Football – Page 19 – Nothing But NESCAC

Knowledge is Power: Numbers to Know for Week 8

Matt Minno '16 has his eyes on the end zone and the record books this Saturday at Tufts. (Courtesy of Michael Borenstein/Middlebury Campus) — Matt Minno ’16 has his eyes on the end zone and the record books this Saturday at Tufts. (Courtesy of Michael Borenstein/Middlebury Campus)

“Stats are pain, Highness. Anyone who says differently is selling something.”

Okay, maybe that’s not exactly what Westley said in Princess Bride, but it’s basically what he meant. Of course, we tend to disagree with the above here at Nothing But NESCAC … But then again, we’re the ones selling the stats most of the time. Whether they’re crucial to the outcome of a game, only tangentially related, or just downright interesting, there’s often a story to be found behind cold, hard numbers. So without further ado, here are 10 quick figures to keep you up to date with this week’s games.

1. Amherst nears perfection — again.

Three PERFECT SEASONS in the past six years.

If an 18-game win streak dating back to 2013 isn’t enough to convince you of Amherst’s NESCAC dominance, consider this: they’ve had more perfect seasons over the last six years (2014, 2011, 2009) than five NESCAC teams — Bates, Bowdoin, Colby, Hamilton and Tufts — have had winning seasons (Tufts is 5-2 this year; Bates went 5-3 in 2012). The only roadblock standing between the Lord Jeffs and another 8-0 season is Williams, who sits at 2-5, hasn’t broken the .500 mark since 2011, and hasn’t beaten Amherst at Williamstown since 2007. Barring a massive upset, Amherst makes it four perfect seasons in the past seven years this Saturday. But that’s not the only history that’ll be made this weekend, because…

2. Williams vs. Amherst goes way, way back.

Saturday marks the 130th matchup between Williams and Amherst.

Dubbed “The Biggest Little Game in America” by people who come up with these sorts of names, the yearly matchup between the Ephs and the Lord Jeffs has more than a little bit of history behind it. The two teams first faced each other in 1884. You know what else happened in 1884? Stanford University was founded, Huckleberry Finn floated down the Mississippi River, and the cornerstone for the Statue of Liberty was laid. That’s right. This game has been played for longer than the sweet, sweet torch of Lady Liberty has blazed over the New York harbor. Regardless of whoever might win or lose, that’s kind of awesome.

3. Some dude named Brady is chasing history.

Head Coach Jay Civetti and RB Chance Brady '17 cheesing after Brady receives is NEFW Gold Helmet award. (Courtesy of Tufts Athletics) — Head Coach Jay Civetti and RB Chance Brady ’17 cheesing after Brady receives is NEFW Gold Helmet award. (Courtesy of Tufts Athletics)

Tufts’ RB Chance Brady ’17 comes into this week with 11 rushing TDs, two away from the Tufts single-season record.

In 1988, Paul Dresens ’89 punched in 13 touchdowns on the ground for the Jumbos, probably thinking he was a pretty big deal (and rightfully so). Now, running back Chance Brady will try to break that record against Middlebury on Saturday. It’s definitely within reach. He’s already had two or more touchdowns in four games this season, all Tufts wins. On the other hand, Middlebury might not make it so easy; they have yet to allow a multi-TD game to a single running back this year. Then again, Wesleyan, Amherst and Williams all rushed for multiple touchdowns on the Panthers this year, only with different players scoring each one. Since Brady has all but one of the Jumbos’ rushing TDs this year, things should certainly be interesting. But he’s not the only player trying to set records in Boston this weekend…

4. Minno on the hunt.

Middlebury WR Matthew Minno ’16 is poised to set the school record for career receiving TDs (29) and move into second all-time in receiving yards (1974).

Despite missing a game due to injury, Minno has still put up huge numbers for the Panthers this season, leading the NESCAC in receiving yards (661) and touchdowns (eight). Now, he’s in as good as a position as any to carve himself a nice little spot in the history books. At 1934 yards on the season, he needs 41 more yards to pass Tom Cleaver ’04 and move into second for his career; since he hasn’t gone for fewer than 50 all season, we like his chances. Even more exciting, scoring one touchdown would give him the 29th of his career and tie him with Zach Driscoll ’13 for most all-time. One more, and the record would be his; with three multi-TD games already this year, he’s more than capable.

5. It’s a good thing they already locked up a winning season…

Over the last 13 years, Tufts is 0-13 against Middlebury.

Last week was a big one for the surging Jumbos, who secured their first winning season since 2007 with a win last weekend over Colby. However, history won’t be on their side this weekend, as they haven’t taken a win from the Panthers since 2001. Not a great precedent. That being said, the Jumbos are chasing their sixth win this season on Saturday. The last time they had six wins in a season? 2001. Maybe they should bump some Dre in the locker room before the game for good luck.

Dre 2001

6. In case you didn’t know, Trinity really, really likes defense…

In every win this season, Trinity has forced at least two turnovers and recorded at least one sack.

Okay, I know what you’re thinking. Trinity is 6-1. They’ve only lost one game. As in, you literally could’ve picked any statistic from the game against Amherst and used it here. Every game where their offense totals 314 yards, they lose. Every game where they make exactly 60 tackles, they lose. Every game where the number of penalty yards ends in a digit other than 5 or 0, they lose. But that’s not the point. What I’m getting at: Trinity lives and dies by their defense. In the game against Amherst, where they only had one interception and no sacks, they put up one touchdown. Their offensive output was its worst all season by 17 points. And here’s the kicker — they absolutely dominated time of possession, holding onto the ball for 38:11 minutes out of 60. Compare that to their two shutouts this season, against Colby and Williams, in which they held the ball for less time than their opponents (29:10 and 29:17, respectively). The Bantams have a relatively simple formula for success: use turnovers or sacks to get good field position, score quick touchdowns to keep the offense fresh, repeat. If they can’t do that against Wesleyan this weekend, they might run into trouble.

7. And Wesleyan really, really ought to hold onto the ball.

When they fumble two or more times, Wesleyan is 1-2 this season. When they keep the total under that, they’re 4-0.

Wesleyan’s success — especially against Trinity — is going to depend on their ability to limit costly turnovers. The above numbers aren’t an aberration; in the games with two or more fumbles, their point differential is -9 (-3 points/game). When they have one or fewer? They’ve outscored their opponents by a collective 39 points (+9.75 points/game). That’s almost a 13-point swing. You know what else is about 13 points? Two touchdowns (with a missed extra point, since this is the NESCAC). That’s one touchdown that the Cardinals didn’t score when they turned the ball over and one that their opponents did. Obviously, figuring out how to predict point totals isn’t actually that simple. But figuring out that fumbles are bad is.

8. If you’re looking for a shootout, don’t go to Maine.

Bowdoin hasn't won the outright CBB title since 2010, but here's a reminder of how nice it would look next to that black helmet. (Courtesy of Bowdoin Athletics) — Bowdoin hasn’t won the outright CBB title since 2010, but here’s a reminder of how nice it would look next to that black helmet. (Courtesy of Bowdoin Athletics)

Bowdoin has topped two touchdowns three times this season. Colby has only done it twice.

When these two teams face off on Saturday, spectators should settle in for a fairly low-scoring affair. After all, over their last four matchups, Bowdoin and Colby have only broken the two-touchdown plateau once, in 2013. Those games went as follows, starting with the most recent: 14-7 Colby, 32-22 Bowdoin, 17-0 Colby, 20-10 Bowdoin. For those of you that really like patterns, the home team has won every one of those showdowns. If we put two and two together, Bowdoin should win in Brunswick on Saturday, 14-10. You heard it here first.

9. But then again, there’s nothing like an old-fashioned shutout.

With their 31-0 shutout of Bowdoin this last week, Bates blanked a team for the first time since 2002.

To even the casual observer, the Bates option offense was firing on all cylinders against Bowdoin last Saturday. QB Patrick Dugan ’16 had himself a day, racking up 138 yards on the ground on top of 114 passing, and scoring a touchdown on the ground as well as in the air. The offense moved the ball with ease, averaging 4.9 yards per play; the defense held Bowdoin to an average of 2.6 per attempt, including -6 yards rushing en route to their first shutout in 13 years. Guess whom that shutout in 2002 came against? This week’s opponent — Hamilton. The offensive numbers were nearly identical, too, in the two Bates shutouts: 280 yards rushing in 2002 to this year’s 266, and 130 yards passing to 114 last weekend. That being said…

10. Don’t sleep on the Continentals just yet.

Only two of Hamilton’s losses have been by more than five points this season.

