Saturday Links 9/26

Good morning, NESCAC fans! The time has finally come for some ‘CAC football. We’ve been waiting approximately 44 weeks for this very moment, ever since the final whistle blew on the Biggest Little Game in America a year ago.

Today, we will have multiple contributors, including Adam himself, on site at the Williams at Bowdoin matchup, a battle that turned into a rout a year ago in favor of the Ephs. We will have a contributor on the sideline at Hamilton as the Continentals try to break their losing streak vs. Tufts. And Joe will be watching from above, particularly focusing our Game of the Week, Middlebury at Wesleyan.

Follow closely on Twitter, and stay tuned for our reactions and analysis.

Here is everything you need for today’s action:

Middlebury at Wesleyan, 12:30 PM

Live Stats     Video

Amherst at Bates, 1:00 PM

Live Stats     Video

Williams at Bowdoin, 1:00 PM

Live Stats     Video (with a special treat – color commentary from Adam)

Trinity at Colby, 1:00 PM

Video

Tufts at Hamilton, 1:00 PM

Live Stats     Video

Week 1 Game of the Week: Middlebury at Wesleyan

The Panthers are prepared for a title run. (Photo by Joe MacDonald)
The Panthers are prepared for a title run. But nothing comes easy in the NESCAC. (Photo by Joe MacDonald)

Game Info: Saturday, Sept. 26, 12:30 PM at historic Andrus Field in Corwin Stadium

Both teams probably feel like title contenders right now, but around this time tomorrow one team will be in the driver’s seat and the other will be facing a steep uphill climb. If we consider the NESCAC crown a four-team race – which, barring a major surprise, it is right now – between Middlebury, Amherst, Wesleyan and Trinity, this matchup will push one team to the front of the pack.

The Wesleyan team presents a great unknown. As we’ve said time and time again, the roster turnover has been great, but we still expect there to be a lot of talent on the field for the Cards. Things have changed since current Athletic Director Mike Whalen came over from Williams, and one has to believe that he was able to accrue some talent in the classes that followed the incredible 2015 group.

As always, the Cards’ strength will be the running game, but the Panthers were very good against the run last season, allowing just under 104 YPG, and most of the talent in the front seven is back and should be better than ever. Granted, a lot of teams were forced to throw in the second half because they faced big deficits against the Panthers, but nonetheless running the ball won’t be easy for the Cards.

For Middlebury, the passing game is as potent as ever. Can Matt Milano ’16 have improved from his Co-Offensive Player of the Year form a year ago? We’ll find out soon enough, but with all of the weapons around him, I’m betting yes. And with two of the league’s best defensive backs having graduated from Wesleyan in Jake Bussani ’14 and Donnie Cimino ’15, Milano might just be able to find some openings deep down the field.

Last Meeting:

Wesleyan rolled into the Panthers’ home pad and stole a 22-14 victory in the 2014 season opener. The difference was a third quarter 41-yard INT return for a TD by Wesleyan’s dynamic safety Justin Sanchez ’17. Milano threw two interceptions in this one, and questions were swirling about whether the days of the great Middlebury QBs were over. After this game, Milano went 22-1 TD-INT over the rest of the season, so expect a more confident passing attack from Middlebury in this one.

On the flip side, Wesleyan struggled to run the ball, something that they rarely do. Kyle Gibson ’15 racked up 60 yards but on 25 carries (2.4 YPC). Lou Stevens ’17 wasn’t much better (2.8 YPC). However, the frightening LaDarius Drew ’15 is back this time around, and I think the entire league is excited to see what this powerhouse back can do. With Drew, Stevens and Jaylen Berry ’18 coming at the Panthers, stopping the run has to be priority No. 1. Middlebury’s Tim Patricia ’16 spoke to that effect, saying:

“We know that the run game is the staple of the Wesleyan offense. … With that in mind, this [week] we’ve been really focused on gap responsibility and swarming to the ball in the run game. It’s important that we stay conscious of our individual assignments so we can eliminate any threat of giving up a big play. Their backs do have big play ability, but we feel we can mitigate that ability.”

Middlebury X-factors: D-linemen Gil Araujo ’16 and Kyle Ashley ’16

We know about Jake Clapp ’16, Middlebury’s strong, furious pass-rusher, but Ashley and Araujo, who made the 2014 All-NESCAC Second Team, haven’t gotten much press this season (our bad). While the Panthers will cycle d-linemen in and out all game, these two are expected to get the lion’s share of snaps, and it will be on them to eat up blockers and create opportunities for the linebackers and safeties to make tackles. It’s an inglorious job, the d-line. But this pair is up to the task.

Wesleyan X-factor: QB Gernald Hawkins ’18

Gernald Hawkins '18 (Photo Courtesy of Wesleyan Athletics)
Gernald Hawkins ’18 (Photo Courtesy of Wesleyan Athletics)

I’d like to go a little under-the-radar with my x-factor pick, but the potential of Hawkins is just so intriguing. We don’t know for sure that Hawkins will see every snap in this one under center, but for now he is the team’s QB1 and has the chance to solidify that position this weekend.

Hawkins presents the rare (in the NESCAC) dual-threat option. The moves he shows off on film are nifty, and having a cadre of backs to hand the ball off to takes much of the pressure off of his shoulders.

Patricia wouldn’t give away any secrets in reference to Hawkins, saying only, “We’re aware of Hawkins’s ability to run the ball, and we’re well prepared for it.”

Prediction: Middlebury 35 – Wesleyan 17

Wesleyan fans and players are going to be offended by this prediction, but let me make my case. The Cardinals are, to some extent, are where Middlebury was last year in Week 1 – breaking in a lot of new players, particularly at the QB position, and while there is talent there, it will take time.

I still think Wesleyan will run the ball effectively, but as Milano and the Panthers roll up and down the field in the second and third quarters, the Cards will have to start abandoning the run game, which will spell disaster for Coach DiCenzo’s squad. No team can be successful when it becomes one-dimensional.

Is 35 points too high of a projection against the Wesleyan D, even with all the new faces? Maybe. And if I were a gambling man, I’d take the under if the line were set at 35 for Middlebury, but let’s face it, I’m a Panther myself, I’m excited for tomorrow, and sure, maybe I’m drinking the Kool-Aid a little bit. I’m seeing three TDs through the air for Milano, a goal line plunge from rookie RB Diego Meritus ’19, and a late-game scamper off a rollout from QB Jared Lebowitz ’18, just like I watched him do last week in Middlebury’s Blue-White scrimmage.

Patricia didn’t necessarily predict that the Panthers will go 8-0. But he came pretty close (0:57):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNNALmOrorA

Bring on some football!

First Impressions Matter: The Weekend Preview

The best time of year is back. Football returns to the NESCAC tomorrow. (Courtesy of Bates Athletics)

The first week of the season is a special time. After 10 long months of waiting, NESCAC football is back to fill up our early Saturday afternoons for eight weeks. Yet, one can’t help but feel like right now is almost a better time to be a NESCAC football fan. After all, by Saturday night half of the teams will be 0-1. The expectations that every team and fanbase has can’t possibly all be met, and so for some, times are better before those expectations come crashing down.

This is the point where my friends tell me that I’m way too cynical. That football games are one of the best events ever created, and we should welcome them like a crying baby does the embrace of a parent. They are right of course. Enjoy tomorrow, and if at all possible get yourself to a game in person. Thanks to the Northeast Sports Network and improvements in technology, watching a NESCAC football game at home is now a great alternative, but nothing beats the ability to watch a game in person. Alright, enough of me rambling: on to the analysis.

