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Post by nhteamer on Sept 19, 2023 11:27:12 GMT -5
Many might think this question doesn't deserve a thread and, if so, it will die quickly.
I'm not smart enough to create a Crossports poll. But, if so, it would ask "should the first team offense have taken the field deep in Yale territory up 42-17 with 4:50 to play?"
As for me...... a resounding no!
I speak with members of our best Duffner teams and they tell me that there were many 4th quarters when, up substantially, they were done for the day.
In 2017 our team had quit on Gilmore. The second half of the Fordham game was an abomination. Every observer of the subsequent Yale game admits that Yale could have named the score (80 points if they desired)
Ther took mercy on us and won 31-0.
So, six years later, Sluka throws to Coker for that last touchdown?. I don't like it at all: we owed them one.
Moreover, don't our subs need some snaps? Don't they deserve some snaps?
Of course they do. Moreover, that sub is one injury to a starter away from our needing him.
Bring it.
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Post by hiltonheadcrusader on Sept 19, 2023 11:32:28 GMT -5
ICIT
In Chesney I trust!
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Post by drjack on Sept 19, 2023 11:35:11 GMT -5
Do you want a home game in the playoffs? If so, we can't be beating teams by only 10-14 points. Had we not struggled with Bryant/Lafayette we'd probably end up around 6 seed and playing Montana St instead of SDSU.
So in your scenario, I'm fine with getting another score. If it's a blowout at halftime, sure, take the guys out early.
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Post by rgs318 on Sept 19, 2023 11:39:19 GMT -5
Are some assuming that the HC subs cannot score on their own? I hope that is not true.
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Post by hc87 on Sept 19, 2023 11:44:52 GMT -5
It is what it is but I agree nht, there was no need for either Sluka or Coker to be out there to hook up on that last TD up 42-17 with 5+ minutes left.
I will say that this is a good "problem" to have.
It wouldn't shock me if Yale discontinues this series.....not just due to that one play but how we have dominated the series lately.
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Post by cruskater31 on Sept 19, 2023 11:48:17 GMT -5
This is not the response you are probably looking for--it depends! I think under 5 minutes left to play in a game, I am ready for backups to come in if we have a 3 score game. I believe our second string could score on some team's starters. We have much more depth than say Bucknell, 'Gate, and Lehigh. If the other team has pulled starters, I am most definitely ok with pulling ours. I would not want to see one of our playmakers hurt in garbage time of a game.
I do subscribe to the theory that we do need to beat certain opponents by 4 or more scores. Incarnate Word got a higher seed than us, #7, upset #2 Sac State and probably should have pulled the upset at NDSU. The Southland is not the Sky, Valley, or CAA, but is stronger historically than the PL. They didn't get the #7 seed by beating Lafayette by 3. I expect a score of 56-13 vs. Colgate this weekend and would expect the Bucknell game to be similar.
But, Ches gets paid the big bucks to make these calls. It's all about balancing injuries, seedings, game considerations, etc.
PS...When I saw the thread title, I was wondering if HC had a new gameday sandwich sponsor. I have seen the Jersey Mike's advertisements at Fitton!
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Post by Sons of Vaval on Sept 19, 2023 11:52:24 GMT -5
Many might think this question doesn't deserve a thread and, if so, it will die quickly. I'm not smart enough to create a Crossports poll. But, if so, it would ask "should the first team offense have taken the field deep in Yale territory up 31-17 with 4:50 to play?" I'm assuming you are referring to when Yale fumbled and we recovered at the Yale five? It was 42-17 with 5:53 remaining. In your scenario, of course you keep the starters out when it's still a two-score game. I didn't have an issue with how Chesney elected to handle it. Maybe his decision would have been different if we were at our own 25 rather than Yale's five. Like it or not, Sluka and Coker amassing these gaudy stats helps us. It gets people talking about Holy Cross football. We have a team that is in the national conversation and a player who, at this point in the season, might be the front runner for the Walter Payton. This stuff matters. |
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Post by cruskater31 on Sept 19, 2023 11:56:31 GMT -5
Many might think this question doesn't deserve a thread and, if so, it will die quickly. I'm not smart enough to create a Crossports poll. But, if so, it would ask "should the first team offense have taken the field deep in Yale territory up 31-17 with 4:50 to play?" I'm assuming you are referring to when Yale fumbled and we recovered at the Yale five? It was 42-17 with 5:53 remaining. In your scenario, of course you keep the starters out when it's still a two-score game. I didn't have an issue with how Chesney elected to handle it. Maybe his decision would have been different if we were at our own 25 rather than Yale's five. Like it or not, Sluka and Coker amassing these gaudy stats helps us. It gets people talking about Holy Cross football. We have a team that is in the national conversation and a player who, at this point in the season, might be the front runner for the Walter Payton. This stuff matters. I give Sarah Kirkpatrick, the marketing, and social media team huge props. HC football is out there in the media and on social media. People from other FCS conferences are talking about us and our players. Our videos are crisp and professionally edited. The Florida State fans were talking about us. The more our stars contribute, the better (although as in any sport, depth/bench production is awesome!). SoV got me thinking about what a wonderful job our media team has done this season. Of course, I always thank Jen T and Kevin Shea and give them props for keeping us front and center in the Worcester media. |
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Post by efg72 on Sept 19, 2023 11:57:55 GMT -5
Go back a couple of decades-- we lost to Harvard by giving up three touchdowns in the last couple of minutes- I think the number is correct
I agree this is a coach decision- even though I would like to see some additional players get time. We do, however, rotate a significant group on both sides of the ball so players do get minutes.
