2024 Playoffs Round 1: Eastern Kentucky @ #11 Villanova

[Professor Chaos]

Game kicks off at 2PM ET and will be streamed on ESPN+. Winner goes to #6 Incarnate Word next week.


https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54162024809_bf1bf55d95_o.jpg

[CHIP72]

I would have preferred if the Wildcats were hosting Lehigh (may have altered my plans next Saturday and hit the Main Line for the game), but the Selection Committee (somewhat surprisingly IMO) went in a different direction. I'll note travel also would have been shorter for Eastern Kentucky if they played at Richmond rather than Villanova.

At least Villanova football won't be competing for fans with Villanova basketball. (Last year the Wildcats received a first round bye and played their first playoff game at home the same day as the Big Five Classic at the Wells Fargo Center was held.)

[smilo]

I would have preferred if the Wildcats were hosting Lehigh (may have altered my plans next Saturday and hit the Main Line for the game), but the Selection Committee (somewhat surprisingly IMO) went in a different direction. I'll note travel also would have been shorter for Eastern Kentucky if they played at Richmond rather than Villanova.

At least Villanova football won't be competing for fans with Villanova basketball. (Last year the Wildcats received a first round bye and played their first playoff game at home the same day as the Big Five Classic at the Wells Fargo Center was held.)

I was hoping for Lehigh too, but I think it's only fair that a team that lost two conference games gets a tougher team than the undefeated champion. I'm always excited to play a new team. Typically I'd be nervous, especially with our offense after such an emotional win, but we have handled Liberty and Youngstown State pretty well in this position before (and handled Holy Cross a little less well). Won't overlook EKU but will feel pretty good about our odds still. Excited to get another good game on the calendar.

[The Cats]

EKU wins by 10

[CHIP72]

I was hoping for Lehigh too, but I think it's only fair that a team that lost two conference games gets a tougher team than the undefeated champion. I'm always excited to play a new team. Typically I'd be nervous, especially with our offense after such an emotional win, but we have handled Liberty and Youngstown State pretty well in this position before (and handled Holy Cross a little less well). Won't overlook EKU but will feel pretty good about our odds still. Excited to get another good game on the calendar.

Did you notice that Eastern Kentucky has been outscored by its opponents this year? Some of that is a function of losing to Mississippi State 56-7, but Mississippi State is also the worst team in the SEC this season.

[Southsider]

EKU wins by 10

U R dreaming……

[EKU05]

Did you notice that Eastern Kentucky has been outscored by its opponents this year? Some of that is a function of losing to Mississippi State 56-7, but Mississippi State is also the worst team in the SEC this season.

Also a 31-0 loss to WKU in week 2. That's a total of 87-7 in our first two games. Things, particularly on the defensive side of the ball, progressively got better after that rough start.

Our offense has been a little underwhelming in the first season after the departure of Parker Mickinney who owns basically every major EKU passing record after starting games for us in six consecutive seasons.

[EKU05]

EKU wins by 10

I wish I was that confident, but I do think we have more than a chance. We beat Tarleton who would be seeded higher than Villanova if not for their loss to us.

[Outsider1]

I think EKU has a chance. I am not going to guess EKU by 10, but EKU has been playing well lately. They have always been a solid program. They are certainly not going to roll over for anyone. All in all, this should be a good game.

[Gangtackle11]

Should be a good game.

[MTfan4life]

Random tidbit:

Eastern Kentucky has lost their last 8 playoff games and 11 of their last 12. Their lone win in that span was against Boston University in 1994.

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

This is also the only first round game to feature two programs that have won a 1-AA/FCS National Title.

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Villanova by a whisker. EKU can certainly win this. They've played very well down the stretch....

[Pards Rule]

Random tidbit:

Eastern Kentucky has lost their last 8 playoff games and 11 of their last 12. Their lone win in that span was against Boston University in 1994.

Wow - thats 30 years ago!

[EKUFAN]

Random tidbit:

Eastern Kentucky has lost their last 8 playoff games and 11 of their last 12. Their lone win in that span was against Boston University in 1994.


