FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[thunderdog]

Wasn't able to watch much of the Wheaton vs Augie game today, but did happen to see a play where Matt Norton made a nice run but went down with what appeared to be a non-contact leg (knee?) injury. Did he return at any point in the game? It seems as if Norton has settled nicely into a similar role occupied by Keegan Kemp last year, hope he's alright, anyone have an update?

Also, JP11 playing only the first half... Was that the game plan? Or did his injury flare up?

[USee]

Wasn't able to watch much of the Wheaton vs Augie game today, but did happen to see a play where Matt Norton made a nice run but went down with what appeared to be a non-contact leg (knee?) injury. Did he return at any point in the game? It seems as if Norton has settled nicely into a similar role occupied by Keegan Kemp last year, hope he's alright, anyone have an update?

Also, JP11 playing only the first half... Was that the game plan? Or did his injury flare up?

Norton did not return. Don't know on JP11.

[Titan Q]

IWU 54
Millikin 13

* Jack Warner (QB): 22-26, 283 yards passing, 5 TDs
* Maurice Shoemaker-Gilmore (RB): 57 yards rushing, 2 TDs
* Artie Checchin (WR): 89 yards receiving, 1 TD
* Dominic Comfort (WR): 77 yards receiving, 1 TD

http://www.pantagraph.com/sports/college/football/warner-no-titans-surge-past-millikin/article_34e40e4d-18e2-5905-9ff3-bf5e053b728a.html

The Titans looked very good on both sides of the ball yesterday - night and day effort from a week earlier in Kenosha.  Offensively, the Titans are a dangerous team when everything is clicking.  They have three all CCIW caliber playmakers in QB Jack Warner, WR Artie Checchin, and RB Maurice Shoemaker-Gilmore, and then several others who make big contributions as well.  This is the most balanced offense IWU has had in several years.

IWU has a strong group on the defensive side as well.  They are led by 3 really good junior linebackers - Sean Garvey, Luke Roth, and Tyler Fahey.  And then a talented secondary, with seniors Tyrell Bolden, Ben Bouie, and Kevin Slawkowski and sophomore Brinton Wilkey.  Senior Will James is a big presence on the D line. They miss DE Kyle Venhuizen, who was their best defensive player, quite a bit.

I'm not sure where the Titans stack up vs Wheaton and North Central, but my gut feeling is that they are very close.  IWU plays at Augie Saturday.

[AndOne]

North Central 47
North Park 20

Especially considering that North Park appears to lack any semblance of a running attack, it seems their mistake in this game was not calling #81's number on at least every other play. NPU WR Devin Childress looks to be able to both get past any defender that attempts to cover him, and to be able to pull in any ball that is thrown within 5 yards of him.
Despite what statistics anyone might be able to recite, I'd like to see a better WR in the CCIW.

NCC raked up 33 1st downs compared to NPU's 13, and amassed just short of 700 yards of total offense.

The story of this game:

http://www.northcentralcardinals.com/news/2015/10/10/FB_1010151105.aspx?path=football

[AndOne]

From Millikin coach Patric Etherton:

"I think Wesleyan is better than North Central," Etherton said. "They have a very talented running back group and they have a big line up front."

Memo to Coach Etherton

Dear Coach,

Since your arrival in the mecca of the Midwest in 2011, you have, to date, led your charges to an overall record of 15-30. Despite the glare that emanates from this mark and without even having majored in math, its easy to see that you have lost two out of every three games your team has played. Accordingly, perhaps you should refrain from comparing the relative talents of two rival teams, both of which can drop kick the team you lead through the uprights, and instead concentrate on the task at hand, and spend your time tidying up your own house. 

[izzy stradlin]

Wasn't able to watch much of the Wheaton vs Augie game today, but did happen to see a play where Matt Norton made a nice run but went down with what appeared to be a non-contact leg (knee?) injury. Did he return at any point in the game? It seems as if Norton has settled nicely into a similar role occupied by Keegan Kemp last year, hope he's alright, anyone have an update?

Also, JP11 playing only the first half... Was that the game plan? Or did his injury flare up?

Norton did not return. Don't know on JP11.

Peltz took a shot to the shoulder after Wheaton went up 17-0 in the first half.  You could see in the pass he sailed way high for an INT right be the half that something was off. 

