FB: Liberty League

[Machiavelli]

Damn you, Doid...I got through like 2 sentences and I was wtf'ing you. Then you got a solid chuckle out of me. And you're spot on, freshman parents....most at risk. #ItsScience 🤣

[unionpalooza]

Lotta great defense played this weekend. (Including that Mt Union - Capital game, but who throws 44 passes in a 63-0 win?)

[tony/troy]

Big win for Hobart today. RPI had plenty of chances to win it and basically caved. Pretty poor performance offensively and blew a solid opportunity for an important LL win. Congrats to Hobart though. Made the big plays when they needed to.

Hopefully Dr. Shirley is pounding ham sandwiches today.

Mach, plenty of RPI fans showed up despite very rainy conditions. Hobart had the better running game which was key today. Surprised there was not more scoring in the second half after rain subsided. Both teams had way too many critical mistakes ( some caused by the weather)that neither team  took full advantage of. Both defenses played well when necessary, the difference was Hobart's twin backs. The fact is neither Hobart nor RPI are out of it because having played Ithaca at home I think RPI has a chance to upset the Bombers(Hobart outgained Ithaca in the loss and I actually think the RPI defense is better) The difference between these 3 teams is not really significant. I am not sure about Union  as I have not seen them live, but from what I've seen on video the are good but the other three are capable of a win against them . It should be a VERY interesting finish to the LL season .
   The RPI families and fans seemed happy just to see a game despite the disappointing loss.

Biggest breaks the RPI parents and families are getting with this part of the schedule is as follows:

1) Only the next game is at a funny farm run by drunk with power phony hypocrites. Oh! and I can't be the only one that suspects they are bats too. Only one more game where, for three hours or so, the families will have to tolerate treatment that any reasonable person would consider sub human. Remember, that of the approximate 850 university's that sponsor football at either the four levels of the NCAA, the NAIA or the JUCO level, the RPI families are now the only ones being treated like animals. Until recently there actually was another one (Hawaii), but no more.
2) Yesterdays' away game, as well as one earlier, were both held at places that have historically featured totally jerk free home fans who, if they bother with you at all, it's to be pleasant, cordial and friendly. At this point, the RPI families can really use that.
3) The two remaining away game sites have in the past also usually featured home fans that have been pretty good themselves. However, not quite up to the level of the first two.
4) The only variable the families could run in to is wherever the ECAC or still possibly the NCAA sends RPI for a post season game. Can't imagine either organization would even dream of sending anyone to the nut house where the gate revenue would be zero.

P.S. Until almost midnight last night could not have even imagined that any university could have any use for the likes of Jackson. However, I may have been wrong. A total whack job may be just what is needed at the University of Tennessee. The pictures of cheerleaders, dance teams and bands literally running to cover before the are injured speak for themselves.

[IC798891]

Big win for Hobart today. RPI had plenty of chances to win it and basically caved. Pretty poor performance offensively and blew a solid opportunity for an important LL win. Congrats to Hobart though. Made the big plays when they needed to.

Hopefully Dr. Shirley is pounding ham sandwiches today.

Mach, plenty of RPI fans showed up despite very rainy conditions. Hobart had the better running game which was key today. Surprised there was not more scoring in the second half after rain subsided. Both teams had way too many critical mistakes ( some caused by the weather)that neither team  took full advantage of. Both defenses played well when necessary, the difference was Hobart's twin backs. The fact is neither Hobart nor RPI are out of it because having played Ithaca at home I think RPI has a chance to upset the Bombers(Hobart outgained Ithaca in the loss and I actually think the RPI defense is better) The difference between these 3 teams is not really significant. I am not sure about Union  as I have not seen them live, but from what I've seen on video the are good but the other three are capable of a win against them . It should be a VERY interesting finish to the LL season .
   The RPI families and fans seemed happy just to see a game despite the disappointing loss.

I'm still not sure of what to make of RPI. None of their six wins fill me with confidence, and while I wasn't that impressed with Hobart's passing game against IC, a 7-for-8, 25 yard passing line is so far from normal (and certainly nothing like they'll face with IC) that I don't think it's instructive of RPI's defense.

But RPI also seems to be the team IC just can't get past, for whatever reason. Much like Fisher and Cortland were at various points against a different regime, I just can't go in there thinking "Well, the Bombers are the better team, so they're going to win"

Plus, RPI gets it at home, after a bye week.

