FB: Liberty League

[Ice Bear]

Ithaca ran into a buzzsaw. No9t much to say about that game.

But look, if you'd told me before the season that:

Ithaca's leading rusher from last year would only play two games
Ithaca's QB1 would miss the second half of the season
Ithaca's leading returning receiver from 2022 would only catch 11 passes

There is no planet on which I'd assume they won the LL, let alone a road playoff game.

Everything really hinges on who is coming back for IC next year.

Sam Kline, the leading receiver, has another year of eligibility, as does Jalen Leonard Osborne. Jake Williams should have an injury redshirt if he wants. That's some solid skill players to put around a young QB. Especially important as the defense loses its two best players, Slywka and Stola

That was tough to watch. Just like last year against NCC we were completely outmatched upfront on both sides of the ball which is a bit discouraging but I suppose that is the way the cookie crumbles. It is frustrating that it appears the ceiling for any LL or E8 team in the playoffs is the quarterfinals because of the distribution of talent across all the different schools.

Heading into next year they need to let Schumm air it out more, we became a little too one dimensional this year. I would not be surprised to see at least one of JLO or Jake Williams back next year. Especially since JLO also runs track maybe that is enough to entice him to use his fifth year.

Regardless, congrats to IC on a great season they faced a lot of adversity and showed that when the going gets tough, the Bombers get going. Also, congrats to Union on what I believe is their beast season in the last 15 years or so. Excited for the rest of the D3 playoffs and to see how Cortland does!

Congratulations to Ithaca College on yet another remarkable football season. The national picture is what it is and who knows if that will ever change. Union too was outmatched and just didn't have the horses to compete against JHU for a complete game. We certainly had some good moments on Saturday.

I have really come to accept the national picture for what it is. Who knows? Maybe there will be a year where a team from the Northeast competes for a national championship? I don't believe it will be in my lifetime, but that's ok. One can always hope.

Honestly guys I am so very proud of both IC and Union this season (and really the LL as a whole). I look forward to enjoying the rest of the playoffs and can't wait for next season. Wishing Cortland the best of luck next week!

[Bartman]

Congrats to Union and Ithaca on getting to the second round. I really thought Union would have a good shot at Johns Hopkins, and they did hang in for the first half. As far as the Bombers, I was less optimistic since a freshman QB who just had a couple of games under his belt is an impossible ask. But I agree they were overmatched at the line of scrimmage and even if Wingfield was healthy it was not a winnable game. I think the league held its position in D3 football as a very good, competitive league but we are again short of the next level. I am totally cool with this as we have a great league that competes on a very even level and plays at a high level for D3 football. Our graduates will be better for competing on a team and hopefully keep in touch with their brothers in life. You can keep the world of NIL in D1 and the coaching and player carousels, I'm happy with the competition in our little league. Early decision recruitment is happening as we speak.....good luck to everyone.

[Oline89]

Well now tht the LL season is over, lets hit some controversial topics.  What is the general feeling about the transfer portal?  Seems like several Statesmen have posted their farewell to D3 in hopes of hitting the bigtime in D2 - FCS world. 
                                   

[unionpalooza]

Well now tht the LL season is over, lets hit some controversial topics.  What is the general feeling about the transfer portal?  Seems like several Statesmen have posted their farewell to D3 in hopes of hitting the bigtime in D2 - FCS world. 
                                 

Transfer portal is tough.  On the one hand, kids should be able to do what they want, and it's good that kids can find a better fit or better education. In the other hand, especially at the D3 level, I think it will only make the parity problem worse; much harder to replace good talent that leaves if you're not one of the very few schools bringing in 100+ freshman a year.

Looks like Hobart is going through what Union did last year - seems like Daramola and a few defensive starters have announced they are going portal.  Probably best for them, and for the team too in the end.  Union lost some solid guys to the portal last year, but I think the team chemistry was much better for it.

