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Post by mm67 on Oct 9, 2022 9:45:42 GMT -5
GU is a fine U. Not surprised it has not given up playing with one hand tied behind its back in football. Div. I athletics is undergoing significant changes. It is going to be interesting to see how this plays out for smaller programs.
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Post by trimster on Oct 9, 2022 9:52:12 GMT -5
Slade is credited with two rushes and eight yards. ------------------------------------------------ Bucknell has no fifth year seniors on the roster. Matter of school policy. In the present environment, that's a big impediment to success. ---------------------------------------------- An interesting tidbit from the Spectrum announcers. They were contacted by a radio show that broadcasts NDSU football, and interviewed about Holy Cross. The callers said they wanted to know more about HC, given the possibility of a post-season matchup. ----------------------------------------------- The Spectrum announcers seem to have info on the scouts from NFL teams that are visiting practice, The 49ers were mentioned, I believe in the context of Liam Anderson. Would any Crossports posters in-the-know care to elaborate? --------------------------------------------- When VR states a goal of being ranked the #1 liberal arts college in the country, as wildly aspirational as that may be, he likely does not see CAA membership as a way of boosting HC's ranking. The liberal arts colleges are set by the Carnegie Classification. Only the University of Richmond is classified as liberal arts; Bill and Mary, and Elon are not. Seven of the 10 members of the PL are classified as liberal arts. The three non liberal arts schools don't play football. (Fordham and Georgetown are also not classified as liberal arts.) -------------------------------------------- Has anyone seen Dobbs, post-injury, on the sidelines? Excellent, spot-on analysis. I think Bucknell will be hard pressed to find a coach willing to deal with the rebuild amid the school's policies. I am speaking for myself here, but while I am happy to be in the company of Fordham and Colgate for football and academics, I would rather be in the company of Villanova, Richmond, and Bill and Mary. Perhaps be in the company of Georgetown for hoops (now that's a dream!) I wonder what the future of Georgetown hoops will be. Their great success under JT lll may have been a one-off.
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Post by DiMarz on Oct 9, 2022 9:55:18 GMT -5
Slade's running reminds me a bit of Jimmy Marcelino from back in the day. Does he have a brother to block for him?
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Post by efg72 on Oct 9, 2022 10:08:29 GMT -5
GU is a fine U. Not surprised it has not given up playing with one hand tied behind its back in football. Div. I athletics is undergoing significant changes. It is going to be interesting to see how this plays out for smaller programs. But that is why plans B/C/D are always good to have in your back pocket so we can, in some form, control our future
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Post by trimster on Oct 9, 2022 10:17:15 GMT -5
Slade's running reminds me a bit of Jimmy Marcelino from back in the day. Does he have a brother to block for him? Billy Marcellino. Jim told me he was quite a free spirit.
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Post by purple1 on Oct 9, 2022 10:22:42 GMT -5
Adding Villanova, Richmond & William & Mary would be excellent additions to the PL for football. The best FCS football league in the East with 9 league games and 2 OTC games per year. This would turn into a 2 or 3 bid conference for the playoffs. It could also give Army & Navy an option about their futures with NCAA shake up. GU & BU could decide to opt out, so be it. GU should schedule more PL foes in basketball to give something back to the PL.
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Post by trimster on Oct 9, 2022 10:27:10 GMT -5
Adding Villanova, Richmond & William & Mary would be excellent additions to the PL for football. The best FCS football league in the East with 9 league games and 2 OTC games per year. This would turn into a 2 or 3 bid conference for the playoffs. It could also give Army & Navy an option about their futures with NCAA shake up. GU & BU could decide to opt out, so be it. GU should schedule more PL foes in basketball to give something back to the PL. Fordham hoops should also.
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Post by mm67 on Oct 9, 2022 10:42:20 GMT -5
Assuming a large shift in the NCAA landscape, what would it take for the schools mentioned to join the PL? Would PL academics & policies pose a problem? Would PL schools be willing to significantly alter its policies? Would dropping athletic scholarships and moving solely to need/merit based scholarships exempt schools from NIL? Would our core Pa. schools - Bucknell, Lafayette , Lehigh - go along with the entry of these schools? And, what would Colgate do? Is it more likely Merrimack & other smaller/ academic colleges would join the PL? Would the PL opt for Div. II, III? And, no doubt there are more questions? I have no idea what the future will bring. Best for me to live in the present & enjoy HC football, etc.
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Post by rgs318 on Oct 9, 2022 10:55:58 GMT -5
Live for today...while planning for tomorrow!
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Post by mm67 on Oct 9, 2022 11:28:53 GMT -5
Is FU a better candidate than HC for the CAA? Size, academics, type of school - a midsized university & location would seem to point in that direction. Of course FU would need to expand its football playground. Probably could do so by tearing down the antiquated Rose Hill gym to provide more space for an expanded stadium.
