FB: Empire 8

[Bengalsrule]

Bombers-I know what you are talking about.
Its a swagger that  Boyes instills.
Bengalsrule-enjoy the season and best of luck.
Welcome to the E8.
I still think that they are a .500 team

Thank you fisher Alum for the warm greeting. Hopefully my BENGALS will prove your ".500 team" wrong. But then that's why they play the game(s)!

I'll be looking for you on the 3rd of November!! I'll be in the gym but hopefully catch you after the game!

I was in the gym last weekend! .600/.571 (6-4 overall/4-3 in conf)...but we'll take it! We definitly enjoyed our first season in E8! To be able to tie Salisbury with the longest Empire 8 win streak of 2012, 4 victories in a row, makes for a extra nice send-off!!

To go thru a season like we have. Game 1 beat Cortland (NJAC pre-season #1 and current #20 ranked), then lose to arch-rival Brockport, then beat #1 U Wisconsin - Whitewater made for an interesting,and emotional, start to 2012. Losing the next 3 in a row hurt. I must admit, when I look back at those teams now, with a combined 18-8 record/13-5 E8 ( and Salibury currently ranked 16th/ Utica ranked 39th), I realize that my BENGALS have nothing to be ashamed of. The final 4 wins (including #25 ranked SJ Fisher) in a row, justs add icing to the cake.

Finishing in the top half of the E8 in our maiden E8 voyage aint a bad start. Hopefully we can pick up next year, where we left off this year (if no ECAC bid comes along)!

Go BENGALS! We couldn't be prouder!

Decent season for the Bengals in their 1st year of the conference. I'm sure all the Bengal faithful experienced major disappointment after beating Whitewater, only to lose 3 straight. But a lot of schools would have packed it in after that, credit to the Bengals that they sucked it up and ended the year on a 4 game winning streak.

Magicman...I couldn't have said it better myself!!

[AUPepBand]

Bombers-I know what you are talking about.
Its a swagger that  Boyes instills.
Bengalsrule-enjoy the season and best of luck.
Welcome to the E8.
I still think that they are a .500 team

Thank you fisher Alum for the warm greeting. Hopefully my BENGALS will prove your ".500 team" wrong. But then that's why they play the game(s)!

I'll be looking for you on the 3rd of November!! I'll be in the gym but hopefully catch you after the game!

I was in the gym last weekend! .600/.571 (6-4 overall/4-3 in conf)...but we'll take it! We definitly enjoyed our first season in E8! To be able to tie Salisbury with the longest Empire 8 win streak of 2012, 4 victories in a row, makes for a extra nice send-off!!

To go thru a season like we have. Game 1 beat Cortland (NJAC pre-season #1 and current #20 ranked), then lose to arch-rival Brockport, then beat #1 U Wisconsin - Whitewater made for an interesting,and emotional, start to 2012. Losing the next 3 in a row hurt. I must admit, when I look back at those teams now, with a combined 18-8 record/13-5 E8 ( and Salibury currently ranked 16th/ Utica ranked 39th), I realize that my BENGALS have nothing to be ashamed of. The final 4 wins (including #25 ranked SJ Fisher) in a row, justs add icing to the cake.

Finishing in the top half of the E8 in our maiden E8 voyage aint a bad start. Hopefully we can pick up next year, where we left off this year (if no ECAC bid comes along)!

Go BENGALS! We couldn't be prouder!

Decent season for the Bengals in their 1st year of the conference. I'm sure all the Bengal faithful experienced major disappointment after beating Whitewater, only to lose 3 straight. But a lot of schools would have packed it in after that, credit to the Bengals that they sucked it up and ended the year on a 4 game winning streak.

Magicman...I couldn't have said it better myself!!

Pep was not surprised by the continued improvement of the Buffalo State Bengals on the gridiron and Pep will never forget the Bengals' magic win over UW-Whitewater, watching it online from the library. The next week, the Bengals had no way of preparing for one Chuck Beckwith, who came out of nowhere to lead the Saxons to the big win in Buffalo. It's been a crazy (but successful) season for the Bengals and the Saxons.

