FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[Crawford]

Could not remember the last time Wabash gave up 44 points in the regular season, had to look it up.  15 years ago in 2006 against Franklin College in overtime 45-38. 

Last time Wabash gave up more than 43 points in a regular length game (non playoffs) was 18 years ago in 2003 against Witt 49-35. 

Wabash has only given up more than 43 points against NCAC opponents in two game since 2000 (Witt in 2003 and  Allegheny in 2000 54-45).   You have too go back another 7 years before Wabash gave up more than 43.  So it does happen, but pretty rarely.

[NotMyName]

Wabash has 4 solid back in 3,5,7,21 - you have to remember 21 - Epstein and 3 Netting are new to the program this year, they have played pretty well and there we only a few missed coverages during the game. I was at the game and the Wooster QB was throwing dimes, but at the same time he had minimal pressure for the majority of the game.

My concern is you have 5:36 left in the 4th Q with 3 TOL and don't use any of them. The Little Giants moved the ball all game playing from behind - give your offense the time to operate and get it down the field.

Final comment- while two WR's were almost 200+ yards, with Sullivan for 3TDs where was the use of the T.E. 1 catch for 12 yards? Again you had all day to pass the ball over the middle and in the seam.

[Li'l Giant]

All I will say is I refuse to believe our defensive personnel is as bad as the last two weeks would lead you to believe.  Make of that what you will.

We had 391 rushing yards, 670 total yards, and still lost. I'm sure we'll hear lots of excuses on the next youtube show but that's ridiculous. Our talent has exceeded our coaching for a while now and it's showing.

[Whitecarrera]

I'm not sure I agree with your conclusion L'il Giant, but the 192-0 return yards is hard for me to overlook.

[Li'l Giant]

I'm not sure I agree with your conclusion L'il Giant, but the 192-0 return yards is hard for me to overlook.

So, do we fair catch everything? Is there a stated reason for that? 

[NotMyName]

So I am close to a few player families  and Morel has stated he has looked at the percentages over and over and it is a very low percentage of reward over risk. Risk equating to injury - fumbles - turnovers - penalties for the potential of an exciting play and additional field position. The returner is often not provided the decision - he is told to fair catch - the only decision he gets is does he fair catch it or let it go. On top of that they do not practice the receiving return element that much - so the returner's get very little experience in decisioning one. It's tougher than it looks from the stands - trying to watch the ball - watch the approaching team - making a decision and then catching the ball.

[WABCOL86]

What we have seen these last two games fully illustrate my fears about our coaching staff.  Morel's hire was a yawner and nothing to get anyone fired up about, and nothing since then has disproven it.  I fully agree with Li'l Giant's post.  Also, RIP Max Servies.  You were a one of a kind and Some Little Giant!

[HCAlum86]

Pardon my ignorance - but we get an AQ, correct?

[wally_wabash]

Wabash is currently 220 out of 240 in kick return defense and has given up two KO returns for touchdowns.  They survived one against Denison, but lost by 3 to Wooster who had the second KOR score.  I don't know if there's correlation between struggling KO coverage and Wabash not participating in KO return (seems likely?), but I agree with Whitecarrera that surrendering those yards stands out when Wabash gets clipped in close games.  Anecdotally, I don't really see anybody else in the division fair catch every single kick.  I see some do it sometimes and situationally, but I don't see this in practice, particularly among teams seriously competing for conference championships. I'm sure there are others out there (I can't watch all 239 teams), but Wabash's approach to the return game is very rare, if not entirely unique. 

Even more concerning though is that Wabash is 233 out of 240 in pass yards allowed.  The volume of big plays Wabash is giving up in the pass game is alarming and the last four games of the season all feature teams that are equipped to sling it around.   Of OWU, Kenyon, Witt, and DePauw, Witt is maybe the least scary offense (tells you where Wittenberg is in 2021) but Kayser and Saus are really good wideouts that can cause problems for just about anybody if Witt can get a decent game from any QB.  Wabash can certainly win this conference and return to the postseason, but not if they're giving up over 300 pass yards per game.  That has to change starting Saturday at Selby. 

[Crawford]

I suspected Wabash would not get any poll votes this week, and I understand not one NCAC school getting a single vote. I was hoping all the close games this year meant all the NCAC schools were building their programs, but as a Wabash fan it sure feels like Wabash has been heading towards mediocrity.  Nothing against the students / athletes.

[HOPEful]

I suspected Wabash would not get any poll votes this week, and I understand not one NCAC school getting a single vote. I was hoping all the close games this year meant all the NCAC schools were building their programs, but as a Wabash fan it sure feels like Wabash has been heading towards mediocrity.  Nothing against the students / athletes.