[IC798891]

Well now tht the LL season is over, lets hit some controversial topics.  What is the general feeling about the transfer portal?  Seems like several Statesmen have posted their farewell to D3 in hopes of hitting the bigtime in D2 - FCS world. 
                                 

I've always said I'd never begrudge a player leaving a school for any reason. We don't ever really know the full story behind a player's experience at a program, so we can't really put ourselves in position to judge if a player is transferring for the "right" reasons or not.

Especially at the D3 level, I think it will only make the parity problem worse; much harder to replace good talent that leaves if you're not one of the very few schools bringing in 100+ freshman a year.

While I know you weren't saying it, we can't put the issues of sport-wide parity on the shoulders of 18- to 21-year olds, given that the problem predates their birth. There are grownups in charge of things (in theory) and it's their responsibility to figure out the solutions to that.

While I am sure it makes the jobs of the coaches harder, that's what they get paid to deal with.

[Pat Coleman]

Well now tht the LL season is over, lets hit some controversial topics.  What is the general feeling about the transfer portal?  Seems like several Statesmen have posted their farewell to D3 in hopes of hitting the bigtime in D2 - FCS world. 
                                 

I've always said I'd never begrudge a player leaving a school for any reason. We don't ever really know the full story behind a player's experience at a program, so we can't really put ourselves in position to judge if a player is transferring for the "right" reasons or not.

... experiences at a program and an institution. Sometimes people leave for non-football reasons as well.

[bleedpurple]

Well now tht the LL season is over, lets hit some controversial topics.  What is the general feeling about the transfer portal?  Seems like several Statesmen have posted their farewell to D3 in hopes of hitting the bigtime in D2 - FCS world. 
                                 

I've always said I'd never begrudge a player leaving a school for any reason. We don't ever really know the full story behind a player's experience at a program, so we can't really put ourselves in position to judge if a player is transferring for the "right" reasons or not.

Especially at the D3 level, I think it will only make the parity problem worse; much harder to replace good talent that leaves if you're not one of the very few schools bringing in 100+ freshman a year.

While I know you weren't saying it, we can't put the issues of sport-wide parity on the shoulders of 18- to 21-year olds, given that the problem predates their birth. There are grownups in charge of things (in theory) and it's their responsibility to figure out the solutions to that.

While I am sure it makes the jobs of the coaches harder, that's what they get paid underpaid to deal with.

Fixed it for you.

[Caz Bombers]

Not D3 or even football related really, but sad news in higher education in upstate New York as Saint Rose will close at school year's end. 87 vacant properties to be left behind in the Pine Hills neighborhood of Albany.

[Bartman]

Not D3 or even football related really, but sad news in higher education in upstate New York as Saint Rose will close at school year's end. 87 vacant properties to be left behind in the Pine Hills neighborhood of Albany.

Sad to see so many students, faculty and staff impacted by the Saint Rose closure. Unfortunately, many Northeastern institutions are barely hanging on.Fiscal responsibility and curriculum relevance will remain key for all institutions. Sports helps many schools keep and attract students at the D3 level. HWS expanded sports and found it provided a bounce to enrollment, but it is a challenge to balance finances, offer an enriched experience and maintain affordability for deserving applicants. 

[IC798891]

Well now tht the LL season is over, lets hit some controversial topics.  What is the general feeling about the transfer portal?  Seems like several Statesmen have posted their farewell to D3 in hopes of hitting the bigtime in D2 - FCS world. 
                                 

I've always said I'd never begrudge a player leaving a school for any reason. We don't ever really know the full story behind a player's experience at a program, so we can't really put ourselves in position to judge if a player is transferring for the "right" reasons or not.

... experiences at a program and an institution. Sometimes people leave for non-football reasons as well.

Correct, an omission on my part

[IC798891]

Well now tht the LL season is over, lets hit some controversial topics.  What is the general feeling about the transfer portal?  Seems like several Statesmen have posted their farewell to D3 in hopes of hitting the bigtime in D2 - FCS world. 
                                 

