FB: Empire 8

[Upstate]

I've said all I needed to say regarding Fisher at this point.  Kindly remove Kramer as the starting QB so we can be a legit offense again and not have to suffer through games like last Saturday.  I would love for whatever his name is to come on and talk about his intangibles again.  How his job is to protect the ball and how he just knows how to win.

Ha, I've been thinking the exact same thing all week but I've bit my tongue about the whole thing.

It's really time to scrap the spread/zone read crap, Fisher is not Florida or Oregon. They just don't have the speed to run it.

[Bombers798891]

Yeah, I mean, it's really tough to get amped up for analysis when you really have to just throw out the playbook and see what happens. While I am easily one of the most critical people on these boards, I know Mike and his family personally, and just don't really have the heart to get into "What's IC going to do against Fisher this week?" with these issues. I'm still lurking, and I'll certainly poke my head up for Cortaca in a month. But right now, I'm going to bow out and say best of luck to the Cardinals.

[dlippiel]

Thoughts and prayers are with coach Welch and his family from this end. Let's hope everything works out for him.

[wesleydad]

took a look at the boxscores for the common opponents for the Gulls and the Saxons and it looks to me that the Saxons played better against both Buff St. and Fisher.  Offensively they outgained the Gulls in both games and were able to hold the opposing offense in check better than the Gulls, although Buff St. did not fair well in either game.  I know you can not always put stock in the boxscores and turnovers tend to change games, but it looks to me that the Saxons have a good chance of winning this game.  Neither team seems to want to throw much so it will come down to who stops the run better and in the commone opponents games AU did a better job.  The Fisher total is skewed a little by the # of passes Fisher threw, but was it due to AU shutting down the run and forcing the change in gameplan?  I know this game could end up being a blowout since the Gulls beat AU by 60+ last year, but something tells me it will be a good one.  I certainly hope so since I am going to the game and want to see a good one.  I also hope it is a good game for Pep since he is making the trip.  Would like to hear from the Fisher folk since you guys played them both, what do you think?

[boobyhasgameyo]

I've got Salisbury in this one.  Fisher put up a much better showing against Salisbury and came up short when they fell apart with a few minutes left in the game.  Fisher played in my opinion their second most disappointing game of the season (first half against W&J was atrocious) but Alfred was never able to fully put Fisher away despite that.  If Fisher would have done that against Salisbury they would have gotten buried.  I think it'll be way way closer than last year which was a fluke.  Probably something in the neighborhood of 28-10 Salisbury. 

[AUKaz00]

I also wonder what how the travel factors into this.  Salisbury had to travel 8 & 9 hours, respectively, to play Fisher and Buff State in back-to-back weeks.  Now Alfred gets the 7 hour bus ride before facing one of the best teams in the nation.  At least staying within 69 of the Gulls this year will be improvement!

[AUPepBand]

Pep believes it was 1999 when he was invited by Coach Murray to travel with the team to Salisbury. The Gulls had defeated AU at Merrill Field the year before, 21-14 or something like that. Unfortunately, the AU team records for 1999 on this website are corrupted. When you click on it, you get 2012 Scoreboards by Conference(?)

Anyway, if Pep remembers correctly, the Saxons pulled out a 20-14 win there in Seagull Stadium. It was also Sherman Wood's first year as coach and there was a great deal of enthusiasm and optimism. Pep knew then that the Seagull program was taking flight (even though their gains came mostly on the ground).

On that trip, Pep had a first-hand look at AU's football program under Coach Murray and it gave a lasting impression. Pep remembers going to the team dinner the night before the game and being the only one in the room without a sport jacket.

Pep is confident the Saxons will show up to play. And, win or lose, they will be fine representatives of "the pioneer college of Western New York."

On Saxon Warriors!

[Pat Coleman]

Pep believes it was 1999 when he was invited by Coach Murray to travel with the team to Salisbury. The Gulls had defeated AU at Merrill Field the year before, 21-14 or something like that. Unfortunately, the AU team records for 1999 on this website are corrupted. When you click on it, you get 2012 Scoreboards by Conference(?)

