FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[Nescacguymaine]

Ty Connolly plays football today.

[CoachDustyWoods]

Bants may miss the presence of the bellcow Drake Bellisari this year but I don't have that getting in the way of a true butt whooping of the lowly Colby Mules . Bants by 90

[SpringSt7]

Williams begins its 2026 season with a 17-7 win at home over Bowdoin. Unfortunately the headline news is that Owen Johansen left the game with what appears to have been a serious knee injury. He got dragged down out of bounds from behind and came up holding his knee. The camera panned away from him but he came off of the field without putting any pressure on it. So obviously that is a huge story for the team but mainly you just hope that he is okay. They are lucky to have Owen McHugh as the backup QB but on paper a lengthy Johansen absence right now would be a massive loss.

As for the rest of the game, it was in a lot of ways a typical Mark Raymond win, especially early in the season. The first half was a slog, the front 7 was flying around defensively and some fortunate bounces from the punt team resulted in some short fields and they were able to capitalize with a Johansen rushing TD from short yardage. Overall however the offense really struggled in the first half although in the second half they started to wear Bowdoin down and really ran the ball better, but in total, just 17 points to show for. It was a really ineffective day passing the ball and they turned it over 3 times - 2 Johansen interceptions and a fumble by first year RB Jack Fabiano who had an otherwise excellent day filling in for Matt Bott , who I assume was hurt.

The defense was excellent and would've pitched a shutout if not for a consolation TD on the last possession of the game. Bowdoin did not really test their secondary all that much but the Ephs covered well and also routinely put the Polar Bears in poor down and distance situations with 8 TFLs, led by Will Baker with 4 while Sean Rooney had 2 including a sack.

Going forward, the story will be the injury report. Johansen's health is the big one, based on the play I would be a little surprised if we saw him again this season, but hopefully it isn't as bad as it looked. They are very lucky to have Owen McHugh waiting in the wings, he played well in the limited action he saw when he came in and we know he is certainly capable of playing very well. Star junior LB Luke Mangini was also missing from action today, hopefully that is only a small thing. But all eyes will be on Johansen's availability going forward.

[conncollegefootball]

If you're UBates, season's over. Week 1.

You lead 14-10 with 3:13 left and give up two scores in the last two minutes to an Amherst team that lost the Co-DPOTY and half its secondary. Classic Bates.

But the real story is Lynskey going down early. Looks like a very serious knee injury. He WAS the offense. Without him: 30 rushes, 48 yards, 1.6 a carry. And Gilmore throws four picks with zero TDs. 3 of 16 on third down.

Take the one guy defenses had to account for off this roster and there is nothing left. Look at the remaining schedule and find me a game they're more talented in. I'll wait.

First winning season since 2012 will have to wait until '27. Again.

[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.

To no one's surprise, this was completely fake news.

Pat, this post should be removed and this author should be banned...