FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[HSCTiger fan]

HSC Tiger

Whether it is "rebuilding" or "retooling," Hampden Sydney did lose its great quarterback and receiver combo.  When they were slowed by injuries late in the season last year, HS struggled a bit.  HS is nonetheless a very talented team with returning players with a lot of experience, and with a good coaching staff.  HS will be ready to give Wabash a good game.

My point to Wabash1 was that looking down the road, particularly facing a team as good as HS in the opener is courting disaster.  I expect the game to be hard fought with the team that wins earning the victory.  I also expect that win or lose, both teams will be in the thick of their respective conference championship races and looking for playoff spots.

You might have meant nothing by it, but there is a difference. It sounds condescending to say HSC is "rebuilding" and now you say "HS will be ready to give Wabash a good game." When you make those statements it sounds as if you think the game is in the bag - like, Wabash will win but HSC will give a good effort.

HSC has gone a combined 24-8 with the last 3 new QBs under center. They have gone 25-8 over 3 separate seasons replacing their leading receiver and a combined 25-8 the last 3 times they replaced their leading rusher. Heck they've gone 112 and 45 under Coach Favret. HSC was rebuilding when coach took over an 0-10 back in 2000.

Your comment might have read - "HSC will be ready to WIN the game."  I assure you they'll not only be ready, they will be expecting it. Nothing less than what you would want from Wabash.

[firstdown]

HS Tiger Fan - I certainly did not mean "rebuilding" or "retooling" to be a negative term.  It means that starting a new quarterback against the type of punishing defense that Wabash throws up won't be easy.  Wabash didn't lose a lot of starters from last year's team.  These would appear to be an advantage for Wabash.

Hampden Sydney will be at home and Wabash will be traveling to the game. HS also has a lot of experienced players returning and a good coaching staff. These are advantages for HS.  The bottom line is that I expect a very good, hard fought game.  My point to Wabash1 is to it take the season one week at a time and not get looking down the road.  HS will be ready and waiting, and you can throw advantages on paper out the window when the game starts. 

[sigma one]

I'm just waiting for Kickoff on Tuesday.  So . . .just for fun.  Because it means nothing for this year's opener:  Wabash at Hampden-Sydney.

     In the last 10 years (2005-2014)  Hampden-Sydney is 7-3 in season openers.  Their wins have come vs. Sewanee (1x), North Carolina Wesleyan (2x), and Averett (4x); the losses have been vs. Sewanee (1x), Johns Hopkins (1x), and Wabash (1x).  Over the 10 years the combined records of their opponents in the year(s) the teams played is 45-58..  They defeated N.C. Wesleyan in 2009 when the Battling Bishops made the playoffs and finished 8-3.  The loss to Johns Hopkins, by a single point 17-16 (in '07), was in a year when the Blue Jays were 4-6.
     Over the last 10 years, Wabash is 9-1 in opening games.  The wins have come vs. Kalamazoo (1x), Franklin (1x), Denison (2x), Wooster (2x), Hanover (2x), and Hampden-Sydney (1x).  THe loss was in overtime to Franklin, 45-38, in a year when the Grizzlies finished 9-1.  They defeated Franklin the next year, 35-33, when Franklin completed their season 9-2.  The combined records of their opponents in the year(s) when the teams played is 58-44.
     I'm looking forward to seeing how Wabash does so far away from home.  Last year, I thought Wabash had a big home advantage for a first game.  This year, I wonder whether that will prove true for H-SC.  The most significant losses for the two teams, even with all their returning players,  are the skill positions on offense for the Tigers and the multi-year starters on defense for the Little Giants.
       

[BashDad]

Over/Under. Wabash sacks against HSC at the half: 4.5

[HSCTiger fan]

Over/Under. Wabash sacks against HSC at the half: 4.5

Under 2.5

[HSCTiger fan]

HS Tiger Fan - I certainly did not mean "rebuilding" or "retooling" to be a negative term.  It means that starting a new quarterback against the type of punishing defense that Wabash throws up won't be easy.  Wabash didn't lose a lot of starters from last year's team.  These would appear to be an advantage for Wabash.

