FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[Ephmen]

Trinity allows all its parents after every game to go on the field and listen to the HC comments and parents and family get a moment with the sons on the field for pictures. At the game all the parents were on the field and certain representatives from Tufts would not open certain gates for the parents to join their team on the field. I am sure parents would have obliged the security staff had none been allowed on the field. However when there are over 100 people on te field and you dont allow the other parents there I can see how this could have escalated. I think the representatives from Tufts over reacted and should have understood the situation. Who really cares. I think this is indicative of how some bad programs operate and other classy programs value parents and players.

But lets talk about the terrible conditions these NESCAC schools still mainatin for visiting teams. Two showers for 75 players cramped quarters. I mean this is ridiculous. All the tuition spent at these schools and they cant have better locker room conditions and showers for the players. A completely unsanitary environment for visiting teams. NESCAC should really look into this really gives the league a horrible image.

Yeah, Tufts should definitely change its rules to accommodate Trinity parents and conform to Trinity's rules...

[Nescacman]

A few notes on the Hamilton/Wes game played yesterday in Clinton.

First off, hats off to the Continentals. They played hard for 60 minutes and gave the Cards all they could handle. Frankly, they outplayed Wes for 3 quarters and deserved a better result. Definitely had us nervous until the 4th quarter when Wesleyan scored 19 unanswered points to come away with the win. Wesleyan will need to play a lot better next week to be able to beat Colby.

Kudo's to Wesleyan's defense that kept the Cards in the game and made big play after big play including scoring 2 defensive TDs (one was called back due a suspect officials call; the 2nd second TD counted on a controversial officials call...more on that in a moment). The defense definitely won the game for Wes yesterday as they held Hamilton to 37 yards on the ground on 19 carries. Hamilton was also 4 of 12 on 3rd down. DB Dylan Connors was a beast with 9 tackles, 2 TFL, 1 sack, and 2 pass break-ups.

Hamilton's defense played well and limited one of the top rushing offenses in the NESCAC to 69 yards on 33 attempts. Wesleyan's offense was good on 3rd down (6 of 12) and their passing attack was excellent. Nico Candido was 20 of 27 for 291 yards, 2 TDs, and no interceptions. Hamilton seems to bring out the best in Chase Wilson as he had 8 catches for 109 yards and 2 TDS.

Tighe Hoey was his typical exceptional self for Hamilton averaging almost 50 yards a punt, had 5 punts inside the 20 and had 4 punts of 50+ yards. Chester Boynton led the Conts offensively with 10 catches, most of them of the short variety. Dickinson College transfer, DL Chase White, had a great game for the Continentals and was consistently in the Wes backfield all day. 

We have been watching college football and NESCAC games for a very long time. Yesterday we observed some of the worst collective officiating we have ever seen. The bad calls went both ways so we are not sure what the net outcome would have been had the officials gotten those calls right but we have to call it out. We hate when the officials interject themselves in a game to the point where they affect the outcome of the game. It's not fair to the student-athletes who devote so much time and energy to this game week after week to have games decided by officials. We have seen the quality of officiating at this level for years and we think it is time for the NESCAC to step up their game in this area. No doubt that the quality of officiating has declined at all levels. We think one of the reasons is because officials have become more complacent since they can always fall back on technology to review their calls. With that being said, one suggestion for the NESCAC, just as the rest of D3 (as well as FCS, FBS and D2) has done. It's time for the NESCAC to adopt the ability to review close calls to avoid this type of situation in the future. As far the plays in question, there were at least 4 calls that could have impacted the outcome of the game: a hold call in the secondary by Wes that negated a pick 6 by Wes, a "backward" pass that was recovered by Wes which they returned for a TD (not only was it not a backward pass, but the Wesleyan player that recovered the ball looked like he was down by contact before he got up and ran the ball in for a TD), a clear grounding call that should have been called against Hamilton as Hamilton was driving at the end of the game (officials said the ball crossed the line of scrimmage; the ball was 10 yards shy of the line of scrimmage), and a "good" catch by Hamilton near the sideline when the ball was dropped. There were many other bad calls too numerous to detail including our personal pet peeve; giving teams first downs when measurements are clearly in order. We need to clean this up out of respect of the effort by the student-athletes.

We also had the pleasure of spending time with new Hamilton OC Shea Dwyer's parents who we, of course, know from his days as a star RB for Wes. Congrats to our friend, Coach Shea, on his new gig and his selection as a member of the Wesleyan All-Decade team for 2001-2010. We also watched the game with the mother of Hamilton back-up TE Jack Francesa, who happens to be married to NY sports talk radio icon, Mike Francesa. Mike couldn't be at the game yesterday due to the big sports day in NY, but he was watching the game closely on the stream and was texting with his wife throughout the game. BTW, he said the aforementioned controversial Wesleyan TD scored on the "backward pass" was a forward pass. He is still active in the podcast world and we encourage you all to take a listen. We wish both Coach Dwyer and Jack Francesa luck the rest of the season. 

