FB: American Rivers Conference

[AZDutchman]

Coach Z is passionate 
Willie U

When Central played UD, this is what I noticed in Coach Z. I wouldn't just limit it to being passionate. The word that enters my mind is fire. A fire that spreads in to his players and the players respond to it by playing hard.

I believe that 75% of a players "talent" is the result of him playing hard. Yes there is a thing called natural talent, but if you think about it...a player with natural talent that doesn't play hard isn't any good.

Many coaches have many different ways to get there players to play hard (motivate). I consider Coach McMartin to be a great coach. That is why I am very surprised to see what I'm seeing. This goes beyond a team just having a bad day. As I mentioned, I've been noticing the lack of hard play in multiple games.

Central got a break today. I think it would be safe to assume that there are many that will have different views on this four way tie for first and who's the better team. I do know that if there isn't a change in some play, that Central is going to have a very tough time the rest of the season.

[Old Dutch]

Congrats to both UD and Wartburg for a great game.  I only caught a few plays here or there, but it sounds like one for the ages. 

The four way tie will be brought down to two, but could very easily get broken up by an upset, as was nearly the case in Pella yesterday.  I can't argue with any of the other Dutch posters on their disappointment in the Dutch showing.  I remember hearing more than once from Schipper's staff that there is no walking on a football field for crying out loud.

I am a Jeff McMartin fan, but it appears there's a chemistry problem on this team and the coaches need to address it.  The passion and camaraderie just are not there.  Many Dutch names contain double vowels that create odd pronunciations, so I'm wondering if they think team is spelled teiim?

And Osborne?  Can't wait to see him tote the rock more regularly.

[DBQ1965]

Great ball game with a disappointing outcome for the Spartan Nation ... pretty exciting with 1,000+ yards in combined offense.

Coach Z no doubt was upset with some of the officiating ... as was Coach Willis at a few points.  I thought the officiating was inconsistent and both coaches had reason to complain.  Now its time to regroup and get ready for next week.

This is the third time I've seen Michael Z play (in person that is) and was very impresses this time ... some really good moves after catching the ball as well as playing good defense.

It was great getting to meet doolittledog and mrs. doolittle ... really nice folks!!!  Sorry we weren't able to connect after the game also.

Peace ...

[warthog]

How much better is the University of Dubuque football team than it was eleven years ago?

Yesterday they scored five more points than they did during the entire 2000 season.

[hazzben]

How much better is the University of Dubuque football team than it was eleven years ago?

Yesterday they scored five more points than they did during the entire 2000 season.

I was thinking the same thing. Incredible turn around for a program that has gone 0-10 twice since 2000 and 2-8 or worse 8 times in the D3football.com era. It's no easy thing to instill a winning mentality into a program. Getting that sort of edge takes a lot of things, from x's and o's to leadership on the field to great coaching. It's always exciting to see new teams beginning to find that, as it makes competition more exciting every week for an entire conference.

[NewKnightDad]

There is one of many aspects that Coach Z brought with him from Whitewater that I remembered while driving home last night.  When my son was a freshman in 2008 and on the scout team preparing the varsity for their playoff games the week leading up to the Whitewater game coach Willis told my son and the rest of the o-line to grab the defensive players jersey every play and hold like you have never held before. 

We got the holding calls in the second half last night that we didnt get in the first half. My son mentioned that after the game when I said we finally got pressure on their QB he said yeah we finally got some holding calls.   Hey if they are not going to call it why not do it?

Zwiefel #1 for Dubuque, hands down the best receiver I have seen in my four years going to Wartburg games.  His yards after catch are frustrating to watch from a defensive stand point but exciting watch and you never know when he is going to break one.

#30 for WB, great day carrying the ball.  Not bad for a 3rd string back.  Thompson got one carry and Sims got maybe 4 carries for the game. 

Robby Salmon is a weapon punting the football, he changed field position for us a couple of times last night.

I believe our o-line wore their defense down in the second half which opened up our running game.

Again a great game by two very good teams and if they can both win out I would not be suprised to see them meet up again in the 2nd round of the playoffs.

The Knights need to prepare for Simpson this week and be ready to play a hard fought game again.

[Klompen]

"I'm extremely happy with our football team," coach Jeff McMartin said. "I'm very proud of the effort our players gave in the second half."

I am a huge Jeff McMartin fan and know that he likes to be positive in his comments, but if he is EXTREMELY happy with a football team putting forth a good effort for only half a game, this team is not going to develop into one of the traditionally strong football teams at Central.  I don't agree with leading through fear and aggression as some coaches do, but sometimes a team needs a good chewing out and yesterday was one of them.  Yes, the Dutch did make a comeback, but it wasn't so impressive that it made me extremely happy.  Maybe Mac's comments to the team were stronger than he would say in public, but coddeling a team that played like the ball was greased is not giong to make them championship calibre.  Red as my glasses are, I see the Dutch falling like a rock if this is enough to make the coach extremely happy. 

Though I might be too critical of the team as a whole, because it seemed to be the same players making the mistakes over while others definitely stepped up--Sheldon, Osborn, Carson, West all played outstanding.

[Ash Park]

Congrats to the Knights on the win today although to be completely honest, I don't think the best team won today. The Knights are good, not trying to take anything away from that fact but take away the big plays and the Spartans controlled the game. But, you still won and I am a man of respect and will give you that.

As for Coach Z, what obviously no one on this board SAW was that earlier in the game when the same official that Coach Z was giving an earful to at the end of the game made a completely unprofessional and provoking gesture to Coach Z. Great thing is that it was caught on tape and hopefully that said official will be repromanded. Coach Z is passionate and to be honest, I respect that he only gave him a earful at the end of the game because he deserved so much more. Totally classless of any official.

