FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

Li'l Giant · November 14, 2021, 11:48:47 AM

Quote from: Crawford on November 14, 2021, 10:58:13 AM
Well said Sigma One, like that you give credit to Morel for gutsy play calling,

Credit where it's due, he's always made those big calls when we needed them. The 2 fake FGs and 2 pointer to win in the 17 game, the 2 pointer against Denison this year. It's a part of his toolkit and it's always worked out for us.

sigma one · November 14, 2021, 05:45:05 PM

DePauw gets a home playoff game v. Rose-Hulman. The loss to Wabash did not hurt the Tigers as much as many thought it would. Wabash defeated R-H in the year's first game at Rose's field; and, of course, beat DPU in the season finale. Should be a good match-up on Saturday. Right now, I'd give DePauw the edge; but R-H can throw the ball, and despite a subpar year for him after high expectations before the season, has a fine RB. Good luck Tigers against the Engineers.
Edit: After a moment's thought, I think the proximity of the schools makes sense to the always budget-conscious NCAA. The schools are only about 40 miles apart, so no overnight expenses.

wabashcpa · November 14, 2021, 06:10:06 PM

This is a favorable matchup for DePauw - outside of Greenville, they couldn't have done better within their bracket.

Has either team ever won a playoff game? I don't believe so, so somebody will make history next Saturday.

Li'l Giant · November 14, 2021, 06:35:34 PM

Quote from: wabashcpa on November 14, 2021, 06:10:06 PM
Has either team ever won a playoff game? I don't believe so, so somebody will make history next Saturday.

Yeah I think that's correct.

BayernFan · November 14, 2021, 07:00:44 PM

DePauw fans will enjoy watching their team at home in the playoffs. How fun.

Whitecarrera · November 14, 2021, 10:21:39 PM

Quote from: sigma one on November 14, 2021, 05:45:05 PM
DePauw gets a home playoff game v. Rose-Hulman. The loss to Wabash did not hurt the Tigers as much as many thought it would. Wabash defeated R-H in the year's first game at Rose's field; and, of course, beat DPU in the season finale. Should be a good match-up on Saturday. Right now, I'd give DePauw the edge; but R-H can throw the ball, and despite a subpar year for him after high expectations before the season, has a fine RB. Good luck Tigers against the Engineers.
Edit: After a moment's thought, I think the proximity of the schools makes sense to the always budget-conscious NCAA. The schools are only about 40 miles apart, so no overnight expenses.

Overnight expenses? They won't even need a post-game meal.

sigma one · November 18, 2021, 07:59:27 PM

NCAC All-Conference football selections are out. Liam Thompson (Wabash) 1st team QB and Offensive Player of the year. DPU, of course, well represented. When was the last time (was there a last time) when Wittenberg had no selections on either the first or second team offense? Give their NCAC record a surprise that Wabash had so may named to the team.
Congratulations to Joe Fincham who has announced today his retirement from Wittenberg. He's a fine coach, and Witt will miss him. Eager to see where Witt goes next--inside or outside.

Li'l Giant · November 18, 2021, 10:30:52 PM

Quote from: sigma one on November 18, 2021, 07:59:27 PMCongratulations to Joe Fincham who has announced today his retirement from Wittenberg. He's a fine coach, and Witt will miss him. Eager to see where Witt goes next--inside or outside.

Reed Florence seems like a natural choice.

I have utmost respect for Joe Fincham. I will not miss him at all, though. A lot of tough games between these two teams. He is a helluva coach and Witt will have a hard time filling his shoes.

sigma one · November 19, 2021, 10:32:15 AM

The Joe Finchem era was truly amazing. According to the Wittenberg site, his record v. the NCAC is 165-24 (.873). Since Wabash joined the conference in 2000, the record is 11 Wit wins, 10 Wab wins.
In those 21 games, neither team has won more than two straight (Wit 4X, Wab 4X). Ten games have been decided by 8 points or fewer (5 Wit wins, 5 Wab wins). Wit has scored a total of 486 points; Wabash has scored 463 points. Amazing parity between two great teams. Joe will be missed, but I fully expect the championship tradition at Wit will live on.
One short personal story. In a game at Wabash many years ago, Wit kicked a winning field goal at the end of the game. I was standing behind the goal posts at the Allen Center end of the field and picked up the ball. I saw Joe standing at midfield and walked out to give it to him. I told him I didn't know the Tigers' traditions; but if he gave out game balls, this was the winning kick. We talked briefly before he went to celebrate with his team. About a week letter, I got a kind note from him thanking me for the prize. I wish I had kept that note. Classy

WAF · November 19, 2021, 01:02:18 PM

Best of luck to DePauw this Saturday. I don't think Rose will pose a huge challenge especially with DP coming off that loss in the Bell game. I wish the Little Giants were repping the NCAC, but not to be this year. DP is a great school and wish them well.....except when they play Wabash. Lol - Good luck Tigers!

Whitecarrera · November 19, 2021, 01:26:24 PM

Sigma - some would argue (me at least) that the first matchup in 2000 should have ended in a tie, making the overall record 10-10-1. That game was suspended for repeated lightning delays, knotted at 7-7 in the second. Kim King's hit near the Wabash sideline, sent a clear signal that there would be no backing down from Witt and that the game was "ON"!

Unfortunately, the only way to finish the game was to move it to Crawfordsville High School, which was ill-advised for several reasons. Imagine the buildup to 2001 if that game had ended in a premature tie.

sigma one · November 19, 2021, 02:19:06 PM

Whitecarrera, I appreciate your point. It was a long, long delay and (if memory serves) the second half was played under the lights on a subpar high school field. Still, both teams had to endure the delay, and Wit dominated in the second half after Wabash seemed to have the momentum before the delay. That's I long time ago, and I don't recall whether the officials alone or the officials in consultation with the coaches made the decision to continue. You may know more than I about that.

Crawford · November 19, 2021, 03:02:31 PM

Wish Depauw all the best tomorrow representing the NCAC, do us proud.

Li'l Giant · November 19, 2021, 08:54:55 PM

Quote from: Crawford on November 19, 2021, 03:02:31 PM
Wish Depauw all the best tomorrow representing the NCAC, do us proud.

Quote from: WAF on November 19, 2021, 01:02:18 PM
Best of luck to DePauw this Saturday. I don't think Rose will pose a huge challenge especially with DP coming off that loss in the Bell game. I wish the Little Giants were repping the NCAC, but not to be this year. DP is a great school and wish them well.....except when they play Wabash. Lol - Good luck Tigers!

Y'all are better men than me...

Crawford · November 20, 2021, 10:16:49 AM

Quote from: Li'l Giant on November 19, 2021, 08:54:55 PM
Quote from: Crawford on November 19, 2021, 03:02:31 PM
Wish Depauw all the best tomorrow representing the NCAC, do us proud.

Quote from: WAF on November 19, 2021, 01:02:18 PM
Best of luck to DePauw this Saturday. I don't think Rose will pose a huge challenge especially with DP coming off that loss in the Bell game. I wish the Little Giants were repping the NCAC, but not to be this year. DP is a great school and wish them well.....except when they play Wabash. Lol - Good luck Tigers!

Y'all are better men than me...

Li'l Giant I just look at it this way, if the NCAC does well in the playoffs (especially over the long term) that might attract better student-athletes to attend Wabash. I might be wrong but that wouldn't be a first.