FB: Empire 8

[D3viewer]

Josh Michels  went to Brockport HS . So I guess it will be cool for him to start (if he does ?) in such a "big" game in in his home town. The HS field ( which got brand new turf this year) is in visual distance to the college field. I don't think this will necessarily have any impact on the game, but a somewhat interesting side note.

[fisheralum91]

Brockport is a great team- no doubt, however after seeing the game last week- Im not sure it will be the drubbing that you make it out to be bports.
Ithaca is a good team and there was every reason for Fisher to not only be tied but win that game.
This one will be closer than you think.

[Oline89]

Is Brockport back to full strength?  I know there were reports of injuries to the starting RB and defensive backfield.  Hobart ran into a buzzsaw week 1, and as we have seen the Hobart D is still in a bit of chaos.  It looks like the SJF defense is solid, if they can limit the killer big play, the game will be very close. 

[bports]

It will not be close at all. Brockport has way more talent, they are at home, and are coming off a bye. This is not a good matchup for SJF.

[D3viewer]

E8 Players of the Week

Football Offensive Player – Morrisville
Nick Edmond, RB Senior – Blythe, CA/Paolo Verde 5-10 243 (wow, what a tank. was 2nd team E8 RB last season)
Edmond led all ball carriers in the 34-26 win over St. Lawrence University Friday night, collecting 137-yards on 26 carries for two touchdowns. His scores came at distances of 11- and 6-yards each. Edmond added one reception for 11 yards on his night tallies, averaging 5.3 yards per rushing attempt.

Football Defensive Player – St. John Fisher
Demarre Nelson, CB, Senior – East Rochester, NY/East Rochester 5-10 185 (2nd team E8 last season)
Nelson made his season debut on Saturday as the Cardinals faced nationally-ranked Ithaca College at Growney Stadium. Nelson, who was matched up against a first-team All-American wide receiver the entire game, made his presence felt with 11 tackles including eight solo stops. The East Rochester native also came down with a key interception that set up a touchdown drive for the Cardinals. Nelson was also credited with a pass breakup on the day as Fisher did not allow a passing touchdown.

Football Special Teams Player - Alfred
Kevin Bragaglia, PR/RB  Sophomore - Holbrook, NY/Sachem North 5-9 180
Bragaglia recorded the game-winning touchdown on Homecoming Weekend against SUNY Cortland. He returned a punt for 92 yards to lift the Saxons to 38-27 as they closed out with a final score of 38-33 on Saturday. Bragaglia also ran for a 26-yard touchdown near the start of the third quarter. He totaled 51 yards on five attempts for 10.2 yards a carry. His touchdown run was his longest of the day. Bragaglia also caught four receptions (team-high) for 22 yards with a long of 16. He rounded out his excellent day with a kickoff return of 77 yards.

[fisheralum91]

It will not be close at all. Brockport has way more talent, they are at home, and are coming off a bye. This is not a good matchup for SJF.

I will respectfully disagree and here is why.
While I understand that Brockport is extremely talented and highly ranked, this seems to be a different Fisher team than last years disaster.
The D seems to have shored up and the offense (minus a stable running attack) has come out guns ablazin.
Do not forget that it is the courage bowl- and crazy things happen.....Close games when in all reality they shouldnt have been.
Do I concede that Brockport wins-most likely.
Do I think its a 48-0 blowout.
NO

[Bombers798891]

The offense (minus a stable running attack) has come out guns ablazin.

The offense is averaging 13 PPG, is 4-for-9 in the red zone, has converted 25% of its third downs, and had negative rushing yards last game. Guns ablazin is not how I would describe that performance.

As for the defense, they kept Ithaca in check, but we haven't seen much from IC's offense all year. They got carved up by W&J, and I suspect that's what will happen this week.

BPort 42, Fisher 14

[bports]

I agree with everything you said Bombers. SJF can't run the ball at all and trying to throw the ball 50 times at Brockport against that D is a recipe for disaster. Playing this game out in my head and I still have 41-13.

