FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[formerd3db]

matblake:
No problem about any long post.  Interesting statistics and thanks for the effort in checking that out for us.

[Jim Matson]

From a local Dekalb paper:

"Third-string QB Zach Ullrich (Wheaton North) will transfer to D-III Wheaton College."

So a 3rd stringer at a program like NIU...sounds like he'll have some good experience, but I doubt he'll walk on and take over right away.

And from another on-line source:

"Zach Ullrich, Soph. - Ullrich saw mopup duty last year completing one pass for eight yards. He's not all that big and isn't much of a runner, but he's a mature sophomore who would handle himself well if needed to step in."

Hmmmm.

[Mugsy]

From a local Dekalb paper:

"Third-string QB Zach Ullrich (Wheaton North) will transfer to D-III Wheaton College."

So a 3rd stringer at a program like NIU...sounds like he'll have some good experience, but I doubt he'll walk on and take over right away.

And from another on-line source:

"Zach Ullrich, Soph. - Ullrich saw mopup duty last year completing one pass for eight yards. He's not all that big and isn't much of a runner, but he's a mature sophomore who would handle himself well if needed to step in."

Hmmmm.

He was actually 2nd string for a bit.  2nd string QB from a top 30 DI program... I doubt there would be many D3 schools who wouldn't be happy to bring him into the program.  While he may not be a strong runner, that doesn't mean he isn't an excellent QB.  He has a very strong arm and is a VERY strong leader.

While he won't just walk it and take over right away, if Chupp struggles at all, don't be surprised if Ullrich is given the job.

Again having 2 strong QB candidates is a better position to be in than only one.

[matblake]

I think that Swider and Hardy have to be pleased.  I am sure that there are some other QB's on Wheaton's roster that were looking forward to their shot too.  I just hope that a definitive starter will be named.  I don't like tag team quarterbacks or any situation like that.

[Mugsy]

Swider is not one to tag team QB's.  By the start of the season, there will be a definitive starter named.

[zorbadagreek]

Just because he wasnt a good runner at a D1 program does not mean he wont run wild in the CCIW!!!

[79jaybird]

We have seen and heard a lot about the skilled positions and the recruits who will be handling the ball.  What about the linemen?  The pigs that make or break each play? Has anybody heard anything about the lines (both O and D)?
At Elmhurst, their D-Line will be very strong, I don't know much about their O-Line.

[Augie6]

jdean,

I know Augie did it back in the 80's.  I started for three of those championship teams and played in all four national championship games.  The difference between the conference then and now is what I'm referring to.  Augie was the dominant program, Wheaton and Millikin were good but not great, and the rest of the conference was not that good.  As usee points out in his comments about Augie monopolizing talent, we would typically get the top caliber DIII level players from the Chicago area and within Illinois, and the rest would go to other schools.  That is not the case now and the talent pool has been diversified throughout the CCIW.  My point is simply this:  I think it will be difficult for a CCIW team to win a national championship if the talent pool is diluted to the point where 4-6 teams have the chance to win the conference each year.  Teams may win a game or two in the playoffs each year, but I'm not sure we will be able to take the next step and beat the top few teams in DIII.

[lakeshore]

The state of Illinois has many, many D3 programs not in the CCIW.  Not to say that the caliber of these schools compares to the CCIW but they do take a few good players here and there that further dilute the prospects of one CCIW school dominating the way Augie used to.  The states of Illinois and Ohio have very few D2 schools and the caliber of D3's shows up in recruiting.  The OAC and CCIW get a lot of D2 type players.

[Anonymous]

Ullrich was indeed 2nd string at the beginning of last season at Northern Illinois. He was somewhat burried on the depth chart for reasons unknown. He may not have top end speed but he is a good runner and posseses good field quickness. It will be very interesting to see how he makes the adjustment but it is indeed a good problem for Swider to have.

[Jim Matson]

I think what Ullrich will bring to Wheaton is a bit more stability than we are used to.  Ullrich doesn't have the speed or agility that some have, but after reading more about him, he think he'll be ideal at running an offense - maturity as a result of experience.

[matblake]

It has now been almost a week (short by 13 hours or so) since the last post.  Hope everyone is enjoying their springtime nap!

[79jaybird]

This weather is for the birds!  I haven't seen the sun in 5 days! 
This is from today's  Daily Herald
Bill Helzer 29, is the third football head coach in the school's (Hoffmann Estates HS) history.
He's a 1994 Prospect HS (my alma mater  ) graduate and went to North Park College, where he was a two-time All CCIW pck during his 4 year career, and played in  the D-3 All-American Game. 
Good luck to Bill and a loyal CCIW Alumnus.  Hope Hoffmann can right the ship and get back to their winning ways.

[matblake]

Jaybird, do you know what size school Hoffman Estates is?  Also, I don't know what they were like in 94, but in the early 90's Prospect was a candidate for worst football team in the Northern Suburbs along with my alma mater Mundelein.

[irish21]

Mat...Hoffman would probably be 7A. Hopefully Mundelein's fortunes will turn around like Prospect's did the past few years!!