Patriot League 2019 Off Season Thread

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

I love your 2019 schedule. Navy and Cuse are most likely losses. You'll be underdogs in a few others, but seven or eight wins is definitely doable.

If HC is headed in the right direction then 8 wins is definitely doable. UNH, Yale, Harvard and Brown are not murders row. The two FBS games inflate the difficulty imo.

[DFW HOYA]

If HC is headed in the right direction then 8 wins is definitely doable. UNH, Yale, Harvard and Brown are not murders row. The two FBS games inflate the difficulty imo.
Just as likely, the PL is headed for another 2018--Colgate is above .500, no one else is.

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Just as likely, the PL is headed for another 2018--Colgate is above .500, no one else is.

Which is possible! Hopefully the programs improve enough so that does not happen. If it does, hopefully the league has a long hard look in the mirror.

[RichH2]

Just as likely, the PL is headed for another 2018--Colgate is above .500, no one else is.

Perhaps. If so, it may force Presidents to act to ease some of the unnecessary restrictions.

[Sader87]

If HC is headed in the right direction then 8 wins is definitely doable. UNH, Yale, Harvard and Brown are not murders row. The two FBS games inflate the difficulty imo.

I think every team, save maybe for Colgate, would be expected to go 1-5, maybe 2-4 playing HC'S OOC sked this year.
Not an excuse...great schedule..it's just too early in the Chesney regime to expect more than 2 wins.

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

I think every team, save maybe for Colgate, would be expected to go 1-5, maybe 2-4 playing HC'S OOC sked this year.
Not an excuse...great schedule..it's just too early in the Chesney regime to expect more than 2 wins.

1-5 in the OOC would be pitiful imo. If you're improving as a program under Chesney and things are headed in the right direction than 3-3 should be reasonable. Brown is a must win and getting 2 of 3 from Harvard, Yale and UNH seems realistic.

Simply put, a team that's picked second in the league has to be better than 1-5 in the OOC.

[Sader87]

1-5 normally looks and is a poor OOC but given it would be against Navy, UNH.Yale, Syracuse, Harvard and Brown...I would hardly call it pathetic.

I'd ecstatic with 2-4.....ovah the moon with 3-3.

[RichH2]

1-5 normally looks and is a poor OOC but given it would be against Navy, UNH.Yale, Syracuse, Harvard and Brown...I would hardly call it pathetic.

I'd ecstatic with 2-4.....ovah the moon with 3-3.

A QB. With one ready to go, Cross should get at least 2 Ws. No QB= Little Offense. A winning season then would be a real accomplishment.
IMO, the entire PL is to one degree or another a collection of unknowable ifs right now. Right now Colgate has the fewest ifs but they lost a lot to graduation.

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

A QB. With one ready to go, Cross should get at least 2 Ws. No QB= Little Offense. A winning season then would be a real accomplishment.
IMO, the entire PL is to one degree or another a collection of unknowable ifs right now. Right now Colgate has the fewest ifs but they lost a lot to graduation.

Everyone just needs to man up and win games!! It's as simple as that. Scheduling tough is not an excuse for not winning games imo. Don't write checks your a$$ can't cash.

Everyone thought Colgate's 2018 schedule was going to be brutally difficult and it turned out to be one of the weakest in the country. Perhaps things will break like that for HC....

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Just as a preface, I'm not taking shots at HC.

Lehigh has to step up and win those NEC games and re-establish some OOC credibility. They've been hot and cold in recent years. 2016 was pretty darn good minus the playoff debacle. There's a cohesive coaching staff in place and talent to burn. The program is still strong. Now win....

Georgetown needs to get to at least 7 wins. THIS is the year for the Hoyas to have a break out campaign. Georgetown's ooc slate is the complete opposite of HC's, it's cupcake easy for a legitimately solid team. They must take advantage of this opportunity.

IMO, HC, Georgetown and Lehigh have the most to lose this year. HC because they need to prove they're actually taking off under Chesney, Georgetown because it appears the stars are aligned for a run at 9-10 wins and Lehigh because they need to show that Gilmore is the guy. Fordham is a it of a tweener. Might take Conlin one more year of getting to 5 or 6 wins before taking off as a head coach. He inherited a bit of a mess.

[Sader87]

My gut feeling, HC will be decent in '19...very good in '20

Too soon, too tough a schedule etc to really shine this year

[RichH2]

So much realism in a Summer thread. Now is the time for unbridled and likely unrealistic optimism heading into Fall camps.xdrunkyx xhypedx Reality will raise its ugly head come September.xviolinx
Every team has positives . We'll see if they can balance out the negatives that each has.xpopcornx

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

So much realism in a Summer thread. Now is the time for unbridled and likely unrealistic optimism heading into Fall camps.xdrunkyx xhypedx Reality will raise its ugly head come September.xviolinx
Every team has positives . We'll see if they can balance out the negatives that each has.xpopcornx

Camp is nearing though! We're getting close to put up or shut up time....

All I know is the league desperately needs to have a respectable season. Need to have at least 3 teams post a winning record.

[RichH2]

Camp is nearing though! We're getting close to put up or shut up time....

All I know is the league desperately needs to have a respectable season. Need to have at least 3 teams post a winning record.

Three is surely possible. Some luck needed I think.
I dont see that as the sole barometer for the PL. "good losses" are a misnomer. An L is simply that an L. At best they can be some hint as to progress for a team. For a league 'however, the sum total of all of our OOC games can provide a clue as to the direction of our league.
Improvement may be Ws and more competitive games. Hopefully more of the former. :)

[Sader87]

It's an interesting argument but I think I speak for most HC fans on this, in that we'd much rather see HC play BC, Syracuse, Navy etc and more than likely lose than to schedule a winnable game to replace those games.(call it Catholic masochism :) )

The Yale, UNH and Harvard games will probably be the best barometer games on how much progress we're making undah.Chesney.

[crusader11]

It's an interesting argument but I think I speak for most HC fans on this, in that we'd much rather see HC play BC, Syracuse, Navy etc and more than likely lose than to schedule a winnable game to replace those games.(call it Catholic masochism :) )

The Yale, UNH and Harvard games will probably be the best barometer games on how much progress we're making undah.Chesney.

This is probably the most challenging and best schedule since 1986.

1986 : 10-1-0Coach: Mark Duffner

PA
PF
W/L
Date
Opponent
Location
Notes


17
14
W
09-13-1986
Lehigh (PA)
Worcester, MA



38
14
W
09-20-1986
Lafayette (PA)
Easton, PA



41
0
W
09-27-1986
Harvard (MA)
Cambridge, MA



16
12
W
10-04-1986
Colgate (NY)
Hamilton, NY



48
7
W
10-11-1986
Dartmouth (NH)
Worcester, MA



17
14
W
10-18-1986
Army (NY)
West Point, NY



22
7
W
10-25-1986
Brown (RI)
Providence, RI



41
7
W
11-01-1986
Massachusetts
Worcester, MA



17
10
W
11-08-1986
Bucknell (PA)
Worcester, MA



31
7
W
11-15-1986
William & Mary (VA)
Williamsburg, VA



26
56
L
11-22-1986
Boston College (MA)
Worcester, MA

[Sader87]

I called all those games on WCHC :)

Army game was classic

[DFW HOYA]

It's an interesting argument but I think I speak for most HC fans on this, in that we'd much rather see HC play BC, Syracuse, Navy etc and more than likely lose than to schedule a winnable game to replace those games.(call it Catholic masochism :) )

What, no interest in Davidson, Marist and Catholic?

