FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Stagg Again!!]

Here's hoping that NCC will take Mount lightly and be somewhat over-confident. Possible?

There's likely not a team in the country the Cardinals want to play more than Mount.  How often do you get an opportunity to play the best on the biggest stage?  North Central is on a mission.  They learned last year that a very good season means nothing if you don't finish.  Be mindful Raider68... this NCC team is very different than what Mount has seen in the three prior matchups. 

[rscl70]

Just throwing this out there.......does anyone know, or there a way to research the most dominant playoff run in d3 history?

Cardinal Dad - I'm sure there would be lots of opinions on this and what NCC has done this year would surely rank right up there, if they finish it out this weekend by winning the Stagg Bowl.  MHB last year was pretty dominant during their run to the championship and teams like Mt Union and UWW have had those types of runs, as well.  One that is personal to me is the run that we had at Augie in the 1986 playoffs, which we finished off by winning our 4th Stagg Bowl in a row, something that no other team in D3 has been able to accomplish (although Mt Union has been close a couple of times).  Back then, it was only a 16 team field, so we played four games to win the championship.  We beat Hope in the first round 34-10 at Hope, played Mt Union in the second round at Mt Union and won 16-7.  Game was not as close as the score would indicate as we dominated defensively against the top ranked offense in D3, holding them to 170 yards total offense and only 15 yards in the 2nd half.  We kicked 3 FG's inside of Mt's 10 yard line to provide the winning margin.  In the semi's, we beat Concordia, MN 41-7, leading 41-0 at the half.  In the Stagg, we shut down the #2 ranked offense in the country in Salisbury State and won that game 31 -3.  On the defensive side of the ball, we played 4 games against some of the best offenses in the country and gave up a total of 27 points and an average of 42 yards rushing and 170 yards passing, per game.  We also recorded 16 interceptions and 4 fumble recoveries, averaging 5 TO's per game.  On the Offensive side, we did what we would typically do and just ground the opposing D's down with our rushing attack and dominated on TOP.  We even managed to throw for 112 yards in the Mt Union game, against a very good Mt Defense. 

I'm certainly cheering for NCC this weekend to finish off the great run they are having this season and in the playoffs and to bring the National Championship back to the CCIW.  Go Cards!

How about this one?  https://athletics.mountunion.edu/sports/football/schedule/2002

[Raider 68]

Here's hoping that NCC will take Mount lightly and be somewhat over-confident. Possible?

There's likely not a team in the country the Cardinals want to play more than Mount.  How often do you get an opportunity to play the best on the biggest stage?  North Central is on a mission.  They learned last year that a very good season means nothing if you don't finish.  Be mindful Raider68... this NCC team is very different than what Mount has seen in the three prior matchups. 

Stagg,

Then we have two teams on a mission. These seniors have not won a Stagg Bowl and all their their focus this year is getting back
there. But, you are correct,  having a great season means very little if you do not finish!

[cardinaldad]

Just throwing this out there.......does anyone know, or there a way to research the most dominant playoff run in d3 history?

Cardinal Dad - I'm sure there would be lots of opinions on this and what NCC has done this year would surely rank right up there, if they finish it out this weekend by winning the Stagg Bowl.  MHB last year was pretty dominant during their run to the championship and teams like Mt Union and UWW have had those types of runs, as well.  One that is personal to me is the run that we had at Augie in the 1986 playoffs, which we finished off by winning our 4th Stagg Bowl in a row, something that no other team in D3 has been able to accomplish (although Mt Union has been close a couple of times).  Back then, it was only a 16 team field, so we played four games to win the championship.  We beat Hope in the first round 34-10 at Hope, played Mt Union in the second round at Mt Union and won 16-7.  Game was not as close as the score would indicate as we dominated defensively against the top ranked offense in D3, holding them to 170 yards total offense and only 15 yards in the 2nd half.  We kicked 3 FG's inside of Mt's 10 yard line to provide the winning margin.  In the semi's, we beat Concordia, MN 41-7, leading 41-0 at the half.  In the Stagg, we shut down the #2 ranked offense in the country in Salisbury State and won that game 31 -3.  On the defensive side of the ball, we played 4 games against some of the best offenses in the country and gave up a total of 27 points and an average of 42 yards rushing and 170 yards passing, per game.  We also recorded 16 interceptions and 4 fumble recoveries, averaging 5 TO's per game.  On the Offensive side, we did what we would typically do and just ground the opposing D's down with our rushing attack and dominated on TOP.  We even managed to throw for 112 yards in the Mt Union game, against a very good Mt Defense. 

