FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[wally_wabash]

Wabash people, why was CP Porter playing so much?  Because he is a senior or was everyone in front of him hurt?

I'll go with because he's good and ER thought that more CP gave Wabash their best chance to win. 

My question was not meant as a knock on Porter. I simply had not read much about him being used so early in prior games.  Thought maybe other backs were hurt.

Apologize for being glib about this earlier.  I wasn't quite in the best place for posting.  Honestly, I don't know entirely why we haven't seen more CP throughout the year.  He may have been not 100% and Wabash had played safe with him so that he was ready for the home stretch.  He may have been plugged in to the game early because something happened to Stella (Stella mishandled the opening kickoff and then I didn't see him on the field again...I don't know if he got hurt on that play or if he got yanked after that which isn't generally ER's style but you never know), but CP got more work than we've seen up to this point.  Really, could be any of those things (CP being healthy whereas he wasn't previously) or Stella getting dinged or removed from the game after the opening play.  I don't have any inside info on that, just speculation on my part. 

So who wins on Saturday in the other big game--Wooster or OWU?
I think Barnes has had a very good senior year and the Scots will prevail over the Bishops.  Our first year coach has made a very positive impact on the team.

I do agree with you here, but man Wooster's pass defense scares me.  OWU could go bananas.  Of course, every time I've said OWU could go bananas this year, they eek out 24 points.  I think Wooster wins this game, probably shootout style, and Coach Colaprete should be commended for turning that thing around so drastically in one season.  That's a heck of a job that he's done up there this year.  I could see him getting some COY love. 

[bashbrother]

Ex-Tartan -

You need to relax a little bit.   First of all this is a "Football Board" for fans and former players that are now fans.

Wabash has become a very successful football program with very passionate fans.....   It is one of the things that has drawn you to this board from your conference's board.    While this is not Pro Football, it is certainly not pop-warner.   One thing that has come with the success Wabash has achieved in the recent past is...... expectations.   Tradition, Passion & Expectations are something that true fans have.....  Only a handful of schools on this website have the following that Wabash has.   If some of us vent from time to time.... so be it.  I will agree that "disgusting" or "embarrassing" are probably over the top...  but we do not want to create an environment void of passion,  it would end up being extremely boring and maybe a little like the UAA board (that I do not follow, so I don't really know).   

Sure current players read this,  they shouldn't, but  they do... thus,  things should stay as respectful as possible.

I enjoy your posts,  but you need to relax and let Wabash fans be Wabash fans.   We react, sleep on it and move forward.   

[ExTartanPlayer]

That is a fair point, bashbrother, and my initial post may have been a bit too preachy. Passion is a good thing and you are correct that occasionally that passion can manifest itself negatively when a game does not go the way you had hoped. My goal is to remind fans that a game is not a referendum on whether these are young men of good character but just that: a football game, hence my frustration upon reading excessive negativity. Points well take in your part. + K for the friendly nudge to keep me in my place

[wally_wabash]

bashbro- I think we can be passionate AND positive.  I know because I've seen us do it.  There's not a single one of us that was not disappointed with Saturday's result, but it's really, really unbecoming to run down the players and the team for ruining your* afternoon.  That we are spoiled (and holy cow we are) doesn't necessarily mean that we have to act like it.  That's not WAF. 

*Just to clarify...not "you" specifically, bashbro.  That's the royal "your" that refers to any number of grown ass men who threw a tantrum because Wabash lost a game to a really good team. 

[Bishopleftiesdad]

So who wins on Saturday in the other big game--Wooster or OWU?
I think Barnes has had a very good senior year and the Scots will prevail over the Bishops.  Our first year coach has made a very positive impact on the team.

I do agree with you here, but man Wooster's pass defense scares me.  OWU could go bananas.  Of course, every time I've said OWU could go bananas this year, they eek out 24 points.  I think Wooster wins this game, probably shootout style, and Coach Colaprete should be commended for turning that thing around so drastically in one season.  That's a heck of a job that he's done up there this year.  I could see him getting some COY love.

