FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Gregory Sager]

I think that we can put to rest the discussion of whether or not NPU has improved this season.

Even though the Vikings came up short on the scoreboard, the feeling seemed widespread throughout the fourth quarter that the North Park program was making a statement. In spite of being down 20-0 and not really getting much done on offense, the Vikings rose up and played with immense energy and heart. You could feel the energy in the stands, which was a very weird feeling -- we're just not that used to being up on our feet and cheering in the fourth quarter of a tight game at North Park. Meanwhile, the Wesleyan section at the south end of the field was dead silent, as the green-clad visiting fans looked as though they'd all been stricken with a collective IRS audit.

Wesleyan dominated the game statistically, but make no mistake about it: NPU could have won this game. Let me say that again for emphasis: The final score was not a mirage. NPU could have won this game. A play here and a play there -- there were a couple of serious dropped balls by wide-open Vikings receivers in the fourth quarter, and a dropped INT on an ill-advised third-quarter Kraid Ladd throw in the flat that almost certainly would've resulted in an 80-yard TD for the Vikings defense -- and we're talking about the biggest upset in at least the last dozen years of CCIW football rather than a near miss. And NPU didn't even play a mistake-free game by any means; Shelby Wood threw a horrible pass into traffic in the third quarter that led to a Wesleyan interception and a short-field touchdown, and Chris Durr's fumbled punt on the NPU 45 with 4:38 to go was a massive setback. Nevertheless, the Vikings had a shot at winning this one, but just came up short.

The most impressive thing that the Vikings did today was tackle well. I've been bemoaning all season long their tendency to arm-tackle and to not bring down the ballcarrier with the first hit. Today they were not only wrapping up ballcarriers, they were sticking them. The various IWU fumbles weren't drops; they were the result of NPU tacklers putting serious wood on the ballcarriers. There will be plenty of sore Titans tomorrow.

The second-most impressive thing that they did was make in-game adjustments. Wesleyan just chewed up the Vikings on the ground in the third quarter; Marcus Dunlop carried the ball on almost every down on Wesleyan's opening drive in the quarter, and he ran it at about ten yards a clip through gaping holes. I haven't looked at the stats yet, but I'm guessing that this quarter was where the Titans gained the bulk of their yards. But in the fourth quarter the NPU linebackers appeared to get into the gaps much quicker, and those ten-yard gains by Dunlop became two-yard gains.

Wood and Ladd had similar games. Both made some crucial clutch throws, but both also got caught repeatedly hanging onto the ball too long. Today's game was something of a sackfest.

Wesleyan's a steady and workmanlike outfit that made just enough plays to win the game in the second half. And that defense of theirs is certainly tough. But I'm stumped as to how the Titans are undefeated in conference at this point. They've obviously developed a knack for winning by the skin of their teeth, but I'm surprised at how less overmatched NPU seemed against them than the Vikings have against other CCIW teams this season. I'll be absolutely shocked if IWU wins this conference when the smoke clears. But kudos to the Titans, though; the final score is all that counts, and thus far they've been on the fat end of it in every CCIW game. They've put themselves into position to possibly win the title, and that's all you can ask for.

Scott Pethtel will be the first to tell you how disappointed he was in the final result, and all of NPU's players and assistant coaches will be right behind him on that assessment. Losing never feels good, and moral victories are for teams that have already given up on the idea of winning the real kind of victories. Nevertheless, as someone who has sat through years and years of bury-your-face-in-your-hands football games at North Park, I can tell you that today's loss was one of the most encouraging things I've ever witnessed at Hedstrand Field. Before today I had a suspicion that Pethtel was turning the Viking longship in the right direction. Now I'm sure of it.

[Titan Q]

I think that we can put to rest the discussion of whether or not NPU has improved this season.

Even though the Vikings came up short on the scoreboard, the feeling seemed widespread throughout the fourth quarter that the North Park program was making a statement. In spite of being down 20-0 and not really getting much done on offense, the Vikings rose up and played with immense energy and heart. You could feel the energy in the stands, which was a very weird feeling -- we're just not that used to being up on our feet and cheering in the fourth quarter of a tight game at North Park. Meanwhile, the Wesleyan section at the south end of the field was dead silent, as the green-clad visiting fans looked as though they'd all been stricken with a collective IRS audit.

Wesleyan dominated the game statistically, but make no mistake about it: NPU could have won this game. Let me say that again for emphasis: The final score was not a mirage. NPU could have won this game. A play here and a play there -- there were a couple of serious dropped balls by wide-open Vikings receivers in the fourth quarter, and a dropped INT on an ill-advised third-quarter Kraid Ladd throw in the flat that almost certainly would've resulted in an 80-yard TD for the Vikings defense -- and we're talking about the biggest upset in at least the last dozen years of CCIW football rather than a near miss. And NPU didn't even play a mistake-free game by any means; Shelby Wood threw a horrible pass into traffic in the third quarter that led to a Wesleyan interception and a short-field touchdown, and Chris Durr's fumbled punt on the NPU 45 with 4:38 to go was a massive setback. Nevertheless, the Vikings had a shot at winning this one, but just came up short.

