Sad news regarding the death of Carl Poelker:

https://x.com/footballscoop/status/2034321742626181513?s=42

What a game for Wheaton! Pretty much speechless. Was hopeful, but did not see such a dominant performance this deep into the playoffs. Couldn't be happier for the entire program!

Whether due to one of the numerous plausible reasons noted in discussions here, or the super secret reason know only to the CCIW illuminati, it's a shame to see Wash U go. It was clearly a feather in the leagues cap to have such an outstanding academic institution on board - even if just for one sport. If there were schools that saw this differently it doesn't speak well of them. And it was a blast to have a league game on the schedule that could always be counted on to be hard fought and competitive. I realize that's all relative depending where one stands in the current (but sure to change some over time) league football hierarchy. But it seems obvious that CCIW football is the loser in this transition.

No problem for Wheaton in Rock Island - 50 to 7.

Wheaton drops their opener on the road 29-37 to an obviously excellent Mount Union team. As has become a familiar refrain for Wheaton the last several years against the very best teams in D3, the Defense has just not been good enough. Do give the team huge credit for playing hard all game, when a lesser bunch might have thrown in the towel. This team never did.

Wheaton finally released its roster today. 35 freshman, 118 total players - if I counted correctly


https://athletics.wheaton.edu/sports/football/roster/2025?sort=name

No surprise to see NC at #1 in this preseason ranking. Wheaton (who has both #1 and #2 on its schedule) comes in at #17.

https://www.d3football.com/top25/2025/preseason

A bit of off season Wheaton news

https://x.com/wheaton_thunder/status/1944823562839146700?s=42

Wheaton up 26-0 at the half against the Portuguese All Star team. So far the game looks pretty much like that sounds.

For those who are interested you can catch the Wheaton game in Portugal here on Saturday here:

https://m.youtube.com/live/GFkjQIulg7U?si=acu3uj1EJ-7D5UvQ

"Finally, Quincy is hiring Millikin (D-III - IL) offensive line coach Jeff Fantuzzi to the same position, sources told FootballScoop. Fantuzzi joined the Millikin staff in January after spending 2024 as the offensive line coach and run game coordinator at Adams State (D-II - CO" from footballscopp.com

Very glad to see Wheaton escape with a 35-32 win. Will never complain about a win over a quality opponent and very happy for the Seniors. Props to Stout for continuing to play hard after getting down early. I will say, the periodically sloppy and undisciplined play that has been a problem for Wheaton at many points this year, but that didn't matter much against most opponents, almost cost them a game they should have been able to put away much sooner. Would have been great to see this team get a playoff bid, but I think this game (ending in a win), was about as good as one could hope for given this teams strengths and weaknesses.

Wheaton up 14-0 at end of the 1st quarter. Dominating time of possession, thanks in part to some key 3rd down conversions. So far defense is really flying to the ball.

At the half - Wheaton 49, North Park 7

64-10 Wheaton over Milikin. Thunder ended the game taking a knee inside the 10. In some ways they really didn't play that well despite the score. If NP plays to their potential next week it could be interesting. I'm flying in just for the game, and looking forward to a good one.