Quote from: Go Thunder on December 18, 2006, 01:40:05 PM
I think it would be ridiculous for MUC to go to D2 as long as they follow the rules like everybody else.  Although I believe the NCAA needs to LOOK at limiting the number of total players a team can have and the implications of having 200 players on schools of 2500 or whatever the max attendance is.
1 – If a traveling team is 60-70 (not sure) how big can a JV squad be.  If you have 200 players do you have 2 or 3 JV squads?  Or even a second team.
2 – Is that now the standard for success?  Will other teams do the same?
3 – Would this keep some non athletes from getting in the school?
4 – Do other athletic departments lose out with money?  Will it inevitably cause infighting and jealousy between athletic departments?
5 – Would limiting a D3 school to 100-120 players be good or bad.
Just some thoughts for discussion.

Decades ago, the success of the UCLA basketball and the legendary Coach Wooden, led to a change in NCAA rules which allowed freshman to play at the varsity level.  The change meant that Wooden couldn't "hide" his tremendous freshmen classes from a nation of high school students considering a college.  The net effect of the change was a wider distribution of talent across the nation. 

Could it be that the success of Mount Union football might lead to a change in NCAA III football regulations.  One change might be the reduction of the size of rosters which will, in time, spread talent around to other schools.   

Quote from: baseman201 on December 04, 2006, 11:10:24 AM
Hmmm, seems to be some controversy as to who #2 is, you know an easy way to fix that...............

A PLAYOFF!!!!!

AMAZING HOW THERE WOULD BE NO CONTROVERSY AT ALL!!!!!

I guarantee Michigan is wishing they had a playoff right now.

And just off the subject, I think OSUs basketball team is going to win the national championship as well.  Anyone see Oden play?  Amazing. 

Couldn't we say that we had a playoff?   Beautiful thing about a single elimination tournament is that you don't  have to beat the same team twice.  So, maybe we had a playoff with Ohio St. beating Michigan, and Florida beating Arkansas.

hscoach,   thanks for your assessment of the MU - Wheaton game.    What will Capital have to do tomorrow to knock off Mount? Or is MU so good that they can only beat themselves?

Quote from: 79jaybird on November 30, 2006, 05:46:06 PM
I don't know why people are critiquing Coach Hardy or any Wheaton Coach, because I think 9 out of 10 non-Wheaton persons would say the Wheaton Staff is doing the right things/pushing the right buttons.
Just because this is Coach Hardy's first year, doesn't mean he hasn't gone through the ropes, knows what works/doesn't work, and hasn't had mentors to observe from.  They don't just "throw him to the fishes" and sink/swim.

From what I saw of Ullrich he is a solid QB and will do fine as a starter next year.  Speaking of QB's I think replacing Kniss is going to be the single, most difficult thing for NC to do next year.  That is probably the only "disadvantage" of having an All-American QB is that once he graduates, who's going to step up and pick up where he left off?


Jaybird, you are right about Ullrich and Kniss.   The latter's departure is a huge loss for the CCIW and for NC.   Not sure who will step up in Naperville and what QB will lead the CCIW. 

Quote from: Mugsy on November 29, 2006, 06:25:23 PM

Quote from: ThunderStones on November 29, 2006, 06:16:25 PM

Quote from: bison22 on November 29, 2006, 11:55:38 AM

Thanks for the review of Ullrich.   I hope, for Wheaton's sake, he is as good as you say.   On a related subject, did you get the feeling this past year that the Wheaton coaching staff wanted to start Ullrich but just couldn't pull the trigger? 

That is a difficult question to answer.  Let's just say that it is hard to replace a well-liked, senior, returning two-year starter who is a former All-CCIW player with someone who is in their first year in the program, no matter how talented he may be, and especially while the team is still winning.  Chupp also worked out in the offseason with Joe and Chirs Fossum, and they had a year of seasoned experience under their belts, so it would have been hard to break up that trio.  That said, I was not a fan of the two quarterback system and had my own opinion on who should have been the starter, but it is hard to question a coaching staff of that caliber and I am sure they had good reasons for their decisions.

Well said.  Couldn't have stated it better myself.

Agreed.   But, if I could probe a little further? Wheaton's Offensive Coordinator was in his first year on the job, right?  Do you think the legendary Coach Bishop would have been more likely to bump a senior QB?   Didn't Chupp, as a sophomore, start over an incoming all-conference QB named Bradley? 

