FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

wally_wabash · October 20, 2012, 04:03:28 PM

DePauw's barnstorming of our creampuff conference continues...they're now 0-4 in league play. Final three games are @ Wooster, vs. Denison, @ Wabash. Hiram may well have some company at 0-7.

BashDad · October 20, 2012, 04:04:14 PM

And there's your quality win. That's an impressive 4th quarter by the Bishops. Next week just got a little more interesting.

BashDad · October 20, 2012, 04:12:14 PM

Also, holy moly does having a quarterback who can throw the post change Whitewater's offense. They looked flat out inept in the first half. Backup has brought them back in the 3rd quarter. They're driving to score at the beginning of the 4th. Still 21-13 Osh-Kosh. It's a great game for those not watching.

Bishopleftiesdad · October 20, 2012, 04:25:46 PM

Congratulations Bishops. It is good to get a win from a quality opponent. They never put there heads down and played for 4 quarters.

nike · October 20, 2012, 04:39:59 PM

Yes, indeed. It has all played out just as I designed it.
Seriously, who would have thought when Wabash beat Witt, that the OWU Wabash game would be even bigger and more important.
I just hope the OWU people turn out for this game. They should be sending out e-mail blasts to everyone who ever graduated from there and be giving free tickets away to towns folk. They are actually playing for all the marbles. Do not think they can beat Wabash, but know they will come to play. Am sure their coaching staff is not satisfied being 7-0.
Watts turned this thing around in less than a year. He should get COY no matter what happens next week. And look at Kenyon.
Does anyone know if Belton was cleared to play today and whether or not he will be O.K. for sure next Saturday?
If I remember correctly, there are a couple decent places in Delaware to eat.
Will be cool to see such contrasting quarterbacks next week.
I imagine Barnes would love to play behind either offensive line. Not a good year for Scots football.

The_Bishop · October 20, 2012, 04:44:38 PM

Wowee, what a pleasant surprise it was returning from COSTCO to read these updates. Looks like I'll have to do the same thing next Saturday afternoon during the Bash/OWU game.

I thought I remembered hearing something about a "downward spiral" last week from a Wabash poster leading up to the CMU game.

Would love to hear more about the second half of OWU/CMU from those who watched it. Great, great win for the Bishops. Congrats to the entire program. Wabash film should be streaming the entire bus ride home. The heavyweight champs are coming to Delaware next week!

BashDad · October 20, 2012, 04:51:34 PM

The last time Wooster was shut out in a conference game was 2005. Bash D is playing very, very well.

wally_wabash · October 20, 2012, 05:24:41 PM

Quote from: BashDad on October 20, 2012, 04:51:34 PM
The last time Wooster was shut out in a conference game was 2005. Bash D is playing very, very well.

Indeed. Also, the Wabash offensive line is playing well. In game 1 against Hanover, Wabash couldn't run the ball at all. They have paved the way for huge rushing games in the last four weeks. Today they just beat Wooster's defense into submission. Amazing improvement from that group as the season has progressed.

smedindy · October 20, 2012, 05:32:31 PM

Both sides of the line did exceedingly well (and the Wabash LBs did as well).

Saw a tweet from Brent that CP Porter is done with a leg injury. That's just tough luck for him. Fortunately for Wabash, there is a whole stable of backs that have received carries that can pick up the slack. But dang, that's just bad for CP.

The_Bishop · October 20, 2012, 05:48:08 PM

Is it too early to start talking about the Wabash/OWU game?

Espinosa picked the CMU defensive backs apart today. Great offensive game plan and great execution. The CMU defense looked downright confused at times. (And, in the first half, winded at the end of a long drive). Gonna be a different story next Saturday. I'll be anxious to watch how the Wabash DBs match up with OWU's receivers. I'm expecting Wabash to get up in their faces and give them a shot in the chest as soon as they step off the line. I'll openly admit I have no foundation whatsoever to base this assumption on other than Wabash's tough style of play. Also, CMU's DBs were giving OWU's receivers way, way too much room to operate today. The 5 and 7 yard outs were open all day long and Espinosa was more than happy to throw balls underneath with great efficiency. Would be interested to hear more about the Little Giants defensive backfield.

