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Post by longsuffering on Sept 2, 2024 14:04:58 GMT -5
The extra Covid year of eligibility happened, as luck would have it, during a generational era of talent that could and logically did use their extra eligibility in FBS and with Jump Ball Jaylon, waived it for the NFL.
I can't think of anyone who used it in FCS just to get a start on grad school a semester earlier than staying the fall semester at HC. (Degenhardt used it in D-2 and torched the U of New Haven record book) so that bodes well going forward that we can keep solid traditional fifth years, who can help win the PL but don't have FBS scholarship transfer offers, for an extra semester.
Most FCS schools who have grad school will lose fifth year players to FBS if they have attractive offers so we aren't behind too much being undergraduate only.
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Post by midwestsader05 on Sept 2, 2024 14:13:46 GMT -5
With the benefit of film midwest can comment further. But from what I saw from the stands, we stayed away from the middle of the field because most of time it wasn't open. They didn't bring extra guys on the pass rush all that often. Occasionally they brought a corner but most of the time they dropped seven and played cover-two or one-high with the FS in the middle of the field. And the FS is a player and covered a lot of ground. TV view doesn’t help much with trying to diagnose exactly what was going on here. I would need the end zone view tape so will defer to those who had eyes at the field and know what to look for (one can’t just be watching the ball). But agree, usually an intermediate passing game would open up with 8-12 yard route combinations given the 5.0 YPC Fuller was averaging. My educated guess was one of multiple things were happening, as HC69 says, the route combos weren’t getting open/WR not finding where to sit down in the zone coverage and Joe not having the time to find them or missing them cause of the happy feet. He never seemed to look comfortable all night. Of the 18 pass attempts - about 1/3 were under center play action types where it looked like we were trying to stretch the field and go over the top. But most came out of a “pistol” formation (for those that don’t know - the Pistol is where the QB stands in the shotgun 4 yards from center with RB behind him at 6 yd depth) This formation is likely where you would challenge with intermediate “curls and slants” vs Under Center play action. We ran very little traditional shot gun where the QB and RB are both at 6 yards with the RB next to the QB. |
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Post by lou on Sept 2, 2024 14:33:40 GMT -5
Watching the replay, excellent pass to #8 Mullaly, over the outstretched hand of a defender in front of the receiver, and Mullaly surrounded by other defenders, turned on the jets and outran everyone for the TD
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Post by hiltonheadcrusader on Sept 2, 2024 14:51:05 GMT -5
Mullaly has jets....ran away from closely pursuing URI defenders
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Post by midwestsader05 on Sept 2, 2024 14:59:43 GMT -5
The extra Covid year of eligibility happened, as luck would have it, during a generational era of talent that could and logically did use their extra eligibility in FBS and with Jump Ball Jaylon, waived it for the NFL. I can't think of anyone who used it in FCS just to get a start on grad school a semester earlier than staying the fall semester at HC. (Degenhardt used it in D-2 and torched the U of New Haven record book) so that bodes well going forward that we can keep solid traditional fifth years, who can help win the PL but don't have FBS scholarship transfer offers, for an extra semester. Most FCS schools who have grad school will lose fifth year players to FBS if they have attractive offers so we aren't behind too much being undergraduate only. SO very true. Many talents could have matriculated to the FBS but stayed at HC for a 5th fall season. Some used their 6th year and Covid eligibility (b/c they had additional non Covid RS eligibility) to go somewhere else (can’t stay at HC for a 6th although several players joke they would have if able (Dobbs included) A quick glance at some 5th year talents that did their 5th year of eligibility at HC and could have gone at least G5 FBS or higher since 2021 season success: -DL Benton Whitley -OG John Brekke (5th year at HC - 6th at Miami-Ohio) -C Nick Olsofka -DL Jake Reichwein (5th at HC - 6th at Nova but had MAC offers. Chose Nova for degree and guaranteed to start and was All CAA) -DB John Smith -DB Walter Reynolds (5th at HC - 6th as starting FS for Ohio) -LB Jake Dobbs (could have easily left after his 4th year in in spring 23) -LB Liam Anderson -DB Devin Haskins -OG - CJ Hanson (could have got serious NIL to leave in ‘23) -OT - Pat McMurtie Others that could have gone very good FCS (football and academics) Nova, Richmond, Furman types to start grad degree but came back for a 5th: -RB Peter Oliver -DL Dan Kuznetsov -K Derek Ng -RB Tyler Purdy -TE Sean Morris Others that HC level of football was probably their ceiling but would have had other solid FCS portal offers and were important for culture and playing time: -OT Grady Smith -DB Terrell Prince -DB Grant Holloman -WR Spencer Gilliam That’s 20 players right there: It’s easy to anchor on the big names that didn’t come back for their 5th year of eligibility this season - “The Big 5” of Sluka, Coker, Newman, Schon and Spence. I don’t think any of us would have expected them too given where they are each now. Before all these players, you had ONLY 2 that were invited back but choose to move on and have to go to post Spring ‘21 season - Brian Foley (Duke) and Jack Bowler (Richmond) An absolutely remarkable retention rate and MANY 2021-2023 wins don’t happen without those 20!! |
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Post by Crosser on Sept 2, 2024 16:10:14 GMT -5
The two most impressive things I saw there Saturday night were: 1) From my seat at the opposite end of where the play was headed, it appeared that Mullally caught the pass over the middle with his back to the end zone and at a dead stop with several defenders near him, he then quickly pivoted and accelerated for what appeared to be about twenty yards straight to the end zone seemingly just running away from all the defenders. Would love to see a replay of this. And 2) the level of ferocity of the tackling and intensity of defenders going to the ball carrier - seemed like there were about three or four players in on every tackle. Both teams were doing this, especially HC! Looking forward to the next game!
