I am very happy for Union's W yesterday and the possibility that they may have found their QB and RB. Union has some very talented receivers and when the Garnet can get them the ball, combined with some decent running, good things can happen (I guess that isn't necessarily unique to Union as that's a winning recipe for any football team). While I am in full agreement with IC regarding the significance of this win in regard to any type of national picture or even a lowly E8/LL comparison, it was much needed for the U in order to find some type of offensive identity and gain some positive momentum moving forward into league play.

I hate seeing the LL so down on a national level. With that said I'm just going to focus in on our league play and enjoy the battles between our traditional rivals.

By the way, congratulations to Endicott on their W over MHB. I know Endicott has arrived and been a strong program for some time now but that W is impressive to me.

I do think today is a big day for the Dutch out at Mo'ville. While obviously not a league game this one is a game I believe they "should" win and need to win in order to get some positive momentum heading into league play. I'm very curious to see who starts at QB and who gets the majority of hand offs at RB today.

We have a young line who has really had some positive moments considering. Really hoping the young men have a great day today. Let's go U!

I thought Utica would break into the top 25 this week...they just missed.

IC hit the nail on the head. The Union offense is really struggling. The Oline is young and developing while our RB's, so far, are just not explosive and/or able to create much, they just aren't.

I like what Union's Junior QB showed today with his arm. I see potential and with a year to develop under Drach, he could be a pretty dangerous pocket passer IMHO. With that said, he is not as strong of a runner as Bisson is, not really close (at least from what I saw today against a decent Red Dragon defense. Bisson runs pretty well and runs hard, but his passing last week was just not enough. Drach has a decision to make and I don't think it's an easy one. I'm sure these are two great young men who are excellent student athletes. I'm rooting for both of them.

I think Union's defense played another strong game. They are pretty darn good. I absolutely love the play of senior defensive back Alex Carucci. Kid is physical and all over the place. He's a spark plug out there. Union had some excellent pressure today at some key times as well.

The penalty both IC and I mentioned was just brutal and IMHO was the biggest turning point of the game, right before half.

Union has potential and I do like a lot of what I see.

Cortland's QB is an excellent runner. He didn't impress me much through the air but when running the ball, he is shifty, see's the field so well, and is very strong. I really enjoyed watching him play.

Union down 3-0 after intercepting a Cortland pass inside the 30 with 40 some seconds left...until Union takes yet another penalty...this time a roughing the passer/personal foul penalty resulting in a Cortland first down. On the next play, Cortland scores and goes up 10-0. Absolutely inexcusable penalties this half, especially that one.

I think Union is playing very well, and I love seeing the Soph Sheenen behind center. He is not as good of a runner as Bisson but the kid can really throw and seems to have a big upside in that department.

Let's see how the second half shakes out. Cortland is a solid football team. Loaded with athletes.

I enjoy the E8/LL matchups and hope the LL surprises and goes over 500.

I think Union gets beaten soundly tomorrow. I really like their D but I think they will need to carry the load once again this week and they will struggle to play as well as they did last week (and I thought they played VERY well last week). 

I see our offense having another tough week. They will make a play here and there, but for another week this young offense will fail to carve out an identity. I believe they will have a hard time sustaining drives, and struggle to pass the ball effectively. I'm not trying to knock the U as I do believe they are a decent team and will compete this season. I just don't think they have enough to beat Cortland. Please prove me wrong Union.

Quote from: Machiavelli on September 10, 2026, 11:24:08 AMApparently I forgot to pick the Union game last week(not intentional), but I would've picked Susquehanna in any case. So I'll put my record at 7-1 after incorrectly picking the Stagg Bowl preview Case Western vs. Rochester game. I guess it's already time for Week 2!

Mach's Glorious Week 2 Picks:

Cortland - 31
Union - 21
Union's week 1 was impressive taking Sus to OT. Cortland beat a solid Grove City team last week pretty handily. I can't believe I'm saying this, but it feels like a coin flip game. I'm gonna give the future gym teachers the nod, but this should be a good game.

St. John Fisher - 35
St. Lawrence - 14
St. Lawrence got 1 of their 3-4 wins already. I think Fisher beats them up.

