FB: Empire 8

[D3MAFAN]

Ithaca didn't have a great defensive game today, but

Fisher had scored 30+ five games in a row, and Ithaca held them to 22. Alfred has scored 30+ points in five of their last six games, and the exception was Ithaca, who held them to six. Buffalo State has scored 34 points against everyone they've played but Whitewater, Ithaca, who held them to 20, and Salisbury, who held them to 6. They're making plays.

I thought Fisher looked okay, but they didn't take many shots down field. But defensively, they have a very good defensive line. I think overall, however the E8 is down this year. I was talking with a friend of mine after the game, and we remarked that Ithaca doesn't really have any playmakers on offense...and they're 6-1 and control their own destiny for a conference title. It's a good Ithaca team, but I don't think anyone saw this coming.

[Bombers798891]

Ithaca didn't have a great defensive game today, but

Fisher had scored 30+ five games in a row, and Ithaca held them to 22. Alfred has scored 30+ points in five of their last six games, and the exception was Ithaca, who held them to six. Buffalo State has scored 34 points against everyone they've played but Whitewater, Ithaca, who held them to 20, and Salisbury, who held them to 6. They're making plays.

I thought Fisher looked okay, but they didn't take many shots down field. But defensively, they have a very good defensive line. I think overall, however the E8 is down this year. I was talking with a friend of mine after the game, and we remarked that Ithaca doesn't really have any playmakers on offense...and they're 6-1 and control their own destiny for a conference title. It's a good Ithaca team, but I don't think anyone saw this coming.

Good point. Missed that game. Think the point is still valid

[AUKaz00]

Ithaca didn't have a great defensive game today, but

Fisher had scored 30+ five games in a row, and Ithaca held them to 22. Alfred has scored 30+ points in five of their last six games, and the exception was Ithaca, who held them to six. Buffalo State has scored 34 points against everyone they've played but Whitewater, Ithaca, who held them to 20, and Salisbury, who held them to 6. They're making plays.

I thought Fisher looked okay, but they didn't take many shots down field. But defensively, they have a very good defensive line. I think overall, however the E8 is down this year. I was talking with a friend of mine after the game, and we remarked that Ithaca doesn't really have any playmakers on offense...and they're 6-1 and control their own destiny for a conference title. It's a good Ithaca team, but I don't think anyone saw this coming.

Good point. Missed that game. Think the point is still valid

Well, except that they got to 33 in 2OT against Alfred, but close enough to 34...

[Bombers798891]

With only a few weeks left, here are my E8 RankingsL

1. Salisbury-- Man, do the Gulls look on a mission. A dominating defensive effort against Hartwick shoots them to 4-0 in conference. I keep waiting for the offense to put up that 50/60 point game, but maybe this team just isn't that explosive. With a defense like that, they don't really need to be.

2. Ithaca-- Yes, Fisher's played a tougher in- and out-of-conference schedule. But, breaking a seven-game losing streak deserves something. And it the Bombers, flaws and all are 6-1, boasting the 2nd best defense in the conference and a special teams unit so good it's scary. Can the Bombers avoid the trap game next week? I almost feel like the loss to Hartwick helps them here. I doubt they'll get caught sleeping twice.

3. Fisher-- Tough loss for a good team. But I thought they were a bit too conservative on offense, not taking many downfield shots until necessary. Disaster of a special teams day, though that's as much the opponent as anything else. Still likely to finish 8-2.

4. Alfred-- Saxons will be interesting next week. Seems like they've mostly fixed the turnover machine at QB, and they've got four defensive touchdowns. They almost upset the Gulls last season. At home, could they pull off a trap game upset by making the most of defensive chances?

5. Buffalo State-- The most hot and cold team in the conference is running hot again, though Utica collapsing didn't hurt. Bengals could be back over .500 next week.

6. Team Boltus-- Hey, losing 17-0 to Salisbury isn't exactly a crime. And they're still the only team to beat Ithaca this year. Slowly creeping up the standings.

7. Utica-- Well, that was a disaster of a minute and a half. Two tough losses to IC and Buff State could have been wins, but to be 3-4 despite playing five of seven at home? That's a step back to me.

8. Frostburg-- Frostburg's pass defense is really, really bad (cue them shutting down Ithaca next week). One interception in 230 attempts? Just seven sacks? Offense will give them a puncher's chance against IC (especially a mobile QB) but they've got to get some playmakers on the other side of the ball

[fisheralum91]

Good analysis Bombers.
Pretty spot on.
I will say that the one eyebrow raising score was the SU Wick game.
I was impressed that wick held them to 17.

[Bombers798891]

So Ithaca's kickers split E8 special teams player of the week with each other, which got me wondering: Is it possible for the two of them to finish first and second-team all conference, respectively? And has this ever happened in a position where traditionally only one player plays?

