FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[wheels81]

First, I want to say congratulations to the IWU Titans for their share of the CCIW Championship.  Their defense played up to their expectations and Dunlop is a very special runner (although "Q" his total was 138 after -26 yards lost.)
NCC is clearly the best team in Conference now and even if Wheaton would have won they would be in no shape to advance very far in the tournament.  I think the Cardinals have a shot to be sacrificed on the altar at Mount Union this year.

Wheaton's defense overcame a lot of adversity and certainly kept them in every game.  Today's loss was not on the defense.  

I think the biggest problem Wheaton had all year injury wise or not was the offensive line.  I know they have a new coach which may be part of the reason.  Their quaterbacks got sacked or hit way too often this year and helps explain qb's going down left and right.  It also showed in their running game where they have the talent in the backfield but the line could not open any holes on a consistent basis.  

Although I know I've read it a lot this year but I think the officials at today's game were the ones on muscle relaxers  Even Wheaton's radio team overheard IWU commetators making remarks on some questionable calls that went their way.

[Tailgater]

carthage showing some fight. returns the kickoff 60+ and scores to make it

28-10 ncc

actually called back due to block in the back, but still able to move 30 yards threw the air for the score.

[usee]

Although I know I've read it a lot this year but I think the officials at today's game were the ones on muscle relaxers  Even Wheaton's radio team overheard IWU commetators making remarks on some questionable calls that went their way.

No doubt the referees were an abomination. Both teams are fortunate their incompetence didn't end up costing anyone the game.

[Tailgater]

Congratulations to NCC and IWU in sharing the CCIW Title. Well deserved by both teams. Good luck to NCC who will carry the conference torch into the NCAA playoffs. Thank you CCIW for another exciting season. This conference is truly exciting to watch and support.

[Tailgater]

Nothing much to say about the route in Kenosha today. This was certainly not the same team that looked so impressive in Wheaton last week. The blocked field goal which NCC returned for an early score really took the air out of Carthage. Early on it looked as if Carthage could move the ball (via the air) effectively against NCC but had little to show for it on the scoreboard. The Carthage O-line self destructed and was porous all afternoon. I was glad to see Brennan O'Boyle after the game walking unaided and able to smile. He took a beating. I haven't checked the stats to see how many sacks he suffered, but it was more than any QB deserved. Carthage had no running game and was pretty much one dimensional needing to chase down a big deficit most of the game. I don't know what to say about the defense other than..... where were you? Congrats to NCC for coming into Kenosha and taking care of their business. They made Carthage look like........well.......NP :. (no disrespect intended).

Congrats to the graduating seniors from Carthage for a successful 4 year run with winning seasons each year. It has been a pleasure watching you all develop and perform over those years. Best wishes to you all as you complete your academics, get your degrees and head into the real world. Same goes to all the soon to be graduating seniors throughout the CCIW. Thanks for all the entertaining weekends of football.

[Jim Matson]

Congrats to you both Q and Yps.  The Titans played a great game today and what a way to finish the season!  Dunlop is a special player and even though the passing was not always spot on, those plays that mattered were well executed.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Thanks, Jim.  Now that the punting unit is not a disaster in the making, and the OLinemen are not really just freshmen anymore, I just wish we could keep playing!  Coe, MSJ, we want a rematch!

Wheaton has THE HIGHEST SOS of any 8-2 team - don't give up hope of a pool C bid!

[FishHack76]

Thorne for CCIW Coach of the Year ... that is all.

Co-champ NCC was picked 3rd in the coaches pre-season poll; co-champ IWU was picked 7th ... that is all.

NCC 23, Illinois Wesleyan 7 ... That is all.

[FishHack76]

Seriously, my whole point in this has been what else does Thorne have to do to win this award? He's won two straight conference titles now (the first time since 1946 and '47 that has happened for NCC), two straight automatic bids to the NCAA Playoffs and he's taken NCC to the playoffs three straight years. Does he have to win a national title? I bet even if he did, the CCIW would give the award to the North Park coach or something for breaking its losing streak.
I respect what IWU has done - this year, but just because you've established a trend of excellence doesn't mean you should be punished when it comes reward time.
By the way, three straight playoff trips has only happened two other times in conference history - Augustana (1981-1990) and Wheaton (2002-04).

[AndOne]

Questions, Observations, and MHO

1. Is Coach of the Year in football determined by conference only record or the entire 10 game season?

2. If conference only, even though I'm a NCC supporter (mostly in the basketball room), and would love to see Coach Thorne get it, I do believe Coach Eash merits strong consideration as I have always believed that the best coaches are the ones who get the most out of their players and exceed expectations as far as finishing much higher than they were picked. However, NCC did beat IWU in head to head competition. I know a lot of both NCC and Wesleyan supporters would probably have a problem with this, but I would have no problem with CO Coaches of the Year.

3. If overall season record is how its looked at, I believe Thorne has the edge for 2 reasons----better overall record, and the NCC win over IWU.

[AndOne]

ngrats to the graduating seniors from Carthage for a successful 4 year run with winning seasons each year. It has been a pleasure watching you all develop and perform over those years. Best wishes to you all as you complete your academics, get your degrees and head into the real world. Same goes to all the soon to be graduating seniors throughout the CCIW. Thanks for all the entertaining weekends of football.

EXCEPTIONALLY well said Tailgater. Sportsmanship personified. If anything deserves a +K its a statement like that!

[devildog29]

Questions, Observations, and MHO

1. Is Coach of the Year in football determined by conference only record or the entire 10 game season?

All conference awards are just that ------  Conference awards.  I'm not gonna say that coaches don't look at the whole season, but when you see the awards, the only stats that will accompany said awards are conference stats, not season stats.

[Tailgater]

redmen04:
Great to meet you last night after the game at "The House"and thanks for the "Spotted Cow". Dude....you are a stud and look like you are still in playing shape. I want you on my side in a bar brawl! For those out there on this board. Don't get on redmen04's bad side. He looks capable of popping your head off and using your neck like a Pez dispenser. A real gentlemen thou and a great group of former Red Men you where with!

[Redmen96]

Joe Bear  wow you must have made quite an impression on Tailgater.  Was it you or your split personality?

[FormerCard]

Alot of action this weekend in CCIW play.
First off,  congrats to the co-champs...you both earned it.
Not the greatest day to be a Wheaton football player...but I know most of those guys have a bright future ahead of them, so a short memory is good in this case.
Congrats NC!!!!
Playoffs for the 3rd straight year..makes us alum wish we had a few more years, thats for sure.
Great year of football in the CCIW, as there are alot of players who made this exciting for us.
Thanks again!
now lets work to play mount union.