FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[NCF]

A few remarks about last nights game against Elmhurst:

    At times, Elmhurst played very good, inspired football.
    At times Elmhurst didn't play very good football.
    NCC can't play the way we did last night against real good opponents.
    The offense appeared out of sync most of the night. Our QB had a terrible night throwing the ball. Passes were either sailing or three yards short of the intended receiver.
    There were times when the defense was getting gashed for pretty decent yardage. Yet, at times they played stellar football.
     With that said.................I've been watching Cardinal football for a long time. Isn't it GREAT to see that the program is at a point to where I can feel this way in a 51-10 victory? (as I shake my head............................).
     The Cards are pretty banged up. Let's get healthy, play well and keep the bell.

     Mugsy, thought you might want to know that your favorite TE was shaken up last night. Hopefully, he will be ok to play and help NCC retain the bell and frustrate the heck out of you!   

i'd agree with most of your thoughts. nc came out flat,but i thought that might happen in between the two big ones. elmhurst had nothing to lose. at 4-3 a team can play loose and inspired. i thought the special teams play was sub par on kick-off and punt. the offense needs a leader. the defense will always keep the team in the game-so even when the offense is a little sluggish i don't worry. keep the bell in naperville cards!!

[AndOne]

Naperville Sun article on the NCC-EC game.

*Nick Dace is now the Cardinals single season leader in field goals and extra points made. Only a sophomore, Nick, "The Kick," has moved up to 3rd in field goals, and 2nd in extra points made all-time.

*The Cards have now returned 6 picks for TDs this season. This ties the national all-time D3 record.

http://napervillesun.suntimes.com/sports/8491713-419/ncc-uses-turnovers-to-pull-away-from-elmhurst.html

[AndOne]

NCC's game Saturday pits the Cardinals against the Crusaders (don't they still crusade?  ) for the Little Brass Bell.

A history of the series is detailed in the linked article below:

http://northcentralcardinals.com/sports/2009/2/18/FB_0218094448.aspx?path=football

[NCF]

NCC's game Saturday pits the Cardinals against the Crusaders (don't they still crusade?  ) for the Little Brass Bell.

A history of the series is detailed in the linked article below:

http://northcentralcardinals.com/sports/2009/2/18/FB_0218094448.aspx?path=football

and the most recent history is the best. let's keep the bell in redbird town.go cards!

[cardinaldad]

A few remarks about last nights game against Elmhurst:

    At times, Elmhurst played very good, inspired football.
    At times Elmhurst didn't play very good football.
    NCC can't play the way we did last night against real good opponents.
    The offense appeared out of sync most of the night. Our QB had a terrible night throwing the ball. Passes were either sailing or three yards short of the intended receiver.
    There were times when the defense was getting gashed for pretty decent yardage. Yet, at times they played stellar football.
     With that said.................I've been watching Cardinal football for a long time. Isn't it GREAT to see that the program is at a point to where I can feel this way in a 51-10 victory? (as I shake my head............................).
     The Cards are pretty banged up. Let's get healthy, play well and keep the bell.

     Mugsy, thought you might want to know that your favorite TE was shaken up last night. Hopefully, he will be ok to play and help NCC retain the bell and frustrate the heck out of you!   

i'd agree with most of your thoughts. nc came out flat,but i thought that might happen in between the two big ones. elmhurst had nothing to lose. at 4-3 a team can play loose and inspired. i thought the special teams play was sub par on kick-off and punt. the offense needs a leader. the defense will always keep the team in the game-so even when the offense is a little sluggish i don't worry. keep the bell in naperville cards!!

I forgot to mention that the penalty bug is still haunting us. Although I have to say, once again, some of the penalties were pretty questionable. None the less, I'm affraid that they will come back to bite us when it really matters.

[NCF]

NCC's game Saturday pits the Cardinals against the Crusaders (don't they still crusade?  ) for the Little Brass Bell.

A history of the series is detailed in the linked article below:

http://northcentralcardinals.com/sports/2009/2/18/FB_0218094448.aspx?path=football

[shepherd]

New week 9 ratings: NCC stays #6, Wheaton stays #13, Illinois Wesleyan moves from #24 to 21.

[nccfac]

NCC's game Saturday pits the Cardinals against the Crusaders (don't they still crusade?  ) for the Little Brass Bell.

A history of the series is detailed in the linked article below:

http://northcentralcardinals.com/sports/2009/2/18/FB_0218094448.aspx?path=football

The Bell is happy in Naperville. While I am sure that Wheaton was a benevolent host, the Bell needs to be were it was first situated. From the article above,  "The son attending North Central inherited the Little Brass Bell in the division of the estate".

I saw (or believed I did) the Bell at the Lantern in Naperville and it was quite happy and would like to remain at the village to the south of Wheaton. It likes the olive burger they serve and the ambiance. It also commented that Thunder bothers its sensibilities and the Cardinals chirping is pleasant and soothing.

