FB: Empire 8

[Yanks 99]

Silent night after night after night after night....

Anybody out there?

Worst time of the year right now...the longest stretch between football games.  I hate the offseason...

[AUPepBand]

Pep is just back from a high school basketball game...but back to the topic, Pep got a glimpse of the 2011 Alfred football schedule and it looks like this:

Week 1--(Sept. 3)--OPEN
Week 2--(Sept. 10)--RENSSELAER
Week 3--(Sept. 17)--ST. LAWRENCE
Week 4--(Sept. 24)--SPRINGFIELD
Week 5--(Oct. 1)--at St. John Fisher
Week 6--(Oct. 8)--HARTWICK
Week 7--(Oct. 15)--SALISBURY STATE
Week 8--(Oct. 22)--at Frostburg State
Week 9--(Oct. 29)--at Rochester
Week 10--(Nov. 5)--at Ithaca
Week 11--(Nov. 12)--UTICA

Pep is pleased that there will be SIX games at Merrill Field, just 98 stairs down from the band room. As for road trips, the Saxons have (probable) day trips to Fisher (157 miles), Rochester (153 miles) and Ithaca (195 miles) with the only long trip to Frostburg State, MD (574 miles).

Perhaps AUPepBandWagon II will get through the 2011 season. Meanwhile, the original AU PepBandWagon is scheduled for withdrawal from the AU Pep BandWagon Fleet this week.

On Saxon Warriors!

[AUKaz00]

The point is to me they both were overrated.  So if neither team blew out the other, they were overrated together.  Thats what I'm saying.  To me, two teams that didn't deserve to be there and played to a basic stalemate, only cemented the point that they shouldn't be playing with the big boys.  To me, if TCU blew out Boise State, I would think maybe they should be playing against Alabama, Florida, Texas, Oklahoma, etc.  But since, to me, neither deserved to be playing there in the first place, neither deserved any recognition over the win.  Thats the point im making.  

THIS MAKES NO SENSE. They played each other well; in what universe does this automatically mean they both SUCK rather than they are both GOOD, or MEDIOCRE or WHATEVER.

And how the hell would one blowing the other out prove they were any GOOD? Ithaca blew out St. L, I guess we should get the Pool C bid just for that!

You guys have no idea what I'm talking about because you give Boise State and teams like that respect.  You will never know what I'm talking about because you have already, for some reason, given into the notion that Boise State should be suiting up in January to play for the National Championship. You guys think the TCU win was a good one.  I dont.  That's the point.  It would be a good win if they blew them out.  But they didn't.  To me, it was no different than Boise State beating Oregon State this year.  Yes they won.  But to me, they didn't prove anything with the win.  That's why I'm saying they need to have blown them out.  

The respect i'm giving them is they haven't lost in a long time.  And it's the NCAA's fault that we don't know for sure how good they are.  Does anyone here think they would be Alabama or Ohio State?  They might be able to.  But no one knows.  THAT IS THE POINT DUDE!!!

It wasn't the point I was trying to make DUDE.

Riiiiiiiight.  The point was that Boise State sucks because they only beat undefeated 3rd ranked TCU by 7 in the Fiesta Bowl last year.  Got it!

The point was they didn't and don't deserve their ranking or the title of being contenders for the National Title because they haven't beaten quality teams.  And that TCU didn't deserve it either.   

Where's our favorite former Saxon telling us how much TCU and Boise State suck...

[HSCTiger74]

The point is to me they both were overrated.  So if neither team blew out the other, they were overrated together.  Thats what I'm saying.  To me, two teams that didn't deserve to be there and played to a basic stalemate, only cemented the point that they shouldn't be playing with the big boys.  To me, if TCU blew out Boise State, I would think maybe they should be playing against Alabama, Florida, Texas, Oklahoma, etc.  But since, to me, neither deserved to be playing there in the first place, neither deserved any recognition over the win.  Thats the point im making.  

THIS MAKES NO SENSE. They played each other well; in what universe does this automatically mean they both SUCK rather than they are both GOOD, or MEDIOCRE or WHATEVER.

And how the hell would one blowing the other out prove they were any GOOD? Ithaca blew out St. L, I guess we should get the Pool C bid just for that!

