Quote from: Marmac on January 05, 2026, 11:14:47 AM

Quote from: robertgoulet on January 05, 2026, 08:56:14 AMOne thing that completely missed me when I was thinking about this matchup was that Wilson is in his 1st season as starting QB, is only a true sophomore and has not really been tested for more than 1/2 a game. Should have expected some growing pains, I guess.

Going to take a look at the NCC 2 deep and see what they lose going into next year, at some point.

It's really challenging to win a Stagg Bowl without a seasoned QB. Lehnen didn't win a title until his 3rd academic year. Wilson is in his 2nd academic year while Blaha is in his 6th. Experience matters a lot. I hope Wilson won't be too hard on himself, as he had an excellent season overall and has great potential. NCC's wide receiving corps lacked depth and (outside of Skokna) explosiveness. It will be a big question mark in the fall, with Skokna and Rummell graduating. Maybe Ashiru can convert to WR.

You mentioned WR depth does anyone know why Jaylen Johnson #11 (transfer from NIU) was not utilized more in the passing game? He's a big target at 6'5-6'6. Seemed like he would have been a good fit with a young pocket QB.

Quote from: D3fanboy on January 04, 2026, 10:43:49 PMIf NCC doesn't pull off the comeback, I really don't want to hear their "dynasty" compared to Mount or even UWW. 

I certainly wouldn't compare Mount or UWW of yester year to current NCC.
IMHO, dynasties repeat as champions during their reign. Unfortunately, on the national level, NCC does not qualify as "dynastic" for that reason. CCIW dynasty? Yes. D3 National dynasty? Not yet. Until NCC has an uninterrupted succession of championships, they can not be considered "dynastic" by definition. Congrats to RF on an outstanding effort all around, players and coaches. Congrats to NCC on their run this year. I feel for those players and coaches.

We can talk about the TOs and we can talk about NCC being out of sync. The bottom line is UWRF was the better team tonight. Especially when it mattered most in the second half.
When was the last time our cards have been shutout in a half? We were out coached and we were outplayed. RF was better on offense and defense. They had the best player and the best team on this day. In the words of KGB, "He beat me straight up. Pay that man his monies!"

It's been a long time since a team took victory formation against my cardinals. Congrats to the UW river falls falcons!

Quote from: emma17 on December 23, 2025, 01:00:57 PM

Quote from: HSCTiger74 on December 23, 2025, 12:25:57 PMCongrats to Whitewater's Quinn Meinerz, voted to the AFC Pro Bowl squad.

Thanks for posting. Congratulations and what a great accomplishment.

I get my UWW fix these days by watching and rooting for the Broncos.

What is his position? Is he a special teams player? Congrats to the young man.

Quote from: D3fanboy on December 19, 2025, 03:08:32 PM

Quote from: Nate Riley on December 18, 2025, 04:04:55 PM

Quote from: D3fanboy on December 18, 2025, 02:26:47 PM

Quote from: Nate Riley on December 18, 2025, 02:13:23 PM

Quote from: D3fanboy on December 18, 2025, 11:36:49 AM

Quote from: Nate Riley on December 18, 2025, 11:07:03 AM

Quote from: D3fanboy on December 17, 2025, 12:22:40 PM

Quote from: WRMUalum13 on December 16, 2025, 10:03:21 PM

Quote from: D3fanboy on December 16, 2025, 06:13:19 PMhttps://www.news-herald.com/2025/12/16/john-carroll-football-hits-jackpot-in-transfer-portal/

hopefully the old school belief of the transfer portal at Mount Union is dead and gone.  The portal sucks, but its the new way of D3 football.  How gross is that?  But the Raiders better load up on transfers this off-season

What makes you think UMU has an old school mindset about the portal? Two of our best receivers this year were transfers, we've also always had big time transfers in the past, even before the portal... Pierre Garçon was the most notebable

We can talk about reasons for not getting as good of top tier transfers as we should be but I don't think it's an old school mindset issue

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2DmtpCB00w

around 19-20 min in

GD "I dont even know how to log into the transfer portal huh huh.....we're not actively going into the transfer portal and picking guys out..."  March '24

The 13 national titles and being the only name brand in D3 bring in the transfers, always have.  Pierre sent his own tape to Mount, he recruited Mount not the other way around. 

