FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Pat Coleman]

-IWU plays in the burrito bowl at Tucci stadium-IWU has some key players who need to step up as playmakers-VanHuizen, Warner, Shoemaker-Gilmore, and the secondary. Including this exhibition against Monterrey-Mexico IWU has only 9 games scheduled

IWU has nine games scheduled plus this exhibition. They play Nebraska Wesleyan and the eight-game CCIW slate.

[Gregory Sager]

Including this exhibition against Monterrey-Mexico IWU has only 9 games scheduled

Actually, including the exhibition against Monterrey Tech, IWU has a full ten-game schedule. The lone non-conference game that counts is against Nebraska Wesleyan.

"What you saw is the haka that New Zealand's All Blacks do before every rugby match. The haka is a Maori tradition. (The Maori are the Polynesians who were New Zealand's original inhabitants.)"

Greg, I got the name from the Youtube link you posted
"Published on Oct 26, 2014
North Park University football team pregame ritual!! the HAKA!!

This is why I called the pregame ritual that North Park performed "the Haka"

Yep, I was corrected with regard to NPU's pregame ritual after I had called it a haka on the air. Actually, that's what most of us were calling it at first, due to how famous the All Blacks haka has become in international sports. But, as it turns out, the Samoans have their own name for what appears to be a fairly similar tradition to that of the Maoris and other Polynesians.

so sorry for the mistake but I am willing to enter this multicultural awareness thing. :-)

Life should be an endless education, Bully, even for us old guys.

[Gregory Sager]

Rats! The guru beat me by a minute and a half. And not for the first time, either.

[LB40]

Anyone else see that Carroll U has a transfer who was a d2 all american at Florida Tech? Looks like he was a redshirt SR there in 2014? Was in a pro day 2x since?  Seems odd

http://floridatechsports.com/news/2014/12/17/12_17_2014_1077.aspx?path=football

http://gopios.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=8237&path=football

[USee]

-IWU plays in the burrito bowl at Tucci stadium-IWU has some key players who need to step up as playmakers-VanHuizen, Warner, Shoemaker-Gilmore, and the secondary. Including this exhibition against Monterrey-Mexico IWU has only 9 games scheduled

IWU has nine games scheduled plus this exhibition. They play Nebraska Wesleyan and the eight-game CCIW slate.

Indeed, my eyes have defied me again. I need to retire like the Mad-Swede.

[HansenRatings]

Anyone else see that Carroll U has a transfer who was a d2 all american at Florida Tech? Looks like he was a redshirt SR there in 2014? Was in a pro day 2x since?  Seems odd

http://floridatechsports.com/news/2014/12/17/12_17_2014_1077.aspx?path=football

http://gopios.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=8237&path=football

He's even using the same Hudl account as the one he used while he was at his JUCO, definitely the same player.

http://www.hudl.com/athlete/828046/xavier-milton

And he definitely played for two season both at Laney College and at FIT. Something odd is going on.

[USee]

Anyone else see that Carroll U has a transfer who was a d2 all american at Florida Tech? Looks like he was a redshirt SR there in 2014? Was in a pro day 2x since?  Seems odd

http://floridatechsports.com/news/2014/12/17/12_17_2014_1077.aspx?path=football

http://gopios.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=8237&path=football

He's even using the same Hudl account as the one he used while he was at his JUCO, definitely the same player.

http://www.hudl.com/athlete/828046/xavier-milton

And he definitely played for two season both at Laney College and at FIT. Something odd is going on.

There are stats for him for 2 years at FIT and 1 year at Laney playing in 8+ games all 3 of those years. The only thing I couldn't find is stats from 2011 at Laney and whether he played and how many games.

[HansenRatings]

Anyone else see that Carroll U has a transfer who was a d2 all american at Florida Tech? Looks like he was a redshirt SR there in 2014? Was in a pro day 2x since?  Seems odd

http://floridatechsports.com/news/2014/12/17/12_17_2014_1077.aspx?path=football

http://gopios.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=8237&path=football

He's even using the same Hudl account as the one he used while he was at his JUCO, definitely the same player.

http://www.hudl.com/athlete/828046/xavier-milton

And he definitely played for two season both at Laney College and at FIT. Something odd is going on.

