FB: Empire 8

[bomber27]

Tayer Ashkar is still there right?  He is a hell of a player too.  If he is still there, Juvan is gonna have to do really well to win the job

[gobombers]

Only thing I could say is that they used a LOT of 2 deep safety coverages, with a man on Espo.  Sometimes on twin formations, there were 3 people over on his side.  IC chose to do a lot of dump off passes, using Espo and the other wideouts to pull out the DBs, allowing other players (other WRs, TE, RBs) to run underneath uncovered.

[maninyellowhat]

Dawg,

Espo had a good game statistically last week against Cortland, but Ithaca got away from him late there too.  Not really sure why though.

[Jonny Utah]

Ithaca should really think about going to a 5-2 defense like Union has if they cant improve.  a 4-3 is too hard to run if you dont have the players to do it.  Ithaca always ran a 3-4/5-2 before 1994.  something has to change there.

[tecmobowler]

Some thoughts from today's game:

Credit to the Ithaca playcalling.  Today was one of the first times this year that the offense played right out of the gates.  They opened it up early, and often. 

That was the first flea flicker I've seen in six years from the Bombers. Pretty nifty.

Felicetti had a great day.  As I said in the previous post, I think we've become spoiled with him.  Opposing fans gush over him, and we should probably too.  From the first game he played and stole a win against Hartwick, he's led a great offense. Juvan looks like he could be the real deal, but he'll have to fill very big shoes. 

Baez looks faster and faster each game.  The fumble hurt, but you can't fault him too much as he was fighting for every yard.  The team handed the starting spot to Donavan, but it looks like Baez has taken it back.  If they are both healthy next year, it could be a heck of a twosome.

Offensive line was tough today, and did a great job protecting and run blocking. 

The punt from the 33 upset me.  I talked about it to my poor girlfriend for twenty minutes after it, and half the trip home.  4th and 4 from the 33.  Union hasn't stopped you all day.  Instead you punt into the endzone, and they run for 25 yards on the first play.  That was rough.

The squib kick was nuts.  What a perfect bounce to slam off a Bomber, and rifle twenty yards straight back to a Union kickoff man. Sometimes you just have to shrug your shoulders and move on. 

Gordon can sure return a kick.  Will be interesting to see if he's still back there next year as he'll probably be the #1 wideout.

The defense did what it could in terms of switching things up, sending the blitz, but their QB was just so poised.  A healthy secondary the entire year next year would be awesome.  I believe Higgins is a Senior? If so, credit to him for a good year.  He had some tough moments in the past but really came into his own this year at safety.  He'll be missed.

I'd love to see a pass rusher develop from within, or be recruited.  We really haven't had one since Puckhaber (sp?) a few years back.  We need some pass rush outside of a blitz, or else the secondary is chasing guys around for twenty seconds. 

Stopping Union coming straight out of the second half, I thought was a huge statement for the defense.  Hopefully the entire unit can improve next year.  Colon will sorely be missed. Hopefully little Scalice will be back and healthy. 

A great fan turnout today from Ithaca.  I think our enthusiasm irked some Union folks.  Thanks to all the parents, and students who made it a fun year to be a Bomber fan.  I don't think I've seen the atmosphere better in my six years.  The Fisher and Alfred games especially stick out. A special thanks to Mr. N for the t-shirts, and general support.

Thanks to all the seniors for making Saturday's something to look forward to after the last few years.

We'll be back next year!

[theoriginalupstate]

Ithaca should really think about going to a 5-2 defense like Union has if they cant improve.  a 4-3 is too hard to run if you dont have the players to do it.  Ithaca always ran a 3-4/5-2 before 1994.  something has to change there.

The thing with the 3-4 is that you need a stud 2 gap Nose Tackle and a pair of DE's that can stop the run and not get blown off the ball.... very big and physical players than can occupy lineman and keep them off of your Mike and Liz LBers.  UofR tries to run it but their D line is very weak and gets pushed around alot.  Its a great defense if you have the personel!


Props to the LL though, they played great today and made plays when they had to.  Go represent the East and take down RU and DVC for us!