I'm certainly cheering for NCC this weekend to finish off the great run they are having this season and in the playoffs and to bring the National Championship back to the CCIW.  Go Cards!

How about this one?  https://athletics.mountunion.edu/sports/football/schedule/2002

[cardinaldad]

That's definitely a great run!

[Ralph Turner]

Here's hoping that NCC will take Mount lightly and be somewhat over-confident. Possible?

Bornpowerindex, usually the most accurate index on the ASC Pick'ems board, has NCC as 15-point favorites.

Born has had NCC rated extremely high all season.

Born had NCC a 23 point favorite over UMHB last week! It is very hard to imagine an index predicting a "Monkey-Stomp", this far into the playoffs.

[USee]

NCC v Mt Union

Most believe NCC is a double digit favorite. Presumably that's because of a combination of what's transpired to date. Here is a list of things that go into that "presumption". NCC pounded MHB by 35 pts, they beat Mt Union in Alliance the last two years and now play on a neutral field, they have run the ball for 300 yds on everybody, they held MHB offense to 14 pts, Mt Union has struggled against a couple OAC opponents and squeaked past Wartburg, Mt Union hasn't been as dominant this year or the last few years, etc, etc.

I can see why the Cardinals are the favorites (perhaps heavy favorites) for Friday night. While I think NCC is the likely winner, and it wouldn't surprise many if they win by more than a couple TD's, I am going to present the case for how I believe Mt Union can win based on what I have seen.

Let's start with the elephant in the room. Last year NCC rushed for 300 yds against Mt Union and the Raiders simply got punished. This year many of the same players return. This is the #1 defensive team in the land and the #1 rush defense. But last year they were the #9 defense and #12 rush defense so that doesn't matter as NCC just punishes teams. Mt Union stops the run with smaller, quicker guys and a lot of movement up front on defense. They also play a lot of Man and "Cover 4" all of which brings extra players in the form of safeties to the LOS in the run game. The problem with NCC is their running game is a power game. They double team the point of attack and come downhill at you. You can't run around blocks and their style negates speed. Someone has to be able to defeat a block and make a tackle. Geoff Dartt is a smart coach (He actually was the OL coach along with Jesse Scott at Wheaton for a few years about 10 years ago). He isn't going to sit back and let NCC run the ball down their throat without a plan. I believe Mt Union's best chance is to consistently have at least 1 or 2 extra defenders in the box on every snap and bring lots of different type of pressure to try and get penetration, which can affect the run game. With 7+ defenders in the box you can do a lot of different looks and pressures and you have extra guys to stop the run. I also believe they can do that and still provide a safety over the top of DeAngelo Hardy who is the only legitimate deep threat for the Cardinals. So expect a lot of stunts and blitzes and if Mt Union is successful, you will see guys in the NCC backfield and Lehnen will be on the run. If Mt can get some stops for little to no gain on 1st and second down and force NCC into 3rd and long, they will have the advantage. The downside of that strategy is it lends itself to big plays for NCC in the run game and the pass game if you don't get home (blitzes that don't work open up huge cutback lanes for runs and underneath pass routes). Its high risk, high reward. No way Mt goes into this game with anything other than an aggressive defensive mindset and the idea to outnumber the Cardinals at the LOS.

Offensively, Mt brings in the #3 scoring offense (last year against NCC they had the #9 scoring offense). This NCC defense has faced 2 top offenses in MHB (ranked #11 before last week) and Wheaton (ranked #5). MHB scored 14 and Wheaton scored 20. Wartburg's defense was #2 overall and #7 scoring defense and Mt Union put up 34. I think Mt Union can score in the 20's against NCC. If they can get over 30 they have a chance. Braxton Plunk is a stud. he is the best QB in D3 this year and I believe he will win the Gagliardi. What I like about Plunk is that he takes what you give him. Last week against Wartburg's tough defense, he completed 12 in a row at one point, all check down routes. He also took his shots deep when they presented themselves. Kyle King for MHB likes to throw it down the field and was a little impatient last week. Plunk has the mindset to chip away at a defense and move the chains. If Mt can muster just enough of a run game like they did last week (80 yds) and take the ball control throws, they can control the clock and move the ball and I believe they can score. Having a talented WR core led by Wayne Ruby certainly helps. I also think the Mt Union OL is a strong group but Plunk will get the ball out and frustrate the NCC DL and if the NCC db's come up to take away the short throws, Plunk will know to try to hit them deep.

