FB: Liberty League

[UfanBill]

Tomorrow we can suspend talk of ratings ,SOS, OWP,OOWP or OOC ........only winner or loser.....and without any disrespect, hoping my Statesmen triumph, RPI beats a winning program in the E8 in Alfred(LL has not beaten a winning E8 program this year), Ithaca beats a SURGING E8 team in Fisher, and SLU beats Rochester(only because I picked them) and also thanking our AD's for their support of our football programs and our student athletes(unlike Occidental). GO LL!

+k Bartman...for all but the "Statesmen triumph" part. It's going to be a beautiful day in "shocktown" with a home coming day crowd, are you coming? I'll be there, right behind the Hobart bench with DLip and dad, you know keep your enemies close kind of thing. (ha,'Bart not DLip & dad)

LET'S GO U

[unionpalooza]

Stoked for another week in East football that will separate the men from the boys.  My beloved Dutchmen face the toughest challenge of the year at home, with both teams down some key players.  Union will need to solve their recent red zone blues and force some turnovers to have a shot -- should be fun to watch.

BOLD prediction:  Both Hartwick and SUNY Morrisville pull off the upset and shock the world.

[dlippiel]

dlip is certainly looking forward to tomorrow's game between the Pumpkinheads and the Dyke plugging Dutchmen. dlip honestly has no idea what to expect. He really believes his Dutchmen are a very good football team however with all the **** he's been through with them over the past decade he still will not pick them outright until they defeat the likes of an IC, RPI, or Pumpkinhead squad.

Maybe it's because dlip will be ok if they lose because he knows just how much they have improved in a short time? WHo the **** knows. Here is what dlip expects to see come tomorrow in regards to game plans.

1.) Hobart goes heavy on the Sweeney to Shed combo: dlip loves the Dutchmen D against the run and (in comparison to years past) the pass. However the physicality of the Union D will hopefully make the Pumpkinheads one dimensional. What makes Bart so tough is that even IF they are forced to be one dimensional in the air that can actually play into their hands with the talent they have. Union's secondary will be in the spotlight tomorrow for sure. If Hobart establishes the run early the Dutch D is in big ****ing trouble!

2.) A very physical game: dlip feels even before kickoff that this rivalry has been reignited by Union's fast start and Hobart's loss to IC. Hobart must win to have a shot at the league title where as Union could potentially lose and still wrap up the title with wins over IC and RPI), Hence Bart knows this is a big game and it happens to be against a former member of the LL's big 3 who used to annually ****ing stomp Hobart well over a decade ago. This game is going to be physicall from the get go. The team that can keep it's composure may end up the victor. To dlip, this plays into the Pumpkinheads favor with having recent experiences with big time success. Saturday will have major excitement and the players will certainly feel it.

3.) The game sit's on the backs of the Dutchmen O-Line For Union to be successful, regardless of the defense in this game the O will have to produce. For the Union O to produce and sustain drives consistently THEY MUST establish the run game early. Union's young line has certainly over-achieved thus far and to dlip everything they do is art! With that said they are still inconsistent throughout the duration of a game. They have not put together four quarters of dominance against anyone. They need to play their best game for Union to win. Taking over for small periods of the game, without consistency won't cut it in pumpkin land.

4.) Union QB - Nick Cascione Nick has been unreal this season. He has matured and become a field general showing poise, patience, and the ability to not over extend himself. He must play like this on Saturday for Union to have a chance. The Dutchmen cannot afford any easy turnovers from forcing things. The hype and excitement of the game may pressure Nick to step out of what has worked with him thus far. dlip hopes it won't. Either way Nick is a winner in dlip's book.

5.) Special Teams Play Special teams play and field position will be huge for both teams, especially Union. Having the more anemic offense of the two Union has showed that even on an off day for the offense they can dominate a game with strong field position.

6.) Turnovers dlip feels Hobart, with the explosive offense can afford mistake or two regarding turnovers. Union must be careful and protect the ball with minimal mistakes.

7.) Pressure on Sweeney Union's defense is very physical. dlip recalls some SLU players screaming on the sidelines and disgusted with themselves for not having success. In fairness to the SLU players dlip just thinks they were expecting, and rightfully so, the Union of years past. In order for Union to have success on defense they must get some pressure on Sweeney. If he has all day in the pocket then Union's D will have a long day on the field.

So just some thoughts. dlip probably missed a few things but overall he feels if Union can establish the run, sustain some drives, and can pressure and get physical with Sweeney, enough to get in his head, they can win (See Sean Richardson from SLU, who by the way dlip gives a ton of credit to for even getting up from the hit he took). If the October Pumpkinheads can stop the run, force 3 and outs, force Nick Cascione to get out of his comfort zone, and have success on the ground and in the air dlip thinks they'll win.

Can't ****ing wait!!!!!!

