Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Yale players named to NFF Hampshire Honor Society









The National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame have announced the members of the NFF Hampshire Honor Society.
Those honored have maintained a cumulative 3.2 GPA or better through their college career. The following Yale players were honored.

Yale UniversityGeorge Buck
Yale UniversityJordan Jefferson
Yale University
Michael Leunen
Yale UniversityMax Napolitano
Yale UniversityNicholas Okano
Yale UniversityJohn Oppenheimer
Yale UniversityBeau Palin
Yale UniversityDerek Russell
Yale UniversityCameron Sandquist




Thursday, April 24, 2014

Penn head coach Al Bagnoli to retire

 
Penn head coach Al Bagnoli announced he will retire at the end of next season.
DC Ray Priore will take over as head coach.
Bagnoli has guided the Quakers to nine Ivy League titles in 22 seasons. 

Saturday, April 19, 2014

Yale spring wrap-up




Yale finished up its spring session on Saturday with its annual Blue-White scrimmage. The offense won 123-56, based on the scoring system (shown in previous post).

Both Morgan Roberts Logan Scott threw really well. With Tyler Varga, Candler Rich and Galen McAllister all out, and Kahlil Keys taking a bit hit early and missing the remainder of the game, Everett Johnson took most of the carries on Saturday.

“He was a workhorse for us,” Tony Reno said. “He did a nice job.”

Matt Rubino caught two TDs and Grant Wallace finished with seven catches for 152 yards and a touchdown. Wallace shown flashes of his potential as a freshman, but with Chris Smith and Deon Randall in front of him last season, his opportunities were limited. Expect Wallace to really emerge next season. Wallace and Roberts seem to have a real connection. On one drive, Wallace had three catches for 57 yards. Moments later, Scott connected with Wallace for a deep pass.

“I think he’s an unbelievable player,” Roberts said. “I keep on saying this, he’s going to be one of the best receivers in the Ivy League.”

Deon Randall didn’t play much, mostly on punt returns and was on the field for a few plays.

Nick LeTesta also looked solid at WR after moving over from DB. He caught a few passes, including a 62-yard bomb from Scott in the second half.

On the defensive side, Roger Kilgore intercepted a Scott pass and returned it 30 yards for a TD (though most players stopped on the play because of an inadvertent whistle). Cole Champion, Copache Tyler, Jack Rushin, Mary Moesta and Spencer Rymiszewski were some players that stood out.

Champion also mentioned Andrew Larkin, Rushin and Mikhail Reece as players who made real strides during the spring.

Also, there should be some healthy competition at safety with Champion, Foye Oluokun and Robbie Ries battling.

I thought it went well,” Reno said. “We had a lot of guys get chances to get plays in and we’ve continued to see growth in our offense and defense individuals as well as schemes. Overall, we had a good spring and grew as a team.”

Also, a handful of potential recruits were on hand for Yale’s Junior Day. Two in-state kids were Dario Highsmith from Middletown and Sharrieff Grice from Kingswood-Oxford.

A look at the spring team awards below…

2014 YALE FOOTBALL SPRING AWARDS (Presented by the 1981 Ivy Championship Team)

Offensive Big Award: Luke Longinotti, C, So.

Defensive Big Award: Copache Tyler, DT, Fr.

Offensive Combo Award: Sebastian Little, WR, So.

Defensive Combo Award: Marty Moesta, LB, So.

Offensive Skill Award: Kahlil Keyes, TB, Jr.

Defensive Skill Award: Foyesade Oluokun, DB, So

Strength & Conditioning MVP: Michael Bernardez, DB, So.

Strength & Conditioning MIP: Beau Iverson, OL, Fr.

One Team Award: Deon Randall, WR, Jr.

Every Play Every Day Award: Nick LaTesta, WR, Jr.

Thursday, April 17, 2014

Yale announces recruiting class (UPDATED)

Yale announced this year's recruiting class today. Here is a look at the 32 players, along with a story here.



