FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[ncc58]

[and a big hats off to Weinke who had the defense geared up for Augie. Also, Wes Kostellic, linebacker, 1 rushing touchdown, 1 catch for 53 yards and 6 tackles with a pass deflection. Pretty good game for a linebacker, possibly POW on defense

Oh yeah, the Kostellic reception. Several times in short yardage and goalline situations, North Central came out in the Maryland I. And Augie countered by putting all 11 defensive players within 4 yards of the line of scrimmage. Heck, if North Central ran the Maryland I the whole game, they could play in a handball court. I make the comment that a play action pass might work really well. Sure enough, Jeff Thorne calls a pass play that rumbles for 52 yards.

[Mugsy]

Chupp throws way to many interceptions. i am concerned with his cavalier attitude in throwing the ball. fossum has made some great plays in this game.

I've been saying this for 2 years, much to the dismay and disagreement of some Wheaton faithful.  I've been very, very concerned with the propensity to turn the ball over.  Plus Chupp really forces the ball into coverage sometimes.  I'm really happy for the Wheaton win, but the interceptions are going to burn them at some point - much like against NCC last year.

[Mugsy]

Today may have been the best game that NCC has played against a top level opponent. Surely, it's the best performance I've seen as a either a player or alum. I live less than 10 minutes from NCC and just got home. NCC totally dominated Augie. If those are the final stats that usee posted --- 122 yards for Augie, WOW. I was going to guess that they had under 150, and Augie didn't have more than 20 in the first half.

Kniss was just surgical today. North Central opens with a TD, the defense shuts down Augie, and then Kniss leads North Central on a 24 play, 75 yard drive and kicks a FG. Augie ran 3 plays from scrimmage in the 1st quarter for 5 yards! Then the crowd began to buzz about the 21 point differential ... Kniss was outstanding and Sulo had another solid game. He caught several passes and his 20 yard run with 2 minutes left ended any chance to lose the 21 point differential. But, as it was against Elmhurst and Millikin, the defense was the key.

I really can't understand how Wheaton lost to Augie. Elmhurst even was a tougher opponent.

Sounds like Kniss has sealed up the OPOY with his play against Augie.  He is one solid QB.  NCC is going to miss him sorely next year, though no one else in the CCIW will.   

[cardinaldad]

Well, special teams weren't that great but they didn't give up a big play.

midwestfb - if this quote was in reference to NCC -  The one punt went for 53 yds if I remember right. No blocked punt like last week. And, all PAT's were good. No big KO returns. A solid performance by special teams when they were called on. Not great....but fundamentally sound today.

[cardinaldad]

Today may have been the best game that NCC has played against a top level opponent. Surely, it's the best performance I've seen as a either a player or alum. I live less than 10 minutes from NCC and just got home. NCC totally dominated Augie. If those are the final stats that usee posted --- 122 yards for Augie, WOW. I was going to guess that they had under 150, and Augie didn't have more than 20 in the first half.

Kniss was just surgical today. North Central opens with a TD, the defense shuts down Augie, and then Kniss leads North Central on a 24 play, 75 yard drive and kicks a FG. Augie ran 3 plays from scrimmage in the 1st quarter for 5 yards! Then the crowd began to buzz about the 21 point differential ... Kniss was outstanding and Sulo had another solid game. He caught several passes and his 20 yard run with 2 minutes left ended any chance to lose the 21 point differential. But, as it was against Elmhurst and Millikin, the defense was the key.

I really can't understand how Wheaton lost to Augie. Elmhurst even was a tougher opponent.

Sounds like Kniss has sealed up the OPOY with his play against Augie.  He is one solid QB.  NCC is going to miss him sorely next year, though no one else in the CCIW will.   

Yes, NCC will miss Kniss. While he can't be replaced, NCC appears to have 2 very capable freshman QB's in Fanthorpe and Knapczyck (not spelled right, I don't think)

[Mugsy]

Go Thunder,

I know you are a big Wheaton booster, but Wheaton, or any team from the CCIW having a legitimate shot at the national championship this year is, IMO, just not going to happen.  I truly believe the quality of the CCIW is down this year and whichever team(s) make it into the playoffs, they won't win more than one game.  There are probably 3 teams in the OAC this year that are better than the best team from the CCIW.  Hopefully, we will have 2 teams make the playoffs this year and prove me wrong (not the first time this has happened), but I seriously don't see that happening.

