CRAWFORDSVILLE, IN -
To say this is a big week for the Wabash football team would be a bit of an understatement.
A. The 8-1 Little Giants are preparing for the final game of the 2009 regular season.
B. The game is against arch-rival DePauw, in Greencastle.
C. Wabash hopes to retain possession of the Monon Bell after two straight wins in the series by DePauw
D. If Wabash wins, they very likely will earn and at-large birth to the NCAA Division Three tournament. If the Little Giants lose, their season is over.
The first three are nothing new, Wabash always ends its season against DePauw. This is the 116th meeting between the two schools, and the Monon Bell was introduced as the traveling trophy in 1932. Normally, the 300-pound Bell is the only incentive needed, but the fact a playoff birth could be waiting for Wabash just adds to the drama. (DePauw has clinched an automatic birth to the D-3 tournament)
"I really want a Monon Bell game victory. I think this year it goes hand in hand, we win I go to the playoffs so I can get both of them," said senior offensive lineman Skip Tokar, a Zionsville high school graduate.
That was an answer to my question about which he'd rather have if he could only have one, a Monon Bell win or a playoff birth. Of course, Skip wants both. But Wabash quarterback Matt Hudson did admit he might place more value on the Monon Bell than playoff spot.
"I think if you'd have asked me two years ago what is more important, I probably would've said the playoffs, but that was just me being naive. That was before me having lost two Bell games in a row, if you ask me now, I'd definitely say the Bell game is more important."
Hudson is the reigning NCAC Offensive Player of the Year and has thrown for 274 yards per game in seven starts this season. He is close to wrapping up a highly successful career, which does include two playoff appearances, but he realizes the empty feeling that would come if he loses a third consecutive Monon Bell Game.
"It's the one we've been waiting for, for a long time. Especially after the way things have gone the last few years, we've used it as a lot of motivation," commented Hudson prior to Tuesday's practice in Crawfordsville.
Second-year Head Coach Erik Raeburn came to Wabash after a successful stint as head coach at Coe College, in Cedar Rapids Iowa. He admits that the opportunity to participate in such an intense rivalry played a part in his decision to become a Little Giant.
"To get to play in a game like this, to get to coach in a game like this is pretty special. There are a ton of great players, great coaches that never get to be a part of a rivalry like this, so you've gotta enjoy it and hopefully it will turn out better than it did last year," said Raeburn.
Raeburn called last year's game a "nightmare" from the second quarter on, a game dominated by DePauw at Hollett Stadium. When Wabash holds the Monon Bell, the trophy is housed inside the Allen Athletic Center for everyone to view. Raeburn hasn't seen the traveling trophy in Crawfordsville and hopes that changes very soon.
"We didn't have it when I got the job and obviously we lost last year so, it's been an empty space in all the time I've been here, so I'd like to see it up there starting on Sunday."
Sunday "could" be a big day in Crawfordsville, the Little Giants could hear their name called for the NCAA Division-Three tournament with a loud ring of the Monon Bell. Or, they could be cleaning out the locker-room, while staring at an empty spot in the Allen Center.
The good news for the Little Giants, they don't have to choose. It is very likely one win brings another positive result, not that there wasn't already enough pressure placed on the 12th most played rivalry in all of college football.
"There is a lot of pressure, but to me, it's all about this weekend. We'll look forward to the playoffs after that, but we're just going to try to take care of business this weekend and let things take care of themselves," commented Hudson.
Junior wide receiver Kody LeMond has yet to experience the joy of celebrating a Monon Bell victory.
"I'm fired up. I don't need any extra motivation, but the fact that I haven't even won a Bell game here at Wabash, that's motivation enough." He hopes that changes Saturday, while allowing this team to play together at least one more week.
"We're playing to fight to keep our family together. Family is a big theme here at Wabash. When we lose our family separates and we're not going to play together ever again, so we're fighting to stay alive as a family," added LeMond.
