FB: Empire 8

[Upstate]

Shoot.  If Nigolian comes back then next year just got a whole lot brighter for Fisher.  The offense was completely different without him.  To the point where I feel like Fisher would still be playing this weekend if he were healthy.

If Fenti didn't tear his Labrum in his shoulder I'd agree...

They were on their 3rd string QB and we all saw it wasn't pretty...

But that's great news if he comes back, that's for sure!!!

[TheHitman]

Shoot.  If Nigolian comes back then next year just got a whole lot brighter for Fisher.  The offense was completely different without him.  To the point where I feel like Fisher would still be playing this weekend if he were healthy.

If Fenti didn't tear his Labrum in his shoulder I'd agree...

They were on their 3rd string QB and we all saw it wasn't pretty...

But that's great news if he comes back, that's for sure!!!

I'm going to agree with you here.  Caton had some moments against a not so good Alfred team but did turn the ball over a few times.  The Fisher offense seemed lackluster the last few games even with Fenti against Ithaca a few weeks back.  Even if Fisher did make it into the playoffs, I find it hard to believe that they make it out of the first round with two of their top 3 offensive players out (I consider Fusco the other).  The downfield attack no doubt wouldn't have been the same even if just one or the other played.

[fisheralum91]

If its true that Nigolian gets another yeear- that is amazing news!
Im not happy to hear about Naton's knee but hope he heals soon!

[sjfcards]

Totally agree.
Lets just hope that the QB situation gets solved!

Matt Naton has one more year left and he should be fine.  He has played well when called upon. I don't know if they have a young guy in the fold, if not really need to recruit a QB and LB's.

Naton coming off a pretty serious knee injury a few weeks ago does have a lot of time for recovery.  He is a good QB.  Last year against Buff St. he led the team to victory and had a pretty good day stat-wise.  The Naton to Nigolian will be a dangerous one in the coming year.

Uhh Nigolian is graduating.

Or did I miss something?

Nigolian missed a large portion of the 2012 season I believe it was due to a nagging knee injury.  He still has another year of eligibility.

This post just made my day. As stated by others, the Fisher offense was very different without him healthy, but even more than that, with Fisher breaking in a new full time QB next year Nigolian is about as good of a bail out wide receiver you can ask for. He is big and tall, and will fight for the ball. Not a bad guy to have as a security blanket for a young QB. I like Naton last year when he had a chance, and though Catan had some moments. I would imagine if he can get healthy Naton is clearly on the inside track, and if he can perform (Fisher has had some luck with QB's in the past) then the offense could be really good again if Nigolian comes back. I love the backfield next year, and Collichio (sp?) is back.

[Jonny Utah]

Totally agree.
Lets just hope that the QB situation gets solved!

Matt Naton has one more year left and he should be fine.  He has played well when called upon. I don't know if they have a young guy in the fold, if not really need to recruit a QB and LB's.

Naton coming off a pretty serious knee injury a few weeks ago does have a lot of time for recovery.  He is a good QB.  Last year against Buff St. he led the team to victory and had a pretty good day stat-wise.  The Naton to Nigolian will be a dangerous one in the coming year.

Uhh Nigolian is graduating.

Or did I miss something?

Nigolian missed a large portion of the 2012 season I believe it was due to a nagging knee injury.  He still has another year of eligibility.

This post just made my day. As stated by others, the Fisher offense was very different without him healthy, but even more than that, with Fisher breaking in a new full time QB next year Nigolian is about as good of a bail out wide receiver you can ask for. He is big and tall, and will fight for the ball. Not a bad guy to have as a security blanket for a young QB. I like Naton last year when he had a chance, and though Catan had some moments. I would imagine if he can get healthy Naton is clearly on the inside track, and if he can perform (Fisher has had some luck with QB's in the past) then the offense could be really good again if Nigolian comes back. I love the backfield next year, and Collichio (sp?) is back.

Anyone know the newer rule on medical redshirts?  I actually redshirted myself, and it's great to see any player get to play his full 4 years and still get to go to school.  I did think the rule changed though....

[TheHitman]

Totally agree.
Lets just hope that the QB situation gets solved!

Matt Naton has one more year left and he should be fine.  He has played well when called upon. I don't know if they have a young guy in the fold, if not really need to recruit a QB and LB's.

