FB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[reality check]

I think the attributes hscoach mentioned are what would get Nate his NFL shot if given one.  I personally think he'll be in camp somewhere next fall.  

And all this talk about his size bothers me.  He is listed at 5'9" and 193.  And he's the same height and within a couple pounds of or slightly heavier than Warrick Dunn, Ahmad Bradshaw, Leon Washington, Julius Jones, Jamal Robertson, Darren Sproles, Jerious Norwood, Steve Slaton and JJ Arrington just to name a few NFL running backs you might have heard of before.

If you want to talk about Nate's 40 time, his shuttle drill and his athleticism, then I have nothing to quip about because I don't know enough about them to make an argument for or against his chances.  But let's forget about how his size will hamper him from getting a look.  Ha ain't that little!

He certainly won't hurt his chances by getting onto national television for his fourth Stagg Bowl.  He has a lot going for him for a longshot guy.  But as stated before, he's got bigger things to worry about for a couple weeks.

[D O.C.]

I predict the Stagg Bowl champion will again have purple jerseys in it's arsenal....

[Jonny Utah]

I think the attributes hscoach mentioned are what would get Nate his NFL shot if given one.  I personally think he'll be in camp somewhere next fall.  

And all this talk about his size bothers me.  He is listed at 5'9" and 193.  And he's the same height and within a couple pounds of or slightly heavier than Warrick Dunn, Ahmad Bradshaw, Leon Washington, Julius Jones, Jamal Robertson, Darren Sproles, Jerious Norwood, Steve Slaton and JJ Arrington just to name a few NFL running backs you might have heard of before.

If you want to talk about Nate's 40 time, his shuttle drill and his athleticism, then I have nothing to quip about because I don't know enough about them to make an argument for or against his chances.  But let's forget about how his size will hamper him from getting a look.  Ha ain't that little!

He certainly won't hurt his chances by getting onto national television for his fourth Stagg Bowl.  He has a lot going for him for a longshot guy.  But as stated before, he's got bigger things to worry about for a couple weeks.

He won't be a running back in the NFL I don't think.  Maybe....mabye he could be a WR or a FS

[Small but Slow]

A few years ago the Eagles drafted a local kid from a I-AA school who set a few records.  The experts predicted he would be a flop because he was small and didn't run an impressive 40 yard dash.  Brian Westbrook from Villanova has turned out to be a decent NFL back.  Size, speed, and accolades don't make an NFL RB. Few of the present RB's were top draft picks and most of the successful young backs today came from smaller schools (not necessarily DIII).  I think Nate's size will be beneficial.  If he can put on 10-15 pounds he will be in the range of most of today's prototypical back.  If he has the talent and can pick up the offense he will get a shot.

[Jonny Utah]

A few years ago the Eagles drafted a local kid from a I-AA school who set a few records.  The experts predicted he would be a flop because he was small and didn't run an impressive 40 yard dash.  Brian Westbrook from Villanova has turned out to be a decent NFL back.  Size, speed, and accolades don't make an NFL RB. Few of the present RB's were top draft picks and most of the successful young backs today came from smaller schools (not necessarily DIII).  I think Nate's size will be beneficial.  If he can put on 10-15 pounds he will be in the range of most of today's prototypical back.  If he has the talent and can pick up the offense he will get a shot.

Yea I actually saw Westbrook play in college and he was a little different in terms of his natural frame.  Probably shorter (but bigger) than Kmic he was a stud and caught a hell of a lot of passes as well.  I see Kmic as more of another 1-aa player I used to watch a lot, Jerry Azumah of the Bears.  Of course Azumah played defense in the nfl but was another A-10 stud at a 1-AA school

[seventiesraider]

Runyr-Do players read this board? I guarantee it. I also am sure they are greatly amused by the rantings of a bunch of old guys and what they claim to know about their football team  

[Small but Slow]

The comparison to Westbrook really isn't fair by me. My point is that NFL teams go through a slew of RB's each year and some of the most successful and durable are not household names from household name schools.  It is difficult to predict with 100% certainty that he won't pan out.  I don't know if he's fast enough to be a WR or big enough to play safety.  Once again, I can think of exceptions to my own claim, but think if he has a shot it's at RB.

