FB: Empire 8

[sjfcards]

It's one thing to lose, it's another to look completely inept...

Well this looks inept...

Just a really disappointing  debut for Fisher. Here is the question however; Did Fisher just lay an egg, or is TMC just that much better than Fisher? Having seen both the scrimmage and this game, I am afraid  to answer that question.

[Upstate]

Down 41-0.

And you try to kick a FG?

Sums up EVERYTHING.

[pg04]

Down 41-0.

And you try to kick a FG?

Sums up EVERYTHING.

Trying to avoid the shut out?

[Upstate]

That long touch down was fitting, that's what you get when you try to kick a FG just to avoid a shut out...

[Upstate]

Down 41-0.

And you try to kick a FG?

Sums up EVERYTHING.

Trying to avoid the shut out?

They did the same horse**** down 33-0 vs MUC a few years ago...

Got into the redzone, stalled out and kicked a FG to avoid the shut out...

[pg04]

Give the Kicker some practice? At this point you could grasp for anything.

[Bombers798891]

Cortland jumps offsides on the FG try, then allows a TD. Down 24-20

[middlerelief]

It's one thing to lose, it's another to look completely inept...

Well this looks inept...

Just a really disappointing  debut for Fisher. Here is the question however; Did Fisher just lay an egg, or is TMC just that much better than Fisher? Having seen both the scrimmage and this game, I am afraid  to answer that question.

Thomas More is better than a good team - only two teams they lost to last season was W&J and Wesley - and they tested Wesley.  They are an often visitor to the NCAAs so I give props to SJF for scheduling solid Non Conference Games
. . . 

That said, between taking a knee at Salisbury and the flat appearance vs. IC with the E8 title on the line combined with this sleep walking and unprepared of an opener -- something seriously should be done with the Coaching staff. . . it should not be a job for life situation and they haven't had a professional or competent staff truly since the dept of the current coach for Utica. 

Wake up East Ave!!!

[boobyhasgameyo]

It's an interesting feeling to know after week 1 the only chance you have to make the playoffs is by winning the conference bid.  Zero chance of a pool C bid since that would mean two losses, with at least one by an unspeakable monkey stomp.  Though after that showing talking about an E8 bid feels worlds away. 

[pg04]

Especially with the loss being against a team that could end up in the Pool C with you.

[AUPepBand]

Two short one- and two-play scoring drives off fumbles carry the Saxons to a sloppy 39-25 win over Husson. Saxons dug themselves a 12-0 hole before putting together a pair of 65-yard scoring drives to take a 14-12 lead. After the Eagles take a 25-24 second-half lead, the Saxons capitalize on two costly fumbles deep inside Husson territory. Saxons outgained by their hosts.

Meanwhile, Sept. 12 opponent RPI is pummeling Norwich, 35-0. Got some work to do before next Saterday.

On Saxon Warriors!

[pg04]

It's looking fairly successful for the E8 today, but it depends how much we weigh the Fisher thing given that they had the toughest opponent.

[middlerelief]

It's an interesting feeling to know after week 1 the only chance you have to make the playoffs is by winning the conference bid.  Zero chance of a pool C bid since that would mean two losses, with at least one by an unspeakable monkey stomp.  Though after that showing talking about an E8 bid feels worlds away.

true - then again I think it was the '11 season they go an at large bid with two losses, and the two losses to Salisbury and Hobart were really ugly as well.

Thomas More is a rock solid program, and SJF losing offensive player of the year QB I guess I was expecting a drop off just not this much.  The starter looked confused and scared -- be interesting to see who starts at QB in game 2

Coaching staff should really be embarrassed -- yet again . . .

[Bombers798891]

Lots of good things to like for Ithaca today:

Wolfgang Shafer was amazing: 25-for-33 for 265 yards, two TDs and 0 picks. Made all the throws he was asked to

Josh Oliver was the player of the game: 8 catches for 80 yards, 3 punt returns for 82 yards, and a 32 yard touchdown pass

Schnayder Termidor had a great game: Lived in the backfield

Malik Morris: The best corner in the E8 kept Kyle Reynolds in check, and sealed it with a pick 6

Things not to like:

The Bombers were undisciplined, taking 10 penalties for 96 yards, including a personal foul. Inexplicably, there were at least two times where a quick Union snap caught an Ithaca corner not in position, leading to a catch

Playcalling and clock management were questionable. Ithaca ran out of time in the first half despite never taking a timeout. You have a kicker who can hit from 50, why are you not taking a timeout with 20 seconds to go at midfield when you have three of them? For some reason, Ithaca decided to have Max Rottenecker angle kickoffs to the sidelines, leading to several penalties. After the last one, he kicked it down the middle and got a touchback every single time. Why mess around with perfect placement and even a return, when your kicker can put it in the end zone?

And the playcalling on the second to last drive was terrible. Ithaca gets the ball back with less than 10 minutes to go, and they try three different times to pass the ball. The first time, the ball is nearly intercepted, then Shafer is chased from the pocket, and then, when you survive those two disasters and get it down to a first-and-20 with 7:15 to go, you pass again, and take a safety. Why? What's the upside? You don't need more points, your defense hasn't allowed a thing in the second half, Union has one timeout left. Seriously, all you need to do is run in three times and take another two minutes off the clock. Union's offense was not going to score three times in five minutes.

Still, a win is a win, and all in all, Ithaca's mistakes are fixable

[Bengalsrule]

Buff State 29-0 vs Otterbein (OAC).  Good start on the road. Running game very effective. Defense extremely stingy! 2 QBs who performed well.  Not getting to excited however a win beats the alternative.  Next week is home opener!

Go BENGALS!