FB: Midwest Conference

[KnightsBackOnTop06]

With the high octane/"system football"  Monmouth Scots getting blanked I see no reason why St. Norbert shouldn't be considered the favorite this year. However, while the MWC may be improving I still  think we're a first round bye for whomever we meet in the playoffs. I wish that would change but I've wished that for a long time.

Don't forget SNC's first round win a couple years ago, and how they dominated UW-Lacrosse in the first half of their first round playoff two years ago that never should have gotten away.  As the talent level of the conference rises, the playoff teams will be stronger.  I think it is a matter of playing teams of higher talent levels consistently that will help.  In the past, the playoff team has been able to stroll through their schedule with the exception of a couple games a year, and then get shocked by a team that is used to high levels of competition week in and week out.  That is what it will take to boost this conference in the national playoffs.  Look at Monmouth last year.  After beating SNC in week 3, they had 6 weeks of relatively easy wins over the rest of the conference, and then walked into St. John's, and, well, yeah....

[fightintitan2006]

Papa...good to see someone else gets it and good to see other posters proving my point for me. Also, great point about Grinnell and Knox, I agree wholeheartedly.


If a D4 forms I hope the MWC is the first to sign up and if the IIAC joins to, I still wouldn't be bothered if the third-best IIAC school beat the MWC's top school...it is a matter of the principles that DIII was founded on and not necessarily winning and losing...the question I pose to anyone is how long after a D4 formed, would the bottom feeders of the WIAC or the NJAC try to loophole there way down to D4 for there chance at an easy national championship?


Coocoo, I just have to ask, is Cedar Rapids so far behind the times that grunge is just getting big? 

[Pat Coleman]

I don't know if there would be a national championship in Division IV. When D-IV was a more serious likelihood a few years ago, that was part of the discussion.

Seriously, we hear from people occasionally that don't want us to write about D-III players in the pros and don't want us to write about D-III playing other divisions. But we aren't going to ignore news just to make some people feel better. This is news, and it's big news, and we're going to cover it.

If it happened to the MWC people would be all over it.

[JUSTINTYEM]

Of course we would Pat.Cause All MWC schools are Private and cost 4 times more than any state school.Plus they only have about 1,500 undergrads.Heck most state school freshmen classes are atleast twice that.Most WIAC school get all the D-1AA and D2 type athletes from wiscsonsin since we only have 1 D-1 football team and the rest are D3 around here.They get better athletes in the WIAC.So I sure as heck hope they can compete with the lower level D1AA programs and D2 programs.If they cant its coaching not the athletes.

[fightintitan2006]

Pat,

I don't fault you or your website for covering this story and I agree that it is big news in a larger context

I got off on my high horse because I am disappointed with the direction Division III athletics continues to travel in.

As such a large proponent of DIII athletics I am sure you understand the history of this level and while you may not agree with my opinions, I think you understand where my frustrations are rooted.

[The Roop]

There is a D4, but it exists only on my blog, and is basketball only.

No disrespect to UW-L but I think it proves that South Dakota State is better suited to the Pioneer League than they are to any resemblance of a D1 program.

[Pat Coleman]

Of course we would Pat.Cause All MWC schools are Private and cost 4 times more than any state school.Plus they only have about 1,500 undergrads.Heck most state school freshmen classes are atleast twice that.Most WIAC school get all the D-1AA and D2 type athletes from wiscsonsin since we only have 1 D-1 football team and the rest are D3 around here.They get better athletes in the WIAC.So I sure as heck hope they can compete with the lower level D1AA programs and D2 programs.If they cant its coaching not the athletes.

Yeah, yeah, we actually already know this. The excuses don't change year after year.

By the way, I haven't seen anyone from the MWC complain about the WIAC's move some years back to limit itself to 100 players on the roster. That has helped raise the MWC schools' talent level quite a bit, no?

I got off on my high horse because I am disappointed with the direction Division III athletics continues to travel in.

Well, I can see where that might be distressing to some but I believe the kids want to compete. That's what we're trying to encourage. You and I both have lines in the sand, but they're drawn in different places.

[JUSTINTYEM]

 No problem Pat.Your Point made.

[rome]

Pat

Continue to promote the quality in all of D3 many of us appriciate the effort.

It is unfortunate that MWC gets a bum rap--but it is what is, until the conference can string together a few victories in the post season everyone will continue to stomp the MWC
SNC has done a good job over the years--99 playing a tight game with Augie, beating St. Thomas in the regalur season, the playoff win etc.

