FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[DIIIinVA]

Ittersagen still making a play - the strip down inside the 5 yard line for a touchback.

[Mugsy]

Wheaton drive stalls... close but no cigar.  Then MUC drives down for a TD in less than 2 minutes and only 5 plays.

Like a broken record... how many TD drives does MUC have against Wheaton that finish in under 2 minutes and less than 6-7 plays in 6 games.  I'd put the over under at 25.

Mugsy, it's frustrating as heck to watch.  But having seen all of Mt. Union's Stagg Bowl appearances since 1996 in person, this is par for the course for them from what I've seen - not just against Wheaton.  Not in every Stagg Bowl of course, but I've seen them do pretty much the same thing to a bunch of very good, previously undefeated teams while playing for a championship.

Still, if Wheaton had avoided the self inflicted mistakes (fumble, dropped passes) this game would carry a more respectable score.  

I hear you... MUC offensive line TOTALLY dominated Wheaton.  Until Wheaton front seven can stack up against MUC, I'm afraid this type of game will continue to be the norm.

MUC does this to virtually everyone else... no knock on Wheaton.  Just shows how unique MUC is...

MUC 2nd team offense drives right down the field, but fumbles into the endzone.  Under 2 minutes left.

[Mugsy]

Game over.  Mount Union 45.  Wheaton 24.

[WahooThunder]

Congrats to the Thunder on a great season! We'll be back Alliance.

[Mugsy]

432 yards rushing for MUC.  Total domination by the O-Line.

Oh yeah, Micheli was 19/26 for 225 and 2 TD's, along with 76 yards rushing.

Must stink to be a MUC punter... ZERO punts today.

[DIIIinVA]

Wheaton drive stalls... close but no cigar.  Then MUC drives down for a TD in less than 2 minutes and only 5 plays.

Like a broken record... how many TD drives does MUC have against Wheaton that finish in under 2 minutes and less than 6-7 plays in 6 games.  I'd put the over under at 25.

Mugsy, it's frustrating as heck to watch.  But having seen all of Mt. Union's Stagg Bowl appearances since 1996 in person, this is par for the course for them from what I've seen - not just against Wheaton.  Not in every Stagg Bowl of course, but I've seen them do pretty much the same thing to a bunch of very good, previously undefeated teams while playing for a championship.

Still, if Wheaton had avoided the self inflicted mistakes (fumble, dropped passes) this game would carry a more respectable score.  

I hear you... MUC offensive line TOTALLY dominated Wheaton.  Until Wheaton front seven can stack up against MUC, I'm afraid this type of game will continue to be the norm.

MUC does this to virtually everyone else... no knock on Wheaton.  Just shows how unique MUC is...

MUC 2nd team offense drives right down the field, but fumbles into the endzone.  Under 2 minutes left.

Maybe a Wheaton defensive front made up of D Parrish, Jeff Frazier, D. Massey (sp?) and Andy Studebaker, with Chad Thorson at MLB would stand a chance.

Every year Wheaton has a few of those guys on the team.  Mt. Union seems to have them 2-deep at almost every position.

[Mugsy]

Good game for Norris, Ellis, Pokorny and a solid performance by the Wheaton O-Line.

Nearly 350 yards offense by Wheaton against an incredible defense (yes... I know 50 or so came against 2nd team defense).  

[Mr. Ypsi]

The silver lining: Wheaton beat hscoach's line (and I believe all the CCIW pickers on the OAC contest picked Wheaton, while hscoach didn't).

[Kira & Jaxon's Dad]

I picked Wheaton and the points.

[Mugsy]

My heart-felt congrats to Coach Swider and the entire staff, all the Wheaton players, especially you seniors.

Nearly everyone, including myself, counted you out after the Elmhurst game. You guys played your hearts out and were one game away from playing for a National Championship.  You gave it your all against yet another brutally talented, well-coached Mount Union team.

Absolutely nothing to be ashamed of at all!!!  I can't tell you how proud I am of the Wheaton program.  Keep it up.  One of these years we will break on through.

Remember... it took over 12 years to finally breakthrough the Augie hurdle.

[DIIIinVA]

Congratulations to the Thunder for a great season and for bouncing back after a couple of tough losses to make the most of the opportunity given by an at-large berth.  Who expected an at-large Wheaton team with 2 CCIW losses to advance further in the DIII playoffs than any previous Crusader/Thunder team in history? 

Way to leave it all out on the field.  A team of lesser character wouldn't have gotten back off the mat swinging the way you guys did after getting down early today in Alliance.  Mt. Union is used to seeing teams just wither and die when they jump up on them early in the game, and you kept on coming hard.  The Mt. Union announcers even commented on what heart the Thunder team was showing, saying "they just keep on coming."  There are a lot of alums, parents and fans who are proud of what you accomplished this season.

[Small but Slow]

The Thunder will return.  Your team is very well coached and plays with great pride.  I'm sure we'll see you next year.  Norris is a stud and your receivers are excellent.  Great job up front, as well.  In all honesty, I thought your defense looked solid, but couldn't stop both Kmic and Micheli.

[BashDad]

I'll echo Mugsy and say congrats to the Thunder not just on a great run, but picking themselves up after two awful losses, sneaking into the playoffs and earning a great deal of respect. You guys were tough and fun to root for today. Gingg and Norris back make for a really solid back field to rally around for next year. Norris could really turn some heads. He's the real deal.

[Mugsy]

I completely lost track... Wheaton was down mid-2nd quarter 24-0.  This game easily could have gotten way, way out of hand.  Wheaton battled the remainder of the way... actually outscoring MUC 24-21.  Of course MUC had called off the dogs for the last 6 minutes...  

Still great heart displayed by Wheaton.

[Augie6]

Congrats to Wheaton on a great season.  You represented yourselves and the CCIW very well.  Just not enough horses to keep up with a very good MUC team.  It will be interesting to see if UWW (who is rolling over UMHB) is able to do it at the Stagg next week.  Should be a great game.