FB: Empire 8

[maxpower]

This loss stings like hell, and it's hard for me not to view this as a low point for the program. BUT I have to say I do not view it like that, mostly because I'm weirdly happy to see Utica get such an important win. They have been a franchise that was a joke and turned it around by doing all the right things. Congrats to them.

[Bombers798891]

This loss stings like hell, and it's hard for me not to view this as a low point for the program. BUT I have to say I do not view it like that, mostly because I'm weirdly happy to see Utica get such an important win. They have been a franchise that was a joke and turned it around by doing all the right things. Congrats to them.

This game is not a low point. However, the loss contributes to this season possibly being the low point of, really, the program--at least in the modern way, 9/10 game seasons that we think about. This program has been backsliding for years, and here we are

[boobyhasgameyo]

Fisher meanwhile put forth another solid defensive effort.  The enigma that was the Hobart game continues to baffle me.  Points allowed per game:

7
3
56
3
10
7
6

Are you serious with that?  If they beat Hobart by 10 or less like they did everybody else that would look like Mount Union defensive outputs.  I hope Fisher can somehow make it into the playoffs and matchup against Hobart again.  I know there is a ton of football left to be played and Fisher could lose out the remainder of the way...but still it would be nice for a rematch and a chance to redeem themselves. 

[boobyhasgameyo]

Meanwhile Salisbury continues to put up video game type numbers on offense.  Yikes. 

[Cardinal Pride]

Meanwhile Salisbury continues to put up video game type numbers on offense.  Yikes.

Springfield stayed with Salisbury for a half and put up 273 yards rushing against them.  I just hope Fisher does not look past Utica.

[AUPepBand]

Alfred...words fail me. This team is way too talented to be playing like this

Saxons had a solid 2010 season. Big question marks coming into 2011 included the offensive line and a go-to receiver to replace standouts like Zach Morgan and Ryan Thon. AU started strong. But as the season has unfolded, Pep surmises, teams have found holes in the Saxon armor and exploited weaknesses. Meanwhile, young players who were part of the 2010 success, who embraced the success with a certain swagger, are suddenly faced with adversity.

Pep, while disappointed that the Saxon defense couldn't make enough good plays to stop Frostburg, was pleased that the offense played well today with T.J. Kilcarr under center. Special teams play has been a disappointment of late. Certainly giving up two TDs in last 11 seconds of the first half didn't help matters, after leading 20-7 on Nick Clark's interception return for TD. (AU did get 3 INTs, but Frostburg threw 60 passes, completing 33).

But really, while Saxons were strong in 2010, they also got a great seed in the tourney, which had a lot to do with the great run. Saxons can finish out 7-3 and perhaps play in an ECAC Bowl game. Or, they could continue their sudden fall and finish 4-6. Time will tell how this team responds and handles the adversity.

On Saxon Warriors!

[sjfcards]

Meanwhile Salisbury continues to put up video game type numbers on offense.  Yikes.

Springfield stayed with Salisbury for a half and put up 273 yards rushing against them.  I just hope Fisher does not look past Utica.

They better not. That Utica game scares me for some reason. I see them move the ball and score points, and I am worried that if Fisher struggles to move the ball they are in real trouble. It looks like they should win, and if they do, that sets up a huge game with Salisbury. Lets Hope...A night game next week...I may need to make a trip out to Pittsford.

[AUPepBand]

Meanwhile Salisbury continues to put up video game type numbers on offense.  Yikes.

Springfield stayed with Salisbury for a half and put up 273 yards rushing against them.  I just hope Fisher does not look past Utica.

They better not. That Utica game scares me for some reason. I see them move the ball and score points, and I am worried that if Fisher struggles to move the ball they are in real trouble. It looks like they should win, and if they do, that sets up a huge game with Salisbury. Lets Hope...A night game next week...I may need to make a trip out to Pittsford.

Gosh, Pep could make it a doubleheader in Rochester. Saxons at Fauver Stadium for a 12:30 p.m.(?) kickoff with the Yellowjackets, then Utica at Fisher with a 7 p.m. kickoff. Hmmmm...

[sjfcards]

Meanwhile Salisbury continues to put up video game type numbers on offense.  Yikes.

Springfield stayed with Salisbury for a half and put up 273 yards rushing against them.  I just hope Fisher does not look past Utica.

They better not. That Utica game scares me for some reason. I see them move the ball and score points, and I am worried that if Fisher struggles to move the ball they are in real trouble. It looks like they should win, and if they do, that sets up a huge game with Salisbury. Lets Hope...A night game next week...I may need to make a trip out to Pittsford.

Gosh, Pep could make it a doubleheader in Rochester. Saxons at Fauver Stadium for a 12:30 p.m.(?) kickoff with the Yellowjackets, then Utica at Fisher with a 7 p.m. kickoff. Hmmmm...

Sounds like a perfect day...

