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Post by sader1970 on Oct 30, 2023 22:37:33 GMT -5
At least one offensive player is of the impression that Matt’s injury is “minor” and will play against Lehigh. But wouldn’t be surprised if Coach Chesney will hold his cards close to the vest and keep Lehigh guessing even if Matt is 100%.
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Post by hcnj on Oct 30, 2023 22:43:44 GMT -5
A defensive turnaround is more important than the Joe/Matt question IMO. A good defensive showing and we should win handily regardless. And without one we would likely be toasted in the first round even if we caught all of the W/L breaks to get a playoff game.
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Post by KY Crusader 75 on Oct 30, 2023 23:39:41 GMT -5
Joe is a pretty good QB and we should be able to thump Lehigh if he is called on to play the whole game
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Post by alum on Oct 31, 2023 5:56:21 GMT -5
Here are some results which would be small upsets which could help HC if it wins out, because it puts teams at 4 (or even 5) losses and, if it matters to the commitee, would show that these teams have lost momentum. Mercer losing to Samford could put them at 4 losses. I think a 3 loss HC team has a decent shot to get in before them. Similarly, if W. Carolina gets upset in one of their three remaining games (less likely) I think we sneak in ahead of them. Villaova losing two (presumably Delaware and UNH) putting them at four losses and on a downswing. Albany losing two (William and Mary and Monmouth) Of course, if W and M beats Albany, they could end up 8-3 and push HC out, too. If Northern Iowa loses to Missouri State and couples that with an expected loss to ND State they will have five losses. I don't care what conference they play in, a five loss team is going to be hard to pick over a three loss team. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Upon reflection, getting in with four losses would require a perfect series of events to occur along the lines of drawing an inside straight three hands in a row. I have decided it is not even worth pondering. Sam Herder makes the point that fans like us want a Furman win over Tenn-Chattanooga. x.com/samherderfcs/status/1719193640583496029?s=61&t=APFDNr313qhyWlaLkUhJ1g
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Post by cruskater31 on Oct 31, 2023 7:15:45 GMT -5
I will say, if nothing else, I have become more aware of national FCS games these last few years. 5 years ago I don't think I knew if Chattanooga even had a football program. I think I can get behind another purple team winning a game...go Paladins! (one of my all-time favorite collegiate nicknames).
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Post by sader1970 on Oct 31, 2023 14:05:03 GMT -5
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Post by rgs318 on Oct 31, 2023 14:35:29 GMT -5
A Knight without armor in a savage land...politically correct enough for today?
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Post by midwestsader05 on Oct 31, 2023 14:59:24 GMT -5
A defensive turnaround is more important than the Joe/Matt question IMO. A good defensive showing and we should win handily regardless. And without one we would likely be toasted in the first round even if we caught all of the W/L breaks to get a playoff game. nefootballjournal.com/holy-cross-younger-defensive-players-improving-as-crusaders-navigate-unfamiliar-territory/“they just keep getting better and better and that’s what it’s going to continue to take." “The numbers haven't been great, but the young @hcrossfb secondary is improving as the Crusaders navigate some unfamiliar territory” Anyone got access to the article?
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Post by mm67 on Oct 31, 2023 15:46:55 GMT -5
"Have Gun Will Travel" was a popular favorite among my friends. One of the guys had "Have Gun..." cards made w/his name. Paladin, a/k/a Richard Boone was cool , dressed all in black. He still looks cool to me. Speaking of cool, John Shaft a/k/a Richard Roundtree died last week. He was from New Rochelle, NY. He was an end on the locally legendary NRHS 1960 football team. The best team I saw in my 4 years of hs.
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Post by hchoops on Oct 31, 2023 15:55:38 GMT -5
"Have Gun Will Travel" was a popular favorite among my friends. One of the guys had "Have Gun..." cards made w/his name. Paladin, a/k/a Richard Boone was cool , dressed all in black. He still looks cool to me. Speaking of cool, John Shaft a/k/a Richard Roundtree died last week. He was from New Rochelle, NY. He was an end on the locally legendary NRHS 1960 football team. The best team I saw in my 4 years of hs. Brooklyn Prep, undefeated in ‘61 and ‘62, was dominant with great players: John Dockery, John Whelan, Bob Esposito, Lou Rotondi, Bill Camera, Bill Blum(HC 67)
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Post by rgs318 on Oct 31, 2023 15:57:05 GMT -5
I am sad to hear that Richard Roundtree passed. May his soul rest in peace as well as all others who died this month.