However, St. Johns putting a pounding on them and the Scots (like they would to 90% of D3) only sets us back...


On a personal note: It is sad to see the Beloit Wing-T die away...For the better part of 15+ years it served the college and the team well--I hope the new coach can build the numbers and return beloit to be among the top teams in the MWC.

[cubs]

Cause All MWC schools are Private and cost 4 times more than any state school.

I know a hand full of guys who have gone to a MWC school who paid less than me going to a WIAC school thanks to all the "grants" they received.

[Go Hawks]

I was at the Ripon/Oshkosh game and did notice a few things first and foremost.  Oshkosh and most WIAC schools have better athletes, hands down, that is the huge difference.  Every guy at UWO was an inch or 2 taller and probably 15-20 lbs bigger and just as fast.  I think Ripon played okay in the first half and held it close, turnovers and penalities (such as 2 personal fouls) certainly do not help when playing a much better team.

The debate is old and stupid...this isn't basketball where everyone competes on the same level, the WIAC is simply a football machine and I am okay with that.  Guys go to Ripon to continue to play and get an education, there seems to be more at stake, namely national titles at WIAC schools.  Most kids realize at Ripon and other MWC schools that winning the conference is the big deal and making the playoffs gives them an extra game.  Competing on a national level will never happen in the MWC, period.  SNC had many chances and still haven't reached that point..now other schools have caught up to them and the conference is balanced again. 

Oshkosh holds something like 15-13 advantage all time over Ripon, having last played in 1987...so 20+ years ago and beyond it was a different world in DIII football where it was more level.  Now, it seems they are paying coaches a good chunk of change to turn their programs around in the WIAC and even in the MWC so as much as others will say DIII hasn't take the step, I dare any of you to watch a WIAC team play anyone else outside of their conference and see the difference in talent, coaching and how important it is to be No. 1, not just giving kids another opportunity to shape their lives being leaders like I feel this conference is about.

[Hawk Sighting]

Early!  Good to hear from you again.  You going to be able to make it to a game this year and if so which one?  Well gentleman we are about 3 days away from kick off to the regular season.  After sitting and witnessing the oshkosh vs ripon game I have come to the same conclusion as Go Hawk.  Oshkosh is bigger then Ripon.  But Oshkosh is not 57 points better then Ripon.  I am glad that Ripon had the chance to play against this high caliber team, this will show Ripon what it will take to became a conference championship team and a play off ready team.  Also Ripon has 3 more years against Oshkosh which will only help them get better. 

Anyone want to shoot out predictions for this weekend?!   

[JUSTINTYEM]

The problem is oshkosh is 57 points better than Ripon as that was the final score.You cant debate that,because its fact!!!! But I good luck to all this weekend,and GO VIKES!!!!!

[fightintitan2006]

Here are my predictions go hawks

Knox at Illinois College - IC is the first league team to see Knox's new running attack (are there any Knox fans out there, is that an oxymoron, if so, what do they run out of...is it an option offense?)...I say Jennings picks Knox apart, but Knox manages to grind out some drives and time, so it doesn't get as high scoring as you would expect...34-13 IC

Lake Forest at Ripon – Ripon's grind it out offense against what looks to be a stellar Forester defense. I say 3-3 at the end of regulation and Ripon wins 9-3 in OT.

Beloit at Carroll – I think Beloit's offense will click later in the season, ala Lawrence last season, but in week two, I  see Carroll handling them 35-12.

Grinnell at St. Norbert – Grinnell's defense wont be stopping St. Norbert, but the Grinnell offense may keep it interesting for a quarter, maybe even two...53-20 SNC

Lawrence at Monmouth – tough to tell where both teams are...Monmouth's defense seems to be ahead of the offense and new qb right now, but LU's stats from game one don't reveal much...I want to say LU upsets, but cant...28-20 MC

[rome]

from www.beloit.edu


BELOIT COLLEGE BUCCANEERS (1-0, 0-0 MWC)
vs.
CARROLL COLLEGE PIONEERS (0-1, 0-0 MWC)

Saturday, September 9, 2006, 1:30 p.m.
Schneider Stadium, Waukesha, Wisconsin

THE GAME: The Beloit College Buccaneers hit the road for the first time in 2006 as they travel to Waukesha to open Midwest Conference play against the Pioneers of Carroll College.

