FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[formerd3db]

This is a tangential topic, however, I was "skimming" around the various team websites and noticed that Witt's enrollment this year was barely over 2000 (listed as 2013 by Pat to be exact).  What's with that?  I thought Witt had in the mid to upper 2000's in the past - are they down this year and, if so, what do you attribute some of the possible reasons?  Just curious - thanks.

[Pat Coleman]

In fact, now downgraded to 1,915 full-time undergraduates. Not sure what the total enrollment is but FT UG is what we list.

[nike]

So how do these playoffs work?  It does not have to be the same number of teams from each region?  And you folks are saying that if Wabash and Wheaton win out, they would play in the second round with the winner presumably playing Mt. Union? 
Also, what does anyone remember being the biggest turn around in one year for their schools? Few wins one year  to a lot of wins the next year? Was in Wooster today and was told that if Wooster can get all the kids leaning towards Wooster, especially several that are really good players,  then maybe only one down year for the Scots.  But I am sure that optimism is on a number of campuses right now. Some of these players this year will be a year more battle tested and ideally better.  Somehow a win over  Wabash would help, but alas we wound up talking about what Wabash did to Witt and what Witt did to Wooster.  Well, got to play the game.

[jscwittfan]

This is a tangential topic, however, I was "skimming" around the various team websites and noticed that Witt's enrollment this year was barely over 2000 (listed as 2013 by Pat to be exact).  What's with that?  I thought Witt had in the mid to upper 2000's in the past - are they down this year and, if so, what do you attribute some of the possible reasons?  Just curious - thanks.

Retention is always a big problem at Witt, at least for the 4 years I was there.  I would say we lost at least 25-30% of our class from freshman orientation to graduation, and that may be an underestimation.  I'm sure lots of factors play in - constantly rising tuition, a general dislike for Springfield, having morons on the staff like a certain pair of English professors I won't mention by name - but, I know the freshman class last year (what is the class of 2010) was a relatively large class touted as one of the biggest Witt drew in quite some time. I have no clue how many of them stuck it out, and I also don't remember the numbers for this year's class.

Keeping things relevant to this board, I have also heard that a fair share of people come to Witt for football, but when they realize they're going to be 6th string, wearing one of the double numbers, they transfer out to a school where they'll be able to play (this I know to be a fact, because a kid that lived on my floor freshman year did just this).  Obviously, that doesn't contribute to the majority of the retention numbers, but it's one of many factors that definitely plays a role.

[wally_wabash]

So how do these playoffs work?  It does not have to be the same number of teams from each region?  And you folks are saying that if Wabash and Wheaton win out, they would play in the second round with the winner presumably playing Mt. Union? 

If the rankings hold out as seeds, this would be the case.  But that assumes that both teams make the second round, and there are no easy games in the playoffs as everybody who makes the playoffs is either a conference champion or gets there on merit.

Wabash always runs ALL of its defense in and out. Much like their WR and RBs.

Aside from one quarter that he had to sit for picking up a personal foul, I can't remember Adi sitting a snap for the last four years.   

But seriously, I mentioned the D-line rotation because it had been pointed out to me as something that Wabash was able to do because of sheer depth...I don't think this is the norm around college football and I don't see Wabash substituting on d-line quite as freely as they did that season.  It's definitely a nice luxury to have. 

So how do these playoffs work?  It does not have to be the same number of teams from each region? 

Negative, nike.  It's my understanding that the committee is instructed to take the next best 10 teams (3 pool B and 7 pool C) to round out the field.  The regions will work themselves out after those selections are made.

[BrightGuy]

That would make sense....thanks wally. Am not sure that's the case here though as it only happens a couple or three times a game and sometimes not at all. I even thought maybe it would be something you did in specific situations, like goal line defense or something, but I haven't noticed a pattern to it.

What I have noticed is this year Bash is shuffling in their NG (93-Gangloff, w/ 91-Anderson, 11-Kennon & 65-"Bubba Lange) in on first down and short yardage 2nd and 3rd.  They are going with more speed on 2nd and 3rd and long (48-Gardiner or 99-Tichenor, w/ 91-Anderson, 11-Kennon & 65-"Bubba Lange).  The other teams have been putting two on 93 or 65 which is great for 11.  What ever CC is doing it sure IS working.

[wabco]

Brightguy

Its Coach Neatherly who is the D genius.  CC simply had the good judgement to have Neatherly as his D partner.  And when they double on 11, there is trouble in River City from Bubba and Gangloff.  Watch Wes Anderson ... he ranges well and you often find his arms around backs who think they can go wide. 

At Wabash, attrition is pretty low ... hopefully ... we get the right students inclusing student athletes who know, appreciate, and want the Wabash traditions, rigor, and "Wabash Always Fights" approach to things; and they stay.  It is particularly gratifying to see a frosh ... who you would say when you first see him that he will never see the football field in competition ... and then tune back in in a couple of years later and find that same person ... a different person really ...  with good grades and starting or contributing heavily in some position.  This is the magic of Creighton.  He keeps them interested, focused, motivated and improving.  When they leave after their 4 years, regardless  of starting or not starting ... they take away a life experience which is extremely rewarding and important.

