It’s finally here: opening day in the NESCAC. We’ve been waiting all fall for this, bored silly by the yawn-inducing NFL and Division 1 games. Below is what you should be looking forward to in Week 1. Three different writers contributed to these previews: Rory Ziomek took the Bates-Trinity and Colby-Williams games; Pete Lindholm took the Hamilton-Amherst and Middlebury-Bowdoin games; finally, Robert Treiber wrote the preview for the game of the week, Wesleyan-Tufts. Enjoy!
Bates vs. Trinity – Hartford, CT, 1:00PM
Well, the Alabamas and Ohio States of the world start their seasons with cupcake games, so why can’t Trinity do the same? Strictly based on matchups, this game shouldn’t even be close, especially if you consider that Trinity has the homefield advantage. Sonny Puzzo ‘18 returns to the Bantams boasting the highest passing yards total in 2015 out of returning players. Additionally, returning ROY Max Chipouras ‘19 is back from Trinity after leading the NESCAC in rushing touchdowns. These guys are weapons, but it’s not Coach Devanney’s offense that will make this a rout, it’s the combination of a subpar Bates offense and a stingy Trinity defense. Bates had the second lowest YPG total last year with 289.5 YPG. The Trinity defense, on the other hand, led the league by allowing only 253.3 YPG last season. Count the fact that Trinity has five returning defensive backs and eight total returning starters on D, and this game has the makings of a blowout. Bates runs the triple option, so their only chance is to get ahead early. If they can get out to an early lead, Bates can keep pounding the ball on the ground instead of being forced to pass. Frankly, I just don’t see this happening. This should be a good warm up game for Trinity.
Score Prediction: Bates – 7, Trinity – 24
Side note: Trinity is playing in honor of those struggling with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. If you are able, please consider making a donation!
Join us this Saturday for our @CoachToCureMD game and please Text CURE to 90999 to donate $5. pic.twitter.com/QsL3apUtW3
— TrinFootball (@TrinFootball) September 21, 2016
Colby vs. Williams – Williamstown, MA, 1:00PM
On one hand, Colby has the advantage of consistency that Williams lacks given their coaching change this offseason. On the other hand, that consistency hasn’t been much of an advantage for the Mules in years past, going 10-22 since Coach Michaeles took over as head coach in 2012. Mark Raymond took over for the Ephs after a very successful stint at St. Lawrence where he helped turn the Saints into one of the top programs in the Northeast, receiving both regional and national rankings throughout last season. Williams really struggled to score last year, primarily due to their mediocre running game, but the Ephs thrived passing the ball, ranking third in passing YPG. Williams’ main problem, however, was finishing off drives. Luckily for Coach Raymond, Colby is the only team that scored less than Williams last year, probably because of their heavy reliance on Jabari Hurdle-Price ‘17. Hurdle-Price ranked second in rushing YPG last year, and had the most carries in the league, clearly showing Colby’s dedication to the running game. If Williams can shut down Hurdle-Price, or at least contain him and force Colby to throw the ball, I think the Ephs will pull this one out. However, if Hurdle-Price can find room to work, the Mules may sneak away with a huge W to start the year.
Score Prediction: Colby – 14, Williams 17
Amherst vs. Hamilton- Amherst, MA, 1:00 PM
You know why David versus Goliath is such a famous story? Because ninety-nine times out of a hundred, Goliath uses David as a toothpick. This won’t be that one upset. Amherst comes into this one with a nineteen game winning streak and (as anyone there will you loudly, aggressively and several times within a five minute conversation) three straight league championships. Hamilton, on the other hand, finished 2-6 last year and it was their best record in five years. That’s not to say the Continentals didn’t make progress last season. They had a solid defense led by dangerous defensive linemen Brent Lobien ‘17 and Nick Sobcyzk ‘17, who both lived in opponents’ backfields in 2015. They had this success despite spending a lot of time on the field due to Hamilton’s massive struggles on offensive. They averaged only 15 points per game, with quarterback play being the biggest culprit. Hamilton quarterbacks combined for a completion percentage under 50%.
