FB: Empire 8

[theoriginalupstate]

Nice preview of the AU/SC game today in the Rochester D&C...

http://www.democratandchronicle.com/article/20090926/SPORTS09/909260314/1007/SPORTS/Alfred+U+prepared+for+Springfield+s+running+game

[maxpower]

Nice preview of the AU/SC game today in the Rochester D&C...

http://www.democratandchronicle.com/article/20090926/SPORTS09/909260314/1007/SPORTS/Alfred+U+prepared+for+Springfield+s+running+game

"This is the Empire 8 Conference opener for both teams, and the winner will move to the upper tier of the league with perennial powers Ithaca and St. John Fisher."

I don't know, at this point I'd say the winner is the favorite to win the conference.....


....if it's Springfield 

[boobyhasgameyo]

Scalice may be done for the season...huge blow to Bombers...

OUCH...

That's not good at all...

Quick question, are they back to the 4-3 or still running the 3-4?

4-3...but it's still the same soft zone coverage a good QB can pick apart since there's still no pass rush, so what's the difference? 

Losing any starting LBer during the year is tough, especially with the caliber of one like Scalice...

I was just wondering because with the 34 you can at least hide the loss of a LBer easier than you can in the 43...

Speaking of losing players for the year, I don't know if it's 100% accurate but I heard that the promising freshman running back Zemaitis tore his ACL and is out for the year.  Has anybody else heard anything on this??

Oh what the hell...

Nevermind Upstate, it appears to be false.  I just heard Christian's name being called. 

[fisheralum91]

yep he is playing.
feed keeps cutting off tho

[redswarm81]

And we thought last year's E8 season was a cluster****?

Let's see:

Ithaca loses to Union, a team that hasn't distinguished itself since--they lost to Muhlenberg, who today lost 20 - 3 at Gettysburg.

Utica takes a lead at RPI into the fourth quarter, loses by 3.  Utica leads at home in the 4th quarter against Ithaca, and loses by 3.

St. John Fisher loses to MUC (expected) and usually-good Salisbury, and manages to hold off Rochester, 35 -33.

Hartwick squeaks by middling NEFC Salve Regina, roughs up doormats Morrisville St. and Norwich.

Alfred hangs 49 points on Springfield.  Alfred warmed up for that game by beating 3 weaker teams, headlined by St. Lawrence (who beat Norwich by 4 points).

What the heck does this all mean?  Ithaca might still be as good as they were predicted, but that doesn't explain how they got beat by Union.  Maybe it means that in absolute terms, Utica is even better than Dew believes they are.

SJFisher's 2d loss, even to a quality team like Salisbury, makes a Pool B bid tough,especially since they've now lost head-to-head to another Pool B candidate with 2 losses.

[Bombers798891]

And we thought last year's E8 season was a cluster****?

Let's see:

Ithaca loses to Union, a team that hasn't distinguished itself since--they lost to Muhlenberg, who today lost 20 - 3 at Gettysburg.

Utica takes a lead at RPI into the fourth quarter, loses by 3.  Utica leads at home in the 4th quarter against Ithaca, and loses by 3.

St. John Fisher loses to MUC (expected) and usually-good Salisbury, and manages to hold off Rochester, 35 -33.

Hartwick squeaks by middling NEFC Salve Regina, roughs up doormats Morrisville St. and Norwich.

Alfred hangs 49 points on Springfield.  Alfred warmed up for that game by beating 3 weaker teams, headlined by St. Lawrence (who beat Norwich by 4 points).

What the heck does this all mean?  Ithaca might still be as good as they were predicted, but that doesn't explain how they got beat by Union.  Maybe it means that in absolute terms, Utica is even better than Dew believes they are.

SJFisher's 2d loss, even to a quality team like Salisbury, makes a Pool B bid tough,especially since they've now lost head-to-head to another Pool B candidate with 2 losses.

Let's not forget, the MUC game doesn't really count so SJF is really 2-1...

[theoriginalupstate]

And we thought last year's E8 season was a cluster****?

Let's see:

Ithaca loses to Union, a team that hasn't distinguished itself since--they lost to Muhlenberg, who today lost 20 - 3 at Gettysburg.

