FB: Empire 8

[middlerelief1]

New polls are out - Fisher is up a spot to 13 and Alfred is up two spots to #23. 

Also, I believe Chambers is out for the season.  But yes, hopefully Fusco can at least come back soon and take over the bulk of the carries.

Yes unfortunately Chambers is done for season - Fusco expected vs. Utica -- the kid Smith is the man.  It would appear the program is deep at the specialty positions

[Upstate]

Dang, that's tough news for Chambers, he is the most explosive player the team has. Definitely loosing a change of pace and receiving threat...

With regarding the defense, it's a good problem to have but the offense has been so good that it doesn't take them 8 minutes to score a TD...

I think their longest scoring drive is 5:41 minutes, I think they have maybe 3/4 TD drives of 5 minutes..

They are scoring length of the field TDs in a really short amount of time, they're so good they're kind of hanging their defense out to dry by putting them back on the field in 2 minutes...

Like I said, it's a good problem to have with an offense this explosive but they almost have to score TDs every time with the ball because it might be a while until they get the ball back...

[sjfcards]

Fisher's defense is allowing 24.6 PPG/392 YPG/50% 3rd-down conversion.

Let's be honest, those numbers aren't great (although it's interesting that opponents have run 105 more plays). But they're not awful, and they're far from the worst in the conference.

There's zero reason to think they'll be anything other than 9-0 heading into Alfred. They're catching Utica at the right time, they're not going to lose to the Bombers, and Hartwick is Hartwick.

Fisher will be fine

The Utica game is the one that scares me of the next 3. Utica will be angry coming off back to back losses, and has the players to maybe make some stops. They will test Fisher with all of the injuries. If Fisher can get a win in that one, then they get the bye and a chance to get healthy for the stretch run. Would love to see Fisher and AU both at 9-0 when they meet. That would be a ton of fun.

[sjfcards]

New polls are out - Fisher is up a spot to 13 and Alfred is up two spots to #23. 

Also, I believe Chambers is out for the season.  But yes, hopefully Fusco can at least come back soon and take over the bulk of the carries.

Yes unfortunately Chambers is done for season - Fusco expected vs. Utica -- the kid Smith is the man.  It would appear the program is deep at the specialty positions

If Fusco does come back, does Smith move back to defense, or does Fisher use him as the second back like they had with Chambers?

Also, any word on Naton this week?

[D3viewer]

Brockport hosts Ithaca next week for the battle of the second place teams. Both are 3-2 overall, 2-1 in conf. Brockport beat Ithaca last year at their place. will Ithaca return the favor ?

[Upstate]

New polls are out - Fisher is up a spot to 13 and Alfred is up two spots to #23. 

Also, I believe Chambers is out for the season.  But yes, hopefully Fusco can at least come back soon and take over the bulk of the carries.

Yes unfortunately Chambers is done for season - Fusco expected vs. Utica -- the kid Smith is the man.  It would appear the program is deep at the specialty positions

If Fusco does come back, does Smith move back to defense, or does Fisher use him as the second back like they had with Chambers?

Also, any word on Naton this week?

This was the original target week for Naton, but with Fiutko playing so well I'd keep Naton in a reserve role and only use him if needed...

Regarding Smith, I'd let him rotate in with Fusco now but put him on defense too. This way he can still help out the nonexistent pass rush...

[AUPepBand]

E8 Thoughts:

IC/Boltus: I told you guys that Felicetti's return could have magical effects. 50 points! Man, Hartwick cannot stop anyone. Ithaca had 46 points in 4 games heading into the week, and 37 in the second half. "Mr. Shafer, your offense seems to have the momentum of a runaway freight train. Why are you so popular?"

Hartwick's offense did nothing special. 13 points, 160 yards in meaningful time. Pine can make plays, but he also makes mistakes, and refuses to throw the ball away.

Pep was at Butterfield Saterday with grandson. Was that Bombers798891's wife there who was giving birth to a bouncing baby Bomber offense? Any updates? Braxton Hicks in the game yet?


