FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[CardinalAlum]

Wind today was a major factor in games. NCCs result is strong.

Exactly.  Going into the wind made it impossible to throw the ball down the field.  Both teams took the run away into the wind and dared them to pass.  Tough to block 8-9 with 5-6.  Great win on the road versus a quality Carthage team.  Rutter took control when he had to as the leader that he is.

[WUPHF]

I had the women's soccer match at Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium in Naperville on my computer, and you could see a sideways blizzard there for about 15-20 minutes this afternoon. Bizarre.

I watched the Washington University-Wheaton game which also had a 1:00 pm start time.  They had the same 15-20 minutes of sideways blizzard.

[thunderdog]

Does anyone have a health status on Millikin QB Nicco  Stepina? Noticed he didn't play in today's 14-13 win over Elmhurst, nor did he play in the 2nd half of last week's 32-29 win over Carthage.

All I know is that he is out with an injury as opposed to illness. The Carthage announcer (he was injured in last week's game vs. Carthage), made a very brief reference to the incident during today's Carthage-NCC game. From what he said it sounded like it might be a leg injury, but quite possibly others could have taken it as involving another part of the body, so there is really no confirmation that the leg is whats involved. 🤔

Thanks for the update, AO.

[Titan Q]

IWU 27
Wash U 21

* Brandon Bauer: 26-32, 254 yards, 4 TD (1 passing TD, 3 rushing)
* Morgan Alexander: 110 yards rushing
* Zach Walsh: 7 receptions, 84 yards
* Jack Healy: 5 receptions, 76 yards

* Johny Davidson: 28-41, 206 yards, 1 TD
* Alex Fehlinger: 8 receptions, 81 yards

https://www.iwusports.com/boxscore.aspx?id=6670&path=football

https://www.pantagraph.com/sports/college/illinois-wesleyan/bauer-no-iwu-hold-off-wash-u/article_dfaf015d-0b71-5e1b-bbdb-c23a877daab1.html

This was a good game.  I thought the Titans, overall, played extremely well in this big road game vs a conference title contender.

I was impressed with how prepared and composed the Titans looked out of the gates.  The Titans took the opening kickoff and, working into a tough wind, orchestrated an 84-yard TD drive that took 7:11.  IWU really dominated that 1st half, outgaining Wash U 274 to 102, converting 14 1st downs to Wash U's 4, and controlling the ball for 20:43 to the Bears' 9:17.  It led to a 21-7 halftime lead and it felt like it should have been more.  The Titans gambled on 4th & goal from the Wash U 1 with 1:43 to play in the 2nd Q, going for 6, and the Bears blew the play up.

One of IWU's keys in the 1st half, and in the game, was the ability to run the football.  Morgan Alexander rushed for 110 yards in this one.

Momentum quickly changed at the start of the 2nd half.  Wash U scored very quickly to make it 21-14, and after forcing IWU to punt, scored again to tie it with 7:42 to play in the 3rd Q.  It was a new game.

One of the biggest plays of the game happened on IWU's next offensive possession.  With all the momentum in Wash U's favor, IWU was facing a 4th & 1 on their own 45 and punted.  But the Bears were called for roughing the kicker, giving IWU a 1st down.  It was a huge, costly penalty.  With the ball back, Brandon Bauer converted a 3rd & 15 from the IWU 45, finding Zach Walsh.  On 3rd & 5 from the Wash U 29, he once again found Walsh for a 1st down.  And on 4th & 4 from the Wash U 16, it was Bauer to Walsh again for a 1st down to the Wash U.  The Titans scored (missed the PAT) to take a 27-21 lead.

The 4th quarter, in which there were no points scored, ended up being a big chess match.  Both defenses played well, and both offenses ended up having to make tough decisions on 4th downs.  For example, on 4th & 4 from Wash U's 24, Norm Eash decided to try a FG to go up 9.  It was blocked.  Then after stopping a Wash U drive, IWU had it 4th & 4 at Wash U's 34.  In a very un-Norm-like (conservative) decision, the Titans punted it...pinning the Bears at their own 6.

