FB: Empire 8

[D3viewer]

And Pep..you were correct about the trend of the visitor winning in the albeit brief renewed Brockport Alfred games. As Pg 4 mentioned Alfred forcing 5 turnovers and also winning on Special Teams . Brockport has struggled a bit all year in this category.  Got fooled at Fisher with their fake punt for a 55 yard TD..the many missed extra points. Utica"s kicker booting them all over the field ..Alfred returning a punt for TD and Brockport muffing a kickoff that Alfred recovered and turned into another TD.
Teams have started to catch up to Dan Andrews...Saxons held him to 56 yards rushing and were the second team in a row to keep him under 4 yards a carry. Granted..Brockport was playing catch up the whole second half.but still a great job by AU's D. Sr QB Bonsell throwing 2 picks and 0 TDs didn't help the effort.
Brockport now faces a hot Morrisville team. And then Buff St. I'm sure Brockport is desperate for an ECAC bid and are in real danger of finishing with a losing season.

[pg04]

I feel like Brockport's special teams have been an issue for many years. I once went into more detail a few years back and actually had someone let's say close to the program angrily contact me for being critical of them.

[Jonny Utah]

I feel like Brockport's special teams have been an issue for many years. I once went into more detail a few years back and actually had someone let's say close to the program angrily contact me for being critical of them.

Back in 1996 Brockport didn't cover one of our gunners on the punt so we faked it and got the first down.

Carry on.

[AUPepBand]

Pep isn't close enough to the Brockport program to recognize its special teams issues but Gavidia's punt return for a TD was the first such AU score in Pep's memory in awhile....maybe go back to Jared Manzer days for punt return TDs. Gavidia was headed to the right and everyone ended up on that side of the field and he suddenly saw an opening back the other way and outran the pursuit to the end zone.

Pep has since watched some of the webcast of the game (on demand) and apparently the guys in the Brockport press box (wherever the web cam was located) thought they saw a flag on the play but it ended up being a shoe or towel. The webcast commentator, on almost any big AU offensive play, rather than describing it, just proclaimed, "Oh no!" and "Fuentes is going for a huge gain." Also, Pep found it humorous when a fly made random appearances on the window in front of the webcam, which magnified the creature in such a way that it bordered on becoming a B-rated horror flick.

Likewise, the PA announcer turned cheerleader when Brockport got a first down. When AU got a first down, the PA announcer went into monotone. So after one such AU first down, Pep jumped to his feet and shouted to the Saxon fans around him, "And it's another first down for your Alfred Saxons!"

Pep hit up the concession stand at halftime. Pretty elaborate menu for a football game. Hot dogs $2.75, Hamburger $3.25, Cheeseburger $3.75, Coffee $1.50, Hot Chocolate $1.50....Pep took requests from the fam and ordered them altogether. The gal taking the order had to use a calculator, which was understandable considering the odd price structure. Pep has been to a lot of football game concession stands where the prices are always $1, $2, $3, etc. like a dollar store which makes it easy math for those working the stand.

Obviously, Pep isn't talking much football here, but Pep thinks a lot and is a fan of the overall game day experience. In that regard, Pep enjoyed the large contingency of AU cheerleaders who made the trip and who introduced a celebratory cheer of sorts after AU scores. They assemble themselves in front of the crowd and they count as they do as many jumping jacks as AU points scored. Pep took notice after the Buish TD reception and joined them in doing 35 jumping jacks. Pep thinks they may have had some influence on the second half scoring (or lack thereof).

On Saxon Warriors!

[Bombers798891]

Well, I can't say I'm too surprised about the Bombers, considering....

I don't think we're looking at 2011 bad, only because I can't imagine the OL/QB situation being that bad again, but if I had to pick a team the 2015 Bombers remind me of, it might be that one.

