FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Gregory Sager]

Carthage was down 35-14 in the second half to Elmhurst up north in K-town, and came all the way back to send the game into overtime ... only to lose, 49-42. Whomever IWU's quarterback du jour was, it apparently didn't matter much, as the Titans easily handled Millikin down in Decatur, 31-7.

[USee]

I actually don't think the fake punt was that bad of a decision. If you are going to do it, that was a great place to do it with Wheaton (and all of us) really expecting a PR situation. I just thought the play selection was poor and the execution was awful. If they block the one guy who made the tackle, the fake works.

I would tend to agree if they had tried the fake punt when it was 4th and 5.  But following two illegal procedure penalties which led to a 4th and 15, I think it was incredibly risky and unnecessary in that scenario.  How often do you see a fake punt run pick up 15+ yards?  That really changed the momentum of the game and was one of a couple head scratchers made by the Augie coaching staff. 

It will be interesting to see how Wheaton responds next week at Millikin.  I would imagine it probably won't be the most fun week of practice following the performance today.

There isn't much of a difference when the key to a fake punt is the element of surprise. When you are having the season Augie is having why not take the risk. If they had executed it, it would have worked on 4th and 30. I had no problem with the call, thought it was an aggressive, try-to-win the game type call. The fumbled punt at their own 6 and the miscues on the last two drives were Augies undoing. They held Wheaton to 33 yds in the second half. Thats pretty good.

[Augie6]

I actually don't think the fake punt was that bad of a decision. If you are going to do it, that was a great place to do it with Wheaton (and all of us) really expecting a PR situation. I just thought the play selection was poor and the execution was awful. If they block the one guy who made the tackle, the fake works.

I would tend to agree if they had tried the fake punt when it was 4th and 5.  But following two illegal procedure penalties which led to a 4th and 15, I think it was incredibly risky and unnecessary in that scenario.  How often do you see a fake punt run pick up 15+ yards?  That really changed the momentum of the game and was one of a couple head scratchers made by the Augie coaching staff. 

It will be interesting to see how Wheaton responds next week at Millikin.  I would imagine it probably won't be the most fun week of practice following the performance today.

There isn't much of a difference when the key to a fake punt is the element of surprise. When you are having the season Augie is having why not take the risk. If they had executed it, it would have worked on 4th and 30. I had no problem with the call, thought it was an aggressive, try-to-win the game type call. The fumbled punt at their own 6 and the miscues on the last two drives were Augies undoing. They held Wheaton to 33 yds in the second half. Thats pretty good.

I agree that the element of surprise is a big reason fake punts work.  However, even if you surprise the defense, I still think the odds of gaining 15 yards on a direct snap to an up-back are very low.  To me, it's a scenario of "is the risk worth the reward."  Even if they pick up the first down in that scenario, they still probably have a long way to go to score.  Their offense wasn't moving the ball up and down the field, so, at best, they may have changed field position a little.  As you mention, the defense was playing well and Augie had the lead so, to me, the risk really wasn't worth the reward.  Wheaton drives down (after two Augie penalties on the same play) and kicks a FG to tie the game.  A few minutes later, they fumble the punt and it's game over.  Augie won't win many games if they are giving points to the competition.  The fake punt was the start of a few minute stretch where they gave Wheaton 10 points which ultimately cost them the win.  I thought it was a very bad decision at the time and certainly turned out to be that way. 

[USee]

I see your point.  Remember the fumbled punt was after a 60 yd punt by Wheaton which was huge.  But there is some wisdom to punting and protecting the lead when your defense is playing well. 

[Augie6]

I see your point.  Remember the fumbled punt was after a 60 yd punt by Wheaton which was huge.  But there is some wisdom to punting and protecting the lead when your defense is playing well.

That was a great punt by the Wheaton punter.   But Augie's punt returner was not aware of where he was on the field and made a very poor decision in trying to catch that punt.  Those are the kinds of things that Augie just cannot do and expect to beat any team, let alone the #18 ranked team in that nation.  The fake punt, the bad decision by Augie's punt returner and the 3rd and 10 run on Augie's last possession with no time outs are just some of the things that make me shake my head.  Unfortunately, things are not getting any better in Rock Island in the 4th year of the Cushman era.

[shepherd]

Wheaton doesn't know how to play against faster D AND o lineman. 
Also every time we see some form of option team the Wheaton coaches always say without fail that they hate these games.  Very negative and very lucky to win.  A chain is only as strong as the weakest link and one must always admit and work on their weak points.  That's life.  I spent most of my football days learning and figuring out techniques.  Taking what was known throwing out the garbage and building very creatively upon what was a known and taught to work to ideas and techniques that no one used.  To include psychology, body language techniques, incorporating wrestling moves, visualization techniques, watching the best hitters such as Jack Tatum (illegal today to throw your bicep into a helmet at full speed to try and knock it off) best pass blockers as there was only Mike Webster then everybody else.  ..and so much more and numerous to mention.
Somewhat self taught spending hours every day of my youth reading, watching and figuring out and puttying together this giant jigsaw puzzle.  In just the Same way Cesar Millan the dog whisperer did in his youth and does to this day.

