OK,
Pat and I will check in from our respective rivalry games, and through comments, you can do the same.
It’s a beautiful day here in Greencastle, about 60 degrees and bright, with a wind blowing end zone to end zone that might affect the game.
I won’t ramble too much now, but it gets no bigger than this. Rivalry game with a 9-0 vs. a 7-1, playoff implications for both sides.
We’re about 6 minutes to kickoff. Let’s get it on!
So we kicked off a few minutes late, and the DePauw announcer was blaming Wabash for staying on the field too long before warm-ups.
When the play clock didn’t start for the first play, it provided a 30-second break to get it figured out … just enough time for the DePauw student section to start chanting “Wabash sucks.”
Yep, these guys hate each other.
DePauw three and out on its first series; wabash incomplete 20-yard pass on first play. Stay tuned.
Wabash three-and-out, but the punt is downed at the 3. Good luck with that.
A couple of interesting things related to the atmosphere, not game action. As soon as I said I’d be coming, I got about three Wabash e-mails saying thanks for coming, but it’s better in Crawfordsville.
There’s a cemetary behind the vistor stands at DePauw.
Campus was abuzz, of course, but the fans had separate entrances … perhaps to prevent any dust-ups.
The Monon Bell is not quite as big as it looks in photos, but the Monon Bell game seems pretty legit so far.
I’m sure this has been discussed on the board somewhere, but had there been a line on this game … what would we say, DePauw -1.5? Plus because they’re at home.
The Tigers have definitely played the tougher schedule coming in and would be Wabash’s best win.
Getting good here. Wabash converts a 3rd-and-3 inside the 20 to eschew the FG attempt, then passes into the end zone from the 5, off the WRs hands, off the DePauw DBs hands incomplete.
On 3rd-and-goal, Harbaugh scrambled, held it waiting for something to happen and was sacked, but the LGs (Little Giants for blog purposes) make a 29-yard field goal.
Pat just checked in from Union/RPI. I guess they don’t kick off until later. He sounds like he’s having an adventure, and may not be able to get online.
The ACC scores (Clemson 14, FSU 6) get no love out here, but when it is announced Indiana is already losing 27-7, it draws an ooooh from the crowd.
Going to be interesting to see if DPU opens up the offense a little. VERY conservative play calling so far, but then again they’ve hardly had the best field position.
DePauw KOR after the field goal, David Araiza gets shoestring tackled at the 27. He’s gone otherwise.
So DePauw’s Weithoff spins out of a sack and just overthrows a WR downfield. IT looks like another three and out for the Tigers when a 20-yard punt takes a funny hop, hits a Wabash guy and creates a huge momentum shift. Weithoff hits his man of a tight end (6-5, 240 Chase Jonason) on the next play, and now they’re inside the 25.
Pat’s on the phone at the same time, says it’s Union 10-7 and Cortland 23-6, but he’s not sure about the second one. He was late to the game but saw all the points scored.
Weithoff’s a nice scrambler. His numbers (6 INT, 5 TD) pale next to Harbaugh’s (3 INT, 25 TD) but dude just scrambled for DePauw first down — measured — inside the 16.
We got action!
Ron, you have DirecTV I take it? Shall I wave?
So I got the boot off AOL from the box at the end of the first quarter. No shocker there. Mallory, the DePauw kicker pushed a 35-yard FG att just left right before the end of the quarter.
General observations … DePauw really gets after it up front on D and pursues well, but looks beatable in the secondary. Wabash is fast, but hasn’t been able to get anyone in the open field yet.
Wow. A hard rush came from the far side (visitors) from DePauw, the Wabash punter stepped up to punt and shanked it right, barely past the LOS if at all. Then a DePauw player goes to recover it, Wabash ends up with it and the refs are left to figure out whether it was a legal recovery … and the roar from the far side tells us Wabash keeps the ball.
So far two special teams blunders. I’m going to take a break and just watch for a few minutes. Be back later.
The 17-0 CNU Ferrum score and the possible Cortland 23-6 lead are opening eyes.
Whoa, play action sweep left, Wiethoff hits Brian Culp down the right sideline … he laid out for it, otherwise he had his man beat and was TD city.
