FB: American Rivers Conference

[kohawkfan]

Is your hate for Wartburg cause Coe can't beat the Evil Empire Or is it you hate all teams that are better the Coe ? Congrat to Tate for having 22 tackles in the game that quite the game. 

I think it would be combination of 1) Coe can't beat Wartburg 2) Wartburg (athletically) has been the superior IIAC school recently 3) Any school who revels in being the Evil Empire, I think most will dislike this school....

On the contrary, my friends...no hate here.  But while my Kohawks regroup for next year, I'd like to see a team who hasn't had a conference championship in a while cash in this year.  Since BV hasn't had a conference championship since the 70's (good grief) I'll be quietly rooting for them. 

[Klompen]

I was at both the Cornell and the Loras games.  At Cornell, Central did not look like they were up for the game.  Against Loras, I think the guys were more up for it, but were playing a better team, so it looked like the same results.  Only Loras seemed to have us down by 21 before you could blink.  How to describe it?  It is like going into the game without seeing any film.  You don't know what you are facing and get behind early, then you see what they are doing, make adjustments and make a nice comeback.  So why aren't we figuring out what the other team does before facing it on the field? 

The one thing I don't understand is the problems getting the ball from center to QB.  We got the ball in great field position and killed ourselves.  It almost makes you wish you had tried a FG on first down.  I know adrenaline gets going, but sailing the ball back 30 yards?  Shot gun formation is not punt formation.  That was a real missed opportunity.  Then again, Loras blew a chance too when Lackey threw the ball up for grabs as he was getting sacked.  At times we clearly did not have our heads in the game.  I would say if Central and Loras played 10 times, Central would win 40% of the time. 

[Walston Hoover]

Klompen, Can you explain how a first and 10 at the Loras 27 turned into a 2nd and 58 at the Central 25? I saw the pass interference call on the Dutch, but was it all a bad snap that lost the rest of it or did the QB lose more yards trying to make something out of nothing?

[Thunderbolt]

 Congrats to Simpson and Loras on sound wins, and BV and Wartburg for putting everyone else out of arms reach.
  As much as it pains me to say, Wartburg is still a better football team than Luther. The Luther (not so special) special teams had another predictable performance. I thought Wartburg made a nice adjustment at half time. They spread the field with 5 wideouts and let Yordie pick his holes on 6 of the twelve plays on the scoring drive to start the second half. They definately found something on the left side of thier OLine in the 2nd half. Harvey looked good, but I'll reserve judgement on that , as I've seen way to much of 165 pound running backs to get to excited about him. I'll give the Knight recievers a lot of credit. They caught everything they touched, and were responsible for a lot of the fiestiness in the game, with their downfield ankle biting and helmets to the knees of the Luther DBs and LBs. That very well may have played a part in the success they had running the ball.
  The photo of Reynolds reaching the ball across the goal line may not be conclusive, but the view from the Luther sidelines about the 10 yard line was. The photo does show why the Zebra running in from the Wartburg side on the goal line couldn't see it. It doesn't show the cluster of humanity blocking the view of the guy coming in from the Luther side. That was a top notch crew who did a great job officiating what could have been a very difficult game to call. The bottom line is that the photo was the 2nd down play. Four chances from the one yard line you have to get in the end zone and leave no doubt. (I know what your thinking Floyd) Where the hell is your 240 pound RB?
It would be wrong to recap the game without mentioning Wartburgs defense. They may not be as physically dominating up front as some past teams or of some of the preseason expectations of them, but they are good. And they have some outstanding players behind them. Lansing stuck out the most to me.

