Atlantic Central Football Conference/Independents

[thewaterboy]

If I can say one thing about Wesley this season... its how theyve handled adversity...IMHO better than anyone else in Division III. Theyve had to deal with it from the third play of the season when they lost All-American QB Shane McSweeny, and the losses of an All-American TE, very good slot reciever, those arrests, and multiple other incidents. They wouldnt be here now if they couldnt handle that adversity. The same with discipline.... how in the heck do you win 60-70 games in the past 6 years without discipline? Wesley is a disciplined football team. This game is going to be another good one......

[skunks_sidekick]

As a uninvolved party (for THIS week anyway) who has seen both teams play in person last year, and online this year, I think this game is a very good match-up.  There is no doubt UWW's ground game is much better than Wesley's, but I would give Wesley's passing attack the edge over UWW.  Wesley's defense definitely has the edge, although UWW has shown the ability to clamp down in 4th quarters here in the play-offs. 

I think one big "intangible" that most seem to discount is at play here.  Until Wesley actually wins a semi-final game against UWW (or Mount for that matter), they will have to be considered the underdog.  Posters on here repeatedly say that previous years have no bearing on this year, but I definitely think that is not true. 

As an example, I think Rowan was definitely better than Mount talent-wise back in the 90's Stagg match-ups.  However, Mount always had Rowan's number.  Until they finally broke through and beat them in OT in 99, they were always the bridesmaid.  Of course they then went on the next week to get handled by PLU in the Stagg.

RSCL - yah WesleyDad always cheers against the Raiders.  He is just a hater, but he still is tolerable (most of the time).   

[PA_wesleyfan]

footballfan413

here are Wesley's stats


                           WES  OPP 
SCORING             502  136 
Points Per Game  41.8  11.3 

  and the stats you provided

TEAM STATISTICS     UWW     OPP
SCORING                545       149
Points Per Game     41.9     11.5

looks like a wash to me

[HScoach]

barber, thanks for the pictures.  i dont think we are as small as that, but i am sure there will be more people in the stands.  as i said, i was not sure how all the facilities were in the wiac but i would be surprised if many are like wesley is.  if i am wrong it wont be the first time, but i know i am right when i say that the atmosphere will not be as elaborate as uwww home games.

it would be nice to have someone come here and make points as to why uwww is so superior instead of the usual lame references to the shoes and cannon.  bring something to the discussion that has substance.  ski and i will gladly debate relevant points, but the usual uwww arrogance continues to show in your posts.  i am well aware as to how good you have been in the past, i have seen you in the last 4 stagg bowls and the 06 game with wesley.  actually cheered for your team in each game as i wanted to see someone other than mount win.  bobo asked some good questions which i will be glad to respond to later.  insults are easy, i can throw them out as good as anyone.  i will have opinions about the game and gladly share them with you, some will be stat based others will be feelings i have about this team this year.  ready and willing to debate them.  i will not run after the game, if you monkey stomp us as you like to say then i will congratulate you as i have done in the past.  looking forward to the rest of the week, maybe someone will want to actually discuss the game.

Dude, you are so off my Christmas card list..........

[footballfan413]

footballfan413

here are Wesley's stats


                          WES  OPP  
SCORING             502  136  
Points Per Game  41.8  11.3  

 and the stats you provided

TEAM STATISTICS     UWW     OPP
SCORING                545       149
Points Per Game     41.9     11.5

looks like a wash to me

I agree. Seems like a wash to me also when you are comparing the teams against each other.  The reason I posted our points scored and points scored against totals was in response to Ski's comment about UWW having a, "lackluster," offense.  Seems that the Wolverines offense, on paper anyway, is just as, "lackluster."    

[Pat Coleman]

what changes/differences in the Wesley program (on-field and/or off) have occured in the past 4-6 years that you feel will allow them or has allowed them to narrow the gap from then to now?

Keith and I asked and gave our opinion on this hypothetical on the podcast this morning, too. I agree that part of the change that has to have happened in order for this game to go in Wesley's favor must be something that isn't visible.

[bleedpurple]

Wesleydad and Ski,

All right, so you are more interested in discussing football than trash talking.  I'll tone it down a bit then.  

I will note that my "direct" post about how I saw the game going was still a response to ski's comment that the UW-W offense is "lackluster". 

Without commenting on Wesley at all, I will restate my point.  I believe UW-W's strength and advantage lies with the line offensively and the front seven defensively.  I have seen team after team wear down by the fourth quarter.  So, in short, I believe it will happen again.

I don't expect Wesley fans or players to be intimidated or afraid of UW-W.  But I doubt they were in 06 or 07 either.  UW-W was simply quite a bit better those years, especially in the line.  Maybe Wesley has completely erased the gap.

UW-W will not have any doubts about winning the game. Not in a disrespectful way.  They respect every opponent and prepare fiercely every week.  I don't know if Wesley will have doubts or not.  I do believe that if Wesley is going to win, they will have to earn it.  If they do, I will offer my congratulations to them.

