FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[cruiser1985]

Great atmosphere indeed.  Wabash side turned out well.  Regular stands and three extra sections brought in on the home side were all pretty much full.  DPU did not represent.  Permanent visitor stands pretty full, but end zone section for DPU nearly empty.  And with about nine minutes to go, about a quarter of those there on the DPU side started to file out.  Disappointing as a Wabash man to see the rivalry seemingly mean so little on the other side.

[BayernFan]

Great atmosphere indeed.  Wabash side turned out well.  Regular stands and three extra sections brought in on the home side were all pretty much full.  DPU did not represent.  Permanent visitor stands pretty full, but end zone section for DPU nearly empty.  And with about nine minutes to go, about a quarter of those there on the DPU side started to file out.  Disappointing as a Wabash man to see the rivalry seemingly mean so little on the other side.

I've had the impression for per two decades now that the DPU side, in general, doesn't care as much about this game and rivalry as the Wabash side does.

[Wabash Hokie]

Great atmosphere indeed.  Wabash side turned out well.  Regular stands and three extra sections brought in on the home side were all pretty much full.  DPU did not represent.  Permanent visitor stands pretty full, but end zone section for DPU nearly empty.  And with about nine minutes to go, about a quarter of those there on the DPU side started to file out.  Disappointing as a Wabash man to see the rivalry seemingly mean so little on the other side.

I've had the impression for per two decades now that the DPU side, in general, doesn't care as much about this game and rivalry as the Wabash side does.

As recent as four years ago, the game at Hollett was completely sold out including one additional set of stands.  DePauw came into the game undefeated.  Since that time, as Wabash has continued to win and DePauw's football program hit some very hard times, the rivalry has been impacted, especially the "fair weather" fans.   While there are certainly passionate fans on  both side of this rivalry, I think that Wabash carries a much brighter torch for this game and the overall rivalry.  Given the fact that there are no women and no women's sports at Wabash, there is nothing to dilute the focus on this game or rivalry. However, concurrent with the recent demise and gradual improvement in DePauw's football program has been a burgeoning women's sports program that is one of the best in Div III that has drawn the attention and support of many students, parents and alumni.  At DePauw, at least for now, the Monon Bell game seems to  represent more of a social happening for the student body, whereas Wabash's student community is laser focused on winning the game.

[Li'l Giant]

I remember their fans caring about this game between 1996 and 2000 when they were the ones winning 5 straight. I think the fact they've been so uncompetitive in these last 5 games has been the real problem.

2009 they at least had a lead in that game in the 3rd quarter. But that was the last lead they've had against Wabash. Winning will cure that real quick.

[HCAlum86]

Wabash projected with a home game in the first round!? Woahhhh Nelly, I like it

[Pat Coleman]

I remember their fans caring about this game between 1996 and 2000 when they were the ones winning 5 straight. I think the fact they've been so uncompetitive in these last 5 games has been the real problem.

2009 they at least had a lead in that game in the 3rd quarter. But that was the last lead they've had against Wabash. Winning will cure that real quick.

I'm sure the coaching roulette wheel at DePauw has had a lot to do with that. I can see it being a little different under Mourouzis.

[wabndy]

Remember that both schools have held firm to a policy of only selling as many tickets as there are physical seats available. If airlines and hotels did this they'd go broke fast. It does seem like a exercise in futility to set up that extra set of temporary end zone bleachers that no one will sit in. Unfortunately the result makes it look on tv like the turnout at a mid-major bowl game.

[Joe Wally]

when is the playoff bracket released?

[HCAlum86]

Is there any build-up to Wabash/Depauw basketball games, or is this essentially a football rivalry?

[Li'l Giant]

The rivalry is pretty intense in all sports, not just football. The Bell is usually in attendance when we play them in hoops (mark January 21 on your calendar).

A few weeks ago Dean Raters tweeted a picture of Wabash football players who hustled over from practice to watch the soccer team play DePauw.

https://twitter.com/MikeRaters/status/527616745260212224

[Li'l Giant]

I remember their fans caring about this game between 1996 and 2000 when they were the ones winning 5 straight. I think the fact they've been so uncompetitive in these last 5 games has been the real problem.

2009 they at least had a lead in that game in the 3rd quarter. But that was the last lead they've had against Wabash. Winning will cure that real quick.

I'm sure the coaching roulette wheel at DePauw has had a lot to do with that. I can see it being a little different under Mourouzis.

Or Matt Walker. The truck wasn't in the ditch under his watch. That 2008 Bell Game beating is proof of that. Look at what his team almost did yesterday in River Falls and there's no doubt in my mind the last 6 years are different.

For their sake (and the competitive balance of this rivalry) DePauw needs to keep Lynch around for as long as they can.

[smedindy]

when is the playoff bracket released?

6 Eastern, 3 Pacific.

[nike]

Am embarrassed for Wooster.  Barnes was returning kicks and got one carry in yesterday.
Thanks coach!

[Li'l Giant]

Am embarrassed for Wooster.  Barnes was returning kicks and got one carry in yesterday.
Thanks coach!

I guess he wasn't hurt. That's a damn shame.

[GRIZ_BACKER]

GRIZ are coming to Crawfordsville Sat.  Indiana D3 "championship"