FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Mugsy]

After watching NCC/Wheaton online (love technology), I came away impressed with NCC's defense..but I don't know if they have the offense to make a long run in the playoffs.

My exact thought after watching the game.  NCC used the wildcat offense for a majority of the game and once Wheaton made the adjustments at half, the NCC offense wasn't nearly as effective.  NCC will need more offense late in the playoffs.  Their defense is every bit of good enough for a deep drive into the playoffs.

Congrats to NCC on a solid win.  Their defense is tough, seriously tough.  

Really hurt Wheaton to not have Jordan Roberts at QB with his dual threat to run and pass.  Roberts slammed his hand into a helmet during Thursday's practice and couldn't even grip the ball until this morning.  Not sure if it is a break or a sprain.  I'm sure the game plan would have included using Roberts ability to hurt you via the run or pass.  Whether or not it would have made enough of a difference, well that is up for debate.  

Wheaton offense really struggled in the 1st half.  Didn't help that Wheaton's first drive was a "3 and out" on 3 passes.  That was sandwiched in between 2 very long, sustained NCC drives.  NCC had the ball virtually the entire 1st quarter. Meader made a couple of very, very ill advised passes, one at the end of the half with Wheaton in FG range.  

Wheaton defense had zero contain in the first half which lead to two of the NCC TD's.  Same play gained  next to nothing in the 2nd half.

Huge stupid penalties for Wheaton in the game.  Particularly on the last NCC TD drive in the 2nd half.  After Kukoc losses 15 yards on an ill advise reversal of field, instead of facing 3rd and 35 from midfield, a bonehead personal foul on Wheaton gives NCC a 1st and 10 from the 20.  NCC eventually scored on a perfect pass (well defended).  Personal foul was off the play where a Wheaton player nailed a NCC OL in the back after the whistle.  Coach Swider alluded to it after the game.  Just a stupid play.

Not sure of the stats in the 2nd half, but a much, much closer game after complete dominance by NCC in the first half (mostly off the option in the wildcat with zippo pitch contain).

I don't think they necessarily have to be a dominant offense.  Wheaton was able to move the ball, but once the rubber hit the road, the Thunder came away with only 6 points after having the opportunity for 21.  

I'm not saying it needs to be dominant either, but relying on the wildcat in a big game doesn't give a sense of confidence.

[matblake]

After watching NCC/Wheaton online (love technology), I came away impressed with NCC's defense..but I don't know if they have the offense to make a long run in the playoffs.

My exact thought after watching the game.  NCC used the wildcat offense for a majority of the game and once Wheaton made the adjustments at half, the NCC offense wasn't nearly as effective.  NCC will need more offense late in the playoffs.  Their defense is every bit of good enough for a deep drive into the playoffs.

Congrats to NCC on a solid win.  Their defense is tough, seriously tough.  

Really hurt Wheaton to not have Jordan Roberts at QB with his dual threat to run and pass.  Roberts slammed his hand into a helmet during Thursday's practice and couldn't even grip the ball until this morning.  Not sure if it is a break or a sprain.  I'm sure the game plan would have included using Roberts ability to hurt you via the run or pass.  Whether or not it would have made enough of a difference, well that is up for debate.  

Wheaton offense really struggled in the 1st half.  Didn't help that Wheaton's first drive was a "3 and out" on 3 passes.  That was sandwiched in between 2 very long, sustained NCC drives.  NCC had the ball virtually the entire 1st quarter. Meader made a couple of very, very ill advised passes, one at the end of the half with Wheaton in FG range.  

Wheaton defense had zero contain in the first half which lead to two of the NCC TD's.  Same play gained  next to nothing in the 2nd half.

Huge stupid penalties for Wheaton in the game.  Particularly on the last NCC TD drive in the 2nd half.  After Kukoc losses 15 yards on an ill advise reversal of field, instead of facing 3rd and 35 from midfield, a bonehead personal foul on Wheaton gives NCC a 1st and 10 from the 20.  NCC eventually scored on a perfect pass (well defended).  Personal foul was off the play where a Wheaton player nailed a NCC OL in the back after the whistle.  Coach Swider alluded to it after the game.  Just a stupid play.

Not sure of the stats in the 2nd half, but a much, much closer game after complete dominance by NCC in the first half (mostly off the option in the wildcat with zippo pitch contain).

I don't think they necessarily have to be a dominant offense.  Wheaton was able to move the ball, but once the rubber hit the road, the Thunder came away with only 6 points after having the opportunity for 21.  

I'm not saying it needs to be dominant either, but relying on the wildcat in a big game doesn't give a sense of confidence.

Gotcha.  I see your point

[Titan Q]

IWU 49
Carthage 42


* Brien Rooney had a big Senior Day - 275 yards passing and 3 TD's, 80 yards rushing and 1 TD.

* Senior Bo Lanter with 187 yards on kick returns.

* Brett Swango with 2 TD's off blocked punts

* Evan Jones with 394 in the air and 4 TD's.


It sounded like just a crazy game.  IWU led 17-0 in the 1st Q, and 35-21 in the 3rd Q, yet needed a 96-yard, 17-play TD drive in the 4th Q (capped by a 26-yard TD pass from Rooney to Joey Driver) to come from behind and win.

