FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[cave2bens]

It should be a most interesting match-up in Crawfordsville.  Granted, Rupp was only 11-19 against a strong MSJ secondary, but FC also rushed 43 times at 5.7 yds per pop and had two, hundred yd rushers in the game.  Defiance also had a strong rushing output in Cincinnati - MSJ was the beneficiary of an ill-thrown ball which led to a late field goal, and then a very poor judgement by the DC punt returner in the last two minutes which led to a 2 yd, TD drive in what had been an intense, defensive struggle.

Jake Davis and Kevin Cocanougher are very good running backs, but as posted earlier, Mike Lovell has always been "the featured back." This season, due to a continued ligament problem, he hasn't played as much unless absolute necessity.  Don't think any of the three are the dominating back, like Jeremiah Marx, though.

Bottom line, IMHO, is that Wabash needs to get their hands on the ball with more regularity and not allow MSJ to control the clock (like an unmentionable opponent did so well last week  ) and avoid the plethora of early penalties.

[uknowme22]

We had better be on our A-game then.

It is the playoffs. 

Good luck this weekend.  You will represent the NCAC well.

[BashBacker#16]

Cave2Bens,

Excellent point with regards to MSJ.  Taking a look at their schedule...you could make a point that they have 1 quality win (vs. Ill Wesleyan very early in the year 9/15) - with games vs. some very poor teams...Wilmington 2-8, Anderson 4-6, Hanover 2-8, Manchester 3-7, Defiance 5-5 (better then these others), and 1-9 Blufton.  I realize you could make the same argument with Wabash but wins over Franklin, Gheny (at the time), Wooster (at the time), Witt were all pretty solid.  The weaker teams...Wabash blew out like they should (ex. Denison & Oberlin).  My point is that I absolutely agree that Wabash will have to play well, I don't feel the same as if '05 Capital or '02 Witt are coming to town.

I think Bash will be ready and think our D will rebound.  I hope we play more aggressive and I hope the D can fly around with good energy and feed off the home crowd causing some early turnovers.

I believe that we will be able to move the ball on their D.  I also agree with Cave2Bens on his point with regards to Rupp's numbers vs. MSJ - they didn't have to throw the ball and were ripping 5-6 per carry.  I hope we get more then 8 possessions!   

It should make for a great 1st round matchup.

Go Bash!

[SaintsFAN]

BB16,

While MSJ doesn't jump out at you....believe me, I know this.  They don't seem do anything impressively at all...not on film.  But they win.  The three games of theirs I've seen this season, they have showed they are good at one major thing

Sudden Change situations---they take advantage of the momentum shifts after turnovers.


Now I'll never be confused as an MSJ fan, but I think if Lovell is able to play on half their possessions on Saturday, this game is going to be a barn burner.  The other RB's aren't that impressive to be honest. 

[fc_alum_84]

MSJ has the line to grind out yards and work the clock. If the game turns into a passing contest Wabash has the edge as they can throw the ball around. The new QB seems just as dangerous as Huff.  MSJ needs to keep the Bash O off the field and they have a great chance. 

[BashBacker#16]

Wabash press release with game preview:  http://www.wabash.edu/sports/docs/Release111407.pdf

[bashbrother]

Playoff capsules on the front page are a good read.  Nice job D3Sports.

http://www.d3football.com/playoffs/2007/capsules


Signed,

The Kinder/Gentler Bashbrother 

[Pat Coleman]

Thanks for your kindness and gentility.

[maxpower]

Yeah but the front page headline gets that Beatles song stuck in my head every day.

[wally_wabash]

I love the playoff capsules...this was the sort of thing that I absolutely loved doing when I was editing sports for The Bachelor.  Previews, outlooks, capsules...quick, easy, and loaded with more information than anybody could possibly need.  Those "articles" were a lot of fun to write.   

[Pat Coleman]

Yeah but the front page headline gets that Beatles song stuck in my head every day.

There are worse songs to get stuck in your head, stuck in your head for a long time.

Thanks, WW -- I agree, too.

[Knightstalker]

Yeah but the front page headline gets that Beatles song stuck in my head every day.

There are worse songs to get stuck in your head, stuck in your head for a long time.

Thanks, WW -- I agree, too.

buda bum tsch

[bashbrother]

This just in:

In a shocking discovery, it seems that Adam Vinatieri and a young kicker from a Depauw University, a small Liberal Arts School southwest of Indianapolis, switched spots..... A young non-proven Jordan Havercamp, signed with the Colts on Saturday, just in time to kick in the Colt's Sunday night game with the Chargers and Vinatieri kicked the game winning field goal for the Depauw Tigers in the 114th Monon Bell Classic. 

[Li'l Giant]

This just in:

In a shocking discovery, it seems that Adam Vinatieri and a young kicker from a Depauw University, a small Liberal Arts School southwest of Indianapolis, switched spots..... A young non-proven Jordan Havercamp, signed with the Colts on Saturday, just in time to kick in the Colt's Sunday night game with the Chargers and Vinatieri kicked the game winning field goal for the Depauw Tigers in the 114th Monon Bell Classic. 

Ugh. thanks for reminding me. I was a few miles south of Sweetwater on Hwy 70 listening on Sirius when Vinatieri shanked that kick. I was starting to get tired by that point but after the barrage of profanities I directed at the radio I was nice and alert all the way to Lubbock. I suppose I ought to thank Vinatieri....er Havercamp after all for not falling asleep and ending up in a bar ditch.

[cave2bens]

Ugh.

You deserve a double "ugh" at least - no offense to any Comanche descendents - for just making that monotonous drive and not missing that little cross over jog on I-20.  Could be worse, I guess... like Odessa or Dalhart?

Southwest Gets You There...