FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[aueagle]

Once again the Bishops show medocraty and stumble against the Grizzlies. Early on, OWU was up 9-7, and traded TD's at one point, BUT, come up short. I expected more from the Bishops with 14 starters (6 on "D") back for 2006. Kudos to Franklin WR Danny Sears - 4 grabs/117 yds. The traditional tough Bishop eleven, gave up 127 yds on 28 carries to a Griz RB.  Coach "H" has to get these guys ready for Catholic & Bethany before the Men of Wabash show-down. kcreds; we could use jr. - but he is on the DL. GO BISHOPS

[BashBacker#16]

AUEagle,

Did you attend the Franklin/OWU game?  Is so, what were your thoughts about Franklin's squad? 

They appear very small with one OT at 235 and the other at 240.  Their center and one guard are both 250.  I'd think the Bash D front should give them all they want.  On D is looks like they play a 3-man front with 225 pound ends so Bash should have at least a 60 pound per man advantage.

[wally_wabash]

Some good, some bad for week 1 in the NCAC.  Nice job by Wooster getting a win over an OAC team not named Muskingum.  Beating John Carroll, even if they are down a little, is a recognizable win...and it helps to (finally) wash your hands of the last half of '05. 

Nice job by Allegheny to put it on a team that usually keeps them close. 

But what the heck happened to Denison, Witt, and OWU?  I didn't expect Witt to win, or even to be close really, but 50 points??  50!?!?  And Denison...R-MC should be one in the win column for Denison if they're as improved as we've been led to believe. 

OWU is the most disappointing here...4.9 yards per carry to Franklin?  464 yards??  Defense was supposed the strength for the Bishops.  That's a bad loss for a team that is picked to be toward the top of the conference.  These are the kinds of losses that really kill the conference rep.  Let's hope for a better result at Catholic next week. 

[Mugsy]

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!

Bashbacker#16,
While written with the perspective of how the scrimmage went for Wabash, I was still able to gleam how Wheaton looked.  Thanks for the recap and thoughts.  As in past years it sounds like it was a great scrimmage and worthwhile for both teams.  Best of luck to Wabash this season, and hopefully we'll see you in the playoffs.

[ski]

WOO WIN #1:  Woo's win against JCU was very entertaining.  As a Woo fan, that type of entertainment I can do without.  Hats off to JCU as they were a different team in the second half.  With the weather conditions at their worst in the first half, Woo took great care of the ball.  JCU had some trouble doing the same and Woo took advantage.  The second half found Woo in a whole different situation, as JCU came out and made a game of it.  
Overall, Woo had its ups and downs.  Shafer was outstanding in doing the little things to keep a drive going.  The receivers also had a good day.  The running game was nowhere to be found, as the inexperienced group could not deal with a very solid JCU D-line.  Shepard watched from the bench with a back injury.  I would like to see the senior RB get a few reps, as the whole senior class seems to be high on football.  On the D side of the ball, Woo was very good overall.  They had some trouble adjusting to JCU's QB change and the D backs had a major problem covering the fade in the end zone, but they answered their problems with a major league pick.  Special teams contributed as the kick-off return for touchdown in the second half was large, but the missed extra point after gave JCU some hope.  
Next week, Woo will need to find their running game and find a way to stop the fade.  They also need to finish with their QB pressures, as Woo missed a few golden sack opportunities against JCU.    

[scotty]

ski, i believe the 2 senior running backs are fullbacks, right...don't see the carries in this offense but...

[kcreds]

OWU disappointed me also. I expected a very close game. Word from behind the scenes is that the D did not step up, duh. To their credit though, my understanding is that some talented players were academically ineligible. Thanks aueagle for the thought but rumor has it they are weak at strong safety. They tried moving a RB there and then moved a disgruntled backup center to play it. A position I feel is very important to their scheme.

A Jr. update for those of you that have been very supportive. He went to a specialist and he has a herniated disc. Doc says he is okay to play but suggested taking the year off and work hard on his abs. He is continuing to lift and run and intends to play next year.  He is truly missing the game.

[wally_wabash]

Before we all completely dump on OWU, let's not forget that OWU has turned it around after a disappointing start before.  In '04 OWU looked terrible out of the gate.  Just two weeks after giving up 2,743 rushing yards and 70 or so points to Olivet OWU, came into C'ville and nearly beat Wabash.  After the 0-4 start, OWU ripped off five wins in a row and were playing Wooster for a conference championship on the final weekend of the season.  So as disappointing as Saturday's result was, all is not lost for OWU. 

But seriously...a backup center playing safety?  That can't be a good thing. 

[Li'l Giant]

But seriously...a backup center playing safety?  That can't be a good thing.

Which is probably why he was described by kcreds as "disgruntled".

and then moved a disgruntled backup center to play it.

[wally_wabash]

Centers don't strike me as the type of player who could play safety regardless of their current mood.   I mean, how is that even an option?  I've heard of the "wide receiver in a tight end's body" but a "safety in a center's body" is a new one for me.

[frank uible]

Perhaps he is a center in a safety's body.

[wally_wabash]

Which is equally absurd...the point is that if you've got centers playing DB or DBs playing center, something is way out of whack. 

[Li'l Giant]

Which is equally absurd...the point is that if you've got centers playing DB or DBs playing center, something is way out of whack. 

Yeah, either they have small linemen or big DBs. It's not nice to laugh at this but it is kind of funny to imagine a center playing safety.

[aueagle]

BashBacker:
To lose to a team that has compiled a 7 yr record at  25-45,  AFTER hearing so much talk of "Turning The Corner" from Delaware is a bummer. Looking at the Griz roster, I don't think the LG's will have a tough time of it. The talent scales tip in your favor. I was impressed with the Franklin QB, WR & RB. All good ATHLETES. Size wise, the only Griz that made an impact on me was the TE, 6'3"/240? Their O-Linemen had some pounds BUT at 6'1-6'3, nobody that was killer.  Bishop 'D" had missed tackles, lack of intensity & pursuit. Wally is right; this game not only hurts OWU, but the NCAC as well. Bishop history shows that they do come back & make a "run" - but, Iam tired of 2nd/3rd place in the conference. Men of Wabash: MSN has Wabash in the TOP 10 in Best Value/Private Schools.  GO BISHOPS

[aueagle]

kcreds: jr HAS to stay involved DAILY in the program. It's tough because as an "injury player" there is a tendency of an "outside looking in" mentality.