FB: American Rivers Conference

[Knights2013]

Hey everyone,

New here but have been following for the last few years since graduation...okay, 5 years now . Ultimately, decided to start posting based on some of the recent chatter regarding rankings, etc. Those will come as the season passes for the conference. When we played, we were only ranked later in the season if we were undefeated, or if we had come off a nice run to the playoffs the season before. We just don't have the strength from top to bottom as a conference.

The family was back in Dubuque and we stopped up to see UD and Central play. Central seems to have the defense to stay in any game, but still not sure on the offense - especially if they face a good defense. UD looked decent through the first half on defense, but thought they would rush the ball better with the talented backs they have. Credit to Central for being ready for that attack.

An interesting note is that UD was lining up with two linebackers/nickel types as stand up ends quite a bit, and with 2 tackles inside. I would assume a team who likes to rush the ball a lot may wear those outside backers/stand up ends down quite a bit throughout the course of a game, as they were not big guys. Do they not have a couple of ends that they really like this year?

UD always seems like they are a miscue or two away from being a good team. They're definitely a squad that will ride the momentum train...if the game is going well, they'll keep playing better and better and be tough to beat...if the game is not going so well, they're easy to take down. For reference, see the end of the first half against Central when they thought they scored and the officials said they were stopped short of the goal line - we did not have the angle or viewpoint to see one way or the other. We were standing near where the players leave the field and most of the players were extremely negative going into the locker room, despite having played a good half and being well within striking distance. This seemed to carry over to the second half when Central had no trouble putting the game away.

Anything is possible, but I do see the league running through Wartburg and Central this year. Not sold on anyone that Central has beaten this year, and I see the Wartburg game as one where they didn't play so well, but still credit Monmouth as they will be tough to beat in their league this year.

The Wartburg-Central game will be determined on who turns the ball over the least, and as history has shown, typically a big play on a special teams unit at some point during the game. I will give the slight edge to Wartburg - the defense has been playing great, and they have Matt Sacia leading them at QB, not to mention a home game for the matchup. Wartburgs ability to effectively rush the ball against a stout defense does cause worry, however.

That being said, Wartburg still has to get through Simpson and Coe prior to the Central matchup, and those two teams always play Wartburg tough. Looking forward to a fun and exciting season in "The ARC".

[Pat Coleman]

Welcome to the board!

[Purple Heys]

Welcome, Knights2013.  Good to have another Wartburger participating!

[doolittledog]

This weeks games...

Buena Vista @ Central 1 p.m.   
Dubuque @ Loras 1 p.m.   
Simpson @ Wartburg 1 p.m.   
Nebraska Wesleyan @ Coe 1 p.m.

I would suspect Central won't have to work too hard against BV.

Dubuque @ Loras is always a fun time in the Key City.

Simpson @ Wartburg you could probably argue is the game of the week.

NWU @ Coe should be interesting.  Has NWU taken a step forward this year?  Will Coe assert themselves as an upper tier conference team? 

[Schipper Strong]

Welcome Knights 2013, the board needs more posters, glad to have you here.

Sounds like rain on tap for tomorrow afternoon.  Hate having rain at homecoming. I expect Central is really upset by the fact that they lost a game at BV last year that they could have and should have won. I think they would love to repeat the Luther game where they struck hard, fast, and often. The rain will play havoc with the passing game, but I trust they want to make a statement. I hope it is another game where everyone for Central gets good playing time.

I think Dubuque will take Loras and Wartburg will beat Simpson. I don't know what to expect from Coe or NWU. The only game on my mind is the one in Pella.  Go Dutch!

[Pat Coleman]

I expect Central is really upset by the fact that they lost a game at BV last year that they could have and should have won.

I agreed with you in Quick Hits this morning, for sure:
http://www.d3blogs.com/d3football/2018/09/28/quick-hits-week-5-quick-hats/

[Schipper Strong]

I expect Central is really upset by the fact that they lost a game at BV last year that they could have and should have won.

I agreed with you in Quick Hits this morning, for sure:
http://www.d3blogs.com/d3football/2018/09/28/quick-hits-week-5-quick-hats/

All Central fans cringed at that loss last year. The players probably had nightmares. I am sure they want to replicate the way they struck fast and often with Luther. This year's team is better and that is saying something as we graduated the best side receiver in Central's history. They are young, but talented and getting better.

[Schipper Strong]

Went to a homecoming concert at Central tonight featuring alum Chris Weaver, who was a contestant on The Voice. He was fantastic. Great way to kick off homecoming.

[Schipper Strong]

I expect Central is really upset by the fact that they lost a game at BV last year that they could have and should have won.

I agreed with you in Quick Hits this morning, for sure:
http://www.d3blogs.com/d3football/2018/09/28/quick-hits-week-5-quick-hats/

All Central fans cringed at that loss last year. The players probably had nightmares. I am sure they want to replicate the way they struck fast and often with Luther. This year's team is better and that is saying something as we graduated the best side receiver in Central's history. They are young, but talented and getting better.

Side receiver, wide receiver, over the shoulder, around the back-- Sam M could catch it.  I hate auto correct sometimes.

[Knights2013]

Picks:
Central
Loras
Coe
Wartburg

Central D has a great chance at a shutout today. Loras is improved, so expect a battle in Dubuque. If Coe plays to their potential, should have no problem with NWU.

Simpson at Wartburg scares me a bit, but the Wartburg D has been playing strong and the offense is definitely coming along with the development of playmakers around Sacia.

Unfortunately out of town this weekend, so will not be able to head up to Waverly to watch.

Go Knights!

[doolittledog]

Halftime scores...

Dubuque leads 21-14 @ Loras
Simpson leads 21-17 @Wartburg
Central leads 28-7 over BVU
Coe leads 24-7 over NWU

[doolittledog]

Final scores...

Dubuque wins @ Loras 49-42
Simpson wins @ Wartburg 37-36 in OT
Coe beats NWU 40-28
Central beats BVU 62-20

Things just got a bit more interesting in the conference title race!

[Purple Heys]

Final scores...

Dubuque wins @ Loras 49-42
Simpson wins @ Wartburg 37-36 in OT
Coe beats NWU 40-28
Central beats BVU 62-20

Things just got a bit more interesting in the conference title race!

I know it's after the fact commentary, but Simpson-Wartburg set off a little buzzer in my mind when I picked Wartburg this past Thursday.  I cogitated picking the upset, but Wartburg at home held me back.  That was a crazy 4th quarter.

[Knights2013]

The last 2-3 times in the decade Simpson has beat Wartburg have all been directly impacted by the PAT unit. Not to say football isn't a team game, but if you can't make PATs or defend from being blocked, you deserve to lose. Really disappointing loss that makes the Central game even more important...if theKnoghts can get through Coe.

[Knights2013]

The last 2-3 times in the decade Simpson has beat Wartburg have all been directly impacted by the PAT unit. Not to say football isn't a team game, but if you can't make PATs or defend from being blocked, you deserve to lose. Really disappointing loss that makes the Central game even more important...if theKnoghts can get through Coe.

*The Knights. Typing on the iphone after a couple of cold beverages and some anger made for some spelling issues! Not a great day for Wartburg.