[dlippiel]

Tomorrow we can suspend talk of ratings ,SOS, OWP,OOWP or OOC ........only winner or loser.....and without any disrespect, hoping my Statesmen triumph, RPI beats a winning program in the E8 in Alfred(LL has not beaten a winning E8 program this year), Ithaca beats a SURGING E8 team in Fisher, and SLU beats Rochester(only because I picked them) and also thanking our AD's for their support of our football programs and our student athletes(unlike Occidental). GO LL!

+k Bartman...for all but the "Statesmen triumph" part. It's going to be a beautiful day in "shocktown" with a home coming day crowd, are you coming? I'll be there, right behind the Hobart bench with DLip and dad, you know keep your enemies close kind of thing. (ha,'Bart not DLip & dad)

LET'S GO U

+k Ufan! Looking forward to watching the game with you!

[Bartman]

To all the Union fans.......especially Dlip and UfanBill......I am predicting a Union lead at the half because the Statesmen always start off slow....Cragg will inspire the boys and unleash Hell in the second half....If the Dutchmen can withstand the onslaught they will win the day......good luck because you can double Shed but Sweeney has passed to as many as 12 receivers in one game and  our running game has improved every week....Dlip rightly pointed out that discipline will win the day, the team that controls their emotions and eliminates stupid penalties and minimizes turnovers will win.......I am trying to finish my chores this AM that have been assigned by Bartwoman and make the game....if so, I will search for the loyal opposition behind the Statesmen bench.......The world is right again, a critical LL game between these two rivals.......... GOBART

[ITH radio]

Statesmen no-showed in the first 3 qtrs. Union deserved to win, but Hobart beat themselves for most of the game. Statesmen have really under-performed this season. That offense is too talented to not be performing better, but hey, that's why they play the games.

Congrats to Coach Behrman who out-coached Cragg and co today. Will be interesting final round robin in LL btw IC, RPI and the U.

[dlippiel]

First off dlip takes his hat off to the fight and class Hobart showed throughout. They have a lot of talent and fought hard today.

This is a huge win for Union. Dlip loves ITH but he will disagree with his assessment. The Union D was physical and frustrated Hobart for the first three quarters. Hobart showed up and played hard. Believe dlip he heard it on the Bart sidelines. Union was the better team today because they earned it not because Hobart didn't show up.

[UfanBill]

Statesmen no-showed in the first 3 qtrs. Union deserved to win, but Hobart beat themselves for most of the game.Statesmen have really under-performed this season. That offense is too talented to not be performing better, but hey, that's why they play the games.

Congrats to Coach Behrman who out-coached Cragg and co today. Will be interesting final round robin in LL btw IC, RPI and the U.

Hey ITH Radio were you at the game or possibly listening on the radio because what I saw was a Union team that made every defensive play it needed to for most of the first half when faced with repeated poor field position. Hobart tried trick plays...the hook and lateral... and a half back option pass but Union didn't yield. In fact the Hobart punter was their best player in the first half.
It was some Union trickery, a fake punt, that helped the Dutchmen attain a 28-3 lead through 3 quarters. The Statesmen made a belated run at the end to close the score but never really threatened the lead....Your contention that Hobart "no-showed for three quarters" is right only in the sense that Union CONTAINED them most of the game, preventing Hobart from getting it's offense rolling...And yes, coach Behrman has made a HUGE difference. A great day to be a Dutchman.

[unionpalooza]

Certainly lots of mistakes, but to echo others, I don't think they no-showed for the first 54 minutes, I think they got their butts kicked.  (I'm speaking mostly of the offense.  The Hobart D was pretty stout most of the game, though susceptible to the big play.)

It made me think not that they under-performed, but they're overrated.  I know Sweeney and Shed can be beas, but the Union D made them look mediocre today. 

Can't wait for the last two games of the year against strong IC and RPI that, like Union, generally don't beat themselves. At 7-1, this year is already so far beyond expectations that any further success is gravy on gravy. 

Statesmen no-showed in the first 3 qtrs. Union deserved to win, but Hobart beat themselves for most of the game. Statesmen have really under-performed this season. That offense is too talented to not be performing better, but hey, that's why they play the games.

Congrats to Coach Behrman who out-coached Cragg and co today. Will be interesting final round robin in LL btw IC, RPI and the U.

[Bombers798891]

I have to agree with the above sentiments. Union just flat out dominated the early part of the game. Pretty much every one of us were wrong on Union, from the coaches who predicted a 5th place finish, to guys like me, who predicted they would lose this game, to the people who went on about Union's lousy OOC schedule which apparently was going to be an issue for the team.

Now, they're in firm control of their own destiny, and the only undefeated team in the LL. They're probably favorites against Ithaca, and they have an extra week to prepare.

[unionpalooza]

In other news, Brockport just obliterated Hartwick, 45-0, so yeah, they're pretty good.  Wow.

