FB: Liberty League

[Frank Rossi]

The NEFC team that loses would fall below 10th with a second loss, though.  So there's no need to rank Springfield that high as a precaution.

[Doid23]

Getting this conversation off the E8 boards, how the F is Maine Maritime ranked ahead of Union in the regional rankings?


I understand Curry.  Curry has proven that THEY can hang.  But no one else in that crap league has EVER.  And they haven't yet played each other.  This makes ZERO sense.  I think Union sucks as much as the next guy...but do they suck worse than 2 NEFC teams?  Well, I don't think anyone sucks that bad.

totally agree...and who have they played? pbr doesnt see a great s.o.s. out of them so why are they ranked so high?

Again, I think it just goes by record.  If Clown College was 10-0, with wins over Terd U, and Dlip State, they would be ranked #5.

Not saying its right, but lets hope a 8-2 NEFC team doesnt get in over a 8-2 E8, LL, NJAC or MAC team (pool C).  If and when that happens we can all have a legit gripe.

Then please explain Springfield???

Exactly. So this poll isn't just about record, which means it's not about records at all. So we're back to, how is Union behind Maine and Springfield? I think it's going to be a moot point, because I'm getting a bad feeling about Scrotch coming to Shocktown, but Springfield just got smoked by SJF, and Maine Maritime hasn't beaten anyone, so just another weak poll.

[RJ]

The Liberty League Championship the tail of the tape stats
Susquehanna vs Union
TEAM STATISTICS                         SSQ          OPP   TEAM STATISTICS                         UNI          OPP
--------------------------------------------------------      --------------------------------------------------------   
SCORING.......................          226          156   SCORING.......................          204          154
  Points Per Game.............         25.1         17.3     Points Per Game.............         22.7         17.1
FIRST DOWNS...................          160          161   FIRST DOWNS...................          149          149
  Rushing.....................           80           86     Rushing.....................           71           78
  Passing.....................           73           63     Passing.....................           64           59
  Penalty.....................            7           12        Penalty.....................           14           12
RUSHING YARDAGE...............         1514         1593   RUSHING YARDAGE...............         1435         1669
  Yards gained rushing........         1698         1769     Yards gained rushing........         1621         1888
  Yards lost rushing..........          184          176     Yards lost rushing..........          186          219
  Rushing Attempts............          371          361     Rushing Attempts............          332          398
  Average Per Rush............          4.1          4.4     Average Per Rush............          4.3          4.2
  Average Per Game............        168.2        177.0     Average Per Game............        159.4        185.4
  TDs Rushing.................           12           12     TDs Rushing.................           17            8
PASSING YARDAGE...............         1536         1367   PASSING YARDAGE...............         1683         1136
  Att-Comp-Int................    207-123-4   242-114-16     Att-Comp-Int................   227-108-16    228-117-9
  Average Per Pass............          7.4          5.6     Average Per Pass............          7.4          5.0
  Average Per Catch...........         12.5         12.0     Average Per Catch...........         15.6          9.7
  Average Per Game............        170.7        151.9     Average Per Game............        187.0        126.2
  TDs Passing.................           16            7     TDs Passing.................            9            9
TOTAL OFFENSE.................         3050         2960   TOTAL OFFENSE.................         3118         2805
  Total Plays.................          578          603     Total Plays.................          559          626
  Average Per Play............          5.3          4.9     Average Per Play............          5.6          4.5
  Average Per Game............        338.9        328.9     Average Per Game............        346.4        311.7
KICK RETURNS: #-YARDS.........       32-590       41-950   KICK RETURNS: #-YARDS.........       30-517       40-815
PUNT RETURNS: #-YARDS.........        15-85        14-58   PUNT RETURNS: #-YARDS.........        19-83       25-249
INT RETURNS: #-YARDS..........       16-235         4-31   INT RETURNS: #-YARDS..........         9-93       16-111
KICK RETURN AVERAGE...........         18.4         23.2   KICK RETURN AVERAGE...........         17.2         20.4
PUNT RETURN AVERAGE...........          5.7          4.1   PUNT RETURN AVERAGE...........          4.4         10.0
INT RETURN AVERAGE............         14.7          7.8   INT RETURN AVERAGE............         10.3          6.9
FUMBLES-LOST..................         11-7         12-6   FUMBLES-LOST..................        13-10         13-8
PENALTIES-YARDS...............       47-456       53-419   PENALTIES-YARDS...............       51-426       61-570
  Average Per Game............         50.7         46.6     Average Per Game............         47.3         63.3
PUNTS-YARDS...................      37-1175      36-1149   PUNTS-YARDS...................      35-1377      48-1568
  Average Per Punt............         31.8         31.9     Average Per Punt............         39.3         32.7
  Net punt average............         30.2         29.6     Net punt average............         32.2         30.9
TIME OF POSSESSION/GAME.......        30:45        29:13   TIME OF POSSESSION/GAME.......        27:26        32:22
3RD-DOWN CONVERSIONS..........       47/119       53/127   3RD-DOWN CONVERSIONS..........       40/109       52/145
  3rd-Down Pct................          39%          42%     3rd-Down Pct................          37%          36%
4TH-DOWN CONVERSIONS..........        14/22         8/22   4TH-DOWN CONVERSIONS..........         5/18        10/23
  4th-Down Pct................          64%          36%     4th-Down Pct................          28%          43%
SACKS BY-YARDS................       20-107        12-78   SACKS BY-YARDS................       19-136         9-70
MISC YARDS....................            0           34   MISC YARDS....................            0            0
TOUCHDOWNS SCORED.............           29           20   TOUCHDOWNS SCORED.............           26           18
FIELD GOALS-ATTEMPTS..........         7-10         6-10   FIELD GOALS-ATTEMPTS..........          7-9         8-13
PAT-ATTEMPTS..................        27-28        16-18   PAT-ATTEMPTS..................        21-22        18-18
ATTENDANCE....................        11617         5853   ATTENDANCE....................         8701         6568
  Games/Avg Per Game..........       5/2323       4/1463     Games/Avg Per Game..........       4/2175       5/1314
                           
