FB: Liberty League

[IC798891]

Ithaca survives Hobart, 27-20.

Bombers look like they're going to run away with it, taking a 20-3 lead into halftime, but the offense completely stalls out for most of the second half, and Ithaca gives up a 99-yard TD pass to make it 20-10.

At 20-13, Hobart looks like they're about to get the ball back, with Ithaca pinned on a 3rd and long deep in their own territory after a sack. But an inexplicable unsportsmanlike conduct penalty that even left *me* confused, bails out Ithaca and they drive down for 6 to go up 27-13.

Hobart immediately strikes back, with their third big pass play of the day setting up an E.J. Taylor TD to make it 27-20. Ithaca goes to chew clock, but for the second time on the day, gets flagged while attempting to go for it on a 4th and 1, and is forced to punt. Hobart gets a first down, but ultimately turns it over on downs.

Both teams had one awful stretch of about 20 minutes, but Ithaca was able to survive. Still, lots to be concerned about: An offensive line that got dominated for stretches of the second half, a secondary that gave up three long pass completions that gained a combined 200 yards, and a passing game that really needs another threat as a pass-catcher -- though Nick Matos had a huge third down reception in the 4th quarter.

Still, Ithaca is now 4-1. And, maybe it was a necessary wakeup call after three straight blowout wins at home. Next up is Rochester at home, and then two weeks to prepare for Union

[Bartman]

Good summary by IC. Hobart played a very sloppy first half with bad passing and undisciplined play. They came out in the second half finally realizing the season was on the line and they played much better on defense, made some good throws and EJ never ever gave up with another 100 yard game. But the sloppiness continued with a critical unsportsmanlike deep in Ithaca territory that pretty much handed the game to the Bombers. You just can't do that. Hobart had enough talent to win this game and exposed the Ithaca Bombers weaknesses but just ****ed it up and ended a chance for the LL title. The BOZ juice wasn't enough today.
   Good luck to Ithaca who persisted today, and to RPI and Union for your opportunity to win the LL title .Hobart plays Union at the BOZ and am optimistic that we can prevail but not if we keep shooting ourselves in the foot with dumb penalties.

[IC798891]

Last year's LL title swung on a similarly inexcusable late hit penalty on Ithaca vs Union, turning a punt into an eventual TD.

It's possible the unsportsmanlike call (Which, from the vantage point of my computer, looked weaaaaakkkkk as ****) today saved the Bombers, because it's hard to underestimate how much their O-line was getting dominated right up until then

[ICGrad]

Last year's LL title swung on a similarly inexcusable late hit penalty on Ithaca vs Union, turning a punt into an eventual TD.

It's possible the unsportsmanlike call (Which, from the vantage point of my computer, looked weaaaaakkkkk as ****) today saved the Bombers, because it's hard to underestimate how much their O-line was getting dominated right up until then

Something must have happened; something mush have been said or done for the flag to be thrown there.

Hobart had a number of late hit/after the play penalties today. Too bad, too; if they had cleaned that up they could well have won the game.

[IC798891]

Last year's LL title swung on a similarly inexcusable late hit penalty on Ithaca vs Union, turning a punt into an eventual TD.

It's possible the unsportsmanlike call (Which, from the vantage point of my computer, looked weaaaaakkkkk as ****) today saved the Bombers, because it's hard to underestimate how much their O-line was getting dominated right up until then

Something must have happened; something mush have been said or done for the flag to be thrown there.

Hobart had a number of late hit/after the play penalties today. Too bad, too; if they had cleaned that up they could well have won the game.

Yeah, I really thought Ithaca was dead in the water there. Both teams were really sloppy today, handing out first downs, stopping their own drives. Lots for Ithaca to clean up if they want to beat Union and RPI

[Jonny Utah]

RPI lost the time of possession battle 34:32 to 27:26.

Embarrassing

[Machiavelli]

RPI lost the time of possession battle 34:32 to 27:26.

Embarrassing

Look, I'm no scientist, but I'm pretty sure you can't spell deliberative without the Dilbert. Their Dilbertiveness to win the TOP battle was on full display today. Every play RPI ran on offense, the Dilberts would just lay down on the field and let the RPI players, confused, run straight to the endzone. The Engineers understood it would be a TOP battle, but the TI-80s don't have timers. So RPI assumed the alternate option of having the ball for more plays would result in a TOP victory. Once again, they were wrong. The 22-2 first downs and the 495-6 total yards advantages felt good...until the last whistle. That is when they received the news that they, in fact, lost the TOP battle, and it wasn't close.