Yes unfortunately and that's a big sore spot for EKU fans. We once were a power in IAA/FCS. We have the second most appearances in the playoffs with 23. I think Montana is first. We made four straight trips to the Natty. Winning two national championships and lost a third in the the last 45 seconds (that one hurt!). It has been rough years for a football school. Numerous reasons, (we don't have Hall of Fame Coach Roy Kidd ), a president at one point, who hated athletics and especially football and did all he could to destroy the program (we still have not recovered from issues he caused), and less than stellar coaching hires has lead to a once proud program's downfall.

Our fans are happy to be back. I'm not certain we have the coaches to win this, but our team plays hard. They remind me a bit of our teams that never quit back in the day.

We will be watching from Georgia. GO BIG E!

[EKU05]

Wow - thats 30 years ago!

Yep. I started following the program when I arrived as a student in the fall of 2001. I've never seen us win a playoff game. There was a game about a decade ago or so when we hosted James Madison in the first round and led almost the entire game...losing on a field goal on the final play. That's as close as we've come.

I'm looking forward to this one! Roll Kerns!

[caribbeanhen]

Wow - thats 30 years ago!

and it was 42 years ago when Roy Kidds Eastern Kentucky beat Tubby Raymond’s Blue Hens in the FCS championship game played at Wichita Falls, Texas

Final 17-14

that game was on national TV and I remember watching the game from the airport lounge in Mobile, Alabama. I had a flight home that day for Christmas leave and was seriously contemplating not getting on the plane. I reluctantly boarded at halftime and when I got off, I saw Mom and asked her who won the game…. Delaware I think…. You think… Mom got it wrong 😑

[EKUFAN]

and it was 42 years ago when Roy Kidds Eastern Kentucky beat Tubby Raymond’s Blue Hens in the FCS championship game played at Wichita Falls, Texas

Final 17-14

that game was on national TV and I remember watching the game from the airport lounge in Mobile, Alabama. I had a flight home that day for Christmas leave and was seriously contemplating not getting on the plane. I reluctantly boarded at halftime and when I got off, I saw Mom and asked her who won the game…. Delaware I think…. You think… Mom got it wrong 

I was there, great game and much fun and celebration. Congrats on Delaware's move to FBS and CUSA. Our program has been pursuing a move to FBS, I'm not sure I will see it in my life time. Another example of how our program has fallen, we lost to Boise State in the Natty in Scramento California, in the last 45 seconds of the game, on Hail Mary and a missed tackle. Score 31-29. Look where Boise is now! All this and more, makes for some disgruntled Colonel fans.

[caribbeanhen]

I was there, great game and much fun and celebration. Congrats on Delaware's move to FBS and CUSA. Our program has been pursuing a move to FBS, I'm not sure I will see it in my life time. Another example of how our program has fallen, we lost to Boise State in the Natty in Scramento California, in the last 45 seconds of the game, on Hail Mary and a missed tackle. Score 31-29. Look where Boise is now! All this and more, makes for some disgruntled Colonel fans.

That is a wonderful story, and I’ve heard the rumors about Eastern Kentucky looking to move up. Personally, I have mixed feelings about Delawares move up, but generally fans seem to be in favor of it by a large majority.

Please do the Nens a big favor and knock off that cocky Villanova team

[CHIP72]

That is a wonderful story, and I’ve heard the rumors about Eastern Kentucky looking to move up. Personally, I have mixed feelings about Delawares move up, but generally fans seem to be in favor of it by a large majority.

Please do the Nens a big favor and knock off that cocky Villanova team

Hopefully Delaware can start playing Temple regularly on the gridiron, and like their fellow Philadelphia Big Five program, the Owls can have their way with the team from the First State when they do. xthumbsupx

[caribbeanhen]

Hopefully Delaware can start playing Temple regularly on the gridiron, and like their fellow Philadelphia Big Five program, the Owls can have their way with the team from the First State when they do. xthumbsupx

KC Keeler is rumored to Temple.... just a rumor but if that happens you can bet Delaware vs Temple will be a rivalry again

[CHIP72]

KC Keeler is rumored to Temple.... just a rumor but if that happens you can bet Delaware vs Temple will be a rivalry again

Some Owls fans, including myself, have identified Keeler as a good candidate during each of Temple's last two head coaching search cycles (the one that resulted in Manny Diaz and then Rod Carey in late 2018/early 2019, and the one that resulted in Stan Drayton in late 2021). I do worry about Keeler's age (also an issue during those last two cycles); to me that's the biggest negative with him. But otherwise I think he'd be a good fit at Temple if he wants to come back to his native northern mid-Atlantic.

