FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Son of Tailgater]

Was at the Millikin game, and much like the last 10 years, Millikin was out coached.  They never threw the ball down field, ran the ball on 1st down 90% of the time, and played not to lose, instead of to win.  Never seen safeties play 20 yards off the ball, especially when the other team is in the red zone about to win the game. 

Scenario:

Millikin is up 3 with 3 minutes to go.  They just recovered a fumble on Auge's 35 yard line.  They of course pound the ball up the middle against 8 in the box and soft coverage 3 times in a row.  It is 4th and 3 on Auge's 30 yard line with about 2 minutes to go.  Do we go for it and win the game if we get it?  Nope, we get a delay of game, and elect to punt.  The punt ends up at the 21 yard line, so we net 9 total yards!!!  What kind of message are you sending to your kids?  Auge then drives the ball against soft coverage (see:  20 yards deep) and scores with 1 minute to go.  Millikin of course does not have any TO's cause we burned 3 earlier in the half.  Millikin is wasting a lot of talent, and unfortunately, the players realize it.

I have to ask the question: Is this poor coaching or lack of execution? I haven't seen Millikin this year and do not fully understand their talent but if you win the game by getting a first down the OLINE should make that happen, not the coaches. Going for it for 4th and 3 and giving Augie a short field to work with?? I don't know that I would have made that call either. In hindsight, knowing that it would have been a 9 yard punt would have made a difference but during that moment you can't plan for that. Not trying to argue here, just another POV.

[NeonDeion2]

Was at the Millikin game, and much like the last 10 years, Millikin was out coached.  They never threw the ball down field, ran the ball on 1st down 90% of the time, and played not to lose, instead of to win.  Never seen safeties play 20 yards off the ball, especially when the other team is in the red zone about to win the game. 

Scenario:

Millikin is up 3 with 3 minutes to go.  They just recovered a fumble on Auge's 35 yard line.  They of course pound the ball up the middle against 8 in the box and soft coverage 3 times in a row.  It is 4th and 3 on Auge's 30 yard line with about 2 minutes to go.  Do we go for it and win the game if we get it?  Nope, we get a delay of game, and elect to punt.  The punt ends up at the 21 yard line, so we net 9 total yards!!!  What kind of message are you sending to your kids?  Auge then drives the ball against soft coverage (see:  20 yards deep) and scores with 1 minute to go.  Millikin of course does not have any TO's cause we burned 3 earlier in the half.  Millikin is wasting a lot of talent, and unfortunately, the players realize it.

I have to ask the question: Is this poor coaching or lack of execution? I haven't seen Millikin this year and do not fully understand their talent but if you win the game by getting a first down the OLINE should make that happen, not the coaches. Going for it for 4th and 3 and giving Augie a short field to work with?? I don't know that I would have made that call either. In hindsight, knowing that it would have been a 9 yard punt would have made a difference but during that moment you can't plan for that. Not trying to argue here, just another POV.

When safeties are at 20 yards, it is up to the coaches to correct that.  Also, the coaches usually get the plays to the offense with about 8-10 seconds left on the play clock, so no checks can be made, and they have to rush to the line or burn TO's in the middle of a quarter.  Running the ball every time on 1st and 2nd down and leaving 3rd and long, doesn't give the quarterback much of a chance (ask Jay Cutler). 

If they choose not to punt and go for the W and they get stopped, Auge still would of had to march 65+ yards with 2 minutes go to (into 15 mph winds), so it wasn't like it was at midfield.

[79jaybird]

Definitely an odd game at NPU Saturday. I think the game could be summed up with 2 thoughts A) NPU missed opportunities to put EC behind the 8 ball early.  Spoiling great field position.  They started in or near the EC red zone (it seemed) most of the first quarter.  And B) Elmhurst finally putting it in to gear and realized it wasn't going to be an easy win.

Even when it was 23-0 and NPU had first and goal from the 4 yd line, only to see 4th down get taken the other way by Paul for an EC TD, I thought to myself, If NPU scores here,  they will immediately take back the momentum and had a quarter to work with.

When EC finally did play to their potential they looked ok.  But the sluggish start (hopefully just cobwebs from their bye week) cannot happen the rest of the way,  otherwise the game will be over by halftime.

[Stagg Again!!]

IMO, the Cardinals won't move up further in the poll unless (1) a more highly-ranked team loses or (2) an undefeated NCC defeats an undefeated Wheaton team on Nov. 6. 

Does it really matter where they are in the polls? They just need to take care of business and win. Everything else will fall into place.