The most impressive thing that the Vikings did today was tackle well. I've been bemoaning all season long their tendency to arm-tackle and to not bring down the ballcarrier with the first hit. Today they were not only wrapping up ballcarriers, they were sticking them. The various IWU fumbles weren't drops; they were the result of NPU tacklers putting serious wood on the ballcarriers. There will be plenty of sore Titans tomorrow.

The second-most impressive thing that they did was make in-game adjustments. Wesleyan just chewed up the Vikings on the ground in the third quarter; Marcus Dunlop carried the ball on almost every down on Wesleyan's opening drive in the quarter, and he ran it at about ten yards a clip through gaping holes. I haven't looked at the stats yet, but I'm guessing that this quarter was where the Titans gained the bulk of their yards. But in the fourth quarter the NPU linebackers appeared to get into the gaps much quicker, and those ten-yard gains by Dunlop became two-yard gains.

Wood and Ladd had similar games. Both made some crucial clutch throws, but both also got caught repeatedly hanging onto the ball too long. Today's game was something of a sackfest.

Wesleyan's a steady and workmanlike outfit that made just enough plays to win the game in the second half. And that defense of theirs is certainly tough. But I'm stumped as to how the Titans are undefeated in conference at this point. They've obviously developed a knack for winning by the skin of their teeth, but I'm surprised at how less overmatched NPU seemed against them than the Vikings have against other CCIW teams this season. I'll be absolutely shocked if IWU wins this conference when the smoke clears. But kudos to the Titans, though; the final score is all that counts, and thus far they've been on the fat end of it in every CCIW game. They've put themselves into position to possibly win the title, and that's all you can ask for.

Scott Pethtel will be the first to tell you how disappointed he was in the final result, and all of NPU's players and assistant coaches will be right behind him on that assessment. Losing never feels good, and moral victories are for teams that have already given up on the idea of winning the real kind of victories. Nevertheless, as someone who has sat through years and years of bury-your-face-in-your-hands football games at North Park, I can tell you that today's loss was one of the most encouraging things I've ever witnessed at Hedstrand Field. Before today I had a suspicion that Pethtel was turning the Viking longship in the right direction. Now I'm sure of it.

But a lot of woulda/coulda/shoulda for Illinois Wesleyan too, Greg.  A missed FG early...a failure to convert on 4th & 1 from NPU's 5...the Ladd fumble that led to North Park having the ball on IWU's 1...the next fumble that give NPU the ball on the 20.

It sounded to me like a game dominated by IWU overall, with North Park given a chance to get in it via IWU turnovers (and then obviously anything could have happened in the final 2 minutes).

Hats off to North Park...sounds like they played great.

And you are right -- IWU is 5-0 in the league.  You won't find any apologies from Titan fans for today's win or where the teams stands.  After the last few years of IWU football, this is a lot of fun.  I'm proud of the coaching staff and the players for getting this turned around...they have all shown a lot of heart and character.

[mr_b]

I think that we can put to rest the discussion of whether or not NPU has improved this season.

Even though the Vikings came up short on the scoreboard, the feeling seemed widespread throughout the fourth quarter that the North Park program was making a statement. In spite of being down 20-0 and not really getting much done on offense, the Vikings rose up and played with immense energy and heart. You could feel the energy in the stands, which was a very weird feeling -- we're just not that used to being up on our feet and cheering in the fourth quarter of a tight game at North Park. Meanwhile, the Wesleyan section at the south end of the field was dead silent, as the green-clad visiting fans looked as though they'd all been stricken with a collective IRS audit.

Exactly.  The Vikings were this close to winning, and the players as well as the fans were as fired up more than I've ever seen at a football game (and approached the energy of an exciting home basketball game).  As Greg points out, North Park played with a great deal of heart.  I congratulate the team and the coaching staff, and I wish them the best for a strong finish to the season.

[mr_b]

But a lot of woulda/coulda/shoulda for Illinois Wesleyan too, Greg.  A missed FG early...a failure to convert on 4th & 1 from NPU's 5...the Ladd fumble that led to North Park having the ball on IWU's 1...the next fumble that give NPU the ball on the 20.

The woulda/coulda/shoulda's cut both ways.  A failure to convert on a 4th & 1 from the NPU 5... the Vikings played very tough defense throughout most of the game, and in previous years, a first-and-goal was almost a gimme.  The Titan fumbles were the result of great pursuit and hard tackling.  Down 20-0, the Vikings could have folded their tents, but they grabbed some momentum and ran with it.

