FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[diehardfan]

Yeah I know, sorry, I lied...

The Poll is up.... http://www.d3football.com/top25/

Wheaton stays #21 in the polls, but gains a considerable amount of votes. Augie drops out of voting for obvious reasons, NCC drops out probably due to having a way less dominant game against WashU than us.

And that's all for real.

[Mugsy]

On a completely unrelated note, I've been looking at a ton of stats this afternoon, and I must say, I love this drive summary from Saturday's game.

      H 1-10 H30   HOPE drive start at 07:15 (2nd).
      H 1-10 H30   David Booko rush for no gain to the HOPE30.
      H 2-10 H30   Jake Manning pass complete to Kevin VandenBos for 8 yards to the HOPE38.
      H 3-2  H38   Jake Manning pass complete to Joey Goeb for 7 yards to the HOPE45,
                   1ST DOWN HOPE.
      H 1-10 H45   Jake Manning pass complete to Joey Goeb for 12 yards to the WHEATON43,
                   1ST DOWN HOPE.
      H 1-10 W43   Jake Manning pass complete to Joey Goeb for 4 yards to the WHEATON39.
      H 2-6  W39   Jake Manning pass complete to Doug VanEerden for 13 yards to the WHEATON26,
                   1ST DOWN HOPE.
      H 1-10 W26   Timeout Wheaton College, clock 03:53.
      H 1-10 W26   David Booko rush for 1 yard to the WHEATON25.
      H 2-9  W25   Jake Manning pass incomplete.
      H 3-9  W25   Jake Manning pass incomplete.
      H 4-9  W25   Jake Manning pass incomplete.
--------------- 10 plays, 45 yards, TOP 04:26 ---------------

That must have been one heck of a timeout!

I've been in numerous timeouts like this.  Coach Swider, ever the motivator, has a way of lighting a fire under the backsides of players who aren't getting it done. 

[79jaybird]

RedmenFB44-  Is your quarterback injured or still hurt?

No, both Mike LaFleur and Ryan Freund played in the Olivet game.  In fact, Joseph Behar also saw some action late in the game.
LaFleur started and Ryan Freund came in around the middle segment of the game.
Defensively, EC played a strong game.  Offensively, while the Bluejays made some plays and our receivers made some nice catches, IMO their wasn't a satisfying "rhythm" that you like to see heading into conference play.  Hopefully Elmhurst can get it all together in practice this week before the tough battle in Kenosha this weekend.
Elmhurst isn't 100% (then again, which team is  )

Only  1 CCIW in the polls.  Gee,  I remember it wasn't too long ago that the CCIW had 3-4 teams in the poll and 1-2 more on the outskirts right behind. 

[Mr. Ypsi]

Ahh, sorry, should never post without caffeine.

WIAC is the best conference in D-III, though -- you should agree, having just lost to last year's last-place team.

Depends on how you define 'best conference'.  I'd agree that WIAC is the best top-to-bottom conference (OAC has some bottom-feeders much worse than any WIAC team), but if you take a top-half perspective, the OAC is clearly #1 (as this week's d3football top 25 poll shows).

BTW, your listing (front page) of conferences in playoff games is potentially misleading.  Without checking each school individually, is there some way of finding out how the OAC would be excluding MUC, the NWC excluding Linfield, the MIAC excluding St. John's, the NJAC excluding Rowan, etc.  In other words, is there an easy way of avoiding the Pac-10 (then Pac-8) problem of looking like the best bball conference in the country due to John Wooden?!  (And I suspect that the WIAC WOULD be the 'best conference' if you looked at number of DIFFERENT teams with wins.)

[formerd3db]

diehardfan and mugsy:

I must admit, I was somewhat bewildered as to why Wheaton took that time out at that particular time.  I was standing there thinking outloud with some of our staff,..."now why are they doing that?   With the lead and time on their side, I thought why don't they just let the clock run down and out?  Anyway, now in review, I agree with you it was indeed a good stategy on Coach Swider's part - to "derail" the momentum that Hope had at the time.

[Tailgater]

RedmenFB44-  Is your quarterback injured or still hurt?



Only  1 CCIW in the polls.  Gee,  I remember it wasn't too long ago that the CCIW had 3-4 teams in the poll and 1-2 more on the outskirts right behind. 

Only 1 CCIW team in the top 25 of the polls. Carthage did receive a handful of votes and checks in at #37. I'll take that. It's a respectable placement after their successful non-conference start to the season.

[Mugsy]

2.  Zack Ullrich fumbling.  He had two in today's game.  I believe that he had one in the Albion game.  Three fumbles with not that many snaps is not a good sign.

You're sure it's two? The stat sheet only has one recorded, but that could very well be wrong. Ullrich actually had two in the Albion, but he fell on one of them (still for a big loss though, and wheaton had to punt, if I remember correctly). And yeah.... that's a lot of fumbles for not a lot on snaps, even if it was only one in each game.

