FB: American Rivers Conference

[Duhawkin]

I haven't heard any news of the Loras/Luther/Dubuque scrimmages against the WIAC teams from yesterday, but I did find a picture of the indoor practice facility going up at UD. 



You can see the elevator shaft of the suite style dorm being built behind the indoor practice facility

Loras played a quarter of football against La Crosse, and won 21 to 6

[doolittledog]

Well that's encouraging, for both Loras and Dubuque.  Of course last year, Dubuque beat Oshkosh 21-14 over a half of play and that didn't necessarily translate into the season. 

[Duhawkin]

Well that's encouraging, for both Loras and Dubuque.  Of course last year, Dubuque beat Oshkosh 21-14 over a half of play and that didn't necessarily translate into the season.

Very true. But it was nice to see the offense making some big time plays. Hopefully they can build on this to get ready for Elmhurst next Thursday.

[Reaper94]

Central has its 2013 roster up on its web site.

When I look at the roster, my first thought is that they might lack a little size.  Then I pull up the rosters of other IIAC teams (Coe and Wartburg), and I really don't think that holds true in comparison to the competition...at least not with an unscientific eyeball test.  Then I pulled up the two gold standards (MU and UWW), and it appears that all 3 of arguably our best programs in recent history lack size in comparison (especially in comparison to UWW, and especially in the trenches). 

Has this always been the case?  I went to look for some of my old media guides from the early 2000's and I'll be damned if I could find any of them.  I'm fairly certain those Central teams had more size in the trenches.  Has anyone else noticed a trend towards rosters with less size, or am I wrong on this (I very well could be...us old timers have a way of thinking we were bigger and badder than we really were)?

Size certainly isn't everything, and I know there is a difference between size and "good size."  That said, it's nice to have the right kind.

I don't know if I would consider the central line small this year. They will all go between 265 and 295 (which is bigger than the past couple of years) Not to mention the type of offense central runs requires athletic lineman capable of moving, not just big bruisers.

I believe good coaching and fundamentals will more than make up for 10-20 lbs.

Agreed on your second point.  I think footwork/technique are key when you are trying to evaluate line play.  Obviously having both size and good technique are best, but you can't always have your cake and eat it too. 

Ferentz (the O-line guru himself) often has a slightly smaller line in comparison to the competition, and yet Iowa's lines are generally at least above average and at best excellent.   Again, just an eyeball test and an observation.

Welcome back Reaper94.

Thanx for the welcome back! I would certainly agree that Central has had smaller lines in recent years than some of the Kac teams. I remember being on the scout team and having to come up on run support against guys like Brandon Sowers, John Brees, and Ike Hammerly and getting absolutely trucked. Same thing with the starting D-Line. I knew I was not destined for any sort of success when I showed up to that first camp due to my size alone. That being said, hasn't Central's offense been rather prolific in the last few years (I've been out of the loop)? Maybe the smaller lines are working?

[doolittledog]

Well that's encouraging, for both Loras and Dubuque.  Of course last year, Dubuque beat Oshkosh 21-14 over a half of play and that didn't necessarily translate into the season.

Very true. But it was nice to see the offense making some big time plays. Hopefully they can build on this to get ready for Elmhurst next Thursday.

Very true.  I felt a bit bad for the Duhawk D last season because their offense gave them very little support. 

[Fannosaurus Rex]

Well, another telling detail as to how Keith and I think these teams stack up is when you look at where they rank in our 1-244 ranking of D-III.

Other than Coe, which the Top 25 voters ranked for us.

So where is my pass word?

Sent to you in email Aug. 7. If you didn't receive it, it may be your ISP is filtering your mail too heavily.

Hey Pat, I think I changed something.  Is there anyway I can have another chance please?

[5 Words or Less]

Hey Rex, try this ...
http://www.d3football.com/secure/forgot-password

[D3Dutchman]

Reaper, haha...oldies, but goodies on that list. 

