Semifinal #3 JMU (7-0/3-0) @ #2 SHSU (8-0/6-0), Saturday, 5/8, 2:30 PM EST, ABC.

[BDKJMU]

SHSU:
W SELA 43-38
W Nichols St 71-17
W @ Lamar 62-7
W @ NW ST 24-16
W McNeese St 27-13
W @ UIW 42-14
------------------
W Monmouth 21-15 (1st round)
W NDSU 24-20 (Qtr finals)
https://gobearkats.com/sports/football/schedule/2020-21

JMU
W Morehead St 52-0
W RMU 36-16
W @ Elon 20-17
W @ W&M 38-10
W UR 23-6
----------------
W VMI 31-24 (1st round)
W UND 34-21 (Qtr finals)
https://jmusports.com/sports/football/schedule/2020-21

Last meeting: 2016 quarterfinals: JMU 65, SHSU 7.

[BDKJMU]

JMU (after losing 15 of 22 starters from 2019 NC game (13 seniors, 2 transfer); 13 had been All CAA, 7 AA; 5 UDFA (including transfer) + 1 drafted).
-In the fall lost BOTH would be starting defensive ends to knee injuries for the season (after losing both AA de ends after last season, who are both now on NFL rosters).
-Before the season started, lost starting safety, and 2 deep LB, both to season ending injuries.
-3rd game vs Elon lost AA Sr RT to a season ending injury. Moved RG to RT, and now starting a true FR at RG.
-Starting DT has missed 1st 2 playoff games, don't know his status
-Everyone who watched UND @ JMU saw 2nd qtr JMU CB make INT for a sure pick 6 before falling to the ground with a apparent groin injury. He didn't return, and I would assume doubtful for next week.

So thats at least 5, maybe 7 season ending injuries, all but 1 a starter. Down to 5 starters (assuming CB doesn't return) who started NC game last season.

SHSU playoffs is 21-11, but now 15-0 at home. They have NEVER lost a home playoff game, and neither has KC Keeler as a Div I HC (8-0 @ UD, now 8-0 @ SHSU). Its going to take a damn near miracle for JMU to pull the big upset, as SHSU should be heavily favored at home.

[Rob Iola]

I mean, who doesn't want a KC vs. Hens final?

[Ibanez]

Watched my first full half of FCS football yesterday - JMU looked good. Your boys looked good and focused.

[GannonFan]

JMU (after losing 15 of 22 starters from 2019 NC game (13 seniors, 2 transfer); 13 had been All CAA, 7 AA; 4 UDFA + 1 drafted)
-In the fall lost BOTH would be starting defensive ends to knee injuries for the season (after losing both AA de ends after last season).
-Before the season started, lost starting safety, and 2 deep LB, both to season ending injuries.
-3rd game vs Elon lost AA Sr RT to a season ending injury. Moved RG to RT, and now starting a true FR at RG.
-Starting DT has missed 1st 2 playoff games, don't know his status
-Everyone who watched UND @ JMU saw 2nd qtr JMU CB make INT for a sure pick 6 before falling to the ground with a apparent groin injury. He didn't return, and I would assume doubtful for next week.

So thats at least 5, maybe 7 season ending injuries, all but 1 a starter. Down to 5 starters (assuming CB doesn't return) who started NC game last season.

SHSU playoffs is 21-11, but now 15-0 at home. They have NEVER lost a home playoff game, and neither has KC Keeler as a Div I HC (8-0 @ UD, now 8-0 @ SHSU). Its going to take a damn near miracle for JMU to pull the big upset, as SHSU should be heavily favored at home.

KC hasn't lost a home playoff game at any level (all those D3 playoffs too). He's something like 28-0 at home in the playoffs. That's crazy good, you just don't stumble into a streak like that.

[Gil Dobie]

I mean, who doesn't want a KC vs. Hens final?

Kind of like to see Jacks vs Sam.

[Gil Dobie]

Where's the POLL???????????????????????????

