FB: Empire 8

[dlippiel]

After facing MUC a couple years earlier than expected due to the playoff runs, I wonder what SJF thinks about scheduling them to open the season?

Honestly, I think they bit off more than they could chew especially since they also have Salisbury on the same schedule. Look at other regional powers like Ithaca, RPI and Hobart.  Both LL teams are considered regional powers but go about it different ways.  RPI fills the schedule with cream puffs (Endicott and Utica) and Hobart schedules middle of the road teams from other conferences (Dickinson and Carnegie Mellon).  Ithaca goes out and schedules two state schools that have been extremely tough in Port and Cortland as well as scheduling two MAC schools in Lyco and Kings. 

Sure SJF has teams like UR and Buff State but that's no reason to go ahead and put Salisbury AND Mount Union on the schedule.  They don't have to load up on cakes and schedule teams like Mt Ida and Husson but they should find a nice balance on the schedule of tough teams and winnable games.

Upstate I think Union should be in that conversation as well. The LL is a three headed monster year in and year out. Union, even though they have fallen off a bit, still should be considered a power in the East. This year will tell alot. If you look at RPI, Bart, and Union's schedule da "U" schedule is clearly the most challenging not only in the conference but in the entire east. From what I have heard this schedule will continue this way next year when they are on the road for both RPI and Bart. If you're talking about East powers and difficult schedules "U" must be in that discussion this year. How can you possibly say RPI schedules cream puffs? I mean it always works for them doesn't it? Well I guess not last year, or the year before, or the year before.....just playing guys 

[pumkinattack]

With a ten game schedule and a strong SOS you can make the playoffs (see Hobart in 2007 - 9-2 Dickinson, 7-4 CMU and 8-3 Alfred) without winning your conference.  You just can't lose two OOC AND lose the conference title.  So there's nothing wrong with having two tough games.  I thought the theory with Mt. Union was about preparing for the season by playing the very best to start the season off.  If you assume a Mt. Union loss, then you have to win 2 out of 3 between IC, Salisbury and Alfred and you still have a pretty good shot at getting in. 

I also think there might be some historical bias with respect to Ithaca's scheduling the last few years.  Not that's it's not good, but it's not great.  Brockport, whom I think is a solid program, is basically a .500 team the last five or six years.  Cortland has put together four very good years, but before that they were a .500 team with one great year.  Kings and Lyco have been pretty mediocre, in general over the last 5 or 6 years.  This year, IC has SLU and Widener, who's generally pretty good, but coming off a 4-6 year and Union, whom I expect to be strong, but is coming off a 10-9 record the last two years and has been declining since 2005.  It seems more like a reputational schedule, although if Widener is strong and Union plays as I expect them to, it will be fairly tough (expecially Union in Schenectadeck).

[Jonny Utah]

With a ten game schedule and a strong SOS you can make the playoffs (see Hobart in 2007 - 9-2 Dickinson, 7-4 CMU and 8-3 Alfred) without winning your conference.  You just can't lose two OOC AND lose the conference title.  So there's nothing wrong with having two tough games.  I thought the theory with Mt. Union was about preparing for the season by playing the very best to start the season off.  If you assume a Mt. Union loss, then you have to win 2 out of 3 between IC, Salisbury and Alfred and you still have a pretty good shot at getting in. 

I also think there might be some historical bias with respect to Ithaca's scheduling the last few years.  Not that's it's not good, but it's not great.  Brockport, whom I think is a solid program, is basically a .500 team the last five or six years.  Cortland has put together four very good years, but before that they were a .500 team with one great year.  Kings and Lyco have been pretty mediocre, in general over the last 5 or 6 years.  This year, IC has SLU and Widener, who's generally pretty good, but coming off a 4-6 year and Union, whom I expect to be strong, but is coming off a 10-9 record the last two years and has been declining since 2005.  It seems more like a reputational schedule, although if Widener is strong and Union plays as I expect them to, it will be fairly tough (expecially Union in Schenectadeck).

