FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[ScotLass]

It was late in the third quarter when one of Wooster's players was yelling on the sideline (there was no one at the game, so you probably could have heard him anywhere on campus):

"This is too easy, this is too easy."

At the time, Wooster trailed 10-9. I think this sums up Wooster football in 2007 — clueless.

To be fair, it was a defensive player yelling that after DE Chris Wade intercepted a pass that ultimately became a turning point in the game. The guy was pumped up coming off the field. That being said, I am not suggesting there isn't some cluelessness happening in a variety of other areas. Truthfully, I thought Hiram's players gave more effort through the whole game and the Hiram fans certainly were supporting their team to the very end.

Woo was lethargic, most of Woo's fans were lethargic too. Kudos to the 2 pipers who did make an appearance as the team came off the hill onto the field.

[WallyFS4]

Great play call.  Would T Bell have knocked him out if would have caught it?

It looked like Bell had the angle on him.  I glad we did not have to find out.  Great win for the LG's.  They need to stay focused this week.  If they don't, Oberlin could come up and bite them.  As always.

WABASH ALWAYS FIGHTS!!!

[wally_wabash]

I'm not going to get into the rundown.  I just want to say great game.  This is what has become of the Wittenberg/Wabash game.  Great games that are decided by a couple of key plays. 

You're exactly right.  The Vanover drop this year...from last year's game you can look at the fifth down play, a couple of dropped/tipped passes that Witt picked off, or just barely wide right on a last second field goal...in 2004 then freshman Ray Green muffed a punt late in the game which Witt took in for the game winning score...these games have become tooth and nail and a lot of fun to watch.  Painful when it's your team that comes up the one play short, but so much fun to watch nonetheless.  I hope this series continues on like this for a long time. 

[redswarm81]

Illinihscoach05 = the legendary Dale Sprague...please, was that supposed to be hard?  "Knuckleheads" was an obvious give away...c'mon coach.

...came to Wabash from St. Lawrence (NY) . . .

Would that be the same Dale Sprague who had an eyeblink-long stint as Head Football Coach at Plattsburgh (NY) State in its final season, 1978 . . . ?

. . . the same Dale Sprague who went to Plattsburgh State after a single season assistant coaching (running backs?  help me out, coach) at RPI, where he was very popular with the players (except the head cases--the head cases didn't like Coach Sprague)?

. . . the same  Coach Sprague who returned to RPI briefly after Plattsburgh State sent football packing, and it was during preseason 3-a-day workouts when Dale L. Sprague yelled those memorable words to the head trainer:

It's not bleeding, it's just oozing a lot of pus!

That became the highlight of RPI's Rocky Horror Rookie Show that year.

THAT Dale Sprague?

[smedindy]

I thought it was really classy for the Witt coach to be right with Vanover after the drop, unless he was chewing him out! (I doubt it.)

Would T-Bell have gotten there? Maybe. Could he have made saved a TD? Dunno. He'd have to lay a pretty good lick. Even if he made a play, the clock would stop because of a first down and Witt would have about 25 seconds for 1st and goal at the 2 or so.

But as noted above, I'm glad we don't have to know!

[joepieters]

Well, the announcers certainly hung the game around Vanover's neck.

They left eleven points on the field in the first quarter alone.

Great game!!!

[WooMeister85]

ScotLAS,

Didn't get to the COW/Hiram game until the beginning of the 2nd Quarter and could not believe the scoreboard. Both Teams were lethargic and it appeared to me that Hiram just gave up in the last Quarter. Maybe they got a little nervous having a legitimate shot at winning the game.

COW defense seemed to play much better. Albeit it was against the pups. The defense did cave on Hiram's final touchdown drive of the game. Still it was great to see improvement. Having watched COW a lot this year, I think I've figured out the problem. Both our D-Line and O-Line's  suffer from a lack of talent and a lack of intensity. I watched Witt's O and D lines play right through the whistle with incredible intensity. Our big-guys in the trenches seem like they're pacing themselves. Rarely does our O-Line ever get down field and make blocks. Add a rookie QB who plays scared and it's a recipe for losing half our games.

Lots of COW fans think our play calling this year has been less than adequate. But can anything work if the O-Line isn't getting it done?

