FB: Empire 8

[Upstate]

You need to press Acevedo when you can, he gets way too many catches and yards on quick hitches, slants and screens...

Yes it opens up the possibility of them hitting fade passes against you but he's getting tons of free yardage when teams play off coverage vs him...

[dlippiel]

So, let's talk about Utica for a second.

Yeah, I know, we have these conversations every year. But they're 4-0, and last week Anthony Acevedo was almost unstoppable. Is IC better? Sure. Is the game at IC, where Utica's never played well? Sure.

But Ithaca has lost games to an individual WR before—all you have to do is look at John Babin in Cortaca last year. Acevedo caught 10 passes for 137 yards last year against Ithaca. In fairness, the Bombers also had four picks, but still. Blaise is going to have his guys ready to play

dlip mentioned it earlier but last week look at Sr. QB Connor B playing as opposed to Kassar. Connor and Acevedo have a history of some chemistry together. To dlip, Acevedo MUST be doubled every play (unless an absolutely outstanding and athletic DB with size is covering him) to contain him. He is just so strong and has such great size that at this level of football he can absolutely dominate. The question remains who can/will get him the ball. Homeboy can't throw to himself lol

[AUPepBand]

So, let's talk about Utica for a second.

Yeah, I know, we have these conversations every year. But they're 4-0, and last week Anthony Acevedo was almost unstoppable. Is IC better? Sure. Is the game at IC, where Utica's never played well? Sure.

But Ithaca has lost games to an individual WR before—all you have to do is look at John Babin in Cortaca last year. Acevedo caught 10 passes for 137 yards last year against Ithaca. In fairness, the Bombers also had four picks, but still. Blaise is going to have his guys ready to play

Bombers, you're starting to sound a lot like Pep. Playing the skeptic for your team. You saw how that worked last week. The new turf didn't make much difference to the Bombers who prefer to graze in the grass. And the running QB? IC held Johnson to 50 yards rushing and, quite frankly, seemed to rattle him as well. The game is won in the trenches and the Bombers' line play has been exemplary to date. Ithaca will prevail, 28-12.

Hoping the Saxons can get back in the Win column this Saterday in the cage. Pep is "second best" man in a 3 p.m. wedding and the bride would have nothing of the thought that Pep might take the bridegroom and the groomsmen hostage for a trip to Oneonta. Why would anyone want to get married during football season?

On Saxon Warriors!

[dewcrew88]

UC is the enigma.
The test will be IC....
For the sake of the polling and rankings....please lord let IC beat UC!

Sorry Blaise.....
well....not really

Need to see utica muck up the works! Maybe get a little national recognition

[dewcrew88]

So, let's talk about Utica for a second.

Yeah, I know, we have these conversations every year. But they're 4-0, and last week Anthony Acevedo was almost unstoppable. Is IC better? Sure. Is the game at IC, where Utica's never played well? Sure.

But Ithaca has lost games to an individual WR before—all you have to do is look at John Babin in Cortaca last year. Acevedo caught 10 passes for 137 yards last year against Ithaca. In fairness, the Bombers also had four picks, but still. Blaise is going to have his guys ready to play

dlip mentioned it earlier but last week look at Sr. QB Connor B playing as opposed to Kassar. Connor and Acevedo have a history of some chemistry together. To dlip, Acevedo MUST be doubled every play (unless an absolutely outstanding and athletic DB with size is covering him) to contain him. He is just so strong and has such great size that at this level of football he can absolutely dominate. The question remains who can/will get him the ball. Homeboy can't throw to himself lol

Connor is the stand in the pocket, make good throws to his receivers, kind of QB. Watching Kassar, he's that read option, pistol, take off and run for first downs, change of pace guy. I think having both right there makes UC tough to defend. Go ahead and press cover Acevedo, if the line can protect, that's working most of the time in UC's favor.

[fisheralum91]

Great to see you on dew.
Have seen UC twice live and again when Fisher comes to town, and I have to tell you they make me scratch my head.
I have confidence in the Fisher D as the have looked really good, but the UC offense is just screwy.
One day they are lethargic and the next they look like the Bills in the 90s.
I have friendly wagers with many here in Utica and have all faith that the alma mater will win, but I really want to see what happens against IC...
That may be the clincher.

[Bombers798891]

Kassar obviously brings a level of athleticism to the QB position, but I can see the need for the shakeup after Acevedo only caught eight passes the first three weeks, and was held to 7 yards in one of the most bizarre games I've ever read about. With a guy that talented, you need to have a QB who can get him the ball.

