FB: American Rivers Conference

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Luther searching for FT strength coach

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2007 scoring averages for week 1 matchups

Scoring Avg.	Road Team	vs.	Home Team	Scoring Avg.
21.8	UW Platteville	@	Buena Vista	21.3
28.6	Lakeland	@	Central	30.5
14.8	Grinnell	@	Cornell	16.7
30.1	Monmouth	@	Loras	18.7
49.0	St. Olaf	@	Luther	28.2
N/A	Grand View	@	Simpson	19.6
38.2	St. Norbert	@	Wartburg	27.5
35.5	Rockford	@	Dubuque	35.2
22.5	Coe	@	Augustana	30.0

[Klopenhiemer]

Week 1 Games to watch have to be the Wartburg vs. St. Norbert and Buena Vista vs. UW Platteville. 

It will be very interesting to see how the Knights play against St. Norberts and now the tough the Beavers can play a WIAC school.  This could set the tone for both teams early on in the season.  With the Knights playing Central so early in the season, those would be two BIG wins.  Also with BV kicking off the conference season play with the Storm, it could be two good wins for them as well. 

If you think you are itching now boys and girls, think about a month from now!  The boys will be reporting to camp and the season will almost be here!

[davedevine]

Heys,
I was thinking of San Luis O.  Didn't realize there were so many other schools that began with that.  That's what you get when dealing with someone from the Midwest.

Last nights Barnstormers  game:   Brannen threw eight touchdowns and ran for two others as the Barnstormers (5-9) erupted for a season-high points in a 76-53 arenafootball2 victory against the Quad City Steamwheelers (7-7).

Also, after seeing St Norbert's avg of 38pts/game last year, the Knights D will be tested early.
The nice thing about playing them first  game is normally the Defense is ahead of the Offense that early in the season.  I also like the fact that WB is at home for that game. 
I have no clue what the Norbies have returning on that side of the ball, but I'd like to think that WB can hold them to 17 pts or less and get the season under way with a W.

[DBQ1965]

2007 scoring averages for week 1 matchups

Scoring Avg.	Road Team	vs.	Home Team	Scoring Avg.
21.8	UW Platteville	@	Buena Vista	21.3
28.6	Lakeland	@	Central	30.5
14.8	Grinnell	@	Cornell	16.7
30.1	Monmouth	@	Loras	18.7
49.0	St. Olaf	@	Luther	28.2
N/A	Grand View	@	Simpson	19.6
38.2	St. Norbert	@	Wartburg	27.5
35.5	Rockford	@	Dubuque	35.2
22.5	Coe	@	Augustana	30.0

I know that statistics can be used to prove anything ... and also can be misleading.  For 2007, Rockford College holds a .3 scoring average edge over UD.  However, I was in Rockford for last year's game and the Spartans demolished Rockford, 38-0.  The season scoring average may say as much about IIAC competition vs. Northern Athletics Conference competition as anything.

[LCNorse]

I think the biggest game on the first week is going to be the Luther v. St. Olaf(I may be a little biased)...a lot of question marks around the LC program right now...is this the year they finally get over the edge, or do they still just stay competitive and lose close games to the top teams in the conference. A lot of changes in Norseland and that first game will be a big test for this team. Defense is going to be very solid this year for the Norse...maybe even as strong as some of the teams in '03 and '04...lots of questions to be answered on the other side of the ball...who will step in as the play maker now that Sherden is gone...looking forward to a new season...can the norse take the next step?

[DutchFan2004]

Heys,
I was thinking of San Luis O.  Didn't realize there were so many other schools that began with that.  That's what you get when dealing with someone from the Midwest.

Last nights Barnstormers  game:   Brannen threw eight touchdowns and ran for two others as the Barnstormers (5-9) erupted for a season-high points in a 76-53 arenafootball2 victory against the Quad City Steamwheelers (7-7).

Also, after seeing St Norbert's avg of 38pts/game last year, the Knights D will be tested early.
The nice thing about playing them first  game is normally the Defense is ahead of the Offense that early in the season.  I also like the fact that WB is at home for that game. 
I have no clue what the Norbies have returning on that side of the ball, but I'd like to think that WB can hold them to 17 pts or less and get the season under way with a W.

I don't think that Wartburg's problems have been on the defensive side of the ball for years now.  The Knight's troubles have been on the offensive side IMHO.  The last four years against the Dutch were a 14-10 Wartburg victory in 2004, a Dutch victory 37-20 in 2005 that the special teams played a huge part for the Dutch, a 13-7 Dutch victory in OT that was a defensive battle, and a 17-14 Dutch victory in the last minute that was a defensive struggle.  I think that Wartburg can shut down ST Norbert the question in my mind is can they put points on the board?  I agree with the comment about the D being ahead of the O in the early going of the season but with the Knights troubles producing points that could lead to a defeat in the early going. 

