FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Son of Tailgater]

Mugsy, you are correct - IWU, Wheaton, and NCC all have SOS numbers WAY higher than any of the undefeated teams (including MUC).

That is where the OAC's 9 game conference season schedule hurts them.  They only have 1 chance of out conference to gain some points.  

There is no debate that the strength of the IWU, Wheaton and NCC's schedule is light years ahead of Wittenberg, Case and MSJ.  I'd easily pick a 7-3 CCIW or OAC team against a 10-0 version of those three teams.  Anytime.  Anywhere.  

Yup... Probably 2-3 teams in the CCIW & OAC better than some undefeated teams in other conferences.  That is the way it goes...

For instance if you look at #8 Monmouth who is averaging 48 points per game while giving up only 10. They have payed or will play teams with a combined record of 36-52 with 6 of those teams being below .500. They beat Aurora first round last year but their conference as a whole struggles in the playoffs.

I would like to see a Monmouth, St. Norberts, or NATHC conference champion play an IWU, NCC, Wheaton, MUC, Otterbien or Capital type team during the pre-season (IWU Beat Aurora 31-28 in Week #3 last year and AU finished 9-1 before losing to Monmouth first round). While I am not complaining that a weaker overall conference has their champion reaches the playoffs. I would still like to see the non-conference schedule's reflect that they are seeking higher levels of competition in order to prepare for the playoff caliber teams.

[Son of Tailgater]

Taken from the front page in an article from Clyde Hughes:

The other factor is quarterback Kraig Ladd. Ladd's amazing story last week will become part of Titan -- if not CCIW -- folklore, if it hasn't already. Ladd broke his throwing hand in Illinois Wesleyan's only loss to Millikin.

After missing the next two games, he returned for the North Central game last week and completed 23 of 48 passes for 340 yard, including two touchdowns while running for a third.

"He still has a broken hand," Eash said. "The doctors told him if he wasn't a senior, he wouldn't be playing. He was not going to let us get beat on Saturday. He was our leading rusher that game as well and it tells you just how valuable he is to us."

Wow, I had no idea that his hand was actually broken. Was this his throwing hand? It shows me the dedication Ladd has along with the desire to help his team win. I guess if I were a senior and had a broken my hand that I would have pressed the issue to play it out as well. I guess I didn't really need my hands as an O-lineman, unless I wanted to grab a hold of some jersey.......but I never did that......wait, I was never caught  ....much

[clemac]

It is index finger of Ladd's throwing hand.

[Mugsy]

Taken from the front page in an article from Clyde Hughes:

The other factor is quarterback Kraig Ladd. Ladd's amazing story last week will become part of Titan -- if not CCIW -- folklore, if it hasn't already. Ladd broke his throwing hand in Illinois Wesleyan's only loss to Millikin.

After missing the next two games, he returned for the North Central game last week and completed 23 of 48 passes for 340 yard, including two touchdowns while running for a third.

"He still has a broken hand," Eash said. "The doctors told him if he wasn't a senior, he wouldn't be playing. He was not going to let us get beat on Saturday. He was our leading rusher that game as well and it tells you just how valuable he is to us."

Wow, I had no idea that his hand was actually broken. Was this his throwing hand? It shows me the dedication Ladd has along with the desire to help his team win. I guess if I were a senior and had a broken my hand that I would have pressed the issue to play it out as well. I guess I didn't really need my hands as an O-lineman, unless I wanted to grab a hold of some jersey.......but I never did that......wait, I was never caught  ....much

Great story about dedication to the team and desire to play after all the hard work put in over 4 years.  

I'm pretty sure there are similar stories for most teams, although it doesn't involve a QB with a broken hand winning a key conference matchup.

There were several players my senior year at Wheaton who played with injuries you might consider not playing if not for being in your senior season.  Most common are the broken hand or fingers, possibly ligament issues with the thumb...  

In my case it was 3 cracked ribs.  Once I received the ok from the doctors that there was no danger of lacerating internal organs there was no question about whether or not to play.  Once you get use to the difficulty breathing and then re-fracturing the ribs on the opening kickoff, it was fine.  Amazing what adrenalin can do...

[oldnuthin]

Taken from the front page in an article from Clyde Hughes:

The other factor is quarterback Kraig Ladd. Ladd's amazing story last week will become part of Titan -- if not CCIW -- folklore, if it hasn't already. Ladd broke his throwing hand in Illinois Wesleyan's only loss to Millikin.

After missing the next two games, he returned for the North Central game last week and completed 23 of 48 passes for 340 yard, including two touchdowns while running for a third.

"He still has a broken hand," Eash said. "The doctors told him if he wasn't a senior, he wouldn't be playing. He was not going to let us get beat on Saturday. He was our leading rusher that game as well and it tells you just how valuable he is to us."

Wow, I had no idea that his hand was actually broken. Was this his throwing hand? It shows me the dedication Ladd has along with the desire to help his team win. I guess if I were a senior and had a broken my hand that I would have pressed the issue to play it out as well. I guess I didn't really need my hands as an O-lineman, unless I wanted to grab a hold of some jersey.......but I never did that......wait, I was never caught  ....much

Great story about dedication to the team and desire to play after all the hard work put in over 4 years.  

I'm pretty sure there are similar stories for most teams, although it doesn't involve a QB with a broken hand winning a key conference matchup.

There were several players my senior year at Wheaton who played with injuries you might consider not playing if not for being in your senior season.  Most common are the broken hand or fingers, possibly ligament issues with the thumb...  

