FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[sigma one]

Thanks, Wally.  As usual, great stuff.  After looking at the goal-line fumble half a dozen times, I am not sure if Zurek was down before the ball came out.  It was close.  And he does not appear to be in the end zone.  Great defensive play by Witt.
      To add just a bit to why I was so impressed by the Wabash defense yesterday.  Not only does BJ figure out how to get rushers at the QB unblocked, and not only are those rushers really talented--quick and strong, and not only will it take an impressive offense line to protect their QB, . . .BUT
       Witt is a team that loves to challenge down the field.  Their stretch passing game inside the numbers has been exceptional--and so have the mid to deep out patterns. Now, yesterday Jenkins completed 26 passes in 45 attempts, with four INTs, and seven sacks.  So, in all, 52 drop backs.
      Of his 26 completions, 12 (almost half) were for 6 yds. or less.  Three were for 20 yds. or more, with the longest being 31 yds.  Wabash kept the ball in front of them and did a good job in all but two or three cases of limiting yds. after the catch.  A combination here of usually strong pressure forcing shorter throws, good coverage down the field, and excellent tackling of that strong group of Tiger receivers.  Knowing that Witt probably could not sustain a rushing game, the plan appeared to be keeping the receivers in check by forcing shorter routes.
And many of Jenkins's longer throws were into superior coverage and tight windows.
      For me, this plan was probably the most significant part of Wabash's defensive play.  Of course, having a plan like this and executing it are two different things, but the Wabash D showed it is good enough to step up to the challenges of a potent offense.
      On the other side, Wabash took advantage of some broken coverages--and, of course Rice's strong arm and mobility.  By sticking to their usual run-heavy plan, forcing the Witt safeties forward, and committing no significant errors (absent the goal-line fumble), they eventually wore down the defense leading to big holes late in the game.
     Simply a great effort.

[Li'l Giant]

I had to watch the game while tailgating yesterday and wasn't able to give it my full undivided attention. I'm obviously happy with the result. But the things that stood out to me outside the result were (1) Rice getting all the snaps. It makes me indescribably happy. (2) The defense was amazing and just *looks* like a title contender defense. Witt is not an easy team to shut down and they looked overmatched. (3) The depth on both sides of the ball. Mason hurt? Shamir ran like Eddie George. Woods out? Parks turns into Deion Sanders. Next man up isn't coachspeak around here. It's the way it's done on the field.

I am certain after 2012 the seniors remember what it was like to beat Witt and still not win the league and we won't have any letdowns. If the team can continue to improve I shudder to think of their ceiling.

[Schwami]

WooClone15, I'm the poster who mentioned that yesterday's game would mark my first trip to Papp Stadium --- the atmosphere was tremendous, and the weather was perfect!  Some observations:

1.  I was officially "neutral", since I have one kid who goes to Denison and one who goes to Wooster  .  I did need a hat though, and was concerned that I would appear too overtly pro-Wooster by getting one at the bookstore --- but I found the perfect hat that simply said BEAT WITT (with a silhouette of a Wooster Scotsman).  So I proudly wore the BEAT WITT hat during the game, while following the Wabash-Witt game on Twitter (thanks wally_wabash for the frequent updates!).

2.  It was Homecoming weekend for both Wooster and Denison.  Given the choice, I went to the Homecoming at Wooster, since that was where the football game was.  As a Wabash guy, it still boggles the mind that you can have Homecoming without football being part of it!

3.  It was really cool that Wooster inducted Tony Sutton into the W Association Hall of Fame this weekend.  He was also honored with the coin toss prior to the start of the game.

4.  Got a hot dog at half time --- it was indeed really good, but they ran out of mustard 

5.  OK, a few things about the game.  It seemed to me that Wooster was fired up and played out of their minds in the first half, at least on defense.  The Wooster D was much better than I expected, but the offense --- not so much.  The Wooster D forced key turnovers in the first half that led to a long FG (44 yards, but would have been good from 54), and a fumble returned 42 yards for a touchdown.

6.  Denison had a difficult time moving the ball in the first half, and the turnovers were costly, as the Big Red trailed 10-3 at the half.  Denison finally found its rhythm in the third quarter.  Denison took their first lead of the game 17-10 midway through the 3rd on a 73 yard Tommy Iammarino TD pass to Dushawn Brown (caught at about the 50 yard line and an easy sprint to the end zone from there for Brown).  Brown only caught two other passes for 29 yards; I was actually quite surprised that he was not targeted more frequently in the Denison offense, which revolved primarily around tailback Jordan Patterson (17 carries for 80 yards, 6 receptions for 49 yards).  Iammarino showed a tendency to hold on to the ball too long at times (the most costly result being the fumble returned for a touchdown).

