FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[02 Warhawk]

So, Joe, seeing as how Rice threw for 3 TD's, if you still aren't sold on the passing game, does that mean you think your pass D stinks out loud?  Way to give credit, but not TOO much credit.

He's not wrong, though. I think even with Rice, Wabash is still one offensive piece away from being a legitimate contender for Walnut and Bronze. If Rice continues to reveal talent elsewhere in the passing game, then we have a shot. But it's definitely the place on the team to plant your binoculars. How the LGs progress on offense -- and through the air -- is absolutely what will determine how deep they go in 2015.

I agree with all of that, my point is more that he is implying that Wabash is one-dimensional after giving up 3 TD's in the air.  Was Rice perfect?  Not even close, which actually gives me a lot of hope.  He will only get better.  Not ready to change our uniform color to purple yet, though.

So Fincham gives a pretty legitimate compliment (....best I have seen in 25 years) and you get hung up on comment about your passing game? That's interesting.

As BashDad says, however, he IS right. Wabash is a 70% run 30% pass team this season. Last season they were 65/35. In the Witt game, despite 3 passing TD's, the LG's were exactly 70/30. So if you are going to be 70% run you better be really dominant up front because most good teams (read UWW/UMU) will make you do the 30% and stop your 70%. And when you do pass, you have to be very efficient. 11-19 is not so efficient but the 3 TD's passing is an improvement. With Rice the guy, hopefully that continues to develop.

Up at UWW last year the LG's ran it 60% and passed it 40%. But their runs averaged 2.9 ypc vs their season average of 4.9. UWW ran it last year 60/40, but their runs averaged 5.3 ypc against pretty much everybody (Wabash held them to their smallest ypc of the season at 3.8). If you are going to say "we run it" as your identity, you better be able to do it against everybody otherwise you have to have more balance so teams have to stop both.

Truth

[wally_wabash]

Outfit Wabash with a 6-5 D1-transfer-now-pro receiver and I bet they'd throw it a little more.  Or at least would look better when they do throw. 

I think we should probably wait and see how this plays out for the rest of the year before issuing 2015 an official cause of death: vertical passing. 

[Schwami]

This week's presser.

I know the Witt game last Saturday was fun and all, but is it really necessary to play them again this Sunday? 

[bashbrother]

Plenty of buzz surrounding how good this 2015 Little Giants Team is or could become....  So I decided to look inside the numbers at what I believe are some "critical success factors".

(First 3 Games)

1.  Penalties Yardage -   

2014 -  25 for 266 Yards   2015 -  18 for 152

2.  3rd Down Conversion % -

2014 -  15-39 -  38.6%    2015 -  20 - 39 -  51.28%

3.  Sacks - 

2014 -  18    2015  - 17

4.  Redzone Scoring - 

2014 -  11 of 13    2015 -  14-18   

5.  Turnovers Created -

2014 -  5     2015 -  12

Of all of these stats,  I am happiest with the 3rd down conversion #.  I did a study last year of championship caliber teams and found that they all were around or over 50% for the season.   Wabash's 2014 -   36.7% season avg.  The other area of significant improvement I see is in the area of penalties.... 114 less penalty yards through 3 games is significant and certainly has helped achieve their high 3rd down conv. %.   Bravo!

So far ... so good... But, still plenty of areas for this team to improve!   If they clean up a few things and continue to develop a respected passing attack to go along with their tremendous running game; add some improvement in certain areas on special teams and this team could become scary good.

WAF!

[wabndy]

Board is way too dead for Friday before homecoming - so how about a little over/under - just for bragging rights:


Hiram Rushing Yards (-10)
Time on the clock that Michael Putko takes his first snap (6:00 in 2Q)
Wabash score in first quarter (14.5)
Wabash's total offense (523 - the number DePauw put up on them last week)
Wabash sacks recorded (6.5)
Points scored by Hiram (3.5)
Attendance (5000)

[bashbrother]

Hiram Rushing Yards (-10) - UNDER  -35
Time on the clock that Michael Putko takes his first snap (6:00 in 2Q) -  OVER   2nd offensive drive of the second half
Wabash score in first quarter (14.5) - OVER 21-0
Wabash's total offense (523 - the number DePauw put up on them last week) -   OVER   565
Wabash sacks recorded (6.5) -  UNDER   ER will call off the dogs at 6
Points scored by Hiram (3.5) -   UNDER -  0
Attendance (5000) -  UNDER -   4999

[wabashcpa]

Either ER calls off the dogs or Hiram just pounds the rock to keep the clock moving.

[aueagle]

Key game for the Big Red & Bishops
Both have retooled in the past few years
Support from administration, alumni, etc in terms
of monies, recruiting, staff have changed these programs
Today will show who will not wallow in the middle/lower basement
of the NCAC...Every year I think The Gators will breakout..every
year I'm wrong...what the heck is going on in western Pa?
GO BISHOPS

[Schwami]

NCAC Game of the Day at Selby Field.  These are the final scores between the Big Red and the Battling Bishops over the last four years:

2014  Denison 34  OWU 31
2013  Denison 47  OWU 41 (2OT)
2012  OWU 32  Denison 29
2011  OWU 17  Denison 14

Doesn't get any closer than that!

[wally_wabash]

It's breezy in central Indiana today.  Who struggles more with the wind: quarterbacks or the pledges that have to hold the banners?

[BashBacker#16]

WabashCPA,

"Hiram pounds the rock...?"  What?  Against the Bash D?  Dude.

Phi Psi's being Phi Psi's...   

WAF,
BB 16

[WooClone15]

It's gameday! Go Woo beat Witt!

[wally_wabash]

It's gameday! Go Woo beat Witt!

Amen.

[Li'l Giant]

It's breezy in central Indiana today.  Who struggles more with the wind: quarterbacks or the pledges that have to hold the banners?

They're gonna  need more 2x4s

[old wabash]

 ???broadcast troubles???