I feel bad for those kids i mean you practice all week long , meetings , socially hang out together there are no playoff formats so who cares if a kid dresses and does not play. I know some schools do not have this problem but feel like if you are on the team you get the right to dress and be part of the team. In D1 they allow the red shirts to dress at home games. I just think it stinks for the kids that are playing for the love the game and no playoffs they should allow this who does it hurt. Tufts had a good turnout for the night game about time.

[lumbercat]

Good points Chaz

[Hawk196]

Tufts had a good turnout for the night game about time.

The atmosphere is pretty incredible during the night games. I think the DJ/music keeps fans/students engaged (not crazy about music between plays...I'm a Boomer ). Its definitely an upgrade compared to previous years

[Charlie]

Tufts had a good turnout for the night game about time.

The atmosphere is pretty incredible during the night games. I think the DJ/music keeps fans/students engaged (not crazy about music between plays...I'm a Boomer ). Its definitely an upgrade compared to previous years

I have to give props to Tufts I love the band they have. I really think every NESCAC school should do this let the kids play adds to College game day experience. I know every school has some type of music department they should let the kids showcase stuff at games. I really think with the advent of the new stadium , Scoreboard , the way they televise games , the Band that Tufts has one of the best home fields.

[muleshoe]

Not sure if folks follow Bill Connelly on ESPN, who covers college football. But he has a predictive, power-rating model called SP+ that is "a tempo- and opponent-adjusted measure of college football efficiency." and he's used it to rank all 665 NCAA teams D1 - D3... Michigan to Fitchburg State, including all of our beloved NESCACs! (https://twitter.com/ESPN_BillC/status/1714280372178137247/photo/1)

395: Trinity (ahead of a ton of D2 schools!)
473: Tufts
521: Middlebury
532: Wesleyan
567: Bowdoin
570: Williams
582: Colby
599: Amherst
621: Hamilton
628: Bates


He's also used the model to predict the scores for games each week (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/e/2PACX-1vRh9Slymcisd5-uEIvAD4zjGkJ7aeARseChhne-HdpyQeQiTSJeZD0WfyuG40O5S7Z20wz1XLYSUDUj/pubhtml#):

Here's what he has for this week's NESCAC matchups:

Colby 25.9 - Hamilton 13.1
Middlebury 26.2 - Bates 9.0
Trinity 35.4 - Williams 7.2
Tufts  31.0 - Amherst 8.3
Wesleyan 25.2 - Bowdoin 16.6


Awesome to see D3 getting some love from ESPN! Good luck to all this weekend! Go Mules!

[Jay Murry]

Hello All,

While I will be following from afar WashU's efforts against North Central Saturday, it won't be idle following.

I will be in the midst of my Rett Gets Rocked 2023 24-hour ultramarathon at WashU to raise awareness of Rett syndrome and research funds to find a cure.  I'm starting around 8:00 Friday night (after I provide the call for the WashU-Saint Louis U. swimming and diving meet), and ending at 8:00 Saturday night. 

Rett syndrome is a neurological disorder caused by a gene mutation on the X chromosome.  It lays in the weeds until a child is between 6-18 months old, just when a child is learning to walk and talk.  Rett is like Lucy in the Peanuts comic strip when she pulls the ball away from Charlie Brown, as he tries to kick it.  Unlike Charlie Brown...when Rett pulls the ball away from children, they don't get a chance to get up and try again.  Children go into severe neurological regression; many end up in wheelchairs and most lose the ability to talk and to do sign language.  Those with Rett also are prone to seizures, extreme nerve pain, GI issues, breathing abnormalities, and eating difficulties that can all be life-threatening.

Researchers are relentless, providing hope on two fronts.  Back in March of this year, Daybue became the first FDA-approved drug to target the effects of Rett syndrome.  Daybue helps blunt some of the seizures and has helped improve some vocal and gross motor skills.  Gene replacement therapy clinical trials in two North American locations have helped one patient sit up independently for the first time in a decade, and to grasp objects for the first time since infancy.

It is this momentum of hope and progress that I am trying to assist and perpetuate.

If you would like to make a donation, click on this Rett Racers link:  https://rettracers.funraise.org/fundraiser/jaymurry

The families of children who have Rett and fight a tough fight every day, will be very grateful for your help.

Thank you for your time and consideration, and enjoy the games this weekend!

