FB: Empire 8

[lewdogg11]

door is always open toby

if I can find someone up there who can utilize my skill set and lay me enough that my wife can't complain, I'll walk through it.

Man, Texas sounds awesome!!!

[skunks_sidekick]

Keep it rolling SJF!

This week, I am predicting that SJF can win this game 2.8765 times out of 10. 

Get 'er done! 

[Bombers798891]

So I know that Fisher's going to dominate the boards this week (as they should), but since I couldn't really post over the last week and a half—traveling and only had my phone—I wanted to post my thoughts on the Bombers' season.

Overall, it was a great year, with a lot of positives and memorable games. To win the conference, beat Fisher, and win a playoff game are huge milestones for a program that had taken several steps back to, if we're being honest, mediocrity. It was a fun season to watch, with a lot of close, tense games. The win over Framingham, though perhaps lucky, was exactly the kind of win they've had all season, and their loss to Wesley was respectable, if more thorough than the score indicated.

Offensively, the last three games of the season all illustrated why Ithaca's fallen from the ranks of the elite and why the program still has significant issues to address if they want to get back to consistently winning, rather than riding a 5-1 record in games decided by 5 points or less to a 9-win season.

The Bombers' offensive line and running game have improved from the disaster that was 2011, but are still mediocre at best. Against Cortland, with a first down and three minutes to go, Ithaca could not run for a first down and lost. Against Framingham, the Bombers could not move the chains facing a first-and-10 with 1:26 to go, though field position made it a non-issue as Framingham never got a drive off the ground. And against Wesley, the Bombers were sacked seven times. This deficiency manifests in other ways as well in keeping the offensive numbers down, but it's during end games and in the red zone that the weakness really kills them. None of the running backs have a ton of explosiveness either way, however, at Jones' long run was 31, Skea's was 45, and Padula's was 25.

The pass protection was iffy at best, but the Bombers were overwhelmed by some of the better defensive lines (Weskey, Cortland State) they faced. This hindered what might have been an otherwise very good passing game, as Tom Dempsey completed 61% of his passes, and Vito Boffoli and Joel Lynch combined had breakout seasons. Most of the Bombers' big plays in this area were after-the-catch however, as they lack a burner, and consistent protection.

Defensively, the Bombers were relatively stout against the run and good in pass coverage, but lack of a pass rush (20 sacks) once again hurt them, as their smaller corners struggled at times against deep balls. The Bombers just did not get production from the defensive line. Ithaca's never really made this a priority, focusing more on the back seven, but even a great secondary and LB core can only do so much.

Special teams was the best I've ever seen from the Bombers, and that's saying a lot. I'm glad that they didn't disappoint in the Wesley loss. I'd venture nearly a quarter of Ithaca's points this season were either scored by, or directly set up by, their return or coverage units. (Which, paradoxically, perhaps masks just how much work the offense needs,) and no fewer than three of their wins could be directly attributed to the special teams' unit. If you were creating an all-E8 team of the past decade, you could do a lot worse than just plugging in "Ithaca, 2013" in all the special teams spot.

Coaching wise, this was one of Mike Welch's best jobs. The Bombers took a severely undermanned offense and zero pass rush to the second round of the NCAA's and the top of the best conference in the East, despite needing a QB change. I thought he understood what his team was capable of, and coached to that. Contrary to some Ithaca teams that didn't handle pressure situations well, this Bomber team never wilted. There were 4th-quarter comebacks against Buff State, Utica, and Framingham, as well as a great second half against a team that excels in those areas (Fisher) and a nice job working back in the Salisbury game. Even in the upset loss to Cortland, I thought they were well-coached, just beaten by a fantastic WR.

In the end, this was probably the most memorable Ithaca team in the last five years. Great job guys

[boobyhasgameyo]

That was a nice, accurate assessment Bombers.  Ithaca put in a gritty effort not just for one game but the entire season.  I was really hoping they would pull off another comeback upset this past Saterday.  It would have been nice to have two E8 teams in the Elite 8 again like in 2011.  Only with a better outcome this time 

As for Fisher this weekend, I am really not sure what to think.  I've had moments where I feel like it will be a competitive game and catch some people off guard.  I've also had moments where I shudder and think it will end up like the debacle in 2011.  But you know what?  If I'm being honest I thought John Carroll was going to have us meet our maker based on how bad they were running a train on teams all year.  Plus the fact that they were toe to toe with Mount Union.  Well turns out Fisher was the better team there. 

There are a lot of similarities to me between this year and 2011.  A two loss Fisher team getting in the playoffs by the hair on their chin, advancing to the 3rd round, and meeting up with a formidable opponent.  But there are also key differences to consider:

1.  A quarterback who can make the necessary throws

2.  In 2011 we demonstrated the propensity to be blown out.  Hobart beat us by 36 and Salisbury beat us by 20.  As much as St. Thomas wanted to think what they did to us was something special - it simply wasn't.  That Fisher team was playing on house money with the limited offense and St. Thomas put an end to it.  This year we've lost two games but by a combined 10 points. 