[crusader11]

Army game was classic

Pretty amazing that just the week prior, Army went to Knoxville and beat Tennessee, who finished 7-5 that year.

[KPSUL]

If HC is headed in the right direction then 8 wins is definitely doable. UNH, Yale, Harvard and Brown are not murders row. The two FBS games inflate the difficulty imo.

xbandwagonx

[Sader87]

I think if Chesney stays 3 or 4 more years and has success both on and off (recruiting-wise) the field...we can approach being at the level of a top-tier CAA team. No official red-shirting really puts a governor on PL teams approaching the level of the really elite FCS programs in today's world.

Not to continue to stoke the HC-UNH fire but I will :)...HC has beaten out UNH in a few recent recruiting battles.

[RichH2]

I think if Chesney stays 3 or 4 more years and has success both on and off (recruiting-wise) the field...we can approach being at the level of a top-tier CAA team. No official red-shirting really puts a governor on PL teams approaching the level of the really elite FCS programs in today's world.

Not to continue to stoke the HC-UNH fire but I will :)...HC has beaten out UNH in a few recent recruiting battles.

Chesney has recruited phenomenally. You need these recruits and last year's to be soph and juniors. That team could be outstanding.
Beating oot CAA and Ivy for recruits is great. We get more now but not nearly enough. Schollie and roster caps are a governor. Just those 2 and we cannot recruit the same depth of talent as the CAA. Throw in redshirting and you're seeing 18 and 19 yr old players going up against redshirt seniors.
There will be teams in some years that can match up and win. As it stands now,PL will never be equal to either the Ivies or CAA.

[crusader11]

2019 Patriot League Preseason Poll
1. Colgate, 72 points (12 first-place votes)
2. Holy Cross, 58 (2)
3. Georgetown, 51
4. Fordham, 39
5. Lehigh, 38
6. Lafayette, 21
7. Bucknell, 15

2019 Patriot League Preseason Offensive Player of the Year
Grant Breneman, Colgate, Jr., QB

2019 Patriot League Preseason Defensive Player of the Year
Nick Wheeler, Colgate, Sr., DL

2019 Patriot League Football Preseason All-League Team
Offense
QB: Grant Breneman, Colgate (Jr.)*
RB: Alex Mathews, Colgate (Sr.)
RB: Domenic Cozier, Holy Cross (Sr.)*
FB: Isaac Schley, Georgetown (Sr.)
WR: Michael Dereus, Georgetown (Sr.)
WR: Nick Pearson, Lafayette (Sr.)*
WR: Jorge Portorreal, Lehigh (Jr.)*
TE: Nick Diaco, Colgate (Sr.)*
OL: Jack Badovinac, Colgate (Jr.)*
OL: Jovaun Woolford, Colgate (Sr.)
OL: Brett Boddy, Holy Cross (Sr.)*
OL: Brian Foley, Holy Cross (Jr.)*
OL: Jake Marotti, Lafayette (Sr.)*

Defense
DL: Nick Wheeler, Colgate (Sr.)*
DL: Duval Paul, Georgetown (Jr.)*
DL: Khristian Tate, Georgetown (Sr.)*
DL: Malik Hamm, Lafayette (So.)*
LB: Simeon Page, Bucknell (Jr.)*
LB: Nick Ioanilli, Colgate (Sr.)*
LB: Glenn Cunningham, Fordham (Jr.)*
LB: Wes Bowers, Georgetown (Jr.)*
DB: Abu Daramy-Swaray, Colgate (Sr.)*
DB: Jesse Bramble, Fordham (Sr.)*
DB: Ahmad Wilson, Georgetown (Jr.)*
DB: Yasir Thomas, Lafayette (Sr.)*

Special Teams
PK: Chris Puzzi, Colgate (Sr.)*
P: Alex Pechin, Bucknell (5th)*
Return Specialist: Abu Daramy-Swaray, Colgate (Sr.)*
Non-Specialist Player: Ahmad Wilson, Georgetown (Jr.)*

[crusader11]

Has to be a record for Georgetown to have seven players named to a first team.

Holy Cross, picked to finish second, has just three.

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

2019 Patriot League Preseason Poll
1. Colgate, 72 points (12 first-place votes)
2. Holy Cross, 58 (2)
3. Georgetown, 51
4. Fordham, 39
5. Lehigh, 38
6. Lafayette, 21
7. Bucknell, 15

2019 Patriot League Preseason Offensive Player of the Year
Grant Breneman, Colgate, Jr., QB

2019 Patriot League Preseason Defensive Player of the Year
Nick Wheeler, Colgate, Sr., DL

2019 Patriot League Football Preseason All-League Team
Offense
QB: Grant Breneman, Colgate (Jr.)*
RB: Alex Mathews, Colgate (Sr.)
RB: Domenic Cozier, Holy Cross (Sr.)*
FB: Isaac Schley, Georgetown (Sr.)
WR: Michael Dereus, Georgetown (Sr.)
WR: Nick Pearson, Lafayette (Sr.)*
WR: Jorge Portorreal, Lehigh (Jr.)*
TE: Nick Diaco, Colgate (Sr.)*
OL: Jack Badovinac, Colgate (Jr.)*
OL: Jovaun Woolford, Colgate (Sr.)
OL: Brett Boddy, Holy Cross (Sr.)*
OL: Brian Foley, Holy Cross (Jr.)*
OL: Jake Marotti, Lafayette (Sr.)*

Defense
DL: Nick Wheeler, Colgate (Sr.)*
DL: Duval Paul, Georgetown (Jr.)*
DL: Khristian Tate, Georgetown (Sr.)*
DL: Malik Hamm, Lafayette (So.)*
LB: Simeon Page, Bucknell (Jr.)*
LB: Nick Ioanilli, Colgate (Sr.)*
LB: Glenn Cunningham, Fordham (Jr.)*
LB: Wes Bowers, Georgetown (Jr.)*
DB: Abu Daramy-Swaray, Colgate (Sr.)*
DB: Jesse Bramble, Fordham (Sr.)*
DB: Ahmad Wilson, Georgetown (Jr.)*
DB: Yasir Thomas, Lafayette (Sr.)*

Special Teams
PK: Chris Puzzi, Colgate (Sr.)*
P: Alex Pechin, Bucknell (5th)*
Return Specialist: Abu Daramy-Swaray, Colgate (Sr.)*
Non-Specialist Player: Ahmad Wilson, Georgetown (Jr.)*

Looks very reasonsble! Gate, HC, and Georgetown should lead the pack heading into the season with Fordham and Lehigh being potential contenders or pretenders.

[PAllen]

Bucknell will not finish last in the league.

[DFW HOYA]

2019 Patriot League Preseason Poll

2019 Patriot League Football Preseason All-League Team
Offense
FB: Isaac Schley, Georgetown (Sr.)


The PL named someone who is not a fullback to its first team list as...a fullback.

http://guhoyas.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=9600

[crusader11]

The PL named someone who is not a fullback to its first team list as...a fullback.

http://guhoyas.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=9600

My guess is that PFT Commenter got to someone inside the league office.

[RichH2]

The PL named someone who is not a fullback to its first team list as...a fullback.

http://guhoyas.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=9600

That is your quibble?? Are you not ecstatic with Hoyas on this team. PR tho it may be.xdrunkyx

[DFW HOYA]

That is your quibble?? Are you not ecstatic with Hoyas on this team. PR tho it may be.xdrunkyx

The list is largely a replay of the 2018 standings. It's not unexpected, but doesn't mean much down the road.

