FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[NESCACFball24/7]

Ok, thanks for bringing me up to speed. As I said, I am out of my league here.

Forgive my skepticism on this.

My take is Lutz didn't got to Delaware because they offered him Nil money and Helbig didn't go to Wake because he got paid. Those guys jumped at the lifetime chance to play big time college football on kind of a walk on deal.......while obtaining a PG degree. Are you saying they were recruited and offered cash to do it??....sorry I don't buy it.  Again, tell me where I'm wrong here.

They may not have gone for the NIL money but nobody on those FBS rosters are not getting paid at all. From my understanding is lutz was on scholarhsip the whole time and got paid his second year as his playing time increased. Delaware isn't exactly big time college football but I get your point. Helbig was given money from the beginning. Richardson was givne money from the beginning as well. Nobody is saying they were by any means the highest paid on the team but you don't get multiple FBS offers in the portal and not have money thrown at you as part of it. From what ive been told by people at tufts there were schools offering Richardson money to leave before he even entered the portal. In all of those cases they had multiple scholarship offers to go other places.

[lumbercat]

OK -  I'm just doubtful here that there is anything substantial going to these NESCAC transfers beyond tuition, room and board and maybe a modest living allowance.  I Don't buy the cash thing.
 
I base my points on the conclusions I have been able on deduce on the whole NIL thing--

At several D1 schools there is a well documented level of tension between guys on the same team or unit playing next to each other in programs where some guys are being paid big money where other players aren't. They are saying this is prevalent and will impact programs and teams moving forward.

So, why would UCLA or Delaware or any other program pay cash to D3 transfers when so many established D1 players on the same team are getting little or nothing.

I think you have at least some of this wrong.

[NESCACFball24/7]

OK -  I'm just doubtful here that there is anything substantial going to these NESCAC transfers beyond tuition, room and board and maybe a modest living allowance.  I Don't buy the cash thing.
 
I base my points on the conclusions I have been able on deduce on the whole NIL thing--

At several D1 schools there is a well documented level of tension between guys on the same team or unit playing next to each other in programs where some guys are being paid big money where other players aren't. They are saying this is prevalent and will impact programs and teams moving forward.

So, why would UCLA or Delaware or any other program pay cash to D3 transfers when so many established D1 players on the same team are getting little or nothing.

I think you have at least some of this wrong.

If USC for example wanted richardson. They would see that he had 20+ other FBS offers and use NIl as another reason to have him go to their school over another. Its a pretty simple transaction. I dont understand the confusion.

Transfers often receive more than kids already on the team because they are filling a need. It is not normal for a d1 school to take a d3 kid out of the portal so when they do its for a reason. Players coming from lower levels are also often much more ok taking lower paydays compared to a p4 transfer because they likely were making little to nothing before and are also much more willing to play special teams etc. Either way two players on the same team have the same contract structured the same way.

I think for a nescac fan the amount of money flowing through these programs is hard to grasp. It is absolutely not outside of the norm to pay a 3rd stringer at a p4 school 30-50k. Starters making 300k+. Backups making 75-200k depeding on how much eligibility/potential they have.

https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/inside-the-college-football-nil-market-how-much-players-at-each-position-are-actually-getting-paid/

https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/46050629/college-football-2025-position-cost-transfers#wr

here two articles for context about the money since you are so flabergasted by this concept.

Richardson is the easiest most straighforward example because there is much more information on his recruitment out there. Not that it was the deciding factor but there is no way he chose USC over multiple other p4 offers without a payday being involved.

[lumbercat]

Ok I see what the top players are getting in the major programs, that's pretty well known.

Let me put it this way, with your knowledge of this how many guys on these 100+ man rosters in power 4 programs are being paid more than, say, $50,000 ?

[NESCACFball24/7]

Ok I see what the top players are getting in the major programs, that's pretty well known.

Let me put it this way, with your knowledge of this how many guys on these 100+ man rosters in power 4 programs are being paid more than, say, $50,000 ?

30k for a depth guy and up from there depending on eligibility remaining and potentional like I said. The new revenue sharing allows for 18.5 million divided amongst the team. In order to be competitive in recruiting most all p4 program are using the full amount. The scholarhsip limit at FBS is 85 so really only 85 player are getting paid plus 2-3 walk ons who have their scholarhips paid for out of the revenue sharing. Anybody in the 2 deep is almost definetely making more than 50k. Freshman, regardless of the depth chart on these rosters are often making more than older guys who are 2s or 3s simply because the schools had to pay to get the freshman there in the first place.

