Interested as well to hear feedback from the Black & Gold.

Congratulations to Wabash on a resounding victory.  The NCAC is clearly in your hands from this point forward.  It's your job not to mess it up now.

As far as Wooster goes, well, they've got a long way to go.  I have to agree with Ski questioning the offensive scheme.  More diversity in formations, plays, routes, options, etc., could go a long way towards improving the Scots chances.  Regardless of the Bash D (which is very, very good), the shotgun wrap offense for Wooster does not lend itself to running the football well.

Wooster's DB's were beat like a drum all day.  Underneath, across, and over the top.  The Wabash receivers made Woo's DBs look like they were standing still.

Even still, Wooster moved the football with some consistency.  Three times inside the red zone (twice inside the 5), with no points.  Another with only a field goal.  That will get you blown out against a team of Wabash's caliber.

As others have expressed on this board, Schafer's performance Saturday was gutsy and impressive. BUT, what was the Wooster staff thinking keeping him in the game as long as they did?!?!?!  WILL SOMEONE PLEASE EXPLAIN THIS!

Lastly, the band played during a number of Wooster's possessions, especially in the 4th quarter when they obviously got bored and became disinterested in the game.  Grow up.

Wooster's band was annoying all day.  STOP PLAYING WHEN WOOSTER HAS THE BALL!!!!.

More comments from the game later.  Need to gather some thoughts and cool down.

Bashbacker16:

QuoteI think Wooster will underestimate Bash's team speed and talent on both sides.

Honestly speaking, that is laughable.  The last thing Wooster would ever do is underestimate Wabash . . . especially after coming off of a loss to KENYON!!!  If anything Wooster underestimated their opponent last week.  Not this week.  Not against Wabash.  Not on homecoming.  Not at the Papp.


Wooster will play to the best of its ability.  The players and coaches know how good Wabash is, and they'll take the field Saturday to try to be at least 1 point better.

Last minute interesting stat-line/story-line to watch in the Wooster/Wabash matchup.

Russ Harbaugh has had an interesting career against the Scots.  His combined statistics for the past two seasons are:

49-84 for 536 yards w/ 6 TD's, 3 Int's, and 14 sacks

Note:  Only 4 of those 6 touchdowns went for Wabash.  Wooster has take 2 of Harbaugh's 3 interceptions back for touchdowns.  Do not underestimate the impact of those plays in each game.  Will it happen for 3rd consecutive year?  Is it in Russ's head?

14 sacks is also a telling statistic.  How much as the Wabash line improved?  9 sacks 2 years ago, 4 sacks last year, can they bring that # down even further?


Just observations.

Yes, the atmosphere will be fantastic at The Papp on Saturday.  I sure hope that the Wabash boys enjoy playing at Wooster as much as I enjoyed playing in Hollett Stadium.  The energy, the crowd, the taunting, the intimidation, the travel, the challenge, the cold air . . . All of it can either improve or detract from your performance and experience.  As a player I made sure to take in as much of the atmosphere as possible, because you just cannot recreate that feeling.

Here's to hoping that Wabash and Wooster realize how much fun they are going to have Saturday!

(Darkside - Do you think Phil has 2 extra uniforms?)

Gotta love the every-so-slight animosity that carries over onto the d3 boards.  Wabash, Witt, and Wooster have a special rivalry that is healthy for the players competing on the field, as well as for our own sake of argument and debate.

As for Saturday, I know Darkside and myself will be in attendance for pre-game "festivities" as well as a large number of Wooster folk coming into town. 
How many of you Wabash boys will be around?

Consider this a formal invitation to join us for some drink and convo.  Friendly crowd and there should be a number of the boys from last years team in attendance.  There is generally a gathering in the grass park area of the parking lot directly behind the stadium.  Wally, I believe I even over-heard some alumni brewing up some triple-bock if you were feeling particularly parched at any point.

I say that the game will be won through the air for two reasons:

1) Wabash thrives on its passing game, as indicated by passer ranking.  It is the style of play that Wabash prefers and has the ability to make big plays in.

2) Wooster will not be able to run on Wabash.  Schafer will need to pass the ball effectively to win the game.  Schmitz would much rather run the ball, but it just ain't gonna happen.

Saturday cannot get here fast enough!!!

