FB: Empire 8

[AUKaz00]

...so if Fisher doesn't come out of the bye week with a much better effort then they could most definitely be 6-3 heading into the Alfred game.

That's it about the E8. I still remember 2007, driving up to Geneva with Alfred 7-0 and dreaming what could be. Three weeks later, it was an ECAC game against Rochester for the 7-3 Saxons.  Nothing is guaranteed and I'm just happy to enjoy whatever good comes out of each season (though winning is tremendously more appealing).

[Pat Coleman]

13-26?
I'll respond much further tomorrow but really?
Meh

I think there are some voters who would be willing to vote for SJF again if the No. 1 quarterback is healthy and ready to go. At least, I know there's one.

[Upstate]

13-26?
I'll respond much further tomorrow but really?
Meh

This was a bad, bad loss.

This wasn't a loss vs a team that had a superstar, this was just bad all around. There was no Garcon (Norwich '04), no Sharpe (Springfield '06) no Boltus (Hartwick '07-'08), no Webb/Coleman (Hobart '11) and no Salisbury triple option.

This was just Fisher getting beat, like they were last year vs Buffalo St. They couldn't do anything on offense, they were missing blocks upfront and it looked like everyone was just middling around and waiting for someone else to make a play. Defensively, why on earth does the DL line up a full yard off the ball? They're not winning the line of scrimmage as is but when you give the OL a yard of space it make the angles so much easier for them. Just a forgettable effort vs Utica.

[middlerelief1]

This team reminds me a bit of the 2014 squad - maybe the most talented not to make NCAAs - that year they had the best QB in E8 and easily the best WR package in a long time only to watch Voz take a knee to hand the ball to Salisbury who won in OT... and then showed up flat as a pancake to IC with the AQ on the line and left on the outside looking in for a pool C

There are too many good 1 loss teams, and a few really good 2 loss teams to hope for that.

Fisher still controls its own destiny - a few things need to happen during bye week: starters need to get game speed and timing back, and the D needs to go school to Re-learn the basics schematic and technique wise (D-Line that means you)

We'll see

[fisheralum91]

My take on the Fisher game is a little different than others.
What impressed me was the D!
It seemed that they were out there FOREVER!
All the heat that they have been taking seemed completely unjust as they looked solid - and yes they were gassed at the end- they were out there most of the game!
I am (and Mrs FA91) worried about DJ, as he was carted off the field with an apparent concussion.  We have a son that has had too many concussions as well and when we saw him on the sideline going thru protocol it gave us the chills.
He is one hell of a player and hope that the bye week helps get him symptom free!

On the O side of the ball Naton just looked rusty.
Timing was off.
Line got pushed around a bit too.

It was a tough loss.
One that seems to happen every year- and yet still tough to take.

I will say this too- and yes its a homer thought- but the refs were awful on Sat.  Between our Wr's getting mugged to the roughing the kicker penalty, the officiating crew seemed to look a blind eye to a lot of "extra curriculars" that took place right in front of us on the Fisher sideline.
BTW- I must say this---Fisher traveled WELL!
I have NEVER seen that many fisher fans up here in Utica!
It was a pleasure to see the support!!!
Here is hoping that thru good practices that the O gets its rhythm back and that the D continues to improve!

[Bombers798891]

This team reminds me a bit of the 2014 squad - maybe the most talented not to make NCAAs - that year they had the best QB in E8 and easily the best WR package in a long time only to watch Voz take a knee to hand the ball to Salisbury who won in OT... and then showed up flat as a pancake to IC with the AQ on the line and left on the outside looking in for a pool C

There are too many good 1 loss teams, and a few really good 2 loss teams to hope for that.

Fisher still controls its own destiny - a few things need to happen during bye week: starters need to get game speed and timing back, and the D needs to go school to Re-learn the basics schematic and technique wise (D-Line that means you)

We'll see

Yeah, that thought came into my head too.  They had no business losing to IC in that game, and they had no business losing to Utica. They've got to play a lot better if they want to beat Alfred

[sjfcards]

My take on the Fisher game is a little different than others.
What impressed me was the D!
It seemed that they were out there FOREVER!
All the heat that they have been taking seemed completely unjust as they looked solid - and yes they were gassed at the end- they were out there most of the game!
I am (and Mrs FA91) worried about DJ, as he was carted off the field with an apparent concussion.  We have a son that has had too many concussions as well and when we saw him on the sideline going thru protocol it gave us the chills.
He is one hell of a player and hope that the bye week helps get him symptom free!

