FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[VoodooDoc]

Yes, back to Football.

Lumbercat - shame on you for bringing up this matter.  Unfortunately, a female kicker at Allegheny got reported to her parents for some untoward behavior and cooked up a false Title IX complaint to avoid punishment.  An Assistant Coach reported the matter to Head Coach Hammer who immediately reported the matter to the school administration. The kicker's family engaged an attorney.  The investigation turned up the true facts of the matter.  Coach Hammer and the College were completely exonerated in the matter.  Having already moved to Bowdoin, he disclosed the matter fully and Bowdoin recognized his complete exoneration. 
Clearly you have issues with Bowdoin about the departure of Coach Wells. It is abjectly unfair of you to repeat falsehoods and abject lies about the matter at Allegheny.

[Trin9-0]

We're not sure we can ever remember a bigger SP+ "spread" than what they are calling for in the Hartford State/Hamilton tilt this Saturday. Hs7-2, knowing that you are an SP+ aficionado, we're sure you can either confirm or deny that this is the biggest called for margin by SP+ for a NESCAC game. Just curious.

As an side, that spread seems aggressive to us, but we digress.

NM

Indeed, 51.7 points is an absolutely MASSIVE number, but it's not the biggest NESCAC SP+ projection discrepancy on record. That game did involve the same two schools however, and it could serve as a warning to the Bantams... in 2023 the projected score for Trinity @ Hamilton was 52.8 - 0. It ended up being a 3 point game with under 2:00 in the 2nd quarter and the Bants led by just 10 at halftime. The final score was a much closer than expected 34-21.

For what it's worth, the Nescacman point spread for that game was Trinity -42.
Thanks to Wes, I can't imagine the Continentals will be sneaking up on Trin this week.

The next biggest discrepancy I could find was Bates at Trinity, also in 2023. SP+ had Trinity favored 51.2 to 0. The Bants won 52-7 with the Bobbies notching their lone score with 2:05 left in the game.

[Patrick Coleman]

Lumbercat - shame on you for bringing up this matter.

Do you have a published citation to support your version of this?

[Owl90]

Yes, back to Football.

VoodooDoc

While some of what you state regarding the prior Title IX case against Allegheny and Hammer is accurate, it is patently incorrect to say that the college and Hammer were exonerated completely. A simple review of the pleadings in that case show that they were not in fact completely exonerated as the Plaintiff survived summary judgment at least in the claims of retaliation. My understanding is that retaliation claims are distinct civil rights violations, so the federal judge there saw that there were enough facts to substantiate a retaliation claim.

Lumbercat - shame on you for bringing up this matter.  Unfortunately, a female kicker at Allegheny got reported to her parents for some untoward behavior and cooked up a false Title IX complaint to avoid punishment.  An Assistant Coach reported the matter to Head Coach Hammer who immediately reported the matter to the school administration. The kicker's family engaged an attorney.  The investigation turned up the true facts of the matter.  Coach Hammer and the College were completely exonerated in the matter.  Having already moved to Bowdoin, he disclosed the matter fully and Bowdoin recognized his complete exoneration. 
Clearly you have issues with Bowdoin about the departure of Coach Wells. It is abjectly unfair of you to repeat falsehoods and abject lies about the matter at Allegheny.

[/quote]
Lumbercat - shame on you for bringing up this matter.  Unfortunately, a female kicker at Allegheny got reported to her parents for some untoward behavior and cooked up a false Title IX complaint to avoid punishment.  An Assistant Coach reported the matter to Head Coach Hammer who immediately reported the matter to the school administration. The kicker's family engaged an attorney.  The investigation turned up the true facts of the matter.  Coach Hammer and the College were completely exonerated in the matter.  Having already moved to Bowdoin, he disclosed the matter fully and Bowdoin recognized his complete exoneration. 
Clearly you have issues with Bowdoin about the departure of Coach Wells. It is abjectly unfair of you to repeat falsehoods and abject lies about the matter at Allegheny.
[/quote]

[Nescacman]

2026 NESCACMAN Week 3 Power Rankings

Welcome to the NESCACMAN Power Rankings for Week 3. NESCACMAN went 5-0 in Week #3 and we now stand at 14-1 on the year. Our winners were Wesleyan, Tufts, Amherst, Middlebury, and Hartford State. Wesleyan remains in the top spot in the NESCACMAN Weekly Rankings tied with Hartford State after their impressive victory over Williams.