Some observations:
Where's the Ooga Booga Man? It was definitely an ooga booga day!
Where's the pep band? The IC band traveling to Merrill Field in the 1990s gave birth to AU Pep Band as Pep sought to defend "The Pit" against musical domination on Saxon turf.
Bombers 3-0 at Butterfield in Welch's finale. Three down, Morrisville and Buff State to go. Mike "Jim" Welch has been a pillar at IC in maintaining a classy competitive program built by Butterfield despite changes at IC. Hats off to Dansville's Mike Welch!

Pep's grandson was delighted that "his team" won although much of his time at ButterField was focused on a DS game and/or performing daredevil feats on the empty slippery aluminum bleachers in the south end of the home stands.

On Saxon Warriors!

[Bombers798891]

E8 Thoughts:

IC/Boltus: I told you guys that Felicetti's return could have magical effects. 50 points! Man, Hartwick cannot stop anyone. Ithaca had 46 points in 4 games heading into the week, and 37 in the second half. "Mr. Shafer, your offense seems to have the momentum of a runaway freight train. Why are you so popular?"

Hartwick's offense did nothing special. 13 points, 160 yards in meaningful time. Pine can make plays, but he also makes mistakes, and refuses to throw the ball away.

Pep was at Butterfield Saterday with grandson. Was that Bombers798891's wife there who was giving birth to a bouncing baby Bomber offense? Any updates? Braxton Hicks in the game yet?


Some observations:
Where's the Ooga Booga Man? It was definitely an ooga booga day!
Where's the pep band? The IC band traveling to Merrill Field in the 1990s gave birth to AU Pep Band as Pep sought to defend "The Pit" against musical domination on Saxon turf.
Bombers 3-0 at Butterfield in Welch's finale. Three down, Morrisville and Buff State to go. Mike "Jim" Welch has been a pillar at IC in maintaining a classy competitive program built by Butterfield despite changes at IC. Hats off to Dansville's Mike Welch!

Pep's grandson was delighted that "his team" won although much of his time at ButterField was focused on a DS game and/or performing daredevil feats on the empty slippery aluminum bleachers in the south end of the home stands.

On Saxon Warriors!

1. B-H has been in the game for awhile. Still no baby. Mrs. Bombers798891 said she started kicking after IC scored to go up 20-13

2. Chuck, sadly, passed away a few years ago. Ooga-Booga wasn't for everyone, but his presence will be missed.

3. IC hasn't had a real pep band presence for awhile, which is a negative, IMO. It was part of the fun of going to IC games.

4. I was thinking about the 3-0 home record last night, and, while it's obviously nice because it means they're getting three wins, I think it's a really nice sendoff.

Look, If I were to take a retrospective of Mike Welch's career (on-field results) it would be summed up as follows:

He was a victim of bad timing in a couple of ways:

a) The rise of the midwest as the dominant force
b) Changes in financial aid that made it harder for a private school to compete with public schools financially
c) A whole bunch of upstate NY teams starting up and dipping their fishing rods into the talent pool in a way that Butterfield never had to deal with—not to mention a pair of schools getting NFL-quality facilities.

Despite all that—and dealing with a section of the fan base that took way too long to adjust to the reality presented by those three facts, he's won nearly 70% of his games and made some nice playoff runs. Ithaca was, from 1994-2010, a very good program.

And yet, I worry that, in our "what have you done for me lately" society, too many people will remember the losing seasons of 2011 and 2015 (and let's be honest, they aren't out of the woods yet this season) and the six-game losing streak to Cortland. The fact that the Bombers are winning at home is hopefully, if nothing else, a chance for the fans to appreciate just how lucky they've been to have Mike Welch as a coach—and that's before we take into account the fact that, as you wrote, he's led his program with class for nearly a quarter-century, and been a great ambassador for the college for a lot longer then that.

