FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[ExTartanPlayer]

I don't think they'll make it quite that far, although I know you're not being completely literal with that description.  I love seeing Hiram competitive, and I think a win over Allegheny carries more weight than any of their few-and-far-between conference wins over Kenyon or Oberlin in the past decade, but a word of caution: Allegheny is wayyyyyyyyyyy down this year.  Kenyon blew them out even worse than Hiram did, and the Gators hit one Hail Mary before halftime for their lone TD against a CMU team that's been handled in their other two games.  That's their only touchdown of the season in three games against teams that are NOT very good.  Hard to believe for a traditionally-decent team that managed five wins last year, but I think Gheny might post a donut this year.  So I'm not going to expect Hiram to win any more games just because they beat Allegheny.

In fairness to the Gators, they have scored twice this year.  Once on the aforementioned hail mary and again in the Kenyon game on a long pass that was tipped by a Kenyon defensive back and ended up in the hands of the Gator WR who then had an obstructed jog into the endzone.  So, while they did so quite by accident, they did score twice.

My bad - just noticed this.  Niklaus is their one offensive threat - he did look decent against CMU, even though the TD was a semi-fluky catch, you could see that he was their best offensive player, and as you noted he managed a TD against Kenyon as well.  They just don't have QB's who can get him the ball regularly or a line who can protect the QB's.  Other than that, they've got all the pieces of a good offense.

[waf56]

So Gheny decided it was a good idea to schedule an angry Wabash team for homecoming huh?!? I do not know why they would do this other than to boost homecoming attendance as Wabash generally travels very well. One of the two Wabash games I will get to see in person this year (not counting the Stagg Bowl) so I am hoping the starters are left in for a while.

[Pat Coleman]

So Gheny decided it was a good idea to schedule an angry Wabash team for homecoming huh?!? I do not know why they would do this other than to boost homecoming attendance as Wabash generally travels very well. One of the two Wabash games I will get to see in person this year (not counting the Stagg Bowl) so I am hoping the starters are left in for a while.

I clearly need to write a blog post on this subject. People are under the mistaken idea that schools have that level of control over their schedule in this day and age.

[wally_wabash]

So Gheny decided it was a good idea to schedule an angry Wabash team for homecoming huh?!? I do not know why they would do this other than to boost homecoming attendance as Wabash generally travels very well. One of the two Wabash games I will get to see in person this year (not counting the Stagg Bowl) so I am hoping the starters are left in for a while.

I clearly need to write a blog post on this subject. People are under the mistaken idea that schools have that level of control over their schedule in this day and age.

Pat, if you peel back the curtain on homecomings and how colleges maybe/probably/really don't schedule an entire weekend's worth of alumni relations and fundraising around a football game then we can't get all riled up about it.  And what fun is that?  Let us live the lie! 

[waf56]

So Gheny decided it was a good idea to schedule an angry Wabash team for homecoming huh?!? I do not know why they would do this other than to boost homecoming attendance as Wabash generally travels very well. One of the two Wabash games I will get to see in person this year (not counting the Stagg Bowl) so I am hoping the starters are left in for a while.

I clearly need to write a blog post on this subject. People are under the mistaken idea that schools have that level of control over their schedule in this day and age.

If the schools do not have the control, who does? The conference? I would certainly be interested in a blog about the nuances of scheduling and opponets as I clearly have missed them.

[Pat Coleman]

Alright. I decided to spend my lunch hour on this since it's been rattling around in my head for a week or so.

http://www.d3blogs.com/d3football/2013/09/25/scheduling-homecoming-its-not-done-that-way-anymore/

[Wabash Hokie]

Allegheny game notes for Saturday's game.  Gone is the mention of an ESPN3 broadcast which is like Lucy pulling the ball away from Charlie Brown.  Not cool, Gators.  Streaming video for Saturday is currently "TBA".

It is Homecoming for Allegheny this week - ouch.  There is going to be no joy in Meadville as the Mighty Gators are going to strike out.

[waf56]

Alright. I decided to spend my lunch hour on this since it's been rattling around in my head for a week or so.

http://www.d3blogs.com/d3football/2013/09/25/scheduling-homecoming-its-not-done-that-way-anymore/

Thanks Pat! I appreciate your hard work for us

[wally_wabash]

Alright. I decided to spend my lunch hour on this since it's been rattling around in my head for a week or so.

http://www.d3blogs.com/d3football/2013/09/25/scheduling-homecoming-its-not-done-that-way-anymore/

Sweet Wes Chamblee photo.  Was that on the punt return TD from the 2009 game?

[Pat Coleman]

Yes. Yes it was. One of about 15 frames I must have shot on that play.

http://d3pho.to/g/3043

[HCAlum86]

Hiram could very well have been 3-0 heading into this game against Wooster. Partridge getting hurt mid-game put them at a great disadvantage against Denison. Although Blake filled in admirably from then on, he was not put in a terrific situation having to head into that game.

Hiram's biggest obstacle will be its HC, unfortunately. The past several years have seen players recruited that Moore knows will be unable to keep pace with the academic rigor of such an institution, then them leaving after a semester. Also, there had been interference on both the offensive and defensive side of the football in years past; whether it be forcing the OC to get the ball to player X even in inopportune moments, or staying in cover 2 for a half at a time. This year the reigns have been completely handed over to his coordinators, and it seems to be paying off significantly.

The team plays hard every snap and that is what I am most proud of. With that being said I see them beating Oberlin and Depauw, with close games coming against Wooster and Kenyon as well. GO TERRIERS

[wally_wabash]

Hiram could very well have been 3-0 heading into this game against Wooster. Partridge getting hurt mid-game put them at a great disadvantage against Denison. Although Blake filled in admirably from then on, he was not put in a terrific situation having to head into that game.

Hiram's biggest obstacle will be its HC, unfortunately. The past several years have seen players recruited that Moore knows will be unable to keep pace with the academic rigor of such an institution, then them leaving after a semester. Also, there had been interference on both the offensive and defensive side of the football in years past; whether it be forcing the OC to get the ball to player X even in inopportune moments, or staying in cover 2 for a half at a time. This year the reigns have been completely handed over to his coordinators, and it seems to be paying off significantly.

The team plays hard every snap and that is what I am most proud of. With that being said I see them beating Oberlin and Depauw, with close games coming against Wooster and Kenyon as well. GO TERRIERS

Calling your shot!  I love it.  Turn up the heat! 

I've taken Wooster this week in the pick 'em, but I'm happy to be wrong.  Go Dawgs. 

[HCAlum86]

I leave it to a man of Wabash to highlight "beating" and "Depauw" 

[bashbrother]

The team plays hard every snap and that is what I am most proud of. With that being said I see them beating Oberlin and Depauw, with close games coming against Wooster and Kenyon as well. GO TERRIERS

Terrier Swag!   Diggin it....  It is actually one of the prerequisites of winning..."believing"  +K

[HCAlum86]

And I do not want to put the carriage in front of the horse here. But if Hiram is able to gain some momentum I think they will play OWU very tough. I was at the game last year and the score was not reflective of the actual game. Hiram's defense played well and caused turnovers but were unable to capitalize on offense, with a lot of 3 and outs thus Hiram's defense wearing out. If the seams are covered (which is a tall order against Espinona's Bishops) Hiram will be able to slow play down and compete with them.

100% aware I am biased, but REALLY tried not to be on that one.