115th Monon Bell Classic

[wally_wabash]

Time to weigh in before I am too inebriated to do so. 

Men of DePauw, my congratulations.  Today we got boatraced on our own field.  One team came to play football and the other team...well, I'm still trying to figure it out.  This was without a doubt the worst game I've seen a Wabash team play in 10 years and that particular game has suspicions surrounding it.  Today's game....no suspicions.  That, as hard as it is to say, was a beating.  It was a 3-hour scene from Oz and nobody in red and white left happy today.  Last year I was actually ok with the game.  We played like doo and were a miracle field goal from going to OT and winning.  Today, we played like doo and got emabarassed the way that we probably should have last year. 

So one more time to the men of DePauw, well done.  You've more than earned the trophy this year.  This one hurts a lot more than last year.  Take solace in that.   We'll see you guys again on Nov. 14. 

Congratulations...you've earned it.

[DPULefty22]

I'd give karma if I could, Wally - you're a classy poster and I always enjoy reading your insights. At least you have the chance to find some redemption next week, so enjoy getting to have at least one more game.

[DPU3619]

I'm sure that Matt Hudson would like to forget today, and the sooner he does, the better. 

I just couldn't understand why he played so poorly.  This is one of the best offenses in the country, and it was all but dominated by the DePauw defense.  You're talking about one of the 5 most efficient QB's in the country, and he was just terrible today.  Telegraphing throws, missing throws, the whole thing.  Wasn't just the defense, either.  None of his throws were on target.  Even his completions weren't all that accurate. 

Jon Ellis had a much better day that I could have hoped for.  Also, yet again, Spud was great (24-29 for 227), and really only had that one long throw down the sideline to Koors.  Everything else was fairly short and entirely too easy against that first-team Wabash defense that hadn't give ANYBODY anything all season. 

The more I think about it, I can't help but come to the conclusion that the Old Gold outplayed Wabash in all three phases and just flat out-hustled and out-efforted the LG's today.  This kind of result just doesn't happen in this game all that often.  I'm still completely stunned.  Can't believe this actually went down this way.

[wally_wabash]

I'd give karma if I could, Wally - you're a classy poster and I always enjoy reading your insights. At least you have the chance to find some redemption next week, so enjoy getting to have at least one more game.

Thanks, Lefty....it's been fun going back and forth this week.  I hope that the sentiment here is that both sides can rib each other mercifully and still have at the least a shred of respect for one another.  

Wabash does have a chance at redemption next week...and hopefully the week after and the week after and the week after...but I'm ok to say right now that next year the playoffs can take a back seat.  I want that Bell back.  Like I said, I was ok with it last year, but the sour taste in my mouth right now isn't likely to go away regardless of what happens in this year's playoffs or next year's regular season.  I want that Monon Bell perched back on top of the entrance to the Allen Center where it belongs.  Next season, nothing matters more to me.  

Again...congratulations.  115 games.....dead even.  Nothing beats that.  

[DPU92]

Was not at the game but received about a hundred text message updates.  Sounds like a good showing by DPU and a no show by Wabash.  We got the bell, but Wabash plays another game....which is more important?  Depends on the team I guess...

It must have been a good game to get compliments on this board from the Wallies.  Congrats to our boys and Coach Walker....maybe he finally silenced some of his nay-sayers and critics.

Good luck to Wabash in the playoffs.

All is right with the world as the bell rings on through the night in Greencastle for a second staright year......

And again...DePauw Never Quits!!

[DPU3619]

Also, Pat, I'd love to hear your thoughts about your first Monon Bell game!

The game was kind of a snoozer, I know, but I'm sure you had a blast with the rest of the festivities.

[Li'l Giant]

Jon Ellis had a much better day that I could have hoped for.

And this dude is a freshman? Yikes. He's going to be a pain in our D for years to come.

We got the bell, but Wabash plays another game....which is more important?  Depends on the team I guess...

My answer to that question is quite different this year than it was last year. Maybe it's because of how thoroughly we got whupped.

Once again, congrats to Depauw. Y'all played a great game and earned the sweet sounds of the Bell for one more year.

365 days and counting.

