FB: Midwest Conference

[tm343407]

Tough one for the scots this weekend.  The difference.  Big Plays.  Beloit runs the opening kickoff back for 6 points, has a 3rd and 25 from their own 5 that they convert and then a double pass for 6 points.  I liked MCs chances in an overtime, but a tough drop in the endzone...(would've been nulled by a hold).  Seriously...keep your flags in your pockets on a play like that.  He 5 step dropped and released the ball, never would have gotten him anyway.

Got to hand it to beloit.  Their defense bent, but didn't break.  Monmouth had great field position all 3rd quarter but couldn't score.  We have to pick up the tempo more or just go back into a huddle.  We waste to much time calling a play and getting ready.  Take advantage of the wristband system or scratch it.  MC needs to finish the year strong.  Their will be no 3 peat, but 3 out of 4 next year is a distinct possibility...with or without Tanney.  Hopefully with!!!

Kilts- Not trying to start anything and I appreciate the congrats to IC, but I just wonder if the situation were reversed, and say the opponent caught the ball, would you be saying "keep the flags in your pocket."?  Maybe you would?  However, to me, a hold is a hold.  Regardless of the steps involved or the game situation.  All things impact all things.  With all that said, I've seen better officiating in my pee-wee league and on Friday nights, than I've seen in the MWC tilts I've witnessed.  So I'm not arguing that it was a legit call.  Hey, to that end, someone needs to get me the O-line coach for RC.  He's taught #55 the best holding techniques I've ever seen.  How he gets away with it, is to be applauded!

I would also argue that any assumption that, even with Tanney's return for another season, y'all are next year's winner is, at the very least, premature.  Let's finish this season first.  Then we'll talk about the Blueboys 2nd in a row.

Blu,

I didn't want to say anything at first because I didn't want to seem like I was placing blame for the loss, but I've seen two posts of now where you complained about the officials at the game vs Ripon. I was at the game. The officiating was bad, but was nearly all in IC's favor. I'm not accusing the officials of being biased, just bad (although whenever Ripon goes into IL, the calls always seem to lean against them).

IC was penalized once for 5 yards while Ripon had 9 penalties for 92 yards. Two of those were drive-killing personal fouls at the end of the game that could/should have gone the other way. On one of them, Ripon's tackle was blocking a kid down field near the sideline and then was dragged and thrown out-of-bounds after the play. I'm not sure what the official saw (if anything), but the RC player had done nothing after the play or while out-of-bounds. I'm guessing he just turned around and assumed the blocker was the one who threw the blockee.

The other came on RC's second to last drive where IC players were laying on RC's fullback after the play trying to run the clock. I didn't see the last penalty very well, so maybe the player through a punch or something rather than just shoving the players of off him. There was also a pass interference penalty on IC's final TD drive that shouldn't have been called either. The call could have gone both ways, but the two officials who had the best view didn't throw a flag, while an official who had the same exact angle on the play as I did in the stands, threw a late one. Like I said, that play looked like it could have gone either way, but the official who made the call had no business overruling the other two.

Ripon still had ample opportunities to win the game so I'm not blaming the officials for the outcome, but IC should have nothing to complain about in the dept. The officials have always been bad in the MWC. I guess there are not enough good ones in the Midwest as I'm sure the Pee Wee officials in Texas are better. I guess being able to play year-round will have an effect on that though.

[The Roop]

When Ripon holds opponents under 40 points they are 6-0. When allowing 40 or more points they are 0-2. I did not attend either of those games but I doubt the officials put 51 and 40 points on the board for the other teams.

I'm not particularly impressed with the crews we have in the MWC either. Never a hold on a running play, always something on a passing play and a generous +1 yard spot following most every tackle. Ball has to hit the ground twice before it's an incompletion, having half a foot in bounds is always a catch and blocks in the back on kick/punt returns are legal............. Unfortunately, this is what we have.

