FB: Liberty League

[tecmobowler]

Brian Angelichio was a very very good O-Coordinator in the Felicetti years. Was a clear step down when he left and started folllowing Greg Schiano around the NFL.  I see he's with the Vikings now, and has been interviewed by a few teams for O-Coordinator positions.  Good stuff.

[Caz Bombers]

Perhaps the 2019 total is wrong, because if he only played four, he would have been able to get a medical hardship year.

Sometimes games played totals are incorrect because someone hit the wrong keystroke on the stats program, or put in a starting lineup from the two-deep without checking to see if that person actually took the field.

I think it was the Salisbury playoff game where he's credited with a tackle on his individual stats page but in the actual box score/play by play from that game on the Union website, he doesn't appear.

[Pat Coleman]

Perhaps the 2019 total is wrong, because if he only played four, he would have been able to get a medical hardship year.

Sometimes games played totals are incorrect because someone hit the wrong keystroke on the stats program, or put in a starting lineup from the two-deep without checking to see if that person actually took the field.

I think it was the Salisbury playoff game where he's credited with a tackle on his individual stats page but in the actual box score/play by play from that game on the Union website, he doesn't appear.

Thanks for diving into this!

[IC798891]

One of my friends described that IC-Wesley games thusly:

"Bombers bow out with dignity against a better team"

It really sums that up well. The Bombers weren't blown out, but they didn't leave a winnable game on the field. They made some nice plays, hung with Wesley, but just didn't have the talent.

Agree there and we had two KORs inside the Wes 20 and left with maybe 3 points. That was our big struggle in those years final Welch years, we struggled to finish in the redzone because of what he wanted to run. We had an elite defense and some underrated playmakers on offense but our scheme offensively was too predictable and better suited for the late 90s and early 2000s. We also even almost had one last chance but the onside kick went right through the hand of one of our LBs.

This current Bomber team has a lot of similarities to that 2013 team.

The 2013/14 teams were really good examples of the limits of Welch's teams at that point. He just wasn't able to get anything out of the offense. Due to scheme and (sorry Alum) a very limited offensive line.

Mike always kind of adapted things based on his OC. Those last years, they just ran an outdated offensive style, which was made worse because Mike was inherently conservative

None taken, as I have gotten older I have come to terms with the fact that I was maybe an above average player but I am proud that I was able to be a starter and contributor for a program like Ithaca. I will say I do think our best OL was in 2013. You can only run power out of so many different formations before defense knows it's coming.

I know for a fact that QBs were chastised in QB meetings by Welch if they decided to push the ball vertically downfield instead of going to the check down receiver.

I could write a book about my time there and all that went in durin the last year's of Welch.

Agreed. The line steadily degraded from 2013-2016

[IC798891]

Brian Angelichio was a very very good O-Coordinator in the Felicetti years. Was a clear step down when he left and started folllowing Greg Schiano around the NFL.  I see he's with the Vikings now, and has been interviewed by a few teams for O-Coordinator positions.  Good stuff.

Angelicho was great. He's sort of a career NFL TE coach though, and I have to wonder if the money is worth the moves every 2-3 years

[UfanBill]

Perhaps the 2019 total is wrong, because if he only played four, he would have been able to get a medical hardship year.

Sometimes games played totals are incorrect because someone hit the wrong keystroke on the stats program, or put in a starting lineup from the two-deep without checking to see if that person actually took the field.

I think it was the Salisbury playoff game where he's credited with a tackle on his individual stats page but in the actual box score/play by play from that game on the Union website, he doesn't appear.

Thanks for diving into this!

Thanks Pat and Caz...So you're saying Andrew Sheahan must have applied for and been granted a medical redshirt for the 2019 season? The threshold for that is four games or less? Look I'm not suggesting JHU has not done it's due diligence with compliance or that the NCAA has gotten it wrong. I just thought Sheahan now playing for Hopkins was something worth noting and I'm just trying to get clarification.

Sheahan played in 4 games for Union as a tight end in 2019. Whether he played in a 5th, with a suspect credited assisted tackle vs Salisbury, is questionable as he did not play defense. I can say that TEs at Union often do not accumulate any game stats other than participation since they seldom get thrown to. it's a fact that Sheahan doesn't have any stats for most of his Union career...He was a biology major at Union so I'd guess he's studying medicine at Hopkins. I wish the young man well and I hope he plays a good game Saturday as his football career ends and his medical career begins.   

[UfanBill]

Quiet on this board. I'll attribute that to everyone being busy with Holiday preparation and travel. Happy Thanksgiving to all. I hope you're spending it with family and loved ones.

This has been an epic season for Union football right from the start. Jon Poppe has done a masterful job stirring up the passion and commitment throughout the team. They seem united and play like it. Team depth built by the previous coach and supplemented by some key first years has been crucial as they've had their share of injuries. Almost exclusively on offense. Whether a player is out for a play, a series or a game the backups are prepared and have done a tremendous job. Next man up.

