Patriot League Media Day

[crusader11]

Preseason Poll:

1. Fordham 66 points (10 first-place votes)
2. Bucknell 63 (4)
3. Colgate 48
4. Lafayette 44
5. Lehigh 31
6. Holy Cross 29
7. Georgetown 13

2015 Patriot League Football Preseason All-League Team:

Preseason Offensive Player of the Year: Chase Edmonds, RB, Fordham (So.)
Preseason Defensive Player of the Year: Stephen Hodge, LB, Fordham (Gr.)

Offense

QB Peter Pujals, Holy Cross (Jr.)
RB Chase Edmonds, Fordham (So.)
RB C.J. Williams, Bucknell (Jr.)
WR Will Carter, Bucknell (Jr.)
WR Troy Pelletier, Lehigh (So.)
WR Jake Wieczorek, Holy Cross (Jr.)
TE John Quazza, Colgate (Sr.)
OL Julie’n Davenport, Bucknell (Jr.)
OL Ramy Kased, Bucknell (Sr.)
OL Garrick Mayweather, Fordham (Sr.)
OL Connor Staudle, Lafayette (Jr.)
OL John Weber, Colgate (Sr.)
OL Nick Zataveski, Lafayette (Sr.)
RS Matt Smalley, Lafayette (Sr.)
PK Jonah Bowman, Colgate (Jr.)

Defense

DL Abdullah Anderson, Bucknell (So.)
DL Marlin Crook, Fordham (Jr.)
DL Victor Steffen, Colgate (Sr.)
DL Justin Vaughn, Fordham (Jr.)
LB Colton Caslow, Lehigh (Jr.)
LB Kyle Diener, Colgate (Jr.)
LB Mark Dodd, Lafayette (Sr.)
LB Stephen Hodge, Fordham (Gr.)
DB Clayton Ewell, Bucknell (Sr.)
DB Jared Roberts, Lafayette (Sr.)
DB Ettian Scott, Georgetown (Sr.)
DB Matt Smalley, Lafayette (Sr.)
P Austin Devine, Lehigh (Sr.)

[RichH2]

I would lve to be able to complain about LU at 5 .Cant. Do hope this motivates the team. One thing we will certainly learn is whether the D staff can actually coach. An open question from last year.

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Big year for Gilmore and Coen. Both need to step-up. I like Colgate at 3 right now. Lafayette middling seems about right?

[DFW HOYA]

Almost no pre-event coverage in the only papers that cover such stuff (the E-T and Morning Call.) I actually thought it was Wednesday.

Selections by school:
Fordham 7
Bucknell 6
Lafayette 6
Lehigh 3
Colgate 5
Holy Cross 2
Georgetown 1

Looks like Georgetown did get one extra vote for 6th.

[bison137]

Almost no pre-event coverage in the only papers that cover such stuff (the E-T and Morning Call.) I actually thought it was Wednesday.

Selections by school:
Fordham 7
Bucknell 6
Lafayette 6
Lehigh 3
Colgate 5
Holy Cross 2
Georgetown 1

Looks like Georgetown did get one extra vote for 6th.


Fordham only had 5 selections.


Bucknell 6
Lafayette 6
Fordham 5
Colgate 5
Lehigh 3
Holy Cross 2
Georgetown 1


One strange thing about the voting is that the two voters who didn't pick Fordham for 1st picked them to finish in the 2nd division.

[Fordham]

Fordham only had 5 selections.


Bucknell 6
Lafayette 6
Fordham 5
Colgate 5
Lehigh 3
Holy Cross 2
Georgetown 1


One strange thing about the voting is that the two voters who didn't pick Fordham for 1st picked them to finish in the 2nd division.
very surprised to see us first given how much we've lost.

[bison137]

very surprised to see us first given how much we've lost.



I guess it depends on how you evaluate the replacements. Fordham still has a lot more scholarship players than the other six. And the other six still have no scholarship seniors.

[Fordham]

I guess it depends on how you evaluate the replacements. Fordham still has a lot more scholarship players than the other six. And the other six still have no scholarship seniors.

meh.

Experience is critical imo. I do think we'll be good and I do think we'll have a shot at the title but I also think we are going to be performing dramatically different in the first few games than we are at the end. I don't see how Bucknell isn't first given how their 2 classes worth of scholarship players played our four years of scholarship classes team to the brink last year.

[superman7515]

Almost no pre-event coverage in the only papers that cover such stuff (the E-T and Morning Call.) I actually thought it was Wednesday.

So what you're saying is "Patriot Leage Media Day" is kind of a misnomer.

[bison137]

- - - Updated - - -


meh.

Experience is critical imo. I do think we'll be good and I do think we'll have a shot at the title but I also think we are going to be performing dramatically different in the first few games than we are at the end. I don't see how Bucknell isn't first given how their 2 classes worth of scholarship players played our four years of scholarship classes team to the brink last year.


