FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[wally_wabash]

Agreed 100%, BB16.  Wabash isn't Huff and 10 other dopes running around.  Is the offense as good without Huff?  Not bloody likely, but the plane hasn't exactly crashed into the mountain here.  The case in point....yesterday Ray Green had a big day receiving for Wabash.  Ray Green is a senior who has been a big contributor to Wabash's offense in each of his three previous years.  Ray Green wasn't even listed on the two-deep this week.  Wabash has enough talent to withstand this current bit of adversity.

Some of my own personal, non-injury related thoughts from yesterday's game:

- Despite 33 points and 447 yards, I thought the Wabash defense looked about 1000% better this year than they did in the Franklin game a year ago.  You have to give Franklin a ton of credit for having a very good offense, which they do.

- I thought the running game looked pretty good early.  Kimp running to the outside had some good runs early and Sobecki was solid between the tackles.  Franklin did well to tighten up the run defense pretty early on....

- ....at the cost of getting completely torched by the pass.  As soon as Franklin keyed the run Huff went to work and beat the Franklin secondary like a drum.  It's also worth noting here that Wabash's #1 receiver dressed, ran about two plays, and watched the rest of the game.  Those receivers are scary. 

- This is a huge regional win for Wabash.  Franklin is legit and I think they'll win the HCAC and quite possibly run the table.  Wabash getting an opening day win over a potential playoff team that already had played a game (I don't think that point can be overstated) is as good a start as anybody could hope for. 

- The only real bad spot I saw for Wabash yesterday was the placekicking game.  I realize the field was wet, the ball was wet, etc. etc. but we've got to get more consistent with FGs and PATs.  I'd also be ok if I never saw us kick off out of bounds ever again.  The field is 50 yards wide...let's keep it between the sidelines boys. 

I'm anxious to see how we come out in Decatur next Saturday.  I have to believe that CC will have these guys in the proper frame of mind by next weekend. 

But to equate his injury to death and cancer is embarrassing...pathetic. We all love the game and our teams....but please...

INQBSCOUT,

You are absolutely right, this is embarassing, much as we all love football it is a GAME and they are comparing it with life and death.

"They" didn't compare this to anything, that's just one individual's post...careful with the broad brush. 

[INQBScout]

Whether it is 6'6 Matt Hudson or Kyle Augustonivicz

Isn't Augustonivicz (did I get all the letters?) the back up??? Is it possible that Hudson will be insterted???

[INQBScout]

No matter what happens, Dustin Huff will rebound and be a better person for going through this. 

Right on...props to you for putting things in proper perspective.

[INQBScout]

Wabash isn't Huff and 10 other dopes running around.

Absolutely correct...BUT this is an offense where the quarterback pulls the trigger...making proper reads, good decision making, etc....gotta be smart and accurate...has anyone else on the Wabash roster taken a varsity snap?

[smedindy]

Kool-aid aside, the good thing is that Millikin and Earlham are the next two opponents for Wabash, so the offense can adjust a bit before OWU and the meat of the conference schedule.

Even with a backup QB, Wabash can win the NCAC, but it's a lot tougher now. And I'm almost sorry I posted what I did about QB depth earlier on this board.

[scotty]

Donald Rumsfeld, Condaleeza Rice and Alberto Gonzalos ASIDE....can any of the Wabash faithful explain why he was out there? Is it a tradition? Is it an honor? Is it just a mistake?

Also, Sobieski is a stud. Great kid. Great family. But what's up with his major?

[smedindy]

He has been on the hands team every year he played. I was surprised he was on the hands team last year as the starting QB, but you never think something like this would happen.

[smedindy]

Also, Sobieski is a stud. Great kid. Great family. But what's up with his major?

The religion department at Wabash is nationally renowned. Many football players have been religion majors, including some crazy defensive linemen who liked to show up at basketball games in bathrobes.

[scotty]

He has been on the hands team every year he played. I was surprised he was on the hands team last year as the starting QB, but you never think something like this would happen.

Thank you Donald.

[smedindy]

I'm serious, though. I noticed him on the hands team last year, but I don't remember Harbaugh on the hands team. Knott was on the hands team though. Could there be a double dose of hubris involved??

[BashBacker#16]

INQBscout,

2-deep showed both QBs behind Huff - would expect both to compete this week in practice and a starter to be named.  I think they have had equal snaps in the red & white and the Wheaton scrimmage.  Augie has had NAIA snaps at Quincy plus redshirted as a Frosh.  Unfortunately, I have had limited chances to see either QB.  That will change this weekend I am sure.

Wally - ditto with our kicking teams.  I thought the 4th down on Franklin's 20 might be an ideal time for a fake.  Finley's 50-yard punt was clutch in the 4th after we were pinned deep.  I also agree with your remarks on the Bash D.  We seemed much more physical then last year, at this time, and guys seemed like they were flying around in the right positions.  I thought Kraft and Lehman looked good on the outside.  Adi and Deig were as good as advertised.  Franklin's O will put up some huge numbers this season.

[jscwittfan]

Any true football fan---whether friend or foe of Wabash---has to really be hurting for Dustin Huff. Great plarer coming back for a potentially great 5th year...really, really unfortunate.

I agree.  Reminds me very much of the situation 2 years ago at Witt with Ryan Holmes, who got hurt in the opening game against Capital when he came back as a fifth-year senior.  However, I would say Huff's is worse just because of the senselessness of it all.

[DPU3619]

I'm serious, though. I noticed him on the hands team last year, but I don't remember Harbaugh on the hands team. Knott was on the hands team though. Could there be a double dose of hubris involved??

FWIW, DPU has put it's QB on the hands team in the past.  I believe Ross Wiethoff was a fixture.  If I recall, at one point DPU had both it's 1st and 2nd string QB on the hands team.

[nike]

Have not been able to find anything in any newspapers about extent of Huff injury. Anyone know anything yet? Pray he will have a speedy recovery.
Also, did anyone kwow Hymes broke his foot in last week's game before yesterday's game?   What about it OWU people?  Is that why Hollway did not want to exchange tapes?
I am not up to talking about Wooster yet.  How could I have been so wrong?  I used to think great players made great coaches when I played.  Now I think, for the most part that great coaches make good teams better and really good teams great. BTW, Hiram's score shows progress, does it not?

[usee]

I'm serious, though. I noticed him on the hands team last year, but I don't remember Harbaugh on the hands team. Knott was on the hands team though. Could there be a double dose of hubris involved??

FWIW, DPU has put it's QB on the hands team in the past.  I believe Ross Wiethoff was a fixture.  If I recall, at one point DPU had both it's 1st and 2nd string QB on the hands team.

Just because a few teams do it doesn't make it right. If you have a top 25 program with 130+ players on the roster I would think you could find 11 non quarterbacks with good enough hands to play on the hands team. I would be willing to bet you won't see a creighton coached team with a starting qb on the hands team after this.