FB: Liberty League

[IC798891]

In real stats Cortland absolutely stuffed them. Hilbert had 18 rushing yards in 43 plays and 1 first down, and that was by penalty. So they must have thrown the ball right? No, incredibly they did not even attempt a single pass ! So the QB was sacked before he could get the pass off? No, Cortland had only one sack... It looks like Hilbert just ran the ball every play. That's another take on a "running clock." And I remind you they'll be on our Liberty League schedules next year.     

Remember last year, when Union opened with Hilbert and I said it was meaningless because it was essentially en exhibition and you guys got all feisty with me?

This is what I was referring to.

Is Hilbert running a sort of option, or were they just trying to get the game over with as quickly as possible? Because that was some kind of box score

[Bartman]

The reality is the LL went 2-5 this weekend. While I applaud scheduling tough out of conference opponents, it seems strange to me to rank the teams so early based on "quality" losses. I guess if Hobart loses to Randolph Macon this Saturday by less than 35 points, Hobart will move up these early board rankings....really? Wow, when did this LL board become a chest pounding losers board .a "feel good" participation trophy group. Mach , of all contributors I've witnessed you accepting others telling you the positives of a 35-0 loss.Give me a break.Snap out of it. My take on the top games:
Ithaca came out hot against a high quality JHU program that played like crap in the first half.Harvey looked like he was hung over after spending the night with his Cornell girl friend the night before. He woke up in the second half while the Ithaca offense showed how not to build on a lead.Don't get me wrong, Ithaca had the best loss of the weekend, but a loss is a loss.
RPI confronted the next level physical team from the best league in D3 that grows 'em big and tall. While they kept the score close at the half they still lost 35-0 and Lacrosse gained ver 500 yards.
Union lost to Utica 41-26 , that's Utica...they're good but c'mon man , they gained over 500 yards on the Union defense and Patch Flanagan went 13-34, and some think that warrants a #2 ranking in the LL...our league really sucks if that's true .
Hobart had every starting WR injured for the Alfred game and started 4 freshmen and it was ugly. BUT, the LL player of the week(in my opinion) EJ Taylor ran for 159 yards against a very experienced Alfred front seven that stacked the box because they knew we couldn't pass. I'm not happy with a 10-7 win...but I saw some good things and when we get our experienced WR back I think we will compete.Our defense will keep us in every game unless we face an elite QB, which we will this Saturday against the R-M QB, a D1 transfer from Dayton.
Rochesterstarts out 1-0 over a decent Olivet team. I agree that Rochester will compete in every game this year.
Buffalo State and SLU are probably better than their losses this weekend, but we'll have to see

So, although I think it's very early to start ranking these teams , but if I had to:

1. Ithaca
2-5.Hobart
    Rochester
    RPI
    Union
6,7 Buffalo State
    St. Lawrence

May we bask in some good natured sarcasm and Hooters take out !

[IC798891]

Hobart OC frantically googling "Most muffed punts in one game, all-time" as he draws up the gameplan to put points on the board next week

 

[Jonny Utah]

WOW that was some upset Saturday!!! Lowly Hilbert taking down National Champ Cortland. Who would have thunk it...Of course I'm not talking about on the scoreboard, I'm talking about in T.O.P. Hilbert won the Time Of Possession battle 31:11 to 28:49 ! Utah must be so proud.   

In real stats Cortland absolutely stuffed them. Hilbert had 18 rushing yards in 43 plays and 1 first down, and that was by penalty. So they must have thrown the ball right? No, incredibly they did not even attempt a single pass ! So the QB was sacked before he could get the pass off? No, Cortland had only one sack... It looks like Hilbert just ran the ball every play. That's another take on a "running clock." And I remind you they'll be on our Liberty League schedules next year.     

Ha that is an interesting box score.  Is Hilbert running the triple option or something?

[Machiavelli]

I'm not really happy with an RPI 35-0 loss, however, I have some confidence based on what I saw that I expect they'll be a tough team to beat in league play, particularly with the way the rest of the league looked this past weekend.

I'll admit, Ithaca impressed me more than I was expecting, but they still couldn't pull off the upset, even after getting a late gift turnover and another chance to win the game, but they threw it away unfortunately.

I would feel less confident being Union and getting beat down by Utica. Much different feel to me than UWL, but time will tell if Union isn't good, or if Utica is a 2024 juggernaut.

Can't learn much from Rochester's win, but they won. So it definitely lifts them way above SLU and Buff St in my book, but still an unknown.

And of course we have Hobart. Yes, they won, but it seems like it wasn't pretty. Week 2 results might give us a better feel with tough matchups for 'Bart(vs. (10)Randolph Macon) and Ithaca(vs. (18)Endicott).

