FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[Pat Coleman]

Can't help it- seeing mighty linfied get thrashed makes me feel that much better about Wabash's season. With such limited cross conference scheduling it's really impossible to know how the top ten really stacks up. Did not see the blowout in alliance coming. It's almost been the story of the playoffs that any team that pulls out a close win one week is almost destined for a loss the next. weve clearly got the best two teams in the country for the stagg bowl and amazingly- two teams that have made the previous 14 games look easy. Should be a great one next week

This game really did give me great respect for what Wabash's D was able to do in stopping UST's run game.  Very impressive.  There was a huge difference compared to this week for both Roberts and Kaiser being able to get to the second level and pickup 6+ yards consistently.

Going to be talking about this on the podcast tomorrow, but Roberts definitely looked fresher and had more of a burst this week. In addition to only getting 16 carries last week, it sounds like they really limited his reps in practice this week.

[nkwest]

Can't help it- seeing mighty linfied get thrashed makes me feel that much better about Wabash's season. With such limited cross conference scheduling it's really impossible to know how the top ten really stacks up. Did not see the blowout in alliance coming. It's almost been the story of the playoffs that any team that pulls out a close win one week is almost destined for a loss the next. weve clearly got the best two teams in the country for the stagg bowl and amazingly- two teams that have made the previous 14 games look easy. Should be a great one next week

This game really did give me great respect for what Wabash's D was able to do in stopping UST's run game.  Very impressive.  There was a huge difference compared to this week for both Roberts and Kaiser being able to get to the second level and pickup 6+ yards consistently.

Seconded. UST's line was moving Linfield's in a manner Wabash simply didn't allow. And a much more fresh-looking Roberts & Kaiser made the most of it.

[miac952]

Can't help it- seeing mighty linfied get thrashed makes me feel that much better about Wabash's season. With such limited cross conference scheduling it's really impossible to know how the top ten really stacks up. Did not see the blowout in alliance coming. It's almost been the story of the playoffs that any team that pulls out a close win one week is almost destined for a loss the next. weve clearly got the best two teams in the country for the stagg bowl and amazingly- two teams that have made the previous 14 games look easy. Should be a great one next week

This game really did give me great respect for what Wabash's D was able to do in stopping UST's run game.  Very impressive.  There was a huge difference compared to this week for both Roberts and Kaiser being able to get to the second level and pickup 6+ yards consistently.

Seconded. UST's line was moving Linfield's in a manner Wabash simply didn't allow. And a much more fresh-looking Roberts & Kaiser made the most of it.

I'm in that boat as well. Thought it last week when I saw Wabash UST, it was validated even more so this week. Wabash front seven has to be as good of one as there is in the country. Strong guys that could also move well sideline to sideline

[Joe Wally]

Can't help it- seeing mighty linfied get thrashed makes me feel that much better about Wabash's season. With such limited cross conference scheduling it's really impossible to know how the top ten really stacks up. Did not see the blowout in alliance coming. It's almost been the story of the playoffs that any team that pulls out a close win one week is almost destined for a loss the next. weve clearly got the best two teams in the country for the stagg bowl and amazingly- two teams that have made the previous 14 games look easy. Should be a great one next week

I look at our game and think about what a devastating impact that a handful of special teams plays had on the course of events.

[nkwest]

I look at our game and think about what a devastating impact that a handful of special teams plays had on the course of events.

-Blocked punt at the end of the 2nd, which put UST close enough to kick a FG and go up by three scores.
-TD negated by a holding call followed by a missed FG.
-Fumbled punt following the next UST possession, which put UST in position for their next TD (on a fake FG).

Even ignoring UST's punt return for a TD, the difference in just those three plays could have meant a 14-7 game, with Wabash looking to drive (with momentum) to tie the game. Instead, it was 24-0, successful onside kick following the 15 yard penalty on the PAT, TD, 31-0, ballgame.

Of course, if UST doesn't drop two deep passes, it could have been 31-0 by halftime. That's the obvious danger in playing the "if we did X, Y, Z differently" game; it works both ways. Here's what I know:

-UST prides itself on special teams play. People can rip the Tommies all they want & cherry-pick when and against whom they choose to execute all season long, but there's no way to replicate game day anxiety in practice. It pays dividends.

-Wabash is a physically and mentally tough team which had precisely zero quit. Through 14 games, they're probably the best offensive line and defensive front seven UST has seen. I have nothing but respect for the Wabash program and fans, and I hope both teams continue to have the success necessary to meet again in the future.

[firstdown]

Joe Wally is right about the impact of special teams.  You can't give away 24 points on special teams and have any hope of staying close with a team of the caliber of St. Thomas.  The Wabash defense held the Tommies to 127 net rushing yards and 384 total yards.  Linfield gave up 389 rushing yards on Saturday.