Speaking of injuries. After losing RT and captain Stan Koss preseason the Garnet have remained relatively injury free until bang, star RB Michael Fiore went down against Del Val. That one hurts. Jonathan Anderson will pick up the load. Hang onto that ball #32. Remarkably the Union defense which has been spectacular is totally intact. In fact no starter on the veteran unit has missed a game all season. It's a testament to their preparation and desire. They'll be counted on big time this week. Whatever happens this week the 2023 Garnet have shown they're on the short list of best Union teams ever.

[IC798891]

Injuries stink.

Ultimately, I'm just not sure Union's going to score enough without the defense or ST setting them up

Nine points @ IC, and the TD drive started at the Bombers' 29

13 points vs RPI, the last three coming after a turnover gave them the ball at the RPI 23 and the offense went 3 and out

24 points vs Del Valley, which included a pick 6 and a FG on a drive that started at the Del Valley 25

The defense was able to keep them in those games, and win two of them, But Hopkins has a better offense than those teams

This feels a bit like the Wesley IC 2013 game, where I think Union can hang around, but just won't score enough

[UfanBill]

Injuries stink.

Ultimately, I'm just not sure Union's going to score enough without the defense or ST setting them up

Nine points @ IC, and the TD drive started at the Bombers' 29

13 points vs RPI, the last three coming after a turnover gave them the ball at the RPI 23 and the offense went 3 and out

24 points vs Del Valley, which included a pick 6 and a FG on a drive that started at the Del Valley 25

The defense was able to keep them in those games, and win two of them, But Hopkins has a better offense than those teams

This feels a bit like the Wesley IC 2013 game, where I think Union can hang around, but just won't score enough

The Union offense has all the pieces to score many more points. A capable QB with a reasonably strong arm. Good receivers with good hands who run good routes. Hard running backs who don't go down easily. An offensive line that can make it all work and a solid kicker who can tack on points. They just have had trouble making it mesh, especially against good defenses. To win Saturday they'll have to learn from their mistakes and put it all together. Wouldn't hurt if the defense gives them some short fields. . I'm feeling it.

[Ice Bear]

I want to wish all of you great LLPPers Ufan, Mach, Bartman, Utah, IC79..., IC Alum, Palooza, Caz, tecmo, Garnet, duffman, and any others, and your loved ones,  a wonderful Thanksgiving. I'm grateful for what we've got here.

[UfanBill]

All Union fans should give thanks this morning...As per a story in this morning's Albany Times Union Union RB Michael Fiore will play Saturday! 

LET'S GO U

[Caz Bombers]

I want to you all of you great LLPPers Ufan, Mach, Bartman, Utah, IC79..., IC Alum, Palooza, Caz, tecmo, Garnet, duffman, and any others, and your loved ones,  a wonderful Thanksgiving. I'm grateful for what we've got here.

Same to you Ice. Don't forget to thaw your penguin before deep frying and try a nice dry brine to keep it juicy.

[Jonny Utah]

I want to wish all of you great LLPPers Ufan, Mach, Bartman, Utah, IC79..., IC Alum, Palooza, Caz, tecmo, Garnet, duffman, and any others, and your loved ones,  a wonderful Thanksgiving. I'm grateful for what we've got here.

Hope you had a good Thanksgiving ICE! 

[IC798891]

Ithaca ran into a buzzsaw. No9t much to say about that game.

But look, if you'd told me before the season that:

Ithaca's leading rusher from last year would only play two games
Ithaca's QB1 would miss the second half of the season
Ithaca's leading returning receiver from 2022 would only catch 11 passes

There is no planet on which I'd assume they won the LL, let alone a road playoff game.

Everything really hinges on who is coming back for IC next year.

Sam Kline, the leading receiver, has another year of eligibility, as does Jalen Leonard Osborne. Jake Williams should have an injury redshirt if he wants. That's some solid skill players to put around a young QB. Especially important as the defense loses its two best players, Slywka and Stola

[ICAlum16]

Ithaca ran into a buzzsaw. No9t much to say about that game.

But look, if you'd told me before the season that:

Ithaca's leading rusher from last year would only play two games
Ithaca's QB1 would miss the second half of the season
Ithaca's leading returning receiver from 2022 would only catch 11 passes

There is no planet on which I'd assume they won the LL, let alone a road playoff game.

Everything really hinges on who is coming back for IC next year.

Sam Kline, the leading receiver, has another year of eligibility, as does Jalen Leonard Osborne. Jake Williams should have an injury redshirt if he wants. That's some solid skill players to put around a young QB. Especially important as the defense loses its two best players, Slywka and Stola

That was tough to watch. Just like last year against NCC we were completely outmatched upfront on both sides of the ball which is a bit discouraging but I suppose that is the way the cookie crumbles. It is frustrating that it appears the ceiling for any LL or E8 team in the playoffs is the quarterfinals because of the distribution of talent across all the different schools.

Heading into next year they need to let Schumm air it out more, we became a little too one dimensional this year. I would not be surprised to see at least one of JLO or Jake Williams back next year. Especially since JLO also runs track maybe that is enough to entice him to use his fifth year.

Regardless, congrats to IC on a great season they faced a lot of adversity and showed that when the going gets tough, the Bombers get going. Also, congrats to Union on what I believe is their beast season in the last 15 years or so. Excited for the rest of the D3 playoffs and to see how Cortland does!