FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Mugsy]

Since we're talking about playing Carthage Home vs Away, I couldn't resist pulling up some stats. Since 1999:

At Wheaton
Wheaton 30, Carthage 14
Wheaton 29, Carthage 24
Wheaton 36, Carthage 6
Wheaton 30, Carthage 14

wheaton avg pts: 31
carthage avg pts: 15

At Carthage
Wheaton 41, Carthage 14
Wheaton 63, Carthage 14
Carthage 39 Wheaton 21

Wheaton avg pts: 42
Carthage avg pts: 18

Add matblake's 1998 game... and well, aside from one slip up, we've pretty much owned Carthage... but especially at their place. Carthage has never struck me as a difficult place to play. Perhaps because I was at the 63-14 pasting. I still remember driving like 80-90 in the absolutely pouring rain trying to get to that darn game on time. (One of those moments that you look back on as a mature reasonable adult and think... how did I ever make it out of my college years! ) I think the pics from that game are all dark, so it might have been a night game... but that might have just been because of the rain too? 

We lost my junior year at Carthage, but then again that was probably Wheatons worst season in 25.  We lost to almost everyone the 1987 season: 3-6.  We were absolutely ravaged by injuries - particularly knee injuries.  At least 8 season ending knee injuries.  Same core of players nearly won the CCIW the following year...

[Comet 14]

Titan I agree. My point is that this is as likely to happen in the sun as it is in the lights.

[Mugsy]

I also believr Elmhurst's stadium is positioned east to west.

The Wheaton field is positioned east to west as well.  No way around that given the real estate available.  It is right next to the railroad tracks coming out of Chicago, that actually passes not too far from Elmhurst College.  I can confirm that Elmhurst's stadium is east to west as well.

[TitanBacker]

I also believr Elmhurst's stadium is positioned east to west.

Wheaton's is positioned east to west as well.  No way around that given the real estate available.  It is right next to the railroad tracks coming out of Chicago, that actually passes not too far from Elmhurst College.  I can confirm that Elmhurst's stadium is east to west as well.

Well I feel a little sheepish now.   


Comet-  Seems we were in agreement but in a roundabout way.     I still think shadows arent' that much of a factor in daylight games unless the games are late afternoon games extending into almost nightfall.  Maybe i'm making excuses for not being able to catch a football in the sunlight or under the lights. 

[Jim Matson]

The rest of the conference is all North to South.

I always wondered what its like to sit on the visitor's side at Wheaton and have a freight rumble by.  For any of you former players, does it ever effect your ability to hear what's going on?

[Comet 14]

I also agree with earlier posts that the biggest advantage that the night game provides is the change in routine for teams that will only play that one night game in the course of a season. Our highschool rents the stadium from our local public school so when both teams play at home on the same weekend we play sat. noon games. I think this is a advantage for our players because we do it 2 to 3 times a year and the team coming in only does it once every 2 years.

[79jaybird]

Elmhurst' Langhorst Field is East-West and is bordered by the same Chicago Northwestern RR tracks that run through Wheaton.
Usee and Redmen-  I agree with you both on the fact the advantage (in any sport) rests with the HOME team.  Hence-- Home field advantage.  In a tight spot, the home fans cheering and/or jeering the opponent helps the home team.
I disagree that "routine" is going to make a difference.  BOTH teams have to get ready for an uncustomary (most are 1:00 tilts) night game.  BOTH teams have to practice for a late start, and BOTH teams have to be ready to give it all they have at 6:00 CST.  Home field or not,  IMO both teams have to get their hearts/adrenaline ready to play.
Carthage defends their home field well.  IWU (from my experiences) has defended their home field well, as does Millikin- though we were able to knock them off at Lindsay last year.
CARTHAGE VS. ELMHURST RECENT SERIES
1996 @ELMHURST   CARTHAGE 42  ELMHURST 21
1997 @CARTHAGE   CARTHAGE 41  ELMHURST 0
1998 @ELMHURST   CARTHAGE 22  ELMHURST 15 (Jeff Burris Day as I call it)
1999 @CARTHAGE   CARTHAGE 33  ELMHURST 9
2000 @CARTHAGE   ELMHURST 19  CARTHAGE 16
2001 @ELMHURST   CARTHAGE 41  ELMHURST 19
2002 @CARTHAGE   CARTHAGE 43  ELMHURST 7
2003 @ELMHURST   ELMHURST 21  CARTHAGE 0
2004 @CARTHAGE   CARTHAGE 49  ELMHURST 14 *CAR CCIW CHAMPS
2005 @ELMHURST   CARTHAGE 41  ELMHURST 20  turnover plagued sloppy game
2006 @CARTHAGE   Hmm, what's it going to be?  

Carthage has had the overall edge in the series since the late 80's/early 90's.  Both teams have posted shutouts against the opponent in the last 10 years.
I believe (not 100% sure) that the 2000 game was a night game?

[79jaybird]

That should read Kevin Burris my apologies  I am doing two things at once and mistyped!

[Mugsy]

You want to talk about defending your home field well?  Couldn't find the webpage on the Wheaton website anymore, but I recall reading a few weeks ago that Wheaton is something like 34-2 at home since 1999.  That includes last years loss to Augie and a 23 game home win streak somewhere in there.

[vikes35]

Augie's field also runs east-west. At that point the Mississippi River actually runs east-west and the field runs parallel with the river. I played many late afternoon IM games on Ericson and I can tell you it was not always fun. Since I have not been to NPU, Carthage, Millikin, or IWU's fields I will take the board's word on those, but Augie's field also runs east-west.

[Mugsy]

You want to talk about defending your home field well?  Couldn't find the webpage on the Wheaton website anymore, but I recall reading a few weeks ago that Wheaton is something like 34-2 at home since 1999.  That includes last years loss to Augie and a 23 game home win streak somewhere in there.

Off by just a bit... Wheaton is 34-5 since 1999 with home losses to Augie twice, St. Xavier, Hope and Millikin.  3 of the 5 losses came in 2001 when Wheaton ended up 6-4 for the season.

[FatalImpact]

In the CC/EC game.....Yeah history does say somethin.....but then again its in the past....It wont be those teams still playing....obvious i know..........The light situation is crap because elmhurst has the same field surface and practices under lights 2-3 times a week....And they're crapier lights than carthage has....so if anything they will be more than ready........EC comes out on top in this one.......Carthage while good on past games is not the same team it was in 2004 and not even the same as last year I think it EC turn

[TitanBacker]

Any thoughts on the other CCIW games this weekend besides the CC/EC "Clash of the Titans."   

It sounds like Michigan vs. Ohio State on the D3 level!!  If only i could get tickets at Art Keller field...

[79jaybird]

It's funny that for years Elmhurst and Carthage were middle to lower ends of the 8 team conference.  Now there is so much parity that virtually every team is glommed together in 1 group.
Other games,  I think Wheaton's D better be ready for Wallick.  If Wheaton isn't able to control the running game, Millikin's chances are greatly increased.
North Central I don't see having a problem with NPU.  I think North Park has to have a flawless performance to have a shot in this one. 
I don't think Augie will "cruise" this weekend.  I think IWU is one of those teams with nothing to lose and can be dangerous.  I think Augie will wear them down (as they do many teams) and pull away in the 4th.

[TitanBacker]

Any news out of the Augie camp on this week's game?  I've been hearing rumors that McGinnis may not be starting this weekend.  Could be a big weekend in Rock Island with a 2nd string QB and a weak OLine.  You hear anything dansand?

GO TITANS!!!