Quote from: Trin9-0 on Today at 04:24:51 PMThe SP+ model went 5-0 in Week 1 of NESCAC play. Here are the Week 2 score projections:

Amherst 29.7 @ Hamilton 14.7

Middlebury 24.3 @ Bowdoin 13.5

Trinity 42.0 @ Bates 5.6

Tufts 17.1 @ Wesleyan 37.6

Williams 23.7 @ Colby 13.5

We think Wes -20 is a lot...Hartford State, Middlebury, and Williams feels about right...we think Amherst -15 might be too much as well..

This week on the 9 Weeks NESCAC podcast we will have as guests D3 Football Report's Frank Rossi, Wesleyan AD and former Wesleyan and Williams HCOF Mike Whalen, and Bantam WR Nolan O'Brien.



 

Wes Week #1 Highlights...

https://youtu.be/ZXvo1oKv1iY?feature=shared

Quote from: lumbercat on Yesterday at 10:45:52 PMYeah, it's nice to have the option to do the Missouri thing, I get it. But when you're scouting and recruiting a kid like this you go all in. Sure he could get hurt but as an incoming prospect Hamilton got a potentially great one here with credentials that exceed any of the other RBs I've seen in this class- maybe the best all around RB prospect since Chance Brady at Tufts.

We hear you and definitely respect your opinion. Someone reported here on the Boards that he was already injured in Week 1 so we'll see. Always take those sorts of reports with a grain of salt. Not to get into the weeds on a HAM team that will probably end up near the bottom of the standings, but the bigger questions for us as far as the Continentals are concerned for 2027 and beyond are replacing Kurzum, upgrading the offensive line and fixing the defense.

Meanwhile in Brunswick...

Quote from: lumbercat on Yesterday at 10:06:14 PM

Quote from: Nescacman on Yesterday at 04:13:59 PM

Quote from: ItsATuftSituation on Yesterday at 12:31:01 PMWas in Medford to watch the Jumbos play Hamilton. Sad that Hamilton's stud first-year RB got hurt on the final play of the game. He was super dynamic, scored three times in the game. Hope he's okay but he was down for a long, long time.

Never like to hear about injuries. We hope he is OK.

Not sure if 7 carries for 33 yards (and 6 catches primarily on dump passes) warrants the term "stud" but he did score 3x and HCOF Murray was very high on Ace when we spoke to Coach on our season preview 9 Weeks NESCAC podcast. He certainly has one of the better names in the NESCAC so there is that... 

NM1-
This kid is a stud and will be heard from in this conference believe me- to put things in perspective his   track times in high school---- 100 meters: 10.6 ---indoor 55m: 6.51---- 110m hurdles outdoor: 14.12
I know Hamilton is not a track school but these High School times are better than Hamilton school records before he even shows up. This kid is Ladirus Drew on a 5'8" 188 pound frame. Not sure any other NESCAC teams even knew about this kid because he doesn't appear to have participated in any of the New England clinics where all the NESCAC teams beat each other up competing for camp participants. What a get for Murray.....like Kurzum. Hamilton fishes in a different recruiting pond and they have a lot of recruiting opportunities they have missed in past years, looks like they are turning things around.

We'll see. We're always from Missouri when we hear these type of reports. If he is another Ladarius (who we loved as a student-athlete and still love as a person and friend), HAM has a good one on their hands (assuming he stays healthy, which, as you know, Ladarius was unable to do). Now all HAM has to do is find some offensive linemen to block for him.

Quote from: Brady12 on Yesterday at 04:20:26 PM

Quote from: ItsATuftSituation on Yesterday at 12:31:01 PMWas in Medford to watch the Jumbos play Hamilton. Sad that Hamilton's stud first-year RB got hurt on the final play of the game. He was super dynamic, scored three times in the game. Hope he's okay but he was down for a long, long time.

Brutal week for injuries.  Prayers for those players and families.  And prayers for Marvin Antoine's family and UMass Dartmouth team.  What an absolute tragedy. 

We'll second that. Puts things in perspective.

Quote from: ItsATuftSituation on Yesterday at 12:31:01 PMWas in Medford to watch the Jumbos play Hamilton. Sad that Hamilton's stud first-year RB got hurt on the final play of the game. He was super dynamic, scored three times in the game. Hope he's okay but he was down for a long, long time.

