FB: Liberty League

['gro]

The RPI athletic department has created a great video to highlight the new athletic facilities that will be added at East Campus (near the Field House and existing turf field). If you have a few moments, make sure to check it out at the following link:

http://www.alumni.rpi.edu/ecav/EC_Athletic_Village.mov

daaaaaaaaaamn!!  When do they start?

p.s.  if you go to 1:27 into the movie you'll see the REGULATOR in action.

[theoriginalupstate]

Thats pretty sweet...

[Senor RedTackle]

RT may change his name and go back to college in his mid 30's to play in that new facility at RPI....

[Wizardman]

Another close win for Union, another good win for Hobart, but it's one they should've won anyway.
Now they both have open dates next week and we have to hope that RPI's game is interesting.

[dea]

Hobart already had their bye week;they are at St. Lawrence next week.

[labart96]

Bart was up 20-0 in this one, recorded 10 sacks and 450 yds of offense.  The final score doesn't reflect how one sided this game was.  Bart won in blowout.

Finally.

[Frank Rossi]

I hate to say this, but the final score does matter in terms of "blowouts" and "Monkey Stomps."  If we used the same approach you're using to call Hobart's win a blowout, Union would've blown out WPI 28-27 and F&M 28-21.  They had double-digit leads and one-sided stats in both of these games for most of the games, and ended up holding off these opponents.  An 11-point win vs. MMA isn't much more impressive than Union's effort's holding them off.  I think the games by Union and Hobart this weekend may provide more questions than answers as both head into a strong stretch of schedule.  I'll update the LL and Pool C Playoff post tomorrow.

Frank

[Jonny Utah]

A blowout to me is when the 2nd string offense and defense play most of or the entire 2nd half and there is never any doubt as to who is going to win the game when the second half starts. 

If you go up by 4-5 touchdowns in the first three quarters and the other teams never comes with in 16 points (3 score game) of you then its a blowout in my opinion.

If your starters are in the game in the fourth quarter, I dont think you can call it a blowout.

[Frank Rossi]

While it was a pretty quiet day in the Libery League, there is a bit more certainty regarding the Liberty League race. However, Pool C questions still are extremely plentiful. Here's a recap:

1) Hobart (5-0, 3-0 LL)

- In control of its own destiny

- LL games remaining: at SLU (10/21), vs. Union (11/4) and vs. Rochester (11/11)

- If Union beats SLU, Hobart beats MMA and SLU on its way to the 11/4 Union showdown and either Rochester loses any game (league OR non-league) before November 4 or if Hobart beats Alfred, the Union/Hobart game would be for the League Championship, much like 2004

- Hobart stands the best chance at a Pool C bid if it were to lose the LL with one loss to Union, as 8-1 with a potential win at Alfred and a win against Dickinson would not be a detriment to strength of schedule (must begin to win games with larger margins than the five points per game average for this to happen)


2) Union (5-1, 3-0 LL)

- In control of its own destiny

- LL games remaining: vs. SLU (10/28), at Hobart (11/4) and at RPI (11/11)

- If Union beats SLU on 10/28, it Union would win the LL with a win at Hobart as it would own the three-way tiebreaker with Rochester and Hobart if this scenario played out

- A loss to SLU or Hobart would not eliminate the Dutchmen.  However, it would require Union to beat RPI and require the team that beats Union to lose an additional game

- If Hobart loses to Alfred, it is still mathematically possible (but unlikely) that Union could lose to Hobart and still win in a three-way tie against Hobart and Rochester

- Union would be at best 7-2 if it were relying on a Pool C bid.  The only way a Pool C bid could be likely is if Hobart and Springfield both run the table (10-0 and 9-0, respectively).  This would still require some help from other teams in other conferences


3) Rochester (4-2, 2-1 LL)

- Not in control of its own destiny

- LL games remaining: at WPI (10/21), vs. RPI (11/4) and at Hobart (11/11)

- If Rochester runs the table and Union loses two games, Rochester would win the LL

- A loss to Grove City would probably not effect Rochester's chances in a three-way tiebreaker, as Grove City will likely finish < .500

- While a loss would not eliminate Rochester, its loss to Union and a loss to Hobart would likely sink Rochester in a tiebreaker scenario

- A Pool C bid would be unlikely, unless St. John Fisher and Union both run the table (10-0 and 8-1, respectively).  A 10-game schedule might aid Rochester in such a hunt, but it would be a longshot


4) St. Lawrence (3-2, 1-1 LL)

