FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[ncc58]

A bit of a strange feeling at NCC today.  Definitely felt like a letdown week.  Even though we won, I didn't feel the energy that has been there all season.  Kyle played well.  He made one questionable throw in my opinion but managed the game quite well and hung in and made some nice throws.  Wenger was his usual self and came up big to stop a couple of Weenie drives.   A couple of stupid penalties again for the Cards.  Long snaps were sluggish and one punt should have been completely blocked and was only partially blocked.  Should be a battle next week against Augie.  I hate even talking about the playoffs because we have a couple of huge obstacles ahead.  Good job getting another win.  I love beating Wesleyan!!!!

You hit about every note. The team looked blah. The crowd was blah. There were very few standing in the north end zone, as is the norm. The offense took advantage of field position that the defense provided.

Wenger continued to build a case for DPOY. NCC leads the CIW in turnover margin, and they didn't hurt themselves today. IWU always scares me because the combo of Ciesel and Almanza make their passing offense dangerous.

The really stupid penalties didn't occur until some of the backup players were in there.

[Blitz Creed]

I hope NCC sees the Augie game as a little more important then game experience for Kniss. They will have their hands full with Augie who beat IWU and Carthage on the road and is playing very well right now. This game is for the CCIW title and the AQ. Ncc has handled augie the last 2 yrs and may think they have an edge looking at the wheaton augie score, but they better be very hungry for this win because Augie could definitely beat NCC if they don't play well

The way things are kind of shaking up, it is good for Kyle to get experience in a championship game, considering NC most likely only needs one more win for a playoff birth. When NC makes their playoff run in a few weeks, its good to know their back up QB has some good experience in big games, considering every game is big come playoff time.

NC has had Auggie's number the past four years (please lets not get into '05)... It should be a very exciting game because it is a MUST win for both programs. Both programs will play very tough win or lose. NC is home, which is a big advantage, I would expect 3000+ at Benedetti-Wehrll Stadium. Believe me when I say NC treats this as the biggest game of the year, every year, regardless of record.

[Matilda]

Blitz Creed,  I would agree with you only on one condition....it depends when the Wheaton game is. If the Wheaton game is earlier than the Augie game than after Wheaton, yes, the Augie game is the biggest game.  But, if the Augie game is before the Wheaton game, then Wheaton still is the biggest game.

And yes, lets not talk about '05

[usee]

wow, 16-3 elmhurst halfway through the 2nd.  Pick 6 just thrown by norris.  Might be time to put Bradley in... not sure why Norris has had such a long leash all season long with a solid QB with experience on the sidelines.  I've been a Norris supporter the majority of the season but he is too shaky a quarterback with his back against the wall or in big games.

Mr Bradley,

I understand the support for your family. I could not disagree more in regards to Sean Norris. I see nothing that tells me he is not the right guy to lead this team right now. I don't think its his fault that receivers have the ball stripped from them or lineman can't get the defensive line blocked on a 3 step drop. I have no bias here and would welcome Kyle into the lineup if I thought that was the best answer. You haven't shown any support for this conclusion.

[79jaybird]

Norris was NOT the reason Wheaton struggled this weekend at Elmhurst.  If anything, his poise helped Wheaton even have a heartbeat in the second half.  Quite simply Elmhurst defensive line and linebackers outmuscled, outhustled, and outplayed Wheaton's offense.   Very strange and even I still cannot believe it fully.  I even called up my Fiance' saying, "I hope Swider's boys don't beat up on us too bad today."  Then when I called her to tell her the result of the game, she still didn't believe me. 

Ittersagen's mistakes really hurt Wheaton today, however he was not the only one making mistakes.  Wide receivers were dropping the ball when it was a great pass in their laps, and the O-Line collectively did not give Gingg much (if any) room to run. 

Couple of notes:  Elmhurst has a chance now to finish 7-3 or 8-2 for the first time since 1985 and the win snaps an 8 game losing streak to Wheaton. 

Lester and his staff have the team poised in the right direction.  Recruiting is up smarter (both academically & athletically) kids are coming to EC and playing well. 

NOW DON'T GO LAYING AN EGG @ MILLIKIN NEXT WEEK PROVING THIS GAME WAS JUST "A FIGMENT OF OUR IMAGINATION."   

[FormerCard]

Norris was NOT the reason Wheaton struggled this weekend at Elmhurst.  If anything, his poise helped Wheaton even have a heartbeat in the second half.  Quite simply Elmhurst defensive line and linebackers outmuscled, outhustled, and outplayed Wheaton's offense.   Very strange and even I still cannot believe it fully.  I even called up my Fiance' saying, "I hope Swider's boys don't beat up on us too bad today."  Then when I called her to tell her the result of the game, she still didn't believe me. 

Ittersagen's mistakes really hurt Wheaton today, however he was not the only one making mistakes.  Wide receivers were dropping the ball when it was a great pass in their laps, and the O-Line collectively did not give Gingg much (if any) room to run. 

