FB: Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference

[Werner99]

The QB mis-handled the center snap, started batting the ball around, C. Clark picks it up and is off to the races.  Ref called it dead ball.

I was watching that game at my house and I replayed it on my Tivo about 5 times and then said to my guests "we just got a gift".

Lil' Giant, I'd give you a Karma point if I could.  In close games like that it seems there are always 2-4 plays that change the game and that was certainly one of them.  We still had our opportunities, but couldn't pull it out.   

[DPU92]

In regards to what is happening in Greencastle, I have seen it happen a couple of other times.  It seems to me that when we lose to Trinity we put it in cruise control untill the Bell Game. 

I know this happened in 2003 where I think we lost 4 or 5 in a row.  I was in coaches meetings and the locker rooms before those games and you can just kind of feel the difference.  We get built up for such a big game in the middle of the season and we are let down. 

It is tough to get fired up for Centre, Millsaps...etc.  Nothing against those programs, but we know that we are playing for the playoffs the forth or fifth week of the season.

[Werner99]

Let me start by saying that this isn't intended to insult anyone so don't take it that way:

In hindsight, I don't know if the DePauw loss to Centre should have been much of a surprise to anyone.  It seems like this has been a mentally and physically difficult year for DePauw:
1)  The Centre game was their 8th game in 8 weeks and their 5th road game in 6 weeks.
2)  The Trinity game had to have taken a toll.  It was a long trip, the game got carried over to Sunday, and DePauw lost.  Right away in your first SCAC game of the season you lose control of your own destiny and past history would have justified a person thinking that no other SCAC team was going to beat Trinity.
3)  Two new head coaches in two seasons has to take a toll in a variety of ways.  New systems, new personalities, the coaches learning about the players and vice versa, etc., it usually adds obstacles to having a successful season.
4)  Just as the Trinity game tooks it toll, the loss to Millsaps must have been a huge blow.  It took away any hopes of an at-large berth, a SCAC co-championship, and it was such a huge turnaround from the results from the previous season.

Given all of the above and the fact that Centre is a good team that was playing at home, it certainly isn't surprising that DePauw lost the game.  I give them credit for fighting back and taking the lead on the road and I'm sure they'll use this down season in the SCAC as motivation during the off-season.

Frank, All truthful and accurate statements though it is actually the fourth head coach in four years.

Nevertheless, the players have a choice to make.  They realize they have plenty of excuses at their disposal for why this year has not been as good as the last couple of years.  So they can choose to play to the level of their own expectations or to the expectations of the fans and observers. 

I hope they have the mental toughness to play to the level of their own expectations and that their expectations are higher than where they are right now.

A lot can be overlooked during the regular season if they win in Crawfordsville.  That game will ultimately determine whether or not this season was a success.

[Li'l Giant]

The QB mis-handled the center snap, started batting the ball around, C. Clark picks it up and is off to the races.  Ref called it dead ball.

I was watching that game at my house and I replayed it on my Tivo about 5 times and then said to my guests "we just got a gift".

Lil' Giant, I'd give you a Karma point if I could.  In close games like that it seems there are always 2-4 plays that change the game and that was certainly one of them.  We still had our opportunities, but couldn't pull it out.   

Those game changing plays are also magnified by the importance of the game. Unfortunately, bad calls happen. And, yes, they sometimes happen against Wabash, too.

Last year was a great game and I think this year will be no different.

[wally_wabash]

I know this happened in 2003 where I think we lost 4 or 5 in a row.  I was in coaches meetings and the locker rooms before those games and you can just kind of feel the difference.  We get built up for such a big game in the middle of the season and we are let down. 

Don't you just get numb to losing to Trinity after a while...say 8 years in a row?  I would think the downer effect of getting knocked out of playoff contention in September would be lessened as time goes on.   

Joking aside, Wabash won't be taking anything for granted on 11/11.  It's going to be a big time battle between two good teams. 

[DPU3619]

Stripes robbed the Tigers. 

I was pretty sure you'd say that.  I was 50/50 on whether it was going to be that or it was a hurricane's fault.

