FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[WUPHF]

I was there and about froze my ass off -- such a beautiful afternoon, then the wind came and things got crazy with the wind and cold. 

I was wearing a long sleeve t-shirt just before driving to campus at 5:45 pm.

By the end of the game, I was more or less wearing what I wear when skiing in the UP.

The wind chill was apparently 25 F.

Absolutely worth it!

[Mr. Ypsi]

It was a fun game to watch in person (especially if you had a Thermos of coffee or hot chocolate with you for the chilly 2nd half), and it was a fun game to call in the press box booth.  I thought both teams played well, and the coaching staffs of both teams made adjustments that paid off for their teams.  In a game like that, between two conference title contenders, the outcome often hinges on how well a team limits mistakes. 

The Titans were a little bit better in that department...and that's why they secured the win at WashU last night.

Of course, the elephant in the phone booth was the running-into-the-punter penalty, with about 6 minutes to go in the 3rd quarter in a tie game.  Only a 5-yard penalty, but enough to extend the possession and give the savvy Brandon Bauer a chance to make the Bears pay for it.  Which he did, with a HUGE 21-yard strike on a post pattern to Zach Walsh on a 3rd-and-15, and I believe there was a pass to Jack Healy of 10 yards on a 4th-and-4 that produced a 1st-and-goal at the WashU 6 (later the 3 after a penalty on the play).  Bauer called his own number for a TD, on a 17-play drive that took away a nice chunk of time away from the WashU offense.

WashU was whistled for 9 penalties in the game--50% increase from its season average.  A few that really hurt were the aforementioned RIP penalty, a cut block on a 3rd-and-2 at the IWU 37 late in the 1st quarter negated a promising drive led by reserve WashU QB Ryan Arthur; eventually producing a punt.  And, in the 4th quarter, WashU started from its own 6 but got a first down at its 21 and seemed to have some momentum building.  But, that was short-circuited by a false start penalty that created a 1st-and-15 at the Bears' 16 yard line.  That possession also resulted in a punt.

WashU did a very good job of preventing damage from its two turnovers...an INT and a lost fumble.  But the cost was two possessions taken away when every one was critical in the Bears' attempt to get that elusive go-ahead TD in the 4th quarter, after the defense played tremendous and allowed only 97 yards of total offense in the 2nd half.

And, a game ball should go to IWU punter Brock Krohe.  His last 3 punts pinned WashU at its 6, 16, and 8 yard line for the Bears' final 3 possessions.  That forced the Bears to cover too much real estate in the short time that they had left. 

Other kudos to:

WashU QB Ryan Arthur:  reserve QB engineered a game-tying scoring drive in Johnny Davidson's absence due to injury in the 1st half.
WashU WR Alex Fehlinger:  8 catches filling in for the injured Jason Singer.
WashU LB Jake Coon:  16 tackles...a one-man wrecking crew.
WashU reserve P Tim Tague:  6 punts, 36.3 avg, longest 47 yds.  Well done in place of Davidson throughout the entire game
WashU DB Andrew Whitaker:  2nd blocked FG of the season.  Might have the most in the nation over the past two seasons.
WashU DBs Ben Marcus & Matt Bernstein:  15 and 12 tackles from the secondary.  Yeoman work.
IWU's Eric Dubose:  7 tackles, forced and recovered a fumble on the same play.  Hard to handle all night long
IWU LB Keenan Scott:  listed as a reserve, had 13 tackles.
IWU DB Justin Correll:  also a reserve on the two-deep chart, but had a very good coverage night IMO
IWU's Jack Healy and Zach Walsh:  Two #1 receivers made big plays to extend possessions and set up scores
IWU QB Brandon Bauer:  A game manager, in the most positive sense of the term.  Never forced a dangerous situation, made big throws when he needed them, and made nice placements on two or three low snaps on extra points.

On a night when things looked to be even between the two teams, IWU made fewer mistakes and deserved the hard-earned victory.

WHAT A GAME!!

First time I've caught your broadcast, since it is your first year in the conference.  GREAT job!

Extreme homers are fun (to a point) for the home fans (U of Michigan had a guy, the late Bob Ufer, who was a classic of that ilk, but even as a UM fan I sometimes tired of him), but I generally expect (and don't resent) a certain degree of homerism - I didn't feel ANY of that from you.  I thought you were scrupulously fair to both teams, and called for just the right replays.  I may well check you out even when I have no particular interest in the game!

[Gregory Sager]

First time I've caught your broadcast, since it is your first year in the conference.  GREAT job!