At the beginning of the year I would have said OWU. Now I am not so sure. I think Espinosa can tear up the Wooster defense, but I am not sure that the Defense is up to stopping Wooster. I think it will be a shoot out. I am going hesitantly with OWU.

[wally_wabash]

If you're scoreboard watching this weekend, here are the games that I think  have the most influence on Wabash's at-large chances (although I don't think anything can happen this weekend that is particularly earth-moving):

Waynesburg/W&J - We'll want Waynesburg to spring an upset here.  W&J losing gives Thomas More an AQ and gets them out of the C pool.  W&J losing also has the added benefit of taking a trophy off of SJF's wall. 

Alfred/SJF - The winner here probably winds up as the East's only legitimate Pool C candidate.  SJF is a stronger player than Alfred, so fight on Saxons. 

MIAC stuff - I don't think it behooves anybody for St. Johns to beat Bethel.  It would also be nice if Gustavus Adolphus could knock off Concordia-Moorhead.  St. Olaf isn't beating St. Thomas so I won't even tease that. 

Lake Forest/St. Norbert - St. Norbert losing and putting IC back in the tournament as the MWC qualifier is a good thing...I think.  I take it back if IC remains ranked ahead of the 2-loss MIACs, but I don't think that happens. 

IWU/Elmhurst - This is really, really unlikely, but this right here would be a result that might just lock Wabash in. 

And I think that's about it really.  Like I said, (aside from IWU losing) I'm not sure there is anything huge that is going to knock Wabash way off the bubble or plant them very firmly in. We'll be sweating it out on Sunday for sure. 

[Wabash Hokie]

If you're scoreboard watching this weekend, here are the games that I think  have the most influence on Wabash's at-large chances (although I don't think anything can happen this weekend that is particularly earth-moving):

Waynesburg/W&J - We'll want Waynesburg to spring an upset here.  W&J losing gives Thomas More an AQ and gets them out of the C pool.  W&J losing also has the added benefit of taking a trophy off of SJF's wall. 

Alfred/SJF - The winner here probably winds up as the East's only legitimate Pool C candidate.  SJF is a stronger player than Alfred, so fight on Saxons. 

MIAC stuff - I don't think it behooves anybody for St. Johns to beat Bethel.  It would also be nice if Gustavus Adolphus could knock off Concordia-Moorhead.  St. Olaf isn't beating St. Thomas so I won't even tease that. 

Lake Forest/St. Norbert - St. Norbert losing and putting IC back in the tournament as the MWC qualifier is a good thing...I think.  I take it back if IC remains ranked ahead of the 2-loss MIACs, but I don't think that happens. 

IWU/Elmhurst - This is really, really unlikely, but this right here would be a result that might just lock Wabash in. 

And I think that's about it really.  Like I said, (aside from IWU losing) I'm not sure there is anything huge that is going to knock Wabash way off the bubble or plant them very firmly in. We'll be sweating it out on Sunday for sure.

Wally - any surprise that St. Thomas moved ahead of Wabash as opposed to any other one-loss or undefeated team?  I have friends with kids on STU's team and a few weeks ago they felt like they were out of playoffs.

[bashbrother]

*Just to clarify...not "you" specifically, bashbro.  That's the royal "your" that refers to any number of grown ass men who threw a tantrum because Wabash lost a game to a really good team.

Got it....  but believe me,   I go off the deep end... I do sometimes, I admit that..... We must all appreciate that not all fans are created equal..... some need a place to vent....   

I just hope that instant policing doesn't.... remove the passion from this board.....that would be unfortunate.   If we have to give a pass.... to a post or two every once in a while.....  fine.   It's really not that hard to do and not that big of a deal.    I remember when people were tearing #3 a part early....  it sucked to read,  but I didn't hold a grudge.... I understood it is part of being a fan with passion and goes with the territory.    AND... from experience... current players, even if they do read the comments.... could really care less....  "they know what the real story is and what needs to be done"...   