Ron, you called it. They’re opening up the playbook all of a sudden. And good thing … doesn’t look like there’s much room to run for either team … but then again I’m doing a lot of typing and not as much watching.
And then the DePauw punt team redeemed itself, burying Wabash on the four on a punt so high and angled the dude had a chance to turn back toward the punter and wait for it (and then drop it of course).
Still 3-0 here, 7:10 left in the second.
Wow, the wind and these punt teams … Wabash just kicked one low out of its own end zone, almost blocked, and DePauw appeared to tough it and have it recovered … officials rule no, the Tigers get nice field position and move to the 17-yard line, or 18, on one pass play. Wiethoff cocked, changed his mind, bought some time and fired down the middle for about 20.
Second try on the option there. Not much there for DePauw.
Keith, naw, I’m just watching the webcast. They’re doing a good job. Seems like the DPU secondary has already poked away a few passes … Harbaugh doesn’t seem like a 71% passer from what I have seen so far. Is the wind causing that many problems or is he just playing tight?
Wow, Wiethoff was just done, and scrambled his way out of it to set up fourth and short. The Tigers go for it, and 43 (Jason Murphy, apparently Marks is too sick to play) burrows for the first-and-goal on the 5.
Snuffed on first. The Wabash D-Line is looking really good. Not to meander, but I wonder if they draw a running team like Augustana in the playoffs.
Weithoff option high pitch off Murphy’s helmet, but he recovers. That was bad, and you could hear the DePauw gasp and Wabash sigh. A gain of 1 though!
Timeout, 2:23 second, DePauw’s setting up for 3-and-G from the 4.
Shows what I know. Marks just came in for the third down run, gains three off right tackle.
Fourth and goal from teh 1, Marks scores standing up, place goes nuts. Well, not the Wabash side. They look stunned, like they were waiting for one of the great goal-line stands. PAT was automatic, but I had to wait because the kicking game is so nuts.
7-3 DePauw.
Ron, I think Harbaugh looks like a good passer and they have some speed on the flanks. If they can give him some time in the second half, or for even just a couple of plays in a row, he could hit on a big one.
Both QBs looking good. Marks … had been slated to start, then hadn’t been playing … he was OK on the big runs though.
DP KO with wind, out of end zone. That’s gonna be a factor in the second half. It doesn’t look that windy in the trees, but the goal post flags are whipping.
7-3 DePauw here at the half.
Did some Wabash radio pre-game, off to do DePauw right now.
Other scores, courtesy of Gordon Mann’s IM:
CNU 24 Ferrum 0 – 2nd
thump
if you want to blog it, Union 21 RPI 20 – 630 2nd
They have Q-dogs at DePauw?
Hey, it’s a great atmosphere here at Union. Having a great time. Great game if you like offense. 35-28 Union at the half. Arcidiacono with 109 yards rushing through 30 minutes.
– Pat
I thought we’d see some shots downfield in this third quarter, esp. from Wabash, who has the wind. But they got sacked on their play-action play … A pair of three and outs to start things.
Basically, both O-Lines are getting blown up … and no sooner do I say that than Harbaugh has all day to throw and completes a 20+ yard pass across midfield.
I’ll shut up and watch. Besides, Marks had 12 first half carries. I really gotta pay attention.
Around the Nation, BTW, Wabash, Thiel and Coe are currently losing, DV, Rowan and Bridgewater up by 7 or less, plus Union’s latest update is still 21-20.
Great day to watch football.
DePauw coverage sack. Harbaugh had time but held it.
Still 7-3. I won’t check in again til the end of the third.
OVertime in the CORTACE JUG…..30-30.
IThaca was down 23-6 at half.
Cortland scored on first possession….37-30.
Ithaca ball.
OK, I lied. This drive was off the hook.
Going back to a third down pass from Harbaugh perfectly lofted between defenders to Ray Green, who drops it around the 10 maybe. Then, fourth-and-9 from the 29 with 6:37 in the third, Harbaugh eludes three defenders back around the 45 and hits Green just past the sticks on the sideline, which Green bobbles and hauls in falling backwards.