Both Wabash and Wooster will have to pass to win.  The ground game will be pivotal, but the game will be decided through the air.  Another factor to not forget: The atmosphere at Wooster will be electric, as it was at Wabash last year.  With new players and new starters, how will they handle the pressure and intensity of this budding rivalry?

Darkside, perhaps wally_wabash is a fan of moosehead (its canadian) and would enjoy a few ice-cold beverages.

Wabash vs. Wooster:


The key story in this game will be Schafer.  How hurt is he?  The question was raised "Could Schafer have played against Kenyon?"  The answer: NO.  Word from Woo camp last week said that Schafer could not have played.  Word this week is that Schafer will play against Bash.
Last year Schafer made big plays and created opportunties with his feet.  Will he be able to do the same this year?  If not, what effect will that have on the Woo offense.  Looking at stats, Schafer has played a prominent role in Wooster's ground game thus far this season.  If he is too hobbled to run, can Wooster find a ground game consistent enough to take some pressure off the 'Bash blitz?  If the Lil Giants are allowed to lay their ears back and come after Schafer, this game will be over quicker than your "first time".  I believe the first series will go a long way to foretell the outcome of the game.  We'll see how healthy Schafer is and we'll see how aggressive the Bash D will be.

Also, last year the Wooster D had a great gameplan against the Bash O.  Wabash survived on a mismatch with Clifton that went for 4 scores over the same DB.  Well that receiver is gone, luckily, and so is that DB.  Two years ago the Bash O was blown up for 6+ sacks and only 1 score.  Wooster still has Mizak, but has nothing to replace Kearney.  Love seeing new players in old rivalries (must be even more fun for you Bash Boys in the Monon Bell).

Wabash has dropped 2 straight to Wooster.  DO NOT underestimate how much they want a win.  Conversely, Wooster enjoys beating Wabash very much and is not interested in breaking this 2-game win "streak".

Unfortunately for Wooster, Cingular's "carry-over" plan does not apply to the 84 points Wooster scored against Kenyon last year.  I bet they wish they could have brought the extra 63 points they didn't need last year to this years contest!

Scots . . . ouch fellas.  Looking ahead?

There seems to be a theme here.  Echoes of 2003 Oberlin can be heard in the distance.  Second time in three years Wooster has been knocked off by a 2nd tier team.

RC -

Fair enough.  ONU did find a rythym running the ball later in the game and I think they have found themselves a very good running back in the freshman transfer, I forget his name, but I believe you mentioned him. 

I only say that I was underwhelmed because the OAC board has been tagging BW as being on a down year so I was expecting the #5 Polar Bears to dominate a team that needed OT to beat Gheny.  Great job w/ not getting rattled at the 17-0 point, and firing off 30 unanswered points.  But that obviously will not fly against better teams, and I think you know that. 
Perhaps I had unrealistic expectations.  But I do know that ONU has big plans for this season and gave Mount their best game in the OAC last year.  If Dean Paul and the Polar Bears want to take down the Purple People this year, they are going to have to step up their game across the board.  And it didn't help losing Midlam.  Just my thoughts though, I've been wrong before.

How about OWU vs. Wabash in 2 weeks?  Barn burner last year!
Did Wooster prove something against MacMurray or is MacMurray that bad?

Long-time reader, first time poster.  NCAC guy.

Made it out to the ONU/BW game this weekend though, and I have to say that I was underwhelmed with both teams. (Except for defensive end Jason Trusnik) 

Both teams searched for any kind of offensive rythym and it only got worse as the game progressed.  BW's coach gave the game away with his play-calling (ala Jim Tressel vs. Texas).  ONU's offense could not find any rythym due in large part to the fact that their QB was running for his life the entire game.  BW got pressure on nearly every pass, although I just don't think ONU's QB is that good to begin with.  They have talented receivers who made big plays down the stretch.

For anyone that has the chance to see an ONU game this year, Jason Trusnik is worth the price of a ticket.  The guy is unblockable and the best defensive player I have seen on the d3 level, and I have seen and played with/against many of the best.  Simply dominant on every snap.

Very excited for NCAC conference play to get underway.  Witt is 0-3.  OWU seems to be finding rythym.  Gheny is only 2 years removed from a conf. championship.  Wabash 'D' is a mainstay, 'O'?  Wooster defending in the post-Sutton era.  Small college football at its best ladies and gentlemen.