Quote from: wesleydad on December 14, 2013, 11:02:57 AM
Enjoy the game mount guys.  the snow changes things some in my mind.  I was thinking NCC was going to win with no weather issues, but now, if the forecast is correct and snow covers the field I think Mount wins because NCC will be forced to run the ball more than they would like and that plays into Mount's strength.  If NCC is able to throw in the snow they have a good chance to win this one.  If not Mount wins.  Good luck to both teams.

Heck, these conditions are great after last week. Sub zero temps and a grass less, concrete-like field. Two games before that, the wind chill was 7. The conditions won't alter the game plan.

Quote from: robertgoulet on December 12, 2013, 11:59:01 AM

Quote from: Kira & Jaxon's Dad on December 12, 2013, 11:56:55 AM

Quote from: robertgoulet on December 12, 2013, 11:24:53 AM

Quote from: jaypeter on December 12, 2013, 11:22:32 AM
Other than a cool experience, is there a reason they would do this?  What does that do for the Cardinals?  Do they have an indoor facility NCC doesn't have or something?  I'm curious.

NCC does not have an indoor facility. Probably a combination of the experience and the ability to use the indoor facility. Unfortunately they apparently couldn't get a hold of a real program's facility (like Toledo or Ohio State) and had to settle for the most overrated college football program in the country 

Since Toledo's HC is a MTU Grad, I doubt they would be welcome to practice there.   

Probably the reason they had to take a step down the ladder and go to ND!

This is actually pretty clever. Instead of being a long, nearly 7 hour bus ride, it breaks the travel into two pieces.

Quote from: emma17 on December 12, 2013, 11:17:38 AM
Regarding this whole intimidation factor thing (which I do believe exists to different degrees)- I don't think UWW ever reached the status of Mt's abilities to make the opposition lose control of their collective bladders.

Oh, Emma. UWW was certainly at that level during the Beaver/Coppage years. The first time that North Central played UWW, it was like playing a D-I team. UWW was so much bigger, stronger, and faster. NCC was hoping to keep the game somewhat respectable and learn how far they needed to go in order to be a real contender. Most fans came away with a "Wow" expression, about the size and speed of the Warhawks. NCC has become bigger and stronger, although they are hardly a big team. Playing the WIAC schedule  this season has given them experience and confidence against big, strong teams.

Although the UWW offense didn't scare many teams this season, the defense sure did.

Quote from: Gregory Sager on December 10, 2013, 09:54:40 PM
The holtz in here is getting so thick that I need waders and a shovel just to read this page.

And it's only Tuesday.

Quote from: HScoach on December 08, 2013, 10:27:17 AM
Hmmm, interesting responses from the NCC guys and others.    A season long touting of how Stanek is the best NCC QB ever, going against a Mount defense that just gave up 628 yards and 8 TD passes in 3 quarters to an young, inexperienced QB with an average overall season and now you want to down play NCC?     Nice try.   Lou Holtz just called and wants his notebook back.

LOL. I've been waiting for a week for a Lou Holtz reference. Be sure to watch this week's NCC Red Zone where Coach Thorne recites more of his coachspeak that at least one UWW fan took exception to.

I hear that UMU has a pretty good QB too, any truth to that? It's NCC's first visit to UMU and when was the last time UMU lost in the playoffs to someone not named UWW? I'm not sure there would be many takers to a North Central team giving 4.5 points. I'll assume that we'll see the UMU team that won the first quarter 31-0, rather than the team that finished out the game. It should be a fun week.

Ouch. The Augsburg comparison was a little ugly, even for a guy with 3 posts. I'll just say that St. Thomas and Gustavus weren't on that field trying to get to the Semifinals.

Injuries happen. There have been years where NCC has had injuries that have affected their offense or defense substantially. Would like do overs, but that's how the game is played. Part of the challenge in getting to the UMU, UWW, and UMHB level is developing depth so that you can withstand injuries to your starting players.

In 2010, UWW QB Matt Blanchard was injured at the end of the season. Lee Brekke came in at QB and led the Warhawks through the playoffs to a Stagg Bowl title. That's what you need to to happen to be the champion. And that's the last nice thing I'll say about UWW this season.

I did find the Bethel broadcasting crew interesting as the game winded down. They seemed perplexed that North Central never used an actual huddle and said that NCC must have intimacy issues. Then, when two players were yapping at each other, the comment was that they were likely discussing a theological issue.

But maybe, you can get Usee to make a contribution to your stadium fund!

Maybe it's better not to have video of this game. 

