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Post by rgs318 on Sept 5, 2021 9:26:55 GMT -5
So saying that FCS football is the level that HC can be at to have success and aim for a national title means one is being "dishonest?" I have to disagree with that.
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Post by nycrusader2010 on Sept 5, 2021 9:27:22 GMT -5
UConn and UMass are in college football limbo. Neither will ever go back to FCS. Too much investment. Only hope for them is with the coming conference shakeups the ACC implode. Could happen if the Big Ten lures a couple of schools away to counter the SEC getting Oklahoma and Texas. UMASS will go back first. ACC isnt imploding but if they feel forced to expand to 16, UConn would have to at least be in the conversation along with West Virginia. But that's a long shot. The Rent is an absolute embarrassment. Built in 2000, that's the best tney could do at a time when the anticipation was to join a league with Syracuse, BC, Pitt, Virginia Tech and Miami? I was expecting a facility a least close to on par with Alumni Stadium, minus the charm of the Chestnut Hill backdrop.
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Post by gks on Sept 5, 2021 9:36:10 GMT -5
UConn and UMass are in college football limbo. Neither will ever go back to FCS. Too much investment. Only hope for them is with the coming conference shakeups the ACC implode. Could happen if the Big Ten lures a couple of schools away to counter the SEC getting Oklahoma and Texas. UMASS will go back first. ACC isnt imploding but if they feel forced to expand to 16, UConn would have to at least be in the conversation along with West Virginia. But that's a long shot. The Rent is an absolute embarrassment. Built in 2000, that's the best tney could do at a time when the anticipation was to join a league with Syracuse, BC, Pitt, Virginia Tech and Miami? I was expecting a facility a least close to on par with Alumni Stadium, minus the charm of the Chestnut Hill backdrop. I have no proof but I could see UNC and Virginia being offered Big Ten invites. The lure of the Big Ten $$$$$ is hard to pass down. Would not be surprised is Big Ten and SEC become the two 'mega-conferences' in college sports.
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Post by bigfan on Sept 5, 2021 9:49:53 GMT -5
Where will Notre Dame go, stay in ACC or go to the Big Ten.
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Post by nycrusader2010 on Sept 5, 2021 9:50:06 GMT -5
UMASS will go back first. ACC isnt imploding but if they feel forced to expand to 16, UConn would have to at least be in the conversation along with West Virginia. But that's a long shot. The Rent is an absolute embarrassment. Built in 2000, that's the best tney could do at a time when the anticipation was to join a league with Syracuse, BC, Pitt, Virginia Tech and Miami? I was expecting a facility a least close to on par with Alumni Stadium, minus the charm of the Chestnut Hill backdrop. I have no proof but I could see UNC and Virginia being offered Big Ten invites. The lure of the Big Ten $$$$$ is hard to pass down. Would not be surprised is Big Ten and SEC become the two 'mega-conferences' in college sports. Big Ten has no need to invite UVA -- already has Maryland for the DC market. I dont think UNC would leave the ACC because of the influence from the basketball side. I actually predicted a few years ago that the Big Ten would invite Texas and Oklahoma. Obviously, that ship has now sailed. Big Ten will make one more push for Notre Dame before they consider digging into Tobacco Road.
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Post by nycrusader2010 on Sept 5, 2021 9:52:46 GMT -5
Where will Notre Dame go, stay in ACC or go to the Big Ten. They'll stay independent as long as they can. But I would lean slightly towards ACC if forced to choose. Seems that ND has always been inclined to look towards the East Coast when making conference affiliation decisions. The more recent exception being hockey when they left Hockey East to help form Big Ten Hockey.
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Post by longsuffering on Sept 5, 2021 10:19:41 GMT -5
fbschedules.com/ncaa/uconn/ There's games on here kids would want to play. The rest of the stuff I agree w/you on. Plus the punching bag aspect of the program My bad for not actually checking the schedule, Tim. I still would say being an Indy isn't all that attractive though. Is there a I-84/I-91 trophy they are still in the running for? HC took home the I-84 trophy yesterday and will put it in the dusty spot that had been reserved for the Turnpike Trophy. The I-91 trophy will be decided when UConn plays their Superbowl against UMass.
