FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[CruFrenzy]

Does it feel like a two horse race for the Gagliardi winner between Kyle King (UMHB) & Greenfield (NCC)?

I really don't want to slight the other two candidates and I could be way off but it's hard to gauge sometimes in D3 so I wanted to put that out there. If that is the case, how much will this next game sway the final votes for the Gagliardi winner? I would guess it could have a big affect.

Just a thought! Don't come after me (OAC & MIAC fans)!

[CardinalAlum]

Does it feel like a two horse race for the Gagliardi winner between Kyle King (UMHB) & Greenfield (NCC)?

I really don't want to slight the other two candidates and I could be way off but it's hard to gauge sometimes in D3 so I wanted to put that out there. If that is the case, how much will this next game sway the final votes for the Gagliardi winner? I would guess it could have a big affect.

Just a thought! Don't come after me (OAC & MIAC fans)!

Sure seems to be 4 great options for a winner! QB's have been the winners lately and we haven't had a RB win in 10 years but I like our guy and I'm sure you like yours! Definitely something to keep an eye on the following week.  So excited for this game.  Weather looks good for a December day.  Might get a little brisk as the sun goes down with the late start.

[CardinalAlum]

Here's the game preview from the NCC side...

https://northcentralcardinals.com/news/2022/12/7/football-national-semifinal-preview.aspx

[CruFrenzy]

After watching the last few playoff games from NCC & taking into consideration the quality analysis of USEE I think I've decided the most pivotal matchup in this game will be the NCC offensive line vs the UMHB front 7.. USEE makes a good point about NCC being more of a run first team this year and might come in with a grind the clock, keep UMHB's offense on the sideline approach... that makes for a very tight game imo & if NCC can push the UMHB defensive line around more than they did last year we could be in trouble. Cant wait to see how it plays out.

[Pat Coleman]

Does it feel like a two horse race for the Gagliardi winner between Kyle King (UMHB) & Greenfield (NCC)?

I really don't want to slight the other two candidates and I could be way off but it's hard to gauge sometimes in D3 so I wanted to put that out there. If that is the case, how much will this next game sway the final votes for the Gagliardi winner? I would guess it could have a big affect.

Just a thought! Don't come after me (OAC & MIAC fans)!

Do *not* count out Plunk at all!

[D O.C.]

Pat, saw the news story about Catholic U's "Lunch Lady" retiring after 49 years. Know her?

[USee]

Does it feel like a two horse race for the Gagliardi winner between Kyle King (UMHB) & Greenfield (NCC)?

I really don't want to slight the other two candidates and I could be way off but it's hard to gauge sometimes in D3 so I wanted to put that out there. If that is the case, how much will this next game sway the final votes for the Gagliardi winner? I would guess it could have a big affect.

Just a thought! Don't come after me (OAC & MIAC fans)!

Do *not* count out Plunk at all!

This. I know the Gagliardi is for both on the field and off the field accomplishments. I am assuming all 4 of these players have tremendous off the field resumes, which is a big part of why they are finalists. If you just compare the stats of the finalists, which for 3 of them is easy because they all play QB, here is what you get:

Braxton Plunk (13-0):
312-421, 3921 yds, 46 TD's and 5 INT. 74% Completions 186 Efficiency. 301 yds per game

Kyle King (12-1):
241-361, 3431 yds, 39 TD's and 5 INT. 67% Completions. 180 Efficiency. 264 yds per game

Jaron Roste (10-3):
207-302, 2,639 yds, 23 TD's and 9 INT. 69% Completions. 161 Efficiency. 220 yds per game

Comparing these three it's pretty clear that Braxton Plunk is the guy with the best stats by a wide margin. He literally leads the other two in every category, including wins (thank you JCU). The big question is, how do you compare Ethan Greenfield to this list?

Ethan Greenfield:
224 rush 1751 yds (29 lost yards) 23 TD's. 7.8 yds per carry, 134.7 yds per game. 20 Receptions 148 yds 2 TD's.

That's 2nd in the nation in yds per carry, 1st in total yds, 1st in rushing TD's, 6th in yds per game (his backup was all region). He carried the ball 224 times and only lost 29 yds rushing. That's an amazing stat for me.

To me this is a two horse race between Braxton Plunk and Ethan Greenfield. I'd give it to Plunk because I hate Mt Union less, but that's just me.

[robertgoulet]

3 things for me this year that lead me to believe it will be a more competitive game than last year:

1) Lehnen is healthy (and a year older)

2) NCC DL and DBs are better

3) Experience of playing against MHB last season so won't be surprised by the athleticism/size.

True toss-up for me.

[Pat Coleman]

Pat, saw the news story about Catholic U's "Lunch Lady" retiring after 49 years. Know her?

That's cool that you saw that news! I was super pleased that they named a space after her.

I vaguely remember her, but it's been almost 30 years since I was in a CUA dining hall.

[kiko]

Does it feel like a two horse race for the Gagliardi winner between Kyle King (UMHB) & Greenfield (NCC)?

I really don't want to slight the other two candidates and I could be way off but it's hard to gauge sometimes in D3 so I wanted to put that out there. If that is the case, how much will this next game sway the final votes for the Gagliardi winner? I would guess it could have a big affect.

Just a thought! Don't come after me (OAC & MIAC fans)!

Do *not* count out Plunk at all!

