FB: Empire 8

[pg04]

Sorry Fisher didn't get in, but the WIAC train was gonna be hard to derail.

As soon as they laid the egg in Utica they set themselves up for this outcome...

Yeah, if they had beat Utica, they get a Pool C and the third WIAC team is likely sitting out.

[middlerelief1]

Congrats to Alfred!   an East Region Team with a 1 seed -- it has been a really long time since that has happened.

A testament to the strength of the E8 conference.

Good their program -- now don't let us down!!

[fisheralum91]

Disappointed to say the least that Fisher got left out but certainly not surprised.
Go AU!
Make us proud and kick some ass!

Any ideas on an ECAC opponent?

[middlerelief1]

Disappointed to say the least that Fisher got left out but certainly not surprised.
Go AU!
Make us proud and kick some ass!

Any ideas on an ECAC opponent?

ECACs -- the safety net that allows the programs to say see we're better than average so give us some money. 

I know in the 90s some of you would have killed to be in the ECACs -- but the program has long past a point that it should be viewed as a success if they make an ECAC

the top programs -- the measuring stick is the NCAAs or bust ... period.   

This and the '14 program are the two best to have not made it to the NCAAs - feel bad for the guys on the offense best squad since '06... defense, which was uncomfortable for the parents to watch in the stands - not going to comment any further on .

[fisheralum91]

mid - i understand that the ecacs are a cop out of sorts but when you get an additional game..............take it

[boobyhasgameyo]

Disappointed to say the least that Fisher got left out but certainly not surprised.
Go AU!
Make us proud and kick some ass!

Any ideas on an ECAC opponent?

ECACs -- the safety net that allows the programs to say see we're better than average so give us some money. 

I know in the 90s some of you would have killed to be in the ECACs -- but the program has long past a point that it should be viewed as a success if they make an ECAC

the top programs -- the measuring stick is the NCAAs or bust ... period.   

This and the '14 program are the two best to have not made it to the NCAAs - feel bad for the guys on the offense best squad since '06... defense, which was uncomfortable for the parents to watch in the stands - not going to comment any further on .

Middlerelief...I really do appreciate how you voice your displeasure with the D now without going over the top.  Not that you were looking for my approval or blessing.  Just commenting that the reformation has been refreshing. 

I think we all can agree that ECAC's are a letdown.  At least the seniors get one more game.  Going forward I anticipate the offense to be just as explosive next year.  Fiutko proved himself to be a valuable commodity as a freshman QB. 

Now if they can just recruit some help for that defense...

[Bombers798891]

Disappointed to say the least that Fisher got left out but certainly not surprised.
Go AU!
Make us proud and kick some ass!

Any ideas on an ECAC opponent?

ECACs -- the safety net that allows the programs to say see we're better than average so give us some money. 

I know in the 90s some of you would have killed to be in the ECACs -- but the program has long past a point that it should be viewed as a success if they make an ECAC

the top programs -- the measuring stick is the NCAAs or bust ... period.   

This and the '14 program are the two best to have not made it to the NCAAs - feel bad for the guys on the offense best squad since '06... defense, which was uncomfortable for the parents to watch in the stands - not going to comment any further on .

Middlerelief...I really do appreciate how you voice your displeasure with the D now without going over the top.  Not that you were looking for my approval or blessing.  Just commenting that the reformation has been refreshing. 

I think we all can agree that ECAC's are a letdown.  At least the seniors get one more game.  Going forward I anticipate the offense to be just as explosive next year.  Fiutko proved himself to be a valuable commodity as a freshman QB. 

Now if they can just recruit some help for that defense...

Fisher's D had issues, but the offense no-showed against Utica and was just okay against Alfred. Overall, the numbers looked very good, but this wasn't the 2010 team that lost 42-31 and 55-49.

[sjfcards]

Disappointed to say the least that Fisher got left out but certainly not surprised.
Go AU!
Make us proud and kick some ass!

Any ideas on an ECAC opponent?

ECACs -- the safety net that allows the programs to say see we're better than average so give us some money. 

I know in the 90s some of you would have killed to be in the ECACs -- but the program has long past a point that it should be viewed as a success if they make an ECAC

the top programs -- the measuring stick is the NCAAs or bust ... period.   

This and the '14 program are the two best to have not made it to the NCAAs - feel bad for the guys on the offense best squad since '06... defense, which was uncomfortable for the parents to watch in the stands - not going to comment any further on .

Middlerelief...I really do appreciate how you voice your displeasure with the D now without going over the top.  Not that you were looking for my approval or blessing.  Just commenting that the reformation has been refreshing. 

I think we all can agree that ECAC's are a letdown.  At least the seniors get one more game.  Going forward I anticipate the offense to be just as explosive next year.  Fiutko proved himself to be a valuable commodity as a freshman QB. 

Now if they can just recruit some help for that defense...

I wonder how much of the defensive struggles are a result of talent as opposed to coaching? Last year's defensive unit I considered under staffed talent wise, but saw them improve as the season went on. This year I felt they struggled in the coaching realm. Just my oppinion, but the struggles to get off the field on 3rd down, lining up too far off the ball, etc? It just never seemed, to me anyway, that they were prepared to be successful. I know the DC is brand new and it may take time to put in his system, but it was the lack of improvement that has me worried. I wonder what this team may have looked like if Fix was still around?

Either way I think the committee got it right on Fisher, and AU was clearly the class of the region this year.

[Bengalsrule]

Congrats to Alfred!   an East Region Team with a 1 seed -- it has been a really long time since that has happened.