Amherst’s quarterback situation is somewhat in flux as well. Reece Foy ‘18 was poised to be a POY candidate this season before injuring his knee in pre-season. Alex Berluti ‘17 is ready to step in, but Foy’s injury certainly takes the wind out of the Purple and White’s sails. This is the year that Amherst is vulnerable. However, Hamilton won’t be the US Hockey Team to Amherst’s Soviet Union. At least for this weekend, the Evil Empire marches on.
Score Prediction: Amherst – 31, Hamilton – 10
Middlebury vs. Bowdoin – Middlebury, VT, 1:00 PM
The Panthers will benefit this week from playing at home, where the fearless managing editor of NBN will be cheering them on. They will also benefit from playing Bowdoin, who finished last season at 1-7 and lost several key pieces for unusual reasons, including running back Tyler Grant due to a chronic injury and several other players due to a plagiarism scandal. Bowdoin’s major struggles last season were on the offensive end, particularly in establishing a running game. The Polar Bears averaged a paltry 2.2 yards per carry, making it impossible for the passing game to get any momentum. Freshman back Nate Richem will look to change that, but the constantly contending Panthers are a tough place to start.
The Panthers will be looking to see if UNLV transfer QB Jared Lebowitz can continue in the long line of stellar Panther signal-callers. But it’s the defense, led by standout seniors linebacker Addison Pierce and defensive back Nate Leedy, that should ice the Polar Bears on Saturday. Bowdoin will need an MLA Citation Dictionary and a lot of luck to pull off the upset, and clearly they don’t have access to either.
Score Prediction: Middlebury – 24, Bowdoin – 13
GAME OF THE WEEK: Wesleyan vs. Tufts – Somerville, MA, 6:00 PM
Saturday, September 24th marks the first time the Tufts football team will host a night game. It will be a rematch of the first ever NESCAC night football game between the Jumbos and the Wesleyan Cardinals that happened just two years ago when the two met at Andrus Field (Wesleyan). In that matchup, the Cardinals showed no mercy defeating the Jumbos 52-9. As sophomores in that game, Chance Brady ‘17 averaged 11 yards per carry and Mike Rando ‘17 averaged 21+ yards on 8 returns. On defense, Mike Stearns ‘17 was second on the team with 8 tackles. The Jumbos ended the season 0-8 that year, but are certainly turning things around as a program and have had this date circled on the calendar since last season ended with a win against Middlebury.
Saturday’s game is reminiscent of the first Monday night football game between the New York Jets and the Cleveland Browns in 1970. Over 80,000 fans were in attendance to witness the Browns defeat Joe Namath and the Jets 31-21. Monday Night Football has become an integral part of the culture surrounding football. It has had a key role in developing the viewer experience.
It is also interesting to note that the Ivy League seems to be pushing for night games as well. Yale will be hosting its first ever night game against Penn on October 23rd. Maybe the NESCAC is following suit?
This Saturday’s game is expected to be an experience within itself. There will be a Pop Warner game on the field in the earlier afternoon. Students, parents and alumni from both sides are expected to come from all over to watch the game. The Jumbos are hoping to continue to build on last year’s impressive season, while Wesleyan hopes for the same results as the last time the two met under the lights.
The game should feature a heavy focus on each side’s ground attack. Wesleyan will pound the ball on the ground to Jaylen Berry ‘18, while Brady will get the majority of the touches for the Jumbos on offense. Wesleyan was right in the middle of the pack last year in terms of their rush defense, but if they can shut down Brady and force Tufts away from their comfort zone, they will have a great shot to win this game. What makes Tufts so difficult to stop, however, is the way they mix their rushing attack with their plethora of screen passes, primarily to Rando. I expect Coach DiCenzo to have planned for this, and I am anticipating that Wesleyan’s star safety Justin Sanchez ‘17 will be ready to step up to stop these plays before they even have a chance to get going. If Tufts is going to win, they are going to need to mix in a couple deep throws. Even if they fall incomplete, just negating Wesleyan’s ability to pack in six or seven guys in the box will pay huge dividends for the Coach Civetti’s squad. I think they can do this, allowing Tufts to escape with a 3-point win via the foot of All-NESCAC kicker Willie Holmquist ‘17.
Score Prediction: Wesleyan – 14, Tufts – 17