This. I know the Gagliardi is for both on the field and off the field accomplishments. I am assuming all 4 of these players have tremendous off the field resumes, which is a big part of why they are finalists. If you just compare the stats of the finalists, which for 3 of them is easy because they all play QB, here is what you get:

Braxton Plunk (13-0):
312-421, 3921 yds, 46 TD's and 5 INT. 74% Completions 186 Efficiency. 301 yds per game

Kyle King (12-1):
241-361, 3431 yds, 39 TD's and 5 INT. 67% Completions. 180 Efficiency. 264 yds per game

Jaron Roste (10-3):
207-302, 2,639 yds, 23 TD's and 9 INT. 69% Completions. 161 Efficiency. 220 yds per game

Comparing these three it's pretty clear that Braxton Plunk is the guy with the best stats by a wide margin. He literally leads the other two in every category, including wins (thank you JCU). The big question is, how do you compare Ethan Greenfield to this list?

Ethan Greenfield:
224 rush 1751 yds (29 lost yards) 23 TD's. 7.8 yds per carry, 134.7 yds per game. 20 Receptions 148 yds 2 TD's.

That's 2nd in the nation in yds per carry, 1st in total yds, 1st in rushing TD's, 6th in yds per game (his backup was all region). He carried the ball 224 times and only lost 29 yds rushing. That's an amazing stat for me.

To me this is a two horse race between Braxton Plunk and Ethan Greenfield. I'd give it to Plunk because I hate Mt Union less, but that's just me.

I don't think it changes the picture much, but IMO if you are going to compare quarterback stats, rushing nums should be part of the equation, as yards are yards whether a QB gains them with his legs or his arm.  You didn't include these when previously comparing CCIW QBs, and in that case it was a pretty big omission when you compared two traditional pocket passers to a more mobile QB.

In this case:

Plunk - 50 carries, 53 yards, 3 TDs
King - 42 carries, 217 yards, 1 TD
Roste - 67 carries, 445 yards, 5 TDs

This is clearly a bigger part of Roste's game than it is for the others.  I don't expect that this and intangibles will push him up in the conversation, but including them makes for a more holistic comparison.

[CardinalAlum]

Does it feel like a two horse race for the Gagliardi winner between Kyle King (UMHB) & Greenfield (NCC)?

I really don't want to slight the other two candidates and I could be way off but it's hard to gauge sometimes in D3 so I wanted to put that out there. If that is the case, how much will this next game sway the final votes for the Gagliardi winner? I would guess it could have a big affect.

Just a thought! Don't come after me (OAC & MIAC fans)!

Do *not* count out Plunk at all!

This. I know the Gagliardi is for both on the field and off the field accomplishments. I am assuming all 4 of these players have tremendous off the field resumes, which is a big part of why they are finalists. If you just compare the stats of the finalists, which for 3 of them is easy because they all play QB, here is what you get:

Braxton Plunk (13-0):
312-421, 3921 yds, 46 TD's and 5 INT. 74% Completions 186 Efficiency. 301 yds per game

Kyle King (12-1):
241-361, 3431 yds, 39 TD's and 5 INT. 67% Completions. 180 Efficiency. 264 yds per game

Jaron Roste (10-3):
207-302, 2,639 yds, 23 TD's and 9 INT. 69% Completions. 161 Efficiency. 220 yds per game

Comparing these three it's pretty clear that Braxton Plunk is the guy with the best stats by a wide margin. He literally leads the other two in every category, including wins (thank you JCU). The big question is, how do you compare Ethan Greenfield to this list?

Ethan Greenfield:
224 rush 1751 yds (29 lost yards) 23 TD's. 7.8 yds per carry, 134.7 yds per game. 20 Receptions 148 yds 2 TD's.

That's 2nd in the nation in yds per carry, 1st in total yds, 1st in rushing TD's, 6th in yds per game (his backup was all region). He carried the ball 224 times and only lost 29 yds rushing. That's an amazing stat for me.

To me this is a two horse race between Braxton Plunk and Ethan Greenfield. I'd give it to Plunk because I hate Mt Union less, but that's just me.

Ok, now this made my day!   

[USee]

I don't think QB rushing numbers, unless they are dramatic, have much bearing on All conference (See CCIW All Conference results) awards or, in this case, the Gagliardi winner. QB's are primarily measured by their passing stats and to a lesser degree running (even though a mobile QB can absolutely change the complexion of a game). If a QB's passing numbers are similar to others then the rushing numbers could definitely differentiate that player. For Roste, if he had been healthy all year, his passing numbers would have been much closer to King and Plunk and his rushing might well have earned him the Gagliardi. His injuries are keeping him from strong consderation in my opinion.

[Riley Zayas]

Had a great conversation with NCC HC Brad Spencer earlier this week. He has really done a fantastic job continuing the success of the program. 24 consecutive years now at NCC for him.

https://truetothecru.com/2022/12/09/north-central-seeking-third-straight-stagg-bowl-appearance-entering-matchup-against-umhb/

[CardinalAlum]

Had a great conversation with NCC HC Brad Spencer earlier this week. He has really done a fantastic job continuing the success of the program. 24 consecutive years now at NCC for him.

https://truetothecru.com/2022/12/09/north-central-seeking-third-straight-stagg-bowl-appearance-entering-matchup-against-umhb/

Great article! Love Brad referring to the Al Carius teachings when speaking of Extrinsic and Intrinsic motivations! Looking forward to a great game tomorrow by two top teams! Go Cards!!

[Riley Zayas]

Had a great conversation with NCC HC Brad Spencer earlier this week. He has really done a fantastic job continuing the success of the program. 24 consecutive years now at NCC for him.

https://truetothecru.com/2022/12/09/north-central-seeking-third-straight-stagg-bowl-appearance-entering-matchup-against-umhb/

Great article! Love Brad referring to the Al Carius teachings when speaking of Extrinsic and Intrinsic motivations! Looking forward to a great game tomorrow by two top teams! Go Cards!!

Absolutely! Can't wait for it!