FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[washdupcard]

Good game today, although i missed most of the second half ("quick" bar run).

First, the loss of Spencer early was huge...NCC had a lot of momentum in the 1st Quarter and pissed it away.  I'm a little miffed by some of NCC's play calling...some interesting calls in key situations...I'm not sold on throwing the back of the endzone on 4th and 2 when there is a strong wind.  Interestingly, the Cards actually operated out of a three man I on the goalline at least once in this game.

I'm not normally one to complain about officiating...but there were at least three absolutely horrible calls by the officials today (not saying they would make a difference or that they don't occur in every game...just making an observation)..First, there was a called fumbled on a NCC receiver who was hit and didn't have possession of the ball for more than a split second...this play lead to a clear momentum change as Capital scored to take the lead.  Second, there were a couple horrible facemask calls that kept Capital drives alive or put them in short yardage situations.

Finally, whoever is responsible for operating NCC's scoreboard clock should be beaten with a bundle of reeds.  This moron cost NCC at least 3-4 seconds minimum after NCC spiked the ball on their last drive.  Kniss completes a pass for a first down, runs up to spike the ball...spikes it and the clock continued to run for a good three seconds.  The entire crowd turned toward the press box and yelled at the moron running the scoreboard.  Again, I don't know if this would have made a difference...but it absolutely would have given them another shot to get a few yards closer for a respectable field goal attempt.

With all that said, Capital got it done when NCC didn't.  NCC forced 4 first half turnovers and only managed to get 10 points...that is completely unacceptable and absolutely cost them the game.  They had their opportunity to win and did not get it done.  Hats off to Capital.

[washdupcard]

I just re-read my last post and it was a little harsh.  A few more thoughts on this year.

CONGRATS TO NCC ON A TREMENDOUS YEAR!  Its a tough way to lose and they did better than any team in school history.  NCC lost their two games by a combined 5 points and that really says something about the toughness of this team and their character.  Great job by Thorne and his staff.

I hope NCC can get it done all the way next year.  They have improved every year Thorne has been there.  If any of you Card players are reading this...keep your chins and heads up, you guys fought to the end and came up a little short.  The NCC community is extremely proud of your accomplishments.

[washdupcard]

USee,

I disagree with your assessment of Capital's Defense.  I thought they were good, but I didn't  feel that they were that great.  The loss of NCC's top two receivers was a big difference...and Kniss seemed to have some trouble in the first half throwing into the wind.  Capital's D didn't strike me as any better than a Good CCIW Defense.  Just my opinion.

[usee]

washdup-you haven't seen many good defenses then. kam completed 60.5% of his passes v cciw teams this year and less than 50% v cap today (23-49). spencer would have made a huge difference i believe (i recall one curl route where kniss threw it inside and the reciever stayed outside--probably a completion w spencer) but i also saw at least 5 knockdowns by capital in the first half alone. kam was off in the first half, throwing a bit late here and a bit high there. a great defense means you have to throw the ball on time and on target to be successful. cap's defense disrupted him enough to make a big difference. cap's defense is the fastest defense i have seen in 2 years. I don't know what you were watching....did you see the backside end chase down kniss for a sack as he rolled away from him? you don't see that very often in d3 and you have to be fast to do that.

[washdupcard]

I thought most of Kniss's problems were due to the loss of NCC's receivers and not being very sharp with his throws.  He had several throws sail high on him and a couple that skipped into the receiver.  Capital's corners did make a couple of good plays...but there were receivers open and there were opportunities for NCC.

I have seen many good defenses and played on a couple myself.  I'm not saying Capital had a bad defense.  They were a very good defense, but I just don't think that they were the difference in the game.  Similiar to your assesment of why Wheaton lost to NCC earlier this year, I felt that NCC gave the game away to Capital.  We just have a difference of opinion (and mine may be slightly biased due to my Card allegiance).

[Augie6]

ejw,

It is the Princeville Prince.  How's everything going?  Good to see you posting on the board.  I'm hoping Augie can go into MUC and get a big win like we did in 86.  Sounds like the defense will need to step it up to another level this week.  Lots of yardage given up today.   

[augievike]

can anyone tell me where i can go see the full stats for todays games?

[CardinalAlum]

I'm not normally one to complain about officiating...but there were at least three absolutely horrible calls by the officials today (not saying they would make a difference or that they don't occur in every game...just making an observation)..First, there was a called fumbled on a NCC receiver who was hit and didn't have possession of the ball for more than a split second...this play lead to a clear momentum change as Capital scored to take the lead.  Second, there were a couple horrible facemask calls that kept Capital drives alive or put them in short yardage situations.

Finally, whoever is responsible for operating NCC's scoreboard clock should be beaten with a bundle of reeds.  This moron cost NCC at least 3-4 seconds minimum after NCC spiked the ball on their last drive.  Kniss completes a pass for a first down, runs up to spike the ball...spikes it and the clock continued to run for a good three seconds.  The entire crowd turned toward the press box and yelled at the moron running the scoreboard.  Again, I don't know if this would have made a difference...but it absolutely would have given them another shot to get a few yards closer for a respectable field goal attempt.