NESCAC headlines for Week #3:
•    3 of 5 home teams won except for HAM and BAT.
•    Wesleyan and Hartford State continued to pile on the points both exceeding 30 points for the 3rd straight week.
•    All the favorites won again with Middlebury and Hartford State doing so in impressive fashion.
•    There are 3 remaining undefeated teams in the league with Wesleyan, Hartford State, and Amherst all off to a 3-0 start. Amherst will have their hands full this week as they host a streaking MID squad in what will be the NESCAC GOTW.
•    If you liked offense, this was your week in the NESCAC. Stellar offensive performances by Wesleyan, Hamilton, and Hartford State who were all explosive on the offensive side of the ball.
•    Meanwhile, Bowdoin and Colby continue to struggle offensively.
•    Hamilton's defense allows 38+ points for the third straight week. This week, their defense will have their hands full with Hartford State.

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 3, Episode 4  will be available later this week and will feature Wesleyan QB Matt Fitzsimons, Tufts Head Coach Dan Jay Civetti, and D3Football's Pat Coleman. We will also review Week #3's games and give previews/picks for Week #4. Should be another great watch/listen. We encourage you to check it out.

Here are our rankings for Week #3:

1). (tie) Wesleyan Cardinals (Record: 3-0; Last Week Rank: 1; Last Week: Win @HAM 42-38; This week: v. COL): Wesleyan snatches victory from the jaws of defeat. Won with a passing TD with 14 seconds left. Stellar day for the Wes offense including 539 yards of total offense, 32 first downs, 10 of 14 on 3rd down, 2 of 2 on 4th down, and 36 minutes of possession. Defense did just enough at the end of this one against one of the better offenses in the league. We think this game will be a character builder for the Cards. 

1). (tie) Hartford State Bantams (Record: 3-0; Last Week Rank: 2; Last Week: Win v. WIL 45-0; This week: v. HAM): Most impressive win of the year for the Bantams. Another dominating performance. Defense only allowed 5 first downs, 110 yards of offense, intercepted Eph signal callers 3 times (2 were pick 6's), and 2 of 15 on 3rd down. 2nd straight shutout for Hartford State. Trying to figure out how Colby scored on them in Week #1. Face a bigger offensive challenge this week in HAM. Based on their impressive win against Williams, we have them even with Wesleyan.

3). Amherst Lord Mammoths (Record: 3-0; Last Week Rank: 4; Last Week: Win v. BOW 22-13; This week: v. MID): Amherst moves up one position in our ranking and remains one of the 3 remaining unbeaten teams in the 'CAC. Pesky come from behind win for the Lord Mammoths who were without starting signal caller Marek Hill. We're not sure what Hill's situation is but if they are going to have any shot at competing for a NESCAC and Little 3 title, they'll clearly need him. Game was statistically even against BOW with both defenses doing a pretty good job all day. Amherst's schedule gets a lot tougher with 5 of their last 6 games against teams with winning records.

4). Middlebury Panthers (Record: 2-1; Last Week Rank: 5; Last Week: Win v. COL 32-2; This week: @AMH): The Panthers won their second game in a row, this time in convincing fashion against Colby. MID led this one 25-0 at the half. The Pants defense played well again and RB Connor McClellan led the MID offensive attack with 121 yards rushing and 4 TDs. MID will try to give Amherst their first loss of the season on the road this week.

5). Williams Purple Cows (Record: 2-1; Last Week Rank: 3; Last Week: Loss @HS 0-45; This week: v. BAT): Ephs struggled against Hartford State. The Bants had their way with Williams. The usually reliable Eph running game only managed 62 yards on 32 carries and 2 first downs. QB Owen McHugh and the offense struggled turning the ball over 3 times. The defense gave up 31 points and 361 yards of total offense to the Bants.  They'll look to rebound at home against a hungry UBates squad this week.

6). Tufts Jumbo's (Record: 2-1; Last Week Rank: 6; Last Week: Win @BAT 22-21; This week: v. BOW): Jumbo's escape with the win under the lights in Lewiston. Blocked FG as time expired was the difference in this one. Jumbos jumped out to a 14-point lead early and mounted a late comeback to secure the win. They were outgained by the Kittie offense. They are back home at Ellis Oval this week against the Polars after playing the last 2 games on the road.

