The Holy Cross at Brown Thread

[Lehigh Football Nation]

This game isn't getting a lot of play, but IMHO this is a crucial game for the Crusaders to win if the Patriot League hopes to get an at-large team in the FCS Playoffs.

Of course, the Crusaders could win all their PL games and make the playoffs, but if they don't, it might be this game folks look back on and wonder what could have been.

It would give them two "quality wins" over Ivy League title contenders, and one or both might sneak into the Top 25 before all is said and done.

If, hypothetically, Holy Cross goes 8-3, with two close losses to CAA teams and a loss to Lehigh, would the wins over Harvard and Brown be enough for an at-large?

[Wildcat80]

Every game is a must win for HC.

[crusader11]

would the wins over Harvard and Brown be enough for an at-large?

Really depends how the CAA, SoCon, and Big Sky play out. If there is a team with a similar resume, it will most likely go to the team from the better conference. Assuming UNH keeps on winning and does well in the CAA (maybe even wins it), I think the committee would look favorably on a 7 point loss in the final minute to the Wildcats.

Put it this way though, a loss to the Brownies ensures that HC has to win the Patriot League, or else they will be spending Thanksgiving at home.

[crusader11]

As for the game itself, I think Brown's offense has been better in past years (Farnham and his partner in crime whose name is escaping me now) were tough to cope with. KNC is the real deal at QB, but the Holy Cross defense should be able to hold Brown in check most of the day.

[Lehigh Football Nation]

I think this is one of the great "under the radar" games this weekend. Brown isn't a bad 2-1 team at all, with wins over Rhody and Stony Brook, and their QB and passing game can give lots of teams fits. I think HC has the edge, but just.

[crusader11]

Bad memories of playing at Brown in 2009. A huge collapse in that game on way too many level.

[crusader11]

How 'bout this quote from Brown: "Defensively, they're definitely beatable," he said. They're "slower than what we've seen with URI."

Those be fightin' words.

[Go...gate]

Another fine old eastern college football series....

[Sader87]

One of the most painful HC football losses of my childhood was losing to Brown 31-25 in 1978 on ABC TV after starting the season 5-0 with wins over Army and Air Force.

[Lehigh Football Nation]

Brown 10, Holy Cross 6, Halftime. A bit of a surprise that it's such a defensive struggle.

[Wildcat80]

What happened to HC's offense? Is Brown's defense that much better than UNH? Yikes!

[Lehigh Football Nation]

HC 13, Brown 13, 6:35 left, 4th Q!

[Lehigh Football Nation]

http://www.790business.com/article.asp?id=1261179

Listen live!

[Lehigh Football Nation]

Brown went on a 99 yard TD drive to go ahead 20-13 with about a minute to go!

[Lehigh Football Nation]

4th down, Holy Cross can't convert on 4th and 3. Brown gets the ball back on downs.

[Lehigh Football Nation]

4th down, Holy Cross can't convert on 4th and 3. Brown gets the ball back on downs.

Three time outs left, though.

[Lehigh Football Nation]

A Taggart INT will end Holy Cross' final shot at the victory. Final: Brown 20, Holy Cross 13.