It was definitely the game of the day in D3 today and although the Spartans lost the game, they certainly did not lose respect or credibility as a contender in D3.

Willie U

Thank you, that is what I was wondering. Like I said I didn't see the entire game so I knew something must have happened that I did not see that would make a head coach go bonkers like that. I agree it was definitely the game of the day and as long as the Spartans take care of business my guess is they will make some noise in the playoffs.

[doolittledog]

We just got back from Dubuque.  I know there are a lot of very tired/hungover 40 somethings making their way home right now

Probably not too much I can add to the conversation that hasn't already been said on here. 

Warthog, sorry we didn't see you waving your hat.  We were wondering how we were so lucky to find a big area of empty seats to save for our friends...then the band began to play   My plan was to head over to the Wartburg side at halftime and try to find you.  We were then told we were to show up at my old frats cannon during half time.  When we did the young kids didn't seem to know what was going on so we all just made our way back to our seats.  By the end of the game, the Jim Beam we had mixed into our cokes had made us very hungry and anxious to get to the hog roast on the quad. 

While most of our friends were drinking at the Dog House pregame, my wife and I made it over to NewKnightDads tailgate.  Warthog, you should have made it over there, that was a big time tailgate among Spartan and Knight fans.  Lots of grilling, games of bags, drinks in plastic cups.  Once again, the Wartburg faithfull were out in numbers and also very nice to us Spartan fans in their company.  I also got to meet Wartknight and a few others.  The atmoshere at the tailgate and in the stadium and the play on the field had a much bigger feel to it that what most people associate with your typical D3 game.  It just felt like a big time event yesterday.   

As far as the game...exciting game...I just wish the outcome and been a bit different.  UD with a 4th and goal on the 5 in the 1st half and going for it and failing, instead of attempting the field goal ended up being the difference in the game. 

I might add more later, after I have taken a nap.  I'm one tired puppy right now!!! 

[AZDutchman]

"I'm extremely happy with our football team," coach Jeff McMartin said. "I'm very proud of the effort our players gave in the second half."

I am a huge Jeff McMartin fan and know that he likes to be positive in his comments, but if he is EXTREMELY happy with a football team putting forth a good effort for only half a game, this team is not going to develop into one of the traditionally strong football teams at Central.  I don't agree with leading through fear and aggression as some coaches do, but sometimes a team needs a good chewing out and yesterday was one of them.  Yes, the Dutch did make a comeback, but it wasn't so impressive that it made me extremely happy.  Maybe Mac's comments to the team were stronger than he would say in public, but coddeling a team that played like the ball was greased is not giong to make them championship calibre.  Red as my glasses are, I see the Dutch falling like a rock if this is enough to make the coach extremely happy. 

Though I might be too critical of the team as a whole, because it seemed to be the same players making the mistakes over while others definitely stepped up--Sheldon, Osborn, Carson, West all played outstanding.

I think it would be very safe to say that a championship caliber coach like Coach McMartin will make adjustments if and when they're needed. As far as being extremely happy with the team?, I don't think Coach Mac is one to express vocally what he's really thinking.

Yes it was very hard to see the game played as it was, but I think it would be safe to say that it was very hard for the coaches to see it also. Loras may be a good game to make adjustments. I don't know, because according to the Loras poster...they're saving their starters for the big games.

One of the things that Coach Mac said in the beginning was that we're not seeing what he see's in the game tapes. I think there will be a lot of rewind replay times during the viewing of this game. I just sure hope that during the slow mow that he notices the players walking look more like they're standing still. That during the fast forwards he notices who's running towards the sidelines and not looking to be explosive on the field.

I enjoy watching hustle, hard play and players that want to be in the game. That's what I'm looking forward to next week! 

[CaliRamRL6]

It's Homecoming week at Cornell. I would much rather Dubuque be undefeated instead of pissed off and hungry, coming into Mount Vernon. Ash Park, are you making the trek back for this one?

[Ash Park]

I was just thinking the same thing. I will not be able to make it back for HC this year unfortunately.

[CaliRamRL6]

I got to see the Coe vs Luther game yesterday. It was quite a change in the 2nd half. Coe's defense needs to address the issues in the run game. Luther was having their way with them on a lot of run plays. I may be off a little but to me, it seems like Boyle was a little off yesterday. 15-21 for 284 and 3 TDs looks good on paper but the passes he threw his soph and junior year made you go WOW. It wasn't the crisp Boyle I'm used to seeing. I could be being over-critical but I'm a spectator so I can say what I want. Jared Kuehner and Demetreus Johnson were studs yesterday.

For Luther, Chris Reynolds needs to have more in designed runs for him. They need to take advantage of that 6'4" receiver. I was a little disappointed I didn't see McGivney tackle anyone and everyone like his stats make it seem. Whoever #20 is, he can lay the wood for a skinny dude.

[CaliRamRL6]

I was just thinking the same thing. I will not be able to make it back for HC this year unfortunately.

That's too bad. I'll let you know how it goes.

[fanofallsports]

After have watched a lot of different teams across the nation at all levels I'm really beginning to wonder if Miles Hookstead and Mike Zweifel of the University of Dubuque are the top two NFL prospects in DIII football. Zweifel has record shattering statistics and has NFL speed and athleticism. Miles Hookstead is 6'6 250 and there isn't a defensive back in DIII capable of stopping him especially in the red zone. Are these two bound for the NFL? I'm not saying they'll get drafted (although it wouldn't surprise me), but they have to be on several teams radars.