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Post by hc2020 on Aug 28, 2021 7:32:02 GMT -5
Hearing that there were no apparent injuries during today’s scrimmage. My understanding is that the team will begin its normal in-season practice schedule starting on Monday. Sorry guys - no intel. to share re: yesterday’s scrimmage. If anyone has anything to share, please do. All I have is this from Twitter:
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Post by hchoops on Aug 28, 2021 9:01:49 GMT -5
Very encouraging, especially the improvement considering many upper classmen were sitting out.
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Post by Ignutz on Aug 28, 2021 11:57:31 GMT -5
Hearing that there were no apparent injuries during today’s scrimmage. My understanding is that the team will begin its normal in-season practice schedule starting on Monday. Sorry guys - no intel. to share re: yesterday’s scrimmage. If anyone has anything to share, please do. All I have is this from Twitter: AKA - The Chesney Gun Show?? (someone has been taking advantage of the strength-training facilities!)
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Post by hc2020 on Aug 29, 2021 7:38:01 GMT -5
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Post by hchoops on Aug 29, 2021 7:42:34 GMT -5
Where did he transfer from ?
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Post by hc2020 on Aug 29, 2021 7:51:12 GMT -5
Where did he transfer from ? Pomona Pitzer - He attended Philips Exeter
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Post by Pakachoag Phreek on Aug 29, 2021 10:08:26 GMT -5
Pomona-Pitzer are two of the Claremont Colleges. They play twice against a team from two other Claremont Colleges: Claremont McKenna and Harvey Mudd.
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Post by HCFC45 on Aug 29, 2021 10:22:38 GMT -5
From today's Worcester Telegram:
AT CENTER OF IT ALL: Senior Nick Olsofka provides leadership to Holy Cross offensive line
Versatility has been a strength for HC lineman Nick Olsofka, who has settled in at center
Jennifer Toland
Telegram & Gazette
WORCESTER — As a sophomore in 2019, Holy Cross senior Nick Olsofka lined up at right guard, left guard and center, in the same series, against Harvard.
While Holy Cross senior Nick Olsofka has experience at various positions on the offensive line, he has settled in at center. It was a great example of HC’s rotational approach up front — the Crusaders played 12 offensive linemen this spring — and of Olsofka’s versatility and intricate understanding of the game.
“In football, there are so many pieces and so much to learn,” Holy Cross offensive line coach Chris Smith said after a recent practice. “If you go and jump head first into it, you can really be intrigued by all the details and all the different schemes, and he really does that.”
The 6-foot-4, 281-pound Olsofka has settled in at center, where he started four games in the spring while earning All-Patriot League second-team honors and helping HC to its second straight PL title. “At center, you have to be the great communicator,” Holy Cross coach Bob Chesney said, “and he does such a great job of it. He understands how to point a lot of our run game and how to call out pass protections, and he understands the bluffs that come along so to not give anything to the defense. "He’s just a great leader, and he holds that whole thing together," Chesney added. "He’s a calming influence, but he leads the way with his toughness and ability to understand what we’re trying to accomplish on each play.”
As a freshman, Olsofka played in all 11 games as the top backup along the offensive line and helped pave the way for HC to rank second in the PL in total offense (327.3 yards per game), rushing yards (132.5) and scoring (24.4 points per game). In 2019, he played in 12 games with five starts at center and three at right guard, and the Crusaders again ranked among the top teams in total, rushing and scoring offense.
HC, the 2021 preseason PL favorite, averaged 22.5 points in its four games this past spring. Holy Cross center Nick Olsofka prepares to snap the ball during practice Wednesday. “Our offense is taking steps every day,” Olsofka said, “but our big motivation is just coming together as a unit, and I think competing each day together is helping us do that.” Sophomore quarterback Matthew Sluka started the PL championship at Bucknell and the FCS playoff game at South Dakota State, and is the reigning PL Rookie of the Year. Sophomore Marco Siderman and freshman Joe Pesansky also have had significant reps during training camp. “They are really fighting, and they all do good things,” Chesney said. “I don’t foresee a situation where we only have one guy and that is the guy, period. I really think all three of them do so much that is good, and we’re going to need all three of them. We don’t know how this whole semester is going to play out, from injury to COVID. We need everybody to be ready, but they are three very viable candidates.”
Chesney calls Olsofka a great communicator, and he is, but he is naturally very quiet, and has evolved into the role. “Freshman and sophomore year I was known as kind of a quiet guy,” Olsofka said, “but I think as time went on and people started to see me as a leader, I knew that I had to become more vocal, and I think becoming the center, you take that responsibility of becoming a vocal leader. Learning at it and getting better each day as I get more comfortable with it, I think that helps everyone around me.”
