UNH @ Nova

[VUCats02]

Is this an early playoff game for both teams? Assuming Nova will lose @ Delaware, the loser of this game pretty much has no playoff hope. If Nova wins this game and loses to Delaware, I think they sneak in as the they would be 7-4 with 3 of those losses to a 8-2 Temple team, and Delaware and W&M who both will be ranked in the top 3 of FCS next week. And I think the committee would take into account that we have been playing without Szczur but will most likely have him for the playoffs.

I know Nova has to beat both UNH and Delaware to be safe, but without Szczur I don't see nova beating Delaware this year.

Thoughts???

[VUCats02]

As you can tell, I am very eager to forget about this week and move on to next week :-X

[jmufan999]

i'm not sure about the "assuming" nova will lose to UD... i would assume the opposite. i think Nova's a better team, and there's no question that's true if Sczcur is healthy. Nova's in, i'm not worried about it.

[tribe_pride]

i'm not sure about the "assuming" nova will lose to UD... i would assume the opposite. i think Nova's a better team, and there's no question that's true if Sczcur is healthy. Nova's in, i'm not worried about it.

Nova only has 6 wins right now. They need to beat either UNH or Delaware. At 7, I think they are in but right now, it's not a given.

[Mattymc727]

This is a must win for both teams. UNH has to win out to have a shot. Nova can lose 1 more but should they lose to UNH this weekend, then they have a must win against UD whcih is a harder task than beating UNH. If the UNH offense shows up, it should be a classic.

[VUCats02]

I'm assuming Nova will lose to Delaware for several reasons.

1) It's at Delaware
2) Delaware is "due" for a win against Nova and it seems like Delaware is having the kind of year Nova had last year.
3) Pat Devlin

[rcny46]

Even at 7-4,I think UNH will be fighting an uphill battle when it comes to any playoff hopes.

[WrenFGun]

This is a must win for both teams. UNH has to win out to have a shot. Nova can lose 1 more but should they lose to UNH this weekend, then they have a must win against UD whcih is a harder task than beating UNH. If the UNH offense shows up, it should be a classic.

What offense? This team does not come up big in big situations. I guess I expect to be close only because the defense is very good, but unless we win 3-0 or 7-0 on an INT return, I don't expect much. If UNH wins out, they're in, but chances are less than 10% they'll beat NOVA, IMO.

[Mattymc727]

What offense? This team does not come up big in big situations. I guess I expect to be close only because the defense is very good, but unless we win 3-0 or 7-0 on an INT return, I don't expect much. If UNH wins out, they're in, but chances are less than 10% they'll beat NOVA, IMO.

I thought the offense showed up nicely against JMU and Umass

[NovaWildcat]

7-4 and we're in. This game is a must win in my opinion because I don't think we're beating Delaware.

Hopefully we can repeat some of last year's magic at home vs. UNH.

[TwoFeathers]

i'm not sure about the "assuming" nova will lose to UD... i would assume the opposite. i think Nova's a better team, and there's no question that's true if Sczcur is healthy. Nova's in, i'm not worried about it.

I'd have to agree, both teams are tough, and both can win. I'd have to give the nod to the home team.

[VUCats02]

Well, if Nova gets in at 7-4, I still think they can do a lot of damage and make a run for another title. Maybe if a team like Nova can make a deep run into the playoffs at 7-4, it will quiet all those who say a 7-4 CAA team should not be in the playoffs.

[GannonFan]

If it snows this Saturday, I don't think UNH has a chance at all against nova.

[VUCats02]

If it snows this Saturday, I don't think UNH has a chance at all against nova.

We are all hoping for 3 feet of snow here...

[UNHFootballAlum]

If it snows this Saturday, I don't think UNH has a chance at all against nova.

Better chance than last year in the playoffs. Our defense is much better than last year

[WrenFGun]

If it snows this Saturday, I don't think UNH has a chance at all against nova.

Absolutely no chance of winning if it snows.

[VUCats02]

Nova basketball starts Friday night. I'm hoping this excitement (plus the fact that this is a must win football game for both teams) for Nova fans will transfer into making people want to go to the football game Saturday. It is a 12:00 start though, so who knows what to expect. The good news is Nova hasn't lost at Villanova Stadium since the JMU hail mary touchdown pass 2 years ago, so even though the attendances have been poor, we still perform very well at home.

[dwtime]

As you can tell, I am very eager to forget about this week and move on to next week :-X

So are we. Bleech!