3.  A quarterback who can make the necessary throws

4.  Johns Hopkins, while undefeated that year, is ultimately from the CC.  Not a powerhouse.  With the win over John Carroll I do believe we can beat any team outside of the truly elite.  I'm talking the Mount Union teams we faced four straight years from 2006-2009 type elite.  It remains to be seen if UMHB is at that level this year but we will find out soon enough.   

5.  A quarterback who can make the necessary throws


So that is that.  The X-factor to mitigate the speed disadvantage that we will undoubtedly face is turnovers.  If we turn in another sloppy 5 turnover performance like we did at Ithaca...we aren't going to lose by 3 points, we will lose by 50.  But I don't think we've turned it over in a few games actually.  But we have forced 18 turnovers in the past 4 games.  If we can have another fantastic outing with like a +3 margin in turnovers...well then we will have ourselves a game.   

[Mr. Ypsi]

Seems like a good honest assessment.  Just one question: Do you have a quarterback who can make the necessary throws?

[D3MAFAN]

Seems like a good honest assessment.  Just one question: Do you have a quarterback who can make the necessary throws?

They do. Will it be enough, not sure.

[SJFF82]

http://mobile.stretchinternet.com/listEvents.htm?clientID=53855

Looks like the game this weekend will be available on video and audio. I am not sure if Gene and Pete will be making the trip, but I am pretty sure I won't be. I love the idea of a quick flight to Texas, but I don't know...

It is going to be Pete and Dan Borello this Saterday...

[SJFF82]

ok...didnt know 950 is now a poster on here and 'they' are answering for 'themselves'....

[Upstate]

Seems like a good honest assessment.  Just one question: Do you have a quarterback who can make the necessary throws?

There's so much back story with Fenti, that's why we are loving that he's actually in there and making plays...

[fisheralum91]

No Gene on the 950 broadcast?

[Upstate]

No Gene on the 950 broadcast?

There 1-0 with Dan calling the games this year...

Time to kick Gene to the curb, it's clearly just not working out...

No offense, you're awesome at the call but the writing is on the wall. You're winning percentage just doesn't match up with Dan's...

(yes there is sarcasm included in the post)

[HScoach]

booby:   From the outside looking in, good assessment.   I have no idea how the '13 SJF team compares to the previous ones that came to Mount in the playoffs, but I can attest to one thing about MHB.   Those Texas boys can run.   Realistically the only team I have seen in the last 10 years that was overall faster than Mount.   

Many people wrote them off after last season with the graduation of QB LiDarral Bailey and LB Javicz Jones, but they were overall a relatively young team that took Mount to very edge last year.   Going from my 2-deep from last year, MHB returns the following starters:

Offense:  2 of 3 WR's, 3 O-line and their best RB (Hudson)
Defense:  All 4 D-linemen (which was VERY active against Mount), their MLB and 3 of 4 in the secondary

And their entire 2nd string only had 3 seniors on it so I would suggest MHB is still at the elite level, or even better than in '12, and should be a great measuring stick for where SJF stands.

[Jonny Utah]

Seems like a good honest assessment.  Just one question: Do you have a quarterback who can make the necessary throws?

There's so much back story with Fenti, that's why we are loving that he's actually in there and making plays...

I'll be honest, I haven't followed the Fenti story that closely, but have glanced over many posts which talk about his situation.  Can a SJF poster sum up the story with him in a short paragraph for me?

[middlerelief]

I don't know if you've had a chance, but if not and you have the time, listen to the Around The Nation podcast that Pat and Keith reflecting on the playoffs thus far.  Good stuff, and very complimentary of the final 8 Programs left.

[middlerelief]

...... and should be a great measuring stick for where SJF stands.

Coach always has good comments and agree that anytime your program is playing any of the... I'll say top 5 recognized "elite" programs it is a good measuring stick for the season, and a measuring stick for the program in how consistent is your team in position annually to be playing deep in the playoffs.  --  The top 5 recognized programs in my opinion would be: MUC, UWW, Wesley, MHB, and Linfield - in that order. After that, there's a wide open debate, but think that Bethel and SJF are programs that represent well in that space are can be apart of that conversation.   

I am not taking away from the impressive overall win loss record of MHB. But like most of the country, they haven't been able to get by the usual suspects in MUC, UWW, Wesley and Linfield.   

SJF has had much stronger competition thus far in the season, and arguably tougher competition 2 rounds into the post season than MHB.  It isn't going to be the steam roll and fore gone conclusion that some in other sections of the boards are expecting.  I like SJF's chances in this game.