The irony of all of this is if you go to the Hilbert football site, they exploit the TOP victory right from the first paragraph:

'TROY, N.Y. – Hilbert College Football dropped a Liberty League road contest to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 83-0, Saturday afternoon at East Campus Stadium. The Hawks finished with 32:34 of possession time and totaled 48 offensive plays.
'

[IC798891]

I mean, that's a tough gig, but I probably would have led with a few of the defensive performers were I the SID, because you're at least highlighting positives.

"Kaden Beckerink led all players with nine tackles, and Anthony Theiss and Sherrod Patterson II each notched a sack..." is a stronger opener than "They totaled 48 offensive plays."

[Jonny Utah]

RPI lost the time of possession battle 34:32 to 27:26.

Embarrassing

Look, I'm no scientist, but I'm pretty sure you can't spell deliberative without the Dilbert. Their Dilbertiveness to win the TOP battle was on full display today. Every play RPI ran on offense, the Dilberts would just lay down on the field and let the RPI players, confused, run straight to the endzone. The Engineers understood it would be a TOP battle, but the TI-80s don't have timers. So RPI assumed the alternate option of having the ball for more plays would result in a TOP victory. Once again, they were wrong. The 22-2 first downs and the 495-6 total yards advantages felt good...until the last whistle. That is when they received the news that they, in fact, lost the TOP battle, and it wasn't close.

The irony of all of this is if you go to the Hilbert football site, they exploit the TOP victory right from the first paragraph:

'TROY, N.Y. – Hilbert College Football dropped a Liberty League road contest to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 83-0, Saturday afternoon at East Campus Stadium. The Hawks finished with 32:34 of possession time and totaled 48 offensive plays.
'

Hahahahah.  They are rubbing it in.

[ICGrad]

'TROY, N.Y. – Hilbert College Football dropped a Liberty League road contest to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 83-0, Saturday afternoon at East Campus Stadium. The Hawks finished with 32:34 of possession time and totaled 48 offensive plays.
'

I'm not gonna lie...I thought you were kidding.

[The Third Division]

Calling it right now. Gallaudet, dean, and hilbert would gladly rejoin the "new and improved" ECFC. any other takers for this dumpster fire of a conference?

[ICGrad]

Calling it right now. Gallaudet, dean, and hilbert would gladly rejoin the "new and improved" ECFC. any other takers for this dumpster fire of a conference?

Of the 8 charter members of the ECFC in 2009, 4 are now closed. I can't imagine too many schools would be eager to tempt fate by resurrecting and joining such a beast.

That said, they can have Buffalo St, too.

[Ice Bear]

My LL Rankings
1.) Ithaca
2./3.) RPI/Union
3.) Hobart
4. Rochester

[Machiavelli]

My LL Rankings
1.) Ithaca
2./3.) RPI/Union
3.) Hobart
4. Rochester

This is my 3rd attempt to quote/reply to this. First time I got a screen covering ad with no 'close' option. 2nd time the ad locked up my browser. Absolutely horrendous website code. Anyway...

I know RPI struggled and historically struggles early against good teams. But after this weeks Ithaca/'Bart game and last weeks RPI/'Bart game, I don't know how you don't either have RPI/Union at 1 or RPI 1 and Ithaca/Union at 2.

We are in conference now. I'm feeling some serious RPI momentum taking place and I'm excited about it.

I don't really care, you may be right, but something feels good in Troy right now. We won't know til November.

[IC798891]

Here's how the LL Top 3 breaks down

Union: 3 wins over teams with a combined record of 2-13, 2 losses to teams with a combined record of 8-1
RPI: 3 wins over teams with a combined record of 6-9, 2 losses to teams with a combined record of 8-2
Ithaca: 4 wins over teams with a combined record of 5-17, 1 loss to a team that is 1-3

None of the teams have a good win unless you're buying WPI at 4-1.

WPI has beaten:
0-5 UNE
1-4 Husson
3-2 Coast Guard
1-3 Norwich

Personally, that's a no from me. So IMO, we're parsing losses.

There's no way to put RPI over Union based on losses. Cortland is objectively a better loss than Utica, and there's no way losing 45-10 to Brockport is better than a loss OT to Susquehanna.

So it's Union ahead of RPI. What to do with Ithaca? One less loss, but it is, by far, the worst loss. And, the lousy 2nd half vs. Hobart means that they narrowly escaped with a win over a team RPI easily handled.

Thus, we have:

1. Union
2. RPI
3. Ithaca
4. Hobart
5. Rochester
6. St. Lawrence
7. Buffalo State
8. Hilbert