I didn't see the game, but I'm not sure I'd be too concerned about 2 TD's when the game has already been decided.  35-7 and then 2 late TD's...

Yes Hope threw for 340+ yards, but on 58 attempts and only 22 completions.  Hopefully someone who attended the game can give some insight.  As usee noted, interesting that Chupp & Ullrick split time and had virtually the same stats in the first half.

Incidentally, while all the other numbers are identical.... since Chupp didn't fumble or get an interception... their stats aren't really virtually even, are they? 

1. I forgot how literal people interpret things on this board  , so incorrect use of "virtually" or I should have pointed out I was thinking it terms of pass attempts, completions, yardage, and TDs.

2. Both Ullrick fumbles against Albion were not his fault, as I pointed out in a post after the game.  The first was a snap over his head by the 2nd team center, the 2nd was due to his own player bumping into him (which technically he should have handled... but not all his fault).  I didn't see the fumble or intereception against Hope, so I can't comment on that.  

Regardless... both QB's need to protect the ball MUCH better, be it fumbles or interceptions.  Turnovers have killed Wheaton in key games over the last few years (playoff games, last years NCC game, etc...)  usee mentioned it earlier, Wheaton also needs to generate more turnovers on defense.  For as long as I can remember the turnover ratio has long been an achillies heel for Wheaton teams.

Turnover ratio:
2005: Wheaton 7th in CCIW at -0.40
   Takeaways: 10 fumbles, 14 INTs
   Giveaways: 7 fumbles, 21 INTs

2004: Wheaton 8th in CCIW at -0.50
   Takeaways: 8 fumbles, 11 INTs
   Giveaways: 12 fumbles, 13 INTs

2003: Wheaton 6th in CCIW at 0.00
   Takeaways: 8 fumbles, 20 INTs
   Giveaways: 19 fumbles, 9 INTs

2002: -0.66
   Takeaways: 11 fumbles, 12 INTs
   Giveaways:  14 fumbles, 17 INTs

2001: -1.00
   Takeaways: 10 fumbles, 12 INTs
   Giveaways:  18 fumbles, 14 INTs

2000: -1.20
   Takeaways: 10 fumbles, 14 INTs
   Giveaways: 16 fumbles, 20 INTs

1999: -0.11
   Takeaways: 10 fumbles, 16 INTs
   Giveaways:  15 fumbles, 12 INTs

So since 1999 Wheaton has never had a positive turnover ratio and they have had some awesome teams.  I know there are factors that could attribute to more turnovers, riskier offensive schemes, aggresive plays calls, etc... Hard to judge that.  Inability to win turnover battle is clear.  A trend that Wheaton needs to work on not only in battle for CCIW crown, but also if they want to move deeper into the playoffs.

[Tailgater]

79 jaybird:
I assume you will be doing the game in Kenosha next week? If so, I want you to know you're certainly invited to join us at our tailgate festivities prior to game time. I know you have business to conduct, but we start about 3 hours prior to kick-off. There should be a moment or two for you to stop by and down a butterflied pork-chop samich or a polish before settling in behind the mic. Look for the flying Carthage flag and the red tent set-up in the practice field. I'm looking forward to a very competative game. Really important for both schools. I know.........duh.

[diehardfan]

1. I forgot how literal people interpret things on this board  , so incorrect use of "virtually" or I should have pointed out I was thinking it terms of pass attempts, completions, yardage, and TDs.

2. Both Ullrick fumbles against Albion were not his fault, as I pointed out in a post after the game.  The first was a snap over his head by the 2nd team center, the 2nd was due to his own player bumping into him (which technically he should have handled... but not all his fault).  I didn't see the fumble or intereception against Hope, so I can't comment on that.  

Regardless... both QB's need to protect the ball MUCH better, be it fumbles or interceptions.  Turnovers have killed Wheaton in key games over the last few years (playoff games, last years NCC game, etc...)  usee mentioned it earlier, Wheaton also needs to generate more turnovers on defense.  For as long as I can remember the turnover ratio has long been an achillies heel for Wheaton teams.

Turnover ratio:
2005: Wheaton 7th in CCIW at -0.40
   Takeaways: 10 fumbles, 14 INTs
   Giveaways: 7 fumbles, 21 INTs

2004: Wheaton 8th in CCIW at -0.50
   Takeaways: 8 fumbles, 11 INTs
   Giveaways: 12 fumbles, 13 INTs

2003: Wheaton 6th in CCIW at 0.00
   Takeaways: 8 fumbles, 20 INTs
   Giveaways: 19 fumbles, 9 INTs

2002: -0.66
   Takeaways: 11 fumbles, 12 INTs
   Giveaways:  14 fumbles, 17 INTs

2001: -1.00
   Takeaways: 10 fumbles, 12 INTs
   Giveaways:  18 fumbles, 14 INTs

2000: -1.20
   Takeaways: 10 fumbles, 14 INTs
   Giveaways: 16 fumbles, 20 INTs

1999: -0.11
   Takeaways: 10 fumbles, 16 INTs
   Giveaways:  15 fumbles, 12 INTs

So since 1999 Wheaton has never had a positive turnover ratio and they have had some awesome teams.  I know there are factors that could attribute to more turnovers, riskier offensive schemes, aggresive plays calls, etc... Hard to judge that.  Inability to win turnover battle is clear.  A trend that Wheaton needs to work on not only in battle for CCIW crown, but also if they want to move deeper into the playoffs.

