FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Redmen96]

Please don't anyone use this site to see what schools are connected to SUNY it is inaccurate and you will be whipped severly for it.
http://www.suny.edu/student/campuses_map.cfm

Again I am Sorry.

[redman04]

this is a better point. I was thinking of Rucks mainly but admit i did not know the reason for his departure. I also had high hopes for liljegren and even robin cooper initially. but your point is well taken that it is hard to get good coaches to consider north park.

don't know if this was already covered, but Rucks left on his own.  He wanted to go back to coach his alma matar.  Liljegren had done the best job since Rucks.  (No offense to Penthel, but he just got there) His teams were always prepared, even though they were out talented, and played hard.  They gave us several good games while I was at Carthage.  I think if he was supported the way the way they have supported the program the past couple of years, he would still be there.  Just My opinion

[raiderguy]

HS Coach

Well researched. Karma for ya ma boy!

It sure put an end to the strength of conference debate in a hurry.

It is a shame that the Wilmingtons, Muskingums, Mariettas etc can't get up the ladder.

[HScoach]

Hard to climb the OAC ladder when their's an 800 lb gorilla standing on the top rung



For the CCIW guys, what's the current thoughts on the Augie struggles?  Is this a temporary under-acheivement from them to start the season or is this expected to extend thru the season?  And is the program headed for a constant decline like we've experienced with Baldwin Wallace the last 5 years?  Don't mean to be nosing in on your discussion page, but I've always looked forward to (and feared) the playoff match-ups between MUC and Augie/Wheaton.  THANKS!

[Mugsy]

For the CCIW guys, what's the current thoughts on the Augie struggles?  Is this a temporary under-acheivement from them to start the season or is this expected to extend thru the season?  And is the program headed for a constant decline like we've experienced with Baldwin Wallace the last 5 years?  Don't mean to be nosing in on your discussion page, but I've always looked forward to (and feared) the playoff match-ups between MUC and Augie/Wheaton.  THANKS!

It is hard to even fathom Augie "sliding".  After all over the past 25 years a bad year for Augie is 7-3. 5-4 in 1996 was cataclysmic!

Their play to this point is clearly unexpected and shocking.  I'd view it as a temporary bump in the road.  Now the real question is whether or not it was a 2 game lull or whether it'll carry into the rest of CCIW schedule?  I'm starting to wonder if it is the latter...

Posts from Augie faithful seem to indicate the primary issue is a sputtering rushing attack, primarily due to the offensive line (typically a strength of Augustana teams).  This weekend should give us a better feel as they take on a potentially surprise IWU team.

It should be noted that part of Augie's perceived drop from CCIW dominance can be attributed to significant improvement in the top to bottom strength of the conference.  In the last decade, Augie, Wheaton, IWU, Carthage and Millikin have all won CCIW championships.  North Central came very, very close last year.  So 6 of 8 teams have either won or seriously contended for a CCIW championship in the last decade.  Back in the 80's and early 90's it was all Augustana, much like it is now with Mount Union in the OAC (I don't mean to diminish the competition Mount gets from Capital, JCU, ONU or from BW some years back).

Typically the CCIW rep. in the playoffs takes it's lumps at the hands of Mount Union at some point down the road, be it 2nd round or the quarterfinals.  The CCIW has a decent record in the playoffs until you factor in the games against the OAC (with exception to Wheaton's win over BW a few years ago).  There have been a few competitive games against the OAC (NCC against Capital last year, Carthage, Augie and Wheaton have at least made Mount Union work a little bit on occasion...), but far too many "whip-en's".

[redman04]

Hard to climb the OAC ladder when their's an 800 lb gorilla standing on the top rung



For the CCIW guys, what's the current thoughts on the Augie struggles?  Is this a temporary under-acheivement from them to start the season or is this expected to extend thru the season?  And is the program headed for a constant decline like we've experienced with Baldwin Wallace the last 5 years?  Don't mean to be nosing in on your discussion page, but I've always looked forward to (and feared) the playoff match-ups between MUC and Augie/Wheaton.  THANKS!

Since MUC has been the CCIW killer in the playoffs for the past 10 years or so, which do you think was the best game?  I know the Augie game was not much to speak of last year, but Carthage played Mount 17-17 (I think) till the start of the 4th and I think that Wheaton lost a close one to them two years before that?  Not sure.  
Not being biased just curious on your thoughts.

[79jaybird]

FatalImpact-- Not a problem. Sometimes gut feelings work. (You don't have a crystal ball do you?    or a Sorcerer's wand?

I don't think Augie runs away with the game this weekend.  FYI, IWU is the only CCIW school to have a winning record vs. Augie.  I think the Vikings win, but I don't think it is going to a lopsided blowout.  BTW, I don't know the exact figures, but I know Augie is sealing the gap between IWU in their series.

