FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Mugsy]

And I will reiterate that I'm a bit nervious about Wheaton's placekicking if it comes down to a tight game.

This was one of my comments before last week when we were discussing team questions, so I totally agree. Andrew Day is just plain not replaceable. The guy broke like most of the kicking records. It's gotten a little better though, hasn't it? 

Not really... Tim Ellingsen started out pretty good against Albion in week #1, but has since looked pretty shaky.

vs. Albion:
FG: 2-2 (30, 33 yards)
PAT: 3-3

vs. WashU
FG: 0-1 (26 yard chip shot)
PAT: 4-6

vs. Hope
FG: 0-1 (36 yard, blocked)
PAT: 5-5

vs. Millikin
FG: 0-1 (27 yard chip shot)
PAT: 2-3

Way too many missed PAT's and very short field goals.  I guess we became really spoiled with Day.  Still Ellingsen is only a sophomore, so hopefully he'll get better.  I don't see the issue being with leg strength.  I believe he has pretty good range.

[diehardfan]

Gotcha... when you posted I realized that I actually hadn't looked up stats for the Millikin game to specifically check how we were doing in the kicking area, and I didn't hear the cast cause I was out looking for a new house Saturday.

I did remember that he didn't miss any for the Hope game though, and had taken it as an upswing.

I honestly can't remember, cause I've listened to so many teams broadcasts over the last several weeks, but didn't Wheaton fail on the snap for one of those fgs?

Is it at all a protection issue? Or is it just an accuracy thing?

Whatever it is, I'm sure it will get sorted out eventually... 

[matblake]

Isn't a chip shot more difficult the closer you get?  That might explain the difficulty from 25 or so yards.

[Mugsy]

Isn't a chip shot more difficult the closer you get?  That might explain the difficulty from 25 or so yards.

Depends on what hash mark you are on, but it shouldn't be a problem for the better kickers.  If you are in between the hashes it isn't much different from a PAT, of which Wheaton has missed 4 already in 2006. 

To miss from that close, you really need to shank the kick.  Not that I'm an expert kicker...

[79jaybird]

IMO, here are the greatest concerns (things that will determine the outcome) of both the EC/Augie game and NC/Wheaton game.

NC/Wheaton-- IMO, the greatest concern and where the game will be decided is can the Cardinals' O-Line be able to handle Studebaker and the Wheaton LB's? I think the Thunder is going to be in the Cardinals' backfield all day, and Kniss won't have the time to find his receivers down the field.
Offensively-- Yes Kniss is a great tool leading the offense. (Best QB in the CCIW if you ask me), but the rest of the offense is decent.  They don't have Spencer's speed and catching ability, Holden is not running the ball, etc.  NC had a lot of graduation losses as Elmhurst will after this year. 
Wheaton's key is getting Chaz Black and the running game going.

Augie/Wheaton  I see 2 keys to the game.  A) From an Augie standpoint, they have to win the line battle.  Elmhurst's D-Line IMO, is one of the top 2 D-Lines in the CCIW.  They have shown that when they need a stop, the D-Line is rising to the occasion.  Yes, they give up some yards here and there, but (ex. Carthage) the D-Line stepped up to the plate late when the game was on the line.  If Augie can't get that inside "shove it up your gut" running game established, I think Elmhurst has a great chance.
B) Controlling Elmhurst's passing game.  Elmhurst's receivers were open all game vs. Carthage.  Young, Cooley Jr., Veldhuis, etc.  were able to find the gaps and make the catches to keep the drives going.  I know Augie has a good secondary, which is why I look at the Receivers vs. DB's matchup also.

[79jaybird]

Irish21 (MB),  good to see you back on the board!  I am also happy to see our High Schools doing very well in conference/overall play.  It's still a sore bone that Fremd was able to knock us off at home a few weeks ago.   
As a loyal MSL er I hope both of our schools do well in 7A/8A playoffs.

[Mugsy]

IMO, here are the greatest concerns (things that will determine the outcome) of both the EC/Augie game and NC/Wheaton game.

NC/Wheaton-- IMO, the greatest concern and where the game will be decided is can the Cardinals' O-Line be able to handle Studebaker and the Wheaton LB's? I think the Thunder is going to be in the Cardinals' backfield all day, and Kniss won't have the time to find his receivers down the field.
Offensively-- Yes Kniss is a great tool leading the offense. (Best QB in the CCIW if you ask me), but the rest of the offense is decent.  They don't have Spencer's speed and catching ability, Holden is not running the ball, etc.  NC had a lot of graduation losses as Elmhurst will after this year. 
Wheaton's key is getting Chaz Black and the running game going.

Augie/Wheaton  I see 2 keys to the game.  A) From an Augie standpoint, they have to win the line battle.  Elmhurst's D-Line IMO, is one of the top 2 D-Lines in the CCIW.  They have shown that when they need a stop, the D-Line is rising to the occasion.  Yes, they give up some yards here and there, but (ex. Carthage) the D-Line stepped up to the plate late when the game was on the line.  If Augie can't get that inside "shove it up your gut" running game established, I think Elmhurst has a great chance.
B) Controlling Elmhurst's passing game.  Elmhurst's receivers were open all game vs. Carthage.  Young, Cooley Jr., Veldhuis, etc.  were able to find the gaps and make the catches to keep the drives going.  I know Augie has a good secondary, which is why I look at the Receivers vs. DB's matchup also.

