FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[nike]

One thing I want to see regarding Schafer-how has he recovered from the beating he took at the hands of Carthage in last season's playoff game. We were at that game and I honestly think he was too hurt to play after the first quarter. Possible concussion early in the game. Which would explain all  the turnovers. A decent backup qb would have beaten Carthage, in my humble opinion. 60 or 70 yards total offense and no offensive TDs for Carthage. I pray Schafer is 100 percent. Any Wooster people  that were at that game care to comment?  Can't wait for the bagpipes.

[BashBacker#16]

Another good piece from the Wabash website on Sophomore ILB Adrian Pynenberg...  http://www.wabash.edu/sports/home.cfm?pages_id=5&news_ID=2711 ...should have a huge year as part of a great LB corps.

[wally_wabash]

It's been nine months since the Carthage game.  Shafer could have recovered from polio in that time.  I'm not a team physician, but my guess is that he'll be listed as probable for week 1. 

[BashDad]

Wally:
Good points yesterday re: Shaffer's running, important to note, however, in addition to Sutton being gone, McNally is gone.  A receiver out of the TE position who caught 53 of the 122 passes that Shaffer completed during the year, McNally was a key ingredient in Shaffer's (and Sutton's) success.  We'll see what Shaffer is able to do without either of them in the line-up.  Ryan Short's value to Knott when the going got rough?  The L'il Giant's offense has really missed the consistency that Short was able to contribute, game after game.  I hope that we get this back in '05.   

[BashDad]

L'il Giant faithful who have been around camp:

What will we see this Saturday from Don Juan Brown?  Injured all last season, limited appearances and carries as a freshman, he seems to be #2 at running back for '05. Nice size.  Hope he has all the qualities that can help.

WABASH ALWAYS FIGHTS!!

[wally_wabash]

Yes, Wooster lost more than just Sutton, but let's be honest with each other.  Wooster comes back to earth this year because they don't have Sutton.  Even if they had McNally and whoever else you want, Wooster isn't a championship team without TS.  All Shafer has ever had to do is not turn the ball over so much that Sutton doesn't get 30 carries.  Now, Shafer has to make plays where before he just had to not screw up.  The difference is enormous. 

I'm anxious to see DJB in the backfield Saturday.  Wabash really needs somebody who can break the big one from time to time at that position.

[BashDad]

FYI, Hansen has posted his preseason top 40.  NCAC earns a little bit of love with Witt at #22 and Woo at #23.  The point is, you have to earn love--we'll see how the NCAC ends up in November.

WABASH ALWAYS FIGHTS!!

[ski]

Saw QB at scrimmage last sunday and he looked to be in good health.  Woo has lost a lot more than just Sutton but don't take them litely as they still have some good talent.  The incoming freshmen have some talent too and could produce a few starters.  The Scots are much like the team of 2 years ago, they will play well most of the time but!   Now next year look out as their seniors will be out to leave a legacy and their supporting cast will have some experience.

[BashBacker#16]

BashDad,

You should like what you see with Don Juan Brown.  He has a gear that the other backs don't have.  Tested very well (strong kid) and could  be a key guy.  Watch the speed/quickness of a Frosh converted H.S. option QB in Bobby Kimp.  He's the guy with "big play" potential - opening some eyes thus far in camp. 

I will not be able to make it for the Red & White so I will need the break down...

[BashDad]

Bashbacker90:
Thanks for the info.  Looking forward to seeing both Brown and Kimp during the Red/White.  Too bad you can't be there, but lots of L'il Giant voices will be--you'll get loads of feedback from all of the "Unfinished Business" faithful.  Can't wait to see how all has gelled!

WABASH ALWAYS FIGHTS!!

[wooscot]

I remember making the statement a month or so ago about how Schafer would be the focal point of the Scots offense.  It appears somebody else made the same statement and endured the same mind-numbing dribble from the Bash faithful.  I don't think anybody here is claiming the Scots QB will equal what Sutton did, but I also don't believe the boy is getting credit for leading the team to a conf championship and playoff run.  Say all you want, but the fact is a team must have a solid and heady QB to win the conference.  The Scots had it last year and they have it again this year in a more experienced and confident Schafer.

What I find funny is how our friends in Indiana are so quick to declare a program dead after its star player graduates, whereas when one of the "Legends" from the Bash graduates, there are a supposedly a dozen or so kids simply lying in wait, each of whom would easily star at any other NCAC school.  Don't deny it!  You all downplayed the loss of Jake Knott when he graduated.  You downplayed the loss of your all-american DL when he finished a few years ago,  and not to mention basically ignoring the tremendous impact of LaFitte or whatever the RB's name was from the last couple years absence had on the running game, claiming he wasn't that good anyway and you had kids just as good waiting to play.

Come on people, Wabash does a good job filling holes, but so does Wooster, Gheny, and Witt. 

[wally_wabash]

It was me, wooscot.  I believe what I said in reply #106 was:

As Schafer goes, so will go the Scot offense in 2005. 

Maybe it was just mind-numbing dribble, I'm not sure. 

Schafer led the Scots to a championship and a playoff run?  Wrong.  TS led that run and you know it.  Schafer was just the middle man between the center and the tailback.  Everybody in a Wooster uniform jumped in the hip pocket of Sutton and let him take them as far as he could...which was to the second round of the playoffs.  If Wooster can repeat, Schafer will get his props I can promise you that.  But don't hold it against the rest of us (and it isn't just the Wabash guys...the NCAC media and coaches aren't really giving Wooster a shot either) that we're not yet worshipping at the altar of Schafer.  It seems to me that the consensus around here is that Schafer is good, but he's not going to have near the impact on games that Sutton did. 

[Pat Coleman]

It was me, wooscot.  I believe what I said in reply #106 was:

As Schafer goes, so will go the Scot offense in 2005. 

Maybe it was just mind-numbing dribble, I'm not sure.

Actually, the word is drivel.

[BashDad]

Actually, Pat, it was wooscot who dribble[d]--first.  Wally might have used quotes or [sic], but glad you're there. 
Hope you keep watching, the NCAC will do well, but it may not be the OWU that you picked for the playoffs.

[Bashbacker765]

WooScot

I will have to agree with you.  In 2003 with a QB we might of have won the NCAC.  The D was as good, if not better than are 2002 run.  The running game was great.  The special teams were as good.  The mistakes made at Gheny, and the lack of scoring in the red zone against Woo may have cost us the chance to repeat.  I can understand your optimism, but it will be very hard to overcome the loss of TS and the key players of your D.