Never like to hear about injuries. We hope he is OK.

Not sure if 7 carries for 33 yards (and 6 catches primarily on dump passes) warrants the term "stud" but he did score 3x and HCOF Murray was very high on Ace when we spoke to Coach on our season preview 9 Weeks NESCAC podcast. He certainly has one of the better names in the NESCAC so there is that... 

Quote from: Brady12 on Yesterday at 10:15:06 AM

Quote from: Nescacman on September 20, 2026, 02:42:37 PM

Quote from: SpringSt7 on September 20, 2026, 01:45:17 PMQuick week 1 reactions and overreactions

-Trinity and Wesleyan the clear top 2 - if Carroll plays like that all year Trinity will be tough to beat. Wesleyan just has so many dudes

-Kurzum has taken another leap and Hamilton will be a frisky out

-Another long year in Lewiston if Lynskey is out for an extended amount of time

Spring our dear Eph friend...didn't you forget one?!?   

Another observation the Polar Bears front 7 were impressive. If not for Johansen they could have had upwards of 8 sacks. Zero time to throw.

Polars defense played well Saturday. They have some work to do on the offensive side of the ball, particularly in the running game. MID is pretty good against the run so Week #2 could be a challenge for BOW.

2026 NESCACMAN Week 1 Power Rankings

Welcome to the NESCACMAN Week #1 Power Rankings for 2026.

NESCACMAN went 4-1 in Week #1 picking games. Our winners were Wesleyan, Tufts, Williams, and Hartford State. UBates was our lone loser. Wesleyan remains in the top spot in the NESCACMAN Consortium rankings.

NESCAC headlines for Week #1:
•   Every home team won except for Middlebury.
•   All the favorites won with Wesleyan and Hartford State doing so in impressive fashion.
•   Hartford State avenges last year's opening day loss to Colby with Jaxon Carrol and Nolan O'Brien leading the way.
•   Wesleyan's offense looked to be as good as advertised.
•   Tufts HCOF Jay Civetti becomes the all-time winningest coach in Tufts football history. Congratulations to Coach Jay.
•   Injuries were a big part of the day with OPOTY candidates Owen Johansen and Ryan Lynskey both leaving their games with what appeared to be significant injuries.

We also co-host "Nine Weeks: A NESCAC Football Podcast" along with Chris Grace, the longtime play-by-play voice of the Wesleyan Football Cardinals. Available weekly, the podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts including YouTube, Spotify, and Apple. Please follow us and take a listen. Season 3, Episode 1  is available now featuring ALL 10 NESCAC Head Coaches, former Wesleyan Cardinal lineman and NESCAC great Nick Helbig, and NESCAC Football Report's Jon Keith. Season 3, Episode 2 will be available later this week and will feature two more amazing guests as well as a review of Week #1's games and previews/picks for Week #2. Should be another great watch/listen. We encourage you to check it out.

Here are our rankings for Week #1:

1). Wesleyan Cardinals (Record: 1-0; Last Week Rank: 1; Last Week: Win @Middlebury 35-13; This week: host Tufts):  Wesleyan led from start to finish and won in "workmen-like" fashion. Wes controlled the clock, did not  turn the ball over or allow a sack, and converted a high percentage of third downs. Very strong week #1 execution by the Cards. Kudo's to Wesleyan Senior RB Jared Lindstrom for returning to action after being out for 1,043 days.   

2). Hartford State Bantams (Record: 1-0; Last Week Rank: 2; Last Week: Win v. Colby 34-14; This week: @UBates): Avenge last year's opening day loss to Colby. QB  Jaxon Carroll and WR Nolan O'Brien were impressive in the win. Run defense looks stout as they only allowed 22 yards rushing. Looks like another very good Bantam team.

3). Williams Purple Cows (Record: 1-0; Last Week Rank: 3; Last Week: Win v. Bowdoin 17-7; This week: @Colby): Sluggish game for the Ephs. Did enough to win against the offensively challenged Polars. QB Owen Johansen was injured and Owen McHugh relieved him. They ran the ball well in as they have in recent years. OPOTY candidate WR Zach Falls was quiet on the day. The defense played well holding Bowdoin to just 12 yards rushing and forcing 3 turnovers.