Count me surprised that, seven years after six schools voted to step up to 60 scholarships, the one that failed to do so is outpointing four of the other six schools. Where that says more about Georgetown, or the general state of the league, is uncertain.

[Fordham]

The list is largely a replay of the 2018 standings. It's not unexpected, but doesn't mean much down the road.

Count me surprised that, seven years after six schools voted to step up to 60 scholarships, the one that failed to do so is outpointing four of the other six schools. Where that says more about Georgetown, or the general state of the league, is uncertain.
https://media.giphy.com/media/3oEjI80DSa1grNPTDq/giphy.gif

[RichH2]

https://media.giphy.com/media/3oEjI80DSa1grNPTDq/giphy.gif

Yeah. DFW hit a nerve. Accurate, if embarrassing.

[ngineer]

These lists are worth a buck of warm spit.

[ngineer]

Enjoyed reading the Morning Call's article today by Paul Reinhard on Laughyette's upcoming season and how "close" they were to a winning season last year. I will say this, the Leotard's season last year showed how close you can be to a winner if you have a good defense. With a pathetic offense, the 'pards were able to keep most of their games close. Unfortunately, they weren't playing quoits or horseshoes. Garrett will continue as the OC. A real head-scratcher for me and especially itchy if he stays with O'Malley at QB.

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Enjoyed reading the Morning Call's article today by Paul Reinhard on Laughyette's upcoming season and how "close" they were to a winning season last year. I will say this, the Leotard's season last year showed how close you can be to a winner if you have a good defense. With a pathetic offense, the 'pards were able to keep most of their games close. Unfortunately, they weren't playing quoits or horseshoes. Garrett will continue as the OC. A real head-scratcher for me and especially itchy if he stays with O'Malley at QB.

Lafayette is in a serious rut imo! Based on their roster, coaching staff and schedule they'll be lucky to win 2 games this season. I'm not sure if the Lafayette administration is ready to make ANOTHER coaching change but it might be something seriously considered.

Lafayette heading into 2019 feels a lot like Bucknell entering 2018. At some point enough is enough....

[RichH2]

Lafayette is in a serious rut imo! Based on their roster, coaching staff and schedule they'll be lucky to win 2 games this season. I'm not sure if the Lafayette administration is ready to make ANOTHER coaching change but it might be something seriously considered.

Lafayette heading into 2019 feels a lot like Bucknell entering 2018. At some point enough is enough....

Pards have Ifs as do all PL teams. Their biggest one is Garrett as the OC. There is talent on that squad. d has some holes but could be another solid unit. O'Malley has been a good soldier running the plays called by Garrett. Entering his 3rd year as the QB. He does not seem to have developed much so far. He has had some good games but few and far between. He doesnt seem to make reads. He goes to the primary no matter the coverage. If the same O and QB, perhaps 3 or 4 Ws with some luck

[TheValleyRaider]

Count me surprised that, seven years after six schools voted to step up to 60 scholarships, the one that failed to do so is outpointing four of the other six schools. Where that says more about Georgetown, or the general state of the league, is uncertain.

At the risk of coming off as too much of an optimist, I think it's also a reminder of how important coaching is, regardless of scholarship levels.

Georgetown seems to have a very good one on the sidelines, which can overcome other shortcomings.

There's been a lot of turnover lately, the result of decline or stagnation at really 5 of the 7 programs. If the Hoyas being picked 3rd becomes a regular occurrence without subsequent League-wide improvement in overall performance, then it's a problem. Interesting times in the League. 5 coaches entering Year #1, 2, or 3, and really there's only reason for pessimism about one of them (to this point).

[Sader87]

As a Red Sox fan of a certain age, I find there's always room for pessimism :)

[RichH2]

As a Red Sox fan of a certain age, I find there's always room for pessimism :)

The sweep certainly proved that. :)
Dont see as you have much room for pessimism for Crusader football this year.

[Sader87]

The sweep certainly proved that. :)
Dont see as you have much room for pessimism for Crusader football this year.

Maybe not pessimism, rather, realism.

Brutal schedule, still very early in the Chesney-era etc... I think we'll be in the PL title mix but still a year or two away from being very good.

[RichH2]

Maybe not pessimism, rather, realism.

Brutal schedule, still very early in the Chesney-era etc... I think we'll be in the PL title mix but still a year or two away from being very good.

It all hinges on the QB.

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Maybe not pessimism, rather, realism.

Brutal schedule, still very early in the Chesney-era etc... I think we'll be in the PL title mix but still a year or two away from being very good.

Holy Cross needs to step up and win. If Chesney is as good as I think he is then Yale, UNH and Harvard all winnable games. At some point you need to step up and prove the program is heading in the right direction. The tough schedule is a convenient excuse given there's 2 FBS games but overall it's not really a viable one for the FCS game. It's time to take the next step as program.

If it wasn't for that comeback against Georgetown, HC would be entering this season with even more questions. Those 30 minutes really changed the narrative heading into 2019....

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

The Wedge's Bucknell Preview

http://thefcswedge.com/a-look-at-what-is-happening-around-the-country/4704/

[BucBisonAtLarge]

The Wedge's Bucknell Preview

http://thefcswedge.com/a-look-at-what-is-happening-around-the-country/4704/

That's a good breakdown on what promises to be a long season. Staying healthy through the non-con would help.

In other news, the Bison OOC hoops schedule was released today.

[ngineer]

The Wedge's Bucknell Preview

http://thefcswedge.com/a-look-at-what-is-happening-around-the-country/4704/

Agreed. It should be long season in Lewisburg, but what else is new. If Chick can breathe life into the offense to generate some excitement, then there can be a rosy future in a couple years. But this year's schedule should be brutal.

[Sader87]

Holy Cross needs to step up and win. If Chesney is as good as I think he is then Yale, UNH and Harvard all winnable games. At some point you need to step up and prove the program is heading in the right direction. The tough schedule is a convenient excuse given there's 2 FBS games but overall it's not really a viable one for the FCS game. It's time to take the next step as program.

If it wasn't for that comeback against Georgetown, HC would be entering this season with even more questions. Those 30 minutes really changed the narrative heading into 2019....

I think we are a year or so away from being truly good...still very early....Chesney got the job in early 2018, last year was more of a "fly by the seat of our pants year"....this is really his 1st true HC team in many ways. I think the road will be a little rocky in 2019 but 2020 could be a special year.

[DFW HOYA]

Stop me if you've heard this before: Georgetown has missed a construction deadline on Cooper Field. No new permanent seats for the 15th consecutive year.

"Fourteen years after breaking ground on April 30, 2005, construction delays at Cooper Field will send fans to the temporary east side seats for another season. The temporary west side seats were razed in 2017 to meet an expected construction target of April 2019, which came and went. Weather and internal project delays showed little signs of abatement over the spring, and today's news confirms what a lot of fans that walked by the field already knew: it wasn't getting done this season."


http://www.hoyasaxa.com/sports/football.htm

November 2018:
http://www.hoyasaxa.com/sports/images/cooper_424.jpg


August 2019:

http://www.hoyasaxa.com/sports/images/cooper_423.jpg

[RichH2]

That sucks yet again DFW. Excuses. Seems GU has no will to finish this project any time soon.

