FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[wally_wabash]

Kicking is an interesting angle in this weekend's game.  Miles Mackenzie leads the nation in FGs made.  He also leads the nation in FGs attempted.  He is converting 68% of his FGs, which is far from automatic.  He's done enough to seal up 1st team all conference without putting his foot on another ball this season.  When I see the volume of FGs attempted (and from what I can tell, he's attempted 7 more FGs than anybody else in the nation), a flag goes up that a team is not getting it done in the red zone.  Alas, OWU has kicked 21 FGs from the red zone, hitting on 14 of them.  That's a lot of points being left on the board there.  I do believe that that OWU is going to have to finish drives off if and when they get to the red zone on Saturday.  Settling for field goals (and making 2/3 of those attempts) may not be enough. 

If it's a close game and it comes down to a field goal at the end, it's nice to have a guy that you know can make kicks.  OWU has that.  But I do think that the volume of attempts so far this year is symptomatic of a larger issue with OWU's offense which is red zone efficiency.  Gotta close the deal in the red zone in big games. 

[BashDad]

Kicking is an interesting angle in this weekend's game.  Miles Mackenzie leads the nation in FGs made.  He also leads the nation in FGs attempted.  He is converting 68% of his FGs, which is far from automatic.  He's done enough to seal up 1st team all conference without putting his foot on another ball this season.  When I see the volume of FGs attempted (and from what I can tell, he's attempted 7 more FGs than anybody else in the nation), a flag goes up that a team is not getting it done in the red zone.  Alas, OWU has kicked 21 FGs from the red zone, hitting on 14 of them.  That's a lot of points being left on the board there.  I do believe that that OWU is going to have to finish drives off if and when they get to the red zone on Saturday.  Settling for field goals (and making 2/3 of those attempts) may not be enough. 

If it's a close game and it comes down to a field goal at the end, it's nice to have a guy that you know can make kicks.  OWU has that.  But I do think that the volume of attempts so far this year is symptomatic of a larger issue with OWU's offense which is red zone efficiency.  Gotta close the deal in the red zone in big games.

You brought this up last week and I thought then what I think now: this is the biggest red flag about the OWU offense. It's a really good find. That's an insane amount of fails in the red-zone. CMU saw them scoring TDs a couple times down there, but I have a feeling that if on Saturday they're not scoring from 30-40 yards out, they're not scoring. Touchdowns, that is.

[sigma one]

Heck, I do understand the Top 25 and Regional Rankings differences.  I needed a #10, and that one emerged at the right moment!

[bashbrother]

Dear Saturday,

Please come quickly.

Signed, 

Absolutely Everyone



Anyone else feel this way?  Although we did talk about field goal kickers today 

[wally_wabash]

Not trying to create a scene, but I think some Wabash folks may be taking Belton for granted a bit, if they think Wabash is assured a win without him and that the offense won't stuggle .
Am coming to the game to see a great game, firstly and Belton, secondly.  So I sure want him to play.  One of my favorite players in the NCAC over the last several years, really since Sutton. 
So I preface this by saying that I definitely want him out there Saturday.  But if he does not play or is not 100 percent, that changes everything.  Most importantly it gives the OWU offense more touches.  What Belton does so well is keep drives alive.  His running and passing combo is really something.  Like Tom Brady's brain in Michael Vick's body.  Although Holmes is good, as someone mentioned, CP's speed and shiftiness will be greatly missed.  If Holmes can do what he did last week, well, do not think he will.  Not against OWU.
Belton plays, this post is moot and should be deleted.  He does not play, then in my humble and often times wrong opinion, this game is a tossup.

Well I don't think Wabash is assured of anything no matter who does or doesn't play.  Walsh could play and Wabash could win by 3 TDs.  Or Belton could play and Wabash could lose by 14.  Nothing is assured here.  But let's just take a look at what Wabash has done since Andy Walsh got the call.  Since coming in for Belton in the 2nd quarter against Washington, I've got Walsh taking 89 snaps, with Wabash gaining 535 yards, scoring 6 TDs and a field goal.  That's six quarters of work there.  Who wouldn't be satisfied with  90 yards of offense and a TD every quarter?  That's going to win more games that it loses for sure. 

