FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[bleedpurple]

I don't know if it has been mentioned, but I think Scott Pethtel deserves a lot of credit for North Park's season.  As has been said many times:  "It's not about the X's and the O's, it's about the Jimmys and the Joes".   Recruiting/retention is the most important factor for success in college athletics.  Of course Conway's two kids were very good, but for the most part, these were Pethtel's guys.

That's a good point, and I definitely agree with it to a degree. But I think that every one of Scott Pethtel's players who stuck around and played for Mike Conway this year will tell you that he was a better player for the coaching change. That's not to take anything away from Scott at all, because he improved the caliber of recruit that NPU was getting both on the field and in the classroom from his predecessor. But the players worked much harder this past off-season than they'd ever worked before, and I think that that's a major reason behind NPU's breakthough. The players certainly seem to think so. You win next fall's games in the preceding winter, spring, and summer, and the off-season work ethic for North Park football has clearly been ratcheted up.

So if that is the case (and I'm not doubting your assertion at all), then do you know the specific reason(s) why the players decided to work much harder this year?  Was if just because of the coaching change i.e. a new enthusiasm for the new coach and new system or something else?  I can certainly understand the former, since a change can generate enthusiasm, yet at the same time, that would possibly seem to suggest that the previous coach and staff were somehow just not "enlightening" the players to give 100%.  The latter can obviously occur, yet, at the same time then, the players share in some of the blame for less performance.  That said, we all know that sometimes, it does take a coaching change to bring a new attitude and turn a program around.  Just curious as to your further thoughts/opinion, additional explanation.  Thanks.

My insights into this are pretty limited, since we're talking waaaay-inside kinda stuff here, stuff that even the broadcaster usually doesn't know. But my suspicion is that it was twofold:

1) a more thorough, more demanding, and more systematic off-season regimen of lifting, running, and using the indoor practice facility at Helwig Rec Center instilled at the very start by the new coaching staff, with more accountability put upon the players in terms of checking in and registering their presence at those captain's practices and lifting sessions, all of which was readily agreed to by the returning players; and

2) Mike Conway just inspired those guys to get more out of themselves. It's a bit hard to describe if you've never met him. He has tremendous personal charisma, and the sort of vision and relentless energy that just pushes forward at all times, and seems to push others forward along with him. Back in early October on this board I quoted at length from the Chicago Tribune article about him that was published the day before NPU beat Carthage to end the 89-game losing streak. One of the seniors who'd been through three miserable seasons until Mike arrived, safety Taylor Simental, took part in Mike's initial job interview a year ago, along with several other players. This was the quote in the Trib article from Simental about that interview:

"In the first five minutes after we met him during the interview process, he made me and the rest of the guys want to put on pads and helmets and play right then," Simental said. "Within 10 minutes, you felt so deeply that he wanted to help us get out of this thing. You just knew how much he cared about us."

That pretty much describes it. He got them to play at a higher level because, in some hard-to-quantify way, he made it apparent right from the outset that he empathized with their plight and made their desperate crusade to have some fun and earn some respect his own. It sounds corny, I know. But he is nothing if not sincere, and it really all derives from his faith in Jesus Christ and his fervent belief that the only way to glorify God is to give 100% of yourself to others in everything that you do.

A lot of people aren't going to buy into that kind of thing. We live in a cynical age. But I'm hoping that there will be some football-playing high-school seniors out there who do buy into it, enough to make a difference on the football field for NPU over the coming seasons.

+K for ignoring political correctness and mentioning Jesus Christ.

[iwu70]

Pretty sure Devonte Jones will get his record.  Hope Gallik has a big day too -- he's had a great career at IWU.  Simms too.  Let's hope the seniors can keep it going a few more weeks. 

Ypsi, I'll be there, got an extra game this visit as a bonus -- but it is to be about 12 degrees in the morning, so probably 20-25 F by kick-off.  My thin Hong Kong blood is not up for this freezer!  Yes, I admit I'm a wimp when it comes to such temps.