Five to Watch

  1. Quarterback Reece Foy ’18 (Amherst): Coach EJ Mills has been loathe to disclose who his starting QB is, but the game preview on the Amherst website and one source have tipped us off to the fact that Foy is getting the nod for the start. Foy has talent, as he actually played at the University of San Diego (DI-AA) for a year before transferring to Amherst before last season. Foy battled for the starting position early in the year before Max Lippe ’15 retook control of the position down the stretch. At only 5’9″, Foye can have trouble seeing all of his reads. He is a good athlete though we didn’t see him run much last year. Even though Foy might start, I still think we see Alex Berluti ’17 play quarterback at some point, also.
  2. Safety Justin Sanchez ’17 (Wesleyan): As one of the two returners on defense for the Cardinals, Sanchez has to be spectacular against Matt Milano ’16 and Middlebury. Stars Donnie Cimino ’15 and Jake Bussani ’14 helped allow Sanchez to roam free and make plays in the run game (he led the Cardinals in tackles last season with 58), but Coach Dan DiCenzo will ask him to do more in pass defense this game. The Wesleyan defense might struggle to stop Middlebury, but if they get a couple of turnovers, that would also be huge. A noted ball-hawk, Sanchez is their best bet to make that happen.
  3. Defensive End James Howe ’16 (Williams): Does dominant 2013 James Howe return or are teams still able to scheme and stop him like in 2014? That question is one Ephs fans are hoping to see answered on Saturday. Top level talent like what Howe displayed in 2013 is rare in the NESCAC, and it can swing games. The defensive line besides Howe is young, but that is no excuse for him as a senior now. I will be watching Howe in person at Bowdoin while (shameless personal plug alert) I am doing the color commentary for NSN, so rest assured that I will keep a close eye on him.
  4. Outside Linebacker Patrick Williams ’16 (Tufts): This is a name you might not know right now, but I have a feeling that Williams is going to have a big senior year. He had 43 tackles and an interception a year ago; solid numbers but nothing special for sure. However, at 6’2″ and 220 he has exceptional size for his position and he moves pretty well. He was only moved to linebacker last season, and he has a better understanding of the position this year. Also, his dream job is to see the world while making money. Me too, Patrick, me too.
  5. Wide Receiver Darrien Myers ’17 (Trinity): Myers has a lot of hype around him after being selected fifth in our Fantasy Draft. Not actually, but Myers is important to watch because he could help create big plays in the passing game for Trinity. That was something the Bantams struggled with last year after relying on AJ Jones ’14 to be a game breaker for them for a long time. In 2014, Myers was targeted on a lot of short passes near the line of scrimmage in order to get him the ball in space and make plays, but it really makes more sense to allow him to use his speed and get behind the defense for big plays.

Game Previews

Editors Note: We are going to cover Wesleyan vs. Middlebury in depth this afternoon. Just sit tight on that one.

Amherst at Bates: Lewiston, Maine, 1:00 PM.

So Foy is the QB, but that doesn’t change much about the Jeffs. Nick Kelly ’17 is going to get the ball a lot, and Kenny Adinkra ’16 and Raheem Jackson ’17 should also get nearly 10 carries apiece. That offensive line had trouble creating holes in 2014 as the Jeffs ran for only 126 yards on 37 carries (42 yards came on one run too). Look out for any tweaks to the Amherst scheme like them rolling Foy out of the pocket or using the read option more because they knew whomever won the starting job would be better suited for that type of offense. A major concern for Foy is just limiting mistakes and taking care of the ball.

#2 Jackson McGonagle '16 is hoping the Amherst passing attack can break out this year. (Courtesy of Amherst Athletics)
#2 Jackson McGonagle ’16 is hoping the Amherst passing attack can break out this year. (Courtesy of Amherst Athletics)

Outside of Wesleyan, nobody lost more from its roster than Bates so I am not quite sure what to expect from them. The game last year was touch and go to the end, but the defense for Bates will have difficulty keeping this one low-scoring. The best hope for a Bates victory comes from being able to control the clock and hit Mark Riley ’16 on a lot of third downs. The Jeffs of course get the benefit of playing the Bobcats first and have had ample time to get ready defensively to defend the triple option. The 3-4 defense that Amherst runs is already well-suited to stopping it, and the Jeffs have more than enough athleticism in the front seven to make plays. This one won’t be as close as it was last year, but Amherst doesn’t blow many teams out either.

Prediction: Amherst 23 – Bates 7

Williams at Bowdoin: Brunswick, Maine, 1:00 PM

The first game for JB Wells is a chance for Bowdoin to wipe the slate clean and put last year’s 36-0 blowout loss to Williams in the rear mirror. That moment turned out to be the high moment of the year for Williams who face a lot of questions entering the season.

The loss of safety Justin Harris ’17 for the season is a tough one especially since the Ephs also lost Tom Cabarle ’15 to graduation. Corners Taysean Scott ’17 and Mike Davis ’17 are still very good, but the Ephs will really have to hope that their front seven can handle Bowdoin’s running attack without having to bring one of the inexperienced safeties into the box. That running attack is led by Tyler Grant ’17, who didn’t do much in this game last year. The new Bowdoin offense will look similar when they line up, but the action after the snap will be very different. The Polar Bears want to throw the ball more than they did last year, and Dan Barone ’16 will be targeted in the passing game early and often. Because he works out of the slot a lot, I’m not sure how Williams will matchup with him, but he could give the outside linebackers fits.

I’m higher on Austin Lommen ’16 in his senior year than most, and he needs to prove in this game that he can lead the offense even if the running game isn’t working. The Williams receivers will have a large height advantage in at least one of their match ups, but that has often been the case, and they haven’t found a way to exploit it.

As a reminder, I (Adam) played for Bowdoin my freshman year and do not pick their games because of that. So the prediction is from Joe.

Prediction: Bowdoin 17 – Williams 13

Trinity at Colby: Waterville, Maine, 1:00 PM

In case you forgot, Trinity comes into the season with a three-game losing streak. They are going to come ready to play. Sonny Puzzo ’18 is the QB with Henry Foye ’16 ready to play, also. The big battle is in the trenches between the inexperienced Trinity offensive line and the veteran Colby defensive line. The Bantams ended up running all over Colby in the second half last year, but that was after the front seven had been worn down. Chris Marano ’17, Ryan Ruiz ’16 and the rest of that defensive line have to get penetration and stop those big Trinity running backs before they get a head of steam going. When Puzzo does go to throw the ball, he should have great success with all of his talented receivers back against the very inexperienced Colby secondary.

Jabari Hurdle-Price '17 become the team's feature back once Carl Lipani '17 went down with an injury last season and proved that he can carry the load, averaging 4.1 YPC. (Dustin Satloff/Colby College Athletics)
Jabari Hurdle-Price ’17 become the team’s feature back once Carl Lipani ’17 went down with an injury last season and proved that he can carry the load, averaging 4.1 YPC. (Dustin Satloff/Colby College Athletics)

Running back Carl Lipani ’17 had great success running against the Trinity front seven last year, and the Mules have to keep that level of commitment to running the ball in order to not have their defense tired at the end of the game. That also means quarterback Gabe Harrington ’17 has to complete above 60 percent of his passes. The entire linebacking group for Trinity is new, and so Harrington should put pressure on them to make tackles in space by getting the ball to either his running backs or receivers in the flats. Trying to throw the deep ball against Trinity safety Spencer Donahue ’17 is not a winning proposition. The Mules keep it close again for a while, but the strength of Trinity wins out over four quarters

Prediction: Trinity 22 – Colby 16

Tufts at Hamilton: Clinton, New York, 1:00 PM

Year two of Dave Murray’s tenure begins with a Tufts team coming to town eager to prove they are a better team than the one that beat Hamilton a year ago and that they can win on the road. The key for Hamilton is improvement on defense. They held opponents to under 30 points just three times all season in 2014. The good news is that most of the defense is back, and they had to fend off competition for their spots. The offense should be decent overall, but I don’t like the way that things matchup for Hamilton against Tufts. The Continentals had over 400 yards of offense last year, but they didn’t finish drives.

Tufts will run the bubble screen until the Continentals prove they can stop it, and that isn’t easier given the skills of the Tufts slot receivers. I am worried about the quarterback play for Tufts, though. Alex Snyder ’17 has not grabbed the job in the fashion that the coaches were hoping he would, and the Tufts offense will have to be more effective than it was last year when they relied heavily on their defense and special teams to create points. I’ve actually gone back and forth on this one a little because I do like what Murray is selling at Hamilton, but I don’t think his first win comes in this one.

