FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[ncc58]

You don't exactly see a 3-3-5 defense every day where players may stunt and blitz from any position. You can watch it on film and work against it in practice the week preceding the game. But it's not really at game speed with players not used to playing it. But by the second quarter, you should be able to figure out the tempo.

I didn't get a chance to make it to the NPU game, but against Wash U, with a few exceptions, it did not seem like the quarterback had all day to sit back and throw.  I think with all of the stunts and twisting the the Cards run with their 3-3 make people's heads spin for the first quarter, but as the game continues, the offensive line usually starts to settle in, figure out the blitzes, and start to pick them up.

[ncc58]

Mugsy,

What's your bib number for next Sunday. I'm sure we all want to track your race progress.

Hey, kinda funny that you are running a marathon wearing a bib. Don't be drooling all over yourself.

[Mugsy]

Mugsy,

What's your bib number for next Sunday. I'm sure we all want to track your race progress.

Hey, kinda funny that you are running a marathon wearing a bib. Don't be drooling all over yourself.

Nice.     I don't get the bib until Saturday when I pickup my race material (bib, gps chip, etc...).  You should be able to enter my name and track my progress that way.  I've done that in the past...  Search "Martin" from Wheaton and that should narrow it down.  You'll probably see a significant drop off in pace around mile 19-20...

See jaybird... it's still early in the week.  Things will heat up (in a light hearted way) as the week progresses.

[usee]

Elmhurst has played Augie very close the last 2 encounters and 1 was at home, 1 was away.  Certainly, I give an emotional edge to Augie, but physically and mentally, I would put Elmhurst on an even kiel with AC.

Jaybird,

I suppose if you consider losing by 14 at home and by 22 at Augie close, then you are correct. You and I will disagree on that point. And if we disagree there then its not a stretch to assume I cannot agree that Elmhurst and Augie are on an even keel in any regard, especially in Rock Island.

If this game were in Elmhurst and the Bluejays had dominated Carthage I would make Elmhurst the favorite. But turning it over 5x at home (no matter how good you think the other team's defense was) and being such an historically underperforming road team makes the Bluejays the decided underdog in my book.

I do applaud you undying optimism, even in the face of brutal facts. 

[79jaybird]

Usee, fair enough and just for the record I didn't say Elmhurst was the favorite, rather just saying it's an closer, more even tilt this year than in year's past.
Just to clarify somebody had asked about the AC/EC series.
Elmhurst won in 1970 in Rock Island and then in the 1950's 7-6 in Rockford.  Their other win came in Elmhurst.  1986 was a 0-0 tie.  (48-3-1)
Ah, finally the sticks and stones are being tossed between NC and W

[usee]

I don't get the bib until Saturday when I pickup my race material (bib, gps chip, etc...). 

bibs, chips, chains, whips??? what kind of race is this Mugsy?

[Titan Q]

After his 136 yard, 2 TD performance vs Augustana, there seems to be a lot of excitement around IWU football about 6-0/205 freshman Bo Lanter (Clayton, Mo.).   Athletically, the kid is really special -- he bench presses 375 and runs a legit 4.3 40.   People who have been around the program a long time seem to think Lanter has a chance to be IWU's best running back ever, and the Titans have had some good ones.

We'll see how it plays out but it is nice to see

[usee]

After his 136 yard, 2 TD performance vs Augustana, there seems to be a lot of excitement around IWU football about 6-0/205 freshman Bo Lanter (Clayton, Mo.).   Athletically, the kid is really special -- he bench presses 375 and runs a legit 4.3 40.   People who have been around the program a long time seem to think Lanter has a chance to be IWU's best running back ever, and the Titans have had some good ones.

We'll see how it plays out but it is nice to see

That would be something. How is the young Rooney kid doing?

[matblake]

After his 136 yard, 2 TD performance vs Augustana, there seems to be a lot of excitement around IWU football about 6-0/205 freshman Bo Lanter (Clayton, Mo.).   Athletically, the kid is really special -- he bench presses 375 and runs a legit 4.3 40.   People who have been around the program a long time seem to think Lanter has a chance to be IWU's best running back ever, and the Titans have had some good ones.

We'll see how it plays out but it is nice to see

The guy sounds like an excellent pick up for the Titans.  It will be interesting to see how the rest of this year plays out for him.  

[Mugsy]

After his 136 yard, 2 TD performance vs Augustana, there seems to be a lot of excitement around IWU football about 6-0/205 freshman Bo Lanter (Clayton, Mo.).   Athletically, the kid is really special -- he bench presses 375 and runs a legit 4.3 40.   People who have been around the program a long time seem to think Lanter has a chance to be IWU's best running back ever, and the Titans have had some good ones.

