FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[Nescacman]

Amhurst adds a historically inept offensive performance to what has already been an awful 2022 season...a few tidbits from yesterday's game...no touchdowns (now 2 total TD's in 3 games), 1 trip in to the red zone (that makes 4 trips in 3 games),  24 yards rushing on 20 carries, 8 total first downs (including 2 via Hartford State penalty), 175 yards of total offense, 13 for 31 passing including 3 interceptions (including one for a pick 6), 11 punts, 26 minutes of total possession time, and the highlight, 1 of 15 on third down. The LMs leading rusher had 13 yards on the ground. About the only highlight for the LMs yesterday: their punters averaged almost 41 yards per punt on those 11 punts.

The HS defense is decent but they are by no means the '85 Bears...

The LMs have now scored 19 points in 3 games for an average of about 6 points a game...more on this developing story later as HCOF EJ awaits all of those Lord Mammoth legacies to arrive.

[Charlie]

Amhurst adds a historically inept offensive performance to what has already been an awful 2022 season...a few tidbits from yesterday's game...no touchdowns (now 2 total TD's in 3 games), 1 trip in to the red zone (that makes 4 trips in 3 games),  24 yards rushing on 20 carries, 8 total first downs (including 2 via Hartford State penalty), 175 yards of total offense, 13 for 31 passing including 3 interceptions (including one for a pick 6), 11 punts, 26 minutes of total possession time, and the highlight, 1 of 15 on third down. The LMs leading rusher had 13 yards on the ground. About the only highlight for the LMs yesterday: their punters averaged almost 41 yards per punt on those 11 punts.

The HS defense is decent but they are by no means the '85 Bears...





This upcoming weekend the big match up will be Colby at Wesleyan. I think if Colby comes out victorious they will pole vault to top tier team for this year. The victory will really put monkey wrench in championship race.On the same token Williams could be a spoiler as they travel to Middlebury. However key injuries to starting LT of Williams and a few others and there inability to throw the ball effectively makes the chances slim. I think another loss puts tem at bottom tier for this year and Tufts has shown offensively that they belong on top tier.

The LMs have now scored 19 points in 3 games for an average of about 6 points a game...more on this developing story later as HCOF EJ awaits all of those Lord Mammoth legacies to arrive.

[Nescacman]

Amhurst adds a historically inept offensive performance to what has already been an awful 2022 season...a few tidbits from yesterday's game...no touchdowns (now 2 total TD's in 3 games), 1 trip in to the red zone (that makes 4 trips in 3 games),  24 yards rushing on 20 carries, 8 total first downs (including 2 via Hartford State penalty), 175 yards of total offense, 13 for 31 passing including 3 interceptions (including one for a pick 6), 11 punts, 26 minutes of total possession time, and the highlight, 1 of 15 on third down. The LMs leading rusher had 13 yards on the ground. About the only highlight for the LMs yesterday: their punters averaged almost 41 yards per punt on those 11 punts.

The HS defense is decent but they are by no means the '85 Bears...





This upcoming weekend the big match up will be Colby at Wesleyan. I think if Colby comes out victorious they will pole vault to top tier team for this year. The victory will really put monkey wrench in championship race.On the same token Williams could be a spoiler as they travel to Middlebury. However key injuries to starting LT of Williams and a few others and there inability to throw the ball effectively makes the chances slim. I think another loss puts tem at bottom tier for this year and Tufts has shown offensively that they belong on top tier.

The LMs have now scored 19 points in 3 games for an average of about 6 points a game...more on this developing story later as HCOF EJ awaits all of those Lord Mammoth legacies to arrive.

You know what NESCACMAN wants for Christmas? Charlie to learn how to properly use the "quote' feature on D3 Boards!

[NCF]

Amhurst adds a historically inept offensive performance to what has already been an awful 2022 season...a few tidbits from yesterday's game...no touchdowns (now 2 total TD's in 3 games), 1 trip in to the red zone (that makes 4 trips in 3 games),  24 yards rushing on 20 carries, 8 total first downs (including 2 via Hartford State penalty), 175 yards of total offense, 13 for 31 passing including 3 interceptions (including one for a pick 6), 11 punts, 26 minutes of total possession time, and the highlight, 1 of 15 on third down. The LMs leading rusher had 13 yards on the ground. About the only highlight for the LMs yesterday: their punters averaged almost 41 yards per punt on those 11 punts.

The HS defense is decent but they are by no means the '85 Bears...





