FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[79jaybird]

What an exciting yet painful game at Elmhurst.  I have to tip my hat to Millikin Coach Neibuhr and his players for never giving up hope when it was 21-7 late  and battling, battling, and battling back to even up the score and win.
Same storyline for Elmhurst which will make it easy for the Jays to focus on what needs improvement in the off season.

I thought we were gearing up for a fairy tale finish when Lomnicki was going for the OT FG to win.  Tyler has had a great career at Elmhurst and I was pulling for him to win it on Senior Day. 

How about IWU?  Everybody talked about Wheaton, NC, etc.  and the Titans were the ones "not talked about".    I have mentioned many times ont he broadcasts to keep your eyes on the Green/White because they were laden with upperclassmen.

[wheels81]

Key stat in my mind... Time of Possession: IWU +9.  Wheaton defense was just on the field too long and ran out of steam in the 2nd half.  IWU scores all 20 points in the 2nd half.  Wheaton critical turnovers in the 2nd half, including INT in IWU endzone.

IWU will be the AQ.  North Park has lost 67 straight conference games.  I don't see that ending next week.

They got tired of being held and tackled by the IW o line.  Kutdos to the Titans for not committing a penalty the entire game

[Son of Tailgater]

New poll is out:

14. IWU
16. NCC
21. Wheaton

IWU -  Assuming IWU wins I wouldn't expect them to move into the Top 10. I do not see 4 teams in the top 10 losing and beating North Park is an expected event so a big jump would not happen.

NCC - Assuming they beat Elmhurst I wouldn't expect them to move much either. They might even stay stagnant unless there is a loss in the top 15.

Wheaton - Assuming they beat Carthage I would expect them to reach the top 20. A loss or a close game would knock them out or move them to 24-25 for the end of the season. In my book this is the game of interest in the CCIW this week.

Augie @ Millikin - With a Millikin win it would show that Millikin is for real. They did win the big game against IWU this year but they struggled against the top tiered teams in the conference. I think they are close but going 7-3 from a 3-7 season last year would be an impressive feat for the Big Blue.

I was really hoping for 7 teams to finish above .500 but as I predicted pre-season; Millikin and IWU showed up as real contenders this season. I do not see Elmhurst taking down NCC this week but at 4-6 being the second to last team with on game below .500 is quite a feat for our conference. I have enjoyed how this story has played out and I will become a CCIW fan on Sunday. Note: I did not say I would be wearing green but I do support our conference in the playoffs 

[Son of Tailgater]

Key stat in my mind... Time of Possession: IWU +9.  Wheaton defense was just on the field too long and ran out of steam in the 2nd half.  IWU scores all 20 points in the 2nd half.  Wheaton critical turnovers in the 2nd half, including INT in IWU endzone.

IWU will be the AQ.  North Park has lost 67 straight conference games.  I don't see that ending next week.

They got tired of being held and tackled by the IW o line.  Kutdos to the Titans for not committing a penalty the entire game

I am not sure that this merits a response but here I go.....

There is essentially holding in some or one way or another on every single play. To single out IWU's entire offensive line and take away for their efforts in protecting their back up Junior QB does not sit well with me. I know you may be joking or it may be just sour grapes but none-the-less going the entire game without a penalty shows an o-line is well coach and disciplined. I am not even sure if the team went un-penalized the entire game or not but I am just saying. There might have even been some "missed calls" especially being in Bloomington, IL  this week but that is the nature of the game. Congrats to the IWU O-line for a job well done. From one lineman to a group of another that is quite an accomplishment and you should all be proud of your efforts.

[Mugsy]

Key stat in my mind... Time of Possession: IWU +9.  Wheaton defense was just on the field too long and ran out of steam in the 2nd half.  IWU scores all 20 points in the 2nd half.  Wheaton critical turnovers in the 2nd half, including INT in IWU endzone.

IWU will be the AQ.  North Park has lost 67 straight conference games.  I don't see that ending next week.

They got tired of being held and tackled by the IW o line.  Kutdos to the Titans for not committing a penalty the entire game

Yeah... it is somewhat questionable when a team goes an entire game without a single infraction.  But it is not as if Wheaton was penalized significantly more, 5 penalties for 35 yards.  1 of those penalities was roughing the passer for 15 yards.

If Wheaton had 7-9 penalties, then it would seem a bit more questionable.  The officials seemed to let the teams play, which I find much more appealing that having everything called.  This is NOT why Wheaton lost.

