FB: Empire 8

[AUPepBand]

And yes I am going to have a tough time filling out my top 10 this week!  If fisher loses than who knows what might happen.  Alfred to 1?? 

Pep would be tooting his horn all week if that happens

+K MIOH.... Pep bought a trumpet at a yard sale three years ago and attempted to learn how to play it since AU Pep Band lacked trumpets. Pep was kicked out of the house. In probably one of his smartest moves ever, Pep gave the trumpet to a second cousin who played very well for the band despite his being only 12 years old. Presently, Pep "don't want to work, Pep wants to bang on the drum all day."

[maninyellowhat]

Well, the loss in Oneonta is kind of deflating, but I'm still exited to get back to Butterfield for the first time in a couple years this weekend.  Who else is going to be there?  I know Tags is in, and the usual Bomber faithful.  Anyone else?

[ICemanJK]

Well, the loss in Oneonta is kind of deflating, but I'm still exited to get back to Butterfield for the first time in a couple years this weekend.  Who else is going to be there?  I know Tags is in, and the usual Bomber faithful.  Anyone else?

JK will be there, might be arriving at game time due to softball's alumni game that morning

[theoriginalupstate]

SJF's new uniforms this season...

[boobyhasgameyo]

I should be going to the game if all goes well. 

[boobyhasgameyo]

I know alot of people seem to like the new uniforms.  I just think they are ok, not a big fan of the lime green trim on them.  Bigger fan of the old ones I suppose. 

[theoriginalupstate]

I know alot of people seem to like the new uniforms.  I just think they are ok, not a big fan of the lime green trim on them.  Bigger fan of the old ones I suppose. 

Im still up in the air about them.  They look sharp but I was kinda partial to the old ones...

[Knightstalker]

I don't believe Alfred has been in the top 25.  Probably the closest they came was two years ago after beating SJF, although I seem to remember a controversy as the first poll following that game did not reflect respect for AU's victory.  A good number of people referred to the poll as a joke.  The next pol showed AU much higher in the also mentions.  Before the current system AU won the Lambert Bowl (a trophy, not a game) in the early 70's as the "Best Small College Team In The East."  They also made it into the playoff system I think around 1989 as it was at that time.

Alfred won the ECAC championship over Bridgewater State (MA) in 1989.  They were controversially left out of the 16 team NCAA field.  Union won the East and went on to play for the NCAA championship.

Alfred's undefeated 1981 team is the Saxons' lone entry in the NCAA Championships. AU (10-0) hosted Montclair State and, in a characteristically low-scoring affair (Sam Sanders' team went 10-0 because of its outstanding defense), suffered a 13-12 loss on Merrill Field.

This guy probably had something to to with that.

[AUPepBand]

KS: Pep can't at present pinpoint whether Chuck Crist was on the coaching staff in 1981....Crist was an assistant to former AU Coach and current AU AD Jim Moretti but can't remember if he was with Sanders, a defensive wizard in his own right. Crist had a son who was an outstanding AU golfer back when the Saxons were still teeing off. Pep believes Crist is now back in his hometown of Salamanca where he's a high school principal.

['gro]

To all Bomber fans, except Jose, you have my sympathies on this close loss.

To Jose, was Hartwick a cupcake that IC choked on or the real thing, like Coke, that backwashed?

ATB

funny line, +k.

[fisheralum91]

ok boys- now that im sufficiently rested after my second trip back to the alma mater in 15+ years, i wanted to thank everybody for the warm reception and insane amounts of food during the tailgate!  Im officially hooked and will be back for another game this year!
Tags and Mark- good to see you- Er and beansie- thanks for holding the seat for me and to all the other fisher faithful that i had the pleasure to speak with and relax and have a cold one with- you guys are all great.  Ill see you in a few weeks!

[theoriginalupstate]

Pretty safe bet that Boltus will be E8 player of the week....

Passing:
17-23 301yds 2 TDs

Rushing:
23 car. 107yds 3TDs


Hartwick could make some noise in the E8 as they also host SJF and SC later in the year....

[er1948]

91-  you could become the "lucky charm" and have to attend more regular-how was the ride home???

[superman57]

FA91- superman is thinking of taking in alumni weekend... wouldn't we be nearing someones 15th

[tecmobowler]

Some thoughts as many of you seem to miss us IC guys!

The Defense

Someone asked what was up with the defense, as they're usually a powerhouse.  Really, the last year I would point to IC's defense being above average was 2004, which also is the only year since I've seen the team that we were legitimate nationial championship contenders.

Since then the defense has been more a "bend but don't break" type.  This has been successful most of the time, but there have been moments they've just plain broke.  The Union playoff game,  2nd half of Fisher last year come to mind.... many will point to the defense yesterday for the loss, but I'd point out that IC gave up 41 points at Hartwick two years ago.

The transition to the 3-4 made a lot of sense with Byers in the middle.  The defensive line looks the best I've seen it this year.  Drescher and Goetz are making tons of tackles, and getting into the backfield.  This bodes really well for the future.  That being said, we haven't had a ton of pressure on the QB from the linebackers.  Outside linebacker is a concern.  The two new starting cornerbacks have gotten a lot of positive talk (from me included) but Cheir was beat like a drum over and over by Crea yesterday. 

I think this will end up being the best defense we've had since 2004, but is not the defensive powerhouse it was around the turn of the century..