[fisheralum91]

Perhaps i should have said gun ablazin.
Michaels arm was what kept Fisher in the game against IC.
I realize that my optimism is skewed because Im a homer but - clean up a few things and Fisher can hang with the better teams in the E8 and LL
Will they fix those "few things" i dont know.
But I will tell you this- I would like to have optimism rather than stare at another 2-8 season

[boobyhasgameyo]

The offense (minus a stable running attack) has come out guns ablazin.

The offense is averaging 13 PPG, is 4-for-9 in the red zone, has converted 25% of its third downs, and had negative rushing yards last game. Guns ablazin is not how I would describe that performance.

As for the defense, they kept Ithaca in check, but we haven't seen much from IC's offense all year. They got carved up by W&J, and I suspect that's what will happen this week.

BPort 42, Fisher 14

Fisher was exposed defensively in week 1 by W&J.  Particularly one of the corner backs was getting toasted repeatedly.  I can't remember his name.  But he was playing because our best CB, Nelson (last weeks E8 defensive player of the week) wasnt active.  Having him out there did seem to make a big difference against IC.  Ithaca's offense hasn't been anything great but correct me if i'm wrong, Fisher is the first team to match up with them this season with their all American wide receiver out there?  I think all things considered it was an admirable defensive effort. 

I believe if Brockport's running game is legit then that will gash Fisher all day.  I still suspect a good offensive line will get a lot of push and blocking down field with the size and defensive scheme Fisher employs. 

I'm not in the business of playing out entire games in my head like bports (what a life)...but i'm very interested in this game as a measuring stick for the program.  If the team keeps showing improvements like they did in the second half against W&J and the better part of 3 quarters against Ithaca then maybe they keep it close and even give themselves a chance to win it.  Which would be a tremendous sign of improvement and bouncing back from last year's debacle.  If they get creamed?  Well then it'll be clear we still have a long way to go. 

Random prediction without playing out the entire game and simulate every possible scenario a la bports: 

Brockport - 34
Fisher - 21

[UfanBill]

Perhaps i should have said gun ablazin.
Michaels arm was what kept Fisher in the game against IC.
I realize that my optimism is skewed because Im a homer but - clean up a few things and Fisher can hang with the better teams in the E8 and LL
Will they fix those "few things" i dont know.
But I will tell you this- I would like to have optimism rather than stare at another 2-8 season

Your thoughts feel eerily familiar...0-10 my friend...http://d3football.com/teams/Union/2015/index

[fisheralum91]

Bill,
I'd like to think  that this Fisher team is better than an o-fer season--but I'd also like to think that a turnaround like Union did is possible if not this season- then most assured next.

[Upstate]

I really wasn't impressed or excited about last weeks game against IC.

They had three weeks to prepare and came out with an absolute dreadful performance by their QB and their offense. He shouldn't play another down unless there's a blowout or injury to Michels.

They had a chance to tie the game but their two best offensive players fumbled the ball after making a catch. Credit to ICs defense for making the play but if your two best players can't hang onto the ball in crunch time it's not going to have a happy ending.

ICs offense is pretty pedestrian so holding them to 21 isn't something to hang your hat on. Yeah it was nice not getting lit up for 40 points but again nothing to hang your hat on.

I don't see anything other than a blow out this weekend again, Brockport is bigger/faster/stronger and have a stud QB. Fisher doesn't have a stud QB like Naton to keep them in the game offensively like they did two years ago. They also have these two  tiny RBs that go down on first contact.

This is going to be a really long year unfortunately.

[fisheralum91]

Geez upstate- Even I can see some rays of sunshine.
Its not all doom and gloom.
Agreed that it was not a great performance on many levels but I saw a better team than last year - that is certain.
Will we win more than 2- Yes
Will we be .500 probably not but I wouldnt count it out.

[Bombers798891]

Ithaca's offense hasn't been anything great but correct me if i'm wrong, Fisher is the first team to match up with them this season with their all American wide receiver out there?

St. Vincent's defense allowed 24 points to IC's offense at IC with Gladney playing