Ithaca hasn't played Brockport in a couple years because of a scheduling I think.  My experience with Ithacas nonleague schedule is that they don't care who they play, except they do not play the programs that have just started up.  It doesn't appear that they try to play the best teams or the worst teams, but just those teams have the open dates and want to set up 2 year series.

[AUPepBand]

Pep is wondering what changes, if any, are being made at any NYS d3 stadiums in preparation for the 2009 season? Kaz00 will no doubt be pleased that absolutely nothing has (or will) be done to replace/renovate/upgrade/clean the Manly Merrill Men's Room Urinal Trough. And while nothing really changes within the Merrill Field Complex, the new 520-seat proscenium theater that comprises "Phase II" of the Miller Performing Arts Center is taking shape just behind (above) the visitors bleachers.

What once was a wooded hillside backdrop to the football field has now become a performing arts complex hovering, so precariously perched, over the (outdated) astroturf-12 gridiron. Pep wonders:
--Will RPI be in its amazing new stadium?
--Will St. John Fisher upgrade its visitors' seating before arrival of the defending national d3 champs?
--Will the Baron von Steuben's new carpet produce more wins at Hamilton College for Coach Steve von Stetson?
--Are there other changes anywhere that have fallen victim to Pep's memory lapses?

Pep needs to know.

[theoriginalupstate]

Pep, if it's not done now it won't be by the time MUC gets here.  SJF hosts the Bills training camp so I doubt they'll be working on it during camp...

[pumkinattack]

JU,

  I was kind of responding to another post that seemed to inflate IC's schedule at the expense of the LL.  I played in an era where IC was the be all, end all of the East (other than Rowan, though we had a special hatred for Union and even got to "dance" with them a little after one game on their turf - 97, I think), so I get that IC doesn't care about who they play - that's my biased persepctive. 

  We all here are obviously a little myopic about football, but I sometimes wonder when people discuss the great attributes of DIII football (student athlete, etc.), but then spend so much time focusing on scheduling from year to year.  I like that we've played Dickinson for at least 14 - 15 years in a row as the opener.  Good liberal arts school, far enough away to be interesting.  I'd like to have that tenth game to play around with, but I don't see anything wrong with establishing relationships with schools outside of conference play and sticking with that (IC obviously does it with Cortland). 

Pep,

  Boswell field is being upgraded, but its going to happen between football and lax.  It was supposed to happen last year, but this little economic hiccup delayed it.  Here's what's being done for 2010:

Boswell Field
Built in 1974, Boswell Field currently hosts Hobart football games in the fall and Hobart lacrosse in the spring. By upgrading its natural grass surface to a state-of-the-art synthetic one, the field will be able to support a variety of both Colleges' varsity teams as well as intramurals, club sports, and summer sports camps. Additional planned renovations include state-of-the art lighting for the stadium; an expanded press box with dedicated spaces for announcers, coaches, the media, and special guests; a renovated gatehouse with a permanent ticket booth; a jogging track bordering the perimeter of Boswell Field; a berm with boxwood hedges shaped in the letters HWS on the east side of the field opposite the main grandstand; and a new pedestrian pathway to better connect the athletic fields with the main campus.

[theoriginalupstate]

JU,

  I was kind of responding to another post that seemed to inflate IC's schedule at the expense of the LL. 

I wasn't inflating IC's schedule or demeaning anyone's (except RPI's) schedule in the LL.  I was showing how other East region powers (IC, Bart, RPI) went about scheduling their OOC games to point out that you don't have to take on the world in a season to be successful.  Instead of scheduling MUC and Salisbury to go along with the E8 schedule and the Courage Bowl go out and find a mix of tough teams and winnable games. 

[AUPepBand]

Pep, if it's not done now it won't be by the time MUC gets here.  SJF hosts the Bills training camp so I doubt they'll be working on it during camp...

Has there been any announcement of what will be done at Growney?

[Jonny Utah]

JU,

  I was kind of responding to another post that seemed to inflate IC's schedule at the expense of the LL.  I played in an era where IC was the be all, end all of the East (other than Rowan, though we had a special hatred for Union and even got to "dance" with them a little after one game on their turf - 97, I think), so I get that IC doesn't care about who they play - that's my biased persepctive. 