---I want to highlight this point just a little more.  What I laid out above has the Wabash offense scoring 28 points per game under Walsh and that's not including the defensive touchdown from last week.  That's just the offense.  Here's a quick list of teams that are not scoring 28 points per game this season: Louisiana College, UW-Whitewater, Wesley, Rowan, St. John Fisher.  Wabash is doing just fine with Andy Walsh at QB. ---

Here's the thing with Andy Walsh...he's a junior.  He's been in the system for three years, so the offense isn't going to fall on its face when he's in there.  He's got significant college game experience from basketball so he isn't going to get bothered by all of a sudden being in a game.  It's not his first time competing at this level.    If he gets tabbed to go again on Saturday, he'll be fine. 

And it's not just an individual thing either.  Wabash doesn't let stuff like this get to them.  Last year Belton wasn't able to go for the North Central game.  Tyler Burke steps in and plays his guts out (almost literally), and gets Wabash into the regional final.  In 2009 two time NCAC OPOY Matt Hudson wasn't able to go for the Witt game.  Wabash didn't quite have the QB depth in 2009 that they do today and the offense struggled.  But the defense stepped way up and Wabash damn near beat an excellent Wittenberg team...Witt got a field goal at the buzzer to win 10-7.  And then look at last week.  Starting QB is out.  What happens?  The defense takes it up a notch and tosses a shutout.  Wabash Always Fights...doesn't matter who plays or who is hurt or any of that.  They'll find a way to be good on gameday.  Trust that. 

[bashbrother]

Wabash Always Fights...doesn't matter who plays or who is hurt or any of that.  They'll find a way to be good on gameday.  Trust that.

Especially after the 6th week of the season.... outside of Witt, Monon Bell, and Playoffs.... I believe they are something like 33 - 0  after their 5th game going back to 2004.  Catching them in the first half of the season, before they get rolling, is the time.  (Gheny 2012)

[nike]

Hey, I am excited. Watching the state div IV football champs Norwayne Friday night and going to the game of the year--- so far---- in the NCAC Saturday.
Wally, you make excellent points.
I had forgotten some of those prior games in years gone by. And I know there is certainly something to be said for tradition and Wabash does have that. Just think that as OWU surprised people with their performance last Saturday, they will do the same this Saturday. They have gotten much better very quickly.
Quick question--where  does the WAF come from?

[wally_wabash]

Quick question--where  does the WAF come from?

Wabash Always Fights was coined at Montgomery County Alumni Association meeting in 1919 by Ed Zeigner '10.  There is a brief mention of the event in a recent article in the 9/28/2012 edition of The Bachelor.  Maybe a more in depth discussion in These Fleeting Years...I'd have to hunt around for my copy of that book.

[nike]

Thanks!

[sigma one]

Wabash has a number of slogans and traditions that have held on for long periods of time:  Did Wabash Win?       Heliotrope, Hell.  We want want blood.      Wabash Always Fights.     (And one that is just catching fire after last year's win over North Central:  Always Means Always!)   Already a lapel pin with that on it.   Great stories behind all of these.
       As reliable Wally recalls, The Bachelor of September 25, 1919 says:  "Wabash Always Fights," a sentiment expressed by Ed Ziegner, '10, in the course of the alumni rally held at the gymnasium on Friday night, stands fair to become a slogan of the college as a result of the session, the first of it kind to be given. . . .Ziegner . . .struck the keynote of the whold evening and of the whole history of Wabash in his short talk in which he said that "Wabash teams do not always win, but they always fight."  Unconsciously as the remark had been dropped, it marked a climax and a remark that promises to go down in the college history.
     And it has. 
     These days it's applied not only to athletic teams but in many circumstances.
     I'm sure at some point we will hear it on Saturday.         

[Stagg Again!!]

Last year Belton wasn't able to go for the North Central game.  Tyler Burke steps in and plays his guts out (almost literally), and gets Wabash into the regional final.

Burke's performance in the NCC game was one of the three or four gutsiest performances that I've personally witnessed in watching D3 football for the past 25 years.  He took an absolute beating on the field, but kept delivering.  Tyler Burke WAS the story of that game (outshining the better known athletes on both sides of the ball).  I never heard the final tally in terms of his injuries from that game, but can't imagine he was feeling too good Sunday morning.

[nike]

Wabash has a number of slogans and traditions that have held on for long periods of time:  Did Wabash Win?       Heliotrope, Hell.  We want want blood.      Wabash Always Fights.     (And one that is just catching fire after last year's win over North Central:  Always Means Always!)   Already a lapel pin with that on it.   Great stories behind all of these.
       As reliable Wally recalls, The Bachelor of September 25, 1919 says:  "Wabash Always Fights," a sentiment expressed by Ed Ziegner, '10, in the course of the alumni rally held at the gymnasium on Friday night, stands fair to become a slogan of the college as a result of the session, the first of it kind to be given. . . .Ziegner . . .struck the keynote of the whold evening and of the whole history of Wabash in his short talk in which he said that "Wabash teams do not always win, but they always fight."  Unconsciously as the remark had been dropped, it marked a climax and a remark that promises to go down in the college history.
     And it has. 
     These days it's applied not only to athletic teams but in many circumstances.
     I'm sure at some point we will hear it on Saturday.       

