FB: Empire 8

[Saxon73]

Here's a piece from the Alfred Sun dated Sept. 19, 1957 (50 years ago):

The Alfred Saxons, undefeated since 1954, will be riding a 15-game winning streak when they open their 1957 football campaign against Ithaca College Saturday night at Ithaca. The game will be the 11th in a series that started in 1933. Alfred leads 6-3 with one tie. Seven lettermen are expected to be in the starting lineup for the Saxons.....Coach Alex Yunevich has been juggling his backs during the final week of pre-season practice and is undecided on his arrangements.

Stay tuned...

Pep,  We ae dying to know.  Who won the game?  Did AU's streak continue?  If so, how long?

[sjfcclimbing]

I have been trying to get a grasp on the season so far for a few days now and I can't do it. The only thing that has gone according to plan is that AU is very good. However, I did not really expect them to take SC to the woodshed like they did.

IC is 0-2 in the E8...that blows my mind. SC is 1-2 overall, and 0-1 in the league? I don't think there are enough losses out there for IC to have any chance to win the league. I think SC has a very uphill battle to fight..because I don't know if AU will lose more than a game. They have been very impressive. I think IC may still play a big roll in the league this year, with games against SC and AU left. If they could sneak up and win one or both of those games it could open the door for Fisher.
And where did Hartwick come from?

Fisher and AU is looking like it will be a big game at the end of the year. Conference championship? I don't know, I think SC will still have a lot to say about that.

Funny how it has gone so far...and it is shaping up to be a real crazy season in the E8.
I was not sold on Fisher before last week, but I was at the game saturday, and I think they can be very good this year. I don't know if they are as good as they were last year, but the running game looked good last weekend, the passing game was good as always, and the defense was better than I thought they would be. I thought IC would move the ball against Fisher. IC had no running game to speak of, and the passing game was really highlighted by a great catch, and a gimmick trick play.

So after two weeks of some conference play, how does everyone see the league?

I have it like this:
1) Fisher (6-0)
2) Alfred (5-1)
3) SC (3-3)
4) Hartwick (3-3)
5) Ithaca (3-3)
6) Utica (1-5)
7) Norwich (0-6)

but who knows?

I agree very possible conference records. A few comments:

NSRB was correct, Fisher does not dominate their opposition and in fact seems to play to the level of their opposition at times. Their defense is the bend but don't break and consistantly gets turnovers/failure to convert on 4th down in their territory. I really dislike sitting on the edge of the bleachers each week wondering if it will work out this week. However, you can't argue with the results (except Springfield and Mt. Union - special cases, Fisher had three starters out for Springfield and the Mt. Union is just special). The offense is loaded: O-Line, running backs, QB and receivers. I think that Parks has so many options in his play calling, he seems to have problems sticking with an offensive scheme.

My opinion has been, on paper, Fisher is better then last years team. Their performance to date has validated that. I remember, last year all to well, being behind to UR and Ithaca at halftime and Brockport nine yards from beating us. And who wants to talk about Springfield.

Homecoming for the players is more of a distraction then a help. Last year a number of them felt it took too long and took something out of their preparation for Springfield.

Alfred is a good team but as Pep said the Springfield game may have hinged more on Springfields mistakes and poor defense then Alfred's domination. Only the last three games will tell how good Alfred is. However, both Hobart and Ithaca are down this year so it may be the final one that really tells. Stated before it would be great to see Alfred and Fisher undefeated last game of the season.

[pg04]

Here's a piece from the Alfred Sun dated Sept. 19, 1957 (50 years ago):

The Alfred Saxons, undefeated since 1954, will be riding a 15-game winning streak when they open their 1957 football campaign against Ithaca College Saturday night at Ithaca. The game will be the 11th in a series that started in 1933. Alfred leads 6-3 with one tie. Seven lettermen are expected to be in the starting lineup for the Saxons.....Coach Alex Yunevich has been juggling his backs during the final week of pre-season practice and is undecided on his arrangements.

Stay tuned...

Pep,  We ae dying to know.  Who won the game?  Did AU's streak continue?  If so, how long?

Was it a tie?

[AUPepBand]

Pep won't be looking at the Sept. 26, 1957 issue until next week....
so please, stay tuned....