  We all here are obviously a little myopic about football, but I sometimes wonder when people discuss the great attributes of DIII football (student athlete, etc.), but then spend so much time focusing on scheduling from year to year.  I like that we've played Dickinson for at least 14 - 15 years in a row as the opener.  Good liberal arts school, far enough away to be interesting.  I'd like to have that tenth game to play around with, but I don't see anything wrong with establishing relationships with schools outside of conference play and sticking with that (IC obviously does it with Cortland). 

I didn't mean anything by what I said, but it just seems like Ithaca plays 10 games because thats what football teams do.  Its more fun for everyone all around.  It doesn't matter what type of school they are, but if a good tradition builds, they try to stick with it (Buff State in the 1990s, Brockport in the late 1990s, AIC from 1970s through 1990s, and now hopfully Union).  Of course Cortland is different than most d3 games and pretty much has to be played at the expense of any league, division or school type.  And St. Lawrence always needs some help and is a natural upstate rivalry.

I know there something happened when Ithaca/Hobart lax and football didnt play each other for a while, but thats a series that needs to happen in my opinion.

[pumkinattack]

I really wish IC was back on our schedule.  It's been what, about 6 or 7 years?  We had finally cracked through too (I was on the wrong end of a couple of beatdowns including one where we felt good coming into the game and got smacked like 44-13 or something like that and both our scores came after all of Ithaca's) before the league thing ended it.  I agree about the ten games and wish Hobart had the tenth, but it just ain't happening unless we get more boosters like the Cairns'.

BTW, I know I dropped their questionable record on you earlier, but watch out for Union this year.  They've got some talent on offense (not as sure about their D).  If they can replace their left tackle (Morello?) with someone who's even 75% as good they're making the playoffs this year (I just hope it is as a pool C).  In fact, I think Coney is better than Arciddio-whatever and the receivers are playmakers (maybe not as fast as the 2005 guys, but more athletic and physical).   

Upstate,

  Like I said, you only have to win 2 - 4 vs. the two OOC and two tough conference games and you have a pretty good shot at getting in.  3 of 4 and you're in almost every year (assuming Salisbury and Alfred put up +.667 records).  You might be better off with a comparable quality team to Salisbury who plays a more traditional offense.  Teams like Salisbury, Springfield, Carnegie Mellon are just tough physical games and to have two of those is probably a bigger issue than the relative quality of Salisbury.  I'm pretty sure that the U of R game is more than winnable.  They've pulled a couple of decent wins over the past few years, but really that's not a challenge until they win one.  Hobart's played them like 80 or 90 times and it's only about 40 minutes down the road, so it's just as much, if not more a rivalry for Hobart and I consider it a failure when Bart doesn't win against them.     

[fisheralum91]

if anybody has some insight on the improvements on growney please tell us about them.
as happy and proud as an alum as i am about the stadium as a whole--the lack of bathrooms and the embarassing visitors section leaves this old alum with a bit of disappointment when going to see the alma mater.

[AUPepBand]

Pep encourages E8 posters to view the linked video to be introduced to A-P Football Coach Ed Thomas, who was murdered yesterday morning...

http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/45146242.html?video=pop&t=a

He was a class act, a successful coach in the true sense of the word, both in Wins and Losses on the field, but more importantly, in encouraging young men to become successful in life...as husbands, fathers, citizens. His emphasis was relationships. Pep never knew the guy, but mourns his loss just the same because it's apparent this guy was the real deal. Pep's prayers are for those he left behind...and for the disturbed young man who took Coach Thomas' life. 'Tis a sad day for football indeed.

[dlippiel]

I really wish IC was back on our schedule.  It's been what, about 6 or 7 years?  We had finally cracked through too (I was on the wrong end of a couple of beatdowns including one where we felt good coming into the game and got smacked like 44-13 or something like that and both our scores came after all of Ithaca's) before the league thing ended it.  I agree about the ten games and wish Hobart had the tenth, but it just ain't happening unless we get more boosters like the Cairns'.