[Jonny Utah]

The comparison to Westbrook really isn't fair by me. My point is that NFL teams go through a slew of RB's each year and some of the most successful and durable are not household names from household name schools.  It is difficult to predict with 100% certainty that he won't pan out.  I don't know if he's fast enough to be a WR or big enough to play safety.  Once again, I can think of exceptions to my own claim, but think if he has a shot it's at RB.

got ya.  And you have to admit, its what he does in the open field that is so amazing.  Granted the MUC oline has been one of the best, but a lot of what he does is in the open field in front of 3-4 partially blocked LBs and DBs.  Thats why I kind of picture him as the flare out WR in the NFL that gets the screen passes or crossing routes like the Patriots run a lot.

[bushman]

Whatever happened to that good back St. Johns had some years ago.  Elliot?  He had the size and speed to make a shot at the NFL.   Never heard what happened to him.

[runyr]

Runyr-Do players read this board? I guarantee it. I also am sure they are greatly amused by the rantings of a bunch of old guys and what they claim to know about their football team  

Attention All Players:
Get plenty of rest.  Listen to your coaches.  Eat healthy.  Go to class and do your homework.  Beat Wheaton.
Thank you.

[seventiesraider]

The distant Thunder means it is time for Purple Reign.

[HScoach]

Looking over the NCAA stats for Wheaton makes me thinks we're playing Otterbein again.  A good, solid team but nothing more:

CATEGORY  /  NATIONAL RANK  / ACTUAL VALUE
Rushing Offense 74th  168.58 yds  (not a good sign going against the Raider D)
Passing Offense 33th  250.42 yds
Total Offense 27th   419.00 yds
Scoring Offense 21st   36.33 pts
Rushing Defense 17th   84.83 pts (good numbers, but so did Cortland and Hobart)
Pass Efficiency Defense 48th   106.65 rating
Total Defense 66th   308.00 yds (yikes, 300+ is alot of yards)
Scoring Defense 51st   18.08 pts
Punt Returns 8th    16.48 yds  (only spot of true dominance with Ittersagen)
Kickoff Returns 91st   19.51 yds
Turnover Margin 172nd    -.50 TO/game
Pass Defense 201st    223.17 yds   (another bad sign for Wheaton)
Passing Efficiency 19th   152.32 rating
Sacks 63rd    2.25/game
Tackles For Loss 50th    7.08/game
Sacks Allowed 78th    1.42/game

[Mugsy]

Looking over the NCAA stats for Wheaton makes me thinks we're playing Otterbein again.  A good, solid team but nothing more:

CATEGORY  /  NATIONAL RANK  / ACTUAL VALUE
Rushing Offense 74th  168.58 yds  (not a good sign going against the Raider D)
Passing Offense 33th  250.42 yds
Total Offense 27th   419.00 yds
Scoring Offense 21st   36.33 pts
Rushing Defense 17th   84.83 pts (good numbers, but so did Cortland and Hobart)
Pass Efficiency Defense 48th   106.65 rating
Total Defense 66th   308.00 yds (yikes, 300+ is alot of yards)
Scoring Defense 51st   18.08 pts
Punt Returns 8th    16.48 yds  (only spot of true dominance with Ittersagen)
Kickoff Returns 91st   19.51 yds
Turnover Margin 172nd    -.50 TO/game
Pass Defense 201st    223.17 yds   (another bad sign for Wheaton)
Passing Efficiency 19th   152.32 rating
Sacks 63rd    2.25/game
Tackles For Loss 50th    7.08/game
Sacks Allowed 78th    1.42/game

I highlighted the Pass Defense Yardage stat during the week leading upto the Wabash game when they were drooling over the possibilities of what their QB Hudson would do to Wheaton.  I mention the better gauge was the pass defense efficiency stat, which at the time was right about 30th.  Wheaton completely shutdown Hudson as he was well below 50% completions with 2 INT's and only 135 yards until the game was way out of hand and Wheaton put in their 2nd string.  He finished with a few drives against the 2nd team to pad the stats.