The Wheaton broadcasters said that he sat in the 2nd half for "precautionary reasons".    I looked like he was trying to get the shoulder loose on the sideline during the second half, but obviously never went back in.  I'm not sure if this is the injury that kept him out last week vs NPU and the 2nd half 3 weeks ago vs UWEC. 

Wheaton can beat a lot of teams with Bowers, but to be the national picture they gotta have Peltz healthy.  The coaches know this and that's why they are being careful. 

[Kovo]

From Millikin coach Patric Etherton:

"I think Wesleyan is better than North Central," Etherton said. "They have a very talented running back group and they have a big line up front."

Memo to Coach Etherton

Dear Coach,

Since your arrival in the mecca of the Midwest in 2011, you have, to date, led your charges to an overall record of 15-30. Despite the glare that emanates from this mark and without even having majored in math, its easy to see that you have lost two out of every three games your team has played. Accordingly, perhaps you should refrain from comparing the relative talents of two rival teams, both of which can drop kick the team you lead through the uprights, and instead concentrate on the task at hand, and spend your time tidying up your own house. 

Be nice to Coach E. He knows good teams when he sees them. And he sees plenty of good teams---of course they are standing on the other sideline administering that week's beat down. But who knows maybe he is right---time will tell. But, from his point of view IWU stomped them worse than NCC stomped them. And, Wheaton may stomp them worse than IWU or NCC stomped them.

[joehakes]

NEWS FLASH:  Once again, AndOne earns the "Least Mature Post of the Week" award.  One more win in this category and the award will automatically be named after him. 

AO, we have faith that you will be able to win it again.  The over/under is about two weeks.

[Gregory Sager]

North Central 47
North Park 20

Especially considering that North Park appears to lack any semblance of a running attack,

The Vikings averaged 3.7 yards per rush against North Central, and that average was actually higher before Jeff Thorne pulled his starting defense. That 3.7 ypr is dwarfed by the absurd numbers that the Cardinals posted on the ground yesterday, but it's certainly not terrible. To say that NPU "lacks any semblance of a running attack" simply isn't true. The problem with NPU's ground game is that the Vikings just don't run enough to make it truly effective. There's a minimum threshold of rushes per game that you need to attempt in order to make the rushing game work. People argue over what that number is, but the point is that NPU really isn't reaching it. The Vikings have attempted only 119 rushes this season. The next-lowest CCIW team in terms of rushing attempts is Millikin, which has run the ball 176 times. Everybody else in the league has 195 rushing attempts or more.

Some of that is play selection, but the larger part of it is the fact that NPU has faced three straight nationally-ranked teams, and has found itself trailing significantly by the early part of the third quarter in all three games. You can't run the ball when the other team is putting distance between themselves and you on the scoreboard, and the second-half clock is ticking. The other problem yesterday was that NCC's rushing attack just smothered NPU, and the Cards never had a reason to start airing out the ball. They stayed on the ground, snapping the ball for 88 plays to the Park's 54 and ending the game with a whopping 38:45 to 21:15 advantage in possession differential.

Given how little opportunity NPU had to even attempt the run, I'm glad that in the fourth quarter the Vikings coaching staff realized that, since the game was already out of hand, anyway, it was appropriate to start mixing in some running plays, just to give the players more opportunity to run the basic offense rather than throw, throw, throw.

I like NPU's running game. Filo Langkilde is a solid big-back option, and the Vikings have some nice young speed-back types in freshmen Kvonte Spearman and Matthew Chapp and sophomore John Wilkinson. The running game will improve. It's simply hard to get a read on anything that North Park's been doing, because the Vikes have been overwhelmed by superior competition over the past three games. It's a young team, and very much a work in progress.

it seems their mistake in this game was not calling #81's number on at least every other play.

That's silly. You can't throw the ball to the same guy every other play or more. Football doesn't work that way. Besides, NPU has two very capable senior receivers in Dakota Conway (a former All-CCIW selection) and Anthony Burton.

Devin Childress had ten passes thrown to him in the eleven NPU possessions in which he was in the game. I would've liked to have seen him get perhaps twelve or thirteen attempts thrown his way, but, again, we're talking a beggars-can't-be-choosers situation. NPU was only able to run 47 offensive plays while Childress was still in the game.