[Pat Coleman]

Pat,

That title, of course, came after his coaching career had ended in 1976. The post is directly quoting a 1957 article from the Alfred Sun long before he had earned the "Legendary" title. But at least now Pep has you associating "legendary" with Alex Yunevich!  8)

I'm aware. Capture the sarcasm.

[labart96]

However, both Hobart and Ithaca are down this year so it may be the final one that really tells. Stated before it would be great to see Alfred and Fisher undefeated last game of the season.

Of course I am a homer, but I don't agree that Hobart is necessarily "down" this year, at least not at this stage of the season.  That could change in the coming weeks, but Hobart has been in every game this season and their two losses were last minute/second deals that could have easily gone the other way and they'd be 3-0 instead of 1-2.

[FisherAlum05]

However, both Hobart and Ithaca are down this year so it may be the final one that really tells. Stated before it would be great to see Alfred and Fisher undefeated last game of the season.

Of course I am a homer, but I don't agree that Hobart is necessarily "down" this year, at least not at this stage of the season.  That could change in the coming weeks, but Hobart has been in every game this season and their two losses were last minute/second deals that could have easily gone the other way and they'd be 3-0 instead of 1-2.

not to be a jerk, but the fact is that they ARE 1-2

[labart96]

Point taken. 

I'll try not to be a jerk if AU beats SJF after AU loses 2 weeks earlier to Hobart (no offense Pep and AUKaz - I think both you guys are knowledgeable enough regarding the Bart-AU rivalry to know that this scenario could happen).

[FisherAlum05]

I have been trying to get a grasp on the season so far for a few days now and I can't do it. The only thing that has gone according to plan is that AU is very good. However, I did not really expect them to take SC to the woodshed like they did.

IC is 0-2 in the E8...that blows my mind. SC is 1-2 overall, and 0-1 in the league? I don't think there are enough losses out there for IC to have any chance to win the league. I think SC has a very uphill battle to fight..because I don't know if AU will lose more than a game. They have been very impressive. I think IC may still play a big roll in the league this year, with games against SC and AU left. If they could sneak up and win one or both of those games it could open the door for Fisher.
And where did Hartwick come from?

Fisher and AU is looking like it will be a big game at the end of the year. Conference championship? I don't know, I think SC will still have a lot to say about that.

Funny how it has gone so far...and it is shaping up to be a real crazy season in the E8.
I was not sold on Fisher before last week, but I was at the game saturday, and I think they can be very good this year. I don't know if they are as good as they were last year, but the running game looked good last weekend, the passing game was good as always, and the defense was better than I thought they would be. I thought IC would move the ball against Fisher. IC had no running game to speak of, and the passing game was really highlighted by a great catch, and a gimmick trick play.

So after two weeks of some conference play, how does everyone see the league?

I have it like this:
1) Fisher (6-0)
2) Alfred (5-1)
3) SC (3-3)
4) Hartwick (3-3)
5) Ithaca (3-3)
6) Utica (1-5)
7) Norwich (0-6)

but who knows?

I agree very possible conference records. A few comments:

NSRB was correct, Fisher does not dominate their opposition and in fact seems to play to the level of their opposition at times. Their defense is the bend but don't break and consistantly gets turnovers/failure to convert on 4th down in their territory. I really dislike sitting on the edge of the bleachers each week wondering if it will work out this week. However, you can't argue with the results (except Springfield and Mt. Union - special cases, Fisher had three starters out for Springfield and the Mt. Union is just special). The offense is loaded: O-Line, running backs, QB and receivers. I think that Parks has so many options in his play calling, he seems to have problems sticking with an offensive scheme.

My opinion has been, on paper, Fisher is better then last years team. Their performance to date has validated that. I remember, last year all to well, being behind to UR and Ithaca at halftime and Brockport nine yards from beating us. And who wants to talk about Springfield.

Homecoming for the players is more of a distraction then a help. Last year a number of them felt it took too long and took something out of their preparation for Springfield.

Alfred is a good team but as Pep said the Springfield game may have hinged more on Springfields mistakes and poor defense then Alfred's domination. Only the last three games will tell how good Alfred is. However, both Hobart and Ithaca are down this year so it may be the final one that really tells. Stated before it would be great to see Alfred and Fisher undefeated last game of the season.

