Quote from: Gregory Sager on November 10, 2025, 11:54:53 PMI'm not sure why it would be embarrassing for the CCIW if Wash U represents the league in the Isthmus Bowl. After all, the Bears have done so twice before; that means that half of the Isthmus Bowl's four-year history has featured Wash U as the CCIW's representative. The Bears have finished in the top third in five of the six years that they've been in the league, and in the 2025 preseason coaches poll the CCIW braintrust forecast that the Bears would make it six out of seven by slotting them -- you guessed it -- third behind North Central and Wheaton.

If the CCIW's nine full members thought it was relevant to consider where the Bears were going to finish this season, they wouldn't have shown Wash U the door in the first place. But they didn't, so they did.

Quote from: WUPHF on November 10, 2025, 05:57:15 PMMore embarrassing for the CCIW is the record against Washington University.

7-0 vs. Carroll
6-1 vs. Illinois Wesleyan
7-0 vs. Carthage
7-0 vs. Elmhurst
6-1 vs. Millikin
7-0 vs. North Park
5-1 vs. Augustana

I'm not sure why this is embarrassing, either. While the jury was out as to how well Wash U would compete in the CCIW when it first came in, the Bears immediately disabused CCIW football fans of the notion that the Bears would be anything other than an upper-tier team. And because that was established quickly and then maintained, again, it's hard to see why anyone should be red-faced about the likelihood of an Isthmus Bowl bid for Wash U that was so predictable that the coaches, in fact, went right ahead and predicted it.

Ok ---I will change it to this---the Institutions that voted to rid themselves of WashU should be embarrassed and ashamed of themselves. (since it looks like they are ducking competition i.e. "if you can't beat them ---kick them out").  IMHO.

I know, I know, there are sooooo many reasons to bring in a full member, that dismissing an academically elite very competitive football program makes sense.

ALL IS WELL----WE HAVE THE BELL!!

Quote from: Gregory Sager on September 12, 2025, 02:11:43 PM

Quote from: WUPHF on September 12, 2025, 11:49:48 AM

Quote from: robertgoulet on September 12, 2025, 11:31:27 AMProbably not related but I did say back when the news broke that I was guessing Wash U was being kicked out bc  CCIW had someone else lined up to add as a full member 

The press release stated that the move was about expansion.

Yes. The departure of Wash U and the arrival of CUW are completely unrelated.

But for me, I would have been thrilled to add CUW as a full member and keep Wash U for football.  In terms of NCC, we no longer would have to hunt for a non-conference opponent and the CCIW could stagger the bye weeks instead of having them on week one and two which doesn't help playoff contenders.

Saw this on Fox News:

President Donald Trump threatened to hang up the Washington Commanders' plans to build a new stadium in D.C. in the balance if the team didn't revert back to the Redskins moniker.

Maybe its time for the "Crusaders" to return to north Dupage??

Quote from: cciwman on January 04, 2025, 08:30:27 PMWith all the weapons NCC has utilized, the acrobatic toe-toucher Jack Rummell has been banged up for months but the past couple weeks has seemed healthier.  He has the deep threat ability and I predict hauls in two big sideline grabs.

And I agree with GusD, but for both teams.  Whoever can stay away from the "dumbass" penalties will win and be shaking hands with a smile.

Hoping for a great game. 

(anyone find a book where this game is available for betting?)

Sure--- Big Tony on the Southside will always book the action.  I will DM you Vito, his runner's, cell number.

I played against all four of those guys.  Hofer was probably the best, and the most feared as he transferred from Illinois with some fanfare and led them to their 1st National Championship game.  After that, Augie became the destination school in the CCIW.  IMHO though, Penny still stands out in my mind as the best of the bunch.  Of course, running Wing-T left their stats lacking, especially compared to this era.

Quote from: cciwman on December 08, 2024, 02:18:29 PMNow that Norm is retired, he could share his defensive schemes with NCC opponents.  Heck this year they held the Cards to the lowest since the 2018 match-up.

Of course, most of the current players were in 1st or 2nd grade the last time IWU beat NCC, so if Norm wants to help them out I'm fine with it. And, best of all, Norm can teach them not to shake hands afterwards.

Quote from: Gregory Sager on October 06, 2024, 09:59:43 AMCher: The missing ingredient of Wheaton football.

