FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[Nescacman]

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 (at least 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.

Hs7-2....looking forward to catching up this Saturday at the 124th Annual Turducken Bowl.

[nescac1]

This has to be one of the most wide-open years in terms of individual honors we've seen in NESCAC, right?

I think guys who could make a credible case for OPOTY depending on how the last week go include: Connor McClellan, Jon Oris, Matt Fitzsimmons, Luke Kurzum, and Zach Falls (Johansen has just missed too many games to be in the mix at this point).  Fitzsimmons I'd say is the favorite especially if he has a big day and/or Wesleyan beats Trinity.  Kurzum would certainly be an aberrant winner considering team record, but he has kept a really bad Hamilton team competitive in all but two games, and put up very strong stats, with far less help around him than Fitzsimmons.  What would Kurzum be doing if he was on a top-half NESCAC team right now?  If Kurzum has a huge final week, and Fitzsimmons has a rough game against Trinity, he wouldn't be a crazy pick with no obvious choice among the TB/WR candidates.  Trinity doesn't really have a strong candidate because it's offensive production has been so spread out among so many different guys.

On defense, Trinity has the same issue, with too much balance to elevate any one guy to POTY.  I'd say Luke Harmon followed by Dylan Conners remain the favorites, but there are lots of other guys who could make a case with a huge final week as well, no one is having an eye-popping season statistically. 

ROTY I think is still Donte Kelly, I'm not sure who else is even in the picture, there. 

[Charlie]

This has to be one of the most wide-open years in terms of individual honors we've seen in NESCAC, right?

I think guys who could make a credible case for OPOTY depending on how the last week go include: Connor McClellan, Jon Oris, Matt Fitzsimmons, Luke Kurzum, and Zach Falls (Johansen has just missed too many games to be in the mix at this point).  Fitzsimmons I'd say is the favorite especially if he has a big day and/or Wesleyan beats Trinity.  Kurzum would certainly be an aberrant winner considering team record, but he has kept a really bad Hamilton team competitive in all but two games, and put up very strong stats, with far less help around him than Fitzsimmons.  What would Kurzum be doing if he was on a top-half NESCAC team right now?  If Kurzum has a huge final week, and Fitzsimmons has a rough game against Trinity, he wouldn't be a crazy pick with no obvious choice among the TB/WR candidates.  Trinity doesn't really have a strong candidate because it's offensive production has been so spread out among so many different guys.

On defense, Trinity has the same issue, with too much balance to elevate any one guy to POTY.  I'd say Luke Harmon followed by Dylan Conners remain the favorites, but there are lots of other guys who could make a case with a huge final week as well, no one is having an eye-popping season statistically. 

ROTY I think is still Donte Kelly, I'm not sure who else is even in the picture, there. 

I agree Trinity versus all the prior years just has way too many people on offense that could get awards. I stated this in prior post OC Melnitsky did a fantastic job spreading the wealth around on that offensive unit.

Defensively the same so many great players on that side of the ball. This is the one year if there was one where awards should be given out to units. If it was the case I would say Trinity's front 7 Defensive MVP of the league.I mean the defense is allowing something like 40 yards rushing a game. I also think despite the record Amherst DL & Middlebury DL should be considered one of the top units as well.

[Nescacman]

This has to be one of the most wide-open years in terms of individual honors we've seen in NESCAC, right?

I think guys who could make a credible case for OPOTY depending on how the last week go include: Connor McClellan, Jon Oris, Matt Fitzsimmons, Luke Kurzum, and Zach Falls (Johansen has just missed too many games to be in the mix at this point).  Fitzsimmons I'd say is the favorite especially if he has a big day and/or Wesleyan beats Trinity.  Kurzum would certainly be an aberrant winner considering team record, but he has kept a really bad Hamilton team competitive in all but two games, and put up very strong stats, with far less help around him than Fitzsimmons.  What would Kurzum be doing if he was on a top-half NESCAC team right now?  If Kurzum has a huge final week, and Fitzsimmons has a rough game against Trinity, he wouldn't be a crazy pick with no obvious choice among the TB/WR candidates.  Trinity doesn't really have a strong candidate because it's offensive production has been so spread out among so many different guys.

