FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[wabco]

Pat

Thanks for the correction. 

I still think - for some reason other than that they just didn't want to - Wabash did not/was not able to scout Franklin.  Perhaps it was because Franklin was playing OWU and NCAC has a rule against scouting a conference team before playing them.  Don't know if this is a conference rule but would not be suprised.

[wally_wabash]

I think you'll see a bigger personnel change with respect to kick returners at the D-I level where touchbacks are/were more prevalent.  As for how this will effect D-III ball...not much I don't think.  Touchbacks are a rare occurance for D-III, so the return game is already wide open.  The difference is that we'll just be moving everything up the field by 5 yards. 

Last year Wabash averaged 52.6 yards per kickoff which dropped the ball, on average, at roughly the 12-yard line.  Wabash gave up 16.3 yards per kickoff return, so by my math the average starting field position for  a team that received a Wabash kickoff last year was right around the 29-yard line. Move everything up five yards and I'd expect to see teams starting at about the 35-yard line this year.   

The second rule you mention there could come into play if after a few weeks  the average starting field position for teams that receive kickoffs is beyond the 35-yard line.  I always thought that the kicking out of bounds procedure penalty was a 30-yard penalty from the spot of the kick in which case pushing the spot back five yards would also move the end result of the penalty up five yards.  If the ball is being placed at 35-yard line by rule, I can definitely see instances where it makes sense to just bang the ball out of bounds.  I hope it doesn't come to that...that's certainly not within the spirit of competition. 

[aueagle]

Once again, SPORTS ILLUSTRATED does not cover D3. And, also shuns 1AA & 2. But with the College Issue, I also got a SI Golf Issue. Maybe they should change their name to Golf Illustrated. OWU STILL has a great recap of the 2006 season...Bishop faithful are waiting for Coach "H" to reveal the anticipated 2007 preview. Look for it the day BEFORE the first game.

[Pat Coleman]

Pat

Thanks for the correction. 

I still think - for some reason other than that they just didn't want to - Wabash did not/was not able to scout Franklin.  Perhaps it was because Franklin was playing OWU and NCAC has a rule against scouting a conference team before playing them.  Don't know if this is a conference rule but would not be suprised.

There may have been that, or some gentleman's agreement regarding the game.

[BashBacker#16]

I don't have all of the specifics but the bottom line was that OWU did NOT want to trade films after their loss to Franklin in week #1.  Thanks "Coach H."  Not sure on the scouting piece.  We had NO film and Franklin made a bunch of changes to their offense to utilize Hartsfield out of the backfield along with wanting some new wrinkles.  Also, Franklin's head coach Mike Leonard was our NCAA rep for the playoffs in '05 so he got to see our 2 playoff games vs. Albion and then Capital. 

[INQBScout]

I don't have all of the specifics but the bottom line was that OWU did NOT want to trade films after their loss to Franklin in week #1.  Thanks "Coach H."  Not sure on the scouting piece.  We had NO film and Franklin made a bunch of changes to their offense to utilize Hartsfield out of the backfield along with wanting some new wrinkles.  Also, Franklin's head coach Mike Leonard was our NCAA rep for the playoffs in '05 so he got to see our 2 playoff games vs. Albion and then Capital. 

Yes, I think it's because the Franklin game film was shot from a grassy noll by Abraham Zapruder. There were some missing frames of key offensive formations. This is all coming together now.
Sincerely,
Oliver Stone

[BashBacker#16]

INQBScout,

I was simply trying to clarify for a couple of posts made by Wabco where he was straining for facts.  No excuses at all, sorry if I implied that.  Actually, your reference refers to the JFK assassination in Dallas, TX on November 22, 1963.  Just helping you out too in your confusion.   

One of these days I will figure out who you are, I promise.

I am a bit surprised CC lets the Journal Review write an article on so much behind the scenes.  Wally - are you at all?  This year's theme, Champions Manual, etc.

If you are a D-coordinator, how do you prepare to stop Bash WR corps...Banach 6'3, Rode 6'4, Russell 6'2, Guererro, Green...etc.  That is sick.  I wonder if they have a QB that can get them the ball.   

[wally_wabash]

It's surprising in that there is more reporting on this sort of thing than what we've seen before.  But we've been seeing more and more info coming out of camp in the last couple of years.  A couple of years ago our freshmen recruits were added to the roster page before camp and recruiting classes were a state secret up until then.  This year the recruiting class was posted even earlier.  Maybe after generating a rapport with the local press over the course of six seasons, he's opening things up a little bit more.  It's also possible that the opportunity to report on the preseason camp has been there in the past, but just not pursued by the local paper.  Personally I like that stories like this are getting published.  It's a great perspective into small college football in general and Wabash football specifically. 

[WAF78]

Bash,
Well, one thing I WOULDN'T do as a Def. Coordinator is to let Huff sit in the pocket and have the time to pick my defense apart. What I WOULD do is start out blizting 1-2 plays on every series and put pressure on him to make some bad decisions and hopefully force his receivers into missing their checks and running their normal routes instead of their blitz routes. And then, I would hope like crazy that the receivers had a game like the Capital game of 2005 when we just flat out dropped 11 balls during the game. But, I totally agree with you...if Wabash gets some front line protection and the backs pick up blitzes, Huff may set all sorts of records this year. It'll be fun.

[wally_wabash]

Banking on a fifth year senior who just led the nation in PER to make a bunch of bad decisions is a pretty desperate basket to toss one's eggs in.   

[Duster72]

The season hasn't kicked off yet, but I would wager that the best defense against Wabash will be a good offense.

I would run stretch plays, HB screens, and the occasional deep ball and try to grind down the D.  This is what DePauw usually does with some effectiveness.  I don't think I would run it up the middle.  I would try to wear them out by keeping them moving laterally.  I don't think the O will be very stoppable, but I would probably play max pass protection and dare Wabash to run, which they haven't always been able to do.

I don't think that would really work, but if I were playing Wabash in EA's NCAA d3 Football 2008, that would be my game plan 

[WAF78]

Wally,
Well, if I was a D-Coordinator facing Wabash's passing attack...I would be desperate...lol.

[big_bash]

I don't think that would really work, but if I were playing Wabash in EA's NCAA d3 Football 2008, that would be my game plan 

If I were playing Wabash in EA's NCAA D3 Football, I might die from happiness.

[nike]

Watched Wooster practice intently this week. You heard it here first- the Scots will surprise A LOT of of people this year and barring injury will compete for the championship!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I was most impressed with the quarterback throws (I think for the most part it was a  freshman or soph Parker) and the receivers.  They are not wearing numbers. But I saw speed, speed, speed.  Sheppard will have a wonderful passing game to complement his running game. Now I know this is just from watching a few practices,  but the ball was being thrown crisper and on a tighter rope than I have seen in four years. I mean that.  And the receivers are FAST! The overall team did not look that big, however.
Let's go Scots!!!!!!!!!!!

[ScotLass]

I am hearing very encouraging reports nike. Tomorrow's Black/Gold scrimmage at Woo will be interesting to watch after a week of camp. Looking forward to a great Scot's season!!! I hear the D-line is really pumped up!