Or move time forward. Nothing lasts forever, I hate to say. But, in the forseeable future, we may close the gap on the 47-55-3 alltime record we have against Wheaton.

Quote from: CarollFan on October 05, 2024, 06:07:07 PMFinal Scores

NCC 55 Wheaton 27
NP 30 Augie 27  2OT
WashU 33 IWU 23
Elmhurst 23 Carthage 17
Carroll 49 Millikin 14


Game Stats
https://athletics.wheaton.edu/sidearmstats/football/summary

https://athletics.augustana.edu/sidearmstats/football/summary

https://www.iwusports.com/sidearmstats/football/summary

https://athletics.carthage.edu/sidearmstats/football/summary

https://gopios.com/sidearmstats/football/summary

All is well, We have the Bell!

Quote from: CardinalAlum on September 26, 2021, 11:43:05 AM

Quote from: Kovo on September 26, 2021, 08:25:33 AM

Quote from: lmitzel on September 26, 2021, 01:32:07 AM

Quote from: Gregory Sager on September 26, 2021, 01:00:01 AM
When's the last time that anybody put up 62 points against Illinois Wesleyan? Today's game at Keller Field wasn't nearly as close as the final score indicated; it was 48-7 going into the fourth quarter, and Dustin Hass liberally emptied the Firebirds bench in the final stanza.

NCC hung 69 on the team in green in '19 (6 of those coming on that SportsCenter Top 10 play from Andrew Kamienski). Wasn't that the game where Norm Eash made some comment about NCC not being that much better than his squad?

I think that you are absolutely correct sir.   I also think that is is apparent that the game has passed Norm by, and that long cold autumns of darkness are descending upon Weenieville.

On another note, the attendance at North Central yesterday is reported as 4955.  This is up from the 4700 or so against Aurora (For comparison Illinois State vs. Southern Illinois drew 8618 yesterday).  To me, that is some great news.  Obviously, this is the Golden Era of North Central football, but to see the growing interest in the program and CCIW games is really heart warming.  I hope that the Cardinals keep marching toward sellout crowds, since it will be fun for both teams (a little more fun for the Cardinals I suppose). 

A CCIW game will never be the Tommies vs. the Johnnies of the not so distant past, but I love small stadiums packed with enthusiastic fans.  A real benefit to everyone involved.  Not sure who else around the country is really packing them in.  Maybe some you guys who are more plugged into the national scene can comment.

It was homecoming, plus perfect weather and hall of fame induction day.  Probably a bit inflated but attendance I'm sure will continue to be very good.

You're probably right but just a shade under 10k in two home dates is pretty good.  I would hope that the excitement continues to build.

Quote from: lmitzel on September 26, 2021, 01:32:07 AM

Quote from: Gregory Sager on September 26, 2021, 01:00:01 AM
When's the last time that anybody put up 62 points against Illinois Wesleyan? Today's game at Keller Field wasn't nearly as close as the final score indicated; it was 48-7 going into the fourth quarter, and Dustin Hass liberally emptied the Firebirds bench in the final stanza.

NCC hung 69 on the team in green in '19 (6 of those coming on that SportsCenter Top 10 play from Andrew Kamienski). Wasn't that the game where Norm Eash made some comment about NCC not being that much better than his squad?

I think that you are absolutely correct sir.   I also think that is is apparent that the game has passed Norm by, and that long cold autumns of darkness are descending upon Weenieville.

On another note, the attendance at North Central yesterday is reported as 4955.  This is up from the 4700 or so against Aurora (For comparison Illinois State vs. Southern Illinois drew 8618 yesterday).  To me, that is some great news.  Obviously, this is the Golden Era of North Central football, but to see the growing interest in the program and CCIW games is really heart warming.  I hope that the Cardinals keep marching toward sellout crowds, since it will be fun for both teams (a little more fun for the Cardinals I suppose). 

A CCIW game will never be the Tommies vs. the Johnnies of the not so distant past, but I love small stadiums packed with enthusiastic fans.  A real benefit to everyone involved.  Not sure who else around the country is really packing them in.  Maybe some you guys who are more plugged into the national scene can comment.

