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Tigers prepare for aerial attack from Ohio Wesleyan
The DePauw football team picked up its first win on Saturday, thumping visiting Oberlin 45-11.
One win in five games isn't quite cause for breaking out champagne and confetti, but it does make things a lot easier.
"Once you get a win there's a few more smiles around the practice field," DPU coach Bill Lynch said. "That was early in the week. Once they started studying Ohio Wesleyan and realized what a good team they are we got back to business."
The team was back to work this week, preparing for a trip to Ohio Wesleyan (3-2). The Battling Bishops provide one of the biggest tests thus far for DePauw, with a spread passing attack and experienced quarterback.
Senior Mason Espinosa was among the top five in the country in completions last year and is on pace to do the same this season. He's also likely to set the conference pass yardage record later this year.
"He's very accurate, but you can tell he really runs the offense," Lynch said. "He's got good receivers and a good, solid offensive line. It's going to be a real challenge for our defense."
Ohio Wesleyan's offense will be a challenge to the young, inconsistent secondary of DePauw.
The group played well last week, limiting drives and forcing three interceptions. But Espinosa and the Bishops are a very different threat.
Last week the Tigers worked in a few more blitzes than they have so far this year. They may look to continue that this week, but Lynch said the team has to be careful with taking too many chances.
"You've got to be smart about that because a really good passing can really beat you," he said. "We've got to have a good balance, but the biggest thing we can't do is we can't give up a lot of big plays.
"We've got to keep the ball in front of us and make them play the next play."
DePauw's biggest advantage, in preparation and in the game, is that it's that their passing game has been working extremely well since freshman quarterback Matt Hunt came in three games ago.
Hunt has been one of the most accurate, efficient passers in the country. His 182.0 passer rating is ninth in Division III, the only non-junior or senior in the top 15, and he hasn't thrown an interception since week two, a tipped ball in his collegiate debut.
DePauw has been throwing the ball downfield with Hunt, but taking chances will be riskier against the talented defense of Ohio Wesleyan.
"They're not a real big defense, but they're very, very aggressive," Lynch said. "We're going to have to do a good job recognizing where people are, both in the running game and in our pass protection."
The Tigers will have chances on offense against the Bishops, but their defense will also get better by practicing against a top player during the week. It's not the same system, but some of the coverages and schemes should transfer.
"Practicing against each other, I'd hope that would help," Lynch said, "but this will be a different kind of challenge because they're very efficient with what they do."
DePauw has a challenge ahead of it, but the win last week, along with the expected (limited) return of senior captain Pat Keller at defensive tackle, will give the Tigers some momentum.
"They're a very, very good football team," Lynch said. "They've won a lot of games the last two years. ... It's going to be a good challenge."
DPU is scheduled to take on Ohio Wesleyan at 1 p.m. on Saturday in Delaware, Ohio.