7.  My overall impression was that Denison, while continuing to show improvement, still has a significant gap to close to becoming a serious contender for the conference championship.  They do have the potential to pull an upset at Witt on 10/17 and at home against DePauw on 10/31 (may have to go to that one  ), but this isn't 2012 and I don't see them shocking the world on 11/7 at Wabash.  Big game this weekend at OWU first!

[Li'l Giant]

2.  It was Homecoming weekend for both Wooster and Denison.  Given the choice, I went to the Homecoming at Wooster, since that was where the football game was.  As a Wabash guy, it still boggles the mind that you can have Homecoming without football being part of it!

Wait, WUT?

Their Homecoming weekend is a road game?

[Schwami]

2.  It was Homecoming weekend for both Wooster and Denison.  Given the choice, I went to the Homecoming at Wooster, since that was where the football game was.  As a Wabash guy, it still boggles the mind that you can have Homecoming without football being part of it!

Wait, WUT?

Their Homecoming weekend is a road game?

Yup.  It's called Big Red Weekend and combines Homecoming for Alumni and Parent's Weekend.  They did have a big soccer game against OWU however (so I guess there was football).

[Li'l Giant]

2.  It was Homecoming weekend for both Wooster and Denison.  Given the choice, I went to the Homecoming at Wooster, since that was where the football game was.  As a Wabash guy, it still boggles the mind that you can have Homecoming without football being part of it!

Wait, WUT?

Their Homecoming weekend is a road game?

Yup.  It's called Big Red Weekend and combines Homecoming for Alumni and Parent's Weekend.  They did have a big soccer game against OWU however (so I guess there was football).

Interesting. At least it's in the fall. The university where I went to law school doesn't have football (which blows my mind in Texas, alas) and so homecoming is in the spring. It's odd.

[ExTartanPlayer]

but I found the perfect hat that simply said BEAT WITT (with a silhouette of a Wooster Scotsman).  So I proudly wore the BEAT WITT hat during the game,

Reminds me of this hat...

http://grfx.cstv.com/schools/okla/graphics/auto/20110711_switzer_beat_texas.jpg

[ohiofan1954]

WooClone15, I'm the poster who mentioned that yesterday's game would mark my first trip to Papp Stadium --- the atmosphere was tremendous, and the weather was perfect!  Some observations:

1.  I was officially "neutral", since I have one kid who goes to Denison and one who goes to Wooster  .  I did need a hat though, and was concerned that I would appear too overtly pro-Wooster by getting one at the bookstore --- but I found the perfect hat that simply said BEAT WITT (with a silhouette of a Wooster Scotsman).  So I proudly wore the BEAT WITT hat during the game, while following the Wabash-Witt game on Twitter (thanks wally_wabash for the frequent updates!).

2.  It was Homecoming weekend for both Wooster and Denison.  Given the choice, I went to the Homecoming at Wooster, since that was where the football game was.  As a Wabash guy, it still boggles the mind that you can have Homecoming without football being part of it!

3.  It was really cool that Wooster inducted Tony Sutton into the W Association Hall of Fame this weekend.  He was also honored with the coin toss prior to the start of the game.

4.  Got a hot dog at half time --- it was indeed really good, but they ran out of mustard 

5.  OK, a few things about the game.  It seemed to me that Wooster was fired up and played out of their minds in the first half, at least on defense.  The Wooster D was much better than I expected, but the offense --- not so much.  The Wooster D forced key turnovers in the first half that led to a long FG (44 yards, but would have been good from 54), and a fumble returned 42 yards for a touchdown.

6.  Denison had a difficult time moving the ball in the first half, and the turnovers were costly, as the Big Red trailed 10-3 at the half.  Denison finally found its rhythm in the third quarter.  Denison took their first lead of the game 17-10 midway through the 3rd on a 73 yard Tommy Iammarino TD pass to Dushawn Brown (caught at about the 50 yard line and an easy sprint to the end zone from there for Brown).  Brown only caught two other passes for 29 yards; I was actually quite surprised that he was not targeted more frequently in the Denison offense, which revolved primarily around tailback Jordan Patterson (17 carries for 80 yards, 6 receptions for 49 yards).  Iammarino showed a tendency to hold on to the ball too long at times (the most costly result being the fumble returned for a touchdown).

