FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[JEFFFAN]

Last time I saw my Jeffs play Trinity was in Hartford probably five years ago.  It was men against boys.   Amherst had zero presence and less chance of even giving a showing in that game.

Today ... was very different.  Jeffs drove up and down the field to the tune of over 415 yards against the Bantams, controlling the field of play by a whopping 15 minutes.  One team was winning the lines on both sides of the ball and for the first time in forever it was not Trinity.

But kudos to Trinity as they intercepted two passes in the end zone and turned a blocked field goal into a touchdown return to account for the win.  Very clutch defense on the part of the Bantams single-handedly gave them the win and the NESCAC championship.

Trinity is a deserving 2026 championship - no doubt about it.

And I am happy because it feels like the old Lord Jeff football program is quietly resurrecting itself.

[Brady12]

Battle of the turnovers today in Middletown. 7 combined. Prayers for #23 in Purple.

[TheJeff]

Injury? Hope he is okay.

[lumbercat]

Didn't see any of the Trinity Amherst game but took a quick look at the stats from the Bates tailgate. My thought was I am either going blind or I gotta slow down on my beverage intake. Could not believe it.

I guess Ive been wrong on the Jeffs all year long. I can only summize  that the best coach in the league had something to do with it. Credit to the Jeffs and the Maestro EJ Mills because there is no way they match up personnel wise with Trin to dominate statistically like that.

[Nescacman]

Trinity is a deserving 2026 championship - no doubt about it.

Not so fast our blanket loving friend...

Don't be be counting your Bantams before they hatch...

[Nescacman]

For those not following along, here is where we stand as far as the various scenarios for the NESCAC title and the NCAA Tourney headed into Week 9 of the 2026 NESCAC season..

1. Wesleyan beats Hartford State, Williams beats Amherst: Wes (8-1) and HS (8-1) tie for the league title (Wes gets another ring, HS gets another sweatshirt), Wes gets the AQ head-to-head (win over HS), HS hopes to get an at-large bid, Amherst (7-2) gets a nice runner-up blanket.

2. Wesleyan beats Hartford State, Amherst beats Williams: 3-way tie for the league title (all 8-1) and we head to the dreaded coin flip for the AQ. According to Hanson, high likelihood that at least one of the two other schools that lose the flip gets an at-large bid.

3.Hartford State beats Wesleyan, Williams beats Amherst: HS wins the league title outright (9-0), HS gets the AQ, Wesleyan and Amherst both 7-2. Highly unlikely any other NESCAC team will qualify for an at-large bid at 7-2.

4.Hartford State beats Wesleyan, Amherst beats Williams: HS wins the league title outright at 9-0. HS gets the AQ, Amherst hopes for an at-large bid at 8-1. Wes out at 7-2.

Bottom line is that Hartford State has clinched at least a share of the NESCAC title. However, will they get rings or sweatshirts??? Wes and Amherst each need to win to get a share of the title.

Hartford State will be in the mix regardless of what happens next Saturday for at least an at-large bid. Wes and Amherst both need to win to say the same thing.

Should be a great Week 9...

NM

[Nescacman]

2026 NESCACMAN Week 8 Power Rankings (page 1 of 2)

Welcome to the NESCACMAN Power Rankings for Week #8. NESCACMAN went 4-1 with our weekly picks in Week #8 and we now stand at 34-6 on the year.

Week #8 is in the books, and what a week it was! Hartford State stands alone atop the NESCAC standings at 8-0 after surviving a wild afternoon in Amherst. The Bantams are now one win away from an undefeated season, an outright NESCAC Championship, and the conference's first automatic bid to the NCAA Division III playoffs. But don't start printing those championship T-shirts just yet. Wesleyan is coming to Hartford, and the Cardinals have plenty to play for. A Wesleyan victory could create a three-way tie for the NESCAC Championship and send us deep into the league's complicated tiebreaking procedures. Could we actually see the NESCAC's first NCAA playoff bid decided by a coin flip?

Meanwhile, Bates finally got into the win column, the Polars remain winless, and the State of Maine improved its combined record to 2-22.

