FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[nescac1]

Between the Berkshire Eagle and Williams Sports Info previews, a few fun tidbits about the team.

Position changes - I'm always interested in who ends up in the FB/HB role, which plays a bigger role in the Eph offense that probably anywhere else in the league, it's almost always a position switch and usually it's someone who is an upperclassman high-IQ high-end athlete with good size and speed - this year former LB/edge Nathan Rodi apparently makes the switch.  Going the other direction, former star RB recruit Jon Marvan, who had a major injury setback prior to starting at Williams, will now be playing what sounds like a major role at DE.

QB - as expected Owen Johansen will be the starter, backed by Owen McHugh.  McHugh is too good of an athlete not to see the field a lot so I imagine we will see him in wildcat packages and maybe even playing out of the backfield or in the slot, which could set up some real razzle-dazzle play possibilities.  Both of those guys have a fifth year of eligibility if they choose to use it, that will be a big post-season story. 

WR/TE - for the first time since probably 2010, I think this is the strongest unit on the team.  The top three targets, Zach Falls, Brady Stahelski (back from injury and could do some real damage with Falls getting the top CB every game), and Jimmy Montesano, are all 6'4 or bigger, which could be a matchup nightmare for smaller secondaries and especially in the red zone.  With 6'1 Machnik and 6'4 Bailey rounding out the unit, the entire unit is massive (and also have good straight-ahead speed for their size, especially Falls who is absolutely a D1 level athlete). 

RB - as expected, three first year TBs are in the mix behind starter Matt Bott.  A position of huge uncertainly and will be interesting to see if one of the FYs pops early.  Aiden Clark had impressive H.S. tape and Jack Fabiano put up massive numbers. If at least two of the FYs aren't ready right away this is a very thin position.   

Depth in the front seven - Williams has big-time high end talent with Gale, Yedid, Mangini, and Moore, all of whom I expect will be all-league players if they stay healthy.  Will Baker looked awesome last year too, after switching positions.  But there seems to be a slew of guys in the mix for other spots, including a lot of guys moving from LB to DE and from DB to LB, presumably in an effort to add more speed up front.  That may take awhile to shake out.

Secondary - a lot of guys who got a lot of playing time last year are back, and Raymond unsurprisingly keys in on this unit as one that needs to be much improved, wayyyy too many big plays down the field last season especially late in close games.  If Gehring can stay healthy and focus on playing CB, that's one lock-down guy.  But there needs to be a lot of internal improvement from the rest of the unit and I imagine the final DB rotation will take a few weeks to lock down.  A strong pass rash would certainly help take the pressure off a bit. 

[Scoops]

What are the added expenses of having 15 extra kids practice with the team? They're not traveling. They're not even getting a uniform for home games. They've already got the equipment and have been practicing all preseason. I'm not buying that NESCAC schools are too poor to afford a dozen or so kids the opportunity to practice and be a part of a team.

If they're going to do it they all have to do it and have JV games. Kids needed to be rewarded with a game and not just be used as tackling dummies. Of course with JV games comes the money of travel etc. Maybe break it up to two JV leagues of 5 play 4 games and then winners play.

 

Honestly, they don't even need to do  JV games. Part of playing football at the college level is some guys just being practice players. It's not a glorious role, but if they love playing the game enough to stick around and gut it out, then why penalize them for it? That's 90% of walk on guys at all levels. There's literally no expense to the university to have those kids keep their pads and practice throughout the week. They don't have to travel them. They aren't getting any special treatment that other athletes don't get. They have to get into the school the same way as all the other athletes. What's the excuse not to let them play? It's a disgrace.

[Nescacman]

Nine Weeks: A NESCAC Football Podcast Season 3, Episode 1 (Season Preview)

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.

Available NOW!!! Season 3 Episode 1 features ALL 10 NESCAC Head Coaches, former Wesleyan University Defensive Lineman and NESCAC Great (2x NESCAC DPOTY) Nick Helbig, and NESCAC Football Report's Jon Keith.