Since I may not be on the boards much soon, let me say these this now: If you're a Bombers fan and you don't go to to the Buffalo State game and give Mike Welch the sendoff he deserves for the career he's had, then honestly, you haven't deserved him*. Win or lose, that game should be a celebration of all he's done for the program and the college.

*I know, I'm a hypocrite, since I won't go. But the baby will be like, three weeks old! If this were any other season, I'd be there and I'd be making a banner thanking him! If it helps, the wife and I were driving downtown the day after the Utica win and, while stopped at a red light, saw him. We rolled down the window and yelled out "Nice win!" He smiled, thanked us, and asked how my wife was feeling. Seriously, if any fans don't appreciate the guy, I have no desire to associate with them as fans.

[wesleydad]

E8 Thoughts:

IC/Boltus: I told you guys that Felicetti's return could have magical effects. 50 points! Man, Hartwick cannot stop anyone. Ithaca had 46 points in 4 games heading into the week, and 37 in the second half. "Mr. Shafer, your offense seems to have the momentum of a runaway freight train. Why are you so popular?"

Hartwick's offense did nothing special. 13 points, 160 yards in meaningful time. Pine can make plays, but he also makes mistakes, and refuses to throw the ball away.

Pep was at Butterfield Saterday with grandson. Was that Bombers798891's wife there who was giving birth to a bouncing baby Bomber offense? Any updates? Braxton Hicks in the game yet?


Some observations:
Where's the Ooga Booga Man? It was definitely an ooga booga day!
Where's the pep band? The IC band traveling to Merrill Field in the 1990s gave birth to AU Pep Band as Pep sought to defend "The Pit" against musical domination on Saxon turf.
Bombers 3-0 at Butterfield in Welch's finale. Three down, Morrisville and Buff State to go. Mike "Jim" Welch has been a pillar at IC in maintaining a classy competitive program built by Butterfield despite changes at IC. Hats off to Dansville's Mike Welch!

Pep's grandson was delighted that "his team" won although much of his time at ButterField was focused on a DS game and/or performing daredevil feats on the empty slippery aluminum bleachers in the south end of the home stands.

On Saxon Warriors!

1. B-H has been in the game for awhile. Still no baby. Mrs. Bombers798891 said she started kicking after IC scored to go up 20-13

2. Chuck, sadly, passed away a few years ago. Ooga-Booga wasn't for everyone, but his presence will be missed.

3. IC hasn't had a real pep band presence for awhile, which is a negative, IMO. It was part of the fun of going to IC games.

4. I was thinking about the 3-0 home record last night, and, while it's obviously nice because it means they're getting three wins, I think it's a really nice sendoff.

Look, If I were to take a retrospective of Mike Welch's career (on-field results) it would be summed up as follows:

He was a victim of bad timing in a couple of ways:

a) The rise of the midwest as the dominant force
b) Changes in financial aid that made it harder for a private school to compete with public schools financially
c) A whole bunch of upstate NY teams starting up and dipping their fishing rods into the talent pool in a way that Butterfield never had to deal with—not to mention a pair of schools getting NFL-quality facilities.

Despite all that—and dealing with a section of the fan base that took way too long to adjust to the reality presented by those three facts, he's won nearly 70% of his games and made some nice playoff runs. Ithaca was, from 1994-2010, a very good program.

And yet, I worry that, in our "what have you done for me lately" society, too many people will remember the losing seasons of 2011 and 2015 (and let's be honest, they aren't out of the woods yet this season) and the six-game losing streak to Cortland. The fact that the Bombers are winning at home is hopefully, if nothing else, a chance for the fans to appreciate just how lucky they've been to have Mike Welch as a coach—and that's before we take into account the fact that, as you wrote, he's led his program with class for nearly a quarter-century, and been a great ambassador for the college for a lot longer then that.

Since I may not be on the boards much soon, let me say these this now: If you're a Bombers fan and you don't go to to the Buffalo State game and give Mike Welch the sendoff he deserves for the career he's had, then honestly, you haven't deserved him*. Win or lose, that game should be a celebration of all he's done for the program and the college.

