FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[usee]

Strange afternoon in Naperville today.  Both teams offenses were non-existent in the first half with a baseball score of 6-3 at the half.  I disagree with all of those previous posts about "Not impressed with EC's and/or NC's defense etc.  because in the CCIW if you hold a team to 3 and 6 points at the half, your defense is playing well.
I thought the story of the game was the Wenger Interception.  That single play ignited the sleeping Cardinals' offense, and Elmhurst (for some reason) offense didn't respond.
If you have consistently followed the Bluejays from Week 1 to now, you will know that EC employs (and will use) all 3 of their QB's... Freund, LaFleur, and Behar.
The QB slot today was a disappointment.  For some reason they did not look comfortable in the pocket, on their runs, 2 of their interceptions were balls that should never have been thrown, etc.  I don't give credit to NC's defense, as much as pointing the finger at ourselves as lack of execution.
I was not impressed with Kniss today.  I thought the game was won today by Studemann and Sulo on offense.

Jaybird, you spent a good part of last week boasting how the Elmhurst Defensive Line was going to dominate the game. Well, they didn't. You need to show a little respect for the North Central Offensive Line. Studemann and Sulo were big factors in the game. Sulo averaged 5.9 yards on 16 carries because the NCC OL controlled the Elmhurst DL. A lot of what your talk about  the EC DL just wasn't true.

And for some reason, the Elmhurst QBs did not look comfortable ... Maybe part of the reason for that was the pressure that the NCC Defensive Line was applying. No, I'm sure you won't agree with that. I'm sure the pressure on the QB had nothing to do with the 4 interceptions thrown by Freund-LaFleur. Don't be impressed by the NCC defense. Don't give them credit. Next time you come to NCC, it will be 21 years since you've won there.

4 sacks by NCC and 4 picks. 1 sack by Elmhurst and 1 pick.  hmmm......

[Mugsy]

Strange afternoon in Naperville today.  Both teams offenses were non-existent in the first half with a baseball score of 6-3 at the half.  I disagree with all of those previous posts about "Not impressed with EC's and/or NC's defense etc.  because in the CCIW if you hold a team to 3 and 6 points at the half, your defense is playing well.

I thought the game was won today by Studemann and Sulo on offense.

Jaybird, you spent a good part of last week boasting how the Elmhurst Defensive Line was going to dominate the game. Well, they didn't. You need to show a little respect for the North Central Offensive Line. Studemann and Sulo were big factors in the game. Sulo averaged 5.9 yards on 16 carries because the NCC OL controlled the Elmhurst DL. A lot of what your talk about  the EC DL just wasn't true.

And for some reason, the Elmhurst QBs did not look comfortable ... Maybe part of the reason for that was the pressure that the NCC Defensive Line was applying. No, I'm sure you won't agree with that. I'm sure the pressure on the QB had nothing to do with the 4 interceptions thrown by Freund-LaFleur. Don't be impressed by the NCC defense. Don't give them credit. Next time you come to NCC, it will be 21 years since you've won there.

I agree midwestfb here, even though I didn't see that game.

Jaybird,
1) There are 2 halves to a game.  It sounds as if the Elmhurst D didn't get it done in the 2nd half, much like NCC didn't last week.
2) I think the NCC o-line deserves some credit.  I thought they were quite impressive against Wheaton and I stated so.
3) While Sulo and Studemann had good games, they couldn't do it without the O-line.

While it is quite possible that the Elmhurst defense didn't play up to what you were used to seeing, you can't disregard NCC part in the picture - particularly the O-Line.

[CardinalAlum]

I don't give credit to NC's defense, as much as pointing the finger at ourselves as lack of execution.
I was not impressed with Kniss today.  I thought the game was won today by Studemann and Sulo on offense.
What baffles me and I am sure I will be tossing in my bed trying to understand how a team goes from  6-3 at the half and playing well on both sides, to 24-6 in a 10:00 span and playing like a deer in the headlights.  Oh well, can't cry over spilled milk. 

