FB: Liberty League

[Ice Bear]

Has anyone watched RM play at all? What is their MO? They seem to be expolsive on offense and similar to Cortland in many regards. Despite the long travel, I love how this team is battled tested on long road trips. Coach Terp has done a great job getting the boys ready to play on the road. I am sure it is going to be a tough match up and obviously Union has a tough game against Hopkins but, I think there is a realistic chance that the LL road dawgs can come out on top. Excited for a fresh opponent.

As far as some quick analysis from last Saturday, I think it was clear that once Ithaca got on the board twice early it was over. They moved to a more conservative game plan offensively and defensively they were ready to attack the run. I am sure the coaches let them know that after letting up 220+ on the ground to Cortland that would not be acceptable.

Schumm has a powerful arm and is going to be a great downfield passer throughout his career. I want to see IC take shots down the field to #9 Julian Deumaga. I think he is an incredibly talented, big bodied and sure handed receiver that over the last two seasons I have been clamoring for more touches. We are going to need to fight fire with fire this week.

I would also like to say that being able to play on Thanksgiving week is a very special week for the teams. I was fortunate enough to be on the 2013 Ithaca playoff roster when we went and lost a hard fought game to Wesley (23-15, I believe was the final). It is such a fun week to be with your coaches and teammates. You don't have school, you just get to focus on getting great practices, film and lifting in and then soak in the time with your teammates. I can say without a shadow of a doubt that some of the best memories I have are living in a hotel for a week because the IC dorms were closed and just the funny moments that come with that type of togetherness. Regardless of what happens, this is what playing D3 ball is all about. I hope this entire week, every practice, every film, their team Thanksgiving meal, and all the off the field time together is cherished. There is truly nothing like this and makes it all worth it. Go Bombers!

Great post! +k

[Ice Bear]

I feel like (and notice I said feel) RM is going to be damn good. I was honestly a bit surprised the CNU only lost by 8. The Yellowjackets put over 400 yards of total O on CNU but the Captains seemed to keep it competitive. I believe IC is going to be in for a dog fight and agree that Schumm is going to have to spread it around a bit more than usual in order to be in the hunt. The usually tough Bomber defense is going to be tested far more this week than they were last week. I think the best thing they can do is get that Springfield game out of their head and understand that this is going to be much more of an RPI/Hobart/Union type battle. Let's go Bombers!

I have so much respect for IC's history and their program as a whole. I would love to see the Bombers beat this very good RM team and move on.

[XREDDRAGON77]

I watched the stream of last years playoff game where we laid an egg in the second half! It was like the Mirror Match in Mortal Kombat! Same concepts...RPOs, zone reads, and big play potential! Defensively they were bend but don't break in the first half! I believe we were up by a score at the half, but second half they locked it down and knocked the Dragons off rhythm and shut us down in the second. They were good and I'm guessing just as good again!

[UfanBill]

I haven't watched Randolph Macon, I'll check them out, but this morning I watched much of Johns Hopkins vs WConn. The Bluejays QB has a strong, accurate arm and some really good receivers. Bay Harvey has 32 touchdown passes and only 7 interceptions. He's a force. Surprisingly he lived most of his life in Switzerland and played only one year of football(in Ohio) before coming to JHU. I guess that's how you sometimes wind up with a hidden gem.Their O-line is not big but seems quick and stays with their blocks guiding a couple of good running backs. They spread the ball around and aren't afraid to throw to their tight ends. Especially in the red zone. A weakness may be their kicker as he's only 2/8 on FGs and he's the third one they've used. An outstanding unit overall that rivals the best Union has seen in awhile.

On Defense they run a 3-4 very much like Union's. They can be scored on as evidenced that they gave up 20 points or more 5 times. A solid group but not better than D's in the Liberty League IMO. I expect Union will have to have a big day by Donovan Pacatte, finish any redzone opportunities, limit penalties and commit no turnovers. In other words play their best game. Do that and they have a solid chance.       

[Ice Bear]

I haven't watched Randolph Macon, I'll check them out, but this morning I watched much of Johns Hopkins vs WConn. The Bluejays QB has a strong, accurate arm and some really good receivers. Bay Harvey has 32 touchdown passes and only 7 interceptions. He's a force. Surprisingly he lived most of his life in Switzerland and played only one year of football(in Ohio) before coming to JHU. I guess that's how you sometimes wind up with a hidden gem.Their O-line is not big but seems quick and stays with their blocks guiding a couple of good running backs. They spread the ball around and aren't afraid to throw to their tight ends. Especially in the red zone. A weakness may be their kicker as he's only 2/8 on FGs and he's the third one they've used. An outstanding unit overall that rivals the best Union has seen in awhile.