SJFClimbing,

Some interesting comments in there.  I still don't agree with NSRB's comments and I cannot see how a Fisher fan would.  They have taken care of business thus far very easily, minus the U of R game (which is always tough).  They are averaging 40 points per game and giving up only 13.  Though on paper, I would say Fisher was a little better last year but it's close.  

Homecoming is always the best game for the players.  It's a night game and the stands are full of ex-players alumni.  What does Springfield have to do with last year's homecoming?  I think, if I remember correctly since I was there, that the homecoming/alumni weekend game was against Hartwick College.  

But I do agree about Alfred.  We might not know how good they truly are until they visit Growney Stadium in the last week of the season.  The good thing is, we have the bye week before that so our guys should be very focused and well rested for AU.

[FisherAlum05]

Point taken. 

I'll try not to be a jerk if AU beats SJF after AU loses 2 weeks earlier to Hobart (no offense Pep and AUKaz - I think both you guys are knowledgeable enough regarding the Bart-AU rivalry to know that this scenario could happen).

Point taken as well.  Though I must say if Dickinson and RPI (good offenses) are scoring alot of points on the Statesmen then I am sure the explosive Alfred offense will do the same.  If Hobarts defense can slow them down then it will probably be a close game. 

[AUPepBand]

Pat,

That title, of course, came after his coaching career had ended in 1976. The post is directly quoting a 1957 article from the Alfred Sun long before he had earned the "Legendary" title. But at least now Pep has you associating "legendary" with Alex Yunevich!  8)

I'm aware. Capture the sarcasm.

Pep is happy to accept his daily dose of sarcasm. Pep equally dishes it out. 

[AUPepBand]

Point taken. 

I'll try not to be a jerk if AU beats SJF after AU loses 2 weeks earlier to Hobart (no offense Pep and AUKaz - I think both you guys are knowledgeable enough regarding the Bart-AU rivalry to know that this scenario could happen).

Pep is well aware the Statesmen have had the Saxons' number of late. And AU will expect a dogfight in Geneva...the long Alfred-Hobart series is filled with close games no matter how the team records stand!

[sjfcclimbing]

However, both Hobart and Ithaca are down this year so it may be the final one that really tells. Stated before it would be great to see Alfred and Fisher undefeated last game of the season.

Of course I am a homer, but I don't agree that Hobart is necessarily "down" this year, at least not at this stage of the season.  That could change in the coming weeks, but Hobart has been in every game this season and their two losses were last minute/second deals that could have easily gone the other way and they'd be 3-0 instead of 1-2.

My Point is that in the past they would have been 3-0 with games not as close. However, just a general opinion based on overall East Game Comparisons.

[Saxon73]

Point taken. 

I'll try not to be a jerk if AU beats SJF after AU loses 2 weeks earlier to Hobart (no offense Pep and AUKaz - I think both you guys are knowledgeable enough regarding the Bart-AU rivalry to know that this scenario could happen).

Pep is well aware the Statesmen have had the Saxons' number of late. And AU will expect a dogfight in Geneva...the long Alfred-Hobart series is filled with close games no matter how the team records stand!

Pep,  We oldsters will always relish in the "Miracle at Geneva" game.  Can you dig up a SUN writeup?  I think a lot of the guys would enjoy one of the most unbelievable events in AU football.  Truly amazing!  Let's hope the current team can be as resourceful if needed.  

We may need another miracle to get through the last three games.  Visiting all three teams involved at least we did win the last time we were at Growney.  To me it almost seemed like Julio's coming out party.

BTW what is the scoop on Julio?

[sjfcclimbing]

Homecoming is always the best game for the players.  It's a night game and the stands are full of ex-players alumni.  What does Springfield have to do with last year's homecoming?  I think, if I remember correctly since I was there, that the homecoming/alumni weekend game was against Hartwick College.  

My Bad, Springfield was Senior Appreciation. However, distractions are rarely good for performance on the field. Larger home crowds are good. While I support the UR - Fisher charity game, I would think the distractions keep the game closer - only an opinion.