FB: Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference

[Ron Boerger]

With Trinity's injuries, and the way their schedule looks in the upcoming weeks (this week with Depauw, at Huntingdon, at Centre) are we looking at a possible 2, 3, or God forbid, even a 4 loss season?

Huntingdon played TU tough last year in SA, and now has to go to Montgomery? I played there last year, and that city is CRAZY over the Hawks, and will be looking for revenge from last years loss.

Centre has always been a tough place to play, and with a bye the week before TU comes to town, will be ready to play. After this past Saturday's game, they were a couple plays form a different result, and by late October, should have those ironed out.

Does that mean that this week with Depauw is the turning point in Trinity's season?

Good to have you on the boards, Hunter.

It's possible.  It would be quite hard to recover from a loss to DePauw; we'd have to go back a ways to see the last time Trinity started out 2-2.  That said, the two W's on the Greencastle side of the ledger don't tell us much about what the Indianans are going to bring to the table on Saturday.

Huntingdon - to be honest, I've almost chalked that one up as an "L" already.  It will be the first significant road game of the season and almost everyone that gave Trinity fits last year is back (read: Golson to Colson on offense).  If Barmore comes back and is healthy Trinity will have a better chance.  If you remember, he came in in relief last year and guided TU to the come-from-behind victory with a 7-of-8 passing performance. 

Centre - you never know what to expect from these guys.  They certainly have upset Trinity in the past and have the potential to do so again, especially at home. 

[evacuee]

Should we cancel the season today to save ourselves the embarrassment?

I can understand the concerns about DePauw and Centre, but 1-1 Huntingdon seems to me less imposing than last year because of this-  they haven't improved, clearly.  After last year, people were looking for them to be "scary" this year.  What I see is either a group that over achieved last year and is now not able to find the same fire under the expectations, or a group that somewhere lost some significant people.

One thing we have to remember is that Trinity at their worst is still where about 90% of d3 teams wish they were, and despite all the years of wearing a target, the Tigers have stayed in that top percentile of wins.  As we saw last week, TLU exhausted most of their resources to beat Trinity with a scout team quarterback, and then fell the next week. 

I do think this year is everyone's best chance to beat Trinity, but I really don't think you can ever assume a loss for Coach Mohr's bunch. 

[scacman]

I hear that the RiverWalk is always looking for teams showing some "Dick".  A&M didn't have any, Army didn't have it, but DePauw has it!  When you show your "Dick" in San Antonio, you never know what might happen!

[Li'l Giant]

When you show your "Dick" in San Antonio, you never know what might happen!

If you're in Olmos Park you're going to get arrested. 

[DPU_radio_guy]

If you're in Olmos Park you're going to get arrested. 

You Little Giants are so gosh darn clever sometimes.  That is really some top notch stuff right there.  Do you have an entire routine?  I'd love to hear it sometime.

[Li'l Giant]

Do you have an entire routine?  I'd love to hear it sometime.

I got a million of 'em. You buy a pitcher of Shiner I'll tell jokes all night.

It was meant as an inside joke to the other San Antonians out there. Olmos Park sees a lot of "public indecency" arrests. I've had a few clients arrested there.

[DPU92]

I have recently moved New Orleans and am completely out of the SCAC loop.  What are the predictions on this weeks DePauw/Trinity game?  I have read the past postings and see that Trinity has some key injuries and that DePauw is starting a freshman QB.  Should be a good game as always. 

Anyone have a pre-game breakdown?

[wabashcpa]

I agree with the earlier post that this may be DePauw's best shot at beating Trinity, even if they start a freshman at QB.  I expect Marks will get a bunch of carries, and the defense has enough talent to keep it close.  Not so sure Spud has to the win the game for DePauw as much as he needs to avoid turnovers.

I am curious as to how DePauw travels to these games in Texas and Mississippi, whether by charter bus or by plane, and what day you leave.  That travel has to be brutal.

There has been a lot of fun at Spud's expense here lately, but he is a good player, and he may be DePauw's version of what we had in the mid-90's with Chris Ings.  I think it's a good move to have him play right away - it should pay dividends later. 

[Ron Boerger]

DPU travels to SA by plane, which was why last year's game had to be called off due to the possibility of having to try flying over a hurricane.  Most (if not all of the) SCAC teams that fly into SA spend Friday night here.

My $0.02:

- Trinity needs to stay healthy at QB.
- They need some semblance of a running game; this 50 ypg average isn't going to cut it.
- Dustin Hertel needs to be held in check.

- DePauw needs to mix its plays nicely and keep pressure off of its young QB.
- DPU's defense needs to pressure the QB and not let the WRs get free.

What I see so far is that DPU has a more balanced offense and a much better running game, TU is better defensively.  QB play is going to be huge on both ends.   

