FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[bashbrother]

The AC and Oberlin results are interesting

AC - New QB and all.  But I thought they'd have enough to take care of this one.

Oberlin - I was truly hoping that this Senior-laden team was going to make some things happen.  It is still early, but not the greatest start.  It may be that Case has improved that much.

[nike]

Well, so much for the Scot's passing game this year.
I am a fan, not a coach.

[wally_wabash]

AC ran for 43 yards.  AC isn't going to beat anybody with just 43 rushing yards...that isn't their style. 

Wooster will get better, but I listened to a few minutes of the Wooster broadcast and the announcers sounded like they were at a funeral.  JCU seemed to have Wooster shut down completely.  I can't find any stats for this one yet, but it sounded pretty one-sided.

[Mugsy]

First I like to say I hope Wheaton and Wabash continue to scrimmage every year.  It is of huge benefit to both teams - high quality football, strong relationships between coaching staffs.  I think it really helps both sides going into the season.

Thoughts on the scrimmage:
The format of the scrimmage was much closer to a "real game" than I was expecting.  The first half was primary 1's against 1's, with live special teams.  The first few series of the 2nd half were 1's against 1's with a few 2nd teamers mixed in.  Basically a real game in the first half.  I'm sure there were some limitations imposed by the coaches to limit blitzing.  But by in large... it felt like a real game.  As I understand it, 4th quarter was going to be 12 minutes and primary 2's & 3's playing.  After the 4th quarter they were going to run a few 2 minute drill series for each team and then some special teams work.

Wheaton took the opening kick and drove 85+ yards in 9 minutes.  Very impressive, especially against the likes of a Wabash D.  I was impressed by Wabash's front 7, particularly their MLB's.  They can move and they bring it - very disruptive.  Not much action from the secondary... in terms of big plays.  Wheaton receivers were running open and Ullrich got the ball there.

At first Wabash was getting great pressure on Ullrich from their d-line, but as the game went on the Wheaton o-line looked better at pass protection.  That may be in part to Wabash having one of their better DT's getting ejected from the game.  Not sure what happened... it looked benign enough.  There wasn't any pushing or shoving, the ref just threw a flag for an unsportsman like right after the play and then tossed him. 

Wheaton's running attack needs a bit of work, though I believe it had a lot to do with how well Wabash was playing on the line.  Not much movement off the ball by Wheaton's o-line in the 1st quarter and when you don't have a big brushing back, that can lead to a lot of 1 to 3 yard runs.  Wheaton o-line got better as the game went on though...

You can tell Wabash was missing 2 or 3 of their key receivers.  The offense moved the ball well on the first few drives, but Wheaton made some big plays to end the drives - 1 INT, 1 fumble in first half.  I don't think it was one of Huff's better games... I think he had 3 INT's.  At least I think that was Huff, he's #4 right?  You can tell he's a great QB but he didn't have all his weapons today and it showed.

Wabash was very effective in the first half running the ball between the tackles.  They had several 8-10 yard runs.  However... as effective as they were inside, they were bad on runs to the perimeter.  The fumble that stalled the first drive was a badly executed option play were the pitch man was nailed as the ball arrived.

To me the key to the scrimmage was turnovers.  Wheaton had 5 takeaways through 3 quarters - 1 TD and 1 other resulting in a drive starting inside Wabash's redzone (long interception returns by Langs).

Overall it appeared to be injury free for both teams, except for the first play of the 2nd half.  One Wabash o-line went down with an apparent knee injury and had to be carried off the field.

If Wabash can get healthy, they clearly have a lot of talent and could have a great year.  It was a scrimmage so not completely indicative of "the real thing".  Plus I know Wabash had a number of key players out due to injury.

I feel better about Wheaton after the scrimmage than going in, as I was concerned about some injuries. 

All the best to Wabash this year and here's hoping Wheaton and Wabash take care of business and have a chance at meeting for a more meaningful game in November!

If you have any specific questions about an aspect of the game I'll answer as unbiased as possible.  Let me know.

[seinfeld]

Was at the Wooster game, and they were pretty lousy. Their offense is bad, plain and simple. The passing game is non-existent right now. So much for Parker starting. Holter played all but two plays of the game. Not sure why they didn't let Parker play the 4th quarter, as the game was over at that point. How do you announce one guy as the season-opening starter, then he basically never plays, even when the other guy is doing nothing?

Interesting note about Wooster. They have four games in a row without a passing touchdown. Their last passing touchdown was the hail-mary against Allegheny. That says a lot.

[wally_wabash]

Interesting box score from the Franklin/OWU game...

Franklin put up 20 in the first quarter and held a 27-0 lead at one point.  Then it would seem that OWU's defense clamped down and the OWU offense got some things going.  OWU closed to 27-21 in the fourth quarter at which point Franklin blocked a punt and returned it for a touchdown to seal the deal.  OWU twice got inside the Franklin 10 yard line only to turn the ball over on downs.  Ouch. 

OWU outgained Franklin in this one 361-322...go figure. 

Hartsfield had a good day with over 100 yards.  Rupp was efficient with 17 for 22, but only had 121 yards passing so Franklin didn't get anything big from the passing game.  Our old buddy Austin Gorrell led Franklin's receivers with 4 catches and a TD. 

[Li'l Giant]

Thanks for the report, Mugsy.

[bashbrother]

Yeah, Mugsy...  Thanks for the comprehensive report and good luck to Wheaton this year.

[tiger_alum]

anyone else listening to the Witt / Cap game?

[Li'l Giant]

I am. Apparently Cap's QB doesn't pronounce his name the way it's spelled. 

[smedindy]

And what would the proper way be?

[smedindy]

As for the NCAC, ooof-dah....

[Li'l Giant]

They're pronouncing it "Oz-man".

[DadofBashWarrior..]

I am listening to the Witt Cap game.....

I was at the Wabash Wheaton "game"....The report above is accurate.....

Bright spots for Wheaton....

QB Ullrich is very athletic and makes plays
#12 Ittersagen DB has speed that kills.....He shuts down a pc of the field

Bright spots for Wabash....
No serious injuries
Defense was potent......but not flawless yet and on the field a long time in the first half
OLine gave Huff time.....am sure that will just get better

[tiger_alum]

huge stop for Witt