[Kohawk Remedy]

Tough loss for the Kohawk and their seniors today.  Kudos to BV, they looked like  a good team.  Coe's freshman seems to be getting better, but it's just going to take more experience for him to get better.  Tough way for the seniors to go out at home by going 0-5 at home this year.  The play calling was a little questionable for the kohawks today...on 4th&1 and down by 10 coe kicks a FG; while I understand that it was a 2 score game, the offense was driving it's best of the day at the point and I believe could have picked up the 1st.  And then the reverse pass that ended the game by BV intercepting in the endzone seemed a little questionable.  They were driving again like earlier in the game and then decided to throw in some trickery when they could have just pounded it in with Hammas.  However, hindsight is 20-20.  The thing that hurt Coe the most was the penalty for 12 men on the field on a 4th down punt, which gave BV a first down that resulted in a TD.  The one highlight of the game was Tate Harrison recording 22 tackles to break the school record for a single game! He is a beast in the middle!

Hopefully Coe can finish out strong by taking the their frustrations against Dubuque.  I would like to make the trip to check out the new stadium, but not sure if I will be able to just yet.  

Good luck Bevoers!  I would rather see you win the Conference than Wartburg!!

I couldn't have said it better myself, so I won't try. I agree with every single point you made, particularly the illegal participation. How does that happen in the ninth game of the season, after a timeout?! It was a critical mistake. I can somewhat justify the field goal, but it seemed way too conservative a call for a team with nothing to lose and plenty to prove. Two weeks until Dubuque and the final game of a season turned sour for the Kohawks and a stellar class of seniors. Last chance to show what you're made of fellas.

From my point of view:

On the 12 men on the field penatly: BV looked like they were going for it on 4th down, so Coe sent in an extra DL to help stop the run.  BV came up and tried to draw Coe offsides, but then called a timeout.  On the sideline is where i'm not sure what happened.  When they TO was over, BV lined up to punt and both the DL and DB were in the game not knowing which one should go out.  That was a dagger in the heart for the game.

On the safety: The first play was a run by the RB which almost got stopped for a safety, but hammas was able to get out of the endzone.  2nd play, one of the RB went the wrong way and there was no one to hand off to.  The 3rd play I saw the QB asking the RB multiple times on what the play was and where to go; this resulting in the QB to step the wrong way on the snap and had no one to handoff to and BV tackled the QB in the endzone.  I know the QB is a freshman and the Coe Spread Offense is hard to pickup in less than a year, but the O-Cordinator should realize this and call plays the QB is the most cosistent and comfortable in.

Side note:  How bout the game between Texas and Texas Tech...what a game!  The Red Raider offense is sick!!

[DutchFan2004]

DF2k4-

Did you go to the game Saturday?  If so, what are your thoughts?

Yes I was in attendance on Saturday.  I may be changing my opinion of maybe the Dutch are more wounded and have to many young players on the field on the D than not playing with fire.  The jury is still out.  I think the defense is weaker than the O now.  I know the D put up a pick 6 and contributed to the scoring but with all of the games that the Dutch have won in the past 4-5 years the D has kept the team in the games and they are not doing it now.  I don't know where it is broken, personel, play calling, or execution.  Maybe some of all three.  I know it will be something that they have to work on.  You can not spot any team in the IIAC a 21 point lead and win the game.  The Dutch did just about do it but came up short.  Give Loras credit for getting it done.  Mcgrew is a great back.  He will be in the running for POY. 

[KCDutch]

DF2k4-

Did you go to the game Saturday?  If so, what are your thoughts?

Yes I was in attendance on Saturday.  I may be changing my opinion of maybe the Dutch are more wounded and have to many young players on the field on the D than not playing with fire.  The jury is still out.  I think the defense is weaker than the O now.  I know the D put up a pick 6 and contributed to the scoring but with all of the games that the Dutch have won in the past 4-5 years the D has kept the team in the games and they are not doing it now.  I don't know where it is broken, personel, play calling, or execution.  Maybe some of all three.  I know it will be something that they have to work on.  You can not spot any team in the IIAC a 21 point lead and win the game.  The Dutch did just about do it but came up short.  Give Loras credit for getting it done.  Mcgrew is a great back.  He will be in the running for POY. 

Thanks for your thoughts, always appreciated!

