FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[wally_wabash]

This struck me when reading the press releases.  Coach Fincham is 148-33 in his 17 years.  In NCAC games he is 98-15!  Against Wabash he is 6-7!!  Muhahahahahahahaaaa. 

That's impressive.  Since joining the NCAC in 2000, Wabash is 71-12 in league play.  Of the 12 losses, 6 are Witt, 4 are Allegheny, 2 are Wooster.  Wabash has never lost an NCAC game to Denison, Earlham, Hiram, Kenyon, Oberlin, or Ohio Wesleyan.   

And if you're curious about the NCAC records of Wabash coaches during that time, here you go:
Greg Carlson: 5-2
Chris Crieighton: 41-7
Erik Raeburn: 25-3

[nike]

Did Raeburn recruit Belton?
Gotta feeling Raeburn will miss Belton next year. Trust he will find or has found the next qb for Wabash.
First things first. Saturday's game is going to be something.

[wally_wabash]

Did Raeburn recruit Belton?
Gotta feeling Raeburn will miss Belton next year. Trust he will find or has found the next qb for Wabash.
First things first. Saturday's game is going to be something.

That would be a yes.  ER started his job as HC at Wabash in February 2008, Chase matriculated in the fall of 2009. 

I don't want to stray too far away from the present, but you always miss a senior QB with multiple years of starting experience.  You just don't get that back.  That said, I believe there are good players in the wings here.  Andy Walsh, who saw some late-game time last year and is currently hurt or otherwise would be on the two-deep, will compete there.  People seem to be pretty high on freshman Michael Putko (looks like a perfect fit for ER's offense from his high school's hihglight clips on the youtube).  The experience will be lost, but the talent will be there.

[sigma one]

BashBacker#16, since you asked . . .To be blunt, I don't have a good feel for this game.  Witt started the year strong, then lately has dropped off in production.  Why?  Hard to tell.  (Good opponents, lack of motivation, "slump"?)  Wabash's loss to 'Gheny haunts them, and will all year.  Was that the "real" Wabash last week?  To me, it looks like Witt is Witt, a combination of a potentially explosive offense and strong defense--cliches.  I expect Florence to be slippery and effective at times.  The young running backs have not been in a collegiate situation like this one, so their performance will be interesting to watch, particularly against a hard-hitting defense.  The receivers are dangerous, but so were the experienced receivers last couple of years.  I'm interested in how accurate Florence will be with his throws. 
     On the Wabash side, everyone has mentioned that there can be no more losses in the conference.  Last week, the offense did just about what it wanted against a CMU defense that I don't think had been tested by the early schedule.  I've heard that CMU coaches were impressed by Wabash's speed and intensity.  Word is that CMU suffered several bad injuries.  We clearly saw one or two of them.  Their fullback went down, and Nardone and Delello (sp) were out among their corps of backs.  That's why I think Blanks was featured so much after getting many fewer touches in previous games.   Good for CMU; he's a hand full.  I'm sure Witt will try to make Wabash one dimensional.  To date, the LG's passing statistics (exception at Hanover) have not been overwhelming, and until last week Wabash had not established the run, though you could see it coming the week before.  And as part of that, Raeburn had not turned Belton loose.  Now that he is loose, Witt has more to think about. 
     In the end, guessing, I see special teams and field position being the differences.  Witt's kicker, Williams, is experienced.  Wabash's kicker, MacDougall, has a great leg but has been erratic.  Wabash has surrender two long punt returns this year, one for a TD.  Not like them.  Witt's coverages are always superior.  Wabash may have a bit of an edge in the punting game.   Adding this all up, and speculating about the throw in--it's Homecoming at Wittenberg--I see a game decided late on a mistake:  blocked punt, interception, late field goal.  And a late field goal has decided several games in the rivalry--either made or missed. 
          Now that I've read what I just wrote, ugh, hmmm, it could be 17-14, or all this could go in the trash, and both teams could exhibit offensive prowess leading to 35-31--a Florence/Belton offensive show.  I doubt the latter.  I can't see Witt giving up in the 30's (maybe not in the 20's), nor the Wabash D.   I know only one thing for sure:  every time I think I know something about the rivalry, I get surprised (a junior version of the Bell Game).
         BB#16 and others.  Your guess is as good, perhaps better, than mine.  It's Thursday.  Anyone care to add to, refine, say this is all bunk.  Have at it.     

[wally_wabash]

I think we're on the same page, sigma one.  I think it's a close game and I think it may very well be decided by a turnover or a big special teams play as you've alluded to.  We've seen Wabash's warts and it cost them a game.  Wittenberg has not been quite as overwhelming as they were in their first two games, but as you mentioned, who knows why.  I think we'd be crazy to think that Coach Fincham wouldn't keep his cards close leading into the Wabash game...we need to only look at the records that BB16 posted earlier.  This is the game that decides things and both sides know it. 

For me, I think the biggest factor in the game is Reed Florence.  He's a junior, but this is his first time behind the wheel in a big time game.  This will be Belton's fourth Witt game, three as a starter, and he's got playoff games to draw from, so I think he'll be fine.  But Florence...total wild card.  I think he's good enough to make big plays even when you've defended him well.  If he's making good decisions throwing and he's able to get outside of the Wabash pass rush (Allegheny did this by constantly rolling out...Florence has the ability to do it through sheer athleticism), then he's going to have run/pass options that could really really hurt Wabash.  It'll be imperative for Wabash to keep him in the pocket.  If they do, I think they can turn him over.  If not, then Wabash probably gets exposed to some big plays. 

