FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[USee]

Little known fact:

Mt Union Offensive Coordinator Jeff Dart (who played OLine at Mount) was the Oline coach at Wheaton from about 2008-2011 so he is well aware of the North Central as he worked under previous Thunder OC Joe Davis (Now at Shippensburg).

[New Tradition]

She was a virgin in her freshmen year .... She was a Sophomore with her conscious clear ... (insider) LOL
Aye just wanna give a big Ups Too The New Tradition of NCC ... U boi's have came a long way ...  I continue too check the scores on U ever year being a past Cardinal .... Yaw better go out there too Alliance and Slap dem boi's in the face ... I will make sure I Tune in because this is something Coach Thorne pushed so hard too Reach ... He's a great coach and mentor ... bring home that Ship too Naperville ....
One Team One Heartbeat .....
*Turn down for what* 
;DLets get it;D

Ok, I admit to being completely out of touch with hip vernacular, so I'm sorry if this question was already answered in the above.   
Does NCC have any really fast, deep-threat type receivers?

HAHAHA!!  K+

[emma17]

Wesley's DE and LB speed is exactly why Burke and Mitchell couldn't run the ball much last week.   Numerous times Burke took off scrambling to only gain 2 or 3 yards where all 11 previous games would have been huge gains.   And it got tighter and tighter as the game wore on and Wesley got more settled in.   Ask Wittenberg about his scrambling ability.   He absolutely killed Witt with his feet.   

Same with Mitchell at TB.   First carry was 67 yard TD.   The next 27 carries 67 yards for a 2.5 average.   Wesley did a very nice job on the Mount run game and pressuring Burke.  What killed Wesley was a first quarter that went:
1.  First play of game = Mount 67 yd TD run
2.  First Wesley possession = 3 yard run followed by pass that went thru TE's hands.  INT returned to 28 yard line
3.  Next Mount play = TD pass

2 Mount plays = 2 Mount TD's.   Not a good start for Wesley

Soon to be followed by:
4.  Punt return for TD (first of the season for Mount)
5.  Another INT in deep in Wesley territory where QB was throwing it away, but didn't get it far enough out of bounds.  Actually nice job by Wesley to stop 3 plays and force FG.
6.  INT return for TD on a late throw where QB double clutched the throw.
Before the Wesley fans even realized it was cold outside, they were down 31-0.

After the first quarter, Wesley was clearly the better team.   Both on O and D.   Question is how much of that was Mount relaxing and letting Wesley get confidence versus Wesley really being the better team that unfortunately for them simply dug themselves a HUGE hole to start?   My opinion?   A little bit of both.   Looking back, if both teams play a clean 60 minutes, I would think it would have been a 1 TD game.   Probably in the 42-35 range.

I've been following Mount for 25+ years and I honestly don't know what to expect from Mount on Saturday.   I've seen them look great for a while (1st half of Heidi and JCU, 1st quarter of Wesley and 2nd half of Witt) and I've seen them look like Wilmington thru the rest of the same games, and I've seen them look "meh" for entire game (BW and W&J).   Very weird season.

A first quarter Wesley wishes they had back for sure.  I imagine though that many a team has experienced something similar early in the game vs. Mt.  I don't know if it's nerves or trying too hard or getting accustomed to Mt's overall speed. 

Maybe a question to ask is- Just how necessary is it that NCC have team speed such as a Wesley in order to be successful against Mt.? 
On defense, can they get by with good speed from the front 7 that plays disciplined contain on K Burke while the secondary prevents the long ball? 
Is the NCC running game strong and fast enough to make and hit holes before they quickly close? 
Can the NCC receivers get open enough for Stanek to be successful?   

Such an intriguing match-up.

[robertgoulet]

Wesley's DE and LB speed is exactly why Burke and Mitchell couldn't run the ball much last week.   Numerous times Burke took off scrambling to only gain 2 or 3 yards where all 11 previous games would have been huge gains.   And it got tighter and tighter as the game wore on and Wesley got more settled in.   Ask Wittenberg about his scrambling ability.   He absolutely killed Witt with his feet.   

