FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[Dr. Acula]

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.

I had to go to the box score after seeing this to see how many turnovers Wabash had for this to happen.  I figured I was going to see 3?  4?  When I think of Wabash I always think tough defense and physical running game.  My perception makes those numbers against Wooster very hard to reconcile, but perhaps I'm way off on my perception in 2021.  Hopefully things get back on track.  The NCAC (and the region) needs Wabash and Witt to be what they're capable of being.

[sigma one]

The last two Wabash recruiting classes (2019, 2021) have been impressive.  I can't recall seeing so many all-conference and all-state players in the previous decade of so.  That said, those players are young, and Wabash is playing  a lot of them.  I don't think it's a matter of deciding to play the best players on offense; most of the players are playing the same positions they played in high school. I can't recall more than one or two who have been moved from one side of the ball to the other.
     For many years Wabash defenses were built upon pressuring the quarterback, blitzing, and aggressiveness.  I don't see that now--or in the last few years.  The three-man front isn't getting the job done.  Opposing QBs are too comfortable.  Wabash has two senior defensive backs with several years of experience, one them first-team all-conference; the other with impressive stats in 2019.  The other DBs are young, but I refuse to believe that their inexperience is the reason why every team the LGs have faced can have receivers running open on almost every pass play.  Everyone can't have multiple receivers who are that good!  The defensive scheme is a problem, and it does not seem likely to change this year.
     The offensive is explosive.  The QB is one of the two best in the NCAC, and Wabash continues to want to pound the ball.  Thompson should be throwing more.  It's been years since there has been a QB like him in C'ville.  The running backs are more than solid; the receivers are very good.  And there is depth at both positions.  The TE is also a threat.   The running  game can still be very good, maybe a bit better, if Wabash would throw more.
     Since I have not posted in quite a while, I'll just go on.  I don't know where the line should be on when you pull the starters.  Wabash has pulled the first-team before or by the middle of the 3rd quarter in several games.  I admire Morel for wanting more players to get action.  But in addition to pulling the starters, the reserves do nothing but run the ball off tackle, again and again and again.  If I'm the back up QB, I'm saying to myself, will I ever get to throw the ball?   He's just one play away from becoming the first guy.  I don't mean Wabash should run up the score, but I'd like to see them run a reduced version of the full offense for at least one or two series.  (In several games Wabash has not thrown a pass after the middle of the 3rd quarter.)
     To the point of fair catching every kickoff and almost all punts:  I understand the analytics.  I'm wondering , however, if the subliminal message sent to the players is "I don't trust you in the kicking game."  Looking back, I can't recall a special teams mistake ever costing the LGs a game. and at times it's been a bonus.  I don't buy in to the idea that fumbles and injuries will happen to the extent that they will change the arc of the season.   Can the strategy, therefore, be sound if they are the only program to use it?  Yes, it's risk/reward.  Would there be that much difference if the Wabash offense would from time to time start a post-KO possession from the 18-20 yard line instead of at the 25?  (If so, they are probably not going to win anyway.)   Trust the players; let them play.

[wabashcpa]

