FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[CollegeGolf18]

So essentially this year:

Wabash's offense - Really good (and likely for at least the next two years)
Wabash's defense - AWFUL

Edit: Wabash's defense in the second half was solid. Adjustments were made.

[CollegeGolf18]

Allegheny's longest possession today was 4:31...of their 13 total drives, 8 of them were 1:44 or less.

Of Wabash's 14 drives, all of them were less than 4 minutes and 12 of them were less than 3 minutes.

Don't see that too often.

[sigma one]

Oberlin and Wooster are resting this weekend, so 4 NCAC games.

Hiram (1-2) at Kenyon (1-2)  Both teams need a conference win.  Hiram has been outscored 142-19 so far.  Kenyon played DePauw tough last week.  Score was 14-7 mid-way
     through the 4th quarter, then DPU scored late to win 21-7.  The Lords held the Tigers to 212 yards total offense.   Wally sees Hiram by 4.5.  Toss-up game.
Wittenberg (2-1) at DePauw (1-1)  Witt still struggles to find a consistent QB.  Their starter last week was injured, and the starter from week 1 inserted.  DPU is also struggling
     offensively.  Twice in the first 5 minutes last week they forced a turnover deep in Kenyon territory--and then missed two medium-length field goals.  The Ohio Tigers are as
     usual tough defensively.  Wally says Witt by 13.5 on the road.
Allegheny (0-2) at Ohio Wesleyan (3-0).  Last week the Gators gave Wabash more than they wanted for two quarters, leading 28-27 at halftime.  But their defense has surrendered
     100 points in their two losses (to 2 pretty good opponents).  OWU has been stingy against mediocre competition thus far.  Could this be a shoot out?  Wally gives the
     Bishops the nod by 10.5.
Denison (2-0) at Wabash (1-1)  Wally says the Big Red by 6.5.  At Wabash.  On Homecoming.  The Dension offense had been humming along:  balanced and impressive.  Wabash's D--not so good.  Two young QBs, who have a chance to be great down the road, lead the attacks.  LGs will have their hands full with Hatem's offense and defense.

[wally_wabash]

Some fairly significant and exciting breaking news out of C'ville.

[formerd3db]

Some fairly significant and exciting breaking news out of C'ville.

That is exciting news Wally.  The stadium design looks excellent.  My only question is...will it be located in the exact same place as the old Hollett Little Giant Stadium? I would hate to see it at a different location as the current one has a great and traditional atmosphere being situation essentially within the campus and the surrounding buildings.  Assuming they will keep the same stadium name with the exception of adding the new naming for Coach Navarro for the field as mentioned in the article. 

BTW, a nice commemoration for Navarro.  He was the coach during my era when we played Wabash.  I believe I mentioned this here a long time ago, however, my senior year was when Wabash went to the Stagg Bowl and we (Hope) handed them their only regular season loss that year.  That was a great game played at our stadium and delayed for over 45 minutes in the 1st quarter due to a blinding rainstorm which we players couldn't see past 3 feet in front of us.  I also remember Wabash throwing sometimes 2-3 times during some of their series and us dbs would hardly catch our breath in getting back to the huddle before they ran an early version of the "hurry up" (almost no huddle) offense! Some great memories.  Anyway, obviously, some great Navarro coached teams and a nice tribute the college is paying him by naming of the field. While great memories playing at the old Hollett, the new stadium looks awesome.  Congratulations!

[wally_wabash]

Some fairly significant and exciting breaking news out of C'ville.

That is exciting news Wally.  The stadium design looks excellent.  My only question is...will it be located in the exact same place as the old Hollett Little Giant Stadium? I would hate to see it at a different location as the current one has a great and traditional atmosphere being situation essentially within the campus and the surrounding buildings.  Assuming they will keep the same stadium name with the exception of adding the new naming for Coach Navarro for the field as mentioned in the article. 

BTW, a nice commemoration for Navarro.  He was the coach during my era when we played Wabash.  I believe I mentioned this here a long time ago, however, my senior year was when Wabash went to the Stagg Bowl and we (Hope) handed them their only regular season loss that year.  That was a great game played at our stadium and delayed for over 45 minutes in the 1st quarter due to a blinding rainstorm which we players couldn't see past 3 feet in front of us.  I also remember Wabash throwing sometimes 2-3 times during some of their series and us dbs would hardly catch our breath in getting back to the huddle before they ran an early version of the "hurry up" (almost no huddle) offense! Some great memories.  Anyway, obviously, some great Navarro coached teams and a nice tribute the college is paying him by naming of the field. While great memories playing at the old Hollett, the new stadium looks awesome.  Congratulations!

