FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[Medford_Micky]

Gotta think Honcho is largely responsible for this upset loss to that scrappy bobcats squad. Karma police don't take days off. Go Jumbos.

[muleshoe]

Donated my $11 to Hamilton to rewatch the Colby-Hamilton game.

Good road win for the Mules today in Clinton. Kudos for Hamilton for playing tough and capitalizing 3x in a row off of turnovers/great field position from the Mules.

Continentals played bend-don't-break defense most of the game, allowing the Mules to get into the redzone frequently, but held tough through 3 quarters, only allowing 3 field goals. Inexplicably they rushed 7 on 1st down with 1:15 left, allowing the Mules to throw a HB seam to Smart, sealing the W.

The Mules D was tough all day, only allowing scores on short field. Offense needs to finish drives if they want a chance next week against the Jumbos.

Should be a great bus ride back to Waterville. They probably still have 2 hours to go! lol.

Go Mules!

[Ephs1]

Not sure if Mario Fischetti's injury today will be a career ender but if it is, the fact that his last play was a 46 yard rush really encapsulated his career. He's not going to be remembered in the record books due to how many games he missed but when he was on the field he really reminded me of Barry Sanders, every play was a potential huge gainer for him. Hopefully he'll be back for these final two games because the Ephs definitely need him.

[ItsATuftSituation]

Thoughts on yesterday's win for Tufts, as I was at the game.

1. Williams has a nice set-up there, and it was a solid atmosphere for a big game.
2. Tufts made just enough plays to get the win, but both teams made back-breaking mistakes during the contest. Tufts muffed a punt and threw a pick late in the second quarter that nearly turned into points. Williams threw four INTs, one right at the end of the first half in the end zone and one late in the game when they were looking for a tying TD.
3. Richardson is a player for Tufts. His ball skills are fantastic, he can play both man and zone well, and has great instincts.
4. Feel for Fischetti...dude busted a huge run and an awkward tackle (no fault of anyone) knocked him out of the game. Didn't look good. Hope he's okay going forward.
5. Shapiro continues to get better and better on the ground for Tufts. In a day where the strategy obviously was to run the ball more, he had his best day of his career.
6. Justin Keller got into the game for the first time in his career, and showed well as an understudy to Berluti. He didn't throw, but looked great with the ball in his hands as he scored on his first-ever carry.
7. Williams' is very physical up front, and I thought both offensive lines did a pretty good job.
8. Lastly, Williams has to bag these yellow helmets. They are just so hard to look at, its harsh. A purple or white helmet would be much better. No one looks at this I'm sure, but please put those things in the closet. 

Two more weeks.

[Scoops]

The "Barry Sanders" comparison is quite the stretch Ephs1. Let's not be unnecessarily hyperbolic. I was watching the stream of the Tufts/Williams game and the injury to Fischetti certainly did not look good. You've got to feel for a kid like that who, when healthy, has been arguably the best back in the league. Kudos to the rest of Ephs team for rallying rather than folding when their best player went down.

[SpringSt7]

If Fischetti's career is over (and my guess is that it is), he would finish his career with 1708 rushing yards, which would put him at 8th on the all-time rushing list at Williams.

There are 4 rushers in the top 10 with a career yards per attempt above 5, and non above 6. Fischetti's career YPA is 6.7

[pbenn97]

Bates Fans,

I like the Panthers a lot in this one. My friend in Antigua and Barbuda has it at Middlebury -25.5, and to be honest, I really like that. Seems fair and that line should get action. If any one wants to hop in on that, PM me and I can get you in touch with the right people.

Reminds me of a bar fight I got into about 10 years. I was in Portland on a work call and I stumble into some bar off Congress St. As I am almost finished with the pitcher of Coors Lite I ordered, I see a man wearing a Vietnam War Veteran hat. I initially walked over to thank him for his service, because there is nothing I respect more than our troops. But, as I looked closer, I saw it. This elderly man was wearing a "Bates Bobcat" T Shirt. How Pathetic is that?? Frustrated and angered, my instincts took over. I grabbed the rest of the pitcher and gave this old man an ALS Ice Bucket Challenge with Coors Lite. I would like to reiterate, there is nothing I respect more than our Troops. But, there is no logical reason to be wearing a Bates T Shirt in public, much less in the presence of a legend like myself.

I apologize for the improper phrasing of the prior post. The wording wasn't thought through. Thank you to me fellow board members for holding me accountable. Was not my intention to allude to anything specific. I sincerely apologize for the mistake. I'll be better.

With regret,
Honcho, NESCAC Legend

#
The internet is forever
#LewistonStrong

[westcoastnescac]

Congrats to Bates - MAINE strong.

[Nescacman]

Bates Fans,

I like the Panthers a lot in this one. My friend in Antigua and Barbuda has it at Middlebury -25.5, and to be honest, I really like that. Seems fair and that line should get action. If any one wants to hop in on that, PM me and I can get you in touch with the right people.

Reminds me of a bar fight I got into about 10 years. I was in Portland on a work call and I stumble into some bar off Congress St. As I am almost finished with the pitcher of Coors Lite I ordered, I see a man wearing a Vietnam War Veteran hat. I initially walked over to thank him for his service, because there is nothing I respect more than our troops. But, as I looked closer, I saw it. This elderly man was wearing a "Bates Bobcat" T Shirt. How Pathetic is that?? Frustrated and angered, my instincts took over. I grabbed the rest of the pitcher and gave this old man an ALS Ice Bucket Challenge with Coors Lite. I would like to reiterate, there is nothing I respect more than our Troops. But, there is no logical reason to be wearing a Bates T Shirt in public, much less in the presence of a legend like myself.

