FB: Liberty League

[ICAlum16]

It aligns with what we've heard as well, but we don't consider our second-hand source to be official enough to actually declare that he's done for the year. We just dealt with it on the podcast this morning as talking about what we think is ahead for Ithaca if that is indeed the case.

Thanks Pat. Wingfield would play in a leg cast if he could.

That is all totally fair. Coach Toerper said in some of his post game comments that basically it appeared that he was done for the year. Really sad and awful to see but hopefully he is able to still be a leader for the team and keep their head on straight. If Schrumm is their guy, they are going to need everyone else to step up around him since he is only a freshman. He is a good sized kid im sure he has a good arm so maybe some of the passing game opens up. Time will tell

[Jonny Utah]

Ithaca DLine is one of the best I've seen in my twenty five years down here. OLine a good group of passblockers too.

Feel like the lousy weather effected Union quite a bit. Had a lot of open receivers that they just didn't connect with. Their punter is good. Their kicker had a tough day.

Yeah, I wondered whether Pacatte had a problem throwing in the rain.  He threw poorly last week, also in the rain.

Btw, did you catch a number on the instigator at the end of the game?  Union did the same thing when Salisbury was in victory formation in the 2019 playoffs.  It was lame then, and lame this time.  Especially for a D that played so well all day.

93

Thought so.  Same dude who took his helmet on the field after stopping RPI on a two-point conversion with 29 seconds left to seemingly win the game in 2021, only to draw a 15 yard penalty, which after RPI converted the successful onside kick, meant they won the game on a long field goal, probably keeping Union out of a Pool C bid.  Good times.

So hopefully the last post on this game, but I watched the end again and I'm gonna go out and stick up for #93 for Union a little here.  Ithaca didn't have enough time to run out the clock (as we saw with the last throw), and on the play where #93 got a penalty, the Ithaca RG fired out hard (to the air, not to a defender) while everyone else on offense stood up and did the victory knee play.  #93 reacted to the RG and fired out as well and pushed him hard.  Maybe he should have just apologized or taken the heat from the IC players a little but I don't 100% blame him here.  If the Ithaca RG just stood up and #93 pushed him that would have been a little out of line.  It was interesting how he just turned and left the field though, not sure if a Union coach yelled at him to come out after that.  #93 and #95 are tough players inside with #8 being a very tough player to block. EDIT: I watched some more and saw some stuff after the play that tells me he does not deserve the benefit of the doubt.  Nothing dirty or cheap but enough.

And the punt where Union jumped offsides involved two Union players, a frosh and a sophomore.  Inexperience is a killer in a place like that. 

Oh well on to Rochester for the bombers.  Tragic about Wingfield and the frustrating thing about that play is that if he handed it off on the jet sweep (not sure if that was a read or not) Ithaca had a lot of room out there and had a good chance of a 1st down. 

[Bartman]

Very sad about Wingfield.I'm sure the IC coaches will put together a smart,winning game plan against the Yellowjackets. I'm thinking the Bomber defense will step up big time knowing the Offense may possibly struggle. Although keeping it simple  focusing on the run game and getting JLO into space should challenge a mediocre U of R defense. THE HC of the Yellowjackets ,Chad Martinovich(Hobart), is is very good coach and will get the most out of his talent on Saturday. It could be a nervous game for the Bombers at the start, but I think with everything to play for, the Bombers should win by two touchdowns.I am still rooting for chaos , but not too optimistic.
   The Union-Hobart game should be another classic as they both hope for a Yellowjacket miracle. However, even if U of R pulls it off, I think the tie breaker would be H2H , in which case Hobart, Union and RPI would all lose out in a tie with IC. U of R is the only team that has a clear path which includes beating IC,RPI and Hobart....not happening.
I'm hoping the Bombers freshman QB can improve steadily over the next few games so the Bombers can represent the LL well in Cortaca and in the playoffs.