Naton coming off a pretty serious knee injury a few weeks ago does have a lot of time for recovery.  He is a good QB.  Last year against Buff St. he led the team to victory and had a pretty good day stat-wise.  The Naton to Nigolian will be a dangerous one in the coming year.

Uhh Nigolian is graduating.

Or did I miss something?

Nigolian missed a large portion of the 2012 season I believe it was due to a nagging knee injury.  He still has another year of eligibility.

This post just made my day. As stated by others, the Fisher offense was very different without him healthy, but even more than that, with Fisher breaking in a new full time QB next year Nigolian is about as good of a bail out wide receiver you can ask for. He is big and tall, and will fight for the ball. Not a bad guy to have as a security blanket for a young QB. I like Naton last year when he had a chance, and though Catan had some moments. I would imagine if he can get healthy Naton is clearly on the inside track, and if he can perform (Fisher has had some luck with QB's in the past) then the offense could be really good again if Nigolian comes back. I love the backfield next year, and Collichio (sp?) is back.

Naton is more than capable of coming in a doing a fine job at directing the offense.  He is a big QB who can run when needed and has a monster of an arm.  From what I have heard Nigolian will be back to finish out his last year of eligibility.  I do hope that the offensive system adapts a little bit and expands the running options, play calling wise.  It seems like Fisher runs primarily an outside zone concept.  I think if they expand the playbook running game-wise it will open more looks down the field with Nigolian.  That combined with Collichio on the short and intermediate underneath routes could make Fisher an even more dangerous offense.

[TheHitman]

Totally agree.
Lets just hope that the QB situation gets solved!

Matt Naton has one more year left and he should be fine.  He has played well when called upon. I don't know if they have a young guy in the fold, if not really need to recruit a QB and LB's.

Naton coming off a pretty serious knee injury a few weeks ago does have a lot of time for recovery.  He is a good QB.  Last year against Buff St. he led the team to victory and had a pretty good day stat-wise.  The Naton to Nigolian will be a dangerous one in the coming year.

Uhh Nigolian is graduating.

Or did I miss something?

Nigolian missed a large portion of the 2012 season I believe it was due to a nagging knee injury.  He still has another year of eligibility.

This post just made my day. As stated by others, the Fisher offense was very different without him healthy, but even more than that, with Fisher breaking in a new full time QB next year Nigolian is about as good of a bail out wide receiver you can ask for. He is big and tall, and will fight for the ball. Not a bad guy to have as a security blanket for a young QB. I like Naton last year when he had a chance, and though Catan had some moments. I would imagine if he can get healthy Naton is clearly on the inside track, and if he can perform (Fisher has had some luck with QB's in the past) then the offense could be really good again if Nigolian comes back. I love the backfield next year, and Collichio (sp?) is back.

Anyone know the newer rule on medical redshirts?  I actually redshirted myself, and it's great to see any player get to play his full 4 years and still get to go to school.  I did think the rule changed though....

Not sure of the old system or if this clears anything up for you but this is what I have found...

The player must get 4 seasons of sports in within 10 semesters of school, which I think is a general rule not necessarily tied to a medical hardship waiver as they call it nowadays.

Injury or illness must have kept the athlete out for at least 3 games or 30% of scheduled or completed contests. 

This has to have happened in the first half of the season.

Lastly there must be proper medical documentation from a physician proving that the athlete is unable to play.

As far as school goes for a 5th year, usually a player enrolls in a graduate program or they fill out the rest of their requirements for undergrad.  This means they are able to take less than the required full time amount of 12 credits to play.  So if they need 1 class to graduate they are permitted to do so and play.

[Pat Coleman]

Only clarification: It's 33% of scheduled contests, which is four games in a 10-game football season.

[Upstate]

Only clarification: It's 33% of scheduled contests, which is four games in a 10-game football season.

Yep, tore my ACL in the first half of the 5th game of my junior year

Wasted season

[Bengalsrule]

It would be nice if Hobart and Fisher were regulars on the schedule much like Ithaca and Cortland.  I would have loved if they were the courage bowl participant regular after the U of R exited stage left.  Personally I feel like Hobart is more of a rival to Fisher than most any other school.  The Ithaca vs Fisher games have certainly produced some classic games, but there just feels like more emotion involved when it's Hobart and Fisher.

