FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[iwu70]

Yes, pretty ugly.  IWU down big 35-0 before half.  Titans just can't get anything going, can't get a break, and can't stop the NCC run at all.  Ypsi, newcard and others were right . . . a huge separation between NCC and my Titans, without Gallik.  Sad to see such a poor start, down 21-zip almost before 9 minutes was gone in the game.  A rude debut for Tyler Hook. 

Titans in big trouble now and better pay attention as Augie played well today and Elmhurst awaits.   

IWU70

[Mr. Ypsi]

Mark, I was only half right - didn't think the NCC offensive explosion would happen until the second half, when our defense was worn down.  The offense has been even worse than I feared (though Tyler Hook may be the real thing once he gets some experience).

[Titan Q]

Ypsi, newcard and others were right . . . a huge separation between NCC and my Titans, without Gallik. 

Rob Gallik doesn't play defense.  This would be a blowout of epic proportions if Gallik was in there.  IWU has not been able to stop NCC's offense in any capacity.

The talent level gap between North Central and IWU is staggering.  This is a complete "men vs the boys" situation.  Unfortunately every year the Titans and Cardinals square off I'm reminded of that.

[NCF]

Hoping the 2nd half is a little more exciting. The Titan D is a surprise today. I thought they'd keep IWU respectable, but they are struggling.

[Gregory Sager]

Elmhurst 31
NPU 0

This one went as advertised. Scottie Williams had his usual day against the Vikings (150 yards), and the Bluejays moved the ball up and down the field nicely all day. To North Park's credit, though, the Vikings D did a great job of stiffening underneath the shadow of their own goalposts; NPU had a goal-line stand on a 4th and 1 from the one-foot line, and Doug Ivy picked off a ball in the end zone when Elmhurst had the ball at the NPU 6. But Elmhurst was still able to run the ball, in spite of NPU playing nine men in the box all day to try to slow down Williams.

Speaking of Williamses, Jon Williams got the start again for NPU at QB -- but Tyler Krebs played the first half at slotback, his first-ever appearance at a position other than quarterback for North Park. Unfortunately, Krebs really struggled today, as he was moved to QB in the second half and proceeded to muff two option pitchbacks that resulted in Elmhurst takeways ... one resulted in a touchdown on the play, the other stifled a great NPU drive by turning the ball over at the EC 16. Krebs has had a tough year with the knee injury, and it's a shame to see such a great player struggle like this once he's back on the field.

Elmhurst didn't look great today -- lots of penalties by the 'jays, and the takeaways that proved to be such a big swing in terms of the score were basically handed to them by NPU on a silver platter -- but the 'jays did what needed to be done against an outmanned opponent and left the field healthy and one win better than they were this morning. And if I'm Tim Lester, that's the only thing I care about.

NPU's running out of chances to stop the streak this year. Next week at home against a Millikin team that seems to be better than its winless CCIW record is really the only realistic opportunity NPU has left.

[Augie6]

Wow.  UWW goes down, again, to a 1-6 UW Stevens Point, 17-14.  UWSP blocked a 47 yd FG try with about a minute left.

[iwu4ever]

EmbarrEashing...our 3 wins in the conference are over teams with 1 cciw win...November won't be pretty for Titans. qb situation wouldnt have made a difference.

[NCF]

: pick six, score is 52-0. tough day all around for IWU

[devildog29]

EmbarrEashing...our 3 wins in the conference are over teams with 1 cciw win...November won't be pretty for Titans. qb situation wouldnt have made a difference.

Not sure why this is all on Norm?  He isn't the defensive coordinator, and he can't magically repair Gallik's knee (not that it would have made a difference today).  52-0 (with more game to go) is pretty much a total team loss. 

[Mr. Ypsi]

EmbarrEashing...our 3 wins in the conference are over teams with 1 cciw win...November won't be pretty for Titans. qb situation wouldnt have made a difference.

Not sure why this is all on Norm? He isn't the defensive coordinator, and he can't magically repair Gallik's knee (not that it would have made a difference today).  52-0 (with more game to go) is pretty much a total team loss.

??

No one posted that it was on Norm.

[devildog29]

EmbarrEashing...our 3 wins in the conference are over teams with 1 cciw win...November won't be pretty for Titans. qb situation wouldnt have made a difference.

Not sure why this is all on Norm? He isn't the defensive coordinator, and he can't magically repair Gallik's knee (not that it would have made a difference today).  52-0 (with more game to go) is pretty much a total team loss.

??

No one posted that it was on Norm.

"EmbarrEashing"?

[Mr. Ypsi]

EmbarrEashing...our 3 wins in the conference are over teams with 1 cciw win...November won't be pretty for Titans. qb situation wouldnt have made a difference.

Not sure why this is all on Norm? He isn't the defensive coordinator, and he can't magically repair Gallik's knee (not that it would have made a difference today).  52-0 (with more game to go) is pretty much a total team loss.

??

No one posted that it was on Norm.

"EmbarrEashing"

Oops - didn't even notice that!

[CardinalAlum]

I am very surprised at the Wesleyan defense as well.  I really thought they would bring a little more than they did but after seeing them up close, they aren't very big or physical.  Cards pounded the ball and Titans couldn't stop it.  Hook got a rude welcome to starting a game in the CCIW.  He showed a strong arm and the ability to hang in the pocket when he had time.   Definitely a bright future ahead for him.  I'm with Titan Q on this one, QB wouldn't have made that big of a difference. 

[CardinalAlum]

Bring on the Wheaties!   

[iwu70]

I, too, was surprised that the Titan D didn't play better.  I don't blame only Norm and I surely didn't mean to imply that the outcome would have been greatly different had Gallik been healthy.  But, surely the Titan O would have played better, been on the field longer, perhaps kept the NCC O off the field a bit more, esp. in the early blitz period of the 1st quarter.  But, basically this was a blow-out, as Ypsi and several others predicted.  I think Tyler Hook will be a good QB in future.  Sad to see him have this kind of rude introduction, but that's life in the CCIW at the obvious top program in NCC.  Have to wonder what kind of "state of mind" and confidence the Titans had going into this one . . . as they seemed not to be ready to compete at all in the early going.  Many D errors, plays where there seemed to be no defensive player in the area, in the proper positiion.  I give NC all its due with its powerful offense, tremendous speed, and excellent coaching, but surely hoped the Titans would give a better effort than this pasting.

Guess it's best to just try to forget this one, move on quickly and get ready for Augie next week and the important final game with ECC.  Hope the Titans can pull it back together and play for pride, for 2nd place in the CCIW.  Seems not much more to play for now, as 8-2 will not likely get you to the post-season this year.  EC will have much more to play for if they are going for 9-1 and winning out for a post-season berth.

Disappointing. 

IWU70