FB: Liberty League

[unionpalooza]

Obviously I'm high as a kite with the Union win, but what a great game for the LL.  Those were two very talented, well-coached, hard-playing teams out there.  Shades of the lates 80/early 90s glory days.  Between these two, Hobart and RPI, and a resurgent SLU, I think the LL is going offer some fantastic football to watch in the coming years.

Gotta admit, four years ago, staring down an 0-10 season, would never have thought today would have been possible.  Big kudos to Behrman and the AD for charting the path back to success.  And this Dutchmen team is still pretty young...

[Jonny Utah]

Obviously I'm high as a kite with the Union win, but what a great game for the LL.  Those were two very talented, well-coached, hard-playing teams out there.  Shades of the lates 80/early 90s glory days.  Between these two, Hobart and RPI, and a resurgent SLU, I think the LL is going offer some fantastic football to watch in the coming years.

Gotta admit, four years ago, staring down an 0-10 season, would never have thought today would have to been possible.  Big kudos to Behrman and the AD for charting the path back to success.  And this Dutchmen team is still pretty young...

Yea hopefully Ithaca sneaks in and both teams do some damage so the LL is in the Pool C game long term.  Still  think Ithaca needs to fix that run game in order to be a top 10 team. 

[unionpalooza]

Obviously I'm high as a kite with the Union win, but what a great game for the LL.  Those were two very talented, well-coached, hard-playing teams out there.  Shades of the lates 80/early 90s glory days.  Between these two, Hobart and RPI, and a resurgent SLU, I think the LL is going offer some fantastic football to watch in the coming years.

Gotta admit, four years ago, staring down an 0-10 season, would never have thought today would have to been possible.  Big kudos to Behrman and the AD for charting the path back to success.  And this Dutchmen team is still pretty young...

Yea hopefully Ithaca sneaks in and both teams do some damage so the LL is in the Pool C game long term.  Still  think Ithaca needs to fix that run game in order to be a top 10 team.

Totally agree - Ithaca's one-dimensionality on offense was a real weakness today.  I thought they ran well when they ran, and the had a five man box all day long.  It may just be play-calling...

[Bartman]

Was 3-0 yesterday and now 32-9 on season.

WEEK 9:

Buffalo State  20(26)               RPI       21(28)                   Buffalo State could stun the Engineers, but not counting on it. Engineers fend off an improving Tiger team.

Hobart            35(35)               SLU      28(3)                   Hobart offense performs better, but defense hangs on as Larries fail on last drive. Statesmen literally run over the Larries

Union             35(31)               Ithaca   34(21)                   Ithaca upset at Butterfield as U defense dials up a good game plan and keeps the Dutchmen in the game with 5 sacks of The Germ and 2 Ints. The Germ and Gladney still have a  great yardage day but Bellamy and friends score 1 point more.  A Classic and the refs have a good game Union was even better than I thought they would be


1. Congratulations to yesterday's LL winners
2. I am very proud of the Statesmen and how they took the Saints seriously and played one of their best games. I really wish we had the Union and Ithaca games after a bye week in the back end of the schedule because the results may have been different(no disrespect or excuses for the "no doubt" wins by the U and IC). This is a very good team on defense and the Oline has developed well and this growth should carry over to next year when we beat the Dutchmen and Germinerioless Bombers at the Boz in 2020.
3. I really believed that Union could beat Ithaca because they have a well rounded team on defense, offense and special teams. The coaching staff  dialed up a solid game plan of controlling the ball and creating discomfort for The Germ and the U athletes executed it. Having Irabor bounce out for the "kill shot" TD run and IC linebackers not contain reminded me of the days when Hobart had Steven Webb and he bounced out for 1400 yards in 2013. Congratulations to the U for rising from 0-10 to LL Champs.
4. The top 3 LL teams have been awesome so far, heck our #3 team beat the E8 Champion  33-7 earlier this year...and we have only lost to each other. Hopefully, the playoffs will demonstrate the LL talents.

[UfanBill]

36:44
That's the time that Joe Germinerio was on the bench and that's the story to me. Union had a game plan that they've been building towards for weeks and they executed it flawlessly. Yeah, Irabor was great. Bellamy did his thing. Ross Jr. was a factor and Griffen Beal would not be denied but it was on the line of scrimmage that Union dominated. On both sides of the ball the Dutchmen had the upper hand all day. I am a Happy Man

[Pat Coleman]

It was a good game plan!