Very informative. Will listen for it Saturday.

[BashBacker#16]

Nike - you're killing me.

WAF - est 1919; awesome.

Random comment of the week:  the movie Argo is a 12 out of 10.  Wow.  Go see it and Denison grad, Jennifer Garner's husband, Ben Affleck, is great in it.

Agree on the Burke comment.  He was still very beat up for the Mount game that next week in the Elite 8.  I think he had cracked ribs.  I loved ER's post game comments in the press conference on Burke.  I think it' s on YouTube.

[bishopfootball15]

Hey guys:

I have posted under a different name before but recently my account wouldnt log me in. I was bishopowu. Ive been wanting to post recently but it takes days for your account to get approved.

I cant wait to watch this game Saturday. As a former Bishop player, I love what is going on in Delaware. I have been back for a few games so far this season and it is amazing what a changed regime can do to a program. I played with some of these players and their entire mindset has changed. Kids that were talking about quitting love the program, players who just showed up to practice and games are key contributors. Even players who have transferred to different schools are wanting to come back and play or even just watch their old teammates play. This game Saturday is huge for OWU. Biggest game in recent history for us.

One thing that I would love to point out about something I have noticed with all the posters is this. None of these players have the mentality that they are the best. The fans arent out bragging about 7-0. They are excited about the turnaround but if you all think that OWU is saying they are the TEAM of the NCAC they havent said that. They love flying under the radar. They have been showing up every week with the mentality of winning the week 1-0. They celebrate the win and move on the the next one. Watts has changed many things about the program. New weight room, new uniforms, changed the way they enter the field, they walk from the dorms to the field as a unit just like other D1 teams do. But dont think for a minute OWU is intimidated or looking at all the things people are saying. They dont care they are under the radar they have the mentality of Why not us? I have seen to many posters on here that arent even from OWU that are saying they are the greatest team and then the Wabash people getting mad. Its not all on OWU people.

BashDad, I was so excited to watch this game Saturday and was wanting players I know to win for all the losing and terrible times we went through as a program. I wanted them to finally beat a big name school and program and get that signature win we have been lacking. After reading all your "D3 Football Guru game analysis" my opinion has changed. I want them to win because of you. You are the most arrogant one minded football fan I have ever seen. I understand your all about Wabash football and all this stuff. But man be happy for a program. Give them credit where credit is due. Your complaining about our schedule being weak. ITS NOT OUR FAULT. We dont make the schedule we play the schedule that is given. Do you honestly think we wouldnt want to play our rival in WITTENBERG?! Those kids were mad as all hell when they werent on the schedule. The schedule is the schedule. In years past we won 2, 3, maybe 4 games. So looking at this years schedule we didnt see a soft schedule. Lets not forget...YOU LOST TO AN ALLEGHENY TEAM THAT DROVE 9+ HOURS TO YOUR HOME FIELD AND YOU LOST IN OVERTIME...YOU LOST. I have taken those bus rides, they arent easy. You lost in ur historic home stadium and you even had the home field advantage in OVERTIME and YOU LOST. We are the ones that are 7-0. Now we havent played Allegheny and we do next week hoping to go 9-0. Stop being so arrogant and complaining about the schedule. Your so big on this win over Wittenberg well guess what they beat u in the past. Everytime someone says anything on here positive about OWU you immediately shut them down. If Wabash was so good YOU BEAT ALLEGHENY AT HOME IN OVERTIME. How demoralizing those kids rode on a BUS for 9 hours and you lost at home. Guess what my friend, We are undefeated at Selby this year. We got our **** done. Yea they werent the Oregons, OSU's, Bama's of the NCAA D3 ranks but we beat who we were supposed to beat at the time. This isnt the same Bishop Football team in case you were wondering.

LETS GO BISHOPS.

[smedindy]

If Whitewater was so good they would have beaten Buffalo State at home, right?

Wheaton lost to Albion who lost to a 3-4 Benedictine team that lost to Wheaton 48-7.

It's sports - the best team doesn't always win.