FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[Nescacman]

Bates Oline is going to have SERIOUS problems w Koy Price. Happened last year and think it happens again

Every Oline and offense is challenged against a player like Price-- he's the best in the league. Let's see how Bates schemes against the Bowdoin D. It's gonna be a good one in Lewiston.

Amen Lumber

UBates offensive line has played at a high level all year. They are second in the NESCAC in rushing and have allowed the fewest sacks (with the understanding that they have by far the fewest pass attempts). The Bowdoin defense leads the league in sacks and TFL led by Koy Price (9 sacks and 12.5 TFL) and Aiden Reidy (6.5 sacks and 10.5 TFL). Last year against the Kitties, Koy had 8 tackles, 4 TFL, 2 sacks and forced a fumble. The bottom line is this will be a great match-up between a very good offensive line and a very good front 7. Should be fun to watch.

[Nescacman]

Episode 8 available now!

Nine Weeks: A NESCAC Football Podcast

Episode 8 features Colby Head Football Coach Jack Cosgrove, Bates Head Football Coach Matt Coyne, and Bates RB/NESCAC Rushing leader Ryan Lynskey. Should be another great watch/listen. Our weekly show features coach and player interviews, game analysis, rankings, weekly game previews, and predictions. We encourage you to check it out.

The podcast is available on YouTube and Spotify. Search for "9 Weeks NESCAC"...the first and only podcast of its kind.

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If you have questions, feedback, ideas or are a player or a coach and would like to appear on our show, please email us at: 9weeksnescac@gmail.com

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[muleshoe]

Bates Oline is going to have SERIOUS problems w Koy Price. Happened last year and think it happens again

Every Oline and offense is challenged against a player like Price-- he's the best in the league. Let's see how Bates schemes against the Bowdoin D. It's gonna be a good one in Lewiston.

Amen Lumber

UBates offensive line has played at a high level all year. They are second in the NESCAC in rushing and have allowed the fewest sacks (with the understanding that they have by far the fewest pass attempts). The Bowdoin defense leads the league in sacks and TFL led by Koy Price (9 sacks and 12.5 TFL) and Aiden Reidy (6.5 sacks and 10.5 TFL). Last year against the Kitties, Koy had 8 tackles, 4 TFL, 2 sacks and forced a fumble. The bottom line is this will be a great match-up between a very good offensive line and a very good front 7. Should be fun to watch.

Agreed that it will be a great matchup to watch. But I feel like the whole point of running the triple option is to slow down defensive players when you're at an athletic disadvantage, especially high-end pass rushers. Not saying Price won't have a big game, but if Bates' option attack keeps rolling it will make Bowdoin's DL slow down a half step, which could be enough for Bates to avoid negative plays, keep ahead of the chains, and potentially break off a few explosive runs.

It's clear Bowdoin's strength is in the DL and Bates' in the OL, so it will be exciting to watch that matchup under the lights tomorrow night. 

[muleshoe]

Episode 8 available now!

Nine Weeks: A NESCAC Football Podcast

Episode 8 features Colby Head Football Coach Jack Cosgrove, Bates Head Football Coach Matt Coyne, and Bates RB/NESCAC Rushing leader Ryan Lynskey. Should be another great watch/listen. Our weekly show features coach and player interviews, game analysis, rankings, weekly game previews, and predictions. We encourage you to check it out.

The podcast is available on YouTube and Spotify. Search for "9 Weeks NESCAC"...the first and only podcast of its kind.

Sponsored by Gameday Sports.

If you have questions, feedback, ideas or are a player or a coach and would like to appear on our show, please email us at: 9weeksnescac@gmail.com

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Great job on the podcast as usual, Nescacman! Enjoyed the listen.

You brought up a few offseason topics at the end, notably mascots (we can discuss what a Mule is later!) and the playoffs. Looks like the Ivy League might be moving towards a vote to approve competing in the FCS playoffs.
This article came across my timeline this morning from Harvard (https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2024/11/1/ivy-league-considers-football-postseason/).

If the Ivy league approves football competing in the post-season, what's the over/under until the NESCAC approves? 25 minutes?

I've always been an advocate for 1 non-conference game + postseason (playoffs and/or bowl games).