We had the pleasure of watching much of the Tufts/Hartford State game (congratulations Bantams) and the entire Colby/UBates C-B-B battle. Much more on those games and the rest of yesterday's schedule to follow.

 

 

[Charlie]

First off it has been a long standing tradition that Trinity parents go on the field to listen to coaches closing comments and parents take a picture with players and friends. This has gone on since Devanney took the reigns at Trinity for all home and away games. So to think this was all new is shocking since Trinity has done this at Tufts since devanney started Coaching. Trinity has done this at all the NESCAC schools they play and allow oppoents to do so as well. So this has been a long standing tradition and have also been observed at Tufts in all prior years.

If Tufts has changed its rules then no one should be allowed on the field. This should also be communicated by schools and to the parents prior to the game would prevent this. From what occurred I take it this was not the case. I happen to catch the second half and ending there was no gate cutting or storming of the field. I observed Trinity parents who came out in droves for the game being polite and courteous.

I am stating facts. The reason I was saying who cares is that there was about 80 parents on the field after the game already this is why I said game is over and who cares. I think we are making a big deal about nothing. There is no love loss between both schools and their football programs so perhaps this maybe fueling this non issue.

On a game note Tufts played well in a hard fought game but Trinity ultimately made more plays.

Lastly, has anyone noticed the amount of special teams play this year and how they have changed tempo of the game more than past years. I am not talking about field goals but a great deal of blocked punts ,  bad snaps. I do not know of any Kick off or punt returns for TD in stat columns.

[Ephmen]

First off it has been a long standing tradition that Trinity parents go on the field to listen to coaches closing comments and parents take a picture with players and friends. This has gone on since Devanney took the reigns at Trinity for all home and away games. So to think this was all new is shocking since Trinity has done this at Tufts since devanney started Coaching. Trinity has done this at all the NESCAC schools they play and allow oppoents to do so as well. So this has been a long standing tradition and have also been observed at Tufts in all prior years.

If Tufts has changed its rules then no one should be allowed on the field. This should also be communicated by schools and to the parents prior to the game would prevent this. From what occurred I take it this was not the case. I happen to catch the second half and ending there was no gate cutting or storming of the field. I observed Trinity parents who came out in droves for the game being polite and courteous.

I am stating facts. The reason I was saying who cares is that there was about 80 parents on the field after the game already this is why I said game is over and who cares. I think we are making a big deal about nothing. There is no love loss between both schools and their football programs so perhaps this maybe fueling this non issue.

On a game note Tufts played well in a hard fought game but Trinity ultimately made more plays.

Lastly, has anyone noticed the amount of special teams play this year and how they have changed tempo of the game more than past years. I am not talking about field goals but a great deal of blocked punts ,  bad snaps. I do not know of any Kick off or punt returns for TD in stat columns.

Well, one of you has your facts wrong.  Assuming you're both telling the truth, sounds like what the other poster described happened, just not in front of you.

I don't have a dog in this fight, but I do think it's amusing to blame a school for not abiding by another school's "long standing traditions."  (Maybe Amherst should have to shut down a street when Williams wins there )

That said, it's far from the worst behavior I've heard of (or witnessed) from various parents in recent years (though at least they're still very much in the minority).

[ItsATuftSituation]

First off it has been a long standing tradition that Trinity parents go on the field to listen to coaches closing comments and parents take a picture with players and friends. This has gone on since Devanney took the reigns at Trinity for all home and away games. So to think this was all new is shocking since Trinity has done this at Tufts since devanney started Coaching. Trinity has done this at all the NESCAC schools they play and allow oppoents to do so as well. So this has been a long standing tradition and have also been observed at Tufts in all prior years.

If Tufts has changed its rules then no one should be allowed on the field. This should also be communicated by schools and to the parents prior to the game would prevent this. From what occurred I take it this was not the case. I happen to catch the second half and ending there was no gate cutting or storming of the field. I observed Trinity parents who came out in droves for the game being polite and courteous.

I am stating facts. The reason I was saying who cares is that there was about 80 parents on the field after the game already this is why I said game is over and who cares. I think we are making a big deal about nothing. There is no love loss between both schools and their football programs so perhaps this maybe fueling this non issue.

On a game note Tufts played well in a hard fought game but Trinity ultimately made more plays.

Lastly, has anyone noticed the amount of special teams play this year and how they have changed tempo of the game more than past years. I am not talking about field goals but a great deal of blocked punts ,  bad snaps. I do not know of any Kick off or punt returns for TD in stat columns.

