FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[Charlie]

OL -loosing Freeman will hurt this team best OL in NESCAC by far

Are you saying Williams has the best Oline in the NESCAC?

There is a #1 in D3 (240+ teams)......that is Tufts (1 sack given up all year)...Berlutti has a clean pocket almost always and if he's not picking you apart in the air, he will get you with his legs

This is the reason I would love to see the NESCAC have at least a two game or one game playoff. one plays four and two plays three. Then a final game. I think it would really add something to NSCAC if you do not want playoffs. Some type of playoff format.

Tufts has had one bad game against Trinity and I think that is as much as Trinity played exceptionally well and Tufts was not ready. I beleive that if they played now would be different game. However that is predicated on Tufts beating Middlebury. I am glad that this happened though perhaps now the NESCAC governing board will come up with a solution and by that adding a playoff game even if its an internal league playoff game.

[GroundandPound]

Charlie,
As for your opinion that Trinity's Freeman is "the best OL in the NESCAC,"  I think fans from Tufts (Cepalia), Trinity (Donovan-Jenkins), and Middlebury (Perry) would all strongly disagree with you.

[Nescacman]

Wow that is peak "loser mentality" NM. I don't even think I'd hear a polars fan say something like that. If Wes is satisfied with winning a watered down little 3 title this year, then they have MUCH bigger problems in Middletown than I thought.

We hear you Mr. Wesley....for the record, Little 3 titles over the last 10 years:

Wesleyan 4
Lord Mammoths 3
Purple Cows/Bobby Maimaron 1
Three Way tie 1
Covid 1

And for the record, we wouldn't trade those 4 Little 3 titles for one solo NESCAC championship. If you asked most other alums, especially former players, they would echo the same sentiment, guaranteed. See you Saturday on Andrus.  #rollcards

Haha...that made us laugh. Problems in Middletown, hardly. Problems in Williamstown and in Amherst, definitely.

Never thought we'd see the day where the only two teams in the league opposed to roster limits above 76 would be the Purple Cows and the Lord Mammoths, but that is 100% the case. We guess their rationale is that is the only way they can become competitive in the NESCAC again. The reality is if they did a better job with A-bands, some of whom are typically future All-NESCAC performers that were last minute Ivy rejects, as they historically did in the past, they could win with a roster of 76 players. Amherst, Williams, and Middlebury have historically had an edge getting those student-athletes. As a result of administrative pushback at both Williams and Amherst, they are no longer getting as many of those kids. EJ, Ritter, Coach Farley, and Whales owe much of their success over the years to those A-band players. This is not an opinion, but based on facts we discerned from conversations with our sources around the league who are "in the know".

Other problems exist in Williamstown and Amherst, but this is a big one, IOHO.

[GroundandPound]

and Wesleyan's fans (Lockwood).

[GroundandPound]

William's (Freeman).

[Charlie]

Charlie,
As for your opinion that Trinity's Freeman is "the best OL in the NESCAC,"  I think fans from Tufts (Cepalia), Trinity (Donovan-Jenkins), and Middlebury (Perry) would all strongly disagree with you.

I never stated freeman plays for Trinity he plays for Williams and yes still think best Offensive lineman in NESCAC.

[VoodooDoc]

Sadly the referees in the Bowdoin vs Wesleyan game did a very poor job.  From time to time, mistakes will be made, but there were just too many mistakes by the officials on critical plays.  First, the refs were using the Division 1 clock rules which they admitted was their mistake.  On the blocked field goal, the defender had crossed into the neutral zone long before the ball was snapped giving him an advantage than led to the block.  Later, when the Polar Bears were driving deep in the Cardinals end, a defensive lineman ran onto the field late and was in the Polar Bears backfield when the ball was snapped and was in the wide receiver's way.  These two uncalled encroachments and/or illegal substitution led to a 10 point swing in the score.  The clock mismanagement also disrupted the Polar Bears attempt to come back in the 4th quarter.  The poor job by the refs is unfair to both teams.  The job of being a ref isn't easy, but missing big plays that have a material impact on the game is just unacceptable.

