FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[RedmenFB44]

I am really looking forward to the Carthage football program for next season. They will be getting back their best athlete in 5th year SR. Donovan Moore Saftey/Punter. He also brings back the spread punt that Moore ran so well during the 2004 and 2005 seasons. Also they will be getting back a starting cornerback, defensive end, and fullback (all starters in 2005 and missed most or all of the 2006 season).

Once again congrats to Wheaton and North Central on great seasons!

[keil59]

Carthage also has big shoes to fill in the offensive line, they lost five senior starters with a combined 135 starts between them. the second team did get some experience this year as they were rotated in some games, but they will need to step up right away if carthage wants to have a chance.

[WahooThunder]

As for CCIW 2007, I am liking Wheaton but wondering about the QB situation.   Ullrich doesn't look like the answer.  Could a sophomore like Norris surprise everyone?

I'm not sure on what grounds you are making this assessment, but as someone who attended all 12 games this year I can say that if you have seen him play, you should know that Zach Ullrich IS the answer.  Ullrich will not only be an improvement for Wheaton at the quarterback position next year, but I would be somewhat surprised if he is not the CCIW Offensive Player of the Year.  He has an incredible arm and made some throws even this year like very few D3 quarterbacks are capable of making.  He also has exceptional athleticism for a QB and the ability to make plays with his feet, even more so than Chupp did.  It also seems that he has good chemistry with the returning receivers, particularly Noah Dreyer, and also Alex Pokorny, who I expect to have a breakout season next year.  You have to remember that Ullrich is a D-1 quality quarterback and didn't get a chance to operate the offense consistently this year.  Next year he will be the man, and with that opportunity I'm sure he will turn a lot of heads, including yours.

With regard to Norris, he will certainly be a capable backup, as will Ric Radcliffe.  He saw a little time at the end of the North Park game and didn't attempt any passes, but showed great speed on an 11-yard scramble.  I would not be surprised to see him start in 2008, but it will be all Ullrich in 2007.

[WahooThunder]

On offense wheaton needs to find a tailback, fullback and 1 WR and they are set for another run. I don't know who the underclassmen are but I wouldn't bet on much of a falloff, if any.

Seems like Wheaton has a reasonable replacement tailback in Andrew Hershey, who only averaged 100+ yards in the 2 games he started (granted one game was against NPU).

In addition to Hershey, I would expect Walker Smith, this year's original #2 before breaking his leg against Hope, to compete for the starting job.  I wouldn't think either of them will put up numbers quite like Black did this year, but they should be a very capable combination none the less.  As for the fullback spot, it seems like they will be ok there as well.  Daniel Sunday saw significant time this year when Thornton was injured, including the Mt. St. Joseph game.  He may not be as effective with the ball in his hands as Thornton was, but he has exceptional strength and Black's numbers would seem to indicate that he is also an excellent run blocker.  At wide receiver it will be difficult to replace the size of Joe Chupp and Fossum, but next year's team will have a deep group of skilled receivers with Dreyer, Pokorny, Brett Jackson and Matt Bradley returning. 

[CardinalAlum]

Hearing rumblings of a staff shakeup at NCC.  Details I'm sure to follow later.

[79jaybird]

"Rumblings of a staff shakeup at NCC?"  What could they possibly be upset about?  Thorne and Co.  just won the CCIW and ended a 46 year drought, topped off by a NCAA Playoff appearance.  I would think the Cardinal FB Team is heading in the right direction based on their last 2 seasons/achievements.

[Titanwatcher]

Somebody mentioned IWU earlier and I think this could possibly be a sleeper team for 2007.  Panno impressed me this year when I saw him at EC and their Defense came up and hit you hard.  Losing Dunlop will hurt, but if IWU can get a good rb, I think the Titans will do well in 2007.

jaybird, IWU lists Dunlop as a junior. You know something about him not coming back?

