FB: Midwest Conference

[gbpuckfan]

You watching up there, puck? What's the QB deal now? I see sophomore WR (?) Ben Kohl now taking snaps, along with McClanahan. Where's Poorman?

It's been mostly McClanahan and Kohl. Kohl is more of a running option. I don't have an answer on Poorman.

But the last two weeks have been a combined 107-0, with Beloit and Lawrence getting a combined five first downs. I think playing Kohl - who rushed for 90 against Beloit and 95 yards against the Vikings - may have been a matter not throwing the ball all over against an overmatched opponent.

I doubt SNC passes just 17 times this week like it did vs, the Bucs.

[fulbakdad]

Cuz it's probably time to wipe the slate clean at Grinnell.....

[fulbakdad]

Of note to last weeks game.  Anna Zerilli kicked an extra point for Lake Forest.  Could be the first female kicker in the MWC to do so?

[formerd3db]

Cuz it's probably time to wipe the slate clean at Grinnell.....

The head coach at Grinnell College has stepped away from the program amidst all of the things going on with the season being cancelled. Surprisingly the AD has named himself the interim head coach for the time being. Not sure why no one on staff was named interim HC

Well, at least it appears from the article that the administrators are committed to making a serious overhaul of the program and get it to some stability and being at least competitive.  That is very different as to what we've seen at Earlham (at least haven't heard much about any progress and/or what actually is going on with the process there to date; or even how it went down at  Maranantha or Blackburn in the past to name a couple others), but perhaps similar to Occidental.  For now, I think that is a positive.  Obviously, we'll just have to wait and see what happens, although I think it is good they made a fairly quick announcement as to what a tentative "game plan" is going to be.

[gbpuckfan]

SNC takes care of business at Macalester. Still on track for north showdown with LFC

[scottie]

Sounds like an Instant Classic in Chicago today.  Any reports would be greatly appreciated.

[blue_jays]

Sounds like an Instant Classic in Chicago today.  Any reports would be greatly appreciated.

I wouldn't call it a classic. Bizarre, yes.

[scottie]

Sounds like an Instant Classic in Chicago today.  Any reports would be greatly appreciated.

I wouldn't call it a classic. Bizarre, yes.

This is the part where you elaborate.....

[blue_jays]

Sounds like an Instant Classic in Chicago today.  Any reports would be greatly appreciated.

I wouldn't call it a classic. Bizarre, yes.

This is the part where you elaborate.....

Swirling winds were blowing 15-20 mph almost all game, which made downfield throws an adventure. None of the quarterbacks played particularly well. Monmouth did one long 30-yard heave which led to a TD, but both QBs they used were uninspiring. Almost all their completions came on one side of the field which they sniffed out as an exploitable match-up.
It was all about the run game, and Lawrence burned UChicago every time he got into space on the edge. He was almost solely responsible for the win - if he didn't score all their TDs, Monmouth would have probably had 7 points at best.
However, the Maroons' run game was even better, averaging almost 6 yards a carry. Martinson gashed them for big gains (10 to 30 yards) multiple times. After doinking an extra point earlier, the Maroons eventually tied it in the fourth on a two-point conversion pass.
It was a defensive battle for sure. The hosts had to be kicking themselves on the 2nd TD drive when they allowed a pair of improbable 3rd down conversions, including a PI penalty that was whistled after the QB threw the ball away while pressured.
As good as Biel has been kicking this year, Monmouth made the mistake of attempting a pair of long field goals that seemed doomed before the ball was even hiked. UC is one of the best kick blocking teams in the country and have made it a signature strength. Their stud defensive tackle blocked both kicks - he got through the line basically untouched on the first one.
The referees played much too big a role in the game unfortunately. UC had a touchdown catch taken away by a Dez Bryant like call when the TE landed in the end zone and lost the ball. The Scots had an acrobatic interception taken away from them because the DB was ruled out of bounds. Some of the penalties were suspect and they picked up a flag on at least one occasion. Monmouth's second TD should never have counted - the play clock was clearly showing 0 for at least a whole second before the ball was hiked, yet the refs never noticed.
Ultimately it all came down to one play in OT. The Maroons went for 2 and threw a misdirection pass to one of their offensive tackles. He leapt for the goal line with ball outstretched, but the last Scots defender met him and jarred the ball loose. It was impossible to see if the ball broke the plane or not, and the refs froze up on the call. Since it wasn't definitive by any stretch, they decided he didn't cross and that was game over.

In summary, that loss will stick in UChicago's craw for years. It was a very even game, but with the exception of Lawrence, the Maroons looked to be the better team. This is the most vulnerable the Scots have been in years, and it showed on Saturday.

[WW]

Well elaborated, blue jays. I agree with your summation of Monmouth's vulnerability. And it could be one of those years in which the league's best team isn't in the title game, but that's the way the football bounces sometimes. Anyway, my nickel's on Norby taking care of business vs the Foresters, and I think we'll see a different SNC-Monmouth game than the one in September in which SNC quarterbacks treated the football as if it were covered with fire ants.

Speaking of SNC, very curious to see if they're truly committed to the alternating QB approach (they were in the Beloit-Lawrence-Macalester stretch, but those were not competitive games). When Poorman went out (injured?) I figured they'd just give the job full time to McClanahan, but instead they took Kohl (a WR) and gave him Poorman's snaps. Don't see it work often but it might be the formula for the Knights.

[gbpuckfan]

Not directly football related but about Ripon finances:
http://riponpress.com/Content/Home/Home/Article/Cuts-expected-for-Ripon-College/-2/-2/14572

[judgetrainer]

Lawrence news.

http://vikings.lawrence.edu/sports/fball/2019-20/releases/20191107vop3r4?fbclid=IwAR1tG5jNxVdERTmYs5jLzTMAiAnrt5Bv0QV7xpo7LXS7aUgQy0je5MM-7LM

[gbpuckfan]

Lawrence news.

http://vikings.lawrence.edu/sports/fball/2019-20/releases/20191107vop3r4?fbclid=IwAR1tG5jNxVdERTmYs5jLzTMAiAnrt5Bv0QV7xpo7LXS7aUgQy0je5MM-7LM

Still not enough 6'5" 300 pound offensive linemen who play oboe for Lawrence to recruit ...

[gbpuckfan]

Lake Forest had a 17-7 early in the second period. SNC took control the rest of the way. Now 34-20 with 4:38 left.

And the web feed announcer needs to learn that "Norbert" is singular.

[gbpuckfan]

SNC wins!