FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

smedindy · October 25, 2014, 10:11:46 PM

Wheaton's up 15 on North Central. The CCIW may be shifting and an unbeaten Wheaton will probably slot below the NCAC winner thanks to SOS.

smedindy · October 25, 2014, 10:32:59 PM

Or not...

wally_wabash · October 25, 2014, 11:21:40 PM

I'll have more Wabash/Oberlin breakdown after this World Series game, but in the meantime do yourselves a favor and check out Connor Rice's 41-yard TD pass to Houston Hodges in the 2nd quarter. It's at 1:05:13 right here. FILTHY. You're not supposed to be left handed, running right, and throw that pass.

wally_wabash · October 26, 2014, 01:11:46 AM

I didn't say much about last week's game, so consider this a breakdown of the last two Saturdays for Wabash football. The offense has been extremely efficient. 500+ yards of offense vs. Kenyon. 600+ yards of offense vs. Oberlin. Yes- I realize there is a degree of competition factor at play here, but what's really exciting is to see how good this offense can be when they don't hurt themselves with penalties and have to chase the chains. When they stay on schedule and have run/pass threats on every down, they are a nightmare to defend. They even tossed in a play action TD pass inside the 5 which is usually an automatic smash job for Holmes or Zurek. Lots of options when they are going well.

The defense has been it's typically stout self. Oberlin had trouble all day, and any 3rd and long situation was a disaster waiting to happen. That's the blueprint for BJ's defense. Has been since the day he became DC. It'll be fun to see how they defend Partridge next week.

A couple of other notes from today's game:
- Tutsie set a new single game Wabash record with 10 PATs. The old record of 9 had been held by Ian McDougall (2013 vs. Hanover), and twice by Olmy Olmstead (done in 2000 and 2003).
- Coach Raeburn climbed up into a tie for the third most coaching wins in Wabash history- he now has 63 wins, matching Chris Creighton's total from 2001-2007.

Li'l Giant · October 26, 2014, 04:14:24 AM

Quote from: wally_wabash on October 25, 2014, 11:21:40 PM
I'll have more Wabash/Oberlin breakdown after this World Series game, but in the meantime do yourselves a favor and check out Connor Rice's 41-yard TD pass to Houston Hodges in the 2nd quarter. It's at 1:05:13 right here. FILTHY. You're not supposed to be left handed, running right, and throw that pass.

That pass was beastly. Like his TD run too.

ohiofan1954 · October 26, 2014, 08:00:30 AM

go ahead touchdown in fourth quarter to make it 28-21 Hiram.

ohiofan1954 · October 26, 2014, 08:10:09 AM

Well the Hiram-OWU game certainly wasn't the most well played. The penalties this late in the season were silly at times. OWU will be kicking themselves about those stupid unsportsmanlike penalties, there is no excuse for them. However it is the most exciting game I have been too this year(I've been to 15 now). Well down Hiram, when it was crunch time they came through.

The_Bishop · October 26, 2014, 08:35:53 AM

Quote from: HCAlum86 on October 13, 2014, 08:02:13 PM

If Hiram can force OWU to be one dimensional on offense while effectively running the ball themselves, thus freeing up some throwing lanes for Partridge, I think we will have a good one on our hands! I'm looking forward to a 34-28 kind of game, with the score going either way. At this point, have to give OWU the upper-hand, but Hiram has had no qualms about earning W's this year.