Well, one of you has your facts wrong.  Assuming you're both telling the truth, sounds like what the other poster described happened, just not in front of you.

I don't have a dog in this fight, but I do think it's amusing to blame a school for not abiding by another school's "long standing traditions."  (Maybe Amherst should have to shut down a street when Williams wins there )

That said, it's far from the worst behavior I've heard of (or witnessed) from various parents in recent years (though at least they're still very much in the minority).

I guess it doesn't really matter and from all accounts the Trinity fans were pretty well mannered for the most part. I know most teams have a visiting team guide, it could be in there, might not be. Again not sure.

I guess it doesn't matter in the end but I just found it interesting and something of note that I saw. I would assume that fans of any team would stay off the field if it was communicated so maybe that was the case.

Onto week 5.

[The Ghost of John Wesley]

A few notes on the Hamilton/Wes game played yesterday in Clinton.

Nescacman/The Mole: I was not able to see the Wes-Hamilton game this weekend. But I was sweating bullets following the Box Score. Down 7-0 going into the 4th had me . Glad the team had a better end to the game and pulled out the win.

You are closer to the teams than I, so hopefully you can answer this. Is your impression that Middlebury/Tufts are "down" this year (or at least had down games against Wes), or are Bates/Hamilton well improved? Or is it inconsistency from the Cardinals? Or a combination of the above? Because the Wesleyan games/scores through the first four weeks have me scratching my head.

I haven't seen all of the teams play this year, so I can't know for certain. I must say the Wes team I saw against Bates didn't look at all like the team from the Middlebury game. So my impression is it's mostly inconsistency from the Cards. After the first two games, it seemed like they were primed to steamroll their way to week 9. That feeling died the following Saturday, of course.

Regardless, should be an entertaining second half to the season.

[muleshoe]

Congrats to the Mules on a huge W last night in the first leg of the CBB. I'm more impressed with Drake at QB each week, which gives me a lot of hope for the rest of the season. 21/24 passing, elusive in the pocket, and added 110 yds on the ground, a very impressive night! The emergence of FY WR Nye has been notable as well to complement the established upperclassmen on the team. O-Line was solid all night opening up holes for Smart and Drake, en route to 500 yards of total offense. Great performance all around.

Defense gave up more than I would have expected, but it can be very hard to prepare for that option attack that you'll only see once per year.


Hats off to Bates for a hard fought game - that option attack will definitely give more teams trouble this season, and I think they'll pick off 1-2 more wins against teams that don't get up for the game.

Big trip down to Middletown this week to prove last year wasn't a fluke!

Go Mules!

[westcoastnescac]

Congrats to the Mules on a huge W last night in the first leg of the CBB. I'm more impressed with Drake at QB each week, which gives me a lot of hope for the rest of the season. 21/24 passing, elusive in the pocket, and added 110 yds on the ground, a very impressive night! The emergence of FY WR Nye has been notable as well to complement the established upperclassmen on the team. O-Line was solid all night opening up holes for Smart and Drake, en route to 500 yards of total offense. Great performance all around.

Defense gave up more than I would have expected, but it can be very hard to prepare for that option attack that you'll only see once per year.


Hats off to Bates for a hard fought game - that option attack will definitely give more teams trouble this season, and I think they'll pick off 1-2 more wins against teams that don't get up for the game.

Big trip down to Middletown this week to prove last year wasn't a fluke!

Go Mules!

That is why theyre frisky

[Nescacman]

A few notes on the Hamilton/Wes game played yesterday in Clinton.

Nescacman/The Mole: I was not able to see the Wes-Hamilton game this weekend. But I was sweating bullets following the Box Score. Down 7-0 going into the 4th had me . Glad the team had a better end to the game and pulled out the win.

You are closer to the teams than I, so hopefully you can answer this. Is your impression that Middlebury/Tufts are "down" this year (or at least had down games against Wes), or are Bates/Hamilton well improved? Or is it inconsistency from the Cardinals? Or a combination of the above? Because the Wesleyan games/scores through the first four weeks have me scratching my head.

I haven't seen all of the teams play this year, so I can't know for certain. I must say the Wes team I saw against Bates didn't look at all like the team from the Middlebury game. So my impression is it's mostly inconsistency from the Cards. After the first two games, it seemed like they were primed to steamroll their way to week 9. That feeling died the following Saturday, of course.

Regardless, should be an entertaining second half to the season.

JW, we sent you a DM in response to your questions. Looking forward to getting back to Andrus for this Saturday's game against the Mules.

[SpringSt7]

Rainy day idea: power ranking the worst matchups for board discussion

Trinity-Tufts seems to always cause a storm, Amherst-Wesleyan, Wesleyan-Bates (I jest), any time Trinity beats a perceived title contender by too many points, etc.