While Mount is still the only household name D3FB program, but the days of transfers lining up to come to Alliance are probably done for now.  Hopefully Dartt has figured out the portal log-in and is actively going after difference makers. 

Mount is still "a" household name but it's not the "only" household name in D3FB.

sure thing bud....NCC is the king of the mountain right now but nobody outside of Chicagoland could tell you where North Central is and what it is north and central of.  You might be able to find some football folks that still think UWW is a power, but Mount is the national brand at the D3FB level.  There's a reason that anytime Mount drops a game it shows up on Sportscenter and d3football's web traffic doubles. 

First, my name isn't bud. It's spelled out clearly. Secondly, There are so many different ways I can attack you on your position but I'll let you be since apparently you're still grieving. Again, Mount is "a" household name in d3fb but it's not the "only" household name.
So please don't choke on that pill if it's too tough for you to swallow. Regurgitate and carry on.

If you are talking about Mount Union consistently having disappointing seasons in the past handful of years, attack away, I really doubt that you'll come up with anything new around these parts.  you sound very tough and intimidating, but even though NCC is currently the top d3fb program going, they are not a national name/brand. and that is ok, winning championships is more important than just being the only D3FB program known by ESPN viewers. 

"My position" is that the current football administration at Mount is wasting 40 years of the greatest college football dynasty known to man.  The gigantic plus that would be for recruiting/portal is being eroded each and every year.  It has nothing to do with NCC, or UWW or UMHB or whatever other d3fb program shows up for a handful of years or even a decade

I have to much respect for the history of MT football to go back and forth with you. You made a statement that I disagreed with nothing more or less. The only program that I've mentioned is Mount. You've mentioned NCC, UWW, MHB which tells me you don't even believe Mount is the "only" household name in d3fb. The facts are this, since MT started winning stagg bowls in 1993 until there last in 2017 there was NEVER a period between championships where 3 or more different programs won the stagg before Mt could win it again. 1 or 2 different programs got their taste of walnut and bronze sandwiched in between Mounts titles but never 3 or more However, since 2017 that has already happened with (MHB, NCC, & Cortland) in just 6 soon to be 7 seasons. So "ESPN pundits have had more than just Mounts name rolling off their tongues lately. Couple that with the incredible surge of social media, there is no way MT is the "only" household name in d3fb. 

Btw, NORTH Central COLLEGE is located in Naperville IL (population of 150K) which is 7 times the size of Alliance OH. NCC is north centrally located within the city limits of Naperville. About 30-35 miles west of Chicago. You can't say you don't know where it is anymore.

that's all fine and dandy.  Thanks for the recap of Mount's incredible run.  But the "surge" of social media is literally dozens of views for the various shows.  It's great to have them, but my point is still the same. 

I know where NCC is and how great of a football program they have built, but I'm a D3FB dork...nobody nationally does.  I'd still challenge you to find a D3FB game that gets recognized on Sportscenter other than when Mount loses or a national championship game.  It just doesn't happen...because the common football fan nationally only knows of one program.  Once again, that is ok.  I suggest that you, and other NCC fans, stop being so easily offended.  You have a great program and are doing things that only a couple of other programs have ever done.  Enjoy it, it can slip away pretty quickly....trust me

I can't speak for other NCC fans but I wasn't offended by what you posted. I simply disagreed with it. Which is why I tweeked your word "only" to "a".
I've been around D3 athletics for 35years. My ear is in the "streets" also and MT is not the "only" name I hear anymore.
You're right. Dynasties don't last forever. Times are changing. Heck, NCC has a nationally recognized women's wrestling program now. But I'll adhere to your advice and enjoy the success of NCCFB for as long as it and/or I last. FWIW, I have some advice for you. Try not to be so hard on your coach. You still have a top 5 program and 98% of D3 can't say that. It could be worse. Trust me I know.