Hampden Sydney will be at home and Wabash will be traveling to the game. HS also has a lot of experienced players returning and a good coaching staff. These are advantages for HS.  The bottom line is that I expect a very good, hard fought game.  My point to Wabash1 is to it take the season one week at a time and not get looking down the road.  HS will be ready and waiting, and you can throw advantages on paper out the window when the game starts.

It wasn't exactly easy starting a veteran QB last year.   I don't know which is better a veteran QB and a new OL (4 new starters last year) or a new QB with a veteran line (all 5 started at point last year). We will all find out in 2 weeks.

[firstdown]

HSC Tiger Fan

A rookie QB behind an experienced o line is sill a rookie, and rookies will make a mistake or two.    Many a promising young qb has been drafted on a poor NFL team with a bad o line and has gotten ruined pretty quick.  An experienced OL will clearly be an advantage  as it will give him  more time for his reads and to find his second, third and fourth receivers.

Last year, you discounted the Wabash defense which had been no. 1 in overall defense the previous year because they had not played a tough enough schedule.  You left C'Ville with a different opinion last September.  This year's defense for Wabash is essentially the same group with a couple of additions.  There were a lot freshmen and sophomores on the Wabash defense last year. They are back and they have spent time in the off-season with strength and conditioning.  These players are physically more mature, and are faster than last year.  Wabash brought heat from the d line, the line backers, and the defensive backfield.  No doubt you will see the same thing this year.  While an experienced offensive lineman will be better able to adapt, he still has to decide in an instant is the heat coming early or late, and from which of eight potential directions.  Once a QB gets hit a few times and starts hearing footsteps, then mistakes and forced errors occur even for an experienced quarterback.  For a rookie QB, the footsteps are amplified,  The key is how well and how long he can maintain his composure.

[Dr. Acula]

HSC Tiger Fan

A rookie QB behind an experienced o line is sill a rookie, and rookies will make a mistake or two.    Many a promising young qb has been drafted on a poor NFL team with a bad o line and has gotten ruined pretty quick.  An experienced OL will clearly be an advantage  as it will give him  more time for his reads and to find his second, third and fourth receivers.

Last year, you discounted the Wabash defense which had been no. 1 in overall defense the previous year because they had not played a tough enough schedule.  You left C'Ville with a different opinion last September.  This year's defense for Wabash is essentially the same group with a couple of additions.  There were a lot freshmen and sophomores on the Wabash defense last year. They are back and they have spent time in the off-season with strength and conditioning.  These players are physically more mature, and are faster than last year.  Wabash brought heat from the d line, the line backers, and the defensive backfield.  No doubt you will see the same thing this year.  While an experienced offensive lineman will be better able to adapt, he still has to decide in an instant is the heat coming early or late, and from which of eight potential directions.  Once a QB gets hit a few times and starts hearing footsteps, then mistakes and forced errors occur even for an experienced quarterback.  For a rookie QB, the footsteps are amplified,  The key is how well and how long he can maintain his composure.

This isn't really true is it?  There are certainly good players back, but you also graduated some good guys including the North Region DPOY.  Luckily for you guys you just plug in the next stud Buresh to replace his brother as the QB hunter.

