FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Gregory Sager]

NPU hosted a controlled scrimmage last night at Hedstrand Field against Rockford. Controlled scrimmages are useful for coaches, but a little frustrating to watch as fans, given that drives are always reset to the 40 or 50 after an unsuccessful third down or a turnover or score, and there's no kickoff or punt returns. It also obviously worked in Rockford's favor, as the Regents are pretty dreadful and a full dress-rehearsal scrimmage would've eventually turned into a blowout win for North Park. Nevertheless, Rockford was a good opponent for this particular situation, inasmuch as the Vikings are still very young (only 11 seniors and 11 juniors) and are only one week deep into practice, so this: a) was a confidence-building exercise; and b) afforded the Vikings youngsters a good opportunity, since the much smaller roster of the Regents meant that their starters faced NPU's second-, third-, and fourth-teamers for much of the night.

For the most part, the Vikings looked like exactly what you'd expect from a team that has only been practicing for a week. T.D. Conway looked like he's still scraping off the off-season rust, although he completed a couple of nice long passes to Jordan Turner and Anthony Burton and rifled a beautiful over-the-shoulder touchdown pass to Devin Childress on a diagonal route. Unfortunately, he also threw a pick at the Rockford goal line. But, quite frankly, he's the last thing I worry about. Everyone in the NPU camp expects a big season from him, and for good reason. Freshman QB Jace Bankord actually moved the offense a little better than T.D. did; he looks like he's going to be the real deal somewhere down the line as CCIW quarterbacks go. He was one of a number of freshmen who stood out last night. Among the others were RB Kvante Spearman (9 rushes, 76 yards, including a 21-yard TD run); CB Franz Dorcely, who shut down his man and defensed a pair of passes;  DE Brock Howes, a kid with a great motor who spent much of his portion of the night in the Rockford backfield; and S Uati Pati, who was all over the field and made a bunch of tackles during his stint.

The Vikings are a long, long way away from being ready for the opener against CUW, so I'm pretty sure that they'll be putting the next two weeks to good use. But it was fun just to see them in action again after nine long months.

[USee]

If anyone cares to PERISCOPE ( https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/periscope/id972909677?mt=8 ) the Wabash/Wheaton scrimmage, I would be forever grateful.

Forever grateful? hmmmm. I wonder what that gets me? Forever gracious would be more interesting me thinks. 

[BashDad]

Okay, fine, but only to you.

[BashDad]

(I thought I was on your good side. I'm not on your good side? USEE! I THOUGHT WE WUZ BROOOHHHHZ!!!)

[USee]

(I thought I was on your good side. I'm not on your good side? USEE! I THOUGHT WE WUZ BROOOHHHHZ!!!)

Yeah but you have a knack for jumping on someone's bad side with a single word (or picture) and I have a penchant for causing that so I am trying to lock in my status while its good.

[BashDad]

Nah. You're one of the esteemed.

[New Tradition]

Looks like the NCC students are having a little fun.

[izzy stradlin]

To say I'm excited about the upcoming season would be an understatement. Couple of questions for my fellow Wheaton fans. First, just noticed that Keegan Kemp is not on the roster. He was only a JR last year and an obvious huge playmaker for the team... Any word on if he transferred? Decided not to play? Etc. That's a big loss IMO. Second, besides Kemp, were there any other players that were expected to return that didn't? Third, are there any newcomers or underclassmen that are ready to compete for a starting position or regular playing time? The 3 freshmen that stood out to me (on video) were Spielman (DT), Frazier (SB), and Watson (RB). Just wondering what players, other than the returning starters, are ready to take their game to that next level and become a consistent contributors?

I noticed Kemp's name missing too.  As of spring, I believe he was expected to return.  As you said, he was a big playmaker last year, now going into he senior season. Must be a serious injury? I hope he is okay.

[matblake]

If you haven't already, get your Kickoff 2015 subscription.  It dropped today and is fantastic, plus you'll be supporting this site which is free year round.  Very good on the national picture and on those types of stories you love about d3.

[Mugsy]

If you haven't already, get your Kickoff 2015 subscription.  It dropped today and is fantastic, plus you'll be supporting this site which is free year round.  Very good on the national picture and on those types of stories you love about d3.

Agreed.  Really solid publication.  TONS of information to give perspective well beyond the CCIW & Midwest regions.

[izzy stradlin]

If you haven't already, get your Kickoff 2015 subscription.  It dropped today and is fantastic, plus you'll be supporting this site which is free year round.  Very good on the national picture and on those types of stories you love about d3.

Agreed.  Really solid publication.  TONS of information to give perspective well beyond the CCIW & Midwest regions.

Just got mine.  Really well done.  Have only read through Kickoff's Wheaton preview so far and it has more insight into position battles, etc than the preview on the Wheaton website. 

[Langhorst_Ghost]

Elmhurst season preview is up:

http://www.elmhurstbluejays.com/news/2015/8/21/FB_0821153609.aspx?path=football

Despite an up and down season in 2014, the Jays did earn 4 CCIW victories in the first year under Coach Planz. Plenty of offensive firepower returns - the big question is still who will be getting them the ball. As the QB situation settles...the Jays should just hand the ball to #5 - pre-season All-American Josh Williams will make a push to join his older brother as a Gagliardi candidate.

The other side of the ball should improve - tons of speed on defense, and Coach Planz is a defensive-minded HBC - 2nd year for the players and coaches under his scheme should see marked improvement.

The two toughest tests in conference are on the road - but at the back end of the schedule. Non-con looks less than intimidating, but then again, the Jays stumbled early last year in Dubuque and Hyde Park.

looking forward to another fun year!

[USee]

Elmhurst season preview is up:

http://www.elmhurstbluejays.com/news/2015/8/21/FB_0821153609.aspx?path=football

Despite an up and down season in 2014, the Jays did earn 4 CCIW victories in the first year under Coach Planz. Plenty of offensive firepower returns - the big question is still who will be getting them the ball. As the QB situation settles...the Jays should just hand the ball to #5 - pre-season All-American Josh Williams will make a push to join his older brother as a Gagliardi candidate.

The other side of the ball should improve - tons of speed on defense, and Coach Planz is a defensive-minded HBC - 2nd year for the players and coaches under his scheme should see marked improvement.

The two toughest tests in conference are on the road - but at the back end of the schedule. Non-con looks less than intimidating, but then again, the Jays stumbled early last year in Dubuque and Hyde Park.

looking forward to another fun year!

In addition to QB, I would say Elmhurst's biggest issue is offensive line. They are replacing 4 starters there.

[Langhorst_Ghost]

To my fellow D3 folks...

just finished reading a fabulous book by Jim Moore: Tales from the Small Time: A Celebration of Small College Athletics

Highly recommended!

[matblake]

CCIW Football Camp Tour:
Wheaton and Illinois Wesleyan
http://www.cciw.org/news/2015/8/26/FB_0826152526.aspx