IC is going to have its hands full in two weeks, that's for sure.

[Machiavelli]

Big win for Hobart today. RPI had plenty of chances to win it and basically caved. Pretty poor performance offensively and blew a solid opportunity for an important LL win. Congrats to Hobart though. Made the big plays when they needed to.

Hopefully Dr. Shirley is pounding ham sandwiches today.

Mach, plenty of RPI fans showed up despite very rainy conditions. Hobart had the better running game which was key today. Surprised there was not more scoring in the second half after rain subsided. Both teams had way too many critical mistakes ( some caused by the weather)that neither team  took full advantage of. Both defenses played well when necessary, the difference was Hobart's twin backs. The fact is neither Hobart nor RPI are out of it because having played Ithaca at home I think RPI has a chance to upset the Bombers(Hobart outgained Ithaca in the loss and I actually think the RPI defense is better) The difference between these 3 teams is not really significant. I am not sure about Union  as I have not seen them live, but from what I've seen on video the are good but the other three are capable of a win against them . It should be a VERY interesting finish to the LL season .
   The RPI families and fans seemed happy just to see a game despite the disappointing loss.

I'm still not sure of what to make of RPI. None of their six wins fill me with confidence, and while I wasn't that impressed with Hobart's passing game against IC, a 7-for-8, 25 yard passing line is so far from normal (and certainly nothing like they'll face with IC) that I don't think it's instructive of RPI's defense.

But RPI also seems to be the team IC just can't get past, for whatever reason. Much like Fisher and Cortland were at various points against a different regime, I just can't go in there thinking "Well, the Bombers are the better team, so they're going to win"

Plus, RPI gets it at home, after a bye week.

IC is going to have its hands full in two weeks, that's for sure.

AND....the RPI home field attendance that week is going to SHATTER their 2021 records. Will be AT LEAST 200 in attendance. Ithaca better start working on their silent counts.

[IC798891]

Big win for Hobart today. RPI had plenty of chances to win it and basically caved. Pretty poor performance offensively and blew a solid opportunity for an important LL win. Congrats to Hobart though. Made the big plays when they needed to.

Hopefully Dr. Shirley is pounding ham sandwiches today.

Mach, plenty of RPI fans showed up despite very rainy conditions. Hobart had the better running game which was key today. Surprised there was not more scoring in the second half after rain subsided. Both teams had way too many critical mistakes ( some caused by the weather)that neither team  took full advantage of. Both defenses played well when necessary, the difference was Hobart's twin backs. The fact is neither Hobart nor RPI are out of it because having played Ithaca at home I think RPI has a chance to upset the Bombers(Hobart outgained Ithaca in the loss and I actually think the RPI defense is better) The difference between these 3 teams is not really significant. I am not sure about Union  as I have not seen them live, but from what I've seen on video the are good but the other three are capable of a win against them . It should be a VERY interesting finish to the LL season .
   The RPI families and fans seemed happy just to see a game despite the disappointing loss.

I'm still not sure of what to make of RPI. None of their six wins fill me with confidence, and while I wasn't that impressed with Hobart's passing game against IC, a 7-for-8, 25 yard passing line is so far from normal (and certainly nothing like they'll face with IC) that I don't think it's instructive of RPI's defense.

But RPI also seems to be the team IC just can't get past, for whatever reason. Much like Fisher and Cortland were at various points against a different regime, I just can't go in there thinking "Well, the Bombers are the better team, so they're going to win"

Plus, RPI gets it at home, after a bye week.

IC is going to have its hands full in two weeks, that's for sure.

AND....the RPI home field attendance that week is going to SHATTER their 2021 records. Will be AT LEAST 200 in attendance. Ithaca better start working on their silent counts.

Not to wade into this whole thing ... I just meant that since IC is one of the few teams still using natural grass, I'm always more comfortable when the Bombers play at home. But maybe that's just a leftover from the Mike Welch era, which was definitely more conservative and old-school in its offensive approach, and not always a great fit on turf.

[Ice Bear]

Big win for Hobart today. RPI had plenty of chances to win it and basically caved. Pretty poor performance offensively and blew a solid opportunity for an important LL win. Congrats to Hobart though. Made the big plays when they needed to.

Hopefully Dr. Shirley is pounding ham sandwiches today.

