FB: Liberty League

[Bombers798891]

Another week, and more evidence that this might be Ithaca's best defense since their title contending teams of the early 1990s, and possibly one of the best in the East this season outside the machine that is Brockport.

IC shuts out Union on the road, taking first-year sensation Andre Ross Jr. completely out of the game (4 catches, 18 yards) and forcing four turnovers, while allowing a mere 185 yards.

Meanwhile, Brockport has another ho-hum 50-point performance. The Golden Eagles have averaged 55.4 points a game this season in games other than the IC game, and got just 13 against the Bombers.

The Bombers are allowing just 10.6 PPG this season.

Ithaca moved the ball well, and did enough on offense to win. Still not clicking on all cylinders and struggling in the run game, but all in all, 4-2 isn't a bad spot to be in. The Bombers will be watching the scoreboard next week while taking on Rochester, hoping that Hobart can pull off the upset against RPI and let them back into the LL title hunt.

Tough loss for Union, who is probably out of the LL hunt, unless St. Lawrence or Rochester can pull off some kind of an upset.

[unionpalooza]

Another week, and more evidence that this might be Ithaca's best defense since their title contending teams of the early 1990s, and possibly one of the best in the East this season outside the machine that is Brockport.

IC shuts out Union on the road, taking first-year sensation Andre Ross Jr. completely out of the game (4 catches, 18 yards) and forcing four turnovers, while allowing a mere 185 yards.

Meanwhile, Brockport has another ho-hum 50-point performance. The Golden Eagles have averaged 55.4 points a game this season in games other than the IC game, and got just 13 against the Bombers.

The Bombers are allowing just 10.6 PPG this season.

Ithaca moved the ball well, and did enough on offense to win. Still not clicking on all cylinders and struggling in the run game, but all in all, 4-2 isn't a bad spot to be in. The Bombers will be watching the scoreboard next week while taking on Rochester, hoping that Hobart can pull off the upset against RPI and let them back into the LL title hunt.

Tough loss for Union, who is probably out of the LL hunt, unless St. Lawrence or Rochester can pull off some kind of an upset.

Kudos to Ithaca, who absolutely beat the snot out of Union.  Total meltdown for the Dutchmen; in terms of discipline and execution, this is one of the worst efforts I've ever seen by Union (and that's including the 0-10 season).  It was mental error after mental error after mental error.  Obviously, Ithaca had something to do with that (and Ithaca's D is VERY impressive), but Union looked like a team that needs to go back to square one and completely forget they started the season with four wins.  They keep playing like this, they won't win another game all year.

[Ice Bear]

A humbling day for the Dutch for sure. Holy **** they got their asses handed to them. Defensively IC was very impressive and offensively Nabi made some beautiful throws and Gladney...well he is just a ****ing beast.

U looked ****ing terrible and Dutch Boy attributes most of this to the strength of IC. While many of us thought/hoped we were further along last week and today proved we are not. We are a decent young team with some real potential. However those that pointed out just how weak the initial schedule was...were right on. Today was a good experience for all of the young Dutchmen. Ross was almost completely shut down and when he did find some space the ball sailed way over his head or bounced off his chest and into the arms of a Bomber. The Bomber DB's (as noted by Ufan during the game) were BY FAR the best Union has faced this year. Beal and Nichols also struggled dropping balls on the rare occasion when they achieved seperation. Dutch Boy suspects Will Bellemy will not forget this game. It was by far his poorest and his accuracy was just not there (again attribute much of this to IC's D)

Today Union saw just how far they still have to go to get to next level. Dutch Boy will be there for the ride but man today was honestly quite ****ing disappointing. For now Dutch Boy hopes his U can rebound with some positives against the likes of SLU and Rochester and get ready for the shoes game. Dutch Boy would like nothing more than for his Dutch to do to RPI what they did to Union in 2006. Defeat the LL champion on the last game of the season and send them into the NCAA's with a loss in their previous game.

[Bartman]

At the Hobart game today and the Statesmen scored 52 using 2nd thru 4th string QBs against a Uof R team that is in need of a couple of good recruiting years. Coach Martinovich will hopefully attract some great student athletes and upgrade the program . Can't really know much before the RPI game based on today although the whole team played well.No trap game here.
Congrats to Ithaca on a dominating win. I honestly feel that Hobart has a better chance against RPI this week than beating the Bombers that showed up against Union today. What a dominating defense and with the Nabi to Gladney combo clicking this is the team I thought they would be.
Tough two weeks for Union but I still think the Shoes game should be a great one.
Hobart 2-0 on top of the league for now, but huge game coming up against the Engineers in Troy. Bartman will make his first trip to RPI to support this underdog journey to the LL title.