[oldNorse]

Congrats to Simpson and Loras on sound wins, and BV and Wartburg for putting everyone else out of arms reach.
  As much as it pains me to say, Wartburg is still a better football team than Luther. The Luther (not so special) special teams had another predictable performance. I thought Wartburg made a nice adjustment at half time. They spread the field with 5 wideouts and let Yordie pick his holes on 6 of the twelve plays on the scoring drive to start the second half. They definately found something on the left side of thier OLine in the 2nd half. Harvey looked good, but I'll reserve judgement on that , as I've seen way to much of 165 pound running backs to get to excited about him. I'll give the Knight recievers a lot of credit. They caught everything they touched, and were responsible for a lot of the fiestiness in the game, with their downfield ankle biting and helmets to the knees of the Luther DBs and LBs. That very well may have played a part in the success they had running the ball.
  The photo of Reynolds reaching the ball across the goal line may not be conclusive, but the view from the Luther sidelines about the 10 yard line was. The photo does show why the Zebra running in from the Wartburg side on the goal line couldn't see it. It doesn't show the cluster of humanity blocking the view of the guy coming in from the Luther side. That was a top notch crew who did a great job officiating what could have been a very difficult game to call. The bottom line is that the photo was the 2nd down play. Four chances from the one yard line you have to get in the end zone and leave no doubt. (I know what your thinking Floyd) Where the hell is your 240 pound RB?
It would be wrong to recap the game without mentioning Wartburgs defense. They may not be as physically dominating up front as some past teams or of some of the preseason expectations of them, but they are good. And they have some outstanding players behind them. Lansing stuck out the most to me.

Thanks for your insight, Thunderbolt.  You always see and interpret the game so well. 

I too, have to give credit to the Warts. Luther came out of the shute really flatt while Wartburg was fired up.  They certainly outplayed the Norse especially after Luther shot themselves in the foot with the blocked punt and poor Special Teams.  The four shots from the one foot line had to be poor planning to leave the big tackles outside and the small guards inside.  But all in all, the Knights deserved to win.

Now for Cornell.  Hope the Norse can play for pride at least.  Last year was a hard nosed contest at Cornell.  Norse could get snake bit unless they are really serious.

[sportsknight]

Mcgrew is a great back.  He will be in the running for POY. 

Much as I'd rather have a Knight win the honor, I have to agree with this.  The difference between McGrew and everyone else in consideration is that every defense McGrew has faced this year has come into the match-up knowing that he will get 25-30 carries and his production is still outstanding.  Not to say that Loras doesn't have a passing attack, but when you figure that McGrew gets the ball on 2/3 of their offensive plays, the defense definitely has an aspect of the attack to focus on.

[Klompen]

Klompen, Can you explain how a first and 10 at the Loras 27 turned into a 2nd and 58 at the Central 25? I saw the pass interference call on the Dutch, but was it all a bad snap that lost the rest of it or did the QB lose more yards trying to make something out of nothing?

Like I said, makes you wish you had gone for a FG on first down.  First it was the penalty, then it was not just a bad snap, but a horrible snap that Bandow had to chase back 25-30 yards, then I think he tried to throw it out of bounds to avoid the loss, but it didn't get past the original line of scrimmage, so there was a penalty too yet.  Talk about shooting yourself in the foot.  If we could have gotten 3 out of that possession, it could have forced overtime if the rest of the game went the way it did.  The first play Bandow was in was a bad snap too.  For some reason we can get the snap to Lackey, but there is a problem getting it to Bandow and it is a bad snap problem, not a case of the QB not being ready.  Twice yesterday, it was snapped behind Bandow.  Now, I don't know if there is something different about his cadence, but how can you be that far off?

[Walston Hoover]

Is one QB taller than the other? We ran into that problem during practice a lot this year since our soph QB is 6'5 with arms that reach to the moon and the backup was 5'9. Lot smaller margin for error with a shorter QB.

