FB: Empire 8

[Pat Coleman]

It's pretty funny that the Hartwick lineman only showed the video of the benches clearing and not the punch or the shot at Naton's knees.

I would have loved to watch the broadcast. Funny that it seems to be the only one not archived ...

[sjfcards]

I only wish the archive of the game itself hadn't been removed/never posted ... would like to see if the end of the game matches the way it's described in the news reports.

I wish I had paid closer attention. I know that what should have been 2 kneel downs lasted about 5 minutes because of offsides penalties with Hartwick and dubious diving at the Fisher QB. The refs probably should have just wound the clock and ended the game.

I know I am late to the party on this, but wanted to put in my two cents. The end of the game was hard to watch. The officiating was bad all game, and both teams seemed very animated about several calls. After Fisher made the pick in the endzone, and essentially ended the game, Hartwick did not seem to take it well. The shots at Naton were clearly dirty and intentional and some kind of action was probably necessary from  the school. However, Fisher players also left their bench when the final shot on Naton happened and that probably warrants some response as well.

My immediate reaction after the game was not about either team really but more the refs. I sort of shrugged off the benches clearing as two teams getting caught up in an emotional game and one really dirty play. Cooler heads prevailed and nothing really happened. But what I saw was the refs running off the field while the players were still on the field after the benches cleared. Considering most of the problem was their doing that is what really stuck with me. I think that needs to be a much bigger part of this story.

[magicman]

My immediate reaction after the game was not about either team really but more the refs. I sort of shrugged off the benches clearing as two teams getting caught up in an emotional game and one really dirty play. Cooler heads prevailed and nothing really happened. But what I saw was the refs running off the field while the players were still on the field after the benches cleared. Considering most of the problem was their doing that is what really stuck with me. I think that needs to be a much bigger part of this story.

Isn't that what Zebras usually do...run at the first sign of trouble? 

Seriously though I agree with you. The refs and their actions in the final minute of the game are really a large part of this story. They should have never let it get to the point that it did and then to hightail it without waiting to see that order was fully restored is dereliction of duty and they should be the ones facing a suspension.

[pg04]

Good luck to Brockport and Buffalo State as they face off in the annual I-90 Bowl. Should be a good final game for both teams (perhaps the winner, especially if it is the Bengals, will get to travel to CT for an ECAC game).

[dlippiel]

My immediate reaction after the game was not about either team really but more the refs. I sort of shrugged off the benches clearing as two teams getting caught up in an emotional game and one really dirty play. Cooler heads prevailed and nothing really happened. But what I saw was the refs running off the field while the players were still on the field after the benches cleared. Considering most of the problem was their doing that is what really stuck with me. I think that needs to be a much bigger part of this story.

Isn't that what Zebras usually do...run at the first sign of trouble? 

Seriously though I agree with you. The refs and their actions in the final minute of the game are really a large part of this story. They should have never let it get to the point that it did and then to hightail it without waiting to see that order was fully restored is dereliction of duty and they should be the ones facing a suspension.

What is frustrating to Dlip is that IHO the officiating at the d3 level (at least what he has witnessed) has always been very poor and somewhat unprofessional. Maybe the training/experience needs to increase, the certification process may need to intensify and be more focused, and maybe they need to make more $ to make it more competitive.

The student athletes bust their asses they deserve a high quality of officiating that is professional and held to a high standard...

[Toph]

My immediate reaction after the game was not about either team really but more the refs. I sort of shrugged off the benches clearing as two teams getting caught up in an emotional game and one really dirty play. Cooler heads prevailed and nothing really happened. But what I saw was the refs running off the field while the players were still on the field after the benches cleared. Considering most of the problem was their doing that is what really stuck with me. I think that needs to be a much bigger part of this story.

Isn't that what Zebras usually do...run at the first sign of trouble? 

Seriously though I agree with you. The refs and their actions in the final minute of the game are really a large part of this story. They should have never let it get to the point that it did and then to hightail it without waiting to see that order was fully restored is dereliction of duty and they should be the ones facing a suspension.

I know I'm late to the party on this as well, and a completely outside observer.  I haven't seen any video of the two cheap shots, only read a few accounts of the game.  I'll say this about the officials, if what I'm reading is accurate, they should've tossed the first kid after the first hit on Naton and sent a clear message. 