IWU's defense was great in the 1st half, and in that 4th quarter. 

IWU and Wash U seem very even, personnel-wise, at most positions.  But where the Titans have a huge advantage is in the depth at the receiver position.  The Titans have a great group of guys to throw the ball to in Jack Healy, Zach Walsh, Dean Zigulich, and Bryce Dooley.  I think Walsh is one of the more underrated guys in the CCIW - he makes a lot of big plays.

And finally, IWU junior QB Brandon Bauer has really developed into an terrific QB.  He played smart and with composure last night and made big plays in big moments.  Bauer, with 480 career completions, is 60 away from IWU's all-time record; he needs 979 passing yards for that school record; and is 10 TD passes away from the all-time IWU mark there. Bauer is a smart player, a good leader, and is an accurate thrower.

This was clearly a must-win game for the Titans and they really did a nice job in all regards to win this one.

[Titan Q]

CCIW title contenders...

-Illinois Wesleyan: 6-0 (at Millikin, vs North Central, at North Park)
-Millikin: 5-1 (vs Illinois Wesleyan, vs Washington U, at North Central)
-North Central: 5-1 (vs Elmhurst, at Illinois Wesleyan, vs Millikin)
-Washington U: 4-2 (at Augustana, at Millikin, vs Carroll)
-Wheaton: 4-2 (vs Carroll, at Carthage, vs Elmhurst)

The Titans have another huge road game next weekend vs the Big Blue.

[NCF]

CCIW title contenders...

-Illinois Wesleyan: 6-0 (at Millikin, vs North Central, at North Park)
-Millikin: 5-1 (vs Illinois Wesleyan, vs Washington U, at North Central)
-North Central: 5-1 (vs Elmhurst, at Illinois Wesleyan, vs Millikin)
-Washington U: 4-2 (at Augustana, at Millikin, vs Carroll)
-Wheaton: 4-2 (vs Carroll, at Carthage, vs Elmhurst)

The Titans have another huge road game next weekend vs the Big Blue.

The game with Millikin is a possible trap game. They need to take care of business and not look ahead to North Central. My brother went to IWU, so he's pretty happy with the season they're having. All week, I thought Wash U might win that game last night, but I was very impressed with IWU.

[USee]

If Nico Stepina doesn't play I don't see IWU having any trouble with Millikin. The Big Blue defense is below average against those big WR's the Titans have and without Stepina, Millikin won't be able to compete in my opinion.

[jaybird44]

It was a fun game to watch in person (especially if you had a Thermos of coffee or hot chocolate with you for the chilly 2nd half), and it was a fun game to call in the press box booth.  I thought both teams played well, and the coaching staffs of both teams made adjustments that paid off for their teams.  In a game like that, between two conference title contenders, the outcome often hinges on how well a team limits mistakes. 

The Titans were a little bit better in that department...and that's why they secured the win at WashU last night.

Of course, the elephant in the phone booth was the running-into-the-punter penalty, with about 6 minutes to go in the 3rd quarter in a tie game.  Only a 5-yard penalty, but enough to extend the possession and give the savvy Brandon Bauer a chance to make the Bears pay for it.  Which he did, with a HUGE 21-yard strike on a post pattern to Zach Walsh on a 3rd-and-15, and I believe there was a pass to Jack Healy of 10 yards on a 4th-and-4 that produced a 1st-and-goal at the WashU 6 (later the 3 after a penalty on the play).  Bauer called his own number for a TD, on a 17-play drive that took away a nice chunk of time away from the WashU offense.