You guys have no idea what I'm talking about because you give Boise State and teams like that respect.  You will never know what I'm talking about because you have already, for some reason, given into the notion that Boise State should be suiting up in January to play for the National Championship. You guys think the TCU win was a good one.  I dont.  That's the point.  It would be a good win if they blew them out.  But they didn't.  To me, it was no different than Boise State beating Oregon State this year.  Yes they won.  But to me, they didn't prove anything with the win.  That's why I'm saying they need to have blown them out.  

The respect i'm giving them is they haven't lost in a long time.  And it's the NCAA's fault that we don't know for sure how good they are.  Does anyone here think they would be Alabama or Ohio State?  They might be able to.  But no one knows.  THAT IS THE POINT DUDE!!!

It wasn't the point I was trying to make DUDE.

Riiiiiiiight.  The point was that Boise State sucks because they only beat undefeated 3rd ranked TCU by 7 in the Fiesta Bowl last year.  Got it!

The point was they didn't and don't deserve their ranking or the title of being contenders for the National Title because they haven't beaten quality teams.  And that TCU didn't deserve it either.   

Where's our favorite former Saxon telling us how much TCU and Boise State suck...

Probably trying to come up with a seemingly rational argument proving that Wisconsin was never that good to begin with.

[sjfcards]

The point is to me they both were overrated.  So if neither team blew out the other, they were overrated together.  Thats what I'm saying.  To me, two teams that didn't deserve to be there and played to a basic stalemate, only cemented the point that they shouldn't be playing with the big boys.  To me, if TCU blew out Boise State, I would think maybe they should be playing against Alabama, Florida, Texas, Oklahoma, etc.  But since, to me, neither deserved to be playing there in the first place, neither deserved any recognition over the win.  Thats the point im making.  

THIS MAKES NO SENSE. They played each other well; in what universe does this automatically mean they both SUCK rather than they are both GOOD, or MEDIOCRE or WHATEVER.

And how the hell would one blowing the other out prove they were any GOOD? Ithaca blew out St. L, I guess we should get the Pool C bid just for that!

You guys have no idea what I'm talking about because you give Boise State and teams like that respect.  You will never know what I'm talking about because you have already, for some reason, given into the notion that Boise State should be suiting up in January to play for the National Championship. You guys think the TCU win was a good one.  I dont.  That's the point.  It would be a good win if they blew them out.  But they didn't.  To me, it was no different than Boise State beating Oregon State this year.  Yes they won.  But to me, they didn't prove anything with the win.  That's why I'm saying they need to have blown them out.  

The respect i'm giving them is they haven't lost in a long time.  And it's the NCAA's fault that we don't know for sure how good they are.  Does anyone here think they would be Alabama or Ohio State?  They might be able to.  But no one knows.  THAT IS THE POINT DUDE!!!

It wasn't the point I was trying to make DUDE.

Riiiiiiiight.  The point was that Boise State sucks because they only beat undefeated 3rd ranked TCU by 7 in the Fiesta Bowl last year.  Got it!

The point was they didn't and don't deserve their ranking or the title of being contenders for the National Title because they haven't beaten quality teams.  And that TCU didn't deserve it either.    

Where's our favorite former Saxon telling us how much TCU and Boise State suck...

I would argue that we can officially put the "those small schools are not as good" argument to bed. TCU and Boise State can beat anyone on a neutral field.

I always hear,"if they played in the SEC" blah, blah, blah. What has Ohio State done against SEC teams lately? No one questions that if OSU won all their games they would be in the title game. Utah has more BCS bowl wins against the SEC than the Big 10. If those teams win all of their games and are one of two undefeated teams in the country, they should have a chance to play for the title.

[Mr. Ypsi]

The point is to me they both were overrated.  So if neither team blew out the other, they were overrated together.  Thats what I'm saying.  To me, two teams that didn't deserve to be there and played to a basic stalemate, only cemented the point that they shouldn't be playing with the big boys.  To me, if TCU blew out Boise State, I would think maybe they should be playing against Alabama, Florida, Texas, Oklahoma, etc.  But since, to me, neither deserved to be playing there in the first place, neither deserved any recognition over the win.  Thats the point im making.  

THIS MAKES NO SENSE. They played each other well; in what universe does this automatically mean they both SUCK rather than they are both GOOD, or MEDIOCRE or WHATEVER.