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Post by timholycross on Oct 31, 2023 15:58:14 GMT -5
I will say, if nothing else, I have become more aware of national FCS games these last few years. 5 years ago I don't think I knew if Chattanooga even had a football program. I think I can get behind another purple team winning a game...go Paladins! (one of my all-time favorite collegiate nicknames). Pats guard Charley Long went there, so I heard of the place a long time ago (member of the Pats All-1960s Team).
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Post by mm67 on Oct 31, 2023 16:14:10 GMT -5
"Have Gun Will Travel" was a popular favorite among my friends. One of the guys had "Have Gun..." cards made w/his name. Paladin, a/k/a Richard Boone was cool , dressed all in black. He still looks cool to me. Speaking of cool, John Shaft a/k/a Richard Roundtree died last week. He was from New Rochelle, NY. He was an end on the locally legendary NRHS 1960 football team. The best team I saw in my 4 years of hs. Brooklyn Prep, undefeated in ‘61 and ‘62, was dominant with great players: John Dockery, John Whelan, Bob Esposito, Lou Rotondi, Bill Camera, Bill Blum(HC 67) No doubt Brooklyn Prep undefeated in '61&'62 had a terrific team but they did not have Shaft. The CHSFL teams at that time - Chaminade (Earl Kirmser, HC), Stepinac, Mt. St. Michael(Mike Cunnion, HC), St Francis Prep, Iona Prep & Cardinal Hayes played a hard fought, rough brand of football but IMOnationally ranked NRHS was better. And, quite possibly Brooklyn Prep w/back to back undefeated seasons was even better. Never saw them play. And, NJ hs football? Forget about it.
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Post by cruskater31 on Nov 2, 2023 20:48:47 GMT -5
COLLEGE- Jen Tolland 'What a show he put on': Holy Cross coaches still raving about backup QB Joe Pesansky Jennifer Toland Worcester Telegram & Gazette Holy Cross quarterback Joe Pesansky looks at the Fordham defense before settling in under center during last week's game. Holy Cross coach Bob Chesney was impressed with junior backup quarterback Joe Pesansky’s performance in last week’s win at Fordham, but not at all surprised.
Pesansky, whose previous handful of in-game reps this season happened when star starter Matthew Sluka lost his helmet and had to go to the sideline for a down, passed for 337 yards and three touchdowns against the Rams in his first career start, a 49-47 HC victory.
“Joe prepares like the starter every single week,” Chesney said. “When it was his time, what a show he put on.”
An undisclosed injury limited Sluka to two carries at Fordham. Chesney said earlier this week that Sluka’s issue is “muscular” and not “structural.”
“He was good to go for the game,” Chesney said. “We just didn’t want to push it too much. We’ll see how it looks as we go through this week.”
Sluka and Pesansky were both participants in Wednesday’s practice at Kuzniewski Field as the No. 21 Crusaders (5-3, 3-1 Patriot League) prepared for Saturday’s game at Lehigh.
Holy Cross quarterback Joe Pesansky listens to instructions from the Crusaders coaching staff during last week's game against Fordham. The 6-foot-4, 224-pound Pesansky, who appeared in 11 games and attempted 21 passes his first two seasons at Holy Cross, found out last Friday from Chesney and offensive coordinator Dean Kennedy that he would start against the Rams.
“It was a pretty exhilarating feeling,” Pesansky said. “I’ve been working hard for an opportunity to showcase my abilities. I was just thrilled and ready to go. Obviously, I prepared all week like I was playing. I prepared every week for the last three years like I was playing, but (last) Friday, being able to know ‘you’re the guy,’ it was a great feeling.”
Pesansky’s first completion at Fordham was a 21-yard pass to junior Justin Shorter. On the next play, he found senior Jalen Coker for a 41-yard touchdown.
“Going into the game,” Pesansky said, “I was pretty confident. I thought I would be a little more nervous than I was. I was prepared, so I went out there and I knew exactly what I was doing. That first throw to Shorter, that was like, ‘Alright, let’s go.’ After the touchdown to Coker, I was so pumped up. I was so excited from celebrating. It was awesome getting into the groove and playing real football again.”
Holy Cross quarterback Joe Pesansky hands off to Jordan Fuller for a touchdown versus Colgate earlier this season. While completing 20 of 33 attempts, Pesansky displayed poise, accuracy and confidence.
