FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[frank uible]

There are cheer leaders, and there are analysts, and there are are cheer leader analysts, and there are analyst cheer leaders - of course, there are also those who don't care.

[DPU3619]

tough loss saturday--does anyone not think Hudson was worth 3 points on saturday

Boy, I just don't know.  I really don't.  It sounds so simple when you state it that way, but, to me, that game really wasn't "just add Hudson and you're over the hump!" Miracle wasn't that bad.  I'm not sure there's a quarterback in the entire North region outside of Kurt Rocco that could really turn around the trend on that Witt defense. 

Somebody just has to run the football on that group.  If it isn't Wabash, I don't know if it's going to be anybody in this here conference.  It's easier said than done, obviously, but once you do that, you can get them to commit a little more and get something over the top.  They had one to Lemond and one to Chamblee, but even those weren't 30 yards.  They keep it all in front of them.

[wally_wabash]

tough loss saturday--does anyone not think Hudson was worth 3 points on saturday

Boy, I just don't know.  I really don't.  It sounds so simple when you state it that way, but, to me, that game really wasn't "just add Hudson and you're over the hump!" Miracle wasn't that bad.  I'm not sure there's a quarterback in the entire North region outside of Kurt Rocco that could really turn around the trend on that Witt defense. 

Somebody just has to run the football on that group.  If it isn't Wabash, I don't know if it's going to be anybody in this here conference.  It's easier said than done, obviously, but once you do that, you can get them to commit a little more and get something over the top.  They had one to Lemond and one to Chamblee, but even those weren't 30 yards.  They keep it all in front of them.

Chamblee's long gain was a catch and run.  Lemond's long gain was over the top.  That play was "only" 29 yards because they stop counting at the goal line. 

But the point is valid...it's hard to get big plays against Wittenberg in 2009 because they are tough to run on.  Wabash didn't run on them and Wabash didn't really get more than the two big plays.  I don't know how much of the playbook was closed with Hudson out...I don't recall Wabash taking any big shots between the hashes which is something that usually happens a few times per game with Hudson (the deep ball is a strength of his). 

[D3_DPUFan]

Boy, I just don't know.  I really don't.  It sounds so simple when you state it that way, but, to me, that game really wasn't "just add Hudson and you're over the hump!" Miracle wasn't that bad.  I'm not sure there's a quarterback in the entire North region outside of Kurt Rocco that could really turn around the trend on that Witt defense.  

I didn't see the wole game, and folks in here could probably give a sh*t about what a DePauw guy thinks, but those young QB's were put in a really tough situation and I think it's a bit silly to throw them under the bus as I think some did. The Miracle kid made a great throw on the late TD pass and put you guys in position to win...some evidence of a running game and special teams coverage would have helped...

[bashbrother]

The play that Wabash with Knott, Harbaugh, Huff and Hudson have always had tremendous success with against Witt.... was the deep post along with a certain combination of routes in play.

CC had so much success with it that they actually named the pattern "Witt" 

I am sure that play was pulled out of the play book with Miracle.   Very dangerous if the timing and arm strength isn't there.

DPU -  Ironically, you would kind of get this conversation.   When Spud was down earlier this year, your offense was very different.   Was the loss to Centre the only game that he missed?

[jam40jeff]

I don't recall Wabash taking any big shots between the hashes which is something that usually happens a few times per game with Hudson (the deep ball is a strength of his).  

We CWRU fans know this all too well.

[DPU3619]

DPU -  Ironically, you would kind of get this conversation.   When Spud was down earlier this year, your offense was very different.   Was the loss to Centre the only game that he missed?

He missed the 3-0 mud bowl at Sewanee, too.  Engle struggled, but I'm not sure a D1 QB could have done much in those weather and field conditions.

[D3_DPUFan]

DPU -  Ironically, you would kind of get this conversation.   When Spud was down earlier this year, your offense was very different.   Was the loss to Centre the only game that he missed?

Absolutely...and I didn't mean to suggest Hudson's loss was insignificant---quite the opposite---I just think those young QBs were thrust into a tough spot and seemed to do OK...not what an NCAC Offensive Player of the Year would do...but they made some plays...   

[BashDad]

Tough spot, for sure. I'm proud of the way Josh played. But a lot of those drives stalled after overthrown screens and quick routes. Prior to that final drive, our playbook was reaaaaaallly thin and neither qb looked really comfortable. If hudson plays, that game is different.

[fijidoc]

Miracle did well with what he was asked to do:  manage the game and don't lose it.

The play calling without Hudson though was not the same.  The coaches also coached the game to not let Miracle lose and put him in a position he can't handle.  They had to do this because of his limitations with the offense

Miracle's arm strength is so much worse than Hudson that we couldn't call the game we would have called with Hudson in the game.   He can't put the ball into the tight spots that Hudson can and there was no real threat down the field and especially down the middle of the field because the coaches knew Miracle couldn't make those throws.

I'm not saying we would have won with Hudson in because I think the whole game would change.  If Wabash with Hudson had put more points up, in all likelihood Witt would have put more points up as well.  With Hudson I would have expected some let down on the defense.  More points probably would have been scored by both sides.  Our defense played above their head out of necessity.  They pulled together as a team and did the best they could. 

I do think we win with Hudson because we would have been able to play all out on offense which we couldn't with Miracle but I also think Witt responds to the challenge as well and probably puts up more points as well.

[smedindy]

Sure, the game plan is different without Hudson, but Witt's defensive game plan would be different as well. You have to figure that they prepared for Wabash without Hudson all week.

But it's Miracle's team now, at least for the next few games. Here's to a great effort at Wooster. Enjoy the drive, everyone. Give I-71 my loathe...

[short]

ER said, "its hard to believe but I think their better than they were last year" talking about the Witt D.  Wabash managed only 13 points last season.  Plus, I'm sure Witt fans think Aaron Huffman and Chris Weber would have been worth 3 pts last season. You just don't know, however if Wabash and Witt play again this season don't expect Witt to throw 4 INTs.

[Pat Coleman]

Sure, the game plan is different without Hudson, but Witt's defensive game plan would be different as well. You have to figure that they prepared for Wabash without Hudson all week.

You think that's the case? I wouldn't want to be caught by surprise if Hudson went out there on Saturday morning. Easier to gameplan for Hudson and adjust donward.

[wally_wabash]

Alright, I just finished watching the replay of the game.  Before I get to my QB point....wow.  Those two defenses were awesome on Saturday.  Just awesome.  And Brad McKinley giving Miracle a shoulder chuck on the sideline was bush, but we've come to expect that from #21.  I thought he would have grown up by now, but I guess my hopes were a little too high. 

Alright, seriously guys.  The drive Miracle led to tie the game was about as clutch a drive as we've seen in the last several years.  He was 6-7 on that drive, converted a 4th down with a long out pass (game is over if he doesn't make that throw), and threw a perfect ball to Lemond for the score.  That's a big time drive with some big time throws against a big time defense.  Josh Miracle has some game and I feel great about #18 and another week of practice with the 1s going to Wooster on Saturday. 

[old scot]

Seinfeld,
      Nothing wrong with "calling it like you see it". Nice stat on spreading the ball around vs quality opponents.

Being Woo alum, we all pull for the Scots to win. When they play poorly, pointing out short comings is not out of line.

I have been disappointed in the Scot's defense thus far. Seems we have to out score the opposition rather than stopping them from scoring.