[caribbeanhen]

Some Owls fans, including myself, have identified Keeler as a good candidate during each of Temple's last two head coaching search cycles (the one that resulted in Manny Diaz and then Rod Carey in late 2018/early 2019, and the one that resulted in Stan Drayton in late 2021). I do worry about Keeler's age (also an issue during those last two cycles); to me that's the biggest negative with him. But otherwise I think he'd be a good fit at Temple if he wants to come back to his native northern mid-Atlantic.

He does

[ngineer]

Some Owls fans, including myself, have identified Keeler as a good candidate during each of Temple's last two head coaching search cycles (the one that resulted in Manny Diaz and then Rod Carey in late 2018/early 2019, and the one that resulted in Stan Drayton in late 2021). I do worry about Keeler's age (also an issue during those last two cycles); to me that's the biggest negative with him. But otherwise I think he'd be a good fit at Temple if he wants to come back to his native northern mid-Atlantic.

Age should not be as much a factor these days. I am amazed at the size of staffs. My gosh, everyone has all sorts of assistants, “quality control” personnel. It would be hysterical if it weren’t so sad…

[Pards Rule]

KC Keeler is rumored to Temple.... just a rumor but if that happens you can bet Delaware vs Temple will be a rivalry again

Where is he now. Didnt he go to SHSU? Damn Im old enough to recall when he was at D3 Glassboro State, err, Rowan!

[Pards Rule]

Yes unfortunately and that's a big sore spot for EKU fans. We once were a power in IAA/FCS. We have the second most appearances in the playoffs with 23. I think Montana is first. We made four straight trips to the Natty. Winning two national championships and lost a third in the the last 45 seconds (that one hurt!). It has been rough years for a football school. Numerous reasons, (we don't have Hall of Fame Coach Roy Kidd ), a president at one point, who hated athletics and especially football and did all he could to destroy the program (we still have not recovered from issues he caused), and less than stellar coaching hires has lead to a once proud program's downfall.

Our fans are happy to be back. I'm not certain we have the coaches to win this, but our team plays hard. They remind me a bit of our teams that never quit back in the day.

We will be watching from Georgia. GO BIG E!

Welcome back! I will be rooting for the Hilltoppers! Yeah we had president in the late 90s who also hated football, one Richard Rotberg. Ugh front page not sports but actual front page in Philly Inquirer in early Jan 1999 as recruiting season was warming up back then reported Lafayette committee was looking at dropping football, moving to D2 or D3 or figuring out a way to stay 1AA. Just the mention of the dropping football killed us for a few years. HC Russo so pist he stated he was retiring after the Lehigh game as few days ahead of the rivalry. Luckily we had three well positioned alums who kicked in multimillions for program including a 25M stadium renovation done before the 2006 season.

[MR. CHICKEN]

Welcome back! I will be rooting for the Hilltoppers! Yeah we had president in the late 90s who also hated football, one Richard Rotberg. Ugh front page not sports but actual front page in Philly Inquirer in early Jan 1999 as recruiting season was warming up back then reported Lafayette committee was looking at dropping football, moving to D2 or D3 or figuring out a way to stay 1AA. Just the mention of the dropping football killed us for a few years. HC Russo so pist he stated he was retiring after the Lehigh game as few days ahead of the rivalry. Luckily we had three well positioned alums who kicked in multimillions for program including a 25M stadium renovation done before the 2006 season.


......HILLTOPPERS........ARE WESTERN ILLINOIS....xoopsx.......ER.....UMMM.....BRAWK!

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

......HILLTOPPERS........ARE WESTERN ILLINOIS....xoopsx.......ER.....UMMM.....BRAWK!

Third time is the charm....

Eastern Kentucky Colonels
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
Western Illinois Leathernecks

[MR. CHICKEN]

Third time is the charm....

Eastern Kentucky Colonels
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
Western Illinois Leathernecks


xoopsxxembarrassedx.........xsighx.....brawk!

[Pards Rule]

Third time is the charm....

Eastern Kentucky Colonels
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
Western Illinois Leathernecks


At least aim in the right state!! Sorry Colonels

[Nova09]

Hello Eastern Kentucky fans, welcome to the annual Delaware & Patriot League potpourri thread.