[Pat Coleman]

2007 scoring averages for week 1 matchups

Scoring Avg.	Road Team	vs.	Home Team	Scoring Avg.
21.8	UW Platteville	@	Buena Vista	21.3
28.6	Lakeland	@	Central	30.5
14.8	Grinnell	@	Cornell	16.7
30.1	Monmouth	@	Loras	18.7
49.0	St. Olaf	@	Luther	28.2
N/A	Grand View	@	Simpson	19.6
38.2	St. Norbert	@	Wartburg	27.5
35.5	Rockford	@	Dubuque	35.2
22.5	Coe	@	Augustana	30.0

I know that statistics can be used to prove anything ... and also can be misleading.  For 2007, Rockford College holds a .3 scoring average edge over UD.  However, I was in Rockford for last year's game and the Spartans demolished Rockford, 38-0.  The season scoring average may say as much about IIAC competition vs. Northern Athletics Conference competition as anything.

Or the UMAC, which was Rockford's home last year.

[ShowMe]

2007 scoring averages for week 1 matchups

Scoring Avg.	Road Team	vs.	Home Team	Scoring Avg.
21.8	UW Platteville	@	Buena Vista	21.3
28.6	Lakeland	@	Central	30.5
14.8	Grinnell	@	Cornell	16.7
30.1	Monmouth	@	Loras	18.7
49.0	St. Olaf	@	Luther	28.2
N/A	Grand View	@	Simpson	19.6
38.2	St. Norbert	@	Wartburg	27.5
35.5	Rockford	@	Dubuque	35.2
22.5	Coe	@	Augustana	30.0

The first week is big for Cornell too! We need to evaluate how the O-Line and D-Line performs. They are the start of any turnaround; the game is won or lost on the line. They are the most valuable players.

We need to eliminate turnovers, stay out of 3rd long, and see big improvements in the kicking game. We need field goals inside the 25 and average 40+ punting the ball.

The O and D needs to gain experience getting control a game, if not early and least late in the game. If it's late, we gain experience playing 60 minutes. We need to learn how to play 60 minutes to win tough conference games. It will build character.

There is enough talent at Cornell to win the conference; the players, coaches, administration and fans just has to believe and prove it, one play and game at a time.

If we loss, lets loss on the last play of the game, it will build character.

We will face a tough Grinnell team that shares the same goal to turnaround a program. Do not underestimate any team!

[Wartburg Fan]

Heys,
I was thinking of San Luis O.  Didn't realize there were so many other schools that began with that.  That's what you get when dealing with someone from the Midwest.

Last nights Barnstormers  game:   Brannen threw eight touchdowns and ran for two others as the Barnstormers (5-9) erupted for a season-high points in a 76-53 arenafootball2 victory against the Quad City Steamwheelers (7-7).

Also, after seeing St Norbert's avg of 38pts/game last year, the Knights D will be tested early.
The nice thing about playing them first  game is normally the Defense is ahead of the Offense that early in the season.  I also like the fact that WB is at home for that game. 
I have no clue what the Norbies have returning on that side of the ball, but I'd like to think that WB can hold them to 17 pts or less and get the season under way with a W.

I don't think that Wartburg's problems have been on the defensive side of the ball for years now.  The Knight's troubles have been on the offensive side IMHO.  The last four years against the Dutch were a 14-10 Wartburg victory in 2004, a Dutch victory 37-20 in 2005 that the special teams played a huge part for the Dutch, a 13-7 Dutch victory in OT that was a defensive battle, and a 17-14 Dutch victory in the last minute that was a defensive struggle.  I think that Wartburg can shut down ST Norbert the question in my mind is can they put points on the board?  I agree with the comment about the D being ahead of the O in the early going of the season but with the Knights troubles producing points that could lead to a defeat in the early going. 

I agree that the big question is on the O side of the ball, and it will be again this year unless they (coach's) can find some running backs, I believe this will be the biggest ? of the preseason. But I have faith in the coachs to do that. The rest of the O is ok I think.

[Purple Heys]

Purple Heys,

I found a partial list of California schools that have dropped football.

Cal Poly-Pomona 1983
Cal Riverside 1976
Cal State Chico 1997
Cal State Fullerton 1993
Cal State Hayward 1994
Cal State LA 1978
Long Beach St 1992
Cal San Diego 1969
Cal Santa Barbara 1992

Any of these schools out of your old conference???

Are any schools considering getting back into football???

I know Fullerton built a brand new facility right around 1990 or so.  And I have wondered since the LA Galaxy built a 27,000 seat stadium on the campus of Cal State Domingues Hills if that school might consider adding football. 

Our old conference was the CCAA and the Western Football Conference as not many CCAA (California Collegiate Athletic Association) schools played football.

