FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[iwu70]

Congrats to Wheaton on moving forward.  Keep it going.

IWU70

[thunderdog]

Wheaton might want to consider doubling, maybe tripling, the time they spend on PAT/FG this next week. 2 more blocked PATs today. Such a "taken for granted" play that could have serious consequences if they don't get that fixed. John Carrol presents enough of a challenge as is, they don't need an extra point here and there.

[mr_mom]

Should be in Wheaton.  But if not, please don't hate if I have to make an upset in Cleveland.  I need to try to get an 50-50 split on the spread.   

[HScoach]

Wheaton might want to consider doubling, maybe tripling, the time they spend on PAT/FG this next week. 2 more blocked PATs today. Such a "taken for granted" play that could have serious consequences if they don't get that fixed. John Carrol presents enough of a challenge as is, they don't need an extra point here and there.

JCU has also blocked 10 punts this season.

[Toph]

Looking at the statistics, I've come across something of an anomaly. Wheaton gives up a fair amount of yardage on defense (325 ypg), but relatively few points (13 ppg).  By contrast JCU gives up almost 100 less yards per contest, but only two fewer points. Can any Wheaties offer some insight?

[Mugsy]

Looking at the statistics, I've come across something of an anomaly. Wheaton gives up a fair amount of yardage on defense (325 ypg), but relatively few points (13 ppg).  By contrast JCU gives up almost 100 less yards per contest, but only two fewer points. Can any Wheaties offer some insight?

Don't want to oversimplify, nor totally rely on raw stats (since they don't tell the full picture):

But if you solely look at redzone stats for opponents:

Team	Redzone Scores	Redzone TD's
JCU	26 of 36	22 of 36
Wheaton	14 of 25	13 of 25

So Wheaton gives up more yardage, but has allowed less redzone opportunities.  And for the redzone opportunities, Wheaton is holding the opponent to a lower percentage of scores and TD's.

Classic bend don't break?  Also by in large Wheaton has not let up a large number of 20+ yard plays or long TD's.  Opponents have had to put together long, sustained drives, which is hard to do.  I'll look at the # of 20+ yard plays later.

[USee]

Wheaton doesn't play much man to man. lot of zone and some zone blitz. they dont' give up big plays. Their LB's are athletic and can really run. Kind of like Tampa 2 D. They will give up yards but it's been tough to drive on them consistently. That's mostly because their players have been better and they can do that. This week the other side has some pretty good players too. It will be interesting to see how they change things up. Clearly they can't sit back and let Mark Myers and company get a feel for what they are doing. They will have to make some adjustments. North Central is the only other offense that has come to McCully with the type of firepower as JCU will have. They scored 31.

[Mugsy]

Wheaton doesn't play much man to man. lot of zone and some zone blitz. they dont' give up big plays. Their LB's are athletic and can really run. Kind of like Tampa 2 D. They will give up yards but it's been tough to drive on them consistently. That's mostly because their players have been better and they can do that. This week I the other side has some pretty good players too. It will be interesting to see how they change things up. Clearly they can't sit back and let Mark Myers and company get a feel for what they are doing. They will have to make some adjustments.

As always... a better answer that sheds more light to the "why" the stats are that way.  Doesn't help that I'm herding 3 kids under 10 yrs. towards the car for church.  CRAZY!!!!

[Toph]

Thanks for the insight. It will definitely be an interesting matchup. I see potential for Myers to pick the zone apart. There are just a lot of weapons out there for him. But I think JCU's D will have to play extremely well to win. Wheaton's balance is impressive. JCU's defense is extremely aggressive and relies on the front seven generating a lot of pressure in the backfield against the run and the pass. I'm concerned Wheaton might be able to exploit that aggressiveness.

[USee]

If Myers is patient he will do well.  Wheaton will give you certain things but if you try and force a bigger play they will make you pay.  The Thunder may have to change up a little and try and confuse Myers.  Will be their biggest challenge. 

Offensively the Thunder are versatile and well coached.  Josiah Sears was Franklin OC a couple years ago.  If a defense is aggressive he will take his shots.  Thunder have 6-6 WR Luke Thorson who is tough to guard on the outside. I am really looking forward the matchup.