[BashDad]

I just couldn't understand why he played so poorly.  This is one of the best offenses in the country, and it was all but dominated by the DePauw defense.  You're talking about one of the 5 most efficient QB's in the country, and he was just terrible today.  Telegraphing throws, missing throws, the whole thing.  Wasn't just the defense, either.  None of his throws were on target.  Even his completions weren't all that accurate. 

Well, I'll offer he just didn't know what the hell he was lookin' at. The only other team he's seen that's rolled their coverage that extensively has been Witt and he threw three picks in that game.

By comparison, I thought Spud was awesome. Great mechanics, timing, the works. I was really impressed.

[DPULefty22]

I just couldn't understand why he played so poorly.  This is one of the best offenses in the country, and it was all but dominated by the DePauw defense.  You're talking about one of the 5 most efficient QB's in the country, and he was just terrible today.  Telegraphing throws, missing throws, the whole thing.  Wasn't just the defense, either.  None of his throws were on target.  Even his completions weren't all that accurate. 

Well, I'll offer he just didn't know what the hell he was lookin' at. The only other team he's seen that's rolled their coverage that extensively has been Witt and he threw three picks in that game.

By comparison, I thought Spud was awesome. Great mechanics, timing, the works. I was really impressed.

In regards to Spud... I don't think he was sacked but once today (though there was that fumble forced which almost looked like a forward pass deflected - definitely would have gone to review in the NFL). Even though Wabash was getting off the line quickly, they weren't pressuring Spud, and even when they did get in the backfield Spud didn't get rattled, instead simply rolling out and making good throws. Spud's poise is what most impressed me today.

That's two years in a row that DPU has really dominated the trenches, which has led to a T.O.P. landslide and a victory.

Hope you guys are full strength for the playoffs - I head Graham's concussion might be serious which would really be an unfortunate blow for WC. Kimp I believe was injured as well. Hope they can both go next week.

Finally, my final word on the whole 'schedule' argument - say what you will about the comparative strength of the two conferences, but I think DPU playing Trinity and Millsaps really prepares them well for Wabash's size and athleticism. I don't think WC has an opponent that similarly prepares them for DPU.

[BashDad]

We got the bell, but Wabash plays another game....which is more important?  Depends on the team I guess...

Frankly, being the best in the nation includes besting depauw. I'm not sure I want anything but that bell now, either-- at least on the way to the other trophy.

If today's any indication, I'm not convinced one can happen without the other, anyway.

[BashDad]

Finally, my final word on the whole 'schedule' argument - say what you will about the comparative strength of the two conferences, but I think DPU playing Trinity and Millsaps really prepares them well for Wabash's size and athleticism.

Yup.

[Ralph Turner]

Finally, my final word on the whole 'schedule' argument - say what you will about the comparative strength of the two conferences, but I think DPU playing Trinity and Millsaps really prepares them well for Wabash's size and athleticism.

Yup.

I also think that Birmingham-Southern will take the SCAC up a notch, too.

With the excitement at Millsaps, Huntingdon, LaGrange and BSC, maybe D3 football will really take off in the Deep South.

What the Deep South needs is the appreciation of the quality and integrity of D3 football.  The South loves football, at all levels, and a personal appreciation, that we see in the Midwest for D3, will endear the game to the fans even more.

[wally_wabash]

Frankly, being the best in the nation includes besting depauw. I'm not sure I want anything but that bell now, either-- at least on the way to the other trophy.

If today's any indication, I'm not convinced one can happen without the other, anyway.

QFT.

But I'll be damned if I'm giving up on walnut and bronze because of today.  I said all day today, "All we need is just one thing to go right."  It never happened.  We lost.  We could get scarlet and white hot in the next game or two and who knows what might happen.  I'm anxious to see to see how our draw gets affected.  Should be a slew of good teams in our path.    

[BashDad]

With the loss, we may end up matched-up with Otterbein.

I actually want this game more than ever. A quality win like that would be would certainly give some credo to the season sans bell, as well as getting Hudson and co. some confidence back should they be able to pull it out.

[smedindy]

It may be Otterbein on the road. I have a feeling it's going to be road trips for the LGs.