FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[NCC_alum62]

For what it's worth, if a player entered a D-III school and redshirted as a freshman in 2003, the last year it was legal to do so, then they would be a senior this year.

You can also redshirt outside of Division III and transfer in.

And yes, there are medical hardship waivers.

I didn't think about possible transfers, I wasn't sure if Wheaton did redshirting, most of the CCIW schools I talked with in 2000-2001 when looking for a school said they did not redshirt.

[matblake]

So gentleman,
   Doing my pick em's for this week on the WIAC board.  What is the general concensus over here regarding how Augustana will fair against UW-Platteville this weekend?

I don't know much about UWP and early in the season its always hard to assess Augie. I see UWP has a great RB a Sr OLine and several playmakers on defense. I would expect this game to be close but I would give the edge to Augie playing at home. That said, there are rumors of unrest in Rock Island and it's not clear to me how that will affect their play early in the season.

I have to agree with agree with usee on this one.  However, if you look at levels of competition, Augie has both excellent competition (BW) and not so much (MacMurray).  Platteville has played St. Ambrose #15 in NAIA and Drake received votes in the Sports Network Division I Championship Subdivision Poll.  It seems to me like Platteville has had a more balanced schedule at this point.  That might swing things in the favor of UWP.

[FormerCard]

On a positive note.... Really great article about Elmhurst QB in the "around the midwest" section today.

[NCC_alum62]

On a positive note.... Really great article about Elmhurst QB in the "around the midwest" section today.

Great article.  Elmhurst is very dangerous offensively, they really seemed to be clicking on offense and thier D is experienced and very deep in the trenches.  This really could be thier year to make alot of noise in the CCIW.

[Dennis_Prikkel]

Very serious stuff - I've had bleeding on the brain and surgery to correct it (no wise cracks Joe or Greg).

I think the worst part leading up to the surgery and three none-to-fun MRI's on the brain - were the near constant headaches - at one point they were so bad that a slight cough, sneeze, or even laughing would cause a severe headache. 

Fortuneately, being a curmudgeon, I didn't laugh that much - and watching North Park football or basketball only made me cry.

Seriously, though, my best wishes and prayers for Zach, his family, teammates and friends.

MW

[79jaybird]

I have been praying for Ullrich and Wheaton and know the competitive spirit in all of us (especially Zach) will get him back to near full strength shortly. 
I don't want to seem cruel or the devil's advocate here, but life does go on and Wheaton will march on as a team.  Certainly the Thunder will be thinking about their fallen teammate on Saturday but I am sure Zach would say, "Go beat Hope!".
We (Elmhurst) suffered the loss of Kudbya in game 1 last year and the Jays bonded together to put together a successful season.  I am sure Wheaton will do the same.  In a fierce, contact sport like football, injuries do occur and teams rally together.

[Comet 14]

Great article on Chris Kudyba. He sounds like a young man with his priorities in the right order. Boy If the report of Wheaton lineman is true that is to bad. I don't know how many nore injuries they can handle. Don't they still have a few players not quite 100%?

[Mr. Ypsi]

Very serious stuff - I've had bleeding on the brain and surgery to correct it (no wise cracks Joe or Greg).

Well, guess I'll have to sub in for Joe and Greg!

Actually, no - there are some things that are outside the bounds for cracking wise.

Losing a starting member of the O-line, when a 'rookie' qb will be starting, would seem likely to seriously impair Wheaton's title run.  I had them overwhelmingly the favorite before Ullrich's loss, then still the slight favorite; I may have to reconsider now.  (Especially if - was he the left tackle, and does his replacement have much playing time?)

[NCC_alum62]

Wheaton College Sr OT's:

#63  Doug Royer 6'3 285

#76  Thomas Christner 6/2 270
Fifth Year Senior, 2nd team all CCIW last year

These are the only two listed Sr's at the Offensive Tackle Position,  Thomas #76 is the fifth year senior.  This according to the Wheaton webstite

My friend whose brother plays for the Thunder told me today that 5th year senior OT Tom Christner (a starter) tore his ACL in practice last night. 

With only two seniors at OT this is a big blow, there are some others listed at OT, but they don't have much experience.

[usee]

My friend whose brother plays for the Thunder told me today that 5th year senior OT Tom Christner (a starter) tore his ACL in practice last night. 

If this is true, which I imagine it is since Q is the source, the injury caravan keeps rolling along for the Thunder.  All teams deal with injuries, it just seems that this seems to be Wheaton's year to be hit by them. 

I haven't heard this but Christener has yet to play this year due to injury. If he was practicing it was in preparation for his 2007 debut. hurts the depth but he hasn't played yet this year to my knowledge.

[NCC_alum62]

Then maybe its not so bad considering they're undefeated without him, Hope has one very good DE from what I've read. But I still think Wheaton even without Ulrich will pull this out at home. The MIAA has not been very good in non-conference.

[usee]

  IMO, the Naperville School would have retained the Bell had it not been for Chaz Black and the OLine last year.  They controlled the second half of that game and the offense came alive. 

I agree this was a huge key to the game last year but I think the defense would have something to say about this claim after shutting out Kam and co. for all but a late TD in the second half.

[matblake]

  IMO, the Naperville School would have retained the Bell had it not been for Chaz Black and the OLine last year.  They controlled the second half of that game and the offense came alive. 

I agree this was a huge key to the game last year but I think the defense would have something to say about this claim after shutting out Kam and co. for all but a late TD in the second half.

Point taken. 

[NCC_alum62]

  IMO, the Naperville School would have retained the Bell had it not been for Chaz Black and the OLine last year.  They controlled the second half of that game and the offense came alive. 

I agree this was a huge key to the game last year but I think the defense would have something to say about this claim after shutting out Kam and co. for all but a late TD in the second half.

That was a rough game to watch. NCC was dominant in the first half but too many mistakes in the second and Wheaton really figured out the D.  Hopefully we have a different outcome in Naperville 

[D306]

Comet14

First of all I'm Honored to be your first. I think. Didn't hurt at all. LOL

I hug my kids after every game they play when they come off the field/court/ice. That includes my son whom would have just come off the football field. I am at every game home or away.
It is a very short and special time that your kids get to be part of something and it requires alot of work. It is the least I can do, to ley them know how much we care.

As far as Wheaton going forward, I am not going to claim to be an expert on the CCIW. That said Wheaton is well coached and is returning a good percentage of their team from last year, so I am sure they will be formidable. Great defense, swarm to the ball, great DE whom controls tempo on the line. Have to account for him every play.