FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[lumbercat]

N1

You've got a good handle on the situation at Bates. The upward trajectory continues but some key losses and misfortunes have created a bump in the road for the Bobcats. The loss of Beltran on Saturday will be devastating if they let it. Coyne's got his work cut out for the final 6 games this year but I see no quit in the culture they are building.

To clarify on Pierotti- he came out of the transfer portal early and stated his intention last spring to stay at Bates with the team. Unfortunately he was involved in a non Football accident over the summer. He is not listed on the roster but is with the team in a support and leadership role. He will be back with the team next fall. In the interim he and Simplicio are indeed missed but I think you will see improvement in the OL play as they maintain a strong core group from last year which will only get better. All of the Bates OL contributors are still underclassmen.

[nescac1]

Thanks lumbercat.  That's bad luck for Pierotti, but glad he will be back next year.  With him (and maybe Beltran?) coming back next year plus a lot of young guys getting opportunities to step up this year, I do think the future for Bates continues to be bright.  And Lynskey is too good to be held in check the entire season, especially as the run defenses get softer down the stretch. 

[Nescacman]

Public service announcement...the NESCAC stats are all screwed up again on their website. There must have been an issue with the UBates/NESCAC stat feed at the conclusion of Saturday's game. League stats are only reflecting 2 games for UBates and Wesleyan. Hopefully, the problem is rectified quickly. Frustrating...

NM

[lumbercat]

Yes, very frustrating NM.
Bates stats on the Bates site are correct and were available right after the game as usual- not sure what happened with the league office.

[Nescacman]

Yes, very frustrating NM.
Bates stats on the Bates site are correct and were available right after the game as usual- not sure what happened with the league office.

And same with the Wesleyan website....100% correct on Saturday.

The fact that the League doesn't have the stats for the UBates/Wesleyan game is probably why Wes LB Chris DeMartino wasn't selected as NESCAC DPOTW by the League (although the NM Consortium made the right choice, of course). He was robbed...

NM 

[Charlie]

I think Trinity win at williams was huge. They proved that despite injuries to key players they were able to pull out a win. The word out of Hartford State is They are getting one of their best players back on DL this week. If they start to get healthy this team is poised to run the table. They have great deal of young talent and I think each week looking better. I think if they keep getting better the game that will potentially give them problems maybe against Amherst. Amherst has been playing each team tough and maybe the team in NESCAC to make a significant jump in the power rankings and standings this year.

[lumbercat]

Early season POTY rankings:

OPOTY: 1. Owen Johansen (leading the league in rushing yards, ypc, and passing efficiency, not bad, and seems to get better each week); 2. Nolan O'Brien (most explosive offensive weapon in the league by far); 3. Luke Kurzum (he's been great despite a terrible offensive line and putrid defense); 4. Marek Hill; 5. Connor McClellan.  Others to watch: Donte Kelly, Ryan Linskey. 

DPOTY: too hard to rank yet as lots of guys seem closely grouped, but top players to watch include Luke Harmon, Carson Skotak, Dylan Connors, Ben Yedid, Shane Mosia, and Lincoln Moore.

OROTY: Donte Kelly is the runaway early leader
DROTY: Connor Acheson is the runaway early leader

N1-

Doesn't Bates LB Ryan Rozich belong on DPOTY list?  Has been superb all year. Leads conference in tackles.

[Charlie]

I have to say after three games the surprises this year have to be Amherst and Williams. Let's face facts Trinity was going to right the ship after their terrible performance  at Colby. I did think that Williams is improved and with another year with Johansen at QB poised to make a run. Amherst is another team shocking me at this point. Albeit stumbled out of the gates at Bates but really showed me the grit of Amherst teams in the past. I think if they continue this trend will be the surprise team in the league this year with Bowdoin and Bates taking a few steps backwards.

[Nescacman]

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.

Coming soon...Season 2 Episode 4 featuring Amherst College Head Coach EJ Mills and Hamilton College Quarterback Luke Kurzum.

The podcast is available on 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 and Gameday Sports.
 
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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[Trin9-0]

Am I the only one who thinks we need to pump the brakes on the Mammoths? Certainly very few (if anyone) predicted they would outclass the Jumbos, but they also lost to Bates and their other win came at home against Hamilton.

Amherst also hasn't won a road games since they beat the Continentals last September. Now, if they can go on the road and beat Middlebury this week I'll start to believe there's something there. Until then I still think they max out at 3, maybe 4 wins.