Football family that's supportive of each other Olsofka is from Louisville, and his stepbrother, Cole Spencer, is a senior offensive lineman at Western Kentucky. “We’re a football family, and we always root for each other,” Olsofka said. Olsofka’s mother, Suzanne Spencer, and his grandparents are regular visitors to Fitton Field. The last three seasons, Olsofka played on the same line as All-American Brian Foley, who is playing his graduate transfer year at Duke. “Nick is the best center I’ve coached in my 12 years, and I consider him the best offensive lineman in the league, Holy Cross offensive line coach Chris Smith said of senior center Nick Olsofka (57). “Brian led by example, and seeing him on the field really motivated everyone else,” Olsofka said. “Seeing him out there finishing blocks, it’s something we want to strive to be like every day.”
This fall, Olsofka has stepped into that role model role. “He’s by far the leader of that group,” Smith said. “They all look up to him.” Smith, a 2009 Holy Cross graduate, was a four-year starting center for the Crusaders and holds the program record for most consecutive games started (45). He is in his fifth season as HC’s offensive line coach and 12th season coaching overall. “Nick is the best center I’ve coached in my 12 years,” Smith said, “and I consider him the best offensive lineman in the league. He’s focused on being the best player he can be this year, and he’s been impressive because it’s not easy going against our defensive line. We have the best defense in the league, and he goes against them every single day. “He’s the bedrock of our offensive line,” Smith said. “You feel really confident as a coach when you have a guy who understands football the way he does.”
—Contact Jennifer Toland at jennifer.toland@telegram.com. Follow her on Twitter @jentandg.
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Post by KY Crusader 75 on Aug 29, 2021 10:33:51 GMT -5
Nice piece about a Louisville kid!
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Post by mm67 on Aug 29, 2021 12:07:40 GMT -5
Nice piece about a Louisville kid! Many great people from the great state of Kentucky but Woodford Reserve is indeed very special. GoCrossGo!
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Post by midwestsader05 on Aug 31, 2021 7:46:35 GMT -5
Entire Roster Heights and Weights updated…As many of us knew or could tell, most O and D Lineman (and some notable backs) are 10-20 lbs heavier since the last “official” weigh in (led by Pat Newman now at 292 lbs) A few skill players look like they trimmed down..most likely to maximize speed (led by Tenio). Also a few upper classman lineman that didn’t need to put on weight and likely focused more on speed and explosiveness in the off-season. Anyone else jump out at you? goholycross.com/sports/football/roster
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Post by dharry13 on Aug 31, 2021 8:01:09 GMT -5
RBs are good size kids. 4 of them north of 220.
The one guy that sticks out to me is Walter Reynolds at FS. From my perspective 6'0/193 is small for a Free Safety. I'm more comfortable with a 6'2 guy 210 at that position. Walter is a good player - no doubt. I just think a bigger guy is needed at Free Safety. But he's certainly made some plays in his time at HC.
Over time a kid like Jarmolovich hopefully can get to 6'2/195-200
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Post by hc6774 on Aug 31, 2021 8:02:28 GMT -5
Entire Roster Heights and Weights updated…As many of us knew or could tell, most O and D Lineman (and some notable backs) are 10-20 lbs heavier since the last “official” weigh in (led by Pat Newman now at 292 lbs) A few skill players look like they trimmed down..most likely to maximize speed (led by Tenio). Also a few upper classman linesman that didn’t need to put on weight and likely focused more on speed and explosiveness in the off-season. Anyone else jump out at you? goholycross.com/sports/football/rosterthe punter... down 20 lbs
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Post by hc2020 on Aug 31, 2021 8:30:45 GMT -5
RBs are good size kids. 4 of them north of 220. The one guy that sticks out to me is Walter Reynolds at FS. From my perspective 6'0/193 is small for a Free Safety. I'm more comfortable with a 6'2 guy 210 at that position. Walter is a good player - no doubt. I just think a bigger guy is needed at Free Safety. But he's certainly made some plays in his time at HC. Over time a kid like Jarmolovich hopefully can get to 6'2/195-200 Grant Holloman at only 185lbs continues to concern me. He plays the overhang safety position, which is the hybrid and is supposedly akin to a third LB/SS in our schemes. If I am UConn, I am identifying where he is each player and running right at him with a big TE. As a converted CB, he has played well at that position, but against PL competition. The bigger FCS and FBS schools will likely seek to exploit that significant size differential.
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Post by dharry13 on Aug 31, 2021 8:37:41 GMT -5
Yes, on early downs a larger DB should probably be in on a run situation downs. My guess is UCONN will try to come out and establish the run against HC. HC is good against the run, but against a larger team, having an extra LB or larger DB will help with that. With the LBs HC has, I'm more concerned in pass coverage. Fordham game still fresh in my mind.
I personally am more nervous about pass coverage than I am run coverage.
