FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[matblake]

Wow,
You leave the board for the weekend and all sorts of things break out.  Interesting reading anyway.  Congrats to the CCIW for 2 teams in the NCAA playoffs (assuming that there is not a cosmic disturbance in the force with NCC v NP). Sounds like that game was a real barnburner and everything everyone expected it to be!  That is what I love about D3, not only are there upsets on a regular basis, most often games that are supposed to be amazing usually are. 

[matblake]

As far as the Wheaton-Augustana rivalry goes, I am sure the seniors for the Vikings are ready to take out the "nemesis" they have had the past few years.  I remember in 95 when the Crusaders/Thunder finally got past Augie.  For those Wheaton seniors (and the whole team) it was a special moment.  I am sure the Augie team wants to have that feeling.  That being said, the game still has to be played.  Remember, the Wheaton seniors have not lost to Augie, I am sure they are determined not to start now. 

[Mugsy]

Guys,

From my earlier posts I'm sure I will seem a most unlikely defender of Shepherd, but he seems to be posting with some humility and respect - let's cut the rookie some slack!

Even just a few hours ago I was wondering whether to ask Pat to cut him, but I see some hope that he could become a valued member of the board.  He got off to one of the worst starts ever, but I think he is learning the norms of this board. 

But, Shepherd, if you EVER get into another 'holier-than-thou' routine, count me out!

Umm... not sure anyone can get off to a worse start than RedBus did this past summer.  Whew... little anger in the boy!  I believe he lasted about 15 posts.

[Mugsy]

I am a happy supporter of the Wing-T.  Not only was it there while I was at Augie, but at my High School as well.  Of course Bob Reade only got 3 consecutive state championships there before he moved up to the job at Rock Island.  I could watch that system everyday of the week and be very happy.  Luckily there are enough programs in the Quad Cities area that use it.  I can almost always catch someone using it.

Ah... yes, I remember a Wheaton North/Geneso Darnell state championship game in 1981.  Geneso ran the wing-t with precision.  Wheaton was stacked that year with 2 rb's with over 1500 yards and at least 6-7 DI scholarship players.  If I recall it was a 14-6 win for Wheaton.

[Mugsy]

Mugsy,

I remember that '86 game and if the questionable call you're referring to was a Greg Wallace to Eric Welgat pass late in the game, I have to admit "questionable" would be an understatement. I remember telling my friends who weren't at the game that not only did it bounce, I think it may have bounced TWICE!

Unfortunately for me... I was less than 5 yards away from it.  There are so many plays that affect the outcome of a game and I make every attempt not to blame the officials, but that one was by far the worst call I have ever seen.  The Augie receiver didn't even dive for the ball, he was standing.  The ball hits the ground and he catches it right about at knee level.  I was so shocked the official called it a catch, I didn't even argue... I was speechless.

Wheaton did have some luck that game to even be in the position to win it.  Brad Anthony caught a 70+ yard TD in the 3rd quarter on a tipped pass - a total freak play. 

Hardest thing to handle when reflecting on that game was the fact we had a freshman rb playing due to injury to our starter.  This freshman rb bragged all year long how he never fumbled in high school.  In that game he fumbled on our 2 yard line leading to one Augie TD, and then again inside our 20 yard line.  So both Augie TD's came on drives of 2 yards and less than 20.  Ouch!

[Jim Matson]

Why do you guys have to keep talking about that '86 game?!

I guess it made the 95' game all the sweeter.

[zorbadagreek]

I think, barring a miracle, that Auggie will win the conference this year. They have played exceptionnally well and beat a high powered NCC offense. My other winners this week are NCC over NP, Auggie over wheaton, Elmhurst over Carthage and Millikin over wesleyan. Its been a good season for all I think. NCC and Auggie battled for the conference championship, Carthage was competitive to the end, NP won more games this year than they have in the last 6 years combined, Elmhurst was also very tough and Wesleyan hung in there and won some games despite fighting thru the unfortunate tradgedy that they suffered at the beginning of the season. It would be great to see both Auggie and Ncc make the dance and do well. 

[augiedogie]

zorbadagreek:

Augie spelled with only 1 "g" (I would have let you get away with it but you do it constently through out your post) already clinched atleast a share of the conference title. If they win, they have it outright. If they lose, NCC still has to beat NPU which they should, but you can't take anything for granted.  Where are you getting your stat that NP has more wins this year than the past 6 combined?  They have the same amount of wins this year as they did in '03 and '04 combined. Does this really mean anything??? They still have to get over the hurdle of winning a conference game before we can talk about NPU winning.  Elmhurst had a great season this year.  NCC most likely will get invited to the dance seeing that they will be 9-1 after this weekend.