[Charlie]

Am I the only one who thinks we need to pump the brakes on the Mammoths? Certainly very few (if anyone) predicted they would outclass the Jumbos, but they also lost to Bates and their other win came at home against Hamilton.

Amherst also hasn't won a road games since they beat the Continentals last September. Now, if they can go on the road and beat Middlebury this week I'll start to believe there's something there. Until then I still think they max out at 3, maybe 4 wins.

I just think Amherst played hard and aggressive football. I have not seen that kind of intensity out of Amherst in many years. I hope it is promising for them it would be nice to see another team start to climb the ladder instead of the clear division between schools in the NESCAC conference.I thought Bates was going to start to move up the standings in terms of winning but I have them at best winning 2 to 3 more games.

[Nescacman]

Am I the only one who thinks we need to pump the brakes on the Mammoths? Certainly very few (if anyone) predicted they would outclass the Jumbos, but they also lost to Bates and their other win came at home against Hamilton.

Amherst also hasn't won a road games since they beat the Continentals last September. Now, if they can go on the road and beat Middlebury this week I'll start to believe there's something there. Until then I still think they max out at 3, maybe 4 wins.

Hate to say it, but we are aligned Hs7-2...hate when that happens. 

[Nescacman]

2025 Week 4 NESCACMAN Picks

Welcome back NESCAC...it's Week #4 "in the league where they pay to play".

Hard to believe but we have a 6-way tie for first place in the NESCAC and no undefeated teams. Week4 features our game of the week as the Hartford State Bantams host the Tufts Jumbo's in a battle of 2-1 teams. In another battle of first place teams, Amherst travels to Vermont to play Middlebury. We also have our first C-B-B battle of the year under the lights as UBates hosts the Colby Mules. Our other two games feature Wesleyan hosting Hamilton and Williams travelling to play Bowdoin.

We were 4-1 last week and now stand at 11-4 on the year. Let's get to  the games...

Williams College at Bowdoin College: Long drive for the Ephs. Not sure Bowdoin matches up well against the Ephs. Williams leads the league in total offense while Bowdoin is last in total defense. We think Williams will run early and often in this one. We expect a heavy dose of Owen Johansen and the Williams RBs. On defense, we think the Williams defense will give the freshman Bowdoin QB a lot of problems. If Bowdoin is to have a chance, it will need to be through the air. Just not sure the Polars have the guys to make that happen. Bowdoin is young and rebuilding. This game will be a character builder for Bowdoin. Should be a happy ride back to the Purple Mountains for the Ephs as they stay in the NESCAC title hunt.

Williams 38 Bowdoin 10
Point Spread: Williams -24
Weather (courtesy of The Weather Channel): Mostly sunny skies. Very warm. High 77F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph.

Hamilton College at Wesleyan University: Wes rebounded strongly last week while Hamilton got their first win of the season. Wes has won 6 of their 7 games played in Middletown against the Continentals (scoring more than 30 points in each of those games). Wes has won 11 of their last 12 meetings overall. The lone win for Hamilton was in 2018 when Continental great Kenny Gray threw for 4 TDs in leading Hamilton to the 33-29 win. Hamilton QB Luke Kurzum comes into this game leading the NESCAC in passing yards and TD passes with 7. He has yet to throw an interception. His favorite receivers have been RB Alistair Orr out of the backfield and WR Matthew Kearns. Hamilton has not run the ball well, so we expect them to throw the ball a ton on Saturday (40-50 passes is not out of the realm of possibility). Hamilton's defense has defended the pass well but has not been as stout against the run. Wesleyan's offense is very balanced and equally adept at running and passing. We expect them to take whatever Hamilton gives them on Saturday. Wesleyan's strength on defense has been their run defense so we expect this game to come down to whether the Wes secondary can stop Kurzum. Wesleyan has rushed the passer well (7 sacks) while Hamilton's offensive line has allowed the second most sacks in the NESCAC this year. If Wesleyan can get pressure on Kurzum, which we expect that they will, that will help their secondary defend the pass. The Cardinal receivers led by FY Donte Kelly and Blake Newcomb are playing well for  the Cards. Wesleyan has won 12 of their last 14 games at home. We think Wesleyan once again reaches the 30-point total and keeps pace with the leaders in the NESCAC standings.

Wesleyan 34 Hamilton 10
Point Spread: Wesleyan -17
Weather: Mainly sunny. Very warm. High 82F. Winds light and variable.

