FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[lumbercat]

How many times can you call it insane.....? It's not insane.

NESAC schools are now eligible for post season play. What is "insane" about about bringing NESCAC roster limits closer to the limits we see at other high level academic institutions like Johns Hopkins, Carnegie Mellon and many others.

Increasing Football rosters from 75 to 90 or 100 is not such a radical thought despite all these Purple whines about it. Maybe the Purples should take their ball and go home.....is it getting too hard for them?

I believe the Purple schools want to restrict roster sizes because they believe they have an advantage at lower roster levels given their country wide academic reputation. The Purples fared the best in the old overly restrictive athletic environment in the early NESCAC days where they experienced great success amid all the overt restrictions imposed by the early NESCAC. They love the confined, regulated athletic environment  Those restrictions work best for the "Elite Purple". Increases in roster sizes and removal of old restrictive limits benefit the likes of Trinity and other NESCAC programs that choose to take expansive steps, within the spirit of the rules, to improve their athletic and football programs.

The Elite Purples had a high level of control on NESCAC Footall in the earlier years but they are struggling to deal with the aspirations of other football programs like Trinity, Wesleyan and Middlebury that have been coming after them.

Sometimes, when threatened, the reaction is to impose more regulation on your rivals.

[JEFFFAN]

Yeah ... not really.  These schools have been trying to limit roster sizes forever.  Not a new phenomena based on a more challenging competitive environment, although certainly it is more challenging then before.

[lumbercat]

"Yeah, not really".......

"These schools have been trying to limit roster sizes forever......based on a more challenging competitive environment"......

Anything else to add Jefffan?
 

[Nescacman]

Looking forward to this game and my first time seeing this rivalry in person!

Pat, we assume you are talking about the only game that means anything in the NESCAC next weekend (OK, CBB fans...relax...we know some of you care about the game in Waterville), the NESCAC Championship Game in Middletown (not the Little 3 consolation game in Blanketville). If you indeed will be in Middletown, we look forward to hosting you at the best tailgate in D3.

NM

[Nescacman]

What's hurt the Ephs consistently, and is still hurting them this year, is (1) the general lack of depth to fill in for key injuries, which has been especially glaring this season with so many stars going down
   

The Ephs have no one to blame but themselves for lack of depth. Not only has Williams (we're not talking about Coach Raymond here, just to be clear) consistently voted against larger rosters, they have been the leading voice for a lower roster limit in the NESCAC. Serves Williams right...karma is a bitch.

NM

Injuries are some sort of karmic punishment for a pov on roster limits?  Seems a bit much, and verging on wishing or at least being happy about kids getting hurt.

Ridiculous comment, of course, coming out of an Eph"man". Wahwahwah...we understand why you are in a bad mood today. We would be too.

NOBODY on this board is more supportive of the student-athletes in the NESCAC than we are. That's a fact. Just read our posts or listen to our podcast.

Wishing injuries...hardly. Our comment was merely a reaction to one of your fellow Ephs comment on roster depth. In fact, roster limits deprive incremental student-athletes from experiencing the joys of being part of a NESCAC football program and more importantly, getting a stellar, world-class education. 

Williams handling of the roster limit issue goes way beyond a "POV". Williams (and their purple off-spring to the south), have been openly lobbying the other NESCAC Presidents to limit football roster sizes for years. 

Trust us, we would have much rather been playing against McHugh/Johansen yesterday than we would have been playing against your 4th string QB. Not sure it would have changed the result since none of them play defensive back (more on that later).

NM

[Pat Coleman]

Looking forward to this game and my first time seeing this rivalry in person!

Pat, we assume you are talking about the only game that means anything in the NESCAC next weekend (OK, CBB fans...relax...we know some of you care about the game in Waterville), the NESCAC Championship Game in Middletown (not the Little 3 consolation game in Blanketville). If you indeed will be in Middletown, we look forward to hosting you at the best tailgate in D3.

NM

No, sorry -- going to the oldest rivalry in D-III because of the big rivalry games in D-III, it's one I have not yet seen. I know I could go to Middletown, or see parts of two games in Maine, but this was my decision.

[muleshoe]

Looking forward to this game and my first time seeing this rivalry in person!

Pat, we assume you are talking about the only game that means anything in the NESCAC next weekend (OK, CBB fans...relax...we know some of you care about the game in Waterville), the NESCAC Championship Game in Middletown (not the Little 3 consolation game in Blanketville). If you indeed will be in Middletown, we look forward to hosting you at the best tailgate in D3.

NM

Speaking of Waterville - How bout them MULES!! What a tremendous game from Colby in Meffid/Slummaville to seal our first winning season since 2005.