A couple of quick conclusions. 1. St Thomas is a very good team and Friday night in Salem with Mount Union should be an interesting game.  2. Wabash and Linfield would have been an interesting game and closely matched game.  3.  Wabash is closer to being able to play with the top teams than it first appeared in the game with St Thomas after watching what the Tommies did to Linfield.  Got to clean up the miscues on special teams to be in the hunt.

[Tom Thumb]

Joe Wally is right about the impact of special teams.  You can't give away 24 points on special teams and have any hope of staying close with a team of the caliber of St. Thomas.  The Wabash defense held the Tommies to 127 net rushing yards and 384 total yards.  Linfield gave up 389 rushing yards on Saturday.

A couple of quick conclusions. 1. St Thomas is a very good team and Friday night in Salem with Mount Union should be an interesting game.  2. Wabash and Linfield would have been an interesting game and closely matched game.  3.  Wabash is closer to being able to play with the top teams than it first appeared in the game with St Thomas after watching what the Tommies did to Linfield.  Got to clean up the miscues on special teams to be in the hunt.

How does Wabash look for next year? A lot of guys coming back?

[sigma one]

Wabash loses Zurek at RB, and that's saying a lot.  They also lose three outstanding defensive linemen, including McCullen, defensive player of the year in the NCAC, and first-team all-north region.  Two offensive iinemen, one of the Wes Brown, several-time all conference, graduate.  That said, the LGs will return the entire receiving corps from the second half of the season:  Christian, Adams, Page, and Thomas.  Rice will return at QB.  Shamir Johnson, who missed the last several games with an injury, will be back at RB.  He was a second-team all-NCAC selection behind Zurek.  The best freshman running back, Penola, also returns.  In limited action he looked a lot like a young Zurek, and is about the same size at 220lbs. Five offensive linemen who got at least a couple of starts will also come back, three of them full-time starters throughout the year.  Stucker, at center, was both all-NCAC and all-region.  Sturdivant, who was also injured late in the year, and who is probably the best of the bunch (and was first-team all NCAC even with his missed time).  Leath is the other full-time guy coming back. Culp and Wyatt both started and played a significant number of snaps.  Both tight ends return--Dylan Buresh and Fullencamp, who was all-NCAC  Both Tutsie, the kicker (all-NCAC first team), and Fox, the punter, will return,  So, on the offensive side, there is great promise.   
       Defensively, there is that loss of the three d-linemen.  Several good players have waited in the wings, but they are still unknowns, notably Alston, Simpson, and Hicks.  They played in the many situations when Wabash had big leads by the end of the third quarter.  All the linebackers return:  Ethan Buresh  and Ludwig, both all-conference picks.  Buresh was picked as a linebacker but plays that hybrid LB/rush end combo.  Bowden and Hansen, the other starters at LB, will do it again.  Three starting defensive backs also  return--Austin Brown and Pettiford were first- and second-team all-NCAC respectively.  Parks was HM all-NCAC as a sophomore, and by many accounts should have been a higher pick, but he was aced out by the three other dbacks (Cmehil, who graduates was also an all-conference safety).  There are a few others who started games or were in the rotation.
     To sum up: four or five really significant losses, and then I've mentioned the returners.  If Johnson and Sturdivant are back at full strength, Wabash could be, dare I say, in the zone of being about as good as this year if they avoid injuries.  Maybe better all around ; bite my tongue.

[wally_wabash]

That's an excellent synopsis, sigma one.  Obviously, you don't replace Zurek who did some things at Wabash that have never been done.  Which is saying a lot.  Before the season privately I had mentioned to some people that I thought 12+ games were possible for Wabash and if that happened, the single season rush record was definitely in play for Zurek given his individual talent, the returning players on the OL, and Wabash's preferred offensive style.  2000 yards and the career rush record never entered my thought process though.  Mason's 2015 season was quite literally unprecedented.  So replacing 38 is probably out of the question, but as you've pointed out there is plenty of returning talent in 2016.  Shamir Johnson, from my POV, was the second best back in the NCAC.  He'll get spelled by Matt Penola who I think has tremendous upside. 

Wabash does lose some great players on the DL as well, but this is reminiscent of graduation losses from 2014.  Wabash graduated some all time greats- Cody Buresh, AJ Akinribade, and Denzel Wilkins (forever underrated!) from a tremendous defense and came back in 2015 without missing a beat.  Ludwig, Bowden, Ethan Buresh, and Evan Hansen all stepped into new roles or enhanced roles and were all great.  BTW- how good is Evan Hansen going to be?  Holy smokes.  There are a lot of guys ready to step up next year for McCullen, Rutter, and Karns.   You've identified the next guys up- also look for Dallas Pitts next year.  I think he'll be a big part of the 2016 defense.  Secondary is rock solid.  I think Wabash has the two best CBs in the league, the best safety, and then we'll see who winds up in that free safety spot.  CJ McMann or Connor Lenahan would seem to be the next guys up for that position. 