Quote from: D3fanboy on December 18, 2025, 02:26:47 PM

Quote from: Nate Riley on December 18, 2025, 02:13:23 PM

Quote from: D3fanboy on December 18, 2025, 11:36:49 AM

Quote from: Nate Riley on December 18, 2025, 11:07:03 AM

Quote from: D3fanboy on December 17, 2025, 12:22:40 PM

Quote from: WRMUalum13 on December 16, 2025, 10:03:21 PM

Quote from: D3fanboy on December 16, 2025, 06:13:19 PMhttps://www.news-herald.com/2025/12/16/john-carroll-football-hits-jackpot-in-transfer-portal/

hopefully the old school belief of the transfer portal at Mount Union is dead and gone.  The portal sucks, but its the new way of D3 football.  How gross is that?  But the Raiders better load up on transfers this off-season

What makes you think UMU has an old school mindset about the portal? Two of our best receivers this year were transfers, we've also always had big time transfers in the past, even before the portal... Pierre Garçon was the most notebable

We can talk about reasons for not getting as good of top tier transfers as we should be but I don't think it's an old school mindset issue

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2DmtpCB00w

around 19-20 min in

GD "I dont even know how to log into the transfer portal huh huh.....we're not actively going into the transfer portal and picking guys out..."  March '24

The 13 national titles and being the only name brand in D3 bring in the transfers, always have.  Pierre sent his own tape to Mount, he recruited Mount not the other way around. 

While Mount is still the only household name D3FB program, but the days of transfers lining up to come to Alliance are probably done for now.  Hopefully Dartt has figured out the portal log-in and is actively going after difference makers. 

Mount is still "a" household name but it's not the "only" household name in D3FB.

sure thing bud....NCC is the king of the mountain right now but nobody outside of Chicagoland could tell you where North Central is and what it is north and central of.  You might be able to find some football folks that still think UWW is a power, but Mount is the national brand at the D3FB level.  There's a reason that anytime Mount drops a game it shows up on Sportscenter and d3football's web traffic doubles. 

First, my name isn't bud. It's spelled out clearly. Secondly, There are so many different ways I can attack you on your position but I'll let you be since apparently you're still grieving. Again, Mount is "a" household name in d3fb but it's not the "only" household name.
So please don't choke on that pill if it's too tough for you to swallow. Regurgitate and carry on.

If you are talking about Mount Union consistently having disappointing seasons in the past handful of years, attack away, I really doubt that you'll come up with anything new around these parts.  you sound very tough and intimidating, but even though NCC is currently the top d3fb program going, they are not a national name/brand. and that is ok, winning championships is more important than just being the only D3FB program known by ESPN viewers. 

"My position" is that the current football administration at Mount is wasting 40 years of the greatest college football dynasty known to man.  The gigantic plus that would be for recruiting/portal is being eroded each and every year.  It has nothing to do with NCC, or UWW or UMHB or whatever other d3fb program shows up for a handful of years or even a decade

I have to much respect for the history of MT football to go back and forth with you. You made a statement that I disagreed with nothing more or less. The only program that I've mentioned is Mount. You've mentioned NCC, UWW, MHB which tells me you don't even believe Mount is the "only" household name in d3fb. The facts are this, since MT started winning stagg bowls in 1993 until there last in 2017 there was NEVER a period between championships where 3 or more different programs won the stagg before Mt could win it again. 1 or 2 different programs got their taste of walnut and bronze sandwiched in between Mounts titles but never 3 or more However, since 2017 that has already happened with (MHB, NCC, & Cortland) in just 6 soon to be 7 seasons. So "ESPN pundits have had more than just Mounts name rolling off their tongues lately. Couple that with the incredible surge of social media, there is no way MT is the "only" household name in d3fb. 

Btw, NORTH Central COLLEGE is located in Naperville IL (population of 150K) which is 7 times the size of Alliance OH. NCC is north centrally located within the city limits of Naperville. About 30-35 miles west of Chicago. You can't say you don't know where it is anymore.

