FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[dansand]

Actually, that takeaway stat should be 4.8 per game (63 in 13 games). Still unbelievable. They allowed 101 yards rushing in CCIW play that year--all year. You're right, their offense had a lot of short fields to work with that year (and also in '85 when their offensive and defensive numbers were very similar). I also used "offensive points per game" beacuse they scored 8 TD's on defense and special teams in '86 and I didn't want that to skew the evaluation of the offense.

I don't want to be too cumbersome with a bunch of numbers, but it seems like whenever anyone tries to analyze why Augie's not winning national championships any more, they always point at the wing-t as being out-dated or whatever. It may be, but the fact is, their defense and return games have been the biggest difference.

That's another big difference, their return game. I can't remember, off hand, when the last time they returned a kickoff or punt for a TD. In contrast, in '86 they had four and if I'm not mistaken, Brad Price and Troy Westerman would have been 1st and 2nd nationally in kickoff returns, but obviously neither had enough attempts to officially qualify because their defense allowed so few scores.

[usee]

Dansand and mugsy,

Thanks for the stats and analysis. I agree those defensive nmbrs are just sick. Now u see why muc wins championships. They have flashy offenses but dominant defense. Theoir defens this year is putting up scary nmbrs similar to these. I agree its going to take a team w this kind of committment and performance to defense to win the national championship.

[RedmenFB44]

RedmenFB44
Who are some of the players that I might want to watch tomorrow especially the linemen.  I agree it should be a great game and both teams should have a better idea of how good they are.  May I suggest looking at Studebakers pass rush and his swim and push pull technique.  He also is what I refer to as a slippery lineman, who is able to slip between double teams.  Pete Ittersagen may be getting rusty, as I can’t remember the last time someone has thrown a ball near him.  The hype may be getting overzealous.   He is a great player but I can’t understand completely avoiding him.  He is one of the hardest hitters especially for his size.  His hits can be heard.  Carthage usually has some great linemen and I’m looking forward to the strategies played out on the line.

Like Tailgater said all 5 offensive linemen are seniors. If I had to choose the best out of those five I would say it would be left tackle #66 Glassman or right guard #58 Vuturo. Those two have the most experience and have been the most consistant on the offensive line the past 4 years. I didn't know that the freshman QB Danley might start but if he does that could be a problem for the Redmen. Any freshman that makes his first start is always scary and aganist such a good defense would be very tough. O'Boyle has played very well this year and been most of the offense with his arm and legs. All-conference honors in my eyes. I am not happy that I can't listen to the game today so as soon as I get back I will be looking forward to reading what happened. GO REDMEN!

[Mugsy]

I don't want to be too cumbersome with a bunch of numbers, but it seems like whenever anyone tries to analyze why Augie's not winning national championships any more, they always point at the wing-t as being out-dated or whatever. It may be, but the fact is, their defense and return games have been the biggest difference.

Yes, many do come on here and blame the offense.  Being skewed to the defensive perspective, I've always thought the difference as to why Augie hasn't won a championship or gone deep into the playoffs (or any CCIW team for that matter), is the lack of completely dominate defense.  I've stated as such several times over the past 2 years whenever the wing-t bashers make their appearance.  Usee has been vocal about this as well.

I don't profess to be a huge fan of the wing-t, but IMO it doesn't matter what kind of offense you run if you have a defense like Augie had back then, and like Mount Union has had almost year over the past decade.  I don't want to slight the offense, but the cliche runs true for me.  "Defense wins championships"

I've seen usee post again and again and I completely agree, until the CCIW playoff representative gets the personnel and commits to a dominate defense, there is little chance to go far in the playoffs.  Carthage had a strong defense in 2004 and got to the quarterfinals. 

Look at the teams that have finally gotten past Mount Union recently - Rowan, ONU, St. John's, Mary-Hardin Baylor.  They all have played great defense against Mount Union.

Alright... I'll step off the soapbox now.

[Mugsy]

Dansand and mugsy,

Thanks for the stats and analysis. I agree those defensive nmbrs are just sick. Now u see why muc wins championships. They have flashy offenses but dominant defense. Theoir defens this year is putting up scary nmbrs similar to these. I agree its going to take a team w this kind of committment and performance to defense to win the national championship.

Well said and I couldn't agree more. K+

[CardinalAlum]

Check out the story in today's Pantagraph-
www.pantagraph.com, on the NCC-IWU game.  What is Dunlop thinking?

[Cardinal_skip]

Check out the story in today's Pantagraph-
www.pantagraph.com, on the NCC-IWU game.  What is Dunlop thinking?

It's the same Wesleyan attitude. They always think they're better. It's certainly no easy game for the Cardinals, but they've proven they can beat Wesleyan on the road and this is a more meaningful game for North Central than IWU.
Cardinal Skip

[usee]

For those of you who can't get to the link, here are the significant quotes:

"Anybody from the outside looking in is going to say there's no way we're going to beat North Central," said IWU coach Norm Eash. "I just think our players believe otherwise, and that's the way you want them to believe as a coach."

IWU junior running back Marcus Dunlop took it a step further, using the Titans' turnover-ridden, 36-14 loss to the Cardinals last season as his point of emphasis.

"I feel insulted when people say we can play with them," Dunlop said. "Not only do I feel like we can play with them, I feel like we're better than them.

"I think we gave one away last year. We had five turnovers in the first half. Our offensive and defensive stats looked good without those turnovers. We feel like we're better this year and everybody is excited about playing them."


Sounds like dunlop is trying to convinve somebody of something. Either that or he is getting ready for a primetime career on post patterns.

[usee]

wheaton scores on the opening drive up 7-0

[usee]

O'Boyle not dressed. freshmen qb starting. thats a bad deal for the redmen.

[usee]

wheaton forces another punt and on its first play of the second drive throw a slant to fossum for 6.

14-0 wheaton still 7min left in the first.

[Mugsy]

56 yard TD pass, Chupp to Fossum.  14-0 Wheaton with 7:06 in 1st quarter.

[fightintitan]

North Central scores on their opening drive.  Long IWU kickoff return puts them in good position and they answer with a TD of their own

IWU  7
NCC  7
7:00 1st q

[usee]

carthage fakes a punt for the first down. are we the  only ones these work against?

[Mugsy]

Another sack for Studebaker... 14.5 for the season.