..anyway:
This is one of the worst overall performances by the Wheaton D and O lineman.
A small quick line with good technique can be very successful.  Take the very speedy small St Johns linemen vs the enormous
UW-Eau Claire.  St Johns looked so small to the big strong Eau Claire lineman yet proved they could dominate them with speed.
The announcers were talking about it every five minutes because they couldn't believe what was happening.

The Wheaton lineman have the Physical ability and speed  to deal with speedy lineman as they are great athletes.  They just don't have the know how.
The Wheaton O lineman were getting an ok first hit yet could not hold on to the blocks.  Sometime falling down as the Augustana D lineman took the initial hit and continued to the ball.  So much of line play is one with the first step a race to the gap.  Which decides do I get to the side and position advantageous to the play or does the opponent.  If a smaller player gets into the body especially the side of a much bigger player all they have to do is release much of his weight and your not dealing with a 250 to 300lb player but sliding a simple 100 lb weight with cleats any way you want.  The Augustana rt tackle did exactly that to Wheatons defensive end aprox 5 times and driving him onto the nose guard or much further.

One last pet peeve. 
It seems now that it is the in cool thing to tackle very high.  Ncc showed how often last year vs Mount how good it was at sliding off players and Wheaton lbs have also picked up this super cool bad technique.  Wrapping low and releasing weight to picking up the tackler is always best. 
Another lost technique.  If you push down on the tackler you are making a 180-200lb rb weigh more and he will gain more yards from the point of contact.  Rb's are an arm curl there is no excuse for 230-300lb D players getting run over by 185 lb players.  Last year Dansdill had that great twist but this year he is more using the high technique where you grab the shoulder pads and sometimes slip off the shoulder pads onto that great face mask handle.   Whats 15 yards for looking cool.  You also put your arms away from your body the only protection you have from an angry O lineman slamming into your torso and breaking a couple of ribs.
One rule all players should have is nobody has access to the shoulder to waist torso.  It is arm position especially keeping your forearms close to the body to pushing the forearm or arm as the preventative depending upon your position.  Kept that rule the one year I was forced to play fullback.  Really just a leads blocker in the backfield in the power I.  Get a dvd of Augustana championship years from Amazon and see how many times the rb allowed a defender into his body.  Not many.  They controlled the way they were tackled and brought down thus less injuries. 

Much of this comes down to who is controlling who.  For instance on a speed option is the qb controlling the defensive end in front of him making him do what he wants or is the defensive end turning the tables and controlling the qb by taking an inside out sliding along the line of scrimmage technique forcing the qb to continue to the  sideline which is a tackler.  Sometimes or many times you can make the qb stop with a deer in the headlight look.  You just keep a good angle and get the tackle for a loss.
Football is as much a mental game as it is physical.
So I will get off my soapbox and stop bloviating about a subject or puzzle I have never stopped putting together.

[Langhorst_Ghost]

Wild one north of the cheddar curtain today! Jays move to 2-0 in the conference spoiling homecoming up at the alma mater of Coach Planz.

Through 5 games this season, Josh Williams has been incredible. 1,000+ yards rushing and recieving so far - dude is rolling - 6 yards a carry on 30 carries/game so far.  He has also set the highest and third highest (today) single game rushing marks in school history this year.

Its a great day to be a Jay!

[D3soccerwatcher]

That was clearly the worst game the Thunder have played this season which is distressing since its halfway through. The defense had horrific tackling. I really believe they should have shut out Augie because the Viking offense is not very good. If Wheaton makes tackles they would have shut them out. 293 total yds for Augie and probably over 100 of that after hits at the LOS that should have stopped the play.

Wheaton's offense was really awful. Only 28 yds of offense in the second half and 35 rushes for 68 yds. To Augie's credit, they played 7-8 men in the box and really stuffed the run and Wheaton QBs could not complete anything. I think the rotating QB mentality really hurt Wheaton today. Butler played off and on in the first half but not at all in the 2nd half. Bowers was very quick to pull the ball down and run, even with open WRs. He also did not set his feet on several throws and missed open WR's badly.

I actually don't think the fake punt was that bad of a decision. If you are going to do it, that was a great place to do it with Wheaton (and all of us) really expecting a PR situation. I just thought the play selection was poor and the execution was awful. If they block the one guy who made the tackle, the fake works.

Wheaton can beat the lower half of the conference but they won't come close to NCC and will struggle with IWU based on what I saw today. I agree with Augie6, no fear from any defensive players. I would blitz Bowers on every 3rd down. He panicked under pressure.