[Fordham]

That sucks yet again DFW. Excuses. Seems GU has no will to finish this project any time soon.

agreed. Even if they don't care about football, though, I'm surprised they let the construction mess mar the middle of campus like that for so long. It looks bad as you tour campus imo.

[DFW HOYA]

That sucks yet again DFW. Excuses. Seems GU has no money to finish this project any time soon.

Corrected it for you. (Not the University, but the athletic department.)

Why they got such a late start on construction I do not know. But unlike University projects (dorms, classrooms) which get direct funding, athletics projects seem to be a "cash-in, cash out" model, or as some put it, "support by philanthropy".

With the financial losses of men's basketball in this decade, there isn't much cash in Athletics to get these type of projects fast-tracked without waiting for donor dollars to come in.

[RichH2]

Corrected it for you.

No, not the University, but the athletic department. Unlike University projects (dorms, classrooms) which get direct funding, athletics projects seem to be a "cash-in, cash out" model, or as some put it, "support by philanthropy". With the financial losses sustained by men's basketball in this decade, there isn't much cash in Athletics to get these type of projects done without waiting for donor dollars.

Wasnt there a $50 million donation acwhile back. I thought some went to this project.

[DFW HOYA]

Wasn't there a $50 million donation awhile back. I thought some went to this project.

He probably didn't write a check. For high net wealth donors, an annuity is a better deal and keeps the principal in their possession.

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

It appears Colgate does not have an OC in 2019? Is this correct? Hunt pulling a Belichick this year and taking over coordinator duties?

[TheValleyRaider]

It appears Colgate does not have an OC in 2019? Is this correct? Hunt pulling a Belichick this year and taking over coordinator duties?

Pretty much: https://gocolgateraiders.com/news/2019/3/18/football-raiders-announce-offensive-restructuring.aspx?path=football

Short answer: Hunt will do the playcalling, while there will be separate coordinators for the run and pass game

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Pretty much: https://gocolgateraiders.com/news/2019/3/18/football-raiders-announce-offensive-restructuring.aspx?path=football

Short answer: Hunt will do the playcalling, while there will be separate coordinators for the run and pass game

I followed Young's move to Elon (everyone ends up there) so I knew there was some staff shakeup. Just didn't realize Hunt never placed a title on anyone even knowing he was going to have more responsibility in game day play play calling. I have to believe Hunt along with Dow and Dunlay will have varying degrees of influence on the offense.

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Saw Colgate finally upgraded their scoreboard! While the old one had a video board it was truly horrific. Looked more like a minor league outfield wall than a scoreboard.

Lehigh's new press box/suite is complete. Here's a pic of the work from the spring...

https://www2.lehigh.edu/sites/www2/files/2019-04/GilmoreGang_Main2_0.jpg

[Bill]

Was vacationing in Ocean City, NJ today...walked by the boardwalk and caught some of Villanova's practice at OC High School. Was a very cool, almost surreal scene. When practice was over, the players were free to roam all over the boardwalk...from what I saw, they all did a fine job representing the school and FCS football in general. Would love to see more schools do things like this!

[the last indian]

So where is LU's video board? Talk about antiquated!

[PAllen]

Our scoreboard is state of the art 1979

[ngineer]

Our scoreboard is state of the art 1988

Corrected for you. C'mon, we're not THAT antiquated!!xsmiley_wix

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

The Wedge's Colgate Preview

http://thefcswedge.com/a-look-at-what-is-happening-around-the-country/2019-patriot-league-preview-colgate/

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Mathews making 1st team All-PL at RB is a bit ridiculous imo. If the voting members were going to poke and hope they should have selected Cooper or Freshnock. The Bison quietly have a really good backfield. Getting Freshnock back is huge literally and figuratively.

[RichH2]

The Wedge's Colgate Preview

http://thefcswedge.com/a-look-at-what-is-happening-around-the-country/2019-patriot-league-preview-colgate/

Daunting preview. Excellently done as usual.

[bonarae]

Meanwhile...

Who will do the PL pick'em this year? I've covered both Ivy and Big South for the past few years, but where are the other PL regulars? The PL has a Week Zero game this year.

[Gate83]

The Wedge's Colgate Preview

http://thefcswedge.com/a-look-at-what-is-happening-around-the-country/2019-patriot-league-preview-colgate/

Very fair. Not too worried about the O behind that line, biggest concerns for me are the secondary & keeping Breneman healthy. He was not the same after getting hurt vs. Gtown & don't think we've got anyone as ready to step in as Attwood was last year. Owl, you headed north for week 0? 7 Oaks is in prime shape...

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Very fair. Not too worried about the O behind that line, biggest concerns for me are the secondary & keeping Breneman healthy. He was not the same after getting hurt vs. Gtown & don't think we've got anyone as ready to step in as Attwood was last year. Owl, you headed north for week 0? 7 Oaks is in prime shape...

'Gate's offensive line should be excellent. Definitely one of the top units in FCS!

If the weather cooperates I plan to come up! With a noon kickoff I could definitely play 9 holes (maybe 18) after.

[Fordham]

Whatever happened to Bogus, carney and Pard4Life?

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Whatever happened to Bogus, carney and Pard4Life?

Perhaps somewhere in Utah searching for fossils of the Frankasaurus and the remnants of Lafayette's last winning season...

[RichH2]

Whatever happened to Bogus, carney and Pard4Life?

Not on Pards board either. Carney gave up in disgust. As did P4L. Expect we'll see them occasionally. Bogus left a while ago. 10 yrs of losing with little hope of change will wear out the most ardent fans.

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Not on Pards board either. Carney gave up in disgust. As did P4L. Expect we'll see them occasionally. Bogus left a while ago. 10 yrs of losing with little hope of change will wear out the most ardent fans.

It's a shame but I get their frustration. The 1990's for Temple were just as bad, if not worse! There's still plenty of chatter of the Lafayette board. Be nice if a few of them found their way over here.

[The Boogie Down]

Whatever happened to Bogus, carney and Pard4Life?

Living the good life after cashing in on all of those "Killer Bee" betting tips?

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Position rankings?

Quarterback
1. Colgate
2. Holy Cross
3. Lehigh
4. Georgetown
5. Fordham
6. Bucknell
7. Lafayette

RB - The league's deepest position imo
1. Bucknell
2. Colgate
3. Holy Cross
4. Lehigh
5. Georgetown
6. Fordham
7. Lafayette

WR
1. Lehigh
2. Holy Cross
3. Georgetown
4. Lafayette
5. Fordham
6. Bucknell
7. Colgate

OL
1. Colgate
2. Bucknell
3. Holy Cross
4. Lehigh
5. Georgetown
6. Fordham
7. Lafayette

DL
1. Georgetown
2. Colgate
3. Holy Cross
4. Bucknell
5. Lafayette
6. Fordham
7. Lehigh

LB
1. Fordham
2. Georgetown
3. Colgate
4. Holy Cross
5. Bucknell
6. Lehigh
7. Lafayette

Secondary
1. Lehigh
2. Georgetown
3. Holy Cross
4. Colgate
5. Fordham
6. Lafayette
7. Bucknell

Special Teams
1. Colgate
2. Bucknell
3. Holy Cross
4. Georgetown
5. Fordham
6. Lafayette
7. Lehigh

[The Boogie Down]

Position rankings?

