|
Post by longsuffering on Nov 27, 2021 18:37:41 GMT -5
No way the attendance number they announced (4100 and change) was accurate. Definitely was in the 7k range. Not sure why they are lowballing this number. Maybe it doesn’t include walkups? Who knows. Whatever the case may be, we got the W! The old time Worcester fans are coming back. They know where the holes in the fence are behind the big end zone.
|
|
|
Post by fillfittonfield on Nov 27, 2021 18:51:16 GMT -5
Random thoughts and observations:
1) Thought SH played hard and was well coached. They were prepared and did a great job slowing down our offense. Did we play poorly on offense? Yes, but SH deserves credit for their strong D.
2) There was some aggressive trash talking between the teams at the end of the game. HC coaches had to get between some of the players. Glad it didn’t turn into fisticuffs.
3) Impressed with the SH turnout (fans, band, cheerleaders). I was also happy with our turnout given the circumstances (weather, Thanksgiving break, etc). I think some of the HC fans who would usually sit behind our bench were sitting in the endzone trying to stay warm in the sun.
4) Very impressed with the broadcast. A professional production. Lots of good replays due to additional cameras that were in place during the game. The announcers were well prepared. You can tell there was an extra investment in making sure this was a well produced broadcast. I assume ESPN called the shots on this production and had there people running things and/or they picked up the tab for the professional folks who work in the production truck.
5) Very happy for this team and glad they had a chance to play at home one last time this season.
|
|
|
Post by cruskater31 on Nov 27, 2021 19:57:17 GMT -5
Kudos to the fans and band at SHU. They came en mass. Probably the largest visiting crowd I have seen since the UMass night game.
This was a great matchup for them. Cold, windy day, hard to pass, and a starting QB who is run first. They knew they could keep it a low scoring run first game. Lot of QB and RB runs, RLO, etc. Glad we adjusted to it. Great 1st half play calling by SHU.
Villanova is more balanced. 91 rushing first downs. 97 passing. Give our great secondary a chance to shine. I actually like the matchup better. Call me crazy!
|
|
|
Post by kaftan12 on Nov 27, 2021 20:25:37 GMT -5
NOVA was #2 points scored and #1 points allowed in CAA. Not going to say you are crazy but the match up is not favorable considering the performance of the offense today.
|
|
|
Post by alumni111 on Nov 27, 2021 20:31:45 GMT -5
Can't blame attendance on students--plenty live within an hour of campus. How could HC had not done something like HS and kids in free with adult to make there were bodies in the building, as well as the semblace of a home crowd? Shows why the new AD needs to be a smart hire, and why no one currently on campus apparently is conscious. HC had to know a home game was a possibility before last Sunday. If HC can't market a home playoff football game . . . Embarassing. And metro Worcester is bigger than metro Durham, no?
|
|
|
Post by Pakachoag Phreek on Nov 27, 2021 20:37:22 GMT -5
Which Sluka pass play makes the ESPN Top Ten? The TD to Coker for the win, or the flip to Ayeni who was essentially quadruple-covered? The TD pass to Coker was underthrown. Another yard shorter and the catch would have resulted in a first and goal with 14 seconds on the clock. The flip to Ayeni was reckless as he was running one way and flipping it back into a crowd. He threw two potential pick sixes that the defender couldn't hold on to. And he fumbled a snap from center, and fortunately was able to recover the loose ball. Three of those four potential miscues would have probably sealed the game for SHU if they had become a turnover.
|
|
|
Post by hchoops on Nov 27, 2021 20:45:52 GMT -5
The pass to Coker was not so underthrown that he could not catch it. With your great analytic skills, you should know that there are many, many plays in every football games that could have gone the other way. How about our many penalties, Were they also the fault of Sluka ? Of if you are going to nail him for his errors, or almost errors, how about his runs, I.e. on the winning drive the fourth down run for a first down that were it not successful we would have definitely lost. But we won. What is the purpose of rehashing HC’s best offensive player’s errors in the biggest HC win in years ? Is your real name Foley ?
|
|
|
Post by A Clock Tower Purple on Nov 27, 2021 20:50:04 GMT -5
Can't blame attendance on students--plenty live within an hour of campus. How could HC had not done something like HS and kids in free with adult to make there were bodies in the building, as well as the semblace of a home crowd? Shows why the new AD needs to be a smart hire, and why no one currently on campus apparently is conscious. HC had to know a home game was a possibility before last Sunday. If HC can't market a home playoff football game . . . Embarassing. And metro Worcester is bigger than metro Durham, no? HC won't give tix away to HS students and their parents as it pushes the envelope for a potential recruiting violation, and I know for a fact the current HC athletic admin refuses to take the chance.
|
|
|
Post by KY Crusader 75 on Nov 27, 2021 21:01:30 GMT -5
I've said it before and will no doubt say it many more times in the next couple of years: Matt Sluka is an unbelievable talent, "one for the ages". Crusader fans will be talking about him for decades to come.