[BDKJMU]

Well, I'm rooting for JMU and UD (holding my nose), but picked SHSU & SDSU..

[UNI88]

I mean, who outside of Delaware fans, wants a Corey Hart vs Hens final?

Kind of like to see Jacks vs Sam.

[SuperHornet]

I'm not only rooting for JMU, but believing that they will win. Regardless, though, I think win or lose, this will be the more entertaining game of the two.

[BDKJMU]

JMU (after losing 15 of 22 starters from 2019 NC game (13 seniors, 2 transfer); 13 had been All CAA, 7 AA; 4 UDFA + 1 drafted)
-In the fall lost BOTH would be starting defensive ends to knee injuries for the season (after losing both AA de ends after last season).
-Before the season started, lost starting safety, and 2 deep LB, both to season ending injuries.
-3rd game vs Elon lost AA Sr RT to a season ending injury. Moved RG to RT, and now starting a true FR at RG.
-Starting DT has missed 1st 2 playoff games, don't know his status
-Everyone who watched UND @ JMU saw 2nd qtr JMU CB make INT for a sure pick 6 before falling to the ground with a apparent groin injury. He didn't return, and I would assume doubtful for next week.

So thats at least 5, maybe 7 season ending injuries, all but 1 a starter. Down to 5 starters (assuming CB doesn't return) who started NC game last season.

SHSU playoffs is 21-11, but now 15-0 at home. They have NEVER lost a home playoff game, and neither has KC Keeler as a Div I HC (8-0 @ UD, now 8-0 @ SHSU). Its going to take a damn near miracle for JMU to pull the big upset, as SHSU should be heavily favored at home.

KC hasn't lost a home playoff game at any level (all those D3 playoffs too). He's something like 28-0 at home in the playoffs. That's crazy good, you just don't stumble into a streak like that.

UD was dumb to fire him, after what, the 2012? season..

[GannonFan]

KC hasn't lost a home playoff game at any level (all those D3 playoffs too). He's something like 28-0 at home in the playoffs. That's crazy good, you just don't stumble into a streak like that.

UD was dumb to fire him, after what, the 2012? season..

Well, that's an incredibly complicated and contested story about his firing. Needless to say, both the President and AD who were there at the time are no longer at UD either (had nothing to do with firing KC, just more to do with their ideas for the University not meshing with the Trustees or most anyone else).

Considering that KC, assuming he continues for at least a few more years, has the resume that makes him a shoe-in for the College HOF as a coach, that paints UD in the weird position of a University that fired a coach who was not only a future HOF'er (and a good chunk of that HOF resume was done at UD), but an alumnus as well. That's doesn't happen all that often I imagine.

[SuperHornet]

UD was dumb to fire him, after what, the 2012? season..

Well, that's an incredibly complicated and contested story about his firing. Needless to say, both the President and AD who were there at the time are no longer at UD either (had nothing to do with firing KC, just more to do with their ideas for the University not meshing with the Trustees or most anyone else).

Considering that KC, assuming he continues for at least a few more years, has the resume that makes him a shoe-in for the College HOF as a coach, that paints UD in the weird position of a University that fired a coach who was not only a future HOF'er (and a good chunk of that HOF resume was done at UD), but an alumnus as well. That's doesn't happen all that often I imagine.

If that President and AD are no longer at Delaware, would that potentially open the door for Keeler to eventually return to UD should the current guy leave for whatever reason, or is there too much angst between him and others at the school who might still be there. Personally, I always thought Delaware was a major power with him in charge, both because of great recruiting and great coaching, scouting, and play-calling.

[GannonFan]

Well, that's an incredibly complicated and contested story about his firing. Needless to say, both the President and AD who were there at the time are no longer at UD either (had nothing to do with firing KC, just more to do with their ideas for the University not meshing with the Trustees or most anyone else).

Considering that KC, assuming he continues for at least a few more years, has the resume that makes him a shoe-in for the College HOF as a coach, that paints UD in the weird position of a University that fired a coach who was not only a future HOF'er (and a good chunk of that HOF resume was done at UD), but an alumnus as well. That's doesn't happen all that often I imagine.