FYI I have multiple players going through the recruiting process out of high school right now as well and have had to be apart of many of these conversations between them schools and their families.

[lumbercat]

Ok Thanks

But am I right that not every program is not committing the same amount to this. They have proposed a cap because the biggest programs are sending exponentially more than others.


I'm curious and befuddled on this. I'm going to reach out to friends in the BC program as well. I know things have changed significantly but I'll get a grasp on it.

Thanks for bringing me up to speed.

[NESCACFball24/7]

Ok Thanks

But am I right that not every program is not committing the same amount to this. They have proposed a cap because the biggest programs are sending exponentially more than others.


I'm curious and befuddled on this. I'm going to reach out to friends in the BC program as well. I know things have changed significantly but I'll get a grasp on it.

Thanks for bringing me up to speed.

I cant for sure that every single program is but they all have plans to in the very near future. By not using it they put themselves at a significant recruiting disadvantage. Many programs have turned their "collectives" into ways of guiding donors to the athletic department and donating directly to the program in order to offset some of these costs due to the new regulations around 3rd party nil. I would be surprised if any p4 program is significantly off of that number.

[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.
 
Season 2 Episode 2 features Colby College Head Coach Jack Cosgrove and Wesleyan University Quarterback Matt Fitzsimons.

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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[Pat Coleman]

Follow us on Instagram: @nineweeksnescac

I couldn't find an Instagram at this handle. Is it the @9weeksnescac handle? That seems to exist but is private.

[Nescacman]

Follow us on Instagram: @nineweeksnescac

I couldn't find an Instagram at this handle. Is it the @9weeksnescac handle? That seems to exist but is private.

Thanks...we'll fix that. The other links work and we are now up on Apple podcasts.

[Nescacman]

2025 Week 2 NESCACMAN Picks

Welcome back NESCAC...it's Week #2 "in the league where they pay to play".

Well, NESCAC Week1 is in the books and pretty much everyone held serve except for the Hartford State Bantams. Colby's upset of the Bantams was one of the biggest upsets we have seen in recent memory in the NESCAC. Week2 has a couple of interesting games including our GOTW battle between Wesleyan and Tufts as well as Colby travelling to Williamstown to face the Ephs.

Hamilton College at Amherst College: This game is a match-up between 2 of the weaker teams in the conference. In 2024, they won a combined 3 games. Hamilton struggled last week at home against a mediocre, one-dimensional Williams squad while Amherst lost on the road at UBates, something they rarely do. This is almost a must win for the Lord Mammoths. Their next two games are against Tufts (at home) and then they travel to Middlebury. A loss here in their home opener and they are looking at an 0-4 start in 2025. Amherst has a decent defense, but the offense must be more consistent. For Hamilton to have a chance, they will need to find some semblance of a running game to set up the pass. We think Amherst's defense will be the difference maker in this one. Amherst wins one of the less exciting games on this week's schedule.

Amherst 17 Hamilton10
Point Spread: Amherst -6
Weather (courtesy of The Weather Channel): Mostly sunny skies. High near 70F.

Colby College at Williams College: Both teams won their openers last week. Mules, of course, upset Hartford State which was a huge opening game win for them. Williams beat Hamilton on the road. Colby's defense played very well last week (4 interceptions, 7 sacks). The Miles Drake-led Mules offense struggled against Hartford State, aside from Drake throwing to WR Jack Nye. The Mules will need to get more production out of the offense and out of their running game specifically to win this one. Meanwhile, Williams almost exclusively ran the ball led by QB Owen Johansen and RB Jon Oris. They'll need to throw the ball a bit better/more against a quality opponent like the Mules to have a shot at a win. This is a battle of two teams trying to be relevant in 2025. We think the Colby defense will bottle up the one-dimensional Williams offense and do just enough on offense to win on the road in Williamstown for the first time since 2016. It should be a low-scoring affair, but Colby gets the win to go 2-0.