My primary concern would be Wheaton having to prepare and play both NCC and Augie in the same week.  Whew... that would be tough! 

[79jaybird]

hehe, that should read Augie vs. Elmhurst     Yes, that would be awfully difficult if Wheaton had to face Augie and North Central in a twin bill!

[washdupcard]

Big Congrats goes out to Dan Taylor (washdupcard) on passing his BAR EXAM. Also, looking forward heading over to wheaton to quiet down the thunder this saturday and keeping the bell where its supposed to be at. Naperville, BABY!!!!!

The cards also need to come out more focused than they have all year. Every game so far they have came out flat and if they do it against wheaton we might be in for some fireworks flying high in wheaton.

Wow.  Thanks for outing me.  Now the papparazzi are going to be all over me.

[dansand]

IMO, here are the greatest concerns (things that will determine the outcome) of both the EC/Augie game and NC/Wheaton game.

NC/Wheaton-- IMO, the greatest concern and where the game will be decided is can the Cardinals' O-Line be able to handle Studebaker and the Wheaton LB's? I think the Thunder is going to be in the Cardinals' backfield all day, and Kniss won't have the time to find his receivers down the field.
Offensively-- Yes Kniss is a great tool leading the offense. (Best QB in the CCIW if you ask me), but the rest of the offense is decent.  They don't have Spencer's speed and catching ability, Holden is not running the ball, etc.  NC had a lot of graduation losses as Elmhurst will after this year. 
Wheaton's key is getting Chaz Black and the running game going.

Augie/Wheaton  I see 2 keys to the game.  A) From an Augie standpoint, they have to win the line battle.  Elmhurst's D-Line IMO, is one of the top 2 D-Lines in the CCIW.  They have shown that when they need a stop, the D-Line is rising to the occasion.  Yes, they give up some yards here and there, but (ex. Carthage) the D-Line stepped up to the plate late when the game was on the line.  If Augie can't get that inside "shove it up your gut" running game established, I think Elmhurst has a great chance.
B) Controlling Elmhurst's passing game.  Elmhurst's receivers were open all game vs. Carthage.  Young, Cooley Jr., Veldhuis, etc.  were able to find the gaps and make the catches to keep the drives going.  I know Augie has a good secondary, which is why I look at the Receivers vs. DB's matchup also.

My primary concern would be Wheaton having to prepare and play both NCC and Augie in the same week.  Whew... that would be tough! 

Mugsy,
I think since you guys will be playing for The Bell you should have the A-team play the Cards and while Augie gets the Thunder JV. 

C'mon, isn't anyone going to ask about my helmet logo (or avatar or whatever you call it)?

[Mugsy]

C'mon, isn't anyone going to ask about my helmet logo (or avatar or whatever you call it)?

I noticed it and probably might have commented on it, but I can't read it. 

[Better edit this before CardinalAlum inserts some comment about how I've taken too many hits to the head, or my Wheaton education failed to help me read, or whatever.]

I can't read it because the text is too small.


Ok...

Hey, DanSand, what's up with your profile picture?

[Comet 14]

I feel that the whoever wins the turnover war will win the game. That goes for both the Elmhurst vs Augie game and the Wheaton vs North Central game. I think the teams are too evenly matched on offense and defense. saounds pretty simple but is true more times than not.

[Comet 14]

Jaybird- I was wondering what you thought of the officiating at the game sat. I thought is was horrible. The worst call being the onside kick that ( looked to me ) was touched before the 10 yards required.

[diehardfan]

C'mon, isn't anyone going to ask about my helmet logo (or avatar or whatever you call it)?

I noticed it and probably might have commented on it, but I can't read it. 

[Better edit this before CardinalAlum inserts some comment about how I've taken too many hits to the head, or my Wheaton education failed to help me read, or whatever.]

I can't read it because the text is too small.


Ok...

Hey, DanSand, what's up with your profile picture?

Mugsy,
I think since you guys will be playing for The Bell you should have the A-team play the Cards and while Augie gets the Thunder JV. 

C'mon, isn't anyone going to ask about my helmet logo (or avatar or whatever you call it)?

Yeah, but just think how bad you'll feel when we beat you anyway.

[dansand]

C'mon, isn't anyone going to ask about my helmet logo (or avatar or whatever you call it)?

I noticed it and probably might have commented on it, but I can't read it. 

[Better edit this before CardinalAlum inserts some comment about how I've taken too many hits to the head, or my Wheaton education failed to help me read, or whatever.]

I can't read it because the text is too small.


Ok...

Hey, DanSand, what's up with your profile picture?

Thanks Mugsy.

It should show up as a plain gold helmet (and it does on my home computer), but when I peeked at the site at work today, it showed up as some weird, tiny logo, which I'm guessing is what you're seeing. Anyway,
Coach Barnes stripped the Vikings of the script "Augie" logo on their helmets before last week's game, so I had to scour the Helmet Project website for a plain gold helmet with blue stripes and facemask. I ended up with an old Franklin (IN) helmet from the late '90's. Since it's apparently not showing up anyway, I should probably change it back.

Yeah, but just think how bad you'll feel when we beat you anyway.

April,
I feel bad when Augie loses to anyone. Four national championships create high expectations.