Name Ht. Wt. Hometown High school Pos.
Jason Alessi 6-0 180 Bloomfield Hills, MI Brother Rice DB/K
Cody Arledge 6-5 266 Plano, TX Plano West OT
Stephen Barmore 6-2 210 Southington Southington QB
John Barton 5-8 190 Twinsburg, OH Twinsburg RB
Jon Bezney 6-5 295 Cincinnati, OH Mariemont OL
Will Bryan 5-11 180 Pomona, CA Diamond Ranch DB/RB
Hayden Carlson 6-0 195 Glen Ellyn, IL Glenbard West DB
Jeho Chang 6-4 280 Suwanee, GA North Gwinnett OL
Rafe Chapple 6-1 195 Alpharetta, GA Greater Atlanta Christian QB
Earl Chism 6-2 235 Elk Grove, CA Pleasant Grove DE
Nicholas Crowle 6-3 265 Fairfield Fairfield Prep DT
Tim Dawson 6-2 225 New Orleans, LA St. Augustine DE
Jake Dehart 5-9 170 Erie, PA Cathedral Prep WR
Ross Drwal 6-1 200 Omaha, NE Millard West WR
Conor Furey 6-6 235 Wilmington, DE Archmere Academy TE
Jaeden Graham 6-4 220 Aurora, CO Cherry Creek OLB
Nicholas Hardy 6-4 250 San Antonio, TX Ronald Reagan DL
John Herubin 6-3 240 Coppell, TX Coppell DL
Blake Horn 6-0 175 Davie, FL Western P/K
Anders Huizenga 6-6 295 Trophy Club, TX Byron Nelson OT
Andrew Johnson 6-0 195 Peachtree, GA McIntosh QB
Keefer Johnson 6-3 215 Grand Ledge, MI Grand Ledge DB
Ronnie Meder 6-2 215 Pittsburgh, PA North Catholic LB
Karl Marback 6-5 240 Birmingham, MI Seaholm DE
Jamal Locke 6-0 181 Ridgewood, NJ Ridgewood CB
Matt Oplinger 6-3 225 Summit, NJ Delbarton LB
Deshawn Salter 5-11 205 Constantia, NY Christian Brothers Acad. RB
Mike Siragusa 6-3 203 Cleveland, OH Saint Ignatius WR
Michael West 6-2 205 Rancho Cucamonga, CA Los Osos DE
Chris Williams-Lopez 6-0 185 Duluth, GA Greater Atlanta Christian WR
Noah Yates 6-6 200 Pt. Pleasant Beach, N.J. Pt. Pleasant Beach TE

Scrimmage kickoff time changed

Kickoff for the annual Blue-White scrimmage is now scheduled for 2 p.m.

Blue-White scrimmage

So here is the plan for Saturday’s annual Blue-White scrimmage…

*Kickoff is 2 p.m. at the Yale Bowl.

*Quarters will be 15 minutes running time.

*It will be offense vs. defense. As for scoring, scoring rubric is below.


https://ton.twitter.com/1.1/ton/data/dm/456811496816013312/456811496832778241/GY2lp7VE.jpg
*The offense will get the ball at the 30 to begin each drive. There will be field goals and punts.

*Some players of note that will not play on Saturday: WR Deon Randall, RB Tyler Varga, RB Candler Rich, WR Robert Clemons, OL Ben Carberry and DL Ben Bedard.

Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Yale names Art Asselta WRs coach



Art Asselta has been named Yale's WR coach, the school announced Tuesday.

Asselta served as QB coach at McNeese State last season. He helped guide a McNeese State offense that ranked No. 7 in FCS scoring (40 ppg) and 17th in total offense (451 ypg).

He also held coaching positions at Hofstra, New Hampshire, Sacred Heart, Southeastern Louisiana, Louisiana-Monroe and Stony Brook.

      

   

Monday, April 14, 2014

Yale LB Victor Egu proving to be good as advertised



NEW HAVEN >> When Yale head football coach Tony Reno first talked about Victor Egu, he seemed cautiously optimistic.
“He’s a top-level national recruit,” said Reno, back in July. “He could be a dominant player, but he has to prove it on the college field.”
Read the rest of the story here.