Quick, honest reality check here: the Continentals have had a rough time of it over the past few years. Their collective record over the last four seasons is 2-29 (.068). But despite that poor record, Hamilton has undeniably been getting more competitive over the last three years. In 2014, they only came within seven points of beating their opponent once; in 2013, they lost every game except one by 16 points or more. Yet here in 2015, they opened the season by taking a strong Tufts team to overtime (only losing by a field goal) and played both Wesleyan and Middlebury within five points. All three of those teams are now 5-2. Once the team figures out how to close out games, they could surprise a lot of folks.

The Amherst Dynasty: Power Ranks 11/12

SS Jimmy Fairfield-Sonn '16 hauls in one of his two INTs of the day as Amherst pulled away in the NESCAC Championship race. (Courtesy of Greg Sullivan) — SS Jimmy Fairfield-Sonn ’16 hauls in one of his two INTs of the day as Amherst pulled away in the NESCAC Championship race. (Courtesy of Greg Sullivan)

The Lord Jeffs enjoyed (proverbial) champagne showers following their victory over the Bantams. It will likely be their sixth NESCAC title since 2000, sharing the reigns with Trinity on the modern-era All-Time Championships list. There was no better way for the 2016 class to go out on Senior Day than by earning their third consecutive ring. Besides Amherst, the rest of the NESCAC has an opportunity to move up the ladder as the final week is filled with exciting rivalry games dating back to the 1800s. Should be a beautiful week of football, and it will be thrilling to see where teams end up.

1. Amherst Lord Jeffs (7-0; Last Week: 1)

Amherst essentially walked away with their third consecutive NESCAC title Saturday as they took down Trinity. The Lord Jeffs took advantage of Trinity’s mistakes, and that seemed to be the biggest difference between these two teams Saturday. They controlled the second half, running all over the Bantams, with Reece Foy ’18, Kenny Adinkra ’16, Nick Kelly ’17, Jack Hickey ’19, and Jackson McGonagle ’16 all averaging at least 3.6 yards per carry. Amherst SS Jimmy Fairfield-Sonn ’16 went out with a bang with two interceptions and a crucial blocked field goal to end the first half. Amherst will wrap up their season against the Ephs in Williamstown, Mass for the Biggest Little Game In America — a game that dates back to 1884, and is the most-played Division-III game in the country.

Trinity Bantams (6-1; Last Week: 2)

Despite analyst Joe MacDonald’s bold prediction of a Bantam victory, Trinity was unable to get it done down the stretch. Amherst did a good job depriving kick and punt returner Darrien Myers ’17 in the forms of pooching and squibbing, which put a lot of pressure on the offense to move the ball up the field. The Trinity faithful felt some home cooking involved between a questionable touchdown catch and the Bantams racking up 12 penalties resulting in 98 yards opposed to Amherst’s three penalties.

WR Jackson McGonagle '16 incredibly hauled in this twisting grab to help dispatch the Bantams. (Courtesy of Amherst Athletics) — WR Jackson McGonagle ’16 incredibly hauled in this twisting grab to help dispatch the Bantams. (Courtesy of Amherst Athletics)

Despite edging Amherst’s 247 offensive yards with 314 of their own and possessing the ball for 38 minutes of the game, Trinity had too many blunders. A fatal sideline pass intercepted at the Trinity 37 yardline resulted in Amherst taking the lead and never looking back. Trinity’s Max Chipouras ’19, Sonny Puzzo ’18, and Myers averaged 3.8 yards per rush, but the Amherst running game was even more efficient. Trinity still has life to live as they take on long-time rivals Wesleyan in the homecoming game that will be featured on CPTV Sports.

3. Middlebury (5-2; Last Week: 3)

Middlebury took care of business Saturday against Hamilton, but their stock dropped with such a tight game. They were able to keep their spot at No. 3 for Week 7, but that could change as they take on the Jumbos this weekend.

Middlebury trailed late in the first half, when QB Matt Milano ’16 and WR Matt Minno ’16 connected to even the score pending a QB Jared Lebowitz ’18 two-point conversion rush. Milano threw for 273 yards and three touchdowns with one pick, while Diego Meritus ’19 picked up 75 of the Panthers’ 89 rushing yards. Minno leaped out of the water catching a season-high three touchdowns on six catches for 171 yards. Naples native and CB Nate Leedy ’17 picked off Hamilton’s Cole Freeman ’19 twice. S Kevin Hopsticker ’18 also added an interception and 10 tackles in what was probably his best game as a Panther.

4. Tufts (5-2; Last Week: 5)

Tufts outscored Colby 28-10, and QB Alex Snyder ’17 only passed 13 times for one touchdown caught by WR Mike Miller ’18. Chance Brady ’17 averaged 7.9 yards on 27 attempts scoring two touchdowns. His longest run was 49 yards. Brady also was the Jumbos’ leading receiver, with two catches for 49 yards, en route to being named NESCAC Offensive POTW and the second NESCAC player this season to be dubbed the New England Football Writers’ Gold Helmet winner. Colby was able to move the ball on Tufts, nearly gaining more offensive yards than the Jumbos. Tufts return man Mike Rando ’17 ran one kick back 85 yards for a touchdown, and he took a second one back for 37 yards. The Jumbos’ Zach Thomas ’18 racked up 3.5 sacks. It is tough to say how Tufts will fair with Middlebury next week; I could see either team taking that game. A Tufts upset could stir up rival tensions between the two foes.

5. Wesleyan (5-2; Last Week: 4)

Wesleyan will have a chance to move up the ranks next week when they take on Trinity for the rivalry game that dates back to 1885. The Cardinals took on Williams Saturday in a convincing win. QB Mark Piccirillo ’19 stepped up and completed 11-14 passes with one touchdown for 105 yards, and he continues to show off his accurate arm. It was just the freshman’s second game playing a pivotal role, as Gernald Hawkins ’18 threw just 12 times and only completing six. They will likely continue to keep with their dual quarterback threat to keep the Bantams off balance, so it will be interesting to see how Trinity is able to respond. S Justin Sanchez ’17 picked a ball off and forced a fumble with six tackles. K Ike Fuchs’17 missed a short field goal wide right, and also missed an extra-point that was pushed back five yards due to a penalty, and things have just not been right with the formerly reliable Fuchs. If Wesleyan is going to win next week, they will probably need Fuchs at his best.

6. Hamilton (1-6; Last Week: 8)

The Continentals gave Middlebury a run for their money, something they have done to every team besides Trinity this year. They proved they can hang with the big dogs which has pushed them up to the No. 6 spot, a big jump from where they began the season. Yes, QB Cole Freeman threw four interceptions, but none of them resulted in a Panther score, and it seems like Coach Dave Murray is fine with Freeman taking shots down field as part of his learning process. The Continental defense did a good job containing the run game, keeping Middlebury to 2.6 yards per rush, but Matt Milano’s 14 completions were too deadly. RB LaShawn Ware ’18 played well – especially in the first quarter – picking up 77 yards on 21 carries, and WR Charles Ensley ’17 caught a 78-yard touchdown pass. Hamilton did not lay down easy as they posted a safety in the fourth quarter on Sean Tolton’s ’19 blocked punt. The whole league has been impressed with the Continentals this year, and is excited as it raises the competition. Hamilton has a chance to earn their second win of the season as they take on a rolling Bates.

7. Bates (2-5; Last Week: 6)

Slotback Tyler Janssen '17 lays a tender kiss on the CBB trophy. (Courtesy of Phyllis Graber Jensen/Bates College) — Slotback Tyler Janssen ’17 lays a tender kiss on the CBB trophy. (Courtesy of Phyllis Graber Jensen/Bates College)

CBB Champions. Bates shellacked Bowdoin, shutting them out 31-0, waltzing their way to a killer recruiting tool in the CBB —Bates has won three of the last four CBB Titles. The Bobcats are on the cusp of – in the words of the great Lou Brown – a winning streak.

They have a chance to end on a high note at Hamilton and make up for all those closes losses earlier this year. The Bobcats outplayed Bowdoin last week in all facets, tackling the Polar Bears for a loss five times for 29 yards including three sacks. CB Trevor Lyons ’17 had a pick-six that he took 50 yards all the way back. QB Pat Dugan ’16 put on a show, running and throwing for a touchdown as he piled up 252 of Bates’ total 380 offensive yards. Another big win will vault the Bobcats back over the Continentals in the ranks.

