FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Augie6]

CardAlum,

I agree that one of the best things to happen to Augie was losing DeGeorge.  His "read and react" defensive schemes were not getting it done.

HughJass,

Let's be realistic about Barnes.  Consistently finishing in the top tier of a tough conference and coming within 3-4 minutes of 4 straight playoff appearances will not result in a coaching change at the D-III level.  As a former player, I am extremely disappointed how we finished several of the past few seasons and, hopefully, with a change in the D-Coord position, we will find a defense that can make a critical stop in a big game.

Vikes35,

Don't sell a recruit short just because he's a little small coming in.  I was 5'9'' and 147 lbs my freshman year at Augie but finished my senior year at 190.  A couple of my classmates (Brad Price 5'5" 175 lbs and Bob Guerrieri 5'7" 180) weren't what you would call "big guys", but for those that remember our championship teams, they could play.  If this Podulka is a good runner, he could be shifted to the wing position.  During the mid 80's, we had a lot of players end up at different positions than they were originally recruited for. 

[Mugsy]

Playing against Price & Guerrieri, I can attest to the fact that while not big, they were tough as nails and would deliever a blow every play.  Now the linemen in front of them, those guys were some "hogs"...

[dansand]

I've always felt that for running backs in Augie's offense,
it was actually an advantage to be short. Price,  the Guerrieris, Rick Papke, Craig Allison, George Velasquez were all great backs during the Bob Reade era and I don't think any of them topped 5'8. Reade's Wing-T was a sleight-of-hand type of offense that emphasized ball-faking by the quarterback and small halfbacks and wingbacks sometimes are harder for defenses to find.  Surprisingly, during the national championship years, the Viking offensive lines weren't exceptionally big either. In fact, Jon Bothe, at about 245, was the biggest starter on the '86 offensive line and starting tackle Phil Hasz went a whopping 195. Reading about Podulka on the internet, what surprised me wasn't that he was a good runner, but that according to at least two stories I read he supposedly completed 68% of his passes. Finally I agree with all the Augie posters that I'm looking forward to, hopefully, a more aggressive defensive scheme. They need to force more turnovers and pressure the quarterback better.

[Augie6]

DanSand,

Agree with most of your post as it relates to the Augie's running backs and the ball fakes which are a very important part of running the wing-T.  Especially agree with the comments about the defense which I have also made several times on this board.  However, during the championship seasons (with the exception of 1986), we had some very large offensive lines.  Kurt Kapischke, Steve Powers, Greg King, Tim Holmstrom, Jeff Widdop, Steve Sanders, and John Bothe (to name a few) were all multi-year starters and pretty large guys for the era.  Other than 1986, there weren't many O'lines that we played against who were bigger.  In 1986, we had several new starters on the offensive line with Jeff Gorden switching from the D Line and Phil Hasz switching from tight end  (Bothe came into Augie as a tight end as well and ended up an All American center).  We got off to a rough start (0-0 tie with Elmhurst), however, by the end of the season, the O-line was performing at a level consistent with the other championship O-lines.

[Mr. Ypsi]

A lack of height doesn't necessarily seem to be an impediment at ANY level.  Barry Sanders (who would have put the NFL rushing yardarge record out of reach of mere mortals if he had not suddenly retired at the top of his game) was (and, I suppose, still is!) all of 5'8".

[Mr. Ypsi]

Can anyone explain the trials and tribulations in Bloomington since 2002?

I recall that the last two seasons there have been a lot of posters blaming the coach, but it was the same coach when IWU won 79% of their CCIW games from 1990-2001 - long-term coaches don't generally 'lose it' overnight!  There must be something more to explain going from 67-18 to 8-13.

Yeah, I know, that probably is pretty similar to Joe Paterno's records over the same period, but we're not talking about a guy who is 103-years-old!  I imagine JoePa's problem is everybody telling his potential recruits 'go to PSU and who knows who your coach wll be when you're a soph?'

So...  Just a slump that every program is bound to go through sometime, or have the wheels come off the bus?  (And, if so, why?)

[irish21]

Who do you think has the toughest non-conference schedule? There doesn't appear to be too many tests for any of the CCIW schools. Hope, Wash U and UW-Platteville appear to be the only solid opponents.