SCORE BY QUARTERS     1st  2nd  3rd  4th    Total   SCORE BY QUARTERS     1st  2nd  3rd  4th  OT  Total
--------------------  ---  ---  ---  ---      ---      --------------------  ---  ---  ---  ---  ---      ---   
Susquehanna.........   60   86   48   32  -   226   Union...............   34   75   29   60    6  -   204
Opponents...........   45   57   10   44  -   156   Opponents...........   22   62   28   39    3  -   154

On paper both team are very similar with a few exceptions that will determine the outcome of the game. Offense seems to be the key in many people minds especially after last year 51 to 45 shoot out in the rain at Susquehanna.

I think defense will play a major role this weekend, even Union's esteemed radio announcer Frank Rossi is picking the visiting team (Sunday on Blog Talk radio 17 to 14) I don't know if that his attempt at motivation or if he has given up on the young skill players on the offense of Union due to their turn over problems?

During Susquehanna's successful drive through the Liberty league the only team they lost to was MM without QB Rich Palazzi 24 to 8, they only managed 226 yards of offense 149 rushing and 77 passing. I am sure Dave Paveletz is playing even though he sat most of the last game and is not on the 2 deep chart this week. (A little gamesmanship) I am guessing this late in the season Paveletz is a little dinged up like everyone but will be a key to stop with his 5.0 per carry 10 TD's and average 136.8 per game wil be a challenge. Palazzi is on fire the SO QB stats are great he's averaging 13.5 yards per pass & catch  ...

                                GP   Effic    Att-Cmp-Int   Pct    Yds    TD  Lng  Avg/G
Rich Palazzi        7  164.84  158-99-2       62.7   1341  16   56  191.6

However all is not lost during the past 6 LL games here are the scores and turnover per team
      UoR   Var   TO Margin
Union   28   21   7   -3
Sus   17   14   3   2
      RPI      
Union   20   15   5   0
Sus   35   30   5   1
      SLU      
Union   20   17   3   -4
Sus   21   7   14   4
      WPI      
Union   21   17   4   0
Sus   35   21   14   4
      Hob      
Union   31   21   10   -1
Sus   20   10   10   1
      MM      
Union   37   6   31   1
Sus   8   24   -16   -3
      Total      
Union   26.2   16.2   10   -1.2
Sus   22.7   17.7   5   1.5

So what does it mean ... if Union's Offense can play conservative run the ball effectively like last week and pass when needed vs a good defense, things will go well. No mistakes on special teams and no turn overs are keys to both teams success. The Union D needs to minimize the run and force Palazzi out of the pocket to run (his average last season and this season is -2.6 per rush) he is more of a pocket passer. Also Palazzi  is listed at 5' 10" and 180 lbs ish the defense needs to hit him has many times as possible to wear him down. Union D line DT Conerly (280 lbs) and HavilandEduah (255 lbs) need to shut down the middle with Romano (230 lbs) and Hovsepian (220 lbs) at DE bringing pressure from the edge. The LB's Peters, Modliszewski and Sixto, Jr  should fill the holes DB's Baxter, C Johnson,  Brolley and JP Sticco need to press cover the  receivers  to help pressure the QB causing 3 and outs.   Union and Susquehanna have virtually the same stats and record 6-0 vs 5-1 in LL play the major factor is Union is usually playing from negative turnover margin but is still winning the games while Susquehanna is winning for a positive margin. This is probably the best defense they have face all year and if the offense can click on all cylinders they can be a very dangerous team.