8. Williams (2-5; Last Week: 9)

After a scoreless first 23 minutes, the Ephs let up a 21-yard touchdown pass to Wesleyan’s Eric Meyreles ’18. Williams’ lone touchdown came on a last minute, three-yard pass by Austin Lommen ’16, who threw for 150 yards including an interception. RB Noah Sorrento ’19 got his first crack as the starter and ran for 105 yards on 21 carries, including one for 45 yards. This weekend’s rivalry game will not have as much hype as most years due to the fact that Amherst is a heavy, heavy favorite. Williams moves up from last week, like Colby, more by virtue of the lackluster performance that Bowdoin put on last weekend.

9. Colby (1-6; Last Week: 10)

Colby lost to the better team Saturday when they hosted Tufts. Colby’s QB Gabe Harrington ’17 continued to struggle, throwing two interceptions while completing 53 percent of his passes. RB Jabari Hurdle-Price ’17 got his touches and scored a touchdown on 21 attempts, though only averaging 2.1 yards per carry. John Baron ’18 kicked a 37-yard field goal and an extra point. Despite a crooked score, Colby compiled 320 yards compared to Tufts’ 325.

The consolation game of the CBB will happen this week, and it is a chance for each Colby and Bowdoin to rid themselves of the shame of being part of a one-win program.

10. Bowdoin (1-6; Last Week: 7)

Not to take away from Bates, but that game shouldn’t have gotten out of hand like it did. It was a sad sight to see for Polar Bear fans Saturday as they rushed for negative six yards. Negative six. When they did have the ball in their hands, they fumbled three times, only making it into Bobcat territory four times. The Polar Bears were closest to a score when QB Noah Nelson ’19 threw an interception from the Bates 25-yardline. Bowdoin let Bates run right over them, as they let up 12 rushing first downs. Bowdoin will take on Colby for the runner-up of the CBB this weekend.

Who Made These Rules Anyway? Fantasy Report Week 7

Middlebury QB Matt Milano '16 has been the undisputed fantasy MVP this season. (Courtesy of Michael Borenstein/Middlebury Campus) — Middlebury QB Matt Milano ’16 has been the undisputed fantasy MVP this season. (Courtesy of Michael Borenstein/Middlebury Campus)

So this past week was the first week of the NESCAC Fantasy Football Playoffs. We have playoffs because NESCAC football doesn’t. There is nothing like the thrill of … OK, I’ve got to say something real quick.

This whole thing was rigged. Rigged, I say! Let’s start at the beginning , shall we? The order for picking the Fantasy draft was decided by a random number generator. Who ran the number generator and told us the results? That would be Joe MacDonald (Middlebury ’16). Who was awarded the No. 1 pick? Oh, that would be Joe MacDonald (Middlebury ’16).

Fast forward to AFTER the draft, and Joe explains how the scoring is going to work exactly. Wouldn’t it make sense to use the standard system to make it straight-forward? That’s not what Joe MacDonald (Middlebury ’16) did. Using some bogus, back of the napkin calculations talking about the number of passing and rushing touchdowns and yards in the NESCAC, Joe MacDonald (Middlebury ’16) boosted up the scoring you get from throwing passing yards and touchdowns.

So whatever, same rules apply to everyone right? Yes, but who did Joe MacDonald (Middlebury ’16) take with that stolen No. 1 pick? That would be Matt Milano ’16, Middlebury quarterback and easily the most productive passer in the NESCAC. Isn’t it a little suspicious that Joe MacDonald (Middlebury ’16) would make that change to the rules after he knew he had the best quarterback in the NESCAC, thereby giving him an enormous advantage?

Who guards the guards? Joe MacDonald (Middlebury ’16) was the man that Nick DiBenedetto, Carson Kenney, and I, Adam Lamont, trusted. That trust was betrayed by Joe MacDonald (Middlebury ’16). Let this be a reminder to all to keep CONSTANT VIGILANCE at all times. Even in matters of NESCAC Fantasy Football.

Spoiler: I lost to Joe in our playoff matchup.

Matchup One: #1 Joe MacDonald over #4 Adam Lamont 119-95

Joe MacDonald			Adam Lamont
QB	Matt Milano	31	QB	Austin Lommen	11
QB	Alex Snyder	10	QB	Reece Foy	13
RB	Kenny Adinkra	10	RB	Nick Kelly	3
RB	Jabari Hurdle-Price	10	RB	Chance Brady	37
WR	Devin Boehm	7	WR	Darrias Sime	6
WR	Charles Ensley	15	WR	Mike Rando	0
TE	Bryan Porter	4	TE	Alex Way	0
FLEX	Lou Stevens	10	FLEX	Nick Vailas	6
FLEX	LaShawn Ware	7	FLEX	Jackson McGonagle	8
D/ST	Middlebury	12	D/ST	Wesleyan	9
K	Charlie Wall	3	K	Ike Fuchs	2
Total		119	Total		95
BE	Devon Carrillo	0	BE	Gernald Hawkins	14
BE	Cole Freeman	7	BE	Pat Donahoe	1
BE	Jon Hurvitz	0	BE	Shaun Carroll	0

Analysis: Surprise, surprise, Milano was the leading scorer for Joe this week. He got good production from other players too, most of it fueled by cheap touchdowns that made their numbers look better than reality (I swear I’m not bitter). Chance Brady ’17 was almost able to pull out the victory for me all by himself, and I would like to think that there are discrepancies in the Colby box score that suppressed his numbers. Well, this stuff happens I guess.

Matchup Two: #3 Carson Kenney over #2 Nick DiBenedetto 87-52

Carson Kenney			Nick DiBenedetto
QB	Sonny Puzzo	9	QB	Noah Nelson	5
QB	Jared Lebowitz	0	QB	Gabe Harrington	4
RB	Frank Williams	1	RB	Jaylen Berry	14
RB	Max Chipouras	13	RB	Diego Meritus	4
WR	Matt Minno	35	WR	Darrien Myers	7
WR	Mark Riley	15	WR	Dan Barone	7
TE	Rob Thoma		TE	Trevor MIletich	4
FLEX	Ian Dugger	4	FLEX	Bryan Vieira	3
FLEX	Jack Cooleen	0	FLEX	Matt Hirshman	1
D/ST	Amherst	10	D/ST	Trinity	3
K	Charlie Gordon	0	K	Eric Sachse	0
Total		87	Total		52
BE	Neil O’Connor	0	BE	Connor Harris	0
BE	LaDarius Drew	0	BE	Ben Kurtz	0
BE	Nick Gaynor	0	BE	Raheem Jackson	0

Analysis: I don’t think enough can be said about Matt Minno ’16 and his production from the wide receiver position. His performance this weekend of 171 yards and three touchdowns is his finest yet, and it was the difference for Carson beating Nick. I think the Middlebury offense will really suffer next year as a result of losing him. Nick’s hot streak at the beginning of the season turned out to be mostly mirage, though he definitely got unlucky with some players underperforming as the season went along.

Well, we have Carson vs. Joe in the championship. You know I’m rooting for you, Carson!

A Little More than You Expected: Stock Report 11/9

Friend or foe, you have to appreciate that Youngman Field skyline. It never gets old. (Photo by Joe MacDonald)

Saturday represented the last home Middlebury football game that I will watch as a student at this College. It was probably the 10th or so such game that I’ve seen (I know I missed one this year and I probably missed one in my first two years, and I missed them all when I was off campus as a junior) and I’ve gone through a transformation with regards to my feelings towards football at Middlebury.

It started out as resentment because I was cut quicker than you can say “Good bye” when I tried out as a freshman (fairly, I should add). It turned into anger that first year and sadness as the friends I made during preseason turned into strangers that I barely said hello to walking around campus. It became jealousy the next year as I watched the football team take home a shared NESCAC title. As we started up Nothing but NESCAC in the spring of my sophomore season, and as I began to mature (though not that much), my feelings became more analytical and critical, and I started keeping my ear to the ground as any good journalist ought to do. However, being on the other side of the planet in Australia during the 2014 season, I was so far removed from the actual games that my feelings were fairly indifferent. Then I returned to campus this fall and everything felt different. Not only were the players aware of our writing here on this blog, which I thought was very cool, but I also found myself deeply invested in the team for the first time since Coach Ritter laid the axe on me in The Grille freshman year. The boys that I had tried out alongside and felt comparable to three years ago have become grown men – at least physically (we’re all still college kids at some level) – and color me proud of the way these guys have played – any disappointment over the 5-2 record as we stand today be damned – and the way they’ve grown up.

