FB: Liberty League

[dlippiel]

Here's a good sign of how the Union Atheltic Department views the football program--on their website I can read all about how Volleyball, women's soccer and hockey all lost today, but I can't get even the boxscore for the Football win.

I have been looking all day and haven't seen ****!

[Frank Rossi]

I really think the East Region Sub-Committee made a mistake this week in keeping Hartwick stable at #6 even following a loss to a basement dweller this year (Springfield).  I'm beginning to believe that Husson, Rowan and Montclair all perform better than Hartwick when you look at SoS vs. teams to which they lost this year -- there IS such a thing as a "bad loss" I think.

[JT]

Cortland and  Montclair sh*t the bed.  JT would like to see someone carry the flag when Rowan doesn't. Tossers.

[labart96]

For the first time in RTs life, he is disillusioned. He doesn't know how to feel should an ECAC bid be extended. The last 2 weeks have RT in a major funk. Surely we're better then losing our last game ever on '86 then following it up w a loss to KP with a possible NCAA berth at stake. Is missing Savasi THAT much of a factor??

RT -

TGP offers the following during this tough time:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t17FD-rDnA0

and eventhough you're down - the show must go on:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27D4k3dCXPg

[redswarm81]

I really think the East Region Sub-Committee made a mistake this week in keeping Hartwick stable at #6 even following a loss to a basement dweller this year (Springfield).  I'm beginning to believe that Husson, Rowan and Montclair all perform better than Hartwick when you look at SoS vs. teams to which they lost this year -- there IS such a thing as a "bad loss" I think.

My inner cynic is now even more convinced that part of the reason was that the Committee was using bad information, thinking that Albright had only one in-Region loss.  They knew they had to put Hartwick ahead of any punch-drunk MAC contender.

I really would love to talk to Dr. Kaiser about the Selection Process.  When you make a comparison using Primary Criteria only--as the Handbook requires--I think it is really difficult to overlook Husson's 1.000 won-loss percentage, especially when comparing them to Hartwick, a team with no wins v. RROs, and a won-loss percentage of .800.

[Senor RedTackle]

Well, all RT has to say is thank Goodness that in his tough time today, he is sitting at an undisclosed location in Montreal. All of today's news came in fast and furious and RT was able to distill it while knee deep in 7.5% XXX Brador at the Canadian Ballet. It was quite a sight...RT on his Blackberry checking D3 football scores while Montreal"s finest were trying to collect 2$ coins for the local education fund. Fitness poles were in abundance.

You know RT bleeds cherry and white when he can't even enjoy Amber from Sherbrooke doing her best to apply her artistic talents to the Scorpion's.

This was seriously a very bizarro day for RT. If anyone knows how to say "PoolC bid" in French, please let RT know.....

[Senor RedTackle]

Rt wants to say 2 things in reflection after a hard day:

1)Congrats to 4 years of achievement to RPI seniors. I've been there and done it....practice is hard and games are a test. Nice work for sticking it through to the end. No one can ever take that away from you

2) It was a pleasure to watch you guys in 2008. Lots of great players and thanks for the regular season. Good luck in anything that's next as of today..ECACs or whatever. You played your ballz off and never quit. Thanks for making this alum proud. Welcome to the RFAA now.

Let's go Red!!!

[redswarm81]

Well, all RT has to say is thank Goodness that in his tough time today, he is sitting at an undisclosed location in Montreal. All of today's news came in fast and furious and RT was able to distill it while knee deep in 7.5% XXX Brador at the Canadian Ballet. It was quite a sight...RT on his Blackberry checking D3 football scores while Montreal"s finest were trying to collect 2$ coins for the local education fund. Fitness poles were in abundance.

You know RT bleeds cherry and white when he can't even enjoy Amber from Sherbrooke doing her best to apply her artistic talents to the Scorpion's.

This was seriously a very bizarro day for RT. If anyone knows how to say "PoolC bid" in French, please let RT know.....

Wow, Molson Brador.  That takes me back - possibly the best thing about those long bus trips to Canton.

[stimulator]

Can't say I have been to two more frustrating games the last two weeks in all my years of waeching FB.
 
No need for the divvying up of a blame pie.  As a team. for next week and next year. RPI needs to move on.  Certainly TO's, special teams and injuries all played a part in the last two week losses but there was someone on the other side of the line of scrimmage that deserves credit as well. 

Congrat's to the Seniors maybe one more chance next week to end it the right way.  However as RS says... you stuck it out, played with determination and desire and no one can take your committment and dedication away.

[Senor RedTackle]

Great post stim. At the end of the day, RPI takes a difficult lesson from this which is "focus on the things that can be controlled". Obviously injuries are part of the game so that is just going to be random and can't be eliminated. The only thing there is that RPI is a good team and should have kids who want to step up when called upon.

The other stuff is what absolutely will kill you. The Hobart game was very frustrating in that regard. It doesn't matter who the opponent is....mistakes like those add up and will put you in a hole. The extra layer of frustration here is that these things, especially special teams execution, are fundamentals that RPI coaches have stressed for years. RT wants to believe that this team is better than an ECAC bid and hopes were so high going into 2008. RT feels very much for the seniors and hasn't felt closer to the action these last 2 weeks since his playing days. Its been a sour 2 weeks for RT. Can only imagine how the players and coaches feel.