No whining about injuries for the blue and gray, everyone on the Mules stepped up for a dominant 4 quarter effort against the Jumbos with excellent play in all 3 phases. The young OL really grew up and Antone Moreis took advantage for 200+  yards of total offense and 3 touchdowns, including TD scampers of 44 and 84 yards and a 38 yard reception on a double pass to ice the game.

The defense was stout again, putting pressure on Weidman all day, forcing 2 INTs and 4 sacks. I continue to be impressed with this unit's physicality and how they lock down whenever the opponent crosses midfield.  It was their 5th game this year yielding 10 or fewer points.

Lastly, the special teams was great again. A first quarter punt block led to an early FG, and Punter Eli Soehren stuck two punts inside the 1 yard line going into a 20 MPH wind in the 3rd quarter. I'm starting to sound like an Iowa football fan for all my reverence for our punter.

Great W but it's time to win a trophy on Saturday! Go Mules!

[muleshoe]

Week 9 Lines & Ratings from the Computer

Lines
Bates 24.6, Hamilton 18.0
Colby 25.4, Bowdoin 9.9
Middlebury 27.7, Tufts 19.2
Trinity (Conn.) 25.9, Wesleyan 19.2
Williams 24.6, Amherst 20.3

Ratings / (Ranking)
Trinity - 23.3 (31)
Wesleyan - 14.2 (57)
Williams - 7.4 (78)
Middlebury - 5.7 (96)
Amherst - 0.7 (121)
Tufts - -0.3 (129)
Colby - -2.5 (138)
Bates - -11.9 (169)
Bowdoin - -15.5 (185)
Hamilton - -16.1 (188)

[Trin9-0]

First off... CONGRATULATIONS to Trinity on securing, at least a share of, the NESCAC Championship! This is the Bantams' 12th official title and the 19th time since the league was formed in 1971 that Trinity has finished with the best record in NESCAC play.

Both are the most in league history. Trin has 9 outright titles since 2000, also the most in the NESCAC. Obviously they'll need to win Saturday to avoid sharing the title with Wesleyan.

This will be the second consecutive year that the Battle of the Birds carries championship implications. The Bants will be looking to avenge last year's loss in The Coop. Surprisingly, Trinity's recent history against Wesleyan in Middletown is actually better than when the game has been played in Hartford. Trin is 10-1 at Andrus Field in their last 11 trips down I-91. It should be an excellent match up as both team are at, or near, the top of the league in the most important categories. Trinity outlasted a game Amherst squad as they continue to improve week by week. Meanwhile Wes, one again, showed their knack for winning close games. Just a devastating loss for Williams. I wonder if they're considering revoking DiCenzo's diploma?

The score projection via the SP+ model is as close as I can remember for a Trinity game:
Trinity 25.9, Wesleyan 19.2

It's worth noting that last year it had the Bants as a 19.3 point favorite over Wes...


Revisiting these predictions; I've already hit on one as Amherst hasn't won a game since. Colby looks very well positioned to both finish ahead of the Jumbos and win the CBB. Midd did, in fact, lose to Trin in a nailbiter, and would win out with a victory over Tufts on Saturday. Of course I did miss on yet another heartbreaking collapse by the Ephs against Wes but overall these mostly came to fruition.

Fair enough, Spring. Here's a few luke warm takes to get us back on track:

Amherst will have at least 3 more losses.
The Ephs finally get over the Wes hump.
Bants tie for the league title with Williams despite the head-to-head (poetic after their hotly debated/disputed co-championship in '23).
Colby wins the CBB and finishes above Tufts.
Midd loses a nailbiter on Saturday to drop to 2-4 but then wins out to salvage a winning season.

[nescac1]

Williams-Wesleyan was indeed a heartbreaker, two games like that this season, and two in a row vs. Wesleyan, just beyond brutal.  And there have been a slew of other games over the past two years where Williams either lost, or came very close to losing, after putting up a big lead, thanks to late passing down the field.  I agree with others who said prevent defense was ill-advised especially going to it with so much time left in the game and when the Ephs' pass rush had been so effective up that point, just dominating the Wesleyan offensive line whenever they sent 5 or even often 4 guys.  A tired defense consistently rushing three just had no chance against the excellent Wesleyan passing attack and the Ephs HAD to mix up the defense a bit more late in the game. 

I actually thought the passing defense was very good until those last two drives and the OT.  There was a lot of pressure, they forced a bunch of turnovers, and coverage was generally very tight.  Having Gehring back did really help in that regard but mostly it was a product of putting pressure on the QB. The offense sustained very few long drives and just left the defense on the field for too long, and wearing down was inevitable, so they had to take some risks.

