I agree that NCC defensive front is the biggest mismatch. That's primarily why I don't think JCU can score more than 1-2 times. The bigger key is how the JCU defensive front holds up to the NCC running game. No one has so far, I though Bethel would have a chance and if they were healthy that might have played out. JCU has held some high quality running games to under 100 yds so this is the biggest test for the NCC run game to date IMO.

For John Carroll this weekend I think their hopes lie on their defensive front and their ability to neutralize NCC's rushing attack, a tall task that no one has done yet this season. JCU's defensive front is the strength of this team as they held their highest quality opponents--Johns Hopkins, DePauw, Mt Union and Berry all well below their average rush output and only one opponent has rushed for over 100 yds against them (Berry, which had 85 yds rushing from their QB).

The problem for JCU is most of those teams held JCU below their average offensive output and they are facing the only top ten overall defense they have played against this season. JCU's only hope (IMO) is a low scoring game where they get a couple NCC turnovers...similar to the Mt Union game. If NCC offense is humming this could get ugly quickly as I don't expect JCU to be able to score more than 14-17 pts without a turnover.

On the other side, Johns Hopkins has their work cut out for them but they have held up well against some high quality opponents this season. UWRF sure seems like a team of destiny this season.

BTW I don't remember seeing it mentioned but the officiating crew Saturday in Naperville was a WIAC crew. 

Oz-Thanks for chiming in. I don't mind at all. And I don't think I've ever suggested people shouldn't post whatever they want. This board is the leader of d3boards.com in that regard. Most Bethel supporters I know (and being a Wheaton Alum, my ties are many) accept the loss as you suggest. And I also don't think there has been a single poster, me included, that doesn't think Tentgate was a total debacle and a failure on many fronts. We are all in agreement.

My only pushback, and perhaps this should die here and now, was on the idea that the game would have been different if that play stood. I saw a Bethel team that had 2 more plays before the half and couldn't score followed by 3 consecutive possessions to start the third quarter that yielded nothing, during which time their opponent extended the lead and effectively ended the game.

I understand the emotion, particularly after the ending of last year's season so I have no complaints. I wish my Bethel friends nothing but the best and I fully expect them to be back in the playoffs next year with the team they had.

Separately, I also watched Conant in a few games this year and he was a huge difference maker and it was hard to see him not be able to go at full strength. He will be back next year with a vengeance

I listened to Podcast #400 (Congrats Pat!). Coach Walker at UWRF is a class act. I like him a lot. I also liked his post game presser Saturday where he told his guys they weren't allowed to go sleevless because it was stupid.

He assessed the Wheaton/UWRF game pretty accurately in stating RF was 5-5 in the redzone and Wheaton was 2-5 and that was the story of the game. I couldn't agree more. Wheaton couldn't finish drives and UWRF scored every time they got down there. A lot of that had to do with RF's making some great stops. The 4th and 1 tackle that Gage Timms makes on Crider was as good a play as I have seen. Very tough to make that tackle from a MLB position. UWRF took that and scored which was the biggest turning point in the game for me.

River Falls is going to be a very tough out and while I want to see a Stagg vs NCC, I am looking forward to the two games this weekend as all four teams have a solid profile that will challenge their opponents.

Quote from: CHUBBS PETERSON on December 15, 2025, 04:12:40 PM

Quote from: USee on December 15, 2025, 02:42:35 PM

Quote from: CHUBBS PETERSON on December 15, 2025, 02:31:00 PM

Quote from: USee on December 15, 2025, 02:10:59 PMThe play did not affect the outcome nor the momentum IMO.

That's a laughably indefensible position to take, but it's your luxury to do so.

The better team won. How we got there wasn't great and should not be allowed to happen again. Both things can be true, and they are.

Seems to me NCC had a convincing win and some of you guys just don't want to accept it. Believe me, I was not rooting for NCC either!

You're arguing with your own straw man; carry on, by all means.