In my case it was 3 cracked ribs.  Once I received the ok from the doctors that there was no danger of lacerating internal organs there was no question about whether or not to play.  Once you get use to the difficulty breathing and then re-fracturing the ribs on the opening kickoff, it was fine.  Amazing what adrenalin can do...

Now i know the MU starting QB has been playing with pain since week 3. But playing with a broken finger on your throwing hand is also impressive.As far as playing with three cracked ribs, I don't know what to say to that.did you at least wear a flak jacket?

[Mugsy]

Taken from the front page in an article from Clyde Hughes:

The other factor is quarterback Kraig Ladd. Ladd's amazing story last week will become part of Titan -- if not CCIW -- folklore, if it hasn't already. Ladd broke his throwing hand in Illinois Wesleyan's only loss to Millikin.

After missing the next two games, he returned for the North Central game last week and completed 23 of 48 passes for 340 yard, including two touchdowns while running for a third.

"He still has a broken hand," Eash said. "The doctors told him if he wasn't a senior, he wouldn't be playing. He was not going to let us get beat on Saturday. He was our leading rusher that game as well and it tells you just how valuable he is to us."

Wow, I had no idea that his hand was actually broken. Was this his throwing hand? It shows me the dedication Ladd has along with the desire to help his team win. I guess if I were a senior and had a broken my hand that I would have pressed the issue to play it out as well. I guess I didn't really need my hands as an O-lineman, unless I wanted to grab a hold of some jersey.......but I never did that......wait, I was never caught  ....much

Great story about dedication to the team and desire to play after all the hard work put in over 4 years.  

I'm pretty sure there are similar stories for most teams, although it doesn't involve a QB with a broken hand winning a key conference matchup.

There were several players my senior year at Wheaton who played with injuries you might consider not playing if not for being in your senior season.  Most common are the broken hand or fingers, possibly ligament issues with the thumb...  

In my case it was 3 cracked ribs.  Once I received the ok from the doctors that there was no danger of lacerating internal organs there was no question about whether or not to play.  Once you get use to the difficulty breathing and then re-fracturing the ribs on the opening kickoff, it was fine.  Amazing what adrenalin can do...

Now i know the MU starting QB has been playing with pain since week 3. But playing with a broken finger on your throwing hand is also impressive.As far as playing with three cracked ribs, I don't know what to say to that.did you at least wear a flak jacket?

Yeah... it was some huge, wrap around padding that weighed about 10 lbs.  Today they could probably provide something that protects even better and is far less restrictive to mobility.  Like I said once I got used to breathing with injured ribs and beyond the pain of the first real impact of the game, it didn't hinder me at all for the last 4 games of the season.  Truly nothing in comparison to a QB with an injury to a throwing hand.

Who was it that played QB with the KC Chiefs about 10 years ago who had a near compound fracture of a finger on the throwing hand, yet kept playing?  Steve Deberg?

[Mugsy]

Who was it that played QB with the KC Chiefs about 10 years ago who had a near compound fracture of a finger on the throwing hand, yet kept playing?  Steve Deberg?

Actually it was 19 years ago and it was his pinky finger on his non-throwing hand.  A quick Google on "Steve Deberg" resulted in numerous hits on "steve deberg broken finger".

http://articles.latimes.com/1990-12-24/sports/sp-5405_1_broken-finger

[Son of Tailgater]

Who was it that played QB with the KC Chiefs about 10 years ago who had a near compound fracture of a finger on the throwing hand, yet kept playing?  Steve Deberg?

Actually it was 19 years ago and it was his pinky finger on his non-throwing hand.  A quick Google on "Steve Deberg" resulted in numerous hits on "steve deberg broken finger".

http://articles.latimes.com/1990-12-24/sports/sp-5405_1_broken-finger

Mugsy,

You sure are dating yourself  being off by 9 years and wearing your 10lb flak jacket with your leather helmet (I added that last part)  playing with cracked ribs is still pretty impressive though.

Wow the index finger on the throwing hand and they still had him attempt 48 passes! Remarkable.

[HScoach]

I remember watching DeBerg play with that injury and thinking what a tough SOB he was.

[iwu4ever]

Any picks for this w-end?
All Home Teams???

NCC @ Augie
Millikin @ Elmhurst
NP @ Carthage
Wheaton @ IWU

[Mr. Ypsi]

Any picks for this w-end?
All Home Teams???

NCC @ Augie
Millikin @ Elmhurst
NP @ Carthage
Wheaton @ IWU

Lots of picks on the pickems board.

[matblake]

I remember watching DeBerg play with that injury and thinking what a tough SOB he was.

My sister had to leave the room, she couldn't take looking at it.  Of course, they kept showing it over and over.

[Mugsy]

I remember watching DeBerg play with that injury and thinking what a tough SOB he was.

My sister had to leave the room, she couldn't take looking at it.  Of course, they kept showing it over and over.

You had to love the way they keep showing the pin coming out of the tip of his pinky finger.

[CardinalAlum]

In my case it was 3 cracked ribs.  Once I received the ok from the doctors that there was no danger of lacerating internal organs there was no question about whether or not to play.  Once you get use to the difficulty breathing and then re-fracturing the ribs on the opening kickoff, it was fine.  Amazing what adrenalin can do...

Here's video I found of Mugsy fighting off the pain back in the late 80's!   

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Usd4z9rxbys

[Tailgater]

Any picks for this w-end?
All Home Teams???

NCC @ Augie
Millikin @ Elmhurst
NP @ Carthage
Wheaton @ IWU

Yes & then No