FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[Trin9-0]

Congrats to Wes on their first outright NESCAC title! It's certainly the culmination of a turnaround that started with Mike Whalen being recruited back to Middletown 14 years ago. Proof that it can take time to reach the summit, but Wes has certainly made the commitment and investment in football (and athletics in general). The consistency through the transition to Dicenzo along with his ability to recruit and develop players gave them enough firepower to compete annually and they eventually broke through for a title via an improbable stretch of gutsy wins. I applaud their commitment and  their success is well deserved.

A shout-out to the Cardinal faithful as well who've waiting a long time to see their team alone atop the NESCAC. At their lowest point, a winless season back in 2005, I bemoaned the state of Wes football on these boards and hoped they could find a way back to relevancy because the league is just better when Wes is competitive. Watching the Cards reach the summit in The Coop was surely a tough pill to swallow in the moment, but it undoubtedly adds some juice to a rivalry which has been overwhelmingly one-sided for nearly 50 years.

I was unable to be at the game but live-streamed as much as I could and the best thing I can say is that the Cardinals went out and took the game. They were physical and made some exceptional plays along with some very smart and gutsy play calling. Much like Trinity's loss to Middlebury, the Bantams didn't exactly play poorly, the opponent simply made more than a few really high-quality plays in critical moments to claim victory.

In the nearly 25 years that I've followed NESCAC football it always seems like someone is touting an increase in parity across the league and I've never really agreed. However, I do think this past season was as close as we've seen to actual parity in the NESCAC. Sure the same teams that usually win did win and the same teams that usually lose did lose. But the the individual outcomes were much closer and in my opinion the overall quality of teams across the board was more on par with one another than I've seen in the past. The fact that Wes won their first outright title while losing to Bates is further evidence of that.

As for how that relates to the discussion about this being a down year in the league I'll add that among the 29 teams since 2000 who have won (or tied for at least a share of) the NESCAC title, the 2024 Wesleyan team ranks tied for 23rd in average point differential (10.6 points per game) and 18th in average yardage differential (103.3 per game). You can argue whether that's due to an increase in league parity or just a case of a better than average team who made a few exceptional plays when it mattered most. But for now the Cardinals deserve their moment in the sun.

Nescacman, I'll be sure to pass along the gift receipt for my donation to Wes Football to show that I've made good on our wager.

[lumbercat]

9-0
Total class all the way.  My hat is off to you.

[Nescacman]

Congrats to Wes on their first outright NESCAC title! It's certainly the culmination of a turnaround that started with Mike Whalen being recruited back to Middletown 14 years ago. Proof that it can take time to reach the summit, but Wes has certainly made the commitment and investment in football (and athletics in general). The consistency through the transition to Dicenzo along with his ability to recruit and develop players gave them enough firepower to compete annually and they eventually broke through for a title via an improbable stretch of gutsy wins. I applaud their commitment and  their success is well deserved.

A shout-out to the Cardinal faithful as well who've waiting a long time to see their team alone atop the NESCAC. At their lowest point, a winless season back in 2005, I bemoaned the state of Wes football on these boards and hoped they could find a way back to relevancy because the league is just better when Wes is competitive. Watching the Cards reach the summit in The Coop was surely a tough pill to swallow in the moment, but it undoubtedly adds some juice to a rivalry which has been overwhelmingly one-sided for nearly 50 years.

I was unable to be at the game but live-streamed as much as I could and the best thing I can say is that the Cardinals went out and took the game. They were physical and made some exceptional plays along with some very smart and gutsy play calling. Much like Trinity's loss to Middlebury, the Bantams didn't exactly play poorly, the opponent simply made more than a few really high-quality plays in critical moments to claim victory.

In the nearly 25 years that I've followed NESCAC football it always seems like someone is touting an increase in parity across the league and I've never really agreed. However, I do think this past season was as close as we've seen to actual parity in the NESCAC. Sure the same teams that usually win did win and the same teams that usually lose did lose. But the the individual outcomes were much closer and in my opinion the overall quality of teams across the board was more on par with one another than I've seen in the past. The fact that Wes won their first outright title while losing to Bates is further evidence of that.

