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Post by newfieguy74 on Dec 11, 2022 12:40:20 GMT -5
I can appreciate the desire to look toward next year, but for now I'm just going to savor this season. I'm 100% happy with this amazing historic campaign.
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Post by cruskater31 on Dec 11, 2022 13:18:20 GMT -5
So incredibly grateful, after some years of futility to experience the passion from fans, alums, and locals and see Ches put Worcester back on the map for D1 football. Sitting at Yankee Stadium watching Chase Edmonds run all over us, I never would believe we would accomplish this. Now it is time to make a serious run at a title. I think in the moment, we were all elated to be competing in that game, then believing we could win, and frustrated by the 4th quarter. Now that the dust has settled, I think I am very appreciative and hope we continue building.
Ches might have his most challenging season coming up, maybe second most difficult to the first. Imagine having a target on your backs the entire season. Big win? Onto the next week. Imagine being favored (possibly) at a P5 opponent and West Point? Now that is a shift! We did that to an extent this year. I think there were some close spreads and I believe we were dogs against Harvard (and of course SDSU). I have confidence in this staff (hopefully intact) to repeat. We are going to be loaded.
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Post by cruskater31 on Dec 11, 2022 13:21:01 GMT -5
I can appreciate the desire to look toward next year, but for now I'm just going to savor this season. I'm 100% happy with this amazing historic campaign. after all our research, debating, and posts, I have a vacuum in my life that cannot be filled by HC hoops or hockey! Maybe women's hoops will make a deep run this year.
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Post by jackjd on Dec 11, 2022 13:48:07 GMT -5
Just finished reading this thread. On some subjects, the nail appears even with the board so I will resist pounding the nail. I thought it cannot be said often enough that HC plays football as well as the best in the FCS which makes sense because HC is one of the best FCS programs. The Jacks fans sitting in the same area of the stadium where I have my seats were talking about how they expected the game to be a real battle. We were impressed with HC’s team from the Spring ‘21 season and knew that since that game the Crusaders had become a dominant program. We saw the foundation being laid in ‘21.
Some of the posts in this thread touched on conference memberships. A buddy of mine commented during yesterday’s game how HC would be a great addition to our conference but for distance. The added cost that would be incurred by all the teams due to distance would be a problem (the MVFC’s easternmost member, Youngstown, is constantly in the rumor mill about leaving the Valley and joining a closer FCS conference. I think Youngstown’s proud history makes that a difficult conversation but they haven’t been happy since NDSU and SDSU moved into the FCS neighborhood. I’d like to see HC and SDSU schedule each every few years much like we do with some Big Sky teams.
I expect to see HC listed in the FCS playoffs next season...hope the Jacks will be too and perhaps we get another shot at each other.
Regards..
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Post by trimster on Dec 11, 2022 14:46:18 GMT -5
The waving of the hands like a bird's feathers by the entire secondary throughout the season was terrible. Yes, they need to stop all the mocking and taunting, received plenty of penalties during the season for this. Agreed. It isn't a good look. One of DBs who had a lot to say after the play at one point in last week's UNH game, got manhandled on one play yesterday and I have to admit, I didn't feel bad for him.
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Post by Sons of Vaval on Dec 11, 2022 15:02:52 GMT -5
Really enjoyed the posts from our SDSU visitors over the past week and change.
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Post by cruskater31 on Dec 11, 2022 15:15:34 GMT -5
Really enjoyed the posts from our SDSU visitors over the past week and change. Thanks to our loyal Jackrabbit posters for their perspective and insight. I hope to make it out to Brookings one of these years. Maybe we can return the favor and host a game soon.
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Post by td128 on Dec 11, 2022 16:07:21 GMT -5
The level of gracious competitive camaraderie, hospitality and friendly banter displayed by South Dakotans broadly speaking and Jack Rabbit faithful specifically was noticeable and refreshing.
The Jack Rabbit fan carrying the skin of a coyote as I presume a lucky charm of sorts made a strong and lasting impression.
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Post by Pakachoag Phreek on Dec 11, 2022 20:54:17 GMT -5
Coker in the post-game press conference said that President Rougeau was on the HC charter, working the aisles. (767s are double aisled planes).
