ursus
Spires Bear
Posts: 213
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Furman
Sept 18, 2023 14:36:45 GMT -5
Post by ursus on Sept 18, 2023 14:36:45 GMT -5
Probably the biggest SoCon game until mid October, since both teams are ranked and undefeated in FCS play so far.
Furman's offense seem to be mostly powered by Tyler Huff's legs. He's a decent passer, but I don't think he'll win the game from the pocket.
They haven't been quite as successful as the last few years with their running backs, but are getting their All-American center back this week which could change that.
Furman's defense is pretty strong in the front seven in both pass rush and run stopping. Their weak spot seems to be in the safeties/deep passing, but we would need probably need to move the pocket or have 7 man protections to be able to hit those.
Last year I think we had already peaked in performance by the time we played them, while they still seemed to be getting stronger. This year both teams seem to be figuring things out.
I will say I think Furman probably has the more talented/experienced team overall, but the game is still winnable if can not make dumb/drive killing penalties and win the turnover battle.
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Furman
Sept 18, 2023 18:56:37 GMT -5
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Post by FUBeAR on Sept 18, 2023 18:56:37 GMT -5
Probably the biggest SoCon game until mid October, since both teams are ranked and undefeated in FCS play so far. Furman's offense seem to be mostly powered by Tyler Huff's legs. He's a decent passer, but I don't think he'll win the game from the pocket. They haven't been quite as successful as the last few years with their running backs, but are getting their All-American center back this week which could change that. Furman's defense is pretty strong in the front seven in both pass rush and run stopping. Their weak spot seems to be in the safeties/deep passing, but we would need probably need to move the pocket or have 7 man protections to be able to hit those. Last year I think we had already peaked in performance by the time we played them, while they still seemed to be getting stronger. This year both teams seem to be figuring things out. I will say I think Furman probably has the more talented/experienced team overall, but the game is still winnable if can not make dumb/drive killing penalties and win the turnover battle. Hey now - FUBeAR didn’t buy your ticket to the Furman @ Kennesaw game on Saturday so you could get an in-person Scouting Report and spill all the secrets FUBeAR’s Alma Mater has been hiding! Shocking though that you missed grasping and/or relating the news about Furman shifting to Emery Bellard’s Wishbone Offense and rolling with the Maryland Wide Tackle 6 on D. |
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ursus
Spires Bear
Posts: 213
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Furman
Sept 19, 2023 11:52:17 GMT -5
Post by ursus on Sept 19, 2023 11:52:17 GMT -5
 Based on the computers, 31-24 Furman seems to be the most likely outcome. I tend to agree if both teams continue to play how they have the last few weeks. Hopefully the bye week works in our favor. |
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Furman
Sept 19, 2023 21:54:34 GMT -5
Post by FUBeAR on Sept 19, 2023 21:54:34 GMT -5
Furman Football Weekly - September 18th - Head Coach Clay Hendrix; R-Sr C/OG Wyatt Hughes; and Gr. Inside LB Braden Gilby Video does not start until 7:19 www.youtube.com/live/kW3Gs1Y2r-4?feature=sharedThis is supposed to be embedded - ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ |
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Furman
Sept 21, 2023 7:45:16 GMT -5
Post by FUBeAR on Sept 21, 2023 7:45:16 GMT -5
IT'S FURMAN-MERCER SATURDAY IN SOCON SEASON OPENER - PALADIN STADIUM KICKOFF SET FOR 1:00 P.M.
GAME NOTES: 2023 FURMAN PALADINS FOOTBALL / Furman vs. MercerGREENVILLE, S.C. -- Coming off a 31-28 road victory over Kennesaw State, the FCS seventh-ranked Furman Paladins return home to battle the 21st-ranked Mercer Bears in the Southern Conference season opener for both teams Saturday at Paladin Stadium. Kickoff for the Nexstar Network televised/ESPN+ streamed contest is set for 1:00 p.m.
In addition the game will be aired over flagship The Fan Upstate and its four powerhouse stations: 97.7 FM/1330 AM in Greenville, and 97.1 FM/950 AM in Spartanburg. Broadcasts can be secured via Audacy.com, as well as through FurmanPaladins.com.
Fans may also follow the action through StatBroadcast live stats, accessible via FurmanPaladins.com, and receive timely updates through the "X" platform.
Furman (2-1, 0-0 SoCon), the consensus preseason No. 1 pick by league head coaches and media and winners of its last five home games, kicked off the season with a 45-10 triumph over Tennessee Tech at Paladin Stadium before falling to South Carolina, 47-21, on Sept. 9. The win over Kennesaw State, a FBS transition foe, improved the Paladins to 14-4 over their last 18 games.
Head coach Clay Hendrix's squad, ranked seventh in this week's AFCA FCS Poll and No. 8 by Stats Perform, would like nothing more than a repeat of last year's performance against Mercer (2-1, 0-0 SoCon) that saw the Paladins register a 23-13 win in Macon on the way to the FCS playoffs.
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Furman
Sept 21, 2023 12:08:47 GMT -5
Post by BearDownMU on Sept 21, 2023 12:08:47 GMT -5
A big game for sure. I personally don't think we've seen "the full Cronic" as I like to call it. Could be a lot of reasons why that's the case, but with the "exhibition season" as FUBeAR called it and an extra week to prepare, I hope CDC gets deep into the little green notebook this week. And our guys can execute on whatever mad scientist stuff he can come up with.
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Furman
Sept 23, 2023 13:12:19 GMT -5
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Post by mumd on Sept 23, 2023 13:12:19 GMT -5
Killing ourselves. Can’t score on the first drive. Penalty on a blocked punt. Muffed punt leads to an FU TD. Painful to watch.