Saturday, April 12, 2014

Yale spring update (4/11)

So there will be one more week before the Bulldogs’ spring practice session wraps up. I’m still getting the details for Saturday’s Blue-White scrimmage.

Yale’s 20 seniors took their two-day trip to Gettysburg last week. Coach Tony Reno began the tradition last year.

“I learned a lot about leadership and accountability as a man and a teammate,” LB Will Vaughan said. “General Stanley McChrystal is an amazing guy, an amazing leader. When he speaks, he has the ability to control the room.

The team ran with McChrystal and toured the battlefield.

“Phenomenal,” Reno said. “It was a great leadership opportunity.”

MOVING AROUND
Some position changes of note that have taken place this spring…

With his athleticism, Pete Gerson is moving over from DE to TE. Reno said former TE Adam Conklin wanted to give DE a shot and it has worked out well. Eric Williams has shifted from QB to WR.

“He’s an athlete,” Reno said. “We wanted to get him on the field.”

Also, with a young and talented secondary, Nick LaTesta has moved over from CB to WR with hopes of getting more opportunities. He’s shown he’s good in space and has good hands. LaTesta made an impressive diving catch in the end zone for a TD at the end of Friday’s practice.

GROWING
What a difference a few months have made. Copache Tyler is huge. The 6-3 DT is now 300-plus pounds. Tyler came in last season and started all 10 games and had 33 tackles. He earned the team’s Charles Loftus award, given to the top freshman.

“He’s a stout and strong DT,” teammate Victor Egu said. “And he’s only getting, better, bigger and stronger, which is kind of scary.”

Egu, too, put on about 15 pounds of muscle and 6-3, 240 pounds.

LOOKIN’ GOOD
Vaughan said he’s been impressed with sophomore DB Roger Kilgore. He played on the JV team last season.

“I’m really happy with the way he’s progressing,” Vaughan said. “He hasn’t gotten that much of an opportunity yet, but he’s really shown improvement. He’s a very violent, downhill player.”

RENO ON STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES

He’d like to see more physicality up front on the defensive side, but said that will come with time. He’s been happy this spring with the growth the quarterbacks have made as a whole.

HIGHSMITH IN ATTENDANCE

Yale appears to making a strong push for Middletown High QB and Gatorade State POY Dario Highsmith. He was in attendance for the Bulldogs practice on Friday and received a warm welcome from the team.

SOME NOTES FROM FRIDAY’S PRACTICE 

DE Marty Moesta continued to show strong passing rushing ability…D’Amani Grayer broke up what could have been a deep completion…Robert Ries also broke up a pass…Darius Manora stepped in and had an interception on a pass by Morgan Roberts…Both Roberts and Kahlil keys showed good speed on long runs...LaTesta made a diving catch for a TD on a pass from Roberts.

Wednesday, April 09, 2014

Cannon, Friedline look to bolster Yale offensive line

 


Soon-to-be sophomores Khalid Cannon and Mason Friedline are expected to see an expanded role on the OL next season. Read the story here.

Friday, April 04, 2014

Yale spring update

The Bulldogs finished up week two of the spring session. I have to say, many players look bigger and stronger: Copache Tyler, Grant Wallace, Victor Egu, the list goes on. Tony Reno seems pleased with the progress so far.

“We’re making progress in a lot of areas,” he said. “The young guys are understanding the schemes better. Guys are getting a lot of opportunities.”

STANDING OUT

Some players who have really made some strides in the offseason? WRs Myles Gaines and Blake Rowlinson, TE Jackson Stallings, DT Jeff Schmittgens, LB Will Vaughan, along with DBs Spencer Rymiszewski and Dale Harris.

KEEP AN EYE ON…

DE Marty Moesta. He played in all 10 games and finished with 15 tackles last season. OL Khalid Cannon has been impressed with him.

“He’s really been stepping up,” Cannon said. “He’s like the QB on the DL right now, he’s making all the calls.”

