FB: Liberty League

[Bartman]

Whoa, just noticed this performance by Yellowjackets RB:


UTICA, NY – It was a record breaking day for junior Daniel Papantonis of the University Rochester football team, as the running back piled up 309 yards rushing in a 43-28 opening-night loss to Utica University at Charles Gaetano Stadium on Saturday.



Papantonis rattled off touchdown runs of 92, 88, 44 and 17 yards, averaging a whopping 17.2 yards per carry, setting another new Rochester single-game record.

Papantonis ran for 155 yards against Hobart last year and was second team All Liberty League. If U of R can tighten their defense, no sleeping on the Yellowjackets this year.

[Caz Bombers]

This game is exactly why RPI could go 5-5 or 10-0 and neither would shock me.

The offense gets 11 first downs. They average 2.6 yards per rush, and complete just 8-of-26 passes. And they win.

Sure, we'll tell ourselves that beating an uninspiring Dickinson program at home by 7 thanks to a bad punt snap won't bode well for the Shoes game, or the trip to Butterfield.

Just like how last year, they barely got by the eventual 3-7 Montclair or the eventual 5-6 Stevenson.

And then they'll beat Ithaca when a game-winning FG attempt is heading right, then hits a bird mid flight on goes through. And beat Union by scoring a game winning TD on a botched kneel down by the Dutchmen, and then be in the national quarterfinals while all our teams are at home. We all know it's coming

it will be both exciting and deeply unpleasant to see how it all inevitably unfolds

[unionpalooza]

Man, that final UMHB-Muhlenburg score is really something, and about the same shellacking that FCS UAlbany took at the hands of Baylor yesterday.  Just goes to show how very different things are at the truly top programs.  Looking at their roster, UMBH has 115 freshman on their roster.  That means that nearly half of the incoming male freshman at UMBH are football players, which to me is totally wild.  I guess I forget that for some schools the football program is a clear enrollment/tuition generation strategy.

Is there anything like a real roster limit for D3?  I can't imagine that would actually close the gap, but it might help level the playing field a smidge in terms of depth.

[Ice Bear]

Ice Bear says he is quite happy with what the **** he saw from the Dutchmen yesterday. Ice congrats Allegheny on never quitting. Ice says the Gators certainly had some bright spots and can build on those moving forward. Ice wishes those mfer's luck moving forward. Ice will be rooting for them.

Ice Bear says as far as his beloved Garnet go the U did more than enough to get the W. Ice liked what he saw from the O-line, receivers, and the backs. The highlight of the day was obviously the performance of Sr. QB Big DP (Ice's new nickname for the local Paccate). Ice says for the Dutch to have a shot at really competing with the top 3 of the LL (and what looks to be a solid Springfield team) BDP is going to have to work on his accuracy. Obviously this was game #1 but against top teams those slants to Ross and other key throws will play big parts in this offense's ability to move the ball when defenses key in on the run.

Ice Bear says as far as the D goes he was impressed in parts. He thought the front put more pressure on the Gator QB than Ice anticipated. Also, there was some decent LB play at times and that front as a whole made it challenging for Allegheny to run the ball. Ice saw some positive secondary play (he loves how they hit) as well. To Ice it always seems as if the U struggles to defend the pass but that could certainly be bias with Ice putting unrealistic expectations on his beloved Garnet secondary.

Ice says all in all a nice W on a long road trip to begin the 2022 campaign. Ice ****ing really hopes there are no serious injuries for either team.

[IC798891]

Glad you had a good time and got to take in an Ithaca game but there is nothing at all to learn from games like this.

Disagree.

Sure, everyone looks better against weaker competition.

But you can see if the team seems sharp.

For example, in last year's game against BSU the Bombers had two had four turnovers,( two of which occurred inside the BSU 5) had a 1st and Goal from the 6 end in a FG — and got called for kick catch interference on an onside attempt from the 50.

The RZ struggles never improved. In both IC's losses, their final offensive drive stalled in the RZ, forcing them to attempt a FG, neither of which they converted.

And if that last incident sounds super specific yet familiar, it's because the exact same thing happened in Cortaca.

So yeah, no one was thinking IC was going to score 52 points and put up 588 yards every week. But we saw the same shortcomings come up all year long — and they wound up costing the Bombers the playoffs.