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Post by midwestsader05 on Sept 2, 2024 16:24:56 GMT -5
Defensive analysis:
Since I was a Defensive player at HC - I was still grinning after the rewatch. What if I were to tell you that going into that game that a group of ~13 Sophomores were going to play at least 10 or more of the 68 snaps? This includes starters - Robinson, Stevenson, George, Ross (RS), Spins, Chiz, Cam Jones, and Eli. We started 8 and then include reserves that saw a good amount of snaps starting with Carlo Croc, Reynolds (RS), Cam Mills, Due & Santee. Not to a mention a 14th (Comestro) was a game time scratch.
Those 13 coupled with the ~7 upperclassmen accomplished the following on what has been a program averaging in the 30’s and big time explosive plays/players on offense for several seasons:
-20 points
-8 Tackles for Loss (URI had 3)
-3 sacks (URI had none)
- 6 Forced Fumbles (URI 0)
-w/ 3 recovered for 3 TURNOVERS
-Plus several 4-5 QBHs which for some reason weren’t included on the official stat sheet (URI Defense did fight us to a draw there as their statisticians recorded 5 officially for them)
They also did this on 68 snaps while our offense only had 54 despite time of possession being close to even.
We had not seen this type of Defensive production against a capable offense since the 38-14 boat racing of Yale in 2022 pre Dobbs’ season ending injury. Colgate (the actual Dobbs injury game) the following week in ‘22 was very good but against a much lesser opponent.
I think everyone on this board would have signed in blood b/c we would expect to win that game 9 out of 10 times. Saturday was the 1 out of 10 unfortunately.
So How did they do it? It started up front with the core DL and LB rotation not just holding the LOS but often winning it with penetration especially via the run. URI averaged ~3.5 YPC on designed runs and I believe QB Farrell was the only player to have an EP (run over 12 yards).
DHarry and I have been loving the Defensive recruiting especially over last couple seasons and you saw why on Saturday. You’ve read that I’ve been on record that this group has the chance to be a Top 20 if not top 10 Defense in 2025 and 2026 reverting back to the type of performances we saw in 2021 when that group was Top 10 in multiple categories (including #1 in Total Defense if memory serves which is total yards allowed).
It’s one game this new season but the group is on schedule and the ceiling is for real with some decent luck (injuries as always).
Reality check - as I said about the Offense “it’s never as good or bad as it seems” and in this case the “It’s never as good as it seems” needs to be applied. We have some definite questions that will have to be answered and some spots teams will now look to test with new game film (I don’t want to put it out publicly but similar concerns to last year) However - if this front 6 can get more consistent pressure vs the pass (which they often showed on Saturday) it takes a heckuva lot off the back end to maintain coverage for a full 4 seconds.
Shoutouts - Curtis Harris Lopez played absolutely out of his mind with 10 tackles, 3.5 TFLs 1 FF, 1 PBU and 1 QBH as did Frankie Monte who was a hammer with 9 tackles 0.5 TFLs and the one massive hit on their RB Sloat that caused the fumble that led to the first TD. If we had CBS level mics on that field, it was similar to the hit v Army. Don’t let final play of Frankie getting beat across his face and Curtis taking a bad angle negate anything those 2 did all night. We are blown out by 3-4 TDs without those two dawgs.
Drew Spins looked very comfortable at his first start at LB as did Carlo Croc at Edge rush OLB (instead of SS). Cam Jones also for his first start looked physical. Any CB is going to get beat a couple times by those caliber of WRs and a good thrown ball. Get used to it. While it doesn’t typically show on the stat sheet, the core 4 of the DL played very well as mentioned above. Robinson’s effort and big mit on the FG block was huge.
