FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[AndOne]

As CA touches on above, I sense the members of the NCC defensive unit have had just a few 
less intense practices in their collective football lives than they undoubtedly have undergone this week.
They will need to bring not only a physical edge, but a mental one as well, to the field on Sat if they are to have a chance to contain powerful Wesley onslaught.
After last week's fourth quarter collapse, should they go down this week, they will need to run the table to have any chance whatsoever for a playoff bid.

[Gregory Sager]

As far as the QB "rotation," NCC ran 45 times and passed only 22 times. Of the 22 passes, Warden threw only 8, completing only 3 for 22 yards. One was a 7 yard TD. Warden also caught 3 of Hunniford's 9 (of 14) completed passes. He ran 11 times for a net of 21 yards, an average of 1.9 YPR.
If Warden's production from the QB slot is only going to be 3 pass completions for 22 yards, and  1.9 average rush for a total of only 21 yards, perhaps the answer is to do away with the "rotation." It would seem a more passing orientated QB could better than 3 for 8 for 22 yards, and one of the Cardinals "regular" RBs could do a little better than averaging 1.9 per rush for a total of 21 yards.
With his athletic ability, maybe make Warden a full time receiver?

Mark, on at least a couple of occasions in this room you've touted the fact that Warden had the highest completion percentage of any QB in D3 last season. In fact, you said it just last week:

While Warden might be in on what appears to be a running situation, he obviously possesses an above average ability to throw the ball. For substantiating evidence of such, you need look no further than defense exhibit #1, his distinction of leading the nation in passing efficiency last year.

And now he's not "passing orientated" enough for you?

Yes, I touted his passing efficiency, just as you would tout a major statistical accomplishment by any member of any athletic team at your beloved alma mater. However, I believe a major component of said achievement was attained via a preponderance of relatively "short" passes. And, much as chicks dig the long ball, I dig the bomb, which I believe Mr. Hunniford may be more programmed to deliver.
Aside from my personal preferences, the only thing that really matters is what the NCC coaches think. A review of the statistics through the first 2 games reveals Hunniford has thrown 31 passes and completed 22 for 274 yards. Warden's numbers are 3 of 10 for 22 yards.
Accordingly, to answer the $64,000 question, between the 2 options employed so far this season for NCC, Mr. Warden is not, as you say, "passing orientated" enough for me compared to an option that was not even available to the Cardinals last season. And, at least so far, the NCC coaching staff appears to have seconded this opinion by calling 31 passing plays for Hunniford compared to 10 for Warden. I rest my case. 

The "passing orientated" bit was your words, not mine.

I'm fine with the general idea that you don't think Warden's capable of throwing the long ball, or at least not as well as Hunniford throws it. But you didn't specify that Warden was only a dink-and-dunk specialist in your earlier praise of him. You said:

While Warden might be in on what appears to be a running situation, he obviously possesses an above average ability to throw the ball. For substantiating evidence of such, you need look no further than defense exhibit #1, his distinction of leading the nation in passing efficiency last year.

Completing a high percentage of passes is typically a function of mostly throwing short. That's self-evident, as, by and large, the longer the throw, the harder it is to complete it. But citing a QB's passing efficiency doesn't mean, ipso facto, that said QB is incapable of throwing a good long ball. It simply means that he doesn't throw downfield that often (among other things), which certainly does describe how NCC has operated over the past few seasons. And you didn't originally say that Warden wasn't good at it -- you simply said that "he obviously possesses an above average ability to throw the ball," with no regard to the length of the throw.

I'm curious as to what the other Cardinals fans who post here think of Warden's quarterbacking capabilities.

[izzy stradlin]

NCC's 2-Deep for Saturday's game shows Oshayne Brown as the Cardinals starting RB. I hope this is not only accurate, but reflects that Brown has made a full recovery following last week's injury which saw him have to leave the game in the 3rd quarter, and not return,  after amassing 133 yards.

Saturday's game between North Central and Wesley is being deemed The Meat Packers Ball. NCC's offensive line (C, RG, LG, RT, LT, & TE)  totals 1,655 pounds of beef, while Wesley's O line comes in at a whopping total of 1,675 pounds!
Kaboom!!!