WashU was whistled for 9 penalties in the game--50% increase from its season average.  A few that really hurt were the aforementioned RIP penalty, a cut block on a 3rd-and-2 at the IWU 37 late in the 1st quarter negated a promising drive led by reserve WashU QB Ryan Arthur; eventually producing a punt.  And, in the 4th quarter, WashU started from its own 6 but got a first down at its 21 and seemed to have some momentum building.  But, that was short-circuited by a false start penalty that created a 1st-and-15 at the Bears' 16 yard line.  That possession also resulted in a punt.

WashU did a very good job of preventing damage from its two turnovers...an INT and a lost fumble.  But the cost was two possessions taken away when every one was critical in the Bears' attempt to get that elusive go-ahead TD in the 4th quarter, after the defense played tremendous and allowed only 97 yards of total offense in the 2nd half.

And, a game ball should go to IWU punter Brock Krohe.  His last 3 punts pinned WashU at its 6, 16, and 8 yard line for the Bears' final 3 possessions.  That forced the Bears to cover too much real estate in the short time that they had left. 

Other kudos to:

WashU QB Ryan Arthur:  reserve QB engineered a game-tying scoring drive in Johnny Davidson's absence due to injury in the 1st half.
WashU WR Alex Fehlinger:  8 catches filling in for the injured Jason Singer.
WashU LB Jake Coon:  16 tackles...a one-man wrecking crew.
WashU reserve P Tim Tague:  6 punts, 36.3 avg, longest 47 yds.  Well done in place of Davidson throughout the entire game
WashU DB Andrew Whitaker:  2nd blocked FG of the season.  Might have the most in the nation over the past two seasons.
WashU DBs Ben Marcus & Matt Bernstein:  15 and 12 tackles from the secondary.  Yeoman work.
IWU's Eric Dubose:  7 tackles, forced and recovered a fumble on the same play.  Hard to handle all night long
IWU LB Keenan Scott:  listed as a reserve, had 13 tackles.
IWU DB Justin Correll:  also a reserve on the two-deep chart, but had a very good coverage night IMO
IWU's Jack Healy and Zach Walsh:  Two #1 receivers made big plays to extend possessions and set up scores
IWU QB Brandon Bauer:  A game manager, in the most positive sense of the term.  Never forced a dangerous situation, made big throws when he needed them, and made nice placements on two or three low snaps on extra points.

On a night when things looked to be even between the two teams, IWU made fewer mistakes and deserved the hard-earned victory.

[Titan Q]

It was a fun game to watch in person (especially if you had a Thermos of coffee or hot chocolate with you for the chilly 2nd half), and it was a fun game to call in the press box booth.  I thought both teams played well, and the coaching staffs of both teams made adjustments that paid off for their teams.  In a game like that, between two conference title contenders, the outcome often hinges on how well a team limits mistakes. 

The Titans were a little bit better in that department...and that's why they secured the win at WashU last night.

Of course, the elephant in the phone booth was the running-into-the-punter penalty, with about 6 minutes to go in the 3rd quarter in a tie game.  Only a 5-yard penalty, but enough to extend the possession and give the savvy Brandon Bauer a chance to make the Bears pay for it.  Which he did, with a HUGE 21-yard strike on a post pattern to Zach Walsh on a 3rd-and-15, and I believe there was a pass to Jack Healy of 10 yards on a 4th-and-4 that produced a 1st-and-goal at the WashU 6 (later the 3 after a penalty on the play).  Bauer called his own number for a TD, on a 17-play drive that took away a nice chunk of time away from the WashU offense.

WashU was whistled for 9 penalties in the game--50% increase from its season average.  A few that really hurt were the aforementioned RIP penalty, a cut block on a 3rd-and-2 at the IWU 37 late in the 1st quarter negated a promising drive led by reserve WashU QB Ryan Arthur; eventually producing a punt.  And, in the 4th quarter, WashU started from its own 6 but got a first down at its 21 and seemed to have some momentum building.  But, that was short-circuited by a false start penalty that created a 1st-and-15 at the Bears' 16 yard line.  That possession also resulted in a punt.