Finally, while we often highlight multi-year starters and try to project big time recruits on the board - take a second to tip the cap to 2 guys…Seniors DE Joe Townsend and DT Kevin Gillis. Towns was a PWO and Gillis was a very late signee without many opportunities. Townsend had 2 sacks, a FF (that led to a TO) and a PBU on a QBH. Gillis had to play ~10-12 snaps given the pace of URI’s no huddle and having to sub DL to stay fresh. He had a very nice rep and tackle on the opening drive that helped hold URI to a FG. Two guys I’m sure that have busted their asses for 3+ years w/o ever playing a meaningful (non mop up time) snap and then thrown into the fire against a good CAA offense. We should all celebrate guys like this.
Bottom line - can this group stay healthy and keep progressing as many of us had hoped after last season? Time will tell when opposing offenses now have a better chance to scout and game plan.
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Post by longsuffering on Sept 2, 2024 17:21:59 GMT -5
The extra Covid year of eligibility happened, as luck would have it, during a generational era of talent that could and logically did use their extra eligibility in FBS and with Jump Ball Jaylon, waived it for the NFL. I can't think of anyone who used it in FCS just to get a start on grad school a semester earlier than staying the fall semester at HC. (Degenhardt used it in D-2 and torched the U of New Haven record book) so that bodes well going forward that we can keep solid traditional fifth years, who can help win the PL but don't have FBS scholarship transfer offers, for an extra semester. Most FCS schools who have grad school will lose fifth year players to FBS if they have attractive offers so we aren't behind too much being undergraduate only. SO very true. Many talents could have matriculated to the FBS but stayed at HC for a 5th fall season. Some used their 6th year and Covid eligibility (b/c they had additional non Covid RS eligibility) to go somewhere else (can’t stay at HC for a 6th although several players joke they would have if able (Dobbs included) A quick glance at some 5th year talents that did their 5th year of eligibility at HC and could have gone at least G5 FBS or higher since 2021 season success: -DL Benton Whitley -OG John Brekke (5th year at HC - 6th at Miami-Ohio) -C Nick Olsofka -DL Jake Reichwein (5th at HC - 6th at Nova but had MAC offers. Chose Nova for degree and guaranteed to start and was All CAA) -DB John Smith -DB Walter Reynolds (5th at HC - 6th as starting FS for Ohio) -LB Jake Dobbs (could have easily left after his 4th year in in spring 23) -LB Liam Anderson -DB Devin Haskins -OG - CJ Hanson (could have got serious NIL to leave in ‘23) -OT - Pat McMurtie Others that could have gone very good FCS (football and academics) Nova, Richmond, Furman types to start grad degree but came back for a 5th: -RB Peter Oliver -DL Dan Kuznetsov -K Derek Ng -RB Tyler Purdy -TE Sean Morris Others that HC level of football was probably their ceiling but would have had other solid FCS portal offers and were important for culture and playing time: -OT Grady Smith -DB Terrell Prince -DB Grant Holloman -WR Spencer Gilliam That’s 20 players right there: It’s easy to anchor on the big names that didn’t come back for their 5th year of eligibility this season - “The Big 5” of Sluka, Coker, Newman, Schon and Spence. I don’t think any of us would have expected them too given where they are each now. Before all these players, you had ONLY 2 that were invited back but choose to move on and have to go to post Spring ‘21 season - Brian Foley (Duke) and Jack Bowler (Richmond) An absolutely remarkable retention rate and MANY 2021-2023 wins don’t happen without those 20!! This is way more players with options than I realized. What a Godsend Chesney and staff were and Coach Curran is a good leader, too. |
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Post by hiltonheadcrusader on Sept 2, 2024 17:22:44 GMT -5
Recap very much appreciated and encouraging. Thank you Midwest
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Post by hchoops on Sept 2, 2024 17:27:08 GMT -5
Thank you for this thorough report.
Did many freshmen play ?
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Post by midwestsader05 on Sept 2, 2024 17:34:52 GMT -5
Recap very much appreciated and encouraging. Thank you Midwest My pleasure. Just know I won’t always have Labor Day for this thorough of an analysis on paper lol. I do make it a point to rewatch most every game before commenting. |
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Post by midwestsader05 on Sept 2, 2024 17:36:02 GMT -5
Thank you for this thorough report. Did many freshmen play ? Only ones I saw where TE/H Mason McSweeney on STs and the 2 designed plays for Alijah Cason. |
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Post by timholycross on Sept 2, 2024 17:45:48 GMT -5
For lack of a better place to ask this, does anyone know anything about #46, Ron Burton; a freshman? No bio information on the HC page.