Extreme homers are fun (to a point) for the home fans (U of Michigan had a guy, the late Bob Ufer, who was a classic of that ilk, but even as a UM fan I sometimes tired of him), but I generally expect (and don't resent) a certain degree of homerism - I didn't feel ANY of that from you.  I thought you were scrupulously fair to both teams, and called for just the right replays.  I may well check you out even when I have no particular interest in the game!

Chuck, color me surprised that you've never heard Jay Murry call a game before, especially since your Titans have played Wash U in men's basketball every season for the past 18 years.

But, yeah, now you've discovered what so many of the rest of us already know, which is that Jay is one of the best PBP broadcasters in the business.

[Mr. Ypsi]

First time I've caught your broadcast, since it is your first year in the conference.  GREAT job!

Extreme homers are fun (to a point) for the home fans (U of Michigan had a guy, the late Bob Ufer, who was a classic of that ilk, but even as a UM fan I sometimes tired of him), but I generally expect (and don't resent) a certain degree of homerism - I didn't feel ANY of that from you.  I thought you were scrupulously fair to both teams, and called for just the right replays.  I may well check you out even when I have no particular interest in the game!

Chuck, color me surprised that you've never heard Jay Murry call a game before, especially since your Titans have played Wash U in men's basketball every season for the past 18 years.

But, yeah, now you've discovered what so many of the rest of us already know, which is that Jay is one of the best PBP broadcasters in the business.

I guess I have heard him before - I just didn't connect that the bball announcer was also the fball announcer.

[iwu70]

Congrats to IWU QB Brandon Bauer on his Offensive Player of the Week award in CCIW -- for his performance vs. Wash U.   Keep it up QB Bauer!

IWU'70

[AndOne]

And congrats to North Central's DJ Warkenthien on being named the CCIW Defensive Player of the Week.

Not only was DJ named CCIW DPW, but he was also recognized as one of the 3 linebackers on the D3Football.com National Team of the Week.

Against Carthage, his 9 tackles (8 solo) led the team for the fifth time in seven games. He had a season high of 4 tackles for loss, and ended 3 second half Carthage drives with tackles on 3rd down.
This was the 2nd time this season that Warkenthien made the National Team of the Week. 🏈 🥇 🥇

[AndOne]

CCIW title contenders...

-Illinois Wesleyan: 6-0 (at Millikin, vs North Central, at North Park)
-Millikin: 5-1 (vs Illinois Wesleyan, vs Washington U, at North Central)
-North Central: 5-1 (vs Elmhurst, at Illinois Wesleyan, vs Millikin)
-Washington U: 4-2 (at Augustana, at Millikin, vs Carroll)
-Wheaton: 4-2 (vs Carroll, at Carthage, vs Elmhurst)

It appears Wheaton has the "easiest" road to the end of the regular season, but as USee has prev stated, their playoff chances are likely already toast even if they post Ws in their remaining games

[iwu70]

And MU has the toughest.

IF IWU can get past MU this Saturday evening, then the big showdown game will be NCC @IWU, as many of us expected long ago. 

Three more exciting weeks.

'70

[79jaybird]

Still the crown is open for the taking.  Bring your "A" game or go home.

An adrenaline rushed EC team showed up Saturday, fueled by the HC crowd.  Was great to see a ton of Alumni and former classmates.
IMO, a fully equipped Big Blue roster would have pounded Elmhurst. So with the injuries,  Elmhurst kept it close.  Halloway had a nice game for Elmhurst.  Perhaps something to build on for a team in much need of leadership.  The inclement weather definitely made teams have to adapt to conditions. 

[USee]

CCIW title contenders...

-Illinois Wesleyan: 6-0 (at Millikin, vs North Central, at North Park)
-Millikin: 5-1 (vs Illinois Wesleyan, vs Washington U, at North Central)
-North Central: 5-1 (vs Elmhurst, at Illinois Wesleyan, vs Millikin)
-Washington U: 4-2 (at Augustana, at Millikin, vs Carroll)
-Wheaton: 4-2 (vs Carroll, at Carthage, vs Elmhurst)

It appears Wheaton has the "easiest" road to the end of the regular season, but as USee has prev stated, their playoff chances are likely already toast even if they post Ws in their remaining games

Wheaton's only real shot is for these teams to end in a 5 way tie, all with 2 losses. A lot of weird stuff would have to happen including IWU losing 2 of 3 and Millikin beating IWU and NCC but losing to WashU.

So you're saying there's a chance!

