Quote from: smedindy on October 17, 2022, 12:07:32 PM

Quote from: cruiser1985 on October 15, 2022, 08:48:39 PM
Actually, if Witt wins out, DPU can't win conference since they lost to Witt.  So, if all three teams are 6-1 headed into final week-end, DPU can only play spoiler....

Are we sure about this? They've done wacky things with the unpublished tiebreakers before.

This is correct, I believe.  If Witt and DePauw both win out they'd be alone at the top with identical conference records, Wittenberg wins the first tie-breaker: "Head-to-Head competition/result". 

If Wabash and Witt win-out, Wabash wins the by the same tie-breaker.

The three-way tie scenario (a la 2018 and 2019) are when it gets weird, with the NCAC going to the "longest active conference win streak" tie-breaker to determine who represents the conference in the playoffs via automatic bid.

Quote from: Crawford on September 04, 2022, 03:32:05 PM

Quote from: Whitecarrera on September 04, 2022, 02:56:47 PM
A couple stats from the Witt game really jump out. Cortland had 681 of offense but only 23 first downs.  That's 30yds per first down, and 25 yds per completion! Those seem like huuuge numbers. By comparison: Wabash - 663 with 33 1st downs / 20yds per 1st down. Hampden Sydney - 490 with 29 1st downs, or 17 yds per. How did Cortland only score 48?

HSC passed at will sometimes, but only averaged 12 1/2 per catch. Can you imagine the game if every completion were double that?

This was an impressive stat too, from D3's write up: " J.J. Laap hauling in nine passes for 312 yards and two touchdowns to lead the way for Cortland. "

It was eye-popping how wide open Lapp and his fellow receivers were on "go" routes all day, including multiple TD strikes of 50-plus, including on of 90 yards.  Throw in an 80-yard TD pass to the running back on a broken play and the average yards per pass completion were off the charts. 

Again, lots of work to do for the Tigers.

Tough day in upstate New York for Wittenberg in Coach Jim Collins' debut at his Alma Mater.  The injuries to the back seven and overall inexperience in the secondary were certainly glaring. The Cortland passing attack is potent, for sure, but the Red Dragons were firing bombs to open guys at will from start to finish.  A lot to work on for Wittenberg in the bye week as they prep for league play.  They get Kenyon and Hiram on the 17th and 23rd, then it will be interesting to see whose defense has improved more on October 1: Witt or Wabash.

Quote from: sigma one on September 01, 2022, 02:04:51 PM
Three more today in order of the coaches' poll:   Ohio Wesleyan, Denison, Wooster.

OHIO WESLEYAN:  Returning All-Conference picks Henry DL (1), Sanders DL (HM), Biddle DB (HM in 2019).
I was surprised when I reviewed the 2022 roster that several of the underclass starters from 2021 were not listed. The new starters on the recently posted two-deep comprise the majority of the lineup.
OFFENSE:  Three offensive linemen return. OWU will start new players at WR, RB, and QB--although Womack and Buza both played significant snaps last year when Ries was injured. 
DEFENSE:  Four starters return, including two who earned All-Conference honors in 2021.  Also back are one LB, and two DBs.  OWU always seems to find good defensive players; we'll see.

On both O and D there are many returning from last year's squad who saw time on the field.
OVERALL: Since I was surprised by the absence of several starters from last year, so it is hard to gauge the strength of the 2022 team.
I'm guessing that with so many holes to fill, OWU could finish anywhere from 4th to 6th.  I doubt whether the Bishops can match last year's 8-2 record; but, then again, I did not see them having that record before the start of the 2021 season.  Who knows?
OOC:  OWU opens with Otterbein, an OAC team that will pose a significant challenge to an inexperienced offense.  They then travel to Illinois Wesleyan, where they should be tested by a Titans team that faltered last year; but whom I expect to rebound in a tough CCIW.

DENISON:  Returning All-Conference K Stone OL (1), B Stone OL (2), Fabrocini RB (1), Dusendorf DL (2), Moore LB (1).  They also return two good fifth years Dawkins QB and Rooney DB.
OFFENSE:  All the skill players return:  3 WRers, RB, TE, QB.  the Stones provide a good core on the OL, but three positions have to be filled.
Fabrocini is an excellent RB who will likely get more carries with the loss of another good back from 2021.  Dawkins has been up and down, and is somewhat hampered by his lack of size, but who is an excellent runner.  Look for plenty of explosion here.  A bonus is Epps returning at returner.
DEFENSE:  The front six looks solid.  The Big Red has used a three-man front, and they all return.  Moore is an exceptional LBer.  The weak link may be the DBs, where only one starter returns, and Denison lost some very good, multi-year players.
OVERALL:  There is always a significant plus in returning a 5th-year QB--and Dawkins has had two good years.  The Big Red has been on a nice run for the last 5 years competing well against the entire conference.  They will be a tough out for any of the top tier teams. 
OOC:  Denison opens with Capital, one of the bottom dwellers of the OAC.  They should have little trouble there.  They then play Hilbert.  As I noted yesterday, Hilbert is a first-year program.  In fact, to fill their schedule Hilbert is taking on four NCAC teams.  Tall task to expect them to be competitive in their rookie season.