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Post by efg72 on Dec 11, 2022 21:06:02 GMT -5
The Daily Republic, Mitchell, S.D. Fourth-quarter surge sends No. 1 South Dakota State past No. 8 Holy Cross, into FCS semifinals Landon Dierks, The Daily Republic, Mitchell, S.D. Sat, December 10, 2022, 7:49 PM·5 min read Dec. 10—BROOKINGS — For three quarters, South Dakota State got everything it wanted and then some from No. 8 seed Holy Cross in the Football Championship Subdivision quarterfinals.
But in a form not often required of the Jackrabbits this season, the No. 1 seed in the Football Championship Subdivision fired off a resounding final salvo, pulling away in the fourth quarter in a 42-21 win over the visiting Crusaders on Saturday afternoon at Dykhouse Stadium.
Saturday shared little similarities with the playoff matchup between the two schools 20 months ago during the spring 2021 season. On that April afternoon, the Crusaders looked overmatched in nearly every facet in a 31-3 defeat.
But this time around, Holy Cross (12-1) held a four-minute edge in time of possession, matched the number of conversions on third and fourth down, outgained SDSU (413 yards to 393) and achieved more first downs (23 to 19).
"I thought we held our own and I thought we belonged," said Holy Cross head coach Bob Chesney. "I don't love the end score because the game was a lot closer than what that shows."
But when the best of the top-ranked Jackrabbits was required, their best was offered, as SDSU controlled the final 15 minutes to put up 21 straight points to end the game.
"I think it was good for us to feel some additional pressure and have to press a little harder," said SDSU head coach John Stiegelmeier.
Holy Cross quarterback Matthew Sluka was the man primarily responsible for making the heavily-favored Jackrabbits push as hard as they had to. The 6-foot-3 junior signal caller was a terror for the normally stingy SDSU defense, using his legs as well as his arm to account for 335 of the Crusaders' 413 total yards.
Following a missed 42-yard Hunter Dustman field goal on the game's opening possession, Sluka promptly gave the visitors an early lead, finding a seam and sprinting 56 yards for a touchdown.
Then, after Dustman connected on a pair of kicks from 23 and 29 yards to pull SDSU within one point after 15 minutes of play, the Crusaders got creative on a fourth-and-1 in Jackrabbit territory. Running back Tyler Purdy acted as if he was going to run up the middle, but popped up at the last moment and lofted a pass to a wide-open Sean Morris for a 27-yard score and a 14-6 lead.
SDSU responded with Davis barging in for a 3-yard touchdown and the following two-point conversion to knot the game at 14.
With a chance for Holy Cross to regain the lead just before halftime, a Sluka pass slipped through the grasp of a receiver and into the expectant arms of linebacker Jason Freeman, who raced 37 yards to put SDSU ahead for the first time with 68 seconds remaining before the break.
But a second-half breakaway didn't follow for SDSU, as the lone score of the third quarter was a 1-yard plunge by Holy Cross running back Peter Oliver that capped an 11-play, 83-yard drive and put the Crusaders back on level terms at 21-all.
While the defense had been the unit SDSU leaned on to steady the game when situations got choppy all season, it was the offense's turn with Sluka and company keeping Holy Cross in lockstep with the Jacks.
After a 39-yard Holy Cross field-goal attempt sailed wide left to start the fourth quarter to keep the game tied, SDSU's offense, which had only produced one touchdown drive through three quarters, finally came alive.
SDSU marched 78 yards in nine plays, with Jaxon Janke ripping free from a would-be tackler and falling backward into the endzone for an 18-yard score that restored a touchdown lead at 28-21. A stop on the ensuing Holy Cross possession put SDSU in a commanding position and the Jackrabbits took advantage. The Jacks put together a drive covering 68 yards in seven plays, the last of which saw all 11 Crusaders on defense bite on a fake handoff, leaving SDSU quarterback Mark Gronowski all alone to walk in for the game-clinching 18-yard score.
"We could have finished [drives] better, but it feels good that the defense has picked us up all year and then when they needed us most we showed out," Davis said.
A turnover on downs gave SDSU a final possession deep in Holy Cross territory, which resulted in a 21-yard strike from Gronowski to Jadon Janke to place the final margin at 42-21.