Yeah, I think it's kind of like comparing apples and oranges.  There isn't a ton of resemblance between the offense ran today and the offenses we had back in those days...although I think they still do some zone blocking.  I think the McMartin offenses have had there highs and lows, just like the Kac offenses did (not sure if there is any correlation to size or not).  Obviously teams over the years have proven that you can have success with smaller and more agile offensive lines (think Denver  Broncos of the early 2000's).

[MediaGuy]

Watched Wartburg scrimmage UW-Platteville in Waverly on Thursday afternoon.  It was a very competitive, Wartburg showed some great team speed scoring on a long pass to Brandon Steggall during the 2 minute drill. Taylor Jacobsmeier showed no signs of rust after a knee injury sidelined him last year, he played 4 series and had a long TD run from over 50 yds.  The Wartburg Defense played strong and only gave up a few long plays.  They didn't keep score but most of the fans I talked to said they thought it was very close with Wartburg pulling ahead late after scoring on 2-minute and goal-line segments.  I'm not sure if UW-Platteville was missing some players or if they didn't play as well as they would have liked, but I was expecting a little more from the Pre-Season #11 team.  I'm not sure if Wartburg played that good or UW-Plattevile played bad.  But having seen the last few scrimmages where the Pioneers basically beat up the Knights, it was refreshing and gave the Wartburg fans a reason to expect some good things from the Knights this year.  I have to remind myself that it's only a scrimmage and I think the real measuring stick will come in week 2 at Bethel.

[NewKnightDad]

Question regarding the Platteville vs Wartburg scrimmage.

Did Wartburg have anyone get hurt?  The 4 years my son played we lost a starter every year in that scrimmage.

I did go up and watch the intrasquad last Sunday and thought the defense looked good.

Watched Wartburg scrimmage UW-Platteville in Waverly on Thursday afternoon.  It was a very competitive, Wartburg showed some great team speed scoring on a long pass to Brandon Steggall during the 2 minute drill. Taylor Jacobsmeier showed no signs of rust after a knee injury sidelined him last year, he played 4 series and had a long TD run from over 50 yds.  The Wartburg Defense played strong and only gave up a few long plays.  They didn't keep score but most of the fans I talked to said they thought it was very close with Wartburg pulling ahead late after scoring on 2-minute and goal-line segments.  I'm not sure if UW-Platteville was missing some players or if they didn't play as well as they would have liked, but I was expecting a little more from the Pre-Season #11 team.  I'm not sure if Wartburg played that good or UW-Plattevile played bad.  But having seen the last few scrimmages where the Pioneers basically beat up the Knights, it was refreshing and gave the Wartburg fans a reason to expect some good things from the Knights this year.  I have to remind myself that it's only a scrimmage and I think the real measuring stick will come in week 2 at Bethel.

[doolittledog]

I will volunteer Mrs Doolittle to run the pick-ems again this year.  If you know anyone out there that hasn't been on here for awhile, tell them to get back on here and make picks. 

For those new on here, go to the Child Boards under the General Football part and you will find the IIAC pick-ems.  No money involved, all you win is pride.  Have your picks in by kickoff and my wife will take care of it from there. 

[putmeincoach]

any report on the Dubuque/Oshkosh scrimmage??

[Fannosaurus Rex]

I will volunteer Mrs Doolittle to run the pick-ems again this year.  If you know anyone out there that hasn't been on here for awhile, tell them to get back on here and make picks. 

For those new on here, go to the Child Boards under the General Football part and you will find the IIAC pick-ems.  No money involved, all you win is pride.  Have your picks in by kickoff and my wife will take care of it from there.

What a woman!

[Willie University]

any report on the Dubuque/Oshkosh scrimmage??

Ups and Downs for both teams as they break in a few new players. Not sure the exact scrimmage score but I believe Osh Kosh won. Which I prefer, last year the Spartans beat Osh Kosh in the scrimmage and Osh Kosh went on to win the WIAC. I am hoping the same happens to the loser of the scrimmage this year 

[Duhawkin]

http://coachsrant.com/4th-and-long-the-nick-nunley-story/

Something a little fun before the start of the season, pretty hilarious