[shepherd]

The last time NCC lost a regular season home game was 2007 to Wheaton.  The last time Wheaton won the bell.  But I can feel something stirring in the air or maybe that's just indigestion.

[NCF]

The last time NCC lost a regular season home game was 2007 to Wheaton.  The last time Wheaton won the bell.  But I can feel something stirring in the air or maybe that's just indigestion.

the winds of halloween maybe? too much riding on this one to play tricks, only the treat of a trip to the play-offs to the victor.

[ncc58]

A few remarks about last nights game against Elmhurst:

    At times, Elmhurst played very good, inspired football.
    At times Elmhurst didn't play very good football.
    NCC can't play the way we did last night against real good opponents.
    The offense appeared out of sync most of the night. Our QB had a terrible night throwing the ball. Passes were either sailing or three yards short of the intended receiver.
    There were times when the defense was getting gashed for pretty decent yardage. Yet, at times they played stellar football.
     With that said.................I've been watching Cardinal football for a long time. Isn't it GREAT to see that the program is at a point to where I can feel this way in a 51-10 victory? (as I shake my head............................).
     The Cards are pretty banged up. Let's get healthy, play well and keep the bell.

     Mugsy, thought you might want to know that your favorite TE was shaken up last night. Hopefully, he will be ok to play and help NCC retain the bell and frustrate the heck out of you!   

i'd agree with most of your thoughts. nc came out flat,but i thought that might happen in between the two big ones. elmhurst had nothing to lose. at 4-3 a team can play loose and inspired. i thought the special teams play was sub par on kick-off and punt. the offense needs a leader. the defense will always keep the team in the game-so even when the offense is a little sluggish i don't worry. keep the bell in naperville cards!!

Wow, it's a tough crowd.

Elmhurst is a good team, not a great team. They had a good game plan for shutting down the NCC offense. They played the option as well as any team I have seen, and they were determined not to let NCC run up the middle. That's going to happen and the offense is going to need yards somewhere else.

Kukuoc ended up with 141 yards and 1 TD. Tassio added two TDs. That's not too bad.

Dicken was 18-33 for 325 yards. He's improving each game, and was closer to the 60% completion rate that is the objective. Furco, by comparison, played well and was 20-40 for 237 yards. Nick Hicks had 7 receptions, his best output of the season.

Scottie Williams ended up with 80 yards (according to the NCC web site, 74 on the Elmhurst web site). Williams had 194 yards against Wheaton and 127 against IWU. The defense did a decent job keeping Williams in check.

Fiedorowicz has dazed on a helmet-to-helmet tackle. Both players had to be helped off the field. JT was yelling at the officials on several plays for Elmhurst defenders leading with their helmets.

[NCF]

A few remarks about last nights game against Elmhurst:

    At times, Elmhurst played very good, inspired football.
    At times Elmhurst didn't play very good football.
    NCC can't play the way we did last night against real good opponents.
    The offense appeared out of sync most of the night. Our QB had a terrible night throwing the ball. Passes were either sailing or three yards short of the intended receiver.
    There were times when the defense was getting gashed for pretty decent yardage. Yet, at times they played stellar football.
     With that said.................I've been watching Cardinal football for a long time. Isn't it GREAT to see that the program is at a point to where I can feel this way in a 51-10 victory? (as I shake my head............................).
     The Cards are pretty banged up. Let's get healthy, play well and keep the bell.

     Mugsy, thought you might want to know that your favorite TE was shaken up last night. Hopefully, he will be ok to play and help NCC retain the bell and frustrate the heck out of you!   

i'd agree with most of your thoughts. nc came out flat,but i thought that might happen in between the two big ones. elmhurst had nothing to lose. at 4-3 a team can play loose and inspired. i thought the special teams play was sub par on kick-off and punt. the offense needs a leader. the defense will always keep the team in the game-so even when the offense is a little sluggish i don't worry. keep the bell in naperville cards!!

Wow, it's a tough crowd.

Elmhurst is a good team, not a great team. They had a good game plan for shutting down the NCC offense. They played the option as well as any team I have seen, and they were determined not to let NCC run up the middle. That's going to happen and the offense is going to need yards somewhere else.

Kukuoc ended up with 141 yards and 1 TD. Tassio added two TDs. That's not too bad.

Dicken was 18-33 for 325 yards. He's improving each game, and was closer to the 60% completion rate that is the objective. Furco, by comparison, played well and was 20-40 for 237 yards. Nick Hicks had 7 receptions, his best output of the season.

Scottie Williams ended up with 80 yards (according to the NCC web site, 74 on the Elmhurst web site). Williams had 194 yards against Wheaton and 127 against IWU. The defense did a decent job keeping Williams in check.