And how the hell would one blowing the other out prove they were any GOOD? Ithaca blew out St. L, I guess we should get the Pool C bid just for that!

You guys have no idea what I'm talking about because you give Boise State and teams like that respect.  You will never know what I'm talking about because you have already, for some reason, given into the notion that Boise State should be suiting up in January to play for the National Championship. You guys think the TCU win was a good one.  I dont.  That's the point.  It would be a good win if they blew them out.  But they didn't.  To me, it was no different than Boise State beating Oregon State this year.  Yes they won.  But to me, they didn't prove anything with the win.  That's why I'm saying they need to have blown them out.  

The respect i'm giving them is they haven't lost in a long time.  And it's the NCAA's fault that we don't know for sure how good they are.  Does anyone here think they would be Alabama or Ohio State?  They might be able to.  But no one knows.  THAT IS THE POINT DUDE!!!

It wasn't the point I was trying to make DUDE.

Riiiiiiiight.  The point was that Boise State sucks because they only beat undefeated 3rd ranked TCU by 7 in the Fiesta Bowl last year.  Got it!

The point was they didn't and don't deserve their ranking or the title of being contenders for the National Title because they haven't beaten quality teams.  And that TCU didn't deserve it either.    

Where's our favorite former Saxon telling us how much TCU and Boise State suck...

I would argue that we can officially put the "those small schools are not as good" argument to bed. TCU and Boise State can beat anyone on a neutral field.

I always hear,"if they played in the SEC" blah, blah, blah. What has Ohio State done against SEC teams lately? No one questions that if OSU won all their games they would be in the title game. Utah has more BCS bowl wins against the SEC than the Big 10. If those teams win all of their games and are one of two undefeated teams in the country, they should have a chance to play for the title.

At the half, OSU 28, Arkansas 10 - and it is not that close.

[sjfcards]

I should have known that all that USU talk would backfire on me. What was Mallet thinking?

[AUPepBand]

Pep thoroughly enjoyed the Allstate Sugar Bowl last night and, had that Razorback taken his time, picked up the blocked punt and carried it into the end zone, there would still have been a monkey on the Buckeyes' backs.

Even with the big OSU 28-10 halftime lead, Pep knew the Buckeyes would rest on their laurels in the second half, opening the door for the hogs to do their thing. They were fortunate to get out of the Big Easy with a win.

[pg04]

Pep thoroughly enjoyed the Allstate Sugar Bowl last night and, had that Razorback taken his time, picked up the blocked punt and carried it into the end zone, there would still have been a monkey on the Buckeyes' backs.

Even with the big OSU 28-10 halftime lead, Pep knew the Buckeyes would rest on their laurels in the second half, opening the door for the hogs to do their thing. They were fortunate to get out of the Big Easy with a win.

Agreed, Pep.  Had the players been aware of the situation, it would have been ok if they had not recovered the block since they still would have gotten the ball anyway, so why not just try to pick it up and go running?  I know it's easy to say, but still. 

The OSU win doesn't really do anything to boost the Big 10 in my mind. 

[AUPepBand]

2010 marked the end of the original AU Pep Bandwagon, placed in service at a cost of $3500 on Sept. 1, 2001 with 173,000 miles of service to its previous Iowa owner and withdrawn from "the fleet" on Dec. 30, 2010, completing its service with 319,764 miles. In hindsight, Pep's loyalty to the 1992 Grand Caravan apparently can go only so far....and, in this case, 146,764 miles over 9 years and 3 months.

Because of Pep's attachment to said vehicle, it was most difficult taking that final step of separation. There had been all sorts of ideas on how the pep band carrier could go out with a glorious finish....a cross-country trip back to its roots in Iowa, an appearance in a motion picture, or perhaps a smashing performance in the Demolition Derby at the Allegany County Fair!

So, with the inspection having expired Oct. 31, 2010, the exhaust system in need of replacement and the registration expiring on Dec. 31, 2010, Pep fired up the old faithful Caravan on Thursday, Dec. 30 for a trip to its final resting place, Howbill's Junkyard in Belmont some 15 miles from Pep's home, where the title would be handed over for $200. Pep has retained the rear bench seat and a bucket seat for use in his proposed "Mancave" and also removed the Jensen speakers that had recently been installed together with a CD player. Pep drove the stripped down bandwagon down Vandermark Road to Scio, then up Rt. 19 almost to Belmont to its resting place.