Quarterback
1. Colgate
2. Holy Cross
3. Lehigh
4. Georgetown
5. Fordham
6. Bucknell
7. Lafayette

RB - The league's deepest position imo
1. Bucknell
2. Colgate
3. Holy Cross
4. Lehigh
5. Georgetown
6. Fordham
7. Lafayette

WR
1. Lehigh
2. Holy Cross
3. Georgetown
4. Lafayette
5. Fordham
6. Bucknell
7. Colgate

OL
1. Colgate
2. Bucknell
3. Holy Cross
4. Lehigh
5. Georgetown
6. Fordham
7. Lafayette

DL
1. Georgetown
2. Colgate
3. Holy Cross
4. Bucknell
5. Lafayette
6. Fordham
7. Lehigh

LB
1. Fordham
2. Georgetown
3. Colgate
4. Holy Cross
5. Bucknell
6. Lehigh
7. Lafayette

Secondary
1. Lehigh
2. Georgetown
3. Holy Cross
4. Colgate
5. Fordham
6. Lafayette
7. Bucknell

Special Teams
1. Colgate
2. Bucknell
3. Holy Cross
4. Georgetown
5. Fordham
6. Lafayette
7. Lehigh

Great post, you truly did your HW! I'm pretty much "Rams-only" and don't really know the rosters of any other PL team. But as far as Fordham's rankings go, except for DL, these all seem fair to me.

Again, I don't know how good everyone else is gonna be but I can say that (excluding injuries) we should have our best DL since 2014. Lots of juniors who didn't play much as freshman and were thrown into the fire as sophomores managed to get better as the year went on. Without jinxing anything, several of them should break out this season. Does that mean we'll have the PL's best front four this year? Can't say since I don't really follow anyone else but I do think we'll be somewhere up there. As for the rest, yeah, even without knowing the other teams, it does read right.

[ngineer]

Lehigh's front four is not the worse in the league. They looked very quick and aggressive on Saturday.

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Lehigh's front four is not the worse in the league. They looked very quick and aggressive on Saturday.

Need to prove it during the season. They've been physically/schematically overmatched the last 4-5 years. Fordham has been similar up front. Lafayette doesn't have much outside of Hamm imo.

The Nace injury is a problem when it comes to depth.

Colgate likely doesn't have the worst WR group in the league either but there's no other place to put them until someone steps up and literally makes their first reception.

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Great post, you truly did your HW! I'm pretty much "Rams-only" and don't really know the rosters of any other PL team. But as far as Fordham's rankings go, except for DL, these all seem fair to me.

Again, I don't know how good everyone else is gonna be but I can say that (excluding injuries) we should have our best DL since 2014. Lots of juniors who didn't play much as freshman and were thrown into the fire as sophomores managed to get better as the year went on. Without jinxing anything, several of them should break out this season. Does that mean we'll have the PL's best front four this year? Can't say since I don't really follow anyone else but I do think we'll be somewhere up there. As for the rest, yeah, even without knowing the other teams, it does read right.

Fordham's DL definitely has legit potential but they have to show it. They and Lehigh struggled to stop the run and pressure the QB in recent years. Far too often poor DL play hung their secondaries out to dry.

Entering the season Georgetown and Colgate have the two best DL's in the PL and I don't think there's a close third.

Fordham's LBs are the best in large part because Cunningham is an absolute monster (T.J Holl like). Greenhagen is a helluva player too.

[Colgate Raider Redux]

Colgate likely doesn't have the worst WR group in the league either but there's no other place to put them until someone steps up and literally makes their first reception.

You could use the reverse logic in equivocating about the QB position at HC. ( You've been sneaking into 8 days of practice in 'Woo' ? )

At any rate, from my perspective, this all means little until we see game performance.

But, I would be interested in a Coaching/Program list: "who's likely to accomplish the most with the deck they have been dealt ?"

[RichH2]

Position rankings?

Quarterback
1. Colgate
2. Holy Cross
3. Lehigh
4. Georgetown
5. Fordham
6. Bucknell
7. Lafayette

RB - The league's deepest position imo
1. Bucknell
2. Colgate
3. Holy Cross
4. Lehigh
5. Georgetown
6. Fordham
7. Lafayette

WR
1. Lehigh
2. Holy Cross
3. Georgetown
4. Lafayette
5. Fordham
6. Bucknell
7. Colgate

OL
1. Colgate
2. Bucknell
3. Holy Cross
4. Lehigh
5. Georgetown
6. Fordham
7. Lafayette

DL
1. Georgetown
2. Colgate
3. Holy Cross
4. Bucknell
5. Lafayette
6. Fordham
7. Lehigh

LB
1. Fordham
2. Georgetown
3. Colgate
4. Holy Cross
5. Bucknell
6. Lehigh
7. Lafayette

Secondary
1. Lehigh
2. Georgetown
3. Holy Cross
4. Colgate
5. Fordham
6. Lafayette
7. Bucknell

Special Teams
1. Colgate
2. Bucknell
3. Holy Cross
4. Georgetown
5. Fordham
6. Lafayette
7. Lehigh
Quibbles. QB. Holy Cross doesnt have a QB yet.


OL. LU last. Last year's fiasco a one off given injuries. 5 sarters back plus the 2 OTs injured.

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Quibbles. QB. Holy Cross doesnt have a QB yet.


OL. LU last. Last year's fiasco a one off given injuries. 5 sarters back plus the 2 OTs injured.

Holy Cross does have senior Emmett Clifford who has starting experience. Even if he's ultimately the 2nd or 3rd stringer that's a good base to build from imo.

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Hopefully The Wedge didn't forget about Fordham :D. Here's the Georgetown preview....

http://thefcswedge.com/a-look-at-what-is-happening-around-the-country/2019-patriot-league-preview-georgetown/

[CHIP72]

It's a shame but I get their frustration. The 1990's for Temple were just as bad, if not worse! There's still plenty of chatter of the Lafayette board. Be nice if a few of them found their way over here.

Temple failed to win more than four games in a season in any season between 1991 and 2007.

You know things are bad when a coach who went 19-71 over 8 seasons was actually better than his predecessor (who went 8-47 over 5 seasons).

[CHIP72]

The Patriot League announced the Stadium Network schedule earlier this week. The network will generally show one Patriot League per week on the channel, which is available over-the-air in some markets (and is also available on Verizon FiOS). Every team will be featured at least once, and some teams will make as many as three appearances.

https://www.patriotleague.org/news/2019/8/13/patriot-league-football-game-of-the-week-schedule-for-stadium-announced.aspx?path=football

Additionally, as has been the case in recent past years, the Patriot League will also offer free streams of all members' home games that are not televised on a national network (i.e. CBSSN).

[Fordham]

The Patriot League announced the Stadium Network schedule earlier this week. The network will generally show one Patriot League per week on the channel, which is available over-the-air in some markets (and is also available on Verizon FiOS). Every team will be featured at least once, and some teams will make as many as three appearances.

https://www.patriotleague.org/news/2019/8/13/patriot-league-football-game-of-the-week-schedule-for-stadium-announced.aspx?path=football

Additionally, as has been the case in recent past years, the Patriot League will also offer free streams of all members' home games that are not televised on a national network (i.e. CBSSN).
happy for Georgetown, sad for Fordham

[Leopard Loyalist]

The Ivy League TV schedule on ESPNU includes Lafayette at Princeton on Friday, October 11. Not recommended for the faint of heart, however.

[CHIP72]

The Ivy League TV schedule on ESPNU includes Lafayette at Princeton on Friday, October 11. Not recommended for the faint of heart, however.

