Official UNH @ Delaware Game Thread

[Ursus A. Horribilis]

I did see them doing it on the field which is where it really matters. They also had several guys there in case the first guy missed (which they rarely did) so I gotta think they'll be OK in that regard.

Son, this is the SoCon, we have 3 teams that run the TO. We know what we are talking about. seeing as there are very few teams in the CAA/Big Sky that run it, there's less Ethos over there. Nothing to see here

Sure.

[BlueHen86]

Delaware is vulnerable to a team that can throw a little bit...

An option team plays into UD's strength...

Comparitive scores mean nothing...

What you want to wager?

This is the most balanced option team we have had since the days of Tracy Ham. Jaybo can throw the ball and we have several guys that can make the plays down the field when we need to throw one up. Also, while you guys did a good job against Navy in '03, you guys gave up 34, 52, and 35 points in the other three games that Keeler played against them. You may have experience against the option, but it doesn't seem you have figured out how to stop it.

Finally, don't make the mistake of thinking a hypothetical GSU/UD matchup would revolve around how well GSU can run the ball. GSU held W&M to fewer yards than UNC and all of the elite CAA defenses, and they all played against W&M's backup QB. Actually, I take that back, UNH did better against them than we did, but they played W&M's fourth string QB. GSU also shut out (in the last 3 quarters) that App. State offense that's most likely going to light up Villanova tomorrow.

I wouldn't book the reservations for Frisco yet if I were a hen fan.

Considering that GSU already lost to Wofford this year I wouldn't book reservations to Newark yet if I were you.

[Pwns]

You seem to be booking your tickets to Newark already though.

Actually, I'm less confident that we can beat Wofford than I am that we can beat UD.

[youngterrier]

I was making that assumption based on playcalling, in other words you pass a lot, am I wrong?

Yes, you are wrong - UD has run the ball 541 times this year and passed 366. So yes, we pass more than either GSU or Wofford, but I'm assuming that wasn't your point. And really, there's a huge difference when you have an NFL caliber guy pulling the string versus whomever Chatty had this year. Seriously man, throw up the white flag already, this is getting ugly.

by your logic you're losing the argument now
Coleman was among the best in the nation in passing, averaging about 60 more yards a game than Devlin. And I don't know what I'm talking about? fail

[SunCoastBlueHen]

Delaware is vulnerable to a team that can throw a little bit...

An option team plays into UD's strength...

Comparitive scores mean nothing...

What you want to wager?

This is the most balanced option team we have had since the days of Tracy Ham. Jaybo can throw the ball and we have several guys that can make the plays down the field when we need to throw one up. Also, while you guys did a good job against Navy in '03, you guys gave up 34, 52, and 35 points in the other three games that Keeler played against them. You may have experience against the option, but it doesn't seem you have figured out how to stop it.

Finally, don't make the mistake of thinking a hypothetical GSU/UD matchup would revolve around how well GSU can run the ball. GSU held W&M to fewer yards than UNC and all of the elite CAA defenses, and they all played against W&M's backup QB. Actually, I take that back, UNH did better against them than we did, but they played W&M's fourth string QB. GSU also shut out (in the last 3 quarters) that App. State offense that's most likely going to light up Villanova tomorrow.

I wouldn't book the reservations for Frisco yet if I were a hen fan.

We stop the option much better than most teams in our division (since you used D1, always bowl bound Navy as your measuring stick). Again, I'm open to any wagers... since you seem so confident...

[youngterrier]

Son, this is the SoCon, we have 3 teams that run the TO. We know what we are talking about. seeing as there are very few teams in the CAA/Big Sky that run it, there's less Ethos over there. Nothing to see here

Sure.

for the record, that comment was for the most part in jest....I couldn't find the smiley with the tongue sticking out, but I can tell you this: If the winner of the game tomorrow scores more than 30 I feel confident with that team beating Delaware

[GannonFan]

Yes, you are wrong - UD has run the ball 541 times this year and passed 366. So yes, we pass more than either GSU or Wofford, but I'm assuming that wasn't your point. And really, there's a huge difference when you have an NFL caliber guy pulling the string versus whomever Chatty had this year. Seriously man, throw up the white flag already, this is getting ugly.

by your logic you're losing the argument now
Coleman was among the best in the nation in passing, averaging about 60 more yards a game than Devlin. And I don't know what I'm talking about? fail

Dude, you just said Coleman's a better QB than Devlin - you just can't drink and post like this, people are going to start noticing.