This upcoming weekend the big match up will be Colby at Wesleyan. I think if Colby comes out victorious they will pole vault to top tier team for this year. The victory will really put monkey wrench in championship race.On the same token Williams could be a spoiler as they travel to Middlebury. However key injuries to starting LT of Williams and a few others and there inability to throw the ball effectively makes the chances slim. I think another loss puts tem at bottom tier for this year and Tufts has shown offensively that they belong on top tier.

The LMs have now scored 19 points in 3 games for an average of about 6 points a game...more on this developing story later as HCOF EJ awaits all of those Lord Mammoth legacies to arrive.

You know what NESCACMAN wants for Christmas? Charlie to learn how to properly use the "quote' feature on D3 Boards!

That's hilarious, but in his defense, it does take a few tries for newbies.

[Gate90]

Trinity play calling has been atrocious to this point.  Zero creativity.  Fetter certainly not the same QB without Girard.  If they keep allowing these supposed inferior teams to stay in games, they are bound to lose one or two.

[nescac1]

A few more thoughts on Tufts-Williams:

On the plus side for the Ephs, they showed they could pass the ball a bit, although still far too much trouble getting receivers consistently open in space and the QB still needs to improve significantly on hitting guys in stride.  Still, nice to see him throw a clutch deep TD pass to an open receiver on a big fourth down play, and Ledden has shown some signs of maybe joining Degasperis as a dependable receiving option.  An area where Williams will have to keep improving if they hope to be an above .500 team this year.  Dickinson is very impressive as a runner already, really physical especially near the goal line, but they don't seem to run many options plays with him so it doesn't keep the D totally off balance in the way Maimaron did.  Maybe a wrinkle they can add if the passing game continues to struggle, I'd like to see some options and WR sweeps and such if the offense is going to continue to be so run-focused.   

The offensive line had, once again, too many penalties, but when they weren't penalized, they were physically dominant in the run game, really wearing down the Tufts defensive front. 

Mario Fischetti had an absolutely spectacular game and the Ephs are all in on him being the centerpiece of the offense. That was one of the best all-around games I've ever seen from a NESCAC back -- 224 yards from scrimmage and two TDs on 30 touches, plus another 130 yards in the return game, despite the fact that Tufts knew he was going to be involved on nearly every play. What's most impressive about him is that even as a very small back, he was driving 2-3 defenders back for a few extra yards at the end of runs when he had momentum, even late in the game after such a heavy work load.  He got a lot stronger in the off-season and it shows.  A threat for a big play every time he touches the ball.  He's going to get even more defensive attention in future weeks so the Ephs have to find ways to get other guys more involved offensively, he certainly can't sustain that sort of work load every week. 

The Eph defense did a great job against the run for the second straight week, going up against two of the best TBs in the league over that stretch.  The front seven will be very hard to run on.  But the passing defense was outright atrocious, receivers had wayy too much space to work with, DBs were not winning the one-on-one battles when they were closely contesting plays, and guys broke too many tackles for bigger gains as well.  They just have to play better as a unit.  The Ephs have struggled schematically as well as to date this season, too many receivers have been largely unaccounted for.  They did work some frosh into the DB rotation, especially Papadoupolos, who played very well, and Oris, who had a big play, so maybe we see more of those guys if the vets continue to struggle.  And as SpringSt noted the LBs HAVE to either be getting to the passer as blitzers or providing a lot more support in coverage on the shorter routes than they have to date this season.  Ethan Scott and Coleston Smith have made some big plays but the rest of the unit has been pretty quiet so far.  The Ephs have had success adding speed by moving a DB up and I think maybe going with Papadoupolos as a starter and moving Cotton (who is a big hitter) to LB might help shore up the issues with the pass defense. 

Tufts was basically the polar opposite of Williams.  They could not stop the Eph running game and were getting blown off the ball for a good chunk of the game, but thanks to one huge special teams play, a slew of Eph penalties, and an unstoppable passing game, it did not matter in the end.  Berluti is by a wide margin the best offensive player in NESCAC, no QB in the league is even close.  He places the ball perfectly on seemingly every throw and is very mobile as well, man it must kill Amherst to have missed out on him.  With the elite crew of receivers he has (three great ones including Lutz, who is the best receiver in the league, and Richardson, who seemed to come out of nowhere this year but is a Girard type out there with his size and strength to go along with good athleticism), I don't know how you stop that passing game.  You certainly have to hit him more than the Ephs did yesterday, the pass rush was barely existent which is not characteristic for this team.  I think Trinity was fortunate to hit Tufts in game one, the Jumbos are in such a great rhythm since the first half of the Trinity game, they will give up some points but I think they are going to be able to score a ton vs. anyone in the league. 

Finally kudos to the Ephs for a perfectly executed fake field goal for a big gain to frosh Sam Jaffe, great play call there.  The Ephs have worked a fair number of frosh into the rotation early in the season, and I expect we may see a few more yet ...

