FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Gregory Sager]

I felt very strongly that Scott Pethtel and Mike Conway were great coaches with strong leadership capabilities. I still do. And I look forward to seeing whether Kyle Rooker has those qualities as well.

NPU has hired very well for football over the past thirteen years. You won't hear a single complaint from me about any of those last three head-coach hires by now-retired AD Jack Surridge. The cumulative GPA of the team went up nearly a full point over the course of Pethtel's tenure, and early on in his stay he brought the number of players on the roster from about 30 up to about 90. And under Conway the roster got up above 100 and remained there for most of his tenure, allowing NPU to play junior varsity schedules for several seasons for the first time in eons. Plus, he opened up the school as a whole to a brand-new student recruitment zone, the Pacific islands. More than that, the quality of student-athletes that Scott and Mike recruited, in social terms as well as academic terms, improved remarkably from what it had been before. Coaching is looked at as a bottom-line profession, with wins and losses as the bottom line, and that's an attitude that has seeped down into D3 to the point where the other stuff that I've talked about -- the stuff that actually matters in terms of a school's institutional profile, as opposed to the outcome of football games -- gets overlooked on d3boards.com.

You talk about foundation, 79jb, and the truth can't be avoided that, to use the parable in Matthew 7 and Luke 6 as an analogy, it's hard to build a foundation upon sand when others have the opportunity to build theirs upon rock. North Park has inherent institutional limitations that, unlike in other sports, will always keep a low ceiling for success in place for Vikings football. That truth cannot be avoided or overcome. But it hasn't meant that NPU has lacked great coaches. On the contrary, it's had a couple of great ones in this decade, in my estimation, and as I said I look forward to seeing Kyle Rooker aspire to match that -- even while I also expect him to diligently ignore what I just said by trying to build a winning football program. And I will support him as he completely disregards my realistic appraisal of his odds at building it.

Not sure if you were mentioning this from a football/competitive aspect or if you meant it from this angle, but in the fierce race for butts in seats at most D3 schools increasing your roster size and helping enrollment (especially with quality students) is a big deal and should be valued properly.  Very often those are students who wouldn't be on your campus otherwise.  If you can increase your enrollment and geographic reach with quality kids through an athletic program that's a big win IMO.

Yep, that's a big part of what I applauded about the past two NPU head coaches.

[79jaybird]

Very true Greg and at Elmhurst athletics will always take a back seat to other features of the college.  IMO I've often felt Elmhurst has (some sports) just to say they have it.  But reality is they don't put a lot of value and/or time and efforts into it.   

[AndOne]

An emerging weapon. Someone to keep an eye on.........

North Central 6'4" junior wide receiver Blake Williams has not yet been listed among the top six wideouts on the Cardinals two-deep roster. Yet, he currently stands second on the team with 13 receptions (1 TD) after the first two games. His 13 catches trail only preseason AA Andrew Kamienski who has 24. He is averaging 120 yards per game, and leads the Cardinals with an average of 18.5 yards per catch. Williams hauled in the Cards' longest pass so far this year, a 48 yarder.
It will be interesting to see how his development continues. 🏈

Not surprisingly, the current Cardinal Game Notes indicate that Blake Williams has moved into one of the three starting wideout positions, and will make his debut as a starter this Saturday vs. North Park. The 6'4" Williams will be going against a NPU secondary comprised of corners standing 5'9" and 6'0," and safeties measuring 5'6" and 5'10."

[Gregory Sager]

An emerging weapon. Someone to keep an eye on.........

North Central 6'4" junior wide receiver Blake Williams has not yet been listed among the top six wideouts on the Cardinals two-deep roster. Yet, he currently stands second on the team with 13 receptions (1 TD) after the first two games. His 13 catches trail only preseason AA Andrew Kamienski who has 24. He is averaging 120 yards per game, and leads the Cardinals with an average of 18.5 yards per catch. Williams hauled in the Cards' longest pass so far this year, a 48 yarder.
It will be interesting to see how his development continues. 🏈

Not surprisingly, the current Cardinal Game Notes indicate that Blake Williams has moved into one of the three starting wideout positions, and will make his debut as a starter this Saturday vs. North Park. The 6'4" Williams will be going against a NPU secondary comprised of corners standing 5'9" and 6'0," and safeties measuring 5'6" and 5'10."

File this under D for "Duh".

As for Millikin, in the third quarter when the rain was at its worst, the Big Blue gained 235 yards on 35 plays -- an average of 6.7 yards per play -- and that was in spite of the fact that Dan Gritti had gone conservative and was no longer instructing Cal Pohrte to throw over the top. If he had, Jordan Smith would've gained over 300 yards receiving on the day and who knows how many touchdowns; NPU has nobody who can guard a 6'4, 205 wideout with Smith's abilities. Dalton McKay is a good cornerback, and he's by far NPU's biggest player in the defensive secondary, but he's only 6'0, 175, and he doesn't have a big edge over Smith in speed or hops that would negate Smith's advantages.