Klompen, Can you explain how a first and 10 at the Loras 27 turned into a 2nd and 58 at the Central 25? I saw the pass interference call on the Dutch, but was it all a bad snap that lost the rest of it or did the QB lose more yards trying to make something out of nothing?

Like I said, makes you wish you had gone for a FG on first down.  First it was the penalty, then it was not just a bad snap, but a horrible snap that Bandow had to chase back 25-30 yards, then I think he tried to throw it out of bounds to avoid the loss, but it didn't get past the original line of scrimmage, so there was a penalty too yet.  Talk about shooting yourself in the foot.  If we could have gotten 3 out of that possession, it could have forced overtime if the rest of the game went the way it did.  The first play Bandow was in was a bad snap too.  For some reason we can get the snap to Lackey, but there is a problem getting it to Bandow and it is a bad snap problem, not a case of the QB not being ready.  Twice yesterday, it was snapped behind Bandow.  Now, I don't know if there is something different about his cadence, but how can you be that far off?

[lamonitigers]

I too was at the Central-Loras game.  The score is deceiving, it wasn't that close of a game.  Loras was in a prevent on the last Central drive and allowed Central to use up the clock, but it did make it look a little better for us.  Bottom line; neither of Central QBs will be successful unless we get our running game estalished like in the Coe game.  They just aren't the dead on passer like Connel was.  Basic football: our running game opens up the receivers so that whichever QB is playing can make the throw.  It just doesn't work when we are in the throw throw throw punt mode.  30 yards total rushing on 18 attempts is a crime, 24 of the 30 was by the QB and he carried it 9 times (9 of 18 total attempts).  Has Coach Mac lost complete confidence in our OL line and running backs?  We've got two seasoned runners in Velduizen and Zachary (remember who took over for Vance in the first St Thomas game in 2006 - Velduizen) and the best blocking fullback in the conference in Craft (he's been doing it for three years).  They were on the sidelines most of the day.

Our defense has got to get it together these last two games, no more missed tackles, wrap-em up,d-backs have got to stay on their feet.  I don't know when I've heard the sound of a good hit. Lane had'em every game.  

Two last comments.  If we don't have the players this year for our schemes then change the scheme.  An old football coach told me one time, "you can only go as far as your Seniors will take you."  Let's get the veterns on the field.

[dutchfan1]

Wow -- I'm still not sure what to say about the Loras game. I had to check the score multiple times before I believed it. Congrats to the DuHawks for figuring out how to beat us for the first time in 41 years. I'm sure there was quite a celebration in Dubuque Saturday night.

The rebuilding woes continue in Pella..... Klompen summarized my thoughts in an earlier post, so I won't repete.

[Klompen]

Is one QB taller than the other? We ran into that problem during practice a lot this year since our soph QB is 6'5 with arms that reach to the moon and the backup was 5'9. Lot smaller margin for error with a shorter QB.

Lackey is the taller of the two QB's, but not by so much that they should be going over Bandow's head.  Of course, earlier in the season I was griping because the snaps were to his feet.  Some people are never satisfied.   

[footballdaddy]

Is your hate for Wartburg cause Coe can't beat the Evil Empire Or is it you hate all teams that are better the Coe ? Congrat to Tate for having 22 tackles in the game that quite the game. 

I think it would be combination of 1) Coe can't beat Wartburg 2) Wartburg (athletically) has been the superior IIAC school recently 3) Any school who revels in being the Evil Empire, I think most will dislike this school....

What's wrong with embracing the image most have of us? Somebody has to be the bad guys and  in the past it helped define the Knights.

A couple quick observations on the Luther game.

The defense is coming around. The two stands were fantastic. BTW judging by the line surge, there was no way he got in. It's hard to score when your oline is pushed back.

Nice to see a running game develop. Looks like we have a fullback and tailback for the future.

Nice to see some attitude. There was finally some fire displayed on the field.

All we can do is win next week and hope for a little help. Maybe the Karma we earned (or I lost!) last year pulling for the Dutch in the playoffs will come back to us in the form af a victory over BV.