I have to say I love Fauver Stadium. The students on the hill, and the old school feel of it. I love it. One of the best places to watch a game in Upstate DIII football. I wonder what the others are?

[fisheralum91]

The Utica game gives me the willies......I like Blaise and know him well, but i hope that there is a let down against Fisher.
I think the whole IC thing was a catylist this year. NO TRAP GAME

[bomber3]

Whoever said every Ithaca game would be a dogfight after week one or two was spot on (think it was Bombers79).  They should be in every game, no matter how strong or weak their opponent.

Well, had a day to process the Utica loss.  First of all, congrats to the Pioneers on their win.  The team played well in the second half and when the game was on the line, the offense drove down the field for the game winning score.  Here is a few thoughts on the Bombers' season and yesterday's game:

• Ithaca very easily could be 6-1 if not for their red zone troubles.  Their losses to Fisher, Springfield, and Utica can be directly attributed to their inability to score in the red zone.  They are by far the worst offense in the league in the red zone, scoring on only 60% of their opportunities (17-28).  They have only scored 12 touchdowns in 28 possessions in the red zone.  In my eyes this is due to their lack of a running game and lack of productivity from their tight ends, which are historically frequent targets in the red zone.  If they could have scored touchdowns in critical situations against Utica, Springfield, and Fisher their fortunes could be different.  All this being said, I am baffled why Ithaca went for it on 4th and 2 in the first quarter up 7-0 from the 10 yard line (especially when they were stuffed on 4 consecutive plays the previous possession).  They sorely missed these points late in the game.
• Neumann had a solid game yesterday as the starting QB but never took any shots down the field.  This was probably by design given his troubles earlier in the year.  The majority of his 200+ yards were accummulated after the catch by the receivers.  Check downs were a common sight but at least he did not force any turnovers.
• Watched the replay on time warner and I do not understand a few issues with the clock.  The referee inexplicably took 8 seconds off the clock from 1:09 to 1:01 after Utica scored their go-ahead touchdown.  Utica scored with 1:09 left and the referee set the clock to 1:01 for no apparent reason.  Also, Ithaca absolutely should have taken a timeout with :46 seconds left on 3rd and 3 with 2 TOL.  They didn't take a time out, took 15 seconds to get to the line, the jumped and got called for a false start with :31 seconds left.  Then, to avoid another 10 second runoff needed to take their timeout anyways.  In essence, lost 15 seconds, 5 yards for the false start, and their time out.

Separately, anyone have any information on the Acevado suspension in the first half agaist Ithaca?  I am curious if this was a serious enough incident to warrant a full game suspension but given the opponent, was reduced to 1/2 a game.  Or the other way around, if it was a minor incident.

Now, Ithaca needs to win the last 3 to keep the winning season streak alive.  The next two are winnable games but odds are they will both be dogfights.  I would assume Welch sticks with Neumann since he didn't play poorly but we will see.  Go Bombers.

[maxpower]

As B798891 has hinted at before, breaking the streak might be the best thing for Ithaca in terms of how they manage their team, talent, and recruiting going forward....

[bomber3]

As B798891 has hinted at before, breaking the streak might be the best thing for Ithaca in terms of how they manage their team, talent, and recruiting going forward....

Key word there is might. 

[Upstate]

As B798891 has hinted at before, breaking the streak might be the best thing for Ithaca in terms of how they manage their team, talent, and recruiting going forward....

Key word there is might.

Just keep doing what you're doing down there at Ithaca...

[Bombers798891]

As B798891 has hinted at before, breaking the streak might be the best thing for Ithaca in terms of how they manage their team, talent, and recruiting going forward....

Key word there is might.

Might is the key word, Bomber3, but I think the program as a whole needs a splash of reality. Before, when the team was still going 8-2/7-3, you could play the "yeah, but that's still a good season" game and still think the program is in good shape. But losing that streak and going, say, 4-6 would really force people to look at how the program needs to be changed going forward.

I believe a lot of what we're seeing is IC's tuition killing the program. When I was at the football picnic earlier this year, Mike Welch said something very interesting. He was talking about the incoming class and he said they had some talent, but "not as many players as they had hoped for." I think you're seeing IC get hit in the depth department. You're able to recruit a great unit or tow (LB's/CB's) but other units are deficient (OL), and if some positions don't pan out--like say QB--you don't have the talent to make up for it.

IDK, look, on the one level, it's D-III. And if the academic reputation of your school precludes having a great football team, so be it. On the other, I think it's easier to make that decision from the start, and not after years of having a great team. So when I say ending the streak might be a good thing, I just mean, maybe then people will say: "What are the challenges facing the football program, and what can we do to overcome them?" And if the answer is "This is just the new reality." I would be okay with that. But I think that question needs to be asked, and I don't think you have an incentive to do it when you're putting up a .750 winning percentage, because the attitude is "Well, if we'd gotten the call against Fisher," or "If we hadn't been hurt by injuries in the 2008 playoff game" and you don't have to ask the tough questions