The podcast is available wherever you find your podcasts including 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, Gameday Sports and Noank Village Boatyard.

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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Visit Nescacfootballreport.com for NESCACMAN's picks/spreads, additional analysis and NESCAC reporting.

[CardiacEphs]

Hearing reports the Wesleyan RBs (LaRose and Diaz) got into a physical altercation after practice Thursday. LaRose will be OUT with a broken nose and Diaz's availability remains to be seen pending possible internal discipline. Not the type of start to the season the defending champs were looking for. More to come on this situation.

[Patrick Coleman]

Hearing reports the Wesleyan RBs (LaRose and Diaz) got into a physical altercation after practice Thursday. LaRose will be OUT with a broken nose and Diaz's availability remains to be seen pending possible internal discipline. Not the type of start to the season the defending champs were looking for. More to come on this situation.

Oh, well, that's fun, because one of those two is on the front page of D3football.com right now!

[AndrewB]

Trin 8-1
Although I think you are trivializing the expenses a bit I'm with you 100%. However that's how they think on the Administrative side in Academia.
 
It doesn't matter how big endowments grow, when expenses are going up they get very frugal. Especially in an area where many NESCAC administrative types are not major advocates of growing helmet sports to begin with.

At Trinity, Tufts and Wes it's probably a lesser change beacuse those programs are already further advanced. Maybe 15-20 more players. Those programs already have 10 or 11 coaches while  much of the rest of the conference typically have an 8 man staff. At other schools it might create a need for 2 more coaches and 25 players.

I hope it happens but in my experience I've seen a real reluctance to increase funding for Football traditionally at all the schools.

Let hope the Presidents see that these changes are needed to compete on the national level.

But the Colby can send the women's volleyball team to Wisconsin for a weekend tournament?  Isn't Colby also building an Olympic sized swimming pool.  $10,000 to $20,000 to give 15 players a lifetime worth of memories, the NESCAC isn't even trying.

[SpringSt7]

I see both arguments on the roster spot thing. I don't really think the money is a factor at all to be totally honest (on the Colby volleyball example, I would be shocked if that wasn't fundraised), it just comes down to whether or not you want 4-5% of each graduating class to be football players. Also, spare me the sob story on having to tell kids they were cut. These coaches know the roster rules and limits and some of them have been recruiting that way for years. This wasn't some big surprise that snuck up on people overnight.

I think there should be a bigger roster limit but I don't really care if it is that much bigger. They are never going to have the depth of a North Central or Mount Union.

[Nescacman]

Hearing reports the Wesleyan RBs (LaRose and Diaz) got into a physical altercation after practice Thursday. LaRose will be OUT with a broken nose and Diaz's availability remains to be seen pending possible internal discipline. Not the type of start to the season the defending champs were looking for. More to come on this situation.

Oh, well, that's fun, because one of those two is on the front page of D3football.com right now!

Great picture Pat. Hopefully, we'll see you again during your travels this Fall. You are always welcome at the best tailgate in D3.

[lumbercat]

Hearing reports the Wesleyan RBs (LaRose and Diaz) got into a physical altercation after practice Thursday. LaRose will be OUT with a broken nose and Diaz's availability remains to be seen pending possible internal discipline. Not the type of start to the season the defending champs were looking for. More to come on this situation.

Rather see that kind of team aggression on the field which can actually be healthy for team culture but in the locker room not sure. Wasn't there and won't judge the circumstances but should not be a negative for the Cards. Sounds like Diaz got off a doozie. Just hope it wasn't a sucker punch.

[Nescacman]

Hearing reports the Wesleyan RBs (LaRose and Diaz) got into a physical altercation after practice Thursday. LaRose will be OUT with a broken nose and Diaz's availability remains to be seen pending possible internal discipline. Not the type of start to the season the defending champs were looking for. More to come on this situation.

