FB: Empire 8

[AUKaz00]

Congrats on IC TE Jared Prugar on being named to the Team of the Week!

TE Jared Prugar, Sr., Ithaca
Prugra had six catches for 165 yards in Ithaca's 17-3 win against Union, including a 56-yard catch that set up a touchdown two days later.

Pep is just wondering why it took a couple days before the Bombers finally punched it in. 

Seriously? After all these years, can't you just send me an email when you have a correction?

Let's discuss (sports) in a positive way, sometimes kidding each other with no disrespect.

Right. I just thought that perhaps I could get some professional courtesy from a fellow journalist.

I don't at all mind if you point them out here and laugh, that's actually OK. I'd laugh too.

But if there's a correction, please also email me. I have days where I don't get to the message board and I'd like to know about and fix these things because I still take the journalism craft seriously around here. It really grinds my gears when the only notice of an error is here on the boards, because I may not read every board every day.

Will do, Pat! Actually, seems like a long time since this copy editor has found any errors in your material...keep up the good work!  +K

On Saxon Warriors!

And you should know better, Pep.  Especially after running a 50 year old article on this exact subject matter in the Years Ago section of the Sun last week!  Perhaps you've succomb to one of the same "vices" from that copy error.

[D3viewer]

Fisher looks better than C State on both sides of the ball and they are at home. Should be enough to win. But Cortland rarely dips below .500.

Alfred- Brockport looks like a very close contest IMO. Brockport's offense is very good..but so far Alfred's defense is not far behind statistically. That will be the battle.
Brockport's D and Alfred's O are pedestrian. I say Brockport wins in a close one. Should be a big crowd..Homecoming..new stadium (close to 10,000 capacity)..close opponent. night game (will the students be pre-gaming and turn out raucus ?). Bport HC went to both Alfred and Brockport

[Upstate]

I think Fisher pulls out a win in the 4th quarter 34-27.

Just too many weapons on the Fisher offense this year. Cortland's running a 3-4 and has a pretty good edge rusher. If they can keep him in check I think Fenti can find his guys down the field.

Wondering what offense shows up for Cortland though and how Fox plans for it. Fisher's CBs are young but have played well so I hope we see more man to man. When Fisher went zone W&J made some really good plays to keep moving the chains.

[sjfcards]

Apparently Fisher will be wearing their all white uniforms today, and Cortland will be wearing their traditional home red uniforms. The we page seems to suggest the all whites will be new uniforms, but fisher wore all whites last year on the road. I feel like I have an unhealthy obsession with uniforms, but I liked the all maroon Fisher wore against W&J. We will see how it looks today.

[D3MAFAN]

I think Fisher pulls out a win in the 4th quarter 34-27.

Just too many weapons on the Fisher offense this year. Cortland's running a 3-4 and has a pretty good edge rusher. If they can keep him in check I think Fenti can find his guys down the field.

Wondering what offense shows up for Cortland though and how Fox plans for it. Fisher's CBs are young but have played well so I hope we see more man to man. When Fisher went zone W&J made some really good plays to keep moving the chains.

I think that Fisher wins this game by using the run. I also expect Cortland to try to use some high percentage passes and crossing routes similar to what W&J used. If Fisher establish the running game and is 65% run and 35% pass, I think the game is theirs. Still, hoping for a good game out of both teams, good to see these two NY teams play each other.

[clandfan]

It's against my nature but its Fisher in a rout.  Just being real.  Cortland has one of the best receivers in the country and we have no one to get the ball to him consistently.  Cortlands OL is no match for Fishers DL.  Our offense will struggle big time I am afraid.  Our defense is susceptible so I am having a hard time spinning this one in our favor.  Good luck to all.

[bomber23]

Wow what a crazy game between the Bombers and the Bengals today in Buffalo. A very chippy game which led to 2 ejections from Buff State players and a handful of unsportsman like penalties from both teams... In the 1st half the Bombers had a big play TD by tight end Jared Prugar for 65 yards on what appeared to be a hitch and go from the outside WR position? On Buff State's first drive they nickled and dimed (also known as "Fishering" or "Uticaing") the Bombers defense right down the field and went for it on 4th and 2 from the 15. Apparently Buff St doesnt have a kicker?? I think this decision handicapped them later in the game.. They went for it and got sacked by the Bombers D. Ithaca added a 42 yard FG.  Buff Stare scored just before half on a TD catch in the back of the endzone.  The replay on TV was close but it looked like the WR didnt get his foot in but either way ithaca led 10-7 at half.

The 1st 24 minutes of the 2nd half set offensive football back about 50 years.  I think there were maybe 5 first downs combined between the 2 teams until halfway through the 4th quarter. Even the announcers mentioned "Well if you like punting and punt coverage this game is the game of a lifetime for you" As he was finishing that sentence Buff State punted the ball and IC returner Josh Oliver ran it back 65 yards to put the bombers up 17-7.  And then the game turned from a defensive struggle to an offensive explosion (by Ithacan standards haha) Buff state came right down the field and scored to make it 17-14.  Ithaca went back to their "soft and off" defense which Buff State exposed. Then the Ithaca offense went 3 and out and Buff state got it back with 4 mins to go... Ithaca started bringing a lot of pressure and Buff State ran some screens and draws and got their play makers the ball in space and ended up scoring with just over a minute to go. A missed XP made it 20-17.. At that point I honestly thought to myself "Hopefully we can return it to the 50 and we can make a 67 yard field goal to send it to overtime".  Unfortunately we only returned it to the 30 but senior QB Phil Neumann hit Jr. WR Vito Boffoli 3 times including a game winning TD that took just over 40 seconds.  Tough catches and plays by Boffoli especially on the TD catch where he caught a short pass, took a big hit from the LB, bounced off and scampered into the endzone.  Buff State was unable to respond even though IC blew a coverage and left a WR wide open down the sideline but the pass was caught out of bounds and Ithaca held on for the victory

