FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

bashbrother · September 12, 2011, 03:29:16 PM

Quote from: smedindy on September 12, 2011, 01:15:02 PM
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...

Unfortunately, in recent years, there have been a bunch of restrictions on what could very well be the #1 tailgate in D3.... The Bell Game Tailgate.....

"No Beer Pong?" a travesty!

On to OWU - Yes, I and many have said for many years, passing the football is critical when trying to be competitive with the W's in the NCAC.... especially when you don't have a shutdown defense. Too many points being scored by the upper level teams. I am happy to see the shift and believe it will pay dividends for the program. Now it is all about recruiting to support the shift.

formerd3db · September 12, 2011, 05:54:24 PM

I believe that most schools have their own uniqueness to their tailgaiting contingents. Franklin's sounds quite impressive. I would also mention this example: Kalamazoo in our MIAA. While they don't have as impressive of a stadium as Frankling does (at least not yet as their old Angell Field bowl is now under construction/renovation

), they do have a very impressive tailgaiting crowd. They have camping awnings, tents and vinyl booths (the types you see at the arts & craft shows

) lined up around the field at the base of the hills of natural bowl shaped stadium, which are crammed in and very cozy. The smell and light smoke of brats, franks and "whatever"

is evident as you walk in. Very good support from parents and some former players, even though they don't get the crowds that Franklin or some of our other MIAA schools do.

All that being said, this might change temporarily as their facility is being renovated this season and they will be playing in DI Western Michigan University's huge Waldo Stadium right across the street this fall for home games.

aueagle · September 13, 2011, 11:39:50 AM

I don't think there will be a lot of mystery on how OWU
attacks the LG's. Passing....passing....passing.
On the ground, the Bishops have rushed for 4/1st downs
1.1 average per rush....Bishops put points up in the 1st half...
We have to learn how to finish...being a youthful team...that will come.
Right now, the team is QB Espo....he hit key 3rd down conversions vs Witt,
and at 6'4" 225 he is proto-type. Punt game has improved....

wabco · September 13, 2011, 01:05:12 PM

aueagle

Agree. it should be a fun game to watch. "Air Bishop".

And the Little Giants will not be far behind in the air game. Only diversion will be the runs by Belton and by the emerging RB weapons which were on display at Woo. Look for Wes to come into his own ... or else another monster day for the other very able receivers. As for D ... with Gum and Scola and the "Brothers Hodge" ... I look for the LGs to close the door on any running game excapes by Espo and leave the LG secondary to otherwise deal with receiving passes on defense. In all events, should be a good fall day, great tailgate day, and a day with lots of balls in the air.

Duster72 · September 13, 2011, 03:00:44 PM

If Wabash and Franklin are going to resume the series, Franklin needs to provide adequate visitor seating. The last time we played in Franklin the Wabash faithful overwhelmed their facilities and I had several very rude run-ins with their drunk students. If I can't go to the restroom without an altercation there is a problem.

And yes, I tailgated before that game and it wasn't anything special. Maybe they have enough fans on their bandwagon now that it's a lot better.

luvncac · September 13, 2011, 03:49:38 PM

Aueagle........Who cares if they're moving the ball on the ground or not; for now I'm happy with the most exciting offence OWU has produced in many years and they actually have a punting and kicking game to go along with it. My crew of retired friends and I have made both night games and were thoroughly entertained with the entire product, on the field and off, especially the new scoreboard that featured live action as well as replays......we hope they start posting other NCAC scores during time outs......and the sound system is such a huge improvement. Also, a big thanks to the Wittenberg tailgaters that provided the boys and I with a free beer and some friendly ribbing........your prediction was correct except it was a much closer game then anyone thought.

GRIZ_BACKER · September 13, 2011, 06:58:30 PM

Quote from: Duster72 on September 13, 2011, 03:00:44 PM
If Wabash and Franklin are going to resume the series, Franklin needs to provide adequate visitor seating. The last time we played in Franklin the Wabash faithful overwhelmed their facilities and I had several very rude run-ins with their drunk students. If I can't go to the restroom without an altercation there is a problem.

And yes, I tailgated before that game and it wasn't anything special. Maybe they have enough fans on their bandwagon now that it's a lot better.

http://www.d3football.com/notables/2011/09/franklin-tailgate

The_Bishop · September 13, 2011, 07:00:27 PM

Quote from: luvncac on September 13, 2011, 03:49:38 PM
Aueagle........Who cares if they're moving the ball on the ground or not; for now I'm happy with the most exciting offence OWU has produced in many years and they actually have a punting and kicking game to go along with it. My crew of retired friends and I have made both night games and were thoroughly entertained with the entire product, on the field and off, especially the new scoreboard that featured live action as well as replays......we hope they start posting other NCAC scores during time outs......and the sound system is such a huge improvement. Also, a big thanks to the Wittenberg tailgaters that provided the boys and I with a free beer and some friendly ribbing........your prediction was correct except it was a much closer game then anyone thought.

Well put, luvncac.