That's the way life works RT supposes. The opportunities were there to be grabbed and it just didn't work out. LD made a great point earlier...at the end of the day, scheduling didn't matter here. This was about wins and losses in the games that mattered most.

RT will not take the low road of finding fault or 2nd guessing. Lots of preparation goes into the RPI football team and they have been a great organization for the past 20 years. This is just one of those moments as a fan where RT has to deal with being on the wrong side of the outcome. It sucks but we'll plow through it.,,,

[dlippiel]

Great post stim. At the end of the day, RPI takes a difficult lesson from this which is "focus on the things that can be controlled". Obviously injuries are part of the game so that is just going to be random and can't be eliminated. The only thing there is that RPI is a good team and should have kids who want to step up when called upon.

The other stuff is what absolutely will kill you. The Hobart game was very frustrating in that regard. It doesn't matter who the opponent is....mistakes like those add up and will put you in a hole. The extra layer of frustration here is that these things, especially special teams execution, are fundamentals that RPI coaches have stressed for years. RT wants to believe that this team is better than an ECAC bid and hopes were so high going into 2008. RT feels very much for the seniors and hasn't felt closer to the action these last 2 weeks since his playing days. Its been a sour 2 weeks for RT. Can only imagine how the players and coaches feel.

That's the way life works RT supposes. The opportunities were there to be grabbed and it just didn't work out. LD made a great point earlier...at the end of the day, scheduling didn't matter here. This was about wins and losses in the games that mattered most.

RT will not take the low road of finding fault or 2nd guessing. Lots of preparation goes into the RPI football team and they have been a great organization for the past 20 years. This is just one of those moments as a fan where RT has to deal with being on the wrong side of the outcome. It sucks but we'll plow through it.,,,

Well said SRT. Even as an avid opponent of RPI I can say I feel for those kids. This must have been a tough two weeks for them. As much as I do enjoy, at times RPI losing (just being honest here) I really do feel for those seniors. There are some very talented kids in that program and a fantastic coaching staff. I really feel for Robertson whose talent is unquestionable and who I believe, deserved a big time season for his send off. Anyone who can pass Cole in passing yards is a specimen! I really do respect the engineers as much as I can and know for a fact they will be back. That program and its players give to much to often to let this slow them down. Congrats to RPI and its players for a hard fought season of football and very tough academics. Athletes coming from schools like RPI, Union, and others deserve a ton of credit for their hard work and dedication. I think this is some of the reason many of us are so attracted to d3 football. Keep your head up engineers you will be back. I am really hoping the Pumpkin heads can get us a win in the NCAA's and give the LL some momentum going into next year. I want this conference moving up!

[Jonny Utah]

Ok enough football talk.  MSN had an article on the top "cougars" in history past and present and I have to be blunt, they have no idea of what a cougar is with some of these picks

Here is who they list.

1) Cleopatra (ok, any list needs the historical boundry)

2) Queen Elizabeth the first (no comment)

3) Ann Bancroft in The graduate.  (only 36 in this movie I was suprised, but yes, clearly a "cougar" in this movie)

4) Joan Collins (not now, borderline 10 years ago, probably 20 years ago)

5) Mary Tyler Moore (big negative on this one.)

6) Kim Cattral (A 10 on a list on any mans cougar list.  She is a prime cougar)

7) Demi Moore (Another perfect example of a cougar)

8) Susan Sarandon (borderline on the cougar now.  5 years ago definitly)

9) Halle Berry (too young for this category yet even though shes in her 40s)

10) Jen Aniston (way too young)

11) Cher (ehh, looks good in makeup, probably scary lookin naked)

12) Ellen Denegeres (three letters for this one....(W....T....F....)

_{Can anyone tell JU is bored at work today....?}

[stimulator]

Seems like we (myself included) focus too much on the W/L, playoff possibilities and scheduling when the record is 7-0 and regretfully fall back to the great season, fine young men, and applauding ther effort when they fall on tough times.

Guess what I am trying to say is the latter comments really are the bottom line when evaluating a FB program when times are good or bad.

As a parent of a player who has been in the RPI program for 3 years, I am proud of him, his teammates and the life lessons and experiences he has had the chance to live through.  The RPI football family has supported the team.. the coaches and football staff work hard and keep the program in perspective and after the seniors walk off the field they will be better young men because of it.

Yes there were disapointed coaches, players and family members yesterday.   As with any situation like the last two weeks, it takes a while to rebound.  But I have no doubt that if there is a next week, and next year the RPI team will hustle and play till the last whistle. 

Get an ECAC bid? For all concerned I hope so.
Win a bunch of games in 2009?  I hope and think they will. 
Make the playoffs in 2009?  Again I hope they do.
Be an experience that will be something they look back favorably on forever? Not a doubt. 

[Regulator]

Stimulator-

Were these guys hustling and playing to the whistle against merchant marine?  I am still trying to figure out what the heck happened against hobart.  If they weren't, why not?

(I hope this isnt a difficult question, just trying to figure out how a team that has 2 wins in the last 2 years beats an NCAA tourney contender)

[union89]

Stimulator-

Were these guys hustling and playing to the whistle against merchant marine?  I am still trying to figure out what the heck happened against hobart.  If they weren't, why not?

(I hope this isnt a difficult question, just trying to figure out how a team that has 2 wins in the last 2 years beats an NCAA tourney contender)

Fair questions.....with so much to play for, how do you lose to an extremely overmatched MMA.