On defense, Trinity has the same issue, with too much balance to elevate any one guy to POTY.  I'd say Luke Harmon followed by Dylan Conners remain the favorites, but there are lots of other guys who could make a case with a huge final week as well, no one is having an eye-popping season statistically. 

ROTY I think is still Donte Kelly, I'm not sure who else is even in the picture, there. 

We have been thinking a little bit about this, although, TBH WAY more focused on the game right now.

IF Wes wins, we think it could be complete sweep for the Cards (Fitz, Dylan, Dante, Coaching Staff of the Year...again)...if HS wins, we still think Fitz (2x Gold Helmet winner) and Dante are pretty much locks but we will probably see someone else win DPOTY and the Hartford State Staff will be the favorite for Coaching Staff of the Year. However, if Colby wins on Saturday, one could certainly make a case for the Mules Coaching Staff this year (first winning record in 20 years, 6-3 record, C-B-B title, 3rd place NESCAC finish, etc). 

BTW, Blake Newcomb should at least be in the discussion for OPOTY. Wes can only put up one guy and that guy will probably be Fitz but Blake has had a tremendous, consistent, non-flashy year. Double Dante at your own risk because Blake can play. Blake's reward will be a first team NESCAC selection.

As far as Luke is concerned, we like him a ton (he's from Joisey, after all) but tough to give it to a guy on a 1-8/2-7 team. Reminds us a lot of Kenny Gray back in the day. Luke's reward will be a first team NESCAC nod at QB along with Fitz.

NM

[Nescacman]

This has to be one of the most wide-open years in terms of individual honors we've seen in NESCAC, right?

I think guys who could make a credible case for OPOTY depending on how the last week go include: Connor McClellan, Jon Oris, Matt Fitzsimmons, Luke Kurzum, and Zach Falls (Johansen has just missed too many games to be in the mix at this point).  Fitzsimmons I'd say is the favorite especially if he has a big day and/or Wesleyan beats Trinity.  Kurzum would certainly be an aberrant winner considering team record, but he has kept a really bad Hamilton team competitive in all but two games, and put up very strong stats, with far less help around him than Fitzsimmons.  What would Kurzum be doing if he was on a top-half NESCAC team right now?  If Kurzum has a huge final week, and Fitzsimmons has a rough game against Trinity, he wouldn't be a crazy pick with no obvious choice among the TB/WR candidates.  Trinity doesn't really have a strong candidate because it's offensive production has been so spread out among so many different guys.

On defense, Trinity has the same issue, with too much balance to elevate any one guy to POTY.  I'd say Luke Harmon followed by Dylan Conners remain the favorites, but there are lots of other guys who could make a case with a huge final week as well, no one is having an eye-popping season statistically. 

ROTY I think is still Donte Kelly, I'm not sure who else is even in the picture, there. 

I agree Trinity versus all the prior years just has way too many people on offense that could get awards. I stated this in prior post OC Melnitsky did a fantastic job spreading the wealth around on that offensive unit.

Defensively the same so many great players on that side of the ball. This is the one year if there was one where awards should be given out to units. If it was the case I would say Trinity's front 7 Defensive MVP of the league.I mean the defense is allowing something like 40 yards rushing a game. I also think despite the record Amherst DL & Middlebury DL should be considered one of the top units as well.

Come on Chuck, everyone knows that Wes leads the NESCAC in rushing defense (66 yards/game) which is 14th in the Nation in D3.

Hartford State, btw, is not even second in the NESCAC in rush defense. As a matter of fact, they are 3rd (behind the Lord Mammoths) at 92 yards/game). Their run defense is good, but is not the best (through 8 games).

For future reference, here is the link to the NESCAC stats:

https://nescac.com/stats.aspx?path=football&year=2025

We'd recommend that you bookmark that link for future reference.

