FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[The Mole]

Thank you, that was not so hard now, was it? 

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 😉

[Ephswatcher101]

Any chance that Williams RB Mario Fischetti gets at least a second team all league nod even though he only played seven games? He has been the most talented back in the league for years, it would be a shame if he never got any recognition for it due to his injuries over the years.

[nescac1]

I guarantee Fischetti will be all conference.  They sometimes do two backs, sometimes three, on an all-conference team.  I say they split the difference and make Lynskey, Dinapoli, Fischetti, Smart and Shapiro all first or second team.  If they stick with four, then Shapiro drops off. 

My guesses / picks for Williams guys on the all league teams:

Forth, Shuran, Fischetti, Maiuolo (a second-teamer but a lock nonetheless) and Gering as locks, and Ethan Scott and Ngnombouowo as likely second-team guys.   Owen Johansen is an all-league caliber player as well but probably didn't get enough touches at any particular position.   But on a per-touch basis he was incredible - 6.8 yards a carry, 14 yards per catch, and six TDs on only 32 touches.  I'm hoping he uses all three remaining years of eligibility as an Eph! 

If there is a Special Teams POTY, it should and I think will be Shuran, although Hoey is also very worthy so maybe co-POTY. 

If there is a defensive ROTY, Mangini or maybe Gale. Jack Nye will be ROTY if there is only one player selected. 

League-wide, I do think Zebrowski is gonna by POTY on offense. 

DPOTY is the toughest race to call for the league.  Four or five super strong candidates this year, any of whom would be deserving.  I think with a very even race Carbeau gets it because the coaches will want to reward Wesleyan.

The all-conference QB race is pretty interesting.  Berluti, Candido, and Moran all have solid cases for second-team all-league and basically are indistinguishable statistically, although I do think Candido gets it, again on the strength of Wesleyan's team performance.  Drake is right there with them too and goes into next season as one of the pre-season candidates for OPOTY along with Moran, O'Brien, and Lynskey. 

[Trin9-0]

I mostly agree with nescac1:

OPOTY: Zebrowski
DPOTY: Carbeau
COTY: DiCenzo

There is no Special Teams POTY but I'd be very surprised if Jumes doesn't get a third straight nod for 1st Team All NESCAC placekicker. He was perfect this season making all 36 kicks he attempted on the year. Trinity attempted half as many field goals this season and nearly half the number of extra points as they did last year so his total points isn't as high. But Jumes made an insane 92 of his last 94 collegiate attempts (97.8%).

As mentioned a few weeks back, there is a number of outstanding kickers in the league this year but it'd be hard to not give the first team award to a kicker who has won it two years in a row and didn't miss a kiss all season.

[GroundandPound]

ROTY
Nye 530 yards 1 TD (Receiver)
and/or
McClellan 430 yards 7 TDs (RB)

[Bantamsdad69]

Ty Richardson from Tufts just hit the portal. Any guesses where he lands?

[Nescacman]

Ty Richardson from Tufts just hit the portal. Any guesses where he lands?

Wow, that was fast. Another Trojan in the family?

[Nescacman]

2024 NESCACMAN Final Power Rankings and Awards

Welcome to our Final Power Rankings for 2024. What a great season. Hard to believe it is over.

Congratulations to the Wesleyan University Cardinals. The 2024 undisputed, outright NESCAC Champion and Little 3 Champion.

For those keeping track, we were 4-1 in week #9. We finished the year at 38-7. That's a record for wins in a season and winning percentage for NESCACMAN. We also beat the computer. In addition, our pre-season predictions were incredibly accurate. We accurately predicted the season record for 6 of the 10 teams in the league and were within one game for the remaining 4 teams.

Wesleyan finished in our top spot based on the overall best record in the NESCAC (8-1). They played their best games against the best teams in the conference going 4-0 against the Top 4 teams in the League (Hartford State, Tufts, Middlebury and Williams).

Some details on "NESCACMAN"...we share a love for all things NESCAC, but especially football, with our fellow boardsters. We love everything about NESCAC...the history, traditions, rivalries, quirky rituals, passion, student-athletes, coaches, students, parents, alumni, tailgates, fields of play, et cetera. Each week, we will present our power rankings and then later in the week overviews, predictions, and spreads on every NESCAC game every week. There will also be some special reports along the way. Please note, we try to be as objective and honest as possible (maybe with a slight tinge of red and black). Our opinions stated here are solely those of NESCACMAN and are not the views or opinions of any institution in the NESCAC or the League itself.