WashU did a very good job of preventing damage from its two turnovers...an INT and a lost fumble.  But the cost was two possessions taken away when every one was critical in the Bears' attempt to get that elusive go-ahead TD in the 4th quarter, after the defense played tremendous and allowed only 97 yards of total offense in the 2nd half.

And, a game ball should go to IWU punter Brock Krohe.  His last 3 punts pinned WashU at its 6, 16, and 8 yard line for the Bears' final 3 possessions.  That forced the Bears to cover too much real estate in the short time that they had left. 

Other kudos to:

WashU QB Ryan Arthur:  reserve QB engineered a game-tying scoring drive in Johnny Davidson's absence due to injury in the 1st half.
WashU WR Alex Fehlinger:  8 catches filling in for the injured Jason Singer.
WashU LB Jake Coon:  16 tackles...a one-man wrecking crew.
WashU reserve P Tim Tague:  6 punts, 36.3 avg, longest 47 yds.  Well done in place of Davidson throughout the entire game
WashU DB Andrew Whitaker:  2nd blocked FG of the season.  Might have the most in the nation over the past two seasons.
WashU DBs Ben Marcus & Matt Bernstein:  15 and 12 tackles from the secondary.  Yeoman work.
IWU's Eric Dubose:  7 tackles, forced and recovered a fumble on the same play.  Hard to handle all night long
IWU LB Keenan Scott:  listed as a reserve, had 13 tackles.
IWU DB Justin Correll:  also a reserve on the two-deep chart, but had a very good coverage night IMO
IWU's Jack Healy and Zach Walsh:  Two #1 receivers made big plays to extend possessions and set up scores
IWU QB Brandon Bauer:  A game manager, in the most positive sense of the term.  Never forced a dangerous situation, made big throws when he needed them, and made nice placements on two or three low snaps on extra points.

On a night when things looked to be even between the two teams, IWU made fewer mistakes and deserved the hard-earned victory.

Very well summarized.  And great job as always on the broadcast.

[Titan Q]

The game with Millikin is a possible trap game. They need to take care of business and not look ahead to North Central. My brother went to IWU, so he's pretty happy with the season they're having. All week, I thought Wash U might win that game last night, but I was very impressed with IWU.

I don't think the term "trap game" necessarily applies here.  Seems like that term is used for games vs teams in the middle of bottom of the standings.  In this case, Millikin is one game behind the Titans. 

Plus, while not Johnnies/Tommies, IWU/Millikin is a rivalry.  This matchup has produced surprising results in multiple sports over the years.  I don't think IWU would ever play a let-down type game against the Big Blue.

It is another must-win for the Titans...that is for sure.

[Kovo]

The game with Millikin is a possible trap game. They need to take care of business and not look ahead to North Central. My brother went to IWU, so he's pretty happy with the season they're having. All week, I thought Wash U might win that game last night, but I was very impressed with IWU.

I don't think the term "trap game" necessarily applies here.  Seems like that term is used for games vs teams in the middle of bottom of the standings.  In this case, Millikin is one game behind the Titans. 

Plus, while not Johnnies/Tommies, IWU/Millikin is a rivalry.  This matchup has produced surprising results in multiple sports over the years.  I don't think IWU would ever play a let-down type game against the Big Blue.

It is another must-win for the Titans...that is for sure.

Maybe.  But I think that there is a general feeling that in spite of the 5-1 record. MU isn't quite on the same level as IWU, NCC, WC and WU.  We may find that they are, but the 56 point beat down by the Cru' and the one point win against Elmhurst didn't inspire anyone.  And, while both NCC and IWU will have to fight the desire to look ahead, MU could be dangerous if healthy, making it a classic trap game.

[AndOne]

The game with Millikin is a possible trap game. They need to take care of business and not look ahead to North Central. My brother went to IWU, so he's pretty happy with the season they're having. All week, I thought Wash U might win that game last night, but I was very impressed with IWU.