Lots of work to do for the Thunder.

Oh I think you are grossly underestimating Coach Swider and the Thunder.  Good teams find ways to win even when they play poorly...and that's exactly what Wheaton did today.  Oh and did I mention the Thunder are 5-0?  I think they will have very good showings against NCC and IWU - they may or may not win, but they will be close games.  I think your contention that Wheaton "won't come close to NCC and will struggle with IWU" is very harsh.  Time will tell.

[Mugsy]

I don't mean to over simplify or place too high an emphasis on it, but today I was left wondering how much the CCIW struggles are due to very average (perhaps even below average) QB play.  There don't seem to be any game changing QB's in the conference this year.  Someone who is going to take over a game in a critical point.

Conway seems to have the skills, but is on a team that is still growing and not contending.

[USee]

That was clearly the worst game the Thunder have played this season which is distressing since its halfway through. The defense had horrific tackling. I really believe they should have shut out Augie because the Viking offense is not very good. If Wheaton makes tackles they would have shut them out. 293 total yds for Augie and probably over 100 of that after hits at the LOS that should have stopped the play.

Wheaton's offense was really awful. Only 28 yds of offense in the second half and 35 rushes for 68 yds. To Augie's credit, they played 7-8 men in the box and really stuffed the run and Wheaton QBs could not complete anything. I think the rotating QB mentality really hurt Wheaton today. Butler played off and on in the first half but not at all in the 2nd half. Bowers was very quick to pull the ball down and run, even with open WRs. He also did not set his feet on several throws and missed open WR's badly.

I actually don't think the fake punt was that bad of a decision. If you are going to do it, that was a great place to do it with Wheaton (and all of us) really expecting a PR situation. I just thought the play selection was poor and the execution was awful. If they block the one guy who made the tackle, the fake works.

Wheaton can beat the lower half of the conference but they won't come close to NCC and will struggle with IWU based on what I saw today. I agree with Augie6, no fear from any defensive players. I would blitz Bowers on every 3rd down. He panicked under pressure.

Lots of work to do for the Thunder.

Oh I think you are grossly underestimating Coach Swider and the Thunder.  Good teams find ways to win even when they play poorly...and that's exactly what Wheaton did today.  Oh and did I mention the Thunder are 5-0?  I think they will have very good showings against NCC and IWU - they may or may not win, but they will be close games.  I think your contention that Wheaton "won't come close to NCC and will struggle with IWU" is very harsh.  Time will tell.

If Wheaton only put up 33 yds of offense in the second half of a game they were losing  against Augustana, I don't think it's a stretch to wonder what's going to happen against North Central in 2 weeks. 

[Green Jello Shots]

Bolden reportedly out as Titans QB after an appendectomy this morning.

First Tyler Hook quits the team and the school, then Jack Warner gets mono, then Ty Bolden requires an emergency appendectomy the morning of a game..........which job is more jinxed: IWU Quarterback or Spinal Tap drummer?

Donovan Laible came out of nowhere (I don't think he has been listed on the two deep depth chart once this season) to lead the Titans in Decatur today. Pretty impressive performance, considering Bolden had been getting the 1st team reps in practice all week and Laible didn't know he was starting until this morning. He was very poised, especially for someone getting his first college playing experience.

[iwu70]

Laible played well, had a big day, played with poise, only 1 INT.  Titans seem to slow things down for him, huddle up, and got some ground yardage from Roberts and from Laible himself.  D played better, got some TOs and had a good number of sacks for loss.  Overall, the Titans played much better.  Artie Chechin had a big day receiving.  We all know MU is not that strong, but still a good win and righting the ship to some degree.  Guess Warner and Bolden are likely out for a week or more yet.  Titans have Augie, then Elmhurst, before facing the top teams in the league.  The loss vs. CC at home was very damaging.  I'm still thinking 6-4 or worse.

IWU70

[shepherd]

I don't mean to over simplify or place too high an emphasis on it, but today I was left wondering how much the CCIW struggles are due to very average (perhaps even below average) QB play.  There don't seem to be any game changing QB's in the conference this year.  Someone who is going to take over a game in a critical point.

Conway seems to have the skills, but is on a team that is still growing and not contending.

Yes but...
It looked like the Wheaton Qb was told to stay in the pocket for today's game.  I can guarantee the Luther colleges would have been salivating to play against an over aggressive defense like Augustana was.
I dont think Wheaton has a speed option or any trap plays for the line.  I guess they figure the linemen are too big or slow to run the line stunts.  I dont know.  But if you dont have quick plays to the sideline such as speed option like NCC uses or the very quick bubble screen like Il Wesleyan does you cant keep a defense honest. 

Or if you dont have a single quick stealth trap play and you fool around with the slow developing read option against a defense that is charging very quickly into your backfield your asking for trouble and not taking what the defense is giving you.