We 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 9 will be available later this week and will feature a complete review of Week #8, including the Hartford State-Amherst showdown, Wesleyan's victory over Williams, and the dramatic finish in Lewiston. We will also preview the final week of the NESCAC regular season, including the championship showdown between Wesleyan and Hartford State. We will break down the various scenarios for the NESCAC Championship and the conference's automatic qualifying bid to the NCAA playoffs. We will also give previews/picks. Should be another great watch/listen.

NESCAC Headlines for Week #8:

•   Hartford State survives! The Bantams traveled to Amherst and escaped with a 16-13 victory in a game that featured one of the most bizarre statistical performances of the season. Amherst outgained Hartford State 416-219, ran 78 plays to the Bantams' 43, and held the ball for nearly 38 minutes. And lost! How? Turnovers, red-zone failures, and a blocked field goal returned for a TD. Sometimes football just doesn't make sense.
•   The biggest play of the NESCAC season? With Hartford State leading 6-0 late in the second quarter, Amherst lined up for a 30-yard field goal. Bantams LB Shane Mosia blocked the kick, and Marshall Rice scooped it up and raced 70 yards for a touchdown. A potential 6-3 game suddenly became 13-0. The Bantams went into halftime leading 16-0. That play may ultimately prove to be the difference between a championship and a second-place finish for the Lord Mammoths.
•   The Lord Mammoths nearly pulled off another miracle. Down 16-0 entering the fourth quarter, Amherst scored twice to make it 16-13 with just under two minutes remaining. They even recovered an onside kick! But the comeback ended when the Bantams recovered a fumble on Amherst's final possession. The Lord Mammoths have been living dangerously for weeks. This time, their luck finally ran out.
•   Amherst's red-zone offense was a disaster. The Lord Mammoths made SIX trips inside the Hartford State 20-yard line and came away with only one score. SIX! They also threw two interceptions, including one in the end zone, and had the aforementioned blocked field goal returned for a TD. Give the Bantams defense credit, but this was a game Amherst certainly had opportunities to win.
•   Wesleyan keeps its championship hopes alive. The Cardinals defeated Williams 20-7 on historic Andrus Field, winning their fifth consecutive meeting with the Ephs. Wesleyan's defense intercepted four passes and held the Purple Cows to 72 yards rushing. QB Matt Fitzsimons threw for 315 yards, including a 75-yard fourth-quarter TD strike to Sean Cannon that put the game away.
•   So, who wins the NESCAC Championship? Hartford State controls its destiny. Beat Wesleyan on Saturday, finish 9-0, and the Bantams are outright champions and headed to the NCAA playoffs. But IF Wesleyan wins and Amherst defeats Williams, we will have three teams at 8-1. Each will have beaten one of the other two and lost to the third. The NESCAC tiebreaking procedures would then determine the AQ recipient. And yes, a coin flip would be involved. You can't make this stuff up!
•   Don't overlook the Wesleyan defense. The Cardinals have allowed just seven points over their last two games and have recorded five interceptions during that stretch. They will need another outstanding defensive effort against Hartford State. The Bantams have struggled offensively in recent weeks, so this should be one heck of a football game.
•   The Purple Cows couldn't get anything going offensively. Williams FY RB Jack Fabiano, who rushed for 257 yards last week, was limited to 60 yards on 10 carries. QB Drew Renzella, making his first start of the season following Drew Weiler's injury, threw four interceptions. Williams actually held Wesleyan to just 12 net rushing yards and recorded six sacks. Hard to believe they lost by 13 points.
•   UBates wins! UBates wins! Congratulations to the Kitties, who scored with 1:07 remaining to defeat Bowdoin 10-7 and earn their first victory of 2026. QB Jack Gilmore found Jeff Vidou for a 17-yard touchdown to complete the comeback. The Bobcats trailed 7-3 for most of the afternoon before pulling out the victory.
•   Speaking of the Polars, things continue to get worse. Bowdoin led Bates 7-3 deep into the fourth quarter and appeared poised to secure its first victory. Instead, they surrendered a late touchdown and lost 10-7. The Polars managed only 159 yards of total offense, including a pathetic 29 yards rushing. They have now scored just FOUR offensive touchdowns in eight games and have tied the NESCAC record for offensive futility. One game remains and they could break the record.
•   Could Bowdoin actually go winless? The Polars host Colby in their season finale. With the coaching situation in turmoil and an offense that has struggled all season, you have to wonder how much the players have left in the tank. We feel badly for these student-athletes, who deserve much better.
•   Middlebury gets back to .500. The Pants defeated Hamilton 20-17 behind a terrific performance from RB Connor McClellan, who rushed for 185 yards and two touchdowns on 34 carries. Middlebury has now won two of its last three games, with the only loss coming by three points to Hartford State.
•   Hamilton loses another close one. The Continentals fell to 2-6 after losing 20-17 at Middlebury. This team has been competitive against some good opponents but simply hasn't been able to finish. They're better than their record, but at some point, you must start winning these games.
•   Tufts rolls over Colby. The Jumbo's dominated the Mules 26-7 in Waterville, possessing the ball for more than 42 minutes. That's not a typo. Tufts ran 76 offensive plays compared to just 35 for Colby. RB Christian Shapiro rushed for 93 yards and a touchdown, while QB Nate Johnson threw for 213 yards and added a rushing TD. The Jumbo's improved to 5-3 and secured another winning season.
•   The State of Maine: Bates and Colby each have one victory, while Bowdoin remains winless. The three Maine schools are now a combined 2-22. The good news? Somebody from Maine is guaranteed another victory next week when Colby travels to Bowdoin. The bad news? Well, everything else.
•   One final thought on Hartford State. The Bantams are 8-0, but their last three victories have come by 7, 3, and 3 points. They have found ways to win, which is what championship teams do. But the offense has become increasingly inconsistent. Wesleyan will represent another serious test. Can the Bants finish the job?
•   Five games remain in the 2026 NESCAC regular season:
o   Wesleyan (7-1) @ Hartford State (8-0): The game of the year with the championship and NCAA automatic bid on the line.
o   Amherst (7-1) @ Williams (5-3): Little 3 rivalry with major championship implications.
o   Middlebury (4-4) @ Tufts (5-3): Two solid teams looking to finish on a high note. MID trying to secure a winning season.
o   Bates (1-7) @ Hamilton (2-6): The Kitties look for their second consecutive win.
o   Colby (1-7) @ Bowdoin (0-8): The Polars' last chance to avoid a winless season.

