Happy Veterans Day. Thank you to all that have served. "All gave some... some gave all"

Cannot help but to think of Middlebury Grad John P. Stabile. A former Midd football standout who then joined the Marines in WWII. He paid the ultimate sacrifice while saving his fellow injured Marine. A statue was dedicated to him in his hometown of Medford, MA. He was awarded the Silver Star and Purple Heart.

Another Silver Star and Purple Heart recipient is Pat Tillman. Unfortunately, Tillman was killed by friendly fire. Here is a little write up on Tillman based on the book Where Men Win Glory by Jon Krakauer.

https://streetsmartsports.org/2017/11/10/pat-tillman-a-veteran-and-american-hero-worth-remembering/

2014 was not that far away... Seem to recall some pictures from Wesleyan's locker room where they were trashing Trin on the white board after a victory against the Bants

Should be a good one. I will say, I enjoyed playing Trinity. I remember the Trinity coaches yelling to two of my teammates towards the end of the game "We are gonna to run the ball down your throats freshman!" Let's just say we forced a 3 and out and then our offense drove down and won the game 27-24. Would not saddened one bit if Wesleyan won.

Cheer. Boys. Cheer.

Quote from: westcoastDad on November 08, 2017, 07:51:51 PM
Lol, Midds have 2 losses ......so no!  They need help.  We talkin about "tie" breakers. 

LOL here we go again...

Would be wild to see four teams finish 7-2 and tie for a share of the CAC crown...

My Midd boys were one play away from sitting right there at 7-1 going into week 9. Hoping the Williams team can shock Amherst just like they did Midd.

Of course, Midd has to take care of Tufts too. Not going to be easy.

For this week... Go Wesleyan and Go Williams!

Cheer. Boys. Cheer.

Quote from: Trin8-0 on October 25, 2017, 03:57:56 PM

Quote from: westcoastDad on October 25, 2017, 03:28:06 PM
Nov 1 2014.... Amherst 7 Trinity 6 at Trinity
Three years ago today, Middlebury beat Trinity in The Coop to snap the Bantams' THIRTEEN YEAR, 53 game home winning streak. In case you're wondering what that looks like:

W - Hamilton 10 @ Trinity 21
W - Bowdoin 34 @ Trinity 50
W - Wesleyan 14 @ Trinity 28
W - Colby 10 @ Trinity 17
W - Tufts 12 @ Trinity 13
W - Middlebury 20 @ Trinity 22
W - Amherst 14 @ Trinity 21
W - Williams 0 @ Trinity 10
W - Hamilton 7 @ Trinity 45
W - Bowdoin 0 @ Trinity 51
W - Wesleyan 0 @ Trinity 53
W - Bates 0 @ Trinity 49
W - Tufts 14 @ Trinity 36
W - Middlebury 7 @ Trinity 28
W - Amherst 7 @ Trinity 31
W - Williams 6 @ Trinity 34
W - Hamilton 0 @ Trinity 58
W - Bowdoin 3 @ Trinity 23
W - Wesleyan 7 @ Trinity 63
W - Colby 10 @ Trinity 27
W - Tufts 0 @ Trinity 17
W - Middlebury 3 @ Trinity 34
W - Amherst 0 @ Trinity 24
W - Williams 40 @ Trinity 46
W - Hamilton 7 @ Trinity 42
W - Bowdoin 13 @ Trinity 54
W - Wesleyan 14 @ Trinity 32
W - Bates 7 @ Trinity 17
W - Tufts 27 @ Trinity 28
W - Middlebury 31 @ Trinity 34
W - Amherst 13 @ Trinity 30
W - Williams 21 @ Trinity 26
W - Hamilton 8 @ Trinity 38
W - Bowdoin 31 @ Trinity 45
W - Wesleyan 23 @ Trinity 26
W - Colby 6 @ Trinity 33
W - Tufts 7 @ Trinity 27
W - Middlebury 10 @ Trinity 25
W - Amherst 13 @ Trinity 28
W - Williams 13 @ Trinity 21
W - Hamilton 0 @ Trinity 35
W - Bowdoin 0 @ Trinity 31
W - Wesleyan 0 @ Trinity 27
W - Bates 16 @ Trinity 37
W - Tufts 7 @ Trinity 40
W - Middlebury 7 @ Trinity 45
W - Amherst 20 @ Trinity 32
W - Williams 13 @ Trinity 20
W - Hamilton 13 @ Trinity 48
W - Bowdoin 21 @ Trinity 40
W - Wesleyan 10 @ Trinity 40
W - Colby 7 @ Trinity 32
W - Tufts 14 @ Trinity 35

It looks like the second longest home winning streak belongs to Amherst with 21 consecutive home wins from 2011-2015. Trin and Midd always seem to play great games; Saturday should be no exception. Go Bants!