It could be a good thing for Hobart , as a strong regional rivalry makes sense in addition to LL regulars...as far as parity of talent, I think Hobart is losing some excellent talent after this year that will be almost impossible  to replace( Tyre Coleman and Ali Marpet are extraordinary players at D3 level) and undefeated regular seasons can't go on forever...already lowering expectations for a future Fisher game

Are you pulling a Bombers there?

Not quite that far ......glad to have JHU at home.... come on E8 fans, get on the Bart bus, we need the support, students will be home for Turkey..... balmy 39 degree forecast..

Count me in on the Statemen's bandwagon (for Saturday). I'll actually be at Hobart this Tuesday for the Buff State BENGALS game  (ill be cheering for the BENGALS). Hobart's the only rep from NYS still alive so its a no brainer!

Make NYS state proud!!

Go Statemen's....

and

Go BENGALS (for Tuesday)

Bart could use an infusion of Bengal blood for the game...Thanks for the support...Good luck in the basketball game, Hobart handled Ithaca pretty well in the first game of the year

I actually saw a couple of clips from that game earlier this weekend. Tommy Campion averages 2.4 pts a game last year and starts out with 21 (6 of 8 from beyond the arc?)?. I know many had predicted that, with All-American Bonney and Gibbons gone, this would be a down year for the perennial ( 3 yrs in a row) NCAA post season participant. Something tells me that Hobart has another NCAA run in them this year, even with a new coach.

FWIW. Maybe a good omen for this weekend..... 2 years ago my BENGALS came to Geneva for an early season contest on Nov 20th. Many BENGAL supporters couldn't help but notice that your football team was practicing, under the lights that evening (after our team football teams season was over and Wide receiver Ryan Carney was now on the basketball team). A quick search of Hobarts website showed that they, Hobart, were preparing to host #13 Wittenberg in the 2nd round of the NCAA's. That weekend Hobart won 35 - 10.  Oh and that night the BENGALS won 80 -74. 

Go STATEMENS

and..

Go BENGALS!

Good omen report for Bartman, Hobart. Just arrived at Hobart for a 8pm tipoff. Passed by the stadium and Hobarts football team is practicing. Defense at the near end and offense at the far end. Last time this took place, the Statesmen defeated Wittenburgh in the 2nd rd of NCAA.

[Bartman]

It would be nice if Hobart and Fisher were regulars on the schedule much like Ithaca and Cortland.  I would have loved if they were the courage bowl participant regular after the U of R exited stage left.  Personally I feel like Hobart is more of a rival to Fisher than most any other school.  The Ithaca vs Fisher games have certainly produced some classic games, but there just feels like more emotion involved when it's Hobart and Fisher.

It could be a good thing for Hobart , as a strong regional rivalry makes sense in addition to LL regulars...as far as parity of talent, I think Hobart is losing some excellent talent after this year that will be almost impossible  to replace( Tyre Coleman and Ali Marpet are extraordinary players at D3 level) and undefeated regular seasons can't go on forever...already lowering expectations for a future Fisher game

Are you pulling a Bombers there?

Not quite that far ......glad to have JHU at home.... come on E8 fans, get on the Bart bus, we need the support, students will be home for Turkey..... balmy 39 degree forecast..

Count me in on the Statemen's bandwagon (for Saturday). I'll actually be at Hobart this Tuesday for the Buff State BENGALS game  (ill be cheering for the BENGALS). Hobart's the only rep from NYS still alive so its a no brainer!

Make NYS state proud!!

Go Statemen's....

and

Go BENGALS (for Tuesday)

Bart could use an infusion of Bengal blood for the game...Thanks for the support...Good luck in the basketball game, Hobart handled Ithaca pretty well in the first game of the year

I actually saw a couple of clips from that game earlier this weekend. Tommy Campion averages 2.4 pts a game last year and starts out with 21 (6 of 8 from beyond the arc?)?. I know many had predicted that, with All-American Bonney and Gibbons gone, this would be a down year for the perennial ( 3 yrs in a row) NCAA post season participant. Something tells me that Hobart has another NCAA run in them this year, even with a new coach.

