FB: Empire 8

[bomber3]

Not one mention of the Ithaca game?  It wasn't a blowout like some were fearing, I'm curious to hear about the game.

Not much to say. It wasn't as close as the score indicated, the Bombers' lack of an offense is going to kill them. The defense will keep it interesting most games, but there's not a whole lot to see on offense

I beg to differ.  IC had the ball at the 23 yard line with under 10 minutes to go with a chance to tie it.  Salisbury dominated the first half but I would argue Ithaca was the better team in the second half.  Yes, a lot of it had to do with Salisbury mistakes but Ithaca forced those mistakes.  The offense obiouvsly struggled but I wouldn't say this game was uncontested by any means.  I thought the game was the Bombers to win when they had all the momentum in the 4th quarter after forcing a few punts/turnovers and solid special teams play. 

This upcoming game against Union scares me.  Union is 0-2 but both losses came to decent teams and the combined differential was -4.  Ithaca handled Union last year (so they potentially might underestimate them) and this is a non-conference game after a tough loss.  Also, IC lost to Union at their place two years ago.  If IC wins it won't do them much good unless its a blowout because IC should beat 0-2 Union.  If IC loses, well that obviously wouldn't be good either.  IC needs to regroup, play well this week and figure out the offense during the bye week.  Then beat Hartwick and be 3-1 going into a home game against Fisher.  That is the ideal scenario right now.

[Bombers798891]

Not one mention of the Ithaca game?  It wasn't a blowout like some were fearing, I'm curious to hear about the game.

Not much to say. It wasn't as close as the score indicated, the Bombers' lack of an offense is going to kill them. The defense will keep it interesting most games, but there's not a whole lot to see on offense

I beg to differ.  IC had the ball at the 23 yard line with under 10 minutes to go with a chance to tie it.  Salisbury dominated the first half but I would argue Ithaca was the better team in the second half.  Yes, a lot of it had to do with Salisbury mistakes but Ithaca forced those mistakes.  The offense obiouvsly struggled but I wouldn't say this game was uncontested by any means.  I thought the game was the Bombers to win when they had all the momentum in the 4th quarter after forcing a few punts/turnovers and solid special teams play. 

This upcoming game against Union scares me.  Union is 0-2 but both losses came to decent teams and the combined differential was -4.  Ithaca handled Union last year (so they potentially might underestimate them) and this is a non-conference game after a tough loss.  Also, IC lost to Union at their place two years ago.  If IC wins it won't do them much good unless its a blowout because IC should beat 0-2 Union.  If IC loses, well that obviously wouldn't be good either.  IC needs to regroup, play well this week and figure out the offense during the bye week.  Then beat Hartwick and be 3-1 going into a home game against Fisher.  That is the ideal scenario right now.

Here's what struck me about IC-Salisbury:

1st Downs
Salisbury 24
Ithaca    11

Total Yards
Salisbury 391
Ithaca    208

Time of Possession
Salisbury 37:25
Ithaca    22:35

Those are pretty lopsided. Yes, the score was 14-7 for a stretch, but IC's only two drives after getting it to 14-7 netted 10 yards on seven plays. More to the point, IC had no offensive flow. The passing game was horrible, and the running game mediocre.

There's no shame in going all the way down to Salisbury and getting beat. There's a reason they're a favorite to win the conference.

Union's going to be tough. The offense is more impressive than I thought it would be. Big game for the Bombers. They have got to figure out the passing game

[AUPepBand]

Pep is speechless. No one has said anything on here all day.

[dlippiel]

Not one mention of the Ithaca game?  It wasn't a blowout like some were fearing, I'm curious to hear about the game.

Not much to say. It wasn't as close as the score indicated, the Bombers' lack of an offense is going to kill them. The defense will keep it interesting most games, but there's not a whole lot to see on offense

I beg to differ.  IC had the ball at the 23 yard line with under 10 minutes to go with a chance to tie it.  Salisbury dominated the first half but I would argue Ithaca was the better team in the second half.  Yes, a lot of it had to do with Salisbury mistakes but Ithaca forced those mistakes.  The offense obiouvsly struggled but I wouldn't say this game was uncontested by any means.  I thought the game was the Bombers to win when they had all the momentum in the 4th quarter after forcing a few punts/turnovers and solid special teams play. 

