|
|
Post by Sly Fox on Nov 20, 2004 23:55:00 GMT -5
Once again, the Flames have scraped by another weak opponent to run their record to 6-5 thanks to four straight victories down the stretch. Finally, in his 5th season Coach Karcher has a winning record at LU. Will it be enough for him to return next season? In all likelihood it should be.
The good news is that we appear to have finally found a quarterback in Farrel. Better yet, we have found a QB with two remaining years of eligibility.
Now it is time for the staff to turn up the recruiting several notches to increase the overall talent level of the squad.
Before we rush off to hoops, perhaps we should discuss where the program is at now and where it should be going.
|
|
|
|
Post by Stevev on Nov 21, 2004 7:41:33 GMT -5
It is nice to see them salvage an otherwise disappointing year. The obvious downside of this year is their aweful performance against the better teams on their schedule. We have got to be able to perform better against these type of teams to be considered for the playoffs.
As for next year, if Karcher sticks around, there are gapping holes in the running back and defensive line as a result of graduations. We could definately use some key 1A transferes in certain positions and some top notch recruits (maybe the new operations center would help bring them in) to take the program up a notch. There is no doubt that Karcher has brought in some good players. But he needs to bring in more. We are weak in too many areas as evidenced by the game that I attended in Lynchburg this year (agains't William and Mary). We still need to clean house in some areas. We could start with the defensive line and wide receiver position.
As stated in the past we need to find a legitimate conference to complete in. The Big South just doesn't cut it to say the least.
I was wondering about next years schedule. So far I have William and Mary, UConn, Hampton, Norfolk State, and possibly Richmond aside from the Big South weaklings. Does anyone know any different.
|
|
|
|
Post by jimflamesfan on Nov 21, 2004 18:14:22 GMT -5
Well, I think that Karcher may have earned himself another chance. 6-5 not bad considering the schedule.
And I'm very happy with Farrell, he kept looking more and more confident the more he played, and it will be nice to have some reliable at the QB position next year.
Now we will also need some running backs and defensive line. I don't know how much $ Liberty gets for playing Uconn next year, but I would rather they skip it. I think one of the reasons we have such a hard time winning early is we play the I-A school and get pushed around, and so then we aren't confident when we go against the stronger 1-AA opponents in the early season.
We'll see what happens.
|
|
|
|
Post by PAmedic on Nov 22, 2004 6:27:30 GMT -5
either I live under a rock or just missed the fact that JMU joined the Atlantic 10, but either way its a shame we don' t see them every year. When I was down there, it (JMU v. LU) was a good, if not GREAT up and coming rivalry. Nothing more annoying (and motivating) than having to go up there and listen to that "Duuuuuuuuukes" chant the whole game.
|
|
|
|
Post by LUconn on Nov 22, 2004 9:10:17 GMT -5
My biggest disappointment of the season besides all the losing, was Dre Barnes getting injured and not burying that school record. On the bright side, was it brought out up and comer Sam Gado. I think when he's gone he'll be one of the LU greats. If there is such a thing.
|
|
|
|
Post by guest2 on Nov 23, 2004 13:50:51 GMT -5
The season wasn't that bad fellas. We lost to only 1 unranked AA team. #6 W&M who may win the national title. #17 Lehigh, #25 CCU, 1-A Kent. None of the losses were extremely embarrasing, though embarrassing for the CCU loss and YSU.
Other comments that come to mind have already been said.
|
|
|
|
Post by Sly Fox on Nov 23, 2004 15:19:17 GMT -5
I have to admit these weak victories down the stretch have tempered my feelings toward the direction of the program. As guest2 mentioned, the quality of the opponents who beat us wasn't really that bad. But lets face it, other than Coastal the entire Big South lineup is hideous and we should be walloping all of them. Where we need to be making progress is stepping up and beating those ranked I-AA opponents from time to time and possibly upsetting some of these MAC also-rans.
I actually look forward to U-Conn next season. They have built a nice little situation there. They are now in a league which continues to hold onto its BCS designation for the moment. I saw them play several times this year and we will be HEAVY underdogs. But I'd rather play top tier opponents and fall short than knock around these Big South slugs. You get better by facing better competition. And scheduling "name" programs helps immensely with recruiting.
And PA Medic, JMU was a burgeoning rival of ours back in the day. Frankly, I wish we could schedule them more. Ciest la vie.
By all indications, Coach Karcher has salvaged the ship from danger temporarily. Whether or not he gets back on course is yet to be determined.
|
|
|
|
Post by Stevev on Nov 23, 2004 18:34:53 GMT -5
I agree. Beating up on the Big South weaklings does nothing for respect. The wins agains't Elon and Chattanooga were okay only from those teams being in a competitive conference. But we must show more competitiveness agains't ranked 1AA competition. We need to continue to upgrade the schedule and if performance doesn't improve then bring in another coach. We can't downgrade because of our lack of competitiveness. Getting into the big South conference was enough of a downgrade to LU's program. We don't need to continue. As stated in the past we need an excellent recruiting season and we must bring in some quality transferes if we are to become more competitive. It will be interesting to see what the new Operations center will do in this area.
|
|
