FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[fightintitan]

IWU 15
Millikin 0
9:36 1st Q

Alex Holmberg for IWU runs back an INT for a TD.  Broken PAT attempt is turned into 2 pts for IWU.

[Augie6]

Wheaties, I have not seen Wheaton play this year, but from what I hear their Defense is something special. True?? What is the strong point of it?  Is it their pass rush or is their Dline superior in all aspects?  Also we hear a lot about the front, but how is the secondary?  How do you think they match up against Augie?

7) I think the jury is still out as to where this defensive unit ranks all time for Wheaton, but they have a chance to be considered one of the best - injuries have left the door open on that topic.

Very good synopsis.

A couple questions:
1. What are the top 3 Thunder defenses since you were a player/coach?
2. For anybody - In the last decade (or so) what are some of the leagues best defenses?

The CCIW has not been a great defensive league in the past 10 years. There were a couple of exceptions, however. The 2004 Carthage defense was one of the best and their turnover stats support that. I also think the 2000 IWU defense was phenomonal and featured Chris Heinzl, a DOPY lineman.

Agree with usee that there haven't been great defenses in the CCIW over the past decade.  2004 Carthage was good, but they were spanked by Augie's offense that year and weren't a defense that I would classify as a "shut down" type of defense.  As usee mentions, they were exceptional at creating turnovers which set them apart from a lot of defenses in the past decade.  It sounds like Wheaton's D this year had the opportunity to become a great defense, but, with all the injuries, they may not achieve that status.  However, they still are playing well and I'm looking forward to seeing how Augie matches up at the game tonight.  I haven't seen Augie play yet this year, and I'm hoping they play much better than the games I saw in 2006 (NCC and Baldwin Wallace).  These were two of the worst overall games I've seen Augie play in the past 20 years.

[usee]

If the Titans can win at home today, I think they become a legitimate CCIW championship contender.

The Titans MUST win this game to keep pace. I don't think it will say much about their ability to contend for the CCIW. The Augie win was the first game that turned heads. There are 3 teams that were expected to compete for the CCIW title (wheaton, augie and NCC). to be considered a CCIW contender you must win 2 of these AND all the other league games handily IMO.

If Wheaton beats Augie tonight, they will be in the driver's seat. NCC and Elmhurst winner will keep pace with a potential 1 loss championship.

[usee]

NCC 10
ELM 10

4 min to go in 1st half

[washdupcard]

Excellent weblink from Elmhurst's website. Live in game stats.  Kudos to them.

http://elmhurst.edu/~athletic/Home/football/stats/live/xlive.htm

[washdupcard]

Listening to the Bluejay webcast of the game.  Props to jaybird 79 on an excellent broadcast.  Much better than the North Central product.

[Mr. Ypsi]

IWU up 15-0 at the half.

[washdupcard]

17-10 Cards.  Halftime.

[washdupcard]

Scratch that.

Cards recover a squib kick.  20 seconds left in half. Cards in Fieldgoal range.

[Mr. Ypsi]

usee,

I'll respectfully disagree with your reply to Q.  If the Titans hold the lead over Millikin, next week Elmhurst plays IN BLOOMINGTON.  Before the season even began, I said I'd probably take a flyer on IWU in that game - now I'm no even sure it would be an upset.  IF they win that one, they next head to NPU.  Therefore, I think they have an excellent chance of being 5-0 heading to Naperville.

EVEN IF they don't manage a win there, they would (in this scenario) be at least 5-1 when the Thunder come TO BLOOMINGTON.  Playing for at least a share of the title on the final game of the season sounds like a contender to me!  I haven't yet consumed enough green kool-aid to say they are a favorite for the title, but a contender, yes.

[Mugsy]

Very good synopsis.

A couple questions:
1. What are the top 3 Thunder defenses since you were a player/coach?
2. For anybody - In the last decade (or so) what are some of the leagues best defenses?

I'll respond more about the best Crusader/Thunder defenses later night or on Sunday.  I don't have enough time to type it up now.

As for the best defenses league wide... hands down the Augustana defenses of the mid-80's during their NCAA championship runs.  Those defenses were downright nasty and the stats were sick.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Ladd intercepted, TD Millikin - now 15-7 with 5:17 left in 3rd quarter.

If the Titans blow their lead, forget my last post!

[Mr. Ypsi]

The Titan defense (which has already scored both tds) came through again, intercepting a Blue pass in the endzone.  Still 15-7, 11 minutes remaining in the game.

[usee]

usee,

I'll respectfully disagree with your reply to Q.  If the Titans hold the lead over Millikin, next week Elmhurst plays IN BLOOMINGTON.  Before the season even began, I said I'd probably take a flyer on IWU in that game - now I'm no even sure it would be an upset.  IF they win that one, they next head to NPU.  Therefore, I think they have an excellent chance of being 5-0 heading to Naperville.

EVEN IF they don't manage a win there, they would (in this scenario) be at least 5-1 when the Thunder come TO BLOOMINGTON.  Playing for at least a share of the title on the final game of the season sounds like a contender to me!  I haven't yet consumed enough green kool-aid to say they are a favorite for the title, but a contender, yes.

Ypsi,

Your scenario would make them a contender. Q said if they beat millikin today they are a legitimate contender. My point was simply that beating a team picked to finish in the bottom 3rd of the conference doesn't tell you anything about a teams ability to contend. Of course if they are playing for a piece of the league title against Wheaton they would be a contender but your scenario is true for Augie, elmhurst, and NCC if each of them win out.

[usee]

elmhurst takes the lead

Elm 24 NCC 20 start of the 4th