FB: American Rivers Conference

[Klopenhiemer]

Been gone awhile. Mission first. Anyway, few things to respond to. The comment on the Drake campus. There are worse parts of Des Moines. Yes, the Eastern edge of the campus borders on what could be called a "rough" neighborhood, but my parents live right off of Kingman by the 42nd street exit and they have never expressed any discomfort about it.

Klop, I'll echo your sentiments about stepping on campus and knowing it was for you. I grew up at Central (my parents were dorm directors) so I knew the program inside out. We moved out when right before I started middle school, but I still lived right across the street. I eventually moved away from Pella for awhile and when it came time to start picking colleges, I swore I would never go to Central. However, I submitted the application as a fall back plan and took an official campus tour just to be sure. As I was taking the tour, I knew that I wasn't going anywhere else. Sometimes a campus just feels right. As for the town of Pella, I can't stand it. Too rigid and conservative in their views but you can't always have an ideal setting for everything.

As far as the conference championship game goes, its going to be an interesting one. I can see Wartburg jumping out early but the Dutch making second half adjustments and taking the lead in the late 3rd/early 4th. That team has just seen too many close games to pack it in in the biggest game of their collegiate careers. From an IIAC fan standpoint, if Wartburg wins, then we have two playoff qualifiers which is good. If Central wins, then I still think we get two bids. However, and here is the interesting part, with the AQ Central would undoubtedly be hosting. Now, I'm not predicting a UWW loss this weekend so that pretty much gurantees them the No.1 seed. If St. Johns loses to Bethel, that will bring the Dutch up to No.2. With a Wartburg loss, I could see them dropping but not below Occidental. So, that would mean that Oxy would stay No.8 and travel to UWW and at No.7- the Knights travelling to Pella in a week. A crazy possibility, but is it one the selection committee would consider? The travel costs for WB would be very low. Granted, this scenario has to have a lot of things happen in order to play out.

Airbone,

Agreeing with a Dutch fan makes a man feel as though anything is possible in the world:)  Just kidding but thanks for you story about chosing a campus.  Always enjoy hearing it. 

I will disagree with you on the Drake thing.  There really are not many worse parts of DM than the area that Drake boarder.  I grew up in the area and know it quite well.  The area your parrents live on is a great and safe area.  Right around Roosevelt High School and Polk BLVD.  This is influential community with old money and beautiful homes.  I would live there if I ever return to the great state of IA.  Drake starts right around 35th street and sprawls east down university and forest ave's.  Once you drop over that line things start to get very sketchy.  I worked for a summer 4 blocks east of Drake and we picked up tools every day at 3pm to get out of there because what was happening at the park across the street was something you did not want to stick around for. 

Worse areas in DM would be parts of the east side.  Especially around the AE Dairy plant over to the fairgrounds.  The little hollywood and Dean streets areas.  Totally differnt demographic than the Drake area though and totally differnt problems. 

7 blocks doesnt seem like much.  But I received an education in that when I moved to Chicago.  One street over and the whole ball game can change. 

[Airborne Dutch]

One more time:

If Central loses they drop #4 and Wartburg picks up the #3 seed. Thats a very big IF though.

Klop-I can see your point on the Drake thing. My parents live there and I only spent one summer there so I didn't really experience the area too much. I have heard that you don't want to be out around the East side of Drake after dark though.

[Walston Hoover]

I think Wartburg and Central played in the first round of the playoffs in '94 or sometime in the early to mid '90s.
Wartburg wins on Saturday without Suckow and a 1-game starter at QB.
Don't be surprised to see Bauder (last years starter and very much more a runner) take some snaps to keep the Dutch off guard and take some pressure off the freshman Phelan.

[DutchFan2004]

 Re: Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
« Reply #8721 on: Today at 04:12:56 pm »   

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guys were talking about who they looked forward to seeing.

As good as this game should have been in the past. IIRC, last year was the first time in a LOOONG time that the game was within 2 scores.

