FB: Liberty League

[Frank Rossi]

Congrats to WPI they deserve it. It's a good thing I was in VT with the better half looking at leaves because if I went to the game I would have been very very sad.

I actually walked away from today's game feeling a lot better about the Dutchmen -- I know losses suck, and the team looked down after the game, no doubt.  However, the number of freshmen and sophomores that are getting experience and putting together great efforts is really astounding for a Dutchmen team.  This is going to mean a very bright future for this team.  I feel bad for the seniors in that it's not looking like a playoff year right now - but their biggest role will be in helping pave a new road to a bright Dutchmen future.  That's in many ways just as important, but it's a short-term painful feeling I realize.

Connolly as a freshman QB is exciting -- and I'll admit, I was really concerned about him starting games when the change was being made.  It's tough to see a good QB like Catellier benched in favor of a freshman when Catellier didn't do anything really bad to deserve that.  However, Connolly has shown some great poise.  The thing he needs to work on -- and this is a coachable thing -- is his nervousness inside the red zone.  He needs to make faster reads and stop rolling all over the place -- happy feet are not a good thing inside the 20 for a QB.  He also needs to remember that throwing off your back foot is a no-no and eating the ball sometimes is a much better idea.  Otherwise, he's pretty mature for a freshman.  This could be an interesting career.

So, I walked away today actually pretty optimistic.  As long as the football team receives the support from the Union Athletic Department that it should be receiving, 2009 and 2010 could be extremely positive years for the Dutchmen.  As for 2008, the Dutchmen can try to do something that they've never really done in a long time -- play spoilers on their main nemeses like everyone tries to do to the Dutchmen every year.  This year could prove to be one of the more fun seasons if the Dutchmen stay positive and see the season for what it is -- a rebuilding year.

Congrats to WPI and Coach Zaloom.  This is definitely not the 4-6 team from last year -- the rest of the LL needs to watch out for this team.  What a weird year the LL might end up experiencing this year.

- Frank

[Edit:  Quick note that Union Senior Linebacker Joe Catalano will be joining us "In the HuddLLe" on Sunday evening to discuss the 2008 season so far for the Dutchmen.  Catalano was a freshman during the 2005 10-0 regular season for the Dutchmen and has seen the highs and lows of the last four years of the Dutchmen.  We'll be asking about his take on the season, where he expects the team to finish the year and his entire career as a Union Dutchman.  Please join us at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/LLRecap Sunday at 7:30pm ET.]

[Frank Rossi]

Susquehanna, once down 28-7 with over 9 minutes left in the 3rd quarter to the Merchant Marine Academy, rallies for 23 points in the 4th quarter -- at one point, the score was 35-34 with :22 left in favor of USMMA, when Susquehanna missed an extra point.  Susquehanna, instead of onside kicking normally, kicked deep as USMMA had nobody deep and beat USMMA to the ball.  Susquehanna had the ball on the USMMA 10.  Pass interference from the endzone made it 1st & Goal from the 2 with :17 left.  Susquehanna ran the ball for no gain but spiked the ball with :01 left.  The ensuing 19-yard field goal was good, leading to a 37-35 final in favor of Susquehanna.  Unbelievable finish.  Congratulations to the Crusaders on their 2nd LL win in their less than two years in the LL.

[Frank Rossi]

This week on "In the HuddLLe," we have another great show planned for you.  Scheduled to join us Sunday night, starting at 7:30pm ET, will be:**

- Liberty League Commissioner Tim Danehy, to discuss his job as Commissioner and the future of the Liberty League, especially for football;

- Union Senior Linebacker Joe Catalano, who will discuss his team's disappointing start, his brilliant career with the Dutchmen and the future of the Dutchmen team;

- Susquehanna Senior Quarterback Derek Pope, who helped engineer a comeback for the ages in his team's LL game against King's Point Saturday night; and

- We're working on finalizing one more guest -- stay tuned for an announcement tomorrow.

Join us tomorrow night -- the link is http://www.blogtalkradio.com/LLRecap -- we'll be taking your calls at certain points during the show, so make sure to stay tuned, starting at 7:30!


** We are still finalizing the schedule, although we have heard back from all these guests and/or their Sports Information Departments in the affirmative thus far.

[Senor RedTackle]

Susquehanna, once down 28-7 with over 9 minutes left in the 3rd quarter to the Merchant Marine Academy, rallies for 23 points in the 4th quarter -- at one point, the score was 35-34 with :22 left in favor of USMMA, when Susquehanna missed an extra point.  Susquehanna, instead of onside kicking normally, kicked deep as USMMA had nobody deep and beat USMMA to the ball.  Susquehanna had the ball on the USMMA 10.  Pass interference from the endzone made it 1st & Goal from the 2 with :17 left.  Susquehanna ran the ball for no gain but spiked the ball with :01 left.  The ensuing 19-yard field goal was good, leading to a 37-35 final in favor of Susquehanna.  Unbelievable finish.  Congratulations to the Crusaders on their 2nd LL win in their less than two years in the LL.

begs the question why they would even run a play from the 10 when a FG would win it....that would be a 27 yd field

[clandfan]

susquehanna fans:  curious to know how you would rate Nate Milne as your new OC.  I think we miss him in Cortland.