We'll see how it plays out but it is nice to see

The guy sounds like an excellent pick up for the Titans.  It will be interesting to see how the rest of this year plays out for him.  

Hopefully he doesn't progress too fast for the Nov. 10th matchup...   

[Titan Q]

After his 136 yard, 2 TD performance vs Augustana, there seems to be a lot of excitement around IWU football about 6-0/205 freshman Bo Lanter (Clayton, Mo.).   Athletically, the kid is really special -- he bench presses 375 and runs a legit 4.3 40.   People who have been around the program a long time seem to think Lanter has a chance to be IWU's best running back ever, and the Titans have had some good ones.

We'll see how it plays out but it is nice to see

The guy sounds like an excellent pick up for the Titans.  It will be interesting to see how the rest of this year plays out for him.  

I'm sure he will have plenty of freshman moments, but I really think he will provide a big spark to a program that needs a big spark.  With Dunlop and Lanter, the Titans now have nice depth at RB.

Freshman QB Rooney seems to be doing well...it will be interesting as he settles in as a sophomore or junior to see how the Ladd (just a sophomore)/Rooney situation plays out.

Now if Titans could just snap it into the punter's hands every now and then....

[usee]

Now if Titans could just snap it into the punter's hands every now and then....

really anywhere in the vicinity would be nice. 

[usee]

As for the game in Naperville this weekend I have come to believe it  will come down to a few very simple points. First it's obvious the strength of the Naperville team is #27 on offense and the 3 Linebackers on defense. Those are their statsitical leaders and by all accounts their playmakers. So it's also not hard to imagine Wheaton will come in ready to stack the box and stop Sulo. This puts all the pressure on Fanthorpe to make some plays. If Naperville wants to score they will have to be able to move the ball through the air against ittersagen, studebaker and company. If they can make some plays offensively in the passing game, Sulo will get his yards and they will be successful. If not, they will struggle to move the ball and score in my opinion.

On the other side it's clear wheaton has very good receivers and some talented but inexperienced qb's. It's likely the Naperville school will bring a heavy dose of stunt and blitz to force the Thunder into some negative plays and turnovers (an area they lead the conference in). This will in turn benefit their potentially struggling offense. I believe both of these teams are excellent in the special teams area so I suspect that may be a wash but a big play in this area will also create a significant advantage.

So you will know the Thunder are doing well if: Studebaker has a couple sacks and Sulo has less than 25 yds at halftime.

You will know Naperville is in the hunt if: Wheaton turns the ball over mulitple times and Fanthorpe is completing 60% of his throws.

[FormerCard]

As for the game in Naperville this weekend I have come to believe it  will come down to a few very simple points. First it's obvious the strength of the Naperville team is #27 on offense and the 3 Linebackers on defense. Those are their statsitical leaders and by all accounts their playmakers. So it's also not hard to imagine Wheaton will come in ready to stack the box and stop Sulo. This puts all the pressure on Fanthorpe to make some plays. If Naperville wants to score they will have to be able to move the ball through the air against ittersagen, studebaker and company. If they can make some plays offensively in the passing game, Sulo will get his yards and they will be successful. If not, they will struggle to move the ball and score in my opinion.

On the other side it's clear wheaton has very good receivers and some talented but inexperienced qb's. It's likely the Naperville school will bring a heavy dose of stunt and blitz to force the Thunder into some negative plays and turnovers (an area they lead the conference in). This will in turn benefit their potentially struggling offense. I believe both of these teams are excellent in the special teams area so I suspect that may be a wash but a big play in this area will also create a significant advantage.

So you will know the Thunder are doing well if: Studebaker has a couple sacks and Sulo has less than 25 yds at halftime.

You will know Naperville is in the hunt if: Wheaton turns the ball over mulitple times and Fanthorpe is completing 60% of his throws.

Well Put.

One addition.  If Ittersagen has less than 4 tackles (just a number, point being he isn't in on a lot of plays) , and Wheaton has trouble blocking Wenger, Hammers and Kostellic,  NC will have a legitimate chance of upsetting them.

One thing is for sure... If there are alot of plays near the North End Zone, the Thunder better have their earmuffs on or be prepared to drown out the sounds from the faithful NC alum.

[burly]

On the other side it's clear wheaton has very good receivers and some talented but inexperienced qb's. It's likely the Naperville school will bring a heavy dose of stunt and blitz to force the Thunder into some negative plays and turnovers (an area they lead the conference in).

Isn't Wheaton using shotgun formation more than ever this year?  If so, for the most part, where did the sacks given-up come from vs. Milikin - O-line blocking mistakes or QB indecision?