FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[jscwittfan]

Does this show that Witt and the NCAC are that bad, or does it mean that Witt just doesn't show up anymore when they play Capital?  Are they just never ready?  Do they need more practice time?  Is the new attitude just to forget about the non-conference games?  It doesn't seem to make sense to me.

I was in attendance for today's game, and, as sad as it is to say, it does appear that Witt just didn't show up today . . . and that includes both the players AND coaches.  There were a few players who seemed that they were really trying to get something done (Brandyn Brown immediately comes to mind), but a lot of the other Tigers just seemed to be going through the motions, accepting the "pre-determined" fact that Capital was going to steamroll them.  But, then again, when your offensive coaches are calling the exact same thing every series (run up the middle, run up the middle, short screen pass for a loss, punt), I would get pretty bored too.  The offensive coaches need to come up with a much more open playbook for Dayton, or we're going to see more of the same.

However, with that said, I'm not taking anything away from Capital.  They came out today and showed exactly why they started the season in the top 5 - all three aspects of their game (offense, defense, special teams) were clicking on all cylinders.  They could be a very, VERY scary team this year.  Especially if they keep playing teams that can't stop a screen pass after about the 30th time . . .

[Li'l Giant]

I see Wabash is going with the all red unis again this year. Meh. 

[wabashcpa]

I see Franklin gave OWU a bit of a beatdown.  Not sure what that means for OWU, but it looks like we're going to have a good opening test at Franklin next week.

Millikin also squeaked by Illinois College - I would have thought Millikin would win by a greater margin than 4 points.  But, it is just the first week - don't want to read too much into results and margins of victory. 

[wabashcpa]

Other non-con news:

Nice opening wins for Allegheny and Kenyon.

Oberlin keeps it close vs. Case.

Earlham loses close one to Rose.

Disappointing loss for Denison.

Hiram...well...

[bashbrother]

Anyone know what exactly happened in the OWU game... ??  They returned almost their entire team from last year.

anyone that saw the game care to post some insight?

[ScotsFan]

After week one, I have to say that I am somewhat pleased by the COW's performance yesterday.  While I didn't attend, I can't say I'm too happy with the 2nd half performance.  I don't think they could have asked for a better start, however as they built up a 24-0 lead at the half.  But for some reason, they decided they could just coast in the 2nd half and nearly gave JCU a chance to send it to OT.  I hope they can put that 2nd half behind them and put in a complete performance @ Waynesburg next Saturday.

As for the other conference foes, I'll start with OWU.  Were they a bit overhyped or is Franklin that good?  What happened to the Bishop's vaunted defense?  That loss doesn't make them look too good as far as challenging for a conference championship.

Allegheny looked like they had a pretty nice start as they took my alma mater to the wood shed.  This is the first time in a while that any team in this rivalry has won by such a significant margin.  Looks like my Titans are in for a long year.  Allegheny, on the other hand and unlike OWU,  looks like they are legit conferece title contenders.

Lastly, I'll touch on Witt.  Just when you think they can't possibly lose any worse to Capital, they go and reach a new low.  I know Witt came out and laid some pretty big eggs to start the season last year and somehow rebounded to still be in the thick of a conference title coming up just short against Wabash.  But after seeing how Cap just destroyed Witt in every phase of the game yesterday, it makes me wonder if Witt can duplicate what they accomplished last year.  Remember last year they at least had a 5th year senior leading the offense.  This year it's a true freshman.  I just don't see it happening.

[BashBacker#16]

Bashbro,

Spoke with a buddy who went to the Franklin game.  He was very surprised by how slow OWU was on both sides of the ball.  Same old offensive scheme with little success.  Apparently Franklin stacked one side and continued to get outside on the Bishops all afternoon - never adjusted to slow Hartsfield.  The 2nd QB was much better then Fritz and had some good numbers.  He said Franklin was definitely small but had some team speed.

Witt/Cap - wow!  Cap is loaded though with Pentello and Mulkey on the O and they return 8 off of that D from last year.  Does it seem like Hausler and Pentello have been then since the mid 1970's?  HA.