I'm concerned about Wabash blitzing the Bishops early this Saturday afternoon in C-ville. I think the night games and home turf at Selby was a big help to OWU the first two games of the season. Now they're on the road for a day game against a team that got a wake up call during their scrimmage and snuffed out Wooster last week. The Bishops have to come out with the same emotion and fight that they showed the previous two weeks, because being down 14-0 or 21-0 after the 1st quarter is going to make for a long day when the opponent is Wabash.

OWU's kicking game is 180 degrees from where it has been in years past. There was a 30-yard punt here and there against Witt, but overall the fact OWU has a legitimate place kicker that we can jog out for 35+ yard field goals is a huge improvement.

Best of luck to both squads this Saturday, hopefully it is a hard fought battle and OWU can turn the corner against the NCAC's top tier. Witt was a huge step in that direction last week.

bashbrother · September 13, 2011, 07:32:54 PM

I am glad the Bishops seems to be headed in the right direction. It is cool having the energy added to the board this year. It is still interesting that there really hasn't been in Wooster posters on the board this year.

Here is to a hard-fought battle on Saturday in Crawfordsville.

wabco · September 13, 2011, 09:35:37 PM

Duster 72

You are spot on. I do not recall a more drunk and personally obnoxious student body than that of Franklin to have to walk past with spouse and children to even just go to the entrance of the field ... plus I recall the visitor stands were a bit inadequate. This was the last time Wabash played there, a couple of years ago. Perhaps they have improved the facility ... but suspect improving the class of the gumchewing undergrad is tougher.

aueagle · September 14, 2011, 04:56:20 AM

Miss the ScotLass....

aueagle · September 14, 2011, 09:41:49 AM

Wabash owns the series w/OWU - 19-13-2
1931 - The 1st game...Bishops win 60-0
2010 - 45-21....LG's storm in 2nd half
Remember this...it was10-7 at the half

Great to hear luvncac & bishop getting amped-up/OWU needs more voices on D3 and fans in Selby.
Looking at the numbers from last season & current, MacKenzie is punting at 33.9 yds versus
last season's, Mogilnicki/27.5 & Brandon Urankar at 30.9. What happened to Urankar anyway?
All-Ohio at the largest HS in the state and played a lot in 2010. Grades? 'Tude...What-up?
Field Goals - 2010..4/7...Long of 36....2011..3/3...Long of 34. Is this a "legitimate place kicker"?
We've played 2 games and I'm cautiously optimistic...
Bishops play Bluffton in 2012/2013...Beavers are 34-76 this decade...0-10 in 2009.
Can't we play an upper-tier non-conference.

bashbrother · September 14, 2011, 11:40:20 AM

It's Wednesday, and thus, focus begins to build on Saturday..... Some thoughts and comments....

DePauw @ Allegheny - Is this the first ever meeting between the two teams? Which Allegheny Team will show? It will be interesting as we start to see Depauw playing common opponents, how will this affect preparation by either team for the Bell Game? If at all.

OWU @ Wabash - Would have to say that Wabash's defensive pressure in the backfield will be key here. Also, how is the Bishops D, going to stop this Wabash offense? Expect for things to be much cleaner for Bash this week.

Wooster @ Oberlin - 2011 starts out identical to 2010 for these Scots, They handled Oberlin easily in their 3rd game last, will it happen again? Is this the same Oberlin team?

Witt @ Washington U. - The past two years, Witt has beat the Bears up... (46-0, 37-7) will this trend continue?.....3 years ago the Bears caught some lighting in Springfield and got the win. Do they have any chance here?

Hiram @ Denison - I think this game will give us an idea of where the Hiram program is. Last years effort (a respectable 31-24 loss) Can they improve on this or do they go backwards?

smedindy · September 14, 2011, 11:58:12 AM

I wish the DPU / Gheny game was a conference game. Though I don't know if common opponents help Bell Game prep. DPU could have a weakness against Gheny which won't manifest itself against Wabash. We'll see.

The Scots / Yeoman game will be pivotal for both programs. The Wooster radio guys were focusing on the next home game (OWU, I think) and rather much ignoring Oberlin, thinking it would be a win anyway. It may not be.

I think this Witt team is as focused as Wabash. So the Bears shouldn't stand in their way.

I think the Hiram game is also a good gauge for the Big Red. If they roll Hiram then they could be a solid middle-tier program and build on that momentum. We tend to think of OWU as a sleeping giant in the NCAC; I think Denison is the next one up that could be a factor thanks to momentum in other sports.

aueagle · September 14, 2011, 12:47:26 PM

Thanks for the "sleeping giant", smedindy.....But, the Bishops are batting (win Pct) .454 the last 11 seasons..
and .565 under the current regime of 24 years...Might be a deep sleep, but, as I have said before...
Ohio Wesleyan can be a winning/championship program....We can discuss the future after the season...
Bishops have 8 starters back on "D"....But, if you look at the stats, there is concern. Coordinator Delaney
has his work cut-out for him again. LG's are balanced on "O"...I've don't like what I see in the way of
comparison numbers, but, that's another reason we play the game on the field.
I'd go see a Wabash/Trine series....