FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Son of Tailgater]

Shocking 18-13 loss in Augie for the CCIW in the opener for the conference. I don't think many except for Dubuque expected this to happen. It looks like Augie's defense was non-existent in the first half but found some ground in the second half. 13 total offensive points and being shut out in the first half isn't typical Augie either. Hopefully they can reload against a much tougher Central team next week with some additional days of preparation. 

[robertgoulet]

I see Augie is going to be unveiling a new logo?  Why?  I think longstanding, traditional logos are great.  Look at the Bears and Packers.  A simple C or G is recognizable, and the "less is more" approach is better. 

Great story on Jenkins AAT.  I remember watching him prior to his injury and thought if he stayed healthy, he would be a beast.

I hope Augie isn't going to change their logo.  I love the tradition, and what  it represents.  When I see their helmets, I think of success and championships.

My curiousity is piqued.  I'd like to see what they came up with.  I hope that they update their website soon.  According to the school, they were supposed to unveil the new logo at noon.

The new Augie logo:

http://www.augustana.edu/x36549.xml

Not going to lie...that reminds me of something you would see (both the font and the Viking) on a World of Warcraft type game.

[hazzben]

Looks like the Cushman era at Augie begins with a whimper, losing to a below average IIAC team at home.  I guess playing for a coach that the players "like" hasn't made much difference in their performance on the field.  Extremely disappointing.

I wouldn't necessarily call UD 'a below average IIAC team'. The last 5 years they've been almost the definition of average by IIAC standards. Their biggest problem has seemingly been closing out tight games. That said, for a program of Augie's historic stature, a loss like this at home definitely doesn't feel good.

Kickoff ranking doesn't think Dubuque is an average team.

I agree Pat. I think UD is in a position to take a step forward this year. I could even see them pulling off an upset against one of the IIAC's big 3. I was really just arguing that it was a bit unfair to call them below average based upon the last several seasons.

[Augie6]

Looks like the Cushman era at Augie begins with a whimper, losing to a below average IIAC team at home.  I guess playing for a coach that the players "like" hasn't made much difference in their performance on the field.  Extremely disappointing.

I wouldn't necessarily call UD 'a below average IIAC team'. The last 5 years they've been almost the definition of average by IIAC standards. Their biggest problem has seemingly been closing out tight games. That said, for a program of Augie's historic stature, a loss like this at home definitely doesn't feel good.

Kickoff ranking doesn't think Dubuque is an average team.

I agree Pat. I think UD is in a position to take a step forward this year. I could even see them pulling off an upset against one of the IIAC's big 3. I was really just arguing that it was a bit unfair to call them below average based upon the last several seasons.

Wasn't trying to take a shot at Dubuque.  Hopefully, they are a much better team this season and Augie's loss to them won't look so bad by the end of the season.  My frustration was much more centered around Augie's performance.  That being said, Dubuque is 11-19 over the past three seasons.  In my mind, that qualifies as a below average team. 

[robertgoulet]

Speaking of "ouch"... I've been holding onto this information for nearly a week.  I've been holding back because I'm always leary of giving up inside information.  However this will be very, very apparent at the scrimmage.

The key to Wheaton's offense is out for the season.  Jordan Robert's blew out his ACL last Friday and is lost for the year.  While Wheaton has two very capable backup QB's, anyone who watched Wheaton games last year knows Roberts makes Wheaton a far more dangerous offense.  He was a duel threat.  In my opinion, he would have been a potential candidate for OPOY in 11'.

What may be worse is that Wheaton lost their best offensive lineman to a broken ankle.  This was an area of biggest question for Wheaton, so this loss is very difficult.

Looks like Wheaton's character will once again be tested before the first snap of the first game.  I'm confident the coaching staff and players will find a way to get it done and won't make excuses.

Horrible news for Wheaton. I remember when I heard Wenger went down for NCC 2 years ago. Just a horrible feeling.

That said, they are a quality program and should be able to still make a run at NCC. They will just have to do it sans Roberts.