This upcoming game against Union scares me.  Union is 0-2 but both losses came to decent teams and the combined differential was -4.  Ithaca handled Union last year (so they potentially might underestimate them) and this is a non-conference game after a tough loss.  Also, IC lost to Union at their place two years ago.  If IC wins it won't do them much good unless its a blowout because IC should beat 0-2 Union.  If IC loses, well that obviously wouldn't be good either.  IC needs to regroup, play well this week and figure out the offense during the bye week.  Then beat Hartwick and be 3-1 going into a home game against Fisher.  That is the ideal scenario right now.

Here's what struck me about IC-Salisbury:

1st Downs
Salisbury 24
Ithaca    11

Total Yards
Salisbury 391
Ithaca    208

Time of Possession
Salisbury 37:25
Ithaca    22:35

Those are pretty lopsided. Yes, the score was 14-7 for a stretch, but IC's only two drives after getting it to 14-7 netted 10 yards on seven plays. More to the point, IC had no offensive flow. The passing game was horrible, and the running game mediocre.

There's no shame in going all the way down to Salisbury and getting beat. There's a reason they're a favorite to win the conference.

Union's going to be tough. The offense is more impressive than I thought it would be. Big game for the Bombers. They have got to figure out the passing game

Not to be a dick towards my beloved Garnet but half jokingly dlip has this advice for Ithaca...

Pass the ****ing ball

[Yanks 99]

Not one mention of the Ithaca game?  It wasn't a blowout like some were fearing, I'm curious to hear about the game.

Not much to say. It wasn't as close as the score indicated, the Bombers' lack of an offense is going to kill them. The defense will keep it interesting most games, but there's not a whole lot to see on offense

I beg to differ.  IC had the ball at the 23 yard line with under 10 minutes to go with a chance to tie it.  Salisbury dominated the first half but I would argue Ithaca was the better team in the second half.  Yes, a lot of it had to do with Salisbury mistakes but Ithaca forced those mistakes.  The offense obiouvsly struggled but I wouldn't say this game was uncontested by any means.  I thought the game was the Bombers to win when they had all the momentum in the 4th quarter after forcing a few punts/turnovers and solid special teams play. 

This upcoming game against Union scares me.  Union is 0-2 but both losses came to decent teams and the combined differential was -4.  Ithaca handled Union last year (so they potentially might underestimate them) and this is a non-conference game after a tough loss.  Also, IC lost to Union at their place two years ago.  If IC wins it won't do them much good unless its a blowout because IC should beat 0-2 Union.  If IC loses, well that obviously wouldn't be good either.  IC needs to regroup, play well this week and figure out the offense during the bye week.  Then beat Hartwick and be 3-1 going into a home game against Fisher.  That is the ideal scenario right now.

Here's what struck me about IC-Salisbury:

1st Downs
Salisbury 24
Ithaca    11

Total Yards
Salisbury 391
Ithaca    208

Time of Possession
Salisbury 37:25
Ithaca    22:35

Those are pretty lopsided. Yes, the score was 14-7 for a stretch, but IC's only two drives after getting it to 14-7 netted 10 yards on seven plays. More to the point, IC had no offensive flow. The passing game was horrible, and the running game mediocre.

There's no shame in going all the way down to Salisbury and getting beat. There's a reason they're a favorite to win the conference.

Union's going to be tough. The offense is more impressive than I thought it would be. Big game for the Bombers. They have got to figure out the passing game

Not to be a dick towards my beloved Garnet but half jokingly dlip has this advice for Ithaca...

Pass the ****ing ball

That is why Union has a real shot to win in my opinion...it appears (after two games anyways...and one against a solid Salisbury team) that Ithaca is really struggling in the passing game this year.