Likewise, IC isn't going to turn 11-of-13 3rd downs into firsts or be perfect in the RZ all year. But it was good to see them look sharp

[Bartman]

After Week 1, the LL still has 3 teams in the top 25 and Ithaca looks like the early favorite based on actual game performance. Union certainly could be ranked in the top 25 , but they will have to wait for the LL season to begin to get recognition. RPI looks like it has a stout defense and is ready to break some hearts with a bunch of customary skinny wins. The month of September will be an important development month for each LL team. Hobart will be preparing for two big games early in the season with Ithaca at the Boz on 10/1 and at RPI on on 10/15. Happy to have the Bombers at the Boz finally, as we had back to back games at Butterfield due to skipping the 2020 season. Nice to get the first taste this weekend, but can't wait for the LL main course.

[UfanBill]

After Week 1, the LL still has 3 teams in the top 25 and Ithaca looks like the early favorite based on actual game performance. Union certainly could be ranked in the top 25 , but they will have to wait for the LL season to begin to get recognition. RPI looks like it has a stout defense and is ready to break some hearts with a bunch of customary skinny wins. The month of September will be an important development month for each LL team. Hobart will be preparing for two big games early in the season with Ithaca at the Boz on 10/1 and at RPI on on 10/15. Happy to have the Bombers at the Boz finally, as we had back to back games at Butterfield due to skipping the 2020 season. Nice to get the first taste this weekend, but can't wait for the LL main course.

FOUR RANKED?

The Liberty League has earned it's recognition by having a solid OOC record highlighted by RPI's run to last year's tournament quarter-finals. It's feasible the Big 4 could all get to week 4 undefeated. RPI(#22) has a stern challenge this week with Carnegie Mellon and #16 Ithaca hosts tough Brockport. #23 Hobart's biggest test should come from capable St. John Fisher week 3. The Union Dutchmen are poised at #29 (if you consider the Others Receiving Votes) and possibly will be in the Top 25 IF they can get to 4-0 by beating both Springfield and Utica.

Has that ever happened before?

Well YES...Just last season after week 4 Hobart, Union, RPI and Ithaca were all undefeated but NO they weren't all ranked in the Top 25. RPI fell short, receiving votes but not quite there yet. The Liberty League has never had four teams ranked in the Top 25. There's work to be done to get there. It would be great to see... Of course then the LL schedule begins and it's a dogfight.     

[Ice Bear]

Ice Bear says too ****ing quiet in here!

*Note that Ice says this while leaning back on a ****ing iceberg, picking seal meat from his teeth with a spear he took from a person he ate last week.

[Ice Bear]

Ice Bear is rooting for the Engineers Saturday in big way. Ice thinks this is going to be a very difficult game for RPI based on the poor performance of their offense against Dickinson. Ice Bear says, if there is one team that often surprises him, it's certainly the Engineers and the winning runs they go on and the close games they win. Ice is hoping they surprise him here.

Ice sees a two score defeat coming Saturday (he really hopes he's wrong). Ice Bear says there will be one advantage from the game being played in Troy and that is that it will likely take the Tartans a quarter to respond from the pure shock they will be in after entering that ****hole of a city...

[Bartman]

Ice Bear is rooting for the Engineers Saturday in big way. Ice thinks this is going to be a very difficult game for RPI based on the poor performance of their offense against Dickinson. Ice Bear says, if there is one team that often surprises him, it's certainly the Engineers and the winning runs they go on and the close games they win. Ice is hoping they surprise him here.

Ice sees a two score defeat coming Saturday (he really hopes he's wrong). Ice Bear says there will be one advantage from the game being played in Troy and that is that it will likely take the Tartans a quarter to respond from the pure shock they will be in after entering that ****hole of a city...

Ice Bear,
      Hope all those seals were tasty. Bartman agrees that the Engineers will be challenged by the Mellonheaded Tartans based on last weeks skinny RPI Offense and the Tartans impressive win over Whitworth. Despite the week #1 results, Bartman thinks that the Engineer Defense knows it cannot give up more than one touchdown and needs to create a ++ in turnovers to win, especially as the new Offense gels. This is a very important game for the Liberty League status/rankings. I think the RPI defense is stout and the Engineers pull this off with another skinny win 14-10 over the Mellonheads. If RPI wins this game, I see a 6-0 week for the Liberty Leaguers.