Howbill's buyer walked around the Bandwagon, assessing its condition and appeared satisfied. A younger co-worker looked it over as well and remarked that it was in pretty good shape for a 1992. Then he said, "I've got a friend of mine who would love to get his hands on this thing. He's driven these vans in the Demolition Derby and has done well, just crushing everyone."

Pep burst out in joyous laughter.

"Oh my gosh, I can't believe you said that," Pep remarked, "I have always wanted this van to go out with a smashing successful stint at the County Fair's Demolition Derby!"

Pep left him his cell phone number in the event the bandwagon does indeed make an appearance at the County Fair, so that Pep can be perhaps offer his assistance in painting the van and/or can be present  in the crowd to cheer on this 1992 Dodge Grand Caravan--a true Saxon Warrior--to victory. It's been a great ride!

On Saxon Warriors!

[cave2bens]

2010 marked the end of the original AU Pep Bandwagon, placed in service at a cost of $3500 on Sept. 1, 2001 with 173,000 miles of service to its previous Iowa owner and withdrawn from "the fleet" on Dec. 30, 2010, completing its service with 319,764 miles. In hindsight, Pep's loyalty to the 1992 Grand Caravan apparently can go only so far....and, in this case, 146,764 miles over 9 years and 3 months.

Because of Pep's attachment to said vehicle, it was most difficult taking that final step of separation. ...

Pep left him his cell phone number in the event the bandwagon does indeed make an appearance at the County Fair, so that Pep can be perhaps offer his assistance in painting the van and/or can be present  in the crowd to cheer on this 1992 Dodge Grand Caravan--a true Saxon Warrior--to victory. It's been a great ride!

On Saxon Warriors!

Post only cut in interest of space, not content, Pep.  Truly a magnificent requiem, on par with Mozart's or Beethoven's.    Here's to an equally beneficial (and +k for luck), love affair with "her successor" - and the van played on.  

[AUPepBand]

Congratulations to the following former Empire 8 student-athletes who were included on this website's 2000s All-Decade Team:

BRENNAN FORTUNE, St. John Fisher, 2nd Team Offensive Tackle

MARK ROBINSON, St. John Fisher, 3rd Team Running Back

ADAM GROSSMAN, Ithaca, 3rd Team Offensive Guard

GENE LANG, St. John Fisher, 3rd Team Linebacker

STEVE STEPNICK, St. John Fisher, 3rd Team Cornerback

JACK PHELAN, Hartwick, 4th Team Wide Receiver

[Yanks 99]

Congratulations to the following former Empire 8 student-athletes who were included on this website's 2000s All-Decade Team:

BRENNAN FORTUNE, St. John Fisher, 2nd Team Offensive Tackle

MARK ROBINSON, St. John Fisher, 3rd Team Running Back

ADAM GROSSMAN, Ithaca, 3rd Team Offensive Guard

GENE LANG, St. John Fisher, 3rd Team Linebacker

STEVE STEPNICK, St. John Fisher, 3rd Team Cornerback

JACK PHELAN, Hartwick, 4th Team Wide Receiver

I was really surpised that Brady from Alfred didn't make this list.  Guy was an animal.  Also...Micheli making 1st Team All-Decade QB in my opinion is awful...

[labart96]

How is Micheli's first team selection awful in your opinion? 

He won the Gagliardi and two Stagg Bowls.  Interested in your thoughts b/c there are not a lot of guys with that on their resume.

[Yanks 99]

How is Micheli's first team selection awful in your opinion? 

He won the Gagliardi and two Stagg Bowls.  Interested in your thoughts b/c there are not a lot of guys with that on their resume.

Personally, I thought Brett Elliott was by far and away the best QB that D3 has had over the past decade. 

Brett Elliott played with just one other offensive All-Decade player during his time, WR Casey Allen (I am not including the kicker that made the team).  Micheli played with 5 on offense during his time...Kmic, Garcon, Blanchard, Shorts, and Safran.  And Micheli was never the offensive focal point...Kmic was.  Plus Elliot's stats were way better, he was the focal point of the offense, and he also won the Gagliardi and a National Championship.

"Awful" may be too strong...maybe awfully surprising, but at the end of the day not that surprising?