Quote from: 79jaybird on February 17, 2025, 08:59:01 AMI like the hiring of Mike Heffernan.  Mike is a veteran, good family man, and a trustworthy sole.   I got to know Mike and his father a little better when I was still calling the games for EC.   I like that Elmhurst chose a true blue Bluejay to knows what it means to play for the blue & white, our traditions, and the culture both at EC and the community.   I wish Mike all the best.   

Glad to see an Alum get that job. Hoping he can get the Bluejays in a better place. Need the conference to get back to a stronger top to bottom conference. 

Quote from: devildog29 on January 13, 2025, 07:33:57 PMMike Murray leaving Elmhurst to return to IWU as DC. 

Now that's an interesting move....

Congrats to Luke Lehnen on his back to back Gagliardi trophies!!

Quote from: devildog29 on January 01, 2025, 11:17:29 AM

Quote from: CardinalAlum on December 31, 2024, 04:32:09 PM

Quote from: devildog29 on December 31, 2024, 01:34:01 PMThe bad man is gone.  Let it go Elsa. 

No hints?  High school guy? College guy? IWU Alumni?

I'll just say that everyone's #1 choice was unfortunately not available due to the structure of the Illinois retirement system. 

That was the one I was wondering about as I thought he would've been a great hire.

Quote from: devildog29 on December 31, 2024, 01:34:01 PMThe bad man is gone.  Let it go Elsa. 

No hints?  High school guy? College guy? IWU Alumni?

Quote from: USee on December 17, 2024, 05:49:15 PM

Quote from: CardinalAlum on December 17, 2024, 04:18:32 PM

Quote from: USee on December 17, 2024, 02:49:45 PM

Quote from: OLCoach99 on December 17, 2024, 01:52:34 PMMillikin Named Billy Riebock as their next head coach

https://www.wandtv.com/sports/billy-riebock-named-millikin-head-football-coach/article_e5b9b4a0-bbf9-11ef-ba71-df77c5083eb7.html?fbclid=IwY2xjawHOpPtleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHf8o4lILswaSNmPptK3mwvGrLS72zLXAT-kg4wHcdBUz0wAe65L_qdoQxg_aem_KXZrCxrDIVncpzoPBkQoQA

"It is an honor and privilege to be the head football coach at Millikin University, the premier university in the CCIW," said Riebock.

Yikes, not sure what he was told or the extent of his research but this statement represents a significant perception vs reality gap. Welcome to the league Coach!

I saw this as well and thought Lou Holtz had taken the job! Looks like he grew up in Decatur so he is well aware of what he's going to have to sell recruits on. I'm really curious how the IWeenie coach hunt is going. 

I have applied if that's any indication.....

Lack of quality candidates is evident then....

Quote from: USee on December 17, 2024, 02:49:45 PM

Quote from: OLCoach99 on December 17, 2024, 01:52:34 PMMillikin Named Billy Riebock as their next head coach

https://www.wandtv.com/sports/billy-riebock-named-millikin-head-football-coach/article_e5b9b4a0-bbf9-11ef-ba71-df77c5083eb7.html?fbclid=IwY2xjawHOpPtleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHf8o4lILswaSNmPptK3mwvGrLS72zLXAT-kg4wHcdBUz0wAe65L_qdoQxg_aem_KXZrCxrDIVncpzoPBkQoQA

"It is an honor and privilege to be the head football coach at Millikin University, the premier university in the CCIW," said Riebock.

Yikes, not sure what he was told or the extent of his research but this statement represents a significant perception vs reality gap. Welcome to the league Coach!

I saw this as well and thought Lou Holtz had taken the job! Looks like he grew up in Decatur so he is well aware of what he's going to have to sell recruits on. I'm really curious how the IWeenie coach hunt is going. 

Quote from: NCC2010 on December 17, 2024, 02:19:59 PMPer Frank Rossi, Zack Orr's targeting call has officially been overturned


https://x.com/FrankRossi/status/1869083747989033032

Quote from: USee on December 16, 2024, 03:40:10 PMI have it on good authority that the targeting call on NCC LB Zack Orr has been reversed and he will play a full game Saturday vs Susquehanna. It's the right decision and glad for the player and the Cardinals.

USee had this first! 

Quote from: robertgoulet on September 16, 2024, 03:40:45 PM

Quote from: Pat Coleman on September 16, 2024, 03:11:14 PMLehnen doesn't qualify?

As much as I love Lehnen I don't think I'd consider him a QB game breaker like you would have Boyes or Rutter simply because I think you can scheme against (keep him in the pocket and make him go through his reads and use his arm) him where you can't really with those other two.

Couldn't disagree more......Luke is as special of a QB as we have had in that position in school history. Not the thrower Broc was but Broc wasn't the runner Luke is. As a D coordinator, Luke is the piece you can't prepare for. His ability to scramble or take a QB sweep or draw is incredible. His speed is next level. Our stable of RB's are special.  Maples and Pryor are special and difference makers. My .02.

Quote from: Crusader92 on July 23, 2024, 08:31:05 PMAt risk of violating the board's ridged standards for what counts as interesting , this is really something for this D3 school from a neighboring conference:

https://footballscoop.com/news/video-division-iii-program-finishes-one-of-the-largest-indoor-facilities-in-college-football

That's really impressive!  Maybe spreads out some of the WIAC talent!

We're back! 

Congrats to Cortland! They played a great game and did what they had to do. Disappointed in the outcome but proud as hell of the NCC Football program and Coach Spencer. 

Quote from: USee on December 04, 2023, 07:17:04 AM
Look, in almost every case I would defer if i won the toss. The opportunity to manage your end of half possession to possibly go 2 for one is a huge advantage. But If there is an argument to take the ball vs defer I am not sure there could be a more clear case than UWL. Start the game vs the top rated offense in D3 history against a very average defense or your own highly rated offense, that needs to score to keep the game close? Psycological impact? Speed of the game? How about just spotting NCC  7 pts and starting the game from there? I might rather put 7 on the board and make them chase every possession in this case.

I any case, I was thinking about that decision most of the game and wondered why the UWL coach made the decision. Given his pregame comments about the need for his offense to score and keep up and for his defense to get 4-5 stops, I was interested in his thinking on this.

This weekend, if I'm Wartburg, I probably revert to defer because of the strength of your defense. Wartburg has to feel like their defense can compete against NCC's offense better than anyone has all season. And that's probably accurate.  Not sure it's enough, but this is definitely the biggest challenge the NCC offense will face all season (and visa versa). Strength on strength.

And everything here is what prompted my initial question. USee is spot on with the logic! Mostly because he agrees with me! 

Looking forward to a great semifinal next week! Where's the best place to get lunch and a beer before the game in Waverly next Saturday?

Pat,

Did anyone ask the UWL coach about his decision to defer the opening kickoff after winning the toss?