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Post by ndgradbuthcfan on Sept 5, 2021 10:31:28 GMT -5
Financially, ND has no incentive to change anything. They're probably making more $$ than any team in the country (or close to it). Plus they are very conservative about change. Refused to play in bowl games for decades including the entire time I was there. Time to start an annual Rte. 9 Bowl; HC v. UMass.
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Post by KY Crusader 75 on Sept 5, 2021 10:44:14 GMT -5
One more thought on the defense: Kevin Mensah, with nearly 3,000 career rushing yards and an average of 4.5 yards per carry, averaged 3.1 yards per carry yesterday and had a long run of 10 yards
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Post by sader1970 on Sept 5, 2021 10:47:56 GMT -5
The problem is, neither UConn or UMass "can play at the next level," at least not successfully.
I must have much lower standards than some here. My second trip to the Rent in 4 years (both HC games). Was it a "plush" stadium? Probably not. But when you're only going to be there for 4 hours +/-, it was perfectly fine. I also went to Alumni Stadium when HC last played them and did not find Alumni any better than the Rent. Heck, I wasn't impressed with the "new" Yankee Stadium either. Let's see how I feel about Polar Park.
My "complaint" with the Rent was somehow I thought I remembered the place being all chairbacks and obviously was wrong. Despite being one of the first to order my tickets through HC, where I sat on about the 20 yard line 4 years ago, I found myself in end zone seats this year in the blazing sun. Saw '45 at halftime and I believe he said he was seated on about the 20 but bought his seats through UConn at the advice of HC Athletics! And to add insult to injury, he said the cost of his tickets were the same as mine. So, exactly why should I buy tickets for away games through HC? Hopefully, fool me once shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.
The $64 question: were either Marcus Blossom (still AD until 9/24) or Vince Rougeau at the game? Didn't see either but either or both might have been in the suites.
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Post by sader1970 on Sept 5, 2021 10:51:37 GMT -5
From my (lousy) perspective, I thought he had gained much, much more but looking at their total rushing yards, I realized I was wrong and watched more carefully and noticed he was running long distances but 90%-95% of his running was east-west not north-south. We did a great job containing him and their Canadian QB is lousy as just like against Fresno, he consistently missed the occasional open Huskie receivers - almost always long. If they had a better QB, they would be much, much better.
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Post by hchoops on Sept 5, 2021 10:58:31 GMT -5
Anyone have a ballpark estimate of how much UCONN would “save” annually by going FCS? UConn's current P/L is $12 million in revenues (tickets, TV, guarantee games) vs. $16 million in expenses (scholarships, coaches, travel). Let's assume payments on Rentschler Field is covered by the state. A drop to I-AA cuts expenses to probably $6 million (e.g., not paying a head coach $1.5 million, regional travel, 22 fewer scholarships). But the revenues drop under $1 million (assuming attendance drops by two-thirds, no more than one guarantee game per year, no CBS Sports Network contract, no other appearances on ESPN). UConn essentially becomes UNH playing in the optics of a desolate 40,000 seat stadium. It's not quite a wash but as anyone in the PL will tell you if they were honest about it, there's no major upside in FCS if you can play at the next level. That is exactly the point UConn cannot currently play at the FBS level
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Post by HC92 on Sept 5, 2021 11:10:04 GMT -5
The problem is, neither UConn or UMass "can play at the next level," at least not successfully. I must have much lower standards than some here. My second trip to the Rent in 4 years (both HC games). Was it a "plush" stadium? Probably not. But when you're only going to be there for 4 hours +/-, it was perfectly fine. I also went to Alumni Stadium when HC last played them and did not find Alumni any better than the Rent. Heck, I wasn't impressed with the "new" Yankee Stadium either. Let's see how I feel about Polar Park. My "complaint" with the Rent was somehow I thought I remembered the place being all chairbacks and obviously was wrong. Despite being one of the first to order my tickets through HC, where I sat on about the 20 yard line 4 years ago, I found myself in end zone seats this year in the blazing sun. Saw '45 at halftime and I believe he said he was seated on about the 20 but bought his seats through UConn at the advice of HC Athletics! And to add insult to injury, he said the cost of his tickets were the same as mine. So, exactly why should I buy tickets for away games through HC? Hopefully, fool me once shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. The $64 question: were either Marcus Blossom (still AD until 9/24) or Vince Rougeau at the game? Didn't see either but either or both might have been in the suites. Marcus was definitely at the game as I saw him on the field afterward. For road games, the general rule is that the home team is going to allocate very bad seats to the opponents for their block. I would always buy outside of our block unless it’s going to be crowded or you want to make sure you’re near more HC fans. I did the same as HCFC45, walked up to the window, requested section 140 and left with a $100 charge on my card and 5 tickets in Section 140. The funny thing is that UConn promotes buying tickets in advance when they’re only $15 but then you pay a $6 additional fee per ticket so the advance purchase deal actually costs an extra dollar.
