FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[Trin9-0]

Week 7 lines from the computer:

Colby 26.2, Hamilton 13.4
Middlebury 32.5, Bates 13.8
Trinity (Conn.) 41.8, Bowdoin 6.0
Wesleyan 29.9, Amherst 11.5
Williams 27.0, Tufts 21.3

Adding in the NESCAC rankings & ratings:

26. Trinity 23.4
54. Wesleyan 14.1
65. Williams 10.1
96. Middlebury 5.0
109. Tufts 1.8
132. Amherst -1.8
149. Colby -6.3
171. Bates -11.1
191. Bowdoin -14.9
197. Hamilton -16.7

The impact of the Johansen injury can't be understated. If he misses any games it drastically alters the Ephs title hopes and breathes even more life into Wesleyan's championship chances if he misses an extended period of time.

Despite their shocking (yet somehow not shocking at all) loss to Bowdoin, the Cards are still firmly in title contention and control their own destiny for at least a share of the league title. I think Wes bounces back for a Homecoming win over the Mammoths and while I was confident this was a year Williams would get the better of DiCenzo (the Cardinals have won 10 of the last 11 against the Ephs), the injury situation in Williamstown has made that much more difficult.

We still have Week 7 to play and it's been a year of unpredictable outcomes, but I can't help but look ahead to an absolutely huge slate of games on 11/1 headlined by Wesleyan at Williams and Amherst at Trinity.

[Trin9-0]

A few thoughts on Bates-Williams:

Has any NESCAC receiver ever had better back-to-back weeks than Zach Falls just did??  10 receptions for 332 yards and 5 TDS plus a two-point conversion, including 84 and 76 yard TDs, from three different passers, when all other receivers combined from an injury-riddled unit accounted for a grand total of 80 yards over those games (so by himself, over 80 percent of all receiving yards).  He is definitely a - gulp - D1-caliber receiver, and only a sophomore.   

Just for fun and out of curiosity more than anything - these don't all eclipse Falls' excellent excellent two weeks where the Ephs have really needed him.

Frank Stola opened the 2019 season:
Week 1 vs. Middlebury (part of me still can't believe they lost this game): 6 catches, 151 yards, 2 TDs
Week 2 vs. Tufts: 13 catches, 233 yards, 4 TDs

Also opened the 2018 season:
Week 1 at Bowdoin: 8 catches, 82 yards, 2 TDs
Week 2 vs. Trinity: 5 catches, 132 yards, 2 TDs

Aaaaand closed the 2018 season:
Week 8 vs. Wesleyan: 9 catches, 129 yards, 2 TDs
Week 9 @ Amherst: 5 catches, 88 yards, 2 TDs

One more for the road!
2017 season (freshman year)
Week 4 vs. Bates: 7 catches, 172 yards, 2 TDs
Week 5 @ Middlebury: 11 catches, 88 yards, 1 TD (some of you might remember that play)

Pretty good player!

The answer for most NESCAC receiver questions typically begins and ends with Wesleyan's Matt Perceval. His stats from the first two games to open the 1998 season:

• 18 catches
• 365 yards
• 9 touchdowns

[nescac1]

I wasn't trying to argue that Falls necessarily had the two best purely statistical games, clearly he didn't, or that he's the best NESCAC receiver we've seen (he's only been playing football 4-5 years I believe), as huge as his stat line was.  I just think the circumstances made these games particularly remarkable considering Williams (1) number one and two receivers and top tight end entering the fall are all out, (2) QB1 from last year is out for the year, (3) in the second of the two games, QB2 to start THIS year threw his first ever meaningful collegiate passes, (4) one of the TD receptions was from a FB throwing (I think?) his first collegiate pass, and (5) the other two receivers seeing the most action started this season at safety and QB, respectively.  Phil Lutz for example put together an insane pair of games, but he had current USC receiver Richardson on the field to keep defenses honest and was catching balls from Berlutti.  Of course, it helps that Williams has the best offensive line in the league protecting whoever throws the ball, which is a factor going the other way and allows time for these deep plays to develop.  But in the passing game, right now, defenses are going to be keying on Falls (I'd assume) to a ridiculous degree. 

Although I do like what I've seen from Machnik so far, he has a knack for getting open, and I think he will become a real weapon at WR in time; the Ephs will need some more big plays from his down the stretch.  Next year's Eph receiving core COULD be the most talented by a wide, wide margin in Raymond's tenure, assuming everyone eligible is back and healthy - Falls, Stahelski (who averaged 20 ypc as a deep ball threat last year), Gehring, Machnik, Montesano at tight end, plus maybe McHugh joins the skill position brigade as well.  But for now, the Ephs will continue to mix and match at WR and DB (and I guess QB, I'm curious what the deal with Johansen is, certainly) to figure it out for the next three weeks. 

