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Post by wcugrad95 on Oct 15, 2023 7:55:12 GMT -5
I expect a very good game. I hope that our kids aren't so jacked up that they make early game mistakes from the excitement and from coming off the bye week. We have split the last 2 games with the Paladins (won 43-42 in Cullowhee and lost 40-47 last year in Greenville). No doubt there is a good chance it will be another nail-biter.
Biggest differences from the past are our O-line play and I was going to say our D before the UTC game. I expect Furman to try and throw the ball a little more than usual - especially with Huff on roll-outs where he has the option to run or throw. They are going to test our back-end until we prove we can stop that. Huff will be a handful as a true dual-threat guy, and of course Roberto has had several really big games against us. I still feel pretty good if we continue to be good agaisnt the run and make Furman beat us throwing it - something I wouldn't have even considered before this year.
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Post by jim68 on Oct 15, 2023 10:39:41 GMT -5
I got a random question for any one who’s been watching the cats longer than I have… is this the highest ranked matchup in the history of FU vs WCU? Seeing as WCU is #9 and Furman is #5 I figure it has to be pretty high for this matchup I think you would have to go back to 1983 to find similar results. In 1983 Furman was ranked #2 with a 9-1-1 Record & WCU was ranked #9 with a 8-2-1 Record. WCU lost to the #1 ranked team in the National 1AA Finals to Southern Illinois. |
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Post by The Cats on Oct 15, 2023 11:36:47 GMT -5
You might not remember this, but Furman only beat Kennesaw State by 3 points, 31-28 (in Kennesaw). The Owls are 1-5 this season, with their only win over DII Tusculum.
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Post by gocatsss2023 on Oct 15, 2023 12:24:39 GMT -5
You might not remember this, but Furman only beat Kennesaw State by 3 points, 31-28 (in Kennesaw). The Owls are 1-5 this season, with their only win over DII Tusculum. that same kennesaw team lost to Charleston Southern soooo… |
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Post by FLCATAMOUNT on Oct 15, 2023 12:46:36 GMT -5
You might not remember this, but Furman only beat Kennesaw State by 3 points, 31-28 (in Kennesaw). The Owls are 1-5 this season, with their only win over DII Tusculum. I remember that but this is Furman. They will be up for this game. We need to come out fast and score early and keep the pressure on them. If it is 30 to nothing Cats at the half, I would keep the starters in until the last whistle. I am not predicting a blowout because Furman is also 5-1 but I am saying that we should not take them lightly and we should score as many points as we can. Furman I’ll be ready and so will we. Also, I still remember the game in Cullowhee when Furman had 42 (not kidding) fake injuries on defense so they could get their subs in when we tried to go tempo on offense. I would not doubt that their coach will come up with some kind of shenanigans like that to try and gain an advantage. It’s cheating basically. |
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Post by Catback on Oct 15, 2023 13:17:16 GMT -5
I watched most of the Furman/Samford game and I was reminded of Furman's history of fake injury game slowing strategy. They tried to slow Samford's quick play every time they had a good drive going. At least 3 questionable ones!
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Post by wcugrad95 on Oct 15, 2023 13:49:36 GMT -5
I wouldn’t put much stock into the KSU game. The only games this season where they put any effort in were pretty much Furman and UTC. The Mocs also had a very close game with them, too.
If anything, I would focus on common opponents. WCU beat both Samford and Citadel in much more dominating fashion, but what bearing will that have on Saturday? Pretty much nothing. This will be 2 highly motivated teams who feel not only is the SOCON on the line, but so too could be national rankings and a coveted playoff seed. Neither team secures those things - still games to come for us both (Mercer and UTC). But transitive properties and point differential against anybody else should probably be tossed out the window.
Both teams will be prepared. The team that executes, eliminates dumb mistakes/penalties, and takes care of the ball will win. I know that is a “duh” comment, but these are 2 really good teams who I do not believe will lose because of any hype.
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Post by whitey on Oct 15, 2023 15:00:26 GMT -5
The key for us is having a healthy Desmond Reid on the field. Hoping he will be ready to go at least 90%. If not, it is going to be a struggle. Furman's offense can run and pass equally well and their QB is going to be a tough assignment for our defense, much less their big running backs. Can't wait for this one. Biggest game in Cullowhee since the '94 App State game.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 15, 2023 15:59:55 GMT -5
I watched the entire Furman vs. Samford game. Personally I think Samford should have won that game but they had to many drive killing penalties. The Furman run game was very good and the d-line was disruptive. Offensively they have a chance to dominate the time of possession if you aren't able to get them off the field early. They are a well balanced and disciplined football team. We will need to come out and be physical and set the tone early. It's going to be a hard fought game and we will come out on top. Coach Bell knows how big this game is and will have the guys focused.
Defensively we are going to be tested. One thing we are going to have to do is stop the run. Dominic Roberto is a hard physical runner. He's got good speed but he is also hard to bring down because of his size. The QB Tyler Huff is a huge run threat. Our D-Line is going to need to control the line of scrimmage early. The linebackers are going to need to be spy's for the the QB run. We've got speed in that position so we should be able to contain him. The DB's and safeties will be important here too. We will also need to set the edges and not let them bounce it to the outside. Personally we need to let the QB beat us with his arm. In the first half his throws were terrible. Lot's of overthrows and underthrows. I know our secondary isn't great but I'd rather have this QB try and beat us with his arm rather then his legs. The key is to get them behind the chains and in 3rd and longs.
Offensively, how are we going to come out after the bye? I'd expect us to come out of the gates flying. Hopefully the bye did Reid some good. I was very impressed with the Furman defensive front this past weekend. They are very well coached, have great technique and are very disruptive. They were absolutely manhandling the Samford o-line the whole game. Thank goodness we have a really good o-line who has manhandled opposing defenses all season. They are going to need to be physical early and create big holes for Reid and Adams to run through. If they can also give Cole time then there will be a chance to take some deep shots against a team who was getting torched yesterday by the deep ball. If we can wear out this defense early then we will have the opportunity for explosive plays.
Keys to the game:
offense:
1. Be physical upfront
2. Don't be afraid to take the deep shot
3. Get to third and medium
Defense:
1. Stop the run
2. Get them to 3rd and long
3. NO stupid penalties
Predication: WCU 42 - Furman 28
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Post by terrycat on Oct 15, 2023 16:36:42 GMT -5
Furman is talking a lot of smack. Bulletin board material!
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