FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[wabashcpa]

Wabash: 35
Witt: 14

THAT would be wonderful!

[ohiofan1954]

Went to watch Denison after Ohio last night and a few thoughts. Once again Denison looked really good against a very weak opponent. Weak opponent or not though Wabash and Wittenberg can't take them lightly or the Big Red has the ability  to pull of a shocker. Second some fans need to shut and realize your team is just getting destroyed by a much superior team and it isn't the ref's fault. Did Denison really need to be passing for a final TD with less then a minute left and a 38 - 0 lead? Schedule sets up nicely for the Big Red, if they get by OWU in 2 weeks they can be 5-0 going to Springfield.

[1837Tigers]

Highlights from DePauw-Wooster : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Uc2MsqqpS0

[wally_wabash]

I know it is absurdly early but this is a really fun rankings box to look at right now:

Rushing Defense
Team YPG
1  Wabash -20.5 
2  Wis.-Whitewater 21.5 
3  Mount Union 28.5 
4  Rochester (NY) 38.0 
5  Rhodes 48.3

[firstdown]

Wally

Wabash is number 2 in scoring defense and overall defense in the NCAA stat's.  While Allegheny wasn't the strongest opponent, HSC has played two pretty good games since losing to Wabash.  The offense has been producing as well.  We will need for Zurek to work some magic on Saturday.  The Little Giants need to keep the potent Witt offense on the sidelines by winning the TOP.  This will help keep the LG defense with fresh legs when they are on the field.

It should be fun game on Saturday in Crawfordsville.

[bashbrother]

I will have a bunch more thoughts later in the week about the game... but initially,   Wabash needs to start the game off strong and set the tone....  If you look at the box scores from our last two losses to Witt....   They were train wrecks.

2014 -  First drive:  3 plays,  -11 yards and a punt that was blocked.  --  Witt starts at our 23 yardline....scored a TD a couple plays later.
2013 -   First Drive:  Muffed kickoff and penalty... we started at our 4 yrd line...  3 plays, +4 yards and then a punt.
             ---  Good return by Witt to our 34 yardline...  2 plays later Witt scores a TD.

Can't have a slow start this year. 

WAF!

[wabco]

Just a moment backward ... First I believe Carlson refused to schedule Albion ever again due to a belief that the Albion coaching staff did something improper.  Right or wrong ... I think that was the reason.  Second ... Albion's present President is Maury Ditzler: Wabash grad, former Academic Dean at Wabash, 13 year President of Monmouth. Money says a home and home with Albion coming up.  PLUS ... great Wabash tailgate on Albion President's lawn (figuratively ... but I believe he will be a great host as was HSC President).

Now back to regular programing.  Hope Ethan Burish ankle turn at the end of Gheny game was just a non serious turn.  Loved the throws of Conner Rice, and he seemed in sync with his receivers.  The passing attack will make Zurick even more potent.

[wally_wabash]

Wally

Wabash is number 2 in scoring defense and overall defense in the NCAA stat's.  While Allegheny wasn't the strongest opponent, HSC has played two pretty good games since losing to Wabash.  The offense has been producing as well.  We will need for Zurek to work some magic on Saturday.  The Little Giants need to keep the potent Witt offense on the sidelines by winning the TOP.  This will help keep the LG defense with fresh legs when they are on the field.

It should be fun game on Saturday in Crawfordsville.

I think Wittenberg's offense can be defensed.  Wabash did a good job of that last year- 216 yards on 65 plays for Wittenberg.  That's really good defense against that team.  Jenkins is very good.  Culvahouse and Stump are very good.  But we know they can be defended.  The three things that stick with me from 2014 are:
1) 24 yard TD drive set up by a blocked punt
2) Fumble return for a TD
3) Wabash 2-14 on 3rd down

Those are basically all of the things that had to happen for Wittenberg to win and they all did.  It was the perfect storm.  I'll have a long-winded preview later this week, but the distilled version is basically that I think this year's game is the same deal.  Witt is going to need points off their special teams and/or defense to win.  Without that, I don't see it.  Unless Witt refuses Wabash on every third down like they did last year and they win a 10-7 type game.  I haven't seen anything from Witt's defense in 2015 to make me believe they'll hold Wabash to few than two scores.

[DadofBashWarrior..]

I will have a bunch more thoughts later in the week about the game... but initially,   Wabash needs to start the game off strong and set the tone....  If you look at the box scores from our last two losses to Witt....   They were train wrecks.

2014 -  First drive:  3 plays,  -11 yards and a punt that was blocked.  --  Witt starts at our 23 yardline....scored a TD a couple plays later.
2013 -   First Drive:  Muffed kickoff and penalty... we started at our 4 yrd line...  3 plays, +4 yards and then a punt.
             ---  Good return by Witt to our 34 yardline...  2 plays later Witt scores a TD.

Can't have a slow start this year. 

WAF!

Thank you for the reminder...yes this is football...but not Wabash football as we know it...

[wabndy]

wow - an entire Tuesday of witt week went by with no posts on this board.  If this keeps up - we might have to assign all the Wabash posters with even numbered birthdays to troll for the tigers (in whatever form they take).  Don't worry - we can alternate next year.

[Li'l Giant]

wow - an entire Tuesday of witt week went by with no posts on this board.  If this keeps up - we might have to assign all the Wabash posters with even numbered birthdays to troll for the tigers (in whatever form they take).  Don't worry - we can alternate next year.

Alternating by birthday and year. Sounds like someone who has written a child custody order before. 

[bashbrother]

I think Wally somewhat sketched out the keys to Saturday's game above.

You have to make Witt earn everything they get.    They thrive on mistakes and love to strike quick on them.   

Example from earlier this year   

Capital, early in the 3rd qtr,  with the game still not completely out of hand,  went for it on 4th and 7 from their own 28.. ooops didn't make it.....WRONG.....Witt scored :05 later on one play.  Capital gave Witt those points.   

[wally_wabash]

I think it's also possible that maybe Capital isn't very good at football.

[USee]

I think it's also possible that maybe Capital isn't very good at football.

So maybe Witt fans should be worried that Capital ran the ball for 349 yds against them (5.9 ypc). Or should they be worried that OWU threw for 300 yds? Or both?

[bashbrother]

I think it's also possible that maybe Capital isn't very good at football.

True.... but you can admit.... wasn't a great coaching decision.....   4th & 7 on your own 27....  Come on Man!

Point remains.... Don't make mistakes (football or coaching) against Witt.... they are good enough to make you pay for them.