[Nescacman]

2023 Week #6 NESCACMAN Picks

Welcome to Week #6 in the NESCAC in "The League where they pay to play"...NESCACMAN took it on the chin and went 2-3 in week #5 to take us to 19-6 for the season...We are promising a big come back this week...Looks like another rainy weekend in the NESCAC...This week's GOTW features our only game with two winning teams; Wesleyan hosting Bowdoin...Second week in a row the Card's have been part of our featured GOTW...The rest of this week's slate features the Colby Mules hosting Hamilton College, UBates travelling to Vermont to face Middlebury, Hartford State visiting the Purple Cows in Williamstown, and Amwurst hosting Tufts...Onto this week's slate:

Hamilton College at Colby College: Hamilton NESCAC Ranks: Total Offense: 8/Total Defense: 10; Colby NESCAC Ranks: Total Offense: 9/Total Defense: 6...Colby squad on a three game winning streak going for four in a row...Although Colby is not a juggernaut, they have found some stability at QB, WR, and RB leading to the offense playing better with more consistency in recent weeks...As long as Kurzum is at QB and Wildman is healthy at RB, Hamilton has a shot...Keys to Victory ("KTV") for Hamilton: Hamilton will need to figure out a way to score more than 2 TDs, something they have not done on the road all year...Defense needs to keep this game low scoring...KTV for Colby: Keeling will need to have his third straight game throwing for over 200 yards against the last ranked passing offense in the NESCAC...Players to watch: TB Nate Wildman (HAM), QB Luke Kurzum (HAM), QB Thomas Keeling (COL), WR Jack Sawyer (COL), RB Keon Smart (COL), LB Julian Young (COL)...Overview: We think Colby does just enough to get by Hamilton and get win #4 at home.

Colby 21 Hamilton 14
Point Spread: Colby -7
Weather (courtesy of The Weather Channel): Showers early, becoming heavier in the day. Potential for heavy rainfall. High of 58.

University of Bates (Lewiston Campus) at Middlebury College: UBates NESCAC Ranks: Total Offense: 7/Total Defense: 9; Middlebury NESCAC Ranks: Total Offense: 5/Total Defense: 8...MID played their best game of the season in upsetting Hartford State last week in the Coop...UBates looking for their first win of the year...UBates will have to stop reigning NESCAC DPOTW Finn Muldoon and DPOTY candidate Dave Filias, who leads the NESCAC in sacks...KTV for UBates: Defense needs to step up and stop the MID passing attack...Although UBates has not defended the run well, MID does not run the ball well...UBates needs to control the clock and present MID with a balanced attack...Keep the QB upright against a very good MID pass rush...KTV for Middlebury: Kennon needs to avoid the INT, something he has not done thus far in 2023...Get some semblance of a running game going against a UBates run defense that is last in the NESCAC...Defense needs to continue to play well...Players to watch: QB Colton Bosselait (UB), WR Sergio Beltran (UB), QB Cole Kennon (MID), DB Finn Muldoon (MID), WR Patrick Jamin (MID), DT Dave Filias (MID)...Overview: We'll be rooting hard for HCOF Coyne and the Kitties but we think MID is too much for the young Kitties and stays in first place in the NESCAC.

Middlebury 28 UBates 14
Point Spread: Middlebury -13
Weather: Periods of rain with potential for heavy rainfall. High of 57.

Hartford State College at Williams College: Hartford State NESCAC Ranks: Total Offense-1/Total Defense-1; Williams NESCAC Ranks: Total Offense-6/Total Defense-7...Hartford State will try to bounce back after a shocking loss last week to the Panthers in the Coop...The Roosters need to do a better job converting chances in the red zone; 5 field goals is not going to cut it...Ephs are struggling on offense although they looked better last week without star RB Fischetti (who still leads the NESCAC in rushing despite missing a week) and not throwing the ball well (last in the NESCAC)...The best way to attack the Roosters is through the air so generating offense might be a challenge again for the Ephs offense...The Ephs have run the ball well (lead the NESCAC in rushing) but HS is #1 against the run (first in the NESCAC and #4 in the nation against the run in D3)...Ephs have had trouble scoring averaging (average 13.8 points per game which is 9th in the NESCAC) and they are still last converting third downs (26%)...Ephs only averaging 117 yards a game passing and complete 44% of their passes...All of these stats point to a long day offensively for the Ephs...KTV for Hartford State: Stop the run and force the young Eph QB to throw...Convert in the red zone...KTV for Williams: Run early and often...Control the clock...Protect the QB and avoid turnovers...Players to watch: RB Tyler DiNapoli (HS), WR Sean Clapp (HS), DB Ma-Lyke David (HS), QB Owen McHugh (WIL), DE Cameron Smith (WIL)...Overview: On paper and in reality this one looks like a blowout win for Hartford State...The Roosters will be angry and will look to bounce back with a vengeance...Knowing this league like we do, this is not a good spot (or match-up) for the Ephs...Hartford State wins by a ton in Williamstown.   

Hartford State 45 Williams 10 
Point Spread: Hartford State -31
Weather: Rain likely with potential for heavy rainfall. High of 59.