FILLING THE SHOES

John Oppenheimer was as solid as a center could be last season. Moving over from RG, Luke Longinotti has done well stepping in. Fellow OL Mason Friedline said he’s much stronger, his snaps are solid and he’s making the right calls.

He’s a technician out there,” Friedline said. “He has the mental aspect, which is a huge part.”

SOME OTHER NOTES…

Tyler Varga and Brian Sykes were both wearing a walking boot and very limited on Friday…Everett Johnson had a solid run late in Friday’s practice…Logan Scott connected with Gaines, who made a diving catch for about a 20-yd TD… Keith Bloom has not yet been cleared to play (concussion), but is taking classes, Reno said…TE Blake Thomson is out for the spring with an injury…Avery Lewis is back for the spring and is gradually making his way back from his knee injury…

RECRUITING NEWS

Stepinac (N.Y.) Jr. QB Brandon Coleman has a Yale visit scheduled on Wednesday, according to Lohud.com. The 5-10, 160-pound Coleman also has visits scheduled with Harvard and Davidson. He threw for 1,144 yards and 12 TDs, while rushing for 715 yards and eight TDs last season. He also runs a 4.5 40.

Wednesday, April 02, 2014

Yale's spring roster

YALE FOOTBALL 2014 SPRING ALPHABETICAL ROSTER                     as of 4/01/14 (74 players)