This game is not a forget game as some are.   
This is a GIFT to be shown your weaknesses and to fix and learn from them!
These problems will probably not be present against NCC but will arise again against Elmhurst and Williams just like it did against his brother the last time they beat Wheaton.  Also against the improving Illinois Wesleyan whose offense is perfect to exploit the Wheaton pass defense of bend but dont break vs the NCC defense which has Illinois Wesleyan's number.

[D3soccerwatcher]

That was clearly the worst game the Thunder have played this season which is distressing since its halfway through. The defense had horrific tackling. I really believe they should have shut out Augie because the Viking offense is not very good. If Wheaton makes tackles they would have shut them out. 293 total yds for Augie and probably over 100 of that after hits at the LOS that should have stopped the play.

Wheaton's offense was really awful. Only 28 yds of offense in the second half and 35 rushes for 68 yds. To Augie's credit, they played 7-8 men in the box and really stuffed the run and Wheaton QBs could not complete anything. I think the rotating QB mentality really hurt Wheaton today. Butler played off and on in the first half but not at all in the 2nd half. Bowers was very quick to pull the ball down and run, even with open WRs. He also did not set his feet on several throws and missed open WR's badly.

I actually don't think the fake punt was that bad of a decision. If you are going to do it, that was a great place to do it with Wheaton (and all of us) really expecting a PR situation. I just thought the play selection was poor and the execution was awful. If they block the one guy who made the tackle, the fake works.

Wheaton can beat the lower half of the conference but they won't come close to NCC and will struggle with IWU based on what I saw today. I agree with Augie6, no fear from any defensive players. I would blitz Bowers on every 3rd down. He panicked under pressure.

Lots of work to do for the Thunder.

Oh I think you are grossly underestimating Coach Swider and the Thunder.  Good teams find ways to win even when they play poorly...and that's exactly what Wheaton did today.  Oh and did I mention the Thunder are 5-0?  I think they will have very good showings against NCC and IWU - they may or may not win, but they will be close games.  I think your contention that Wheaton "won't come close to NCC and will struggle with IWU" is very harsh.  Time will tell.

If Wheaton only put up 33 yds of offense in the second half of a game they were losing  against Augustana, I don't think it's a stretch to wonder what's going to happen against North Central in 2 weeks.

USee didn't "wonder" how Wheaton might do against NCC, he said..."they WON'T come close to NCC and WILL struggle with IWU".  Sounds like more than wondering.  He must be a fortune teller.  Let's see if he is correct on both counts.

[USee]

That was clearly the worst game the Thunder have played this season which is distressing since its halfway through. The defense had horrific tackling. I really believe they should have shut out Augie because the Viking offense is not very good. If Wheaton makes tackles they would have shut them out. 293 total yds for Augie and probably over 100 of that after hits at the LOS that should have stopped the play.

Wheaton's offense was really awful. Only 28 yds of offense in the second half and 35 rushes for 68 yds. To Augie's credit, they played 7-8 men in the box and really stuffed the run and Wheaton QBs could not complete anything. I think the rotating QB mentality really hurt Wheaton today. Butler played off and on in the first half but not at all in the 2nd half. Bowers was very quick to pull the ball down and run, even with open WRs. He also did not set his feet on several throws and missed open WR's badly.

I actually don't think the fake punt was that bad of a decision. If you are going to do it, that was a great place to do it with Wheaton (and all of us) really expecting a PR situation. I just thought the play selection was poor and the execution was awful. If they block the one guy who made the tackle, the fake works.

Wheaton can beat the lower half of the conference but they won't come close to NCC and will struggle with IWU based on what I saw today. I agree with Augie6, no fear from any defensive players. I would blitz Bowers on every 3rd down. He panicked under pressure.

Lots of work to do for the Thunder.

Oh I think you are grossly underestimating Coach Swider and the Thunder.  Good teams find ways to win even when they play poorly...and that's exactly what Wheaton did today.  Oh and did I mention the Thunder are 5-0?  I think they will have very good showings against NCC and IWU - they may or may not win, but they will be close games.  I think your contention that Wheaton "won't come close to NCC and will struggle with IWU" is very harsh.  Time will tell.

If Wheaton only put up 33 yds of offense in the second half of a game they were losing  against Augustana, I don't think it's a stretch to wonder what's going to happen against North Central in 2 weeks.

USee didn't "wonder" how Wheaton might do against NCC, he said..."they WON'T come close to NCC and WILL struggle with IWU".  Sounds like more than wondering.  He must be a fortune teller.  Let's see if he is correct on both counts.

I think what USee said was "..based on what I saw today".   Wouldn't it be fair to say if Wheaon puts up 33 yds in the second half against IWU or NCC they might "struggle" and "not come close".?

He seems pretty reasonable to me.