Wabash gets to the four on three runs, and lines up for 3rd-and-goal after an incompletion. Harbaugh falls down backing out from under center, but tries to hand off to Ogden anyway. The ball appears to be a fumble, and is kicked by DePauw, then picked up for a sure 96-yard fumble return TD … but not so fast. Officials rule Harbaugh was down, ticking off the Tiger crowd, but it was the correct call according to replays.
So on 4th and goal, Wabash looks to be lining up for a field goal, then runs and option right and Ogden scores untouched.
On the KOR, DePauw lets the ball hit the ground and skip into the end zone. Their returner picks it up and runs laterally til he is tackles for what appears to be a safety … but officials rule it a touchback.
The short-memory Wabash crowd gets the BS chant going …
Crazy game.
10-7 with 1 min left in third. Wabash has the ball at midfield.
HSC beating Macon 29-10, halfway through the 3rd Quarter last time I checked.
Cortland wins 37-30 in OT
Wabash was backed up against it, then held on a play from the 9, so passing out of their own end, picked off around the 35 by DePauw’s Brendan Berigan.
On second, Weithoff buys himself some time, lofts to a WR at the 5 and it goes through his hands.
Sounds like those NY games are awesome.
10-7 here DeP driving with 10 min left (another dropped pass @ 20)
Well that punt game was gonna get someone. Wabash’s D held, then they rushed the punt so hard the Tigers didn’t really get it off. Wab takes over at 39.
I got an R-MC update in the DePauw box here, but I really wasn’t going to bring it up. I guess it is rivalry day ….
Cortland huh?
By the way, the Bell itself has been chillin with the DePauw cheerleaders. They ring it when good stuff happens, and I spot at least four … now five … uniformed offices within pouncing distance should anyone get any funny ideas.
Union 42, RPI 28 — end 3rd quarter on one of the nicest November games you’ll ever see in Schenectady.
Wow. Another great play.
A little swing pass to J-back Kyle Piazza … right where the sideline collision should be, he tiptoes the sideline, stays inbounds and takes it about 30 more yards to the house.
Just prior, a shovel pass on third down kept the drive alive. DePauw KOR almost ran it back earlier, but with 7:10 left … any Pool C team needing DePauw out of the picture could be smiling.
Plenty of time though.
sorry–should have said “nicest November days”
Cortland came out and used numerous trick plays, including a fake punt and fake field goal. They blocked an extra point and returned it to the house. ANd returned an interception 70 yards. IThaca stormed back in second half and kicked a late field goal to tie the game. In OT, cortland receiver made a tremendous catch in corner of end zone. Ithaca threw interception to end game.
You’re fine, the blog does not demand perfection.
Down 17-7, from the 38 with 6 min left, a big fourth and 8 for DePauw … wow, #1 Chris Gines wide open along the sideline for 13 … they’ve killed on the sideline routes this drive.
Shame Wiethoff’s a senior. Even the incomplete passes his nimbleness is fun to watch. He’s trying to make soomething happen.
He just did. Fired a TD strike, on a rope, to Chase Jonason the TD. SO right after Wabash extends the lead, DePauw comes right back.
With PAT at 5:14 left, it’d be 17-14.
Around the Nation:
Thiel tied it up at 28 with Carnegie Mellon
Curry 17-14 in 2OT for a playoff berth? Wow. I wonder if our Fitchburg blogger will write about that.
Alfred leads SJF 3-0 at the half.
Sorry Cortland. MSU is getting smoked 31-7. Hobart, CNU and Bridgewater appear to have wins locked up … wonder how far Ferrum will fall with the L, but still being in the bracket. Not behind Hopkins, I guess, but maybe to seven in the South. Unless DePauw wins here … but Trinity is up 21 on Millsaps.
(goes crazy)
Wabash darn near ran the kick all the way back. Out to the 46 though. This is crazy back-and-forth for low-scoring like it is.
DeP huge sack wiht 4:20 left.
Gotta watch. Back later.
RPI won’t go away; Union 42- RPI 35
9:30 left to play
Union is set to punt for the first time in the game.