[Mugsy]

In the D3Football playoff brackets:

Tied for 37th: Son of Tailgater
Tied for 69th: usee, bgbully81, Mugsy

[keil59]

 

In the D3Football playoff brackets:

Tied for 37th: Son of Tailgater
Tied for 69th: usee, bgbully81, Mugsy

Way to go Ryan, and others. I wish i was good at predicting. Im at 1250th place

[bison22]

As for CCIW 2007, I am liking Wheaton but wondering about the QB situation.   Ullrich doesn't look like the answer.  Could a sophomore like Norris surprise everyone?

I'm not sure on what grounds you are making this assessment, but as someone who attended all 12 games this year I can say that if you have seen him play, you should know that Zach Ullrich IS the answer.  Ullrich will not only be an improvement for Wheaton at the quarterback position next year, but I would be somewhat surprised if he is not the CCIW Offensive Player of the Year.  He has an incredible arm and made some throws even this year like very few D3 quarterbacks are capable of making.  He also has exceptional athleticism for a QB and the ability to make plays with his feet, even more so than Chupp did.  It also seems that he has good chemistry with the returning receivers, particularly Noah Dreyer, and also Alex Pokorny, who I expect to have a breakout season next year.  You have to remember that Ullrich is a D-1 quality quarterback and didn't get a chance to operate the offense consistently this year.  Next year he will be the man, and with that opportunity I'm sure he will turn a lot of heads, including yours.

With regard to Norris, he will certainly be a capable backup, as will Ric Radcliffe.  He saw a little time at the end of the North Park game and didn't attempt any passes, but showed great speed on an 11-yard scramble.  I would not be surprised to see him start in 2008, but it will be all Ullrich in 2007.

My question on whether or not Ullrich is the answer is based on the fact that he did not start over Chupp this year.  If Ullrich is the answer, why didn't he get the nod over Chupp who had a decent year but not his best year, IMO, as a member of the Thunder?  How can one conclude that Ullrich is not better than Chupp, with his propensity for interceptions, but is the answer for the 2007 Thunder?   

[bison22]

Thunderstones,

Thanks for the review of Ullrich.   I hope, for Wheaton's sake, he is as good as you say.   On a related subject, did you get the feeling this past year that the Wheaton coaching staff wanted to start Ullrich but just couldn't pull the trigger? 

[wheels81]

I seem to recall another Bradley, (Kyle) who is a junior who is also QB.  I saw him last year in JV game and he seemed to be really sharp as well. Plus he has those magical Bradley Genes. Maybe next year there will be a Bradley-Bradley connection to replace the Chupp-Chupp.

[raiderpa]

I know I am late, but had to get my daughter married off this weekend...just wanted to say that in 35 years as a Mount Union fan, I still have not seen a program with the class displayed by the head coach and players at Wheaton College.

Game was a lot closer than the score..good luck and hope to see you guys in the future....

[TitanBacker]

Somebody mentioned IWU earlier and I think this could possibly be a sleeper team for 2007.  Panno impressed me this year when I saw him at EC and their Defense came up and hit you hard.  Losing Dunlop will hurt, but if IWU can get a good rb, I think the Titans will do well in 2007.

jaybird, IWU lists Dunlop as a junior. You know something about him not coming back?

Titanwatcher beat me to it.  Dunlop is only a junior and i haven't heard anything much about him leaving for any reason.

It seems year in and year out, IWU has quality skill players in the Whites, Kudybas, Ceisels, Dunlops, and Pannos on offense.  Yet, I believe in order for IWU to regain a top spot in the CCIW, it must have a better offensive line.  It all starts with the hogs up front.  If they can't get it done, there isnt' any hope for the skill guys. 

[79jaybird]

I was mistaken, (my fault)  I thought Dunlop was a Senior.  That is a good for IWU that they will have a solid RB in the backfield.  Didn't mean to scare you guys down in Bloom   
The last few times I have seen IWU, they have the talent (Panno, Ciesel, Dunlop) but just haven't "executed" at the right time and "sealed the deal" by shutting the door.  They should have beat us in Elmhurst this year, but they let the Jays hang around and eventually wound up short. 
As I said before, IWU is my sleeper team for 2007 and should be much better.