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Furman
Sept 23, 2023 13:53:34 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by mumd on Sept 23, 2023 13:53:34 GMT -5
Now yer talkin! Looking better!
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Furman
Sept 23, 2023 18:48:12 GMT -5
Post by BearDownMU on Sept 23, 2023 18:48:12 GMT -5
This one was tough to watch. Was a hard-nosed football game. Just made too many mistakes against a really, really good team. I don't think the final score is reflective on how far apart the teams are, but we mucked it up a lot. And, frankly, every knew their weakness was down field passing and best I could tell, they never gave Peevy a chance to drop back and attack down the field. Just disappointing all around, especially after we appeared to take the momentum back a bit after the end of half score and the score to open the 2nd.
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Furman
Sept 23, 2023 18:53:11 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by speakindatruth on Sept 23, 2023 18:53:11 GMT -5
This one was tough to watch. Was a hard-nosed football game. Just made too many mistakes against a really, really good team. I don't think the final score is reflective on how far apart the teams are, but we mucked it up a lot. And, frankly, every knew their weakness was down field passing and best I could tell, they never gave Peevy a chance to drop back and attack down the field. Just disappointing all around, especially after we appeared to take the momentum back a bit after the end of half score and the score to open the 2nd. Leading rusher was the QB. Not sure that was by design. Seems they are having trouble establishing their identity. They’ll get it straight. SOCON is far from decided at this point. |
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Furman
Sept 25, 2023 8:51:53 GMT -5
Post by FUBeAR on Sept 25, 2023 8:51:53 GMT -5
Watched the broadcast on ESPN Replay last night. A few thoughts...not ALL of FUBeAR's thoughts...just a few...
1) Defensive Holding Penalties on bobbled Punt Snap and late 3rd quarter FU QB run out of bounds for no gain on 3rd & 3 at the 3 - that gave FU a 1st & Goal and 7 vs. 3 - making it a 2-score game @ 24-14 vs. 20-14 ... were both correct calls and really BAD plays for the Bears. FUBeAR doesn't understand how any College Football Player can think it's OK just to grab and pretty much tackle a Player going to cover a punt or going out for a pass. It's as if they forget there are rules and referees out there. Both of these plays added up to a potential 18 point swing....These are not "getting beat" or "making a mistake" or "bad breaks"....They are just Intentional DAP's (Dumb-A$$ Penalties) that steal wins from the DAPper's Teammates. They are supremely selfish acts. FUBeAR may be old school, but DAP's cannot be tolerated. Players must be 'counseled' about committing them. In FUBeAR's day...a DAP on Saturday meant 6 AM Monday - on the bank - 100 banks (very steep 20 yard hill - up/down = 1)....gotta be done @ 6 AM each morning until you get all 100 done. If not completed by Thursday AM, you don't travel / you don't play on Saturday - don't matter who you are. Probably can't do that now - but Coaches and/or Teammates / Team Leaders gotta find a way to stop that foolishness.
2) This game was nasty in the trenches. These 2 Teams do not like each other, but even with the nastiness and steady extracurriculars that were going on in there, you can see that both sets (4 sets really) respect their opponents. Mercer's Players know Furman's Players are really good and Furman's Players know Mercer's Players are really good. They don't like each other though - not even a little bit. It was a war...and, by the 4th quarter Furman started to win those wars on both sides of the ball. It was pretty much a stalemate for the 1st 3 quarters. Both Teams are excellent up front on both sides of the ball and both Teams Player's on both sides of the ball play really hard. Even though Furman had the early big lead, that wasn't really because of Mercer losing 'trench battles.' But, in the 4th quarter, it was. Unsure if it's conditioning or styles or just old-fashioned 'want to,' but Furman's Players seemed to want to win and expected to win in the 4th quarter more than Mercer's Players - talking Front 7's now. To win championships, a Team and each of it's Players has to play each play from Kickoff to Final whistle at Championship level. Every play for 4 quarters. Mercer's Players did not do that in the 4th quarter on Saturday. Furman's Players did. Oh - based on some comments FUBeAR saw elsewhere....it can't be about the Jimmy's and Joe's when they win, but about the X's and O's when they lose. It's about both either way. FUBeAR doesn't understand why we've come to pretend it's not in today's day and age. Coaches AND Players win AND lose Football games...TOGETHER.
3) On a very positive note - FUBeAR has been saying that the tackling by the Secondary has been bad this season. It has, but it was MUCH, MUCH, MUCH better on Saturday. Not perfect. Furman has very good Players with the ball in their hands, but it was a huge improvement and it was good enough. Mercer did not lose Saturday because of poor tackling in the Secondary.
4) Mercer can stay in this SoCon race and can definitely contend for a Playoff spot...the Talent is there. Coaching is there. Execution is not there. Simple things that are HUGE in this Offense....like carrying out fakes...are not being done. Championship Players play just as hard without the ball as they do with it. Players on 6-5 Teams do not carry out their fakes on every play...and that's why their Teams are 6-5. Mercer doesn't have to BE better to accomplish some or all of the goals for this year's Team. They ARE good enough. But...they do have to PLAY (and Coach) better. Execution is the key. If Mercer executes at a higher level going forward, the Bears will be a playoff Team and in contention for the SoCon Championship. If they execute at the same or lesser level, the Bears are 6-5 or 7-4 and out of contention for the SoCon Championship or for the Playoffs. It's really just a choice at this point...but it's a choice that has to be made on every play of every quarter of every game.
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Furman
Sept 26, 2023 0:24:11 GMT -5
mumd likes this
Post by FUBeAR on Sept 26, 2023 0:24:11 GMT -5
Seems like, maybe, Coach Cronic read FUBeAR’s post above before his conference…
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