[tm343407]

When Ripon holds opponents under 40 points they are 6-0. When allowing 40 or more points they are 0-2. I did not attend either of those games but I doubt the officials put 51 and 40 points on the board for the other teams.

I'm not particularly impressed with the crews we have in the MWC either. Never a hold on a running play, always something on a passing play and a generous +1 yard spot following most every tackle. Ball has to hit the ground twice before it's an incompletion, having half a foot in bounds is always a catch and blocks in the back on kick/punt returns are legal............. Unfortunately, this is what we have.

Blu,

I didn't want to say anything at first because I didn't want to seem like I was placing blame for the loss, but I've seen two posts of now where you complained about the officials at the game vs Ripon. I was at the game. The officiating was bad, but was nearly all in IC's favor. I'm not accusing the officials of being biased, just bad (although whenever Ripon goes into IL, the calls always seem to lean against them).

IC was penalized once for 5 yards while Ripon had 9 penalties for 92 yards. Two of those were drive-killing personal fouls at the end of the game that could/should have gone the other way. On one of them, Ripon's tackle was blocking a kid down field near the sideline and then was dragged and thrown out-of-bounds after the play. I'm not sure what the official saw (if anything), but the RC player had done nothing after the play or while out-of-bounds. I'm guessing he just turned around and assumed the blocker was the one who threw the blockee.

The other came on RC's second to last drive where IC players were laying on RC's fullback after the play trying to run the clock. I didn't see the last penalty very well, so maybe the player through a punch or something rather than just shoving the players of off him. There was also a pass interference penalty on IC's final TD drive that shouldn't have been called either. The call could have gone both ways, but the two officials who had the best view didn't throw a flag, while an official who had the same exact angle on the play as I did in the stands, threw a late one. Like I said, that play looked like it could have gone either way, but the official who made the call had no business overruling the other two.

Ripon still had ample opportunities to win the game so I'm not blaming the officials for the outcome, but IC should have nothing to complain about in the dept. The officials have always been bad in the MWC. I guess there are not enough good ones in the Midwest as I'm sure the Pee Wee officials in Texas are better. I guess being able to play year-round will have an effect on that though.

[blu thru n thru]

I'm traveling this week, and just got into my room.  Gonna consolidate my responses.

Moncol- One of your best posts.  Seriously.  But I will tell you that my posting is more dictated by my time than my enthusiasm or spirit.  Now I will say that this past weekend's game was one of the most exciting I have ever attended.  It did get me a bit pumped up.  Now I know I have something special to look forward to on Mondays.  You're here!

SNCOLDAD- You got it right in your suggestion regarding head injuries.  However, I think Roop's occurred quite some time ago.  

Larry- Glad we could help make your weekend.

Roop- She lied.  I gave her a whole dollar, but I made her work for it...

TM- I wasn't complaining about the officiating in a way to suggest the Blueboys got screwed.  If it came off that way, it wasn't intended.  I just thought the referees were poor.  And it's the second time I've seen officials that should be making calls, not and vice-versa.  There was inconsistency which impacted both sides. It's kinda funny because each time I see a questionable call, I look to the Jumbotron for a replay.  But then I'm quickly reminded this isn't one of my pee-wee games.

[Just Bill]

FYI, air horns in the stands would be illegal if it was an NCAA Playoff game. Artificial noisemakers of any kind are not permitted anywhere in the stadium. Ask Whitewater about their cannon. They have to move it up the hill outside the stadium for NCAA games.

For regular season games, it's up to conference rules and/or stadium facility rules.  No idea if the MWC or any of their stadiums has such a rule. In addition, the referees can have a noisemaker removed at anytime if they feel it's necessary in any game.

[The Roop]

There was inconsistency which impacted both sides. It's kinda funny because each time I see a questionable call, I look to the Jumbotron for a replay.

You mean to tell me IC put the JumboTron up before the retractable dome was finished ?? I'm just not seeing any sense in that move.

By the way, would you happen to remember the serial number on that $1 note ? Sounds like somebody was holding out on me and she'd better have a good explanation.