When the Ivy League released their ESPN-related TV schedule in late June, I was thinking why would ESPN want to show Lafayette/Princeton as their sole non-conference game in their package? Clearly they want to focus on the quality of the Ivy League teams involved in the televised games (Princeton and I think Dartmouth will be shown three times) rather than the potential quality of the game. (The fact John Garrett is Lafayette's head coach and the brother of Dallas Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett, who was a star quarterback at Princeton, may also be the angle.) Unfortunately, this battle of the big cats between the Leopards and Tigers could be a mismatch of epic proportions.

[ngineer]

Lehigh scrimmaged Saturday in Goodman using refs and game day conditions. Much improved from prior week. Offense moved the ball a bit and Monaco looks very much "the Man" at QB in my opinion. Very composed. One would not think he has been a back up for three years. Using the RBs more as receivers, which I like to see, especially with the two excellent WRs we have. Gives more diversity of attack. Defense front and secondary still showing their stuff from prior week. Nice to see we have some cover guys who can bump and run. The one area of concern for me is our kicking game. Very inconsistent for the senior, though he has the stronger leg. May use him for the KOs and the frosh for the PKs. We shall see how it plays out over the next two weeks.

[RichH2]

Lehigh scrimmaged Saturday in Goodman using refs and game day conditions. Much improved from prior week. Offense moved the ball a bit and Monaco looks very much "the Man" at QB in my opinion. Very composed. One would not think he has been a back up for three years. Using the RBs more as receivers, which I like to see, especially with the two excellent WRs we have. Gives more diversity of attack. Defense front and secondary still showing their stuff from prior week. Nice to see we have some cover guys who can bump and run. The one area of concern for me is our kicking game. Very inconsistent for the senior, though he has the stronger leg. May use him for the KOs and the frosh for the PKs. We shall see how it plays out over the next two weeks.

Two other areas of concern for me
OL
Down an OT out for the season. Did adequately early in scrimmage. Good protection. Run game solid. Once D came off the base D to use stunts and various blitzes, the OL could not keep up. Still a work in progress.
Depth
WR
A very good but thin group. TG brought in a lot of WR this year. They will be needed. It is great to see RBs back in the pass game. A wrinkle our O sorely needed.

LB
Coach K has installed a very aggressive D scheme with multiple blitz packages and line stunts. Various sets use 3 LBs. Right now we have 4 experienced LBs. I note that O'Neil was moved up in various sets which helps. Secondary is deep and excellent. Avoiding a repeat of lastvyear's injuries here would be fatal.
Last week of camp before prep week. A lot to get done.

[RichH2]

Tyler Monaco is the starter. Tom going with the senior.A safe pick. Hopefully the right one. Crucial for the OC. A repeat of last year will likely lead to a new OC.

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Tyler Monaco is the starter. Tom going with the senior.A safe pick. Hopefully the right one. Crucial for the OC. A repeat of last year will likely lead to a new OC.

I'm happy that Monaco got the gig. I have zero horse in the race but I like his ceiling heading into the season. I think he has 2nd team All-PL potential if the OL gels and the WR duo stays healthy. Time will tell if he is indeed the right guy.

A few more days of camp before it's officially StFU week! Both literally and figuratively. Is the program trending down? Or was last year more of an unfortunate fluke after winning the PL in '17 and '16?

[RichH2]

I'm happy that Monaco got the gig. I have zero horse in the race but I like his ceiling heading into the season. I think he has 2nd team All-PL potential if the OL gels and the WR duo stays healthy. Time will tell if he is indeed the right guy.

A few more days of camp before it's officially StFU week! Both literally and figuratively. Is the program trending down? Or was last year more of an unfortunate fluke after winning the PL in '17 and '16?

"StFU"
Epic.
xlmaoxxhurrayxxhypedx

[ngineer]

Two other areas of concern for me
OL
Down an OT out for the season. Did adequately early in scrimmage. Good protection. Run game solid. Once D came off the base D to use stunts and various blitzes, the OL could not keep up. Still a work in progress.
Depth
WR
A very good but thin group. TG brought in a lot of WR this year. They will be needed. It is great to see RBs back in the pass game. A wrinkle our O sorely needed.

LB
Coach K has installed a very aggressive D scheme with multiple blitz packages and line stunts. Various sets use 3 LBs. Right now we have 4 experienced LBs. I note that O'Neil was moved up in various sets which helps. Secondary is deep and excellent. Avoiding a repeat of lastvyear's injuries here would be fatal.
Last week of camp before prep week. A lot to get done.

Who got hurt and done for season?

[RichH2]

Curlin reportedly tore ACL again. Unrelated to football.

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

The Wedge's Fordham Preview
http://thefcswedge.com/a-look-at-what-is-happening-around-the-country/2019-patriot-league-preview-fordham-rams/

I didn't realize how tough the Rams schedule was. Be interesting to see how they handle it...

[Fordham]

The Wedge's Fordham Preview
http://thefcswedge.com/a-look-at-what-is-happening-around-the-country/2019-patriot-league-preview-fordham-rams/

I didn't realize how tough the Rams schedule was. Be interesting to see how they handle it...

Thanks Towel!

Well written. I take issue with saying that Conlin inherited a talented squad. It was Breiner who inherited as talented a squad as we have ever had and "led" them to an 8-3 season followed by the bottom falling out. Poor recruiting and horrible morale combined with an absurd amount of injuries made made year 1 incredibly difficult for this staff. He definitely has us on the right path but you're correct that the schedule does us no favors. It's worrisome because learning to win is so important for a team who managed 2 wins last year. I could see us having great potential but struggling against all OOC teams and shattering our confidence. That's our worst case scenario. In the end it really comes down to how well the OL does. Our D will be the best we have had since Clawson was here imo. ST is strong. If the OL can give Demorat enough time and open up enough holes for our talented RB's the ripple effect on the entire game will be incredibly positive and we'll be tough for any team to play

[ngineer]

Curlin reportedly tore ACL again. Unrelated to football.

When did that happen, and if 'unrelated to football', how??

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

CSJ's PL Preview

http://www.college-sports-journal.com/college-sports-journal-conference-previews-patriot-league/

[PAllen]

The Wedge's Fordham Preview
http://thefcswedge.com/a-look-at-what-is-happening-around-the-country/2019-patriot-league-preview-fordham-rams/

I didn't realize how tough the Rams schedule was. Be interesting to see how they handle it...

I'm sorry, but I take exception to calling that a tough schedule. A good team should have no more than 2 losses against that slate. Tough for a struggling team, maybe, but not tough.

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

I'm sorry, but I take exception to calling that a tough schedule. A good team should have no more than 2 losses against that slate. Tough for a struggling team, maybe, but not tough.

A top 5 maybe a top 10 team could potentially escape Fordham's schedule with 2 losses or less. Look at the records of teams at the end of year, very few have less than 2 losses and the ones that do likely aren't playing 7 road games.

For a team coming off a 2 win season that is a very difficult OOC schedule.

- CCSU and Duquesne are the favorites in the NEC. The top teams in NEC have proven to be tough outs.
- FBS Ball State means low chance to win
- @ Bryant, road game but a must win
- @ Stony Brook, road game against playoff team
- Richmond, beat Fordham 52-6 in 2018, Spiders have owned the PL in recent years
- @ Yale preseason IL favorite, Top 25

I'd like to see a Top 25 team like Jacksonville State, Wofford or Indiana State try their luck with that OOC slate. Especially without redshirts, a smaller roster and a few less scholarships.....