BROADCAST: WTJK, ESPN Radio 1380 "The Jock," will handle this game and every game during the 2006 season. Kyle Jacob will handle the play-by-play while Andy Gannon will provide color commentary. The broadcast begins with the pre-game show at 1:05 p.m.
The game can also be heard through Webcast. Get the link at either www.beloit.edu or at www.espn1380.com.

THE SERIES: The Buccaneers and Pioneers are meeting for the 32nd time, with Beloit holding an 18-13 advantage. The most recent game was last season in Waukesha, when the Pioneers took a 31-21 victory (see next item), giving them two straight wins in the series and wins in five of the last seven meetings, going back to the 1999 season. Beloit won back-to-back games in 2002 at home and in 2003 in Waukesha. They won eight of nine contests between 1950 and 1993 to establish their series advantage.

LAST TIME VS. PIONEERS: Carroll used a 17-point second quarter and held on for the 31-21 win in Waukesha on October 8, 2005. CC's Bryce Crocker opened the scoring with a 29-yard TD run less than four minutes into the game before Seth Feldner answered with a four-yard TD to cap a nine-play drive and tie it at 7-all after one quarter. The Pioneers exploded for three straight scores in the second quarter – Brian Jachimek on a 26-yard field goal, a Crocker two-yard run and a 23-yard scoring pass from Chris Rogers to Adam Fletcher – before Mike Pangborn caught a 12-yard scoring pass from Nate Skelton as the first half clock expired to make it 24-145, Carroll, at the break. Crocker scored his third TD of the game early in the third quarter to make it 31-14 before Feldner got his second score of the day on a seven-yard pass from Skelton with 9:31 to play in the fourth. CC amassed 418 yards in offense on the day, 247 on the ground, while the Bucs were held to 291, 212 rushing. Lee Rankinen had 152 yards rushing on 30 carries to lead the way while Crocker finished with 118 yards on 14 carries and his three TDs.

BUCCANEERS LAST TIME OUT: Lee Rankinen rushed for 132 yards and a touchdown and set up a field goal with a 60-yard reception and the Buccaneer defense stifled Macalester College for a 10-0 win in the season opener at Strong Stadium last Saturday afternoon. The Scots managed just 208 yards of offense, including -8 yards rushing. After a scoreless first quarter, Beloit put together a 16-play, 69-yard drive that took over eight minutes, with Rankinen capping it on a one-yard run 2:47 before the half for the first score of the game and season. Macalester threatened late in the third quarter with an 11-play, 78-yard drive but Cody Allen intercepted a pass in the end zone on a second and goal from the Buc 15 yard line to end the Scots' best threat. The Buccaneers then turned that interception into three points as they went on a seven-play, 68 yards drive with Andy Reich hitting a 28-yard field goal with 13:38 remaining in the fourth quarter. The drive was sparked by the 60-yard reception from Joe Davis to Rankinen on a third and six from the Beloit 24 as the third quarter ended. On defense, Joe Goldufsky recorded two of the Bucs' four sacks to pace the stingy defensive effort. Beloit finished with 378 yards of total offense.

NEW (SORT OF) TO THE BLOCK: The Pioneers are relative newcomers to the Midwest Conference, having been a member for just 14 seasons, the shortest membership of any current team. They came from the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW), a league they entered in 1958 and won 123 games and won two titles. As expected by their newness, they are just 49-51 in Football in the MWC while the Buccaneers, who are in their 70th year in the league, are 169-256-12.

CHALK UP A ZERO: The Bucs recorded a shutout for the second straight season, the last coming on October 22, 2005, against Knox College at Strong Stadium (38-0). But shutouts have not been a common occurrence for Beloit. Prior to these back-to-back seasons with a shutout, the Buccaneers last posted a zero for their opponents during the 1995 season, when they shut out Illinois College (23-0) and Monmouth College (40-0) in back-to-back games. Overall, it was the 162nd shutout in Beloit College's 924-game history, most of those coming during the program's first 46 seasons (1889-1934).

RANKINEN MOVES UP: With his 132-yard effort against Macalester, Lee Rankinen moved into third all-time in Beloit College career rushing. He now has 3,116 yards, putting him within 146 yards of going past #2 rusher Brian Balick (3,261 yards, 1995-98).

UP AHEAD: The Buccaneers return to Strong Stadium on Saturday, September 16, to host pre-season favorite Monmouth College for the 2006 Homecoming Game. Kickoff is set for 2:00 p.m. They then host Knox College on September 23 before spending two straight Saturday's away from home.