[lumbercat]

A lot of talk about Bates running the Triple Option. Not really the case, they are running an option scheme some of the time but it's not the traditional Triple they ran under Mark Harriman.
They run from the shotgun, they don't have a "dive back" per se and there is no traditional QB/RB mesh with the QB riding the RB and pulling the ball out or handing it off (with QB taking big hits whether he keeps it or not). Bosseleit is not a running QB by any means and very seldom runs the ball. They do execute option like pitches and looks but it's not the traditional triple option.

Some note also here of Bates O line. Things bode well for the future- 2 FYs, 2 Sophs, 1 Senior and ample depth beyond the starters.
Left Tackle Pete Simplicio is a shoo in for All Nescac and should be joined by one or two others on that line.
D3 Football.com recognized the Bates Oline this week for the second time as the D3 Team of the Week.
This was an unprecedented second time the Hawgs have been recognized by D3.com this year.

[Nescacman]

2024 Week 8 NESCACMAN Picks

Welcome to Week 8 in the NESCAC "in the league where they pay to play".

Another good week (well Middlebury lost, right?) for the consortium going 3-2 in Week #7. The NESCACMAN consortium comprised of league-wide experts now stands at an amazing 30-5 for the year. We are still on a record pace this year.

Our Game of the Week features the Purple Cows of Williams as they face the Wesleyan Cardinals in a Little 3 match-up.

Hamilton College at Middlebury College
Hamilton NESCAC Ranks: Total Offense: 9/Total Defense: 10
Middlebury NESCAC Ranks: Total Offense: 4/Total Defense: 9
It's "Old Rocking Chair" Game week! Both teams are coming off tough losses. Hamilton is 0-7, have only scored 75 points, and looking for their first win. They are getting closer. Middlebury is trying to finish the season respectably and keep their slim title hopes alive. Hamilton has struggled on both sides of the ball. WR Chester Boynton has been a bright spot for the Conts and has been used in lieu of having a productive running game. P Tyler Hoey has been stellar for HAM. One of the big differences for Middlebury this year has been their red zone defense which has allowed 23 of 25 scores in 2024 vs. 16 of 30 in 2023. The fact that the Middlebury defense has struggled this year is a head scratcher given the talent they have on that side of the ball. Hamilton's pass defense is last in the NESCAC. Hamilton hasn't beat Middlebury since 1995 (27 straight games) so there is that.
Why Hamilton will win: Hamilton finally runs the ball well setting up the pass. Hamilton uses the last two weeks as a springboard to 2025 in this rivalry game.
Why Middlebury will win: They stop the pass for a change and the D-line does a better job getting to the QB, something they haven't done well the last 2 weeks. They throw early and often against the porous Hamilton pass defense.
KTV for Hamilton: Throw the ball downfield. Need to establish some semblance of a running game.
KTV for Middlebury: Can't look past the Conts before their big closing game against Tufts. QB Moran plays like he did two weeks ago.
Players to watch: QB Luke Kurzum (HAM), WR Chester Boynton (HAM), DB Kyle Bratcher (HAM), QB Brian Moran (MID), RB Connor McClellan (MID), WR Patrick Jamin (MID), DL Tomas Kenary (MID), DT Dave Filias (MID).
Game Summary: In a big rivalry game like this, anything can happen! We expect this game to be closer than MID would like but they ultimately prevail to claim the "Old Rocking Chair".

Middlebury 27 Hamilton 17
Point Spread: Middlebury -10
Weather (courtesy of The Weather Channel): Partly cloudy. High of 44.

Hartford State College at Amherst College
Hartford State NESCAC Ranks: Total Offense: 1/Total Defense: 2
Amherst NESCAC Ranks: Total Offense: 10/Total Defense: 5
Amherst will try to get their offense untracked this week against one of the better defenses in the league. The Lord Mammoth offense was better in the first half last week against Wesleyan, but they reverted to form in the second half. Lord Mammoth QB Marek Hill has been an improvement over his predecessors. Hartford State will try to not look past the Lord Mammoths to set-up a potential NESCAC championship game against Wesleyan the following week. HS QB Zander Zebrowski has an incredible 19:1 TD to interception ratio. He will try to get it done this week against an Amherst pass defense that has been very good this year (2nd in the NESCAC). Unfortunately, the Amherst defense has not put a ton of pressure on opposing QBs so that puts additional stress on their DBs.
Why Hartford State will win: Not a good match-up for Amherst. QB Zebrowski finds his weapons early and often. Defense shuts down the Lord Mammoth offense.
Why Amherst will win: Starting QB Marek Hill has a career day. The Bants look past Amherst.
KTV for Hartford State: Control the ball and the clock. Don't turn the ball over.
KTV for Amherst: Defense needs to revert to what they were earlier in the year. They need to score some points. Avoid turning the ball over.
Players to watch: QB Zander Zebrowski (HS), RB Tyler Dinapoli (HS), WR Sean Clapp (HS), WR Nolan O'Brien (HS), QB Marek Hill (AMH), WR Owen Gaydos (AMH), LB Luke Harmon (AMH).
Game Summary: No contest. Hartford State wins by a lot.