There are stats for him for 2 years at FIT and 1 year at Laney playing in 8+ games all 3 of those years. The only thing I couldn't find is stats from 2011 at Laney and whether he played and how many games.

Preview for Laney's 2011 season that references Milton's 2010 stats:
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_18804458
Maybe he was hurt during 2011, which would explain his RS status at FIT.

Participation from Laney's first and last games of 2012:
http://www.cccaastats.org/sports/fball/2012-13/boxscores/20120901_wiim.xml?view=participation
http://www.cccaastats.org/sports/fball/2012-13/boxscores/20121117_rvbu.xml?view=participation

So he was at Laney for three years, and at FIT for two, and then sat out a season because he was trying to make the NFL, and now somehow he's back on a NCAA roster.

[matblake]

-IWU plays in the burrito bowl at Tucci stadium-IWU has some key players who need to step up as playmakers-VanHuizen, Warner, Shoemaker-Gilmore, and the secondary. Including this exhibition against Monterrey-Mexico IWU has only 9 games scheduled

IWU has nine games scheduled plus this exhibition. They play Nebraska Wesleyan and the eight-game CCIW slate.

Indeed, my eyes have defied me again. I need to retire like the Mad-Swede.

Don't let him fool you, he is far from retirement age!

[79jaybird]

Elmhurst begins their 96th year of football traveling to Loras.  As I look at this year's team,  the key thing I find myself asking is "who *else* is going to step up?"  We know who the big time playmakers are on paper, but who's going to step up and help those key guys in the 3rd and 4th quarters when the game is on the line?  Big question marks about depth.   I hoping to see Elmhurst take some steps forward this year.   I don't buy the "bit by the injury bug" excuse of last year.   Every team battles through injuries. 

[emma17]

Sorry if this was discussed previously. Is it true Lawrence backed out of the game with IWU? 
I was in Bloomington yesterday and heard the story from a local resident.

[wheels81]

Anyone else see that Carroll U has a transfer who was a d2 all american at Florida Tech? Looks like he was a redshirt SR there in 2014? Was in a pro day 2x since?  Seems odd

http://floridatechsports.com/news/2014/12/17/12_17_2014_1077.aspx?path=football

http://gopios.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=8237&path=football

He's even using the same Hudl account as the one he used while he was at his JUCO, definitely the same player.

http://www.hudl.com/athlete/828046/xavier-milton

And he definitely played for two season both at Laney College and at FIT. Something odd is going on.

There are stats for him for 2 years at FIT and 1 year at Laney playing in 8+ games all 3 of those years. The only thing I couldn't find is stats from 2011 at Laney and whether he played and how many games.

Preview for Laney's 2011 season that references Milton's 2010 stats:
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_18804458
Maybe he was hurt during 2011, which would explain his RS status at FIT.

Participation from Laney's first and last games of 2012:
http://www.cccaastats.org/sports/fball/2012-13/boxscores/20120901_wiim.xml?view=participation
http://www.cccaastats.org/sports/fball/2012-13/boxscores/20121117_rvbu.xml?view=participation

So he was at Laney for three years, and at FIT for two, and then sat out a season because he was trying to make the NFL, and now somehow he's back on a NCAA roster.

Here are stats from Laney for 2010-  So this coming year would be his 6th year of football at college level? 1 year (2011) redshirt?
http://www.cccaastats.org/sports/fball/2010-11/laney.htm#ind

[thunderdog]

I believe Wheaton freshman QB Dave Beamer is the son of 9/11 hero (the famous "Let's roll") and Wheaton grad Todd Beamer.

http://athletics.wheaton.edu/roster.aspx?rp_id=5677&path=football

Truly awesome! What a special thrill it will be for Dave to slap/touch the "Let's Roll!" sign each time he takes the field. Gives me goosebumps just thinking about it. It's an honor to have you suit-up for the orange-and-blue, Dave!