7). Hamilton Continentals (Record: 0-3; Last Week Rank: 9; Last Week: Loss v. WES 42-38; This week: @HS): Hamilton loses a heartbreaker in Clinton. They clearly had the defending league champs, Wesleyan, on the ropes, and gave up the game winning TD with 14 seconds to play. Luke Kurzum can play and HAM clearly can score points through the air. Unfortunately, their defense is struggling right now (far and away the worst in the NESCAC). As well as they played last Saturday against Wes, they will probably have to play even better against Hartford State this week to make the game competitive.

8). Colby Mules (Record: 0-3; Last Week Rank: 7; Last Week: Loss @ MID 32-2; This week: @WES): Colby's offensive challenges continue (again), this week effectively getting shut out by MID.  QB Stehen Gill did not play  and the offense only generated 165 yards, no points, and 8 first downs while turning the ball over 3 times. The defense couldn't stop the MID ground game. This week they travel to Middletown to face Wesleyan on the grass.

9). University of Bates Bobcats (Lewiston Campus)(Record: 0-3; Last Week Rank: 9; Last Week: Loss v. TUF 22-21; This week: @WIL): An injury depleted UBates squad came within a blocked FG of beating Tufts for their first win of 2026. Some bright spots for the Kitties including outgaining the Jumbo's. Only going 2 of 5 in the redzone did not help. LB Liam Keaney had a standout game for UBates. The Kitties travel to Williamstown this week to face the Ephs as they try to get win #1.

10). Bowdoin Polar Bears (Record: 0-3; Last Week Rank: 10; Last Week: Loss @AMH 22-13; This week: @TUF ): Offense only managed 2 FG's and continued to struggle to run the ball. Only averaging 39 yards per game on the ground. Went 3 of 14 on 3rd downs and 2 of 4 in the red zone. DL Angus Leary had another stellar game for the Polars defense. This week they travel to Medford to face the Jumbo's in a twilight game on Ellis Oval.

NESCAC Co- Offensive Player of the Week: RB Connor McClellan, MID; QB Matt Fitzsimons, Wesleyan

NESCAC Defensive Player of the Week: LB Liam Keaney, UBates

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[lumbercat]

VooDooDoc wabsh

 The facts of the case involving Hammer at Allegheny as stated are correct and a matter of public record.


I originally directed message to Owl in error

[Bantamsdad69]

NESCACMAN I'm usually a big fan of your weekly breakdowns but these week the Wesleyan bias is peaking through. To have Wesleyan who should've lost to Hamilton and Trinity who have dominated every team they've played tied is such a bad call. Not saying Wesleyan is a bad team at all they are comfortable #2 but having them tied with Trinity after that performance just doesn't make sense.

[Trin9-0]

Bantamsdad69, I know as well as anyone that it's hard to not fall into Nescacman's trap, but I've learned over the years that it's exactly what he's looking for. He knows as well as the rest of the board that there's no real case to be made for Wesleyan in the top spot after their narrow escape in Clinton. Best to just roll your eyes and realize that despite his very meaning full addition to the board he can't help himself when it comes to his complete lack of objectivity about Wesleyan.

[GroundandPound]

Bdad 69 and Trin 9-0, one may respectfully disagree and side with NESCACMAN on this.  Wesleyan is the reigning champ and should not lose its co-number 1 ranking until an actual loss.  If Trin wants to de-throne the champ, it will have its chance in the head to head match up.  For the time being, Trinity can use this as additional motivation for when the two top teams battle directly.  If I recall correctly, Wesleyan usually has an unexplainable loss during the season.  They may have just dodged that unexplainable loss against Hamilton and could ride their mojo into NCAAs.  Trinity could smash that dream.  Time will tell.  I am looking forward to watching that battle. 

