Quote from: USee on September 16, 2015, 08:53:03 AM

Quote from: Green Jello Shots on September 16, 2015, 07:31:55 AM
USee - I beg to differ with a couple of points in your post.

IWU's "horrific" defense from last season that you referenced was the #2 scoring defense in the CCIW (behind Wheaton and ahead of North Central). They held your Wheaton squad to their lowest point total of the regular season.

Secondly, last year's IWU captains were Jeff Jerome, Connor Klein, Niall Mulcahy and John Worley. None of them have ever been suspended for any circumstances.

My mistake. I should not have said "captain". He was one of the best players on the team without question though. And you are right, the defense wasn't in the "horrific" category but they were last in the league in defensive 3rd down stops, in the bottom half in run defense and last in penalties. None of those things were on the QB. And as far as the QB and keeping the defense off the field, IWU faced 729 plays last year. Wheaton, the league's #1 defense, faced 799 plays. IWU's defense was in the middle of the pack in # of plays defended.

There were clearly chemistry problems on the IWU team last year. They were much, much more talented than their record indicated. The team that beat Franklin was not the same team that lost to Augie, Elmhurst, NCC and Wheaton in back to back weeks. It seems they have righted the ship thus far.

USee - I don't know if there were chemistry issues (I feel this was a pretty close-knit and hard working team actually), as much as just some snake-bitten circumstances that included a lot injuries/illnesses, with quarterback being at the top of the list. When Warner was named the starting QB, the #2 QB Tyler Hook; quit the team and left school, when Warner developed mono and couldn't play, they then handed the reigns to #3 QB Ty Bolden, who then was hospitalized for an emergency appendectomy, so they turned the reigns over to #4 QB Donovan Laible, who was playing well in relief, but then tore his ACL. Somewhere there was clearly someone sticking pins in a Norm Eash voodoo doll.

Even at full strength this probably wasn't a play-off team, but their strong opening to the season was probably more indicative of this team's talent than their disappointing losses after their players starting dropping like flies.

Finally, I'm sorry to beat a dead horse, but here is what you said on the CCIW Board about IWU's defense last year following the Wheaton game: "IWU played a great game. Their defense was impressive. I knew Worley and Venhuizen were good but the IWU LB's didn't miss many tackles. Klein, Roth and Garvey were outstanding today in limiting a potent Wheaton attack to just 13 points.". Before pinning last year's disappointing season on the defense (and there were certainly games like the NC and Elmhurst games where the D could have performed much better), keep in mind that 3 of their losses last year were by scores of 7-2, 13-3 and 13-7.

I'm not sure if this year's team will have any better luck, since they've already lost 1st Team All-CCIW standout Kyle Venhuizen to a season ending injury, but I do think this year's team has more overall depth than last year's, which should help them as the season progresses.         

USee - I beg to differ with a couple of points in your post.

IWU's "horrific" defense from last season that you referenced was the #2 scoring defense in the CCIW (behind Wheaton and ahead of North Central). They held your Wheaton squad to their lowest point total of the regular season.

Secondly, last year's IWU captains were Jeff Jerome, Connor Klein, Niall Mulcahy and John Worley. None of them have ever been suspended for any circumstances.

Quote from: CardinalAlum on October 21, 2014, 08:35:58 AM

Quote from: Green Jello Shots on October 20, 2014, 10:16:46 PM

IWU70 - So you're blaming the Titan defense for the loss to Augie??? The score was 7-2! This wasn't a baseball or a soccer game. The Titan D held Augustana to 1 touchdown and scored 2 points of their own. IWU may have had a lot of problems Saturday, but defense definitely wasn't one of them! All the Titan offense had to do was score 6 measly points and IWU would have won.
The Titan D is 2nd in the CCIW in scoring defense (despite the IWU punt team giving up 21 points this season) and 2nd in the CCIW in sacks. The IWU Defense has been vulnerable at times this season, but overall has done a solid job. They have given up a combined 14 total points over the last 2 games, 7 of which came on a blocked punt that got taken to the house. They shouldn't be the cause of your disappointment with IWU.

What about the Carthage game?

What about the Carthage game? I was addressing a post that seemed to imply the IWU defense was somehow responsible for the Augie loss. Secondly, in my post I said "The IWU Defense has been vulnerable at times this season". Third, regarding the Carthage game that you reference, the IWU D still only gave up 20 points, despite 4  turnovers by the offense. Finally, those 20 points are still 3 points less than the 23 points the Cardinal D gave up against that same Carthage team.

Quote from: iwu70 on October 20, 2014, 08:54:59 PM
I think EC beats IWU at home this weekend, unless Warner is back from mono and playing QB again.  Titan D has been pretty bad since the first game.  Really no containment at all on the AC QB this last weekend, no one stayed home on the back side.  We'll see, but the Titans really need a gut check, as they are very unlikely to beat WC and NCC away.  Still looks like 5-5 to me, but we'll see.  Saturday was truly horrible, very disappointing.

At least basketball practices have started. 