Here's the crazy thing. If somehow COW can find a way to catch AC flat and sneak in a victory. The home game vs. Wabash could be for the NCAC Championship. How about that?
The pipers will be back for the bash game too. If the pipers have their faces painted blue it means they're serious about a win.

Let's go COW. Beat AC. Believe it's POSSIBLE

[ScotLass]

WooMeister,

I am only comparing the Hiram this past Saturday to the one I've seen the last couple of years. They just seem to be moving in a positive direction.

Would be wonderful to get a win against Gheny.....nothing is impossible, but you've got to make your own possibilities. I think the O-line would be a good place to start, Holter/Parker need a little time and Sheppard/Jones might appreciate a little help as well. I am not a guru by any stretch of the imagination, but it looks like zone blocking that's gone awry. My basic theory is that if your O-linemen don't look exhausted and dirty after a game....Houston, we have a problem. The D-line looked better, but there's still room for improvement there as well.....they have got to start pressuring the opposing QB a bit.

Here's to a great week of practice!

Go Scots!!!!!

[nike]

Got a bad cold from lack of sleep, just took antbiotic and am going to bed for a couple days.
So here is all I have to say:
Thought Drushal was best player in the league last year because of the way he dominated at his position. Ask Dustin Sheppard.  Just like Sutton was so awesome at his, especially his junior and senior years and obviously best in the league.  Well, Mr. Pynenberg is far and away the best player in the league because of what he does all over the field. He is unstoppable.  To think of the points Witt has scored this year, don't care that some teams were not great. And to be held to 17. I almost think Vanover dropped it cause he heard Pynenberg coming. But seriously, it is a shame when NCAC gives defensive player of week to anyone else this year.  Look at the young man's numbers.  He had 16 or 17 tackles against Witt and it seemed like many more.
Wooster, on Oct. 27th you will see the best of the best at Papp.  He is simply unbelievable.

[smedindy]

And he's a great kid, too.

From what I heard, the only other school looking at him was...Oberlin. He was not highly recruited - he just wanted it more.

[aueagle]

Question Of The Day For: Men of Wabash:
You have played both Witt & OWU....Who will win?
No odds...no filler....just, who....

[chillydigits]

Woomeister85, I agree the Line play on both sides of the ball has been, to be blunt miserable all season long. The O line seems more worried about getting to the right zone, then in blocking anyone once they get there.. The D line must not watch game film but instead reruns of Dancing with Stars the way they two step with the opposing O linemen.. Perhaps a fire can still be lit under these 2 most important yet least producing areas of the team. I wont agree that the Quarterbacks look scared, though who would blame them if they were a little gun shy.. Anyway here is too a good week of practice, and a nice long uneventful 3 hr drive to Meadville on sat.. go scots

[BashBacker#16]

aueagle,

Since it is at Witt, I'll take Witt by 2-3 TDs.  They tend to roll people at home, especially if they get it going early.  I expect them to bounce back with some swagger, but they could go the other way as well.  I do think the Gheny/Witt game will be a great ball game later in the season.

Regarding Pynenberg...how about his game day look (someone commented on that Saturday before the game)...no sweat bands, no neck roll, no pads of any kind, no spats, no towel...just an old school baller.  He's started every game since he arrived at Wabash.  I still remember his pick at Witt when he was a Frosh.  His numbers are sickening.  Coach Neathery will likely experience cold sweats without #40 at ILB next season.

I am surprised the Witt guys are talking more about their Frosh ILB - McKinley.  Freaky small at 5'8 180 (looks heavier then that) - he's all over the field.  His size can still hurt him though, especially when a 6'7 280 OT locks on him.

[wabashcpa]

If he catches that ball without breaking stride, he scores (probably untouched).  You see Bell only after Vanover had slowed down after dropping the ball (although Bell may have slowed down at that point as well).

Interesting comments about the d-line being the best Fincham had seen.  I thought they handled the run pretty well, but Huffman had all day to throw save for a couple of plays, and he only took one good shot that I could see.  All that said, I do think they are a solid line, and that Witt's pass protection was just exceptional, and Huffman is pretty elusive.

[wally_wabash]

If you're not in an area that is showing the game today, you should be able to watch the game on Hometown Televsion's web stream. 

www.hometowntelevision.net

I believe the game is being shown at 11:00 a.m., 3:00 p.m., and 7:00 p.m. today.  It'll be shown elsewhere throughout the week, but I'm not sure it will be streamed on the web after today.