A few positives for Williams: while you never want to be down to QB4, Mozawal looks likely to be a very good player down the line.  He is a Russell Wilson type, undersized but the ball seems to really jump off his arm on the deep throws. He has good speed and while I'm sure Williams didn't want to run him much given that they've basically run out of QBs behind him, I think he can be effective in the running game.  He needs to bulk up a bit in the off-season and while he made a few mental mistakes considering the situation he was placed into, I thought he was mostly poised overall and looks like a guy who will start as an upperclassman.  Obviously the Ephs REALLY would love a full-strength Johansen back against Amherst, especially in the running game, Johansen is just such an elite athlete.

The other positives were a few stand-outs on the defensive front-seven.  Luke Mangini seems to play with a little extra fire against Wesleyan and has his best game of the year.  Yet ANOTHER converted quarterback, Will Baker, who was a tight end until this game, was an absolute monster off the edge in his first game at DE, where I suspect he will stick for the remainder of his career.  Ryan Carney also had a good day in the pass-rush rotation. 

Overall though just a brutal loss for Williams.  As with Trinity earlier this year, they needed to make ONE more play on either side of the ball for the entirety of the last few minutes of the game and just could not get it done.  Credit to Wesleyan's defense which locked down Zach Falls while also mostly stymieing the Eph running attack, a combo no other team has managed this year.  I STRONGLY disagree that the outcome would not have been different if Johansen had been out there, because the Eph defense really did hold Wesleyan in check until they were absolutely exhausted in the fourth quarter by an offense that simply could not move the ball at ALL - look at some of those second half drives, 3 for -3, 3-0, 3-8, then a one-play drive for a TD off a turnover, 3 for -4, 3 for 6, then finally 5-39 ending in a n interception. But, like everyone, you play with the dudes who are healthy. 

The Ephs couldn't really use the QB run, and didn't want to take any risks in the passing game with a green QB, and it showed against a tough veteran defense.  Despite the crazy stat line from the Wesleyan offense, what I saw was an Eph defense that was playing VERY well including covering very well that was flat exhausted by the end of the game by constantly being on the field against a high octane offense, and which also just stopped even trying to rush the passer.  Wesleyan's D was what enabled them to come back. 

[Charlie]

Trinity /Amherst game

First off while at the game nothing beats the home crowd at Trinity very exciting atmosphere at this game. My hats off to Amherst they played extremely hard and this was a very physical game. I truly think that Amherst if they can stop shooting themselves in the foot in the football schedule could be a serious contender next year. Amherst should never have lost to Bates and Colby. I am not taking anything away from Bates or Colby just felt Amherst is a more talented team. I did not see the Amherst at Wesleyan game but heard it was a hard fought battle. I think if Amherst beats Williams they will be making strides next year. A main problem for Amherst was the years of bad recruiting but I believe this may be behind them. I do not know who is graduating on the team but the front seven played extremely well and there DB really played solid.

I would have to say behind Trinity Front seven this team maybe number two on DL/LB front lines. Trinity seems to amaze me the front three of DL Newhall , Toyias & Ventura put Pressure on Amherst with just three down lineman all day. My hats off to them for a job well done. Amherst is still a player or two away from making contention but really made strides this year and glad to see they are in the mix again in the NESCAC.

A very strange game with some terrible officiating. This was probably the worst game I have seen the refs this year. The only plus is the bad calls went against both teams but just a bad game for the zebras.

[Nescacman]

Looking forward to this game and my first time seeing this rivalry in person!

Pat, we assume you are talking about the only game that means anything in the NESCAC next weekend (OK, CBB fans...relax...we know some of you care about the game in Waterville), the NESCAC Championship Game in Middletown (not the Little 3 consolation game in Blanketville). If you indeed will be in Middletown, we look forward to hosting you at the best tailgate in D3.

NM

No, sorry -- going to the oldest rivalry in D-III because of the big rivalry games in D-III, it's one I have not yet seen. I know I could go to Middletown, or see parts of two games in Maine, but this was my decision.

You'll be missed Pat. Did enjoy seeing you in Fort Wayne. Sorry that you have to watch a game for second place this Saturday. 98% of the NESCAC juice (and crowds) this Saturday will be in Middletown (2% will be in Waterville).

One minor correction, Wesleyan v. Williams has been going on longer (1881) than Williams v. Amherst (1884)...just sayin'.

[Pat Coleman]

Sorry, most-played D-III rivalry, rather than oldest.

