Lehigh at Richmond Game Thread

[Pards Rule]

Setting it up

[Bill]

Thanks for doing this - I won't be able to watch, and this site is way more entertaining than checking the score on ESPN's app!

[Pards Rule]

Bill hopefully I can see it..I dont get PLUS. Neighbor does and Im waiting for him to come down! But anyone else can chime in

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

In honor of Earth, Wind and Fire....Do you remember?

'Pard, I watched the 2004 Lafayette Richmond game live when I was a student at Temple (that's how I rolled then too)! What a thrilling finish! Mauer to who in the back of the end zone at the very end for the win?!?! Lafayette beat the Spiders again in 2005 in a 7-0 grinder at Fisher. Richmond finished #8 that year, Lafayette #21.

[Pards Rule]

In honor of Earth, Wind and Fire....Do you remember?

'Pard, I watched the 2004 Lafayette Richmond game live when I was a student at Temple (that's how I rolled then too)! What a thrilling finish! Mauer to who in the back of the end zone at the very end for the win?!?! Lafayette beat the Spiders again in 2005 in a 7-0 grinder at Fisher. Richmond finished #8 that year, Lafayette #21.

Yes!! Pards stomped Spiders 2 years!

[LUHawker]

DiNucci not playing and now Spatny out. Hope Matt is ok. Not an auspicious sign for Lehigh.

[RichH2]

DiNucci and Palmer out.
Spatney just carted off the field Looks to be very serious.

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

DiNucci and Palmer out.
Spatney just carted off the field Looks to be very serious.

You lose your two leaders on defense, and in the manner too. Obviously there's a mental component at play here....

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Lehigh defense holds the Spiders to a FG with the help of two false starts. Need to hit the reset button after the Spatney injury. He looked to be moving, hopefully purely precautionary...

Richmond 3 Lehigh 0 7:03 1Q

Just need to get this to half....

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Lehigh driving, Johnson with a terrible INT....ugh...

[Pards Rule]

Im here! But cannot watch

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Richmond 3 Lehigh 0 End 1Q

[RichH2]

Lehigh driving, Johnson with a terrible INT....ugh...

Ooofff. Hell of a start for us today. Johnson has to do better. D and STS did their jobs. O has to show up.

[Southsider]

Johnson did not throw the pick. It was Mihalich

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Ooofff. Hell of a start for us today. Johnson has to do better. D and STS did their jobs. O has to show up.

QB missed his mark by 10 yards on that pass. Thankfully the defense held! Still, has to make plays, not mistakes...

Just missed a wide open #9...ugh...

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Johnson did not throw the pick. It was Mihalich

Good catch! Johnson just missed a big play. Lehigh has to execute on offense. Plays to be made...

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Lehigh's defense is going to start wearing down. offense has to possess the ball regardless what happens on this drive...

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Richmond making plays on 3rd down. TOP/total plays is very lopsided....

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

that's a fumble!!

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

How was that play not reviewed? UR took 3 steps then was stripped? UR gets another FG

Richmond 6 Lehigh 0 5:27 2Q

[CHIP72]

I’m not able to watch today (attending the college basketball doubleheader at Lafayette and then Lehigh’s basketball game after that), but it looks like the Mountain Hawks are hanging in there at the moment. They need to get their offense going though.


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[Pards Rule]

How was that play not reviewed? UR took 3 steps then was stripped? UR gets another FG

Richmond 6 Lehigh 0 5:27 2Q

Can challenge flag be thrown? If so, why not?

[RichH2]

Johnson did not throw the pick. It was Mihalich
I know. Poorly said by me. My point was Johnson has to be the focus and he has to make our pass game a threat. Up to Hunt to give him that chance.

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

TD Lehigh! Great RPO! That breaks the Spider's lengthy shutout streak. Mountain Hawks get the second half kickoff. Big sequence coming up....

Lehigh 7 Richmond 6 1:04 2Q

[RichH2]

Johnson throwing dimes.

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Richmond completely blows the end of the half. Spikes the ball on 1st for no reason then runs the the ball on 2 second, wasted so much time. Still ended up with another FG. The non review on that fumble earlier is looming large...

Richmond 9 Lehigh 7 Half

Lehigh ball to start the final 30....

[ncspiderfan]

Spiders drive field in one minute to kick FG

Richmond 9-7 half.

[RichH2]

Lehigh red zone D has excelled in the 1st half. TOP for UR is going to wear down our D. Upside we get the ball to start 2nd.

[Pards Rule]

Richmond completely blows the end of the half. Spikes the ball on 1st for no reason then runs the the ball on 2 second, wasted so much time. Still ended up with another FG. The non review on that fumble earlier is looming large...

Richmond 9 Lehigh 7 Half

Lehigh ball to start the final 30....

Why wasnt it challenged

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Why wasnt it challenged

I have no idea! It's the difference in the game though. Perhaps karma will kick in. Or penance for 1998?

[ncspiderfan]

Just gave update on Lehigh player. Alert and moving extremities

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Just gave update on Lehigh player. Alert and moving extremities

Great news! While the optics were ugly it didn't appear he was in any real distress on the field. Great job making sure all precautions were taken!

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Johnson needs to get rid of the ball to protect field position. I get needing to pass the ball but in this situation I would have stuck with the run more on that drive...

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Lehigh gets to the UR 1, opts for a FG, poor snap, no points. Mistakes...ugh, this is Bucknell and Yale again..

Richmond 9 Lehigh 7 1:43 3Q

[Southsider]

Lehigh gets to the UR 1, opts for a FG, poor snap, no points. Mistakes...ugh, this is Bucknell and Yale again..

