Several weeks ago, Wilmington College football coach Bryan Moore said the success in his first year will not be determined simply by looking at the win-loss column.
As the Quakers get ready for their third game of the season, the coach is convinced of that more than ever.
“Sometimes in order to be a good team, you simply have to avoid being a bad team,” said Moore. “And there were too many plays last week (against Otterbein) where we beat ourselves.
“However, these kids never got down on themselves, never hung their heads, and never packed it in as we have seen around here in the past. They emptied their tank on that field, I cannot ask much more of them from an effort stand point. I thought we took a big step forward in that department.”
Wilmington will face Capital University 7:30 p.m. Saturday night at Williams Stadium on the WC campus. The Quakers (1-1 on the year) are coming off a 56-28 loss to Otterbein last week.
“We learned as a coaching staff (from last week’s game) that we have a football team that has some fight in them,” Moore said. “With all the focus on changing a culture, leaning how to practice correctly, how to compete and prepare at a high level etc…, what we fail to remember sometimes is that our kids are learning a brand new offense and defense. It is going to take some time for the kids to get comfortable with our schemes.
“Otterbein is very talented and a top tier team in the OAC. I thought we showed the heart and fight that it will take to turn this thing around, but the execution is still lacking. And when you play some of the experienced teams in our conference and don’t execute well, they can put it on you in a hurry.”
Capital has won 16 straight games over Wilmington, including last season’s 35-21 outcome.
“Capital is another very experienced team,” Moore said. “They start five seniors and six juniors on offense. Defensively they start five seniors, five juniors, and one sophomore.”
Capital quarterback Thomas Wibbeler is the reigning Ohio Athletic Conference offensive player of the week. He threw for 317 yards and four touchdowns in the Crusaders 39-28 win over Muskingum last week. Moore said Capital will be balanced on offense, though, with a top level quarterback, running back and wide receiver to throw at the WC defense.