[GannonFan]

Nova basketball starts Friday night. I'm hoping this excitement (plus the fact that this is a must win football game for both teams) for Nova fans will transfer into making people want to go to the football game Saturday. It is a 12:00 start though, so who knows what to expect. The good news is Nova hasn't lost at Villanova Stadium since the JMU hail mary touchdown pass 2 years ago, so even though the attendances have been poor, we still perform very well at home.

If anything, the basketball game the night before will keep people from going to the football game, especially an early start one like that. People can only do so many things within a 24 hour period, and it's unlikely that many do a basketball game followed by a football game. And there's plenty of evidence to support that.

[VUCats02]

If anything, the basketball game the night before will keep people from going to the football game, especially an early start one like that. People can only do so many things within a 24 hour period, and it's unlikely that many do a basketball game followed by a football game. And there's plenty of evidence to support that.

Most likely but I'm giving myself a reason to have false hope for good attendance this weekend - most likely won't happen.

[BlueHenSinfonian]

Absolutely no chance of winning if it snows.

Wouldn't snow help UNH? You'd think UNH would be more used to playing in snow.

[UNH Fanboi]

Wouldn't snow help UNH? You'd think UNH would be more used to playing in snow.

Use some common sense. Snow and bad conditions in general help power running teams (Nova) and hurt passing teams (UNH). Also, why would UNH be more used to playing in the snow? There is rarely any significant snow in NH or New England during football season, so it isn't like UNH is constantly practicing in the snow.

[WrenFGun]

Wouldn't snow help UNH? You'd think UNH would be more used to playing in snow.

Just tune to the playoff game last year in 'Nova for your answer. We fumbled the opening kickoff and the first offensive snap. It was 28-0 before I could blink.

[BlueHenSinfonian]

Use some common sense. Snow and bad conditions in general help power running teams (Nova) and hurt passing teams (UNH). Also, why would UNH be more used to playing in the snow? There is rarely any significant snow in NH or New England during football season, so it isn't like UNH is constantly practicing in the snow.

I haven't had the chance to see UNH play this year, so I didn't know they were doing a pass heavy offense. I'm a little surprised to hear that there is no significant snowfall in NH during the season though, I would've figured that y'all had some by November, but I've never been able to make it to a game at UNH.

If the rumors about Szucur returning are true though, given your conditions, snow could hurt Nova as much as UNH.

[ngineer]

I think it all hinges on whether Sczcur (however he spells it) plays and can be effective.

[VUCats02]

We can stop talking about the snow. It'll be low 60's on a warm, sunny, mid-November Saturday afternoon. Nova really has yet to play in bad conditions this year. Last year, it seemed like every home game was played in poor conditions - either rain or snow - and every time a team like this Nova team sees those kinds of conditions, it really favors them. This year has been great weather for every game. Hopefully it's pooring rain with 40 mph winds at Delaware in a week and a half :-P

[UNH Fanboi]

Game starts it ten minutes. It's actually on channelsurfing for those without Comcast.

[WrenFGun]

FUMBLE NOVA! UNH recovers at the Nova 23 on first play of game.

[OxSoxUNH05]

Villanova fumble recovered by UNH. Great field position to start for the 'Cats

[WrenFGun]

UNH False Start costs us a FG, and now we're going for it on 4th and 15.

Amazing pooch punt but our ****ty WR can't bother to stop it. This team sucks.

[Mattymc727]

our uniforms look awful, and for unh not to get any points with that opportunity is absolute garbage

[OxSoxUNH05]

The offense has been pretty mediocre all year. Too bad, with they way the defense has played.

[WrenFGun]

our uniforms look awful, and for unh not to get any points with that opportunity is absolute garbage

...nothing new with this offense.

[OxSoxUNH05]

Villanova goes 3 and out 0-0 with 11:59 left in the 1st

[OxSoxUNH05]

Dontre Peters break a 51 yard TD run. 6-0 UNH

[WrenFGun]

TOUCHDOWN DONTRA PETERS!!! HOLY ****. GREAT BLOCK BY KMA$E.

[WrenFGun]

FUMBLE 'NOVA UNH RECOVERS ON THE KICKOFF AND THEY'LL TAKE OVER INSIDE THE NOVA 20!

[OxSoxUNH05]

Villanova fumbles the kick off. UNH ball on the 16. with a 7-0 lead

[Mattymc727]

second fumble by nova, we have to take advantage

[OxSoxUNH05]

absolutely, just keep handing it off to Peters

[WrenFGun]

Would have been nice to have 7, but UNH gets 3 and it's 10-0 UNH 6 minutes in.