Mach, plenty of RPI fans showed up despite very rainy conditions. Hobart had the better running game which was key today. Surprised there was not more scoring in the second half after rain subsided. Both teams had way too many critical mistakes ( some caused by the weather)that neither team  took full advantage of. Both defenses played well when necessary, the difference was Hobart's twin backs. The fact is neither Hobart nor RPI are out of it because having played Ithaca at home I think RPI has a chance to upset the Bombers(Hobart outgained Ithaca in the loss and I actually think the RPI defense is better) The difference between these 3 teams is not really significant. I am not sure about Union  as I have not seen them live, but from what I've seen on video the are good but the other three are capable of a win against them . It should be a VERY interesting finish to the LL season .
   The RPI families and fans seemed happy just to see a game despite the disappointing loss.

I'm still not sure of what to make of RPI. None of their six wins fill me with confidence, and while I wasn't that impressed with Hobart's passing game against IC, a 7-for-8, 25 yard passing line is so far from normal (and certainly nothing like they'll face with IC) that I don't think it's instructive of RPI's defense.

But RPI also seems to be the team IC just can't get past, for whatever reason. Much like Fisher and Cortland were at various points against a different regime, I just can't go in there thinking "Well, the Bombers are the better team, so they're going to win"

Plus, RPI gets it at home, after a bye week.

IC is going to have its hands full in two weeks, that's for sure.

AND....the RPI home field attendance that week is going to SHATTER their 2021 records. Will be AT LEAST 200 in attendance. Ithaca better start working on their silent counts.

Not to wade into this whole thing ... I just meant that since IC is one of the few teams still using natural grass, I'm always more comfortable when the Bombers play at home. But maybe that's just a leftover from the Mike Welch era, which was definitely more conservative and old-school in its offensive approach, and not always a great fit on turf.

Ice Bear says when you are used to playing in the thick jungles of Vietnam anything else is an adjustment...

[Bartman]

Having seen both IC and RPI live, I think these teams will have a very close game unless the IC QB has enough time to pass on a favorable weather day. I do not think looking at the passing stats from the Hobart-RPI game  says anything about the efficacy of either team's passing game as the rain in the first half was a big issue and the wind in the second half was an issue. On a beautiful day the Hobart Ithaca game saw Hobart match IC in passing yards(not sure this is a good sign for IC pass defense ) and Hobart controlled TOP and rushing(although one run was a Boswell long TD, but he also got one against RPI). I think on a nice weather day, slight advantage IC, but don't count out Marinopolus as I think he is a smart ball control QB that will have all his weapons available on a nice day. If bad weather, it will be a turnover survivor contest, like Hobart won 10-9. IC always has a slight edge if FGs are critical(Hobart missed a 30 yarder as the kicker  overcompensated for the wind that would have made the blocked XP moot). Ithaca should be concerned for the remaining contests with RPI and Union , as any of the top 4 LL teams can knock off another,IMO....unless Union shows me another gear against the  IC,Hobart, Shoes game gauntlet. I still think Ithaca and Union will not make it through undefeated and TOP tie breaker kicks in for anyone left with 1 loss.

[IC798891]

Having seen both IC and RPI live, I think these teams will have a very close game unless the IC QB has enough time to pass on a favorable weather day. I do not think looking at the passing stats from the Hobart-RPI game  says anything about the efficacy of either team's passing game as the rain in the first half was a big issue and the wind in the second half was an issue. On a beautiful day the Hobart Ithaca game saw Hobart match IC in passing yards(not sure this is a good sign for IC pass defense ) and Hobart controlled TOP and rushing(although one run was a Boswell long TD, but he also got one against RPI). I think on a nice weather day, slight advantage IC, but don't count out Marinopolus as I think he is a smart ball control QB that will have all his weapons available on a nice day. If bad weather, it will be a turnover survivor contest, like Hobart won 10-9. IC always has a slight edge if FGs are critical(Hobart missed a 30 yarder as the kicker  overcompensated for the wind that would have made the blocked XP moot). Ithaca should be concerned for the remaining contests with RPI and Union , as any of the top 4 LL teams can knock off another,IMO....unless Union shows me another gear against the  IC,Hobart, Shoes game gauntlet. I still think Ithaca and Union will not make it through undefeated and TOP tie breaker kicks in for anyone left with 1 loss.