I completely agree that polls are meaningless unless you take care of business on the field.  Additionally, poll positions only really matter when they are viewed in relation to other teams in the North, "near-West", or "near-South" Regions (within 500 miles of the Chicago area).  When I look at the current D3 rankings, I only focus in on teams that could be seeded into the North region for the playoffs as, geographically, it would be difficult for the NCAA to move a CCIW team to another region.  That said, I focus in on the following teams in this week's poll:

#1 UWW (West)
#2 Mt. Union (North)
#4 STU (West)
#6 Coe (West)
#7 NCC (North)
#8 Wittenberg (North)
#9 Central (West)
#10 Thomas More (South, but was in North Region bracket in 2008)
#13 ONU (North)
#15 Trine (North)
#17 UW-EC (West)
#18 Wheaton (North)
and #19 Wabash (North)

I know that the #3 and #5 teams are in the South Region and that the top ranked team in the East Region is at #12 - Delaware Valley.  As such, it is feasible that the NCAA could again move Mt. Union to the East Region.  If that happens, it could open the door for UWW or STU to get the top seed in the North Region.

But, as we have all learned in the past (NCC in 2009, WC in 2007, IWU in 2007, etc.), none of these rankings really matter if you don't win nine or ten games -- getting back to newcardfan's point.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Note that the polls (officially, at least) don't matter even for seeding within a region.  The selection criteria are completely separate from whatever standards voters in the polls use.

[Stagg Again!!]

Note that the polls (officially, at least) don't matter even for seeding within a region.  The selection criteria are completely separate from whatever standards voters in the polls use.

Good point.  And, of course, we can not forget that there are the AQ Pool A teams (currently from the NATHC and HCAC) and Pool B teams that may not be represented in the Top 25.

[Mugsy]

CCIW Players of the Week announced:

NAPERVILLE, Ill. – Elmhurst's Scottie Williams, Wheaton's Jordan Langs and North Central's Nick Dace were named the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) Football Players of the Week Monday.

Williams, a sophomore from Woodridge, Ill., and Downers Grove South High School, helped lead Elmhurst to a 45-0 victory over North Park on Saturday, tallying a team-high 186 yards rushing on 23 carries and two touchdowns. He averaged 8.1 yards per carry and scored on touchdown runs of six and 46 yards. In just four games this season, Williams has totaled 639 yards on the ground and nine touchdowns. He is averaging 159.8 yards per game and 7.3 yards per carry. He has rushed for at least two touchdowns in every game and has run for over 170 yards in each of the past three games. Williams is a Marketing major.

Langs, a junior linebacker from Climax, Mich., and Climax-Scotts High School, had two interceptions and one fumble recovery during Wheaton's 29-19 victory over Illinois Wesleyan on Saturday. He also registered three total tackles, including two tackles for lost yardage (-8 yards). Langs' second interception came with 2:35 left in the game at the Illinois Wesleyan 39-yard line, ending the Titan's chances for a rally. Wheaton forced five Titan turnovers on the day. Langs is a History/Social Science and Secondary Education major.

Dace, a freshman kicker from Freeport, Ill., and Freeport High School, kicked four extra points and three field goals to account for 13 points in the Cardinals' victory over Carthage. He made a 22-yard field goal as time ran out in the second quarter, then added a 27-yarder early in the fourth quarter before converting a 49-yard attempt with 5:35 remaining in the game. His 49-yard conversion was the second-longest made field goal in school history. Dace is an Accounting major.

[oldnuthin]

Was at the Millikin game, and much like the last 10 years, Millikin was out coached.  They never threw the ball down field, ran the ball on 1st down 90% of the time, and played not to lose, instead of to win.  Never seen safeties play 20 yards off the ball, especially when the other team is in the red zone about to win the game.  

Scenario:

Millikin is up 3 with 3 minutes to go.  They just recovered a fumble on Auge's 35 yard line.  They of course pound the ball up the middle against 8 in the box and soft coverage 3 times in a row.  It is 4th and 3 on Auge's 30 yard line with about 2 minutes to go.  Do we go for it and win the game if we get it?  Nope, we get a delay of game, and elect to punt.  The punt ends up at the 21 yard line, so we net 9 total yards!!!  What kind of message are you sending to your kids?  Auge then drives the ball against soft coverage (see:  20 yards deep) and scores with 1 minute to go.  Millikin of course does not have any TO's cause we burned 3 earlier in the half.  Millikin is wasting a lot of talent, and unfortunately, the players realize it.

I have to ask the question: Is this poor coaching or lack of execution? I haven't seen Millikin this year and do not fully understand their talent but if you win the game by getting a first down the OLINE should make that happen, not the coaches. Going for it for 4th and 3 and giving Augie a short field to work with?? I don't know that I would have made that call either. In hindsight, knowing that it would have been a 9 yard punt would have made a difference but during that moment you can't plan for that. Not trying to argue here, just another POV.

When safeties are at 20 yards, it is up to the coaches to correct that.  Also, the coaches usually get the plays to the offense with about 8-10 seconds left on the play clock, so no checks can be made, and they have to rush to the line or burn TO's in the middle of a quarter.  Running the ball every time on 1st and 2nd down and leaving 3rd and long, doesn't give the quarterback much of a chance (ask Jay Cutler).  