I'm sure your "lack of execution" accounted for the 4 INT's and the 4 sacks!  You don't have to be impressed by Kniss.  All he has done in his career is break every school record and prove that he is the best QB in the conference for at least the 2nd year in a row!  His records speak for themselves!  I'm sure NCC's coaches made no adjustments at halftime and you probably weren't impressed with them either.  How about the pressbox, stadium or your chair?  Was any of that impressive?  If NCC played like crap and got beat, I would call it like it is(and I have).  Your blue colored glasses seem to have a little muck on them.  Take another look and have a little respect for the better team that won on Saturday!  Maybe if your coaches spent more time working on making your team better instead of posting here online, they might not have these "execution" problems.

[ncc58]

I'm sure your "lack of execution" accounted for the 4 INT's and the 4 sacks!  You don't have to be impressed by Kniss.  All he has done in his career is break every school record and prove that he is the best QB in the conference for at least the 2nd year in a row!  His records speak for themselves!  I'm sure NCC's coaches made no adjustments at halftime and you probably weren't impressed with them either.  How about the

Yeah, I was going to comment on the Kniss remark too. Kam has a four year body of work. You don't need to be impressed by him. I've watched him for four years and it's truly been fascinating to see how he has evolved as a QB --- and how the offense has evolved around him. Kniss may have games where his stats don't impress you, but there are many instances in every game where he flat out makes plays. And some of those never show up in news reports. The times he just throws the ball away. When he escapes from pressure for now gains. The number of times he runs for first downs on options or counter plays. Be unimpressed because you'll never see him play Elmhurst again.

[ncc58]

Usee,
Great overview and comments.  Augustana played a great game.  Congratulations on a great win.  I wonder if someone has the stats on how little Augustana gets penalties vs Wheaton getting penalties.  They do not make the mistakes because if they do it cost them much more.  Just think how hard it is to get

Well, for the season, Wheaton has 41 penalties for 333 yards and an average of 55.5 yards/game.

Augustana has 34 penalties for 231 yards and an average of 38.5 yards/game.

Conspiracy theorists will be disappointed that on Saturday Augie had 6 penalties for 33 yards but Wheaton had only 3 for 21 yards.

[vikes35]

Usee,

Very good comments and overview.

I am pretty confident in saying that Augie didn't win that game, they just didn't get beat (if that makes any sense). Neither team executed very well for 3 quarters. Augie had the 1st and Wheaton had the 4th and other than that it was very boring to watch. I agree with Usee that it wasn't a great game overall, but I would say that about both teams. Those early turnovers killed Wheaton and the poor play by Augie almost let Wheaton have a comeback not too far from Carthage/IWU previous.  The officials did help the Vikings with slow spots and a few generous and a bunch of questionable spots as well (on both offense and defense I might add). It was a tough all out effort by two good conference teams, and luckily for us Vikings fans, Augie came out on top, because neither teams played what could be called their A (or B) game. 


As for the 4th and 1 call, that to me was the game no matter what. If we give the ball back to Wheaton they do what they did to get the 39-38 win in 2003, if we don't make it they probably score to tie or win the game as well. The reward was well worth the risk on that play, and I commend Barnes for the guts to make the call. In the QC Times this morning he said he decided right away (which make the TO strange), but he knew that his D was on the ropes and that trying the keep the ball there was the best move for his football team.

[augiedogie]

Another interesting tidbit from the Augie/Wheaton game was that in the 3rd Quarter Barnes decided to take the wind (which was a pretty strong wind) giving Wheaton the wind in the 4th Quater. Wheaton had won the initial toss and deferred. Talking to one of the players after the game, the philosophy was to make a statement and get the ball back. They were able to do that, but since Augie didn't necessarily need the wind, (wind doesn't really effect your running game), why did he want to let Wheaton have the wind in the 4th Quarter when they would be forced to pass if they were still down a couple of touchdowns? When Augie had to punt in the 4th Quarter, they weren't going to pin Wheaton back. Wheaton had partially blocked a punt earlier in the game that was a blessing in disguise for Augie because it took a great Augie roll.