Richmond 9 Lehigh 7 1:43 3Q

High snap looking directly into the sun. Garrido made a smart move flipping the ball back.

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Richmond 9 Lehigh 7 End 3Q

It's there for the taking but making critical mistakes in close games continues to be an impediment...

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Richmond now with an INT on a heave, results in a long return. Lehigh not buttoned up enough against team of Richmond's caliber.

[Southsider]

Richmond now with an INT on a heave, results in a long return. Lehigh not buttoned up enough against team of Richmond's caliber.


Intermediate routes were working. No need to go deep. Chip away and kill clock

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

My goodness, another Lehigh player down...ugh...

Just get everyone home in one piece...

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Very unfortunate side of football on display in this game. This is brutal. No game should have one instance like this, let alone two....

[Pards Rule]

God bless him

[RahRahRabbits]

Very unfortunate side of football on display in this game. This is brutal. No game should have one instance like this, let alone two....

Prayers with him certainly - especially with the Alabama A&M player fresh on the mind and heart too.

This play particularly was completely unremarkable. Just wild what sometimes tweaks the nervous system wrong.

Stretchered off, gave a thumbs up to cheers from both sides. Get better young man.

[Pards Rule]

Spider TD...will they go for 2

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

The next play was 4th and 1, Spiders score a TD...ugh, just ugh...just a horrible scenario all together.

Richmond 16 Lehigh 7 10:36 4Q

[Pards Rule]

Richmond 16 Lehigh 7

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Then Greene to the house! The poor defense has to go right back out there...but there's still a chance!!

Richmond 16 Lehigh 14 10:25 4Q

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

TD Lehigh! Holy Cow! What incredible balls shown in the fight...2 pt try no good

Lehigh 20 Richmond 16 6:21 4Q

[RichH2]

TD Lehigh! Holy Cow! What incredible balls shown in the fight...2 pt try no good

Lehigh 20 Richmond 16 6:21 4Q

What a drive. Johnson scramble a gem
. Lehigh has been remarkably resilient.

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

They're gonna review this but not the fumble?

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Lehigh defense holds Richmond on 4th and 5! Hawks ball, 4 minutes left...

[Pards Rule]

Richmond has lights correct?

[Pards Rule]

Lehigh first down

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Protect the ball!!!

[crusader11]

Not surprising to me.

Richmond isn’t THAT good.

Lehigh underrated by many. They’ve got some dudes.

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Lehigh will have a 3rd 10 after the 2 minute TO. Spiders are out of timeouts....

[Pards Rule]

Fire scoreboard operator

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

backside TE play if they pass?

[Pards Rule]

Not surprising to me.

Richmond isn’t THAT good.

Lehigh underrated by many. They’ve got some dudes.

Dude, you called it

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Richmond will get the ball back...

[Pards Rule]

To Moscow

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Fumble! Lehigh will win!!

[Pards Rule]

Lehigh recovers muffed punt. To Moscow! Congrats Hawks

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Karma was on their side xnodx

[RahRahRabbits]

Wow! Way to go Lehigh! 1st playoff win since 2011. Congrats!

[crusader11]

LET’S GO!!!

Congrats to the Engineers. Very happy for our PL brethren.

[bulldog10jw]

Great job, Lehigh

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Keep doubting this team. The fact they weren't in the Top 25 is criminal....

[Pards Rule]

First game next year Richmond at Lehigh

[crusader11]

Welcome to the Patriot League, Richmond…

[Bill]

woo hoo!

Now maybe I can actually watch the next one...

[Professor Chaos]

Not a good look for the CAA today.

Congrats Lehigh!

[The Kicker]

The mighty CAA showing up today

[ncspiderfan]

Well done to the Lehigh team. Congratulations to them and their fans. Good luck next week.

[Pards Rule]

Lehigh 2-0 vs Richmond in playoffs

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

There was very little to distinguish the PL form the CAA ALL SEASON. The PL continues to prove they are NOT the PFL and NEC! No disrespect to either but look at the damn evidence/history! Far too many people rely on what others say/narratives instead of conducting RESEARCH!

[Pards Rule]

The mighty CAA showing up today

UNH, Richmond and URI barely beats CCSU. Nova wins by 2 over EKU

[ElCid]

Not a good look for the CAA today.

Congrats Lehigh!

Yeah two seeded teams going down. The other two struggling big time.

The CAA was gifted and they blew it.

[Pards Rule]

There was very little to distinguish the PL form the CAA ALL SEASON. The PL continues to prove they are NOT the PFL and NEC! No disrespect to either but look at the damn evidence/history! Far too many people rely on what others say/narratives instead of conducting RESEARCH!

Delaware beat us in last minute last year

[crusader11]

There was very little to distinguish the PL from the CAA ALL SEASON. The PL continues to prove they are NOT the PFL and NEC! No disrespect to either but look at the damn evidence/history! Far too many people rely on what others say/narratives instead of conducting RESEARCH!

Agree with this.

Holy Cross lost to UNH and URI by a combined four points.

Lehigh just beat the CAA’s best on the road. Richmond beat Campbell, Hampton, and NC AT by nine points. I don’t think this result should be terribly surprising.

Really think the PL is a league trending upward and the CAA needs to brace itself for taking a significant step back in the FCS pecking order.

[POD Knows]

Not a good look for the CAA today.

Congrats Lehigh!
Villanova just pulled a pass out of their asses, they will beat EKU it looks like.

[CHIP72]

Great road win for Lehigh!!!


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[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Delaware beat us in last minute last year

After Lafayette's QB went down! Before that, the 'Pards were feasting on the Blue Chickens!!