Union 24 Sus 14

[union89]

Holy Cow!!!!!!!!!

I'm dizzy.....may need to sit for a while.

[dewcrew88]

Your ATE columnist will be at Frank Bailey Field this Saturday to take in the LL championship game between Susquehanna and Union.... If you see me, please say hello!

[dewcrew88]

DewCrew,
Can you help me understand why some reporters feel the need to add information such as "a practice rappers call "makin' it rain"" to their articles?  
Seriously, what value did that add to the article?  Do you think some 78 year old lady in tampa is now that much more intellegent that she now knows what it's called when rappers throw money in the air?

Secondly, I urge all LLPP members to read the following article.....I honestly cannot believe the washington post published this.... I'd love to hear everyones thoughts on this!
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/17/AR2009051702053.html

BTW- my favorite line of the article "The poor pay more in hassle: the calls from the bill collectors, the landlord, the utility company. So they spend money to avoid the hassle. The poor pay for caller identification because it gives them peace of mind to weed out calls from bill collectors. "....what a brilliant idea....

Not all reporters do it, but some do because it's more readable, or whatever. I think it's ****ty practice, though. Of course, if that was part of the police report, than it's usable... for example, if they said in the report that "the people said they were 'makin' it rain,' a euphemism that rap artists use for throwing dollar bills on the floor..." then it's OK, I guess. But it's a far fetched reason, IMO.

[dewcrew88]

Holy Cow!!!!!!!!!

I'm dizzy.....may need to sit for a while.

I hear ya. People can also read my column for a preview. 

[union89]

Holy Cow!!!!!!!!!

I'm dizzy.....may need to sit for a while.

I hear ya. People can also read my column for a preview. 

U89 always does......U89 always enjoys your work.

[labart96]

TGP's 'Bart 2009 season finale (preview)

The Hobart Statesmen (5-3, 4-2) travel to Fauver Stadium this Saturday to face their oldest rival, the University of Rochester Yellow Jackets (4-5, 4-2). The Statesmen and Jackets face off for the 103rd time. The all-time series is deadlocked 47-47-7 between the two schools. Last season Hobart retained the Centennial Cup for the second straight season in a hard fought and muddy 10-7 victory in Geneva.

Hobart currently enjoys a five game winning streak over Rochester; the Yellow Jackets last win in the series was a 17-13 triumph back in 2003. After entering the season with the 4th most difficult schedule in DIII football, Rochester struggled to a 1-4 start. Still, aside from a lopsided loss to #9 Case Western Reserve, it should be noted that the Yellow Jackets lost games by only two, seven and three points to St. John Fisher (5-3, 3-1 and in contention for the E8 championship), Union (7-2, 6-0 and in contention for the LL championship) and Susquehanna (7-2, 5-1 also contending for the LL title); respectively. Both the Fisher (:47) and Union (:10) losses literally came with under a minute to play in each game.

Since then, Rochester has won three out of its last four games, the most recent being a 20-7 victory over Saint Lawrence (2-7, 1-5). The Yellow Jackets boast the #1 passing attack in the LL behind SO QB Braezen Subick. The SO has thrown for 1,446 yards (132-221 with 10 interceptions and 12 touchdowns) and is ranked second in the LL in pass efficiency with a 123.6 rating.

Rochester also has the #2 rusher in the LL with JR RB Clarence Onyiriuka averaging 128.1 YPG. The JR has racked up 1,153 total rushing yards on the season and only trails leading rusher SR RB Dave Paveletz from Susquehanna by only 78 yards going into the final regular season game. Onyiriuka is also a receiving threat having caught 26 balls for 248 yards and four touchdowns. This versatility has helped Onyiriuka lead the LL in all purpose yards (1401 total yards or 155.7 YPG).

Subick's favorite target is the SR WR Mike Coolbaugh who leads the LL in receptions per game (4.89) and is fourth in total receiving yards with 513 including two touchdown catches. Another key receiver in the Rochester passing game is SR TE Pedro Sosa. He is second the team with 36 receptions for 322 yards.