And here we are, looking like we might very well get a 2011 4-6, with an unsettled QB situation to boot. Shafer was benched for the 2nd week in a row, and the Bombers have scored 0 points with him under center the last two weeks. On the one hand, I can't imagine that bodes well. On the other, D'Nofrio is a senior, and there's only two games left. May they're better off going with the junior.

That said, what surprises me is how this team can just flat out gets its doors blown off for long stretches of the game. The 2011 team went 4-6, but lost by 5, 5,  3, 2, 14, and 24. And the 14 point loss was to a Salisbury team that was hanging 50 points on the whole conference.

This year's team has, in the last five weeks:

Fallen behind 24-0 twice
Taken a 14-0 lead only to be outscored 27-3 from that point on
Lost 34-0

I haven't really seen a Bombers team just get dominated, repeatedly, week in, week out. Just not a good team, at all. But, the Bombers can still wreck Cortland's season, so we must not lose hope.

However, the E8 feels like it's pretty decided now. I just can't see the Bombers beating Cortland the way they're playing. But if they can, I'm not sure who will win the E8. It might be Norwich. Possibly Springfield

[AUPepBand]

Well, I can't say I'm too surprised about the Bombers, considering....

I don't think we're looking at 2011 bad, only because I can't imagine the OL/QB situation being that bad again, but if I had to pick a team the 2015 Bombers remind me of, it might be that one.

And here we are, looking like we might very well get a 2011 4-6, with an unsettled QB situation to boot. Shafer was benched for the 2nd week in a row, and the Bombers have scored 0 points with him under center the last two weeks. On the one hand, I can't imagine that bodes well. On the other, D'Nofrio is a senior, and there's only two games left. May they're better off going with the junior.

That said, what surprises me is how this team can just flat out gets its doors blown off for long stretches of the game. The 2011 team went 4-6, but lost by 5, 5,  3, 2, 14, and 24. And the 14 point loss was to a Salisbury team that was hanging 50 points on the whole conference.

This year's team has, in the last five weeks:

Fallen behind 24-0 twice
Taken a 14-0 lead only to be outscored 27-3 from that point on
Lost 34-0

I haven't really seen a Bombers team just get dominated, repeatedly, week in, week out. Just not a good team, at all. But, the Bombers can still wreck Cortland's season, so we must not lose hope.

However, the E8 feels like it's pretty decided now. I just can't see the Bombers beating Cortland the way they're playing. But if they can, I'm not sure who will win the E8. It might be Norwich. Possibly Springfield

+K Haha....Hey, why not Frostburg? or Salisbury?

[pg04]

Pep,

I saw the fly too. I kept wondering if they'd shoo it away. I did not really listen to the commentators although I should have since I once held their position.

[AUPepBand]

Pep,

I saw the fly too. I kept wondering if they'd shoo it away. I did not really listen to the commentators although I should have since I once held their position.

That's awesome, pg. Don't take Pep wrong on that. Not trying to be critical here, just observations. It's a great opportunity for students to get first-hand experience in the broadcasting field and they do a great job overall. Pep did a little bit of radio work at WCVM back in the mid-70s but was always in the studio. Would like to see more of that type of opportunity for communications students at AU.

[magicman]

Oh yes, Pep. I meant to congratulate you and your Saxons on the dominating win. After scoring 28 points in the 2nd quarter to make the score 35-13 at the half, they were able to stifle Brockport in the 2nd half by Forcing turnovers and going on long drives. AU held the ball for an amazing 23:32 in the second half, with drives of 6:45 and 7:07 included. I watched most of the game and Alfred really impressed me with how they were able to control the game to put it away.

Good luck to AU in the upcoming lottery that is the E8 championship.

And Magicman: What are you doing over here on the football boards? Haha! Hoping the Saxons can equal last year's fun ride into the E8 Tourney...won't be long now before it all gets started. Pep recalls the Plattsburgh State football Cardinals as they played Alfred when Sam Sanders was head coach after Yunie retired.