If I am Coach Dartt, that's my gameplan. Crowd the LOS on defense with extra guys and see if Lehnen can beat you with his arm before you get to him. And then control the clock on offense with short throws and enough running to move the chains. No turnovers and a clean kicking game. I would feel very uneasy about the first part of that plan (crowd the ball on defense) But I really don't see another gameplan that works. Carnegie Mellon and Wheaton gave up the fewest rush yards at 273 and 276 and those were also the closest games NCC has played. Every other team has given up over 300 yds on the ground.

The NCC wins score is probably something like 34-17. The Mt Union wins score is 34-31 just like last week.

[USee]

Just throwing this out there.......does anyone know, or there a way to research the most dominant playoff run in d3 history?

Cardinal Dad - I'm sure there would be lots of opinions on this and what NCC has done this year would surely rank right up there, if they finish it out this weekend by winning the Stagg Bowl.  MHB last year was pretty dominant during their run to the championship and teams like Mt Union and UWW have had those types of runs, as well.  One that is personal to me is the run that we had at Augie in the 1986 playoffs, which we finished off by winning our 4th Stagg Bowl in a row, something that no other team in D3 has been able to accomplish (although Mt Union has been close a couple of times).  Back then, it was only a 16 team field, so we played four games to win the championship.  We beat Hope in the first round 34-10 at Hope, played Mt Union in the second round at Mt Union and won 16-7.  Game was not as close as the score would indicate as we dominated defensively against the top ranked offense in D3, holding them to 170 yards total offense and only 15 yards in the 2nd half.  We kicked 3 FG's inside of Mt's 10 yard line to provide the winning margin.  In the semi's, we beat Concordia, MN 41-7, leading 41-0 at the half.  In the Stagg, we shut down the #2 ranked offense in the country in Salisbury State and won that game 31 -3.  On the defensive side of the ball, we played 4 games against some of the best offenses in the country and gave up a total of 27 points and an average of 42 yards rushing and 170 yards passing, per game.  We also recorded 16 interceptions and 4 fumble recoveries, averaging 5 TO's per game.  On the Offensive side, we did what we would typically do and just ground the opposing D's down with our rushing attack and dominated on TOP.  We even managed to throw for 112 yards in the Mt Union game, against a very good Mt Defense. 

I'm certainly cheering for NCC this weekend to finish off the great run they are having this season and in the playoffs and to bring the National Championship back to the CCIW.  Go Cards!

Hey Augie 6,

Since we seem to be taking a walk down memory lane and you have such a clear and vivid memory of all the games and plays that happened back in 1986 which resulted in Augies dominant playoff run and unprecedented 4th straight Natty, why don't you walk us through the Wheaton @ Augie game  in Rock Island from that year? Don't leave out the part about the homer high school refs! Not that I'm still bitter.

[Ralph Turner]

NCC fans,
Looking forward to the rematch between UMHB and the Cardinals.

With respect to last year's Stagg Bowl, I imagine those games like a 2000-team, 10-round single elimination video game tournament. There is no doubt about the quality of the players.
The teams slug it out, exchanging blow after blow. The spectators are in a frenzy of excitement as to which one wins. High stakes are on the outcome.

Suddenly, one team strikes a mighty blow, and then another. There is a huge splash of CGI animation. The screen in filled with the widest of imagery. Momentum shifts. There is plenty of time left in the contest. The players on one team now want to strike another blow so they can tell their grandkids how successful they were in the world championship. And, in real time, the dutiful, loyal backup QB playing his last game even is given a chance of a lifetime to make a memory... and does. On that day, two teams left it all on the playing field. Isn't that fun, and admirable!

Anyone who has ever strapped on a helmet just wants to compete against the best. Play hard. Play fair. Enjoy the contest.

The NCC UMHB rematch was a CGI animators delight! (It is hard to beat a team the 2nd time in a row, and the animators were anticipating a retribution of sorts.) The animators started salivating when NCC had a 14-0 lead before UMHB ran an offensive play. The CRU tried to edge back into the game, but NCC stopping UMHB in the red zone (a nice graphic as the NCC defense flexed its muscles), at the end of the 1st half, saw the accentuation of the feat by blocking a gimme FG attempt, (another CGI graphic explosion). Momentum Cardinals.

The INT to start the 3Q was another graphic smackdown by the animators in the proverbial video game. POW!, WHAM! POW! The rout was on except in the opposite direction from the 2021 Stagg. Rectification of the pecking order! (I guess a Cardinal is pretty good at pecking its prey.)

Looking forward to a good Stagg Bowl.