[USee]

An emerging weapon. Someone to keep an eye on.........

North Central 6'4" junior wide receiver Blake Williams has not yet been listed among the top six wideouts on the Cardinals two-deep roster. Yet, he currently stands second on the team with 13 receptions (1 TD) after the first two games. His 13 catches trail only preseason AA Andrew Kamienski who has 24. He is averaging 120 yards per game, and leads the Cardinals with an average of 18.5 yards per catch. Williams hauled in the Cards' longest pass so far this year, a 48 yarder.
It will be interesting to see how his development continues. 🏈

Not surprisingly, the current Cardinal Game Notes indicate that Blake Williams has moved into one of the three starting wideout positions, and will make his debut as a starter this Saturday vs. North Park. The 6'4" Williams will be going against a NPU secondary comprised of corners standing 5'9" and 6'0," and safeties measuring 5'6" and 5'10."

I think you will find most D3 secondaries with similar heights. Next week your boy faces 5-8, 5-9, 5-10, 6-0 in the secondary. 6-5 Jack Healy faced those guys last week.

I have been impressed with the NCC WR group this year through 2 games. Kamienski is a known quantity but the departure of he who shall not be named to NCC West, I was interested to see what kind of WR group would emerge for #9. Blake Williams is really good. The 42 yd throw and catch vs Wash U last week was one of the best I have seen this year. DeAngelo Hardy is a great weapon and Terrance Hill has emerged as a quality RB who can catch the ball. The Cardinals are talented around Rutter on Offense for sure.

[AndOne]

An emerging weapon. Someone to keep an eye on.........

North Central 6'4" junior wide receiver Blake Williams has not yet been listed among the top six wideouts on the Cardinals two-deep roster. Yet, he currently stands second on the team with 13 receptions (1 TD) after the first two games. His 13 catches trail only preseason AA Andrew Kamienski who has 24. He is averaging 120 yards per game, and leads the Cardinals with an average of 18.5 yards per catch. Williams hauled in the Cards' longest pass so far this year, a 48 yarder.
It will be interesting to see how his development continues. 🏈

Not surprisingly, the current Cardinal Game Notes indicate that Blake Williams has moved into one of the three starting wideout positions, and will make his debut as a starter this Saturday vs. North Park. The 6'4" Williams will be going against a NPU secondary comprised of corners standing 5'9" and 6'0," and safeties measuring 5'6" and 5'10."

File this under D for "Duh".

As for Millikin, in the third quarter when the rain was at its worst, the Big Blue gained 235 yards on 35 plays -- an average of 6.7 yards per play -- and that was in spite of the fact that Dan Gritti had gone conservative and was no longer instructing Cal Pohrte to throw over the top. If he had, Jordan Smith would've gained over 300 yards receiving on the day and who knows how many touchdowns; NPU has nobody who can guard a 6'4, 205 wideout with Smith's abilities. Dalton McKay is a good cornerback, and he's by far NPU's biggest player in the defensive secondary, but he's only 6'0, 175, and he doesn't have a big edge over Smith in speed or hops that would negate Smith's advantages.

Well, please excuse my rather mundane thought that it might be interesting to note that a player who wasn't among the top 6 in either of the first two games has broken into the starting lineup.

Also, for evidently not reading your post about last Saturday's wildly exciting Millikin-NPU result.

Looks like I owe you TWO 6 packs of Bud Light. Dilly, Dilly. 

[hazzben]

The top of the CCIW looks crazy good this year (no news for you guys). But I can't wait to watch this shake out. Especially since you guys are known to throw the script out the window and give us some surprise results. Count me in as an unless-biased observer.

[AndOne]

An emerging weapon. Someone to keep an eye on.........

North Central 6'4" junior wide receiver Blake Williams has not yet been listed among the top six wideouts on the Cardinals two-deep roster. Yet, he currently stands second on the team with 13 receptions (1 TD) after the first two games. His 13 catches trail only preseason AA Andrew Kamienski who has 24. He is averaging 120 yards per game, and leads the Cardinals with an average of 18.5 yards per catch. Williams hauled in the Cards' longest pass so far this year, a 48 yarder.
It will be interesting to see how his development continues. 🏈

Not surprisingly, the current Cardinal Game Notes indicate that Blake Williams has moved into one of the three starting wideout positions, and will make his debut as a starter this Saturday vs. North Park. The 6'4" Williams will be going against a NPU secondary comprised of corners standing 5'9" and 6'0," and safeties measuring 5'6" and 5'10."