Colby 14 Williams 7
Point Spread: Williams -3
Weather: Mainly sunny. High 68F

University of Bates (Lewiston Campus) at Hartford State College: Who would have thought the only 1-0 team coming into this game would be the Kitties?!? Home opener for the Bants. Wonder if the "boo birds" will be out in South Hartford if the Bants stink up the joint like they did last week against Colby. UBates hasn't beaten Hartford State since 1979 (28 game win streak for the Bants). UBates will face a (very) angry Bantam squad looking for their first win. Big question marks for HS. Who's the QB? What's going on with the running game? Can the Bants avoid turnovers? Can the OL open holes for their RBs and protect the QB? Who's the second WR behind O'Brien? In defense of the Bants, the defense did play decently last week. Hartford State needs to figure out the QB situation quickly. Meanwhile, despite the win against Amherst at home for UBates, winning against Hartford State in the Coop is a completely different thing. We think UBates is an improved team, but we'll still go with the Bants bouncing back at home in the Coop where they have been tough to beat. BTW, the last time Hartford State lost opening day (on the road against Tufts in 2019), they bounced back in game 2 against Bowdoin to win in the Coop 61-7. Interesting factoid, the last time Hartford State started a season 0-2 was in 1995. Just sayin'....

Hartford State 28 UBates 13
Point Spread: Hartford State -14
Weather: Mainly sunny. High 71F.

Bowdoin College at Middlebury College: Both teams come into this game looking for their first win. Bowdoin lost at home to Tufts while Middlebury lost to Wesleyan on the road in Middletown. We give the edge to the Panthers in this one. First off, Middlebury typically plays well at home. Second, they played decent at times last week against what we think is a very good Wesleyan defense. Third, they have the best/most experienced QB in the league in Brian Moran (and he is throwing to one of the better receivers in Mike Ahonen). Fourth, they are facing a Bowdoin squad that basically showed nothing on offense last week. Look, there are some concerns for Middlebury, like their offensive line, their defensive front 7 and the pass rush, and the running game. However, as mentioned, Bowdoin has bigger problems, and they are playing on the road. We think Bowdoin gets a late score to finally get off the scoring schneid, but we don't see them putting up much of a game against a deeper, more experienced Middlebury squad looking for their first 2025 win. BTW, the Polars have only beaten Middlebury once in history in Vermont, in 1990.

Middlebury 28 Bowdoin 7
Point Spread: Middlebury -17
Weather: Sunny skies. High around 65F.

NESCAC Game of the Week

Wesleyan University at Tufts University (7:00 PM kick): Our Week2 GOTW features our #1 and #2 ranked teams who both won their opening games last week. Wesleyan has won 4 of the last 5 games against the Jumbo's with their lone loss coming two years ago in Medford. Wesleyan will be looking to avenge that loss. After Week1 in the NESCAC, Wesleyan looks like the team to beat as they dominated Middlebury at home. Meanwhile, Tufts did just enough to come away with the win against an outmanned and hapless Bowdoin squad. Wesleyan went with two QBs in their win, although Junior Matt Fitzsimons was far more effective than starter Chase Vaughan. The Wes pass attack was clicking on all cylinders led by Fitzsimons and frosh phenom WR Dante Kelly. The running game did enough to keep Middlebury honest. The most impressive thing that we saw last week as far as Wesleyan's offense was concerned (besides Dante Kelly) was how well the Wes offensive line played. No sacks, no holding penalties, and lots of time for the QB to find open receivers. The Wesleyan defense was typically stout bottling up the Panther running game and pressuring MID QB Brian Moran all day. As far as the Jumbo's are concerned, the offense did just enough to come away with the win. It's always tough to judge an opposing offense when playing the Polar Bears due to their high-pressure defense. Still, we would say if you asked Tufts HC Jay Civetti, he would say they need to execute better than they did last Saturday. As new QB Justin Keller becomes more comfortable in his role, we think the offense will improve for Tufts. On the defensive side of the ball, they played well in recording a shut out on the road. We're not entirely sure if that was a result of a high-quality Tufts defense or a challenged Bowdoin offense. Probably a combination of both. For Wesleyan to win, they will need to continue to protect Matt Fitzsimons and run the ball better than they did last Saturday against Middlebury. For Tufts to win, they will have to avoid the big play and keep the game relatively low scoring. These games are typically very close and competitive. We think Wes pulls out the win on the road.

Wesleyan 24 Tufts 17
Point Spread: Pick 'em
Weather: Clear skies. Low 46F.

