FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[WRMUalum13]

Everything I thought I knew about D3 football was wrong

[Ice Bear]

Congratulations to NCC on yet another amazing season. The heart, talent, and sweat both teams left on the field tonight is what football is all about. I've said it before and I'll say it again, all the respect in the world to NCC because they earn it year in and year out. That was one hell of a football game. For me, with my absolute love of D3 football above all other sports, that was the best sporting event I've ever watched in my 47 years on this planet.

[CardinalAlum]

Congrats to Cortland! They played a great game and did what they had to do. Disappointed in the outcome but proud as hell of the NCC Football program and Coach Spencer. 

[jdex]

Closest D3 title game in history. Central (Iowa) beat Ithaca by two points in 1974.

AND the qb on that Ithaca team?? JERRY BOYES -- Zac's Dad!!

[robertgoulet]

The 3 empty possessions to open the game were ultimately the difference. Can't rack up that kind of yardage against a good offensive team and not put points on the board. Congrats to Cortland and the Cardinals.

[robertgoulet]

Probably should have stuck with the original playcall on the 2-point conversion, or stuck with the misdirection. The play was far too telegraphed.

A little more patience from Lehnen and it looked like he had a huge hole available on the cutback. I did like the first playcall better as well.

Don't think they'd have been able to stop Cortland from at least getting into FG range though so probably moot!

[New Tradition]

Don't think they'd have been able to stop Cortland from at least getting into FG range though so probably moot!

I think you're right. They missed Walker and Egbo dearly. Tough to play an offense like that without your 2 All American defensive players. Casualties of that meat grinder the Cards had to wade through to get to Salem.

[CuriousCCIWfan]

My heart goes out to the Cardinals. I am a Wheaton dad, and I was rooting for your victory throughout the tournament. What an amazing championship game, and you did the CCIW proud. Cortland played a flawless game, and missing the final 2-pt conversion is a heart-breaker. That happened to us against Bethel last year and it is something you think about all year long - it will have you second-guessing about everything. From my perspective, every game you had to play in the tournament (Except for Belhaven) was like preparing for war, and you could almost feel the fatigue after the Wartburg game on all the players. Being without your CCIW defensive player of the year, and your exceptional corner was a killer for your defense. All I know is that having NCC in the league (both in the CCIW and having them as a Goliath to face in the national tournament) makes every team better, and each player put out thier best effort. Case in point was Zac Boyes, he had to pull out his best effort to win. My son, Gio Weeks, had to mentally prepare himself for two weeks just to face NCC. All this to say, you have nothing to hang your heads about, yes there is heartbreak, but you made D3 a better product on the National Stage.

[cardinaldad]

My heart goes out to the Cardinals. I am a Wheaton dad, and I was rooting for your victory throughout the tournament. What an amazing championship game, and you did the CCIW proud. Cortland played a flawless game, and missing the final 2-pt conversion is a heart-breaker. That happened to us against Bethel last year and it is something you think about all year long - it will have you second-guessing about everything. From my perspective, every game you had to play in the tournament (Except for Belhaven) was like preparing for war, and you could almost feel the fatigue after the Wartburg game on all the players. Being without your CCIW defensive player of the year, and your exceptional corner was a killer for your defense. All I know is that having NCC in the league (both in the CCIW and having them as a Goliath to face in the national tournament) makes every team better, and each player put out thier best effort. Case in point was Zac Boyes, he had to pull out his best effort to win. My son, Gio Weeks, had to mentally prepare himself for two weeks just to face NCC. All this to say, you have nothing to hang your heads about, yes there is heartbreak, but you made D3 a better product on the National Stage.

Thank you for the kind words CuriousCCIWfan. You are correct in all of your post. Yes, it will sting for a long time and there is heartbreak. And yes, I'm sure there will be some second guessing. It did hurt not having those key players on defense. Yes, Cortland played, very, very well. I'm confident that the Cards will recover and use this experience in a positive way in the preparation for next season. AND, congrats to Gio for his appointment to the DIII Football All American 1st team. Well deserved!

[hazzben]

Closest D3 title game in history. Central (Iowa) beat Ithaca by two points in 1974.

AND the qb on that Ithaca team?? JERRY BOYES -- Zac's Dad!!

Wow, what a nugget. And then how does his son end up on the other side of the Cortaca Jug rivalry?!

Does NCC not have a great fg kicker? Felt like the first trip in the redzone especially but also the second were spots for some points.

Incredible game. So much talent on the field, tough way for it to end for NCC. It was a blast watching this NCC team play all season. Didn't expect this ending, and agree that missing two AA guys on D was a factor. But so was the mojo of Zac Boyes. He balled out.

[Jonny Utah]

Closest D3 title game in history. Central (Iowa) beat Ithaca by two points in 1974.