Now back to waxing Woo.

[aueagle]

Well put wabco....cherish the tradition & commitment you have at Wabash.
Many programs would like to have that passion. It starts at the top...and CC has the right stuff. A head coach is many things....and if he dosen't have the tools to motivate, teach, recruit and get the program to the point where the excitement spills over from the students, to alumni & community....the players and everyone else sees right thru him.....
I still say the Bishops have an upset in their season...Look-out Gators!
GO BISHOPS

[smedindy]

Wabash always runs ALL of its defense in and out. Much like their WR and RBs.

Aside from one quarter that he had to sit for picking up a personal foul, I can't remember Adi sitting a snap for the last four years.   

Well, there are exceptions made for exceptional players. 

[BashBacker#16]

Brightguy,

Plus Senior #98 Justin Sparks is in the rotation.  Have to love Anderson (converted H.S. QB) playing Nose - fits the mold of NN D-linemen...athletic, can run, etc.  He'll be back this week which is good.  Not sure of specifics but the NN D has always used rotations probably based on tendencies and down & distance.  We don't mention guys like Gardiner and Sparks but they have made plays and have played a couple of years now.  Craig Morrison would be another inside DT but moved to the OL due to the injuries there.

Wally - I think Adi came out of the game vs. Oberlin (I think) when he went down with a knee 2 years ago.  We were worried it was an ACL but thankfully it was not.  He played the next week at Wooster but probably was not 100%.  Other then that, let's just say, he doesn't rotate.    

Another question:  Does this team remind you of the 2005 team with strong senior leadership?  Maybe not the most talent but just a solid team all around.

[bashbrother]

16 -

Defensive leadership is becoming very similar to 2005.  Lots of Seniors with experience.  How good were Selby, Parker, Foster and company against Capital.  The defensive effort in that game has to be one of NN, crowning achievements.  Even though we lost that close game, Wabash gained some respect that day.

Offensively, they have a ways to go.  2005 had a pretty strong leader  .  Put Huff back into the mix and the leadership situation gets upgraded.  This offense is finding itself though and at the right time.

Nice to see Anderson back on the two deep.

[DadofBashWarrior..]

 NCAA® Football
Division III
Passing Efficiency
Through Games 10/20/2007
   

Minimum 15 Attempts Per Game


Rank Name, Team Cl Pos G Pass Att Pass Com Int Pass Yds Pass TD Pass Eff
1 Bobby Swallow, Wash. & Jeff. Jr. QB 7 191 134 2 2133 33 218.9
2 Paul Keeley, Alfred Sr. QB 7 185 131 5 2017 25 201.6
3 Greg Micheli, Mount Union Jr. QB 7 144 108 2 1493 16 196.0
4 Chad Rupp, Franklin Jr. QB 7 190 136 3 1895 21 188.7
5 Rob Kramer, St. John Fisher Sr. QB 8 171 114 5 1548 21 177.4
6 Matt Hudson, Wabash So. QB 7 123 85 3 1172 11 173.8
7 Jericho Tiololo, Cal Lutheran So. QB 5 120 80 2 1125 11 172.3
8 Tanner Kelly, Albright So. QB 7 200 135 4 1913 17 171.9
9 Eric Marty, Chapman Jr. QB 6 128 82 3 1271 11 171.1
10 Andrew Strom, Hobart Sr. QB 7 203 135 1 1821 18 170.1


This young Man Hudson has really stepped in......Much more impressive than what notoriety he is getting so far...

Especially tough when considering just how he had to step in and Who he was replacing.....

He just gets better every week....

[WAF78]

Dad,
Thanks for that info...I agree...Hudson's done one heck of a job considering the situation. When you replace a record setting QB, the pressure is tremendous...and he's done very well. Hopefully, barring injury, Wabash will ride this pony well into the playoffs.
I guess I was surprised to see just WHO Woo has lost to this year. They've played a tougher schedule than Wabash...with a loss to John Carroll from the toughest conference in the land, the OAC (with proper respect to the WIAC) and then Waynesburg and Case Western, who both received votes for the top 25 this week.  Though they've been beaten by Witt and Gheny (the Witt game appears to be a bit of an aberration) they don't sound as bad as some folks on this post make them sound. It sounds like CC has them focused on this game and they'll be ready. It might be a much closer game than people originally thought.

[bashbrother]

As others have mentioned, it's all about what Wooster team will show up this week.   

If Wabash plays its game,  like we did against Oberlin, it is going to be a long day for the Scots  If we don't and we come into the game flat, it will be a dog fight.

[wally_wabash]

CC's comments in this week's press release are worth checking out.  His comments about Wooster and the team's focus should tell us everything we need to know about the team's mentality.