FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Mugsy]

Turning out to be a nice day.  Wind will be a factor though!  Stay tuned...

Doesn't look like the bad weather is expected until later tonight.  Current forcast for what it is worth is 50% chance of scattered t-storms from 7:30pm until early in the morning.

Which means I'll need to break out the rain gear and there is a 12% chance my son will last until half time of the Wheaton game.

[Mugsy]

Augie wins 21-0 over NPU.

NCC leads IWU going into the 4th quarter 17-0.

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Check that... Wenger recovers an IWU fumble and returns it 21 yards to the house.  23-0 NCC going into the 4th quarter.

[Mugsy]

Mentioned earlier in the week that IWU can not have the number of turnovers and have a chance against NCC - particularly Rooney INTs.

Today Rooney has 3 INT's leading to several NCC scores.  That is 7 INT's in 2 weeks for Rooney.

NCC leads 30-0 in the 4th.

[usee]

Dd the 4 ints vs Wheaton and that's 11 in those 3 games.

[Gregory Sager]

The game at North Park came down to five long passes against single coverage, three of them thrown by Augustana and two by NPU. Augie connected on all three of theirs, resulting in gains of 30, 44, and 55 yards. One resulted in a touchdown, the other two led to touchdowns. NPU's consisted of an overthrow by Joe Cullotta (after a double reverse) beyond a wide-open Matt Hassan on the right sideline that would've resulted in six points if they'd connected, and a slight underthrow by Tyler Krebs that WR Melvin Hall completely conceded to the DB, resulting in an Augie INT.

Change the outcome of a couple of those five passes, and you're looking at a different game. Augie had 187 yards and 11 first downs without those three completed bombs, NPU had 154 yards and 11 first downs. Of course, it doesn't work that way. Augie's much sturdier up front, and the Augie QB had so much time in the pocket today that he could've completed a crossword puzzle before throwing each pass. The wonder of it all is that Augie only attempted to go deep those three times.

Aside from those three bombs, though, NPU played very stout defense. The D essentially kept North Park in the game -- and it was a game, as Augie kept in most of its starters until the final minute. But the NPU offense did little or nothing all day. The O-line did not look good at all. As I said, Augie's much sturdier up front, and that's true on both sides of the ball. That's really the difference, because the other areas of the game all looked pretty even.

It would've been great if North Park had been able to push the ball across the goal line at the end of the game for a confidence-builder, and the Vikings were at last moving the ball on that final possession, but an incomplete pass out to the flat at the Augie 39 in the last minute was ruled a lateral after Augie had fallen on the ball. It's listed in the stats as a sack and fumble, and I have no idea why. It was a sideways pass that was ruled a lateral and fumble. At any rate, it stopped a nice game-closing drive by NPU that could've led to an encouraging shutout-breaking score.

Augie looked underwhelming. This year's edition does not compare to the Augustana teams of yore that used to chew up the Park by halftime and then play the second- and third-stringers for a half and still win by seven or eight touchdowns. But an underwhelming Augie is still good enough to beat North Park. Making Augie work for it till late in the fourth quarter is a moral victory of sorts for NPU, but I don't put much stock in moral victories.

[Titan Q]

North Central 30
IWU 7


These are simply two teams on different levels.  After watching this one (which was nice to be able to do, I might add) I am convinced that North Central is a legitimate national power, and I think the Cards may even be able to compete with the 2 big boys.  The Cards have a ton of playmakers on both sides of the ball.

IWU trailed just 7-0 at the half, but it was clear the Titans just were not going to be able to move the ball.  IWU's offense is much too one dimensional, while NCC's defense is great.  At halftime I figured for IWU to win, it would have to be a 14-7 game, with IWU's scores coming on special teams/defensive scores or a 50-yard run or something quirky.  That obviously did not happen.  IWU turned the ball over numerous times in the 3rd Q and you just can't do that vs an offense as good as North Central's.  It got ugly fast.

IWU's offense, despite being one dimensional, is really not bad in general D3 terms.  The Titans have a lot of talent on that side of the ball.  What North Central did to IWU today - just completely shutting their offense down - was really impressive.  The Titans did not get into the redzone as far as I can recall until that late score, when the game was a complete blowout.

I also have to tip my cap to IWU's defense.  I have not looked at the stats, and I don't know what story the numbers will tell, but IWU's defense was very, very good today.  The IWU D made this a game for a half...and most of those NCC scores in the 3rd Q were off of IWU offensive mistakes.  (The 1st half TD was after a long punt return created a very short field for the NCC offense.)

I also watched the Wheaton/IWU game earlier and was very impressed by the Thunder.  The NCC/Wheaton game should be a good one...but I think the Cardinals are the better team.

If NCC wins out, I have to believe they will be a #1 seed.  They could really make some big noise.

[Mugsy]

Was at the Wheaton game until the lighting delay.