On Defense they run a 3-4 very much like Union's. They can be scored on as evidenced that they gave up 20 points or more 5 times. A solid group but not better than D's in the Liberty League IMO. I expect Union will have to have a big day by Donovan Pacatte, finish any redzone opportunities, limit penalties and commit no turnovers. In other words play their best game. Do that and they have a solid chance.     

I couldn't agree more Ufan, +k my friend. It's going to have to be Union's best game by far and much of that will sit on the shoulders Donovan Pacatte. I believe it's a lot to ask of the young man but I also believe he is capable. He's a great competitor and team leader. As critical as I can be of his game I am absolutely grateful he chose to come back this season. I'm proud of Donovan and however this shakes out he's got so much to be proud of. Hopefully the line will give him the time he needs to make the throws he'll need to make. I don't believe we need to see a ton of passing but the times we do air it out, it's got to count.

IMHO on the defensive side of the ball it's going to be all about defending the pass. I watched the Jays/Mules game as well as some of the IC/Jays game and am really high on Harvey. Our secondary will be tested like no other time this season.

Also, lastly this morning, I want to give a shout out to Andrew Santillo the new voice of Union Football. Like his predecessor the Mayor, he does an absolutely excellent job every game and we couldn't be luckier to have him. He's even taken his skills to the ice and I can tell you he does a spectacular job there as well. Hats off to Santillo on another year of great play by play.

[unionpalooza]

I haven't watched Randolph Macon, I'll check them out, but this morning I watched much of Johns Hopkins vs WConn. The Bluejays QB has a strong, accurate arm and some really good receivers. Bay Harvey has 32 touchdown passes and only 7 interceptions. He's a force. Surprisingly he lived most of his life in Switzerland and played only one year of football(in Ohio) before coming to JHU. I guess that's how you sometimes wind up with a hidden gem.Their O-line is not big but seems quick and stays with their blocks guiding a couple of good running backs. They spread the ball around and aren't afraid to throw to their tight ends. Especially in the red zone. A weakness may be their kicker as he's only 2/8 on FGs and he's the third one they've used. An outstanding unit overall that rivals the best Union has seen in awhile.

On Defense they run a 3-4 very much like Union's. They can be scored on as evidenced that they gave up 20 points or more 5 times. A solid group but not better than D's in the Liberty League IMO. I expect Union will have to have a big day by Donovan Pacatte, finish any redzone opportunities, limit penalties and commit no turnovers. In other words play their best game. Do that and they have a solid chance.     

I couldn't agree more Ufan, +k my friend. It's going to have to be Union's best game by far and much of that will sit on the shoulders Donovan Pacatte. I believe it's a lot to ask of the young man but I also believe he is capable. He's a great competitor and team leader. As critical as I can be of his game I am absolutely grateful he chose to come back this season. I'm proud of Donovan and however this shakes out he's got so much to be proud of. Hopefully the line will give him the time he needs to make the throws he'll need to make. I don't believe we need to see a ton of passing but the times we do air it out, it's got to count.

IMHO on the defensive side of the ball it's going to be all about defending the pass. I watched the Jays/Mules game as well as some of the IC/Jays game and am really high on Harvey. Our secondary will be tested like no other time this season.

Also, lastly this morning, I want to give a shout out to Andrew Santillo the new voice of Union Football. Like his predecessor the Mayor, he does an absolutely excellent job every game and we couldn't be luckier to have him. He's even taken his skills to the ice and I can tell you he does a spectacular job there as well. Hats off to Santillo on another year of great play by play.

I think I'm going to give Union a bit better odds than are others on this board.  JHU has put up big numbers but have mostly feasted on poor defenses; the best defense they've faced all year (statistically) is Christopher Newport at #20.  On defense, they seem competent but entirely capable of giving up big yards and points - see WestConn, the shoot out with F&M, and the Mules games.  Overall, my sense is they have lots of talent, but are young and not stacked with experience.  So sure, Union should be the underdogs, but I think they have every reason to head down to Maryland with some confidence.

In rewatching the JHU/Ithaca game, man, that was probably Ithaca's worst game of the year; they should have run the ball way more, thrown way fewer passes, and thrown more of those passes downfield.  In retrospect they look like the much more talented team, but were tying to force a game plan (all-in on Wingfield throwing short passes) that didn't work, and didn't turn out to actually be the team's identity.  I think if they had gone with Ithaca's game plan for the second half of the season - pound the ball, throw to keep the defense honest, and allow their defense to play a bend but don't break style - they win that game.

[NedM]

ICAlum:

A very nice post.

I sometimes wonder if the players regret not being able to get home for a few days in order to play another game. Your perspective is quite helpful.

P.S.: I attended that 2013 game and your are correct the final was 23-15. The Wolverines lost in the next round to Mt. Union 62-59 (!)