“We knew what we were going to get from Joe, 100 percent,” Chesney said. “He executes the offense at a high level. The placement of the ball – he doesn’t just throw to the right person, he places it on the proper side of the body. He didn’t show us anything different than we thought we were going to see. That’s who he is.”
Sluka was a visible and vocal presence on the sideline, calling to Pesansky, cheering for him, and congratulating him after a big play.
Holy Cross' Joe Pesansky, left, and Christo Kelly hype up the sideline Saturday at Fitton Field.
“He was just there for me,” Pesansky said, “which was the biggest thing, having him by my side supporting me. He was in a tough spot, wishing he could play and battling, and just seeing him be there for me, he’s an awesome teammate.”
HC will look to extend its winning streak against the Mountain Hawks (2-6, 1-2) to six games and stay alive in the PL title chase, and Pesansky, as always, will be ready for whatever opportunity presents itself.
“I have to prepare like I do every single week,” Pesansky said, “know the defense, know the offense, know the game plan and be ready to lead this group to victory, whether I’m on the field or off the field.”
Holy Cross linebacker Matt Duchemin looks to make a play during a game earlier this season. Duchemin does the job for Holy Cross Matt Duchemin’s Holy Cross career starting out promisingly, but injuries, including a broken foot as a sophomore and shoulder labrum surgery before last season, limited Duchemin’s playing time the last two years.
Duchemin, though, never stopped battling or believing in himself.
Heeding HC coach Bob Chesney’s directive to his team to “be ready,” Duchemin made one of the biggest plays in last week’s win at Fordham.
In the fourth quarter, the senior cornerback intercepted Rams quarterback C.J. Montes and returned the pick 68 yards for what proved to be the winning touchdown in HC’s 49-47 victory. It was the first interception Montes threw this season.
“Coach Chesney taught me to work hard and keep coming to every practice like it’s my last,” Duchemin said, “so I knew that was my opportunity in the game and I had to make it count.”
Duchemin, who helped lead St. John’s Prep to a pair of Division 1 state titles, made a career-high five tackles, and epitomized the resolve Chesney thought his team showed against the Rams.
“I saw him with his parents after the game,” Chesney said, “and he said, ‘Just keep trusting me,’ and 100 percent that’s what we have to do. We will expect more from him.”
Injuries have hit HC’s secondary hard this season, three freshmen started at safety against the Rams, and the Crusaders have had to work through inexperience on the defensive side most of the year.
Duchemin’s interception was just the fourth for Holy Cross this year. The Crusaders ranked second in the Patriot League with 13 picks last season.
“Coach Chesney always tells us to have that next-man-up mentality,” Duchemin said. “I knew that’s exactly what I had to do, and I’m just very thankful for my teammates supporting me and contributing to this big play and team win.”
Against Fordham, the Crusaders yielded 34 first-half points and the Rams finished with 619 total yards of offense, but, Duchemin’s interception, as well as senior linebacker Matt Kane’s key sack of Montes in the fourth quarter, lifted the defense.
“You’re kind of bleeding out a little bit,” Chesney said, “and you’ve got to get a stop. The sack was big, the TFLs were big, but then when you can get one when they’re trying to advance the ball downfield and everything being thrown seems to be caught by them, for you to steal one, that was enormous.”
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Post by bfoley82 on Nov 2, 2023 21:17:58 GMT -5
I will say, if nothing else, I have become more aware of national FCS games these last few years. 5 years ago I don't think I knew if Chattanooga even had a football program. I think I can get behind another purple team winning a game...go Paladins! (one of my all-time favorite collegiate nicknames). UNH beat Chattanooga in Durham in 2014 in the round of 8. UNH lost the next week in a semifinal to Illinois State.
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Post by cruskater31 on Nov 3, 2023 9:11:43 GMT -5
Game notes went up last night, in case anyone missed it. goholycross.com/documents/2023/11/2/09-lehigh.pdfOnly interesting thing I noted: I believe Molton was listed as the starter last week over Comestro, but Donovan is back on top. I still take these with a grain of salt, but I'd be thrilled to see Harris-Lopez back.
