Topic: Opening game football opponent: VMI

[coalherd]

The Roanoke, Virginia, Times this week had a good article that gave about everything HERD fans need to know about the Keydets, our opening opponent.

First of all, the small military school from the Southern Conference has fallen on very lean times in football.  They have not had a winning season since 1981.  They have lost 26 straight games to D1 opponents and 22 straight So Con games.

Their head coach is in the last year of a 5 year contract and is 6 and 38.  Defensively, in 2018 VMI was LAST in FCS in scoring defense (48.2 ppg.) out of 124 teams and in total defense they were 121st, 509.7 ypg.

The good news?  Well, the Keydets offensively run an "air raid" O behind Junior QB Reece Udinski, who threw for 3,082 yards in 2018, 8th best in FCS.

The bad news?  Well, there's plenty.  The Keydets were 121st in FCS in rushing O, 58.5 ypg in 2018.  They were tied for last in sacks allowed (50).  Moreover, their leading rusher transferred out as a grad. transfer.  Their leading receiver with over 1000 yards transferred to James Madison and another receiver who had 27 catches also transferred.

Finally, according to their Athletic Director, Dave Diles, the Keydets are getting $275,000 to play at Army in 2019 and getting $350,000 to play at Marshall.  Diles described their game with the Herd as VMI's "revenue game" in 2019.

Personally, I'd be curious to know if we have, to date, paid a FCS program more than what we are paying VMI this season.  May all relate back to the Jon Elmore issue.

There you have it.  I'd be very surprised if there are very many fans remaining in the JOAN by the 4th Quarter come August 31st.  But you never know. . . . .

[Big City]

Even with this being the first game of the season I will be sorely disappointed if this thing isn’t over by the half.

[whf]

How much would you play starters if you were the coordinators?  You've got to get enough "touches" to make it a good experience and preparation for BSU. Yet you can't afford to get anyone hurt.

I'd play them in a 21 - 0 ending to the first quarter, then get them off the field; but ready to come back if second and third teams started to fall short against the Keydets.

Also, I've done my best to always trust MH in all he has said, but when you see that we're paying them $350,000, a full $75,000 more than they're getting to go to Army, one has to wonder about the "Why" in that.

[2xBison]

Even with this being the first game of the season I will be sorely disappointed if this thing isn’t over by the half.

How about first quarter?


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[parshall2marshall]

I had posted a question a few months ago related to RB depth. It really was too soon to ask that kind of question. Right now seems a good time to bring it back, and not just about RB but adding DL, LB, and the secondary. Might toss in WR depth.

The chances are excellent that BK and TK are going to get dinged up enough to miss action over the course of the season. I know Sheldon Evans is our #3 right now, and forgot who is 4th. I wouldn't be surprised to see McDaniel and Papillon get some action this season unless there are plans to RS. There's probably another name or two that might figure into the mix.

We've got to get AT some reps at QB in case of the unthinkable.

I'd be surprised if we went much over 50 against the out-manned Keydets though. Not Doc's normal style. All in all, VMI presents a good tune-up opportunity.

[herdfan129]

Pull starters at either halftime or late 2nd quarter. Needs to be 42-0 at halftime, NO EXCUSES.

After that, keep running the offense with the 2's and 3's. Don't bring them in to just hand the ball off and get the game over with. Win this game 63-3 type of score with everyone knowing it could be worse.

[Herdmeister]

Personally, I'd be curious to know if we have, to date, paid a FCS program more than what we are paying VMI this season.  May all relate back to the Jon Elmore issue.

Considering that this deal was signed while Jon was in HS, I doubt it!

[whf]

Considering that this deal was signed while Jon was in HS, I doubt it!  This is certainly what we've been led to believe, but I do understand the doubt since the game wasn't announced until after the issue with John arose; which would have been at least 1.5 to 2 years after he graduated.

[herdfan129]

Considering that this deal was signed while Jon was in HS, I doubt it!

I have some ocean front property in Huntington that's for sale.

[puma]

I'm not sure how much we can really read into this game. Back in 2016, the Herd beat Morgan State 62-0 and we all know how that season turned out.

[MUsince96]

There's a line at getting the starters enough playing time to be ready for Boise State and getting them out to prevent injury. I don't know where that line is. Maybe a series or two into the 3rd?

[MUonium]

i think somebody already said it but besides the injury point, how many cards do you hold back from Boise's eyes?  i'm pretty sure we'll have to use every card in the deck against Boise.  in the end, most won't care if we win by 1 or 50 as long as we win, and we expect to never get blown out, and always win close games (to go along with or as a result of a more exciting brand of FB)

[Herd2believe]

If the game was a quid pro quo for Elmore, I think we more than made the extra money back?

[svherd]

I'd say play your starters until Q4. Gotta get the experience and feel of the game in prepping for Boise. Possibly take King and Knox out early and the starting WR's to prevent injury. Green needs to play as much as possible cause Boise and VMI are a total 180 on the competitive meter.