FWIW. Maybe a good omen for this weekend..... 2 years ago my BENGALS came to Geneva for an early season contest on Nov 20th. Many BENGAL supporters couldn't help but notice that your football team was practicing, under the lights that evening (after our team football teams season was over and Wide receiver Ryan Carney was now on the basketball team). A quick search of Hobarts website showed that they, Hobart, were preparing to host #13 Wittenberg in the 2nd round of the NCAA's. That weekend Hobart won 35 - 10.  Oh and that night the BENGALS won 80 -74. 

Go STATEMENS

and..

Go BENGALS!

Good omen report for Bartman, Hobart. Just arrived at Hobart for a 8pm tipoff. Passed by the stadium and Hobarts football team is practicing. Defense at the near end and offense at the far end. Last time this took place, the Statesmen defeated Wittenburgh in the 2nd rd of NCAA.

So I hope Hobart winning the basketball game tonight against the Bengals is not a bad omen for the Football team  (stats showed an off night shooting for Buffalo State) If you saw any of the secret Statesmen plays for Saturday at practice...mums the word... the BlueJays need to be surprised

[fisheralum91]

That is good news for Nigolian, and for the Fisher faithful!
Here is hoping that Naton can recover and lead this offense as well as Fenti did.
I will say this- Nigolian was the game changer.
Without him as a viable option the offense seemed sluggish and predictable.
I hope that they change it a bit next season!

[sjfcards]

That is good news for Nigolian, and for the Fisher faithful!
Here is hoping that Naton can recover and lead this offense as well as Fenti did.
I will say this- Nigolian was the game changer.
Without him as a viable option the offense seemed sluggish and predictable.
I hope that they change it a bit next season!

I agree that the offense was much more predictable and was not nearly as potent with a limited Nigolian, but (as some have mentioned already) some of the problem was the failure to adjust the play calling. Fisher has some horses in the back field with Fusco, Chambers, and Smith and I think they could have used them more once Nigolian was limited. Specifically in the Ithaca game I would have liked to see Fisher pounding the ball with Fusco and Smith and using Chambers out of the backfield catching passes. I understand they were behind towards the end of the game which forced them to air it out, but there was a large stretch of that game that they were winning/within one score. It looked to me like the coaches hit the panic button a little early and started to try and throw the ball down field too often.

Next year with a lot of talent at the skill positions (again assuming they can get the QB situation figured out), I like the offense a lot. Fisher has been good on the O-Line in the past, and I expect a good line next year.

[Fisherguy]

I do like all the discussion about what Fisher's offense may and can look like next year. That said, I think the other side of the ball is where the discussion should be right now. 2 senior linebackers departing, one being a 3 year starter, another a 2 year starter and captain. All 3 safeties are departing, 2 having started the last 2 seasons, 1 of which was a captain for both. Those are huge holes to fill in a defense that led the conference this year, and aside from Salisbury and Alfred, held every rushing attack in check. I think we all can agree that this program knows how to reload, it will just be interesting to see how these players are replaced and how well this defense can continue to perform with a lack of experience.

[D3viewer]

I do like all the discussion about what Fisher's offense may and can look like next year. That said, I think the other side of the ball is where the discussion should be right now. 2 senior linebackers departing, one being a 3 year starter, another a 2 year starter and captain. All 3 safeties are departing, 2 having started the last 2 seasons, 1 of which was a captain for both. Those are huge holes to fill in a defense that led the conference this year, and aside from Salisbury and Alfred, held every rushing attack in check. I think we all can agree that this program knows how to reload, it will just be interesting to see how these players are replaced and how well this defense can continue to perform with a lack of experience.

Your point stands as valid, but Brockport ran for 180 yards against Fisher for a tune of 6.4 yards a carry. Salisbury "only" averaged 5.0 yards a carry (they ran the ball 63 times). Dan Andrews, the conf leading runner, had 157 and averaged over 6 yards a carry. At the time it was the 1st 100 yard rushing performance against a Fisher D since 2010. Fisher's running attack just overshadowed Brockport's and it wasn't much of a game, but I would argue Brockport's running game was not held in check, certainly compared to the others who were just lights out shut down. Not being snarky or rude..just pointing out some statistics.
PS..I also realize Fisher may have been playing a softer, more pass defensive scheme when they got the early big lead, and I also realize Brockport may have kept their starters in longer than Fisher. Just going by final stats.