FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

cave2bens · October 14, 2009, 01:54:38 PM

Weekly Press Release vs Witt - good to see that Hudson is on the two-deep, and hope the injury was just a passing incident... anyone determine if this was a result of that 17 yd run and collision in the first half?

http://www.wabash.edu/sports/docs/ReleaseOct1409.pd

WAF

fijidoc · October 14, 2009, 03:24:07 PM

I agree that Wabash has grown as a team and that as one QB leaves another one enters. Yes we did lose Huff and Hudson stepped in. But we had 3 or 4 games against very weak opponents that year. We had time to work out kinks and Hudson was ready by time we had to play Witt that year.

This year we don't have that luxery. I'm sorry to say that I still believe without Hudson we don't win this week, period. Even with Hudson it will be a tough game as we all know. I've been to two games so far this year and in mop up duty our backup QB has not impressed me at all. I don't want to hurt his feelings if he reads this board so I won't get into any specifics. Now maybe if Hudson was out the whole game the backup would not necessarily be the QB that would play the game. Coaches are loyal to players with seniority so maybe the backup is playing at the end of games based on that and if the worst happened and Hudson was out maybe there is another underclassmen that would assume the duties as starter. I don't know, I'm not at practice and not that close to the team.

Just so you know. I am still very close to Wabash football. I am a former player and 2 year varsity letter winner. I have been to two games so far this year. Been to every single playoff game even to Mount Union, Case Western twice, and all the home games. I played under Carlson but have followed closely and helped recruit players down in my area for the coaches so I am very familiar with the program and how it has evolved and grown into a top flight program. I hope I am wrong and that the program is strong enough to overcome the loss of Hudson but this would be different the changing QB's after one graduates or even after Huff's injury because Hudson didn't have to come in and game one play Wittenberg for the conference title that year.

smedindy · October 14, 2009, 03:39:18 PM

I don't think any Wabash man needs to present his posting credentials.

wally_wabash · October 14, 2009, 03:44:30 PM

Fair enough, doc. And I don't mean to say that this is an ideal situation. It clearly isn't. But the team isn't dead in the water here if Hudson can't go on Saturday.

Backup quarterbacks rarely look as good as the starter because, well, if they did they'd probably be starting. And also, when it's mop up time for the QB, it's usually mop up time for RBs, WRs, and OLs. That backup QB isn't being afforded all of the options that the #1 quarterback has. When I watched the R/W scrimmage I came away feeling much better about the quarterbacks under Hudson on the depth chart than I have been in some time. There are some players there. And that was what, six or seven weeks ago? Some of those guys have had red squad experience now and another couple of months of practice to improve. Miracle is in his second season working in the Raeburn system. Belton has a lot of talent. Either or both could play on Saturday.

In 2006 Wittenberg started a freshman quarterback (Huffman) against Wabash at home. Huffman threw three picks in the first half and looked every bit the freshman that he was. Witt played well defensively, Huffman settled down and played a pretty clean second half, and Witt beat the LGs with a good run game, solid defense, and a good plan for their rookie QB. Why wouldn't Wabash be able to do the same thing?

fijidoc · October 14, 2009, 03:45:56 PM

Some had asked if I was aware of the history and just wanted to let it known that I am not new to the Wabash scene just because I had not been posting as much this year or in the pickem's.

fijidoc · October 14, 2009, 03:57:28 PM

Very good point Wally about when playing in mop up duty you are playing with backup line and WR's and that does make a huge difference. So starters would definitely help. Most of my critique of Miracle though has nothing to do with what is on the field with him at the time player personel wise, it has more to do with things that he can't control or improve with just better talent on the field and I will leave it at that. This is nothing against him at all, if he plays I hope like hell he proves me wrong and that he is the next in the line of great Wabash QB's. But with what I've seen which I admit is very limited so far, I'm not sure he has it. Maybe someone else on the roster is the next great QB and we have not had a chance to see him and I hope we don't because right now I prefer a healthy Hudson.

Like I said before, if Hudson can't play in my opinion(and it is just that an opinion) we don't win the game but if he can't go I will cheer for whoever is in there at QB and hope and pray that I am wrong and that Wabash can win without Hudson. If Hudson can't go, I hope everyone will be calling me out on this board as a non believer because that means we won without him. I can take backlash at my expense for lack of belief if it means Wabash wins.