Gronowski went 12-of-22 passing for 177 yards and two scores, tacking on 55 yards and a third touchdown with his legs. Davis was the Jacks' leading ball carrier, finishing with 154 yards and a touchdown on 20 attempts, while Jaxon Janke paced the receiving target with four receptions for 82 yards.
Sluka finished with 213 rushing yards — three times SDSU's top-ranked run defense allowed per game coming into the game — and a 56-yard first-quarter touchdown on 26 attempts, adding 122 yards through the air.
"Someone had alluded to us slowing their quarterback down, but I'm not sure that's the correct terminology," Stiegelmeier said. "He had 200 yards rushing and he's a phenomenal player, one heck of a player."
Peter Oliver also had 57 rushing yards, while Jalen Coker was the Crusaders' leading receiver with five catches for 63 yards.
SDSU (12-1) advances to face off with No. 4 Montana State in the FCS semifinals for the second-straight season. The Bobcats won 31-17 in Bozeman last December. This season's rematch will be in Brookings, with a time and date to be determined.
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Post by Sons of Vaval on Dec 12, 2022 8:05:10 GMT -5
Coker in the post-game press conference said that President Rougeau was on the HC charter, working the aisles. (767s are double aisled planes). I hope he was wearing his Apple Watch to track all of those steps. PP, would a watch like that track steps at the altitude in which they were flying?
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Post by football44 on Dec 12, 2022 8:44:31 GMT -5
Just finished reading this thread. On some subjects, the nail appears even with the board so I will resist pounding the nail. I thought it cannot be said often enough that HC plays football as well as the best in the FCS which makes sense because HC is one of the best FCS programs. The Jacks fans sitting in the same area of the stadium where I have my seats were talking about how they expected the game to be a real battle. We were impressed with HC’s team from the Spring ‘21 season and knew that since that game the Crusaders had become a dominant program. We saw the foundation being laid in ‘21. Some of the posts in this thread touched on conference memberships. A buddy of mine commented during yesterday’s game how HC would be a great addition to our conference but for distance. The added cost that would be incurred by all the teams due to distance would be a problem (the MVFC’s easternmost member, Youngstown, is constantly in the rumor mill about leaving the Valley and joining a closer FCS conference. I think Youngstown’s proud history makes that a difficult conversation but they haven’t been happy since NDSU and SDSU moved into the FCS neighborhood. I’d like to see HC and SDSU schedule each every few years much like we do with some Big Sky teams. I expect to see HC listed in the FCS playoffs next season...hope the Jacks will be too and perhaps we get another shot at each other. Regards.. Thank you Jackd! I feel the same way that it be great to have you guys come on out to Worcester Mass and do a home and home series with us. The folks in New England would LOVE to see a great team like yours visting Fitton Field. Good luck to you guys going forward. I personally enjoyed myself at the game on Saturday. The folks working at Cubby's on game morning were fantastic and the owner came over and we had a great conversation with all of the HC parents and Alumni. Again, good luck against Montana State.
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Post by Pakachoag Phreek on Dec 12, 2022 9:05:08 GMT -5
Coker in the post-game press conference said that President Rougeau was on the HC charter, working the aisles. (767s are double aisled planes). I hope he was wearing his Apple Watch to track all of those steps. PP, would a watch like that track steps at the altitude in which they were flying? it is not a matter of the altitude but the distance traveled. If Vince strolls the aisles for an hour, and the GPS positions at the start of his strolling and the end of his strolling are 475 miles apart, either the watch may have a meltdown, or declare Vince is the fastest walking human ever, and another first for Holy Cross!!
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Post by rgs318 on Dec 12, 2022 9:13:08 GMT -5
lol
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Post by midwestsader05 on Dec 12, 2022 9:52:23 GMT -5
Sluka didn’t meet the challenge tough day. You are a f-ing idiot 50/50 odds this troll is Siderman’s dad.
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Post by midwestsader05 on Dec 12, 2022 10:08:04 GMT -5
As for the end of the game, watch the interaction between Stig and Ches. Ches smiles and says “I would have done the same thing.” It’s obvious what they were referring too.
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Post by nycrusader2010 on Dec 12, 2022 10:08:31 GMT -5
50/50 odds this troll is Siderman’s dad. What a bizarre comment. Nothing to do but ignore. Of course, everyone on this board would thank Sideman for his contribution to the program and wish him the best of luck at whatever school he's at now, I forget. Tarleton State?