Prediction: Tufts 19 – Hamilton 13

2015 NbN Preseason All-NESCAC Teams

Adam and I decided to make things simple and go with 11 players on each side of the ball, one kicker, one punter and one return man on each team. These selections are based off of the best preseason research into NESCAC football that you can find. Some of these predictions will prove correct, and some will certainly prove foolish, but as of now, consider the following players the most likely to garner accolades at season’s end. These young men all have a great combination of skill, drive and opportunity in the coming season.

Your 2015 NbN Preseason All-NESCAC Teams:

FIRST TEAM
Offense
Position Name School Class
QB Matt Milano Middlebury 2016
RB LaDarius Drew Wesleyan 2015
RB Nick Kelly Amherst 2017
WR Matt Minno Middlebury 2016
WR Mark Riley Bates 2016
WR Mike Rando Tufts 2017
OL Matt Netto Bowdoin 2016
OL Jim Daniels Amherst 2016
OL Blake Cunningham Wesleyan 2016
OL Matt Porter Trinity 2016
OL Lyle Seebeck Bates 2016
Defense
Position Name School Class
DE Lyle Baker Trinity 2016
DE Ryan Ruiz Colby 2016
DT Paul Johnson Amherst 2017
LB Alex Daversa-Russo Wesleyan 2016
LB Tim Patricia Middlebury 2016
LB Frank Leyva Trinity 2016
LB Mark Upton Bates 2017
CB Nate Leedy Middlebury 2017
S Justin Sanchez Wesleyan 2017
S Mike Stearns Tufts 2017
CB Jaymie Spears Amherst 2016
Specials
Position Name School Class
K Ike Fuchs Wesleyan 2017
P Kyle Pulek Trinity 2016
RS Darrien Myers Trinity 2017
SECOND TEAM
Position
QB Austin Lommen Williams 2016
RB Tyler Grant Bowdoin 2017
RB Chance Brady Tufts 2017
WR Ryder Arsenault Colby 2017
WR Jackson McGonagle Amherst 2016
FB Rob Murray Colby 2016
OL Andy Klarman Middlebury 2017
OL Chris Simmons Trinity 2018
OL Sam Hart Amherst 2016
OL Akene Farmer-Michos Tufts 2016
OL Charlie Grossnickle  Williams  2016
Defense
DE James Howe Williams 2016
DE Nadim Elhage Bowdoin 2016
DT Gil Araujo Middlebury 2016
LB James O’Grady Williams 2016
LB John Phelan Hamilton 2016
LB Thomas Kleyn Amherst 2016
LB Matt McCormack Tufts 2016
CB Rob Manning Wesleyan 2016
S Dan Pierce Middlebury 2016
S Jimmy Fairfield-Sonn Amherst 2016
CB Yosa Nosamiefan Trinity 2017
Specials
K Zach Altneau Hamilton 2018
P Andrew Murowchick Bowdoin 2016
RS Ryan Rizzo Middlebury 2017

Final Preseason Power Rankings

The Panthers - as expected - top our 2015 Preseason Power Rankings. (Photo by Joe MacDonald
The Panthers – as expected – top our 2015 Preseason Power Rankings. (Photo by Joe MacDonald

Editor’s Note:

Below Contributor Nick DiBendetto gives us the first of our weekly installments of our Power Rankings. DiBo will be our Power Ranker, if you will, for the remainder of the 2015 football season. These rankings are as up-to-the-minute as you get, and could reflect the newest information available and any discussions had among the editors and contributors. Admittedly, though, these preseason ranks do follow our projected records (included in parentheses) fairly closely. Check back weekly to see how each team has moved through the ranks.

1. Middlebury (8-0)

We have projected Middlebury to be the outright NESCAC Champions, something they have not done since 2007. The team looks strong with plenty of returners on both sides of the ball. They will be a very good, physical team. UNLV transfer Jared Lebowitz ’18, a 6’4″ Vermont native, will compete and push an already great senior quarterback in Matt Milano ’16. The Panthers are the safest bet at this point for a NESCAC title.

2. Amherst (7-1)

Amherst is coming off their fifth NESCAC Championship season, and is going to give the title another run. They boast running back Nick Kelly ’17, but they don’t seem to have a go-to guy at quarterback, which should make for two very difficult games against Trinity and Middlebury. Their typically strong offensive line looks nimble as ever this season, which could be big for Kelly.

3. Trinity (6-2)

The Bantams have a refined team this season with the addition of two serious offensive threats in quarterback Sonny Puzzo ’18, and 21 year-old rookie running back Joe Moreno ’19. The All-Time NESCAC Championship tally still belongs to Trinity with six titles, but they are planning to make it seven. This will be no easy task with Middlebury and Amherst right in the way, two teams that Trinity so badly wants redemption against. If Trinity’s anticipative offense can make some magic happen, the defense will grind out games – and the Coop may find itself basked in glory for one last time before Jessee/Miller Field is torn down for a renovation project.

4. Wesleyan (5-3)

This team was runner-up last year, but they are not returning many starters. Running back LaDarius Drew ’15 poses a lethal threat to opposing defenses. The quarterback race is not over, but there seems to be looming promise in quarterback Gernald Hawkins ’18, who comes from a football-rich area in West Park, FL which borders Miami. They kick the season off against Middlebury – which feels like a loss already, but don’t count them out too soon because Hawkins is a wild card and may have the Panthers biting their nails.

5. Tufts (4-4)

Tufts is coming off a .500 season, and does not seem to have any answers for becoming a winning team. There is reason to lack confidence in their quarterback, Alex Snyder ’17, who was average in limited play last season. If he is able to find some mojo within him Tufts could potentially get five wins this season. The defense looks solid, and look for Chance Brady ’17 to be leading the offensive rush. Don’t count the Jumbos completely out, but it does not look like they will display much improvement this season.

6. Colby (2-6)

The only real surprise in this week’s Power Ranks, the Mules are projected for a 2-6 record but could rise to greater heights. QB Gabe Harrington ’17 has potential to make big strides this season, the two-headed monster at running back should be one of the league’s best, and a few of the returners on defense are real difference-makers.

7. Bates (3-5)

The Bobcats have some playmakers this year, but it is a matter of if they can pull it together in time. Quarterback Pat Dugan ’16 hopes to stay healthy this season, and he will have some good receivers to throw to and experience behind him in his running backs. This team has talented players, but it is unlikely they will find themselves with a winning record come the end of November. I think they will give teams a real run for their money and even give a scare to some of the top dogs in the conference, but Bates is likely to crumble in the big moments due to their inexperience.

8. Williams (2-6)

The Williams offense looks solid this season with some weapons at TE, in particular, and a solid O-line to protect Austin Lommen ’16, the Boston College transfer. Their defense is going to be young, so that will really hurt them and their offense is unlikely to put up enough points to cope with the raw defense.

9. Bowdoin (3-5) 

The Polar Bears are hoping for Trey Brown ’16 to come out of hibernation and make a big impact at running back. After three ACL injuries in three years and then spending a year as a student trainer, Brown could spell Tyler Grant ’17 for significant portions of time. Beyond their Boobie Miles project there are many spots up for grabs. The Polar Bears do feature a lot of depth on the O-line, which could allow for Brown and quarterback Tim Drakeley ’17 to do some damage. Bowdoin’s new coach JB Wells is looking to turn this program around, but it will be no walk in the park.

10. Hamilton (0-8)

Last in the ‘CAC a year ago, Hamilton is determined to not go all season without winning a game again. They may be looking at QB Brandon Tobin ’18 to switch up the offensive gears and make gallant decisions. LaShawn Ware ’18 will come back as running back and is expected to have a very good season. In general, the team is more focused than ever and may actually upset a few teams, and a realistic goal for them would to get to .500.

 

Dreams Never Die: NESCAC Fantasy Football is Back!

 

We know you were hoping that we wouldn’t do this again. That we’d stop pretending that this is the NFL and just let the kids play. That we’d retire our make-believe fantasies of running an NFL organization and building a perennial championship competitor.

But we did it anyway.

This season, four opponents once again step up to the plate and compete for NESCAC Fantasy Supremacy – editors Joe MacDonald and Adam Lamont, longtime contributor Carson Kenney and newcomer Nick DiBenedetto.