There are a lot of reasons not to play football in college, especially at the D-III level. There is no scholarship money, no fans watching on TV, no promise of a future career. And then there are the reasons to play. A cool, autumn day, just your closest friends and your parents (and maybe your dog) in the stands, the smell of the charcoal grill wafting over from the now deserted tailgate, and a tight-knit group of brothers laying their bodies on the line just because they love to play the game.

Forgive the soliloquy, and allow me to proceed to the usual stock report.

Stock Up

Hamilton Line Play

Both sides of the ball for Hamilton were impressive against Middlebury. In the first quarter alone LaShawn Ware ’18 had 74 yards rushing on 12 carries. The Continentals defensive line had three sacks and put heavy pressure on all of the Middlebury quarterbacks all day long while also keeping the Panthers to 2.6 yards per rush. Now, it’s all relative of course. Ware ended up with 77 yards on 21 carries (you can do the math but that’s only three more yards on quite a few carries after the first quarter), and nobody else could get going running the ball, either. I thought the O-line did a good job of protecting Cole Freeman ’19, though. Middlebury racked up three sacks of its own, but otherwise Freeman had enough time to take a lot of shots deep down the field. That didn’t really pay off, as Freeman threw four picks (right after we had highlighted how well he had been taking care of the football), but nonetheless you love the gutsy calls from an up-and-coming team that just got its first win in a long time, and Freeman couldn’t have thrown those balls without time to step up.

Wesleyan QB Mark Piccirillo ’19

With starting QB Gernald Hawkins ’18 battling with an injury the past two weeks, Piccirillo has started to weasel his way into the lineup. Who knows how much of this timeshare is a result of the ailment to Hawkins and how much is a result of their respective plays. Hawkins is very physically gifted, but he hasn’t completed a high percentage of his passes and Coach Dan DiCenzo appears to be shying away from letting him throw the ball. Hawkins had only 13 attempts in Week 6 and 12 this past week, but he ran the ball 12 times against Williams. Meanwhile, Piccirillo has gone 27-35 (77.1 percent) for 269 yards, one touchdown and no picks the past two weeks, while also rushing for 54 yards on 15 attempts. This looks like a situation that will provide a great QB battle in camp next year.

Bates CB Trevor Lyons ’17

The first five weeks of the season were a struggle for the Bobcats, but it’s all worth it because Bates took home the CBB title yet again by beating up the Polar Bears 31-0 on Saturday. Lyons had maybe his best two games of the season the past two weeks, taking back a pick six in each game and breaking up two passes against Bowdoin. Against Colby, Lyons interception return for a TD came in the third quarter with Bates down 3-0. The Bobcats went on to win 10-9. Last week Lyons once again returned an interception early in the third quarter, this time 50 yards for a score that put the game out of reach. Lyons also does double duty as the team’s punt returner.

Colby WR Sebastian Ferrell ’19

In case you couldn’t tell from the intro to today’s stock report, I’m waxing a bit nostalgic and so I decided to look on the bright side of things and go for an extra stock up and one less stock down. So this brings us to first-year wideout Sebastian Ferrell, who had just four career catches before breaking out with eight grabs and 110 yards in a loss to Tufts. With that performance, Ferrell leapt to fourth on the Mules with 12 receptions on the season. His breakout has coincided with a reduced role for Mbasa Mayikana ’18. It will be interesting to see if that trend continues in Week 8.

Stock Down

Williams’ Resolve

I’m not at Williams, I don’t know this for a fact, and I haven’t heard this from any players – but from the outside it looks like this team is falling apart. This is how the last four weeks have gone for Williams: Week 4, outscored 27-7 in the second half at Middlebury in a 36-14 loss; Week 5, go down 13-0 and then 30-7 in an eventual 30-15 loss at home against Tufts; Week 6, get beat by Hamilton, a team that hadn’t won in three years, hadn’t beaten Williams in 19 years and hadn’t won in Williamstown in 29 years; Week 7, narrowly avoid a shutout by scoring a touchdown with 1:11 left in the game in a 27-7 loss to Wesleyan. We’ll leave it at that.

Parity

Sorry, folks, but the cat’s out of the bag. Amherst is the 2015 NESCAC Football Champion, barring a massive upset at the hands of Williams this week and a Trinity victory. It’s a shame that there’s no playoff in the NESCAC and that teams are not eligible for the D-III playoffs. There’s no point in whining about the structure of the NESCAC playoff system, though, so instead we’ll just whine about the fact that the league is severely lacking parity these days. Dating back to 2011, Amherst, Trinity, Middlebury and Wesleyan are a combined 124-32 (79.5 percent). The only other teams to have a winning season are Williams in 2011 (5-3), Bates in 2012 (5-3) and Tufts this year (5-2).

Still Plenty to Play For: Weekend Preview 11/6

Bates and Bowdoin always delivers a hard-fought affair. (Courtesy of Bowdoin Athletics)

Yes, the game between Trinity and Amherst is very important. Yada, yada, yada. Joe has you covered there if you want to read about that. Spoiler alert, it’s a bold prediction. Elsewhere, it’s rivalry season in the NESCAC with the second leg of the CBB and Little Three taking place this weekend. Bowdoin makes the quick jaunt up to Lewiston to face off against Bates who just won the first leg of the CBB against Colby, and Williams visits Wesleyan in the Little Three. For the Ephs, this is the first of back-to-back games against Wesleyan and Amherst, and the final two weeks might be the last two for Coach Aaron Kelton. Since going to 2-1, Williams has lost three in a row with last week’s loss to Hamilton a particularly stinging loss because it broke the long losing streak for the Continentals. Last year the Ephs managed just 123 yards of offense and no points in a 22-0 loss that would have been even more lopsided if Wesleyan hadn’t had to kick five short field goals. Unless the loss last week galvanized the team, expect this year’s result to be similar.

Meanwhile Bates can complete the salvaging of their year if they beat Bowdoin on Saturday. After going 13-11 over the past three seasons, the Bobcats have lost a good deal of close games and are just 1-5. A win over Bowdoin seals the fifth consecutive year of the CBB for Bates and means the graduating Bobcats will have never lost to the Polar Bears. Bates certainly isn’t happy to have the record they do, but their final two games against Bowdoin and Hamilton are both winnable ones. If they can finish at 3-5 with a three-game winning streak and an uncontested CBB title, things would look drastically different than they did just a week ago. However, that is still a ways away.

Four to Watch

Running Back Jabari Hurdle-Price ’17 (Colby): Despite a disappointing season for the Mules overall, Hurdle-Price has been fabulous. A slow start to this season is long in the past as he has had four straight games of over 100 yards rushing, including 202 yard, two TD performance against Wesleyan in Week 3 that served as the tone setter. What has really made him so valuable though is his receiving as he has 19 receptions for 146 yards. Then you add in his kickoff returns and in total you get the NESCAC leader for all-purpose yards at 171.7 per game, well above the next highest total of 144.7 from Darrien Myers ’17. The Mules are a heavy underdog at home against Tufts, but regardless of what happens, Hurdle-Price is going to get his yards.
Linebacker Branden Morin ’16 (Bowdoin): After having just two tackles in the season opener, Morin has been a tackling machine averaging 10.8 per game, and he now leads the league. Last week he had a sack to go along with his 11 tackles. The Bowdoin defense has been bad overall against the run, allowing 209.5 yards per game, 54.2 more yards per game than anybody else. That stat is probably the biggest reason why Bates is feeling confident entering tomorrow. Morin has to be able to make another dozen or so tackles in order to keep Bates from marching up and down the field all day long. Some of the other linebackers for Bowdoin are very inexperienced and have not played against Bates, and the coaching staff is relying on him to be a steadying force up front.
Defensive End Jordan Stone ’17 (Wesleyan): It’s a given that Williams is going to throw all the time, and that is exactly what Stone wants to hear. He leads the Cardinals with 5.5 sacks, and he has three in the past two weeks. Williams has been decent at keeping QB Austin Lommen ’16 upright, but Stone will be one of their hardest challenges yet. The Ephs are unlikely to get much going on the ground which will allow Stone to pin his ears back and rush the passer. Stone isn’t quite a sack specialist as he is important for Wesleyan’s run defense also, but he is definitely one of the best pass rushers in the league.
Wide Receiver Charles Ensley ’17 (Hamilton): My goodness, Ensley has turned on the jets recently. His statistics from the past three games: 19 receptions for 376 yards and four touchdowns. Those numbers coincide with Cole Freeman ’18 becoming the starting QB midway through the game against Bowdoin. Ensley was in this spot two weeks ago, but I don’t feel bad putting him here again because of how well he has done. Freeman also deserves credit for his job coming in after starting the season as the third string QB. Freeman only has one pick in 124 pass attempts. If Hamilton wants to get their second straight win, Ensley must have a big day against the Middlebury secondary.