As for the idea that there should be some punishment for the Cardinal players who left the bench...probably so.  But it's difficult to blame them.  If you see your quarterback get two blatant cheap shots after the play and the only thing being done about it is a fifteen yard penalty, your natural instinct is to protect your teammate.

[sjfcards]

My immediate reaction after the game was not about either team really but more the refs. I sort of shrugged off the benches clearing as two teams getting caught up in an emotional game and one really dirty play. Cooler heads prevailed and nothing really happened. But what I saw was the refs running off the field while the players were still on the field after the benches cleared. Considering most of the problem was their doing that is what really stuck with me. I think that needs to be a much bigger part of this story.

Isn't that what Zebras usually do...run at the first sign of trouble? 

Seriously though I agree with you. The refs and their actions in the final minute of the game are really a large part of this story. They should have never let it get to the point that it did and then to hightail it without waiting to see that order was fully restored is dereliction of duty and they should be the ones facing a suspension.

I know I'm late to the party on this as well, and a completely outside observer.  I haven't seen any video of the two cheap shots, only read a few accounts of the game.  I'll say this about the officials, if what I'm reading is accurate, they should've tossed the first kid after the first hit on Naton and sent a clear message. 

As for the idea that there should be some punishment for the Cardinal players who left the bench...probably so.  But it's difficult to blame them.  If you see your quarterback get two blatant cheap shots after the play and the only thing being done about it is a fifteen yard penalty, your natural instinct is to protect your teammate.

Agreed, which is why I sort of shrugged off the whole thing when it first happened. I was a little surprised when I heard about the suspensions, but I don't necessarily think Hartwick is wrong for taking action. The second shot at Naton in particular was what I think set off the Fisher players. It was well after the kneel down, and was a deliberate (in my oppinion) shot at his knee. I understand the mentality if the players protecting their own, but agree the refs have to do something there.

[Upstate]

D3football's Facebook page posted the 3 kneel downs.

It doesn't show the punch by the Hartwick player but it does clearly show the Hartwick player diving at Naton's knees on the final play.

[Jonny Utah]

D3football's Facebook page posted the 3 kneel downs.

It doesn't show the punch by the Hartwick player but it does clearly show the Hartwick player diving at Naton's knees on the final play.

Yea that's a cheap shot, and I'm actually ok if an AD tells the football coach that doing that tactic at the end of the game isn't acceptable.  I'm actually impressed with SJF's composure on those last plays.

On another note, teams that do the kneel down usually run this tight formation, and I wonder if an XP type formation would be better with 1-2 players behind with 2 wings?  that would protect them from players like 47 who come in full speed off the edge like that.

[Jonny Utah]

Well there's #47 from Hartwick who dove at the QB's legs at the end of that game.  What is the saying about pictures being worth 1000 words or something like that?

[Upstate]

Correction, the first kneel down is when #42 gets up shoves a Fisher lineman and then throws a punch.

The LT (#74) for Fisher knocks him on his ass. He gets up and shoves #74 for Fisher and then throws a punch at #85.

[Bombers798891]

So here's my post-mortem on an Ithaca season that started with so much promise and ended in an abject disaster.

To put this in perspective: The Bombers averaged 35 points a game in the first five games of the season. They scored 40 points total the last five weeks. So what happened?

It's easy to blame the QB play, but injuries absolutely decimated the receiving core. None of the Bombers' top 6 receivers played all 10 games, just one played nine. Ithaca's starting WRs and TE from the first week of the season played 18 games total. For example, against Cortland, Jared Bauer, Mike Lopez, and Myles LaFrance had a combined 15 catches for 185 yards. In the first five games of the season, those three players appeared in two games and had a total of 2 catches for 17 yards.

Of course, the QB play wasn't all that great either, but it's a little understandable given the injuries.

The running game never got on track all season. Tristan Brown, the Bombers' leading back gained 641 yards, and 116 of those came on two long runs against Alfred.