The rules are basically the same as last year. We shrunk the roster size slightly, bringing it down to 14 players. We’ll be starting two each of QBs, RBs and WRs, one TE, one FLEX (RB, WR, TE), a D/ST and a K. Each team has four bench spots.

With this week as an exception, player acquisitions will be made on Tuesdays every week via the very sophisticated method of group chat. The waiver order will always go in reverse order of the standings. If there is a tie in the standings the tiebreakers listed below will take affect.

The following two sections are basically copied verbatim from last year’s initial fantasy article:

 

Scoring:
Our scoring scheme is essentially the same as an ESPN standard league, so in the interest of saving time and space I won’t put down every point total here.
The only difference is in the points we award for passing. In ESPN standard leagues, QB’s receive one point for every 25 passing yards and four points for a TD pass. However, the NFL is much more pass happy than the NESCAC. Over the three years from 2011-2013 (I chose not to go through the tedious work of adding the 2014 information to this study), there were 316 passing touchdowns and 306 rushing touchdowns in the NESCAC, and 45,452 passing yards compared to 34,181 rushing yards. So, we decided to award six points for touchdowns of any kind (passing, rushing or receiving), and one point for every 20 passing yards as opposed to 25. Running backs and receivers earn one point for every 10 yards on the ground or through the air.
One other miscellaneous note: individual players do not receive points for kick returns. For example, Darrien Myers ’17 is one of the league’s best return men, but if he runs a kickoff back for a touchdown he will accrue no points, while the Trinity D/ST will receive six.

Schedule:
We will be competing in weekly head-to-head matchups. There are four teams, so each team will play each other team twice over the first six weeks. Weeks 7 and 8 will serve as a single-elimination playoff. The top seed will play the fourth seed, the second will play the third, and the winners of the Week 7 matchups will compete for the title.
First tie-breaker: Head-to-head record
Second tie-breaker: Most points in head-to-head matchups
Playoff tie-breaker: QB points
Second playoff tie-breaker: RB points
Third playoff tie-breaker: WR points

We’ve also added one new wrinkle to try and compensate for the most glaring inefficiency in NESCAC Fantasy Football – injuries. So, if an owner plays an individual who ends up not appearing in that week’s game, and there was no prior indication that he would not be playing (meaning that he played the entire game last week, and to the best of our knowledge was healthy going into the current Saturday), then the owner will receive the average of all the players on his bench who are eligible to play that position. Make sense? Good.

Below is how the draft itself shook out. Some picks might raise a few eyebrows. After each round there is a bit of analysis from one of the team owners.

ROUND 1:

Joe MacDonad: Middlebury QB Matt Milano ’16
Adam Lamont: Amherst RB Nick Kelly ’16
Carson Kenney: Wesleyan RB LaDarius Drew ’15
Nick DiBenedetto: Trinity RB Joe Moreno ’19

Joe: The NESCAC is a running back-heavy league. So I took the gunslinging Matt Milano. No one throws it quite as often or effectively as Middlebury, and that offense is loaded. I really wanted either Drew or Moreno in Round 2 (specifically Drew), but my competitors were too smart for that. Shocker. I also will be interested to see if Moreno can really return this level of value.

ROUND 2

ND: Trinity WR Darrien Myers ’17
CK: Middlebury WR Matt Minno ’16
AL: Tufts RB Chance Brady
JM: Wesleyan RB Lou Stevens

Adam: Such a blatant homer pick by Nick to take Trinity WR Darrien Myers ’17 that you can’t help but love it. The Minno pick could be considered high for a WR, but he looks primed for a massive year the way he and Milano found chemistry down the stretch. I love Chance Brady, might have picked him a little high there at seven. Joe showed his respect for the Wesleyan offense by taking another Cardinals running back eighth.

ROUND 3

JM: Bowdoin RB Tyler Grant
AL: Williams QB Austin Lommen
CK: Trinity QB Sonny Puzzo
ND: Colby QB Gabe Harrington

Carson: I got off to a great start in my opinion by snagging Drew and Minno, but I needed a quarterback. As a Trin alumn/current employee, obviously my allegiance is with the Bantams. Puzzo didn’t play at all last year so he should have a lot to prove. Word on the street is the kid is about to blow, and since he’ll get fantasy points through the air and on the ground, I thought he was a good choice at QB. Adam taking Lommen that early, in my opinion, was a bit of a panic pick.

ROUND 4

ND: Bowdoin WR Dan Barone
CK: Bates WR Mark Riley
AL: Wesleyan QB Gernald Hawkins
JM: Colby RB Jabari Hurdle-Price

Nick: Mac’s pick in the fourth round looks promising. The Colby RB’s should have ample opportunities to put fantasy points on the board. Mark Riley seems to be Bates’ weapon, that may or may not work out for Carson as teams may stack Riley’s side. Adam went with a young Wesleyan QB in the fourth round, which could prove to be the pick of the draft. The Floridian knows what football is, but does he know how to play in the frozen tundras of the Coop. Gernald Hawkins could emerge as a big-time player this year. Lastly, Dan Barone is a solid pick as he should be a big contributor to Bowdoin’s offense at wide receiver.

ROUND 5

JM: Middlebury WR Ryan Rizzo
AL: Colby WR Ryder Arsenault
CK: Middlebury RB Jonathan Hurvitz
ND: Amherst QB Alex Berluti

Joe: If you’ve read anything I’ve written about Middlebury this season, I’ve been hyping up Rizzo like you wouldn’t believe. Full disclosure, he’s a friend of mine, but he’s also a damn good football player. The caveat is that there are some other really good wideouts pushing him right now, and I could see Conrad Banky ’19 taking away some of his reps. But I think when the time comes, Rizzo will produce.

ROUND 6

ND: Trinity TE Matt Hirshman
CK: Trinity WR Ian Dugger
AL: Tufts WR Mike Rando
JM: Tufts TE Nik Dean

Adam: Quickly getting into the part of the draft where we say, why not, I’ll take him. Hirshman didn’t have a catch last year so total trust pick. Carson also stays loyal to Trinity and makes a solid pick with Dugger. Then Joe and I go back to back with Tufts guys, two good picks. Nik Dean at tight end is a really good one for Joe because the NESCAC as a league does not tend to use tight ends in the passing game very often, and Dean should get consistent targets.

ROUND 7

JM: Colby WR Mbasa Mayikana
AL: Bates Slotback Shaun Carroll
CK: Amherst TE Rob Thoma
ND: Wesleyan TE Ben Kurtz

Carson: I was confident in the team I had picked up to this point. Have a good group of receivers, two running backs I like, a QB, so I figured I needed a tight end. I wanted to take Hirshman since he’s a Bantam and is looking to have a big year, but DiBo had a stroke and forgot how to human, so I let him have him. Amherst is going to be good this year but they are inexperienced at QB. So why not throw quick passes to your TE? Also, I like Monty’s pick with Carroll. Could have a sneaky good year in Bates’s two slotback offense.

ROUND 8

ND: Trin D/ST
CK: Amherst D/ST
AL: Amherst WR Jackson McGonagle
JM: Tufts QB Alex Snyder

Nick: I started off the eighth round with a flawless pick in the Trinity D/ST. The Bantams are on brink of another undefeated season, and if all goes well, the Trinity defense will be up to par. Trinity had a solid special teams last year, and Devanney welcomes in a true competitor in a freshman kicker. Carson followed in my footsteps, taking one of the other top defenses in the league. The Amherst defense is gritty and they are looking to repeat as undisputed NESCAC Champions. If all goes well for Amherst, this pick from CK will be the right one. Adam has a nice pick with Amherst wide reciever Jackson McGonagle, coming into his senior year he should be a threat, and we heard that he trained with a lot of D-I talent this summer – potential for consistent points there. Really uneasy about Joe’s pick here. Why go with a QB who is going to win one game this year!?!? Tufts QB Alex Snyder has seemed to grow exponentially since his freshman year, but I’d rather see Joe choose a winning QB.

