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Post by sader1970 on Sept 25, 2022 14:58:24 GMT -5
Thought I'd pass along our results vs. Harvard over the last 10 years:
2021 L 38-13 H 2020 No game 2019 L 31-21 H 2018 L 33-31 A 2017 No game 2016 W 27-17 H 2015 No game 2014 L 41-18 A 2013 L 41-35 H 2012 L 52-3 A
So, last 10 years and our record against the Johnnies is 1-6 and 3 no games. And many of those losses were lopsided. Time to rectify all that and have an historic first Yale/Harvard winning combo.
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Post by sader1970 on Sept 25, 2022 15:02:34 GMT -5
So, my recollection was correct, Harvard is IL pre-season favorite:
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Post by mm67 on Sept 25, 2022 17:13:10 GMT -5
Why all the "talk" about FU & rankings and not the actual match-up with Harvard? Is this in absentia an admission of deep concern about the Harvard game? Would like to hear from our more knowledgeable posters about the match-up.
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Post by rgs318 on Sept 25, 2022 17:45:54 GMT -5
Harvard is experienced and strong. They appear potentially to be equal to HC but if we play our "A" game we should be able to take them. The biggest test will be for our offensive line and our defensive backs. It may come down to who gets on the board first. IF HC has (as one poster called it during the Colgate game) our "usual slow start" it could be difficult to come back against this club. That is "difficult" but not impossible.
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Post by KY Crusader 75 on Sept 25, 2022 17:58:20 GMT -5
Hard to believe Coach Chesney has not defeated Harvard. We can rectify that this week
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Post by sader1970 on Sept 25, 2022 18:13:17 GMT -5
Speaking for myself, I'm concerned about Harvard but I was also concerned about Yale. The difference is that Harvard is predicted to win the IL as we are predicted to win the PL. As others have said, we have to bring our "A" game, which I don't think we did against Colgate. I think going for us is that we have a depth that we don't normally have playing Harvard or other schools. In my conversations with Coach Chesney and I bring this up (not against Harvard specifically), his comeback is that we have no greater advantage than any other team with the Covid waivers (true enough). However, we've never had that before while other schools have grad schools to carry players forward or non-medical red shirting. We've never had so many seniors and 5th year seniors. This gives us an experience and depth we've never had before. While we may not have an advantage, we find ourselves with a lesser disadvantage.
BC knows that HC has never beaten both Yale and Harvard the same year. He considers this a "special year" and I am confident he wants to make a lot of history. He's a master of motivation (Knute Rockne had nothing on him). My listing of how we've done against Harvard I am sure he's already brought to the players and coaches attention. The team wants to be undefeated each and every week. They aren't looking past anyone. The Merrimack game last season apparently scarred them, in a good way.
Bottom line: this will be a tough game and we may need to gut this one out to the end.
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Post by cruskater31 on Sept 25, 2022 20:11:40 GMT -5
Merrimack seemed to get good pushes on the pass rush, but by the 2nd half the Harvard backs were able to gash them with a few runs. Aidan Borguet (21) looks like he has decent size but is really, really fast. Dont give him holes or let him beat the edge guy. Brown played a lot of 4-3 in the highlights and didnt seem to get much pressure. The Harvard receivers seem smaller but fast and can exploit single, man coverage. The QB seems to see when there is a hole in the zone also...had a big play up the middle where the safety looked to cover the slot guy but got messed up when the OLB peeled away to cover the flats.
They have a good offense but I think we can get pressure. We need to with some weaknesses we occasionally see in single coverage against Buffalo and 'Gate. I think defensively we are much, much better than both Merrimack and Brown (by the transitive property we should handle Bryant easily). I couldn't find many defensive highlights by Harvard but they seem to have quick linebackers who like to pass rush. Maybe Sluka can exploit their aggressiveness but I expect Murphy will have them ready.
Big game on Saturday. Looking forward to hearing everyone's thoughts. GO CROSS
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Post by longsuffering on Sept 25, 2022 20:39:34 GMT -5
Borguet torched Merrimack when Harvard had their late surge. With fewer scholarships leading to less depth that can be counted on in key situations, Merrimack might have been a step slow due to fatigue. HC should not have that issue.
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Post by ndgradbuthcfan on Sept 25, 2022 20:43:07 GMT -5
Does anyone think Harvard has better players than Buffalo or much better players than Yale? I don't and expect a competitive game and a HC win.