[IC798891]

One of my friends described that IC-Wesley games thusly:

"Bombers bow out with dignity against a better team"

It really sums that up well. The Bombers weren't blown out, but they didn't leave a winnable game on the field. They made some nice plays, hung with Wesley, but just didn't have the talent.

[ICAlum16]

One of my friends described that IC-Wesley games thusly:

"Bombers bow out with dignity against a better team"

It really sums that up well. The Bombers weren't blown out, but they didn't leave a winnable game on the field. They made some nice plays, hung with Wesley, but just didn't have the talent.

Agree there and we had two KORs inside the Wes 20 and left with maybe 3 points. That was our big struggle in those years final Welch years, we struggled to finish in the redzone because of what he wanted to run. We had an elite defense and some underrated playmakers on offense but our scheme offensively was too predictable and better suited for the late 90s and early 2000s. We also even almost had one last chance but the onside kick went right through the hand of one of our LBs.

This current Bomber team has a lot of similarities to that 2013 team.

[Bartman]

One of my friends described that IC-Wesley games thusly:

"Bombers bow out with dignity against a better team"

It really sums that up well. The Bombers weren't blown out, but they didn't leave a winnable game on the field. They made some nice plays, hung with Wesley, but just didn't have the talent.

Agree there and we had two KORs inside the Wes 20 and left with maybe 3 points. That was our big struggle in those years final Welch years, we struggled to finish in the redzone because of what he wanted to run. We had an elite defense and some underrated playmakers on offense but our scheme offensively was too predictable and better suited for the late 90s and early 2000s. We also even almost had one last chance but the onside kick went right through the hand of one of our LBs.

This current Bomber team has a lot of similarities to that 2013 team.

Thanks for these remembrances, IC definitely hung in there with a great Wesley team led by Joe Callahan in 2013. Hobart ran into Wesley the following year with a 12-0 record and didn't fair as well. Probably one of Hobart's greatest teams with Ali Marpet and Tyre Coleman . Our QB Pat Conlan(son of Buffalo Bill LB Shane Conlan) was all heart but not a very strong arm and couldn't compete with a Joe Callahan offense. Good luck to Ithaca this week , I think your team needs to overachieve to move on, but I  think this team has the perseverance and focus to win.

[Jonny Utah]

I haven't watched Randolph Macon, I'll check them out, but this morning I watched much of Johns Hopkins vs WConn. The Bluejays QB has a strong, accurate arm and some really good receivers. Bay Harvey has 32 touchdown passes and only 7 interceptions. He's a force. Surprisingly he lived most of his life in Switzerland and played only one year of football(in Ohio) before coming to JHU. I guess that's how you sometimes wind up with a hidden gem.Their O-line is not big but seems quick and stays with their blocks guiding a couple of good running backs. They spread the ball around and aren't afraid to throw to their tight ends. Especially in the red zone. A weakness may be their kicker as he's only 2/8 on FGs and he's the third one they've used. An outstanding unit overall that rivals the best Union has seen in awhile.

On Defense they run a 3-4 very much like Union's. They can be scored on as evidenced that they gave up 20 points or more 5 times. A solid group but not better than D's in the Liberty League IMO. I expect Union will have to have a big day by Donovan Pacatte, finish any redzone opportunities, limit penalties and commit no turnovers. In other words play their best game. Do that and they have a solid chance.     

I couldn't agree more Ufan, +k my friend. It's going to have to be Union's best game by far and much of that will sit on the shoulders Donovan Pacatte. I believe it's a lot to ask of the young man but I also believe he is capable. He's a great competitor and team leader. As critical as I can be of his game I am absolutely grateful he chose to come back this season. I'm proud of Donovan and however this shakes out he's got so much to be proud of. Hopefully the line will give him the time he needs to make the throws he'll need to make. I don't believe we need to see a ton of passing but the times we do air it out, it's got to count.

IMHO on the defensive side of the ball it's going to be all about defending the pass. I watched the Jays/Mules game as well as some of the IC/Jays game and am really high on Harvey. Our secondary will be tested like no other time this season.

Also, lastly this morning, I want to give a shout out to Andrew Santillo the new voice of Union Football. Like his predecessor the Mayor, he does an absolutely excellent job every game and we couldn't be luckier to have him. He's even taken his skills to the ice and I can tell you he does a spectacular job there as well. Hats off to Santillo on another year of great play by play.

I think I'm going to give Union a bit better odds than are others on this board.  JHU has put up big numbers but have mostly feasted on poor defenses; the best defense they've faced all year (statistically) is Christopher Newport at #20.  On defense, they seem competent but entirely capable of giving up big yards and points - see WestConn, the shoot out with F&M, and the Mules games.  Overall, my sense is they have lots of talent, but are young and not stacked with experience.  So sure, Union should be the underdogs, but I think they have every reason to head down to Maryland with some confidence.