Like I said, we don't really know much about RPI. None of their six wins were any good, and the Hobart game was in weather that pretty much skews everything.

I'm not worried about IC's pass defense, though. Opposing QBs have a 43% completion percentage and a 3/10 TD/INT ratio. Not stiff competition, but I'll take it.

My bigger concern for IC is RZ scoring (the Bombers are sitting at 50% for TDs), and limiting turnovers and penalties, which have, in several games, just taken points right off the board for them, as backs and receivers have fumbled at the end of long plays, and big returns have been wiped out by penalties.

[IC798891]

I'm weeks old on this, but given the impact it might have on the season, I wanted to post this.

Based on the angle of this video, I wonder if the last play of the Hobart-IC game was less of a tough break for Hobart than great defense causing a play to go haywire. If you stop the video at 3:52, IC has two defenders, behind the Hobart blockers, with a free run at the intended WR.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgNM-qbx3RU

I wonder if Krewson saw this as it developed, and tried to pull it back down at the last second, causing him to lose his grip.

Because watching that play, I think that if Krewson actually gets that throw off, there seems to be no chance that anything positive happens there. An incomplete pass would be the *best* scenario for Hobart. But a catch for a loss seems the most likely result, or a pick.

(It actually seems like the best thing for Hobart would have been if Krewson had turned toward the IC sideline after gathering the ball back, and seen his back relatively open. I don't know where IC's defenders were on that side, but I think he could have completed a pass and the WR could gotten out of bounds. That's a really talk ask though, given how the play transpired.)

But the initial design of the play seemed busted by IC's defenders. And honestly, Krewson gets a lot of credit for getting that ball back and evading two defenders in an attempt to get out of bounds.

[wally_wabash]

I'm weeks old on this, but given the impact it might have on the season, I wanted to post this.

Based on the angle of this video, I wonder if the last play of the Hobart-IC game was less of a tough break for Hobart than great defense causing a play to go haywire. If you stop the video at 3:52, IC has two defenders, behind the Hobart blockers, with a free run at the intended WR.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgNM-qbx3RU

I wonder if Krewson saw this as it developed, and tried to pull it back down at the last second, causing him to lose his grip.

Because watching that play, I think that if Krewson actually gets that throw off, there seems to be no chance that anything positive happens there. An incomplete pass would be the *best* scenario for Hobart. But a catch for a loss seems the most likely result, or a pick.

(It actually seems like the best thing for Hobart would have been if Krewson had turned toward the IC sideline after gathering the ball back, and seen his back relatively open. I don't know where IC's defenders were on that side, but I think he could have completed a pass and the WR could gotten out of bounds. That's a really talk ask though, given how the play transpired.)

But the initial design of the play seemed busted by IC's defenders. And honestly, Krewson gets a lot of credit for getting that ball back and evading two defenders in an attempt to get out of bounds.

We talked about this on the ATN pod that week and Pat postulated that maybe Krewson wasn't aware he could throw it again.  I thought the best play there was to chuck that thing out of bounds once he broke the pocket and have one more snap, but in that moment there are ten thousand things happening and making a run for it must have been just the instinctual, athletic thing to do (which I would know nothing about).  Hard to be too critical of Krewson there if everything kind of short circuited on a broken play with almost no time left. 

[Oline89]

I'm weeks old on this, but given the impact it might have on the season, I wanted to post this.

Based on the angle of this video, I wonder if the last play of the Hobart-IC game was less of a tough break for Hobart than great defense causing a play to go haywire. If you stop the video at 3:52, IC has two defenders, behind the Hobart blockers, with a free run at the intended WR.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgNM-qbx3RU

I wonder if Krewson saw this as it developed, and tried to pull it back down at the last second, causing him to lose his grip.

Because watching that play, I think that if Krewson actually gets that throw off, there seems to be no chance that anything positive happens there. An incomplete pass would be the *best* scenario for Hobart. But a catch for a loss seems the most likely result, or a pick.

(It actually seems like the best thing for Hobart would have been if Krewson had turned toward the IC sideline after gathering the ball back, and seen his back relatively open. I don't know where IC's defenders were on that side, but I think he could have completed a pass and the WR could gotten out of bounds. That's a really talk ask though, given how the play transpired.)

But the initial design of the play seemed busted by IC's defenders. And honestly, Krewson gets a lot of credit for getting that ball back and evading two defenders in an attempt to get out of bounds.