- NOT in control of its own destiny

- LL games remaining: vs. Hobart (10/21), at Union (10/28), vs. MMA (11/4) and at WPI (11/11)

- Since both Hobart and Union remain on its schedule, it obviously is in control of its own destiny IF, and ONLY IF Rochester loses a game 

- Even in a 3-way tie with Rochester and either Union or Hobart, Rochester would probably have the edge on St. Lawrence (although Rochester has no guarantee to win such a tiebreaker either).  St. Lawrence could still win a 4-way tie with either one or two league losses -- however, it non-league opponents would not help it if such a tie went to the third tiebreaker (record vs. all opponents .500 or better)

- A Pool C bid is highly unlikely, as a 7-2 St. Lawrence with losses to Alfred and Rochester might not be enough for consideration (since Alfred has a loss and Rochester has two losses)



5) RPI (3-2, 0-2 LL)

- Not in control of its own destiny

- LL games remaining: at MMA (10/21), vs. WPI (10/28), at Rochester (11/4) and vs. Union (11/11)

- RPI must rely on Hobart to lose three games or for Rochester to win all games except the RPI/Rochester game.  RPI loses a three-way tie with Union and Hobart if Hobart beats Union, and loses a three-way tie with St. Lawrence and Hobart.  RPI would win a three-way tie with Union and Rochester.  All other three- and four-way ties would require additional circumstances to decide

- Pool C bid virtually impossible


6) Merchant Marine Academy (3-4, 1-3 LL)

- Not in control of its own destiny

- Technically not eliminated since it could win a seven-way tie at 3-3 in the LL since it has won all of its non-league games.  However, if Union wins any of its LL games, Hobart wins two of its LL games or if WPI loses any of its LL games, WPI is eliminated

- Pool C bid impossible


7) WPI (2-3, 0-3 LL)

- Not in control of its own destiny

- LL games remaining: vs. Rochester (10/21), at RPI (10/28) and vs. SLU (11/11)

- Technically not eliminated since it could win a seven-way tie at 3-3 in the LL since it has won all of its non-league games.  However, if Union wins any of its LL games, Hobart wins two of its LL games or if WPI loses any of its LL games, WPI is eliminated

- Pool C bid impossible

[Tlm]

A couple of thoughts on the Union/F&M game yesterday.

With both Angiletta (collarbone) and Twitchell (strained hamstring) out yesterday, Union had to deliver with the running game and tight defense.  In the 1st half they did just that dominating F&M on offense and playing tough "D" whenever F&M got anywhere near the red zone.  It was by far, Union's best 30 minutes of football all season.  28-0.....No turnovers.....No penalties during the 1st half.

Unfortunately football games last 60 minutes, and during the 2nd half Union put it in cruise control while F&M, to their credit, kept on playing.

So either Union is: 1)  a sleeping giant who, if it wakes up and starts playing 60 minutes of football, can make a strong run into the playoffs or 2) a consistently inconsistent football team that will be vulnerable in each of their next 3 games vs StL, Bart and RPI.

On the plus side, there is a good chance that both WR's will be back for the stretch run.  Twitchell warmed up yesterday before it was decided to keep him out, and with the bye week he will be ready to go vs StL.  Angiletta, while not in uniform was catching balls on the sideline.  I was most interested to see that he was easily catching balls thrown over his head, showing that flexibility was not a problem due to the broken collarbone.  I talked to some folks who should know, and Angiletta really wanted to play vs F&M, but the doctor and coaches turned him down.   Again, with two weeks until StL, everyone is hoping that he will be on the field for the last 3 regular season games.

Stay tuned......

[zachattack22]

TLM, ZT agrees with you except for seeing things a bit differently regarding these 2nd half "comebacks" vitrually by every team Union's played....There IS talent on that defense...Asolutely and positvely....ZT admits he could be wrong about this, but nonetheless, here goes:

Union's offense is difficult to face in the first half of games.  However, defenses have done a very good job of making adustments to Union's offense in the 2nd half, run blitzing and coming after Marotti and Arcidiacano, taking more chances without Angeletta and Twitchell on the field and slowed down by injury....They've kind of dared Marotti to throw deep in the 2nd halfs of games...But he's had trouble looking downfield too much when the short stuff has been available.  Union's offense needs to settle for less and throw shorter patterns to their 6'8" tight end and to running backs like Tillo and Arcid.  Using time off the clock when they are ahead.