In rewatching the JHU/Ithaca game, man, that was probably Ithaca's worst game of the year; they should have run the ball way more, thrown way fewer passes, and thrown more of those passes downfield.  In retrospect they look like the much more talented team, but were tying to force a game plan (all-in on Wingfield throwing short passes) that didn't work, and didn't turn out to actually be the team's identity.  I think if they had gone with Ithaca's game plan for the second half of the season - pound the ball, throw to keep the defense honest, and allow their defense to play a bend but don't break style - they win that game.

Yea bottom line JHU is beatable.  Ithaca (if I remember correctly) threw a lot of deep balls in situations where they didn't need to.  They averaged 5 yards a carry that game and most of that was from Jake Williams.  I think Union (and Ithaca) are getting better every week and I think both teams late/mid season losses helped both teams focus on what they need to do.

[IC798891]

One of my friends described that IC-Wesley games thusly:

"Bombers bow out with dignity against a better team"

It really sums that up well. The Bombers weren't blown out, but they didn't leave a winnable game on the field. They made some nice plays, hung with Wesley, but just didn't have the talent.

Agree there and we had two KORs inside the Wes 20 and left with maybe 3 points. That was our big struggle in those years final Welch years, we struggled to finish in the redzone because of what he wanted to run. We had an elite defense and some underrated playmakers on offense but our scheme offensively was too predictable and better suited for the late 90s and early 2000s. We also even almost had one last chance but the onside kick went right through the hand of one of our LBs.

This current Bomber team has a lot of similarities to that 2013 team.

The 2013/14 teams were really good examples of the limits of Welch's teams at that point. He just wasn't able to get anything out of the offense. Due to scheme and (sorry Alum) a very limited offensive line.

Mike always kind of adapted things based on his OC. Those last years, they just ran an outdated offensive style, which was made worse because Mike was inherently conservative

[ICAlum16]

One of my friends described that IC-Wesley games thusly:

"Bombers bow out with dignity against a better team"

It really sums that up well. The Bombers weren't blown out, but they didn't leave a winnable game on the field. They made some nice plays, hung with Wesley, but just didn't have the talent.

Agree there and we had two KORs inside the Wes 20 and left with maybe 3 points. That was our big struggle in those years final Welch years, we struggled to finish in the redzone because of what he wanted to run. We had an elite defense and some underrated playmakers on offense but our scheme offensively was too predictable and better suited for the late 90s and early 2000s. We also even almost had one last chance but the onside kick went right through the hand of one of our LBs.

This current Bomber team has a lot of similarities to that 2013 team.

The 2013/14 teams were really good examples of the limits of Welch's teams at that point. He just wasn't able to get anything out of the offense. Due to scheme and (sorry Alum) a very limited offensive line.

Mike always kind of adapted things based on his OC. Those last years, they just ran an outdated offensive style, which was made worse because Mike was inherently conservative

None taken, as I have gotten older I have come to terms with the fact that I was maybe an above average player but I am proud that I was able to be a starter and contributor for a program like Ithaca. I will say I do think our best OL was in 2013. You can only run power out of so many different formations before defense knows it's coming.

I know for a fact that QBs were chastised in QB meetings by Welch if they decided to push the ball vertically downfield instead of going to the check down receiver.

I could write a book about my time there and all that went in durin the last year's of Welch.

[UfanBill]

While looking through everything I can possibly find Union football related I found this quite interesting. Union and LL fans may remember the name Andrew Sheahan. Andrew was an All Liberty League First Team TE for Union in 2021. He entered Union as freshman in 2018 with Ike Irabor, Andre Ross Jr., Austin St. Pierre and Tim Driscoll. All fellow LL 1st teamers. While Irabor, Ross, St. Pierre and Driscoll all returned for their 5th year at Union, Sheahan transferred to Johns Hopkins where he played in 8 games in 2022.  Here's his career: 2018 Union - 7 games, 2019-Union 5 games, 2020-Union 0 games Covid, 2021 Union 10 games, 2022 JHU - 8 games, 2023 JHU - 8 games.

Here in lies the question...Why is Sheahan still on the Blue Jays roster? He's played in 8 games again this year. Those Union players that were his former classmates all ran out of eligibility LAST YEAR. Why does Sheahan get a second year of graduate eligibility? Just askin'.

[Pat Coleman]

Perhaps the 2019 total is wrong, because if he only played four, he would have been able to get a medical hardship year.

Sometimes games played totals are incorrect because someone hit the wrong keystroke on the stats program, or put in a starting lineup from the two-deep without checking to see if that person actually took the field.