FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Mugsy]

I do want to point out that I had NCC as 14.5 point favorites in this game (and I even posted here as much).  I did have realistic perspective on the game, though I held hope that Wheaton would come out with a flawless game and steal it.  That didn't happen.

There is a serious difference between "taking the foot off the gas" (implying coaches and players took it easy) and becoming conservative on the play calling.  If the players serious had that perspective, then it is a VERY dangerous mindset.  Not sure how someone in the stands can say what the players were thinking...

Congrats to NCC on winning 5 straight CCIW championships.  That is absolutely sick in this era of competitiveness in the conference.  But then again according to NCC.2008, I don't really mean it.  

Those from NCC who know me know otherwise.  I think my original posts after the game were congratulatory and that I only got riled up when some speculated that NCC would have had 2 more TD's if Crackel played, <blah>, <blah>, <blah>...

[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.

Just so it is clear that it is not just the "poor loser" Wheaton fans who have concerns about the NCC offense.

[Stagg Again!!]

Would it have made a difference if Roberts had played? Of course it would have.

I don't know if Crackel is better than Stanek. Personally I would have rather have faced Crackel because Stanek is much more mobile and hurt Wheaton with his feet today.

In his post-game comments, Coach Swider also alluded to the fact that one of the primary reasons that WC lost was that Jordan Roberts was not able to play.  While the talented QB may be special down the road (and there were flashes of that this year), I find it hard to believe that Roberts (who passed for 132 yards against AC) would have made much of a difference.  There just weren't any real seams in NCC's defense most of the day and NCC's run defense has stopped most QBs that have tried to take advantage of their speed/quickness.

As for Crackel v. Stanek, both have had flashes of being very good QBs this year.  Crackel has played with much more consistency and has been a much better passer overall.  He not only seems to have a better grasp of the offense, real leadership presence, and the the mental clock which Stanek has yet to display, but he also knows when to throw the ball away (as opposed to taking the sacks that Stanek has taken).

[NCC.2008]

All I am saying is give credit where credit is due. I'm not saying it would have been 2 more tds if crackel or hlavic would have played all I'm saying is NCC dominated the game from beginning to end. I know its hard for you guys to admit but come on the game was never close at all

[Mr. Ypsi]

All I am saying is give credit where credit is due. I'm not saying it would have been 2 more tds if crackel or hlavic would have played all I'm saying is NCC dominated the game from beginning to end. I know its hard for you guys to admit but come on the game was never close at all

From VERY much not a Wheaton guy, can you point to where anyone ever said it was?

[Mugsy]

Would it have made a difference if Roberts had played? Of course it would have.

I don't know if Crackel is better than Stanek. Personally I would have rather have faced Crackel because Stanek is much more mobile and hurt Wheaton with his feet today.

In his post-game comments, Coach Swider also alluded to the fact that one of the primary reasons that WC lost was that Jordan Roberts was not able to play.  While the talented QB may be special down the road (and there were flashes of that this year), I find it hard to believe that Roberts (who passed for 132 yards against AC) would have made much of a difference.  There just weren't any real seams in NCC's defense most of the day and NCC's run defense has stopped most QBs that have tried to take advantage of their speed/quickness.

As for Crackel v. Stanek, both have had flashes of being very good QBs this year.  Crackel has played with much more consistency and has been a much better passer overall.  He not only seems to have a better grasp of the offense, real leadership presence, and the the mental clock which Stanek has yet to display, but he also knows when to throw the ball away (as opposed to taking the sacks that Stanek has taken).

We won't know what explict difference Roberts would have made, realistically not enough to overcome a 28-6 loss.  And at this point it isn't even worth the effort to speculate.  

But for those of us who have seen most of the Wheaton games this year, Roberts decision making is light years better than Meader.  Roberts would not have thrown into triple or quadruple coverage like Meader did today. NCC should have at least 2 more INT's today based on some of Meader's throws.  That is the primary reason Roberts won the job, that and his significant advantage in scrambling/rushing.

The past 3 games Roberts has been Wheaton's most dangerous rushing threat - not a great statement for the Wheaton offense, but the truth with the top 2 RB's ailing significantly (Jarrett & Gingg).  

BTW: I just feel sick for Rocky.  1300 yards rushing in 2008 as a sophmore and nearly 20 TD's rushing.  But then the sports hernia last year and the nagging MCL this year.  He would have shattered the all-time rushing records at Wheaton had he been at least remotely healthy the past 2 years.

[CardinalAlum]

On a different note.....how about the school down the road in Lisle getting into the playoffs?  Thought they were done playing NCC, huh?   Really hope that matchup comes to pass!

[Mugsy]

All I am saying is give credit where credit is due. I'm not saying it would have been 2 more tds if crackel or hlavic would have played all I'm saying is NCC dominated the game from beginning to end. I know its hard for you guys to admit but come on the game was never close at all

I have.  I have stated that NCC was the better team and deserved to win.

