FB: American Rivers Conference

[doolittledog]

Congrats to the Knights and hope the ride back was w/o anymore rain.

It was another fantastic game between Wartburg and Monmouth.  2 very evenly matched teams.  Good luck to the Scots the rest of the year.  So far it looks like Monmouth and St. Norbert are the top teams with everyone else chasing those two. 

[warthog]

It was another fantastic game between Wartburg and Monmouth.  2 very evenly matched teams.  Good luck to the Scots the rest of the year.  So far it looks like Monmouth and St. Norbert are the top teams with everyone else chasing those two.

doolittledog is correct about evenly matched.
Selected stats from today:
Passing:  Wartburg 281 yards - Monmouth 277 yards
Total Off: Wartburg 434 yards - Monmouth 403 yards
Turnovers: Wartburg 3 - Monmouth 3
Def Sacks: Wartburg 4 - Monmouth 1

Once again Coach Willis and staff make some good half-time adjustments.
Wartburg appeared to physically take over after intermission.
Tanney got up slowly several times. The Scots really seemed to be falling all over the field.  The weather may have contributed and the Knights had some players that needed help, but I think the Scots led in the category of players who had to head to the sidelines. 
Wartburg's quarterback is no slouch.  He has matched Tanney's stats quite well when they play one another.  Plus the important stat (wins) Stiefel leads 2-0. I'm thinking we might just want to stick with our guy.

[warthog]

I encountered many nice alumni, fans, employees and students of both schools today.  One was a former Monmouth player who shared shelter at the tennis courts during one of the longer monsoons.  Another was the top fan of Wartburg's #45.  She must have thought I looked like I was about to have heat stroke.  She brought me a bottle of cold water.  That was very nice of her to do.  Finally, as I left the stadium I found myself walking with three Monmouth students who had been helpers of some sort during the game.  They were all very nice and went out of their way to engage an old coot like me in the conversation they were having about the day's events.  Monmouth should be proud of those three.

[warthog]

I encountered many nice alumni, fans, employees and students of both schools today.  One was a former Monmouth player who shared shelter at the tennis courts during one of the longer monsoons.  Another was the top fan of Wartburg's #45.  She must have thought I looked like I was about to have heat stroke.  She brought me a bottle of cold water.  That was very nice of her to do.  Finally, as I left the stadium I found myself walking with three Monmouth students who had been helpers of some sort during the game.  They were all very nice and went out of their way to engage an old coot like me in the conversation they were having about the day's events.  Monmouth should be proud of those three.

Actually the same thing could be said for the alumni, fans, employees and students of both schools who I encountered at the University of Dubuque/Augustana game on Thursday. Isn't it great?  My faith in the people of America has been restored by my attendance at two D3 football games.

[Old Dutch]

So, according to the write up Central won the stats battle but lost the war.  Oh for the good old days when we lost the stats and won the war!

Congrats to Warty and Cornell on the wins. 3-6 in week one for IIAC. Hopefully a bunch of home games next week helps make things right.

[NewKnightDad]

I have to agree, many nice people at Monmouth yesterday also. The tailgate area is located off campus at he car lot of a Monmouth Alum who I talked to and thanked him for allowing us to tailgate on his property.  He knows the athletic department and most of the school would like to see the tailgate area on campus closer to the field but just a couple of people on the board don't wany any alcohol on campus and we both looked at each other knowing that Monmouth is no different from any other college campus in America. 

Monmouth did supply a shuttle to and from the game which was very nice.  During the ride back from the game we had a great conversation with the security guard and he congratulated us on the win. 
He commented on how the IIAC is a much tougher conference then what they play in but the people around there don't like to admit it. 

Wartburg has some things to work on and correct if hey want to be a title contender this again this year.  Monmouth started almost all of their drives on the Wartburg side of the field due to poor kick coverage.  The defense kept us in the game in the first half and shut Monmouth down in the second half.  The offense began to find their stride in the second half, which is alot like last year.

Getting hit with dime and quarter size hail is a painful ordeal, we found shelter in the first base dugout on the softball field right behind the visitors stands.  If I could post a video on here I took with my phone I could show the hail coming down like crazy.

All in all a good day.

[AZDutchman]

Went to my daughters high school's football game last night. My daughter, who has been going to the games with me for many years, looked at me in the second quarter and said, "What a train wreck". They ended up loosing 42-0.

I mention this, because I almost forgot to appreciate such a great program like Central. I was giving some jabs yesterday and for that I do apologize. I just get so excited during the games. If you were ever to look for me in the stands, it would be easy. I definitely wouldn't be sitting and certainly not just standing there eating some popcorn.

One of the things that Central shows is character. They definitely had that by not quitting and bringing the game so close.
Thanks Central for working so hard and I'm looking forward to next Saturdays game! 

Also, Congratulations to Wartburg for pulling out a great win! 
Almost forgot Cornell...Congratulations!

[AZDutchman]

Tough start for Central, obviously.  Really came down to the turnovers.  Two special teams fumbles and three interceptions - I know it's cliche, but you aren't going to win many games when you turn it over 5 times.

Other than the turnovers, I was impressed with the Central offense.  They're not going to line it up and run it right at you with their running back(s), but the line did a good enough job creating some room, and protected pretty well for Nate.  The game plan was solid, getting the ball out of his hands quickly and into the hands of their tall, playmaking receivers. 

On defense, we really need to shore things up on the back end.  Three really long pass plays were the killer on defense.  Other than those three plays, our defense played really well I thought.  We defended the run well, and kept the short passes in front of us, preventing the short play from beginning a big play.  Now - it's just preventing those long passes from becoming big plays too!!

Coach Mac and his staff will have these boys ready to go next week - I'm excited for the home opener against Auggie!

