FB: American Rivers Conference

[hazzben]

I thought it was a little quiet around here.  Central and Simpson with byes DU and Loras with 6:00 kickoffs.  That leaves Coe 20 Washington U. 14 and Warburg 27 Carthage 0.

On the down side Bethel 56 B.V. 7 and Wheaton 53 Luther 7.

Nice bounce back by Wartburg. Not surprised by that at all. Their D seemed very legit last week. And the Wheaton loss to Albion seems like an anomaly just a week later.

As for BV, not much to say. Their QB didn't impress. Bethel got a lot of pressure, but even when he did have time there were some really ugly passes. His biggest completion of the day was a pass where the 3rd string Safety had it sniffed out but mistimed his jump. It could be a long season for the Beavers.

Their D isn't great either, but the O did them no favors. Multiple times Bethel scored, the offense went 3 and out or turned it over and the D was right back on the field. That wears a D down really quickly.

Interesting stat of the game:

Only 1 penalty between the two teams against Bethel for four yards. Their were a few others thrown but none accepted. On the whole, both teams played a very disciplined, clean game.

[Willie University]

Well, not much to say, it was an UGLY game for the Spartans today. But, looking at the glass half full, here's my take on where we go from here:

1.) Toughest non-conference schedule maybe EVER played by the Spartans and I'd rather play these tough teams and get beat then a cupcake to get a win.
2.) There is a reason that WIAC teams are so good. I think it's a little ridiculous that more WIAC teams don't get in the top 25 when about 5 teams from that conference could win almost any conference in the nation. I hate to say it but the WIAC is a step above the IIAC and until all of our "top tier" teams start playing them and beating them, it won't change. 
3.) I know the Spartans are not as bad as the scores of the last two games might make people think. However, having said that, the mental errors, turnovers, and mistakes have got to improve.
4.) We have to learn from the last 2 games, put them behind us, and realize it's a new season starting in 2 weeks against Central.

The way I look at it, where the Spartans go from here will be the ultimate test of character and heart and I am looking forward to seeing how they respond.

Willie U

[Phred]

IT APPEARS THAT LUTHER IS TAKING THE PLACE OF CORNELL IN FOOTBALL.  FUTBALL IS BECOMING THE SPORT THERE.

[doolittledog]

IT APPEARS THAT LUTHER IS TAKING THE PLACE OF CORNELL IN FOOTBALL.  FUTBALL IS BECOMING THE SPORT THERE.

Futbol has been strong at Luther for years.  They were the conference power in soccer before Loras.

Luther is a consistant contender for the all-sports trophy, it just seems they prefer to be strong in all sports with the exception of football.  As our former poster Walston Hoover said, during his recruiting he was told by Luther he could play football for 2 years and then would have devote himself to the vocal department.  He chose Wartburg, which would let him be involved with football and music.  I suspect Luther has lost many recruits over the years that could have helped their football program for that same reason.  It looks to me that Luther is choosing to push other programs over their football team. 

[doolittledog]

I suspect it was a good thing that my family was in Des Moines celebrating my sons birthday with his cousins on Saturday instead of in Dubuque.  This is a situation where an early season bye week could be a very good thing.  UD needs to take a good long look in the mirror.  The rest of this season could turn out like 2008 and their 2-8 season, or they can start over and make a run at another conference title.  The talent is there, it's time to go back to work and see what they can make of their next 7 games. 

[Outside the Crate]

The idea that Luther has policies that diminish their competitiveness in football is, I think, inaccurate.  Sorry to say, but in this case it comes down to the plan.  You can call that coaching or leadership or whatever you want, but their location allows them to recruit effectively in four states, they have a nice facility (except for the grass), and are larger than any other college in the conference.  As for the example of choral music, there aren't many football stars who are vocal majors!

[doolittledog]

The idea that Luther has policies that diminish their competitiveness in football is, I think, inaccurate.  Sorry to say, but in this case it comes down to the plan.  You can call that coaching or leadership or whatever you want, but their location allows them to recruit effectively in four states, they have a nice facility (except for the grass), and are larger than any other college in the conference. As for the example of choral music, there aren't many football stars who are vocal majors!

