FB: American Rivers Conference

[doolittledog]

Dubuque Telegraph-Herald with a preview of the Loras/BVU game...

Outlook -- Two victory-famished teams meet with the Duhawks seeking to avoid a winless Iowa Conference season. For Loras, the key to victory is simple: play a sound four-quarter game (avoid turnovers, win the time of possession battle, win the rushing battle, keep drives alive on third down), a feat Loras hasn't managed since its 48-17 Week 2 victory over Rockford.

Buena Vista is the perfect closing opponent to salvage something of the season. If the Duhawks' defense can put steady pressure on quarterback Bo Darrow -- who was sacked nine times by Simpson last week -- it should be able to control the line of scrimmage. Buena Vista averages just 97 rushing yards per game.

As Loras looks to 2012, there are talented pieces to build with. Sophomore quarterback Sean Brennan has shown promise, completing 61 percent of his attempts since replacing an injured Vaughn Gesing. Also showing potential for the future have been freshman wide receiver Nate Even (23 catches for 281 yards), sophomore wide receiver Bryce Ewan (23 catches for 254 yards) and sophomore cornerback Dave Pirkle (33 tackles, 3 interceptions with 88 return yards). But Loras needs a fleet of playmakers and game changers for 2012, a recruiting mission coach Paul Mierkiewicz and his staff have already begun to work on.

[Klompen]

I saw Chris Norton and his family on "The Early Show" this morning for winning the Courage in Sports award.  Having followed the voting, I wasn't at all surprised.  Unlike individual game outcomes, this is something that the whole IIAC can be supportive and proud of.  Chris is a truly exceptional young man and his work ethic and determination is something that is so indicative of the kind of student athletes that we have in the IIAC.  Not that he is normal, by any means, but I bet we can all think of someone from our own school who faced seemingly insurmountable circumstances with incredible courage.  Congratulations Chris!  You represent the best of all of us!

[doolittledog]

In game update...

Wartburg winning 21-7 over Luther at the half
Central up 7-0 over Simpson in the 1st quarter
BVU taking it to Loras 28-0 in the 3rd quarter
Coe pounding Cornell 49-7 at halftime

[Klompen]

Central is having another up and down day.  I have been fighting a health problem that kept me out of action most of the past week and a half, so I just couldn't get to the game today.  Of course, the one game I can't get to is the game where something is screwing up the readio broadcast and Simpson's video is blurry.  Of course as up and down as they are, maybe I don't want to see and hear what is happening. 

Sheldon missed his first PAT of the year today, too bad, he deserved that perfect record, but glad we got the TD.

[doolittledog]

Decent weather in the 50's today.  This was one of the nicest seasons weather wise I can remember.   

Thank you to all the seniors that played their last game today and good luck in you future endevours. 

With the end of the regular season we bid farewell to Cornell as a member of our conference.  Best of luck to the Rams in the Midwest Conference. 

We have spent 9 seasons as a 9 member conference.  Standings over that time are...

Wartburg 59-13 (4 titles)
Central    55-17 (4 titles)
Coe         50-22 (2 titles)
Luther     34-38
Simpson  34-38
BVU         33-39
Dubuque  27-45 (1 title)
Loras       26-46
Cornell     6-56

Last half decade...

Wartburg 33-7 (2 titles)
Central     32-8 (2 titles)
Coe          29-11
Dubuque  20-20 (1 title)
Luther      19-21
Simpson   17-23
BVU          16-24
Loras        12-28
Cornell      2-38

Graduating seniors leave the IIAC with...

Wartburg 26-6 (2 titles)
Central    24-8 (1 title)
Coe          24-8
Dubuque  15-17 (1 title)
Luther      15-17
Simpson   14-18
BVU          13-19
Loras        11-21
Cornell       2-30

Juniors have 1 more year in which to leave their legacy...

Central    20-4 (1 title)
Coe         20-4
Wartburg 19-5 (1 title)
Dubuque  14-10 (1 title)
Luther      11-13
Simpson    9-15
BVU           7-17
Loras         6-18
Cornell       2-22

I am now done with looking up useless stats 

[Phred]

I did see the Wartburg/Luther game today, looking across the field to see a sea of blue in the Norse stands.  A great day for football.........not like 2 years ago when the field was a sea of mud.