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Post by longsuffering on Sept 25, 2022 21:02:44 GMT -5
Does anyone think Harvard has better players than Buffalo or much better players than Yale? I don't and expect a competitive game and a HC win. Better continuity of roster and coaching staff at Harvard. Not that it probably happens often, but I think Harvard would win most recruiting battles for the same player with Buffalo, so I think Harvard can have players as good as a MAC team, and combining coaching and roster a better overall team than Buffalo like HC had this year. Regarding Yale, they were picked fourth in the IL so the Crimson should be a tougher battle and we will be playing in Allston, not Worcester.
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Post by cruskater31 on Sept 25, 2022 21:06:10 GMT -5
Does anyone think Harvard has better players than Buffalo or much better players than Yale? I don't and expect a competitive game and a HC win. This really doesn't answer your question because I do not know about the recruiting aspect or who has FBS offers, etc. on Harvard and Yale...but...Massey has Buffalo eith a 75% chance to beat Harvard 31-20. Buffalo with a 75% chance over Yale, 36-24. And just for fun, Harvard 59% over Yale, 28-24. I guess Massey sort of confirms your thought. No, Harvard does not have better players than Buffalo nor a heck of a lot (although a little bit better) than Yale. Coaching will be solid as will conditioning.
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Post by KY Crusader 75 on Sept 25, 2022 21:14:36 GMT -5
Harvard may be able to win recruiting battles versus Buffalo but that likely applies to 5% (if that) of the players Buffalo pursues. 95% of Buffalo’s targets are guys who would not be admitted to Harvard.
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Post by longsuffering on Sept 25, 2022 23:05:23 GMT -5
Harvard may be able to win recruiting battles versus Buffalo but that likely applies to 5% (if that) of the players Buffalo pursues. 95% of Buffalo’s targets are guys who would not be admitted to Harvard. So, better to use trick plays against Buffalo than Harvard. Glad we didn't save the double passes. Harvard players are too smart to be fooled by that stuff.🙂 I guess my point is we exploited the disjointedness of a new coach and a bunch of new transfers in at Buffalo, with the winning Hail Mary being a prime example. One disciplined receiver beat four higher recruited but disorganized defenders. Harvard which seldom has a transfer in and has great longevity among assistant coaches because they pay well, could do the same.
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Post by hcpride on Sept 26, 2022 1:00:25 GMT -5
As others have pointed out, Yale was predicted to finish 4th in the Ivy League AND was coming off a 40+ week layoff AND was playing at our place. Harvard was predicted to finish 1st in the Ivy League AND isn’t rusty at all AND is playing at their place.
So it’ll be a tougher game, IMHO, but we’ll grab another win.
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Post by Non Alum Dave on Sept 26, 2022 6:02:21 GMT -5
With no disrespect to Fordham or anyone else, IMHO this is the toughest remaining game. HC won't be up against a team like they were with Buffalo, they will be going up against an established PROGRAM in Harvard. Hope it's a great enough game to get some local attention, media wise.....I won't hold my breath though.
The game just might come down to ole #35.
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Post by hchoops on Sept 26, 2022 7:40:14 GMT -5
With no disrespect to Fordham or anyone else, IMHO this is the toughest remaining game. HC won't be up against a team like they were with Buffalo, they will be going up against an established PROGRAM in Harvard. Hope it's a great enough game to get some local attention, media wise.....I won't hold my breath though. The game just might come down to ole #35. Good points, Dave. But I am not sure whether Harvard’s program could beat Buffalo’s or Fordham’s teams. Holy Cross’ program AND team will beat Harvard”s program, even if it takes #35.