[sigma one]

On defense Wabash lost three big-time, multi-year starters:  Akinrabade at linebacker, Cody Buresh at rush end, and Wilkins, who played a combo safety/linebacker.  They return three first-team all conference players: Ethan Buresh at linebacker, Austin Brown at safety, and  McCullen on the defensive line.  Additionally, they return  Rutter, a several-year starter at defensive tackle, back for a fifth season; Connor Karns at linebacker, and three other first-team defensive backs (the entire D backfield returns):  Delon Pettiford and Justin Woods at corner (Woods is coming off knee surgery), and Eddie Cmehil at safety.  Pettiford, Woods, and Cmehil have all started for at least two years.
       The big loss on offense is Holmes, who twice rushed for over 1000 yards.  Otherwise, all five starting offensive linemen return, three of them seniors, including first-team all-conference left tackle, Wes Brown.  Three starting receivers (Christian, 73 catches and nine TDs in 2014; Sammy Adams (6-3, 226 lbs), and Matt Dickerson, who was an all-conference kick returner last year.  Both quarterbacks, Putko and Rice, return.  Together, they threw for 24 TDs and ran for six more.  Mason Zurek,  first-team all-NCAC running back (both he and Holmes were the two first team runners in 2014), is back (835 yds. on 129 carrries, 12 TDs).
     Both the placekicker and punter return. 
     Another Buresh (Dylan) will compete to start at TE with Fullencamp (260 lbs.).  Experienced reserves are ready at linebacker, among them Clark, Broecker, Sinnis, Jones, Ludwig, and Bowden.  Plenty of talent there.  Look for Kseniak and others to replace Wilkins. 
     Wabash always has depth, strengthened by the fact that Raeburn is adept at getting reserves a lot of second-half playing time against othet teams' first offense.   I hear a few freshmen are talented enough to push the starters for playing time.
     
     

[HSCTiger fan]

HSC Tiger Fan

A rookie QB behind an experienced o line is sill a rookie, and rookies will make a mistake or two.    Many a promising young qb has been drafted on a poor NFL team with a bad o line and has gotten ruined pretty quick.  An experienced OL will clearly be an advantage  as it will give him  more time for his reads and to find his second, third and fourth receivers.

Last year, you discounted the Wabash defense which had been no. 1 in overall defense the previous year because they had not played a tough enough schedule.  You left C'Ville with a different opinion last September.  This year's defense for Wabash is essentially the same group with a couple of additions.  There were a lot freshmen and sophomores on the Wabash defense last year. They are back and they have spent time in the off-season with strength and conditioning.  These players are physically more mature, and are faster than last year.  Wabash brought heat from the d line, the line backers, and the defensive backfield.  No doubt you will see the same thing this year.  While an experienced offensive lineman will be better able to adapt, he still has to decide in an instant is the heat coming early or late, and from which of eight potential directions.  Once a QB gets hit a few times and starts hearing footsteps, then mistakes and forced errors occur even for an experienced quarterback.  For a rookie QB, the footsteps are amplified,  The key is how well and how long he can maintain his composure.

I agree the LGs d was exceptional. I have no doubts they will be again this year. I simply asked an opinion. Which is better have a new QB or new OL. You replied with 2 answers. One - a rookie QB will make mistakes.  Two - an experienced OL will be an advantage. So do you think it's better, worse or is it a wash? 

I get it the LGs are good. But no one at HSC is going to concede just because 15 starters on your team return. There are 15 players returning from HSC that started games too. I know you guys were better last year than HSC. You might be better this year too. HSC has done very well with its QBs in their debut games. I know, I know, I know they haven't done it against a team like a Wabash. I doubt the NCAA is going to grant a waiver for Nance and Walker to play. So HSC is going to start a new QB and WR.  Both new starters, I know for a fact are exceptionally talented players that will bring different challenges than what opponents saw for the last 3 years.

One thing no one has brought up is what is HSC going to do offensively. There's no film to watch to see the new QB, RB or WR. Are they going to make changes on offense?  Maybe they will change things defensively?  Who knows. I don't. I doubt coach is going to Fed Ex the game plan to Reaburn.

What I've seen from your posts are in your opinion Wabash brings back a more mature, bigger stronger faster team against a rebuilding, inexperienced Tiger team who will give the LGs their best shot. But someone mentions Witt and your like - One game at a time!  So it's ok to be over confident for the next game but not the ones after that?