[Pards Rule]

After Lafayette's QB went down! Before that, the 'Pards were feasting on the Blue Chickens!!

True that DeNobile went down mid 3rd

[Pards Rule]

Wait - EKU driving and picks up unnecessary hit out of bound. EKU at Nova 16 yard line. 15 seconds

- - - Updated - - -

4 and 3 with 10 seconds at Nova 16

- - - Updated - - -

Targeting on NOVA! Same dude that did out of bounds hit. UPDATE: Review no targeting. My friend watching on phone with me says it really looked like it

[Pards Rule]

First down EKU. 6 seconds left. At Nova 9. Nova calls its last TO

[Pards Rule]

TD EKU but under review

- - - Updated - - -

Thats game - ruled incomplete with EKU player foot on endline. Nova barely escapes by 12 inches

[Chalupa Batman]

Congrats Mountain Hawks!!

- - - Updated - - -


TD EKU but under review

- - - Updated - - -

Thats game - ruled incomplete with EKU player foot on endline. Nova barely escapes by 12 inches

Receiver had complete lack of awareness at the end, should've been a walk off TD

[LUHawker]

Gutsy win by Lehigh! I think the entire defense should get the MVP, especially after losing their top defensive players. Offense was spotty, but had just enough flash. Lehigh football culture is back to having mental toughness.

[Southsider]

Boy, so satisfying after the long drought! Next week going to be very tough with 1/2 a team. But great opportunity for more growth. Congrats to this TEAM!

[TheKingpin28]

I was wrong and congrats to the Mountain Hawks. Always at least one paper tiger every year and Richmond joined the cast.

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[ElCid]

Agree with this.

Holy Cross lost to UNH and URI by a combined four points.

Lehigh just beat the CAA’s best on the road. Richmond beat Campbell, Hampton, and NC AT by nine points. I don’t think this result should be terribly surprising.

Really think the PL is a league trending upward and the CAA needs to brace itself for taking a significant step back in the FCS pecking order.

Not to mention Richmond got beat at home by the SOCON #7. The CAA, as have other conferences, has benefited from one or two good teams and rotating schedules which don't subject them to facing the top teams every year. In turn this boosted the SOS, or rather probably prevented it from dropping for those lucky ones not facing the top teams. But this will change as the best teams leave and have been replaced by warm bodies. Richmond probably made a good decision.

[Lehigh Football Nation]

Keep doubting this team. The fact they weren't in the Top 25 is criminal....

I did my part. They've been in my Top 25 since the Holy Cross game.

[Lehigh Football Nation]

UNH, Richmond and URI barely beats CCSU. Nova wins by 2 over EKU

Today's games have been HUGE for the Patriot League. Not just Lehigh's close win but how Nova had to be gifted a win, URI struggled to put away CCSU, and UNH was just boatraced by UTM.

CCSU I didn't think had enough to win but I'm not surprised they gave URI a game. They are quite good and had Yale on the ropes.

[aceinthehole]

Today's games have been HUGE for the Patriot League. Not just Lehigh's close win but how Nova had to be gifted a win, URI struggled to put away CCSU, and UNH was just boatraced by UTM.

CCSU I didn't think had enough to win but I'm not surprised they gave URI a game. They are quite good and had Yale on the ropes.

Congrats huge win by Lehigh and for the Patriot League.

CAA is bloated and not nearly as strong as it was just a decade ago. The top teams in the PL, NEC, and Ivy are every bit as good as the CAA. I think the East Coast is wide open moving forward.

Would like to see an annual Lambert Cup polling renewed.

[The Cats]

Not to mention Richmond got beat at home by the SOCON #7. The CAA, as have other conferences, has benefited from one or two good teams and rotating schedules which don't subject them to facing the top teams every year. In turn this boosted the SOS, or rather probably prevented it from dropping for those lucky ones not facing the top teams. But this will change as the best teams leave and have been replaced by warm bodies. Richmond probably made a good decision.

I agree

[KnightoftheRedFlash]

There was very little to distinguish the PL form the CAA ALL SEASON. The PL continues to prove they are NOT the PFL and NEC! No disrespect to either but look at the damn evidence/history! Far too many people rely on what others say/narratives instead of conducting RESEARCH!

But the NEC has LIU! How dare you say the NEC isn't equal!

[KnightoftheRedFlash]

Keep doubting this team. The fact they weren't in the Top 25 is criminal....

This was Lehigh's first win all year against a winning team and they lost to 6-6 Bucknell and 7-3 Yale.

That isn't a top 25 resume.

Today, Lehigh proved they belonged, though.

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

This was Lehigh's first win all year against a winning team and they lost to 6-6 Bucknell and 7-3 Yale.

That isn't a top 25 resume.

Today, Lehigh proved they belonged, though.

Why was Duquesne and Drake ranked? Neither resume was better. How about Northern Arizona? Most teams from about 13-25 have rather thin resumes. The eye test/perspective goes a long way imo. I had CCSU ranked for this reason. And Lehigh...

Just look at how Lehigh was playing down the stretch. They were playing very well. Either way, on to Idaho...

[ngineer]

I did my part. They've been in my Top 25 since the Holy Cross game.

Yep, I've had Lehigh at 23 and last week 19. Justified!

[KnightoftheRedFlash]

Why was Duquesne and Drake ranked? Neither resume was better. How about Northern Arizona? Most teams from about 13-25 have rather thin resumes. The eye test/perspective goes a long way imo. I had CCSU ranked for this reason. And Lehigh...

