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Post by hc87 on May 8, 2021 17:46:00 GMT -5
Our game was much more competitive (albeit allowing for the Rabbits weren't as "up" for our game)....they didn't dominate both lines of scrimmage like they did today vs. Delaware. We were only down 17-3 against SDSU and they were punting out of their own end zone mid 3rd Q when the game changed on the fumbled return. The game today was effectively ovah mid 2nd Q.
I don't think we are that far away from being at that level of the FCS-elite.
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Post by rgs318 on May 8, 2021 19:38:49 GMT -5
Why believe if HC played well it must have been because SDSU was not "up" for the game? I agree HC is not that far away from offering stronger competition in the FCS post season. I am looking forward to next season (perhaps also to reading fewer pronouncements based on personal bias more than what we see on the field).
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Post by timholycross on May 8, 2021 20:27:21 GMT -5
Sammy wins 38-35....should be a good final...can't say I'm too heartbroken ovah Cignetti losing this game 27-10 JMU Quick look in goes for a 70 yard td Punt return taken to the house Fumbled kickoff - short drive for a TD Interception -short drive for a TD Can't remember seeing that many points scored that fast in a close game. Then, JMU comes back, but the qb has to leave w/a hand injury. Bizarre move by the coach having their kickoff guy try a 51 yard field goal given that the regular guy hadn't missed one kick of any type all year. Yeah, he didn't maybe have the range, but let that guy try not someone who's got no experience.
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Post by nycrusader2010 on May 8, 2021 21:40:21 GMT -5
Watching the JMU collapse was sweet.
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Post by nycrusader2010 on May 8, 2021 21:41:58 GMT -5
Well, Delaware had been 7-0 until today...and got blown out. If it was true for HC, I guess that means the Fighting' Blue Hens do not really deserve to be considered FCS contenders. SHU had another amazing comeback. Their game in the FCS final could be a good one. I think the final is setup to be a really good game. My guess is that both teams score a minimum of 28 points.
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Post by longsuffering on May 8, 2021 22:43:40 GMT -5
If we had played more than 3 games we would have been better prepared to play S.Dakota St. We need to leave the PL. Holy Cross does not need to leave the Patriot League in order to have national success. While Chesney has done some great things he's yet to elevate the Crusaders into the national discussion. Colgate, Fordham and Lehigh have all been there within the framework of the PL. I think the stars are aligned for Holy Cross to have a fall season where they're in the Top 15, maybe Top 10, conversation like Colgate was in 2018 or Fordham and Lehigh a few years earlier. You can field REALLY good teams in the PL that garner national respect (national awards, All-American accolades, rankings etc). Unfortunately, it's the institutions who collectively can't get it right on a consistent basis. It's all about getting the right coach in place who can establish a CAA type mentality within the PL framework. Higgins, Lembo, Coen, Biddle, Hunt, Clawson, Moorhead found that recipe. Right now, Lehigh and Colgate fans are frustrated because we/they know their program's potential relative to its current state. Fordham has a real chance to be a respected wingman for Holy Cross this fall. Their talent level is excellent. The Rams have recruited very well and are open to FBS transfers. The key for them is doing the little things right and cleaning up the defense; it's on Conlin. I'm not sure if a PL team can seriously win a title. I think they can make a helluva run at it but usually there's one or two teams that are so much better than everyone else. Simply entering the playoffs with an honest chance to advance is a realistic, "fun" expectation imo. With that said, you do not want to get sent to the #1 seed like HC was this year or a trip to Fargo like excellent Colgate and Lehigh teams faced after beating the CAA champ. Colgate rode two home playoff games and some good fortune to the title game in 2003. Had Lehigh had two home games in '98, '00 and '01 (all undefeated seasons) they might have made one trip to 'Nooga in a then 16 team playoff field. The expanded 24 team field imo hurts teams from smaller conferences. Just too many games for programs without the depth of a JMU, SDSU, NDSU, SHSU etc. The biggest key to HC advancing in the playoffs could be lights.... Lights? Lights and other stadium amenities can do much for the program but how can they make Holy Cross a better football team than our opponents in the playoffs?