[BDKJMU]

Nothing wrong with great defense. Just as good to watch as a high scoring game with crappy defense.

What isn't good for FCS is a 2/3 full stadium (being generous, at least the away side that was usually show on TV) stadium on national TV from one of your storied programs.

You expect schools like Montana, App, UD, GSU, JMU, etc to be packed for the playoffs, esp on national TV on what used to be the semifinal weekend.

I don't recall JMU selling out their stadium for a quarterfinal game, and theirs was on a Saturday afternoon, not a Friday night. UD had more people than Appy St did last week - only Montana draws huge crowds in the playoffs. Anyway, UD will likely have the second highest attendance of this round. I'm not concerned.

And frankly, the general public is never going to fall in love with FCS football - doesn't matter how many people show up at the stadium.

13780 (out of 15,500 capacity then) announced for 08' Nova sat afternoon qtr final, which was the 1st weekend in Dec (which was the same as last weekend's games). Not packed, put pretty full.

2nd Fri in Dec (same as tonight) on ESPN2 (same as tonight) with announced gametime temp of 30 (a couple of degrees less than tonight) vs Montana 15,976 announced (out of 15,500 capacity). Was packed.

If UD was avg 19+k or whatever for the regular season against the likes of West Chester, Dusquene, SDSU, URI, Maine, Towson, Nova, you would think UD would do that for a nationally televised qtrfinal. Thats what I was expecting to see.

[Ursus A. Horribilis]

Sure.

for the record, that comment was for the most part in jest....I couldn't find the smiley with the tongue sticking out, but I can tell you this: If the winner of the game tomorrow scores more than 30 I feel confident with that team beating Delaware

I understood it brother. The use of "Son" was a dead giveaway to your intent.

On the 30 points thing, it possible but I still wouldn't give it more than a 50/50 shot even then. But who knows it could prove prophetic.

[youngterrier]

by your logic you're losing the argument now
Coleman was among the best in the nation in passing, averaging about 60 more yards a game than Devlin. And I don't know what I'm talking about? fail

Dude, you just said Coleman's a better QB than Devlin - you just can't drink and post like this, people are going to start noticing.

Coleman's a great QB, what sets Devlin apart from him? Coleman was transfer too from Tennessee. You tell me I shouldn't drink and post, but seeing as you didn't even know the name of the QB from Chattanooga I don't think you're necessarily more qualified to make a comparison than I am.

edit: and I never said he was a better QB, I said he was "among the best."

I believe I'm at liberty to ask: sir have YOU been drinking tonight?

[bluehenbillk]

Just back from the game. Outstanding defensive effort - especially losing MM in pregame with a calf. Never would've guessed that we would stone UNH's offense but that's what happened. Wasn't very impressed with their WR's - slower than I remember.

Feeling really good about next week. UD is letting up just under 100 yds a game on the ground and I see both teams as predominantly one-dimensional, which is going to funnel toward UD's defensive strengths when they can just play man on wideouts and have extra bodies play run. Looking forward to one more home game! Nijha White - he's just getting better and better. Go Hens!!!

[GannonFan]

I don't recall JMU selling out their stadium for a quarterfinal game, and theirs was on a Saturday afternoon, not a Friday night. UD had more people than Appy St did last week - only Montana draws huge crowds in the playoffs. Anyway, UD will likely have the second highest attendance of this round. I'm not concerned.

And frankly, the general public is never going to fall in love with FCS football - doesn't matter how many people show up at the stadium.

