FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[AndOne]

Gotta hand it to Wheton today. The Thunder rolled, and hit.......NC fumble, fumble, fumble, fumble, fumble, fumble

Plays of the game:

1. NCC hits a nice pass to the receiver in stride, and it looks like a sure TD as he heads to the end zone. However, a thunderous hit at the WC 2 causes a fumble which WC recovers. Even worse (if thats possible) Wheaton then goes 98 yards for a TD
2. NCC driving late in the game, but probably with enough time still left, when the NCC QB fumbles and WC returns it 72 yards for a TD. That was about all she wrote.

Stats of the game

1. NCC fumbles 6 times and loses 4
2. Time of possession---WC 37 minutes, NCC 22 minutes

NCC's 1st loss to Wheaton since 2007
NCC's 1st conference loss since 2009

As it turns out, WC has TWO Hibens. One is named Cook. 

[thunder38]

I was shocked at NCC's lack of commitment to the ground game today.  Tassio had only four carries and Kukuc only had eight.  NCC's biggest advantage was in the running game and they never really utilized it today.

That being said, huge game for Wheaton's front five today.  Gave up four sacks but still an outstanding job of letting Jordan Roberts do his thing.

[shepherd]

I am so proud of the Wheaton players and coaches.  The coaches had a great game plan and the players executed it for the whole game. 

The Wheaton defensive scheme using the 3-4 showed what it was designed for.  When you go up against a big offensive line those big guys can have a hard time getting to the linebackers.  The defense also played smart football by staying home when they were supposed to.  Its very easy to get over aggressive in a huge game like this. 

The offense was lucky they had Roberts who was able to avoid many sacks.  He has a great feel for the pass rush.  Good to see Peter Jarret back in the lineup.  I really like the way Velling and Roberts different styles compliment each other.`
I made it to half of the game and have to sit on the NCC side with dog.  As usual the NCC fans are very  gracious.
Go Thunder - Hopefully we can make it to the playoffs.

[Mugsy]

Augustana has quietly turned around their season with some nice wins.  Was looking really bleak early in CCIW season after 49-7 loss to Wheaton, but they've played much more solidly since.

Mugsy,

They have certainly played better than they did at the start of the season and will finish, at worst, .500, which I didn't think was possible based on their performance in the first few games.  That being said, the teams they had beaten until this week have a combined record of 10-26, so not too much to get excited about there.  Yes, they beat an IWU team this week that is now 6-3, but we all know that they are a much different team without Galik.  If they somehow beat NCC next week (which I don't think anyone see's happening), then I will give them the credit due and may even be looking forward to next season.  If the lose and get smoked in the process, it will indicate that there is still much work to do before Augie is even a consideration in the CCIW race.

Congrats to you and all the Wheaton fans on the board on their big win vs. NCC.  I watched most of the game online and they were extremely impressive.

Augie6,

I understand and agree.  The recognition is tempered a bit by who they've beaten.  But they haven't mailed it in and perhaps it can be something to build toward for next year.

Wheaton did play a great game today.

[iwu70]

Congrats to Wheaton on their big win.  Who would have thunk it?  Surely not me.  I had NCC by 2 TDs or more.  WC must have had an excellent game plan and great execution and NCC surely shot themselves in the foot, head numerous times.

My Titans were dispirited today, almost punchless on offense, and poor play on D too, allowing several big plays and frequent over the middle completions on 3rd down.  I think the Titans are just down, with a huge number of key injuries, and more going down today.  Sad to see this late in the season.  Tyler Hook had another tough day, but I think he will actually be a good QB in time.  Today his receivers didn't help much, and they were not targeted enough either.  Several, 4-5 passes right on the hands, and dropped.  Poor position, pretty poor kicking game all day.

And to think we had WC down 9 with four minutes to play . . . and from there on, the season has just cascaded away, losing to WC, thumped bigtime by NCC, and now playing without passion vs. Augie.  Augie played smart, was coached smart, and has a nice, complex, hard-to-defend offense.  They are a better team than their record indicates.  Congrats to them on their win.   Right now, my Titans just can't do too much right.   And, we couldn't even bring it on Senior Day.  Very sad.

Looks like a 6-4 season to me, after such a promising and good 6-0 start.

An emotional day, especially with the honors for the seniors, all the parents, and the presence of Andrew's folks here, too.  Pretty poignant and sad.  I think an emotional toll on all since his death and since the loss to WC, loss of so many key players to injury.  Hard to bounce back.

IWU70

[Mugsy]

I was shocked at NCC's lack of commitment to the ground game today.  Tassio had only four carries and Kukuc only had eight.  NCC's biggest advantage was in the running game and they never really utilized it today.

That being said, huge game for Wheaton's front five today.  Gave up four sacks but still an outstanding job of letting Jordan Roberts do his thing.

Was going to comment on this earlier, but had to finish some yard work. 

If you would have told me that Kukuc would only have 49 yards on 9 carries, and Tassio would have 5 yards on 4 carries, I'd say you are absolutely nuts or misread the boxscore.  I was concerned coming into the game that NCC would gouge the Wheaton d-front with these two and they would have 30-35 carries between them.  Wheaton's best hope was to hold these two in check, and they more than did that!

Yes NCC had too many turnovers and they paid for them, but Wheaton did have 2 costly turnovers as well in the NCC redzone.  As noted by AndOne, a huge turnaround was the fumble by NCC at the Wheaton 2.   Afterwards Wheaton goes on a 17 play, 98 yard TD drive.  So instead of NCC closing it to a 21-14 gap, Wheaton opens up a 28-7 lead.

