FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[MUC57]

ohiofan1954

Truly, two of the great moments in college football are the ones you mentioned. The playing of the bagpipes gives me goose bumps and makes the hair on the arms stand up. The way Wooster has played the last several years makes the entrances the highlight of the game. Don't tell them I said that. Have a good one. Go Scots. Go Raiders too.

[sigma one]

Wabash has posted its early 2018 roster.  Listed are 88 returning players, 74 freshmen, and 4 transfers.
Among the freshmen/transfers are 10 quarterbacks.  Last year's starting QB is not listed.  And last year's backup QB is listed as a defensive back.  So, here's hoping one or two of the new guys can play,  I don't like going into a season with so much inexperience at such an important position.  I'm sure the coaches don't either.
     Thinking back, I recall a similar situation about a decade or so ago--Matt Hudson emerged and went on to be two-time NCAC offensive player of the year.  Hope springs eternal; the odds scare me.
     Oberlin, Hiram, and Wooster also have rosters posted.  Oberlin shows numbers in the mid-40s.
 

[cave2bens]

Wabash has posted its early 2018 roster.  Listed are 88 returning players, 74 freshmen, and 4 transfers.
Among the freshmen/transfers are 10 quarterbacks.  Last year's starting QB is not listed.  And last year's backup QB is listed as a defensive back.  So, here's hoping one or two of the new guys can play,  I don't like going into a season with so much inexperience at such an important position.  I'm sure the coaches don't either.
     Thinking back, I recall a similar situation about a decade or so ago--Matt Hudson emerged and went on to be two-time NCAC offensive player of the year.  Hope springs eternal; the odds scare me.
     Oberlin, Hiram, and Wooster also have rosters posted.  Oberlin shows numbers in the mid-40s.
 

I don't know that I'd be scared, Sigma.  For me, it's more of an interest as have to believe / hope that something was seen in the spring and with new recruits that pushed our backup to "D."  Is it a QB issue, or a lack of experienced DBs and needing one who understands Ramsey's scheme to "educate" the host of rhynies lining up for evaluation.  In any event, those are some impressive numbers for the preseason listing and certainly, we should find 30-40 studs out of 166.  Please don't call me Pollyanna, but I see those odds as fairly decent.  BTW, thanks for keeping the boards alive the past few weeks - the stats and trivia were great!

[wally_wabash]

Looks like just one D3Football.com Preseason All-American from the NCAC - Wooster WR Nick Strasbaugh.   Several other guys in the league that I think have All-American potential, particularly on offense.  We're getting close-  most teams will have reported to campus by the end of next week!

[wally_wabash]

Question for Wittenberg fans. Does anyone have an idea of the starting time for the Denison game?  I know it is in Granville but I can't seem to get an answer out of Denison.

It looks like that is Big Red Weekend at Denison so they're probably figuring out when in the weekend program the game fits best.  Denison will have a good squad this year and you could definitely make that game the centerpiece of the weekend.  I'd bet a nickel that it will be a night game.

I'm hoping you are correct on the game time. I am going to a game in Athens in the afternoon and would hate to miss this one.

1 o'clock start time according to an updated Witt schedule.

I'm out a nickel. 

Have to tidy this up- Witt @ Denison will in fact be a 7:00 pm kickoff under the lights at Piper-Deeds.  I'm keeping that nickel. 

[sigma one]

I don't know about potential for A-A, but maybe in the conversation for All-Region:

       Victor            WR          Allegheny
       Gebele          QB           Denison
       Hunt             WR          DePauw
       James           RB           Wabash
       Crowe           LB           Wittenberg
     
       And, of course, Strausbaugh, Wooster, named today to the DIII preseason A-A team.  Congratulations
       to him.

Maybe a DLman (from DePauw?), and/or an OLman (Denison, Wabash, Wittenberg?), depending on the kind of season their teams manage 

Just saying, "in the conversation." 

AM I forgetting someone, Wally, others?

[wally_wabash]

I don't know about potential for A-A, but maybe in the conversation for All-Region:

       Victor            WR          Allegheny
       Gebele          QB           Denison
       Hunt             WR          DePauw
       James           RB           Wabash
       Crowe           LB           Wittenberg
     
       And, of course, Strausbaugh, Wooster, named today to the DIII preseason A-A team.  Congratulations
       to him.

Maybe a DLman (from DePauw?), and/or an OLman (Denison, Wabash, Wittenberg?), depending on the kind of season their teams manage 

Just saying, "in the conversation." 

AM I forgetting someone, Wally, others?

Logan Lee (QB) and Colten Buzard (DE) at Allegheny are both guys that can have monster stat years.  Matt Mitsch (DL) at DePauw is outstanding.  Labus (QB) at DePauw was out his mind and having at least an all-region kind of year last year before he got hurt.  Ian Robertson (WR) Kenyon is going to catch a million footballs. Who knows what the ceiling is on WRs like Oliver Page or Ra'Shawn Jones at Wabash.  I'd love to find out for ten full games this year.  You know Witt is going to have some great players that we don't know about yet and they have great players that we already do know about and probably under appreciate when it comes to postseason recognition.  Jake Kennedy has been a great player at Witt and just about any other time in the last 15-20 years in the NCAC, he'd probably finish with at least one OPOY award.  He's been the QB of a team that has been 17-1 in league play on his starts...just goes to show how much depth of quality there is on offensive rosters around the league right now. 

[Li'l Giant]

Wabash has posted its early 2018 roster.  Listed are 88 returning players, 74 freshmen, and 4 transfers.
Among the freshmen/transfers are 10 quarterbacks.  Last year's starting QB is not listed.  And last year's backup QB is listed as a defensive back.  So, here's hoping one or two of the new guys can play,  I don't like going into a season with so much inexperience at such an important position.  I'm sure the coaches don't either.
     Thinking back, I recall a similar situation about a decade or so ago--Matt Hudson emerged and went on to be two-time NCAC offensive player of the year.  Hope springs eternal; the odds scare me.

