FB: Empire 8

[Upstate]

I knew that would go over well with some of you!

Robby got 32 carries a game in 04 and averaged 5.7 yards per carry.

Miller with NO passing game to help him is getting 16 carries a game and is averaging 5.3 yards per carry.

[Pat Coleman]

I might be called a lunatic for saying this but I think Miller is just as good as Robinson.

I don't know, this might be true. Gotta remember, Mark Robinson hasn't played in like five years. It would take him a while to get into game shape.

[Bombers798891]

I knew that would go over well with some of you!

Robby got 32 carries a game in 04 and averaged 5.7 yards per carry.

Miller with NO passing game to help him is getting 16 carries a game and is averaging 5.3 yards per carry.

Yeah, but the fewer carries you get, the more one or two big runs can swing your average. Miller's two biggest runs account for something like 15% of his rushing yards on the season. (Clay Ardoin is experiencing a similar situation phenomenon.) 

Last season, when he carried the ball 201 times, his average was 4.5. Good, but hardly Robinson territory. Robinson's 5.7 average came on, I think, 386 carries. Is Miller that kind of back? Could he play a whole season getting that many carries and still maintain that average?

[sjfcards]

Just how bad are the Cardinals struggling on offense?

The last time the Cardinals averaged under 25 pts and under 350 yards for a season is 2001.

That team got its doors blown off by IC (52-0) and never crossed the IC 50 yard line.

They also got blown out by UofR 44-6.

Their only wins that year were vs St. Lawrence, Mass. Maritime and Utica.

If not for their D this is a sub .500 team.

Yeah, it's surprising to see the Cardinals struggle on offense. But you know, pretty much everyone but Utica and Alfred is struggling on offense. Buff State and Ithaca had a couple of good games, but by and large they've just been okay. Salisbury's been average on offense in conference play. The Wick's numbers are inflated by the early season dreck they played, and Frostburg has scored seven points in the last three weeks.

In 2007, Ithaca, Fisher, Wick, and Alfred averaged, combined, 35.6 points a game. The worst of the four (Ithaca) averaged 33.3 points per game.

This year, those same four teams are averaging 24 points a game. The best of those four teams (Wick) is averaging 27.6 points a game.

Compared to five years ago, of the five teams in the E8 then and now, four are scoring significantly less than they did, and one, Utica, is scoring significantly more. In 2007, we had five conference teams average 30+ points for the season. This season, we'll be lucky if there are two.

You just don't have a lot of teams hoarding talent on offense and having threats all over the field. And, I don't think we're getting players the caliber of Bailey, Boltus, Phelan, Fellicetti, Robinson, Reilie, Sharpe, Secky, Manzer, Donovan, etc. (Some of those were not 2007 guys, I know) I don't know what it is, but there's really only one dynamic offense in the conference right now

I might be called a lunatic for saying this but I think Miller is just as good as Robinson.  Their running styles are extremely similar; compact, powerful and just enough speed to get the edge and take a carry for a long gain. I really think if you put Miller in the 2003-2006 offensive system his production would be very comparable.

I don't know Upstate. I like Miller as much as anyone, but is he Robby good? I don't see it.

[saxontad]

Well, I got fairly reliable reports that Dwyer, Beckwith and Sopak are out for the year with Sopak possible for an ECAC bowl.  Phillips may play against Frostburg Saterday.  Best wishes to our wounded.

On Saxon Warriors!!

[Upstate]

Well, I got fairly reliable reports that Dwyer, Beckwith and Sopak are out for the year with Sopak possible for an ECAC bowl.  Phillips may play against Frostburg Saterday.  Best wishes to our wounded.

On Saxon Warriors!!

That's rough man, the D has to step big time for them...

[fisheralum91]

With all due respect to Cody Miller....
I know Mark Robinson sir and he is no Mark Robinson......

[Yanks 99]

I am actually pretty stunned with this whole Robinson conversation, especially coming from Fisher fans.  For me...I haven't seen a RB anywhere near his class since he graduated.  Stats are stats...but sometimes you just watch a player and you immediately think...dammit...we have to see this guy for how many more years?

I can only think of two other RB's that I would put in Robinson's class from the past 15-20 or so (using only "East" regions schools here)...Dan McGovern and Krishaun Gilmore...both from RPI...both playing in the late 90's.  Those two...like Robinson...were ridiculous...

[Bombers798891]

I am actually pretty stunned with this whole Robinson conversation, especially coming from Fisher fans.  For me...I haven't seen a RB anywhere near his class since he graduated.  Stats are stats...but sometimes you just watch a player and you immediately think...dammit...we have to see this guy for how many more years?

I can only think of two other RB's that I would put in Robinson's class from the past 15-20 or so (using only "East" regions schools here)...Dan McGovern and Krishaun Gilmore...both from RPI...both playing in the late 90's.  Those two...like Robinson...were ridiculous...

How about Arcidicano from Union in 2005?

12 games, 350 carries, 1,954 yards, 20 TD's

[Yanks 99]

I am actually pretty stunned with this whole Robinson conversation, especially coming from Fisher fans.  For me...I haven't seen a RB anywhere near his class since he graduated.  Stats are stats...but sometimes you just watch a player and you immediately think...dammit...we have to see this guy for how many more years?

I can only think of two other RB's that I would put in Robinson's class from the past 15-20 or so (using only "East" regions schools here)...Dan McGovern and Krishaun Gilmore...both from RPI...both playing in the late 90's.  Those two...like Robinson...were ridiculous...

How about Arcidicano from Union in 2005?

12 games, 350 carries, 1,954 yards, 20 TD's

He is definitely up there in the conversation...certainly a "Top 10" guy for the "East Region" from the RB's that I have seen play over the years.  I would still say McGovern, Kilmore, and Robinson were the best three that I have seen.

