Wingate could be biting off more than it can chew against Catawba

Wingate players and fans reportedly chanted, “We want Catawba, we want Catawba,” following last Saturday’s dramatic home upset of Virginia Union.

Today at 1:30 at Belk Stadium, Wingate gets its wish in the SAC opener for both teams.

The bad news for the fired-up Bulldogs (2-0) is that this could be like the old joke about the dog chasing the bus. The dog is going to catch up to the bus, but once he does, what in the world is he going to do with it?

Catawba (2-0) has rolled like a bus. It is awfully, awfully good. Coach David Bennett’s Indians are ranked sixth in the nation and may be underrated. The Indians’ emerging offense averages 46 points per game, which is exactly 46 more points per game than its dynamic defense allows.

Catawba lambasted Livingstone, then assaulted Austin Peay in season-opening games that were so one-sided that the Indians’ individual statistics took a hit because so many starters went to the sidelines so early.

But it’s part of Bennett’s job description to worry every week and he sounds sincerely concerned about his team’s latest challenge.

And maybe he should be.

For one thing, Wingate’s forced 11 turnovers, while committing just three.

For another thing, there’s that last visit Catawba made to Wingate in 1998. That junket resulted in a stunning and stinging 7-6 defeat.

Then there’s the fact that Bennett sees Wingate as being a whole lot like Catawba used to be. It wasn’t that long ago when the Indians were like the Bulldogs, unranked and disrespected.

“Wingate’s hungry like we were in 1995,” said Bennett. “Everybody’s lookin’ for recognition and respect, and if you beat Catawba you get respect.”

One thing is certain: Wingate will be the best team Catawba’s played so far.

That’s news. Last year, it would have taken a telescope to locate a team worse than Wingate. The 2000 Bulldogs gave up 22 more TDs than they scored, were out-sacked 63-16, placed no players on the All-SAC first team and just one on the second. When Wingate visited Shuford Stadium the game was over faster than you can say “Mitch Ellis.” Catawba led 38-0 at halftime, didn’t let Wingate get a first down until the last play of the third quarter and cruised 53-6.

OK, so what’s changed?

Basically, what’s changed is new Bulldog coach Joe Reich, the 35-year-old brother of former NFL quarterback Frank Reich. Wingate has roughly the same talent as last year, but Reich’s got everyone playing a whole lot harder. More heart, more togetherness — a Division II version of Wake Forest.

“We’ve looked at ‘em on film,” said Catawba linebacker Shawn Sanders. “They’re flying around. They’re playing with a lot more enthusiasm.”

Sanders sounds impressed. He insists Catawba won’t be caught napping.

“Some of us remember ’98 when we went down there with a lax attitude and weren’t ready to play,” he said. “That won’t happen this time.”

That’s the sort of we’re-taking-them-seriously talk Bennett wants to hear. If the Tribe heads to Union County geared for a fight, it should make the return trip to Salisbury with a conference win.

“But we’re goin’ into a hornet’s nest,” insists Bennett. “If you’re allergic to bees and wasps, you’d better not go.”

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Contact Mike London at 704-797-4259 or mlondon@salisburypost.com .