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Post by newfieguy74 on Sept 5, 2021 11:10:52 GMT -5
Apologies if anyone has mentioned this already but the UConn sports forum the Boneyard has a thread entitled We Should Hire HC's Coach.
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Post by Crucis#1 on Sept 5, 2021 11:12:47 GMT -5
An advantage that The Rent has over Alumni Stadium.... Parking and immediate accessibility to an interstate highway, I 84.
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Post by sader1970 on Sept 5, 2021 11:19:12 GMT -5
Yeah . . . . for $20. Thought someone posted prior to the game it was $15. Maybe they saw my Crusader attire. And, yes, had an actual Crusader logo on my shirt.
And, just for grins and giggles, there was an obvious HC videographer prior to the game taking videos of HC fans (sure we'll see it sometime soon) and he got shots and reactions from everyone around me but purposely made sure he didn't capture me. Now, some might suggest I just wasn't good looking enough or because I was wearing a KN-95 mask (in case I ran into Crucis) but my gut tells me he had strict rules not to capture anyone with the dreaded Crusader. Recall the total elimination of the Crusader is in the illustrious Blossom 5 year strategic plan.
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Post by sader1970 on Sept 5, 2021 11:22:24 GMT -5
hoops, as an FYI, T&G has a special $1 for 6 months unlimited on-line access which I just signed up for. Figure that'll cover the entire football season and much of the basketball season. Seems worth it to me.
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Post by Crucis#1 on Sept 5, 2021 11:29:05 GMT -5
Sader1970
I was mask free while viewing the game.... from my family room. 🙃
Even had an exclusive live video report during the game from a friend. Based on reports from the Rent, there was a whisper going around the HC section.....Who is that Masked Man, then someone said, it is the Lone Sader....que the William Tell a overtire. 😂
Decided that last time, we almost won with me being at the Rent, figure this time I would change the mojo by skipping live attendance. Very pleased with the outcome yesterday.
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Post by Sons of Vaval on Sept 5, 2021 12:36:43 GMT -5
Several thoughts on the game --
Can't start anywhere else but Matt Sluka. I thought he played mistake-free football. First and foremost -- no turnovers. Winning the turnover battle against UConn was a big key to our victory. It still seems like the handcuffs are being put on Sluka a bit as Chesney is hesitant to really put the ball in the air much. I think it speaks volumes of our physicality up front as we were able to play "bully ball" against UConn. There's nothing more demoralizing for an opponent. Chesney is also very clearly a run-first guy and wants his offense to operate that way. When Sluka did put it in the air, I can't recall him missing any receivers. He definitely seems like a more polished passer -- amazing what a few months in the offseason can do! In fact, a few of his incompletions were drops. He's a freak athlete, exhibited by that 76-yard run midway through the 4th quarter. We were in a precarious position as our offense was struggling to put some first downs together to flip the field, but then he saved the day.