BTW, I know I dropped their questionable record on you earlier, but watch out for Union this year.  They've got some talent on offense (not as sure about their D).  If they can replace their left tackle (Morello?) with someone who's even 75% as good they're making the playoffs this year (I just hope it is as a pool C).  In fact, I think Coney is better than Arciddio-whatever and the receivers are playmakers (maybe not as fast as the 2005 guys, but more athletic and physical).   

Upstate,

  Like I said, you only have to win 2 - 4 vs. the two OOC and two tough conference games and you have a pretty good shot at getting in.  3 of 4 and you're in almost every year (assuming Salisbury and Alfred put up +.667 records).  You might be better off with a comparable quality team to Salisbury who plays a more traditional offense.  Teams like Salisbury, Springfield, Carnegie Mellon are just tough physical games and to have two of those is probably a bigger issue than the relative quality of Salisbury.  I'm pretty sure that the U of R game is more than winnable.  They've pulled a couple of decent wins over the past few years, but really that's not a challenge until they win one.  Hobart's played them like 80 or 90 times and it's only about 40 minutes down the road, so it's just as much, if not more a rivalry for Hobart and I consider it a failure when Bart doesn't win against them.     

I agree (not just because I am a HUGE "U" fan)...(well maybe a little) I think the Dutch have a ton of potential this year. To me, anything short of an NCAA birth will be quite disappointing. With that said, their schedule is going to be quite challenging. If there has ever been a year in the last four to stop the bleeding to RPI this is the one.

[AUPepBand]

Pep is excited about AU's 2009 season.

Coach Murray certainly faces a stiff challenge in replacing his defensive secondary with the graduation of Defensive MVP Brian Nitsche, E8 second team All-Star Ron Smith, and Matt VanWert. But Pep is hoping that AU's outstanding linebacking corps and D-line will keep the pressure on opposing QBs while taking some of the pressure off a young secondary. It will be fun to watch LB Chad Pieri (who returns from an injury after an outstanding '07 season) together with '08  standout LB Nick Clark, who Pep believes is "playing cowboy" out west this summer.

Offensively, if Tom Secky improves over his freshman performance, the Saxons could be on track to set a scoring record, what with WRs Jared Manzer and Milton Harding back. Another speedster would help Secky, and then there's always a "Hail Mary to the (TE D.J.) Pope". Pep is hoping Hendrix will be back in top form after an injury-plagued '08 campaign. Murray will need a workhorse back-up and Pep is thinking he'll probably find that during camp among some promising recruits, among them Chuck Beckwith of Victor, Outstanding Offensive Back of the Section V Class A Championship Game.

Alfred will need to improve its special teams play in 2009 in order to finish better than the Saxons' 7-4 mark from '09, particularly with kick-offs and placekicking.

The ever optimistic Pep looks forward to an exciting season. On Saxon Warriors!!

[AUKaz00]

Pep is excited about AU's 2009 season.

Coach Murray certainly faces a stiff challenge in replacing his defensive secondary with the graduation of Defensive MVP Brian Nitsche, E8 second team All-Star Ron Smith, and Matt VanWert. But Pep is hoping that AU's outstanding linebacking corps and D-line will keep the pressure on opposing QBs while taking some of the pressure off a young secondary. It will be fun to watch LB Chad Pieri (who returns from an injury after an outstanding '07 season) together with '08  standout LB Nick Clark, who Pep believes is "playing cowboy" out west this summer.

Offensively, if Tom Secky improves over his freshman performance, the Saxons could be on track to set a scoring record, what with WRs Jared Manzer and Milton Harding back. Another speedster would help Secky, and then there's always a "Hail Mary to the (TE D.J.) Pope". Pep is hoping Hendrix will be back in top form after an injury-plagued '08 campaign. Murray will need a workhorse back-up and Pep is thinking he'll probably find that during camp among some promising recruits, among them Chuck Beckwith of Victor, Outstanding Offensive Back of the Section V Class A Championship Game.

Alfred will need to improve its special teams play in 2009 in order to finish better than the Saxons' 7-4 mark from '09, particularly with kick-offs and placekicking.

The ever optimistic Pep looks forward to an exciting season. On Saxon Warriors!!

And I'm looking forward to another exiting season at Merrill Field!