FB: Empire 8

[saxontad]

Ugly showing for the Saxons.  Was unable to watch the whole game but definitely looks like some things needs to be addressed on the offensive line.  Defensive secondary was not impressive either.  Sopak looked uncomfortable.  Hopefully RPI is a sleeper team and this isnt a reflection of how the Saxons season will transpire.

Looks like it could be a tough year.  With how they played I'm worried about our beating  St. Lawrence next week.

[AlfredSaxon8]

Fisher is now 2-0 against the top 2 teams in one of the South's better conferences (no matter how sloppily they arrived at 2-0) and it again demonstrates to me that the East region is not as weak as people always like to claim.  We are continually bashed for what comes down to the fact we literally do not have the 1 or 2 dominant teams of other regions.  The South has Wesley and MHB, the West has Linfield and UWW, the North has Mount Union and maybe a team like Wabash.  Ok great their top 2 teams are above ours, maybe not in the case of Wabash, but you know what I think the East is pretty damn even if not above some of the other regions in teams 3-60 or however many there are.  I know that when Fisher plays against South region teams in the playoffs (Johns Hopkins and Muhlenberg) or otherwise I'm not super worried.  It would be nice for this stigma on our region to go away.

I did NOT see the game today.  And I am in no ways putting down Fisher, believe me.  I dont care who wins from the E8 as long as they do and keep winning.  I will gladly take a beating from Fisher as long as they make a run like they did when I was at AU in 06.  But just from what I saw on the boards, it seems like this game might have been out of reach for Fisher had W & J capitalized on more opportunities.  Again, not putting down Fisher at all, they made plays when needed.  But I think that 99 yard pick 6, if it had gone 1 yard the other way, could have put a different spin on the game.  Just trying to get a feel from those who actually watched the game, its hard to get a sense of momentum from just reading the posts.  But from what I read, it seemed like ol' MO was in W & J's corner a little more than Fisher.

[sjfcards]

Fisher is now 2-0 against the top 2 teams in one of the South's better conferences (no matter how sloppily they arrived at 2-0) and it again demonstrates to me that the East region is not as weak as people always like to claim.  We are continually bashed for what comes down to the fact we literally do not have the 1 or 2 dominant teams of other regions.  The South has Wesley and MHB, the West has Linfield and UWW, the North has Mount Union and maybe a team like Wabash.  Ok great their top 2 teams are above ours, maybe not in the case of Wabash, but you know what I think the East is pretty damn even if not above some of the other regions in teams 3-60 or however many there are.  I know that when Fisher plays against South region teams in the playoffs (Johns Hopkins and Muhlenberg) or otherwise I'm not super worried.  It would be nice for this stigma on our region to go away.

I did NOT see the game today.  And I am in no ways putting down Fisher, believe me.  I dont care who wins from the E8 as long as they do and keep winning.  I will gladly take a beating from Fisher as long as they make a run like they did when I was at AU in 06.  But just from what I saw on the boards, it seems like this game might have been out of reach for Fisher had W & J capitalized on more opportunities.  Again, not putting down Fisher at all, they made plays when needed.  But I think that 99 yard pick 6, if it had gone 1 yard the other way, could have put a different spin on the game.  Just trying to get a feel from those who actually watched the game, its hard to get a sense of momentum from just reading the posts.  But from what I read, it seemed like ol' MO was in W & J's corner a little more than Fisher.

No doubt about it. In some ways it was a reversal of last week. Against TMC, I kept thinking there was no way TMC should be so close. Today I kept thinking there is no way Fisher should be in this game. Good teams find ways to stick around, like TMC last week and Fisher today.

Fisher made several big plays when needed them today (See pick 6, 90+ yard TD pass, big pick by Sant to end it, etc.) Otherwise that game goes the other way in a hurry.

[Upstate]

Really ugly stat sheet for Fisher, they really had no business winning this game.

4/13 on 3rd down.

9 punts for a paltry 31yd average.

2.7 yds per rush.

21:52 time of possession. 

Kramer made some clutch throws in the 2nd half but the D kept the game within reach the entire game, even though they gave up 24 pts and 445 yards of offense. They kept it close and came up with huge plays when it mattered most. After W&J scored to make it another 10 pt game the D put the clamps on. They forced 3 punts and allowed 27 yards the next 3 possessions, then they ended W&J's last two possessions with a fumble and INT.

[boobyhasgameyo]

Really ugly stat sheet for Fisher, they really had no business winning this game.

4/13 on 3rd down.

9 punts for a paltry 31yd average.

2.7 yds per rush.

21:52 time of possession. 

Kramer made some clutch throws in the 2nd half but the D kept the game within reach the entire game, even though they gave up 24 pts and 445 yards of offense. They kept it close and came up with huge plays when it mattered most. After W&J scored to make it another 10 pt game the D put the clamps on. They forced 3 punts and allowed 27 yards the next 3 possessions, then they ended W&J's last two possessions with a fumble and INT.