We talked about this on the ATN pod that week and Pat postulated that maybe Krewson wasn't aware he could throw it again.  I thought the best play there was to chuck that thing out of bounds once he broke the pocket and have one more snap, but in that moment there are ten thousand things happening and making a run for it must have been just the instinctual, athletic thing to do (which I would know nothing about).  Hard to be too critical of Krewson there if everything kind of short circuited on a broken play with almost no time left.

I watched this multiple times as well, I initially thought he was trying to pump fake the screen pass, maybe a trick play and fire downfield?  Regardless the right decision would have been to throw the ball out of bounds and get one more play.  Impossible to blame the QB, who probably thought time had expired.   

[IC798891]

I watched this multiple times as well, I initially thought he was trying to pump fake the screen pass, maybe a trick play and fire downfield?  Regardless the right decision would have been to throw the ball out of bounds and get one more play.  Impossible to blame the QB, who probably thought time had expired.

I'm definitely not blaming Krewson, FWIW.

When I saw the angle Frank R. posted on Twitter, I thought "Oh, Hobart had a nice play set up, and the ball slipped from his hand, what a tough break for Hobart and a great break for IC."

But, I think it was actually great individual efforts by the players on both sides of the ball..

I think the roll to the right initially was the misdirection, and they were setting up a screen to the left. But when IC's two DL blew the play up, by getting behind those blockers and closing on the back once the linemen released them to head upfield, that play was shot.

Then the fumble happened (either unintentionally or because Krewson saw that play going down and tried to pull it down last minute) and then *he* made a great, heady play to pick it up, evade two tackles, and try to get downfield.

But, and this was my main point, I don't think the initial fumble was actually some crazy bit of bad luck for Hobart because I think their designed  play was busted by great defense IC.

The fumble set up a broken play, but sometimes, broken plays result in TDs (Cortaca 2014, for example).

(I certainly don't blame him for not throwing the ball away, because as I said on Frank R's tweet, with his back to the scoreboard, his internal clock was probably all wonky. He deserves all the credit for making what he could out of the play. Lots of QBs wouldn't have been able to pick up the ball, evade two tackles and get 15 yards downfield from where he picked it up)

Great plays all around, was my takeaway.

[Jonny Utah]

I watched this multiple times as well, I initially thought he was trying to pump fake the screen pass, maybe a trick play and fire downfield?  Regardless the right decision would have been to throw the ball out of bounds and get one more play.  Impossible to blame the QB, who probably thought time had expired.

I'm definitely not blaming Krewson, FWIW.

When I saw the angle Frank R. posted on Twitter, I thought "Oh, Hobart had a nice play set up, and the ball slipped from his hand, what a tough break for Hobart and a great break for IC."

But, I think it was actually great individual efforts by the players on both sides of the ball..

I think the roll to the right initially was the misdirection, and they were setting up a screen to the left. But when IC's two DL blew the play up, by getting behind those blockers and closing on the back once the linemen released them to head upfield, that play was shot.

Then the fumble happened (either unintentionally or because Krewson saw that play going down and tried to pull it down last minute) and then *he* made a great, heady play to pick it up, evade two tackles, and try to get downfield.

But, and this was my main point, I don't think the initial fumble was actually some crazy bit of bad luck for Hobart because I think their designed  play was busted by great defense IC.

The fumble set up a broken play, but sometimes, broken plays result in TDs (Cortaca 2014, for example).

(I certainly don't blame him for not throwing the ball away, because as I said on Frank R's tweet, with his back to the scoreboard, his internal clock was probably all wonky. He deserves all the credit for making what he could out of the play. Lots of QBs wouldn't have been able to pick up the ball, evade two tackles and get 15 yards downfield from where he picked it up)

Great plays all around, was my takeaway.

That was a designed screen FYI.  There were linemen downfield so he really couldn't throw it again but I guess he could have ran out of bounds....

[IC798891]

That was a designed screen FYI.  There were linemen downfield so he really couldn't throw it again but I guess he could have ran out of bounds....

Yeah, it looked like the whole thing was designed to go right, but good call on the linemen being downfield making a second pass impossible. In fact, had it been called, the runoff would have ended the game anyway.

I honestly just wanted to give credit to IC's two defensive linemen for blowing up that play, which I didn't see from the original angle.