But I will NOT agree that NCC dominated the entire game.  That is not true.  So just because I dispute the view on the second half, I'm a poor loser and don't give credit where credit is due?

NCC absolutely dominated the first half and capitalized with TD's.  Wheaton (in large part to NCC's defense) did not capitalize in the redzone with TD's and instead settled for a couple of FG's.  Then they found themselves too far behind.

btw: it was TCrawf5825 who stated NCC would have had 2 more TD's if Crackel played.

[Stagg Again!!]

On a different note.....how about the school down the road in Lisle getting into the playoffs?  Thought they were done playing NCC, huh?   Really hope that matchup comes to pass!

How ironic that the Eagles wouldn't re-up with NCC, and now the NCAA may just push them back into Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium!!!

[Mugsy]

On a different note.....how about the school down the road in Lisle getting into the playoffs?  Thought they were done playing NCC, huh?   Really hope that matchup comes to pass!

How ironic that the Eagles wouldn't re-up with NCC, and now the NCAA may just push them back into Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium!!!

That would be an absolute BLOWOUT on epic scale.  Benedictine lost to NPU by 10 for pete sake.

[FormerCard]

Well I have just read the last 3 pages and decided to just write my own analysis of the game instead of replying to all of them..

You couldn't ask for a better first quarter for North Central.  Not only did they take the crowd right out of the game (I had a nice spot in the Wheaton stands and it was awfully quiet) , they also FINISHED their two long drives with Touchdowns.  They dominated the time of possession, running 22 offensive plays to Wheatons 9.   Giving credit where credit is due, Wheaton made some good adjustments as they always tend to and came out a different team in the second half.  

Even though NCC did alot of good things offensively, you could tell how solid Wheatons Defense is. (Where did you get that safety #18 from?....he must be converted tight end)  Someone mentioned before that it was better that Stanek was playing QB today and they were ABSOLUTELY right.  Crackel would have been overwhelmed and throwing alot of balls away or taking sacks with the pressure that the Thunder put on today.   Stanek threw two great passes to Stursma for TDs,  he couldnt have put them in a better spot...just perfect passes.

I cant really comment on how much better the Wheaton offense would have been with Roberts, but I was very impressed with the pass coverage by the Cardinals today.  Mcleod had a great day with two picks.  I did notice that Wheaton went vertical twice in their first 6 plays.  Maybe they saw something they could exploit but NC was all over it.   Wenger had a solid game.   The offensive line of Wheaton did a good job of getting someone on Matt every play.   I wonder if North Central would be better bringing Wenger off the edge a little more on passing plays just to apply more pressure or up the middle on running downs to confuse the O LINE (knowing that they may have a backside guard or tackle getting to him on running plays)        All in all, the defense once again stepped up to the challenge limiting a good team to only two field goals.

One situation that has me bothered is the two illegal substitution penalties against North Central.  That is unexcusable and cannot happen.   This isnt the first time this has happened this year.  Actually, I cant remember a game where it hasnt happened at least once.  The offense needs to work at communicating better when substituting so we dont have these ridiculous penalties.  Imagine that happens on a 3rd and 1 at a crucial point in a playoff game...


That being said...the Cards are 9-0 and making all of us alumni proud.  Congratulations on keeping the bell and thanks for a great day of football!

[Gregory Sager]

That would be an absolute BLOWOUT on epic scale.  Benedictine lost to NPU by 10 for pete sake.

Eleven.

[Stagg Again!!]

I just pulled up the Regional Rankings (RR) from last week and noted that of the teams in the lower half of the North Region, BW, CWR, and Wabash all lost.  I would think that this week's RR will include:  FC, IBC, MTU, NCC, ONU, Trine, Wash. U., WC, WITT (in alphabetical order), and one other team that I just can't figure out at this hour.  Looks like the field is starting to firm up.

[Stagg Again!!]

BTW: I just feel sick for Rocky.  1300 yards rushing in 2008 as a sophmore and nearly 20 TD's rushing.  But then the sports hernia last year and the nagging MCL this year.  He would have shattered the all-time rushing records at Wheaton had he been at least remotely healthy the past 2 years.

I remember watching him play a couple of times in 2008 -- I agree with you Mugsy, he was a load.  I hate to see injuries derail great seasons/careers -- it is truly the worst part of the game.

[usee]

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.

Q, I thought your comments after the iwu game were fair and i largely agree with you here. I should qualify what I meant back then. I didn't so much disagree as I did question whether or not NCC has enough playmakers on offense. Llavic would help but if Wheaton holds NCC to 50 yds in a half you can imagine what UWW will do. That said a great defense makes up for a lot of ills and the Cards have that! They are playing at a higher level than every other CCIW team and that's also very good!  

I don't think there is any way NCC has home games till Salem. Even if they get their own #1 seed they will have to play the other regional finalists on the road (either UWW or UMU).