The Colts lost a close game yesterday when the refs called pass interference in the end zone with a few seconds left when the ball was well over the receivers head and clearly uncatchable. ( A 10 foot tall receiver would not have been unable to get to the ball.)  Missed calls lead to questions about the integrity of the refs in Colts game, and whether something untoward was underway to cover the spread.  The NFL has replay to help correct obvious mistakes.  The refs for D3 don't have this luxury, so they need to be extra watchful and not leave themselves open to outrageous mistakes.

The days, with gambling on games at all levels being widespread, the officials leave themselves wide open to questions about their integrity with bad calls on key plays.

[lumbercat]

It's always easy to blame the Zebras but I think Voodoo makes a good point. I really think the quality of NESCAC officials has deteriorated significantly this year.

[Nescacman]

It's always easy to blame the Zebras but I think Voodoo makes a good point. I really think the quality of NESCAC officials has deteriorated significantly this year.

Recently read an article in "The Athletic" about the problem with officiating in all sports at all levels. The issue they raised was that it is getting harder and harder to recruit new officials at the youth and high school level due to parental/coaching abuse and lack of pay to put up with the nonsense. Their premise is that this has caused a 'trickle up" problem since those youth and HS officials eventually become college and pro officials. Thus, there is an issue of both quality and quantity at all levels. Makes some sense to us based on what we have seen in the NESCAC the last several seasons, especially in less populated states like Maine and Vermont.

[Nescacman]

Sadly the referees in the Bowdoin vs Wesleyan game did a very poor job.  From time to time, mistakes will be made, but there were just too many mistakes by the officials on critical plays.  First, the refs were using the Division 1 clock rules which they admitted was their mistake.  On the blocked field goal, the defender had crossed into the neutral zone long before the ball was snapped giving him an advantage than led to the block.  Later, when the Polar Bears were driving deep in the Cardinals end, a defensive lineman ran onto the field late and was in the Polar Bears backfield when the ball was snapped and was in the wide receiver's way.  These two uncalled encroachments and/or illegal substitution led to a 10 point swing in the score.  The clock mismanagement also disrupted the Polar Bears attempt to come back in the 4th quarter.  The poor job by the refs is unfair to both teams.  The job of being a ref isn't easy, but missing big plays that have a material impact on the game is just unacceptable.

The Colts lost a close game yesterday when the refs called pass interference in the end zone with a few seconds left when the ball was well over the receivers head and clearly uncatchable. ( A 10 foot tall receiver would not have been unable to get to the ball.)  Missed calls lead to questions about the integrity of the refs in Colts game, and whether something untoward was underway to cover the spread.  The NFL has replay to help correct obvious mistakes.  The refs for D3 don't have this luxury, so they need to be extra watchful and not leave themselves open to outrageous mistakes.

The days, with gambling on games at all levels being widespread, the officials leave themselves wide open to questions about their integrity with bad calls on key plays.

To your point Voodoo, because of the officiating, Wes covered the -3 spread....

[Nescacman]

2023 NESCACMAN Week 6 Power Rankings

Down to the last 3 weeks of the season with a three-way tie at the top of the league and only one other team with a realistic chance at the NESCAC title. Middlebury, Tufts, and Hartford State all control their own destiny. If any of them win out, they win at least a share of the NESCAC Championship. Hartford State has two challenging games remaining on their schedule: they travel to Bowdoin and Wesleyan. Middlebury, of course, hosts Tufts in week 9 in a game that could be for all the marbles in the NESCAC,  and they travel to hot and cold Colby this week. Tufts hosts Colby in 2 weeks and finishes up at Middlebury. Wesleyan, with two losses, will need help to get into the mix. If Middlebury or Tufts stubs their toe prior to week 9 and the remaining team with one loss in that contest losses in week 9, then the Cards can gain a share of the NESCAC crown when they beat Hartford State at home in week 9.

This week we only saw one upset when the inconsistent Colby Mules lost to Hamilton...in other action, we saw Tufts beat the Lord Mammoths, Wesleyan defeated the Polars in a close game, the Ephs got crushed by Hartford State, and Middlebury beat UBates. NESCACMAN goes 4-1 with our weekly picks...We are now 23-7 on the year.

