FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Mugsy]

Pantagraph article as the Titans open practice...

http://www.pantagraph.com/articles/2008/08/13/usports/doc48a2570359c1d235645733.txt

For a defense with some big shoes to fill, it hurts to have an experienced All-CCIW caliber DE out for 6-8 weeks already.  Even if he is back for the conference schedule, he will not be at 100%.  Big setback already for IWU...

[79jaybird]

From my experiences, I have been on teams where there are situations that offense and/or defense has been a question mark. Here is my take-
I think it's easier to generate wins when your defense is a solid, veteran group and the offense has questions marks left by recent graduation.
In IWU's case, their the opposite where the offense is pretty scary and their defense has a lot of voids due to graduation.  IMO,  I think this is more difficult.  Elmhurst is in this same boat, losing a ton on defense, needing the underclassmen to step up.

[usee]

Augie preview:

http://www.augustana.edu/x10032.xml

[usee]

elmhurst preview:

http://athletics.elmhurst.edu/mfootball/news/27026789.html

[FormerCard]

elmhurst preview:

http://athletics.elmhurst.edu/mfootball/news/27026789.html

I think NC is usually the last team to get a preview out.

[usee]

Studebaker update From the Eagles website:

Special Teams Coach Rory Segrest on LB Andy Studebaker's performance on special teams so far: "He's doing a nice job. As a matter of fact, this past game he had a really good game there. He had a couple of blocks that he made both on punt return and kick return there and he did a nice job of sustaining those, so we're pleased with where he is at this point."

[Mugsy]

Another mention of Studebakers status from the Eagles website:

LONGSHOT LOOKING GOOD

Andy Studebaker is a very interesting rookie. He's making the transition from Wheaton College to the NFL and from defensive end to linebacker. So far, so good. Studebaker has shown that he definitely has the athletic ability to play pro football. He's also making plays. He has five tackles, a forced fumble and a batted pass.

Before we get too excited, we have to understand that Studebaker is playing against third stringers. In 2006, Tank Daniels was the small-school linebacker who looked good in the preseason. Last year, Akeem Jordan had that role. Only Jordan made the initial 53-man roster and that was for a brief time before the Eagles claimed Pago Togafau off waivers. Jordan last year was ahead of where Studebaker is this year, based on what I've seen. In the 2007 preseason finale, Jordan played a great game.  He flew all over the field and made a lot of tackles. We'll see if Studebaker has a game like that in him.

The Eagles will have to consider putting Studebaker on the roster. They can't count on him making it through waivers and getting to the practice squad.  Studebaker has better size than either Daniels or Jordan. He is a natural pass rusher. Teams running the 3-4 defense could easily be interested in claiming Studebaker. Right now Rocky Boiman is slated to be the backup strongside linebacker. He better not relax with the way that Studebaker is playing right now. The kid from Wheaton College might just make the team.

[Jim Matson]

Nice to see Studebaker in the mix.  He does have to have a strong game tomorrow night on special teams.

I'm lazy...has there been any news on Garcon's status with the Colts?  I do know that he has been active in the pre-season games thus far.

[Comet 14]

79jaybird, Sorry I forgot that I needed to get back to you on the scrimmage. You might allready know but Elmhurst is scrimmaging Lakeland college Friday night the 22nd from 5:00 pm to 7:15 pm. Hope to see you there. Over the weekend I got to meet coach Lester and he was very excited to get the camp underway. He was of course very busy also trying to get all his new coaches up to speed on what he wants to do. I know it's only a scrimmage but I can' wait to see some almost live football.

[gatorbait]

  As the football season nears us, I think to myself what game will I be attending this year?  Last year, I saw my alma mateur North Central College get smoked by Wisconsin White-Water.  I try and stay close to the CCIW, so I might go see this Ittersagen kid play at Wheaton.  2-time Preseason All-American and lived up to it last year from what I heard..??  Returns punts as well, so could be fun to watch.  If anybody has any tid bits on Pete Ittersagen from Wheaton College, please inform.....I LOVE D3 FOOTBALL

[Pat Coleman]

I'm moving this over to the CCIW board but welcome aboard!

[79jaybird]

Comet14- I might go and see the scrimmage on Friday.  It all depends on if I get my chores done prior to the game.     (Getting married next June and the honey do-list has already started  )

I was at Elmhurst yesterday as part of the Alumni Cabinet's Freshman Orientation.  I had a chance to talk with some of the freshmen fb players and Coach Lester.

IMO,  It's going to take 2-3 years for Lester to get his ship sailing well.  Recall that when Journell took over he went 4-6 in his first year.  (EC has been 6-4 4 of the last 5 years).

I think Elmhurst is going to struggle at times this year, mostly because of the incorporation of the new system.  However, I do think Lester has more to work with now, than Journell had when he started.  I don't think EC is going to be a 1-4 team this year, however I do think 6-4 is a viable goal.  My own personal goal for EC is the 7 win mark last attained in 1985.

[usee]

Ittersagen is the real deal. He won't disappoint. He is as talented a db as you will see in D3 and he is a smart football player. There is no doubt he will be fun to watch. Not many teams will throw at him this year I would bet but he will return punts and cover punts in entertaining style.

[fightintitan]

I'm lazy...has there been any news on Garcon's status with the Colts?  I do know that he has been active in the pre-season games thus far.

Peter King mentioned Garcon in this week's MMQB column.

l. The Colts really like Pierre Garcon, who is not the waiter at the French place in downtown Indy. He's their Mount Union-draftee and speedy receiver/returner.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/peter_king/08/17/august/2.html

[HoosierRedMan]

Carthage starts camp today and I am lookng forward to seeing the type of football palyed in the CCIW.