[Oline89]

Ice Bear is rooting for the Engineers Saturday in big way. Ice thinks this is going to be a very difficult game for RPI based on the poor performance of their offense against Dickinson. Ice Bear says, if there is one team that often surprises him, it's certainly the Engineers and the winning runs they go on and the close games they win. Ice is hoping they surprise him here.

Ice sees a two score defeat coming Saturday (he really hopes he's wrong). Ice Bear says there will be one advantage from the game being played in Troy and that is that it will likely take the Tartans a quarter to respond from the pure shock they will be in after entering that ****hole of a city...

Ice Bear,
      Hope all those seals were tasty. Bartman agrees that the Engineers will be challenged by the Mellonheaded Tartans based on last weeks skinny RPI Offense and the Tartans impressive win over Whitworth. Despite the week #1 results, Bartman thinks that the Engineer Defense knows it cannot give up more than one touchdown and needs to create a ++ in turnovers to win, especially as the new Offense gels. This is a very important game for the Liberty League status/rankings. I think the RPI defense is stout and the Engineers pull this off with another skinny win 14-10 over the Mellonheads. If RPI wins this game, I see a 6-0 week for the Liberty Leaguers.

Are fans allowed in the RPI stadium this year?  Agree with Bartman, the RPI coaching staff is too good to lose a home opener.  Most DIII schools do not travel well, I go 21-13 Engineers

[Jersey42]

Are fans allowed in the RPI stadium this year?

Yes as long as they meet one of the following as per RPI website

   
• Fully vaccinated OR
• Negative COVID-19 test in the previous 48 hours OR
• Wear an approved mask i.e. KN95

[tony/troy]

Are fans allowed in the RPI stadium this year?

Yes as long as they meet one of the following as per RPI website

   
• Fully vaccinated OR
• Negative COVID-19 test in the previous 48 hours OR
• Wear an approved mask i.e. KN95

That is indeed what is printed.

However, last week even the loons that run that place must have faced the grim reality that they best get in line with what has been practiced at virtually every other relevant entertainment venue in this area for well over a year now or else. There were no requirements for ID, masks, vaccination cards or passes, test results, distancing or even the signing of contact tracing sheets.

Only those with significant connections to the players on the field (parents, relatives or close friends) would be likely at this point to tolerate any garbage the loons from that place may dream up. On the other hand, seriously doubt there would be very much willingness to comply from the non personally connected such as run of the mill local fans. Pretty sure many of latter group would simply laugh in their face, turn around and go do something else or just return home.

[Bartman]

This policy applies at RPI effective 8/22:

Visitors

All visitors on campus for a full day or longer(assume Football game is not a full day??) are required to prove that they are fully vaccinated or have had a negative COVID-19 test in the previous 48 hours. 
     Short-term visitors (i.e., UPS drivers, delivery persons, etc.) are not required to provide proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test. If evidence of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test is not provided, the visitor must wear a high-quality, well-fitted mask (such as a KN95) during their short visit to campus.
      N.B.Graduates or fans of Union College are required to wear a KN95 mask and a high quality, tightly fitting diaper at all times for obvious reasons( this policy will apply to the 2022 and future "Shoes Trophy" games regardless of any change to CDC guidelines).  No testing required because the RPI administration humanely recognizes that Union fans could never pass any kind of test administered on the RPI campus.

[Jersey42]

Are fans allowed in the RPI stadium this year?

Yes as long as they meet one of the following as per RPI website

   
• Fully vaccinated OR
• Negative COVID-19 test in the previous 48 hours OR
• Wear an approved mask i.e. KN95

That is indeed what is printed.

However, last week even the loons that run that place must have faced the grim reality that they best get in line with what has been practiced at virtually every other relevant entertainment venue in this area for well over a year now or else. There were no requirements for ID, masks, vaccination cards or passes, test results, distancing or even the signing of contact tracing sheets.

I wonder how much the departure of the RPI president had to do with what you experienced??? 
She was always a big proponent of the restrictions.