Patrick Williams (#7) wants to give Tufts their fifth win this weekend. (Courtesy of Williams Athletics)

Game Previews

Hamilton (1-5) at Middlebury (4-2): 12:30 PM

The Continentals got on the right side of the win-loss column last week in part by taking advantage of mistakes by Williams. They also were able to run the ball more effectively than usual as they broke 100 yards rushing for the first time all year. They still averaged just 2.9 yards per carry (amazingly, Hamilton has not had a game this year where they average at least 3.0 yards per carry). They will have a harder time on the ground against the Middlebury run defense led by Tim Patricia ’16 and, if he’s active, Addison Pierce ’17. Even if Pierce is out, Aaron Slodowitz ’18 is more than capable fill-in.

One advantage for the Continentals is how banged up Middlebury is at receiver. Of course, Matt Minno ’16 is still relatively healthy which should cause problems. Every team has injuries, especially at this point of the season, and they really hurt when grouped together in a particular position group. This will be closer than the 37-9 blowout last season, but it won’t be that close. The only worry I have for Middlebury is that they come out flat after last week’s physical loss.

Prediction: Middlebury over Hamilton 26-13

Bowdoin (1-5) at Bates (1-5): 12:30 PM

I already talked about the stakes for Bates. The win against Colby was a huge confidence booster, but they can’t be that confident as the offense took a huge step backwards after the big day they had two weeks ago against Middlebury. Passing for only 43 yards against Colby is not going to cut it versus a Bowdoin team that is weak against the pass. The matchup of corner Jibrail Coy ’16 vs. wide receiver Mark Riley ’16 will be a fun one to keep an eye on. The Bobcats are dealing with injuries to some of their skill players which has hurt them.

Speaking of injuries, Bowdoin will not have its top two running backs, Tyler Grant ’17 or Andrew Tichy ’19 tomorrow. Given how much they have been throwing the ball, one wouldn’t expect that to be too big of an issue. The team that scores first will put a lot of pressure on their opponent as this could be another low-scoring CBB affair.

Prediction: Bowdoin over Bates 17-13

Tufts (4-2) at Colby (1-5): 1:00 PM

So the Jumbos didn’t managed to put much of a scare into Amherst last weekend. It happens. Running against Amherst was never going to be easy, and allowing a defensive touchdown to the Jeffs made things pretty much impossible. The Jumbos will have to go to the air in order to beat Colby because the Mules strength of defense is the defensive line. This is the game that Tufts really wants in order to get to five wins.

The Mules are in a little bit of disarray on offense as Christian Sparacio ’18 got significant playing time at quarterback against Bates and scored the Mules’ one touchdown. Gabe Harrington ’17 had looked better in the previous two weeks, but he regressed back to his early season form vs. the Bobcats. The offense has really been the downfall of Colby this year, and there is no magic formula in Week 7.

Prediction: Tufts over Colby 24-17

Williams (2-4) at Wesleyan (4-2): 1:00 PM

As mentioned above, Hamilton was able to run against the Ephs, and that does not bode well at all for this weekend. Watching Wesleyan last week, I thought that the Cardinals were trying to get too fancy on offense instead of relying on that bulldozing offensive line to get easy yards on the ground. Against Williams, Wesleyan is probably going to keep things pretty simple for whomever ends up starting at QB, Gernald Hawkins ’18 or Mark Piccirillo ’19. The Cardinals still feel like they have plenty to play for in the last two weeks even if they are out of the conference race.

I don’t know what to expect from Williams. They have in the past shown up in rivalry games more so than other games. The Ephs have almost completely given up on running the ball, and the defense is soft against the run. On paper Wesleyan should win this game relatively easily.

Prediction: Wesleyan over Williams 27-10

NbN Staff Last Week: 2-3

NbN Staff This Season: 23-7

Amherst, MA, Title Town: Week 7 Game of the Week

Amherst has done nothing but celebrate this season. (Photo by Joe MacDonald)

Game Info: Trinity (6-0) at Amherst (6-0): 1:00 PM, Amherst, MA

There’s no doubt about it. The NESCAC Championship will be determined this Saturday when two undefeated powerhouses clash in Amherst. Technically, we could get a shared title if the winner this weekend loses in Week 8 and vice versa, the loser this weekend wins in Week 8 … but we think that’s a silly rule and so we’re going to go ahead and say that this weekend’s winner will be the NESCAC champion.

This matchup dates back to 1886 (a game which Amherst won 20-4), and the LJ’s hold the all-time advantage 58-43-9 over Trinity. But that’s all ancient history. Sports is a “What have you done for me lately” kind of business, and lately Amherst has edged out a couple of victories by the slimmest of margins. In 2013, Amherst Head Coach EJ Mills got his 100th victory as the LJ’s slipped by Trinity, 17-16. The difference in that one was a mixed extra point by former Trinity kicker Ben Rosenblatt ’17 late in the fourth quarter. Tragically for the former kicker, a missed extra point was the only difference in the 2014 matchup, as well. The Bantams offense had been suffering greatly by that point in the season. Phenomenal RB Chudi Iregbulem ’15 was banged up for most of the second half of the year. Current QB Sonny Puzzo ’18 was out for the year, and starter Henry Foye ’16 down with an injury, so fill-in Hayden Jardine ’16 was only able to manufacture one scoring drive in the first quarter. Despite multiple takeaways, Amherst was still scoreless into the fourth quarter. Finally, LB Chris Tamasi ’15 recovered a game-changing fumble that led to a 39-yard TD drive and an Amherst victory.

What does all of this mean for this year’s game? Not much more than we know it won’t come easy to either team. The Trinity offense is much improved from the one that battled with the LJ’s last year, but otherwise a lot of the same characters are back. Trinity has a brand new linebacking corps, but this year’s rendition is as good as ever. The same is true for a couple of the Amherst linebackers, but the biggest change for the Lord Jeffs is Reece Foy ’18 at quarterback.

Things have been a little off recently for Foy, who has four interceptions in his last two games and had his lowest yardage total and yards per attempt a week ago against Tufts. Foy hasn’t been able to use his legs effectively much, either, even though he has the athleticism to do so. He’s become a pass-first QB, which is commendable, especially in a day and age where we glorify “dual-threats” and love to watch QBs scramble and make plays, but maybe what he needs now is a chance to use his legs a little bit. A QB draw here, a roll out scramble there, and suddenly the linebackers start drawing in, allowing Foy to hit some of his talented wideouts over the top.

Trinity X-factor: OLB Shane Libby ’19

It didn’t really strike me that Libby was a freshman until I sat down to write this article. Yeah I knew the kid was good, but holy crap I didn’t know he was this good and this young. The Bantams run a 3-4 with three down lineman and the fourth linebacker on the line of scrimmage. As the stand-up D-end in Trinity’s base defense, his job is to get after the passer. In any game, the two keys for defenses are 1) turnovers and 2), and this is the one I’m concerned about, shutting down one phase of the opponent’s game. Pundits always focus on shutting down the run, but it can be just as effective to shut down a team’s passing game which subsequently allows a defense to bottle up the run. That’s a long way of saying that if Libby can put pressure on Foy – and improve on his team-leading 3.5 sacks – then everything else will fall into place for the Trinity defense.

Amherst X-factor: K Charlie Wall ’18

Hey! A kicker shout out!

It’s been a one-point game the last two years, and the difference has been the kicking game. Phillip Nwosu ’15 was a great kicker, but Wall has stepped in superbly. The man is 7-8 on field goals for the best percentage in the league and 21-23 on extra points – most of anyone in the NESCAC. He doesn’t have as big of a leg as Nwosu, but he’s very consistent. Whether it’s a field goal or an extra point, I’m feeling that there will be an influential kick at some point on Saturday.