If that President and AD are no longer at Delaware, would that potentially open the door for Keeler to eventually return to UD should the current guy leave for whatever reason, or is there too much angst between him and others at the school who might still be there. Personally, I always thought Delaware was a major power with him in charge, both because of great recruiting and great coaching, scouting, and play-calling.

I don't think he'd ever want to come back, even if that was an option. He doesn't have that many years left (he's 61 now) so picking everything up and coming halfway across the country again probably isn't his first priority. I think his kids are all grown now so it's just where the best situation is. He seems to be doing just fine there at Sam Houston so can't imagine him coming back north. Besides, UD is filled with "insiders" who were still some of the cohort that made it intolerable for him when he got booted the last time. Some of those guys still hang around the program and the whisper campaign would be enough to make him coming back impossible. But I don't think he's being asked to come back either.

[BDKJMU]

Home teams are 10-2 this playoffs.
1st round home teams went 7-1.
Quarterfinals home teams went 3-1.

Home field is a big advantage, more so than usual this season due to the virus protocols, and in the case of the semis:
-exams (apparently JMU's last week and this week, SHSU's next week).
-graduation
-a short travel week (Not sure why the quarterfinals were Sunday, semis are on Sat, then the NC on a Sun)..

[89Hen]

Kind of like to see Jacks vs Sam.

For all their fans here?

[UNI88]

For all their fans here?

For a variety of reasons - neither has an FCS natty, UD fans will become as insufferable as NDSU fans, etc.

[89Hen]

For all their fans here?

For a variety of reasons - neither has an FCS natty, UD fans will become as insufferable as NDSU fans, etc.

Nah, we were very humble after the last NC.

[UNI88]

For a variety of reasons - neither has an FCS natty, UD fans will become as insufferable as NDSU fans, etc.

Nah, we were very humble after the last NC.

[89Hen]

BTW, in trying to find some Hen fan history, I stumbled across a very interesting thread at AGS. From 2011 asking fans who the Top 10 I-AA programs were. I was one of the very few that included NDSU.

https://www.anygivensaturday.com/showth ... S-programs

[GannonFan]

Home teams are 10-2 this playoffs.
1st round home teams went 7-1.
Quarterfinals home teams went 3-1.

Home field is a big advantage, more so than usual this season due to the virus protocols, and in the case of the semis:
-exams (apparently JMU's last week and this week, SHSU's next week).
-graduation
-a short travel week (Not sure why the quarterfinals were Sunday, semis are on Sat, then the NC on a Sun)..

UD has a later calendar - exams are still two weeks away and graduation is Memorial Day weekend.

[BDKJMU]

Home teams are 10-2 this playoffs.
1st round home teams went 7-1.
Quarterfinals home teams went 3-1.

Home field is a big advantage, more so than usual this season due to the virus protocols, and in the case of the semis:
-exams (apparently JMU's last week and this week, SHSU's next week).
-graduation
-a short travel week (Not sure why the quarterfinals were Sunday, semis are on Sat, then the NC on a Sun)..

UD has a later calendar - exams are still two weeks away and graduation is Memorial Day weekend.

Later this year because of the virus, or is that every year?

[Gil Dobie]

BTW, in trying to find some Hen fan history, I stumbled across a very interesting thread at AGS. From 2011 asking fans who the Top 10 I-AA programs were. I was one of the very few that included NDSU.

https://www.anygivensaturday.com/showth ... S-programs

Good read, and you had a good discussion with several other fanbases, EWU and Kalm (who left NDSU off the bubble ).

I think I'll resurrect that thread.

[89Hen]

And having NDSU on the list ahead of us is equally as strange. To each their own.

NDSU? Lol, no chance. What have they done in FCS?

[kalm]

And having NDSU on the list ahead of us is equally as strange. To each their own.

NDSU? Lol, no chance. What have they done in FCS?

Blackfalcon or SE174 hacked my account that day.