For the entire miserable ride home I tried to figure out what the heck happened to lead to such an embarrasing afternoon.  The only plausible explanation I have is..... alien abduction! That's right, somewhere during the trip to Alliance aliens snatched our Wolverines and replaced them with slower, weaker, inexperienced version of themselves.

Wesleydad, as always, pretty much summed up the X's and O's.  Mount just dominated in every possible way.  What I was most disappointed with is how quickly we just pretty much gave up.  Not saying that applies to every single person, but more than it should. Stopped communicating on the field, not the same level of discussion and adjustment on the sidelines as usual, sidelines were just dead for the most part.    I can take losing if you give it your very best, it infuriates me to have felt defeated so early on.

The most discouraging take away from yesterday is wondering if we're ever getting over the hump. If we couldn't do it with this year's team, when can we? Yesterday reminded me of years ago going out to UWW.  Back then the whole playoff thing was pretty new to us, perhaps many of us didn't fully understand what a top DIII team looked like.   It was understandable that we looked like a deer in headlights as the experience was so very new.  This team didn't have that excuse.  But I'll keep the faith, travel where ever my beloved Wolverines go (guess I'll be seeing more of NJ than I ever really cared to...), and keep believing that one day we'll get to Salem.   

On a positive note, overall I couldn't be more proud of this year's seniors.  It's been special watching them over the years, especially those I've known since they were in high school.  Wesley football has given them the opportunity to travel to new places, meet new people, do some amazing things, and hopefully learn valuable life lessons - everything sports at its best is supposed to do.     

You are all being much too kind. I don't know who those people in Wesley uniforms were today, but they weren't the Wolverines I've watched all year (except special teams and that was pretty typical). The team I know wouldn't have given up like that part way through the 2nd qtr. Mount's a great team, did most everything right. Dominated both offensive & defensive lines which led to all our struggles. Is it wrong to hope for a giant sinkhole in Salem next week that swallows up all things Purple?

Worst half of football - EVER

Wesley Dad, glad your dad can make the trip and chaperon you One of my favorite things about sports is how it brings families together, be they biological or team. Part of what makes it sad when a senior class leaves is we don't see their families at games again, or at least not often. But at least we're going to have next week together and go out with a bang!

Finally got on the road. Looking forward to a great game tomorrow. Safe travels to everyone, and want to have a very happy ride home tomorrow night!

Linfield - please go kick some UWW butt on Saturday!  I don't think you've had to travel nearly enough the past few weeks and really need a trip to VA

Quote from: Raider 68 on December 10, 2014, 09:27:06 PM

Quote from: wesleydad on December 10, 2014, 06:27:26 PM
Ok, football talk time.  What does Mount have to do to win the game?  What concerns do you have with Wesley?  Only 3 days, might as well generate some talk about what looks like it could be a real good game.

For Mount to win the game they must:

1. Open the playbook

2. Use Nemeth more at RB with quick hit running plays and control the temp  of the game when they
     have the ball, no huddle.

3. The Oline needs to give K. Burke time, minimal sacks.

4. Use all the WR's to keep the Wesley D honest.

5. On defense, crowd the line, since Wesley will throw 80% of the time.

6. Cover #88 like a blanket, but do not lose track of the other receivers at all times.

7. Play with controlled emotions and keep the penalties to a minimum for 4 quarters.

8. Keep the turnovers to none if possible, good decisions, since Wesley have scored a lot off TO's

Wesley will try to do many of  the same things. There are fast like Mount, have top receivers and a top QB. Although J.
Callahan does not run  much 134 yds in 13 games, he is more mobile than M. Myers. They will try to keep their penalties
at a minimum, but their high emotion could have an impact with penalties. The winner of this game will be the team that plays
smart, since they are both very talented.

True, Callahan doesn't run much but when he does you won't find a tougher, more determined running QB.  He's done a good job all year of moving around to keep plays alive, sliding away from pressure to give our receivers more time to get free but isn't afraid to lower his shoulder and run over somebody when needed.  Our offensive line started coming together late last year and has done a very good job this year, both of protecting the QB and opening up holes for an improved running game.  Need to stop the stupid false starts and not get caught holding though.  Looking forward to a great game.