Edit: corrected the typing issues
|
|
|
Post by Pakachoag Phreek on Nov 27, 2021 21:08:20 GMT -5
The pass to Coker was not so underthrown that he could not catch it. With your great analytic skills, you should know that there are many, many plays in every football games that could have gone the other way. How about our many penalties, Were they also the fault of Sluka ? Of if you are going to nail him for his errors, or almost errors, how about his runs, I.e. on the winning drive the fourth down run for a first down that were it not successful we would have definitely lost. But we won. What is the purpose of rehashing HC’s best offensive player’s errors in the biggest HC win in years ? Is your real name Foley ? Sluka had an excellent game against Fordham, with very good passing, in conditions that arguably were worse than today. He did not have an excellent game today. My litmus test of whether HC football is truly back is how the team does against the better FCS teams, not against the Sacred Hearts.
|
|
|
Post by A Clock Tower Purple on Nov 27, 2021 21:10:34 GMT -5
Stick to Webcam and virus talk rather than breaking down games.
|
|
|
Post by inhocsigno on Nov 27, 2021 21:11:45 GMT -5
Based on how pissed he was in post game interview, I think that Chesney will get them ready for Nova. It was a poor showing on offense today. I don’t expect as bad a performance next week (win or lose).
Did the other other coach shake Chesney’s hand after. It seemed that he did not from broadcast. Also, Sacred Heart players were classless throughout and especially after the game.
|
|
|
Post by hchoops on Nov 27, 2021 21:16:08 GMT -5
The pass to Coker was not so underthrown that he could not catch it. With your great analytic skills, you should know that there are many, many plays in every football games that could have gone the other way. How about our many penalties, Were they also the fault of Sluka ? Of if you are going to nail him for his errors, or almost errors, how about his runs, I.e. on the winning drive the fourth down run for a first down that were it not successful we would have definitely lost. But we won. What is the purpose of rehashing HC’s best offensive player’s errors in the biggest HC win in years ? Is your real name Foley ? Sluka had an excellent game against Fordham, with very good passing, in conditions that arguably were worse than today. He did not have an excellent game today. My litmus test of whether HC football is truly back is how the team does against the better FCS teams, not against the Sacred Hearts. I certainly hope that Matt, his family or friends do not read your “expert analysis”. If you cannot just totally enjoy the result of this game and the player who played a huge part in it happening, I feel sorry for you. So if Matt and the team lose on Friday, you will think the team has failed your “litmus test” ? Very sad.
|
|
|
Post by hchoops on Nov 27, 2021 21:21:00 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by Pakachoag Phreek on Nov 27, 2021 21:22:27 GMT -5
Can't blame attendance on students--plenty live within an hour of campus. How could HC had not done something like HS and kids in free with adult to make there were bodies in the building, as well as the semblace of a home crowd? Shows why the new AD needs to be a smart hire, and why no one currently on campus apparently is conscious. HC had to know a home game was a possibility before last Sunday. If HC can't market a home playoff football game . . . Embarassing. And metro Worcester is bigger than metro Durham, no? Some other attendance numbers today. @kennesaw State, 2464. @ Eastern Washington 3845 (Spokane has a larger population than Worcester.) @ Missouri State (Springfield MO) 5072 @ Incarnate Word 3448 (San Antonio population 1.5 million) Kennesaw State is located in Kennesaw GA, part of metropolitan Atlanta.
|
|
|
Post by cruskater31 on Nov 27, 2021 21:36:43 GMT -5
Just messaged with a buddy who worked as a student intern thingy back when we were at HC. He says at that time, it was too difficult (?) to tabulate walk-ins in time for the box score attendance. He imagines computers today would make it easier, but he thinks maybe the 4 was only online sales? Who knows!
|
|
|
Post by efg72 on Nov 27, 2021 21:44:50 GMT -5
The pass to Coker was not so underthrown that he could not catch it. With your great analytic skills, you should know that there are many, many plays in every football games that could have gone the other way. How about our many penalties, Were they also the fault of Sluka ? Of if you are going to nail him for his errors, or almost errors, how about his runs, I.e. on the winning drive the fourth down run for a first down that were it not successful we would have definitely lost. But we won. What is the purpose of rehashing HC’s best offensive player’s errors in the biggest HC win in years ? Is your real name Foley ? Sluka had an excellent game against Fordham, with very good passing, in conditions that arguably were worse than today. He did not have an excellent game today. My litmus test of whether HC football is truly back is how the team does against the better FCS teams, not against the Sacred Hearts. Sluka is a solid quarterback and is developing into a good.to very good quarterback technically. What makes him so valuable to a team are his leadership skills and desire to win. Sometimes this creates erratic performances, but also gives the team a legitimate shot to win every game. He will continue to develop his technical skills as a QB, and when it all comes together Ky might be correct about Sluka and how he is remembered.l
|
|
|
Post by longsuffering on Nov 27, 2021 22:01:26 GMT -5
Sluka had an excellent game against Fordham, with very good passing, in conditions that arguably were worse than today. He did not have an excellent game today. My litmus test of whether HC football is truly back is how the team does against the better FCS teams, not against the Sacred Hearts. Sluka is a solid quarterback and is developing into a good.to very good quarterback technically. What makes him so valuable to a team are his leadership skills and desire to win. Sometimes this creates erratic performances, but also gives the team a legitimate shot to win every game. He will continue to develop his technical skills as a QB, and when it all comes together Ky might be correct about Sluka and how he is remembered.l Sluka ran for more yards than the top SHU Runner, he threw for more yards than the top SHU passer, and if Siderman had thrown him a couple of screen passes he would have had more receiving yards than the top SHU receiver. Is it fair to say he didn't have a good game today since everyone was dealing with the same cold and wind?