In a game that didn't mean anything in the CCIW standings, these two teams showed a lot of heart today.

IWU is 7-2 overall and 4-2 in the league.  With the Augie loss to Elmhurst today, the Titans have clinched at least a share of 3rd.  IWU finishes in Rock Island next weekend in a game I'm sure both teams would love to win.

[Mr. Ypsi]

IWU survives for a 49-42 win over Carthage.  Evan Jones has GOT to be a front-runner for OPOY!  Even if today he was bested by Brien Rooney and Bo Lanter (187 kick-return yards - are you kidding me?!)  Even NCC and Wheaton couldn't put up more than 30 and 29 points, respectively, against IWU.

[footballfan413]

I hope that Wenger is ok.  That is a bit concerning that two weeks in a row he has struggled with stingers as he left the game immediately after destroying a Wheaton receiver.

The only cure for that injury is rest.  My oldest son was forced out of football in HS because he chose to continue to play, not being honest with the trainers about the number of stingers he was having, eventually had temporary nerve damage and lost strength in his arm.  Repeated stingers are a problem.

Congrats to North Central.  They are having a great season!   

[Mugsy]

North Central had 250 yards in the first half, only 50 in the 2nd.

NCC held an crazy advantage in time of possession: 36 to 24.

[Mugsy]

Sorry for all the random thoughts.  3 young kids running around and I don't have time for long thought out posts.

Outstanding special teams coverage for NCC today on Langs.  Actually both teams were very solid on special teams.

[robertgoulet]

I hope that Wenger is ok.  That is a bit concerning that two weeks in a row he has struggled with stingers as he left the game immediately after destroying a Wheaton receiver.

The only cure for that injury is rest.  My oldest son was forced out of football in HS because he chose to continue to play, not being honest with the trainers about the number of stingers he was having, eventually had temporary nerve damage and lost strength in his arm.  Repeated stingers are a problem.

Congrats to North Central.  They are having a great season!   

Luckily NCC has off next week 

[Mr. Ypsi]

I hope that Wenger is ok.  That is a bit concerning that two weeks in a row he has struggled with stingers as he left the game immediately after destroying a Wheaton receiver.

The only cure for that injury is rest.  My oldest son was forced out of football in HS because he chose to continue to play, not being honest with the trainers about the number of stingers he was having, eventually had temporary nerve damage and lost strength in his arm.  Repeated stingers are a problem.

Congrats to North Central.  They are having a great season!   

Luckily NCC has off next week 

That's a rather cruel shot at NPU, don't you think?

Alas, not all that inaccurate, but still cruel!

[thunderdog]

Congrats to the school from Naperville on a dominating performance today.

Hopefully, the Thunder still have a shot a pool C bid.


I do want to take issue with the Wheaton fans.  The only cheering I heard the whole game was from the other sidelines.  Whatever happened to "Let's go O"... or "DEEEEEEEE-FEEEEEEEEEENCE". 

Where were all the former players to form the tunnel for the players coming out from halftime? 

The biggest game of the year against the team that has kicked our butts the last 2 years and that is all we can muster?  The only "big-game atmosphere" present was provided by those wearing red.  SAD!

Wheaton fans... WHERE'S THE LOVE?  WHERE'S THE FIRE?  Get off your cans and root for your team.

[bleedpurple]

Congratulations  to North Central on what looks like a convincing win today.  This kind of victory could carry them to a number 1 seed on Selection Sunday! 

[cardinaldad]

Congrats to Coach Thorne, the winningest football coach at North Central!

[oldnuthin]

IWU survives for a 49-42 win over Carthage.  Evan Jones has GOT to be a front-runner for OPOY!  Even if today he was bested by Brien Rooney and Bo Lanter (187 kick-return yards - are you kidding me?!)  Even NCC and Wheaton couldn't put up more than 30 and 29 points, respectively, against IWU.

I have to disagree, Dion Wilson went over 200 yards today for i believe the 3rd time. Meanwhile Millikins' defense made Evans look pedestrian at best.

[cardinaldad]

As we were leaving the parking lot tonight (after a bit of celebratory tailgating), one of the Wheaton coaches or staff members (he had a coachs' shirt on) gave us a thumbs up. Pretty classy gesture! Thanks!

[Stagg Again!!]

It was a bit disappointing hearing Swider's post-game comments, likening the Thunder/Crusader's situation today to the NCC v. IWU situation last year (where Fanthorpe went out and NCC lost the CCIW AQ).  Swider should have noted that both teams played without starting QBs today and NCC also played without other key players (for example, #1 WR Hlavac was out the entire game).  While it is a shame that Jordan Roberts wasn't available, I don't know if it would have mattered given what I saw and heard after the game.  I think if Roberts and Crackel had both played, the outcome would have been similar (though there may have been a few more points on the board).  NCC definitely took their foot off of the gas offensively after half time when they came out of the locker room with a 261-43 edge in total yards, and elected to refrain from digging too deep into the playbook.  While NCC certainly doesn't have Kniss or Fanthorpe at QB this year, I am quite certain that NCC was refraining from showing all of their "cards" in the second half only a couple of weeks before the playoffs after dominating Wheaton offensively and defensively in the first half.