[Charlie]

Amhurst adds a historically inept offensive performance to what has already been an awful 2022 season...a few tidbits from yesterday's game...no touchdowns (now 2 total TD's in 3 games), 1 trip in to the red zone (that makes 4 trips in 3 games),  24 yards rushing on 20 carries, 8 total first downs (including 2 via Hartford State penalty), 175 yards of total offense, 13 for 31 passing including 3 interceptions (including one for a pick 6), 11 punts, 26 minutes of total possession time, and the highlight, 1 of 15 on third down. The LMs leading rusher had 13 yards on the ground. About the only highlight for the LMs yesterday: their punters averaged almost 41 yards per punt on those 11 punts.

The HS defense is decent but they are by no means the '85 Bears...





This upcoming weekend the big match up will be Colby at Wesleyan. I think if Colby comes out victorious they will pole vault to top tier team for this year. The victory will really put monkey wrench in championship race.On the same token Williams could be a spoiler as they travel to Middlebury. However key injuries to starting LT of Williams and a few others and there inability to throw the ball effectively makes the chances slim. I think another loss puts tem at bottom tier for this year and Tufts has shown offensively that they belong on top tier.

The LMs have now scored 19 points in 3 games for an average of about 6 points a game...more on this developing story later as HCOF EJ awaits all of those Lord Mammoth legacies to arrive.

You know what NESCACMAN wants for Christmas? Charlie to learn how to properly use the "quote' feature on D3 Boards!

Man I have tried cant figure that out sorry

[Nescacman]

Amhurst adds a historically inept offensive performance to what has already been an awful 2022 season...a few tidbits from yesterday's game...no touchdowns (now 2 total TD's in 3 games), 1 trip in to the red zone (that makes 4 trips in 3 games),  24 yards rushing on 20 carries, 8 total first downs (including 2 via Hartford State penalty), 175 yards of total offense, 13 for 31 passing including 3 interceptions (including one for a pick 6), 11 punts, 26 minutes of total possession time, and the highlight, 1 of 15 on third down. The LMs leading rusher had 13 yards on the ground. About the only highlight for the LMs yesterday: their punters averaged almost 41 yards per punt on those 11 punts.

The HS defense is decent but they are by no means the '85 Bears...





This upcoming weekend the big match up will be Colby at Wesleyan. I think if Colby comes out victorious they will pole vault to top tier team for this year. The victory will really put monkey wrench in championship race.On the same token Williams could be a spoiler as they travel to Middlebury. However key injuries to starting LT of Williams and a few others and there inability to throw the ball effectively makes the chances slim. I think another loss puts tem at bottom tier for this year and Tufts has shown offensively that they belong on top tier.

The LMs have now scored 19 points in 3 games for an average of about 6 points a game...more on this developing story later as HCOF EJ awaits all of those Lord Mammoth legacies to arrive.

You know what NESCACMAN wants for Christmas? Charlie to learn how to properly use the "quote' feature on D3 Boards!

Man I have tried cant figure that out sorry

Amen brother...took us about 500 messages to figure it out...just having some fun!

[Nescacman]

2022 NESCACMAN Week 3 Power Rankings

1). Hartford State Bantams (3-0; LW: 1): Not the walloping we expected although the HS defense played very well against the non-existent Amhurst offense...offense looks a bit out of synch thus far in '22...Kirby has been supplanted as the #1 back and clearly the team misses Girard in a big-way...former NJ HS stand-out Receiver Sean Clapp has been a pleasant surprise, but he doesn't stretch the defense like Girard used to...HS o-line has looked uncharacteristically ordinary for most of the year...The Bants should roll this week in the Coop against the Conts...

2). Middlebury Panthers (3-0; LW: 2): Kudo's to O-line Coach Dave Caputi for teaching his guys to hold on every play and only get caught about 1% of the time...Middlebury fortunate to come away with the win in Brunswick...Are they the worst 3-0 team in 'CAC history? Better play calling by Bowdoin and a decent kicker and the Polars come away with the win...we are impressed thus far with QB Tauber...he seems to have some good chemistry with receiver Donovan Wood...Middlebury has been good against the run but susceptible to the pass...does not play into the strengths of this week's opponent, the Purple Cows...we're still from Missouri on the '22 version of the Pants...

3). Tufts Jumbo's (2-1; LW: 3): Tufts offense is on a roll...looked very solid in a win on the road in Williamstown...won despite one of their buses breaking down and players having to Uber to the game (only in D3 folks!)...Berluti looking unstoppable thus far in in 2022 and he's running away with the OPOTY Award thus far in the NESCAC...Lutz has been as good as advertised at WR...defense is still worrisome...looking forward to the shoot-out this week at the Oval against the Polars..