[fightintitan]

I know I'm a little late, but I wanted to jump on and say a big CONGRATS to the Titans for pulling off a big win in OT at Millikin yesterday.  From the newspaper, it sounded like it was a great ending.   Kudos to the IWU defense for making a big stand to seal the game and more importantly to the entire Titan team for not giving up, fighting hard and finishing this one!   Hopefully this will get them over the hump and keep the momentum going through the rest of the season to pull a few more upsets

[79jaybird]

"Jaybird, you spent time last week describing the Elmhurst D-Line"  MidwestFB, I did, and I am a standup guy that will tell you Elmhurst has a good D-Line.  Did they have their best game to date?  No, but they held NC to 3 points at the half and gave the EC offense a chance to take/build up a lead.  They just couldn't keep that going for 4 quarters, that happens sometimes.
"There are 2 halves to football".  Very true and 4 quarters also.  The reason EC has lost 2 in a row is because they haven't been executing for 4 quarters.  The consistency hasn't quite been there for all 4 frames.
IMO, EC lost the game for 2 reasons A) EC self destructed with their lack of execution and turnovers.  B) NC Coaching-- John Thorne is a very good friend of mine and a great football mind.  Whatever he said to the Cardinals at the half, I would like to tape and replay to my hockey team that I coach.  I am sure it was something along the lines of "get up and play hard".
"I wasn't impressed with Kniss" is true because I don't think he was the reason NC won the game.  I told you, I thought the major players on offense were Stuedemann and Sulo that carried the team.  I am not a big fan of stats, awards, accolades, etc. in the past.  It's what have you done for me today and it was Sulo/Stuedemann that got the job done.  Don't get me wrong, I think Kniss is one of the best QB's in the CCIW, just this particular game EC/NC, he wasn't the difference maker.
"How about the pressbox, stadium, your chair, etc."  CardinalAlum,  where are you going with this   Whoa, slow down Tiger.  Hehe,  To borrow a line from my younger Sister,  take a chill pill Man.
First of all, the pressbox, stadium, and chair has nothing to do with the outcome of the game and doesn't factor into the equation, so why bring it up?
I simply stated that IMO,  Elmhurst didn't get the job done and (being a man of character), point the finger at OURSELVES  rather than blame (person A, B, C, etc.) for the loss.  Personally, I don't really give a cent about a school's Stadium, pressbox, wallpaper, clock design, etc.  as long as the room where I am broadcasting has a phone line and a  program with a roster sheet.
In regards to the officials.  I was impressed with the officials of the Elmhurst/North Central game.  I thought the zebras did a nice job officiating this contest.  I know they don't get the praise when it is do, so here's a shout to the crew that did that game.

[redman04]

Actually, a true augie fan who would like to see the team return to glory! 
First, I have been following Augie for a number of years!!  I remember when the team was
unbeatable.   Not winning conference by default.
Second, if comments from the stands count for anything, everyone around me shared the opinions that offense is not being run correctly.
Third, your comments are indicative of the complacency that has become Augie football.   Don't look at the true problem which is that the offense is coached ineffectively and that they are not winning on offense, but winning from strength of defense or opposition mistakes!
I for one am sick of hearing about the teams of the past!  How about coaching to bring back a National Championship!!

A true fan that likes to bash everything   You sound more like a bitter player that is not getting any playing time!Locker room politicians are a cancer for a team, Remember that!
First, I don't think beating a consistent playoff team like Wheaton is "Winning by Default"
Second, comments form the stands mean about as much as comments on this page mean---NOTHING!
Third, what makes you think that they are not getting it done on offense?  What are their offensive stats?  Are you mad that they still run the wing T or that you are not playing?  Winning a National Championship is easier said than done, but I am sure that it is the goal of everyone involved in the program.

[79jaybird]

"Not getting it done on offense"  TrueAugieAlum-- Last time I checked Augie is the reigning CCIW Champion that made it to the 2nd round of the playoffs last year.    If that is not getting it done,  what is 

[usee]

  The reason EC has lost 2 in a row is because they haven't been executing for 4 quarters.  The consistency hasn't quite been there for all 4 frames.

And that's why elmhurst is not yet a top 3 or 4 team in this conference. they will have to wait til next year to become one at this point.

Don't get me wrong, I think Kniss is one of the best QB's in the CCIW, just this particular game EC/NC, he wasn't the difference maker.

Kniss is THE best quarterback in the conference and has been for at least 2 if not 3 years. The next best isn't even close. If i were drafting a team from cciw talent he would be my #1 pick on offense hands down.

[Mugsy]

As expected, dark day for CCIW.  Not a single ranked team in the D3Football.com Top 25 and not that any deserve it right now either.

[Red]

trueaugiealum-
Who do you think should start at left tackle instead of the freshman?

[ncc_cardinal_fan]

trueaugiealum-
Who do you think should start at left tackle instead of the freshman?

probably himself!!!!