There is no coach listed as "Offensive Coordinator" on the coaches page and the previous office holder is absent. Was there an announcement and I missed it?

[CollegeGolf18]

Wabash has posted its early 2018 roster.  Listed are 88 returning players, 74 freshmen, and 4 transfers.
Among the freshmen/transfers are 10 quarterbacks.  Last year's starting QB is not listed.  And last year's backup QB is listed as a defensive back.  So, here's hoping one or two of the new guys can play,  I don't like going into a season with so much inexperience at such an important position.  I'm sure the coaches don't either.
     Thinking back, I recall a similar situation about a decade or so ago--Matt Hudson emerged and went on to be two-time NCAC offensive player of the year.  Hope springs eternal; the odds scare me.

There is no coach listed as "Offensive Coordinator" on the coaches page and the previous office holder is absent. Was there an announcement and I missed it?

No announcement. Previous OC was commuting from Chicago where his wife is the HC of U Chicago basketball and a few run ins with higher ups made him decide to leave. Heard they are promoting from within.

[wabco]

Couple of observations from the bleachers on the Wabash OC position. 

1) Wabash Head Coach was THE Wabash OC under Raeburn.  Did a pretty good job of it there.  OC play calling under the now former OC who goes back to Chicagoland ... being nice ... was not all that great.  In DePauw game .... for example, the Wabash Head Coach called the offensive plays.  The present Wabash offence springs from the Reaburn era.  New QBs will be schooled in it with one being a junior transfer from a school where the Reaburn era playbook was written/influenced.  Wabash has p0lenty of depth in the coaching staff as to player personnel, training, guidance.  Face it ... former Wabash OC was a weak link and the Head Coach felt it and stepped in.  Ho hummm.  I for one, like what I see.  Head Coach taking charge, fixing the QB situation in one year, and ... with experience ... taking on the position with which he is familiar. Message out to all ... BE GOOD AT YOUR JOB and pull the wagon to an undefeated year and playoffs.  You heard it here first ... predict the Little Giants will come out firing on all cylinders.
 
2) 155+ footballers out. (Check Mount's numbers ... similar ... and ours read and write and obey the laws of the land).  75 freshmen ... I say it AGAIN ... 75 freshmen. 80 upper classmen ... most Div III teams kiss the ground to have 80 total out.  4 transfers on top of last years transfers.  I say it AGAIN ... Wabash will come out firing on all cylinders ... I like Wabash chances for another revival of an era of a couple of years back and still have my 7-0 and 47 to 0 tee shirts ready.

[wabco]

More info ... Little Giant Scrimmages with: Ill. Wes.at Hollett on August 20 and Rose Hulman at Howlett on August 22.  All positive signs of "pull that wagon guys" !

[MUC57]

wabco

Since Mount's first game (9/1) is at 7:00 pm, I will be at the Wabash game at Hiram in the afternoon (1:00). Might you be there? Would love to meet you and any other Little Giant fans that are there. Also hope to talk to some Terrier fans as well. Hey, I'm not biased.
Good luck to both teams. Oh, and bye the way, Go Raiders. Oh, what the hell, Go Everybody! ☠🏈

[WLGHistorian]

Wabco-

August 22nd scrimmage is actually against INDIANA Wesleyan.  1st year program in NAIA.  I triple checked this with the alumni email I received earlier this week.

I guess when you have 160+ football players it takes two scrimmages to get a look at everyone!

[Dr. Acula]

Couple of observations from the bleachers on the Wabash OC position. 

1) Wabash Head Coach was THE Wabash OC under Raeburn.  Did a pretty good job of it there.  OC play calling under the now former OC who goes back to Chicagoland ... being nice ... was not all that great.  In DePauw game .... for example, the Wabash Head Coach called the offensive plays.  The present Wabash offence springs from the Reaburn era.  New QBs will be schooled in it with one being a junior transfer from a school where the Reaburn era playbook was written/influenced.  Wabash has p0lenty of depth in the coaching staff as to player personnel, training, guidance.  Face it ... former Wabash OC was a weak link and the Head Coach felt it and stepped in.  Ho hummm.  I for one, like what I see.  Head Coach taking charge, fixing the QB situation in one year, and ... with experience ... taking on the position with which he is familiar. Message out to all ... BE GOOD AT YOUR JOB and pull the wagon to an undefeated year and playoffs.  You heard it here first ... predict the Little Giants will come out firing on all cylinders.
 
2) 155+ footballers out. (Check Mount's numbers ... similar ... and ours read and write and obey the laws of the land).  75 freshmen ... I say it AGAIN ... 75 freshmen. 80 upper classmen ... most Div III teams kiss the ground to have 80 total out.  4 transfers on top of last years transfers.  I say it AGAIN ... Wabash will come out firing on all cylinders ... I like Wabash chances for another revival of an era of a couple of years back and still have my 7-0 and 47 to 0 tee shirts ready.

So you're saying your probable starting QB can't read or write?  That's not very nice!   

[wally_wabash]

Wabco-

August 22nd scrimmage is actually against INDIANA Wesleyan.  1st year program in NAIA.  I triple checked this with the alumni email I received earlier this week.

I guess when you have 160+ football players it takes two scrimmages to get a look at everyone!

This is a new thing starting last year (I think).  With increased restrictions on what is allowed in a football practice and how many practices a team can have, one consolation that teams were given is permission to have a second joint practice (call it a scrimmage if you want) with another team.  Interesting that Wabash is doing these joint practices so close to one another, but I guess you take it as you can schedule it.