First up, fearless predictions
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Bates at Middlebury: Bates is a perennial loser, and Middlebury's defense has been tough this year, with the exception of last week's 40-9 loss at Williams. Middlebury's defense will do well against the Bobcats, but the offense has to start kicking it up a notch or two. Prediction: Middlebury 10 Bates 3.
Hamilton at Colby: Hamilton scored their first points of the year last weekend, and their defense looked as good as it has all year. Colby has the weapons on offense, but haven't been consistent of late. Prediction: Colby 17 Hamilton 0.
Williams at Tufts: This is by far the game of the week in the NESCAC. Williams has a potent offensive attack and their defense isn't half bad either. Jon Drenckhahn and Brendan Fulmer will give the Tufts defense fits all afternoon. Prediction: Williams 35 Tufts 21.
Trinity at Bowdoin: Let's see here, perennial power Trinity against Bowdoin, a team that has only scored 13 points this season. Trinity 49, Bowdoin 10.
Amherst at Wesleyan: I actually like this Wesleyan team as they are much improved from last year. Zack Librizzi has put up good numbers and is running that wide open offense very well this season. Freshman Danny Granatell had a fantastic game last weekend with seven receptions for 111 yards and I think that is what the kid needs to get going. Amherst will put their share of points on the board with their strong offense, but in the upset special of the week: Wesleyan 24, Amherst 20.
Now for my feelings on the NESCAC and not playing out of conference games and not going to the Division III playoffs. I understand the fact that NESCAC schools have strong academic traditions, and league officials don't want teams to take more time out of the classroom than need be. Ok fine, I can deal with that, but doesn't their current schedule and not playing outside the conference do a disservice to the teams?
Take for example Middlebury College and not playing outside of the NESCAC. There is a fantastic rivalry up here between the Panthers and Norwich University that has not been played in years. Norwich and Middlebury are the only two schools in Vermont that play at any level of college football. This was a rivalry that packed the respective stadiums, and was a game the entire state got involved in. Rivalries like this are what makes college football what it is today. Bring it back!! Let the teams play at least one game outside of the conference so rivalries like this can be played and continued.
Especially in a state where there are only two college football teams, I think this rivalry needs to be brought back so at the bare minimum, there can be some bragging rights in the Green Mountain State.
When it comes to the playoffs, how can a team like Trinity prove it is as good as it really is if it doesn’t go up against competition outside its conference? This is a team which has won 33 of their last 34 games and is one of the best teams in New England. How can they
prove they are one of the best in the nation if they don't face outside competition?
To me, this is a joke, and a couple of coaches I have spoken with want to have the ability to prove themselves at a national level. If other schools with equal academic traditions in Division III football can make the playoffs, why can't the NESCAC?
Boyd stays the same, Bogan has new face
Defending conference champion Curry was able to take advantage of five Endicott turnovers on its way to a 35-14 victory, holding off the up-and-coming Gulls for another season. Mike Nicolo spearheaded a tough Curry defense with a 20-yard blocked punt return for a touchdown, and Steve DiFabio carried the ball ten times for 97 yards. For Endicott, Orlando Johnson had a 74 yard punt return for a score. Curry held Endicott to only 94 yards in total offense. Curry remains unbeaten on the year while Endicott falls to 3-1 in the Boyd Division and 4-3 overall.
In the Bogan Division, quarterback Christian George scored on a 2-yard scamper with just 50 seconds left to lead conference newcomer Coast Guard Academy to a thrilling 21-17 victory against host Bridgewater State. George was 17-of-24 for 214 yards in the air and also rushed for 65 yards and two scores. Bridgewater (4-2, 3-1) forced three turnovers. Pat Bennett had five tackles, forced a fumble and recovered another for Coast Guard, which improved to 5-1, 4-0.
Williams rolls another unbeaten team
The Ephs (4-0) put on an offensive display in handing Middlebury its first loss, 40-9. Middlebury (3-1) came into the game with the top scoring defense in the conference allowing nine points total in three games. Jon Drenckhahn caught six passes for 72 yards, and Brendan Fulmer caught four balls for 105 yards and two scores. One of the scores came on a 77-yard strike from backup quarterback Sean Gleeson, who plays a series in each half. Fulmer also averaged 56 yards a punt. The Ephs offensive line was able to hold NESCAC sack leader Kevin Ryan (9.5) sackless on the afternoon. Middlebury’s only points came on Steve Haushka field goals of 36, 27, and 26 yards.
Around the NEFC
Salve Regina looked like a large underdog on paper but limited Mass-Dartmouth to 250 yards in total offense in a 17-7 loss. J.T. Harold had 21 carries for 117 yards, including a 15-yard touchdown to open the scoring. Salve Regina, which managed just 182 yards of offense, got its only points on a Sean Peters 2-yard run with 8:56 left. … Maine Maritime withstood a fierce rally by Mass Maritime as they held on for a 21-19 victory in the 34th Admirals Cup. Maine Maritime led 21-0 going into the fourth quarter when the rally started. Joe DeFrank hit Kevin McCarthy from 6 yards out to start the fourth quarter. Then with 2:23 to go, DeFrank hit Colin Teehan from 4 yards out, but the PAT was wide and it was 21-13. The Buccaneers then converted an onside kick, and then Teehan completed his third TD pass of the quarter to Stefan Stauber, but the two-point conversion failed.
Around the NESCAC
Nick Kehoe went 21 of 31 for 330 yards and three scores to lead Amherst to a convincing 38-3 victory over Colby. Kehoe tossed two TD passes to Jim Eckenrode (46 and 12) and a 27-yard strike to Mark Hannon. Lord Jeff inside linebacker Mike Flanagan had 11 tackles, Colby’s Andrew Heaney had a game high 17 tackles for the Mules. … Hamilton scored its first points of the year and snapped a nine-game losing streak, beating Bowdoin 12-0. Sophomore quarterback Ben Saccomano was 12-of-21 for 116 yards and a touchdown and led the team with 77 yards on nine carries. … At Lewiston, Chris Heisel hit a 27 yard field goal in overtime to lead Wesleyan to a 17-14 victory over Bates. The Cardinals are now 21-4 all-time against the Bobcats. … Trinity spoiled the 1,000th game in Tufts history as Gennaro Leo had 81 yards on 20 carries and a 22-yard touchdown romp to lead the Bantams to a 17-0 victory over Tufts. Quarterback Eric McGrath was 14 of 26 for 178 yards and a 20 yard TD pass to Chris Olenoski. For Tufts, senior Chris Decemberle had 13 tackles, 10 of which were solo.
That's all for me, time to prepare for the Middlebury/Bates game. Those outside of Central Vermont can catch the game on the Web, with links to broadcasts on our Scoreboard page.