[Gangtackle11]

Hello Eastern Kentucky fans, welcome to the annual Delaware & Patriot League potpourri thread.

Commonly referred to the Rented Mules portion of Nova’s schedule for the past 20 years or so!

GL to the Colonels and safe travels.

xpeacex

[Sitting Bull]

Commonly referred to the Rented Mules portion of Nova’s schedule for the past 20 years or so!

GL to the Colonels and safe travels.

xpeacex

Hey GT,

Nice to see you back.

Question for you or any of your cohorts. Have you heard who your home conference schedule will include next year? W&M sent an email with our 2025 home slate last week (Elon, UAlbany, NC A&T and Maine). No news on the road games.

An Elon fan also confirmed they had a notice with their CAA home schedule next year - which included Villanova (along with URI, Hampton and NC A&T).

I’m hoping Villanova is on our road schedule next year.

[Gangtackle11]

Hey GT,

Nice to see you back.

Question for you or any of your cohorts. Have you heard who your home conference schedule will include next year? W&M sent an email with our 2025 home slate last week (Elon, UAlbany, NC A&T and Maine). No news on the road games.

An Elon fan also confirmed they had a notice with their CAA home schedule next year - which included Villanova (along with URI, Hampton and NC A&T).

I’m hoping Villanova is on our road schedule next year.

I haven’t heard anything yet. I’ll check with my contacts on Saturday.

xpeacex

[Gangtackle11]

That is a wonderful story, and I’ve heard the rumors about Eastern Kentucky looking to move up. Personally, I have mixed feelings about Delawares move up, but generally fans seem to be in favor of it by a large majority.

Please do the Nens a big favor and knock off that cocky Villanova team

Akin to the kettle calling the pot black.

No FCS program has been cockier than Blew Hens the past decade & more with little to crow about. We will miss the guaranteed win every season.

xpeacex

[caribbeanhen]

Akin to the kettle calling the pot black.

No FCS program has been cockier than Blew Hens the past decade & more with little to crow about. We will miss the guaranteed win every season.

xpeacex

enjoy your trip out to Brookings South Dakota and dress warmly GT

if you could convince the Colonels of Eastern Kentucky to sport those blue and gold winged helmets, surely you would give them a beat down.

the game went south when Ryan Carty thought it would be a good idea for his wide receiver to throw a pass, that was easily covered and picked off … not the time to get cute Coach Carty

[CHIP72]

I’m not able to watch the game (today I have three college basketball games on tap), but it looks like things aren’t going good for the Wildcats so far. [emoji3525]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Chalupa Batman]

EKU just got hosed on that reversal. Watkins had the ball punched out before his arms went forward.

[uofmman1122]

That might be one of the worst calls I've ever seen in my life.

EKU got absolutely robbed.

[Chalupa Batman]

That might be one of the worst calls I've ever seen in my life.

EKU got absolutely robbed.

If it was initially ruled an incomplete pass there was enough there to overrule the call and change it to a fumble. To overrule the call of a fumble and change it to an incomplete pass is horrid. Even the Villanova coach looked surprised as hell it got reversed.

[FUBeAR]

Yep - Villanova totally bailed out by a ridiculous overturn of a correct call.

Refs are from which Conference?

[Chalupa Batman]

Nova trying to give this game away at the end.

[FUBeAR]

Nova trying to give this game away at the end.
Refs gonna bail ‘em out again by overturning this obvious Targeting?

[Chalupa Batman]

Refs gonna bail ‘em out again by overturning this obvious Targeting?

You already knew they were gonna.

[FUBeAR]

Refs gonna bail ‘em out again by overturning this obvious Targeting?
LOL - where, on Boathouse Row, do these Refs live?

[Chalupa Batman]

Colonels gonna have to score a TD here 3x because refs will nulify the first two.

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Incomplete??!

- - - Updated - - -

'Nova wins!

[CHIP72]

It wasn’t easy, but excellent comeback win (and then hanging on in the last minute) by Villanova!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Outsider1]

I just got back from our game, but Villanova didn't win this game. That was NOT an incomplete pass. That was a fumble and needs taken directly to the NCAA and those refs need fired. EKU straight beat you guys and you get bailed out by utterly incompetent refs who stole this game for you. Villanova should be ashamed.