With a game remaining at Hartwick, AU has had an interesting season. After the loss at RPI, Pep was thinking it would be a long season; but after a four-game win streak with wins over St. Lawrence, Buffalo State, Ithaca and Fisher, Pep had thoughts of 2011 becoming a remarkable season! In spite of losses at Salisbury and Utica, to see AU pull it together against Frostburg was quite remarkable. With 150+ football players in a program, while Pep misses seeing the original starters on the field, it's refreshing to know there is depth in the program to keep the team afloat when adversity rears its ugly head.

Congrats, bengalsrule....+K and hoping you'll make the trip down to Mayberry next year!

[fisheralum91]

Ive chimed in on my feelings about the Fisher QB situation more than enough.
I would like to change the subject, and focus on this SatErday.
The Fisher UC game is one that really has me scratching my head.
This is a feather in the cap game for Blaise, and he is going to have his boys fired up.
Fisher is coming in to this game limping, heads down and it worries me that they may be flat.
An ECAC nod could come to the winner so I really hope that it is a good game.
This is the only Fisher game Ill hit this season and Im really hoping for a V!

[Bengalsrule]

Bombers-I know what you are talking about.
Its a swagger that  Boyes instills.
Bengalsrule-enjoy the season and best of luck.
Welcome to the E8.
I still think that they are a .500 team

Thank you fisher Alum for the warm greeting. Hopefully my BENGALS will prove your ".500 team" wrong. But then that's why they play the game(s)!

I'll be looking for you on the 3rd of November!! I'll be in the gym but hopefully catch you after the game!

I was in the gym last weekend! .600/.571 (6-4 overall/4-3 in conf)...but we'll take it! We definitly enjoyed our first season in E8! To be able to tie Salisbury with the longest Empire 8 win streak of 2012, 4 victories in a row, makes for a extra nice send-off!!

To go thru a season like we have. Game 1 beat Cortland (NJAC pre-season #1 and current #20 ranked), then lose to arch-rival Brockport, then beat #1 U Wisconsin - Whitewater made for an interesting,and emotional, start to 2012. Losing the next 3 in a row hurt. I must admit, when I look back at those teams now, with a combined 18-8 record/13-5 E8 ( and Salibury currently ranked 16th/ Utica ranked 39th), I realize that my BENGALS have nothing to be ashamed of. The final 4 wins (including #25 ranked SJ Fisher) in a row, justs add icing to the cake.

Finishing in the top half of the E8 in our maiden E8 voyage aint a bad start. Hopefully we can pick up next year, where we left off this year (if no ECAC bid comes along)!

Go BENGALS! We couldn't be prouder!

Decent season for the Bengals in their 1st year of the conference. I'm sure all the Bengal faithful experienced major disappointment after beating Whitewater, only to lose 3 straight. But a lot of schools would have packed it in after that, credit to the Bengals that they sucked it up and ended the year on a 4 game winning streak.

Magicman...I couldn't have said it better myself!!

Pep was not surprised by the continued improvement of the Buffalo State Bengals on the gridiron and Pep will never forget the Bengals' magic win over UW-Whitewater, watching it online from the library. The next week, the Bengals had no way of preparing for one Chuck Beckwith, who came out of nowhere to lead the Saxons to the big win in Buffalo. It's been a crazy (but successful) season for the Bengals and the Saxons.

With a game remaining at Hartwick, AU has had an interesting season. After the loss at RPI, Pep was thinking it would be a long season; but after a four-game win streak with wins over St. Lawrence, Buffalo State, Ithaca and Fisher, Pep had thoughts of 2011 becoming a remarkable season! In spite of losses at Salisbury and Utica, to see AU pull it together against Frostburg was quite remarkable. With 150+ football players in a program, while Pep misses seeing the original starters on the field, it's refreshing to know there is depth in the program to keep the team afloat when adversity rears its ugly head.

Congrats, bengalsrule....+K and hoping you'll make the trip down to Mayberry next year!

Thanks AUpep! And congrats to a fine season for your Saxons! As I said Sept. 22nd they outhit, outblocked and outplayed my beloved BENGALS that day. I havent seen a running game like that this entire season. Chuck Beckwith is a beast! I have no doubt that their future is bright!

"Trip down to mayberry next year"! Heck my son Eric attended Alfred State, across the street, from '05-'07. I've made that journey many a time. Got a couple of speeding tickets too . If I've read Frank Rossi's ECAC post correctly, it looks like an Alfred win (this coming Sat.) keeps their season going. Best of luck to you and your guys.

[Bombers798891]

Absurdly long, in-depth multiple part special teams question coming.