NCC The Red Zone 12.5.13 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POigDIoGMDY

Quote from: Stagg or Bust on December 04, 2013, 11:38:53 PM

Quote from: markerickson on December 04, 2013, 11:33:55 PM
So the NCC AD scheduled nonconference games against lower tier WIAC schools, thus the Cardinals travel in the playoffs?

While MIAC schools played and barely defeated the bottom two teams in the WIAC and the sixth place team in the IIAC and are now praised for their strength of schedule!!!

At this point I feel like I am beating a dead horse (Go Thunder, that is your cue for your man beating a dead horse).  Bethel and North Central will meet on the frozen tundra on Saturday and the best team will (hopefully) win and all of this SOS conversation will die ... Until next week.

Quote from: RoyalsFan on December 03, 2013, 12:46:29 AM

Quote from: Robert Zimmerman on December 02, 2013, 09:48:11 PM
Get your calendars out, here are the 2014 and 2015 SJU football schedules!

http://www.gojohnnies.com/sports/2008/10/16/FOOTBALL_1016085736.aspx

I have a question maybe someone here can answer. Looking at SJU's schedule for next year, 5 out of the 8 MIAC games are at the same location as this year (at St. Thomas, at St. Olaf, at Gustavus and home games against Bethel and Hamline). Why don't they just alternate locations each year?

I also noticed that they put the first round playoff game on the schedules. At least they didn't list it as a home game. 

LOL. When North Central first listed a playoff game on their upcoming schedule (several years ago), they got ripped by the supporters for the other CCIW teams.

There was no buzz, no excitement in the CCIW this season. The top 3 teams didn't play each other until the last 3 weeks, and the other teams only offered a mild challenge. Elmhurst was a disappointment, the most interesting team was North Park coming up from the bottom. As well as North Central could play, it was always going to be behind Mount Union. Far behind.

Meanwhile, the MIAC drew interest beginning in week 3 when St. Johns beat St. Thomas. Bethel was highly regarded in the West region all season. NCC and Bethel have looked even all year, we'll see on the field who is the better team. We just wish it was a better field.

The SOS is what is is, flawed as it is. NCC played  three middle WIAC teams, and the WIAC tries to put together as tough a schedule as possible. NCC didn't earn SOS points, but they gained experience against strong teams. Meanwhile, Wheaton plays Albion, and beats them 66-0. Albion goes 8-2 and gifts Wheaton SOS points.

Quote from: AO on December 02, 2013, 07:49:56 AM

Quote from: ILGator on December 02, 2013, 07:37:16 AM
What got my attention from that video clip is there doesn't seem to be a single blade of grass on that field!

The field looked pretty good to me:

That's a +K, LOL.

What got my attention from that video clip is there doesn't seem to be a single blade of grass on that field!

Quote from: NCCAlum48 on December 01, 2013, 03:06:08 PM

Quote from: AndOne on December 01, 2013, 03:02:45 PM
1. Look at NCC's results/stats and tell me they will be a double digit underdog to any team. Especially to a team whose starting QB probably won't be available. Sorry, but this is simply not realistic and ain't happenin'

2. With regard to game location, NCC's own football web site shows the game will be played in MN.   

http://northcentralcardinals.com/schedule.aspx?path=football

3. Curious about the status of Bethel QB Erik Peterson, I did some checking and located an article from the St. Paul Pioneer press in which Royals Coach Steve Johnson said "It is a separated shoulder at best." He will have an MRI tomorrow. Again, refer back to #1. Playing with a separated shoulder?
The article also indicates the Bethel was the #1 seed.

http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_24630440/bethel-advances-division-iii-playoffs-but-loses-its?source=rss

I know NCC's results and stats as well as anyone.  Clearly, you are missing my point.  Oh well.  Looking forward to the game on Saturday.  It's gonna be cold... better pack the long underwear.  Go Cards!

You were busting NCC's play against Albion, while Coach Thorne said it was their best effort all year. I'm not sure what your aim is. Most NCC fans are optimistic about this week's game. I'm not sure what the reason of your negativity is.

NCC has seen backup QBs in the playoffs before. In 2010, UWW played this day-to-day nonsense about Matt Blanchard when he was out for the remainder of the season (replaced by Lee Brekke). In 2011, we saw a backup QB when we went to Wabash. Nothing new for NCC and it doesn't really change the preparations.

Bethel's offense is balanced. Their backup QB is a senior, so he's been there. He threw two TDs last weekend, so I wouldn't expect much change in their offensive style. Perhaps the only negative is that NCC will see less than a game of him on film.

Tony Lucca sang the National Anthem at the UWW-UWEC game. Today, he's the halftime entertainment for the Green Bay-Detroit game.

You can go from D3 to the NFL.