[Bartman]

36:44
That's the time that Joe Germinerio was on the bench and that's the story too me. Union had a game plan that they've been building towards for weeks and they executed it flawlessly. Yeah, Irabor was great. Bellamy did his thing. Ross Jr. was a factor and Griffen Beal would not be denied but it was on the line of scrimmage that Union dominated. On both sides of the ball the Dutchmen had the upper hand all day. I am a Happy Man

Mr. Bill,
      If you have a good plan and you execute it with good athletes you win. Hobart started out their game with the same idea but let the game get away quickly at the end of the second half 14-0. Union controlled the whole game. IC was outcoached and outplayed just enough to offset any difference Germinerio could make, even getting him to cough up 2 INTs. Since last year's shoes game The Germ has lost to each shoe. Good luck to the U the rest of the year, you deserve to be happy.

[Ice Bear]

Ice Bear is obviously ecstatic with the Dutchmen win yesterday. To Ice Union really stepped up and showed the league that they are a very good football team. Ice agrees wholeheartedly that the game was won on the line of scrimmage each down on both sides of the ball. Even though Ice took his pot shots at Joe G this season he really has so much respect for the young man as a football player. One of the biggest keys to yesterday's win was keeping him off the field. That and the one dimensional aspect of their game is what ultimately did the Bombers in. Both teams played very hard and Ice is just very happy for the LL to have such a great game between two really good teams.

Ice really takes his hat off to IC and will be rooting for them the rest of the way. If they can get that ground game going, with just a touch of consistency, it will be hard for anyone in the region to handle them. The season is far from over for the Bombers and greatness is still in the cards.

Also hats off to Hobart who ****ing stomped what Ice believes is a good and improving SLU team. Hobart wasn't ****ing around yesterday and it showed. Also Ice is pleased with RPI's fight in their win against an also improving Buffalo State team.

Ice's LL rankings:
1.) Union
2.) Ithaca
3.) Hobart
4.) SLU
5.) RPI
6.) Buffalo State
7.) Rochester

[Jonny Utah]

It's clear that I'm a big believer in this year's Union team but in the first half Saturday my confidence in them was weakening. The offense was fine but the D gave up over 300 passing yards to St. Lawrence and it's excellent QB Tyler Grochet. They're having all they can handle from the Larries what will Ithaca and Joe G. do to them? Maybe they're not as good as I thought.

I got my answer in the 2nd half. Good teams find a way. They make adjustments. Union came out going to their strength...first taking the lead by throwing repeatedly to WR Andre Ross Jr. (St. Lawrence inexplicably thought they could single cover him, they couldn't) and then with the lead turning to RB Ike Irabor to control the ball and the clock. They successfully kept the St. Lawrence offense on the sidelines. Grochet only threw for 40 yards and zero points in the 2nd half. Union won comfortably and I can keep believing. 

Well I think Joe G. on his own makes Ithaca favorites in the Union/IC game, but Ithaca has not seen a run game or running back like Ike all year.  That might close the gap in this game and make it even.  I don't have concerns with Ithaca's defense that some have talked about, but a Ross Jr. with a run game does make me worried that Union may be able to expose a young IC defense that hasn't seen an offense like Unions with some experienced skill players.. Ithaca's run game is solid but not great, and overall this game might come down to turnovers, who comes out fired up, coaching adjustments, big/trick plays, special teams, and maybe the biggest factor is Joe G.  Can union force him into a bad game?  Can union start out like they did with Hobart and just keep a cushion long enough to grind out a win?

Next time I'm just going to predict an Ithaca victory. 

[Oline89]

Great win by Union!  Coaches had a great game plan, and the team executed to perfection.  The Achilles heel of Ithaca is clearly run defense, and with a back like Irabor, that weakness was really exposed. Running the ball, keeps the clock running, which keeps Germ on the bench.  All around great job, Dutchies.

Now the Cortica Bowl has even more meaning.  Winner makes the playoffs, Loser heads to the NY State bowl (maybe?).  Would be great to have 2 LL teams playing in post season.  Even more intriguing would be a BPort/IC matchup in the playoffs

[Jonny Utah]

Great win by Union!  Coaches had a great game plan, and the team executed to perfection.  The Achilles heel of Ithaca is clearly run defense, and with a back like Irabor, that weakness was really exposed. Running the ball, keeps the clock running, which keeps Germ on the bench.  All around great job, Dutchies.

Now the Cortica Bowl has even more meaning.  Winner makes the playoffs, Loser heads to the NY State bowl (maybe?).  Would be great to have 2 LL teams playing in post season.  Even more intriguing would be a BPort/IC matchup in the playoffs

I don't think Ithaca's run defense is their biggest problem, and although they gave up a lot of rushing yards against Union, many of Ike's big plays were bounce outs after the initial hit, and if you take away Ike's second biggest run this season (also a bounceout) Ithaca actually held him way below his season average (he averaged 4.8 yards a carry, which is good but still his lowest on the season). 

