FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[wheels81]

Ok another rumor,

Will the game be played at the franklin high school field because the college field is in bad shape or is that not an option?

Per my post... it may not be rumor anymore.

Wheaton's turf is new stuff too, I thnk 3 years so might be an advantage for them?  But would thnk that a passing game benefits from it more because of surer footing for running precise routes.  Either way should allow best team to win on a field where condition won't affect outcome.  Sounds like a heat wave too with temps expected in high 30's.
Of course we know how precipitation can affect a game too.  


While common sense says moving to the high school would be a great thing for FC's style of offense, my gut says Coach Leonard and the team may elect to play on Faught Field.  (assuming the NCAA would approve either way)  A lot of history on that field and maybe bad karma to move the game to the sterile conditions at FCHS. (beautiful complex, more seats, parking etc). I am thinking if they can get the field playable FC stays put (but what do I know).  FC played well on it on 11/15 in the rain and played on muddy grass the week before and week after (at Otterbein). 

The field at FCHS is only two years old and is the newer style. (the kind with the rubber pellets/pieces)  The NCC field seemed to be more packed down sort of a cross between field turf and the old astroturf.

[cardinaldad]

Congratulations on a GREAT season Cardinals. To the seniors, good luck and thanks for four years of thrilling, fun football. To those coming back next year, get in the weight room now and work hard. Remember how Saturday felt and use it to drive you to work harder and make it to the next level (round three and more). Keep the new tradition going!! Each year you have taken a step. Take another step or two next year!

[cardinaldad]

If Wheaton plays like they did Saturday and like they have for the past 4 weeks, Franklin will have a difficult time beating them, Rupp or not.

If Wheaton plays like did they over 8 days  in Ocotber, then Thanksgiving is officially over.

Look at Norris over the last 4 weeks:

68-107 1,125 yds 12 TD's 3 INT, 4 sacks

That's an average of 16.5 yds per completion, 65% completion rate, 281 yds per game and a 12TD/3 INT ratio. In that span Wheaton has averaged 43pts a game. That's where Norris has come since the dark days of October. Sean has made himself into quite a qb. It's not Rupp, but it's not bad.

I don't know USee. I hope you guys can do it......but, I seriously have my doubts. Rupp is unbelievable. I've seen him play twice now and have to say that he is easily the best DIII qb that I have seen. He was great last year and even better this year. Only this year, he has a way better supporting cast. He is not the entire team. The O-line does a great job giving him time and they open holes for the run game when they need to. The d-line will have to be disciplined and stay in their rush lanes and contain him, or Rupp will kill you with his legs. Their defense is pretty good to. Our qb's were running for their lives after the first few series. They are quick and they hit. Their db's coverage was pretty good too. Their coaches made great adjustments both offensively and defensively. They are a total package. The only problem I see is that they pass to set up the run. A little unorthodox.....but it works for them. The Thunder have their work cut out for them this week. Good luck!

[cardinaldad]

Perhaps it's an exaggeration that they get no calls, but it is certainly a rarity when any of the close ones go their way.

Refs do not like to be abused.  Watch certain members of our coaching staff some time and see if any referee would ever want to give NCC a break!!  You've seen it firsthand.

Here we go again....but this is fact:
    After the '05 Augie game, JT went to the CCIW meeting held at NCC and ripped them about the officiating during that game. Since then, NCC has been the most penalized team in the CCIW. He wishes he had never done that at that meeting because he feels that his actions continue to penalize the players even though they had nothing to do with it.
     As I watch and try to e objective, it does seem like NCC is called for ticky-tack stuff, especially after big plays or at crucial times. Conversely,  I've seen NCC jerseys almost get ripped off right in front of the officials and not get a call. It is one thing to let the teams play, but it doesn't appear to be equal.
     And yes, coaching staffs' actions, I believe, does affect whether the flag comes out, or stays in the pocket sometimes.

[usee]

Perhaps it's an exaggeration that they get no calls, but it is certainly a rarity when any of the close ones go their way.

Refs do not like to be abused.  Watch certain members of our coaching staff some time and see if any referee would ever want to give NCC a break!!  You've seen it firsthand.

Here we go again....but this is fact:
    After the '05 Augie game, JT went to the CCIW meeting held at NCC and ripped them about the officiating during that game. Since then, NCC has been the most penalized team in the CCIW. He wishes he had never done that at that meeting because he feels that his actions continue to penalize the players even though they had nothing to do with it.
     As I watch and try to e objective, it does seem like NCC is called for ticky-tack stuff, especially after big plays or at crucial times. Conversely,  I've seen NCC jerseys almost get ripped off right in front of the officials and not get a call. It is one thing to let the teams play, but it doesn't appear to be equal.
     And yes, coaching staffs' actions, I believe, does affect whether the flag comes out, or stays in the pocket sometimes.