Part 1: Would E8 teams be better served going all out for punt blocks?

I was looking at some numbers, and honestly, why some teams even bother returning punts is beyond me. I know you can prevent punts from rolling back when you have guys back there, but I wonder if rushing the punter might have a decent trade-off in terms of a punter rushing and shanking a kick, or rushed snaps, etc.

And consider this: The net punt in an E8 conference game this year is 33 yards. That means the ball ends up (roughly) 40 yards from the spot where it would be blocked. Obviously, you don't know where a blocked punt is going to go once it's been blocked, because that can depend on a lot of things, but still, I'd wager that a blocked punt is the equivalent to at least a 35-40 yard return in terms of field position compared to the average return—and that doesn't include the ones that are blocked backwards, or that guys pick up and run with. I'd think that most teams would be more likely to, if they went hard for the block, get a better net yardage long te. I mean, if you're Frostburg, and you have 13 returns for 63 yards, how many blocks would you even need to get more benefit? Two?

Yes, there are exceptions if you have a great return guy. But honestly, it seems like most teams are using their PR guys as guys to catch a ball and gain a few yards, nothing more. And yes, you can get a running/roughing penalty, but you can also fumble punts or get penalties on the return. I think a well-coached team could benefit more from going for the blocks, especially in weather where muffs may be more likely.

Part 2: Why are some teams punting as much as they are?

Again, with obvious exceptions (great punter, deep in your own territory, 4th-and-forever, late game situations) I just don't see the tradeoff. Punters are mostly not good enough to give you a great field position advantage. If you're only gaining 33 yards in field position, is it worth it to punt on a 4th and 2 from your own 45? Why not try and pick that up and extend the drive? The current 4th-down conversion percentage is 45% which is actually pretty good, and that may include a few late-game 4th-and-14 where you have to go for it to win the game, which isn't what you usually face. Also, consider how play-calling might be affected. Suddenly, 2nd and 10 or 3rd and 7 isn't such an obvious passing down.

I've pointed out before why in D-III, I think people kick too many field goals. Short version: Most kickers are spotty enough (especially beyond 30-35 yards) that you're usually need to get to the 10-15 yard line before you feel really confident in them. At that point, why not go for the 7? If you can turn just about half of those into TD's it's worth it. Plus, even if you don't get it, you have the other offense pinned back pretty far.

Admittedly, I just used the E8 for these numbers. Maybe we just suck at special teams. But it still seems to me that by and large, there aren't the impact players in the kicking/return game to make this kind of cautious play counterproductive. I'd like to see how a super-aggressive special teams philosophy would impact a team

[fearthemoose44]

Ive chimed in on my feelings about the Fisher QB situation more than enough.
I would like to change the subject, and focus on this SatErday.
The Fisher UC game is one that really has me scratching my head.
This is a feather in the cap game for Blaise, and he is going to have his boys fired up.
Fisher is coming in to this game limping, heads down and it worries me that they may be flat.
An ECAC nod could come to the winner so I really hope that it is a good game.
This is the only Fisher game Ill hit this season and Im really hoping for a V!

I brought up the fisher QB situation with coach, he just kinda avoided the issue altogether....

However he did say that if they can bottle up the run and make fisher feel like they have to throw to stay in the game, it would go a very, very long way for Utica, and i tend to agree.

Fisher's played great defense all year, and they're going to have to do so again to give Kramer and that offense a chance to score enough points to keep up.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Bombers, you have, however, left out one definite possibility of going for the blocked punt - I've seen many drives continued (and games lost) by 'roughing the kicker' penalties.

[SUADC]

Bombers, you have, however, left out one definite possibility of going for the blocked punt - I've seen many drives continued (and games lost) by 'roughing the kicker' penalties.

Especially, if a certain team on a grass field has a oscar nominated kicker...lol 

[Upstate]

Absurdly long, in-depth multiple part special teams question coming.

Part 1: Would E8 teams be better served going all out for punt blocks?

I was looking at some numbers, and honestly, why some teams even bother returning punts is beyond me. I know you can prevent punts from rolling back when you have guys back there, but I wonder if rushing the punter might have a decent trade-off in terms of a punter rushing and shanking a kick, or rushed snaps, etc.

