QuoteAgree with everything you said. Gotta add that both sides had to deal with injuries. It did not help Wheaton when its star RB had to leave the game for over a quarter because he was banged up. Even though Weeks ran for over 100 yds, he couldn't make his jump cuts and cut backs with his hip injury. Nor could he accelerate to his sprint level speed.

While the Thunder will lose all their 5th and 6th year seniors, there are some (not all) 4th year seniors coming back for their lost COVID year,  including some 2s on the defense, and what I'm hearing, at least one defensive starter.  Add to the fact that there are 2 second string juniors on the defense, it may not be quite as bad as you predicted in a previous post where you thought only 1 or 2 on Wheaton's 2-deep were coming back. I think they'll have alot of talented starters, but not nearly the upperclassman depth Wheaton's been blessed with the past 2-3 years.

It will certainly be interesting to watch the Thunder in September 2022.  The defense has been fortunate enough to have very impactful D1 transfers (e.g. McCrae, O'Connell, Corey Kennedy) over the past few years, so perhaps the Portal will yield some new gems.  I'm also curious to see what happens at QB, since I believe that Luke Anthony and Jeremiah Tucker both have eligibility remaining (not sure if both/either are planning to return), as well as Ben Thorson, WKU transfer/brother of Clayton.  IIRC TJ Williams may have eligibility left, but I'm not plugged in to know if that ship has sailed (just daydreaming about a Weeks/Williams 1-2 punch). 

Quote#1 defense in the CCIW?
North Central? Nope
Wheaton? Nope
WashU is the #1 defense in the league with the #1 pass defense and the #3 rush defense.

They also have the leading quarterback (completion %) at 67%

If the Thunder play like they did @NPU last Saturday the D3 world will see the biggest upset of the season.

Are the Thunder #5 in the country? Well, Wheaton is #5 in scoring defense in the CCIW. Behind Millikin. In 2019 they were #1 in the Nation. They have the same defensive front but those guys have not been dominating the way they were in 2019. The offense seems to be doing better after being throttled by NCC. But they are facing an arguably similar defense this week on the road. And the defense gave up more points to NPU this past Saturday than they have given up to them over the last 5 years combined.

I hope WashU has this teams attention!

I didn't watch the North Park game but while the number of points the Vikings put up caught my attention, I think a let down immediately following the Bell game was to be expected considering the emotion, stakes, and build-up.  It seems like the Thunder really focused on the run game last week, which they strayed from, and the line play on both sides will hopefully be decisive.  That said, it's a long drive to St. Louis and the Bears topped a good Thunder team on their last trip down there in 2018.

QuoteAt RB they have 3 players with experience in Sam Singleton, Kyle Carter and Jack Allen.

Looks like it's confirmed that TJ Williams, who was not mentioned in the Wheaton preview either, did not return.  It's disappointing to not have a bona fide (in my opinion) D1 talent , but I recall Singleton showed flashes in the playing time he received.  Curious as well to see the offense with Taylor Graham at coordinator.