FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Mugsy]

2 NCC TD's in the last couple of minutes of the game.  Long run by NCC QB, Dickens for one TD, NCC has a 70 yard pick 6 for the other TD. Looks like NCC will win 24-3.

[spencer1988]

Augie.....0-5.  wow

[Mugsy]

Mugsy you are correct as you never said Coach Lester or Elmhurst was classless today. I am sorry but after sitting in the sun today in that "everything is wonderful city of yours" watching my guys take it on the chin, I must have been seeing something that wasn't there on your post. I do apologize and I was wrong putting that sentence into your mouth (or Post) when you did not say that.

Water under the bridge. I've put it behind me, as I've calmed down a bit as well.  I've started focusing on what went well and what needs work.  I appreciate your insight into the philosophy of Coach Lester and the Elmhurst program in general.  Easy to see why they are making strides and are ever so close to making the next step.  Great to hear Coach Lester is true to his word to the players and parents. In general it is why I love D3 sports.

HAZZ Been the rule if I remember it correctly (mugsy help me out here), is I believe you only get 10 game participations (not including post season). EC has a full JV schedule of 5 or 6 games I believe. In the non conference most of those players play regardless so playing the freshman in conference games is tough to do and still get them full games on JV. Also you do not want to count a game if all of a sudden week seven you get a whole bunch of injuries and you use a guy on a Saturday and a Monday as you get to 10 really quickly. EC has always tried to separate the two so there was never a close area crossed. Also like many teams some of the primary back ups are a banged up as it is so it is a tough call to say to a starter to sit and play a freshman and lose that game for them on JV. It's a constant battle of win today but build for the future.

Yeah, that is my basic recollection of the rule (been awhile since I've had to recall it).  If you have a decent freshman or sophomore player who is contributing on special teams, it makes a challenge to weighing special teams and garbage time vs. a full JV game.

I do recall my freshman year that I only played 1 maybe 2 JV games as a result of this rule.

[shepherd]

Wheaton penalties through five games 44 for 400yds. That is 80 yards per game average. NCC through five games is 46 for 421 yards 84 yards per game.  While IWU is 27 for 280 yards through five games averaging 56yds per game.  Moral of this story Wheaton and NCC have penalty problems that need to be fixed because eventually it will catch up to you.

[Mugsy]

Wheaton penalties through five games 44 for 400yds. That is 80 yards per game average. NCC through five games is 46 for 421 yards 84 yards per game.  While IWU is 27 for 280 yards through five games averaging 56yds per game.  Moral of this story Wheaton and NCC have penalty problems that need to be fixed because eventually it will catch up to you.

And the penalties today for Wheaton were downright stupid, not necessarily the ones that can be somewhat excused due to aggressive play. Multiple late hits on 3rd down to extend drives, one where Furco was running for his life and chuck the ball 15 yards out of bounds.  Multiple offsides on the defense that show a lack of discipline.  I agree, it will cost Wheaton at some point if it is not rectified.

[Augie6]

Just got back from the NCC - Augie game.  A few thoughts, first on Augie.  I don't really believe in moral victories, but since they won't have many regular ones this season, I guess you have to take what you can get.  Offensively, they are just not very good.  They don't have the athletes at receiver to spread the defense, the line play was pretty spotty, they have NO running game and Lee was not very accurate tonight when he did have receivers open (yes, I realize some of this had to do with NCC's defense).  I believe they had one drive the whole game with more than one first down (the drive they got the field goal).  Defensively, they play by the "bend but don't break" philosophy, which I have vented my frustrations about for the past few years.  They gave up a lot of yards, but they did a pretty good job of keeping NCC out of the end zone.  The problem with playing this type of defensive scheme, is you need to have an offense that can move the ball and and put some points on the board.  I don't see that happening for Augie this year.  Based on this, we are going to see a lot more losses than we will wins.

For NCC, their defense is very good.  I was impressed with their team speed and the way they came after Augie.  Certainly good enough to compete on a national level.  However, I don't see NCC having the offensive personnel necessary to challenge the top D3 teams, like they did last year.  IMO, there is just no one on that offense that would really scare a D Coordinator for one of the top teams.  Not saying they aren't good (they are), I just don't think they're good enough.  This is not a particularly strong Augie Defensive unit, as they were giving up 365 yards and 24 points per game coming in.  Despite the fact NCC ended with 24, they were only up 10-3 with 5 minutes left in the game and scored on a long run and pick 6 to account for the total. I expected them to put up alot more against a winless Augie.   