Don't let the facts get in the way of a good story......

Quote from: CHUBBS PETERSON on December 15, 2025, 02:31:00 PM

Quote from: USee on December 15, 2025, 02:10:59 PMThe play did not affect the outcome nor the momentum IMO.

That's a laughably indefensible position to take, but it's your luxury to do so.

The better team won. How we got there wasn't great and should not be allowed to happen again. Both things can be true, and they are.

It's indefensible to suggest that play had anything to do with giving up 312 yds on the ground and 35 pts. You want to argue that a fluke TD by an OLineman somehow stopped Bethel's momentum? Sure looked like the NCC defense is what did that. After Tentgate, Bethel still had a first down despite the referees mistake and couldn't score and then went 3 and out on the next possession of the game (to start the 2nd half). What part of that is the referees fault?  Seems to me NCC had a convincing win and some of you guys just don't want to accept it. Believe me, I was not rooting for NCC either!

Now we can move beyond Tentgate and onto the Semis. JCU has a stiff defense. I just wonder if they have the firepower to score enough to keep up w NCC.

I was told that guy was not a coach by someone who would know.

The play did not affect the outcome nor the momentum IMO. Rather than a fluke, unearned TD on a fumble to an OL, Bethel got a first down and was unable to score. They also got the 2nd half kickoff and went three and out. NCC ran the ball for 312 yards because they could and that's who they are, a run first team. Had nothing to do with the score.

Bethel ran the ball more effectively than anyone did (WashU was the only other team to get over 100 yds I believe) and the ground game was impressive. I went into the game saying Bethel needed to score more than 21 and keep NCC under 30. Bethel's D was the best shot at limiting the NCC ground assault this playoffs and they couldn't do it. I don't think there is anyone left who can slow them down, not even UWRF. John Carrol has a stout defense for sure but I don't think they have the firepower to score enough. UWRF will have to outscore NCC to win.

I think the UWRF v JHU game is at River Falls?

There was never any coach in the tent. Didn't happen. The AD was there, who was in charge of the whole thing, and an operations guy who helped set it all up. Refs clearly messed up the call but that had nothing to do with NCC folks making sure the technology was working.

Quote from: RoyalsFan on December 14, 2025, 01:28:51 PM

Quote from: sju56321 on December 14, 2025, 11:45:39 AMWatching ncc and uwrf(twice) it is apparent that SJU needs to run the ball next year-get a RB or commit to who you have and run the darn ball. Interesting how both games were close-bethel game closer-at half and how ncc and uwrf pulled away. MIAC has work to do-schedule tough non-conference games.

Unfortunately that is a double edged sword when it comes to getting an at-large bid. Win/loss record seems to be more of a factor than strength of schedule when determining at-large bids. It is fine if you happen to win those non conference games, but if you lose them it really hurts IMO.

This is no longer true w NPI.  In fact it seems the tougher your non conf opponent the better your chances of an at large bid.  Take Wheaton. Last year they scheduled Oshkosh and lost. Finished 8-2 (w losses to NCC and UWO). Didn't get in. This year they replaced UWO w Mt Union. Same result. 8-2. Easily got in.  The reality is weaker non conference opponents hurt your NPI. You can actually lose a road game to a strong opponent and increase your NOI more than a home win against a weak team

Congrats to UWRF on a much deserved win and trip to the semis. Great team.

Congrats to NCC. Pretty convincing win over an excellent team.

River Falls front's are huge:

OL Heights: 6-9, 6-5, 6-3, 6-6, 6-4,
TE: 6-5
WR: 6-5, 6-5, 6-3, 5-11
QB: 6-2
RB: 6-2

DL: 6-4, 6-4, 6-2, 6-3
LB: 6-1, 6-0, 6-1
DB: 6-0, 6-5, 6-1, 6-0

1 starting player that's not 6'+

Even the Kicker and punter are 6-1