What is it with you guys and your inability to master the quote function? And yes, it is pretty amazing that after thirteen years without a home loss the Bants dropped consecutive games in The Coop.
[/quote]

Not surprised the Amherst parents can't figured it out... only kidding only kidding.

Will never forget getting waxed in the Coop 45-7 in 2012. Worst game I ever participated in. That team came ready to play from the first snap. We were both 5-0 and they dominated us.

However, I was on the team that ended "the streak" in 2014. We had revenge on our minds and boy was it sweet.

Heres to Trinity on an incredible accomplishment... and here's to Middlebury knocking them off in Vermont just like they did 27-24 in 2013.

I will be up at the game for our Homecoming. Can't wait. Cheer. Boy. Cheers.

[url]streetsmartsports.org/2017/10/20/cut-stephen-hauschka-the-journey-of-being-cut-from-the-middlebury-college-soccer-team-to-nfl-placekicker//url]

From Middlebury to Super Bowl Champ... d3 nation baby

Quote from: PolarCat on October 21, 2017, 11:07:44 PM
Random observations from Garcelon Field today.

While I was rooting for the opponent, it really was fun to watch the Panthers aerial attack shred a secondary.  (I just wish it hadn't been our secondary).  Liebowitz is very, very good.  It was unfortunate he elected not to slide for the first down in the second half, and took a monster hit from Joe Frake.  Both players left the game, though Frake returned.  We're rooting for Midd to knock off Trinity, so are hoping Liebowitz bounces back.

Midd played FOUR different QB's, and TEN different receivers caught passes.  We're in awe of Midd's depth.  And it must be said: he and his kid have taken a lot of crap on this board, but Dave Caputi did a masterful job as OC today.  I'm sorry my son won't face him again; Dave has always been a class act.  (No slight intended to HC Ritter; he obviously sets the tone for the team, and his Panthers won with style and class today).

Midd Offense does have great depth. They always have senior WRs who have not played that end up having a great senior year. James Burke comes to mind last year. Before him was Billy Sadik-Khan. This year Tanner Contois is the guy who has battled injury (two torn ACLs) and is now making plays.

That said... Trinity has incredible depth too. Their second team would finish in the top half of the CAC. Maybe even compete for a top 4 spot if everything went right.

This week will be a battle at Youngman field. Before knowing the extent of injuries... I like Midd to push Trin. I am gonna have it at a one score game. I think Midd shocks Trin and wins 34-31. Two great offenses and two real good defenses. Will Midd be able to stop the Trin ground game? This game is won or lost by Midd QB/ Trin secondary.

MIDD: 34-31.

Call me crazy and a homer... but... Cheer. Boys. Cheer.

streetsmartsports.org/2017/10/20/cut-stephen-hauschka-the-journey-of-being-cut-from-the-middlebury-college-soccer-team-to-nfl-placekicker/

Go Bantams!


Go Bills! (I'm no front-runner ):

[/quote]

Hey Trin 8-0... Although I used to despise Trinity, I cannot help but to look back and respect them and their program. Nothing but respect for the Bants. At times they came across as arrogant, but they had reason to be. I will never forget being blown out 45-7 and being run all over by Bunker and Crick in 2012. Luckily, we got revenge in 2013 and 2014. I guess my point is it's easy to be offended by the actions of Trinity when you are constantly chasing them. They are the alpha male in the league. Of course everybody is going to knock them and be upset by whatever they do. I respect the confidence and challenge others on this blog to see Trinity for what it is and not play the victim card like the rest of society. It pays to be a winner. If you want to be offended, then do something about it on the field. Channel that frustration into on field performance. Don't take cheap shots on their academics or call them Hartford State. I remember in 2014 Mike Mancini was honored as an NFF National Scholar Athlete. He was one of 17 recognized on all levels of college football. Pretty remarkable imo.

Ok now that I'm done defending Trinity, as it's tough for me to do, especially with Midd playing them next week... On to the Buffalo Bills. I am a huge Bills fan. Born and raised in Buffalo. Live and die by them.

So pumped and honored the Bills have a NESCAC alum and Midd alum as a kicker: Stephen Hauschka. Great guy. Here is a story I wrote on his journey from the NESCAC to the NFL for those interested:

streetsmartsports.org/2017/10/20/cut-stephen-hauschka-the-journey-of-being-cut-from-the-middlebury-college-soccer-team-to-nfl-placekicker/

Cheer. Boys. Cheer.

Been out of town for the past few days...

Made the drive up to VT to watch my Midd boys play. Gotta give it to the young QB from Williams. Kid is a star. Congrats to the Ephs on a hard fought win. I'm sure they felt revenge from losing to Midd 23-20 OT in 2014.

