Posted: Oct 20, 2016
Moge's Musings - October 20, 2016
Musings
Bethany got that elusive first win of the season after two or three got away
But the heart of the schedule is right around the corner.
Beginning this weekend, Bethany faces KW, Friends (on the road), Tabor to close the home schedule and then much improved McPherson to end the season.
As to last week, the Swedes started horribly and it looked like it might be Southwestern to get a first win of the year.
But then J.J. Moore turned the game in one fell swoop when he picked off a pass and took it 65 yards to the house.
It wasn't one of those out in open field type Pick 6 interceptions. Moore had to navigate his way through several potential tacklers before zipping into the endzone.
Then, Bethany put up 21 points in the second period, 14 in the final two minutes of the half to put enough of a cushion between the two teams that the Swedes could go on cruise control.
One bad thing happened at the end of the third period though when Darius Handcox received a slight injury and was done for the day. The Bethany staff expects him to get clearance to dress and play on Friday, but Isaiah Salazar is slated to start the game at quarterback.
Now that Salazar is healthy from an injury suffered against Ottawa, the trade-off isn't really that much of a drop off in the passing department. Handcox is the better runner of the two.
Nate Ocran was also effective as he went over 100 yards for the third straight game and could have a big night against the Coyotes as it seems they are somewhat susceptible to the rush.
One interesting fact I discovered about Ocran since Saturday is that despite being called a senior in the program, he has junior eligibility and could return for another season if he chose to. Ocran though, indicated he is strongly considering graduating the year.
We shall see.
This week at KW, Bethany will face the top offensive team in the conference. The Coyotes are averaging just under 39 points a game and right at 488 yards of total offense an outing. Their yardage is evenly distributed between rush and pass.
Individually, Wes Geisler is the third ranked quarterback in the KCAC averaging 252 of total offense a game. As noted last week, Handcox has not played enough games to qualify to be ranked in the conference stats.
Ocran's efforts the last three weeks has elevated him to 8th place in the conference standings just ahead of a pair of Coyotes.
Defensively, they rank fourth, giving up 29.1 points a game and 404 yards a game.
Chris Snyder feels the KW defense is solid in a 4-2 look and favors a Cover 3 concept in pass coverage. He rated Christian McQueen, 5-11, 223 junior as the most disruptive Coyote and will line in different positions to take advantage of his ability.
Since taking over for injured Chris Cordova, Geisler has performed very well. He's completing 57 percent of his passes for 206 yards a game and 14 touchdowns.
The forward wall for KW is rated athletic and solid.
TIDBIT
The exhibition basketball season began Tuesday night and this Saturday, Bethany will play three straight games at Kansas City's Sprint Center.
At 1 pm, Bethany will play Penn Valley Community College; at 3 pm, Ft. Scott Community College and will conclude the day facing Southeast (NE) Community College at 5 pm.
Next Tuesday, the season starts for real. Bethany travels to Moore, OK to play Randall University. The home schedule tips off on Thursday, October 27 when Bethany hosts Baptist Bible College at 7 pm in Hahn Gym. Friday, Bethany will meet Barclay College at 7:30 pm on a neutral court in Great Bend.