Couple of notes:  Elmhurst has a chance now to finish 7-3 or 8-2 for the first time since 1985 and the win snaps an 8 game losing streak to Wheaton. 

Lester and his staff have the team poised in the right direction.  Recruiting is up smarter (both academically & athletically) kids are coming to EC and playing well. 

NOW DON'T GO LAYING AN EGG @ MILLIKIN NEXT WEEK PROVING THIS GAME WAS JUST "A FIGMENT OF OUR IMAGINATION."   

Congrats to Elmhurst,   that is a big win over a good Wheaton team.   

Mentally, that is big win for the EC program, and you are 100% correct.  If you go out and lose to Millikin (nothing against the Big Blue) it will be a major letdown.

Elmhurst College has alot to offer students and athletes and I think the placement of Lester as the Head Coach this season is huge step in the right direction. 

That being said, North Central has more to offer, has a great team and is the best place for star high school athletes in the area to attend college 

[CardinalAlum]

 

That being said, North Central has more to offer, has a great team and is the best place for star high school athletes in the area to attend college 

  Very well said!!  Good stuff.  You know, you kind of look like Stewie!!!

[FormerCard]

 

That being said, North Central has more to offer, has a great team and is the best place for star high school athletes in the area to attend college 

  Very well said!!  Good stuff.  You know, you kind of look like Stewie!!!

Ouch!  That one hurt.  You must be Peter Griffin then!     

(Stewie walks away from park bench)  Man says to his friend "Was it me, or did that football just talk to me?"

[79jaybird]

Please....  Elmhurst/ North Central (and virtually every other CCIW school) are equal in Academics and you can't go wrong attending any of these 8 institutions. 

And,  only up until recently has North Central even been located on the map.  Coaching is the difference.  Thorne is a great coach and he has helped NC land the recruits that (in year's past) would have gone to an Augie, IWU, or Millikin)  Now they want to stay close to home and play for a winning program. 
Similarly, at Elmhurst it started with the promotion of Paul Krohn to A.D. then the advancement and upgrades of the Staff and recruiting tools, and more to-the-point recruiting effort, and 6-4 4 of the last 5 years, might just become 7-3 or 8-2 in 2008. 
I am not jumping the gun or saying Elmhurst is a top tier team yet,  all I am saying is that the program has taken a huge step to claw their way into the upper tier of the conference.

[FormerCard]

Please....  Elmhurst/ North Central (and virtually every other CCIW school) are equal in Academics and you can't go wrong attending any of these 8 institutions. 

And,  only up until recently has North Central even been located on the map.  Coaching is the difference.  Thorne is a great coach and he has helped NC land the recruits that (in year's past) would have gone to an Augie, IWU, or Millikin)  Now they want to stay close to home and play for a winning program. 
Similarly, at Elmhurst it started with the promotion of Paul Krohn to A.D. then the advancement and upgrades of the Staff and recruiting tools, and more to-the-point recruiting effort, and 6-4 4 of the last 5 years, might just become 7-3 or 8-2 in 2008. 
I am not jumping the gun or saying Elmhurst is a top tier team yet,  all I am saying is that the program has taken a huge step to claw their way into the upper tier of the conference.

It was a joke Jaybird, notice how it was phrased at the end as a recruiting message.  I acknowledged that Elmhurst is taking huge steps, notice it was all compliments and then a little comment at the end just to have a little fun.

When it comes to the program, NC was 6-4 in 2002, 7-3 in 2003, 2004, and then began our playoff run for the last 3 years, 2 Conference championships and a current 8-0 record and #2 ranking in the nation.    You have to attribute that to the coaching staff, execution, and recruiting, plus that little thing called Mentality (havent we always been told winning is 90% mental?)

I think it is going to take Lester a few years to get to the level Thorne has brought the NC program.  It took JT 4 years to get to the playoff and 5 to get his first CCIW championship.
 

[letsplay2]

Mr. Usee,

Interesting how you jump to the conclusion that Kyle should be put in simply because he is a family member.  I suggested that it "might be time" to put him in given Norris had just thrown a pretty crucial pick 6 early in the game that gave elmhurst a huge swing of momentum.  Is that not his fault?  Like i said Norris has proven that he is shaky in big games or when his back is against the wall.  Ive played with both quarterbacks and will tell you first hand that Kyle is a much more poised quarterback and does not get rattled nearly as much as sean does in pressure situations.  Against north central sean was clearly rattled and made some bad decisions and some bad throws becasue of it.  Same happened in Elmhurst.  My "bias" comes from what i have seen, not from who I'm related to.  I definitely was not saying that Wheaton lost because of Norris.  obviously he wasn't getting much help from around him.  I made that comment before halftime so i had no idea they were going to lose.  Wheaton got handled in every aspect of the game once again, so to say it was the quarterbacks fault would be dumb.  Again, i was in support of Norris winning the starting spot at the beginning of the season because he does have big playmaking potential.  having said that, the offense couldnt get anything going and to change things up at the quarterback position isn't a bad suggestion when you have a proven quarterback on the bench and your starter is throwing int's, especially for touchdowns... and like i said, it was a suggestion; not a statement.       

