There have been some really interesting statistics this year that I'm not sure anyone would really believe or notice if they were just watching the games at face value. Just looking at the stats across the league, there are some odd surprises.

Trinity is averaging 17.4 yds per punt return. A truly mind-blowing number at any level, and more than double the next team on the list (Wes 6.7)

Wesleyan, for all the talk of an improved running game,remains a middle to bottom tier running team (3.3 ypc, 104ypg). Although their pass pro has gotten better. Interestingly enough, they still lead the league in time of possession.

Amherst, on the other hand, has figured out how to run the ball after years of mediocrity in that department. Averaging 4.2 per carry and 125 per game. Impressive after last year's abysmal showing there.

Hamilton QB Luke Kurzum is quietly putting together an undoubtedly all-conference season. Averaging just over 250 ypg and throwing 11tds. If he had the supporting cast of some of the other NESCAC QBs, I don't think it's crazy to say he would be an MVP caliber player.

While Williams is unsurprisingly the top rushing team in the league, perhaps more surprising is that Bates ISN'T #2. Equally surprising, Bates is NOT last in the league in passing, with higher averages than Bowdoin and Colby in the passing game.

Colby has only ONE passing touchdown on the entire season, despite having the reigning OROTY in WR Jack Nye, who has not been able to replicate his first year success.

Tufts, after an incredible run of receiving talent, does not have a receiver in the top 10 of any category but one (yards per catch), and that player leads the league with an astonishing 33ypc. The catch (pun slightly intended), he averages less than one catch per game (.7cpg). Interestingly on the other side of the ball, after losing all 5 starters, the Tufts pass defense is among the top 3 in almost every category.

Bowdoin does not have a single player averaging over 3 yards per carry (Dorsey 2.9), but they are not last in the league in ypc as a team. They average 2.5 per carry, while Colby averages 2.4. The mules have more team carries and yards by a slim margin.

Not sure what to make of any of this, but it's certainly interesting. Truly a mind boggling year in the league, but I must admit it's been fun to follow along now that I have no skin in the game!

Quote from: Nescacman on September 23, 2025, 12:27:57 PM

Quote from: Nescacman on September 22, 2025, 06:47:46 PM2025 NESCACMAN Week 2 Power Rankings

1). Tufts Jumbo's (Record: 2-0; Last Week Rank: 2; 7  first place votes): Great win for the Jumbo's at home under the lights. Although they were outplayed for most of the game against Wesleyan, the defense was solid and the Tufts special teams were nothing short of spectacular (blocked punt for a safety, several long kick-off returns, made a long FG, recovered an on-sides kick). QB Justin Keller and the Tufts offense looked sluggish most of the night although they converted a key third down in the waning moments to seal the victory. This was a good win for Tufts against a quality opponent. We think the Jumbo's will have an easier time of it this week as they travel to Amherst to face the Lord Mammoths.

Our write-up this week on Tufts (our #1 ranked team). As a reminder, they played Wesleyan last week. Not sure we would classify these comments as "snide and belittling".

Again, the whole point of my initial response was to highlight how it's ridiculous to say that Wesleyan "outplayed" Tufts. In particular because their special teams were so horrendous. I would define that as a snide comment. But if you can't handle going tit for tat, then I'll play nice and make sure to never ever poke fun at your team again. Wouldn't want to violate the terms of service.

Quote from: Scoops on September 22, 2025, 08:55:11 PMNM - Your cardinal bias is showing. I'm not sure how you can say Wesleyan "outplayed" Tufts on Saturday night. It looked like the cards didn't practice special teams at all last week. 140+ kickoff return yards (should've been two touchdowns but the returner somehow couldn't evade the kicker), a missed field goal, a blocked punt when they were backed up, and they got pinned deep in their own territory by the Tufts punter. The Wesleyan staff should be ashamed of themselves for putting such little effort into such a vital part of the game.

Cherry-picking "quotes" does not suit you. If we can back away from being purposefully obtuse and arguing semantics, then the implication of what I said in full context is pretty clear. Wesleyan LOOKED like they didn't practice special teams, and therefore the staff should be ashamed of putting such little perceived effort into that phase.

I genuinely enjoy your commentary, and our banter. But you can't go thumping your chest after every Wes victory, and then be snide and belittling in your commentary of their opponents when they lose. That just looks weak.

I said nothing that comes close to violating the tos. I stated that it LOOKS like the cardinal staff spent no time. Whether they did, or did not? only the Wesleyan staff knows. But again, it certainly LOOKS like they didn't.