Hard to tell, but Bucknell isn't that experienced a team. Only five of the 22 starters are seniors, and none of the specialists. I don't know how that compares to Fordham or the other PL teams. What I do know is that Bucknell figures to be significantly better in 2016 than in 2015.

[Lehigh Football Nation]

I do believe I did tweet something, so there's that.

[DFW HOYA]

I guess it depends on how you evaluate the replacements. Fordham still has a lot more scholarship players than the other six. And the other six still have no scholarship seniors.

Each of the PL-6 are at 60 equivalencies. It's not that much a difference between 45 and 60 grants at this point.

[bison137]

Each of the PL-6 are at 60 equivalencies. It's not that much a difference between 45 and 60 grants at this point.



1. There is a difference between players who came on need-based grants and those on scholarship - especially when it is the most important class, i.e. the seniors. Bucknell likely has only 6-7 seniors who will see real playing time this year - and the senior class in total has less than 10 equivalencies.

2. Bucknell is not close to 60 equivalencies at this point. Don't know about Holy Cross. I imagine the others are at least close to that number.

[RichH2]

Each of the PL-6 are at 60 equivalencies. It's not that much a difference between 45 and 60 grants at this point.
Nope. Perhaps not in numbers but definitely a difference in talent.

[Lehigh'98]

So what you're saying is "Patriot Leage Media Day" is kind of a misnomer.

It stirs up about the same excitement of the big in state Delaware rivalry game.

[superman7515]

It stirs up about the same excitement of the big in state Delaware rivalry game.

I'll have you know that Seaford vs Laurel is the third oldest rivalry in the nation!

[Lehigh'98]

I'll have you know that Seaford vs Laurel is the third oldest rivalry in the nation!

I can't lie, I am looking forward to that one!

[Go...gate]

Colgate about right at #3.

[RichH2]

After,top 2,its pretty much a crap shoot down to GU.

[Sader87]

Bucknell is ovah-rated imo...product of a very weak OOC schedule and playing Fordham tough on a Friday night at home.

[NY Crusader 2010]

Bucknell is ovah-rated imo...product of a very weak OOC schedule and playing Fordham tough on a Friday night at home.

Respectfully disagree A LITTLE BIT. The Bison fought through a ton of injuries last year. I would actually pick them as the league favorite right now (Fordham lost so much on offense) but that says more about the uncertainties surrounding the rest of the teams.

However, Holy Cross, Lehigh, Lafayette and Colgate have never had so many question marks at the same time in recent memory. The Bison aren't a great PL team but may be the best of the bunch right now as the league is collectively a bit weaker than usual.

[Go...gate]

Agree with you, NY Crusader. Though Fordham will be very good, I think the Bison have a solid chance.

[RichH2]

Agree with Rams picked #1 but lets not get to carried away. Their edge is 60 and senior schollie class. None of us have either. They still lost 18 starters. Roster may be more seasoned by start of PL sched or decimated by injuries from tough OOC.

[Go...gate]

I still remember 1991 with Holy Cross. They only had one scholarship class left against all non-scholarship teams yet still ruled the conference. The rest of us are still a couple of dollars short to Fordham this year.

[Fordham]

Massella's last year was 1 - 10 with 3 or 4 scholarship classes v. the rest of the PL that had none. If we have a chance to be good this year it has dramatically more to do with Moorhead than it does with one extra year of scholarship players. ... and in that sentence "dramatically" isn't dramatic enough.

[CFBfan]

Massella's last year was 1 - 10 with 3 or 4 scholarship classes v. the rest of the PL that had none. If we have a chance to be good this year it has dramatically more to do with Moorhead than it does with one extra year of scholarship players. ... and in that sentence "dramatically" isn't dramatic enough.

Massella had a lot of talent (nice guy able to recruit) but had little clue how to use it. Often his team looked like great athletes running around without a purpose. Moorhead has been THE difference maker and has showed the rest of the PL what can be done with scholarship players.

Let's not forget thet FU is really the ONLY team bringing in FBS transfers and plugging them in. FU has a big edge in experience up and down their roster IMO.

[RichH2]

Moorhead a superb coach. Still hoping he gets an offer from BC or Duke or anyplace not named Fordham :)

[bison137]

Massella's last year was 1 - 10 with 3 or 4 scholarship classes v. the rest of the PL that had none. If we have a chance to be good this year it has dramatically more to do with Moorhead than it does with one extra year of scholarship players. ... and in that sentence "dramatically" isn't dramatic enough.



Huh?? Massella had TWO scholarship classes when he went 1-10 in 2011. Even with only frosh and sophs on scholarship, that was an advantage - but he wasn't able to capitalize on it. No question Moorhead is a very good coach - but having four scholarship classes instead of three is a big advantage. Also Fordham has used the PL's poorly-thought-out transfer rule to advantage.