Buff St. - 21
Hartwick - 24
For the sake of the LL, I really wish Buff State could rep this week. Hartwick isn't good. But Buff St. stinks.

MooVille - 20
Rochester - 24
Rochester got manhandled last week by the odds-on 2026 National Champ. MooVille was 0-10 last year, but got a W in Week 1 against a poor Kean team. Rochester won by 16 a year ago, but I think this may be closer. I guess I'll give this below mediocre matchup to the Bumble Bees.[/i]

Utica - 17
RPI - 21
I can't tell if this is a homer pick or not. I thought RPI looked pretty solid last week. QB hung in the pocket and made some great throws. Running game was solid. Defense was flying around, but had a few lapses. Utica won big last year, but the game is in Troy and I want to think RPI is the LL team to beat this year. This week will give some indication if I'm way off.

Brockport - 38
Hobart - 31
Man, this is a tough week to pick! Brockport beating the Buffaloes 68-0 tells us nothing. Hobart had a nice, but close, win over Alfred who is at least above average. This was a nailbiter a year ago at Brockport. While I want to give 'Bart the nod at the Boz, Brockport scares me a bit. Going with BPort.

Alfred - 10
Ithaca - 28
I was impressed with Ithaca's showing last week. This could be a tight first half, but I like Ithaca to run away a bit in the 2nd half.

Dilbert - 3
Alfred St - 56
Alfred St started off as Dilbert winning 1 game/year in their first 6 seasons(granted, those wins were against Pop Warner teams). Dilbert is now in year 5 and is 0-36. Last year they were outscored 448-78 with a ~37 point losing margin. So it took Alfred State about a decade to rise above the bottom feeders. Dilbert isn't A bottom feeder, they are THE bottom feeder. The Pioneers win big and easy.

Look, by my religion, I can't ever route for Union, but beating Cortland would be a big W for the LL and I think it's entirely on the table. Would also love to see Hobart, RPI, Roch-Vegas and maybe even Buff St get wins. At best, the LL could go 6-2, at worst 1-7. I think 3-5 has the most likelihood.

LMFAO Mach!

First of all congratulations to RPI, Hobart, and SLU on their wins. I agree with much of what's been said about Ithaca not quitting and making the score respectable against one heck of a team in Johns Hopkins. I think this game will make IC better and they should be proud of their effort today.

Well, that was one hell of a game in Schenectady this afternoon. My goodness what an entertaining game to watch, but certainly a frustrating one for the Garnet faithful at the end.

This game was crazy from the start. Some first game penalties by both teams throughout. Here are some thoughts on what I saw.

First and foremost I give Susquehanna a ton of credit for staying positive and focused enough to turn on the jets when they needed them most. That last drive was really impressive. I do believe that Union's offense lost this game. The D was on the field too much and was really the story for Union for much of the day. They kept the Garnet afloat and made some big plays and big stops throughout. Offense simply couldn't get it done when it mattered most, even when the D game them 7 points and a big lead in the fourth quarter.

Positives for Union:
-Very young O-line had a few timely moments today that showed promise
-WR's are fast and talented
-Jah'Cire Jones didn't put the ball on the turf once
-Cole Brisson ran the ball tough (he's a tough kid) and played hard
-Jordan Black (DL) was excellent today

Negatives:
-Union has a very inconsistent passing game...at best
-Offense couldn't sustain drives when the D needed them most
-Oline was outplayed for much of the game
-Running backs were avg
-A couple of absolute blown coverages, the last allowing a game tying TD with 2 seconds left

I think for the most part these are two evenly matched teams giving a slight nod to Susquehanna. I think Union's offense is going to struggle this season to score points and sustain drives. Defense was very impressive. I am looking forward to this season and believe Union has a team that will play hard and have the chance to win some games. I would be shocked if they repeat as the LL champs, shocked, and I'm ok with that.

Quote from: Caz Bombers on September 04, 2026, 10:06:06 AMBrockport 68
Buffalo State 0

Just drop the program already

I watched some of this and had hope for the first five minutes. I feel for the players. The program hasn't had it in quite some time...

TTD...there are just some things I can't accept. Very few, but some lol.

Can't say at this point I know enough to fully agree or disagree with the LL Preseason Poll. I am just very excited for the D3 football season to kick off.