3). Wesleyan Cardinals (2-1; Last week: 4): Absolutely destroyed Hamilton on the road scoring 35 points before the Continentals even had a first down...Hamilton was out-manned and out coached by the Cards...Conts did not seem well-prepared for the game...Wes' 3's outplayed the Hamilton 1's in the second half...not sure how Hamilton beat the Lord Mammoths...big game for Wes this week as they head home to face the White Mules...

5). Colby White Mules (2-1; LW: 5): Had a bit of a scare against UBates this week trailing at the half 17-14...difference maker this week for Colby was the 5 turnovers including 4 INTs...still, their defense was outgained and at times, the Bobkitties seemed to move the ball at will against Colby...Colby offense is old school huddling and going under center, which is no surprise given who their HCOF is...tough one this week as they head on the road to face Wes in Middletown.

6). Williams Purple Cows (1-2; LW:6): Giving up 400 yards in the air, albeit to top-flight Jumbo QB Berluti, is not going to cut it...as bad as the pass defense was, the run D looked solid...Purple Cows Team D is 8th in scoring D and 7th in total yards in the NESCAC...although they lead the league in run offense, their pass offense has looked very mediocre...losses of Maimaron and Rothman loom large at this point...will need lots of luck to repeat as league champ in 2022...btw, what's with the "W" on the helmets and where did the "Ephs" go...
 
7). Bowdoin Polar Bears (1-2; LW: 7):  Running game not effective against the tough MID run defense...out-gained the Pants and could have come away with the win..tough one this week on the road against Tufts...

8). Hamilton Continentals (1-2; LW: 8): Not a good football team...looked very bad last weekend at home...not going to get any easier this week in Hartford...

9). University of Bates Bobcats (Lewiston Campus)(0-3; LW: 9): Hung in there against a decent Colby team...offense looked much improved in the first half...need to do a better job of protecting the ball...should have their way with the Lord Mammoths this Saturday...

10). Amhurst Lord Mammoths (0-3; LW: 10): One of the worst offenses we have seen in our 40+ years of following NESCAC football...Amhurst ranks 237th nationally out of 240 teams that play D3 football in scoring offense (6.3 ppg)...won't be easy for this team to beat UBates...

NESCACMAN's Picks (winners):
2022 Season: 10-5 (4-1 last week)
2021 Season: 33-12
2020 Season: 0-0
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: 271-84 (.763 winning percentage)

Coming Friday, October 7th...week 4 picks...

[middhoops]

"2). Middlebury Panthers (3-0; LW: 2): Kudo's to O-line Coach Dave Caputi for teaching his guys to hold on every play and only get caught about 1% of the time..."

Is that the only way Midd could have upset your Cardinals, Nescacman? 
We think you have kinda nailed it, if in a snarky way. 
Midd's coaching staff does have their players ready to play on Saturday.

[Nescacman]

Week 3 highlights for Wes...#rollcards

https://youtu.be/V9YmrJmDVmo

[D3FLETCH]

"2). Middlebury Panthers (3-0; LW: 2): Kudo's to O-line Coach Dave Caputi for teaching his guys to hold on every play and only get caught about 1% of the time..."

Is that the only way Midd could have upset your Cardinals, Nescacman? 
We think you have kinda nailed it, if in a snarky way. 
Midd's coaching staff does have their players ready to play on Saturday.

Not sure how Middlebury offense holding held the Bowdoin to 10 points of offense. Middlebury is playing for Bob Ritter's last year. The 2000 Middlebury Panthers did the same for Mickey Heinecken. Bob deserves to go out on top. I hope it happens.

[NCF]

"2). Middlebury Panthers (3-0; LW: 2): Kudo's to O-line Coach Dave Caputi for teaching his guys to hold on every play and only get caught about 1% of the time..."

Is that the only way Midd could have upset your Cardinals, Nescacman? 
We think you have kinda nailed it, if in a snarky way. 
Midd's coaching staff does have their players ready to play on Saturday.

Not sure how Middlebury offense holding held the Bowdoin to 10 points of offense. Middlebury is playing for Bob Ritter's last year. The 2000 Middlebury Panthers did the same for Mickey Heinecken. Bob deserves to go out on top. I hope it happens.

Same!

[Scoops]

I don't understand the bashing of Tufts defense this year. The 2021 defense was atrocious for sure. But the new defensive coordinator seems to have turned things around. Williams ran the ball effectively, as they tend to do. However, the Tufts defense has come up with timely stops and is playing significantly better. Aside from a garbage time TD against their backups in Lewiston, they hadn't given up a point from the second half of Trinity until Saturday. Their offense will clearly outshine the other two phases (especially special teams where they just can't get it together). But I think the new coordinator is turning things around slowly.