Wheaton lost because of some very costly mistakes and then the inability to stop the IWU run in the 2nd half, primarly Rooney's scrambling.  I can't remember how many 3rd and longs IWU converted for first downs - back breakers.  Norris' INT in the IWU endzone has huge, along with other "gift" turnovers in the 2nd half (the first play of the 3rd quarter).  

While I don't think it would have changed the result at all, it is indicative of the miscues Wheaton made on Saturday which will cost you a game of this magnitude.  3rd and 2 with less than 2 minutes to play and IWU with the ball.  Your only chance it for a stop and hold IWU to 3 points, or more than likely hold IWU on 4th down since their placekicker was having issues. You call a timeout to figure out what your gonna do for the stop.  Instead you get an illegal participation by having 12 men on the field to give IWU a 1st down and the game.  AFTER A TIMEOUT...  

More than anything that assumes Wheaton could have stopped IWU on both 3rd & 2 and for the 4th down play as well.  The way IWU controlled the LOS in the 4th quarter, that is a mighty large "if"...

Just as it was in 2007, a bitter pill to swallow after leaving Bloomington.  It is now 3 years running where Wheaton had it's chances for a share of the CCIW title only to come away empty.

[Mugsy]

Details on the IWU vs. Wheaton penalties emailed to me from someone at the game.  Shows how costly some miscues can be in a critical game and also brings in to question how IWU could not have a single penalty the entire game.  Note: #1 and #2 ultimately had little effect on the score due to an INT and blocked FG, but did result in Wheaton's defense remaining on the field longer.

Some interesting observations on the penalties from Saturday:

IWU has averaged 5.6 penalties per game for the season but not penalized 1x? strange in my book.

The 5 Wheaton penalties were all very costly:

1-Wheaton sacks Rooney and he fumbles at the IWU 20 where wheaton recovers (would have been at least a FG??)--offsides on the cornerback playing bump and run!!?? Rooney drives to the wheaton 5 and is INT by Lutes.

2-Norris has a 55+ yd punt before half negated because the gunner is in motion. next punt blocked to set up a potential FG (blocked by Wheaton)

3. IWU throws an inc pass on 1st down at their own 35--roughing the passer on Langs. +15 yds moves it to midfield. NExt play is TD pass where the Wheaton DB caught Scalcucci at the 2 but he fell into the endzone. those 15 yds keeps him from scoring??

4. Wheaton throws TD pass on 3rd down to Doorman on a play action pass from the IWU 2 yd line and an OLineman is blocking his guy into the endzone. Wheaton kicks a FG for 3 pts instead of 7.

5. 3rd and 2 w 2min left wheaton is called for 12 men after a timeout ending the game.

[Mugsy]

Out of curiosity I was interested to know how common it is for a team to complete a game without a single penalty.

Looking only at 2009 and 2008 games, it has occurred 4 times in 158 games (2.53% of games played by CCIW teams).

Legend: Home team listed first and bold indicating team without a penalty.

2009:
IWU vs. Wheaton: 20-17
North Park vs. Elmhurst: 10-47

2008:
Augustana vs. North Park: 52-0
North Park vs. Benedictine: 35-10

3 of 4 occurrences involved North Park in blowout games.

[Titan Q]

Details on the IWU vs. Wheaton penalties emailed to me from someone at the game.  Shows how costly some miscues can be in a critical game and also brings in to question how IWU could not have a single penalty the entire game.  Note: #1 and #2 ultimately had little effect on the score due to an INT and blocked FG, but did result in Wheaton's defense remaining on the field longer.

Some interesting observations on the penalties from Saturday:

IWU has averaged 5.6 penalties per game for the season but not penalized 1x? strange in my book.

The 5 Wheaton penalties were all very costly:

1-Wheaton sacks Rooney and he fumbles at the IWU 20 where wheaton recovers (would have been at least a FG??)--offsides on the cornerback playing bump and run!!?? Rooney drives to the wheaton 5 and is INT by Lutes.

2-Norris has a 55+ yd punt before half negated because the gunner is in motion. next punt blocked to set up a potential FG (blocked by Wheaton)

3. IWU throws an inc pass on 1st down at their own 35--roughing the passer on Langs. +15 yds moves it to midfield. NExt play is TD pass where the Wheaton DB caught Scalcucci at the 2 but he fell into the endzone. those 15 yds keeps him from scoring??

4. Wheaton throws TD pass on 3rd down to Doorman on a play action pass from the IWU 2 yd line and an OLineman is blocking his guy into the endzone. Wheaton kicks a FG for 3 pts instead of 7.