[UfanBill]

...I was wrong. ...Wrong that I thought Union would be ready to play against Ithaca. After losing the coin toss and receiving the opening kickoff they went three and out with QB Will Bellamy fumbling on the first play (he did recover it), a holding penalty (negating a 25 yd. pass to Griffin Beal) and a sack... Ugly  ... Ithaca then went right down the field with QB Wahib Nabi hitting Will Gladney for two big plays including a 29 yd. touchdown. The first two possessions set the tone for the entire first half. It didn't get any better for the Dutchmen. They were lucky to only be down 21-0 at the half. 
I was wrong when I thought coach Behrman's Union staff would have Union prepared for the Bombers. Offensively Union didn't have a game plan to attack Ithaca's stout defense; especially their defensive backs who were superior to anything the Dutchmen saw in their first four games. Bellamy's throws were off target, the DBs and LBs were in proper coverage and Union's WRs ( including frosh sensation Andre Ross Jr.) didn't help by dropping catchable passes.  On defense Union seemed to be unprepared to cover Nabi to Gladney. In key third down situations Ithaca loves to have Gladney delay at the line of scrimmage, get caught up in the wash, and then emerge wide open across the middle underneath the coverage. With his speed he outruns the linebackers.  A prepared Union defense would have been alert to that play...hell, I'm watching from the sideline and I was alert to that play. Disappointing.
   After what was a disgusting first half effort by the Dutchmen there must have been a rousing half time "discussion" because in the second half Union played much better. They found a way to cover that underneath Gladney route (go figure) and played the Bombers even.  After only crossing midfield once briefly in the first half the Dutchmen mounted their best offensive drive late in the 3rd quarter. They moved into the redzone and had four plays from the 11 that Ithaca repelled helped by very tight (PI?) coverage by Francis on 4th down. No Union comeback after that failure.
     Next week the Garnet travel to St. Lawrence, a game that two weeks ago looked like a walk over. Now Union has some soul searching to do to avoid a Larries upset.   

[Bartman]

I found a good therapist after the Brockport and Endicott loses....I can send you the number. I don't think Union should worry about SLU if they play to their ability however, the Saints have a very good passing game, so beware. As far as Ithaca, it looks like Ithaca and RPI have separated themselves from the rest of the league and the rankings are warranted to date. I am hoping Hobart can find their way to an upset in Troy and mess it all up, but the RPI and Ithaca defenses look awesome this year.

[Ice Bear]

I found a good therapist after the Brockport and Endicott loses....I can send you the number. I don't think Union should worry about SLU if they play to their ability however, the Saints have a very good passing game, so beware. As far as Ithaca, it looks like Ithaca and RPI have separated themselves from the rest of the league and the rankings are warranted to date. I am hoping Hobart can find their way to an upset in Troy and mess it all up, but the RPI and Ithaca defenses look awesome this year.

Ufan's write up is mostly right on IDBHO. From the ****ing coin toss to the end of the game it was all Ithaca. While Dutch Boy will agree that Union's play improved in the second half it really looked like men against boys all ****ing day. Thanks for the offer Bartman...Dutch Boy will PM you for the number of that therapist.

Regarding Bart next week will be quite interesting. Dutch Boy sees Bart as really hitting their stride now and coming into their own. While Dutch Boy thinks you are correct about RPI and IC separating themselves from the pack to Dutch Boy both teams must go through Hobart in the next two weeks first before that's settled. As of now Dutch Boy is a huge ****ing Hobart fan going into next week.

[AUPepBand]

I found a good therapist after the Brockport and Endicott loses....I can send you the number. I don't think Union should worry about SLU if they play to their ability however, the Saints have a very good passing game, so beware. As far as Ithaca, it looks like Ithaca and RPI have separated themselves from the rest of the league and the rankings are warranted to date. I am hoping Hobart can find their way to an upset in Troy and mess it all up, but the RPI and Ithaca defenses look awesome this year.

Hey Bartman, can you send Pep the therapist's number? 

