FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[ADL70]

That's a WRU guy if you please.  The first CWRU-JCU game was a 0-0 tie as I recall.

So you're an "Outsider?"

[scotty]

two great schools...one for the math guys, and one for the law guys...this was in the late 60s...and yes, the Outsiders were hot...we couldnt leave campus and had to pay a premium price for those pizzas but ummmmm...

[ADL70]

And we had Mama Santa's.  Don't forget the pre-meds.

[DarkSide-D]

Yes wally, when you go into the front doors of the PEC you can see the stringer

[firstdown]

B J Hammer, former All American defensive lineman at Wabash College, has been named Head Football Coach at Whittier College.  Congrats to Coach Hammer.

[wooscot]

Speaking of the PEC, I heard a rumor that a new "Fieldhouse" style athletic complex is in the works at the old alma mater.  Any news on that front?  Seriously, I love the PEC, but man is it outdated.

[wally_wabash]

Congrats to BJ Hammer on the promotion...I'm sure he'll do a heckuva job. 

Of course this brings with it the obvious residual, what happened to Coach Carlson?  It would appear that Coach Carlson resigned from Whittier and is now the fullbacks/linebackers coach of the Los Angeles Avengers in the Arena Football League.  Best of luck to Coach Carlson in his new endeavor. 

[BashBacker#16]

Congrats to BJ, that is great news!  He will do a great job.  FirstDown - I heard it was due to his excellent D-line coach at Wabash!!!  HA!    

...tell him to lay off the Wabash assistants!

[smedindy]

Congrats to BJ and good luck (he's going to need it at Whittier!) though since he's been in that program he knows what's going on out there. I hope that he can lead them to at least .500 in a couple of seasons.

[firstdown]

BB16 - Amen to that!

[Li'l Giant]

Congrats and good luck to BJ. If he has any kind of moderate success at *that* program he will certainly show some marketability as a head coach.

And, I echo Wally in wishing Coach Carlson all the best.

[scotty]

with the vast majority of their key players returning, what does Wooster have to do to challenge for the NCAC championship and make a run into the playoffs...is it scheme, both offense and defense...is it adjusting personnel, for example, turning a cornerback into a true deep threat...is it a change in coaching philosophy...please, no "Bashing"...

[wally_wabash]

What does Wooster have to do to challenge?  My thoughts....and I'm not "bashing" anything.  Just an honest assessment..

- Stay healthy.  This is first and foremost.  The injury bug stinks.  It really hurt Wabash in '04 and it really hurt Wooster in '05.  Schafer is the best player on Wooster's roster...if he's not healthy, Wooster is in trouble. 

- Play some defense.  Wabash put more yards on Wooster than any team had done in Wooster's history last year.  Witt went through the Scots just as easily.  The defense absolutely has to get better, because the better teams in this league have stout offenses. 

- Find a running game.   Anything to take some heat off Schafer will help open up Wooster's offense. 

The one big variable that nobody can really gauge until next September is the experience factor.  Wooster had a lot of fresh faces last year and it showed.  How much those kids learned and improved from the '05 season will probably be the biggest key to their chances at getting back to the playoffs.  I fully expect to see the Scots playing much better in '06. 

[smedindy]

I do think that Witt and Wabash are going to be 'tier 1' next year, and Wooster, OWU, Kenyon and 'Gheny will be 'tier 2' (Kenyon based on schedule).

If I had to pick, I think I'd pick Wooster 4th, behind Witt, Wabash and OWU. But they'd be in there slugging.

Now can Wooster beat Witt and / or Wabash? Certainly, but they need to play at the top of their game.

Wooster had great success when they had a running game that ate clock, too pressure off the QB, and kept the D off the field so they were fresh. Now, I know they won't have a Sutton this year, but Wally's right, a running game would work wonders for Wooster.

[KC]

Has the conference schedule been released for next year?  Shouldn't it be changing since last year was the second year of those match ups?