AND the qb on that Ithaca team?? JERRY BOYES -- Zac's Dad!!

Wow, what a nugget. And then how does his son end up on the other side of the Cortaca Jug rivalry?!

Does NCC not have a great fg kicker? Felt like the first trip in the redzone especially but also the second were spots for some points.

Incredible game. So much talent on the field, tough way for it to end for NCC. It was a blast watching this NCC team play all season. Didn't expect this ending, and agree that missing two AA guys on D was a factor. But so was the mojo of Zac Boyes. He balled out.

So back in 1993, legendary Ithaca HC Jim Butterfield announces his retirement.  Jerry Boyes had turned Buffalo St. into a great program and put in for the Ithaca job.  Mike Welch was the DC at Ithaca in 1993 and also an IC grad and also put in for it. Well Mike Welch got the job and the rumor is Jerry Boyes was not happy about it.  He stayed in the Buffalo area and raised a family there.  His son goes to Cortland and here we are. 

[robertgoulet]

Closest D3 title game in history. Central (Iowa) beat Ithaca by two points in 1974.

AND the qb on that Ithaca team?? JERRY BOYES -- Zac's Dad!!

Wow, what a nugget. And then how does his son end up on the other side of the Cortaca Jug rivalry?!

Does NCC not have a great fg kicker? Felt like the first trip in the redzone especially but also the second were spots for some points.

Incredible game. So much talent on the field, tough way for it to end for NCC. It was a blast watching this NCC team play all season. Didn't expect this ending, and agree that missing two AA guys on D was a factor. But so was the mojo of Zac Boyes. He balled out.

NCC kicker situation was bad enough that I was concerned about it costing them as the games got competitive.

Game reminded me a lot of NCC's first defeat of Mt Union. Just unreal QB play by Boyes.

[jdex]

Closest D3 title game in history. Central (Iowa) beat Ithaca by two points in 1974.

AND the qb on that Ithaca team?? JERRY BOYES -- Zac's Dad!!

Wow, what a nugget. And then how does his son end up on the other side of the Cortaca Jug rivalry?!

Does NCC not have a great fg kicker? Felt like the first trip in the redzone especially but also the second were spots for some points.

Incredible game. So much talent on the field, tough way for it to end for NCC. It was a blast watching this NCC team play all season. Didn't expect this ending, and agree that missing two AA guys on D was a factor. But so was the mojo of Zac Boyes. He balled out.

So back in 1993, legendary Ithaca HC Jim Butterfield announces his retirement.  Jerry Boyes had turned Buffalo St. into a great program and put in for the Ithaca job.  Mike Welch was the DC at Ithaca in 1993 and also an IC grad and also put in for it. Well Mike Welch got the job and the rumor is Jerry Boyes was not happy about it.  He stayed in the Buffalo area and raised a family there.  His son goes to Cortland and here we are.

More of the history ..... Jerry Boyes after his assistant's role at IC wanted to spread his wings, and in the '80s looked for head coaching position. One was open at Cortland -- resurrecting its program at the time. Job went to Denny Kayser. Runnerup for the post? One Jerry Boyes! Kayser found quick success while Boyes was hired at Buffalo St where he, too, found success. And as we've heard did indeed look at the IC job when 'Butts' retired. Jerry had two successful stints at Buff St. and was also AD. As a Cortlander, we always had great respect for Jerry who after playing days got a look as a D-back with the Cleveland Browns.
    Zac's performance was typical of the entire season.
     Also has a sister who's a Cortland grad, and a close Zac friend is decorated center Ryan Bitka whose father Terry played at Cortland and was longtime assistant coach at Buff St.

[Marmac]

NCC led at the half, scored 30 points in the second half, and rushed for 404 yards. The post-game focus was on the failed two-point attempt, but the offense was plenty good enough to win. NCC's 37 points are the most ever scored by the losing team in a Stagg Bowl.

NCC allowed 24+ points seven times this season. Last season, they never allowed more than 21 points in a game.

NCC's offense this season was the most dominating I've seen at the D3 level. Their defense was middling, however, and it ultimately wasn't good enough to win a national title.

[robertgoulet]

NCC led at the half, scored 30 points in the second half, and rushed for 404 yards. The post-game focus was on the failed two-point attempt, but the offense was plenty good enough to win. NCC's 37 points are the most ever scored by the losing team in a Stagg Bowl.

NCC allowed 24+ points seven times this season. Last season, they never allowed more than 21 points in a game.

NCC's offense this season was the most dominating I've seen at the D3 level. Their defense was middling, however, and it ultimately wasn't good enough to win a national title.

NCC lost AA DT Dan Lester early in the season. AA CB Antwain Walker in the early playoff rounds. CCIW DPOY DE Martin Egbo in the quarters. I think it's fair to say any defense losing that type of talent would likely face a steep drop off.