FB: American Rivers Conference

Fannosaurus Rex · September 01, 2024, 10:36:48 AM

When I went out my door this morning, it smelled like football season for the first time this year. I am a big Central fan. I don't have any connections there and I don't know what the season holds, but my big wish is that they have a running game this year. It seems like it has been awhile.

DBQ1965 · September 01, 2024, 05:52:13 PM

As a IIAC+1 long time loyalist living in MIAA territory, I will be part of football history this coming Saturday when the Calvin University Knights
plays its first football game in school history (148 years), facing off against the Oberlin College Yeomen. Massey has Calvin as a 15 point favorite. Ordinarily, I would be down the road for the Hope-Loras clash, cheering against UD's cross town rival, but history calls.

DriftlessDuhawk · September 02, 2024, 12:46:13 PM

I have made a post on the old IIAC pick'em board with the spreads of the week 1 games this year. If you are interested in participating head on over there and make your picks! I will be keeping track of the scores and everyone's picks so it should be pretty easy to participate.

So glad that football season is back!

doolittledog · September 03, 2024, 12:11:23 PM

Quote from: Fannosaurus Rex on September 01, 2024, 10:36:48 AMWhen I went out my door this morning, it smelled like football season for the first time this year. I am a big Central fan. I don't have any connections there and I don't know what the season holds, but my big wish is that they have a running game this year. It seems like it has been awhile.

The Central OC is now at Dubuque, so I suspect the Dutch running game will look more like the traditional way of doing things in Pella this year.

doolittledog · September 04, 2024, 09:08:01 AM

Dubuque plays on Friday for those of you doing the pick-ems

DriftlessDuhawk · September 04, 2024, 02:02:24 PM

Quote from: doolittledog on September 04, 2024, 09:08:01 AMDubuque plays on Friday for those of you doing the pick-ems

Thanks for mentioning this! I totally forgot they were starting the season with some Friday night lights. I am unsure if I will be attending due to the Packers kicking off at 7pm that night as well...

Aurora is going to be a great test for them as they have been very good in the last few years under Beebe.

Schipper Strong · September 04, 2024, 05:19:54 PM

Quote from: doolittledog on August 28, 2024, 01:58:53 PMI have kids at UD and can't get any info from them other than the players like the new coach, only a couple players left from last season, and a few that had transferred away have come back. Anxious to see how the season plays out.

If they don't like him, we can find a place for him. Again.

Schipper Strong · September 04, 2024, 05:25:24 PM

Quote from: DriftlessDuhawk on September 04, 2024, 02:02:24 PM
Quote from: doolittledog on September 04, 2024, 09:08:01 AMDubuque plays on Friday for those of you doing the pick-ems

Thanks for mentioning this! I totally forgot they were starting the season with some Friday night lights. I am unsure if I will be attending due to the Packers kicking off at 7pm that night as well...

Aurora is going to be a great test for them as they have been very good in the last few years under Beebe.

I hope I remember this Friday night. It would be fun to watch.

doolittledog · September 06, 2024, 08:43:04 AM

I am going to a football game today. I get to see my kids, get to some tailgating, get to watch some football. And it will be 67 degrees at kickoff, 59 degrees by games end. On Saturday I can put the American Rivers Channel on my tv and flip between games. Use my phone to follow nationwide games with the d3football scoreboard from this site. Not a bad couple of days ahead for me.

Schipper Strong · September 06, 2024, 08:53:10 PM

Watching the UD game. UD started out really strong. 2nd quarter momentum shifted to Aurora. Playing a very good team with a 14-all score at the half. Nice debut for Coach Maiuri so far. I now remember what I thought about the defensive coordinator: too much easy up and down the field before the red zone with amazing red zone defense. I will say one thing though, you should have stolen our kicking coach too.

Central seemed to have a ton of penalties last year. It looks like that issue may have traveled along with the coaches to UD. Finally something I don't object to you taking from us.

If you had a decent punter you would be in a much stronger position. I think when he gets more recruiting time in UD will be extremely happy with the new hires. I am anxious to see how the new coordinators do at Central tomorrow.

Schipper Strong · September 06, 2024, 08:57:11 PM

Seriously? Even your hall of fame coach is from Central? Okay, so you had him first, but jeez!

Congratulations Tom Epperly! I always enjoyed working with you.

Schipper Strong · September 06, 2024, 10:32:31 PM

So the two Central fans who know a bit about Ryan Maiuri and the two UD fans who through loyalty or hope for Coach Maiuri were the only ones to pick UD to beat the spread tonight. One point in the pick-ems!

Good luck to the Dutch tomorrow. Everyone stay healthy!

doolittledog · September 08, 2024, 07:56:34 AM

First week of games have been played. Things played out about as expected.
Loras score was a bit of a shock.
The Wartburg score seemed a bit closer than I thought I would see.

Schipper Strong · September 08, 2024, 11:19:52 AM

Great to be back in the season. I watched the UD game, went to the Central game and watched the Wartburg game.

I thought UD looked good with the exception of the 2nd quarter punting. The Spartans will be tough in the red zone for teams to score on. I don't remember if the QB is the same as last year, but expect to see them develop the deep passing game as the season progresses. Maiuri is good with the deep strikes to keep defenses on their toes.

Central won by 35, ten more than last year and could have easily had another 7, but like Wartburg took the knee twice after dropping to a mostly run game in the 4th. It was hard to tell how good they can be under new coordinators against Illinois Wesleyan. But a 10 point higher differential is a good start. I have always been a fan of Brady Ketchum for starting QB. While I wouldn't wish injury on any Central player, he made a good case for starting QB. I think moving Glover to RB was a good move as he is too good at running the ball to walk the sidelines and he proved to be a great receiver as many QBs do. Really impressed with the run defense, but again the competition didn't test it much. I would say opposing offenses had best go with a passing attack against Central and Wartburg.

Which leads to the third game I watched. I kept waiting for Wartburg's dominating offense to kick in. Looks like they reloaded okay, but replacing their QB and RB will take time to develop. I was so close to picking Monmouth to beat the spread for that reason. Hard to pick against Wartburg though, fun as it may be. They may have been the fourth best team last year, but they aren't right now. I won't say they can't get there as they have a ton of senior leadership and a bunch that are 5th years and you know they got a lot of playing time even if they weren't starters. So they are the best until somebody beats them. Week one of the ARC works for me.

Schipper Strong · September 08, 2024, 07:36:40 PM

I just want to put this out there. Central defense is allowing 15 yards per game rushing. Doesn't mean as much given the competition, but I like it. Coe isn't far behind with 23 rushing yards given up. On the flip side Loras only had 11 yards rushing. One game in it doesn't mean anything other than you played a weaker team or were the weaker team. Central has another game against a team with a losing record. Going out to California for week two. I sure wish they would schedule tougher non conference games. Hello! Hope is a sister school, why aren't we playing them? I am sure there are stronger teams in MN, WI or IL we could play. I give Wartburg credit for taking on SJU. Wish Central would step it up.