FB: Liberty League

[The Mole]

Not an isolationist approach by the coaches. They would love to participate in post season. All other NESCAC sports do so, nothing to do with boldness.

North Central were the TOP kings Saturday.....40+ in TOP v. RPI 19+, that's almost 3 full quarters. Also RPI was -2 on turnovers. Although it was not RPI's best game, I love the spirit and the effort put out by our LL representative. Does it hurt when you hit the westen wall....absolutely. But I'd rather be bold and compete against other colleges in the NCAA playoffs than have the NESCAC isolationist approach.

[Ice Bear]

Ice Bear asks, anyone ever compose a post, post it, reread it later, and realize it came across ****ing dochey? Ice did that today so his ass took it down.

Ice is a ****ing snowflake

[Bartman]

Not an isolationist approach by the coaches. They would love to participate in post season. All other NESCAC sports do so, nothing to do with boldness.

North Central were the TOP kings Saturday.....40+ in TOP v. RPI 19+, that's almost 3 full quarters. Also RPI was -2 on turnovers. Although it was not RPI's best game, I love the spirit and the effort put out by our LL representative. Does it hurt when you hit the westen wall....absolutely. But I'd rather be bold and compete against other colleges in the NCAA playoffs than have the NESCAC isolationist approach.

The Mole,
     My comment was meant for the Athletic Directors/Presidents/Trustees of the NESCAC.... the overall NESCAC Athletics is the best conference in D3 sports, as evidenced by Williams and many of their conference members that consistently rank at the top of the LEARFIELD Cup rankings.The Conference allows other teams to participate in NCAA Playoffs, and it's time for Football to join in. I would like NESCAC football to earn their Massey ratings and am a big fan of many of their coaches and athletes.

[MRMIKESMITH]

Not an isolationist approach by the coaches. They would love to participate in post season. All other NESCAC sports do so, nothing to do with boldness.

North Central were the TOP kings Saturday.....40+ in TOP v. RPI 19+, that's almost 3 full quarters. Also RPI was -2 on turnovers. Although it was not RPI's best game, I love the spirit and the effort put out by our LL representative. Does it hurt when you hit the westen wall....absolutely. But I'd rather be bold and compete against other colleges in the NCAA playoffs than have the NESCAC isolationist approach.

The Mole,
     My comment was meant for the Athletic Directors/Presidents/Trustees of the NESCAC.... the overall NESCAC Athletics is the best conference in D3 sports, as evidenced by Williams and many of their conference members that consistently rank at the top of the LEARFIELD Cup rankings.The Conference allows other teams to participate in NCAA Playoffs, and it's time for Football to join in. I would like NESCAC football to earn their Massey ratings and am a big fan of many of their coaches and athletes.

Earn their Massey rating, lol! What is the weekend(s) of issue regarding the NESCAC? I know it has something to do with finals. Also, if it's the 2nd week of the playoffs, I'd recommend competing in a bowl game or pushing the conference schedule back 1 week and add a non-conference game in the beginning of the year.

[Ice Bear]

Not an isolationist approach by the coaches. They would love to participate in post season. All other NESCAC sports do so, nothing to do with boldness.

North Central were the TOP kings Saturday.....40+ in TOP v. RPI 19+, that's almost 3 full quarters. Also RPI was -2 on turnovers. Although it was not RPI's best game, I love the spirit and the effort put out by our LL representative. Does it hurt when you hit the westen wall....absolutely. But I'd rather be bold and compete against other colleges in the NCAA playoffs than have the NESCAC isolationist approach.

The Mole,
     My comment was meant for the Athletic Directors/Presidents/Trustees of the NESCAC.... the overall NESCAC Athletics is the best conference in D3 sports, as evidenced by Williams and many of their conference members that consistently rank at the top of the LEARFIELD Cup rankings.The Conference allows other teams to participate in NCAA Playoffs, and it's time for Football to join in. I would like NESCAC football to earn their Massey ratings and am a big fan of many of their coaches and athletes.

Ice Bear says this was obvious to him Bartman and Ice even shot a quick response post pointing that out. Yet upon reflection (the Bear's new thing is self ****ing reflection) Ice felt it was too snarky and took it down.

[Bartman]

Dont' worry Ice Bear, we all know snarky is not part of your DNA.

[The Mole]

Appreciate the clarification Bartman. Agree with FAN as well that a non conference first game or post season bowl would be nice. IB, don't change, its all in the name of good humor.

Would like to see (we can dream, right?) Tufts vs MIT, Wesleyan vs Coast Guard (played many times prior to 92) and other geographical contests of interest revived.

Not an isolationist approach by the coaches. They would love to participate in post season. All other NESCAC sports do so, nothing to do with boldness.