[Frank Rossi]

Susquehanna, once down 28-7 with over 9 minutes left in the 3rd quarter to the Merchant Marine Academy, rallies for 23 points in the 4th quarter -- at one point, the score was 35-34 with :22 left in favor of USMMA, when Susquehanna missed an extra point.  Susquehanna, instead of onside kicking normally, kicked deep as USMMA had nobody deep and beat USMMA to the ball.  Susquehanna had the ball on the USMMA 10.  Pass interference from the endzone made it 1st & Goal from the 2 with :17 left.  Susquehanna ran the ball for no gain but spiked the ball with :01 left.  The ensuing 19-yard field goal was good, leading to a 37-35 final in favor of Susquehanna.  Unbelievable finish.  Congratulations to the Crusaders on their 2nd LL win in their less than two years in the LL.

begs the question why they would even run a play from the 10 when a FG would win it....that would be a 27 yd field

Couple probable reasons:  (1) the missed extra point was their second missed kick of the night (a 27-yard FG earlier was blocked also); and (2) the weather was poor -- rain had been persistent in the fourth quarter.  I was kind of surprised they didn't go for 2 and the win at 35-34 with :22 left.

[stimulator]

Solid all-around effort and a big win for RPI yesterday.  Offense played very well and defense made some big plays and played pretty stingy against the run.

Rochester is a very good team and I think they will play the LL very tough the next month.

[dlippiel]

Congrats to WPI they deserve it. It's a good thing I was in VT with the better half looking at leaves because if I went to the game I would have been very very sad.

I actually walked away from today's game feeling a lot better about the Dutchmen -- I know losses suck, and the team looked down after the game, no doubt.  However, the number of freshmen and sophomores that are getting experience and putting together great efforts is really astounding for a Dutchmen team.  This is going to mean a very bright future for this team.  I feel bad for the seniors in that it's not looking like a playoff year right now - but their biggest role will be in helping pave a new road to a bright Dutchmen future.  That's in many ways just as important, but it's a short-term painful feeling I realize.

Connolly as a freshman QB is exciting -- and I'll admit, I was really concerned about him starting games when the change was being made.  It's tough to see a good QB like Catellier benched in favor of a freshman when Catellier didn't do anything really bad to deserve that.  However, Connolly has shown some great poise.  The thing he needs to work on -- and this is a coachable thing -- is his nervousness inside the red zone.  He needs to make faster reads and stop rolling all over the place -- happy feet are not a good thing inside the 20 for a QB.  He also needs to remember that throwing off your back foot is a no-no and eating the ball sometimes is a much better idea.  Otherwise, he's pretty mature for a freshman.  This could be an interesting career.

So, I walked away today actually pretty optimistic.  As long as the football team receives the support from the Union Athletic Department that it should be receiving, 2009 and 2010 could be extremely positive years for the Dutchmen.  As for 2008, the Dutchmen can try to do something that they've never really done in a long time -- play spoilers on their main nemeses like everyone tries to do to the Dutchmen every year.  This year could prove to be one of the more fun seasons if the Dutchmen stay positive and see the season for what it is -- a rebuilding year.

Congrats to WPI and Coach Zaloom.  This is definitely not the 4-6 team from last year -- the rest of the LL needs to watch out for this team.  What a weird year the LL might end up experiencing this year.

- Frank

[Edit:  Quick note that Union Senior Linebacker Joe Catalano will be joining us "In the HuddLLe" on Sunday evening to discuss the 2008 season so far for the Dutchmen.  Catalano was a freshman during the 2005 10-0 regular season for the Dutchmen and has seen the highs and lows of the last four years of the Dutchmen.  We'll be asking about his take on the season, where he expects the team to finish the year and his entire career as a Union Dutchman.  Please join us at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/LLRecap Sunday at 7:30pm ET.]