A couple of thoughts from the game..
With Neumann hitting Boffoli 3 times down the stretch could he become Neumann's new favorite 2nd weapon behind Prugar/ Delmoro? Would love to see some more 3 WR sets from the Bombers to open things up a bit.
The Bomber Special Teams was the difference.. or as Bombers has put it before, "water is still wet" We say it time and time again but the special teams wins Ithaca games all the time. Im actually pretty sure Ithaca would be 3 and 37 over the last 4 years if it wasnt for Special Teams. (Only half kidding... Those 3 wins over Hartwick of course) I mentioned it earlier but Buff State not having a kicker may have cost them.  I know all the new school football thinkers will argue "you should go for it anyways" or "field goals dont win you games, touchdowns do" But when you have a D like Ithaca, FG's can win you games. Note: I wish Ithaca went for it on 4th down more often so I am completely contradicting myself but whatever... 
Buff State lost 2 Starting DTs that were ejected... If they kept their cool it could have been a different game.
Ithacas back 8 (LB's and DB's) can run really well.. We saw linebackers and safeties chase down the Pete kid who is lightning quick.. Having played against these guys believe me when I say theyre very fundamental, strong, and fast.

Ithaca is 3-0 and has Hartwick next week before taking on Alfred at home.  Not looking ahead but this years' home games help Ithaca (Alfred, Fisher) if they want to make a serious run at things which I believe is possible. Anything is possible (cue Kevin Garnett)

[Bombers798891]

Nicely put Bombers. I think Buff State's lack of a kicker may have cost them on the XP, but, not the FG honestly, Kacz had a guy open, but missed his throw on 3rd down, so I can't blame them for thinking they could make it, given how they'd moved that drive. I'm a fan of aggression there. But the missed XP killed them. You could tell the offense was moving with confidence there. Get it to the 30-35, and you have a chance.

I liked Boffoli's last drive. Surprised the Bombers didn't get to Prugar more, though.

Stat of the year: Ithaca has returned 11 punts for 253 yards. Their opponents have returned 4 for 16.

[Upstate]

Turnovers killed Fisher early, they turned it over twice inside the 10 yard line. One of them being after driving it all the way from their own 10 yard line. They really need to hold onto the ball, 3 fumbles lost by the leaders of the offense in Fenti, Kramer and Miller is pretty crazy. Have to hold onto the ball.

Fenti gets 88 yds rushing (after losing 13 on sacks) and a TD to go along with completing 70% of his passes for 294 yds and 2 TDs. No problem with the INT as he was taking a shot into the endzone and the DB made a great play to cut in front of a football on a sinking football. He has to get rid of the ball a bit sooner as he was pressured more than the previous two games.

Didn't like the east/west running attack this week. Really limited the ground game this week. Cortland did a great job of stringing the play out for no yardage and negative yardage. Really need to hit the inside zone vs a fast flow team like Cortland.

Really good defensive effort to keep the game close while the offense turned the ball over early. They really stepped up and caused some turnovers late to seal the win.

Solid win vs a solid program. Looked a bit rusty early but made the plays late to win!

[boobyhasgameyo]

Fisher beat Cortland but they played their sloppiest game to date.  There were multiple turnovers in the redzone that kept Cortland in the game throughout.  Our kicker missed two extra point kicks.  I'm sure that will never haunt us.  Also, Fenti needs to learn to protect the ball when he runs.  He leaves it out there so that it is begging to be stripped.  I know he had one fumble for sure today but maybe he had two? 

The offense started to click in the 4th quarter and when Cortland finally turned the ball over twice themselves it allowed Fisher to gain a comfortable 16 point lead. 

[boobyhasgameyo]

Annnnd Upstate gave his recap at the same time.  Whoops!   

His was better anyway. 

[fisheralum91]

Fisher was sloppy, undisciplined and careless with the football and yet got away with a V today.
Lets hope that Vos can turn this around, as these are problems that are beyond frustrating. 
2 personal fouls on one play?
Really?
Wow
Oh and did I mention that the kicking game was completely horrific?

[saxontad]

Down 28-0 at the half.  AU wins 34-28 in OT.  Fantastic comeback.  I think we may have a new starting QB in Tyler Johnson.  Great job guys.  You never gave in. 


On Saxon Warriors!!!

[Saxon73]

  AUmazing

[AUPepBand]

Down 28-0 at the half.  AU wins 34-28 in OT.  Fantastic comeback.  I think we may have a new starting QB in Tyler Johnson.  Great job guys.  You never gave in. 


On Saxon Warriors!!!

Unbelievable! Kaz kept Pep posted during first half....a 28-0 deficit. He went to the Alfred State fireworks and by then Pep was back from the wedding and kept him posted, a 28-0 second half and the winning TD in OT!!

While Pep couldn't see the Alfred stands (the webcam was focused entirely on the field), Pep could hear the ROARS during the second half with each AU score.

On Saxon Warriors....o'er every adversity, FIGHT, FIGHT for Alfred, A-L-F, R-E-D!!!