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Moral victories don't count, so it's time to look forward to the first home game of the 2019 season. The forecast for week #2 versus our guests from Long Island University is 65 degrees during tailgating and modestly cooler at kickoff.
Long Island University will playing their first game as an FCS program after moving on from D2. On paper, this should be a kerblastification. However, the Sharks have a recent history of winning, going 30-4 during their last three seasons playing D2 ball. Their coach, Bryan Collins has won 69% of his games as head coach for the Pioneers (changed name for this season) during the last 21 seasons. His teams have qualified for the NCAA DII postseason six times under his leadership. He has coached and recruited 12 All-Americans. Last year's team was led by Jake Carlock, who was a finalist for the top small school defender award and was still on the NY Giants roster earlier today.
They graduated 16 starters from last year's conference champion team, so not only do they sport new team colors and mascot, they will have numerous players that will be starting this year. (oh, oh..) Sophomore, Jonathan DeBique returns to the backfield after earning honors on the all-league rookie team. They return five offensive linemen who either started or saw action on last years team. Depth and size will be an issue for them.
It will be interesting to see what type of team will take the field for a program that will have many fresh faces to match their new team colors. You hate to take a W for granted, but you hope we get some good experience for first year starters and backup and stay healthy.
What do you hope to experience from our home opener?
Long Island University will playing their first game as an FCS program after moving on from D2. On paper, this should be a kerblastification. However, the Sharks have a recent history of winning, going 30-4 during their last three seasons playing D2 ball. Their coach, Bryan Collins has won 69% of his games as head coach for the Pioneers (changed name for this season) during the last 21 seasons. His teams have qualified for the NCAA DII postseason six times under his leadership. He has coached and recruited 12 All-Americans. Last year's team was led by Jake Carlock, who was a finalist for the top small school defender award and was still on the NY Giants roster earlier today.
They graduated 16 starters from last year's conference champion team, so not only do they sport new team colors and mascot, they will have numerous players that will be starting this year. (oh, oh..) Sophomore, Jonathan DeBique returns to the backfield after earning honors on the all-league rookie team. They return five offensive linemen who either started or saw action on last years team. Depth and size will be an issue for them.
It will be interesting to see what type of team will take the field for a program that will have many fresh faces to match their new team colors. You hate to take a W for granted, but you hope we get some good experience for first year starters and backup and stay healthy.
What do you hope to experience from our home opener?
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