[hazzben]

HAZZ Been the rule if I remember it correctly (mugsy help me out here), is I believe you only get 10 game participations (not including post season). EC has a full JV schedule of 5 or 6 games I believe. In the non conference most of those players play regardless so playing the freshman in conference games is tough to do and still get them full games on JV. Also you do not want to count a game if all of a sudden week seven you get a whole bunch of injuries and you use a guy on a Saturday and a Monday as you get to 10 really quickly. EC has always tried to separate the two so there was never a close area crossed. Also like many teams some of the primary back ups are a banged up as it is so it is a tough call to say to a starter to sit and play a freshman and lose that game for them on JV. It's a constant battle of win today but build for the future.

Yeah, that is my basic recollection of the rule (been awhile since I've had to recall it).  If you have a decent freshman or sophomore player who is contributing on special teams, it makes a challenge to weighing special teams and garbage time vs. a full JV game.

I do recall my freshman year that I only played 1 maybe 2 JV games as a result of this rule.

So is this a CCIW rule then? I'm almost positive the MIAC teams with JV squads commonly have guys who see the field with the varsity and get action playing in JV games. In particular, we were annoyed on a few occasions when a player who'd seen extensive playing time on Saturday was playing against our JV on Monday.

[blue_jays]

Interesting game at Wheaton. It was high scoring as expected, but it was the home team doing all the scoring early. Thunder came out with something to prove and they just sliced and diced the Elmhurst secondary, almost totally ignoring the run. Meador stood in the pocket for 5-7 seconds at time because the pass rush wasn't getting to him. Watkins, Zeller and Hiben have great hands and reeled in almost every pass thrown their way. That Hiben kid will be the best WR in the league within 1-2 years, guaranteed. Great athlete, 6-foot-4, amazing hands.
Thought Elmhurst would exploit Wheaton's weak cornerbacks, but they countered by sticking Jordan Langs on Payton to keep him from going off and it worked. Furco got sacked six times total. The offense definitely moved the ball in the second half, but by then it was too late.
Scottie Williams looked great as usual, so slippery and small behind that big offensive line. He hit every hole hard and took out big chunks against a stout Wheaton run defense.
Looking ahead, Elmhurst can still rack up yards and put up points with the best of them. Unfortunately, their secondary got exposed today. However, I would still put the Bluejays up as 4th best team in conference, and 3rd if they beat IWU. Tim Lester has a good thing going right now and they'll only get better.

[CCIW_Fan]

I find it odd as a neutral spectator. That no one will pay attention to IWU. In a year with no dominant team, everyone seems to be ignoring the fact that they are still undefeated. Especially with how injuries have plagues other teams, are we looking at a potential CCIW champion?

[bluejay4ever]

HAZZ Been the rule if I remember it correctly (mugsy help me out here), is I believe you only get 10 game participations (not including post season). EC has a full JV schedule of 5 or 6 games I believe. In the non conference most of those players play regardless so playing the freshman in conference games is tough to do and still get them full games on JV. Also you do not want to count a game if all of a sudden week seven you get a whole bunch of injuries and you use a guy on a Saturday and a Monday as you get to 10 really quickly. EC has always tried to separate the two so there was never a close area crossed. Also like many teams some of the primary back ups are a banged up as it is so it is a tough call to say to a starter to sit and play a freshman and lose that game for them on JV. It’s a constant battle of win today but build for the future.

Yeah, that is my basic recollection of the rule (been awhile since I've had to recall it).  If you have a decent freshman or sophomore player who is contributing on special teams, it makes a challenge to weighing special teams and garbage time vs. a full JV game.

I do recall my freshman year that I only played 1 maybe 2 JV games as a result of this rule.

So is this a CCIW rule then? I'm almost positive the MIAC teams with JV squads commonly have guys who see the field with the varsity and get action playing in JV games. In particular, we were annoyed on a few occasions when a player who'd seen extensive playing time on Saturday was playing against our JV on Monday.

Yes this is a CCIW rule however how you get to the 10 total played contests is up to the individual schools and their scheduling. If they only schedule 2 JV games then a JV player only has to sit out 2 regular sat games. It is much more difficult when you have a full slate of 5 or 6 JV games as I mentioned.

