FB: Liberty League

[dlippiel]

Congrats to Union LB Jack Reilly on being named to the d3football.com team of the week. Reilly's excellent play on Saturday, two sacks and four tackles for loss landed him this spot. Reilly is a great athlete with a very high ceiling. Congrats again to Jack!

[Machiavelli]

So addressing my Brockport/Hobart post a few days ago, I stand by my post. I did say Brockport very well could blow Hobart's doors off(as they did) and they are legit. It was more of a sentiment to not downplay Hobart as they've been really good every year for as far back as most of us can remember.

All that said, Brockport is very good, and it looks like the rumors of Hobart being down will be true(for now). Agree with the poster saying they'd rather play Hobart week 1 than week 8 or whatever. This is a team that tends to improve week to week.

Listening to the RPI game...The score looked as expected at the end of the day, but they didn't play well and have a lot of work to do. It was a slow and gradual trip to the final score rather than an impressive blow the doors off type of performance. Hopefully they'll improve next week. I still think it's Ithaca or RPI this year for the LL title, no real surprises. Ithaca has a big challenge this week. RPI should roll.

Lastly....ahhhhh, it's football season.

[Bombers798891]

Full thoughts on Ithaca's opening weekend:

Look, when you play St. Vincent at home you get graded on a curve. (The same thing will happen next week, but the curve will go in the other direction.)

The defense was excellent, because of course they were. St. Vincent averaged 19 PPG last year, were starting a true freshman at QB, their starting RB ran for 135 yards last year, and their leading starting WR had 218. There was really no other way this game was going to go, and we saw why, with St. Vincent turning the ball over 5 times, but twice on nothing more than a dropped exchange. It's always great to see the starting defense pitch a shutout, for all intents and purposes, but next week is a whole other ball of wax.

Offensively, maybe we put too much stock into last year's Cortaca, where it looked like IC had finally unlocked their potential, and overcome the red zone issues. But this opening week was sort of underwhelming. Just 24 points on the board, pair of turnovers, (with another called back due to an offsides). Not a sharp performance. The running game was okay, but no one back stood out. They also allowed two sacks against a team that had just 11 all of last year. They weren't bad, but that's not going to cut it against Brockport next week. I'm interested to see who emerges as a 3rd WR in the offense. Hayden Frey has a 45 yard TD reception, and Matt Hoffman had three catches as well.

Special teams were sort of a mixed bag. On the one hand, they went 6-for-6 on kicks, including a 30 yards FG. And there was a 32-yard kick return, and good coverage.

On the other, the Bombers averaged less than 30 yards a punt, and three punt returns got them 13 yards total. This is one of the things that cost them in the RPI loss.

Final note: Look, I never played football (obviously), so I don't know how all the in-game emotions work, or if refs get touchy or it was going both ways but only one team got flagged, or whatever. But in a post-game interview following the Salisbury game last season, the first thing Dan Swanstrom brought up was, and I quote "We lost our poise as a program a bit". The team's hashtag slogan for this year, appropriately, is "Pride and Poise". Despite this, the Bombers were flagged three times for unsportsmanlike penalties this week. That really does not make me look forward to next week, which is a game where emotions are probably going to be much higher, and things won't be so easy in terms of on-the-field results.

Overall, this is probably as negative a take as you can have on a 24-point win, but as Caz mentioned, there's no ramp up to Bport next week. Here's hoping for a big upset next week

[tony/troy]

So addressing my Brockport/Hobart post a few days ago, I stand by my post. I did say Brockport very well could blow Hobart's doors off(as they did) and they are legit. It was more of a sentiment to not downplay Hobart as they've been really good every year for as far back as most of us can remember.

All that said, Brockport is very good, and it looks like the rumors of Hobart being down will be true(for now). Agree with the poster saying they'd rather play Hobart week 1 than week 8 or whatever. This is a team that tends to improve week to week.

Listening to the RPI game...The score looked as expected at the end of the day, but they didn't play well and have a lot of work to do. It was a slow and gradual trip to the final score rather than an impressive blow the doors off type of performance. Hopefully they'll improve next week. I still think it's Ithaca or RPI this year for the LL title, no real surprises. Ithaca has a big challenge this week. RPI should roll.

Lastly....ahhhhh, it's football season.
[/quote

You nailed the RPI part right on the head. Quality opposition and they would have been in trouble. Yes, they have work to do and lots of it mostly on offense. Defense was very good and is entirely why the final score was what it was.