One week to go. Who will be the 2026 NESCAC Champion? Who will earn the conference's first automatic bid to the NCAA Division III playoffs? And could the entire thing actually come down to a coin flip? Should be a terrific finish!

[Nescacman]

2026 NESCACMAN Week 8 Power Rankings (page 2 of 2)

Welcome to the NESCACMAN Power Rankings for Week #8. NESCACMAN went 4-1 with our weekly picks in Week #8 and we now stand at 34-6 on the year.

Here Are Our Rankings for Week #8:

1). Hartford State (Record: 8-0; Last Week Rank: 1; Last Week: Win @ AMH 16-13; This Week: v. WES): The Bantams found another way to win, knocking off previously undefeated Amherst 16-13 on the road. This wasn't pretty. In fact, the Bants were thoroughly outplayed statistically, but the defense and special teams came through when it mattered most. LB Shane Mosia was an absolute beast, recording 10 tackles, an interception, and the blocked field goal that Marshall Rice returned 70 yards for a TD. LB Lincoln Moore added 12 tackles and a sack. That defense is the real deal. Offensively, however, there is reason for concern. Hartford State generated just 219 total yards, including only 69 yards on the ground. QB Jaxon Carroll completed just 11 of 21 passes for 150 yards, and WR Darison Hooper added 71 yards receiving. The Bantams have now won three consecutive games by a touchdown or less. Are they a team of destiny or a team running out of gas? We'll find out Saturday when Wesleyan comes calling. Win and the Bants are 9-0, outright NESCAC Champions, and headed to the NCAA playoffs. Lose and things get very interesting. The biggest game of the NESCAC season is now in Hartford.

