|
Post by longsuffering on Apr 29, 2021 8:30:10 GMT -5
We’re a passing game away from FCS contention. Can be said about basically any football team at any level, anywhere on the planet. Except for teams that are one dimensional because they can't run.
|
|
|
Post by WCHC Sports on Apr 29, 2021 9:00:46 GMT -5
Prolific college teams may have a complimentary run game, but these days, are often driven by a high-flying, spread offense, throwing the ball all over the place.
|
|
|
Post by dharry13 on Apr 29, 2021 9:24:48 GMT -5
Only way to comeback if you are behind by a couple of scores.
|
|
|
Post by alum on Apr 29, 2021 10:04:24 GMT -5
Only way to comeback if you are behind by a couple of scores. You should always fall behind early so you have a lot of time to catch up. (I made a joke about that one time and my least academically diligent son took it to heart.)
|
|
|
Post by timholycross on Apr 29, 2021 11:10:35 GMT -5
Only way to comeback if you are behind by a couple of scores. Beg to differ. RPO that works- you can get a hell of a lot of ground yardage quickly. Would agree that clock-killing offenses like AWP's need to be in the lead or close to it in order to work. Perhaps depends on the passing game being a threat, I'll admit that.
|
|
|
Post by thecrossisback on Apr 29, 2021 17:02:22 GMT -5
I got a call yesterday from the HC ticket office. One to introduce Ryan Schmidt and wanted to gage interest of going to games in the fall. "We are looking at having fans return this fall. Im not sure yet on the capacity restrictions might look like but we are planning to be at full go starting this fall with football season. I think it's very unlikely we will be at no fans."
|
|
|
Post by joe on Apr 29, 2021 20:12:35 GMT -5
We’re a passing game away from FCS contention. Can be said about basically any football team at any level, anywhere on the planet. Oh right. Sorry to waste your time. Of course when we had the best QB and passing game in HC history we really weren’t close to contention in the FCS. But what do I know about football.
|
|
|
Post by longsuffering on Apr 29, 2021 20:38:01 GMT -5
I got a call yesterday from the HC ticket office. One to introduce Ryan Schmidt and wanted to gage interest of going to games in the fall. "We are looking at having fans return this fall. Im not sure yet on the capacity restrictions might look like but we are planning to be at full go starting this fall with football season. I think it's very unlikely we will be at no fans." Did Ryan have a Southern drawl? His student and work experience is at Georgia Southern. He's three years post graduation with experience as an assistant director of tickets. That's really a great level for HC to hire at. Let's harness his youthful enthusiasm and creativity combined with his three years of relevant experience to help move Holy Cross Athletics forward. I'm happy for all the people who work in Athletics at Holy Cross that Coach Chesney has built a championship football team that everyone can be proud of and build from.
|
|
|
Post by nycrusader2010 on Apr 29, 2021 21:25:48 GMT -5
We’re a passing game away from FCS contention. Can be said about basically any football team at any level, anywhere on the planet. Wrong.
|
|
|
Post by WCHC Sports on Apr 30, 2021 7:53:43 GMT -5
Can be said about basically any football team at any level, anywhere on the planet. Oh right. Sorry to waste your time. Of course when we had the best QB and passing game in HC history we really weren’t close to contention in the FCS. But what do I know about football. You weren't wasting my time... and I know that you know everything that there is to possibly know about football. My point was that lots of teams say if they have a prolific passing attack that they can compete.
|
|
|
Post by WCHC Sports on Apr 30, 2021 7:58:44 GMT -5
Can be said about basically any football team at any level, anywhere on the planet. Wrong. They're all set? They all have stud passers? Make the right decisions? Can make all the throws? Wouldn't take an upgrade coming in as a 6'4" 220lb freshman walking out of high school to throw for 3,500 yards? Okay! Who needs one of those guys.
|
|
|
Post by joe on Apr 30, 2021 10:00:48 GMT -5
The difference is that unlike other seasons over the last 25 years, all phases of HC’s game (other than passing) are good enough to compete at the high FCS level, not just just among our PL and IL opponents. With a strong passing game we will have a chance, and I’m pretty confident that with the WRs returning and more games under the belt of whichever QB we play, we will get there very quickly under the current leadership.