[Nescacman]

2025 NESCACMAN Week 6 Power Rankings

Welcome to the Week6 Power Rankings for October 18, 2025.

Not a great week for NESCACMAN as we went 3-2 in Week6. Crazy week in the NESCAC. Having been around the NESCAC for 40+ years, we know this stuff happens all the time. We had an upset filled week with two of our leaders, Wesleyan and Amherst, losing to the State of Maine's finest. Both teams are still in the mix for the NESCAC title and control their own destiny but will basically have to win out to get a share of the league title. We now stand at 21-9 on the year picking games. Our winners this week were Williams, Tufts and Hartford State.

Top-rated Hartford State maintains the top spot in the NESCACMAN Consortium rankings. There are currently 2 teams at the top of the NESCAC standings tied at 5-1: Hartford State and Williams. Something tells us that more surprises are just around the corner.

We also co-host "Nine Weeks: A NESCAC Football Podcast" along with Chris Grace, the longtime play-by-play voice of the Wesleyan Football Cardinals. Available weekly, the podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts including YouTube, Spotify, and Apple. Please follow us and take a listen. Season 2, Episode 6  is available now featuring Williams College Head Coach Mark Raymond and Bates College Linebacker Ryan Rozich. Season 2, Episode 7 will be available later this week and will feature two more amazing guests, Bowdoin Polar Bear Head Coach BJ Hammer and Williams College WR Zach Falls. Should be another great watch/listen. We encourage you to check it out.

Here are our rankings as we head into Week #7:

1). Hartford State Bantams (Record: 5-1; Last Week Rank: 1; 10 first place votes): The Bantams won their 5th game in a row eking out a homecoming win in The Coop. MID Coach Mandigo seems to have Hartford State's number but fell just short of his third win against the Bants in three years as head coach at MID. Several miscues by Hartford State including Interceptions, muffed kicks, and a blocked FG almost cost the Bantams their 5th win. MID had a chance to tie the game with about 5 minutes left but were stopped short. HS QB Jaxon Carroll had 3 TD passes in the win. All that stands between Hartford State and another NESCAC title is Bowdoin, Amherst and Wesleyan. Hartford State travels to Maine this weekend to face the Polar Bears who will be trying to make it 2 wins in a row over the State of Connecticut.

2). Williams Ephs (Record: 5-1; Last Week Rank: 2): Another Saturday, close game win for the Ephs on the road in Lewiston. This time, Williams overcame a 23-7 halftime deficit to beat the Kitties. QB Drew Renzella played for injured starter Owen Johansen and led Williams to 30 unanswered points in the second half and the comeback win. Despite Renzella only completing 7 passes on the day, 3 of them were for TDs. WR Zach Falls had another stellar day leading the Ephs offense with 138 yards receiving and 3 TDs. RB Jon Oris had a great day with 198 yards rushing and a TD including a 92-yard scamper. UBates had a chance to tie the game but was intercepted with a little over a minute remaining.  Incredibly, Williams OL once again did not allow a sack and has only allowed one sack all year. Kudos to them. Soph LB Zakkai Moore (10 tackes-4.5 for loss and 2 sacks) was again a standout on D for the Ephs. The Ephs are on the road for the 2nd straight week and travel to Medford to face Tufts.

3). Wesleyan Cardinals (Record: 4-2; Last Week Rank: 2): Just when you thought Wesleyan was done with bad losses, they lose to a winless Bowdoin team at home. Unfortunate for a team that was seemingly on a roll and had survived an early season loss to Tufts. QB Matt Fitzsimons was sacked three times and chased all day by a relentless Bowdoin pass rush (an unbelievable 22 QB hurries on the day). The Cardinal offense outgained Bowdoin 343 to 244 and out first downed them 17 to 11. However, Wesleyan ran for only 23 yards on 24 carries. At the end of the day, 4 Wesleyan turnovers and 90 yards in penalties were too much to overcome for Wesleyan. Despite this loss, Wesleyan still controls their own destiny and can get at least a share of the NESCAC title (and win their 4th Little 3 crown in a row) if they can win out. The Wes offense was 7 of 12 on 3rd down and 4 for 4 in the red zone. Wes faces an improved Amherst team at home this Saturday. 