The last two Wabash recruiting classes (2019, 2021) have been impressive.  I can't recall seeing so many all-conference and all-state players in the previous decade of so.  That said, those players are young, and Wabash is playing  a lot of them.  I don't think it's a matter of deciding to play the best players on offense; most of the players are playing the same positions they played in high school. I can't recall more than one or two who have been moved from one side of the ball to the other.
     For many years Wabash defenses were built upon pressuring the quarterback, blitzing, and aggressiveness.  I don't see that now--or in the last few years.  The three-man front isn't getting the job done.  Opposing QBs are too comfortable.  Wabash has two senior defensive backs with several years of experience, one them first-team all-conference; the other with impressive stats in 2019.  The other DBs are young, but I refuse to believe that their inexperience is the reason why every team the LGs have faced can have receivers running open on almost every pass play.  Everyone can't have multiple receivers who are that good!  The defensive scheme is a problem, and it does not seem likely to change this year.
     The offensive is explosive.  The QB is one of the two best in the NCAC, and Wabash continues to want to pound the ball.  Thompson should be throwing more.  It's been years since there has been a QB like him in C'ville.  The running backs are more than solid; the receivers are very good.  And there is depth at both positions.  The TE is also a threat.   The running  game can still be very good, maybe a bit better, if Wabash would throw more.
     Since I have not posted in quite a while, I'll just go on.  I don't know where the line should be on when you pull the starters.  Wabash has pulled the first-team before or by the middle of the 3rd quarter in several games.  I admire Morel for wanting more players to get action.  But in addition to pulling the starters, the reserves do nothing but run the ball off tackle, again and again and again.  If I'm the back up QB, I'm saying to myself, will I ever get to throw the ball?   He's just one play away from becoming the first guy.  I don't mean Wabash should run up the score, but I'd like to see them run a reduced version of the full offense for at least one or two series.  (In several games Wabash has not thrown a pass after the middle of the 3rd quarter.)
     To the point of fair catching every kickoff and almost all punts:  I understand the analytics.  I'm wondering , however, if the subliminal message sent to the players is "I don't trust you in the kicking game."  Looking back, I can't recall a special teams mistake ever costing the LGs a game. and at times it's been a bonus.  I don't buy in to the idea that fumbles and injuries will happen to the extent that they will change the arc of the season.   Can the strategy, therefore, be sound if they are the only program to use it?  Yes, it's risk/reward.  Would there be that much difference if the Wabash offense would from time to time start a post-KO possession from the 18-20 yard line instead of at the 25?  (If so, they are probably not going to win anyway.)   Trust the players; let them play.

Not directly a game, but I can recall a special teams decision costing us a QB (Dustin Huff on hands team if I remember correctly).  That was a while back.

[wally_wabash]

The last two Wabash recruiting classes (2019, 2021) have been impressive.  I can't recall seeing so many all-conference and all-state players in the previous decade of so.  That said, those players are young, and Wabash is playing  a lot of them.  I don't think it's a matter of deciding to play the best players on offense; most of the players are playing the same positions they played in high school. I can't recall more than one or two who have been moved from one side of the ball to the other.
     For many years Wabash defenses were built upon pressuring the quarterback, blitzing, and aggressiveness.  I don't see that now--or in the last few years.  The three-man front isn't getting the job done.  Opposing QBs are too comfortable.  Wabash has two senior defensive backs with several years of experience, one them first-team all-conference; the other with impressive stats in 2019.  The other DBs are young, but I refuse to believe that their inexperience is the reason why every team the LGs have faced can have receivers running open on almost every pass play.  Everyone can't have multiple receivers who are that good!  The defensive scheme is a problem, and it does not seem likely to change this year.
     The offensive is explosive.  The QB is one of the two best in the NCAC, and Wabash continues to want to pound the ball.  Thompson should be throwing more.  It's been years since there has been a QB like him in C'ville.  The running backs are more than solid; the receivers are very good.  And there is depth at both positions.  The TE is also a threat.   The running  game can still be very good, maybe a bit better, if Wabash would throw more.
     Since I have not posted in quite a while, I'll just go on.  I don't know where the line should be on when you pull the starters.  Wabash has pulled the first-team before or by the middle of the 3rd quarter in several games.  I admire Morel for wanting more players to get action.  But in addition to pulling the starters, the reserves do nothing but run the ball off tackle, again and again and again.  If I'm the back up QB, I'm saying to myself, will I ever get to throw the ball?   He's just one play away from becoming the first guy.  I don't mean Wabash should run up the score, but I'd like to see them run a reduced version of the full offense for at least one or two series.  (In several games Wabash has not thrown a pass after the middle of the 3rd quarter.)
     To the point of fair catching every kickoff and almost all punts:  I understand the analytics.  I'm wondering , however, if the subliminal message sent to the players is "I don't trust you in the kicking game."  Looking back, I can't recall a special teams mistake ever costing the LGs a game. and at times it's been a bonus.  I don't buy in to the idea that fumbles and injuries will happen to the extent that they will change the arc of the season.   Can the strategy, therefore, be sound if they are the only program to use it?  Yes, it's risk/reward.  Would there be that much difference if the Wabash offense would from time to time start a post-KO possession from the 18-20 yard line instead of at the 25?  (If so, they are probably not going to win anyway.)   Trust the players; let them play.