The only thing missing from your description is the shooter in the grassy knoll.....that's the biggest bunch of hogwash I have ever read. It's no wonder NCC went 10-0 with all the refs out to get them.

[cardinaldad]

Perhaps it's an exaggeration that they get no calls, but it is certainly a rarity when any of the close ones go their way.

Refs do not like to be abused.  Watch certain members of our coaching staff some time and see if any referee would ever want to give NCC a break!!  You've seen it firsthand.

Here we go again....but this is fact:
    After the '05 Augie game, JT went to the CCIW meeting held at NCC and ripped them about the officiating during that game. Since then, NCC has been the most penalized team in the CCIW. He wishes he had never done that at that meeting because he feels that his actions continue to penalize the players even though they had nothing to do with it.
     As I watch and try to e objective, it does seem like NCC is called for ticky-tack stuff, especially after big plays or at crucial times. Conversely,  I've seen NCC jerseys almost get ripped off right in front of the officials and not get a call. It is one thing to let the teams play, but it doesn't appear to be equal.
     And yes, coaching staffs' actions, I believe, does affect whether the flag comes out, or stays in the pocket sometimes.

The only thing missing from your description is the shooter in the grassy knoll.....that's the biggest bunch of hogwash I have ever read. It's no wonder NCC went 10-0 with all the refs out to get them.

That's how good they are!

[cardinaldad]

I thought the officials did a very good job.  They changed a pass completion for Franklin to an incomplete pass once, which I thought was wrong.  He clearly caught the pass in question.  They let the teams play, but kept control.  I really hope that no NCC posters are going to blame the officials.  We schemed poorly defensively, we quit running the football in the 2nd half and had some key injuries.  That's why we lost.

As far as tailgating, Franklin showed up with the most impressive tailgating that I have seen, Carthage included!!  Sorry Carthage guys.  It really was something!

CardinalAlum, I agree. I'm not so sure the reversal wasn't the correct call, but the officials were a nonfactor. Simply put, on Saturday, the Cards were outplayed and outcoached ALL the way around. As I'm sure all of NCC backers would agree, I would like another shot at them on another day. In the players defense, it is hard to compete at a top level against this team with four of our top players trying to play with significant injuries. On the bright side, we are scary young and anticipate being even better next year. Maybe we'll have another shot at them then. Without Rupp!

Go Thunder. I hope you can pull it off.

[thunderdog]

Any NCC backers know why Mucha wasn't playing on Saturday when Sulo went down? I thought he was the heir apparent? Is he hurt?

From my sources:
Mucha, having found out on Friday that he wasn't on the 52 person roster, packed up his bags and QUIT!!!  Nice, huh?  I was really expecting a lot out of this kid, but he never showed that he could play RB in this offense.  He tiptoed most of the year when carrying the ball and was never going to beat out Sulo.  I don't get this one.....

I thought Mucha had a decent season... he averaged 4.8 yds per carry (sulo was at 5.2)   He presented a different running style than Sulo...although you noted he tiptoed (C Benson style), at times he ran very hard and played a good game at Elmhurst when Sulo was out.   Rossberg played well in that game too as he was coming back from injury, and Malek busted a 50+ yarder against Thomas More in the 1st round.

At one point during Saturday's broadcast, the play-by-play guy said Mucha was "ineligble", which I thought was very curious, but to find out that he quit, WOW, that's something.

Does anyone know if Mucha was a scholarship player at Illinois or did he walk-on?

At the Wheaton-NCC game this year, after watching Mucha make his 2nd carry, I did turn to my buddy and say, "I sure hope they keep giving him the ball".  My point being, from my limitied sample size, IMO, Mucha was a significant downgrade compared to Sulo.

[New Tradition]

Here we go again....but this is fact:
    After the '05 Augie game, JT went to the CCIW meeting held at NCC and ripped them about the officiating during that game. Since then, NCC has been the most penalized team in the CCIW. He wishes he had never done that at that meeting because he feels that his actions continue to penalize the players even though they had nothing to do with it.

I have actually heard JT say this first hand.  The CCIW refs meet annually at NCC, as it is the CCIW seat or something to that effect.  After the '05 season, he brought film of the Augie game to the meeting, played it for the refs, and then lambasted them for about 15 minutes.  (This was pre-meditated, as he played the clip for us in films on the Monday morning after the game and told us he was going to say the same things to the refs that he told us.)  JT says that before that point, we were NOT the most penalized team in the conference.  Since then we have been, every year.

edited because I forgot to capitalize the T in JT 

[New Tradition]

Perhaps it's an exaggeration that they get no calls, but it is certainly a rarity when any of the close ones go their way.

Refs do not like to be abused.  Watch certain members of our coaching staff some time and see if any referee would ever want to give NCC a break!!  You've seen it firsthand.