Offensive line -- bullied the UConn front seven all day. Chesney clearly knew we had an advantage here and was confident in running the ball behind our line with Sluka, Oliver, and Purdy (!!!). I don't agree with the ratio of run to pass (51 to 20), but when you can get 4.4 yards per rush, hard to disagree with it. That average is skewed a bit with Sluka's 76-yard run.
Love the depth at RB with the emergency of Purdy. He seems like a great 3rd down back who can catch the ball out of the backfield going forward. I'd have though we'd see more of Jordan Forrest yesterday.
Despite how great Sluka and our ground game were, I thought the front seven on defense were the MVP yesterday. Kevin Mensah was totally shut down. Zergiotis was sacked three times. The pick six by Jason Modak obviously stands out the most, but Dobbs and Anderson were monsters at LB. Chesney is right that we need to be talking about Liam Anderson more. I thought Jake Reichwein was a real pleasant surprise, too. He had a great tackle in the backfield and nearly had a pick six himself. Lastly, while there were a couple breakdowns in the secondary, I can understand why John Smith is a pro prospect. He was all over the field.
The only real quibble is that I'd like to find ways to get the ball into the hands of some of our talented receivers more often. Chesney is a run-first guy, we know this, but how about getting the ball into Ayeni's, Asante's, and Coker's hands more often (just seven touches combined).
In the intangibles section, doesn't it almost always seem like we've won this battle with Chesney? I'm not sure if it's dumb luck, being better prepared, taking care of the "little things," Chesney being a special teams freak, or some combination of the above, but it seems like we get a lot of the bounces. Don't think that is by coincidence.
Yale in 2018 -- Scored two TDs in the final 6:45 of regulation. Final TD comes on a 4th and 10 from Yale's 29 yard-line. Then in OT, stops Yale on 3rd and 1 and 4th and 1 to turn them over on downs. Georgetown in 2018 -- Two blocked punts returned for TDs in the 4th quarter. 32-31 win. UNH in 2019 -- Blocked punt recovered in the end zone by Joe Lang late in the 4th quarter. 13-10 win. Fordham in 2021 (spring) -- Blocked punt returned for TD. 34-24 win. UConn in 2021 -- Modak pick six off of a UConn lineman's helmet. 38-28 win.
Think we are in store for a fun season.
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Post by alum on Sept 5, 2021 12:50:02 GMT -5
The problem is, neither UConn or UMass "can play at the next level," at least not successfully. I must have much lower standards than some here. My second trip to the Rent in 4 years (both HC games). Was it a "plush" stadium? Probably not. But when you're only going to be there for 4 hours +/-, it was perfectly fine. I also went to Alumni Stadium when HC last played them and did not find Alumni any better than the Rent. Heck, I wasn't impressed with the "new" Yankee Stadium either. Let's see how I feel about Polar Park. My "complaint" with the Rent was somehow I thought I remembered the place being all chairbacks and obviously was wrong. Despite being one of the first to order my tickets through HC, where I sat on about the 20 yard line 4 years ago, I found myself in end zone seats this year in the blazing sun. Saw '45 at halftime and I believe he said he was seated on about the 20 but bought his seats through UConn at the advice of HC Athletics! And to add insult to injury, he said the cost of his tickets were the same as mine. So, exactly why should I buy tickets for away games through HC? Hopefully, fool me once shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. The $64 question: were either Marcus Blossom (still AD until 9/24) or Vince Rougeau at the game? Didn't see either but either or both might have been in the suites. Marcus was definitely at the game as I saw him on the field afterward. For road games, the general rule is that the home team is going to allocate very bad seats to the opponents for their block. I would always buy outside of our block unless it’s going to be crowded or you want to make sure you’re near more HC fans. I did the same as HCFC45, walked up to the window, requested section 140 and left with a $100 charge on my card and 5 tickets in Section 140. The funny thing is that UConn promotes buying tickets in advance when they’re only $15 but then you pay a $6 additional fee per ticket so the advance purchase deal actually costs an extra dollar. Someone who wanted to bring all the kids who would fit in the minivan can get 7 tickets for $35 at the Rent. They are up high but i am pretty certain nobody was checking seat locations😁
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Post by longsuffering on Sept 5, 2021 12:52:19 GMT -5
My bad for not actually checking the schedule, Tim. I still would say being an Indy isn't all that attractive though. Is there a I-84/I-91 trophy they are still in the running for? HC took home the I-84 trophy yesterday and will put it in the dusty spot that had been reserved for the Turnpike Trophy. The I-91 trophy will be decided when UConn plays their Superbowl against UMass. These are just mythical trophies of course except for the real turnpike trophy NP thought up that has never been west of Rte. 128.