2). Amherst (Record: 7-1; Last Week Rank: 2; Last Week: Loss v. HS 16-13; This Week: @ WIL): Amherst had EVERY opportunity to knock off Hartford State and put itself in position to win the NESCAC Championship. Instead, the Lord Mammoths repeatedly shot themselves in the foot. Six trips into the red zone and only one score. Two interceptions. A blocked field goal returned for a TD. And a fumble on their final possession. Despite all that, Amherst nearly pulled off another fourth-quarter miracle. QB Marek Hill threw for 350 yards and a TD, while WR Cam Fowler caught six passes for 99 yards. The Amherst offense generated 416 yards but couldn't convert when it mattered most. Give the Amherst defense credit for holding Hartford State to 219 yards and keeping the Lord Mammoths in the game. Now Amherst needs some help. They must beat Williams and hope Wesleyan knocks off Hartford State to create a three-way tie at 8-1. We keep Amherst ahead of Wesleyan in our rankings based on their head-to-head victory over the Cardinals. This week, the Lord Mammoths travel to Williamstown for a shot at the Little 3 title. The Ephs would love nothing more than to ruin their rival's season.

3). Wesleyan (Record: 7-1; Last Week Rank: 3; Last Week: Win v. WIL 20-7; This Week: @ HS): The Cardinals continue to take care of business, defeating Williams 20-7 to improve to 7-1. This was a strange game. Williams completely shut down Wesleyan's running game, holding the Cards to just 12 net rushing yards and recording six sacks. Yet Wesleyan still won comfortably. Why? Four interceptions and timely big plays. QB Matt Fitzsimons threw for 315 yards and a TD, while WR Sean Cannon had a huge afternoon, catching six passes for 144 yards, including a 75-yard fourth-quarter TD that effectively ended the game. The Cardinals have now beaten Williams five consecutive times, something that would have been difficult to imagine not too many years ago. But the real story is what awaits Wesleyan this week. A trip to Hartford State with a chance to knock off the undefeated Bantams for a third straight year and potentially share the NESCAC Championship. Wesleyan has been outstanding defensively in recent weeks. They will need to be equally good against Hartford State. Win and the Cards finish 8-1 and could end up in a three-way championship tie with Hartford State and Amherst. They would then have to win the tiebreaker to secure the NCAA automatic bid. Lose and Hartford State takes it all. We can't wait.

4). Tufts (Record: 5-3; Last Week Rank: 4; Last Week: Win @ COL 26-7; This Week: v. MID): A very businesslike performance by the Jumbo's in Waterville. Tufts dominated Colby 26-7, holding the football for an incredible 42-plus minutes and running 76 offensive plays. The Mules managed only 35 plays and 175 total yards. QB Nate Johnson threw for 213 yards and a TD and added a rushing score. RB Christian Shapiro continued his outstanding season, rushing for 93 yards and a TD. Shapiro now has nine rushing touchdowns on the season and 26 for his career, second all-time at Tufts. The Jumbo's controlled the line of scrimmage and never gave Colby much of a chance in the second half. At 5-3, Tufts has secured a winning season and can finish 6-3 with a victory over Middlebury. We continue to believe the Jumbo's are the fourth-best team in the NESCAC. Their losses have come against the league's three championship contenders. This week, Middlebury comes to Medford for what should be an entertaining season finale.

5). Williams (Record: 5-3; Last Week Rank: 5; Last Week: Loss @ WES 20-7; This Week: v. AMH): A very frustrating afternoon for the Ephs in Middletown. Williams played outstanding defense, holding Wesleyan to just 12 net rushing yards, recording six sacks, and forcing three turnovers. And still lost 20-7! The problem was the offense. QB Drew Renzella, making his first start of the season, completed 18 of 42 passes for 228 yards but threw four interceptions. That's not going to win many football games. Freshamn sensation RB Jack Fabiano, coming off his remarkable 257-yard performance against Hamilton, was held to 60 yards rushing on 10 carries. Wesleyan's defense was simply too much for the Ephs. The loss was Williams' fifth consecutive defeat to Wesleyan. Hard to believe given the history of this Little 3 rivalry. Now the Ephs return home to face Amherst in the season finale. Williams can still play spoiler, knocking the Lord Mammoths out of any potential championship tiebreaker. We continue to be concerned about the Williams offense following the injury to freshman QB Drew Weiler. And we remain concerned about the condition of the playing surface at Farley-Lamb Field. The administration needs to make the safety and quality of that field a priority. One last chance for the Ephs to make some noise in 2026.

