FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Pat Coleman]

I don't think I'm qualified to speak for Coach Rucks.

[RedmenFB44]

Redmen04,
Im sure Carthage would fill that void with a team that is close because of the budget. They are only allowed a certian number of over night stays. Those are used for the most part against conference teams. My jr. year at Carthage we had a non-conference game @Minnesota Morris. It was a 10 hour bus ride there and 10 hours back. It was an overnight stay because we didnt have too many overnighters in conference. It all depends on the schedule. Im sure they will look for a more competitive team that is somewhat close.

GO REDMEN!!!

[DarrinC]

Doesn't Carthage play Hope next year too?

My understanding is that the Carthage games with IBC are done for now.

[rome]

gentlemen:

What are the chances that Augie can claim another CCIW crown behind their punishing running game?

[Augie6]

Rome,

As has been discussed at length on this board, the chances of Augie claiming another CCIW title lies with the performance of their defense, not the offense.  The offense has been consistently strong over the past several seasons, while the defense has not shown an ability to make the plays needed to win the close games.  I will get my first live look at Augie this Saturday when they play UW Platteville.  Will be better able to assess their chances after this weekend.

[markdamaker40]

On Carthage's future schedule its says they will still play Lakeland till 2009 and add Hope in 2008 and 2009.  There is a rumor around that they are trying to get a UW school.  Not sure how much truth there is in that though, because the 2008 and 2009 schedule are missing a game and that is probably Carroll unless the Musket Game dies again. Who knows?

[DarrinC]

Rome,
I am not an Auggie backer, and I certainly understand Augie6's point, but I think Carthage proved last year that a solid run game goes a long way to make a defense better.

Don't get me wrong, I am one of the people saying that I think that Carthage will again have one of the the best defenses around, and I beleive that an inept defense is something that no team can overcome. As a matter of fact, I think this year's defense at Carthage has shown even more potential than last year's squad. However, it certainly helps when the offense controls the ball like the Redmen did last year. Nearly every game it seemed that the time of possession was at least 10 minutes in Carthage's favor. Couple that with sound defense and a running back that fumbled only one time during the season and you have a pretty good recipe for success.

Great offensive lines that are capable of creating multiple 12 play 7 minute drives can take over a game.

Heres to hoping I am wrong, at least in the quad cities anyway!

[usee]

darrinC-what have you seen that makes you think this years carthage D is better than last years?

[Mugsy]

IMO discussion on whether Carthage's D will be better this year over last years is PURELY conjecture at this point.  There are 7 more games to play against some very tough competition!  Who knows what will happen between now and the end of the season that will affect the results - injuries, weather, tougher top to bottom conference schedule?, etc...  But have at it by all means...  this board is open for anything.

For discussion sake:

	04'	05'
Scoring	9.3*	8.7
Rush YPG	85.4	41.3
Rush TD's	11	2
Yrds Per Rush	2.9	1.4
Pass YPG	188.7	144.7
Pass TD's	19	1
Yrds Per Game	274.1	186.0
Sacks	26	10
Ints	31	4
Fumbles	19	5
TO Margin	2.31	1.33

* Denotes average for first 3 games (same opponents), season average was 17.9  Note also the 2005 totals were for 13 games.

While there are some areas where Carthage looks better on paper thus far, I do agree with an earlier post by USee.  Carthage will have a VERY tough time approaching a few of the key defensive stats compiled in 04'.  31 interceptions in 13 games (2.4 per game)!  That's crazy good.  So far in 05' they have 4 in 3 games.  Of the 31 interceptions, 4 or 5 where returned for TD's.  That's huge.  ZERO so far in 05'.  Turnover margin is a function of both offense and defense, but it will be a challenge for the Carthage D to reproduce 50 takeaways.

Beyond these stats that jump way out and are incredibly rare, I think it is too early to determine the stature of the 05' Carthage D - other than it has the potential to be very good.

[formerd3db]

Mugsy:
If Carthage is adding Hope, it could be that we might be losing the Wheaton/Hope connection for awhile unless Hope takes a temporary hiatus from DePauw or their other slot.  Most likely, I would think that it would be the latter i.e. replacing JCU with Carthage although I haven't talked with the H.C. about that as yet (I can find out in the near future). 

We know, though, that these slots will change every few years to provide the opportunity to play other schools.  Still, some rivaliries are great to see on an "un-ending basis".

[Mugsy]

formerd3db,
I'm not sure what's up with the schedules.  I do know that if you look at Wheaton's future schedules posted on the schools website, Hope is still listed as an opponent through 2009.

http://www.wheaton.edu/Athletics/football/index.html

According to the future schedules posted on the Carthage site, the Redmen aren't listed to play Hope in the regular season until 2008 and 2009.  Hope is certainly going to have some challenging non-conference schedules in 2008 & 2009 - hopefully that is!

Personally, I'd hate to see Hope removed from the schedule.  The Wheaton/Hope games have proved to be very entertaining and quality tests for both teams.

[formerd3db]

Mugsy:
That's good news and I agree.  Talk to you later; after Sat's game!

[DarrinC]

Usee,

Adding Mike Anderson back into the mix at Carthage adds another significant presence rushing the passer. Mike + the players that you saw on the field last year create something to talk about.

The rest of the group are a year older. The offseason program at Carthage has really become something special. They are playing with a lot of confidence right now.

Working against them is an offense that will not dominate the time of possession like last year because they are not so one dimensional this year.

Time will tell. They will certainly make their share of big plays. They are fun to watch.

That being said, I do not claim to have a non-biased opinion.  However, I would guess that Tony Sutton might agree with me.

Pat, any word on his whereabouts right now? He was a GREAT D3 football player!

[Pat Coleman]

Coaching running backs at Wooster, I believe I heard. Was invited to Browns mini-camp in the offseason but did not get a contract.

[matblake]

Good article on North Park on the Front Page!  Just another example of how D3Football is committed to all D3, not just the perennial favorites.  Who knows, maybe the Vikings will continue to open some eyes.