FB: Empire 8

[ExTartanPlayer]

Congratulations to SJF.  I'll admit that I had tabbed John Carroll as a serious semifinal-caliber contender and, while I have great respect for Fisher's program, I thought JCU was going to take this one.  The Empire 8 always acquits itself well come playoff time but this one still surprised me.  Kudos to the Cardinals!

(And the Bombers, too, but their win was somewhat more expected; Framingham State gives another good accounting of themselves in a playoff loss, which hopefully means the gap really IS closing, at least for the top MASCAC team, and they'll continue to be a worthy playoff entry, biggest question is what happens to the FSU offense when Van Alstyne graduates)

[Upstate]

A great write up from the Cleveland Plain Dealer with some great pictures too...

http://www.cleveland.com/sports/college/index.ssf/2013/11/john_carroll_in_division_iii_f.html

[boobyhasgameyo]

"We needed to stay on the field (offensively) to keep their offense off," John Fisher coach Paul Vosburgh noted as a key to the game. "We wanted to make sure we made good tackles. They were going to complete passes, but we had to keep the ball in front of us and make them work the ball downfield."

I'm glad that Vosburgh went on these boards and listened to me when I said as much earlier this week regarding limiting their offensive opportunities and almost conceding the underneath on pass plays while tackling well    

[sjfcards]

"We needed to stay on the field (offensively) to keep their offense off," John Fisher coach Paul Vosburgh noted as a key to the game. "We wanted to make sure we made good tackles. They were going to complete passes, but we had to keep the ball in front of us and make them work the ball downfield."

I'm glad that Vosburgh went on these boards and listened to me when I said as much earlier this week regarding limiting their offensive opportunities and almost conceding the underneath on pass plays while tackling well   

This happened a few times during the broadcast yesterday, and now in the paper. Just call the school Saint John Fisher. Not John Fisher. Not St. John's Fisher. Just call it Saint John Fisher.

[D3MAFAN]

Great Game by SJF, I watched the game simultaneously with other region games and have to say that for 70% of the game, I thought SJF was the better team. As far as weather, maybe the game would have went another way, but when you can't stop the run in the snow, I don't think you could stop it in the sun. The defense played really well with only bring 3 or 4 guys, I think I saw a couple times with only 2 rushers.

Congrats to Ithaca, they just seem to find ways to win some of these games without all the stats, it appeared that the RAMS were going to have a statement win, but as Lee Corso says "Not so fast my friend," the Bombers held strong all second half and made the plays they needed to play. I felt as though Framingham State would do well once the weather settled, but just didn't think the play calling and QB decisions were there. Hopefully, the RAMS can continue scheduling good to great teams from the major conferences, so that others can stop saying that the weakest conference is in the East, which I would differ.

Congrats to Alfred a good tough game against Cortland, really surprised me, I thought the game last week was going to carry over for both teams, but each played really well and the better team won. I think if Alfred can use this game and the games the last couple weeks as learning lessons, they can be right back next year, trying to win the E8.

Congrats to Salisbury, they played tough the whole game, Defense kept them afoot, Muhlenberg played tough against Salisbury. However, I think that the option made a okay Muhlenberg team look way better, they could not convert on third down, they had some big plays that I haven't see all season.

[wesleydad]

Alright Ithaca fans.  Looking for info on the atmosphere for a game at Ithaca.  How is the tailgating?  How is parking on campus?  I have a little under 4 hour drive to get there so I am trying to make my plans for next Saturday.  With Thanksgiving week I figure the campus will be rather quiet as far as students go.  Any info would be appreciated.  I saw Ithaca play against Salisbury and was impressed by the fans who traveled to the game.  Very enthusiastic.  Looking forward to the trip to NY, will be my first time to Ithaca area.

[pumkinattack]

Congrats on beating JCU.  Starting to change my view of the national landscape as this is the second year the OAC runner up was predicted by the vast majority to go to the quarterfinals only to bow out in the first round.  Outside that top 3-5, the east isn't as bad as many of these provincial types desperately want to believe.  Nothing against SJF, but JCU just lost at home to a two loss pool C who's losses were to multi loss teams.  There's no amount of excuses or explanations that can cover that for some of these "Midwest football is so superior" types.  Glad you guys could deliver that message.

Should be a good game next week, but will be one dimensional w Conlan out and 1, possibly two OL out. 

[Upstate]

Will be interesting to see the result of this weeks Bart/Fisher game with Fisher not having a RB playing QB and Hobart not coming off back to back bye weeks like they were the last time they met...

Yes I'm still bitter...

Let the smack talk commence!!!

[pumkinattack]

No point, were down numerous guys.  Easy to get past a weaker AQ at home, but not enough left to beat any of the remaining 15. 

I'm bummed.  Think UMHB is the best team this year, but was still hoping they could make it to Belton.  Been losing guys for about five weeks now and down too many.  I just hope they show up and don't get run off their own field.