Overall, I agree with your assessment that 2016 can be just as good or better for Wabash.  I'm not too worried about replacing the dudes.  I think the dudes are there.  The big thing, IMO, for Wabash to take the next step in 2016 is to get improved consistency in the passing game.  Get Christen, Page, and Thomas open a bit more.  Get Rice up to a 60-65% guy instead of a  50-55% guy.  And I'm not saying that Rice was bad- he made some incredible plays in 2015.  Just more consistency.  Do that, and I believe Wabash will be right back in this spot next season taking another shot at the tippy top tier of the division. 

[Dr. Acula]

Joe Wally is right about the impact of special teams.  You can't give away 24 points on special teams and have any hope of staying close with a team of the caliber of St. Thomas.  The Wabash defense held the Tommies to 127 net rushing yards and 384 total yards.  Linfield gave up 389 rushing yards on Saturday.

A couple of quick conclusions. 1. St Thomas is a very good team and Friday night in Salem with Mount Union should be an interesting game.  2. Wabash and Linfield would have been an interesting game and closely matched game.  3.  Wabash is closer to being able to play with the top teams than it first appeared in the game with St Thomas after watching what the Tommies did to Linfield.  Got to clean up the miscues on special teams to be in the hunt.

The only thing I'd point out here is that Linfield was without a healthy Sam Riddle.  That's a huge blow to their offense and undoubtedly affected the score.  It's like Wabash being without Zurek.  Knecht played great against UMHB, but when the stuff hits the fan you need your stud QB. 

The thing I will repeat again this year as was said last year...Wabash is absolutely a championship level defense.  Two years in a row now.  Their defense is so good that you don't need a great offense, you just need a good, balanced one.  They need to work on their passing game is all.  They're getting closer every year now.  It has to be exciting for you guys because it's building.  To me your biggest concern shouldn't be replacing Zurek.  It should be retaining Hammer as your DC in the future.  Someone's already called him about a HC opening if they're smart. 

[sigma one]

I  agree that keeping Hammer is one key to continuing success.  BJ's an alumnus, so I think he won't jump at just any opportunity, but if the right job comes along . . .and who could blame him.  He has been a head coach once already, and that's a tough thought to get out of one's system . . the desire to be the top dog again somewhere that's good and he can make better.

[Li'l Giant]

They're getting closer every year now.  It has to be exciting for you guys because it's building. 

It really is exciting. We (Wabash fans) all have some degree of tendency to see things through Scarlet colored glasses but seeing that build-up validated on the field has been fun. I'm excited to see it keep going. Which leads me to...

To me your biggest concern shouldn't be replacing Zurek.  It should be retaining Hammer as your DC in the future.  Someone's already called him about a HC opening if they're smart.

I agree with this 100%. Hammer has to be getting offers. But...

BJ's an alumnus, so I think he won't jump at just any opportunity, but if the right job comes along . . .

He was a head coach in a situation that was terrible. I can't imagine he'd want that experience again. You would have to think he would be very careful about which opportunity he takes. Yeah, I'm sure he'd like to be an HC again but would it be worth it at a place like Hanover? I'd guess not. I'm hoping he's really selective anyway. Totally selfishly. I'd hate to lose him. But I know it's a matter of time before he gets the proverbial offer he can't refuse.

[smedindy]

Heck, I'm worried that a higher division team will pick off BJ to be their defensive coordinator.

[firstdown]

Keeping Coach Hammer at Wabash along with the other assistants needs to be a priority.  The recent article in USA Today showed how the football programs in the top divisions provide their coaching staffs with bonuses when they have an outstanding year.  Wabash raised enough from the Alumni in one afternoon at the first Gentlemen's Classic to send the team to Virginia this year.  I suspect that the Alumni could come up with a pretty good bonus pool through donations to the Athletic Fund in a day or two to provide financial incentives of a bonus pool to keep the staff happy and at Wabash rather then being enticed away by other Division 3 schools and larger schools for that matter..  The success of the former UWW coaches at Buffalo this year has not gone unnoticed. A number of the larger schools looking hard at the top Division 3 coaching talent.  Purdue which is 30 minutes up US 231 and Ball State which is not far away on Indiana 32 are both looking for coordinators and assistant coaches for their respective programs, and they are just the tip of the iceberg.

[Li'l Giant]

Heck, I'm worried that a higher division team will pick off BJ to be their defensive coordinator.

No kidding. Looking at all the points Purdue gave up you would think they'd at least consider calling.