Defensively, there were issues as well, even though the overall numbers were good. The Bombers generated 21 sacks, but 13 of them came against Hartwick and Fisher. In the other eight games, the Bombers were unable to effectively get to the passer. They deserved better in the last two games, but they weren't completely blameless for the Brockport and Utica losses. They were solid, but there weren't enough big plays late in the season.

Just a rough season. Even with the injuries, there have to be questions about the overall direction of the offense. It's been a problem for years, but it's easier to overlook that when the team is 7-3/8-2, but you can't ignore an offense that almost completely stopped producing during a five-game losing streak

[Jonny Utah]

So here's my post-mortem on an Ithaca season that started with so much promise and ended in an abject disaster.

To put this in perspective: The Bombers averaged 35 points a game in the first five games of the season. They scored 40 points total the last five weeks. So what happened?

It's easy to blame the QB play, but injuries absolutely decimated the receiving core. None of the Bombers' top 6 receivers played all 10 games, just one played nine. Ithaca's starting WRs and TE from the first week of the season played 18 games total. For example, against Cortland, Jared Bauer, Mike Lopez, and Myles LaFrance had a combined 15 catches for 185 yards. In the first five games of the season, those three players appeared in two games and had a total of 2 catches for 17 yards.

Of course, the QB play wasn't all that great either, but it's a little understandable given the injuries.

The running game never got on track all season. Tristan Brown, the Bombers' leading back gained 641 yards, and 116 of those came on two long runs against Alfred.

Defensively, there were issues as well, even though the overall numbers were good. The Bombers generated 21 sacks, but 13 of them came against Hartwick and Fisher. In the other eight games, the Bombers were unable to effectively get to the passer. They deserved better in the last two games, but they weren't completely blameless for the Brockport and Utica losses. They were solid, but there weren't enough big plays late in the season.

Just a rough season. Even with the injuries, there have to be questions about the overall direction of the offense. It's been a problem for years, but it's easier to overlook that when the team is 7-3/8-2, but you can't ignore an offense that almost completely stopped producing during a five-game losing streak

We talked about this a few weeks ago, and I was unable to watch the last 3 games but I was able to watch the Cortland game.  I think the coaches realize that they don't have the horses to move the ball offensively so they simply needed to keep defenses honest with the run and run some clock in the process just to stay in the game.  They have used this strategy in the past in playoff games as well where they were outmatched (Mt. Union and Wesley).  Those years however the QBs seemed to be able to make big plays (and the WRs weren't bad either).  IC has no big play guy and that hurts them.  The QBs couldn't run either and that is always a minus in todays football.  Small defensive backs continue to hurt them on defense, but overall the d played very well down the stretch.  Sack stats aren't always accurate because they depend on blitzes and stunts as well, although you would like to see a pass rush end get a few here and there on his own.  IC didn't have that either.

On to Union.

[sjfcards]

I didn't get to watch the Fisher/AU game yesterday, but I am impressed with how far Fisher came this season. Happy to see that they didn't pack it in after the 1-3 start, and actually gained a share of the E8 title. I am excited to see if/who they get in a bowl game. After week 4 I would have signed up for an ecac bowl in a heartbeat.

[AUPepBand]

I didn't get to watch the Fisher/AU game yesterday, but I am impressed with how far Fisher came this season. Happy to see that they didn't pack it in after the 1-3 start, and actually gained a share of the E8 title. I am excited to see if/who they get in a bowl game. After week 4 I would have signed up for an ecac bowl in a heartbeat.

Pep only wishes the Saxons could have played at Growney back in September...played Ithaca later in the season, and finished one of those fourth quarter drives at Cortland State! AU offense never really got untracked on Saterday but Fisher "D" had a lot to do with that. Meanwhile, James Chambers took it to the Saxons, who nevertheless, played some outstanding defense in limiting Fisher to 23 points despite being on the field for over 37 minutes.

Best of luck to the Cardinals, the Bengals and the Saxons in the ECAC D3FootballFest...and yes, also to the Red Dragons in the NCAAs! Pep only regrets that AU must play its game at 5 p.m. Sunday in Connecticut. Sundays were made for AU football players to nurse their wounds by going to the library to study!

Guess this means that after 11 weeks of the Demolition Derby, there are FOUR cars still running! Now that's durability....