[Augie6]

Just throwing this out there.......does anyone know, or there a way to research the most dominant playoff run in d3 history?

Cardinal Dad - I'm sure there would be lots of opinions on this and what NCC has done this year would surely rank right up there, if they finish it out this weekend by winning the Stagg Bowl.  MHB last year was pretty dominant during their run to the championship and teams like Mt Union and UWW have had those types of runs, as well.  One that is personal to me is the run that we had at Augie in the 1986 playoffs, which we finished off by winning our 4th Stagg Bowl in a row, something that no other team in D3 has been able to accomplish (although Mt Union has been close a couple of times).  Back then, it was only a 16 team field, so we played four games to win the championship.  We beat Hope in the first round 34-10 at Hope, played Mt Union in the second round at Mt Union and won 16-7.  Game was not as close as the score would indicate as we dominated defensively against the top ranked offense in D3, holding them to 170 yards total offense and only 15 yards in the 2nd half.  We kicked 3 FG's inside of Mt's 10 yard line to provide the winning margin.  In the semi's, we beat Concordia, MN 41-7, leading 41-0 at the half.  In the Stagg, we shut down the #2 ranked offense in the country in Salisbury State and won that game 31 -3.  On the defensive side of the ball, we played 4 games against some of the best offenses in the country and gave up a total of 27 points and an average of 42 yards rushing and 170 yards passing, per game.  We also recorded 16 interceptions and 4 fumble recoveries, averaging 5 TO's per game.  On the Offensive side, we did what we would typically do and just ground the opposing D's down with our rushing attack and dominated on TOP.  We even managed to throw for 112 yards in the Mt Union game, against a very good Mt Defense. 

I'm certainly cheering for NCC this weekend to finish off the great run they are having this season and in the playoffs and to bring the National Championship back to the CCIW.  Go Cards!

Hey Augie 6,

Since we seem to be taking a walk down memory lane and you have such a clear and vivid memory of all the games and plays that happened back in 1986 which resulted in Augies dominant playoff run and unprecedented 4th straight Natty, why don't you walk us through the Wheaton @ Augie game  in Rock Island from that year? Don't leave out the part about the homer high school refs! Not that I'm still bitter.

Hey USee - In the past, I've had a few discussions on the board with Mugsy about that game, and I know it's a bad memory for you Wheaton guys (much like the Elmhurst game for us that season, still have nightmares about that one  ).  Honestly, I wasn't watching the last drive and didn't see the FG that won the game at the end.  I was just listening for crowd reactions.  I still have the video from the game, but it isn't of high enough quality tell if our receiver caught that pass on 4th down or not.  For what it's worth,  that game was the turning point in our season, as things started to click for us, particularly on the offensive side of the ball, following that game. We really weren't challenged the remainder of that season. 

[New Tradition]

Just throwing this out there.......does anyone know, or there a way to research the most dominant playoff run in d3 history?

Cardinal Dad - I'm sure there would be lots of opinions on this and what NCC has done this year would surely rank right up there, if they finish it out this weekend by winning the Stagg Bowl.  MHB last year was pretty dominant during their run to the championship and teams like Mt Union and UWW have had those types of runs, as well.  One that is personal to me is the run that we had at Augie in the 1986 playoffs, which we finished off by winning our 4th Stagg Bowl in a row, something that no other team in D3 has been able to accomplish (although Mt Union has been close a couple of times).  Back then, it was only a 16 team field, so we played four games to win the championship.  We beat Hope in the first round 34-10 at Hope, played Mt Union in the second round at Mt Union and won 16-7.  Game was not as close as the score would indicate as we dominated defensively against the top ranked offense in D3, holding them to 170 yards total offense and only 15 yards in the 2nd half.  We kicked 3 FG's inside of Mt's 10 yard line to provide the winning margin.  In the semi's, we beat Concordia, MN 41-7, leading 41-0 at the half.  In the Stagg, we shut down the #2 ranked offense in the country in Salisbury State and won that game 31 -3.  On the defensive side of the ball, we played 4 games against some of the best offenses in the country and gave up a total of 27 points and an average of 42 yards rushing and 170 yards passing, per game.  We also recorded 16 interceptions and 4 fumble recoveries, averaging 5 TO's per game.  On the Offensive side, we did what we would typically do and just ground the opposing D's down with our rushing attack and dominated on TOP.  We even managed to throw for 112 yards in the Mt Union game, against a very good Mt Defense. 

I'm certainly cheering for NCC this weekend to finish off the great run they are having this season and in the playoffs and to bring the National Championship back to the CCIW.  Go Cards!