[Fordham]

A top 5 maybe a top 10 team could potentially escape Fordham's schedule with 2 losses or less. Look at the records of teams at the end of year, very few have less than 2 losses and the ones that do likely aren't playing 7 road games.

For a team coming off a 2 win season that is a very difficult OOC schedule.

- CCSU and Duquesne are the favorites in the NEC. The top teams in NEC have proven to be tough outs.
- FBS Ball State means low chance to win
- @ Bryant, road game but a must win
- @ Stony Brook, road game against playoff team
- Richmond, beat Fordham 52-6 in 2018, Spiders have owned the PL in recent years
- @ Yale preseason IL favorite, Top 25

I'd like to see a Top 25 team like Jacksonville State, Wofford or Indiana State try their luck with that OOC slate. Especially without redshirts, a smaller roster and a few less scholarships.....
Agreed!

I think the idea that 4 - 2 is a lock or else we failed to meet OOC expectations is a 2005 attitude. Bryant always plays us tough but is the match up where the spread will likely be the closest and we could possibly be favorites. We are definitive underdogs against every other opponent. Honestly, it would have been nice to have had a lesser Ivy in there than Yale, who not only returns a ton from last year but gets a few all-league guys back on both sides of the ball who missed last year with injuries. Regardless, we will either be battle tested for the PL run of games or else have our confidence shattered.

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

The Wedge's HC Preview
http://thefcswedge.com/a-look-at-what-is-happening-around-the-country/2019-patriot-league-preview-holy-cross/

Crusaders just got to win games. The schedule is tough but that's the path they've chosen.

The offense looks like it should be pretty good. Defense will be tested right off the bat against Navy. Hopefully the staff has them ready for those cut blocks...

[ngineer]

CSJ's PL Preview

http://www.college-sports-journal.com/college-sports-journal-conference-previews-patriot-league/

Based on last year's performances and what people are returning, I can't argue with the order. I doubt very much it will end that way. By the time League play begins, we're 40% into the season with injuries taking their toll on some, others having their weaknesses exposed and some who may actually step up beyond expectations. I see a wide open PL for the top 5 teams. Only LC and BU appear to be significantly back in the pack.

[Fordham]

ugh. Love the Army and Navy games for the fans. Hate them for the staff and players. Not much upside. A likely wearing down type of beating and higher injury risk due to the blocking. Otherwise HC really looks like they're on the right path

[Gater]

Sneaking in an off-season post just under the wire.

Colgate certainly has a chance to be as good as last year. If they are, it will tell you a lot about the culture and the coaching, because they did lose a lot. Can appreciate why PL fans (who know more than most) would think there should be a sizable drop off. Last year’s #1 FCS defense had seven starters with no other Div 1 offers. Can other unheralded players fill their shoes and also run and tackle in them? The last day of preseason hope springs internal(ly).

On offense, they should be better at QB and possibly OL. Brenneman was unable to feel his throwing hand for the JMU game. Don’t know how much better he felt by North Dakota State, but regardless, another year of starting should mean better play. Last year’s OL lost the starting left tackle (and preseason PL 1st teamer) Woolford in game one. He was considered to be the best player on the OL going into the season. Now he’s back. They also get back three other starters including one (Badovinac) making a lot of pre-season All-American lists. They should be at least as good as last year—and last year’s OL was very good.

At RB, Holland was great. His ability to turn one yard into three was a big part of what makes the Colgate offense go. He averaged 5.9 a carry. Twyman is pretty similar. He averaged 5.5 and got a lot of carries late in games when everyone knew Colgate wasn’t throwing the ball. Matthews is the starter and can break off some big runs. I think they will both get a lot of carries. The team will be just as good at TE. One starter lost. One returns. The key backup is still there. Probably more of an upside (last year’s starter was dinged up a bunch).

WR is where the offense really took a hit. Everyone gone (to graduation or transferring). Colgate threw the ball 20 times a game last year (and ran the ball 42 times a game) so WR isn’t the worst place to be young, but with zero catches to their credit, this is the team’s biggest question mark. Freshman Myles Bradley is in the two deep and looks quick. Will be interesting to see who steps up. Will learn a lot from playing against 'Nova's corners tomorrow.

On D, Colgate went 7.5 consecutive games without giving up a TD. That’s probably not going to happen again. Colgate outscored PL teams 159-6 in the first half of games last year. How much can the rest of the league close the gap and what has to replaced on D? A ton. But they have also had a bunch of guys waiting to play who seem pretty solid. On the DL, they lose two starters but they get back their best player and an All American in Wheeler. They get back Esarco who started a bunch and Kouyate who has been in the rotation and Coco (who should be very good). They get back Rohr from injury. He’s 315 pounds and started nine of eleven games two years ago. Also, considering how much time Fell missed last year after an appendectomy, this unit should be better than last year’s.

At LB they lose Holl. That’s a guy you can’t replace. Just a special player and presence. That being said, LB gets back Ioanilli and Thompson. (Thompson was looking to be a very good OLB before getting hurt early last year.) That Thompson isn’t starting game one probably tells you something about the quality here—even though these guys weren’t starters last year.

At DB, they get back CB Daramy-Swaray (who was an All-American). They lose Castillo, Hunt, and Wisniewski. All were great players. Wisniewski was the best hitter I’ve ever seen at Colgate. Castillo made all-American and Hunt should have gotten post season accolades. The guys who will be stepping into their spots are solid. Gaertner (a senior who played a lot and always played well), Bruce (another senior who looks very good), and Heard (a sophomore CB who people are high on) all got to play in the 4th quarter of games last year so they probably have more experience than most #2’s coming into a season. There are also a bunch of guys pushing for time back there who have played a bit of nickel, etc. Holl came out of nowhere to be great. Hopefully there are some more of him in line.

The all-league/best kicker in Colgate history is back. Daramy-Swaray is back returning punts (averaged 15 per return last year). One of the punters who started is back.

Hunt is now the OC. Have a suspicion that he felt like that side of the ball was underperforming and decided to take over at coordinator. Also feel like Colgate’s freshmen class should be very good (especially on D). That there are very few in the two-deep is probably a good sign for Colgate.

Have to figure Colgate should be favored against 6 PL teams, Cornell, and Bill and Mary. Of Villanova, Maine, Dartmouth, and Air Force, Colgate is favored against everyone except Air Force but they could certainly lose all four. That being said, I’d be OK with Colgate winning all of their games this year. Hopefully, that's something everyone here can agree on.

Go 'gate!

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

The Wedge's Lafayette preview

http://thefcswedge.com/a-look-at-what-is-happening-around-the-country/2019-patriot-league-preview-lafayette/

[ngineer]

Yes, Leotards are a project and a half. Don't know why Garrett stays with O'Malley unless he is truly the best they have, and, if so, it will be another long season. LC has been relatively tough on D during this trip in the desert, but depth can catch up quickly. I can see them going winless and, at best win four, so the 2-10 projection is realistic. If that occurs, does Garrett remain?

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Yes, Leotards are a project and a half. Don't know why Garrett stays with O'Malley unless he is truly the best they have, and, if so, it will be another long season. LC has been relatively tough on D during this trip in the desert, but depth can catch up quickly. I can see them going winless and, at best win four, so the 2-10 projection is realistic. If that occurs, does Garrett remain?

