#23 William & Mary @ #15 Delaware Game Thread

[93henfan]

I have updated stadium capacity and line.

[TribePride]

Long time Tribe fan and grad. Delaware is constant class and really the model for the league the last 20 years. I expect the game to be close because I think both teams are good and not getting respect this year. Neither are close to as good as Maine who is the class of the league this season. However, I think both teams should make it if they finish 8-4 or better. If the Tribe had good QB play in the second half of the West Virginia and Nova games, it might be 8-1 right now. Really impressed with Delaware's win at Towson last week. It won't take 30 points for Delaware to win, I'm expecting a 24-20 type game.

[TribePride]

Delaware has been the flagship program of the conference for its entire existence. Tribe fans respect Delaware like no other team in the conference. Their program and their fans are total class. This year, I think Delaware is actually underrated. The win at Towson was huge and they should be a playoff team at 8-4 or better. I am hopeful that the Tribe defense can carry the team to a close win. The Tribe performs well when the QB plays well. Poor QB play cost the Tribe in both the WVU and Villanova games in the second half. Only Maine is better than either of these teams in the CAA. Still hoping the CAA gets 4 or 5 teams. JMU is good as well. I just don't think the CAA is getting the love it used to back when we had teams in the semis and championship game each year. Now, much of the love goes to the Big Sky and to North Dakota State(deserved).

[93henfan]

Much respect for William and Mary from us as well. You can tell, because W&M is one school I have zero desire to sh!t talk to.

And I'm still pissed off about that 2004 playoff game down there. That was a long drive home.

[TribePride]

Yeah, that 2004 game was then followed by a gut-wrenching loss by us to JMU. If we had Lang Campbell this year, we would be a threat to win the whole thing. But Caprio has provided more stability the last two weeks. I wouldn't mind if we got the chance to play again in the playoffs. However, I think the Tribe has to win 2 of 3 to have any shot and possibly all 3. Winning this weekend and next will be a tall order. The Tribe never underestimates Richmond, either.

[TribePride]

Can you explain the Delaware QB situation? Both appear to be very solid.

[93henfan]

Can you explain the Delaware QB situation? Both appear to be very solid.

Trent Hurley (Jr.) has been the #1 QB all season. He got hurt in the Rhode Island game, so Trevor Sasek (Sr.) started last week at Towson. Hurley is supposedly close to ready and there is uncertainty (probably by design) about who will start Saturday. Hurley is more mobile than Sasek, though Sasek is fast when he does run. Sasek is probably a better traditional drop-back passer and does have a very strong arm.

Sasek's story is pretty interesting. He's had a very long and somewhat tragic career at Delaware. He frequently backed up Pat Devlin in blowout wins as a redshirt freshman in 2010, then came in early against JMU when Devlin was injured and led UD to a huge win over the Dukes. He also started another game after Devlin hurt his wrist and led UD to a victory. He was the heir apparent to Devlin in 2011, but had a devastating knee injury in the season opener against Navy and was done for the year. He battled with Tim Donnelly and Trent Hurley for the starting job in 2012, but it was obvious that his knee was still not right. This spring, he tried to mediate between a maniac that was yelling at a group of UD students after the bars closed in Newark. When he approached, the guy reached into his own car, pulled out a knife, and stabbed Sasek multiple times in the chest and abdomen. Miracuously, Sasek rehabbed again and was ready for training camp in late July. It was great to see him get the start and the big win last week.

[Mvemjsunpx]

Navy isn't a good FBS, though. Not one a good FCS team should be losing to by anywhere near 44 points, anyway. Delaware's resume was kinda iffy until beating Towson. I had UD at #11 in my AGS ballot, btw, so I'm not trying to say they're overrated or anything. It's just that not ranking them highly was justifiable prior to now.


Even matchup in this game. Both teams have done a good job winning in spite of their weaknesses being fairly prominent. UD has allowed 34 ppg in three of their last four, but they are 3-1 in those games. W&M is only averaging 19.5 ppg in their last 6, but they're 4-2 in those games.

SFA is no Maine and SMU is not a good FCS team either. Navy lost in OT to the same Toledo team that beat EWU.

What does this have to do with anything? I had UD one spot above Montana State (I only have MSU at #12), and Delaware got humiliated by Navy while EWU only lost to Toledo by 12.

[TribePride]

Thanks for the QB information. I will definitely pull for Trevor Sasek on all weeks but this one. What amazing resilence for him. He sounds like a tremendous asset to Delaware with his attitude on and off the field. Maybe he will get the start this weekend. Really hope the CAA can get at least 4 teams in the playoffs.