Obscure game.  Wheaton with 315 yards offense in first half, yet only 7 point.  3 missed FG's, blocked PAT, and a very confusing call by Wheaton with a 1st and goal on the 3 inch line.  Instead of running they elect to pass and Jordan Roberts throws an INT in endzone.

At least 3 30+ yard pass plays by Carthage in the first half where the ball was significantly underthrown and the Wheaton DB's failed to find the ball and the Carthage WR's came back for the ball.

Whoa!  Jordan Langs with a pick 6 and Wheaton is up 25-24 after being down by 17 at half.

[Mr. Ypsi]

What is with kicking in this league??!!  The Titans are so bad, they have only even attempted ONE FG all season (I nearly had a heart attack when it was good! ).  Wheaton missed a PAT-length FG at the end of the first half, and now have 4 TDs for a total of 25 points.

Have all the decent kickers joined the soccer teams?

[Mugsy]

Victory formation for Wheaton.  What a comeback for Wheaton.  Final will be 31-24 Wheaton.  

Jordan Roberts with a HUGE game.  20-35 for 277 passing, 3 TDs, 16 rushes for 110 yards and 1 rushing TD.

[Titan Q]

What is with kicking in this league??!!  The Titans are so bad, they have only even attempted ONE FG all season (I nearly had a heart attack when it was good! ).  Wheaton missed a PAT-length FG at the end of the first half, and now have 4 TDs for a total of 25 points.

Have all the decent kickers joined the soccer teams?

I believe as the gap grows wider between a scholarship and private D3 school tuition, the harder and harder it becomes to find good kickers at this level.

That's just my theory.

[Son of Tailgater]

Wow, I left the game after the lightning as well to get home and stream it live. I cannot believe I watched two games with the same results today. Carthage and Wheaton and Northwestern and Michigan State, both very similar situations, strange!

[Mugsy]

Tale of two halves in Wheaton tonight.

Carthage roars out to a 24-7 halftime lead, despite 315 yards offense by Wheaton, a nearly 7 minute time of possession advantage to Wheaton, 3 missed FG's, and a pass INT in the endzone on a 1st and goal from the 1 yard line.

The Wheaton defense makes an adjustment at half to switch to a 2 deep zone in the 2nd half from man-to-man.  Result?  Only 3 first downs and less than 50 yards offense in the entire 2nd half for Carthage.

Wheaton on the other hand starts pounding the ball on the ground between Roberts, Jarrett and the return of Rocky Gingg (minor MCL sprain).  Wheaton outscores Carthage 24-0 in the 2nd half, including a 58 yard pick 6 by Jordan Langs.  Another 70+ yard punt return called back for Tyler Lang's.  I believe that is two weeks in a row he has had a return for TD called back.

Absolutely HUGE game by Jordan Roberts. 20-35, 277 yards passing, 3 TD's, plus 16 carries for 110 yards and 1 rushing TD.

Still much to be concerned about for Wheaton.  Wheaton has a very solid kicker, who when his head is straight can be a weapon, but right now he has zippo confidence.  3 missed FGs, including a 22 yarder and 2 blocked extra points (though not his fault).  Add to that a punt return for TD called back.  Wheaton special teams are usually a huge advantage... not so much today.  Way too many points left on the field.

Wheaton secondary had some big problems in the 1st half.  Not so much with their coverage, but with their inability to locate the ball and make a play.  At least 3, 30+ yard passes by Carthage in the 1st half where the ball was underthrown and the WR made the adjustment and the Wheaton coverman did not even locate the ball. (see the key by Coach Sandberg to switch to 2 deep zone in the 2nd half).

Overall a very big win against a talented, dangerous Carthage team when Wheaton could have been discouraged after going down by 17.

[FormerCard]

What a great homecoming victory for the Cards today. 

It was a strange offensive day for NC.  Crackel had a rough day, throwing 3 interceptions (along with 3 tds).    Even though the Cardinals won by 23 points, I am confident that the NC staff will not content with the performance on offense today.  They only gained 313 yards which is well below their season average of 454 yards per game.  I will say that this IWU defense is probably the best defense that North Central will see all year, until the playoffs should the Cards run the table.  They made alot of plays, mixed up coverages and played extremely well.

Defensively,  there is not alot to say.  Wenger is all over the field, and there are not many holes (if any) that the Cardinals have right now. 

Special teams looked very good, especially on punt return.

If Crackel does not turn the ball over and NC doesnt give teams short fields, it will not be easy to get in the end zone against North Central.


GREAT DAY TO BE A CARD!!!

[Mugsy]

I will say that this IWU defense is probably the best defense that North Central will see all year, until the playoffs should the Cards run the table.  They made alot of plays, mixed up coverages and played extremely well.

Bulletin board material!   

[Mr. Ypsi]

Has anyone taken a gander at the first SOS numbers of the season?

SIX CCIW teams in the top 17!

This is one tough place to play!  

(And that should put an end to the garment-rending sobs about the 'weak' CCIW non-con schedule - it can't have been THAT weak!   Though NCC brings up the rear at #70 - maybe their non-con schedule WAS kinda soft. )