TigerFan54

Maine beat Western Kentucky yesterday after spotting them a 21-0 lead in the first quarter. WKU might be down this year, but Maine looks like the real deal. Also, New Hampshire lost again, Rhode Island won again, so who knows how things will shake out this year.

Our own SID (or whoever compiled the box score on TT.com) made a similar mistake: rushing stats show Reese Clarke -- not Yeedee -- carried 10 times for 41 yards.

Interesting -- offers to two European players. Do we have overseas scouts now?

Flacco did take a lot of hits, but he seemed to pop right up each time, so he's tough. Still, you worry about that over the long haul. I thought the receivers looked good last night, but our lack of success on third down (just 3 of 14 conversions) was worrisome. Uninspired play calling had something to do with it, which is a longstanding problem. The defense played well. There were some soft spots over the middle that other teams will take advantage of (I'm thinking of Villanova -- their QB was carving up Temple at times yesterday). But all things considered, this beat last year's Morgan game performance by a mile.

Anybody know where I can find "MeTV" on Verizon Fios? ("WeTV" is Channel 460.) I'll be at the game, but family members will want to watch.

Looks like the Hens shot themselves in the foot with turnovers. Not sure this game was an indicator of either team's ability (but it's always nice to see Delaware lose). Maine's margin of victory may be more telling, though. They could be the CAA's surprise team this year (along, hopefully, with us). I also read where UNH's QB, Trevor Knight, left the game with a shoulder injury. He's a good one, so that could really pull the Wildcats down if it's a season-ender.

Great compilation. Footnote to No. 23: the convincing win over Holy Cross in our first-ever Patriot League game had to be forfeited because we played an ineligible freshman. Gordy told me the kid played four special teams snaps and was hardly a factor. The announcement four games into the year that two of our wins were now losses turned a promising season into a dismal one.

So, DeBerry's injury last week wasn't serious? How about Troy Vincent -- is he back?

No idea what was up with Mazza, but he really never emerged as the force that his occasional productive games suggested he could be. I hope the incoming freshman class has some scorers, because we still haven't replaced the guys who graduated in 2017.

TL told me the Yeedee has received a waiver to play, so we're good there. He also said DeBerry would play DE, but who knows. Shane looked like the Shane of old on that TD run to the corner. Not sure who blocked the punt in the end zone, but he came flying through. Either a missed assignment or a super athletic play. I like how Flacco sees the field and senses pressure (unlike his brother). Agree that he looks like the guy. Also agree that Rose looks dynamic out there, so much so that it seems like waste not to get him onto the field somehow. Like RA, I was disappointed in Aidan's kicking.

During the summer, I get out of the habit of checking the site regularly. That's probably true of others, and partially explains the lack of/slow response. I value the updates, and I'm sure others do too.

I'll be at Saturday's practice too. I'm considerably more encouraged about this team's prospects than I was at the spring game. Along with all the players named in Mat's roundup, I'm looking forward to seeing how Aidan O'Neil and Pat Toomey (who I assume will punt) are coming along. O'Neill has been a rare find for us -- the kind of consistent placekicker playoff teams need, and I feel like we've wasted his talents these last two years. Also want to see how the new long-snapper is doing. We'd taken Will Hayes' steadiness for granted, and that's an important role someone needs to fill.

Any update on Troy Vincent's injury?

Today would be the third practice. Mat, are there new additions who've yet to arrive?

Wasn't Darius Victor in the mix at New Orleans last year? Is he at camp again?

When talking about TEs, he made no mention of Myles Wright. Is he still rehabbing?

As Mat said, it hinges on QB. If one of those four steps up, then I say 7-4 or possibly 8-3 (assuming defense plays reasonably well). If QB play is akin to what we've seen since the Enders/Athens era, then 5-6 at best and probably 4-7 or 3-8.

Thanks for the update, Mat. Very thorough. I was encouraged before and am more so now. Le't keep hope alive.

Better play is important, of course, but we need to sked more home games in the first month when the weather is good and students are excited about the start of the year and promise of a new season. Opening at home at the end of September is too late (especially if we're 1-2 -- or 0-3 -- by then).

Wow -- seven QBs on the roster: Harris, Epps, Rose, Flacco, Miller, Stover, Raines. Can you have too many?

What position does Santiago play?

A key factor here is WF's coach -- Dave Clawson -- who had our number when he coached at Fordham and Richmond (we beat him once in that miraculous buzzer-beating throw by Sean Schaeffer). I'd love to see us knock them off, but there's more than just a talent differential.

I don't think 4 pm helps with student attendance, which will be a challenge anyway given that we don't play at home till the end of Sept.

This was Sonia LaMonica's best team, but their Achilles heel was running out of steam in the second half. We hung on to beat Penn State after getting a big lead, then lost to Loyola after also building a sizable halftime lead. Northwestern has great shooters, but our goalies only saved three shots; hard to know if the defense was breaking down, or the keeper just wasn't seeing the ball well.

Given these pickups, I have higher hopes for this team than if Zane and JG were staying (we'll, I do wish Gorham we're coming back). In a sense, Skerry gets a blank slate for 2018-19; given how things collapsed last year, that's a good thing.