As for how that relates to the discussion about this being a down year in the league I'll add that among the 29 teams since 2000 who have won (or tied for at least a share of) the NESCAC title, the 2024 Wesleyan team ranks tied for 23rd in average point differential (10.6 points per game) and 18th in average yardage differential (103.3 per game). You can argue whether that's due to an increase in league parity or just a case of a better than average team who made a few exceptional plays when it mattered most. But for now the Cardinals deserve their moment in the sun.

Nescacman, I'll be sure to pass along the gift receipt for my donation to Wes Football to show that I've made good on our wager.

Thanks Hs7-2/Matt...we have had our fun going at each other over the years but you are class act and a mensch at the end of the day. We appreciate you.

We'll have much more to say on the Wes/Hartford State game here on the Boards and on our podcast. For now, we are just taking it all in. It's been an incredible few days. Can't wait for Coach Dice's weekly alumni and parents Zoom call tonight. Should be epic.  And can't wait to take our turn with the trophy, which suddenly has become like the Stanley Cup.

[Scoops]

Mole -

Congrats on your team's championship. Glad to see you handling it exactly how I assumed you would.

Not sure what you're trying to accomplish by bringing up my points about last year's secondary and offensive line? Winning the championship doesn't change how bad they were last season. In fact, their offensive line was still atrocious this year, giving up the most sacks once again. Also you're wrong about them being the top pass defense this year (Tufts 1, Trin 2, Wes 3). And you can thank whoever Colby's DB coach was for getting Nick Donatio to be the player he was. He was light-years ahead of anyone else on the Wesleyan back end, and clearly the difference maker.

That said, please enjoy your championship. The cards won when it mattered, and have every right to lord it over the group for the next year. I'm sure we will all rejoice when the cards inevitably regress to the mean in 2025.

[The Mole]

You are welcome. Defensive passing yards per game allowed 1. Wesleyan 156.8, 2. Tufts 177.3. 3. Amherst 178.8.  Of course you are wrong. You have been all offseason and most of this year. Nick was a great addition to our secondary which featured All-American Wesley Abraham, CB Sean Walker #4 in NESCAC in pass breakups and DPOTY Candidate Dylan Connors who was NESCAC special teams player of the week once and DPOTW once and scored two TDs.

Mole -

Congrats on your team's championship. Glad to see you handling it exactly how I assumed you would.

Not sure what you're trying to accomplish by bringing up my points about last year's secondary and offensive line? Winning the championship doesn't change how bad they were last season. In fact, their offensive line was still atrocious this year, giving up the most sacks once again. Also you're wrong about them being the top pass defense this year (Tufts 1, Trin 2, Wes 3). And you can thank whoever Colby's DB coach was for getting Nick Donatio to be the player he was. He was light-years ahead of anyone else on the Wesleyan back end, and clearly the difference maker.

That said, please enjoy your championship. The cards won when it mattered, and have every right to lord it over the group for the next year. I'm sure we will all rejoice when the cards inevitably regress to the mean in 2025.

[MIDDFORTHEWIN]

Mole -

Congrats on your team's championship. Glad to see you handling it exactly how I assumed you would.

Not sure what you're trying to accomplish by bringing up my points about last year's secondary and offensive line? Winning the championship doesn't change how bad they were last season. In fact, their offensive line was still atrocious this year, giving up the most sacks once again. Also you're wrong about them being the top pass defense this year (Tufts 1, Trin 2, Wes 3). And you can thank whoever Colby's DB coach was for getting Nick Donatio to be the player he was. He was light-years ahead of anyone else on the Wesleyan back end, and clearly the difference maker.

That said, please enjoy your championship. The cards won when it mattered, and have every right to lord it over the group for the next year. I'm sure we will all rejoice when the cards inevitably regress to the mean in 2025.

Biases aside, Wesleyan clearly had the best secondary (and entire defense) in the league. Numbers don't lie. I will be interested to see the all conference selections from that defense alone. Should have multiple players from each position group (possibly all 4 defensive backs to make a team...)