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Post by purplehaze on Nov 3, 2023 9:20:57 GMT -5
Perfect football weather - sunny and mid 50’s - our offense should have a big day (with either qb)
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Post by Sons of Vaval on Nov 3, 2023 9:22:29 GMT -5
I'd say Sluka being listed as the starter is interesting...although, this was also the case in the game notes for Fordham. Hard to glean much, if anything, from the weekly depth chart.
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Post by Sons of Vaval on Nov 3, 2023 9:27:23 GMT -5
I know feathers get ruffled around these parts if it seems like HC "runs it up" against an opponent...but if there was ever a time to earn some needed style points, it's over these next three weeks.
Let's hang 50+ against Lehigh, beat Army by two scores, and then put up 50+ again on Georgetown.
Scores that look like the game was "competitive" against Lehigh and Georgetown won't do us any favors.
On the season, we are averaging 41.6 ppg, which is third nationally. If we were to finish the season leading the country in points scored (while playing two FBS teams), this really helps our case in earning an at-large, IMO.
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Post by football44 on Nov 3, 2023 10:04:33 GMT -5
I know feathers get ruffled around these parts if it seems like HC "runs it up" against an opponent...but if there was ever a time to earn some needed style points, it's over these next three weeks. Let's hang 50+ against Lehigh, beat Army by two scores, and then put up 50+ again on Georgetown. Scores that look like the game was "competitive" against Lehigh and Georgetown won't do us any favors. On the season, we are averaging 41.6 ppg, which is third nationally. If we were to finish the season leading the country in points scored (while playing two FBS teams), this really helps our case in earning an at-large, IMO. If this happens, we're in.
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Post by efg72 on Nov 3, 2023 10:09:24 GMT -5
Actually, I think the points we put up might look good, but it might be more important to show progress defensively with turnovers and limit the points against
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Post by midwestsader05 on Nov 3, 2023 10:14:27 GMT -5
Game notes went up last night, in case anyone missed it. goholycross.com/documents/2023/11/2/09-lehigh.pdfOnly interesting thing I noted: I believe Molton was listed as the starter last week over Comestro, but Donovan is back on top. I still take these with a grain of salt, but I'd be thrilled to see Harris-Lopez back. The actual DB 2-deep was very evident after last week. It’s as follows CB - Spence (1), Scott OR Duchemin (2/3). Will be interesting to see if Fr WR Elijah Hopkins get’s any CB snaps this week after his one series last week didn’t end well. He now has an entire 2 WEEKS of practice at a new position under his belt haha. Tough spot for the kid. SS - Stu (1), Fr. Adam Due (2) WS - Curtis (1), Fr Chisom O (2) - Chis played nearly every snap at WS last week with Curt out. FS Comestro (1), not really sure who’s number 2. Molton has been a place holder at DB this year and not played across the secondary with the exception of a few snaps against Yale. His fractured leg from last year probably just doesn’t have the strength. This is actually the first week they have listed Comestro as the 1 despite the fact he’s been the starter since Colgate. 5 true freshman out of 9 players listed there. I was reminded recently that Senior Jared Kreimer (who had switched to SS in 2022) was looking very good this spring before he went down for the year with an ACL. That makes another Senior that was expected to provide depth that is out. So from Spring to Fordham, a total of 7 bodies in the DB room were down against Fordham. 1) SR. Kreimer 2) JR Jon Wood 3) JR Jarmo 4) 5th Haskins 5) JR Curtis HL 6) FR Eli Thompson 7) 5th Kam Molton - only available for STs
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Post by Sons of Vaval on Nov 3, 2023 10:34:02 GMT -5
Actually, I think the points we put up might look good, but it might be more important to show progress defensively with turnovers and limit the points against 50-0?
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Post by sader1970 on Nov 3, 2023 10:50:02 GMT -5
Not that he's going to make his second start on Saturday but after the Fordham game while talking to some of the players, Joe P walked by and I didn't realize how large he was and later checked the roster and see he's an inch taller at 6'4" than Matt and almost 10 pounds heavier at 224. He's a big QB. If Matt moves on after this season, I think QB will not be one of our concerns.
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Post by Sons of Vaval on Nov 3, 2023 10:52:42 GMT -5
Not that he's going to make his second start on Saturday but after the Fordham game while talking to some of the players, Joe P walked by and I didn't realize how large he was and later checked the roster and see he's an inch taller at 6'4" than Matt and almost 10 pounds heavier at 224. He's a big QB. If Matt moves on after this season, I think QB will not be one of our concerns. So Sluka is QB1 on Saturday?
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