IWU70

IWU70 - So you're blaming the Titan defense for the loss to Augie??? The score was 7-2! This wasn't a baseball or a soccer game. The Titan D held Augustana to 1 touchdown and scored 2 points of their own. IWU may have had a lot of problems Saturday, but defense definitely wasn't one of them! All the Titan offense had to do was score 6 measly points and IWU would have won.

The Titan D is 2nd in the CCIW in scoring defense (despite the IWU punt team giving up 21 points this season) and 2nd in the CCIW in sacks. The IWU Defense has been vulnerable at times this season, but overall has done a solid job. They have given up a combined 14 total points over the last 2 games, 7 of which came on a blocked punt that got taken to the house. They shouldn't be the cause of your disappointment with IWU.

Quote from: TitanPride on October 11, 2014, 02:04:46 PM
Bolden reportedly out as Titans QB after an appendectomy this morning.

First Tyler Hook quits the team and the school, then Jack Warner gets mono, then Ty Bolden requires an emergency appendectomy the morning of a game..........which job is more jinxed: IWU Quarterback or Spinal Tap drummer?

Donovan Laible came out of nowhere (I don't think he has been listed on the two deep depth chart once this season) to lead the Titans in Decatur today. Pretty impressive performance, considering Bolden had been getting the 1st team reps in practice all week and Laible didn't know he was starting until this morning. He was very poised, especially for someone getting his first college playing experience.

Quote from: AndOne on October 06, 2014, 09:34:50 PM

Quote from: bleedpurple on October 06, 2014, 06:44:53 PM

Quote from: USee on October 04, 2014, 10:35:01 PM
From the boxscore, Freshman QB Jack Warner did not play for IWU. Tyrell Bolden, their starting cornerback and a HS QB, played QB the entire game and ran 29x for 137 yards and passed 18-37 for 201 yds. That is not a good situation for IWU. If Jack Warner is out for any length of time or they are going to rely on Bolden, IWU is in serious trouble.

My compliments to the CCIW board. You have some really knowledgable posters and it always makes for interesting reading. Thank you! I have a question for anyone who cares to comment. When I read this I was really surprised that IWU would move a starting CB to QB when their freshman starter went down.  I know Mount Union has done this sort of thing with receivers from time to time (Cecil Shorts). But I also know they have a plethora of athletic receivers at any given time.  My question is this, shouldn't an upper level program in the CCIW have a legitimate back-up that can be used so as not to weaken another position like cornerback?  No one seemed to bat an eye, so maybe I am the only one wondering about this?

IWU has two QBs on its roster, soph Henry Haeffner, and fresh Brian Johnson, both of whom preformed and excelled in highly skilled and competitive conferences in the western suburbs of Chicago. I did see both play a couple of times. From what I remember, Haeffner was a bit more of a runner in addition to his fine passing skills, while Johnson was more of an outstandingly pure passer. While I have not seen Warner play, and must assume he certainly earned his starting position, it's hard to imagine there was that much separation between the three. Furthermore, it seems like the IWU attack would have been more efficient overall when led by a player who has only played the QB position, and was recruited as such. Was inserting a superior DB at the QB spot rather than a "regular" QB, a tactical error by IWU Coach Esch?

Just to be clear; this wasn't a pick a name out of a hat decision by Coach Eash. Bolden's pedigree as a high school is every bit as impressive as Haeffner, Johnson, or any of the IWU backup QB's. He was a 3X all-conference QB in high school, who drew DI interest and was referenced by both the Tribune and Sun Times as a good college QB prospect and had a profile on Rivals.com as a dual threat QB. He made the switch to DB when he figured out he would sit behind Rob Gallick for 3 years.

Quote from: Mr. Ypsi on October 06, 2014, 07:14:29 PM

Quote from: bleedpurple on October 06, 2014, 06:44:53 PM

Quote from: USee on October 04, 2014, 10:35:01 PM
From the boxscore, Freshman QB Jack Warner did not play for IWU. Tyrell Bolden, their starting cornerback and a HS QB, played QB the entire game and ran 29x for 137 yards and passed 18-37 for 201 yds. That is not a good situation for IWU. If Jack Warner is out for any length of time or they are going to rely on Bolden, IWU is in serious trouble.

My compliments to the CCIW board. You have some really knowledgable posters and it always makes for interesting reading. Thank you! I have a question for anyone who cares to comment. When I read this I was really surprised that IWU would move a starting CB to QB when their freshman starter went down.  I know Mount Union has done this sort of thing with receivers from time to time (Cecil Shorts). But I also know they have a plethora of athletic receivers at any given time.  My question is this, shouldn't an upper level program in the CCIW have a legitimate back-up that can be used so as not to weaken another position like cornerback?  No one seemed to bat an eye, so maybe I am the only one wondering about this?

Yes, they should.  The former starter who would have been the backup quit the team when Warner beat him out.  Apparently there were no other options.