[Pards Rule]

I just got back from our game, but Villanova didn't win this game. That was NOT an incomplete pass. That was a fumble and needs taken directly to the NCAA and those refs need fired. EKU straight beat you guys and you get bailed out by utterly incompetent refs who stole this game for you. Villanova should be ashamed.

I didnt see it but a lot of controversy on the calls...my friend watching game talking to me said clear targeting. It was called and reversed

[Outsider1]

I didnt see it but a lot of controversy on the calls...my friend watching game talking to me said clear targeting. It was called and reversed

Everything I have seen and heard says this game needs taken straight to the NCAA and Villanova straight up lost.

[Gangtackle11]

EKU deserved to win that game as much as Nova. Cats have to clean up sloppy play if they want to make a run. GL
to EKU next season.

xpeacex

[Outsider1]

EKU deserved to win that game as much as Nova. Cats have to clean up sloppy play if they want to make a run. GL
to EKU next season.

xpeacex

Villanova straight up lost and was handed a fake win by the refs. In no way does Nova deserve to be in round 2.

[Sitting Bull]

Scoreboard is all that matters.
Villanova 22, EKU 17

All this whining from people who weren’t even there is ridiculous. Nice job, Nova.

[Gangtackle11]

Villanova straight up lost and was handed a fake win by the refs. In no way does Nova deserve to be in round 2.

I was there. I don’t disagree on the Watkins call. I’m a diehard Nova football fan, but Watkins reversal was wrong imho.

Didn’t have a clear view on targeting to comment.

I felt we got jobbed at SE Louisiana in 2019. It happens. No one cared then……xpeacex

[FUBeAR]

Scoreboard is all that matters.
Villanova 22, EKU 17

All this whining from people who weren’t even there is ridiculous.
LOL - in what world do you imagine that seeing a play live from 1, possibly distant, possibly obscured-view angle, in full-speed motion provides a more valid opinion of what actually transpired than watching 95 close-up replays from 4-5 angles in SuperSloMo?

[Outsider1]

Scoreboard is all that matters.
Villanova 22, EKU 17

All this whining from people who weren’t even there is ridiculous. Nice job, Nova.

How you got there matters a whole lot... When the "whining" isn't even from people that have a vested interest in the team that lost, then maybe that tells you something. If my team gets handed a fake win by bad refs on a bad call, I'm gonna tell you. The NCAA needs to do their job and hold people accountable.

[Sitting Bull]

LOL - in what world do you imagine that seeing a play live from 1, possibly distant, possibly obscured-view angle, in full-speed motion provides a more valid opinion of what actually transpired than watching 95 close-up replays from 4-5 angles in SuperSloMo?

Whiners

[FUBeAR]

Whiners
Truth-tellers

[Outsider1]

EKU deserved to win that game as much as Nova. Cats have to clean up sloppy play if they want to make a run. GL
to EKU next season.

xpeacex

By the way, my comments have nothing to do with Villanova, who played a hard game I am sure. I know you guys played a good season. This isn't about you guys.

[Sitting Bull]

When the "whining" isn't even from people that have a vested interest in the team that lost .

Oh please. The butt hurts are because the CAA team won the game. It’s over.

[Outsider1]

Whiners

LOL, go tell it to someone else.

[Sitting Bull]

Truth-tellers

Delusional haters

[Outsider1]

Oh please. The butt hurts are because the CAA team won the game. It’s over.

Oh please, got handed a fake win by bad refs and the videos clearly show it. That evidence will NEVER go away.

- - - Updated - - -


Delusional haters
xlolx

[FUBeAR]

By the way, my comments have nothing to do with Villanova, who played a hard game I am sure. I know you guys played a good season. This isn't about you guys.
Right - FUBeAR had Nova in the AGS pick’em game and couldn’t give a rat’s rear end if Nova or EKU won that game…other than for the pick’em point - GO CATS!

Know what happened though. Refs totally botched reversing calls on 2 reviews - both critically game-changing & both in Nova’s favor.

[Sitting Bull]

Oh please, got handed a fake win by bad refs and the videos clearly show it. That evidence will NEVER go away.

Neither will the final result, 22-17.
Get over it.

