Menu

Show posts

This section allows you to view all posts made by this member. Note that you can only see posts made in areas you currently have access to.

Show posts Menu

Messages - BIGBLUE BEN

#1
Millikin 6 Augustana 33

Millikin came out very flat and never recovered. Hats off to Auggys D, they shut down the run (65yds on 34 carries) and forced Millikin in 3rd and longs all day. This allowed Auggy to peal their ears back and rush the QB every third down and Millikin O-line (5 freshman) could not handle the pressure (gave up 6 sacks). Big Blue offense needs the running game in order to unlock everything else in their arsenal and Auggy stacked the box and played downhill all day.

Defensively, it was not horrible as they held Auggy to 2/8 on third downs and only 320 total yards. Auggy only had 1 penalty for 5 yards all game.... (should have been more like 4-5 but none of them would have really affected the outcome).

Millikin special teams was atrocious. Another PAT was blocked, after forcing 3 and out on first possession they muff the punt and give Auggy 1st and 10 in redzone, and another punt was blocked and led to another TD... Could argue they gave up 15 points on Special teams alone. Auggy was the better team, but this game should have been closer if Millikin executed better. Missed 2-3 deep balls on overthrows that were touchdowns if thrown 2 yards shorter. Change 4-5 plays in this game and it's a one possession game.

Overall, it was disappointing performance but hoping they can rebound next week against a Carrol team that has athletes at the skill possessions but less size and physicality than Auggy. Should be a close one but Millikin should be underdogs again Saturday just based on the way Carroll moved the ball against Wash U. They may be 0-3 but they are very talented, and their HC is an offensive wizard.
#2
Millikin 22, North Park 17

Millikin snapped a two-year home win drought with a packed crowd and a high-energy performance from start to finish. The offense looked sharp, exploiting North Park's defensive lapses with big plays. QB Gomez continues to impress—no sacks allowed through two games, and he's showing poise and precision as a D1 transfer. He is alite at layering in throws and throws a beautiful deep ball. With 3 TDs, 1 INT, and 450 yards, he's a threat both through the air and on the ground (especially when defenses go man-to-man).

Freshman RB Zeno Re'John is electric. He leads the CCIW with 5 rushing touchdowns and has elite burst and agility. Every touch feels like a potential breakout. Shockingly good for a freshman.

Millikin's defense is holding opponents to just 25% on third downs, and while they may struggle against power-run teams like North Central and Wheaton, their linebacker play is great so they should hold up well against the rest of the CCIW.

Special teams were a liability and could cost them games if not addressed quickly. Still, Millikin has playmakers across the board and enters next week's matchup at Augustana undefeated and confident. Auggy, meanwhile, will be regrouping after a tough opener against Wheaton.

I think this Millikin team is a good reminder that the Pre-season coaching poll has always been inaccurate because it does not take into account transfers, recruiting classes and player development... Until you actually start winning you never get any respect in the Pre-season poll which makes sense why you almost never see a bottom feeder projected top 5 the following year. Auggy is in trouble Saturday. I need to go back and watch the Wheaton/Auggy replay but from the quarter I watched I think Millikin is 100% capable of winning this game and will beat Auggy (breaking a 4-year losing streak). Millikin is on a revenge tour for everyone who danced on our grave the last 2 years and if your names not Wheaton or North Central then you're on the list...

GO BIG BLUE
#3
Quote from: CarollFan on September 17, 2025, 01:47:01 PMCCIW announcement on CUW

CUW announcement

Does this mean the CCIW will do away with the 1 non-conference game every year or will there be a rotating schedule every year where you don't play one team? I would prefer the non-conference game to be removed so that Rivalries are protected.
#4
Quote from: Gregory Sager on September 10, 2025, 04:08:25 PM
Quote from: CarollFan on September 10, 2025, 12:05:59 PM
Quote from: BIGBLUE BEN on September 10, 2025, 11:40:19 AMLongtime member but had to create a new account because I lost my password and it would not send me new one!

Big Win for the Big Blue Saturday! (1st in 2 years) funny enough it was on one of only 4 other BLUE fields in the country (Luther College & Boise st, University of New Haven and University of New England). I do not know if anyone has mentioned this, but Millikin had 83 Freshman this year and that did not include the handful of transfer READY STARTERS they got as well who made an instant impact Saturday.

Sam Houston St Transfer Sylas Gomez (JR) looked the part Saturday and will be the best Millikin QB talent since Nicco Stepina (2015-2018). He has special arm talent traits and also has the ability to extend plays and scramble with his feet. I know it was only one game but he looked like a very seasoned QB and only made one bad throw Saturday which luckily was a dropped INT. The Freshman RB Re'John Zeno from Lousianna also impressed and his speed and athletism is something Millikin has not had in a half decade at the RB position. The WR looked better than I was expecting and will give some teams trouble with their YAC abilities. As for the O-line... MAJOR improvement/beef up. We just look bigger and stronger than in the last 3-4 years.

I don't know how they did it, but Billy Riebock and this coaching staff has totally revamped the look of this team in just one offseason. They look like a traditional CCIW team again with the size/speed that you would expect from a middle of the pack CCIW team. Picked Pre-season #9 I think will be a motivating factor for the Big Blue all season and after watching some of the other games around the conference, I think Millikn will be in ALOT of these conference games. I think they absolutely can and will go beat North Park next week in Chicago.

In conclusion, very impressed what I saw from the Big Blue and excited for what is to come for these guys this season and beyond!

Go Big Blue


Welcome back BigBlue Ben and Millikin.
We were discussing in previous messages the roster turnover and noticeable improvement. Oh yes and the 31 year old kicker.

Going to Chicago and beating NPU, I think would be considered an upset.

Going to Chicago and beating NPU wouldn't be an upset. It would be an indication that we have somehow shifted into an alternate universe. That's because the game is going to be played in Decatur, not Chicago.


I stand corrected. Never been happier to be wrong lol! Now I LOVE Millikin's chances Saturday in what will be the home opener in Decatur! I think it will be a very entertaining game and hopefully they can draw a packed house!
#5
Longtime member but had to create a new account because I lost my password and it would not send me new one!

Big Win for the Big Blue Saturday! (1st in 2 years) funny enough it was on one of only 4 other BLUE fields in the country (Luther College & Boise st, University of New Haven and University of New England). I do not know if anyone has mentioned this, but Millikin had 83 Freshman this year and that did not include the handful of transfer READY STARTERS they got as well who made an instant impact Saturday.

Sam Houston St Transfer Sylas Gomez (JR) looked the part Saturday and will be the best Millikin QB talent since Nicco Stepina (2015-2018). He has special arm talent traits and also has the ability to extend plays and scramble with his feet. I know it was only one game but he looked like a very seasoned QB and only made one bad throw Saturday which luckily was a dropped INT. The Freshman RB Re'John Zeno from Lousianna also impressed and his speed and athletism is something Millikin has not had in a half decade at the RB position. The WR looked better than I was expecting and will give some teams trouble with their YAC abilities. As for the O-line... MAJOR improvement/beef up. We just look bigger and stronger than in the last 3-4 years.

I don't know how they did it, but Billy Riebock and this coaching staff has totally revamped the look of this team in just one offseason. They look like a traditional CCIW team again with the size/speed that you would expect from a middle of the pack CCIW team. Picked Pre-season #9 I think will be a motivating factor for the Big Blue all season and after watching some of the other games around the conference, I think Millikn will be in ALOT of these conference games. I think they absolutely can and will go beat North Park next week in Chicago.

In conclusion, very impressed what I saw from the Big Blue and excited for what is to come for these guys this season and beyond!

Go Big Blue