[UfanBill]

I have to agree with the above sentiments. Union just flat out dominated the early part of the game. Pretty much everyone of us were wrong on Union from the coaches who predicted a 5th place finish, to guys like me, who predicted they would lose this game, to the people who went on about Union's lousy OOC schedule which apparently was going to be an issue for the team.

Now, they're in firm control of their own destiny, and the only undefeated team in the LL. They're probably favorites against Ithaca, and they have an extra week to prepare.

Everyone?...The Dutchmen continue to improve and (over)achieve. There are a lot of good football players out there on both sides of the ball. Coach Behrman and his staff have done a masterful job in building confidence and depth. The primary function of any coach, in any sport is to give your team the best opportunity to win the game. That's what Union has this season. I've seen it building for weeks.

[Bartman]

Congrats to the Dutchmen and all their fans. You must be ecstatic for the return to glory.Went to the game and sat with the football parents. Much disappointment and confusion over why they never get off to a good start. No disrespect against Union but this has been true against all opponents. They have the talent on offense but the play calling has been a puzzlement. Quite a few dropped passes today , some caused by the defense but some they needed to fight for, Union did.Frankly, we miss DeWall as OC and have gotten by on talent not strategy the last few years. Typically Hobart gets going in the second half and pulls ahead but against Union this never happened. Frankly that last pass to Beal and his one handed catch that set up the last Union TD, was amazing and won the game for the Dutchmen. This is the same team Hobart team that beat RPI 30-0 , who some may favor to win the LL after beating Alfred today. Again, no disrespect to Union but this was not a full game effort offensively by Hobart. Yes Union deserves the win without question, I do not want to take anything away,but there is a feeling of disappointment in Geneva. Only one team gave it their best effort today, including coaches and that was Union. Good luck against Ithaca and RPI, and may your dream continue because ours was lost today.

[dlippiel]

Congrats to the Dutchmen and all their fans. You must be ecstatic for the return to glory.Went to the game and sat with the football parents. Much disappointment and confusion over why they never get off to a good start. No disrespect against Union but this has been true against all opponents. They have the talent on offense but the play calling has been a puzzlement. Quite a few dropped passes today , some caused by the defense but some they needed to fight for, Union did.Frankly, we miss DeWall as OC and have gotten by on talent not strategy the last few years. Typically Hobart gets going in the second half and pulls ahead but against Union this never happened. Frankly that last pass to Beal and his one handed catch that set up the last Union TD, was amazing and won the game for the Dutchmen. This is the same team Hobart team that beat RPI 30-0 , who some may favor to win the LL after beating Alfred today. Again, no disrespect to Union but this was not a full game effort offensively by Hobart. Yes Union deserves the win without question, I do not want to take anything away,but there is a feeling of disappointment in Geneva. Only one team gave it their best effort today, including coaches and that was Union. Good luck against Ithaca and RPI, and may your dream continue because ours was lost today.

Again, dlip understands the frustration and respects the opinion that Hobart's effort was sub par, he just disagrees with it. Many on here would agree that dlip, aside from the cursing, is pretty level headed and objective. Today he watched a Hobart team get very frustrated on offense for three quarters.

Like UfanBill pointed out the Statesmen threw a lot at the Union D. Yes, there were some dropped passes today for sure. With that being said when do you see dropped passes? Often when an offense is hurried, uncomfortable, and dealing with a very physical defense. That's what the Union D has done to it's opponents so far this season and what dlip feels they did to Hobart today.

Dlip paid close attention to the Hobart sideline today. Those young men played their asses off. Dlip has a TON of respect for them. However, in most offensive discussions today the O was very frustrated. Shed had two offensive PI calls against him. As incredible as he is he did not have a lot of space to work today and it took him out of his comfort zone.

As far as the end of the game goes Bart certainly had some success when they were forced to pass on almost all downs and the Union D was forced to defend just the pass, which is the most difficult thing to defend, especially against an offense like Hobart. Dlip gives the Bart players and staff TONS of credit for making this game interesting. However for three quarters with both teams putting it all out there Union was the better team and as a result they won.

Dlip has watched his Dutchmen get their asses kicked for years now and he DID say and still says it was not a result of effort, but a result of coaching and lack of player execution. They lost because they were not the better team. Dlip respects everyone on here and still will not beat his chest. Union has a long way to go this season and in the future to restore itself to being a very good program. However today they were a better team than Hobart not because of effort, not because outcoaching, but because as a whole, taking a little bit of everything into account, they won the day.

Dlip will always respect Hobart, their fans, and Coach Cragg and his staff. He wishes them all the success in the world (except against Union of course) moving forward. Those kids played their asses off, just like Union did.

Going to be an interesting last three weeks in the league. The Dutchmen, The Bombers, and RPI will be in for a battle.

[dlippiel]

Congrats to RPI and Ithaca on the big non conference wins today over two E8 schools! Also, congrats to SLU for taking care of business against Roch cha cha! Dlip is happy for them!