6). Middlebury (Record: 4-4; Last Week Rank: 6; Last Week: Win v. HAM 20-17; This Week: @ TUF): Back to .500 for MID! Middlebury survived a tough Hamilton team 20-17 behind an outstanding performance from RB Connor McClellan. McClellan rushed for 185 yards and two TDs on 34 carries, helping the Pants overcome a 17-10 second-half deficit. QB Aidan Moss added 163 yards passing, while freshman WR Tommy Hetherington continued his impressive season with six catches for 80 yards. The Middlebury offense generated 407 total yards, including 244 on the ground. This is a team that has been competitive against the best the NESCAC has to offer. They lost to Amherst by one point and Hartford State by three. Of course, they struggled against Wesleyan. At 4-4, Middlebury has a chance to finish with a winning record. This week, they travel to Tufts to face the Jumbo's.

7). Hamilton (Record: 2-6; Last Week Rank: 7; Last Week: Loss @ MID 20-17; This Week: v. BAT): Another week, another close loss for the Continentals. Hamilton fell to Middlebury 20-17 despite leading 17-10 early in the third quarter. QB Luke Kurzum threw for 132 yards and a TD before apparently suffering an injury and giving way to Connor Laverty. WR Matthew Kearns had another strong afternoon with nine catches for 107 yards and a touchdown. The Continentals generated 344 total yards but couldn't find a way to put points on the board in the fourth quarter. This team is better than its 2-6 record. They have been competitive with several quality opponents, but close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades. Hamilton has one more opportunity to finish the season on a positive note when the UBates Kitties come to Clinton. Hamilton hopes to finish their season with a win.

8). Colby (Record: 1-7; Last Week Rank: 8; Last Week: Loss v. TUF 26-7; This Week: @ BOW): Back to reality for the Mules. After picking up their first win against UBates last week, Colby was thoroughly dominated by Tufts 26-7. The Jumbo's held the football for more than 42 minutes, ran more than twice as many offensive plays, and limited the Mules to just 175 yards of total offense. QB Jagger Matera threw for 106 yards and a touchdown, connecting with Jack Nye for Colby's only score. The Mules managed just 69 yards rushing and never really threatened in the second half. Colby now stands at 1-7 and travels to Brunswick to face winless Bowdoin in the season finale. It's the annual C-B-B rivalry game, and the Mules have a chance to finish the season with a victory over their in-state rivals and win the C-B-B title. Given the state of the Bowdoin offense, we're guessing Colby likes its chances.

9). UBates (Lewiston Campus)(Record: 1-7; Last Week Rank: 9; Last Week: Win v. BOW 10-7; This Week: @ HAM): Congratulations to the Kitties! After seven consecutive losses, UBates finally picked up its first victory of the season, defeating Bowdoin 10-7 in Lewiston. And they needed every one of the 60 minutes to do it. Trailing 7-3 late in the fourth quarter, QB Jack Gilmore engineered a six-play, 50-yard touchdown drive, finding WR Jeff Vidou from 17 yards out with just 1:07 remaining. The Kitties finally found a way to win a close game. UBates outgained Bowdoin 287-159 and controlled the football for more than 37 minutes. But the offense struggled to finish drives until the final possession. A win is a win, and the Kitties will certainly take it. The victory also ensures that Bowdoin will finish behind Bates in the NESCAC standings. This week, the Kitties travel to Hamilton looking to end the season with back-to-back victories. Can they do it? We'll see.