[RichH2]

Huh?? Massella had TWO scholarship classes when he went 1-10 in 2011. Even with only frosh and sophs on scholarship, that was an advantage - but he wasn't able to capitalize on it. No question Moorhead is a very good coach - but having four scholarship classes instead of three is a big advantage. Also Fordham has used the PL's poorly-thought-out transfer rule to advantage.
"poorly thought out" ?? 137, I doubt much thought went into the transfer rule at all .
As good as I think Moorhead is,agree the major edge for Fordham is a full load of upperclass schollie players and FBS transfers.

[Lehigh Football Nation]

Masella had that same sophomore slump that seemed to happen to much of the Patriot League last season, i.e. two sets of grant seniors, two sets of scholarship classes (including a big transfer RB from Hofstra, let's not forget). Having said that the 1-10 team seemed to have some serious chemistry issues that were not solved until Moorhead came to town, bringing with him some big-time players like Tebucky Jones, Jr. and Nebrich. Very much to his credit he seems to have crafted a team with very good chemistry last season, but as others have pointed out much of that team has now graduated.

[DFW HOYA]

LFN, any comments from Coach Sgarlata for 2015? Unlike Kevin Kelly, who frequently repeated the "we're working on it" at such events for scholarships that weren't going to arrive, Sgarlata knows the imbalance and the talent that isn't coming to Washington.

The Hoyas of 2015 look a lot like the Hoyas of 2007--a senior QB with no clear successor, a offensive line with lot of gaps, lots of linebackers but no pass threats. That team finished 1-10 and was routed by three Ivy opponents by a combined score of 142-20.

Said Kelly in that year's media guide: "We’re making progress. It’s not going to happen overnight and I know that."

[CFBfan]

LFN, any comments from Coach Sgarlata for 2015? Unlike Kevin Kelly, who frequently repeated the "we're working on it" at such events for scholarships that weren't going to arrive, Sgarlata knows the imbalance and the talent that isn't coming to Washington.

The Hoyas of 2015 look a lot like the Hoyas of 2007--a senior QB with no clear successor, a offensive line with lot of gaps, lots of linebackers but no pass threats. That team finished 1-10 and was routed by three Ivy opponents by a combined score of 142-20.

Said Kelly in that year's media guide: "We’re making progress. It’s not going to happen overnight and I know that."

that 07 team (and 08) had arguably the worst OC in the FCS

[NY Crusader 2010]

The 2007 Hoyas were the worst PL team I've ever seen and their 55-0 loss in Worcester is the most one-sided college game I've ever watched live. I had numerous classmates get into that game in the second half only to never see the field for another 2.5 seasons.

Some stats:

First downs HC 33 GT 2
Total Yards: HC 614 GT 65
Longest gain of the day for Georgetown: 7 yards

Of course, since 2010 we can't buy a victory against you guys regardless of the quality of your team.

[DFW HOYA]

that 07 team (and 08) had arguably the worst OC in the FCS

It was that OC who decided to start a RB at quarterback versus Penn. Not that it mattered, as Georgetown was outgained 220-18 in the first 15 minutes and trailed 28-0 to a Penn team that finished 4-6.

[Fordhamanhattan]

Coach Moorhead is very optimistic about this years squad. He believes that some of the fellows on the bench last year will be impact players this year. He also went very heavy for speed with the freshman class. While our wide outs last were top flight with great hands and moves they lacked pure speed. I expect we will have some young burners who will stretch the field even more. Our transfer QB has received high grades and with his attitude, charm and appearance, he has the potential to be a big star. Last year was a great campaign when one considers that we had a quarterback with one good leg and who had to spend time in the hospital with appendicitis. I expect the league will be better as scholarship players become dominant. Coach Massella experienced palpable tension during the early transition which affected play.

[RichH2]

That's a constant at PL. Dont ever recall a HC ever stating that his team sucked. Preseason optimism is the mantra :).

[heath]

11/21/15- this date will decide the title. LU/LC and Gate/Bucky. If Lehigh beats Gate the week before, once again the title will be between LU/LC. I think Fordham has slipped backxnodx

[RichH2]

11/21/15- this date will decide the title. LU/LC and Gate/Bucky. If Lehigh beats Gate the week before, once again the title will be between LU/LC. I think Fordham has slipped backxnodx
Love that scenario. Possible but very unlikely.

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

11/21/15- this date will decide the title. LU/LC and Gate/Bucky. If Lehigh beats Gate the week before, once again the title will be between LU/LC. I think Fordham has slipped backxnodx

Lehigh plays the top 3 teams, Fordham, Bucknell and Colgate on the road. That's no picnic. Granted, I really don't see any overly imposing game on the league schedule. While I'd have put Colgate #3 I don't believe there's really much of anything to separate Colgate from Lehigh, Holy Cross and Lafayette. All four traded wins over each other in 2014 and enter 2015 with serious question marks. My confidence in Colgate is based on the fact that Hunt now has a year under his belt and the schedule is favorable. Plus, the PL needs Colgate to turn it around imo. Just like Lehigh...xdrunkyx

[RichH2]

I agree owl. My one caveat is that Gate should turn around slower than Lehigh :)