[Ice Bear]

Very sad about Wingfield.I'm sure the IC coaches will put together a smart,winning game plan against the Yellowjackets. I'm thinking the Bomber defense will step up big time knowing the Offense may possibly struggle. Although keeping it simple  focusing on the run game and getting JLO into space should challenge a mediocre U of R defense. THE HC of the Yellowjackets ,Chad Martinovich(Hobart), is is very good coach and will get the most out of his talent on Saturday. It could be a nervous game for the Bombers at the start, but I think with everything to play for, the Bombers should win by two touchdowns.I am still rooting for chaos , but not too optimistic.
   The Union-Hobart game should be another classic as they both hope for a Yellowjacket miracle. However, even if U of R pulls it off, I think the tie breaker would be H2H , in which case Hobart, Union and RPI would all lose out in a tie with IC. U of R is the only team that has a clear path which includes beating IC,RPI and Hobart....not happening.
I'm hoping the Bombers freshman QB can improve steadily over the next few games so the Bombers can represent the LL well in Cortaca and in the playoffs.

I'm anticipating JLO running rampant on Saturday against the Yellowjackets. I think IC will win the game on the ground and JLO will have a lot of success. I really like his speed.

[Bartman]

LL Performers of the Week:

Offensive Performer of the Week: Daniel Papantonis, Rochester
Defensive Performer of the Week: Derek Slywka, Ithaca
Special Teams Performer of the Week: Sterling Walker-Sutton, RPI
Rookie of the Week: E.J. Taylor, Hobart
Honor Roll: Nicolas Bruce, Buffalo State; Cortez Garrett, RPI; Jordan Laudani, Rochester; Jalen Leonard-Osbourne, Ithaca; Jake Kazanowsky, RPI; DonJuan McGee, Hobart

That's EJ Taylor's second rookie of the week . Hobart running back tradition will continue with EJ. DonJuan, also a rookie, will be a force on the line the next few years

[unionpalooza]

Welp, it's Wednesday, so it seems reasonable to start to speculate on Saturday's Union-Hobart tilt.  Having watched both teams play against Ithaca and looked again at those box scores, both seemed to match up against the Bombers pretty similarly. 

Union defense was a little sturdier against the run, and the Hobart passing game was a bit more successful, but otherwise everything looks pretty similar.  I think Union's defense will be stout against the Hobart rushing attack, subject perhaps to a breakaway run or two.  Union is probably more susceptible to the passing game down the field, so I think whether or not Colombi has a good game will be crucial. 

On the other side of the ball, I think Union will be able to move the ball on the ground, but they don't have breakaway speed at RB, so again I think it will all come down to whether Pacatte can be accurate, make the easy plays, and get some chunk plays passing, which he did not do last week.

So, I think the winner will be decided by who can avoid the sloppy plays, and who's QB comes most ready to play.

[Machiavelli]

Welp, it's Wednesday, so it seems reasonable to start to speculate on Saturday's Union-Hobart tilt.  Having watched both teams play against Ithaca and looked again at those box scores, both seemed to match up against the Bombers pretty similarly. 

Union defense was a little sturdier against the run, and the Hobart passing game was a bit more successful, but otherwise everything looks pretty similar.  I think Union's defense will be stout against the Hobart rushing attack, subject perhaps to a breakaway run or two.  Union is probably more susceptible to the passing game down the field, so I think whether or not Colombi has a good game will be crucial. 

On the other side of the ball, I think Union will be able to move the ball on the ground, but they don't have breakaway speed at RB, so again I think it will all come down to whether Pacatte can be accurate, make the easy plays, and get some chunk plays passing, which he did not do last week.

So, I think the winner will be decided by who can avoid the sloppy plays, and who's QB comes most ready to play.

If we're comparing performances against Ithaca, I think the only real stat we should be concerned with is TOP in those games for both Hobart and Union:

TOP
Hobart against Ithaca = 32:50
Union against Ithaca = 29:36

Being that Union played Ithaca in wet weather and still had a lower TOP, I don't think they stand a chance this weekend.

[Ice Bear]

Welp, it's Wednesday, so it seems reasonable to start to speculate on Saturday's Union-Hobart tilt.  Having watched both teams play against Ithaca and looked again at those box scores, both seemed to match up against the Bombers pretty similarly. 