A friend of mine was at the UC-Union game last weekend...and said that while Benkwitt threw the ball very well (and let's face it...he is probably the second best QB in the league only to Secky...but that gap is closing rapidly) and the team had over 100 yards rushing...that they had to really earn the rushing yards.  He said the Union defense was very, very physical...but undisciplined, which seems to be the common thread that everyone is speaking to (ie. the late hit at the end of the game when Union was trying to get the ball back, which allowed Utica to run the clock out).

Ultimately...I think Ithaca will win in a close game, and a hard fought one.  A Union win doesn't save their season necessarily...but when is the last time an Ithaca team started 1-2 with a loss to a team with an 8-game losing streak?

[Bombers798891]

Not to be a dick towards my beloved Garnet but half jokingly dlip has this advice for Ithaca...

Pass the ****ing ball

That is why Union has a real shot to win in my opinion...it appears (after two games anyways...and one against a solid Salisbury team) that Ithaca is really struggling in the passing game this year.

A friend of mine was at the UC-Union game last weekend...and said that while Benkwitt threw the ball very well (and let's face it...he is probably the second best QB in the league only to Secky...but that gap is closing rapidly) and the team had over 100 yards rushing...that they had to really earn the rushing yards.  He said the Union defense was very, very physical...but undisciplined, which seems to be the common thread that everyone is speaking to (ie. the late hit at the end of the game when Union was trying to get the ball back, which allowed Utica to run the clock out).

Ultimately...I think Ithaca will win in a close game, and a hard fought one.  A Union win doesn't save their season necessarily...but when is the last time an Ithaca team started 1-2 with a loss to a team with an 8-game losing streak?

The big key will be if Connolly can avoid turnovers. IC has a very opportunistic secondary, and if he's sloppy, they'll make him pay. But if Connolly makes smart decisions with the ball and repeat what he did against Utica, the Bombers will be in big trouble. Utica's got a big-play offense and can get back into games quickly. Ithaca, not so much. I would assume the IC QB will be Hendel, but who knows.

[dlippiel]

Not to be a dick towards my beloved Garnet but half jokingly dlip has this advice for Ithaca...

Pass the ****ing ball

That is why Union has a real shot to win in my opinion...it appears (after two games anyways...and one against a solid Salisbury team) that Ithaca is really struggling in the passing game this year.

A friend of mine was at the UC-Union game last weekend...and said that while Benkwitt threw the ball very well (and let's face it...he is probably the second best QB in the league only to Secky...but that gap is closing rapidly) and the team had over 100 yards rushing...that they had to really earn the rushing yards.  He said the Union defense was very, very physical...but undisciplined, which seems to be the common thread that everyone is speaking to (ie. the late hit at the end of the game when Union was trying to get the ball back, which allowed Utica to run the clock out).

Ultimately...I think Ithaca will win in a close game, and a hard fought one.  A Union win doesn't save their season necessarily...but when is the last time an Ithaca team started 1-2 with a loss to a team with an 8-game losing streak?

The big key will be if Connolly can avoid turnovers. IC has a very opportunistic secondary, and if he's sloppy, they'll make him pay. But if Connolly makes smart decisions with the ball and repeat what he did against Utica, the Bombers will be in big trouble. Utica's got a big-play offense and can get back into games quickly. Ithaca, not so much. I would assume the IC QB will be Hendel, but who knows.

Great thoughts here by both Yanks and Bombers. dlip concurrs that if Drew makes mistakes against this opportunistic secondary Union may be in trouble. Drew is very capable of limiting his picks to 0 or 1. When he gets into the 2 pick territory it usually spells trouble for Union. Drew has come a long way and, to dlip, his potential is sky high. dlip must say he likes how Drew has approached this season with his focus on his performance and nothing else. Regardless of his play this kid is a true winner in dlip's book.