We also co-host a podcast titled "Nine Weeks: A NESCAC Football Podcast"  along with Chris Grace, the longtime play-by-play voice of the Wesleyan Football Cardinals. Available weekly, the podcast is available on YouTube and Spotify. Please follow us and take a listen. Episode 9 is available now (featuring interviews with Bowdoin Head Football Coach BJ Hammer and Colby LB Julian Young). Episode 10 will be available later this week and will feature Wesleyan Head Football Coach Dan DiCenzo, Wesleyan WR Chase Wilson, and Wesleyan DL Mike Rowan. 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.
   
1). Wesleyan Cardinals (Record: 8-1; Last Week Rank: 1; 10 first place votes): Wesleyan beats Hartford State to win their first ever outright NESCAC Championship. The final score was 27-14 and the game was not that close. Since 2001, Hartford State has only lost 7 times at home and 2 of those are to Wesleyan. Wesleyan dominated the 2nd half. Defensive POTY Candidate Ben Carbeau (7 tackles, 2 TFL, and 2 sacks) had a day as did DL Mike Rowan (2.5 TFL and 2 sacks), QB Niko Candido (NESCAC OPOTW-3 TD passes and a rushing TD), RB Matt Diaz (137 yards rushing), and WR Luke LaSaracina (4 catches for 77 yards and a TD). Interesting factoid...Wesleyan held Hartford State to 53 yards rushing on 26 attempts, their lowest rushing total since 2021. Here's a summary of Wesleyan's historic season for those of you that were asleep: Wesleyan handed Middlebury their worst home loss since 1986, they scored 19 unanswered points in the 4th quarter to beat Hamilton 19-7, they defeated Colby 23-17 in OT on a walk-off 88-yard Jake Edwards fumble recovery touchdown, they scored 31 unanswered to defeat Amherst 31-14, they scored a touchdown with six seconds left to defeat Williams 25-24 and win a third straight Little Three title for the first time since 1946-48, and handed Trinity just their seventh home loss since 2001 in a win that secured Wesleyan its first-ever outright NESCAC Championship. 2024 Season Grade: A+ NESCACMAN preseason predicted finish: 7-2.

2). Hartford State Bantams (Record: 7-2; Last Week Rank: 2): The Bants lose to Wesleyan in the NESCAC Championship game. Hartford State has not been dominated like that since the 2019 season when they went 5-4. Surprisingly small crowd and uninspiring performance from the Bants. Must be nice when 2 losses qualify as a disappointing season. They will be back. 2024 Season Grade: B NESCACMAN preseason predicted finish: 7-2

3). Tufts Jumbo's (Record: 7-2; Last Week Rank: 3): Tufts caps a strong season with their 5th straight win with a win over Middlebury. Add Reece, Richardson, and Lutz into the mix and we might be crowning the Jumbo's as league champs, which they have never done (of course Wes could have had Helbig and Tomlinson playing so there is that too). 2024 Season Grade: B+ NESCACMAN preseason predicted finish: 7-2

4). Middlebury Panthers (Record: 6-3; Last Week Rank: 3): Middlebury completes their defense of the 2023 NESCAC Championship with a loss at Tufts in the NESCAC consolation game. 2024 Season Grade: B NESCACMAN preseason predicted finish: 6-3 

5). Williams Purple Cows (Record: 5-4; Last Week Rank: 5): Williams wins at home over Amherst in the Little 3 consolation game. Showed improvement after going 3-6 in the previous two seasons. Should be an interesting off-season in Williamstown. Will they find a passing game? 2024 Season Grade: B NESCACMAN preseason predicted finish: 5-4

6). Colby Mules (Record: 4-5; Last Week Rank: 6): The Mules win the C-B-B title with the victory over the Polars. The Mules will lose 24 seniors heading into 2025. 2024 Season Grade: B- NESCACMAN preseason predicted finish: 3-6

7). Bowdoin Polar Bears (Record: 3-6; Last Week Rank: 7): Bowdoin fails to win their first back-to-back C-B-B title since they won 3 straight from 2006 to 2008 as they hosted Colby and lost. 2024 Season Grade: C NESCACMAN preseason predicted finish: 3-6

8). University of Bates Bobcats (Lewiston Campus) (Record: 2-7; Last Week Rank: 8): The Frisky Kitties lose to Hamilton and fail to get their 3rd win of the year. Still, big improvement for UBates from 2023. Will 2025 be the "Year of the Cat"?  Future appears to be bright. 2024 Season Grade: C NESCACMAN preseason predicted finish: 2-7

9). Amherst Lord Mammoths (Record: 2-7; Last Week Rank: 9): The Lord Mammoths lose to Williams in the Little 3 consolation game. Need to find an offense for 2025. 2024 Season Grade: D+ NESCACMAN preseason predicted finish: 3-6

10). Hamilton Continentals (Record: 1-8; Last Week Rank: 10): Hamilton gets win #1 in 2024 in game #9 vs. UBates in Clinton. 2024 Season Grade: D NESCACMAN preseason predicted finish: 2-7

