FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[Li'l Giant]

I think it's a little more surprising that Wittenberg doesn't post due to the success of the program, you would think football is more a part of the culture and college experience (in a positive way).  I know the Wabash team (1988-1991) was fairly successful during the time I was there, and going to games was an experience (esp. as part of the pep band (remember the pep band???)).  So that frames my continued allegiance to the alma mater.  You would think a few folks from Springfield over the course of time would feel similarly and participate.

I don't buy the "Wabash dominates the board" spiel.  We are civil and welcome discourse.  If others choose not to engage then so be it.  It is a better board with more schools represented for sure.

Can't recall which social media outlet I saw it on, but I believe the pep band is coming back!

As a former quasi member of the pep band I approve of this.

[Dr. Acula]

On tomorrow's NCAC title game:  I think Witt has to make several things happen to pull out a win.  IMO they need to do something similar to their last trip to Wabash when they had success running the ball.  Easier said than done obviously, but I guess if I'm a Witt fan I tell myself that we have those same RB's so we have a shot to run it some.  The question that I don't know the answer to is how the 2015 line compares to 2013.  Maybe this isn't a truly feasible plan.  But I would do whatever I can to avoid being one dimensional. 

Witt needs to play from in front.  This lets them at least try to keep the Wabash D honest and not just let them pin their ears back and come after Jenkins every down.  Depending on how late in the game it is it also starts forcing Wabash to throw.  To me this has been the LG's Achilles heel the last couple of years.  Force them to throw and you're in a good position to win.  The X factor here could be Rice's coronation happening tomorrow.  What a win-win for Wabash if they win the game AND Rice just plays lights out.

Last thing can be said every game.  Win the turnover battle.  If they don't win it (and probably by 2+) I just don't see it. 

Should be a fun game.  Enjoy the weekend everyone.  Wabash 28-14.

[ExTartanPlayer]

What if Wittenberg remembers that Sean Gary and Jimmy Dehnke are really good?  I don't know if Wittenberg can run for 150 yards in this game, but if they can do something in that phase that is respectable enough to hold a LBer, it could unlock a lot of good things.

I think this has been touched on before, but what happened to the Witt running game last year (and early this year)?  Was their 2013 line loaded with good seniors?

2013:

Sean Gary 161-850 (5.3 ypc), 10 TD
Jimmy Dehnke 108-645 (6.0 ypc), 7 TD

2014:

Sean Gary 179-631 (3.5 ypc), 5 TD
Jimmy Dehnke 96-395 (4.1 ypc), 4 TD

2015:

Jimmy Dehnke 35-148 (4.2 ypc), 2 TD
Sean Gary 12-42 (3.5 ypc), 0 TD

Stating the obvious, it seems peculiar that both RB's would just fall off a cliff and go from "highly productive" to "just something we do once in a while to take a break from passing" - certainly possible that it was just a great veteran line that hasn't been replaced yet, but as wally said, this seems like a huge key.

[bashbrother]

I think programs sometimes experience "program" drift offensively.....  sometimes based on a change in a teams talent mix,  what  recruiting has produced.  Many times though,  it is a deliberate shift orchestrated by a change in coaching philosophy,  as is the case in Wabash's shift towards a more run focused offensive over the past 5-7 years.   The danger/risk is that the pendulum can swing a bit too far to either side and a team can become more one dimensional and easier for better defenses to defend. 

There is probably a tendency for head coaches to become somewhat over committed to their goal...  "I will run the ball no matter what"  "We are going to pass and pass some more"  (Mike Leach .. Washington State)  The Witt example is a little unique because the same productive running backs are still in the program and have been caught in the offensive focus shift....   In Witt's case,  I think it is more than a change in talent level  in the Tiger's offensive line....

If you look at all of the Whitewater & Mount Championship teams, really any championship team at any level of football these days,  they have pretty much built offenses that 1. Can run very well and 2. Can pass very well.  It makes it hard to game plan against a team that can do everything well.   Gone our the days of the Nebraska's or Oklahoma's that ran 95% of the time and still won championships or most recently the fall in production/wins of the strict "West Coast Offense" teams...   While there are plenty of team's still running a diluted version of the original "West Coast" we have seen most of them pull it back a bit as defenses have become much more accustomed to seeing/stopping it.

[wally_wabash]

What if Wittenberg remembers that Sean Gary and Jimmy Dehnke are really good?  I don't know if Wittenberg can run for 150 yards in this game, but if they can do something in that phase that is respectable enough to hold a LBer, it could unlock a lot of good things.

I think this has been touched on before, but what happened to the Witt running game last year (and early this year)?  Was their 2013 line loaded with good seniors?

First, I'd say that 2013 Wittenberg might have been the best Wittenberg team I've seen.  That team was exceptional. 

What happened between 2013 and 2014 was a change in offensive coordinators.  The new guy apparently prefers to sling it.  Some of the personnel on the offensive line has changed, but that was always happening in the years prior to 2014 when Witt was fully committed to running the football.  If they wanted to be like those kinds of Witt teams, they have the personnel to do it.  But that's just not the scheme they're running (no pun intended) anymore.  Which is fine, really.  They have an outstanding quarterback and they have outstanding pass catchers.  Why not use those strengths? 