Rather see that kind of team aggression on the field which can actually be healthy for team culture but in the locker room not sure. Wasn't there and won't judge the circumstances but should not be a negative for the Cards. Sounds like Diaz got off a doozie.

Lumber, you know as well as we do, to take almost EVERYTHING posted here on the "Boards" with a grain of salt...especially from a Williams guy posting about Wesleyan in week 1. We've given this post more attention already than it deserves.

NM

[Nescacman]

2026 Week 1 NESCACMAN Picks

Welcome back NESCAC...it's 2026 Week #1 "in the league where they pay to play".

Our NESCAC game of the week is in Middlebury, Vermont where the Middlebury Panthers will host the 2x NESCAC Champion Wesleyan Cardinals in an important early season match-up.

We were 32-13 (.711 winning %) on our picks last year.

Let's get to this week's games...

University of Bates (Lewiston Campus) at Amherst College: We expect this game to be the closest, most competitive game in Week 1. Tough to call a game in Week 1 a "must win", but both teams want to get out of the box strong. Amherst's defense has been very good in recent years (2nd in the NESCAC in total defense in 2025) but they lost some keys guys to graduation. Amherst will rely on QB Marek Hill while UBates will lean on RB Ryan Lynskey. Amherst wins if: They avoid turnovers and they stop the UBates flex option. UBates wins if: Lynskey rushes for 125+. We like the Kitties in a mild upset on the road.

UBates 28 Amherst 27
Point Spread:  Amherst -3
Weather (courtesy of The Weather Channel): Partly cloudy skies. High 69F. Winds light and variable.

Bowdoin College at Williams College: Bowdoin high pressure defense against the top running team in the NESCAC in 2025.  For Bowdoin to have a chance in this game, they will need to stop the Williams running game. Bowdoin QB Soren Hummell is back and has experienced weapons on offense. Will he be able to exploit the Williams secondary that was challenged against the pass in 2025? Williams has a star at QB in Owen Johansen. WR Zach Falls will need to be stopped by Bowdoin. Bowdoin defender and pre-season D3 All American Angus Leary is an X-Factor for the Polars. Bowdoin wins if: They can stop the Willams running game led by Johansen and RB Matt Bott. Williams wins if: The secondary is improved and steps it up in 2026. We think Williams has too much talent to lose to a Maine team at home on opening day.

Williams 34 Bowdoin 17
Point Spread: Williams -14
Weather: Partly cloudy. High 67F. Winds light and variable.

Colby College at Hartford State College: Colby will try to build on the momentum created by their 6-3 season a year ago. Hartford State will try to avenge their shocking opening season loss a year ago to the Mules. WR Nolan O'Brien and QB Jaxon Carroll are back leading the Bantams. Hartford is a tough place to win for visiting teams. The winning formula for the Mules in 2025 was solid defense and just enough offense. Colby wins if: Their offense is better in 2026 than it was in 2026. We don't expect the defense to be as strong. Hartford State win if: They score 20 or more points against the Mules at home. We think Colby keeps the game close for a while before the Bantams pull away in the second half.

Hartford State 24 Colby 7
Point Spread: Hartford State -14
Weather: Partly cloudy skies. High around 70F. Winds NNE at 5 to 10 mph.

Hamilton College at Tufts University: Hamilton has one of the top returning QBs in Luke Kurzum. Question is can their offensive line protect him and allow them to run the ball to mix it up a bit. Despite Hamilton's 2-7 record in 2025, 5 of their 7 losses were close. Tufts has a bunch of returning starters at the skill positions including QB Hudson Weidman and RB Christian Shapiro. Hamilton wins if: Kurzum plays well and they can run the ball at least enough to keep the Tufts defense honest. Tufts wins if: They stop Kurzum and his collection of WRs.  We expect a closer game than people would think. We think the Jumbo's pull it out but not without a fight.

