Wabash Gamenotes vs. Oberlin (pdf)

Oberlin Gamenotes

Wabash will face the second of the two football opponents that handed the Little Giants a home loss last year. Wabash handled its business at Allegheny with a 69-0 win in the third game of the season, and will look to do the same this Saturday at Oberlin.
 
"This is redemption round two," receiver Sean Hildebrand said. "Like Allegheny last year, Oberlin took what was ours for the season. They physically and mentally outplayed us."
 
The Yeomen effectively eliminated the Little Giants' playoff chances in week nine of the 2012 season with a 31-16 victory in Crawfordsville.
 
"They taught us a valuable lesson," Coach Erik Raeburn said. "We had a terrible week of practice leading up to that game. We had just come off a big win on the road to put ourselves in a tie for first place, and the bell game was the next week. We just didn't have the mental toughness to stay focused and we played poorly."
 
The 2013 Yeomen (2-4, 1-4 NCAC) have struggled in a similar manner to the 2012 team that surprised the 10^th-ranked Little Giants. Wabash (6-0, 5-0 NCAC) will look to avoid that pitfall Saturday.
 
"Last year, our preparation wasn't great throughout the week and it showed up on Saturday," Hildebrand said. "Also, we weren't preparing ourselves for a tough game in bad elements. This year we're focusing on getting our mental game down as well as our physical."
 
The Little Giants played last season's game in damp, chilly conditions and may have to overcome the same type of weather Saturday. The Northern Ohio forecast calls for a high of 51 degrees with 19 mph winds and a 50-percent chance of rain, according to the weather.com. Also, Oberlin has the only natural grass field in the NCAC.
 
"Technique is important for handling the elements," Hildebrand said. "This week the linemen have been concentrating on their footwork and the receivers have been working on their routes."
 
A different player has starred on offense for the Little Giant each week. Last week, receiver Jon Laird and running back Grant Klembara shared the role last week versus Kenyon. Laird posted his best game of the season — 5 catches for 90 yards and 2 touchdowns — and Klembara became the fourth Little Giant rusher to reach the 150-yard mark by rushing for 162 yards and two TDs.
 
"We all block for each other well and we all run routes to get each other open," Hildebrand said about the receiver group. "We run more than we pass, but whenever our number is called, we make sure we're in the best position to make plays."
 
The offense will be challenged mentally as well as physically this week.
 
"They get in a lot of different fronts and do a lot of things to try and confuse us," Hildebrand said. "We're focusing this week getting all kinds of different fronts thrown at us to make sure we're ready for anything."
 
Senior linebacker leads the team with 55 tackles and Connor Jackson is one of three Yeomen with two interceptions. Jackson snagged both interceptions last week in his first-career start, and returned one for a touchdown. His performance earned him NCAC Player of the Week honors.

Moses Richardson paces the Oberlin rushing attack with 385 yards and 2 touchdowns. Sophomore quarterback Lucas Poggiali has thrown for 750 yards and two touchdowns, and added three more on the ground. He has evenly distributed the ball — each touchdown was caught by a difference receiver.

Saturday's kickoff will be at 1 p.m. Terry Byrom and Clayton Randolph will have the call on WNDY 91.3 FM.