FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[kcreds]

OWU lost a few good defensive players to graduation but they still had several good ones coming back. Owen Case got hurt and another didn't make the grades which I'm sure made the defense less effective. I am obviously bias but I don't think OWU did a very good job getting playing time for the replacements last year when the opportunity presented itself. Case in point, up by significant amount of points in 4th quarter against Kenyon and hardly any if any subs on defense got to play.  Other games maybe in the last couple of minutes they would do wholesale changes almost every play. This year they are moving offensive players to defense mid year. I have watched other DIII games this year and I find it interesting how many different subs other teams make on defense that I rarely saw OWU do. It not only hurts in experience but also a player's confidence. How do you know what you might have the following year if you don't see them play when the opportunity arises, it surely is not in the Spring when there is no contact. You get an idea in practice but game situations are different then practice. Coach H has done a good job with the offense but I believe everyone will agree that it is OWU's defense that has been letting the team down. I also believe that Coach H will have them playing hard every game, no matter the record.

I posted it before and each week is proving me right, the Wabash and Witt game will be the conference championship.  

[nike]

kcreds,
I was actually at that game last year, because Wooster's game was too far away, and if memory serves me well, OWU did not substitute at all on defense the whole game and only a couple players on offense. The game was pretty much over at half time and Coombs was hurt. We overheard OWU parents with freshmen players talking after the game about that and they were quite upset. Plus, you lost some running backs  that were freshmen last year, who are not playing. At least I have not seen their names. Did you lose other freshmen from last year who played defense?
Wooster has it's own problems. I am not sure who to root for regarding Witt-Wabash. I guess Wabash cause we can still win this thing by beating them in a couple weeks. But I do not think we can beat them and I would rather see Wabash go undefeated than Witt in conference play.
We certainly had our chances with Witt.  Oh Well...........

[uknowme2]

But I do not think we can beat them and I would rather see Wabash go undefeated than Witt in conference play.
We certainly had our chances with Witt.  Oh Well...........

Can you elaborate on why you don't want to see Witt go undefeated in conference?

Go Tigers!

[wally_wabash]

Witt game notes are posted:

http://www4.wittenberg.edu/news/athletics/football/gamenotes/gamenotes06/wabashgamenotes.pdf

[wally_wabash]

But I do not think we can beat them and I would rather see Wabash go undefeated than Witt in conference play.
We certainly had our chances with Witt.  Oh Well...........

Can you elaborate on why you don't want to see Witt go undefeated in conference?

Go Tigers!

Because that's just how right-thinking people feel.   

[kcreds]

Thanks Nike for the confirmation. Every year players quit because of playing time or lack of confidence in their ability. I know Coach H says if you don't work to their expectations in practice it hurts your playing time. I find it hard to believe that there was no one other than starters practicing hard. I talked to friends of mine that are scholarship players at DI schools and they said it is rare that a player practices 100% a 100% of the time. They find ways of catching a breath here and there. The other side of the coin is that Coach H did a good job at impressing on Jr. the need to give his complete effort in practice. It certainly made an impact on Jr.. I'm just saying mabe they take it too far.

[D3 Poster]

Just out of a coma...what's with Kenyon & Oberlin at the top??

[aueagle]

kcreds: Looked for jr at the Kenyon game...never found him. Talked w/Owen Case, (since he was limping around). Pre-season had 6 returning starters on "D" back/same "D" coach/same everything. This is a very pivitol point in OWU football. An 0-10 slate could turn the program to a bottom-feeder.....But, as I have said the past couple of weeks...alot of football left. GO BISHOPS

[wally_wabash]

0-10 isn't happening fellas.  If OWU ends up losing to both Denison and Hiram, the apocalypse is officially upon us. 

[kcreds]

aueagle: Jr. is not with the team. I wish that he was but for some reason he doesn't feel comfortable with it. Coach H wanted him to help with practice but Jr. and Coach H have not talked to each other since the diagnosis prior to the season starting. Jr. is training like crazy and we are going to other D3 games closer to home. He tells me he WILL be playing next year.

I am like you, I am worried that OWU going 2-8, 1-9, or 0-10 will diminish the progress they had made. Having a down year as a traditional winning program is going around .500 but not struggling to win a game. How many more years will it take to build that program into a contender. Has anyone experienced in the NCAC a team rebound from a very poor record to being champs within a few years? I hope OWU starts winning again very soon.   

[aueagle]

kcreds: We can Monday Morning QB the Bishops all day long, BUT, am I to think jr is shopping for another program? I do have the media guide...he is in there isn't he?

[nike]

From 1981 to 1993 the College of Wooster had one winning season.  There were a couple
0-9 and1-9 seasons with several  2-7 and 3-7 ones. In 1994 Jim Barnes took over and went 5-5 and then only 8-2 and 7-3 seasons. They always contended for the conference title.
Coach Schmitz was an assistant and has kept the ball rolling. Yes, he had Tony Sutton, but after a 4-6 season Wooster is back.   
Look at Kenyon. No matter how you look at it they have turned things around. How long has their coach been there?
Bottom line, good coaches have good teams.
Any other thoughts on this?

[BashBacker#16]

Kcreds,

No offense, and I don't really care (sorry) but it is NOT a good sign if your son hasn't spoken to Hollway since BEFORE THE SEASON???  Don't you think that is a bit odd?  Anyone else think the same?  "Training like crazy?"  What is he doing his own workout?  If that situation was similar at Wabash, CC would absolutely be talking to the player on a regular basis.  2 examples in recent years where guys were out for the year - they ended up being the film guys - the next year both returned to the field.  However you look at it, it can't be healthy in many ways that he is not hanging around the program.  Odd.

Interesting that in the Witt/Wabash game this weekend...it pits the #3 head coach in win percentage among active D3 coaches (Fincham .821 96-21) vs. the #4 head coach in win percentage among active D3 (Creighton .792 80-21).  It is pretty awesome how this rivalry has blown up.  Unfortunately, this is the first one that I have missed going back to 2000 (pre-CC).  Bashbro & LilGiant - I'll join your club this week.  I just hope I don't have to either A)  Put my head through my screen  or B)  Chuck my laptop through a wall.    

I think the lack of size in the Witt D backfield may pose a problem.  I am very interested to see what each staff tries to slow the opposing offenses.

[kcreds]

BashBacker 16: No offense taken and I agree with you. I wanted him to help out and even film practices but he decided not to. He has never given me a real reason other than he is not comfortable doing that. I constantly advise him to talk to Coach H and he says he will. I do find it very interesting that Coach H hasn't checked up on him. As far as the training, he follows the preseason training regiment booklet that he received which includes running. He also has to do a lot of abdomen exercises as part of his therapy. A personal trainer has put him on a special diet and it all seems to be working. I guess I will just have to wait until next year to see if he is in shape and can handle the pain to play.

aueagle: I don't believe he is in the media guide but I haven't seen it. He is not listed on the website. As far as another team, that question will be answered in the Spring. When our team isn't winning, about the only thing left is Monday Morning Quarterbacking.

Just so I don't mislead anyone, my intentions is not to make Jr. out to be a superstar and any team would be lucky to have him. What I am really doing is giving you all some insight on one athlete that has yet to prove himself at the college football level and our dealings with some adversity.

[bashbrother]

BB16 -

Welcome aboard the internet express.  After last weekend, I have wrapped my monitor in kevlar and placed the tower in a concrete shell.  That should do it.

#3 is probably gonna make the trip to Springfield.  I think thats pretty cool.

Go Wabash...