ROUND 9

JM: Hamilton RB LaShawn Ware
AL: Wesleyan K Ike Fuchs
CK: Wesleyan WR Neil O’Connor
ND: Williams RB Connor Harris

Joe: I like my pick better than the rest here. I actually think the Hamilton O can be middle of the pack, as Ware is a good runner, and whoever ends up starting for Hamilton – whether that’s Brandon Tobin or Chase Rosenberg – will be doing so because they had a promising camp. Either Rosenberg will have shown improvement, or Tobin will have come in and wrestled the starting job away. I do think Connor Harris could be a steal, though. He showed off his athleticism in the return game last season. Let’s see if that translates to the backfield now.

ROUND 10

ND: Middlebury TE Trevor Miletich
CK: Trinity WR Nick Gaynor
AL: Williams TE Alex Way
JM: Trinity RB Ethan Suraci

Adam: The round started with Nick changing his pick from the Trinity freshman kicker who he couldn’t remember the name of to Middlebury’s tight end Trevor Miletich ’16. Ended up working out pretty nice for him. Then what felt like the 20th Trinity player came off the board. I grabbed my tight end in Alex Way, and then somehow Joe decided that it was necessary to take yet another Trinity player with his pick. Unless the Bantams score 100 points a game, some of these picks are going to look quite silly.

ROUND 11

JM: Midd D/ST
AL: Tufts WR Ben Berey
CK: Middlebury K Charlie Gordon
ND: Trinity Kicker

Carson: I’m a big believer that kickers are the most underrated player on your fantasy team. A good kicker can get you an easy 10-12 points a week which can be huge in winning a matchup. I took Mason Crosby in the seventh round of my real life fantasy draft (which I’ve started out 0-2 so what do I know). Gordon should only have to worry about extra points for most of the year, or kicks from 30 yards or closer, so I’m optimistic he can get me quality points every week. Trinity Kicker is a funny name for a person but I trust Dibo knows what he’s doing.

ROUND 12

ND: Middlebury RB Diego Meritus
CK: Middlebury QB Jared Lebowitz
AL: Hamilton WR Pat Donahue
JM: Bates QB Pat Dugan

Nick: Diego was my Middlebury RB pick out of the hat, but he is actually nasty after watching his highschool highlight film. Carson went with Middlebury’s hometown (sort of) hero. Jared Lebowitz is a big bodied sophomore QB who may not see the field due to Matt Milano, but I believe Lebowitz is up and coming. Backup QB’s are awkward picks, but in the 12th round he is a fine pick. Adam chose Pat Donahue. Joe went with the Bates senior which is a good pick to get a starting QB this late.

ROUND 13

JM: Middlebury WR James Burke
AL: Colby RB Carl Lipani
CK: Bates Slotback Frank Williams
ND: Bowdoin QB Tim Drakeley

Joe: I think Burke is a steal here, and I actually had Banky on my mind but couldn’t pass up on Midd’s starting wideout opposite of Minno. Sure, maybe a bit of a homer pick, but I like Burke’s upside way more than anybody picked after him. Maybe Lipani will make me look like a fool, though, if he can seriusly cut into Hurdle-Price’s carries.

ROUND 14

ND: Middlebury WR Tanner Contois
CK: Trinity QB Henry Foye
AL: Wes Defense/ST
JM: Amherst K Charlie Wall

Adam: Taking a Midd wide receiver late is never a bad pick since they throw the ball so often, even though Contois is pretty deep on the depth chart right now. I grabbed the Wesleyan Defense/ST, realizing my mistake of not grabbing one of Trinity, Middlebury, or Amherst too late. Wesleyan had a great defense a year ago, but that unit is almost entirely gone. I think that while the defense will take a step back, this will still be a good unit because of the talent on the roster and the coaching ability of the Wesleyan staff.

All In: Corey Burns’ Courage and Determination Drive the Jumbos

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Defensive Tackle Corey Burns ’16 making a tackle against Colby. (Courtesy of Tufts Athletics)

Tufts football is coming off a huge year for the program in which it won its first game since the 2011 season opener. The Jumbos had a solid season, battling to a .500 record and the fifth spot in the NESCAC while going undefeated at home. The 2015 Jumbos hope to build on last season’s successes, and to do so, they will count on captains Matt McCormack ’16 and Corey Burns ’16 as their leaders.

McCormack is a linebacker from River Forest, Illinois, and has been a vital part of the Jumbo defense throughout his career here. Just last season, McCormack anchored Tufts on the defensive side of the ball with 52 solo tackles and 36 assisted tackles, adding up to a team-high 88 combined takedowns and an average of 11.0 tackles per game. Lots of focus will be centered around McCormack this year when opposing offenses take the field, but McCormack thinks his co-captain, defensive lineman Corey Burns, deserves just as much attention.

“Corey is the ultimate leader by example,” McCormack said. “There is nobody more passionate, harder working, or more ‘all-in’ than Corey.”

Burns came to Tufts three years ago from Whitman-Hanson Regional High School in southeastern Massachusetts. At Whitman-Hanson, Burns was primarily a linebacker, while also mixing in sometimes on the offensive line. However, when Tufts Coach Jay Civetti was in search of a defensive lineman at the Boston College recruiting camp the summer before Corey’s senior year, Coach Civetti locked in on Burns’ potential and focused on getting the Whitman native into a Jumbo uniform. Civetti was extremely excited when Burns committed while on his visit to Tufts, not just because of the football aspect, but because of Burns’ intangibles, which he described as follows:

“Corey is always a positive person, and always puts team and family first. He is one of the most selfless guys I’ve ever met in my life. If anybody in this community needed something and he could provide for them, he would do that.”

Burns is as hard a worker as anyone, exemplified by his strong performance academically in addition to his football success. Burns double majors in community health and economics, and he was accepted to the Tufts Master’s program for public health, a very competitive one-year program that starts this coming spring. His academic success is a prime example of how well-rounded Burns is, and he has excelled both in the classroom and on the field since his freshman year.

At this point in his Tufts career, Burns has played the most snaps on the Jumbo roster. He has been a four-year starter for the ‘Bos, and hopes to continue to build on last season’s successes. Burns had a great season individually last year, tallying eight solo tackles, 10 assists and two sacks. Losing their first 16 games in brown and blue was certainly rough for this year’s Tufts seniors, but the ‘Bos built up a ton of confidence last year when they won their first game in three seasons.

“The elephant was finally out of the room,” Burns joked.

Corey Burns 2Though losing games can be difficult, Burns has been dealing with a much greater test off the field during his time on campus. Bernie Burns, Corey’s father, has been battling early-onset Alzheimer’s throughout Corey’s college career. Though Bernie was sick before Corey started at Tufts, the illness progressed significantly during Corey’s freshman year, and due to the financial strains that this disease was putting on his family, Corey began to look at other, cheaper schools. He visited Wheaton College in Chicago, but having fallen in love with Tufts, he knew he had to find a way to stay in Somerville. The financial aid office was able to provide some support, and by finding work around campus and becoming a Residential Assistant in the dorms, Corey made Tufts affordable for his family.

During his sophomore year, before the Tufts Parents’ Weekend game against Bowdoin, Corey had asked Coach Civetti what he could do to help raise awareness for Alzheimer’s. Through SAAC,the Student-Athletic Advisory Committee (of which Corey was a member), Corey and Coach Civetti were able to organize an event to help raise awareness and funding for the disease. The team wore purple laces and the crowd was filled with purple t-shirts as the Bowdoin game was played in honor of Bernie Burns, who also gave the pregame speech.

“I wanted to show my dad that I can have his back even though I’m not at home taking care of him,” Corey said.

Despite the emotion-filled game, the Jumbos lost on a heartbreaking interception in the final seconds, further enhancing their frustration.

Though the 2013 Bowdoin game was a tough one to swallow for Tufts, Bernie’s pregame speech delivered a message that has inspired Corey since that moment. Bernie’s message was about being “all-in,” a phrase that has stuck with his son. For Corey, all-in is about “bringing the juice everyday,” and putting 100 percent effort into everything you do. It’s such a simple concept, but it has paid huge dividends for the Jumbos since that game. It’s not just Corey and Bernie’s phrase anymore – the entire team is investing in this idea.

Wide receiver Matt Cahill ’16 spoke on the phrase, saying, “No matter what you do you go all in. Give it everything you’ve got in everything you do every time.”

McCormack added, “Forget distractions and realize that you’ll have to make sacrifices. It embodies everything you look for in a teammate.”