Here we go again....but this is fact:
    After the '05 Augie game, JT went to the CCIW meeting held at NCC and ripped them about the officiating during that game. Since then, NCC has been the most penalized team in the CCIW. He wishes he had never done that at that meeting because he feels that his actions continue to penalize the players even though they had nothing to do with it.
     As I watch and try to e objective, it does seem like NCC is called for ticky-tack stuff, especially after big plays or at crucial times. Conversely,  I've seen NCC jerseys almost get ripped off right in front of the officials and not get a call. It is one thing to let the teams play, but it doesn't appear to be equal.
     And yes, coaching staffs' actions, I believe, does affect whether the flag comes out, or stays in the pocket sometimes.

The only thing missing from your description is the shooter in the grassy knoll.....that's the biggest bunch of hogwash I have ever read. It's no wonder NCC went 10-0 with all the refs out to get them.

That's how good they are!

HAHAHA!  K+

[cardinalpride]

Congrats to the Cardinals for putting together a fine season.  One for the record books in fact!  Also congrats to Wheaton for advancing to the regional finals.  Good Luck the rest of the way!  As far as NCC football is concerned, the defense really needs to improve significantly if they are to move to the next level.  28 or more points were allowed the last 3 out of 4 weeks of the season!  Not championship material!  Fortunately we're young!  

[New Tradition]

Keep the new tradition going!!

Well put!   

[usee]

Here we go again....but this is fact:
    After the '05 Augie game, JT went to the CCIW meeting held at NCC and ripped them about the officiating during that game. Since then, NCC has been the most penalized team in the CCIW. He wishes he had never done that at that meeting because he feels that his actions continue to penalize the players even though they had nothing to do with it.

I have actually heard JT say this first hand.  The CCIW refs meet annually at NCC, as it is the CCIW seat or something to that effect.  After the '05 season, he brought film of the Augie game to the meeting, played it for the refs, and then lambasted them for about 15 minutes.  (This was pre-meditated, as he played the clip for us in films on the Monday morning after the game and told us he was going to say the same things to the refs that he told us.)  JT says that before that point, we were NOT the most penalized team in the conference.  Since then we have been, every year.

edited because I forgot to capitalize the T in JT 

I highly doubt the validity of this story. No way the CCIW refs are going to allow a Head coach to "lambast" them for any amount of time let alone 15 minutes of their annual meeting. I don't doubt "JT" says its true but I suspect he has developed the art of embellishment. Next, I have not heard of any calls against NCC (including the 06 field goal call) that would be in the top 10 of the worst calls in CCIW history. You can get Greg Sager, Dennis Prikkel, or to a lesser degree me and Mugsy to list some bad ones.

There is no way there is any conspiracy against NCC by the officials. they have a hard enough time remembering which direction each team is supposed to be going to conspire against NCC.

Last, NCC is not the most penalized team. They were in 07 and 08 but in 06 they were 6th in penalties. Wheaton and Carthage were worse.

I suspect the penalties are far more attributable to the players emulating their leader than any conspiracy by the refs, especially a legend created by said leader.

[Mugsy]

FC will have to chuck the running game and consider going to the air now that mud is not an issue.

lol...  You should not be giving away secrets from the inner circles of the Franklin staff.   The Wheaton staff would never have figured this out had you not mentioned it. 

[New Tradition]

Here we go again....but this is fact:
    After the '05 Augie game, JT went to the CCIW meeting held at NCC and ripped them about the officiating during that game. Since then, NCC has been the most penalized team in the CCIW. He wishes he had never done that at that meeting because he feels that his actions continue to penalize the players even though they had nothing to do with it.

I have actually heard JT say this first hand.  The CCIW refs meet annually at NCC, as it is the CCIW seat or something to that effect.  After the '05 season, he brought film of the Augie game to the meeting, played it for the refs, and then lambasted them for about 15 minutes.  (This was pre-meditated, as he played the clip for us in films on the Monday morning after the game and told us he was going to say the same things to the refs that he told us.)  JT says that before that point, we were NOT the most penalized team in the conference.  Since then we have been, every year.

edited because I forgot to capitalize the T in JT 

I highly doubt the validity of this story. No way the CCIW refs are going to allow a Head coach to "lambast" them for any amount of time let alone 15 minutes of their annual meeting. I don't doubt "JT" says its true but I suspect he has developed the art of embellishment. Next, I have not heard of any calls against NCC (including the 06 field goal call) that would be in the top 10 of the worst calls in CCIW history. You can get Greg Sager, Dennis Prikkel, or to a lesser degree me and Mugsy to list some bad ones.

There is no way there is any conspiracy against NCC by the officials. they have a hard enough time remembering which direction each team is supposed to be going to conspire against NCC.

Last, NCC is not the most penalized team. They were in 07 and 08 but in 06 they were 6th in penalties. Wheaton and Carthage were worse.
I suspect the penalties are far more attributable to the players emulating their leader than any conspiracy by the refs, especially a legend created by said leader.

Why would Thorne lie about this?  I've never known him to lie about anything.  Also, I looked for that info. but was unable to locate it.  Where did you find it?