FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[cardinaldad]

Congrats to Marcus Dunlop for the making the 2nd Team of the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America squad...

http://www.pantagraph.com/articles/2007/11/30/sports/doc474f912714b1f213136241.txt 

Dunlop of Maywood, has a 3.96 grade-point average as a double major in economics and business administration.

With 2,649 rushing yards, Dunlop finished his career in second place all-time at IWU, behind Kurt Swearingen, who ran for 2,772 yards from 1975-78. Dunlop is the school career leader in rushing attempts with 658.

Congrats to Marcus.......the true definition of D3 football....being a STUDENT-athlete. Great job!!

[NCC_alum62]

Congrats to the 3 CCIW players that have been selected to play in the Aztec Bowl!

OL-Kasper-NCC
OL-Verhelst-Augie
DB-Moore-Carthage

http://www.d3football.com/notables.php

Do you think any of these guys have a chance to play after college?  Besides Studebaker, has anyone else got any looks in our conference?

In a word no...

In more words:

I'm sure that Verhelst or Kasper could play semi pro or maybe one of the Arena leagues, but I don't think there is a pro team that would pick up a D-III Lineman.  Allen from Whitworth comes closest as a TE and he put up some great numbers as a reciever and had one of the best workouts at the combine for his position.

Studebaker's chances of being invited to the combine (last I heard) were in doubt because of his injury.

Verhelst and Kasper, while both have had excellent careers, I doubt either will be invited to Indianapolis and who's to say they would want to.  I've been around some guys that have tried (and for at least a training camp) and have made an NFL roster (this isn't boasting) and one of them actually told me he felt as though some years had been taken off of his life after the experience.  And this was a guy who played at Notre Dame and had practiced and played against some great DE's and DT's everyday.

Only the best of the best make it in the trenches in the NFL.  The biggest, strongest, meanest S.O.B.'s you can think of are the ones that play at the next level, let alone succeed or thrive.   Not that there are not great OL/DL in DIII, but there isn't a daily top to bottom excellence in the trenches in DIII and I think that leaves many linemen woefully unprepared for the next level. 

How many 6'7'' 330 lb tackles that do 35 or more bench reps has Studebaker gone up against? How Many Joe Staley's (who runs a 4.7 40 at 6'5' 300) has he had to defeat on a pass rush? There isn't a single lineman in DIII that is at that level of size, strength, and athleticism rolled into one. 

I wish Andy well, and that he gets picked up, its great for DIII, but the realist in me says that while a return man or a great skill position gem in DIII can make it, its even tougher for an NFL coach to draft a DIII lineman (at either side of the ball) because he knows that this kid hasn't even come close to seeing some of the freak athletes that play in the trenches at the DI level.

[usee]

Well I posted these predictions on the daily dose this morning:

USee Says:

December 1st, 2007 at 11:56 am
my predictions:

MUC 49-10 (going with LK's record in rematch games)
Bethel 21-14 (I will take a strong running game and good defense in bad weather)
UWW 49-14 (Unfortunately the facts point to a big day for the warhawks on the ground–I hope I'm wrong here)
UMHB 44-24 (the Cru is on a mission for a rematch near Janesville)


Looks like Bethel is going to win to put themselves in Alliance and ultimately I would predict an all purple stagg for the 2nd year in a row. Can you say instant replay?

[usee]

Congrats to the 3 CCIW players that have been selected to play in the Aztec Bowl!

OL-Kasper-NCC
OL-Verhelst-Augie
DB-Moore-Carthage

http://www.d3football.com/notables.php

Do you think any of these guys have a chance to play after college?  Besides Studebaker, has anyone else got any looks in our conference?

In a word no...

In more words:

I'm sure that Verhelst or Kasper could play semi pro or maybe one of the Arena leagues, but I don't think there is a pro team that would pick up a D-III Lineman.  Allen from Whitworth comes closest as a TE and he put up some great numbers as a reciever and had one of the best workouts at the combine for his position.

Studebaker's chances of being invited to the combine (last I heard) were in doubt because of his injury.

Verhelst and Kasper, while both have had excellent careers, I doubt either will be invited to Indianapolis and who's to say they would want to.  I've been around some guys that have tried (and for at least a training camp) and have made an NFL roster (this isn't boasting) and one of them actually told me he felt as though some years had been taken off of his life after the experience.  And this was a guy who played at Notre Dame and had practiced and played against some great DE's and DT's everyday.

