FB: American Rivers Conference

[Floyd in Iowa City]

Congrats to all of the winners this week!  Obviously the Central game did not go as I had hoped.  I have seen some really average Norse teams play tough against the Dutch over the years, so I was clearly hoping for more from the 2011 Norse.  Between the roster size and the schedule for this season, I have been a little wary of what could happen.

No matter the schedule, the Norse are 0-3 and have not had a good all-around game on offense yet this year.  I am not saying that 5-5 is out of the question for the season, but the Norse 5-5 seasons the last bunch of years were 4-4 in the league.

The only bad record the Norse have had this past decade was the 2006 season in which the Norse lost a bunch of close games and were in the top ten in Division III in total yards per game on offense.  The team this year played the Oles tough, but it hasn't been as flashy and fun to watch (until the end of the game ) as 2006.

The coaching staff has done a good job of dealing with adversity in the past three years, so hopefully they can correct some things quickly again this year.  This team needs to find a formula to start winning games.  I was hoping that both sides of the ball would be above average to help carry some suspect special teams.

Dubuque continues to impress and the top three are also still around. 

[Fannosaurus Rex]

It looks like Central can use all of the help they can get this week against the high flying Spartans.  I wonder when was the last Central v UD game where UD had the better record.  Anyway, since I am all about helping, I am thinking of making the trip to Dubuque.  I was there many years ago for a game against Loras and took in the shot tower and the river museum and the incline thing.  What have I missed?  What is the deal on these chili dogs I've read about on here?  I enjoy a good chili dog but I will have a long ride home and, as I recall, the rest stops are not close together.  Are these fast acting chili dogs?

[footballdaddy]

While the IIAC had no final scores that could be called upsets this weekend, it appears all the games were close at half-time.  Perhaps we are seeing more parity from top to bottom.  If so, this could make for some interesting games for the remainder of the 2011 season.

I was impressed by the BV quarterback #19 (Bobby Brown).  He hung in there all day despite getting racked time and time again.  BV needs to make some o-line adjustments or that kid will end up on the sidelines in a cast or sling before the season is over.  If he can get some protection, the Beavers will win some IIAC games.  BV used eight different receivers and they have a good running back who can keep the defenses honest by not allowing opponents to over load on d-backs or use an all-out pass rush on every down.  Protection is the key.  Without it teams that have good d-lines, like UD, will dish out all sorts of pain and suffering when they play BV.

Passing and rushing yardage statistics by BV and Wartburg were very similar.  One big difference was the punting game.  Wartburg's Solomon and long snapper Denner had a good day, while the BV kick game had a bad snap resulting in a huge loss (30 yards) and one that appears to have been partially blocked.  The kicks that did get off netted the Beavers 126 fewer yards than the Knights. (WC-7 punts / BV-5 punts)  If you consider the Beaver offense had to gain 156 extra yards just to make up for the kicking difference, you can see how valuable a good punter and long snapper were in the final outcome of the contest.

I agree with bot of your observations. The BV quarterback had to have been a hurting unit on sunday from the beating he took. I have to admit he had guts to stand in there when he knew he was going to get hit.

Another facet to the successful punting game was the Knights kick coverage. They allowed next to no return yards all day. I admire Daylon Bacot's (#44) enthusiasm for covering kicks. I hope his concussion doesn't take that away, although several others stepped up to fill his gap.

The major issue is when will Wartburg play four good quaters in one game? The game was much closer than the score indicated. I do realize that several all-conference quality players are injured or recovering from injuries, but that is no excuse for some lackluster play. When we're good, we're very good, but when we're bad we're very beatable. Coe will be a real test of what kind of team we really have. I know the Kohawks will give us everything they have and feel they owe us one.

[doolittledog]

It looks like Central can use all of the help they can get this week against the high flying Spartans.  I wonder when was the last Central v UD game where UD had the better record.  Anyway, since I am all about helping, I am thinking of making the trip to Dubuque.  I was there many years ago for a game against Loras and took in the shot tower and the river museum and the incline thing.  What have I missed?  What is the deal on these chili dogs I've read about on here?  I enjoy a good chili dog but I will have a long ride home and, as I recall, the rest stops are not close together.  Are these fast acting chili dogs?

Mulgrews chili dogs in E. Dubuque would get real busy around 2-3 am from the bar crowd.  It has been many years since I ventured over to that side of the river.  I think I heard they closed down Mulgrews, but I could be wrong. 

You could try out the Potosi Brewery and the National Brewery museum just across the river in Wisconsin.  They have a restaurant there as well.  Bluff Street has a lot of touristy shops if Mrs Rex is along with you.  Within walking distance of UD there is the Doghouse or the Westside Tap.  WillieU might let you tailgate at his place if you offer to help change diapers

[NewKnightDad]

FBD I love the new signature!!   

[Final4Isnt4Everyone]

I see Loras just lost to UD in their conference opener. Not a bad loss though, saw a lot of good things that will likely bring them to the top of the IIAC in a few weeks. This week's game vs. Simpson should be nothing less than a Win for the Duhawks.

38-14 hawks

[footballdaddy]

FBD I love the new signature!!   

