Bloomsburg football

[Bart]

Some good news: Jahri Evans makes cut to 52 for possible Hall of Fame.

https://saintswire.usatoday.com/stor...l/86835589007/

[TheBigCat2192]

I’d like to see them incorporate the use of a TE or multiple TE sets too. Nothing helps out a young QB more than a solid running game and a TE or two for a security blanket. Multiple TE sets allow you to run or pass. Get back to a little bit more of a smashmouth approach.

Bloomsburg threw to tight ends more frequently in the first four years of Sheptock’s tenure. Last year saw fewer throws than the first three and this year is down to nearly zero but I’m not sure if that is because of OC Landis who started last year or because of personnel. Perhaps the staff don’t view Stephens and Conway (or Conway and whoever the backup is with Stephens out) as good receiving options.

[BloomFootballDad]

I didn't mean to suggest this has never happened before. I'm just looking ahead a bit. BU is going to have to answer the question of who is going to throw and catch the ball next year. They also need to figure out who's going to run the ball but I think they have clearer pool of options already on the roster for that one.

I’d like to see them incorporate the use of a TE or multiple TE sets too. Nothing helps out a young QB more than a solid running game and a TE or two for a security blanket. Multiple TE sets allow you to run or pass. Get back to a little bit more of a smashmouth approach.

[BloomFootballDad]

they lose some every year. I counted a couple of dozen from last year that left, quit, transferred, or graduated. It makes room for new blood and the team needs guys committed to playing at bloom.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^this^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ 100%

[TheBigCat2192]

Good catch, unless he had a medical redshirt in 2022 when he played 3 games. They have options with Wolfe and Wojciechowski, both have time on the field. Diaz is a speedster playing on kickoff returner. I think rb Zimmerman could go back to his original position as a slot wr and fill in nicely.

Wojciechowski is a R-Jr. who never saw any real playing time before this year. His season contribution so far looks like a solid single game for some receivers. Diaz and Achenbach have seen time out there as well but Diaz only has one catch and Achenbach has about 10. I do agree that Zimmerman could see some time out wide, maybe in the Brower role, if there are too many mouths to feed in the backfield next year. It would help a lot to ease the next QBs transition if one of the backs was a receiver out of backfield but none of them really have been unfortunately.

[Bart]

Brower is listed as a senior on the roster. Did he take a redshirt that isn’t listed? Is he hiding a COVID season or a grad year up his sleeve?

Good catch, unless he had a medical redshirt in 2022 when he played 3 games. They have options with Wolfe and Wojciechowski, both have time on the field. Diaz is a speedster playing on kickoff returner. I think rb Zimmerman could go back to his original position as a slot wr and fill in nicely.

[TheBigCat2192]

I think the rb situation could be interesting. In 2024 they had 6 running backs carry the ball, with four still on the roster but not playing. Add the two freshmen getting carries this year, and a couple of freshmen red shirts should make for good competition.

The only wide outs they definitely lose are Griffen-Batchelor and Landis. QB position has a few options. But who knows what tomorrow will bring.

Brower is listed as a senior on the roster. Did he take a redshirt that isn’t listed? Is he hiding a COVID season or a grad year up his sleeve?

[Bart]

I didn't mean to suggest this has never happened before. I'm just looking ahead a bit. BU is going to have to answer the question of who is going to throw and catch the ball next year. They also need to figure out who's going to run the ball but I think they have clearer pool of options already on the roster for that one.

I think the rb situation could be interesting. In 2024 they had 6 running backs carry the ball, with four still on the roster but not playing. Add the two freshmen getting carries this year, and a couple of freshmen red shirts should make for good competition.

The only wide outs they definitely lose are Griffen-Batchelor and Landis. QB position has a few options. But who knows what tomorrow will bring.

[TheBigCat2192]

They lose some every year. I counted a couple of dozen from last year that left, quit, transferred, or graduated. It makes room for new blood and the team needs guys committed to playing at Bloom.

I didn't mean to suggest this has never happened before. I'm just looking ahead a bit. BU is going to have to answer the question of who is going to throw and catch the ball next year. They also need to figure out who's going to run the ball but I think they have clearer pool of options already on the roster for that one.