5. 3rd and 2 w 2min left wheaton is called for 12 men after a timeout ending the game.

Regarding #5, I don't follow - is your "source" saying Wheaton did not have 12 men on the field??

[Mugsy]

Details on the IWU vs. Wheaton penalties emailed to me from someone at the game.  Shows how costly some miscues can be in a critical game and also brings in to question how IWU could not have a single penalty the entire game.  Note: #1 and #2 ultimately had little effect on the score due to an INT and blocked FG, but did result in Wheaton's defense remaining on the field longer.

Some interesting observations on the penalties from Saturday:

IWU has averaged 5.6 penalties per game for the season but not penalized 1x? strange in my book.

The 5 Wheaton penalties were all very costly:

1-Wheaton sacks Rooney and he fumbles at the IWU 20 where wheaton recovers (would have been at least a FG??)--offsides on the cornerback playing bump and run!!?? Rooney drives to the wheaton 5 and is INT by Lutes.

2-Norris has a 55+ yd punt before half negated because the gunner is in motion. next punt blocked to set up a potential FG (blocked by Wheaton)

3. IWU throws an inc pass on 1st down at their own 35--roughing the passer on Langs. +15 yds moves it to midfield. NExt play is TD pass where the Wheaton DB caught Scalcucci at the 2 but he fell into the endzone. those 15 yds keeps him from scoring??

4. Wheaton throws TD pass on 3rd down to Doorman on a play action pass from the IWU 2 yd line and an OLineman is blocking his guy into the endzone. Wheaton kicks a FG for 3 pts instead of 7.

5. 3rd and 2 w 2min left wheaton is called for 12 men after a timeout ending the game.

Regarding #5, I don't follow - is your "source" saying Wheaton did not have 12 men on the field??

No... look at the bolded section of my note.  For me it is to show that while IWU did not have a single penalty (which honestly is disconcerting, though I do not view as why Wheaton lost), the few penalties that Wheaton had are the types of miscues than can cost the game.  The listing of Wheaton penalties is not to imply they were necessarily bogus.  More to show how they impacted the game.  Please don't read more into it than that.

[Titan Q]

No... look at the bolded section of my note.  For me it is to show that while IWU did not have a single penalty (which honestly is disconcerting, though I do not view as why Wheaton lost), the few penalties that Wheaton had are the types of miscues than can cost the game.  The listing of Wheaton penalties is not to imply they were necessarily bogus.  More to show how they impacted the game.  Please don't read more into it than that.

Gotcha.  You've been fair in your assessment of the game, Mugsy.

I was not at the game, but it seems like the Thunder have a lot to point to for the loss instead of the officials...


* Fumble by Bertucci on first play of 3rd Q

* Fumble by senior QB Norris midway through 3rd Q

* Backup QB Rooney run for 9 yards on 3rd & 8 midway through 3rd Q  (TD drive kept alive)

* Backup QB Rooney run for 10 yards on 4th & 10 from Wheaton 24 on same TD drive as above

* Interception thrown in endzone by senior QB Norris late in 3rd Q

* Eli Williams rushing for 50 yards on two plays at the end of 3rd/beginning of 4th Q (TD drive)

* Backup QB Brien Rooney 18 yard completion on 3rd & 10 in 4th Q (TD drive kept alive)

* After Wheaton TD to make it 20-17 IWU with 6:46 to play, IWU runs the ball from IWU 25 to Wheaton 15...with everyone at the field knowing they're going to run it after the first couple 1st downs.  (Just one pass the entire drive – a 3rd & 5 completion)

* Sending 12 men on the field in the final minute, with the CCIW title on the line.


Listening to the game (on WETN's broadcast), it sounded to me like the guys in orange and blue and green and white had a lot more to do with the outcome than the guys in black and white.

[oldnuthin]

There was also a pass interference call on wheaton that was waved off as an uncatchable ball. Sitting in the north? endzone and watching that play 25 yards away I saw 2 things, a questionable PI call and a pass that was more than catchable as it passed thru #80s hands. i know i have mentioned this in previous posts regarding the spotty officiating i have seen in the CCIW this year. During the Millikin game at IWU I saw some horrendous calls and some of the worst ball spotting I have ever seen.I don't think its fair to sully what I thought was one of the most exciting games I have ever seen. On IWUs drive where 31 ran for a total 50 on 2 consecutive plays, I saw the center and guard move the nose down field with no backer scrapping to fill the hole. I am surprised to see some one make the comment here regarding holding costing them the game though.