[augiefan]

Augie's lackluster effort last night pretty much validates the coaches' 5th place CCIW prediction. With a road game against Central (IA) coming up, it looks like Augie could be headed to its first losing season in modern CCIW FB history.

When does MBB practice start? Probably not soon enough for Augie fans

[Gregory Sager]

Augie's lackluster effort last night pretty much validates the coaches' 5th place CCIW prediction. With a road game against Central (IA) coming up, it looks like Augie could be headed to its first losing season in modern CCIW FB history.

It hasn't been that long, although it's certainly been awhile. Augie did have a losing CCIW record as recently as 2007 (3-4), but the last time that Augustana had an overall losing record was way back in 1978, when the Rock Islanders went 4-5 for the season.

[Kovo]

Don't despair Augie fan--one game does not a season make.

[New Tradition]

Don't despair Augie fan--one game does not a season make.

Well put, Kovostotle. 

[Son of Tailgater]

Augie's lackluster effort last night pretty much validates the coaches' 5th place CCIW prediction. With a road game against Central (IA) coming up, it looks like Augie could be headed to its first losing season in modern CCIW FB history.

It hasn't been that long, although it's certainly been awhile. Augie did have a losing CCIW record as recently as 2007 (3-4), but the last time that Augustana had an overall losing record was way back in 1978, when the Rock Islanders went 4-5 for the season.

In 2007 they were also 5-5 overall. That doesn't qualify as a winning season to me or a losing season. Wait...it's kind of like a tie. 9 games left, more than plenty of time to turn it around and remember adversity builds character.

[Always.A.Titan]

I have missed a lot in 24 hours. Take a day off of work and everyone becomes active.

On the Wheaton injuries...tough losses for them. Hopefully they are able to overcome them, regroup, and have a successful season this year. Wheaton always seems to have new guys waiting in the wings to take over. There is nothing like a little trial by fire.

In other news, here are a couple of articles on IWU renaming the field in Bloomington...
http://iwusports.com/news/2011/9/1/FB_0901114129.aspx?path=football
http://www.pantagraph.com/sports/college/football/article_bcc674d6-d4e8-11e0-a631-001cc4c002e0.html

Good Luck to all CCIW teams tomorrow.

I will be in Bloomington seeing the Titans new show on turf.

Go Green!!!!

[shepherd]

Speaking of "ouch"... I've been holding onto this information for nearly a week.  I've been holding back because I'm always leary of giving up inside information.  However this will be very, very apparent at the scrimmage.

The key to Wheaton's offense is out for the season.  Jordan Robert's blew out his ACL last Friday and is lost for the year.  While Wheaton has two very capable backup QB's, anyone who watched Wheaton games last year knows Roberts makes Wheaton a far more dangerous offense.  He was a duel threat.  In my opinion, he would have been a potential candidate for OPOY in 11'.

What may be worse is that Wheaton lost their best offensive lineman to a broken ankle.  This was an area of biggest question for Wheaton, so this loss is very difficult.

Looks like Wheaton's character will once again be tested before the first snap of the first game.  I'm confident the coaching staff and players will find a way to get it done and won't make excuses.

You are absolutely right Mugsy.  While Garrett Meador saw a lot of time last year he showed he was a good passer in the non-conference games but his ability diminished with the faster CCIW action.  He will have to step it up a little faster.  Griffin Kuhn has been injured I believe twice once in HS and last year. I think the offensive line will be Ok but QB and TB will each see one face from last year and possibly some new faces.  The bright side is that the freshman class has a lot of potential with the two WR towers Hiben and Thorson.  The person I am most impressed with is FR. Reece Butler who  is a very accurate passer with a lightning quick release.  His roll out is incredible also.  His arm movement is not the prettiest but that slinging motion is very accurate.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zoTAZJTo0LI&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bA0C0JDgZUo&feature=related
Roberts may have some competition for that starting spot next year.  I have a feeling we may see some of these freshmen getting some playing time this year.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Speaking of "ouch"... I've been holding onto this information for nearly a week.  I've been holding back because I'm always leary of giving up inside information.  However this will be very, very apparent at the scrimmage.