[Mattymc727]

wow, a great team would be up 21-0. Instead, unh is up 10-0 against an explosive nova team

[OxSoxUNH05]

Is it me or did Fox just give up on that run, looked like he could have made the pylon. To only get 3 is kinda a let down. 10-0 UNH with 9:09 left in the first

[Mattymc727]

steve young is such a beast. The d will surely miss him next year

[Mattymc727]

excellent throw on 3rd down by toman

[Jackman]

I'm a little surprised to hear that there is no significant snowfall in NH during the season though, I would've figured that y'all had some by November, but I've never been able to make it to a game at UNH.

UNH is in southern New Hampshire one town over from the seacoast. They get about as much snow as Boston.

[WrenFGun]

Non-call on 'NOVA WR holding leads to two straight big running plays, but UNH makes a nice stop on 1st down at the UNH 35 or so.

[UNH Fanboi]

These announcers are terrible

[Mattymc727]

end of 1st, 10-0 UNH

[OxSoxUNH05]

These announcers are terrible
Soo bad. I didn't like Gresh and Tanguay but would kill for them over these guys

[NovaWildcat]

awful clock management by Nova, 2 timeouts on 3 plays when the clock was winding down. 4th and inches deep in UNH zone

[NovaWildcat]

TD, Nova. 10-7. Converts the option to Babbaro this time..

[WrenFGun]

DAMMIT. 86 yard drive for Nova with 2 first down conversions on fourth cuts it to 10-7.

[Aho_Old_Guy]

Is the audio fubar'ed for anyone else on channel surfing?

Mine is clipped and distorted - at any volume level.

[OxSoxUNH05]

UNH driving fast with a no huddle offense on the subsequent drive. Down to the Nova 24

[NovaWildcat]

mines a little shotty, but not horrible

[dwtime]

UNH moving at will on Nova 1st down at the 10

[OxSoxUNH05]

10 yard TD run by Toman. 16-7 UNH. Thats a quick score

[WrenFGun]

UNH 7 plays, 64 yards, TOUCHDOWN. WOW.

17-7 UNH.

[dwtime]

What a drive for UNH TD!

[UNH Fanboi]

Rushing TD Toman! Great drive, we marched down the field!

[Mattymc727]

17-7 UNH 8:54 to go in the half

[WestCoastAggie]

Great drive for UNH, I must say.

[Mattymc727]

hey all 5 of us posted the score, we must be excited!

[UNH Fanboi]

hey all 5 of us posted the score, we must be excited!

The fact that we looked pretty good doing it is what makes me excited

[OxSoxUNH05]

Well someone complained of no score being included in the game thread last week. Thought I'd try to correct it this week.

[Mattymc727]

Well someone complained of no score being included in the game thread last week. Thought I'd try to correct it this week.

alright, its your job now, i will retire

[OxSoxUNH05]

Nova drove the field fairly quickly but gets stopped in the red zone and settles for 3. 17-10 UNH leads with 5:53 left in the half

[WrenFGun]

17-10, UNH, 5:53 left in the first half. Nice responding drive from 'Nova but a good hold inside the RZ by the defense.

[WrenFGun]

HOLY **** TOUCHDOWN TOMAN 54 YARDS!!! 24-10 UNH!

[dwtime]

Paydirt baby woooooo!!!! UNH TD

[OxSoxUNH05]

56 yard TD pass by Toman, on back to back deep plays, you would think Nova wouldn't have fallen for it . 24-10 UNH.

[WrenFGun]

Touchdown, Nova. Jesus. 24-17 with 3 minutes to go.

[WestCoastAggie]

Where is the Defense today?

[OxSoxUNH05]

Well Nova response with a quick score 24-17. Great day for a track meet.

[Sam Adams]

Good game. No Defense being played, but good game.

[rcny46]

It appears that Buzbee has been injured-looks like a shoulder.

[soccerguy315]

game is on channelsurfing, if anyone is looking for it... should be entertaining, if you are not a fan of defense, lol

[OxSoxUNH05]

1:12 left Villanova takes over on downs and are looking to score before giving UNH the ball to start the second half.

[rcny46]

In spite of the score,I'm somewhat worried about the way this game is going.

[UNH Fanboi]

In spite of the score,I'm somewhat worried about the way this game is going.

Yeah, I think Nova's offense might be more sustainable than ours...

[Mattymc727]

24-17 UNH at the half if anyone was wondering

[Wildcat80]

Where did UNH's offense come from???? Bet Chip Kelly gave them a play script to follow in hurry up!!!!

[Wildcat80]

UNH gets the FB...need to keep scoring.....really hope our lack of scores from nova's gifts to us do not come back to haunt us.

[OxSoxUNH05]

Big run by Peters to the Nova 35, but toman floats one and is picked off.