4). Amherst Lord Mammoths (Record: 4-2; Last Week Rank: 4): Our biggest surprise in the NESCAC this year, the Amherst Lord Mammoths, are our second league leader this week to suffer a bad loss. Despite outgaining Colby 387 to 96 and 37 minutes to 23 minutes edge in time of possession, Amherst lost at home. A blocked punt for a TD and a short TD for Colby set-up by an interception were all the points that Colby needed for the win. Amherst had a chance to win late but QB Marek Hill's pass fell incomplete from the 3-yard line with under 10 seconds remaining. Amherst held Colby to 60 yards passing, 36 yards rushing and only 7 first downs.  Marek Hill threw for over 300 yards again and accounted for Amherst's lone score with a short TD pass. DL Wyatt Morgan had 2.5 TFL and 2 sacks for the Lord Mammoths. Amherst is on the road this Saturday as they face Wesleyan in the first leg of this year's Little 3 with a conference title still a possibility for both teams.

5). Middlebury (Record: 2-4; Last Week Rank: 5): This week, Middlebury lost for the first time against Hartford State in the last three years. For the second straight week, Middlebury lost a close game on the road. RB Connor McClellan led the Panthers offense with 98 yards rushing and a TD. This week the Panthers host the UBates Kitties in Vermont.

6). Colby Mules (Record: 3-3; Last Week Rank: 8): You don't see many head scratching wins, but this one certainly fits the bill. Despite continued offensive struggles by the Mules, defense and special team's carries them to their 3rd win of the year. Their offense struggled again as they only scored one TD and had 7 first downs on the day. Their 2nd TD was on a blocked punt. Their offense also gave Amherst two points when they were called for holding in the end zone resulting in a safety. QB Miles Drake was benched late in this game in favor of FY Patrick Miller. Punter Eli Soehren again starred for Colby averaging 42.3 yards per punt including 2 over 50 yards and 5 inside the 20. This week Colby hosts Hamilton in Waterville.

7). University of Bates Bobcats (Record: 2-4; Last Week Rank: 6): This week, the Kitties had a chance for a big win at home against Williams. They jumped out to a big 23-7 half-time lead, only to allow Williams to score 30 unanswered points and come back for the win. The Kitties were proficient on offense nearly matching Williams total on the day and exceeding the 400-yard mark. QB Jack Perry threw for nearly 300 yards and 3 TDs but also threw 2 interceptions. WR Ryan Gleason had two receiving TDs and WR Quinn Carver added TDs on the ground and through the air. The Kitties go on the road this week to face Middlebury.

8). Tufts Jumbo's (Record: 3-3; Last Week Rank: 7): Tufts ends their 3-game losing streak with a win at Hamilton. That win gets them back to the .500 mark. The Jumbo's put up 474 yards of offense. It was the most offense the Jumbo's have put up on the road in 20 years, QB Hudson Weidman threw for over 300 yards and 3 TD. RB Christian Shapiro added 120 yards on the ground. Tufts was 9 of 15 on 3rd down and 4 of 4 in the red zone. This week the Jumbo's host Williams in an important NESCAC game.

9). Hamilton Continentals (Record: 1-5; Last Week Rank: 9): Hamilton loses their 5th game of the year to Tufts. QB Luke Kurzum had another stellar game with 3 TD passes and a rushing TD. He was pretty much their entire offense leading the team in rushing and passing. Hamilton travels to Colby to face the Mules this week.

10). Bowdoin Polar Bears (Record: 1-5; Last Week Rank: 10): Congratulations to the Polar Bears on getting their first win this year on the road at Wesleyan. The high pressure Polars defense were the stars of the day with 3 sacks, 22 QB hurries and forcing 4 turnovers. DB Ferris Collins (2 INTS, 8 tackles, 1 fumble recovery, 1 forced fumble) and DL Angus Leary (2 sacks, 2 tackles for loss and 8 QB hurries) were the individual defensive stars. FY QB Soren Hummell threw 3 TDs. This week the Polars host the first-place Hartford State Bantams.

2025 Week6 NESCACMAN Offensive Player of the Week: WR Zach Falls, Williams

2025 Week6 NESCACMAN Defensive Player of the Week: LB Zakkai Moore, Williams; DB Ferris Collins and DL Angus Leary, Bowdoin College

2025 Week6 NESCACMAN Special Teams Player of the Week: Punter Eli Soehren, Colby

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[Brady12]

Next year's Eph receiving core COULD be the most talented by a wide, wide margin in Raymond's tenure, assuming everyone eligible is back and healthy - Falls, Stahelski (who averaged 20 ypc as a deep ball threat last year), Gehring, Machnik, Montesano at tight end, plus maybe McHugh joins the skill position brigade as well.  But for now, the Ephs will continue to mix and match at WR and DB (and I guess QB, I'm curious what the deal with Johansen is, certainly) to figure it out for the next three weeks. 