North Central were the TOP kings Saturday.....40+ in TOP v. RPI 19+, that's almost 3 full quarters. Also RPI was -2 on turnovers. Although it was not RPI's best game, I love the spirit and the effort put out by our LL representative. Does it hurt when you hit the westen wall....absolutely. But I'd rather be bold and compete against other colleges in the NCAA playoffs than have the NESCAC isolationist approach.

The Mole,
     My comment was meant for the Athletic Directors/Presidents/Trustees of the NESCAC.... the overall NESCAC Athletics is the best conference in D3 sports, as evidenced by Williams and many of their conference members that consistently rank at the top of the LEARFIELD Cup rankings.The Conference allows other teams to participate in NCAA Playoffs, and it's time for Football to join in. I would like NESCAC football to earn their Massey ratings and am a big fan of many of their coaches and athletes.

[Bartman]

Appreciate the clarification Bartman. Agree with FAN as well that a non conference first game or post season bowl would be nice. IB, don't change, its all in the name of good humor.

Would like to see (we can dream, right?) Tufts vs MIT, Wesleyan vs Coast Guard (played many times prior to 92) and other geographical contests of interest revived.

Not an isolationist approach by the coaches. They would love to participate in post season. All other NESCAC sports do so, nothing to do with boldness.

North Central were the TOP kings Saturday.....40+ in TOP v. RPI 19+, that's almost 3 full quarters. Also RPI was -2 on turnovers. Although it was not RPI's best game, I love the spirit and the effort put out by our LL representative. Does it hurt when you hit the westen wall....absolutely. But I'd rather be bold and compete against other colleges in the NCAA playoffs than have the NESCAC isolationist approach.

The Mole,
     My comment was meant for the Athletic Directors/Presidents/Trustees of the NESCAC.... the overall NESCAC Athletics is the best conference in D3 sports, as evidenced by Williams and many of their conference members that consistently rank at the top of the LEARFIELD Cup rankings.The Conference allows other teams to participate in NCAA Playoffs, and it's time for Football to join in. I would like NESCAC football to earn their Massey ratings and am a big fan of many of their coaches and athletes.

Would like to add Hobart vs. Hamilton to that list. About 80 years of history between these two until last game in 1983.

[unionpalooza]

I'm all for some LL - NESCAC rivalry renewal.  Union's last NESCAC game was a fun 1991 smackdown of Hamilton now available on YouTube.  The best part is the end, where after being bottled up all day, Hamilton's Eric Grey (the "Grey Ghost") finally finds the end zone at the end of the game against the Union fourth-teamers and proceeds to spike the ball in celebration.  Coach Bagnoli was so pissed he put the first team offense back in, who absolutely flattened Hamilton in a four or five play drive for one more TD.  The fight that ensued afterward the game has not been preserved for YouTube posterity, alas.

https://youtu.be/io1m_sL0B9Y

[The Mole]

Love that kind of bad blood that makes the rivalries so intense. Maybe not for current players and coaches but for us old timers. Kudos for sending the link

I'm all for some LL - NESCAC rivalry renewal.  Union's last NESCAC game was a fun 1991 smackdown of Hamilton now available on YouTube.  The best part is the end, where after being bottled up all day, Hamilton's Eric Grey (the "Grey Ghost") finally finds the end zone at the end of the game against the Union fourth-teamers and proceeds to spike the ball in celebration.  Coach Bagnoli was so pissed he put the first team offense back in, who absolutely flattened Hamilton in a four or five play drive for one more TD.  The fight that ensued afterward the game has not been preserved for YouTube posterity, alas.

https://youtu.be/io1m_sL0B9Y

[Jonny Utah]

Love that kind of bad blood that makes the rivalries so intense. Maybe not for current players and coaches but for us old timers. Kudos for sending the link

I'm all for some LL - NESCAC rivalry renewal.  Union's last NESCAC game was a fun 1991 smackdown of Hamilton now available on YouTube.  The best part is the end, where after being bottled up all day, Hamilton's Eric Grey (the "Grey Ghost") finally finds the end zone at the end of the game against the Union fourth-teamers and proceeds to spike the ball in celebration.  Coach Bagnoli was so pissed he put the first team offense back in, who absolutely flattened Hamilton in a four or five play drive for one more TD.  The fight that ensued afterward the game has not been preserved for YouTube posterity, alas.

https://youtu.be/io1m_sL0B9Y

Ha I love this stuff.  It actually looks like the "spike" was on the two point conversation, and it was probably out of anger from getting slammed to the ground by the Union defender (doesn't really look that bad though as the Union defender is potentially trying to violently strip the ball out which could have happened).

