Erik Raeburn has warned Wabash football players things might be different headed into halftime of Saturday’s game at Allegheny.
The Little Giants (3-0, 2-0 in North Coast Athletic Conference play) have dominated the first half of their first three games, combining to outscore their opponents 118-20. Raeburn doesn’t expect to see that same type of quick success against the undefeated Gators (3-0, 1-0 NCAC).
“They are going to be the best team we have played so far, without a question,” Raeburn said. “They are just very physical on defense and teams have been unable to score points on them.”
A win over Allegheny would be Wabash’s 600th career victory in school history. The Little Giants would only be the second team in Indiana to post 600 wins. Notre Dame leads the way with 831 victories in 121 seasons.
But a win won’t come easy. For one, it will be a game time decision whether Wabash offensive linemen Jeremy Morris will play Saturday.
After injuring his ankle in last week’s win over Kenyon, Morris has been cleared by doctors to play. The trainers, however, will have to see how he moves on his ankle Saturday before making the final decision.
Allegheny has shutout two of its first three opponents (Juanita 13-0 and Oberlin 22-0) and allowed two touchdowns in a 27-14 win over Westminster in its second game of the season.
The Gators have especially been tough against the run, ranking third in the NCAC by limiting opponents to 52.3 rushing yards per game. Wabash is second in the conference by allowing only 43.7 rushing yards per game. Allegheny is second in the conference in overall defense, as the Gators have allowed just 199 yards per game. Wabash also has been stingy on defense, limiting opponents to 217.3 yards per game.
“They are just very physical up front with their defensive linemen and linebackers and they have good safeties,” Raeburn said. “They also just don’t miss tackles. We have had some games this year where we have missed a tackle that has allowed a big gain, but we are not going to get any freebies against them.”
The Gators, who have won their last five games dating back to two overtime victories to end the 2008 season, have an experienced quarterback to back up their defense.
Senior TJ Salopek is coming off a career-best 357-yard passing effort in last Saturday’s win over Oberlin. Salopek, who was named the NCAC’s Offensive Player of the Week, is third in the conference with his average of 231 passing yards per game. He has completed a league-high 69 percent of his passes, going 64-for-93 for 693 yards and three touchdowns while throwing just one interception.
“Their quarterback just doesn’t make many mistakes,” Raeburn said. “We have to be able to put pressure on the quarterback and make sure on our covereages and everybody is in the right spot, or we will be in trouble.”
Salopek also is second in the Gators in rushing, carrying the pigskin 29 times for an average of 26.3 yards per game.
Raeburn said the Gators throw screen passes to use their passing game as an extension of their running game. Senior Jake Vite leads the Gator receivers with 14 catches for 201 yards. Tailback Eric Mastrogiacomo has 12 catches for 128 yards and also leads the Gators in rushing at 53.3 yards per game.
“They run the ball enough to have some offensive balance,” Raeburn said. “They are not going to go out and run the ball for 250 yards a game, but they can run the ball effectively.”
Wabash comes in with a four-game winning streak over the Gators, including last year’s 48-7 home win.
Salopek passed for 143 yards in the loss. Wabash also won 28-20 the last time it went to Meadville, Penn., in 2007.
The Little Giants are coming off one of their most complete efforts of the season in last Saturday’s 62-24 victory over Kenyon. Quarterback Matt Hudson completed 13-of-16 passes for 161 yards and three touchdowns in the victory.
Hudson is fourth in the league with 229.3 passing yards per game. Junior Tommy Mambourg has rushed for more than 100 yards in each of Wabash’s first three games and leads the conference with his average of 129.3 rushing yards per game.
“Our starters maybe played three quarters against Chicago and didn’t play a full three quarters in our other two games,” Raeburn said. “But hopefully our conditioning has prepared our starters to play a full 60-minute game.”