Frank- thanks for the info in the post. Not being there and not even being able to follow online (which is rare) I was not able to know any of the dynamics from the game. I love when a team (any team) "goes young" and starts to build a future by giving its Fresh and Sophs valuable time. So this is great to hear that yesterday seemed like a start of moving in this direction for the remainder of the season. What happens when you "go young" is a rollercoaster of growth, ups and downs, which I think will continue to define this season. Great point on your part regarding playing spoiler for the year. I think as Dutchmen fans (although it is our right to be judgemental of the program with the concern of it keeping up its prestige) this is a time we can stand strong with these kids and really get behind them. The schools politics are always going to be crazy (as I mentioned last week from Harkness years) this college can be so cold to athletics. I also think Audino needs to step up to the plate and stay consistent with this building process, I think starting Connelly is a start. I really think this is the right decision for the team and the future of the program for right now. Let's go with this kid and see how he develops. He has some serious tools and the potential, like you said coaching will be important in helping him get to where he needs to be. Just some Sunday am thoughts about the Dutch. I look forward to listening to Catalano this evening.

[lewdogg11]

Ok, interssted to see this week's d3 poll with the Curry vs. RPI/Hobart situation...

Curry 21
Salve Regina 7

RPI 27
Rochester 17

Hobart 16
St Lawrence 10

Will anything change this week?  I doubt it.  I think RPI should get more votes.  Hobart is still suspect.  Salve Regina is terrible, and while still winning by 2 TDs, 21 points seems like a struggle for Curry in the league of Pop-Warner.

I would be willing to bet Hartwick gets more votes than all of them.

[dlippiel]

I think RPI passed test #1 this week (also taking into account their win over WPI last week) and deserves a little more credit in the polls for their win, at least more then previous to this win at Rochester.

[Frank Rossi]

Ok, interssted to see this week's d3 poll with the Curry vs. RPI/Hobart situation...

Curry 21
Salve Regina 7

RPI 27
Rochester 17

Hobart 16
St Lawrence 10

Will anything change this week?  I doubt it.  I think RPI should get more votes.  Hobart is still suspect.  Salve Regina is terrible, and while still winning by 2 TDs, 21 points seems like a struggle for Curry in the league of Pop-Warner.

I would be willing to bet Hartwick gets more votes than all of them.

Hartwick gets more votes in the Arena Football polls this week - not the conventional polls.  Their defense is just beyond words for a team that can score 30-50 points every week.  I think the "Cage" they play in made them think that they really ARE playing Arena Football.

[lewdogg11]

Ok, interssted to see this week's d3 poll with the Curry vs. RPI/Hobart situation...

Curry 21
Salve Regina 7

RPI 27
Rochester 17

Hobart 16
St Lawrence 10

Will anything change this week?  I doubt it.  I think RPI should get more votes.  Hobart is still suspect.  Salve Regina is terrible, and while still winning by 2 TDs, 21 points seems like a struggle for Curry in the league of Pop-Warner.

I would be willing to bet Hartwick gets more votes than all of them.

Hartwick gets more votes in the Arena Football polls this week - not the conventional polls.  Their defense is just beyond words for a team that can score 30-50 points every week.  I think the "Cage" they play in made them think that they really ARE playing Arena Football.

I was insinuating that the pollsters have boners for Fisher, so It's not that Fisher isn't good, it's that Hartwick must be AWESOME...

[pg04]

They may have blown their load too early then...

[Frank Rossi]

Ok, interssted to see this week's d3 poll with the Curry vs. RPI/Hobart situation...

Curry 21
Salve Regina 7

RPI 27
Rochester 17

Hobart 16
St Lawrence 10

Will anything change this week?  I doubt it.  I think RPI should get more votes.  Hobart is still suspect.  Salve Regina is terrible, and while still winning by 2 TDs, 21 points seems like a struggle for Curry in the league of Pop-Warner.

I would be willing to bet Hartwick gets more votes than all of them.

Hartwick gets more votes in the Arena Football polls this week - not the conventional polls.  Their defense is just beyond words for a team that can score 30-50 points every week.  I think the "Cage" they play in made them think that they really ARE playing Arena Football.

I was insinuating that the pollsters have boners for Fisher, so It's not that Fisher isn't good, it's that Hartwick must be AWESOME...

My question is how this loss by SJF affects the E8 as a whole -- it's looking more and more mediocre by the week.

[union89]

Was in Worcester yesterday.  I agree with Frank and dlip that Union needs to move toward the younger players, especially at QB.  I really like this Connolly kid, but unlike Frank, I never really saw much in Catellier...I think the decision is pretty easy there.

On another note, the soph. Coney is a total stud.  In years to come, the combo of the frosh & soph could break some serious records for the Dutchmen.

Back to the game, the field goal team once again cost the team dearly in this 1.  Union missed a chip shot to tie the game as time expired.  U89 stood directly behind the Union bench and the players were obviously VERY frustrated with the unit.  A number of the players were shouting, "Two damn weeks in a row!!!  This is rediculas!!!"  Not a good situation at this time for that unit, as it seems the team itself is starting to place blame directly on them...the situation needs to be addressed obviously.  Also, Coney rushed 32 times for 127 yards and U89 still thinks he was underutilized!!!  I think the kid should have been fed more especially early and the outcome could have been different.