4). Tufts Jumbo's (Record: 1-0; Last Week Rank: 4; Last Week: Win v. Hamilton 42-28; This week: @Wesleyan): Offense looked proficient in disposing of the Continentals. Christian Shapiro went over the century mark on the ground adding 4 TDs. Luke Kurzum threw for over 300 yards and 2 TDs. Pass defense will need to be better this week as they face a tougher test this week in Wesleyan.

5). Middlebury (Record: 0-1; Last Week Rank: 5; Last Week: Loss v. Wesleyan 42-28; This week: @Bowdoin): The Panthers seemingly abandoned the run early and had only 70 yards rushing on the day. 2025 NESCAC rushing champ RB Connor McClellan only had 22 yards on 10 carries. Aiden Moss started at QB for MID and played well enough despite throwing a pick 6. Middlebury seemed content to shut down the Wes long-range passing game. Wes QB Fitzsimons took what the Panthers gave him and completed pass after pass underneath all day.

6). Amherst Lord Mammoths (Record: 1-0; Last Week Rank: 7; Last Week: Win v. UBates 24-14; This week: @Hamilton): Sluggish win for the Lord Mammoths in their home opener in front of 500 (!) loyal fans. QB Marek Hill (11 for 29, 2 interceptions including a pick 6) struggled for Amherst. Defense was solid in the win.

7). Colby Mules (Record: 0-1; Last Week Rank: 8; Last Week: Loss @Hartford State 34-14; This week: host Williams): As expected, it appears that the Mules will take a step back after their stellar 2025 season. Offensive struggles that we have become used to, seem to still be there. Transfer QB Stehen Gill had 2 TD as the Mules appeared to deploy a platoon at QB. They only had 22 yards on the ground (on 25 attempts). Defense does not appear to be as strong as 2025 as they allowed almost 500 yards of total offense to the Bantams.

8). University of Bates Bobcats (Lewiston Campus)(Record: 0-1; Last Week Rank: 6; Last Week: Loss @Amherst 24-14; This week: host Hartford State): Kitties led against the Lord Mammoths with 3 minutes to play in the 4th. OPOTY Ryan Lynskey candidate suffered what appeared to be a serious leg injury. QB Jack Gilmore struggled throwing 4 INTS. Not going to get easier this week against Hartford State for the Kitties.

9). Hamilton Continentals (Record: 0-1; Last Week Rank: 10; Last Week: Loss @Tufts 42-28; This week: host Amherst): Hamilton QB Luke Kurzum gives the Conts a shot every week. Offense is decent (at least their passing game). 346 yards passing vs. 28 yards rushing. Defense is an issue for Hamilton.

10). Bowdoin Polar Bears (Record: 0-1; Last Week Rank: 9; Last Week: Loss @Williams 17-7; This week: host Middlebury): Nearly shutout in Williamstown. Couldn't run the ball effectively and passing game was not much better. 3 turnovers did not help.

2026 NESCAC Offensive Player of the Week: RB Christian Shapiro, Tufts

2026 NESCAC Defensive Player of the Week: DB Tommy Kilroy, Wesleyan

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Quote from: SpringSt7 on September 20, 2026, 01:45:17 PMQuick week 1 reactions and overreactions

-Trinity and Wesleyan the clear top 2 - if Carroll plays like that all year Trinity will be tough to beat. Wesleyan just has so many dudes

-Kurzum has taken another leap and Hamilton will be a frisky out

-Another long year in Lewiston if Lynskey is out for an extended amount of time

Spring our dear Eph friend...didn't you forget one?!?   

Quote from: Brady12 on September 20, 2026, 11:56:59 AM

Quote from: Nescacman on September 20, 2026, 11:01:58 AMInteresting opening weekend in the NESCAC. Week #1 headlines:

- Everyone held serve in Week 1 and no major surprises.
- Potential serious injuries to key players.
- 2025 challenges for certain teams seem to still be there in 2026.
- We are watching off-the-field issues as a developing story.

More to follow...

NM

What is the roster rules regarding once the season starts. Can kids who got cut, come back if there are injuries? 

Your 84-man roster is your roster for the year...once submitted to the NESCAC at the start of the season, you are locked into those student-athletes for the season. You cannot bring back players that were cut.