Anyway, if Pep remembers correctly, the Saxons pulled out a 20-14 win there in Seagull Stadium. It was also Sherman Wood's first year as coach and there was a great deal of enthusiasm and optimism. Pep knew then that the Seagull program was taking flight (even though their gains came mostly on the ground).

On that trip, Pep had a first-hand look at AU's football program under Coach Murray and it gave a lasting impression. Pep remembers going to the team dinner the night before the game and being the only one in the room without a sport jacket.

Pep is confident the Saxons will show up to play. And, win or lose, they will be fine representatives of "the pioneer college of Western New York."

On Saxon Warriors!

Fixed.

http://www.d3football.com/teams/Alfred/1999/index

Salisbury finished 2-7 that year.

[AUPepBand]

Pep believes it was 1999 when he was invited by Coach Murray to travel with the team to Salisbury. The Gulls had defeated AU at Merrill Field the year before, 21-14 or something like that. Unfortunately, the AU team records for 1999 on this website are corrupted. When you click on it, you get 2012 Scoreboards by Conference(?)

Anyway, if Pep remembers correctly, the Saxons pulled out a 20-14 win there in Seagull Stadium. It was also Sherman Wood's first year as coach and there was a great deal of enthusiasm and optimism. Pep knew then that the Seagull program was taking flight (even though their gains came mostly on the ground).

On that trip, Pep had a first-hand look at AU's football program under Coach Murray and it gave a lasting impression. Pep remembers going to the team dinner the night before the game and being the only one in the room without a sport jacket.

Pep is confident the Saxons will show up to play. And, win or lose, they will be fine representatives of "the pioneer college of Western New York."

On Saxon Warriors!

Fixed.

http://www.d3football.com/teams/Alfred/1999/index

Salisbury finished 2-7 that year.

Thanks, Pat! +K

[DVgradRUdad]

I can remember those long drives to Buff ST & Brockport to see my son play for Rowan, Why doesn't Salisbury & Frostburg join the NJAC since we are losing Brockport this year, after losing Buff St this past year ? Travel and expenses would keep everyones tuition down. Salisbury is only a hour forty five from Rowan maybe that makes to much sense. I believe Wesley is on Rowans schedule next year to fill up their schedule which is another close one to home for Rowan. I've enjoyed watching some of the E8 games on line this year. Good luck up there !

[sjfcards]

I can remember those long drives to Buff ST & Brockport to see my son play for Rowan, Why doesn't Salisbury & Frostburg join the NJAC since we are losing Brockport this year, after losing Buff St this past year ?

As a Fisher fan I would not mind seeing Salisbury join a different conference. Nothing against the steaks. They have been nothing but classy and gracious with everyting, but man they have Fisher's number...

[SUADC]

Pep believes it was 1999 when he was invited by Coach Murray to travel with the team to Salisbury. The Gulls had defeated AU at Merrill Field the year before, 21-14 or something like that. Unfortunately, the AU team records for 1999 on this website are corrupted. When you click on it, you get 2012 Scoreboards by Conference(?)

Anyway, if Pep remembers correctly, the Saxons pulled out a 20-14 win there in Seagull Stadium. It was also Sherman Wood's first year as coach and there was a great deal of enthusiasm and optimism. Pep knew then that the Seagull program was taking flight (even though their gains came mostly on the ground).

On that trip, Pep had a first-hand look at AU's football program under Coach Murray and it gave a lasting impression. Pep remembers going to the team dinner the night before the game and being the only one in the room without a sport jacket.

Pep is confident the Saxons will show up to play. And, win or lose, they will be fine representatives of "the pioneer college of Western New York."

On Saxon Warriors!

Yes, that was Coach Wood first year as Salisbury head coach, he was very enthused with taking the position, since it is his alma mater. As you aforementioned, Salisbury program has taken flight since 1999, there were some bumps a bruises on the way to getting where we are now, but I know that Coach Wood doesn't want to just field good teams, he wants to have a great program, that allow student-athletes the opportunity to obtain a great education, while at the same time compete for National Championships year in and year out. I have so much respect for Coach Wood and always enjoy my conversations with Coach, he has been an inspiration to me.