Walston the last 3 out of five years have been within two scores.  2006 13-7 OT Dutch Win.  2005 37-20 Dutch Win.  2004 14-10 Knight Win.  2003 29-3 Knight Win.  2002 14-0 Knight Win.  So I would say you have 2 lopsided games and 3 close ones.  The last time Wartburg won these seniors were freshman so I don't think there were many players on the field at that time for either team.  I think you can throw out the past and just look at what happens Saturday. 

[Airborne Dutch]

So its confirmed that Suckow is out  I'll believe it when I read it. I'm not sure that the rotating QB will have much effect on the Dutch. Simpson tried it and had a little success early but it didn't have much effect after the first quarter. Of course, Simpson's  offensive gameplan consisted of the f@#$%^ motion quarter for much of the rest of the game. I think the 3-5-3 makeup of the Dutch D will allow either Badeaux, Blythe, or Baethke to act as a spy if Bauder decides to start running.

[DutchFan2004]

Airbourne,

A little info you might not be aware of.  First the NCAA by rule will not pit conference foes against each other first round.  It does not matter on seeds.  Wartburg and Central will not meet first round in the playoffs for this reason.  I think that the Cali team will travel to Whitworth for a game rather than UWW.  St Olafs will not make the playoffs ahead of Bethel as Bethel won the head to head game.  I don't know if this helps you or not but wanted you to be aware of this.  

[Airborne Dutch]

Speaking of the ill-fated and lopsided 2003 CUI/WB game, what the hell ever happen to Reggie Doby? I remember the hit he put on Stephen Barnes on a punt return. I was just cringing the entire time because I knew it was going to hurt. That dude was fast and a playmaker.

DutchFan, thanx for the info. I was envisioning Bethel as the #5 seed and travelling to either Pella or Waverly.

[Walston Hoover]

Reggie got into some trouble and was sent back to Florida.

'04-I forgot about that '04 game in Pella. Dutch couldn't run at all that day.
'02 in Pella, the Wartburg defense dominated that day.
I should have had my post say "been within 1 score" or "come down to the last play."

[Airborne Dutch]

WH-Both games you mentioned could have gone either way. In '02, you guys got us once on the screen pass and then the INT later (why we were throwing down there, I'll never know). What people fail to remember is the hit that Jeff Jones laid on Brad Hodapp which bent his facemask. Hodapp fumbled the ball and Austin Bonnema recovered  and was heading untouched into the endzone but the play was blown dead a little too soon (we watched the replay a dozen times, the ball came loose before he hit the ground). I think the ill-fated screen pass came a few plays later in the drive. For some reason (it might be because it was during my injury induced sabbatical in which heavy drinking lead up to most of the games; that and One Armed Scot and crew came down to cover the game and party with the Beakes) the details of the '04 escape me somewhat but I remember it being somewhat back and forth. In fact, I think we had several chances inside the 10 but couldn't capitalize. With the exception of '03, the last 5 years of CUI/WB have been real tight games.

[Walston Hoover]

In -04, Wartburg got out to a 14-0 lead. It was 14-10 at half and that was the final score.
Central had 26 rushes for -8 yards.
IIRC, It was VERY cold that day and I was happy to be calling the game from the booth.
It was the Dan Hammes show with 34 carries for 174 yards. Wartburg dominated that day but threw 3 picks.

In '02, it was a defensive showdown. 23 First downs, TOTAL between the 2 teams. I know the hit on Hodapp of which you speak. No question a fumble on one of the hardest hits I've ever seen. Hodapp was knocked unconscious and did not return I think that was earlier in the game though. The ref said it was incomplete I thought, not ground caused. Either way, if I remember right it was the wrong call.
We got you on the rocket screen on the last play of the third quarter and then when the fullback was gouging us late in the game, Isaacson threw a pass to a wide open Brian McIntire who returned it 96 yards for a TD.
Total yards for the day
Wartburg 216
Central     194
Not a game that offensive-minded folks would enjoy.