Torn ACL.  Done for the year. 

[wesleydad]

Looking forward to the game this weekend.  Is anyone going to be there?  I would like to meet some of you guys before the game if possible.  We will be leaving Midway about 9 which puts us in Naperville before 10.  My dad and I will need to get some food, several nice restaurants within walking distance look good.  After that we plan on walking aroung the campus, tailgating area to check things out.  Let me know if you are going to be there.  I will be easy to find, wearing a white #13 Wesley jersey. 

Thoughts on the game from a NCC perspective?

WD,

I wish I was going to make this one as I believe it will be a great game.   My own kids' sports preventing that this time.   Mingle around the tailgate area in the lower bowl in front of the fieldhouse.  Lot's of great people.   After the game, "The Lantern" is a popular place to grab a burger and a beer.  It is one block West of the stadium.   I hope you enjoy the NCC game day experience.  As far as the game, I would hope the Cardinals are able to bounce back from a game that they should've won.   If Brown is able to play, it gives us a much better chance as he is a breakaway threat.  The freshmen QB has poise but still learning.   Our WR's are big and strong and hopefully can find some mismatches there.  Defensively, we are playing a lot of younger players.  Those kids have to grow up in a hurry!

CA

Thanks CA.  I chatted with And One yesterday and you guys have really helped me out with info.  Funny, you both have recommended the same placed for food.  Looking forward to the game and I just saw that the running back is out for the season.  That is a shame.

[matblake]

NCC's 2-Deep for Saturday's game shows Oshayne Brown as the Cardinals starting RB. I hope this is not only accurate, but reflects that Brown has made a full recovery following last week's injury which saw him have to leave the game in the 3rd quarter, and not return,  after amassing 133 yards.

Torn ACL.  Done for the year.

That's too bad for that young man.  He was fun to watch.  Here's hoping for a full recovery for Mr. Brown.

[USee]

Illinois Wesleyan has quietly turned things around from last year in Bloomington. Obviously they have avoided the injury/sickness bug that decimated their team last year but a few notable statistical trends have reversed. Last year they really struggled staying on the field on 3rd down (40% conversion) on offense to keep drives going and even more so they couldn't get off the field on defense (45% stops on 3rd down), both were at or near the bottom of the conference in those categories. This year they are #2 in both categories with 50% conversion rate on offense and holding opponents to only 25% conversions. Another stat is their Red Zone offense. Last year they were 6th in the league with a 67% scoring rate in the Red Zone. This year they are #2 with 81%.  In the turnover category IWU last year had 18 takeaways in 10 games. They have 11 already this year. That's a 3.6 takeaway per game average up from 2.1 per game. On offense they have gone down to 1.6 this year from 1.8 per game.

Those are some important improvements, especially defensively, that help explain their dominant performances. They open @ Carthage in a week followed by Millikin, Augie and Elmhurst before hosting the 2 favorites the last 2 weeks of October.

[Titan Q]

Illinois Wesleyan has quietly turned things around from last year in Bloomington. Obviously they have avoided the injury/sickness bug that decimated their team last year but a few notable statistical trends have reversed. Last year they really struggled staying on the field on 3rd down (40% conversion) on offense to keep drives going and even more so they couldn't get off the field on defense (45% stops on 3rd down), both were at or near the bottom of the conference in those categories. This year they are #2 in both categories with 50% conversion rate on offense and holding opponents to only 25% conversions. Another stat is their Red Zone offense. Last year they were 6th in the league with a 67% scoring rate in the Red Zone. This year they are #2 with 81%.  In the turnover category IWU last year had 18 takeaways in 10 games. They have 11 already this year. That's a 3.6 takeaway per game average up from 2.1 per game. On offense they have gone down to 1.6 this year from 1.8 per game.

Those are some important improvements, especially defensively, that help explain their dominant performances. They open @ Carthage in a week followed by Millikin, Augie and Elmhurst before hosting the 2 favorites the last 2 weeks of October.

I have watched 2 of IWU's 3 games online.  I've been very impressed by the offense (44.0 ppg), and in particular the running game.  IWU's ability to run the ball seems dramatically different than a year ago.