[ExTartanPlayer]

they have pretty much built offenses that 1. Can run very well and 2. Can pass very well.

bashbrother, I love you man, but I have to admit I chuckled at this.  It's good to be good at football things.  Noted. 

So much of our analysis ultimately boils down to things like "it's better to have good players" and "teams that can do things well win games."

Football is dumb sometimes.  And still completely awesome.

[bashbrother]

they have pretty much built offenses that 1. Can run very well and 2. Can pass very well.

bashbrother, I love you man, but I have to admit I chuckled at this.  It's good to be good at football things.  Noted. 

So much of our analysis ultimately boils down to things like "it's better to have good players" and "teams that can do things well win games."

Football is dumb sometimes.  And still completely awesome.

   My intended point was that they are not one dimensional........ You stop their run, they beat you with the pass.... You stop their pass....  etc. etc.

[ExTartanPlayer]

   My intended point was that they are not one dimensional........ You stop their run, they beat you with the pass.... You stop their pass....  etc. etc.

Oh, I totally get you. 

This is why I would never want to call a game on TV or the radio, haha.  Half of what I say would end up being rocket-science observations like "You really have to be able to score points to win the game" and "It's really hard to stop a good passing game when the team can run the ball too."

[ohiofan1954]

Two comments.  I don't put a whole lot on Capital's success on the ground.  Even with a poor record last year, they were 7th in the nation in rushing for the season.  The offense they run isn't one Witt will see again this year, and it isn't one that Witt or anyone else has slowed down much (excepting Mt. Union).  The 300 passing yards by OWU does surprise me.  OWU's offense definitely leans toward the pass, but they lost Cagney, who was always a force as a receiver.  I saw most of the game and was scratching my head about how open OWU's receivers sometimes were.  I thought that Witt's defensive backs would be better than they showed in the game.  Quick summary:  so far Witt's defense this year has not been as solid as I thought they would be.  They do get up for Wabash.  Facing the Little Giants is the high point of their year, obviously, because winning almost always decides the conference title. 
     Weather should be perfect.  Game should be close.  I give Wabash the edge, but they have to exercise ball security and avoid the kinds of mistakes they've made the last two years.  Must get to and punish the passer; those Tiger receivers are terrific. 
   

a couple of things. I won't try to make capital to be more then they are but they are just now in their 3rd year of running that offense , it is bound to get better each year. Second running is all it is pretty much designed to do. I remember the first year watching them run it and it was painful at times. Give cap a little credit especially in the battle of Lutheran rivals in the first game of the season. All that being said I am a little biased on this. I would like to see Witt win if for no other reason I'd like to go there for a playoff game this year. P. S. good luck to my favorite team the Big Red. This just might be the year tomorrow's game is not the title game.


Agreed on Capital's offense. I looked at the two best defensive teams they played last year and Mt Union gave up 30 yds rushing and 60 yds total in a 75-0 pasting. John Carroll was the other team and they gave up 178 yds rushing. I would expect great defenses to limit teams to below their average in what they are best at. Witt did not do that with Capital so the the yards isn't what caught my eye as much as the inability to hold them below their average at what their strength is. Wabash is going to run the big fella, it's what they do. I don't have a lot of confidence that Witt can stop it. Witt is going to pass the ball with their Senior QB and veteran receivers. I feel a lot more confident in Wabash's ability to limit that attack.

[wally_wabash]

Fear the Flock, you guys. 

[wally_wabash]

P. S. good luck to my favorite team the Big Red. This just might be the year tomorrow's game is not the title game.

Whoa!  Let's put a pin in this for about 27 hours. 


(he's right...whoever wins tomorrow isn't nearly out of the NCAC woods)

[BashDad]

Fear the Flock, you guys. 

Above the mortal Earth, lo, the Flock of Killdeer

[Li'l Giant]

   My intended point was that they are not one dimensional........ You stop their run, they beat you with the pass.... You stop their pass....  etc. etc.

Oh, I totally get you. 

This is why I would never want to call a game on TV or the radio, haha.  Half of what I say would end up being rocket-science observations like "You really have to be able to score points to win the game" and "It's really hard to stop a good passing game when the team can run the ball too."

Reminds me of this recent Trent Dilfer gem

[Li'l Giant]

Fear the Flock, you guys. 

Above the mortal Earth, lo, the Flock of Killdeer

The Crawfordsville Monster would be a great name for a giant burger.

[ExTartanPlayer]

P. S. good luck to my favorite team the Big Red. This just might be the year tomorrow's game is not the title game.

Whoa!  Let's put a pin in this for about 27 hours. 

(he's right...whoever wins tomorrow isn't nearly out of the NCAC woods)

I want to believe this, I really do.  DePauw and Denison are both credible threats, although we might be talking ourselves into that in an effort to believe that the NCAC race isn't just over by the end of September.  But smoking Marietta and Oberlin (2015 version) is no more than a good team should do.  I'll buy some Denison stock if they come out next week and put it on an OWU team that's been pretty spunky against a brutal opening salvo.  DPU will get their shot a week later to prove it.