I don't think the term "trap game" necessarily applies here.  Seems like that term is used for games vs teams in the middle of bottom of the standings.  In this case, Millikin is one game behind the Titans. 

Plus, while not Johnnies/Tommies, IWU/Millikin is a rivalry.  This matchup has produced surprising results in multiple sports over the years.  I don't think IWU would ever play a let-down type game against the Big Blue.

It is another must-win for the Titans...that is for sure.

Yes, but as USee noted, should Stepina not be able to play, the scale tips further in the direction of IWU who comes in as the favorite to begin with and even more so should MU be without it's primary weapon.

[AndOne]

Rare that you will see both teams with such an anemic running attack game. NCC rushed for only 44 yards on 43 attempts. Carthage netted just 39 yards on 35 attempts. 🤮
NCC had 353 yards through the air compared to 145 for Carthage.
NCC's Brock Rutter had, for him, a bad day. He completed only 65% of his passes (26/40) with just 2TDs. The NCC offensive line was almost continuously missing in action, earning failing grades in both pass and run blocking. Rutter was running for his life all day long, and was hit and sacked five times. Run wise, the Cards blocking was virtually invisible. More often than not, they got in the way of their running backs rather than the Carthage. 44 yards on 43 rushing attempts is all you need to know. They need to up their game, and get back to the level we are more used to seeing them perform at, and which they are certainly capable of playing at.       
Credit to the Carthage defenders.

A win is a win. Tough game on the road in which some viewed it as a possible upset. 6-1 with this young team is pretty darn good but its one week at a time.

Wind today was a major factor in games. NCCs result is strong.

Exactly.  Going into the wind made it impossible to throw the ball down the field.  Both teams took the run away into the wind and dared them to pass.  Tough to block 8-9 with 5-6.  Great win on the road versus a quality Carthage team.  Rutter took control when he had to as the leader that he is.

Yes, a win is a win, and yes the wind made for tough playing conditions.
However, the wind didn't prevent Broc Rutter from throwing for 353 yards, and I would respectfully submit that wind should have less of an effect on the run game than on the passing game.
1. Even in windy conditions, the O line should be able to block effectively enough to provide more than just 44 yards on 43 carries. A 1 yard per carry average? Come on.
2. They also gave up 5 sacks.

Again, JMHO, but I don't think this level of performance, wind or not, merits much praise. Furthermore, I sense Coach Thorne would agree. Yes? No? Maybe?

[NCF]

It was a fun game to watch in person (especially if you had a Thermos of coffee or hot chocolate with you for the chilly 2nd half), and it was a fun game to call in the press box booth.  I thought both teams played well, and the coaching staffs of both teams made adjustments that paid off for their teams.  In a game like that, between two conference title contenders, the outcome often hinges on how well a team limits mistakes. 

The Titans were a little bit better in that department...and that's why they secured the win at WashU last night.

Of course, the elephant in the phone booth was the running-into-the-punter penalty, with about 6 minutes to go in the 3rd quarter in a tie game.  Only a 5-yard penalty, but enough to extend the possession and give the savvy Brandon Bauer a chance to make the Bears pay for it.  Which he did, with a HUGE 21-yard strike on a post pattern to Zach Walsh on a 3rd-and-15, and I believe there was a pass to Jack Healy of 10 yards on a 4th-and-4 that produced a 1st-and-goal at the WashU 6 (later the 3 after a penalty on the play).  Bauer called his own number for a TD, on a 17-play drive that took away a nice chunk of time away from the WashU offense.

WashU was whistled for 9 penalties in the game--50% increase from its season average.  A few that really hurt were the aforementioned RIP penalty, a cut block on a 3rd-and-2 at the IWU 37 late in the 1st quarter negated a promising drive led by reserve WashU QB Ryan Arthur; eventually producing a punt.  And, in the 4th quarter, WashU started from its own 6 but got a first down at its 21 and seemed to have some momentum building.  But, that was short-circuited by a false start penalty that created a 1st-and-15 at the Bears' 16 yard line.  That possession also resulted in a punt.