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Post by HC92 on May 9, 2021 6:47:04 GMT -5
Holy Cross does not need to leave the Patriot League in order to have national success. While Chesney has done some great things he's yet to elevate the Crusaders into the national discussion. Colgate, Fordham and Lehigh have all been there within the framework of the PL. I think the stars are aligned for Holy Cross to have a fall season where they're in the Top 15, maybe Top 10, conversation like Colgate was in 2018 or Fordham and Lehigh a few years earlier. You can field REALLY good teams in the PL that garner national respect (national awards, All-American accolades, rankings etc). Unfortunately, it's the institutions who collectively can't get it right on a consistent basis. It's all about getting the right coach in place who can establish a CAA type mentality within the PL framework. Higgins, Lembo, Coen, Biddle, Hunt, Clawson, Moorhead found that recipe. Right now, Lehigh and Colgate fans are frustrated because we/they know their program's potential relative to its current state. Fordham has a real chance to be a respected wingman for Holy Cross this fall. Their talent level is excellent. The Rams have recruited very well and are open to FBS transfers. The key for them is doing the little things right and cleaning up the defense; it's on Conlin. I'm not sure if a PL team can seriously win a title. I think they can make a helluva run at it but usually there's one or two teams that are so much better than everyone else. Simply entering the playoffs with an honest chance to advance is a realistic, "fun" expectation imo. With that said, you do not want to get sent to the #1 seed like HC was this year or a trip to Fargo like excellent Colgate and Lehigh teams faced after beating the CAA champ. Colgate rode two home playoff games and some good fortune to the title game in 2003. Had Lehigh had two home games in '98, '00 and '01 (all undefeated seasons) they might have made one trip to 'Nooga in a then 16 team playoff field. The expanded 24 team field imo hurts teams from smaller conferences. Just too many games for programs without the depth of a JMU, SDSU, NDSU, SHSU etc. The biggest key to HC advancing in the playoffs could be lights.... Lights? Lights and other stadium amenities can do much for the program but how can they make Holy Cross a better football team than our opponents in the playoffs? I think the point was we’d be able to get home playoff games in late Fall if we had lights. That’s one possible reason UMaine was selected as a potential first round host this year. Sure ain’t the convenience of Orono.
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Post by longsuffering on May 9, 2021 9:07:50 GMT -5
Or the night time temperatures in November and December. Night games after Thanksgiving in New England are cruel and unusual punishment for loyal fans, especially visiting ones from the Southland Conference.
Are permanent or temporary lights at Fitton better since they probably would only be used 2-3 times a year?
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Post by Crucis#1 on May 9, 2021 10:03:55 GMT -5
Temporary lights until there is a complete remodel of Fitton. A new Fitton will have the lights incorporated into the design using the latest technology.
Attending outdoor night games in New England regardless of sport, I do not find enjoyable after mid October. The only reason to sit outside at night watching a game when it is below 50 degrees, is because your child or grandchild is on the field or pitch.
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Post by nycrusader2010 on May 9, 2021 11:41:32 GMT -5
Our game was much more competitive (albeit allowing for the Rabbits weren't as "up" for our game)....they didn't dominate both lines of scrimmage like they did today vs. Delaware. We were only down 17-3 against SDSU and they were punting out of their own end zone mid 3rd Q when the game changed on the fumbled return. The game today was effectively ovah mid 2nd Q. I don't think we are that far away from being at that level of the FCS-elite. We definitely played admirably against SDSU, who will finish this season ranked no worse than third in FCS. But I'm not ready to pencil in as an "elite" FCS team. Our goal for next season should be to win the Patriot League again (we'll have the target on our back in a full conference season in the fall) and secure the school's first-ever postseason win. Even if it's a Round of 24 win over Sacred Heart or Central CT. We should also be treating the non-conference slate like an at-large bid is on the line. The key next season is to develop a downfield passing game. I am confident our O-Line and smash-mouth running game will remain a major strength. And our defense could very well be just a notch below Colgate 2018.
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Post by hc87 on May 9, 2021 12:12:38 GMT -5
Our game was much more competitive (albeit allowing for the Rabbits weren't as "up" for our game)....they didn't dominate both lines of scrimmage like they did today vs. Delaware. We were only down 17-3 against SDSU and they were punting out of their own end zone mid 3rd Q when the game changed on the fumbled return. The game today was effectively ovah mid 2nd Q. I don't think we are that far away from being at that level of the FCS-elite. We definitely played admirably against SDSU, who will finish this season ranked no worse than third in FCS. But I'm not ready to pencil in as an "elite" FCS team. Our goal for next season should be to win the Patriot League again (we'll have the target on our back in a full conference season in the fall) and secure the school's first-ever postseason win. Even if it's a Round of 24 win over Sacred Heart or Central CT. We should also be treating the non-conference slate like an at-large bid is on the line. The key next season is to develop a downfield passing game. I am confident our O-Line and smash-mouth running game will remain a major strength. And our defense could very well be just a notch below Colgate 2018. I largely agree with this. I do think SDSU is really good this year. The top half of the MVFC most years is probably pretty close to a fair amount of teams not in the P5 FBS. That's why I wasn't upset in being seeded where we were this year....it was a tremendous measuring stick/opportunity to assess where we are and what we need to do to approach being at that level.
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Post by HC92 on May 9, 2021 12:37:31 GMT -5
Passing game in the Fall should be substantially aided by the additions of Asante, Ayeni and Thomas.
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Post by timholycross on May 9, 2021 14:05:37 GMT -5
Passiming game in the Fall should be substantially aided by the additions of Asante, Ayeni and Thomas. Passing game too!
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