Union defense was a little sturdier against the run, and the Hobart passing game was a bit more successful, but otherwise everything looks pretty similar.  I think Union's defense will be stout against the Hobart rushing attack, subject perhaps to a breakaway run or two.  Union is probably more susceptible to the passing game down the field, so I think whether or not Colombi has a good game will be crucial. 

On the other side of the ball, I think Union will be able to move the ball on the ground, but they don't have breakaway speed at RB, so again I think it will all come down to whether Pacatte can be accurate, make the easy plays, and get some chunk plays passing, which he did not do last week.

So, I think the winner will be decided by who can avoid the sloppy plays, and who's QB comes most ready to play.

I think you make some great points here Palooza. I honestly don't really know what to expect from Union come Saturday.

I agree that one thing Union will try to do is to make Colombi beat them through the air. I believe the Statesmen will be throwing the ball early but also mixing in a healthy amount of runs. Ithaca's passing game (which I had been looking for all year) really took a toll on Union last week and I know Hobart noted this. For the most part I thought Union's DB's played well (this is from memory as I haven't watched the game again) and I give a lot of credit to Wingfield for throwing some very well placed passes and receivers, like Kline, for making some great catches.

Hobart will come out throwing the ball but their strength sits with their talented backfield and tough Oline. I'm sure Hobart will mix it up and Union will have to make them one dimensional to win.

For Union this is a career gut check game for Pacatte. I believe how he responds on Saturday will tell us a lot about his overall game. Again, I really like the young man as a player, but for Union to win against against Hobart/RPI/Ithaca he must find a rhythm through completing passes and opening up the defense early. His missed throws on crucial downs really hurt us. I'm also hoping the Union offensive game plan comes in with some more depth this week. I have a feeling Union, for the second consecutive week, will find itself feeling pressured and crunched to produce. They must have plans to mix it up and not fall into trying to run Pacatte over and over again. If I were Hobart, I'd play the run hard and make Donovan beat me through the air. I'd also like to see some big plays by Robbie Tolbert. While second on the team in receiving yards he showed his freshmen year that he could be deadly. Coming back this season from injury I really expected him to pick up where Dunneman left off (Dunneman is playing quite a bit for the Hoyas this season btw). Tolbert's done well, but I'm waiting for him to really break out. Maybe Saturday will be his day. I hope he still isn't dealing with injury issues.

I'll make my picks come Friday bit I think we all kind of know the score here. IMHO Union sits unquestionably at the four spot in the league and faces another uphill battle come Saturday. I think it may just be time for another SOS discussion.

[Bartman]

Welp, it's Wednesday, so it seems reasonable to start to speculate on Saturday's Union-Hobart tilt.  Having watched both teams play against Ithaca and looked again at those box scores, both seemed to match up against the Bombers pretty similarly. 

Union defense was a little sturdier against the run, and the Hobart passing game was a bit more successful, but otherwise everything looks pretty similar.  I think Union's defense will be stout against the Hobart rushing attack, subject perhaps to a breakaway run or two.  Union is probably more susceptible to the passing game down the field, so I think whether or not Colombi has a good game will be crucial. 

On the other side of the ball, I think Union will be able to move the ball on the ground, but they don't have breakaway speed at RB, so again I think it will all come down to whether Pacatte can be accurate, make the easy plays, and get some chunk plays passing, which he did not do last week.

So, I think the winner will be decided by who can avoid the sloppy plays, and who's QB comes most ready to play.

If we're comparing performances against Ithaca, I think the only real stat we should be concerned with is TOP in those games for both Hobart and Union:

TOP
Hobart against Ithaca = 32:50
Union against Ithaca = 29:36

Being that Union played Ithaca in wet weather and still had a lower TOP, I don't think they stand a chance this weekend.

A great use of TOP forecasting. If you factor in the 2 IC TDs that were called back against the Bombers(JLO was only mocking the Garnet Chargers for the name change....kinda understandable), the Pumpkins are looking good AND October is ALWAYS our month. It may have to go to a Wrestlemania in the OT , where Union seems very skillful. All of these factors I will take into account before picking the game.