Tufts University at Amwurst College: Tufts NESCAC Ranks: Total Offense-2/Total Defense-2; Amwurst NESCAC Ranks: Total Offense-10/Total Defense-4...Tufts is on a roll winning their 4th straight in a blowout win against Wesleyan under the lights in Medford...Somehow the Lord Mammoths have 2 wins, although they were against two teams with a combined 0-10 record...LM offense is worst in the NESCAC and one of the worst in the country in ranking near the bottom terms of total yards and scoring...Amwurst offense has looked slightly better since they made the move back to junior Jack Cox at QB...In the Lord Mammoths favor: Tufts has only beaten the Lord Mammoths once since 2008, at Amwurst in 2016 and is 11-23-2 on the road against the Lord Mammoths since 1953...Tufts ranks first in all of D3 in sacks allowed this year, allowing only one all season...Jumbos are league's second-best rushing offense with over 173 yards per game and are doing a great job of holding onto the ball (only four turnovers-8th best nationally)...Tufts has also been disciplined with just 22 penalties all season (leads the NESCAC and 8th fewest nationally)....KTV for Tufts: Berlutti has looked great the last few weeks and they have a dynamic offense with many play makers...Get the ball to those playmakers and they should be able to score against a decent LM defense...Get pressure on Cox and force some turnovers...He does not move that well so they should be able to get pressure on him...KTV for Amwurst: Need to hold Tufts to less than 10 points, which will not be easy, to have a shot at the win...Avoid the turnover...Root for bad weather...Players to watch: QB Michael Berlutti (TUF), WR Cade Moore (TUF), DL Sulieman Abuaqel (TUF), RB Chartellis Reece (TUF), DT Ed Iuteri (TUF), QB Jack Cox (AMW), LB Luke Harmon (AMH)...Overview: Bad match-up for the Lord Mammoths...Last chance at a win for the LMs might not come until week #9 against the Ephs...We like the Jumbo's in a blow-out this Saturday, despite past history. 

Tufts 35 Amwurst 10
Point Spread: Tufts -24
Weather: Periods of rain with potential for heavy rainfall. High of 60.

NESCAC Game of the Week

Bowdoin College at Wesleyan University: Bowdoin NESCAC Ranks: Total Offense-3/Total Defense-5; Wesleyan NESCAC Ranks: Total Offense-4/Total Defense-3...Our GOTW is the only game featuring two winning teams...Last two years have been high scoring games and we expect the same this year, weather dependent...Winner stays in the hunt for a potential NESCAC title (does mentioning the Polars and a potential NESCAC title seem a bit odd??? Something they have never done, btw)...Wesleyan comes in on a two game losing streak and will try to avenge last year's tough loss in Brunswick...Bowdoin bounced back last week against rival UBates and will try to avoid another clunker like they had against a very good Tufts squad......Wes will try to bounce back at home after two tough losses on the road...The Cards are very good at home (2-0 thus far in 2023), have gone 13-2 at home since 2019 and last lost to Bowdoin in Middletown in 2008...The Bowdoin offense is led by the passing attack of QB Andrew Boel and WR Colton Fahey...Boel is a gunslinger who can chuck the ball around with the best of them in the NESCAC (leads the NESCAC in passing efficiency and yards) but is prone to the interception (2nd in interceptions to MIDs Kennon)...Boel is also susceptible to the sack (15 sacks against in 2023), particularly post 2022 knee injury...On defense, the Polars live and die by a high-pressure blitz defense which leads to lots of sacks (#1 in the NESCAC with 16) but also leaves their DBs exposed to long pass plays...LBs Max Jacobs and Koy Price lead the athletic Bowdoin defense...Wesleyan is led on offense by QB Niko Candido (2nd in TD passes and last in INTs thrown) and WRs Chase Wilson (2nd in TD receptions) and Thomas Elkhoury  (3rd in receptions), who are all amongst the league leaders at their respective positions...The defense is led by LBs Ben Carbeau and Jake Edwards, DB Wesley Abraham (leads the NESCAC in INTs and pass break ups) and All-League DL Mike Rowan... Wes needs do a good job of protecting QB Nico Candido to have shot at a win...Wesleyan is second in rushing defense...The Polars need to clean up penalties coming in with 33 penalties for 331 yards on the season (tops in the NESCAC)...KTV for Bowdoin: Give Boel time to find his talented WRs...Defense needs to stop the run to force Wes into obvious passing downs and get pressure on Candido...Reduce the penalties...KTV for Wesleyan: Show some semblance of a running game to keep Bowdoin honest...Protect the QB and get pressure on Boel...Players to watch: QB Niko Candido (WES), WR Chase Wilson (WES), LB Ben Carbeau (WES), QB Andrew Boel (BOW), WR Colton Fahey (BOW), LB Max Jacobs (BOW), LB Koy Price (BOW)...Overview: Wes likes playing at home and we think they bounce back in what promises to be an exciting game...Hopefully the weather is not a factor, for both teams...As of now, the game will be played on the grass on Andrus.

Wesleyan 28 Bowdoin 24
Point Spread: Wesleyan -3
Weather: Steady rain in the AM. Showers continuing in the afternoon. Chance of thunder. High of 61.

NESCACMAN's Picks (winners):
2023 Season: 19-6
2022 Season: 31-14
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: 311-99 (.759 winning percentage)

Follow us on Twitter @realnescacman