Either way that 2 point conversion is at 38:40 of that video.

[Bartman]

Love that kind of bad blood that makes the rivalries so intense. Maybe not for current players and coaches but for us old timers. Kudos for sending the link

I'm all for some LL - NESCAC rivalry renewal.  Union's last NESCAC game was a fun 1991 smackdown of Hamilton now available on YouTube.  The best part is the end, where after being bottled up all day, Hamilton's Eric Grey (the "Grey Ghost") finally finds the end zone at the end of the game against the Union fourth-teamers and proceeds to spike the ball in celebration.  Coach Bagnoli was so pissed he put the first team offense back in, who absolutely flattened Hamilton in a four or five play drive for one more TD.  The fight that ensued afterward the game has not been preserved for YouTube posterity, alas.

https://youtu.be/io1m_sL0B9Y

Ha I love this stuff.  It actually looks like the "spike" was on the two point conversation, and it was probably out of anger from getting slammed to the ground by the Union defender (doesn't really look that bad though as the Union defender is potentially trying to violently strip the ball out which could have happened).

Either way that 2 point conversion is at 38:40 of that video.

Thanks for sharing. Can't blame the Hamilton back..great spike and I'm sure it was worth the missed extra point. Bagnoli was to coaching as General Sherman was to war tactics.....except football is a game, not sure Bagnoli would even have taken prisoners in war.....from the Hobart perspective during our sub par years in the 80's we were 0-10 against Bags , so gotta give him credit for his record, but Union still generates the most motivation when old stories are shared...I'll leave it at that. 

[UfanBill]

Love that kind of bad blood that makes the rivalries so intense. Maybe not for current players and coaches but for us old timers. Kudos for sending the link

I'm all for some LL - NESCAC rivalry renewal.  Union's last NESCAC game was a fun 1991 smackdown of Hamilton now available on YouTube.  The best part is the end, where after being bottled up all day, Hamilton's Eric Grey (the "Grey Ghost") finally finds the end zone at the end of the game against the Union fourth-teamers and proceeds to spike the ball in celebration.  Coach Bagnoli was so pissed he put the first team offense back in, who absolutely flattened Hamilton in a four or five play drive for one more TD.  The fight that ensued afterward the game has not been preserved for YouTube posterity, alas.

https://youtu.be/io1m_sL0B9Y

Ha I love this stuff.  It actually looks like the "spike" was on the two point conversation, and it was probably out of anger from getting slammed to the ground by the Union defender (doesn't really look that bad though as the Union defender is potentially trying to violently strip the ball out which could have happened).

Either way that 2 point conversion is at 38:40 of that video.

This video is GOLD to me..Utah, I believe the "spike" happens after that, in a play sequence that starts about the 45:00 mark. Watch how about 4 flags fly high for the unsportsmanlike penalty and how Union celebrates after Hamilton misses the extra point from 15 yards farther back.   

That 1991 Union squad was arguably Union's best ever. They rolled through the regular season. Won their NCAA tourney opener against UMass-Lowell 55-16 and then had a highly anticipated trip to Ithaca to meet the Butterfield's in the high grass.

I remember that game well as it was my first trip to the hill. Union led by the toughness of QB Brett Russ, played great against an excellent Ithaca team but a couple of things conspired against them. One was an Ithaca pick 6 where the pass deflected off the hands of a wide open Union receiver into the lap of a Bomber DB who took the "look what I found" ball back for a TD. Just a bad break..The most upsetting sequence to me came late in the first half with Union driving deep into Ithaca territory and the clock running down. Russ threw a swing pass where the Dutchmen receiver fought for the end zone and was pushed out at the 2...But WAS he? The ref inexplicably kept the clock running, apparently ruling his progress was stopped inbounds  and before Union realized it, a last second attempt at a clock killing spike was ruled after time had expired.(after a LONG discussion I might add)...I was standing not 10 yards from the play and the ball carrier definitely got out of bounds but Bob B got the homefield call.  Ithaca won that day 35-23 and went on to win the Stagg Bowl. My dislike for anything Butterfield was born. I wish there was existing video of THAT game.     

[Jonny Utah]

Love that kind of bad blood that makes the rivalries so intense. Maybe not for current players and coaches but for us old timers. Kudos for sending the link

I'm all for some LL - NESCAC rivalry renewal.  Union's last NESCAC game was a fun 1991 smackdown of Hamilton now available on YouTube.  The best part is the end, where after being bottled up all day, Hamilton's Eric Grey (the "Grey Ghost") finally finds the end zone at the end of the game against the Union fourth-teamers and proceeds to spike the ball in celebration.  Coach Bagnoli was so pissed he put the first team offense back in, who absolutely flattened Hamilton in a four or five play drive for one more TD.  The fight that ensued afterward the game has not been preserved for YouTube posterity, alas.

https://youtu.be/io1m_sL0B9Y

Ha I love this stuff.  It actually looks like the "spike" was on the two point conversation, and it was probably out of anger from getting slammed to the ground by the Union defender (doesn't really look that bad though as the Union defender is potentially trying to violently strip the ball out which could have happened).

