FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Gregory Sager]

Nicco Stepina from Millikin is the 2nd best QB in the conference and I don't think it's close.

I agree with that, too. But it's not really relevant to the topic at hand, which concerns the identity of the second-best QB who played Saturday evening. After all, as you pointed out earlier, "Millikin hosts NCC this weekend after a bye week this weekend."

If Brandon Bauer completes less than 50% of his passes in big games the rest of the way IWU is going to finish no better than 7-3 and might be 6-4.

That's stating the obvious, but it's also deflecting the real issue here. The problems with Wesleyan's offense, as I saw it on Saturday, had a lot less to do with Bauer than with: a) an NCC defense that was absolutely smothering; and b) unreliable receivers that dropped some catchable balls and who couldn't separate without drawing a flag (Norm Eash implied in the Pantagraph that the NCC defensive backfield was getting away with playing too tightly, but NCC's D-backs looked to me that they were covering cleanly). Quarterback may be the most important position on the field, but a QB can't do the jobs of his teammates.

[USee]

Nicco Stepina from Millikin is the 2nd best QB in the conference and I don't think it's close.

I agree with that, too. But it's not really relevant to the topic at hand, which concerns the identity of the second-best QB who played Saturday evening. After all, as you pointed out earlier, "Millikin hosts NCC this weekend after a bye week this weekend."

If Brandon Bauer completes less than 50% of his passes in big games the rest of the way IWU is going to finish no better than 7-3 and might be 6-4.

That's stating the obvious, but it's also deflecting the real issue here. The problems with Wesleyan's offense, as I saw it on Saturday, had a lot less to do with Bauer than with: a) an NCC defense that was absolutely smothering; and b) unreliable receivers that dropped some catchable balls and who couldn't separate without drawing a flag (Norm Eash implied in the Pantagraph that the NCC defensive backfield was getting away with playing too tightly, but NCC's D-backs looked to me that they were covering cleanly). Quarterback may be the most important position on the field, but a QB can't do the jobs of his teammates.

Greg,

A 3 year old could have told you the relative rankings of the 4 QB's in Saturday nights game. I wan't trying to be relevant to an obvious statement, I was trying to broaden the conversation. Alas, I concede, Nicco Stepina didn't play Saturday and Brandon Bauer was the one eyed man in the land of the blind.

RE: IWU offense--There are two defenses coming for IWU that equally good or better. I am well aware the QB is a reflection of his teammates but if his numbers don't improve we will be seeing a lot more Norm complaints in the Pantagraph this season. 

[Gregory Sager]

Nicco Stepina from Millikin is the 2nd best QB in the conference and I don't think it's close.

I agree with that, too. But it's not really relevant to the topic at hand, which concerns the identity of the second-best QB who played Saturday evening. After all, as you pointed out earlier, "Millikin hosts NCC this weekend after a bye week this weekend."

If Brandon Bauer completes less than 50% of his passes in big games the rest of the way IWU is going to finish no better than 7-3 and might be 6-4.

That's stating the obvious, but it's also deflecting the real issue here. The problems with Wesleyan's offense, as I saw it on Saturday, had a lot less to do with Bauer than with: a) an NCC defense that was absolutely smothering; and b) unreliable receivers that dropped some catchable balls and who couldn't separate without drawing a flag (Norm Eash implied in the Pantagraph that the NCC defensive backfield was getting away with playing too tightly, but NCC's D-backs looked to me that they were covering cleanly). Quarterback may be the most important position on the field, but a QB can't do the jobs of his teammates.

Greg,

A 3 year old could have told you the relative rankings of the 4 QB's in Saturday nights game. I wan't trying to be relevant to an obvious statement, I was trying to broaden the conversation.

I don't think that Carthage fans would be pleased with you about this, although it seems to me that Friberg helped his case less than Bauer did on Saturday.

Alas, I concede, Nicco Stepina didn't play Saturday and Brandon Bauer was the one eyed man in the land of the blind.

RE: IWU offense--There are two defenses coming for IWU that equally good or better. I am well aware the QB is a reflection of his teammates but if his numbers don't improve we will be seeing a lot more Norm complaints in the Pantagraph this season.

Agreed. Actually, we may see more Norm complaints in the Pantagraph, anyway, given that it's Norm.

[kiko]

May see?!?

Norm's gonna Norm regardless of whatever else happens around us.

[blue_jays]

May see?!?

Norm's gonna Norm regardless of whatever else happens around us.

Norm loves him some Norm, for sure. I shuddered when I saw that Whitewater win and braced for all the impending Norm-itude, but then I remembered he also talked crap and got beat by North Park in 2015.

[79jaybird]

Norm has his issues but you also have to give him his props.  He has built a solid program down in B-town.   You know you are going to get a tough battle every time you play the Weenies.   I am not a big fan of his "baggage" but football wise,  you have to tip your cap to him.

Was pleased to see Elmhurst come out with a W Saturday,  but lucky is definitely an operative word.  Sometimes you need lady luck to be on your side. 

