FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[Hamiltonian]

actually, it's weird, because Tufts is 32nd in their overall rankings which includes all types of schools.  but it is 57th in universities.

[Hamiltonian]

so the nothingbutnescac guys say Bates' big game is Hamilton;  Hamilton's big game is obviously Tufts; what's Tufts' big game?  Amherst?

[gridiron]

Wondering how many NESCAC teams use Nike?

[Patrick Coleman]

Wondering how many NESCAC teams use Nike?

You guys haven't had enough of the politics stuff already?

[Hamiltonian]

seriously.  thank you!

[gridiron]

Good point!

[ColbyFootball]

Wondering how many NESCAC teams use Nike?

You guys haven't had enough of the politics stuff already?

Thank you!!!

[nescac1]

Yes, please let's TRY to keep this one tiny oasis on the internet where things aren't all politics, all the time.  Pretty, pretty please!  (And I, too, have succumbed to temptation at times, so I am not entirely innocent on this front). 

[ColbyFootball]

Watch OT Travon Bradford, a 6'7" 295 lb. junior at Colby. This may be his breakout year (I hope). If so, people will be asking why did he play D3 ball?

[Hamiltonian]

yikes. 

so what is the key game of the season for Colby?

[ColbyFootball]

yikes. 

so what is the key game of the season for Colby?

The opener against Trinity at home. You have many months to prepare for them. You're at home. And you have a new coach with a "We can beat these guys attitude". Win, and you've pulled off the greatest upset in nescac memory. Keep it close and give them a real scare and you set the tone for your team, and send a message that thing are different on Mayflower Hill. So yes, the opener is the biggest game.

[Hamiltonian]

Wow. Aiming high.  Love it.  None of this one step at a time nonsense!

[lumbercat]

Watch OT Travon Bradford, a 6'7" 295 lb. junior at Colby. This may be his breakout year (I hope). If so, people will be asking why did he play D3 ball?

Ever since ColbyFootball buried the Micheales vendetta he's got some really good posts. And I have enjoyed them as Im sure others have as well.

Couldn't agree more on Bradford- that kid has all the tools and I understand he's a strong character guy from those I know in his hometown where I spend a lot of time in the summer. And they've got another Kennebunk guy on the OL--Captain Normandeau who can also play.

My bet is that they both thrive under a Pro like Cosgrove. Bobcats better be ready to strap it on against the White Mules this year.

[lumbercat]

Love the NBN kids but the biggest game for Bates is always Bowdoin with Colby just a whisker behind.
The Bowdoin superiority thing is a huge motivator for Bates....and Colby. When I was at Bates in the 70's we saw the Bowdoin alums as old guys in the stands with Cashmere blazers and ascots drinking scotch out of a flask with a wife named Muffy at their side....that's an exaggerated stereotype but boy did we want to beat those guys.
Such is one composition of the many great rivalries that we all love.

Reminds me of an old video clip I saw a few years back with an interview with the esteemed ex Bobcat Russ Reilly.

Russ was a Bates guy who went on to a great career as Middlebury Basketball coach and AD.

Along the subject of rivalries Russ spoke of the great Middlebury-Amherst rivalry and he spoke something like this.........You looked at Amherst and respected their history but at the same you sensed this feeling of superiority that made you just want to beat the hell out of them!! (paraphrased based on my recollection)

The point is, Russ didn't hate them but the rivalry was so intense Middlebury would do everything in their power to beat them. Thats a rivalry!

Middlebury-Amherst and of course Wiliams-Amherst mirrors Bates-Bowdoin and Bates-Colby.  You want to win em all but the real intense rivalries are a true gift that comes from history and  tradition.

They don't get manufactured overnight.

[polbear73]

Lumbercat: I've been trying to come up with a funny response to your characterization of Bowdoin alums but I saw the same thing from the field when looking into our stands! Don't know about the ascots, though.

The early 70's were tough ones for Bates football, but the hitting was the hardest of the season in that game. I still have bruises and scars so many years afterward from those Bates weeks. That intensity inspired Bowdoin's Phil Soule to create the infamous Boiled Owl award celebrating the toughest Bowdoin football player because there's nothing tougher than a boiled owl!