Hartford State 35 Amherst 6
Point Spread: Hartford State -28
Weather: Partly cloudy. High of 54.

Tufts University at Colby College
Tufts NESCAC Ranks: Total Offense: 2/Total Defense: 5
Colby NESCAC Ranks: Total Offense: 6/Total Defense: 3
Very interesting game. Both teams need a win. Tufts is still in the hunt for their first ever NESCAC title and Colby is shooting for their first winning season since 2005. Colby has won 3 of their last 4 games with their one loss coming in OT to Wesleyan. Tufts has won three straight games. Tufts has won the last 9 games in this series dating back to 2014. This game matches a strong Tufts offense, led by Senior QB Michael Berlutti and RB Christian Shapiro (2 100-yard games in the last 3 weeks), versus a good Colby defense, led by DPOTY candidate LB Julian Young. Colby DE Jack Mullen has 8.5 sacks which is good for 2nd in the NESCAC. Although Berlutti has not been as effective throwing the ball this year having lost 3 major weapons, he is still 2nd in the NESCAC in total offense.  Colby is very stout against the run (2nd in the NESCAC), so we expect the Jumbo's to try and air it out. Colby RB Keon Smart is 2nd in the NESCAC in rushing. Tufts needs to do a better job of protecting the ball (9 fumbles and 5 interceptions). Tufts K Vaughn Seelicke leads the NESCAC in scoring. Tufts HCOF Jay Civetti will get to .500 for his career with a win.
Why Tufts will win: Tufts throws the ball well and mixes in some well-timed runs. They stop the Colby's running game.
Why Colby will win: Colby has played well the last 3 weeks, and they have a very good defense. QB  Miles Drake continues to play well.
KTV for Tufts: Pass the ball effectively. Establish a running game. Stop the Colby running attack. Protect the ball.
KTV for Colby: Defense sets the tone (again) and keeps the game low-scoring. Create turnovers. Contain Berlutti. Avoid penalties (Colby leads the league in penalties).
Players to watch: WR QB Michael Berlutti (TUF), RB Christian Shapiro (TUF), WR Cade Moore (TUF), WR Matt Rios (TUF), QB Miles Drake (COL), WR Duke Ferrara (COL), RB Keon Smart (COL), LB Julian Young (COL), DE Jack Mullen (COL).
Game Summary: We expect a close game in Waterville. We think Tufts gets it done and keeps their title hopes alive.

Tufts 21 Colby 17
Point Spread: Tufts -4
Weather: Partly cloudy. High of 47.

