FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[TCrawf5825]

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

NCC starting quarterbacK Crackel was out today with a broken rib.   If he plays,  2 more TD's  The botched fake FG was a real momentum killer on wheaton's part.  Congrats to Thorne for pulling out the stops with his # 2 running the offense

[Mugsy]

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.  

Took the foot off the gas?  So it had nothing to do with Wheaton's defensive adjustments? How nice of NCC not to run it up 60-3.  Give me a break!


I don't care what the edge was for NCC in the first half.  Last time I checked the game is 2 halves.  You attribute the fact that NCC only had 50 yards in the 2nd half to NCC's charity?

Do we need to go back to 2006 when NCC lead 13-0 at half only to have Wheaton hang 31 on NCC in the 2nd half.  Let me guess... that had nothing to do with adjustments either.

[cardinaldad]

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.  

Took the foot off the gas?  So it had nothing to do with Wheaton's defensive adjustments? How nice of NCC not to run it up 60-3.  Give me a break!


I don't care what the edge was for NCC in the first half.  Last time I checked the game is 2 halves.  You attribute the fact that NCC only had 50 yards in the 2nd half to NCC's charity?

Do we need to go back to 2006 when NCC lead 13-0 at half only to have Wheaton hang 31 on NCC in the 2nd half.  Let me guess... that had nothing to do with adjustments either.

Agreed Mugsy. Wheaton has always been good at adjusting against us at halftime. You brought up '06. Man, was that game on my mind today. I kept saying "don't let down Cards." No charity by the Cards today. Wheaton made excellent halftime adjustments.

[Mugsy]

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.  

Took the foot off the gas?  So it had nothing to do with Wheaton's defensive adjustments? How nice of NCC not to run it up 60-3.  Give me a break!


I don't care what the edge was for NCC in the first half.  Last time I checked the game is 2 halves.  You attribute the fact that NCC only had 50 yards in the 2nd half to NCC's charity?

Do we need to go back to 2006 when NCC lead 13-0 at half only to have Wheaton hang 31 on NCC in the 2nd half.  Let me guess... that had nothing to do with adjustments either.

Agreed Mugsy. Wheaton has always been good at adjusting against us at halftime. You brought up '06. Man, was that game on my mind today. I kept saying "don't let down Cards." No charity by the Cards today. Wheaton made excellent halftime adjustments.

I don't mean to down play how NCC played, but the conjecture going on here is nauseating.  "If we had Crackel it would have been 2 more TD's..." "NCC took the foot off the gas."

I stand by my opinion that NCC had better come up with more offense or there will be no getting past UWW or Mount Union.

NCC was the better team today, but come on.  Some of you NCC posters make it seem as if Wheaton didn't even belong on the same field.

[ncc58]

Took the foot off the gas?  So it had nothing to do with Wheaton's defensive adjustments? How nice of NCC not to run it up 60-3.  Give me a break!

I don't care what the edge was for NCC in the first half.  Last time I checked the game is 2 halves.  You attribute the fact that NCC only had 50 yards in the 2nd half to NCC's charity?

Do we need to go back to 2006 when NCC lead 13-0 at half only to have Wheaton hang 31 on NCC in the 2nd half.  Let me guess... that had nothing to do with adjustments either.

I'll give Wheaton credit. After giving up the outside early in the game, Wheaton made nice adjustments and shut off NCC's option. However, NCC did outscore Wheaton in both halves. Yes, Wheaton outgained NCC in the second half but you don't get points for statistical advantages.

Wheaton still hasn't found a way to cover #89.

I'm not sure who will debate you on whether Roberts would have made an impact. The game is over. The score is still 28-6. NCC will celebrate tonight, and tomorrow start to think about North Park (no, it's not an off week and all the players and coaches know that).

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.

What's your point? NCC has been running the Wildcat for significant parts of the game for the whole season. It's not like they came out with some Spurrieresque offense just for today. Tassio threw two passes today (1-2). They makes him 2-4 for the season. So, when NCC lines up in the Wildcat it's extremely likely that it will be a running play. Doesn't that make it easier on the defense?

[cardinaldad]

I believe Hlavac playing in the game today would have made a bigger impact than if Crackel had played.

[Mugsy]

Took the foot off the gas?  So it had nothing to do with Wheaton's defensive adjustments? How nice of NCC not to run it up 60-3.  Give me a break!

I don't care what the edge was for NCC in the first half.  Last time I checked the game is 2 halves.  You attribute the fact that NCC only had 50 yards in the 2nd half to NCC's charity?

Do we need to go back to 2006 when NCC lead 13-0 at half only to have Wheaton hang 31 on NCC in the 2nd half.  Let me guess... that had nothing to do with adjustments either.