[dwtime]

Huge run by Peters, first down UNH

[Mattymc727]

bummer........Toman was playing so well too

[WrenFGun]

And Typical Toman is back. INT 'Nova after big Peters run.

[OxSoxUNH05]

Typical UNH sequence here on defense. Giving up a big 1st down with a penalty. These guys gotta get their heads back on straight.

[OxSoxUNH05]

Big stand by the UNH defense. Nova goes from 1st and goal to 4th and goal at the 23. FG attempt blocked!

[Wildcat80]

Go back to the Oregon offense sequence & score!!!

[WrenFGun]

TD UNH! 31-17 with 5:08 left in the third. What a turn of events!

[OxSoxUNH05]

UNH does drive the field and makes it 31 -17

[Wildcat80]

A UNH win today & a Udel win next week....and nova sits at home. Boy would that make me happy!!! DEFENSE!!!

[inpsite1919]

Come on Nova lol

[OxSoxUNH05]

still a bunch of time left. UNH D just let a 1st down on 3rd and 13. Now Nova's in the groove. 2 mins left in the 3rd still 31-17

[Mattymc727]

big fourth down play for Nova coming up to start the 4th

[WrenFGun]

UNH leads 31-17 heading into the 4th. Nova with 4th and about 1 at the UNH 9 yard line to start the 4th.

[OxSoxUNH05]

Thats a ticky tack PI call if I ever saw one. thought UNH was playing Villanova not the Colts.

[Mattymc727]

big mistake by the UNH D. Nova capitalizes, 31-24 UNH

[OxSoxUNH05]

Big return destroyed but a holding penalty. The self destruct countdown has begun.

[UNHFootballAlum]

UNH Mistakes are beginning to hurt them

[UNHFootballAlum]

Terrible p;lay call when you have been running the ball so effectively

[WrenFGun]

Self destruction continues. 'Nova ball at the UNH 45, 1st and 10 with 13 minutes to go, UNH up 7.

[Mattymc727]

Toman was an idiot on that 3rd down play.....Nova ball in UNH territory with around 13 minutes left

[OxSoxUNH05]

False start on 3rd down makes it 3rd and long for Villanova. UNH needs a stop here

[Mattymc727]

UNH D looks gassed

[OxSoxUNH05]

Update on the game, Villanova driving but still down 31-24 with 5:35 to go.

[UNHFootballAlum]

Nova running at will. UNH Defense is getting tired. right now They need a sto. DL is getting out of their lanes

[OxSoxUNH05]

Great coverage there. 3rd and 8 from the 32.

[UNHFootballAlum]

play of the game on 4th & 2. Whitney will keep ball going left. UNH DL needs to slant that way

[OxSoxUNH05]

Interesting play call on 4 & 2. UNH takes over on downs.

[UNHFootballAlum]

bad play call by Nova. good play by UNH

[inpsite1919]

4th & 2. Will the D hold?

[WrenFGun]

UNH STOPS ON 4th! UNH ball, up 7, 4:06 to go at their 25.

[inpsite1919]

i guess so

[OxSoxUNH05]

Nova down to one time out, 3:34 left. UNH leads 31-24

[rcny46]

UNH D looks gassed



Not surprised.Villanova has had the ball most of the day it seems.

[WrenFGun]

UNH will punt with 1:19 left at midfield, 31-24 UNH leads. Nova has no remaining timeouts.

[OxSoxUNH05]

Villanova holds UNH on 3rd and 3. 1:19 and UNH to punt to Villanova from around the 50

[WrenFGun]

Vasso is playing like **** today. Unsportsmanlike brings 'Nova to the 30. Such a stupid play.

[OxSoxUNH05]

Man this clock is not moving! :44 seconds left Villanova at the UNH 43

[WrenFGun]

'Nova at the UNH 25 with :36 to go. 2nd and 10.

[UNHFootballAlum]

That is a BS call by teh ref

[OxSoxUNH05]

Another garbage Pass Interference called on UNH at the goal line.

[WrenFGun]

Dog**** PI. Villanova ball at the 5, 26 seconds to go.

[WrenFGun]

VILLANOVA FUMBLES UNH WILL WIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[OxSoxUNH05]

wow, Pocket collapses, Fumbled and recovered by UNH. 31-24. Game Over

[UNHFootballAlum]

Brian McNally Comes up HUGE!!

[WrenFGun]

This is as clutch as UNH has ever been. All around, what an effort.

One more!

[UNHFootballAlum]

Great game by both teams. Both need a win next week to make the playoffs

[SoCalAg]

wow wow wow

[Wildcat80]

DEFENSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! UNH...UNH...UNH

[R3TRO]

How about Dontra Peters today? Wow, he was electric.

