2008 Woodie Awards
1-on-1 match-ups to determine Bell's future
By: Jonathan Batuello
Issue date: 11/9/07 Section: Monon Special
- Page 1 of 1
Saturday's game will come down to two storylines.
The first is the match-up between Wabash's senior All-American linebacker Adi Pynenberg against senior running back Jeremiah Marks. Both are record holders, team leaders and will be going harder than ever as this matchup will be their last college game.
The strength of the DePauw offense stems from its ability to get going on the ground as the team averages 160.3 yards a game and four yards per carry, with Marks averaging 128 yards a game. Pynenberg, however, has done an impressive job for the Little Giants' defense, recording 18 tackles for loss.
This battle will have extra importance early as DePauw tries to establish the running game it will need to win. When the Tigers can't run effectively they have struggled to win. In both of the Tigers' losses they only managed 58 and 68 yards on the ground. If Marks can establish his presence early then Pynenberg and the rest of Wabash's defense will have to respect DePauw's run game, bring an eighth man up and open the field for sophomore quarterback Spud Dick. For DePauw to win, Marks will have to pound out some important yards early and stop Pynenberg from being a terror in the backfield.
The second storyline to watch will be how Wabash sophomore quarterback Matt Hudson responds to his first time playing in the Monon Bell game. Hudson has had a tremendous year for the Little Giants since becoming the full-time starter over Kyle Augustinovicz after senior Dustin Huff went down with an injury. Hudson has completed 73.1 percent of his passes and thrown for 17 touchdowns, but let's be honest, the atmosphere he will be stepping into this weekend is different than any he's dealt with before.
With over 10,000 screaming fans and the pressure of an undefeated regular season on his shoulders, Hudson will have plenty of nerves and pressure.
Wabash is known for its aerial attack, but the Little Giants will likely hand the ball off a few times early to get Hudson settled in. After that, though, Hudson will be asked to throw the ball and throw it often. In both of DePauw's losses, the Tigers have given up 475 and 476 yards passing. The rest of the year the Tiger defense only once gave up more than 230 yards passing.
Wabash realizes this and will put the ball in Hudson and the receiving corps. If his nerves are settled then it could be a long day for the Tiger defense, because when Hudson is on he spreads the ball around (five players have four or more touchdowns), doesn't miss (noted by his completion percentage) and doesn't turn the ball over (only five interceptions so far).
My guess, though, is that Hudson will get rattled enough to make a few mistakes, especially at the end. Marks and Pynenberg will both show why they are known for their abilities, but DePauw will take a lead late into the game. Then, with the crowd noise and pressure quite high, Hudson will make an ill-advised pass and senior Jevon Pruitt will come up with his sixth interception of the year to seal it.
Prediction: DePauw 27, Wabash 24.
The first is the match-up between Wabash's senior All-American linebacker Adi Pynenberg against senior running back Jeremiah Marks. Both are record holders, team leaders and will be going harder than ever as this matchup will be their last college game.
The strength of the DePauw offense stems from its ability to get going on the ground as the team averages 160.3 yards a game and four yards per carry, with Marks averaging 128 yards a game. Pynenberg, however, has done an impressive job for the Little Giants' defense, recording 18 tackles for loss.
This battle will have extra importance early as DePauw tries to establish the running game it will need to win. When the Tigers can't run effectively they have struggled to win. In both of the Tigers' losses they only managed 58 and 68 yards on the ground. If Marks can establish his presence early then Pynenberg and the rest of Wabash's defense will have to respect DePauw's run game, bring an eighth man up and open the field for sophomore quarterback Spud Dick. For DePauw to win, Marks will have to pound out some important yards early and stop Pynenberg from being a terror in the backfield.
The second storyline to watch will be how Wabash sophomore quarterback Matt Hudson responds to his first time playing in the Monon Bell game. Hudson has had a tremendous year for the Little Giants since becoming the full-time starter over Kyle Augustinovicz after senior Dustin Huff went down with an injury. Hudson has completed 73.1 percent of his passes and thrown for 17 touchdowns, but let's be honest, the atmosphere he will be stepping into this weekend is different than any he's dealt with before.
With over 10,000 screaming fans and the pressure of an undefeated regular season on his shoulders, Hudson will have plenty of nerves and pressure.
Wabash is known for its aerial attack, but the Little Giants will likely hand the ball off a few times early to get Hudson settled in. After that, though, Hudson will be asked to throw the ball and throw it often. In both of DePauw's losses, the Tigers have given up 475 and 476 yards passing. The rest of the year the Tiger defense only once gave up more than 230 yards passing.
Wabash realizes this and will put the ball in Hudson and the receiving corps. If his nerves are settled then it could be a long day for the Tiger defense, because when Hudson is on he spreads the ball around (five players have four or more touchdowns), doesn't miss (noted by his completion percentage) and doesn't turn the ball over (only five interceptions so far).
My guess, though, is that Hudson will get rattled enough to make a few mistakes, especially at the end. Marks and Pynenberg will both show why they are known for their abilities, but DePauw will take a lead late into the game. Then, with the crowd noise and pressure quite high, Hudson will make an ill-advised pass and senior Jevon Pruitt will come up with his sixth interception of the year to seal it.
Prediction: DePauw 27, Wabash 24.
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