[The Mole]

C'mon Midd, it doesn't fit the pooper Scoops narrative! Opinions do not matter, except the ones the coaches disclose for All NESCAC, to your point. What is also hilarious is that Wesleyan DC Adam Chicoine recruited Nick Donatio to Colby and he was a big reason #2 came to Wesleyan as a grad transfer this past season. Again Scoops, you are trolling yourself, many thanks. As it relates to "reversion of the mean" as was posted a few days ago, Wesleyan is 56-23 under Dice, a mean of over six wins a year with no losing campaigns. Williams is 40-39. Obviously, one team has already reverted to that mean and it is not located in Middletown. Keep digging that hole, Scoops.

[NESCACFball24/7]

Any idea of when the all conference teams will be out?

[The Mole]

announced tomorrow

[Nescacman]

For those of you that may have not heard, Wesleyan played Hartford State last weekend in Hartford for the NESCAC Championship. Here is a summary and some of our thoughts on Saturday's NESCAC Championship Game in Hartford, CT between the Wesleyan University Cardinals and the Hartford State College Bantams:

1.   Wesleyan wins their first ever outright NESCAC Championship. In all, this was their 2nd NESCAC Championship having also won in 2013.
2.   Wesleyan joins other multiple time winners Amherst, Hartford State, Middlebury, and Williams. Colby was co-champions in 2000 for their only title.
3.   UBates, Bowdoin, Hamilton, and Tufts have never won a NESCAC title. Tufts was runner-up once in 2016.
4.   Wesleyan wins 27 14 after trailing at the half 17-14. The first half was back and forth as the two heavyweights traded scores.
5.   Hartford State had 53 yards rushing total for the game on 26 carries and no rushing TDs.
6.   Wesleyan's running game was excellent. Wesleyan had 214 yards rushing on the day on 44 carries and a rushing TD.
7.   Wesleyan's offense played well. Wesleyan's offense outgained Hartford State 404 yards to 277 yards. Wesleyan had 22 first downs to 13 for the Bants.
8.   Wesleyan had 36 mins of possession time versus 24 mins for Hartford State.
9.   Kudos to the officials for only calling 2 accepted penalties the entire day. Each team was only penalized once each. That's the way it should be in a  championship game.
10.   Wesleyan will get the automatic NESCAC NCAA D3 Football Play-off bid and will face either Endicott or Springfield in the first round...we wish!
11.   It was the worst loss for Hartford State at home since they lost to Williams 29-15 in 2019.
12.   Big goal line stand by Wes in the first quarter from the Wesleyan 2-yard line which led to a Hartford State 22-yard field goal.
13.   Freshman TE Keith Capuano made his mark in the 2nd quarter with his first collegiate catch which also happened to be for a TD. That put Wesleyan up 7-3.
14.   Hartford State answered on the very next drive with a 22-yard TD pass by Zander Zebrowski. That put Hartford State up 10-7.
15.   On the next drive, big catches by Chase Wilson and Luke LaSaracina and a run by Matt Diaz set-up a Niko Candido short TD run. That put Wesleyan up 14-10 in the 2nd quarter.
16.   On the next drive, Hartford State mixed in some good runs by Tyler DiNapoli with some nice passes by Zander Zebrowski to Sean Clapp and Nolan O'Brien. O'Brien scored on 27-yard TD reception when he caught the ball at the 5, eluded two Wes defenders and lunged into the end-zone. Great individual effort by him. HS led 17-14 at that point. That would be the last time Hartford State would score all day.
17.   On the TD pass from Zebrowski to O'Brien, Zander appeared to injure his lower legged as he was hit as he threw the pass. That hit certainly played into Hartford State's strategy at the end of the half and may have impacted their offense in the second half.
18.   After Wesleyan got the ball back on the ensuing kick-off, they got one first down and then were forced to punt.
19.   Hartford State got the ball back with 1:05 left in the half at their own 18. With all 3 of their TO's intact, surprisingly, HCOF Jeff decided to take two kneel downs and end the half. In our opinion, that was totally out of character for the Bantams.  Maybe that was due to Zander's lower leg injury? In any event, half-time score: HS 17 Wes 14.
20.    Hartford State received the ball to start the second half and after converting a 3rd and long (one of only 3x they did that on the day; Hartford State was 3 of 10 on 3rd down for the game) they were stymied and forced to punt. A key play was Mike Rowan's  sack (one of two on the day by Rowan along with 2.5 TFL).
21.   Wesleyan sacked Zebrowski 5x on the day and were in his face all day. We don't remember the last time a Hartford State QB was sacked 5x in a game. DPOTY candidate Wes LB Ben Carbeau also had 2 sacks (along with 2 TFL and a QB hurry).
22.   After exchanging punts, the 3rd quarter ended with Hartford State still in the lead, 17-14. Based on Wesleyan's season, the Cards had the Bants just where they wanted them.
23.   At the start of the 4th quarter, Wes Punter Gage Hammond kicked the ball to Returner Nolan O'Brien who muffed the catch at the Hartford State 9. The Bants were very lucky to recover it at their own 4-yard line. However, HS was flagged for a personal foul for pulling Wesleyan defenders off the pile. First and 10 Hartford State from their own 1.
24.   On Wesleyan's first full drive of the 4th quarter, after they held the Bants deep in their own end, Niko Candido found converted DB Luke LaSaracina in the end zone for a 23-yard TD reception. The extra point was blocked and Wes led 20-17 with 6:04 left in the game.
25.   A key play in that drive, if not play of the game, was Wesleyan converting a 4th and 17 at the HS 48 when Niko completed a 17-yard pass to who else, Luke LaSaracina. Here's the inside scoop on that play. Coach Dice was neither a gutsy, brilliant coach for going for it (or a dope for going for it at that point in the game). The Cards offense lined up in a shot gun formation with the intent of doing a pooch punt. If HS jumped offsides (which they did), the center is supposed to snap the ball trying to get the first down on a free play. On the free play due to defensive encroachment by HS, Wesleyan converted the 4th and 17 to keep the drive alive. As we said in our preview, the one thing the Bants do not do well is defend on 4th down. Wesleyan was 2 of 2 on the day (both crucial) on 4th down.
26.    After a 3 and out for Hartford State, Wes got the ball back with 4:25 left in the game at their own 22. After getting a quick first down, FY RB Matt Diaz scampered for 52 yards to the HS 10-yard line. Diaz had another great game rushing 19 times for 137 yards. On 4th and 15 from the HS 15-yard line QB Candido found WR Blake Newcomb in the endzone to put Wes up 27-17 and basically seal the game and the NESCAC Championship for Wesleyan.
27.   Wesleyan completely shut down Hartford State in the second half. HS only had 6 first downs, 81 yards of total offense and no points in the second half.
28.   Congratulations to the Wesleyan student-athletes and coaches for their stellar effort in 2024. Your 2024 NESCAC Champs....the Wesleyan Football Cardinals! #rollcards