[Kovo]

I find it odd as a neutral spectator. That no one will pay attention to IWU. In a year with no dominant team, everyone seems to be ignoring the fact that they are still undefeated. Especially with how injuries have plagues other teams, are we looking at a potential CCIW champion?

Oh, I'm paying attention.  I texted a good friend of mine who was at the NC/Augie game (that I watched on the net) that as of today, I believe IWU is the best team in the conference (man, that hurts to type).  Who will win the CCIW?  I have no idea --but there are still three or four legitimate candidates.  But, so far, IWU has beeen the best team in the league---even through my red and white colored glasses.

[Son of Tailgater]

Carthage wins in a come behind victory. I was impressed to hear that they had multiple drives of 60+ yards and it sounds like the offense is starting to gel. It was confirmed that Pete Djurickovic (QB last 3 games) broke his ankle against NCC last week and is now out for the season. Mike Oratowski (RB) is finally back at full strength for Carthage and T.J. Trepanier stepped up at QB for Carthage throwing for 152 yards and 3 TD's.

Regardless of records and this season, big game traveling to Augie for a night game. One thing in mind "BEAT AUGIE"

[Titan Q]

HAZZ Been the rule if I remember it correctly (mugsy help me out here), is I believe you only get 10 game participations (not including post season). EC has a full JV schedule of 5 or 6 games I believe. In the non conference most of those players play regardless so playing the freshman in conference games is tough to do and still get them full games on JV. Also you do not want to count a game if all of a sudden week seven you get a whole bunch of injuries and you use a guy on a Saturday and a Monday as you get to 10 really quickly. EC has always tried to separate the two so there was never a close area crossed. Also like many teams some of the primary back ups are a banged up as it is so it is a tough call to say to a starter to sit and play a freshman and lose that game for them on JV. It's a constant battle of win today but build for the future.

Yeah, that is my basic recollection of the rule (been awhile since I've had to recall it).  If you have a decent freshman or sophomore player who is contributing on special teams, it makes a challenge to weighing special teams and garbage time vs. a full JV game.

I do recall my freshman year that I only played 1 maybe 2 JV games as a result of this rule.

So is this a CCIW rule then? I'm almost positive the MIAC teams with JV squads commonly have guys who see the field with the varsity and get action playing in JV games. In particular, we were annoyed on a few occasions when a player who'd seen extensive playing time on Saturday was playing against our JV on Monday.

Yes this is a CCIW rule however how you get to the 10 total played contests is up to the individual schools and their scheduling. If they only schedule 2 JV games then a JV player only has to sit out 2 regular sat games. It is much more difficult when you have a full slate of 5 or 6 JV games as I mentioned.

Actually, this is an NCAA rule.  See 17.9.5, "Number of Contests"...

http://www.ncaapublications.com/productdownloads/D312.pdf

The exemptions are noted - for example, NCAA tournament games and one preseason scrimmage per season.

A JV game and a varsity game both count as one game.  When a player enters a varsity game late in a blowout, that is one less JV game they can play.  I'm not sure how many JV games each CCIW team typically plays, but I know IWU will play 5 this year...

http://www.iwusports.com/sports/2011/6/23/FB_0623110435.aspx?path=football

[CardinalAlum]

Random thoughts after the NCC/Augie game:

Interesting that Dicken, a true freshman, is now the starter at QB.  I think he is going to be great, but will have some growing pains.  He made a great throw from his end zone in the 4th quarter on 3rd and long only up 7. 

Too many penalties again.  This is just killing them.

Wasting timeouts continues to be an issue.   Be it personnel or confusion, this continues to be something that could cost us in a close game.

Defense was outstanding!  The speed in the secondary is the best I have seen at NCC. 

[matblake]

Here's my two cents as far as the Wheaton game goes.  First, it was nice to meet Go Thunder and Jasmine the service dog he is training.  Second, Scottie Williams really uses his height to his advantage.  Kind of hides for a second and then an explosion through the hole.  Seeing him live you really see what a good back he is.  Wheaton was able to score multiple times on offense, but they seem to have much better success at executing to a TD when they are 10-30 yards out than within the 10 yard line.  As was already talked about, so many penalties for Wheaton were stupid.  It played a factor last week against IWU and it will haunt them again if they are not more careful. 

Mrs. matblake was very gracious sitting through the entire game with me.  For the casual fan, it was too hot.