[blu thru n thru]

Bill-
I had heard about the playoff rules.  The horn was not "in" the stadium.  It was outside the fence.  And only blown in celebration. Never in any way to interfere with play. My comment was born only of that someone felt the need to complain.  It was just weak.  Honestly, I loved the horn.  Not b/c I'm an IC fan, but b/c I just love that kinda stuff.  It's all in fun.  It can't get loud enough to me.

Roop- On that serial #, it probably rubbed off shortly after I gave it to here. It's not like I'd pay a real dollar for anyone who had once been the first lady of Rooptonvilleburg....  Y'know what I mean?

[The Roop]

Use better ink next time blu. I would have had $18.05 that night.

Here's footage of blu harassing Roops staff.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWN4YIO5kAE&feature=related

[blu thru n thru]

Roop- Couldn't pull up the video, but I'm sure I have great reason to be fearful.  The 70's and 80's were times of great "chemical experimentation".  Some of the images that remain today can be, to say the least, unflattering.

The from the 90's on, well, let's just say, the "experimentation" of the earlier decades, has a lingering impact on my decision making.  Combined with the proliferation of the camera phone, we have a "perfect storm" scenario for video of me in "compromising" situations.  Be gentle, my friend.   Oh, and if it's the one I'm thinking of, I just wanna go on record, she said she was 21.   If it's the other one, it had been a long time without rain and the rancher told me that's what all the cowboys did.

Lastly, Business 101:  If you wanna get paid.  Sell a better product. 

[02 Warhawk]

This week's DIII Fan Poll has been released.

For further discussion go to D3 Top 25 Fan Poll message board.

[Redhawk Sighting]

Blu - How are these stats for Leather helmet offense?

500+ yards total Offense
27 first downs
over 35minutes of clock control
35 points

Not sure about you but that looks to me like a pretty good offensive game.....  Just saying.....

[wartknight]

Use better ink next time blu. I would have had $18.05 that night.

Here's footage of blu harassing Roops staff.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWN4YIO5kAE&feature=related

Great timing!!, I hadn't seen the clip for awhile.

[Kilts and Bagpipes]

Moncolfan....no offense taken.

Blu...hey...I'm a Cubs fan too, so the "wait till next year" thing comes naturally to me.  With so many young kids getting experiance and a possible return of a D3 player of the year and the best reciever on the team coming back and beating Ripon and beating IC (the newest perennial powerhouse )Things look pretty strong for the MC faithful.

I am just sayin, that in a situation where holding could be called on any play...don't put yourself in a position as an official to determine the outcome of a game.  Were we holding...probably...does every o-line hold on every play...YES! well..not in case of a screen pass...but then the WRs make up for it.  If the official never throws a flag, I wouldn't be complaining about a hold.  Everyone is watching the play in the endzone.  That official is probably very happy that the kid dropped the ball.  That place might have exploded.  Beloit's facilities allow for the ability for fans to be on the track.  Possibly a dangerous situation could happen there.  Anyway...hopefully MC can spoil Carrolls chances at anything and then finish off the year with a little "Turkey Dinner" at Knox.  Blu...you should go to the Monmouth Football website and check out the info on the Turkey Bowl.  Pretty good rivalry between MC and Knox.

[blu thru n thru]

Oh man!  I just got it to open.  I'm friggin' crying.  Partly because it was one of the funniest things I've ever seen.  Also from joy that it wasn't the two I was most worried about.

[blu thru n thru]

Blu - How are these stats for Leather helmet offense?

500+ yards total Offense
27 first downs
over 35minutes of clock control
35 points

Not sure about you but that looks to me like a pretty good offensive game.....  Just saying.....

And I'm just sayin'...  Stats are sweet, but points are better.  35 was 6 shy of what was needed.  One dimensional offenses also limit your potential in 2 minute offenses or comebacks.  Dinosaurs no longer rome the earth.  And there's a reason these offenses are going the same way.