Every one of these stats is more insane than the last. Holy smoly!

[cardinaldad]

Just throwing this out there.......does anyone know, or there a way to research the most dominant playoff run in d3 history?

Cardinal Dad - I'm sure there would be lots of opinions on this and what NCC has done this year would surely rank right up there, if they finish it out this weekend by winning the Stagg Bowl.  MHB last year was pretty dominant during their run to the championship and teams like Mt Union and UWW have had those types of runs, as well.  One that is personal to me is the run that we had at Augie in the 1986 playoffs, which we finished off by winning our 4th Stagg Bowl in a row, something that no other team in D3 has been able to accomplish (although Mt Union has been close a couple of times).  Back then, it was only a 16 team field, so we played four games to win the championship.  We beat Hope in the first round 34-10 at Hope, played Mt Union in the second round at Mt Union and won 16-7.  Game was not as close as the score would indicate as we dominated defensively against the top ranked offense in D3, holding them to 170 yards total offense and only 15 yards in the 2nd half.  We kicked 3 FG's inside of Mt's 10 yard line to provide the winning margin.  In the semi's, we beat Concordia, MN 41-7, leading 41-0 at the half.  In the Stagg, we shut down the #2 ranked offense in the country in Salisbury State and won that game 31 -3.  On the defensive side of the ball, we played 4 games against some of the best offenses in the country and gave up a total of 27 points and an average of 42 yards rushing and 170 yards passing, per game.  We also recorded 16 interceptions and 4 fumble recoveries, averaging 5 TO's per game.  On the Offensive side, we did what we would typically do and just ground the opposing D's down with our rushing attack and dominated on TOP.  We even managed to throw for 112 yards in the Mt Union game, against a very good Mt Defense. 

I'm certainly cheering for NCC this weekend to finish off the great run they are having this season and in the playoffs and to bring the National Championship back to the CCIW.  Go Cards!

Augie6, very impressive indeed! I'm well aware of the Angie dominance back in the day. I've been kind of following Angie since one of my high school teammates played there in the late 70's. Also in my mind is the last BEATING they gave NCC, 65-0, back in '02!! Thanks for cheering us on!!

[hazzben]

Just throwing this out there.......does anyone know, or there a way to research the most dominant playoff run in d3 history?

Cardinal Dad - I'm sure there would be lots of opinions on this and what NCC has done this year would surely rank right up there, if they finish it out this weekend by winning the Stagg Bowl.  MHB last year was pretty dominant during their run to the championship and teams like Mt Union and UWW have had those types of runs, as well.  One that is personal to me is the run that we had at Augie in the 1986 playoffs, which we finished off by winning our 4th Stagg Bowl in a row, something that no other team in D3 has been able to accomplish (although Mt Union has been close a couple of times).  Back then, it was only a 16 team field, so we played four games to win the championship.  We beat Hope in the first round 34-10 at Hope, played Mt Union in the second round at Mt Union and won 16-7.  Game was not as close as the score would indicate as we dominated defensively against the top ranked offense in D3, holding them to 170 yards total offense and only 15 yards in the 2nd half.  We kicked 3 FG's inside of Mt's 10 yard line to provide the winning margin.  In the semi's, we beat Concordia, MN 41-7, leading 41-0 at the half.  In the Stagg, we shut down the #2 ranked offense in the country in Salisbury State and won that game 31 -3.  On the defensive side of the ball, we played 4 games against some of the best offenses in the country and gave up a total of 27 points and an average of 42 yards rushing and 170 yards passing, per game.  We also recorded 16 interceptions and 4 fumble recoveries, averaging 5 TO's per game.  On the Offensive side, we did what we would typically do and just ground the opposing D's down with our rushing attack and dominated on TOP.  We even managed to throw for 112 yards in the Mt Union game, against a very good Mt Defense. 

I'm certainly cheering for NCC this weekend to finish off the great run they are having this season and in the playoffs and to bring the National Championship back to the CCIW.  Go Cards!

How about this one?  https://athletics.mountunion.edu/sports/football/schedule/2002

It's an impressive run, but it lacks dominance against the top teams IMO. Trinity was playing without their AA QB in the Stagg. If it was that kind of score or a score like the Wheaton game, and Trinity having a full arsenal, I'd put it up there.

[Pat Coleman]

Mount Union was going to win that game even if Roy Hampton quarterbacked.

[HScoach]

Mount Union was going to win that game even if Roy Hampton quarterbacked.

And win it easily.  Trinity was way over matched physically.