[nescac1]

Williams' terrible play certainly helped to make Trinity look good, but I have to say, I am a believer in this year's Trinity team going 9-0 after seeing that game; they are so balanced across every phase of the game with no weakness that I could see.  On offense, if you don't key on O'Brien (him being healthy is a big difference this year), and let him get loose in space, it's huge trouble, but you can't key on him too much because they have a host of other receivers who are big, speedy downfield threats.  They have three starting-caliber TBs they can rotate in and keep fresh without missing a beat.  Jaxon Carroll seems improved and in command as a veteran QB now and was putting the ball in tight windows with pace. The OL is rock solid. 

On defense, and this is where Trinity really stands out from Wesleyan, Trinity has a ton of speed everywhere, they hung well with Williams' physical play up front which is the strength of the Ephs and then were a lot faster than the Ephs covering ground.  Teams are averaging one yard per carry so far vs. Trinity and they are going to be virtually impossible to run against going forward. 

Even on special teams, Trinity has a lot of plus players, led by O'Brien, and the kicking and punting game looks strong. 

Wesleyan will have the best chance to beat them, and as we saw last week Wesleyan has a real knack for pulling losable games out of its rear, but getting Wesleyan at home will make that harder for the Cardinals.  If you compare Trinity's first three games this year vs. its first three against the same opponents last year, it's night and day, they are now a much stronger team overall. In particular, there is simply no way that Wesleyan will do on the ground this year what they did to Trinity last year.  No one will.   

[lumbercat]

For 5 consecutive years some very good Wesleyan teams have posted an annual sub par effort in games they should have won. They have all occurred against teams in the lower half of the standings. For 4 consecutive years preceding this year they have dropped games against Bates, Bowdoin (twice) and Colby.
 
Trinity doesn't allow that to happen.

This years version occurred last week at Hamilton. However, the Cards were able to squeak this one out so I predict they will go into this years Trinity game undefeated.
A lot can happen and there much more Football to be played but this years game in Hartford shapes up as a potential classic. If things unfold as predicted it should be one for the ages with a playoff opportunity at stake.

[Nescacman]

In the words of the immortal Ric Flair: "In order to be the champ, you need to beat the champ".

[Nescacman]

Highlights of this weeks WES/HAM match-up in Clinton:

https://youtu.be/f5MbKHM-7QE?feature=shared

[Trin9-0]

To be clear, I fully acknowledge Wesleyan is an excellent team and very well could run the table and beat Trinity for a third straight season (something they haven't done since 1975-'77). My point is that, as much as we appreciate the time and effort that Nescacman contributes, it's undeniable that he has a pro-Wes bias so just take that into account before putting any stock into his own personal ranking.

They say "You're never as good as you look and you're never as bad as you look". It will be difficult for the Bants to look any better than they did against Williams. In fact, over the 85 times the two programs have played this was Trinity's most lopsided victory ever against the Ephs. You'd similarly assume that Wesleyan's defense won't be as bad as they were against Hamilton.

I agree with lumbercat that Hamilton was likely the trap game that Wesleyan typically loses. The fact that they escaped means we could be looking at a historic game in The Coop on November 14 for the 125th Battle of the Birds. The two have never met while both teams were undefeated (only twice have they played with a combined 1 loss, in 1993 and 2016). Don't worry, Maple, I agree there's still a long way to go!

[Nescacman]

Some interesting NESCAC-related national rankings culled from the official NCAA D3 statistics (focusing on the positive, rather than the negative):

- Hartford State is 2nd and the Lord Mammoths are 4th in rushing defense.
- Wes is 4th in TOP.
- Wes is 8th in 3rd down conversion % and tied for 1st in 4th down conversion %.
- Wes is 2nd in pass completion %.
- Colby is 4th in fewest penalty yards.
- Hartford State is 1st in number of first downs allowed, Williams is 4th and MID is 9th.
- Williams is 5th in net punting, HAM is 10th (why does HAM always seem to have a good punter?).
- Wes is 1 of 12 D3 schools with no interceptions thus far in 2026.
- HAM is 6th in pass offense-yards, Wes is 21st.
- Hartford State is 2nd in pass defense, BOW is 6th.
- Wes and Tufts are tied for 1st and are 2 of 11 teams with a perfect 1.000 scoring pct in the red zone.
- Hartford State is 2nd in the country in scoring defense.
- Hartford State is #4 in the country in defensive pass efficiency.
- Wes is #10 in offensive pass efficiency.
- Hartford State is #1 in the country in total defense. Impressive.