Utica takes a lead at RPI into the fourth quarter, loses by 3.  Utica leads at home in the 4th quarter against Ithaca, and loses by 3.

St. John Fisher loses to MUC (expected) and usually-good Salisbury, and manages to hold off Rochester, 35 -33.

Hartwick squeaks by middling NEFC Salve Regina, roughs up doormats Morrisville St. and Norwich.

Alfred hangs 49 points on Springfield.  Alfred warmed up for that game by beating 3 weaker teams, headlined by St. Lawrence (who beat Norwich by 4 points).

What the heck does this all mean?  Ithaca might still be as good as they were predicted, but that doesn't explain how they got beat by Union.  Maybe it means that in absolute terms, Utica is even better than Dew believes they are.

SJFisher's 2d loss, even to a quality team like Salisbury, makes a Pool B bid tough,especially since they've now lost head-to-head to another Pool B candidate with 2 losses.

Let's not forget, the MUC game doesn't really count so SJF is really 2-1...

SJF bit off more than they can chew with the schedule...

It certainly hasn't helped them at all the past two years...

[maxpower]

And we thought last year's E8 season was a cluster****?

Let's see:

Ithaca loses to Union, a team that hasn't distinguished itself since--they lost to Muhlenberg, who today lost 20 - 3 at Gettysburg.

Utica takes a lead at RPI into the fourth quarter, loses by 3.  Utica leads at home in the 4th quarter against Ithaca, and loses by 3.

St. John Fisher loses to MUC (expected) and usually-good Salisbury, and manages to hold off Rochester, 35 -33.

Hartwick squeaks by middling NEFC Salve Regina, roughs up doormats Morrisville St. and Norwich.

Alfred hangs 49 points on Springfield.  Alfred warmed up for that game by beating 3 weaker teams, headlined by St. Lawrence (who beat Norwich by 4 points).

What the heck does this all mean?  Ithaca might still be as good as they were predicted, but that doesn't explain how they got beat by Union.  Maybe it means that in absolute terms, Utica is even better than Dew believes they are.

SJFisher's 2d loss, even to a quality team like Salisbury, makes a Pool B bid tough,especially since they've now lost head-to-head to another Pool B candidate with 2 losses.

I think what's getting lost in all this is right now Alfred looks like the clear best team in the E8.

[labart96]

k+ mp - TGP views the Saxons as the team to beat in the E6 this season.

[redswarm81]

And we thought last year's E8 season was a cluster****?

Let's see:

Ithaca loses to Union, a team that hasn't distinguished itself since--they lost to Muhlenberg, who today lost 20 - 3 at Gettysburg.

Utica takes a lead at RPI into the fourth quarter, loses by 3.  Utica leads at home in the 4th quarter against Ithaca, and loses by 3.

St. John Fisher loses to MUC (expected) and usually-good Salisbury, and manages to hold off Rochester, 35 -33.

Hartwick squeaks by middling NEFC Salve Regina, roughs up doormats Morrisville St. and Norwich.

Alfred hangs 49 points on Springfield.  Alfred warmed up for that game by beating 3 weaker teams, headlined by St. Lawrence (who beat Norwich by 4 points).

What the heck does this all mean?  Ithaca might still be as good as they were predicted, but that doesn't explain how they got beat by Union.  Maybe it means that in absolute terms, Utica is even better than Dew believes they are.

SJFisher's 2d loss, even to a quality team like Salisbury, makes a Pool B bid tough,especially since they've now lost head-to-head to another Pool B candidate with 2 losses.

I think what's getting lost in all this is right now Alfred looks like the clear best team in the E8.

I think Utica's probably played tougher teams than Alfred has.  I don't see any reason to believe that Utica can't go toe-to-toe with Alfred as well.  Could be a heck of a game.

[AUKaz00]

I think what's getting lost in all this is right now Alfred looks like the clear best team in the E8.

While I'm definitely excited (are we still using "exited" here?) about the Saxons' start, the taste of those last three games in 2007 is still too fresh to forget.  One game at a time and blah, blah, blah but I'm enjoying the ride just as I have the last 4 or 5 years and hoping for the Utica game to be meaningful as the Fisher game has all these years.

