|
|
Post by wcugrad95 on Oct 19, 2023 7:26:20 GMT -5
I know I often preach that last year has no bearing on this year - different teams, at least some new faces, better coaching/grasp of schemes, etc. But last year we gained 691 yards against FU and we LOST THE GAME. Flip that around and FU had well over 400 yards rushing and were within 5 yards of WCU pushing the game into OT. We absolutely have been better this year, but for about the 4th time this season I am sure the coaches are preaching 1) TDs instead of FGs and 2) no stupid drive-killing penalties for us (or drive-extending ones to give Furman more chances).
As Jerry’s stats show, Furman’s biggest weakness has been defending the deep pass. They counter that with also intercepting a lot of passes by limiting the run and getting after the QB. Huge test for an O-line that has honestly been one of our brightest spots to date. Goes without saying on D we will have to prove our run-stopping ability has improved as much as we think it has. Furman is going to test that like nobody we have played has.
This has been a very long two weeks, and it seems like these last few days are taking forever to finally get this game started.
|
|
|
|
Post by retiredcat on Oct 19, 2023 8:01:13 GMT -5
We are really banged up with serious injuries to a half dozen key players. The key to the game is our ability to run the ball. We have a key offensive lineman down and I'm not sure about Desmond Reid's status. Without him at full speed, I think we are in trouble. Hoping for some quick healing between now and Saturday.
|
|
|
|
Post by catamountalum04 on Oct 19, 2023 9:51:39 GMT -5
I see from the FU message board they are very sure of themselves going into the game
|
|
|
|
Post by mtncat1 on Oct 19, 2023 10:13:31 GMT -5
This will be my final thoughts on this game before I head up the mountain. First, I hope we win and a win Saturday will be monumental on so many levels.
That said, I'm trying to temper my thoughts a bit about Saturday. If we lose, I need to remind myself that all will not be lost. WCU can move on and will move on. WCU has thus far put itself in a good enough position to still have a really remarkable season. Even if WCU loses yet another game after this Furman game, we have the chance to finish with an 8 win season, which is excellent progress over the past 3 years. There will be no shame. Furman has 18 returning, seasoned players and has built their team up over a longer span than our coach. They have more experience at most positions than our team and that may just be the edge they need this Saturday, we'll see. If we lose, it will be yet another learning experience and growth experience for our younger team.
Losing to Furman will only mean that WCU hasn't quite gone from "Really Good" to "Great". Quite honestly, that is still not unrealistic for just the 3rd year of a rebuilding effort. I do know that regardless, WCU has the right staff and players to get to that next level in year four and we've come a long way in just 3 seasons. I just don't share the same bravado yet like some who've posted that we will not only win but really put a beat down on Furman (to paraphrase a bit). Maybe I just don't "believe" like I should or I don't see the same things others are seeing as compared to top level competition in the SOCON. Trust me, I hope after this Saturday, some of the more confident posters on here can come on this board and give me a hard time for not being so confident. I'll take that punishment.
I'm just being very cautious in my mental approach to this weekend. Maybe it's because I've see kind of similar situations play out before where WCU has had HUGE home games on the line, only to blow it and our season crumbles and/or any chances of "getting to that next level" are crushed with that loss (circa 1994 and 2014). I get it, we have a different coaching staff, different mind set, and different talent now. So maybe my apprehension is incorrectly rooted. Either way, my approach to the best of my ability this weekend will be to try to put things into overall perspective that if WCU loses, WCU still has a chance at a great season. And if we do win, WCU STILL has four more teams to play and get the job done.
|
|
|
|
Post by The Cats on Oct 19, 2023 10:44:54 GMT -5
I see from the FU message board they are very sure of themselves going into the game The way I see it, all the pressure is on Furman. They are the one's ranked 3/4 in the nation, and they are having to travel to a hostile environment, Cullowhee. No one in the SoCon likes to play the Cats in Cullowhee, because they know how passionate Catamount fans are...THE PRESSURE IS ON THE PALADINS, NOT THE CATS!!!!
