FB: Empire 8

[tecmobowler]

At least we know Fisher wasn't looking ahead to next week..

Ithica stands no chance and everyone, Fisher included, knows it!

[Old IC Voice]

At least we know Fisher wasn't looking ahead to next week..

Ithica stands no chance and everyone, Fisher included, knows it!

Good thing it's not 'Ithica' they're playing.

All jokes aside, neither Fisher nor the Bombers were impressive this week. I had Fisher pegged to exploit Utica's defense all night long, and while the offense was solid, it wasn't the Fisher offense that put up scores with scoreboard test-like frequency earlier in the season. Credit where it's due, UC made them play from behind, but I really thought the Cardinals were going to steamroll them.

Meanwhile, IC jumped out to a big early lead over an overmatched Hartwick team, but it was a five-point game in the third quarter. Ardoin finally got the ground game going, but this is a Hartwick defense that allowed 360 rushing yards to Norwich, so that's not a tremendous accomplishment. Improvements need to be made.

Around the conference, Alfred did beat Frostburg, but allowing 24 points at home to a one-win team is not promising. Springfield beat the tar outta Merchant Marine, but they still don't have a quality win this season. All in all, it doesn't seem like a great weekend for the E8.

[Bombers798891]

So now that I have slept on the Fisher win yesterday, I came away with a few things.
Our secondary needs to step it up.  They were killed yesterday and there was no secret to where the UC qb was goin to go.  Our pass rush was non existent and that is probably why UC was able to get so many decent pass plays.
Fishers O on the other hand looked good.  Only on a couple of occasions were they not on the same page.
There needs to be a big improvement on D in order to run the table in the E8.
That said- it ws a good win for Fisher.  Blaise really had his boys ready and if they get any D UC will be really tough to beat. 

Now back to the comfort of Growney and IC.
Shore up the D and we should be in good shape!

Here's a Q regarding Fisher's D (And I say it knowing full well they'll hold IC to like, 190 yards of offense next week)

We're five weeks into the season. Fisher's allowing about 375 total yards of offense per game. At this point, is it safe to call the defense suspect? Now, you guys would know more than me how much of that was garbage time, but I feel like Fisher's been in those situations before and people haven't done that to them. Granted, it's more about the points than the yards, but, as I pull for a 10-0 Fisher to keep MUC out of the East, I couldn't wonder if they're fixing to lose 49-42 to someone

[theoriginalupstate]

Here's a Q regarding Fisher's D (And I say it knowing full well they'll hold IC to like, 190 yards of offense next week)

We're five weeks into the season. Fisher's allowing about 375 total yards of offense per game. At this point, is it safe to call the defense suspect? Now, you guys would know more than me how much of that was garbage time, but I feel like Fisher's been in those situations before and people haven't done that to them. Granted, it's more about the points than the yards, but, as I pull for a 10-0 Fisher to keep MUC out of the East, I couldn't wonder if they're fixing to lose 49-42 to someone

I think that's a fair question and a fair point.  It seems as though they're a bend but don't break defense.  They've allowed yardage all year but not a ton of points. 

At least they make plays when they have to, they only allowed a FG last night in the last 39 minutes of the game.  These two teams are very familiar with each other and their schemes are pretty similar, Team Benkwitt definitely had them reeling in the first 20 minutes of the game though!

[sjfcards]

Here's a Q regarding Fisher's D (And I say it knowing full well they'll hold IC to like, 190 yards of offense next week)

We're five weeks into the season. Fisher's allowing about 375 total yards of offense per game. At this point, is it safe to call the defense suspect? Now, you guys would know more than me how much of that was garbage time, but I feel like Fisher's been in those situations before and people haven't done that to them. Granted, it's more about the points than the yards, but, as I pull for a 10-0 Fisher to keep MUC out of the East, I couldn't wonder if they're fixing to lose 49-42 to someone

I think that's a fair question and a fair point.  It seems as though they're a bend but don't break defense.  They've allowed yardage all year but not a ton of points. 

At least they make plays when they have to, they only allowed a FG last night in the last 39 minutes of the game.  These two teams are very familiar with each other and their schemes are pretty similar, Team Benkwitt definitely had them reeling in the first 20 minutes of the game though!

I think Upstate is right on with his analysis of the Fisher D. My concern is not so much the yards they give up, even though at some point they are going to run into a team that will score when they march down the field, but the slow starts. Specifically the U of R game and last night, but also giving up early touchdowns to Brockport and Buff State (they would have given up points on Hobarts first drive as well if not for a missed FG).