Only the best of the best make it in the trenches in the NFL.  The biggest, strongest, meanest S.O.B.'s you can think of are the ones that play at the next level, let alone succeed or thrive.   Not that there are not great OL/DL in DIII, but there isn't a daily top to bottom excellence in the trenches in DIII and I think that leaves many linemen woefully unprepared for the next level. 

How many 6'7'' 330 lb tackles that do 35 or more bench reps has Studebaker gone up against? How Many Joe Staley's (who runs a 4.7 40 at 6'5' 300) has he had to defeat on a pass rush? There isn't a single lineman in DIII that is at that level of size, strength, and athleticism rolled into one. 

I wish Andy well, and that he gets picked up, its great for DIII, but the realist in me says that while a return man or a great skill position gem in DIII can make it, its even tougher for an NFL coach to draft a DIII lineman (at either side of the ball) because he knows that this kid hasn't even come close to seeing some of the freak athletes that play in the trenches at the DI level.

NCC-62,

a couple notable exceptions: Tom Newberry was an offensive lineman at UW LaCrosse and played 10 yrs in the NFL including a superbowl with the 49ers. More recently Jason Trusnik, a defensive end from Ohio Northern who last played there in 2006, is on the active roster for the New York Jets. Trusnik is very similar in build to Studebaker but Andy is physically a better specimen. I never saw Trusnik play but reports from people I trust say he was not only physically dominant at ONU but very football smart. If there is a knock on Andy, I don't know who football smart he is. but it would be hard to find a more talented player physically than Andy. Any NFL team would love to have him running down the field on kick offs and punts and working his way into an NFL lineup. I am not saying it will happen but, if he recovers fully, he will definately get a shot.

[usee]

Wheaton has an interesting schedule next year. They open at home vs. Bethel before traveling to Concordia, WI and Hope.  Bethel's post season experience just made this an extremely tough opener for the Thunder.

[NCC_alum62]

Congrats to the 3 CCIW players that have been selected to play in the Aztec Bowl!

OL-Kasper-NCC
OL-Verhelst-Augie
DB-Moore-Carthage

http://www.d3football.com/notables.php

Do you think any of these guys have a chance to play after college?  Besides Studebaker, has anyone else got any looks in our conference?

In a word no...

In more words:

I'm sure that Verhelst or Kasper could play semi pro or maybe one of the Arena leagues, but I don't think there is a pro team that would pick up a D-III Lineman.  Allen from Whitworth comes closest as a TE and he put up some great numbers as a reciever and had one of the best workouts at the combine for his position.

Studebaker's chances of being invited to the combine (last I heard) were in doubt because of his injury.

Verhelst and Kasper, while both have had excellent careers, I doubt either will be invited to Indianapolis and who's to say they would want to.  I've been around some guys that have tried (and for at least a training camp) and have made an NFL roster (this isn't boasting) and one of them actually told me he felt as though some years had been taken off of his life after the experience.  And this was a guy who played at Notre Dame and had practiced and played against some great DE's and DT's everyday.

Only the best of the best make it in the trenches in the NFL.  The biggest, strongest, meanest S.O.B.'s you can think of are the ones that play at the next level, let alone succeed or thrive.   Not that there are not great OL/DL in DIII, but there isn't a daily top to bottom excellence in the trenches in DIII and I think that leaves many linemen woefully unprepared for the next level. 

How many 6'7'' 330 lb tackles that do 35 or more bench reps has Studebaker gone up against? How Many Joe Staley's (who runs a 4.7 40 at 6'5' 300) has he had to defeat on a pass rush? There isn't a single lineman in DIII that is at that level of size, strength, and athleticism rolled into one. 

I wish Andy well, and that he gets picked up, its great for DIII, but the realist in me says that while a return man or a great skill position gem in DIII can make it, its even tougher for an NFL coach to draft a DIII lineman (at either side of the ball) because he knows that this kid hasn't even come close to seeing some of the freak athletes that play in the trenches at the DI level.

NCC-62,

a couple notable exceptions: Tom Newberry was an offensive lineman at UW LaCrosse and played 10 yrs in the NFL including a superbowl with the 49ers. More recently Jason Trusnik, a defensive end from Ohio Northern who last played there in 2006, is on the active roster for the New York Jets. Trusnik is very similar in build to Studebaker but Andy is physically a better specimen. I never saw Trusnik play but reports from people I trust say he was not only physically dominant at ONU but very football smart. If there is a knock on Andy, I don't know who football smart he is. but it would be hard to find a more talented player physically than Andy. Any NFL team would love to have him running down the field on kick offs and punts and working his way into an NFL lineup. I am not saying it will happen but, if he recovers fully, he will definately get a shot.

