FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Kira & Jaxon's Dad]

the playoffs, IMO  you need to have 1 QB and only play the second/third QB if there is an emergency.

RE: Playing 1 QB in the playoffs.  Below are the season stats (prior to last weeks game) for Mount Union's two QBs.
Jorris is more of a drop back passer, where Micheli is more of an athelete (can run and pass).

            GP    Effic     Att   Com   Int   Pct      Yds   TD   Lng   Avg/G
Jorris     10   178.08   153   94     4   61.4%   1434   20   82   143.4
Micheli   10   180.17    82    62     0   75.6%    785    6    51   78.5
Total     10   179.04   235  156     4   66.4%   2219   26   82   221.9

Also have their rushing stats:
                        GP  Att Gain Loss  Net  Avg  TD   Long   Avg/G
Greg Micheli        10   43  229  24  205   4.8   4     32    20.5
Mike Jorris          10   14   58   29   29    2.1  0     17     2.9
Total                 10   57  287  53  234   4.1   4    32     23.4

[CardinalAlum]

Happy Thanksgiving to all!!  Good Luck to the Thunder and my beloved Cardinals.  You both have huge tasks in front of you!  Safe travels to all!

[purpled]

Mugsy - Thanks! Are you the coach? 


Mount Union Purple Raiders...OAC Champs...15 Years Running!!

[usee]

couple more notes on the games this weekend:

Wheaton/MUC: I am most concerned with the Thunder offense against the MUC defense. Wheaton's worst stretches this year on offense were the 1st half against NCC and the first 3.5 qtrs against Augie. Those are the two best teams in the conference other than Wheaton. They cannot afford to go a quarter, half, or even a couple series without moving the ball and producing on offense. On defense they really need conisistency. Many of the points and yards they have given up have been at end of games where they were in control, however the balance have come through momentary lapses in assignment and big plays. not many, but enough to be concerned against a big play muc team.  I think the film exchange is the last 3 reg season games (not positive though). that gives wheaton marietta (a good qb), John Carroll, and Capital while MUC will have IWU, Carthage, Elmhurst films on wheaton.  If MUC has success moving the ball on the ground and gets into a lot of 2nd and short or 1st and 10s via long runs, look out. Likewise, if Wheaton can do what no team has done and run the ball at MUC effectively, they have a chance to keep MUC offense off the field, shorten the game and take their chances.

for NCC they have struggled the most this season on the road in big games. fortunately for them they didn't have many of those this year. they were nowhere to be found in the second half vs wheaton after dominating the first half. they needed some late game heroics to pull out a win in decatur and cruised down in bloomington vs IWU. They need to prove they can play well for 4 quarters on the road and this will certainly be the platform to that. for them they will see on film Cap vs. Baldwin wallace, muskingum and Mt Union.  those films will be very useful for NCC. Cap sees ncc vs carthage, IWU and Augie. I think only the carthage tape is any good. IWU will give them a feel for how NCC defends the spread formations. I expect some points to be put up in this game and turnovers will be key. If NCC can get to pentello with their front 4 they will win. If ncc has to blitz I think they are dead because pentello is too good. I think the same is true for Cap vs Kniss. the other key will be NCC's ability to run the ball. If NCC wins, Sulo is as likely a reason why as kniss.

[Ric]

In the playoffs I've always been told each team brings their last two game films to the game and the NCAA rep takes the winning team's film unless that was increased to three this year but I had not heard that.  Most teams find enough film on their opponent that they always have more. But that's why a team normally doesn't have the last game film, because there isn't time to get a copy to the NCAA rep after the game. 

[CardinalAlum]

Mugsy - Thanks! Are you the coach? 


Mount Union Purple Raiders...OAC Champs...15 Years Running!!

No, but he could be!! 

[CardinalAlum]

couple more notes on the games this weekend:

Wheaton/MUC: I am most concerned with the Thunder offense against the MUC defense. Wheaton's worst stretches this year on offense were the 1st half against NCC and the first 3.5 qtrs against Augie. Those are the two best teams in the conference other than Wheaton. They cannot afford to go a quarter, half, or even a couple series without moving the ball and producing on offense. On defense they really need conisistency. Many of the points and yards they have given up have been at end of games where they were in control, however the balance have come through momentary lapses in assignment and big plays. not many, but enough to be concerned against a big play muc team.  I think the film exchange is the last 3 reg season games (not positive though). that gives wheaton marietta (a good qb), John Carroll, and Capital while MUC will have IWU, Carthage, Elmhurst films on wheaton.  If MUC has success moving the ball on the ground and gets into a lot of 2nd and short or 1st and 10s via long runs, look out. Likewise, if Wheaton can do what no team has done and run the ball at MUC effectively, they have a chance to keep MUC offense off the field, shorten the game and take their chances.

for NCC they have struggled the most this season on the road in big games. fortunately for them they didn't have many of those this year. they were nowhere to be found in the second half vs wheaton after dominating the first half. they needed some late game heroics to pull out a win in decatur and cruised down in bloomington vs IWU. They need to prove they can play well for 4 quarters on the road and this will certainly be the platform to that. for them they will see on film Cap vs. Baldwin wallace, muskingum and Mt Union.  those films will be very useful for NCC. Cap sees ncc vs carthage, IWU and Augie. I think only the carthage tape is any good. IWU will give them a feel for how NCC defends the spread formations. I expect some points to be put up in this game and turnovers will be key. If NCC can get to pentello with their front 4 they will win. If ncc has to blitz I think they are dead because pentello is too good. I think the same is true for Cap vs Kniss. the other key will be NCC's ability to run the ball. If NCC wins, Sulo is as likely a reason why as kniss.