That being said Ike is the best running back in the league and Ithaca didn't do enough to stop him as IC's outside linebackers got caught too many times inside and lost contain.  I just think Ithaca has bigger concerns than their run defense. 

[Ithaca798891]

One of the curious things this season—and I legitimately do not have a better word for it—is Ithaca's seeming reluctance to use their kicker.

Bahamonde has been excellent all season. 10-for-10 on FGs, 2-for-2 at 40+. Yet, repeatedly, Ithaca has elected to keep their offense on the field in spots where you could use him.

Against Fishes, the Bombers were up 38-27, and facing a 4th and 9 at the Fisher 26. Given the distance, you'd think a 43-yard attempt to get try and put IC up 14 would be the play. IC keeps the offense in, and although they pick up the first down, they get called for a hold, wiping out the play and forcing a punt.

Against Hobart, the Bombers were up 14-0 and had 4th and 2 at the Hobart 11. I generally like going for it on 4th and short, but this was a chip shot for Bahamonde, and would put the Bombers up three scores. IC keeps the offense on the field, and although they botch the snap, Germinerio recovers, and the Bombers score a TD, a backbreaking play if there ever was one.

Then this week, down 17-14 and facing another 4th and short and a FG from 43, IC goes for it again, and this time, a fumbled snap dooms them.

It's not that any of these calls were wrong, per se. Even for a good kicker, a 43 yard kick is always a challenge. And like I said, I like going for it on 4th and short—particularly when you have a mobile QB. But for a team with a great kicker, IC seems a bit hesitant to use him

[Jonny Utah]

One of the curious things this season—and I legitimately do not have a better word for it—is Ithaca's seeming reluctance to use their kicker.

Bahamonde has been excellent all season. 10-for-10 on FGs, 2-for-2 at 40+. Yet, repeatedly, Ithaca has elected to keep their offense on the field in spots where you could use him.

Against Fishes, the Bombers were up 38-27, and facing a 4th and 9 at the Fisher 26. Given the distance, you'd think a 43-yard attempt to get try and put IC up 14 would be the play. IC keeps the offense in, and although they pick up the first down, they get called for a hold, wiping out the play and forcing a punt.

Against Hobart, the Bombers were up 14-0 and had 4th and 2 at the Hobart 11. I generally like going for it on 4th and short, but this was a chip shot for Bahamonde, and would put the Bombers up three scores. IC keeps the offense on the field, and although they botch the snap, Germinerio recovers, and the Bombers score a TD, a backbreaking play if there ever was one.

Then this week, down 17-14 and facing another 4th and short and a FG from 43, IC goes for it again, and this time, a fumbled snap dooms them.

It's not that any of these calls were wrong, per se. Even for a good kicker, a 43 yard kick is always a challenge. And like I said, I like going for it on 4th and short—particularly when you have a mobile QB. But for a team with a great kicker, IC seems a bit hesitant to use him

Probably the same reason they don't run the ball.  I'm guessing they simply feel they can score more points by having Joe G. take the snap every play and let him take control.  Have to admit it's worked 7/8 times this season. 

[Ithaca798891]

Probably the same reason they don't run the ball.  I'm guessing they simply feel they can score more points by having Joe G. take the snap every play and let him take control.  Have to admit it's worked 7/8 times this season.

Sure. There are worse hills to die on than "Give the ball to one of the best players in the region."

It's just a massive change from the Welch era, and of course, it jumps out when it backfires.

[Ice Bear]

Probably the same reason they don't run the ball.  I'm guessing they simply feel they can score more points by having Joe G. take the snap every play and let him take control.  Have to admit it's worked 7/8 times this season.

Sure. There are worse hills to die on than "Give the ball to one of the best players in the region."

It's just a massive change from the Welch era, and of course, it jumps out when it backfires.

Ice agrees that it must be a tough call to NOT put the ball in Joe G's hands. Not only is the kid experienced, athletic, the best athlete on the field, and one hell of a competitor, he is also physically solid. Ice doesn't know about everyone else but sometimes after a play he is waiting for the skill player to not get up. Is he hurt? Is he limping? Are we using him too much and putting him in a position to get hurt because of fatigue? ****, with Germinerio he almost comes across like a man amongst boys. When watching IC play Ice has not once thought that he would get hurt. So Ice can see that every play there is that voice that says, forget the field goal...give the ball to the ERPOTY and All-American. He's just a strong solid looking kid...with that said he's no Chris Sharpe though  .