I'd like to think RPI should cruise against Wilkes. SLU should beat Norwich, but who friggin knows. If Buff St doesn't beat Hilbert, it would be embarrassing. Rochester and Union both have games they should win. I'm going to make my rankings based on gut feel after 1 week, but week 2 might turn it upside down. We shall see:

1. Ithaca
2. RPI
3. Hobart
4. Union
5. Rochester
6. SLU
7. Buff State

[ITH radio]

I would support Coach Drach 100%. However, I am not sold on Union's DC. Hearing some of things he was saying to the kids during the game Friday night was a bit disturbing. I also agree that the Dutchmen/GCs offense would have benefited from more running plays, and Flanagan was pretty inaccurate to start the first half. I think both Union and Hobart will have to overcompensate for their lack of size up front all season. At least the Statesmen have what seems like a top defense and they may need to carry this team for a while until the offense figures things out.

RPI is a good-looking team, but maybe one dimensional offensively. We will get a better read on them in the next couple of weeks. The size and speed of the UWL DL isn't something they'll face until the playoffs, if they get that far. The RPI QB made one major bonehead throw but otherwise hung in there under constant pressure. The Engineers couldn't run up the middle so were forced to do sweeps and misdirection plays. Faraday will get open and be a matchup problem for most LL secondaries also.

Ithaca looked better than I expected with all the losses to graduation and should remain the LL favorite. Will be curious to see if Alfred and the E8 is improved and wins some more games this season, or if the LL is just down overall. I am thinking it will be a little of both.

[Ice Bear]

Looking forward to this weekend of D3 football. Lots of good things have been said over the last few posts. I'd have to agree with most of them. For some reason I was REALLY hoping Rochester got the W and they did. I think that was good for the league meaning, as a W, it was pretty much expected. However if they lost, that would not have been good.

I like RPI, I always do. Great coaching and just a tough hard working group of players. I thought they had moments they could build on against the #6 team in the nation. They'll be in the hunt all year IMHO.

Hobart? I don't know. Same issues with Columbi, great feet and has a bit of the "it" factor but his lack of accuracy holds him and the Pumpkinhead O back.

I think if Ithaca can beat Endicott they will most certainly win the league this year. I'm very interested in this game.

Here is my week #2 ranking:

1.) Ithaca
2.) RPI
3.) Union
4.) Hobart
5.) Cha Cha
6.) Buff State
7.) SLU

[Jersey42]

After one week, I think it is a little early to tell how the top four (five???) LL teams should be ranked.  Each week we will get more data points.

Here are some random thoughts:

• LL went 2-5 last week.  This week, that will be reversed and they should go at least 5-2, and hopefully 6-1.  It will be very tough for Hobart with a long road trip against an elite team.  If there was a line on the other games, I suspect all of the LL teams would be favored.
• Endicott at Ithaca is the "game of the week".  Ithaca should be a "pick'em" or a slight "favorite" playing at Butterfield.  A win by Ithaca should keep them as the clear favorite in the league. A loss puts them in the mix with the other top teams.
• RPI goes on the road against a decent Wilkes team.  Wilkes is not close to the caliber of La Crosse.  In my mind, a convincing win by RPI would keep them ahead of Union/Hobart/Rochester. A loss drops them to the bottom of the top group.
• Rochester should be the only undefeated LL team after two weeks.  They also have a good chance of going 4-0 in their non-conference schedule.  They get RPI at home in week 5.  Until then, we won't know if Rochester will be a real contender.
• By the end of week 4, Endicott will have played three LL teams.  Ithaca and RPI's performance against Endicott (one home and one away) will probably be the best measuring stick we will have before league play begins.

[Bartman]

Hobart OC frantically googling "Most muffed punts in one game, all-time" as he draws up the gameplan to put points on the board next week

 

Damn, IC, how do you get your intelligence, it is spot on. Our Special Teams coach spent Monday with Tom Brady's old ball boy to "learn the Tricks of the trade" . He knows exactly the right way to prepare the footballs for multiple  muffed punts  by the Yellowjackets.

[Bartman]

Congrats to LL Football Performers of the week

Offensive Performer of the Week: E.J. Taylor, Hobart
Defensive Performer of the Week: Sam Tourangeau, Ithaca(and D3.com team)
Special Teams Performer of the Week: Derek Baldin, Ithaca
Rookie of the Week: Billy Brosko, Hobart
Honor Roll: Jaimen Bliss, Hobart; Anthony D'Agostino, RPI; Will Lederman, St. Lawrence; Trey Johnson, Rochester; Vicente Lyon, Hobart; Colin Schumm, Ithaca; Ryan Surhoff, St. Lawrence; Jordy Tawa, Rochester