Bowdoin College at University of Bates (Lewiston Campus) (5:30 PM kick)
Bowdoin NESCAC Ranks: Total Offense: 8/Total Defense: 9
UBates NESCAC Ranks: Total Offense: 7/Total Defense: 7
C-C-B rivalry game in Lewiston. Bowdoin looking for their first back-to-back title since winning three in a row from 2006-2008. Bowdoin is riding a two-game losing streak and has lost 3 of their last 4 games. Their offense has struggled and is 8th in the NESCAC in total offense. Meanwhile, the Frisky Kitties are coming off another win against a top team in the conference after upsetting Middlebury in Lewiston last week.  UBates has been very competitive this year and could easily have a winning record. Will be interesting to see how the aggressive Bowdoin defense fairs against the UBates flex option attack. RB Ryan Lynskey has flourished this year in the system and leads the NESCAC in rushing. The last two weeks UBates has thrown a bit more (37 pass attempts) and that seems to have worked well for them. The return of WR Sergio Beltran has certainly helped. We expect more of the same this week against Bowdoin. Bowdoin seems to have begun preparations for the future making the move to FY QB Peter Macaulay as the starter. The match-up to watch is the very good UBates OL against Bowdoin's Koy Price and the rest of his front 7. UBates defense only has one interception all year, they are last in sacks and rushing defense.
Why Bowdoin will win: High pressure defense stops the triple option and forces turnovers. The young Bowdoin QBs has a good day.
Why UBates will win: UBates, as always, runs the ball well and sprinkles in some timely passes. League leading runner, Ryan Lynskey, has another big day.
KTV for Bowdoin: Stop Ryan Lynskey. Disrupt the flex option. Limit turnovers. Run the ball well against the UBates defense which has been susceptible to the running game.
KTV for UBates: Run the ball effectively and control the clock. Stop the Bowdoin front seven.
Players to watch: LB Koy Price (BOW), QB Peter Macaulay (BOW), DL Aiden Ready (BOW), QB Colton Bosselait (UB), RB Ryan Lynskey (UB), WR Sergio Beltran (UB), LB Ryan Rozich (UB).
Game Summary: We expect this game to be close. UBates has played well pretty much all year and has been in almost every game. These two programs appear to be going in opposite directions. We like the Frisky Kitties in this one.

UBates 24 Bowdoin 21
Point Spread: UBates -3
Weather: Mostly clear. Low of 29.

NESCAC Game of the Week

Williams College at Wesleyan University
Williams NESCAC Ranks: Total Offense: 3/Total Defense: 6
Wesleyan NESCAC Ranks: Total Offense: 5/Total Defense: 1
These next two games will make or break these two teams' seasons.  Wesleyan has everything to play for; a Little 3 Championship (would be their 3rd Little 3 in a row for the first time since 1946-1948) and a shot at their first ever outright NESCAC Championship. Meanwhile, Williams wants to finish with a winning record and their first Little 3 title since 2021. Wesleyan has won 9 of the last 10 games against the Ephs (the only loss being to the Bobby Maimaron led NESCAC Championship team of 2021) and they have won the last 5 games played in Middletown. This is the 7th oldest rivalry in NCAA D3 (and 2nd oldest in the NESCAC). Wesleyan is on a 4-game winning streak, and it appears that they rediscovered their running attack against the Lord Mammoths last week led by dynamic FY RB Matt Diaz (2 TDs last week). The Wesleyan defense has played at a high-level all year (#1 in the NESCAC in various categories including yards, red-zone defense, and 3rd down defense) and that was especially evident as they completely shut-down the Amherst offense last week in the second half. They will need to be on their game against a dangerous Williams offense led by Sophomore QB Owen McHugh. The Purple Cows lead the NESCAC in rushing yards, rushing yards per attempt and rushing TDs. Wesleyan is first in rushing defense so that will be a match-up to watch. Williams is also 2nd in the NESCAC in scoring offense. The Eph running game may be without their star senior RB Mario Fischetti who appeared to severely injure his lower leg in last week's loss to Tufts. However, they have more than options in McHugh and back-up RB John Oris should Fischetti be unable to play. Williams defense has allowed the 2nd most passing TDs, and they are 9th in the NESCAC defending the pass so Wesleyan's #1 WR Chase Wilson may have room to roam.   
Why Williams will win: Run early and often. Control the clock. A lot of long drives. Avoid the turnovers that hurt them last week against the Jumbo's.
Why Wesleyan will win: Wesleyan's defense plays at a high level for 60 minutes. The offense, particularly the running game, builds on the momentum from last week.
KTV for Williams: Get the running game going. Stop Chase Wilson. Keep the game low-scoring.
KTV for Wesleyan: Big rivalry game and next the next two games are the biggest for Wes in several years, so they need to contain their emotions. Keep McHugh in check.
Players to watch: QB Owen McHugh (WIL), RB Jon Oris (WIL), LB Tim Landolfi (WIL), DL Ethan Scott (WIL), QB Niko Candido (WES), WR Chase Wilson (WES), LB Ben Carbeau (WES), DB Dylan Connors (WES).
Game Summary: Should be a huge homecoming crowd on Andrus Field for this one. Rumor has it that due to a work stoppage by the goats, the grass may be bit longer than usual. Wesleyan is playing for everything the next two weeks, so we expect them to come out flying high to set up an epic battle next week in Hartford.