[thunderdog]

Alright Wheaties, here's what I saw today. 

- Bowers ran with your 1s, Peltz with the 2s.  I don't get it, but that's not my call. 
- Wheaton's score against the first team defense came on a 4th down from about the 30 yard line.  Bowers was flushed from the pocket- the play here could/should have been blown dead, but it wasn't and he ended up in the end zone.  What to do with scrambling QBs in these controlled scrimmages is a problem.  Leads to weird plays like that one. 
- In the second half Bowers gave way to Peltz and the second team Wheaton offense and they dominated the action from that point on.  Peltz had his way with Wabash's backups.  RB Stone (I believe) also was very impressive in this stage of the game.  Stone had a long TD run to compliment Peltz's passing game. 

Overall, you guys are in good shape.  Good line play, depth of quality (at least on offense)...good squad.  One Wheaton player knocked his head on Matt Penola's knee and left the game, but that's the only Wheaton player that I saw leave the game.  I think both sides walked away unscathed, which is great.

Thanks for recap Wally. In your opinion, who won the battle of the 1's, if you don't mind my asking?

[thunderdog]

My pre-season predictions for each team in order of finish:

1. North Central (10-0): Cardinals have a second year QB who was good, missed the Wheaton game, and will be better (I am not a believer in the D1 transfer story). They have one of the top RB's in the country in Austin Breunig, they get Oshayne Brown back who was in front of Bruenig before his injury. They have 9 starters back from last years 2nd ranked defense and 9 back on offense. It's hard to see how they aren't going to be better across the board.

2. Wheaton (9-1): 2 all conference QB's (I think Peltz will be the starter when its all said and done), 3 excellent running backs and 4 of 5 OL are back from the #1 offense in the conference. They are gonna be good. Defensively they can't replace Dandsdill and McRae but Caleb Ashby might end up as the DPOY and their secondary is experienced and fast. Spielman and Greenlee will lead the DL. NCC and Wheaton are very close in terms of talent and these two are significantly better than the rest of the conference in my mind but the BOLBB is in Naperville this year so slight edge to NCC.

3. Carthage (7-3): It seems hard to believe that the team that was 1-9 and winless in the CCIW just 3 seasons ago is that much better but the facts don't lie. 17 returning starters including every skill position, 2 all conference LB's and 2 of the better corners in the league all of which led to a surprise 3rd place league finish last year. It's hard to imagine they are going to be worse and after a tough road game @Bethel they will be playing Wheaton, NCC, IWU and Augie in Kenosha (long trips for those last two teams) I can see the Redmen finishing 7-3.

4. Augustana (6-4): They lose Sam Frasco but the sorrow stops there. 19 returning starters including 11 back on defense means there is a lot to be optimistic about in Rock Island. They gave up a ton of points in the early going last year but by the end of the season they were allowing just 14 pts a game. Asquini at LB is one of the best in the league at the deepest position in the league. Their secondary is as expierenced and talented as any in the league with the top tackling safety, Kaible, returning and Watson and Aldridge back at corner. Their top 2 RB's return (Price and Pitra) and 4 of their 5 OL (Josh Fowler was a Junior and was listed on the spring roster but he is not on the current roster for some reason).

5. IWU (6-4): I think the rest of the leauge has caught up to IWU talent wise a bit. They return some great players but not a lot of depth and inuries have hurt them in recent years. IWU has the best LB crew in the league in Garvey, Fahey and Roth. If VanHuizen returns to form their defense will be formidable (only 1 returning DB). Contrary to Kickoff, IWU returns 7 defensive starters by my count and 7 on offense. Jack Warner stalled a bit in his development at QB last year and will need to get back to his playmaking performance of his freshman year for IWU to contend. Two great RB's in Shoemaker-Gilmore and Austin Harrell with 3-5 OL returning. They need a playmaker at WR and Quincy Butler needs to match his playmaking with his abilities. He is too talented to have just 14 catches.