[bleedpurple]

You are too funny ski!  UW-W has scored 117 points in the playoffs to Wesley's 116.  UW-W just scored 20 against the 3rd ranked defense in the country and Wesley scored 19 against the 100th ranked defense in the country.  If UW-W's offense is lackluster, how would you describe Wesley's?    This is going to be a fun week filled with lots of laughs reading your posts!  

Well,  you just proved my point:  All things being equal.  Wesley hung 44 points on the nation's #9 defense of Montclair State, while UWW put about the same amount of points against with Trine's 53rd ranked defense coming into this week.  We have as much right to be confident in our team as you do yours.  I don't think that UWW will be waltzing into Dover and walking over the Wolverines.  You might think so, but the nation's #1 ranked defense will be ready to play on its home turf.

-Ski

Huh? So the fact that UW-W scored more points against the #3 defense than Wesley scored against the #100 ranked defense proves your point about the UW-W offense being lackluster? You must be either an attorney or a politician with that kind of logic! 

[WarhawkDad]

barber, thanks for the pictures.  i dont think we are as small as that, but i am sure there will be more people in the stands.  as i said, i was not sure how all the facilities were in the wiac but i would be surprised if many are like wesley is.  if i am wrong it wont be the first time, but i know i am right when i say that the atmosphere will not be as elaborate as uwww home games.

it would be nice to have someone come here and make points as to why uwww is so superior instead of the usual lame references to the shoes and cannon.  bring something to the discussion that has substance.  ski and i will gladly debate relevant points, but the usual uwww arrogance continues to show in your posts.  i am well aware as to how good you have been in the past, i have seen you in the last 4 stagg bowls and the 06 game with wesley.  actually cheered for your team in each game as i wanted to see someone other than mount win.  bobo asked some good questions which i will be glad to respond to later.  insults are easy, i can throw them out as good as anyone.  i will have opinions about the game and gladly share them with you, some will be stat based others will be feelings i have about this team this year.  ready and willing to debate them.  i will not run after the game, if you monkey stomp us as you like to say then i will congratulate you as i have done in the past.  looking forward to the rest of the week, maybe someone will want to actually discuss the game.

Dude, you are so off my Christmas card list..........

LOL 

[Teamski]

Huh? So the fact that UW-W scored more points against the #3 defense than Wesley scored against the #100 ranked defense proves your point about the UW-W offense being lackluster? You must be either an attorney or a politician with that kind of logic! 

I am definately neither, hehehe.... What I was trying to get across and what PAWesleyfan showed through his comparison of the stats is that there seems to be a lot more parity than what the UWW fans believe.  Thank you for your comments above, they were well stated.  

-Ski

[thewaterboy]

Hey Warhawk fans: Out of curiousity, whats the QB situation looking like? Brekke or Blanchard? I think I heard on the podcast that Brekke was the most likely (dont trust me on that though).

[wesleydad]

now warhawk fans, that is what i am talking about.  have some stuff i have to do but will be back to answer bobo's questions.

skunks and hscoach, it was a rough day and u 2 have me laughing my a@# off.  thanks, needed that.

[Pat Coleman]

Hey Warhawk fans: Out of curiousity, whats the QB situation looking like? Brekke or Blanchard? I think I heard on the podcast that Brekke was the most likely (dont trust me on that though).

I'm sure it will be termed a game-time decision again but that doesn't mean we believe it.

[wesleydad]

bobo, in response to your questions which i found to be on point.  what has wesley done to close the gap in the last couple of years.  first is the defense, it is much better than it was 4 - 5 years ago.  the stats show it, but i am not much of a stat guy.  i have seen plenty of football the past 7 years since my son started going to wesley and i have not seen a defense this good.  big, strong, and fast.  they stop the run, put pressure on the qb with little blizting and can cover.  they are plain and simple tough to score on.  o has 6 turnovers against delval and only 17 points, 3 turnovers against umhb and only 9 points, only 3 off the to's.  when they played uww years back the offense relied more on the pass than the run and it hurt when uww controlled the line of scrimmage with 4 rushers, taking away the passing lanes.  plus, this was all new to wesley and i think they were slightly intimidated by the situation as most teams are the first few times.  i think wesley found out last year that they can play with the big boys as the game was in doubt until the 4th quarter when cecil took over.  i agree with skunksidekick, until wesley wins the semi game they will always be questioned as to if they are good enough or not.  i also have seen something different from the way the game has been played by the team.  i think the coaches have stepped up their game too.  we shall see saturday.  this should be a good game and i think wesley has a good shot of winning it.  if uww has trouble covering the pass as they have thus far in the playoffs then they may be in trouble.  can not wait until saturday.

[Olinemom]

Congrats to Wesley, DAD!!  You'all played an excellent game and sent UMHB back to Texas.  And you get to host a semi-final game this coming Saturday!  That's exciting, I know.  Of course, it would be my team coming to town so I can't be neutral in this game.  I hope for a good game between 2 excellent teams, but I have to root for my guys.  I'm afraid to come up because I'm afraid I'll jinx them.  I remember the last time I came to Delaware.  Besides freezing to death almost and getting beat to boot was not my favorite time.  But I'll be at the Stagg Bowl and can't wait to see you'all and cheer for whoever makes it there.  You guys have a great time this weekend!!!!