Thunderstones,

Thanks for the review of Ullrich.   I hope, for Wheaton's sake, he is as good as you say.   On a related subject, did you get the feeling this past year that the Wheaton coaching staff wanted to start Ullrich but just couldn't pull the trigger? 

Quote from: ThunderStones on November 28, 2006, 02:21:00 PM

Quote from: bison22 on November 27, 2006, 07:19:54 PM
As for CCIW 2007, I am liking Wheaton but wondering about the QB situation.   Ullrich doesn't look like the answer.  Could a sophomore like Norris surprise everyone?

I'm not sure on what grounds you are making this assessment, but as someone who attended all 12 games this year I can say that if you have seen him play, you should know that Zach Ullrich IS the answer.  Ullrich will not only be an improvement for Wheaton at the quarterback position next year, but I would be somewhat surprised if he is not the CCIW Offensive Player of the Year.  He has an incredible arm and made some throws even this year like very few D3 quarterbacks are capable of making.  He also has exceptional athleticism for a QB and the ability to make plays with his feet, even more so than Chupp did.  It also seems that he has good chemistry with the returning receivers, particularly Noah Dreyer, and also Alex Pokorny, who I expect to have a breakout season next year.  You have to remember that Ullrich is a D-1 quality quarterback and didn't get a chance to operate the offense consistently this year.  Next year he will be the man, and with that opportunity I'm sure he will turn a lot of heads, including yours.

With regard to Norris, he will certainly be a capable backup, as will Ric Radcliffe.  He saw a little time at the end of the North Park game and didn't attempt any passes, but showed great speed on an 11-yard scramble.  I would not be surprised to see him start in 2008, but it will be all Ullrich in 2007.

My question on whether or not Ullrich is the answer is based on the fact that he did not start over Chupp this year.  If Ullrich is the answer, why didn't he get the nod over Chupp who had a decent year but not his best year, IMO, as a member of the Thunder?  How can one conclude that Ullrich is not better than Chupp, with his propensity for interceptions, but is the answer for the 2007 Thunder?   

As for CCIW 2007, I am liking Wheaton but wondering about the QB situation.   Ullrich doesn't look like the answer.  Could a sophomore like Norris surprise everyone?  And, Augie will always be in the hunt.  Their program may not be able to win outside of the CCIW, but it has proven it can compete for the title year-in and year-out.     After that, IMO, its a battle for the 3rd place.   

While I don't engage in the dialogue much, I have sure enjoyed the give and take of all the contributors.  Your correspondance adds a nice dimension to CCIW football.   Thanks.   

Quote from: usee on October 31, 2006, 09:32:12 AM
My rankings of best CCIW QB's of the last 25 yrs would be:

1. Keith Bishop Wheaton
2. Dave Weber Carroll
3. Lon Ericson IWU
4. Jeff Brown Wheaton
5. Kam Kniss NCC
6. Tom Monken IWU
7. John Rooney IWU
8. John Love NPU
9. Doug Moews IWU
10. Tim Hardy Wheaton
11. Tim Brylka Mill

Keith Bishop is a tough one. He is without question the tops based on stats alone but he was physically less talented than anyone else on this list. Very smart and accurate. Multiple 500+ yd passing games.

Usee - you have an amazing grasp of the CCIW.  I am thinking you are right on with Kniss in the middle of the pack and Bishop on top.   Wondering who will be next to crack the top ten in the CCIW? 

Quote from: 79jaybird on October 30, 2006, 08:27:20 PM
Kniss has been one of the better quarterbacks the CCIW has seen in a long time.  Some of the quarterbacks that I remember fondly include Brylka, Roe, Keith Bishop, Demma, Garza, to give NPU a shout Mike Haehn was pretty good for the Park.


79Jaybird - Thanks for input.  I didn't think QB's like Kniss don't come through the CCIW too often.  Chupp had some potential but doesn't seem to have improved much over the last couple years.   It will be fun watching O'Boyle.   He comes from a great high school program in Chicago (Brother Rice).

I have been keeping with you all most of the season.  Appreciate the dialogue.

Wondering if you all have discussed Kniss as he relates to other CCIW quarterbacks in recents years.  I have seen him a few times.  He seems pretty good to me.  Wonder if you all have seen anybody better in the CCIW in the last five to ten years?

Usee,

How long to you see Wheaton sticking with Chupp?  Might today be his last start?

Thanks Usee.

North Central leads Augustana 7-0. 

Any one know why Chaz Black is not playing for Wheaton?