FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Gregory Sager]

Watched most of the game online and it's really discouraging to see the level that Augie has fallen to.  There is a lack of overall talent and the coaching is horrible.  Complete lack of any type of offensive game plan and they don't have the playmakers on defense to run the scheme they are running.  No offense to the Elmhurst fans, but this is not a particularly good Elmhurst team and Augie's O did little to nothing against them.  10 pts. and 94 yards of offense in the 2nd half.   No continuity in the offensive system during Cushman's tenure and it shows.  Don't see how it's possible for Augie to finish better than 4-6 as they would have to beat one of NCC, IWU or Wheaton to do that.  If they can somehow beat Carthage, Millikin and North Park (which I'm far from confident they will), Cushman's record at Augie will be 16-24.  This is from a program that you had to go back to 1978 to find the last losing season and back to the 1955-58 seasons to find a worse 4 year run for Augie.  Very little interest in the football program from alumni that I played with and cannot imagine that it will get better soon.  Clearly, many of the concerns that Augie alumni had when Cushman was hired have come true.  In addition to being a below average coach, he has shown a complete inability to recruit talent to the program and it continues to go downhill as a result.  I'd be curious to hear from some of the more recent alumni who came on the board when Cushman was hired and raved about his ability as a coach.  Cannot imagine they could continue to support this fantasy.

We certainly haven't heard anything from Scotdog82, Veinteuno, or RandomPlayer recently.

[79jaybird]

Good points Augie6-  For the record, I was not comparing the current regime to Reade.  Very few coaches (in any league/sport) can be put on the same level as Reade's success.  I had mentioned the Schmulbach era which was late 90's, not 80's.  So please don't take me the wrong way.  As you and Greg pointed out, I did omit Barnes so my bad on that part.  The simple point that I was trying to make, and Augie6 agreed with, is that the complexion of Augie is different today, which has been making it difficult to keep Augie perennially in the top 3.

As for the current team,  Elmhurst @ Carthage is going to be an interesting game on many fronts.  It's Carthage's HC so one can expect a large, spirited group on hand.  Always used to love to play teams on their HC and if/when you win,  spoil their festivities.      I think EC/Car are pretty even in many levels and have a bunch of guys looking to get better and prove themselves.   

[iwu70]

Having watched all the IWU games, I truly think the Titans just aren't playing very well, esp. the last 3 games.  They are giving up tons of yards, are very soft over the middle to the pass game, and have not had hardly any running game, production out of Roberts or other running backs.  The O is very inconsistent, even with the fine group of receivers they have.  Bolden is not really the answer, even given his running and his production this last week, which produced only 10 points.  His passing is suspect, so it would seem wiser either to get Warner back or try one of the younger QBs who may play an important role in IWU's future.  Losing Bolden in the D secondary is a big loss, as he is one of the best pass defenders in the CCIW.  I would think having mono would not bring Warner back very soon -- perhaps 3-4 weeks minimum.  Really a tough situation for IWU, with inconsistent or poor play for several weeks now.  I thought they might go 7-3, but now looks more like 5-5 or 6-4 to me.  Not a strong year by normal Esch and Titan program standards. 

IWU70

[markerickson]

In response to posts from several days ago, and I believe I mentioned this last year, sending mobile 6'4" NPU TE Cash beyond the MLB will create matchup problems.  NPU deploys a 3 or 4 WR scheme too much this year.  Sending Childress, Conway, and Cash downfield is money in the bank.

[79jaybird]

Elmhurst is going to be looking for a new President.  I am not going to discuss the reason(s) for Ray's departure (which I know), but my concern is the TBD President continues to have Athletics be an important component of the college experience. I am hopeful he/she values athletics and helps to promote the Bluejays teams.

[markerickson]

I certainly hope Elmhurst retains its wrestling program.

[Naperick]

Elmhurst is going to be looking for a new President.  I am not going to discuss the reason(s) for Ray's departure (which I know), but my concern is the TBD President continues to have Athletics be an important component of the college experience. I am hopeful he/she values athletics and helps to promote the Bluejays teams.

Wow!  He was only at EC for 5-6 years.

[AndOne]

Naperville Sun article on 25 year old NCC freshman linebacker Justin Stuursma who had not played football since 2006.
He spent a little time at Calvin College, playing basketball, then served an extended enlistment in the Army including a 10 month deployment to Iraq.

http://napervillesun.suntimes.com/2014/10/08/freshman-justin-stuursma-plays-like-veteran-ncc-football/

"He's really been a pleasant guy to have around," Thorne said. "He's enjoying it and the players enjoy him. I hope it continues and good things happen for him. It's so nice to see people who have served our country and protected our freedom come back and have positive things happen for them."

[79jaybird]

Naperick- Yes, to the outsiders and common public it would seem like it was a short tenure.  However those of us on the "inside" can see and understand the why.

Hopefully the incoming President will allow the Jays athletic teams to continue to flourish.  In the last 10 years, there has been a greater focus on athletics at EC both on and off the fields.  IMO, we still have a long way to go to get up to speed with some of the other colleges with the same footprints as Elmhurst. 

[Langhorst_Ghost]

Tim Lester has been named the OC at Syracuse. Orange take on the #1 'Noles in his first game calling plays for the 'Cuse.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJI3ycrG4Cs

[izzy stradlin]

Tim Lester has been named the OC at Syracuse. Orange take on the #1 'Noles in his first game calling plays for the 'Cuse.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJI3ycrG4Cs

Might be a little tough without his starting QB against the No. 1 team in the nation.

Congrats to Lester, though.  I'm not surprised that he got a coordinator job at a BCS school but it's earlier that I thought.  He's obviously got a bright future

[Mr. Ypsi]

Tim Lester has been named the OC at Syracuse. Orange take on the #1 'Noles in his first game calling plays for the 'Cuse.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJI3ycrG4Cs

Talk about a baptism by fire!

[Naperick]

Naperick- Yes, to the outsiders and common public it would seem like it was a short tenure.  However those of us on the "inside" can see and understand the why.

I'm not on the "inside" but I was not a fan of some of his early moves.

[Naperick]

Tim Lester has been named the OC at Syracuse. Orange take on the #1 'Noles in his first game calling plays for the 'Cuse.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJI3ycrG4Cs

Might be a little tough without his starting QB against the No. 1 team in the nation.

Congrats to Lester, though.  I'm not surprised that he got a coordinator job at a BCS school but it's earlier that I thought.  He's obviously got a bright future

I agree.  Bright future but a very tough 1st game at his new position.

[bleedpurple]

Green--

Your point is well made and well taken. One of the primary considerations leading to the formulation of my question was the fact that Haeffner & Johnson have functioned as a QB on a continuous basis since HS without spending an extended time playing another position.
During his time as an elite DB, Bolden's QB skills most likely eroded to some degree.

Thanks to all who answered my question on this. It is a very interesting decision and some of the factors are interesting as well. Potential top back-up leaving team when beat out, assistant coach with Michigan ties and a possible Denard Robinson influence, cornerback who moved seemed to be elite at CB. Lots of intriguing stuff there. Thanks again everyone! Again, you guys have a great board over here!