FB: Liberty League

[Oline89]

Joe G is a semifinalist for the Gagliardi, and was not the OPOY in his own conference.

Outside of scenarios where two guys from the same conference get this far, has that ever happened? I'm not really calling either decision into question, just mildly curious

Is it the same group that votes for both (coaches, AD's)?

[Pat Coleman]

Schools can nominate who they please for the Gagliardi Trophy and the J-Club picks the semifinalists. Liberty League does not vote on who Ithaca might nominate for the Gagliardi Trophy.

[Jonny Utah]

Joe G is a semifinalist for the Gagliardi, and was not the OPOY in his own conference.

Outside of scenarios where two guys from the same conference get this far, has that ever happened? I'm not really calling either decision into question, just mildly curious

I suspect it's happened many many times.  I think Gagliardi semifinalists are almost always seniors, so no underclassman POY would ever make the list.

Agreed. As a sophomore, Irabor would have a hard time getting the Gagliardi. Not sure if Union nominated him, but if they didn't, then I wouldn't be too upset. Two more years remaining.

I thought about this a little and I suspect the LL coaches are looking at what players did within the league this year.  Two teams (Union and RPI) were basically able to contain Joe G and force him to make mistakes.  No team in the LL has done that with Ike, and so Ike gets player of the year.  I don't have a huge issue with that.

I suspect that if you had a d3 football "draft" (let's say you had a pro league that could only take d3 players), Joe G. would be a top 10 pick, and Ike would be a mid to late rounder.  Not to say Ike might not get better in two years, but I think overall Joe G. is the more valuable player if you were to base them on talent and ability alone.  Joe G. is also a quarterback which makes him more valuable as well.  But as we have seen the past two years, he can be stopped or at least contained.  I don't think Ithaca's offense was perfect for him, as a lack of a run game would hurt any QB in any system, but he was able to put up top 10 numbers nationally in several passing categories.

[Oline89]

Joe G is a semifinalist for the Gagliardi, and was not the OPOY in his own conference.

Outside of scenarios where two guys from the same conference get this far, has that ever happened? I'm not really calling either decision into question, just mildly curious

I suspect it's happened many many times.  I think Gagliardi semifinalists are almost always seniors, so no underclassman POY would ever make the list.

Agreed. As a sophomore, Irabor would have a hard time getting the Gagliardi. Not sure if Union nominated him, but if they didn't, then I wouldn't be too upset. Two more years remaining.

I thought about this a little and I suspect the LL coaches are looking at what players did within the league this year.  Two teams (Union and RPI) were basically able to contain Joe G and force him to make mistakes.  No team in the LL has done that with Ike, and so Ike gets player of the year.  I don't have a huge issue with that.

I suspect that if you had a d3 football "draft" (let's say you had a pro league that could only take d3 players), Joe G. would be a top 10 pick, and Ike would be a mid to late rounder.  Not to say Ike might not get better in two years, but I think overall Joe G. is the more valuable player if you were to base them on talent and ability alone.  Joe G. is also a quarterback which makes him more valuable as well.  But as we have seen the past two years, he can be stopped or at least contained.  I don't think Ithaca's offense was perfect for him, as a lack of a run game would hurt any QB in any system, but he was able to put up top 10 numbers nationally in several passing categories.

I do know for certain that the LL awards are based on results in LL games only, so bad games against Union/RPI would certainly affect voting .

[Bartman]

Joe G is a semifinalist for the Gagliardi, and was not the OPOY in his own conference.

Outside of scenarios where two guys from the same conference get this far, has that ever happened? I'm not really calling either decision into question, just mildly curious

I suspect it's happened many many times.  I think Gagliardi semifinalists are almost always seniors, so no underclassman POY would ever make the list.

Agreed. As a sophomore, Irabor would have a hard time getting the Gagliardi. Not sure if Union nominated him, but if they didn't, then I wouldn't be too upset. Two more years remaining.