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Post by KY Crusader 75 on Sept 26, 2022 8:21:25 GMT -5
Against the common opponent, Maerrimack, here's how Holy Cross, Harvard, and Merrimack were able to move the ball
OFFENSE
Passing vs Merrimack HC= 259 Yards= 10.0 yards per attempt Harvard=166 Yards= 4.7 yards per attempt
Rushing vs Merrimack HC= 243 yards= 5.5 yards per carry Harvard= 154 tards= 4.2 yards per carry
DEFENSE
Merrimack Passing VS HC= 189 Yards = 6.3 yards per attempt VS Harvard= 309 Yards= 6.9 Yards per attempt
Merrimack Rushing VS HC= 91 Yards= 3.4 yards per carry VS Harvard= (26) yards= (0.9) yards per carry. Includes (50) yards by QB's as NCAA puts sack yardage in rushing rather than subtracting it from passing yardage
Passing Offense: Holy Cross significantly better performance than Harvard Rushing Offense : Holy Cross moderately better performance than Harvard
Passing Defense: HC and Harvard performed about the same Rushing Defense: Harvard significantly better performance than Holy Cross
That's just the topline on moving the ball and we know that the only thing that counts is scoring.
Maybe I'll take a look at other key factors such as special teams and penalties
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Post by hchoops on Sept 26, 2022 8:27:24 GMT -5
Thanks Ky But if you added the 50 yards in Harvard sacks, would that not make the rushing D stats be pretty close ?
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Post by sader1970 on Sept 26, 2022 8:38:19 GMT -5
KY, penalties was a major factor for us against Merrimack. Too many not-so-smart penalties (9 for 110 yards). Merrimack not much better (10 penalties for 70 yards) The other factor, of course, is that we played them their first game while they were more experienced playing against Harvard.
Not sure if it's a given that first games for a team are a major factor but probably is. Merrimack vs. Holy Cross was first for both teams. Merrimack vs. Harvard was third game for Merrimack but first game for Harvard. Presumably first game involves getting in sync as a team. We won't have that advantage against Harvard that we had against Yale.
This will be a major test for the Crusaders.
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Post by ndgradbuthcfan on Sept 26, 2022 8:52:51 GMT -5
Looking at stats from last year's game v. Harvard, Sluka had his worst game of the year. 4/16 passing, 2 picks, 30 yds rushing. Siderman (who played a lot) also had a pick and we lost a fumble as well. Total yardage was 368/254 which would usually indicate a much closer, low scoring game. I think we can expect Harvard to focus on stopping the run; Sluka needs to pass like he did in first three games, and definitely not like he performed against Colgate. And Harvard's pass defense appears to be lacking. P.S. No mention of HC in Sunday Globe, although UMass and Harvard were covered.
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Post by KY Crusader 75 on Sept 26, 2022 9:21:50 GMT -5
Thanks Ky But if you added the 50 yards in Harvard sacks, would that not make the rushing D stats be pretty close ? Good question. If we take out all the QB data from rushing Merrimack vs Harvard 16 carries for 23 yards= 1.4 yards per carry Merrimack vs Holy Cross 15 carries for 84 yards= 5.6 yards per carry
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Post by HC92 on Sept 26, 2022 9:24:21 GMT -5
Interesting decisions coming up for the staff. Do we run less than usual as that is Harvard’s strength on defense or do we play strength against strength? Colgate had a very good run D but we stuck with our running game. I think Harvard’s run D will be better than Colgate’s. I’m sure will try to stay balanced but wonder whether we might lean a little more than usual toward the passing game. There is obviously a long term benefit to running early as you can wear down a defense and make some hay in the second half as we’ve done a fair amount the last few years.
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Post by sader1970 on Sept 26, 2022 9:32:08 GMT -5
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Post by JRGNYR on Sept 26, 2022 9:59:53 GMT -5
A bit of Monday morning QBing, but with such a great kicking game it's interesting the decision was made to go for it on 4th down in Colgate territory up 7-0. The stand by Colgate's D completely turned the momentum around. In the long run it ultimately didn't mean anything but it was a big moment of the game within the game at that particular point.
I understand the reward is you convert and hopefully score a TD and go up 14-0 and never look back but you're on the road, league opener, rival... kick the FG and take the points.
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Post by KY Crusader 75 on Sept 26, 2022 10:03:54 GMT -5
Re: special teams. here is a look at punting data
Haughney has punted 15 times for 646 yards. He has had no touchbacks--outstanding. 4 punts have been returned got 37 yards.
646 yards Less: 0 yards on touchbacks less 37 yards of returns 609 net yards= 40.6 net yards per punt
Opponents
Our opponents have punted 17 times for 644 yards, There was one touchback and HC returned 5 punts for 32 yards
644 yards less: 20 yards in touchbacks less: 32 yards in returns 597 net yards= 35.1 net yards per punt
Significant advantage to HC special teams
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