NPU WR Devin Childress looks to be able to both get past any defender that attempts to cover him, and to be able to pull in any ball that is thrown within 5 yards of him.
Despite what statistics anyone might be able to recite, I'd like to see a better WR in the CCIW.

Right now I'd say that Illinois Wesleyan senior Artie Checcin is the best WR in the CCIW, but Childress, who was an All-CCIW second-teamer last season as a freshman, is certainly rounding into an elite wideout himself.

[Gregory Sager]

Peltz took a shot to the shoulder after Wheaton went up 17-0 in the first half.  You could see in the pass he sailed way high for an INT right be the half that something was off. 

The Wheaton broadcasters said that he sat in the 2nd half for "precautionary reasons".    I looked like he was trying to get the shoulder loose on the sideline during the second half, but obviously never went back in.  I'm not sure if this is the injury that kept him out last week vs NPU and the 2nd half 3 weeks ago vs UWEC.

I was told last week by Wheaton people that Peltz's injury at the time was to his wrist.

[AndOne]

From Millikin coach Patric Etherton:

"I think Wesleyan is better than North Central," Etherton said. "They have a very talented running back group and they have a big line up front."

Memo to Coach Etherton

Dear Coach,

Since your arrival in the mecca of the Midwest in 2011, you have, to date, led your charges to an overall record of 15-30. Despite the glare that emanates from this mark and without even having majored in math, its easy to see that you have lost two out of every three games your team has played. Accordingly, perhaps you should refrain from comparing the relative talents of two rival teams, both of which can drop kick the team you lead through the uprights, and instead concentrate on the task at hand, and spend your time tidying up your own house. 

NEWS FLASH:  Once again, AndOne earns the "Least Mature Post of the Week" award.  One more win in this category and the award will automatically be named after him. 

AO, we have faith that you will be able to win it again.  The over/under is about two weeks.

Joe,

1. First of all, you call my post immature because you don't agree with it. Now THAT is mature! 

2. Secondly, where is any kind of analysis or substance of any type in your post. I'm sure your knowledge of the game of football goes beyond the inane nature of your above blurb.

3. Lastly, it's time to put your money where your mouth is. Please tell me what I said in my post is incorrect:
A) Is MU not 15-30 under Etherton?
B) Are not IWU and NCC both much better teams?
C) Shouldn't Etherton's first priority be trying to improve his own team?

I mean come on! If you can show me where anything I've said is wrong, you'll have my apology. If not, perhaps the apology should come from another corner.

[Pat Coleman]

2. Secondly, where is any kind of analysis or substance of any type in your post. I'm sure your knowledge of the game of football goes beyond the inane nature of your above blurb.

Was there any analysis in your post, AndOne? What I see is a snarky open letter (1998 called; it wants its literary device back), a recitation of a coach's record, some apparent attempts at math and no analysis whatsoever.

I didn't get a chance to post in agreement with Joe Hakes before your witty riposte, but I will now. I agree with Joe. I get why you're bitter but IWU did salt its Millikin game away about 15 minutes earlier than North Central did.

[AndOne]

North Central 47
North Park 20

Especially considering that North Park appears to lack any semblance of a running attack,

The Vikings averaged 3.7 yards per rush against North Central, and that average was actually higher before Jeff Thorne pulled his starting defense. That 3.7 ypr is dwarfed by the absurd numbers that the Cardinals posted on the ground yesterday, but it's certainly not terrible. To say that NPU "lacks any semblance of a running attack" simply isn't true. The problem with NPU's ground game is that the Vikings just don't run enough to make it truly effective. There's a minimum threshold of rushes per game that you need to attempt in order to make the rushing game work. People argue over what that number is, but the point is that NPU really isn't reaching it. The Vikings have attempted only 119 rushes this season. The next-lowest CCIW team in terms of rushing attempts is Millikin, which has run the ball 176 times. Everybody else in the league has 195 rushing attempts or more.

Some of that is play selection, but the larger part of it is the fact that NPU has faced three straight nationally-ranked teams, and has found itself trailing significantly by the early part of the third quarter in all three games. You can't run the ball when the other team is putting distance between themselves and you on the scoreboard, and the second-half clock is ticking. The other problem yesterday was that NCC's rushing attack just smothered NPU, and the Cards never had a reason to start airing out the ball. They stayed on the ground, snapping the ball for 88 plays to the Park's 54 and ending the game with a whopping 38:45 to 21:15 advantage in possession differential.