[VUCats02]

Great win UNH. Nova did not deserve to win this game nor do they deserve to be in the playoffs...

[Mattymc727]

The no huddle offense looked great today, hopefully they keep it up. It really opened up the run game because it gasses the opponents defense. Lets beat Towson and hope we get into the playoffs

[Mattymc727]

Great win UNH. Nova did not deserve to win this game nor do they deserve to be in the playoffs...

Nova made it tough for themselves early and the hill might have been just a tad too hard to climb over. Now you guys must beat UD so the CAA gets 5 teams in

[UNHFootballAlum]

Great win UNH. Nova did not deserve to win this game nor do they deserve to be in the playoffs...

That is exactly what I said last week on the UNH Proboard. Tempo

is hard for defenses to adjust to

[VUCats02]

Now you guys must beat UD so the CAA gets 5 teams in

I don't see Nova beating Delaware this year. Their offense is too good and our pass defense is pathetic.

[rcny46]

DEFENSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! UNH...UNH...UNH


Unfortunately,it looks like Alan Buzbee could be lost to the defense for awhile.Do we have UNH have any LB's left? Hopefully,Devon Jackson will be back if they make the playoffs.

[Mattymc727]

Unfortunately,it looks like Alan Buzbee could be lost to the defense for awhile.Do we have UNH have any LB's left? Hopefully,Devon Jackson will be back if they make the playoffs.

I thought Jamie Cosgrove filled in pretty well today

[umassfan]

I don't see Nova beating Delaware this year. Their offense is too good and our pass defense is pathetic.
Delawares qb is too good and will kill bad pass defense. Our pass D is very young starting two freshman QBs and hes just picking them apart.

[R3TRO]

I also thought I saw Jenkins moved back to linebacker. If so, we have optins.

[Wildcat80]

Sure looked like Coach Mc could not stand shaking talley's hand...no love lost there.....oh yeah talley is really really short.

[Wildcat80]

Did Chip Kelly script our plays this week??? A week too late. Keep those scripts coming.....

[Old Cat Fan]

Way to go UNH, great game, great way to revenge the playoff disaster last year, nice to see the no huddle offense used like we use to use it. Peters is a stud with Azumah like moves with great speed, this kid will only get better. Toman had a good game, couple of poor decisions but also had some great throws. The fumble at the end recovered by UNH , is something that would usually happen to us, it was great to have a nail biter end up with a big win. Now go get Towson next week and we could have a chance at hosting a first rounder.

http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o183/OLDCATFAN/thumbs-up.jpg

[Nebuta]

Grats UNH on the nice win. Good luck to both teams next week.

[Mr. C]

Sure looked like Coach Mc could not stand shaking talley's hand...no love lost there.....oh yeah talley is really really short.

No love lost? You've got to be kidding. Andy Talley speaks very highly and has tons of respect for Sean (and visa-versa). Talley spent some time this week talking about what a great coach that Sean is. Most of the coaches in the CAA get along great and some are very close friends. Where do people get this stuff?

[Mr. C]

I don't see Nova beating Delaware this year. Their offense is too good and our pass defense is pathetic.

Have to disagree with you. I am expecting Szczur to be back and I think Villanova matches up better with Delaware than people think. I'll be there and I am expecting a great game, just like those barn-burners we've come to love in the past from this series. Pass defense wasn't what got Nova in trouble today. For the second week in a row it was turnovers. The offense left 17-to-20 points on the field.

[VUCats02]

The only good news is that it is better to lose to UNH and beat delaware than losing to delaware and beating UNH. Having a win against a top 2 team in the country right before the committee makes their decision on who makes the playoffs is a very nice thing to have. The committee would be more likely to leave Nova out if they had lost their last game of the season. Also, I'm sure the committee hasn't forgotten who won the championship last year :-P There is no possible way you can leave a 7-4 Nova out of the playoffs who just beat Delaware and has their best player coming back.

As long as UNH beats Towson, they are a lock also at 7-4. Richmond will also be in for the same reason Nova would get in - a great recent history and a great last season win of the season. Not so sure how things will go for UMass, but in my opinion, they too should be in if they beat Rhode Island.

A lot of non-CAA bubble teams will be huge Delaware, W&M and RI fans next week, that's for sure.

[Nebuta]

I think the playoffs start next week for the CAA. Win youre in as 7-4 is a lock. The brute conference play WILL pay dividends when playoff time comes. I think their will be alot of eyes on the CAA scoreboard not just the voting commitee.