Has to be related to the former Patriot, given his home town is listed as Hubbarston, MA; and that's where the still-in-existence Ron Burton Training Village is.
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Post by midwestsader05 on Sept 2, 2024 18:17:58 GMT -5
For lack of a better place to ask this, does anyone know anything about #46, Ron Burton; a freshman? No bio information on the HC page. Has to be related to the former Patriot, given his home town is listed as Hubbarston, MA; and that's where the still-in-existence Ron Burton Training Village is. He was the final PWO added to the 2024 HS class and 2028/29 HC class. 26th player of the class. |
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Sertorius
Climbing Mt. St. James
Haters everywhere I go
Posts: 86
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Post by Sertorius on Sept 2, 2024 19:34:41 GMT -5
Does anybody know if we plan on playing URI again soon?
I can't believe this was the first game since 1988.
This is worse than losing to Brown for people actually from RI.
This sucks.
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Post by midwestsader05 on Sept 2, 2024 19:42:10 GMT -5
Does anybody know if we plan on playing URI again soon? I can't believe this was the first game since 1988. This is worse than losing to Brown for people actually from RI. This sucks. They come to Worcester next year. I believe it’s again week 1. It’s a home and home 2 year series for 2024 and 2025. |
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Post by longsuffering on Sept 2, 2024 20:22:15 GMT -5
For lack of a better place to ask this, does anyone know anything about #46, Ron Burton; a freshman? No bio information on the HC page. Has to be related to the former Patriot, given his home town is listed as Hubbarston, MA; and that's where the still-in-existence Ron Burton Training Village is. Most likely a grandson of the first draft pick ever by the Patriots in 1960. I had Ron Burton the elder as a motivational speaker. He was the best I ever heard. He talked about the camp in Hubbardston. |
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Post by hchoops on Sept 2, 2024 20:28:09 GMT -5
For lack of a better place to ask this, does anyone know anything about #46, Ron Burton; a freshman? No bio information on the HC page. Has to be related to the former Patriot, given his home town is listed as Hubbarston, MA; and that's where the still-in-existence Ron Burton Training Village is. Most likely a grandson of the first draft pick ever by the Patriots in 1960. I had Ron Burton the elder as a motivational speaker. He was the best I ever heard. Did you ever hear Togo ? |
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Sertorius
Climbing Mt. St. James
Haters everywhere I go
Posts: 86
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Post by Sertorius on Sept 2, 2024 20:32:58 GMT -5
Does anybody know if we plan on playing URI again soon? I can't believe this was the first game since 1988. This is worse than losing to Brown for people actually from RI. This sucks. They come to Worcester next year. I believe it’s again week 1. It’s a home and home 2 year series for 2024 and 2025. I'll be there |
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Post by longsuffering on Sept 3, 2024 0:14:54 GMT -5
Most likely a grandson of the first draft pick ever by the Patriots in 1960. I had Ron Burton the elder as a motivational speaker. He was the best I ever heard. Did you ever hear Togo ? No, but I know he was magnetic because my father was treasurer of the local little league in the 1960s and paid the bills for the uniforms, bats, balls, bases and such. Almost every check was to Coyle and Palazzi Sporting Goods. |
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Post by hc6774 on Sept 3, 2024 6:01:40 GMT -5
No, but I know he was magnetic because my father was treasurer of the local little league in the 1960s and paid the bills for the uniforms, bats, balls, bases and such. Almost every check was to Coyle and Palazzi Sporting Goods. alot of intramural teams went there to get outfitted with tee shirts |
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Post by timholycross on Sept 3, 2024 6:37:46 GMT -5
For lack of a better place to ask this, does anyone know anything about #46, Ron Burton; a freshman? No bio information on the HC page. Has to be related to the former Patriot, given his home town is listed as Hubbarston, MA; and that's where the still-in-existence Ron Burton Training Village is. Most likely a grandson of the first draft pick ever by the Patriots in 1960. I had Ron Burton the elder as a motivational speaker. He was the best I ever heard. He talked about the camp in Hubbardston. UNH has the grandson of another Patriots alum, Larry Garron. |
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Post by td128 on Sept 3, 2024 7:42:00 GMT -5
Huge props and profuse thanks to Midwestsader05 for incredibly thorough and insightful analytical review of our Crusaders both in the URI game and the program at large.
In regard the topic of retention. The one word that comes to mind for me when I see the retention percentages is "CULTURE".
LET'S WIN!!
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Post by WCHC Sports on Sept 3, 2024 13:36:52 GMT -5
Passing statistics from out of the black-and-white, grainy film era of leather-helmetted (or no-helmetted) football. Won't work in the modern game.
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