And consider this: The net punt in an E8 conference game this year is 33 yards. That means the ball ends up (roughly) 40 yards from the spot where it would be blocked. Obviously, you don't know where a blocked punt is going to go once it's been blocked, because that can depend on a lot of things, but still, I'd wager that a blocked punt is the equivalent to at least a 35-40 yard return in terms of field position compared to the average return—and that doesn't include the ones that are blocked backwards, or that guys pick up and run with. I'd think that most teams would be more likely to, if they went hard for the block, get a better net yardage long te. I mean, if you're Frostburg, and you have 13 returns for 63 yards, how many blocks would you even need to get more benefit? Two?

Yes, there are exceptions if you have a great return guy. But honestly, it seems like most teams are using their PR guys as guys to catch a ball and gain a few yards, nothing more. And yes, you can get a running/roughing penalty, but you can also fumble punts or get penalties on the return. I think a well-coached team could benefit more from going for the blocks, especially in weather where muffs may be more likely.

Part 2: Why are some teams punting as much as they are?

Again, with obvious exceptions (great punter, deep in your own territory, 4th-and-forever, late game situations) I just don't see the tradeoff. Punters are mostly not good enough to give you a great field position advantage. If you're only gaining 33 yards in field position, is it worth it to punt on a 4th and 2 from your own 45? Why not try and pick that up and extend the drive? The current 4th-down conversion percentage is 45% which is actually pretty good, and that may include a few late-game 4th-and-14 where you have to go for it to win the game, which isn't what you usually face. Also, consider how play-calling might be affected. Suddenly, 2nd and 10 or 3rd and 7 isn't such an obvious passing down.

I've pointed out before why in D-III, I think people kick too many field goals. Short version: Most kickers are spotty enough (especially beyond 30-35 yards) that you're usually need to get to the 10-15 yard line before you feel really confident in them. At that point, why not go for the 7? If you can turn just about half of those into TD's it's worth it. Plus, even if you don't get it, you have the other offense pinned back pretty far.

Admittedly, I just used the E8 for these numbers. Maybe we just suck at special teams. But it still seems to me that by and large, there aren't the impact players in the kicking/return game to make this kind of cautious play counterproductive. I'd like to see how a super-aggressive special teams philosophy would impact a team

I've been saying it for a while, from a Fisher standpoint, that they need to just stop punting all together. They've been really bad this year in that area. They should modify their offensive philosophy to get 10 yards on 4 plays instead of 3 like most of the heavy option teams do.

[Jonny Utah]

Absurdly long, in-depth multiple part special teams question coming.

Part 1: Would E8 teams be better served going all out for punt blocks?

I was looking at some numbers, and honestly, why some teams even bother returning punts is beyond me. I know you can prevent punts from rolling back when you have guys back there, but I wonder if rushing the punter might have a decent trade-off in terms of a punter rushing and shanking a kick, or rushed snaps, etc.

And consider this: The net punt in an E8 conference game this year is 33 yards. That means the ball ends up (roughly) 40 yards from the spot where it would be blocked. Obviously, you don't know where a blocked punt is going to go once it's been blocked, because that can depend on a lot of things, but still, I'd wager that a blocked punt is the equivalent to at least a 35-40 yard return in terms of field position compared to the average return—and that doesn't include the ones that are blocked backwards, or that guys pick up and run with. I'd think that most teams would be more likely to, if they went hard for the block, get a better net yardage long te. I mean, if you're Frostburg, and you have 13 returns for 63 yards, how many blocks would you even need to get more benefit? Two?

Yes, there are exceptions if you have a great return guy. But honestly, it seems like most teams are using their PR guys as guys to catch a ball and gain a few yards, nothing more. And yes, you can get a running/roughing penalty, but you can also fumble punts or get penalties on the return. I think a well-coached team could benefit more from going for the blocks, especially in weather where muffs may be more likely.

Part 2: Why are some teams punting as much as they are?

Again, with obvious exceptions (great punter, deep in your own territory, 4th-and-forever, late game situations) I just don't see the tradeoff. Punters are mostly not good enough to give you a great field position advantage. If you're only gaining 33 yards in field position, is it worth it to punt on a 4th and 2 from your own 45? Why not try and pick that up and extend the drive? The current 4th-down conversion percentage is 45% which is actually pretty good, and that may include a few late-game 4th-and-14 where you have to go for it to win the game, which isn't what you usually face. Also, consider how play-calling might be affected. Suddenly, 2nd and 10 or 3rd and 7 isn't such an obvious passing down.