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Post by dharry13 on Dec 12, 2022 11:12:33 GMT -5
Siderman? Bahahaha
I wish the kid nothing but good health but he’s sitting at Tarleton State. If that’s his father that’s a joke.
Good grief.
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Post by midwestsader05 on Dec 12, 2022 11:18:12 GMT -5
50/50 odds this troll is Siderman’s dad. What a bizarre comment. Nothing to do but ignore. Of course, everyone on this board would thank Sideman for his contribution to the program and wish him the best of luck at whatever school he's at now, I forget. Tarleton State? NY, this guy has been dogging Sluka since summer/fall 2021. The same tired old critique every time. Have you seriously not noticed? Do folks that have been around athletics their entire lives seriously not know how/when to spot a helicopter parent? I sure as hell do and several have and still exist on this board.
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Post by Ignutz on Dec 12, 2022 11:55:05 GMT -5
As for the end of the game, watch the interaction between Stig and Ches. Ches smiles and says “I would have done the same thing.” It’s obvious what they were referring too. While I initially was upset with that final score, I thought the same thing regarding the end-of-game exchange. I didn't read lips, but rather sensed that Chesney was okay with things based on two observations: As time expired, I noticed Chesney actually running across the field to shake hands, and, as noted, the discussion between the two of them appeared to be completely cordial - even friendly.
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Post by Pakachoag Phreek on Dec 12, 2022 11:58:46 GMT -5
What a bizarre comment. Nothing to do but ignore. Of course, everyone on this board would thank Sideman for his contribution to the program and wish him the best of luck at whatever school he's at now, I forget. Tarleton State? NY, this guy has been dogging Sluka since summer/fall 2021. The same tired old critique every time. Have you seriously not noticed? Do folks that have been around athletics their entire lives seriously not know how/when to spot a helicopter parent? I sure as hell do and several have and still exist on this board.
I very, very, very much doubt that Siderman's dad knows about a Greek Orthodox athlete who played for HC in the last century, and also knows the player's number. Particularly the number.
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Post by Ignutz on Dec 12, 2022 12:18:10 GMT -5
After taking the last couple days to think about the season, I have tow primary observations: One, we absolutely belonged on that field, and in any discussion of the top teams in FCS this year. Second, I believe we should have been at worst the #6 seed - or probably better. We should all be extremely proud of the team's accomplishments this year, and how well the team and many individuals represented Holy Cross - from wire to wire.
As for the game, I think there were four plays that served to sink our ship on Saturday. The first, and most obvious of course was the pick-six at the end of the first half. Ayir is going to catch that ball nine times out of ten, and nine times out of any ten that he doesn't make the catch, the ball falls to the turf. Going into the locker-room tied (or with any lead) and getting the ball to start the second half would have been huge for us.
The second play that hurt us big-time was at the very end of the third quarter when Sluka put a pass to Coker right on the money, and Jaylen didn't secure the catch - right at the first down marker. He, too, makes that catch nine out of ten times. Instead of keeping that drive moving, we had to attempt a long(er) FG to start Q4, and Derek went wide-left.
In Q4, SDSU was driving to take the lead well into HC territory - third and about eight, and we had their TE all but wrapped up for about a two-yard gain. Instead, he breaks free, makes the first down, and soon thereafter they score the go-ahead TD. Thereafter, we began a methodical march and were moving toward a potential tying score - second and five from the SDSU 35-yard line. Sluka takes a 13-yard sack, which we follow up with a Motion penalty, and we're looking at 3rd and 23 from our own 47-yard line. We made a bunch back, but turned the ball over on downs.
Get us a better result on these four plays, and this game goes down to the wire.
All in all, a GREAT season for the team and the school.
Let's go undefeated the week of 8/27 in our quest to get one for the thumb!
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Post by ndgradbuthcfan on Dec 12, 2022 12:25:13 GMT -5
Ignutz, you are 100% correct. We make those four plays and we're playing Saturday.
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Post by thecrossisback on Dec 12, 2022 12:42:52 GMT -5
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Post by gks on Dec 12, 2022 13:32:56 GMT -5
Typical No Clue Boston media type. This tweet is absolutely stupid.
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