No.
Cl.
Ht.
Wt.
Hometown/High School
52
LB
So.
6-3
213
Altamonte Springs, FL / Lake Brantley
93
Benjamin Bedard
DL
Fr.
6-4
259
Grand Ledge, MI / Grand Ledge
35
CB
So.
5-11
180
Queens, NY / Poly Prep Country Day
88
TE
So.
6-4
228
East Lake, FL / East Lake
65
Khalid Cannon
OL
Fr.
6-6
269
Gadsden, AL / Gadsden City
70
OL
Jr.
6-5
297
Oak Park, IL / Oak Park-River Forest
85
LB
So.
6-2
216
Vero Beach, FL / Choate Rosemary Hall (CT)
37
K/P
Jr.
6-0
212
Slate Hill NY / Minisink Valley
 5
DB
So.
5-11
182
Ft. Lauderdale, FL / St. Thomas Aquinas
67
OL
Jr.
6-3
288
Ridgeland, MS / St. Andrews Episcopal
83
Robert Clemons III
WR
Fr.
6-0
178
Laguna Beach, CA / Laguna Beach
86
DE
Jr.
6-3
238
Dover, MA / Choate Rosemary Hall (CT)
22
DB
Jr.
6-3
210
Dallas, TX / Parish Episcopal
76
OL
Jr.
6-3
268
Santa Barbara, CA / Dos Pueblos
10
Victor Egu
LB
Fr.
6-3
239
Concord, CA / De La Salle
98
DT
Jr.
6-4
260
Clinton, TN / Grace Christian
75
Mason Friedline
OL
Fr.
6-5
285
Seattle, WA / King’s
82
Myles Gaines
WR
Fr.
5-11
175
Tallahassee, FL / Lincoln
92
Peter Gerson
DE
Fr.
6-3
225
Madison, CT / Daniel Hand
21
D’Amani Grayer
DB
Fr.
5-9
179
Phoenix, AZ / Brophy College Prep
80
Leo Haenni
TE
Fr.
6-3
237
Franklin, OH / Bishop Fenwick
1
Dale Harris
CB
Fr.
5-10
183
Brooklandville, MD / St. Paul’s School
15
CB
So.
6-0
179
Hacienda Heights, CA / Glen A. Wilson
43
Bryan Holmes
K/P
Fr.
5-11
198
Holland, MI / West Ottawa
22
TB
Jr.
6-0
200
Stratford, CT / St. Josephs
71
Beau Iverson
OL
Fr.
6-8
269
University Place, WA / Charles Wright
36
TB
Jr.
5-10
195
Union, NJ / Union
45
Remick Kawawaki
OLB
Fr.
6-2
217
Vancouver, WA / Columbia River
24
TB
Jr.
6-0
209
Petaluma, CA / Choate Rosemary Hall (CT)
41
DB
So.
6-2
183
Rahway, NJ / Bishop George Ahr
78
OL
So.
6-6
289
Potomac, MD / Thomas S. Wootton
54
DL
So.
6-3
275
Salem, OR / West Salem
73
John Lancione
OL
Fr.
6-3
285
Avon Lake, OH / Avon Lake
49
Andrew Larkin
LB
So.
6-2
222
Glen Ellyn, IL / Glenbard West
12
CB
Jr.
5-9
172
Wood Ridge, NJ / Bergen Catholic
27
WR
So.
6-5
203
Dallas, TX / Richardson
 4
WR
So.
6-1
223
Cheshire, CT / Cheshire
50
OL
So.
6-4
278
Burlingame, CA / Junipero Serra
38
Darius Manora
TB
Fr,
6-0
212
Alexandria, VA / St. Stephens St. Agnes
55
DE
Jr.
6-2
224
Meridian, ID / Rocky Mountain
25
Galen McAllister
TB
Fr.
5-7
164
San Antonio, TX / James Madison
94
DT
So.
6-2
266
Sound Beach, NY / St. Anthony's
11
Spencer McManes
QB
Fr.
6-3
213
Roswell, GA/ Blessed Trinity Catholic
58
Marty Moesta
DE
Fr.
6-6
246
Grosse Pointe, MI / Grosse Pointe South
15
Anthony Morales
QB
So.
6-3
196
Cromwell, CT / Cromwell
56
Duncan Morfitt
LB
Fr.
6-3
220
Scottsdale, AZ / Notre Dame Prep
51
OLB
Jr.
6-2
202
Westport, CT / Staples
23
Foyesade Oluokun
DB
Fr.
6-2
209
St. Louis, MO / John Burroughs
2
Deon Randall (C)
WR
Jr.
5-8
192
San Diego, CA / Francis W. Parker
95
DT
So.
6-5
267
Tampa, FL / Gaither
 6
WR
So.
6-0
200
San Juan Capistrano, CA / Mission Viejo
32
Candler Rich
RB
Fr.
5-11
200
Newnan, GA / The Heritage School
34
Robert Ries
DB
Fr.
5-11
186
Cincinnati, OH / St. Xavier
19
Morgan Roberts
QB
So.
6-3
202
Charlotte, NC / Charlotte Country Day
62
OL
So.
6-4
272
Cincinnati, OH / Oak Hills
72
OL
So.
6-3
268
Cincinnati, OH / Oak Hills
81
Blake Rowlinson
WR
Fr.
6-3
205
Alpharetta, GA / Alpharetta
26
WR
So.
6-2
193
Margate, NJ / Holy Spirit
89
Jack Rushin
DT
Fr.
6-5
291
Wilmette, IL / Loyola Academy
17
Spencer Rymiszewski
CB
Fr.
6-0
180
West Chester, PA / B. Reed Henderson
53
DT
Jr.
6-4
240
Naperville, IL / Benet Academy
14
QB
So.
6-1
196
Woodland Hills CA / Chaminade
69
OL
Jr.
6-2
264
Bronxville, NY / Bronxville
16
Jackson Stallings
TE
Fr.
6-1
228
Moore, OK / Southmoore
59
LB
Jr.
6-3
216
Oviedo, FL / Bishop Moore
28
Brian Sykes
LB
Fr.
6-2
191
Alpharetta, GA / Chattahoochee
48
K/P
Jr.
5-11
193
San Carlos, CA / Junipero Serra
96
Copache Tyler
DT
Fr.
6-3
302
Springfield, IL / Springfield Southeast
39
OLB
So.
6-1
212
Berlin, CT / Berlin
64
LB
So.
6-3
208
Longwood, FL / Lake Brantley
30
TB
Jr.
5-11
227
Kitchener, Ontario / Cameron Heights Collegiate
42
LB
Jr.
6-1
226
South Orange, NJ / Columbia
29
WR
Jr.
6-0
194
St. Louis, MO / John Burroughs
 8
QB
So.
6-3
187
Portland, OR / St. Ignatius (OH)