Same with Mitchell at TB.   First carry was 67 yard TD.   The next 27 carries 67 yards for a 2.5 average.   Wesley did a very nice job on the Mount run game and pressuring Burke.  What killed Wesley was a first quarter that went:
1.  First play of game = Mount 67 yd TD run
2.  First Wesley possession = 3 yard run followed by pass that went thru TE's hands.  INT returned to 28 yard line
3.  Next Mount play = TD pass

2 Mount plays = 2 Mount TD's.   Not a good start for Wesley

Soon to be followed by:
4.  Punt return for TD (first of the season for Mount)
5.  Another INT in deep in Wesley territory where QB was throwing it away, but didn't get it far enough out of bounds.  Actually nice job by Wesley to stop 3 plays and force FG.
6.  INT return for TD on a late throw where QB double clutched the throw.
Before the Wesley fans even realized it was cold outside, they were down 31-0.

After the first quarter, Wesley was clearly the better team.   Both on O and D.   Question is how much of that was Mount relaxing and letting Wesley get confidence versus Wesley really being the better team that unfortunately for them simply dug themselves a HUGE hole to start?   My opinion?   A little bit of both.   Looking back, if both teams play a clean 60 minutes, I would think it would have been a 1 TD game.   Probably in the 42-35 range.

I've been following Mount for 25+ years and I honestly don't know what to expect from Mount on Saturday.   I've seen them look great for a while (1st half of Heidi and JCU, 1st quarter of Wesley and 2nd half of Witt) and I've seen them look like Wilmington thru the rest of the same games, and I've seen them look "meh" for entire game (BW and W&J).   Very weird season.

A first quarter Wesley wishes they had back for sure.  I imagine though that many a team has experienced something similar early in the game vs. Mt.  I don't know if it's nerves or trying too hard or getting accustomed to Mt's overall speed. 

Maybe a question to ask is- Just how necessary is it that NCC have team speed such as a Wesley in order to be successful against Mt.? 
On defense, can they get by with good speed from the front 7 that plays disciplined contain on K Burke while the secondary prevents the long ball? 
Is the NCC running game strong and fast enough to make and hit holes before they quickly close? 
Can the NCC receivers get open enough for Stanek to be successful?   

Such an intriguing match-up.

Maybe a question to ask is- Just how necessary is it that NCC have team speed such as a Wesley in order to be successful against Mt.? - Not really sure, as I didn't see the Wesley/UMU game, but having team speed can't hurt! 

On defense, can they get by with good speed from the front 7 that plays disciplined contain on K Burke while the secondary prevents the long ball?  - Containment is going to be key. I worry more about the DBs and LBs being aware enough of Burke that they prevent big gains after a play breaks down than I do about the Secondary allowing deep balls. NCC has the CCIW and North Region DPOY (I got it right this time!) at FS in Shane Deirking. He led the CCIW in INTs this season with 8. He's a heck of a center fielder. Connor Douglas (CB) was 1st team all-CCIW as well, and Nick Slezak (MLB) is 1st team CCIW (2nd team all North Region) and a converted Safety.

Is the NCC running game strong and fast enough to make and hit holes before they quickly close? - NCC has featured 3 different RBs: Ryan Kent is the burner and gets the heaviest workload, Matt Randolph plays an H-back role, and is bigger/stronger, while Frosh Zack Pattat is a bowling ball. The O-line is solid at pass pro, but are they strong enough to get a push on UMU's D line? Only time will tell.

Can the NCC receivers get open enough for Stanek to be successful? Oddly enough, I don't think this is going to be a problem. Too many weapons on the outside (Sorenson, O'Kane, AJ Thomas, Rezac).

My concern is: will NCC be able to avoid a slow start due to any of the following it being the first time in the brighter lights of the quarters and/or the first time at the base of Mt Union. I am oddly confident that if NCC can avoid a slow start they can give Mt Union all they can handle. Can they reach the summit? I say yes, but it won't be easy.

[HScoach]

^ playing zone instead of man would be helpful against Burke's scrambling too.