On another note, if Millikin can beat augie, Coach Neighbur more than deserves COY IMHO.

[Mugsy]

No... look at the bolded section of my note.  For me it is to show that while IWU did not have a single penalty (which honestly is disconcerting, though I do not view as why Wheaton lost), the few penalties that Wheaton had are the types of miscues than can cost the game.  The listing of Wheaton penalties is not to imply they were necessarily bogus.  More to show how they impacted the game.  Please don't read more into it than that.

Gotcha.  You've been fair in your assessment of the game, Mugsy.

I was not at the game, but it seems like the Thunder have a lot to point to for the loss instead of the officials...


* Fumble by Bertucci on first play of 3rd Q

* Fumble by senior QB Norris midway through 3rd Q

* Backup QB Rooney run for 9 yards on 3rd & 8 midway through 3rd Q  (TD drive kept alive)

* Backup QB Rooney run for 10 yards on 4th & 10 from Wheaton 24 on same TD drive as above

* Interception thrown in endzone by senior QB Norris late in 3rd Q

* Eli Williams rushing for 50 yards on two plays at the end of 3rd/beginning of 4th Q (TD drive)

* Backup QB Brien Rooney 18 yard completion on 3rd & 10 in 4th Q (TD drive kept alive)

* After Wheaton TD to make it 20-17 IWU with 6:46 to play, IWU runs the ball from IWU 25 to Wheaton 15...with everyone at the field knowing they're going to run it after the first couple 1st downs.  (Just one pass the entire drive – a 3rd & 5 completion)

* Sending 12 men on the field in the final minute, with the CCIW title on the line.


Listening to the game (on WETN's broadcast), it sounded to me like the guys in orange and blue and green and white had a lot more to do with the outcome than the guys in black and white.

Q, your list here just brought back the sick feeling I had Saturday evening.    Yes... this is why I was so frustrated.  If Wheaton executes and eliminates just a few of these, the outcome could have been very different.

The section of your last post that I highlighted was my first response to the question about penalties in the game that I included in an earlier post.  I much prefer the officials letting the players decide the outcome of the game, provided they catch the obvious infractions.

[NCF]

No... look at the bolded section of my note.  For me it is to show that while IWU did not have a single penalty (which honestly is disconcerting, though I do not view as why Wheaton lost), the few penalties that Wheaton had are the types of miscues than can cost the game.  The listing of Wheaton penalties is not to imply they were necessarily bogus.  More to show how they impacted the game.  Please don't read more into it than that.

Gotcha.  You've been fair in your assessment of the game, Mugsy.

I was not at the game, but it seems like the Thunder have a lot to point to for the loss instead of the officials...


* Fumble by Bertucci on first play of 3rd Q

* Fumble by senior QB Norris midway through 3rd Q

* Backup QB Rooney run for 9 yards on 3rd & 8 midway through 3rd Q  (TD drive kept alive)

* Backup QB Rooney run for 10 yards on 4th & 10 from Wheaton 24 on same TD drive as above

* Interception thrown in endzone by senior QB Norris late in 3rd Q

* Eli Williams rushing for 50 yards on two plays at the end of 3rd/beginning of 4th Q (TD drive)

* Backup QB Brien Rooney 18 yard completion on 3rd & 10 in 4th Q (TD drive kept alive)

* After Wheaton TD to make it 20-17 IWU with 6:46 to play, IWU runs the ball from IWU 25 to Wheaton 15...with everyone at the field knowing they're going to run it after the first couple 1st downs.  (Just one pass the entire drive – a 3rd & 5 completion)

* Sending 12 men on the field in the final minute, with the CCIW title on the line.


Listening to the game (on WETN's broadcast), it sounded to me like the guys in orange and blue and green and white had a lot more to do with the outcome than the guys in black and white.

Q, your list here just brought back the sick feeling I had Saturday evening.    Yes... this is why I was so frustrated.  If Wheaton executes and eliminates just a few of these, the outcome could have been very different.

The section of your last post that I highlighted was my first response to the question about penalties in the game that I included in an earlier post.  I much prefer the officials letting the players decide the outcome of the game, provided they catch the obvious infractions.

Just think of all the NCC fans that have that same sick feeling. On second thought, that might just make you smile (a little)

[Mr. Ypsi]

No... look at the bolded section of my note.  For me it is to show that while IWU did not have a single penalty (which honestly is disconcerting, though I do not view as why Wheaton lost), the few penalties that Wheaton had are the types of miscues than can cost the game.  The listing of Wheaton penalties is not to imply they were necessarily bogus.  More to show how they impacted the game.  Please don't read more into it than that.