Union on the other hand, appears to make NO adjustments on defense...Whether way ahead or in a dog fight by halftime, the 2nd half defense looks much the same as it does in the first half, except for some personnel changes here and there.  There "D" looks more like a highschool 3-4 than a college 3-4 with all players on d litterally standingstill like "statues" as if they could get called for a false start on defense...It's odd to ZT, to see a 3-4 so "still"....Either they don't have the confidence to blitz and create havoc because of a weakness in the secondary, or the coaching is not creative enough to allow the talent to be so much more aggressive...

ZT isn't sure how you feel about it, but ZT rather get burnt once or twice in a game long because the defense is challenging the QB to beat them by creating havoc with blitzes from all different angles and places and give up 14 points that way...than to have offenses control the time of possession 2 to 1 in the 2nd half and climb back in the games by keeping the U's offense OFF of the field.

Although the U's offense struggled in the 2nd half...they only had the ball twice in the third quarter...Going 3 and out isn't a good thing, but most teams go 3 and out or 6 and out a hell of a lot more times than Union does, but their defenses get their offenses back on the field.

Would it be that difficult to come out in the 2nd half with a different look?  A pro-version of the 4-3 or take some chances and guess on a play or two and blitz, move around, corner blitz...something different? Even with Twitchell and Angeletta back, shouldn't that STILL be the defenses goal? 

Maybe ZT is all wet...who knows...But ZT rather risk a 28 to nothing lead by being aggressive on defense than watching these painful, slow, steady, "comebacks" because offenses have figured out what will work in the 2nd half....We're too damn predicatable on D....Is it "coasting" or is it "coaching"...or a combination of the two....And frankly...if it's "coasting"...well that too comes back to coaching as that would mean the players need to have their butts kicked into high gear and no one is willing to do it....Perhaps ZT is spoiled by the "old days" when defenses at Union were more dominate and offenses weren't as potent...

Auburn last night, was playing good D, but once momentum turned and they went ahead, they got even more aggressive coming after Florida's Leak like there was no tomorrow...Is that gambling or is that the best way to try to win?

[Tlm]

ZT,

Actually, I remember at least two instances in the 2nd half when Union came with the blitz on F&M's 2nd team QB (The starter had been knocked out in the 1st half on a sack by Waldon-Yedlin).  Good calls by the D-Coordinator against a short, 2nd-team QB that didn't appear to be much of a passer.  On both occasions, the kid barely got off wobbly throws that managed to find their way to F&M's hot reciever (RB) who proceded to run for 1st downs and keep scoring drives going.

Blitzes are great when they work and bad when they don't.

[Reno Hightower]

Tlm,

On F+M's 1st scoring drive (opening drive of the 2nd half), F+M faced 2 4th downs and converted them both......
On the 1st 4th down,Union blitzed, Union's Safety had the QB dead to rights in the backfield and didnt wrap him up, the QB then ran for the 1st down.
On the 2nd 4th down, Union blitzed, and the QB from F+M hit his receiver for the 1st down....did not look like anyone was covering him?

F+M's 2nd TD came after an F+M INT inside the Union 5 yard line, it took F+M all 4 plays, and 2:30 seconds of clock to punch it in.

Reno's thoughts are that right now Union is not complementing the different sides of the ball. The defense needs to get the offense more possessions, i/e not give up as many 1st downs/points and Union's Offense also needs to keep the defense off the field some.
It would be easy to blame Union's D for all the Dutchmen's woes (and Reno thinks the defense does need to play much better) but there are always things that can happen on the other side of the ball that will help out whichever unit is struggling. Yes, Union's D is the weak link right now. But there is talent there. It just all needs to come together......

[zachattack22]

TLM and Reno Hightower;  You both make very good points...ZT is not for blitzing every play like the Buddy Ryan days...Just basically saying we need much more of it than a few times a game....need to show many different looks to confuse offenses and be less predictable....

Overall, ZT is optimistic that this is a team that is due to put it all together and believe that they will on both sides of the ball....As stated, the D does have talent on the field and if both sides of the ball come together for four quarters, things could get pretty exciting....

The timing for a week off couldn't be better as key players need to heal up...

[Reno Hightower]

Agreed ZA.
As a former player at the U, I have inside knowledge. I know that on several occasions this year, Union has been caught in blitzes. I also know that early in the season they made some very big plays on blitzes.

The bottom line is that this Union team is an enigma. You just don't know what you are going to get from week to week, heck you don't know what you are going to get from quarter to quarter!

With that said, the UO has scored 28/game almost like clockwork. The UD has given up 24/game almost like clockwork. Perhaps Union's Defense is not as good as we all thought it would be coming into the season......