[Upstate]

No point, were down numerous guys.  Easy to get past a weaker AQ at home, but not enough left to beat any of the remaining 15. 

I'm bummed.  Think UMHB is the best team this year, but was still hoping they could make it to Belton.  Been losing guys for about five weeks now and down too many.  I just hope they show up and don't get run off their own field.

You have three sure fire (at least IMO) All Americans in Worthington, Coleman and Webb. It's not like your cupboard is bare over there in Geneva!!!

I don't really want to smack talk with Hobart or any upstate school that has made it this far. I'm looking forward to a great game next weekend. I see a close, low scoring 20-17 type of game though...

[Cardinal Pride]

Congrats on beating JCU.  Starting to change my view of the national landscape as this is the second year the OAC runner up was predicted by the vast majority to go to the quarterfinals only to bow out in the first round.  Outside that top 3-5, the east isn't as bad as many of these provincial types desperately want to believe.  Nothing against SJF, but JCU just lost at home to a two loss pool C who's losses were to multi loss teams.  There's no amount of excuses or explanations that can cover that for some of these "Midwest football is so superior" types.  Glad you guys could deliver that message.

Should be a good game next week, but will be one dimensional w Conlan out and 1, possibly two OL out.

I don't post on here much because there are far more knowledgeable D3 fans than I.  But I do feel confident in saying that Salisbury and Ithaca are much better teams than any team Hobart has faced from the Liberty League.  There is no comparison between the E8 and LL.  Hobart is a strong program but face very little competition within their own league.  IMHO I don't believe Hobart goes unbeaten in the E8. I also believe SJF, Ithaca, Alfred, Salisbury and Buff State are stronger than most if not all the teams in the LL outside of Hobart.     Good Luck.

[SaintsFAN]

This happened a few times during the broadcast yesterday, and now in the paper. Just call the school Saint John Fisher. Not John Fisher. Not St. John's Fisher. Just call it Saint John Fisher.

Its CLEVELAND.  Fortunately the reporter remembered his pen and pad of paper when he left his house yesterday

[middlerelief]

Congrats on beating JCU.  Starting to change my view of the national landscape as this is the second year the OAC runner up was predicted by the vast majority to go to the quarterfinals only to bow out in the first round.  Outside that top 3-5, the east isn't as bad as many of these provincial types desperately want to believe.  Nothing against SJF, but JCU just lost at home to a two loss pool C who's losses were to multi loss teams.  There's no amount of excuses or explanations that can cover that for some of these "Midwest football is so superior" types.  Glad you guys could deliver that message.

Should be a good game next week, but will be one dimensional w Conlan out and 1, possibly two OL out.

I don't post on here much because there are far more knowledgeable D3 fans than I.  But I do feel confident in saying that Salisbury and Ithaca are much better teams than any team Hobart has faced from the Liberty League.  There is no comparison between the E8 and LL.  Hobart is a strong program but face very little competition within their own league.  IMHO I don't believe Hobart goes unbeaten in the E8. I also believe SJF, Ithaca, Alfred, Salisbury and Buff State are stronger than most if not all the teams in the LL outside of Hobart.     Good Luck.

I agree with both of these posts -- The East gets largely labeled as weak by the rest of the country due to the absence of championships post IC, and Rowan's failure to grab a crown when it had its run of Stagg Bowls.  Truth be told, with the exception of PLU, Linfield, and St. John's -- the Rest of the Country has experienced the same result that the East has -- defeats by MUC and UWW.   Mind you, it took a .500 club in Buff State to show the Rest of the Country that these programs, at least UWW, are made of humans and can and will be beaten.  I don't know when the East will have a recognized dominant program again, but it will.    In the meantime though, you can expect fight and spirit in the East programs that will lay down for no one.

As for the LL -- Hobart and RPI did post wins over Utica and Alfred.  And Union got beat by IC and UC.  So head to head in 2013 its even.  Last time Hobart played SJF they did beat up the Cards pretty handily.  That said, my general feeling is that the Liberty League is on par with the PAC.  And when you look at Bart's schedule vs. SJF's it isn't even close.  I'm expecting (and probably hoping more than anything) a confident Cards team to do what it has done in the prior visits to the NCAA Tourney -- go into the home turf of a Conference Champ that is likely favored, and beat the snot out of them and walk away with a convincing victory.

[wesleydad]

Looks like the game has been changed to Dover this weekend.  Not sure why, but I guess the explanation will come out at some point.  So, won't be making the trip to Ithaca after all.  If you are making the trip, it will be 1 hour less than Salisbury.

[fisheralum91]

Pat,
With all due respect,
You and yours chose JCU to win...
That did not happen...
And for this....I am extremely happy!

Not sure why this post is about me but congrats on the win.

Thank you- but this is why you were mentioned:

Ryan's take: John Carroll 35, St. John Fisher 17
Keith's take: John Carroll 28, St. John Fisher 14
Pat's take: John Carroll 37, St. John Fisher 17
Consensus: John Carroll, comfortably.

I was glad you were wrong.