The game against Franklin & Rupp cause that stat to jump to 48th.  My point was Wheaton has played against 5 (now 6) teams whose pass offense was ranked in the top 35 in the nation (Wabash, Franklin, IWU, Carthage, Elmhurst, Hope).  So that is going to inflat your yardage allowed significantly, if you play top rated passing offenses.  Wheaton's pass defense efficiency is a much truer gauge and prior to Rupp & Co., it was in the 30's.

That said... we are talking about Mount Union and I understand it still is an area of concern for Wheaton.  I just don't think it is as weak as you are making it out to be.  Wheaton held Rupp to 289 yards passing on 58 attempts, when he was averaging nearly 500 yards in the 2 previous playoff games.

I don't have dilusions that Wheaton is going to win this game.  But I do hold out hope that anything can happen and so many people have written off this team after the horrible 2 week run against North Central and Elmhurst.  The last 3 weeks they have raised their level of play significantly.  They will need to do so even further and play a flawless game to even stand a chance on Saturday.   I don't think this team is as good as the 1999, 2002 or 2004 teams that played Mount Union tough for a bit.  But I can guarantee the coaches and players will give everything they have until the last snap.

The one area that I will think Wheaton has an advantage over some that visit Alliance, while Wheaton is 0-5 against MUC in Alliance and haven't really had a terrible close game yet, they are familiar with the experince and won't be as awe struck as some.  They know what to expect and understand what they are up against, but they will not play tentatively.

I'm hopeful Swider & Co. will put together a great game plan, the team will execute flawlessly and Wheaton can battle to keep the game close to the end.  If so, you never know what can happen.

[Mugsy]

Looking over the NCAA stats for Wheaton makes me thinks we're playing Otterbein again.  A good, solid team but nothing more:

CATEGORY  /  NATIONAL RANK  / ACTUAL VALUE
Rushing Offense 74th  168.58 yds  (not a good sign going against the Raider D)
Passing Offense 33th  250.42 yds
Total Offense 27th   419.00 yds
Scoring Offense 21st   36.33 pts
Rushing Defense 17th   84.83 pts (good numbers, but so did Cortland and Hobart)
Pass Efficiency Defense 48th   106.65 rating
Total Defense 66th   308.00 yds (yikes, 300+ is alot of yards)
Scoring Defense 51st   18.08 pts
Punt Returns 8th    16.48 yds  (only spot of true dominance with Ittersagen)
Kickoff Returns 91st   19.51 yds
Turnover Margin 172nd    -.50 TO/game
Pass Defense 201st    223.17 yds   (another bad sign for Wheaton)
Passing Efficiency 19th   152.32 rating
Sacks 63rd    2.25/game
Tackles For Loss 50th    7.08/game
Sacks Allowed 78th    1.42/game

One other thought... Otterbein was beaten pretty soundly by Franklin.  Wheaton beat Franklin rather significantly (not in some statistical areas, but I thought Franklin would end up with more yards anyway with Rupp).  It was 45-21 when Wheaton went to a "prevent" defense with less than 5 minutes left.

For what it's worth, that leads me to believe Wheaton is at least a bit better than Otterbein.

[runyr]

We can tell Wheaton played one of their best games against Franklin with great execution and smart play.  The Thunder special teams and Franklin turnovers (interceptions) really contributed to the outcome.

I hope Wheaton plays their best again this Saturday.  I hope the weather's a little better too.  That way there won't be any excuses for the outcome.  May the best team win.