FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[bashbrother]

Nice win Scotlass, your D did seem to bottle them up pretty good all day.

[ScotLass]

Thanks bashbro. A good day all around. I've even redeemed myself in the pick-em's 

[WittFan]

18-20 for 326 for Huffman in the first half.  A career high already for Huffman, and the 7th best individual passing performance in Witt history.  It will be interesting to see if he plays in the second half (I doubt it, and would hope he wouldn't).  If he's got it going, Witt has a GREAT chance to run the table.

Unfortunately he doesn't get to play against Earlham's "defense" every week.  We'll see how the kid does in his first trip to Hollett. 

Seriously? You aren't impressed by 18 of 20 for 326 in ONE HALF?

This post is exactly why Wabash posters get such a bad rap on here. Somebody posts that a non-Wabash player did something special today, and your only reaction is to malign everybody involved.

Way to show some class.

[ravens]

OWU needs to revisit the way they play defense. Both DE's are in blitz mode on every play and wind up being out of position and out of the play on virtually all running plays.In essence they play 'D' with 9 men
instead of 11. Few guys know how to break down and tackle. Speed is great if you can tackle.
Remember, a team with two starting quarterbacks is a team with no quarterback.

[ScotLass]

18-20 for 326 for Huffman in the first half.  A career high already for Huffman, and the 7th best individual passing performance in Witt history.  It will be interesting to see if he plays in the second half (I doubt it, and would hope he wouldn't).  If he's got it going, Witt has a GREAT chance to run the table.

Unfortunately he doesn't get to play against Earlham's "defense" every week.  We'll see how the kid does in his first trip to Hollett. 

Seriously? You aren't impressed by 18 of 20 for 326 in ONE HALF?

This post is exactly why Wabash posters get such a bad rap on here. Somebody posts that a non-Wabash player did something special today, and your only reaction is to malign everybody involved.

Way to show some class.

Now, now.....the Wabash posters are serious folks about their football. If you don't hit them with some substance they'll just blow you off.

I'd point out that PRIOR to today, the Wabash defense had given up 1453 yards and Earlham's defense had given up 1439 yards....hmmmmmmm, how close that is. Given that and the fact that Earlham faced Witt today and Bash gets the pleasure next week, NOT being impressed with Huffman's numbers in ONE HALF would be a fatal mistake. 

[nike]

Finally!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The D was magnificent! How many times did OWU have 1st and goal and have to kick a field goal or get nothing?
Actually think that Wooster wore down OWU D-line by fourth quarter. Sheppard looked like old self on winning drive.
At end of game how many would have kicked field goal to cinch victory or gone for it on fourth and goal? Even though OWU only had about 11 seconds left to go 95 yds.?

[smedindy]

A lot of people were beside themselves with glee about the day Harbaugh had against Denison a couple of years ago, so I can see why some people would be upset by the "wait 'til he faces Wabash' comment.

Especially since going into week 5, Earlham had the third best pass defense (yards per game) and and was 6th in Pass Defense Efficiency at 127.9. Wabash was 4th in Pass Defense Efficiency, but only about 1 point ahead of Earlham. And, um, they were...um....last...in pass defense (yards per game).

Of course that all changes now...

[ScotLass]

With determined attitudes, maximum effort at  practice this week, and some potentially explosive players finally healthy, Woo has something to build on.

http://www.the-daily-record.com/news/article/2666272

GO SCOTS!!!!

[wooscot]

Congrats to Wooster!  I hasnt' there to see the win, but from what I read it was a good performance from both teams culminating in a last minute touchdown to seal the victory for the Scots.  Great win and congrats to both the players and coaches!

[BashBacker#16]

BashBro - re:  your question about yesterday's Wabash win... I think this game is huge in several areas.  Quality opponent, on the road, 7+ hours away, and a close game with some high pressure moments.  For the most part, guys stepped up and made the plays.  Sobecki was huge and I have been waiting for him to bust out so to speak.  He and CP could be a lethal combo.  CP's series in the first half was impressive.  See any similarities with Lafitte when he was a Frosh?  Think about how much more difficult it is to defend the Bash O if we can run the ball effectively.  Yikes.  Hudson played a very efficient game and like Wally said, stepped up when he had late in the 4th.  How huge was the 4th and 3 conversion???  You have to think CC is very pleased, especially since it was such a "team" win with many outstanding performances.  How about Liska's catches too?  Hudson & CC have a ton of weapons.

Question back to you guys:  Do you think Kennon is playing like an All American?  I can't see any lineman in the NCAC blocking him one-on-one and when he draws double teams, it creates opportunity for Bubba, Gangloff, & Co. 

Fincham vs. Creighton this week...  Who do you like?  I am glad this game will be at Hollett! 

[wally_wabash]

18-20 for 326 for Huffman in the first half.  A career high already for Huffman, and the 7th best individual passing performance in Witt history.  It will be interesting to see if he plays in the second half (I doubt it, and would hope he wouldn't).  If he's got it going, Witt has a GREAT chance to run the table.

Unfortunately he doesn't get to play against Earlham's "defense" every week.  We'll see how the kid does in his first trip to Hollett. 

Seriously? You aren't impressed by 18 of 20 for 326 in ONE HALF?

