FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[robertgoulet]

few quick comments on the North Central game:

the defense looked really suspect against the pass...but i'm sure a lot of that has to do with the fact taht it was the first game....at least i hope so.

that was the most abuse i've ever seen a quarterback (or group of quarterbacks) take in a single game. i cannot believe that the BU QB kept getting back up. that said, the hit of the game may have been in the early 1st half when the BU tailback went around the right edge and got stood up....only to have a North Central LB hit him high and hard and send his helmet flying about 7 yds. it looked like a video game out there.

kam and tyke are just unbelievable.

the size of the North Central O-line is a little worrisome....their starting tackles size? LT is 6'0 220lbs., RT is 6'5 245lbs. not the beef you'd liek to see.

finally, the lack of a bigger RB/FB will have some effect in the redzone, they dont have the lead blockers for holden that they used to (fullerton/edgecomb).

i can't wait til wheaton comes to town in 3 weeks, i just hope we're still undefeated!

[devildog29]

Mugsy, in response to the "what is happening in Bloomington" question, as a former player I believe it boils down to IWU is not getting the football recruits they once did.  It has nothing to do with any administration or coaches shunning football for basketball.  I assure you Dennie Bridges as AD most definitely supports the football program.  Bottom line, they just aren't getting the talent they once had.

[blue_balls]

New NFL year...same Bears offense......The Bears offense.....is offensive....oh well, wait till next year....

[couchqb]

Some good insights.  I will say this, Benedictine is horrible.  Drawing any conclusions regarding NCC at this point is probably a waste of time.  I understand the need to get excited as well as worry, and I wasn't at the game, but I would assume it wasn't a game they were even up for in any sense of the word.  They'll be fine. 

I would not be excited about the victory vs. lakeland.  Carthage is supposed to be a top 15 team.  Yes, top 25 teams have scares, but I'm going to say carthage will have some trouble this year.  Besides, Lakeland had 5 Freshman on the field at one time in that game.

Interesting and insightful point from Mr. Jass, on the wristbands.  I would have never thought of or noted that.  I think you're right.  When I played, we had wristbands only for skill positions on offense, or for a recently moved or active player on either side of the ball.  From what I know of Augie's style, you'd figure they wouldn't want to have defenders in wristbands.  If they have good talent as you say, it must be due to the 5 defenses in 5 years.  Their head coach has  only been there 4 years, right?  I wonder why they can't find a scheme they like... I'd figure they feel like they need to change because they have no talent, but still, they've won.  It's an interesting chicken/egg thing.  Is their talent really good enough, or is it coaching?  Augie fans.. opinions?  Seems to me they must have talent on offense, and how often do you have good talent on offense but far less on defense in D3?  Really strange. 

[usee]

another note on IWU- they typically compete w other cciw schools on recruits in chicagoland. problem is, IWU is about as hard a school to get into as there is. the academic standards there have gone up and up over the years. no offense to the other cciw schools, which are quality institutions, but IWU is in a class above most cciw schools academically. wheaton is a different breed because of the christian atmosphere but is equally difficult. wheaton carves out a niche recruit that no one else appeals to because of this. IWU still competes w other cciw schools who can do more to get athletes in school

[devildog29]

usee, I agree.  Also, as I've posted before, in the 90's when a football recruit found himself at or just below the borderline for admittance, he may have gotten the benefit of the doubt by the admissions board.  Now, with the bar higher, those same recruits don't come close to qualifying.  Also, when in those years past, when coaches might have had a couple free "admissions exceptions" shall we say and maybe were given 3 or 4 special case acceptances, those no longer happen at the university.  If a recruit is on the bubble or slightly below the bubble, that recruit is no longer getting into the school even if he is a prized recruit.

[Jim Matson]

Just to pile on, the admissions standards at Wesleyan have indeed increased over the past 10 years.  What's interesting is that at roughly a 50% admission rate, the student body is still almost 90% Illinois kids.  Wheaton isn't the only school that has carved out a niche!

Nice win by Wheaton on Saturday.  Obviously the quality of play was low by last year's standards, but the ability to keep plugging away and finally win on the road was impressive.

[Redmen96]

You know what guys, it really doesn't matter what Carthage or any other CCIW team is ranked.  It is the win that puts the banner in the gym not the ranking.  You can't win a championship by ranking.  You gotta put it on the scoreboard.

[FootballMan]

carthage vs. lakeland was a very exciting game...........but it seemed to me the the officials were from the cciw and did not wont a lower ranked lakeland to knock of the 15th ranked redmen........lakeland has a very good team that is getting looked over.  I am very excited to see their team down the road

[washdupcard]

USee good observation.

