Quote from: hazzben on February 10, 2026, 07:54:31 AMBethel @ NCC
Mount @ Wheaton

Sept 5 is serving up some really good football in the Chicago suburbs. My son's varsity game is on Thursday that week. Might have to see about making a trip down and doing a few campus visits on Friday and Saturday!

Love that we are seeing great noncon games like this. Tip of the cap to Wheaton last year showing 2 top NPI losses were not something that kept a team from the field, or from making a run.

Hopefully, one day game and one night game but doubtful if it requires the added cost of a hotel.  Would be quite the doubleheader though!

Quote from: USee on January 30, 2026, 04:48:54 PMWheaton AA Linebacker Luca Torti committed to USC: https://x.com/LucaTorti12/status/2016659278640402671

Pretty impressive jump.

Also, I have heard (though not confirmed) AA QB Mark Forcucci along with Wheaton's top tow WR's Seth Kortenhoeven and Caleb Titherington are returning to Wheaton next year. Big news for the Thunder.

Great news, if true.  Could this make Wheaton the favorite in the CCIW next year with what NCC is losing? 

Quote from: robertgoulet on January 17, 2026, 01:19:02 PMA final Transfer Portal Update:

10,965 NCAA football players entered the portal.
- 3,972 FBS
- 2,771 FCS
- 4,222 D2/D3


6,671 NCAA football players are still looking for a team.
- 1,619 FBS
- 1,782 FCS
- 3,270 D2/D3

40% of FBS portal guys are still looking.
64% of FCS portal guys are still looking.
77% of D2 and D3 portal guys are still looking.

When do they have to decide on a new school?  Is there a from/to list out there as well?

Quote from: USee on January 12, 2026, 10:46:05 AM

Quote from: markerickson on January 09, 2026, 10:20:47 PMI watched only the second half of the Stagg Bowl. Going into the game, NCC had to know they faced the top D3 football player.  NCC just didn't seem to have an answer for Blaha - same defensive scheme.  NCC did not respond well to altering formations in the second half.  And then the INT!  So happy I got to see it live!  NCC looked confused on O, and River Falls' D and coaches deservedly won the game by pitching a shutout against a team that averaged 52-5ppg during the regular season.

Hey Mark, I don't think any of UWRF's opponents had an answer for Blaha. They all have an answer now, no more eligbility!

Ha!  True.  Reminded me of the Cortland QB from a few years ago.  A few things that stuck out to me (most mentioned already):

- NCC actually ran more plays than UWRF!
- NCC had 255 yards in the 1st half (if my math is correct).  UWRF held them to just around 100 in the 2nd half.
- The fumble when NCC probably would have gone up 14-0, UWRF had no answer for NCC at that point of the game.
- The first play after of the fumble - the long pass and great catch by the UWRF WR - a double dose of confidence for UWRF
- The INT in the end zone - NCC most likely goes into the half up 17-10 with a FG
- Great play by the UWRF DLineman on the INT in the 4th qtr
- Felt like UWRF put NCC in uncomfortable situations in the 2nd half
- UWRF was only 3-11 on 3rd down and 0-3 on 4th down; NCC was 7-12 and 0-2
- UWRF was 4-8 in the red zone; NCC was 1-3, could UWRF actually won by more if they converted?

Overall, good game.  Field was crap.

North Central over Iowa today: 23-21

Quote from: D3fanboy on January 08, 2026, 05:54:12 PM

Quote from: Pat Coleman on January 08, 2026, 05:39:13 PM

Quote from: D3fanboy on January 08, 2026, 05:00:31 PM

Quote from: Pat Coleman on January 08, 2026, 04:21:02 PM

Quote from: D3fanboy on January 08, 2026, 03:23:49 PMSalem is by far the best host and should be the permanent Stagg Bowl (imo) but I'm willing to bet that they've never hosted a January football game at Salem Stadium either.   

You'd actually lose that bet. Salem Stadium has hosted the Dream Bowl, which is an all-star game played in January. It's been held there at least twice.