Given how little opportunity NPU had to even attempt the run, I'm glad that in the fourth quarter the Vikings coaching staff realized that, since the game was already out of hand, anyway, it was appropriate to start mixing in some running plays, just to give the players more opportunity to run the basic offense rather than throw, throw, throw.

I like NPU's running game. Filo Langkilde is a solid big-back option, and the Vikings have some nice young speed-back types in freshmen Kvonte Spearman and Matthew Chapp and sophomore John Wilkinson. The running game will improve. It's simply hard to get a read on anything that North Park's been doing, because the Vikes have been overwhelmed by superior competition over the past three games. It's a young team, and very much a work in progress.

it seems their mistake in this game was not calling #81's number on at least every other play.

That's silly. You can't throw the ball to the same guy every other play or more. Football doesn't work that way. Besides, NPU has two very capable senior receivers in Dakota Conway (a former All-CCIW selection) and Anthony Burton.

Devin Childress had ten passes thrown to him in the eleven NPU possessions in which he was in the game. I would've liked to have seen him get perhaps twelve or thirteen attempts thrown his way, but, again, we're talking a beggars-can't-be-choosers situation. NPU was only able to run 47 offensive plays while Childress was still in the game.

Greg,

If, as you say, "the problem with NPU's ground game is that the Vikings just don't run enough to make it truly effective," isn't that basically saying they lack the semblance of a rushing attack? The fact that they are usually behind and have to pass really doesn't matter. And what about the adage that you need to run to set up the passing game?
North Park is dead last in rushing offense in the CCIW. They average only 3.1 YPR, and have only 372 yards on the ground all year, an average of only 74.4 YPG. That just doesn't sound like much of a semblance of a running game. Maybe run a little more before the other team gets so far ahead and they have to pass. And, as previously indicated, if they can run, that might help the passing game be that much more successful. 

And as far as "calling 81's number on at least every other play," I think you know I didn't mean that literally.
At least you agree with me that Childress is one of the top WRs in the conference. There is no doubt he is one of NPU's top weapons.

[AndOne]

2. Secondly, where is any kind of analysis or substance of any type in your post. I'm sure your knowledge of the game of football goes beyond the inane nature of your above blurb.

Was there any analysis in your post, AndOne? What I see is a snarky open letter (1998 called; it wants its literary device back), a recitation of a coach's record, some apparent attempts at math and no analysis whatsoever.

I didn't get a chance to post in agreement with Joe Hakes before your witty riposte, but I will now. I agree with Joe. I get why you're bitter but IWU did salt its Millikin game away about 15 minutes earlier than North Central did.

Pat,

Permit my response..........., thank you.

As you know, not every post is full of insightful analysis.
Furthermore, my post didn't call for any type of actual analysis because I wasn't disagreeing with  anything anyone had previously said on the subject. True?

My objection stems from the fact that Joe just basically came on and resorted to name calling because he didn't like what I said. And it's a fact that he didn't cite any numbers or other facts to disprove anything I said.

[Kovo]

2. Secondly, where is any kind of analysis or substance of any type in your post. I'm sure your knowledge of the game of football goes beyond the inane nature of your above blurb.

Was there any analysis in your post, AndOne? What I see is a snarky open letter (1998 called; it wants its literary device back), a recitation of a coach's record, some apparent attempts at math and no analysis whatsoever.

I didn't get a chance to post in agreement with Joe Hakes before your witty riposte, but I will now. I agree with Joe. I get why you're bitter but IWU did salt its Millikin game away about 15 minutes earlier than North Central did.

Pat,

Here is the point. When And One speaks he speaks for himself as do all of us on this board. When a coach speaks, like it or not, he speaks for and represents his institution. So to compare the relative strength of opponents who have yet to play each other is both inappropriate and unprofessional.

I don't care if the coach is ultimately right or wrong, it shouldn't be done. Maybe we can get the President of NCC to release a statement as who he thinks will win the Wheaton Vs Millikin game this weekend---but then again, I don't think that is going to happen, he has too much class. 

So And One pointed, this out, in a sarcastic way, and that makes him the bad guy. Go figure.

(modified by GS for formatting)