NM

[Nescacman]

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 (at least 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.

Good thing for Colby, UBates and Bowdoin that Hartford State isn't in the C-B-B...

[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 (at least 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.

Good thing for Colby, UBates and Bowdoin that Hartford State isn't in the C-B-B...

Now, now, Nescacman... don't be too smug my friend. As you know, Wesleyan has just three wins against Trinity since 2001. That's only two more than the Maine schools have against the Bants over the same period.

[Nescacman]

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 (at least 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.

Good thing for Colby, UBates and Bowdoin that Hartford State isn't in the C-B-B...

Now, now, Nescacman... don't be too smug my friend. As you know, Wesleyan has just three wins against Trinity since 2001. That's only two more than the Maine schools have against the Bants over the same period.

Talk about being smug....you might have to put an asterisk next to the 2025 NESCAC Championship you have already claimed in your footer after the game on Saturday. You know the saying..."don't touch the money".

[Trin9-0]

I don't agree with the NESCAC's stance on tiebreakers but it is what it is.

The league rules state that Trinity has earned at least a share of the league championship this season. Whether you choose to agree or not is completely irrelevant.

With that said, I can guarantee that absolutely no one at Trinity is satisfied with a co-championship, especially with what happened last year. I expect a great game and think I'll be happy with the outcome. I'm confident you feel the same and will pick Wes to win accordingly. Is that touching the money?

[Nescacman]

I don't agree with the NESCAC's stance on tiebreakers but it is what it is.

The league rules state that Trinity has earned at least a share of the league championship this season. Whether you choose to agree or not is completely irrelevant.

With that said, I can guarantee that absolutely no one at Trinity is satisfied with a co-championship, especially with what happened last year. I expect a great game and think I'll be happy with the outcome. I'm confident you feel the same and will pick Wes to win accordingly. Is that touching the money?

The good news is the "participation trophy" mentality of the powers that be in the NESCAC ends in 2026. Someone will have to get the NESCAC's automatic bid to the D3 play-offs.

[Nescacman]

And in a related story, not to get political, but the new Mayor of NYC is Bowdoin Class of 2014. NESCAC is everywhere!

[lumbercat]

Don't remind us of that NM- please don't go political on us- we come to this site to escape from that lunacy.
Looking forward to the battle of the Birds this weekend.

[Nescacman]

Don't remind us of that NM- please don't go political on us- we come to this site to escape from that lunacy.
Looking forward to the battle of the Birds this weekend.

We're with ya Lumber...just reporting the NESCAC news of the day...back to what really matters, NESCAC football!!!

Are the Kitties going to get that elusive 3rd win this Saturday?

[Trin9-0]

I don't agree with the NESCAC's stance on tiebreakers but it is what it is.

The league rules state that Trinity has earned at least a share of the league championship this season. Whether you choose to agree or not is completely irrelevant.

With that said, I can guarantee that absolutely no one at Trinity is satisfied with a co-championship, especially with what happened last year. I expect a great game and think I'll be happy with the outcome. I'm confident you feel the same and will pick Wes to win accordingly. Is that touching the money?

The good news is the "participation trophy" mentality of the powers that be in the NESCAC ends in 2026. Someone will have to get the NESCAC's automatic bid to the D3 play-offs.

That's not necessarily true as it sounds like the league will still award co-championships for a two-way tie. Sure, the head-to-head result will determine who gets the automatic bid (and rightly so) but this is a missed opportunity to revert back to the 2018 tie-breaker policy.

And even worse, if your report is accurate that the league will use a COIN FLIP(!?!) to determine who get's to use the NESCAC playoff bid in the event of a three-way tie then we're right back to where we started.


Pat, what are your way too early thoughts on the likelihood of a NESCAC team earning an at large bid in 2026 and beyond?

[Nescacman]

And even worse, if your report is accurate that the league will use a COIN FLIP(!?!) to determine who get's to use the NESCAC playoff bid in the event of a three-way tie then we're right back to where we started.