Yes, it is a BIG week for Matt Hudson, Kody LeMond, and the entire Wabash football family.
A. The 8-1 Little Giants are preparing for the final game of the 2009 regular season.
B. The game is against arch-rival DePauw, in Greencastle.
C. Wabash hopes to retain possession of the Monon Bell after two straight wins in the series by DePauw
D. If Wabash wins, they very likely will earn and at-large birth to the NCAA Division Three tournament. If the Little Giants lose, their season is over.
The first three are nothing new, Wabash always ends its season against DePauw. This is the 116th meeting between the two schools, and the Monon Bell was introduced as the traveling trophy in 1932. Normally, the 300-pound Bell is the only incentive needed, but the fact a playoff birth could be waiting for Wabash just adds to the drama. (DePauw has clinched an automatic birth to the D-3 tournament)
"I really want a Monon Bell game victory. I think this year it goes hand in hand, we win I go to the playoffs so I can get both of them," said senior offensive lineman Skip Tokar, a Zionsville high school graduate.
That was an answer to my question about which he'd rather have if he could only have one, a Monon Bell win or a playoff birth. Of course, Skip wants both. But Wabash quarterback Matt Hudson did admit he might place more value on the Monon Bell than playoff spot.
"I think if you'd have asked me two years ago what is more important, I probably would've said the playoffs, but that was just me being naive. That was before me having lost two Bell games in a row, if you ask me now, I'd definitely say the Bell game is more important."
Hudson is the reigning NCAC Offensive Player of the Year and has thrown for 274 yards per game in seven starts this season. He is close to wrapping up a highly successful career, which does include two playoff appearances, but he realizes the empty feeling that would come if he loses a third consecutive Monon Bell Game.
"It's the one we've been waiting for, for a long time. Especially after the way things have gone the last few years, we've used it as a lot of motivation," commented Hudson prior to Tuesday's practice in Crawfordsville.
Second-year Head Coach Erik Raeburn came to Wabash after a successful stint as head coach at Coe College, in Cedar Rapids Iowa. He admits that the opportunity to participate in such an intense rivalry played a part in his decision to become a Little Giant.
"To get to play in a game like this, to get to coach in a game like this is pretty special. There are a ton of great players, great coaches that never get to be a part of a rivalry like this, so you've gotta enjoy it and hopefully it will turn out better than it did last year," said Raeburn.
Raeburn called last year's game a "nightmare" from the second quarter on, a game dominated by DePauw at Hollett Stadium. When Wabash holds the Monon Bell, the trophy is housed inside the Allen Athletic Center for everyone to view. Raeburn hasn't seen the traveling trophy in Crawfordsville and hopes that changes very soon.
"We didn't have it when I got the job and obviously we lost last year so, it's been an empty space in all the time I've been here, so I'd like to see it up there starting on Sunday."
Sunday "could" be a big day in Crawfordsville, the Little Giants could hear their name called for the NCAA Division-Three tournament with a loud ring of the Monon Bell. Or, they could be cleaning out the locker-room, while staring at an empty spot in the Allen Center.
The good news for the Little Giants, they don't have to choose. It is very likely one win brings another positive result, not that there wasn't already enough pressure placed on the 12th most played rivalry in all of college football.
"There is a lot of pressure, but to me, it's all about this weekend. We'll look forward to the playoffs after that, but we're just going to try to take care of business this weekend and let things take care of themselves," commented Hudson.
Junior wide receiver Kody LeMond has yet to experience the joy of celebrating a Monon Bell victory.
"I'm fired up. I don't need any extra motivation, but the fact that I haven't even won a Bell game here at Wabash, that's motivation enough." He hopes that changes Saturday, while allowing this team to play together at least one more week.
"We're playing to fight to keep our family together. Family is a big theme here at Wabash. When we lose our family separates and we're not going to play together ever again, so we're fighting to stay alive as a family," added LeMond.
Yes, it is a BIG week for Matt Hudson, Kody LeMond, and the entire Wabash football family.