It must be CCIW time because CardinalAlum/Mugsy/Diehard, etc.  are putting up their dukes.  

[79jaybird]

Augie sliding?
I think it is a little early to write this story.  Augie scheduled some quality opponents in their non-conf. schedule. BW and UWP are IMO quality teams from quality conferences.  Now if Augie struggles in the CCIW, then I would say there is something to look at.
You don't dominate the CCIW for an entire decade and suddenly drop overnight.  They are the reigning CCIW champs and I think until somebody else dethrones them... the Vikings are still in good shape.

[HScoach]

Since MUC has been the CCIW killer in the playoffs for the past 10 years or so, which do you think was the best game?  I know the Augie game was not much to speak of last year, but Carthage played Mount 17-17 (I think) till the start of the 4th and I think that Wheaton lost a close one to them two years before that?  Not sure.  
Not being biased just curious on your thoughts.

That's an easy one.  1999 versus Augie that MUC won 42-33.   Here's the re-cap from http://www.mtunionfootball.com/playoffseasons/99playoffs.htm

1999 Playoffs - 1st Round

The Purple Raiders opened the 1999 playoffs with a 42-33 victory over Augustana College at Mount Union Stadium.  The Raiders scored 42 points despite possessing the pigskin less than 12 minutes during the course of the game.  The Vikings rushed for 398 yards on 83 carries.  Augustana registered two late second quarter touchdowns to take a 21-13 halftime lead.  Mount Union's first half scores came on a 43-yard touchdown pass from Gary Smeck to Jason Richards and an eight-yard run of Chuck Moore.

     Mount Union knotted the score at 21-21 early in the third period on another Moore eight-yard touchdown run and a two-point conversion pass from Smeck to tailback Dave Hassey.  The Raiders took a 28-21 lead as Moore scored his third touchdown on a 21-yard draw play.  Early in the fourth quarter the Vikings cut the Raider lead to 28-27.  However, Hassey returned the ensuing kickoff 90-yards and Mount Union led 35-27.

     Augustana came back at the 4:08 mark of the quarter as quarterback Tom Schmulbach scored from a yard out.  The two-point conversion, which would have tied the score, was stopped just short of the goal line as Raider linebacker Jason Sloan tackled Schmulbach on a quarterback keeper.  It took just three offensive plays for the Purple Raiders to put the game in the win column as Moore raced 46-yards untouched for his fourth touchdown of the afternoon and a 42-33 victory over the Vikings.     

Mount Union 42       Augustana 33

Augustana 7 14 0 12 33
Mount Union 7 6 15 14 42



Scoring

AUG - Bussan, 8 pass from Schmulbach, 6:14 1st (Phillips kick)
MTU - Richards, 43 pass from Smeck, 4:02 1st (Chenos kick)
MTU - Moore, 8 run, 121:0 2nd (run failed)
AUG - Nelson, 15 run, 5:47 2nd (Phillips kick)
AUG - Schmulbach, 1 run, :23 2nd (Phillips kick)
MTU - Moore, 8 run, 12:44 3rd (Hassey, pass from Smeck)
MTU - Moore, 21 run, 8:00 3rd (Chenos kick)
AUG - Chorney, 30 run, 12:36 4th (kick blocked)
MTU - Hassey, 90 kickoff return, 12:18 4th (Chenos kick)
AUG - Schmulbach, 1 run, 4:08 4th (run failed)
MTU - Moore, 46 run, 2:48 4th (Chenos kick)

[redman04]

Since MUC has been the CCIW killer in the playoffs for the past 10 years or so, which do you think was the best game?  I know the Augie game was not much to speak of last year, but Carthage played Mount 17-17 (I think) till the start of the 4th and I think that Wheaton lost a close one to them two years before that?  Not sure.  
Not being biased just curious on your thoughts.

That's an easy one.  1999 versus Augie that MUC won 42-33.   Here's the re-cap from

Thanks, that was a good game.

[diehardfan]

Please don't anyone use this site to see what schools are connected to SUNY it is inaccurate and you will be whipped severly for it.
http://www.suny.edu/student/campuses_map.cfm

Again I am Sorry.

Awww... (pats Redman96 on the head)... there, there... it's okay.... 

Seriously, jesting aside... I don't think anyone was that annoyed. It was an honest mistake.

Since MUC has been the CCIW killer in the playoffs for the past 10 years or so, which do you think was the best game?  I know the Augie game was not much to speak of last year, but Carthage played Mount 17-17 (I think) till the start of the 4th and I think that Wheaton lost a close one to them two years before that?  Not sure.  
Not being biased just curious on your thoughts.