Wabash completed a long pass — a blitzer (55) had Harbaugh on the hips, but he stepped up and connected with 84 for a first down across midfield and to the 27.
DePauw just stopped the clock after a 2nd down run to preserve time. 2:15 left, a first down will end it.
The announcer says fans should stay off the playing field afterward.
Good luck with that.
Wabash complete for a first down, but this flag should be holding … way back in the Wab backfield.
2:06. DePauw needs the ball, then a miraculous drive and an FG.
Holding moves it back to the 36 … DePauw burns second timeout.
But if it’s out of FG range, that means the Tigers won’t need a TD to tie. So everything here is big.
Union holds and get the ball back after an RPI punt.
7:30 to play.
Wabash had a fourth-down 43-yd FG attempt into the wind set up, direct snapped to the PK, and his punt rolls out at the 9.
1:55 left.
So far a Weithoff run for first down and pass awful close to it.
The stage is set for heroics.
DePauw FG kicker will kick into wind if they can get him a shot. He had the distance from 55 in pregame … 0 timeouts, I think.
Inc. pass.
I’ll be back.
DeP crossed midfield, Wiethoff bought time and threw a perfect floater to Culp, who dove to get it while possibly being interfered with.
Next play is tipped by Wabash.
I’m just told by SID Bill Wagner that 50 years to the day DePauw won on a FG.
The next on is a sack by Wabash. Moves ball back to 50. DePauw did have one timeout left, and they used it.
Smart management actually. Don’t want to burn 20 seconds getting everyone back to the line and running a play frantically.
1:07 left.
DePauw is 0-for-13 on third today.
3rd-and-18 from the 44 (not 50, my bad) … some kind of pre-snap penalty, I was typing not looking.
OK, 3rd-and-23 incomplete.
Did I mention DePauw is 4-for-4 on fourth today.
1:03 left, for all the marbles.
Tom Arcidiacono has broken the College’s all-time single season rushing record — he has over 200 yds today and about 1600 on the season.
He just broke a 45-yd run for a Touchdown. Union 49, RPI 35 — 3 minutes to play.
Officially 38/207/2 TD
Weithoff bought time, rolled left, had his big TE streaking across the middle of the field … the guy is 6-5, and the pass was a little high.
I at least wanted a catch for more drama. It’s over with 0:56, but well worth the trip. I guess I’ll be back later, blogging for playoff talk.
DePauw fans are pouring out, Wabash is stroming the field.
17-14 final.
Wabash 10-0 and probably a top seed in a dangerous playoff bracket. DePauw is 7-2 and no playoffs, pretty much.
Definitely lived up to the billing. Seems all of rivalry day did.
(pretends RMC and HSC do not play)
2:14 to play. 49-35. RPI facing a 4th and 5.
RPI converts on 4th down. 1:46 now to play. RPI in the red zone.
Union 49, RPI 42 FINAL
UNION finishes 10-0, wins the Liberty League, keeps the shoes and clinches an NCAA Division III playoff berth.
OK, sorry for not holding up my end of the bargain. I’m dialing up now and that’s as good as it’s going to get, I think.
Great game. I’ll write more later. Union has the front page photo and we’ll post more later.
I can’t tell you how proud I am of the Ferrum Panthers. To let Christopher Newport win one, and keep their confidence up for next season is to be commended.
Oh well…..see you at the playoffs.
Blackhatsonthehill,
This game was terrible. I watched every painful minute. I think Ferrum would have played better if they were 0-9 coming into the game. The panthers did not show much energy tonight, I just hope they show up next week.
WOW, CNU 44 Ferrum 7!! What a shocker! Any given day baby. Just ask Huntingdon. How about them MC Scots for a pool C? Relax, I’m kidding.
With a Depauw and Hardin Simmons loss, how about H-SC for a pool C?
Let the fun begin!
Wash-Jeff in??? well, if W & J does not get in the playoffs now, the system will just have to be changed… they made Final Eight last year, and have a better team this year. They have been ranked between 6 and 16 nationally all this year, wiped out nine opponents and lost just one, 38-35 in OT. [That one is unbeaten Thiel, and don’t you just know the Presidents would like another shot at the Tomcats.]