|
|
|
Post by efg72 on Nov 27, 2021 22:13:15 GMT -5
I was commenting that he is more than a player with QB skills, he is a leader on the field and is capable of making plays with his head, arm and legs.As he continues to develop his technical skills he might very well be remembered as Ky suggested.
|
|
|
Post by HCFC45 on Nov 27, 2021 22:21:06 GMT -5
Mr. Chesney, Sr. is off his walker (not his rocker).😊. A good sign! Spoke to him before the game and said "glad to see you don't have your walker" ... he said "i threw it away"!!!
|
|
|
Post by HC92 on Nov 27, 2021 22:26:40 GMT -5
Which Sluka pass play makes the ESPN Top Ten? The TD to Coker for the win, or the flip to Ayeni who was essentially quadruple-covered? The TD pass to Coker was underthrown. Another yard shorter and the catch would have resulted in a first and goal with 14 seconds on the clock. The flip to Ayeni was reckless as he was running one way and flipping it back into a crowd. He threw two potential pick sixes that the defender couldn't hold on to. And he fumbled a snap from center, and fortunately was able to recover the loose ball. Three of those four potential miscues would have probably sealed the game for SHU if they had become a turnover. 4th and 4 from HC26: Sluka rushes for 5 yards. 3rd and 17 from HC24: Sluka rushes for 21 yards. 3rd and 1 from SH46: Sluka 11 yard pass to Ayeni 1st and 10 from SH35: Sluka 35 yard TD pass to Coker (0:14 remaining) Sluka’s not perfect. He is a winner. And a leader. And I’m very glad he’s on our side.
|
|
|
Post by hc87 on Nov 27, 2021 22:30:16 GMT -5
I feared what would become of nhteamer if we had lost today..... It was a tough day for offenses weather-wise today (1st real cold game all year and very windy) but when he absolutely had to do it, Sluka came through with his legs and his arm (not to take away from Coker who made a tremendous catch). Sacred Heart played Delaware pretty tough in the FCS playoffs last Spring too. Lost 19-10 but it was only 12-10 late in the game at Newark. Let's give the Pioneers a little credit.
|
|
|
Post by HC92 on Nov 27, 2021 22:47:42 GMT -5
Sacred Heart was a tremendous team. Defense was unbelievable. They couldn’t get the run game going the way they usually do but I’d like to think we had something to do with that.
|
|
|
Post by hcpride on Nov 28, 2021 4:26:01 GMT -5
Sacred Heart was a tremendous team. Defense was unbelievable. They couldn’t get the run game going the way they usually do but I’d like to think we had something to do with that. The two teams were very evenly matched. STATS ranked us at 24 and SHU at 27 and predicted a 3-point HC margin of victory. Should not have surprised anyone it was a very very close game (why wouldn’t it be?). We had the lead for just 14 seconds in the entire game. Kudos to the folks who secured home field - perhaps that was one decisive factor in a predictably tight contest.
|
|
|
Post by sader1970 on Nov 28, 2021 7:04:05 GMT -5
We started out slowly as has been the case in the past. The Pioneers had a lot to do with that. They are obviously well coached as they were geared to stopping the runs of Sluka and Oliver. On defense, the play that comes to mind was when we had their QB on the run and about to sack him as he was running to the visitor sideline but our secondary lost one of the receivers who got behind them and was thrown a perfect pass. We caught up with the receiver before he could score but seemed to deflate our guys and they went in to score their TD.
The main impediment was our illegal procedure calls which were momentum killers. Also the pass interference calls that from the stands didn’t look like them kept SH drives alive.
To their credit and perhaps where Chesney really shows his worth as a coach, the guys did not give up despite all that frustration.
Credit to Sacred Heart. A very worthy opponent. I am sure they were crushed to lead a game for all but 14 seconds.
On a personal note, I had my good camera and while I took very few videos, my gut told me to take a video of what turned out to be Sluka’s winning TD pass to Coker. Not as good as ESPN’s of course.
|
|