I stand correctd, however Trusnik plays OLB in a 3-4 (Not a down lineman) and Newberry was drafted in 1986 which is not within my recent memory, but thats one guy that is truely in the trenchs in IMHO.

[79jaybird]

Ahh the first big snowfall of the year.  I love it and loved playing in the snow.  Made for some great "trench" battles on the line.
I would like to see a Bethel vs. UW-Whitewater Nat'l Championship game.  Get two Midwest programs in the big game. 

[New Tradition]

Ahh the first big snowfall of the year.  I love it and loved playing in the snow.  Made for some great "trench" battles on the line.
I would like to see a Bethel vs. UW-Whitewater Nat'l Championship game.  Get two Midwest programs in the big game. 

I'd rather play in 95 degree heat!  I was never much for playing in cold weather.  My only consolation was that if I was playing in the cold, my team was doing well and probably in the playoffs.  As much as I'd like to see the same match up you talked about, I don't see anyone beating Mt. Union.  I think we'll have another rematch of last year again, with the same result.

[devildog29]

Congrats to the 3 CCIW players that have been selected to play in the Aztec Bowl!

OL-Kasper-NCC
OL-Verhelst-Augie
DB-Moore-Carthage

http://www.d3football.com/notables.php

Do you think any of these guys have a chance to play after college?  Besides Studebaker, has anyone else got any looks in our conference?

In a word no...

In more words:

I'm sure that Verhelst or Kasper could play semi pro or maybe one of the Arena leagues, but I don't think there is a pro team that would pick up a D-III Lineman.  Allen from Whitworth comes closest as a TE and he put up some great numbers as a reciever and had one of the best workouts at the combine for his position.

Studebaker's chances of being invited to the combine (last I heard) were in doubt because of his injury.

Verhelst and Kasper, while both have had excellent careers, I doubt either will be invited to Indianapolis and who's to say they would want to.  I've been around some guys that have tried (and for at least a training camp) and have made an NFL roster (this isn't boasting) and one of them actually told me he felt as though some years had been taken off of his life after the experience.  And this was a guy who played at Notre Dame and had practiced and played against some great DE's and DT's everyday.

Only the best of the best make it in the trenches in the NFL.  The biggest, strongest, meanest S.O.B.'s you can think of are the ones that play at the next level, let alone succeed or thrive.   Not that there are not great OL/DL in DIII, but there isn't a daily top to bottom excellence in the trenches in DIII and I think that leaves many linemen woefully unprepared for the next level. 

How many 6'7'' 330 lb tackles that do 35 or more bench reps has Studebaker gone up against? How Many Joe Staley's (who runs a 4.7 40 at 6'5' 300) has he had to defeat on a pass rush? There isn't a single lineman in DIII that is at that level of size, strength, and athleticism rolled into one. 

I wish Andy well, and that he gets picked up, its great for DIII, but the realist in me says that while a return man or a great skill position gem in DIII can make it, its even tougher for an NFL coach to draft a DIII lineman (at either side of the ball) because he knows that this kid hasn't even come close to seeing some of the freak athletes that play in the trenches at the DI level.

NCC-62,

a couple notable exceptions: Tom Newberry was an offensive lineman at UW LaCrosse and played 10 yrs in the NFL including a superbowl with the 49ers. More recently Jason Trusnik, a defensive end from Ohio Northern who last played there in 2006, is on the active roster for the New York Jets. Trusnik is very similar in build to Studebaker but Andy is physically a better specimen. I never saw Trusnik play but reports from people I trust say he was not only physically dominant at ONU but very football smart. If there is a knock on Andy, I don't know who football smart he is. but it would be hard to find a more talented player physically than Andy. Any NFL team would love to have him running down the field on kick offs and punts and working his way into an NFL lineup. I am not saying it will happen but, if he recovers fully, he will definately get a shot.

Didn't the Vikings have an O-lineman from Augie in the 90s?

[BoBo]

Congrats to the 3 CCIW players that have been selected to play in the Aztec Bowl!

OL-Kasper-NCC
OL-Verhelst-Augie
DB-Moore-Carthage

http://www.d3football.com/notables.php

Do you think any of these guys have a chance to play after college?  Besides Studebaker, has anyone else got any looks in our conference?

In a word no...

In more words:

I'm sure that Verhelst or Kasper could play semi pro or maybe one of the Arena leagues, but I don't think there is a pro team that would pick up a D-III Lineman.  Allen from Whitworth comes closest as a TE and he put up some great numbers as a reciever and had one of the best workouts at the combine for his position.

