[oldcoach]

I have noticed that the school website on a couple of occasions has stated that this will be the second time of lining up with the Rockets of Toledo. This is not true, LU went up to Toledo in '94 and played an "OK" game and came up short 47-37. I know - I was on the field. In fact, that night, Jennings' older brother (Big Baby Butch) played a nice game.

[thesportscritic]

thanks for that little factoid.

[paradox]

I have noticed that the school website on a couple of occasions has stated that this will be the second time of lining up with the Rockets of Toledo. This is not true, LU went up to Toledo in '94 and played an "OK" game and came up short 47-37. I know - I was on the field. In fact, that night, Jennings' older brother (Big Baby Butch) played a nice game.

I remember that game vividly.

We seemed very competitive against the MAC back in those days in both football and basketball. That conference always seemed like a great fit for LU. If we continue moving forward perhaps JB can make it happen.

[DutchyNY]

I feel like simply moving to a conference like the mac would make us instantly level with those teams in terms of competition, we would have nicer facilities in some sense, and we would be recruiting in an area not heavily targeted by the mac...only downside would be the distance we are located meaning longer trips and even less support at road games
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
after looking into toledo a little bit we should be able to play at least as close as we did in 94 maybe even better?

[Stevev]

Right now the MAC or the Sunbelt conference would be our only options if we go the 1A route. Not sure what kind of time period we are talking about in going 1A but first I would like to see significant progress in the areas of scheduling as well as more funding from outside sources.

[Sly Fox]

Our move to FBS is essentially predicated on the formation of a new league at this point. MAC membership is rather unlikely at this point since they are actively considering expansion. Just ask Youngstown State.

[paradox]

The only new league that I can think of would be the A-10 moving to bowl sub division.

Also, I wouldn't rule out the MAC. Perhaps Youngstown represents too much of the old MAC in terms of region. They recently grabbed Buffalo because they wanted to expand their territory into upstate NY. The same would hold true for LU, situated in the southern end of the mid-atlantic region and in central VA.

[Cider Jim]

I bet Fumble and some of the (other) older timers know this, but can any current student name the last--and only--time that LU beat a D1A team from the the MAC in football?

[SuperJon]

Eastern Michigan. 1994 I believe.

[BJWilliams]

I think Jon's right on that one. I have seen a lot of guys on here wax on and on about the Eastern Michigan game. Who was the QB for that one anyway?

[paradox]

QB: Robbie Justino

[Sly Fox]

PARADOX - I have waxed on ad nauseum about a potential new league in many other threads. But the short version is that I see a new FBS league foriming int he next few years with a number of current FCS schools in the region joining together to create something new. JMU, Appy, Georgia Southern and even Delaware State have made it known they're considering a step up.

If a consortium schools like these were to make it clear they were looking for partners, I could even see schools like Delaware, Temple (yeah, I know) and maybe even ECU stepping into a new league to save on travel budgets for non-revenue sports.

I realize this is all hypothetical, but its not beyond the realm of the imagination.

[Cider Jim]

I remember listening to that game on the radio and hearing Eric Green catch the game-winning pass. Having Green (6'6" & 240 with hands like first basemen mitts) on a 1-AA team should have been illegal.

[paradox]

PARADOX - I have waxed on ad nauseum about a potential new league in many other threads. But the short version is that I see a new FBS league foriming int he next few years with a number of current FCS schools in the region joining together to create something new. JMU, Appy, Georgia Southern and even Delaware State have made it known they're considering a step up.

If a consortium schools like these were to make it clear they were looking for partners, I could even see schools like Delaware, Temple (yeah, I know) and maybe even ECU stepping into a new league to save on travel budgets for non-revenue sports.

I realize this is all hypothetical, but its not beyond the realm of the imagination.

Sly,

I hear ya ,and either way, I hope that it happens within the next few years. I'd be cool with a conference like that: ASU, ECU, GSU, TU, UD, DSU, JMU, and of course LU. Although, I think that ECU has its sights set on the Big East. I'm not saying that they can get that done, but that may be their goal at the moment.

[Sly Fox]

I agree. But their CUSA situation is not good at all. And if they couldn't swing the Big East then it might be a marriage of convenience. Again, it would be a very long shot. But I'm just thinking out loud.

[paradox]

Well, even without ECU, it would be a favorable conference in terms of travel. In addition, it would be a winnable conference and allow us to play in the lower profile bowl games.

[Sly Fox]

That would be the ultimate goal. When people talk about FBS/I-A being ridiculous I don't think they realize that under these circumstances it is attainable.

Obviously the ACC won't be offering any invites anytime soon.

[paradox]

True.

And LU always seems to be a decent draw on the national scene. People are genuinely curious.
I'll bet that ESPN-2 would have one its higher rated bowl games, as far as the lower bowl conferences are concerned.

In addition, teams have been moving up as of late: Boise State, Rutgers, and even Marshall a few years back: Programs coming out of nowhere and into the mid to higher bowl scene.

[Cider Jim]

even Marshall a few years back: Programs coming out of nowhere and into the mid to higher bowl scene.

Thanks for the Marshall reference--having Moss, Pennington, & Leftwitch helped them, too.

[Sly Fox]

... no scruples whatsoever.

[Cider Jim]

Sly, was that a Moss reference? Marshall was just trying to help out one of their native sons: Moss is from WV, and he just wanted to come home to be near his family. Everybody deserves a second (or 3rd) chance.

[Sly Fox]

Let's just say the reputation of the Herd during the '90s was of a renegade nature. But that's just hearsay.