[Gregory Sager]

But a lot of woulda/coulda/shoulda for Illinois Wesleyan too, Greg.  A missed FG early...a failure to convert on 4th & 1 from NPU's 5...the Ladd fumble that led to North Park having the ball on IWU's 1...the next fumble that give NPU the ball on the 20.

It sounded to me like a game dominated by IWU overall, with North Park given a chance to get in it via IWU turnovers (and then obviously anything could have happened in the final 2 minutes).

Those fumbles weren't woulda/coulda/shouldas, Bob. As I said, each one of them was the result of an NPU defender making a serious hit on the ballcarrier. They weren't drops, slips, or miscues; each one was an emphatically forced fumble. After one of Ladd's fumbles, he got to his feet very slowly and was holding his ribs where he'd been tagged. I was impressed that he was back in on the next series, to tell you the truth. The Vikings were absolutely outstanding when it came to delivering the lumber, and I have to tip my cap to the Titans who carried the ball for toughing out all those hits.

In other words, the Vikings weren't "given a chance to get in it via IWU turnovers." The Vikings earned a chance to get in it via IWU turnovers.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Greg,

Without meaning to take anything away from NPU (they obviously ARE getting closer and closer), this was the very definition of a "trap" game.  IWU has NCC and Wheaton coming up, NPU is 0 for forever - no matter how much the coaches stressed (and I'm sure they did) not to take ANYONE for granted, kids are still gonna be kids (especially once they are up 20-0).  And the Titan OLine and qb, especially, are just that - kids.

While I'm sure that Wheaton intends to win in Bloomington to remove all contingencies, I bet they will be watching the Naperville scoreboard VERY closely next week!  (Which, of course, makes their game vs. Carthage a "trap" game, too - something I'm sure the Thunder coaches will also stress this week (we'll see if the Thunder players take it to heart more than I suspect the Titan players did).

[Gregory Sager]

Greg,

Without meaning to take anything away from NPU (they obviously ARE getting closer and closer), this was the very definition of a "trap" game.  IWU has NCC and Wheaton coming up, NPU is 0 for forever - no matter how much the coaches stressed (and I'm sure they did) not to take ANYONE for granted, kids are still gonna be kids (especially once they are up 20-0).  And the Titan OLine and qb, especially, are just that - kids.

While I'm sure that Wheaton intends to win in Bloomington to remove all contingencies, I bet they will be watching the Naperville scoreboard VERY closely next week!  (Which, of course, makes their game vs. Carthage a "trap" game, too - something I'm sure the Thunder coaches will also stress this week (we'll see if the Thunder players take it to heart more than I suspect the Titan players did).

Chuck, that's one of those excuses that actually makes your team look worse. If the Titans didn't have the internal discipline and the determination to go out and play their best today -- and, believe me, there was no sign of letup that I could tell on the Wesleyan side of the field today -- then they don't have what it takes to beat North Central and Wheaton. Simple as that.

Don't make excuses for your team. They ran up against an NPU squad that played with incredible heart and energy today. As I said, tip your cap to the Titans for doing what they had to do and for making enough plays to win the game. But don't make it out as though the Titans were sleepwalking for sixty minutes this afternoon. Any IWU fan who was there will tell you different. The Titans may not have played their best game of the year, but they played hard.

[Titan Q]

I am 100% sure that IWU did not look past North Park at all.  I spoke to enough people very close to the team this past week, including a few coaches and players, to feel certain of that.  After where these Titan football players (especially the upperclassmen) have been the last few years, they are not going to look past anyone, and they did not today.  They genuinely take things "one game at a time" and that is what I like so much about this group.  Their attitude is tremendous.  The players and coaches interviewed in the WJBC postgame show gave credit to North Park for playing very hard the entire game, even when down 20-0 late.

Whatever happened on the north side of Chicago today, I'm just happy the Titans are 5-0 and guaranteed a home game for a crack at the CCIW title.

[Titan Q]

Here is the boxscore:

http://www.iwu.edu/~iwunews/sports/fb2007/iwufb8.htm

First downs: IWU 21, NPU 10
Rushing: IWU 245, NPU 49
Passing: IWU 142, NPU 96
Total offense: IWU 387, NPU 145
Time of poss: IWU 35:18, NPU 23:36
Drives of 30+ yards: IWU 6, NPU 1 (32 yard drive, punt)
Fumbles: IWU 3, North Park 1
Penalties: IWU 6-66 yards, NPU 2-8 yards


Turnovers and penalties hurt the Titans today in a game they otherwise statistically dominated.