[Bartman]

Another opinion for the Union-Hobart game from Comin Atcha, the Unofficial Hobart football Blog by James Baker(https://gohobart.blogspot.com)

[Jonny Utah]

Welp, it's Wednesday, so it seems reasonable to start to speculate on Saturday's Union-Hobart tilt.  Having watched both teams play against Ithaca and looked again at those box scores, both seemed to match up against the Bombers pretty similarly. 

Union defense was a little sturdier against the run, and the Hobart passing game was a bit more successful, but otherwise everything looks pretty similar.  I think Union's defense will be stout against the Hobart rushing attack, subject perhaps to a breakaway run or two.  Union is probably more susceptible to the passing game down the field, so I think whether or not Colombi has a good game will be crucial. 

On the other side of the ball, I think Union will be able to move the ball on the ground, but they don't have breakaway speed at RB, so again I think it will all come down to whether Pacatte can be accurate, make the easy plays, and get some chunk plays passing, which he did not do last week.

So, I think the winner will be decided by who can avoid the sloppy plays, and who's QB comes most ready to play.

If we're comparing performances against Ithaca, I think the only real stat we should be concerned with is TOP in those games for both Hobart and Union:

TOP
Hobart against Ithaca = 32:50
Union against Ithaca = 29:36

Being that Union played Ithaca in wet weather and still had a lower TOP, I don't think they stand a chance this weekend.

Rank   Team   Games   Time   Ave/G
1   St. Lawrence   6   199:39:00   33:16:00
2   RPI                   6   193:02:00   32:10:00
3   Union           7   221:27:00   31:38:00
4   Hobart           6   189:02:00   31:30:00
5   Ithaca           6   183:27:00   30:34:00
6   Buffalo State   6   173:01:00   28:50:00
7   Rochester           7   195:48:00   27:58:00

Quick copy and paste TOP leaders fellas.   

[Machiavelli]

I suppose it's time...

Mach's dead sexy dripping underpants predictions for Week 8:

Ithaca - 24
Rochester - 14
I think this is a bit of a let down week for Ithaca after completing a sweep of the other 3 of the big 4. Still don't think Rochester can beat them.

RPI - 42
St. Lawrence - 17
RPIs defense seemed a little suspect last week, so I think the Larries can get to double digits. But I think RPIs offense continues to roll.

Hobart - 27
Union - 21
As previously mentioned, this one all comes down to TOP vs. Ithaca. Hobart won that. They'll win this.

Buffalo St. - 42
Dilbert - 19
Jesus H, another Dilbert scheduling? Do we have to pick these? Ooof. Buff State rolls in this one.


Not yet mentioned this week, Hardin-Simmons continued their dominance over powerhouse programs last week defeating now 1-5 Texas Lutheran by a 5 point monkey stomp. This comes on the heals of a major 3 point upset over 2-4 McMurry the week before. Because 'Texas' was in the opponents name last week, HSU kept their rank of 20, because Texas forever. But prepare for this...if Delaware Valley beats 4-2 powerhouse Lebanon Valley this weekend, I see a huge jump for them to 18-21 in the rankings. Write it down...

[Oline89]

Hobart 28 Union 21
IC 35 Roch 13
RPI 42 SLU 6
Buff St 21 Dilbert 0

[Bartman]

The Unsexy LL Picks of the Week:

Bombers           31.           Stingers               14             Run fest as Pappy breaks a couple but JLO cleats are on fire

Statesmen.              24.           L z _l                    20.            OT thriller as Hobart's Boswell TD pass from the wildcat wins it

Buff State.               42.            Hawks.                10.            Ale Wilson runs for 150+

Engineers                45             Larries.                10             Slideruler's offense meet little resistance

[Machiavelli]

The Unsexy LL Picks of the Week:

Bombers           31.           Stingers               14             Run fest as Pappy breaks a couple but JLO cleats are on fire

Statesmen.              24.           L z _l                    20.            OT thriller as Hobart's Boswell TD pass from the wildcat wins it

Buff State.               42.            Hawks.                10.            Ale Wilson runs for 150+

Engineers                45             Larries.                10             Slideruler's offense meet little resistance

Say what you will...I think your picks are sexy.