[cardinal20]

Appreciate the post jaybird and I totally agree with you. You have to be able to take praise and criticism in this business equally. The "problem" or a better word "issue" I had was some individuals were saying critical things, but were not specific. It is easy to say someone isn't very good, but at least say why or how they could improve. That was my point. Somehow that got turned into numerous posts that said I couldn't handle criticism. That's not true at all. To be perfectly honest, I would rather hear criticism most of the time. It can only help to hear how you can improve. It is the same for any kind of job. If your boss approaches you and says you are doing a poor job, you want to know why and how you can improve. The same is true here. My goal wasn't to offend some people, but apparently I did. I feel this all could have been avoided if specific examples were given and I did get one from washdupcard. He provided a great idea, but we cannot have past players on because of the college's rules. I'm putting all this behind me and I hope everyone else in here does because I enjoy reading other posts. It helps to learn about the other teams more in depth and actually some information is useful for broadcasts. Now, response to other posts.

Award candidates: I agree with what I'm seeing thus far. Kniss and Anthony have been great this season. Radtke has had another great year and he might slip into the slot, but Anthony did a nice job on Saturday against Spencer. The only variance I have is Thorne for COY. Barnes would obviously be a fine choice, but Thorne has really turned the program around and barring the unthinkable (a NP loss at home or no at large bid, Wheaton b-ball team a couple of years ago) then this team is going to the playoffs for essentially the first time. There was the Corn Bowl in the late 40's, but not the D-III playoffs.

Quick Question: When are the brackets announced? Sometime on Sunday I'm assuming.

[79jaybird]

Cardinal20-  The Selection show is Sunday (look at D-3 football's  main page) that will tell you where to go to hear the pairings.
People will always criticize first, before awarding praises.  That's human nature when you're in the "light"  broadcasting.  I too prefer hearing what the public wants to hear more/less of, that way I can strive for improvements.  Have a good broadcast Saturday, because it is a LONG off season.  (Obviously, NC will have at least 1 more game, but for others it is a long vacation.
I would give major consideration to Nathan Wallick for CCIW Offensive POY, mostly because where would MU be without him?  I think NC would be where they're at without Kniss, because you have Spencer and Holden.
Just for grins (after the boring Bears victory), did you know Decatur was the original home of da Bears? 

[cardinaldad]

Cardinal20-
The Division III football selection show will air on ESPNews on Sunday, 11/13 between 1:00-1:30 EST. The info is listed on D3's homepage

[usee]

i agree on kniss.l  think its still a tossup on radtke/anthony for DPOY. the coach will be barnes if they beat wheaton saturday and Thorne if they don't (because augie losing will make ncc co-champs). so augie is playing for a couple POY spots, a COY spot and probably some spots on the 1st team. again, that is my opinion only.

[usee]

Mugsy-please don't be mad at me but actually the rb fumbled on the 2 and the qb (frey) threw a pick around the 20  for the other turnover in the 86 game. 

you also didn't mention the call when wheaton completed a bootleg pass out to midfield (from their own 15) for a 1st down w 2 minutes left and were called for "chop blocking to the play side" by a local high school official. that was a high school rule back then, not a college rule. wheaton had to take a safety and augie's final drive started around midfield in a 16-14 loss by the team formerly known as crusaders

[augiedogie]

Jaybird:
I would have to disagree about Wallick as OPOY because for the most part Milikin is having a dissapointing season.  Also I knew that the Bears were originally from Decauter. Did you know that Rock Island had a professional football team at one time?

Cardinal20:
I think it is really close between Barnes and Thorne but have to give the edge to Barnes because he beat Thorne. Augie hasn't won a conference championship since 2001, and I know NCC hasn't won one in along time, but if Augie wins it outright I think Barnes deserves it more. Preason Augie was predicted 4th, and they got rid of their D-cordinator before the season started. Barnes did a tremendous job with the D this year especially after the way they played the final weeks of the season last year.  I only saw Radtke play once this year,  but Anthony is a big reason that Augie has won games with his 8 Int's, 1 FF, and 1 Td.

[matblake]

Umm... not sure anyone can get off to a worse start than RedBus did this past summer.  Whew... little anger in the boy!  I believe he lasted about 15 posts.

Funny that you would bring that up.  I was still lurking at the time and decided to wait a bit to sign up because of that poster, if I remember correctly.