The CCIW may be down overall Augie is definitely not the same as last year.   NCC lost a great receiver but gained a great back.  Wheaton has two of the best d backs, 2 great d linemen, three of the best receivers all who can play with anyone.   Ittersagen may be one of the best Dbacks ever in D3.  I'm watching the videotape and not ONE ball that I've see or can recall was thrown to his guy.  That happens week after week.  Yes I believe he is as fast or faster than Garson from MUC.  He proved that he was by FAR the fastest person on the field today by running down the Elmhurst player from out of know where.  I've seen many games, tape many games, in the CCIW and follow and listen to others close.  What are Wheatens weaknesses besides penalties and turnovers?  They are improving in the penalties.  If they also fix the turnovers where is any weakness or mediocre area?  To me there isn't any.  There as talented as any team in D3.

I bleed blue & orange with the best of them and have strong wishes for Wheaton to go far, but I'm also a realist.  They need to cut down on turnovers and penalities.  

Wheaton "has a legitimate shot at the national championship this year"?  Umm... there is a real possibility that if NCC wins out, Wheaton may not even make the playoffs if the committee votes against a Pool C choice.  Sure any team that makes the playoffs has "a shot", but it'll take an absolute perfect game (if they even make the playoffs) against the likes of Mount Union, UW-Whitewater and others.

Quarterfinals for any CCIW would be outstanding this year, IMO.

[cardinaldad]

I'm really disappointed with Elmhurst this year. After watching them develop the last few years, I thought they were really going to make some waves this year and compete for the conference title. I guess they miss Demma, Brogan and Company more than anyone thought.

[Mugsy]

Yes, NCC will miss Kniss. While he can't be replaced, NCC appears to have 2 very capable freshman QB's in Fanthorpe and Knapczyck (not spelled right, I don't think)

I don't doubt NCC has some solid QB prospects, but those like Kniss don't come around that often.  Time will tell.

[cardinaldad]

Quarterfinals for any CCIW would be outstanding this year, IMO.

I might tend to agree with you one this one Mugsy. However, on any given Saturday........................................................................................................
Some great football has been played in the CCIW this year. If it all clicks (as it did for NCC today) the CCIW representative could go deep. As someone said earlier, anyone in the playoffs has a shot!

[cardinaldad]

Yes, NCC will miss Kniss. While he can't be replaced, NCC appears to have 2 very capable freshman QB's in Fanthorpe and Knapczyck (not spelled right, I don't think)

I don't doubt NCC has some solid QB prospects, but those like Kniss don't come around that often.  Time will tell.

Again, agreed Mugsy

[CardinalAlum]

Final from Kenosha:

Carthage 16
Millikin       7

[wheels81]

Chupp looked really sharp today despite the 3 interceptions.  He and Ulrich found their receivers on some long 3rd downs in second half.  A couple of dropped passes that they should have caught.   The first interception got caught with the wind and sailed to the DB.  Another interception came at the end of the first half with no real consequences.   Good thing was that there were no fumbles by either QB and the sophmore sensation Hershey.  
I saw Black dressed for the game was he being left out for injury or rest?
Intersagen was the star as he was all over the place helping out on pass defense and running through both teams to snare the breakout run of Rivers.
That run accounted for the majority of the Bluejay run game and it ended in a blocked FG.

I say the 2 interceptions count as completions for Augie just to wrong team.
so I could win the wildcard in pickems

[Mr. Ypsi]

While it is true that anyone in the playoffs CAN go all the way, let's be honest.  Since the decline of the Augie dynasty in the late 1980s, the CCIW has not had a team LIKELY to go even to the semis.  MUC in the 80s dreamed of becoming Augie, planned to become Augie, and has since far surpassed what Augie was.

The CCIW is a very good conference.  The top 2-3 teams are regularly among the top 10% in d3.  But it has been a long time since our top could match up with THE TOP teams.  It seems like year-after-year we get a winnable first round game (and usually win), then go to Alliance for our annual butt-whipping.  But let's not just whine that it is because we are in the same region as Mt. Union.  The same thing would likely happen if we were in the West (going to Linfield, UWW, or St. John's) or the South (Hardin-Simmons or UMHB) - MAYBE the East.

My point is: we've just gotta step it up a notch (or three).  These national powers will wane a bit at some point; our top guys need to move up and take their place!

It is easily within my memory that MUC (and others) supplanted Augie; I hope I will still have a memory when the CCIW teams return the favor!

[cardinaldad]

Amen, Mr. Ypsi!

[cardinaldad]

Is there anywhere on this sight that has the qualifications for second stringer, starter, etc.?  What is this karma stuff? How does it work? How do you get it? Lose it? Who gives it? Or, takes it away?