Just look at how Lehigh was playing down the stretch. They were playing very well. Either way, on to Idaho...

I didn't rank those two frauds either.

CCSU couldn't even beat the Rams's second string QB.

I take the whole schedule into consideration when ranking. Losses can't be ignored because of recency bias.

Yeah, 10-7 over a 6-6 HC team is amazing. I can't believe the voters didn't get the vapors.

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

I didn't rank those two frauds either.

CCSU couldn't even beat the Rams's second string QB.

I take the whole schedule into consideration when ranking. Losses can't be ignored because of recency bias.

Yeah, 10-7 over a 6-6 HC team is amazing. I can't believe the voters didn't get the vapors.

How about a 38-17 win over a 6-6 team? You just cherry pick things so you can try to validate a negative stance/diminish others. Naturally, the point I was making was the level of dominance they displayed. Even, Richmond struggled with roll past below average competition where as Lehigh did not.

As it is, I prefer to have a different perspective. Continue on...

[ngineer]

This was Lehigh's first win all year against a winning team and they lost to 6-6 Bucknell and 7-3 Yale.

That isn't a top 25 resume.

Today, Lehigh proved they belonged, though.

Thanks, but in comparing teams you have look beyond the score. Sometimes there are 'good losses'. Holy Cross, who Lehigh beat closely, lost a number of games this year to good teams by very small margins, i.e. Harvard, who then lost closely to Yale. Strong OOC schedules can camouflage a record.

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Thanks, but in comparing teams you have look beyond the score. Sometimes there are 'good losses'. Holy Cross, who Lehigh beat closely, lost a number of games this year to good teams by very small margins, i.e. Harvard, who then lost closely to Yale. Strong OOC schedules can camouflage a record.

Don't even waste your time Ngineer. I'm not going to either from here on out....

[ElCid]

This was Lehigh's first win all year against a winning team and they lost to 6-6 Bucknell and 7-3 Yale.

That isn't a top 25 resume.

Today, Lehigh proved they belonged, though.

Yup, that's always been a dilemma. A team that looks good in general and passes a general eye test, but has a lower quality schedule or a schedule that the season's timing obscures. Lehigh was 3-3 before they ran off 5 convincing wins. Unfortunately the two FCS losses were to teams that actually had winning records. So they had a hill to climb in regard to optics. HC and Lafayette did end up at .500 so yeah, first win against a >.500 team. But they were a team that deserved a look the last few weeks as they rattled off those five wins with convincing margins. In any event, this win should remove any doubt that are and probably have been at least a quality team.

[KnightoftheRedFlash]

How about a 38-17 win over a 6-6 team? You just cherry pick things so you can try to validate a negative stance/diminish others. Naturally, the point I was making was the level of dominance they displayed. Even, Richmond struggled with roll past below average competition where as Lehigh did not.

As it is, I prefer to have a different perspective. Continue on...

A 6-6 team that didn't beat a single squad with a winning record.

10-7 isn't dominance and whipping a 2-10 Colgate squad is the bare minimum of a top 25 team.

The fact is, Lehigh didn't have a single notable top 25 metric until today's excellent road win. They used their opportunity and delivered. But saying it is a criminal to not rank a team without a single victory over a winning team is absurd.

[KnightoftheRedFlash]

Thanks, but in comparing teams you have look beyond the score. Sometimes there are 'good losses'. Holy Cross, who Lehigh beat closely, lost a number of games this year to good teams by very small margins, i.e. Harvard, who then lost closely to Yale. Strong OOC schedules can camouflage a record.

Good losses? The CFP Committee could use you. The SEC loves that argument.

Holy Cross lost all those games because they weren't very good. A good team wins one of those four games instead they went 0-4. I would accept the HC argument if they didn't struggle with teams like Lafayette, Bucknell, and awful Fordham.

Strong OOC schedules? In the Northeast? Let's not laugh. We can't gauge how good the Ivy is because they are insular. Harvard might be top 25 quality (the UNH win was good) but they also lost to putrid Brown. The top Ivy teams all beat each other up suggesting they were the same level of 6.5/10.


Don't even waste your time Ngineer. I'm not going to either from here on out....

In other words, you have no credible rebuttal and chose to tapout. Northeast FCS fans refuse to accept our standing in the hierarchy.


Yup, that's always been a dilemma. A team that looks good in general and passes a general eye test, but has a lower quality schedule or a schedule that the season's timing obscures. Lehigh was 3-3 before they ran off 5 convincing wins. Unfortunately the two FCS losses were to teams that actually had winning records. So they had a hill to climb in regard to optics. HC and Lafayette did end up at .500 so yeah, first win against a >.500 team. But they were a team that deserved a look the last few weeks as they rattled off those five wins with convincing margins. In any event, this win should remove any doubt that are and probably have been at least a quality team.

The eye test is typically used to avoid or sidestep statistical facts that ruin one's arguments. The CFP Poll uses it all the time; especially when discussing how a team got hot during the stretch so they can ignore a poor September.

Lehigh entered the playoffs at 8-3 (couldn't even play 12 games; neither did my Red Flash to my anger) and went 0-1 against FCS winning teams (The Army loss is not a negative at all) and lost (at home) to a 6-6 Bucknell team who beat no one of value (opponent's records outside of Lehigh were 12-47) but Lehigh. That isn't a top 25 resume at all.

Today, as I said, they proved differently. But entering today, they hadn't, and hyperbole like saying it was criminal they weren't ranked is Kafkian. Then again, the same poster was ranking 7-5 CCSU and pumping up 4-8 LIU (for playing CAA teams tough, of course, this week proved that the CAA was a paper tiger). The same CCSU who barely beat transitional Stonehill 21-17 - who got slaughtered by every opponent except when they defeated Sacred Heart.