Usee: Great stuff as always, +k!

[usee]

In the playoffs I've always been told each team brings their last two game films to the game and the NCAA rep takes the winning team's film unless that was increased to three this year but I had not heard that.  Most teams find enough film on their opponent that they always have more. But that's why a team normally doesn't have the last game film, because there isn't time to get a copy to the NCAA rep after the game. 

I thought that too Ric, but I heard for some reason the trade is 3 games this year. not a reliable source though so may be off. certainly MUC and wheaton have plenty of tape of each other over the past 4 yrs.

I also think its really lame teams don' trade the most recent playoff game. I understand why (see first round texas matchup) but the NCAA could easily have the host team prepare copies at the game site and courier them to an airport for delivery on Sunday. It happens all the time and isn't that expensive.

[Redmen96]

Does anyone know if there would be a chance of tickets being sold out for the Mt Union game since they sell tickets in advance?  Any hotel suggestions on the cheaper side?   Any other travel suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks

If you are not one for driving, when we went to see Carthage play MUC in 04 we took a train.  I would recommend it highly!  We boozed the whole Friday train ride up.  Stayed in a hotel Friday night.  Then on Saturday, Tailgated, watched a very good football game, Partied a several bars, went to an "Adult Establishment" and caught the train back to Chicago at 2:00 Am.  Slept the whole time on the train and when we woke up, we were in Chicago in time to watch the Bears, before catching a train to the Suburbs!  A good time was had by all!!!!   8)  
Right reidy?

No not all.  A great time was had by you guys.  I brought my 21 year old nephew and his 21 year old buddy, with the Idea that I would drive 8 hours from New York (while they slept) buy their tickets hang out with my Redmen boys and rest on the way back.  Instead they got wasted at the game and I drove back on no sleep and had to go to work at the prison when I got home.  Not exactly what I planned.

[usee]

Does anyone know if there would be a chance of tickets being sold out for the Mt Union game since they sell tickets in advance?  Any hotel suggestions on the cheaper side?   Any other travel suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks

If you are not one for driving, when we went to see Carthage play MUC in 04 we took a train.  I would recommend it highly!  We boozed the whole Friday train ride up.  Stayed in a hotel Friday night.  Then on Saturday, Tailgated, watched a very good football game, Partied a several bars, went to an "Adult Establishment" and caught the train back to Chicago at 2:00 Am.  Slept the whole time on the train and when we woke up, we were in Chicago in time to watch the Bears, before catching a train to the Suburbs!  A good time was had by all!!!!   8)  
Right reidy?

GO Thunder on a train to alliance with some Carthage footballers?? I wouldn't expect to see any of this on Go Thunder's Thanksgiving agenda. Mugsy maybe.

[CardinalAlum]

GO Thunder on a train to alliance with some Carthage footballers?? I wouldn't expect to see any of this on Go Thunder's Thanksgiving agenda. Mugsy maybe.

Sure, they could have a discussion on the ins and outs of Karma!

[Mugsy]

Mugsy - Thanks! Are you the coach? 


Mount Union Purple Raiders...OAC Champs...15 Years Running!!

No... I played at Wheaton from 1985-88, then I coach linebackers from 1989-1994.

[Mugsy]

Mugsy - Thanks! Are you the coach? 


Mount Union Purple Raiders...OAC Champs...15 Years Running!!

No, but he could be!! 

"No... but I stayed at a Holiday Inn last night."

[Ric]

USee LK had a great line recently. It was after our interview prior to the Marietta game, which was the final regular season game.  We were talking about game films and the NCAA rules regulating what coaches can and cannot do because when there were byes in the playoffs four teams didn't play in the first week but were not allowed to physically go watch the game between the two teams that would produce their opponent the following week.

Anyway he said if it were up to him he'd rather due without the films. He said, lets just show up and play and make the adjustments as we go.  Knowing him, it was a surprise and not a surprise.  It was surprising because no one spends more time than he does breaking down film, but not surprising because he knows one of his strengths (one of many) is game time decisions and adjustments.

[Ric]

Hey can anyone answer a couple questions for me? First what year exactly did Wheaton change its nickname from Crusaders to Thunder? I know it was Crusaders in the first meeting in the mid 90's but was Thunder for the last three so I'm guessing late 90's but would like to know exactly.  Secondly, why was the change made? What reasons motivated it?  Thx!