[maninyellowhat]

Some thoughts from today's game:

Credit to the Ithaca playcalling.  Today was one of the first times this year that the offense played right out of the gates.  They opened it up early, and often. 

Felicetti had a great day.  As I said in the previous post, I think we've become spoiled with him.  Opposing fans gush over him, and we should probably too.  From the first game he played and stole a win against Hartwick, he's led a great offense. Juvan looks like he could be the real deal, but he'll have to fill very big shoes. 

That was the first thing I said to orangehat today was that the team needed to come out strong, and they sure did.  It sounded as if they felt they had a bit to prove after last week.

I have to echo your thoughts on Felicetti.  He's had a great career, and it was a lot of fun watching him develop.  

Espo has had a heck of a career too.  Some of the posters here think he was underutilized this year, and I think that's a credit to what he brought to the team.  I guess it's somewhat reminiscent of the Abe Ceesay (sp) days.

[Jonny Utah]

I dont know if you guys remember matt buddenhagen, but kelly gordon reminds me a lot of him.

[theoriginalupstate]

What the heck was Fisher thinking going for it on 4th and 7 with a 2 point lead and 4 minutes left??? I can see 4th and 2, but after that penalty it should have been a no-brainer to punt.....even if you're on the 35....

And then the decision TO punt on 4th and 1 early in the first quarter in RPI territory??? WHAT?


Props to RPI for playing a great game. Your band's pretty sweet too....probably the best i've heard in a long time.

Fisher has been making questionable decisions for a few years now, its been pretty consistent.  
-Going for it on 4th down and 1 yd when playing on the road vs a nationally ranked team, with the lead inside field goal range with a great kicker on the team and then calling a play that we never practice (a qb sneak of all things wasnt practiced or talked about untill we tried it once and failed).  
-Running tosses on 4th and 4 into the short side of the field vs a nationally ranked team and a very fast D.  
-Letting 20 seconds run off the clock w/ under 1 minute to go in the first half (with the crowd screaming for one) before realizing to call time out in the first round of the NCAA playoffs, grant it they got the ball back and scored regardless but why put extra pressure on the offense?  
-Taking points off of the score board and then blowing a FG of 23 yards, a game that went into overtime vs IC.  

I know hindsight is always 20/20 and people can say that the rest of the game may have played out different if a different decision was made, but seriously its like they have a great game plan and great calls for 85% of the game but just have brain farts when it matters the most.  

Stick with what works, you have an all conference punter on your team.  Last time you punted you pinned them deep and sacked them for a saftey.  Instead you give them 60 yds to go vs 85/90 yds, you have to put your players in positions to be succesful and sometimes that doesnt happen late in games for SJF.

[gobombers]

The "other" U went down tonight to GTech, and for those of you up, check out the Fresno vs USC game, Fresno ain't backing down, and is up 14-7.

[bomber27]

OK, the thing with our D is that we graduated the whole line and our best corner back.  Steele, Sarge, and Shafiro were three of the best players on our team(not just defense) and add to that Tosh, there were going to be growing pains.  I bet they will be much improved next year.  Raymond is a good coordinator and he is now working with vets and Veil chops Boble is back at the nose next year plus the young monster scalise.  As for offense, the strength is now out backs.  No matter who hands the ball off, they will be handing it off to four, yes four great backs(Baez, Donovan, Davis, and my boy Bam)  Kelly Gordon has come into his own this season and will be a star next year.  All in all, we need to reload, not rebuild, Looking forward to yelling at ya'll and cheering for ya'll next year but in the mean time, let's go LL, I congradualate you and can't say enough how entertaining you are.  Thanks to all and I will be lurking, waiting to make a smart a$$ comment and always ready to give congrats. 

[bomber27]

wow, and i thought that was a good post, u guys need to quit hatin

[lumpy]

Great season Bombers!!! for all the seniors you did a great job and it was an awesome year, good luck in whatever you do, Union/LL, represent us from the east good luck!!


GO EAST !!!!!!

[Reno Hightower]

You guys talked so much trash all week and are now being so gracious......It's making it hard for us!!!

Oh Well, TASTE IT!!!!

[lumpy]

That's what its all about Reno, respect and class