[Bombers798891]

Brockport is coming off a deep playoff run and bringing a Top 10, unbeaten team to Butterfield Stadium, trying to extend a three-game winning streak against the Bombers

Ithaca will be starting a sophomore QB who earned the starting job midway through Week 2 in his freshman season.

In other words, prepare for the Golden Eagles to get smoked.

https://athletics.ithaca.edu/news/2003/10/20/768_18FB.aspx

[Bartman]

Brockport is coming off a deep playoff run and bringing a Top 10, unbeaten team to Butterfield Stadium, trying to extend a three-game winning streak against the Bombers

Ithaca will be starting a sophomore QB who earned the starting job midway through Week 2 in his freshman season.

In other words, prepare for the Golden Eagles to get smoked.

https://athletics.ithaca.edu/news/2003/10/20/768_18FB.aspx

Good luck to the Bombers. Last week's execution by Brockport was practically flawless, which is rare for week 1, but then I thought they were well prepared last year as well. Frankly, this is the most complete team I have personally observed in D3(despite it being "not the best "Hobart team and it being week 1) , which includes an end of the season Mount Union 2016 team and St. Thomas team of 2014 and a couple of the Wesley teams. Ithaca's opener looked like a more mortal team against a fairly weak opponent, but IC figured things out as the game progressed.  I think  Ithaca is better than Hobart's(at least at this point in the season until Hobart matures over the season), so this game is a real measuring stick for both Bport and Ithaca. The Brockport defense is also pretty awesome, but Ithaca has some good weapons so we shall see. I think it will be 35-14(maybe 21) in favor of Brockport as Germinerio can't be perfect 2 weeks in a row( his TD bombs were pretty impressive timing throws) and I think the IC defense will show better than Hobart whose defense was just in shock by the time it was 42-0. Good luck....the Bombers will need it

[Bartman]

OK, I usually recap my picks from the previous week, but I'd rather forget about last week . So 6-0 on picks and 3-3 OOC record in LL.

Rochester       14           Carnegie Mellons              31            Rochester continues to prepare for the LL season and surprise a few.

RPI                 31           WPI                                17            Too many Engineers, but RPI's are better ballers

Hobart             28          Morrisville                       17             Hobart recovers and puts a notch up against a feisty Mustang team

SLU                17           Norwich                          10             The Saints don't blow this one

Ithaca             14           Brockport                        35             The Bombers put a scare into Bport, put Germinerio and friends shake em off and pull away

Union              31          Coast Guard                     10             The Dutchmen leave New London and  the Coasties with a nice win

LL goes 4-2 OOC and 7-5 0n the year

[Oline89]

Brockport is coming off a deep playoff run and bringing a Top 10, unbeaten team to Butterfield Stadium, trying to extend a three-game winning streak against the Bombers

Ithaca will be starting a sophomore QB who earned the starting job midway through Week 2 in his freshman season.

In other words, prepare for the Golden Eagles to get smoked.

https://athletics.ithaca.edu/news/2003/10/20/768_18FB.aspx

Good luck to the Bombers. Last week's execution by Brockport was practically flawless, which is rare for week 1, but then I thought they were well prepared last year as well. Frankly, this is the most complete team I have personally observed in D3(despite it being "not the best "Hobart team and it being week 1) , which includes an end of the season Mount Union 2016 team and St. Thomas team of 2014 and a couple of the Wesley teams. Ithaca's opener looked like a more mortal team against a fairly weak opponent, but IC figured things out as the game progressed.  I think  Ithaca is better than Hobart's(at least at this point in the season until Hobart matures over the season), so this game is a real measuring stick for both Bport and Ithaca. The Brockport defense is also pretty awesome, but Ithaca has some good weapons so we shall see. I think it will be 35-14(maybe 21) in favor of Brockport as Germinerio can't be perfect 2 weeks in a row( his TD bombs were pretty impressive timing throws) and I think the IC defense will show better than Hobart whose defense was just in shock by the time it was 42-0. Good luck....the Bombers will need it

The term "juggernaut" gets thrown around a lot, but this Brockport team certainly meets the criteria.  Other than their punting game (since they didn't punt once against Hobart), they were dominant in every aspect.  One of the best early season matchups will be Will Gladney vs. Jake O'Connell.  As long as the grass at Butterfield has been well fertilized (and the grounds crew has "forgotten" to mow), Brockport's team speed may be limited.  Good luck Bombers!