Not directly a game, but I can recall a special teams decision costing us a QB (Dustin Huff on hands team if I remember correctly).  That was a while back.

2007 - Dustin Huff was injured on the hands team after posting the single largest total offense game by an individual in Wabash history.  The philosophy then was much different- Wabash really leaned hard into special teams during the CC years- something that started with Brian Ward who has obviously gone on to have a great coaching career in the FCS.

[sigma one]

Yea, I remembered the Huff injury before writing that line.  The key phrase here is "on special teams."  Who puts their starting QB on the front of special teams, and who did even then? Sure, Creighton did on the theory that his starting QB has some of the best hands on the team.  As an aside (sort of), I was on the Wabash campus then and am not too modest to say I had a direct and respectful relationship with CC.  The Monday after the game, I asked him why he put Huff there.  His reply was something like "Well, if he hadn't just been standing around at would not have happened."(!)  He also told me that he had Jake Knott on the hands team when Jake was in the process of breaking every passing record in the Wabash books.
      In any case, that one example, while certainly costing Wabash dearly (even while Matt Hudson filled in admirably that season), is no reason to think that Morel would ever put one of his key players in such a situation.  The closest he comes is to put Sullivan and Allen (two starting WRs) deep on kickoffs--and they never return the kicks.  Should Morel's thinking change it would be interesting to see whether he changes his deep men.  We will probably never know.  Footnote:  Wally has a better memory for these thing than I do.  But didn't Wabash finish 11-2 that season, beaten in the playoffs at UW Whitewater in a game where, after missing the entire season, Huff started.  He was replaced by Hudson early on, and the LGs lost to WW 47-7 in a blinding snow storm. 

[Whitecarrera]

Yes, I remember when Brian Ward arrived, and clearly that was when special teams became important at Wabash!

[wally_wabash]

Yes, I remember when Brian Ward arrived, and clearly that was when special teams became important at Wabash!

Definitely not what I said.  This unending 5-year conversation has never ever been about comparing present day Wabash football to teams prior to 2001.  We can reminisce about 1985 and 1994 but that's not what any of this is really about.   

[Whitecarrera]

Mmm ... Certainly not looking to pick a fight, but that is kinda what you said:

Wabash really leaned hard into special teams during the CC years- something that started with Brian Ward

... and identifying something that started  in 2001 is an interesting way to not make a comparison to before 2001. You'll have to pardon my confusion.

[bleedpurple]

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.

Could not a similar argument be made for not making a forward pass?  Great teams look for every opportunity to make plays. I know at UW-W, we put two of our best athletes back there and we work hard on the return blocking schemes. We also develop them over the course of the season. 
Part of the mentality of a great team is to play without fear. 

[wabashcpa]

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.

Could not a similar argument be made for not making a forward pass?  Great teams look for every opportunity to make plays. I know at UW-W, we put two of our best athletes back there and we work hard on the return blocking schemes. We also develop them over the course of the season. 
Part of the mentality of a great team is to play without fear.

Exactly, play to win as opposed to play not to lose.  Speaks volumes. 

[Gray Fox]

My cousin will be doing the coin flip at the Allegheny v DePauw game tomorrow.
Be nice to her. 

[old wabash]

Early 21st century Little Giants- WE WANT THE BALL...we will run the ball down down your throat...we WILL score and you can chase us all day!!!
Last few years—let's see what you can do, we don't mind chasing you...we like to try to come from behind...hope we don't make you feel bad

[Li'l Giant]

The first half defensive strategy was drawing penalties and icing the kicker. Real fun stuff to watch.

[aueagle]

Hell of a drive to get six....plus the 2 or conversion
Good game
Go Bishops

[wabashcpa]

Good grief.  Mediocrity at its finest.  DePauw has to be licking their chops right now.