FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[bashbrother]

Looking at their stats, they outscored their opponents 6-2 in OT. That was the Millikin game.

IC scored a TD but they fumbled the snap and Millikin recovered for the deuce. Still, that wasn't so bad, since a FG wouldn't beat them. And on the first play IC intercepted a Millikin pass to preserve the win.

Had Millikin scored would that have been the first time a team scored 8 points in a single overtime period? It has to be, right?

Dunno....  I am sure someone..somewhere has scored 8 point in the 1st overtime.... probably bad snap and run somewhere..... In casually looking for the answer,  I found these interesting stats on the 2-point conversion in overtime.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/295214-why-you-should-go-for-two-instead-of-a-tie-in-overtime

[wally_wabash]

Awards talk?  Well, ok. 

Coach of the Year - There is but one choice in 2011.  Clear some mantle space, ER. 

Newcomer of the Year - I'm going defense here.  Was thinking Houston Hodges, but he got banged up and missed a couple of games...I think instead the choice is AJ Akrinibade.  He's been rock solid all year...and cracking the Wabash lineup at LB as a freshmen is no joke.  The kid can play. 

Defensive Player of the Year - I like CJ here because, seriously, you wanna be the guy that tells him he didn't win it?  Hurtt at Witt is also in the coversation.  It ought to be one of those two...edge to CJ.  Spoils to the winner and all of that. 

Offensive Player of the Year - Really kind of a tough call.  Could go to McKee as he had a good season, although not as good as last year.  Maybe a career achievement kind of award there.  Zoeller was off from last year, so I don't see a repeat.  Chase Belton...responsible for more points than anybody else in the league, led the league in rush TDs, and matched Zoeller in passing TDs.  I think that's the choice.  Outside shot I think to Fioroni...he gained 1,000 yards on the ground.  Had he scored a bunch of touchdowns to go with those yards, he'd have had it for sure. 

[bashbrother]

Defensive Player of the Year - I like CJ here because, seriously, you wanna be the guy that tells him he didn't win it? 

I noticed from the pictures of the Bell Game,  CJ doesn't put any achievement W's on his helmet... That is so "Middle Linebacker"

I believe he wins that award going away. Hurtt is a very nice player and has done a bunch of great things for that Tiger Defense.

[wally_wabash]

And one more...there isn't just a Player of the Year, but if there were, Wes Chamblee would win that award hands down.  Not one time this season was he not the best player on the field and it's been a while since I've seen one guy completely change the way the other team plays the game the way he has this year.  Nobody likes to see their favorite slugger get intentionally walked all the time, but it really is a measure of respect.  Wes got four wide ones an awful lot this year. 

[BashDad]

And one more...there isn't just a Player of the Year, but if there were, Wes Chamblee would win that award hands down.  Not one time this season was he not the best player on the field and it's been a while since I've seen one guy completely change the way the other team plays the game the way he has this year.  Nobody likes to see their favorite slugger get intentionally walked all the time, but it really is a measure of respect.  Wes got four wide ones an awful lot this year.

This is right on. I've got a big post in me about the playoffs and though I'll wait to elaborate, Wes is absolutely the kind of game-changer a championship team needs in cold weather, grind-it-out games. You're right. He changes games.

I'll tell you something else: the team adopts his attitude. You can just feel it. That's going to be significant in the next several weeks, you can count on that. Dude's a winner.

[bufordscot]

This is difficult but here goes....GO BASH!! Make us proud.

[smedindy]

Thanks, bufordscot!

My sense is that the NCAC will want to 'spread the love' as it were. I wouldn't be surprised if McKee or Fioroni wins offensive player of the year.

[DBQ1965]

This was over on the CCIW page.  Sounds like a very confident North Central fan.

spencer1988
Junior Varsity

Re: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin
« Reply #24342 on: Today at 12:02:17 am »Quote
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North Central will win their first game by three touchdowns and will beat Wabash by two touchdowns.

[Li'l Giant]

North Central is a very good team. I don't think that's necessarily a crazy prediction. If he were predicting a 49 point win, then maybe there's umbrage to take there. But that would be a tough game for the LGs for sure.

[Bash-Dad #84]

This was over on the CCIW page.  Sounds like a very confident North Central fan.

spencer1988
Junior Varsity

Re: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin
« Reply #24342 on: Today at 12:02:17 am »Quote
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North Central will win their first game by three touchdowns and will beat Wabash by two touchdowns.

I have never been big on predictions. I guess this is the very reason why they playthe games!

[smedindy]

I can see NC beating Wabash by two TDs. I can see the opposite.

I do know that both NC and Wabash have games to play Saturday. And they are against teams that have high-octane offenses going against rock-solid defenses.

"Hubris!"

[WABCOL86]

I know CCIW is a good conference and all, with access to alot of great players, but we aren't a slouch, either.  I wonder, other than hubris, what convinces them of this forecasted outcome??

[smedindy]

It may be just one zealous fan...not like Wabash doesn't have any!!!!   

[firstdown]

NCC better be concerned about Dubuque or there won't be a game next week.  The Little Giants are focused on one thing at the moment - the Blueboys of Illinois College. 

[USee]

as an anti-NCC fan (and a general fan of Wabash over the years) I can offer a little insight. NCC beat every CCIW team by 20+ pts this year. That has NEVER happened in the CCIW, including the 4 years Augie won the title in the 80's. I have seen UMU play over a dozen times (6x in alliance) and UWW close to 10. NCC's defense and special teams are every bit as good as any national championship teams I have seen. Their achilles heel is against a team that can stop them from running the ball. they have great athletes all over the field. If you can stop the run you can keep it close but I think they will be 2 TD favorites against any team other than UMU and UWW. Vs Dubuque I think the line is NCC -20. If I was setting the line v Wabash it would be about NCC -14. It's not a slap in anyone's face. I just think NCC is that good this year (I may be wrong as Redlands fans will point out). As far as Redlands, I have no explanation and that is the game that should give every playoff team confidence. In the games I have seen this year I haven't seen whatever happened in LA at the start of the season. Wheaton and IWU are top 20 teams and NCC just destroyed them both (one on the road and one at home). Bash is undefeated and beat a couple good teams handily. They won conference road games (which are always hard) and have some great players so there is no discredit to them. I have no doubt they will play their best in the post season. I think IWU and Wabash are pretty similar. I think Wheaton and Bash know each other pretty well.

I hope I'm wrong (as a CCIW guy) but I think there is a new sheriff in town.