A look at the top E8 kickers:

Nicholson    6-of-7, average make distance: 25, average miss distance 34, 12X14 on PATs
Rottenecker 5-of-7, average make distance: 39, average miss distance: 42, 0 PAT attempt
Giola           4-of-6, average make distance: 32, average miss distance: 29, 18X25 on PATs
Woodburn   5-of-8, average make distance: 29, average miss distance: 37, 13X18 on PATs

I am not differentiating between a missed kick and a blocked kick, because I think it's impossible to tell if a kick was blocked because it was kicked too low or not. And on field goals, you have no indication if a 45-kick that was blocked has the distance or accuracy anyway. A miss is a miss.

I think you could make a very good case that Nicholson and Rottenecker are 1-2. Rottenecker's clearly the best FG kicker, especially given that he's not attempted any that were under 35 yards, and five of them were 40+ yards. He's hurt by not having XPs however. Nicholson's got the shortest average kick, which certainly helps his accuracy, but he's also been the best on XPs, so maybe he's just more accurate, period.

Still three weeks to go, and some things could change. But I thought this was a pretty unique situation

[Bengalsrule]

"Hot/cold" BENGALS are "hot" again (at least for the present moment). 2 in a row in E8 and currently .500 overall, with a chance at 71% winning percentage in the E8 ! Hopefully 4 loses in a row, can be followed up by 4 wins in a row to end the season (like they did last year).

On to Oneonta NY to face Hartwick Hawks!

Go BENGALS!!

[pg04]

Hi all,

Just coming in to say hi since it's been July since I posted here! I have been way out of the loop of D3 football unfortunately, but glad some of you are still having good discussions.

[dlippiel]

+k pal Dlip welcomes you back!

[AUPepBand]

Hi all,

Just coming in to say hi since it's been July since I posted here! I have been way out of the loop of D3 football unfortunately, but glad some of you are still having good discussions.

Hey PG! Was just thinking about you today....and how Pep had hoped you'd be posting this season, what with the Saxons playing at the 'port and all. What a crazy game it was...Pep would have enjoyed it but was a groomsman for a young friend and, as it turned out, watched the second half webcast. As a Saxon fan, Pep saw the correct half of football! Anyway, the Golden Eagles have won three straight now and could very well finish 7-3 and perhaps get the AQ! Go Brockport! +K

On Saxon Warriors!

[pg04]

Hi all,

Just coming in to say hi since it's been July since I posted here! I have been way out of the loop of D3 football unfortunately, but glad some of you are still having good discussions.

Hey PG! Was just thinking about you today....and how Pep had hoped you'd be posting this season, what with the Saxons playing at the 'port and all. What a crazy game it was...Pep would have enjoyed it but was a groomsman for a young friend and, as it turned out, watched the second half webcast. As a Saxon fan, Pep saw the correct half of football! Anyway, the Golden Eagles have won three straight now and could very well finish 7-3 and perhaps get the AQ! Go Brockport! +K

On Saxon Warriors!

Thanks! That would have been a great game to have been at. I have been so busy I've been unable to see any D3 games webcast or otherwise. I don't even really know what's going on in the region for that matter!

[pg04]

+k pal Dlip welcomes you back!

Thanks Dlip!

[Bombers798891]

Week 8 Preview

Frostburg at Ithaca-- I really think the Bombers will be okay here, ironically because they've already lost a game they shouldn't have. I imagine the coaching staff is going to hit that point very hard. Also, it's a tough road trip late in the year for Frostburg. Provided Ithaca isn't its own worst enemy on offense, I think they win easy, 30-7.

Salisbury at Alfred-- The Saxons are still a contender for the E8 crown if they can pull off the upset at home. Saxons can be a tough out at times, and do have four defensive TDs this season, and triple option teams always put it on the ground at some point. Can a scoop-and-score keep them in it? Maybe, but I am not confident the offense can produce points against a locked in Salisbury D (see the Ithaca game for evidence). Salisbury 34-13.

Utica at Fisher-- I think the Cardinals rebound. Last week they were on the road against a team that was gunning for them. They lost the turnover battle 5-1, had a terrible day on special teams, and still had a shot to win it. Utica's had a couple tough losses in a row, but I think Fisher doesn't let them hang around. Cardinals 38-17

Buff State at Hartwick-- I'm calling Hawks here. This is a tough, tough, place to play, as the Bombers, and even Salisbury have found out. Wick 24-21

[pumkinattack]

I think I saw that Pat, Keith, Ryan Tipps and Smedindy have all called for the Utica upset.  Just throwing that out there. 

[fisheralum91]

Nice