Look I love Ike Irabor but he is not the best running back Union has ever had. At least not yet. That would be Tom Arcidiacono'06 who ran for 4,915 yards and 54 TDs in his career. Arcidiacono was a Gagliardi finalist in 2005...I'd also point out that Irabor has a fumbling issue which almost derailed the Dutchmen's comeback last week. Late in the 3rd quarter aginst CWRU Ike fumbled at his own 5 yard line and fortunately for Union it was recovered by an offensive lineman. They went on to complete a 96 yard scoring drive. He has fumbled 9 times in 10 games this season, losing 5, more than all his other teammates combined. It's an issue and something his spinning, jumping running style brings into play. He and his coaches have been working on it. He needs to clean that up to be thought as a Gagliardi candidate.   

Arcidiacono was a beast....ran for  2000+ yards in 2005...Union play calling was simple Tom A left or right. While Irabor is very  good, Hobart had a better one in Steven Webb this decade who ran for 1,443 yards, 20 TDs and a 7.1 yards per carry in 2013 and was sooooo fast . While these backs were great, they also needed some great lineman to give them opportunities. Webb was lucky enough to have Ali Marpet  open a few holes, and I'm sure Tom A had some serious Union Olinemen leading the way.

[unionpalooza]

Joe G is a semifinalist for the Gagliardi, and was not the OPOY in his own conference.

Outside of scenarios where two guys from the same conference get this far, has that ever happened? I'm not really calling either decision into question, just mildly curious

I suspect it's happened many many times.  I think Gagliardi semifinalists are almost always seniors, so no underclassman POY would ever make the list.

Agreed. As a sophomore, Irabor would have a hard time getting the Gagliardi. Not sure if Union nominated him, but if they didn't, then I wouldn't be too upset. Two more years remaining.

Look I love Ike Irabor but he is not the best running back Union has ever had. At least not yet. That would be Tom Arcidiacono'06 who ran for 4,915 yards and 54 TDs in his career. Arcidiacono was a Gagliardi finalist in 2005...I'd also point out that Irabor has a fumbling issue which almost derailed the Dutchmen's comeback last week. Late in the 3rd quarter aginst CWRU Ike fumbled at his own 5 yard line and fortunately for Union it was recovered by an offensive lineman. They went on to complete a 96 yard scoring drive. He has fumbled 9 times in 10 games this season, losing 5, more than all his other teammates combined. It's an issue and something his spinning, jumping running style brings into play. He and his coaches have been working on it. He needs to clean that up to be thought as a Gagliardi candidate.   

Arcidiacono was a beast....ran for  2000+ yards in 2005...Union play calling was simple Tom A left or right. While Irabor is very  good, Hobart had a better one in Steven Webb this decade who ran for 1,443 yards, 20 TDs and a 7.1 yards per carry in 2013 and was sooooo fast . While these backs were great, they also needed some great lineman to give them opportunities. Webb was lucky enough to have Ali Marpet  open a few holes, and I'm sure Tom A had some serious Union Olinemen leading the way.

Yes, Ike is great and he's had a great year, but it's still only the eight best for a Union runner.  From the record book. Give him a few more years, though...

Most Yards Season--Tom Arcidiacono, 1,954 in 2005 (12 games); Vlad Telemaque, 1,547, in 1991 (11 g.); Ryan Mason, 1,545 in 1989 (14 g.); Shuron Morton, 1,418 in 1996 (10 g.); Arcidiacono, 1,357 in 2006 (10 g.); Chris Coney, 1,283, in 2008 (9 g.); George Beebe, 1,238, in 2000 (11 g.); Chris Coney, 1,164, in 2009 (10 g.); Darnel Thomas, 1,102, in 2014 (10); Chris Irving, 1,079, in 1994 (10)

[Ice Bear]

Joe G is a semifinalist for the Gagliardi, and was not the OPOY in his own conference.

Outside of scenarios where two guys from the same conference get this far, has that ever happened? I'm not really calling either decision into question, just mildly curious

I suspect it's happened many many times.  I think Gagliardi semifinalists are almost always seniors, so no underclassman POY would ever make the list.

Agreed. As a sophomore, Irabor would have a hard time getting the Gagliardi. Not sure if Union nominated him, but if they didn't, then I wouldn't be too upset. Two more years remaining.