I did, infact, watch the game. And anyone with eyes could see that, while the wes offense was statistically better, they looked equally as maligned as the Tufts offense. So to say they "outplayed" Tufts is rather disingenuous in my opinion. Both teams were constantly 3 & out. Neither team had anything going in the run game. And aside from maybe one or two passes for Wes, both air attacks were largely grounded. It was, as I said, a great defensive battle. But Tufts very clearly out played Wesleyan on special teams, which is why they won. Wesleyan was sloppy in all four special teams, and Tufts was dialed in. The fact that Wes was "two inches" away from tying an otherwise even game is downright poetic, given that it came down to the phase that Wes seemingly neglected.

NM - Your cardinal bias is showing. I'm not sure how you can say Wesleyan "outplayed" Tufts on Saturday night. It looked like the cards didn't practice special teams at all last week. 140+ kickoff return yards (should've been two touchdowns but the returner somehow couldn't evade the kicker), a missed field goal, a blocked punt when they were backed up, and they got pinned deep in their own territory by the Tufts punter. The Wesleyan staff should be ashamed of themselves for putting such little effort into such a vital part of the game.

Tufts certainly did the absolute bare minimum to win offensively, but it's not like the Wesleyan offense looked like a world beater there either. Kelly had a pair of very nice catches, but was otherwise average (maybe we can pump the brakes on exhalting him as the next great NESCAC receiver?). The Cards quarterback was under pressure all night and was lucky to only throw one INT with how careless he was with rushers in his face. And they weren't particularly effective running the ball.

All around a great defensive battle, but Wesleyan came up short because they ignored the third phase of the game, and Tufts took advantage. Neither team looked like they brought their best into the night.

Quote from: quicksilver on September 14, 2025, 04:31:10 PM

Quote from: Nescacman on September 14, 2025, 09:00:49 AMBeing objective, based on the games we've watched (and we've watched 3+ of the 5 so far) plus analyzing the stats plus speaking with our reporters that were at games we have not watched completely yet, outside of Wes and Colby, that was (by far) the worst weekend of NESCAC football we have ever seen...

100% agree. I was at the Bowdoin-Tufts game where both teams played poorly although the Jumbos, employing two new QBs, who showed flashes but not much consistency, were able to do the bare minimum needed to come away with the win.

The Polar Bears went with an unusually young line-up, with the top 3 or so defensive performers being first years and the next bunch being sophomores. It made me wonder whether preseason should start earlier and whether there should be more exhibition games . . And throughout the NESCAC, we see brand new or inexperienced QBs getting the starting nod . . This year is perhaps unusual due to the back-up of fifth year players in the fall of 2024 that slowed the development of younger players but regardless more of a glide pathway to the regular season is probably in order.

I agree that the Tufts/Bowdoin game was not a particularly fun watch. Infact I think it was incredibly frustrating watching either one of those offenses. Bowdoin just seemed content to be in a close game. Their approach to their final drive before the half was mind boggling. There was no urgency at all, and I thought it was very indicative of their offensive strategy on the day. Aside from one big pass, they didn't really show any desire to try and test the new Tufts secondary. Especially odd considering the Tufts defensive front was all over them in the run game.

As for the Jumbos, their offensive play calling was equally infuriating if not more-so. The game could've easily been a blowout if they just leaned on their run game. How can a team with TWO all-conference RBs, a running threat at QB, AND an all-american OL fail punch it in from inside the 10? Even more, there were opportunities in short yardage situations where they elected to THROW the ball? What in the world is Civetti thinking? They should've been able to run up the score, but instead they barely got by against a lesser team. If they ever get out of their own way, Tufts will be an elite program in the league. But they just can't seem to figure it out on offense

Imagine a team playing to their strengths? CRAZY strategy...

But I think what is not being mentioned when you talk about the Berluti era Tufts teams is that they also had the league leading rusher in his sophomore and junior years (by far his most productive). Tyler Johnson led the league in 22 and Chartellis Reece led it 24. Berluti was his own threat as a runner, but that's easy to do when defenses have to worry about all of the elite players that surrounded him. I don't think it's really a question that Berluti was over-hyped and given way more credit than he deserved. Will be interesting to see how the Tufts offense takes shape going forward. Especially since their recruiting class was uncharacteristically weak this year. But I am hearing that all conference RB Reece is back for this season after being held out last year for disciplinary reasons. No idea if he'll make a difference, but that kid is fun to watch for sure.

Quote from: NESCACFball24/7 on March 16, 2025, 05:56:14 PMThe dynamics have shifted significantly in the league. You cant just get away with recruiting the best in new england. Trinity has been succesful with it but you still need that group of out of region kids to put you over the hump. What interesting is Tufts and Wesleyan have done a great job of this but have lacked the depth that come from recruiting at a high level within the region to get them over the hump. I would argue they have had more top end talent than the rest of the league the last few years; them leading the league in transfers to D1's being a prime example of this. However without the ability to build a complete roster especially the jumbos have been dissapointing in the lack of winning they have been able to do with those guys.

