FB: Liberty League

[ITH radio]

No such thing.  It's always about going to the Midwest in D3FB in the playoffs.

[hobart16]

Listened to the Hobart game (as an aside the awesome two camera video feed at Springfield is the best in the league and it's free, they deserve an award!) against SLU and it doesn't seem Hobart has put together a complete game, though I haven't watched the entire season like others may have. 

The Merchant Marine D was very tough at their place, the first quarter of the Utica game was close (non league of course), and maybe one quarter of the RPI game was competitive.  But there seems to be a slight curse of high expectations against Hobart.  Have we been behind this year for more than 5 minutes total?  Has any game been in any doubt?  Not really.  Hobart has dominated this year but I think expectations are so high that despite a very strong showing in the league people remain skeptical of us going forward  It's like looking at the Mount Union score from yesterday and thinking "wow, they only scored 30."   THey won be more than 3 touchdowns.  So the question is whether this Hobart team will go as far as last year. 

I am sure LL fans will want us to carry the flag far in the NCAAs and the comments on Hobart from our league rivals are astute.  Penalties and execution remain a concern.  Our run D is as good as last year maybe better, not sure what the numbers say and taking out the starters in the third quarter skews them anyway.  in the SLU game the D backs were very good against a team that has shown it can throw it.  Two HC freshman seem to be getting more playing time at DB: Cragg's nephew from PA, and Gabriel Smith from Lasalle Institute in Troy.  Smith has a few punt blocks this year and is very athletic.  Classic way for frosh to get on the field under Cragg, play hard on special teams.  D back is less of a concern in my mind right now. 

The receiving corps was a concern but they too have stepped up over the course of the season and I like them a lot better now.  Berkowitz is solid, and Souffrant, Robinson and Fasano are getting open and can give us YACs. 

The upward trajectory of our QB that we saw at Union seemed to have stalled when he started 0-8 against SLU in the first quarter, then he throws 3 incredible passes in a row into the wind on a 3 play 78 years drive.  If he can become more consistent in finding people and delivering it like he did in the second quarter we will be a very tough out.  He is also pretty quick and can do damage with his feet.  I honestly think Dewall is saving some things up his sleeve for NCAAs on that score.  Look for designed running plays for Conlan in NCAAs like we had with Strang.

Our special teams play has been very good and is better than last year. 

The interior line on both sides of the ball has been super all season, and a deep linebacking corps has also gotten better over time.  Worhtington and Toney are fantastic and aren't even leading the team in tackles. 

Looking at it overall, this team is right there with last years team talent-wise, but it seems like a consistency issue. 

[dlippiel]

Dlip would agree that the current Bart squad seems like it is in line to done what last years squad did. However Dlip just does not feel they are as consistent (just like you said) and overall as good. Dlip is rooting for the Statesmen big time. He hopes his impression of this Hobart team is off and they have a ton of success in the NCAAs. As of now he sees Bart going no farther than the second round. Again, he hopes he is wrong.

[mattvsmith]

Hobart16,
This is one of the most solid contributions to the board I've read all season. +k

[lewdogg11]

Hey! Who do you hitchhikers want to see come clean out the East, UniMountU or Bethel?

O'Doyle, I have a feeling your whole family is going down.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Hey! Who do you hitchhikers want to see come clean out the East, UniMountU or Bethel?

O'Doyle, I have a feeling your whole family is going down.

Careful, now ... those sorts of threats got Incognito in deep doo-doo!

[hobart16]

Hobart16,
This is one of the most solid contributions to the board I've read all season. +k

Thanks for your blessing Bishop.   

Don't forget we have a new D coordinator and I think they are gelling at the right time.  I listened to Jolyon Davis give a good interview to Frank and Jim tonight.  Bravo guys. 

[ITH radio]

Thx!  Here it is for those who missed the live show:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/ith/2013/11/11/in-the-huddlle--liberty-league-football-talk-show

Rev - you have to be a call in guest come post season! 

[mattvsmith]

Thx!  Here it is for those who missed the live show:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/ith/2013/11/11/in-the-huddlle--liberty-league-football-talk-show

Rev - you have to be a call in guest come post season!

I wanted to call in this morning (Sunday evening EST) but with the time zone change you show starts halfway through my first class. It's hard enough keeping the cadets awake Monday 9 a.m. Without telling them, " Hold up, fellas, I have to call into my favorite radio show in the USA and talk football." (Although truth by known, I talk football in class a lot. In fact, this morning I told a big kid that he must join the football team as a lineman or fail my class. That's allowed in Korea.)

[Bartman]

Congratulations to the Hobart Statesmen on winning the Liberty League again. Coach Cragg now has the highest winning percentage(69.8%) of any coach in the Liberty League after passing another big career winner, Coach Audino(68.2%) of Union this year. Good luck to the Statesmen in finishing the regular season and success in the playoffs. Hip Hobart!

[dlippiel]

A quiet shoes week...

[fulbakdad]

Congrats to Sean Murphy from WPI for his all week honors!  Watched him at Tabor where he was a couple years behind my boy.  Knew he was a good one!

[Bartman]

A quiet shoes week...

Having seen both teams play Hobart, I think I would put my money on Union. Not the classic for the Liberty League title this year, but I will be watching the result out of respect for an old rivalry. Does somebody really have to wear those shoes for a year??

[UfanBill]

OK, here it is Friday morning and very little has been said about this years "Shoes" game.  There was the obliquitory media day yesterday when both coaches say "throw out the records"and selected players say "we play on emotion".  Well two weeks ago Union came out full of emotion against Hobart and that didn't go so well.  This week Union needs to play with their emotions in check, play smart, something that it has had much trouble with this season.  Play smart means NO special teams mistakes, maintain ball control and minimize penalties. Of course this should always be the game plan but... Union seems to have the upper hand based on comparitive scores.( U beat both Springfield and WPI, teams RPI lost to) but most recently they played USMMA even.(28-14,27-14) so I look for another close game.  22-20 ? with say RPI kicker Andrew Franks Or Union kicker David Pope the decider.   

[dlippiel]

Times certainly have changed UfanBill. Dlip remembers when the LLPP was quite active on shoes week. Dlip will be previewing the game on his blog tonight. Probably nothing shocking on there tonight but some general thoughts and info about both teams. Can't wait for tomorrow! Anyone going? It would be nice to meet some folks. Let's go Union!!!!