FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[NCAC4Life]

A few thoughts on last night's game at OWU. Game plan for OWU seemed to be to attack Witt linebackers and DB's.  Bishops are much improved and have a good future. Witt is big and strong on offense with great threats down the field but very average in the intermediate passing game. They will be hard to beat but will give up some yardage. OWU has to catch the ball on defense. Missed some great opportunities. OWU has the potential for a great passing attack but needs consistency. Stadium at OWU is awesome with all the new additions and renovations. Great place to watch a game. Proud to be a Bishop!

[Li'l Giant]

Having not watched the Wabash game (first one I've missed in a couple of years) because I was watching McMurry beat UTSA in the Alamodome I have to rely on other posters for the information. I'm inclined to agree with Wally's analysis. Going in and getting a win by any score was a big deal. The stats look like this was a game Wabash should have won and they did. Sure, things can be cleaned up but it was still a solid win in a first game.

With regard to kicking a long FG or going for it I agree that at this level a 40 yard FG is not a gimme. Honestly, no FG is a gimme. One of my pet peeves in watching football games at any level is when announcers act like going for it over a long a$$ field goal is taking points off the board.

Congrats to Denison, Gheny and Hiram for getting their first win of the season.

I can't find any links on Wabash's ugly new website.

Personally I like the aesthetic of the new website, (Stephen A. Smith voice ) HOWEVER, I do not like that you can no longer download the pictures from the picture gallery like you could on the old website. I have a screensaver folder with over 4000 Wabash sports images going back to when I was a student and I'm disappointed that collection won't grow. It's not like I'm selling them or something.

[Bash-Dad #84]

Since the Wabash/Wooster game has been broken down so nicely already, I will keep my comments brief. While I agree with much that has been said about the game, I will reiterate something that I believe about this group and that is the fact that they will be special. We certainly did not start out with a great deal of confidence, but as the game progressed, especially after halftime, we began to gain momentum. This team is like a runaway train, they will get better and better with each game. These young men have heart and character and it will show itself more each time they play!

Good job, Men!  Wabash Always Fights!

[Wabash Hokie]

I can't find any links on Wabash's ugly new website.

Personally I like the aesthetic of the new website, (Stephen A. Smith voice ) HOWEVER, I do not like that you can no longer download the pictures from the picture gallery like you could on the old website. I have a screensaver folder with over 4000 Wabash sports images going back to when I was a student and I'm disappointed that collection won't grow. It's not like I'm selling them or something.

The new website is a vast improvement AND also work in progress. If you have any suggestions (such as the ability to download pictures) send them to the webmaster or Jim Amidon.  They are looking for input for continued improvement.

Looking forward to the first home game of the year.

[smedindy]

New Top 25 out. Both Wabash and Witt drop. You're going, "WHAT?"

But...

Voters made more sense of Redlands win over North Central after North Central lambasted their NAIA opponent 70-26.
Voters had to drop Wesley and that upset the middle of the pack.
Voters had to throw Kean in there.
Voters didn't want to drop Cal Lutheran down much after they played close at Linfield (unlike Franklin).
Voters also took into account good performances by many other teams. Five WIAC teams also received votes. Eau Claire's total destruction of St. John's also played a big factor.

So I don't think it was disrespect to the NCAC that both Wabash and Witt dropped. It was a reconciling week. If the NCAC takes care of business, they will be rewarded.

[wally_wabash]

New Top 25 out. Both Wabash and Witt drop. You're going, "WHAT?"

But...

Voters made more sense of Redlands win over North Central after North Central lambasted their NAIA opponent 70-26.
Voters had to drop Wesley and that upset the middle of the pack.
Voters had to throw Kean in there.
Voters didn't want to drop Cal Lutheran down much after they played close at Linfield (unlike Franklin).
Voters also took into account good performances by many other teams. Five WIAC teams also received votes. Eau Claire's total destruction of St. John's also played a big factor.

So I don't think it was disrespect to the NCAC that both Wabash and Witt dropped. It was a reconciling week. If the NCAC takes care of business, they will be rewarded.

I generally like to look at the point totals more than the place in the poll.  Witt lost 18 points this week.  Wabash had no change from last week's poll.  Given the results you outlined there and how they had to affect the voting, it all makes sense. 

I'm interested to see if Kean can back it up at Cortland State this weekend.  Occasionally the idea of playing UMU or UWW in a non-league game comes up and I always think it's a bad idea.  This Kean situation will be a good case study.  They beat Wesley, which is a huge deal, but if they go and lose to Cortland and/or Montclair and/or Rowan, that non-league result against Wesley will not have mattered at all.

[BashBacker#16]

Did you guys see the article on Franklin's tailgating?  The best in D3???  Seriously?

[wabco]

16

where is the article?

[Pat Coleman]

Front page of D3football.com.

[wabco]

Sorry Pat ... I visited the site several times in the last day or two but was looking at scores not articles.  With regard to Franklin tailgaters, respectfully I believe Wabash has been doing this for generations, what Franklin has appeared to "discover".  More power to them and I hope their team succeeds ... but they are decent but that is all.  Their post season performance history along with the UWW exclaimation point this year confirms what we all who are familiar with Franklin know. My comment here will undoubtedly send the Grizz types into frenzy but I want them to succeed, just believe they have a ways to go.

[bashbrother]

Although I believe it is great that another Indiana D3 program has built their program into a consistent winner,  #1 Tailgate? a bit of a bold statement -  But truly, I don't know because I have never seen it.   But the article did communicate something that is very true.... winning = support for the program from students, faculty and community.   Support for a program = a nice tailgate.

My ultimate measure of overall Fan Support for a program, comes not in what happens at home,  but how does that support travel.  (07 UWW Playoff Game in a Blizzard)

I actually wish the Wabash/Franklin series did not end..... looking towards 2013 - with an open date in our schedule,  if we cannot schedule an upper end CCIW team,  putting Franklin back on would work for me.

[Pat Coleman]

I haven't seen it personally but Keith gave it his stamp of approval over a visit a couple years ago.

[wabashcpa]

Just be glad a D3 program in Indiana is getting some positive attention.  From what I understand their tailgate is pretty good.  As is the tailgate at Wabash. 

Time to get ready for OWU.  Looks like a lot of passes coming our way.

[smedindy]

Keith didn't have the full effect of the Wabash home tailgate since I think he saw us on the road at DPU. You and he need to come to a homecoming game...

[wally_wabash]

Time to get ready for OWU.  Looks like a lot of passes coming our way.

Yep.  Long gone is the wing-t OWU that we came to know and loathe.  These Bishops are pounding out 1.1 yards per carry...so yeah, they'll be putting it in the air.  Could be a fun day for the Hodges bros.