2016 Season in Review

I thought I’d post some quick hits on the 2016 season.

In short, the season’s body of work exceeded expectations overall and I think the seniors and the team in total should feel pretty good about returning LU to the top of the PL and putting us back on the map. Congratulations are deserved.

To kick-off the points, I think we can say that the start and end to the season was disappointing, but everything else in between was solid and there was excitement for LU football for the first time in a while (IMO).

The Good:
– The team regrouped after the opening loss to Monmouth and “gelled” after the Villanova game. I would have liked for us to have another crack at VU.
– Shafnisky developed nicely this year and became a complete quarterback with the discovery of a deep game. I was less enthralled with him until that happened, but he really grew.
– Offense was truly a balanced and well-oiled machine. Long-hoped for emergence of Derek Knott really enabled us to pass at will.
– O-Line was solid all year and played mostly lights out.
– Defense played with heart and was the “average” that we all said we needed.
– Special teams, especially Mish and Casey, consistently gave us points and field position.
– Coaching finally found a deep ball game, which to me, changed the complexion of the O
– Tyler Cavenas and Laquan Lambert – ’nuff said.
– Large positive turnover margin

The Bad
– Attendance flagged (again). After disappointing seasons, plus a less than inviting and robust game day experience, we saw some tick-ups, but we ain’t where we used to be (yes, I know this is a national trend, but I suspect we’ve decreased at a higher rate)
– Keeping Caslow in the Lafayette game up by 30+ points.
– Tackling remained a problem area.
– Team was not ready for the opener (nor UNH, but more on that)
–

The Ugly
– UNH game, obviously.
– Defensive run game. I was worried about UNH as soon as I saw their name and their running back. We haven’t been able to stop a powerful running game in years. Even games where we had blow-out wins (Yale, and Fordham), the opponents put up huge numbers. Even against Monmoutn, we were exposed on this front. UNH just showed everyone else.
– Level of competition. This is not a shot at our opposition, but rather the fact that the PL and Ivies that dominate our schedule do not make Lehigh (or the other PL contenders) “battle-tested and ready”. Yes, Colgate had a nice run last year, but collectively the PL is not ready for prime time. No one, including Lehigh, had a signature OOC win this year. UNH, even at 7-4, was more physical and quicker than Lehigh. I’m not sure that is because we don’t have the toughness or speed, I just think that those CAA teams play at a faster and tougher level than we (PL) do because they do it week-in and week-out.

Incomplete
– Coaching. After the UNH game, I’m unsure what to make of Coen and Co. They had great game plans for most of the season, but I wonder how much of that (probably a lot) had to do with the level of competition. Against UNH, we abandoned the run WAY to early, but the bigger issue was the complete lack of energy and apparent “deer-in-headlights” we had in the first half. This is not the first time on a big stage that has happened. The tone is always set at the top…..

There it is. I’m sure you guys will have more to say and this isn’t meant to be exhaustive, but thought I’d put it out there.

As you’ll note, there are far more “Goods” than “Bads and Uglies”, so it was a good season, with a stunningly disappointing ending. I hope that this won’t devolve into a battle of who are the “positive” fans and who aren’t.

Congrats again and thanks for a good season!