Last year IWU averaged 143 yards rushing per game (34 attempts per game).  I remember watching games last year feeling like the Titans just had no ability to consistently run the ball.  Through 3 games in 2015, the Titans are averaging 250 yards on the ground per game (42 attempts per).  IWU had 11 rushing TDs last year...and 9 this year through 3 games.

Norm Eash has been using a "running back by committee" approach, so statistically none of the 3 really jump off the page in terms of total yards, but I think the Titans have a star in the making in junior Maurice Shoemaker-Gilmore, a transfer from Division I Central Michigan.  He is  averaging 9.4 yards per carry with 3 TDs.  I think (hope) Eash will get down to just two RBs as IWU moves into CCIW play (Shoemaker-Gilmore and junior Austin Harrell), and would expect Shoemaker-Gilmore to get the majority of the carries.  He looks like an all-conference player to me.

With a strong running game to go along with QB Jack Warner's versatility, and WR Artie Checchin's big play ability, IWU's offense seems to be very balanced.  The Titans have a lot of guys on the offensive side of the ball this year who can make plays.

Looking forward to seeing how the Titans do in CCIW play - IWU has the talent to have a very good year.

[iwu70]

Agree with Q's assessment here.  Looks like a much better year for the Titans.  Also, some very strong receivers, esp. Javorka and also a tight end.  Overall, the O looks very good, with many weapons.  Guess the key will be how much the D improves and plays at its usual high level, from past seasons. IWU has a lot of experience on D with Bolden and Bouie and Garvey.  Avoiding injuries will be important.  Off week today, some time for those dinged up a bit to rest and recoup.  First three games were impressive, though not the strongest of opponents.  Will be interesting to see how EC handles Simpson today? 

Warner is getting much more comfortable, though he played amazingly well for a freshman last year, before he was out for 3-4 games with illness. 

Hoping for a 8-2 or better season this year.

IWU'70

[Langhorst_Ghost]

Jays finish the non-con undefeated, roll into Indianola and knock off Simpson 31-12.

All-American Josh Williams goes for 100+ and 2 more tuddies.

Year two of the Planz era is off to an encouraging start!

[USee]

Final from Naperville

NCC 49
Wesley 50

Wesley scores with 7 seconds to go and goes for 2 and the win.....and converts. Joe Callahan was the man today. Very impressed by both teams.

[iwu70]

Wow, great game in Naperville.

Wesley goes for the win and gets it -- 50-49, on the 2 point conversion pass.  94 yard TD drive within the last two minutes by Wesley. 

So much for defence.

NCC starts the season 1-2.  Have to admit I didn't see that one coming.

IWU70

[USee]

Elswhere:

Carthage 29
Lakeland 28

Millikin 20
Aurora 24

Elmhurst 31
Simpson 12

CCIW finishes 14-10 for the non conference slate

[Gregory Sager]

Final from the far west suburbs:

Aurora 24
Millikin 20

The Spartans drove 75 yards and scored the winning touchdown with 2:48 to go in the game. MU drops to 1-2, while Aurora picks up its first win of the season.

Final from "suburban" Sheboygan:

Carthage 29
Lakeland 28

Trailing by a touchdown with less than five minutes left to play, the Red Men blew a 1st-and-goal situation, giving up the ball at the LC 1. (It was an improbable goal-to-go situation, as a holding penalty, a sack, and a pass that lost yardage forced Carthage into a 4th-and-goal from the LC 26, whereupon the Red Men completed a 25-yard reception on fourth down.) But the Red Men earned a safety on the next play by tackling the Muskies RB in the end zone with 3:13 to go, making it 28-23 in favor of Lakeland. The Red Men then took the free kick down to the LC 48 and punched it into the end zone six plays later with only 33 seconds left on the game clock.

The Red Men get off the schneid, improving to 1-2, the same record as Lakeland.

[Gregory Sager]

The CCIW's 2-2 performance today means that the league went 14-10 (.583) in regular-season non-con play.

[iwu70]

Hmmm, 14-10, not exactly over-powering.

'70