Also worth noting that one way to limit Florence's impact here is to be able to run.  I doubt that Wabash can run like they did last week.  That was historic (4th highest rush game ever for Wabash I believe).  But if Wabash can find a rhythm with Holmes and Belton, keep the ball in the front of the chains and have a couple of long drives, that will help the defense out a ton.  It's not a conditioning thing as much as it's a fewer opportunities for Florence to get loose and hit a home run thing. 

Ultimately, I think this is a fairly low scoring game.  Both defenses are very good.  3 touchdowns probably wins.  Obviously I'm leaning toward Wabash, but these games have been too close to call for ten years now. 

[wallyworld12]

It's only 9 and I can already tell this Friday is starting to feel like the Friday before the Bell game. Very excited to make the trip up to Springfield in the morning for what promises to be a fantastic match-up.

Have heard reports that practice has gone quite well this week in CVille. Had a person from the program tell me "it's going to be a dog fight on Saturday." If you live within a couple hours drive of Springfield and love watching D3 Football, this is really a can't miss.

Wabash Always Fights! Beat Witt! Tiger Down!

[sigma one]

With nothing else to do on a rainy Friday:  Since 2000----------------Wabash/Wittenberg

!   13 games played (one playoff game, 02, Wabash win); 6-6 in regular season
!   Wabash has not lost more than 2 games in a season since 04 (6-4), Witt since 08 (6-4)   
!   Neither team has won more than two regular seasons games in succcession (Wab: 02, 03, 07, 08;     
        Wit:  00, 01, 09, 10)
!   Total points in regular-season games W v. W:  Wittenberg 288     Wabash 267
!   Total points with playoff game:   Witenberg 302     Wabash 292
!   6 games decided by 7 points or fewer (02, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09:  how about that 5 yrs in a row)
!   Wabash at home wins:  03, 05, 07, 11 (and the 02 playoff game)
!   Wittenberg home wins:  01, 04, 06, 09 (curiously Wabash played Wittenberg in Springfield in both
         01 and 02:  the 02 game was a 46-43 ot Wabash win)
!   Late field goals, made or missed, decided games in 02, 06, 08, 09
!   the most decisive win years:  00 (WIT 41-10), 03 (WAB 41-14)
!   During the NCAC rivalry years Wabash and Wittenberg have both been to the NCAA Playoffs
    six times
!   Overall records, including Playoffs, 2000-2011:  Wabash 108-27      Wittenberg 104-29
    Best seasons:  Wabash 02 (12-1) 11 (12-1)     Wittenberg 00 (12-1) 09 (12-1)
!   Quarterbacks during the rivalry:  Knott, Crane, Harbaugh, Cornett, Huff, Holmes, Hudson, Huffman,
    Miracle, Zoeller, Belton
!   Some others, runners and receivers:  Morris, Donaldson, Lafitte, Grove, Sobecki, Murray, Wayre, 
    Weber, Casper, Aljancic, Short, Ivery, Clifton, Glover, Bronaugh, Rumschlag, Summers, Cherry,
    Russell, Williams, Graham, Guida, Green, McKee, LeMond, Kralich, Chamblee, Cooper, Horn
!   And on defense:  BJ Hammer, Pope, Blair Hammer, Howard, Boulais, Lackmeyer, Stu Johnson,
    Goldsbury, Foster, Hauser, Fanelli, Tiggs, T. White, Fonseca, T. Parker, Block, Lange, Phillips,
    Pynenberg, Swanson, Knez, Lohrman, Welby, Rodriquez, Peterman, Vallery, Frederick, McKinley
!   And a few kickers:  Porter, Finley, Thomas, Whitehead
   
     The above is not inclusive; apologies to all the fine players not listed.  These are some that stand
     out for me.  Many others excelled in these games.  If I erred with the numbers, please jump in. 
     OK, that takes care of Friday morning.  (one little thing:  in the 02 ot game, Wittenberg threw
     52 passes, Wabash threw 51.  I doubt we see that tomorrow.)

   
       

[bashbrother]

Sigma One  +1  for the tremendous effort... having done similar breakdowns in the past,  I know first hand how much time that took!   Bravo!

Some Little Giant!

[BashBacker#16]

Sigma 1,

Holy cow, those are some killer stats & facts!  Crazy.  I remember all of those Witt QB's too.

Nice work and thanks for sharing!

BB16

[Breckenridgebear]

For those of you who would like to enjoy Depauw vs Ohio Wesleyan

Watch Live: http://client.stretchinternet.com/client/depauw.portal#
Live Stats: http://www.depauw.edu/ath/live/football/xlive.htm
Listen Live: http://www.wgre.org/listen.asp

[Bishopleftiesdad]

For those of you who would like to enjoy Depauw vs Ohio Wesleyan

Watch Live: http://client.stretchinternet.com/client/depauw.portal#
Live Stats: http://www.depauw.edu/ath/live/football/xlive.htm
Listen Live: http://www.wgre.org/listen.asp

Thanks I will save these links. Go Bishops!!!!!!!!!!!! +1

[BashBacker#16]

Good article from Springfield paper:  http://www.springfieldnewssun.com/news/sports/college-football/witt-seeks-revenge-against-wabash/nSWNN/

"Wabash is Wabash" ---Coach Fincham

[smedindy]

Not good. Holmes hurt on the first play for Wabash.

The feed has been buffering on and off - probably because LG fans are on it in droves!

[smedindy]

Holmes is back, thank goodness.

Defenses are stepping up big time. It's going to be an ugly one.

[smedindy]

Other scores:

Case Western 3, Wooster 0 - 7:32 1Q
OWU 14, DPU 3 - 5:58 1Q
CMU 7, Denison 0 - 4:30 1Q
Kenyon and Oberlin scoreless - 7:00 1Q

End of the first, Wabash and Witt are scoreless.