Agree who ever is the Ephs QB next year has to be salivating at the receiving options. Hell put Johansen, McHugh, and Renzella on the field for a play and the creative play calling options are endless

But back to this year. I have no insight but I am hoping (praying) Raymond played it safe sitting Johansen last week as he did come back into game the prior week. He has that it factor and needs to be on the field no matter what position. If memory serves me right he was dominate as a LB in high-school as well.

[Bantamsdad69]

Speaking of Williams QBs, Sophomore Mikey McGrath may be out for the season with an injury during pratcice. Just adding to the unfortunate amount of injuries for the Ephs this season

[Nescacman]

Our sources tell us that Johansen went home last weekend and was cleared to play by his family physician. Despite this, the Ephs team physician would not clear him to play. We're hearing this (at least) second-hand so who knows how factual this. In any event, the injury does not sound very serious to us and we expect #15 back this Saturday.

What is factual is that it seems every year around this time, on Saturday Williams has 20-25 players in street clothes with various injuries watching their teammates play. Maybe the Ephs should revisit their off-season training program or take a look at their in-season practice routine. Something does not seem to be working right on the injury front in the Purple Mountains.

With that being said, why does Williams consistently vote for lower roster limits? Seems like they would benefit (significantly) by having more roster depth. Feels like bad karma to us...       

[lumbercat]

NM-
I've got different information on Colby QB situation- I'm told Drake went out with an injury. Do you know for a fact that is not the case?

Other than Johansen I say Williams was pretty healthy coming up to Lewiston on Saturday. Not sure about past years but disagree with you on this one my friend.
I will say I'd like to see a few of the Ephs O linemen complete the battery the post practice sprints that were standard protocol back in the day.  Some guys carrying some unnecessary weight.

[lumbercat]

Saw the tape. As I thought, Bowdoin had nothing to lose on Saturday. It was pretty predictable that the undersized 0-5 PBears would go back to their gambling, devil may care defensive scheme in Middletown. Nothing to lose, they pulled huge upset in the past against the Cards with that approach. Why not try it again.
Great coaching job by the Hammer and staff. How could Wes not be prepared for that scenario. Stunts, Blitzes, games on D.
A coaching and preparation victory by an inferior 0-5 Bowdoin team on the road. Cards don't seem to be adept at making adjustments during game. Too many losses to inferior opponents.

[Brady12]

NM-
I've got different information on Colby QB situation- I'm told Drake went out with an injury. Do you know for a fact that is not the case?

I am hearing new starter for Mules this weekend. Not sure based on injury or what.

[Nescacman]

NM-
I've got different information on Colby QB situation- I'm told Drake went out with an injury. Do you know for a fact that is not the case?

I am hearing new starter for Mules this weekend. Not sure based on injury or what.

Whether injury or not, based on YTD offensive performance of the Mules, it's probably time for a change at QB in Waterville. Can't be much worse...

[lumbercat]

Only 3 QBs on Mules roster. Drake, Patrick Miller and a FY.
Last year they recruited a QB from Atlanta that I thought would be a dominant NESCAC QB.
Griffin Marshall 6'2" 200. He's not on the roster this year, would have been a Soph.
Transfer, Injury?......Maybe Muleshoe can fill us in. He would be the guy stepping in now or maybe earlier if he was on roster.

[muleshoe]

Only 3 QBs on Mules roster. Drake, Patrick Miller and a FY.
Last year they recruited a QB from Atlanta that I thought would be a dominant NESCAC QB.
Griffin Marshall 6'2" 200. He's not on the roster this year, would have been a Soph.
Transfer, Injury?......Maybe Muleshoe can fill us in. He would be the guy stepping in now or maybe earlier if he was on roster.

I noticed yesterday that Marshall is off the roster as well, not sure the situation.

The other thought I had is Eli Soehren, who's currently listed as TE. He was Gatorade POTY in Maine as a QB at Oxford Hills. Perhaps they could roll out a wildcat package for him. The Mules did the same with LB Declan McNamara last year before moving him to LB full-time, where he's been excellent.

[VoodooDoc]

Congrats to Bowdoin's Ferris Collins for making the D3 Team of the Week and the NESCAC Defensive Player of the Week.  The Polar Bears are playing the style of defense that Wabash used under Coach Hammer when the Little Giants were amongst the top Top 5 or so defenses in the country.  Since the defense has a large percentage of freshman and sophomore players, they will only become better with experience.

[Trin9-0]

Given every NESCAC team has at least one loss and with the top four teams in the standings set to face one another five times over the next three weeks I thought it was worth noting that since the inception of the NESCAC in 1970 only twice has the top team(s) in the league finished the year with more than one loss and the most recent occurrence was 38 years ago!

• 1983 - Middlebury and Trinity finished 6-2
• 1987 - Amherst, Hamilton, and Trinity finished 6-2