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Post by hc87 on Oct 9, 2022 11:47:45 GMT -5
I think we are actually in a "sweet spot" vis a vis football right now....the CAA is not enticing to me...play 1 or 2 of them every year but I'd wouldn't like to get into a football league that gives us only a couple of OOC games every year. As I've oft stated here, the one thing I like about PL football is the amount of OOC games it allows us to play ironically.
As others have stated though, I think the whole D1 landscape is close to being blown up and reconfigured anyway.
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Post by fillfittonfield on Oct 9, 2022 12:24:40 GMT -5
Would love to hear from some posters who attended the game.
What was the overall experience? Saw plenty of smiling faces when the camera panned to the crowd. I also heard the band. Glad they made the game.
What was the student turnout like?
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Post by longsuffering on Oct 9, 2022 12:31:25 GMT -5
I think we are actually in a "sweet spot" vis a vis football right now....the CAA is not enticing to me...play 1 or 2 of them every year but I'd wouldn't like to get into a football league that gives us only a couple of OOC games every year. As I've oft stated here, the one thing I like about PL football is the amount of OOC games it allows us to play ironically. As others have stated though, I think the whole D1 landscape is close to being blown up and reconfigured anyway. We have one sport that's working and there is a push to change that sport? I agree the PL is a sweet spot and our other sports trying to compete in a higher level league made up of far flung institutions that aren't liberal arts colleges wouldn't be pretty. Regarding fifth year, there is no way to judge definitively whether the current undefeated season is more due to fifth year players or the fifth year of Coach Chesney. But, if the PL allows GU to do less than the minimum it shouldn't be a deal breaker to allow another member school to do a little more than the current maximum.
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Post by hc89 on Oct 9, 2022 12:50:17 GMT -5
Would love to hear from some posters who attended the game. What was the overall experience? What was the student turnout like? The overall experience was fantastic. The weather was spectacular. Loved the 4p start time which allowed for up to 4 hours of tailgating but still some daylight for some of the game. The tailgate spot was cozy, but lively- lots of football alums, many other alums- even had a nice chat with the Globe’s Dan Shaugnessy. Polar Park is beautiful. The crowd was into both the game AND the fun atmosphere inside the park. The concessions are stellar and included The Wonder Bar, Coney Island Hot Dogs, Table Talk pies, a huge selection of beers, etc. And, of course, our team played pretty well too! The crowd was, at least, double what it would have been if the game were at Fitton on this particular weekend. In my mind, the experience was well worth the trip- hope we keep playing a game at Polar Park!
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Post by hcpride on Oct 9, 2022 13:23:10 GMT -5
I think we are actually in a "sweet spot" vis a vis football right now....the CAA is not enticing to me...play 1 or 2 of them every year but I'd wouldn't like to get into a football league that gives us only a couple of OOC games every year. As I've oft stated here, the one thing I like about PL football is the amount of OOC games it allows us to play ironically. As others have stated though, I think the whole D1 landscape is close to being blown up and reconfigured anyway. We have one sport that's working and there is a push to change that sport? I agree the PL is a sweet spot and our other sports trying to compete in a higher level league made up of far flung institutions that aren't liberal arts colleges wouldn't be pretty. Regarding fifth year, there is no way to judge definitively whether the current undefeated season is more due to fifth year players or the fifth year of Coach Chesney. But, if the PL allows GU to do less than the minimum it shouldn't be a deal breaker to allow another member school to do a little more than the current maximum. Hmmm…well it is the first year we beat H&Y and the first year we’ve been rated top 7 in forever and the first year we’re running the table in forever and the first year we’ve been loaded with contributing 5th-years. I think the conclusion is inescapable. We’re finally on equal footing with the top FCS teams in regards to 5th years and finally we’re among the top FCS teams. Certainly the coach is a HUGE part of it too. And our president is a big supporter of the wonderful young men we have brought in.
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Post by sader1970 on Oct 9, 2022 13:42:44 GMT -5
I would venture that what they say about airplane crashes holds true here as well - only a good thing though - that it is usually not one factor but a combination of factors coming together at one time.
In this case, unquestionably having so many 5th year seniors is a major factor. But as Coach Chesney has said, that is not so much an "advantage" as it is leveling the playing field that so many other teams play on and we have been unable to do in the past. It also has to do with our 90-wide program (thanks, td128) that attracts so many great recruits because of its proven success. It is also having a president that seems to understand how a successful athletics program, in this case football, is an opportunity to get the Holy Cross brand out regionally, potentially nationally and, importantly, locally. And finally, saving the best for last, having an outstanding head coach. Bob Chesney "gets" Holy Cross: its mission; its students; its alums; its fans; its leadership; its hard working staff.
Take away way any one of those things and while there might be some success, it would not be at the level it is right now.
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Post by td128 on Oct 9, 2022 14:14:44 GMT -5
What is transpiring within the program succinctly stated is a reflection and embracing of an oft-stated mission, that is: “A commitment to excellence in helping our Crusaders win on and off the field.”