Oh and thanks for the K-... that was clearly deserved(sarcasm)

[washdupcard]

Please....  Elmhurst/ North Central (and virtually every other CCIW school) are equal in Academics and you can't go wrong attending any of these 8 institutions. 

And,  only up until recently has North Central even been located on the map.  Coaching is the difference.  Thorne is a great coach and he has helped NC land the recruits that (in year's past) would have gone to an Augie, IWU, or Millikin)  Now they want to stay close to home and play for a winning program. 
Similarly, at Elmhurst it started with the promotion of Paul Krohn to A.D. then the advancement and upgrades of the Staff and recruiting tools, and more to-the-point recruiting effort, and 6-4 4 of the last 5 years, might just become 7-3 or 8-2 in 2008. 
I am not jumping the gun or saying Elmhurst is a top tier team yet,  all I am saying is that the program has taken a huge step to claw their way into the upper tier of the conference.

It was a joke Jaybird, notice how it was phrased at the end as a recruiting message.  I acknowledged that Elmhurst is taking huge steps, notice it was all compliments and then a little comment at the end just to have a little fun.

When it comes to the program, NC was 6-4 in 2002, 7-3 in 2003, 2004, and then began our playoff run for the last 3 years, 2 Conference championships and a current 8-0 record and #2 ranking in the nation.    You have to attribute that to the coaching staff, execution, and recruiting, plus that little thing called Mentality (havent we always been told winning is 90% mental?)

I think it is going to take Lester a few years to get to the level Thorne has brought the NC program.  It took JT 4 years to get to the playoff and 5 to get his first CCIW championship.
 

I would much rather enjoy the uh...cough...cough...scenery, in Naperville vs. Elmhurst, Wheaton, North Park.

[usee]

Mr. Usee,

Interesting how you jump to the conclusion that Kyle should be put in simply because he is a family member. 

Actually I didn't jump to any conclusion. To the contrary, you have been quite restrained about the quarterback situation with your comments on here. In fact, I believe I was the one questioning Norris early in the year after the Bethel and Concordia games. My comment simply stems from the fact that you were the first (and only) one to bring it up. The fact that you are related would lead everyone to think you have a bias.

I suggested that it "might be time" to put him in given Norris had just thrown a pretty crucial pick 6 early in the game that gave elmhurst a huge swing of momentum.  Is that not his fault? 

No, it wasn't his fault. The TD return of the INT was on a 3 step drop (pokorny running a slant I believe). It is the offensive linemen's job to attack the defensive line to insure there are throwing lanes. That didn't happen and the ball was batted and happened to be interecepted. That is not the qb's fault. His underthrown long ball was definately on him later in the game but that in and of itself is not a reason to replace him.

Like i said Norris has proven that he is shaky in big games or when his back is against the wall. 

I disagree with this. I am sure you remember the NCC and Augie games last year. Pretty big games? I think Norris had long TD passes in both of those that won the game. I don't think he has proven he is shaky in big games. In fact I think, with the beating he has taken, that he is pretty tough and poised. But that's my observation.

Ive played with both quarterbacks and will tell you first hand that Kyle is a much more poised quarterback and does not get rattled nearly as much as sean does in pressure situations.  Against north central sean was clearly rattled and made some bad decisions and some bad throws becasue of it.  Same happened in Elmhurst.  My "bias" comes from what i have seen, not from who I'm related to. 

I think against North Central and Elmhurst he was clearly getting killed (vs rattled) and that wouldn't have been any different with Tony Romo at QB let alone Kyle. I think the coaches have made the right decision. I like Kyle as a qb but I don't see where he has "proven" anything. He stepped in last year and won against North Park but he didn't wow anybody with his performance at IWU. In fact, he got killed in that game. Sean seems to me to have the ability to make something happen and keep a play alive. He also is a lot faster than Kyle. Don't get me wrong, I think Kyle is a capable qb I just don't see any reason to change. But neither of us is coaching so our opinions don'tr really matter right?   

Oh and thanks for the K-... that was clearly deserved(sarcasm)

As I have said before, I don't give -K and if I did, I certainly wouldn't give you -k for introducing a worthwhile topic to discuss. that's what this board is about.

+K for the debate!

[Blitz Creed]

Please....  Elmhurst/ North Central (and virtually every other CCIW school) are equal in Academics and you can't go wrong attending any of these 8 institutions. 

I'd go ahead and give IWU the crown for the best academic school in the conference.

[79jaybird]

Pat-I wanted to ask In your opinion how come Elmhurst didn't even receive any "votes to be included" in the Top 25 after defeating #15 Wheaton? 

I don't think Elmhurst is a Top 25 team at the moment, but I do think they deserve at least a few votes to be included?  Carthage received some votes earlier in the year, EC beat them in their place, and well you know about Wheaton and what happened last week.