No matter what each player’s personal definition may be, the idea is constant, and it is something that has bonded this group together so far this year.

“If everybody is on board with this idea,” Corey said, “we could definitely have a shot at competing for the championship.”

Corey Burns with his father after a Tufts' football game. Courtesy of Corey Burns)
Corey Burns with his father after a Tufts’ football game. (Courtesy of Corey Burns)

The team is not only all-in on football, however; Tufts Football is all-in for each other. The Jumbos’ dedication to their teammates was clear this summer when they participated in a fundraiser for Alzheimer’s research to support Corey and his family’s fight against the disease. Each summer, the Alzheimer’s Association pushes an effort to raise funds called The Longest Day. The event takes place on the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year, and is meant to support those battling Alzheimer’s, as well as to celebrate their strength and the strength of those close to them. The day works as follows: friends and family form a team and select a hobby of some sort to participate in for the 16 hours from sunrise to sunset. The idea is that while all this is going on, money is raised to donate to the Alzheimer’s Association to promote the research of the disease.

With the help of Jason Lynch, the development officer at the Alzheimer’s Association Massachusetts/New Hampshire chapter, as well as a few friends of Corey’s, the Tufts Football coaching staff organized participation in the Longest Day for the team. Corey was completely unaware of his team’s plan, and had been busy preparing for his own day, in which he climbed Mount Washington. When Corey reached the top of the mountain, however, he received a video in which Coach Civetti explained the team’s plan.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAfzXE5aVaA&feature=youtu.be

Since Corey is number 96, the coaching staff came up with the idea that each player on the team would run 96 steps in honor of Corey and Bernie. From sunrise to sunset on that day, there were at least three people running stairs each hour – an offensive player, a defensive player, and an alumni. The effort from the Tufts Football family was simply amazing. Players, coaches, former players, and others close to the program were running all day, and in most cases, filming their run and posting it to social media.

Defensive lineman Tucker Mathers ’17 ran in Singapore, while linebacker Patrick Williams ’16 ran in San Francisco. Offensive lineman TJ Muzzonigro ’17 ran steps in Honduras, and Coach Tom Beaton ran at a local high school in Darien, Connecticut where he was staying for a recruiting camp. Coach Civetti climbed the steps of Boston College’s Alumni Stadium. Players of all grades ran, and even incoming freshmen who had not yet met Corey were getting involved in the effort. Players were running in Boston, California, Maine, Florida, Chicago, Texas, France, Germany and Prague. The response from the team was simply incredible, and came at a time when the Burns family needed it most.

This summer, Bernie’s disease advanced to the point where it became necessary for him to move into a nursing home. The support that Corey’s teammates showed was incredible, and more than anyone would have expected from them. The Jumbo effort on the Longest Day was overwhelming for the Burns family, and when Corey called Coach Civetti at the top of the mountain, the two shared a very emotional moment.

“It was nice to see the squad had my back when I didn’t ask for it,” Corey commented.

The Jumbos would do this for anyone on their team, but Corey couldn’t be more deserving of this kind of gesture.

“Corey is one of the most hardworking, devoted and loyal teammates I have ever played with,” Cahill said. “He’s everything you want in a player and captain.

Admiration for Corey is felt by every player and coach in the Tufts program.

“I’m a believer in people who do the right things,” Coach Civetti said of Corey. “Corey has always been able to balance doing the right thing for the people and helping the team win. He does things the right way, he is trustworthy, and he leaves it all out there on game day.”

Corey’s personality has been an immense part of the positive culture that this program has developed over the last few years. Tufts Football is a very close-knit family, and Corey’s leadership is highly respected amongst his Jumbo brothers. It’s no surprise that the team has been so supportive of Corey and the Burns family throughout his time here in Somerville. Corey is the ultimate example of humility, and though he certainly wouldn’t aim to leave a personal legacy, he will never be forgotten in the Tufts Football program – Coach Civetti is going to make sure of that.

“Longest Day will be a staple in this program as long as I am the head coach here.”

If you would like to learn more about Alzheimer’s or donate to help fight the disease, check out the Alzheimer’s Association website at http://www.alz.org.

Underestimate the Champions at Your Own Risk: Amherst Season Preview

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Nick Kelly ’17 is back along with a lot of other friends in the backfield. (Courtesy of Amherst Athletics)

Projected Record: 7-1

Projected Offensive Starters (*Five Returning)

QB: Alex Berluti ’17
RB: Nick Kelly ’17*
WR: Jackson McGonagle ’16*
WR: Brian Ragone ’17*
WR: Nick Widen ’17
TE: Rob Thoma ’17
LT: Sam Hart ’16*
LG: Elijah Zabludoff ’18
C: Jim Daniels ’16*
RG: Cole Boehmer ’16
RT: Mitch Arthur ’18

Projected Defensive Starters: (*Eight Returning)

DE: Niyi Odewade ’17*
DT: Paul Johnson ’17*
DE: Sam Caldwell ’16*
OLB: Jack Drew ’16
ILB: Thomas Kleyn ’16*
ILB: Taylor Dean ’16
OLB: Parker Chapman ’17*
CB: Jaymie Spears ’16*
SS: Jimmy Fairfield-Sonn ’16*
FS: Chris Gow ’16*
CB: Stefan Soucy ’17

Offensive MVP: Running Back Nick Kelly ’17

Kelly had a great sophomore season, and we covered much of that already in our Player of the Year Preview, and so I wanted to talk about another skill player for Amherst who will also be a huge part of the offense. The wide receiving group is deep and is led by senior captain Jackson McGonagle ’16. The senior, who also is a great punter, was the primary deep threat for Amherst a year ago and will receive even more targets this year. Yet, a lot of his total yards came on one long touchdown against Bowdoin. He had twelve of his eighteen catches in the first three games of the season and saw his production take a major hit after that. Much of that can be traced to the change at quarterback to Max Lippe ’15, who sometimes threw to Gene Garay ’15 even if the entire defense was covering him. McGonagle has a good connection with whomever ends up as the QB this season, and that should help him have a banner senior year.

Defensive MVP: Cornerback Jaymie Spears ’16

We already talked about Spears, and not to give anything away but we will have more about him and the rest of the Amherst secondary later this week. Instead, focus on the man in the middle, inside linebacker Thomas Kleyn ’16. Last year Kleyn was the third leading tackler for Amherst, and he benefited from playing aside the departed Ned Deane ’15 in the middle of the defense. Kleyn got stronger and stronger as the year went along, with 37 of his 60 tackles coming in the final four games of the year. At 5’11” and 208 pounds (though that weight is from last year, and he has most likely gained a few pounds of muscle in the offseason), he can be described as that most desirable of linebacker traits: rugged. With the big defensive line taking up blockers in front of him, Kleyn has to be aggressive and fill gaps on run defense all season as his linebacking fellows get up to speed.

Biggest Surprise of Camp So Far: Guard Elijah Zabludoff ’18

Right off the bat, Zabludoff’s high school, John Bosco Prep in California (not to be confused with Don Bosco Prep in New Jersey) should catch your eye. In his senior season, John Bosco Prep went 16-0 and won the California state title. Zabludoff was a multi-year starter there, and even wrote about his senior year for the LA Times. Now in his sophomore year  at Amherst he has seized control of the right guard position with a great camp so far. At 300 pounds, he has a size advantage over almost every NESCAC defensive lineman. He isn’t some stiff either, and he will be an important part of making sure that the Jeffs can run the ball inside.

Biggest Game: Home vs. Trinity, November 7, 1:00 PM

Amherst has beaten Trinity in back-to-back years by one point, and the difference both years has been a missed extra point. Not that you can boil down the two games to simply that, but the kicking game has been a big advantage for Amherst. The Bantams will put in a little extra for this game given the recent history. The Jeffs have other huge games, but this will be their final big test of the season, and if they come in undefeated, a win would mean that they would most likely go perfect in back-to-back seasons. The game last season was dominated by the defenses. The Jeffs managed only 156 yards and nine first downs. The one touchdown for Amherst came courtesy of a short field after a Chris Tamasi ’15 forced fumble and recovery. Kelly was stonewalled all day and averaged 2.4 yards per carry. The Bantams were playing with their backup QB and could do nothing through the air. The game this year will in all likelihood follow a similarly lo- scoring script.