[Outsider1]

Neither will the final result, 22-17.
Get over it.

nah, will keep reminding, lol..... xlolx xdrunkyx xthumbsupx

[Sitting Bull]

nah, will keep reminding, lol..... xlolx xdrunkyx xthumbsupx

You’re heading into the lions den in Fargo. Best you get focused. I doubt you’ll get any favorable calls there either.

[Gangtackle11]

By the way, my comments have nothing to do with Villanova, who played a hard game I am sure. I know you guys played a good season. This isn't about you guys.

No worries…..xpeacex

[Nova09]

Right - FUBeAR had Nova in the AGS pick’em game and couldn’t give a rat’s rear end if Nova or EKU won that game…other than for the pick’em point - GO CATS!

Know what happened though. Refs totally botched reversing calls on 2 reviews - both critically game-changing & both in Nova’s favor.

Not sure how much refs can change a game where one offense has absolutely no ability to score points. The refs were bad, and the better team won. Both can be true.

[caribbeanhen]

Right - FUBeAR had Nova in the AGS pick’em game and couldn’t give a rat’s rear end if Nova or EKU won that game…other than for the pick’em point - GO CATS!

Know what happened though. Refs totally botched reversing calls on 2 reviews - both critically game-changing & both in Nova’s favor.

Unfortunately, way way too many Refs in all games today … horrible

[FUBeAR]

Not sure how much refs can change a game where one offense has absolutely no ability to score points. The refs were bad, and the better team won. Both can be true.
Both CAN be true. Both are not, necessarily, true.

You know the Refs reversed a correct call on a Defensive TD scoring play by EKU AND Nova won by less than that incorrectly overturned TD…right?

[Nova09]

Both CAN be true. Both are not, necessarily, true.

You know the Refs reversed a correct call on a Defensive TD scoring play by EKU AND Nova won by less than that overturned TD…right?

Yeah, and I also know nova ran clock for a fg late, or would have had another td

[FUBeAR]

Yeah, and I also know nova ran clock for a fg late, or would have had another td
https://i.giphy.com/MDxuzRvxF39VwnYu9B.webp

[EKUFAN]

Yeah, and I also know nova ran clock for a fg late, or would have had another td
Did you watch the same game!? Two touchdowns negated by refs. One out of bounds that they reviewed for 4 seconds that looked every bit like a TD that would have won the game. That's 21 points for EKU taken away by the refs. Then there's the targeting non call. Worst officiating I've ever seen in a college football game!

[KnightoftheRedFlash]

The CAA has not looked good at all.

[smilo]

EKU has a legitimate complaint on the reversal of the fumble. There was one angle where I thought maaaaybe incomplete but every other viewing overrides that. They also have a case about the blatant holding missed on the next play. I feel bad, but this happened early and would have changed two quarters of strategy and it still would have been a one score game.

There is no case on the targeting reversal nor the final play which are both clear and obvious calls. Likewise, I felt robbed by a few first half penalty flags.

I think Villanova was the better team, as poorly as they executed, with about a dozen boneheaded errors. Play calling is likely going to limit the possibility of further advancement against UIW, who I think of as an evenly matched foe. Really question strategy on how much they rested HB David Avit in the 1st and early 4th (on a 3-and-out consisting of only inside runs).

Looks like we will be down our starting center too.

[Chalupa Batman]

Did you watch the same game!? Two touchdowns negated by refs. One out of bounds that they reviewed for 4 seconds that looked every bit like a TD that would have won the game. That's 21 points for EKU taken away by the refs. Then there's the targeting non call. Worst officiating I've ever seen in a college football game!

If you're talking about the final play, the receiver took about 5 steps out of bounds before catching the ball out of bounds. Clearly not a catch. But like others have said, EKU got royally jobbed in the two overturns (the fumble in the 3rd quarter and the targeting on the final drive). Great effort by the Colonels, too bad the refs couldn't let the teams decide it fairly on the field. Villanova could've still won it but we'll never know.

[VUCats02]

There was absolutely not a targeting at the end of the game and even if it was, it’s half the distance to the goal and the same last play would still happen. They just wouldn’t have run the 5 yard hb swing play on 4th down.

[EKU05]

Not sure how much refs can change a game where one offense has absolutely no ability to score points. The refs were bad, and the better team won. Both can be true.

You're not sure how much they can change it?