​

[ElCid]

Good losses? The CFP Committee could use you. The SEC loves that argument.

Holy Cross lost all those games because they weren't very good. A good team wins one of those four games instead they went 0-4. I would accept the HC argument if they didn't struggle with teams like Lafayette, Bucknell, and awful Fordham.

Strong OOC schedules? In the Northeast? Let's not laugh. We can't gauge how good the Ivy is because they are insular. Harvard might be top 25 quality (the UNH win was good) but they also lost to putrid Brown. The top Ivy teams all beat each other up suggesting they were the same level of 6.5/10.



In other words, you have no credible rebuttal and chose to tapout. Northeast FCS fans refuse to accept our standing in the hierarchy.



The eye test is typically used to avoid or sidestep statistical facts that ruin one's arguments. The CFP Poll uses it all the time; especially when discussing how a team got hot during the stretch so they can ignore a poor September.

Lehigh entered the playoffs at 8-3 (couldn't even play 12 games; neither did my Red Flash to my anger) and went 0-1 against FCS winning teams (The Army loss is not a negative at all) and lost (at home) to a 6-6 Bucknell team who beat no one of value (opponent's records outside of Lehigh were 12-47) but Lehigh. That isn't a top 25 resume at all.

Today, as I said, they proved differently. But entering today, they hadn't, and hyperbole like saying it was criminal they weren't ranked is Kafkian. Then again, the same poster was ranking 7-5 CCSU and pumping up 4-8 LIU (for playing CAA teams tough, of course, this week proved that the CAA was a paper tiger). The same CCSU who barely beat transitional Stonehill 21-17 - who got slaughtered by every opponent except when they defeated Sacred Heart.

​

Yeah, but when I say eye test, I really mean how they looked on the field. I watched bits of a few of their games. I really try to watch as many teams as possible even if for only half a qtr. They didn't look bad. I bet they wished they had that Bucknell game back. But their down the stretch performance convinced me they should be ranked, albeit in that fuzzy 21-25 range, so they made my last couple polls. I'm glad to see I wasn't wrong. Although I got sucked in by Richmond and NH (who I couldn't watch) and had to simply rely on impersonal results and stats.

[NY Crusader 2010]

Good losses? The CFP Committee could use you. The SEC loves that argument.

Holy Cross lost all those games because they weren't very good. A good team wins one of those four games instead they went 0-4. I would accept the HC argument if they didn't struggle with teams like Lafayette, Bucknell, and awful Fordham.

Strong OOC schedules? In the Northeast? Let's not laugh. We can't gauge how good the Ivy is because they are insular. Harvard might be top 25 quality (the UNH win was good) but they also lost to putrid Brown. The top Ivy teams all beat each other up suggesting they were the same level of 6.5/10.



In other words, you have no credible rebuttal and chose to tapout. Northeast FCS fans refuse to accept our standing in the hierarchy.



The eye test is typically used to avoid or sidestep statistical facts that ruin one's arguments. The CFP Poll uses it all the time; especially when discussing how a team got hot during the stretch so they can ignore a poor September.

Lehigh entered the playoffs at 8-3 (couldn't even play 12 games; neither did my Red Flash to my anger) and went 0-1 against FCS winning teams (The Army loss is not a negative at all) and lost (at home) to a 6-6 Bucknell team who beat no one of value (opponent's records outside of Lehigh were 12-47) but Lehigh. That isn't a top 25 resume at all.

Today, as I said, they proved differently. But entering today, they hadn't, and hyperbole like saying it was criminal they weren't ranked is Kafkian. Then again, the same poster was ranking 7-5 CCSU and pumping up 4-8 LIU (for playing CAA teams tough, of course, this week proved that the CAA was a paper tiger). The same CCSU who barely beat transitional Stonehill 21-17 - who got slaughtered by every opponent except when they defeated Sacred Heart.

​

As much as you can sit here and say, "Holy Cross wasn't very good", you could also argue that we were 4 points away from being an at-large entrant to the playoffs this year. If we beat URI and UNH with all other results remaining the same, we're 8-4 and likely playing today.

[Southsider]

Crusader, as Owl said, don’t waste your time with this guy, nor Sader 87😜

[KnightoftheRedFlash]

As much as you can sit here and say, "Holy Cross wasn't very good", you could also argue that we were 4 points away from being an at-large entrant to the playoffs this year. If we beat URI and UNH with all other results remaining the same, we're 8-4 and likely playing today.

Sure. But those results didn't happen. A good team wins, at least, some of those games. It is not like URI and UNH were NDSU or SDSU level foes. I have a soft spot for HC (great nickname) but won't pretend that 2024 HC was a good team. Hopefully, your program returns to the top in 2025.

[Pards Rule]

How about a 38-17 win over a 6-6 team? You just cherry pick things so you can try to validate a negative stance/diminish others. Naturally, the point I was making was the level of dominance they displayed. Even, Richmond struggled with roll past below average competition where as Lehigh did not.

As it is, I prefer to have a different perspective. Continue on...

It was actually better - 38-14

[Tribe4SF]

Stunned by how poorly UR played. Wish they'd played like that against W&M. No fire... unbelievably bad receiver play and Coleman was unrecognizable. The Spiders played down to a number of weak teams but looked really good against Delaware and W&M. Huesman was livid when they settled for a FG on their first drive after two false start calls from inside the five. Players never responded.