The Magic 1 is sort of lost until November 14th when SUNYAC hoops begin. If lucky you may hear from him again until the 17th when his Cards travel to Clarkson (and I have not doubt that he will make that westward trip).  Fear not Pep. In a couple of weeks you will have to come to the basketball boards to find him!

I'm never lost, you, of all people should know that. I replied to this post over on the SUNYAC hoops board where it belongs.

[Jonny Utah]

Well, I can't say I'm too surprised about the Bombers, considering....

I don't think we're looking at 2011 bad, only because I can't imagine the OL/QB situation being that bad again, but if I had to pick a team the 2015 Bombers remind me of, it might be that one.

And here we are, looking like we might very well get a 2011 4-6, with an unsettled QB situation to boot. Shafer was benched for the 2nd week in a row, and the Bombers have scored 0 points with him under center the last two weeks. On the one hand, I can't imagine that bodes well. On the other, D'Nofrio is a senior, and there's only two games left. May they're better off going with the junior.

That said, what surprises me is how this team can just flat out gets its doors blown off for long stretches of the game. The 2011 team went 4-6, but lost by 5, 5,  3, 2, 14, and 24. And the 14 point loss was to a Salisbury team that was hanging 50 points on the whole conference.

This year's team has, in the last five weeks:

Fallen behind 24-0 twice
Taken a 14-0 lead only to be outscored 27-3 from that point on
Lost 34-0

I haven't really seen a Bombers team just get dominated, repeatedly, week in, week out. Just not a good team, at all. But, the Bombers can still wreck Cortland's season, so we must not lose hope.

However, the E8 feels like it's pretty decided now. I just can't see the Bombers beating Cortland the way they're playing. But if they can, I'm not sure who will win the E8. It might be Norwich. Possibly Springfield

I don't like to criticize the coaches here much, and Ithaca may be having the same problems that Union is having in terms of admissions/financial aid (not to use that as an excuse, because I don't know that either), but Ithaca has hired Offensive Coordinators from other programs and I'm not sure how much freedom they have to change the system.  Welch may have to take a huge step back in terms of what kind of offense the teams need to run.  A NESCAC poster was talking a few weeks back about Colby's problem on offense and how it seemed they were simply trying to do too many things that they can't do well.  Ithaca may be in the same boat.  The last 5-10 years they simply cannot run the ball well, yet they still try and try.  I think they would be better just going all spread and moving the entire offense in that direction.

With regards to the OC situation, Michaeles was the OC, brought in a new one for two completely ineffectual years, brought in another for last years stinker, and now is not showing some great fire at the helm this year.  He brings in offensive coordinators who, like him, tend to be too broad and diversified and end up without a solid identity.  Too much mix between zone and power.  Too much mix between different passing concepts.  Good offensive  teams in this league balance by finding a scheme that works and forming their identity around it.  Colby has been a little bit of everything offensively and that is no way to form a offensive identity. 

This quote was from RetiredMule from a few weeks ago, and I think it sums up some of Ithaca's problems on offense.

[82 cardinals]

I find myself rooting for Ithaca in 2 weeks. If Fisher can pull out wins in their last 2 games they take the division

[boobyhasgameyo]

Even if Fisher wins at Hartwick next week - that final week would be iffy at best.  If Ithaca plays like they did against SJF then obviously I don't like their chances.  Plus if any team has had Fisher's number during a must win game to get in the playoffs...it's Alfred.  Bad flashbacks there.  But it is cool that the team has put themselves in this position after the start they had. 

[fisheralum91]

Boys,
I had Fisher dead buried and flowers wilted.
The fact that we are even having some THOUGHT of a conference win was unimaginable.

The way I look at this now is that Fisher wins out and most likely gets an ECAC bid.
A GREAT result from the travesty that was the beginning of the 2015 season!

[AUPepBand]

Hmmmmm, the Fisher posters are coming out of the woodwork...guess Pep has his alma mater to thank for that!

[boobyhasgameyo]

Have been here the whole time