Bash-Dad #84 · October 14, 2009, 04:07:04 PM

I have to admit that I was nervous about this game even before learning about Hudsons injury. As odd as it may sound however, I think you will see a stronger team effort because Matt is hurt. Many veterans will step up to do their part to win this game. Miracle will not have to play lights out to be effective, he will simply need to play as mistake free as possible and let the playmakers make plays.

At kick off, I will have the biggest knot in my stomach you can imagine, but I believe these kids will win. Wabash Always Fights.

Fear the Poet · October 14, 2009, 04:12:59 PM

best of Luck to Wabash!

we will need a little "Wabash magic" this Saturday as the Mighty Poets take on the Bulldogs of Redlands

fijidoc · October 14, 2009, 04:14:39 PM

another very good point about the other players rallying around an injured player and playing a little harder and a little more focused. Especially for a one or two game scenario. If Hudson is out but only for a game or two then maybe the others can pick up the slack.

bashbrother · October 14, 2009, 04:50:35 PM

good stuff being batted about.........

If Hudson cannot go, I , like others I have talked to are actually, in a very strange way, excited to see how far this program has grown. How much depth do we really have a key positions?

We typically get this barometer reading when Bash plays in late November and into December.

Watching a QB in a mop-up roll is a terrible measuring stick.... it's not really a real game at that point. When they come out of the tunnel and know they are taking the first snap with 1st team line, backs and receivers....then it is the real deal.

Miracle has been in the system and Belton comes from good football blood lines with a ton of confidence and talent.

If Hudson can't go....he will be surely missed, but we'll be fine.

BashDad · October 14, 2009, 11:01:50 PM

gotta love when the hometown fish-wrap gives the other team cause for enthusiasm:

http://www.springfieldnewssun.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/dayton/springfieldpreps/entries/2009/10/13/wabash_qbs_playing_status_in_q.html

also, some trash talk (and finally!) from the comments:

"It is always good to beat the opponents when they are at their best, but maybe Wabash will learn what it is like to have key injuries. Witt - 28 Wabash - 7"

smedindy · October 15, 2009, 12:18:00 AM

Oh, I think Wabash knows well enough about injuries. Yeesh. What a maroon! (And not a UC one, I bet.)

Bash-Dad #84 · October 15, 2009, 06:57:30 AM

Quote from: BashDad on October 14, 2009, 11:01:50 PM
gotta love when the hometown fish-wrap gives the other team cause for enthusiasm:

http://www.springfieldnewssun.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/dayton/springfieldpreps/entries/2009/10/13/wabash_qbs_playing_status_in_q.html

also, some trash talk (and finally!) from the comments:

"It is always good to beat the opponents when they are at their best, but maybe Wabash will learn what it is like to have key injuries. Witt - 28 Wabash - 7"

This kind of makes me laugh. The last time I checked, Matt Hudson was not leading the team in tackles and this guy has them putting 4 up against our D ? Also, all the playmakers we have on offense, we will only be able to muster up 1 TD? This guy has definately been drinking some tainted kool aid! See you Saturday!

Wabash Always Fights!

Black n Gold · October 15, 2009, 08:04:12 AM

Congrats to Brian Albani:

http://www.wooster.edu/Athletics/Athletics-News/2009/October/Football-Weekly-Honors-Albani.aspx

cave2bens · October 15, 2009, 10:07:37 AM

Quote from: BashDad on October 14, 2009, 11:01:50 PM
gotta love when the hometown fish-wrap gives the other team cause for enthusiasm:

http://www.springfieldnewssun.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/dayton/springfieldpreps/entries/2009/10/13/wabash_qbs_playing_status_in_q.html

also, some trash talk (and finally!) from the comments:

"It is always good to beat the opponents when they are at their best, but maybe Wabash will learn what it is like to have key injuries. Witt - 28 Wabash - 7"

Reg. comment 1 - any Buckeye-born, Lutheran acolyte knows it's "go 'Berg," whether "Heidi- or Witt"

"Pioneer trumps Weaver" - it's not the height of the steeple that drives performance.

WAF