I apologize for the improper phrasing of the prior post. The wording wasn't thought through. Thank you to me fellow board members for holding me accountable. Was not my intention to allude to anything specific. I sincerely apologize for the mistake. I'll be better.

With regret,
Honcho, NESCAC Legend

JV Legend (you don't deserve to be called Mister after that post),

Do you realize that it wasn't just the wording but the timing of the post? Are you so clueless that you don't realize what happened a year ago tomorrow? You should probably be relegated to the Freshman team (or kicked off the team, for that matter) after that post. Must have been way over served at the Golden Corral early bird special. Sheesh...even Al Davis knew where to draw the line...

NM

JV Legend,

Yeah, UBates -25.5 our *ss...you sure the spread wasn't the Frisky Kitties -1??? We told you the game would be close, although we thought the Pants would somehow pull it out...glad we were wrong. Bet you thought you were going to get a pass here but you were wrong, especially after your comments about UBates on the anniversary of the shooting in Lewiston.

Typical front-running Middlebury bluster...the one thing I appreciate about fans of UBates, Williams, Bowdoin, Wesleyan, Hartford State (and others) is win or lose, they keep posting, don't make excuses and hide after a loss. Wes might not win this Saturday against Williams but mark our words, we'll post about it on Monday.

We hope you are better at working the buffet at Golden Corral than you are at picking NESCAC games...seems like we found another thing you aren't very good at along with predicting the weather. We're sure there are a bunch of others.

Congratulations to Coach Coyne and the Kitties. He'll be joining us this week on the Podcast to discuss the big win (which effectively ended MIDs chances of repeating as NESCAC champs this year) along with star RB Ryan Lynskey who leads the NESCAC in rushing through 7 weeks.

NM

[MapleBBQChicken]

Typical front-running Middlebury bluster...the one thing I appreciate about fans of UBates, Williams, Bowdoin, Wesleyan, Hartford State (and others) is win or lose, they keep posting, don't make excuses and hide after a loss. Wes might not win this Saturday against Williams but mark our words, we'll post about it on Monday.

I don't know if this was aimed at Honcho or all of the Middlebury faithful, but I'd like to clarify that he is not representative of us (because of the pregame comment and many other reasons). That original post had no place on this board or really anywhere.

I 100% endorse the message posted by Bucket (included below for anyone who missed it). Very tough pill to swallow as a Panther fan (and I agree with you NM that the title defense is pretty much over), but I am happy for Bates, particularly given the context of the anniversary of the tragic and awful events in Lewiston last year.

What a great win for the Bobcats on what must have been an emotional day in Lewiston.

I hate to see my Panthers lose, but am happy for Bates on this occasion.

Other than Honcho's nonsense point spread, I don't think there was much trash talk coming from Midd leading into this game, so I don't think anyone other than him is "hiding" from the board. I, for one, have been reading and 'liking' posts, but just didn't feel like I had anything productive to add. If you want to hear my thoughts on the game, red zone offense was Midd's downfall. Way too many chances to get in the end zone that resulted in 3 or 0 points. A busted coverage that led to a long Bates pass play on what was ultimately the winning drive also didn't help, but I thought the defense was solid on the day.

Looking forward to attending this week's game in Vermont for senior day. Hoping for an exciting and injury-free final two weeks for the whole NESCAC.

[GroundandPound]

NM, "Wes might not win this Saturday against Williams."  I agree that is a possibility, even if Fischetti is out for the remainder of the season.  I disagree that Midd's loss "effectively ended Midd's chances of repeating as NESCAC Champs this year."  I recall one prolific blogger on this site indicating before the season started that the NESCAC Champions this year may very well be teams with two losses.  If Williams beats Wesleyan, Wesleyan beats Trinity and Midd wins its last two games, well there it is... the prolific blogger and NESCAC football prognosticator's pre-season prediction turns out to be right.  How wonderful that would be :-)

[Nescacman]

NM, "Wes might not win this Saturday against Williams."  I agree that is a possibility, even if Fischetti is out for the remainder of the season.  I disagree that Midd's loss "effectively ended Midd's chances of repeating as NESCAC Champs this year."  I recall one prolific blogger on this site indicating before the season started that the NESCAC Champions this year may very well be teams with two losses.  If Williams beats Wesleyan, Wesleyan beats Trinity and Midd wins its last two games, well there it is... the prolific blogger and NESCAC football prognosticator's pre-season prediction turns out to be right.  How wonderful that would be :-)

There has never been a two loss NESCAC champion. History is on our side.

[GroundandPound]

I believe the prolific blogger and prognosticator was you.  Did you not post that you could see this being a year where there may be two loss champions?

[Nescacman]

I believe the prolific blogger and prognosticator was you.  Did you not post that you could see this being a year where there may be two loss champions?

We know it was us (and understood your not so subtle hint) but that was before we fully researched. Mathematically, it COULD happen. Probably and most likely won't....

[muleshoe]

Computer picks and National Ratings out for Week 8:

Bowdoin 24.6, Bates 20.1
Middlebury 33.6, Hamilton 7.7
Trinity (Conn.) 38.0, Amherst 2.9
Tufts 26.9, Colby 15.4
Wesleyan 25.2, Williams 17.5

Team          Nat'l Rank
Trinity (Conn.)    28
Wesleyan    74
Tufts            80
Middlebury    87
Williams    96
Colby          146
Bowdoin          153
Amherst          173
Bates          183
Hamilton      190