[UfanBill]

A couple of thoughts about Union's convincing win over Husson last week. On the positive side QB Will Bellamy played great in his first start. He threw with poise and accuracy to WRs Griffin Beal, Chris Nicholas and Andre Ross Jr. Union played a "clean" game committing only two penalties with no turnovers and no sacks allowed. The defense played with aggression and were well positioned. Very impressive for an opener. A tribute to the preparation by the coaching staff.
There were some deficiencies that will need attention. The running game was blah. Kicking was below average and special teams allowed a long runback.
This week the Dutchmen travel to meet the Coast Guard Academy. Watch for the defense to create some short fields and for the Oline to establish the run with freshman speedster Ike Irabor. Union 27-14.

[Bartman]

For what it's worth, I think Gladney will have a great day, it won't be enough to win since Nahbi will be under pressure and throw a pick or two, but that won't stop Gladney from having some great after the catch performances. Playing the game at Butterfield will be a benefit although not  enough , but IF the Bombers pull off an upset, I have already stated I will eat my ancient Hobart Football Alumni hat if Bport loses any game before the playoffs.....Good luck to the entire LL this weekend, and here is a question ....which would be a bigger upset Rochester beating Carnegie Mellon or IC beating Brockport? Finally some Football weather tomorrow!

[Machiavelli]

Machiavelli's Fearless Predictions:
Brockport - 52
Ithaca - 28
I'm thinking this might be close at the half but Brockport overpowers the second half and makes the score look a lot worse than it really was.

RPI - 31
WPI - 17
RPI is still working out some kinks but should win this one somewhat comfortably.

Carnegie Melon - 35
Rochester - 7
Honestly I could care less about this game so just throwing this up there. Rochester stinks. I wish they were better.

Hobart - 27
Morrisville State - 21
Hobart continues to struggle but starts getting it together late.

Norwich - 13
St. Lawrence - 10
A barn burner. Less exciting than last night's Falcons/Eagles game, particularly in the first half. Abysmal.

Union - 35
Coast Guard - 17
Blah.


Nothing really too exciting here. I'd like to see Ithaca put up a fight. Otherwise, kind of a boring weekend.

[Bartman]

Mach...is that your likeness in the signature?....snappy dresser, very snappy...+k for a serious boring forecast

[dlippiel]

SLU should...better...****ing handle Norwich after last week's debacle. Hobart will need to bring their game because Mo'ville can play. dlip is really hoping the Statesmen bounce back here in a big way. IC will hopefully surprise but Brockport MAY actually be in that top tier of D3 this year. If so, we all know from experience how ****ing good that tier is and the space between that tier and the second tier (which Bport may also be in) and especially the others is somewhat significant. U of R...well dlip just hopes they get better. A solid U of R squad is a good thing for the LL.

dlip sees his Garnet in an unfamiliar position as a clear favorite this weekend. That has not been the case for Mach's favorite school in quite some time. Hopefully the young Dutch can really take care of business against Coast Guard and not have a big letdown from their solid W last week.

The RPI game is somewhat intriguing. dlip ALWAYS rooted for the Bizarroneers to win the Transit Trophy when they (WPI) were in the LL. However, now that they are out of conference dlip hopes RPI takes them to the ****ing woodshed. Looking for a two touchdown win here for the Engineers from Troy.

[south hill observer]

Bomber defense was spectacular today and the team as a whole will be dangerous when the offens starts to play to their potential. Not having Gladney play today certainly hurt our chances but the young line has got to improve if we plan on making playoffs.   

[Oline89]

The Hobart team that stepped on the field yesterday was the polar opposite from last week.  Certainly, there is a huge talent disparity between Brockport and Morrisville, but the team played a much crisper game.  QB played with confidence, OL opened up holes early, special teams (especially kickoff) played inspired and aggressively.  The team has still played without #1 and #2 RB's, both out with hamstring tears.  Having the #1 WR back in the lineup helped open up the deep threat.  The team is still very young (starting OL has 1 Sr, 2 Sophs and 2 Fr), so I think they will continue to improve.  Next week against Shenandoah is another good test and tuneup for LL play.  The defense performed well against the run heavy offense of Morrisville, and next week the DB's and DE's will be put to the test against a pass heavy offense.

Congrats to Ithaca!  What a performance against the powerhouse of the East!