On the other hand, teams that may have a good passing game, but are either average or lacking in one or more other phases of the game, will not be able to compete at a high FCS level. This is as close to fact as an opinion can be.
I was stating and reinforcing the obvious, as a means of expressing my feeling that HC football is in a great spot under Chesney, and getting close to being within striking distance of an FCS run sometime into the next couple of Seasons. But I’m sure most folks got that point.
|
|
|
Post by hchoops on Apr 30, 2021 11:01:08 GMT -5
Judging by our loss to SDSU, we do not have the defense, or the running game to play with the best of FCS. Special teams are also not at that level.
|
|
|
Post by WCHC Sports on Apr 30, 2021 11:03:38 GMT -5
Gotcha Joe, and I got your point. However, we had some issues on special teams this year (is Ng back for the fall?), and our defense, while it looks good against the PL, can't be asked to stay on the field as much as it does when the offense flounders. May be why your point about getting first downs and keeping possession longer with a stronger passing attack carries so much weight.
|
|
|
Post by joe on Apr 30, 2021 11:17:52 GMT -5
Judging by our loss to SDSU, we do not have the defense, or the running game to play with the best of FCS. Special teams are also not at that level. That’s definitely a valid opinion but I’m still cautiously optimistic. Not being able to lean on a passing game when needed puts undue strain on all other phases of the game. I think that’s what we’re seeing at HC. If we can get even a decent pass game going, watch how much better we do across the board.
|
|
|
Post by hcpride on Apr 30, 2021 11:42:18 GMT -5
The difference is that unlike other seasons over the last 25 years, all phases of HC’s game (other than passing) are good enough to compete at the high FCS level, not just just among our PL and IL opponents. With a strong passing game we will have a chance, and I’m pretty confident that with the WRs returning and more games under the belt of whichever QB we play, we will get there very quickly under the current leadership. On the other hand, teams that may have a good passing game, but are either average or lacking in one or more other phases of the game, will not be able to compete at a high FCS level. This is as close to fact as an opinion can be. I was stating and reinforcing the obvious, as a means of expressing my feeling that HC football is in a great spot under Chesney, and getting close to being within striking distance of an FCS run sometime into the next couple of Seasons. But I’m sure most folks got that point. I generally agree and appreciate the distinction between being good enough to win PL fairly handily and good enough to compete for a FCS championship. I'm with you on passing. Our running game did not stress the SDS defense. At all. No burner back there and a shorthanded OL. (I'm hopeful we've got a speedy RB on the roster and I am confident our OL will be fine.) If we don't have a speedy RB on the roster we will again be in great trouble taking on an FCS power.
|
|
|
Post by HC92 on Apr 30, 2021 11:57:15 GMT -5
Excited to see what Jordan Forrest brings to the offense next year.
|
|
|
Post by nycrusader2010 on Apr 30, 2021 21:47:48 GMT -5
Gotcha Joe, and I got your point. However, we had some issues on special teams this year (is Ng back for the fall?), and our defense, while it looks good against the PL, can't be asked to stay on the field as much as it does when the offense flounders. May be why your point about getting first downs and keeping possession longer with a stronger passing attack carries so much weight. Ng is currently finishing his junior academic year so he'll 100% be back in the fall! His GW FG as a freshman against Yale in 2018 seems like forever ago now.... Our defense has the potential to be an absolute dynamo in the PL the next couple of seasons. Against the #1 team in the country, we held water, forcing SDSU to punt five times. And there wasn't a series last Saturday where you didn't think our D had a chance to get the Jacks' offense off the field. If Sluka can keep defenses honest and learn to read progressions and throw the ball downfield, watch out.