THEY CAN TALK ALL THE CRAP THEY WANT TO TALK, IT'S A SMOKE SCREEN, THEY ARE SWEATING THIS GAME.... |
|
|
|
Post by LCACAT on Oct 19, 2023 10:51:59 GMT -5
I see from the FU message board they are very sure of themselves going into the game The way I see it, all the pressure is on Furman. They are the one's ranked 3/4 in the nation, and they are having to travel to a hostile environment, Cullowhee. No one in the SoCon likes to play the Cats in Cullowhee, because they know how passionate Catamount fans are...THE PRESSURE IS ON THE PALADINS, NOT THE CATS!!!!
THEY CAN TALK ALL THE CRAP THEY WANT TO TALK, IT'S A SMOKE SCREEN, THEY ARE SWEATING THIS GAME....
GO CATS!!
|
|
|
|
Post by The Cats on Oct 19, 2023 10:54:33 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by gocatsss2023 on Oct 19, 2023 11:24:37 GMT -5
I see from the FU message board they are very sure of themselves going into the game The way I see it, all the pressure is on Furman. They are the one's ranked 3/4 in the nation, and they are having to travel to a hostile environment, Cullowhee. No one in the SoCon likes to play the Cats in Cullowhee, because they know how passionate Catamount fans are...THE PRESSURE IS ON THE PALADINS, NOT THE CATS!!!!
THEY CAN TALK ALL THE CRAP THEY WANT TO TALK, IT'S A SMOKE SCREEN, THEY ARE SWEATING THIS GAME....Couldn’t agree more! |
|
|
|
Post by Catback on Oct 19, 2023 13:26:03 GMT -5
This will be my final thoughts on this game before I head up the mountain. First, I hope we win and a win Saturday will be monumental on so many levels. That said, I'm trying to temper my thoughts a bit about Saturday. If we lose, I need to remind myself that all will not be lost. WCU can move on and will move on. WCU has thus far put itself in a good enough position to still have a really remarkable season. Even if WCU loses yet another game after this Furman game, we have the chance to finish with an 8 win season, which is excellent progress over the past 3 years. There will be no shame. Furman has 18 returning, seasoned players and has built their team up over a longer span than our coach. They have more experience at most positions than our team and that may just be the edge they need this Saturday, we'll see. If we lose, it will be yet another learning experience and growth experience for our younger team.
Losing to Furman will only mean that WCU hasn't quite gone from "Really Good" to "Great". Quite honestly, that is still not unrealistic for just the 3rd year of a rebuilding effort. I do know that regardless, WCU has the right staff and players to get to that next level in year four and we've come a long way in just 3 seasons. I just don't share the same bravado yet like some who've posted that we will not only win but really put a beat down on Furman (to paraphrase a bit). Maybe I just don't "believe" like I should or I don't see the same things others are seeing as compared to top level competition in the SOCON. Trust me, I hope after this Saturday, some of the more confident posters on here can come on this board and give me a hard time for not being so confident. I'll take that punishment. I'm just being very cautious in my mental approach to this weekend. Maybe it's because I've see kind of similar situations play out before where WCU has had HUGE home games on the line, only to blow it and our season crumbles and/or any chances of "getting to that next level" are crushed with that loss (circa 1994 and 2014). I get it, we have a different coaching staff, different mind set, and different talent now. So maybe my apprehension is incorrectly rooted. Either way, my approach to the best of my ability this weekend will be to try to put things into overall perspective that if WCU loses, WCU still has a chance at a great season. And if we do win, WCU STILL has four more teams to play and get the job done.
Excellent post! I share your same feelings. I too have experienced all the big games that came our way in the past. I am counting on our coaching staff this time around....Kerwin Bell is never asleep on the sidelines!!! Our edge in this game is HIM! He will be ready. He will not miss doing his job on any play..I feel good about this part of this game. Go Cats! |
|
|
|
Post by The Cats on Oct 19, 2023 14:44:36 GMT -5
|
|
