On to Richmond

[Richb-3]

Richmond looks to have only a few more-Srs, 5ths, -grs. than do we. So, It looks we, indeed, need a few years to catch up. Will Buck, Gate, Cross, and Laf be able to catch up?

[jimk72]

I don’t pretend to know that much about the redshirt rules, other than it allows a student athlete to postpone his four years of eligibility to gain strength and experience as a member of the team. We do it all the time in wrestling.

My very rough count of our football roster shows we have 5 fifth year players, and of course no players listed as having red shirt eligibility. Based on those listed on Richmond’s roster as red shirts, they have 6 fifth year seniors, 16 fourth year juniors, 15 third year sophs, and 19 second year freshmen. They red shirt more than half their roster. Those numbers (plus Richmond being very good) gets us to easily be 10 to 12 point under dogs. Win this and Coach Cahill should be in the running for FCS coach of the year, if he isn’t already.

Going forward it’ll be interesting to see how many of our current freshman class take this as a red shirt year.

[RichH]

Whatever the PL redshirt rule may be , there is little doubt that coaches are monitoring PT for numerous frosh. Few of ours have blown their redshirts. Scan the frosh list. There are 4 or 5 touted recruits who have rarely made the field. This is also true for some of the frosh on the 2 deep.
ESD is 12/4. We have 4 identified verbal. There are hints of 2 others which I couldn't ID. Planning the recruit class may also be complicated by 105 roster cap for FBS with 105 schollies available. Apparently partials will also be allowed. Most P5 and FBS rosters are well in excess of 105. A flood of foster cut players to FCS?
Is Cahill actively pursuing transfers? A whole new recruiting landscape.

[ngineer]

My #1 concern is whether DeNucci will play. I know he's shown on the two-deep, but so is Perri...Maybe it's a 'game time decision', but if he's limited or sidelined, I am not sure who the back up is.

Glad to see some Richmond posters, welcome!...as well as the one 'Vandal'. Certainly hope your checking us out is a good sign for tomorrow.

I agree that the LOS is where this game will be won. Both teams appear to be 'run first' to establish the past. I have liked the mixing up of Johnson and Machalik. Machalik is a hard runner I wonder if we're going to be seeing a two or three-headed monster at some point with Perri/Yoder/Green on the field at one time?

Likewise, I feel we can get more creative with our TE's. Jamiel and Humphrey are excellent athletes, but they are targeted 90% of the time. Constantly going to the same well can be harmful. If open, fine, but I'm looking forward to some other receivers taking off the pressure to get open.

I think the improvement in our secondary this year has been awesome. Last few years we were getting torched. I think some is due to much improved pass rush and pressure, but the DB's and Safeties seem much ore athletic and willing to challenge the receivers with tighter coverage. It does come from confidence.

I am hoping a tight game, and perhaps our special teams seal the deal with punting and FG's. Besides the LOS being key, eliminating the turnovers and 'stupid penalties' (which we have been pretty good at recently) will be crucial. I am psyched to watch this. I feel 'good' just like last Friday night. GO LEHIGH!!

[Winston]

We are looking forward to a well played game tomorrow.

[News]

Almost forgot to post my preview here.

And yeah, I went there. Lehigh 30, Richmond 23.

PREVIEW OF LEHIGH AT RICHMOND, 1st ROUND OF THE 2024 FCS PLAYOFFS – Mountain Hawks Will Encounter the Poetry of Past, Present And Future This Saturday

For the first time since 2017, the Lehigh Mountain Hawks (8-3) will be returning to the FCS Playoffs, and their opponents they drew, the Richmond Spiders (10-2), couldn’t be a more interesting opponent.

Read More: https://www.college-sports-journal.com/ ... -saturday/

[carolinaspider]

Must admit as a long time Spider from my early years, hearing a move to the Patriot League was a little
disconcerting. But the CAA since JMU and DE have left has not been at the level of competition we have been use to and UR should be in a league that is more attuned to our academics and our size. We feel that we will not be the last to join the PL. The PL may become a primary model for the FCS.

On Red Shirting, I like the Richmond model that allows freshmen to have option of playing four games max without losing RS status. Some don’t get in any games. A few have the skill and size to play immediately. As an example linemen come in at 260 and with weight training and diet they leave their RS year at 280. Let’s be realistic as to how many 4 star kids are we going to recruit and obtain. Hope PL will allow a similar RS program.

Good luck on Saturday and welcome to the Brick House and Go SpiderS!!!

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Cahill was on Reno's staff when the Eli beat Richmond a few years ago. Perhaps some of you forgot, but Lafayette beat Richmond in 2004 down there (thrilling finish!) then again in 2005 in a 7-0 grinder at Fisher. The Spiders finished ranked #8 that year.

I fully respect the Spiders for their past, present and future capabilities but no one should fear them unless you simply suffer from arachnophobia. The key for Lehigh and their fellow PL mates is to be on YOUR game. Do that and Richmond is a solidifier, not a ruler....

[Winston]

Lehigh beat Richmond fairly and squarely. We were outplayed and outcoached in every phase of the game. Lehigh and the Patriot league are classy operations. Your coach is very good. Thanks for showing us how its done.

[lu90]

Lehigh beat Richmond fairly and squarely. We were outplayed and outcoached in every phase of the game. Lehigh and the Patriot league are classy operations. Your coach is very good. Thanks for showing us how its done.

If you only knew the hell we have gone through in the previous coaching cycle, it is even more impressive. Potentially, the worst and best coaching hires in Lehigh football history may have been made in the last 6 years. May be overstating slightly, but its what it feels like right now.

And btw, welcome to the Patriot League!