WOOSTER:  All-Conference returning Hissong TE (1, 5th year), Renteria QB (HM, 5th year), Barrett K (2), Pardi (2).   Hissong, Barrett, and Pardi are pre-season choices of DIII Football's  AA team.
The kicking game will be strong, and that's a bonus in close games.   Along with Hissong, Renteria,  Baughman are three other 5th years.  That has to give the Scots a, perhaps unanticipated, boost.  One wonders whether the league coaches knew about all of them when they picked Woo to finish 6th in the conference. 
OFFENSE:  Renteria set Woo records last year at QB, throwing for 29TDs.  Hissong  will give  LBers and DBs fits.  And Baughman, once a good RB, switched in the middle of last season to WR; his receiving skill are exceptional.   Three OL also returrn.  When Baugham moved to receiver, Yaseens came on at RB.
DEFENSE:  the DL will be solid.  Both starting LBers return, including Savaglio for his 5th year.  The Scots alway play multi DBs. and almost all of them are back to solidify the secondary. 
OVERALL:  As I mentioned above, it surprises me that the coaches picked Wooster for 6th in the NCAC.  My strong guess is that they will finish higher than that.  With all the offensive experience and the kickers, they will be a challenge for the entire league and may well compete at the very top.
OOC:  the opening game is with Cortland.  The Red Dragons dominated the game last year, and this early test will reveal a lot about Woo's strengths.  I don't expect a win, but I am eager to see how the Scots do against a top-line team who is better than anyone in the NCAC.  Their 2nd game is v. Hilbert.  I've already said all I can say about them.

Tomorrow, the final three:  Kenyon, Oberlin, and Hiram.

 
c

Your previews are fantastic, thanks!  Doesn't Wooster open with Geneva (not Cortland)?  If that's the case, I'd expect Wooster to open with a "W". Thanks again for the capsules.

Quote from: DePauwalum05 on August 31, 2022, 11:04:08 AM
Where did everybody go? Doesn't seem to be much excitement and anticipation for the NCAC football season.  I'm eager to see DePauw's opener and the development of a lot of young student-athletes on the roster along with breaking in a new QB.  Hard to say whether the preseason conference ranking is warranted or more of a reflection of last season.  Tough match up Saturday vs. resurgent Rose.

What's going on up at Wabash?  Should be an interesting couple of opening games for the Little Giants.  Talented QB in Thompson returning.  Can't recall you guys ever being so quiet on these boards.

Would welcome any commentary on the conference -

DePauw definitely deserves the pre-season top-spot as the defending champ, IMO.  The D-Line was stout last season....are any/most of those guys back?

Optimism and excitement are high at Wittenberg.  Nine starters return on offense and six are back on defense for the new coaching regime.  Wittenberg finished '21 strong but has a very tough road trip to open the season at Cortland and does not play a home game until October when the Tigers host Wabash (what a Homecoming...jeez). That game and a trip to DePauw the next week will dictate a lot about the season.

Good luck to all the NCAC teams in their openers!

Pre-Season NCAC Coaches Poll has been released

https://www.northcoast.org/sports/fball/2022-23/releases/PreseasonPoll

1. Depauw (3)
2. Wabash (4)
3. Wittenberg (1)
4. Ohio Wesleyan
5. Denison (1)
6. Wooster
7. Kenyon
8. Oberlin
9. Hiram

Since players are slated to report to camp in less than a month and the College Football Preview publications are in full swing, here is a capsule preview on the 2022 Wittenberg Tigers.  Best of luck to all of the NCAC squads this season!

With a change at the top, there are several pre-season unknowns for Wittenberg Football heading into the 2022 campaign.  Upon the departure of legendary Head Coach Joe Fincham following a stellar 26-year career at the helm, the Tigers have turned to alumnus and head coaching veteran Jim Collins to lead the program into its next era. Despite having just one holdover from last year's staff, Coach Collins will have a solid arsenal of returning on-field talent with which to work.

Wittenberg returns nine starters on offense and seven on the defensive side of the ball from a squad that finished 7-3 (7-2) and tied for second place in the NCAC behind conference champion DePauw.  The Tigers started the '21 season dropping the opener to Cortland 38-16 (yielding two scores to the Red Dragon defense and coughing-up a muffed punt inside their own red zone) and failing to hold two fourth quarter leads in losing two of the next four games (21-16 to Denison and 17-14 to DePauw), to find themselves at a crossroads with a 2-3 mark at the midway point.  But Wittenberg found its stride in the back end of the season, winning its final five games behind a balanced offense and opportunistic defense, cementing a memorable finish for Fincham and laying a strong foundation for Collins' inaugural effort with the Tigers in 2022.