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Post by cruskater31 on Sept 19, 2023 12:07:46 GMT -5
Go back a couple of decades-- we lost to Harvard by giving up three touchdowns in the last couple of minutes- I think the number is correct I agree this is a coach decision- even though I would like to see some additional players get time. We do, however, rotate a significant group on both sides of the ball so players do get minutes. Against Harvard, Fordham...dare I say...Army West Point, I would probably leave the starters in a bit longer to prevent what you described against the Johnnies. Also depends on the opponents timeouts, etc. If a team is down 14 and is out of timeouts, the coach's decision will be different than 14 and the opponents have all 3 timeouts. |
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Post by lou on Sept 19, 2023 12:12:17 GMT -5
Petersen caught an eight-yard pass for a touchdown, building a 42-17 lead with 7:35 remaining.
Dobbs forced a Yale fumble, which senior cornerback Malik Scott returned 28 yards to the Yale five-yard line. That set up a five-yard touchdown pass from Sluka to Coker, with the Holy Cross lead growing to 49-17 with 5:50 remaining.
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Post by Ignutz on Sept 19, 2023 12:12:43 GMT -5
This early in the season, I think you leave the starters out there. In some ways, the team is still finding its rhythm, and the coaches may be looking to try a thing or two. If it were our next-to-last game or so, and we had our post-season pretty much sewed up, I'd be more inclined to agree with getting the subs involved. If Yale had started to put its clean pants players on the field, and we continued with our starters, I would question our reasoning.
The Patriots trailed the Falcons in SB-51 by 25 with 2:10 left in the third period, and trailed by 16 with 9:45 to go in Q4. We were up by 18 with 7:45 remaining in the game. A pick-six with a two-point conversion, and a recovered onside kick could have really swung things.
How did people feel about Derek Ng's touchdown pass to close out Q3 against Colgate that put us up 35-10? Or about Sluka's 40-yard TD pass to Spencer Gilliam to put us up 50-0 with three minutes to play in Q3 against Bucknell last year?
I have no problem with how the staff managed the personnel on the field last Saturday.
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Post by cruskater31 on Sept 19, 2023 12:17:11 GMT -5
This early in the season, I think you leave the starters out there. In some ways, the team is still finding its rhythm, and the coaches may be looking to try a thing or two. If it were our next-to-last game or so, and we had our post-season pretty much sewed up, I'd be more inclined to agree with getting the subs involved. If Yale had started to put its clean pants players on the field, and we continued with our starters, I would question our reasoning. The Patriots trailed the Falcons in SB-51 by 25 with 2:10 left in the third period, and trailed by 16 with 9:45 to go in Q4. We were up by 18 with 7:45 remaining in the game. A pick-six with a two-point conversion, and a recovered onside kick could have really swung things. How did people feel about Derek Ng's touchdown pass to close out Q3 against Colgate that put us up 35-10? Or about Sluka's 40-yard TD pass to Spencer Gilliam to put us up 50-0 with three minutes to play in Q3 against Bucknell last year? I have no problem with how the staff managed the personnel on the field last Saturday. Roll the wagons. 1935 HC-Bates |
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Post by lou on Sept 19, 2023 12:19:59 GMT -5
First thought was Jersey Mike's on the baseball field
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Post by timholycross on Sept 19, 2023 12:58:14 GMT -5
First and goal with that score (42-17) and time left, I think you put the subs in, but by no means do you not try to score.