I think it's an interesting point 24/7, but not necessarily an accurate one in my opinion. I do agree that regional kids are great for depth and for rounding out a team's roster. It's unlikely that any of the schools in the league are going to be entirely out of region. But I think the days of "winning in your back yard" are antiquated for sure in the NESCAC. Tufts in particular has made a killing in California and Texas recently, and haven't really needed regional guys unless they were exceptional like Lutz (and Berlitti to a lesser extent).

To your point, I just think Tufts hasn't ever figured out how to use all of their talent at the same time, as opposed to force feeding their top guy. I mean think about it... They had a team in 2022 with Lutz (NESCAC POTY & all-american), Richardson (NESCAC POTY & all-american), Moore (2x all conf), Reece (all conf, lead league in rushing), Tyler Johnson (all conf and lead the league in rushing), Cepalia (all American) and Berlutti all on the roster at the same time and they forced the ball to Lutz. And look, I get why. Lutz was a MONSTER. But if you have all that talent, you have to spread the ball around and force teams to defend everywhere all at once. They didn't do that and they went 6-3. So it's less about having the local depth guys. More about using your high end out of region guys properly.

Amherst is no longer a destination within the league. Nothing against Coach Mills and his work there, but the days of the Lord Jeff/Mammoth dominance are just over. I think a big part of that is that Amherst is no longer getting the best New England recruits at this level, and the league has embraced more of a national approach to its recruiting as a whole. And if Amherst has to stack up to a Wesleyan or Tufts or Trinity with national kids, they're not particularly as appealing to a kid from a powerhouse football state.

On top of that, they're just not evolving with the rest of the league. Most of the chatter says that Amherst and Williams are the two main programs who have held the league back from expanding to 9 games in the past, eliminating the roster limit, and accepting the NESCAC playoff bid. If I'm a kid who cares about football, what's the draw to Amherst other than their past success?

Quote from: Bantamsdad69 on March 11, 2025, 12:11:28 AMI was looking through Amhersts roster and they seem so small compared to the rest of the players in the NESCAC. Is it a recruiting philosophy issue? I would think that Amherst could land some of these bigger players but they don't. Anyone from this board have any insight?

A D1 school taking a Wesleyan OL is pretty funny. 63 sacks allowed over the last two seasons. Someone in the Marist scouting department must know something we don't...

But yes, Tufts and Middlebury are the only other schools in the league with a significant number of grad transfers. Tufts also had 2 kickers who went on to Duke. Midd has Donovan Wood at USC, and Cole Kennon at Missouri, and of course Hauschka who went on to a successful NFL career. Will be interesting to see how many D1s start recruiting the league given the recent run of success. It's also curious that so many guys are falling through the cracks. How did the ivy/patriot/pioneer schools whiff on these kids?

Good for the kid. Makes sense for him given his California roots, and that program at UC Davis is pretty good too. Sucks for the jumbos though. Definitely a major loss, especially in a year that they lose Timmins as well to graduation. I think that means they lose their entire starting secondary if I'm not mistaken? I know they were senior heavy last season at the position, and it doesn't look like they have a lot of younger guys that played a ton. They've been good against the pass the last couple of years, will be interesting to see if they can overcome those guys leaving.

Quote from: NESCACFball24/7 on January 19, 2025, 07:40:30 PMIt was posted by the UC Davis football account that they signed him

Quote from: Scoops on January 19, 2025, 06:29:15 PMI'm not sure where you saw that, but I don't see it on Richardson's Twitter account?

Quote from: ItsATuftSituation on January 18, 2025, 08:43:39 PMTy Richardson has transferred to UC Davis. Was announced on their Twitter recently. Tough loss for Jumbos.

I'm not sure where you saw that, but I don't see it on Richardson's Twitter account?

Quote from: ItsATuftSituation on January 18, 2025, 08:43:39 PMTy Richardson has transferred to UC Davis. Was announced on their Twitter recently. Tough loss for Jumbos.

Are we forgetting Ty Richardson? Seems like he's a fair bet for DPOTY given he hasn't committed elsewhere yet.

Quote from: Nescacman on January 09, 2025, 11:48:46 PMOn the defensive side of the ball, we'd argue that the Lord Mammoth's Harmon and Wesleyan's Connors belong in the discussion with UBates Ryan. Harmon and Connors are our early picks to challenge for NESCAC DPOTY in 2025.

Serious question: With all the transfer portal madness reaching the NESCAC, are we going to start seeing "representatives" from higher level programs roaming the sidelines in the future?

I like how posters have zeroed in on UMass, opposed to the other opportunities the young man has. The kid's got a lot of great opportunities, some of which are better academic fits with good football. Given that he's a California kid, I have to assume the San Diego and UC Davis offers are quite appealing to him. Also, if he wants to focus on education he can just stay at Tufts and continue to build his resume for next year's transfer portal. Although I can't imagine many QBs throwing at him next season if he stays.