On Saxon Warriors!

[Bartman]

I found a good therapist after the Brockport and Endicott loses....I can send you the number. I don't think Union should worry about SLU if they play to their ability however, the Saints have a very good passing game, so beware. As far as Ithaca, it looks like Ithaca and RPI have separated themselves from the rest of the league and the rankings are warranted to date. I am hoping Hobart can find their way to an upset in Troy and mess it all up, but the RPI and Ithaca defenses look awesome this year.

Hey Bartman, can you send Pep the therapist's number? 

On Saxon Warriors!

Pep,
     Just play "Beautiful Dreamer " pianissimo on your kazoo over and over again, that works too, because for any of the rest of us to beat Brockport this year, it will only be in our Dreams

[Jonny Utah]

I found a good therapist after the Brockport and Endicott loses....I can send you the number. I don't think Union should worry about SLU if they play to their ability however, the Saints have a very good passing game, so beware. As far as Ithaca, it looks like Ithaca and RPI have separated themselves from the rest of the league and the rankings are warranted to date. I am hoping Hobart can find their way to an upset in Troy and mess it all up, but the RPI and Ithaca defenses look awesome this year.

Ufan's write up is mostly right on IDBHO. From the ****ing coin toss to the end of the game it was all Ithaca. While Dutch Boy will agree that Union's play improved in the second half it really looked like men against boys all ****ing day. Thanks for the offer Bartman...Dutch Boy will PM you for the number of that therapist.

Regarding Bart next week will be quite interesting. Dutch Boy sees Bart as really hitting their stride now and coming into their own. While Dutch Boy thinks you are correct about RPI and IC separating themselves from the pack to Dutch Boy both teams must go through Hobart in the next two weeks first before that's settled. As of now Dutch Boy is a huge ****ing Hobart fan going into next week.

Ithaca's defensive scouting and execution of those plans are amazing to watch.  I've noticed some games, (last years Cortland, last and this year Union, this year Brockport) in particular where Ithaca seemed to know exactly what the other team was going to run.  Even against Brockport this year, IC seemed to have everything covered and only when Brockport had a little extra time to get guys open were they able to move the ball. 

Just a well coached defense and with their starting QB back, I hope they are able to get another shot at Brockport.  I'm not sure anyone else is going to have a chance in the east.

[Ice Bear]

I found a good therapist after the Brockport and Endicott loses....I can send you the number. I don't think Union should worry about SLU if they play to their ability however, the Saints have a very good passing game, so beware. As far as Ithaca, it looks like Ithaca and RPI have separated themselves from the rest of the league and the rankings are warranted to date. I am hoping Hobart can find their way to an upset in Troy and mess it all up, but the RPI and Ithaca defenses look awesome this year.

Ufan's write up is mostly right on IDBHO. From the ****ing coin toss to the end of the game it was all Ithaca. While Dutch Boy will agree that Union's play improved in the second half it really looked like men against boys all ****ing day. Thanks for the offer Bartman...Dutch Boy will PM you for the number of that therapist.

Regarding Bart next week will be quite interesting. Dutch Boy sees Bart as really hitting their stride now and coming into their own. While Dutch Boy thinks you are correct about RPI and IC separating themselves from the pack to Dutch Boy both teams must go through Hobart in the next two weeks first before that's settled. As of now Dutch Boy is a huge ****ing Hobart fan going into next week.

Ithaca's defensive scouting and execution of those plans are amazing to watch.  I've noticed some games, (last years Cortland, last and this year Union, this year Brockport) in particular where Ithaca seemed to know exactly what the other team was going to run.  Even against Brockport this year, IC seemed to have everything covered and only when Brockport had a little extra time to get guys open were they able to move the ball. 

Just a well coached defense and with their starting QB back, I hope they are able to get another shot at Brockport.  I'm not sure anyone else is going to have a chance in the east.

They looked ****ing great Utah! Very impressed and congrats on that dominating W.

[Bombers798891]

Ithaca's defensive scouting and execution of those plans are amazing to watch.  I've noticed some games, (last years Cortland, last and this year Union, this year Brockport) in particular where Ithaca seemed to know exactly what the other team was going to run.  Even against Brockport this year, IC seemed to have everything covered and only when Brockport had a little extra time to get guys open were they able to move the ball. 