Bash scrimmage notes:  First, areas of concern...
- I was disappointed with the play of the O-line, Huff took some big shots and had much more pressure then he should.  I don't worry hear though knowing they all should be healthy.  Wheaton brought the heat with a lot of blitzing.
- Wheaton's QB (transfer from NIU - I think I heard) looked impressive and had some scrambles that caused problems.  There were several plays where the Bash D had him and he slipped away for a big play.  It didn't seem we blitzed as much as Coach Neathery usually does. 
- Our DB play needs to tighten - there were some plays (2 long passes) where the Q had too much time and completed nice passes down the field.
- It will take some time to replace Parker, Selby, and Foster on D.  Hopefully Banach and Kraft (OLBs) will get better each week with more experience.  We do fly to the ball.

Good things:
- Offensively = very explosive with big play potential from several players.  Huff looked great (I really liked how he ran the O), made good decisions, accurate, and had some nice plays on his own.  Billy King and Don Juan (RBs) were impressive - both big (200 lb.+) & strong with bursts.  If they get a seem (even small), they bust 6-8 yards.  Huff went 2 quarters (1st half) and moved the ball the entire half.  It was 10-7 at half (Wabash leading)...1's vs. 1's.   Bash never punted in the first half.
- The D front looked very quick.  Keep an eye on a Frosh named Morrison...he looked strong with very good size and I would think will be in the rotation.  Bubba, TJ, and Wes Anderson should cause all kind of problems.  Bubba had some TFL as well.
- Pynenberg had several tackles for loss, picked up a blocked FG for about 35 yards, etc.  Same ole, same ole.  I think Bash blocked 2 or 3 kicks.
- Peterman looks really good at FS
- Russell & Walker (wearing #1 this year) made great catches and stood out.

All in all, I liked what a saw.  Huff and the RBs were probably the best thing from the day - my opinion. Both teams were very physical - that was obvious.  I would be surprised if both teams did not have good years.  Bash will be ready for Franklin!

[scotty]

BB #16, check your messages 

[evacuee]

As it pertains to Capital, anyone that comes out of the gates like that has one of two things going on...

1.  They are just physically way, way better than Wittenberg

2.  They are peaking to start the season

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe that Witt has the size and speed every year to stay within at most five touchdowns, but here they got beat by 50.  Capital must be at the top of their game right now, and teams that start this strong tend to taper off come playoff time.  It is very difficult to maintain that level of play for an entire season. 

[Li'l Giant]

As it pertains to Capital, anyone that comes out of the gates like that has one of two things going on...

1.  They are just physically way, way better than Wittenberg

2.  They are peaking to start the season

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe that Witt has the size and speed every year to stay within at most five touchdowns, but here they got beat by 50.  Capital must be at the top of their game right now, and teams that start this strong tend to taper off come playoff time.  It is very difficult to maintain that level of play for an entire season. 

Cap beat Witt by 54 last year and still managed to make it to the North final, and only lost by 3. Maybe they're just that good.

[cufan]

What in the world has happened in Springfield?  I hate to see a program go from where they were just a few years ago, to what I saw on Sat.  They had some big guys but Cap was much faster at every position.  That game was over by the 4th series.  A short time to get better with Dayton on the horizon.

[runyr]

Witt's demise:
Sad to see Tigers get spanked so bad 3 years in a row by the same school and coached by one of their own - Witt grad, Jim Collins.
Just a few years ago, Mount Union was fortunate to win by 2 pts against Witt.  Now this.
Next Dayton? 
I'd rather see Capital play Dayton instead of Witt.  That would be a game.

[ScotsFan]

I'd rather see Capital play Dayton instead of Witt.  That would be a game.

Actually, I would guess that Capital would spank Dayton.  Witt acutally held a 7 point lead at the half last season @ Dayton before the Aviators wore them down in the 2nd half.  Judging from how badly Capital has beaten Witt lately, I would put my money on the Crusaders vs. Dayton.

[runyr]

ScotsFan,
You have a point.  The top D3 programs could handle more than a few Div 1-AA (championship series???) non-scholarship schools.

[Li'l Giant]

ScotsFan,
You have a point.  The top D3 programs could handle more than a few Div 1-AA (championship series???) non-scholarship schools.

Just ask Butler what D-III can do to them.