[Bart]

BU will probably be looking at some serious roster turnover even if Sheptock & co. are retained, at least on offense. There are currently more RBs than carries to go around and some of the guys who find themselves at the bottom of that list might want to try another school and system. There are four WR listed as Rs-JRs on the roster but only one has seen meaningful offensive playing time to this point in his career. If any have managed to graduate how many will stick around and pay to play another year potentially on ST? On top of all that there’s going to be a new QB next year whether it’s someone on the current roster or someone who’s not. How many of the guys who don’t win the starter or backup/third job will hit the portal to catch on elsewhere after spring ball? How many older but low-snap guys will see the writing on the wall and hang ‘em up?

They lose some every year. I counted a couple of dozen from last year that left, quit, transferred, or graduated. It makes room for new blood and the team needs guys committed to playing at Bloom.

[BloomFootballDad]

Don't forget how many starters may be tired of losing and simply transfer to a stronger program within the conference. We are seeing that trend -- a lot -- in the PSAC.

This is a sad impact of the portal. The kids always think it’s greener someplace else. It doesn’t always work out that way though. I’ve seen that happen to a young man I know well. I would never recommend a kid go to the portal unless his current situation is absolutely a terrible one for him with no hope of improvement. Otherwise they’re rolling the dice and potentially will end up in the exact same spot only now they have to learn an entirely new environment, teammates, coaching staff, professors, etc. More often than not it’s better to make the best of the situation you find yourself in. There are a lot of important life lessons in those moments and situations. And they’re ones that will help them out in life long after their playing days are over. Just my opinion.

[BloomFootballDad]

It's definitely a head scratcher that some of these starters that aren't getting the job done continue to keep their spots. I understand pulling the plug and going with a less experienced/unproved guy may not provide immediate dividends in the win loss column but at this point you have to figure out what you have for the future. My guess is if we had a first or second year coach and these weren't "his" guys, there would be a lot more roster changes being made right now.

These are my thoughts as well. I’d use these final four games to see as many young guys in live action as possible just to see what they might have moving forward. I’m not a coach though and I understand they may view things differently. They’ll play the guys who they believe will give them the best chance to win each game. I get that. It’s a tough spot to be in for all involved. The season definitely hasn’t gone like everyone hoped but the silver lining is a good number of true freshmen have seen the field and gotten some meaningful experience. If they can hit on the new QB next year they could become good again sooner rather than later.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

BU will probably be looking at some serious roster turnover even if Sheptock & co. are retained, at least on offense. There are currently more RBs than carries to go around and some of the guys who find themselves at the bottom of that list might want to try another school and system. There are four WR listed as Rs-JRs on the roster but only one has seen meaningful offensive playing time to this point in his career. If any have managed to graduate how many will stick around and pay to play another year potentially on ST? On top of all that there’s going to be a new QB next year whether it’s someone on the current roster or someone who’s not. How many of the guys who don’t win the starter or backup/third job will hit the portal to catch on elsewhere after spring ball? How many older but low-snap guys will see the writing on the wall and hang ‘em up?

Don't forget how many starters may be tired of losing and simply transfer to a stronger program within the conference. We are seeing that trend -- a lot -- in the PSAC.

[TheBigCat2192]

What are the redshirt rules nowadays? Would it be worth it to burn redshirts at this point?

On one hand, you have to assume some of them will be in the Portal in a month.

They may have a mass exodus come mid-November.

BU will probably be looking at some serious roster turnover even if Sheptock & co. are retained, at least on offense. There are currently more RBs than carries to go around and some of the guys who find themselves at the bottom of that list might want to try another school and system. There are four WR listed as Rs-JRs on the roster but only one has seen meaningful offensive playing time to this point in his career. If any have managed to graduate how many will stick around and pay to play another year potentially on ST? On top of all that there’s going to be a new QB next year whether it’s someone on the current roster or someone who’s not. How many of the guys who don’t win the starter or backup/third job will hit the portal to catch on elsewhere after spring ball? How many older but low-snap guys will see the writing on the wall and hang ‘em up?

[iupgroundhog]

I'm pretty sure he's on to something with (4) games. I think the caveat, though, is those 4 games have to come in the first 5 weeks. IUP played some true freshmen early in the year and I recall Tort saying they had to shut them down or else they'd burn a year.

It's a much better rule than it used to be. This at least gives the players a chance to get their feet wet without wasting a whole year of eligibility. One snap used to burn it.

I think basketball is set at 30% so the 9th or 10th game played is the cut (for a medical). I'm not sure for a regular redshirt in hoops.

A quick google says it's 4 games allowed in football and post-season games do not count against the player.