[Gregory Sager]

While i have purged my closet over the years of all red garments, i will definitely tune in and root for my CCIW bird brethren 

Then this could be the perfect opportunity for you to break out the red body paint, LGhost.

[wesleydad]

Wesley's DE and LB speed is exactly why Burke and Mitchell couldn't run the ball much last week.   Numerous times Burke took off scrambling to only gain 2 or 3 yards where all 11 previous games would have been huge gains.   And it got tighter and tighter as the game wore on and Wesley got more settled in.   Ask Wittenberg about his scrambling ability.   He absolutely killed Witt with his feet.   

Same with Mitchell at TB.   First carry was 67 yard TD.   The next 27 carries 67 yards for a 2.5 average.   Wesley did a very nice job on the Mount run game and pressuring Burke.  What killed Wesley was a first quarter that went:
1.  First play of game = Mount 67 yd TD run
2.  First Wesley possession = 3 yard run followed by pass that went thru TE's hands.  INT returned to 28 yard line
3.  Next Mount play = TD pass

2 Mount plays = 2 Mount TD's.   Not a good start for Wesley

Soon to be followed by:
4.  Punt return for TD (first of the season for Mount)
5.  Another INT in deep in Wesley territory where QB was throwing it away, but didn't get it far enough out of bounds.  Actually nice job by Wesley to stop 3 plays and force FG.
6.  INT return for TD on a late throw where QB double clutched the throw.
Before the Wesley fans even realized it was cold outside, they were down 31-0.

After the first quarter, Wesley was clearly the better team.   Both on O and D.   Question is how much of that was Mount relaxing and letting Wesley get confidence versus Wesley really being the better team that unfortunately for them simply dug themselves a HUGE hole to start?   My opinion?   A little bit of both.   Looking back, if both teams play a clean 60 minutes, I would think it would have been a 1 TD game.   Probably in the 42-35 range.

I've been following Mount for 25+ years and I honestly don't know what to expect from Mount on Saturday.   I've seen them look great for a while (1st half of Heidi and JCU, 1st quarter of Wesley and 2nd half of Witt) and I've seen them look like Wilmington thru the rest of the same games, and I've seen them look "meh" for entire game (BW and W&J).   Very weird season.

What he said.  HScoach is right on the money with his synopsis.  I was wondering the same thing as to how much of it was Mount not crushing Wesley until the 3rd quarter when it got competitive.  At that point it became obvious to me and the Mount guys I was with that this was a game and Mount was in trouble.  Burke made the plays on the 2 drives he needed to for the win, he is the key.  Is NCC as fast as Wesley on D, probably not, but can they contain both Burke and Mitchell, that is the question.  If they do they have a chance if not they have no chance.  Mount will outscore them.  Added issue will be turnovers, Wesley had 6, way too many.  Keep the ball and you have a chance.

[@d3jason]

Don't think Wesley needed to adjust to UMU's speed, Charlotte and UMHB are at the very least as fast. The answer to what happened in the first quarter is one the Wolverines will be pondering all offseason.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Wesley's DE and LB speed is exactly why Burke and Mitchell couldn't run the ball much last week.   Numerous times Burke took off scrambling to only gain 2 or 3 yards where all 11 previous games would have been huge gains.   And it got tighter and tighter as the game wore on and Wesley got more settled in.   Ask Wittenberg about his scrambling ability.   He absolutely killed Witt with his feet.   

Same with Mitchell at TB.   First carry was 67 yard TD.   The next 27 carries 67 yards for a 2.5 average.   Wesley did a very nice job on the Mount run game and pressuring Burke.  What killed Wesley was a first quarter that went:
1.  First play of game = Mount 67 yd TD run
2.  First Wesley possession = 3 yard run followed by pass that went thru TE's hands.  INT returned to 28 yard line
3.  Next Mount play = TD pass

2 Mount plays = 2 Mount TD's.   Not a good start for Wesley

Soon to be followed by:
4.  Punt return for TD (first of the season for Mount)
5.  Another INT in deep in Wesley territory where QB was throwing it away, but didn't get it far enough out of bounds.  Actually nice job by Wesley to stop 3 plays and force FG.
6.  INT return for TD on a late throw where QB double clutched the throw.
Before the Wesley fans even realized it was cold outside, they were down 31-0.