Greg-  The shorthopped call reminded me of a call a few years back between EC/NC at Langhorst.  In fact I think Pat and Keith were at the game.   I believe it was Lenny Radtke?  shorthopped a pass right at/near the midfield Bluejay logo.  It was pretty clear it was a shorthop,  but ruled to be an INT.   Sometimes the call(s) lean your way,  and other times not.   

Big win for Carroll  wow!  I did not see that one coming.   

[ncc_fan]

Breaking news from Wheaton.   

[Kovo]

Breaking news from Wheaton.   

Of course, let's not rush to judgment and let the process work.  I find the comments in connection with the newspaper article to be troubling.  These young men are entitled to a  presumption of innocence and due process.  And, the alleged victim is entitled to a fair administration of justice as well.  I guess I'm just a Dinosaur who still believes in the system and the Constitution.

Prayers for everyone.  Sad side track to such an exciting start to the season.

[augie77]

These men are innocent until proven guilty.  That said, the alleged crime occurred months ago, and was supposedly investigated by an independent reviewing body.  DuPage County has determined there is enough evidence to bring felony charges against all five.  This didn't happen yesterday.  Three of the accused played on Saturday.  It seems very odd that these players were allowed to play on Saturday.  Shouldn't they at least be suspended from the team until this is resolved or they are found innocent? 

I'm a Wheaton parent and father of a former athlete.  These allegations sicken me.  Hoping that the charges are found to be untrue, but struggling to understand the apparent "business as usual" approach, allowing them to play under this cloud.  

[Augie6]

These men are innocent until proven guilty.  That said, the alleged crime occurred months ago, and was supposedly investigated by an independent reviewing body.  DuPage County has determined there is enough evidence to bring felony charges against all five.  This didn't happen yesterday.  Three of the accused played on Saturday.  It seems very odd that these players were allowed to play on Saturday.  Shouldn't they at least be suspended from the team until this is resolved or they are found innocent? 

I'm a Wheaton parent and father of a former athlete.  These allegations sicken me.  Hoping that the charges are found to be untrue, but struggling to understand the apparent "business as usual" approach, allowing them to play under this cloud.

Agree with your comments Augie77, as I also hope these allegations turn out to be not true.  Based on reading the Chicago Tribune article, it seems that the college knows something occurred in this situation by conducting a "third party investigation" and attempted to impose a form of punishment.  If the victim reported the things detailed in the article to Coaches/Leadership of Wheaton College and the College neglected to contact the police, that is simply inexcusable.  The allegations detailed in the article go way beyond hazing.  Just a really shocking story and not one you expect to hear about a DIII or CCIW program.

[wm4]

These men are innocent until proven guilty.  That said, the alleged crime occurred months ago, and was supposedly investigated by an independent reviewing body.  DuPage County has determined there is enough evidence to bring felony charges against all five.  This didn't happen yesterday.  Three of the accused played on Saturday.  It seems very odd that these players were allowed to play on Saturday.  Shouldn't they at least be suspended from the team until this is resolved or they are found innocent? 

I'm a Wheaton parent and father of a former athlete.  These allegations sicken me.  Hoping that the charges are found to be untrue, but struggling to understand the apparent "business as usual" approach, allowing them to play under this cloud.

First, just need to be clear that these allegations sicken me as well.  Disgusted by this news.

If the charges were just brought today, perhaps that explains why they played last Saturday. 

Given that they will be surrendering themselves later this week, I'd fully expect Wheaton to tell these men they're not playing until further notice.

It is strange that this event happened 18 some months ago, but the charges are just being brought now.  I know there's not a rush to bring charges and investigating takes time.

[izzy stradlin]

These men are innocent until proven guilty.  That said, the alleged crime occurred months ago, and was supposedly investigated by an independent reviewing body.  DuPage County has determined there is enough evidence to bring felony charges against all five.  This didn't happen yesterday.  Three of the accused played on Saturday.  It seems very odd that these players were allowed to play on Saturday.  Shouldn't they at least be suspended from the team until this is resolved or they are found innocent? 

I'm a Wheaton parent and father of a former athlete.  These allegations sicken me.  Hoping that the charges are found to be untrue, but struggling to understand the apparent "business as usual" approach, allowing them to play under this cloud.

Agree.  If some semblance of what that article describes actually happened, coaches knew about it and the kids missed absolutely no game time....   we've got a serious problem. 

[AndOne]

These men are innocent until proven guilty.  That said, the alleged crime occurred months ago, and was supposedly investigated by an independent reviewing body.  DuPage County has determined there is enough evidence to bring felony charges against all five.  This didn't happen yesterday.  Three of the accused played on Saturday.  It seems very odd that these players were allowed to play on Saturday.  Shouldn't they at least be suspended from the team until this is resolved or they are found innocent? 

I'm a Wheaton parent and father of a former athlete.  These allegations sicken me.  Hoping that the charges are found to be untrue, but struggling to understand the apparent "business as usual" approach, allowing them to play under this cloud.

First, just need to be clear that these allegations sicken me as well.  Disgusted by this news.

If the charges were just brought today, perhaps that explains why they played last Saturday. 