But....I was greatly disappointed in the play of the Knights.  Only game I have seen them play and the Norse, in spite of losing were the better team today.  Perhaps the loss of coaching staff is at the root but Willis has to do something to get the Knights on track for next year.  Should have been champs but limped even though they were 8-2.  Alumni expect more.

[warthog]

I did see the Wartburg/Luther game today, looking across the field to see a sea of blue in the Norse stands.  A great day for football.........not like 2 years ago when the field was a sea of mud.

But....I was greatly disappointed in the play of the Knights.  Only game I have seen them play and the Norse, in spite of losing were the better team today.  Perhaps the loss of coaching staff is at the root but Willis has to do something to get the Knights on track for next year.  Should have been champs but limped even though they were 8-2.  Alumni expect more.

True there were people dressed in blue, but the crowd was sparse.  Plenty of room for the Warthogs and many other Knight fans in the home team bleachers
It wasn't the Knights' best outing.  Penalties, dropped passes, end zone interception, missed tackles.  My oh my!  One series the Knights had three holding penalties in a row.  1st & 10 at the 30 - 1st & 20 at the 20 - 1st and 30 at the 10 - 1st and 35 at the 5.  That is sad. Yet, a win in a rivalry game is a good thing.
I'm always a little skeptical when I hear the best team didn't win.  The Norse had some blunders of their own, but more importantly they couldn't close the deal when it was handed to them on a silver platter.  The Knights came up big on some fourth down stops.

Other observations:
1) Lots of dead deer on the road during the 175 mile trip from Casa Warthog to Decorah.
2) Today I heard possibly the worst rendition of the national anthem I have ever witnessed in person.
3) What happened when the Luther coach threw his hat and screamed at the officials.  Was he acting like Billy Martin just to fire up the troops?  If so it worked.
4) Gunder burgers all around.  Peacock Sister and Cyclone Brother-in-Law joined the Warthogs in Gunder after the game.  Burgers were hot and the beer was cold, a good combination
5) I never witnessed the dedication of a windmill until today.  I thought I had been transported to Pella.
6) Dr. Torgerson, the Luther President, looked a little embarrassed when they flipped the switch to symbolically turn on the power from the windmill and the blue LC sign didn't light up.  OOPS!
7) Luther should be very proud of the young women who were on hand today helping in the ticket stations and at the concession stand.  They were all very nice and helpful.  They represented Luther College well.
8) Whomever tore-up the Wartburg flag next to the Wartburg tent where the Wartburg Alumni were tailgating is not a particularly great Luther representative.
9) Speaking of tailgating, Mabe's may still be the best pizza in the IIAC.

[warthog]

So long Cornell, don't let the door hit you on the ass on your way out!

[CaliRamRL6]

After 77-7, there isn't much to say. Thank you to the outgoing Cornell seniors that gave it their all through the remainder of their final plays. Don't graduate and disappear. The team needs and will appreciate your continued support no matter what state you end up in.

[NewKnightDad]

Warthog

Did you find pieces of the flag?  We are holding out hope of getting it back but if you saw it we will forget that.

If my wife ever gets a hold of who the chicken s#*t that took it they will wish they never crossed her path.

Doolittle
Thanks for the stats, this was my son's senior season and though 8-2 does not meet the season goals we are very proud of him and his team mates.

[doolittledog]

Hey NKD, I'm drinking beer with someone you work with!!! 

[NewKnightDad]

I think I know who that is......

[doolittledog]

Hmm, Dubuque travels to CCIW champion North Central and is in the bracket with Mt. Union.  Wow

[coocooforcoekohawk]

I hope the selection committee had the common courtesy to give the Spartans a reach around.  Sheesh!

[doolittledog]

I guess if your name isn't Central, Coe, Wartburg and you're from the IIAC you have to earn respect with the committee.  Oh well, you have to play tough teams sooner or later.  Let's get this show on the road and rack up some victories.  I have a UD friend that lives pretty close to the North Central campus.  Maybe I can road trip there.  It's iffy though.