Wesleyan 27 Williams 20
Point Spread: Wesleyan -7
Weather: Partly cloudy. High of 58.

Good luck to all the student-athletes and coaches this Saturday!

NESCACMAN's Picks:
2024 Season: 30-5 (.857 winning percentage)
2023 Season: 31-14
2022 Season: 31-14
2021 Season: 33-12
2020 Season: 0-0 (COVID)
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: 353-112 (.759 winning percentage)

**********

Follow NESCACMAN on X (aka Twitter) @realnescacman

**********

Episode 8 available now!

Nine Weeks: A NESCAC Football Podcast

Episode 8 features Colby Head Football Coach Jack Cosgrove, Bates Head Football Coach Matt Coyne, and Bates RB/NESCAC Rushing leader Ryan Lynskey. Should be another great watch/listen. Our weekly show features coach and player interviews, game analysis, rankings, weekly game previews, and predictions. We encourage you to check it out.

The podcast is available on YouTube and Spotify. Search for "9 Weeks NESCAC"...the first and only podcast of its kind.

Sponsored by Gameday Sports.

If you have questions, feedback, ideas or are a player or a coach and would like to appear on our show, please email us at: 9weeksnescac@gmail.com

Follow us on X (aka Twitter): @nineweeksnescac
Follow us on Instagram: @nineweeksnescac
Facebook: Nine Weeks: A NESCAC Football Podcast (https://www.facebook.com/share/g/141Ru3gKgk/)
YouTube: 9 Weeks Nescac (https://youtu.be/Cm_ufXbHk6Y?si=LUkoxliRJE8fqrbz)
Spotify: 9 Weeks Nescac

[Nescacman]

A lot of talk about Bates running the Triple Option. Not really the case, they are running an option scheme some of the time but it's not the traditional Triple they ran under Mark Harriman.
They run from the shotgun, they don't have a "dive back" per se and there is no traditional QB/RB mesh with the QB riding the RB and pulling the ball out or handing it off (with QB taking big hits whether he keeps it or not). Bosseleit is not a running QB by any means and very seldom runs the ball. They do execute option like pitches and looks but it's not the traditional triple option.

Some note also here of Bates O line. Things bode well for the future- 2 FYs, 2 Sophs, 1 Senior and ample depth beyond the starters.
Left Tackle Pete Simplicio is a shoo in for All Nescac and should be joined by one or two others on that line.
D3 Football.com recognized the Bates Oline this week for the second time as the D3 Team of the Week.
This was an unprecedented second time the Hawgs have been recognized by D3.com this year.

Lumber, you are correct. UBates is not running a traditional triple option. They are running a flex-option offense out of the pistol formation. For more information on the offense, here you go:

https://coachad.com/articles/utilizing-the-pistol-flex-quadruple-option/

We all remember when UBates brought in the air-raid offense (run by Mike Leach and his proteges). Kudo's to the Frisky Kitties for educating us as football fans on interesting offenses.

NM

[lumbercat]

Coach Harriman ran the Triple.
His ill fated successor Malik Hall brought the Air Raid.

I will say this about the Triple when Harriman ran it. Bobcats had some success with it though it was boring to watch and obviously playing from behind is really difficult. You need toughness to run it and Harriman had some tough kids especially at the QB position.

[MapleBBQChicken]

Happy week 8 game day to all.

Benjamin Franklin once said "In this world, nothing is certain except death, taxes, and Middlebury keeping the chair" (at least I think that's how the quote goes). Looking forward to senior day in Vermont.

Also rooting hard for both purple schools — wow that was painful to type out.

[SpringSt7]

Nobody finds more painful ways to lose than Williams in Middletown, CT

[ROTMNG]

Ryan Lynskey have mercy on our souls. Best NESCAC performance since...? And in a loss?

[JEFFFAN]

344 yards (net) on only 20 carries? Absolutely incredible.  Is there a reason they handed the ball off to anyone else?   One of the greatest performances in NESCAC football history.

[NescacNewbie]

And Bowdoin won? How?

[Brady12]

Nobody finds more painful ways to lose than Williams in Middletown, CT

Thank god sober October is over. 

[203Nescac]

And Bowdoin won? How?

Having watched this game live, Lynskey was quite literally the only one who showed up for Bates tonight. They were utterly outclassed in every single other aspect of the game.