[Nescacman]

announced tomorrow

Good luck Mole. For our money, your son is a 1st teamer in football and life. #rollcards

[Nescacman]

Any idea of when the all conference teams will be out?

The coaches meet tomorrow but it probably won't be announced for a few days.

[lumbercat]

I think all conference team is usually announced on second Tuesday after final weekend of season. Should be announced 11/19.

[Nescacman]

I think all conference team is usually announced on second Tuesday after final weekend of season. Should be announced 11/19.

That's about right Lumber. Will be very interesting to see what direction the Coaches go with the awards. On defense, there are 3 or 4 guys that are worthy (Price, Carbeau, Young, Harmon). On offense, do you go for the guys who are worthy based on stats (Zander, Linskey, O'Brien) or the guy who is worthy based on leadership and winning (Candido)? Would be similar to what the coaches did in 2021 when they named Bobby Maimaron OPOTY. Coaching Staff of the Year will be Wes, hands down. Special teams has a few guys too (Hoey, Hammond, Seelicke, Shuran, Jumes). Rookie of the Year is a total crap shoot. May see a young lineman win it. There were a few.

NM

[BigKat]

Small Cat, thanks for admitting you were wrong, tough to swallow, but much appreciated. The extra motivation for the players that read the board to prove you and the other naysayers wrong is sweet. BTW, we have not been here before, but I suspect that changes going forward. Thank You.

That is abundantly clear Mole. CONGRATS. Maybe next time grace and humility will exude from you 😉