FB: Liberty League

[Ice Bear]

I think this is a great post palooza. Great insight and right on. I couldn't agree more with you and UfanBill.

[Bartman]

So, Ithaca is the lone LL team getting a point in the new Top 25 rankings after getting their first win. RPI blows it against Endicott. Hobart runs up the score against the Giants and Colombi has improved his accuracy in the pass game. Rochester goes 4-0 and is looking for more. Union has regressed but perhaps will be developing some youngins, but Patch is frustrating Coach Drach.The Larries showed some life this week and the Bengals played defense.
bartman rankings:
1. Ithaca( I want the Bombers to get a big head this week, plus they did get 1 vote)
2. RPI , (I still think RPI has the stuff of a LL Championship in them).
3.Hobart (They could be #1, but I won't jinx them)
4.Rochester(Really has a chance to break some hearts this year)
5. Union ( No data suggests Union is a contender)
6.Buffalo St. (I think they are edging SLU this year)
7. Saints( They will fight the Bengals to stay out of the cellar)

Good luck to everyone in league play!!

[Machiavelli]

I can't really add anything constructive that hasn't already been said. So I'll be blunt and say the RPI/Endicott 4th quarter pissed me off. RPI went from having it in the bag to go up 2 scores, didn't execute, made some bad decisions, and like 12 seconds later they are down 8. Finish the damn job!

I did find it somewhat laughable listening to the Endicott announcers on the video stream talking like they are some entitled perennial power for the last 2 decades playing some run of the mill RPI program. 'Endicott is struggling and it isn't like this is some nationally ranked team or anything.'. Slow your role. The scoreboard didn't show it after the monstrous clusterF in the 4th, but I think it was apparent who the better team was. Same can probably be said about the Ithaca/Endicott game. But, Endicott pulled them both off and have the W's that the other 2 couldn't finish. I'm hopeful Endicott runs the table(though they will probably lose next week) and RPI takes the LL and maybe, just maybe, we get to see them again. And maybe they'll let fans park on campus and tailgate. I didn't go, but got the email about it. What a TERRIBLE way to host a homecoming football game for any fans.

On to the LL schedule...

[Pat Coleman]

Obviously I'm not privy to the details of the email which you received, but Endicott's campus is pretty packed on some fairly expensive land right near the water, so not much room to expand. I know they had more than 6,000 in attendance, which is kind of nuts in that little stadium, and they had overflow fans watching on a big screen on the neighboring softball field.

[Machiavelli]

Obviously I'm not privy to the details of the email which you received, but Endicott's campus is pretty packed on some fairly expensive land right near the water, so not much room to expand. I know they had more than 6,000 in attendance, which is kind of nuts in that little stadium, and they had overflow fans watching on a big screen on the neighboring softball field.

It was just a general email to the RPI football community making us aware that you had to park off-campus, no tailgating was allowed, and you'd need to be bussed to the game. For such a big game, it just seemed like poor planning and a less than optimal scenario presented. And I know the campus very well, but I would have hoped they figured out a better option, particularly for fans travelling a solid distance to attend.

[FisherFaithful03]

I did find it somewhat laughable listening to the Endicott announcers on the video stream talking like they are some entitled perennial power for the last 2 decades playing some run of the mill RPI program. 'Endicott is struggling and it isn't like this is some nationally ranked team or anything.'

https://d3football.com/teams/Endicott/2024/index

Psh...they've already punched their ticket to the NCAAs according to this and their schedule on their website...

Spot checked some other teams and no one else mentions "NCAAs TBA"

[Pat Coleman]

Lots of others do -- they're just not on the PrestoSports platform that we network-share the way Endicott is.

[IC798891]

Psh...they've already punched their ticket to the NCAAs according to this and their schedule on their website...

Spot checked some other teams and no one else mentions "NCAAs TBA"

This is common, though not universal

[Bartman]

I'm not an Endicott fan after attending D3 Hockey Championship at their rink, where Gull student fans punched my son's Statesman jersey and security laughed. We then eliminated them on their home ice and won our first Ice Hockey National Championship. I realize that does not reflect on the entire flock, but Not a fan of the Gulls. I would love Hobart to earn the LL Championship and eliminate them from football NCAAs, with or without a tailgate.

[Jonny Utah]

Ok jumping back in the mix here....Busy fall with all sorts of youth sports and other fun stuff.

-Endicott is a solid team but clearly is just another team in the LL.  Good for them for scheduling hard games and bringing their program to the next level, but I think things will be coming to a crashing halt this weekend.

-Ithaca is going to need to rely on their defense this year.  They are aggressive and have real solid fundamentals that I think we take for granted when watching some of these d3 games.  7-8 of the starting defense were in the mix last year and if the offense can figure it out I think they can surprise someone in the playoffs.  That being said the offense is simply too basic.  Ithaca's offensive coaches from 2020-2023 are now at Cornell (and are doing well for a Cornell team) and this year is clearly different on offense for the bombers.  I'm used to various formations and groupings with some trick plays here and there to mix it up.  This year it seems they run inside zone every other play and then simply use basic route concepts on the other plays.  Ithaca has maybe the best player in the league with Leonard-Osbourn but he isn't being used the way he needs to be imo.  Kind of reminds me of Hobart with their two stud backs the past four years.  They never seemed to be able to get a top offense going but at least they seemed to try a little more than Ithaca is doing so far.  But I'm just a dude on a keyboard.  Maybe they are starting slow and basic because the OC knows they are limited to an extent and simply wants solid ball control and TOP!!!!

