FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Tailgater]

"Bures took quite a shot on that swing pass and I was amazed he got up from that one.  You could really hear it from the stands as the crowd gasped on that hit."

Mugsy:
I talked with Andy and his dad after the game. They said he went lights out when hit and his brain disconnected from his hands resulting in the fumble that turned into 7 points for the Thunder. Fortunately after the game he appeared to be ok and was smiling even though I was trying to mess around with his ability to focus. Should be good to go again next week.

Good to hear he is ok... head injuries are not to be taken lightly.

Though I confess having some fun with a teammate when he got knocked out after returning a kickoff our freshman year.  As he sat on the bench sniffing smelling salts, we said "don't worry... the wife and kids are in the stands and they are fine."  To which he just shook his head... "wife... kids?"

LOL, good one! +k

[shepherd]

Congratulations to Carthage on a great win.  The coaches had a game plan that exploited Wheaton's weaknesses and the players executed it.  It was very hard to watch the game as a Wheaton fan (ARRRGGG!!) but I also had a great appreciation for a good game plan. 

[shepherd]

Now about the line play which is what I focus on.  Wheaton has yet to be able to run on the inside against a CCIW team. 
Problem #1    Wheaton's big offensive line is not dong the job. 
Wheaton O-line                                                      Carthage D-line
245lbs, 275lbs, 250lbs, 300lbs, 275lbs               208lbs, 239lbs, 210lbs, 214lbs
There is no use having big powerful guys on the field if you are unable to exploit their power.  Since these guys are slower you also have a decline in downfield blocking, traps and double teams.  Wheaton has become a one-dimensional team.  41yds rushing today for an offensive line that was supposed to be one of your strong areas.

Problem#2 Wheaton halfbacks and fullback are very poor blockers and are unable to pick up any type of blitz.  The two backs that switch off are the best running backs but are ineffective against blitzes. An ongoing problem all season and instrumental in today's game.  The only back that can block that I have seen is Rocky Gingg.   May want to try him at fullback this season (or Halfback on passing downs) why put in fullbacks who can't block?

Problem#3  Defensive line is over penetrating and giving up big plays.  Coach Swider mentioned people trying to do too much in the pre game interview.  This has varied from game to game and now play to play.  A good defense begins with the line creating a wall and moving as a wall together.  Cover your gap for an inside run then pursue as a wall stringing outside runs toward the 13th man the sideline. Which also buys time for other defensive players to help on the play.  Carthage was running options right around the end.  Over penetration may give you a nice yards loss rushing (63 Wheaton vs. 49 for Carthage) but also is prone to big gains.  Quote from Remember the Titans "when you do that you leave the rest of your teammates hanging.

Problem#4 Defensive linemen plays straight up on their man instead of shooting for a gap or taking one side of the o-linemen.   This is bad form and looking at the DVD tape of the game was the cause for defensive linemen not seeing the play properly and tackling a player who doesn't have the ball.  When you take one side or gap you can keep your head up and see the play properly as it develops but when you have to look around your player you lose time and leverage.
OK I'm off my soapbox.

[Titan Q]

I enjoyed the trip to Naperville today, despite the outcome for my Titans.  Both teams really played with a ton of intensity and this was a close game most of the way.  A few thoughts...

1) Aaron Fanthorpe is a terrific playmaker.  The IWU defense was good today, as usual, but Fanthorpe made big play after big play in key situations (several 3rd & longs, and a couple 4th downs NCC converted).  I believe there was a 3rd & 16 where he ran for 18 yards, for example.  The Cardinals, led by Fanthorpe, just did a great job of controlling the ball.  Time of possession favored NCC 37:00 to 23:00 and the Cards racked up 356 yards of offense, but I honestly don't think anyone who saw this game would say that IWU's D was bad -- in fact, there were stretches they looked dominant.  It just seemed like the Titans could never get the football though.

2) IWU's offense, which has been pretty good this year, is just not quite ready for this type of game.  When the Titans did get the ball, they just couldn't move it consistently...and that put tons of heat on the defense.  I think one year from now when all of these guys are a year older (and almost all do return), they will be much better in this type of situation.

3) The two successful fake punts by NCC were killers.  The first led to a Cardinal score.  The second did not, but it allowed North Central to eat up a bunch of clock.  Both plays were also huge momentum swings, and you could feel it.  IWU's D made those two big 3rd down stops, the Titans were about to get the ball back and go to work, and then bang, the Cardinals keep the ball.

