FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[Dr. Acula]

The thing that impressed me was that the TE (Dowdle) was their leading receiver in terms of yards (709) and TD's (8) and also averages 22 yds/rec.  Those are WR stats not TE stats!

[smedindy]

Really, this game is going to be won or lost on the line of scrimmage. It's a cliche, but it's true.

[cave2bens]

Well done, Mr. Zurek

http://sports.wabash.edu/news/2015/12/1/FB_1201150728.aspx?path=football

[Joe Wally]

Well done, Mr. Zurek

http://sports.wabash.edu/news/2015/12/1/FB_1201150728.aspx?path=football

Congratulations to The Beast!

[wally_wabash]

There's some really good analysis in the Play of the Week clip that ties in to something we had talked about after the Bell game.  The analysis astutely points out that the final play of the game was Thomas More running a play fake, which Wabash's linebackers spit on and got all over Brenan Kuntz before he had a chance to get rid of the ball or even protect the ball.  Fumble, rumble, ballgame.  After the Bell game we talked about how DePauw completely shelved their play action game against Wabash.  This is why. 

[Li'l Giant]

Fumble Fulble, rumble, ballgame.

Fixed that for ya

[DPU3619]

Probably will be low scoring if Wabash wins this week. Don't think the O can get to 21+ on UST by themselves. Obviously, as always with Wabash, turnovers & specials matter.

That said, UST is an offense that hasn't scored under 35 and only scored under 50 4 times. They're pretty honking good. But, Wabash finally allowed somebody 20 on Saturday. UST's OL are large and good, but Wabash's front 7 is as solid as it gets technically and schematically, which shouldn't be undersold. UST's OL coach has 5 days to get ready for twists, stunts, and heavy blitz all afternoon. It can be done, but it ain't real easy. I admit I don't know the first dang thing about the MIAC, but NOBODY gives up 50+ with a really good defensive front. I don't care if you've got 4 of us playing in the secondary. It doesn't happen.

Don't think that Wabash O vs. UST D is going to be especially pretty. Grind, grind, grind for the LGs. Heavy, heavy dose of sportsballer #38. 40 carries at 4 per carry should get you to the paint 3x.

Side note : Zurek is averaging over 7 per carry in the last 3 games. Those are against arguably the 3 best teams on Wabash's schedule.
Side note #2: I think UST is the first "good" team that I can't find ANY video for. By good, I mean like an annual powerhouse type team. I cannot find one, single offensive snap of theirs online.

[AO]

Side note #2: I think UST is the first "good" team that I can't find ANY video for. By good, I mean like an annual powerhouse type team. I cannot find one, single offensive snap of theirs online.

Looks like you could watch the full St. Thomas @ Augsburg game here. 
They don't archive their home games anywhere, but you can view the highlights on their student run youtube page.  https://www.youtube.com/user/TommieMedia/videos  In addition to the game highlights you can find some additional clips within their weekly "The Locker Room with Glenn Caruso" show.

[USTBench]

Probably will be low scoring if Wabash wins this week. Don't think the O can get to 21+ on UST by themselves. Obviously, as always with Wabash, turnovers & specials matter.

That said, UST is an offense that hasn't scored under 35 and only scored under 50 4 times. They're pretty honking good. But, Wabash finally allowed somebody 20 on Saturday. UST's OL are large and good, but Wabash's front 7 is as solid as it gets technically and schematically, which shouldn't be undersold. UST's OL coach has 5 days to get ready for twists, stunts, and heavy blitz all afternoon. It can be done, but it ain't real easy. I admit I don't know the first dang thing about the MIAC, but NOBODY gives up 50+ with a really good defensive front. I don't care if you've got 4 of us playing in the secondary. It doesn't happen.

Don't think that Wabash O vs. UST D is going to be especially pretty. Grind, grind, grind for the LGs. Heavy, heavy dose of sportsballer #38. 40 carries at 4 per carry should get you to the paint 3x.

Side note : Zurek is averaging over 7 per carry in the last 3 games. Those are against arguably the 3 best teams on Wabash's schedule.
Side note #2: I think UST is the first "good" team that I can't find ANY video for. By good, I mean like an annual powerhouse type team. I cannot find one, single offensive snap of theirs online.

Not exactly the 22-wide, but there's plenty out there to get the gist.

https://www.youtube.com/user/USTFootballMediaMan

[ExTartanPlayer]

Probably will be low scoring if Wabash wins this week. Don't think the O can get to 21+ on UST by themselves. Obviously, as always with Wabash, turnovers & specials matter.