The CCAA was/is a Division II conference of schools mostly from the California State University system...as opposed to University of California (UCLA, UC Berkeley).

Our league in its waning days had Cal Poly SLO and Cal State Northridge, then added Portland State and Santa Clara in the last year.

UC Riverside, Cal State LA and Cal State Fullerton were long gone from the CCAA before I got there.  UC Santa Barbara was resurrecting their program when ours was dying.

We finished 1-10.  It was pretty depressing.  Word was, Gabe was waiting to hear if the adminstration was going to continue to support the program, and was holding an offer to coach in the USFL.  The then Cal Poly Pomona AD, a female, wouldn't give him a straight up answer and so he took the USFL job.  She then told us players that we didn't have a coach, so with the expense of keeping the team AND conducting a search for a new coach, the school didn't feel inclined to keep the program going.

They let the freshman and sophomores transfer without transfer penalty.  It was after my junior year and so it made no sense to move elswhere.  A few of us diehards kept the program going as a club team playing the local D3's:  La Verne, Claremont, Cal Lutheran, Cal Tech(!?), University of San Diego (then a DIII), a couple of semi-pro teams and the upstart UCSB program.  Cal Tech was a club team too, we heard they suited up faculty and staff members including custodians.  One staffer was rumored to be Peter Mayhew, AKA Chewbacca!  Dude's 7 foot tall.  I can't say I remember seeing him though.

We had fun that year...kind of like barnstormers...called our own plays, had some kick-ass parties after the games...and met Heys Jr.'s mother 

[Purple Heys]

The first week is big for Cornell too! We need to evaluate how the O-Line and D-Line performs. They are the start of any turnaround; the game is won or lost on the line. They are the most valuable players.

We need to eliminate turnovers, stay out of 3rd long, and see big improvements in the kicking game. We need field goals inside the 25 and average 40+ punting the ball.

The O and D needs to gain experience getting control a game, if not early and least late in the game. If it's late, we gain experience playing 60 minutes. We need to learn how to play 60 minutes to win tough conference games. It will build character.

There is enough talent at Cornell to win the conference; the players, coaches, administration and fans just has to believe and prove it, one play and game at a time.

If we loss, lets loss on the last play of the game, it will build character.

We will face a tough Grinnell team that shares the same goal to turnaround a program. Do not underestimate any team!

Show Me...you're a nice kid and all, but you're gonna have to lay off the sauce.

I'd love to see Cornell contend, and I love your enthusiasm, but us winning the IIAC...!?

What the hell, who am I to dampen anyone's hopes and dreams?

Go get 'em Rams!    8)

[Purple Heys]

The first week is big for Cornell too! We need to evaluate how the O-Line and D-Line performs. They are the start of any turnaround; the game is won or lost on the line. They are the most valuable players.

We need to eliminate turnovers, stay out of 3rd long, and see big improvements in the kicking game. We need field goals inside the 25 and average 40+ punting the ball.

The O and D needs to gain experience getting control a game, if not early and least late in the game. If it's late, we gain experience playing 60 minutes. We need to learn how to play 60 minutes to win tough conference games. It will build character.

There is enough talent at Cornell to win the conference; the players, coaches, administration and fans just has to believe and prove it, one play and game at a time.

If we loss, lets loss on the last play of the game, it will build character.

We will face a tough Grinnell team that shares the same goal to turnaround a program. Do not underestimate any team!

Show Me...you're a nice kid and all, but you're gonna have to lay off the sauce.

I'd love to see Cornell contend, and I love your enthusiasm, but us winning the IIAC...!?

What the hell, who am I to dampen anyone's hopes and dreams?

Go get 'em Rams!    8)

And should we ever "loss" we'll just come back stronger!   

[Mr. Ypsi]

PH,

I was more concerned with him saying "tough Grinnell team"!

What's next - the "introspective bibliophile, George W Bush"?

[Dutchclone]

2007 points allowed averages for week 1 matchups

Points allowed       Road Team        vs.        Home Team          Points allowed
29.4                        UW Platteville   @          Buena Vista                20.8
23.8                        Lakeland           @         Central                        18.6
38.6                        Grinnell             @          Cornell                        35.2
17.0                        Monmouth         @          Loras                          26.3
26.2                       St. Olaf             @           Luther                         24.9
N/A                         Grand View        @          Simpson                      24.4
18.8                        St. Norbert       @           Wartburg                      8.5
15.7                        Rockford           @           Dubuque                      21.6
14.9                         Coe                 @            Augustana                  17.6

I liked the post about points scored, so I thought I would put up the average points allowed for 2007.  I think this may give us an idea of what the offensive numbers may look like for the game.  I know that some of these teams do not play competition like the IIAC, but they still seem to win games. 

I think the Coe/Augie match up will be interesting considering Augie is now operating out of the spread on offense now.