Given that they will be surrendering themselves later this week, I'd fully expect Wheaton to tell these men they're not playing until further notice.

It is strange that this event happened 18 some months ago, but the charges are just being brought now. I know there's not a rush to bring charges and investigating takes time.

Under the administration of the previous DuPage County Prosecutor (States Attorney), charges would likely have been brought within 18 minutes of news of the (alledged) incident becoming public. That's because he had higher political aspirations (Atty General, Governor, Senator) and had no qualms about using high profile cases to draw attention to himself in an effort to make himself appear as tough on crime, and thus a desireable candidate for those higher offices. A quick conviction, in a overwhelmingly conservative environment at the time, was the the primary objective, not actual guilt or innocence.
Conversely, the current occupant of the office has, for the most part, demonstrated a more restrained approach with regard to the initial filing of charges. He is more apt to let concerned medical, police, and assistants from his own office complete their investigations and reports, and then objectively review those reports before bringing charges. Accordingly, it's not surprising that it has been 18 months since the (alledged) incident occurred, and there is little doubt he doesn't feel he has a strong case against the defendants.
Going forward, there is no way to determine if some of the charges will be dropped, additional charges may be added, a trial may commence, or a plea agreement might be reached in which the defendants may or may not admit any degree of guilt.

A la the Paterno case, its difficult to comprehend how the WC coaching staff hasn't had some degree of knowledge of the incident since shortly after it (alledgedly) occurred.

At the end of the NBC newscast tonight, they said Wheaton was issuing a statement about what action they would next be taking. However, as of a few minutes ago, I see nothing new on the internet, and all 5 of the players still appear on the roster.

[wally_wabash]

These men are innocent until proven guilty.  That said, the alleged crime occurred months ago, and was supposedly investigated by an independent reviewing body.  DuPage County has determined there is enough evidence to bring felony charges against all five.  This didn't happen yesterday.  Three of the accused played on Saturday.  It seems very odd that these players were allowed to play on Saturday.  Shouldn't they at least be suspended from the team until this is resolved or they are found innocent? 

I'm a Wheaton parent and father of a former athlete.  These allegations sicken me.  Hoping that the charges are found to be untrue, but struggling to understand the apparent "business as usual" approach, allowing them to play under this cloud.

First, just need to be clear that these allegations sicken me as well.  Disgusted by this news.

If the charges were just brought today, perhaps that explains why they played last Saturday. 

Given that they will be surrendering themselves later this week, I'd fully expect Wheaton to tell these men they're not playing until further notice.

It is strange that this event happened 18 some months ago, but the charges are just being brought now. I know there's not a rush to bring charges and investigating takes time.

Under the administration of the previous DuPage County Prosecutor (States Attorney), charges would likely have been brought within 18 minutes of news of the (alledged) incident becoming public. That's because he had higher political aspirations (Atty General, Governor, Senator) and had no qualms about using high profile cases to draw attention to himself in an effort to make himself appear as tough on crime, and thus a desireable candidate for those higher offices. A quick conviction, in a overwhelmingly conservative environment at the time, was the the primary objective, not actual guilt or innocence.
Conversely, the current occupant of the office has, for the most part, demonstrated a more restrained approach with regard to the initial filing of charges. He is more apt to let concerned medical, police, and assistants from his own office complete their investigations and reports, and then objectively review those reports before bringing charges. Accordingly, it's not surprising that it has been 18 months since the (alledged) incident occurred, and there is little doubt he doesn't feel he has a strong case against the defendants.
Going forward, there is no way to determine if some of the charges will be dropped, additional charges may be added, a trial may commence, or a plea agreement might be reached in which the defendants may or may not admit any degree of guilt.

A la the Paterno case, its difficult to comprehend how the WC coaching staff hasn't had some degree of knowledge of the incident since shortly after it (alledgedly) occurred.

At the end of the NBC newscast tonight, they said Wheaton was issuing a statement about what action they would next be taking. However, as of a few minutes ago, I see nothing new on the internet, and all 5 of the players still appear on the roster.

While I agree that Wheaton's administration and football staff find themselves in a tough spot today, I think invoking Paterno is a bridge too far.  This, while awful if true, isn't the same thing as Penn St. 

[USee]

I would caution everyone to avoid any speculation and rush to judgement. Speculating on these types of issues without facts can damage these kids, coaches and the school inappropriately. I don't know everything but I know enough to know this is a lot more like the Duke Lacrosse incident than the Penn State/Joe Paterno incident. From what I know the school, coaches and administrators have handled this appropriately.

The college did, in fact, issue a statement on the incident last night for anyone who wanted to find it:

http://wgntv.com/2017/09/18/5-wheaton-college-football-players-charged-in-hazing-incident/

According to the schools statement (and what I know independently), the incident was promptly addressed and investigations by the school and independent 3rd parties were conducted. The players involved were punished last year (this incident happened in March 2016).

I have the utmost respect for the coaches and players (former and current) at Wheaton and nothing I know about this situation has affected that opinion formed over 35 years of watching this program.