My understanding is that they are knocking down the existing facility starting basically immediately after the last home game on 11/9 and building anew on the same space.  The renderings all seem in indicate as much as well as maintaining the current directional orientation (field running slightly NW to SE from left to right).  Also noticed some light standards in the renderings, so maybe some night games coming up in the future?  Who knows.  It should be a great facility though.  I think Wabash is way overdue to touch up the Hollett, and this is obviously more than just a new coat of paint.  This is a $13M commitment, which you just wouldn't do if football wasn't an integral part of Wabash community and experience. 

A couple of other nuggets buried in the release that I noticed:
- 2020 non-conference opponent will be RHIT (I assume this is a home and home)
- To be played on 9/5, which is Week 1 (I'm 97.5% certain of that), and not Week 2- and there was much rejoicing. 

[formerd3db]

Wally, thanks for some of the additional information on the probable aspects of the new stadium.

I just had a lunch visit today with my former HC at Hope, the legendary Ray Smith, who I have remained very close with he and his wife. We were remanicsing about the old Hope/Wabash non-confetence match-ups and he expressed that he has wished to see that series return for a long time. Of course, you and I have talked about this before many times.

[CollegeGolf18]

I've heard through the grapevine that it will include lights for night games.

[smedindy]

I've heard through the grapevine that it will include lights for night games.

Bell Game on Prime Time!!!

[fantastic50]

Wittenberg is approaching the opening of an impressive indoor facility, the equal of which does not currently exist in the conference.
https://twitter.com/WittFootball/status/1174336148170108928

Meanwhile, a decline in an enrollment (10% in the last year, on top of prior decreases) is putting the institution in an increasingly precarious financial position.
https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/news/local/wittenberg-ponders-options-after-enrollment-decline-leads-job-cuts/P0Sx7rgOLEiRiPXpIVizoM/

[sigma one]

My understanding is that Wittenberg has been experiencing financial difficulties for several years.  DePauw is offering a buy-out program for faculty and staff as it seeks to balance financially.  First-year enrollment there is down significantly.  After the last financial trough Wabash offered buy-outs and cut some budgets in an attempt to better manage its finances.  Concerns about expenditures affect most small enrollment-driven colleges these days.  The Wabash 13-million-dollar commitment to Hollett has been a long time coming.  And it comes just a few days after Wabash announced a major renovation to its library as part of the current 225-million-dollar capital campaign.  Other non-athletic campus infrastructure commitments on are the horizon.
     To my mind, one significant detail is missing from the description of the new football facility.  There is no mention on what will happen to the visitors' seating behind the visiting team's bench.  As the stadium is now set up, there is a large concrete and brick grandstand across the field from the major grandstand.  Current seating at Hollett is about 5000; the description mentions that the new stadium configuration will seat 3500+.  Will the visitors' seating disappear, be renovated, whatever?   If the visitors' seating goes away the total capacity of Hollett will apparently drop by about 1500 seats.  I hope this is not the case because the loss of that seating will diminish (in my humble opinion) the "stadium-like" appearance and atmosphere at Hollett.  Hiram, Kenyon, Wittenberg, and Wooster all have fields with seating only behind the home-team's bench.   DePauw brings in temporary seating for football season and then removes it for track and field in the spring.  Again, in my view visiting fans feel a bit awkward with seating on one side--at least I did when I attended Wabash away games.  Several months ago I heard that the visiting stands would be removed and not replaced.  I hope the visitors' stands will remain in some form.  We shall see.
     All in all, however, good for the College, the team, and the fans--a big signal that football remains critical to life at Wabash.   

[formerd3db]

sigma one:

I wondered about that also when I read the stadium info announcement that Wally posted, although I didn't comment on it.  I feel the same way as you.  That "stadium feel" is what I liked about the current Hollett and would be disappointed if they plan on eliminating the visitor permanent seating on the opposite side.  However, if they do, overall, it will still be a nice facility with some new amenities.   

[fantastic50]

My understanding is that Wittenberg has been experiencing financial difficulties for several years.  DePauw is offering a buy-out program for faculty and staff as it seeks to balance financially.  First-year enrollment there is down significantly.  After the last financial trough Wabash offered buy-outs and cut some budgets in an attempt to better manage its finances.  Concerns about expenditures affect most small enrollment-driven colleges these days.

Yes, there are financial/enrollment issues for nearly every school in the conference.  Besides the ones that you mentioned, OWU has fallen well short of making its class more than once, Allegheny, Oberlin, and Wooster have also offered buyouts, and Hiram has a smaller and less-affluent student body than most of its peers.  However, Witt's difficulties seem to be the most acute, so I hope that the administration can stabilize the situation, but I fear that we may see several D3 schools in our region close their doors within the next decade or two.

[smedindy]

It seems that endowments can't cushion the blow anymore.

[smedindy]

When was the last time Wabash was a home dog on "pick 'em"?