4) Not having Marcus Dunlop hurt the Titans.  In this type of game, you want your senior in there.  Freshman Bo Lanter is going to be a CCIW star someday, but it would have been nice to have Dunlop today.  It was obvious IWU was commited to establishing the run, but they just never could break anything.


Still, IWU was right in this game in the 4th quarter, within a TD with the ball.  I think both teams are pretty evenly matched but NCC had the best playmaker on the field and North Central executed better today.

http://www.northcentralcollege.edu/athletics/stats/football/2007/NCC-IWU.HTM

[Mr. Ypsi]

Just noticed an oddity in the IWU-NCC box score: IWU had two kickoffs, averaging 26 yards, yet their NET average was 37.5 yards!  Is that an error, or did NCC really lose that much on the returns?!

EDIT: I now see they do have NCC listed as -23 yards on kickoff returns, so apparently not a typo.  How is that possible?!

[wheels81]

Problem#4 Defensive linemen plays straight up on their man instead of shooting for a gap or taking one side of the o-linemen.   This is bad form and looking at the DVD tape of the game was the cause for defensive linemen not seeing the play properly and tackling a player who doesn’t have the ball.  When you take one side or gap you can keep your head up and see the play properly as it develops but when you have to look around your player you lose time and leverage.
OK I’m off my soapbox.

Newer technology or older can't figure that one out?

I for one thought that Bradley should have started today.  He had the rhythm on offense over the past two games and it sure did look like Norris had trouble hitting his open receivers and they in turn not catching them when he did find the range.  
O-line is a problem...still...letting too much penentration even against Elmhurst early they allowed qb to be hit too much.  
what happened to screen passes. and using Kemper......
Great run after interception by Carthage I hope he got some oxygen, 70 yard return that seemed to be 170 yards.
same problem wheaton can't stop the qb and gets burned on fake punt.- dejavu all over again.
At least they still control their own destiny in CCIW,  may have lost 2 home game sites for playoffs even with win next week.
I think they should still get first game home.

[Titan Q]

I'd love to make the Titans out to be a huge underdog next week vs Wheaton, but I don't think they are.  I think in Bloomington, that game is a "pick 'em." There will be two good teams playing with absolutely everything on the line and it should make for a great atmosphere.   From IWU's perspective, it's all about the offense -- will they be able to move the football?  We'll see.

[Tailgater]

Just out of curiosity, What was up with the Head Official rushing over to the Wheaton QB several different times after a play and helping him to his feet when he got knocked to the ground? He never helped a Carthage player to his feet. Was he related?

[Titan Q]

Just noticed an oddity in the IWU-NCC box score: IWU had two kickoffs, averaging 26 yards, yet their NET average was 37.5 yards!  Is that an error, or did NCC really lose that much on the returns?!

EDIT: I now see they do have NCC listed as -23 yards on kickoff returns, so apparently not a typo.  How is that possible?!

They just have a mistake in there.  On IWU's second kickoff (after the 3rd Q TD), the play-by-play says...

Tiefenbruck, Br kickoff -13 yards to the IWU17, Schneiderbauer, return -46 yards to the NCC37

I can assure you the Titans did not kick the ball off backwards to their 17, followed by North Central running backwards for 46 yards.  IWU kicked off and NCC started from their own 37.

[red99]

Just out of curiosity, What was up with the Head Official rushing over to the Wheaton QB several different times after a play and helping him to his feet when he got knocked to the ground? He never helped a Carthage player to his feet. Was he related?

WOW...at least I'm not the only one who questioned the refs all game. Sitting on the Thunder side, I am amazed at what poor sports their fans really are. I never cursed, nor did I say anything that would offend any child in the stands, yet I was scorned, with profanities, after I cheered for my Redmen.  I am truley sorry that I was unable to sit with the other Redmen fans, as that side was full. GO REDMEN, GREAT JOB COACH RUCKS

[usee]

I'd love to make the Titans out to be a huge underdog next week vs Wheaton, but I don't think they are.  I think in Bloomington, that game is a "pick 'em." There will be two good teams playing with absolutely everything on the line and it should make for a great atmosphere.   From IWU's perspective, it's all about the offense -- will they be able to move the football?  We'll see.

I am not a betting man but I am sure you could probably get an awful lot of action if you  were offering this as a pickem game. If I were a betting man I wouldn't feel very good about taking the Thunder and giving many points either though. I would bet the OAC board would put a spread on this game. 

