FB: Empire 8

[sjfcards]

It's gameday, and there are a good group of games for the E8 teams this weekend. The Fisher/Hobart game was mentioned on the front page, IC has a tough challenge today with Lyco, Utica will be tested and we can get a better idea of what they have, and AU/Springfield is the game of the day IMHO.

I will take:
Fisher over Hobart: The big thing for Fisher this week is to weather the storm early. Hobart will be ready to go on homecoming and the first night game in the new stadium and all that. Bottom line, I think Fisher is the better team, and if they can deal with the emotion early I think they will start to take over the game in the 2nd half.

IC over Lycoming: I admit it. IC is much better than what I thought they would be, and they will show it again today. Lyco will be a real test for Ithaca (especially if they can not get the running game going), but you can see my above statement about just being the better team.

Utica over Wilkes: I really do not know anything about Wilkes, but looking at the score of their game against SC, I think Utica will win.  IMHO Utica is closer to SC than they are Wilkes.

AU over SC: I know that Springfield is tough to prepare for, they are at home, and they have looked good so far, but there is something about this AU team that I like. I think last week was a bit of a anamoly, and they will be ready to go this weekend.

[bomber3]

Here's a little inside information: vossler and higgins are out for Ithaca with injuries.  Just hoping to get out of williamsport with a W now...

Edit: Add leading tackle gilfedder to the IR.  He is out for the game too.

[Old IC Voice]

Gilfedder also out for IC. Injuries wreaked havoc on them last year, here's hoping Crandall, Hannon, and Clarke step it up against a game Lycoming squad.

[Old IC Voice]

It's early, but Mount Ida leads Norwich 3-0 to start the second quarter. I think there are going to be plenty of MI fans in the E8 today if this stays close!

[theoriginalupstate]

Dominant performance by SJF tonight.  They really played a physical game tonight running the ball and getting after the QB! 

This was just the type of game they needed going into conference play!  They really came out and ran the ball well, Borum had close to 180 and 3 TDs (should have had 4 if not for a phantom illegal motion call). 

I'll tell you this, Hobart's Webb is the real deal.  He's going to rewrite the record book at Hobart, he's something special!  Had over 100 yards rushing and receiving tonight with both of Hobart's TDs. I can't believe he's only a freshman, watch out LL!

Didn't like the yardage allowed by the D but Hobart's Webb is just too good already, Fisher buckled down when they needed too by forcing 3 turnovers on downs, blocking a kick, recovering a muffed punt and picking off a pass.

Hope they have a good week of practice to get ready for a hungry Utica squad that's looking to prove something!

[sjfcards]

Dominant performance by SJF tonight.  They really played a physical game tonight running the ball and getting after the QB! 

This was just the type of game they needed going into conference play!  They really came out and ran the ball well, Borum had close to 180 and 3 TDs (should have had 4 if not for a phantom illegal motion call). 

I'll tell you this, Hobart's Webb is the real deal.  He's going to rewrite the record book at Hobart, he's something special!  Had over 100 yards rushing and receiving tonight with both of Hobart's TDs. I can't believe he's only a freshman, watch out LL!

Didn't like the yardage allowed by the D but Hobart's Webb is just too good already, Fisher buckled down when they needed too by forcing 3 turnovers on downs, blocking a kick, recovering a muffed punt and picking off a pass.

Hope they have a good week of practice to get ready for a hungry Utica squad that's looking to prove something!

You hit the nail on the head upstate. Watch out for that Utica game. After taking Hobart to the woodshed, and having Ithaca in two weeks, I am real worried about the Utica game. On the road against a much improved team 

Fisher did look great tonight, and Borum looks like he might be getting it going. Fun to watch.

[fisheralum91]

Guys dont think for a minute that Vos doesnt know what is in front of him.
We have been talking about this "trap" game for weeks.
Ill be a happy man when we are up huge and i can get to cavallos early!

[sjfcards]

Let's hope 91. It can be hard to motivate young kids. At least Fisher will have UCs record to harp on. Obviously at 4-0 they can win some games.

[dewcrew88]

Guys dont think for a minute that Vos doesnt know what is in front of him.
We have been talking about this "trap" game for weeks.
Ill be a happy man when we are up huge and i can get to cavallos early!

Not going to happen, FA91. You won't be able to get to Cavallos early!

UC just need to keep doing what they are doing and STOP THE STUPID MISTAKES.