[Sterny]

Seems to me after listening to the Wheaton game and reading the Carthage game write-up that turnovers played a big part in both teams "troubles".  Maybe not too unusual for the first game or two of the year and I don't think it really is predictive of anything.  Wheaton did, if I remember correctly, have a little problem in the turnover department last year though.

Sterny

[Titan Q]

In basketball IWU can still get the talent it needs to compete in the CCIW because in hoops you really just need 1 or 2 studs (1st or 2nd team All-CCIW types) in each class to go along with some solid role players.  So if you get Adam Dauksas and Keelan Amelianovich in one class, then Zach Freeman in the next (and some decent players around them), you're set for 3 years.

Football is obviously much different due to the numbers involved.  A team that is going to contend in the CCIW every year has to bring in at least 5 All-Conference caliber players in each class.  

As mentioned above, IWU recruits the same kids that everyone else in the CCIW does - kids from the state with heavy emphasis on the Chicago area (unlike Wheaton which definitely has its own niche).  As IWU's admissions requirements and total costs continue to escalate, I think it is now losing a lot of recruiting battles that it for a long time was winning.


IWU All-Conference Players, last 5 years:

2000: 11 (6 seniors, 1 junior, 3 soph, 1 fresh)
2001: 10 (4 seniors, 5 juniors, 1 soph)
2002: 11 (6 seniors, 2 juniors,  3 soph)
2003: 4 (1 senior, 2 juniors, 1 soph)
2004: 7 (5 seniors, 1 junior, 1 soph)


Illinois Wesleyan will price and ACT its way out of the CCIW football picture for good if it doesn't take a real good look at things soon.

[RedmenFB44]

Carthage vs. Lakeland Review

It was a last second decision for me to come to this game. I had a good feeling that Carthage was going to pull this game out. I wasnt so sure after last weekend. Carthage was down 13-0 and had nothing going for them. Carthage finally got on the board with a touchdown pass by Sharp and then on the next Lakeland series, Carthage blocked the punt and returned it for a touchdown. A field goal by Lakeland late in the 3rd quarter gave them a 16-13 lead. Carthage then closed out the scoring with a 6 yard touchdown run by Namon Johnson. Final: Carthage-20 Lakeland-16

Offense:
The offense still struggled throughout the game but it was a little better than last weekend. The freshman (O'Boyle) started and played well. He will be the future QB of this team. Then at some point in the 3rd quarter, they took O'Boyle out and put Sharp in. I dont know why but it did give their offense a little spark. Still too many drops by receivers but Carthage's #1 wideout (B.J. O' Donnell) made a great catch that keep a well needed drive going. Carthage did fumble the ball 7 times and lost 4 of them. That will not stand in the CCIW. Namon Johnson had 59 yards on 32 carries. The Lakeland defense had his number. Tyson Mengel (backup tailback) had 107 yards on only 6 carries. Mengel is a much taller running back at 6'3" but he has great speed. He is a straight ahead runner. He was a good change of pace from the power running of Johnson. The offense of line did a great job of protecting both O'Boyle and Sharp by only giving up one sack. The fullback play still needs improvment if they want a succsessful running game day in and day out. Overall, the offense did improve from that terrible week 1 preformance. There is room for much improvment but this was a step in the right direction.

Defense:
AMAZING!!! That is the word to describe the Carthage defense. Only gave up 200 total yards and only gave up 52 on the ground. The defense had 4 sacks and 2 interceptions. The defense keep Carthage in this game. The blitzed all over the place and sent the Lakeland QB home hurting. This defense is one of the best in the nation. They will keep the Redmen in close games.

The Redmen are 2-0. Thats all that matters. They improved on both sides of the ball. They need more offense thats all there is to it. If they can get their offense going, then watch out. Good luck next week to the Redmen.

GO REDMEN!!!

[Mugsy]

Sterny,
I can't remember many years where Wheaton hasn't been a minus overall in the turnover department.  It has haunted Wheaton for years, particularly once they get to the playoffs.  You can't have turnovers against the likes of Mount Union and expect to go far.

In recent years, Wheatons firepower on offense made up the difference for a higher number of turnovers.  This year they won't be able to do that against top teams.  Turnover ratio will be huge for Wheaton this year.  The Wheaton D will need to generate some positive turnovers.

[Mugsy]

Results of the CCIW Pick-Em posted on the CCIW Pick Em board.  Due to the late organization of the pool, this week was a trial run.  Official results will start next week.  For those who didn't get the chance to submit their picks last week, I'll post the games for this week tomorrow.

Again, official results will start counting for next Saturdays games.  BTW: congrats to Usee and robertgoulet for correct picks on all 7 games.