Gotcha.  You've been fair in your assessment of the game, Mugsy.

I was not at the game, but it seems like the Thunder have a lot to point to for the loss instead of the officials...


* Fumble by Bertucci on first play of 3rd Q

* Fumble by senior QB Norris midway through 3rd Q

* Backup QB Rooney run for 9 yards on 3rd & 8 midway through 3rd Q  (TD drive kept alive)

* Backup QB Rooney run for 10 yards on 4th & 10 from Wheaton 24 on same TD drive as above

* Interception thrown in endzone by senior QB Norris late in 3rd Q

* Eli Williams rushing for 50 yards on two plays at the end of 3rd/beginning of 4th Q (TD drive)

* Backup QB Brien Rooney 18 yard completion on 3rd & 10 in 4th Q (TD drive kept alive)

* After Wheaton TD to make it 20-17 IWU with 6:46 to play, IWU runs the ball from IWU 25 to Wheaton 15...with everyone at the field knowing they're going to run it after the first couple 1st downs.  (Just one pass the entire drive – a 3rd & 5 completion)

* Sending 12 men on the field in the final minute, with the CCIW title on the line.


Listening to the game (on WETN's broadcast), it sounded to me like the guys in orange and blue and green and white had a lot more to do with the outcome than the guys in black and white.

Q, your list here just brought back the sick feeling I had Saturday evening.    Yes... this is why I was so frustrated.  If Wheaton executes and eliminates just a few of these, the outcome could have been very different.

The section of your last post that I highlighted was my first response to the question about penalties in the game that I included in an earlier post.  I much prefer the officials letting the players decide the outcome of the game, provided they catch the obvious infractions.

Just think of all the NCC fans that have that same sick feeling. On second thought, that might just make you smile (a little)

But don't forget all the Titan fans who are still grinning ear to ear!

I confess I would have been happy going in to win either game; to win both was mind-boggling.

[NCF]

No... look at the bolded section of my note.  For me it is to show that while IWU did not have a single penalty (which honestly is disconcerting, though I do not view as why Wheaton lost), the few penalties that Wheaton had are the types of miscues than can cost the game.  The listing of Wheaton penalties is not to imply they were necessarily bogus.  More to show how they impacted the game.  Please don't read more into it than that.

Gotcha.  You've been fair in your assessment of the game, Mugsy.

I was not at the game, but it seems like the Thunder have a lot to point to for the loss instead of the officials...


* Fumble by Bertucci on first play of 3rd Q

* Fumble by senior QB Norris midway through 3rd Q

* Backup QB Rooney run for 9 yards on 3rd & 8 midway through 3rd Q  (TD drive kept alive)

* Backup QB Rooney run for 10 yards on 4th & 10 from Wheaton 24 on same TD drive as above

* Interception thrown in endzone by senior QB Norris late in 3rd Q

* Eli Williams rushing for 50 yards on two plays at the end of 3rd/beginning of 4th Q (TD drive)

* Backup QB Brien Rooney 18 yard completion on 3rd & 10 in 4th Q (TD drive kept alive)

* After Wheaton TD to make it 20-17 IWU with 6:46 to play, IWU runs the ball from IWU 25 to Wheaton 15...with everyone at the field knowing they're going to run it after the first couple 1st downs.  (Just one pass the entire drive – a 3rd & 5 completion)

* Sending 12 men on the field in the final minute, with the CCIW title on the line.


Listening to the game (on WETN's broadcast), it sounded to me like the guys in orange and blue and green and white had a lot more to do with the outcome than the guys in black and white.

Q, your list here just brought back the sick feeling I had Saturday evening.    Yes... this is why I was so frustrated.  If Wheaton executes and eliminates just a few of these, the outcome could have been very different.

The section of your last post that I highlighted was my first response to the question about penalties in the game that I included in an earlier post.  I much prefer the officials letting the players decide the outcome of the game, provided they catch the obvious infractions.

Just think of all the NCC fans that have that same sick feeling. On second thought, that might just make you smile (a little)

But don't forget all the Titan fans who are still grinning ear to ear!

I confess I would have been happy going in to win either game; to win both was mind-boggling.

Both hard fought and well-deserved. Good Luck in the play-offs. I will be rooting for you(my brother graduated from IWU).