13780 (out of 15,500 capacity then) announced for 08' Nova sat afternoon qtr final, which was the 1st weekend in Dec (which was the same as last weekend's games). Not packed, put pretty full.

2nd Fri in Dec (same as tonight) on ESPN2 (same as tonight) with announced gametime temp of 30 (a couple of degrees less than tonight) vs Montana 15,976 announced (out of 15,500 capacity). Was packed.

If UD was avg 19+k or whatever for the regular season against the likes of West Chester, Dusquene, SDSU, URI, Maine, Towson, Nova, you would think UD would do that for a nationally televised qtrfinal.

Well, when you start getting crowds over 20k let me know how that works out. Funny about those crowds of 20k - they include tons of families. UD's not a student section-heavy crowd. Moms and little kids that go to those other games, with months of advance notice, just don't go to games with 5 days notice in December. It's just reality. Heck, Appy St pulled in less than UD last week (both were around 13k - hey, that's what JMU got for a quarterfinal game in '08 and actually more than JMU got for a round of 16 game. How about that) and they averaged 29k this year. Only Montana at this level of football pulls in significant crowds in the playoffs on a consistent basis.

And really, being on ESPN only brings out the students - the average fan (i.e. a non-college student) doesn't care one way or the other if the game is on ESPN or not.

[GannonFan]

Dude, you just said Coleman's a better QB than Devlin - you just can't drink and post like this, people are going to start noticing.

Coleman's a great QB, what sets Devlin apart from him? Coleman was transfer too from Tennessee. You tell me I shouldn't drink and post, but seeing as you didn't even know the name of the QB from Chattanooga I don't think you're necessarily more qualified to make a comparison than I am.

edit: and I never said he was a better QB, I said he was "among the best."

I believe I'm at liberty to ask: sir have YOU been drinking tonight?

Devlin's going to be playing on Sundays, that's what sets them apart. Really man, you should read up on Devlin, you're terribly deficient in who this guy is.

[youngterrier]

Coleman's a great QB, what sets Devlin apart from him? Coleman was transfer too from Tennessee. You tell me I shouldn't drink and post, but seeing as you didn't even know the name of the QB from Chattanooga I don't think you're necessarily more qualified to make a comparison than I am.

edit: and I never said he was a better QB, I said he was "among the best."

I believe I'm at liberty to ask: sir have YOU been drinking tonight?

Devlin's going to be playing on Sundays, that's what sets them apart. Really man, you should read up on Devlin, you're terribly deficient in who this guy is.

and you're pretty deficient as well. Coleman may not be as scouted as Devlin but at the same time, he's a damn good QB. My point is that Devlin is not as that much more scary than Coleman. I also think it's pretty damn funny that you think it's unjustified to compare the 2.

[93henfan]

Man, I was feeling confident about our chances next week on the ride home tonight, but after reading YT and Pwns I guess I may as well not even buy tickets to this ass-whooping that the mighty SoCon, the home of the vaunted triple option, is going to put on us next week. Hell, I almost didn't buy tickets for tonight after I read how UNH was going to curb stomp us. They were the best defense we were going to face all year and their fourth year QB was going to slice and dice us. Man, these board prophets just make me more nervous than a hooker in church.

Re attendance, yes it sucked. 8,770 blows any way you look at it. It would have been nice to put on a prettier picture for ESPN. I think that with the cold weather, the game being on ESPN2, and the fact that KC doesn't lose playoff games at The Tub, people were simply saving their cash and time up to come watch a celebration next week.

[93henfan]

FYI, on the post-game show, Mike Corey, Delaware play-by-play man, said he picked the brain of the ESPN folks and, although it's not in stone, they essentially told him that if Appy beats Nova, they'll be the Friday night game and if Nova wins, Delaware will be the Friday nighter again.

[AZGrizFan]

I'll take a UD hat.

If you win, I'll come down there and punch Dan in the face for you.

You don't pay off these bets so why not make them even crazier?

Your money's in the mail, motherfucker. Merry Christmas.