As far as Union's defense goes the lack of discipline has been an issue for quite sometime now. Their physicality saves them but it doesn't do enough to make up for the lack of discipline and blow coverages in the secondary. This is an area Union needs to focus on ten-fold. To dlip they have known this for a few years now and nothing has changed. We shall see. In dlips mind this is a big game, two respected programs, one falling and trying to claw it's way out of it's worst funk in 30 years, another, an excellent program year in and year out but one that aside from a nice run into MUC in the tourney a few years back has not broken out into the kind of success it had decades ago. dlip has a ton O respect for the Bombers and loves these two Regional rivals playing. He is very excited for Saturday and hopes this is an exciting, injury free game for both squads. If bombers or Yanks is attending the game and cares to say hello just pm dlip. He also can recommend some good places to eat in Shocktown!

[sjfcards]

Cards- I totally agree.
The courage bowl will be a close one.
The Fisher D impressed me.
The O needs work- but im confident that they will come together...Sooner rather than later tho!

I hope so. I would like to see Fisher start to lean more on the run, with Borum in the backfield. I don't know if he does not respond well to carrying the load, or what, but I think that would be the best way to make life easier on Kramer as he gets comfortable as a college QB. I would also like to see some more attempts down the field, rather than the roll out and dump plays they kept trying last week.

I think this years Courage Bowl will be a tight one. Hopefully Fisher can be a little cleaner when they have the ball, and will get it to 2-0.

It is an early prediction, with no knowledge of what the injury report is, but I will take Fisher 24-14

[boobyhasgameyo]

Is Kramer even supposed to be the QB long term?  The kickoff report listed two other quarterbacks fighting for the position, with one of the QBs (assuming the one that was a favorite to start) allegedly suspended at the moment.  Maybe Kramer is a fill in?  Once the suspension is over maybe Kramer will play more of his hybrid role from last year.

I'd give out specific names if it weren't for two reasons:

1) Not entirely sure how true the suspension thing is
2) I'm not sure if we are allowed to mention names and specifics from write ups found in Kickoff. 

[Old IC Voice]

Another week, more thoughts on games.

IC-Union: IC won't blow anyone out. The passing game is nonexistant, and while the rushing attack doesn't look as terrible as last year, it's got a ways to go. With that said, most of the Liberty League is considerably down, and questions remain about how Union's recovered from losing Chris Coney. This could be an ugly, turnover-filled game.

Salisbury-Christopher Newport: CN isn't a bad program, and this won't be a walkover for the Sea Gulls. With that in mind, this team puts up the points like few in the region, and CN has had two just-OK years after making the playoffs in 2008.

Springfield-Husson: Ug. Lee. Husson lost their opener 77-7 to Adrian. This one won't be pretty.

Utica-Frostburg: This'll be an interesting game. Frostburg was able to hang with Springfield for a half before the Pride pulled away, and they've got home-field advantage against a team making a pretty tough trip from upstate NY. Utica can put up the points, but this won't be a cakewalk.

Alfred-St. Lawrence: Another Liberty League opponent for the Saxons, but SLU couldn't stop Utica in week one, and I don't see how that same team keeps up with Alfred.

Hartwick-Norwich: Refer to my premature analysis from last week. I made the trip to Norwich last year for this game, and Hartwick had no answer for the Cadets' ground game. What could make this year's game closer is Norwich's defense, which allowed 513 yards to Western New England last week (including a 66-yard drive late in the fourth quarter that produced the game-winning score).

SJF-Rochester: Great rivalry, and Rochester may be fielding their best team in quite some time. They had a great win over Case Western Reserve last week, and with Fisher needing a late score to put away Buff State, the Yellow Jackets could be primed for a big showing.

PICKS

IC over Union: Something like 14-10 with six or seven combined turnovers sounds about right.

Salisbury over Christopher Newport: A good test for the Sea Gulls, but one they should pass.

Springfield over Husson: You could put a 50-point line on this, and I'd still probably take the Pride.

Utica over Frostburg: I wouldn't be terribly surprised if this went the other way. Frostburg's played well the first few weeks of the season, and them being home probably swings the eventual final outcome by a few points.