[fisheralum91]

Dew- You may be right, but after what i saw (listened to) last evening im not sure UC is on a level playing field with Hobart let alone Fisher-sorry.
I caught some of the Wilkes game on tv and i gotta say that was one ugly performance.
I will enjoy the game - hell ill even buy ya a Utica Club!

[AUPepBand]

Just a great, great game at Springfield yesterday. Pep was pleased to see the running game is improving each week to take the pressure off Secky. Couldn't ask for any more balance than 233 yards rushing, 235 yards passing!

The Mandrix Factor was nullified yesterday as Austin Dwyer and "Smoke" Lopez produced Vinson Hendrix rushing numbers for the Saxons, while a bevy of receivers had clutch Manzer-like catches with frosh Josh Phillips (4 catches, 66 yards) leading the pack. None was prettier than Andre McCloud's grab of a 4th-and-10 Secky throw setting up the winning TD. Maybe Ryan Thon's 21-yard gainer on a 4th-and-4 setting up AU's fourth TD. When the pressure was on, Secky delivered.

Three AU turnovers in or near the red zone kept the Pride in the game, thwarting Saxon scoring threats, while the Pride turned it over once deep in Saxon territory.

Beautiful day, great crowd (Family Weekend), outstanding play by both teams...just a great game.

On Saxon Warriors!

[union89]

Dominant performance by SJF tonight.  They really played a physical game tonight running the ball and getting after the QB!  

This was just the type of game they needed going into conference play!  They really came out and ran the ball well, Borum had close to 180 and 3 TDs (should have had 4 if not for a phantom illegal motion call).  

I'll tell you this, Hobart's Webb is the real deal.  He's going to rewrite the record book at Hobart, he's something special!  Had over 100 yards rushing and receiving tonight with both of Hobart's TDs. I can't believe he's only a freshman, watch out LL!

Didn't like the yardage allowed by the D but Hobart's Webb is just too good already, Fisher buckled down when they needed too by forcing 3 turnovers on downs, blocking a kick, recovering a muffed punt and picking off a pass.

Hope they have a good week of practice to get ready for a hungry Utica squad that's looking to prove something!

The scoreboard sure made it look like a dominating performance, but statistically looked pretty close.  Fisher led 473 to 400 in total yardage and actually trailed 6.6 to 5.7 in yards per play (granted, they ran 22 more plays).  Bart had 2 turnovers to SJF 0, which I'm sure made a difference, but not 20 points.

Did any of you guys see it live to shed some more light on the game?

[fisheralum91]

Union, the Fisher o line dominated. If it weren't for a case of the dropsies by the Wrs that score coulda been far worse.

[Jonny Utah]

These recent SJF teams remind me a lot of the Buff State teams in the 1990s.  Their offensive lines are basically twice the size of any d3 upstate oline (6-5, 300 pound like types).  They have also had smart quarterbacks and running backs that can run, catch, and do lots of things.  Add in solid receivers and solid defenses and I think SJF is head and shoulders above the rest of upstate teams.  I always wondered how SJF gets these olinemen.  Were these olinemen great HS players or did SJF just pick these guys up with some good recruiting and molded them into great football players at SJF?  Or were these linemen top HS players and just didn't get scholarships to 1-AA teams?

That being said, I see this Hobart RB is from Dundee.  I hope Ithaca at least tried to recruit this kid as Dundee is very close to Ithaca and Ithaca has had some good players from that area.  Of course, Hobart is even closer, but from a fan standpoint, you hate to lose recruiting battles for local kids like this.

[bomber3]

Ok so looking back on the Bombers' loss yesterday there were a few things that came to mind.

1. Why didn't the Bombers use their two time outs when there was 50 seconds left?! Maybe I'm missing something but they let Lycoming run the clock to 11 seconds and then let the O call timeout.  THEN the Bombers called their two timeouts to try and ice the kicker.  Am I missing something or was that a blatant error on the coaching staff?  With Rogowski having a solid leg and Jamison returning kicks they didn't need many yards...

2. Although this loss stings, don't entirely rule them out pending one major condition: get healthy.  Yes, every team has their share of injuries but the Bombers have been hit hard.  Yesterday they were missing their best OL (leland King), their #1 all conference wideout (Vossler), their preseason all-american tight end (Higgins), and the #1 tackler so far this year.  Not to mention they lost another lineman during the game.  The majority of these are week to week injuries and I heard King is getting ready to come back soon and Vossler/Higgins will be back this week too.  In order to have any shot at Fisher they need everyone back and to play a great game.  Hopefully they get things back on track against Hartwick.