[Titan Q]

Wesleyan's a steady and workmanlike outfit that made just enough plays to win the game in the second half. And that defense of theirs is certainly tough. But I'm stumped as to how the Titans are undefeated in conference at this point. They've obviously developed a knack for winning by the skin of their teeth, but I'm surprised at how less overmatched NPU seemed against them than the Vikings have against other CCIW teams this season.

After reading this I looked back at North Park boxscores to see how the Vikings performed in a few statistical categories vs all CCIW opponents to date.

1st Downs:
NPU 20 North Central 19
NPU 21 Millikin 15
NPU 16 Carthage 18
NPU 16 Wheaton 22
NPU 10 IWU 21

NPU Total Offense Differential:
vs North Central +34 (NPU 428 NCC 394)
vs Millikin -54 (NPU 336 Millikin 390)
vs Carthage -53 (NPU 308 Carthage 361)
vs Wheaton -236 (NPU 240 Wheaton 476)
vs IWU -242 (NPU 145 IWU 387)

Opponent time of possession:
North Central 27:54
Millikin 21:18
Carthage 34:16
Wheaton 27:46
IWU 35:18


If North Park was less overmatched today, it doesn't really show up in the statistics.

[Jim Matson]

Hats off to North Park for giving the Titans a scare today.  I agree with Greg that it is encouraging for Vikings fans to realize that they did have a chance to win this one.  That is good news for a program that has floundered for years. 

Nonetheless, Illinois Wesleyan won the game and even though this one with North Park was close, it is clear that the Titans can win the close ones and win the important ones too.  Bob, you gotta love being a Wesleyan football fan this season!  I am planning to be in Bloomington on the 10th - and not for a basketball game.

[mr_b]

Here is the boxscore:

http://www.iwu.edu/~iwunews/sports/fb2007/iwufb8.htm

First downs: IWU 21, NPU 10
Rushing: IWU 245, NPU 49
Passing: IWU 142, NPU 96
Total offense: IWU 387, NPU 145
Time of poss: IWU 35:18, NPU 23:36
Drives of 30+ yards: IWU 6, NPU 1 (32 yard drive, punt)
Fumbles: IWU 3, North Park 1
Penalties: IWU 6-66 yards, NPU 2-8 yards


Turnovers and penalties hurt the Titans today in a game they otherwise statistically dominated.

Here's another statistical comparison to mull over:

First downs: IWU 15, NPU 14
Rushing: IWU 179, NPU 58
Passing: IWU 133, NPU 157
Total offense: IWU 312, NPU 215
Time of poss: IWU 29:28, NPU 29:34
Fumbles: IWU 0, North Park 2
Penalties: IWU 11-109 yards, NPU 8-49 yards

Pretty evenly matched, except that these are stats from last season's 44-0 Titan victory.  The difference?  The 2007 Vikings played hard throughout, especially in the fourth quarter (last year the Titans racked up 34 points in the 4th quarter).

[FormerCard]

Great W for the Cards today in Rock Island!  Still hoping for some help in the next couple of weeks.   Fanthorpe is playing very well, Sulo is always a threat and the defense is learning the system rapidly.

[Jim Matson]

The Wheaton/Elmhurst game was a great one to watch - unless you were there as a BlueJay fan.  As Mugsy said, Wheaton executed almost flawlessly while Elmhurst really had a day where the ball certainly didn't bounce their way.

The interception which was returned for a TD was the indicative play of the game - Wheaton was just way too much for Elmhurst today.  Wheaton's execution mindset today turned every opoortunity into points.  My only complaint was that we didn't see Ittersagen return a punt!  On the other side, Kudyba had some nice passes and really did all he could to get his offence rolling, but his line wasn't big enough today - and he couldn't get any momentum.  He did have several nice pass completions (away from Ittersagen), but those completions never led to a sustained drive.  With no ground game, Elmhurst wasn't going to stay in this game for too long.  But I did like the called play and execution on that Elmhurst TD.

Wheaton really looked confident on the field today.  I love the way they carried themselves and their hustle.  They came to win and played like the #5 team in the land. 

[Mugsy]

Key stats from the Wheaton/Elmhurst game:

First downs:  Wheaton 22, Elmhurst 7 (1 by penalty)
Rushing yards:  Wheaton 219, Elmhurst -10
Total yards: Wheaton 476, Elmhurst 126
Turnovers: Wheaton 0, Elmhurst 3
Kickoff yards: Wheaton 531, Elmhurst 116
Time of possession: Wheaton 36:11, Elmhurst 23:49
3rd down conversion: Wheaton 10-18, Elmhurst 2-14

Unlike the desparity in stats for the NPU/IWU game yet the game came down to the wire, this shows how completely Wheaton dominated this game from start to finish - and I don't want to hear it was only 14-0 at half.