Either way that 2 point conversion is at 38:40 of that video.

Thanks for sharing. Can't blame the Hamilton back..great spike and I'm sure it was worth the missed extra point. Bagnoli was to coaching as General Sherman was to war tactics.....except football is a game, not sure Bagnoli would even have taken prisoners in war.....from the Hobart perspective during our sub par years in the 80's we were 0-10 against Bags , so gotta give him credit for his record, but Union still generates the most motivation when old stories are shared...I'll leave it at that.

I was looking at a lot of current LL schedules from the 1980s. 

Union did not play St. Lawrence from 1973-1988 and never played Ithaca except for the playoffs in the 1980s and then the 1990s when a series was formed.

Hobart beat Union 9 times in a row from 1971-1979 and the two teams did not play in 1980 or 1981 for some reason.

Union has played Rochester 111 times and RPI 118 times.

Hobart has played Rochester 113 times and Union 104 times. 

Hobart is 2-2 versus Mt. Union.  The best record versus Mt. Union of any New York football program at any level.

RPI has played WPI 112 times.

[Jonny Utah]

Love that kind of bad blood that makes the rivalries so intense. Maybe not for current players and coaches but for us old timers. Kudos for sending the link

I'm all for some LL - NESCAC rivalry renewal.  Union's last NESCAC game was a fun 1991 smackdown of Hamilton now available on YouTube.  The best part is the end, where after being bottled up all day, Hamilton's Eric Grey (the "Grey Ghost") finally finds the end zone at the end of the game against the Union fourth-teamers and proceeds to spike the ball in celebration.  Coach Bagnoli was so pissed he put the first team offense back in, who absolutely flattened Hamilton in a four or five play drive for one more TD.  The fight that ensued afterward the game has not been preserved for YouTube posterity, alas.

https://youtu.be/io1m_sL0B9Y

Ha I love this stuff.  It actually looks like the "spike" was on the two point conversation, and it was probably out of anger from getting slammed to the ground by the Union defender (doesn't really look that bad though as the Union defender is potentially trying to violently strip the ball out which could have happened).

Either way that 2 point conversion is at 38:40 of that video.

This video is GOLD to me..Utah, I believe the "spike" happens after that, in a play sequence that starts about the 45:00 mark. Watch how about 4 flags fly high for the unsportsmanlike penalty and how Union celebrates after Hamilton misses the extra point from 15 yards farther back.   

That 1991 Union squad was arguably Union's best ever. They rolled through the regular season. Won their NCAA tourney opener against UMass-Lowell 55-16 and then had a highly anticipated trip to Ithaca to meet the Butterfield's in the high grass.

I remember that game well as it was my first trip to the hill. Union led by the toughness of QB Brett Russ, played great against an excellent Ithaca team but a couple of things conspired against them. One was an Ithaca pick 6 where the pass deflected off the hands of a wide open Union receiver into the lap of a Bomber DB who took the "look what I found" ball back for a TD. Just a bad break..The most upsetting sequence to me came late in the first half with Union driving deep into Ithaca territory and the clock running down. Russ threw a swing pass where the Dutchmen receiver fought for the end zone and was pushed out at the 2...But WAS he? The ref inexplicably kept the clock running, apparently ruling his progress was stopped inbounds  and before Union realized it, a last second attempt at a clock killing spike was ruled after time had expired.(after a LONG discussion I might add)...I was standing not 10 yards from the play and the ball carrier definitely got out of bounds but Bob B got the homefield call.  Ithaca won that day 35-23 and went on to win the Stagg Bowl. My dislike for anything Butterfield was born. I wish there was existing video of THAT game.     

Oh my god you are right and I am ****ing dying laughing at that second spike and dance before it.  But he also spikes it after the 2pt conversion before that!!  That guys is a legend.  Someone needs to find out who he is and buy him drinks sometime.  TWO spiked footballs by a team who is down by 40+ points in the 4th quarter is gold.  Pure gold.  That is the best thing I have seen in a long time.  Thanks for posting that!!!

EDIT: Just read union palooza's post again, the kids name was Eric Grey.  Eric Grey rushed for 259 yards against Tufts in 1991, still a Hamilton record!