-Union fans have a right to be frustrated.  It sucks losing to teams that you know most Union teams simply beat on talent alone.  If admissions and the FA office are playing ball, I'm sure they will get back on top before you know it.  Might not hurt to get more MA kids (Catholic/ISL) back in the starting lineup!

-RPI is always solid.  That coaching staff seems to get it done in every aspect of the game.  The QB seems to be erratic from some of the comments but that can work itself out.

-Hobart seems to be back on track after a lot of the pessimistic comments I thought I saw here from the preseason.  Should be a good game in Geneva this weekend. 

-Have the Yellow Jackets arrived?

-I know nothing of Buff State but I did find it interesting that the LL coaches had them ranked above SLU in the preseason poll.

-SLU might need some big changes but they have played a fairly decent schedule so far so maybe they shock some teams this year. 

[IC798891]

-Endicott is a solid team but clearly is just another team in the LL.  Good for them for scheduling hard games and bringing their program to the next level, but I think things will be coming to a crashing halt this weekend.

Disagree here. It's certainly possible they lose to Hardin-Simmons, but I think they're a legit team — Cortland had a lot more trouble with them last year than they did against a whole lot of "better" teams

Ithaca has maybe the best player in the league with Leonard-Osbourn but he isn't being used the way he needs to be imo.

Agreed completely. 23 carries in two losses blew my mind. I know he's a smaller back, and they're getting Jake Williams carries too. But they need to get him the ball more

-RPI is always solid.  That coaching staff seems to get it done in every aspect of the game.

I've been down on RPI's staff a bit since they handed Ithaca the game last year, and frankly, blew a winnable one this year. They've struggled to execute in crunch time, which is kind of the opposite of the "RPI Magic" we'd come to expect.

[Bartman]

LL Football Performers of the Week:

Offensive Performer of the Week: Johnny Colombi, Hobart
Defensive Performer of the Week: Corey Rock, Hobart
Special Teams Player of the Week: Trey Johnson, Rochester
Rookie of the Week: Johnny Harding, Hobart
Honor Roll: Derek Baldin, Ithaca; Jake Connolly, Ithaca; Collin Goff, Hobart; Sincere Green, Buffalo State; Sean Kelly, RPI; Jalen Leonard-Osbourne, Ithaca; Aleksander Maric, RPI; Daniel Papantonis, Rochester; Nick Sciandra, Buffalo State; Jordy Tawa, Rochester; Ale Wilson, Buffalo State; Creighton Wise, Rochester

Hobart has won the Freshman award each week( Billy Brosko and Johnny Harding each twice) and the defensive performer this week is also a Freshman DB(Corey Rock) with 2 picks one for a TD

[Machiavelli]

Mach's Very Distinguished and Handsome Predictions:

Season Record: 23-2

Week 5

RPI derailed my record with their meltdown last week, but now the real season begins. Let's Go!!!

Union - 21
St. Lawrence - 9
Wow, I never expected this to be such a difficult game to pick, but I'm going with the Douchies, just as the better overall program.

Ithaca - 13
Hobart - 17
Not sure where others are going to fall on this one, but I feel like Ithaca will be the more popular choice. I think Hobart's D locks down the Bombers and the offense does just enough...Hobart style.

RPI - 31
Rochester - 14
I guess now we find out about Rochacha. RPI can either bring the noise after a disappointing choke, or they can fold on the season. I'm expecting them to be fired up and ready to roll the Jackalacks.

Buffalo State - 3
Mercyhurst - 47
I don't know a ton about Mercyhurst, but they are a new D1 FCS program and have played a few close games this year. Feels like a whitewashing.

Tough week for picks. Let's see how this goes.

[Bartman]

Bartman's Picks Week 5( 4-2 last week , 20-3 overall)


SLU        14 @     Union      24  Chargers have enough juice this week

Ithaca     17     @ Hobart    20       Bombers muffed punt blows it in favor of Pumpkinheads upset

Rochester  17      @  RPI      31        Cinderella meets one of her evil step sisters

Buffalo St  7       @ Mercyhurst 38        Bengals defense actually slows this D1 team down

[Bartman]

While I've made my pick in favor of the Pumpkinheads beating the Bombers, I have to say I am scared to death of J L-O and think the Bombers coaching staff has been hiding him to distract Hobart. He is a very special player that is the best athlete in the league and he broke our back last year. He can break out at any time and MUST BE CONTAINED. Hobart also has a tremendous weapon in Ahmad Crowell, WR, and Johnny Colombi has a great rhythm and timing after a few games with Ahmad. It will be interesting to see if either team can shut these great athletes down on Saturday. I think Hobart has the better defense, but not by much , so Jalen can easily humble the Hobart D and if he does , Johnny has got to find Ahmad because I'm thinking Ithaca will be able to stop the grind from EJ Taylor at RB. It should be a great game and finishing in the red zone will be one of the keys.......of course Hobart's special team muffed punt curse will be a big concern for the Bombers punt returner and will prove to be the deciding factor