Quote from: HSCTiger fan on December 09, 2014, 11:23:40 AM
Last year doesn't mean jack squat. I'll say til I'm blue in the face for Wesley to win (and I know they can) special teams and OLine must step up and the team as a whole needs fewer penalties.

You are absolutely correct, except that last year's 3 quarters of success have given us confidence and the final score extra motivation.  The only caveat I'll throw out there is that our punting game was unusually bad against HSC, and has been better in other games including the last 2.  Of course if it happened once it can happen again, and that is just the kind of stupid thing we can't afford.

Another nice article on Wesley and how last year's loss to Mt Union has motivated us since:

http://delaware.newszap.com/centraldelaware/sports/137026-72/wesley-college-wolverines-mount-union-d3football

Says Drass has won 199 games - won't that 200th be awfully sweet?  Think it was after our first loss to UMU (though may have been the 2nd), but as our fans cheered the coaching staff when they came off the field he told everybody "We'll be back".  And we believed him, believed that one day we'd not just be back but would knock off one of the two big boys of DIII (or with any luck, both of them!).  And the faithful believe that this Saturday will be that day.

Admitedly I've been drinking the KoolAid, but wouldn't have it any other way.

I have no doubt Mt Union is a very good team and will be more than ready to bring their best on Saturday.  I also have no doubt this is the all around best Wesley team to have visited Ohio, that we're quite tired of our season ending there, and that everyone is doing their best to be sure this time around is different.    For a change we're coming into this with all our weapons, no big injuries and no excuses. Keys for us making that happen are to not give up big plays on special teams, stop the stupid penalties, and for our d-line to get decent pressure/containment on Burke to help out our secondary.  Looking forward to a great day of football and spoiling the Purple Raiders 100th playoff game.  Nothing but respect for you guys, but am so tired of hearing how wonderful you are that I could puke....

A few other observations now that I've gotten to dry out... 
1. Punt team was a bit better, kick coverage a bit worse although the kicks themselves were a little better. This is the part of the game that most worries me for next week.  Sounds like Mt Union's punter had some nice kicks today.
2. George had some nice catches in this game, but his blocking efforts left something to be desired again. 
3. Was interesting seeing Martin get some carries when the game still mattered, and I think he figured out pretty quick the side-to-side stuff doesn't work as well when the defense hasn't already been demoralized.
4. I know I'm always hard on our secondary, so I give them credit for a pretty darn good game.  On the blown coverage that allowed the touchdown pass, did the linebacker miss that or was it a group effort catastrophe?

I'm so darn proud of this group of kids and I just know they have it in them to take the program two steps further this year.  Speed, depth, skill, all the pieces in the right places.  This team has been able to start out strong every game, something not always done in the past.  If we can have a solid first quarter that should give them the confidence needed to believe they really can take down one of the big boys.  Even feels like the coaching staff is hitting its best stride, not trying to over think or being too fancy or too predictable. We're darn lucky to have the great staff we do.  Proud to be a Wolverine and ready to beat some Purple butt!!

Congrats to Hobart on a good year. You guys were starting to make me a little uncomfortable after the fake punt You have a good team and much to be proud of. Please send all positive karma our way as we take on our nemesis from Ohio!

Closer than I would have liked, but I'll take it! All the personal fouls were inexcusable. Hobart's lines were pretty much as good as advertised. Was #90 hurt towards the end? Proud of Wesley for grinding it out till we could pull away. Can't wait for the rematch with Mt Union and looking forward to leaving Ohio with a win this time!

Looking forward to a good game. Hope we start out strong again and put this to bed early. Let's go Wesley!

Quote from: SaintsFAN on December 04, 2014, 12:16:57 PM
Great weather... is that normal for December in Dover??  Much better than the crap we deal with in the Ohio Valley.  Anyways, I'm getting WAY ahead of myself because there are two great games to be played before this potential matchup comes to fruition, but will you be headed to Alliance next weekend --(if both teams win, obviously)?

I will be up there -- would be great to meet you. 

I'm sure I'd be able to catch up with my old friend, wesleydad, also.  And maybe some more of the Wesley group?

If my boys get there, we'll be there!  Looking forward to a good game Saturday.  While it sounds like this one should be more competitive, would be nice to get out to a strong start and never look back.