FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[BashDad]

McMurry has won 6 games in the previous three seasons combined. I know they're better than MacMurray, though in defending the relative strength of Allegheny (Or Witt, in a close win), it seems appropriate to point out UMHB's own close game with a (lesser) conference foe.  

Also: Great news about Belton!

[DPU3619]

McMurry has won 6 games in the previous three seasons combined. I know they're better than MacMurray, though in defending the relative strength of Allegheny (Or Witt, in a close win), it seems appropriate to point out UMHB's own close game with a (lesser) conference foe.  

Also: Great news about Belton!

Should be noted that McMurry is a significantly improved team since Hal Mumme came in to start last season.  I think you have a valid point either way, but worth nothing that his program is DEFINITELY on his way up.  That team isn't anywhere close to the 0-10 they were in '08.

[WittFan]

Allegheny, at home with a a 4-year starting qb and a boatload of other returning players from last year's eight win team was poised to play a competitive game with Wittenberg.  It was the biggest game Allegheny has played in a long time and they were ready for it.  Let's give the Gators a little bit of credit for the game they played on Saturday. 

I don't get a chance to post very often, so it pains me to have to burn one of my precious posts agreeing with Wally.

The only thing that surprises me about Saturday is that anybody would have expected Witt to dominate this game. For starters, it is no secret that Witt has traditionally struggled on the road against quality opponents (especially in Meadville). I mean seriously, when was the last time the Tigers dominated a quality opponent on the road? The Grub Bowl at Wabash in 2000? The '97 Allegheny game?

More importantly, like Wally points out, Allegheny is a well-coached, veteran squad who were defending their home turf and looking to make up for an embarrassing loss in Springfield last year. Of course this was going to be a hard-fought game. If you had polled this board before the game I don't think many people familiar with Allegheny would have expected Witt to go up there and dominate them. If the people on this board didn't think it was going to be a blowout, then nobody else should have.

On a side note, I know this is a little late but GREAT job on the redesign Pat and crew. The site looks terrific!

[BashDad]

Where are your buddies, Wittfan?! It'd be great to get more Witt followers on here.

[bashbrother]

National media attention for my high school for a pretty neat football story.  We get all serious about the sport and we see how it's all about the money these days... and then a story like this comes around and reminds us, it's still a game.

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/High-school-player-Down-syndrome-scores-51-yard-touchdown-Ike-Ditzenberger?GT1=39002

(Lake Stevens was winning the game 34-0 with less than a minute remaining)

[bishopowu]

I dont even think Hollway knows what that certain "something" is haha...OWU got Chicago on the road this week. I agree with everything you said Aueagle 100%.

[nike]

Ran into someone who played at OWU several years ago, but lives in northeast Ohio.  Was talking about Saturday night's game, which again, was a pretty cool experience.  Evidently every year there were(are?) players that do not play their junior or senior years but stay in school at OWU. It seems there are always new freshmen that come in, make a splash and play right away at the expense of upperclassmen who have stuck around expecting to play as juniors and seniors. And as soon as the season appears to be over as far as competing for the conference title, then some more seniors are replaced with freshmen and sophomores, to get them ready for the next year. But sometimes the leadership and comraderie you want from upperclassmen is lost, especially if they play a lot for a couple years, then do not play as much their senior year.
He played on the last team that was really competetive. They went 7-3 and beat us in Wooster. But even they had quarterbacking issues throughout the season as I remember.

[LGHistorian]

Wabash went through a similar phase for 3 years in the early 70's.  The players had a term for it.  I was talking to one of the players during practice.  He had been an RB his freshman and sophomore years and was now an offensive guard.  He said, "You know what this is don't you?"  I said, "No, what is it?"  His reply was, "Junior Phase Out."

I can also remember during one game where the coach pulled his offensive 1st team during a game when the coach had basically determined Wabash had no chance of winning but several of the starters were upset with the decision because they felt they still had a chance to win.

If you want to know how well known the term was known on campus...the yearbook story on the football team 2 seasons AFTER this coach was let go, had the headline (as best as I can recall some 30+ years later)...FOOTBALL TEAM GOES 7-3, OFFICIAL END OF JUNIOR PHASE OUT.

[ExTartanPlayer]

Evidently every year there were(are?) players that do not play their junior or senior years but stay in school at OWU. It seems there are always new freshmen that come in, make a splash and play right away at the expense of upperclassmen who have stuck around expecting to play as juniors and seniors. And as soon as the season appears to be over as far as competing for the conference title, then some more seniors are replaced with freshmen and sophomores, to get them ready for the next year.

Unfortunately, I think that this happens a lot.  My recruiting class at CMU included 47 players.  19 of us completed our senior season.  A few dropped out of school, a few suffered some sort of career-ending injury, but most of the others (at least 15) were still students at CMU during our senior year - they had just quit the team once they realized they weren't in the coaches' plans.