[dlippiel]

Dlip will say one thing about Kassar, the kid has a ton of heart. Against Union he was atrocious in the first half but didn't quit and get down on himself. He came out n the second half, battled back, and helped guide the Pioneers to the come from behind win. If he plays like that then Dlip will agree that the Pioneers do have somewhat of a "double threat" thing going on. The question is can the two players play their type of game and get in rhythm without tons of reps? Dlip really wishes Utica the best.

[dewcrew88]

Great to see you on dew.
Have seen UC twice live and again when Fisher comes to town, and I have to tell you they make me scratch my head.
I have confidence in the Fisher D as the have looked really good, but the UC offense is just screwy.
One day they are lethargic and the next they look like the Bills in the 90s.
I have friendly wagers with many here in Utica and have all faith that the alma mater will win, but I really want to see what happens against IC...
That may be the clincher.

I saw them live against Union in the pouring rain,and as bad as the first half was, the second half was 1000 percent opposite good. I watched about half of the misercordia game and most of the Frostburg game online and yes, I was struggling to figure out exactly who the Pioneers are.
Didn't see the Brockport game, was surprised to see them put up 42.
I think they can beat Ithaca, but they have to have zero mistakes, as in no turnovers, no stupid plays and definitely keep the ball out of the hands of any of the special teams returners.
IF UC can establish the run early, even if it's not super successful, that will open up the pass game for Beniquez, Acevado and others.

[Bombers798891]

I saw them live against Union in the pouring rain,and as bad as the first half was, the second half was 1000 percent opposite good. I watched about half of the misercordia game and most of the Frostburg game online and yes, I was struggling to figure out exactly who the Pioneers are.
Didn't see the Brockport game, was surprised to see them put up 42.
I think they can beat Ithaca, but they have to have zero mistakes, as in no turnovers, no stupid plays and definitely keep the ball out of the hands of any of the special teams returners.
IF UC can establish the run early, even if it's not super successful, that will open up the pass game for Beniquez, Acevado and others.

Dew— What exactly did go on against Frostburg? I mean, does Kassar just not have the ability to throw downfield? Outside of their two longest receptions, the other 10 completions went for like 30 yards? I mean, even if you're throwing screens and such, those guys are skilled enough to make plays downfield.

Are you going to the game?

[dewcrew88]

I saw them live against Union in the pouring rain,and as bad as the first half was, the second half was 1000 percent opposite good. I watched about half of the misercordia game and most of the Frostburg game online and yes, I was struggling to figure out exactly who the Pioneers are.
Didn't see the Brockport game, was surprised to see them put up 42.
I think they can beat Ithaca, but they have to have zero mistakes, as in no turnovers, no stupid plays and definitely keep the ball out of the hands of any of the special teams returners.
IF UC can establish the run early, even if it's not super successful, that will open up the pass game for Beniquez, Acevado and others.

Dew— What exactly did go on against Frostburg? I mean, does Kassar just not have the ability to throw downfield? Outside of their two longest receptions, the other 10 completions went for like 30 yards? I mean, even if you're throwing screens and such, those guys are skilled enough to make plays downfield.

Are you going to the game?

It didn't seem like anything specific. Just that Frostburg would bend and bend but not break.

[fisheralum91]

It was odd to watch.
Dew is correct...
The Frostburg D didnt do much terrible but didnt do much well.....until they played Fisher the following week.

Ill be keeping a keen eye on that IC UC game for sure!
Safe travels to all going out to Alumni Weekend at Fisher!

[sjfcards]

It was odd to watch.
Dew is correct...
The Frostburg D didnt do much terrible but didnt do much well.....until they played Fisher the following week.

Ill be keeping a keen eye on that IC UC game for sure!
Safe travels to all going out to Alumni Weekend at Fisher!

Fisher should have a good crowd on hand SatERday with alumni weekend going on. Hopefully the rain holds off. I am really worried about this game. Salisbury just has Fisher's number but, this year seems to be different. I think Fisher wins a really tight one.

[wesleydad]

Good luck to Fisher and Ithaca today.  I think both teams win, Fisher by 2 scores and Ithaca in a closer one.  Enjoy the games.

[boobyhasgameyo]

Good luck to Fisher and Ithaca today.  I think both teams win, Fisher by 2 scores and Ithaca in a closer one.  Enjoy the games.

Hope you are right Wesleydad!  Good luck to your team as well.  Though I don't think they need any.