mat1992

Ok, now some HD highlights from the non-HD game

We had 9 penalties and they had 3. Now I see the disparity. The way the Hens' fans were complaining, you would have thought they had committed 20. They were also 7 of 11 on third downs. Wow. Just awful.

I thought the refs were bad both ways. We got some calls that Delaware fans couldn't believe since they used to get those at home. Not sure about the hold on Rusolillo, seems like they were trying to make up a few against them. As for not shaking hands, I don't know what you expect when you lose a game that way and everybody is going crazy as if they beat Alabama or ND State. But they beat us again, just like they did in 2013 when they stole one. Their GoHens.net boards were right about picking on our weakness, which was the secondary. I like this team but it's unrealistic to think you have to score 40 or 50 every game to win because you can't cover guys on D. If that's not rectified along with an improved pass rush, the Hens will be dancing and we'll be at home. There were also plays in the back of the end zone where Kehoe threw a perfect pass but the LBs or DBs couldn't get a freakin' hand on the ball. Why are we leaving guys open in the red zone but Delaware is covering everybody. It's not just that they are playing coverage or is it?

Yeah, no Kobe Young. I was hoping that Yeedee could step up and be the obvious No. 2 back but he didn't. He ran backwards. Even if he's not picking up 100 yards, he's important to give Shane some rest. Shane looked beat up at the end, saw him in the parking lot limping. He's returning kicks, punts and as the No. 1 back, he's not a huge guy so it takes its toll. I know now why they limited his carries early on because he was spectacular today.

True, their running attack wasn't quite as bad as the stats say but they weren't really gashing us either. At least not a lot but they didn't need to. It was the passing attack that set up the run.

As terrible as that loss was, hopefully the team re-focuses because the next two, while being very tough, are winnable. Maine doesn't have Delaware's athletes and Elon is playing with their backup QB. The weather was also a bit of a hindrance. We played just ok in it but our bread-and-butter is the pass. Delaware couldn't really run but they really passed well as if they were playing in a 70 degree day with no wind. They also played with a sense of urgency after they got down 28-14 and they punched us in the mouth. We didn't hit back until it was too late. When their coaches left the booth, guys were like "F-ck yeah, we needed that!", so you know that it meant a little more to them. No excuses. They nearly gave the game away and if not for a dropped pass in the end zone, they would be just as miserable as we are.

Secondary was brutal in any coverage. We were getting killed in man and zone so not sure what you want Lyndon to do. Gillette and Reaves were burned time and time again. Gillette got hurt on a kickoff return coverage and he puts in sophomore Vashon McCants. So Kehoe goes right at him and throws a long TD pass. It wasn't horrible coverage but perfect throw and you can't leave that kid without help from a safety. Bottom line is that the secondary needs help from the front four. They did nothing today to get pressure and when we dialed up a few blitzes, they either didn't get there or Kehoe killed us with that one TD off the hot read again in single coverage. Really, really bad coverage in the last drive. Just awful but some of those throws in that weather, you have to give Kehoe a lot of credit. He was better than Flacco today at least as a passer.

Allen was in unless he was injured. Play-calling was not great in the red zone. They only rushed 3 at times and Flacco has to run more. They played coverage the entire game. I would have rolled him out a bit more but when you have a two-touchdown lead in the second half, it's really on your defense save for that one terrible throw by Flacco that probably ended up costing us the game. I didn't get to see the last play as my DVR ran out so I'm not sure if Allen was in or not.

We outgained them by 111 yards. But in some ways, we got outplayed. They did give us 9 points on horrible snaps. We should have scored a lot more points and unfortunately, as the competition gets better, we're going to need to put up at least 40 in the next 3 games to win.

Before I get to the quotes, the one big one I remember Rob saying after the game is that "I got outcoached". Not sure I've ever heard him say that or at least not in a very long time. I won't completely agree with it because Rocco had some issues of his own, like why do you kick to Shane Simpson with a 4-point lead? Why not squib it? I guess we squibbed it and our coverage was terrible. It cost us the game amongst many other plays.

Only thing I heard that I can say was that it was a lot closer than I anticipated and our point guard played very well.

I’ll be up there. Weather forecast is a bit better in Newark so we’ll see.

WIFI not working in press box so I have to do this by phone

https://herosports.com/fcs/football-faa-football-towson-delaware-preview-cici

Looks like mid-50s and 50% chance of rain at game time. https://bluehens.com/documents/2018/10/23//2018_FBNotes_Towson.pdf?id=7970

The NFL scouts are there to see Fenner, Kauffman and Wallace. Flacco is barely six feet tall if that and in FCS. He’ll get a shot someday.

https://www.wbaltv.com/article/towson-tigers-in-first-place-in-caa-with-5-game-winning-streak/24233172

Probably said in jest but I would never suggest or allow people to insinuate that we should injure the best player on the other team. Now having said that, I’ve been reading their board and it’s mostly been respectful. I think we also respect the program, Rocco and their talent. Doesn't mean I don’t want badly to beat them in every sport we play.

https://towsontigers.com/schedule.aspx?schedule=1343