I can't believe that I forgot about the...uhh...Dream Bowl. 

We also know from 2009 that Salem knows how to mobilize people to get a field in shape. Also, the big flaw in Canton is that because of the design of the stadium with a big grandstand on the south side, the sun rarely falls on the field. (Even more true on the third week of December.) That field needs to be covered if there is snow/ice coming down.

Salem is the best for sure.  The big flaw in Canton is the charlatans in charge of the HOF Village.  It could have been 60 and sunny and the HOF Village would have screwed things up.  D3FB should run far and fast from this Canton crew. 

at least we'll have the D3sports guys "fully funding" the pregame show

And the Twitter/X banter is almost as good as the game

On to 2026.... do we have 2 non-conference games this year?  Anything scheduled yet?  Is Wheaton playing Mount Union again and is NCC playing Oshkosh again?

Quote from: raiderpa on January 05, 2026, 10:50:39 AMThe smug NCC head coach looked like a deer in headlights at the end of the game.  He wasted two timeouts and seemed confused as to what to do. The River Falls QB was the difference, what a game! Spencer lost a previous Stagg with a dumb decision on a two point try, and this time he did not know how to handle being behind. The DE deflection and pick was the play of the season. Congrats to WRF. And KUDOS to Pat for his prediction!!

I was thinking similar.  NCC plays so few close games that they struggle from a coaching standpoint when they do.

Quote from: hsbsballcoach7 on January 04, 2026, 10:14:46 PMIt's not over yet! NCC is making too many mistakes...

NCC done. UWRF champs

Quote from: Retired Old Rat on January 04, 2026, 09:12:44 PMGreat shout out to Fred Falcon from Johnnie's Bar. Always knew Fred was a Johnnie's fan. 😉

I think UWRF has this.... NCC gave up 10 points

Quote from: D3fanboy on January 04, 2026, 09:37:51 PM

Quote from: mucgrad06 on January 04, 2026, 09:27:30 PMStatistically is a close game but I believe NCC will pull away in the second half.

huge opening drive in the 2nd half.  UWRF getting a TD would really set up for a classic

Agreed.  I thought NCC was going to put some distance between but fumbles and ints!

Quote from: CarollFan on January 04, 2026, 09:28:34 PMHalftime NCC 14-10

Not as high scoring so far as people expected.

NCC with 2 turnovers.
Should they have gone for FG at end of half?

I want to think NCC is the much better team, but with the turnovers, maybe they aren't

Quote from: D3fanboy on January 04, 2026, 09:26:34 PMNCC is by far the better team, but their mistakes are keeping UWRF in this game.  The pressure will be on NCC in the 2nd half

Upset in the making.  They gave up 3 there.  Should be 24-10?

Quote from: CCIWFan69 on January 04, 2026, 09:04:59 PM

Quote from: D3fanboy on January 04, 2026, 08:45:09 PM

Quote from: mucgrad06 on January 04, 2026, 08:16:23 PM

Quote from: Fido0650 on January 04, 2026, 08:12:35 PMIt took North Central about 2 minutes to score, River Falls has no chance tonight.

This may get ugly quickly.

UWRF defense isn't going to last very long with NCC running all over them and the UWRF offense having quick drives

NCC should be up 21-3.  Should pound the rock but yet, 2 throws and a punt.  This is how upsets happen.  NCC is the better 1.5 quarters in.

Better team is what I meant

Quote from: D3fanboy on January 04, 2026, 08:45:09 PM

Quote from: mucgrad06 on January 04, 2026, 08:16:23 PM

Quote from: Fido0650 on January 04, 2026, 08:12:35 PMIt took North Central about 2 minutes to score, River Falls has no chance tonight.

This may get ugly quickly.

UWRF defense isn't going to last very long with NCC running all over them and the UWRF offense having quick drives

NCC should be up 21-3.  Should pound the rock but yet, 2 throws and a punt.  This is how upsets happen.  NCC is the better 1.5 quarters in.