FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Next Man Up]

I think three keys for North Central today might be;

* Not allowing MHB score any defensive or special teams points
* No absolutely stupid penalties
* Win the turnover battle

Also, it seems that over the course of many discussions in different rooms NCC QB Luke Lehnen's role/contribution has been discounted to an appreciable degree. While he doesn't have the lofty stats of some other QBs, and certainly isn't a Gigliardi candidate, he generally gets the job done when called upon. And while the natural tendency when evaluating QBs is to first look at passing stats, Lehnen's running ability exceeds the vast majority of others, and has been a major factor in the Cardinals impressive running attack. Also, when it is time to throw the ball, he does so at a completion rate of 70% with an efficiency rating of 188.4 which I believe is 4th in the nation. Lastly, NCC doesn't occupy the D3Football #1 Poll position without him. If the Crusaders shut him down today, more power to them, but it certainly won't be an easy task.

[USee]

Yea I don't think that's what's been said at all. Luke Lehnen is a huge part of the NCC offense and a big reason why they are #1. They certainly aren't #1 without him. But they also aren't #1 because of him in my opinion. He is phenomenal at RPO and play action and he makes plays with his feet. But if you were to rank the important pieces of the NCC offense it would be #1 OL, #2 Ethan Greenfield/THill, #3 DeAngelo Hardy and #4 Luke Lehnen.

Lehnen has great stats (70% and 188 efficiency) but if you break out his stats off play action and RPO from his ability in straight pocket passing situations, you would see a different story (see MHB game last year). The bottom line is if MHB can stop the NCC running game, they are going to beat the Cardinals. Lehnen doesn't scare anyone as a drop back passer. That's not a slight because he is absolutely a great player in the context of the offense. I expect him to make some big plays today.

[USee]

Couldn't ask for a better start for NCC. 14-0 before MHB even ran a play. Dominating TOP in first half so far with a 21-7 lead. Long way to go.

[USee]

Kyle King and company are as advertised. NCC having a lot of trouble getting to King and covering the MHB WR's. NCC has to keep the foot on the gas in 2H.

[robertgoulet]

Kyle King and company are as advertised. NCC having a lot of trouble getting to King and covering the MHB WR's. NCC has to keep the foot on the gas in 2H.

Outside of Jordan I wouldn't say they've had trouble. Agreed they need to keep foot on the gas though.

[New Tradition]

Lehnen doesn't scare anyone as a drop back passer.

[hazzben]

Kyle King and company are as advertised. NCC having a lot of trouble getting to King and covering the MHB WR's. NCC has to keep the foot on the gas in 2H.

Outside of Jordan I wouldn't say they've had trouble. Agreed they need to keep foot on the gas though.

Feels like the opposite of the Bethel game. Jordan wasn't a problem for us but King was.

[hazzben]

NCC line play as advertised. Oof!!!

[WRMUalum13]

Woah. Feels like an inverse of the Stagg Bowl, unless MHB starts making plays pretty quick this is looking like a blowout

[USee]

Kyle King and company are as advertised. NCC having a lot of trouble getting to King and covering the MHB WR's. NCC has to keep the foot on the gas in 2H.

Outside of Jordan I wouldn't say they've had trouble. Agreed they need to keep foot on the gas though.

At half it was Jordan 5 targets and 4 catches, Miller 4 targets 3 catches, Day 2 targets 2 catches.

[hazzben]

The physicality of this semi seems to be a degree higher.

[kiko]

The physicality of this semi seems to be a degree higher.

Agreed.  But even with that, one thing I noticed from the very start is that, after the whistle, guys on both sides were consistently helping their opponents up or patting them on the helmet.  The PF was an anomaly.  There's clearly a lot of respect between these two teams.

[Cru Mike]

Congrats NCC. Go win it all!

[hazzben]

The physicality of this semi seems to be a degree higher.

Agreed.  But even with that, one thing I noticed from the very start is that, after the whistle, guys on both sides were consistently helping their opponents up or patting them on the helmet.  The PF was an anomaly.  There's clearly a lot of respect between these two teams.

Had the exact same thought. And noticed the same last week down in Belton. Great players, classier men.

[robertgoulet]

Did not expect that.