FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[kcreds]

Okay here it is, OWU got punched in the mouth by Wabash. I was very impressed by how Wabash dominated that game. The score could have been a lot worse but Wabash shot themselves in the foot a few times. I consider Wabash a front runner in the conference and if they can correct those miscues then they could very well be a team to be reckoned with in the playoffs. The Wabash passing game was pretty to watch but not much of a running game which could prevent them from making a legitimate run.

My thoughts on OWU; they had 2 weeks to prepare but it didn't help, the offense and defense were on their heels most of the game, (credit Wabash) and the only silver lining was the punt game, kudos to the punter. However, the season is not over yet. The question is, how will OWU bounce back? I have faith that they will show character and be competitive in the upcoming games. Coach H did a good job in overcoming last years adversity and motivated his team to a respectable finish. OWU has been beaten by 2 very good teams and they still should not be underestimated.

I was not impressed by the number of Wabash fans that attended the game at the great Selby stadium. I was impressed however of their enthusiasm. I thought that OWU had a very good turnout. Thumbs up to the pep band, the Bishop guy and the announcer who in fact even was nice enough to sound a little excited when Wabash did some good things.

Just a side note to those of you that like numbers. Jr.'s high school has a 41 game regular season winning streak right now that started when Jr. was a freshman. I believe our state record is 44. Jr. was a starter his freshman year, started all phases his sophomore year through his senior year. Those of you that have asked, Jr. is biting at the bit to play but he understands that college ball is different and he will await his turn. Its taking some getting use to not seeing him play but we support OWU and their efforts. Go Bishops!   

[wally_wabash]

The CCIW result wasn't totally unexpected...North Central was picked second in the preseason poll for the CCIW and actually received one more first place vote than Wheaton did.  

Huntingdon scored their program's first points against Wabash.  I remember watching them in '03 and thinking that if they can get a coach to come and stay for more than a year or two and get a recruiting class all the way through, they could be pretty good.  They played awfully hard at Wabash.  Good to see them doing so well...I'd like to see them get into a conference (USASouth perhaps)...it's becoming increasingly to get respect as an independent.  

[bootleg bill]

Wabashcpa asks how Earlham can go from scoring 69 points against Manchester to just two against Hiram . .. well, check out how Manchester did this last weekend, and the numbers are even more surprising.  69-62 in that game, and Earlham posts 2 this week against Hiram while Manchester posts 7 in a 59-7 loss to Bluffton (the same Bluffton team that had allowed 45 in each of the last 2 games).  So a combined 131 points in that game to a combined 9 points between the two teams this last weekend . . . and one has to wonder if you look at the summary . .. Earlham 1st and Goal inside the Hiram 5-yard line on two occasions . . . 6 passes and 2 runs . . . the first possession was four consecutive incompletions.  Hmmmmmm  . . . . even if your strength is the passing game.

[DarkSide-D]

So Bootleg,

Are you saying that Hiram should blast Manchester?  Maybe we should call Hiram's AD and have him schedule them, so that the terribles can gurantee a victory each year.

[formerd3db]

kreds:
Thanks for the review, very interesting.  One question: why do you think the Wabash following was small?  Gas prices, perhaps?  It is disappointing to see some lower attendance at games this year (happened at ours this weekend as well), however, there are most likely a variety of factors involved i.e. fuel costs and teams not doing as well as usual.

bootleg bill:
That is indeed a strange phenonmenon.  Hmmmm....  Does that mean that both those teams are still so in the lower tier that they can score a lot of points against each other, but stumble tremendously against the better teams?

[wabashcpa]

Based on their schedule this year, Huntingdon is a de facto SCAC member, so maybe that's their potential conference affiliation.  They certainly need a team from Alabama to complement their squads from Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, and Texas.

[wally_wabash]

The Wabash crowd at OWU was a little lighter than I was expecting.  Who knows why...could be any of the reasons already mentioned.  I would expect a larger crowd in Wooster in a couple of weeks. 

Colorado College is an independent...maybe the SCAC could snatch them up too.  And they are Tigers which would make them the fourth group of Tigers in the conference.  That would have to be some sort of record.  I say go for it.   

[BashDad]

formerd3db:

Wabash contingent in Delaware was not really that small--I would guess 250-300.  Wabash students there, too, which is always nice to see.  As kreds reports, they were organized and loud.  We all had a good time tailgating, and celebrating a fine win on a beautiful football afternoon.  A long, but very happy 6-hr. drive back to Evansville.  The Selby stadium experience was fun--an old but neat place for a football game.  It was nice to see OWU have a nice crowd (4,000?) for their Homecoming.  

Was great to see Hope get back on the winning track.  Also nice to see the Bulldogs whuuping up on Albion!  

Talk to you later.    

[WallyFS4]

I know there was concern with the Bash coaching about OWU.  They were very impressed with OWU on film.  They thought they would be in a dog fight.  I'm starting to to feel like BB16.  Maybe it was the opponent.

I really believe in this years L'il Giants.  I think they can really do some things.  Could be a very special year.  With that being said.  I spouted off early last year, and unfortunatly we folded like a cheap chair.  That crow tasted like $hit.  So I will be taking each game one at a time.  We all know there is Unfinished Business.

Congrats to the Puppies, and to Woo(#24).  Both Bash & Woo need to take care of business this week, but in 2 weeks, it could be a classic.  As always.

WABASH ALWAYS FIGHTS![/font]

[wally_wabash]

Attendance for the OWU game is listed at 3325.  For comparison, the '03 Wabash @ OWU game (also homecoming for OWU) had an official attendance of 1537 (that's pretty sorry for a homecoming game).  Maybe the Wabash crowd just seemed a little smaller by comparison this time around. 

[Vince McMahon]

bootleg bill:
That is indeed a strange phenonmenon.  Hmmmm....  Does that mean that both those teams are still so in the lower tier that they can score a lot of points against each other, but stumble tremendously against the better teams?

former3db,  I understand your point but do realize you just indirectly referred to Hiram as one of the "better" teams?   

[DarkSide-D]

Vince,

Please give the terribles the respect they deserve.  They are tied for second in conference play with Wooster and Witt.  In fact, at this point, they are leading the Gators, and Bishops!  The only reason Bash is leading them is that they started their conference play early.   

[Kira & Jaxon's Dad]

Kirasdad-

Came up empty on my search on your old HS coach. The only Wabash-St. Joe game I attended from 1969-72 was in '69 and he wasn't on the roster. I probably wouldn't have found anything you would have found interesting but thanks to you the archives got some fresh air and dusting.

Thanks for looking.

[Vince McMahon]

Darkside,

At this point, I'm assuming nothing with the Gators.  They seem to specialize in finding new ways to lose every week.  I have confidence they'll turn it around sooner or later, but I've taken off my rosy shades for now.

I'm very happy for Hiram. For their upperclassmen (if they have any), this has got to be one of the best weeks they've ever had in their career.  Some people were considering Earlham a team that was on the rise (albeit slowly).   Any way you cut it, this was a great win for their program.  Who knows what a little confidence might do for them down the road?  

Your reference to the standings is amusing.  If you considered overall records, you would see Witt and Gheny at the bottom and Wooster at the top.  It's amazing how much things can change in 10  years.

[Pat Coleman]

Does anyone know why the front page clearly shows Thiel scoring a touchdown against OWU? 

A photo from the day's game isn't always available and we have never guaranteed that every photo we use is from the most recent game.