When I saw how close Carthage played MUC that year, I was seriously impressed. The thing is, then Mount Union didn't even make it to the Stagg, much less win it. They lost to Mary Hardin Baylor in the semis, if I remember correctly. And then, the team MUC lost to didn't even win the Stagg, as Linfield grabbed the 2004 honors (Sorry to bring up bad memories Mt Union guys ). I think it would be fair to say that Carthage obviously played Mt Union in a year that they were "down" (gotta love the fact that a team making it "only" to the semis, is a down year).

Not to be a homer, but what makes Wheaton's 2002 21-42 loss over Mt. Union "impressive" (and let me tell you, it sure felt a lot more like devestating than impressive at the time!!!) is that MUC did actually win the championship that year, and Wheaton was the team that scored the most on them in the entire post season.

I must admit to having no knowledge on CCIW games vs Mt. Union before I arrived at Wheaton, and Wheaton became a playoff contender so I must defer to the older guys on that one.

[redman04]

[

Since MUC has been the CCIW killer in the playoffs for the past 10 years or so, which do you think was the best game?  I know the Augie game was not much to speak of last year, but Carthage played Mount 17-17 (I think) till the start of the 4th and I think that Wheaton lost a close one to them two years before that?  Not sure.  
Not being biased just curious on your thoughts.

When I saw how close Carthage played MUC that year, I was seriously impressed. The thing is, then Mount Union didn't even make it to the Stagg, much less win it. They lost to Mary Hardin Baylor in the semis, if I remember correctly. And then, the team MUC lost to didn't even win the Stagg, as Linfield grabbed the 2004 honors (Sorry to bring up bad memories Mt Union guys ). I think it would be fair to say that Carthage obviously played Mt Union in a year that they were "down" (gotta love the fact that a team making it "only" to the semis, is a down year).

Not to be a homer, but what makes Wheaton's 2002 21-42 loss over Mt. Union "impressive" (and let me tell you, it sure felt a lot more like devestating than impressive at the time!!!) is that MUC did actually win the championship that year, and Wheaton was the team that scored the most on them in the entire post season.

I must admit to having no knowledge on CCIW games vs Mt. Union before I arrived at Wheaton, and Wheaton became a playoff contender so I must defer to the older guys on that one.

This is why I was asking HS Coach because he was there for the past 10 years or so.  And if you notice I did make mention to that game in 2002 against Wheaton. I just didn't remember if it was 2001 or 2002.  I was not making a case for the Carthage game, I was just wondering.  Don't be such a Homer.  D'OH!!   

[redman04]

(gotta love the fact that a team making it "only" to the semis, is a down year).

I love this quote!  i wish a down year for us was not winning a National Championship! 

I am finally KARMA WORTHY. 

CAN YOU SAY ABUSE OF POWER! 

[Mugsy]

Not to be a homer, but what makes Wheaton's 2002 21-42 loss over Mt. Union "impressive" (and let me tell you, it sure felt a lot more like devestating than impressive at the time!!!) is that MUC did actually win the championship that year, and Wheaton was the team that scored the most on them in the entire post season.

In the category of "who cares you still lost by 21 points", Wheaton did have more rushing yards, first downs and almost the same total offense in the game as Mount Union, which I'm not sure how often that happens. 

The primary difference in that game was special teams.  You can NOT underestimate the importance of superior special teams play.   3 Mount Union TD's as a direct result of special teams play - 1 blocked punt for a TD, 41 yard punt return to Wheaton 22 yard line sets up another TD, and the killer 91 yard kickoff return just after Wheaton scored to make the game interesting.

Key plays:
1. 9 minutes left in the 2nd quarter, Mount Union blocks a Wheaton punt in the endzone to take a 14-0 lead
2. Wheaton fumbles on it's own 29 with 1:35 remaining in first half, Mount scores less than a minute later to take a 21-0 lead instead of a 14-0 half time deficit.
3. Mount Union returns a punt 41 yards to the Wheaton 22 with just a little more than a minute gone in the 3rd quarter.  3 plays latter Mount Union scores on a 10 yard run by Pugh to take a 28-0 lead!  Looks like a blow out, all keyed by turnovers and special teams.
4. After 2 quick Wheaton TDs in the 3rd quarter to make it a 28-15 game...  hey this might be a game just yet... Pugh returns the ensuing kickoff 91 yards to deflate the rally and take a 34-15 lead.
5. After a long 11 play, 4 minute drive by Wheaton to cut it to 34-21 with 13 minutes left in the game, Mount Union does what a championship team should... they drove 76 yards in 11 plays and almost 5 minutes to seal the deal.

[redman04]

Mugsy so wise as always.  +  Karma for you  8)