Rookie of the week Billy Brosko(Hobart)is a transfer wrestler(285 pound class) from Drexel that was an all American wrestler at Haverford and decided he wanted to play football again. He is a godsend for a Hobart defense that needed to bulk up the middle on the DL , it will be interesting to see how he does against R-M Saturday.
E J Taylor(Hobart) is another RB in the Hobart tradition that got some good reps last year but will be the featured back this year.EJ had a nice 75 yard run against Alfred ( 18 carries for 159 yards)
Sam Tourangeau(LB,Ithaca) looks like he will step up to fill Ben Stola's presence from 2023

[Ice Bear]

Congrats to LL Football Performers of the week

Offensive Performer of the Week: E.J. Taylor, Hobart
Defensive Performer of the Week: Sam Tourangeau, Ithaca(and D3.com team)
Special Teams Performer of the Week: Derek Baldin, Ithaca
Rookie of the Week: Billy Brosko, Hobart
Honor Roll: Jaimen Bliss, Hobart; Anthony D'Agostino, RPI; Will Lederman, St. Lawrence; Trey Johnson, Rochester; Vicente Lyon, Hobart; Colin Schumm, Ithaca; Ryan Surhoff, St. Lawrence; Jordy Tawa, Rochester

Rookie of the week Billy Brosko(Hobart)is a transfer wrestler(285 pound class) from Drexel that was an all American wrestler at Haverford and decided he wanted to play football again. He is a godsend for a Hobart defense that needed to bulk up the middle on the DL , it will be interesting to see how he does against R-M Saturday.
E J Taylor(Hobart) is another RB in the Hobart tradition that got some good reps last year but will be the featured back this year.EJ had a nice 75 yard run against Alfred ( 18 carries for 159 yards)
Sam Tourangeau(LB,Ithaca) looks like he will step up to fill Ben Stola's presence from 2023

I love this Bartman! Wrestlers at the college level are a breed of their own and often bring a level of toughness and discipline that will help any team. I love that the kid decided he wanted to also play football again so he made it happen, I'll be watching and supporting him throughout the year!

[Machiavelli]

Alright alright, work sucks at this very hour, so I'm going to sidetrack myself to do some predictions. While I was technically 7-0 last week, there were a few scores that missed the mark. I'll hold myself accountable. In any case:

Mach's Wild and Crazy Quasi-Mediocre Week 2 Predictions

Hobart - 9
(9)Randolph-Macon - 42
Yeah, not feeling this Hobart team at the moment. RM looked big, fast, and skilled when I watched them in the playoffs last year. It's gonna be a huge step up from Alfred last week for the Pumpkin Heads. I'm guessing Hobart struggles.

(16)Endicott - 21
(24)Ithaca - 24
I think Endicott is very good. I don't think their offense or defense will be the same level as Johnny Hopkins. I'm picking Ithaca in a close one.

RPI - 42
Wilkes - 17
I'm hoping RPI can lick their wounds from last week, realize they should be a decent step above the Wilkies. Might be slow start, but I'm looking to see RPI just be the better team for the full 60.

St. Lawrence - 17
Norwich - 13
I feel bad for anyone that has to attend this game. But SLU should win.

Hilbert - 3
Buffalo State - 13
This one is worse than the SLU game. But goddamn if Buff State loses to friggin Dilbert, they should get booted from the LL. Dilbert still takes TOP by atleast 10 minutes.

Rochester - 31
Alfred State - 13
I know Alfred State won last week against someone named Anderson, but Anderson was 0-10 in 2023 with an average deficit of 45.3 points/game. A 13-0 victory against them doesn't give me hope that Alfred St. is much better than Buff State. Rochester will put in a quasi-mediocre effort and still win by double digits.

SUNY-Maritime - 10
Union - 35
This one shouldn't be that close. But who knows with Union.


There, those are my genius picks...

[IC798891]

Stealing all of Mach's picks and scores. Like it!

[JacketsPride]

"quasi-mediocre"

[Bombs away]

Week 2


Ithaca - 26
Endicott - 24

Two very good well rounded teams. If the game wasn't at Butterfield I would probably pick the Gulls.



RM - 31
Hobart - 13

It seems like the Statesmen are at this point in the season are a one dimensional running team and I just don't think that's enough to upset a team of RM caliber especially after a long bus ride.



Union - 28
Maritime - 7

Drach and his coaching staff start to figure things out and the Dutchmen start to roll.



RPI - 41
Wilkes - 16


I'm confident that Wilkes D is NOWHERE near the same caliber as Lacrosse. After last week the game is gonna look slow for the engineers.



UR - 28
Alfred st - 7


Rochester is gonna beat the teams they're supposed to beat, time will tell if they can take the next step.



SLU -20
Norwich - 6


Who cares? Larries are gonna be the worst team in LL.


Buff St - 59
Hilbert - 0


SMH