|
|
|
Post by nycrusader2010 on Apr 30, 2021 21:52:33 GMT -5
Judging by our loss to SDSU, we do not have the defense, or the running game to play with the best of FCS. Special teams are also not at that level. We do have the defense and running game to "hang with" the best of FCS. Before we start thinking about competing for national championships, let's focus on the simple objective of winning our first ever playoff game. Let's remember that in 24 seasons of the Patriot League participating in the NCAA playoffs, only ONCE has the league produced a semifinalist (that was Colgate in 2003, who made the title game).
|
|
|
Post by nycrusader2010 on Apr 30, 2021 21:53:43 GMT -5
Excited to see what Jordan Forrest brings to the offense next year. + we have Ayeni and Asanti back, right? Could be a lot of fun.
|
|
|
Post by longsuffering on Apr 30, 2021 21:57:35 GMT -5
It will be fascinating to see what type of growth Sluka can make in a year. Oops, in four months. It doesn't get much better than just coming off the NCAA tournament and knowing the team kicks off on labor day weekend four months away. What if anything will FCS do for Spring practice this year?
|
|
|
Post by hchoops on Apr 30, 2021 22:05:39 GMT -5
Gotcha Joe, and I got your point. However, we had some issues on special teams this year (is Ng back for the fall?), and our defense, while it looks good against the PL, can't be asked to stay on the field as much as it does when the offense flounders. May be why your point about getting first downs and keeping possession longer with a stronger passing attack carries so much weight. Ng is currently finishing his junior academic year so he'll 100% be back in the fall! His GW FG as a freshman against Yale in 2018 seems like forever ago now.... Our defense has the potential to be an absolute dynamo in the PL the next couple of seasons. Against the #1 team in the country, we held water, forcing SDSU to punt five times. And there wasn't a series last Saturday where you didn't think our D had a chance to get the Jacks' offense off the field. We gave up 439 yards. Having a chance to get them off the field is not the same as getting them off the field on 33 rushing attempts, we averaged 3.4 ypc Neither side of the ball is there yet. SDSU was #1, but we are not near them. We have to improve in every area to win a playoff game
|
|
|
Post by nycrusader2010 on May 1, 2021 8:37:26 GMT -5
Ng is currently finishing his junior academic year so he'll 100% be back in the fall! His GW FG as a freshman against Yale in 2018 seems like forever ago now.... Our defense has the potential to be an absolute dynamo in the PL the next couple of seasons. Against the #1 team in the country, we held water, forcing SDSU to punt five times. And there wasn't a series last Saturday where you didn't think our D had a chance to get the Jacks' offense off the field. We gave up 439 yards. Having a chance to get them off the field is not the same as getting them off the field on 33 rushing attempts, we averaged 3.4 ypc Neither side of the ball is there yet. SDSU was #1, but we are not near them. We have to improve in every area to win a playoff game Thankfully, if we make the playoffs again this fall (and hopefully the following) we'll likely be playing an opening round game in a 24-team bracket. We'll have a much better shot to get a W against a Sacred Heart, Monmouth or Maine. Sure we gave up 439 total yards, not embarrassing by any stretch against #1. Fordham got more against us in the air alone. And 3.4 ypc isn't bad considering the compeition. 3.4 ypc means on average you get a first down by running the ball 3 times. But having been at both games, I will say this. We were more physically and athletically overmatched against Monmouth than we were last Saturday against South Dakota State. That's progress. The next 2 seasons are going to be a lot of fun.
|
|
|
Post by hchoops on May 1, 2021 10:13:25 GMT -5
You are pretty convincing. Thanks
|
|
|
Post by hc87 on May 1, 2021 10:40:06 GMT -5
It is what it is I know, but that really wasn't a 31-3 type game. It was 17-3 and they were punting out of their own end zone when the dynamic of the game fundamentally changed on the muffed return.
We needed a lot of breaks to win that game which we didn't get or make with the offense we had last Saturday. Agree with others here though, we really weren't manhandled on either side of the ball against the #1 seed....very encouraging.
|
|