IWU70

[Gregory Sager]

Thanks, bleedpurple. But it'd be hard to honestly answer a question about what drives Mike Conway and what makes him able to motivate his players without bringing his faith into it, because that's where it all starts for him.

[Stagg Again!!]

I'll say NCC over Albion 48-7 and IWU over Wartburg 31-17.  I'm hoping the CCIW will rock and roll this weekend.  Good luck to North Central in the first round.

USee, thanks for the analysis, your sense, your appraisal of Wartburg.  Their probably pretty solid, so could be a closer game than my prediction above.

It's gonna be real cold, clear and no rain at all, likely 20-25 F at kickoff.  Even colder up at NCC.

We can all go inside and get warm, for a great game -- women's basketball -- IWU vs. WI-SP, at 4 p.m. after football @The Shirk.  Point is currently #23 in the D3hoops national ranking.

GO TITANS!

IWU70

IWU, I generally like your spreads, but would trim it by a couple and take the under on total points in the IWU v. Wartburg game... IMO. I think that matchup will be fun to watch.

Cardinal weather in the forecast for B-W on Saturday!!

[CardinalAlum]

Some IWU players who could break school records in the Wartburg game:

Rob Gallik, career passing yards - needs 155, is averaging 214.9
Devonte Jones, season rushing yards - needs 74, is averaging 100.6
Chris Simms, season solo tackles - needs 4, is averaging 6.3

Gallik already holds the career record for pass completions; if they win Saturday, he may have an outside chance at the season record for passing TDs against Bethel (he needs 6 to tie, is averaging 2.4).

Or he could break it Saturday if Norm is up big in the 2nd half!    . Good luck, Titans! 

[formerd3db]

Gregory:

Thanks for the reply and, yes, further insight.  From what you say, I can understand why.  Sometimes it just takes someone like that to change the attitude.  And yes, I do believe in that kind of Faith too, which is, IMO, more than applicable to such situations (I agree with you that others might not agree with us on that, but...so be it).  

Anyway, what a great feeling it must be for you guys at NPU to have a new enthusiasm heading into the off-season and a great new attitude for next year (even though you lost to us i.e. Hope this year! - Just a little levity there course. )   

[NCCAlum48]

Score predictions are up on Atomic.... http://www.knology.net/jashburn/football/archive/af_predictions_All.html#III

[ncc_fan]

Score predictions are up on Atomic.... http://www.knology.net/jashburn/football/archive/af_predictions_All.html#III

...and on Massey, for what it's worth:   http://www.masseyratings.com/pred.php?s=cf&sub=11620

[iwu70]

Interesting lines . . . not too too far from mine.  I have IWU a bit more over Wartburg -- guess it's my Greenie glasses.

Good weekend all -- some great D3 sports on tap.

IWU70

[AndOne]

NCC release on CCIW all-conference kicker Nick Dace:

http://northcentralcardinals.com/news/2013/11/21/FB_1121133250.aspx

[AndOne]

CONGRATS TO NORTH CENTRAL QB SPENCER STANEK WHO HAS BEEN NAMED A 2013 ALL-AMERICAN BY THE AMERICAN FOOTBALL COACHES ASSOCIATION. 

http://napervillesun.suntimes.com/sports/fbl_ncc-NAP-11222013:article

I was unable to find the entire team list anywhere.

[AndOne]

Info on NCC's first round playoff game with Albion:

http://northcentralcardinals.com/sports/2010/11/15/FB_1115100127.aspx?id=662

[iwu70]

Congrats to Stanek.  A truly outstanding year.

Go CCIW, Go TITANS!

'70

[Naperick]

Best wishes to the Titans & Cardinals tomorrow!!
Stay warm!

[Stagg Again!!]

Hey, I'm perfectly fine with ending that particular discussion.

Anybody want to make some guesses about the All-CCIW team, and/or does anybody disagree with the idea that Stanek and Dierking are locks for OPOY and DPOY?

When I cast my votes, they will be for Stanek and Dierking.  I also would think that both should get some consideration for All-American status... IMO

My votes have counted.