[Skjellyfetti]

Dude, you just compared UD's offense to Chatty's offense. Right there you just nullified whatever your point was.

And you compared JMU's offense to GSU's. That's not a better comparison.

[Skjellyfetti]

You don't pay off these bets so why not make them even crazier?

AZ is actually the only person that has followed through with one of those bets with me. So, props to him.

[Pwns]

Man, I was feeling confident about our chances next week on the ride home tonight, but after reading YT and Pwns I guess I may as well not even buy tickets to this ass-whooping that the mighty SoCon, the home of the vaunted triple option, is going to put on us next week. Hell, I almost didn't buy tickets for tonight after I read how UNH was going to curb stomp us. They were the best defense we were going to face all year and their fourth year QB was going to slice and dice us. Man, these board prophets just make me more nervous than a hooker in church.

Re attendance, yes it sucked. 8,770 blows any way you look at it. It would have been nice to put on a prettier picture for ESPN. I think that with the cold weather, the game being on ESPN2, and the fact that KC doesn't lose playoff games at The Tub, people were simply saving their cash and time up to come watch a celebration next week.

Hey, SCBH is the only person here who seems sure of his team's ability to win. All I'm saying is that the CAA defenses just aren't all they're made out to be and that UD's defense will get their biggest test of the year next week regardless of who wins in Spartanburg.

[State Line Liquors]

I just don't know if Delaware has been tested enough to this point or if we've played enough losers that were Paul Johnson himself or butt boys from PJ's family tree to take care of a team that has shown true pwnership of their opponents like the Georgia State Eagles.

[blueballs]

Devlin's going to be playing on Sundays, that's what sets them apart. Really man, you should read up on Devlin, you're terribly deficient in who this guy is.

and you're pretty deficient as well. Coleman may not be as scouted as Devlin but at the same time, he's a damn good QB. My point is that Devlin is not as that much more scary than Coleman. I also think it's pretty damn funny that you think it's unjustified to compare the 2.

I've seen both Devlin and Coleman play and if Coleman played in UD's offense he IMO there's a good chance that he'd be even more effective than Devlin. Coleman is a player.

That is in no way meant to be a slight against Devlin, but a lot of folks here who are doubting Coleman haven't seen him play. Tell you something else too... Coleman played against tougher competition this year than Devlin. Four FCS playoff teams- three of which are still playing- and Auburn.

Now as far as SoCon QB's vs. Devlin are concerned... even though he sometimes makes some head scratching decisions while under pressure I'd take the kid from App over either of them (Devlin or Coleman) because of his feet. Pressley can run like a RB, has a cannon and is accurate as hell- very impressive.

[JBB]

Just a moment to say congratulations to the Blue Hens and thanks to both teams for a great football game.

I watched the game as I decorated the Christmas tree. Both good football teams.

The Blue Hens looked very good in victory!

[ChickenMan]

Hey, SCBH is the only person here who seems sure of his team's ability to win. All I'm saying is that the CAA defenses just aren't all they're made out to be and that UD's defense will get their biggest test of the year next week regardless of who wins in Spartanburg.

That may be true.. but even though I've had my fair share of complaints relative to KC.. he has been able to do an outstanding job in the playoffs. Under Keeler UD is 10-2 and and unbeaten at the Tub during the post season. GSU was very impressive last week at W&M.. but that was last week vs a different opponet. If GSU is able to win today (I expect they will) we will see just how things go next week in the Tub. I like the Hen's chances regardless of who they play.

[youngterrier]

Man, I was feeling confident about our chances next week on the ride home tonight, but after reading YT and Pwns I guess I may as well not even buy tickets to this ass-whooping that the mighty SoCon, the home of the vaunted triple option, is going to put on us next week. Hell, I almost didn't buy tickets for tonight after I read how UNH was going to curb stomp us. They were the best defense we were going to face all year and their fourth year QB was going to slice and dice us. Man, these board prophets just make me more nervous than a hooker in church.

Good you get it. Now kiss YT's ring