WashU did a very good job of preventing damage from its two turnovers...an INT and a lost fumble.  But the cost was two possessions taken away when every one was critical in the Bears' attempt to get that elusive go-ahead TD in the 4th quarter, after the defense played tremendous and allowed only 97 yards of total offense in the 2nd half.

And, a game ball should go to IWU punter Brock Krohe.  His last 3 punts pinned WashU at its 6, 16, and 8 yard line for the Bears' final 3 possessions.  That forced the Bears to cover too much real estate in the short time that they had left. 

Other kudos to:

WashU QB Ryan Arthur:  reserve QB engineered a game-tying scoring drive in Johnny Davidson's absence due to injury in the 1st half.
WashU WR Alex Fehlinger:  8 catches filling in for the injured Jason Singer.
WashU LB Jake Coon:  16 tackles...a one-man wrecking crew.
WashU reserve P Tim Tague:  6 punts, 36.3 avg, longest 47 yds.  Well done in place of Davidson throughout the entire game
WashU DB Andrew Whitaker:  2nd blocked FG of the season.  Might have the most in the nation over the past two seasons.
WashU DBs Ben Marcus & Matt Bernstein:  15 and 12 tackles from the secondary.  Yeoman work.
IWU's Eric Dubose:  7 tackles, forced and recovered a fumble on the same play.  Hard to handle all night long
IWU LB Keenan Scott:  listed as a reserve, had 13 tackles.
IWU DB Justin Correll:  also a reserve on the two-deep chart, but had a very good coverage night IMO
IWU's Jack Healy and Zach Walsh:  Two #1 receivers made big plays to extend possessions and set up scores
IWU QB Brandon Bauer:  A game manager, in the most positive sense of the term.  Never forced a dangerous situation, made big throws when he needed them, and made nice placements on two or three low snaps on extra points.

On a night when things looked to be even between the two teams, IWU made fewer mistakes and deserved the hard-earned victory.

Congrats to Ryan!! He's a former student of mine.

[iwu70]

Thanks to those who have given the good, detailed summary of the IWU@Wash U game.
I was there and about froze my ass off -- such a beautiful afternoon, then the wind came and things got crazy with the wind and cold. 
Agree with both full assessments.  A very competitive game with things going back and forth and the game not really decided in full until the last play.
Key was IWU limiting errors and TOs.  Esp. no fumbles or INTs from the Titan O.  Just superb football, esp. in the 1st half, and holding on in the 4Q.
IWU D's was surely of the bend-but-don't-break mode most of the game.  Yes, key penalties and that key INT by the Titan D.
Coon is an amazing LB.  Several others too.  Just a very good Team overall.
Bauer's accuracy and production continues forward, with all those good receivers mentioned by the others.
Shout out to all the TITAN fans, who made the long trek to Francis Field.  They were loud and wild -- and some definitely not "politically correct" with cheers.  You gotta love it.
6-0 feels mighty fine -- but as all have said, two very tough games upcoming, MU away and NCC at home.  No rest.  More work to do.
I was happily surprised and pleased that the Titans got as much out of the running game in this contest -- so hats off to Morgan Alexander and the O line.

I strolled the Wash U campus, visited the student center, chapel and a number of other facilities -- and it is one beautiful, impressive campus. 
The huge re-development at the East end of the Danforth Campus, facing Forest Park, is incredible and amazing.
Saw Mark Edwards from a distance.  I think he's enjoying retirement, was lucky for him in the press box and out of the cold howling wind.

Yes, basketball soon and more great roundball games IWU vs. Wash U, upcoming.

Keep it rolling TITANS -- one game at a time.

IWU'70