I took some time to hunt this post down this morning, HCAlum86, well done sir. And congrats to your Terriers on a great win at OWU's homecoming. Very well-deserved.

sigma one · October 26, 2014, 09:09:16 AM

This, so far, in the NCAC-----
Allegheny defeats Hiram 24-21
Hiram beats Denison and OWU 37-26, 35-28
OWU wins v. DePauw 23-16
Denison tops Wooster 38-24
Wooster over Hiram 39-24
Quite a bit of parity in the middle of the conference--and that Gheny win v. a vastly improved Hiram, after which many had questions about the Terriers that they have now put to rest. Imagine if Hiram had won that game.
Only Wabash and Wittenberg holding serve to this point, with Wabash still to face Hiram (this week), Wittenberg, and DePauw. Witt closes with OWU, Wabash, and Allegheny. Wabash and Wittenberg now for the title in all probability--no surprise there. But there's still a (slim) chance for a spoiler to jump in to change the equation.
No doubt in my mind Hiram has to get all the votes as the biggest surprise in the conference, and perhaps Wooster as the greatest disappointment to date--although they did beat Hiram, which Denison and OWU couldn't The point of all this is I can't recall a year when the middle of the league has been so muddled. We'll see how it sorts itself out by the end.

sigma one · October 26, 2014, 09:19:39 AM

To follow up, here are the remaining games for those teams currently chasing the middle tier of the NCAC: Denison has Oberlin, Allegheny, Kenyon
DePauw has Wooster, Hiram, Wabash
Hiram has Wabash, DePauw, Oberlin
OWU has Wittenberg, Oberlin, Wooster
Wooster has DePauw, Kenyon, OWU
Handicapping a lot of these games will be challenging.

ohiofan1954 · October 26, 2014, 11:43:08 AM

Quote from: sigma one on October 26, 2014, 09:19:39 AM
To follow up, here are they remaining games for those teams currently chasing the middle tier of the NCAC: Denison has Oberlin, Allegheny, Kenyon
DePauw has Wooster, Hiram, Wabash
Hiram has Wabash, DePauw, Oberlin
OWU has Wittenberg, Oberlin, Wooster
Wooster has DePauw, Kenyon, OWU
Handicapping a lot of these games will be challenging.

I would think that Denison has the advantage and Hiram has the hardest road to go.

smedindy · October 26, 2014, 12:08:57 PM

Wooster looks like the swing - they could come out strong and beat both DPU and OWU and win out - or just go flat.

I'd pick DPU over Wooster and Hiram though.

I often talk about the muddled middle on the NCAC hoop boards as the fight for the seeds in the conference tourney some years behind Wooster have been just as tangled. It makes the season fun when almost every team has a chance at something. Obviously football is different but there's some pride to finish in the upper half of the league, and I'm glad more teams have a chance for that!

bashbrother · October 26, 2014, 12:41:09 PM

Quote from: Li'l Giant on October 26, 2014, 04:14:24 AM
Quote from: wally_wabash on October 25, 2014, 11:21:40 PM
I'll have more Wabash/Oberlin breakdown after this World Series game, but in the meantime do yourselves a favor and check out Connor Rice's 41-yard TD pass to Houston Hodges in the 2nd quarter. It's at 1:05:13 right here. FILTHY. You're not supposed to be left handed, running right, and throw that pass.

That pass was beastly. Like his TD run too.

A 6-4 QB running like that is.. Um... Scary.. Wabash has two very unique and talented QB's.. Love to see them both getting quality reps.. I believe Rice playing has made Putko better.

HCAlum86 · October 26, 2014, 12:56:28 PM

I am very interested in the Hiram vs Depauw game, two teams playing at a similar level right now, IMO. I am interested to see how Hiram handles Wabash as well. Realistically, I'm not expecting a win; but making a competitive game with a top-tier team and a top-level program can do wonders for recruiting and morale in the locker-room.

BashBacker#16 · October 26, 2014, 01:25:56 PM

HCalum86,

I'm very interested in Wabash/Hiram this week. Wabash is rolling and I think will be jacked on Saturday. I don't think Hiram will be able to hang - Bash just has way too many weapons. I love the fact that Putco and Rice are getting reps. They are a great 1-2 with very different styles which makes it harder to defend. BashBro - spot on that Rice's PT has elevated Putco's.

Coach Raeburn is now 63-10 at Wabash! Strong.

WAF