Now as far as this upcoming weekend, I will not be at the game due to my fourth session of my C.P.A Exam. I know from talking to some Salisbury Folk, that they are not taking Alfred lightly, they are treating this as a championship game. In addition, it is family weekend and I know the guys want to put on a show for their parents and friends.

Pep, safe travels and hopefully I get a chance to meet you down the line. I know both teams will play their hearts out this weekend. Looking forward to a great game!

[SUADC]

I can remember those long drives to Buff ST & Brockport to see my son play for Rowan, Why doesn't Salisbury & Frostburg join the NJAC since we are losing Brockport this year, after losing Buff St this past year ?

As a Fisher fan I would not mind seeing Salisbury join a different conference. Nothing against the steaks. They have been nothing but classy and gracious with everyting, but man they have Fisher's number...

I am not sure that Salisbury meets the 100 man roster limit. However, with CNU and Southern Virginia joing the CAC in 2015, there is a slim chance that they'll join the NJAC, maybe a team from the NJAC may join the CAC. Now, as far as playing games within the E8, joining the E8 allowed Salisbury to measure itself against great programs (i.e. St. John Fisher, Ithaca, Alfred, so on..) and the E8 to maintain its automatic bid. Nevertheless, we are thankful for the opportunity to compete in the E8 and if we do decide to break ties, I know that Salisbury  would not hold any grudges towards the E8 because the E8 has done nothing but been great to our program and again we appreciate that.

[AUPepBand]

Pep believes it was 1999 when he was invited by Coach Murray to travel with the team to Salisbury. The Gulls had defeated AU at Merrill Field the year before, 21-14 or something like that. Unfortunately, the AU team records for 1999 on this website are corrupted. When you click on it, you get 2012 Scoreboards by Conference(?)

Anyway, if Pep remembers correctly, the Saxons pulled out a 20-14 win there in Seagull Stadium. It was also Sherman Wood's first year as coach and there was a great deal of enthusiasm and optimism. Pep knew then that the Seagull program was taking flight (even though their gains came mostly on the ground).

On that trip, Pep had a first-hand look at AU's football program under Coach Murray and it gave a lasting impression. Pep remembers going to the team dinner the night before the game and being the only one in the room without a sport jacket.

Pep is confident the Saxons will show up to play. And, win or lose, they will be fine representatives of "the pioneer college of Western New York."

On Saxon Warriors!

Yes, that was Coach Wood first year as Salisbury head coach, he was very enthused with taking the position, since it his alma mater. As you aforementioned, Salisbury program has taken flight since 1999, there were some bumps a bruises, but I know that Coach Wood doesn't want just good teams, he wants to have great program, that allow student-athletes the opportunity to obtain a great education, while at the same time compete for National Championships year in and year out. I have so much respect for Coach Wood and always enjoy my conversations with Coach, he has been an inspiration to me.

Now as far as this upcoming weekend, I will not be at the game due to my fourth session of my C.P.A Exam. I know from talking to some Salisbury Folk, that they are not taking Alfred lightly, they are treating this as a championship game. In addition, it is family weekend and I know the guys want to put on a show for their parents and friends.

Pep, safe travels and hopefully I get a chance to meet you down the line. I know both teams will play their hearts out this weekend. Looking forward to a great game!

Pep finalized plans for the trip with his pops tonight. Unfortunately, Pep can't muster the musicians for a band (these kids can't take two days off midway through the semester) but Pep will find a way to let the Saxons know we're there and rooting for them. The weather forecast looks favorable....high of 68, clear and sunny...Pep is hoping that Family Weekend will generate a good crowd and that the SU Pep Band will be there to play. Pep may stop over and pay a visit. Always looking to learn something new. Just in the event there are any trumpet players in the Alfred crowd, Pep will have the fight song ready. Heck, a single trumpet playing the fight song is all we need. If only Pops played...and Pep thought there was nothing that his dad couldn't do! Pep will take the band's "Sound of the SAXONS" sign for moral support to the team. Those Saxon fans watching from home may even spot it in the webcast!

On Saxon Warriors!

[wesleydad]

pep, i would be glad to help with the band but unfortunately i have no musical ability at all.  safe travels and I will see you at the game.  thinking and hoping that this will be a real good one.