After the first quarter, Wesley was clearly the better team.   Both on O and D.   Question is how much of that was Mount relaxing and letting Wesley get confidence versus Wesley really being the better team that unfortunately for them simply dug themselves a HUGE hole to start?   My opinion?   A little bit of both.   Looking back, if both teams play a clean 60 minutes, I would think it would have been a 1 TD game.   Probably in the 42-35 range.

I've been following Mount for 25+ years and I honestly don't know what to expect from Mount on Saturday.   I've seen them look great for a while (1st half of Heidi and JCU, 1st quarter of Wesley and 2nd half of Witt) and I've seen them look like Wilmington thru the rest of the same games, and I've seen them look "meh" for entire game (BW and W&J).   Very weird season.

What he said.  HScoach is right on the money with his synopsis.  I was wondering the same thing as to how much of it was Mount not crushing Wesley until the 3rd quarter when it got competitive.  At that point it became obvious to me and the Mount guys I was with that this was a game and Mount was in trouble.  Burke made the plays on the 2 drives he needed to for the win, he is the key.  Is NCC as fast as Wesley on D, probably not, but can they contain both Burke and Mitchell, that is the question.  If they do they have a chance if not they have no chance.  Mount will outscore them.  Added issue will be turnovers, Wesley had 6, way too many.  Keep the ball and you have a chance.

Agree that this will be one of the keys.  Last year NCC lost to Linfield in the second round when they had SEVEN turnovers (including 5 INTs).  This year, Stanek has ONE INT the whole season!

I think they have a chance!  In fact, although it IS The Machine and in Alliance, I think NCC is a slight favorite.

[HScoach]

^  Careful.   That last sentence will get you yelled at. 

By the NCC faithful. 

[Stagg Again!!]

^  Careful.   That last sentence will get you yelled at. 

By the NCC faithful. 

On queue... Why on God's green earth would North Central be favored?  1) Mount Union is at home and will be in their comfort zone.  2) North Central will lose at least one series and maybe two being intimidated by the reality of their surroundings... Mount Union, National Semis, ESPN, bright lights.  3) Mount Union has the defense to shut down NCC's running attack; making them very one dimensional.  4) Burke is not only a good passer, but is elusive when the passing options are taken away.  5) Mount Union is the #1 overall seed, wire to wire #1 team in the country, and defending National Champion.  Mount Union should be favored in this one by 14-17.  Anything less than a dominating win by the Raiders will be very surprising to me and a bit of a failure since NCC is only the #5 team in the country.  It is a huge win for the Cardinals just to have the opportunity to play against the likes of Mount Union.

[Kovo]

^  Careful.   That last sentence will get you yelled at. 

By the NCC faithful. 

On queue... Why on God's green earth would North Central be favored?  1) Mount Union is at home and will be in their comfort zone.  2) North Central will lose at least one series and maybe two being intimidated by the reality of their surroundings... Mount Union, National Semis, ESPN, bright lights.  3) Mount Union has the defense to shut down NCC's running attack; making them very one dimensional.  4) Burke is not only a good passer, but is elusive when the passing options are taken away.  5) Mount Union is the #1 overall seed, wire to wire #1 team in the country, and defending National Champion.  Mount Union should be favored in this one by 14-17.  Anything less than a dominating win by the Raiders will be very surprising to me and a bit of a failure since NCC is only the #5 team in the country.  It is a huge win for the Cardinals just to have the opportunity to play against the likes of Mount Union.

You forgot that NC is not even the #1 seed in it's region, and the only reason that we are even in the game is that the #1 seed lost their QB before they played us.    

[Gregory Sager]

The holtz in here is getting so thick that I need waders and a shovel just to read this page.

[ncc58]

The holtz in here is getting so thick that I need waders and a shovel just to read this page.

And it's only Tuesday.

[joelmama]

I have been watching Mount since the mid seventies and while I have not seen NCC this year based on what I know about Mount at best I would say this is a game that should have a spread of no more than 3 points.  Now the over under could be interesting.  Maybe 70+