[CAA Flagship]

Geez. 93 and TribePride need to get a room.

[TribePride]

Well played. CAA Flagship I assume stands for Delaware. Can't have that name and be for Nova or JMU.

[TribePride]

I do wonder how ODU is enjoying their first year in the abyss. Will be curious to see how long it takes App. St, GS, and ODU to be competitive and noteworthy in FBS. Have heard from dozens of ODU fans that do not like the switch. Might change with some more natural rivalries. ODU hasn't really even played football long enough yet to develop those.

[93henfan]

Geez. 93 and TribePride need to get a room.

I do believe my new friend just slammed your screen name, Flaggy.

[CAA Flagship]

Geez. 93 and TribePride need to get a room.

I do believe my new friend just slammed your screen name, Flaggy.

[CAA Flagship]

I do wonder how ODU is enjoying their first year in the abyss. Will be curious to see how long it takes App. St, GS, and ODU to be competitive and noteworthy in FBS. Have heard from dozens of ODU fans that do not like the switch. Might change with some more natural rivalries. ODU hasn't really even played football long enough yet to develop those.

We will all be together again soon. The power conferences will break away and the 63 scholly FCS teams will join the FBS remainders. Life will be good again as our regional rivalries will be re-established.

[TribeFanInNC]

I do wonder how ODU is enjoying their first year in the abyss. Will be curious to see how long it takes App. St, GS, and ODU to be competitive and noteworthy in FBS. Have heard from dozens of ODU fans that do not like the switch. Might change with some more natural rivalries. ODU hasn't really even played football long enough yet to develop those.

We will all be together again soon. The power conferences will break away and the 63 scholly FCS teams will join the FBS remainders. Life will be good again as our regional rivalries will be re-established.

So in other words you are intentionally wandering into a desert of desolation filled with distant mirages, all so you can move back to paradise in a few years?

[89Hen]

We will all be together again soon. The power conferences will break away and the 63 scholly FCS teams will join the FBS remainders.

What will they do about scholarship levels?

[AZGrizFan]

Delaware Stadium (way smaller than JMU's stadium), Newark, DE


Nice looking stadium. Nice absence of a track...

[Grizalltheway]

Delaware Stadium (way smaller than JMU's stadium), Newark, DE


Nice looking stadium. Nice absence of a track...

I like the hedges, too. I think we should look into getting some artificial ones for WaGriz.

[bluehenbillk]

Sasek gets the QB start again tomorrow. Hurley supposed to be dressed & available (read between lines - still not 100%).

[Ibanez]

Geez. 93 and TribePride need to get a room.

I do believe my new friend just slammed your screen name, Flaggy.

That's so cute, you have a friend. Don't smother him like you did bandl. I hate watching you cry.

[Ibanez]

Delaware Stadium (way smaller than JMU's stadium), Newark, DE


Nice looking stadium. Nice absence of a track...

Agreed. That's a good stadium. Great picture, btw.

[TribePride]

CAA Flagship:

I recognize that you are only one opinion, but do you enjoy this move so far? ODU was admittedly on the way to being a perennial top 15-20 program in the FCS with a realistic shot at both the playoffs and the national title. Do you think the move was a good one? I do see your point about 4 FBS superconferences(TBD what teams get left out). I think that may occur as well. Under that theory though, it makes little sense why ODU, App State, GSU, UMass(especially), (Montana, JMU, fill-in your team here) would make the move. I believe Montana may the right call and I hope JMU does the same. Both those schools are relevant, can play with many of the FBS schools 1-2 weeks a year and compete for a championship. I just think it is a wide gap to go from a top team in FCS to a truly relevant FBS team. Nothing can diminish the pride and accomplishment of EWU, JMU, and App State's wins on FBS turf in the last 6 years. But look at Marshall. They were a FCS Champion in the 90's. Are they more relevant or more successful today? If not, I can't come up with even one other example where the move has worked.
If teams are moving around, I think it would have made more sense to see ODU stay and have GSU and App State join the CAA. Now that would have been a SUPER conference(but Delaware would have still been the flagship..... )

[89Hen]

Don't smother him like you did bandl. I hate watching you cry.

[vutomcat]

Tribe defense too much. 17-7 half. Delaware with minus 8 yds rushing and their score on opening kickoff. De. special teams must be very good. Won the Towson game and keeping them in this one for now. If this keeps up Hens will be fighting Cats for their playoff bid unless the Spiders beat them. Spiders playing better now with two wins in a row. Amazing how things change week to week in CAA. What a great conference. You could take 6 or 7 teams and any one of them could win a couple playoff games.