10). Bowdoin (Record: 0-8; Last Week Rank: 10; Last Week: Loss @ BAT 10-7; This Week: v. COL): What more can we say? The Polars appeared to have their first victory of 2026 in hand, leading Bates 7-3 late in the fourth quarter. Then the wheels came off. Again. Bates marched 50 yards in six plays for the game-winning touchdown with 1:07 remaining, sending Bowdoin to its eighth consecutive defeat. The Polars managed just 159 yards of total offense, including an embarrassing 29 yards rushing. They do not have a rushing TD all year. They converted only 2 of 14 third-down opportunities. QB Soren Hummel threw for 130 yards, including a 38-yard TD pass to Ty Connolly that accounted for Bowdoin's only score. And the offense has now scored only FOUR touchdowns in EIGHT games. FOUR! As we noted last week, the lowest offensive touchdown total we identified in NESCAC history was Hamilton's four touchdowns in eight games in 2006. Bowdoin now has one game remaining to beat that mark. We continue to believe the Polar Bears' defense deserves credit. They have played respectably throughout the season and once again gave their team a chance to win. But the offense simply cannot move the football consistently. The ongoing coaching uncertainty only makes matters worse. This is a program that needs a complete evaluation from top to bottom. That includes the coaching structure, recruiting strategy, offensive philosophy, player development, and the athletic department's long-term commitment to football. Bowdoin is one of America's finest liberal arts colleges. There is absolutely no reason the institution cannot field a more competitive football program. But change is clearly needed. We feel badly for the student-athletes, particularly the seniors who have endured another difficult season. This week, the Polars host Colby in their final game of 2026. Can they avoid a 0-9 season? We'll see.

NESCACMAN Players of the Week

NESCACMAN Offensive Player of the Week: RB Connor McClellan, Middlebury
McClellan carried the Pants to victory against Hamilton, rushing for 185 yards and two touchdowns on 34 carries.

NESCACMAN Defensive Player of the Week: LB Shane Mosia, Hartford State
An outstanding performance in the biggest game of the year. Mosia recorded 10 tackles, an interception, and the blocked field goal that Marshall Rice returned for a touchdown. A game-changing performance that helped keep the Bantams undefeated.

NESCACMAN Special Teams Player of the Week: Marshall Rice, Hartford State
Rice's 70-yard return of a blocked field goal provided Hartford State's only touchdown against Amherst and may ultimately prove to be the most important play of the entire NESCAC season.[/b]

[Conts Fan]

Bottom line is that Hartford State has clinched at least a share of the NESCAC title. However, will they get rings or sweatshirts??? Wes and Amherst each need to win to get a share of the title.

Hartford State will be in the mix regardless of what happens next Saturday for at least an at-large bid. Wes and Amherst both need to win to say the same thing.

Should be a great Week 9...

NM

You have Trinity at 8-1 in all four scenarios.

[Brady12]

Would like to see the Ephs go back to pounding the ball. Fabiano, Bott, Clark and Weiler just let the O Line win this game.

Just seems crazy to change identity of the offense. Yes the Ephs have some big receivers but their bread and butter is the run.  Then when the defense sells out you get the deep pass.  10+ pass plays in Q1 seemed like they were trying to win the game in the first half. Nobody is going to replace Owen J. but even with him it was the run option that set up the pass. I still think 7-2 is in play and that would give them the Edge over Wes if at large bid happens. Trinity despite yesterday's tight game is still in a league of their own.

Williams offense

2023 season 65% run plays
2024 season 64% run plays
2025 season 64% run plays
2026 games 1-4 68% run plays
2026 games 5-8 51% run plays

Let the offensive line beat Amherst with the run then lead the 573 walk

[Nescacman]

Bottom line is that Hartford State has clinched at least a share of the NESCAC title. However, will they get rings or sweatshirts??? Wes and Amherst each need to win to get a share of the title.

Hartford State will be in the mix regardless of what happens next Saturday for at least an at-large bid. Wes and Amherst both need to win to say the same thing.


Should be a great Week 9...

NM

You have Trinity at 8-1 in all four scenarios.

Hey, it was late. Fixed.

[Brady12]

Injury? Hope he is okay.

Left in ambulance but appears to have been a precautionary measure.

[Nescacman]

Injury? Hope he is okay.

Left in ambulance but appears to have been a precautionary measure.

Word is he is home with his family. Had a "stinger" and ambulance was more precautionary than anything. Glad to hear the news this AM that he is doing well. Scary moment.

NM