Fiedorowicz has dazed on a helmet-to-helmet tackle. Both players had to be helped off the field. JT was yelling at the officials on several plays for Elmhurst defenders leading with their helmets.

i'd agree with jt on some of those hits, and as far as being a tough crowd-ask some of the players what they thought about the first half.for a team looking to get into the play-offs they will need to turn up the fire this week. they've done a great job of putting themselves in position to secure a 6th straight title. this week will seem like an eternity waiting for kick-off.

[bluejay4ever]

Sorry I have been not posting as of late. Some busy weeks the past two. It has nothing to do with EC's decline over the past few weeks. As for teh NC vs EC game, I was not able to attend. Congrats on NC showing they are the class of the conference. From what I hear more of the same from EC. Good Team not yet ready to take another step. Players were in position to make plays but didnt do it. It takes some special kids to learn how to play at championship levels. Then once those kids can set the tone is can then as leaders it can show underclassmen how to be at that level consistantly. I still have all the faith in the world of the coaches at EC and I know the kind of time and effort they put into the program and hopefully the next step is coming soon.

Congrats again to all the Evil Empire, I mean North Central people and good luck the rest of the way.

[Mugsy]

"Tale of the Tape" - Wheaton vs. North Central

Records:
   Wheaton:        7-1, 4-1
   North Central:  7-1, 5-0

Statistics below are from CCIW games only, as those seem more pertinent right now.

Statistical Category	Wheaton	North Central	Comment
Offense Scoring	32.6	36.8	NCC #1, Wheaton #2 in CCIW
Defense Scoring	11.8	5.4	NCC #1, Wheaton #2 in CCIW
Off Pass Efficiency	154.0	125.5	Wheaton #1 in CCIW
Off Pass Completion %	65.1	49.6	Wheaton #1 in CCIW
Off Pass YPG	303.1	189.0	Wheaton #1 in CCIW
Off Pass TD's	14	5	Wheaton #1 in CCIW
Off INT's	4	2
Def Pass Efficiency	104.8	80.0	NCC #1 in CCIW
Def Pass Completion %	51.8	45.6	NCC #1 in CCIW
Def Pass YPG	157.8	153.4
Pass TD's Allowed	5	6
Def INT's	4	8
Kick Return Ave	36.4	25.3	Wheaton #1, NCC #2 in CCIW
Punt Return Ave	7.7	11.8
Punting	38.9	39.3	Wheaton 17 punts, NCC 21
Turnover Margin	+0.60	+1.40	NCC #1, Wheaton #2 in CCIW
Off Rush YPG	94.2	262.0	NCC #1, Wheaton #7 in CCIW
Off Yards Per Carry	2.9	6.2	NCC #1, Wheaton last in CCIW
Off Rush TD's	6	14	NCC #1 in CCIW
Def Rush YPG	113.2	102.2	NCC #1, Wheaton #2 in CCIW
Def Yards Per Carry	3.2	3.4	Wheaton #1, NCC #2 in CCIW
Def Rush TD's Allowed	3	0	NCC #1, Wheaton #2 in CCIW
Total Offense	397.2	451.0	NCC #1 in CCIW
Total Defense	271.0	255.6	NCC #1, Wheaton #2 in CCIW
Sacks By	15	9	Wheaton #1 in CCIW
Sacks Allowed	9	4	Wheaton: 186 pass attempts, NCC: 121
1st Downs	100	107
1st Downs Allowed	83	72	NCC #1 in CCIW
Penalty YPG	70.2	75.2	Two most penalized teams in CCIW
Red Zone Offense	74.1	66.7	Wheaton 13 TDs, 7 FG's : NCC 12 TDs, 4 FG's
Red Zone Defense	63.6	33.3
Off 3rd Down Conv %	44.1	35.0	Wheaton #2 in CCIW
Opp 3rd Down Conv %	29.3	24.3	NCC #1, Wheaton #3 in CCIW
Field Goals	7 of 9	6 of 10
PAT's	16 of 21	22 of 24	Wheaton is worst in CCIW
Time of Pos	31:32	31:02

Other notable stats:
Wheaton is only 1 of 9 on 4th down
NCC has 2 punt returns for TD's
NCC has 6 INT's returned for TD's
Wheaton has 2 fumbles returned for TD's
NCC pass attack may not be as potent as years past, but they only have only thrown 3 INT's
Not surprisingly, both teams are in the top 15 in D3 football in turnovers lost (only 8 for NCC, 9 for Wheaton)
NCC has 5th ranked pass defense efficiency in country
Wheaton is 2nd in the country on kickoff returns at 31.04 yards per return, NCC kick return coverage is 136th

Notable Players:
RUSHING               Team Cl  G  Att  Yds   Avg TD Long Yds/G
-----------------------------------------------------------
2. Kukuc, Nick....   NCC  JR  5   72  580   8.1  3    44   116.0
5. Tassio, Jordan.  NCC  JR  5   68  381   5.6  5    80     76.2
9. Boettcher, Mike NCC  SR  5   29  243   8.4  4    48    48.6