Nervous and gassy starting . . . now.

smedindy · October 20, 2012, 05:59:07 PM

Never too early to talk about it. The way Wabash dominated Wooster's lines today means that the Bishops will need to focus on getting the ball out of Espinosa's hands early and concentrate on shutting down the run if Walsh plays QB. Not that Walsh can't throw a nice ball, but he really just needed to hand off today against Wooster. If Belton is ready to go and the Wabash O-Line plays like it did today the Bishops may be in trouble.

Yet OWU's offense has its moments (especially in crunch time against CMU) and I'm sure they'll have some wrinkles for Wabash. It's going to be a good one!

wally_wabash · October 20, 2012, 06:04:46 PM

Quote from: The_Bishop on October 20, 2012, 05:48:08 PM
Is it too early to start talking about the Wabash/OWU game?

Espinosa picked the CMU defensive backs apart today. Great offensive game plan and great execution. The CMU defense looked downright confused at times. (And, in the first half, winded at the end of a long drive). Gonna be a different story next Saturday. I'll be anxious to watch how the Wabash DBs match up with OWU's receivers. I'm expecting Wabash to get up in their faces and give them a shot in the chest as soon as they step off the line. I'll openly admit I have no foundation whatsoever to base this assumption on other than Wabash's tough style of play. Also, CMU's DBs were giving OWU's receivers way, way too much room to operate today. The 5 and 7 yard outs were open all day long and Espinosa was more than happy to throw balls underneath with great efficiency. Would be interested to hear more about the Little Giants defensive backfield.

Nervous and gassy starting . . . now.

It's going to be less about Wabash's DBs and more about OWU's offensive line. If they can block and give Espinosa time to pick out targets, OWU will have success. BJ Hammer's defense generally doesn't tolerate that sort of thing. This defense succeeds by crushing the pocket before the play develops...and they are very, very good at it. After chasing Florence and Barnes in the last few weeks, Akinribade, Buresh, and Scola probably can't wait to bring heat on a guy that can't get away from them.

Anyway, that's the A#1 key to the game. If OWU can handle the blitz pressure, they have a really good shot. If not, Espinosa might need an extra few minutes in the whirlpool after the game.

nike · October 20, 2012, 06:29:27 PM

Do any Wabash folks have any word on Belton?
Was he suited up today on the sidelines or in street clothes?

BashBacker#16 · October 20, 2012, 06:51:09 PM

Nike,

I couldn't make the game today but caught some of the 2nd half on the webcast. Chase was in street clothes so he was clearly out today. I was surprised to hear he wasn't a go but I would think he'll be back next week - I bet he was close today.

I've been super impressed with how Wabash is just physically beating teams. How about that play today by Scola when he closed on Barnes on a 3rd down...yikes. As the game went on, Bash just pounded the Scots. It seemed Wooster was getting a little chippy late in the game - I think the Scots player threw a punch at Austin Hodges.

The Bash LB's can just flat out play - they're physical and they can all run. They are very fun to watch.

I'm excited to see what the Bash D will do against Espo. Heat heat and more heat is my guess

I haven't been to Selby Stadium since we beat them 20-3 many moons ago...

Thoughts and prayers for CP Porter - that looks brutally painful and there isn't a better kid out there. Just a shame.

nike · October 20, 2012, 09:36:39 PM

Will be fun to watch a game and not have a vested interest in who wins. Trust Belton will be able to play. Remember going to Wabash and Witt a few years ago just to see a top flight game. A great game then and will be a great game next Saturday. OWU has earned the accolades that will be heaped upon them this week. I used to criticize their wing-t and program in general and in less than a year a perfect coaching pick has turned things completely around. Am looking forward to seeing Espinoza go against the Wabash defense. He gets rid of the ball quickly and will be the best QB Wabash has faced all year. Their receivers aren't fast but appear to run great routes and Espinoza throws to where the receivers will be. He just picked CM apart. It is not going to be easy for Wabash to get to him. Did not see a running attack at all today.
I truly hope Selby has 5000 Saturday.
Is Porter out for the rest of the year?