Here are our NESCAC rankings for Week 6 based on our poll of league wide correspondents:

1). Middlebury Panthers (9 first place votes)(5-1; Last Week Rank: 1): Another impressive win by the Pants as they rolled the winless Kitties...Kennon was impressive throwing for 353 yards, 4 TDs and no interceptions...5 TD passes on the day to 5 different receivers...DPOTY candidate DL Tomas Kenary was impressive with 6 tackles, 4.5 TFL, and 3.5 sacks...MID had 5 sacks on the day...MID kicker was NESCAC STPOTW based on 6 for 6 on PATs and 2 for 3 on FGs...Middlebury travels to Colby this week.

2). Hartford State Roosters (5-1; Last Week Rank: 2): Roosters back in a major way by routing the Ephs...scored 41 answered points...held Williams to 3 of 16 on third down and 7 straight series where it was 3 (or 4) and out......Roosters travel to Brunswick this weekend to face the Polars.

3). Tufts Jumbo's (1 first place vote)(5-1; Last Week Rank: 3):  Tufts wins 5th straight game over the Lord Mammoths...score 34 unanswered points against the reeling LMs...Tufts defense held Amwurst to 9 first downs and 171 yards of total offense...Tufts QB Berlutti was NESCAC OPOTW, threw for 3 TDs, and rushed for another...Tufts did not allow a sack again...Tufts travels to Hamilton this week.

4). Wesleyan Cardinals (4-2; Last week Rank: 5): Wes back in the win column as they score 35 unanswered points in the 2nd and 3rd quarters...2 defensive TDs for the Cards...Wes LB Jake Edwards is the NESCAC DPOTW as a result of his 59 yard fumble recovery scoop and score and 11 tackle performance...Wesleyan moves onto Little 3 competition this week...Defense holds Bowdoin to 2 of 4 chances in the red zone...Wes hosts the Lord Mammoths on Andrus in the annual homecoming Little 3 game this week.

5). (tie) Colby Mules (3-3; Last Week Rank: 4): Up and down Mules lose a must win to the Alexander Hamilton's...will have a very difficult time having a winning season with Tufts, MID and Bowdoin their remaining 3 games...Outgained Hamilton but could only muster 2 FGs...Mules host the Panthers and will try to play spoiler in the NESCAC title race this week.

5). (tie) Bowdoin Polar Bears (3-3; Last Week Rank: 6): Bowdoin loses on the road...Bowdoin gave up 35 unanswered points to the Cards in the 2nd and 3rd quarters which included 2 defensive TDs by Wes...Bowdoin's offense outgained Wes 542 to 254, had 30 first downs to the Cards 16, and doubled up time of possession (40 mins to 20 mins)...Penalties and turnovers continue to plaque the Polars (10 penalties for 64 yards and 2 key turnovers)...Bowdoin only 2 of 4 in the red zone (blocked FG and goal line stand by Wes)...QB Andrew Boel threw for 431 yards and  4 TD passes, including 3 to Brendan King, but the turnovers killed him (INT and fumble)...LB Koy Price had another good day for the Polars with 2 TFL, 1 sack, and 1 pass break-up...Polars host Hartford State in Brunswick this week.

7). Amwurst Lord Mammoths (2-4; Last Week Rank: 7): Lord Mammoths lose to the Jumbo's at home...Amwurst offense only mustered 9 first downs and 171 yards of total offense...Amherst offense was challenged both running and passing...Lord Mammoth punter was the star of the day...LMs were 4 of 15 on third down...the LM defense, which had been playing decent, gave up 426 yards of total offense including 206 yards on the ground...This week they travel to Middletown to face the Cardinals in a Little 3 battle.

8). Williams Purple Cows (2-4; Last Week Rank: 8): Ephs pecked at home by Hartford State...Gave up 41 unanswered points to the Roosters offense...Eph offense was 3 of 16 on 3rd down and 0 for 3 in the red zone...QB Owen McHugh was once again the Ephs leading rusher with RB Mario Fischetti on the shelf...Longest running play was 14 yards for the Ephs...Ephs on track to have their second straight losing season...Ephs will try to get back on track at UBates this weekend.