[Nescacman]

Rainy day idea: power ranking the worst matchups for board discussion

Trinity-Tufts seems to always cause a storm, Amherst-Wesleyan, Wesleyan-Bates (I jest), any time Trinity beats a perceived title contender by too many points, etc.

Or worst topics for Board discussion. Here are our top 3:

1. Anything having to do with Hartford State (recruiting, academics, admissions, annual bad behavior, The Coop, championships, winning streaks, etc.).

2. NESCAC and the NCAA D3 play-offs

3. (Tie) Roster limits and roster sizes

3. (Tie) 10th game/Out of conference games

Honorable mention: Schools commitment to football including how much they spend, facilities, equipment.

[lumbercat]

NM--
I agree completely relative to your designation of belabored topics but you have been the instigator of much of those dialogs. From day one you set the tone when you decided to create a permanent slam at Trinity academics when you dubbed them "Hartford State"- that was you setting the tone and opening up the critical floodgates on Trinity academics and you've stuck to it over the years....now you're going to whine about it?
Inconsistent stance for you NM.

[GroundandPound]

Ouch!!!

[The Mole]

Ghost, I will answer here. Tufts and Middlebury are good teams and those are quality wins. Bates came prepared and hit some big plays. They are not an easy out and are much improved. Hamilton's DL controlled the LOS Saturday and we had a few turnovers. There was no panic at any point, eventually the offense executed and was able to score some points on a game Conts squad. The defense has been top notch all year, allowing just 5 TDs and the least amount of PPG. This has been stated on other posts, the competitive balance in the league top to bottom is at an all-time high and maybe across all college football, albeit perhaps due to NIL and the transfer portal in higher levels (look at Vanderbilt beating #1 Alabama and 4 other top 25 teams losing in FBS Saturday). All the teams prepare all week and the coaches work hard to formulate a game plan. If you are not ready to play, you can lose any week. Penalties, fumbles, interceptions and injuries are added elements contributing to the box scores that raise eyebrows. It ain't easy winning a college football game and with no OOC opponents who know your teams week in and out and year in and out, margin for error is tight. Every week is like a playoff environment with the rivalry games and traditions. A win is a win. No extra points for margin of victory, and I think the Cards have found different ways of winning, although not pretty.

A few notes on the Hamilton/Wes game played yesterday in Clinton.

Nescacman/The Mole: I was not able to see the Wes-Hamilton game this weekend. But I was sweating bullets following the Box Score. Down 7-0 going into the 4th had me . Glad the team had a better end to the game and pulled out the win.

You are closer to the teams than I, so hopefully you can answer this. Is your impression that Middlebury/Tufts are "down" this year (or at least had down games against Wes), or are Bates/Hamilton well improved? Or is it inconsistency from the Cardinals? Or a combination of the above? Because the Wesleyan games/scores through the first four weeks have me scratching my head.

I haven't seen all of the teams play this year, so I can't know for certain. I must say the Wes team I saw against Bates didn't look at all like the team from the Middlebury game. So my impression is it's mostly inconsistency from the Cards. After the first two games, it seemed like they were primed to steamroll their way to week 9. That feeling died the following Saturday, of course.

Regardless, should be an entertaining second half to the season.

[Nescacman]

NM--
I agree completely relative to your designation of belabored topics but you have been the instigator of much of those dialogs. From day one you set the tone when you decided to create a permanent slam at Trinity academics when you dubbed them "Hartford State"- that was you setting the tone and opening up the critical floodgates on Trinity academics and you've stuck to it over the years....now you're going to whine about it?
Inconsistent stance for you NM.

Lumber, our dear friend, we are not whining at all about these topics. Just saying they are a bit overplayed. That's it. As far as being the instigator of "much" of these dialogs, we think that's a bit of an exaggeration. Yes, we have discussed these topics but without going back and looking at every single one of our posts over the last 11 years, we would say that most of our posts were focused on actual game play including our rankings, picks, previews, and game reviews/summaries sprinkled in with the occasional special report. We're sure Hs9-o will probably do a detailed review and analysis of our posts over the last 11 or so years (complete with a color pie chart  ) showing that many of our posts dealt with the aforementioned overplayed topics but it's not worth the effort nor do we care enough to go back and look.

As far as us using the "Hartford State" term, after all these years, we think everyone understands that's our thing (along with University of Bates-Lewiston Campus, the Frisky Kitties, Amherst Lord Mammoths, HCOF, etc.) and frankly, the continued usage is pure satire. We're friends with many HS alums and they find it funny and actually like it. TBH, it's less a jab at Trinity's academic prowess (yes, it's a fine school) and more a commentary on the fact that at this point Hartford State vs. the rest of the NESCAC is Alabama playing a bunch of Vanderbilt's on a weekly basis (as far as football is concerned). Hoping for the same result, some day. Not holding our collective breath, however.