That said, UST is an offense that hasn't scored under 35 and only scored under 50 4 times. They're pretty honking good. But, Wabash finally allowed somebody 20 on Saturday. UST's OL are large and good, but Wabash's front 7 is as solid as it gets technically and schematically, which shouldn't be undersold. UST's OL coach has 5 days to get ready for twists, stunts, and heavy blitz all afternoon. It can be done, but it ain't real easy. I admit I don't know the first dang thing about the MIAC, but NOBODY gives up 50+ with a really good defensive front. I don't care if you've got 4 of us playing in the secondary. It doesn't happen.

Don't think that Wabash O vs. UST D is going to be especially pretty. Grind, grind, grind for the LGs. Heavy, heavy dose of sportsballer #38. 40 carries at 4 per carry should get you to the paint 3x.

Side note : Zurek is averaging over 7 per carry in the last 3 games. Those are against arguably the 3 best teams on Wabash's schedule.
Side note #2: I think UST is the first "good" team that I can't find ANY video for. By good, I mean like an annual powerhouse type team. I cannot find one, single offensive snap of theirs online.

Not exactly the 22-wide, but there's plenty out there to get the gist.

https://www.youtube.com/user/USTFootballMediaMan

Well, at least Wabash will be prepared for the behind-the-back-fake-PAT-pass.

[wally_wabash]

Probably will be low scoring if Wabash wins this week. Don't think the O can get to 21+ on UST by themselves. Obviously, as always with Wabash, turnovers & specials matter.

That said, UST is an offense that hasn't scored under 35 and only scored under 50 4 times. They're pretty honking good. But, Wabash finally allowed somebody 20 on Saturday. UST's OL are large and good, but Wabash's front 7 is as solid as it gets technically and schematically, which shouldn't be undersold. UST's OL coach has 5 days to get ready for twists, stunts, and heavy blitz all afternoon. It can be done, but it ain't real easy. I admit I don't know the first dang thing about the MIAC, but NOBODY gives up 50+ with a really good defensive front. I don't care if you've got 4 of us playing in the secondary. It doesn't happen.

Don't think that Wabash O vs. UST D is going to be especially pretty. Grind, grind, grind for the LGs. Heavy, heavy dose of sportsballer #38. 40 carries at 4 per carry should get you to the paint 3x.

Side note : Zurek is averaging over 7 per carry in the last 3 games. Those are against arguably the 3 best teams on Wabash's schedule.
Side note #2: I think UST is the first "good" team that I can't find ANY video for. By good, I mean like an annual powerhouse type team. I cannot find one, single offensive snap of theirs online.

Not exactly the 22-wide, but there's plenty out there to get the gist.

https://www.youtube.com/user/USTFootballMediaMan

Well, at least Wabash will be prepared for the behind-the-back-fake-PAT-pass.

I believe ER had the guys drilling that for no less than 90 minutes yesterday.  They'll be ready. 

[wally_wabash]

Fumble Fulble, rumble, ballgame.

Fixed that for ya

Ha!  Indeed, Fulble.  The one time I actually need the darn phone to autocorrect something, it doesn't.   

[wally_wabash]

Seems like a good time to mix in a little tale of the tape here. 

Stat	Wabash	Nat'l Rank	St. Thomas	Nat'l Rank
Rush O	270.80	11	258.10	16
Pass O	196.80	151	290.60	23
Pass Eff	127.20	107	180.34	4
Total O	467.50	34	548.70	4
Scoring O	41.60	19	54.90	t-1
Rush D	67.70	5	79.30	9
Pass D	161.50	19	137.10	5
Pass Eff. D	88.50	5	105.79	33
Total D	229.20	5	216.40	3
Scoring D	9.80	5	9.50	3
Net Punting	31.23	158	36.68	10
Punt Ret	9.41	81	9.37	84
KO Ret	21.27	50	24.20	8
TO Margin	+20	t-2	+9	t-35
Sacks	4.17	7	3.83	9
TFL	9.40	8	8.40	21
3rd Down Conv%	0.475	19	0.528	4
3rd Down Conv% Def	0.286	15	0.230	3
Red Zone Offense	0.844	31	0.789	88
Red Zone Defense	0.600	11	0.706	t-70
Penalties Per Game	6.00	96	7.42	190
Penalty Yards	55.83	103	77.17	216

Man those are good teams.  Really, really good teams. 

[wabashcpa]

That edge in turnover margin will need to manifest itself Saturday for Wabash to make it to the semis.

[bashbrother]

After looking through a few of St. Thomas's box scores,  It seems that they really  feed off the big play and mistakes.  As all great teams do,  they make you pay for each and every  mistake and will blow a close game open in the blink of an eye.

Wabash simply cannot make any major mistakes and expect to beat a team like this....  turnovers,  drive killing penalties (illegal formations..uuugh) or blown assignments that create huge plays.   I know it puts a bunch of pressure on the game,  but this is the quarter finals of the playoffs....  Play well or go home.