Look I love Ike Irabor but he is not the best running back Union has ever had. At least not yet. That would be Tom Arcidiacono'06 who ran for 4,915 yards and 54 TDs in his career. Arcidiacono was a Gagliardi finalist in 2005...I'd also point out that Irabor has a fumbling issue which almost derailed the Dutchmen's comeback last week. Late in the 3rd quarter aginst CWRU Ike fumbled at his own 5 yard line and fortunately for Union it was recovered by an offensive lineman. They went on to complete a 96 yard scoring drive. He has fumbled 9 times in 10 games this season, losing 5, more than all his other teammates combined. It's an issue and something his spinning, jumping running style brings into play. He and his coaches have been working on it. He needs to clean that up to be thought as a Gagliardi candidate.   

Arcidiacono was a beast....ran for  2000+ yards in 2005...Union play calling was simple Tom A left or right. While Irabor is very  good, Hobart had a better one in Steven Webb this decade who ran for 1,443 yards, 20 TDs and a 7.1 yards per carry in 2013 and was sooooo fast . While these backs were great, they also needed some great lineman to give them opportunities. Webb was lucky enough to have Ali Marpet  open a few holes, and I'm sure Tom A had some serious Union Olinemen leading the way.

Yes, Ike is great and he's had a great year, but it's still only the eight best for a Union runner.  From the record book. Give him a few more years, though...

Most Yards Season--Tom Arcidiacono, 1,954 in 2005 (12 games); Vlad Telemaque, 1,547, in 1991 (11 g.); Ryan Mason, 1,545 in 1989 (14 g.); Shuron Morton, 1,418 in 1996 (10 g.); Arcidiacono, 1,357 in 2006 (10 g.); Chris Coney, 1,283, in 2008 (9 g.); George Beebe, 1,238, in 2000 (11 g.); Chris Coney, 1,164, in 2009 (10 g.); Darnel Thomas, 1,102, in 2014 (10); Chris Irving, 1,079, in 1994 (10)

Ice Bear says there are certainly some great backs on this list. With that said maybe Ice's favorite of all time is Ryan Mason. He was a mother****ing beast!

Ice says Ryan Mason and his O-line steamrolled Dayton on the first drive of the 89 Stagg Bowl for a quick 7. Unfortunately the steam ended after that drive but to Ice this is one of Union's best drives ever!

[unionpalooza]

Joe G is a semifinalist for the Gagliardi, and was not the OPOY in his own conference.

Outside of scenarios where two guys from the same conference get this far, has that ever happened? I'm not really calling either decision into question, just mildly curious

I suspect it's happened many many times.  I think Gagliardi semifinalists are almost always seniors, so no underclassman POY would ever make the list.

Agreed. As a sophomore, Irabor would have a hard time getting the Gagliardi. Not sure if Union nominated him, but if they didn't, then I wouldn't be too upset. Two more years remaining.

Look I love Ike Irabor but he is not the best running back Union has ever had. At least not yet. That would be Tom Arcidiacono'06 who ran for 4,915 yards and 54 TDs in his career. Arcidiacono was a Gagliardi finalist in 2005...I'd also point out that Irabor has a fumbling issue which almost derailed the Dutchmen's comeback last week. Late in the 3rd quarter aginst CWRU Ike fumbled at his own 5 yard line and fortunately for Union it was recovered by an offensive lineman. They went on to complete a 96 yard scoring drive. He has fumbled 9 times in 10 games this season, losing 5, more than all his other teammates combined. It's an issue and something his spinning, jumping running style brings into play. He and his coaches have been working on it. He needs to clean that up to be thought as a Gagliardi candidate.   

Arcidiacono was a beast....ran for  2000+ yards in 2005...Union play calling was simple Tom A left or right. While Irabor is very  good, Hobart had a better one in Steven Webb this decade who ran for 1,443 yards, 20 TDs and a 7.1 yards per carry in 2013 and was sooooo fast . While these backs were great, they also needed some great lineman to give them opportunities. Webb was lucky enough to have Ali Marpet  open a few holes, and I'm sure Tom A had some serious Union Olinemen leading the way.

Yes, Ike is great and he's had a great year, but it's still only the eight best for a Union runner.  From the record book. Give him a few more years, though...