The key to Wheaton's offense is out for the season.  Jordan Robert's blew out his ACL last Friday and is lost for the year.  While Wheaton has two very capable backup QB's, anyone who watched Wheaton games last year knows Roberts makes Wheaton a far more dangerous offense.  He was a duel threat.  In my opinion, he would have been a potential candidate for OPOY in 11'.

What may be worse is that Wheaton lost their best offensive lineman to a broken ankle.  This was an area of biggest question for Wheaton, so this loss is very difficult.

Looks like Wheaton's character will once again be tested before the first snap of the first game.  I'm confident the coaching staff and players will find a way to get it done and won't make excuses.

OUCH, indeed!  I admire that you guys don't go for excuses, but Wheaton has definietely been snake-bitten lately.  In 2009, I expressed the opinion that the co-champion Titans would probably not have come within 2 TDs of Wheaton if they had had the team on the field when we played them that they thought they would have.

Good luck to you guys - except October first, of course!

[Mugsy]

Speaking of "ouch"... I've been holding onto this information for nearly a week.  I've been holding back because I'm always leary of giving up inside information.  However this will be very, very apparent at the scrimmage.

The key to Wheaton's offense is out for the season.  Jordan Robert's blew out his ACL last Friday and is lost for the year.  While Wheaton has two very capable backup QB's, anyone who watched Wheaton games last year knows Roberts makes Wheaton a far more dangerous offense.  He was a duel threat.  In my opinion, he would have been a potential candidate for OPOY in 11'.

What may be worse is that Wheaton lost their best offensive lineman to a broken ankle.  This was an area of biggest question for Wheaton, so this loss is very difficult.

Looks like Wheaton's character will once again be tested before the first snap of the first game.  I'm confident the coaching staff and players will find a way to get it done and won't make excuses.

You are absolutely right Mugsy.  While Garrett Meador saw a lot of time last year he showed he was a good passer in the non-conference games but his ability diminished with the faster CCIW action.  He will have to step it up a little faster.  Griffin Kuhn has been injured I believe twice once in HS and last year. I think the offensive line will be Ok but QB and TB will each see one face from last year and possibly some new faces.  The bright side is that the freshman class has a lot of potential with the two WR towers Hiben and Thorson.  The person I am most impressed with is FR. Reece Butler who  is a very accurate passer with a lightning quick release.  His roll out is incredible also.  His arm movement is not the prettiest but that slinging motion is very accurate.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zoTAZJTo0LI&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bA0C0JDgZUo&feature=related
Roberts may have some competition for that starting spot next year.  I have a feeling we may see some of these freshmen getting some playing time this year.

I must disagree with your post.  I doubt very much that a healthy Roberts would be challenged by freshman QB's.  There is a huge difference between a QB with over 10 starts under his belt and an 18 year old. 

I also do not think you'll see much playing time for freshman RB's and QB's, unless Wheaton is so decimated by injury.  If Wheaton needs to play a lot of freshmen this year, they'll be in trouble.  It is completely against Coach Swiders philosophy.  "You win with 21 & 22 year olds, mature, experienced football players, not with a bunch of 18 year kids."  3 years is a huge difference.  Each year you may see a couple of freshmen starting some games or seeing action.  If we see more than that it will not be one of Wheaton's better years. 

I strongly doubt Hiben or Luke Thorson will have more than 10 catches this year, they may not have that many combined.  That is not a knock on their potential, but they are freshman and Wheaton has several experienced, senior WR's - including the captain of the team. 

Hunter Thorson who is a sophmore TE will likely see a significant amount of action, because he is 6'6" 240lbs and does fit "the bill" as an exception to Swiders rule.  I could see him with 15-20 catches by the end of the season.

At this point I'm not so sure about the offensive line.  Only 2 starters returned, of which one is now out for the majority of the year with a broken ankle.  1 other OL saw some reasonable action.  1 new starter is a coverted TE.  We'll see, but the o-line is a serious question at this point.

[ThunderHead]

Prayers out to Jordan Robert, a tough break for a kid who I am sure has worked incredibly hard for this upcoming season.

I hope he has a quick recovery.