Tartan -   The last thing I was trying to do is put you in your place..... to me, you are a very valuable contributor......  just give us reactionary folk..... a pass every once in awhile.... we are still good people and will talk ourselves off the ledge by Sunday night or Monday morning     I still contend that "Disgusting" was a poor choice of words from that poster.... but it doesn't matter....    There is a reason Wabash typically travels extremely well to away games.. a reason that we completely fill the visitors side of the Perk, and then some at Whitewater in a driving snow storm......a reason that even sometimes our fans outnumber home team fans in their own stadium...   Passion! 

WAF!

[sigma one]

CP has been frequently sore this year, or so I hear.  He has not always practiced or practiced with full intensity.  I think the coaches have been careful with him.  Remember that this is a guy who the doctors said might never walk without a limp.  Many of us gasp  everytime he takes a hit.  On Saturday, he stayed down for a few minutes, and the Wabash side of the field went absolutely silent.  He jogged off; later told me it was a cramp.  CP is a fantastic man with an amazing personal story. 
     Stella fumbled the opening KO, and, as Wally says, was not seen in the backfield all day.  I think I noticed him deep on the KO after Wittenberg's final score.  Can anyone confirm this?  He might have been in the doghouse or nicked on the opening KO.  Amazing, this story of the Wabash RBs this year.   Wabash is now relying on CP (nobody but CP himself thought he would play at all this year); Klembara, who moved over from defense (after playing offense before this year, but not getting carries, and he still plays some snaps on D); and Stella.  Wabash has gained 2464 yards rushing this year--239 a game.  30 TDs (the Wabash record for a season is 33).  The impressive oddness of this is that only one back has run for over 500 yards--and that is Zurek with 506--only about 20% of total yards (8.0 average per rush) .  Only one other has run for over 400 yards--Stella with 436 (4.3).  The others are Klembara, 236 (8.8), Holmes, 244 (6.8), Gibson, 167 (7.0), wiith Putko adding 127 (1.6).   
     This is one reason I'm still high on the offensive line.  Those backs are talented, but the ones still standing were either well down the depth chart (Stella was the 3rd guy), or not on the radar to be among those carrying the ball this year.
     All this said, there is no doubt the running game is struggling some.  Lucky to have the depth to be able to keep running the football--all the more concern about what is happening with Stella.
     There's always Hodges, who seems to be able to play multiple positions.  He has run the jet sweep 5 or 6X for good yardage.  But I don't think we will see him get more than a few attempts on Saturday.  I would not be totally surprised, though, if he gets more touches this week out of the backfield.

[wally_wabash]

     There's always Hodges, who seems to be able to play multiple positions.  He has run the jet sweep 5 or 6X for good yardage.  But I don't think we will see him get more than a few attempts on Saturday.  I would not be totally surprised, though, if he gets more touches this week out of the backfield.

Maybe some more Drake Christen this week also.  #8 has looked great the last two weeks.  Really versatile player...reminds me a bit of Witjes from Oberlin. 

[The_Bishop]

OWU - 59
COW - 17

You heard it here first.

[nike]

Wally_Wabash,
No worries.
Would have loved to have seen Tyler Holmes all year. But injuries are sadly a part if the game.
Good luck this Saturday.
Wooster community coming around on Scots football again. Should be a very good turnout Saturday for what will be a very entertaining and high scoring game.  Our future looks bright in the coming years. Got a feeling Barnes will have a great game in a head to head with Espinosa.

[nike]

What!!!!?

[Black and Gold]

59-17 OWU??...I'll take that and raise ya a thousand

[The_Bishop]

Nothing more than wishful thinking.  This year's Bishops have underachieved all year long and I would love nothing more than this senior class go out on a high note.  Likely going to be something like 38-28 or 38-24.