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

NESCACMAN's Picks:
2025 Season: 4-1
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: 365-115 (.760 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 2 features Colby College Head Coach Jack Cosgrove and Wesleyan University Quarterback Matt Fitzsimons.

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/)
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Apple Podcasts: 9 Weeks Nescac

[Charlie]

I've got to tip my hat to Charlie, once again, who called the Trinity-Colby game as a potential upset (I scoffed at the notion). I did pick the Mules as my surprise team this season but that outcome was a little too surprising for me!

As previously mentioned, this was Colby's first win over Trinity since a 14-11 win in 1995. It's worth noting that prior to 2017 the teams only played every two years due to the 8 game schedule (Trinity rotated season openers between Colby and Bates). The last Mule win prior to '95 was a 20-17 upset in 1980 which ended up being the only blemish on a 7-1 Trinity season.

Any way you look at it this is a huge with for Cosgrove and I can only imagine what the scene was like on Mayflower Hill Saturday night. Congrats to the Colby faithful on a historic win.


As for Trinity, they could be in trouble. The defense was stout led by their excellent secondary who forced three interceptions. However, the Bantam offense was stuck in mud. They appeared to be physically outmanned up front by Colby which was a real shock. The biggest issue is quarterback and they clearly need to figure out a solution quickly. Jaxon Carroll wasn't exactly sharp in the first half. He did not get injured. I don't know if the decision to play Tyler Aronson after halftime was predetermined or if they were looking for a spark. Either way, his 3 interceptions in the second half (one of which was returned for a TD) doomed the Bants. One other note on him, he's listed as a sophomore on the roster but Devanney called him a freshman in his post game summary. Not sure if he just misspoke or if Aronson could have an extra year of eligibility which makes sense given he didn't see game action at SMU.

The Bants have been a bit spoiled at the position the past few seasons with three years of Fetter who set multiple school records followed by Zebrowski who had played in 15 games prior to taking over as a grad student and then had a monster season last year. Hopefully a home game in The Coop will help to settle the nerves and get the season back on track. At the risk of a jinx, Trinity hasn't lost to Bates since 1979!   

First off, we have to give Hs7-2 credit, where credit is due. Thank you for being contrite. We know that post was not easy for you to compose and probably took a couple of days to cobble together.

Should be an interesting home opener in the Coop for Hartford State. Much more on the week2 tilt against the Kitties later, but it would not be a reach to say this is a must win for the Bants. We will say this...in homage to the biggest event in the history of Lewiston (Clay aka Ali beats Liston), we'll give UBates at least a punchers chance at the upset...

BTW, the last time Hartford State started a season 0-2 was 1995. We'd be surprised if that happens this year, but ya never know...

NM

While I beleive Trinity could be in trouble the Back up QB did not play all that bad. Lets take a step back first the starting QB has an injury potentially season ending. This occuured weeks before opening season game. Which means back up QB were not prepared. Secondly as I have stated in previous posts Trinity OC has not changed his approach since Fetter was QB. You cant keep throwing down the field against a cover 2 and expect great success. Not to mention you are running an RPO if there is no threat the QB will run defeats the entire purpose.

HC at Colby is smart he knows that Trinity aleways get impatient and looks for the homerun ball. I found it odd that when the QB ran one long play and threw to TE they never went back to these plays. Colby simply rushed more players then Trinity could block. This coupled with fact that the OL was pourous all day became problematic. Trinity never adjusted there game plan and this in game play calling has cost them the last three years against Middlebury and they do not seem like they are making changes in there play calling.

[Charlie]

The Trinity / Bates game will be interesting this week. I think this could be another trap game but a psychological one for the Trinity. I do not know if the offense is going to second guess themselves. The run game was below average and if Trinity does not play to their talent level and work the ballup the field instead of the homerun ball this game could get ugly. If the Coaches appear that last week was a fluke and stay with their offense scheme of down field throwing I fear another 4 Int game looms.

Bates will run the triple option and becuase not seen on a consistent basis will move the ball against Trinity. They key this week for the Bants with the loss of Toyias on the DL no indication playing this week and a few banged up DL will Trinity be able to put preasure on Bates offense. Based on last week if they fall behind they have shown no ability to manufacturer points.

I predict a 1-3 point margin of victory maybe for Trinity.