7.  My overall impression was that Denison, while continuing to show improvement, still has a significant gap to close to becoming a serious contender for the conference championship.  They do have the potential to pull an upset at Witt on 10/17 and at home against DePauw on 10/31 (may have to go to that one  ), but this isn't 2012 and I don't see them shocking the world on 11/7 at Wabash.  Big game this weekend at OWU first!

good summation of the game at Wooster Saturday. I agree about the dogs and about the only college diner better then Wooster's is about 25 miles up the road at Ashland. Nothing beats the band, you don't have to be Scottish to appreciate Scotland The Brave and the player entrance.

[WooClone15]

WooClone15, I'm the poster who mentioned that yesterday's game would mark my first trip to Papp Stadium --- the atmosphere was tremendous, and the weather was perfect!  Some observations:

1.  I was officially "neutral", since I have one kid who goes to Denison and one who goes to Wooster  .  I did need a hat though, and was concerned that I would appear too overtly pro-Wooster by getting one at the bookstore --- but I found the perfect hat that simply said BEAT WITT (with a silhouette of a Wooster Scotsman).  So I proudly wore the BEAT WITT hat during the game, while following the Wabash-Witt game on Twitter (thanks wally_wabash for the frequent updates!).

2.  It was Homecoming weekend for both Wooster and Denison.  Given the choice, I went to the Homecoming at Wooster, since that was where the football game was.  As a Wabash guy, it still boggles the mind that you can have Homecoming without football being part of it!

3.  It was really cool that Wooster inducted Tony Sutton into the W Association Hall of Fame this weekend.  He was also honored with the coin toss prior to the start of the game.

4.  Got a hot dog at half time --- it was indeed really good, but they ran out of mustard 

5.  OK, a few things about the game.  It seemed to me that Wooster was fired up and played out of their minds in the first half, at least on defense.  The Wooster D was much better than I expected, but the offense --- not so much.  The Wooster D forced key turnovers in the first half that led to a long FG (44 yards, but would have been good from 54), and a fumble returned 42 yards for a touchdown.

6.  Denison had a difficult time moving the ball in the first half, and the turnovers were costly, as the Big Red trailed 10-3 at the half.  Denison finally found its rhythm in the third quarter.  Denison took their first lead of the game 17-10 midway through the 3rd on a 73 yard Tommy Iammarino TD pass to Dushawn Brown (caught at about the 50 yard line and an easy sprint to the end zone from there for Brown).  Brown only caught two other passes for 29 yards; I was actually quite surprised that he was not targeted more frequently in the Denison offense, which revolved primarily around tailback Jordan Patterson (17 carries for 80 yards, 6 receptions for 49 yards).  Iammarino showed a tendency to hold on to the ball too long at times (the most costly result being the fumble returned for a touchdown).

7.  My overall impression was that Denison, while continuing to show improvement, still has a significant gap to close to becoming a serious contender for the conference championship.  They do have the potential to pull an upset at Witt on 10/17 and at home against DePauw on 10/31 (may have to go to that one  ), but this isn't 2012 and I don't see them shocking the world on 11/7 at Wabash.  Big game this weekend at OWU first!

Glad to hear you had a good time except for the mustard! And that's weird that Denison didn't play at home for their homecoming

[ohiofan1954]

Didn't Wooster go without a homecoming game the first year after Earlham pulled out of the NCAC?

[wally_wabash]

Just going to go ahead and leave this here, guys. 

[bashbrother]

Just going to go ahead and leave this here, guys. 

"Fear the Block...  and the Flock"

That one is going to get some praise and maybe a chuckle or two in film review this week..

[wabashcpa]

I was standing on the track by the end zone when that play happened - awesome block by Rice, love seeing the QB get his hands dirty.

[wally_wabash]

Didn't Wooster go without a homecoming game the first year after Earlham pulled out of the NCAC?

Yeah, that definitely happened.  The Earlham game vanished from the previously set schedule and you can't bloody well pick up your Homecoming weekend and move it.  That was super unfortunate. 

This thing with Denison having Homecoming on a weekend when the football team is away on purpose just doesn't make sense.  I mean, there have been years where that's probably fine, but right now when the team is gaining significant momentum?  I'd want to show that team off to returning alums. 

[wabndy]

Wabash's NCAA statistical ranking summary.


Wabash D's ranking highlights
Rushing defense: #1 in the country
Scoring defense: #3 (behind Mt Union and Trinity (Conn.))
Sacks: #2 (behind Whitworth)
Total tackles for loss: #4
Passes intercepted: #4
Total defense: #2 (behind Mt. Union)