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Post by midwestsader05 on Aug 31, 2021 8:46:19 GMT -5
RBs are good size kids. 4 of them north of 220. The one guy that sticks out to me is Walter Reynolds at FS. From my perspective 6'0/193 is small for a Free Safety. I'm more comfortable with a 6'2 guy 210 at that position. Walter is a good player - no doubt. I just think a bigger guy is needed at Free Safety. But he's certainly made some plays in his time at HC. Over time a kid like Jarmolovich hopefully can get to 6'2/195-200 DHarry, from what I’ve seen and heard Frosh Ryan Ruane #10 is getting reps with the 2’s in camp. He’s already 6’2 ~200. He’s probably the one to watch if Walter hangs em up after this season.
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Post by midwestsader05 on Aug 31, 2021 9:02:12 GMT -5
Yes, on early downs a larger DB should probably be in on a run situation downs. My guess is UCONN will try to come out and establish the run against HC. HC is good against the run, but against a larger team, having an extra LB or larger DB will help with that. With the LBs HC has, I'm more concerned in pass coverage. Fordham game still fresh in my mind. I personally am more nervous about pass coverage than I am run coverage. HC2020/DHarry, I expect HC to mix up its fronts and personnel. Don’t forget Terrell Prince is built more like an overhang/rover at 5’11 210 (similar to Joe Lang) and when healthy has shown he’s very capable against the run. Also, as I mentioned in another thread, we started playing more 4-3 fronts against SDSU (as they were exploiting exactly what you mentioned) We will likely rotate out Holloman or Prince and bring in Doran or Bolden as the 3rd LB. I expect to see this in short yardage and other run situations regardless if UCONN is having success running the ball or not.
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Post by midwestsader05 on Aug 31, 2021 10:25:05 GMT -5
HC Game Preview SHOULD be out later this afternoon (although I would not put it past them to publish it later). Here’s what I’m watching in our two-deep:
OFFENSE: 2nd team RB: Oliver very likely to be listed as the 1. Abrams finished the spring as the 2. Did a healthy Forrest emerge? Soph Ezema bulked up a ton over the past year. Fuller is built like a Senior as a Freshman. Purdy is a great all around athlete. Again, I expect more than 2 to play and even get touches. Just will be interesting. Starting LT: I expect it to be Luke Newman. He’s too good of an athlete not to start as a Soph (and he’s put on ~20 lbs to his big frame)
DEFENSE: 2nd team DE (4th in rotation:) I’m thinking Soph’s Dyer or Springer (both look to have developed a lot since they arrived on campus) 2nd team DT (4th in rotation:) Soph Pat Blowe has bulked up to almost 300 lbs (and by pics not in his belly)…or did one of the highly recruited Freshman show enough in camp? Reserves across the Defensive Backfield: The only lock is Terrence Spence who will play a good amount on Saturday. Is the 4th CB Kam Molton (who finished there in the spring) or someone else? Who are the 3 2nd team safeties? Odds are on Argos, Burns and Rivers but there could be a surprise or two in there.
Anything else?
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Post by dharry13 on Aug 31, 2021 10:31:08 GMT -5
All of the above. Intrigued to see who the 2 deeps will be at WR. It's a deep group. Is Lane the back up TE? Who starts at RB? Who is behind Kuznetsov and Whitley besides Reichwein at DE? Is Williams - a very highly touted DT in the 2 deep?
Do any Frosh get listed on the 2 deep - I personally think you'll see 3 - Ruane, Williams, ?? (someone we haven't heard much about in camp as of yet?)
Who's the backup FS?
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Post by bfoley82 on Aug 31, 2021 10:33:47 GMT -5
Sorry guys - no intel. to share re: yesterday’s scrimmage. If anyone has anything to share, please do. All I have is this from Twitter: AKA - The Chesney Gun Show?? (someone has been taking advantage of the strength-training facilities!) I was going to say the same thing
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Post by bfoley82 on Aug 31, 2021 10:37:31 GMT -5
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Post by bfoley82 on Aug 31, 2021 10:40:00 GMT -5
I have witnessed Texans, Browns, and Patriots scouts on the sidelines at Assumption and Holy Cross during warmups. They are also out there during the regular season.
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Post by hc6774 on Aug 31, 2021 10:47:00 GMT -5
a w/o? now 2 yrs later... 14 lbs & '1 bigger; maybe on special teams
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Post by deep Purple on Aug 31, 2021 11:59:10 GMT -5
It's good to see that most of the DL's put on 10-20 lbs. I think they're going to dominate the PL.
Interesting that 6'6" Mcmurtry dropped almost 10 lbs down to 288. Usually it's the other way around unless it's someone well over 300 lbs.
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Post by longsuffering on Aug 31, 2021 12:57:06 GMT -5
a w/o? now 2 yrs later... 14 lbs & '1 bigger; maybe on special teams Logically a walk on. Great depth with a kid who obviously wants to be there. Welcome back to New England. Does the PL let teams have as many walk-ons as they want?
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