[Nescacman]

2025 NESCACMAN Week 8 Power Rankings

Welcome to the Week #8 Power Rankings for November 1, 2025.

NESCACMAN went 3-2 last Saturday. Our winners this week were Wesleyan, Middlebury, and Hartford State. UBates and Tufts were our losers for us.

So much for a 5-way NESCAC championship tie or a bunch of 6-3 teams winning the NESCAC title (thankfully). Last week, Hartford State clinched at least a share of the NESCAC title with their win over Amherst. Meanwhile, Wesleyan staged a comeback for the ages scoring 2 TDs in the last 3 minutes to send the game to OT then win in OT over Williams. Wesleyan will try to gain a "share" of the NESCAC title with a win at home against Hartford State this Saturday.

Hartford State maintains the top spot in the NESCACMAN Consortium rankings. Through 8 weeks, they stand alone at the top of the NESCAC standings at 7-1. Wesleyan is in second place at 6-2. 

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 8  is available now featuring Wesleyan Cardinal Head Coach Dan DiCennzo and Wesleyan Cardinal DB Dylan Connors. Season 2, Episode 9 will be available later this week and will feature two more amazing guests, Trinity Bantam Head Coach Jeff Devanney and Middlebury Panther RB Connor McClelland. Should be another great watch/listen. We encourage you to check it out.

Here are our rankings as we head into Week #9:

1). Hartford State Bantams (Record: 7-1; Last Week Rank: 1; 10 first place votes): The Bantams won their 7th game in a row at home in the Coop. They have now clinched at least a tie for the NESCAC title (sort of). Hartford State travels to Middletown to face Wesleyan for the NESCAC title. NESCAC's stupid tie-breaking rules, notwithstanding, Hartford State will have a hard time claiming a share of the crown with a loss on Saturday. They need to win. They will try to avenge the 2024 loss in the Coop to the Cards. Round #2 is this Saturday. The road to the NESCAC title runs through I-91.

2). Wesleyan Cardinals (Record: 6-2; Last Week Rank: 2): Wesleyan beats Williams for the 11th time in the last 12 games. Wesleyan also won their 4th straight Little 3 for the first time in program history. It was also their 5th outright Little 3 in the last 6 years. Wesleyan scores 14 points in the last 3 minutes of the game, sends the game to OT, blocks the Ephs FG attempt in OT, and then scores on their possession in OT. You can't make this stuff up. The "Kurse of Kelton" is alive and well in Williamstown (the only Coach in recent Williams' history to have a below .500 record). A few highlights from this game: 1). Wesleyan set a single game record for passing yards in a game with 458. 2). Matt Fitzsimons broke the single game individual record for most passing yards in a game. For his efforts, he won the D2/D3 Gold Helmet for the second time this year and was selected as the NESCAC OPOTW. 3). It was the most passing yards Williams has ever allowed in a game in their long history. 4). Wesleyan had 3 receivers go over the 100-yard mark. 9 different receivers had catches for Wes. 5). Wesleyan had 3 sacks. Williams had only allowed 1 sack all year coming into this game. 6). Wesleyan held the Ephs to under 100 yards rushing. Williams far and away led the NESCAC in rushing coming into this game.  7). Williams' receiver Zach Falls was held to one catch. Wesleyan beats Hartford State this Saturday and they win the NESCAC Championship based on the head-to-head match-up.
 
3). Williams Ephs (Record: 5-3; Last Week Rank: 3): The loss to Wesleyan on Saturday will sting for a long time. Saturday's loss not only cost Williams the Little 3 title, it also cost them a shot at a share of the NESCAC title. One of the worst home losses in Williams' history. 28-14 lead with 3 minutes left and they lose. The Ephs (again) snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. Williams' defense gave up a team record 458 yards to the Wesleyan passing attack. On the other side of the ball, the Wesleyan defense, particularly their front 7, had their way against the Williams offensive line. The Williams o-line, which had given up one sack coming in, gave up 3 sacks on the day. In addition, Wesleyan held Williams to 91 yards rushing on 30 attempts. QB Owen Johansen sat out this one due to injury. Drew Renzella started in his place and left in the 2nd quarter due to injury. 4th string QB Mustafa Mozawal played admirably subbing for the injured Renzella. WR Zach Falls was held to 1 catch on the day. The Ephs travel to Amherst this weekend to face the Lord Mammoths for second place in the Little 3; "The biggest little second place game in America".

4). Colby Mules (Record: 5-3; Last Week Rank: 7): Kudo's to Colby for not only beating Tufts and guaranteeing a winning season for the first-time since 2005 but also scoring 33 points. Whoa...not sure where that came from! Colby put it all together against Tufts with their offense and defense clicking on all cylinders. This week they host Bowdoin, with a chance to win the C-B-B title and put an exclamation point on the season for the Mules.