Quote from: Stagg Again!! on September 25, 2021, 10:22:20 PM

Quote from: kiko on September 25, 2021, 06:47:02 PM
Today:

Wheaton 58, North Park 27 at Foster & Kedzie
Carthage 62, Illinois Wesleyan 35 in Kenosha
North Central 58, Augustana 6 in Naperville
Wash U 27, Elmhurst 7 in St. Louis

Tonight:

Carroll at Millikin

Changing topics for a moment... I just watched the entire MHB v. HS game.  I have two questions:  1) How was this game even close? and 2) How was HS ranked so high coming into the game?  While I don't know enough about HS, I don't see a team in the Top 25 that wouldn't be favored to beat the Cowboys on any given Saturday.  Heck, I believe that HS would have a very difficult time keeping pace with the "run and gun" Aurora Spartans based on what I saw tonight.  Would love to hear what others saw in tonight's game... maybe I just missed it!

I didn't see the UMHB game so I defer to SA.  What I did see is that Aurora dropped another 70 today which by my count is 173 points in three games against teams not named North Central. 

When do they return to the top 25, next week or the week after?

Quote from: kiko on September 24, 2021, 05:31:39 PM

Quote from: BIG BLUE BEN on September 24, 2021, 10:25:11 AM
Alright fellas, if its okay with everyone else, I want to talk about a big (yes I know its not the Bell game) CCIW ballgame.

Millikin vs Carrol @Frank M. Lindsay Field

This should turn out to be a great competitive contest that is highlighted by the cool connection of Carrol's Coach Buda and Coach Dan Gritti. Buda flurished at Millikin for 3 years 2 of which he spent shattering the offensive record books with nicco stepina. His offense has had success everywhere he has went and if he is ever able to steal recruits from the other WI conference then I think he can scheme with the best in the country. With that said, I think Millikin will have there hands full with a team that is also coming off a big win last week (upset IWU).

I excpect Millikin's offense to be improved from last week and continue to move the ball with a balanced run/pass combo. Millikin's strength is there O-line (have not given up a sack this year) along with there AA WR Colton Lockwood requiring so much of the attention that it opens up the rest of Millikin's talented young WR's. Millikin offense has only been stopped this year when they shoot themselves in the foot. Finally getting to play at home should help them play more relaxed and hopefully turnover free football.


Defensively, Millikin has the advantage on the line of scrimmage and on top of that, Carrol lacks a mobile QB which will allow Gritti to dial up a variety of blitzes/stunts. Carrol's air raid is scary when they are clicking. They have big bodied WR's which will have a big advantage on Millikin's undersized corners. With that said, I think Millikin will create tackles for loss/sacks and will be able to get off the field when ot counts Saturday.

Special teams,
No surprise Coach Gritti leads the CCIW in blocks through 2 games.
-Week 1 (Blocked punt for TD)
-Week 2 (blocked opening punt/blocked game winning field 25 yard field goal)
-Well see if we can one against Carrol but for nothing else, teams having to waste practice time prepping extra for PUNT is point for Millikin.

Turnovers have plagued the Big Blue but I think they find their groove playing at home for first time in really 2 years; Millikin plays their most complete game so far and wins a close shootout at home. Millikin 34-Carroll 29

This may very well be the most Millikin content (and Carroll content, for that matter...) that we've had in one post in the 20-ish year history of this board.

More, please.

I agree.  It would be nice if more teams were regularly involved in the posting.  Quite frankly, if NCC isn't playing I'm always looking for a CCIW contest to enjoy.  For those of you who watched it, Carroll vs. IWU was a treat for the neutral observer.  I'm hoping for the same from MU vs. Carroll.

Quote from: New Tradition on September 22, 2021, 01:16:38 PM

Quote from: Kovo on September 22, 2021, 09:46:39 AM
(Does anyone hope the Cards break out the black helmets at home this weekend?!)

According to Twitter, red jersey and pants with black helmets.

YES!!!  That's the kind of information I'm looking for!!!

Quote from: WashedUpCard on September 22, 2021, 09:56:54 AM

Quote from: Kovo on September 22, 2021, 09:46:39 AM
Talk about serving the ultimate nothing burger. 

That sort of felt like a bash on my post.. but I couldn't quite tell.  I guess I got distracted trying to remember if St. Malachy was any good 40 years ago....

Not a bash on your post.  I thought that I was agreeing with you but taking it a step further.

1977 IESA Class B State Runner-ups.  Thanks for asking. (1981 Class B State Champions, but I was worried about beating Big 12 teams that didn't respect me by then).

(modified by GS for formatting)