I'll give Wheaton credit. After giving up the outside early in the game, Wheaton made nice adjustments and shut off NCC's option. However, NCC did outscore Wheaton in both halves. Yes, Wheaton outgained NCC in the second half but you don't get points for statistical advantages.

Wheaton still hasn't found a way to cover #89.

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.

What's your point? NCC has been running the Wildcat for significant parts of the game for the whole season. It's not like they came out with some Spurrieresque offense just for today. Tassio threw two passes today (1-2). They makes him 2-4 for the season. So, when NCC lines up in the Wildcat it's extremely likely that it will be a running play. Doesn't that make it easier on the defense?

NCC outscored Wheaton in the 2nd half but primarily due to an absolute boneheaded personal foul away from the ball that gave an automatic 1st down instead of a 3rd and 30.  NCC did not have a drive in the 2nd half beyond the one they scored on due to 2 penalties from Wheaton to keep the drive going.

And yes, Wheaton has never had an answer for #89.    I'm glad he is finally going to be graduating.

My point is do you think NCC playing the wildcat will beat UWW or Mount Union?

Yes... once Wheaton made the adjustment to have the DE's take th QB on the option and then the OLB on pitch it was an easier offense to stop.  Hence the 50 yards in the second half.

Kukoc had 105 yards in the 1st half on continual breaking of the outside contain.  He finished with 91 yards.  -14 yards in the second half.  Tassio had 64 yards on 21 carries (3.0 yards a carry).  What would UWW or Mount Union do to that offense?

[ncc58]

I don't mean to down play how NCC played, but the conjecture going on here is nauseating.  "If we had Crackel it would have been 2 more TD's..." "NCC took the foot off the gas."

I stand by my opinion that NCC had better come up with more offense or there will be no getting past UWW or Mount Union.

NCC was the better team today, but come on.  Some of you NCC posters make it seem as if Wheaton didn't even belong on the same field.

For many years, Wheaton has had a swagger. On the field. On this board. Wheaton earned that swagger. Even at halftime, many of their fans today were talking about how they are a second half team and would rally to win.

Except, NCC has won at least a share of the CCIW title for 5 years. NCC should have that same swagger now. The program was come a long way since 2006 - when NCC won a share of the conference title.

The viewpoints that you find nauseating, those are similar to what supporters of other schools have had to read from Wheaton supporters.

[cardinaldad]

Tassio is an all-state qb with a State title. He's not "just" a talented rb that might throw the ball. It is a pretty unique situation that any defense has to honor and defend. Also, it's not like the NCC offense can't move the ball when not in the Wildcat.

[ncc58]

Do you think NCC playing the wildcat will beat UWW or Mount Union?

Hopefully, We'll find out on the field. But, there are several games until that happens.

But, Mount Union's QB went out today with a shoulder injury. UWW is 4 deep at TB - but Stanley missed a few games and Coppage was also hurting. You never know what will happen by December.

[Mugsy]

Do you think NCC playing the wildcat will beat UWW or Mount Union?

Hopefully, We'll find out on the field. But, there are several games until that happens.

NCC has the defense this year, but they won't beat UWW or Mount playing the wildcat or anything like it.  I'll be rooting for them to do so, but I just don't see it.  Just my opinion.  I hope I'm wrong (unless of course Wheaton makes the playoffs too).

[Titan Q]

From watching the IWU/Wheaton game online, and then the IWU/North Central game (and yes, I admit, very small sample size) I came away thinking that North Central and Wheaton are both very good teams, but that North Central is in a completely different tier than Wheaton. 

I also suggested after the IWU/NCC game that I feel like the Cardinals might be able to play with D3's big two.   Usee disagreed, stating that NCC does not have enough elite playmakers on offense...Usee knows CCIW and D3 football a lot better than I do and I trust his opinion.  However, NCC is going to be a #1 seed, and there is a chance they won't have to leave Naperville to get to Salem.  I still say they might be able to hang with the big boys because of how good that defense is.  I'm pretty sure we're going to get to find out in a few weeks.

[Titan Q]

NCC has the defense this year, but they won't beat UWW or Mount playing the wildcat or anything like it.

Maybe, but nothing any of our teams have done vs those two has worked all that well either!  Maybe it's time to mix it up!

[cardinaldad]

Jaybird!! Where are you? Big win for Elmhurst today and you are nowhere to be found! That little one must be taking up a lot of time. That's ok. Give her (I think it's a her) all the time you can! Congrats on the big win.

[cardinaldad]

Wow!! By the score, it looks as if North Park played Millikin tough.