Feels like Lafayette is headed for a 2018 Bucknell type year. The wheels feel like they're really going to fall off. Bucknell eventually had enough with Susan which surprised a lot of folks who thought they didn't care. It wasn't that Susan's teams were losing it was the fact they were losing in such boring, uneventful fashion.

Garrett was suppose to bring a productive, perhaps "exciting" offense to compliment Lafayette's traditionally solid defenses. That clearly hasn't happened. At some point you need to blow the whole thing up and start again. I think a 1 or 2 win reason will be ammo enough for Lafayette to pull the trigger. Maybe a large donor will step in against like in the early 2000's to help right the ship? As bad as things got in the 90's in Easton it's no where close to the disaster the last 10 years have been on the field. How a quality academic school with their facilities and location can suck for this long is mind boggling. It's almost like Rutgers basketball!

[RichH2]

3 years into a major rebuild. Losing record so far pretty usual for this process. Only questions on O are QB and Garrett's offense. He hasnt shown any inclination to change. Even with solid talent unlikely Pards will score much. 4 Ws may be their ceiling.

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Goodman is getting upgrades! The facility is finally getting updated this year! New suites, press box, video board and sound system! It was time for a facelift and the school stepped up. Now it just needs lights. I have a feeling this might set the table for those....

Might reclaim its perch as the best stadium in the league again....

"A NEW LOOK AT GOODMAN STADIUM

Game day at Goodman Stadium will have a slightly different look
in 2019 following several offseason renovations. Suites have been
added to the west side of the stadium to go along with a renovated
skybox. The press box and game operations have been relocated to
the east side, with both sides now serviced by an elevator. Lehigh
will still occupy the west sideline. In addition, a new (videoboard)
will be installed in late September with Lehigh utilizing a mobile
display board for its fi rst two home games. The stadium’s sound
system has also been upgraded."

[Sader87]

Good for Lehigh....Fitton is in dire need of a sprucing up....great place to watch a game (nearly on top of the field) but the amenities are lacking.

[RichH2]

Goodman is getting upgrades! The facility is finally getting updated this year! New suites, press box, video board and sound system! It was time for a facelift and the school stepped up. Now it just needs lights. I have a feeling this might set the table for those....

Might reclaim its perch as the best stadium in the league again....

"A NEW LOOK AT GOODMAN STADIUM

Game day at Goodman Stadium will have a slightly different look
in 2019 following several offseason renovations. Suites have been
added to the west side of the stadium to go along with a renovated
skybox. The press box and game operations have been relocated to
the east side, with both sides now serviced by an elevator. Lehigh
will still occupy the west sideline. In addition, a new (videoboard)
will be installed in late September with Lehigh utilizing a mobile
display board for its fi rst two home games. The stadium’s sound
system has also been upgraded."

At last. Updated video board and sound system long overdue. I really hope they have gone all in on a good board.

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

At last. Updated video board and sound system long overdue. I really hope they have gone all in on a good board.

I'm interested to see if they're leaving the scoreboard and putting the videoboard on the south end? I actually think that would be a good setup. The scoreboard is perfect for need to know info then have the video board strictly for video. Some of the video/score boards can get busy.....

[RichH2]

I'm interested to see if they're leaving the scoreboard and putting the videoboard on the south end? I actually think that would be a good setup. The scoreboard is perfect for need to know info then have the video board strictly for video. Some of the video/score boards can get busy.....

We'll get some idea Saturday. See where they put the mobile boards.

[RichH2]

Reread the release. Board going under the current scoreboard. Doesnt seem as if anything is being moved.

[BNiche]

Thanks Towel!

Well written. I take issue with saying that Conlin inherited a talented squad. It was Breiner who inherited as talented a squad as we have ever had and "led" them to an 8-3 season followed by the bottom falling out. Poor recruiting and horrible morale combined with an absurd amount of injuries made made year 1 incredibly difficult for this staff. He definitely has us on the right path but you're correct that the schedule does us no favors. It's worrisome because learning to win is so important for a team who managed 2 wins last year. I could see us having great potential but struggling against all OOC teams and shattering our confidence. That's our worst case scenario. In the end it really comes down to how well the OL does. Our D will be the best we have had since Clawson was here imo. ST is strong. If the OL can give Demorat enough time and open up enough holes for our talented RB's the ripple effect on the entire game will be incredibly positive and we'll be tough for any team to play

Sorry for being late on this, but I agree wholeheartedly. It makes the opener THAT much more important this Saturday...

[The Boogie Down]

Thanks Towel!

Well written. I take issue with saying that Conlin inherited a talented squad. It was Breiner who inherited as talented a squad as we have ever had and "led" them to an 8-3 season followed by the bottom falling out. Poor recruiting and horrible morale combined with an absurd amount of injuries made made year 1 incredibly difficult for this staff. He definitely has us on the right path but you're correct that the schedule does us no favors. It's worrisome because learning to win is so important for a team who managed 2 wins last year. I could see us having great potential but struggling against all OOC teams and shattering our confidence. That's our worst case scenario. In the end it really comes down to how well the OL does. Our D will be the best we have had since Clawson was here imo. ST is strong. If the OL can give Demorat enough time and open up enough holes for our talented RB's the ripple effect on the entire game will be incredibly positive and we'll be tough for any team to play


Sorry for being late on this, but I agree wholeheartedly. It makes the opener THAT much more important this Saturday...

Every game is big and the opener is often bigger than most but this year I disagree. We have a very young team which will be a work in progress. As "Fordham" stated, Breiner really mucked this up but I think Conlin has the pieces back, especially on D, to take that first step towards respectability. Might not happen in Week 1 but once we get into the conference schedule we should show some decent improvement.

[DFW HOYA]

Good for Lehigh....Fitton is in dire need of a sprucing up....great place to watch a game (nearly on top of the field) but the amenities are lacking.

Truly the good old days.

https://goholycross.com/pics33/1024/AC/ACBZYSFSOVKPMMU.20180607142019.jpg

[Sader87]

Truly the good old days.

https://goholycross.com/pics33/1024/AC/ACBZYSFSOVKPMMU.20180607142019.jpg
Lol...you can't see me but I was in attendance....calling the game on 88.1 WCHC

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

The Wedge's Lehigh preview

http://thefcswedge.com/a-look-at-what-is-happening-around-the-country/2019-patriot-league-preview-lehigh/

[ngineer]

Good for Lehigh....Fitton is in dire need of a sprucing up....great place to watch a game (nearly on top of the field) but the amenities are lacking.

So true. The sight lines are very similar to Lehigh's old Taylor Stadium where the concrete stands came right down to the players' bench. I hope they do some sprucing!

[ngineer]

Reread the release. Board going under the current scoreboard. Doesnt seem as if anything is being moved.

Yes, there will be mobile boards used the first two home games (8/31 and 9/28). The permanent one is supposed to be ready for Georgetown game on Founder's Weekend 10/26. It was either there or on the small hillside in the northeast corner above the end zone. You don't want to mess with the horseshoe--a great place for the students and those of us with grandchildren who love to roll down during the game! The plan for the skyboxes looks great. Will consider using a suite for a game or two.

[RichH2]

The Wedge's Lehigh preview

http://thefcswedge.com/a-look-at-what-is-happening-around-the-country/2019-patriot-league-preview-lehigh/

On point unfortunately. (: Too many ifs to know. 8-3 to 4-7 possible.