I'd be interested to see the yardage breakdown in the 2nd half as Fisher only had 33 yards of offense in the entire first half.  Worst half of football I've seen from Fisher since the Hobart game last year but you have to like how they came out after half time.  They outscored W&J 21-7, had some turnovers (one of them didn't matter as it was a sack on 4th down that caused the fumble), and got their offense going much more effectively. 

[fisheralum91]

Guys,
It wasnt pretty, but it was a win.
Strong OOC win.
Do we have a ton of work to do-god yes.
In the end tho- its a W

[drt]

Out of hibernation.
Utica 85 LL 24.
UC 307 ypg, 8 TD passes.
UC 170 YPG rushing.
Opp passing 216 ypg
Opp rushing 119 ypg.
UC bend but don't break defense.
Crazy Uncle Charlie is doing it again this year, early, against OOC opponents.
But now they're not blowing up Castleton and Anna Maria.  They're blowing up LL teams.  Teams they had fairly close games with last year.
Hobart at home will be a bellweather for them next Saterday Night Lights.
And the board sleeps.....

[dewcrew88]

Out of hibernation.
Utica 85 LL 24.
UC 307 ypg, 8 TD passes.
UC 170 YPG rushing.
Opp passing 216 ypg
Opp rushing 119 ypg.
UC bend but don't break defense.
Crazy Uncle Charlie is doing it again this year, early, against OOC opponents.
But now they're not blowing up Castleton and Anna Maria.  They're blowing up LL teams.  Teams they had fairly close games with last year.
Hobart at home will be a bellweather for them next Saterday Night Lights.
And the board sleeps.....

2-0 and not against the little sisters of the poor. Hobart will be a great test.

[fisheralum91]

While Fisher gets the testers in OOC, UC is blowing up the LL.
I will be keeping a close eye on that UC Hobart game.
That is the barometer game.
This could get interesting.
Ooh Blaise what are you doing?

[dlippiel]

Dlip wanted to congratulate Utica on their very impressive victory over Union College last night. 2-0 and looking good. The Pioneers dominated the U throughout. Congrats and good luck on the rest of your season!

[sjfcards]

Dlip wanted to congratulate Utica on their very impressive victory over Union College last night. 2-0 and looking good. The Pioneers dominated the U throughout. Congrats and good luck on the rest of your season!

I watched some of the UC game against SLU and they were impressive. I am not surprised they beat Union, but by that much? No one really saw UC doing much in the E8, but they may have something to say about the outcome.

[dlippiel]

Sjfcards dlip is taking nothing away from Utica with this next statement, he was very impressed with their weapons and thinks the world of Benkwitt but, the Union defense was so out of sync it was embarassing. They played very hard but looked completely lost out there at times. Honestly, IDHO Utica could have scored much more. They respectfully called off the dogs mid way through the third quarter. Dlip won't forget that show of class by Blaise.

[AUKaz00]

No time to catch up on all the posts prior to chapel/apple picking, but here are my thoughts from yesterday (apologies if I'm restating everything):

The final result was that of a senior-laden squad exploiting a less experienced opponent.  Congrats to RPI on getting it done, but not to the two jabronies who felt it appropriate to hurl insults at me while my hands were full and I was attempting to get my 4 yr old back our car.  Classy move, tough guys.  The RPI band was cordial (though not as much as UofR's) and stuck it out this time unlike the final game at '86 Field.

As for the future of the Saxon season, I hope they focus more exclusively on the run.  There were many times when Alfred would rush for 6 or 8 on first down only to call a pass play on second that ended in a sack, incompletion or penalty.  I'd like to see a ball control offense and play for field position since the defense looked good.

[saxontad]

No time to catch up on all the posts prior to chapel/apple picking, but here are my thoughts from yesterday (apologies if I'm restating everything):

The final result was that of a senior-laden squad exploiting a less experienced opponent.  Congrats to RPI on getting it done, but not to the two jabronies who felt it appropriate to hurl insults at me while my hands were full and I was attempting to get my 4 yr old back our car.  Classy move, tough guys.  The RPI band was cordial (though not as much as UofR's) and stuck it out this time unlike the final game at '86 Field.

As for the future of the Saxon season, I hope they focus more exclusively on the run.  There were many times when Alfred would rush for 6 or 8 on first down only to call a pass play on second that ended in a sack, incompletion or penalty.  I'd like to see a ball control offense and play for field position since the defense looked good.

Agreed.  They have good tailbacks and a talented fullback.  Use them.  Even in the passing game.

[ITH radio]

Tonight on ITH we will be joined by USMMA Head Coach Mike Topp to discuss their high scoring win over Coast Guard in the D3 version of the "Army-Navy" game.

Also joining us will be RPI senior quarterback and NFL prospect Mike Hermann.  We will preview the upcoming Courage Bowl with a Rochester player and discuss their season opening win, as well as preview the upcoming Utica - Hobart, Ithaca - Union and other games.

JOIN US AT 7:30 at www.inthehuddlle.com or www.blogtalkradio.com/ITH