LL in game updates

[UfanBill]

WPI has come all the way back and now lead Union 21-14.... (aside: Utes are you proud of yourself? let it go)

[Jonny Utah]

WPI has come all the way back and now lead Union 21-14.... (aside: Utes are you proud of yourself? let it go)

I can't now, I really can't.  (Let it go I mean)

[dlippiel]

Another game where the Dutchmen lead at the half and lose the 2nd half. Union running game certainly had some success but the lack of a passing game is hurting Union. Some very poor drops by Dutchmen receivers today. Great job WPI to battle back and dominate the 2nd half. Congrats to WPI and best of luck on the remainder of the season.

[UfanBill]

WPI wins 21-14. Their defense stacked the box with Union unable to pass going only 2/13 for 10 yards  total. Union has led at halftime in 4 of 5 games but yet is 1-4. Opponents halftime adjustments have been the difference.

[Bombers798891]

Can an Union fan enlighten me? Why are they so unable to pass, period? Has the new coach brought in a new scheme? Is it personnel?

Five and a half games into the season, Union has completed 33-of-87 passes (~37%) In 2016, that's nearly unheard of unless you run the triple option.

[Bartman]

The Good news for Hobart: The Defense can stop the run, they actually ran the ball successfully and Sweeney passes for 300+ again with remnants of a bad shoulder

The Bad News for Hobart: They commit 4 million stupid penalties, not all were fair but when you commit that many it doesn't matter, they played against a decent cover secondary in RPI(Shed essentially shut down as Sweeney had to go to alternates) , as RPI played very well on defense overall....and oh yea, we lost...say goodbye to the Top 25 this year

Congrats to RPI on the 21-17 win, you guys hung in strong just like last year...you are still in the LL hunt...and Hobart you are who you are...clean up the penalties, keep improving on defense and the run game...rest up Sweeney on the bye week....it ain't over but every week will be a battle for this team..

[UfanBill]

OK Bombers, I'll give you my take on Union's inability to throw the ball this season. Any successful passing attack primarily needs two components 1) a QB with a good arm and fundamentals 2) receivers who can get open and catch the ball. Due to injuries Union is working with a 3rd string QB and due to the graduation of ALL of last year's leading receivers, an inexperienced group of wide-outs. Also the new staff had made the decision to go with the strength and experience of the offensive line and running backs. Unfortunately opposing defenses are aware of the Union offensive deficiencies and have stacked against the run.

[Saxon73]

OK Bombers, I'll give you my take on Union's inability to throw the ball this season. Any successful passing attack primarily needs two components 1) a QB with a good arm and fundamentals 2) receivers who can get open and catch the ball.

3) and an OL that can pass block.

[dlippiel]

Can an Union fan enlighten me? Why are they so unable to pass, period? Has the new coach brought in a new scheme? Is it personnel?

Five and a half games into the season, Union has completed 33-of-87 passes (~37%) In 2016, that's nearly unheard of unless you run the triple option.

Personnel period. dlip means no offense towards any student athlete/athletes bombers but if dlip is being honest that is his opinion. It's just not there right now.

[dlippiel]

By the way, congrats bombers on the W today and points explosion by the bombers! Nice to see IC battling and putting together two nice wins in a row. Keep it going!

[UfanBill]

OK Bombers, I'll give you my take on Union's inability to throw the ball this season. Any successful passing attack primarily needs two components 1) a QB with a good arm and fundamentals 2) receivers who can get open and catch the ball.

3) and an OL that can pass block.

Actually pass blocking has not been a problem. The Union O-line has only allowed 5 sacks in 6 games.

[Bombers798891]

OK Bombers, I'll give you my take on Union's inability to throw the ball this season. Any successful passing attack primarily needs two components 1) a QB with a good arm and fundamentals 2) receivers who can get open and catch the ball.

3) and an OL that can pass block.

Actually pass blocking has not been a problem. The Union O-line has only allowed 5 sacks in 6 games.

Agreed. Take a look at their sack rate. They've been getting better for years.

This year, Union's had roughly 105 dropbacks (att + sacks), though there may have been some dropbacks that resulted in QB scrambles, I think these two numbers will give us an approximation of what we're looking for. So this season, they're allowing 1 sack every 21 dropbacks

In 2015, they had 23 in 406, so one every 17.6 dropbacks
In 2014, they had 26 in 405, so one every 15.5 dropbacks
In 2013, they had 29 sacks in 363, so one every 12.5 dropbacks

Now, there are other things that can influence sack rate, so this is hardly definitive analysis, but this is an encouraging trend for Union.

Frankly, if I were a Union fan, this season would be encouraging. The defense is solid, and in all honesty, there's a lot to be said when you can still run the ball effectively despite the passing struggles. You give this team even average QB/WR play, and they're 3-3, maybe 4-2.

[dlippiel]

OK Bombers, I'll give you my take on Union's inability to throw the ball this season. Any successful passing attack primarily needs two components 1) a QB with a good arm and fundamentals 2) receivers who can get open and catch the ball.

3) and an OL that can pass block.

Actually pass blocking has not been a problem. The Union O-line has only allowed 5 sacks in 6 games.

Agreed. Take a look at their sack rate. They've been getting better for years.

This year, Union's had roughly 105 dropbacks (att + sacks), though there may have been some dropbacks that resulted in QB scrambles, I think these two numbers will give us an approximation of what we're looking for. So this season, they're allowing 1 sack every 21 dropbacks

In 2015, they had 23 in 406, so one every 17.6 dropbacks
In 2014, they had 26 in 405, so one every 15.5 dropbacks
In 2013, they had 29 sacks in 363, so one every 12.5 dropbacks

Now, there are other things that can influence sack rate, so this is hardly definitive analysis, but this is an encouraging trend for Union.

Frankly, if I were a Union fan, this season would be encouraging. The defense is solid, and in all honesty, there's a lot to be said when you can still run the ball effectively despite the passing struggles. You give this team even average QB/WR play, and they're 3-3, maybe 4-2.

Well said bombers and this is the case for both UfanBill and dlip (hope dlip can speak for you here Bill). While 1-5 is obviously not where anyone wants to be at this point of the season for us Union fans it isn't really all that important compared to the growth we are witnessing. The personnel is almost identical to last year (minus the group of decent receivers and an injured QB). Defensively the difference is unreal, just the little things like positioning, aggressiveness, playmaking, pass rushing, turnovers, tackling, and on and on. Offensively we have an identity and dlip believes it fits the type of players we have at the moment. We stick with it, pound the rock, and grow. There is a completely new culture on the campus of Union College and dlip believes it will eventually pay off. It is going to take  more than a couple years though.

dlip couldn't agree more regarding the possibility of a passing game. If we could throw the ball, even minimally, we would be more successful in the W/L columns then we are right now. Overall dlip is very happy with the program right now. Thanks for the positive thoughts bombers and again, congrats on the 2 league wins in a row!

[UfanBill]

I'm immediately concerned that it will be a long day for Union  St Lawrence scored on it's first possession moving the ball at will with the pass. Union went 3 and out on three running plays inc!using a 3rd and 6. Their lack of any passing game is troubling. 7-0 Larries

[UfanBill]

After being pinned deep by a St. Lawrence punt, Union QB Nick Casiione drops the snap and has to fall on it for a safety. 9-0 St. Lawrence