Westcoastdad...Not going to blame a loss on the refs. There were calls that went both ways. Pretty much balanced out. That looked like a sack from where I was sitting, but Midd benefitted from plenty of calls. They had other opportunities to end the game and didn't capitalize.

Didn't think Midd played into the trap game mentality. They balled out the first half and the 4th quarter let up finally bit them in the butt. If they played the 4th like the first half they would have won by 20. Couldn't finish drives... too many big plays in the 4th. Gotta give it to the young, scrappy Williams team. QB for Williams turned me into a fan.

Only thing that really bothered me about the game.... An unruly Williams fan yelled out to 24 on Midd (Meritus) and called him "disgusting" and a "fat bastard" (among many other personal insults). Truly ugly things to be saying because of his skin color and the fact he took a knee before the game. That is just not acceptable in NESCAC football. My girlfriend had to contain me before I approached the guy and initiated a fight (good for her). I am not blaming all Williams fans, but this guy was belligerent and out of hand. Had he been a Midd fan, I would have approached him and told him that was unacceptable. I congratulated him on the win after the game, but looking back, I should have said what I was really feeling. Guy needs to take a good look in the mirror and realize that the NESCAC has certain standards that needs to be uphold by fans even if he personally was screaming inside. It was really not OK and I felt embarrassed for him and the many respectful Williams fans near him.

Other good QBs in the CAC also seem to be dual threat guys... Even Puzzo and Piccirillo seem to be more like traditional college QBs... can throw well but also can tuck and run if need be and sometimes will run QB draws willingly.

I remember Justin Ciero at Colby in 2013 was very effective and could run and throw. Very tough to game plan against. D coordinators worst nightmare.

Speaking of the Jamaican Bobsled team roflol........Has there every been an African American Quarterback in the NESCAC that actually started for a whole season?  I saw the only African American coach (for Williams) has come and gone.  Amherst had an amazing PK a few years ago who was bigger than most of the kids on the team but only kicked extra points and field goals.  But, boy did he convert some clutch kicks his junior year (or maybe that was his senior year 2014). 

D1 football is loaded with dual threat QBs.  NESCAC seems more TB12 style.
[/quote]

WestcoastDad... As a recent grad, I cannot speak to your question about players in the past... Although Wesleyan did have a dual threat kid Gernald Hawkins that started all of 2015 and did fairly well. He also played at QB last year for the Cards. Looks like he got moved to WR based on the roster this year. Not surprising as he was a raw athlete. Never played against him but the kid looked like he could move well.

Although I can't see too many NESCAC QBs looking like TB12... except for his doppleganger Alex Snyder from Tufts last year. Anybody have an update on him?? I saw he had some looks at Rookie camps. Even with the Bucs. Pretty unreal for the kid. Wish him all the best.

The only other one I can say fit that mold was Mac Foote. Jared Lebo at Midd fits more of the dual threat option like a Mariota (based on size, speed, and throwing capacity). At least IMO. Thoughts??

Nescac1... I think you are onto something... It's hard to quantify... but I think the Midd offense is a big pull in luring top notch QBs and WRs to midd... Although, Trinity, Amherst, Williams, and Wesleyan do not seem to have a problem luring incredible athletes. I think your point is relevant given the geographical similarities between Vermont and Maine (far away from big civilization).

Amh63... I'm a little confused by your last post. I understand it is a team sport, but injuries are part of the discussion anytime a team plays another without a big piece of their team. The same is true with suspensions. For instance, the Indy Colts are still talked about in regards to them playing without Luck. When Brady didn't play the first 4 games last season for the Pats, the expectations were much lower. When Edelman went down, I heard a lot of Pats fans say that if they had Edelman, Brady would have had a much better game against the Chiefs in week 1 because of the fact of their chemistry. I guess my point is, why would you not consider missing pieces, especially if the replacement does not perform to the same standard/ the chemistry/ experience is not the same??

Williams at Midd could be a trap game for the Panthers.  If they look ahead to the following week against Trinity, they may allow the upstart Williams team to pull the upset.  If Midd loses the turnover battle and gives Williams some short fields they will be playing into the Ephs hands.  As the underdog, Williams will be playing with few expectations and little pressure.  They have a QB that can run an effective offense and if given favorable field possession can keep the game competitive.  Even bad Eph teams give Midd trouble, like the 2014 OT game that the Panthers dodged a bullet on.  If the Ephs win, the appetite for the following weeks Midd-Trinity tilt will be far less inviting.
[/quote]
Love your thoughts on this game.
[/quote]

Maineman... I agree. This game is huge for Midd. After the miscues on defense in the second half v Amherst, they will need to improve to keep Williams from knocking them off at home.

ColbyFootball... Have you removed the "not too good" tag on Midd?? Who do they have to beat to remove that tag??