FB: American Rivers Conference

[doolittledog]

Wow...I can't believe I just posted that.

neither can I!!  How is Luther going to replace Tyler Sherden who averaged 154.6 yds per conference game??  He was a huge part of their offense last year and I just can't see how they are going to replace him well enough to give Luther's new coach a positive season.  I see them being down in the bottom 3-4 teams.

They averaged 166 yards per conference game in 06, without Sherden, and with a higher average per carry. They return 4 or 5 OLinemen with IIAC starts under their belt. It's wishful thinking to assume they won't run the ball well again this year. Tis the season for wishful thinking though.

You ought to trademark that!!!  I think I might start referring to the time between July 15th and August 30th as the season of wishful thinking!!!  Sounds much better than the "dogdays of summer"  

[Thunderbolt]

 Thanks doolittle, I'll be back after my 200 or so pages of due diligence is done.

[Kohawk Remedy]

Any baseball fans out there check out this brawl between Peoria (Cubs affiliate) and a Reds affiliate. http://sports.espn.go.com/minorlbb/news/story?id=3504480

Article said that the Peoria pitcher threw the ball at players in the Reds dugout and it actually hit a fan that sent him to the hospital as the pitcher was arrested.  Looks pretty ugly on the video.  Just hope the fan that was hit is alright.

[ShowMe]

Reading all of this optimism from everyone makes me think that Luther as a pretty good chance of making a push to the top of this conference. While they do have their share of questions mark on the offensive side of the ball, I feel really good about the defense. I think you can look around the IIAC and pretty much find big ? marks with every team. Can UD and Central replace the big talent that they lost? Who will emerge as  a playmaker for the warts? What about Coe...who will step in at QB...pretty tough to replace a leader like that. BV...what about their incoming class...is it bigger this year...will they have the numbers to compete on a week to week basis in the IIAC? Simpson returns a lot but from what?...If you return a lot of players from a sub par team what does that give you? and Cornell...well lets just say they have a lot to prove...but at the end of the day will they still be cornell? The more I think about it...the better I feel about LC's chances this year. They will get it done a little different then during the Hefty years...but I still feel that they will get it done. Both running backs have played a lot and like I've said before the front 7 on D have the potential to be the best in the conference. It is going to be an interesting year in the IIAC. I can't remember going into a season with so many question marks on so many teams. I can't wait!!

I beleive Loras has an excellent opprtunity to move up the food chain in the IIAC because the top teams are retooling and every season is a different season therefore Central, Wartburg and Coe will have to show me they are the best.

Prove to you that we are the best? The past 40 years haven't been enough?   Why don't you prove to us that you can play in the same league?

The question is who's the best in 2008? Not trying to take anything away, history can speak for itself. All have excellent football programs. I agree with you, Cornell has something to prove. Time will tell.

[DutchFan2004]

I know I have stated that Luther has much to replace on the offensive side of the ball.  That being said I think Luther has had some problems on the defensive side of the ball as well.  The two home games in the last four years for the Dutch were shoot outs.  They could not stop the Dutch from scoring.  The two away games for the Dutch were both overtime games.  Seems like the Norse play well at home against the Dutch but on the road the D is not as tough.  So the Norse have their work cut out for them.  I think this season is more wide open than the past two.  I think if a team gels and can get the big Moe they can do well.  Week 1 and 2 will tell a lot about the season.  

[doolittledog]

Hey DF2K4, 

You wearing any U of Redlands gear yet???  Or are you waiting for your trip in September to pick some up???

Or, are you thinking of representing the IIAC and wearing UD apparel when you head out there for the game. 

[TheOne89.1]

Wow...I can't believe I just posted that.

neither can I!!  How is Luther going to replace Tyler Sherden who averaged 154.6 yds per conference game??  He was a huge part of their offense last year and I just can't see how they are going to replace him well enough to give Luther's new coach a positive season.  I see them being down in the bottom 3-4 teams.

Luther is on the peak where they have the potential to be in the top or be in the bottom.  They may sit on that peak for another year.  But I just have a feeling Durnin is gonna be the one to push them to the top.  Don't get me wrong.  Hefty was not a bad coach, but I just never saw him as one to push them into the top teams in the IIAC.  I think Durnin can do that.  Of course I think he may have the most to lose as Hefty kept the team right around .500 the whole time he was there (for the most part).  If Durnin can't make a difference, he may be in jeopardy.  Depending on how much the college is willing to put towards being a conference title contender.  Again, don't read this wrong...every IIAC football coach and program is looking to win the IIAC and make playoffs, but I think some colleges may focus more on certain sports.  Maybe one's they are already dominating in and only look to make smaller (cheaper) changes to the less successful sports programs.

[TheOne89.1]

TGIF!  Anyone else thinking that??

Finally Friday.  I see a lazy day at work in my near future.  Top off the weekend with a visit to Iowa (Quad Cities) for a college wedding.  Should be a good weekend, despite having to miss a Mass Comm. reunion at Joe's Knighthawk.

Weeeeeeeeeeak.  You're gonna miss a good time.  Who's getting hitched this weekend?