This post is exactly why Wabash posters get such a bad rap on here. Somebody posts that a non-Wabash player did something special today, and your only reaction is to malign everybody involved.

Way to show some class.

So out of the hundreds of posts on this board this season, you're going to take that one single post (out of context, but that's not the point here) and call it representative of the Wabash collective?  Give me a break. 

To clarify...the kid had a good day and would get my vote for PotW.  But after watching Wabash throw 54 on the same team in just 19 minutes of possession seven days prior, you'll excuse me for not turning cartwheels over this. 

[bashbrother]

It will be a battle for sure.

I too, believe that yesterday was exactly the type of game this Wabash team needed.  The offense playing against a tough defense on the road and having to overcome some mistakes showed some development and toughness.

My initial thoughts on next week:

Wabash must get better on its 3rd down defense...if they allow Witt 9 of 16 on 3rd down on Saturday, it is going to be a very long day for the Little Giants.

I believe we will need to throw the ball down field.  Witt has some youth in the defensive backfield and we need to exploit it.  A Short passing game may not get it done.  What happened to Gabe yesterday?

It was nice to see a running game develop against a pretty stingy AC front and talented Lb corp.  I think this O-line is coming together at the right time. We need a similar effort against Witt; ball control will be important.

No turnovers.  This Saturday will be one of those games in which it may be decided on a single mistake.

Defensive pressure on Huffman will be key.  It seems that our secondary is solid on covering the initial routes, but when a QB gets a little more time, the coverages have been breaking down.  Kennon is as Wally said a "Manimal" and should get major consideration if he continues his great play. 

Hudson and this offense took a big step this week at becoming a cohesive unit.   I am very glad this one will be played at Hollett.

[BashBacker#16]

BashBro - Gabe was dinged but should be good to go next week.

Hype has started in Springfield News-Sun:
WITTENBERG NOTES

Rivalry with Wabash could decide NCAC next week

By David Jablonski

Staff Writer

Sunday, October 07, 2007

RICHMOND, Ind. — They split the North Coast Athletic Conference championship in 2006, and one or the other has won the title in five of the seven seasons this decade.

That doesn't mean that next week's Wittenberg-Wabash game in Crawfordsville, Ind., is the de facto NCAC championship game. Just last year, the Tigers beat the Little Giants 19-17 in Springfield, only to lose the next week at Ohio Wesleyan.

But next Saturday's game is huge — especially since Wittenberg is 2-0 in the NCAC after Saturday's 73-0 victory at Earlham at Darrell M. Beane Stadium — and if at the end of the season it turns out to be the decisive game in the league race, it won't be a surprise.

For the numerous Wittenberg freshmen playing important roles this season, it will be a first taste of the rivalry.

"The best thing about young guys is they don't know any different," Wittenberg coach Joe Fincham said. "They just know it's a big ball game, and maybe that's a good thing. They go over and play hard and play smart, and they don't worry about that it's Wabash."

The Little Giants, ranked 15th in D-III, improved to 5-0 and 3-0 in the NCAC with a 28-20 win at Allegheny on Saturday.

[Superfoot Wallace]

Earlham 7
Wabash 6 2nd 13:48

To clarify...the kid had a good day and would get my vote for PotW.  But after watching Wabash throw 54 on the same team in just 19 minutes of possession seven days prior, you'll excuse me for not turning cartwheels over this. 

Guessing it wasn't the first 19 minutes.

Having seen CP and Lafitte I would not compare them.  The comparison ends at the fact they both play halfback or tailback or oneback or whatever the set back is called in Creightons offense.

I would compare CP to Warrick Dunn and Lafitte to Maurice Jones Drew.

CP is one of those backs would expect to be getting the ball on pitches and tosses, but instead is hammering straight ahead downfield between the tackles accelerating more once in the secondary.  

Lafitte was the perfect measure for a college one back or run n shoot, low and graceful.  Lafitte made runs off veer blocking that neutralized any pass rush by defensive ends when he wasn't getting the ball, because if they didn't stay honest he would hit the homerun out of the backfield.

Would compare CPs running to that of a Michael Johnson, whereas Lafitte might just as well run under you.  Both hit the homerun, just in different ways.  Lafitte would tilt the entire defense to flank, and feel CP pierces downhill.

The comparison or argument could be made that CP could do for Wabash what Lafitte did for Wabash, which is elevate an already very good team to an elite team.  Of course our boy Roy from Penn did a little elevating himself this weekend.

signed,
Jim Harbaugh's Chiclets

[WAF78]

Now Witt,
Don't feel bad...I'm a Wabash man...the Wabash guys rip my posts too... . What Huffman's numbers do for me is strike fear...In looking at the Witt scores and the Wabash scores...Witt seems to hitting their stride right now....though I think Wabash has gotten better every week as well. Witt's only defeat was to the number 8 team in the country...if I'm correct...and it wasn't a blowout. Wabash hasn't played anyone even close to that caliber of team yet...so we shall see. However, in my gut, I'm afraid that Witt is a lot better than anyone knows...This is a big one for Wabash and CC will have them mentally prepared...it should be a fantastic game. It's too bad it's fall break at Wabash...many of the students will be gone...I'm hoping that a lot of alumni come back for the football celebration that weekend ...and to root on the Little Giants.