Also, any time a "losing streak" started, SOMEONE was guaranteed to lose a starting job.  The coaches always seemed to want a "scapegoat" when the offense/defense was struggling.  My freshman year, after two losses, they benched two OL's and changed them.  We won our next two games, then lost two more, and they went further down the depth chart (I started the last two games of my freshman year, both wins, practically "by accident" because the coaches just kept changing O-linemen whenever the offense struggled).  Classic example of what you're talking about - once there was no chance for a conference title, the coaches just started playing me & a few other young guys to get us ready for the next year.

[HScoach]

Of course based on games played, I'd have to put St John Fischer in the top three...

This is absurd.

What's absurd is trying to have an intelligent conversation with 70's.

[pennstghs]

BashDad, apparently you've overlooked my presence as a Witt supporter then!!!! I've been not as active on the football boards but heavily active in the basketball threads, although not sure how that will be this year as my basketball officiating will cut  into the games i'll be able to attend

[cave2bens]

Wabash went through a similar phase for 3 years in the early 70's.  The players had a term for it.  I was talking to one of the players during practice.  He had been an RB his freshman and sophomore years and was now an offensive guard.  He said, "You know what this is don't you?"  I said, "No, what is it?"  His reply was, "Junior Phase Out."

I can also remember during one game where the coach pulled his offensive 1st team during a game when the coach had basically determined Wabash had no chance of winning but several of the starters were upset with the decision because they felt they still had a chance to win.

If you want to know how well known the term was known on campus...the yearbook story on the football team 2 seasons AFTER this coach was let go, had the headline (as best as I can recall some 30+ years later)...FOOTBALL TEAM GOES 7-3, OFFICIAL END OF JUNIOR PHASE OUT.

Beggin' for Bowman or Yearnin' for Urick - LMAO!     
+K for the memories of 3-3-2 and a one pt loss to DPU in 1970, "Historian!" 

[WallyFS4]

I'm not sure if this has been posted or not.  One of Wabash's football family is going through a very tough time.  05' Dustin Deno 1 year old daughter is in a fight for her life.  Here are a few reports.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOnUWPNRKVk

http://www.wlfi.com/dpp/news/local/Infant-girl-fighting-for-her-life-battling-cancer-aubrey-deno

http://apps.facebook.com/fundrazr/activity/ee7b638d48cf475583fdca41c8797412?srid=46dc3e84dd854f3c81eb6f2ea6708036&ref=nf

I apologize if this has been posted.  I thought it was very important.  The Deno's need your help and prayers.

WAF

[aueagle]

The night game was fun at Selby......Home side was full, I figured 4500 right there.
The COW side was ok, they had a pack in the middle. Final stat said 6,000 plus.
Delaware HS band was very good at halftime....It seemed to me nobody wanted this game....TO's, mistakes...The OWU qb situation is wild....please stick w/one guy.
nike: Your points are well taken....Ran into some folks I saw at the LG game - Very cool...Lots to talk about after the season is over.....
Somebody mentioned the relationship between coach & AD at OWU.....Don't forget that the football coach is also the Associate AD...MMmmmmm.
Good to see the Gators back...They've been retooling for at least 3 yrs....It was just a matter of time for them.
Stats don't lie. Bishops have 10 last place positions in the 33 NCAC season stats...
The rest were mostly 8,7,6 & 5th place...Very poor......I thought I could make it to C-Town, but I'll save the money and go to The Stagg instead. A better investment.
PRAYERS TO AUBREY

[NCAC4Life]

The night game was fun at Selby......Home side was full, I figured 4500 right there.
The COW side was ok, they had a pack in the middle. Final stat said 6,000 plus.
..Ran into some folks I saw at the LG game - Very cool...Lots to talk about after the season is over.....
Somebody mentioned the relationship between coach & AD at OWU.....Don't forget that the football coach is also the Associate AD...MMmmmmm.

I would say fun is an understatement!It was a great night for Division III football and it was a good entertaining game to watch.
Great atmosphere and an awesome facility. I talked to several former OWU players there that night with me on the sideline and they loved it.
I think this was the first time I ever saw the OWU crowd fill the entire home side of the stadium. Someone must be doing something right there! I hope they have a lot of night games in the future.

AU: Did I miss you at the game? Or did you view it on the web? I will be in C-Town tomorrow on business and plan to stay over. Too bad you can't make it.

Nike: I remember my class was in the low 40's and had 14 or so graduate. Very typical in Division III I am afraid. Having a lot of seniors doesn't always translate into a lot of wins. A lot of great seniors usually does. I guess one way to stop junior phase out is to win when you are juniors.  Seems pretty simple to me.