Studebaker's chances of being invited to the combine (last I heard) were in doubt because of his injury.

Verhelst and Kasper, while both have had excellent careers, I doubt either will be invited to Indianapolis and who's to say they would want to.  I've been around some guys that have tried (and for at least a training camp) and have made an NFL roster (this isn't boasting) and one of them actually told me he felt as though some years had been taken off of his life after the experience.  And this was a guy who played at Notre Dame and had practiced and played against some great DE's and DT's everyday.

Only the best of the best make it in the trenches in the NFL.  The biggest, strongest, meanest S.O.B.'s you can think of are the ones that play at the next level, let alone succeed or thrive.   Not that there are not great OL/DL in DIII, but there isn't a daily top to bottom excellence in the trenches in DIII and I think that leaves many linemen woefully unprepared for the next level. 

How many 6'7'' 330 lb tackles that do 35 or more bench reps has Studebaker gone up against? How Many Joe Staley's (who runs a 4.7 40 at 6'5' 300) has he had to defeat on a pass rush? There isn't a single lineman in DIII that is at that level of size, strength, and athleticism rolled into one. 

I wish Andy well, and that he gets picked up, its great for DIII, but the realist in me says that while a return man or a great skill position gem in DIII can make it, its even tougher for an NFL coach to draft a DIII lineman (at either side of the ball) because he knows that this kid hasn't even come close to seeing some of the freak athletes that play in the trenches at the DI level.

NCC-62,

a couple notable exceptions: Tom Newberry was an offensive lineman at UW LaCrosse and played 10 yrs in the NFL including a superbowl with the 49ers. More recently Jason Trusnik, a defensive end from Ohio Northern who last played there in 2006, is on the active roster for the New York Jets. Trusnik is very similar in build to Studebaker but Andy is physically a better specimen. I never saw Trusnik play but reports from people I trust say he was not only physically dominant at ONU but very football smart. If there is a knock on Andy, I don't know who football smart he is. but it would be hard to find a more talented player physically than Andy. Any NFL team would love to have him running down the field on kick offs and punts and working his way into an NFL lineup. I am not saying it will happen but, if he recovers fully, he will definately get a shot.

Correction on Tom Newberry...he was drafted by the LA Rams in the second round (pick 50) in 1986 and was 3 time All-Pro, but he never played with the 49ers.  He started at guard for the Steelers in Super Bowl XXX (Jan 1996) vs Dallas in Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona (Dallas 27, Pitt 17).  He retired following the Super Bowl.
Tom was an absolute beast on the field...great guy off the field.  I finished Graduate School at UW-La Crosse in 1986. 

[usee]

Mike Swider is a finalist for Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year. This is an award for on AND off the field accomplishments. it more than just performance oriented. It would be great for the CCIW if he won. If you want to cast a vote (1 per day) and help the CCIW the link is below:

Wheaton, Ill. – Wheaton College football coach Mike Swider has been named as a finalist for the 2007 Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year Award, which honors college football coaches who best exemplify responsibility and excellence on and off the field of play. Swider is one of five finalists for the Division III Coach of the Year award. Fans can cast a vote for coach Swider to win the Division III award until December 15 at www.coachoftheyear.com. The winner will be announced on December 29 during an ABC/ESPN special.

[79jaybird]

I was just about to write this up and Usee beat me to the punch!  Yes, you can vote multiple times.   Coach Swider is a great man and well deserving of this honor. Hopefully he wins this award.
New Tradition I think you're right. The mighty Mount is going to be tough to beat.

[usee]

No one is going to beat mount union. I think they have played their closest game already. They are significantly better than every other team

[Jim Matson]

Per usee's quote above, I honestly believe that this year Mount Union could compete in the DII championship bracket.  Maybe they don't win more than one game, but they'd be competitive.

And while you are thinking about that, read about Wheaton's recent trophy on the newest site in Pat's family, www.D3soccer.com.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Per usee's quote above, I honestly believe that this year Mount Union could compete in the DII championship bracket.  Maybe they don't win more than one game, but they'd be competitive.

And while you are thinking about that, read about Wheaton's recent trophy on the newest site in Pat's family, www.D3soccer.com.

While I agree that MUC could handle many, quite possibly even a majority of, d2 teams, I fear they would be overmatched against the playoff teams.  At least you didn't say (like some have) that they would win the d2 title - Grand Valley St. is the ONLY college team in America with a LONGER winning streak then the Raiders!

D3soccer.com is off to a nice start - congratulations again.