FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

wally_wabash · April 21, 2006, 07:26:04 PM

Wabash runs a much, much more balanced offense than people realize...Wabash's ability to run the ball effectively (in the case of Morris's last couple of seasons and Lafitte's healthy days) or at the least adequately (as has been the case in '04 and '05 using a plethora of backs) keeps just enough pressure off the passing game that it can operate about as efficiently as it wants to.

I don't think that defense is being undervalued or devalued in any way in this league. In particular, Wabash had defenses that were very highly ranked nationally in their championship seasons of '02 and '05. Wooster's defense in '04 was quite good (most of the time) in '04. You still have to play defense at a high level in the NCAC to win the championship. Of the last six NCAC champions, 5 of them ranked in the top two in the conference in scoring defense and total defense (the exception being Allegheny in '03, but we can all agree that Allegheny winning the league that year was downright weird).

It's not enough to just score a bunch of points. Defense is still the key. I don't think the NCAC is in danger of turning into arena ball anytime soon.

Duster72 · April 21, 2006, 09:07:45 PM

Wabash recruiting update:

My brother in law has informed me that a talented DB and good DL from Franklin Central (Indianapolis) have committed, but he wasn't sure that the DL wants to play football.

Anyway, he thought they had the right personality for the school, which is good.

scotty · April 21, 2006, 09:30:51 PM

i believe the Wabash running game will do just fine over the next 4 years...they got a good one coming from Penn...great runner, great blocker, great kid...

BashBacker#16 · April 22, 2006, 12:28:20 PM

Bash landed a few big ones last week including 2 Top 50 Indiana players - an OT 6'6 290 and a TE. This class is really shaping up to be one of the best.

bashbrother · April 24, 2006, 08:56:46 AM

BB16 -

Don't know if you heard, tough news from out Cougar way. Bill Doba's wife passed last week.

fijidoc · April 24, 2006, 10:34:54 AM

Wabash faithful remember this name Ryan Kerney. He will end up being one heck of a player at Wabash before he is done. Wide Receiver from North Posey. Just heard he offically committed to Wabash. I know we are loaded at WR this year so may not make immediate impact but before he is done he will be solid contributor. Not blazing speed but he is 6'3", leaps like a gazelle, and absolutlely catches everything thrown his way. Runs about a 4.7 forty right now but has never really been in the weight room or worked much on speed training. Has played 3 sports(fball, bball, bball) in high school so has not devoted much time just to one sport like he will in college. Last year North Posey played in state finals and he won the mental attitude award for class 2A. Is a great kid, intelligent, and has the tools to be a great receiver before he was done. Coach Creighton and the staff really put on a show and impressed him which is what brought him to Wabash. Was considering other div III schools including Wooster also considered Indiana St. as a prefered walk on but decided to come to Wabash.

oldguy · April 24, 2006, 10:45:05 AM

Macleod,

While I agree that the wing-t helps to bring in more RB's that may later be converted to LB's, I believe that effect is countered by the lack of the ability to recruit WR's and skill players which could then be converted to DB's and such.

kcreds · April 24, 2006, 01:41:22 PM

I asked this question in an earlier post but received no opinions. I thought I would bring it up again. Why is it that DI can have a spring game and contact practices but DIII cannot?

At the very least let them play flag football. Can DII have contact practices? Our high school plays 7 on 7 games versus other schools during the summer practices but DIII can't even play one hand touch. Someone please enlighten me so that I can understand, a tough task I know.

wally_wabash · April 24, 2006, 02:42:45 PM

So the wing t helps a team recruit a bunch of running backs that they later use at other postions....at the cost of running an offense that doesn't score any points against good defenses. Why not use an offense that can score points and instead of recruiting 37 running backs, recruit some kids that actually play LB or DB? Just a thought.

Why no spring game? That's a good question. They didn't allow spring practice until just last year. I'm sure it has everything to do with maintaining the line in the sand between D-III's student-first athletic programs and the athletic programs of the higher divisions. Does that seem kind of silly and arbitrary? Yep. But that's the NCAA.

Superfoot Wallace · April 24, 2006, 02:50:52 PM

Oldguy,

Seem to remember a certain running back that was converted to safety where he was all conference. Then he moved to linebacker where again, he was all conference.

Just so happens hes the guy who gave me my handle.

Wu Tang Killer Bs - We On a Swarm

How many wide receivers could actually be converted to defensive back. Nothing against wide receivers in particular, but I was going to make a smart aleck comment about them being the redheaded stepchildren of quarterbacks and kick specialists, until I remembered a certain punter and one time quarterback.

Probably the largest all conference punter in history, who had this habit of warming up with the dline during pregame.

The quarterback garnered some conference laurels as a slinger, and subsequently, after smashing his hand, landed himself an all conference spot as a linebacker.

Cant really say anything bad about the kickers since, heaven forbid, I actually talked to them. How can you blame me since they were the ladies men and always had a steady flow of Diet Dr Peppers for the bus on away games.

signed,
Ramirez

oldguy · April 25, 2006, 09:47:33 AM

I agree with Wally.

I wasn't really insinuating that WR's could be moved to DB. I just figured that since you weren't recruiting LB's and relying on former RB's, you also may not be recruiting DB's and just relying on former WR's.

evacuee · April 25, 2006, 10:54:38 AM

To those of you that are worried about the NCAC becoming a pass-happy, flag football oriented league, don't worrry about it. That happened to the SEC in the 90s, but people realized that they could beat the Gators if they were able to effectively run the ball. It might happen temporarily but it's a phase, and people will inevitably gravitate back to a more physical style if they are serious about winning championships.

A handful of great skill players might all be in the right place at the right time for a year or two and lend great success to the passing game, but it won't last in a league that is traditionally physical.

matblake · April 25, 2006, 12:35:58 PM

I agree TU. If you take a look at Mt. Union. Since 2001 they have been in the top 10 in total defense every year. Every year they have won or been in the running for a national title. In 2000 they were 48th in total defense, but they had the #1 total offense to win the Stagg anyway. The stats seem to confirm your point.

b4uknewit · April 25, 2006, 03:22:28 PM

Kcreds-- I 'm confident you were kidding about the FLAG FOOTBALL, but watch what you wish for! I have seen more people SERIOUSLY INJURED in 1 flag f-ball season, than 2 years combined on my college hockey team $:-\$

oldguy · April 25, 2006, 04:03:20 PM

To tell you the truth, I don't really care about spring football. As long as all D-3 teams are doing the same thing, its all relative and makes no difference. Now, when the NCAC made their own "no ball" rule, that was just stupid. D-3 could get rid of spring practices all together, and it wouldn't matter. As long as its uniform, its all relative.