6. Carroll (5-5): Carroll slots back into the CCIW in the middle of the pack. 8 starters return on offense including their QB and top RB, both of whom are very good. 4 of 5 OL and 6 starters back on defense. They have only 4 road games (@Augie, @Elmhurst, @NCC and @Wheaton) and I see them winning 4 of 5 at home and 1 game on the road.

7. North Park (4-6): North Park has 2 players who are as good at their position as anyone in the league and are AA candidates in my view. Devin Childress is a big boy receiver with great talent and Chaun Maiava is as good an LB as we have in the conference. They return 8 starters on defense and 6 on offense. TD Conway is a 3 year starter at QB and if he can complete closer to 65% of his passes NPU could finish higher as their defense will be much improved. I see a lot of optimism on Foster as the Vikings will likely win 4 of their first 5 games before finishing with a brutal slate October and November.

8. Elmhurst (2-8): Josh Williams comes back to finish his career and if he can stay healthy and carry the load, Elmhurst could surprise a few folks with 4 of 5 OL back. 7 offensive starters and 8 defensive starters return. Warsen and Wetherell are back as their leading tacklers. Not a lot of depth on this Elmhurst squad who will need more consistency from young QB Orlando Hernandez to stay competitive this year. Road games @Loras, @ Olivet, @Augie, @Wheaton, @IWU and @NCC aren't doing the BlueJays any favors.

9. Millikin: (1-9): 8 starters back on offense (6 of whom were freshman last year) and 7 back on defense for a new coach and a new system . Nicco Stepina returns at QB with Andre Colvin and Patrick Ganley at RB and all 5 OL gives the Big Blue some hope. They have a chance to win their first two games @Greenville and vs Rose Hulman but it will be tough sledding from their until their last game @Elmhurst.

I think there are 3.5 distinct tiers this year in the league. NCC/Wheaton....Carthage/Augie/IWU....Carroll/NPU..Elmhurst/Millikin. The conference has a lot of talent returning as 8 of the 9 schools have returning QB's and all 9 return their top RB. Every school has at least 14 starters back with two schools returning 18+ starters. The CCIW is poised to have a good year as a conference. Should be some exciting games.

Always appreciate your insight USEE. Your knowledge on ALL teams in the CCIW never ceases to amaze...

Entering the 2016 season, I see Wheaton as loaded on offense as they've ever been. 2 stud QB's (JP11, AB2), a stout line, and AA TE in Lindquist, and an explosive backfied, lead by Sola. Early in the 2015 season, it seemed to me like Sola's "football instincts" were a tad slow, but the progression this young man showed throughout the season was impressive. By the time Wheaton hosted purple power UWW in the 2nd round, I'll stand by my argument that he was the best player on the field. My biggest area of concern on offense would be WR. #13 Trey Hanley and #87 Matt Norton are both very good slot/possession type receivers. Who's going to stretch the field? #5 Carson Lien? #3 Chase White?

Defensively, big shoes to fill in losing Dansdill, Swider, & McCrae. Looks like #49 (from last year) Chase Greenlee will be rocking #3 this year. Chase was solid against the run as a Soph. Wheaton will need Greenlee to become much more of a force in rushing the passer in 2016. #91 (from last year) Noah Spielman will be rocking #5. Can't remember the last time I saw a stud DT wear a single digit, but hey, bring it. Look good, feel good, play good, Noah!

Can anyone shed some light on which LB's will replace Dansdill & Swider?

Wasn't too happy to see we play both NCC and IWU on the road again this year. NCC returns the majority of 7-3 squad that was every bit as good as the #15 national ranking to end the season. Take away a punt return from Plateville, Joe Callahan magic from Wesley, and an incredible Hail Mary before the half by AA TE ZL89, and NCC could have easily been 10-0. Travelling to Naperville on OCT 15th and walking away victorious will be a monumental task. I trust the Thunder are up for the challenge!

Wheaton Thunder Football 2016... LET'S ROLL!