Three years ago a 6-4 4th place ODAC HSC beat CNU 42 to 20. Nance threw 25/31 for 339 and 5 TDs and no pics. The next year a 9-3 ODAC champion HSC team lost to CNU.  Nance threw 45/72 for 364 No TDs and 5 pics. The 2 years ago HSC beat Guilford 52 to 0. Last year HSC beat them 35 to 28 in OT.  Point is what happen last year does not matter. The team with the best breaks will win. Sometimes that's the better team and sometimes it's not.

[wally_wabash]

I agree the LGs d was exceptional. I have no doubts they will be again this year. I simply asked an opinion. Which is better have a new QB or new OL. You replied with 2 answers. One - a rookie QB will make mistakes.  Two - an experienced OL will be an advantage. So do you think it's better, worse or is it a wash? 

For me, it matters who the QB is.  In this case, I want Nash Nance and whatever OL comes along with him than that same OL one year later and a QB that isn't Nash Nance. 

[bashbrother]

HSC will have an experienced and good offensive line....  we got that.

What HSC will have to replace is:

1. Star QB that was responsible for 98% of all pass attempts in 2014.
2. Star Wide Receiver and 2nd leading wideout that were responsible for almost half of completions and yards
3. Their two leading rushers -   71% of rushing production

While I know that HSC has a proud and strong program with depth,  replacing all of this, especially skill positions,  usually takes some time... I am sure there is plenty of talent within the program that will be ready to step up and fill the holes.....it just might take a few games for them to get their feet and timing down.

........which leads me to my next and most important point.

They get an experienced Wabash squad in the first week of the season and it is very hard to prepare for the type of game speed they will face in this game in spring/fall camp.   

HSC's defense will be the key for them to keep this one close,  they will need to play very strong, keep the score low and force some mistakes.   If Wabash's offense comes out sluggish  (See Franklin playoff game) and HSC can find a way to get some points early, they could stay in this one.   IF Wabash gets up early,  it will be a long day for the Tigers.

Wabash 38 HSC 7

[wally_wabash]

I like the 12-day-out-prediction.  Bashbro is gameday ready. 

While I can't fathom a world where the next guy up at H-SC can replicate the things Nance did there, I hope we don't fall into the trap that the next guy up will be lousy either.  I expected a massive drop off from 2013 Reed Florence to 2014 Zach Jenkins at Witt, and while Jenkins wasn't quite full laser show in 2014, he was really good.  Wabash has to be ready for anything and everything in two weeks and the mystery about who is playing QB and what that offense might look like post-Nance is an advantage for H-SC. 

[HSCTiger fan]

The last time HSC replaced a 3 year starter was 2010. The year after HSC went 10-0. Everyone wondered how the new QB and NEW WR would do. In their debut games 6'0" 165 lbs soaking wet QB Travis Lane threw 27/37 339 yards 4 TDs and 1 int. Kyle Vance had 8 catches 142 yards and a TD.

The team went 9-2 Lane went on to throw for 3338 yards and 28 TDs. Vance caught 81 for 1135 and 7 TDs.

HSC is not going to put an inept, inaccurate, hack on the field. They are going to put guys in those positions that are inexperienced but are exceptionally talented.  Are they Nance and Walker?  No. But HSC did not beat Wabash with those guys anyway. Mistakes by the new guys?  In last year's game our experienced QB had 2 picks - 1 of which went for a TD, our leading rusher had a fumble, and our experienced WR had an unsportsmanlike penalty.  How many more could the new guys make?  Not many.

You guys keep telling yourselves how good you think Wabash is and how young and inexperienced HSC is. If you could, please share that with the players at Wabash too. We're going to need all the help we can get. 4.5 sacks in first half, losing 38 to 7, facing a more mature, bigger, stronger, faster more experienced team. Wow, the odds seem to be stacked against HSC. You guys may be right in every regard.

[BashDad]

How many more could the new guys make?  Not many.

What? Many. They could make many, many more.