[theoriginalupstate]

I have to ask this question...

When and why in the hell did SJF adapt the Hartwick offensive mentality?

As a team:

29-54, 359 yds, 2 TD, 4 INT...

23 Carries for -44 yards...

As a program that once prided itself on it's ability to plug in RB's and run the ball well on anyone in this region, this has to be an embarrassment...

If I am an offensive lineman on this team (also allowed 5 sacks today) I'm ashamed of this piss poor performance...

[dlippiel]

Alfred is on top of the E8 in dlips opinion with the W over the Pride today. Needless to say they will be moving up in dlips poll. One loss that did not surprise dlip is Cortland. Just felt they have been overrated all season, especially considering their youth. What a cluster **** mess the east is. dlip is loving it though.

[Bombers798891]

Very impressed with UC's performance again today. Although it would be easy  to attribute the 3 point loss to failed FG attempt (last week as well), this would not be fair or accurate-there were a number of missed opportunities throughout the game that clearly impacted the outcome, especially in 2nd half. Overall, appears to be due to youth and inexperience-(vast majority of team is Fr and Soph) making the mistakes and poor decisions that seasoned veterans wouldn't. Anticipate improvement with each game-but Pioneers are likely to struggle intermittently for the rest of season.

Much credit for success due is to the dedication of Coach Faggiano, Coach Penree for aggressive and successful recruiting efforts, the entire coaching staff, and innovative utilization of talent.

Agree with above posters- Alfred will dominate E-8 this year, and expect last game of season against Saxons will be greatest challenge. Much respect for AU's 1st class program.

An uncharacteristically sedate and small group of Ithaca fans today. Considering the good weather, would have expected a better turn out, as seen other years. But was great to see stands overflowing with UC supporters, and was a good game, despite some questionable officiating. Predict that next year, the Pioneers finally will realize their potential, and "Fear the Moose" will be more than just 3 words on the back of an orange tee shirt.

While I think Alfred has looked the best so far, let's not forget, they haven't faced a tough road game yet. Although SJF and IC look vunerable, both squads will have their seasons on the line in that game. The last hurdle for any up-an-coming team is winning those tough road games.

Over/Under on number of yards Secky lights up Ithaca for: 350. I'll take the over.

[Bombers798891]

And we thought last year's E8 season was a cluster****?

Let's see:

Ithaca loses to Union, a team that hasn't distinguished itself since--they lost to Muhlenberg, who today lost 20 - 3 at Gettysburg.

Utica takes a lead at RPI into the fourth quarter, loses by 3.  Utica leads at home in the 4th quarter against Ithaca, and loses by 3.

St. John Fisher loses to MUC (expected) and usually-good Salisbury, and manages to hold off Rochester, 35 -33.

Hartwick squeaks by middling NEFC Salve Regina, roughs up doormats Morrisville St. and Norwich.

Alfred hangs 49 points on Springfield.  Alfred warmed up for that game by beating 3 weaker teams, headlined by St. Lawrence (who beat Norwich by 4 points).

What the heck does this all mean?  Ithaca might still be as good as they were predicted, but that doesn't explain how they got beat by Union.  Maybe it means that in absolute terms, Utica is even better than Dew believes they are.

SJFisher's 2d loss, even to a quality team like Salisbury, makes a Pool B bid tough,especially since they've now lost head-to-head to another Pool B candidate with 2 losses.

Let's not forget, the MUC game doesn't really count so SJF is really 2-1...

SJF bit off more than they can chew with the schedule...

It certainly hasn't helped them at all the past two years...

Upstate,

I agree. This is one of the things that killed Buffalo State in the early 2000's, although Fisher will not drop that far. It will be very interesting to see if SJF can remain an East Power or if they'll fade back, kind of like Brockport did after their 3-4 year run. I don't mean that as a dig, just an honest question. They've certainly got the facilities to bring in top recruits. We'll see if they can fight back the rest of the season. Certainly, not opening with MUC will help.