[thunderdog]

Super stoked about the upcoming game vs. John Carroll.  Unless my research proves to be faulty, the last time Wheaton went up against the 2nd place OAC team in the playoffs was back in 2003 when Baldwin Wallace visited McCully Stadium.  THAT was an AWESOME GAME.  One of the best, hardest-hitting, defensive slugfests that I've ever witnessed Wheaton be a part of.

Wheaton's offense in 2003 was lead by QB Chad Bradley (11 for 22 for 126 yds, 3 carries for 27), bruising RB's Dan Price (25 carries for 93 yds and 2 TD's) & Garret Granberg (11 carries for 35 yds), WR's Brad Musso (who tied the Wheaton single season receiving record w/ 1,256 yards that game and had 5 catches for 73 yds) and Andrew King (4 catches for 29 yds).  Defensively, Wheaton was lead by FS (or SS?) Ty Gose (12 tackles, 1 INT, 1 pass break up), MLB Tom McAndrews (10 tackles, 1.5 TFL, 0.5 sack), DE Ben Reedy (9 tackles, 1 TFL, 0.5 sack, 1 QB Hurry), and CB Caleb Walters (7 tackles, 1 INT, 2 pass break up).

Can't say I remember much about the BW offense, but their defense was big, fast, and brought the wood.  I remember the SS (#16 Jeff Fox? or maybe #37 Greg Koch? or maybe both?) being as athletic a safety(ies) I've seen in d3.  The kid(s) could run, change direction, and lay the lumber.

Some game notes.  With 11:37 in the 2nd, BW scores first on a Dan Larlham 1 yd run.  The extra point was blocked, playing huge significance in the game.  At 6:31 in the 2nd, BW scores a second TD on a Dave Erhman 10 yd reception from Dan Larlham.  BW decides to go for 2 to make up for the previous block (a bit too early in the game to be going for 2 if you ask me).  Wheaton stops them on the 2 pt conversion.  What "should have been" a 0-14 deficit was only 0-12. From that point on, Wheaton's defense would "answer the bell" and hold the Yellow Jackets scoreless the rest of the game.  Wheaton responds with 2:52 left in the 1st half on a 8 yrd Dan Price carry (extra point good).  7-12 halftime score.  In the 3rd, with 8:27 on the clock, Dan Price scores again on a 1 yrd TD plunge.  Wheaton, being up by 1, 13-12, decides to go for 2 and Bradley throws an incomplete pass.  Wheaton caps off the scoring at 1:18 in the 3rd on a Andrew Day 24 yrd FG, goes up 16-12.  Can't say I vividly remember any plays/drives from the 4th qtr, but Wheaton holds on to a well-deserved, hard-fought 16-12 victory.  What I do remember is that on a cold 40^o, sunny, clear Saturday afternoon, there was some serious shoulder pad and helmet crackin' goin' on!

I expect this year's rendition of Wheaton vs John Carroll to be nothing less.  I can't wait!  Bring on the Blue Streaks!  I'll be there with as many rowdy alumni as I can round up.  Wheaton fans...


LET"S ROLL!


I'm hoping my subliminal message regarding PAT's gets heard loud and clear

[D3gridiron]

Wheaton might want to consider doubling, maybe tripling, the time they spend on PAT/FG this next week. 2 more blocked PATs today. Such a "taken for granted" play that could have serious consequences if they don't get that fixed. John Carrol presents enough of a challenge as is, they don't need an extra point here and there.

The Wheaton broadcast commentators were saying the same thing during the game on Saturday.  One, two or three points could make a huge difference moving forward.

[79jaybird]

Good luck to Wheaton.  Hope the Thunder can roll. Happy Thanksgiving to all.

[USee]

From the most knowledgeable fans in the OAC, on the 'pick ems' board, the Thunder are 28.5 pt underdogs at home vs JCU.

[SaintsFAN]

From the most knowledgeable fans in the OAC, on the 'pick ems' board, the Thunder are 28.5 pt underdogs at home vs JCU.

Me thinks that spread is a little bit too high.  Mr Mom tries to set that spread so 50% take each team and thus far 11 out of the 13 have taken Wheaton +28.5

I bet he'd redo that number, if given the chance.  I'd bet my life savings on Wheaton +28.5 based on what I've seen from Swider-coached teams.