NM 

Interesting opening weekend in the NESCAC. Week #1 headlines:

- Everyone held serve in Week 1 and no major surprises.
- Potential serious injuries to key players.
- 2025 challenges for certain teams seem to still be there in 2026.
- We are watching off-the-field issues as a developing story.

More to follow...

NM

Quote from: CardiacEphs on September 18, 2026, 12:37:11 PMHearing reports the Wesleyan RBs (LaRose and Diaz) got into a physical altercation after practice Thursday. LaRose will be OUT with a broken nose and Diaz's availability remains to be seen pending possible internal discipline. Not the type of start to the season the defending champs were looking for. More to come on this situation.

To no one's surprise, this was completely fake news.

Pat, this post should be removed and this author should be banned...

Beautiful early Fall AM here in VT...looking forward to a great opening day in the NESCAC!

And if you a few minutes on your drive to whatever NESCAC game you are headed to, check out the 9 Weeks NESCAC podcast available wherever you get your podcasts including YouTube, Facebook, Apple and Spotify. Search for "9 Weeks NESCAC"...the first and only podcast of its kind.

2026 Week 1 NESCACMAN Picks

Welcome back NESCAC...it's 2026 Week #1 "in the league where they pay to play".

Our NESCAC game of the week is in Middlebury, Vermont where the Middlebury Panthers will host the 2x NESCAC Champion Wesleyan Cardinals in an important early season match-up.

We were 32-13 (.711 winning %) on our picks last year.

Let's get to this week's games...

University of Bates (Lewiston Campus) at Amherst College: We expect this game to be the closest, most competitive game in Week 1. Tough to call a game in Week 1 a "must win", but both teams want to get out of the box strong. Amherst's defense has been very good in recent years (2nd in the NESCAC in total defense in 2025) but they lost some keys guys to graduation. Amherst will rely on QB Marek Hill while UBates will lean on RB Ryan Lynskey. Amherst wins if: They avoid turnovers and they stop the UBates flex option. UBates wins if: Lynskey rushes for 125+. We like the Kitties in a mild upset on the road.

UBates 28 Amherst 27
Point Spread:  Amherst -3
Weather (courtesy of The Weather Channel): Partly cloudy skies. High 69F. Winds light and variable.

Bowdoin College at Williams College: Bowdoin high pressure defense against the top running team in the NESCAC in 2025.  For Bowdoin to have a chance in this game, they will need to stop the Williams running game. Bowdoin QB Soren Hummell is back and has experienced weapons on offense. Will he be able to exploit the Williams secondary that was challenged against the pass in 2025? Williams has a star at QB in Owen Johansen. WR Zach Falls will need to be stopped by Bowdoin. Bowdoin defender and pre-season D3 All American Angus Leary is an X-Factor for the Polars. Bowdoin wins if: They can stop the Willams running game led by Johansen and RB Matt Bott. Williams wins if: The secondary is improved and steps it up in 2026. We think Williams has too much talent to lose to a Maine team at home on opening day.

Williams 34 Bowdoin 17
Point Spread: Williams -14
Weather: Partly cloudy. High 67F. Winds light and variable.

Colby College at Hartford State College: Colby will try to build on the momentum created by their 6-3 season a year ago. Hartford State will try to avenge their shocking opening season loss a year ago to the Mules. WR Nolan O'Brien and QB Jaxon Carroll are back leading the Bantams. Hartford is a tough place to win for visiting teams. The winning formula for the Mules in 2025 was solid defense and just enough offense. Colby wins if: Their offense is better in 2026 than it was in 2026. We don't expect the defense to be as strong. Hartford State win if: They score 20 or more points against the Mules at home. We think Colby keeps the game close for a while before the Bantams pull away in the second half.

Hartford State 24 Colby 7
Point Spread: Hartford State -14
Weather: Partly cloudy skies. High around 70F. Winds NNE at 5 to 10 mph.

Hamilton College at Tufts University: Hamilton has one of the top returning QBs in Luke Kurzum. Question is can their offensive line protect him and allow them to run the ball to mix it up a bit. Despite Hamilton's 2-7 record in 2025, 5 of their 7 losses were close. Tufts has a bunch of returning starters at the skill positions including QB Hudson Weidman and RB Christian Shapiro. Hamilton wins if: Kurzum plays well and they can run the ball at least enough to keep the Tufts defense honest. Tufts wins if: They stop Kurzum and his collection of WRs.  We expect a closer game than people would think. We think the Jumbo's pull it out but not without a fight.