IWU actually has a full stable of  reserve quarterbacks, including sophomore Henry Haeffner; who led Glenbard West to IHSA Class 7A state championship and freshman Brian Johnson from Willowbrook, who was a Tribune All-Stater and set some state passing records last year. I think the decision to start Bolden might have something to do with the fact that IWU's new Offensive Coordinator was formerly an assistant at Michigan when Denard Robinson was the QB there and Bolden has speed (4.4 40) and elusiveness that lend themselves to a scheme similar to the one that Robinson ran. The downside is he hadn't taken a snap in an actual game for two years, and he was given a crash course in practice last week hoping to bring him up to speed. That may been expecting too much. Here's hoping Jack Warner makes a speedy recovery (he supposedly has a mild case of mono) and/or that Bolden benefits from another week of preparation.

The rumor is Hook has left IWU. On a brighter note; the freshman QB Warner was very, very impressive today in the scrimmage against Benedictine, showing athleticism and poise that belied his his age. I know it was only a scrimmage, but he was clearly a standout. He could be a very special player for the Titans.

Illinois Wesleyan is scheduled to scrimmage Illinois Benedictine in Lisle at 10:30AM on Saturday

Maybe it's my aged ears, or senility starting to creep in, but when I listened to the interview with Coach Etherton from Millikin; I heard him reference a lot of his returning players (even another running back), but I never heard him mention Sean Dunning. Dunning is pretty much a consensus preseason All-American running back for Millikin. Has anyone heard if he's not returning for his senior season?

Valid concerns Mr. Ypsi. Here are a few reasons to go into the season with your glass half full:

1) The Titans actually have a 2nd team All-CCIW receiver returning in Artie Checcin. He led the team in receptions last season.
2) Losing Gallik is a huge blow no doubt; however, the other QB you referenced appeared to have benefitted from getting the majority of reps in spring practice. They also have some stud QB recruits coming in; including a kid from Willowbrook who made some all-state teams and set a state passing record last year and a kid from Hersey who was their conference's Player of the Year. They have some other options as well, but this will be the first time in several years  that the position won't be locked up heading into training camp.
3) They actually have several good RB's who were "waiting in the wings" last year backing up the two great seniors (Jones and Stinde) returning. This includes a kid named Roberts who averaged 7.7 yards per carry in limited duty last season, who showed real improvement this spring.

Hopefully this is a reload instead of a rebuild year. They have two lockdown cornerbacks coming back, a stud linebacker in Klein returning and what might be the best d-line in the conference, so hopefully the defense can keep them in games while the offensive skill position players adjust to their roles, similar to the 2011 season when they made the play-offs. 

The Titans have 5 CCIW All-Conference position players returning, as well as the 1st Team All-CCIW kicker, punter and return specialist, so hopefully the cupboard isn't too bare.       

Quote from: AndOne on December 16, 2013, 02:48:38 PM

Quote from: Green Jello Shots on December 16, 2013, 12:25:22 PM
Congrats to NCC's Stanek and IWU's Worley for making the Coaches' All-American Team: http://www.afca.com/article/article.php?id=2432

Quote from: AndOne on November 22, 2013, 08:37:36 PM
CONGRATS TO NORTH CENTRAL QB SPENCER STANEK WHO HAS BEEN NAMED A 2013 ALL-AMERICAN BY THE AMERICAN FOOTBALL COACHES ASSOCIATION. 

http://napervillesun.suntimes.com/sports/fbl_ncc-NAP-11222013:article

I was unable to find the entire team list anywhere.

OLD news Green Jello Shots.     

They jumped the gun. The team was officially announced today.

Congrats to NCC's Stanek and IWU's Worley for making the Coaches' All-American Team: http://www.afca.com/article/article.php?id=2432

Quote from: NCCAlum48 on December 12, 2013, 11:19:01 AM
BSN posted their All American team today ---> http://www.beyondsportsnetwork.com/pages/2013AA

Congrats to Slezak, Dierking, Werkheiser, and Stanek.

I also heard that NCC is heading east today and will be practicing at Notre Dame this afternoon.  That should be a great experience for the boys.

It should be a great game on Saturday.  Go Cards!

Congrats also to Sean Dunning of Millikin and John Worley of IWU for being named to the BSN All-American squad.

Lets not pretend that Thorne has warm and fuzzy feelings for IWU because he went to school there. That's not debatable even to the biggest drinkers of red Kool-Aid. If anything, he he seems to hold a huge grudge against his alma mater's program, as Coach Eash does for NC

Second, why did the coaches, players and fans for North Central hold their post game celebration squarely on the W logo if that piece of geography meant nothing to NC? I've been part of lots of post game celebrations on the road both as a player and a fan and can't recall ever having said celebrations on the other team's logo. Please don't feign ignorant coincidence that was where NC celebrated.

Finally anyone who was at the pregame saw NC make a move towards the logo that spurred IWU's move to block it. The camera angle just isn't wide enough to include the NC team in the frame.clearly both teams came out to there to deliver a message.

We need to start worrying about Augustana and NC needs to start worrying about Wheaton. Good luck, we need your help.