A testament to the strength of the E8 conference.

Good their program -- now don't let us down!!

Ditto here!  Go AU. Represent the E8 well!

[fisheralum91]

I think Coach K showed that he is a noob.
He was outclassed by Blaise and played with at Alfred.
Here is hoping that the "freshman" experience is behind him.
I am really excited on next years O for Fisher.
The QB and receiving corps look amazing and the skill positions are on point!
The D however- will need to improve.

[AUPepBand]

Very nice trip to Alfred today.  Thanks to Pep for getting me in the alumni room for some food before the game, the chili was pretty good.  The Pep band is fun to be around, they liven up the game atmosphere.  It was also nice to meet Saxontad, told you to relax at the half since there was now way Fisher was going to score enough to beat you.  What a really cool field set up at Alfred.  The bowl effect is neat.

Now about the game, Alfred is just better.  The QB makes plays and will be annoying to any team that they play in the playoffs.  #4 is a nice receiver and his size will be an issue for most teams.  Fisher had 1 chance to get into the game; 3rd quarter punt is muffed by Alfred with a Fisher player being the first to it, somehow the Alfred player takes it from him and 2/3 plays later #4 makes a great adjustment on a broken play bomb and turns it into a touchdown.  Fisher recovers and scores it is 24-21 and a game, instead Alfred scores and and it is 31-14; game over.  Fisher looked very slow on offense and Alfred played a defense to not get beat over the top.  I expect Alfred to win at least one game and after that it depends on how the brackets are set up, they certainly could win 2 especially playing at home.  Alfred does nothing great, but they do plenty pretty good.

Pep appreciates your honest assessment of this team and Pep believes it is spot on. It's been Pep's observation that while there are many talented individuals, this team's greatest strength is its cohesion. These guys are family...and to date it's been functioning pretty well. They seem to thoroughly enjoy every aspect. They work hard in practice. They're all business...but not without laughs. There's been very little drop-off of first-years. Heck, there are first-years starting and/or contributing regularly.

It's like there's an aura about this team. Seeing Julio Fuentes walk off Merrill Field a decade after he was carried off with a spinal injury and told he'd never walk again, a true testament of the young man's character, has instilled a "nothing is impossible" mentality in this football program that has elevated everyone's work ethic and level of play. It's a great day to be a Saxon!

On Saxon Warriors!

[saxontad]

Well said Pep.  I have thought all year, "What a good TEAM!!!"  Hope Maleke can be healthy for saterday, but if not, what about young Mr. Griffin?

On Saxon Warriors!!! 

[wesleydad]

Very nice trip to Alfred today.  Thanks to Pep for getting me in the alumni room for some food before the game, the chili was pretty good.  The Pep band is fun to be around, they liven up the game atmosphere.  It was also nice to meet Saxontad, told you to relax at the half since there was now way Fisher was going to score enough to beat you.  What a really cool field set up at Alfred.  The bowl effect is neat.

Now about the game, Alfred is just better.  The QB makes plays and will be annoying to any team that they play in the playoffs.  #4 is a nice receiver and his size will be an issue for most teams.  Fisher had 1 chance to get into the game; 3rd quarter punt is muffed by Alfred with a Fisher player being the first to it, somehow the Alfred player takes it from him and 2/3 plays later #4 makes a great adjustment on a broken play bomb and turns it into a touchdown.  Fisher recovers and scores it is 24-21 and a game, instead Alfred scores and and it is 31-14; game over.  Fisher looked very slow on offense and Alfred played a defense to not get beat over the top.  I expect Alfred to win at least one game and after that it depends on how the brackets are set up, they certainly could win 2 especially playing at home.  Alfred does nothing great, but they do plenty pretty good.

Pep appreciates your honest assessment of this team and Pep believes it is spot on. It's been Pep's observation that while there are many talented individuals, this team's greatest strength is its cohesion. These guys are family...and to date it's been functioning pretty well. They seem to thoroughly enjoy every aspect. They work hard in practice. They're all business...but not without laughs. There's been very little drop-off of first-years. Heck, there are first-years starting and/or contributing regularly.

It's like there's an aura about this team. Seeing Julio Fuentes walk off Merrill Field a decade after he was carried off with a spinal injury and told he'd never walk again, a true testament of the young man's character, has instilled a "nothing is impossible" mentality in this football program that has elevated everyone's work ethic and level of play. It's a great day to be a Saxon!

On Saxon Warriors!

Pep, I call em like I see em.  Your QB may make some people go HMMMMM.  Your return man, why Fisher kept kicking to him I have no idea, may make some go HMMMMM.  But overall there are no WOW type of players on the team, but Alfred is pretty good at all aspects.  They play an umbrella defense to keep teams from going long on them and against most teams can get prressure from 3 - 5 guys which helps.  They were nice to see in person so I could see all of the game, not just what was on video.  Impressed by what I saw and will be following since we are in different brackets.  Trip to the region final for you is what I expect and maybe a visit from Mount or Hopkins.  Good luck.

[AUPepBand]

Four Empire 8 teams in the ECAC lineup:

Friday, 11/18
Kean vs. Cortland (basically two .500 teams)
W&J vs. Brockport (great match up, maybe the best of the group)
Saturday, 11/19
Utica vs. Westminster
Frostburg vs Fisher (battle of NCAA Pool C contenders)
Sunday, 11/20
CMU vs Salisbury - (good match-up too)
SUNY Martime vs RPI

Some nice matchups!

[fisheralum91]

Fisher out to prove that they should have been chosen and that Fburg shouldnt have jumped them in the Rrs?