Just a well coached defense

They also tackle extremely well. A fantastic defense all around. It is a shame they couldn't finish against RPI because I can't envision a scenario in which they even get a second's consideration for a Pool C. Maybe they win a three-way tiebreak with Hobart and RPI, though fewer things give me less joy than even trying to find that information on a website, much less figuring out the scenarios

[Jonny Utah]

Ithaca's defensive scouting and execution of those plans are amazing to watch.  I've noticed some games, (last years Cortland, last and this year Union, this year Brockport) in particular where Ithaca seemed to know exactly what the other team was going to run.  Even against Brockport this year, IC seemed to have everything covered and only when Brockport had a little extra time to get guys open were they able to move the ball. 

Just a well coached defense

They also tackle extremely well. A fantastic defense all around. It is a shame they couldn't finish against RPI because I can't envision a scenario in which they even get a second's consideration for a Pool C. Maybe they win a three-way tiebreak with Hobart and RPI, though fewer things give me less joy than even trying to find that information on a website, much less figuring out the scenarios

Well lets start with the pool C.  I assume St. Thomas has one locked up.  The one loss OAC team will probably get the other.  Can Salisbury pull off a win and knock an NJAC team out?  Hardin Simmons gets one probably, The WIAC looks all screwed up, The CCIW also looks messed up, and then you have the NWC and possibly the LL.  So out of the 8 conferences above, Ithaca is probably on the outside looking in with 2 losses.

It is what it is I guess.  You need to beat RPI at home.  Can't complain about anything if you don't make it this year.  Although the WIAC and CCIW could have a few 2 or 3 loss teams, and that might help Ithaca out if they run the table.  Not sure if they take Ithaca over Wesley if SU can run the table.

[Jonny Utah]

Ithaca's defensive scouting and execution of those plans are amazing to watch.  I've noticed some games, (last years Cortland, last and this year Union, this year Brockport) in particular where Ithaca seemed to know exactly what the other team was going to run.  Even against Brockport this year, IC seemed to have everything covered and only when Brockport had a little extra time to get guys open were they able to move the ball. 

Just a well coached defense

They also tackle extremely well. A fantastic defense all around. It is a shame they couldn't finish against RPI because I can't envision a scenario in which they even get a second's consideration for a Pool C. Maybe they win a three-way tiebreak with Hobart and RPI, though fewer things give me less joy than even trying to find that information on a website, much less figuring out the scenarios

Well lets start with the pool C.  I assume St. Thomas has one locked up.  The one loss OAC team will probably get the other.  Can Salisbury pull off a win and knock an NJAC team out?  Hardin Simmons gets one probably, The WIAC looks all screwed up, The CCIW also looks messed up, and then you have the NWC and possibly the LL.  So out of the 8 conferences above, Ithaca is probably on the outside looking in with 2 losses.

It is what it is I guess.  You need to beat RPI at home.  Can't complain about anything if you don't make it this year.  Although the WIAC and CCIW could have a few 2 or 3 loss teams, and that might help Ithaca out if they run the table.  Not sure if they take Ithaca over Wesley if SU can run the table.

After looking again at national pool C teams, it may be even worse for Ithaca than I first thought.  It is possible for the MIAC, OAC and even WIAC/CCIW to have two (or even three) one loss teams in second place.  That makes it even harder for a team like Ithaca to get a shot.

[Bombers798891]

Well lets start with the pool C.  I assume St. Thomas has one locked up.  The one loss OAC team will probably get the other.  Can Salisbury pull off a win and knock an NJAC team out?  Hardin Simmons gets one probably, The WIAC looks all screwed up, The CCIW also looks messed up, and then you have the NWC and possibly the LL.  So out of the 8 conferences above, Ithaca is probably on the outside looking in with 2 losses.

It is what it is I guess.  You need to beat RPI at home.  Can't complain about anything if you don't make it this year.  Although the WIAC and CCIW could have a few 2 or 3 loss teams, and that might help Ithaca out if they run the table.  Not sure if they take Ithaca over Wesley if SU can run the table.

Regarding the NJAC, you need Wesley to pick up a 2nd loss and have Salisbury or Frostburg lose twice, without Montclair doing too much work or they'll end up 9-1. There's almost no way that happens.

As you put it, you simply have to beat RPI at home. The Bombers took their shot and missed. Too bad, because as you say, the defense can play with anyone, it appears.