2022 NESCACMAN Week 3 Power Rankings

1). Hartford State Bantams (3-0; LW: 1): Not the walloping we expected although the HS defense played very well against the non-existent Amhurst offense...offense looks a bit out of synch thus far in '22...Kirby has been supplanted as the #1 back and clearly the team misses Girard in a big-way...former NJ HS stand-out Receiver Sean Clapp has been a pleasant surprise, but he doesn't stretch the defense like Girard used to...HS o-line has looked uncharacteristically ordinary for most of the year...The Bants should roll this week in the Coop against the Conts...

2). Middlebury Panthers (3-0; LW: 2): Kudo's to O-line Coach Dave Caputi for teaching his guys to hold on every play and only get caught about 1% of the time...Middlebury fortunate to come away with the win in Brunswick...Are they the worst 3-0 team in 'CAC history? Better play calling by Bowdoin and a decent kicker and the Polars come away with the win...we are impressed thus far with QB Tauber...he seems to have some good chemistry with receiver Donovan Wood...Middlebury has been good against the run but susceptible to the pass...does not play into the strengths of this week's opponent, the Purple Cows...we're still from Missouri on the '22 version of the Pants...

3). Tufts Jumbo's (2-1; LW: 3): Tufts offense is on a roll...looked very solid in a win on the road in Williamstown...won despite one of their buses breaking down and players having to Uber to the game (only in D3 folks!)...Berluti looking unstoppable thus far in in 2022 and he's running away with the OPOTY Award thus far in the NESCAC...Lutz has been as good as advertised at WR...defense is still worrisome...looking forward to the shoot-out this week at the Oval against the Polars..

3). Wesleyan Cardinals (2-1; Last week: 4): Absolutely destroyed Hamilton on the road scoring 35 points before the Continentals even had a first down...Hamilton was out-manned and out coached by the Cards...Conts did not seem well-prepared for the game...Wes' 3's outplayed the Hamilton 1's in the second half...not sure how Hamilton beat the Lord Mammoths...big game for Wes this week as they head home to face the White Mules...

5). Colby White Mules (2-1; LW: 5): Had a bit of a scare against UBates this week trailing at the half 17-14...difference maker this week for Colby was the 5 turnovers including 4 INTs...still, their defense was outgained and at times, the Bobkitties seemed to move the ball at will against Colby...Colby offense is old school huddling and going under center, which is no surprise given who their HCOF is...tough one this week as they head on the road to face Wes in Middletown.

6). Williams Purple Cows (1-2; LW:6): Giving up 400 yards in the air, albeit to top-flight Jumbo QB Berluti, is not going to cut it...as bad as the pass defense was, the run D looked solid...Purple Cows Team D is 8th in scoring D and 7th in total yards in the NESCAC...although they lead the league in run offense, their pass offense has looked very mediocre...losses of Maimaron and Rothman loom large at this point...will need lots of luck to repeat as league champ in 2022...btw, what's with the "W" on the helmets and where did the "Ephs" go...
 
7). Bowdoin Polar Bears (1-2; LW: 7):  Running game not effective against the tough MID run defense...out-gained the Pants and could have come away with the win..tough one this week on the road against Tufts...

8). Hamilton Continentals (1-2; LW: 8): Not a good football team...looked very bad last weekend at home...not going to get any easier this week in Hartford...

9). University of Bates Bobcats (Lewiston Campus)(0-3; LW: 9): Hung in there against a decent Colby team...offense looked much improved in the first half...need to do a better job of protecting the ball...should have their way with the Lord Mammoths this Saturday...

10). Amhurst Lord Mammoths (0-3; LW: 10): One of the worst offenses we have seen in our 40+ years of following NESCAC football...Amhurst ranks 237th nationally out of 240 teams that play D3 football in scoring offense (6.3 ppg)...won't be easy for this team to beat UBates...

NESCACMAN's Picks (winners):
2022 Season: 10-5 (4-1 last week)
2021 Season: 33-12
2020 Season: 0-0
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: 271-84 (.763 winning percentage)

Coming Friday, October 7th...week 4 picks...

[BigKat]

Come on Scoops, you know the drill. Lottsa misinformation on this site daily-that's the fun of it. Seems like no team is solid in all 3 phases ,let alone 2. Bottom of league seems obvious now, let's sort out the rest.

What's the most number of teams that have shared a Nescac season title? More than 3? Feels like that sort of year.......