[LUHawker]

Stunned by how poorly UR played. Wish they'd played like that against W&M. No fire... unbelievably bad receiver play and Coleman was unrecognizable. The Spiders played down to a number of weak teams but looked really good against Delaware and W&M. Huesman was livid when they settled for a FG on their first drive after two false start calls from inside the five. Players never responded.

Are you sure it was just that UR played poorly? Not that Lehigh had a decent game plan and a game team? Lehigh didn't exactly play a 'clean' game either. Terrible, terrible interception throw by the only-occasionally-used 2nd QB, a totally inept goal-line opportunity and field goal try AND then another bad QB pass. Lehigh also played without its two top defensive players, so maybe a little credit to Lehigh being decent. ZPS and Ellis were killing us in the first quarter/half, but Lehigh mostly locked them down in the second half. Lehigh is a very, very young team, that has gotten significantly better as the season has gone on; a sign of a good team.

[caribbeanhen]

Stunned by how poorly UR played. Wish they'd played like that against W&M. No fire... unbelievably bad receiver play and Coleman was unrecognizable. The Spiders played down to a number of weak teams but looked really good against Delaware and W&M. Huesman was livid when they settled for a FG on their first drive after two false start calls from inside the five. Players never responded.

Tribe, I think your evaluation of the CAA is based on how great it once was, when the CAA was good it was great.... times have changed and Lehigh was good enough to beat Richmond yesterday .... that was not a fluke win by any means

[Tribe4SF]

Tribe, I think your evaluation of the CAA is based on how great it once was, when the CAA was good it was great.... times have changed and Lehigh was good enough to beat Richmond yesterday .... that was not a fluke win by any means

I watched the Spiders play two consecutive weeks and the team did not resemble itself from one week to the next. I'm not evaluating the CAA at all. Just noting a very different level of performance by Richmond. Defense frequently flat-footed in particular on last Lehigh TD drive. Receivers dropping balls and not adjusting to throws. Coleman slow reacting on numerous plays. Lack of fire and focus especially on first drive in red zone. Saw none of that the previous week.

[caribbeanhen]

I watched the Spiders play two consecutive weeks and the team did not resemble itself from one week to the next. I'm not evaluating the CAA at all. Just noting a very different level of performance by Richmond. Defense frequently flat-footed in particular on last Lehigh TD drive. Receivers dropping balls and not adjusting to throws. Coleman slow reacting on numerous plays. Lack of fire and focus especially on first drive in red zone. Saw none of that the previous week.

well just think what Lehigh would of done to William and Mary yesterday....

[Tribe4SF]

well just think what Lehigh would of done to William and Mary yesterday....

An irrelevant comment as would imagining what they would have done to Delaware.

[Sitting Bull]

An irrelevant comment as would imagining what they would have done to Delaware.

LOL

[Tribe4SF]

Are you sure it was just that UR played poorly? Not that Lehigh had a decent game plan and a game team? Lehigh didn't exactly play a 'clean' game either. Terrible, terrible interception throw by the only-occasionally-used 2nd QB, a totally inept goal-line opportunity and field goal try AND then another bad QB pass. Lehigh also played without its two top defensive players, so maybe a little credit to Lehigh being decent. ZPS and Ellis were killing us in the first quarter/half, but Lehigh mostly locked them down in the second half. Lehigh is a very, very young team, that has gotten significantly better as the season has gone on; a sign of a good team.

Absolutely give credit to Lehigh but that doesn't change my evaluation of how Richmond performed.

[caribbeanhen]

An irrelevant comment as would imagining what they would have done to Delaware.

Delaware is no longer in the CAA but William & Mary still is.... by the way, I think Lehigh beats Delaware yesterday no question

[Tribe4SF]

Delaware is no longer in the CAA but William & Mary still is.... by the way, I think Lehigh beats Delaware yesterday no question

Thanks for the news flash! Still irrelevant.

[caribbeanhen]

Thanks for the news flash! Still irrelevant.

Well just wanted to be sure you and Sitting Bull were aware as news still travels by horse and buggy in the Colonial City

Richmond struggled mightily against Campbell too, that was a raid flag for the Spiders

and William & Mary professors are cheating in tennis matches too, totally not relevant but true

[crusader11]

Well just wanted to be sure you and Sitting Bull were aware as news still travels by horse and buggy in the Colonial City

Richmond struggled mightily against Campbell too, that was a raid flag for the Spiders

and William & Mary professors are cheating in tennis matches too, totally not relevant but true

You forgot struggled against NC AT and Hampton, too.

[ElCid]

You forgot struggled against NC AT and Hampton, too.

And lest we forget...Wofford. They struggled so much, they lost.

[ncspiderfan]

And lest we forget...Wofford. They struggled so much, they lost.

Throwing four INTs in your FCS opener is not a good way to start for sure. Good on Wofford, they took advantage of a bad day. Probably cost Spiders being off yesterday, rather than sitting home the rest of the playoffs.

[ElCid]

Throwing four INTs in your FCS opener is not a good way to start for sure. Good on Wofford, they took advantage of a bad day. Probably cost Spiders being off yesterday, rather than sitting home the rest of the playoffs.

Well, they did have the second best Pass Defense Efficiency in the SOCON. It could be viewed that they created the advantage. But yeah, I bet Richmond wished they had that one back.

[caribbeanhen]

Throwing four INTs in your FCS opener is not a good way to start for sure. Good on Wofford, they took advantage of a bad day. Probably cost Spiders being off yesterday, rather than sitting home the rest of the playoffs.

Spider, kept waiting for Coleman to run the ball yesterday but he really never did other than a few plays.