NESCACMAN Offensive Player of the Year
Finalists: QB Niko Candido, Wesleyan; WR Chase Wilson, Wesleyan; QB Zander Zebrowski, Hartford State; WR Nolan O'Brien, Hartford State; QB Michael Berluti, Tufts; RB Ryan Lynskey, UBates
Will Win: Zander Zebrowski, Hartford State
Should Win: Niko Candido, Wesleyan
NESCACMAN Offensive Player of the Year: WR Chase Wilson, Wesleyan
Chase was the offensive leader for the 2024 NESCAC Champs...he was double teamed on nearly every play all year...despite that, Chase was second in the NESCAC in yards receiving, second in TD receptions, first in yards per catch (over 20 receptions) and had the longest TD reception of the year. Wesleyan lost their #2 receiver to injury in the Spring (Jared Lindstrom), lost their #3 receiver to injury mid-way through the year, and started a converted DB at WR. To say opposing defenses focused on Chase is an understatement. Despite all of that, Chase excelled.

NESCACMAN Defensive Player of the Year
Finalists: DB Dylan Connors, Wesleyan; LB Ben Carbeau, Wesleyan; LB Julian Young, Colby; LB Koy Price, Bowdoin; DB Luke Harmon, Amherst
Will Win: LB Koy Price, Bowdoin
Should Win: LB Ben Carbeau, Wesleyan
NESCACMAN Defensive Player of the Year: LB Ben Carbeau, Wesleyan
Ben was the unequivocable leader of the best defense in the league...he played nearly every down all season almost never coming off the field...he was 4th in the NESCAC in tackles, 2nd in TFL, 4th in sacks, forced a fumble and recovered a fumble. Wesleyan led the NESCAC in scoring defense, total defense and many other defensive categories. Ben was the best defensive player on the best defense, so he gets our nod.

NESCACMAN Special Teams Player of the Year
Finalists: P/K Gage Hammond, Wesleyan; K Matthew Jumes, Hartford State; K Vaughn Seelicke, Tufts; K Ivan Shuran, Williams; P Tighe Hoey, Hamilton
NESCACMAN Special Teams Player of the Year: P Tighe Hoey, Hamilton
Many talented kickers in the league this year. Tighe led the NESCAC in punting averaging over 44 yards a punt (2nd in the country), tied for the longest punt of the season (70 yards), had 16 punts of 50+ yards, and put 19 of his 52 punts inside the 20. If the Conts didn't have Hoey, some of their close games may have been blow-outs.

NESCACMAN Rookie of the Year:
Finalists: RB Connor McClellan, Middlebury; RB Matt Diaz, Wesleyan; WR Jack Nye, Colby
Will Win: RB Connor McClellan, Middlebury
Should Win: RB Matt Diaz, Wesleyan
NESCACMAN Rookie of the Year: WR Jack Nye, Colby
Jack burst onto the scene and finished the season with 36 catches for 526 yards and a TD. He was 11th in receptions in the NESCAC as a FY and 6th in yards. He was also 12th in YPC. Should be a big part of the Colby offense in 2025.

NESCACMAN Coaching Staff of the Year:
Will Win: Wesleyan
Should Win: Wesleyan
NESCACMAN Coaching Staff of the Year: Wesleyan
Really? Great job by Coach DiCenzo and his entire staff. Special shout out to Coach Sheeks for the job that he did with the Wesleyan defense (and convincing Nick Donatio to transfer to Wes). Imagine if he was as persuasive with Julian Young?

NESCACMAN's Picks:
2024 Season: 38-7 (.844 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: 361-114 (.760 winning percentage)

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Follow NESCACMAN us on X: @realnescacman

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Nine Weeks: A NESCAC Football Podcast

Episode 9 available now! Episode 10 will be available later this week.

Episode 10 will feature Wesleyan Head Football Coach Dan DiCenzo, Wesleyan WR Chase Wilson, and Wesleyan DL Mike Rowan. 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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YouTube: 9 Weeks Nescac

[nescac1]

1. Trin 9-0, I can't see any case for Jumes over Shuran for first team kicker THIS year.  Like Jumes, Shuran was perfect on the season, but he made 9 field goals to Jumes' 7, and Shuran converted 43, 44, and 47 yard kicks (all of those clutch kicks in huge situations in one-possession games), while Jumes' season-long kick was only 34 yards.  The Ephs will really miss Shuran next season.

2. Credit to Nescacman, coming within one game on every team's win total is pretty darn impressive. 

3. Tough blow to Tufts if they do, indeed, lose Richardson.  If he does leave, Tufts loses eight of its top ten tacklers, returns only three starters on defense and 4 on offense, loses its four-year starter at QB plus his back-up, and also loses its all-conference kick and punt returner. Talk about a transition season - other than at TB, Tufts could be fielding essentially an entirely new team next year.  Next year will be a VERY tough year to predict with three of the top four teams (also Midd and Wesleyan) losing SO many critical players from their teams.  Meanwhile some of the bottom tier return nearly everyone, but is that necessarily a good thing?