It seems to me that the Fisher coaching staff on the defensive side of the ball needs about a quarter and a half to see what teams are doing and make adjustments. Give them credit they do make adjustments. They held U of R scoreless in the 2nd half I believe, and held UC to a field goal in the 2nd last night. At some point they are going to run up against a team that scores early and gets a lead that may be too much to overcome.

I know everyone on the board is picking a Fisher win next week against IC, but if I was a Fisher coach I would not feel comfortable spotting IC some points early and letting them feel like they are in the game.

[bomber3]

This, by the way, is not a shot at Ruffrage, who I really like.

That's good, those are dangerous with the lurkers we have around here....  

Bomber3 and I never agree on anything, but I'm not going to rip his brother. I would have said the same thing if it were...whoever else it is that runs kickoffs back.

Hey, bomber3, does he have another year of eligibility? He's missed tons of time due to injury. He going to go the grad school option like you?

But not only does he wear my lucky number, he's really good. He got wide open in the end zone twice on plays where Zappia was forced out of the pocket. One went for a TD, the other one Zappia missed him. The Bombers are all kind of loaded at the WR/TE position

About the sign stealing -- I won't single out a player because this isn't their job but coaches are subject to criticism because they're being paid.  Regardless of this particular incident, I think it's a classless move.  I know it happens in baseball and other sports but its not a classy move.  If I'm head coach I don't let my assistants do that but each program is different.

Yes, Bombers and I don't agree on much but its typically healthy debate.  In typical fashion I will disagree with you about the kickoff and say its not an issue (but you're free to rip him/anyone you want).  You change sides each quarter and if you're on offense you don't watch the defense that much so I can see how it can happen.  Don't worry he got his balls busted plenty for it though!  

In regard to his eligibility, grad school is a definite possibility but it looks like hes leaning towards Utica or Fisher.  Both teams have great passing games and he would thrive in either system...

I kid.  He would never go to Fisher...

[Jonny Utah]

What does SJF do? Steal signs, or try to stop others? 

They hold up towels over the people calling the plays...

Had too to keep IC from stealing signs a few years ago...

A former Bomber player who now coaches Hartwick's line was stealing Ithaca's signs and changing defensive formations after the signs came in .  Dick move...

I know people hate this, but it's not a dick move.  They should change signs.  Do you think baseball teams don't change signs probably daily?  People get traded, coaches go elsewhere, information gets exchanged...just roll with the punches.  If they are foolish enough to use the exact same signs as past years, shame on them.

I think it is still a dick move, but LD is right on about Ithaca having to change up their signals.  All you need to do is have 3 people on the sideline signaling in the plays, one of those people actually sends in the real plays.  I am not sure if IC has an OC that is up in the booth calling the plays though.

[fisheralum91]

did I read right that SLU beat Bart?
wow - that makes the Fisher romp a little less satisfying!

[lewdogg11]

did I read right that SLU beat Bart?
wow - that makes the Fisher romp a little less satisfying!

Yeah, but I think it makes the Alfred struggle over St. Lawrence a little more understandable too.  St. Lawrence isn't horrible.

[fisheralum91]

Very true.
I will say this, watch out for UC- they are going to take a big guy out this year no doubt.
AU IC?
Even missing a big weapon they were impressive.

Almost forgot- While at the game- the play that the refs said that there was a fumble out of the endzone resulting in a touchback---was he down by contact before the ball came out?

NO way to tell at the game....

[sjfcards]

I agree UC will beat at least one of the top teams in the league this year. I bet they finish toward the top of the league as well. Fisher fans should be big UC fans the rest of the way.m

[fisheralum91]

I agree cards.
Blaise has done a great job with this team!
We were all talking about it at the tailgagte.
Recruiting in NYS is about to get even more difficult!

[bomber3]

Is there normally a webcast for Fisher games?  I.e. will there be one for the IC game this weekend?

[fisheralum91]

There usually is a webcast, the only one that there was some issues was Hobart when they wanted to charge you 6 bucks for the game....Sheesh- dont they get enough out of their tuition that they have to shake a few sheckles out of the rest of us?

That said- i would assume that there will be one especially since it is the first game back home since week one, its IC, and its alumni weekend!

[sjfcards]

There usually is a webcast, the only one that there was some issues was Hobart when they wanted to charge you 6 bucks for the game....Sheesh- dont they get enough out of their tuition that they have to shake a few sheckles out of the rest of us?

That said- i would assume that there will be one especially since it is the first game back home since week one, its IC, and its alumni weekend!

I hope so. It has been a while since a Fisher game at Growney did not have video available for free. There is a link to watch the game on the Fisher webpage. I have another wedding next week, so I guess I will be following the game with the in game updates again next week.