[ncspiderfan]

Stunned by how poorly UR played. Wish they'd played like that against W&M. No fire... unbelievably bad receiver play and Coleman was unrecognizable. The Spiders played down to a number of weak teams but looked really good against Delaware and W&M. Huesman was livid when they settled for a FG on their first drive after two false start calls from inside the five. Players never responded.

Listened in to the end of the Spiders radio broadcast yesterday and Spiders lead the nation in redzone FGs, not scoring TDs caught up to them in first half yesterday and obviously the game. Well done to Lehigh, they are the first to make them pay for it.

You are right about Spiders ups and downs. Some of those none blowouts against some weaker looking teams might have been exposing problems, but they went run first when they got down to 2 DEs and 2 DTs and only five DBs, all due to season ending stuff. The two deeps at those positions were freshman in many cases that came over from the Scout Team with plans to RS. Not in the know but feel sure they protected the defense a little when they could. I know three games they put together 10-minute drives in the second half and HC said they were just trying to go 1-0 and not worried about score when asked about it. He even said he heard the boos after calling the dogs off one game.

Do not think the defense not being deep caused yesterday's loss though, they played shorthanded the whole second half of season. Lehigh just made two great plays, and the defense got out of position and gave up two long TDS. Good on the Lehigh players.

Coleman had to play some games due to injury of the starter as a freshman last year and took over again this year (they had planned to RS last year then again this year) due to injury and then started winning and stayed the starter. Yesterday was his first loss as starter 14 or 15 and one I think but not going to look it up. Yesterday was certainly not his best, hope QBs want a Richmond degree cause Spiders have two good ones and even a third if needed.

At any rate, not excuse making, just appreciate the notice Spiders had a bad game, it happens. Most here do not have Flo Sports so they only see the final scores.

Well done to Lehigh and hope they continue to advance; they are conference mates as of yesterday at the final whistle.

Glad they worked out the Capital Cup continuing, hate some years it will not be final game, but at least at 66-64-5 rivalry is not dead.

[ngineer]

Just a note to wrap up this thread...Announced today that both Spatny and Ochojski were released from the hospital today and have good prognosis. AD Sterrett both players will not play this weekend as a health precaution. Great news as both return next year to lead our D, which will not have DiNucci coming back, either this Saturday. The 'next man up' mentality was in play Saturday. Hope "he" returns this week as well.

[ncspiderfan]

Spider, kept waiting for Coleman to run the ball yesterday but he really never did other than a few plays.

I think I remember Huesman saying 8-10 plays per game for the QBs to run it. I could be remembering wrong.
He ran 6 times for 35 yards with the longest 14 yards. Lehigh might have had it defensed, and they could have backed off it a bit, idk. He averaged 31 per game for the year, but a couple of those games were in relief early in the year when not the starter. He is a good runner, the original starter Wickersham was the better of the two runners IMO, but after Coleman started winning while he was out injured, they stuck with him and even moved the third guy to the backup spot on the two deep, so idk if Wickersham ever got full go again or not, even though they said one time he could go in a pinch.

[caribbeanhen]

I think I remember Huesman saying 8-10 plays per game for the QBs to run it. I could be remembering wrong.
He ran 6 times for 35 yards with the longest 14 yards. Lehigh might have had it defensed, and they could have backed off it a bit, idk. He averaged 31 per game for the year, but a couple of those games were in relief early in the year when not the starter. He is a good runner, the original starter Wickersham was the better of the two runners IMO, but after Coleman started winning while he was out injured, they stuck with him and even moved the third guy to the backup spot on the two deep, so idk if Wickersham ever got full go again or not, even though they said one time he could go in a pinch.

and now Coleman in the portal

also heard Palmer-Smith in as well…

just bad for college football in my opinion

[ncspiderfan]

and now Coleman in the portal

also heard Palmer-Smith in as well…

just bad for college football in my opinion

It gets worse. add DBs Traynor (defensive rookie of the year CAA) and Tomlinson with one year left.
It will get worse than that.

[Lehigh Football Nation]

I don't want to belabor this point because I feel like Spider fans are going through a lot of pain with these portal announcements, but does anybody more familiar with UR day-to-day have an explanation as to why there are so many of these announcements all at once and so many key players? It can't about scholarships or championships. And I find it hard to believe all of these guys have million-dollar NIL deals lined up. If they're grad transfers and/or are leaving with UR degrees I understand it, too. But that doesn't seem to be the case?

[Pards Rule]

We have 11 - 6 on offense and 5 on defense...its getting bad...over 300 in both FCS and FBS nationwide are KNOWN to be in portal. Obviously its not a public site but this is based on twitter/social media postings

[crusader11]

I don't want to belabor this point because I feel like Spider fans are going through a lot of pain with these portal announcements, but does anybody more familiar with UR day-to-day have an explanation as to why there are so many of these announcements all at once and so many key players? It can't about scholarships or championships. And I find it hard to believe all of these guys have million-dollar NIL deals lined up. If they're grad transfers and/or are leaving with UR degrees I understand it, too. But that doesn't seem to be the case?

Have to remember, just because a kid enters the portal, doesn't mean he's for sure gone from his current school.

[Pards Rule]

I don't want to belabor this point because I feel like Spider fans are going through a lot of pain with these portal announcements, but does anybody more familiar with UR day-to-day have an explanation as to why there are so many of these announcements all at once and so many key players? It can't about scholarships or championships. And I find it hard to believe all of these guys have million-dollar NIL deals lined up. If they're grad transfers and/or are leaving with UR degrees I understand it, too. But that doesn't seem to be the case?