Trevor,
I have to say that you do such a great job behind the microphone!
The visual that you give with your broadcast, is outstanding. I felt like I was right there at the game.
Thanks! 

[coocooforcoekohawk]

Who ever decided to schedule Hardin Simmons this year for Coe I applaud you.

It was a hard game to watch, but what is the point of playing crap teams.

My rugby club got moved up to Division II and we don't have any push overs on the schedule anymore. When we got beat 45-0 last week it sucked, but I'd rather play tough opponents then play a weak team and not learn anything about ourselves.

Go Kohawks the rest of the year!

Go Headhunters too.

[AZDutchman]

Willie and I are used to hearing Chicago kids at both UD AND Loras talking about how they are going to roll through the Iowa Conference for no other reason than they are from Chicago.  Many times those types of kids aren't around in the spring.  There are many great kids at both schools from the Chicagoland area though.  And, you know, that AZDutchman is pretty cool too

After week 1...Cornell is at the top of the standings!!!

I thought I might try to give you a little insight to playing ball in Chicago. Now keep in mind that my insight reflects from a long time ago, but may still apply to today.

Yes, there was/is a certain thought that Chicago players are better than others. Some may call it attitude, but I think it falls more into pride. It could actually fall into a possible ego, where coming from a bigger city makes you better (ask Freud on those details). When I played, I truly believe that the play was rougher than in other areas. Now you can go into, where the play was rougher it must have been tougher and if it was tougher it must have of made you better.

If you remember, last season the subject came up...football is a very physical sport and the hitting will continue. I made the comment....When I used to play it was more like street ball. In which some may consider to be playing dirty. Then someone jumped all over me, in which I'll leave nameless (but it rhymes with Ted), saying that I supported playing dirty ball. The point of this is.... IMO in Chicago I think there's a different kind of ball played there.

**Now keep in mind, I feel like I almost got cheated. The reason is because when I see the quality of play that I see (and have seen) that my sons are getting. There is such a great structure to football now at all levels and in all areas.**

Again, this is only my opinion and it is based from a long time ago. Take it for what it's worth. Is it still there? I think so. Also for the record, there is a known difference between Chicago and Chicagoland. That's a different subject.

[CaliRamRL6]

DBQ1965, thanks for the report. Congrats to Cornell for getting off to a good start.

[baddog]

coocooforcoekohawk -- First, allow me to congratulate you on the most creative fan screen-name I have ever seen.
Second, as an HSU fan, I felt the same way about scheudling a quality team even before the game.  Over the years HSU has a pretty good record of doing that. Sometimes it has bitten us on the gluteus maximus, but as you siad, that is how we find out where we are.
Third, props to your guys for never giving up. They played hard to the end. From the stands it looked like a clean game with good sportsmanship while both teams still giving it their all.
Fourth, as I posted last night, Coe's (very good) punter seemed to have rolled his ankle and was in a lot of pain. He limped off the field, but I wondered how he was doing. Can you tell me anything?
Fifth, I do hope the team and all the fans (Coe was very well-represented for Abilene being so far and so very hot!) arrived home safely.

[CaliRamRL6]

It appears some Special Teams work is in order. Giving up a punt return and a kickoff return leaves more than enough for Special Teams to work through prior to game 2. Either way, I'll take a win.

[warthog]

I have to agree, many nice people at Monmouth yesterday also. The tailgate area is located off campus at he car lot of a Monmouth Alum who I talked to and thanked him for allowing us to tailgate on his property.  He knows the athletic department and most of the school would like to see the tailgate area on campus closer to the field but just a couple of people on the board don't wany any alcohol on campus and we both looked at each other knowing that Monmouth is no different from any other college campus in America. 

Getting hit with dime and quarter size hail is a painful ordeal, we found shelter in the first base dugout on the softball field right behind the visitors stands.  If I could post a video on here I took with my phone I could show the hail coming down like crazy.

All in all a good day.

Yes, they are the same.  I saw some Monmouth students carrying 3 cases of Bud Light into the dorms along the driveway between the tennis courts and field house.  I was wondering how that worked based on the strict tailgating rules.  I assume it has someting to do with it being out of sight in the dorms.  This is sort of like they say in NW Iowa: "What is a Dutch Reform persons favorite tavern?" The answer: "One that is in the next county."

Those of us in the equipment storage area under the visitor stands were wondering who was in the dugout.  When the hail got really heavy we were a little concerned about you.  We had plenty of room in the storage area.

[hazzben]

I have to agree, many nice people at Monmouth yesterday also. The tailgate area is located off campus at he car lot of a Monmouth Alum who I talked to and thanked him for allowing us to tailgate on his property.  He knows the athletic department and most of the school would like to see the tailgate area on campus closer to the field but just a couple of people on the board don't wany any alcohol on campus and we both looked at each other knowing that Monmouth is no different from any other college campus in America. 

Getting hit with dime and quarter size hail is a painful ordeal, we found shelter in the first base dugout on the softball field right behind the visitors stands.  If I could post a video on here I took with my phone I could show the hail coming down like crazy.

All in all a good day.

This is sort of like they say in NW Iowa: "What is a Dutch Reform persons favorite tavern?" The answer: "One that is in the next county."

Not entirely true. In Orange City, most just settle for the next town over: Alton and the Double D.  But it might depend on whether you're simply Reformed or Christian Reformed (not to mention Netherlands Reformed). The latter would probably make sure it was a solid county over.  [hunkering down, preparing to take the inevitable karma hit from some lurking, super sensitive CRC rube  ]

But, I suppose no good Dutchman (RCA, CRC, or whatever their stripe) could argue with a tavern that only served the following: