FB: New Jersey Athletic Conference

[jdex]

'Smart, prepared, poised' sure fits "Pooch" who's rejoined former Cortland coach Dave Murray for winning AU combo. QBd CSt from '88-91 and remains No. 1 in career completions with 451. Also has school mark for most consecutive completions at 20, and is among passing leaders in other areas including No. 2 with 40 career TD flips. Also second in career 'O' yards with 5,301

[AUPepBand]

Jdex: Thanks for the follow-up. +k   Yup, we're blessed to have "Pooch" here with Coach Murray....and the rest of the AU staff. It's been Pep's observation that the AU coaching staff has way too much fun for their jobs to actually be called "work."

[clandfan]

As for Pitcher, I wouldn't get too excited just yet. He obviously saw the writing on the wall at 'Gate that he wasn't going to play this season and then he'd have to battle with five or six younger guys on the roster next year to be the starter. I've seen many a great high school player not able to translate that success to the college game. I think he'll be a wait and see though it'd be a wonderful story if he did well.

I agree that this would be a great story if it worked out, especially if the younger brother developed and blocked for him.  Remains to be seen but I hear that Pitcher has been nothing but impressive during spring ball, particularly in the leadership category.  By the way, are you aware that there are 4 sets of brothers on this team?  another interesting story.

I heard Smith decided not to return./

[DanPadavona]

I'll check around and see what Smith's status is.  He is on the roster online, and he did announce at the February banquet that he would be back.  Maybe he had a change of heart in the interim.

Jdex is right on the Puccio stats.  Great player!  He writes to me every now and then to check in on Cortland football. 

I know Coach Kaysar is due to come back for the Cortaca Anniversary this season, and I think Coach Murray is coming too.  I hope Pooch makes it.

[DanPadavona]

I just heard from one of the coaches.  Alex Smith has retired and will not return unfortunately.  He did come out for spring ball, but his knee just wasn't holding up the way he wanted it to.

Very unfortunate, but I honestly worried about his health long term if anything were to happen to that knee again.  He has his whole life ahead of him.  Good luck Alex, keep in touch.

[clandfan]

That's too bad.  Good Luck to Alex.  Did I understand you to say that there may even be another QB in the mix, Perhaps a D1A transfer?  Are you sure they weren't referring to Pitcher from Colgate (1AA) ? 

Also heard that two C-State coaches are leaving:  Milne and David.

I look forward to a strong season.  This team could be really good.

[DanPadavona]

Nate Milne is moving up to an Offensive Coordinator position with Susquehanna.  He will be great for their program.  I have heard Kory is leaving too, but I have not heard any specifics as to where.

Pitcher is definitely not the I-AA kid they were talking about.  The other kid was from a New England school like Maine or New Hampshire if memory serves me correctly.

Anyhow, between Miles and Pitcher they have two stud QB's who can lead the team without question.  I haven't seen Pitcher play since HS, but I know he is the real deal.  Any added depth at QB is icing on the cake, and if there is truly someone better than those two, then I want to see it for my own eyes.

[BTEXPRESS]

Kory David was named the new Linebackers coach at Dickinson last week.

[clandfan]

Congrats to Milne and David.  They will be missed and were well respected in the program.  I think that is quite a loss.  It will be interesting to see who comes in.

The QB situation should be interesting.  I would think that this should be Miles' year as a returning Sr. starter but I have heard nothing but positive stuff coming out of the program about pitcher.  Could he make a run for the starting job right out of the chute?  He is a transfer from Colgate...what is his eligibility situation?

You are closer to the program than I am so I am sure you will keep us informed.

[clandfan]

I disagree on Boltus.  He is a stud and proved it last year.  Kids leave D1AA programs for a number of reasons.  Certainly some may have been 'misscouted" but there are academic, injury and other personal reasons.  Don't forget that the NCAA timeline in 1AA is 5 years and the clock starts from day 1.  DIII has ten semesters to fullfill eligibility with no clock.  An injury or personal issue could seriously put one behind the 8-ball as far as getting on the field in 1AA because of that 5 year time clock.  If a kid truly wants to play, he sometimes will go to DIII.  Rehab an injury, resolve a personal issue and not have the 5 year clock ticking.  May get more playing time.  Let's face it, 99% of these kids aren't playing football after college.  If they want to play, sometimes a transfer to a competitive DIII program may be quite attractive.  That being said, I don't know why Boltus transferred, or Pitcher for that matter, but in Boltus' case it certainly appears to have been a good move.  It remains to be seen how Pitcher will make out.

[D3FBFan55]

Any truth to the story that Brockport will be opening up against Frostburg State on 8/28?  That means it would be a 6PM or so start?  What a wak to kick off the season.  I checked both teams sites, but their schedules conflict.   Anyone have details?

[Pat Coleman]

Aug. 28 is not a permissible playing date in Division III, so I doubt it. That's a long way to go for a scrimmage.

Sept. 4 is the first date we can play this year.

[D3FBFan55]

Aug. 28 is not a permissible playing date in Division III, so I doubt it. That's a long way to go for a scrimmage.

Sept. 4 is the first date we can play this year.

Is there anyway a DIII school could start early if they started practice early?

[D3FBFan55]

Who has the nicest facilities in the NJAC?  Including Turf, bleachers, surroundings?  Also, who gets the biggest crowds?

[Pat Coleman]

The date of a school's first practice is based on a formula that includes the date of the first game and the first day of classes.