[TigerDad]

Here's my contribution for the week, as I think we'll be in good shape with either quarterback. 

If the Greencastle Tigers are going to ever beat the San Antonio Tigers, they better get it done this year.  I don't think Trinity's ever had so many injuries at key positions. 

Does anyone know the status of Phillip Kownslar?

TU2698 ... I agree with you on the QB comment.  Both Jake & Blake have demonstrated their ability to lead the Tiger offense.  A little dose of humble pie has probably been good for both of them ... I think both will play this year and both will do very well.

The injury bug at TU has turned into a monster this season and it's still very early.  Several key starters have serious injuries, but that just gives some other guys a chance to shine.  Witness the notable performance by LB Jeff Jones in relief of Kownslar last week ... what a great job to kickoff his college career.

I do have more specifics about injuries, but it's not appropriate to post them here for all the D3 world to read.  If you want to e-mail me, I can elaborate a bit.  Suffice to say that some key TU players are down, some are out, and some are recovering.  A challenge for the coaching staff, but they have plenty of talent to choose from.

Adversity can be an opportunity to develop character and learn perseverance.  These are smart guys and I think they know what they're up against.

Looking forward to seeing the "Battle of the Tigers" on Saturday.   Any D3 posters who plan to attend, look me up.  I'll be wearing a white #10 jersey if you want to say Hi.

[Li'l Giant]

Dustin Hertel needs to be held in check.

You guys figure out how to do that, please let us know. He's a beast.

[evacuee]

While you lucky ones are crammed into EM Stevens stadium watching a real game, I've somehow obligated myself to the cozy confines of Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge watching NFL hopefuls and wannabes as LSU pummels Tulane so the Green Wave can feast on a pay day.  Now reading the posts from today, I'm so fired up for the SCAC showdown. 

Does anyone know a number that I can call for updates from San Antonio Saturday night?  My cell phone is my only link to the wireless age. 

[DPULefty22]

Dustin Hertel needs to be held in check.

You guys figure out how to do that, please let us know. He's a beast.

Well, you could try doubling him and running away from him... but Luis Davila has been coming up with just as many big plays at the other DE position. I suppose you could try the middle, but I haven't seen anybody with the ability to block Michael McNelis.

I'd disagree with the notion that Trinity has a defensive edge - if anything, it's a dead heat. I obviously haven't seen the Trinity D at work this year, but from what I've seen of DPU's, it's a truly GREAT unit and I can't imagine there are too many front sevens in the entire country that are better. Teams can't run the ball at all against them. If I were Steve Mohr, I'd probably junk the run altogether, take a few shots downfield, and throw about 50 times. But even then, the Tiger pass rush has been superb, and they'll put you in a LOT of third and long situations.

I feel like if DPU takes care of the ball, they've got a great chance to win. They've got to establish the run a little better than they did last week against Hope. Hope had two unblockable ends that really created havoc, so it's a good thing Trinity doesn't have any of those... wait, what do you mean 'Dustin Allen's still there'?

Bottom line, I think DPU has all the reason in the world to be confident that they'll go win one in San Antonio. Again, I haven't seen TU... but remember the last two times these teams have played, the margins have been razor-thin in favor of Trinity. If anything, the gap has closed even further over the last two years.

[exmajor]

Don't mean to distract from the upcoming bout in SA, but I missed this story earlier and thought it was interesting that a 42 year old record for return yards was broken a couple of weeks ago . . . despite the loss!  On another note, Millsaps is off this weekend, hopefully will allow some time to nurse some injuries they seem to have, same story as TU.

http://www.millsaps.edu/athletic/football/091306story.shtml

[Ron Boerger]

I left off the word "slightly" in my statement on the defenses, but FWIW:

Trinity has allowed fewer points in three games (24) than DPU has in two (28).   One of those TDs was a ten yard "drive" after a fumble, another was against the second team defense last week after the game was well in hand. 

Trinity is holding teams to 207 yds/game, DPU 233.5.   TU opponents average 3.4 yds/play, DPU opponents 3.7.

As you mentioned, DPU does a great job defending the run, allowing 56 yds and 2 yds/carry to Trinity's 130.3/3.6.  On the other hand, Trinity allows only 76.6 yds passing (3 yds/pass) vs. DPU's 177.5 (5.1). 

DPU holds teams to 15% conversion on third downs vs. 21% for Trinity.   DPU is +6 on TOs to +3 for Trinity. 

Guess we will have to let the teams decide which defense is better on Saturday.    

Also of import:  this is DPU's first road game of the season; in 2003, it was their third.   Weather looks good, temps in the upper to mid-80s during the game with only a slight chance of rain.  Thanks to El Nino for supressing the hurricanes this time around.