I've always said I'd never begrudge a player leaving a school for any reason. We don't ever really know the full story behind a player's experience at a program, so we can't really put ourselves in position to judge if a player is transferring for the "right" reasons or not.

Especially at the D3 level, I think it will only make the parity problem worse; much harder to replace good talent that leaves if you're not one of the very few schools bringing in 100+ freshman a year.

While I know you weren't saying it, we can't put the issues of sport-wide parity on the shoulders of 18- to 21-year olds, given that the problem predates their birth. There are grownups in charge of things (in theory) and it's their responsibility to figure out the solutions to that.

While I am sure it makes the jobs of the coaches harder, that's what they get paid underpaid to deal with.

Fixed it for you.

Sure. Pretty much any job in college athletics that isn't at the top of a food chain is underpaid. One of the many reasons I left the field

[NEd3ALUM]

Sounds like Union will be looking for a new Head Coach again.

[Garnet]

https://culions.blogspot.com/2023/12/jon-poppe-to-be-named-new-hc-sunday.html?m=1

[Ice Bear]

I'm going to be honest here and say that I am really deflated by this news. I think Union is going to have a tough time bouncing back from this. I hope I'm wrong.

It was a tough pill to swallow when Coach Behrman left but getting a guy with the character, passion, and coaching ability of Poppe was a gift. One I didn't see coming. This is admittedly an even tougher pill to swallow for me. Let's see what happens next.

With that said, I am very happy for Coach Poppe and think this is a great move for his career. I thought the same with Bergman's move back to his home state and alma mater. I wish Coach Poppe and his family all the best and believe wholeheartedly Columbia has found its guy for a while. I'll be rooting for them.

This is a tough one to take.

[unionpalooza]

I'm going to be honest here and say that I am really deflated by this news. I think Union is going to have a tough time bouncing back from this. I hope I'm wrong.

It was a tough pill to swallow when Coach Behrman left but getting a guy with the character, passion, and coaching ability of Poppe was a gift. One I didn't see coming. This is admittedly an even tough pill to swallow for me. Let's see what happens next.

With that said, I am very happy for Coach Poppe and think this is a great move for his career. I thought the same with Bergman's move back to his home state and alma mater. I wish Coach Poppe and his family all the best and believe wholeheartedly Columbia has found its guy for a while. I'll be rooting for them.

This is a tough one to take.

Yeah, I'm afraid I don't share Ice Bear's well wishes.  Behrman's departure was hard but understandable - moving back to his alma mater, where is family is, and closer to where he son was going to college.  His decision to move on wasn't to chase a flashier job, but instead consistent with the values and ethos he preached.

For Poppe, I get that this is a dream opportunity, but in my book you can't run around yelling about family and commitment and loyalty all the time and then abandon that the moment something better comes along.  I know this is old fashioned, and that college football coaching is mostly now a game of professional chutes and ladders and not really about building communities and shaping young men, but sentimental beliefs die hard.  At least the Union guys have had an early life lesson that most of the time, when you run into someone shouting with passion about family and commitment and dedication to one another, that person is just putting on a performance to get ahead.  Real deals are much rarer.

I suspect the new gig will be a tough one for Poppe.  Clearly has energy and can recruit (or at least, I think so - he won with Behrman's guys), but he was clearly super green as a technical coach, making a bunch of rookie mistakes over the year in-game, and making some mistakes on a program level too (e.g., hiring an OC who had never called a play, which clearly was Union's biggest weakness this year).  WIth 3 or 4 more years of real experience, he'd be much better prepared for an Ivy HC job, which is infinitely harder and more complicated than the
Union gig. 

Mostly, though, just feel bad for the kids.  Screws up recruiting, probably means most of the seniors won't come back for another year, and much more of a hard re-start probably required filling this job for a second year in a row.