[thunderdog]

It appears Wheaton has the "easiest" road to the end of the regular season, but as USee has prev stated, their playoff chances are likely already toast even if they post Ws in their remaining games

To take this a step further, in most scenarios, the CCIW is trending towards only 1 playoff representative. At this point, it's a guarantee that the "next up" from the CCIW (still very much undetermined on who that may be) after the automatic bid, will have 2 losses. That ain't good for "our" (I use that term "our" very loosely) chances. IMO, 3 of the 5 pool C bids are locked up by the WIAC (UWO), MIAC (UST/Bethel winner), and OAC (John Carroll). That's 2 teams from the West, 1 from the North. You can bet your bottom dollar there will be worthy 1-loss teams from both the East and South to round out the at large bids. Unless we get some chaos throughout the nation, the CCIW's pool C chances are on life support.

Also, IMO, the only potential 2 loss team that could sneak into the playoffs via a worthy resume, would be Wheaton. With wins over (likely regionally ranked) NCC & Monmouth, they have a lot riding on Millikin. If Millikin can finish the season strong and make the regional rankings, that would give Wheaton a 3rd RRO. I'd be willing to bet they'd be the only pool C candidate with 3 RROs (in the win category). Now, last week's 14-13 win (a Nikko Stepina-less win) over Elmhurst doesn't exactly instill a ton of confidence that this is likely, but it's still a possibility.

All that^ said, all I've got to say is:
Go Big Blue!

[J Fan]

Still the crown is open for the taking.  Bring your "A" game or go home.

An adrenaline rushed EC team showed up Saturday, fueled by the HC crowd.  Was great to see a ton of Alumni and former classmates.
IMO, a fully equipped Big Blue roster would have pounded Elmhurst. So with the injuries,  Elmhurst kept it close.  Halloway had a nice game for Elmhurst.  Perhaps something to build on for a team in much need of leadership.  The inclement weather definitely made teams have to adapt to conditions.

All teams have injuries.  Was it the Wash U entry that made all the teams take a bye week before the played any games or just one game?  I'm sure all teams would like to get the bye week at this time of the season to get some players healthy with a 2 week break.  Is this just a one year thing?

[iwu70]

Is the MU QB able to play this week vs. IWU?

Should be a good game -- another evening game at MU.

Titans need this one too -- to set up the showdown game with NCC on November 3rd at Tucci @Wilder Field.

'70

[wally_wabash]

Still the crown is open for the taking.  Bring your "A" game or go home.

An adrenaline rushed EC team showed up Saturday, fueled by the HC crowd.  Was great to see a ton of Alumni and former classmates.
IMO, a fully equipped Big Blue roster would have pounded Elmhurst. So with the injuries,  Elmhurst kept it close.  Halloway had a nice game for Elmhurst.  Perhaps something to build on for a team in much need of leadership.  The inclement weather definitely made teams have to adapt to conditions.

All teams have injuries.  Was it the Wash U entry that made all the teams take a bye week before the played any games or just one game?  I'm sure all teams would like to get the bye week at this time of the season to get some players healthy with a 2 week break.  Is this just a one year thing?

Basically nobody gets bye weeks at this time of the year.  Teams getting bye weeks now are either independents or play in leagues with an odd number of teams. 

Now that the CCIW is a 10-team league playing a full round robin, I'm sure that your friendly league office finds it most convenient to schedule that 9-week round robin consecutively from weeks 3-11.  That leaves Weeks 1 and 2 for your non-conference game and for a week off, in whatever order a team wants to take them. 

Since the NCAC moved to a full round robin a handful of years ago, there are some matchups that have been moved to create bye weeks later in the season.  This year, Wabash and Hiram moved a game that was scheduled for Week 4 up to Week 1 because both teams had Week 1 open and both sides (coaches/ADs/whoever) thought it was mutually beneficial to play week 1 against a conference opponent and take the bye week later on.  I suppose the league could schedule a bye week later in the year for the entire conference by planning to play a full league slate in Week 1 or 2, but that would also force every other team in the league to find a game during the Week 1 or 2 that isn't being used for league play...and not having even that tiny bit of flexibility could be tough on teams needing to find a non-league opponent. 

[USee]

Is the MU QB able to play this week vs. IWU?

Should be a good game -- another evening game at MU.

Titans need this one too -- to set up the showdown game with NCC on November 3rd at Tucci @Wilder Field.

'70

The only way this has the potential to be a "good game" is if Nico Stepina suits up. He didn't play last week after leaving 2 weeks ago in the 1st half at Carthage with a lower leg injury.