Tufts 28 Hamilton 21
Point Spread: Tufts -7
Weather: Partly cloudy. High 63F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph.

NESCAC Game of the Week

Wesleyan University at Middlebury College: Wesleyan is coming off a year in which they won their second straight NESCAC Championship and their 4th straight Little 3 championship. They return 8 All-NESCACers including most of their skill players and their offensive line. However, Middlebury returns the league rushing champ in Connor McClellan and is always well coached. Returning NESCAC OPOTY QB Matt Fitzsimons will try to air it out against a Middlebury defense that struggled against the pass at times. Wes lost talent on the defensive side of the ball, including NESCAC DPOTY Dylan Connors, but always seems to reload and does return a DPOTY candidate in Austin Baker. Middlebury's starting QB will be making their first ever college start. Wesleyan wins if: They play their game including establishing the run to set up passes to their talented receiving corps. Middlebury wins if: They put pressure on Fitz and force him to hurry his throws. Wes has won 4 of the last 5 meetings between these schools including the last time they met in Vermont. We expect a hard-fought Wes win as their offensive weapons prove too much for the Panthers to handle.

Wesleyan 34 Middlebury 21
Point Spread: Wesleyan -7
Weather: Sunshine. High 64F. Winds light and variable.

Good luck to all the student-athletes and coaches this Saturday!

NESCACMAN's Picks:
2026 Season: 0-0
2025 Season: 32-13
2024 Season: 38-7
2023 Season: 31-14
2022 Season: 31-14
2021 Season: 33-12
2020 Season: 0-0 (COVID)
2019 Season: 33-12
2018 Season: 36-9
2017 Season: 35-10
2016 Season: 32-8
2015 Season: 30-10
2014 Season: 30-10
2013 Season: 32-8
Career: 393-127 (.756 winning percentage; 12 seasons)

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Nine Weeks: A NESCAC Football Podcast

Nine Weeks: A NESCAC Football Podcast is the first podcast of its kind in NESCAC history. Hosted by Chris Grace (play-by-play announcer for Wesleyan) and Dave Bagatelle (Wesleyan Alum and former player), our weekly show features coach and player interviews, game analysis, rankings, previews, and predictions.
 
Season 3 Episode 1 (season preview) featuring ALL 10 NESCAC Head Coaches, former Wesleyan lineman and all-time NESCAC great (2x NESCAC DPOTY) Nick Helbig, and NESCAC Football Report's Jon Keith.

The podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts including YouTube, Facebook, Apple and Spotify. Search for "9 Weeks NESCAC"...the first and only podcast of its kind.
 
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If you have questions, feedback, ideas or are a player or a coach and would like to appear on our show, please email us at: 9weeksnescac@gmail.com

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Look for NESCACMAN's weekly predictions and point spreads at nescacfootballreport.com. The NESCAC Football report is a website dedicated to all things NESCAC football, including team previews, weekly game previews and power rankings and game recaps.  The site now provides its followers with NESCACMAN's weekly game lines and predicted scores.

Nine Weeks: A NESCAC Football Podcast Season 3, Episode 1 (Season Preview)

Nine Weeks: A NESCAC Football Podcast is the first podcast of its kind in NESCAC history. Hosted by Chris Grace (play-by-play announcer for Wesleyan) and Dave Bagatelle (Wesleyan Alum and former player), our weekly show features coach and player interviews, game analysis, rankings, previews, and predictions.

Available NOW!!! Season 3 Episode 1 features ALL 10 NESCAC Head Coaches, former Wesleyan University Defensive Lineman and NESCAC Great (2x NESCAC DPOTY) Nick Helbig, and NESCAC Football Report's Jon Keith.

The podcast is available wherever you find your podcasts including YouTube, Facebook, Apple and Spotify. Search for "9 Weeks NESCAC"...the first and only podcast of its kind.
 
Thank you to our sponsors Sloane and Walsh, LLP, Gameday Sports and Noank Village Boatyard.

If you have questions, feedback, ideas or are a player or a coach and would like to appear on our show, please email us at: 9weeksnescac@gmail.com

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Visit Nescacfootballreport.com for NESCACMAN's picks/spreads, additional analysis and NESCAC reporting.