I feel very similarly about the MIAA. For a few years there, it appeared like Trine was moving past that bubble and felt like they were pulling Albion, Hope, and Olivet up with them. Definitely feels like that bubble has burst and the gap is as wide as ever from the WIAC and CCIW...

[Crawford]

I suspected Wabash would not get any poll votes this week, and I understand not one NCAC school getting a single vote. I was hoping all the close games this year meant all the NCAC schools were building their programs, but as a Wabash fan it sure feels like Wabash has been heading towards mediocrity.  Nothing against the students / athletes.

I feel very similarly about the MIAA. For a few years there, it appeared like Trine was moving past that bubble and felt like they were pulling Albion, Hope, and Olivet up with them. Definitely feels like that bubble has burst and the gap is as wide as ever from the WIAC and CCIW...

I had the same thoughts and respect for Trine and can empathize with you. A good friend who supports Saint John's in the MIAC once said after they got knocked out the playoffs by Whitewater, "Good now the students can put their focus on the classroom."  I guess that is really what it is about, producing outstanding individuals and leaders.  I was impressed by the student bodies at Wabash and Depauw when I visited the campuses a few years ago.  Really happy when most of the students told me they were in college because they wanted to go into professions that would help other people.  Gives me hope.

[Whitecarrera]

Concerning Wabash's kick return question, important to note that the punt return conversation is completely different than kickoff return.

Wabash is dead last in the NCAA in total KOR yardage, as well as KOR average, but the net effect might be okay.  With kickoff fair catches (and for the record, I absolutely HATE this rule change) resulting in possession at the 25 yard line, a fair catch here could have a favorable net result.  Example -- if the average KO is fair caught at the 5 yard line, this equates to a return average of 20 yards.  The team averaging 20 yards per return is currently ranked 94 out of 240. 

To wally's point though, the average KOR against Wabash is 24.28 yards (or 25.12 depending on whose stat sheet you look at), putting them 220 / 240.  For comparison, DePauw has been averaging 24.4 yards per KOR, and this ranks them 25th.  This stat has absolutely nothing to do with the fair catch option, but strictly KO coverage and a KO hang time/distance that seems a little average this year.

Completely different for punt return where a fair catch gets you nothing.  I show Wabash ranked 160 / 240, with only 5 PRs for 27 yards (5.4 yd average).  Wabash opponents have punted 34 times, so I look at this as 27 yards on 34 PR opportunities. I don't like that at all.  On the other hand opponents have only returned 8 punts (out of 29) for a total of 56 yards.  Partially a tribute to Annee, for sure.

[NotMyName]

Concerning Wabash's kick return question, important to note that the punt return conversation is completely different than kickoff return.

Wabash is dead last in the NCAA in total KOR yardage, as well as KOR average, but the net effect might be okay.  With kickoff fair catches (and for the record, I absolutely HATE this rule change) resulting in possession at the 25 yard line, a fair catch here could have a favorable net result.  Example -- if the average KO is fair caught at the 5 yard line, this equates to a return average of 20 yards.  The team averaging 20 yards per return is currently ranked 94 out of 240. 

To wally's point though, the average KOR against Wabash is 24.28 yards (or 25.12 depending on whose stat sheet you look at), putting them 220 / 240.  For comparison, DePauw has been averaging 24.4 yards per KOR, and this ranks them 25th.  This stat has absolutely nothing to do with the fair catch option, but strictly KO coverage and a KO hang time/distance that seems a little average this year.

Completely different for punt return where a fair catch gets you nothing.  I show Wabash ranked 160 / 240, with only 5 PRs for 27 yards (5.4 yd average).  Wabash opponents have punted 34 times, so I look at this as 27 yards on 34 PR opportunities. I don't like that at all.  On the other hand opponents have only returned 8 punts (out of 29) for a total of 56 yards.  Partially a tribute to Annee, for sure.

To your point on Punt Return - watch the replay's they don't give the returner midfield protection, the defenders barely block the gunners, they don't play 2 back, and they don't practice it. Any returner Sullivan, Gaines, Skeens would be fast enough to have a material return.

Also if you look at the the Wooster game - several KO's went short to Skeen's arguably the fastest to 2nd fastest runner on the team. I believe Lamb #16 had the fastest 40 split at camp. Looking at the ondemand film - he had soooooo much room and blockers. Very frustrating.

[wabashcpa]

All I will say is I refuse to believe our defensive personnel is as bad as the last two weeks would lead you to believe.  Make of that what you will.

We had 391 rushing yards, 670 total yards, and still lost. I'm sure we'll hear lots of excuses on the next youtube show but that's ridiculous. Our talent has exceeded our coaching for a while now and it's showing.

Just cannot be stated any clearer than that.