The Trinity special teams will try its best to interrupt K Charlie Wall '18 and Co. (Courtesy of Michael O'Hara/Middlebury Campus) — The Trinity special teams will try its best to interrupt K Charlie Wall ’18 and Co. (Courtesy of Michael O’Hara/Middlebury Campus)

Everything Else

So who has the advantage? Let’s break it down.

Let’s start with the Amherst offense and the Trinity defense. Furthermore, let’s start with the passing game. Foy has been a little inconsistent, but if you look at the season as a whole, he’s actually taken remarkably good care of the ball. Here’s a fun little chart that may or may not be useful:

Quarterback	Attempts	Interceptions	Attempts/Interception
Gabe Harrington	167	9	18.55555556
Pat Dugan	119	5	23.8
Noah Nelson	132	5	26.4
Tim Drakeley	107	4	26.75
Chase Rosenberg	82	3	27.33333333
Matt Milano	258	9	28.66666667
Gernald Hawkins	149	5	29.8
Austin Lommen	237	7	33.85714286
Sonny Puzzo	171	5	34.2
Reece Foy	171	5	34.2
Alex Snyder	173	5	34.6
Cole Freeman	124	1	124

Foy is among the league’s best in attempts/interception. However, Trinity is great at making opposing QBs pay with 11 interceptions on the season, most in the league. The Bantams are going to be focused on stopping the Amherst rushing attack, though, so I don’t see Foy making many mistakes.

In terms of the ground game, Amherst’s biggest strength is the ability to cycle backs through. Kenny Adinkra ’16 is as tough as they come, Nick Kelly ’17 was the team’s best back a year ago but has dealt with injuries this season, and Jack Hickey ’19 might be the most talented of all, combining size and speed to average 6.8 yards per carry. The Amherst O-line is elite, and while the Trinity D-line is definitely good, I give the edge to Amherst.

On the flip side, I was shocked by the sheer size of the Trinity offensive line when I saw them in person. Of course, size isn’t necessarily the only thing that matters when it comes to O-line play, but it definitely helps. RT Chris Simmons ’18 is a tank, and all Max Chipouras ’19 needs to do is follow Simmons and Co. to the promised land. But – and there’s always a “but” – Amherst’s ability to rotate six defensive linemen keeps the LJs fresh. After watching the Middlebury defensive line handle the Trinity rushing attack a week ago, I have faith that Amherst can do the same.

It’s going to be imperative for Puzzo to find some targets downfield if Trinity is going to move the football. Too often the offense relies on a big play from the defense or special teams to spark a drive. While I never count out Darrien Myers ’17 in the return game, I’ve already talked about my faith in Amherst to hold onto the football and not turn it over. Much like Foy, Puzzo hasn’t been using his legs much recently. I don’t think he’s necessarily as inclined as Foy to run anyway. But maybe this would be a good time for Puzzo to run a little bit, too. After all, Wesleyan QB Gernald Hawkins ’18 gashed the Amherst D for 85 yards on 21 attempts earlier this season.

Prediction:

If it were a simple numbers game, the analysis above would suggest that Amherst will come out on top. The Jeffs seem to have the advantage in almost every phase discussed above. I give them the edge both rushing and passing against the Trinity defense, and in their ability to stop the Trinity running attack. Where Trinity closes the gap, I believe, is in the passing game – something that might be surprising for a team that is pretty run-first – but that’s where I think they can exploit the Jeffs.

It’s going to be a low-scoring game, much like the last two seasons. And special teams could be the difference, which of course favors the Bantams. Amherst is looking for its 18th straight win, and Trinity is looking to return to the pinnacle, a place they long remained. This is one for the history books, boys and girls. One that will see Trinity end up victorious.

Trinity 17 – Amherst 14

The 2015 All-Hair Team

Two years of blogging has all led to this. All of the analysis and articles have invariably come together in this one seminal piece of art. The methods for formulating this team were simple. I, the committee of one, looked at the head shot for every single NESCAC player. Every single one. For some teams it was easy to look through all of them quickly, but for other teams it took a little while. I know that just looking at head shots is not the fairest way of going about this. Many fine looking heads of hair were left out because I couldn’t get great angles on them. Note also that facial hair was not included in these rankings. Know a great head of hair that got left out? Leave a comment.

Honorable Mention:

3535 — Jeffrey Jenkins ’16 (Hamilton. Note: Jeff only made it because of the dyed beard)

MacDonald_0442 — Luke MacDonald ’18 (Bates)

4084 — Joey Cheri-Valentin ’18 (Hamilton)

Blake Cunningham '16 - Lawrenceville, GA — Blake Cunningham ’16 – Lawrenceville, GA

Elias Camacho '18 - Canton, MA — Elias Camacho ’18 – Canton, MA

Now to the top 10.

10. Taysean Scott ’17 (Williams)

This hairdo is basically the Tyrann Mathieu. Scott isn’t getting a lot of verticality on the mohawk which is holding back from a higher ranking. This is a pretty good start to the rankings given the time needed to have this look.

9. Seamus Power ’16 (Bowdoin)

Nothing too crazy here, just real long straight blond hair. A little more upkeep on this one and it could be a top contender. One does have to wonder, however: is Power hiding something with this hairdo? That hairline looks suspiciously high.

8. Colin Brown ’16 (Williams)

There are a lot of other players with hair that looks similar to this one, but Brown takes it above and beyond. The swoosh of the hair to one side is exsquisite. That hairline leading up the left side reminds me of those pictures they use to show how to draw a receding line. For the record I am not saying Brown has a receding hairline.

7. Ryan Ruiz ’16 (Colby)

Ruiz was one of the original inspirations for the hair team, but he lands at seven in part because of a not flattering angle in his hair. Even so, Ruiz has a real quality man bun going on. It looks good with the hair down, too.

6. Jackson McGonagle ’16 (Amherst)

First of all, the lighting Amherst uses makes their players look almost angelic. McGonagle has a good quality mohawk, the best one in the NESCAC. There is for sure a good amount of product going into that sculpting, and I for one don’t hate it.

5. Eric Sachse ’19 (Trinity)

Lovely, lovely flow going on here. I have to admire Sachse coming in with this hair as the freshman kicker. Underrated part of this hair is the color that he has going on. That wavy dirty blonde look is not easy to come by.

4. Kent Blaeser ’19 (Williams)

Oh, now we are getting into the glorious part of the rankings. Yes, I’m not counting facial hair, but the fact that there is no space between the hair and beard is fantastic. Just look at the way the hair curls inwards at the end.. absolutely exquisite.

3. Micah Adickes ’18 (Tufts)

Mane on top of mane here, folks. Great hair requires care, and this kid conditions, let me tell you. Does he blow dry his hair too? I don’t know, but if he is then I’m going to start, too. Adickes is putting in solid work for the Jumbos.

2. Shaun Carroll ’16 (Bates)

One word for you: volume. You want it, and Carroll has it. The headband does a nice job of enunciating the volume even further. Carroll’s hair has been an ongoing evolution for him, and the 2015 edition is the best yet. And yes, it’s great hair, but it isn’t number one.

Frank Bruni ’19 (Bowdoin)

Bruni has what nobody else does: that fire flames red hair. The background here takes away from the luminosity a little unfortunately. Even still, the hair is something. What puts Bruni over the top is the curls on top of the length. That hair could be in National Geographic, it’s so luscious.

Marginal Movements: Power Rankings 11/4

The Hamilton Continentals were able to drag down the Ephs in Williamstown for the first time in nearly four decades. (Courtesy of Williams College Athletics)

Saturday’s games were fuming with excitement across the NESCAC, from the Hamilton Continentals earning their first win in over three years to Bates getting their first win of the season in triumphant fashion. With just two games left to play the standings are wide open throughout most of the league. Bates, Bowdoin, Colby, and Hamilton are all tied for last place with one win a piece, then there is Williams with two wins trailing Middlebury, Tufts, and Wesleyan, who share third place with four wins each. It will be a Championship atmosphere (and literally, the de facto championship) this weekend for the Lord Jeffs and the Bantams as Amherst hosts Trinity. That’s where they are in the official standings, but where are they in the all important Power Rankings?