[Bombers798891]

I am actually pretty stunned with this whole Robinson conversation, especially coming from Fisher fans.  For me...I haven't seen a RB anywhere near his class since he graduated.  Stats are stats...but sometimes you just watch a player and you immediately think...dammit...we have to see this guy for how many more years?

I can only think of two other RB's that I would put in Robinson's class from the past 15-20 or so (using only "East" regions schools here)...Dan McGovern and Krishaun Gilmore...both from RPI...both playing in the late 90's.  Those two...like Robinson...were ridiculous...

How about Arcidicano from Union in 2005?

12 games, 350 carries, 1,954 yards, 20 TD's

He is definitely up there in the conversation...certainly a "Top 10" guy for the "East Region" from the RB's that I have seen play over the years.  I would still say McGovern, Kilmore, and Robinson were the best three that I have seen.

I never saw those first two guys, but Robinson was, to me, the most dominant player in the East over the last 10 years or so. Miller's a good back, but I could think of numerous backs I'd take before him if we were picking guys...

[lewdogg11]

I am actually pretty stunned with this whole Robinson conversation, especially coming from Fisher fans.  For me...I haven't seen a RB anywhere near his class since he graduated.  Stats are stats...but sometimes you just watch a player and you immediately think...dammit...we have to see this guy for how many more years?

I can only think of two other RB's that I would put in Robinson's class from the past 15-20 or so (using only "East" regions schools here)...Dan McGovern and Krishaun Gilmore...both from RPI...both playing in the late 90's.  Those two...like Robinson...were ridiculous...

How about Arcidicano from Union in 2005?

12 games, 350 carries, 1,954 yards, 20 TD's

He is definitely up there in the conversation...certainly a "Top 10" guy for the "East Region" from the RB's that I have seen play over the years.  I would still say McGovern, Kilmore, and Robinson were the best three that I have seen.

I never saw those first two guys, but Robinson was, to me, the most dominant player in the East over the last 10 years or so. Miller's a good back, but I could think of numerous backs I'd take before him if we were picking guys...

Gilmore was definitely the fastest back I ever saw/played with.  McGovern was dominant though.

[Jonny Utah]

I'm wondering if the current state of Union and Ithaca's football programs has anything to do with these schools looking closer at financial packages for football players.  Interesting article from the frong page of d3football.com:



Baldwin Wallace has self-reported to the NCAA that it has incorrectly awarded financial aid to a number of student-athletes and as such, has removed itself from NCAA postseason consideration for the 2012-13 academic year.

The No. 23 Yellowjackets, who had a chance to be in this week's first NCAA regional rankings, were in contention for an at-large bid, or the automatic bid for the Ohio Athletic Conference if it defeated Mount Union this upcoming Saturday.

"Recently, mistakes in the application of NCAA regulations to the awarding of financial aid to a small percentage of our student-athletes have come to light," Baldwin Wallace president Robert Helmer said in a statement, published by the Canton Repository. "Baldwin Wallace University has always stood for the highest standards of integrity. For that reason, we have notified the NCAA that we are withdrawing from any consideration of postseason play for our athletic teams during the 2012-13 academic year. This was a difficult decision to make, but one that would certainly be expected of us by the NCAA.

"The University is obligated as an NCAA member to examine any possible failure to maintain full compliance and to take appropriate corrective action. Over the coming months, we will work cooperatively with the NCAA to determine a final resolution of the situation."

The possibility remains that there may be further sanctions levied by the NCAA. This decision does not affect Baldwin Wallace's win-loss record. Although the Yellowjackets are now ineligible, they can still keep Mount Union from clinching this weekend.

In other fall sports, Baldwin Wallace has been removed from the conference tournament. In women's soccer, the Yellowjackets will essentially forfeit their match with John Carroll and John Carroll will advance to the final, while in men's soccer, Wilmington will advance to play at John Carroll in the semifinals.

[Yanks 99]

I am actually pretty stunned with this whole Robinson conversation, especially coming from Fisher fans.  For me...I haven't seen a RB anywhere near his class since he graduated.  Stats are stats...but sometimes you just watch a player and you immediately think...dammit...we have to see this guy for how many more years?

I can only think of two other RB's that I would put in Robinson's class from the past 15-20 or so (using only "East" regions schools here)...Dan McGovern and Krishaun Gilmore...both from RPI...both playing in the late 90's.  Those two...like Robinson...were ridiculous...

How about Arcidicano from Union in 2005?

12 games, 350 carries, 1,954 yards, 20 TD's

He is definitely up there in the conversation...certainly a "Top 10" guy for the "East Region" from the RB's that I have seen play over the years.  I would still say McGovern, Kilmore, and Robinson were the best three that I have seen.

I never saw those first two guys, but Robinson was, to me, the most dominant player in the East over the last 10 years or so. Miller's a good back, but I could think of numerous backs I'd take before him if we were picking guys...

Gilmore was definitely the fastest back I ever saw/played with.  McGovern was dominant though.

Agreed on both accounts. McGovern is the best back I ever saw at the D3 level (East Region players).  Similar mode to Robinson...though in my opinion, just a shade better.  Gilmore was beyond D3 fast.  I think at one point he ran like a 10.5 or 10.6 in the 100-meter dash outdoors and something like a 10.2 or 10.3 in the 100-meter dash indoors.  That's not winning an Olympic medal...but that is damn near world class speed right there.

[Bombers798891]

I'm wondering if the current state of Union and Ithaca's football programs has anything to do with these schools looking closer at financial packages for football players. 

I've heard coaches at IC (not just football) grumble about financial aid issues. So I think it certainly plays a role, especially ad the cost of attendance at Ithaca skyrockets. But there are a litany of reasons Ithaca's football program has backslid in recent years