This post made me laugh, cause 1999 was the year that I came to Wheaton. I think that means that it's my fault 

And I take things very literally... it's this anal-retentive thing I have that springs up every so often... it's either from hanging around my fellow Wheaton students or the CCIW basketball board. Both are full of A-R ness.

While your point about it not being his fault is more than valid, it's still a lot of fumbles... maybe he's just unlucky? Ullrich got his snaps early on this time, didn't he? It seems like that would mean he was getting them from a more experienced center? 

diehardfan and mugsy:

I must admit, I was somewhat bewildered as to why Wheaton took that time out at that particular time.  I was standing there thinking outloud with some of our staff,..."now why are they doing that?   With the lead and time on their side, I thought why don't they just let the clock run down and out?  Anyway, now in review, I agree with you it was indeed a good stategy on Coach Swider's part - to "derail" the momentum that Hope had at the time.

Never question Swider. It may seem somewhat irrational at the time (remember that time he let Augie score so the offense would have enough time to get a TD? or the time he went for two instead of taking the PAT with a guaranteed make on Andrew Days leg, and letting the game go into OT? fun stuff) but he always, ALWAYS ends up being right. 

[wheels81]

GT,
I have a temp. Handicapped card you can rent from me , but really there aren't many close spots to McCully,  You may be able to finaggle a ride in one of the Gators that buzz around the area. 
I know that Big Blue's Mr. Wallick will be the usual handfull and will be the first real test of this year's Thunder. 
dhf,
please take the cookie picture off your posts its making me crave those things and I'm trying to behave after 9 p.m.

[RedmenFB44]

RedmenFB44-  Is your quarterback injured or still hurt? 

I am not sure if O'Boyle is hurt or not but they did work in a freshman QB in their last game. I believe that O'Boyle finished the game so if he is banged up he should be ready to go after the bye this week.

[Sterny]

The turnover troubles for Wheaton over the last few years are nicly chronicled by Mugsy.  I'm concerned at this point with the penalties that are racking up.  Albion:  9 for 72 yards
                  Wash U:  8 for 46
                  Hope:  12 for 110.
Penalties kill in close games, and close games can be expected as we enter CCIW competition.  I wonder what the average number of penalties and yards is per game for a whole season for the whole CCIW? (That's a hint to you stat nerds (read Mugsy  ) to look it up!)

[Mugsy]

Penalties kill in close games, and close games can be expected as we enter CCIW competition.  I wonder what the average number of penalties and yards is per game for a whole season for the whole CCIW? (That's a hint to you stat nerds (read Mugsy  ) to look it up!)

Sterny,

I'm on it... but probably not until tomorrow.  I need to post the Week #5 pick-em's, then I'm calling it a night.  Very good point about the number of penalities getting racked up by Wheaton.  Definitely played a role in keeping Hope in the game.

Awesome signature line, btw...

[Mugsy]

This post made me laugh, cause 1999 was the year that I came to Wheaton. I think that means that it's my fault 

Ullrich got his snaps early on this time, didn't he? It seems like that would mean he was getting them from a more experienced center? 

diehard,

I think it would be too easy to pin Wheaton's turnover woes on you.     Unfortunately this trend has it's starting point long before you arrived on the scene.  Even when I played (way back when) our turnover ratio was not very good.  I can't quite put my finger on it, but it is always a struggle with Wheaton.

Yes, Ullrich got his snaps much earlier in this game.  Again I didn't see or hear much of the game due to attending a wedding, so I can't comment as to the nature or cause of his fumble.  I only know what I saw of his other fumbles.  Point is... they've got to stop.

[Mugsy]

Nice (but complex) issue to have for Wheaton.  On the one hand nice to have 2 strong QB's in case of injury... on the other, complications due to juggling QB's...  Swider and Co. have shown they can juggle 2 QB's in the past, but still a challenge.

Top Pass Efficiency of CCIW QB's

	QB Name	Team	Cl	G	Att	Cmp	Int	Pct.	Yds	TD	Eff.
1.	Ullrich, Zach	WHEATON	JR	3	17	11	1	64.7	235	3	227.3
2.	Chupp, Jeremy	WHEATON	SR	3	62	37	1	59.7	529	7	165.4