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Post by breezy on Sept 5, 2021 13:28:35 GMT -5
Yale in 2018 -- Scored two TDs in the final 6:45 of regulation. Final TD comes on a 4th and 10 from Yale's 29 yard-line. Then in OT, stops Yale on 3rd and 1 and 4th and 1 to turn them over on downs. Georgetown in 2018 -- Two blocked punts returned for TDs in the 4th quarter. 32-31 win. UNH in 2019 -- Blocked punt recovered in the end zone by Joe Lang late in the 4th quarter. 13-10 win. Fordham in 2021 (spring) -- Blocked punt returned for TD. 34-24 win. UConn in 2021 -- Modak pick six off of a UConn lineman's helmet. 38-28 win. Minor quibble -- in the 2019 UNH game, Joe Lang recovered a fumble in the end zone (it was not a blocked punt).
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Post by longsuffering on Sept 5, 2021 13:38:14 GMT -5
One more thought on the defense: Kevin Mensah, with nearly 3,000 career rushing yards and an average of 4.5 yards per carry, averaged 3.1 yards per carry yesterday and had a long run of 10 yards HC is the first team from Central Mass to stop him. Nobody could when he was with Holy Name and Shepherd Hill high schools.
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Post by longsuffering on Sept 5, 2021 13:47:24 GMT -5
The problem is, neither UConn or UMass "can play at the next level," at least not successfully. I must have much lower standards than some here. My second trip to the Rent in 4 years (both HC games). Was it a "plush" stadium? Probably not. But when you're only going to be there for 4 hours +/-, it was perfectly fine. I also went to Alumni Stadium when HC last played them and did not find Alumni any better than the Rent. Heck, I wasn't impressed with the "new" Yankee Stadium either. Let's see how I feel about Polar Park. My "complaint" with the Rent was somehow I thought I remembered the place being all chairbacks and obviously was wrong. Despite being one of the first to order my tickets through HC, where I sat on about the 20 yard line 4 years ago, I found myself in end zone seats this year in the blazing sun. Saw '45 at halftime and I believe he said he was seated on about the 20 but bought his seats through UConn at the advice of HC Athletics! And to add insult to injury, he said the cost of his tickets were the same as mine. So, exactly why should I buy tickets for away games through HC? Hopefully, fool me once shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. The $64 question: were either Marcus Blossom (still AD until 9/24) or Vince Rougeau at the game? Didn't see either but either or both might have been in the suites. Call Ryan the new ticket guy and put him on blast for a minute before resuming your gregarious nature. It will help him in his career. He needs the gravitas to tell host schools exactly what he needs for the HC faithful. My assumption is UConn paid us more than Yale because of our ticket sales at the Rent in 2017. He should compile a database of attendance at BC, UConn, selling out Polar Park, etc. to help him negotiate the best deal for traveling HC fans.
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Post by purplehaze on Sept 5, 2021 13:58:31 GMT -5
Particularly in the 2nd half yday we had such poor field position and UConn had great field position. Yet, they only managed one TD - hard to overcome this but we did, especially the the Sluka 76 yr scamper - Just a great team and staff effort In our remaining games I’d say Yale, Monmouth and Harvard are all better than UConn - all very tough games
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