You combine Wheaton's ability to hold NCC well below their season average in rushing yards, the costly NCC turnovers and then you add long, long extended Wheaton drives to keep the NCC offense off the field, you've got the perfect formula for a Wheaton upset.  Total plays:  Wheaton 81, NCC 62 (and the disparity was even greater than that until midway in the 4th quarter).

Here are some of the key Wheaton drives:
17 plays, 87 yards, 7:58 elapsed
1 plays, 61 yards, 0:10 elapsed (not a long drive, but we'll take it )
10 plays, 70 yards, 4:19 elapsed
17 plays, 98 yards, 6:26 elapsed
12 plays, 62 yards, 6:09 elapsed (missed FG, but still a long, sustained drive)

Two 17 play drives and 4 drives of 10 plays or more.  That is how you beat top teams.

[bluejay4ever]

It's going to be a fun week on the boards as Mugsy, USee, etc., are forced to hold their noses and root for the Weenies!

And I just became a HUGE Elmhurst fan.

And never in my life did I ever think would I say GO AUGIE

[NCF]

It's going to be a fun week on the boards as Mugsy, USee, etc., are forced to hold their noses and root for the Weenies!

And I just became a HUGE Elmhurst fan.

And never in my life did I ever think would I say GO AUGIE

We are not losing to Augie and I expect your guys to win as well. It will help erase the bad taste I have in my mouth from today. Very disappointing in all phases of the game. Lots of work to do this week!

[Mugsy]

It's going to be a fun week on the boards as Mugsy, USee, etc., are forced to hold their noses and root for the Weenies!

And I just became a HUGE Elmhurst fan.

And never in my life did I ever think would I say GO AUGIE

We are not losing to Augie and I expect your guys to win as well. It will help erase the bad taste I have in my mouth from today. Very disappointing in all phases of the game. Lots of work to do this week!

Well, at least you won't wake up with the ringing in your ears.   

[Mugsy]

Not many teams in D3 have a WR combo like this:

RECEIVING        GP     No.     Yards     Avg      TD     Long     Avg/G
Hiben, Mark        7     57       874       15.3       9     60         124.9
Cook, Morgan     9     56       807       14.4       9     61         89.7

[NCF]

It's going to be a fun week on the boards as Mugsy, USee, etc., are forced to hold their noses and root for the Weenies!

And I just became a HUGE Elmhurst fan.

And never in my life did I ever think would I say GO AUGIE

We are not losing to Augie and I expect your guys to win as well. It will help erase the bad taste I have in my mouth from today. Very disappointing in all phases of the game. Lots of work to do this week!

Well, at least you won't wake up with the ringing in your ears.   

I can live with Wheaton winning it once every five years:) If NC and Elmhurst both win, they're still in the play-offs. The only downside is the seed will be bad an they'll have no home game.

[augiefan]

Given the downward spiral in Augie FB in recent years I find the progress and improvement made by the team this year encouraging. Last second loss to Elmhurst actually reversed things. Not all that close to the level of NCC, Wheaton and perhaps Elmhurst currently but moving in the right direction. A good recruiting year based on this finish could keep things moving in the right direction.

Congrats to Wheaton. They are certasinly the best team Augie faced all year. But for being snake bit against Elmhurst, they would be a lock for a high playoff seed. Is it possible for all three of the top teams to go to the playoffs at this point?

[NCF]

Given the downward spiral in Augie FB in recent years I find the progress and improvement made by the team this year encouraging. Last second loss to Elmhurst actually reversed things. Not all that close to the level of NCC, Wheaton and perhaps Elmhurst currently but moving in the right direction. A good recruiting year based on this finish could keep things moving in the right direction.

Congrats to Wheaton. They are certasinly the best team Augie faced all year. But for being snake bit against Elmhurst, they would be a lock for a high playoff seed. Is it possible for all three of the top teams to go to the playoffs at this point?

I don't think that will happen.

[shepherd]

Given the downward spiral in Augie FB in recent years I find the progress and improvement made by the team this year encouraging. Last second loss to Elmhurst actually reversed things. Not all that close to the level of NCC, Wheaton and perhaps Elmhurst currently but moving in the right direction. A good recruiting year based on this finish could keep things moving in the right direction.

Congrats to Wheaton. They are certainly the best team Augie faced all year. But for being snake bit against Elmhurst, they would be a lock for a high playoff seed. Is it possible for all three of the top teams to go to the playoffs at this point?

I don't know but I think its a lock one or more teams with two losses get a pool c.  There are not as many 1 loss teams in pool c contention as there usually is this year. Especially from the strong conferences.  Not sure of the numbers but I think Pat and Keith will be discussing pool c and two loss teams chances this week in the Podcast.

[NCF]

Given the downward spiral in Augie FB in recent years I find the progress and improvement made by the team this year encouraging. Last second loss to Elmhurst actually reversed things. Not all that close to the level of NCC, Wheaton and perhaps Elmhurst currently but moving in the right direction. A good recruiting year based on this finish could keep things moving in the right direction.

Congrats to Wheaton. They are certainly the best team Augie faced all year. But for being snake bit against Elmhurst, they would be a lock for a high playoff seed. Is it possible for all three of the top teams to go to the playoffs at this point?

I don't know but I think its a lock one or more teams with two losses get a pool c.  There are not as many 1 loss teams in pool c contention as there usually is this year.  Not sure of the numbers but I think Pat and Keith will be discussing pool c and two loss teams chances this week in the Podcast.

That might be true,  but I don't think you'll see three teams from a conference in the play-offs.