Same portal break over last 48 hours in Easton too!!!!! Where are they going? Not going to slide laterally?! NIL? At best some might get low hanging 1A schools..

[POD Knows]

Have to remember, just because a kid enters the portal, doesn't mean he's for sure gone from his current school.I am pretty sure that at NDSU, if you enter the portal, you are gone.

[Pards Rule]

I am pretty sure that at NDSU, if you enter the portal, you are gone.

Wow - huge disincentive

[crusader11]

I am pretty sure that at NDSU, if you enter the portal, you are gone.

I can understand that being a program mandate. Either you're all in or you're out. If you want to "test the waters" then you might as well leave the program altogether. Makes sense to me and probably how I'd run things if I was a head coach.

But, just wanted to set the record that entering the portal doesn't automatically mean a player is done at his current school.

[FUBeAR]

I can understand that being a program mandate. Either you're all in or you're out. If you want to "test the waters" then you might as well leave the program altogether. Makes sense to me and probably how I'd run things if I was a head coach.

But, just wanted to set the record that entering the portal doesn't automatically mean a player is done at his current school.
Most balanced (and probably smartest) policy is…

“That’s fine, if you decide to do that. And, of course, I’ll be testing the waters for another Player at your position who is better than you and wants your scholarship. If I’m successful in doing that before you decide to go somewhere else, then, naturally, we won’t have a scholarship for you anymore. If not, you’re welcome to reclaim your scholarship and roster spot with the following conditions. Condition X, Condition Y, Condition Z. That makes sense, right? OK, please let me know, man-to-man, before you make your final decision to, potentially, forfeit your place on our Team and try to find a new home somewhere else.”

[Pards Rule]

Most balanced (and probably smartest) policy is…

“That’s fine, if you decide to do that. And, of course, I’ll be testing the waters for another Player at your position who is better than you and wants your scholarship. If I’m successful in doing that before you decide to go somewhere else, then, naturally, we won’t have a scholarship for you anymore. If not, you’re welcome to reclaim your scholarship and roster spot with the following conditions. Condition X, Condition Y, Condition Z. That makes sense, right? OK, please let me know, man-to-man, before you make your final decision to, potentially, forfeit your place on our Team and try to find a new home somewhere else.”


FRICKING HIRED!!! HIRED! FUBEAR FOR HC!

- - - Updated - - -

Loughridge of Fordham, welcome to the portal!

[Pards Rule]

Most balanced (and probably smartest) policy is…

“That’s fine, if you decide to do that. And, of course, I’ll be testing the waters for another Player at your position who is better than you and wants your scholarship. If I’m successful in doing that before you decide to go somewhere else, then, naturally, we won’t have a scholarship for you anymore. If not, you’re welcome to reclaim your scholarship and roster spot with the following conditions. Condition X, Condition Y, Condition Z. That makes sense, right? OK, please let me know, man-to-man, before you make your final decision to, potentially, forfeit your place on our Team and try to find a new home somewhere else.”


The "convo"! Look this would be a position a company would have right if you were "going out on interviews"...its only right around the corner for them...might as well find out now the repercusssions in the true world!

[Pards Rule]

Iowa QB Cade McNamara in portal - to play his 7th (SIETE!) season! Sorry but im whlolly in favor of NCAA rules 5 years limit on a roster.

[caribbeanhen]

Most balanced (and probably smartest) policy is…

“That’s fine, if you decide to do that. And, of course, I’ll be testing the waters for another Player at your position who is better than you and wants your scholarship. If I’m successful in doing that before you decide to go somewhere else, then, naturally, we won’t have a scholarship for you anymore. If not, you’re welcome to reclaim your scholarship and roster spot with the following conditions. Condition X, Condition Y, Condition Z. That makes sense, right? OK, please let me know, man-to-man, before you make your final decision to, potentially, forfeit your place on our Team and try to find a new home somewhere else.”

all that is no good today because it makes to much sense .....

[FUBeAR]

all that is no good today because it makes to much sense .....
Paraphrased what FU’s Coach Hendrix told FUBeAR they do … has worked OK … so far.

Furman’s issues this year were not due to non-graduate portal losses. Sure…coulda used some of those Alums coming back for their 5th/6th years, but FU’s graduate programs are very narrow (but widening :)), some of them had already finished their undergrad and Masters at FU…and those dudes were getting some sweet half-year pay packages.

[Lehigh Football Nation]

Personally I'm not sure what will happen with any Lehigh athlete involving the portal after the Mountain Hawk run ends. What I will say was 5th year QB Dante Perri was in the portal, and decided to come back for his final season at Lehigh, and that decision ended up being very, very consequential for this team. His role as a starting QB early in the year and a mentor during their last three games has been incalculable to this team.

[ngineer]

Personally I'm not sure what will happen with any Lehigh athlete involving the portal after the Mountain Hawk run ends. What I will say was 5th year QB Dante Perri was in the portal, and decided to come back for his final season at Lehigh, and that decision ended up being very, very consequential for this team. His role as a starting QB early in the year and a mentor during their last three games has been incalculable to this team.

Absolutely! I talked to Dante after the Laughyette game and told him that his presence on and with the team was invaluable. He could well be considered the team's MVP this year. Possibly co-MVP with DeNucci, who played a mentoring role on defense. Perri doesn't have the numbers/stats, or great athletic skills, but he has the character of a leader. The frosh and sophs seeing these guys come back, after what they had been through sent a strong message to the rest of the team that THEY were buying in/investing in Cahill's vision. It helped provide the necessary leadership in a critical time of transformation. I haven't seen everything that has occurred, and after typing this, consider that possibly the five 5th years each played key roles in this year's drama.