5). Amherst Lord Mammoths (Record: 4-4; Last Week Rank: 4): The Amherst Lord Mammoths lost their third game in a row to Hartford State on Saturday. They will need to win Saturday to finish above .500 for the first time since 2021. The Lord Mammoths will host the Ephs in front of a small gathering of friends and family in Amherst.

6). Middlebury (Record: 4-4; Last Week Rank: 6): This week, Middlebury beat the Continentals in the "Old Rocking Chair" Game. It was the 100th straight win for Middlebury over Hamilton. Middlebury needs a win against Tufts this Saturday to finish over .500.

7). Tufts Jumbo's (Record: 4-4; Last Week Rank: 5): Tufts suffers a bad loss to Colby. Not only did they only muster 6 points against the Mules, but they also allowed the previously anemic Colby offense to score 33 points. Now they need a win against Middlebury to finish over .500 for the year.

8). Bowdoin Polar Bears (Record: 2-6; Last Week Rank: 10): Very big win for Bowdoin against an injury riddled UBates squad. DL Angus Leary had a monster game with 3 TFL and 2.5 sacks. If they beat Colby, they win the C-B-B title and equal their win total from 2024.

9). University of Bates Bobcats (Record: 2-6; Last Week Rank: 8): Kitties lose on the road against rival Bowdoin. UBates RB Ryan Lynskey returned but he clearly was not himself with only 10 yards rushing on 6 carries. The Kitties host Hamilton to try to get to 3-6 and show incremental improvement from 2024.

10). Hamilton Continentals (Record: 1-7; Last Week Rank: 9): Hamilton loses to Middlebury. This week they travel to UBates.


2025 Week8 NESCACMAN Offensive Player of the Week: QB Matt Fitzsimons, Wesleyan

2025 Week8 NESCACMAN Defensive Player of the Week: LB Austin Baker, Wesleyan

2025 Week8 NESCACMAN Special Teams Player of the Week: DL Dean Sokaris, Wesleyan

**********

Follow NESCACMAN us on X: @realnescacman

**********

Nine Weeks: A NESCAC Football Podcast

Look for the podcast on YouTube, Spotify, Facebook, and Apple.

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/g/141Ru3gKgk/)
YouTube: 9 Weeks Nescac (https://www.youtube.com/@nineweeksnescac)
Apple: 9 Weeks Nescac

Look for NESCACMAN's weekly predictions and point spreads at nescacfootballreport.com

[Trin9-0]

It was the 100th straight win for Middlebury over Hamilton.

This admittedly made me chuckle. In reality, it's 28 straight wins for the Panthers over Hamilton. This got me thinking about where that ranks among the longest winning/losing streaks between NESCAC schools (it appears to be 4th).

It's quite possible I've missed some, given how spotty the record-keeping has been over the years, but here's what I've come up with for a top 15:

1. Middlebury 35 straight over Bates (1989-2023)
2. Trinity 30 straight over Hamilton (1995-Present)
3. Trinity 29 straight wins over Bates (1979-Present)
4. Middlebury 28 straight over Hamilton (1995-Present)
5. Trinity 26 straight over Bowdoin (1998-Present)
6. Williams 18 straight over Hamilton (1997-2014)
7. Trinity 17 straight over Colby (1998-2024)
7. Wesleyan 17 straight over Bates (2006-2023)
9. Williams 15 straight over Bates (1988-2002)
9. Williams 15 straight over Bowdoin (1980-2006)
9. Williams 15 straight over Tufts (1993-2007)
12. Amherst 14 straight over Hamilton (1993-2018)
13. Middlebury 13 straight over Tufts (2002-2014)
13. Trinity 13 straight over Wesleyan (2001-2013)
13. Williams 13 straight over Wesleyan (2000-2012)


As for the future... the forecast for Middletown on Saturday includes rain early in the day. Nothing major, but it could impact the conditions on the grass field at Andrus. Wesleyan averages just 84 rushing yards per game (9th in the NESCAC) while Trinity's defense has allowed only 92 rush yards per game (3rd in the NESCAC).

Wes leads the league in rushing defense, giving up just 66 yards per game while the Bants are second in the NESCAC in rushing averaging nearly 170 yards per contest.

The winds look to be light so I would anticipate the Cards, who lead the NESCAC in passing offense, to really air it out on Saturday despite facing the league's top pass defense. In my view, that strength-on-strength match up will decide the 124th Trinity-Wesleyan game.