Wash'd

i usually am in agreement with you, but you are dead wrong!  The fumble was a fumble and the facemasks were definitely deserved.  I'm as big a homer as anyone, but the officiating was excellent.   The scoreboard operator could use a slap, i agree.  If anything, NCC caught a break when Holden fumbled after taking a shuffle pass in the 4th quarter and fumbling.  He had posssesion of the ball and lost it.  What a game!!  I wish NCC would have taken a shot at a Hail Mary instead of a fg attempt that had ZERO chance of being made!!  Usee, sorry I missed you but I looked for you!  Great season Cards!! I have some other things to complain about but I will save them for a later time.  Great job Augie!!!  Keep it going and make the CCIW proud!!

[washdupcard]

I respectfully disagree......Until I see a tape that shows otherwise, I don't think that was a fumble.  I missed the Holden play that you were talking about (had a long halftime at Features)  I'll concede to you the facemask penalties.  I'm interested in your complaints.

[usee]

i did think the clock operator was a capital fan. there were 7.6 seconds when kniss took the snap and spiked the ball and there were 4.6 when the play was done. it doesn't take 3 full seconds to spike the ball. heck,  bridgewater ran a 50 yd pass play in 4.5 seconds a few years back.

still a great game. congrats to ncc on a great year and to capital on a tough playoff road win.

[dansand]

Augievike,

If you haven't found it already the URL for the Augie-Lakeland box is: http://www.augustana.edu/athletics/football/stats/2005footballstats/05aug11.htm

While the defense didn't play particularly well yesterday, I'd like to single out freshman linebacker Preston Jones, who I thought played a terrific game. He was all over the field and made several big stops. I thought he made the stop on Lakeland's fourth-and-goal that ended their 97-yard drive in the third quarter, although the PA and official box credited Monier (another outstanding freshman from Bureau Valley).
Also, Anthony played a great game again. As Augievike93 pointed out, he should have had four interceptions.

[ncc58]

A lot of the calls went against North Central, but I thought most of them were correct. The biggest gripe you can make about the NCC defense this season is penalties. Of note lately were the personal foul and offsides in the closing drive at Augie and all the penalties yesterday.

The facemask penalties looked correct. The one call I might have argued was the no-call on Earnest which certainly looked like early contact. The Tyler Bell fumble could have gone either way, and that turned out to be the key turnover of the day. I ddin't think that was a fumble, though.  If NCC holds on to the ball, the score would have been 14-10 at halftime (or even 14-13). Instead, Capital jumps up 21-10.

On NCC's first drive, the 3rd down pass was caught just outside the endzone. That was a great stop by Capital. The 4th and 2 turned out to be a key play. Had NCC kicked the FG there, the whole game would have been different in the 4th quarter. Kniss had 2 receivers. The short receiver was open early, but he was gone to the deeper receiver on similar plays all season. That hurt.

The one play where Spencer was really missed was the 2 point conversion. After Kniss scrambled, all four receivers just stopped. He expected one of them to break along the back line. None of them did. I think this was some of Spencer provided - his chemistry with Kniss and knowledge of the game.

As for the timekeeper ... Well, he should have been prepared. The only possible explanation is that on field signals from the referees were slow. It took 2.9 seconds to spike the ball. Then, they tried a short out that took 3.8 seconds. I felt that a FG was impossible from that distance. However, I can't remember a single play in the whole game when NCC went down the field. Either they didn't feel Kniss could get it there in the wind or the coverage wouldn't allow it.

The front 7 for Capital is very active. Don't kid yourselves. They flew to the ball. They ran one stunt that NCC never adjusted to. Every time they ran it, someone was in the backfield untouched. Capital also flew to the ball on every option. All 11 of them. Capital was baclpedaling on every snap. But they had the quickness to close on receivers. North Central should have scored more but give credit to Capital.

[seventiesraider]

Reading the Augie box score, just wanted to ask about that attendence number: 818. Both teams families would account for more than that. And I think we take our teams for granted in Alliance.

[usee]

seventies-i think augie students were on fall break last weekend. not an excuse, but likely the reason for the poor turnout. wouldn't be surprised if there were that many augie fans in alliance this weekend. augie usually travels pretty well.

[augievike93]

Reading the Augie box score, just wanted to ask about that attendence number: 818. Both teams families would account for more than that. And I think we take our teams for granted in Alliance.

Seventiesraider,
Usee is correct in that Augie had finals last week.  The residence halls close up over the break.  So, if the student live on campus (the majority of the student body) they have no place to stay in town.  Augie does not have a large local population of enrolled students.  I believe that about 150 of that attendence was on the vistor's side.  So, not too bad for the local community who had a variety of local playoff options.  Three local high schools were in the semifinals for IHSA (all three won and are going to the state championships this weekend including the HS that is 5 blocks away from Augie and also uses Ericson Field for its home games).  Saint Ambrose University, the "other" college in the Quad Cities was also in playoffs in the NAIA.  On top of it all there is a huge community holiday fundraiser going on at the same time that drew 8000 people yesterday.  All that being said I think the 818 that were there were quite vocal and loud with their clapping -- well at least as loud as you can be with gloves and mittens on your hands.