I am. Those six defensive points they took off the board count just as much as the offensive ones we couldn't score.

[The Cats]

EKU was robbed!!!!

[Sitting Bull]

Drama Queen Alert

Total yardage
Villanova 324
EKU 286

Penalties
Villanova 10-104
EKU 10- 86

[EKU05]

Drama Queen Alert

Total yardage
Villanova 324
EKU 286

Penalties
Villanova 10-104
EKU 10- 86

Everyone is aware of that. None of it negates how wrong or how consequential that replay overturn was.

You can throw out all the non-sequiturs you want.

[uofmman1122]

Everyone is aware of that. None of it negates how wrong or how consequential that replay overturn was.

You can throw out all the non-sequiturs you want.
Give him a break, these CAA guys haven't had a chance to circle the wagons in over a decade, and they certainly didn't have much to cheer about yesterday lol

If the same thing had happened against, oh I dunno...Montana, these guys would be yelling louder about it than you are. ;)

[EKUFAN]

Sitting Bull;3227104]Drama Queen Alert

Total yardage
Villanova 324
EKU 286

Penalties
Villanova 10-104
EKU 10- 86

Penalties? Since when was that a qualified argument especially in this situation or something to brag about ! In case you did not watch, another TD was negated because of holding call against EKU. Despite the fact refs could probably call holding on about every play, ironically they were letting them go in the second half and just happened to see it on a key EKU TD!

[Gangtackle11]

FWIW: Refs were purportedly from the MEAC.

[MR. CHICKEN]

FWIW: Refs were purportedly from the MEAC.

....SO DUH........HOUSEWIVES....UH RADNOR....COODAH CALLED UH BETTER GAME......xconfusedx......ASKIN'....FO' UH UTEP FAN........BRAWK?

[KnightoftheRedFlash]

FWIW: Refs were purportedly from the MEAC.

So FUBEAR should be happy. The MEAC made the playoffs, after all.

[caribbeanhen]

So FUBEAR should be happy. The MEAC made the playoffs, after all.

Made men? you can say that again.... I don't blame the MEAC refs at all, met at the airport and whisked off to a South Philly warehouse with hooks hanging from the ceiling followed by a lil celebration at Mamas........ and besides, throwing a football game well get you the status of a made man

https://wehco.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/img/photos/2020/10/09/resized_150246-goodfellas-lead-1009-rgb_95-30965_t800.jpg?90232451fbcadccc64a17de7521d859a8f8 8077d

[caribbeanhen]

Some Owls fans, including myself, have identified Keeler as a good candidate during each of Temple's last two head coaching search cycles (the one that resulted in Manny Diaz and then Rod Carey in late 2018/early 2019, and the one that resulted in Stan Drayton in late 2021). I do worry about Keeler's age (also an issue during those last two cycles); to me that's the biggest negative with him. But otherwise I think he'd be a good fit at Temple if he wants to come back to his native northern mid-Atlantic.

looks like KC Keeler is the guy at Temple .... wow, he will need to hit the portal hard but he invented the Portal

[dbackjon]

Finally saw the replay of the Fumble.

And yes, it was a fumble.

How the hell was that reversed?

EKU got jobbed.

[ElCid]

Finally saw the replay of the Fumble.

And yes, it was a fumble.

How the hell was that reversed?

EKU got jobbed.

Yup. I just found it. Clearly a fumble. For those wanting to see it, it is at the 2:25 mark. It looks like he was going to underhand throw it, and there was a rcvr in the area, but it was knocked clean out by the defender before he made the motion to throw it. His arm did follow through, but it was empty by then.

[FUBeAR]

Yup. I just found it. Clearly a fumble. For those wanting to see it, it is at the 2:25 mark. It looks like he was going to underhand throw it, and there was a rcvr in the area, but it was knocked clean out by the defender before he made the motion to throw it. His arm did follow through, but it was empty by then.
NOT defending the Refs cuz FUBeAR thinks this was clearly a fumble and EKU was totally hosed by their call…

…but…in the @ Chatt game, Mercer lost a Sack/Strip/Scoop/Score on a Replay overturn of the call on the field, similarly.