Most Yards Season--Tom Arcidiacono, 1,954 in 2005 (12 games); Vlad Telemaque, 1,547, in 1991 (11 g.); Ryan Mason, 1,545 in 1989 (14 g.); Shuron Morton, 1,418 in 1996 (10 g.); Arcidiacono, 1,357 in 2006 (10 g.); Chris Coney, 1,283, in 2008 (9 g.); George Beebe, 1,238, in 2000 (11 g.); Chris Coney, 1,164, in 2009 (10 g.); Darnel Thomas, 1,102, in 2014 (10); Chris Irving, 1,079, in 1994 (10)

Ice Bear says there are certainly some great backs on this list. With that said maybe Ice's favorite of all time is Ryan Mason. He was a mother****ing beast!

Ice says Ryan Mason and his O-line steamrolled Dayton on the first drive of the 89 Stagg Bowl for a quick 7. Unfortunately the steam ended after that drive but to Ice this is one of Union's best drives ever!

Oh man, so much fun to watch. 6'2", 230 pounds of "violent yardage" as Brett Russ once put it.

[UfanBill]

I want to thank Pat and Keith for their excellent Daily Dose ATN podcast #263 in which Pat interviews Union head coach Jeff Behrman. The Behrman segment starts at about the 16:00 mark.

http://www.d3blogs.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/15/2019-d3football-around-the-nation-podcast-263.mp3

[Bartman]

Despite Bartman's optimism, last week the LL went 2-2 in their OOC games(now 19-13 in OOC games in 2019) and the Bartman stupidly did not support the Delaware Valley Aggies who pulled off a nice win against Bridgewater. Bartman picks last week were 5-3 and now 34-13 on the year:
**Union           31(24)                      Case Western Reserve                                            14(21)            Union celebrates first playoff win buy drinking a case of  Ohio Chardonnay LL champ moves on

Hobart            29(30)                      Cortland                                                                    17(10)            Red Dragons are confused as they keep protecting against the QB run which never happens Statesmen swim in a MegaBowl of Cornflakes

Ithaca             42 (17)                     Washington and Jefferson                                        28(20)            The Germ is inspired as Roger Goodell attends his alma mater's game, Roger bans Germ from NFL for       
                                                                                                                                                   beating his W&J team Post Metlife Letdown, and Roger Goodell happy

RPI                 31(38)                      Grove City                                                                 27(41)             RPI completes the LL post season sweep No LL sweep

**Del Val           21(30)                       Bridgewater                                                             27(22)              Aggies disappoint in Virginia after feeling they got an unfair away game assignment Aggies Road warriors

**Wesley           28(58)                       Framingham State                                                  20(21)              Wolverines continue winning ways and move on Wesley offensive explosion

**Salisbury        51 (83)                      SUNY Maritime                                                          7(0)               Seagulls soar in first game Domination

**Brockport       17(33)                      WNE                                                                        14(28)              Brockport defense  wins  hard hitting game  Freddy June and the offense deliver

** NCAA games,  Good luck to all


November 30:

Union               35                    Salisbury                   31            Union Defense wins with goal line stand in last minute

Brockport          14                    Muhlenberg               24            The Mules are too much for GoldenEagles

Wesley              35                   Delaware Valley           31           Wesley wins Dover dogfight     

Good luck to all       

[UfanBill]

This is the place where I envisioned Union getting to all season. I said that challenge means opportunity and all season the Dutchmen have taken advantage and met that challenge. Can they do it again? ...They'll have to play their best game of the season. No more fumbles, no forced passes, no missed tackles, no beat deep and NO overthrown wide open receivers. Union's done all of that and yet still overcome. Against the best they must play their best. I think they will. I think they'll put it all together. I think they win the game 35-24.

[Saxon73]

UfanBill - Best of luck !  I visited with my brother over the holidays and he is excited also.  However, he may be tied up come gametime.  He is receiving some award from work and obviously the employer doesn't want to use time during the week.  He was studying Pol Sci there in the 80's.  Again good luck !

[Bartman]

Good luck to Union today. Against this Salisbury offense, it is all about making every tackle count...missed tackles = missed opportunity. On offense maintain every block and Ike must hold on to the ball.....Bellamy , Beal and Ross will need to execute at critical moments......do these things and move on.

[UfanBill]

Is it just my end or is anyone else having issues logging into the Union/Salisbury feed?

CHECK THAT...video feed just kicked in.

[Jonny Utah]

Man Salisbury's offense looks tough to defend.  Good think Union's offense is just as sharp. 

14-14 now in the first.