FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[CarollFan]

Since we are heading into the last week of the season, wondering what everyone's thoughts are on the CCIW DPOY?

My guess is NCC will nominate either BJ Adamchik or John (JP) Sullivan. Last year's winner, Martin Egbo, has been banged up and doesn't have the stats to repeat imo.  I assume other names in the running just based off CCIW statistical leaders are Peter Johanik from Wheaton, Zach McNees from IWU, & Jaydin Miller from NP.

I think it's between Johanik, Sullivan and McNees.

[USee]

For DPOY it's almost certainly going to be whomever Brad Spencer nominates from NCC. I don't think there is anyone else reasonably close in that conversation.

[USee]

I watched WashU v NPU. While I have my questions about some of WashU's strategy choices I think they played pretty well. 1 turnover, similar run/pass ratio to their season average, held their opponent right at their defensive scoring average. I just think NPU deserves a lot of credit for going toe to toe with them. Kyle Rooker was allowed to put his best players in position to make plays, and those players executed. Eck completed 64% of his throws, wasn't sacked and had 316 yds (over his per game aveage). McCloud had 10 catches for 111 yds, Ombogo caught 5 for 103 and 2 huge TD's. Marcel Love had 9 catches and a TD. THose are Eck's guys and they did their thing. Defensively, NPU's leading tacklers and pass defenders were also the leaders in that game. Their guys made plays and that's why it was close.

If anything I thought WashU should have run Hamilton more as well as challenge those WR's at the LOS, but WashU tried to do what they do in every game and it worked out at the end. Kudos to both teams on a well played game.

[GusD]

Wheaton might not make the playoffs if they win. But it's a 100% certainly they won't get in if they lose. They're not going to let that happen. Additionally, consider the fact NPU has only won once away from home this season.

Wheaton  55
North Pk 14

[Cardinal773]

DPOY talk... Middle linebackers are kind of the QBs of the defense.  They're going to get the lion's share of recognition because they get the bigger stat totals. Adamchik and Miller have been solid at that position for their respective teams.  Miller has made some heroic plays for a team that has been down to the wire in almost every game they've played.  Adamchik is not as fiercely relied upon by his particular team.  They need him, but the other pieces -relatively speaking- are there for NCC. For this, I feel like Miller will take home the prize. Although...

I don't remember who it was, but a while back, someone said there was a kid who was going to "wreck shop" on the d-line.  That phrase, "wreck shop", gives me a chuckle.  But it's also such a great descriptor for a good defensive player.  The stats for being a pain in the ass for an offense are hard to quantify, but when you're talking about who's really giving teams fits, I think Sullivan is that guy.  He hasn't had to be the guy every down in every quarter of every game like Miller had to be, but he's nasty.  He's my pick for DPOY.

OPOY pick: Lehnen.  If you think anyone else deserves that accolade, you're high.  Put your bonga down, you're seeing things that ain't there.

[CarollFan]

LB would break recent trend. Last LB was 2018 Eric Stevenson (Wheaton).
2019 and 2021 was Dallas McRae - Wheaton DL
2022 where co-dpoy, Don Larson - NCC DL and Alex Perkins - Millikin DE
2023 Margo Egbo - NCC DL

I agree on Miller and I know they just don't base on stats but there are like 7 LB's ahead of him in tackles including another NPU LB, Egan Bender.

[USee]

Wheaton might not make the playoffs if they win. But it's a 100% certainly they won't get in if they lose. They're not going to let that happen. Additionally, consider the fact NPU has only won once away from home this season.

Wheaton  55
North Pk 14

Based on what I know I would be shocked if the game was more than 3 scores and I am sure I am in the minority here when I say I think there is a better chance of NPU winning this game than Wheaton winning by 41 pts. NPU is a much  better team than most people assume. I say this having spent a considerable amount of time watching their games.

[Ccrfer]

My Eighth grade self was at the 1979 Vikings 10-7 win at Wheaton.  While I'd love to root for a repeat performance, a loss will lower Wheaties NPI and could potentially cost my Cardinals a #1 playoff seeding.

Go Thunder?

[Gregory Sager]

Since we are heading into the last week of the season, wondering what everyone's thoughts are on the CCIW DPOY?

My guess is NCC will nominate either BJ Adamchik or John (JP) Sullivan. Last year's winner, Martin Egbo, has been banged up and doesn't have the stats to repeat imo.  I assume other names in the running just based off CCIW statistical leaders are Peter Johanik from Wheaton, Zach McNees from IWU, & Jaydin Miller from NP.

I think it's between Johanik, Sullivan and McNees.

Agree. I don't think that NPU's Jaydin Miller will get it, because teams have run away from him all season long and he thus hasn't been able to put up the necessary numbers. His fellow senior LB Egan Bender has been a tackling machine all season long as a result.

[Gregory Sager]

My Eighth grade self was at the 1979 Vikings 10-7 win at Wheaton.  While I'd love to root for a repeat performance, a loss will lower Wheaties NPI and could potentially cost my Cardinals a #1 playoff seeding.

Go Thunder?

My Thirteenth-grade self missed that game, but my considerably-older-than-Thirteenth-grade self just looked it up in the archives of NPU's school newspaper and learned that that 1979 Vikings win was played at Wheaton Central HS. Nothing makes me feel older than when I discover that a North Park game played during my college years was held at a high school that closed over two decades ago.

It's a bit sad to read game stories about that 1979 North Park team that seemingly by magic won four straight CCIW games, only to lose their last four and finish the season 4-5, because two Viking Hall of Famers, QB Scott Groot and RB Gary Cassady, figure so prominently in them. Both were taken before their time by cancer. Cassady, who was my friend, classmate, and next-door-neighbor in the dorm, was only 35 years old when he passed.

[Crusader92]

At the half - Wheaton 49, North Park 7

[GusD]

Wheaton might not make the playoffs if they win. But it's a 100% certainly they won't get in if they lose. They're not going to let that happen. Additionally, consider the fact NPU has only won once away from home this season.

Wheaton  55
North Pk 14

Based on what I know I would be shocked if the game was more than 3 scores and I am sure I am in the minority here when I say I think there is a better chance of NPU winning this game than Wheaton winning by 41 pts. NPU is a much  better team than most people assume. I say this having spent a considerable amount of time watching their games.

At the half - Wheaton 49, North Park 7

Have to admit I thought it would take the entire game for the Wheaties to attain a 41 (or more) point advantage. Didn't figure they would do it by halftime. 

[USee]

GusD-You are a genius. Gustrodamus. Congratulations.

Depauw wins over Wabash
JCU leads Marietta by 21 in 3rd
Both these games are huge for the Thunder if JCU holds.

Other games currently falling Wheaton's way but time left
UWP leads at half
River Falls leads at half
CMU is in a battle late with Case western

[CarollFan]

Other CCIW finals

WashU 45 Augie 24
Carroll 27 Carthage 7

For Wheaton's NPI, I think all favorites winning is best.
NCC and Elmhurst lead their games.

[USee]

another surprising score that would really help the Thunder:

Southwestern 10 Texas Lutheran 0 4th quarter

Texas Lutheran is the #11 Pool C as of this morning.