If they choose not to punt and go for the W and they get stopped, Auge still would of had to march 65+ yards with 2 minutes go to (into 15 mph winds), so it wasn't like it was at midfield.

I am trying to start a civil war here, but to say the plays are consistently sent in with only 8-10 seconds is false. If you look at the passing stats for the day, 5-19 and 1-12 in the second half and compare that to Don Wilsons' 164 yds, running the ball was the only option. As i mentioned yesterday, this is a young defense with 2 sophomores and starting and 1 freshman getting significant playing time. As i have stated all year long, the O has to be more consistent, and finish. there were other opportunities to put the game away when augie turned the ball over, that were not taken advantage of. in reponse to the question if it was poor execution, i am not going to put that on an O line that has a runner averaging over 200 yds per game. Yes the box was stacked but at that point the augie D had no reason to respect the pass. I would have liked to have seen different pass coverage, but that is water under the bridge.

With the caliber of the young players that we have, the arrow is definetly pointing up. they are a young team that is learning how to win after a long dry spell. Negative posts such as these serve no good purpose in my mind. A team is made up of many components starting with the players and going all the way to the parents. A team works together and does not put its business out for others to see and speculate on. If you have a problem with a coach or his decision, in my opinion this is not the forum for that. Take it up with him directly, or go put in the 60 to 70 hours a week any coach puts in and maybe you will have a better understanding of the time and committment that coaches give to this great sport, and not at a very high rate of pay as far as i know.

(modified by GS for formatting)

[oldnuthin]

Sorry dont know how to seperate my comments out of that blue box

[Pat Coleman]

When you type, make sure you are after the last [ \quote] at the bottom of the box.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Sorry dont know how to seperate my comments out of that blue box

What Pat said!  (I'd already quoted you when Pat posted - I hate to interrupt myself! )

[Son of Tailgater]

CCIW Players of the Week announced:

NAPERVILLE, Ill. – Elmhurst's Scottie Williams, Wheaton's Jordan Langs and North Central's Nick Dace were named the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) Football Players of the Week Monday.

Williams, a sophomore from Woodridge, Ill., and Downers Grove South High School, helped lead Elmhurst to a 45-0 victory over North Park on Saturday, tallying a team-high 186 yards rushing on 23 carries and two touchdowns. He averaged 8.1 yards per carry and scored on touchdown runs of six and 46 yards. In just four games this season, Williams has totaled 639 yards on the ground and nine touchdowns. He is averaging 159.8 yards per game and 7.3 yards per carry. He has rushed for at least two touchdowns in every game and has run for over 170 yards in each of the past three games. Williams is a Marketing major.

Langs, a junior linebacker from Climax, Mich., and Climax-Scotts High School, had two interceptions and one fumble recovery during Wheaton's 29-19 victory over Illinois Wesleyan on Saturday. He also registered three total tackles, including two tackles for lost yardage (-8 yards). Langs' second interception came with 2:35 left in the game at the Illinois Wesleyan 39-yard line, ending the Titan's chances for a rally. Wheaton forced five Titan turnovers on the day. Langs is a History/Social Science and Secondary Education major.

Dace, a freshman kicker from Freeport, Ill., and Freeport High School, kicked four extra points and three field goals to account for 13 points in the Cardinals' victory over Carthage. He made a 22-yard field goal as time ran out in the second quarter, then added a 27-yarder early in the fourth quarter before converting a 49-yard attempt with 5:35 remaining in the game. His 49-yard conversion was the second-longest made field goal in school history. Dace is an Accounting major.

I do have to say that Dace's 49 yard kick was very impressive. Given the way the game was going he was never put into any high pressure situations but I would still like to have this guy on my team with 3+ years left.

[devildog29]

http://www.pantagraph.com/sports/football/professional/arena/extreme/article_b3a53996-cfee-11df-a465-001cc4c03286.html

I haven't been able to find anything on how this affects the Titans this year or in the future, but congratulations to Coach Murray on being named head coach of the Bloomington Extreme indoor football team.

[usee]

"We've got somebody that has incredible talent, that has experience to move our program further into the future," said Extreme president and lead owner Ed Brady. "His dedication to his players and dedication to the sport is unmatched."

Same Ed Brady who was an All conference WR and teammate of Mike's??

[Titan Q]

"We've got somebody that has incredible talent, that has experience to move our program further into the future," said Extreme president and lead owner Ed Brady. "His dedication to his players and dedication to the sport is unmatched."

Same Ed Brady who was an All conference WR and teammate of Mike's??

Yes, and brother of Illinois Republican candidate for governor Bill Brady (also an IWU grad).

http://www.bradyforillinois.com/about/meet-bill-brady