Coach Chesney and staff, the Crusaders and alums involved in the 90W are clearly all operating on the same page. The incremental funds raised via the Fueling the Momentum campaign are hugely meaningful and also a reflection of widespread alumni support.
The administration has bought in and is very supportive. Thank you John and Joanne Luth.
The culture within and around HCFB is incredibly positive and remarkably healthy. Our current Crusaders and their families/parents are the program’s best salespeople. They are most pleased.
As part of our 90Wide program there will be ten Crusader alums speaking to the team followed by Q/A tomorrow night. Huge props to Bill Maloney ‘59 who has led this specific event long before the 90W was launched in 2009.
LET’S WIN!! ✝️👊🏻🏈👊🏾✝️
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Post by longsuffering on Oct 9, 2022 14:18:58 GMT -5
If a player does not play in an early year due to talent level and readiness to play but not due to injury, but blossoms as a senior and would like to take his spring semester off, finish in the fall and play one more season, that is approved by the NCAA but not the Patriot League, right?
Perhaps the league could dip it's toes in and allow three or four players a year to do this as a demonstration project for a few years and see if any of the member schools go out of business because of it.
Those three or four fifth year players will mean three or four would be Crusader scholarship student athletes will never come to Holy Cross and never be lifetime Crusaders unless they come anyways as walk-ons.
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Post by hcpride on Oct 9, 2022 14:46:31 GMT -5
If a player does not play in an early year due to talent level and readiness to play but not due to injury, but blossoms as a senior and would like to take his spring semester off, finish in the fall and play one more season, that is approved by the NCAA but not the Patriot League, right? Perhaps the league could dip it's toes in and allow three or four players a year to do this as a demonstration project for a few years and see if any of the member schools go out of business because of it. Those three or four fifth year players will mean three or four would be Crusader scholarship student athletes will never come to Holy Cross and never be lifetime Crusaders unless they come anyways as walk-ons. Or the PL could follow the precedent they already have with medical redshirt 5th-years and Covid 5th-years. That is, give the schools the discretion on 5th-year non-medical redshirts.
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Post by longsuffering on Oct 9, 2022 14:58:16 GMT -5
Yes, because if scholarships remain at 60 or even if they increased, you can't gain one scholarship player without losing another somewhere else in the pipeline, so it's another area of coaching where sound judgement is rewarded.
The AD would need to be closely attuned because the wrong coach seeking to pump up the odds of winning now to help himself move up could damage the program for some time.
I thought the AD should have been more of an advocate for student athletes staying and graduating from HC during the great MBB player exodus but I never picked up on any statement or action to that effect from the AD. Of course I don't know the specific circumstances around any player's coming or going.
I have no worries about Coach Chesney doing the right thing for all involved based on how he has managed this and previous programs.
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Post by DiMarz on Oct 9, 2022 14:58:55 GMT -5
Does he have a brother to block for him? Billy Marcellino. Jim told me he was quite a free spirit. Billy was a guard on a good football team....Good memories for me as a young fan!
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Post by rgs318 on Oct 9, 2022 15:14:23 GMT -5
Glad to remember them. Good times, especially Jimmy's TD against BC.
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Post by hcnj on Oct 9, 2022 15:50:45 GMT -5
I thought Slade looked good. A shifty runner. Rivers ran hard as well. Rivers definitely reminds me of Ollie. I love how Ollie keeps the legs moving through the tackle or high steps out of some. Another guy who's found a place is the former LB from Detroit who lines up in the backfield and leads with the blocking. Does anyone remember if Argys, Smith, Ruane played? I watched on TV but don't remember seeing numbers or hearing names. The soph from NH Harris-Lopez shows 5 tackles, 2 TFL, a sack for 17, and 2 FF? Does that seem right? And my man Sam Boyer, shows a tackle, I hope that's right. I had a good feeling about him being a contributor at some point at LB. On TV silver numbers were sometimes hard to pick up on angles. McNair wore a pullover with an alternate number.
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Post by timholycross on Oct 9, 2022 16:05:16 GMT -5
Another guy who's found a place is the former LB from Detroit who lines up in the backfield and leads with the blocking. Does anyone remember if Argys, Smith, Ruane played? I watched on TV but don't remember seeing numbers or hearing names. The soph from NH Harris-Lopez shows 5 tackles, 2 TFL, a sack for 17, and 2 FF? Does that seem right? And my man Sam Boyer, shows a tackle, I hope that's right. I had a good feeling about him being a contributor at some point at LB. On TV silver numbers were sometimes hard to pick up on angles. McNair wore a pullover with an alternate number. The numbers sucked. Looked like we had 35 kicking and 35 holding on one PAT or FG. I didn't think that was allowed and the roster only shows NG w/35 (I only spot duplicate 43/44/90 and 93 on the roster).
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Post by hcnj on Oct 9, 2022 16:25:48 GMT -5
Yeah, I remember the kick also and thought the same thing, kicker and holder with the same number. I wondered if one was a five and the other an eight and the weird reflection was causing me a problem. If players play better in them it's ok with me.
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