Wartburg was up 14-3 in '05 before getting a kick returned for a TD and several blocked punts led to a huge score in favor of the Dutch. A game dominated in the stat book by the Knights, but that key third phase of the game known as special teams was dominated by Central, and thus the scoreboard.
Last year was a fun one. Lots of wind, and a defensive battle.
The '99 game was the best though.
That was an atmosphere at Scheild Stadium that I don't know could ever be replicated. 6500 people in a 2500 seat stadium was something to behold.

[Airborne Dutch]

The '05 game had many good scenes for the highlight video  . Thing to point out, though, is that it wasn't 14-3 for long. I think on the ensuing kickoff Doud took it back to make it 14-10. In any case, the special teams really played a huge part not only in that game, but the entire season. Around the Nation's article hit it on the head. Central definitely puts a premium on that aspect.

Glad you brought up Hammes. That guy was a beast. Probably one of the hardest runners I have ever seen at any level. We got the best of him in '05 (although I still think he had 100+ yards) but you were right about '04. We couldn't stop him.

[Walston Hoover]

Was there 3, or just 2 blocked punts that day?
I say just like its not that many 

[koekrazy87]

I will believe Suckow is out once the game starts and he isnt padded up.  I remember when he was at coe it was "doubtful" he would play a certain game.  Then little did we know he was dressed and took almost every snap in the game.  In a game this big I think Suckow will dress unless he has a broken leg or something torn in his knee.  Even with Suckow i think Central will win the game because of the fact they always find a way to win.

[TheOne89.1]

Isaacson threw a pass to a wide open Brian McIntire who returned it 96 yards for a TD.

That was quite a play to see!  I have a feeling things could be the same way this year with a last minute score to win the game...especially if Suckow and Yordi don't put the pads on.  And if they or one of them ends up playing, this is still a game where you throw out all the statistics.  The conference title, guaranteed playoff spot, and pride in a long time rivalry are on the line....this is anybodies game.

Good luck Knights!  I hope the Dutch get to see the playoffs this year after finishing second in the IIAC.

[TheOne89.1]

As for the talk on here about IIAC towns...

Waverly - Loved the town, not too big not too small.  Close to CF and Waterloo for your "big town" businesses

Decorah - Unfortunately I grew up too close to there and wanted to get away.  But, now that I am older I do enjoy the nice golf courses, a couple of laid back watering holes and of course Mabe's Pizza

Dubuque - a little too big for my taste, but you can't go wrong with the casino and track so close and just a stones throw away from Madison, Chicago, and Des Moines

Storm Lake - I liked the town when I went on my college visit.  I didn't have much opportunity to look around, but SportsKnight definitely has some good stories from the local bar life.

Cedar Rapids - Never really was a fan...but I disagree with the "ghetto" idea.  I have been to much worse places (San Bernadino CA....a couple of Chicago neighborhoods...etc.) I really don't think there are any bad places in Iowa.

Mount Vernon - I only know it from traveling there for football games.  Looked like a nice little town.  People on here spoke of some good places to eat (which definitely peaks a O-Lineman's interest)

Indianola - Again only know it from traveling there for games...so I can't really judge it.

Pella - a college roommate lives there now and says there is not much to do there.  But I gotta give it credit for a safe community and plenty of job opportunities for those business majors at Pella windows (although the roommate always says work is such a "pane")

Fayette - worse town of them all...I remember the coaches having a hard time finding places to order food for the team after games cause it was such a small town.  It's even more in the middle of no where than Decorah.

Those are just my views on the towns of the IIAC.  I grew up in MN so I haven't been to some of these towns a lot.  But I had some spare time on my hands at work....and I only had to stop typing once so the Wartburg Knightcaller could try to convince me to donate money I don't have thanks to my high student loan payments.