That guy wasn't a vocal major either.  He just wanted to be involved in the vocal department.  He was told he couldn't do both. 

There are other ways an administration can make it difficult on a football program.  During a head coaching search, offer your candidate less money than other schools in your conference also going through a coaching change. Have less full time coaches and pay them less as well.  Give your coach a smaller recruiting budget.  All while your school has the largest alumni base and often has the highest endowment in the conference. 

I have no problem if Luther chooses to push swimming, soccer, or any manner of other sports as well as the vocal/music department.  They can do as they wish.  It just seems to me it's a concious choice of that school to push other programs at the expense of the football team.  That's just my opinion as an outsider, I could and probably am wrong. 

[5 Words or Less]

Luther is OK

[notlongago]

Wow, really didn't expect that showing from DBQ....getting blown off the field by a team picked to finish second-to-last in their conference. Should be a good game between the spartans and the Dutch in a couple weeks. Both have had remarkably similar seasons thus far. (wins vs auggie, embarrassing WIACC losses...even though the Dutch lost to pre-season #2 as opposed to pre-season #7  , and both could come in with 2 losses and the season already on the line.)

[Pat Coleman]

Well, it is the WIAC. There's a reason why every WIAC team is in our preseason Top 100.

[notlongago]

Well, it is the WIAC. There's a reason why every WIAC team is in our preseason Top 100.

But every other year the IIAC is very competitive with the WIAC...the top teams particularly, and this year they aren't close at all.

[warthog]

Coming back from Milwaukee on Sunday, the Warthog clan stops at a convenience store along US Highway 151 just east of Platteville for fuel.  The guy behind the counter looks at Little Warthog and me in our Wartburg shirts and says, "Here are two more of you people.  I've seen lots of shirts from Wartburg over the past three days."  All the Wartmobiles must get similar gas mileage, that would require a stop at this particular convenience store.

[footballdaddy]

Coming back from Milwaukee on Sunday, the Warthog clan stops at a convenience store along US Highway 151 just east of Platteville for fuel.  The guy behind the counter looks at Little Warthog and me in our Wartburg shirts and says, "Here are two more of you people.  I've seen lots of shirts from Wartburg over the past three days."  All the Wartmobiles must get similar gas mileage, that would require a stop at this particular convenience store.

Probaly because most ran out of beer instead of fuel.

[Willie University]

Wow, really didn't expect that showing from DBQ....getting blown off the field by a team picked to finish second-to-last in their conference. Should be a good game between the spartans and the Dutch in a couple weeks. Both have had remarkably similar seasons thus far. (wins vs auggie, embarrassing WIACC losses...even though the Dutch lost to pre-season #2 as opposed to pre-season #7  , and both could come in with 2 losses and the season already on the line.)

Actually, take a closer look. I will guarantee you that Stevens Points will be competing for the 2nd spot along with Platteville and Osh Kosh. I have seen all 3 teams play and all can beat each other on any given day. Look at their record from last year and many close losses. Then, look at their history and you will see Stevens Point has been a powerhouse for years (again, we all know Whitewater is the best).

In fact, if I was a betting man, I would say the final WIAC standings will look similar to this:

1.UWW
2. Osh Kosh or Stevens Point
3. UW-Platteville (losing their starting QB for the season VS UD hurts the rest of their seasons prospects in my opinion.....we will see.

Pre-season rankings don't mean squat. Last year UD was picked to finish 7th and we know how that turned out.

[doolittledog]

Coming back from Milwaukee on Sunday, the Warthog clan stops at a convenience store along US Highway 151 just east of Platteville for fuel.  The guy behind the counter looks at Little Warthog and me in our Wartburg shirts and says, "Here are two more of you people.  I've seen lots of shirts from Wartburg over the past three days."  All the Wartmobiles must get similar gas mileage, that would require a stop at this particular convenience store.

Probaly because most ran out of beer instead of fuel.

We're thinking alike.  My guess was there was a sign at the convenience store in big letters that read "ALCOHOL" that attracted Wartburg fans like a moth to a flame