OFFENSE
Key Losses: Sam Kayser (WR), Hunter Shelley (OL) Rodney Van Cleaf (TE), Bobby Froelich (QB)
Returning Starters (9): Collin Brown (QB), Bryce Anderson (RB), Garrett Gross (RB), Jake Saus (WR), Gene Nobles (WR), Mark Pratt (OL), Angel Bravo (OL), Kacey Prospere (OL), Jeramiah Mensah (OL)
Key Returnees: Reed Hall (RB), Drew Sterett (WR), Isaac Grilliot (TE), Troy Teepe (TE), Wyatt Osterhage (OL), Max Milton (QB), Mario Getaw (RB)

Brown (Mason, OH), who missed all or part of four games in '21 due to injury, completed 64 of 108 passes for 1385 yards and 14 touchdowns. Anderson (Indianapolis/Lawrence Central) earned Honorable Mention All-NCAC accolades after gaining 594 yards on 147 carries with seven scores.  Gross (Bellefontaine, OH) toted the ball just 72 times, but averaged 7.9 yards/carry, accounting for 569 yards and four touchdowns.  Saus (Akron, OH/Archbishop Hoban) led the team in receptions (40), yards (749) avg/catch (18.7) and scoring (9 TD).  Nobles (Tavares, FL/Boone) wasn't far behind, accounting for 36 grabs, 545 yards and two touchdowns. The offensive line proved to be the team's most improved unit in the second half of '21 and was a catalyst for the strong finish, leading the way for a 234 rushing yards/game in the final five games (the Tigers eked out just 90 yds/game in first five).  Pratt (Hamilton, OH), Mensah (Lehigh Acres, FL/East Lee), Bravo (Orland, CA), and HM All-NCAC lineman Prospere (Miami, Norland) are the returning regulars, and Osterhage (Dayton, OH/Centerville) saw significant action.

DEFENSE
Key Losses: Jordan Burkey (DB), Michael Fiessinger (DB), Rashon Edwards (DB), Logan Jewsikow (LB), Kam Caudle (DL), Julio Novarini (LB)
Returning Starters (7): Conner Walls (DE), Mike Knock (DL), Matt Render (DE), Grant Hollinger (DL), Cameron Snurr (LB), Tony Calovini (LB), Anthony Pedro (DB)
Key Returnees: Levi Morrison (DL), Dev Culliver (LB), Christian Sweet (DB), Max Yost (DB), Nate Snyder (DL), Nick Wadsworth (DL), Dane Flatter (LB), Jamal Carter (DB), Jourdan Stipe (DB)

Wittenberg's defense will feature a few new faces, most significantly on the back end, as three starters in the secondary depart. Safety Pedro (Massillon, OH/Washington) (52 tackles/1 INT) is the lone holdover from a group that accounted for 12 turnovers and 179 stops and produced three All-Conference performers in '21.  Sweet (Hilliard, OH/Davidson) and Carter (Port Charlotte, FL/Charlotte) saw action at safety and corner, respectively, last season and are among the many candidates to replace Burkey, Fiessinger and Edwards.  Second Team All-NCAC linebacker Snurr (Springboro, OH) was the squad's leader in tackles (73) in '21.  He is joined in the linebacking corps by fellow returning starter Calovini (Etna, OH/Watkins Memorial) who accounted for 32 stops. The defensive line is the outfit's deepest unit, with seven players back who either started or saw action in at least nine games in '21.  Walls (Centerville, OH), an HM All-NCAC end who registered 51 tackles and 7.5 sacks last season, returns with fellow bookend Render (Miami/Norland) who accounted for 31 stops and 5.5 sacks.  All-NCAC tackle Knock (Springboro, OH) was a top performer last season, notching 54 tackles and 6.5 sacks from the middle of the line.  Returning defensive linemen Hollinger (Hilliard, OH/Darby), Morrison (Enon, OH/Greenon), Snyder (Springfield, OH/Northwestern) and Wadsworth (Mason, OH) combined for 52 tackles and four sacks.

SPECIAL TEAMS
Key Losses: Julio Novarini (P), Sam Kayser (PR/KR)
Returning Starters (2): Brandon Goodwin (PK), Reed Hall (KR)
Key Returnees: Nathan Hawks (PK), Tyler May (PR), Nick Bowman (K/P)

Goodwin (Englewood, OH/Northmont) returns after connecting on six of seven field goal attempts in '21, including a game-winner in the closing seconds at Ohio Wesleyan, and 34 of 36 extra points.  Hall (Westerville, OH/New Albany) averaged 34 yds/return last season and took one kickoff 88-yards for a touchdown. 

The Tigers will play their first three games on the road, starting with a non-conference trip to Cortland, NY to take on the Red Dragons on 9/3.  NCAC road contests against Kenyon (9/17) and Hiram (9/24) follow before the Tigers open home play at Edwards-Maurer Field on 10/1, hosting Wabash.  A trip to face reigning conference champ DePauw on 10/8 is followed by home contests against Oberlin (10/15) and Denison (10/22).  Wooster is the final road trip of the regular season on 10/29, as Wittenberg faces Ohio Wesleyan (11/5) and non-conference foe Hilbert (11/12) at home to round-out the 10-game slate.