Quote from: D3fanboy on December 18, 2025, 11:36:49 AM

Quote from: Nate Riley on December 18, 2025, 11:07:03 AM

Quote from: D3fanboy on December 17, 2025, 12:22:40 PM

Quote from: WRMUalum13 on December 16, 2025, 10:03:21 PM

Quote from: D3fanboy on December 16, 2025, 06:13:19 PMhttps://www.news-herald.com/2025/12/16/john-carroll-football-hits-jackpot-in-transfer-portal/

hopefully the old school belief of the transfer portal at Mount Union is dead and gone.  The portal sucks, but its the new way of D3 football.  How gross is that?  But the Raiders better load up on transfers this off-season

What makes you think UMU has an old school mindset about the portal? Two of our best receivers this year were transfers, we've also always had big time transfers in the past, even before the portal... Pierre Garçon was the most notebable

We can talk about reasons for not getting as good of top tier transfers as we should be but I don't think it's an old school mindset issue

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2DmtpCB00w

around 19-20 min in

GD "I dont even know how to log into the transfer portal huh huh.....we're not actively going into the transfer portal and picking guys out..."  March '24

The 13 national titles and being the only name brand in D3 bring in the transfers, always have.  Pierre sent his own tape to Mount, he recruited Mount not the other way around. 

While Mount is still the only household name D3FB program, but the days of transfers lining up to come to Alliance are probably done for now.  Hopefully Dartt has figured out the portal log-in and is actively going after difference makers. 

Mount is still "a" household name but it's not the "only" household name in D3FB.

sure thing bud....NCC is the king of the mountain right now but nobody outside of Chicagoland could tell you where North Central is and what it is north and central of.  You might be able to find some football folks that still think UWW is a power, but Mount is the national brand at the D3FB level.  There's a reason that anytime Mount drops a game it shows up on Sportscenter and d3football's web traffic doubles. 

First, my name isn't bud. It's spelled out clearly. Secondly, There are so many different ways I can attack you on your position but I'll let you be since apparently you're still grieving. Again, Mount is "a" household name in d3fb but it's not the "only" household name.
So please don't choke on that pill if it's too tough for you to swallow. Regurgitate and carry on.

Quote from: robertgoulet on December 16, 2025, 11:01:47 AMPulling for a UWRF/NCC matchup in the title game even though it scares me a but bc it has the same vibe of the NCC v UWW matchup in the 2019 Stagg when NCC won their first title (though I don't foresee it announcing UWRF's arrival as a perennial powerhouse or NCC slipping from that label). UWRF seems to have that magic this year.

The fan in me wants to see NCC in the stagg regardless of opponent.  The coach in me is laser focused on NCC and then John Carrol this week only.

Quote from: D3fanboy on December 17, 2025, 12:22:40 PM

Quote from: WRMUalum13 on December 16, 2025, 10:03:21 PM

Quote from: D3fanboy on December 16, 2025, 06:13:19 PMhttps://www.news-herald.com/2025/12/16/john-carroll-football-hits-jackpot-in-transfer-portal/

hopefully the old school belief of the transfer portal at Mount Union is dead and gone.  The portal sucks, but its the new way of D3 football.  How gross is that?  But the Raiders better load up on transfers this off-season

What makes you think UMU has an old school mindset about the portal? Two of our best receivers this year were transfers, we've also always had big time transfers in the past, even before the portal... Pierre Garçon was the most notebable

We can talk about reasons for not getting as good of top tier transfers as we should be but I don't think it's an old school mindset issue

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2DmtpCB00w

around 19-20 min in

GD "I dont even know how to log into the transfer portal huh huh.....we're not actively going into the transfer portal and picking guys out..."  March '24

The 13 national titles and being the only name brand in D3 bring in the transfers, always have.  Pierre sent his own tape to Mount, he recruited Mount not the other way around. 

While Mount is still the only household name D3FB program, but the days of transfers lining up to come to Alliance are probably done for now.  Hopefully Dartt has figured out the portal log-in and is actively going after difference makers. 

Mount is still "a" household name but it's not the "only" household name in D3FB.

Quote from: Gregory Sager on October 08, 2025, 03:42:44 PM

Quote from: washdupcard on October 08, 2025, 03:11:29 PMit does not seem likely that any school outside of Wheaton has the ability recruit at a level even close as there is no comparable draw, and Wheaton's recruiting is really an outlier as there's a strong religious component that isn't comparable to any other CCIW school.