I told you I would! I couldn't leave a line that good out to die. LOL

[Fannosaurus Rex]

It is a tense week for Central fans.  The Dutch have to face the team that just barely, and by barely I mean 25 points, beat the team that is headed for the top of the IIAC.  It sounds like it will be a real battle.  I know that the past is no predictor of the future, but here is a question for history buffs.  What were the two worst things that happened in 1987?  Answer:  Snooki Polizzi was born and it was the last time Dubuque beat Central.  The last time the Spartans beat the Dutch, the average price of a gallon of gasoline was 89 cents, Ronald Reagan was President and we were still fighting the Cold War.  It will be fine with me if we go another 23 years before Dubuque wins another one.

[doolittledog]

It is a tense week for Central fans.  The Dutch have to face the team that just barely, and by barely I mean 25 points, beat the team that is headed for the top of the IIAC.  It sounds like it will be a real battle.  I know that the past is no predictor of the future, but here is a question for history buffs.  What were the two worst things that happened in 1987?  Answer:  Snooki Polizzi was born and it was the last time Dubuque beat Central.  The last time the Spartans beat the Dutch, the average price of a gallon of gasoline was 89 cents, Ronald Reagan was President and we were still fighting the Cold War.  It will be fine with me if we go another 23 years before Dubuque wins another one.

I was 19...a high school friend of mine was an RB on the Central team...Roger Wailaie was the UD QB, now the HC at D2 West Liberty...we UD fans were convinced that UD was headed towards the top of the IIAC like the then recent '78 - '80 seasons...while alcohol was banned, we were always allowed to sneak our bodas full of spirits into the stadium...which led to the pep band sounding much better in the 1st half, than in the 2nd!!!

1987 UD/Central game was played on Sept 26th...this years UD/Central game will be played on Sept 24th

I am really looking forward to this years game.  Regardless of which team wins, I think this years game will be a hard fought contest, with both teams playing well. 

[warthog]

Dubuque/Central
Wartburg/Coe

This could be quite a weekend in the IIAC

[Fannosaurus Rex]

Interesting that the last time Central lost to Dubuque, it was the only game they lost until the play-off semi-finals when they lost to Dayton.  This year the Dutch got their loss out of the way in the practice game against Oshkosh.

[Kohawk Krazy]

Dubuque/Central
Wartburg/Coe

This could be quite a weekend in the IIAC

When was the last time all four league undefeated teams played each other on the same day?

[Bird Dog]

Dubuque/Central
Wartburg/Coe

This could be quite a weekend in the IIAC

When was the last time all four league undefeated teams played each other on the same day?

Last weekend when all eight were undefeated.  The fifth undefeated team Cornell is also playing this week.

[Willie University]

Dubuque/Central
Wartburg/Coe

This could be quite a weekend in the IIAC

When was the last time all four league undefeated teams played each other on the same day?

Last weekend when all eight were undefeated.  The fifth undefeated team Cornell is also playing this week.

He was speaking of undefeated conference records so technically, cornell wouldn't be included in that grouping

[sportsknight]

It looks like Central can use all of the help they can get this week against the high flying Spartans.  I wonder when was the last Central v UD game where UD had the better record.  Anyway, since I am all about helping, I am thinking of making the trip to Dubuque.  I was there many years ago for a game against Loras and took in the shot tower and the river museum and the incline thing.  What have I missed?  What is the deal on these chili dogs I've read about on here?  I enjoy a good chili dog but I will have a long ride home and, as I recall, the rest stops are not close together.  Are these fast acting chili dogs?

Mulgrews chili dogs in E. Dubuque would get real busy around 2-3 am from the bar crowd.  It has been many years since I ventured over to that side of the river.  I think I heard they closed down Mulgrews, but I could be wrong. 

You could try out the Potosi Brewery and the National Brewery museum just across the river in Wisconsin.  They have a restaurant there as well.  Bluff Street has a lot of touristy shops if Mrs Rex is along with you.  Within walking distance of UD there is the Doghouse or the Westside Tap.  WillieU might let you tailgate at his place if you offer to help change diapers

I'm pretty sure Mullgrew's is still open, although they might be it for businesses in downtown ED these days.  That place is an institution over there.  I've never had their food earlier than midnight, so I'm probably not the best judge of the quality.  But I can tell you unabashedly that those chili dogs are damn tasty in the wee hours of morning. 

As far as other options for food in Dub City, there's always Fat Tuesdays, just down University Avenue from the UD campus.  Fat's was one of my regular spots when I lived in Dubuque, as it was only about four blocks from my place.  Their po boy sandwiches are damn good, and the sirloin quesadilla is also a good option.  Lots of dirty, cheap beer to be had as well.  And you don't have to worry about getting too out of hand, since there are plenty of cops that frequent the place when they're out of uniform. 

The Dog House is another option.  Another dive-ish type place.  The Carmichael sandwich is the way to go there.

If you head downtown, Lot One has some decent food and a bunch of TVs for catching other football action.  Same thing across the street at a new place called Mason Dixon.  They're more of a restaurant, and their ribs are very good.  For something a little more high class, Crust is a new Italian place that opened earlier this year in the former BrickTown location.  Never been there, but I've heard good things.  And Star restaurant just north of the Grand Harbor Center is very good as well.  A little pricey, but it is located in the old Star Brewery building and has a patio deck that offers some great river views.