FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[wally_wabash]

I'll have more tomorrow but wanted to share some thoughts on Wabash/OWU today.

- tough seeing Mason Zurek go down today, I've seen way too many guys go down over the years and it never gets easier.  I hope he can come back later in the season.
- the tandem of MacDougal and Sobleski is awesome (punter/kicker).  Weapons for sure...  Sobleski bobbled the one punt snap and had to rush but still had a good day.
- I thought the OWU o-line was pretty chippy all day long.  #77 was especially cheap all afternoon
- to the Bishop player that tweeted #wabashalways_________ - nice game bro.  It's actually #WabashAlwaysFights just so we're clear.  Also, did you play, I didn't notice you, even if I could see your #.  It amazes me what some guys say on social media. 
- Stella is a beast.  He should get better and better.
- the Bash D brought it all day, Espo never got comfortable.  He made some great throws and his receivers were impressive.  How about Buresh today?  Scola was all over the field and Eddie's 2 picks were sweet!
- lastly - special teams were awesome.  Hodges, Dickerson's KO return, Ethan Buresh's block on the punt return, etc.

Wabash is well rounded in all phases and any Saturday, one can stand out and change the game.  That's a cool thing.

38-13 - I'll take it.

On OWU taking the next step...Espo is a MAJOR piece and the last 2 years OWU has lost to Bash 66-13.  I'm not sure that is closing the gap.

WAF

Your guy with the unfortunate tweet had two tackles. All day, all that running and he had two tackles.

Was looking at the two deep last week and was struck by how many seniors OWU had on that list. We are going to find out how well Watts has been recruiting very quickly next year because the Bishops get real young real fast in 2014.

Does anyone else think its ridiculous that vs the Same Wabash Defense, Richard Barnes threw for more yards, let his team to more total yards and to more points, yet Espo still gets more credit and people still bash Barnes?

Really?  You been reading this board for the last four years?

[ExTartanPlayer]

Does anyone else think its ridiculous that vs the Same Wabash Defense, Richard Barnes threw for more yards, let his team to more total yards and to more points, yet Espo still gets more credit and people still bash Barnes?

I think some of the Barnes "bashing" this year was a result of his unfortunate Twitter prediction. I mean, don't start s**t won't be none.

In the past, however, I think a lot of the Barnes bashing came from Wooster's own fans to the point that, if I recall correctly, Wally even said "can we have him, then?" (or words to that effect).

You remember correctly. I also recall the conversation where a Wooster fan was suggesting that the team was better off with Frongillo (who admittedly was playing decent ball) and Wally asked if Wabash could have Barnes. Most of the bash fans - and others on the board - have generally been complimentary of Barnes.

Espinosa deserves a fair amount of credit for his overall performance over four years, including those against Bash, although they haven't toppled the monster. He can't do it by himself; OWU doesn't match up all over the field.

Goscotsgo is likely either a) Barnes himself, b) a family member, or c) an idiotic teammate. Which is a shame - current players or family members posting is fine if they have intelligent discussion to add. But it's always funny when a current player or parent registers a new account midseason to post an obviously slanted comment, then disappears after a few angry retorts. What's especially funny in this case is the "people still bash Barnes" comment is so off - plenty of compliments about Barnes' play this season.

[formerd3db]

ExTartanPlayer:

Hello, friend. I am not jumping into the current debate you are discussing with the others because I know nothing of it.  So my post here, has nothing to do with that, but rather is only to share my opinion on the general comments/opinion you shared about the current players and parents posting.  Of course, this has been discussed by many of our colleagues on other boards as well in the past.

At any rate, as we all know and Pat has stated, there is no "official" rule about current players posting.  I have no problem with parents posting here at all, nor do you or others, although I certainly agree with you that, at times, some do post exactly in the manner as you have mentioned.  Without question, we are all entitled to our opinions and that is what these discussion boards are for.  Healthy debate is always good, although, I know you also agree with this premise in that any of us who put forth such, should be prepared to endure whatever resulting discussion emerges thereafter.   That said, it is my own opinion that (and always has been), were I a head coach, posting by current team players during the season would be not allowed for obvious reasons.  Of course, we know that many head coaches in DIII (and all the other NCAA divisions) have such rules in place; others do not.     

[BashDad]

Florence > Barnes > Espy

[BashFan74]

Back to Espinosa for a moment. A bit of interesting history.  Espinosa's high school has produced some talent over the years.  For example, back in '67 the FB team was state champs.  On this talent-laden team, the QB was one of the most highly regarded young men in the country, Watson Brown. Watson went on to Vandy and is presently head coach at Tennesse Tech in his hometown of Cookeville.  You may also have heard of Watson's brother, Mack Brown, RB on that same team and coach of the Texas Longhorns.  Some pedigree. My cousin, Kevin Tucker, was TE and placekicker on that championship team and went on to play at Middle Tennessee.

[aueagle]

Watson was also drafted in the MLB...I remember he stopped in at Univ. of Cincinnati for a cup of coffee...
Sorry that there may be a bad apple Bishop out there....
OWU staff is recruiting as well as any other D3 in Ohio...they are out there in force...
it may take a couple of years to "stack the deck" with a solid 2-deep roster...
The JV program is in it's first year and they are undefeated...
Bishops do have 3 QB's that can step-up next season...
a change in the offensive attack may have to take place w/o Espo
A win over DePauw will pave the way to Wittenberg...Bishops have to stay close to the top
GO BISHOPS

[sigma one]

Thanks, aueagle.  The key phrase is "out there in force."  I think many underestimate how hard it is to recruit the kinds of athletes into DIII who will be difference makers--and good students who will do the athletic and academic work and stick around for four years.  A winning tradition helps, and OWU lost that for a few years.  Now it's beginning to emerge again.  A few years ago, I heard of an AD (never-mind from where) who asked Wabash if he could pick the brains of Wabash coaches about how they recruit.  A coach sat down with him.  In the end, (I've heard) the AD said he didn't think his coaches would work that hard.
       OWU is making a good run.  There is a lot to build on, and OWU's continuing success is good for the conference as well as for OWU itself.  I hope there are QBs in the wings and other new faces who will continue what is going on.  We are also seeing a welcome rise to more competitiveness from Denison, Kenyon, and Hiram.  The next couple of years will be telling.  Allegheny and DePauw need to step it up, and probably will.  With a new coach, Wooster seems to be playing with more moxie (I like that word).  Oberlin:   Let's hope for them to be permitted  to get the players their coaches and spirited team deserve.
     As for Wabash and Wittenberg, we know what their futures hold unless something weird happens.

[smedindy]

Does anyone else think its ridiculous that vs the Same Wabash Defense, Richard Barnes threw for more yards, let his team to more total yards and to more points, yet Espo still gets more credit and people still bash Barnes?

I think some of the Barnes "bashing" this year was a result of his unfortunate Twitter prediction. I mean, don't start s**t won't be none.

In the past, however, I think a lot of the Barnes bashing came from Wooster's own fans to the point that, if I recall correctly, Wally even said "can we have him, then?" (or words to that effect).

Yea, verily, many of us were saying the same thing. Barnes has talent - had fumble issues early, then injuries and now his supporting cast isn't that stellar.

[smedindy]

Even if OWU takes a little step back, I don't think they'll plunge into the abyss again. That's great for the league and its depth.

[The_Bishop]

Even if OWU takes a little step back, I don't think they'll plunge into the abyss again. That's great for the league and its depth.

Agreed.  I wasn't going to jump the gun on discussing 2014 but since Wally and others opened the door (and, barring an absolute meltdown by Wabash this year that just isn't happening) OWU is playing for second place and it's not a bad time to look ahead.  It will be an interesting transition for OWU next year as the new coaching staff will have a roster of players that are primarily their recruits.  I could see the Kenyon and Oberlin games going the other way (not to say that Oberlin could beat OWU this year), so 5-5 could be in the cards.  The offense especially is going to lose a lot of seniors - and studs at that - so we'll just have to wait and see.

Your guy with the unfortunate tweet had two tackles. All day, all that running and he had two tackles.

Wish there would have been more chatter about this leading up to the game, but it's probably better not to give any credence to such nonsense.  As an alumni and former player, I'm embarrassed.  Aside from being just plain dumb, it's classless.  I have no problem with using social media to get yourself and teammates pumped up for the big game, but use your brain.  Next time tweet "Hoping to beat the Little Giants for the first time this millennium" instead of something that is going to make you look like a fool and give the opposition more fodder to bury you.  I'm having this player sit at midfield tomorrow afternoon as the rest of the team runs the steps at Selby (trust me, not a fun experience - even worse if you're in pads).  That may be a bit harsh, but at the end of the day a player just has to hold himself to a higher standard.

       OWU is making a good run.  There is a lot to build on, and OWU's continuing success is good for the conference as well as for OWU itself.  I hope there are QBs in the wings and other new faces who will continue what is going on.  We are also seeing a welcome rise to more competitiveness from Denison, Kenyon, and Hiram.  The next couple of years will be telling.  Allegheny and DePauw need to step it up, and probably will.  With a new coach, Wooster seems to be playing with more moxie (I like that word).  Oberlin:   Let's hope for them to be permitted  to get the players their coaches and spirited team deserve.

Is it too early to say that the league is much improved from top to bottom this year?  It's still Wabash/Witt and everybody else, but it seems like the rest of the pack with the exception of Gheny and Woo for the time being are getting closer to that proverbial doorstep.  That's a far cry from knocking one of the W's off but hopefully this year is an indication or more good things to come from the league.

[BashFan74]

BB16,

A break from football...

Just opened my copy of "500 Strong, Wabash College Students in the Civil War" and I see that you are a contributor.  Well done! 

(This is a collection of stories about the 529 Wabash men who served in the Civil War. The book spans 30 years of student-faculty research and includes the stories of privates to generals.  Wabash sent more soldiers to the Civil War, proportionately, than any college in the US.)

[formerd3db]

BB16,

A break from football...

Just opened my copy of "500 Strong, Wabash College Students in the Civil War" and I see that you are a contributor.  Well done! 

(This is a collection of stories about the 529 Wabash men who served in the Civil War. The book spans 30 years of student-faculty research and includes the stories of privates to generals.  Wabash sent more soldiers to the Civil War, proportionately, than any college in the US.)

Hey, very interesting.  Are copies available to purchase from Wabash?

[Wabash Hokie]

BB16,

A break from football...

Just opened my copy of "500 Strong, Wabash College Students in the Civil War" and I see that you are a contributor.  Well done! 

(This is a collection of stories about the 529 Wabash men who served in the Civil War. The book spans 30 years of student-faculty research and includes the stories of privates to generals.  Wabash sent more soldiers to the Civil War, proportionately, than any college in the US.)

Hey, very interesting.  Are copies available to purchase from Wabash?

D3DB - Yes, the book is for sale in the bookstore.  Here is the link:

http://www.bkstr.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/HelpStoreInfoView?langId=-1&catalogId=10001&storeId=127405&demoKey=d

While the book itself is not featured as an item to purchase on the website, you can call or email the bookstore and purchase it.  The book is a very good read, especially for anyone who has an interest in the American Civil War (or as some in Virginia and regions south say "the War of Northern Aggression" or my favorite from an old Richmonder - "the recent unpleasantness".

[AlleghenyAlum]

Does anyone else think its ridiculous that vs the Same Wabash Defense, Richard Barnes threw for more yards, let his team to more total yards and to more points, yet Espo still gets more credit and people still bash Barnes?

I think some of the Barnes "bashing" this year was a result of his unfortunate Twitter prediction. I mean, don't start s**t won't be none.

In the past, however, I think a lot of the Barnes bashing came from Wooster's own fans to the point that, if I recall correctly, Wally even said "can we have him, then?" (or words to that effect).

Yea, verily, many of us were saying the same thing. Barnes has talent - had fumble issues early, then injuries and now his supporting cast isn't that stellar.

He definitely does have talent, but he carries the ball so far away from his body, I really thought he was going to fumble everytime he took off with it.  Allegheny really should have beaten this Wooster team.  They played so well in the first quarter, but they just couldn't sustain it for an entire game.  Here's to hoping there is at least one win this season.

[Bishopleftiesdad]

Welcome aboard AA. Nice to have a poster form anther school.