Best Tweet: Amherst never misses a chance to remind you that they have won a lot recently (rightfully so).

Summary:

I’m going to start with the negative stuff and get all of that out of the way early. First, the Jeffs had an amazing run last year, but didn’t they get just a little bit lucky? In the very first game of the year at home against Bates, the Lord Jeffs allowed a touchdown with 1:16 left to make the score 7-6. The Bobcats, sensing this was their best opportunity to win and also maybe not trusting their freshman kicker in a big situation, went for two and the win. Amherst knocked down the pass attempt, and Kelly sealed the win with a long run after the Jeffs recovered the onside kick. And that’s the game you don’t even remember that was close!

Then there was the rainstorm against Middlebury, Phillip Nwosu ’15 making a 41-yard field goal to tie the game against Wesleyan, and the Trinity missed field goal from 24 yards away that would have won the game in the final seconds. The Jeffs had to go 5-0 in single digit games to win the title. No team can flirt with a loss so many times and not eventually lose one. There is definitely skill involved in winning close games, but if you play a lot of close games and win them all, luck has to be a factor.

If the Jeffs play that many close games again, they will not go 8-0. I would bet my firstborn on it.

Then you have to look at the personnel losses. The starting quarterback, leading wide receiver (who had twice as many catches as anyone else), three longtime offensive line starters, an All-League kicker, and the two leading tacklers are all gone. That is a lot. Amherst has traditionally been able to withstand those types of losses, and they do have possible replacements or ways to replace them somehow. Yet, those players are still very much question marks.

The best place to start is at the quarterback spot, a position that has been unsettled for the past four seasons. Lippe was the starter essentially for three years, but he never completely won over the coaching staff and they were constantly tinkering with who played. The Jeffs once again have a quarterback battle going on. Coach EJ Mills was unwilling to commit to either Reece Foy ’18 or Alex Berluti ’17 when I talked to him last week. That might have changed after the scrimmage this weekend, but we won’t know until the opening kickoff who is going to be playing most of the time. What makes the decision so hard for Mills is that Foy and Berluti are very similar players. Both are short, can run, and have strong yet inaccurate arms. Foy is a slightly better runner, and Berluti is a little taller and better at standing in the pocket, but Mills is not choosing between a clash of styles. That similarity means he will likely play both guys and wait for one of them to grab the job in the first week or two of the season.

So I’ve spent a lot of time bashing the Jeffs, but there is a lot to love about this team. The defense is going to be special, and it is probably more talented than it was last year. The strength is the secondary where Spears, Chris Gow ’16, and Jimmy Fairfield-Sonn ’16 are all potential All-NESCAC talents this year. Up front Paul Johnson ’17 is a legitimate 300-pounder, something rarely seen on the defensive line in the NESCAC. The Jeffs also still have a lot of depth in the front seven meaning they can keep all of their defensive starters fresh.

At several spots where talented players graduated there won’t be much of a drop off. Charlie Wall ’18 replaces Nwosu, and even if he can’t quite fill Nwosu’s shoes, he should be a more than competent kicker. Linebackers Jack Drew ’16 and Parker Chapman ’17 both have to take on slightly bigger roles this year, but they produced a lot already last year and make that position as strong as ever. Sam Hart ’16 and Jim Daniels ’16 will ensure that the offensive line continues to create holes and give time for the quarterback. That running attack will be a good one. Besides Kelly, Amherst can rely on Kenny Adinkra ’16 and Raheem Jackson ’17 to carry the ball. All three of those backs have slightly different skill sets that the offense will be able to use.

The talent is still there for Amherst, but the margin for error is thin. The Jeffs first big test is that third game against Middlebury, and they will have to have figured out their quarterback situation by then. If one of Foy and Berluti emerges as an above-average starter, then a repeat 8-0 season is more than feasible. However, I don’t see that happening in time and think the Jeffs fall just short against the Panthers.

 

The Replacements (But Talented): Wesleyan Season Preview

Having Ike Fuchs back in the kicking game is one of the few constants for Wesleyan. (Courtesy of Wesleyan Athletics)
Having Ike Fuchs ’17 back in the kicking game is one of the few constants for Wesleyan. (Courtesy of Wesleyan Athletics)

Projected Record: 5-3

Projected Offensive Starters (*Two Returning)

QB: Gernald Hawkins ’18
RB: LaDarius Drew ’15
WR: Neil O’Connor ’17
WR: Mike Breuler ’18
TE: Ben Kurtz ’17*
TE: Dan Laorenza ’16
LT: Blake Cunningham ’16*
LG: Matt Polacek ’16
C: Matt Kuhn ’17
RG: Beau Butler ’18
RT: Shane Jenkins ’17

Projected Defensive Starters (*Two Returning)

DE: Jordan Stone ’17
DT: Shane Donovan ’16
DT: Jason Yu ’18
DE: Greg Blaize ’16
LB: Alex Daversa-Russo ’16*
LB: Shayne Kaminski ’17
LB: Jon Spivey ’16
DB: Justin Sanchez ’17*
DB: Elias Camacho ’18
DB: Zac Cuzner ’17
DB: Rob Manning ’16

Projected Specialists (*Returning)

K/P: Ike Fuchs ’17*

Offensive MVP: RB LaDarius Drew ’15

Drew is an elite talent in the NESCAC, and his return to the lineup after missing 2o14 with a foot injury might just be a Godsend. Running back is actually the Cardinals’ deepest position, with All-NESCAC First Teamer Lou Stevens ’17 and Jaylen Berry ’18 (5.6 YPC) backing up Drew – which means that this three-headed monster will be expected to carry a heavy load. A lot of responsibility will lie on the shoulders of captain and left tackle Blake Cunningham ’16 and his unit to create some holes for Drew and Co.

Defensive MVP: DB Justin Sanchez ’17

Sanchez and LB Alex Daversa-Russo ’16 were both Second-Team All-NESCAC last season and are the undisputed leaders of this defensive unit. Sanchez was the team’s leading tackler a year ago and picked off one pass. There is a bit more experience in Wesleyan’s defensive front than in the secondary, which might mean more chances for Sanchez to make plays and rack up big tackle numbers. Therefore I think he edges out Daversa-Russo as the team’s defensive MVP.

Biggest Game: September 26 vs. Middlebury

There are so many unknowns with this year’s team given the mass exodus (AKA graduation) from last year’s squad. For that reason, Week 1 will be a huge benchmark game for the Cards and first-year head coach Dan DiCenzo. Wesleyan will need to grind it out and shorten the game, not allowing the Panthers offense to get the ball too often. Look for Wesleyan to go right at the Middlebury front seven and try to overpower the Panthers while rotating all three of their running backs into the game. Sanchez and the rest of the inexperienced secondary might have difficulty slowing down the Middlebury passing attack, but they could force some errors and create turnovers for Wesleyan.

Best Tweet of the Offseason:

Are you kidding me, Justin Sanchez?

Summary:

There’s not much that’s known about the 2015 Wesleyan Cardinals. The returning starters are beasts, we know that. Drew, Stevens, Cunningham, Daversa-Russo and Sanchez will be counted on to produce big seasons this year. Matt Polacek ’16 and Shane Jenkins ’17 have experience on the O-line, so that unit shouldn’t miss too much of a beat and the running game will remain strong. Replacing Jesse Warren’s ’15 unparalleled efficiency at QB will be very difficult for the green Gernald Hawkins ’18, but he beat out three other talented players to win the job so clearly he’s shown that he can compete at this level. Hawkins went to Miramar High School in Florida, a big time program that won a state title in 2009. That was also the year AFTER  Jets quarterback Geno Smith graduated from Miramar High. Anyway, Hawkins is a threat both running and passing the ball, and his highlight tape shows him making really smart decisions against high level talent in Florida.

