FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[FormerCard]

I apologize if this has been discussed before, but in perusing the CCIW website I noticed that the 2000 Defensive Player of the Year was J.D. Leman.  I assume since they both went to Champaign Central h.s., that he is related to current Illini linebacker J Leman?

They are brothers

[thunderdog]

FormerCard wrote:   (how do u quote people by the way?)

There could also be some popularity issues that we don't see... Lets be honest, as much as everyone bashes Norm on here, is that same way that Barnes, Swider, Rucks, etc. feel about him?  I don't know, because I am not them.  I do know he has been around a while and JT has not.   
The Cardinals have defeated IWU the last 5 seasons.
Wheaton lost the brass bell for the 1st time in a while a few years ago, shared a conference title last year with us and lost it to us this year.
When Thorne came to NC, he made the lamented cards that stated: (most of you alum will remember this)  "What have you done to beat Augie?"  From what I understand, this fired Barnes up a little.    We have also beat them 3 of the last 4 years.
Its very possible that Thorne is not a well-liked guy among the CCIW coaches because of the resurgence of the program and maybe the attitude that he portrays.
Any thoughts?
last thing... Good for IWU "coming out of nowhere" but if you ask any of those players...did they think they would finish 7th?  I highly doubt it and it was quite a motivator for them.  They had talent and the CCIW coaches helped put a chip on the shoulder.

Former Card,
You make excellent points as to why JT should have won a COY in the last 5 years.  However, I'll liken it to Albert Pujols in baseball... the guy puts up monster #'s every year but there always seems to be someone (Ryan Howard in 2006) who does just a little bit better and steals the MVP from him.  As deserving as JT is in 2007, Eash just eeked it out in the end (and rightfully so).

I will add... (and I'm sure I'll probably take heat for this) as much as it is public knowledge that Eash is not well-liked, I do believe that JT is not on everyone's "favorite coach" list (outside of NCC players).


Fightintitan,
Yes, J Leman is the younger brother of former Wheaton standout JD Leman.  He was not heavily recruited out of high school by many of the Big Ten teams outside of the Illini.  J very seriously considered attending Wheaton due to the incredible experience his older brother had and the recruiting finesse of Coach Rod Sandberg.  The quote I heard was, "Unless the Illini offer me a full ride, I'm coming to Wheaton..."  Well, the rest as they say is history.

Another Wheaton connection:
Michael Ware, a DE who transferred from Wheaton to Illinois, was roommates with J for at least 1 year (maybe longer).  I've been informed from credible sources that Ware informed Leman of some of Wheaton's "Friday night pre-game rituals" and that the Illini now partake in these rituals.  (If you knew of what I speak, you'd find the humor in this, otherwise it probably means nothing to you).

Ware has since bulked up at Illinois and plays DT where he has seen considerable playing time.  

How awesome would it have been to see Ware playing opposite Studebaker and Leman plugging the middle for Wheaton?  Ahhh... wishful thinking...

[Mugsy]

How awesome would it have been to see Ware playing opposite Studebaker and Leman plugging the middle for Wheaton?  Ahhh... wishful thinking...

This year I would have settled for just Studebaker.   

[usee]

FormerCard wrote:   (how do u quote people by the way?)

Tdog,

you hit the "quote" button at the top right of the post you want to quote. then scroll down and type your text at the very bottom. if you want to quote multiple people or dissect a post into mulitple quotes you will have to attend the Sagerian editing class offered during the offseason at North Park. 

[New Tradition]

FormerCard wrote:   (how do u quote people by the way?)

When you log in and read posts, there is an icon in the upper-right hand corner of each post that says "quote."  Just click it and it will immediately send you to the post creation page with the material that you would like quoted already included in the box that you type your message in.

[New Tradition]

FormerCard wrote:   (how do u quote people by the way?)

Tdog,

you hit the "quote" button at the top right of the post you want to quote. then scroll down and type your text at the very bottom. if you want to quote multiple people or dissect a post into mulitple quotes you will have to attend the Sagerian editing class offered during the offseason at North Park. 

Ah, ya beat me to it! 

[usee]

Around the Nation is out w playoff predictions and more info than you could ask for. Well done Keith!

http://www.d3football.com/columns/around-the-nation/2007-11-13/Our+playoff+picks%2C+surprises%2C+disappointments

[Dennis_Prikkel]

Congrats to NPU wide receiver Chris Durr upon making the All-CCIW first team, and to QB Shelby Wood and RB Kelvyn West upon making the All-CCIW second team. Getting three sophomore skill-position players onto the All-CCIW team is a nice accomplishment, and it's one that bodes well for the future.

Now NPU needs to clear the big hurdle that has always proved insurmountable for the Vikings: Getting a good O-line put together.

Said it at the beginning of the year, this trio is very good.  As long as they stay healthy, they will win a CCIW game before they graduate.

And perhaps next season the offensive coordinator will dig a little deeper into his playbook to find that he doesn't have to run draw plays on first and second down like he did almost the entire first halves against Benedictine and North Central, putting his QB in third and forever jeopardy on every series.

When your own defensive coordinator walks away from the offensive coordinator in disgust after another draw play is called you know there is something wrong. 

