Holy Cross

[Justafan]

Just imagine what this season would have looked like if Gilmore and crew were still coaching.

As a comparison what would our record have been?

What would the close games have been (if any)?

Objectively speaking, I'd say about the same.

Gilmore inherited a team that was 3-8 the year before and graduated almost all of it real talent except Woetzel.
He went 4-7. I believe of his 7 losses, all but 2 were by one score or less (I need to check). The exception being nationally ranked Villanova and Cal Davis.

[Lehigh74]

The team has definitely improved a lot since the beginning of the year. It’s frustrating that they don’t seem to have the horse power to win these close games. Hopefully, one year of Cahill recruits will make a big difference.

[ngineer]

Just imagine what this season would have looked like if Gilmore and crew were still coaching.

As a comparison what would our record have been?

What would the close games have been (if any)?

Objectively speaking, I'd say about the same.

Gilmore inherited a team that was 3-8 the year before and graduated almost all of it real talent except Woetzel.
He went 4-7. I believe of his 7 losses, all but 2 were by one score or less (I need to check). The exception being nationally ranked Villanova and Cal Davis.

The record might have been the same, though I doubt the attitude expressed by a lot of the players would have been as improved as some of us have experienced. Moreover, Cahill worked hard in keeping a lot of the freshman that could have bailed with the change. And a lot of the freshman are playing this year. The big need will be in beefing up and strengthening both lines.

[HFO]

A bit more fight in Engineers against Holy Cross. HC playing backup RB and same outcome. Controlled the line.
Colgate only about a 3 point favorite. Lehigh has a shot in Hamilton.

Pards come in big with offensive line all over 300 lbs. a 6'8" TE that will be tough for LB or SS to handle. 3 deep at RB with 2 small jitterbug backs and Easton's Nahjee Adams who is built like Earl Campbell. They will be tough to stop. Likely a 2 TD favorite. However, in Lehigh-Lafayette Game anything can happen.

Progress has been made. Looks like 3-4 skill players coming in could have immediate shot at being the starter or contributing as true freshmen. As note, offensive and defensive line need to develop more leg strength and drive and develop better overall technique. Defense on field too much without enough depth for a good rotation.

Not sold that Patriot League is that good. Lafayette the likely FCS bracket only representative, possibly an 2nd. I do not see them getting past QF. MVC teams are just too good. They all have a dozen or so players who had FBS playing time before becoming starters at FCS level. Lafayette could roll in and possibly get crushed in 1st Round.

Lehigh not going to get 11 transformational players in Year 1 recruiting, hopefully 1 or 2 who put up stats right away. The current high school junior class of NJ, NY, PA, DE, WV, MD,OH, CT, RI, MA should be focus especially for 5 offensive linemen who can all come in together and develop. Maybe Year 2 recruiting get 3-5 transformational players. Looks like RB should be OK for next few years. WR are solid, Just add 1 per year to add depth. Need a premier TE. Defense needs athletes. So it may make sense to even move some of the better athletes on offense and convert them to defensive players especially if any have a a bit of a mean streak or a penchant for physical punishment.

Errors are a function of under training. This is on coaches. The repetition in practice that errors are not tolerated and getting personnel to be fully focused is an ongoing struggle with coaching-athlete performance. It is common in development. The progression of performance is a hint that culture of commitment is forming. The next step is a culture of excellence.

A good effort in these last 2 games goes a long way for off-season training and coaching plans. Even if they are losses, if they are hard fought to the end with Lehigh being in the game, it will end the season on an up note.

[RichH]

A bit more fight in Engineers against Holy Cross. HC playing backup RB and same outcome. Controlled the line.
Colgate only about a 3 point favorite. Lehigh has a shot in Hamilton.

Pards come in big with offensive line all over 300 lbs. a 6'8" TE that will be tough for LB or SS to handle. 3 deep at RB with 2 small jitterbug backs and Easton's Nahjee Adams who is built like Earl Campbell. They will be tough to stop. Likely a 2 TD favorite. However, in Lehigh-Lafayette Game anything can happen.

Progress has been made. Looks like 3-4 skill players coming in could have immediate shot at being the starter or contributing as true freshmen. As note, offensive and defensive line need to develop more leg strength and drive and develop better overall technique. Defense on field too much without enough depth for a good rotation.

Not sold that Patriot League is that good. Lafayette the likely FCS bracket only representative, possibly an 2nd. I do not see them getting past QF. MVC teams are just too good. They all have a dozen or so players who had FBS playing time before becoming starters at FCS level. Lafayette could roll in and possibly get crushed in 1st Round.

Lehigh not going to get 11 transformational players in Year 1 recruiting, hopefully 1 or 2 who put up stats right away. The current high school junior class of NJ, NY, PA, DE, WV, MD,OH, CT, RI, MA should be focus especially for 5 offensive linemen who can all come in together and develop. Maybe Year 2 recruiting get 3-5 transformational players. Looks like RB should be OK for next few years. WR are solid, Just add 1 per year to add depth. Need a premier TE. Defense needs athletes. So it may make sense to even move some of the better athletes on offense and convert them to defensive players especially if any have a a bit of a mean streak or a penchant for physical punishment.

Errors are a function of under training. This is on coaches. The repetition in practice that errors are not tolerated and getting personnel to be fully focused is an ongoing struggle with coaching-athlete performance. It is common in development. The progression of performance is a hint that culture of commitment is forming. The next step is a culture of excellence.

A good effort in these last 2 games goes a long way for off-season training and coaching plans. Even if they are losses, if they are hard fought to the end with Lehigh being in the game, it will end the season on an up note.

+1 Yup. Athletes first and foremost.