Among the newly-minted starters on the defensive side, DE Jordan Stone ’17 saw the most snaps in 2014. If this unit learned anything from the dominant 2015 class, which produced the very best YPG against average in all of D-III last season, they should still be an above average defense. The team’s overall MVP, however, might be K/P Ike Fuchs ’17, probably the league’s best kicker. Fuchs led all NESCAC kickers with 54 points last year. He hit 10 out of 13 of his field goals, and his misses came from 33, 34 and 43 – no gimmes at this level. He will take over the punting duties this year, as well, which were formerly handled by Warren.

Former Head Coach Mike Whalen, now the Wesleyan Athletic Director, has an amazing resume when it comes to building football programs in the NESCAC – first at Williams and now at Wesleyan. Now he hands over the reins to his former assistant DiCenzo, but only time will tell how this group will compare to the decorated 2015 class. Week 1 will – hopefully – answer a lot of our questions about the new wave of Cardinals.

Taking Back the Coop: Trinity Season Preview

Yosa Nosamiefan '17 (16) leads one of the country's best lockdown defenses from the corner position. Moving the ball on the Bantams is always tough. (Courtesy of Williams Athletics)
Yosa Nosamiefan ’17 (16) leads one of the country’s best lockdown defenses from the corner position. Moving the ball on the Bantams is always tough. (Courtesy of Williams Athletics)

Editors’ Note: While 99 percent of the work done in these previews is credited directly to the author, the projected records are a decision made together by the editors, Adam and Joe. So if you don’t like it, blame us.

Projected Record: 6-2

Projected Offensive Starters (*Four Returning)

QB: Sonny Puzzo ’18
RB: Joe Moreno ’19
TE: Matt Hirshman ’17
WR: Darrien Myers ’17*
WR: Ian Dugger ’16*
WR: Nick Gaynor ’17
LT: Matt Porter ’16*
LG: Franco Serrao ’16
C: Angel Tejada ’17
RG: Steve Krushell ’18
RT: Chris Simmons ’18*

Projected Defensive Starters (*Five Returning)

DE: Lyle Baker ’16*
DT: Matt D’Andrea ’17*
DE: Preston Kelly ’16*
LB: Liam Kenneally ’18
LB: Frank Leyva ’16
LB: Kevin Martin ’17
LB: John Murtagh ’16
Boundary CB: Yosa Nosamifan ’17*
FS: Spencer Donahue ’17*
DB: Dominique Seagears ’18
DB: Archi Jerome ’17

Offensive MVP: QB Sonny Puzzo ’18

QB Sonny Puzzo ’18, RB Joe Moreno’19 and WR Darrien Myers ’17 all stand out as X-factors. However, Puzzo will be the Offensive MVP because if Moreno and Myers are going to have good numbers, it will be a result of Puzzo’s performance. In his first collegiate season two years ago the dual-threat QB was the NESCAC Rookie of the Year, an award that Moreno might have an eye on this season, which would make it a three-peat for Trinity players and the aforementioned award. In Puzzo’s freshman year he threw for 950 yards on 72 completions with a 58.5 completion percentage and chipped in 191 yards on the ground.

Defensive MVP: FS Spencer Donahue ’17

There have been a few standout defensive players thus far in camp. Donahue and Lyle Baker ’16 at defensive end should make big impacts this season. The defensive MVP could go to either of these guys. Donahue might win the award because of his great instincts in the secondary. Last season, he had 23 tackles and two interceptions in eight games. He has improved this off-season and looks to be in great shape for a great season. His game-to-game preparation will be key in his success. Look for improved consistency from Donahue this fall.

Biggest Surprise in Camp: Coach Devanney feels great about how camp has gone this season.

“We’ve had more surprises – more positive surprises – in camp that I can ever remember. We have some upperclassmen who haven’t really done much for a couple of years, and they’ve worked their butts off to get themselves in a position to be better than I thought they would be. We also have some young players who are acting like they aren’t young players.”

It seems as though the Bantams will have a lot of depth this year, which may be very important considering that last season the team faded while going 0-3 down the stretch, and an injury to the team’s quarterback, Henry Foye ’16, really damaged the Bantams’ chances.

Biggest Game: October 31 at Middlebury

The biggest game will be the Middlebury game on Halloween – the same team that broke the Bantams’ hallowed home winning streak. Both teams hope to be undefeated at that point barring any slip ups. This game will be a grinder, playing in Vermont in October the air will be thinner and both teams are going to have to exhaust their engines in order to win this game. Trinity has lost two heartbreakers the past two seasons to Middlebury.

Jeff Devanney has led the Trinity program to a 60-12 record in nine seasons as head coach, including two undefeated seasons, and in 14 years with the program he has coached the No. 1 defense in the country five times.
Jeff Devanney has led the Trinity program to a 60-12 record in nine seasons as head coach, including two undefeated seasons, and in 14 years with the program he has coached the No. 1 defense in the country five times. (Courtesy of Trinity Athletics)

Best Tweet of the Offseason:

When a kid has all kind of obstacles thrown in his face, and for three straight years wants nothing but to walk out on the football field geared up and ready to play but for multiple reasons he can’t do it, and still he sticks with the game he loves and finally makes it back to where he wants to be … that’s when we remember what sports, especially at this level, are all about. Congrats, Joe, on making it to this point. Can’t wait to see you in these on September 26.

Summary:

The Bantam offense is laced with talent this year beyond the three key players mentioned above. There is still a battle at quarterback between Puzzo and Foye, tough it seems to be Puzzo’s spot to lose. Yet when Foye was healthy last season the Bantams did not lose and the Trinity faithful have trust in Foye and believe that either quarterback will be able to lead the Bantams to another undefeated season. Moreno is a gritty downfield type of runner who should be able to produce very consistent numbers running the ball. It is hard to see him breaking into defensive backfields for huge gains, but he is a guy that will get you yards on every carry. On the occasion he does come face-to-face with opponents in the backfield, Moreno can break tackles and get back to the line of scrimmage. Even though he has not played a collegiate game before, he will pose an immediate threat to opposing defenses. He may be a freshman in terms of eligibility, but he’s not a boy anymore at 21 years old. Coach Devanney even went so far to say Moreno reminds him of the dominant Evan Bunker ’14, the NESCAC’s all-time leading rusher. Myers plays the role of the speedster and doubles as the team’s go-to kick returner. As a freshman, Myers set a school record with 455 kickoff return yards. In addition to his light feet, he led the team with 21 receptions last season. Darrien is a clear veteran at this point in his career having played in all 16 games and recording at least one catch in all eight games in 2014. A new role at tight end may emerge this year with Matt Hirshman ’17 in place of the H-back role formerly filled by All-NESCAC player Michael Budness ’14. The big-bodied Hirshman stands at 6’3″ and has converted to tight end from being a quarterback as a freshman. Puzzo and Hirshman put in a lot of off-season work running routes, so look for the two of them to connect throughout the season. Trinity’s offense could prove to be lethal this year, and it may come down to protection at the line. Look forward to seeing Matt Porter ’16 and Chris Simmons ’18 at the tackles. Simmons is coming off a Rookie of the Year season. Franco Serrao ’16, a homegrown boy from right outside of Hartford, is also a lock to start somewhere on the O-line. The other two spots are entirely up for grabs, and in the mix are Angel Tejada ’17, Steve Krushell ’18, Joe Farrah’18 and Mike Castellana ’16. Their roles on the interior have yet to be decided, as well.

Fortunately Trinity’s defense is sound as always. The defensive line boasts some vicious athletes and might be the best in the NESCAC; the starters are DE Preston Kelly ’16, DT Matt D’Andrea ’17 and DE Baker. Beyond their veteran line, their defensive backfield should be consistent with Donahue holding down the reigns at a safety position. Also look for Frank Leyva ’16 to be a force at linebacker. The Florida native had 41 tackles, three sacks and two forced fumbles in 2014.

The Bantams are very solid on both sides of the field this year, and they are hoping for a huge improvement on special teams with a new kicker. The past two seasons have been plagued by poor field goal kicking, so Devanney has brought in a freshman who he claims is a real competitor and an athlete. Beyond all the good, a weakness this year for the Bantams will be their experience, as they are a generally young team. But, their biggest strength is speed, and speed kills. That is exactly what Coach Devanney and the Bantams plan to do this year. And the Head Coach has high hopes, predicting an undefeated season for his team. A lack of confidence will not be what causes the Bantams to fall short this season.