*I know, I'm a hypocrite, since I won't go. But the baby will be like, three weeks old! If this were any other season, I'd be there and I'd be making a banner thanking him! If it helps, the wife and I were driving downtown the day after the Utica win and, while stopped at a red light, saw him. We rolled down the window and yelled out "Nice win!" He smiled, thanked us, and asked how my wife was feeling. Seriously, if any fans don't appreciate the guy, I have no desire to associate with them as fans.

Bombers, good luck in the next few weeks with the baby.  Enjoy.

[middlerelief1]

While D3 is the voice of the land, Just an FYI - there are a few other pollsters for this level. 

One of them is Hansen, which is a computer based model.  Similar teams different rankings...  interestingly has Alfred at 5 and SJF at 10.  You can follow this guys stuff on Twitter at:  @LogHanRatings

Here's his Top 10

1) UWW
2) Mt. Union
3) UMHB
4) UWP
5) Alfred
6) UWO
7) St. Lawrence
8) St. Thomas
9) NCC
10) St. John Fisher


Personally I think the St. Thomas rating and North Central ratings are a bit low as they would erase SLU off the map and a few others, but it does build greater anticipation with a looming showdown with AU in a few weeks .... (provided both teams keep winning that is.... and that SJF's defense can do better than terrible on 3rd down conversions with 3 out of next 4 against the teeth of conference but whatever)

[Upstate]

24 points
408 yards (271 pass/137 rush)
74 plays (5.5 yards per play)
RB rushing totals: 22 attempts/102 yards
Time on the field: 28:40
Allowed 4/12 on 3rd down, 1/2 on 4th down.

31 points
419 yards (275 pass/144 rush)
91 plays (4.6 yards per play)
RB rushing totals: 15 attempts/ 10 yards
Time on the field: 36:34
Allowed 15/20 on 3rd down, 0/3 on 4th down


First set of numbers is AU's defense vs Morrisville on 10/1.

Second set of numbers is the lowly SJF defense vs Morrisville on 10/8.

Getting off the field on 3rd down was a huge issue for Fisher vs Morrisville, but it wasn't because they were getting beat through the air or were in a bad defensive play. It's because the QB broke contain, that's a very correctable problem if the DL maintains their rush lanes.

This is just to debunk the opinion of MR1, it is in no way a shot at AU!

[middlerelief1]

so... you're listing stats that showed SJF's D let up more points, more yardage, more 3rd downs, and more time of possession than AU's D.... that doesn't exactly debunk the position that Fisher's D is pretty bad.

As of now - Fisher will go as far as the Offense can take it. 
If the D steps up I'll sing those praises too - and am more than ready to. 

[Upstate]

Yeah it only took Morrisville 17 plays to accumulate 11 more yards.

Both AU and SJF allowed garbage scores in the final minute. Take those out and AU had 21 points allowed and SJF had 24 points allowed.

But keep beating that drum.

[AUPepBand]

If you like many are bored by Pep's posts, don't bother visiting the Facebook account of RoadTripSports.com that just posted a three-part video interview of Pep at Yunevich Stadium. You've probably read it all here before.  Pretty randomly at an AU jayvee football game met this guy from RoadTripSports who produces an annual yearbook about college football. He positioned Pep in front of his camera and began filming as Pep began talking....and Pep nearly talked the poor guy to death! (Will he ever stop?)

https://www.facebook.com/roadtripsportsfans/?hc_ref=PAGES_TIMELINE&fref=nf

On Saxon Warriors!

[boobyhasgameyo]

Meh, I think in the few days since the reincarnation as middlerelief1 he's been much less inflammatory.  I think maybe he recognizes that nobody here has ever made the argument that this year's team has a special unit on defense...and that he doesn't have to drive the point home with such exaggeration. 

At least I hope.  Please be this new and slightly reformed middlerelief1!