I've pointed out before why in D-III, I think people kick too many field goals. Short version: Most kickers are spotty enough (especially beyond 30-35 yards) that you're usually need to get to the 10-15 yard line before you feel really confident in them. At that point, why not go for the 7? If you can turn just about half of those into TD's it's worth it. Plus, even if you don't get it, you have the other offense pinned back pretty far.

Admittedly, I just used the E8 for these numbers. Maybe we just suck at special teams. But it still seems to me that by and large, there aren't the impact players in the kicking/return game to make this kind of cautious play counterproductive. I'd like to see how a super-aggressive special teams philosophy would impact a team

I've been saying it for a while, from a Fisher standpoint, that they need to just stop punting all together. They've been really bad this year in that area. They should modify their offensive philosophy to get 10 yards on 4 plays instead of 3 like most of the heavy option teams do.

Good questions, here is my two cents:

1.  When you have a punt block on, teams that fake the punt have a much greater chance of pulling off that fake.  And when special teams coaches know a team likes to block more than others, a passing fake is much more of an option with 3-5 possible eligible receivers that would need 4-5 defenders minus the returner (basically giving your rush 4-5 guys.  I also think punt teams have evolved recently with newer spread formations with more options to fake, and seemingly less options to block.  You also have to remember that by simply catching the ball, you stop that ball from rolling/bouncing another 10-30 yards.

2.  As a high school coach, we go for it on fourth down a lot of the time, and we have onside kicked a lot as well (we do it less this year because our kicker isn't as good at it).  One thing I do notice is that when you get stuffed on 4th down, there always seems to be a huge momentum advantage to the other team.  But 4th and 2 at midfield?  Yea, I'm going for that in high school, but probably not in college where offenses have an easier time moving the ball down field.

[AUPepBand]

Andrew Lovell has, in his Around the East Region column, written a nice piece on Julio Fuentes and his younger brother Maleke Fuentes. If you haven't seen it, it's a good read. Julio is an amazing young man and this season it has been awesome seeing his younger brother contribute so much to the AU attack--as a freshman. Nothin' but love for the Fuentes brothers!!

On Saxon Warriors!

[Bengalsrule]

Great story Pep!! It sounds like Julio has the heart of a lion. It was equally heart warming to see what St. John Fisher did in '06 (after finding out about the injury of Fuentes vs. Thiel), when they helped raise money at their home game vs. Ithaca to help the Fuentes family. Cudos to "then" (not sure if he is there now) SJF A.D. Bob Ward for a move that you just don't see often enough in college sports period.

Hoping the best for Julio and the entire Fuentes/Alfred family!

[AUPepBand]

Pep has it from an ol' retired AU education prof that the Saxons should win 38-17 tomorrow at Hartwick. Hoping the ol' prof knows what he's talking about. Pep will be interested in the Fisher-Utica results as a win by AU combined with a Utica loss would give the Saxons sole possession of second place, with Utica, Fisher, Buffalo State and Ithaca tied in a logjam for third at 4-3. Of course, if the Saxons lose tomorrow and Fisher wins, they'd join in a logjam for second.

Pep plans to be there with a two-man band! Any Saxon fans planning to attend, who happen to play an instrument, please bring it along....Pep can use all the help he can get!

Of Note: A Saxon win tomorrow would be Coach Dave Murray's 100th win as head coach at Alfred. Go get it, Saxons!

Get the fight song ready!

[SUADC]

I think St. John Fisher has a good chance of beating Utica, that secondary of SJF (especially the Sant kid) are going to be something that the Utica QB is going to have deal with. On the other side, I do not think Utica is big enough up front on the D-Line to contain the SJF running attack. However, this Utica team finds ways to score and if SJF does not control the clock and score TD, it may go the other way easily. Good Luck to both teams tomorrow.

[boobyhasgameyo]

I think St. John Fisher has a good chance of beating Utica, that secondary of SJF (especially the Sant kid) are going to be something that the Utica QB is going to have deal with. On the other side, I do not think Utica is big enough up front on the D-Line to contain the SJF running attack. However, this Utica team finds ways to score and if SJF does not control the clock and score TD, it may go the other way easily. Good Luck to both teams tomorrow.

SJFC - 5
Utica - 3

You wait and see