Tufts 28 Hamilton 21
Point Spread: Tufts -7
Weather: Partly cloudy. High 63F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph.

NESCAC Game of the Week

Wesleyan University at Middlebury College: Wesleyan is coming off a year in which they won their second straight NESCAC Championship and their 4th straight Little 3 championship. They return 8 All-NESCACers including most of their skill players and their offensive line. However, Middlebury returns the league rushing champ in Connor McClellan and is always well coached. Returning NESCAC OPOTY QB Matt Fitzsimons will try to air it out against a Middlebury defense that struggled against the pass at times. Wes lost talent on the defensive side of the ball, including NESCAC DPOTY Dylan Connors, but always seems to reload and does return a DPOTY candidate in Austin Baker. Middlebury's starting QB will be making their first ever college start. Wesleyan wins if: They play their game including establishing the run to set up passes to their talented receiving corps. Middlebury wins if: They put pressure on Fitz and force him to hurry his throws. Wes has won 4 of the last 5 meetings between these schools including the last time they met in Vermont. We expect a hard-fought Wes win as their offensive weapons prove too much for the Panthers to handle.

Wesleyan 34 Middlebury 21
Point Spread: Wesleyan -7
Weather: Sunshine. High 64F. Winds light and variable.

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

NESCACMAN's Picks:
2026 Season: 0-0
2025 Season: 32-13
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: 393-127 (.756 winning percentage; 12 seasons)

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Follow NESCACMAN on X: @realnescacman

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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 3 Episode 1 (season preview) featuring ALL 10 NESCAC Head Coaches, former Wesleyan lineman and all-time NESCAC great (2x NESCAC DPOTY) Nick Helbig, and NESCAC Football Report's Jon Keith.

The podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts including 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, Gameday Sports, and Noank Village Boatyard.
 
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/)
YouTube: 9 Weeks Nescac (https://www.youtube.com/@nineweeksnescac)
Spotify Podcasts: 9 Weeks Nescac
Apple Podcasts: 9 Weeks Nescac

Look for NESCACMAN's weekly predictions and point spreads at nescacfootballreport.com. The NESCAC Football report is a website dedicated to all things NESCAC football, including team previews, weekly game previews and power rankings and game recaps.  The site now provides its followers with NESCACMAN's weekly game lines and predicted scores.

[lumbercat]

Hearing reports the Wesleyan RBs (LaRose and Diaz) got into a physical altercation after practice Thursday. LaRose will be OUT with a broken nose and Diaz's availability remains to be seen pending possible internal discipline. Not the type of start to the season the defending champs were looking for. More to come on this situation.

Rather see that kind of team aggression on the field which can actually be healthy for team culture but in the locker room not sure. Wasn't there and won't judge the circumstances but should not be a negative for the Cards. Sounds like Diaz got off a doozie.

Lumber, you know as well as we do, to take almost EVERYTHING posted here on the "Boards" with a grain of salt...especially from a Williams guy posting about Wesleyan in week 1. We've given this post more attention already than it deserves.

NM

Got it and agree but I cant classify "almost EVERTING" as fiction here, that would bring you and other honest boardsters into question inappropriately---hopefully I am right with that approach- I know there is embellishment and fabrication but if there's a poster concocting outright lies he should be removed from the board.

[Patrick Coleman]

Hearing reports the Wesleyan RBs (LaRose and Diaz) got into a physical altercation after practice Thursday. LaRose will be OUT with a broken nose and Diaz's availability remains to be seen pending possible internal discipline. Not the type of start to the season the defending champs were looking for. More to come on this situation.

Oh, well, that's fun, because one of those two is on the front page of D3football.com right now!

Great picture Pat. Hopefully, we'll see you again during your travels this Fall. You are always welcome at the best tailgate in D3.

Thanks. Travel budget (entire budget) is really tight this year so I don't know how much flying I'll be able to do.