[wally_wabash]

3619,
  You remember last years game, 1st down and about 5 at our 5.  The QB mis-handled the center snap, started batting the ball around, C. Clark picks it up and is off to the races.  Ref called it dead ball.  That would have made the score 17-3, with Wabash going into the wind for 4th quarter.  Game would have been over.  Stripes robbed the Tigers. 

The play in question was close...could have gone either way.  I'll watch this again tonight to confirm.  I remember thinking we got away with one as I watched it live at Blackstock, then thinking that it could have gone either way after seeing it on dvd. 

Either way, the refs didn't rob the Tigers of anything.  0-14 on third down killed the Tigers.  A 9-minute Wabash advantage in TOP killed the Tigers.  CC burning timeouts in the first quarter to make DPU kick (and miss) a FG into the wind killed the Tigers.  DPU had plenty of chances. 

[depauwtigers1]

OK Radio Guy,
  Lets move the ball a bit more, not give up the option on the G.L. which should have never been down there because of the bad call on the fumble.  Use better sense on the shanked punt, and not miss 2 tackles on the bubble screen, and tackle the QB in pressure situations.  Is that a big enough hurricane for you?

[DPU3619]

The point I'm trying to make is that it's unfair to sing the high praises of Rogers and then send Walk to the dogs.  Rogers lost when he had to win and didn't make the playoffs.  I don't care who he lost to. and by how much,  Walk has lost when he had to win and his team and didn't make the playoffs.  It's the identical situation.  Why is one the best Coach ever and the other one can't coach his way out of a cardboard box?

Also, wally, that might be the first time I have ever agreed with anything you've said.  Convert one third down in a rivalry game.  Just one would be nice.

[wally_wabash]

Last year's game was a classic...probably the best game I've seen in my decade of watching (the Monon Miracle in '01 was the best moment, but that game was really fairly sloppy).  It was by far the two best teams playing in the rivalry that I've seen (you had to go back to the early 80s to find Bell games that featured two powerhouse teams at the same time) and the game played out as such.  It's silly to me remember last year's game because of an iffy call by a ref...there was too much else about the game that was good to do that. 

My prediction for this year's game:  Depauw will convert at least one third down.   

[depauwtigers1]

3619

  Not identical whatsoever!  Big difference in performance compared to last year.  Go look at the National statistics from last year and compare them to this years squad.  Start with Defense.

[historymajor]

So Wally,,, a little research shows that you're inline for an AQ.... most probably to meet MtU on your way to   Spanking around a 'reeling' DPU in the MB game would make you feel,,,, what?  You post more on the SCAC board than you do on the NCAC board....  A 'W' over happless 2-6 Denison win 'earn' you an AQ??  I hope the NCAA DIII 'gods' send you to SAT for your 1st round 'spanking'......

[DPU3619]

Not identical whatsoever!  Big difference in performance compared to last year.  Go look at the National statistics from last year and compare them to this years squad.  Start with defense.

First, Coach Nystrom had 8 returning starters including the best D-line I've ever seen.  Coach Long has 5 including exactly 3 in the front seven.

Secondly, I'll measure a program's success in playoff births and Monon Bells.  I do enjoy the analysis of stats, but having a great defense is a bit of novelty when you're done playing for the year about 4:30 on Monon Saturday. 

Spanking around a 'reeling' DPU in the MB game would make you feel,,,, what? 

Your cheap shot is appreciated.

[Li'l Giant]

So Wally,,, a little research shows that you're inline for an AQ.

As stated above, that's only going to happen with help from Allegheny. Some research.

You post more on the SCAC board than you do on the NCAC board.

The first quote was bad enough, but I stopped reading after this little gem.

I would ordinarily think that anybody who rips on Depauw guys isn't half bad. Talk about misplaced aggression.

[DPU3619]

Spanking around a 'reeling' DPU in the MB game would make you feel,,,, what? 

I felt like my previous effort didn't do this quote justice.  Please, if you'll allow me to try again:

Thinking TU always gets cheated and that there's some East Coast conspiracy would make you feel,,,, what?


I like that one better.  Thanks for the mulligan.