I think you will find most D3 secondaries with similar heights. Next week you boy faces 5-8, 5-9, 5-10, 6-0 in the secondary. 6-5 Jack Healy faced those guys last week.

I have been impressed with the NCC WR group this year through 2 games. Kamienski is a known quantity but the departure of he who shall not be named to NCC West, I was interested to see what kind of WR group would emerge for #9. Blake Williams is really good. The 42 yd throw and catch vs Wash U last week was one of the best I have seen this year. DeAngelo Hardy is a great weapon and Terrance Hill has emerged as a quality RB who can catch the ball. The Cardinals are talented around Rutter on Offense for sure.

Hopefully, the Cardinals will be able to make more effective use of the above referenced player against the talented Thunder defenders, than IWU was able to with Healy last week.

Sometimes we all, myself included, need to take a little more care with regard to our characterizations of others. 🤔

[USee]

Nice try. I am not biting. #sorryforthetypo #fatfingeredit

[Gregory Sager]

An emerging weapon. Someone to keep an eye on.........

North Central 6'4" junior wide receiver Blake Williams has not yet been listed among the top six wideouts on the Cardinals two-deep roster. Yet, he currently stands second on the team with 13 receptions (1 TD) after the first two games. His 13 catches trail only preseason AA Andrew Kamienski who has 24. He is averaging 120 yards per game, and leads the Cardinals with an average of 18.5 yards per catch. Williams hauled in the Cards' longest pass so far this year, a 48 yarder.
It will be interesting to see how his development continues. 🏈

Not surprisingly, the current Cardinal Game Notes indicate that Blake Williams has moved into one of the three starting wideout positions, and will make his debut as a starter this Saturday vs. North Park. The 6'4" Williams will be going against a NPU secondary comprised of corners standing 5'9" and 6'0," and safeties measuring 5'6" and 5'10."

File this under D for "Duh".

As for Millikin, in the third quarter when the rain was at its worst, the Big Blue gained 235 yards on 35 plays -- an average of 6.7 yards per play -- and that was in spite of the fact that Dan Gritti had gone conservative and was no longer instructing Cal Pohrte to throw over the top. If he had, Jordan Smith would've gained over 300 yards receiving on the day and who knows how many touchdowns; NPU has nobody who can guard a 6'4, 205 wideout with Smith's abilities. Dalton McKay is a good cornerback, and he's by far NPU's biggest player in the defensive secondary, but he's only 6'0, 175, and he doesn't have a big edge over Smith in speed or hops that would negate Smith's advantages.

Well, please excuse my rather mundane thought that it might be interesting to note that a player who wasn't among the top 6 in either of the first two games has broken into the starting lineup.

Also, for evidently not reading your post about last Saturday's wildly exciting Millikin-NPU result.

You're excused.

Looks like I owe you TWO 6 packs of Bud Light. Dilly, Dilly. 

[USee]

My game of the week is Augustana @IWU. I identified Angie as a team that could demonstrate vast improvement over last year with the number of returning starters. So far this season they have been dominant on defense while going 2-0, only giving up 16 pts total. Coe is a middle of the pack American Rivers team and Elmhurst isn't going to surprise anyone this year. That said, we don't know how good Augie is this year but will find out today in Bloomington as Augie brings the #3 offense and defense to battle 0-2 IWU.

[devildog29]

FWIW if any IWU administrators actually follow this, the Stretch Internet platform is awful.  The YouTube platform Wheaton and UWL were using is a much more reliable platform. 

[Augie6]

At half in Bloomington, IWU over Augie 14-10.  Really questionable play calling at the end of the first half, as Augie has a 1st and goal from the 5 with about 30 seconds left and one timeout.  On first down, the run up the middle for a gain of one and then spike it on second down to stop the clock.   A QB scramble to the 2 yard line and out of bounds to stop the clock, makes it 4th down and they kick the FG.  Why in the hell would you give away a down that close to the goal line with a chance to tie?  Even if you want to go with the run on first down, you call the next play in the huddle and, if you don't score, you get up to the line of scrimmage and run that play.  That could come back to haunt them based on how the 2nd half goes. 

[Augie6]

FWIW if any IWU administrators actually follow this, the Stretch Internet platform is awful.  The YouTube platform Wheaton and UWL were using is a much more reliable platform.

Agree with you DD29, the feed is really bad.  Keeps dropping for 15-20 seconds at a time, comes back up for maybe 30 secs, then drops again. 

[Pat Coleman]

I'd recommend tweeting your dissatisfaction at @stretchinternet so they can see it.