1. Amherst Lord Jeffs (6-0; Last Week: 1)

Coming off a strong win against Tufts, the Amherst team looked good as a whole. The defense compiled eight points with a pick six and a safety; Charlie Wall ’17 connected on his only field goal attempt, making him 7-8 on the year and 21-23 on extra points; and they ran for three touchdowns going on to beat the Jumbos 32-7. The one man who seemed to struggle was Reece Foy ’18, who threw for 170 yards while connecting on 18 of 27 passes including an interception. The past two games he has been inconsistent, and don’t expect the Trinity defense to be any easier a task for him. With that being said the Amherst defense was stellar holding Tufts to 161 offensive yards, and just 19 rushing yards. An Amherst win this weekend would crown them NESCAC Champions and they would tie Trinity for the modern era NESCAC Championships record with six.

2. Trinity Bantams (6-0; Last Week: 2)

Still undefeated, the Bantams have survived two scares against top ranked teams. This Halloween, the Trinity defense was Superman and picked up Sonny Puzzo ’18 and a struggling running game as they took down Middlebury in a late game comeback. Trailing by a point with just over four minutes to go, Trinity’s Paul McCarthy ’16 recovered a fumble forced by Lyle Baker ’16, which led to a Max Chipouras ’19 touchdown with under three minutes to play. Then interceptions in Trinity territory by Spencer Donahue ’17 and a picks-six from Archi Jerome ’17 put the nail in the Panthers’ coffin. Trinity has their biggest test of the season on Saturday, and Puzzo and the running game must be efficient. With the way things looked against Middlebury, the Bantams are in rough shape, but if Trinity can find their mojo, there is no reason they can’t take down the Lord Jeffs.

3. Middlebury Panthers (4-2; Last Week: 3)

Though they earned their second loss of the season, they are not far behind Trinity. They completely outplayed the Bantams, but crumbled at the end of the game when they fumbled the ball and threw two interceptions. The Panthers offense racked up 449 yards, and nearly doubled Trinity in first downs with 27. The Middlebury defense sacked Puzzo five times, with Gil Araujo ’16 getting 2.5 sacks for 20 yards; Araujo also had 3.5 tackles for a loss of 23 yards. Middlebury lost its chance at a NESCAC Championship, but they are still playing for runner-up as they take on Hamilton this Saturday and then Tufts the following week.

4. Wesleyan Cardinals (4-2; Last Week: 5)

Though it was a close win against Bowdoin last Saturday, Wesleyan outplayed the Polar Bears, outweighing their total offense by 429 yards to 223 yards. Lou Stevens ’16 did a good job punching the ball through for two touchdowns on 12 carries. Cornerback Zac Cuzner ’17 had Noah Nelson’s ’19 number all day picking him off three times and breaking up three passes. One thing to keep an eye on is the starting quarterback position. Starter Gernald Hawkins ’18 is less than 100 percent right now, and back-up Mark Piccirillo ’19, who was already too talented to keep off the field completely, was 16-21 when he took over for Hawkins against Wesleyan. The Cardinals look to improve to five wins as they take on Williams this weekend.

5. Tufts Jumbos (4-2; Last Week: 4)

Tufts suffered a disappointing loss to Amherst where they were outscored 32-7. The Jumbos could only compile 161 offensive yards with little success in their rushing game. QB Alex Snyder ’17 was shut down by the LJ’s as he threw a pick and was sacked three times losing a total of 36 yards. The Tufts lone touchdown came on a one-yard run by Chance Brady ’17. We would have hoped this game was much closer, but Amherst was too dominant. Tufts can end the season on a high note though if they are able to take it to Colby and Middlebury. Beating one of them would secure an above .500 season and show improvement from last season.

6. Bates Bobcats (1-5; Last Week: 7)

Though the Bobcats avoid Trinity in their schedule, they have looked good against the rest of the league, losing some close games. Saturday Bates pulled off a 10-9 win against Colby for the first leg of the CBB. Colby had a chance to tie the game with an extra point, but Collin Richardson ’18 stepped up and blocked the kick to preserve the one-point lead. With Patrick Dugan ’16 passing for just 43 yards on four completions, Bates was able to grind out a win. Bates can win the CBB title with a win vs. Bowdoin this weekend.

7. Bowdoin (1-5; Last Week: 8)

While being outmatched by 206 total yards of offense by Wesleyan, Bowdoin was able to keep it close and lose this game by just six points. Nelson had a tough game where he threw three interceptions and one touchdown on 36 pass attempts. The Polar Bears will wash this loss because they have the CBB to play in their final two games. All three teams seem equal, and it would be no surprise to see a three-way tie for the title.

8. Hamilton (1-5; Last Week: 10)

They finally did it. Hamilton beat the Ephs at Williams for the first time in 19 years and the first time in Williamstown in 29 years, and it was Hamilton’s first win in over three years. They competed well and took advantage of Williams’ penalties and mistakes. Hamilton’s Cole Freeman ’19 tossed two touchdowns while compiling 180 yards completing 13 of 27 attempts. Charles Ensley ’17 was on the receiving end bringing in two touchdowns on four catches for 84 yards. Hamilton takes on Middlebury this weekend in Vermont, which will likely send the Continentals back down to earth.

9. Williams (2-4; Last Week: 6)

Losing at home against Hamilton for the first time in 29 years was a low point for Williams this season. They committed 11 penalties that tallied 104 yards, and five of the penalties granted Hamilton a first down. It is hard to win playing like that. Williams will face Wesleyan and Amherst in the final two games of the season. Darrias Sime ’16 was able to add a pair of touchdowns on seven catches. The Eph win column will likely stay at two the remainder of the season.

10. Colby (1-5; Last Week: 9)

Colby will hold down the No. 10 spot for this week. A disappointing loss to Bates leaves them bitter. They can redeem themselves in the final game when they travel to Bowdoin and have a shot at tying up the CBB. The Mules gained just under 100 more yards than Bates, but Gabe Harrington ’17 was less than spectacular throwing an interception and just 82 yards on 11 passes. The bottom of the table has a lot of opportunity for movement with four of the five teams with just one win.

Another One Bites the Dust: Fantasy Report Week 6

QB Matt Milano '16 was good yet again from a fantasy perspective, but the Trinity defense was nearly as productive and was a threat to the Middlebury signal-caller all day. (Courtesy of Michael O'Hara/Middlebury Campus) — QB Matt Milano ’16 was good yet again from a fantasy perspective, but the Trinity defense was nearly as productive and was a threat to the Middlebury signal-caller all day. (Courtesy of Michael O’Hara/Middlebury Campus)

Injuries are playing a huge role in the fantasy world this week, especially given that no waiver moves were made last week. With that being the case, there are so very unfortunate rosters this week, with some teams, like Nick’s, especially, employing guys we know to be out in their starting lineups. Adjustments will have to be made as we shift to the postseason.

Matchup 1: Joe 111 – Adam 76

Joe			Adam
Pos.	Player	Pts	Pos.	Player	Pts
QB	Matt Milano	24	QB	Austin Lommen	24
QB	Alex Snyder	13	QB	Reece Foy	12
RB	Kenny Adinkra	11	RB	Jack Hickey	0
RB	Jabari Hurdle-Price	16	RB	Chance Brady	10
WR	Devin Boehm	8	WR	Pat Donahoe	2
WR	Ryan Rizzo	0	WR	Mike Rando	3
TE	Bryan Porter	13	TE	Alex Way	1
FLEX	Lou Stevens	6	FLEX	Nick Vailas	2
FLEX	LaShawn Ware	7	FLEX	Jackson McGonagle	4
D/ST	Middlebury	7	D/ST	Wesleyan	13
K	Charlie Wall	6	K	Ike Fuchs	5
BE	Devon Carrillo	0	BE	Gernald Hawkins	4
BE	Conrado Banky	0	BE	Ryder Arsenault	0
BE	Tyler Grant	0	BE	Shaun Carroll	0

	Total	111		Total	76

I now haven’t lost since a tight four-point defeat at the hands of Nick in Week 1. Per usual, Matt Milano ’16 carried my squad, but his production was actually matched this week by Adam’s Austin Lommen ’16. Nobody else answered the bell for Adam, and I got contributions from almost everyone. Bryan Porter ’16 is turning into a big fantasy pickup, with scores of nine, two, nine, nine and now 13 since I picked him up going into Week 2.