4. Other than Richardson or, if he is interested, Lynskey, hard to think of an underclassmen who could credibly test the transfer market if so inclined.  I'm sure there is someone but I can't think of any frosh or sophomores who had truly dominant seasons in NESCAC.  Maybe Nye?  But I don't think he's a Richardson / Tomlinson / Lutz level guy, quite. 

[BigKat]

Love that you think the coaches actually examine ST teams stats before making selections. Each team gets an allotment of guys they can put up for all league depending on their record. ( Wesleyan the most, Hamilton the least) If the Trinity and Eph coaches want those two guys on their allotment, they will most likely get it as long as other coaches agree.

And yes whoever said most makes/attempts is most worthy is dead wrong. You don't control those opps as a kicker. Should be based on pct made and then examine clutch kicks as well as distances (in a perfect world)

[Pat Coleman]

Love that you think the coaches actually examine ST teams stats before making selections. Each team gets an allotment of guys they can put up for all league depending on their record. ( Wesleyan the most, Hamilton the least) If the Trinity and Eph coaches want those two guys on their allotment, they will most likely get it as long as other coaches agree.

And yes whoever said most makes/attempts is most worthy is dead wrong. You don't control those opps as a kicker. Should be based on pct made and then examine clutch kicks as well as distances (in a perfect world)

When I pick All-Americans, I actually start with distance. If a kid doesn't have any from beyond 40, he's highly unlikely to make the team.

[Trin9-0]

Jumes may not make All American (although he did last year and was named preseason All American this year). And while you can certainly make the argument that Shuran had a more impressive season based on the number of attempts and distances made, I'll double-down on saying I'd be very surprised if Jumes wasn't the first team All NESCAC kicker for three reasons:

• Jumes still went perfect on the season
• Trinity gets more all-conference slots based on record
• It's rare for players who previously made first team (in his case twice) to be "demoted" for lack of a better word to second team.

One final note, Shuran actually did miss an important 28 yard kick in the 4th quarter against Wesleyan. However, he got bailed out by a questionable roughing call.

[Nescacman]

Jumes may not make All American (although he did last year and was named preseason All American this year). And while you can certainly make the argument that Shuran had a more impressive season based on the number of attempts and distances made, I'll double-down on saying I'd be very surprised if Jumes wasn't the first team All NESCAC kicker for three reasons:

• Jumes still went perfect on the season
• Trinity gets more all-conference slots based on record
• It's rare for players who previously made first team (in his case twice) to be "demoted" for lack of a better word to second team.

One final note, Shuran actually did miss an important 28 yard kick in the 4th quarter against Wesleyan. However, he got bailed out by a questionable roughing call.

Just to add, a lot will depend on whether a Coach wants to push for a kicker (who appears in maybe 5-7 plays a game) or a lineman (who appears in maybe 40 plays a game). You are correct that each team sort of gets an allocation based on record. No doubt that Wes will have the most All-NESCACers and Hamilton will have the fewest. Also gives the better teams an inside track on the league-wide awards.

NM

[GroundandPound]

The Number of ALL-NESCAC Players from the top four teams over the last five years:

2017
1. Trinity  14
2. Middlebury 10
3. Amherst 10
4. Wesleyan 8

2018
1. Trinity (8-1)  12
2. Amherst (8-1) 12
3. Tufts  7
4. Middlebury 7
4. Wesleyan 6

2019
1. Middlebury 11
2. Wesleyan 13
3. Trinity 9
4. Amherst 7

2021
1. Williams 11
2. Trinity 10
3. Wesleyan 8
4. Amherst 6

2022:
1. Trinity 14
2. Middlebury 8
3. Tufts 8
3. Wesleyan 8
4. Colby 5

2023:
1.Trin: 14
1.Midd:12
2. Tufts: 13
2. Wes: 6
3. Amherst: 3
4. Bowdoin: 5

[GroundandPound]

Carbeau Tackles 66 (32/34) TFLs 14.5 (13/3) Sacks 7  (6/2)   0 int   0 pass defend  1 fum rec   1 forc fumb
Price   Tackles 45 (30/15) TFLs 16 (13/6) Sacks   10 (8/4)   1 int   4 pass defend   1 fum rec  3 forc fumb

I agree with NM re: DPOY should be Carbeau.  To me the 20 more tackles is a significant difference that I put more weight into than the other categories which are all relatively close except pass def and forc fumb.  Also, his stats are outstanding production on the NO. 1 Defense in the 'CAC.