DoS

[New Tradition]

Around the Nation is out w playoff predictions and more info than you could ask for. Well done Keith!

http://www.d3football.com/columns/around-the-nation/2007-11-13/Our+playoff+picks%2C+surprises%2C+disappointments

Coleman: Hmm. I can see North Central winning a first-round game on the road.

Pat,
Thanks for giving the Cards a little love.  I concur, with the offense playing the way that it has, I believe that NC has a good shot to take Franklin down.  My concern would normally be stopping the high-octane Franklin Offense, but I know that Lester will have the defense ready to go.

[FormerCard]

Card Alum,
Not making the trip this weekend...I am hoping for good text messages from all who attend.

My favorite:
Fanthorpes kneeling

[Mr. Ypsi]

Card Alum,
Not making the trip this weekend...I am hoping for good text messages from all who attend.

My favorite:
Fanthorpes kneeling

I trust that is on the field sealing a victory, not on the sideline praying for a comeback!

Go Cards - represent the conference well!

[lakeshore]

Congrats to NPU wide receiver Chris Durr upon making the All-CCIW first team, and to QB Shelby Wood and RB Kelvyn West upon making the All-CCIW second team. Getting three sophomore skill-position players onto the All-CCIW team is a nice accomplishment, and it's one that bodes well for the future.

Now NPU needs to clear the big hurdle that has always proved insurmountable for the Vikings: Getting a good O-line put together.

Said it at the beginning of the year, this trio is very good.  As long as they stay healthy, they will win a CCIW game before they graduate.

And perhaps next season the offensive coordinator will dig a little deeper into his playbook to find that he doesn't have to run draw plays on first and second down like he did almost the entire first halves against Benedictine and North Central, putting his QB in third and forever jeopardy on every series.

When your own defensive coordinator walks away from the offensive coordinator in disgust after another draw play is called you know there is something wrong. 

DoS

The Vikings are trying hard to establish a solid run game.  This league is won with good running games and good defense.  Its been proven by NPU's previous regime that you can't throw 50 times every week and win in the CCIW.

I agree with Greg recruiting tough olineman is the key for NPU.

BTW Coach Pethtel is also the defensive coordinator and I doubt he would ever "walk away" from any of his staff members.

[burly]

Congrats to NPU wide receiver Chris Durr upon making the All-CCIW first team, and to QB Shelby Wood and RB Kelvyn West upon making the All-CCIW second team. Getting three sophomore skill-position players onto the All-CCIW team is a nice accomplishment, and it's one that bodes well for the future.

Now NPU needs to clear the big hurdle that has always proved insurmountable for the Vikings: Getting a good O-line put together.

Said it at the beginning of the year, this trio is very good.  As long as they stay healthy, they will win a CCIW game before they graduate.

That's not the most flattering tribute I've ever read, BP. While NPU is definitely still in "win one first, then worry about the next step" mode, if Scott Pethtel can only win one CCIW game in four years then it will not have been a successful journey for either him or his sophomore trio.

I certainly hope that Durr, Wood, and West have set their sights higher than winning a solitary CCIW game over their four-year careers.

Mr. Sager, when was the last time North Park won a conference game?

[burly]

Congrats to NPU wide receiver Chris Durr upon making the All-CCIW first team, and to QB Shelby Wood and RB Kelvyn West upon making the All-CCIW second team. Getting three sophomore skill-position players onto the All-CCIW team is a nice accomplishment, and it's one that bodes well for the future.

Now NPU needs to clear the big hurdle that has always proved insurmountable for the Vikings: Getting a good O-line put together.

Said it at the beginning of the year, this trio is very good.  As long as they stay healthy, they will win a CCIW game before they graduate.

That's not the most flattering tribute I've ever read, BP. While NPU is definitely still in "win one first, then worry about the next step" mode, if Scott Pethtel can only win one CCIW game in four years then it will not have been a successful journey for either him or his sophomore trio.

I certainly hope that Durr, Wood, and West have set their sights higher than winning a solitary CCIW game over their four-year careers.

Mr. Sager, when was the last time North Park won a conference game?

Just looked it up - Elmhurst in 2000.

This is the brutal reality.  I agree that there is more to winning and I'm sure Scott is teaching these guys to stay tough,  not to quit and how to keep working for the greater good.  However, if they win a CCIW game on top of that, then they will have accomplished something that nobody else could do in the last 8-9 years depending if that CCIW W comes next year or the following.

I'm sure they have set their sights higher too.  But, for now, they must get that first CCIW W.  Which I believe, would be a major accomplishment for NPU football.

[burly]

How awesome would it have been to see Ware playing opposite Studebaker and Leman plugging the middle for Wheaton?  Ahhh... wishful thinking...

T-dog, this would have been great.  I spent a lot of my time trying to get Ware on board.  When he quit, I was pretty disappointed.  He would have been a great one, but then again, he didn't want to be. 

Leman, is too good to play D3.  I can't believe we were one scholarship offer away from getting him.  He plays a lot like his brother, but better (sorry JD).  The kid can flat out run and hit.  IMO, for a 215+ LB, his older brother had some wheels too.