9). Hamilton Alexander Hamilton's (1-5; Last Week Rank: 10): HAM gets their first win on the road against the Mules...The Alexander Hamilton's QB Luke Kurzum did it all on the ground and through the air (TD pass and TD run)...No TFLs or sacks for HAM defense....Alexander Hamilton's host the surging Jumbo's in Clinton this weekend.

10). University of Bates Bobcats (Lewiston Campus)(0-6; Last Week Rank: 9): UBates loses to the Pants...Trailed 31-7 at the half...MID rolled up 523 yards of total offense on UBates...MID threw 5 TD passes...5 sacks against UBates...UBates went to FY QB Seneca Moore and he was their leading passer and rusher...Not sure why MID was throwing bombs late in the 4th quarter up 41-7...Will try to get win #1 this weekend in Lewiston as they host the Purple Cows.

[Hawk196]

OL -loosing Freeman will hurt this team best OL in NESCAC by far

Are you saying Williams has the best Oline in the NESCAC?

There is a #1 in D3 (240+ teams)......that is Tufts (1 sack given up all year)...Berlutti has a clean pocket almost always and if he's not picking you apart in the air, he will get you with his legs

This is the reason I would love to see the NESCAC have at least a two game or one game playoff. one plays four and two plays three. Then a final game. I think it would really add something to NSCAC if you do not want playoffs. Some type of playoff format.

Tufts has had one bad game against Trinity and I think that is as much as Trinity played exceptionally well and Tufts was not ready. I beleive that if they played now would be different game. However that is predicated on Tufts beating Middlebury. I am glad that this happened though perhaps now the NESCAC governing board will come up with a solution and by that adding a playoff game even if its an internal league playoff game.

With no playoffs (probably never happening) one thing that can change is the schedule...mix it up. Tufts vs Trinity, first game every year.......I'd love to see this midseason Tufts team play Trinity now

[Nescacman]

OL -loosing Freeman will hurt this team best OL in NESCAC by far

Are you saying Williams has the best Oline in the NESCAC?

There is a #1 in D3 (240+ teams)......that is Tufts (1 sack given up all year)...Berlutti has a clean pocket almost always and if he's not picking you apart in the air, he will get you with his legs

This is the reason I would love to see the NESCAC have at least a two game or one game playoff. one plays four and two plays three. Then a final game. I think it would really add something to NSCAC if you do not want playoffs. Some type of playoff format.

Tufts has had one bad game against Trinity and I think that is as much as Trinity played exceptionally well and Tufts was not ready. I beleive that if they played now would be different game. However that is predicated on Tufts beating Middlebury. I am glad that this happened though perhaps now the NESCAC governing board will come up with a solution and by that adding a playoff game even if its an internal league playoff game.

With no playoffs (probably never happening) one thing that can change is the schedule...mix it up. Tufts vs Trinity, first game every year.......I'd love to see this midseason Tufts team play Trinity now

Pre-Covid, most of the schedule rotated every 2 years (home and home). For example, in 2018 and 2017, the Jumbo's opened up against the Alexander Hamilton's and before that, they opened up against Wes. Not sure why that suddenly stopped, but the powers at the NESCAC, might want to reconsider going back to that, of course, with exceptions for traditional end of season match-ups (Wes v. Hartford State, Little 3 games, Tufts/MID).

[Bantam4life]

2023 NESCACMAN Week 6 Power Rankings
If Middlebury or Tufts stubs their toe prior to week 9 and the remaining team with one loss in that contest losses in week 9, then the Cards can gain a share of the NESCAC crown when they beat Hartford State at home in week 9.

Respect the confidence to already think The Cards will take down a presumably better Bantam team 2.5 weeks out. Should be a beautiful day regardless on the quad turned Football Stadium Nov. 11.

[GroundandPound]

I think NFL Survey showed that most players want to play on grass.
It was either that or it revealed that most are just on it. :-(