[usee]

IF Carthage holds serve in Kenosha next week (have I mentioned - Go RedMen?! ), they have snuck under the radar into pool C contention.  So far I think there are still too many one-loss C-candidates for ANY two-loss team to have much of a chance, but the carnage may not yet be over.

I am not by any means an expert but there are still 10 1 loss teams left for 7 pool C bids. 3 of those can clinch pool A bids with wins next week against tough foes. 2 more COULD get pool A with wins and help. I think at MOST there will be 1-2 pool C bids for 2 loss teams and the #1 2 loss team is Capital. Beyond that its anybody's guess. Carthage has a pulse for the post season but i would think they are on life support. If Wheaton wins next week and NCC beats carthage, they are in the same boat. It could happen but I don't see how right now.

There is a great Pool C board under general football on PP that tells you who all the 1 loss teams are and the matchups for next week.

[wheels81]

red99
you obviously were not at the game or on Thunder side.  I had my 3 kids there and heard nothing like you described as far as poor sports or profanity just a poor winners post by you.   Don't take anything away from your team on field by saying the refs were bad.  There were plenty of seats on carthage side so don't give line that there was no place to sit. 
good to know you won't be posting much past next week when the team you cheer for will be  truley out of the play off picture soon enough.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Just noticed an oddity in the IWU-NCC box score: IWU had two kickoffs, averaging 26 yards, yet their NET average was 37.5 yards!  Is that an error, or did NCC really lose that much on the returns?!

EDIT: I now see they do have NCC listed as -23 yards on kickoff returns, so apparently not a typo.  How is that possible?!

They just have a mistake in there.  On IWU's second kickoff (after the 3rd Q TD), the play-by-play says...

Tiefenbruck, Br kickoff -13 yards to the IWU17, Schneiderbauer, return -46 yards to the NCC37

I can assure you the Titans did not kick the ball off backwards to their 17, followed by North Central running backwards for 46 yards.  IWU kicked off and NCC started from their own 37.

I didn't check the play-by-play carefully enough.  With the automatic data entry packages, that would explain the box score.

With the problems we had earlier with punting, it is a relief to know that the kickoffs are not going backwards!

[cardinaldad]

I enjoyed the trip to Naperville today, despite the outcome for my Titans.  Both teams really played with a ton of intensity and this was a close game most of the way.  A few thoughts...

1) Aaron Fanthorpe is a terrific playmaker.  The IWU defense was good today, as usual, but Fanthorpe made big play after big play in key situations (several 3rd & longs, and a couple 4th downs NCC converted).  I believe there was a 3rd & 16 where he ran for 18 yards, for example.  The Cardinals, led by Fanthorpe, just did a great job of controlling the ball.  Time of possession favored NCC 37:00 to 23:00 and the Cards racked up 356 yards of offense, but I honestly don't think anyone who saw this game would say that IWU's D was bad -- in fact, there were stretches they looked dominant.  It just seemed like the Titans could never get the football though.

2) IWU's offense, which has been pretty good this year, is just not quite ready for this type of game.  When the Titans did get the ball, they just couldn't move it consistently...and that put tons of heat on the defense.  I think one year from now when all of these guys are a year older (and almost all do return), they will be much better in this type of situation.

3) The two successful fake punts by NCC were killers.  The first led to a Cardinal score.  The second did not, but it allowed North Central to eat up a bunch of clock.  Both plays were also huge momentum swings, and you could feel it.  IWU's D made those two big 3rd down stops, the Titans were about to get the ball back and go to work, and then bang, the Cardinals keep the ball.

4) Not having Marcus Dunlop hurt the Titans.  In this type of game, you want your senior in there.  Freshman Bo Lanter is going to be a CCIW star someday, but it would have been nice to have Dunlop today.  It was obvious IWU was commited to establishing the run, but they just never could break anything.


Still, IWU was right in this game in the 4th quarter, within a TD with the ball.  I think both teams are pretty evenly matched but NCC had the best playmaker on the field and North Central executed better today.

http://www.northcentralcollege.edu/athletics/stats/football/2007/NCC-IWU.HTM

I agree with your assessment TitanQ. IWU's defense gave NCC's offense all they could handle today. Particularly the d line. I thought they did an outstanding job today. They did a great job against the run and had some sacks and alot of hurries. I thought they clearly outplayed our o-line today. GO GET 'EM NEXT SATURDAY!!!!!!!!