Well, it didn’t look similar because the Chatt QB was starting to throw a normal pass, instead of the shovel/basketball pass the Nova QB started to throw, but double-clutched, and DIDN’T throw it, just before he was stripped. The Chatt QB also doubled-clutched a ‘normal’ throw and was NOT in a throwing motion when the Mercer DLman grabbed his cocked-back arm…which sort of sling-shotted the ball just a bit forward. It was the ‘stripping’ that propelled the ball, just as it was in EKU/Nova case.

So…FUBeAR is thinking this may be one of those dreaded “points of emphasis” for the Officials / Replay Officials … “If the QB even looks at all like he’s in some type of posture to throw and the ball moves at all forward when it comes out, we’re gonna call it a forward pass.” If so, it’s a stupid “point of emphasis,” but that just may be the ‘cause’ of both of those awful overturned Defensive TD’s. [Oh, btw, Chatt fans will disagree, but they’re known ‘homers,’ not objective analysts…like FUBeAR is.]

Will see if there’s a vid somewhere….

Here’s the EKU @ Nova play…
https://twitter.com/fcsnationradio1/status/1862973415822348549

Can’t find a vid of the Mercer @ Chatt play. SoCon Officials musta demanded memory-holing it, but here are 2 media reactions…similar to the reactions on the overturn of the EKU score…
https://twitter.com/cssports1009/status/1835108223747072240
https://twitter.com/dm_shirley/status/1835107491920650396

[Pards Rule]

Finally saw the replay of the Fumble.

And yes, it was a fumble.

How the hell was that reversed?


EKU got jobbed.

What would have been score at that point if ruled fumble, return for TD. Lafayette had one vs SHU (we won anyway but point spread loss) that was similar BUT ruled a fumble and it was declared dead at the spot even though a Leopard ran it in for TD!

[JacksFan40]

What would have been score at that point if ruled fumble, return for TD. Lafayette had one vs SHU (we won anyway but point spread loss) that was similar BUT ruled a fumble and it was declared dead at the spot even though a Leopard ran it in for TD!
Would have been 24-16 I believe. EKU got robbed of a win.

[Outsider1]

Still waiting for an NCAA public statement about this. They can't hide forever...

[crusader11]

Finally saw the replay of the Fumble.

And yes, it was a fumble.

How the hell was that reversed?

EKU got jobbed.

Must be a thing at Nova.

I'm still not over Holy Cross getting screwed out of a fumble they recovered during the 2009 playoffs.

[caribbeanhen]

Yup. I just found it. Clearly a fumble. For those wanting to see it, it is at the 2:25 mark. It looks like he was going to underhand throw it, and there was a rcvr in the area, but it was knocked clean out by the defender before he made the motion to throw it. His arm did follow through, but it was empty by then.

I saw that play and went over to another game, came back a bit later and saw the score and was like..... what the heck happened here...

horrible call

In fact, I was cursing Refs coast to coast as these playoff games seem to have endless penalties from these Flaggers

[EKUFAN]

Another note. EKU scored another TD after that, was called for holding, nullified that one too. Should be noted that holding could be called on most plays, Villanova holding all second half, not called. Ironic, suddenly on another EKU go ahead TD they call holding!

Third TD at end of the game our player was said to be out of bounds. Just before that TD, they called targeting on Villinova at about the two yard line , but surprise! Surprise! Upon review by these " officials" not targeting and no penalty. Instead of the offense on the two, we are backed up and thus the out of bounds TD throw at end of the game.
We should have scored despite the refs, but chances for the win were taken away by at least two questionable calls. The NCAA needs to do better!

- - - Updated - - -

[POD Knows]

Another note. EKU scored another TD after that, was called for holding, nullified that one too. Should be noted that holding could be called on most plays, Villanova holding all second half, not called. Ironic, suddenly on another EKU go ahead TD they call holding!

Third TD at end of the game our player was said to be out of bounds. Just before that TD, they called targeting on Villinova at about the two yard line , but surprise! Surprise! Upon review by these " officials" not targeting and no penalty. Instead of the offense on the two, we are backed up and thus the out of bounds TD throw at end of the game.
We should have scored despite the refs, but chances for the win were taken away by at least two questionable calls. The NCAA needs to do better!

- - - Updated - - -There was kind of a ticky tack personal foul called on Nova towards the end of the game on the sideline but the refs jobbed EKU the entire game. That scoop and score return reversal as is bad as it gets, complete bull****.