On the O side of the ball Naton just looked rusty.
Timing was off.
Line got pushed around a bit too.

It was a tough loss.
One that seems to happen every year- and yet still tough to take.

I will say this too- and yes its a homer thought- but the refs were awful on Sat.  Between our Wr's getting mugged to the roughing the kicker penalty, the officiating crew seemed to look a blind eye to a lot of "extra curriculars" that took place right in front of us on the Fisher sideline.
BTW- I must say this---Fisher traveled WELL!
I have NEVER seen that many fisher fans up here in Utica!
It was a pleasure to see the support!!!
Here is hoping that thru good practices that the O gets its rhythm back and that the D continues to improve!

I would agree with you about the defense. I thought they actually played really well. My wife actually made the comment that it seemed like Utica was starting on the 50 yard line every time they go the ball. There were several short fields to defend as the offense couldn't move the ball at all. Also, don't forget Fisher's lone touchdown came off a really good defensive play on 3rd down that forced a turnover.

The offense on the other hand was a mess. I am sure it was rust or just one of those sloppy games Fisher has a tendency to play, but it was pretty ugly to watch. I also thought the reffing was a little too okay with physical play while the ball was in the air, but they were consistent with it all game. I certainly don't think it cost Fisher the game.

Fisher just had one of those performances. They do this often enough. The game I kept thinking back to was the 2010 team that lost to a good Springfield team. I got the same dead feeling from the Fisher sideline in that game. The difference being it was the defense that could not get on track that game.

Not sure where Fisher goes from here, but the next few weeks will say a lot about the character of this team. The good news is they still have everything right in front of them. Take this week to get healthy and regroup, then show up for the last 3 weeks. Not looking past Hartwick or IC, but that AU game could still be really interesting at the end of the year.

[fisheralum91]

How healthy were Naton and Fusco really?
Did they push them in too quickly?
Any word on Logory?
That one really was hard to witness.

[middlerelief1]

How healthy were Naton and Fusco really?
Did they push them in too quickly?
Any word on Logory?
That one really was hard to witness.

It was -- did you happen to see the targeting hit in 2H?  Red was not going to throw pass until it was clear The Reciever was staying down

QB/RB were supposed to be out a full 3 weeks - I can't see a coach in today's age to push a kid to come back before ready - maybe they were just driven to come back as soon as possible which meant coming back not 100%. 

They will be after bye week though

[fisheralum91]

I was on opposite side of the field and didnt get a look at the targeting penalty.
Did see DJ go thru all Concussion Protocol and then put on a backboard and transported
scary

[D3MAFAN]

I was on opposite side of the field and didnt get a look at the targeting penalty.
Did see DJ go thru all Concussion Protocol and then put on a backboard and transported
scary

I really hate the Targeting penalty at the Division III level, there is no chance to really overturn the call. I think the competition committee needs to reevaluate at the Division III level. I think it should only be for half or two quarters and if it happens in the 2nd half, it should not cross over to the other game unless video evidence proves otherwise. These penalties change the landscape of the game.

[fisheralum91]

Im not in favor of the rule at any level.
It puts too much power in the hands of the officiating crew.
They already can determine an outcome, but that is compounded by the exclusion of a player.


On a side note- does anybody know how DJ is doing?

[sjfcards]

Im not in favor of the rule at any level.
It puts too much power in the hands of the officiating crew.
They already can determine an outcome, but that is compounded by the exclusion of a player.


On a side note- does anybody know how DJ is doing?

I don't hate the concept of a targeting call, especially when you see something like what happened to Logory this past weekend (I know that wasn't the targeting penalty (or a receiver), but the head injury was scary from the sounds of it). I just hate how black and white the current rule is. Since the rule was put into place a few years ago, what I hate is the automatic ejection. If a DB is trying to make a play and happens to go head on head I don't see why they have to be thrown out without any chance at common sense. Sure, if you actually target a player you should be ejected. I just hate when a player breaks up a pass, or something like it, and because the heads collide they are thrown out. Just give the ref some discretion and you could have the best of both worlds.

[fisheralum91]

In this day and age where concussion is taken seriously and no longer just getting your bell rung, I totally (trust me ) understand protecting players.
The problem with the rule is that you are asking a defensive player to almost mind read where the point of contact is going to be made on any given tackle.
NO easy feat.

And Yes I hate the rule!

[fisheralum91]

Crickets on the E8 page this week.
Any update on any of the Fisher walking wounded?