QB Comparison:
PASSING AVG/GAME   Team Cl  G Att Cmp Int  Pct.  Yds TD Avg/G
-------------------------------------------------------------
1. Meador, Garrett   WHEA SR  5 178 117  3  65.7 1487 14 297.4
5. Dicken, Tyler..      NCC  FR  5 110  54   2  49.1  906  5  181.2

Top Receivers:
RECEPTIONS/GAME    Team Cl  G   Rec  Yds TD Long Avg/C Rec/G
-----------------------------------------------------------
1. Watkins, Teddy.  WHEA SR  5   31  414   4   39   13.4   6.20
2. Hiben, Mark....    WHEA FR  5   29   481  7   48   16.6   5.80
4. Zeller, Justin.      WHEA SR  5   21  255  2    25   12.1   4.20

RECEIVE YDS/GAME   Team Cl   G  Rec  Yds TD Long  Avg/C Yds/G
-----------------------------------------------------------
1. Hiben, Mark....     WHEA FR  5   29  481  7   48    16.6     96.2
3. Watkins, Teddy.   WHEA SR  5   31  414  4   39    13.4    82.8
6. Zeller, Justin.       WHEA SR  5   21  255  2   25    12.1    51.0

INTERCEPTIONS       Team Cl  G   Int  Yds TD Long Int/G
-----------------------------------------------------
2. Mitchell, Josh.      NCC  JR  5    2   93   1   93  0.40
    Markley, Micah.   WHEA SR  5    2   12   0   10  0.40
    Dierking, Shane    NCC  SO  5    2    0   0     0  0.40
9. Thompson, Kane. NCC  SR  4    1   70   1   70  0.25
    Vargyas, Tony..  WHEA SO  4    1   46   0   46  0.25

PUNT RETURN AVG    Team Cl  G  Ret  Yds TD Long   Avg
-----------------------------------------------------
1. Antonacci, Joe.    NCC  SR  5   16  153  0   47   9.6
2. Markley, Micah.   WHEA SR  5   12  100  0   41   8.3

TACKLES (All positions)
Player                    Team Cl  G Pos Solo Ast Total Avg/G Sack
-----------------------------------------------------------
10.Michals, Joey..     NCC  JR  5 LB    20  16    36   7.2    2
20.Dierking, Shane    NCC  SO  5 DB   22   5    27   5.4    0
27.McMullen, Brian   WHEA SR  4       18   2    20   5.0    0
30.Chapman, Jordan WHEA SR  5       15   9    24   4.8    2
32.Thompson, Kane. NCC  SR  4 LB    12   7    19   4.8    0
35.Garza, Valente.   NCC  SR  5 DE    15   7    22   4.4    1
43.VanHeest, Sam.. WHEA JR  5        16   4    20   4.0    1
    Driggers, Austi     WHEA SR  5        15   5    20   4.0    0
    McLeod, Josh...     NCC  SR  5 DB    13   7    20   4.0    0
    Dykstra, Brando   WHEA SO  5 DT    12   8    20   4.0    0
    Wright, Tharryn     NCC  SO  4 LB    12   4    16   4.0    0

SACKS                    Team Cl  G Pos Solo Ast  Yds Total Avg/G
-----------------------------------------------------------
2. East, JD.......     WHEA SR  5 DE     3   3   31     6  1.20
4. Ramsay, Robert. WHEA SR  5 DE     3   1   22     4  0.80
5. Hayes, Willie..     NCC  SR  5 DE     2   1   22     3  0.60
8. Michals, Joey..     NCC  JR  5 LB     1   1   10     2  0.40
10.Higgins, Jordan W  HEA SO  4        1   1   14     2  0.50


PASSES DEFENDED    Team Cl  G Brup  Int Total Avg/G
---------------------------------------------------
1. Dierking, Shane     NCC  SO  5    3    2     5  1.00
    Mitchell, Josh.        NCC  JR  5    3    2     5  1.00
6. Markley, Micah.    WHEA SR  5    1    2     3  0.60
    Charles, Stewar     NCC  SR  5    2    1     3  0.60
    Michals, Joey..       NCC  JR  5    2    1     3  0.60

[wheels81]

Wheaton had a different place kicker for the first 2 PAT's and field goal on Saturday.   (My Bad ...I swore there was another name in the box score for kicker other than Roche when i checked yesterday.  I wasnt there till 2nd quarter.  Anyone know the story.)
Also #1 TW did )not hold for kicks in 2nd quarter nor did he play for rest of game after coming down hard on a reception.  Hope he's all set to go for Saturday as the Thunder will need all their weapons.

Just like the county seat the Brass bell belongs in Wheaton.