Matchup 2: Carson 63 – Nick 42

Carson			Nick
Pos.	Player	Pts	Pos.	Player	Pts
QB	Sonny Puzzo	17	QB	Gabe Harrington	2
QB	Jared Lebowitz	2	QB	Tim Drakeley	0
RB	Frank Williams	1	RB	Jaylen Berry	9
RB	Max Chipouras	12	RB	Connor Harris	3
WR	Matt Minno	5	WR	Darrien Myers	5
WR	Mark Riley	2	WR	Dan Barone	1
TE	Rob Thoma	0	TE	Jordan Jenkins	0
FLEX	Ian Dugger	6	FLEX	Ben Kurtz	0
FLEX	Jack Cooleen	0	FLEX	Matt Hirshman	2
D/ST	Amherst	18	D/ST	Trinity	20
K	Charlie Gordon	0	K	Eric Sachse	0
BE	Neil O’Connor	2	BE	Diego Meritus	0
BE	LaDarius Drew	0	BE	Trevor Miletich	0
BE	Nick Gaynor	0	BE	Raheem Jackson	0

	Total	63		Total	42

Yikes. A real clunker from Nick this week, but as mentioned above, he didn’t have the chance to make any roster moves this week and that clearly hurt him. The game day scratch of TE Trevor Miletich ’16 was another big blow, as the man’s replacement for Middlebury, Dan Fulham ’18 ended up with a TD. Amazing that the top point totals for both sides came from the defenses.

Standings:

Joe: 5-1
Nick: 3-3
Carson: 2-4 (1-1, 200 head-to-head points vs. Adam)
Adam: 2-4 (1-1, 163 head-to-head points vs. Carson)

It’s Not Your Imagination, Passing is Up in the NESCAC: Part Two

If you missed Part One yesterday, here you go. Otherwise, read on.

Tufts

Ranked seventh in passing yards per game, Tufts is one of the few teams that isn’t passing the ball more this season. QB Alex Snyder ’17 doesn’t have the completion percentage of his predecessor, Jack Doll ’15 (who completed 70 percent of his passes), but he’s averaging more passing yards per game (191.7 to Doll’s 186.5). Snyder’s advantage in this regard can be explained by the fact that the Jumbos are averaging more than 50 yards per game this season than they did the last. All things considered, their passing game isn’t seeing the volume it has in recent years. Considering Snyder’s 173 pass attempts thus far in 2015, Tufts offensive scheme is very unlike the one that encouraged QB John Dodds ’13 to throw the ball nearly 350 times in 2012. Averaging close to 13 receiving touchdowns over the previous four seasons, the Jumbos offense is on pace to fall short of that average this fall, having found the end zone through the air only six times through week six.

Instead, RB Chance Brady ’17 has become the pinnacle of the offense. Averaging 104.2 ground yards per game, Brady has rushed for nine touchdowns. Despite Tufts dynamic ground game, its receivers are still producing. WR Mike Rando ’17 leads the team in receiving with 28 receptions. Ben Berey ’17, while not reproducing at the same clip that he did last year (38 receptions, one TD), is contributing to Tufts’ pass production with 13 receptions for 166 yards and a touchdown. The Tufts passing game is clearly not the same threat that it has been in recent years, but it remains a large part of its offensive production. The Jumbos feel that the way to success in the NESCAC is predicated by running the ball first and foremost. They will retain the ability to throw the ball a lot, but the rushing game will become more and more important.

Verdict: Enduring. But not likely to increase in the near future.

Wesleyan

Wesleyan is like Amherst in that its running game is just as valuable as its passing game. Through Week 6, the Cardinals are averaging basically the same amount of yards through the air and ground. QB Gernald Hawkins ’18 has averaged 157.0 passing yards per game but has thrown more interceptions than touchdowns. Unlike QB Jesse Warren ’15, who threw for 190 yards per game while firing 15 touchdowns, Hawkins’ arm is not what makes him a dangerous offensive weapon. Simply put, Warren wasn’t a threat on the ground; Hawkins is. He led the Cardinals in rushing through five weeks, until he was held out of most of the Bowdoin game because of health concerns.

Wesleyan’s running attack is paced by Jaylen Berry ’18, who has managed 59.5 yards per game and two touchdowns. WR Devon Carillo ’17 leads the team in touchdowns (five) and poses a significant threat as a productive pass-catcher (10 receptions). WR Mike Breuler ’16, who had only two receptions in 2014, has emerged as Hawkins’ top target. He has hauled in 29 receptions, making him the only player other than Carillo to break the double digit plateau. The ability of Hawkins and Mark Piccirillo ’19 to run the ball helps keep the defense honest and opens up the passing game, but the Cardinals are a team that ideally wants to be running the ball the majority of the time.

Verdict: Temporary. The Cardinals want to run the ball first and foremost.

Colby

Colby threw the ball nearly 300 times last fall, which accounted for over half of their plays. Through six weeks, the Mules have let the ball fly just 42.4 percent of the time. With an average of 150 passing yards per game, Colby is averaging fewer yards through the air than they have in three of their previous four seasons. QB Gabe Harrington ’17 has struggled to find consistency with his receivers, throwing for only one touchdown with nine interceptions. He is completing nearly 52.7 percent of his passes, but almost a fifth of them are short passes to RB Jabari Hurdle-Price ’17. Last season, WR Ryder Arsenault ’17 emerged as a leader of the WR core with 25 receptions for 263 yards and four touchdowns. As Arsenault has dealt with an injury that he sustained during Week 2 at Middlebury, Mark Snyder ’18 has stepped up in a big way. Snyder has been Harrington’s go-to guy in Colby’s passing attack, recording 25 receptions for 229 yards and a score. Colby has incorporated running backs into their passing game more this season, as Hurdle-Price is already converging on his receptions total from last year.

On the ground, the junior running back is averaging 101.8 yards per game while accounting for half of the Mules’ eight touchdowns. In 2014, 11 of the 17 touchdowns Colby scored were passing, but this year only one of the nine has been. Against Bates and Bowdoin, Colby should have better luck and improve their passing numbers. Even so, the passing offense has taken a step back from where it was, and it is unclear if a quality quarterback is on the roster right now.

Verdict: Temporary. This dip won’t last as they will get back to passing the ball.

Bates

I’ve heard it said that a rising tide lifts all ships. This fall, Bates is challenging that claim. After averaging only 116 passing yards per game over the past three seasons, Bates has thrown the ball with more efficiency at 130 yards per game, but the volume has essentially stayed the same. Bates has not topped 170 pass attempts in the last five seasons, and it’s unlikely that QB Patrick Dugan ’16 is going to change that this year. Dugan has attempted 122 passes thus far, which is similar to the pace QB Matt Cannone ’15 set last fall. When Dugan throws the ball in the air, it’s extremely likely that WR Mark Riley ’16 is going to be on the receiving end of the play. Riley has carried the receiving core with 33 receptions and 382 yards, which is nearly half of the team’s receiving yards.

Like Colby, Bates much prefers to run the ball, but the schemes the two teams run are of course very different. RB Ivan Reese ’17 has handled the bulk of the carries, and slot back Frank Williams ’18 has run the ball for an average of 40.7 yards per game and a team high three touchdowns. Seven of the team’s eleven scores have come on the ground, and the Reese/Williams combination has accounted for six of them. Obviously since Bates runs the triple option, they are not going to suddenly start airing it out.

Verdict: Enduring. The Bobcats are not about to start the throwing the ball more.

Final Tally

Teams throwing the ball more: Seven (All but Tufts, Colby, and Bates)
Number of teams throwing the ball more which are expected to continue doing so: Five (Trinity and Wesleyan are temporary in our minds)

Despite the graduation of two successful quarterbacks last season in Jack Doll and Jesse Warren, names like Sonny Puzzo and Reece Foy have filled the void. Multiple receivers have burst onto the scene in 2015 and quarterbacks are taking full advantage of big play opportunities through the air. Whereas only six receivers averaged over 50 yards per game last season, there are 14 topping that mark this fall. Only one NESCAC receiver, Mark Riley, managed over 70 receiving yards in 2014, with 71.5. That number has been topped by six receivers thus far, with Middlebury’s Matt Minno leading the group at 98.0

Teams’ receiving arsenals are becoming the focus on offense, and secondaries are being exploited like never before. Middlebury has long been the only NESCAC team worthy of high praise for its aerial attack, but 2015 has created a different narrative. An outlier in much of recent history, the Panthers passing game is being converged upon. Smash mouth football has receded as the norm in the NESCAC and more exciting offenses have emerged. This isn’t just a short-term uptick either. Yes, there are some younger secondaries that are being exploited, but the vast majority of QBs will be back next year. They will have another year of experience. New NESCAC coaches are more willing to throw the ball than their predecessors. Buckle up because this trend is not going to stop.