"The Recliner" already said it would be one less keg they will have to order without me there.  The West Delaware crowd will be in full effect as Mr. Hanson is getting hitched.  "The Liske" is not too far behind with his wedding in September.

[dutchfan1]

TGIF!  Anyone else thinking that??

Finally Friday.  I see a lazy day at work in my near future.  Top off the weekend with a visit to Iowa (Quad Cities) for a college wedding.  Should be a good weekend, despite having to miss a Mass Comm. reunion at Joe's Knighthawk.

Weeeeeeeeeeak.  You're gonna miss a good time.  Who's getting hitched this weekend?

"The Recliner" already said it would be one less keg they will have to order without me there.  The West Delaware crowd will be in full effect as Mr. Hanson is getting hitched.  "The Liske" is not too far behind with his wedding in September.

I'm so behind on my hometown gossip -- which Hanson is getting hitched?

[TheOne89.1]

TGIF!  Anyone else thinking that??

Finally Friday.  I see a lazy day at work in my near future.  Top off the weekend with a visit to Iowa (Quad Cities) for a college wedding.  Should be a good weekend, despite having to miss a Mass Comm. reunion at Joe's Knighthawk.

Weeeeeeeeeeak.  You're gonna miss a good time.  Who's getting hitched this weekend?

"The Recliner" already said it would be one less keg they will have to order without me there.  The West Delaware crowd will be in full effect as Mr. Hanson is getting hitched.  "The Liske" is not too far behind with his wedding in September.

I'm so behind on my hometown gossip -- which Hanson is getting hitched?

Eric.  I like calling him Mr. Hanson because he hates it.  Only when he is teaching does he want to be called that.  Should be a fun filled night.  I made sure to put in extra Tom Jones in the DJ system for him (not sure his soon to be wife is so happy about that).

[sportsknight]

TGIF!  Anyone else thinking that??

Finally Friday.  I see a lazy day at work in my near future.  Top off the weekend with a visit to Iowa (Quad Cities) for a college wedding.  Should be a good weekend, despite having to miss a Mass Comm. reunion at Joe's Knighthawk.

Weeeeeeeeeeak.  You're gonna miss a good time.  Who's getting hitched this weekend?

"The Recliner" already said it would be one less keg they will have to order without me there.  The West Delaware crowd will be in full effect as Mr. Hanson is getting hitched.  "The Liske" is not too far behind with his wedding in September.

Ah, Liske.  I just hope he says his own name when exchanging vows.  He's struggled with that in the past, as you well know.

[TheOne89.1]

TGIF!  Anyone else thinking that??

Finally Friday.  I see a lazy day at work in my near future.  Top off the weekend with a visit to Iowa (Quad Cities) for a college wedding.  Should be a good weekend, despite having to miss a Mass Comm. reunion at Joe's Knighthawk.

Weeeeeeeeeeak.  You're gonna miss a good time.  Who's getting hitched this weekend?

"The Recliner" already said it would be one less keg they will have to order without me there.  The West Delaware crowd will be in full effect as Mr. Hanson is getting hitched.  "The Liske" is not too far behind with his wedding in September.

Ah, Liske.  I just hope he says his own name when exchanging vows.  He's struggled with that in the past, as you well know.

He is marrying a Luther grad...so we can't blame him for being a little "slower" then everyone else.

[New Storm]

I was wondering if any Simpson fans have heard anything about who the starter will be at QB or if they will rotate like the did last year.  Both QB's that played will be back right?  Dietz did ok when he played against us last year i dont remember the other guy.

Last year
PASSING              GP-GS   Effic Att-Cmp-Int   Pct  Yds  TD Lng Avg/G
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Tyson Unkrich         8-5    84.84  170-84-6    49.4  742   3  80  92.8
Travis Dietz         10-4   122.13  166-88-6    53.0 1116  10  55 111.6
RUSHING              GP-GS  Att Gain Loss  Net   Avg  TD Long Avg/G
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Adam Reutzel         10-10  194  994   48  946   4.9   5   51  94.6
Travis Dietz         10-4    51  269   60  209   4.1   3   49  20.9

Dietz 2nd leading rusher the leading passer and threw less passes.

Dietz threw down the field and Unkrich always threw short. With Dietz the offense was more open and moved the ball better. Dietz was also a good runner as Cornell knows. With new coaching staff who knows who will start but Dietz has to have the upper hand

[doolittledog]

Were they both transfers??? 1 from D1 and 1 from D2???  Or was that awhile ago Simpson had transfer QB's???  I don't have much of a memory any more!!!

Oh yeah, field turf almost completly installed at Moco Mercer Stadium now... http://www.dbq.edu/ChlapatyCenter/webcams/Chlapatycamera.cfm

[DutchFan2004]

Hey DF2K4, 

You wearing any U of Redlands gear yet???  Or are you waiting for your trip in September to pick some up???

Or, are you thinking of representing the IIAC and wearing UD apparel when you head out there for the game. 

I have no Redlands gear as of yet.  I will probably purchase some when I got out and see the game.  Sorry if I show up in any IIAC gear it will be red.      Not that I don't look good in Blue but I think the safe play is to put on some maroon and cheer for the Bulldogs when I do show up out there.  I am going to purchase some plane tickets for the trip to the UD game the 13th.