Alfred over St. Lawrence: The Liberty League is way down with the possible exception of Rochester, and Alfred should keep right on rolling.

Norwich over Hartwick: This is pretty much a toss-up.

Rochester over SJF: I'm calling what could be perceived as an upset. The Yellow Jackets held CWR to 182 total yards, including 25 rushes for -1 yard. You could make a case the only reason the final margin wasn't wider was due to four UR turnovers. Fisher is far from a bad team, and I think this'll be close all the way, but ultimately, I'll say Rochester 21, Fisher 20.

[sjfcards]

Is Kramer even supposed to be the QB long term?  The kickoff report listed two other quarterbacks fighting for the position, with one of the QBs (assuming the one that was a favorite to start) allegedly suspended at the moment.  Maybe Kramer is a fill in?  Once the suspension is over maybe Kramer will play more of his hybrid role from last year.

I'd give out specific names if it weren't for two reasons:

1) Not entirely sure how true the suspension thing is
2) I'm not sure if we are allowed to mention names and specifics from write ups found in Kickoff.

I had not heard anything about a possible suspension, but I would love to see Kramer back in his hybrid role. I like the idea of making teams account for several threats. However, if there is really not a top option, I guess getting the ball in Kramer's hands on every play is not a terrible fall back. I just don't know how I feel about what Fisher was doing on offense against Buff State. I would like to see more passing down field, and stretching the defense. I don't know if Kramer is that QB, but who knows. It's only one game.

I think it will be hard for U of R to move the ball, and if Fisher can get some take aways, I think they will pull it out tomorrow. 

[AUSaxons]

My picks:


IC-Union: Both of these teams are off to very undewhelming starts, and I agree that this should be an ugly game. It could go either way, i'll go with 17-14 IC.

Salisbury-Christopher Newport: From what little I know about CN (Basically looking at their d3football profile), they seem like a solid program, but maybe not quite in Salisbury's class. Salisbury gets top 25 votes next week after a 38-20 win

Springfield-Husson: Husson got stomped by a historically average team in week one, this will be ugly. 56-0 Springfield

Utica-Frostburg: I think Utica will play better then they did against union, I am a big believer in this team. They'll distinguish themselves in a 41-20 thrashing

Alfred-St. Lawrence: Alfred played like a well oiled machine against RPI, and St Lawrence has not looked impressive. Every aspect of the Saxons looks solid, and that D will continue to go after their opponent in the same hard hitting, smash mouthed fashion. 45-13 Alfred

Hartwick-Norwich: This is a tough one. On one hand, Norwich won last year and Hartwick has not been impressive. On the other hand....I just cant pick an ECFC team after seeing how uncompetitive a team that beat Norwich was against Alfred. I know transitive property doesnt apply....but it was so drastic i cant disregard it. 17-10 Hartwick

SJF-Rochester: A lot of people going towards Rochester in this one, and though I originally thought Fisher our friend Pep has made me believe the hype on Rochester. 28-21 Rochester.

[boobyhasgameyo]

I don't know AUSaxons I'm kind of hoping U of R never wins a single Courage Bowl.  They are 0-6 thus far.  Here is to hoping they are 0-7 after tonight. 

[sjfcards]

I don't know AUSaxons I'm kind of hoping U of R never wins a single Courage Bowl.  They are 0-6 thus far.  Here is to hoping they are 0-7 after tonight.

I am starting to feel better about the Fisher result against Buff State. Buff State is up big on Western Conn. in the second quarter. Buff State played Cortland tight, and C-State is currently tied with Kean, who beat Wesley.
I know that is a lot of this team beat that team, etc. but I am starting to feelt that Buff State is a better team than I had given them credit for. We will see today. I do think that U of R is a much improved team, but I think Fisher will take this one tonight.

[maxpower]

So over on the LL board I said something along the lines of "the bombers couldn't score 28 points if they had eight quarters." Well, it's been two quarters and 20 points, and I'm currently firing up the pan to saute myself up a big plate of you-know-what...