Looks like the Garnet Dutchmen will have a bullseye on their back this season after winning the title last season. I thought Rivera was graduating so I am ecstatic to see he's back. Lots of pressure on Senior QB Cole Brisson to step up and lead this team after Patch had a hell of a year last season. Between Jah'Cire and Dinardo with solid line play (3 new starters I believe) we should hopefully be able to run the ball well (hold onto that football Jah'Cire! We believe in you!).

I am pleased with the defense which looks to have experienced DB's, a solid LBing core, and some good sized dline players with some experience.

My biggest question is will Drach have Bisson air it out or will the Dutch be run heavy? Drach had Patch air it out early and often when he began taking snaps. While he struggled at times I wholeheartedly believe that helped Patch to become the QB he was last season. Brisson does not have the benefit of a year to make mistakes. It will be interesting.

Jeff Behrman is not only the former coach of Union College, but also of John Carroll University. Congrats to Coach Behrman on being hired as the head coach at FCS D1 Bucknell University.

I thought Behrman would be a lifer at Carroll as that was his alma mater and where he grew up. I think the man is an excellent coach and wish him well at Bucknell. I'll be rooting for him.

Curious what an average D3 football salary would be. I'm guessing maybe between 60-90k?

I posted on the OAC board that I see both sides of this. Those fans are used to a culture and process that's changing  and I'm sure that would bother any of us. I mean I almost lost my **** when Union struggled and I was a kid for both of their Stagg Bowls. So I do understand their frustration from their point of view/experience as everything is relative. I honestly haven't been on that board enough over the years to know if they are being too dramatic and complaining too much. If you guys say they are I'll take your word for it.

With that said, I've thought a little, very little about this and I do see IC's point more and more. I would never fault a kid for wanting to go play immediately and for a full four years as opposed to practicing for two/three to only play one/two at the most. I do feel their used to be more of mystique/draw to playing at the highest level possible and sacrificing how ever you had to in order to make that happen.

Quote from: IC798891 on December 09, 2025, 10:57:04 AM

Quote from: pradierguy on December 08, 2025, 08:03:10 AMNo longer are extremely talented kids choosing to come to Mount knowing they might not play until their Junior or Senior years. Kids would rather take the "easier" route to playing time a join programs like BW, Wittenberg, etc. so they can play immediately


It used to be a honor to wait your turn at Mount Union, but now that is just an insult to the player and their families if they aren't starting.

What's wrong with a player wanting to play throughout their career?

This just reads like bitterness that every quality football player in the area doesn't worship at the altar of Mount Union, and like every other OAC program should have to make due with the players Mount doesn't deem worthy enough to play for the Raiders.
 

I'm going to disagree with my LLPP poster IC here and say that I didn't take this post in that way at all (although it could possibly be that, I don't think it is). I think this post references the changing culture in sports and in life itself.

Instant gratification and the plague of enhanced self importance/child's importance in the eyes of their parents, are part of what's changing the sports culture. It has trickled down and made it's way into the D3 world (as some have been posting about here).

Working towards something great used to mean something. While I agree with IC in that a kid has the right to want to go somewhere to play immediately, I disagree that a Mount poster who is used to seeing players come and work the "process" of working and waiting their turn to play at an incredible and unique school like MUC (who IMHO has certainly earned the right to consider itself and it's players elite with the program's overall performance over the past two and a half decades) is being "bitter." MUC fans have had the privilege of watching incredibly talented student athletes come to their school, work their ass off, wait their turn, with only the best of the best, at this level, getting the opportunity to play. That has certainty dissipated over the past couple years and I'm sure it sucks as a MUC fan to see. Many of those former kids now "don't have the time" or the desire to put in the work to play at this elite school. They'd rather have immediate gratification (which they do have the right to) and play somewhere else because the level of commitment/time and work to play and excel at MUC is below them...or they hear from Mom and Dad the "my kid doesn't need to wait and work for greatness, they are great now!" bull****...

Is this the case with everyone that now doesn't go to MUC, I'm guessing no. Yet I'm also guessing this attitude based on the change in culture has played a large role in many kids not going to an MUC, which I believe every MUC fan has the right be to disappointed and let down about. Seeing greatness slip is never enjoyable.