In spite of all of this offense, the Jackets also bring the #1 rushing defense (120.9 yards allowed per game) and have earned an impressive +8 turnover ratio which is good for second in the LL. The Rochester defense is lead by FY LB Brendan Pidgeon (51.5 total tackles, including three TFLs, three forced fumbles and one interception) and JR LB Ed Dauphin (45.5 total tackles, including 5.5 TFL, three interceptions and seven forced fumbles).

Rochester would like nothing more than to end the season at .500 overall, as well as 5-2 in the LL; which pending the outcome of the Union-Susquehanna championship game, would be good enough to tie for second place.

Keys to the game:

1. Contain Onyiriuka – The JR RB is virtually Rochester's entire rushing game given his average YPG is only one yard less than the Yellow Jacket's season average (129.1). Although Rochester has a potent passing offense, the Hobart defense has improved to second in the LL allowing only 149.8 YPG and has as many interceptions as touchdowns allowed (seven).

2. Pressure Subick – The SO QB has a strong arm but is prone to make mistakes having thrown 10 interceptions over nine games played.

3. Back to basics – Hobart's three game winning streak has been due to great defense (two shut outs) but also by the offense's success in running the ball and controlling the clock. The Statesmen have gained 156 (RPI), 209 (WPI) and 149 (MMA) yards rushing over this time period and averaged approximately 31 minutes in TOP during these games. The key to defeating the Yellow Jackets means more of JR RB Andrew Marlier and less passing. That said Rochester is last in the LL in pass defense, allowing 216.7 YPG on average, but I think most Statesmen fans would like to see more ball control and straight ahead running plays vs. shot-gun formations and trips to the right.

4. Be special – Although often over-looked, the Hobart special teams unit leads the LL in kick-off returns (23.6 YPR), punting (33.8 YPP) and punt coverage (only five returns of only 10 yards total all season). Rochester is first in the LL in kick-off coverage, so it will be interesting to see how Hobart fares in the very important field position battle.

All considered I think each team may struggle to move the ball and it will once again be a close call for the Statesmen, but I expect Hobart to end the year on a positive note and pick the Statesmen to prevail 14–10 and hang onto the Centennial Cup.

[RJ]

Nice Job ... I agree Hobart in a close one no mistakes ...

[Pat Coleman]

Anyone else having trouble logging into the Daily Dose? **** maybe dlip is banned from this as well. That would make two bans in two days for dlip, one from work and one from the Daily Dose. Don't think dlip ever swore on the daily dose... Maybe it's just his computer? Who knows.....anyway no one would want to hear my disagreement regarding the regional rankings anyway...

After you log in, hit refresh. Sounds like your browser is caching the un-logged in version of the page.

[stimulator]

This is probably the best defense they have face all year and if the offense can click on all cylinders they can be a very dangerous team.

Not sure I would agree.  This is the same D that gave up 30 points to an inept RPI offense at their place.

They can be dangerous if they can convert on 3rd down. The difference in this Susq team vs the last two years is Palazzi and their recievers have been able to convert on 3rd down after teams focus on Paveltz.

The key to beating them is to finish tackles on Paveltz.  RPI just didn't accompish that.  Too may arm tackles and excuse or not, too many players on D gassed or not playing due to the ****'n flu.

[labart96]

Nice Job ... I agree Hobart in a close one no mistakes ...

Thx.  k+

One thing I left out which is typically a factor at this point in the year is the UNY weather.  Surprisingly though, it's forecast to be a balmy 56 tomorrow with only some light rain in the AM. 

TGP is pretty sure Favuer is field turf so poor footing, fumbles, etc shouldn't be an issue due to mud and such (like last year's mud-fest at the Boz).

[BJordan]

I agree with Hobart.  If they protect the football I anticipate a 7+ point victory.. We will see. that's why we play the games.   I know this is off topic, but has anyone checked this site out? www.ryanenglebert.com/report 

Pretty cool stuff anyways..

[RJ]

This is probably the best defense they have face all year and if the offense can click on all cylinders they can be a very dangerous team.

Not sure I would agree.  This is the same D that gave up 30 points to an inept RPI offense at their place.

They can be dangerous if they can convert on 3rd down. The difference in this Susq team vs the last two years is Palazzi and their recievers have been able to convert on 3rd down after teams focus on Paveltz.

The key to beating them is to finish tackles on Paveltz.  RPI just didn't accompish that.  Too may arm tackles and excuse or not, too many players on D gassed or not playing due to the ****'n flu.

I was referring to the Union D they only allowed 15 pts by RPI .. not SU's D