Amherst College at Middlebury College: Middlebury has won two straight after their opening day loss to Wes. Amherst will try to get to 3-1 on the year. The last time they started a season 3-1 was in 2021. That was also the last year they finished over .500. Some encouraging signs for Amherst: their offense is playing way better than it has the last two seasons (last in the NESCAC in yards in 2024 and 9th in 2023). Currently, they are 5th. The difference in 2025 is the play they are getting at QB. Marek Hill is tied for the NESCAC lead with 7 passing TDs and is 7th in rushing. Meanwhile, he has dramatically cut down on his interceptions only throwing 2 thus far in 2025 (versus 8 in 6 games in 2024).Their defense has played decently as well. Middlebury has won two in a row thanks to the running of RB Connor McClellan and the passing of QB Brian Moran. Their defense has allowed the fewest yards per game. We think this is a very interesting game and will be a good measuring stick for the Lord Mammoths. We think Middlebury wins their 3rd in a row in a close game in Vermont.

Middlebury 24 Amherst 17
Point Spread: Middlebury -7
Weather: Mostly sunny skies. Very warm. High 77F. Winds light and variable.

Colby College at University of Bates (Lewiston Campus): First leg of the 2025 C-B-B rivalry. Both teams are coming off tough losses in Week3. Colby lost a tough one at Middlebury, their second loss in  a row after the big opening game win against Hartford State. We are beginning to wonder if the Mules just caught the Bantams at the right time. Meanwhile, UBates got thumped at home against a good Wesleyan squad. It was also their second straight loss. The loss was costly to the Kitties as QB Sergio Beltran went down with what looked like a serious ankle injury. Colby comes into Lewiston having won their last 6 contests against the Kitties. UBates will try to get the ground game going this week against a Colby squad that is last in the NESCAC in rushing defense. Colby has struggled offensively thus far in 2025 (9th in both scoring and total offense). They are yet to throw a TD pass. We think UBates has the edge due to their better offense. We feel like this is going to be a low scoring game with UBates breaking the losing streak and winning a close game at home.

UBates 17 Colby 14
Point Spread: UBates -3
Weather: Mostly sunny skies. Very warm. High 79F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph.

NESCAC Game of the Week

Tufts University at Hartford State College: Our Week4 GOTW features the 2-1 Jumbo's facing the 2-1 Bantams. Both teams have been on the backend of tough, unexpected losses to teams they were expected to beat. The Bantams have bounced back from their opening week loss to the Colby with back-to-back wins including a hard-fought win in OT against a very good Williams team. Meanwhile, Tufts lost their first game of the year last week against the Lord Mammoths. For Hartford State, momentum seems to be building. We think they will use their balanced attack, and the Bantams will try to establish the run to set-up the pass. Tufts has struggled offensively but has been good defensively. Hartford State WR Nolan O'Brien has been very good and is making his case for NESCAC OPOTY. The Bants have won the last 4 meetings between the teams, have won 15 of 16 all-time games between Tufts and HS, and HS has never lost to Tufts at home. They have scored more than 40 points in their last two wins against  the Jumbo's. We think this game will be closer than that, but we think the Bantams will win again in Hartford.

Hartford State 27 Tufts 13
Point Spread: Hartford State -13
Weather: Sunny. Very warm. High 81F. Winds light and variable.

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

NESCACMAN's Picks:
2025 Season: 11-4
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: 372-118 (.759 winning percentage)

**********

Follow NESCACMAN us on X: @realnescacman

**********

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 2 Episode 4 features Amherst College Head Coach EJ Mills and Hamilton College Quarterback Luke Kurzum.

The podcast is available on 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 and Gameday Sports.
 
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

Follow us on X (aka Twitter): @nineweeksnescac
Follow us on Instagram: @nineweeksnescac
Facebook: Nine Weeks: A NESCAC Football Podcast (https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1EbgGxDZRd/)
YouTube: 9 Weeks Nescac (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JElh9iQ_Gs)
Spotify Podcasts: 9 Weeks Nescac
Apple Podcasts: 9 Weeks Nescac

[Nescacman]

Available Now!

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 2 Episode 4 features Amherst College Head Coach EJ Mills and Hamilton College Quarterback Luke Kurzum.

The podcast is available on 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 and Gameday Sports.
 
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

Follow us on X (aka Twitter): @nineweeksnescac
Follow us on Instagram: @nineweeksnescac
Facebook: Nine Weeks: A NESCAC Football Podcast (https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1EbgGxDZRd/)
YouTube: 9 Weeks Nescac (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JElh9iQ_Gs)
Spotify Podcasts: 9 Weeks Nescac
Apple Podcasts: 9 Weeks Nescac