[devildog29]

Ypsi or Cabonney or whichever you choose, as a former Titan squad member in the mid 90s, I can assure you that Norm Eash didn't just "lose it" overnight as you said.  From what I can tell through both observation and connections to the staff, I believe their problems stem from a multitude of areas.  First, it's my understanding that admission standards have tightened a bit over the last 5 or 6 years, so certain borderline academic recruits are not getting admitted very often anymore, though I'm sure many CCIW schools can say the same thing.  Secondly, quite frankly I think talent level is down on both sides of the ball.  Consequently, and thirdly, I think IWU has suffered over the last few years with player apathy, which could also stem from quite a bit of turnover on the staff level, as players identify more with position coaches or coordinators than they do with the head coach.  My 2 cents worth anyways.

[augiedogie]

I saw the Elk Grove quarterback play last year against my former high school. He is small, but very mobile and throws better on the run than in the pocket.

[CCIWfan1]

I saw the Augie scrimmage yesterday. Padulka looked very quick with good moves, but needs to build up some strength if he is going to take play by play pounding. McGinnis looked solid running the offense, so they should be set for 2006/2007 at QB with him when Roe graduates.

[vikes35]

Augie6,

Wasn't making a cut at Podulka for being small, just merely saying that he is definitely smaller than the average 18 year old. In contrast to me who entered high school at age 14 at 6' 1'' 195 Podulka is a very small person, and my post was simply commenting on the fact that he was small, not trying to imply that he would be ineffective because of that. I agree with you that if he is quick and elusive than he is going to work great in the Wing-T. My comment was just to say that I was surprised to see a guy that small at his age (your comments have shown that it is not as uncommon as I thought). I mean Roe is not a big guy by any stretch of the imagination but he is one tough guy to bring down (Wheaton players last year can agree with me on that one).  I hope that he is a great success and brings something to the team when his number is called on, and from the sounds of it he will be.

Another comment is that it is good to see McGinnis doing well in practice. I watched the Alleman game against Holy Cross in the 5A playoffs in 2003 and he looked extremely comfortable running a very similar option style offense. The only question I had about him after that game and when he announced he was coming to Augie was whether he would be able to do it at the College level, which hopefully he can.

[vikes35]

Irish,

Augie also plays Central, who just like Augie is not the dominant team that they used to be, but still gives the Vikings a fight every year we play them. Also even though Catholic went winless last year, the trip all the way out to D.C. is going to make that game rougher than most non-conference games. Augie is once again going to play a testy non-conference schedule and 2-1 will be great, of course 3-0 would be better.

[blue_balls]

New forum looks outstanding pat kudos to you and your staff......Well I can no longer be the insider for the Big Blue since I am no longer in Decatur coaching baseball back to civilization in Chicago..haha, but does anyone have any info on the Big Blue with Albin and Wallick back in the backfield I think the offense could suprise some people this year, but North Central and Wheaton I would have to think are the teams to beat.  I am happy to be back and will try to participate in the playful banter as much as possible.  Go Big Blue.

[masko]

Not sure who posted the notion of "when is Barnes out of here," but I do question his recruiting.  I think the talent at Augie has been more level in recent years with most of the teams in the CCIW.  Back in the 80's and early 90's, Augie did a great job of recruiting great athletes (even though they may have been shorter than most).  I think someone mentioned that Augustana use to recruit people and they would come in and play something completely different - that was true and was very effective as kids were less likely to get burned out.  There was no question that Augies running backs were incredible through the 80's and 90's - I played with Papke and he was just amazing!  Again, Reade would recruit people like Papke that was quite short yet ran the 40 in 4,4 speed!  Many of the positions were filled with people like that at Augie over the years under Reade.

[79jaybird]

Looks like it's been a busy weekend on the board.  303 lb linebacker at Wheaton?  That can move effectively?  Wow
Augie regardless of their record is always tough at home.  I don't think that is so much a reflection on Barnes as much as consistantly achieving winning records and moving forward.   Look at the Cubs Dusty Baker.  People blamed him when the Cubs were 14 games (or more) out, players like Walker who can't lay down a bunt  or Maddux yesterday, are the reason why they can't gain any ground.  It all goes back to execution.  At any level, the players that execute will put their team in a better position to win.
Let me hear some feedback on this one:  During my meeting with Head Coach Tom Journell he mentioned he would like to keep the local games with Benedictine, Concordia, and hopefully Chicago.  He likes the short distance, neighborhood rivalries.  I agree it's nice not having to drive far for the game.
Since the contracts with IBC, CURF, and UofC are up at the end of this year, do you renew these games?  There's an argument for both. 
My gut feeling ( and this is just an opinion) IBC CURF and UofC are not the caliber of a Central, UW school, or MIAA school.  I would prefer to see at least one game against an opponent that is difficult.  The thought being that even if you lose, you gain the experience of a challenging opponent which will be what you see come CCIW time.