You should correct your post. 42-17, not 31-17. Big difference.
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Post by HC92 on Sept 19, 2023 13:14:06 GMT -5
There are definitely many opponents from the Duffner days who felt like we left the starters in for too long and ran it up on them. It is what it is. In 2023, we’re trying to impress the people on the selection committee by blowing teams out. I wish it wasn’t that way but it is whether we like it or not. And SOV makes a good point that Sluka is a strong contender for the Payton Award. Those awards are won by piling up gaudy stats.
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Post by mm67 on Sept 19, 2023 13:28:28 GMT -5
Guess no teams "take a knee" anymore. Years ago saw Harvard run dive plays between the tackles for much of the second half, then move to taking a knee till the "Victory Formation" at the end of the game rather than roll up the score.
Obviously, some should have no complaints about the FU run up against HC at The Stadium. Or, BC's 72-0(?) rout of HC in the late '40's. "Just runnin' the offense." Getting more snaps for the starters. Playing for a higher seed, etc.
My teams have been on both sides of blowout games in which the winning team ran up the score. I prefer neither winning or losing blow outs. I don't get excited, laugh with glee & start pounding my chest when my team makes plays to roll up the score. I get embarrassed & bored!
Competitive, close exciting, nail biting games are for me more fun to watch, especially if there are controversial plays or ref calls/non-calls. Placement in the polls? Whatever their ranking, if the team is good enough, it should win against any inferior opponent in the playoffs.
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Post by nhteamer on Sept 19, 2023 13:50:12 GMT -5
First and goal with that score (42-17) and time left, I think you put the subs in, but by no means do you not try to score. You should correct your post. 42-17, not 31-17. Big difference. thanks Done |
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Post by nhteamer on Sept 19, 2023 13:52:59 GMT -5
Remember the play when Sluka's helmut came off and it looked like he needed to take a play off?
That was a huge third or fourth down.. In the future in that situation, I'd like a backup with SOME experience.
I have no love lost for Yale but their behavior toward us in '17 was exemplary
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Post by hcpride on Sept 19, 2023 14:04:01 GMT -5
….They took mercy on us and won 31-0… I suppose some folks would find fault with Yale’s 31 point margin of victory several years ago. We beat Yale by 25 on Saturday. At the same time I’d like to see a QB backup in there with a very large lead. For a number of reasons. I’d also like to see the backup throw quite a bit but that becomes questionable with a huge lead. |
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Post by KY Crusader 75 on Sept 19, 2023 14:06:18 GMT -5
I like the idea of taking out many of the starters when the game is in hand to (1) avoid injuries to key players, (2) give the subs a chance to show what they can do AND a chance to score a TD and as a reward for their practice play, and (3) show mercy to the opponent, assuming it is an honorable opponent.
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Post by alum on Sept 19, 2023 14:24:38 GMT -5
I would like to see our guys hold opponents to 17 points or fewer. If we do that and score 40 plus points, we make the point that we dominate without putting up numbers that some might find unseemly.
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Post by Non Alum Dave on Sept 19, 2023 14:24:39 GMT -5
Perhaps as the D line gets more experience some of these games will be over by halftime.  |
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Post by Sons of Vaval on Sept 19, 2023 14:31:42 GMT -5
This program knows they have a legitimate shot to win a national championship.
If putting up half a hundred and doubling up the preseason favorites in the Ivy League can help them get a better seed, thereby making the path to Frisco a more favorable one (i.e. a top four seed), then they are going to do everything to set themselves on that path.
If Yale was upset we scored that touchdown with five minutes left with our ones still playing, then maybe Division 1 football (cue Dan Hawkins tirade) isn't for them.
Style points matter, especially when we have five games against Colgate, Lehigh, Bucknell, Georgetown, and Lafayette ('Pards might actually be okay this year).
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Post by purple1 on Sept 19, 2023 14:55:08 GMT -5
This was the Holy Cross travel team, not all the players were in uniform. The only player that did not play was the 3rd string QB. I enjoyed seeing the many subs playing important minutes during the game and mentioned it to our defensive backfield coach after the game. Our front lines are constantly being kept fresh, the running backs are getting quality time, tight ends and receivers are being interchanged frequently and about 12 defensive backs had many snaps the entire game. Good game day experience for all and the 12 freshmen who were on the travel team this past week.
Coach Chesney is quietly building his depth chart in these games and Sluka is a warrior who deserves post season awards with stats. Media attention $$$ about this team and players are a pot of gold for the college, we could not buy.....
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