FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[scotty]

Question for the Wabash faithful. Was there such a discussion last year concerning the productivity of the Wabash running backs? Just don't remember. IMO, ED gives Wabash the total package...running, big game experience and...duh, pass blocking.

[smedindy]

I think any running game concern was muted because of Huff's success - now after the injury to Huff this season the running game needed to step up. And now, with the success of Sobecki and Porter against Gheny, I think we're breathing easier.

Of course, mind you, there will always be a RB rotation under CC. Even with Lafitte on hand, he and Morris traded series.

[scotty]

I think any running game concern was muted because of Huff's success - now after the injury to Huff this season the running game needed to step up. And now, with the success of Sobecki and Porter against Gheny, I think we're breathing easier.

Of course, mind you, there will always be a RB rotation under CC. Even with Lafitte on hand, he and Morris traded series.

What ever happened with LaFitte? Did he graduate? Transfer? Or become a pirate?

[wally_wabash]

Absolutely there was such a discussion about RB last year.  Wabash was so thin at RB last year that they moved a safety (Billy King) into the offensive backfield to be the starting RB.  Billy was serviceable, but looked more or less like a safety playing running back (and we'd be silly to think that losing a senior in the defensive backfield wasn't a big deal in the first half of the season).  Really the most effective runner Wabash had last year was Huff.  This year, having a guy who has been brought up as a RB (Sobecki) was supposed to have been a big improvement.  Until Saturday, that hadn't really been the case. The run game is quite a bit more important now that Wabash has had to go to a very inexperienced quarterback. 

I think Wabash will be just fine.  The rushing game did very well against Allegheny...remember, this is the same Allegheny defense that took Carnegie Mellon's run-dominated offense and squashed it.  Porter seems to have injected some life into that part of the Wabash offense and also may have lit a bit of a fire under Sobecki as well.  Wabash will need that same spark on Saturday to open things up a bit for Hudson and the receivers. 

I have just heard that the Wabash-Witt game may be televised....does anyone have info about this?

This would be very cool.  I'm sure that if this is happening, you'll see all the info you need on the Wabash website throughout the week. 

[scotty]

This year, having a guy who has been brought up as a RB (Sobecki) was supposed to have been a big improvement.   

I think Wabash will be just fine.  The rushing game did very well against Allegheny...remember, this is the same Allegheny defense that took Carnegie Mellon's run-dominated offense and squashed it.  Porter seems to have injected some life into that part of the Wabash offense and also may have lit a bit of a fire under Sobecki as well.  

"Brought up as a RB"...I'm curious. Can you explain? "Fire under Sobecki"...please tell more, Wally Man.

[smedindy]

What ever happened with LaFitte? Did he graduate? Transfer? Or become a pirate?

Transferred back to Arizona State - was going to play as a walk-on there (went through spring practice and got some good reviews) but never did.

[oldtiger]

It's those uprights at the South end of Edwards-Maurer that can be troublesome.

[scotty]

What ever happened with LaFitte? Did he graduate? Transfer? Or become a pirate?

Transferred back to Arizona State - was going to play as a walk-on there (went through spring practice and got some good reviews) but never did.

And...

[wally_wabash]

This year, having a guy who has been brought up as a RB (Sobecki) was supposed to have been a big improvement.   

I think Wabash will be just fine.  The rushing game did very well against Allegheny...remember, this is the same Allegheny defense that took Carnegie Mellon's run-dominated offense and squashed it.  Porter seems to have injected some life into that part of the Wabash offense and also may have lit a bit of a fire under Sobecki as well.   

"Brought up as a RB"...I'm curious. Can you explain? "Fire under Sobecki"...please tell more, Wally Man.

What I mean to say is that Sobecki played RB in high school, has played and practiced at RB while at Wabash.  Billy came to Wabash as an option style quarterback of all things, moved to corner for a year, then to safety for a couple of years.  The point being that while I'm sure Billy had played RB at some point in his life, he hadn't been one in a long time and was clearly not as well schooled in the subtleties of the position (pass blocking chief among those subtleties) as someone who had been playing the position for years and years. 

[scotty]

This year, having a guy who has been brought up as a RB (Sobecki) was supposed to have been a big improvement.   

I think Wabash will be just fine.  The rushing game did very well against Allegheny...remember, this is the same Allegheny defense that took Carnegie Mellon's run-dominated offense and squashed it.  Porter seems to have injected some life into that part of the Wabash offense and also may have lit a bit of a fire under Sobecki as well.   

"Brought up as a RB"...I'm curious. Can you explain? "Fire under Sobecki"...please tell more, Wally Man.

What I mean to say is that Sobecki played RB in high school, has played and practiced at RB while at Wabash.  Billy came to Wabash as an option style quarterback of all things, moved to corner for a year, then to safety for a couple of years.  The point being that while I'm sure Billy had played RB at some point in his life, he hadn't been one in a long time and was clearly not as well schooled in the subtleties of the position (pass blocking chief among those subtleties) as someone who had been playing the position for years and years. 

ED was a RB/Safety at Penn...a great athlete. Ed has been an RB, a WR, a DB ala corner and safety. Your point being...................................

[wally_wabash]

Who is Ed and what are you driving at here, scotty?  I answered your question...

[ADL70]

CMU rushed for 254 v Allegheny, about 40 below their average this year (and that average is skewed by 400+ against Rochester when they got an early lead and ground it out.).  Well done, but hardly "squashed."  Grove City held CMU to 201, their season low, until next week perhaps.

[scotty]

Who is Ed and what are you driving at here, scotty?  I answered your question...

ED is my boy at Wabash. BTW, did you play a varsity sport? Just curious.

[BashBacker#16]

Scotty - you are killing us.  Wally implied that after CP had such an effective series (1st half of Gheny) that Evan realized CP was starting to get more touches.  Human nature; Evan picked up his game and was very effective.  Competition is good and its hard to think that CP didn't help elevate Evan's play.  You know better then I that I am a huge Evan fan, always will be.  Top notch young man, very tough kid, etc. - CP adds a spark that I am not sure our other backs have.  

I was hoping Lafitte would end up playing for former Wabash Special Teams coach Brian Ward at NAIA MacPherson but that didn't happen.  

Regarding the TV coverage, that is true, it will be televised but it will be delayed broadcast to Central Indiana.  (Can't recall the station)  Maybe provides a recruiting boost knowing Bash's 2 biggest games of the year on on television.  I would think that there would be something on the Wabash website.

[scotty]

Scotty - you are killing us.  Wally implied that after CP had such an effective series (1st half of Gheny) that Evan realized CP was starting to get more touches.  Human nature; Evan picked up his game and was very effective.  Competition is good and its hard to think that CP didn't help elevate Evan's play.  You know better then I that I am a huge Evan fan, always will be.  Top notch young man, very tough kid, etc. - CP adds a spark that I am not sure our other backs have.  

I was hoping Lafitte would end up playing for former Wabash Special Teams coach Brian Ward at NAIA MacPherson but that didn't happen.  

Really...this guy is shocked especially after last year. BTW, scotty goes a little farther back than you do. LaFitte now in the NAIA? Hmmm...good luck.