... and let's just say that there are issues there as well. Wheaton's not the same school it was even in the not-too-distant past when my old buddy (and D3boards regular) the late Dave Lawrenz was on staff there. I'm not so sure that it's the easy sell to parents in the evangelical world that it used to be.

And before USee or any other Wheaton alum raises his hackles, let me point out that the other CCIW school with a strong religious component -- North Park -- isn't the same school it was, either. Last weekend being Homecoming reminded me of how common a topic that is among my fellow alumni, especially those that identify as "NPC alumni" rather than "NPU alumni" (that's an age thing, not a nomenclature thing; nobody complains about the Park being a university anymore).

Change is inevitable in life. Some of it is good; some of it is bad; some of it is a mixed bag. For more information, consult your alma mater's admissions department.

Greg, tremendous read. Thanks for your comparative perspective.

Quote from: GusD on October 08, 2025, 07:39:24 PMA sometimes overlooked or at least diminished aspect of athletic success is administrative support. Specifically, in the case of NCC football, past president Hal Wilde greatly helped kick start team success by bringing former head coach John Thorne aboard in 2002. And John of course brought son Jeff, who succeeded him, with him. He also hired current coach Brad Spencer in 2004. When Dr. Wilde was being interviewed for his position he requested the opportunity to go for a run with the legendary Al Carius. During his tenure he secured funding for the construction of Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium, Zimmerman Baseball Stadium, and the (400 bed)Residence Hall/(91,000 sq-ft)Recreation Center, and expanded the athletic department with the addition of women's soccer, golf, and lacrosse. Wilde was a frequent presence on the sidelines and in the stands to watch the Cardinals compete throughout his presidency and into retirement. Subsequent top Administration has also been largely supportive of athletics as part of the overall student experience.

Also greatly responsible for NC's success on the gridiron is Athletic Director Jim Miller. Miller is a NCC lifer who assumed his position in 2005. He was a football captain during his playing days and has been an integral part of establishing a winning culture within the football program. Miller hired Brad Spencer as head coach in 2022 following Spencer's 6 year run as OC.

Gus, Jim is one of the best to ever do it. NCC has been extremely fortunate with ADs over the last 35 years...
From Al Carius to Walter Johnson to Jim Miller. Success breeding success.

I spoke with a College coach the other day when he was on campus on a recruiting trip.  He said the reason these kids are getting massive deals right now is the "Collectives" have until this spring to spend their war chest of riches because the revenue sharing changes coming this year.
[/quote]
Bingo, it's the "collective" not just NIL where the majority of these athletes are getting paid. The collective comes from mainly boosters/alum/business of the school that raises funds specifically for athletics.

Quote from: Gregory Sager on January 16, 2025, 12:18:37 PM

Quote from: lmitzel on January 16, 2025, 08:23:42 AMCarthage 93
NCC 78

The Cardinals hung with the Firebirds for probably about 30 minutes last night, but a 17-5 run that saw Carthage hit seven of eight field goals had the hosts pull away for the win.

Carthage had an absolutely freakish second half in terms of shooting: 17-24 (.708) from the field, 6-9 (.667) from beyond the arc, and 11-11 (1.000) from the line. I can't remember ever seeing a half of shooting like that before in a CCIW game.

And it's not as though the Firebirds had a bad first half of shooting, either. For the game they had a shooting line of .620/.647/1.000, which is otherworldly -- especially for a CCIW contest against a team that was allowing only .431 from the field and .330 from long range prior to boarding the bus for the trip to Tarble.

Carthage ended up 20-20 from the FT line for the night. It ties a CCIW record first set by Illinois Wesleyan against Millikin in 1988 and then tied by Elmhurst against Illinois Wesleyan six years ago. It's interesting how three times now a team's hit a perfect 20 for 20 from the charity stripe in a CCIW game, but nobody's ever reached 21-21.

I remember years ago, may have been 09 or 2010, we (NCC) played at Carthage and Stevie D. Shot 28 free throws by himself. I don't believe I've ever seen a player get that favorable a whistle in any other CCIW game. Todd Raridon was hot at the refs that night. Lol

To MU football historian or any D3 football historian,
Luke Lehnen is scheduled to start at Qb in his 4th consecutive stagg bowl. Is he in rarified air or has this been done before?