115th Monon Bell Classic

[DPU92]

Thanks Wally_Wabash.  If i could give you a karma point for the use of 'craptacular' I would.  Love 'The Simpsons' references.

[Danimal814]

Will the Wabash air assault shred the DPU secondary?

I think Werner is stuck on Wabash teams of the past under Creighton.  This year Wabash has been running the ball extremely effective with a lot more balance on offense.  In years past, Creighton ran the spread and Wabash definitely had to pass and pass often.  Now, Wabash can and probably will run the ball tomorrow and mix in the pass.  Wabash and Depauw have some what switched places in the fact that Depauw is a pass happy offense this time around with a suspect and young running game and Wabash is the more balanced team that would like to run the ball to set up the pass. 

I hope the errors Wabash committed last year are corrected like I really hope for the love of God we don't have our corners playing 10 freakin' yards off the Depauw WRs like last year.  Sorry but that has been bugging me and I thought was one of many game errors committed by Creighton last year that eventually cost us the game besides the stupid timeout taken after Marks gained 5 yards on first down. 

Finally, anyone know the result of the Keg Game?  I know it was at DPU and I heard a little earlier in the day than in years past.

[wally_wabash]

I hope the errors Wabash committed last year are corrected like I really hope for the love of God we don't have our corners playing 10 freakin' yards off the Depauw WRs like last year. 

If that's happening it would be a total departure from the defense that Coach Raeburn and Coach Gilbert have been implementing all year long.  Gone is the soft corner, keep everything in front of you, cover 3 defense that we saw over the last couple of years.  In is the press coverage, hard corner, cover 2 defense that has really made the Wabash pass defense a LOT better than it was last year.  In 2007, Wabash was giving up 214 yards per game in the air, opposing quarterbacks completed nearly 60% of their passes and had a 120.7 PER, threw 17 TDs and just 12 INTs (through 13 games).  In 2008 those numbers are all dramatically better.  Wabash yields just 163 ypg in the air, quarterbacks complete not quite 50% of their passes (this number is outstanding), have a PER of just 93.4, and have just 10 TDs vs. 15 INTs (through just 9 games).  This year's group is probably more susceptible to letting a big play happen in the pass game than the ultra-safe scheme of 2007, but being more aggressive and taking some more chances has led to a more difficult time for opposing offenses to operate an effective pass game.  Some of that credit belongs to the defensive line creating problems in the backfield, but a lot of the credit goes to those kids in the secondary that have really picked up the new scheme well as the season has gone along. 

[BashDad]

Also, on the record:

Wes Chamblee's gonna take a return to the house. I feel it. When was the last time that happened in a bell game?

[wally_wabash]

Also, on the record:

Wes Chamblee's gonna take a return to the house. I feel it. When was the last time that happened in a bell game?

I'm looking this up and will update when I get an answer.  I don't recall if it has happened since I started watching this game in 1996.  I do know that the 101st game started with Wabash's George Lino returning the opening kick for a TD.  DePauw answered by returning the ensuing kick for a TD.  7-7 before an offense even stepped on the field.  Craziness.  Wabash went on to win that game. 

Alright...I'm hitting the archives.  I'll have an answer shortly. 

And the update...unless I whiffed on this, the aforementioned returns from the 101st edition of our great game were the last kick returns for touchdowns in the Monon Bell game. 

[cave2bens]

Will the Wabash air assault shred the DPU secondary?

I think Werner is stuck on Wabash teams of the past under Creighton. 

Finally, anyone know the result of the Keg Game?  I know it was at DPU and I heard a little earlier in the day than in years past.

I believe, according to the Bachelor (sans the Debauch edition  ), that the keg was being played under the lights this evening in Greendingle.  Here's to Will and the mates boning Dannies, running in a bushel of tries, and a couple of drop goals for good measure.

I'll do a Kamate haka after posting.

[D3_DPUFan]

On paper, Depauw's passing game seems to match up well against Wabash's cover 2 and all week I've been thinking Depauw's 3-step game could bleed long drives from that hard corner, middle open defense-- 

No disrespect meant...but DePauw's passing game is not a "3 step game"...certainly that's what the Tigers feasted on in last year's game...but it is just a titch more sophisticated this year...

[Ralph Turner]

...
I'll do a Kamate haka after posting.

Euless Trinity HS Haka.

My brother lives in Euless, TX.  The Tongan community has really thrived in this metroplex city, and Euless Trinity plays great football.

[wally_wabash]

Who wants to share their tailgate spread?  We've already heard from BB16 and his always stellar feast.  My crew will be preparing the following:

- beef brisket, slow-cooked overnight at the stadium
- pork loin, marinated and grilled
- 10 lbs. of burgers...stuffed...half are getting stuffed with swiss and 'shrooms, the other half stuffed with cheddar and bacon
- fried turkey (the bird is currently soaking in my special brine)

And more salads, chips, and cheese balls than is ever necessary.  It's going to be quite a feast.  I can't wait. 

[Danimal814]

Any body know if the game is being broadcast on Dish Network and on which channel?

[DPULefty22]

Any body know if the game is being broadcast on Dish Network and on which channel?

HDNet, channel 362. Although I think that's only part of a certain HD programming package so if you don't have that, you're outta luck, I think.

[wally_wabash]

The game is being carried by HDNet so as long as you're getting HDNet with your subscription package you'll be getting the game.  Looks like 362 is your channel but I'd double check that.  

[BashDad]

On paper, Depauw's passing game seems to match up well against Wabash's cover 2 and all week I've been thinking Depauw's 3-step game could bleed long drives from that hard corner, middle open defense-- 

No disrespect meant...but DePauw's passing game is not a "3 step game"...certainly that's what the Tigers feasted on in last year's game...but it is just a titch more sophisticated this year...

Cool. Won't ammend what I said, though. No matter the drop, he'll be throwing toward the same secondary which, of course, will dictate the same places for an offense's attack.

Can't wait. Go Bash.

[BayernFan]

Since I arrived at Wabash in 1978, Wabash's record in leap year Bell Games is a paltry 1 win, 4 losses, and 2 ties.

DPU has won three straight leap year Bell games.

Wabash's lone leap year win was in 1984 which, incidentally, was the last time Wabash took the Bell from the Dannies at Little Giant Stadium.

[Pat Coleman]

Trying to get to sleep -- even I'm excited and I have no connection to the game. See you folks there.